Print element shifter
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsThomas D. Gross, Brian E. Jagger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved print element shifting apparatus having a shifting cam movable in an arc for moving a rotatable print element between two positions by means of a shifting solenoid, and for reducing the mid-stroke peak load on the solenoid. A load modifying linkage arrangement is provided between the shifting solenoid and the shifting cam for imparting movement to the shifting cam alternatively from the one of two drive elements having the greatest mechanical advantage.
Claims6
A print element shifting apparatus for moving a print element, provided with two circles of characters, between two operating positions, such that in one operating position the characters on one of the circles are in alignment with an impact element and in the other operating position the characters on the other circle are in alignment with the impact element, the apparatus characterized by including
- means for supporting said print element for rotation about its axis and for movement transverse to its axis between said two operating positions,
- rotating means for driving said support means,
- means for coupling said support means and said rotating means,
- shifting means movable between two end of travel positions and connected to said support means for moving said print element between said two operating positions,
- driving means for moving said shifting means, first and second drive elements each having a variable mechanical advantage, and means for driving said shifting means with the drive element having the greatest mechanical advantage including load modifying linkage means coupled between said shifting means and said driving means for imparting movement to said shifting means alternatively from one or the other of said first and second drive elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.