Abstract: A full cantilever mounting structure for demountably removably supporting a photo-receptor drum for a laser diode printer or other similar apparatus including oppositely disposed orienting members for removably fixedly securing and orienting the drum to a fixed shaft permitting the drum to be freely rotatable about said shaft on demountable end bearings oriented to and removably secured to the fixed shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to magnetic toner imaging-multiplexing techniques and apparatus wherein the number of required voltage drivers is substantially reduced. The apparatus includes a multi-pole magnet assembly surrounded by a shell-like member operatively coupled to a drive motor for creating relative motion between said magnet assembly and said shell-like member. A multiplicity of helical, highly permeable electrodes are circularly disposed around the periphery of the shell member with electrical connections to external voltage drivers through a slip-ring assembly. Magnetic imaging toner is circulated across the toner electrodes as a result of the relative motion between the shell and the magnet assembly. Field concentrating apparatus is disposed within the shell adjacent to a dielectric drum on which the intelligible image is to be produced.

Abstract: A reversing mechanism for use with a cut sheet item feeder in a printer/copier wherein a pair of contrarotating roller members each of which is angularly oriented relative to the horizontal rotative axes thereof operate in conjunction with individual spring biased pressure rollers solenoid actuated so as to cause sheet items disposed therebetween to move selectively in either one of two opposite directions and wherein a one-way movable member disposed in the path of the items prevents the items from returning back into the input pathway. Photo optical control means actuated by passage of each item time the reversal mode of the apparatus by applying a reversal signal to the solenoid actuating device controlling the contrarotating rollers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel actuation mechanism useful, for example, in key switch operation wherein a key stem shaped to mate with apertures in a keyboard arrangement or as individual switches contains oppositely disposed, inwardly deformable, flanged members for captivating the key stem within the key apertures and further includes a torsion spring carried by the key stem and adjustably mounted for rotative movement about a pivot on the key stem. The ends of the torsion spring are movably captivated by the supporting aperture, e.g. keyboard, which in operation provides an excellent resistive tactile feel, and ease of operation on the key release stroke.

Abstract: A zero clearance, backlash free, adjusting mechanism wherein a multithreaded helical member is constrained against movement within a movable support by means of oppositely disposed concentric threaded members separated by a concentric torsion spring. Opposite ends of the torsion spring are captivated by respective opposite concentric members. One of said members being fixidly, slidably mounted within said movable support. Rotation of the helical member forces the two concentric members apart along the helix forcing the members into a zero clearance position effective to prevent any wobble or yawing movement of the helix and thus eliminating any backlash along the helical member. A U-shaped clip surrounds the movable support so as to retain the assembly effective to prevent accidental dislodgement or movement of the concentric members.

Abstract: Electrostatic and magnetic transfer apparatus for conducting and magnetically attracting electronically conductive toner from the surface of a dielectric drum to a secondary substrate such as plain paper wherein a fixed permanent magnet disposed within a hollow cylindrical roller located at the image transfer point within a portion of a continuous loop of semi-conductive material supplies additional attractive force between the toner and the substrate exclusively at the image transfer point which in combination with the electrostatic transfer force applied to the imaged dielectric surface of the drum by means of a voltage potential applied to the hollow cylindrical roller, produces a dense, well defined pattern of intelligence replicating what was originally applied to the dielectric surface.

Abstract: A unitary, demountable, insertable modular magnetic transducer transport assembly for use with accounting records such as magnetically encoded bank account passbooks, magnetic striped ledger sheets and credit cards including self contained magnetic transducer transport for timing track and data pick-up mechanisms capable of being operably coupled to and forming part of an automatic data print out apparatus for on line data processing of accounting information.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for recognizing a presented pattern such as a machine printed character. The apparatus includes a driving assembly for moving a character bearing medium into a scanning area. A pair of lamp sources illuminate the character in the scanning area. A monolithic photosensitive array responsive to the brightness of the reflective light from the illuminated character over a given time period is positioned opposite the scanning area. The photosensitive array or first storage circuit develops and stores an analog video signal which is subsequently converted into a digital representation of the analog signal by a signal processing circuit. A second storage circuit stores a multi-bit binary code representing the brightness of the present character.

Abstract: In a Foster-Seeley discriminator circuit having a discriminating resonance circuit, resonance circuits having series resonance characteristics are respectively connected between a signal source and both ends of the discriminating resonance circuit so as to raise the level of a composite output voltage of the frequency discriminator circuit, whereby the sensitivity of the output voltage versus the frequency can be enhanced.

Abstract: A sorter pocket flag back-up assembly and switch indicating means comprises a non rotatable rectilinearly, slideably moveable support member engageable with one side or face of an item entering the pocket of a sorter including a zero clearance bearing and an integral linear rack having radially disposed teeth engageable with a drive pinion coupled to a reversible stepping motor. The support and rack include a lower guide track coextensive with the rack and an upper spring loaded pin which together maintain a constant depth engagement of the pinion and rack teeth and avoid any tilt of the rack transverse to the long dimension thereof.

Abstract: A demountable back-up item supporting device for an item sorter pocket receptacle of a sorter reader comprises a horizontally elongated fence-like member having a mounting pedestal disposed at each opposite end thereof. A central opening extends from one end of said member to the other end. A highly flexible, relatively thin, deflectable member is attached at opposite ends to said fence-like member and extends within said central opening in a bowed formation having a constantly changing radius of curvature. Oppositely disposed, demountable brushes extend outwardly away from one end of said fence like member. A thin, flat, elongated contacting element is demountably attached to the brush retaining end for cooperative engagement with an associated photo optical switch structure. The fence-like member is vertically bowed so as to maintain the columnated attitude of the items being sorted as the items contact this member.

Abstract: Voltage regulator having current limiting circuitry. The voltage regulator includes an operational amplifier which has a substantially high output impedance and is disposed in a negative feedback configuration to provide an output signal which is the difference between a reference voltage input and the magnitude of the output voltage of the voltage regulator. Overcurrent detection circuitry is connected to the output of the operational amplifier and provides an on or off signal whenever the magnitude of the current drawn by a load exceeds a predetermined magnitude. When the magnitude of the load current exceeds a predetermined magnitude, the output of the overcurrent detection circuitry will be a low level signal which clamps or draws down the magnitude of the output voltage of the operational amplifier towards ground potential.

Abstract: A zero clearance linear bearing wherein a hollow, elongate cylindrical member is provided with a number of peripheral projections or castellations at opposite ends thereof. Alternate ones of such castellations or projections extend outwardly away from the axis of rotation of the cylindrical member while other alternate ones of such projections extend inwardly toward the axis of rotation of the cylindrical member. The terminal portion of each inwardly directed projection is adapted to contact and grip an associated member e.g. a shaft, along which the bearing is slideably moveable while the outwardly directed projections are adapted to contact and grip the inner circular bore of a surrounding sleeve-like support member with which the bearing is operably associated.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for securing a paper driving tractor device along a relatively thin elongate member effective in the released condition to permit the tractor to be positioned at will along said elongate member while in the locked condition enabling, positive, secured, engagement of the tractor with said elongate member effective to prevent any movement of the tractor relative to said member, also permitting locking an elongate member repeatedly at the same position without affecting the original characteristics of the elongate member.

Abstract: A fluid coupling system employs a cap assembly and a connector assembly to provide a leakproof fluid coupling between a liquid container and a device requiring liquid. The cap assembly consists of a cap, a filler valve assembly, a spring and a cap gasket. The connector assembly includes a pusher stem and a cap guide which operate to provide a sealed fluid passageway thereby preventing any fluid leakage. A tank bay is also utilized to contain any accidental fluid leakage.

Abstract: High speed printing endorsing apparatus of modular construction capable of automatically printing both fixed and variable information simultaneously upon items fed to said apparatus in a continuous uninterrupted stream of items. Differential gearing and a wrap spring clutch in combination with a cam and follower concentric with the main drive shaft of the apparatus provide means for automatic item batch consecutive number advance by means of relative motion between the cam the printing apparatus. The item batch printing device is demountably removable permitting alteration of the fixed information while the vertical position of the batch printing relative to the item information field format is alterable at will. Automatic means is provided for loading and unloading the print head inking assembly against the print head so as to avoid any bleeding of the inking mechanism when not in use.

Abstract: A low cost line printer character chain lubricating device that provides an accurate amount of lubricant between a line printer character chain and the hard, smooth support surface about which the chain rotates. The lubricating device is located in a depression in the hard, smooth support surface and includes a piece of flexible, abrasion-resistant, microporous nitrile rubber that is impregnated with lubricating oil. The nitrile rubber has a smooth convex arcuate surface for contacting the character chain. A bracket semipermanently mounts the nitrile rubber in the depression in the support surface such that the convex arcuate surface of the nitrile rubber contacts the side of the character chain that normally contacts the hard, smooth support surface as the chain rotates. Depressions in the nitrile rubber beside the arcuate surface serve as charging reservoirs for the lubricating oil.

Abstract: An assembly for housing microfilm is provided. The assembly includes a first cartridge, a second cartridge, and a connector assembly for detachably connecting the first cartridge to the second cartridge along an offset axis of the assembly. The first and second cartridges have a base plate and a cover plate secured together by a second connector assembly. The first connector assembly pivotally connects the two base plates together at a pivot point to allow each of the cartridges to rotate about the offset axis. The offset axis extends through the pivot point and is perpendicular to the plane formed by the junction of the first cartridge and the second cartridge.

Abstract: In an apparatus for xerographically printing a composite record based on first and second complementary sources of information. The first source of information is imaged onto a photoconductive drum to form a first electrostatic image thereof. The second source of information may be derived from a central processing unit in signal form. The signals received from the CPU are used to modulate the output beam of a scanning laser. The modulated laser output beam is directed to a stylus belt positioned in close surface proximity to the photoconductive drum bearing the first electrostatic image. The stylus belt includes an electrcially conductive layer and a photoconductive layer, and is responsive to the incident laser energy to translate it into a corresponding charge pattern. This charge pattern is overlaid on the first electrostatic image to form a composite electrostatic image. The composite image is then developed and transferred onto a record medium in a conventional manner.