Abstract: Keyboard generated signals are digitally encoded and converted to varying voltages for application to a coil for generating magnetic forces. The magnetic forces act on a spring mass system including a type disc to rotate the type disc to a selected angular position. The rest position of the disc at any selected angular position is established when the applied magnetic force and the force of an oppositely acting spring reach equilibrium condition. The spring stores or releases energy according to whether the applied magnetic force is greater or less than the existing spring force. The parameters of the system are so chosen that movement from one angular position of rest to another is smoothly accomplished in a given time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring device for automatic gluing machines, particularly for gluing metal parts. When no glue has been fed the automatic changing of a turntable, for example, supporting workpieces to be glued, is interrupted. This is accomplished by means of a probe disposed in the vicinity of the discharge opening of a glue dispensing apparatus and connected in an electric sensing and control or monitoring circuit.

Abstract: Mechanism responsive to discrete character signals is provided for selectively rotatably positioning a type disc clockwise or counterclockwise from a home position to present the selected character on the type disc for printing. The mechanism comprises a driven lever pivoted intermediate its ends which is cycled about its pivot in response to each character selector signal from a keyboard. When cycled, one of the arms of the driven lever is adapted to drive an associated rocker from a rest position and through its other arm is adapted to allow an associated rocker to be driven from a rest position. The movement of the rockers, the magnitude of which is determined by interposers representative of characters which are selectively interposed between associated arms and rockers at various distances from the pivot of the driven lever, controls the pivotal movement of associated frame supported crank levers spring urged against the rockers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a type disc in a balanced force system wherein applied selective forces to effect angular positioning movement from an old to a new position are brought into equilibrium with opposing spring forces. Electronic positioning controls are provided to generate forces for application at different times during a positioning movement whereby positioning movement from one equilibrium position to another is accomplished without damping and without overshoot in the shortest optimum fixed time and with the least expenditure of energy. The electronic positioning controls first apply a force corresponding to a new position and then, midway of the angular positioning distance between the old and the new position, apply a force corresponding to the old position to decellerate positioning movement until natural oscillation about the old position carries the disc to the new position at which time the force corresponding to the new position is again applied to hold the new position.

Abstract: An error correcting typewriter wherein a backspace correction key is operative to read an incorrect character from memory, to in turn reversely move a stepper motor controlled carriage twice the width of a character in error and then forwardly the width of the character in error and then to effect overstrike printing of the character in error.

Abstract: A daisy wheel print element provided with hammer energy absorbing formations to obtain substantially uniform print density for different print area types.

Abstract: An inked and error correction ribbon assembly comprising an inked ribbon cassette adapted to be pivotally mounted in a machine and an error correction ribbon holder having support arms which embrace the inked ribbon cassette and pivotally support the error correction ribbon holder about the pivot of the inked ribbon cassette. The ribbon cassette and the inked ribbon holder each have forwardly extending spaced ribbon guides, with the guides of the error ribbon holder located outwardly of the guides of the inked ribbon cartridge to provide areas in which error correction ribbon spools can be located forwardly of the inked ribbon cassette and between the inked ribbon and error correction ribbon guides. The assembly allows the location of both the error correction and ink ribbon spools in substantially the same horizontal plane and allows movement of the inked ribbon cassette independently of the error ribbon holder.

Abstract: A single piece paper guide device incorporating an aligning scale which is movably hinged to allow movement from a working position to a service position.

Abstract: A wire matrix print head is configured for detachable mounting in a complementary shaped support and held thereto by a spring device which urges the complementary surfaces of the head and its support in secure contact with one another.

Abstract: A typewriter having a carriage return line indexing key to initiate in parallel a powered carriage return and a powered line indexing operation is provided with linkage associated with the carriage return action which assures initiation of the line indexing operation should the keylever depression be sufficient to initiate a carriage return operation but insufficient to initiate the line index operation.

Abstract: A wire matrix print head having print wires subject to wear at their printing ends are biased by return springs against one side of one end of armatures, the other sides of which bear against a gap adjusting ring. The other end of each of the armatures is spaced by a predetermined gap from the pole piece of associated electromagnets which, when energized, drive the armatures about pivots intermediate the ends of the armature against the bias of the return springs. The ends of the armatures are formed with a step on the side initially placed in contact with the drive end of a print wire so that when the print wires are worn the armatures can be flipped over to present the unstepped side in contact with a drive wire with the result that upon movement of the adjusting ring to restore the gap between the armature and pole piece the print wires are pushed to a rest position closer to the printing plane by the depth of the step.

Abstract: A flexible shaft coupling for connecting a drive and a driven shaft comprises an axially stacked plurality of flexible metal discs which are connected to one another at oppositely spaced peripheral points with the directly connection between one disc and its neighboring disc on one side being displaced 90.degree. from the interconnection with the neighboring disc on its other side. The coupling is particularly suited to transmit torque yet allow movement of the driven shaft axis relative to the drive shaft axis. The invention has particular application to small precision mechanisms such as a single element typewriter wherein the single element typehead, secured to the driven shaft, must be capable of being rotated and tilted to position a desired character opposite a printing point.

Abstract: A carriage supporting a single type element is couplable either to the upper run or the lower run of a looped cable drive system for left or right or right to left letter feeding movement under control of an escapement pawl carrier associated with a unidirectional control rack and driven by the upper run of the cable drive system.

Abstract: Printing members comprising a mosaic printing head are driven by flexural bending elements which are electrically actuated to produce a desired printed pattern. The bending elements may take the form of piezoelectric strips or diaphragm pieces which are supported by bearings located at nodal oscillation points of the elements. The printing members when actuated protrude from a bore in one end of a printing head housing. The printing head housing is mounted for transverse movement along guide rails.

Abstract: A plurality of printing needles forming an array are mounted in a printing head and are periodically driven to impact a printing ribbon onto a recording medium. The printing head contains a brake for each needle so that selected needles can be prevented from striking the printing ribbon allowing the formation of a desired character matrix pattern on the recording medium. Each brake may be driven by a piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A mechanism for winding a ribbon on a take-up spool effects a constant winding rate as the diameter of the wound ribbon on the spool increases. A wrap spring intermittently drives a gear which rotates the spool in a stepwise fashion, the free end of the wrap spring being reciprocated by the stroke of an actuating arm. The amount of ribbon which is wound on the spool is sensed by a diameter sensor, which sensor controls the point on the free end of the wrap spring which is contacted by the actuating arm.

Abstract: A circuit for use in charging a battery from a current source, such as a solar cell, includes a Zener diode, a current limiting resistor in series with the Zener diode, and a switch which shunts the resistor. In periods of high current output from the solar cell, the resistor is shunted allowing the Zener diode to limit the charging current to the battery in order to prevent damage thereto. In periods of low current output from the solar cell, the resistor limits the power consumption of the Zener diode to insure sufficient power delivery to the battery.

Abstract: A mount for a consumable electrode printer comprises a member which slidably receives an array of consumable electrodes which are biased to a printing position, a clamp for gripping the electrodes to prevent the sliding thereof, and a release for the clamp to allow the biased electrodes to advance to a printing position.

Abstract: A fabric ribbon cassette wherein an endless folded fabric ribbon is drawn across the printing point of a typewriter or like machine by feed gears which are couplable to and driven by machine mounted feed gears which are also designed to feed cassette supported single pass or multistrike carbon ribbons.