DE1251058B - Mail merge - Google Patents

Description

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

PATENT OFFICE

P GERMAN

EDITORIAL

Inta .:

G 06k

German class: 42 m6 - 15/10

Number: . 1251058 '

File number: G 41701IX c / 42 m6

Filing date: October 5, 1964

Opening day: September 28, 1967

The invention relates to a serial printing unit in which the individual characters are composed of several Drawing elements are composed.

There are already known printing units that work according to this principle. At a known printing unit of this type, the drawing elements are arranged on the free ends of pivotable levers which are operated by electromagnets, which are controlled by punched tape.

In another such known printing unit, the character elements are on the End faces of hammer-actuated, longitudinally displaceable pressure bolts in a carrier plate, the each carrier plate associated hammer is actuated via an electromagnet, which in turn by means of Punch cards is controlled. Several carrier plates, each with twelve pressure bolts, are arranged next to one another. The disadvantage of these known printing units is their intricate structure and - in particular in the device discussed in the second place above - the large number of required Components. Although there are only four such levers in the device with pressure levers, the relatively slow one occurs there Print speed all the more disturbing in the foreground.

The object of the invention is to avoid these disadvantages.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in a printing unit of the type described at the outset solved that the character elements as printing types on the end faces of from the rest position in the Pressure position displaceable in its longitudinal axis and around a common to these longitudinal axes parallel and central axis rotatable prismatic printing matrices are arranged. Here you can in certain rotational positions of the totality of the printing matrices one or more of the same can optionally be moved into print position at the same time.

In further completing the invention, four can be arranged in two rows and two columns Printing matrices can be provided, of which the two matrices of the top row are on their end faces each have a horizontal projection, which two projections on a straight line lie, and of which the two matrices of the lower row each have a horizontal one on their face or have a diagonal projection.

The printing matrices are advantageously used to form a character on a suitable one

Mail merge

Applicant:

General Precision Inc., Glendale, Calif. (V. SL A.)

Representative:

Dipl.-Ing. H. v. Schumann, '

Patent attorney,

Munich 22, Widenmayerstr. 5

Named as inventor:

Alfred W. Sanborn,

Canoga Park, Calif. (V St. A.)

Claimed priority

V. St. v. America October 4, 1963 (313 930)

Carrier, e.g. B. paper, rotated in their entirety about their common central axis by 360 °. The printing matrices can in a further advantageous embodiment of the invention in a common, be housed rotatably mounted and driven by a motor print head. To the Reading the angular position of the printing matrices for actuation of the same can still be an issue this rotating slot may be provided, the one with light sources and photodiodes aligned with them cooperates. The pressure matrices can cooperate with an abutment on which Run a paper strip and a ribbon past the end faces of the matrices. Finally, it has been found to be particularly advantageous to move the springs to their rest position pre-tensioned pressure matrices via electromagnetically operated hammers in the direction of their longitudinal axis to move in print position.

The following advantages are associated with the printing unit according to the invention: simple structure, low number of moving parts (therefore long service life), high printing speed.

Further details and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of several

71 »649/177

rerer embodiments with reference to the drawings.

F i g. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a high-speed printer according to the invention;

F i g. Fig. 2 shows in perspective the dies used in the high-speed printer of Fig. 1;

F i g. 3 is an end view of the FIG. 2 shown Matrices, which together in the rotatable print head of the device according to FIG. 1 are installed;

F i g. 4 is a schematic representation of the various Steps by means of which the printing matrices according to FIG. 2 and 3 optionally during a full Rotation of the printhead

die has a projection or shoulder 31 at its front end. For example, the Dies or punches 30,32 and 34 have an end face 31 which extends over the upper part of the front 5 the ends of which the punch extends, while the fourth die 36 has a diagonally extending face or Has printing surface at its front end. The matrices 30,32,34 and 36 are so in the Print head 18 according to FIG. 1 installed so that they ίο rotate together with the printhead. aside from that each individual die can optionally be moved in the longitudinal direction, between a retracted ready position within the printhead and an extended one den can to a certain character, z. B. here 15 print position.

the letter A, to compose; A first reel mechanism with a supply

FIG. 5 shows a reel 40 partially drawn as a section and a take-up reel 42 is used to produce a Neten plan to move the working parts of the high-speed ribbon 44 along a path which is printer of Figure 1; near the end faces of the dies 30,32,34 and

F i g. FIG. 6 is an end view of the arrangement of FIG. 36 extended in the printhead 18 and transverse to FIG. 5 and shows this when looking at the same longitudinal axis of the printhead.
from line 6-6 in FIG. 5 off; Furthermore, a take-up reel 46 and a feed

F i g. 7 shows, in an end view, a certain worker's reel 48 provided, by means of which a paper end Parts of the arrangement according to FIG. 5, namely strip 50 along one of the ribbon 44 bcnachim can be moved substantially in one section along the line 7-7 35 beard path. The winder Fig. 5; Coils 42 and 46 can be operated by a motor 52

F i g. 8 shows the same parts as FIG. 7, but driven by a suitable gear 54, when looking at the same from the line 8-8 in a stationary cylindrical printing pad or

Fig. 5 from; Roller 56 is arranged on the support plate 12; the

F i g. 9 illustrates in a block diagram 30 roller 56 serves as a stop for the ink ribbon 44 an electrical control system for use in and the paper strips 50. Whenever a Connection with the fastener according to the invention of the matrices 30, 32, 34 and 36 extended and in printer; its pressure position is brought, the pressure

F i g. 10 shows in the form of a table on which area of the die against the ink ribbon 44 and be-way the various print dies during 35 moves this together with the paper strip 50 of each individual revolution of the print head actuated against the circumferential surface of the roller 56. Here, to the various alphanumeric
Compose number signs or other symbols.

In Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the printing unit with a base plate 10. From the base plate 10 z. B. with the help of several upright column parts 14 a support plate 12 supported. The entire unit can be in

the 45 indicated by dash-dotted lines at 16 compared to the speed of the ink ribbon 44 Way enclosed by a suitable housing and the paper strip 50 chosen to be sufficiently high be. so that the matrices can be

The printing unit according to FIG. 1 comprises a print rotation of the print head operated in succession 18, which is rotatably mounted in the printing mechanism, to move the paper strip with one time: This printing mechanism has to be printed with further inks while the paper strip is moving the points in FIG. 5 to 8 shown. The print moves without any noticeable distortion of the mechanism is in a suitable housing 20 printed character enters. In some cases arranged. An electric motor 22 is provided, but it may be desirable to use the paper strip whose drive shaft protrudes into the housing 20 to drive intermittently in order to smudge the and is coupled to the printhead 18. The engine to prevent 55 characters.

22 serves to rotate the print head 18 as shown in FIG. to move them differently. · Most characters, e.g. B. the letter A on the

As already mentioned, the printing mechanism can print strips of paper 50 while the IÄickkopf in connection with automatic devices and 18 according to FIG. 8 complete one complete revolution of various kinds. Except 60 counterclockwise if you do the The printer can then be controlled by hand. Four matrices optionally at certain angles. For the latter purpose, a suitable keyboard positions the print head in the course of its um-24 intended. i rotation actuated.

In the rotatable print head 18 are four long be z. B. when the printhead is in

stretched printing matrices or stamps from the right 65 of its (P-position, with the angle specifications built in angular cross-sectional shape. These matrices are counted counterclockwise, the are in Fig. 2 and 3 and operated with 30, 32, 34 matrices 30, 32 and 34 simultaneously, so is and 36 denotes. It can be seen that each pressure in FIG. 4 a reproduced imprint on the

a colored impression of the protruding part at the front end of the respective actuated die generated by the paper strip.

By appropriately actuating the four dies during the successive revolutions of the With the print head 18 it is possible to print a wide variety of alphanumeric characters on the paper strip 50 to print. The speed of the print head can be set in

/ Paper strips generated. As soon as the print head F has moved into its 90 ^r 'position, the dies 30 and 32 are actuated in order to produce a further print as shown in FIG. 4b. After that, if the; Print head has reached its 180 ° position, the ■ die 34 is actuated to produce another '. To generate marking. Finally, when the print head has reached its 270 ° position, the matrices 30 and 32 are actuated again in order to produce further prints as shown in FIG. 4d and to complete the character to be reproduced. ί f As a result of these optional seriatim actuation of the various printing matrixes. 30,32 and 34! .. head 18 thus appear during one revolution of the printing on the paper strip of the jl letter A in the group consisting of F i g. 4 e visible shape, f. It should be noted that with the help of the optional [! Actuation of the pressure dies using \ i a different order during the rotation of the print head 18 is possible to print other characters on the paper.

The table shown in FIG. 10 illustrates the manner in which the various characters can be printed by actuating the various matrices when the print head 18 is in the positions corresponding to the angles of 0.90, 180 and 270 °. In Fig. 10, the die 30 is denoted by 1, the die 32 by 2, the die 34 by 4 and the die 36 by 3. The printing mechanism accommodated in the housing 20 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. As already mentioned, the print head 18 is rotatably mounted in the housing and can be driven by the motor 22 . The printing matrices 30, 32, 34 and 36 are built into the printhead 18 so that the matrices rotate together with the printhead about its axis of rotation.

The various dies are spring biased toward their normal retracted or standby position; for this purpose are in the print head 18 a plurality of springs, z. B. the in F i g. 5 designated by 60 and 62, arranged. A plurality of electromagnets 64, 66, 68 and 70 are built into the housing 20, and rotatably mounted arms or levers 72, 74, 76 and 78 are associated with these electromagnets.

When one of the four electromagnets is switched on, its armature moves outwards, so that the associated rotatable arm exerts a forceful blow on the inner end of the associated die, which is in the vicinity of the relevant arm at the moment of actuation. As a result, the die in question is pushed outwards against the force of its biasing spring and brought into the printing position; This movement of the die causes the end face 31 to strike the ink ribbon 44 together with the paper strip 50 forcefully against the roller 56. By optionally switching on the electromagnets during each revolution of the print head 18 , it is thus possible to selectively actuate the various matrices 30, 32, 34 and 36 and to let them snap into the printing position.

It should be noted that the relative position of the ends 75 of the arms 72, 74,76 and 78 of the four electromagnets with respect to the rear ends of the dies 30, 32, 34 and 36 and the inner end 79 of the rotatable print head both in front of the

Exercise and afterwards is of great importance. The four dies must be of such a length and opposite the roller 56 and the ends 75 of the pivoting arms 72,74,76 and 78 so

S be arranged so that each die can move unhindered or "flying" at the moment in which the end face of the die hits the roller 56 through the ink ribbon and the paper strip. The electromagnets 64, 66,

ίο 68 and 70 must be switched off before the end 75 of the associated arm is moved into the rear end 79 of the rotatable printhead 18 , and the forceful blow exerted by the end 75 of the relevant arm must after the forward movement in the direction of the relevant die in a point in time which is well before the completion of the forward movement of the die against the roller 56. It can be seen that under these circumstances the die is free or

ao can move on the fly, so that the actual printing process is brought about by the kinetic energy of the die, mediated by the ink ribbon and the paper, the die then bouncing off the roller 56 and, in cooperation with the springs 62 , etc., returns to its rest position. The use of a freely or floatingly movable die, which bounces off the roller, is important for producing a sharply defined and indistinct impression of the relevant character and for preventing the ink ribbon and paper from tearing.

In order to display the selected angular positions of the print head 18 , a disk 100 provided with openings is arranged on the print head and rotates together with the print head. The disk 100 has an opening 102. In the embodiment described here, it is assumed that the head 18 together with the disk 100 rotates counterclockwise when viewing these parts from the front (FIG. 8).

In the housing 20, several light sources 106, 107, 108 and 109 are arranged directly behind the pane 100 on suitable supports (not shown here). These light sources are provided, for example, on a circle at angular intervals of 90 °. In this case, the light sources are arranged in such a way that when the disk 100 is rotated, the light from the various light sources successively falls through the opening 102.

Several photosensitive devices, e.g. B. photodiodes of known type are arranged on the other side of the disc 100 in alignment with the associated light sources. These photosensitive devices are designated 110, 112, 114 and 116 in FIG.

The arrangement is such that when the rotatable print head 18 is e.g. B. is in the 0 ° position (F i g. 5 to 9), the light from the light source 106 through the opening 102, which in FIGS Disk 100 is drawn offset, falls on the photodiode 110, so that the photodiode generates a corresponding output signal. If the print head is in the 90 ° position, the light from the light source 107 falls on the photodiode 112, so that an output signal is again generated. If the print head is in the 180 ° position, the photodiode 114 is through

excites the light from light source 108 to produce an output signal; if the print head assumes the 270 ° position, the photodiode 116 is excited by the light from the light source 109 , so that it emits an output signal.

The output signals of the various photodiodes are used to control or switch on the associated electromagnets 64, 66, 68 and 70. The arrangement is such that the various electromagnets can optionally be switched on when the print head 18 assumes its various angular positions, so that the various characters can be put together in the manner already explained.

According to FIG. 9, the various electromagnets 64, 66, 68 and 70 can be controlled with the aid of a suitable logically operating network 200 which is responsive to the signals from the photodiodes 110, 112, 114 and 116 as well as to suitable input signals. ao

The logical network 200 can e.g. B. respond to an input signal fed to the input line 1 in such a way that the first die or the die 30 is actuated in the 0 ° position of the print head 18. Accordingly, the logical network, the input line responsive 2 input signal supplied to the second die and the female die 32 in the O ° position to operate the print head to a a $. The optional supply of input signals to the various input lines then makes it possible, with the aid of the printer, to assemble the various corresponding characters in the manner already described.

A typical encryption associated with the input lines of the logical network 200 is shown in Table 1 below. In each case, the specified matrix is generated by an input signal operated, which is fed to the associated input line. As explained above, is the die 30 is designated by 1, the die 32 by 2, the die 34 by 4 and the die 36 by 3. As shown in Table 2 below, input signals that simultaneously cause the specified Input lines are fed so that the printer prints the corresponding character.

Table 2
Alphanumeric encryption

number

1
2
3
4th
5
6th
7th
8th
9
0

Input lines

8, 16

1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13

1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 13, 14

4, 6, 12, 13, 14

1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14

1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13

1, 2, 3, U

1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15

1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14

1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14

Alpha encryption

Table 1 Encryption of the input line

Letter 1 Input lines A. 1 2, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14 B. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 C. 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10 D. 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16 E. 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12 F. 1, 2, 5, 6, 12 G 1 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 H 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 I. 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 16 J 5, 2, 5, 8, 10, 16 K 5, 6, 7, 11, 12 L. 5, 6, 9, 10 M. 5, 6, 11, 13, 14, 15 N 1, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15 O 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14 P. C ¹ 2, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13 Q i, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14 • R 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 S. 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 15 T 5, 2, 8, 16 U 3, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14 V 3, 5.6.15 W. 3, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14 X 11 7, 11, 15 Y 1, 16 Z 2, 3, 9, 10, 11

Input line 0 ° die 1 = 0 ° 1 2 = 0 ° 2 3 = 0 ° 3 4 ⁼ 90 ° 4th 5 = 90 ° 1 6 = 90 ° 2 7 = 90 ° 3 8 = 180 ° 4th 9 = 180 ° 1 10 = 180 ° t 2 11 = 180 ° 3 12 = 270 ° 4th 13 = 270 ° 1 14 = 270 ° 2 15 = 270 ° 3 16 = 4th

45 In F i g. 10 shows in the form of a table the manner in which the matrices are programmed to print the various letters and numbers. Should z. B. the letter A are printed, the matrices 1, 2 and 4 (30, 32 and 34) are struck simultaneously when the print head 18 is in the 0 ° quadrant, the actuation in this case by the arms 72,74 and 76 takes place. If the print head 18 is in the 90 ° quadrant, the dies 1 and 2 are struck simultaneously by the arms 72 and 78.

When the print head 18 is in the 180 ° quadrant, only the die 4 is actuated by the arm 72, and when the print head is finally in the 270 ° quadrant, the dies 1 and 2 are actuated by the arms 74 and 76 the

«5 letters A to complete. You can see that each letter with the help of a different programming of the matrices according to the information in Fig. 10 is generated.

It should be noted that the number of moving parts of the printing unit described is kept to a minimum is degraded, so that the printer is of relatively simple construction and with little Can produce costs. Furthermore, the printing unit described can be operated in a relatively simple manner, and it can be connected to high-speed computing or telecommunications systems without difficulty be connected.

Claims (8)

Claims: IO 1. Mail merge, in which the individual Characters are composed of several character elements, characterized in that that the character elements as print types on the end faces of from the rest position displaceable in the printing position in its longitudinal axis and around a common, too these longitudinal axes parallel and centric to axis rotatable prismatic printing matrices are arranged. 2. Printing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that in certain rotational positions of the totality of the printing matrices single or as several printing matrices optionally simultaneously in Print position are displaceable. 3. Printing unit according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that four in two rows and two columns arranged printing matrices (30, 32, 34, 36) are provided, of which the matrices (30,32) in the top line on each of their faces has a horizontal projection (31) which lie on the same straight line and of which the matrices (34,36) in the lower line on its end face a horizontally extending projection (31) or a have diagonally extending projection (31). 4. Printing unit according to claim 1 and 2 or 3, characterized in that the printing matrices to form a character in its entirety around the central axis by 360 ° circulate. 5. Printing unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the printing matrices (30, 32, 34, 36) in a common rotatably mounted and by a motor (22) drivable print head (18) are housed. 6. Printing unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for Reading the angular position of the printing matrices for actuating the same one with them rotating slot (102) and cooperating light sources (106 to 109) and photodiodes (110,112,114,116) are provided. 7. Printing unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Pressure matrices (30,32, 34, 36) cooperate with an abutment (56) on the A paper strip (50) and an ink ribbon (44) run past the end faces of the side facing the matrices. 8. Printing unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the by springs (60, 62) to their rest position to pre-tensioned pressure matrices (30, 32, 34, 36) Can be moved lengthways in the printing position via electromagnetically operated hammers (72, 74, 76, 78) are. Considered publications:
German patent specifications No. 320491, 657 268. For this purpose 2 sheets of drawings 709 649/177 9. (7 θ Bundesdruckerei Berlin