Abstract: A mechanism for compensating for different thicknesses of record media at a printing station utilizes a platen supporting or carrying assembly which is pivotable to move the platen toward the print head. Another supporting assembly, also pivotable, is provided to carry a record media drive roller and is interconnected with the platen supporting assembly by means of a pin and slot arrangement to effect a substantially equal gap at the platen-print head and at the pressure roller-drive roller. A first cam member is rotated to engage with and to swing the platen supporting assembly into printing position and a second cam member is connected with the first cam member and rotated thereby to maintain the assembly in printing position.

Abstract: A self-leveling tranpsort for addressing envelopes in cooperation with a printer having a first link on each side of the transport, with transport drive and idler roller shafts journaled at the opposite ends, an endless transport belt stretched across the drive and idler rollers, a second link pivotally attached to each first link through the idler roller shaft, the second links being pivotally attached to the printer frame at the second links other end, a third cross link pivotally attached to each second link between the link ends, the second links having a slide block with oversized aperture at the opposite end through which the drive roller shaft fits, the slide blocks being slidable vertically up and down with springs to bias the slide blocks and the transport upwardly so that when the thickness of the articles increase, the first, second, and third links respond to draw the transport down while retaining the transport level.

Abstract: A mechanism for compensating for different thicknesses of record media at a printing station utilizes a platen supporting or carrying assembly which is pivotable to move the platen toward the print head. A first cam member is rotated to engage with and to swing the platen supporting assembly into printing position and a second cam member is connected with the first cam member and rotated thereby to maintain the assembly in printing position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for printing information on a sheet of material provide a circular platen with a first peripheral portion having a first radius and a second peripheral portion having a second radius exceeding the first radius. Such circular platen is mounted for rotation about an axis adjacent a print head. A sheet entry gap is provided between the platen and the print head by moving the first peripheral portion about the mentioned axis into first proximity to the print head, and a sheet is entered into such entry gap between the platen and the print head. A print gap relative to the print head is provided by moving the second peripheral portion of the platen about the mentioned axis into second proximity to the print head at the entered sheet. Since the mentioned first proximity is larger than the latter second proximity, jamming of the entering sheet at the print head is effectively avoided.

Abstract: A dot matrix line printer comprised of a main frame assembly and a shuttle frame assembly hinged thereto for limited pivotal movement around a horizontal hinge axis. The main frame assembly carries a paper drive subassembly and an adjustable platen subassembly. The shuttle frame assembly carries one or more hammer banks and a shuttle drive motor for shuttling each bank to move the hammers thereof along a print row extending across the width of the paper parallel to the front face of the platen. By pivoting the shuttle frame assembly up and away from the main assembly, ready access is afforded to the paper path for loading and to the hammer banks for servicing. Each hammer includes a hammer element mounted on the free ends of first and second spaced parallel leaf springs for linear movement toward and away from a paper to be printed upon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing plane adjusting mechanism for a typewriter or similar machine wherein a paper handling system including a platen defining the printing plane is finely as well as coarsely adjustable by a single lever relative to a printing element to establish a predetermined normal distance between the printing plane and printing element or varied distances other than normal to accommodate paper packs of varying thickness. Adjustment of the normal distance or gap is effected without loosening or tightening screws.

Abstract: A thermal printer provides first and second sub-frames pivotally supported on a main frame to provide access to a dot resistance heater for cleaning and easy removal of the respective structures. Each structure is releasably fixed in operating position in which a resilient drive roller on the second sub-frame presses the thermally sensitive paper against the printer head. The same roller is driven by a motor on the second sub-frame and moves the paper along the paper path by friction drive. The paper moves between a fixed and rotatable knife on the second sub-frame actuated by crank and linkage connection to the core of a solenoid whose winding is fixed on the main frame. A curved guide plate directs the paper toward an opening and into a surface which imposes an S curve on the paper. The S curve allows enlargement of a storage loop in the paper in case the opening is blocked. suThe present invention relates to a thermal printer for the rapid production of tickets, or the like.

Abstract: An impact printing apparatus of the back-impact or front impact type having a frame construction composed of first and second frame structures positioned in a fore-and-aft direction of the apparatus and having impact hammers mounted on one of the frame structures, and a tiltable member positioned on one side of the frame structures, wherein the first frame structure is pivotally connected to the tiltable member about a vertical axis along one side end of the first frame structure and the tiltable member in turn is pivotally supported on the second frame structure about an axis in a lateral direction of the printing apparatus.

Abstract: A platen assembly for feeding and holding single or multi-layer record media (forms) for printing thereon, particularly useful in connection with a matrix type printer of a point-of-sale terminal. This assembly comprises one of a pair of feed rollers pivotally mounted so as to yieldingly engage and hold both sides of the record media, while a platen yieldingly engages and holds the record media against guides which determine the gap between the matrix head for proper operation of the printer wires. For line-by-line printing, the platen is first disengaged from the record media while the power feed rollers move the record media the required distance before the platen again engages the media.

Abstract: A printer especially suitable for printing letters and symbols on a recording media having portions of different thickness such as a bank deposit pass book foldable along a folding line. A movable platen is comprised of left and right units and a central unit which are moved toward and away from the recording medium by rotary cams and spring means so that the upper surfaces of the left, right and central units of the platen are always maintained in the same plane parallel with the running path of the printing head. Satisfactory printing can be made irrespective of the difference in the thickness of the portions of the recording medium.

Abstract: A platen assembly for a print station apparatus, which comprises first and second indepently movable platen units for holding recording medium so as to compensate for thickness of the medium, a third platen unit interposed between the first and second platen units and independently movable from the first and second platen units, the third platen unit having a minimum length necessary for holding the centerfold of the medium, and first and second springs secured to the first and second platen units and biasing the third platen unit toward a guide of the print station apparatus.

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 device is provided in which a flexible strip supported by a fixed guide bar extending over the full printing width of the printing device serves to press the record media into contact with the printer platen to achieve more accurate control of the printing impacts, and serves as a track for guide rollers associated with the print head, thus giving a smooth transition between adjacent different thicknesses of record media in the printing device. The flexibility and low co-efficient of friction of the strip allow insertion and movement of the record media without raising the strip or the printing head. The guide bar acts as a guide for insertion of the record media, and also provides a camming surface co-operating with a suitable follower operatively connected to the print ribbon cassette so as to rock the cassette laterally to minimize the ribbon wear as the print head traverses a line of printing. The bar may also be designed to co-operate with a cover enclosing the print mechanism.