Centronics Data Computer Corporation

John Shiurila

Richard A Williams

Kenneth A Robert

The ink supply container disclosed herein is adapted for use with a moving carriage printer and controls foaming of a liquid ink in the container by providing, at the top of the container, a well having a sloping floor. Foamed ink is communicated to the well where it is condensed and returns through an opening at the lower end of the floor.

Venting and ink recycling device

A dot matrix impact printer for printing a plurality of colors substantially simultaneously. A print head is comprised of three spaced substantially parallel columns of print wires, each column containing an equal number of print wires. Separate independent ink supply sources are provided immediately adjacent the print head, and ink delivery means carry the ink from an associated supply source to the printing tips of the print wires in an associated column. Each of the ink supply containers contain an ink of a different color. The colors may, for example, be the three primary colors. The ink delivery means incorporate capillary means for delivering ink from the ink supply container to the printing tips by capillary action. Printing dots of different colors in either a partially or a substantially overlapping fashion enables any color to be created from the three primary colors. The ink delivery means may deliver ink to the print wires at a location inwardly from the printing tips or may deliver the ink directly to the printing tips. The technique of ink delivery may also be utilized in shuttle printers of the dot matrix type.

Multi-color print head

An assembly for mounting a print head upon a carriage having an adjustable collar and a slotted support which receive opposing ends of an elongated shaft secured to the print head. The shaft is accurately positioned on the carriage by means of openings in said collar and said support which receive cooperating portions of said shaft. A spring biased cylindrical member retains the shaft within the carriage support and the collar. The collar is provided with a pair of projections which are engaged by the cam surface of a cam member rotatably mounted upon the shaft for adjusting the axial position of the print head relative to said collar and hence relative to a web supporting platen. The forms thickness setting assembly is accurately adjusted simply by axial adjustment of the collar, to assure the accuracy of all forms thickness settings through only a single adjustment step. A second pin secured to the print head is received within the slot of a second support on the carriage to assure precise angular orientation of the print head. The carriage is designed for use in a wide varieties of printers.

Print head mounting assembly with form adjustment

An ink delivery system employing capillary member for delivering ink from a container directly to the tips of reciprocating print wires for ink transfer to a print receiving medium. Adjustment is provided for regulating the surface contact area between an ink container capillary member and a print head capillary member to regulate ink flow in order to accommodate printing speed and compensate for any factors which may alter ink flow, whether they be to cause more or less rapid ink flow. In a preferred embodiment, the ink container capillary member is moved relative to the print head capillary member. The capillary members are comprised of a porous material. Adjustment of ink flow is simplified through the provision of an easily movable handle arm and cooperating serrated slot for simply and rapidly adjusting the interface between the cooperating capillary members through which interface the ink is caused to flow.

Direct ink delivery system for print heads utilizing adjustable means

A dot matrix impact printer having print wires reciprocating within a print head. A bearing guides printing tips in the nose of the print head. Liquid printing material stored within a container adjacent to the print head is delivered by a wick from the container to the sides of the print wires by capillary action. The liquid printing material works its way through the jewel bearing of the print head and on to the printing tips of the print wires whereupon it is transferred to the print receiving medium when impacted by the print wires. Porous absorbent members, adapted to expand upon wetting, engage the print wires at a location between said wick and said jewel bearing to regulate the flow of liquid printing material toward the printing tips to prevent dripping or dribbling of the liquid printing material from the print head and to prevent the liquid printing material from travelling along the print wires away from said jewel bearing and toward the print wire actuating means. The wick is mounted within a removable holder slidably inserted into the nose of the print head greatly facilitating assembly and disassembly of the apparatus for replacement of the disposable wick and facilitating removal of the porous absorbent members. A separator tool retains the wick in proper position preparatory to insertion of the holder. The disposable container is releasably mounted on a support adjacent to the print head nose and is easily removed and replaced.

Growing community of inventors

Londonderry, NH, United States of America

John Shiurila