Abstract: A computer software key guide holder (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) includes an elongated multi-sided display member (16, 116, 216, 316, 416) within a support member (12, 112, 212, 312, 312) for positioning and retaining atop a computer keyboard (KB). The display member (16, 116, 216, 316, 416) is adapted to receive and display a plurality of software key guides (KG1-n) aligned with the function keys for indicating software functions available by depressing a combination of function keys (F1-12) and control keys (CK1-3). The software key guides (KG1-n) include templates made of thin material and having a plurality of columns (C1-12) associated with each function key and a plurality of rows (R1-4) associated with a control key and intersecting the columns (C1-12) providing individual boxes for marking the function thereon. The rows (R1-2) are of uniform color different from an adjacent row (R1-4) such that each box associated with a particular function key is of a different color.

Abstract: A printing head drive circuit of a printer is mounted on the side of a carriage having a printing head attached thereto for a allowing said carriage to act as a heat sink. Hereby, no particular cooling means (heat sink, cooling fan and the like) is required for printing head drive elements. In addition, a controller and heat generating parts can be completely separated. Thus, it can be anticipated to reduce the number of parts and the cost required for assembling the whole structure as well as to improve reliability of the printing head drive circuit.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a wire dot print head including a driving coil, a print lever attracted by the coil in a first direction, a spring for biasing the print lever in a second opposite direction and a damper includes a DC power source connected to a first end of the driving coil. A transistor is connected to the second end of the driving coil. An output circuit provides a gated output to the transistor. The output circuit receives as a first input a print data signal and as a second input a signal from a reference timing signal generator. The reference timing signal generator includes a drive pulse signal generator which provides an output in response to a print timing pulse which causes the output circuit to provide an output for the driving coil to attract the print lever.

Abstract: A serial printer includes a print head movable along a print line of a recording sheet. A flexible carrier cable is attached to the print head for supplying a drive signal thereto. One end of the carrier cable is fixed to the movable print head, but its longitudinally intermediate portion is free, and bent to form a C-shape which follows the movement of the print head. The carrier cable includes a magnetic material, and a magnetic plate is provided at a position opposing the lower part of the C-shaped carrier cable to attract and hold the lower part of the carrier cable, whereby the vibration caused in the carrier cable by the movement of the print head is reduced.

Abstract: A device for cooling a thermal head of a thermal image recording apparatus comprising a ventilation unit for producing a stream of air for cooling the thermal head and a duct for guiding the stream of air having cooled the thermal head outside the recording apparatus. The air heated by having cooled the thermal head does not circulate within the recording apparatus, whereby the temperature within the recording apparatus can be prevented from rising.

Abstract: A switching signal, either for the switching off of the print head (20), or for a lowering of the operating frequency, or for a switching-on/switching-off control of a blower motor, is employed in connection with an installation of a temperature surveillance of a print head (20) or of a hammer block based on an electromagnetic coil construction. In order to achieve a more precise, a quicker and a more individual measurement determination, the electromagnetic coil (3), coordinated to each print element (1), is in each case switched during a current-passing pause to a primary constant current source generating a voltage (U.sub.p). A coil voltage drop (U.sub.s) at the electromagnetic coil (3) generates a reference signal (26) at the comparator (27) setting the temperature limit. The reference voltage (U.sub.ref) is received as a binary logic signal in an intermediate data memory storage (30).

Abstract: Disclosed is a typewriter wherein a ribbon holder mounted on a carriage movable along a platen holds both a print ribbon and a correction ribbon thereon and is displaceable between its first lift position for facing the print ribbon to a print point on the platen and its second lift position for facing the correction ribbon to said print point.The disclosed typewriter is provided with lift means for displacing the ribbon holder between its first and second lift position, detecting means for detecting the lift position of the ribbon holder, and control means for controlling the lift means to displace the ribbon holder in response to the result of detection of the detecting means, thereby the possibility of errorneous initial printing is eliminated, which may occur when a power supply is once turned off during a correcting action with a correction ribbon and then is turned on again to perform a normal print operation.

Abstract: A printer in which the heat build-up in the printhead is limited by determining whether the printhead temperature is at its temperature threshold. If so, the printing is not allowed to proceed untilt the printhead has cooled sufficiently so that the printing will not cause it to exceed its temperature threshold. The temperature limiting feature is accomplished by testing before each unit of printing whether the temperature of the printhead is below the threshold and therefore printing may occur as usual or whether to take some action to limit the temperature, analyzing the activity during each time period to determine whether heating or cooling of the printhead is occurring, and adjusting the present (calculated) temperature of the printhead accordingly.

Abstract: A cooling device for a printer head includes an evaporation unit, a condenser and a refrigeration medium supply pump interconnected by conduits or tubes. The heat generated from the printer head is taken up in the form of the heat of vaporization of a refrigeration medium in the evaporation unit disposed around the printer head.

Abstract: In an office machine, in particular in a matrix printer which is provided with a power grid component (3) for the power supply of the electrical or, respectively, the electronic circuits and which includes a safety fuse on the power grid input side, there is disclosed for purposes of more clarity of the construction, for an easier operability and for protection against false connection, that a multiple safety fuse socket (6) for at least two melting safety fuse bodies (9, 10) is coordinated to a voltage selection switch (7). The multiple safety fuse socket (6) can be placed in different relative geometric positions with respect to the voltage selection switch (7) into a fuse socket (8). A selected voltage is coordinated at the voltage selection switch (7) in each position of the multiple safety fuse socket (6).

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a movable carriage mounted with a printing mechanism that reciprocates along a printing line on a platen, and a control unit, which is provided on a printer body in a stationary manner and sends control signals to the printing mechanism for its various operations. A flexible member connected to the carriage and the control unit for transmission of the control signals. For this purpose, the flexible member is connected at one end to the printing mechanism. The flexible member has a first end portion at a proximity of that end, which is clamped by a connecting member pivotally supported on the carriage. This connecting member can swing to permit free deformation of the flexible member which is caused by the movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus for carrying out recording by driving a thermal head to transfer ink of an ink film in transportation. This apparatus includes a separating device disposed downstream of the thermal head with respect to a direction of ink film movement and spaced from a platen roller. The separating device has an uneven surface.

Abstract: In a control device for an impact printer for performing a printing operation at a first printing speed, a temperature sensing element, provided such that the temperature of an electromagnet unit can be directly or indirectly detected, is operated at a first temperature and restored at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. A controller changes the printing speed to a second printing speed lower than the first printing speed when the temperature sensing element is operated, returns the printing speed to the first printing speed when the element is restored, and changes the operating speed to a third printing speed lower than the second printing speed when the element is operated for a predetermined period of time, whereby the printer is made high in reliability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a typewriter wherein a ribbon holder mounted on a carriage movable along a platen holds both a print ribbon and a correction ribbon thereon and is displaceable between its first lift position for facing the print ribbon to a print point on the platen and its second lift position for facing the correction ribbon to said print point.The disclosed typewriter is provided with lift means for displacing the ribbon holder between its first and second lift position, detecting means for detecting the lift position of the ribbon holder, and control means for controlling the lift means to displace the ribbon holder in response to the result of detection of the detecting means, thereby the possibility of errorneous initial printing is eliminated, which may occur when a power supply is once turned off during a correcting action with a correction ribbon and then is turned on again to perform a normal print operation.

Abstract: For a computer printer having a paper feeder designed to engage a continuous perforated paper having a series of prepunched holes on the left and right marginal strips, a vacuum attachment is disclosed for keeping clean the interior of the computer printer from dust, paper perforations, paper punch waste materials, or other debris produced during printing operations, comprising vacuum means, nozzle means operably connected to said vacuum means, and means for amounting the nozzle means adjacent the paper feeder of the computer printer.

Abstract: A printer has a print head, first heat-dissipating fins disposed on the print head for dissipating heat produced by the print head, a carriage for carrying the print head, and a motor for driving the carriage. Second heat-dissipating fins are disposed on the motor for dissipating heat produced by the motor. A fan is driven by the motor for forming an air flow which is directed toward the first and second heat-dissipating fins for the efficient dissipation of heat.

Abstract: A cooling fan control device for regulating the speed of a fan cooling a printing device. The control includes apparatus for determining whether a printing head and a paper feeder are to be driven, and when at least one of the printing head or paper feeder is to be driven, the cooling fan is driven at a high speed, while when neither the printing head nor the paper feeder is to be driven, the cooling fan is driven at a low speed. In a further aspect, the printing device sequentially adds the number of dots printed to a value previously stored in a memory and a subtracting device subtracts a predetermined value from the dot number newly stored in the memory every predetermined time.

Abstract: A driving method for a printing apparatus having a non-stabilized power source compensates for power supply fluctuations by selectively driving an additional load, such as another electric actuator, in a non-functional mode to thereby stabilize the current and voltage supplied to driven electric actuator.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a thermal transfer ribbon from a recording medium includes an elongated member which is positioned adjacent the ribbon and is movable to a position in contact with the ribbon for stripping the ribbon from the recording medium after a printing operation. The elongated member may take the shape and form of a blade or the member may be a wire for stripping the ribbon from the medium.

Abstract: A conical vent (14) for a cartridge (10) is located on an inner surface (20) of the cartridge. The conical vent includes a conical-shaped member (26) having a base (28) and an apex (30). An opening (32) extends through the center of the conical-shaped member (26) to provide an air passage for a cartridge (10). The opening (32) is adapted to create a capillary force on a small amount of liquid (59) that might enter the opening to prevent any remaining liquid from leaking through the opening. The vent also includes a groove or capillary trap (34) that encircles the base of the conical-shaped member. Also, a pair of upright walls (36) and (38) surround the conical-shaped member and cooperate with the capillary trap to divert liquid to the base of the conical-shaped member and away from its apex.

Abstract: A keybaord which is capable of varying the pressure required for the keystroke is provided and comprises an inflatable arrangement being a variable pressure bladder which fits over the keyboard between the base plate and the keys. The operator may vary the pressure delivered to the system as desired and may also preset a cycle of time intervals with pressure "on" and pressure "off". Alternatively, the pressure supply may be linked to a number of keyboards and a programmed variable pressure cycle will be delivered to all the keyboards.

Abstract: A cooled print hammer assembly in which a plurality of hammer coils are formed in a resin member having a recess in which is placed a cooling fin. The opened faces of the fins are placed adjacent a plate of the frame of the print hammer assembly so that closed forced-air ducts are defined by the fins and the frame plate. Additionally, partitions may be placed on the sides of the fins so that the external sides of the fins are cooled.

Abstract: A dot matrix print head has a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the print head itself. When the detected temperature exceeds a preset temperature, the temperature sensor produces and output signal for stopping or slowing down the dot matrix print head so that its temperature may be lowered. The temperature sensor is accommodated in a substantially central hole of a radial member mounted in a heat conductor body and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced heat conducting arms with their radially outer ends held intimately against the radially inner surfaces of driver or demagnetizing coils which actuate dot pins. The heat conducting arms can quickly and accurately conduct the heat from the coils to the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A flexing connector for suppressing electromagnetic radiation from an electrical cable connecting moving and stationary elements of a machine has a shield surrounding a signal cable which includes an inner coil of wire wound in a generally helicoidal form with a flat cross-section with the signal cable positioned within the coil. An outer coil similar to the first, but with somewhat larger cross-section and wound with a different chirality, surrounds the inner coil. The coils are made from hardened steel, which is both electrically conductive and ferromagnetic. The two coils and the cable are clamped together on either side of a moving loop extending between the moving and stationary elements so that the coils cannot elongate and spread their windings apart as the connector is flexed.

Abstract: A printing mechanism assembly, which includes a platen, a print head opposed to the platen for printing operation, a carriage carrying the print head thereon, and a guide rod for supporting the carriage so as to be movable along a print line, is supported on a plastic subframe. The subframe is provided integrally with channel-shaped reinforcing members extending parallel to the platen at front and rear end portions of the subframe. Each reinforcing member is formed integrally with a number of reinforcing ribs arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the member. The subframe is mounted, at its front and rear end portions, on a main frame. For the mounting arrangement, engaging projections are formed on the rear end portion so that they can substantially horizontally engage mounting recesses in the main frame with the aid of vibration-proof rubber members.

Abstract: Matrix printers exhibit the tendency to develop electrostatic charges on account of various movements in sliding contact between the print medium such as paper on one hand and the transport device and print styli or hammer on the other hand. In order to eliminate these charges the traction means for transporting the paper is driven by a drive shaft which is held in electrical insulation from the transport device but is electrically connected through a paper support structure which is in turn is electrically connected to a connecting rod completing a frame structure for the transport device.

Abstract: A typewriter transparency with a supporting substrate and thereover a coating blend selected from the group consisting of (1) poly(vinyl methyl ether), and poly(styrene); (2) poly(vinyl methyl ether), poly(styrene) and poly(ethyl acrylate); (3) a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene-triblock copolymer; (4) poly(vinyl acetate), and poly(vinyl isobutylether); (5) a styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer; (6) poly(vinyl methyl ether), poly(vinyl acetate), and poly(ethylacrylate); (7) poly(hexyl methacrylate) and poly(ethyl methacrylate), and other coatings.

Abstract: A wire dot printer has a wire dot head comprising a plurality of electromagnets for attracting each armature to thereby project each wire to a printing position, a first cover provided with a guide for guiding the wires to the printing position, holding means for holding the electromagnets, the holding means being formed of a material of high heat radiation efficiency, and a second cover connected to the holding means with high heat conducting efficiency and covering the electromagnets and the armatures, the second cover being provided with radiation fins at a plurality of locations thereon.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing on a sheet of paper via a thermal ribbon has a paper feeding device for feeding the sheet of paper; a thermal print head including heat generating elements which are held in pressed contact with the surface of the sheet of paper via the thermal ribbon, the heat generating elements being selectively energized to apply heat to an ink layer of the thermal ribbon to fuse the ink for adherence of the fused ink to the surface of the paper; and a smoothness improving device, disposed upstream of the thermal print head in the direction of feed of the sheet of paper by the paper feeding device, for improving the smoothness of the surface of the paper.

Abstract: A printing device operative to reduce a printing speed of a printing head to suppress a heat produced and to operate cooling means or allow the cooling ability to be higher when the printing head has a high temperature at which cooling is required, and operative to reduce a printing speed of the printing head to suppress a heat produced to stop the cooling means or allow the cooling ability to be lower when the printing head has a low temperature at which cooling is not required, thus suppressing an operating noise.

Abstract: A control system for an impact printer having a cooling fan, in which a current for driving a printing device is detected as a voltage and the detected voltage is compared with a reference value. When the detected voltage is lower than the reference value, the current for driving the cooling fan is decreased.

Abstract: A ballistic type wire printing head comprises a metal front support (11) for guiding the printing wires (23) and supporting a group of actuating electromagnetic units (37, 39, 41) associated with the wires. The armatures (41) of the electromagnetic units are pre-assembled on a disc (40) of plastics material. A rear cover (59) which is also of metal encloses the electromagnetic units and in its interior supports spring spider (58) which co-operates with all the armatures of the electromagnetic units. The electromagnetic units have a common internal, ferromagnetic support (35) from which heat is conducted to the front support (11) and cooling fins (25). In a second embodiment, the printing head also comprises a second group of electromagnetic units associated with another series of printing wires. In that case, an intermediate metal member acts as a cover member for the first group of electromagnetic units and as a support for the second group of electromagnetic units.

Abstract: A daisy wheel printer having a platen, a translatable carriage, a pair of parallel support rods for the carriage, a pressure roller control mechanism, and electrochemical dirve mechanisms for the carriage and the platen has a unitary cast base member incorporating all of the support members required for these elements. The unitary base member also integrally incorporates a support platform for the electrical power components, a separate integral chamber for the electronic control components, and a thermally conductive heat sink for conducting away heat generated by the electrical components.The unitary base member also provides electromagnetic radiation shielding and static discharge protection without the need for additional shielding or ground components.The carriage assembly for the printing element includes a one piece die cast lower support brace, and an upper carriage assembly incorporating the detachable ribbon cartridge drive mechanism and a simple one piece ribbon latching device.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a dot matrix impact print head suitable for application in serial printers. The print head is mounted on a carriage sliding on guide bars for reciprocating movement thereon. A liquid filled container having an inlet and outlet is mounted on the carriage and is in thermal contact with the printing head. A heat dissipator also mounted on the printer has a liquid filled cavity with inlet and outlet with flexible conduits connected to the inlets and outlets so as to form a liquid circulation loop. A unidirectional fluid valve in said loop maintains liquid circulation in the loop by the reciprocating movement of the liquid container.In the preferred form of embodiment the liquid container is formed integral with the print head, the liquid in the container being in direct contact with electromagnetic cores of the print head, and the heat dissipator is formed by a guiding bar, the bar being hollow and having an inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A print head for impact type dot matrix printer having means for air-cooling the interior of the print head elevated in temperature due to the generation of heat of solenoid coils, the air cooling means is constituted in such a manner that the outer face of the print head along the direction of movement thereof is formed so as to cause the faster flow of air along said outer face when the print head is moved, and said outer face is provided with ventilating hole means which communicates the interior of the print head and the outside. When the print head is moved, it causes the faster flow along said outer face to thereby draw the air from the interior of the print head through the ventilating hole means due to the difference in pressure.

Abstract: A drive control system for controlling a drive motor in response to external command signals. The system comprises a first control arrangement for obtaining numerical values corresponding to amounts of successive intermittent operations of the drive motor responsive to respective external command signals, summing the obtained numerical values, and subtracting from a current sum of the numerical values a numerical value corresponding to a non-operation time period during which the drive motor is held at rest between the successive intermittent operations. The system further comprises a second control arrangement for inhibiting the operation of the drive motor responsive to the next command signal, for a length of time corresponding to the current sum after the drive motor has completed each of the intermittent operations, whereby the temperature of the drive motor is kept below an upper limit.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a dot matrix printer of the stored energy type in which a plurality of flexible spring hammer elements are mounted in an interleaved arrangement in order to provide a compact structure. The actuator assembly includes a mounting block having upper and lower magnetic circuits and spring hammers attached to it. A portion of the magnetic circuits is coupled to the rear of the mounting block in order to facilitate heat dissipation from the actuator. The pole pieces of the magnetic circuits are positioned to reduce resonance of the spring hammers to thereby decrease cycling time. Permanent magnets utilized in the assembly are arranged in a non-symmetrical fashion in order to increase the magnetic efficiency of the device. Integrally connected pole pieces and permanent magnets are used in the assembly to reduce manufacturing costs without degrading performance.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated printing needle of the type used in mosaic needle printing heads having printing needles moved by an axially movable armature connected to the needle is disclosed wherein the needle is provided with an armature received portion having a varying surface configuration locked into a bore in the armature by cold press forming of the armature after the needle is inserted thereinto.