Abstract: A continuous motion imaging system having a focusing mechanism for linescan imaging. Carriage apparatus connected to a continuous motion device moves a platen which holds the imaging media. A flexure connection between the carriage and the platen, coupled with a precise rail and bearing structure, provides for precision focus at the linescan position over the axis between the bearings.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus, such as a thermal transfer printer, which winds up at constant speed an ink sheet having ink to be transferred while applying a constant tension to the ink sheet by a DC motor through a speed reduction mechanism, so that the respective rotation speed and torques, when a wind-up roll is of a minimum diameter or a maximum diameter, are computed from the feed speed and tension of the ink sheet to thereby obtain a desired gradient in a chart of the relationship between the torque and the rotation speed of the DC motor, the gradient deciding a reduction ratio of the deceleration mechanism and the driviing voltage of the DC motor being decided. Hence, even though the wind-up roll varies in an external form, variation in tension applied to the ink sheet and that in the feed speed can be restricted.

Abstract: An x-y plotter having a table on which a recording medium is to be carried, a linearly movable carriage which supports a writing tool so as to move up and down, a unit for linearly moving the recording medium along the plane of the medium in directions perpendicular to the directions of the movement of the carriage, and a first member for bringing only the portion of the recording medium located in the vicinity of a travel line along which the writing tool moves into close contact with the table and for lifting at least the portions of the recording medium located on opposite sides of the travel line, as viewed in the direction of the movement of the recording medium.

Abstract: A recorder for recording a plurality of measurement quantities on a recording format. The recorder is provided includes a selection unit for selecting one of the plurality of measurement quantities, and a recorder unit for recording discontinuously in a given order the plurality of measurement quantities, and selectively recording continuously the selected one of the plurality of measurement quantities when the selection means selects one of the plurality of measurement quantities.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an oscillating recording head includes a recording device for recording the image onto a recording medium. Oscillating apparatuses provided for oscillatably supporting the recording head in accordance with a reference surface associated with a recording surface of the recording medium. Oscillation auxiliary apparatus supports the recording head to smoothly allow oscillation thereof.

Abstract: A pen exchange mechanism is disclosed, by which a plurality of pen chuck mechanisms holding pens on a carriage are disposed, and a slider is engaged with the carriage at a position corresponding to a pen, which should print, among said pens, printing being effected while driving a pen chuck mechanism at a position corresponding to the slider together with the pen by means of a pen driving mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pen type marking device whose marking pen tip is made of diamond and which is used for marking necessary for production control and quality control of substrates such as wafers.

Abstract: A drawing device adapted to produce line drawings or sketches on a transparent screen on top of a case partly filled with a powder that adheres slightly to the undersurface of the screen to render it opaque. Disposed within the case are transverse and longitudinal rods operatively coupled to respective control knobs, one of which, when turned, causes the longitudinal rod to shift toward either side of the case, the other of which, when turned causes the transverse rod to shift to either end of the case. Supported at the intersection of the rods is an indexable stylus turret and carrier assembly whose carrier is slidably supported on the transverse rod and whose stylus turret which is received within the carrier, is slidably supported on the longitudinal rod whereby the position occupied by the assembly is determined by the point of intersection.

Abstract: Presented is an adaptor for use with a universal plotter pen that enables use of the universal plotter pen in many different X-Y plotter mechanisms. The interior configuration and dimensions of the adaptor, including elongated longitudinal ribs, are such as to snugly receive and frictionally retain the body of the plotter pen in a stable axial relationship with the adaptor body, which is tubular to receive the plotter pen body. A control boss is provided within the tubular body of the adaptor to limit the extent of insertion of the plotter pen, and slots are formed in the tubular body of the adaptor to give access to the exposed end of the plotter pen body that projects through the slots to facilitate digital imposition of an axially directed force on the end of the plotter pen to effect ejection of the plotter pen from the adaptor body.

Abstract: A carriage (66) of an ink jet printer (60) mounts multiple print heads (10) in a non-colinear arrangement. Preferably, the carriage (66) provides four print head pockets (80) disposed at the corners of a rectangle, each of which pockets (80) receives one of the print heads (10). The print heads (10) are precisely located in the pockets (80), and two print heads (10) pass over alternating swaths of the printing medium during each traverse of the carriage (66). Each print head (10) ejects one or more colors in a pattern of dots during each pass.

Abstract: A print head position control system for a printer in which a print head moves along a track and in which a light source illuminates along the track and a photodetector receives the light to produce a control signal in proportion to the position of the print head in relation to the light. A print head mount electromechanically adjusts the position of the print head in response to the control signal, so that the path of the light automatically controls the print head path along the track.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for frictionally compensating a vector plotter having an X-drive motor for driving plotting apparatus in +X and -X directions and a Y-drive motor for driving plotting apparatus in +Y and -Y directions and logic for applying positive and negative electrical drive currents to the respective motors to affect plotting. Plotter accuracy and associated plot quality are improved by the method which comprises the steps of, providing a memory for holding +X, -X, +Y, and -Y friction compensation factors; prior to the time of plotting with the vector plotter, calibrating the plotter by (1) causing the motors to move the plotting apparatus in +X, -X, +Y, and -Y directions, (2) measuring the friction during the +X, -X, +Y, and -Y directional movement, and (3) calculating and storing the +X, -X, +Y, and -Y friction compensation factors in the memory.

Abstract: A system and method of operating an automatic plotter device having marking instruments for drawing images onto a large sheet with the aid of a computer includes providing the computer with data defining the desired images, providing the plotter with a preselected plurality of marking instruments each having a specified stroke width, providing the computer with data corresponding to and representing the stroke width for each of the preselected plurality of marking instruments, calculating in the computer for each marking instrument the coordinates upon which each instrument is to draw onto the sheet based upon the size, shape, and location of the image and the appropriate width, and generating control signals to the plotter for controllably selecting and causing each marking instrument to draw on the sheet at locations according to the calculated stroke coordinates. The sheet may be paper, vellum or other clear plastic utilized for the screen exposure preparation process for purposes of screen printing.

Abstract: A pen recorder for recording a magnitude of a measured signal with a pen which is moved in accordance with a digital servo controller. High performance and function are attained by using ASIC with simple interactive operation. A novel pen mechanism is used for recording. High quality is achieved at low cost by selecting a pen of adequate pen pressure in accordance with recording velocity.

Abstract: A computer driven plotter pen includes a turret from which a any one of plurality of different types of pens may be selected. When the plotter determines that a pen has become spent, the spent pen is automatically removed by a pen transfer carriage from the pen turret and discarded. The transfer carriage then removes a fresh replacement pen of like type to the spent discarded pen from a magazine thereof, and installs the replacement pen in the turret which in turn installs it in the plotter pen carriage. No operator involvement is required.

Abstract: An X,Y plotter for drawing drawings of great length has a plotting area over which paper is moved in one direction parallel to the length of the paper and drawing to be produced. A pen is moved in X and Y coordinate directions relative to the plotting area, by X and Y carriages, to draw on the portion of the paper currently at the plotting area. The elongated one of the two carriages extends parallel to the length of the paper and is supported at its opposite ends by two stationary guide rails extending across the width of the paper and spaced by less than the width of the paper to allow the carriages to be made of small size and light weight. Associated means for providing precise tracking and advancement of the paper are also described.

Abstract: A graphic recorder includes a moveable pen carriage and drive means associated with the pen carriage for causing it to travel back and forth under computer control. A media roller defines a continuous cylindrical member supported beneath the carriage path and coupled to a computer controlled media drive system. Recording pens supported on the pen carriage are selectively lowered into recording positions in which they write upon a flexible media and against the media roller directly.

Abstract: Information is recorded with one or more elongate thermal recording heads on a recording medium advancing at least intermittently on a recording medium support. Such recording head or heads are being pressed against the recording medium at the recording medium support by at least two biasing devices spaced along such elongate thermal recording head or heads. These two biasing devices are balanced relative to each other opposite the elongate thermal recording head or heads, as seen from the recording medium support. Different characteristics of the biasing devices are thus compensated opposite the elongate thermal recording head or heads, as seen from said recording medium support. Forces acting at one end of an elongate thermal recording head, or acting on one of the recording heads, against either of the biasing devices are transmitted via both biasing devices to an opposite end of that elongate thermal recording head or to the other of two elongate thermal recording heads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for arranging and printing data containing a single line or a plurality of lines of text on a work piece utilizes a controller, a feeding mechanism and a printer to move the work piece from a receiving position to a printing position where the data is formed by printing on one face of the work piece. The feeding mechanism aligns an otherwise skewed work piece before the printing operation and thereafter the height and the width of the work piece are automatically determined. The data arranged on the work piece is both sized and located in dependance on the dimensions of the work piece and the amount of data to be printed.

Abstract: A thermal printing apparatus includes a carriage body on which a thermal ribbon cassette is detachably mounted, a driving gear rotated in accordance with the movement of the carriage body, a spool shaft rotatably mounted on the carriage body for rotating a ribbon spool of a ribbon cassette, and a rotation transmitting mechanism adapted to interlink or interrupt between the driving gear and the spool shaft when a ribbon cassette is mounted on or removed from the carriage body, respectively. The thermal printing apparatus further includes a shaft operable to detect if a ribbon cassette is mounted, and the rotation transmitting mechanism includes an engaging member engageable with a disc portion secured to the shaft for holding the rotation transmitting mechanism in a state where the interlinking between the driving gear and the spool shaft is interrupted.

Abstract: A printhead cartridge and carriage assembly (10) is provided comprising: a carriage (12); a snap-spring (62) for securing a printing cartridge (14) in postion on the carriage; and an interconnect strip (16) for supplying electrical signals to the cartridge, including a force loading spring pad (24) for urging a portion of the interconnect strip against a portion of the cartridge. The cartridge has top (32), bottom (34), sides (36, 38), front (40) and rear (42) surfaces and includes a printhead (44) on the bottom surface, an electrical contact strip (46) on the back surface connected to the printhead, referencing pads (56) on the side surface, and a lip (64) on the back surface for accepting the snap-spring. Referencing surface (60) are provided for receiving the referencing pads on the cartridge. The spring pad urges the interconnect strip against the electrical contact of the cartridge.

Abstract: A recorder with a pencil pen which contains a plurality of pencil leads therein comprises means for causing a lead chuck mechanism of the pencil lead to hold and release the pencil lead and means for vertically moving a pencil lead displacement mechanism of the pencil pen. Those means are alternately activated by lead feed/eject means to eject a consumed unnecessary pencil lead and drive out a new pencil lead and hold it at a recording position. Since the pencil leads can be automatically ejected and driven out, a recording efficiency is improved and long period continuous recording is attained with a single pencil pen. A lead feed/eject holder is provided to eject a residual lead of the pencil pen, and a processing unit for processing the ejected residual lead is provided. Thus, the recording efficiency is further improved.

Abstract: A pen exchange mechanism is disclosed, by which a plurality of pen chuck mechanisms holding pens on a carriage are disposed, and a slider is engaged with the carriage at a position corresponding to a pen, which should print, among said pens, printing being effected while driving a pen chuck mechanism at a position corresponding to the slider together with the pen by means of a pen driving mechanism.

Abstract: A structure for installing a recording pen, in which a proximal end of the recording pen for recording a measured waveform on a sheet of recording paper is secured to a drive shaft of a driving source for oscillating the recording pen. The structure of the present invention comprises a cylindrical spacer, a pen-holder, packing, an installation screw, and an adjustment screw. The cylindrical spacer is fitted about and secured to the drive shaft and has a step portion formed at one end thereof, and also has an axial direction. The packing has an upper surface an outer side portion, and is formed from a resilient material. The packing is fitted about the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical spacer and abuts against the step portion thereof. The pen-holder is fitted about an outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical spacer and abuts against an upper surface of the packing.

Abstract: A print head assembly includes the feature of snap-in, tool-less replaceability. The print head is intended for an application where extended use is expected and replacement, due to wear, will be necessary by nontechnical users of the printing system. In one embodiment, the print head utilizes two pins which slide into slots formed in the printer body. The print head is free to pivot about the two pins and is urged against a platen by the force of bias springs and a loaded pin. The loaded pin engages with, and forces upwrd on the heat-radiating fins extending from the bottom of the print head. Shelves formed in the printer body cover engage the two pins of the print head and force the print head, against the forces of the bias springs, into a proper alignment position when the cover is closed. This allows firm engagement of the print head with the platen, and proper alignment thereof, without fixing the print head to a mounting structure.

Abstract: A graphic recording system includes a pen carriage supporting a plurality of pen shuttles which support a plurality of recording pens in a linear array together with means for moving the pen carriage in a carriage path. A rotary actuation system is supported by and operative to engage selected ones of the pen shuttles to move a selected one of the recording pens into contact with the recording media. The rotary actuating system is operated by an elongated actuator beam supported in parallel with the carriage path and coupled to the rotary actuating system. A brake within the rotary actuator is operative to engage the actuator beam and permit alignment of the rotary actuator with a selected pen shuttle within the pen carriage array by movement of the pen carraige. Each recording pen is secured to its respective pen shuttle by a bayonet mounting system such that the recording pens are secured to the pen shuttles in a twist-lock assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus, for use in conjunction with a digital plotter incorporating controlled multiple markers to create displays, for determining the position of the markers along axes of movement, comprises a detector assembly disposed at a fixed axial position relative to the plotter, and a driver for moving a marker relative to the detector assembly. The detector assembly includes means for detecting movement of the marker relative thereto and producing signals indicative of the movement. A processor interprets the signals for determining an axial position of the marker and optionally detects and compensates for a variation in the axial position of a current marker relative to the axial position of a prior marker.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a turret head in a pen plotter wherein the turret head and pen holder move in combination with the pen carriage to provide turret selectability at the writing site. Sensors and associated logic are provided for detecting the presence of a turret on the pen carriage, for sensing the presence and absence of pens in the turret and in the pen holder, for detecting the type of pen or other writing device being used and taking appropriate action responsive thereto, and for applying variable damping constants to the movement of the turret head. Control logic is disclosed for assuring reliable and optimum operation.

Abstract: In a computer controlled automatic plotting device, an ink level detector is provided in a plotter pen cartridge. An ink-following object is provided in the plotter pin cartridge and is supported by the writing fluid. The ink-following object carries a magnet. As the ink-following object traverses down the inside of the plotter pen cartridge, the position of the magnet triggers a sensor at a predetermined level. The sensor then effects a visual or audible signal to alert an operator that the cartridge is running out of writing fluid. Alternatively, the sensor activates a control system to shut down the plotting device to permit replacement of the plotter pen cartridge with one having a new ink supply.

Abstract: A low-friction, low-play bearing system for use in a carriage coupling drive system for a pen plotter including a moving carriage slidably mounted on a shaft between the ends of and carrying a U-shaped pen-carrying yoke in combination therewith for sliding motion along the shaft and rotary motion about the shaft. A pair of annular ball-bearing thrust bearings are disposed over the shaft between respective ends of the U-shaped yoke and the moving carriage. An annular bias spring such as a wave spring is disposed over the shaft between the moving carriage and one of the thrust bearings to create a longitudinal expansion force resisting play between the moving carriage and the U-shaped yoke.

Abstract: An electrostatic or thermal printhead and method of fabrication is provided in which dielectric material is disposed in a row of spaced depressions or in a single recess along the upper surface of an edge of a dielectric-coated conductive sheet. Electrodes are disposed along the edge of the sheet over the dielectric material and terminate at associated conductive pads or printhead circuitry on the sheet. In one embodiment, the edge is trimmed and left bare to form an inexpensive electrostatic printhead. In an alternate embodiment, resistive material is disposed over the edge to connect the electrodes to the conductive sheet to form an inexpensive thermal printhead.

Abstract: A rotary action graphic recording system includes a pen carriage supporting a linear array of moveable pen shuttle assemblies each of which support recording pens together with means for moving the pen carriage in a carriage path. Rotary actuation means are supported by and operative upon the pen carriage to engage selected ones of the recording pens for movement into contact with the recording media. The rotary actuating means are operated by an elongated actuator beam supported in parallel with the carriage path and coupled to the rotary actuating means. Brake means within the rotary actuator are provided which are operative to engage the actuator beam and permit alignment of the rotary actuator with a selected pen within the pen carriage array by movement of the pen carriage. The moveable pen shuttle assemblies are slideably captivated within pen channels formed in the pen carriage and are supported by interposed bearings. Spring returns bias the pen shuttle assemblies to their nonrecording positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing platen mapping for known clearance pen movement in a graphics plotter system having a platen over which paper is moved longitudinally to create one axis, penholding apparatus moved transversely across the platen and the paper to create the other axis, and a controlled raising and lowering mechanism connected to the penholding apparatus for lowering a pen being held therein into contact with, for raising it from contact with the paper, and for providing a relative vertical position value signal. Vertical sensing apparatus is connected to the penholding apparatus for sensing the top surface of the platen. First logic is operably connected to the vertical sensing appartus and to receive the vertical position value signal from the controlled raising and lowering mechanism for calculating and saving a plurality of deviation values indicating the distance deviation of the platen top surface from parallel at a plurality of spaced points across the platen.

Abstract: A device for activating the pen of a printer comprises a push member and for pushing the pen toward the platen of the printer, a connecting lever secured to the push member, a driving lever for imparting a driving motion to the push member via the connecting lever. The driving lever is provided with a grooved cam in which the tip of the connecting lever is inserted so as to be slidable along the cam.

Abstract: A rotary action graphic recording system includes a pen carriage supporting a plurality of recording pen shuttles in a linear array together with means for moving the pen carriage in a carriage path. Each pen shuttle supports a recording pen having a downwardly extending tip. Rotary actuation means are supported by and operative upon the pen carriage to engage selected ones of the recording pen shuttles for movement of the pen tips into contact with the recording media. The rotary actuating means are operated by an elongated actuator beam supported in parallel with the carriage path and coupled to the rotary actuating means. Brake means within the rotary actuator are provided which are operative to engage the actuator beam and permit alignment of the rotary actuator with a slected pen within the pen carriage array by movement of the pen carriage.

Abstract: In a thermal recording apparatus using a plurality of thermal heads supported by a head supporting means including a head supporting mechanism and a head pressing mechanism. The head supporting means includes single supporting units provided for correspondingly respectively supporting the thermal heads. Each of the single supporting units has a pair of hook-shaped members fixed to corresponding one of the thermal heads at two places of the rear surface thereof, and has a head supporting member having a pair of side end portions corresponding to the pair of hook-shaped members and a plane portion formed between the pair of side end portions and fixed to a rotatable pillar-shaped member. The head supporting member is engaged at its side end portions with the respective hook-shaped members so as to be movable in the vertical and rotational directions.

Abstract: A plotter continuously performs a dynamic sort on incoming vectors to be plotted and stores the sorted vectors by color in bins within a memory. At the same time that the sort is being performed, the plotter selects the bin containing the most vectors and plots all of the vectors from that bin before selecting another bin.

Abstract: A pen plotter employs a cable-driven carriage which carries the writing pen and includes a pen-lift mechanism. A shifting idler pulley system located at one side of the plotter returns a pair of drive cables from the opposite side of the carriage to a rotatable drive drum located on the opposite side. The idler pulleys are shiftable equally and in opposite directions toward and away from the pen carriage. One cable is connected to the carriage by being tensively trained about a pen-lift mechanism drive wheel on the carriage. Shifting the idler pulleys causes said drive wheel to rotate without affecting the lateral position of the pen carriage and, therefore, the shifter mechanism independently controls the up/down motion of the writing pen. One drive cable, therefore, accomplishes the functions of both pen carriage movement and writing pen up/down motion control.

Abstract: An automatic pen positioning system is operative within a graphic recording system having a plurality of recording pens moveably supported by a pen carriage. The pen carriage is moveably along a first path above a media which is moveable along a second path. A motor drive system moves a selected one of the plurality of pens into contact with the media during recording. A closed loop servo system is operative upon the pen motor drive and is controlled by a position information processor. A following error processor is coupled to the servo system and compiles a periodically sampled table of absolute position, commanded position and following error for the servo system during the initialization process in which each pen is moved toward the media at a constant velocity until it impacts the media impeding further pen motion. The following error processor determines the pen to media contact position of the engaged pen on the basis of the information derived from the servo system.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having an ink jet printing device for printing characters in a printing region on a surface of a substrate, the device being constructed to effect optimum printing at a predetermined distance from the device, and a device for holding a substrate having a surface which is to be printed upon in printing position relative to the printing device, the holding device including a referencing plate having a reference surface which lies in a plane which extends past the printing device at the predetermined distance therefrom, and the holding device further including a leaf spring mounted to bear against the side of the substrate opposite the surface to be printed upon for pressing the surface to be printed upon against the reference surface of the referencing plate.

Abstract: An improvement to graphics pen plotters including a pen gripping mechanism for gripping a cylindrical bodied pen in a generally vertical orientation for sensing the presence and type of a pen in the gripping mechanism with a single sensor. There is a multi-channel sensor adapted for producing and sensing a plurality, "n+1", of parallel light beams disposed one above the other to produce a binary number at an output thereof indicating the ones of the light beams sensed by the sensor. The sensor is disposed to shine the light beams at a position past which the pen is moved by the gripping mechanism. There is also a cylindrical reflective surface disposed about a portion of the body of the pen so as to be struck by the light beams when the pen is being gripped by the gripping mechanism at the position and reflect the light beams back towards the sensor to be sensed thereby.

Abstract: A pen exchange mechanism is disclosed, by which a plurality of pen chuck mechanisms holding pens on a carriage are disposed, and a slider is engaged with the carriage at a position corresponding to a pen, which should print, among said pens, printing being effected while driving a pen chuck mechanism at a position corresponding to the slider together with the pen by means of a pen driving mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for sensing whether a pen is in the grasp of a pen claw of a drawing arm or a plotter or other graphics mechanism. More specifically, the present invention comprises a pen claw movable between an upward position and an downward writing position, the pen claw being connected to a detector which detects both upward and the downward movements of the pen claw. The pen is provided with an annular ring extending therefrom and the plotter mechanism has a stop provided thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively drawing patterns on paper sheet or scoring patterns on plastic sheet which includes a table support, a sheet feeding assembly at one end of the table support and a sheet collecting assembly at the other end of the table support. A movable tool support carries a drawing instrument and a scoring instrument above the table support and an automatic data controlled system is connected thereto for moving the tool support in any direction to draw on or score the sheet material supported on the table support. The sheet material is advanced by grippers mounted on the movable tool support and spinners are supported on the sheet material at either end of the table support for operating a motor attached to the sheet collecting assembly and a brake attached to the sheet feeding assembly.

Abstract: In a device for exhanging objects, in particular writing instruments, between two holders (4, 5) open on one side, in which the object (6) is retained at least in one holder (4) by the cooperation of two retaining elements, one of which is a permanent magnet and the other is a ferromagnetic element. The retaining element provided in the one holder (4) is connected to a raceway mechanism and in the retaining position is disposed at least near the receiving zone of the holder (4), and in the separating position is located farther away from the receiving zone of the holder (4).

Abstract: The structural base unit of the machine is made of a one-piece shaped beam (40) which extends along a first direction (Y) with a first portion (41) which, due to its own stiffness, supports and guides the carriage (12) carrying the writing head (11) along its translational motion in the first direction (Y), and with second and third portions (45) which defines supporting surfaces for the drum (20) driving the printing medium in a second direction (X) perpendicular to the first direction (Y). Guiding of the carriage (12) is ensured by rails (43, 44) formed integral with the beam or attached to it, and a slot (50) cut in the shaped beam (40) along the action area of the writing head for providing a passage for the printing medium and its engagement with the drum (20).

Abstract: A control method for providing an acceptable motion window (range) that restricts high accelerations and velocities of an ink jet print head. The method provides two limited step ranges that are initiated dependent on the total distance that the print head is to be moved. If the distance is outside of the window range, a first step is used to bring the print head to a position which is a fixed second step from the final position. By limiting the print head's motion in each step range, the excitation of the fluid (ink) system is limited. With the first step completed, a second step range is used to drive the print head to the final position. If the initial distance is within the window range, the second step range is selected to drive the print head. The method is implemented with a computer program and print head position signals.

Abstract: A symmetrical braking system for a graphic recorder includes a generally cylindrical brake support supported by a carriage drive and having a combination of cam surfaces. A brake rotor is rotatable supported upon the brake support and defines an arrangement of captivating notches which receive a pair of brake shoes in an overlying arrangement. Bearing means are coupled to each of the brake shoes and are driven by the cam surfaces of the brake support. A coupling arrangement is secured to the brake rotor and provides a coupling for rotational forces between the brake rotor and an actuator beam extending through the brake structure. Rotational forces applied to the actuator beam are coupled to the brake rotor and the bearing means cooperate with the cam surfaces to move the brake shoes into or out of engagement with the actuator beam as a function of rotational position.

Abstract: This application discloses a new and improved thermal ink jet printhead and method of manufacture wherein a tape automated bond (TAB) flexible circuit is sequentially thermosonically bonded in a one-by-one wire bonding process to aligned conductive traces on a thin film resistor substrate. These traces provide electrical current paths for a corresponding plurality of heater resistors on the substrate, and these resistors function to heat a corresponding plurality of ink reservoirs in a thermal ink jet printhead.

Abstract: A calligraphic writing system includes a plotter of the type having a pen carriage, a pen holder mounted on the carriage, a recording table, and means for moving the pen carriage relative to the table so that a pen mounted on the pen holder draws images on a sheet of paper or other medium mounted on the table. The pen has an asymmetric point. The pen and pen holder include positioning means arranged such that the pen may be mounted in the pen holder only in a predetermined and fixed annular position relative to the pen holder and will be maintained in that position when the images are being drawn.