US3738263A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printer for printing a color bar code
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1972-02-22
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1992-02-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for printing color bar codes on a record medium having a plurality of print locations thereon. One printing element like a rack is provided for each print location, and each rack has a print surface thereon. The racks are parallel to one another and mounted for sliding movement between first and second positions. An actuator moves all the racks to the first position where all the print surfaces are aligned at a first print station. Solenoid actuated pawls are used to release selected racks at the first position enabling them to slide to the second position under the influence of springs, at which second position the associated print surfaces are aligned with a second print station. The first and second print stations are provided with first and second color ribbons, respectively. A platen at each print station is used to impact the medium and the ribbon against the print surfaces located at the respective print station. A modification of the printer apparatus provides for moving the racks to an intermediate position where the print surfaces of the affected racks are located between the first and second positions so that the affected print location on the medium can be left blank when particular partiular color bar code being printed requires it.
Inventors
- 👤 O Combs
- 👤 B Lyons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:37
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K1/00; G06K1/12; G06K1/121; G06K1/123; B; B41; B41J; B41J9/00; B41J9/02; B41J9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus for printing first and second coded indicia on a medium having a plurality of print locations thereon comprising: first and second print sections; feed means for feeding said medium successively from said first to said second print stations; a plurality of printing elements moveable between first and second positions with one printing element being provided for each print location on the medium and with each printing element having a print surface thereon; actuating means for selectively moving said printing elements to said first or second positions in response to a control means, to enable each said print surface to be selectively located at said first or second print station, respectively; first and second supply means for supplying first and second ribbons to said first and second print stations respectively; first platen means to urge the medium and the first ribbon against the print surfaces of the printing elements located at the first print station so as to print said first indicia on said medium; and second platen means to urge the medium and the second ribbon against the print surfaces of the printing elements located at the second print station so as to print said second indicia on said record medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus for printing first and second coded indicia on a medium having a plurality of print locations thereon comprising: first and second print sections; feed means for feeding said medium successively from said first to said second print stations; a plurality of printing elements moveable between first and second positions with one printing element being provided for each print location on the medium and with each printing element having a print surface thereon; actuating means for selectively moving said printing elements to said first or second positions in response to a control means, to enable each said print surface to be selectively located at said first or second print station, respectively; first and second supply means for supplying first and second ribbons to said first and second print stations respectively; first platen means to urge the medium and the first ribbon against the print surfaces of the printing elements located at the first print station so as to print said first indicia on said medium; and second platen means to urge the medium and the second ribbon against the print surfaces of the printing elements located at the second print station so as to print said second indicia on said record medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said actuating means comprises: first means for holding said plurality of printing elements at said first position enabling the print surfaces thereof to be positioned at said first print station; release means for selectively releasing said printing elements from said first position in response to said control means; second means for urging the released printing elements to said second position so as to position the print surfaces thereof at said second print station; and restoring means for restoring the released printing elements to said first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which each said printing element is a rack having one of said print surfaces thereOn, and further including mounting means for slidably mounting said racks in parallel relationship with one another enabling the print surfaces thereof to lie in an imaginary common plane extending between said first and second print stations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which each said print surface is generally rectangular in shape with the long dimension thereof being aligned parallel to a line between said first and second print stations along which line said media is fed, and with said pring surfaces also being aligned along a direction perpendicular to said line when located at said first and second print stations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which each said rack has a shoulder thereon and in which said first means comprises for each said rack: a pawl member releasably engaging the associated shoulder on the associated rack; and link means for maintaining the associated pawl member in engagement with the corresponding shoulder to hold the rack at said first position until the pawl member is moved out of engagement with the shoulder by said release means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said mounting means locate said racks in spaced parallel relationship with one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said actuating means comprises: first means for holding said plurality of printing elements at said first position enabling the print surfaces thereof to be positioned at said print station; release means for selectively releasing said printing elements from said first position to an intermediate position, and for selectively releasing said printing elements from said intermediate position to said second position in response to said control means; second means for urging the released printing elements to said intermediate and second positions; and restoring means for restoring the released printing elements to said first position; said first and second print stations being spaced apart to enable said print surfaces to lie therebetween when the associated printing elements are positioned at said intermediate position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising mounting means for slidably mounting said printing elements in parallel relationship with one another enabling the print surfaces thereof to lie in an imaginary plane extending between said first and second print stations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
133 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which each said printing element is a rack having one of said print surfaces thereon, and also having first and second shoulders thereon, and in which said first means comprises for each said rack: a pawl member to releasably engage said first shoulder to hold the associated rack at said first position until released by said release means, and to releasably engage said second shoulder after said associated rack is released from said first position to hold said rack at said intermediate position until released by said release means; and link means for maintaining the associated pawl member in engagement with said first and second shoulders until the pawl member is moved out of engagement with the first and second shoulders by said release means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which each said print surface is rectangular in shape with the long dimension thereof being aligned parallel to a line between said first and second print stations, along which line said media is fed, and with said print surfaces also being aligned along a direction perpendicular to said line when located at said first and second print stations and said intermediate position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |