Abstract: A signature feeder/conveyor for converting tightly packed signatures into a succession of discrete signatures stacked on edge while moving the signatures while on edge to an end station for delivery thereto upon demand. The feeder/conveyor involves successive stages of walking the signatures on edge in steps to compact the stream of signatures, then loosen the stream, and then substantially sliding the loosened signatures on edge without walking for delivery to the end station. A sensor detects the pressure of loosened signatures approaching the end station for controlling the successive stages of walking the signatures.

Abstract: Monitoring a pilot's oxygenation during flight using near infrared technology to detect pilot blackout, as for example during high G aircraft maneuvers. Initiating automatic programmed flight control or remote controller programmed flight control to avert loss of life, property or aircraft as a consequence of such detection.

Abstract: In order to increase the resolution and visual quality of the image produced by the transverse magnetic imaging technique, a magnetic printing head has an odd number of stacked elongated comb-type recording head sub-assemblies which are offset relative to each other in the elongated direction. Individual word and bit coincident current-type conductors are wound the gaps between the teeth of each comb such that unidirectional current will generate in the adjacent gaps of each comb magnetic fields in opposite directions along the length of each comb and such that the magnetic fields in like-ordered gaps of adjacent combs are also in opposite directions.

Abstract: Radio transceivers are provided with a timing circuit that ends or terminates a radio transmission after a first time period, and an audible indication signals the end of the first time period. A battery voltage sensor reduces the period of the timing circuit in response to low battery voltage. Shorter period transmissions are still permitted for emergencies, and an audible indication is provided after the short time period to indicate low battery voltage.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the cycles of AC power supplied to a variable thermal load in response to analog signals representing the temperature of the load comprising means for quantizing the analog signals into digital signals and controlling the proportion of integral cycles of AC current blocked to those supplied to said load, while providing a uniform spacing in time of the integral cycles supplied, in accordance with said digital signals. Also means are provided for modifying said digital signals in response to a predetermined average current overload.

Abstract: A memory device is provided for an integrated injection logic (I.sup.2 L) device in solid state form by a resistor connected at one end to the logic device, and a diode having its cathode connected to the other end of the resistor at a programming junction, and its anode connected to a common point. If the diode conductors are melted or deformed by reverse diode current from the programming junction to the common point, a low impedance path is formed, and the logic portion is provided with a first logic input. If the diode conductors are left unmelted or intact, the logic portion is provided with a second logic input.

Abstract: An inked ribbon winding device and an inked ribbon cartridge for use in a printing apparatus. A dispensing and a takeup spool, located closely together and at different elevations in the cartridge, establish a skewed angle of the ribbon traversing the exterior of the cartridge. The ribbon wound about the takeup spool engages a rotatable member fixedly rotatably mounted on a support structure for rotating the takeup spool and drawing the ribbon across a printing position at a substantially constant average rate of movement. The cartridge is longitudinally slidably mounted on the support structure and is urged toward the rotatable member by a biasing means.

Abstract: In a drive circuit for an electromagnetic printing element of an impact printer, a drive pulse drives the printing element from a backstop toward a record medium to print indicia. A voltage comparator senses the change in the induced voltage in the printing element when it impacts on the backstop for triggering a single shot circuit to apply to the printing element a damping pulse of a polarity such as to oppose its rebound from the backstop. A latch circuit is responsive to the damping pulse to disable the single shot circuit until the end of the next drive pulse. The drive and damping pulses are applied to the printing element through a bidirectional current source.

Abstract: A cut form paper transport apparatus in a belt printer includes driven exit friction rollers disposed for rolling engagement with a pressure roller pivotally supported on a pair of support arms which carry a deflector or guide plate spaced above the platen and disposed for engagement with the leading edge of a sheet of paper as it leaves the printing region for deflection of the leading edge into an exit path tangent to the platen and such that the leading edge of the sheet moves between the exit friction rollers and the pressure roller for engagement thereby when the sheet is in the exit path. Mounted on the deflector plate is a pair of adjustment rollers disposed for rolling engagement with the outer surface of the platen for adjusting the position of the deflector plate with respect to the platen.

Abstract: In a drive circuit for an electromagnetic printing element of a matrix impact printer, a drive pulse drives the printing element from the backstop toward a record medium to print indicia, and a damping pulse, applied to the printing element after its return to the backstop, urges it toward the backstop to limit rebound therefrom. Logical control circuitry is responsive to overlap of a drive pulse with a preceding damping pulse for terminating the damping pulse and for decreasing the width of the drive pulse in proportion to the amount of overlap. Blanking means are provided to prevent application of a damping pulse to the printing element until after the completion of a preceding drive pulse and after impact of the printing element with the record medium and with the backstop.

Abstract: In a printer, an arrangement for transferring ink from a container carrying ink through an exposed wick to an inked ribbon movable on a roller and housed in a replaceable cartridge. Engaging means are provided on the container, which when the container is inserted into a slot in the wall of the cartridge causes the engaging means to lock on to the cartridge wall by the pressure of a spring. The spring action locks the container to the cartridge as well as moving an exposed wick carried by the container against the ink ribbon for inking purposes.

Abstract: A printhead for a dot matrix impact printer comprises a stack of thin printing blades each including a flat spiral coil mounted in a rim which is in turn connected by flexible mounting arms to a mounting portion. Each blade has an arcuate printing arm extending from one side of the rim thereof and carrying a stylus, with the printing arms of adjacent blades being curved in opposite directions with the concave sides thereof facing each other so as to provide therebetween a large separation area to prevent wicking of ink from the styli to the coils of the blades. Each print arm carries a stabilizing member extending from the concave side thereof, with the stabilizing members of adjacent blades overlapping for cooperation to divide the separation area between said blades into inner and outer regions, the outer region serving to block particulate debris and isolate it from the inner regions thereby to prevent interference with the anti-wicking function of the inner regions.

Abstract: Coincident current windings on a magnetic print head are driven in a special sequence to minimize undesired spurious printing effects otherwise caused by undesirable concentrations of magnetic flux. Rather than energizing all digit windings (in accordance with supplied data values) for each successive energization of a word winding, the digit windings are driven in multiple sub-sets or groups. Only one such sub-set is energized at any given time and the members of each sub-set are chosen to minimize undesired spurious magnetic flux distributions for any given magnetic printing head configuration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a linearly adjustable support mechanism in general, and more specifically to an apertured adjustment disc which provides a plurality of incremental linear, vertical adjustments, with no horizontal component, to raise and lower a supported member. This device has particular significance in a printing environment to align an ink or toner applicator member, such as a magnetic ink brush, with respect to a recording head or recording medium to insure that the magnetic brush will be parallel to the surface of the recording head or recording medium, to prevent the occurrence of a print intensity gradient in one instance or apply a uniform coating to the recording member in the other instance.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing the height of a stack of fan-folded web being refolded, and controlling its elevation with respect to the arriving web to minimize misfolding.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an effective means of circulating inked ribbon by means of friction rollers into and out of a cartridge where it has been stored as a compact mass of ribbon folds. Means must be provided to prevent this mass of ribbon from being damaged or jammed when it leaves the rollers.This has been accomplished by introducing a movable stripper which does not frictionally engage the ribbon during its passage through friction rollers but which frictionally engages the ribbon after such passage to move the ribbon away from the friction rollers and thereby minimize scuffing and rubbing action between ribbon and friction rollers.