Abstract: Molded optical waveguide switching apparatus wherein a flat, planar light transmissive plastic member of a refractive index N.sub.2 is premolded with orthogonally arranged obverse and reverse grooves or channels and wherein each such channel or groove is filled-in or molded with a light transmissive plastic of a refractive index N.sub.1 (where N.sub.1 >N.sub.2) effectively forming front and back light conducting channels or waveguides at right angles to one another on the flat planar member. A gently curved tap is molded into the intersecting area of each row and column waveguide with a through opening or aperture formed adjacent each intersection. The taps of the obverse side are curved downwardly to meet the upwardly curved taps of the reverse side of the planar member. Light blocking and unblocking members are operably disposed in respective apertures to interrupt light from light generating to light receiving receptors.

Abstract: Photo-optical switch apparatus useful for example in keyboard switches includes a photopolymerized orthogonal matrix of horizontal and vertical intersecting light channels or guides, monolithically formed by exposure to ultraviolet light on a flat planar, plastic substrate. Each intersection has a refractive index higher than either the channel or the adjacent substrate area. A curved tap or light coupler couples the horizontal to the vertical channel of the array. The intersections of the channels are disposed over an array of upstanding projections on a flat mounting substrate with each projection located at a respective intersection of the horizontal and vertical light channel. A light absorbing key pad is arranged adjacent to each intersection to couple light from the channel up into the key pad. A relative loss of light indicates the key being depressed.

Abstract: A multi-plane optical membrane switch for use for example in a keyboard matrix is formed by two flat, planar, clear, plastic members disposed in parallel, separated relationship and each having individual light conducting guides or channels thereon. The channels of the lower plane are disposed at right angles to the channels of the upper plane. The upper set of light guides includes integral, gently curving coupler taps disposed at the intersection of the upper and lower guides for coupling the light from the lower planar guide channels into the upper guide channels when the two channel intersections are pressed together by the key top effectively switching the light from the lower to the upper channels.

Abstract: Photo-optical switch apparatus provided with integral, positive, mechanical, tacticle feedback mechanism wherein a horizontally disposed biasing spring carried by a light blocking and unblocking element or member is arranged to engage and be angularly deflected by an angularly projecting tang carried by an insert structure adapted for insertion within a keyboard matrix assembly.

Abstract: Continuous sheet item delaminating apparatus for electrographic drum printing/copying devices including a relatively flat horizontal coupler member having an upstanding vertical attachment portion and a u-shaped portion normal thereto. A plurality of curved, knife edged item picker fingers are mounted between the parallel legs of the u-shaped portion. The vertical attachment portion is pivotally secured to a rotatable crank rotated by a pulley driven from an associated synchronizer. A rocker-idler arm is fixedly pivoted at one end and is coupled at the opposite end to the coupler member such that rotation of the crank causes the picker fingers to follow a four bar coupler curve toward and away from the sheet item effective to lift the forward edge of the item off the drum and permit the item to fall by gravity onto a safe area for further handling.

Abstract: A rotary, self contained, unitary, modular detack mechanism for cantilever pivotal mounting wherein an epicyclic gear assembly operably connected to a continuously rotating source of motion is caused to advance a portion of adhesive material from a supply to a take-up receptacle over a peripheral projection on the mechanism in timed synchronism with a solenoid actuated cam follower effective to rotate the mechanism concurrently raising and lowering the same into momentary contact with and being detacked, stripper members straddling the mechanism strip the item from the adhesive.

Abstract: A snap-on unitary, one piece photo-optical item position sensor fabricated as a clothes-pin-like plastic member from a material which is substantially transparent to infra-red radiation obviating lenses. The sensor member is bifurcated at one end to form two parallel leg portions the outboard end of each one of which carries one element of the photo-optical sensing apparatus. The opposite end of the sensor member is rectangularly shaped and slotted on opposite parallel sides forming a polarized receptacle for a mating polarized plug as well as a handle for griping. Compression of the handle portion contacts the slotted end slightly while opening or spreading the two parallel leg portions enabling the sensor to be snapped over an orthogonally disposed item guide or track. Oppositely disposed parallel members on the lower portion of the track automatically position the sensor over the track.

Abstract: A toner concentration sensor assembly wherein a toner cartridge carrying a fresh supply of toner material is demountably insertable into the assembly so as to bring the fresh toner into the original developer mix and wherein a portion of developer mix is metered off the magnetic brush application roller of the apparatus into an inductor surrounding a chute-like, open ended cannister. An electromagnet is used to close the chute by immobilizing the developer mix within the chute while a signal output is taken from the inductance and applied to a sensing circuit to determine the quantity of toner to stabilize the mix concentration to a predetermined level for copy printing output. An interconnected mechanism operably associated with the toner cartridge replenishes the toner on command from the system software as a result of a comparison between toner concentration levels and a preset concentration required for clear, clean, crisp printing/copying.

Abstract: A self-supported, free standing, demountable, printing/endorsing apparatus including a demountably removable, replaceable, adjustable printing module having ribbon transporting and re-inking means integral therewith. Solenoid actuated means operably, drivingly connected to an impact member for impact engagement with the demountable printing member enabling the device to print on an item. Secondary impression producing means is demountably carried by the printing means and is adjustable relative to the impact member and together with the impact member forms an item receiving pathway normal to the impact member through which the item is transported. The impact member is Gimbal mounted relative to the pathway effectively enabling printing without regard to the flatness of the subject matter of the item, and without the prior art high impact forces generally employed.

Abstract: Modular automatic paper handling apparatus wherein a vertically movable paper item tray is incrementally elevatable into a paper feeding position adjacent a feeding device. A cable drive including an electromagnetic impulse clutch and solenoid escapement provide control for elevating the item tray. A pivotally movable reload tray is adapted to be positioned over the main item tray such that finger-like projections integral therewith are interfitted with upstanding projections on the main item tray enabling the main item tray to be raised into a position to automatically unload paper from the reload tray after which the reload tray is automatically snapped out of the way of the main item tray. A cable counter weight permits the main tray to retract downwardly to feeding position without overrunning or bouncing.

Abstract: Non-impact offset printing apparatus providing repeatable top-to-bottom registration of printed matter transferred to cut sheet paper fed in the "portrait" direction by means of a timer-interposer mechanism which contacts the leading edge of each incoming sheet and times the entry of the sheet into the transfer point adjacent to the rim of the offset non-impact rotary printing apparatus effectively creating positive and accurate registration of all four margins of printed matter on each page.

Abstract: Photo-optical reproducing, copying/printing apparatus wherein a solid state laser diode is caused to emit a divergent beam of light which is collected and collimated. A cylindrical multi-element lens shapes the beam first in a vertical and then in a second horizontal plane for impingement upon a rotating polygonal mirror assembly. A spherical multi-element lens thereafter focusses the laser beam as scanned by the rotating mirror assembly through a cylindrical lens assembly so as to scan across the surface of a photo receptor drum assembly horizontally, rotatably disposed adjacent to a cylindrical lens producing a latent image on the drum. The scanned image is then electrophotographically developed at the drum by first toning the image and thereafter causing the image to be transferred from the drum to a fuseable item such for example as paper which is adapted to pass across the surface of the drum in contact therewith.

Abstract: A self contained, demountable, unitary modular optical system for a Solid State Laser Diode Printer/Copier utilizes a folded light beam path whereby laser light is collimated through a compound four element collimating objective lens assembly, passed through a cylindrical lens focussing the beam to a horizontal line image onto the facets of a rotatable polygon mirror assembly. The beam is then passed through a cylindrical meniscus lens focussing the beam to a small dimension in the scanning or horizontal direction. A pair of cylindrical-spherical lenses with the corresponding centers of the cylindrical and spherical surfaces located near the facet of the polygon provide cross-scan focussing in the vertical direction as well as approximating a pair of toridal lenses. Horizontal and vertical spot size can thus be independently focussed.

Abstract: The invention relates to photo-optical detection by coded aperture in which photo-optical keyboard apparatus includes a pattern arrangement of keys in rows and columns wherein each row is provided with a light source or generator optically couplable to a light receiver or receptor and including individual key stems each of which is provided with a light transfer attenuating, limiting or constricting element each element being arranged to pass or restrict a percentage of the light from source to receptor, key to key, by column to row effective to indicate the precise key position or location as a result of the actuation or depression of any key in the pattern arrangement. By electrically multiplexing the light signals a minimum circuit complex is required.

Abstract: Paper drive apparatus for multi-ply unglued paper wherein a centrally disposed pin wheel member is rotatable in contact with a backup member the latter having a central groove or slot into which the pins of the pin wheel member are rotatably receivable. Unglued, multi-ply paper is fed into the nip between the pin wheel member and the bifurcated backup roller across a demountable, flexible paper guide, the latter ensuring the proper angle of entry of the unglued paper with respect to the nip between the pin wheel and backup roller.

Abstract: A method of forming and attaching individual key tops to the key stems of a multi-key keyboard wherein each key top is formed of contrasting colors such that the key top indicia is clearly visually recognizable while also providing each key top with a bar code indicia for enabling a bar code reader to select a desired key top from among a random group of key tops and for enabling a transfer mechanism to selectably orient the selected key top with respect to a key stem for automatic attachment thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel shift lock actuation mechanism useful, for example, in keyboard apparatus wherein a key stem supporting a key is shaped to mate with apertures in the keyboard supporting arrangements or as individual switches and as such contains oppositely disposed, inwardly deformable, flanged members for captivating the key stem within the key apertures and further includes a shift lock cam operably associated with a single turn C-shaped torsion spring member, one end of the C-shaped spring engaging key stem while the opposite end of the C-shaped spring is captivated by the cam, effective upon movement of the key stem to move the cam into one or the other of two positions effective to lock the key stem in a desired position so as to block or unblock light from light emitter-receptor apparatus indicating the position of the key.

Abstract: Novel apparatus for transferring magnetic and conducting toner from a dielectric surface to plain paper by interposing a dielectric belt mechanism between the dielectric surface of an imaging drum and a plain paper substrate such that the toner is first transferred to the dielectric belt and subsequently transferred to a plain paper in a fusing station. Operably associated cleaning and discharging of the dielectric belt is provided.

Abstract: A modular assembly for selectably changing or diverting sheet items from an input pathway into a selected one of a number of output pathways. Three irregularly shaped one-way gate members, actuated by the passage of the item, act to prevent return movement of the item into the input pathway. Two sets of three diverter members coupled together by means of a novel linkage to a single actuating solenoid act to cause the two sets of diverters to move in unison in one or the other of two opposite directions to divert the items into selected output pathways as desired.

Abstract: Preassembled connecting and terminating apparatus for connecting multiple pin-type contacts to the edge of printed circuit boards for interconnecting associated electrical circuits or circuitry thereon. Contacts are preloaded and press fitted into a connector header assembly for immediate use or shipment. The header assembly includes integral guiding and camming means permitting contact insertion or removal from the top or the bottom of the header without the inconvenience of dismounting the assembly. This permits the connector header to be dismounted without disturbing the preload feature thereby avoiding damage to the contacts or the header. Integral means is provided enabling the contacts to be press fitted into holes in the printed circuit board in spite of partial misalignment between contact and hole without damage to the board or to the contacts.