Step and repeat mechanism
AssigneeH. A. H. Spence-Bate
InventorsHarry A. H. Spence-Bate, Timothy Bain-Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for moving sheet material, primarily microfiche, into a plurality of X and Y axis positions by means of a gas cushion formed on a plate in which the sheet material is shifted by means of ducted gas jets or sweeps; location of the sheet material is achieved by means of movable stops, sweeps or sensors; the stops are controlled by electromagnets or pneumatic means; a feed device is provided in one example to feed the sheet material onto the gas cushion and to enable removal of the sheet material from the apparatus.
Claims17
A microfiche camera having a camera lens, a plate mounted to the camera in the region of the lens, means for maintaining a cushion of gas on the plate to support a microfiche in a plurality of X and Y positions relative to the lens and means for moving the microfiche across the plate to any of the plurality of X and Y positions.
Apparatus for moving sheet material in X and Y positions relative the plane of the sheet material comprising two opposed plates extending in a direction parallel to said plane between the extremities of the X and Y movement, said plates being separated to provide a space therebetween, ducts formed in at least one of said plates opening into said space to form a gas cushion in said space between the plates for supporting said sheet material in said space, said ducts extending across said extremities to provide support of the sheet material across the extent of said extremities, stops provided on one said plate and movable into said space, means for directing a flow of gas on the sheet material in a direction from one edge of the plates towards another edge so the sheet material is urged onto the stops which can be selectively moved into the space to position the material in any of a plurality of X and Y positions.
Apparatus for moving sheet material comprising two opposed plates, said plates being separated to provide a space therebetween, ducts formed in at least one of said plates opening into said space to form a gas cushion in said space between the plates for supporting said sheet material in said space, one or more sweep members positioned for movement between the plates to locate an edge of the sheet material in a required X and Y position between the plates.
Apparatus for moving sheet material in X and Y positions relative the plane of the sheet material comprising two opposed plates extending in a direction parallel to said plane between the extremities of the X and Y movement, said plates being separated to provide a space therebetween, ducts formed in at least one of said plates opening into said space to form a gas cushion in said space between the plates for supporting said sheet material in said space, said ducts extending across said extremities to provide support of the sheet material across the extent of said extremities, means for detecting the location of the sheet material at a predetermined position, means for deflecting the material into engagement with one said plate at said predetermined position whereby the material is held in said predetermined position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.