Abstract: A platen assembly for an impact printer comprises the combination of an impact transducer between the backup plate and the type band of a printer and an impact isolator interposed between the transducer and the type band. The transducer comprises a strip of force sensitive material. The strip extends over a plurality of print positions. Electrode means in contact with the surfaces of the force sensitive material form discrete impact zones aligned with the print hammers. One of the electrode means is a continuous conductive strip on one side of the force sensitive strip. Plural conductive pads on the other side of the strip form the discrete impact zones. The continuous conductive strip is preferably on the side facing the type band and serves as the ground connection. The impact isolation means comprises plural force elements between the type band and the transducer element and preferably is part of a comb which can be conductive and provides stiffening to the force sensitive strip.

Abstract: Printer apparatus of the kind having a housing, a print zone and a serial printing device for printing along line sectors of print media that are successively advanced into and out of the print zone includes an integral subsystem for handling discrete sheets of print media. This subsystem includes (a) transport member having a peripheral surface that is movable around an endless path past a sheet ingress zone, the print zone and a sheet agress zone; (b) a drive for moving the transport member surface around the endless path; (c) a sheet supply station formed within the housing and including a device for positioning the face of a sheet-stack adjacent the path of the transport member at a position upstream of the sheet ingress zone; and (d) engagement device for effecting periodic feeding engagements between the transport means and successive face sheets of a positioned stack.

Abstract: A high-speed ink jet printing apparatus adapted for use with a plurality of insertable print/cartridges and having a platen for transporting successive line portions of a print medium through a linear print zone, includes a carriage with a plurality of nests for supporting, positioning and electrically coupling respective print/cartridges in the printer, the nests being spaced along the transverse dimension of the linear print zone in a manner dividing it into a plurality of discrete transverse subportions of equal length. A traversing device reciprocates the carriage in forward and return directions parallel to the linear print zone. The movement of the traverse is approximately equal to the length of the print zone divided by the number of nest means of the carriage.

Abstract: According to the invention, printing is formed on a front surface of a printing paper by moving a printing ribbon in opposition to a wire of a printing head, and rotating a platen so as to face a solid part disposed in the platen to the wire printing head. On the other hand, the printing is subsequently carried out on a back surface of the printing paper by moving the printing ribbon to its retreating position, and rotating the platen so as to face an ink impregnated porous substances of the platen to the wire printing head.

Abstract: Thermal transfer recording is carried out through the steps of: applying a heat or electric energy in a pattern to a peripheral surface of an ink roll having the peripheral surface composed of a heat-transferable ink, thereby to form a melted or softened pattern of the heat-transferable ink; causing the peripheral surface of the ink roll to contact a recording medium to transfer the melted or softened ink pattern onto the recording medium; and smoothing the peripheral surface of the ink roll.

Abstract: A recording apparatus and, more particularly, a so-called thermal printer employs a thermal head as a recording head. A platen roller is in pressing engagement with the recording head and recording elements pass between the two. Biasing forces exerted on opposite ends of the recording head cause it to deform slightly. To accommodate for this deformation, the diameter of the platen roller is greater in the middle than at its opposite ends. This construction assures that both the recording head and the platen roller are pressed against each other under a uniform force, so that ink density irregularity on the recording paper, creasing of the recording paper and the ink sheet, and recording density irregularity resulting therefrom can be prevented, and thus stable recording performance can be assured.

Abstract: A thermal head is pressed against a platen consisting of rubber through a recording paper or a heat sensitive paper. The thermal head is provided a head base, a glaze layer portion mounted on the head base, and a heating resistor portion provided on the glaze layer portion. An unit area surface pressure applied from the glaze layer portion of the thermal head to the recording paper or the heat sensitive paper is set to not less than 0.3 kg/mm.sup.2. A hardness of the rubber of the platen is adapted to about Hs 40.degree.-Hs 100.degree.. The high areas of the surface of the recording paper or the heat sensitive paper are flattened to increase the smoothness of the surface of the recording paper or the heat sensitive paper. A high quality printed product of the thermal transfer printer or the thermal printer can be obtained even when the relatively rough recording paper or the heat sensitive paper is used as the object paper.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for selecting characters to be recorded includes a substrate carrying an array of characters arranged on one face thereof. A character selection device moves between advanced and retracted positions along each of two axes of the array and, by means of an optical viewfinder, registers a given character with respect to the position of the selecting device. Registration openings distributed along each of the two axes cooperate with an associated detent carried by the selecting device so as to retain the selecting device in a fixed position relative to the locus of the character which has been selected. Movement of the character selection device to the locus of a given character serves to control the recording of the character selected.

Abstract: A dot matrix printer utilizes an inking roller for supplying ink to the surface of the printer platen and has guide means adjacent the platen to separate the print paper from the platen. The guide means includes an elongated slot or window for access to the platen by the print wires. The print wire support means is spring loaded in a direction toward the platen and utilizes a solenoid to move the support means away from the platen. A pair of rollers is engageable with the paper and positioned between the platen and the print element carriage to form a predetermined space between the paper and the end of the print wire when the carriage is moved toward the platen.

Abstract: In a wire-dot impact type printer a cylindrical platen and a printing paper are rotated or transported at the same rate, by connecting them to a single and common electric motor through a first and second transmission mechanisms, respectively. The first transmission mechanism directly connects the platen to the motor to cause the former to rotate together with rotation of the latter in any direction, whereas the second transmission mechanism includes a clutch composed of a first and a second members rotatable about a common center axis but separately from each other in which the first member is caused to rotate together with rotation of the motor in any direction while the second member is caused to rotate together with the first member being rotated in one direction but prevented from rotating when the first member is rotated in the other direction. In the latter case the platen is rotated for color changing operation, but the printing paper is prevented from running through the printer.

Abstract: A printing medium detecting mechanism of a printer having a plurality of printing medium traveling paths includes a detecting groove provided in a circumferential portion of a platen other than a printing region thereof, a first printing medium detecting lever disposed on one of the plurality of the traveling paths to freely fit in the detecting lever, and a medium detecting sensor provided on a printer control circuit board. The printing medium detecting mechanism further includes a second printing medium detecting lever provided on any other medium traveling path of the plurality of the medium traveling paths. The first printing medium detecting lever is adapted to be interlocked with the second printing medium detecting lever, thereby enabling to provide a simplified printing medium detecting mechanism.

Abstract: A paper feed mechanism for use in a recording apparatus includes a rotatable platen, a printing unit disposed in confronting relation to the platen and movable axially of the platen for printing the recording paper against the platen, a plurality of teeth disposed at an end of the platen and arranged circumferentially of the platen, a resilient member disposed adjacent to the teeth and having a diameter greater than that of the platen, and a paper presser roller disposed in confronting relation to the platen and movable retractably toward the platen for pressing recording paper against the platen with the teeth in biting engagement with the recording paper, the paper presser roller having a portion for pressing the recording paper against the resilient member.

Abstract: A printing color indicating member is furnished to a non-printing portion of an ink impregnated porous substance body, so that a desired printing color can be exactly designated, and the porous substance body of the desired color may be easily chosen, irrespectively of the colored outer appearance of the ink impregnated porous substance body. The color indicating member being higher in density than the ink impregnated porous substance.

Abstract: The printing mechanism of a dot matrix printer includes a platen provided on its jacket with elongated ink impregnated sintered bodies each extending over the entire length of the platen. The platen is movable in the printing direction at one side of a printing paper. A printing head moves in the same direction but at a different speed at the opposite side of the paper so that impact wires strike different points on a preselected sintered body during the printing of a line.

Abstract: A printer of the dot impact type which prints by guiding a printing paper between a printing head and a platen which is composed of a plurality of sintered bodies containing inks of different colors, and attaching the ink containing body to the printing paper, comprising a platen which changes the ink color by rotating the ink containing sintered bodies; a drive device including a one directional clutch which sends the printing paper in a normal direction by clockwise rotation of a motor, and changes the colors by counterclockwise rotation; and a switching mechanism which connects the one directional clutch to bi-directions when the printing head is moved outside on available printing scope.

Abstract: A polychrome printing platen of a printer having a platen shaft comprises an axially elongated platen body rotatably mounted on the platen shaft and having a plurality of grooves formed therein to extend in the axial direction and spaced from each other in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of permanent magnets each arranged in each of the grooves. A plurality of axially elongated elements having inks of different colors impregnated therein are attached to the platen body. Each ink impregnated element has an upper face and a lower face and has a magnetizable plate secured to the lower face thereof. All ink impregnated elements are detachably attached to the platen body by the permanent magnets which attract the magnetizable plates.

Abstract: In a printer which guides a printing paper between a printing head and a platen having ink containing bodies, and prints on said paper by pressure of the printing head; an attaching device for a platen body of the printer, wherein rotation control of the platen for changing ink color is made via a square shaft which is provided independently of a platen shaft having a rotatable, slidable plurality of bodies containing inks of different colors, and the platen is laterally moved via a supporter which slides along the square shaft, and the platen body comprising the platen and the platen shaft is structured independently of said rotation control and said lateral movement.

Abstract: A printer for producing both standard printed characters and braille characters on a recording medium comprising a platen having a cylindrical exterior recording medium surface, a braille embossing mechanism on the inside of the platen and the surface of the platen having solid and perforated regions so that on rotation of the platen the solid regions serve as a backing for standard printed characters and the perforated regions comprise holes in a 6 dot braille pattern, thereby providing for the simultaneous printing or typing of printed words and braille words. The braille characters are embossed directly below the printed characters in a one to one fashion which permits the typed correspondence to be read by the sighted and the braille embossing to be read by the blind simultaneously thereby saving time, effort and money for communicating with the blind and the sighted in the fields of entertainment, education and employment.

Abstract: A color printer, including a guide shaft, a printing head slidably mounted on the guide shaft; a control shaft having a center axis and being parallel to the guide shaft, and a platen slidably mounted on the control shaft so as to be arranged opposite to the printing head, and having a central axis oriented vertically to the control shaft and the guide shaft, and being turnable in a plane vertical to the control shaft, and rotatable around the vertically oriented central axis, the platen also having a plurality of layers respectively containing ink of different color, the layers being adjacently and coaxially arranged on the central axis of the platen so as to form an outer working surface, the outer working surface being oriented in a plane defined by a circular arc having a predetermined radius centered at the center axis of the control shaft so that any one selected layer of the plurality of layers is positionable to directly confront the printing head with a constant predetermined spacing therebetween.

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: An impact type color printer is provided a control circuit which produces a random digit signal each time the printer is connected to a power supply, according to which random digit signal a platen is rotated so that one of plural impact sections axially arranged in each ink saturated member of different color is selected at random and positioned just opposite to a printing head to be subjected to impact thereby for printing operation.

Abstract: In a wire-dot impact type printer, a single electric motor is employed for rotating a platen provided at a periphery thereof with a plurality of ink saturated members to thereby change a color to be applied to a printing paper, as well as for rotating tractors cooperated with feed rollers to thereby transport the printing paper in a predetermined direction. A transmission mechanism for transmitting rotational movement of the motor to the tractors comprises a switch disc rotated together with the motor and having a circular periphery thereof which is half toothed and half untoothed, and a clutch composed of a first rotating disc rotated due to engagement with the toothed half portion of the switch disc and a second rotating disc capable of rotating together with the first rotating disc being rotated in one direction to thereby cause the tractors to rotate for the paper feeding operation, but prevented from rotation when the first rotating unit is rotated in the opposite direction.

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 machine, particularly but not necessarily a screen-printing machine, has a rotary screen which is flexible and is liable to deformation out of its normal cylindrical shape. According to the invention an arrangement is provided which internally supports the screen against such deformation.

Abstract: A paper loading apparatus includes a paper retaining roller and a stop claw, both arranged for movement toward or away from a platen in opposite directions from each other. When the stop claw bears against the platen, paper is inserted into the apparatus and is properly held by the claw. Subsequently, the paper retaining roller is brought into abutment against the platen, whereupon the stop claw is moved away from the platen. The movement of the roller and the stop claw toward or away from the platen occurs automatically in response to a detection signal which indicates the insertion of the paper into the apparatus. In one embodiment, the platen is peripherally formed with a plurality of axially spaced annular grooves which extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof, and receive protuberances formed on the free end of the stop claw.

Abstract: A printing apparatus of the type having a printing station, a printing force exerting and resisting means, an image carrier and a font element with a raised character and a tape-ribbon cartridge therefor. The improvement of the present invention relates to an improved device for exerting a printing force and an improved tape-ribbon cartridge for supplying tape and ribbon to the printing station and for guiding and supporting the font element into printing alignment.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a printing platen for use with a hand labeler, or the like. The platen assures there will be clear imprint by the types of the printing head, with all characters having an averaged density, even if there are discrepancies in the heights and orientations among the type surfaces of the printing head of the hand labeler. The platen includes an impression plate formed from an elastic member having a rough surface, onto which a continuous strip of labels is fed and against which the type surfaces are contacted through the label strip. The impression plate roughness may comprise multiple parallel corrugations or an array of a large number of projections, e.g. a checkerboard array. These projections may have any of square, pyramid, hexagonal and semispherical cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping the acoustical impact noise traveling along a length of paper as it passes through a printer including resilient urethane foam rollers in engagement with a large proportion of the width of the paper with a pressure damping roller depressing portions of the paper deeply into engagement with the resilient roller to enable the resilient roller to damp acoustical energy traveling along the length of the paper.