Abstract: A processor for developing diazo film defined by a pair of flat platens disposed within a housing and spaced apart a distance only slightly greater than the thickness of the film. The housing includes intake and outlet openings aligned with the space between the platens and means for advancing an incoming film from the intake opening, through the space between the platens and for discharging it through the outlet opening. The platen facing the emulsion side of the film is heated and includes at least one passage through which a metered amount of aqueous ammonia is passed for each film that is to be developed. The ammonia is vaporized in the passage and discharged against the emulsion side of the film. A transverse groove in the emulsion facing surface of the platen communicates with the passage to distribute the ammonia vapor over the full width of the film. The developing temperature is between about 150.degree.-200.degree. F.

Abstract: A diazo film developer which has a developing chamber that is kept at a temperature above the dew point for the film. Feed rollers disposed adjacent an intake opening of the chamber are maintained at a temperature above the dew point and advance film to be developed to the chamber. Exit rollers at an outlet opening for the chamber withdraw developed film from the chamber. The rollers are sealed with respect to the chamber to prevent the escape of aqueous ammonia vapors. The portion of the exit rollers disposed outside the chamber is subjected to a relatively low temperature airstream to cool the rollers below the dew point for the aqueous ammonia vapor. The exit rollers are continuously rotated so that aqueous ammonia vapor can condense on surface portions of the rollers disposed interiorly of the chamber. The condensate is then transported by the rotating rollers to the exterior of the chamber and the cooled airflow removes, e.g. evaporates the condensate before it is re-introduced into the chamber.

Abstract: A matrix print wire solenoid has a small diameter print wire which wire is propelled against printing paper and inking ribbon by the linear motion of the solenoid plunger, to which the print wire is attached, in an improved impact printer having a plurality of solenoids positioned in a row for use in dot matrix printing. The solenoid features a low cost construction, a reduction in size, and increased operating speed, and has pole pieces which are separated by an inner gap and which pieces are aligned with a coil bobbin which provides a guide surface for the armature plunger. The space between the plunger and a forward bushing or spacer is occupied by a coil spring which has one end seated over a portion of the armature and the other end seated against the face of the bushing. The coil bobbin defines an air gap between one pole piece and the armature.

Abstract: An automatic ambient light compensating circuit for use in conjunction with a light sensing device to render the light sensing device insensitive to variations in ambient light conditions and which is particularly adapted for use with reflective sensor systems. An optical sensor, including a source of light and a first photodetector, is disposed to detect the presence of an object in proximity thereto. The optical sensor provides an output signal which is a function of the amount of light received by the first photodetector and includes light from the source of light and ambient light. The output signal of the optical sensor is provided as an input to a signal level detection means. A second photodetector responsive only to ambient light is operatively connected in parallel with the output of the optical sensor to the level detection means to compensate the output signal of the optical sensor for ambient light conditions.

Abstract: A microprocessor is programmed to generate reference envelopes of a specified time duration and synchronized with clock pulses, and circuit means is associated with such microprocessor for indicating desired speed of a prime mover through comparison of prime mover actual speed with said reference envelope, and means is provided for adjusting prime mover speed to correspond with such reference envelope.

Abstract: A hole is drilled in a metal plate and the plate is then dimpled around the hole after which the plate is positioned against the plastic part. An ultrasonic horn is applied to the dimple area of the plate, the energy from the horn causing the plastic around the dimple to soften and enabling the dimple to be embedded in the plastic, and the plastic material to flow through the hole and to fill the dimple to thereby lock the metal part to the plastic part.

Abstract: In impact printing mechanism for encoding magnetic or optical characters on documents, a hammer energy control is utilized for maintaining constant impact pressure for the various surface areas of such characters. The constant impact pressure is derived by selection of the correct hammer pulse width for the surface area of each character.

Abstract: A plurality of clamping members are disposed along a recording line against the record media, and a cable, secured at the ends thereof, is trained in a path engaged with the clamping members and with movable bearing members spaced between the clamping members. Actuation of a solenoid causes a rocker arm to pivot and through a cable tension control member carried thereby cause tightening of the cables on the clamping members and on the bearing elements thereby changing the force on the clamping members and against the record media for holding the media in precise position while recording thereon.

Abstract: A ribbon tracking system includes guide means and roller means thereon which automatically tilts in the proper direction to correct for errors in tracking of the ribbon. A crowned pulley is floatingly supported and journaled on a curved guide post or shaft wherein the pulley is caused to be axially moved along the post or shaft by reason of corrective forces, in a direction opposite the tracking error for correcting the attitude of the ribbon.

Abstract: An endless ribbon follows a path around a U-shaped guide member and is driven by a drive roller which is in contact with an inking roller. The inked ribbon has a loose or slack portion in the area immediately downstream of the drive roller but the ribbon is taut or tensioned across the open end of the guide member and upstream of the drive roller. The guide member has a ribbed tracking surface with spaced flanges for maintaining the ribbon in a precise path past a printing station. The loose or slack portion of the inked ribbon enables the ribbon to adhere to or track on the ribbed surfaces and also allows the ribbon to gravitate to a flange portion of the guide member.

Abstract: Paper or like media, utilized for maintaining a permanent record of printed matter, is driven by a drive roller and is caused to be wound on a spool or core which is swingable from the drive roller as the amount of paper on the spool increases. An "O" ring drive is positioned between a main drive line for intermittent engagement therewith and is connected with the spool for driving thereof.

Abstract: A single clutch and associated actuator mechanisms in a drive line for providing selective driving or feeding of at least two printing media for independent bi-directional movement of the media in the operation of a plurality of printing functions. The drive or feed mechanism for the printing media occupies the space of a single printing station wherein drive members are arranged in an overlapping manner with individual control of such drive members.

Abstract: A header member containing an air chamber is positioned above each pocket of a document sorter, the air chamber having an upwardly directed inlet port and a plurality of downwardly directed outlet ports downstream of the inlet port. An air supply nozzle is positioned below the inlet port to blow air into the air chamber, the air then flowing out of the chamber through the outlet ports. The supply of air into the chamber is interrupted when a document passes between the inlet port and the supply nozzle, and the air flow is resumed when the document passes the inlet port, the air flowing from the outlet ports blowing the document downwardly, out of the path of the succeeding document, and into the pocket of the document sorter.

Abstract: An inking device for record media includes a self-contained ink reservoir bordered by a holder portion as one wall of the reservoir, and a backing plate as another wall adjacent a porous rubber electro pad. The backing plate includes a plurality of chamfered apertures therethrough which are circumscribed by a like number of slotted tubes which tubes separate the backing plate and the holder portion. A steel ball is positioned within each tube and controls the flow of ink from the ink reservoir to the electro pad by reason of swinging movement of the device wherein the ball is unseated from the chamfered aperture in the downward direction of movement upon the electro pad striking the record media to permit flow of ink to the pad, and the ball is reseated on the aperture during return movement of the device to stop the flow of ink to the pad. A low hydraulic pressure occurs during the striking action to unseat the ball and a suction occurs on the return movement to reseat the ball.

Abstract: A drive roller and a driven, braked, retard roller are juxtaposedly positioned along the path of documents being transported beyond a document feeding mechanism to provide passage of only one document at a time. The retard roller is carried on an arm which is swingable on a pivot and lightly spring loaded against the drive roller, such arm being placed and positioned at a certain angle rearward of a line extending perpendicular from the document, this angle being larger than the friction angle of document against document, but smaller than the friction angle of document against roller. A single document will pass between the rollers with both rollers rolling at the same speed, whereas when two documents attempt to pass between the rollers at the same time the second document will be retarded by the retard (braked) roller.

Abstract: The print head carriage for a printer has end-mounted toothed clutches secured thereto and engageable with mating toothed clutches mounted on the carriage support shaft for rotation thereof upon near end of travel of the carriage across the printer. The teeth of the carriage mounted clutches are one-half pitch length out of phase with the teeth of the mating clutches so that, at each end of carriage travel, the mating clutches are caused to be incrementally rotated to thereby rotate the carriage support shaft and the record media drive shaft for advancing the record media a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A plurality of drive rollers, flexibly supported, are positioned along the inside track of a document transport passageway to drive the documents therealong, and a plurality of idler rollers, in opposed relationship to the drive rollers, are positioned along the outside track of the passageway. Each of the drive rollers and the idler rollers is supported from a pivot pin offset from the center of the roller to permit the roller to be canted by reason of gravity and elastic force, and thereby drive the documents in a forwardly and downwardly direction against a fixed edge guide to insure straight and longitudinal travel of the documents at a predetermined level along the passageway.

Abstract: Paper or like record media from a supply roll is driven past a printing station and is rewound on a rotatable core member which is movable away from a drive roller against the bias of a pair of springs. The roller drives the core member through engagement with the record media thereon, the core not being independently driven, so that the increase in diametric size of the record media on the core member has no effect on the index length or linear motion of such media throughout the overall driving thereof.

Abstract: A tie bar is secured to the drive block of each of two or more print heads for connecting the heads and for spacing thereof at a desired distance. The tie bar serves as a portion of the drive means for moving the print heads, which are slidably supported on a shaft, in side-to-side travel.

Abstract: A plurality of printing stations are spaced across a machine wherein a feed or drive assembly for paper or like record media is associated with each station, each of the feed or drive assemblies being self-contained and of modular construction to enable positioning of an assembly in any desired location along a drive shaft. One drive mechanism includes a clutch member and associated drive gears and rollers to incrementally advance receipt paper in one direction, a second drive mechanism includes the clutch member and additional drive gears and rollers to advance journal paper in said one direction for rewinding and storage thereof in the machine, and a third drive mechanism includes the clutch member and further drive gears and rollers to advance slip or form paper in the opposite direction.