Centronics Data Computer Corporation

Robert A McIntosh

David Allen Estabrooks

Richard G Bernier

Fanfold paper emerges from an outfeed slot in a printer along a paper guide extender and falls by gravity into a paper basket to resume its original fanfold configuration. The paper slides between the extender and an upper paper forming guide which is slightly curled at its lower end to force the paper against the lower end of the paper guide extender to cause the paper to neatly fan fold within the basket. A wedge-shaped member is preferably provided upon the floor of the paper basket to urge the stacked paper into an inverted, slighty V-shaped configuration to further assure neat stacking and prevent corners of the paper from catching a perforation in the paper which would otherwise prevent neat stacking.

Stacking system for fanfold paper and the like

A non-linear spring design for use in a high speed solenoid assembly especially adapted for use in impact printers of the dot matrix type. The solenoid coil--when energized--drives the solenoid armature and a print wire connected thereto for impact against an inked ribbon and a paper document to form a dot upon the paper document. The armature is initially driven against an initially 'weak' spring biasing force of a large beam-radius spring member to facilitate rapid acceleration to impact velocity. The radial beam length of the spring member is continually shortened as the armature is displaced in the activated direction by contact at continuously varying support points on the armature head or flux ring, whereby the normally linear spring develops more force in a non-linear manner for the same displacement. Prior to the print wire striking the inked ribbon or paper document, the non-linear spring exerts a greater spring force upon the armature which spring force serves to limit impact velocity and to return the armature to the non-impact position at a more rapid rate when the solenoid coil is deenergized. The design reduces the complexity of an assembly enabling significantly increased printing speeds by reduction of the elapsed time between movement of the armature and print wire from the rest position to the impact position and the return time of the armature to the rest position.

Non-linear spring design for matrix type printing

A print head for impact printers of the dot matrix type comprising a hollow die cast housing having solenoids mounted upon a rear wall thereof and having print wires driven thereby and extending through the rear wall and hollow housing toward the forward end. A plastic bearing is releasably mounted in the forward wall and serves as a low friction bearing for the reciprocating print wires and to prevent abrasive wear of the print wires when in the retracted position. The guide means mounted within the housing and intermediate the forward and rearward ends thereof support guide tubes for maintaining relative positioning of the print wires as well as maintaining their desired natural curvature. The plastic bearing is formed of a plastic material for significantly increasing operating life and which is compliant to attenuate a significant amount of side loading due to impact. The plastic bearings are admixed with additives to make the bearings self lubricating. The plastic bearings are arranged to be readily removed and replaced.

Print head and plastic bearings therefor

The print head in a high-speed printer of the dot matrix type is provided with a bearing comprising an element fixedly attached to the front wall of a plastic block. The element is made of a material substantially harder than plastic, such as metal or a jewel. Guide passages extending through the element are aligned with similar guide passages in the plastic block and are axially directed towards a paper document. The forward end of the print head is provided with slots for receiving the plastic block which may be releaseably secured into position by means of a substantially U-shaped compliant brad, greatly simplifying both assembly and disassembly thereof.

Replaceable composite wire guide assembly

A thermal print head assembly preferably for use with temperature sensitive impression material in a dot-matrix line printer includes a housing having a plurality of electrically actuatable means for impinging upon the impression material; means for guiding each of the plurality of impinging means to form a straight line at the housing front end and adjacent the impression material; and electrical means positioned within the housing for heating the impinging means without interfering with their movement through the frong housing end and being insulated from the housing to prevent excessive heating thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical heating means is energized simultaneously with the motor of the line printer to maintain the forward ends of the impinging means at a temperature of the order of 300.degree.F. to allow printing on thermally activated paper.

Growing community of inventors

Nashua, NH, United States of America

Robert A McIntosh