Serial impact calculator printer
AssigneeLRC, Inc.
InventorNicholas Kondur, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A serial impact printer of the type utilizing a dot matrix print head is specifically adaptable for use as a calculator or adding machine and is characterized by utilizing a common drive source to advance the print head across the paper, advance the paper between printing operations, and selectively advance the print ribbon between the ribbon supply spool and takeup spool. An improved paper-advancing means has been devised which operates in close correlation with the print head drive member to provide a relatively high speed, simplified and inexpensive printer unit; and the ribbon supply spools are so constructed and arranged as to be interchangeable and to permit direct drive through a spool-engaging member on the print head whereby to advance the ribbon in direct response to print head travel.
Claims6
In a printing apparatus having a frame and a print head carrier including a print head selectively actuated by actuating means associated with said head to impress characters on a recoridng medium, a pair of recording medium advance rollers mounted for rotation on spaced parallel axes with the external roller surfaces engageable with one another to define a common guide path for advancement of the recording medium therebetween, the improvement comprising:
- rotatable print head drive means engageable with said print head carrier to reversibly drive said print head in a print and return direction transversely of the direction of advancement of the recording medium, said drive means including drive surface means in the form of a continuous loop having points of reversal at opposite portions thereof, said points being aligned with the desired end limits of travel of said print head, said print head carrier including a drive member engageable with said drive surface means to impart linear reversible movement to said print head when said continuous loop is advanced;
- incremental advancing means including an eccentric member mounted for rotation with said print head drive means and a follower arm constrained for movement along the surface of said eccentric member, said follower arm responsive to movement of said eccentric member when said print head drive means and said drive member are advanced in a return direction to incrementally drive one of said recording medium advance rollers in a direction causing incremental advancement of the recording medium;
- and
- motor drive means for driving said continuous loop to impart linear mvement to said print head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.