Abstract: A print carriage assembly for an ink jet printer. The print carriage assembly includes a print carriage slidably supported on a printer slider rod, and a sub-carriage that is separate from the printer carriage and slidably supported on the printer slider rod for pushing the printer carriage.

Abstract: A print carriage assembly for an ink jet printer. The print carriage assembly includes a print carriage slidably supported on a printer slider rod, and a sub-carriage that is separate from the printer carriage and slidably supported on the printer slider rod for pushing the printer carriage.

Abstract: An inkjet printing mechanism includes a vibration isolating attachment system for securing a drive belt to an inkjet printhead carriage for increasing print quality by isolating the carriage from multi-directional vibrations generated by a carriage drive motor while propelling the carriage during printing. The vibration isolating member is of a resilient material having a first end coupled to a drive mechanism interface member which is joined to the belt, a second end coupled to a carriage interface member supported by the carriage, and a body section between the first end and the second end. Two or more vibration isolating members may be used, with a preferred shape being an I-shaped cross section. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a vibration isolating attachment system, and a method of method of isolating an inkjet printhead carriage from vibrations generated by a carriage drive motor, are also provided.

Abstract: A linear translation system for use in a laser imaging system. The linear translation system includes a base member including a pair of longitudinally extending guide rails positioned parallel to each other. A carriage mechanism is carried by the base member, wherein the carriage mechanism is slidably coupled to the guide rails using a three position kinematic design. A rotary to linear motion mechanism is coupled to the carriage mechanism which slidably moves the carriage mechanism along the guide rails. A laser imaging assembly is coupled to the carriage mechanism.

Abstract: A serial impact printer 11 includes a frame 15 mounted drive motor 47 coupled to a print wheel 31 to effect rotation thereof. The print wheel 31 is mounted on a movable print carrier 29 which serially moves from print position to print position along the print line. The motor 47 is coupled to the wheel pulley 51 of the print wheel 31 through a belt 49 which is wrapped about two idler pulleys 57 and 59 located on a sub-carrier 61. The sub-carrier 61 moves one half the distance of the print carrier 29 so that during escapement motion of the print carrier 29, the belt 49 imparts no rotary motion to the wheel pulley 51 and hence to the print wheel 31. The print carrier 29 may be clamped by clamp 77 to the belt 49 to effect the return motion thereof. The motor 47 is also coupled through a clutch 127 to the line feed apparatus of the platen 23.

Abstract: A manually operated dot printer designed for use in a pocket-sized calculator or a small-sized electronic device includes a printing head which is manually driven across the dot printer paper in one direction to store energy in springs. The springs return the printing head in steps intermittently while the printing head effects printing on the printing paper. The springs also feed the printing paper. While the printing head is manually moved, the printing elements are maintained out of contact with the printing paper. During return movement of the printing head, the printing elements are in contact with, or nearly in contact with, the printing paper for printing operations. The actual printing operations of the printing head are performed with electrical control using elements of low power consumption.

Abstract: A marking machine for marking metal nameplates, tags or the like. The marking machine employs a work table supported on a carriage which is movable into contact with a marking wheel to perform a printing operation. Improved advancing means are provided for the work table utilizing a feed pawl link having a pair of pivot points. One pivot point is connected to a feed link while the second pivot point is connected to a drag link moveable between upper and lower stops in a carriage casting. A bottom pivot point of the drag link is provided with a friction clutch on a pivot connected otherwise to a stationary portion of the machine. An improved feed rack is further provided which is polygonal in cross-section and may have different spaced teeth on each side for selective spacing. Half-spacing adjustment means are provided whereby the feed rack may be moved axially a half-space to change the spacing on the work table.