Interface Mechanisms, Inc.

Intermec, Inc.

Robert J Brooks

Kenneth G Real

Larry P Ellefson

Christopher A Wiklof

Robert A Samuel

Gerald R Apperson

John A Manthey

A thermal recording paper comprising a substrate (12) and a protective layer (20). The substrate includes a support layer (13) and a thermal layer (14) comprising a heat-sensitive, image forming thermal material. The protective layer comprises a cured silicone resin overlying one side of the substrate and positioned on the same side of the support layer as the thermal layer. In another aspect, the present invention comprises a method of making thermal recording paper comprising coating one side of the substrate with a silicone resin such that the silicone resin is positioned on the same side of the support layer as the thermal layer, and curing the silicone resin by exposing it to radiation such as electron beam radiation or ultraviolet radiation.

Thermal paper and method for making thermal paper with silicone resin

A tape tensioning apparatus particularly useful in regulating the tension in a tape such as an elongated strip of printer ribbon stock used in printing apparatus such as mechanical impact printers. A stock guide is supported for rotation on a base, the stock guide having an arm from which extends a roller. An inclined surface on the stock guide rests on a complementary inclined surface on the base so that the stock guide moves toward the base as the stock guide is rotated in a predetermined direction from a predetermined angular position, with a spring yieldably biasing the stock guide to its predetermined angular position. A spool of print or ribbon stock is mounted on a reel, itself supported for rotation with respect to the base, with the stock passing around the roller on the stock guide after exiting from the spool thereof and with the reel resting on and rotatable with a reel support disc which is constrained from moving more than a predetermined distance above the base. A compressible, resilient O-ring is located between the reel support disc and the stock guide and is fully compressed therebetween when the stock guide is in its predetermined angular position so as to inhibit rotation of the reel support disc and the reel wit respect to the stock guide. As a force is exerted by the printing apparatus on the stock to draw the stock from the spool thereof, the stock guide rotates away from its predetermined angular position and moves toward the base to progressively decompress the O-ring to eventually permit the reel support disc and the reel to rotate with respect to the stock guide. The stock guide and base are also provided with complementary surfaces adjoining the inclined surfaces thereof which define maximum and minimum elevations of the stock guide above the base which may be used to detect abnormally low tension and abnormally high tension conditions in the print or ribbon stock.

Tape tensioning apparatus particularly useful in printing apparatus

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 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.

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Woodinville, WA, United States of America

Robert J Brooks