Abstract: There is provided a molded polymeric coupling device incorporating integral hinges, latches and strain-relief features adapted to receive an electric match having a protective chamber, and a quickmatch fuse of a pyrotechnic device. After the quickmatch fuse is suitably placed in the coupling device, it is latched in a closed position around the quickmatch fuse. A piercing structure such as a cone forms an opening in the outer layer of the quickmatch fuse so that, upon ignition of the electric match, flame therefrom is directed into and ignites the central blackmatch core of the quickmatch fuse. The coupling device allows rapid and accurate attachment of an electric match to a quickmatch fuse at the fireworks display site by persons of limited skill and/or experience. The electric matches are protected by the coupling device, preventing unexpected ignition from impact, friction, ESD, or other similar ignition sources.

Abstract: The present invention features a Point of Sale (POS) printer that includes an encoding module that magnetizes and reads the account and bank information from existing magnetic characters on a check. The encoding module prints the characters in the AMOUNT field of the check, according to ANSI1, ISO2, or other standards. The characters are printed with an ink having magnetic particles embedded therein. The POS printer magnetizes and reads these characters after they are printed, in order to verify that the correct amount has been encoded onto the check. The encoding module can include a magnet to magnetize the characters; a read head to read and analyze the signal waveform from each character; and a print mechanism with the capability of using magnetic ink for printing the characters. The method of the invention directs the POS printer to follow a certain sequence of actions in order to accomplish the printing and verification at the point of sale.

Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding of indicia at a precise location called the amount field. In order to accomplish this, an optical sensor is provided in a transaction printer at a point-of-sale, to detect the edge of the check and stage it at a known location from the thermal, MICR print head. A clutch mechanism is used to engage the print head with a platen, and to engage two MICR read heads with the check, so that indicia can be sequentially imprinted and read within the transaction printer in a single, sequential operation.

Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding of indicia at a precise location called the amount field. In order to accomplish this, an optical sensor is provided in a transaction printer at a point-of-sale to detect the edge of the check and stage it at a known location from the thermal, MICR print head. A clutch mechanism is used to engage the print head with a platen, and to engage a read head with the check, so that indicia can be sequentially imprinted and read within the check processing machine in a single, sequential operation. During the MICR encoding operation, the main paper feed rolls are disengaged and moved away from the paper path to help provide a clear paper path.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape. The supply and take-up rolls of ribbon or tape are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A unique chevron disposed adjacent the take-up roll and on the post-printing portion of the cassette causes the dispensed ribbon to reverse direction and change level and to be presented for storage upon the take-up roll. The ribbon cassette also includes a partition disposed between the supply and take-up rolls for preventing ink particles in the take-up portion of the housing from migrating and thereby contaminating the printing ribbon.

Abstract: In an MICR encoder of a point-of-sale transaction printer, the MICR characters must be printed at a precise distance to the right edge of the check in order to place the MICR in the proper field site. In order to accomplish this, an optical sensor is provided in a check processing mechanism of a point-of-sale printer, to detect the edge of the check and stage it at a known location from a thermal, MICR printhead. It then becomes an easy matter to advance the check by a stepper, drive and print motor a fixed number of step increments in order to start the printing sequence.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape. The supply and take-up rolls of ribbon or tape are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A unique chevron disposed adjacent the take-up roll and on the post-printing portion of the cassette causes the dispensed ribbon to reverse direction and change level and be presented for storage upon the take-up roll. The supply roll is under tension because a plurality of spring fingers push against a friction plate, thereby pressing the supply roll against an inner partition plate. The ribbon moves straight off the supply roll without bunching. A spring-loaded ribbon tensioner reduces slack in the ribbon by applying tension to the ribbon.

Abstract: A new receipt printer and method for negotiating transactions at the point of sale in retail establishments. The POS printer includes means for reading the account and bank information from existing magnetic characters on a check. The apparatus of this invention flips the check over and reverses its feed direction, in order to change its facial and directional orientation so that the amount of the transaction or other accounting information can be printed on the check, with one check presentation operation. The clamshell design of the printer, with the transport mechanism disposed in a pivotable door, allows for ease of clearing paper jams, should they occur. The door itself has a window through which the user and customer can view the check at all times, as it is read, flipped, and printed on.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape. The supply and take-up rolls of ribbon and tape are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A unique chevron disposed adjacent the take-up roll and on the post-printing portion of the cassette causes the dispensed ribbon to reverse direction and change level and be presented for storage upon the take-up roll. Ink particles are removed by a wiper from the ribbon prior to printing.

Abstract: A method for using a POS printer that includes means for magnetizing and reading the ON-US and ROUTING information from preprinted magnetic characters on a check. The characters are printed with an ink having magnetizable particles embedded therein. First, the ROUTING and ON-US fields of the check are magnetized, either by a fixed magnet, or within the read head itself. Next, the characters within the ROUTING and ON-US fields are read by the read head, and the signals analyzed by the electronics of the POS printer. This is followed by a verification, in which the printer electronically verifies that the account is not a "bad" account. If the account is good, the printer continues to endorse the check on its back and/or encode the check by printing MICR characters in the AMOUNT field on the face of the check. The POS printer may magnetize and read these characters after they are printed, in order to verify that the correct amount has been encoded onto the check.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape. The supply and take-up rolls of ribbon or tape are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A unique chevron disposed adjacent the take-up roll and on the post-printing portion of the cassette causes the dispensed ribbon to change level and reverse direction and be presented for storage upon the take-up roll. A partitioning plate in the ribbon cassette separates the supply roll from the take-up region of the cassette. Ink particles are thereby prevented from migrating from the post-printing, take-up region of the cassette to the pre-printing, supply region thereof.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape upon integrally formed dispensing and storage spools. The dispensing and storage spools are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. An integral, self-adjusting friction plate bears upon the ribbon on the dispensing spool and provides a predetermined, varying drag to maintain uniform ribbon taughtness.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape upon integrally formed dispensing and storage spools. The dispensing and storage spools are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A pair of meshing gears provide a positive ribbon drive that ensures that fresh ribbon is in place at the thermal print head for each MICR encode operation. The meshing gear positive ribbon drive system provides the optimum amount of ribbon for the print cycle to assure that MICR encode characters meet accepted industry quality standards.

Abstract: A point-of-sale printer including a facility for encoding MICR indicia at a precise location called the amount field. A single stepper motor in combination with a unique bi-direction clutch mechanism is used to engage the print head with a platen, and to engage a read head with the check, so that indicia can be sequentially imprinted and read within the transaction printer.

Abstract: A device for piercing holes in an ink cartridge to enable ink to be inserted therein and an ink cartridge station for securing cartridges of two or more sizes so that the cartridges may be pierced and/or stored therein.

Abstract: A printing device having a detachable printwheel coupling means which includes a motor driven drive plate which is formed with a cantilevered spring finger and an aligning slot disposed on the side opposite the spring finger. The spring finger carries at its free end an alignment pin which automatically engages a radially offset cam surface located in a recess formed in the hub of a printwheel when the drive plate rotates relative to the printwheel. The printwheel hub also includes a drive pin which engages the aligning slot when the printwheel and drive plate abut under the urging of a pressure plate. The device inhibits angular and radial movement between the drive plate and the printwheel.

Abstract: A thermal print head control mechanism for use with a thermal typewriter or thermal printer supported on a carrier housing which moves along a platen and the mechanism includes a bidirectional motor and pinion gear for selectively rotating a sector gear about a center point. A bellcrank having a pair of arms is supported on the carrier housing for pivotal rotation about a point between the arms. An end of one of the arms carries a vertically directed print head proximate the platen and an end of the other arm is connected to an anchor near one side edge of the sector gear by a coil spring. The anchor point is positioned so that as the sector gear is rotated from one position to another, the longitudinal axis of the coil spring will cross over the sector gear center of rotation. During rotation of the sector gear, the axial length of the coil spring is such that it will be tensioned when its longitudinal axis is on each side of the sector gear center of rotation.

Abstract: An improved dual purpose print ribbon cartridge for use with a typewriter or printer having upper and lower walls joined by side walls one of which is a front sidewall. The cartridge being provided with ribbon exit and entrance ports at opposite ends of one of the front sidewalls for movement of said ribbon along and spaced from said front sidewall. The upper wall being formed with an upwardly directed extension for guiding the paper, after printing, in an upwardly direction.

Abstract: An improved dual purpose print ribbon cartridge for use with a typewriter or printer having upper and lower walls joined by side walls one of which is a front sidewall. The cartridge being provided with ribbon exit and entrance ports at opposite ends of one of the front sidewalls for movement of said ribbon along and spaced from said front sidewall. Said front sidewall being formed with an upwardly directed extension for guiding the paper, after printing, in an upwardly direction.