Abstract: A high speed matrix print head assembly is provided for precisely locating the multiple armatures between the magnetic yoke and print pin of the assembly. An armature guide and supporting spring member is provided having guide slots therein which cooperate with an armature positioning stud protruding through the armature from the armature housing. The armature guide and supporting spring member has a raised longitudinal ridge thereon forming a fulcrum point contact line between the magnetic yoke and the armature guide and supporting spring member to provide a predetermined spring load to the fulcrum point line where the armature pivots. An additional armature spring may provide an additional predetermined spring load. The precise location of the armature and providing a predetermined spring load with the fulcrum line of the armature allows high speed up and down motion of the armature without the interference of other motion.

Abstract: Three fixed optical sensing devices are positioned to sense the left and right margins as well as the center location of high speed printer carriage travel. Signals from the sensing devices are fed to programmed carriage logic control circuits which effect rapid carriage movements relative to the center location as well as the traditional left and right margin locations. Printing time of certain forms is greatly reduced by minimizing unnecessary carriage return to the left margin location.

Abstract: The present mechanism includes a vertically moving platform which raises and lowers a printing ribbon relative to the moving printhead of a printer. When the printhead is at its home position, the platform is at its raised position thereby locating the lowermost portion of the ribbon at the printhead. As the printhead starts to move during its printing cycle, the platform will progressively lower so that when the printhead is at the center of its travel, the platform will be in its lowered position, thus locating the uppermost portion of the ribbon at the printhead. As the printhead continues to the end of its travel, the platform will end up at its raised position thus locating the lowermost portion of the ribbon at the printhead. This raising and lowering of the platform presents the ribbon to the printhead in overlapping arched patterns, thereby utilizing the full width of a printing ribbon.

Abstract: A platen control mechanism includes a cam member which urges a cam following platen into three positions during a printing cycle. Two separate solenoids are connected to the cam member for moving the member to three distinct positions. In a first position both solenoids are de-energized thereby causing the platen to assume a wide gap position with respect to a printer head. This permits the insertion of a document. In a second condition, both solenoids are energized thereby forcing the platen into pressing relationship with a printer head. A third condition exists when one solenoid is energized and the other is de-energized thereby causing the platen to assume a narrow gap position with respect to the printer head which allows indexing motion of the document. At the end of a printing operation, both solenoids are de-energized so that the platen may return to a wide gap position permitting removal of the document.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided for printing on a document or bank passbook which has affixed thereto a magnetic stripe on which information with respect to the print operation is written and/or read by a magnetic head scanning assembly. The printing apparatus includes a document holder for accommodating the document to be printed on, and an automatic line positioning device in the form of a stepper motor to move the holder, and accordingly the document, to the line to be printed on as recorded on the magnetic stripe, at which time the platen is advanced against the document, and the data printed on the line by the print head. The magnetic head scanning assembly at beginning-of-stripe position is retracted from the magnetic stripe on the document, and when actuated, advances the head to contact the magnetic stripe to read data on the stripe.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided for printing on a document, such as a bank passbook, which has affixed thereto a magnetic stripe on the cover on which information with respect to the print operation to be performed is written and/or read by a magnetic scanning assembly. The magnetic stripe is positioned on the document parallel to the centerfold and the unbound edge of the cover nearest the last line to be printed on the document. When inserted in the print apparatus, the platen of the printing apparatus clamps the document with stripe positioned above and aligned with the platen to facilitate the scanning of the magnetic stripe by the magnetic head of the scanner assembly. The magnetic head is spring loaded to accommodate surface variations of the magnetic stripe and different passbook thicknesses.

Abstract: A bound booklet is opened and inserted into a guide. A platen, having individual spring biased segments, is positioned against the booklet covers while printing means move horizontally across the open pages of the booklet. A first platen segment contacts the front cover of the open booklet, while a second segment contacts the back cover. An intermediate shortened segment yields to the binding edge of the booklet. Thus, the varying thickness of the booklet is compensated for and a flat printing plane is presented to the printing means. A single leaf document may be accommodated, instead of a booklet. In the case of a single leaf, the resilient nature of the platen compensates for single leaf documents of different thickness, within a permissible range.

Abstract: A dot matrix impact printer includes a retractable platen which positions an elongated sheet of paper in a location where a print head prints a line of data on the paper. In a second mode of operation, the insertion of a form, shorter than the elongated sheet of paper, is detected by photodetecting means. The form is inserted in overlying relation to the elongated sheet, where it is juxtaposed against the retractable platen. The photodetecting means in turn activate a solenoid. Activation of the solenoid displaces relatively small rollers against the inserted form in a manner pressing the form against the elongated sheet of paper. An intermediate length of the sheet is supported by a relatively large roller which undergoes indexed movement. As the sheet undergoes indexed movement during a printing operation, so does the form. At the end of a printing operation, the solenoid automatically retracts the relatively small rollers thereby permitting the withdrawal of the form.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided for printing on a document or bank passbook which has affixed thereto a magnetic stripe on which information with respect to the print operation is written and/or read by a magnetic head scanning assembly. The printing apparatus includes a document holder for accommodating the document to be printed on, and an automatic line positioning device in the form of a stepper motor to move the holder, and accordingly the document, to the line to be printed on as recorded on the magnetic stripe, at which time the platen is advanced against the document, and the data printed on the line by the print head. The magnetic head scanning assembly at beginning-of-stripe position is retracted from the magnetic stripe on the document, and when actuated, advances the head to contact the magnetic stripe to read data on the stripe.