Abstract: A ballast housing (10) comprising a base (100), a cover (200), an input connector (300), and an output connector (400). Input connector (300) and output connector (400) serve as end-caps of the housing (10), and provide solderless connections between external wires and the ballast circuitry. The base (100) has formed edges (132,142) that are received into corresponding channels (242,252) in the cover (200). Tabs on the connectors (300,400) and corresponding apertures in the base (100) and cover (200) provide a secure ballast housing that accommodates efficient provision of input and output wires.

Abstract: A printing gap adjustment mechanism compensates for the change in the pring gap variation caused by the relative motion between two side walls of the printer frame supporting a platen and two guide rods slidably supporting a print head. The mechanism includes a compensator rod and a pair of eccentric members rotatably mounted in a compensator plate which is pivotally mounted on one side wall of the printer frame. One end of the compensator rod is frictionally secured to the opposite side wall while the other end is rotatably supported in an opening in the other side wall and is secured to an eccentric mounted to the compensator plate. One of the guide rods supporting the print head is located near the platen and is secured between two eccentric members, one of which is rotatably mounted in the compensator plate and the other is rotatably mounted in the opposite side wall. The other guide rod is secured between the two side walls.

Abstract: A wire matrix print head movable along a print line has a pair of guides containing print wires arranged in two parallel columns. Horizontally movable sloped platforms are provided for moving the guides vertically relative to each other so as to change the alignment of the wires in one guide with those in the other guide, thereby changing high speed mode of printing to high quality mode, and vice-versa.

Abstract: The drive mechanism for a paper tape punch and reader assembly utilizes tape drive assemblies which move the paper tape in response to the application of continuous periodic motion and control signals. The periodic motion serves to oscillate a rocker plate between first and second limits and the control signls serve to selectively engage and disengage a detent which effects coupling between the drive shaft and the source of periodic motion. The periodic motion is imparted to the drive assembly by a connecting link which in turn is driven by an adjustable eccentric.The eccentric comprises a pulley plate which is fixed to a shaft. A circular body is adjustably movable with respect to the pulley plate and is arranged to engage the race of a ball bearing assembly which further comprises balls and a retaining ring. The connecting link has a circular opening which provides a snug fit to the exterior of the retaining ring.

Abstract: A guide system for arranging a plurality of print wires from a converging arrangement into a parallel arrangement aligned with a column of dot locations to be printed on a record medium, the guide system including a first guide more remote from the record for bearing against the wires as they are bent into a direction perpendicular to the record medium. And a second guide nearer the record medium than is the first guide, for applying the bending force to the wires to bring them into alignment perpendicular to the record medium. A final guide still nearer to the record medium finally assures that the wires are in a straight, columnar line as they face the record medium.

Abstract: An armature locating and holding structure in which the armature only partially overlaps one of the magnetic poles so as to produce a magnetic tensile force on the armature tending to pull the armature toward the partially overlapped pole and a magnetic gap tending to apply a rotational balance force so as to pull the armature structure toward a pair of stops that limit movement of the armature toward the partially overlapped pole and also limits the rotation of the armature by reason of the magnetic gap.

Abstract: A wire matrix printer includes a print head having one or more banks of a plurality of generally horizontal, vertically spaced print wires arranged parallel to each other for linear reciprocation toward and away from a recording surface by associated actuators. The print wires in each bank are of progressively varying length so that the wire associated with the actuator furthest from the recording surface is the longest and each adjacent wire is a predetermined amount shorter than the preceding wire. Outer or actuator ends of the wires define a vertically spaced and stepped array. The actuators in each bank are also in an array vertically spaced and stepped and are respectively coupled to the outer print wire ends by armatures. The inner or printing ends of the wires define a vertically spaced, nearly planar array near the recording surface, and a spaced, planar array at such surface.

Abstract: A centralized system for simultaneously monitoring a plurality of predetermined remote areas and selectively indicating an unauthorized intrusion into any of the areas. A preamplifier is placed in each of the areas for amplifying the electrical signals from each of a set of microphones in that area and the amplified signal is coupled to a central monitoring and alarm station. The central station may provide a sound level indicating lamp for each area, an alarm lamp to indicate when the sound in each area exceeds a predetermined background or threshold level, and a system for simultaneously listening to the actual sound in all of the remote areas or selectively listening to the sound in any one of the areas.