US2902132A - Single element print head - Google Patents

Single element print head Download PDF

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Publication number
US2902132A
US2902132A US556514A US55651455A US2902132A US 2902132 A US2902132 A US 2902132A US 556514 A US556514 A US 556514A US 55651455 A US55651455 A US 55651455A US 2902132 A US2902132 A US 2902132A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
print head
shaft
pins
drive
single element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US556514A
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English (en)
Inventor
George A Walker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
International Business Machines Corp
Original Assignee
International Business Machines Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by International Business Machines Corp filed Critical International Business Machines Corp
Priority to US556514A priority Critical patent/US2902132A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2902132A publication Critical patent/US2902132A/en
Priority to BE587440A priority patent/BE587440Q/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J1/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the mounting, arrangement or disposition of the types or dies
    • B41J1/60—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the mounting, arrangement or disposition of the types or dies with types or dies on spherical, truncated-spherical, or like surfaces

Definitions

  • This invention relates to printing elements and more particularly to an improved support and driving mechanism for a single element printing head.
  • notherproblemwiththe single element spherical printing li'eadf is to' produce a uniform density of printingy irrespective of the character being printed and accordingly, it is a still further objectl of this inventioni to improve printing uniformity by providing' an improved' driving mechanismfor a single element spherical printing head wherein an anvil is provided behind the character that is being printedt is a st-ill further obie'ct of this invention to provide anint-iproved2 driving'y mechanismv for asingle' element spherical printing head1 wherein the problem of the compensation factor has been eliminated and wherein ⁇ an anvil is automatically provided behind the character which'v is being printed' therebyv improving the: printing unformity.
  • Fig. l is a vertical section taken through the center of theprint head to show its driving mechanism.
  • Fig. 2 is a sectional view along plane 2-2 of'Fig. 3L in direction of arrows.
  • Fig. 3 is a plan section taken along plane 3-3 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows.
  • Fig. 4 is an auxiliary view of a portion of the tilting mechanism.
  • Fig. 5 is a side elevation of bearing support.
  • Fig. 6 is a side elevation of tilt detent.
  • this invention relates to an improved mechanism for turning and tilting a single element spherical printing head in such a manner that the inner periphery ofthe print head is positively driven at only one point at a time, while the actual engaging point is stepped from point to point along the inner periphery of the print head.
  • the inner periphery of the print head is equipped with longitudinal. groves, and in this manner, the tilting ofthe print head relative to the driving means takes place along a longitudinal line so that the compensation. factor is not involved..
  • a printing mechanism 1 is shown supported in a rocker 3 which in. turn' is supported (in a manner not shown but described in application Serial No. 547,482) for rocking movement into and out of printing position.
  • the printing mechanism is equipped with a single element spherical' printing head 4' having characters arranged in. rows and columns on its spherical surface. Accordingly, provision must he made for rotating and tilting the printing head so that a selected character will be indexed into a single printing position.
  • a selecting mechanism is provided for exerting a force simultaneously on a turn wire 2 and a tilt wire 5.
  • the wires 2 ⁇ and 5 respectively are attached to a rotation or turn pulley 6 and a tilt pulley 7, and the manipulation of these pulleys indexes a selected character into printing position.
  • Rotation Turn pulley 6 is connected via some positivel drive means, for example, a pin 6a, to a shaft 8 which is supported for rotation relative to rocker 3 by means of suitable bushings.
  • Shaft 8 is equipped at: its upper end' with a splined portion 12 which is engageable for positive drive with a complementary splined element 14 in a pin barrel 16,
  • the pin barrel 16 is somewhat in the shape of an inverted bell having an annular ring 17 and a turned down lipV 18.
  • the ring 17 andv lip 18 are perforated in a horizontal plane. along radial lines to provide bearing guides 20 for a plurality of drive pins 22.
  • the pins 22v in passing through the guides 20 form pie shaped sections, and the guides are so shaped as ⁇ to permit the pins to slide radially inand out along radial lines.
  • Each pin 22 is further equipped with a groove. 24
  • the ring cam 26 is V2,902,132 M f supported in rocker 3.
  • the ring cam 26 has a single lobe 28 which is so positioned that the major radius is directly in line with a print position 3i) shown located on a platen 32 (Fig. 3).
  • the single element spherical print head 4 is a hollow truncated plastic sphere with the characters of a type font arranged on it in rings and columns.
  • the print head 4 of the present invention is further provided with a plurality of internal grooves 36 (equal in number to the pins 22) which are in the form of longitudinal lines having their greatest inter- ⁇ distance along the equator.
  • the print head 4 is further equipped with a central stub 3S which provides a ball socket 40 engageable with a ball 42 located on the end of shaft 8. The arrangement of parts is such that the ball 42 is directly at the center of the print head 4 when it is assembled on the printing mechanism l.
  • the ball socket 40 in view of the resilient qualities of the plastic print head, can be sprung into and out of engagement with the ball 42 thereby providing a releasable bearing support at the exact center of the spherical print head 4.
  • the print head 4 is concentric with respect to the axis of shaft 8, and it can be appreciated therefore, that as the pins are driven radially outwardly, each will sequentially engage its corresponding groove 36 and thereby provide the positive driving means for rotating the print head about the axis of shaft 8 in response to rotation of shaft t5.
  • the shape of the radially outer ends of the pins 22 is complementary to the shape of the grove 36 and accordingly, the pin 22 at printing position 30 provides a positive interconnection with minimum play between shaft 8 and print head 4. Accordingly, this inter-engagement of the drive pin 22 at print position 30 with the print head 4 serves the dual function of eliminating the need for an internal detent arrangement for the print head 4 and also of providing an anvil directly behind the character which is being printed thereby improving the uniformity of print density.
  • Tilt control carries a gear sector 56.
  • the radial arm 54 extends through a cut away slot in the support portion of the ring cam 26 so that the arm can be rotated (through approximately 60) relative to the ring cam 26.
  • yoke 27 is provided with a pair of arms 60, 62 which extend up beyond a horizontal plane passing through the center of ball 42.
  • the arms 60, 62 are provided with half bearings 64, 66 respectively, engageable with trunnions 68, 79 respectively.
  • the trunnion 68 is held in engagement with the half bearing 64 by means of a spring 72 while a corresponding spring 74 is provided on arm 62 to hold trunnion 70 in engagement with half bearing 66.
  • the half bearings 64 and 66 are so shaped that during a print stroke the force of the print stroke is transmitted (as later described) to the arms 60 and 62 of the yoke 27 without any tendency of the trunnions being lifted out of the half bearings.
  • the trunnions 68, 70 are riveted or otherwise secured to a cradle 76 which is substantially of inverted U-shape and which acts to tilt print head 4 about ball 42.
  • one leg 78 of the cradle 76 is equipped with a removable gear sector 80 which is connected by means of a set screw 82 in such a manner that an adjustment can be made between sector 80 and the corresponding gear sector 56 to eliminate any gear tooth back lash.
  • the opposite leg 84 of the cradle 76 is equipped with a plurality of notches or ball sockets 86 (see Fig. 6 also), with one notch being provided for each row of type on the print head 4.
  • the yoke 27, in turn, is equipped with a ball detent 88 of conventional type which is spring biased into engagement with one notch 86 at a time. This arrangement insures the proper alignment of a corresponding row of type in printing position.
  • the cradle 76 is further provided with a center bearing stud 90 which is engageable with a complementary bore 92 in the center stud 38 of the printing head 4. Accordingly, through the inter-engagement of the bearing stud 9i) with the bore 92 and the ball socket 40 with the ball 42, a sturdy support is provided for the print head 4 thereby preventing twisting of the print head during a. print blow.
  • Interchangeable print head It can be appreciated that in some instances it is desirable to change a type font to accommodate a variation in print conditions. With the structure described, it is a simple matter to remove one print head 4 and replace it with another. More specifically, the springs 72 and 74 on yoke arms 60, 62 respectively are rst raised out of engagement with the trunnions 68, 70 respectively and then the cradle 76 can be lifted away from the yoke 58 with the bearing stud 90 being lifted out of the corresponding bore 92. Then the print head 4 can be snappedaway from the ball 42 and replaced with one having a different type font. The cradle 76 is again assembled in the yoke 27 and the printing mechanism 1 is again ready for operation.
  • An improved support and' drive mechanism for a single element spherical print head comprising a rotatable supporting shaft, means mounting the spherical center of said print head for universal movement relative to one end of said shaft, means interconnecting said print head for rotation with said shaft, said interconnecting means comprising a plurality of drive pins angularly positioned about said spherical center and movable radially relative thereto, means connecting said d'rive pins for rotation with said shaft, and stationary means engaging said pins for effecting, on rotation of said shaft, sequential radial movement of said drive pins relative to said shaft and into engagement with said print head to effect a driving of the latter with said shaft.
  • An improved support and d'rive mechanism for a single element spherical print head comprising a supporting shaft, means mounting the spherical center of said print head for universal movement relative -to one end of said shaft, and means interconnecting said print head and said shaft comprising a plurality of drive pins radially positioned relative to said spherical center, means mounting said drive pins for rotation with said shaft, and stationery means engaging said pins for effecting radial movement of said drive pins relative to said shaft, and into driving engagement with said print head, said radially moving means being so arranged that only one pin at a time is in full driving engagement with said print head.
  • An improved support and drive mechanism for a single element spherical printing head comprising a supporting shaft, means mounting the spherical center of said print head for universal movement relative to one end of said shaft, and means turning said print head about the axis of said shaft comprising a plurality of drive pins mounted in a plane including the spherical center of said print head, a plurality of grooves on the inner surface of said print head, and means responsive to the turning of said shaft for radially moving one of said pins at a time sequentially into complete driving engagement with its corresponding groove thereby rotating said print head.
  • An improved support and drive mechanism for a single element spherical plinting head comprising a supporting shaft, means mounting the spherical center of said print head for universal movement relative to one end of said shaft, and means turning said print head about the axis of said shaft comprising a plurality of drive pins mounted in a plane including the spherical center of said print head, a plurality of longitudinal grooves equal in number to said pins on the inner surface of said print head, and means responsive to the turning of said shaft for radially moving one of said pins at a time sequentially into complete driving engagement with its corresponding groove thereby rotating said print head.
  • said radial moving means ⁇ for said drive pins comprises a ring cam having a single high dwell at a predetermined point of engagement between said pins and said print head, and means interconnecting said pins and said ring cam.
  • said radial moving means for said drive pins ⁇ comprises a ring cam having a single high dwell at a predetermined point of engagement between said pins and said print head, each of said pins having a notch engageable with said ring cam, and means for turning said pins about the axis of said shaft and thereby driving said pins radially into engagement with said print head to turn the latter about the axis of said shaft.
  • An improved support and drive mechanism for a 6 single element print head comprising a supporting shaft, means mounting the spherical center of said print head for universal movement relative to one end of said shaft, and single point drive means for turning said print head about the axis of said shaft comprising a plurality of drive pins, means mounting said drive pins in a common plane including the spherical center of said element for movement about the axis of said shaft and lfor movement radially of said shaft, pin drive means comprising a flxedly mounted ring cam concentric with said drive pin mounting means, said ring cam having a single lobe proximate to a predetermined point of engagement with said type head, and means interconnecting said ring cam and said pins whereby -the rotation of said pins drives said pins radially relative to said shaft in conformity with the shape of said ring cam.
  • An improved support and drive mechanism for a single element spherical print head comprising a support shaft, means mounting said print head -for universal movement relative to one end of said shaft, additional means supporting said print head for tilting movement about a tilt axis perpendicular to the axis of said shaft and changing single point drive means for turning said print head relative to said shaft comprising means supporting a plurality of drive pins for rotation about the axis of and for radial movement relative to said shaft, a plurality of longitudinal grooves in the inner periphery of said spherical print head, and means providing for the inter-engagement of one of said drive pins and a corresponding longitudinal groove at a point lying in a plane perpendicular to the tilt axis of said spherical print head, comprising a ring cam ixedly mounted concentrically of said shaft for engagement with said drive pins, said ring cam having a high dwell point in a plane perpendicular to the tilt axis of said print head, and means moving said
  • An improved support and drive mechanism for a single element spherical print head comprising a support shaft, means mounting the spherical center of said print head for universal movement relative to said support shaft, tilting means for tilting said print head about a fixed tilt axis, and varying turn means interconnecting said print head and said supporting shaft at a point lying in the plane perpendicular to said tilt axis, comprising a plurality of drive pins, means mounting the same in a plane including the spherical center of said print head, a number of longitudinal grooves in the inner wall of said print head corresponding in number to said pins, and means responsive to the turning of said shaft for turning said drive pins about the axis of said shaft and sequentially driving said pins radially into engagement with their corresponding grooves in said print head at a point lying in the plane perpendicular to said tilt axis.
  • said radial drive means comprises a ring cam fixed relative to said support shaft and having a single lobe located in a radial line through the center of said shaft and perpendicular to said tilt axis, and means interconnecting said drive pins and said ring cam so that the turning of said pins about the axis of said shaft drives them sequentially into engagement with their corresponding grooves proximate to the lobe of said ring cam.

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US556514A 1955-12-30 1955-12-30 Single element print head Expired - Lifetime US2902132A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US556514A US2902132A (en) 1955-12-30 1955-12-30 Single element print head
BE587440A BE587440Q (fr) 1955-12-30 1960-02-10 Tête d'impression à élément unique

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US556514A US2902132A (en) 1955-12-30 1955-12-30 Single element print head

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US2902132A true US2902132A (en) 1959-09-01

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BE (1) BE587440Q (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1198834B (de) * 1958-09-23 1965-08-19 Ibm Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten und Verriegeln eines kugelfoermigen Typentraegers fuer Schreib- und aehnliche Maschinen
US3286806A (en) * 1964-09-16 1966-11-22 Olympia Werke Ag Rotatable and tiltable type head control apparatus
DE1561218B1 (de) * 1966-09-03 1970-09-10 Triumph Werke Nuernberg Ag Allseitig runder Typenkopf mit Einstellvorrichtung fuer Schreib- oder aehnliche Maschinen
DE1761790B1 (de) * 1968-07-06 1971-07-29 Triumph Werke Nuernberg Ag Vorrichtung zum einstellen von typentraegern an kraftange triebenen schreib buchungs oder aehnlichen maschinen
US3618735A (en) * 1969-12-12 1971-11-09 Ibm Spherical type element support
US3688888A (en) * 1970-03-05 1972-09-05 Olympia Werke Ag Type head setting mechanism
DE2141193A1 (de) * 1971-08-17 1973-04-26 Hohner Ag Matth Drucker
US3838764A (en) * 1970-12-14 1974-10-01 Triumph Werke Nuernberg Ag Final positioning mechanism for single element type carrier
US3901371A (en) * 1972-03-29 1975-08-26 Rca Corp Print actuator arrangement and encoder
US4089262A (en) * 1974-05-14 1978-05-16 Joachim Sopora Apparatus for printing data on structural components

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US696833A (en) * 1901-01-14 1902-04-01 Charles E Maxwell Type-writer.

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US696833A (en) * 1901-01-14 1902-04-01 Charles E Maxwell Type-writer.

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1198834B (de) * 1958-09-23 1965-08-19 Ibm Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten und Verriegeln eines kugelfoermigen Typentraegers fuer Schreib- und aehnliche Maschinen
US3286806A (en) * 1964-09-16 1966-11-22 Olympia Werke Ag Rotatable and tiltable type head control apparatus
DE1561218B1 (de) * 1966-09-03 1970-09-10 Triumph Werke Nuernberg Ag Allseitig runder Typenkopf mit Einstellvorrichtung fuer Schreib- oder aehnliche Maschinen
DE1761790B1 (de) * 1968-07-06 1971-07-29 Triumph Werke Nuernberg Ag Vorrichtung zum einstellen von typentraegern an kraftange triebenen schreib buchungs oder aehnlichen maschinen
US3674126A (en) * 1968-07-06 1972-07-04 Triumph Werke Nuernberg Ag Type head drive
US3618735A (en) * 1969-12-12 1971-11-09 Ibm Spherical type element support
US3688888A (en) * 1970-03-05 1972-09-05 Olympia Werke Ag Type head setting mechanism
US3838764A (en) * 1970-12-14 1974-10-01 Triumph Werke Nuernberg Ag Final positioning mechanism for single element type carrier
DE2141193A1 (de) * 1971-08-17 1973-04-26 Hohner Ag Matth Drucker
US3901371A (en) * 1972-03-29 1975-08-26 Rca Corp Print actuator arrangement and encoder
US4089262A (en) * 1974-05-14 1978-05-16 Joachim Sopora Apparatus for printing data on structural components

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Publication number Publication date
BE587440Q (fr) 1960-05-30

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