Selectively bi-directional tape feed mechanism
AssigneeThe Singer Company
InventorRichard J. LaManna
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanism for producing bi-directional step motion of a shaft from a uni-directional source of rotation suitable for use in paper tape handling equipment includes a rocker plate rotatably mounted on an output shaft for rotation relative thereto. The rocker plate is caused to oscillate about the output shaft between a first limit and a second limit by a reciprocating connecting rod coupled to the rocker plate. A pawl is rotatably mounted on a pin secured to the rocker plate for engagement with a drive wheel secured to the output shaft. A timing means, a control means, and a control electromagnet cooperate to cause the pawl to engage with, or disengage from, the drive wheel at the limits of oscillation to cause the drive wheel and the output shaft secured thereto to step.
Claims12
A mechanism for producing step motion in either direction comprising:
- a rotatable output shaft having an axis of rotation;
- a drive wheel secured to the shaft;
- a rotatable rocker plate having an axis of rotation in an alignment with the axis of rotation of the shaft;
- means to continuously oscillate the plate between a first limit and a second limit;
- the means to oscillate the plate imparting a periodic velocity profile to the plate;
- a pawl mounted on the plate engagable with the wheel when the plate is at a velocity close to and including zero velocity and adapted to drive the wheel in either a first direction or a second direction;
- and
- a control means to selectively cause the pawl to engage the drive wheel and disengage the drive wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.