Abstract: A wire matrix printer includes a print head having one or more banks of a plurality of generally horizontal, vertically spaced print wires arranged parallel to each other for linear reciprocation toward and away from a recording surface by associated actuators. The print wires in each bank are of progressively varying length so that the wire associated with the actuator furthest from the recording surface is the longest and each adjacent wire is a predetermined amount shorter than the preceding wire. Outer or actuator ends of the wires define a vertically spaced and stepped array. The actuators in each bank are also in an array vertically spaced and stepped and are respectively coupled to the outer print wire ends by armatures. The inner or printing ends of the wires define a vertically spaced, nearly planar array near the recording surface, and a spaced, planar array at such surface.

Abstract: A specially constructed drive nut with both threaded and unthreaded axial bores, and a unique resilient mounting assembly therefor, are employed to couple a rotationally driven lead screw to a linearly driven carriage. The mounting assembly includes a specially constructed resilient O-ring which is coaxially positioned on the drive nut near the unthreaded end thereof and, in combination with a pair of adjustable O-ring clamping plates, resiliently mounts the drive nut in a cantilevered manner on an apertured carriage side wall through which the lead screw passes. As constructed and mounted, the drive nut is allowed to become slightly skewed relative to the axis of the lead screw, if required, in order to minimize frictional forces which can develop, for example, because of tolerance variations, bow in the lead screw, or axial misalignment of the latter with the carriage guide rods.