Abstract: A gangway comprising a fixed platform. A support structure is connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform. A releasable position locking assembly that inhibits rotation of the support structure in a raising direction is also provided. The releasable locking assembly includes a closed-loop fluid arrangement.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a carriage having a recording head, a movement unit that reciprocally moves the carriage, a carriage detection unit, a point-of-origin detection unit that detects the position of a point of origin of the carriage, a regulation unit capable of restricting the movement of the carriage, and a control unit that selectably performs one of a first initialization processing and a second initialization processing longer in time than the first initialization processing. The control unit selects one of the first initialization processing and the second initialization processing on the basis of whether movement of the carriage is restricted and whether a travel distance of the carriage corresponds to a predetermined distance, when the movement unit moves the carriage from a position of origin toward the regulation unit.

Abstract: A preloaded stabilizer mechanism in a dot matrix line printer having a reciprocating carriage is provided to: (1) establish a rigid reference point that prevents the print line of the dot matrix line printer from drifting; (2) eliminate backlash; and, (3) create a carriage resonance frequency that is greater than the carriage operating frequency to enhance printer system stability and the reduction of vibration. The stabilizer mechanism is mounted on a support frame of the dot matrix line printer and includes a modified c-shaped bracket member and a spring plate. The spring plate is attached to one end of the bracket member to form a slot. The slot of the stabilizer mechanism receives an offset shaft that is coupled to a shuttle mechanism that provides the carriage with reciprocating motion. The spring plate of the stabilizer mechanism, being slightly deflected, imposes a force against the offset shaft.

Abstract: A dot-matrix line printer includes a printing shuttle which moves reciprocally to carry out a printing operation, and a balancing shuttle which moves in a direction opposite to the direction of the movement of the printing shuttle. The balancing shuttle is partly inserted in the printing shuttle so as not to interfere with the latter upon printing and so that the center of gravity of the balancing shuttle is located as close to the center of gravity of the printing shuttle as possible.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shuttle mechanism of a dot line printer including a printing shuttle unit making a reciprocating motion to perform dot printing and a balance shuttle unit making a motion in a direction opposite to the kinetic motion of the printing shuttle unit. This shuttle mechanism is constructed of a linear motor in which a movable unit for the reciprocating motion and a magnetic circuit are separated. With this construction, the movable unit can be decreased in weight. Therefore, the high-speed reciprocating motion can be made, and high-speed printing is thereby attainable. The balance shuttle unit is disposed under the printing shuttle unit. The apparatus can be thereby made compact.

Abstract: A mounting bed integral with a hammer bank is disposed parallel to a counter balancer composed of a counter balancer constituting member and a yoke. The mounting bed and the yoke are provided with solenoid coils opposed to a permanent magnet provided on the frame, and a pair of bearings are arranged between the mounting bed and the counter balancer constituting member. A position sensor for the mounting bed and the counter balancer is provided. A controller is provided to control a current and direction of the solenoid coil by a detection signal from the position sensor. The mounting bed integral with the hammer bank and the counter balancer are shuttle-operated in opposite directions by the controller.

Abstract: An impact dot line printer has a hammer bank equipped with a plurality of printing heads along printing lines mounted on the upper side of a belt extended between a pair of rotational drums. A counter balancer is mounted on the lower side thereof, the hammer bank and the counter balancer being reciprocated in the directions reverse to each other. Since repelling springs are provided on both left and right sides in order to reduce thrust required for deceleration at the end of shuttling operation of the hammer bank and the counter balancer, vibrations or noises caused by the collisions with the spring might occur. But by the present invention, rotors are provided with eccentric weights which act so as to offset force couple at the time of the collisions with the repelling springs, whereby the shock force caused by the collisions is sharply decreased to suppress the vibrations or noises.

Abstract: In a serial printer wherein a bi-directionally operating motor with a shaft drives a carriage in an oscillatory motion between two end points, an improvement for minimizing the time for direction reversal of the carriage. There is a ballistic rebound device for transferring energy of the moving motor and carriage in one direction into a resilient member and for retransmitting energy absorbed by the resilient member back into the motor and carriage in a direction opposite the one direction. There is also an electrically operated clutch for selectively coupling the ballistic rebound device to the shaft of the motor. Sensing apparatus is provided for sensing the position of the carriage with respect to the two ends.

Abstract: An improvement to a dot matrix printer of the shuttle variety wherein a printhead is oscillated from side to side within a printer base. The shuttle is disposed within a ballistic energy transfer device mounted for oscillating movement from side to side in the opposite direction to the instantaneous movement of the shuttle. A rebound spring is operably connected to exert a rebounding force against the shuttle to aid it in reversing direction. Also, a centering spring is operably connected for exerting a centering force against the ballistic energy transfer device. A linear motor is connected for driving the shuttle back and forth in an oscillating motion with respect to the ballistic energy transfer device. Optionally, the linear motor is connected for driving the ballistic energy transfer device back and forth in an oscillating motion with respect to the printer base. The turnaround time of the shuttle is adjusted by adjusting the span of the shuttle or the spring constant of the rebound spring.

Abstract: In a tract wire tightening device for a carriage of a printer, a wire connected to the carriage is looped around pulleys. A motor to drive the wire is movable with respect to a base. A spring is interposed between the motor and the base so as to bias the pulley which is interlocked with the motor.

Abstract: A shock absorption thrust mechanism includes a thrust piece (19) which is used as a stop for a moving body in motion. This thrust piece 19 is prone to displacement under the effect of kinetic energy of the moving body, against the action of a spring (20) and a shock absorber (21). The displacement of the thrust piece (19) depends on the kinetic energy of the moving body under shock, which is prejudicial particularly with respect to typewriters, where this displacement occurs in the stop position of the moving body or ensures the control of a function. In order to obtain a constant displacement of the thrust piece (19), the mechanism includes a driving device (10, 24) which moves the thrust piece (19) in a predetermined movement, the driving device (10, 24) acting jointly with the moving body on the thrust piece (19).

Abstract: An arrangement for bidirectionally driving a hammer bank shuttle assembly along a linear path in a line printer includes an opposite pair of circular, rotatable elements having an elongated shuttle assembly mounting element and an elongated counterbalancing element extending between the pair of rotatable elements on the opposite sides thereof. Pole pieces and a magnet disposed between and adjacent the shuttle assembly mounting element and the counterbalancing element provide magnetic flux which flows through portions of the opposite elements to attract and maintain the elements in contact with the opposite rotatable elements.