Abstract: A printer which is compact, can accurately supply paper and has reduced noise characteristics. Additionally, the printer enables easy correction of paper jams and can be selectively operated in various modes according to the user's preference. The printer includes a paper feed roller which is pivotable between a paper feed position and a non-feeding position, a drive force transmitting mechanism for transmitting a drive force to the paper feed roller, a carriage reciprocatively movable along the width of the paper fed by the paper feed roller, and an intermediate transmission mechanism attached to the side of the carriage. Only when the carriage is in a stand-by position, the intermediate transmission mechanism couples with the drive force transmitting mechanism to transmit to the paper feed roller a paper-feed directional rotating force so as to rotate the paper feed roller to the paper feed position.

Abstract: A method of straightening a skew in a cut sheet according to the present invention including the steps of feeding the cut sheet toward a sheet forward roller which is rotating forwardly in a sheet forward direction by a sheet feed roller, rotating the sheet forward roller backwardly immediately after a front end of the cut sheet is nipped by the sheet forward roller, adjusting a position of the front end of the cut sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet forward direction by a difference between widthwise sheet nipping amounts on right and left ends of the cut sheet, and feeding the cut sheet by rotating the sheet forward roller forwardly again. An apparatus for carrying out the above-mentioned steps is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printer which is compact, can accurately supply paper and has reduced noise characteristics. Additionally, the printer enables easy correction of paper jams and can be selectively operated in various modes according to the user's preference. The printer includes a paper feed roller which is pivotable between a paper feed position and a non-feeding position, a drive force transmitting mechanism for transmitting a drive force to the paper feed roller, a carriage reciprocatively movable along the width of the paper fed by the paper feed roller, and an intermediate transmission mechanism attached to the side of the carriage. Only when the carriage is in a stand-by position, the intermediate transmission mechanism couples with the drive force transmitting mechanism to transmit to the paper feed roller a paper-feed directional rotating force so as to rotate the paper feed roller to the paper feed position.

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism for a printing apparatus capable of achieving accurate sheet feed performance free from slanted sheet feeding, dislocation between pages in printing on copy sheets, out-of-pitch printing, and the like. The sheet feeding mechanism includes a pair of confronting roller units capable not only of applying a driving-like sheet feed force to both front and back surfaces of a copy sheet, but also of maintaining a constant pressure contact force from each roller. The shafts of the pair of confronting roller units are driven so that the sheet feed force is stable. The pressure contact force is produced by a structure wherein each roller is biased by independent loading.

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism for a serial printing apparatus capable of achieving accurate sheet feed performance free from slanted sheet feeding, dislocation between pages in printing on copy sheets, out-of-pitch, and the like. The sheet feeding mechanism includes a platen for receiving a bias force from a print head, first and second guide plates of the platen, first and second pairs of sheet feed rollers disposed outside the guide plates, a sheet guide member secured to move together with the print head, and a mechanism for elastically biasing a portion of the sheet guide member which confronts the platen onto the platen at all times. The first and second guide plates are positioned so as to be substantially coplanar with a print region of the platen, wherein one of the guide plates is positioned before the platen in the path of a sheet and the other guide plate is positioned after the platen in the path of a sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding paper in a printer adapted to utilize both fan fold paper and cut sheet paper includes a push tractor for feeding fan fold paper. A print head is positioned downstream of the push tractor along the paper path. A paper feed roller is positioned intermediate the push tractor and the print head. The feed roller selectively feeds paper towards the print head. A discharge roller is positioned downstream of the print head for feeding paper. The apparatus detecting the type of paper being fed and varying the pressure utilized by the feed roller to feed the paper in response thereto.

Abstract: A mechanism for switching a paper holding roller of an automatically feeding printer between a contact position for holding a paper against the platen and a separation position away from the platen utilizing the platen power source. A transmission mechanism includes a trigger which is moved selectively by an electro-magnetic member to engage a gear between the platen power source and a roller lever on which the paper holding roller is mounted to move the paper holding roller between the contact/separation positions. In one embodiment, two partial gears engage a gear portion of the lever to move the lever in both directions. In another embodiment, an epicyclic lever is selectively rotated in one of two directions to engage one of two oppositely rotating epicyclic gears to move the paper holding roller.

Abstract: A mounting mechanism for releaseably mounting a print head to the carriage of a printer includes a pair of pivotable levers respectively located on opposite sides of the print head. A spring member biases the levers in a predetermined direction. The levers are pivotable between a first position where the print head is secured to the carriage and a second position where the print head is released.