Abstract: A thermal printing system with encoded cassettes is disclosed. A thermal image transfer sheet is removably attached to a print sheet. Encoded instructions may be provided as either a bar code placed on the print sheet, as digital signals stored in a ROM or RAM storage device which forms a part of a cassette supply storing the print sheets, or as digital signals indicated by extruded pins or punched holes in a part of a cassette supply storing the print sheets. The encoded instructions represent certain conditions, such as the optimum thermal printing energy to be applied to pixels forming a printing head, and such encoded instructions are utilized to program various aspects of printing, such as the printing format. The print sheet may be divided, as by scoring, into different print fields so that it may be readily separated into separate display signs.

Abstract: Different print sheet sets are disclosed to receive printing by a thermal printer. A thermal image transfer sheet is removably attached to a print sheet having a score line across the same to form a zone for coded indicia and a zone to receive printing. Indicia are provided in the indicia zone to represent certain conditions, such as the optimum thermal printing energy to be applied to pixels forming a printing head, and such indicia are sensed by a sensing device to program various aspects of printing, such as the printing format. The print sheet may be divided, as by scoring, into different print fields so that it may be readily separated into separate display signs.

Abstract: A printing machine is disclosed for printing an image on an image receiving tape. The present invention includes a novel tape cassette. The cassette includes a housing with a tape spool and ribbon spool disposed within the housing, and electrical circuit elements which are disposed to electrically engage electrical connectors carried by the printing machine. The circuit elements are selected to cooperate with the circuitry of the printing machine to indicate desired characteristics of the cassette. The desired characteristics may be varied such that the electrical elements identify the size of the tape or the type of tape carried by the casette.

Abstract: A head contorl apparatus is disclosed for a printing machine. The apparatus includes a frame with a thermal head connected to the frame. A tape roller guide is connected to the frame. The guide and the head are disposed on opposite sides of an intended tape pathway, The guide and head are both movable between first and second positions with the guide and head in the first positions being spaced apart a first distance sized to freely position a tape within the intended pathway. The guide and the head in the second positions are disposed to be closely adjacent with a tape within the pathway being urged against the head. The drive for the image source type is disconnected when the guide and head are separated.

Abstract: The knob spindle of a self contained electrically controlled door lock is locked and unlocked by a unidirectional miniature electric motor. The motor drives a lock pawl to and from locking position through cyclically operable mechanism including an energy storing spring. The mechanism invariably operates through a cycle and, if the pawl is prevented from moving, energy will be stored in the spring to subsequently move the pawl, thereby preventing stalling of the motor and undue drain on the batteries.

Abstract: The knob spindle of a door lock is locked by a locking element supported for movement about an axis parallel to the spindle axis, and a latch, also supported for movement about an axis parallel to the spindle axis, latches the locking element in both locking and unlocking positions. Spring means urge the latch into latching position. Electromagnets are energized sequentially to move the latch into unlatching position and the locking element into unlocking position.

Abstract: A printing mechanism for use in an impact printing system primarily intended for the transfer of a dry film impression onto an image carrying tape. The mechanism includes a hammer (130), and an anvil (126). The hammer is actuated by lever arm (164) which is in turn accuated by eccentric cam (194). At its upper end the hammer is biased by a pivotal spring mechanism (152) against a roller bearing (162). At its lower end the hammer (130) has a guide pin (140) which passes through an aperture (144) in a guide plate (142). The guide plate is adjustably mounted by means of slots (141) so that movement of the guide plate adjusts the inclination of the hammer.

Abstract: A film ribbon cassette for an impact printer is disclosed. The cassette includes two compartments (430 and 432) divided by a central wall (434). A central shaft (482) extends from compartment (432) into the other compartment where it receives a motor drive (486). The shaft is attached to a knurled roller (472) which draws the ribbon from the supply spool (438) through a member (436) across an aperture for a printing station, crossing over and returning to the other side of the cassette into the spent ribbon compartment (432).

Abstract: A printing mechanism for use in an impact printing system primarily intended for the transfer of a dry film impression onto an image carrying tape. The mechanism includes a hammer (130), and an anvil (126). The hammer is actuated by lever arm (164) which is in turn accuated by eccentric cam (194). The degree of impression is controlled by an eccentric bearing (211) and the hammer can be adjusted for exact parallel engagement by moving plate (142) which pivots the hammer. The system is accuated by a geared drive train which rotates the eccentric cam (194) and causes the hammer to reciprocate.

Abstract: A precision tape feed and guide mechanism is disclosed. The guide includes a base plate (308) and a hold-down plate (314) with fingers (316, 318). A spring (345) biases the fingers against the tape (301) during printing. Actuation lever (330) which is pivoted on point (332) causes plate (314) to lift out of contact with the tape and permit its easy removal. Feeding or incrementation of the tape is accomplished by an incompressible roller (350) removably biased against roller (352) which includes a recessed portion (356) having an incompressible O-ring (354) residing therein and biased against roller (350) with a tape (301) therebetween.

Abstract: A print disk positioning system is disclosed herein which provides rotational and lateral movement of a print disk (20) having raised or depressed characters thereon with the objective of locating the appropriate character within the jaws of a printing station (22). The positioner includes a fixed rail (44) which is driven by the rotation of a motor (38) having a pinion gear (42) which drives a rack gear (82) connected to a rack arm (80) which in turn slides a second motor (54) mounted on bearings (56) on rail (44). Motor (54) provides the rotational movement to the disk and motor (38) provides the lateral movement. Each motor is controlled electrically to cause an appropriate sequence of movements to bring the disk into proper alignment in the printing station at the appropriate time.