US 2008/0014005 A1 · IMPACT PRINTHEAD

Abstract

An impact printhead includes impact wires loosely held in a guide and driven to print. The printhead includes individual holes through which corresponding wires extend, and elongated holes formed in the guide for guiding the wires. The elongated hole includes a concave wall and a convex wall opposing each other. The wires are slidable on the convex wall. When the wires are not driven to print, the wires are at rest in pressure contact with the convex wall. Grooves may be formed in place of the elongated holes, and have second walls. The second wall lies substantially in a curved plane in which a first wall lies to define the individual hole. The wire is guided by the hole and groove. When the wire is not driven to print, the wire is at rest in pressure contact with the first and second walls.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An impact printhead in which at least one impact wire is driven to print, the impact printhead comprising:

a wire guide including a surface with which the impact wire is in pressure contact after the impact wire has been driven to print, the impact wire being guided by the surface;
and
wherein when the impact wire is at rest after the impact wires has been driven, the impact wire is in pressure contact with the surface at a first position;
wherein the impact wire is in pressure contact with the surface at a second position when the impact wire is sliding on the surface.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Impact printhead

Life of this patent

Impact printhead

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10