Interface Mechanisms, Inc.

Larry P Ellefson

Kenneth G Real

Robert J Brooks

John A Manthey

An improved hammer bank assembly includes a plurality of spaced-apart hammers, each of the hammers including a substantially planar hammer body containing an electrical coil, with each hammer body being supported for movement in a predetermined plane. A hammer head is attached to and coplanar with each hammer body. Also included are a plurality of flat permanent magnets interleaved with the plurality of hammers so that adjacent ones of the permanent magnets oppose but are separated from each hammer body. A plurality of hammer guide members are provided, one for each hammer, with each hammer guide member defining therein an elongated groove in which is received at least a portion of each hammer head. The dimensions of each groove in a direction transverse to the predetermined plane of hammer movement, are such that the hammer head contacts the hammer support member upon deflection of the hammer in directions transverse to its predetermined plane of movement before its associated body contacts either of the adjacent, opposing permanent magnets to prevent damage to the coil within the hammer body.

Impact printer including hammer bank assembly

An automated label applicator includes an elongated arm which is rotatable between a first position, in which the label applicator receives an adhesive-backed label as it is being separated from an elongated strip of label stock backing, and a second position, in which the label is removed from the label applicator by progressive engagement of the adhesive backing with a moving surface. In the label-receiving position, the label is directed between a first pin upstanding from the elongated arm, and a second pin supported for rotation about the first pin, by a spring arm which extends transversly from the first pin. The spring arm is normally biased against the second pin, but is deflected therefrom only when the elongated arm is in the label-receiving position. Upon initial rotation of the elongated arm toward the label-applying position, the spring arm is released to press the label against the second pin. A fixed pin coacting with a slot in a member supporting the second pin causes the member, and thus the second pin, to rotate about the first pin upon subsequent rotation of the elongated arm toward the label-applying position. When the elongated arm has reached a position intermediate the label-receiving and label-applying positions, the fixed pin exits from the slot and a cam-actuated rod mounted on the elongated arm enters a second slot in the member to fix the position of the member for subsequent rotation of the elongated arm toward the label-applying position. The thus-fixed position of the member establishes an orientation of the second pin with respect to the first pin, which accordingly orients the label in a position to be applied to the desired surface. Rotation of the elongated arm is provided by a stepping motor under control of a circuit which receives inputs from a label transport apparatus moving the elongated strip of label stock backing, from a sensor detecting when the elongated arm is in the label-receiving position, and from a sensor detecting proximity of the desired surface to the label-applying position. An arrangement is shown in which the elongated arm is also moved to a waiting position, spaced apart from a label-applying position, until such a time as the desired surface is in proximity to the label-applying position.

Automated label applicator

A label printer is disclosed for imprinting characters in succession on label stock comprising an elongated strip of label stock backing having a front surface and a back surface and further comprising a plurality of labels removably adhering to and spaced along the front surface of the elongated strip. The label printer takes the label stock from a supply position, passes it in a first direction by a print station, then passes the label stock with the imprinted labels through a label stripping apparatus which includes a first pin mounted so as to extend transversely to the first direction of label stock travel and bearing against the back surface of the label stock backing. The label printer draws the label stock from the label stripping apparatus in a second direction which is substantially at right angles to the first direction so as to result in separation of individual imprinted labels as the label stock passes around the first pin. To avoid imprecision in the characters that are being imprinted at the print station, due to slack in the elongated strip caused when the label stock backing passes around the first pin and bulges away therefrom, a second pin is located to apply pressure to the front surface of the elongated strip at a point where the elongated strip is travelling in the second direction after passing around the first pin.

Label stripping apparatus for label printers

An improved hammer assembly is disclosed for use in impact printers having a print station comprising a continuously rotating print wheel and an adjacent hammer mechanism for selectively impacting print stock and an interposed ink ribbon against a raised element on the print wheel to thereby imprint a character on the print stock. The hammer assembly includes an elongated hammer having a hammer surface at one end and an actuating surface at the other end which is engaged by a hammer actuating device in the hammer mechanism having a controllable, substantially reciprocative movement. The elongated hammer is supported for substantially reciprocative, planar movement with respect to a similarly elongated first support member by a pair of linear leaf springs which extend between the elongated hammer and the first support member in a spaced-apart, parallel manner. A second support member is provided for rigidly securing the hammer assembly to a support means in the hammer mechanism and is connected to the first support member by a flexure which is located on the first support member at a location offset from but adjacent to a first end thereof. A pin is located on the first support member at a location offset from but adjacent to a second end thereof and extends at right angles from the first support member and through an aperture in the support means. A cam is rotatable on the pin and engages the aperture in the support means to permit adjustable rotation of the first support member, and accordingly the elongated hammer, with respect to the fixed second support member to insure that the hammer surface is vertically aligned with respect to the print wheel.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Larry P Ellefson