Font segment front loading device

• US 4,092,702 A
• Filed: 03/17/1977
• Issued: 05/30/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: A.B. Dick Company (MAI Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITEQ Corporation
• Inventors: Ebner, Peter R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzales, John
• Application Number:
  US05/778,754
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 354/12-15, 354/18, 354/19, 354/292
• US Class Current: 396/559
• CPC Class Codes: B41B 17/32 on a flat disc
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/26 Holders for containing light sensitive material and adapted to be inserted within the camera holders for X-ray films G03B42/04

Abstract

A plurality of outwardly and radially extending font segment support arms are coupled to a central hub which is rotated to sequentially present the letters formed upon the segments to an optical imaging station which selectively projects optical images of the letters upon a photosensitive medium. Vertical shoulder portions are precision machined upon outer portions of the radially extending support members for precisely positioning the arcuate character tracks on the segments with respect to the imaging station. Horizontal plates are affixed to the radially extending support members to support the segments against gravity and centrifugal force is employed to precisely seat the segments against the vertically oriented shoulder portions upon rotation of the hub. A stationary stage plate together with a ramp element provide for easy and rapid insertion and removal of font segments from the front of the phototypesetter.

Claims

1. In a font support device for supporting font segments for a phototypesetting machine comprising:

a. a rotatable hub member for supporting outwardly and radially extending segment support arms coupled to said hub member at positions so that adjacent support arms define a plurality of sectors for containing a plurality of font segments;

b. vertically oriented inwardly facing precision machined font segment alignment reference shoulder portions formed upon outer portions of said arms for radially referencing said segments through the use of centrifugal force;

c. first horizontal support means having upper surfaces positioned within a first font segment support plane and coupled to said outer portions of said arms for supporting said segments against gravity;

d. second horizontal support means coupled to said hub member for supporting said segments against gravity, and having upper surfaces in substantially the same first font segment support plane as the upper surfaces of said first horizontal support means, the improvement comprising;

e. a stationary stage plate having an upper surface thereof lying in a second font segment support plane below said first font segment support plane, for supporting said font segments during insertion and removal, together with guide means for guiding the leading edges of said font segments between contact with said stationary stage plate and contact with said second support means during insertion of said font segment into said font support device.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises a ramp element.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said ramp element is formed upon said second horizontal support means.

4. In a font support device for supporting font segments for a phototypesetting machine comprising:

a. a rotatable hub member for supporting outwardly and radially extending segment support arms coupled to said hub member at positions so that adjacent support arms define a plurality of sectors for containing a plurality of font segments;

b. first horizontal support means having upper surfaces positioned within a first font segment support plane and coupled to said outer portions of said arms for supporting said segments against gravity;

c. second horizontal support means coupled to said hub member for supporting said segments against gravity, and having upper surfaces in substantially the same first font segment support plane as the upper surfaces of said first horizontal support means, the improvement comprising;

d. a stationary stage plate having an upper surface thereof lying in a second font segment support plane below said first font segment support plane, for supporting said font segments during insertion and removal, together with guide means for guiding the leading edges of said font segments between contact with said stationary stage plate and contact with said second support means during insertion of said font segment into said font support device.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said guide means comprises a ramp element.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said ramp element is formed upon said second horizontal support means.

7. In a font support device for supporting font segments for a phototypesetting machine comprising:

a. a rotatable hub member for supporting four outwardly and radially extending segment support arms coupled to said hub member at positions so that adjacent support arms define a plurality of sectors for containing a plurality of font segments;

b. a first outer set of horizontal support plates having upper surfaces positioned within a first font segment support plane and coupled to said outer portions of each of said arms for supporting said segments against gravity;

c. a second inner set of horizontal support plates coupled to said hub member for supporting said segments against gravity, and having upper surfaces in substantially the same first font segment support plane as the upper surfaces of said first set of support plates, the improvement comprising;

d. a stationary stage plate having an upper surface thereof lying in a second font segment support plane below said first font segment support plane, for supporting said font segments during insertion and removal, together with guide means for guiding the leading edges of said font segments between contact with stationary stage plate and contact with a horizontal support plate of said second set of plates during insertion of said font segment into said font support device.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said guide means comprises a ramp element.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said ramp element is formed upon said second set of horizontal support plates.

10. In a font support device for supporting font segments for a phototypesetting machine comprising:

a. a rotatable hub member for supporting four outwardly and radially extending segment support arms coupled to said hub member at positions so that adjacent support arms are perpendicular to each other to define four quadrants for containing four font segments;

b. a first outer set of horizontal support plates having upper surfaces positioned within a first font segment support plane and coupled to said outer portions of each of said arms for supporting said segments against gravity;

c. a second inner set of horizontal support plates coupled to said hub member for supporting said segments against gravity, and having upper surfaces in substantially the same first font segment support plane as the upper surfaces of said first set of support plates, the improvement comprising;

d. a stationary stage plate having an upper surface thereof lying in a second font segment support plane below said first font segment support plane, for supporting said font segments during insertion and removal, together with guide means for guiding the leading edges of said font segments between contact with said stationary stage plate and contact with a horizontal support plate of said second set of plates during insertion of said font segment into said font support device.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein said guide means comprises a ramp element.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said ramp element is formed upon said second set of horizontal support plates.