US3791293A — Printing selectively on letters or on tape with f…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 262 words

A machine for printing either on individual pieces, such as letters, sheets and the like, or on the leading end of a tape strip of record material, which comprises: a printing station disposed within the machine; printing means disposed within the machine in predetermined position relative to the printing station; means to sense when either a letter or the leading end of a strip of record material is positioned at the printing station and to trigger the printing means to print on the said letter or the said end of a strip of record material; means actuated by the printing means for ejecting a letter from the machine after it has been positioned at the printing station and printed on; a carrier for a portion of a length of a tape strip; means for moving the carrier linearly and horizontally between letter mode position remote from the printing station and a tape mode position in which it presents at the printing station the leading end of a tape strip of record material supported on the carrier; means for advancing the tape strip over the carrier a predetermined amount to position the printed on end portion of the tape strip to be detached from the remainder of the tape strip; drive means; means responsive to the said respective movements of the carrier to connect the drive means to the letter eject means or to the strip advancing means; and means responsive to and actuated in sequence with a printing operation on a letter or on a tape strip for actuating the drive means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 262 words

A machine for printing either on individual pieces, such as letters, sheets and the like, or on the leading end of a tape strip of record material, which comprises: a printing station disposed within the machine; printing means disposed within the machine in predetermined position relative to the printing station; means to sense when either a letter or the leading end of a strip of record material is positioned at the printing station and to trigger the printing means to print on the said letter or the said end of a strip of record material; means actuated by the printing means for ejecting a letter from the machine after it has been positioned at the printing station and printed on; a carrier for a portion of a length of a tape strip; means for moving the carrier linearly and horizontally between letter mode position remote from the printing station and a tape mode position in which it presents at the printing station the leading end of a tape strip of record material supported on the carrier; means for advancing the tape strip over the carrier a predetermined amount to position the printed on end portion of the tape strip to be detached from the remainder of the tape strip; drive means; means responsive to the said respective movements of the carrier to connect the drive means to the letter eject means or to the strip advancing means; and means responsive to and actuated in sequence with a printing operation on a letter or on a tape strip for actuating the drive means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 88 words

The machine claimed in claim 1 in which the means actuated in sequence with a printing operation for actuating the drive means includes a reciprocable first member, the drive means includes a letter eject drive clutch and a control arm therefor, a second member interposable between said first member and the control arm, and means for interposing the second member between the first member and the control arm to communicate movement from the first member to the control arm and close the clutch for the letter mode operation.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 116 words

The machine claimed in claim 1 in which the means responsive to a printing operation for actuating the drive means includes a reciprocable first member, the drive means includes a letter eject drive clutch and a control arm therefor, a second member interposable between said first member and the control arm, and means for interposing the second member between the first member and the control arm to communicate movement from the first member to the control arm and close the clutch for the letter mode operation, and means responsive to the position of the tape carrier for preventing the second member from being interposed between the first member and the control arm during tape mode operation.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

The machine claimed in claim 1 in which the drive means includes a tape drive clutch and means responsive to the position of the tape carrier for controlling the tape drive clutch.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 54 words

The machine claimed in claim 1 which incorporates a printing device removably mounted on a base, and means responsive to movement of the tape carrier to lock the said printing device on the base when the tape carrier is positioned to present a tape strip thereon at the printing station of the said device.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 56 words

The means claimed in claim 1 including a carriage on which the tape carrier is mounted, and support means on which the carriage is movable to transport the tape carrier between a position remote from the printing station and a position in which the carrier presents the leading end of said record material at said station.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 254 words

A machine for recording datA either on letters or on tape which comprises: a surface on which either a letter or a portion of a length of tape may be positioned at a recording station preparatory to a recording operation; means for performing a recording operation disposed in relation to a letter or a portion of a length of tape disposed at said station; means for actuating the recording means to perform a recording operation on either a letter or a portion of a length of tape positioned at the recording station; a tape carrier on which a portion of a length of tape may be placed and over which the tape may be advanced; means for moving the carrier linearly and horizontally between a position in which it presents a portion of a length of tape thereon at said station and a position in which it and the tape thereon are remote from said station; letter eject means and means for operating it conditioned by movement of the carrier to its said remote position and the performance of a recording operation on a letter positioned at the recording station; tape advancing means operative to advance a length of tape when the carrier is at its position for presenting a portion of a length of tape at said station and a recording operation has been performed thereon; drive means; and means responsive to the position of the tape carrier for connecting drive means to the letter eject means or to the tape advancing means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 254 words

A machine for recording datA either on letters or on tape which comprises: a surface on which either a letter or a portion of a length of tape may be positioned at a recording station preparatory to a recording operation; means for performing a recording operation disposed in relation to a letter or a portion of a length of tape disposed at said station; means for actuating the recording means to perform a recording operation on either a letter or a portion of a length of tape positioned at the recording station; a tape carrier on which a portion of a length of tape may be placed and over which the tape may be advanced; means for moving the carrier linearly and horizontally between a position in which it presents a portion of a length of tape thereon at said station and a position in which it and the tape thereon are remote from said station; letter eject means and means for operating it conditioned by movement of the carrier to its said remote position and the performance of a recording operation on a letter positioned at the recording station; tape advancing means operative to advance a length of tape when the carrier is at its position for presenting a portion of a length of tape at said station and a recording operation has been performed thereon; drive means; and means responsive to the position of the tape carrier for connecting drive means to the letter eject means or to the tape advancing means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 68 words

The machine claimed in claim 7 in which the carrier is mounted on a carriage and means are provided on which the carrier may be moved toward and away from the recording station, to project the carrier over said surface to its position for presenting a portion of a length of tape at said station, and to withdraw the carrier from said surface to its said remote position.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 136 words

The machine claimed in claim 7 in which the carrier is mounted on a carriage and means are provided on which the carriage may be moved toward and away from the recording station to project the carrier over said surface to its position for presenting a portion of a length of tape at said station, and to withdraw the carrier from said surface to its said remote position, the carriage comprising a vertical slideway and a slide thereon to which the carrier is attached, means for controlling the position of the slide on said slideway, and other means coactive with the position controlling means to cause the slide to move down its slideway when the carrier is withdrawn to its remote position, and cause the tape carrier to be lowered to a position below said surface.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 92 words

The machine claimed in claim 7 in which the carrier is mounted on a carriage and means are provided on which the carriage may be moved toward and away from the recording station, to project the carrier over said surface to its position for presenting a portion of a length of tape at said station, and to withdraw the carrier from said surface to its said remote position, the carriage comprising a latching member, and means for engaging the latch when the carrier is in either one of its said two positions.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 140 words

The machine claimed in claim 7 in which the carrier is mounted on a carriage and means are provided on which the carriage may be moved toward and away from the recording station to project the carrier over said surface to its position for presenting a portion of a length of tape at said station, and to withdraw the carrier from said surface to its said remote position, the carriage comprising an arm to facilitate lifting the assembly comprising the carriage, slide and tape carrier and moving it between its said two positions, said arm being mounted on the carriage for movement between a latching position and an operating position, and means adapted to coact with the arm when it is in its latching position to engage the carriage when it is at either limit of its carrier positioning travel.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 77 words

In the machine claimed in claim 7 in which means are provided for lifting a letter or a tape portion supPorted on the carrier from the said surface for a recording operation to be performed and the tape drive means comprises an electric control circuit including an on-off switch, means comprising a plurality of members including a triggering means for closing said switch, and means movable up and down with the carrier for triggering said triggering means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 221 words

A machine for printing on either individual pieces, such as letters, sheets and the like, or on the leading end of a tape strip of record material: comprising a frame; a printing machine carried by said frame and having a relatively narrow slot type throat that effectively defines a printing station; guide means on said frame defining a substantially flat straight feed path that is co-extensive with the plane of said slot type throat of said printing machine; a flat elongated tape carrier; mounting means for supporting said tape carrier in cantilever fashion on said frame for endwise planar movement along said flat straight feed path into and out of a first position wherein the cantilevered portion thereof is disposed within said narrow slot type throat of said printing machine; said mounting means allowing movement of said tape carrier to a rectracted position wherein said cantilevered portion of said carrier is disposed out of said feed path; means for feeding individual pieces along said flat feed path and through said slot type throat when said tape carrier is in said retracted position; and means for feeding tape strip record material along said flat tape carrier when the latter is in said first position wherein said cantilevered portion of said carrier is disposed within said slot type throat of said printing machine.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 221 words

A machine for printing on either individual pieces, such as letters, sheets and the like, or on the leading end of a tape strip of record material: comprising a frame; a printing machine carried by said frame and having a relatively narrow slot type throat that effectively defines a printing station; guide means on said frame defining a substantially flat straight feed path that is co-extensive with the plane of said slot type throat of said printing machine; a flat elongated tape carrier; mounting means for supporting said tape carrier in cantilever fashion on said frame for endwise planar movement along said flat straight feed path into and out of a first position wherein the cantilevered portion thereof is disposed within said narrow slot type throat of said printing machine; said mounting means allowing movement of said tape carrier to a rectracted position wherein said cantilevered portion of said carrier is disposed out of said feed path; means for feeding individual pieces along said flat feed path and through said slot type throat when said tape carrier is in said retracted position; and means for feeding tape strip record material along said flat tape carrier when the latter is in said first position wherein said cantilevered portion of said carrier is disposed within said slot type throat of said printing machine.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 49 words

Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said mounting means is arranged to allow said tape carrier to move in a direction that is substantially normal to said plane of said slot type throat during the terminal portion of said movement of said carrier to its said retracted position.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 33 words

Apparatus as defined by claim 14 wherein said mounting means includes a cam means for moving said tape carrier in said normal direction in response to said terminal portion of said carrier movement.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 74 words

Apparatus as defined by claim 13 wherein said tape strip of record material comprises two layers of material, one print receiving layer and one backing layer, and wherein said means for feeding tape strip record material includes a means for taking up said backing layer after the latter has moved around the free end of said flat cantilevered portion of said tape carrier when the latter is operatively disposed in its said first position.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 47 words

Apparatus as defined by claim 13: additionally comprising means for positioning said feeding means for said individual pieces so as to prevent insertion of individal pieces into the said slot type throat of said printing machine when said flat tape carrier is in its said first position.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 43 words

Apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein said means for positioning said feeding means is operated in response to the said terminal portion of said carrier movement for permitting insertion of said individual pieces into said slot like throat of said printing machine.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-02-11	1977-08-13	1978-02-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-02-11	1981-08-13	1982-02-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-02-11	1985-08-13	1986-02-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Printing selectively on letters or on tape with flat bed printing means

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