Patent GB-984344-A (GB)
IPC: B41J1/20
Abstract: 984,344. Selective printers. SPERRY GYROSCOPE CO. Ltd. July 21, 1961 [July 13, 1960], No. 24357/60. Heading B6F. Multiple character index selection.-A printer in Fig. 2 for printing one or more rows of characters on two flight-progress strips 16 and 16<SP>1</SP>, comprises for each row of characters to be printed, a plurality of type bands 6, each carrying a plurality of character-types and movable about a common axis, to bring any selected one of the types into a printing position in which all the selected types are in line with each other, a platen 12 for supporting the strips 16, 16<SP>1</SP> to be printed upon, and impression means, including solenoid 22, 22<SP>1</SP> operated carriers 24, 24<SP>1</SP> for causing the strips and the character types to be pressed together to cause impression, said platen moving pivotally into a number of printing stations opposite said printing members. The printer is enclosed in a console 1 having a sloping top 2 through which project setting discs 3 and dial drums 4, arranged on three axes corresponding to the three rows of " boxes " in which the flight progress information items consisting of coded groups of letters and/or numerals are printed on the strips 16, 16<SP>1</SP> (Fig. 1, not shown) which are eight inches long and bear a five-inch portion containing the printed " boxes " to separate items of information from adjacent items on the strip. Visual indicators; types.-The dial drums are interconnected with the printing members 9a, 9b, 9c, Fig. 6, by metal bands 5 having reference types thereon and metal bands 6 having rubber printing types cemented to them. The types on both bands are arranged in the same order so that when a character on band 5 is displayed in the reference position by the setting disc 3, the reference position being indicated by a magnifying lens (not shown), the corresponding printing type is supported, in the operating position on the appropriate printing drum 9. Platen construction and impression; multiple web feeding and guiding arrangement; fixed printing matter.-The strips 16, 16<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 5, to be printed are carried on the printing head 12, mounted on a swinging member 10 pivotally mounted at 11, and are fed by friction drive wheels 30 and motor 31, Fig. 3, one for each roll, from corresponding rolls 17, 17<SP>1</SP>, with the strips passing between pressure rollers 20 and print drums 19, printing the " boxes " in which the code groups are to appear and, guide rollers 18 on to carriers 24, 24<SP>1</SP> pivotally mounted at 23, 23<SP>1</SP> and integral with armatures 21, 21<SP>1</SP>, respectively, arranged to be engaged by solenoids 22, 22<SP>1</SP> so as to effect printing by impact. Guides 25 maintain the strips flush against their upper surfaces. The swinging member 10 is connected by a link 33 (Fig. 6) to a crank-pin 34 on a wheel 35, journalled in a bracket 36 mounted on a strip selector lever 37 and frictionally driven by a motor 38 so that at the two dead-centre positions of the link 33 the head is in a correct position for printing on the strips from drums 9a and 9c at which positions a wiper 39 makes contact with contacts 40 and 40<SP>1</SP>, respectively, commonly connected to a contact of a normally closed switch 41 the other contact of which is connected to one or other of the solenoids 22 or 22<SP>1</SP>, by way of a switch 26 having a movable contact 27 on the selector lever 37 so that either the strip 16 or 16<SP>1</SP> may be printed. To print the middle line with the types from 9b, the armature 44 of the switch 41 carries a roller 45, which as the wheel 35 rotates arrests the wiper 39, whereupon the electrical contact between the roller and the wiper energizes the appropriate solenoid so as to raise the corresponding carrier into contact with the types. Immediately afterwards a solenoid 43 is energized forcing the roller 45 mounted on the bellcrank to move and free wiper 39. In another embodiment (Fig. 7, not shown) the crank lever arrangement 33, is replaced by a cam arrangement and contacts 40, 40<SP>1</SP> are replaced by four contacts permitting successive printing beginning with the printing of the boxes. Stop motions; driving and web cutting arrangement.-A switch (not shown) on the member 10 trips the motor 38 driving the wheel 35 frictionally before the wiper reaches contact 40 again and also starts the appropriate motor 31 driving the feed rolls 30, which draw a new length of strip, the printed one being severed transversely by a guillotine actuated by the stopping of the motor 31, following completion of the feed, and the cut off strip is ejected into a tray 32 on the side of the console 1 (Fig. 3). Inking roller arrangement.-In another embodiment (Fig. 7, not shown) the " box " print drum 19 is replaced by an inked pad placed adjacent the print drums 9 and the head is provided with inking rollers, of absorbent material, e.g. felt or of hard material on which a film of ink is maintained by an ink reservoir and transfer rollers, so that the type faces are inked each time the head is swung through a printing cycle.