Apparatus for raising and lowering plotter marking devices
AssigneeSummagraphics Corporation
InventorsJohn C. Venthem, James A. Parnell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus especially X-Y plotters having a marking device for marking a surface. A support is provided for supporting the marking device. The support is movable along an axis of the housing while the marking device can be selectively raised and lowered relative to the surface. The raising and lowering is carried out by means of a flexible driving element, for example, a cable, connected to a pivotable link on the support and activated by a motor. The marking device support is freely translatable relative to the flexible driving element.
Claims14
Apparatus comprising:
- a carriage and means for supporting said carriage for movement along a first axis;
- marking means for marking a surface;
- support means for supporting said marking means from said carriage for movement with said carriage along said axis and for supporting said marking means for movement transverse to said axis between first and second positions thereof;
- and
- means for moving said support means so as to move said marking means between said first and second positions without affecting movement of said carriage along said axis, said means for moving comprising:
- a cable;
- first means pivotally supported by said carriage and engaged by said cable so as to pivot upon movement of said cable;
- means coupled to said cable for moving said cable along a path thereof so as to pivot said first means;
- and
- means for coupling said first means to said support means to move said support means so as to move said marking means between said first and second positions in response to pivoting of said first means.
Graphics apparatus for developing plots and/or graphics, comprising:
- a carriage and means for supporting said carriage for movement along a first axis of the apparatus;
- marking means for marking a surface to develop a plot and/or graphics thereon;
- support means for supporting said marking means from said carriage for movement with said carriage along said axis and for supporting said marking means for movement transverse to said axis between a first position for marking the surface and a second position away from the marking surface;
- and
- means for moving said support means so as to move said marking means between said first and second positions without affecting movement of said carriage along said axis, said means for moving comprising:
- a cable;
- first means pivotally supported by said carriage and engaged by said cable so as to pivot upon movement of said cable;
- means coupled to said cable for moving said cable along a path thereof so as to pivot said first means;
- and
- means for coupling said first means to said support means to move said support means so as to move said marking means between said first and second positions in response to pivoting of said first means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.