Abstract: A bracket having an arm extending therefrom is securely attached, at a base end thereof, to a first belt passed around a pair of pulleys, and a second belt is passed around another pair of pulleys and guided along the length of the arm by rollers or the like. A carriage is securely attached to a part of the second belt extending along the length of the arm. Therefore, by moving the first belt, the arm is moved along the length of the first belt or in the X-direction. By moving the second belt while keeping the first belt stationary, the carriage is moved along the length of the arm or in the Y-direction. Thus, the carriage can be moved to an arbitrary point along a desired path in a X-Y coordinate system by individually moving the first and second belts in an appropriate manner.

Abstract: The printhead of an ink jet printer is mounted on a printhead carrier for reciprocal movement on a carrier guide rod above a record feed path. A bi-directional motor drives a drive belt attached to the carrier to thereby pull the printhead back and forth. The belt is attached to the carrier at two points which are spaced from the axis of the carrier guide rod, one point being above the axis and the other point being below the axis. The arrangement is such that any tilt of the printhead carrier in a vertical plane, resulting from a pulling force of the drive belt, is always in the same direction regardless of the direction in which the printhead carrier is pulled. This improves the accuracy of ink dot placement thereby giving better print quality. The drive belt is mounted on pulleys which are positioned such that there is an upward incline from each attachment point to a pulley. The carrier is provided with feet which ride in a groove in a carrier guide.

Abstract: Apparatus especially X-Y plotters having a marking device for marking a surface. A support is provided for supporting the marking device. The support is movable along an axis of the housing while the marking device can be selectively raised and lowered relative to the surface. The raising and lowering is carried out by means of a flexible driving element, for example, a cable, connected to a pivotable link on the support and activated by a motor. The marking device support is freely translatable relative to the flexible driving element.

Abstract: A positioning system for use in a plotter having a reverse axis arrangement moves the Y carriage along two generally parallel spaced apart guides and comprises a first and second cable each having equal lenghts and forming a loop respectively attached to opposite ends of the Y carriage. Each of the cables is commonly wound around a single drive drum having double helical grooves formed on it into which respective ones of the first and the second cables is received. Each end of each cable is secured to the drum and is wrapped along its length such that portions of each of the first and second cables are directed away from and back towards the drum to define the loops which move the carriage. This arrangement allows an equal number of turns of each of the first and second cables to be maintained on the drum regardless of the direction in which it is rotated.

Abstract: An article positioning apparatus for locating an article or transporter at predetermined X, Y plot coordinates through the use of tapes characterized by sufficient stiffness to resist bending under compressive loads, whereby the tape can be used not only to pull but also to push the transporter into position in conjunction with other positioners. A version of the apparatus utilizes the tape drive to also establish a support associated with the transporter at predetermined X, Y and Z coordinates.

Abstract: A liquid jet recording apparatus is provided with a recording head for discharging liquid to thereby effect recording, a carriage movable with the recording head mounted thereon, a first motor for driving the carriage, a tank for storing therein the liquid to be supplied to the recording head, a pedestal, movable with the tank mounted thereon, and a second motor for driving the pedestal.

Abstract: A drawing device adapted to produce line drawings or sketches on a transparent screen on top of a rectangular box-like case partly filled with a powder that adheres slightly to the undersurface of the screen to render it opaque. Disposed within the case is a stylus supported for sliding movement at the intersection of shiftable transverse and longitudinal rods. The extremities of the transverse rods are fastened to a set of parallel branches of a string loop operated by a control knob which when turned causes this rod and the stylus born thereby to move toward either end of the case, depending on the direction of knob rotation. The extremities of the longitudinal rod are fastened to a set of parallel branches of a second string loop operated by a second control knob when turned causes this rod and the stylus born thereby to move toward either side of the box, depending on the direction of knob rotation.

Abstract: A sign generating apparatus comprises a keyboard for entering first sign data and second sign data, a processor for supervising the data input during intervals, and a cutting apparatus for cutting a first sign based on the first sign data and a second sign based on the second sign data. The processor is programmed to supply cutting vectors to the cutting apparatus in between the intervals in which it supervises the data entry so that the cutting apparatus is capable of cutting the first sign while the second sign data is entered through the keyboard. The processor is also programmed to determine the layout of the second sign and supply cutting vectors to the cutting apparatus in an overlapped manner. The processor is also programmed to supply display vectors to a graphics controller and supply cutting vectors to the cutting apparatus in an overlapped manner.

Abstract: A thermal printing head is supported on a member which is independent of a carriage supporting an ink ribbon cassette and which is slidably supported on a shaft extending in parallel to a platen. The carriage is also slidably supported on the shaft. The head supporting member is rotatable about the shaft for moving the head between its printing and non-printing positions. A rack is connected to the head supporting member and is rotatable by a solenoid or like device for rotating the head supporting member about the shaft. A wire extending about a pulley mechanism and along the shaft is fastened at both ends to the head supporting member for moving it and thereby the head along the platen.

Abstract: A pen recorder for writing characters and graphic patterns with recording pens on a sheet of recording paper by moving the recording pens in an X-axis direction and moving the sheet of recording paper in a Y-axis direction. When a desired key on a keyboard is depressed, the recording pens and the sheet of recording paper are moved to write a character corresponding to the depressed key on the sheet of recording paper. The size of the character can relatively freely be selected by operation switches for selecting horizontal and vertical character sizes. The pen recorder is automatically controlled for the same operability when the character size is changed in any of horizontal and vertical directions. Where the character size is changed horizontally, an alarm is issued prior to the completion of recording in a recording position a prescribed number of characters prior to a preset right margin.

Abstract: An automatically balancing type pen recorder, which is compact in size and is highly reliable in operation, comprises an integral servo unit formed of a single printed circuit board which incorporates therein a pen carriage and an automatic balancing mechanism adapted to move a recording chart in a direction perpendicular to the direction of feed of the chart, in response to the magnitude of a measuring signal.

Abstract: An x-y positioning device in which a cable or chain is used to drive a carriage, powered by two motors. The same cable that moves the carriage also constrains the angular orientation of the moving mechanism. In so doing, the moving parts can be made lighter and less expensively, while providing improved dynamics. All is advantageously applied to large, flat-bed plotters, to a computerized engraver, to a large sign painter, or to an elevator.

Abstract: An electronic camera in which a linear array (10), comprised of a row of light-sensitive devices, is mechanically moved in the image plane while being electronically scanned orthogonally to the direction of movement to capture the image. The array (10) is held in the image plane of a lens by a carriage (14) onto which the array is attached. One end of a flexible band (18) is connected to one end (20) of the carriage (14). The flexible band (18) is partially wrapped around a capstan (30) and a turnaround idler wheel (32). The other end of the flexible band (18) is connected to other end (24) of the carriage (14). A motor (34) drives the capstan (30) through a reduction gear to cause the flexible band (18) to move and thereby cause relative motion between the array and the lens.

Abstract: A toy computer image processor assembly wherein a toy assembly in the form of a simulated computer is provided with hand manipulated actuating members in a keyboard section connected to image producing means in a screen section to selectively move such image producing means into and out of engagement with the screen and in selected directions along the screen.

Abstract: A high speed, low mass positioning apparatus is provided for positioning a test probe or other like item at any desired point within an x-y plane. The apparatus comprises a first axis of movement mechanism for positioning the item along one axis of movement and a second axis of movement mechanism for positioning the item along the remaining transverse axis of movement. Both of the axis of movement mechanisms comprise motor driven pulley wheel and drive cable arrangements arrayed around the outer periphery of the x-y planar surface area within which it is desired to position a test probe, tool or other like item. A light inflexible track member is secured between and carried by two spaced-apart movable trucks and is movable therewith in either direction along the said one axis of movement. A small lightweight movable carrier is movably supported on the track member and is movable therealong in either direction.

Abstract: A system for positioning an X-axis carriage and a Y-axis carriage comprises two flexible coupling elements for the X-axis carriage, and a single flexible coupling element for the Y-axis carriage. Providing two such coupling elements for the X-axis carriage enables shorter-length elements to be used, thereby providing higher dimensional stability under load or temperature variations, and also higher-load capabilities than when a single flexible coupling element is used for the respective carriage. Further, several preferred embodiments are described wherein each of the flexible coupling elements occupies a single plane, thereby enabling belts, rather than cables, to be used, further enhancing the dimensional stability and strength of the system. Still further, in all the described arrangements, the transmission ratio of the two X-axis coupling elements and of the single Y-axis coupling element are all the same, thereby obviating the need for different transmission elements to equalize the transmission ratios.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-color pen recording device suitable for a data recording instrument in which a rotary drum supporting a plurality of different colored pens around its periphery is mounted on a carriage which can be driven laterally across the recording paper, which can itself be driven longitudinally, so that the longitudinal axes of the rotary drum and the pens are perpendicular to the paper. The rotary drum is rotated under the guidance of a control system until the selected pen is in the writing position, and then a pen pressing means presses that pen towards the recording paper so as to touch it, so that as the recording paper is driven longitudinally and the carriage is driven laterally, the data can be drawn by the selected pen on the paper.

Abstract: An automated sign generator produces large scale text on sheet material by means of a cutting tool which is guided relative to the material in accordance with preprogrammed data. The sheet material is supported for movement in one coordinate direction relative to the tool by a feed roller, and the cutting tool is supported for movement in an orthogonal coordinate direction parallel to the roller. Several cutting tools are employed and one of the tools is heated to penetrate through a vinyl sign material that is releasably secured by a pressure sensitive adhesive to a paper release liner. A plotting tool can also be substituted for the cutting tool to plot the sign on plain paper. The sign generator is controlled by a microprocessor and the font from which the sign text is prepared in stored in a ROM memory. A keyboard coupled with the microprocessor is utilized to control the machine operation as well as compose the sign text.

Abstract: An X-Y plotter comprising a pen carriage equipped with a recording pen; a slider for guiding the pen carriage; a first driving arrangement for moving the pen carriage along the slider in the X direction which comprises a first driving motor and a first wire in a closed loop both ends of which are connected to the pen carriage; a second driving arrangement for moving the slider in the Y direction which comprises a second driving motor and a second wire in a closed loop both ends of which are connected to the slider; and a tensioning device comprising a slide equipped with a pair of pulleys and a slack-preventing wire one end of which is connected to the slider; one of the pulleys of the slide engaging the first wire and the other engaging the slack-preventing wire so that the wires are kept free from slack.

Abstract: In a facsimile apparatus, a recording head and a reading head are mounted on a carriage and the carriage is reciprocated in the main scanning direction so that recording and reading of image information are performed and furthermore, a detector is mounted on the carriage for tracing and detecting slits formed in a scale plate, which is fixed to the facsimile apparatus along the movable path of the carriage, whereby the position of the carriage is determined and the moving speed and reciprocating movement of the carriage are controlled.

Abstract: A multi-point recorder has a multi-color ink cartridge arranged to be selectively aligned with a recording head having a plurality of selectively energizable recording elements whereby a color from the multi-color ink cartridge is selected for printing by the recording elements. The recorder can either be operated in a fixed color operation by maintaining a preselected alignment of the recording head and a desired color in the multi-color ink cartridge or the color of the recording can be selectively altered at any time to produce a multi-color recording by selecting a corresponding color from the multi-color ink cartridge and aligning the recording head therewith for each recording. A drive mechanism having a single drive motor for the ink cartridge and the recording head is used to align the ink cartridge with the recording head along a recording line on a recording medium and to position the recording head and the ink cartridge at a printing location on the recording line.

Abstract: A drive assembly for printer carriages and the like comprised of a closed looped metallic tape entrained about a drive and a driven pulley and being moved at a substantially constant rate. The carriage assembly reciprocally slides along guide rods for linear movement in a forward and reverse direction and is provided with guideways for enabling substantially unimpeded movement of the upper and lower runs respectively of said closed looped tape. Solenoid operated jam cleat assemblies are respectively engageable with the upper and lower runs of said closed looped tape in a mutually exclusive fashion. Connecting rod means is provided to assure engagement of only one of the jam cleats with the associated run of the closed loop tape to prevent stopping or jamming of the tape and to assist in the release of the deactivated jam cleat. By selective energization of the pair of solenoid assemblies, the carriage assembly may be moved in either the forward or reverse direction at any given instant of time.

Abstract: A control device for controlling the movements of first and second recording means support-carriages of a two-carriage duplex recorder, comprising a flexible elongated traction means connected to said first carriage, and drive means associated with said traction means for moving said first carriage selectively in two opposite directions, wherein coaxial first and second wheels are mounted for rotation as a unit on said second carriage about an axis at right angles to said two opposite directions, said first wheel being in driving relationship with said traction means so as to be rotatively driven thereby, and an elongated fixed reaction member extending in a parallel direction to said two opposite directions and being in engagement with said second wheel to cause the latter and said second carriage to move along said reaction member upon rotation of said first and second wheels.

Abstract: Printing apparatus has an ink jet printhead mounted on a carrier for movement during printing of characters between left and right margin locations relative to a document. A directionally oriented grating and associated circuitry is provided to maintain a record of character and ink drop printing locations. The printhead begins its movement prior to the left margin location and sweeps toward the right margin for printing of an entire line of characters. Thereafter, the printhead is returned to the aforesaid position prior to the left margin in readiness for another line sweeping action. Provision is made for testing carrier velocities encountered in movement to the right during printing as well as to the left during carrier return and for determining optimum times of operation of the carrier return magnet and its release in order to reduce time required for carrier turnaround.