Abstract: A belt of flexible metal with a dielectric of good electrostatic charge retention properties bonded to it is guided over grounded metal rollers with the metallicized side in contact with the rollers. At an imaging station an electrostatic image is placed directly on the dielectric.As the belt moves past a toning station it is sprayed with an insulating fluid containing small particles of high dielectric constant, which thereby obtain an induced dipole moment, or particles with a permanent dipole moment may be used. These particles are suspended in an organic carrier which is chosen so as not to discharge the dielectric belt and to impart a negligible electrostatic charge to the particles.Then the developed image is moved past a station wherein a dielectric roller is used as a backup, and a sheet of plain paper is pressed between the belt and the roller to transfer the wet particles from the belt to the paper.

Abstract: Some photocomposition machines use optics with a variable magnification lens, usually referred to as a variator lens. Because larger size print requires more lumens of power for proper exposure of the photosensitive sheets used in photocomposition machines, the common practice is to employ an iris diaphragm which is coordinated with the size of the projected image. The ratio of the diaphragm opening to the focal length is referred to as the f-number.The invention shows an improved cam operated iris control wherein the cam-to-follower pressure angle is maintained at a minimum and provides a means for enabling the cam follower to traverse the entire cam without binding as the cam follower carriage is moved relative to the driving cam.

Abstract: In photocomposition, when change in point size is made, rather than change iris opening, a programmable flash intensity provides the required irradiance. Iris setting is made only to compensate for film or paper sensitivity, flash lamp efficiency, and energy storage capacitor variations.

Abstract: In a photocomposer, a collimated optical system to enable a decollimator and reflective surface to space characters along a composition line, with a variable size determining primary lens and a negative collimating lens, whereby the optical path is greatly foreshortened.

Abstract: A method of using photocomposition technology to insure all characters falling on a common text base line when multiple lenses are used to change point size in a line of text. Each lens is tested by deliberately setting the flash circuit to be armed by its dedicated timing mark to flash before the character is properly aligned with the optical system. Then from a memory record produced by a previous test program, the flash is delayed by the count in memory. Therefore, the mechanical positioning of a plurality of lenses in a turret may be only reasonably accurate, and not be responsible for misplacing characters off of the text base line when lenses are intermixed during composition of that base line of text.

Abstract: A walker to aid an invalid is disclosed. The walker includes a frame mounted on at least one wheel to allow the walker to roll along the floor. The frame and at least one wheel have coacting lock-catch-and-release means arranged such that when the user pushes down on the frame the lock will release and allow the walker to roll a measured, predetermined distance and thereat lock. Further movement is prevented until the frame is released and pressure again applied.

Abstract: The use of a stepper motor of large steps, with a pulley type mechanical motion reducer system using a flexible cable for dividing a step of the motor into a divided output motion, and an alternative embodiment wherein a second stepper motor in the form of a two-step solenoid further alters the output by changing the position of the flexible cable anchor. The combination is illustrated in an environment of a lens in a photocomposer wherein a carriage carries a decollimating focusing lens and mirror as an escapement composition device shifted in accordance with the dictates of a program operating under specific algorithms.

Abstract: An apparatus used in the formation of visible copies of an image, the establishment of an electric field embracing a screen laden with toner material and a platen supporting a receiving sheet, and spraying ions in an image formation upon the toner on the screen in a sign which will cause the resultant toner particles to be impelled by the field upon the sheet.

Abstract: A photographic compositor having a letter pattern carrying section comprising a plurality of letter pattern carrying discs which are rotatably mounted on a common rotatable shaft at intervals, and an optical system disposed to cooperate with one side of a selected disc wherein a beam for illuminating letter patterns carried in a track on a disc is caused to reside between a pair of adjacent letter pattern carrying discs by interspersing a selected disc with said optical system and then passing the beam through a letter pattern and out through the space between a pair of discs of the following stage, said optical system and said letter pattern carrying section mounted for relative movement in a path perpendicular to the axis of said rotatable shaft, said movement having a first limit which separates the largest disc carried by said shaft from said optical system, and a second limit position preselected to position a track of any selected disc into projection relationship with said system, and means to shift sa

Abstract: An improved indicia disc for use in association with phototype setting apparatus includes a rigid glass support plate and a flexible photographic film disc carrying a plurality of fonts of alpha numeric characters. The flexible film disc is held against movement relative to the support plate by atmospheric pressure against an outer surface of the film disc. To mount the film disc on the support plate, they are rotated together at a relatively high speed about their central axes. As they are rotated, centrifugal force expels the atmosphere from between the film disc and support plate. Atmospheric pressure against the outer side of the film disc is then effective to press it securely against the support plate. In one embodiment of the invention a one-piece film disc is utilized. In another embodiment of the invention a two-piece film disc is utilized to provide greater flexibility of choice in associating various fonts of characters.

Abstract: A system for intermixing large and small size type in a photocomposer by coordinating speed of a disc font storage medium with the size of type to be set. The speed of the disc drive motor is controlled by pulses of power to the motor. A signal frequency which is used to produce the pulses simultaneously controls the speed of the disc driven motor and a counter which is allowed to count out only at specified times in relation to the matrix relative position and thereby inform a controller of the matrix position.

Abstract: In a photoconductive image processing system, consistent copy quality is possible if the charge necessary for the transfer of a toner image is produced by a source of substantially constant current. Changes in transfer material or humidity will not affect the current and thus the charge delivered. As a result, readjustment of the charge source is obviated.

Abstract: A photographic compositor having a letter pattern carrying section comprising a plurality of letter pattern carrying discs which are rotatably mounted on a common rotatable shaft at intervals. A dynamic optical system provides a collimated light beam source at a fixed location. A carriage with a sub-optical system decollimates and focuses the beam, transports the beam in an offset path to letter pattern of a disc, and recollimates the beam. The recollimated beam is then projected to a focusing lens and out to a photocomposer apparatus.

Abstract: A system for establishing the speed of an electric motor, particularly a direct current motor. The principal use is in the control of a drive motor for a photocomposition machine font disc. The speed is controlled by spacing pulses of power to the motor. The pulses are derived from a central output of a left shift--right shift register. Shift in one direction is obtained from a uniform clock source, and in the opposed direction from a generator responsive to motor speed. When the motor speed causes the register to shift left beyond the control output, power is cut off and the motor slows. Slowing will allow right shift and a renewal of power pulses.