Electromagnetically actuated printer

Abstract

A device for printing in association with hand-held calculators comprises a pair of vertically stacked blocks joined by a elastomer layer, the lower block formed of elastic material. Vertically embedded in the lower block is an array of digit forming segments, each having a raised central portion extending above the upper surface of the lower block. Embedded in the upper block is an array of needle electromagnets, each aligned with a digit segment. Interposed between each electromagnet and its associated digit segment is a sloping channel in which a small ferromagnetic actuator is slidably disposed. Selective actuation of the electromagnets latches the actuators in position to transmit force from the upper block to the raised central portion of the respective digit segment. As the blocks are manually forced downward toward the printing plane a lever device tilts the blocks to allow unlatched actuators to slide out of force transmitting position. The remaining actuators force their segments to protrude from the lower surface of the lower block, striking the printing surface and producing the correct digital record.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.