Tape reader motor mount
AssigneeExtel Corporation
InventorGeorge Smejkal
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An alignment mechanism for a paper tape reader in which the motor and drive sprocket assembly is firmly, but not rigidly, affixed to a base plate of the main reader unit by a plurality of compressive spring fasteners. Arcuate slots in a motor mounting base plate, in conjunction with spring-biased retainers projecting through those slots and secured to bosses on a reader base plate, maintain the two base plates in spaced parallel relation and permit limited angular rotation of the motor and drive sprocket assembly, thus facilitating angular adjustment of the motor. A bias spring applies a torsional force to the motor assembly, forcing it against an adjustable screw stop. Adjustment of this screw results in rapid and precise single-step alignment without the often disruptive further step of tightening retention fasteners.
Claims7
In a motor-driven photoelectric tape reader or like device in which precise angular orientation of the drive motor about its shaft axis is critical to effective operation, a motor mount comprising:
- first and second base plates, the drive motor being affixed to one of the base plates;
- the first base plate having a plurality of mounting slots therein, each mounting slot being of arcuate configuration symmetrical with respect to an arcuate segment of a given circle;
- a corresponding plurality of retainers each engaging the first base plate, extending through one of the mounting slots, and affixed to the second plate;
- first and second aligned fixed stop elements, each affixed to a different one of the base plates;
- adjustable length stop means interposed between the first and second stop elements, in engagement with both;
- and a biasing spring, interconnecting the two base plates and biasing the two base plates for relative rotary movement to maintain both fixed stop elements in engagement with the adjustable stop means, permitting adjustment of the angular orientation of the motor over a continuous range, without releasing the retainers, by adjustment of the adjustable stop means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.