Abstract: A variable torque device for maintaining constant tension in a web of material as the web is unwound from a supply roll. The variable torque device includes a lead screw attached to the shaft of the supply roll via an appropriate gear ratio. A coil spring is located between a hub on the lead screw and a set of rings and friction pads. As the lead screw rotates, the hub translates, thus changing the displacement of the coil spring, which in turn changes the loading of the rings and friction pads. With a full supply roll the coil spring is compressed so as to create an amount of torque to create the desired web tension. As the supply roll unwinds, the rotation of the lead screw translates the hub to expand the coil spring, reducing the torque and maintaining the web tension constant.

Abstract: A printer includes a print head for printing from a donor medium to a receiver medium, a platen member for holding the donor medium in a printing relation with the receiver medium at said print head, a pair of steering and drive rollers for feeding the receiver medium from between the steering and drive rollers, and a movable support for the platen member and the steering roller that moves the platen member towards the print head to hold the receiver medium in the printing relation with the donor medium and away from the print head to release the receiver medium from the printing relation with the donor medium and that moves the steering roller to vary a feeding angle at which the receiver medium is fed from between the steering and driver rollers.

Abstract: A printer includes a print head for printing from a donor medium to a receiver medium, a platen member for holding the donor medium in a printing relation with the receiver medium at said print head, a pair of steering and drive rollers for feeding the receiver medium from between the steering and drive rollers, and a movable support for the platen member and the steering roller that moves the platen member towards the print head to hold the receiver medium in the printing relation with the donor medium and away from the print head to release the receiver medium from the printing relation with the donor medium and that moves the steering roller to vary a feeding angle at which the receiver medium is fed from between the steering and driver rollers.

Abstract: A protection device for a lens used in a scanning apparatus for imaging data on photographic film, comprises a plate and having a finger gripping portion, a member slidably retained in the plate, a glass piece removably carried by the member, and a biasing member operatively associated with the member for selectively permitting secure holding of the glass piece on the member and easy removal of the glass piece from the member. The plate is provided with a biasing device for securely retaining the member in a desired location such that the glass piece is in a predetermined lens protecting position. A switch is associated with the plate such that the switch is moved to an open position upon movement of the member away from the plate. The biasing member is a pivotally mounted spring configured to hold the glass piece in a desired location on the member and has V-shaped portions to engage portions of the member for positive locking of the spring in the member.