US5237348A — Method and apparatus for alignment of scan line o…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 261 words

For use with a printer, or, the raster scanning apparatus, having a body member; means, mounted on the body member and including two curved surfaces spaced in a y (scan) direction, for supporting the recording medium in an x (cross-scan) direction; a frame; means, mounted on the frame, for generating a beam along a z (beam path) direction and scanning the beam in the y direction along the scan line; and means, mechanically connecting the frame to the body member, for positioning the scan line onto the recording medium; the means for positioning the scan line including two blocks mounted on the frame and having upwardly-directed, inverted V-notches, dimensioned, configured and adapted to be respectively received in two-point tangential abutment onto the body member curved surfaces, and means for releasably locking the blocks relative to the frame; apparatus for enabling selective independent adjustments of the positions of the blocks relative to the frame; said apparatus being characterized in that it comprises: means for holding the frame fixed in stationary position; a fixture having two curved surfaces spaced in the y direction and configured to correspond to the curved surfaces of the body member, the fixture also including a plurality of light beam sensors located in longitudinally-spaced positions, intermediate the curved surfaces; and means, external to the frame and body member, for enabling selective independent adjustments of the positions of the fixture curved surfaces in the x and z directions relative to the frame fixed by the holding means, with the notches received in two-point tangential abutment onto the fixture curved surfaces.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 261 words

For use with a printer, or, the raster scanning apparatus, having a body member; means, mounted on the body member and including two curved surfaces spaced in a y (scan) direction, for supporting the recording medium in an x (cross-scan) direction; a frame; means, mounted on the frame, for generating a beam along a z (beam path) direction and scanning the beam in the y direction along the scan line; and means, mechanically connecting the frame to the body member, for positioning the scan line onto the recording medium; the means for positioning the scan line including two blocks mounted on the frame and having upwardly-directed, inverted V-notches, dimensioned, configured and adapted to be respectively received in two-point tangential abutment onto the body member curved surfaces, and means for releasably locking the blocks relative to the frame; apparatus for enabling selective independent adjustments of the positions of the blocks relative to the frame; said apparatus being characterized in that it comprises: means for holding the frame fixed in stationary position; a fixture having two curved surfaces spaced in the y direction and configured to correspond to the curved surfaces of the body member, the fixture also including a plurality of light beam sensors located in longitudinally-spaced positions, intermediate the curved surfaces; and means, external to the frame and body member, for enabling selective independent adjustments of the positions of the fixture curved surfaces in the x and z directions relative to the frame fixed by the holding means, with the notches received in two-point tangential abutment onto the fixture curved surfaces.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 69 words

Apparatus for use with a printer, or other raster scanning apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising means, cooperative with the means for enabling selective independent adjustments of the fixture, and located external to the frame and body member, for maintaining a constant angle of incidence of the scan line onto the light beam sensors when the notches are received in two-point tangential abutment onto the fixture curved surface.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 81 words

Apparatus for use with a printer, or other raster scanning apparatus, as in claim 1, wherein the means for enabling independent adjustments of the fixture in the x direction comprises a support structure; two x direction adjustment elements, means mounting the x direction adjustment elements on the support structure for selective respective independent movement in the x direction against the fixture; and means, operating between the fixture and the support structure, for biasing the fixture against the x direction adjustment elements.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 78 words

Apparatus for use with a printer, or other raster scanning apparatus, as in claim 3, wherein the means for enabling independent adjustments of the fixture in the z direction comprises two z direction adjustment elements; means mounting the z direction adjustment elements on the support structure for selective respective independent movement in the z direction against the fixture; and means, operating between the fixture and the support structure, for biasing the fixture against the z direction adjustment elements.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 50 words

Apparatus for use with a printer, or other raster scanning apparatus, as in claim 4, wherein the means for biasing the fixture against the x direction adjustment elements comprises a spring connected between the fixture and the support structure for asserting a force having a component in the x direction.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 45 words

Apparatus for use with a printer, or other raster scanning apparatus, as in claim 5, wherein the means for biasing the fixture against the z direction adjustment elements comprises the spring being connected so that the force also has a component in the z direction.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 46 words

Apparatus for use with a printer, or other raster scanning apparatus, as in claim 4, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises two sensors; and the x direction adjustment elements are mounted on the support structure for contacting the fixture at locations respectively proximate the two sensors.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 41 words

Apparatus for use with a printed, or other raster scanning apparatus, as in claim 7, wherein the z direction adjustment elements comprise elements mounted on the support structure for contacting the fixture at other locations likewise respectively proximate the two sensors.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 52 words

Apparatus for use with a printer, or other raster scanning apparatus, as in claim 8, wherein the x direction adjustment elements further comprise x direction adjustment screws; and the z direction adjustment elements further comprise z direction adjustment screws, and lever elements connected between the z direction adjustment screws and the fixture.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 84 words

Apparatus for use with a printer, or other raster scanning apparatus, as in claim 9, wherein the lever elements comprise levers having opposite ends and portions intermediate the opposite ends; means mounting the intermediate portions to the support structure for pivotal movement about a y direction axis; and double-ball socket assemblies; the z direction adjustment screws being arranged to bear against ones of the lever opposite ends and the double-ball socket assemblies being located between the fixture and others of the lever opposite ends.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 101 words

Apparatus for use with a printer, or other raster scanning apparatus, as in claim 10, wherein the frame further includes a curved surface; and the fixture further comprises a wheeled member, and means biasing the wheeled member into contact with the frame curved surface when the notches are received in two-point tangential abutment onto the fixture curved surfaces; the wheeled member and frame curved surface being relatively dimensioned, configured and adapted for maintaining a constant angle of incidence of the scan line onto the light beam sensors when the notches are received in two-point tangential abutment onto the fixture curved surfaces.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 48 words

Apparatus for use with a printer, or other raster scanning apparatus, as in claim 11, wherein the wheeled member extends upwardly, centrally of the fixture; and the frame curved surface is an arc having a curvature centered about a point located on the beam generating and scanning means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 232 words

Apparatus for enabling the selective independent adjustment of releasably locked positions of notched blocks utilized for nesting a frame of a scan line generating optics system onto curved surfaces of a printer, or other raster scanning apparatus, to position the generated scan line in x (cross-scan), z (beam path), θ x and θ z directions relative to a recording medium supported on a rotatable drum; the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises: means for holding the frame fixed in stationary position; a fixture having curved surfaces configured to correspond to the curved surfaces of the printer and including a plurality of light beam sensors located in longitudinally-spaced positions intermediate the fixture curved surfaces; means, external to the frame, for enabling selective independent adjustments of the positions of the fixture curved surfaces in the x direction relative to the frame, and for maintaining a constant angle of incidence of the scan line onto the light beam sensors, when the frame is fixed by the holding means and the notches are received in two-point tangential abutment onto the fixture curved surfaces; and means, external to the frame, for enabling selective independent adjustments of the positions of the fixture curved surfaces in the z direction relative to the frame when the frame is thus fixed by the holding means and the notches are thus received in two-point tangential abutment onto the fixture curved surfaces.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 232 words

Apparatus for enabling the selective independent adjustment of releasably locked positions of notched blocks utilized for nesting a frame of a scan line generating optics system onto curved surfaces of a printer, or other raster scanning apparatus, to position the generated scan line in x (cross-scan), z (beam path), θ x and θ z directions relative to a recording medium supported on a rotatable drum; the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises: means for holding the frame fixed in stationary position; a fixture having curved surfaces configured to correspond to the curved surfaces of the printer and including a plurality of light beam sensors located in longitudinally-spaced positions intermediate the fixture curved surfaces; means, external to the frame, for enabling selective independent adjustments of the positions of the fixture curved surfaces in the x direction relative to the frame, and for maintaining a constant angle of incidence of the scan line onto the light beam sensors, when the frame is fixed by the holding means and the notches are received in two-point tangential abutment onto the fixture curved surfaces; and means, external to the frame, for enabling selective independent adjustments of the positions of the fixture curved surfaces in the z direction relative to the frame when the frame is thus fixed by the holding means and the notches are thus received in two-point tangential abutment onto the fixture curved surfaces.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 71 words

Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the means for enabling independent adjustments of the fixture in the x direction comprises a support structure; two x direction adjustment screws; means mounting the x direction adjustment screws on the support structure for selective respective independent movement in the x direction against the fixture; and means, operating between the fixture and the support structure, for biasing the fixture against the x direction adjustment screws.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 94 words

Apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the means for enabling independent adjustments of the fixture in the z direction comprises two z direction adjustment screws; levers having opposite ends and portions intermediate the opposite ends; means mounting the intermediate portions to the support structure for pivotal movement about a y direction axis; means mounting the z direction adjustment screws on the support structure for selective respective independent movement in the z direction against ones of the lever opposite ends; and double-ball socket assemblies located between the fixture and others of the lever opposite ends.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 91 words

Apparatus as in claim 15, wherein the frame further includes a curved surface; and the fixture further comprises a wheeled member, and means biasing the wheeled member into contact with the frame curved surface when the notches are received in two-point tangential abutment onto the fixture curved surfaces; the wheeled member and frame curved surface being relatively dimensioned, configured and adapted for maintaining a constant angle of incidence of the scan line onto the light beam sensors when the notches are received in two-point tangential abutment onto the fixture curved surface.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 38 words

Apparatus as in claim 16, wherein the wheeled member extends upwardly, centrally of the fixture; and the frame curved surface is an arc having a curvature centered about a point located on the scan line generating optics system.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-08-16	1997-02-15	1997-08-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-08-16	2001-02-15	2001-08-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-08-16	2005-02-15	2005-08-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for alignment of scan line optics with target medium using external adjusting members

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