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Patent 1310341 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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  • At the time of issue of the patent (grant).
(12) Patent: (11) CA 1310341
(21) Application Number: 544208
(54) English Title: STACKER
(54) French Title: ELEMENT D'EMPILAGE
Status: Deemed expired
Bibliographic Data
(52) Canadian Patent Classification (CPC):
  • 270/53
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • B65H 31/00 (2006.01)
  • B65C 9/10 (2006.01)
  • B65H 29/22 (2006.01)
  • B65H 31/02 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • HUGGINS, ORVILLE C. (United States of America)
  • MISTYURIK, JOHN D. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • MONARCH MARKING SYSTEMS, INC. (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
(74) Agent: BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 1992-11-17
(22) Filed Date: 1987-08-11
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
907,263 United States of America 1986-09-15

Abstracts

English Abstract


Docket No. M-489

Abstract of the Disclosure
There is disclosed a stacker for tags received from a
tag dispensing device. The stacker has an improved feed
mechanism with a self-clutching feature and an adjustable end
wall member. The printer is adapted to be releasably secured to
tag dispensing device, such as a printer.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



Docket M-489-C

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A stacker for tacking tags received from a printer,
comprising: a hopper for receiving a stack of tags, means
for conveying tags one at a time to a bottom of the stack in
the hopper and for supporting the bottom of the stack,
wherein the conveying means includes means for providing a
self-clutching arrangement with an incoming tag to prevent
damage to the printer, the stacker or the tag in the event
the speed of advance of the incoming tag is either greater or
lesser than the speed of the conveying means, wherein the
self-clutching arrangement includes a driven conveying member
and a rotatable idler roll between which the incoming tags
are conveyed to the hopper, means for mounting the idler roll
above the conveying member for movement toward and away from
the conveying member, wherein the conveying member includes a
driven roll, wherein another driven roll is in supporting
relationship to the bottom of the stack, wherein the
conveying means includes an electric motor, a toothed wheel
driven by the electric motor, toothed wheels for the driven
rolls, and a toothed belt engaged with the toothed wheels for
driving the driven rolls.
2. A stacker as defined in claim 1, and the mounting
means includes elongate slots for mounting the idler roll for
upward and downward movement.
3. A stacker as defined in claim 2, wherein the idler
roll bears solely gravitationally against an incoming tag.



Docket M-489-C

4. In combination: a stacker for stacking tags and a
printer for providing printed tags one-by-one to the stacker,
the printer including a platen roll, a print head cooperable
with the platen roll for printing on a web of tag stock,
wherein the platen roll is driven for advancing the web of
tag stock, means for severing tags from the web of tag stock,
the stacker including a hopper for accumulating tags in a
stack, the stacker further including means for conveying
severed tags one at a time to the bottom of the stack in the
hopper and for supporting the bottom of the stack, wherein
the conveying means includes means for providing a self-
clutching arrangement with an incoming tag, wherein the
incoming tag is under the control of the self-clutching
arrangement while entering the stack, wherein the self-
clutching arrangement includes a driven conveying member and
a cooperating idler roll in proximity to the severing means
so that feeding cooperation of the conveying member and the
idler roll with the incoming tag is established before the
tag is severed from the web, wherein the driven platen roll
is in proximity to the self-clutching arrangement, and
wherein the driven platen roll is the sole means for
advancing the web directly to the self-clutching arrangement.
5. In combination: a stacker for stacking tags and a
printer for providing printed tags one-by-one to the stacker,
the printer including a platen roll, a print head cooperable
with the platen roll for printing on a web of tag stock,
wherein the platen roll is driven for advancing the web of
tag stock, means for severing tags from the web of tag stock,
the stacker including a hopper for accumulating tags in a




Docket M-489-C

stack, the stacker further including means for conveying
severed tags one at a time to the bottom of the stack in the
hopper and for supporting the bottom of the stack, wherein
the conveying means includes means for providing a self-
clutching arrangement with an incoming tag, wherein the
incoming tag is under the control of the self-clutching
arrangement while entering the stack, wherein the self-
clutching arrangement includes a driven conveying member and
the cooperating idler roll in proximity to the severing means
so that feeding cooperation of the conveying member and the
idler roll with the incoming tag is established before the
tag is severed from the web, wherein the self-clutching
arrangement further includes means for mounting the idler
roll above the conveying member for movement toward and away
from the conveying member, and a driven roll in supporting
relationship to the bottom of the stack, wherein the driven
platen roll is in proximity to the self-clutching
arrangement, and wherein the driven platen roll is the sole
means for advancing the web directly to the self-clutching
arrangement.
6. In combination, a stacker for stacking tags and a
printer for providing printed tags one-by-one to the stocker,
the printer including a platen roll, a print head cooperable
with the platen roll for printing on a web of tag stock,
wherein the platen roll is driven for advancing the web of
tag stock, means for severing tags from the web of tag stock,
the stacker including a hopper for accumulating tags in a
stack, the stacker further including means for conveying
severed tags one at a time to the bottom of the stack in the

11


Docket M-489-C

hopper and for supporting the bottom of the stack, wherein
the conveying means includes means for providing a self-
clutching arrangement with an incoming tag, wherein the
incoming tag is under the control of the self-clutching
arrangement while entering the stack, wherein the self-
clutching arrangement includes a driven conveying roll and
the cooperating idler roll in proximity to the severing means
so that feeding cooperation of the conveying roll and the
idler roll with the incoming tag is established before the
tag is severed from the web, wherein the self-clutching
arrangement includes means for mounting the idler roll above
the conveying roll for movement toward and away from the
conveying roll, wherein the driven platen roll is in
proximity to the self-clutching arrangement, and wherein the
driven platen roll is the sole means for advancing the web
directly to the self-clutching arrangement.
7. A stacker for stacking tags, comprising: a frame, a
hopper mounted on the frame for receiving a stack of tags,
means for feeding tags one at a time into the hopper, means
for releasably attaching the stacker to a source device of
tags, a first electrical connector on the attaching means
adapted to be electrically coupled to a second electrical
connector on the source device, wherein the attaching means
includes a holder, a gripper mounted on the holder and
adapted to grip the source device, the first electrical
connector being mounted on the holder, means for movably
mounting the holder, and means on the source device for
drawing on the gripper to pull the first and second
electrical connectors into electrically coupled relationship.

12


Docket M-489-C

8. A stacker as defined in claim 7, wherein the drawing
means includes a cam engageable with the gripper.
9. A stacker as defined in claim 7, wherein the gripper
is spring-loaded.
10. A stacker as defined in claim 7, including a pair
of said grippers.
11. A stacker, comprising: a hopper adapted to receive
a stack of tags, means for feeding tags into the bottom of
the hopper, a weight for resting on the top of the stack, a
guide for the weight, a switch at the top of the guide for
disabling the feeding means, wherein the guide has means for
allowing the weight to be shifted and held at the top of the
guide in cooperation with the switch to keep the feeding
means disabled.
12. In combination, a stacker for stacking tags, the
stacker including an electrically driven conveyor, and a
first electrical connector, a source device for delivering
tags to the stacker including a second electrical connector,
and means partly on the stacker and partly on the source
device for drawing the first and second electrical connectors
into electrically coupled relationship.
13. The combination defined in claim 12, wherein the
drawing means includes a gripper and a cam cooperable with
the gripper for drawing on the gripper.
14. The combination defined in claim 12, wherein the
drawing means includes a pair of grippers on the stacker and
a cam shaft on the source device and cooperable with the
grippers.


13

Docket M-489-C


15. The combination defined in claim 14, including
means for detenting the cam shaft in selected positions.
16. In combination, a stacker for stacking tags, a
source device for delivering tags to the stacker, means for
releasably attaching the stacker and the source device,
wherein the attaching means includes means for drawing the
stacker and the source device toward each other into aligned
coupled relationship, and wherein the drawing means includes
a cam.
17. In combination, a stacker for stacking tags, a
source device for delivering tags to the stacker, means for
releasably attaching the stacker and the source device,
wherein the attaching means includes means for drawing the
stacker and the source device toward each other into aligned
coupled relationship, and wherein the drawing means includes
a gripper, a cam engageable by the gripper, a cam face on the
gripper, and the cam face being cooperable with the cam while
the stacker and the source device are being attached to cam
the gripper and the cam into cooperable relationship in which
the stacker and the source device can be drawn relatively
toward each other.
18. In combination, a stacker for stacking tags, a
source device for delivering tags to the stacker, means for
releasably attaching the stacker and the source device,
wherein the attaching means includes means for drawing the
stacker and the source device toward each other into aligned
coupled relationship, and wherein the attaching means
includes a holder, means for movably mounting the holder on




14

Docket M-489-C

the stacker for movement toward and away from the source
device, means for biasing the holder away from the source
device, a pair of grippers mounted on the holder, a cam shaft
on the source device engageable by the grippers, and means
for rotating the cam shaft to cause the stacker and the
source device to be held in attached relationship.
19. In combination, a stacker for stacking tags, a
source device for delivering tags to the stacker, means for
releasably attaching the stacker and the source device,
wherein the attaching means includes means for drawing the
stacker and the source device toward each other into aligned
coupled relationship, an electrical connector on the source
device and a cooperable electrical connector on the stacker,
and wherein the drawing means draws the electrical connectors
into coupled relationship.
20. A tag stacker, comprising: a hopper having an elon-
gate bottom member an an end wall member, means for conveying
tags one at a time against the end wall member, wherein the
bottom member has means for providing an upper tag supporting
surface including longitudinally extending ridges and
grooves, a pair of longitudinally extending outwardly
projecting flanges at side portions of the bottom member,
wherein the end wall member has a pair of opposed channels
for loosely receiving the outwardly projecting flanges to



Docket M-489-C

enable the end wall member to rock slightly on the bottom
member, a series of longitudinally spaced teeth on the bottom
member and at least one tooth of the end wall member, wherein
the end wall member is held in any selected position on the
bottom member with the tooth on the end wall member in
engagement with a respective tooth on the bottom member but
wherein the end wall member is rockable relative to the
bottom member to disengage the teeth and to enable the end
wall member to be repositioned longitudinally on and relative
to the bottom member.
21. A hopper as defined in claim 20, wherein the
conveying means includes a roll for supporting the bottom tag
in the hopper while the leading edge of the bottom tag is
against the end wall member.
22. A hopper as defined in claim 20, wherein the
conveying means conveys one tag at a time at an acute angle
with respect to and toward the bottom tag in the hopper.
23. A hopper as defined in claim 21, wherein the
conveying means conveys one tag at a time at an acute angle
with respect to the bottom tag in the hopper.
24. A hopper as defined in claim 20, wherein the bottom
member is inclined with respect to the horizontal, and
wherein the end wall member is inclined with respect to the
vertical and gravitationally holds the tooth on the end wall
member in engagement with the tooth on the bottom member.
25. A tag stacker, comprising: a hopper including a
bottom member for supporting a stack of tags and an end wall
member against which the ends of the tags in the stack abut,
means for conveying tags into the hopper, a series of teeth


16

Docket M-489-C

on the bottom member, a tooth on the end wall member and
engageable with a selected tooth on the bottom member to hold
the end wall member at a selected position along the length
of the bottom member, and means for enabling the end wall
member to tilt relative to the bottom member to disengage the
tooth on the end wall member from a tooth on the bottom
member to provide fox repositioning of the end wall member at
a different selected position along the length of the bottom
member at which the tooth on the end wall member engages a
different selected tooth on the bottom member to accommodate
tags of a different length.
26. A tag stacker, comprising: a hopper including a
bottom member for supporting a stack of tags and an end wall
member against which the ends of the tags in the stack abut,
means for conveying tags into the hopper, means for
connecting the end wall member to the bottom member at a
selected position along the length of the bottom member, and
wherein the connecting means includes means for enabling
tilting of the end wall member in one direction relative to
the bottom member to hold the end wall member connected to
the bottom member and for enabling tilting of the end wall
member in the opposite direction relative to the bottom
member to enable the end wall member to be repositioned to a
different selected position along the length of the bottom
member to accommodate tags of a different length.
27. A tag stacker, comprising: a hopper having a
bottom member and an end wall member positionable along the
length of the bottom member to accommodate tags of different

17

Docket M-489-C

lengths, wherein the bottom wall member is inclined with
respect to the horizontal, wherein the end wall member is
inclined with respect to the vertical, means for conveying
tags one at a time against the end wall member, means for
mounting the end wall member to the bottom member at a
selected position along the length of the bottom member,
wherein the mounting means includes first teeth on the bottom
member and a second tooth on the end wall member cooperable
for holding the end wall member gravitationally in the
selected position relative to the bottom member.




18

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



~3~03~1




Docket M-489
STACKER
,
Back~round of the Invention
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of stackers for
tags.
Backqround of the Invention
The following prior art U.S. patent is made of record:
3,874,650 granted to Steigerwald et al on April 1, 1975.
Summary of the Invention
The invention relates to an improved stacker for
stacking tags received from a tag dispensing device.
The improved stacker of the invention includes structure
for self-clutching the tags so that in the event the tag
dispensing device issues tags~faster than the rate of feed of
the stacker ~eed mechanism no damage to the tag or the stacker
will result. Also in the event of a jam of the incoming tag
wi~th other tags in the hopper of the stacker the feeding
mechanism can slip relative to~the tag~because of the
~self-clutching feature. ~ ~
The lmproved stacker includes~an adjustab1e end wall
~mamber against which the leading ends~of ~the tags abutO The
adjustment~is simple and easy to use and enables the stacker
hopper to accommodate tags of various lengths.

~ 31~3~
Docket No. M-489 -2-

The improved stacker has mechanism for attaching the
stacker releasably to the tag dispensing device, e.g. a printer.
The stacker has grippers which can grip a cam shat which in
turn is used to draw the stacker into fully coupled
relationship, with electrical connectors of the stacker and the
printer fully connected.
Other features of the invention are readily apparent
from the description which follows and from the diagrammatic
drawings herewith.
Brief Descri~tion of the Drawinqs
FIGURE 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a
stacker in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of
the stacker shown in assembled form in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the stacker and a
fragmentary portion of a printer;
FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view showing
fragmentary portions of the bottom member and the end wall
member, with the end wall member held against generally leftward
movement;
FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, but showing the
end wall member in a position wherein the end wall member can be
moved either generally leftward or generally rightward.
FIGU~E 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line
6--6 of FIGURE 4;
FIGURE 7 is a view taken generally along line 7--7 of
FIGURE 3; and
FIGUXE 8 is a sectional view taken generally along line
8--8 of FIGURE 7.
Descri~ion of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring to FIGURE 1 there is shown a stacker generally
indicated at 10. The stacker 10 includes a frame generally
indicated at 11 and a housing generally indicated at 12. The
housing 12 includes side covers 13 and 14 and a base 15. The
base 15 is secured to the frame 11 by various screws 16 and
flexible resilient ~nap members 17 received in recesses 1~. A

~31034~
,
Docket No. M-4~9 -3-

front cover 19 has flanges 20, 21 and 22 held captive in
respective grooves 23, 24 and 25. The stacker frame 11 includes
a spaced pair of plates 26 and 27 secured by screws 28 to an
interveninq bottom member 29. An end wall member 3~ is
adjustably positioned on the bottom member 29.
With reference to FIG~RE 2, an electric motor 31 such as
a qtepping motor is mounted to a depending U-shaped flange 32 on
the bottom member 29. Three screws 33 ~only one of which is
shown) secure the motor 31 to the flange 32. An elastomeric
member 32' is disposed between end portion 34 of the motor 31
and the flange 32 to dampen vibrations. A toothed wheel 35 is
secured to motor shaft 36 by a set screw 37. A toothed belt 38
engages the toothed wheel 35 and engages toothed wheels 39 and
40 which drive respective rolls 41 and 42. The toothed wheel
39~ the roll 41 and a mounting shaft 41' rotate as a unit. The
shaft 41' is rotatable in bearings 43 mounted in plates 26 and
27. The toothed wheel 40, the roll 4~ and a mounting shaft 42'
rotate as a unit. The shaft 42' is rotatable in bearings 45
mounted in plate~ 26 and 27. Counterclockwise rotation of the
motor shaft 36 causes counterclockwise rotation of the rolls 41
and 42 as viewed in FIGURES 2 and 3. A roll 46 is secured to a
shaft 47 which receives spacers 48. The end portions of the
shaft 47 are received in elongate vertical slots 49 in plates 26
and 27. The roll 46 bears gravitationally against a tag T
entering the stacker 10 from a source of tags, for example a
printer generally indicated at 50. A web W of tag stock is
advanced by a driven platen roll Sl. A thermally sensitive ink
ribbon R is disposed between a thermal print head 52 and the web
W. Data is printed by the print head 52 as the platen roll 51
rotates. A printed tag T is severed by a cutting mechanism
generall~:indicated at 53.
A tag T is first received by the stacker 10 when the tag
T passes between rolls 41 and 46. Operation of the motor 31 and
counterclockwise rotation of the roll 41 causes the tag T to be
conveyed into the hopper 54 of the stac~er 10. Continued
rotation of the roll 41 causes the tag T to pass into contact

3L310~1
Docket No. M-489 -4-

with the roll 42 beneath the bottom tag T of a stack S of tags
T. The stack S thus presses the incoming tag T against the roll
42. The rolls 41 and 42 are preferably comprised of an
elastomeric frictional material so that they can grip the
incoming tag T. The rolls 41, 42 and 46, the motor 31 and
associated structure comprise a conveyor generally indicated at
55. As shown in FIGURE 3 the incoming tag T enters the stack S
at an acute angle with respect to the bottom tag T' in the stack
S. Therefore, the incoming tag T cannot bump into the front
edge E of the stack S~ The end wall 30 is adjusted so that the
roll 42 is in continuous contact with the incoming tag T until
the leading end of the incoming tag T abuts the end wall 30.
The end wall 30 is adjusted so that the roll 42 supports the
bottom tag T' between edges E and E'. The frictional nature of
the outer surface of the rotating roll 42 is such that slippage
of the roll 42 occurs with respect to the bottom tag T' in the
stack when the bottom tag T' abuts the end wall 30.
The rolls 41 and 46 cooperate on a self-clutching basis
to promote smooth operation between the printer 50 and the
stacker 10. The roll 46 presses the incoming tag T only lightly
against the roll 41. Such light pxessing is sufficient to
advance a tag T which has been cut off by the cutting mechanism
53. This self-clutching feature results from the fact that the
roll 46 is capable of slight separational movement with respect
to the roll 41. However, if the printer 50 stops while the
motor 31 is operating, or if the speed of advance of the
incoming tag T is either greater or lesser than the peripheral
speed of the roll 41, no damage will occur to the printer 50,
the stacker 10, or the tag T because the roll 41 will slip
relative to the tag T. The self-clutching feature is important
to smooth cooperation between the printer 50 and the stacker 10.
Each of the rolls 41 and 46 serves to guide the tags T into the
hopper 54 of the stacker 10.
A weight 56 rests on the top tag T'l of the stack S in
force opposition to the supporting force exerted by the roll 42.
As tags T are fed into the ~ottom of the hopper 54, the size of
the stack S increases and the weight 56 is raised. The weight
56 is generally L-shaped as best shown in FIGURE 2. The weight

~3~03~1
Docket No. M-489 -5-

56 has a base portion 57 joined to a mounting portion 58. A
plate 59 is secured to the mounting portion 58 by screws.60.
The plate 59 mounts a pair of shafts 61 which mount rollers 62.
The rollers 62 are guided in an elongated slot Ç3. The plate 59
also mounts a cam 64 which operates an actuator 65 of a switch
66 when the weight 56 reaches the top portion of the hopper 54.
The slot 63 is sloped at the same angle with respect to the
vertical as the end wall 30 as best shown in FIGUR~ 3. The top
portion of the slot 63 has an enlarged opening 67 with a land
68. The weight 56 can be manually positioned so that the lower
roller 62 is held supported by the land 68, and in this position
of the weight 56~ the roller 64 is retained against the button
65 to hold the switch 66 closed.
As best shown in FIGURES 2 and 6, the end wall member 30
has a pair of opposed channel-shaped member 69 having channels
70 which receive outwardly extending flanges 71 on the bottom
member 29. The channels 70 diverge toward the left and the
flanges 71 have a constant thickness to ~nable the end wall
member 30 to be tilted from the position shown in FIGURE 4 to
the position shown in FIGURE 5. As shown in FIGURES 4 and 6,
the right ends of the channel-shaped members 69 have just normal
clearance to enable the end wall member 30 to be shifted either
to the left ox right when the end wall member has been tilted to
the position shown in FIGURE 5. On the other hand, the channel
70 diverges sufficiently to enable the end wall member 30 to be
tilted to the FIGURE 5 position to enable the teeth 72 on the
end wall member 30 to move clear of longitudinally spaced teeth
73 on the bottom member 29. The teeth 72 are formed by ridges
and grooves in the underside of the end wall member 30, and the
teeth 73 are formed by ridges and grooves on the upper side of
the bottom member 29. As best shown in FIGURE 4, the teeth 72
are shown engaged with the teeth 73 to prevent leftward movement
of the end wall member 30. The inclination of the wall 30 with
respect to the vertical is advantageous in holding the teeth 72
engaged with the teeth 73 until such time as it is desired to
adjust the end wall member 30 longitudinally relative to the

~31~
Docket No. M 489 -6-

bottom member 29. The range of adjustment is determined by the
longitudinal extent of the teeth 73 and the number of teeth 72.
At least one tooth 72 and preferably a plurality of teeth 72, as
shown, are provided.
The bottom urface of the end wall member 30 has a
series of longitudinally extending parallel ridges 74 and
intervening grooves 75. The upper surface of the bottom member
29 has a series of longitudinally extending parallel ridges 76
and intervening groove~ 77. The ridges 74 are received in
grooves 77 and the ridges 76 are received in grooves 75. By
this arrangement it is impossible for an incoming tag T to be
fed between the bottom of the end wall member 30 and the top of
the bottom member 29.
With reference to FIGURE 2, there is shown structure
generally indicated at 78 for releasably holding or connecting
the stacker 10 to the printer 50. The structure 78 is shown to
include a pair of grippers 79 pivotally mountPd on a shaft or
pivot 80. The shaft 80 is slidably mounted in horizontally
extending elongated guide slots 81 in plates 26 and 27. The
grippers 79 are pivoted clockwise ~FIGURES 2, 3 and 8) by
tension springs 82. The springs 82 are connected to respective
depending tangs 83 on the grippers 79 and to plates 26 and 27.
The shaft 80 is received in holes 84 in a holder 85. The holder
85 mounts guides 86 received in horizontal slots 87 in plates 26
and 27. Thus, the slots 81 and 87 guide the shaft 80 and the
guides 86 respectively to in turn guide the holder 85 for
horizontal movement. An electrical connector 88 is secured to
the holder by screws 89. The screws 89 also secure a bracket 90
to the holder 85. The bracket mounts a plate 91 which has a
series of contacts 92 connected to the motor 31 and to the
switch 66. The contacts g2 are electrically connected to the
electrical connector 88.
FIGURES 3, 7 and 8 show a cam shaft 93 cooperable with
the grippers 79 to draw the stacker 10 toward the printer 50 and
to electrically connect the electrical connector 88 fully with
an electrical connector 94 on the printer 50 as shown in FIGURE

3 ~ ~
Docket No. M-489 -7-

3. The shaft 93 is pivotally mounted in the printer frame 95.The shaft 93 is held detented in one of two positions by a pin
93' which passes through and is secured in the shaft 93 and
cooperates with one of two detent grooves 93" in a detent member
93'''. A spring 96 acts against a washer 97 and a clip 98 and
urges the shaft 93 to the right in FIGURE 7. The shaft 93 is
rotatable by inserting a tool such as a screw driver into a slot
99 and turning the screw driver. The shaft 93 is round except
for flats 100 gripped by the grippers 79. Before the stacker 10
is connected to the printer 50, the shaft 93 is positioned with
its flats 100 as shown in solid lines in FIGURE 8. Thereupon,
the stacker 10 is moved into alignment with the printer 50 with
its electrical connectors 88 and 94 in alignment. The grippers
79 have cam faces 79' which contact the cam shaft 93 during
connection of the stacker 10 into coupled relationship to cam
and pivot the gripper 79 against the action of springs 82. Each
gripper 79 has a foot 79" acting on a surface 15' to provide a
stop against excessive clockwise movement (FIGURE 3) of the
grippers 79. The stacker 10 is gently pushed into connected
relationship with respect to the printer 50. To assure final
alignment and that the stacker 10 is held coupled to the printer
5~, the user rotates the shaft 93 through 135 to the position
shown in FIGURES 3 and 7 in solid lines and in FIGURE 8 in
phantom lines. As shown, the grippers 79 have hook-shaped slots
101. Rotation of the shaft 93 in the direction of arrow A pulls
the grippers 79 to the right in FIGURE 8~ Because the shaft 80
bottoms at the one ends of the slots 81, movement of the
grippers 79 to the right in FIGURE 3 causes the stacker 10 to be
drawn toward and into flllly coupled relationship with respect to
the printer 50. Release of the stacker 10 from the printer 50
is accomplished by rotating the shaft 93 through 135 in a
dir~ction opposite to ~rrow A, namely counterclockwise.
Other embodiments and modifications of the invention
will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and all
such of the~e as come within the spirit of this invention are

13~34~
Docket No~ M-489 -8-

included within its scope as best defined by the appended
claims.




:


"

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

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Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 1992-11-17
(22) Filed 1987-08-11
(45) Issued 1992-11-17
Deemed Expired 2009-11-17
Correction of Expired 2012-12-05

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $0.00 1987-08-11
Registration of a document - section 124 $0.00 1987-10-30
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 2 1994-11-17 $300.00 1995-01-18
Registration of a document - section 124 $0.00 1995-10-12
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 3 1995-11-17 $100.00 1995-11-16
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 4 1996-11-18 $100.00 1996-10-15
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 5 1997-11-17 $150.00 1997-10-14
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 6 1998-11-17 $150.00 1998-10-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 7 1999-11-17 $150.00 1999-10-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 8 2000-11-17 $150.00 2000-10-11
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 9 2001-11-19 $150.00 2001-10-15
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 10 2002-11-18 $200.00 2002-10-15
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 11 2003-11-17 $200.00 2003-10-15
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 12 2004-11-17 $250.00 2004-10-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 13 2005-11-17 $250.00 2005-10-17
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 14 2006-11-17 $250.00 2006-10-16
Maintenance Fee - Patent - Old Act 15 2007-11-19 $450.00 2007-10-15
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
MONARCH MARKING SYSTEMS, INC.
Past Owners on Record
HUGGINS, ORVILLE C.
MISTYURIK, JOHN D.
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Representative Drawing 2001-12-10 1 19
Drawings 1993-11-08 5 217
Claims 1993-11-08 10 416
Abstract 1993-11-08 1 12
Cover Page 1993-11-08 1 18
Description 1993-11-08 8 380
Fees 1996-10-15 1 52
Fees 1995-11-16 1 46
Fees 1995-01-18 1 45