The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 29, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 10, 2000
Craig J. Cornelius, Woodinville, WA (US);
Daniel A. Durland, Seattle, WA (US);
Tally Printer Corporation, Kent, WA (US);
Abstract
A preloaded stabilizer mechanism in a dot matrix line printer having a reciprocating carriage is provided to: (1) establish a rigid reference point that prevents the print line of the dot matrix line printer from drifting; (2) eliminate backlash; and, (3) create a carriage resonance frequency that is greater than the carriage operating frequency to enhance printer system stability and the reduction of vibration. The stabilizer mechanism is mounted on a support frame of the dot matrix line printer and includes a modified c-shaped bracket member and a spring plate. The spring plate is attached to one end of the bracket member to form a slot. The slot of the stabilizer mechanism receives an offset shaft that is coupled to a shuttle mechanism that provides the carriage with reciprocating motion. The spring plate of the stabilizer mechanism, being slightly deflected, imposes a force against the offset shaft. As the carriage is reciprocated back and forth along its line of movement, the offset shaft moves back and forth along a line that lies parallel to the carriage movement line. When the shuttle mechanism is out of balance with the carriage, the offset shaft imposes a force, corresponding to the amount of the imbalance, against the preloaded spring plate and bracket opening. In this state, the stabilizer mechanism, due to the offset shaft/slot arrangement, works in conjunction with the shuttle mechanism to translate the shuttle. The stabilizer mechanism inhibits the movement of the offset shaft with respect to the printer support frame when the force created by the imbalance is equal to or less than the force of the preload generated by the spring plate.