Abstract: In one embodiment, a roll spindle comprises two roll supports and a differential.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and related methods for shaping near field interrogation signals are discussed herein. An example spindle supported near field communication (NFC) device includes a spindle configured to mount to a mounting surface, the spindle having an axis of rotation; a beam shaping NFC device including: a ferromagnetic core portion coaxial with the spindle; a coil disposed around the core portion, the coil to generate a near field interrogation signal; a first ferromagnetic flange portion to direct the near field interrogation signal in directions extending radially from the axis and to restrict the near field interrogation signal from extending in a first axial direction associated with the axis; and a second ferromagnetic flange portion to direct the near field interrogation signal in the directions extending radially from the axis and to restrict the near field interrogation signal from extending in a second axial direction associated with the axis.

Abstract: A platen has an impact surface positioned to oppose a printhead so that a part of a printhead strikes paper loaded on the impact surface. The platen includes a first impact surface having a curved surface, a second impact surface having a curved surface, and an opening formed between the first and second impact surfaces. The platen is rotatable about an axis such that the first and second impact surfaces are selectively positioned to oppose the printhead. Paper advances into the platen and passes through the opening from an inside of the platen to outside of the platen so that the paper extends to cover the first impact surface, and another paper advances to the second impact surface. The impact surfaces may have different curvatures with respect to the axis. A projection may be formed on the impact surface and extends transversely of the paper advancement. The projection is substantially configured to the flection of the paper.

Abstract: A dual type thermal printer comprises a main body frame, a first platen roller supported by the main frame for undergoing rotation, and a second platen roller supported by the main body frame in coaxial relation to the first platen roller for undergoing rotation independently from the first platen roller. A thermal head is supported by the main body frame for undergoing pivotal movement into and out of pressure contact with the first and second platen rollers. A print paper feeding mechanism separately feeds print paper to a first space between the first platen roller and the thermal head and to a second space between the second platen roller and the thermal head. An adjusting device adjusts a width of each of the first and second spaces to accommodate print paper of varying width sizes.

Abstract: A hot melt ink jet printing device 1 includes guides 27 disposed on a printing surface 11 of a platen 12 at both sides of a print area and guides 28 disposed downstream side of the platen 12 in a sheet feed direction F. Heaters 21, 25 are mounted on an under surface of the platen 12 for applying heat to a recording sheet 7 placed on the printing surface 11. The print head 13 is disposed away from the platen 12 such that a nozzle surface 13a of the print head 13 confront the printing surface 11. The guides 27, 28 effectively prevent the recording sheet 7 from rising off the printing surface 11 toward the print head 13 when the recording sheet 7 is supplied with heat from the heater 21, 25. In this way, the recording sheet 7 is prevented from contacting the nozzle surface 13a.

Abstract: A printer having a validation paper feeding mechanism in which the validation paper feed is controlled by a single solenoid and only the validation paper feed can be effected even when a cut or continuous paper is set. A ratchet wheel and a validation roller are mounted on the rotatable shaft via a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch selectively transmits a torque of the rotatable shaft to the validation roller in the direction of the validation paper feed. The validation roller has an arcuate circumferential surface for feeding the validation paper and a chord flat surface for inserting the validation paper. The armature is angularly moved between a first position where it engages the positioning projection of the ratchet wheel for determining an initial position of the validation roller and a second position where it engages the pawls of the ratchet wheel for stopping the validation roller at a plurality of predetermined positions.

Abstract: A line-type thermal printing apparatus includes a thermal head for recording on a sheet whose thickness is even in the feeding direction thereof and uneven in the print line direction. The apparatus also includes a platen having a platen body portion that rotates integrally with a platen shaft and that feeds the sheet by pinching a part of the sheet between the thermal head and the platen body portion, and separate platen portion that face other parts of the sheet which have thicknesses different from that of the part of the sheet pinched between the thermal head and the platen body portion. The separate platen portions have center holes that are dimensioned to loosely fit the platen shaft. Urging mechanisms are provided for urging the separate platen portions so as to press the other parts of the sheet against the thermal head. For example, a part of a sheet is located opposite to the platen body portion and the other parts of the sheet are located opposite to the separate platen portions.

Abstract: A feeding device for computer printers and the like comprising two platens each provided with respective pairs of drive sprockets and rotatably mounted on a common drive shaft, together with clutch means for selectably connecting said drive shaft to rotate said platens.

Abstract: In a small printer a common drive mechanism advances two independent paper sheets in unison by a single line spacing or pitch distance during each print cycle. Alternatively the first paper sheet is advanced four pitch distances while the second sheet is advanced one spacing or pitch distance during a print cycle. Or in another alternative action only the second paper sheet is advanced one pitch distance in the print cycle while the first sheet is stationary. Gearing to drive each paper sheet is coaxially but independently mounted. A solenoid plunger translates the gearing which drives the first sheet between a position of engagement with the gears driving the second sheet, and a position of engagement with intermediate gearing which drives the first paper sheet by four spacings.

Abstract: Two friction rolls are journalled on a driven shaft, and a differential being keyed to that shaft causes that one of the rolls to be driven which is not held. The rolls are alternately held by, preferably, latching devices which are operated on limit positions of the print head.

Abstract: A printer is provided with a single drive shaft mounted on plural bearings and carrying a plurality of axially aligned, individually rotatable, hollow friction rolls, each containing an electromagnetic brake and a coupling for connecting the roll to the shaft. The electromagnets are operated independently for the several rolls and feelers are disposed upstream of the paper webs to operate the brake when sensing a marking or the end of a roll of paper separately for each roll.

Abstract: A printer which may be used in a billing/accounting machine having a single servo motor to drive both the printing mechanism (horizontal motion) and the record media feed (vertical motion). While the printing mechanism is always engaged with the servo motor for transportation across the record media, provision is made for disengaging the record media feed from the servo motor during the printing mode and for re-engaging the record media feed with the servo motor during the non-printing mode for the proper feeding of the media past the printing mechanism to provide line-by-line printing. With the printing mechanism continuously engaged, its exact horizontal position is always known and controlled.

Abstract: An impact printer of the daisywheel type mechanically links together two daisywheel printer carriages so that the total number of different characters that can be printed is doubled. Suitable coordination logic provides for operation in a first concurrent (or parallel) mode where the user's software looks ahead to provide for continuous printing along a single line. The other mode of operation is sequential where the twin print heads are substantially transparent to the user's system and thus the appropriate print head automatically positions itself to a printing position.