Abstract: A feed mechanism for moving a web is disclosed. It includes a means for engaging the web that has a plurality of uniformly spaced drive pins for extending through and engaging web perforations. It also includes a means for guiding the web onto the drive pins, such as a door, and it includes a guiding surface that extends below the upper end of the pins. The guiding surface includes a static protrusion that extends below the guiding surface and urges the web and its associated perforation down onto the drive pin in that portion of the tractor where the drive pins are inserted into the web perforations.

Abstract: A web feed tractor for a printer which comprises a timing belt having outer web engaging pins and inner teeth, a sprocket wheel drivingly connected to the belt and having belt engaging cogs and a guide portion, a frame rotatably receiving the sprocket and having a guide portion, a web holding plate assembly pivoted to the frame, and a web support plate connected to the frame and having a lock and a lock ring fitted on the lock.

Abstract: An electronic component transporting apparatus employing taping cassettes includes a toothed wheel arranged for meshing engagement within successive compartments of a taping cassette after a sealing tape has been stripped from the taping cassette and components contained in compartments thereof have been successively removed, whereby stepwise rotation of the toothed wheel is utilized to produce stepwise advancement of the taping cassette for successive removal of electronic components contained in the compartments. Since it is not necessary to provide a line of perforations along an elongated side of each taping cassette, for use in driving the cassette, each cassette can be made substantially smaller in width than has been possible in the prior art.

Abstract: A cassette magazine for a component mounting machine. This machine comprises a driving member (34) for a number of reels (7) which are insertable into the magazine and which carry components enclosed in a carrier tape (2) wound on each reel. The reels are arranged in standing position in one or more parallel rows (9,10) transversely to the feeding direction of the tape. The tapes are by means of driving members fed to a component expelling and picking station (23) in which means (24) are arranged to punch the components from the carrier tapes so that they will be accessible for a picking tool. The driving members comprise a number of feeding wheels (32) and drive segments (43) corresponding to the number of tapes, said wheels and said segments being arranged for individual feeding of each of the tapes.

Abstract: A paper feeder unit for a printer is provided adjacent to a platen to feed a paper web to the platen. The unit has a sprocket wheel for feeding the paper web, and a paper holder rotatably mounted on a case so as to hold the paper web on the sprocket wheel. A paper guide plate is provided in a space between the platen and the paper holder so as to guide the surface of the paper web.

Abstract: A more space-effective method and device for the feeding of a material web (1) is obtained by making use of a web feeding unit (2) for feeding as well as correction of register. The web feeding unit (2) is provided for this purpose with two driving devices (14,15) which during operation are used alternately for feeding and register correction respectively of the material web.

Abstract: A printer includes a print mechanism for performing printing operations and a print medium feeding mechanism for feeding a print medium past the print mechanism so that printing operations can be performed on the print medium. The print medium feeding mechanism includes a forward feed apparatus located downstream of the print mechanism for feeding the print medium in the forward direction past the print mechanism and a print medium tensioning apparatus. The tensioning apparatus includes at least one pair of pressure wheels rotatably mounted on the frame and located on opposite sides of a print medium being fed by the forward feed apparatus and means for restricting the rotation of at least one of the pressure wheels, whereby the pressure wheels exert a retarding force on the print medium tending to tension the print medium. Each pressure wheel is constructed so that it is flexible in the axial direction so as to permit lateral movement of a print medium as it passes between the pair of pressure wheels.

Abstract: An automatic paper sheet supplying apparatus to be used in combination with a paper sheet processing apparatus having a motor, comprises a pair of side plates mounted on the processing apparatus, a plurality of connecting bars connecting the side plates, an automatic long paper sheet supplying apparatus which is mounted on the pair of side plates and receives a rotational force from the motor so as to supply a long paper sheet to the processing apparatus, an output transmitting gear, arranged in the long paper sheet supplying apparatus, for receiving the rotational force from the motor, and an automatic base-sized paper sheet supplying apparatus, detachably mounted on the connecting bars to be supported thereby, for receiving the rotational force from the motor through the output transmitting gear so as to supply basic-sized paper sheets to the processing apparatus when the basic-sized paper sheet supplying apparatus is mounted on the connecting bars.

Abstract: An X, Y plotter particularly adapted to use both cut paper and strip paper. A driven roller provides motion of the paper back and forth according to one signal. A moveable pen block containing the pen is moved transverse the path of the paper in response to the second signal, thus providing controlled motion in the X and Y directions. According to one aspect, an idler roller is provided parallel to the driven roller around which an endless belt is disposed to be driven in combination with the drive roller by two pairs of rows of sprockets on the driven roller adapted to mate with holes provided therefor in the belt. Cut paper temporarily attached to the belt with drafting tape or the like is moved beneath the pen for plotting purposes. The inner row of sprockets is adapted for engaging holes in strip paper for moving it beneath the pen.

Abstract: A platen assembly, including a cylindrical platen, for advancing a web of record material through a printing device, the record material having perforations along its borders for receiving pins disposed in pin sprocket wheel assemblies mounted on opposite ends of the platen.

Abstract: Disclosed is economical and reliable apparatus for precisely intermittently feeding prescribed finite-lengths of edgewise perforated carrier sheet material. The intermittent feeding apparatus basically requires a rotatable drum having its cylindrical surface provided with circularly arrayed radially extending prongs that are removably engageable through the carrier edgewise perforations and which drum is intermittently rotated for a prescribed angular-value cycle so that the drum prongs feed the carrier for an approximate-length roughly equivalent to the desired exact finite-length. At the conclusion of each incremental rotation for the pronged drum, a camming assembly (having a camming first-component circularly arrayed around the drum and having a camming second-component mounted to a reciprocatable piston) rectifies the approximate-length carrier feed into the exact finite-length feed desired for the carrier sheet material.

Abstract: Inspection device, including a probe having a thrust hose for moving the probe, the thrust hose having mutually equidistant holes formed therein along a generatrix line thereof, a feed device having drive wheels for engaging the thrust hose to move the probe, and plugs disposed on at least one of the drive wheels for insertion in the holes.

Abstract: A closure operator such as a garage door operator utilizes an apertured flexible tape. The tape is enclosed in a guide and a drive sprocket has teeth engaging the apertures to apply both tension and compression forces to open and close a door. The apertures are enlarged in width and length and the tape has fewer apertures per-unit-length compared to the prior art tape. This decreases the stress per-unit-area in the tape at each tooth and increases the shear strength of the webs between successive apertures to be more nearly equal to the tensile strength of the tension band areas of the tape.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for sheets of material or continuous webs in a printer or typewriter, comprising a pin wheel feed mechanism for the feeding of continuous webs and a friction feed mechanism for the feeding of sheets of paper as well as the webs. The pin wheel feed mechanism and the friction feed mechanism are coupled together in at least two separate units for the feeding of the webs. During feeding of the webs the frictional feed pressure is reduced compared to that prevailing during friction feed of the sheets when the pin wheel feed mechanism is inactive.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus for use in a printer is capable of feeding both continuous computer or fan-fold paper having holes in the peripheral edges thereof and single sheets of paper such as letter paper. The paper feeding apparatus includes a frame having a platen rotatably supported thereon and a guide shaft supported on the frame. First and second paper feeding members are disposed on the guide shaft and spaced apart for feeding a fan-fold paper along the peripheral edges thereof by means of the holes therealong. First and second guide members are disposed intermediate the first and second paper feeding members. The first and second paper guide members each have a first portion for guiding a continuous fan-fold paper fed by the first and second paper feeding members, a second portion for guiding a single sheet of paper while being inserted and fed into the printer and a third surface for guiding a single sheet of paper while it is being fed out of the printer, past the platen.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler with a thermographic print head for printing on labels releasably secured to a carrier web, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels, an applicator for applying printed labels, a web feeding mechanism including an electric motor for advancing the carrier web, a detachable handle containing a source of electrical energy, and circuitry including a plurality of printed circuit boards electrically connecting the electrical energy source, the keyboard and the print head.

Abstract: A paper tractor for feeding paper of different widths in printers and the like comprises a rotationally driven shaft having mounted thereon a sprocket wheel which engages in perforations in a length of paper to effect lengthwise feeding of the paper in response to rotation of the sprocket wheel. The sprocket wheel is mounted on the drive shaft to undergo rotational movement therewith and is mounted on the drive shaft to undergo axial sliding movement therealong to enable axial positioning of the sprocket wheel to accommodate paper of different widths. The drive shaft has a polygonal cross-section, and the sprocket wheel has a center tubular sleeve formed of plastic and configured to be slideably inserted over the drive shaft so that rotational movement of the drive shaft is transmitted to the sprocket wheel.

Abstract: A bidirectional document tractor unit having spaced apart laterally adjustable tractor mechanisms each provided with an endless tractor belt which is in driving engagement with a document support belt to provide a document path interposed between the support belt and the tractor belt. The support belts include perforations engageable with the drive pins on the tractor belt. The support belts also are drivably engaged with sprocket members having document drive pins formed thereon. The tractor belts are driven through suitable sprockets in driving engagement with an elongated driveshaft. Movable gates are disposed adjacent to the drive sprockets which provide for lead-in driving engagement with the document which is trained along the tractor belt between the tractor belt and the support belt, then through the printer platen and then along the opposite run of the tractor belts before returning to a document magazine or stack.

Abstract: A pin wheel feed mechanism for transporting documents having feed perforations along the marginal edges thereof. The mechanism includes a pair of symetrically constructed guide frames, each adapted for use on either marginal edge of the feeding document. A pin wheel is rotatably housed in each guide frame and includes a plurality of equiangularly spaced pins which project radially from the surface of each wheel for feeding the document. A notch is provided between each pair of adjacent pins to accommodate warps in the marginal edges of the document to insure positive feed.

Abstract: An apparatus advances and registers web material relative to a cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism cuts the web material transverse to the direction of material advance. The apparatus comprises a guide for guiding the web material to the cutting mechanism. A rotating cylinder is spaced from the cutting mechanism and adjacent the guide. Projecting elements are carried on the rotating cylinder and spaced circumferentially on the rotating cylinder a distance substantially equal to the distance between cut lines in the web material. The projecting elements have a surface portion which engages at least a portion of the web material adjacent the cut line and forces a portion of the web material out of the plane of the web material. The projecting elements further have a surface portion for engaging the web material and pushing the web material through the guide and to the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: A composite tape made of highly different components is laminated in a process that maintains registry between the components. Strips of metal and insulating material are aligned in registry and first tack bonded at intervals. Then the strips are area bonded to create the composite.

Abstract: A perforated form band is introduced into a form printer through an input passage or shaft. The passage is formed by spaced walls and is pivotally mounted on the printer for movement between an input position and a working position. In the input position, a form band is introduced into and aligned within the input passage. In one embodiment, the leading end of the form band contacts transversely extending stop surfaces, while in another the leading end of the form band is aligned with an indicating mark and the perforations on the form band engage with projections in the input passage. With the form band aligned, the input passage is moved into the working position engaging the perforations in the form band on pins projecting outwardly from sprocket wheels which drive the form band through the printer. In the working position of the input passage, the form band no longer contacts the stop surfaces or engages the projections used in the aligning operation.

Abstract: A pin feed apparatus is provided for a printing machine of the type including a main frame and a printing station. The pin feed apparatus is capable of feeding marginally punched record material past the printing station and includes a shaft rotatably mounted to the main frame, a platen mounted about the shaft for rotation therewith, and a pin wheel feeding device for feeding marginally punched record material disposed about the platen past the printing station. The pin wheel feeding device includes a housing coupled to the shaft adjacent an end of the platen for rotation therewith. The housing has a plurality of openings formed therein and the pin wheel feeding device further includes a cam member fixed in position relative to the housing and a plurality of pins disposed within the housing in respective alignment with the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A web drive mechanism to advance the print medium of a line or serial printer apparatus including a first stationary guide track for guiding the print medium along a defined path intermediate a medium supply position and a printing position, a platen about the printing position for receiving the medium, at least one rotor drive member having a rotor positioned adjacent to the guide track along the defined path intermediate the supply position and the platen with the outer peripheral surface of the rotor being adjacent to at least a portion of the arcuate path of the guide track to permit the print medium to travel intermediate the guide track and the rotor, the rotor drive member including a first medium gate for urging the print medium in engagement with the peripheral surface of the rotor as the medium advances intermediate the supply position and the platen, and a second medium gate for holding the print medium as it advances intermediate the platen and a medium take-up position, and a drive means engaging

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and supplying parallel lead circuit elements that are secured to an elongated web is provided. The apparatus is adapted to supply the parallel lead circuit elements to a mechanism particularly adapted to process and secure the parallel lead electronic circuit elements to a printed circuit board. Storage and supply of the electronic circuit elements is affected by winding each of the webs carrying the parallel lead circuit elements about a reel, which reel is enclosed in a case. The apparatus is adapted to support each of the cases at predetermined positions and further dispose appropriate guiding and feeding structure proximate to each of the cases to effect guiding and feeding of each of the webs to the mechanism for processing and securing the parallel lead electronic circuit elements to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An automatic microfilm camera is electronically controlled, as by an electronic logic controller, logic and control unit, or the like, for example. The camera has an automatic feeding stack loader for picking up documents of randomly mixed sizes, photographing them, and then depositing them in an output tray. The automatic feed may be interrupted, so that single documents may be copied. Then, the automatic feed restarts and continues from the point of interrupt. A plurality of sensors respond to documents in order to control both the time of shutter opening and the exposure actuation. Various forms of documents may be processed, including a fan-folded computer readout requiring a pin drive wheel.

Abstract: A combination paper tape punch and reader having a bi-directional stepping tape transport controlled by a continuously oscillating magnetically activated pawl. A further improvement is a punch interposer geometry allowing for easy removal of the punch and die. A single motor and timing signal is used for both punch and reader tape transports.

Abstract: An intermittent drive mechanism for film is disclosed. A driven wheel having sprocket teeth for engagement in perforations in film is coupled by face teeth with the driving wheel and supported for turning about a common axis provided by a supporting shaft. The driving wheel is oscillated by an arm also supported on the common shaft. The teeth on both the driving and driven wheels have a saw-tooth shape and mesh to turn the ratchet wheel when the driving wheel is turned in one direction by the arm, and cooperate to move the driving wheel axially to an idle position when the driving wheel is turned in the other direction by the arm. Also disclosed is a bi-directional drive in which a driving wheel having face teeth on both lateral faces is provided and which is movable axially to bring one or the other sets of face teeth into operative engagement with axially spaced driven wheels having similar face teeth.

Abstract: An improved transport system for a motion picture projector which permits either intermittent or continuous drive of a film advancement sprocket. The transport is capable of use selectively with film having, for example, either two or four perforations per picture frame. During normal operation of the projector, the sprocket is intermittently driven to advance the film through a gate while a shutter interrupts the projection light. For automated film rewind through the projector, the sprocket is driven at a continuous speed which is preferably higher than the average speed in which the film is intermittently advanced through the projector.

Abstract: A film tension absorbing mechanism is provided on a motion picture projector for absorbing film tension shock in the film strip. The tension absorbing mechanism includes a first system comprising the combination of a pivotally mounted, biased film exit guide roller for absorbing a portion of the tension and a tension absorbing sprocket drive to permit relative movement between the film strip and the sprocket. The tension absorbing sprocket includes a sprocket wheel and a relatively movable sprocket tooth ring rotatably mounted for generally conjoint rotation. The sprocket tooth ring is biased in a direction opposite the rotation of the sprocket wheel so that film tension shock can be absorbed as the sprocket tooth ring rotates relative to the sprocket wheel in a direction against the biasing force. A second system also is provided and includes a bi-directional tension absorbing drive sprocket for absorbing film tension shock in two directions.

Abstract: A tractor belt adapted to be trained over and driven and supported by sprockets in a mechanism for advancing and positioning a strip of material having hole-in-line perforations, the belt comprising a wire-cored band having perforation engaging lugs integral with and projecting from one surface of the band and sprocket engaging lugs integral with and projecting from the opposite surface of the band. A method for making such a belt.

Abstract: The sprocket assembly for periodic advancement of film in a film projector is supported axially between rotated members and is corotative with the members upon increase in axial force therebetween. One of the members is axially restrained and the second member supported for minute axial movement. Force giving rise to the corotation of the members and sprocket assembly is applied to the second member by selective movement of a magnetically attractable element into a magnetic field generated continuously during projector use.

Abstract: A film drive for a motion-picture camera or projector has a film drive wheel which is rotatable about a first axis and has a plurality of angularly equi-spaced and radially extending teeth. A function cam rotatable about a second axis spaced from and perpendicular to the film axis has a generally helical peripheral formation which engages with the teeth of the wheel. This helical formation includes an intermittent-drive section having a holding portion constituting almost a complete turn of the formation of zero degree pitch and a switching portion at each end of the holding portion of predetermined pitch greater than zero degrees, and a constant-drive section of constant pitch greater than zero degrees and axially offset from the intermittent-drive section.

Abstract: Sheet-carrying disc assembly for a sheet transfer drum carried by a shaft includes a sheet-carrying disc mounted on the drum shaft, a multiplicity of sheet-carrying elements radially adjustable into operative and inoperative positions on the disc, the sheet-carrying elements being constructed as bar-shaped paper carriers disposed at the periphery of the disc, arresting means disposed on the sheet-carrying disc for releasably locking the sheet-carrying elements in the operative and inoperative positions thereof and spring means yieldably biasing the sheet-carrying elements in axial direction of the drum shaft into locking engagement with the arresting means in the operative and inoperative positions of the sheet-carrying elements, each of the bar-shaped paper carriers having a longitudinal axis and being tiltable against the bias of the spring means out of the arresting means about a tilting axis extending in the plane of the sheet carrying disc transversely to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A tape feeding apparatus for perforators or reader of punched tape in which a circular cam continuously rotates in a slot machined in a first lever. A second lever, selectively activated by an electromagnet, enables the first lever to be operated by the cam for jogging a saw tooth wheel integral with a sprocket pulley, feeding the paper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new and improved apparatus for aligning and bonding a pre-perforated flexible repair tape to the side edge portion of an elongated strip, such as motion picture film, having damaged sprocket feed hole perforations located therealong. Film to be repaired is fed continuously from a supply reel to a repair station comprising a grooved pressure roller cooperating with a sprocket roller specifically designed to more precisely align the preformed feed holes of the tape with the damaged feed hole locations of the film, and to bond the tape and film together in the aligned condition, the laminated tape and film thereafter being directed over an exit ramp to a storage reel for collection.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding continuous stationery or other web material or items thereon to be processed comprises a machine bed, drive means for feeding the web material over the machine bed and a framework adapted for mounting at least one of a range of units above the machine bed whereby a variation of processing steps may be carried out on the web material or said items. The web material may be driven over the machine bed intermittently to provide at least one moving period during which the web material or at least one of the items thereon may be processed by a printing unit, and at least one dwell period during which the web material or at least one of the items thereon may be processed by a numbering unit and/or a punching unit.

Abstract: A continuous web for library catalogue cards having a plurality of slit lines longitudinally spaced 7.5 centimeters apart, each slit line extending 12.5 centimeters transversely between edge carrier portions of the form such that upon removal of the carrier portions outwardly of the slit lines a plurality of standard 7.5 centimeters .times. 12.5 centimeters catalogue cards are provided. Longitudinally extending lines of uniquely shaped feed holes or perforations are provided in the carrier portions of the form which permit printing of the cards by means of existing high speed printers of United States manufacture despite the cards being dimensioned in the metric system and the feed of the printers being dimensioned in the English system.

Abstract: A rotary sprocket disc for driving motion picture film is characterized in its construction by sprocket teeth enabling interchangeable transporting of film strips of different dimensions. Certain teeth are so disposed around the sprocket disc that they will mesh with or engage the holes in different film strips, the latter having different strip widths, tooth hole sizes, and pitches.

Abstract: A tape cassette for compactly storing programmed tape in a random fashion having a leaf guide which is arranged to contact a rotatable program drum to insure separation of the tape from the drum as the program drum advances the programmed tape. Preferably, the cassette is provided with a tape control means which enables only one layer of tape to be fed to the tape reader mechanism and which also serves to maintain the fed tape under tension.

Abstract: The sprocket assembly for periodic advancement of film in a film projector is supported axially between rotated members and is corotative with the members upon increase in axial force therebetween. One of the members is axially restrained and the second member supported for minute axial movement. Force giving rise to the corotation of the members and sprocket assembly is applied to the second member by selective energization of an electromagnet.

Abstract: There are disclosed various embodiments of a composite web of pressure sensitive labels, method and apparatus for making such embodiments of the composite web, and method and apparatus by which a composite web of labels is advanced and by which labels are successively printed and applied to merchandise.

Abstract: In a continuous form document feeder for a copier, for incrementally feeding a computer form or the like web document from a fan-folded stack thereof to the imaging station of a copier with a web feeder, the improvement in the supply hopper in which the fan-fold web stack is stacked and from which the web is unfolded and fed out to be copied with said web feeder, wherein said supply hopper has a generally horizontal main stack supporting floor for supporting the principal portion of the stack of fan-fold web, a downstream stack edge retaining low wall extending upwardly not substantially above the maximum height of the stack of web to be fed from the supply hopper and adjacent the end of the supply hopper from which the web is to be fed out to be copied, this low wall being adapted to retain one end of the stack of fan-fold web in the supply hopper but to provide low friction and low angle feeding of the web from the stack thereover, and a raised stack floor portion adjacent the end of the supply hopper oppos