Shock stabilized, twin counter weight shuttle drive for reciprocably mounted carriages

Claim 2

A shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive for reciprocating a carriage that is reciprocably mounted on a supporting structure comprising: a pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights rotatably coupled together and secured to said carriage so as to be entirely supported by said carriage, said unbalancing weights being positioned such that the rotation of said unbalancing weights in opposite directions creates a drive force that reciprocably shuttles said carriage along a line of motion, said unbalancing weights also being positioned such that said drive force is aligned with the center of gravity of the carriage and such that the centers of rotation of the unbalancing weights lie along a line that is perpendicular to the line of shuttle motion; rotation means coupled to said pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights for rotating said pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights in opposite directions; and, shock stabilizing means for stabilizing the shuttle motion of said carriage by coupling at least one of said unbalancing weights to the supporting structure on which said carriage is reciprocably mounted, said shock stabilizing means comprising a coupling that couples a coupling point spaced from the axis of rotation of said at least one of said unbalancing weights by a predetermined distance and located along a line running between the axis of rotation of said at least one unbalancing weight and the center of gravity of said at least one unbalancing weight to said supporting structure such that said coupling point can move perpendicularly, but not parallel, to the line of shuttle motion as said at least one unbalancing weight is rotated.

Claim 3

A shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive for reciprocating a carriage that is reciprocably mounted on a supporting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined distance determines the peak-to-peak shuttle motion of said carriage.

Claim 4

A shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive for reciprocating a carriage that is reciprocably mounted on a supporting structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said coupling comprises: a bracket mounted on said supporting structure that contains a slot oriented such that the slot lies perpendicular to the line of shuttle motion; and, a journal positioned in said slot, said journal with said at least one unbalancing weight and being positioned at said coupling point that is spaced from the axis of rotation of said at least one unbalancing weight by said peak-to-peak determining distance and located along a line running between the axis of rotation of said at least one unbalancing weight and the center of gravity of said at least one unbalancing weight.

Claim 5

A shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive for reciprocating a carriage that is reciprocably mounted on a supporting structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein said unbalancing weights are coupled together and wherein said rotation means comprises a constant speed electric motor coupled to said unbalancing weights for rotating said unbalancing weights.

Claim 6

A shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive for reciprocating a carriage that is reciprocably mounted on a supporting structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said unbalancing weights include equally sized ad configured gears that are coupled together.

Claim 7

A shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive for reciprocating a carriage that is reciprocably mounted on a supporting structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein said gears are formed of an elastomeric material and the teeth of said gears engage one another.

Claim 8

A shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive for reciprocating a carriage that is reciprocably mounted on a supporting structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein said gears are secured to said carriage such that the line running between the axes of rotation of said gears is horizontal and the carriage drive force axis is horizontal.

Claim 9

A shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive for reciprocating a carriage that is reciprocably mounted on a supporting structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said coupling is formed by an arm lying generally parallel to the line of shuttle motion, one end of said arm being affixed to said supporting structure and the other end of said arm being rotatably connected to said one of said unbalancing weights at said coupling point that is spaced from the axis of rotation of said at least one weight by said peak-to-peak determining distance and located along a line running between the axis of rotation of said at least one unbalancing weight and the center of gravity of said at least one unbalancing weight.

Claim 10

A shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive for reciprocating a carriage that is reciprocably mounted on a supporting structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein said unbalancing weights are coupled together and wherein said rotation means comprises a constant speed electric motor coupled to said unbalancing weights for rotating said unbalancing weights.

Claim 11

A shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive for reciprocating a carriage that is reciprocably mounted on a supporting structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein said unbalancing weights include equally sized and configured gears that are coupled together.

Claim 12

A shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive for reciprocating a carriage that is reciprocably mounted on a supporting structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein said gears are formed of an elastomeric material and the teeth of said gears engage one another.

Claim 13

A shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive for reciprocating a carriage that is reciprocably mounted on a supporting structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein said gears are secured to said carriage such that the line running between the axes of rotation of said gears is vertical and the carriage drive force axis is horizontal.

Claim 14

In a dot matrix line printer wherein a series of dot printing mechanisms are mounted side by side on an elongate carriage supported by linear bearings attached to the frame of said printer for reciprocating movement along a print line defined by said dot printing mechanisms, the improvement comprising a shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive, said shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive including: a pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights rotatably coupled together and secured to said carriage so as to be entirely supported by said carriage, said unbalancing weights being positioned such that the rotation of said unbalancing weights in opposite directions creates a drive force that reciprocably shuttles said carriage along said print line, said unbalancing weights also being positioned such that: (i) said drive force is aligned with the center of gravity of the carriage and the dot printing and any other mechanisms mounted on the carriage; and (ii) the centers of rotation of the unbalancing weights lie along a line that is perpendicular to said print line; rotation means coupled to said pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights for rotating said pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights in opposite directions; and, shock stabilizing means for stabilizing the shuttle motion of said carriage by coupling at least one of said unbalancing weights to the frame of said printer, said shock stabilizing means comprising a coupling that couples a coupling point spaced from the axis of rotation of said at least one of said unbalancing weights by a predetermined distance and located along a line running between the axis of rotation of said at least one unbalancing weight and the center of gravity of said at least one unbalancing weight to said supporting structure such that said coupling point can move perpendicularly, but not parallel, to the line of shuttle motion as said at least one unbalancing weight is rotated.

Claim 15

In a dot matrix line printer wherein a series of dot printing mechanisms are mounted side by side on an elongate carriage supported by linear bearings attached to the frame of said printer for reciprocating movement along a print line defined by said dot printing mechanisms, the improvement comprising a shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive, said shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive including: a pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights rotatably coupled together and secured to said carriage so as to be entirely supported by said carriage, said unbalancing weights being positioned such that the rotation of said unbalancing weights in opposite directions creates a drive force that reciprocably shuttles said carriage along said print line, said unbalancing weights also being positioned such that: (i) said drive force is aligned with the center of gravity of the carriage and the dot printing and any other mechanisms mounted on the carriage; and (ii) the centers of rotation of the unbalancing weights lie along a line that is perpendicular to said print line; rotation means coupled to said pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights for rotating said pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights in opposite directions; and, shock stabilizing means for stabilizing the shuttle motion of said carriage by coupling at least one of said unbalancing weights to the frame of said printer, said shock stabilizing means comprising a coupling that couples a coupling point spaced from the axis of rotation of said at least one of said unbalancing weights by a predetermined distance and located along a line running between the axis of rotation of said at least one unbalancing weight and the center of gravity of said at least one unbalancing weight to said supporting structure such that said coupling point can move perpendicularly, but not parallel, to the line of shuttle motion as said at least one unbalancing weight is rotated.

Claim 16

The improvement claimed in claim 13, wherein said pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights are secured to one end of said elongate carriage.

Claim 17

The improvement claimed in claim 13, wherein said predetermined distance determines the peak-to-peak shuttle motion of said carriage.

Claim 18

The improvement claimed in claim 15, wherein said pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights are secured to one end of said elongate carriage.

Claim 19

The improvement claimed in claim 15, wherein said coupling comprises: a bracket mounted on said supporting structure that contains a slot oriented such that the slot lies perpendicular to the line of shuttle motion; and, a journal positioned in said slot, said journal associated with said at least one unbalancing weight and being positioned at said coupling point that is spaced from the axis of rotation of said at least one unbalancing weight by said peak-to-peak determining distance and located along a line running between the axis of rotation of said at least one unbalancing weight and the center of gravity of said at least one unbalancing weight.

Claim 20

The improvement claimed in claim 17, wherein said unbalancing weights are coupled together and wherein said rotation means comprises a constant speed electric motor coupled to said unbalancing weights for rotating said unbalancing weights.

Claim 21

The improvement claimed in claim 18, wherein said constant speed electric motor is mounted on a spring loaded support that maintains the distance between said motor and said unbalancing weights contsant as said motor rotates said unbalancing weights.

Claim 22

The improvement claimed in claim 19, wherein said unbalancing weights are tuned to one another.

Claim 23

The improvement claimed in claim 20, wherein said slot is defined by a pair of spaced-apart rods and including at least one bearing mounted on said journal and positioned to ride on said rods.

Claim 24

The improvement claimed in claim 21, wherein said rods are offset from one another and including two bearings mounted on said journal, one bearing positioned to ride on each of said rods.

Claim 25

The improvement claimed in claim 18, wherein said unbalancing weights include equally sized and configured gears that are coupled together.

Claim 26

The improvement claimed in claim 23, wherein said gears are formed of an elastomeric material and the teeth of said gears engage one another.

Claim 27

The improvement claimed in claim 24, wherein said gears are secured to said carriage such that the line running between the axes of rotation of said gears is horizontal and the carriage drive force axis is horizontal.

Claim 28

In a dot matrix line printer wherein a series of dot printing mechanisms are mounted side by side on an elongate carriage supported by flexrues attached to the frame of said printer for reciprocating movement along a print line defined by said dot printing mechanisms, the improvement comprising a shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive, said shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive including: a pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights rotatably coupled together and secured to said carriage so as to be entirely supported by said carriage, said unbalancing weights being positioned such that the rotation of said unbalancing weights in opposite directions creates a drive force that reciprocably shuttles said carriage along said print line, said unbalancing weights also being positioned such that: (i) said drive force is aligned with the center of gravity of the carriage and the dot printing and any other mechanisms mounted on the carriage; and, (ii) the centers of rotation of the unbalancing weights lie along a line that is perpendicular to said print line; rotation means coupled to said pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights for rotating said pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights in opposite directions; and, shock stabilizing means for stabilizing the shuttle motion of said carriage by coupling at least one of said unbalancing weights to the frame of said printer, said shock stabilizing means comprising a coupling that couples a coupling point spaced from the axis of rotation of said at least one of said unbalancing weights by a predetermined distance and located along a line running between the axis of rotation of said at least one unbalancing weight and the center of gravity of said at least one unbalancing weight to said supporting structure such that said coupling point can move perpendicularly, but not parallel, to the line of shuttle motion as said at least one unbalancing weight is rotated.

Claim 29

In a dot matrix line printer wherein a series of dot printing mechanisms are mounted side by side on an elongate carriage supported by flexrues attached to the frame of said printer for reciprocating movement along a print line defined by said dot printing mechanisms, the improvement comprising a shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive, said shock stabilized, twin counterweight shuttle drive including: a pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights rotatably coupled together and secured to said carriage so as to be entirely supported by said carriage, said unbalancing weights being positioned such that the rotation of said unbalancing weights in opposite directions creates a drive force that reciprocably shuttles said carriage along said print line, said unbalancing weights also being positioned such that: (i) said drive force is aligned with the center of gravity of the carriage and the dot printing and any other mechanisms mounted on the carriage; and, (ii) the centers of rotation of the unbalancing weights lie along a line that is perpendicular to said print line; rotation means coupled to said pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights for rotating said pair of equally sized and configured unbalancing weights in opposite directions; and, shock stabilizing means for stabilizing the shuttle motion of said carriage by coupling at least one of said unbalancing weights to the frame of said printer, said shock stabilizing means comprising a coupling that couples a coupling point spaced from the axis of rotation of said at least one of said unbalancing weights by a predetermined distance and located along a line running between the axis of rotation of said at least one unbalancing weight and the center of gravity of said at least one unbalancing weight to said supporting structure such that said coupling point can move perpendicularly, but not parallel, to the line of shuttle motion as said at least one unbalancing weight is rotated.

Claim 30

The improvement claimed in claim 26, wherein said predetermined distance determines the peak-to-peak shuttle motion of said carriage.

Claim 31

The improvement claimed in claim 27, wherein said coupling is formed by an arm lying generally parallel to the line of shuttle motion, one end of said arm being affixed to said supporting structure and the other end of said arm being rotatably connected to said one of said unbalancing weights at said coupling point that is spaced from the axis of rotation of said at least one weight by said peak-to-peak determining distance and located along a line running between the axis of rotation of said at least one unbalancing weight and the center of gravity of said at least one unbalancing weight.

Claim 32

The improvement claimed in claim 28, wherein said unbalancing weights are coupled together and wherein said rotation means comprises a constant speed electric motor coupled to said unbalancing weights for rotating said unbalancing weights.

Claim 33

The improvement claimed in claim 29, wherein said unbalancing weights include equally sized and configured gears that are coupled together.

Claim 34

The improvment claimed in claim 30, wherein said gears are formed of an elastomeric material and the teeth of said gears engage one another.

Claim 35

The improvement claimed in claim 31, wherein said gears are secured to said carriage such that the line running between the axes of rotation of said gears is vertical and the carriage drive force axis is horizontal.