Patent ID: 6264593
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: B26D,B26F,Y10T

Abstract:
A punch assembly for punching one or more openings into a sheet of imageable media in an image setter, comprising:a punch mechanism comprising a punch and a punch guide having an opening therethrough for receiving the punch, the punch disposed for linear motion within the opening and into the sheet of imageable media located below the opening; anda punch actuating mechanism comprising:a driving mechanism rotatable in a first direction disposed to contact and provide a driving force at a first driving face of the punch to drive the punch within the opening in the punch guide through the sheet of imageable media and to hold the punch in the sheet of imageable media for a predetermined period of time sufficient for the sheet of imageable media to be imaged, anda positive retraction mechanism rotatable in a second direction that is opposite said first direction disposed to contact and provide a retraction force at a second driving face of the punch to retract the punch from the sheet of imageable media, the positive retraction mechanism operative sequentially following operation of the driving mechanism.