Datacard Corporation

Edward R Gabel

Robert H Schmidt

Michael D Polad

LeRoy E Gerlach

Glenn H Heiller

Richard C Nubson

Ronald B Howes, Jr

Glenn R Carney

Rodney J LeVasseur

Edward J Puumala

An embossing module for an automatic embossing machine utilizes a pair of opposed embossing element carrying wheels driven by oscillating bail arms which directly engage the embossing punch and die elements. An electromechanical interrupter mechanically decouples motion of the bail arm from the embossing elements in the event of a failure. The printwheels are driven by separate motors utilizing separate position encoders and common servo command circuits.

Embossing assembly for automatic embossing system

A module for applying a magnetic stripe character to a plastic card. A tiltable carriage moves the card along a transfer path past magnetic code applying apparatus when tilted in a first position. When the carriage is tilted into a second position, it returns along the transfer path to engage a further card while the first card is removed from the card transfer path by pinch rollers driven by a unidirectional clutch. Defective cards are removed from the card transfer path by a tiltable plate which opens a slot in the card transfer path to allow them to fall through the base plate.

Magnetic stripe character applying module

An apparatus for feeding cards to an embossing apparatus in an automatic embossing system includes an adjustable input hopper and a card picking mechanism. The input hopper can be adjusted to receive cards of varying height, width and thickness. The card picking mechanism includes a card shelf for supporting a card substantially along the length of its bottom edge, a carriage upon which the card shelf is mounted and a cam and rocker arm drive arrangement for reciprocating the card shelf and carriage. The card feeding apparatus provides a large feeding force and is particularly suitable for feeding metal cards.

Card feeding apparatus for an automatic embossing system

An automatic embossing system, having punch and die wheels respectively carrying axially aligned associated punches and dies disposed about their perimeters, is provided with an improved drive mechanism for actuation of a desired punch and die pair to emboss a card disposed therebetween. The drive mechanism includes a pair of bail arms driven in continuous oscillation by a uniquely shaped cam, each bail arm carrying an adjustably mounted solenoid actuated interposer. By firing the solenoid, the interposers are disposed between driving surfaces of the respectively associated bail arms so as to engage the driving ends of the punch and die pair. The interposer structures are independently adjustable, thereby permitting ease of adjustment of the height of embossed characters formed in the card.

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Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

Edward R Gabel