Abstract: In a printer having multiple paper paths, each path is provided with a clutch and a tractor to advance paper between a printhead and a striker bar, the paper being selectively advanced along the paper paths. Each clutch has a timing pulley driven by a cog belt, in turn driven by a stepper motor. The input pulley and the output gear driving the tractor are synchronized during repeated engagement such that the clutch reengages the input and output elements at a rotational position corresponding to the rotational position of the input element when previously disengaged from the output element.

Abstract: The ribbon cartridge includes a re-inker assembly having a pair of idler rollers defining a nip therebetween through which the print ribbon is advanced. The idler rollers have teeth intermeshing one with the other and with the print ribbon therebetween such that the idler rollers are positively driven when the ribbon is advanced. One of the idler rollers lies in contact with a re-inker roller or wick for transferring ink from the re-inker roller or wick to the print ribbon as the ribbon passes through the nip of the idler rollers.

Abstract: A computer-controlled electronic support system includes an electronic work station with a display screen and pointing device coupled to a central processing unit where an operator performs an operation on a workpiece. The workpiece operation begins by an operator entering and processing a work order identifier. In response to that work order identifier, a corresponding workpiece identifier is generated. Image, graphic, and text information associated with that workpiece identifier is retrieved from memory. A user-friendly, menu-based display screen provides a plurality of entries with each entry having menu options associated with the workpiece identifier. Advantageously, an operator can select any one of several different images of the workpiece simply by selecting a menu option. Not only is the particular workpiece image displayed, but also a plurality of graphics associated with that workpiece image.

Abstract: Used, spent or physically degraded primary charge rollers (PCR's) may be rejuvenated to an extent that is operationally comparable to (or exceeds) the print quality and service life of an OEM-supplied PCR. The used PCR is treated so as to apply an overcoating of a dispersion which includes an electrically conductive particulate material, such as graphite or carbon black, and a polymeric binder (e.g., polyurethane latex). The electrically conductive material imparts the necessary electrical properties to the PCR for purposes of "rejuvenation", while the presence of the polymeric binder serves to impart long-term service life to the PCR and also permits the use of less electrically conductive material.

Abstract: The triboelectric harmony of reconditioned electrostatographic cartridges may be reestablished by coating a flexible charge blade with a quantity of dry, particulate electrically conductive material, for example, particulate carbon black or graphite. Preferably, the electrically conductive material is carbon black having an average particle diameter of between about 15 to about 95 nm. The surface-coated charge blade will most preferably exhibit a surface resistivity of less than about 1.times.10.sup.7 .OMEGA./cm (i.e., between 0 to about 1.times.10.sup.7 .OMEGA./cm), more preferably between about 1.times.10.sup.5 to about 7.5.times.10.sup.5 .OMEGA./cm.

Abstract: Electrostatographic cartridges having a cartridge base, a toner hopper having a toner fill hole attached to the cartridge base, and a gear housing assembly which blocks access to the toner fill hole and which includes an interior gear housing component integral with the cartridge base are remanufactured by severing the interior gear housing component and then reattaching it to the cartridge base through the exterior gear housing component. Specifically, the one-piece interior gear housing component is severed so that it can be removed thereby providing unobstructed access to the original toner fill hole. Most preferably, the interior part of the gear housing is cut at a five degree angle relative to the cartridge base. The angular cut thereby ensures that the attachment bosses on the cartridge base which serve to couple the base to the toner cartridge cover are not damaged to an extent that would defeat their coupling function.

Abstract: A container for stacking continuous web, fan-fold paper and a paper guide assembly are disclosed. The container has a contoured bottom that includes an extended center section which is slopped, a toe section at the lower end of the center section, and a crest and fan-fold shelf at the upper end of the center section of the bottom of the container. The center section is slopped sufficiently to cause the sheets of the continuous web of printed paper to slide downward to the toe section of the container and thereby become aligned with the stack forming in the container. The toe is aligned with the paper guide assembly that is an abutment against which an edge of the paper stack forms. The crease in the bottom of the container causes the paper to fold to reduce the tendency of the web to bulge. The paper guide assembly guides the paper as it falls from the printer chute output into the container.

Abstract: A dot matrix line printer includes a counter that counts a number of print actions performed by each of a plurality of print actuators. The accumulated number of print actions can be compared to a reference number of print actions representative of a useful print actuator life for each print actuator. The counting process is performed based on the horizontal dot density, the number of print actuators, the number of bytes of dot data that each of the actuators is required to process, etc. This structure and method enable maximized use of print actuators regardless of location along the actuator array.

Abstract: A printer cartridge includes exit and entrance arms for receiving and exiting ribbon from the cartridge in response to a drive mechanism whereby the ribbon passes from the exit arm to an entrance arm past a printhead. An oscillator is coupled to the ribbon drive mechanism and includes a cam carried by the cartridge engaging a cam lever pivotally carried by the cartridge. The lever bears against a printer support when the cartridge is disposed in the printer. When the drive mechanism advances the ribbon, the oscillator is also driven to pivot the cartridge about a longitudinal axis, thereby gradually locating upper and lower portions of the ribbon in registration with the printhead as the ribbon advances.

Abstract: The ribbon cartridge includes a storage chamber for the print ribbon, openings through its top and bottom walls adjacent the storage chamber, and a stripper for maintaining the ribbon in the storage chamber likewise adjacent the openings. A ribbon drive mechanism is mounted on the printer deck and includes a drive gear, and an idler gear mounted on a pivoted lever, also pivotally carrying a cam. The lever is pivotable between positions opening and closing the rollers. A stripper actuating member is movable in response to rotation of the cam and displaces the stripper, when the cartridge is disposed on the printer, toward and away from the drive mechanism. The cam also enables opening and closing movement of the rollers to disengage and engage the ribbon, respectively.

Abstract: The print head includes a print head support, a pair of actuators on one side of the support, and wire guide supports on the opposite side of the print head support for clamping the actuators and wire guide supports to the print head support. The wire guide supports have diameters equal to the centerline-to-centerline spacing of the print wires. The print head support has a linear surface extending perpendicular to a plane passing along the edges of the wire guide supports. The print heads are aligned along a support member by securing the print head support to the support member with the tangent plane and linear surface engaging mutually perpendicular surfaces on the support member whereby the contact between the wire guide supports along the support member establishes the centerline-to-centerline spacing of the print wires.

Abstract: The paper stacker includes a pair of pivoted generally L-shaped elements disposed above a vertically movable paper tray. The elements pivotally depend such that their lower paper support legs are normally inclined and terminate at free edges in a roller. Upon upward movement of the tray and stacking initial sheets of fan-folded paper on the tray, the sheets engage the undersides of the elements to pivot the elements and, hence, the lower legs into generally horizontal positions whereby paper may be stacked on the horizonally disposed support legs of the elements. Upon reaching a predetermined stack height, the tray moves downwardly away from the elements, enabling the paper carried thereby to fall through the opening onto the tray.

Abstract: A striker bar assembly includes a striker bar body having a recess at each of its opposite ends opening through top, bottom and end wall surfaces. The striker bar body has a flat impact surface perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces. Generally T-shaped end members have legs for disposition in the striker body recesses. The wall surfaces of the striker body and legs of the members are spaced to provide a gap into which dampening material is provided. The gaps at each end of the striker bar assembly are of identical width in a front-to-back direction.

Abstract: A paper shear includes a flat disk with unsharpened edges pivotally mounted on an assembly carried by the printer carriage. The paper shear is pivoted between paper shearing engaged and disengaged positions relative to a shear platen. The mounting assembly includes a linear actuator and a mounting plate cooperable to pivot the paper shear into the engaged position at an extreme end of carriage travel and maintain it in the engaged position upon movement of the carriage in the opposite direction to shear the paper. The actuator and plate are then relatively displaced at the opposite extreme end of travel to pivot the paper shear into its disengaged position, whereby printing can be resumed.

Abstract: A printer has one or more tractor sets for continuously feeding paper along first and second paper paths. One tractor set may be pivoted between positions for feeding paper from the front or bottom of the printer along the first paper path. Where one tractor set is used, it may be removed from the first feed path and disposed along the second paper path to feed paper along the second paper path for printing. Where two tractor sets are provided, the second set is disposed along the second paper path to feed the paper along the second path for printing. The tractor sets are detachable and usable in each of the three tractor set feed positions. Other features include eccentric bearings, resilient roller assemblies, an integrally molded mainframe and a cartridge assembly having a one-way ribbon advance clutch and a tensioning device before the mobius loop.

Abstract: A printer has one or more tractor sets for continuously feeding paper along first and second paper paths. One tractor set may be pivoted between positions for feeding paper from the front or bottom of the printer along the first paper path. Where one tractor set is used, it may be removed from the first feed path and disposed along the second paper path to feed paper along the second paper path for printing. Where two tractor sets are provided, the second set is disposed along the second paper path to feed the paper along the second path for printing. The tractor sets are detachable and usable in each of the three tractor set feed positions. Other features include eccentric bearings, resilient roller assemblies, an integrally molded mainframe and a cartridge assembly having a one-way ribbon advance clutch and a tensioning device before the mobius loop.

Abstract: A ribbon movement controlling cartridge includes a smudge guard/ribbon guide which contains exposed ribbon in a fixed stationary position during cartridge transportation and storage. When the guide is engaged with a printhead, it releases ribbon passage therethrough and acts as a smudge guard/ribbon guide during normal cartridge usage. A Mobius loop forming structure (along a first path for fabric ribbons) includes a central aperture therethrough so as to alternately permit direct non-inverting ribbon passage through the same structure along a second path intersecting the first path, for carbon film-type ribbons. A limited usage metering and self-stopping mechanism insures against over-extended usage of the cartridge. A unique key locking tab arrangement permits a proper cartridge to be positively engaged with a printer while also permitting easy disengagement for cartridge removal and replacement.

Abstract: A shuttle matrix printer cartridge has a housing for storing the ribbon, an exit arm, an entrance arm spaced from the exit arm and a drive mechanism for removing ribbon from the storage chamber through the exit arm into position for printing between a printhead and a substrate and reentry into the cartridge through the entrance arm. The entrance arm is flexible in the plane of the cartridge toward and away from the exit arm to facilitate changes in ribbon drag produced during high dot density printing. The cartridge has three spacer legs along its underside for supporting the cartridge on the printer platform in use. Additionally, a post engages a recess in the exit arm to maintain the latter arm rigid during use, while such post, in conjunction with a drive shaft carried by the printer and received in a cartridge drive wheel, positions the cartridge in the printer against lateral movement.