Claims
- 1. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head including a mounting block having a concave mounting surface, a plurality of drive wheels cradled in and rotatable at their outer peripheries on the mounting surface, each drive wheel having a generally central hole, a plurality of printing bands received under tension about the respective drive wheels, a selector adapted to extend into the holes in the drive wheels to engage any selected drive wheel to advance a selected printing band, and spacers disposed between adjacent drive wheels, the spacers having a pair of lugs disposed at the ends of the concave mounting surface.
- 2. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted wheels, a concave mounting surface for rotatably mounting the wheels at their outer peripheries, the concave mounting surface having ends, each wheel having a generally central hole, a plurality of printing bands received under tension about the respective wheels, each printing band having a plurality of printing elements, means for drivingly coupling the wheel and its respective printing band, and means for selectively setting each printing band to advance the selected printing element to the printing zone to print the desired data, the selective setting means including a selector shaft movable into the wheel holes, the selector shaft having a lug for driving any selected wheel and a spring detent finger disposed adjacent the lug for detenting the selector shaft in engagement with any selected wheel, and a spacer having a hole through which the selector shaft extends, the spacer being disposed adjacent the concave mounting surface and having lugs adjacent and straddling the ends of the concave mounting surface.
- 3. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted drive wheels, each of the wheels having means defining a central hole, the holes being aligned to define a continuous opening through the wheels, a plurality of different printing elements for each wheel, movable means for selectively setting each wheel to bring a selected printing element to a printing zone to print selected data, the movable means including a selector shaft movable along a path in the axial direction of the opening and having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, means defining a series of axially spaced recesses in the opening along the path, a yieldable detent member coupled to the selector shaft for movement with the selector shaft in the axial direction, and the detent member being selectively received in one of the recesses when the driving member is engaged with a selected wheel for releasably holding the selector shaft in a selected position.
- 4. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted drive wheels, each of the wheels having means defining a central hole, the holes being aligned to define a continuous opening through the wheels, a plurality of different printing elements for each wheel, movable means for selectively setting each wheel to bring a selected printing element to a printing zone to print selected data, the movable means including a selector shaft movable along a path in the axial direction of the opening and having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, means defining a series of axially spaced recesses in the opening along the path, a yieldable detent member coupled to the selector shaft for movement with the selector shaft in the axial direction, the detent member being selectively received in one of the recesses when the driving member is engaged with a selected wheel for releasably holding the selector shaft in a selected position, and wherein the drive wheels include the means defining the recesses.
- 5. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having first and second side plates, a guide hole in the first side plate, a support member extending between the side plates, a plurality of drive wheels, each of the wheels having means defining a central hole, the holes being aligned to define a continuous opening through the wheels, a plurality of different printing elements for each wheel, the support member extending between the side plates comprising a mounting block of molded plastics material, the block having a concave surface rotatably supporting the drive wheels at their outer peripheries, the mounting block having integrally molded first locating means for the first side plate and its guide hole, the side plates being of molded plastics material, the first side plate having integrally molded second locating means cooperating with the first locating means on the mounting block to position the first side plate in relation to the mounting block, movable means for selectively setting each wheel to bring a selected printing element to a printing zone to print selected data, the movable means including a selector shaft movable along a path in the axial direction of the opening and having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, the selector shaft extending through the guide hole in the first side plate, means defining a series of axially spaced recesses in the opening along the path, a yieldable detent member coupled to the selector shaft for movement with the selector shaft in the axial direction, and the detent member being selectively received in one of the recesses when the driving member is engaged with a selected wheel for releasably holding the selector shaft in a selected position.
- 6. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted drive wheels, each of the wheels having means defining a central hole, the holes being aligned to define a continuous opening through the wheels, a plurality of different printing elements for each wheel, movable means for selectively setting each wheel to bring a selected printing element to a printing zone to print selected data, the movable means including a selector shaft movable along a path in the axial direction of the opening and having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, the selector shaft further having a tubular portion, a post projecting into and slidably supporting the tubular portion, means defining a series of axially spaced recesses in the opening along the path, a yieldable detent member projecting from the tubular portion of the selector shaft for movement with the selector shaft in the axial direction, and the detent member being selectively received in one of the recesses when the driving member is engaged with a selected wheel for releasably holding the selector shaft in a selected position.
- 7. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted drive wheels, means for rotatably supporting the drive wheels at their outer peripheries, each of the wheels having means defining a central hole, the holes being aligned to define a continuous opening through the wheels, a side plate disposed adjacent the supporting means, a plurality of different printing elements for each wheel, movable means for selectively setting each wheel to bring a selected printing element to a printing zone to print selected data, the movable means including a selector shaft movable along a path in the axial direction of the opening and having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, the selector shaft further having a tubular portion, a post projecting into and slidably supporting the tubular portion, means defining a series of axially spaced recesses in the opening along the path, a yieldable detent member projecting from the tubular portion of the selector shaft for movement with the selector shaft in the axial direction, and the detent member being selectively received in one of the recesses when the driving member is engaged with a selected wheel for releasably holding the selector shaft in a selected position.
- 8. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted drive wheels, each of the wheels having means defining a central hole, the holes being aligned to define a continuous opening through the wheels, a plurality of different printing elements for each wheel, movable means for selectively setting each wheel to bring a selected printing element to a printing zone to print selected data, the movable means including a selector shaft movable along a path in the axial direction of the opening and having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, the selector shaft further having a tubular portion, a post projecting into and slidably supporting the tubular portion, means defining a series of axially spaced recesses in the opening along the path, a yieldable detent member projecting from the tubular portion of the selector shaft for movement with the selector shaft in the axial direction, and the detent member being selectively received in one of the recesses when the driving member is engaged with a selected wheel for releasably holding the selector shaft in a selected position, the tubular portion of the selector shaft and the detent member being of one-piece molded plastics construction.
- 9. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted drive wheels, each of the wheels having means defining a central hole, the holes being aligned to define a continuous opening through the wheels, a plurality of different printing elements for each wheel, movable means for selectively setting each wheel to bring a selected printing element to a printing zone to print selected data, the movable means including a selector shaft movable along a path in the axial direction of the opening and having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, means defining a series of axially spaced recesses in the opening along the path, a yieldable detent member coupled to the selector shaft for movement with the selector shaft in the axial direction, the detent member being selectively received in one of the recesses when the driving member is engaged with a selected wheel for releasably holding the selector shaft in a selected position, and the selector shaft and the driving member being of one-piece molded plastics construction.
- 10. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted drive wheels, each of the wheels having means defining a central hole, the holes being aligned to define a continuous opening through the wheels, a plurality of different printing elements for each wheel, movable means for selectively setting each wheel to bring a selected printing element to a printing zone to print selected data, the movable means including a selector shaft movable along a path in the axial direction of the opening and having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, means defining a series of axially spaced recesses in the opening along the path, a yieldable detent member coupled to the selector shaft for movement with the selector shaft in the axial direction, the detent member being selectively received in one of the recesses when the driving member is engaged with a selected wheel for releasably holding the selector shaft in a selected position, and the selector shaft, the driving member and the detent member being of one-piece molded plastics construction.
- 11. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted drive wheels, each of the wheels having means defining a central hole, the holes being aligned to define a continuous opening through the wheels, a plurality of different printing elements for each wheel, movable means for selectively setting each wheel to bring a selected printing element to a printing zone to print selected data, the movable means including a selector shaft movable along a path in the axial direction of the opening and having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, means defining a series of axially spaced recesses in the opening along the path, a yieldable detent member coupled to the selector shaft for movement with the selector shaft in the axial direction, the detent member being selectively received in one of the recesses when the driving member is engaged with a selected wheel for releasably holding the selector shaft in a selected position, and wherein the drive wheels, the selector shaft, the driving member and the yieldable detent member are composed of plastics material.
- 12. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted drive wheels, each of the wheels having means defining a central hole, the holes being aligned to define a continuous opening through the wheels, a printing band for each wheel, each printing band having a plurality of different printing elements, means for supporting the printing elements at a printing zone, the printing bands extending about the supporting means and the drive wheels, movable means for selectively setting each wheel to bring a selected printing element to the printing zone to print selected data, the movable means including a selector shaft movable along a path in the axial direction of the opening and having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, means defining a series of axially spaced recesses in the opening along the path, a yieldable detent member coupled to the selector shaft for movement with the selector shaft in the axial direction, and the detent member being selectively received in one of the recesses when the driving member is engaged with a selected wheel for releasably holding the selector shaft in a selected position.
- 13. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted drive wheels, each of the wheels having means defining a central hole, the holes being aligned to define a continuous opening through the wheels, a printing band for each wheel, each printing band having a plurality of different printing elements, means for supporting the printing elements at a printing zone, printing bands extending about the supporting means and the drive wheels, a mounting block having a surface for rotatably supporting the drive wheels at their outer peripheries, the supporting means being of one-piece construction, the mounting block and the supporting means being integrally molded of plastics material, movable means for selectively setting each wheel to bring a selected printing element to the printing zone to print selected data, the movable means including a selector shaft movable along a path in the axial direction of the opening and having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, means defining a series of axially spaced recesses in the opening along the path, a yieldable detent member coupled to the selector shaft for movement with the selector shaft in the axial direction, and the detent member being selectively received in one of the recesses when the driving member is engaged with a selected wheel for releasably holding the selector shaft in a selected position.
- 14. In printing apparatus including a print head having first and second side plates, a support member extending between the side plates, a plurality of drive wheels rotatably supported by the support member, each drive wheel having a generally central hole, a printing band for each wheel, each printing band having a plurality of different printing elements, means for selectively setting each wheel to position a selected printing element at a printing zone, the selective setting means including a selector shaft extending through a guide hole in the first side plate and movable in an axial direction within the wheel holes, the selector shaft having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, the improvement wherein the support member extending between the side plates comprises a mounting block of molded plastics material, the block having an integrally molded concave surface rotatably supporting the drive wheels at their outer peripheries and an integrally molded support for supporting the printing elements at the printing zone, each printing band extending about the support and a respective drive wheel, the mounting block having integrally molded first locating means for the first side plate and its guide hole, the side plates being molded of a plastics material, and the first side plate having integrally molded second locating means cooperating with the first locating means on the mounting block to position the first side plate in relation to the mounting block.
- 15. In printing apparatus including a print head having first and second side plates, a support member extending between the side plates, a plurality of drive wheels rotatably supported by the support member, each drive wheel having a generally central hole, a printing band for each wheel, each printing band having a plurality of different printing elements, means for selectively setting each wheel to position a selected printing element at a printing zone, the selective setting means including a selector shaft extending through a guide hole in the first side plate and movable in an axial direction within the wheel holes, the selector shaft having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, the improvement wherein the support member extending between the side plates comprises a mounting block of molded plastics material, the block having an integrally molded concave surface rotatably supporting the drive wheels at their outer peripheries and an integrally molded support for supporting the printing elements at the printing zone, each printing band extending about the support and a respective drive wheel, the mounting block having integrally molded first locating means for the first side plate and its guide hole, the side plates being molded of a plastics material, and the first side plate having integrally molded second locating means cooperating with the first locating means on the mounting block to position the first side plate in relation to the mounting block, wherein the first and second locating means includes a snap-connection having a projection and a socket for receiving the projection.
- 16. In printing apparatus including a print head having first and second side plates, a support member extending between the side plates, a plurality of drive wheels rotatably supported by the support member, each drive wheel having a generally central hole, a plurality of different printing elements for each drive wheel, means for selectively setting each wheel to position a selected printing element at a printing zone, the selective setting means including a selector shaft extending through a guide hole in the first side plate and movable in an axial direction within the wheel holes, the selector shaft having a driving member selectably engageable with each wheel, the improvement wherein the support member extending between the side plates comprises a one-piece mounting block of molded plastics material, the block having an integrally molded concave surface rotatably supporting all of the drive wheels at their outer peripheries, the mounting block having integrally molded first locating and snap-fitting retaining means for the first side plate and its guide hole, the side plates being molded of a plastics material, and the first side plate having integrally molded second locating and snap-fitting retaining means cooperating with the first locating and retaining means on the mounting block to position and retain the first side plate in relation to the mounting block.
- 17. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted wheels, each wheel having a generally central hole, a plurality of printing bands received under tension about the respective wheels, each printing band having a plurality of printing elements, means for drivingly coupling each wheel and its respective printing band, and means for selectively setting each printing band to advance the selected printing element to the printing zone to print the desired data, the selective setting means including a selector shaft movable into the wheel holes and engageable with any wheel, means disposed within the wheel holes for detenting the selector in engagement with any selected wheel, and wherein the spring detent finger and the selector shaft are of one-piece molded plastics construction.
- 18. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted wheels, each wheel having a generally central hole, a plurality of printing bands received under tension about the respective wheels, each printing band having a plurality of printing elements, means for drivingly coupling each wheel and its respective printing band, and means for selectively setting each printing band to advance the selected printing element to the printing zone to print the desired data, the selective setting means including a selector shaft movable into the wheel holes and engageable with any wheel, means disposed within the wheel holes for detenting the selector in engagement with any selected wheel, wherein the selector shaft includes a driving lug engageable with any drive wheel, and wherein the driving lug and the selector shaft are of one-piece molded plastics construction.
- 19. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted drive wheels, each drive wheel having a generally central hole, a plurality of printing bands received under tension about the respective drive wheels, an axially shiftable and rotatable selector shaft adapted to extend into the holes in the drive wheels, means on the selector shaft for engaging any selected wheel, and means including a flexible resilient detent finger connected to the shaft adjacent the engaging means for detenting the selector shaft in any position in which the selector shaft is engaged with the selected drive wheel, wherein the detent finger and the selector are molded as one-piece from moldable plastics material.
- 20. Printing apparatus, comprising: a print head having a plurality of rotatably mounted drive wheels, each drive wheel having a generally central hole, a plurality of printing bands received under tension about the respective drive wheels, an axially shiftable and rotatable selector shaft adapted to extend into the holes in the drive wheels, means on the selector shaft for engaging any selected wheel, and means including a flexible resilient detent finger connected to the shaft adjacent the engaging means for detenting the selector shaft in any position in which the selector shaft is engaged with the selected drive wheel, wherein the engaging means includes a lug engageable with any drive wheel, a pointer coupled to the selector shaft for indicating the position of the selector shaft, the detent finger having a detent end, and the pointer, the lug and the detent end being disposed in the plane of the drive wheel with which the lug is engaged.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a division of Ser. No. 653,405 filed Jan. 29, 1976 which is a division of patent application Ser. No. 312,454, filed Dec. 6, 1972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,745, granted July 13, 1976, which is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 208,035 filed Dec. 8, 1971, now abandoned. Certain subject matter disclosed in the present application is claimed in U.S. application Ser. No. 205,854 filed Dec. 8, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,106, U.S. application Ser. No. 206,061 filed Dec. 8, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,083 and which are assigned to the same assignee as the present application.
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Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
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653495 |
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Divisions (2)
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Number |
Date |
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Parent |
653405 |
Jan 1976 |
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Parent |
312454 |
Dec 1972 |
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Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
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208035 |
Dec 1971 |
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