Abstract: A recording medium holddown apparatus for holding down a recording medium traversing along a path on a platen in a post-printing area of a printer. The recording medium holddown apparatus includes a first and second holddown member located above the platen to force a recording medium having any curl flat against the platen to thereby prevent problems associated with curl such as contamination of the printhead nozzles, ink smear, paper misregistration, and carriage hangup. In addition to the holddown members, a first and second runner are disposed on a carriage carrying the printhead across the recording medium for printing. The first and second runners have upturned ends to intercept any curl of the recording medium to further avoid problems associated with recording medium curl.

Abstract: A color printer for recording an image having at least two colors on a recording sheet with a recording head being brought into contact with a platen roller in a state that the recording sheet is interposed therebetween, the two colors being successively printed on a surface of the recording sheet with the recording sheet being operated to reciprocate with respect to a recording position on the platen roller. The printer includes a clamping device provided at a downstream side of the recording head in a sheet-travelling path from a supply section of the recording sheet to a discharging section of the recording sheet for holding the recording sheet when recording the image. The clamping device is fixed with respect to the recording position so that a distance between a holding position of the recording sheet taken by the clamping device and the recording position on the platen roller is always constant during the image recording.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for guiding a document in a document-processing unit, in particular a printer with a document-transporting channel. For dependable guiding of the leading edge of even arched or creased documents into the transporting channel, the document is moved to such an extent in the direction of the transporting channel that a flat document protrudes by a small amount into the transporting channel. A creased or arched document can be supported by its leading edge against the channel edge. By subsequent brushing-over movements of document-directing devices attached to the printing slide, the document is forced behind the channel edge.

Abstract: A sheet guide for a small printer whose record sheet inserting inlet opens when a record sheet is being inserted to the printer and closes to a minimal extent after the record sheet is being inserted so as to prevent foreign matter or the like from entering. In the event of trouble, such as jamming of sheets or entering of foreign matter, the sheet guide is easily removable to allow the cause of trouble to be eliminated. A sheet guide (inner) 67 is rotatably and releasably mounted on a shaft 12a of a sheet forward roller unit through elastically deforming engaging sections 67c, 67d.

Abstract: A paper guide includes a wing that extends over a respective lateral edge of the print media and a dimple formed on a bottom side of the wing that contacts the print media between the respective lateral edge and an edge of the maximum printable area. The dimple separates the print media from the wing so as to avoid smearing the ink in the maximum printable area. Two embodiments of the dimples are shown. A first embodiment of the dimple includes a central elongate portion having first and second hemispherical portions at respective ends thereof. The second embodiment is a substantially semi-hemispherical shaped dimple. The second embodiment can operate either by itself or in conjunction with a second substantially identical semi-hemispherical dimple.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including a paper guide, provided on a frame for guiding recording paper; a platen pivotally supported by the frame; a paper feeding roller rotatably provided in the frame; and a printing driving section reciprocally moving with respect to the recording paper on the platen for performing printing, and a cam rack in engagement with the paper feeding roller for intermittently rotating the paper feeding roller. The cam rack has a projection to be engaged with the paper feeding roller for stopping the rotation of the paper feeding roller.

Abstract: A dual line slip printer wherein a slip is dropped into a chute to bottom against a supporting member and a serially operated inkjet print head is moved along the length of the slip to print a line of type characters and is then returned to print a second line of characters. As the print head reaches the end of its travel it actuates a camming member to raise the support member to move the slip from one level to another so that the second row of characters will be spaced vertically from the first.

Abstract: A thermal printer in which a sheet of recording paper is held by and between a thermal print head includes a plurality of heat generating elements and a platen drum, the amounts of heat of the heat generating elements are selectively changed, and an image is printed onto the recording paper. In the thermal printer, a printing position is set just behind a clamp position at which a clamp clamps the leading end of the recording paper onto the platen drum. Therefore, the image printing can be started immediately after the clamp position passes through the thermal head, with the recording paper being in part wound around the platen drum by the thermal printer. As a result, the time taken from paper feeding to printing starting can be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing data on any specified page of a book includes a book-transporting mechanism for transporting the book to a predetermined position, while keeping a selected page of the book opened and located substantially parallel to the other pages including a specified page on which to print data. A platen roller is arranged near the other pages of the book transported to the predetermined position. The specified page is turned from the other pages of the book by a page-turning mechanism and the fore-edge portion of the specified page is guided onto the platen roller. The apparatus includes a chucking mechanism for chucking the fore-edge portion of the specified page on the platen roller, and a tension-applying mechanism for pulling the selected page away from the specified page to apply a tension on the specified page through the seam of the book. Data is printed on the specified page applied with the tension, by a printing mechanism.

Abstract: A dot-matrix impact printer includes a print head in a housing for printing a recording sheet fed around a platen. The recording sheet is pressed against the platen by a sheet presser roller. A roller cover or a flap is disclosed as a sound insulating wall closely to the sheet presser roller and has an edge held against the housing. The space above the print head is closed by the housing, the platen, the sheet presser roller, and the platen, so that the impact noise produced when the printer is in operation will not leak out of the housing, while at the same time the recording sheet fed around the platen is not blocked by the closure mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet guide apparatus for a printer comprises a printing head, a platen arranged in opposed relation to the printing head, sheet feed tractor arranged upstream of the platen in a sheet delivering direction, a plurality of guide elements arranged downstream of a delivering direction of a sheet passing between the printing head and the platen, along an axis of the platen with the guide elements spaced from a surface of the platen, wire rope and pulley system for moving the printing head axially of the platen, and control unit for controlling the wire rope and pulley system such that, after a forward end of the sheet transported by the sheet feed tractor has been abutted against sheet engaging surfaces of the respective guide elements, the printing head is reciprocated along the platen axis.

Abstract: A serial impact printer is provided for printing on a printing medium. The serial impact printer is provided with a carriage, a printing head supported on the carriage and a platen having an outer surface adjacent the printing head to define a printing region therebetween. Tension rollers having outer surfaces positioned downstream of the platen for applying tension to the printing medium. The outer surface of the platen and the outer surfaces of the tension rollers define a plane tangent to the platen and the tension rollers. Supported on the carriage is a guide member having an end portion which protrudes through the plane towards the platen. The end portion of the guide member presses the printing medium out of the plane.

Abstract: A sheet guide mechanism, for use with a printer having a printing head on a carriage that is mounted on a carriage shaft for movement in a printing direction which is transverse to a feeding direction of a printing sheet supported by a platen, includes a sheet guide movably mounted on the carriage shaft. The sheet guide moves in the printing direction along with the printing head. The sheet guide can move in unison with the printing head without interfering with the printing operation.

Abstract: Method of feeding a sheet of paper in a small-sized paper having small transport rollers mounted downstream of the print head. The feeding of the sheet is stopped temporarily when the sheet arrives at each of a number of positions located before the discharge rollers during a line feed operation. Under this interrupted condition, the print head is reciprocated once idly in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet is fed. Therefore, even if the front end portion of the sheet curls to a great extent, the curl is reduced by the idle movement of the head immediately before the front end of the sheet arrives between the discharge rollers. This ensures that the sheet is fed between the discharge rollers even if the diameter of the rollers is small.

Abstract: A media transport mechanism including a high accuracy vacuum belt used in conjunction with a pinch roller assembly. The media transport mechanism includes a vacuum belt supportably wrapped around two sprocket assemblies and a plenum and disposed in facing relation to a print head. The vacuum belt has two pinch roller assemblies disposed in spaced-apart relation across the front surface of the vacuum belt, with each pinch roller assembly including two pinch rollers which, in conjunction with the vacuum belt, grip and advance a sheet of media across the front surface of the vacuum belt during printing. The plenum provides a vacuum hold-down force for holding the media flat against the front surface of the vacuum belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing data on any specified page of a book includes a book-transporting mechanism for transporting the book to a predetermined position, while keeping a selected page of the book opened and located substantially parallel to the other pages including a specified page on which to print data. A platen roller is arranged near the other pages of the book transported to the predetermined position. The specified page is turned from the other pages of the book by a page-turning mechanism and the fore-edge portion of the specified page is guided onto the platen roller. The apparatus includes a chucking mechanism for chucking the fore-edge portion of the specified page on the platen roller, and a tension-applying mechanism for pulling the selected page away from the specified page to apply a tension on the specified page through the seam of the book. Data is printed on the specified page applied with the tension, by a printing mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image recording apparatus, comprising a conveying rotary member for conveying a sheet by rotating while contacting the sheet, an image recording device disposed in confronting relation to the conveying rotary member and adapted to record an image on the sheet conveyed by the conveying rotary member, a pressing member disposed at an upstream side of the image recording device in a sheet conveying direction and adapted to press the sheet against the conveying rotary member, a biasing device engaged by the pressing member and adapted to bias the pressing member toward the conveying rotary member, and a shifting device for shifting the biasing device to a position where the biasing device does not act on the pressing member.

Abstract: In an impact type printing apparatus, leak of impact noise to outside can be reduced by (1) arranging the print head, platen and sheet exhaust port almost in a line and (2) setting the shape of guide ribs provided at the internal surface of cover having the aperture so that the envelope of guide ribs which has come closest to the platen at the center and periphery thereof of the sheet and is gradually separated from the platen at both ends of the sheet. Moreover, the optimum exhaust port can be selected depending on the type and thickness of sheet by rotation of cover or providing the slide mechanism.

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: The elements of a printing mechanism, including a platen, print head and drive motors, are constructed and arranged to provide a clearance permitting an envelope to remain entirely in a flat condition in a plane tangent to the platen at the location of the printing line while the envelope is being printed by the print head. The housing of the printing mechanism is constructed with specially configured slots. First and second opposite end walls of the housing, and a third wall, extending from one end wall to the other, provide at least partial coverage of the print head and platen. The third wall has a slot extending from one end wall to the other, the slot being arranged to receive an envelope and to allow the envelope to be inserted in a flat condition between the print head and the platen. The end walls have parallel slots, meeting and continuous with the slot of the third wall.

Abstract: A guide mechanism for a slip paper path and for a receipt paper path. A spring plate is provided at the confluence of the paper paths to prevent the slip from entering the receipt paper path. The spring plate is engaged by the receipt to allow the receipt to be fed from the receipt paper path into the slip paper path.

Abstract: In a method for setting paper on a printer wherein a paper guide having an extending portion extending parallel to a platen is provided opposite to the platen on a printing head reciprocating in parallel with the platen, the paper guide having an opening for exposing an ink ribbon at a position opposite a nose portion of the printing head to provide for printing on a paper inserted between the printing head and the platen, the method including the steps of placing the printing head at a position where the extending portion of the paper guide faces the paper and the opening in the paper guide is displaced away from the paper, feeding the paper between the extending portion and the platen to a position where an upper side of the paper passes beyond the opening, shifting the printing head to substantially a central portion of the cut paper, and thereafter feeding the paper to a printing start position.

Abstract: A document feed device provided with a pin tractor assembly which includes a pin tractor member supporting a number of feed pins and rotated by a feed shaft, and a body member nonrotatably mounted on the tractor member. Elastically deformable projecting bar with a slit protrudes from the body member. A stationary frame member is formed with a slot extending in the axial direction of the feed shaft. An eyelet portion is formed at each end of the slot. The projecting bar elastically engages the slot, thereby preventing the body member from rotating. As the rotating bar slides within the slot, the pin tractor assembly can move along the feed shaft so that its position is adjusted according to the width of a perforated sheet of material. The assembly may be located in either of two positions, depending on the width of the sheet, as the projecting bar alternatively engages the eyelet portions of the slot. The position of the assembly is shifted by manually operating a knob formed on the body member.

Abstract: A paper circulating assembly is provided for use in a field sequential printing apparatus such as a facsimile. The facsimile includes an ink ribbon having multiple color ink segments. A piece of paper is conveyed ultimately into a printing paper path and to the ribbon and printing platen for printing. The printing platen conveys the leading edge of the printed paper to a gripping arm of the paper circulating assembly. After a predetermined time period, the leading edge of the paper rests in the gap created between the gripping arm and the gripping platen, and the gripping arm closes against the gripping platen. Thereafter, the secured leading edge is conveyed to a recirculating paper path which flows into the printing paper path, and stays in this position until the trailing edge of the printing paper is just about to enter the printing paper path. During this time, the portion of the paper which lies between the gripping arm and the printing platen gathers in a loop in a paper loop area.

Abstract: Paper bail apparatus for a printer comprising a frame mounted on a non-circular paper bail shaft of a printer and rotatably supporting a pair of rollers for contact with the platen of the printer along two separate lines of contact which are circumferentially spaced on the platen and longitudinally offset from one another. The frame is made from plastic material and the rollers are snap-fit in the frame. The frame has a projection at an inlet guide for guidable entry of the paper between the rollers and the platen.

Abstract: A paper feeding and guiding system for a printer with a flat platen has twin mating feed rollers fitted with "O" ring type friction elements cooperating with specially curved entrance and exit paper directing and guiding members which keep the paper or other record material flat against the platen face without the use of a bail or vacuum system. The axis of one feed roller is adjustable to alter the rolling radius of the "O" rings from one end of the feed rollers to the other to provide correction for skew feeding of the record material. The exit paper guide is vibration isolated from the platen bar and fitted with a noise control flap to close off the paper entrance cavity. The mechanism for disengaging the feed rollers for paper insertion is combined with a paper alignment guide which is projected into the path of the inserted paper to align the top edge for correct feeding and coincidence with the steps of a stepping motor drive which incrementally drives the feed rollers.

Abstract: A paper guiding device and operating method for use in an office writing machine, the device including a platen carried by a shaft and constituting a paper support, the platen shaft and platen being rotatable in a first direction for insertion of a paper sheet in the machine and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, a paper holding rail disposed adjacent the platen and carrying a plurality of pressure rollers which are pressed toward the platen, a rocker member supporting the rail and mounted to undergo pivotal movement about the axis of rotation of the platen shaft between a paper insertion position and a normal printing position; and a coupling member coupling the rocker member and platen such that rotation of the platen in the second direction effects pivotal movement of the rocker member into the paper insertion position for insertion of the leading edge of a paper sheet between the rollers and the platen and rotation of the platen in the first direction effects pivotal movement of the ro

Abstract: A workpiece such as a paper or a card is held in proper position in a typewriter having a paper scale for typing to the bottom of the workpiece without side slippage by the inventive workpiece holders. Each of the pair of holders mounts fixably, detachably, and slidably flush with the outer surface of the paper scale and has an inner member positioned when mounted such as to be parallel to the outer surface of the paper scale and at a suitable distance out and on each side of the workpiece for free movement of the workpiece between the member and the outer surface of the paper scale.

Abstract: A printing machine capable of printing characters on two kinds of paper sheets, long paper sheets and short paper sheets, comprises two paper holder members movably provided relative to a paper feed roller to cause the long paper sheet to be clamped between the paper holder members and the paper feed roller, and a drive mechanism for moving the paper holder members to clamp a long paper sheet between the paper holder members and the paper feed roller when a pinch roller is pivoted away from the paper feed roller by another drive mechanism in order to set a short paper sheet into a space between a platen and a printing head.

Abstract: A cut form paper transport apparatus in a belt printer includes driven exit friction rollers disposed for rolling engagement with a pressure roller pivotally supported on a pair of support arms which carry a deflector or guide plate spaced above the platen and disposed for engagement with the leading edge of a sheet of paper as it leaves the printing region for deflection of the leading edge into an exit path tangent to the platen and such that the leading edge of the sheet moves between the exit friction rollers and the pressure roller for engagement thereby when the sheet is in the exit path. Mounted on the deflector plate is a pair of adjustment rollers disposed for rolling engagement with the outer surface of the platen for adjusting the position of the deflector plate with respect to the platen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a preferably transparent removably mounted cover plate for covering the top opening or printing point area in a printer, e.g. a needle printer, which serves to reduce noise and to prevent the introduction of foreign substances and dust. Of particular advantage is the inclusion on the cover plate of paper guide elements, a switch actuating cam which acts on a switch to shut off the machine when the cover plate is removed or swung out, and a paper tear-off edge.

Abstract: A single piece paper guide device incorporating an aligning scale which is movably hinged to allow movement from a working position to a service position.

Abstract: Paper is carried on an apertured platen and is rotated past a slowly moving printing head so as to scan in a raster fashion from top to bottom and from left to right over the surface of the paper. The paper is held to the platen drum by a vacuum that is applied to the inside of the platen. A valve is located at the entrance of the vacuum system of the platen in order to rapidly dissipate the vacuum so as to release or remove the paper from the still rapidly rotating platen. To facilitate inserting and releasing paper, a shroud system is placed very close to the periphery of the drum and guides the paper during insertion to close proximity with the vacuum. An exit door is provided in the shroud at a convenient location to permit the paper to exit from the drum once the vacuum has been dissipated. The size of the drum is made such that its circumference is slightly less than the length of the paper so as to provide overlap of the top and bottom edges of the paper.

Abstract: A plurality of clamping members are disposed along a recording line against the record media, and a cable, secured at the ends thereof, is trained in a path engaged with the clamping members and with movable bearing members spaced between the clamping members. Actuation of a solenoid causes a rocker arm to pivot and through a cable tension control member carried thereby cause tightening of the cables on the clamping members and on the bearing elements thereby changing the force on the clamping members and against the record media for holding the media in precise position while recording thereon.