Abstract: In a matrix print head, a plurality of elongated printing elements, mounted in a frame, are driven axially by electromagnetic means to effect printing on record media positioned adjacent to the printing ends of the printing elements. Freely riding tubular elements are placed on the printing elements between support members forming part of the frame, in order to dampen the bending and vibration of the printing elements, and thus reduce or eliminate consequent fatigue failure.

Abstract: A mosaic printer comprising a printing head with relative movability along a printing line on a printing sheet to be printed. The head supports a number of wire ends arranged along a substantially rectilinear line extending perpendicular to the printing line and each wire end upon excitation producing a printing mark on the printing sheet, desired signs being formed by selective activation of the said wire ends during relative motion of the printing head. According to the present invention at least the front portion of the printing head, which determines the orientation of the said substantially rectilinear line, is rotatable about an axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the printing sheet, whereby signs having different inclinations can be formed by rotating the front part of the printing head.

Abstract: A high resolution letter quality 24 by 40 dot matrix ink jet printer includes a movable print head having print elements disposed to print along a slanted line, a character generating module providing character dot patterns to be printed and a modular skewing circuit arranged to receive the dot pattern information and provide the information to the print head in a rearranged order that corresponds to the order in which dot patterns are printed by the print elements. Because the skewing circuit divides each character dot pattern into eight dot pattern modules and operates on the dot pattern modules one at a time in sequence, the finer resolution of a slant head printer can be obtained without need for a huge triangular shift register operating on all of the dot rows of a dot column in parallel to skew the dot pattern information into conformity with the corresponding relative print element locations.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided for printing on a document or bank passbook which has affixed thereto a magnetic stripe on which information with respect to the print operation is written and/or read by a magnetic head scanning assembly. The printing apparatus includes a document holder for accommodating the document to be printed on, and an automatic line positioning device in the form of a stepper motor to move the holder, and accordingly the document, to the line to be printed on as recorded on the magnetic stripe, at which time the platen is advanced against the document, and the data printed on the line by the print head. The magnetic head scanning assembly at beginning-of-stripe position is retracted from the magnetic stripe on the document, and when actuated, advances the head to contact the magnetic stripe to read data on the stripe.

Abstract: Guide means for a serially operable wire matrix printer head wherein a guide is provided for linearly and pivotally guiding the printing end of the head adjacent and parallel to the plane of the paper. Independent means are provided to pivotally support the opposite and heavier end of the head and for permitting movement of such end in a direction substantially at right angles to the plane of the paper.

Abstract: A printer needle-plunger armature assembly for use in a mosaic needle printer head. The printer needle is secured to the plunger armature by virtue of a connection which includes a blind bore formed in the armature and lateral deformation formed on an end portion of the needle which is inserted into the blind bore, which deformations are straightened upon said insertion. Inserts including a helically wound wire coil may be disposed within the blind bore for receiving the end portion of the printer needle.

Abstract: A matrix print head comprises stylus guide means; a plurality of electromagnetic structures coupled to the guide means, each of the electromagnetic structures including a pole piece; a plurality of armatures disposed radially about the guide means, each of the armatures being associated with one of the electromagnetic structures to form an electromagnetic actuator for transferring electromechanical energy to a stylus, and each of the armatures having an inner end and an outer end projecting outwardly of the associated pole piece; a plurality of styli respectively associated with the plurality of armatures, each stylus being carried by the guide means and having an armature engaging end for engaging the inner end of the associated armature and a printing end for impacting a record medium when the stylus is propelled through the guide means by energization of the associated electromagnetic actuator; and an improved armature retainer coupled to the guide means for maintaining each armature in engagement with its

Abstract: A printing apparatus for an electronic calculator or the like comprises a first type wheel formed with mathematical operator symbols which is fixed to a spline shaft and a second type wheel formed with digits which is slidably mounted on the spline shaft for integral rotation. A stepping motor rotates the spline shaft for character selection. A carriage is connected to the second type wheel and is movable by a cable wound around drive and take-up spools to move the second type wheel along the spline shaft for serial feed. A single electrical solenoid actuates a printing hammer for printing and subsequently actuates a ratchet and pawl mechanism to serially feed the second type wheel by one character position in one reciprocation of the solenoid plunger.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a dot-matrix type impact printer for printing each line of characters and/or graphic data in a selective one of a plurality of character fonts and/or formats. In one preferred embodiment, a manual selection is made corresponding to either a normal or compressed spacing between adjacent dot columns by selection of a registration array from a group of such arrays. Dual-channel reading means cooperate with the registration arrays for determining the position of a print head as it moves across a print line and for enabling a plurality of print wires to be selectively impacted against the paper document whenever the print head is in proper registration as determined by the selected array. Spacing between registration slits of each array is uniform but is different as between arrays. The selected array may be changed either manually or remotely. Upon completion of the printing of a line, control logic means returns the printer to a "selected" format.

Abstract: The invention concerns a printing device or head for a printer or the like nd to a process of making same. The device comprises a plurality of needles each having an electro-magnet and a metal plate associated therewith, a selected needle being displaceable against an information support upon energization of the associated electro-magnet. The electro-magnets are supported in a base. In accordance with the invention each electro-magnet includes a U-shaped magnetic circuit, the base including housings for magnetic circuits. A surrounding, insulating material is disposed between the arms of the magnetic circuit and around the windings of the electro-magnets.

Abstract: An actuator including a solenoid and a "U"-shaped leaf spring. One end of the leaf spring is fixed to one end of the solenoid and the other end (a free end) of the leaf spring is located near the opposite end of the solenoid and is free to be attracted to the opposite end of the solenoid when it is energized. An actuating element is fixed to the free end of the leaf spring and is brought into operative engagement with a record medium when the actuator is actuated. A plurality of the actuators are arranged in a circle in a frame to produce a print head of the wire matrix variety. The actuators can also be used to punch holes in a record medium.

Abstract: A serial impact printer of the type utilizing a dot matrix print head is specifically adaptable for use as a calculator or adding machine and is characterized by utilizing a common drive source to advance the print head across the paper, advance the paper between printing operations, and selectively advance the print ribbon between the ribbon supply spool and takeup spool. An improved paper-advancing means has been devised which operates in close correlation with the print head drive member to provide a relatively high speed, simplified and inexpensive printer unit; and the ribbon supply spools are so constructed and arranged as to be interchangeable and to permit direct drive through a spool-engaging member on the print head whereby to advance the ribbon in direct response to print head travel.

Abstract: A dot matrix impact print head uses a combination of cooperating forces produced by a deflected spring and dual electromagnetic fields to increase the striking force of a printing wire or needle element without adversely affecting operating frequency capabilities.

Abstract: A device for digging, balling and relocating a tree for mounting on a vehicle having twin spaced booms having an attachment plate pivotally mounted thereto. The device includes a rear blade for connection with the attachment plate of the vehicle together with first and second arms rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis thereof on the attachment plate. The arms are also pivotally mounted on the attachment plate. Each arm carries at the outer end thereof a side blade. A hydraulic ram rotates and pivots each of said arms to thereby move the blades thereof together or apart relative to the rear blade.

Abstract: A device for recording characters on a recording carrier uses mosaic recording mechanisms. In addition to the recording of the characters in the required character height, additional recording members are arranged in the recording head and a control device for the mosaic recording mechanism is constructed in an expanded manner so that alternately a height-extended character formation can be executed over all recording members. The device is suitable for recording capital and small letters, and the control apparatus is constructed so that all alternatively the capital letters and numerals can be recorded in an extended manner by an additional amount provided for the short heights of the small letters. The control apparatus for each of the two character heights to be formed by the mosaic recording head has its own character generator and switching means are provided so that the two character generators can be alternately effective for activating the mosaic recording head.

Abstract: A flower pot of the type having a cavity therein and a top opening communicating with the cavity and peripheral holes at the bottom thereof is provided with a rigid wire member extending along the side of the cavity and through the holes, the wire member having a generally U-shape with a bridging portion across the top thereof for anchoring the plant above the top opening of the pot.

Abstract: A printing device employs a printing drum on the peripheral wall of which a plurality of character type are arranged in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction. The axial movement and rotation of the drum are independently controlled by comparing the position of a new character type on the drum to be printed with that of the immediately preceding one of already printed character type thereon at each printing step in response to electric printing information. A hammer is disposed close to the outer periphery of the drum. The hammer advances step by step in printing in the axial direction of the drum independently of the drum to determine the printing position with respect to a record sheet and selectively strikes the opposed surface of the drum through the record sheet. The printing device can thus attain a mechanical driving system for the drum and hammer which has the simplest construction, the least probability of trouble, and a highest possible printing speed with ease.

Abstract: A thermal printer for impressing a recording medium with letters making use of a thermal head including a dot line type. The printer is able to perform impression at a state with the thermal head pressing the recording medium against a recording medium feed roller and even when the recording medium is fed by one line after completion of the impression, the recording medium may be fed in such a state that the thermal head is kept in contact under pressure with the feed roller. A preheat bias construction may be incorporated to reduce use of electric current.

Abstract: In an office machine keyboard comprising a layer of elastic material provided with individually depressible reliefs representing the keys, each having a top fingering surface, the characters are composed of a second elastic material moulded in accordance with the shapes of the characters and superimposed on the fingering surface.The elastic keyboard is obtained pressing under heat a mould in which are inserted the two elastic materials.

Abstract: An actuator for a wire matrix printer including a plunger which is mounted in a frame for reciprocal movement between first and second positions therein, and the plunger has a print wire fixed thereto by a special swaging technique. The plunger is moved to and held in the first position against the bias of a special spring by a permanent magnet. When the actuator is to be fired, a neutralizing coil is energized to nullify the holding effect of the magnet, enabling the spring to accelerate the plunger towards the second position (towards a platen). The spring is disconnected from the plunger after it is accelerated, enabling the plunger and print wire attached thereto to travel ballistically at least part of the way to the second position from the first position.