Patents by Inventor Gerald A. Bradfield

Gerald A. Bradfield has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20030021621
    Abstract: A motion detector comprising a rotator member having at least one radially positioned member and being mounted for rotation from at least a first position to at least a second position; a detector member, preferably a Hall Effect sensor; and a magnet producing a magnetic field; wherein, the radially positioned member is characterized by altering the magnetic flux of the magnetic field when it moves into and out of proximity to the magnet; and wherein the detector member detects the alteration of the magnetic flux. The motion detector is preferably used to detect the speed, type, position, presence, and absence of a printer ribbon cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Edward D. Furrow, Paul W. Snyder, Gerald A. Bradfield
  • Patent number: 6503007
    Abstract: A motion detector comprising a rotator member having at least one radially positioned member and being mounted for rotation from at least a first position to at least a second position; a detector member, preferably a Hall Effect sensor; and a magnet producing a magnetic field; wherein, the radially positioned member is characterized by altering the magnetic flux of the magnetic field when it moves into and out of proximity to the magnet; and wherein the detector member detects the alteration of the magnetic flux. The motion detector is preferably used to detect the speed, type, position, presence, and absence of a printer ribbon cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Genicom, LLC
    Inventors: Edward D. Furrow, Paul W. Snyder, Gerald A. Bradfield
  • Publication number: 20020015606
    Abstract: A print head is attached to a stepper motor that moves the print head toward and away from the surface of a printing medium. During a gap setting operation, a controller controls the stepper motor to move the print head to a maximum distance away from the surface of the printing medium. A print wire actuator coil for the print wire used in the gap setting operation is then energized. The print head is then positioned over the printing medium and the controller controls the stepper motor to move the print head in towards the printing medium. When the energized print wire touches the printing medium, the print wire begins to be pushed back into the print head. As the wire is pushed back, an air gap between a yoke and a print wire armature is created. The opening of the air gap increases the amount of flux detected by a Hall sensor. When the output voltage of the Hall sensor reaches a predetermined level, the controller determines that the print wire has pressed the ribbon and printing medium against the platen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: Gerald A. Bradfield
  • Patent number: 5913622
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Genicom Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald A. Bradfield, James L. Harlow