US5140374A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reader printer
Assignee: BankBoston NA
•
Filing: 1991-10-15
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Granted: 1992-08-18
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Expires: 2011-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A reader printer apparatus includes a modular housing formed by structural foam molding which includes an integrally formed means for carrying the various components of a reader printer apparatus. By providing an integrally formed carrying means, the need for a separate metal chassis and brackets is eliminated, thus reducing the number of parts required. Additionally, this allows the weight of the machine to be reduced to a value less than the seventy pound limit to enable the machine to be shipped by relatively less expensive small package carriers. The reader printer apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a scanning assembly located relatively close to the object plane in order to reduce the overall size of the machine. Moreover, by locating adjacent scanning assembly adjacent to the object plane, the optical paths for the printing mode and the viewing mode are virtually independent, thus obviating the need for pivotally mounted viewing mirrors. The scanning assembly includes a pivotally mounted print mirror driven by a stepper motor synchronized to the speed of the print engine by a stepper motor, mechanically independent from the print engine. This reduces distortions in prints due to wear and voltage fluctuations relative to the print engine.
Inventors
- 👤 David Jagielski
- 👤 Wojciech Dabrowski
- 👤 Paul Hanke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:06
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/10; G03B21/11; G03B21/118; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/22; G03G15/221; G03G15/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A reader printer apparatus for viewing or alternatively printing microimages recorded on microfiche and the like, comprising: a modular housing defining a base section, a center section and a top section having integrally molded component carrying means for carrying components; a viewing screen, carried by said housing; microfiche carrying means, carried by said housing, for carrying a microfiche; an objective lens for magnifying said microimage; means including a light source for projecting light through said microfiche to said objective lens; and a plurality of mirrors carried by said housing, adapted to project a microimage from said objective lens onto said viewing screen during a viewing mode or alternatively onto a print drum during a printing mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A reader printer apparatus for viewing or alternatively printing microimages recorded on microfiche and the like, comprising: a modular housing defining a base section, a center section and a top section having integrally molded component carrying means for carrying components; a viewing screen, carried by said housing; microfiche carrying means, carried by said housing, for carrying a microfiche; an objective lens for magnifying said microimage; means including a light source for projecting light through said microfiche to said objective lens; and a plurality of mirrors carried by said housing, adapted to project a microimage from said objective lens onto said viewing screen during a viewing mode or alternatively onto a print drum during a printing mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said projecting means includes a lamp, one or more condensing lenses and a mirror mounted on a carrier forming a condensing optical assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A reader printer apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said base section is formed with an opening for receiving said condensing optical assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said base section is formed with integrally molded rails for slidably carrying said microfiche carrying means along an axis generally parallel to a longitudinal axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said component carrying means includes a plurality of supports with bosses to enable said print engine to be directly secured thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing is formed from a high impact styrene material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said base section is molded by a structural foam process.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said center section is molded by a structural foam process.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said top section is molded by a structural foam process.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said base section is molded with a wall thickness greater than 1/4 inch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said center section is molded with a wall thickness greater than 1/4 inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said top section is molded with a wall thickness greater than 1/4 inch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said center section is formed with integrally molded side plates adapted to carry one or more printing mirrors and a viewing mirror.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of printing mirrors includes one or more printing mirrors adapted to be movably mounted relative to said objective lens during a printing mode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said movably mounted printing mirrors are disposed adjacent said objective lens in a viewing mode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, further including means for rigidly mounting said viewing mirrors relative to said housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A reader printer apparatus as recited in claim 1, further including means for rigidly mounting said viewing mirrors and means for segregating said viewing mode and printing mode optical paths beyond said objective lens.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
A housing for a reader printer apparatus comprising: an integrally molded base section; an integrally molded center section; and an integrally molded top section; wherein said base section, said center section and said top section are formed with means for carrying various components, which allows said components to be secured directly thereto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
A housing for a reader printer apparatus comprising: an integrally molded base section; an integrally molded center section; and an integrally molded top section; wherein said base section, said center section and said top section are formed with means for carrying various components, which allows said components to be secured directly thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A housing as recited in claim 18, wherein said base section, said center section and said top section are molded by structural foam molding.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A housing as recited in claim 18, wherein said base section, said center section and said top section are formed from high impact styrene.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
111 words
A microfiche printer apparatus for printing microimages disposed on microfiche comprising: means for carrying microfiche; means for concentrating light through said microfiche; means including a print engine having a print drum for recording images projected onto said print drum, said print drum driven by a print motor at a predetermined speed; means for projecting said image from said microfiche to said print drum including a plurality of mirrors; said projecting means including means for scanning said microfiche and projecting consecutive sections of an image disposed on said microfiche to said print drum; and means for synchronizing scanning means with said print motor, said synchronizing means mechanically uncoupled from said print motor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
111 words
A microfiche printer apparatus for printing microimages disposed on microfiche comprising: means for carrying microfiche; means for concentrating light through said microfiche; means including a print engine having a print drum for recording images projected onto said print drum, said print drum driven by a print motor at a predetermined speed; means for projecting said image from said microfiche to said print drum including a plurality of mirrors; said projecting means including means for scanning said microfiche and projecting consecutive sections of an image disposed on said microfiche to said print drum; and means for synchronizing scanning means with said print motor, said synchronizing means mechanically uncoupled from said print motor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
A microfiche printer apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said scanning means includes a first mirror, a second mirror and a third mirror carried by a bracket, said first mirror and said second mirror rigidly mounted to said bracket and said third mirror pivotally mounted relative to said bracket forming a scanning assembly.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A microfiche printer apparatus as recited in claim 22, further including means for carrying said bracket and allowing linear movement of said scanning assembly relative to said microfiche.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microfiche printer apparats as recited in claim 23, further including means for driving said carrying means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A microfiche printer apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said driving means includes a stepper motor and a rack and pinion gear assembly.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microfiche printer apparatus as recited in claim 25, further including means for controlling said stepper motor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
A microfiche printer apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein said controlling means includes means for sensing the speed of said print motor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A microfiche printer apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein said sensing means includes means for optically sensing the speed of said print motor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
A microfiche printer apparatus as recited in claim 28, wherein said optically sensing means includes a disc with a plurality of holes adapted to be rigidly mounted to an output shaft of said print motor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-18 | 1996-02-17 | 1996-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-18 | 2000-02-17 | 2000-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-18 | 2004-02-17 | 2004-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |