KNIFE MECHANISM FOR CUTTING ACROSS A STRIP OF RECORD MATERIAL

Abstract: A compact knife mechanism in a printer for severing a record strip (30) as the mechanism is carried along with a print head. The mechanism includes a rotary cutting means (68) for performing full or partial cutting of the strip (30) in either direction of travel of the print head. The rotary cutting means (68) is mounted on a stud (58) the lower end of which is urged by a spring (70) into engagement with a cam member (80). The cutting means (68) is arranged to be moved from a non-cutting position into a cutting position under the control of a solenoid (36), and during such movement the lower end of the stud slides down an inclined camming surface of the cam member (80) so as to guide the cutting means (68) into engagement with an edge portion (98) of a cooperating knife member (94).

Description: KNIFE MECHANISM FOR CUTTING ACROSS A STRIP OF RECORD MATERIAL Technical Field This invention relates to a knife mechanism for cutting across a strip of record material. The invention has application, for example, to a receipt- issuing printer in a business machine. Background Art In the field of printing, the use of a printed receipt as a proof of purchase of merchandise for the benefit of the customer is a common business practice. The receipt is a printed record showing the purchase of one or more items in a merchandising transaction that may also include the printing of a journal tape to provide a permanent record of such transaction and which journal tape is retained in the receipt-issuing printer. The receipt for such transaction is normally derived from a roll of paper tape or like record media wherein, after printing of the transaction is completed, a portion of the paper on the roll is separated therefrom as by a tearing or cutting action. A common method in the tearing operation utilizes a tear-off member installed on the printer and having a serrated or like edge along which the paper tape or strip is manually disposed and the receipt is caused to be separated at a line across the strip when a portion thereof is removed in the tearing action. In certain other cases, the paper strip may be fashioned to include spaced rows of perforations or lines of weakening along which a receipt or like portion of a strip is removed from the roll. The use of cutting devices or like severing mechanisms also has evolved over the years in printing operations to provide the printed receipts in a manner O PI wherein the severing or cutting operation is performed by the device or mechanism after the printing of certain information is completed on the receipt portion of the paper roll and while the receipt portion is still a part thereof. The two common methods of severing or cutting the paper strip are accomplished by means of a slicing action or by a shearing action. The slicing concept includes the use of a slot or like recess along an anvil or platen member and across which the paper tape is trained in a taut manner and a cutting device with a knife edge positioned at the slot is caused to be operated therealong for cutting the strip. The shear concept includes the use of an anvil or platen member having a straight edge along one side thereof and against which the paper or' like record media is trained and a cutting device with a knife edge is caused to be moved against and along the edge for cutting the paper. In United States Patent No. 4,003,281 there is disclosed a rotary cutting means for severing a receipt strip, said cutting means being in the form of a cutting wheel mounted on a pivoted support arm which is so mounted that when rocked about its pivot by an actuating member driven by a motor the arm member moves the cutting wheel along a guide member to cut across the receipt strip. The support arm extends in a direction generally transverse to the direction of movement of the cutting wheel and is pivoted on a stud positioned within an arm member slot which permits movement of the arm member relative to the stud. A disadvantage of the cutting mechanism disclosed in this U.S. patent is that the motor driven arm member renders the mechanism somewhat bulky. Disclosure of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact mechanism for cutting across a strip of record material. It is a further object of the invention to provide in a printer a compact and low mass cutting mechanism for a strip of record material which mechanism is adapted to be mounted on and carried by a carriage for a print head for movement with the print head. According to the invention there is provided a mechanism for cutting across a strip of record material arranged to be moved in operation along a path in one direction, said mechanism including a rotary cutting member, and carriage means for carrying said cutting member in transverse direction to said path of said strip, characterized by cam means mounted on said carriage means and arranged to support said cutting member in a non-cutting position, and actuating means mounted on said carriage means for moving said cutting member from said non-cutting position to a cutting position, said cam means being arranged to guide said cutting member into engagement with a cooperating knife member during movement of said cutting member into said cutting position. Brief Description of the Drawings One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a top plan view in diagrammatic form showing a printer incorporating a rotary knife mechanism in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the rotary knife mechanism shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, taken on the line 3-3, of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4, on the sheet with Fig. 2, is an enlarged view similar to a portion of Fig. 3 and showing an operated position of the rotary knife mechanism; and O PI ^N AT IO Fig. 5 is an elevational view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring now to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a dot matrix type printer 10 illustrated in outline form and incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The printer 10 includes side frame members 12 and 14 which provide support for the several parts associated with and making up the present invention. A coated metal platen 16 (see also Fig. 2) is supported from and between the side frames 12 and 14 and includes a surface portion 18 of the platen defining a print station or line along which a print head 20 is caused to be moved in transverse manner across the printer 10 and between the side frames. The rear portion of the printer 10 or that portion to the right side in Fig. 1 includes various mechanisms not a part of the present invention. A ribbon cassette 21 is supported on the front of the printer 10 and is positioned to provide a length of ink ribbon 32 along the print station 18 and at the nose of the print head 20. A cam drive member 22 is operably driven in rotational manner by well- known and suitable means (not shown) and a plastic print head carriage 24 includes a follower 28 (Fig. 3) connected therewith and operable with the grooved cam member to cause the transverse movement of the carriage along with the print head 20. The cam drive member 22 for the print head 20 includes a cam slot 26 in the periphery of the drive member and the cam follower 28 rides in the slot in an arrangement wherein the construction of such drive mechanism is well-known in the printing art. A strip of paper or like record material 30 (Fig. 3) is caused to be transported from a suitable core or spool (not shown) , which spool may be suitably positioned in the rear OMH portion of the printer, and upwardly past the print station 18. The ribbon 32 (Fig. 2) is caused to be driven by suitable means (not shown) , and operably associated with the cassette 21, in a generally horizontal direction between the print head 20 and the platen 16. Fig. 2 illustrates an enlarged top plan view of the paper cutting or knife mechanism 34 of the present invention, which mechanism is supported from and carried by the print head carriage 24 in the side- to-side direction along the print station or line 18. The paper cutting mechanism 34 includes an electromagnetic solenoid or like device 36 (see also Figs. 3 and 5), which device is placed in a horizontal position and supported in a heat-dissipating cradle 38 operably secured to the print head carriage 24. The solenoid 36 has a plunger 40 extending generally parallel to the direction of movement of the print head carriage 24, and the end 42 (Fig. 2) of the plunger is pivotally connected to one end 44 of a plastic bell crank, generally designated 46, Fig. 5, which bell crank is pivoted at pin 48, the end 44 forming part of an arm portion 50 of the bell crank 46 extending generally at right angles to the plunger 40. The bell crank 46 includes a cradle 52 which extends generally parallel to the solenoid plunger 40 and is curved in formed manner to provide an upper arm 54 and a lower arm 56, as seen in Fig. 5. A plastic pin or bell crank stud 58 is provided for the knife mechanism and is contained in journaled manner in appropriate, aligned apertures in the upper arm 54 and in the lower arm 56 of the cradle 52. The knife mechanism 34 is made up as a portion of the assembly including the bell crank 46 in an arrangement wherein a washer or E-ring member 60 (Fig. 4) is placed on the stud or pin 58 to be retained in a suitable slot or groove therein at a QMPI _ S I O &i?NATlO^ precise position near the lower end 62 of the stud 58 and just above the lower arm 56 of the bell crank. A drive member in the form of a resilient neoprene roller 64, generally in the shape of an O-ring, is placed in a groove of a metal support member 65 which is on the stud 58 just above the E-ring 60. A rotary cutting member 66 of coated steel and having a single bevel edge 68 on the periphery thereof to form a rotary knife, and which may be an integral part with the O-ring support member 65, is positioned above the E-ring 60 for rotation with the drive roller 64 about the axis of the stud 58. A coil spring 70 is placed around the stud 58 between the rotary knife 66 and the upper arm 54 of the bell crank 46 to urge the assembly of the knife 66, roller 64 and stud 58 in downward direction. A coil spring 72 (Fig. 2) is connected at one end thereof to a slot or groove 74 in a plate member 76 carrying the paper cutting mechanism 34, and is connected at the other end to an aperture 78 in the lower arm 56 of the cradle 52 of the bell crank 46 for urging the rotary knife 66 into a non-cutting position away from the paper 30 and from the surface portion of the platen 16. In this position of the rotary knife 66, the lower end 62 of the pin or stud 58 is positioned atop a plastic, flat-topped conical-shaped cam member 80 (Figs. 3 and 5) which is secured in an aperture of the member 76 directly above the nose 82 of the print head 20. As seen in the side elevational view in Figs. 3 and 4, the metal platen 16 is formed of a generally rectangular member and carries a plastic elongated member or knife anvil 84 connected thereto and extending across the printer 10 and which member 84 supports a plastic upstanding member 86 having an enlarged upper portion 88 with a slanting or sloping surface 90 directed toward the knife mechanism 34 and an undercut surface 92 spaced a short distance below the sloping surface. An upstanding member in the form of a coated metal knife blade 94 is disposed adjacent the member 86 and extends upwardly toward the undercut surface 92, but stops short thereof at an edge portion 98 to form a slot 96 juxtaposed and opposite the rotary knife 66. When the rotary knife 66 is in a cutting position, the beveled knife edge 68 engages the edge portion 98 of the knife blade 94 for cutting the paper strip 30 in a shearing action while the paper is pressed against and supported by the knife blade. It should be noted that Fig. 4 illustrates the paper cutting mechanism 34 in an operated position wherein, upon actuation of the solenoid 36 (Fig. 2), the plunger 40 is caused to be moved upwardly in Fig 2 so as to pivot the bell crank 46 clockwise about pin 48 and move the rotary knife 66 toward the right in the direction of the platen 16. It is seen from Figs. 3 and 4 that such actuation and movement of the bell crank 46 changes the position of the bell crank stud 58, carrying the rotary knife 66, from atop the cam member 80 (Fig. 3) to its cutting position (Fig. 4) . During the movement of the rotary knife 66 to its cutting position, the lower end 62 of the stud 58 slides down the inclined camming surface of the cam member 80 so as to guide the knife edge 68 sideways and downwardly on to the edge portion 98 of the knife blade 94 with the drive roller 64 being urged against the front surface of the knife blade 94. While the rotary knife 66 is in its cutting position the spring 70 holds the knife edge 68 in engagement with the edge portion 98 of the blade 94 to ensure a reliable cutting action of the knife mechanism 34. Following activation of the solenoid 36, the rotary knife 66 severs the paper strip 30 as the knife 66 is rotated by reason of the drive roller 64 being urged against the knife blade 94 as the knife mechanism 34 is carried along by the print head carriage 24 during a print operation, the strip 30 being gripped between the blade 94 and the roller 64 while the strip 30 is being severed. The operation of the solenoid 36 is programmed to provide for either full or partial cutting of the paper strip 30 during the transverse movement of the print head carriage 24. In a typical operation of the paper cutting mechanism 34 in a receipt transaction of the printer, a first line is caused to be printed on the paper strip 30, the paper is moved past the print line in a line feed operation, and the solenoid 36 is activated for a partial cutting across the paper strip. A line feed operation is then performed, two lines are printed, another line feed of the paper 30 is effected, and the solenoid 36 is activated to cause a full cut of the paper strip to accomplish the receipt function and provide a receipt of the transaction. it is thus seen that herein shown and described is a rotary knife mechanism for use with a dot matrix printer wherein the mechanism travels with the print head. The knife mechanism is supported and controlled to be movable from a paper non-cutting position to a paper cutting position for a full or partial cut as the print head is moved in transverse direction on the printer. The knife mechanism described herein with reference to the drawings has the advantages that it is reliable in operation, compact and simple in construction, and low in cost. It should be understood that the provision of the cam member 80 is an important factor in ensuring that, when the rotary knife 66 is moved to its cutting position, the knife edge 68 is brought into correct engagement with the edge portion 98 of the knife blade 94, having regard to the close tolerances of the cutting parts. - C

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A mechanism for cutting across a strip (30) of record material arranged to be moved in operation along a path in one direction, said mechanism including a rotary cutting member (66), and carriage means (24) for carrying said cutting member in transverse direction to said path of said strip (30), characterized by cam means (80) mounted on said carriage means (24) and arranged to support said cutting member in a non-cutting position, and actuating means (36, 40) mounted on said carriage means (24) for moving said cutting member from said non-cutting position to a cutting position, said cam means (80) being arranged to guide said cutting member (66 ) into engagement with a cooperating knife member (94) during movement of said cutting member into said cutting position. 2. A mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that said rotary cutting member (66) is mounted on a support member (46) pivotally mounted on said carriage means (24), said actuating means (36, 40) being arranged to bring about a pivotal movement of said support member (94) in order to move said cutting member (66) into said cutting position. 3. A mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that said actuating means (36, 40) incorporates electromagnetically operated means having a plunger (40) which is converted to said support member (46) to bring about pivotal movement thereof. 4. A mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that said plunger (40) extends generally parallel to the direction of movement of said cutting means (62-68) . OMPI ^*NA?^ 5. A mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by means (72) connected to said support member (46) for urging said cutting means (62-68) into said non-cutting position in the absence of activation of said electromagnetically operated means (36, 40) . 6. A mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said support member is formed by a bell crank member (46) . 7. A mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotary cutting member (66) is mounted on a stud member (58) one end of which is urged into engagement with said cam member (80) by spring means (70) . 8. A mechanism according to claim 7, characterized by a roller member (64) of resilient material mounted on said stud member (58) for rotation with said rotary cutting member (66) , said roller member being arranged to be urged against said knife member (94) so as to bring about rotation of said cutting member as said cutting member is carried in operation in said transverse direction. 9. A mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cam means is in the form of a flat-topped member (80) having an inclined side. 10. A printer having a print head (20) arranged to be moved along a print line, the printer being characterized in that it includes a mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, said print head (20) being mounted on said carriage means (24) for movement along said print line for printing on said strip (30) .

Inventors: SHIPOS LOUIS E, TINKER STEVEN I, SHIPOS, LOUIS, E., TINKER, STEVEN, I.
Applicants: NCR CO, NCR CORPORATION
Application year: 1984
Main classification: B41J11
IPC codes: B26D1, B41J11