Abstract: A pressure arm assembly is disclosed for use in a data recorder of the type employing a disc recording medium and a carrier supporting a magnetic head. The pressure arm assembly includes a bracket and an upper arm pivotally carried by the bracket for rotation about a transverse axis. A spring biases the arm into engagement with the head carrier. An automatic release lever is carried by the bracket and holds the upper arm in a first nonoperating position and releases the arm so that it may pivot under the action of the spring upon insertion of a disc into the data recorder.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and apparatus for setting and varying margins, line spacing and printing direction of a data printing machine by a machine user before and during printing by use of a keyboard with push-button control which is coupled to a digital controller to input information about the actual and the desired location of a print head relative to a printing surface, in response to which the controller outputs signals which control relative motion of the print head and indexes its relative position, from the actual to the desired direction and location.

Abstract: A rotary encoder is coupled to the drive for a printing head to detect and encode movement of the drive and produce signals therefrom which are used to control the direction and positioning of the printing head. A rotating disc-like wheel in the encoder has a plurality of peripheral window openings which act in conjunction with a light source and detector to produce a signal train from which the movement and instantaneous location of the printing head is determined.

Abstract: A printing ribbon guiding and re-inking means is positioned to guide a continuous looped printing ribbon through a 180.degree. twist between the exit and entry points of a ribbon cartridge. The guiding and re-inking means includes a twist-locator or arrestor comprising a pair of opposing elongated flanges, for passing a ribbon therebetween, positioned between the exit and entry points of the ribbon cartridge to positively locate the twist in the ribbon in a particular area along its path of travel. This prevents movement of the twist into other areas and other ribbon-carrying mechanisms, where the twist could cause jamming or undesirable ribbon twisting. A spool support means integrally coupled to the flanges carries a re-inking spool which both applies ink to the ribbon and guides the ribbon between the flanges and the cartridge. The spool orients the transverse position of the ribbon to be substantially the same as the transverse position of the ribbon at the entry to the cartridge.

Abstract: A clutch for stopping lateral motion of a first element or device, such as a print head in a data printer, which moves along an elongated second member such as a rod or bar. The clutch includes a movable clutch member with an aperture through which the elongated bar passes. In a data printer, this bar may be the guide bar along which the print head moves laterally. The print head or other such first member is coupled to the clutch member to move it along the bar so long as the clutch member is aligned generally normal to the bar, in which condition the bar passes freely through the aperture in the clutch member. An actuator aligned with the clutch member along its lateral travel path is put into position at a point along such travel path where it is desired to stop the moving print head or other device, and operates to tilt the clutch member so that it cocks into engagement with the bar. This produces a binding action which prevents any further movement of either the clutch member or the primary device (e.g.

Abstract: A ribbon drive for an ink printer ribbon housed in a cartridge and mounted on a reciprocating print head carriage is disclosed. The ribbon drive includes a vertically oriented drive shaft supported on the carriage for rotary motion. A pair of hubs are supported one above the other on the shaft by oppositely operating one-way clutch bearings. Each of the hubs has coiled therearound a constant force, self-coiling band spring. An end of each of the band springs is secured to the printer frame. As the print head carriage translates, the drive shaft is alternately driven by the hubs as the springs wind and unwind therefrom.

Abstract: A drive and improved ground spindle assembly for a disc recorder and particularly one using a rigid disc having a direct coupled spindle shaft arrangement which includes a disc support platform mounted concentrically at one end of the spindle shaft and a DC motor attached to the other end of the spindle shaft is disclosed. The drive spindle assembly includes a disc support platform incorporating air impelling vanes on one side and bleed orifaces extending through the disc support platform so that air is drawn along the spindle assembly to cool it and then impelled outwardly over both sides of the recording disc to aerodynamically fly the recording heads on a thin film of air moving radially over the surface of the disc. The motor is a brushless DC type motor having a permanent magnet rotor driven by a rotating magnetic field. Provision of the brushless DC motor and unique ground and sealing means eliminate airborne contaminants that impair the operation of prior art disc recorders of this type.

Abstract: A rotary encoder is coupled to the drive for a printing head to detect and encode movement of the drive and produce signals therefrom which are used to control the direction and positioning of the printing head. A rotating disc-like wheel in the encoder has a plurality of peripheral window openings which act in conjunction with a light source and detector to produce a signal train from which the movement and instantaneous location of the printing head is determined.

Abstract: A ribbon mask for a wire or stylus-type dot matrix print head is carried with the print head, positioned between the print ribbon and the printing surface, and has a forwardly-angled integral flange extending from along a portion of the top of the main body of the ribbon mask. The flange rigidifies the intersection where the main body of the mask meets the flange, so that curving the ribbon mask along its longitudinal axis forms a generally triangular, forwardly-biased face adjacent the printing surface. Centrally located within the face is a vertically-oriented oval opening through which pass the printing wires as they move toward and strike the ribbon against the printing surface to form dot characters.

Abstract: The specification discloses a cartridge-loading tape recorder in which a fixed reference plane is provided for the tape relative to the head by means of cooperating locating means and arms which rise and engage the cartridge when the recorder door is closed behind it. The motor and drive are mounted in a heat isolating motor mount in a track and are biased into engagement with the tape to accomodate variations in the tape cartridge. The recorder is sturdily constructed, being based on a generally H-shaped extruded chasis which defines a platform, side walls and guide rails for the tape cartridge.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and apparatus for providing speed control and rotational indexing of a disc recorder, based upon a particular use of a plurality of electrical pulses produced, for example, as the slots of a slotted wheel, axially coupled to a recording disc, pass a transducer. The primary repetition rate of pulses in response to equally-spaced slots is used for speed control of the recording disc. A secondary pulse rate occurring between two successive pulses resulting from adjacent slots with different spacing is used to establish an index pulse correlated with a reference point on the disc.

Abstract: A data recorder/reproducer device for disc media, particularly limply flexible magnetic disc media, having a pair of door-like structures mounted on opposite sides of a supportive frame, each such structure defining a narrow slit-space for receiving a recording disc and its envelope and mounting the same for recording, with a drive shaft supported on the frame centrally thereof, having a drive hub at either end aligned with the central opening in the recording disc, such that both discs are driven by the same drive train. The device has at least two recording heads, one for each disc, and the heads are articulated for selective control of movement toward or away from their particular disc, into or out of transducing relation thereto; also, the heads are mounted for translational movement across the face of their respective discs, generally radially thereof.

Abstract: An adjustable head positioner for a disc recorder of the type including a translatable carriage for moving a magnetic head relative to a recording disc is disclosed. The adjustable head positioner includes an elongated mounting arm or extender secured to the carriage and defining adjacent one end a transverse guide. A head support member includes a glide slidably disposed within the mounting arm guide and a magnetic head of the data recorder is carried by the head support member. A manual adjustment member is carried by the mounting arm and operably engages the head support member for adjusting the position of the head support member relative to the cross arm along the guide.

Abstract: A drive spindle assembly for a disc recorder, and particularly one using a rigid disc, having a direct-coupled spindle shaft arrangement which includes a disc-support platform mounted concentrically at one end of the spindle shaft and a DC motor attached to the other end of the spindle shaft, which spaced bearings supporting the shaft medially between the motor and the support platform. Preferably, the motor is of the flat, compact printed circuit-rotor type known as a "pancake" motor, and the disc-support platform preferably incorporates air-impelling vanes on one side and bleed orifices extending through it, so that air is drawn along the spindle assembly to cool it, and then impelled outwardly over both sides of the recording disc to help aerodynamically fly the recording heads on a thin film of air over the surface of the disc.

Abstract: An improved lead screw drive for a disc recorder of the type including a rigid frame having a pair of spaced, parallel members. The parallel members define coaxially aligned bores. A stepper motor having an outwardly-projecting integral lead screw output shaft is supported on the frame with the lead screw extending through one of the bores to a point closely adjacent the other bore. A rotatable support is disposed in the other bore and contacts the free end of the lead screw opposite the motor. The support includes a holder having a mounting shaft extending into the bore. A conical member is rotatedly supported by the holder and contacts a seat at the free end of the lead screw. The conical member is biased against the free end of the lead screw to thereby rotatably support same.

Abstract: A disc file structure includes a rigid support casting as a structural foundation which rotatably mounts a disc drive spindle assembly, including a shaft, a motor connected to the shaft at one end and an air pump impeller connected to the shaft at the other end. Housing enclosure portions attach to the support casting so that the resulting structure forms an integral sealed air chamber which defines a single air flow path for both cooling the assembly and for aerodynamically supporting the read/white heads.

Abstract: A resilient suspension mount for the ends of a lead screw drive shaft, including a bearing housing and a cover plate secured to a shaft support member by a plurality of fasteners. The end of the lead screw is disposed within a bearing. The bearing is flexibly supported within the bearing housing to permit radial displacements of the shaft and its bearing under load, during drive operation. Provision is also made to permit longitudinal movement of the shaft and accompanying lateral movement of the bearing and its housing, to accommodate thermal expansion of the shaft.

Abstract: A flexible magnetic recording disc is brought into transducing relation with a recording head by moving a pressure pad against the disc from the side thereof opposite the recording head, and at a point upstream from the latter, in the direction of disc rotation. This resiliently flexes the disc and deviates part of it from its plane of revolution, causing it to partially wrap over the face of the head, in close transducing proximity, without the requirement of a pressure pad on the disc directly opposite the recording head, leaving that area open for other components. In a preferred embodiment, a separate transducing head is used on each side of the flexible disc, in direct alignment with one another, with a similarly-positioned pair of pressure pads disposed upstream, and all are mounted for articulating movement laterally toward and away from the plane of the disc.

Abstract: A drive follower assembly for a disc recorder of the type including a frame supporting a lead screw and a guide rod positioned in vertically spaced, parallel relation to the load screw is disclosed. The drive follower includes a one-piece carriage defining a longitudinal bore. A first, hollow, cylindrical, internally threaded follower is disposed within the bore and held against rotation and longitudinal movement relative to the body. A second, internally threaded adjustment member is loosely held within the bore and engaged by the lead screw. A coil spring is positioned between the follower member and the adjustment member to provide a snug fit on the lead screw and prevent decoupling. Provision is made for holding the adjustment member against rotation relative to the body yet permitting relative rotation for adjusting the initial preload of the spring.