Steven L Applegate

US Patent:

6600882, Jul 29, 2003

Filed:

Oct 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/272920

Inventors:

Steven Lewis Applegate - Lexington KY
James John Molloy - Lexington KY

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

G03G 1508

US Classification:

399 27, 73290 R, 399 61, 399 63

Abstract:

Toner ( ) is measured in a toner cartridge ( ) by compressing the air in the upper part ( ) of the toner hopper ( ). The result of the compression is observed by a diaphragm ( ) or, alternatively, by a pressure transducer ( ). The volume of air is inversely proportional to the resonant frequency of diaphragm ( ) or the pressure at pressure transducer ( ). This is converted by control system ( ) using direct equations or table look-up of empirical data. The diaphragm ( ) carries a magnet ( ), which is driven by coil ( ) from the imaging device and then frequency of current induced by magnet ( ) is then sensed by coil ( ). Uneven toner piling is not a significant factor in the results measured.

US Patent:

57089434, Jan 13, 1998

Filed:

Oct 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/724881

Inventors:

Steven L. Applegate - Lexington KY
Peter W. Bracken - Lexington KY
Jeffery R. Brener - Lexington KY
Martin V. DiGirolamo - Lexington KY
Samuel E. Mullinix - Lexington KY
Donald W. Stafford - Richmond KY
Peter E. Wallin - Lexington KY

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

G03G 1508

US Classification:

399284

Abstract:

The conductive film (3) of a compliant doctor blade has dispersed particles of molybdenum disulfide, as well as dispersed particles of grit and conductive filler. The molybdenum disulfide eliminates filming of toner. The molybdenum disulfide may be a surface powder since the anti-film action occurs at the pre-nip and therefore is not lost by the molybdenum disulfide wearing away at the nip.

US Patent:

45589631, Dec 17, 1985

Filed:

Aug 10, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/640208

Inventors:

Steven L. Applegate - Lexington KY
James J. Molloy - Lexington KY
Clayton V. Wilbur - San Jose CA

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

B41J 320

US Classification:

400120

Abstract:

Conservation of ribbon 40 is achieved by underfeeding ribbon 40 relative to movement of thermal printhead 16. Pressure of printhead 16 may be low enough that smearing from a typical ribbon 40 does not occur. Gears 208, 210, 212, 214 and 216 may be positioned in one of two settings by action of bellcrank 230. One position provides a 1. 04 to 1 underfeed ratio and the other provides a 5 to 1 underfeed ratio. Control 232 lowers print current for the 5 to 1 ratio. A printer having a single ratio of 1. 04 to 1 provides printing of unimpaired quality with significant saving of ribbon.

US Patent:

44139195, Nov 8, 1983

Filed:

Oct 30, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/315591

Inventors:

Steven L. Applegate - Lexington KY
James J. Molloy - Lexington KY

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

B41J 3200
B41J 3312
B41J 3508
B41J 3352

US Classification:

400208

Abstract:

A ribbon loading system for a printer utilizes a ribbon cartridge that includes a container enclosing two coaxially arranged ribbon reels. By providing flexible blades in the floor of the container, the reels are urged toward a top cover where relative movement is restrained. Upon loading of the cartridge, camming arms enter apertures in the container and are moveable to a clamping position to draw the blades from the ribbon reels and allow free rotational movement. For a presently preferred implementation, the structure including the camming arms is coupled through linkages to clear the ribbon threading path and thereby facilitate ribbon insertion.

US Patent:

47752521, Oct 4, 1988

Filed:

Oct 28, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/114176

Inventors:

Steven L. Applegate - Lexington KY
James J. Molloy - Lexington KY
Deh C. Tao - Lexington KY

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

B41J 320

US Classification:

400120

Abstract:

A thermal printhead, which is pivotally mounted on a carrier, is moved into and out of its printing position by a four bar linkage, which is responsive to the direction in which the carrier is being advanced, rendering a spring, which urges the thermal printhead into its printing position, effective and ineffective. When the carrier is advanced from left to right to print, the linkage responds to a drive mechanism for the carrier to enable movement of the printhead into its printing position by the spring prior to the carrier drive mechanism moving the carrier. When the carrier is to be moved from right to left in the non-printing direction, the linkage responds to the initial motion of the carrier drive mechanism in this direction to render the spring ineffective and to move the printhead out of its printing position prior to the carrier drive mechanism moving the carrier.

US Patent:

43963080, Aug 2, 1983

Filed:

Aug 13, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/292553

Inventors:

Steven L. Applegate - Lexington KY
James J. Molloy - Lexington KY
Donald A. Walker - Lexington KY

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

B41J 2916

US Classification:

400696

Abstract:

In thermal printing the guide (29) positionable toward the platen (3) on a pivoted arm (50) during lift-off correction allows a bond for correction to set before the ribbon (22) is pulled away. The ribbon (22) has an outer layer which adheres to printed characters at somewhat elevated temperatures but is non-tacky at room temperatures. Thermal printing is conducted by setting the switch (44) for heating to temperatures higher than the lift-off temperature.

US Patent:

44089082, Oct 11, 1983

Filed:

Dec 19, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/218228

Inventors:

Steven L. Applegate - Lexington KY
James J. Molloy - Lexington KY

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

B41J 304

US Classification:

400120

Abstract:

A ribbon feed system for a matrix printer utilizes metering rollers located on the printhead carrier to maintain a substantially zero ribbon velocity relative to the receiving medium with an on-carrier ribbon feed. By coordinating roller rotation with carrier motion, relative motion that would tend to cause smearing during mark formation is avoided. For printers that inject current into the ribbon to cause printing, friction drag is reduced and tension control is simplified by collecting current at the metering rollers for return to the printhead energizing circuitry. Such dual use of the metering rollers takes advantage of the firm intimate contact that exists for metering to establish a high quality electrical connection. A tension controlled brake at the ribbon supply serves to assure tensions are held within a narrow range at the printhead with such a ribbon metering system.

US Patent:

43908845, Jun 28, 1983

Filed:

Dec 30, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/335975

Inventors:

Steven L. Applegate - Lexington KY
Edward R. Lloyd - Lexington KY

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G01D 1506

US Classification:

346139C

Abstract:

A printhead assembly with a replaceable stylus insert provides for compact connection of contact pads by staggering the contact pads an offset distance that is significantly less than the pad dimension in the direction of offsetting. Preferably the offsets are symmetrically arranged about a reference line and connections are coordinated relative to the reference line so that conductor overlaps are avoided. A compressable means applies pressure to urge the contact pad into intimate engagement and ribs formed in one or both of two clamping sections concentrate pressure along alignments of contact pads.