Abstract: A recording medium support device includes the following elements. A feed tray is capable of receiving stacked recording media. A recording medium support is pivotably connected to the feed tray. The support is switchable between a closing position and an opening position by pivoting. An anti-falling section prevents the recording medium support from falling to the closing position by coming into contact with the base of the recording medium support in the opening position.

Abstract: The print apparatus comprises a character-carrying element of the `daisywheel` type with flexible spokes which can be selectively positioned in front of a platen roller, a print hammer for moving a selected character towards the platen roller, an actuating solenoid for the print hammer and a damping mechanism which acts on the hammer after the printing of each character. The hammer is directly connected to a movable armature of the solenoid and is returned by a return spring.During the return phase, the armature displaces, against a travel limiting stop, a counteracting weight which is urged towards an intermediate stop by the force of a counteracting spring. A first damping element is disposed between the movable armature and the counteracting weight and a second damping element is disposed between the weight and the travel limiting stop. The two damping elements, operating sequentially, minimize the time required for the hammer to settle down.

Abstract: A wire dot printer has a wire dot head comprising a plurality of electromagnets for attracting each armature to thereby project each wire to a printing position, a first cover provided with a guide for guiding the wires to the printing position, holding means for holding the electromagnets, the holding means being formed of a material of high heat radiation efficiency, and a second cover connected to the holding means with high heat conducting efficiency and covering the electromagnets and the armatures, the second cover being provided with radiation fins at a plurality of locations thereon.

Abstract: A stabilizing device containing two bonded elastomeric materials with restitution coefficients that vary inversely with temperature changes. The resultant restitution coefficient of the printer hammer back-stopper remains relatively constant regardless of temperature variations in the back stopper caused by heat generated by the operation of a hammer solenoid.

Abstract: An improved dot matrix actuator is provided which includes a magnetic circuit formed of a yoke assembly and a pivotal armature. The armature is pivotally supported with respect to the yoke by means of a flexure assembly which eliminates the need for a true pivot between the two elements. The elements are shaped so as to maintain a constant small air gap therebetween so as to maximize the magnetic efficiency of the device while eliminating wear. The device is operated just below saturation of the magnetic circuit in order to maximize efficiency. In addition, the actuator includes several features for maximizing its speed and operational efficiency.

Abstract: A print hammer for printers and typewriters comprises a hammer rod (11) which is axially movable in a housing (17, 18). The hammer rod is biassed towards a rest position by a spring and can be moved to a print position by a drive means, for example a solenoid coil (19). The hammer rod delimits a room (31) in the housing the size of which increases during the movement of the hammer rod towards the print position. The room (31) is connected to the surrounding atmosphere via a narrow channel (33) and also via a valve means (25, 28) which is open during the movement to the print position but closed during the return movement to the rest position. The valve means (25, 28) also forms a stop member for the hammer rod (11) in the rest position.

Abstract: The inventor discloses a hammer assembly suited for use in generating impact for printers, such as printers using daisy-wheels. The assembly comprises an electromagnetic assembly for selectively producing an electromagnetic field across an air gap. A hammer element is slidably disposed in said gap so that it is biased in a rest position and moves toward another position when said field is activated.A damping assembly is provided to dampen the reciprocating movement of the hammer element. The damping assembly has a rigid element which collides with the hammer element to bring it to a stop at its rest position. A shock absorbing element is used to dissipate the kinetic energy of the element.

Abstract: A matrix print wire solenoid used in a wire matrix printer and including an enclosure member releasably secured to one end of the solenoid by a spring member deformed by the outer surface of the enclosure member to pre-load the enclosure member and an energy absorbing member located adjacent the enclosure member. A plunger member to which one end of a print wire is affixed is located adjacent the energy absorbing member for engaging the member during the rebounding movement of the plunger member enabling the energy absorbing member to transmit impact forces to the enclosure and the spring members.

Abstract: A striker mechanism for a high speed serial printer, for example of the daisy wheel type, includes a hammer movable axially towards the platen under the action of an electro-magnet whose armature carries a striker, and against the action of a return spring. Two lubricating felt pads are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the striker hammer and are pressed against the hammer by the grip of a spring for damping the hammer vibrations during the printing cycle. The armature comprises a pivoted lever which is damped with respect to its pivot by means of a felt washer and the lever is damped on return by a helical spring on a rod with a reduced diameter center section where it is struck by a pad on the lever.

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 acoustic member mounting means for use in typewriters and similar machines wherein the mounting means includes first and second vibration insulating means which prevents undesired sound waves from being generated in the acoustic member.

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.

Abstract: My invention relates to a microballistic printer in which I provide a collector wall normally struck by projectiles rebounding from the platen of the printer with an anti-bounce surface. The surface comprises a thin and flexible sheet spaced from the wall to absorb or dissipate the kinetic energy stored in the rebounding projectiles. The sheet has a thickness of the order of four mils and is formed of a material having a ratio of yield strength to modulus of elasticity which is sufficiently high to prevent a permanent set in the area of impact by a projectile.

Abstract: In a hand-operated label printing machine, including a hand lever and a printing head attached to the hand lever; a printing pressure buffer mechanism or a constant pressure printing mechanism which comprises: in a first embodiment, a spring-actuated engaging member formed in the hand lever and a cooperating checking shoulder which is formed in the main body of the machine; an inclined groove leads to the shoulder; the shoulder is brought into disengageable engagement with the spring-actuated engaging member for moderating the printing pressure; and when the spring-actuated engaging member rides over the checking shoulder, the printing head is actuated; in a second embodiment, a pressure receiving engaging member is carried on the hand lever, through a lost motion connection; a pressure contact member and a guide member are both carried on the main body of the machine and are spaced apart; the pressure receiving engaging member is integrally provided with a pressure receiving piece having a cam surface at the

Abstract: A printing pressure damping mechanism for use with a hand labeler: a hand lever is pivotally connected to the frame of the hand labeler. A printing head is carried by the hand lever so that it may move toward a printing platen when the hand lever is squeezed. An auxiliary lever is spaced from the hand lever and is movable to and from the hand lever. A shock absorbing coil spring is interposed under compression between the hand lever and the auxiliary lever so as to bias the levers apart. The auxiliary lever further moves against the biasing force of the coil spring when the printing head abuts the platen, so that the squeezing force which might otherwise be applied as a printing force by the printing head to the platen can be damped to a preset lever through the spring biased cooperation of the two levers. The platen is also spring biased to damp printing pressure.

Abstract: In the illustrated embodiments, an elastomer body has a relatively thin metal layer overlying the elastomer surface to be loaded so as to prevent adhesion at the elastomer surface in spite of a long period of dwell in contact with a relatively more rigid cooperating part such as a hard rubber stop. In a basic form, a thin metal sleeve may encircle a cylindrical elastomer body. The outer surface of the sleeve may be grooved for extra adhesion resistance. In a further development, the sleeve is formed as a helical wire spring which may be confined between two flanges integral with the elastomer body.