Abstract: A locking system for directly clamping the tractor assemblies in a printer to the stationary platen in order to prevent any relative motion of the tractors with respect to the platen which may be caused by a lack of straightness of a drive bar which drives the tractors. The locking device includes an L-shaped lever which is pivotal so as to clamp a rearwardly extending portion of the platen between the bottom of the tractor and the top of a leg of the lever. The device may include a cam action locking knob which positively locks the lever in its clamped position. Both the lever and the knob are made of molded plastic. In order to balance the clamping force which is applied, a lever may be connected to each side of the tractor and actuated by a pair of connected cam action knobs. Several alternate locking systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a high speed printer, a system is provided for permitting paper feed optionally through openings at the front, bottom and rear of the printer housing. First and second spaced parallel arcuate rear guide members define a rear guideway leading paper from the rear opening to the front of the printer platen. Third and fourth spaced arcuate guide members define another paper guideway from the front opening; these front guide members terminate at a position forward of the frontmost plane of the rear guide members. A downwardly extending paper guideway, facilitating entry of paper from the bottom opening, is defined between the terminal portions of the front and rear guide members.