Abstract: A generally rectangular outer housing is sized to fit within the full height five and one quarter inch form factor. A drawer is mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position in which the drawer is substantially fully contained within the housing to an extended position in which a forward portion of the drawer extends beyond a forward transverse end of the housing. A DAT tape drive is mounted within a rear portion of the drawer and has a forwardly opening cassette insertion slot. A cassette magazine is provided that has a plurality of vertically spaced receptacles for holding a plurality of DAT cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration. A magazine loader is mounted in the forward portion of the drawer for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring cassettes between the magazine and the cassette insertion slot of the DAT tape drive.

Abstract: A tape cartridge for a debossing stamper includes a casing, a tape-containing supply spool and a tape take-up spool in the casing, the supply spool having at least one reflector pad visually accessible from the exterior of the casing by an optical reflective sensor for detecting and indicating an amount of tape remaining on the supply spool. In one embodiment the at least one reflector pad is a series of equally spaced reflector pads on an outer periphery of the supply spool. The sensor provides a feedback on each 1/4 revolution of said supply reel, the feedback being received by firmware to track the number of motor steps to drive the take-up spool and to rotate the supply spool a 1/4 turn, and wherein a computer calculates the amount of tape remaining on the supply spool based on supply spool core diameter, take-up spool core diameter and total tape length.

Abstract: A device for positively restraining data tape cassettes within a magazine of a cassette loading assembly to prevent the cassettes from becoming dislodged from the magazine when the cassettes are not engaged within the tape drive. The device includes a spring loaded cantilever having an end section which engages a detent conventionally formed in the edge portion of the data cassette tape. When the cantilever end section is engaged in the detent, the cassette tape is securely held against a rear interior wall of the magazine. The spring loaded cantilever is pivotally mounted by a shaft to an interior side wall of the magazine. In operation, a cassette transfer system engages the tape cassette to load the cassette into the tape drive. However, prior to such engagement, a bracket mounted on the cassette transfer system contacts a load-receiving end of the cantilever opposite the end section within the cassette tape detent.

Abstract: A dual station hot debossing stamper for a report or book cover includes a print engine having a character finger daisy wheel forcer and a logo die forcer which are actuatable independently by a common servo motor through respective gear trains. A heat and pressure transferable foil tape character cartridge and print wheel are inserted and locked into the engine in a character debossment operation with a motor driving the print wheel. Removal of the character cartridge and insertion of a logo transfer tape cartridge shifts the gears in the print engine. The tape of the character cartridge used with the print daisy wheel has a narrower tape width than that of the logo cartridge. Each of the tape cartridges includes an anti-back rotation spring attached to a reel in the cartridge and may include an adjustable tape advance and indicating means for determining the remaining length of tape on a supply reel. A method of loading heat and force transferable material-containing tape into the cartridges is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of debossing character and indicia-forming pigmented tape onto a report or book cover workpiece positioned under a print engine having a character finger daisy wheel forcer and a logo die or other indicia die forcer is described. Steps of inserting a print wheel and a first tape cartridge into the engine, heating a character-containing portion of a character finger, forcing and printing a desired character in a character debossment operation are included. In another operation, the steps of removing the daisy wheel and the first tape cartridge, inserting an indicia-forming debossment die and a second tape cartridge, heating the die and forcing and thermally printing desired indicia on the workpiece, is set forth. In another aspect of the method, the steps of holding the tape on reels in the cartridges, striking the tape to deboss the pigmented media, stripping a struck portion of the tape from the workpiece and then advancing a tape take-up reel are set forth.

Abstract: A hot debossing stamper for a report or book cover workpiece includes a print engine having a logo die forcer. In printing with a logo die, the logo die is mounted in a die holder and a loader-unloader tool articulates the holder and mounted die into the print engine under the logo die forcer. The die holder includes a die-supporting rectangular frame with a first locking projection extending from one end of the frame and a second locking projection extending from an opposite end. Upon insertion into the print engine, the first locking projection locks into a hook on the bottom end of the die forcer and the second locking projection seats on bail spring extending from an opposite end of the forcer bottom end.

Abstract: A programmable lighting control system for advertising, decorative, artistic, and Christmas lighting applications, consists of a standalone controller, an optional power booster device, and a personal computer compatible software program. The controller receives power via a standard AC outlet receptacle and includes: a plurality of AC output receptacles for connection to either series or parallel connected Christmas tree type lights or the like; a micro-controller to provide timing and control signals that are applied to solid state switching devices to drive the outlet receptacles; a non volatile memory to store custom user defined lighting sequences; a rotary, switch to enable the selection of either pre-programmed sequences or user defined sequences; and a serial communication port. The personal computer compatible software program enables the user to create custom lighting sequences, which can be downloaded to the light controller non volatile memory via the serial port.

Abstract: A dual station hot debossing stamper for a report or book cover includes a print engine having a character finger daisy wheel forcer and a logo die forcer which are actuatable independently by a common servo motor through respective gear trains. The print engine moves line-by-line and a platen moves character-by-character. A print wheel is inserted and locked into the engine in a character debossment operation with a motor driving the print wheel. When using a logo die, the print wheel and casing is removed and using a loader-unloader tool the die is articulated under the logo die forcer. Insertion of a logo transfer tape cartridge shifts the gears in the print engine. A second character tape cartridge is used with the print wheel. A dedicated personal computer and associated software and firmware programs control the stamping apparatus.

Abstract: A generally rectangular outer housing is sized to fit within the full height five and one quarter inch form factor. A drawer is mounted for sliding motion within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof from a retracted position in which the drawer is substantially fully contained within the housing to an extended position in which a forward portion of the drawer extends beyond a forward transverse end of the housing. A DAT tape drive is mounted within a rear portion of the drawer and has a forwardly opening cassette insertion slot. A cassette magazine is provided that has a plurality of vertically spaced receptacles for holding a plurality of DAT cassettes in a vertically stacked configuration. A magazine loader is mounted in the forward portion of the drawer for receiving and vertically reciprocating the cassette magazine and for selectively transferring cassettes between the magazine and the cassette insertion slot of the DAT tape drive.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated cartridge loader 10 of novel design for use with a cartridge drive 12. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sequentially loading cartridge loader 10 which allows the unattended storage of gigabytes of data. The loaders are adapted to be attached to a cartridge drive 12. The novel loaders of the present invention may comprise three moving components: the magazine 30, the pusher 91, and the gripper 93. Each moving component has its own drive motor 80, 94, 146. The magazine 30 has a plurality of slots 40 for holding cartridges 38 which are loaded into a cartridge drive 12. The pusher 91 of the present invention is aligned with the cartridge drive 12 and pushes the cartridges 38 into the cartridge drive 12. The gripper 93 closes on a cartridge 38 after it is ejected from the cartridge drive 12 and holds the cartridge 38 as the pusher 91 moves back to pull the cartridge 38 back into its slot 40 in the magazine 30.

Abstract: A changer method and apparatus for the loading and unloading of data storage modules from a module drive, such as a computer back-up tape drive, is described. To load the drive, the changer pulls a data storage module, such as a DAT cassette, from a magazine by its end, or face, farthest from the drive. To unload a module from the drive, the changer pushes the module by its end or face found furthest in the interior of the drive's module operative station.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated cartridge loader 10 of novel design for use with a cartridge drive 12. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sequentially loading cartridge loader 10 which allows the unattended storage of gigabytes of data. The loaders are adapted to be attached to a cartridge drive 12. The novel loaders of the present invention may comprise three moving components: the magazine 30, the pusher 91, and the gripper 93. Each moving component has its own drive motor 80, 94, 146. The magazine 30 has a plurality of slots 40 for holding cartridges 38 which are loaded into a cartridge drive 12. The pusher 91 of the present invention is aligned with the cartridge drive 12 and pushes the cartridges 38 into the cartridge drive 12. The gripper 93 closes on a cartridge 38 after it is ejected from the cartridge drive 12 and holds the cartridge 38 as the pusher 91 moves back to pull the cartridge 38 back into its slot 40 in the magazine 30.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for preparing side-stitched documents. The apparatus includes means for feeding a series of sheets to be included in said document in a paused, timed, preselected order, a downstream, in-line accumulating station to receive the sheets, first clamping means associated with the accumulating station for grasping a complete assembly of sheets on the side opposite the side to be stitched, and means for moving said clamped assembly to a downstream, in-line stitching station.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing paper sheets includes a sheet transport supported by a frame for carrying sheets past a print head along a generally planar paper path. The print head is mounted in a fixed but adjustable relationship with respect to the transport by a shaft rotatably mounted at each end to the frame to extend generally perpendicular to the paper path. A mounting plate has the print head secured thereto, and is in turn attached to the shaft whereby the mounting plate and the print head thereon are pivotable with the shaft from a normal position near the paper path to provide access to the path. A stop is provided for limiting pivotal movement of the plate towards the paper path. Provision is made for adjustment of the skew angle of the print head with respect to paper path, the lateral placement of the print head with respect to the path, and the distance of the print head from the paper path when in the normal position.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for preparing side-stitched (and preferably taped) documents which lie flat when opened on a flat support surface, such as a desk.