Daisy wheel print element structured for use in a cartridge

Abstract

A daisy wheel printer print element adapted to be housed and oriented in a cartridge during printing and storage. The element has a hammer impact side and a printing side and is made up of a circular central hub, petals connected to the hub and extending radially therefrom, and types carried on the outer extremities of the petals on the printing side of the element. The central hub is dish shaped with its protruding side on the impact side of the element. Carried on the protruding side of the central hub is an orientation protrusion having a stabilizing surface engulfing the axis of rotation of the element. The orientation protrusion is for cooperating with a matching opening in the cartridge. The stabilizing surface is for cooperating with a mating face on a selection motor drive hub. Within the orientation protrusion is a depression also engulfing the axis of rotation of the element. Located within the depression and radially displaced from the axis of rotation of the element is a drive opening. The drive opening is for accepting a drive pin carried by the drive hub. On the printing side of the element and centered within the dished side of the central hub is a bearing protrusion for acting against a bearing surface provided in the cartridge.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.