Media spacing system for fiber optic cathode ray tube printer
AssigneeAlliant Techsystems Inc.
InventorsTerry Anhorn, Daniel C. O'Brien
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A media spacing system for a fiber optic CRT printer. The system has a film coating over the fiber optic portion of the CRT, outside the phosphor display area, which keeps the media a fixed distance from the display area to provide for a uniform display of data on the media. The film may be applied in multiple layers, with each successive layer having a larger size, to create a rounded edge for the coating. A pressure plate is placed on the opposite side of the media from the film coating to keep the media firmly against the film coating. A compliant element, such as foam rubber, attaches the pressure plate to a fixed bracket to allow the pressure plate to adjust for bow and twist of the CRT, while maintaining pressure against the media.
Claims11
Apparatus for displacing media a fixed distance from a fiber optic cathode ray tube, said apparatus comprising:
- a film coating, having a thickness equal to said fixed distance, deposited adjacent to a phosphor display area of a fiber optics bundle of said fiber optic cathode ray tube wherein said film coating does not cover said phosphor display area;
- and
- means for pressing said media against said film coating.
A method for displacing media a fixed distance from a fiber optic cathode ray tube, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) depositing a film coating adjacent to a phosphor display area of a fiber optics bundle of said fiber optic cathode ray tube, wherein a thickness of said film coating is equal to said fixed distance and wherein said film coating does not cover said phosphor display area;
- and
- (b) pressing said media against said film coating.
Apparatus for displacing media a fixed distance from a fiber optic cathode ray tube, said apparatus comprising:
- a film coating, having a thickness equal to said fixed distance, deposited adjacent to a phosphor display area of a fiber optics bundle of said fiber optic cathode ray tube comprising
- a first layer applied to said fiber optics bundle of said fiber optics cathode ray tube, wherein said first layer is applied outside a phosphor display area so as to not cover said phosphor display area;
- and
- a second layer applied over said first layer, said second layer having a surface area larger than a surface area of said first layer;
- and
- means for pressing said media against said film coating comprising
- a mounting bracket located in proximity to said film coating on an opposite side of said media,
- a pressure plate located adjacent said media on a side of said media opposite said film coating and located to press said media against said film coating, and
- compliant material connecting said pressure plate to said bracket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.