Abstract: An improved printing apparatus for printing pre-selected indicia on an envelope or other documents to be placed on a transport raceway of an insertion machine.

Abstract: A printing device wherein a cut-form printing sheet and a serial-form printing sheet is selectively in use is disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic labeling machine is disclosed which includes a printing mechanism with a carriage adapted for horizontal travel across assemblies of identification devices to be imprinted. A web sensor is attached to the carriage for concurrent travel therewith. In traversing horizontally across the assembly, the web sensor provides a signal to a microprocessor which indicates the presence or absence of the assembly under the current position of the sensor. The microprocessor also receives a timing signal from the printing mechanism indicative of the position of the carriage. Based on the timing signal and the signal from the web sensor, the microprocessor measures a current width of the assembly. The assembly is especially adapted for use with the invention, and includes notched portions having a width different than the nominal assembly width, each notched portion being in a fixed relative position with respect to one of the identification devices.

Abstract: The platen (11) is mounted between two side plates (9-10) of equipment which is hinged to two risers (5-6) to rotate about an axis .gamma. running parallel to the axis of the platen. The platen is provided with a freewheel mechanism including an inner ring (28) which is connected to the platen and an outer ring (29) which is provided with a peg (31) engaged in a slot (8) in a fixed member (7). The slot is situated on the opposite side of the platen axis .DELTA. relative to the axis of rotation .gamma. and in substantially the same plane. Detector means (36-37) for detecting the presence of a document in an insertion channel (17) cause the platen to rotate in the direction in which the freewheel mechanism drives the outer ring, thereby pressing the peg against the slot and rocking the equipment about the axis .gamma. thus allowing a document to pass between the print head and the platen until it meets an abutment (14) which is moved into place by the rocking action.

Abstract: A paper reversing device comprises a paper inlet roller for moving a printing paper toward a guide plate in association with a reversing roller, and a cylindrical fur brush disposed above the guide plate for forcing the printing paper which has passed between the paper inlet roller and the reversing roller toward a paper outlet roller cooperating with the reversing roller, at least one of the paper inlet roller and the reversing roller having a collar at each end thereof for imparting rigidity to the printing paper during the period of time when the printing paper is passing between the paper inlet roller and the reversing roller.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus for a printer comprises a control means and a drive mechanism for feeding a sheet of paper to a predetermined printing position on the platen. The control means activates the drive mechanism for a predetermined period until a paper detective sensor near the platen detects a leading edge of the sheet. If the paper detective sensor detects no sheet after the predetermined period, a control means repeats the paper feed operation without requiring the operator to give a subsequent driving signal.

Abstract: A protective member in the form of an opaque brush operates as a non-reflective shield to an optical sensor while protecting such sensor against ambient light. The brush also provides for removal of contamination from the surface of the optical sensor as a slip or like document is inserted along a guide by causing the brush to swing across such surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for splicing a fresh stack of continuous pin-feed forms in a high-speed printer having fed therethrough an expended stock of continuous pin-feed forms, where the printer includes an input station at a recessed area. A slidable tray for supporting the fresh stack is pulled out of the printer, and a splicing station which is hingedly coupled to an upright wall portion attached to the tray is deployed external to the printer for splicing ease. The splicing station includes a spool of splicing tape which is disposed within a locating groove of a controlled depth, the forms being registered on locating pins on either side of the groove for accurate splicing upon pressing them centered on the tape. When the splice is complete, the spliced stack is fan-folded upon the tray, the splicing station folded back against the upright wall portion, and the tray returned within the recessed area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automatic paper edge finding and sizing in a graphics plotter system having a platen over which paper is moved longitudinally to create one axis, penholding apparatus moved transversely across the platen and the paper to create the other axis, and a controlled raising and lowering mechanism connected to the penholding apparatus for lowering a pen being held therein into contact with, for raising it from contact with the paper, and for providing a relative vertical position value signal. Vertical sensing apparatus is connected to the penholding apparatus for sensing the top surface of the platen. First logic is operably connected to the vertical sensing apparatus and to receive the vertical position value signal from the controlled raising and lowering mechanism for calculating and saving a plurality of values indicating the distance to the platen top surface at a plurality of spaced points across the platen.

Abstract: A paper detector for a printer of the type having a printer head, a platen and two paper guide paths for guiding recording paper to a position between the printer head and the platen. The paper detector comprises a reflection-type photo sensor comprised of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element for detecting the presence of recording paper inserted in one of the two guide paths. A pivotable detecting lever is pivoted by the recording paper when the recording paper is inserted in the other of the two guide paths, and the pivotal movement of the detecting lever, in turn, displaces a reflecting plate to a position covering the photo sensor so that light emitted from the light-emitting element is reflected by the reflecting plate to the light-receiving element thereby detecting the presence of paper in the other guide path.

Abstract: An off-line image fixing apparatus includes a feed sensor disposed at the center of a paper inlet for sensing the presence of a sheet of copying paper, and a controller for forwardly driving a paper conveyor, which is in a normal state continuously driven backwardly in accordance with a paper sensing signal from the feed sensor. Thus a sheet of copying paper can be inserted from only the central portion of the paper inlet, so that a sheet of copying paper inserted from the paper inlet and conveyed to the heating unit passes necessarily over a paper jam sensor disposed in the center of the conveyance passageway.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a platen, a carriage, a guide member, and a carriage drive. A printing head is mounted on the carriage. The carriage can move in the axial direction of the platen, so that the printing head can print data on a sheet of paper set on the platen. The guide member guides the sheet of paper inserted in the gap between the platen and the guide member, into the gap between the platen and the printing head. The carriage driver moves the carriage to a predetermined position within a region opposing the central portion of the platen when no sheet of paper is detected to be set on the platen.

Abstract: A paper check device for a printer including paper feed means, a light emitter, a light receiver, reflectance determination means, and paper check means. The paper check means determines that a paper is not on the platen when the platen is detected to be moving and a determined reflectance is in a preset range for a time interval longer than another preset value. The paper check device correctly detects whether the paper is on the platen even if the paper with already printed patterns of low reflectance is employed.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for changing the line of a sheet to be printed, the sheet is set in a print starting position, in which a front end of the sheet is located in front of bail rollers which feed the sheet together with a platen, and a carriage with a print head and a sheet guide is moved to a predetermined guide position in which the sheet guide is located at or near the center of width of the sheet, prior to every change of line, until the front end of the sheet is held between the bail rollers and the platen.

Abstract: A passbook printer uses a conveyor belt (16) to urge a passbook (86) towards a raised barrier (40) for the passbook (86) to strike the barrier (40) and then have one edge thereof aligned with the barrier (40) by sliding engagement with the conveyor belt (16). After alignment, the barrier (40) is lowered and the passbook (86) is advanced beneath a printhead and sensor assembly (38) which senses the orientation of the passbook (86) and prints thereon in a correct and upright manner regardless of the orientation of the passbook (86).

Abstract: A printer of the type used with typewriters and computerized equipment is provided with a system for monitoring the supply of printable media, such as paper. A first thickness measuring caliber is used to measure the thickness of the paper to be printed, and a second such caliber measures the thickness of a supply stack stored in a bin. With such information, the approximate number of sheets remaining in the stack can be determined, and the decision whether a sufficient paper supply is available to complete a printing job can be made. One or both such calibers may utilize an electrical component, such as a potentiometer, for providing an electrically measurable parameter responsive to the thickness being measured. The sheet thickness measurement signal can be used to control a motorized arrangement which controls the throat opening of the printer. In addition, this signal can be used to select one of several available platen surfaces of different hardnesses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading a web into a printer is disclosed. The apparatus has a normal mode for moving the web in normal operation and a load assist mode for operating at a slower than normal rate for loading the web into the printer. The printer comprises means for recording information on the web including a platen attached to the printer and a print head for generating characters. The print head is disposed in a predetermined spaced relationship from the platen to define a print station therebetween. A means for engaging and moving the web through the print station and signal means for generating normal and load assist mode signals are provided.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes recording means for recording information on a continuous recording medium at a recording position; means for supplying the recording medium to the recording position and delivering it from the recording position; first detecting means, arranged at a delivery side of the recording medium with respect to the recording position, for detecting the presence/absence of the recording medium; and second detecting means, arranged at a feed side of the recording medium with respect to the recording position, for detecting the presence/absence of the recording medium. The second detecting means is spaced apart from the recording position by a distance longer than a length of one page of an image to be recorded.

Abstract: A printer for performing recording successively while a recording head moves backwards and forwards in a predetermined direction with respect to a recording medium such as paper. A paper hold roller for pressing the recording medium against a platen in the vicinity of a recording area opposite to a print head is detachable from the platen in relation to the movement of a carriage for carrying the recording head. The presence and absence of paper is detected to control the paper feed. An ink ribbon is provided which has color zones and an ink absorption zone in the direction of the ribbon width for multi-color printing by shifting the ribbon in the width direction by means of the carriage movement so that a selected color zone faces the recording head. The printer further includes a ribbon cassette, means for controlling paper insertion and feeding and means for cleaning the recording head. Also included are a paper bail control, color zone selector and paper detector.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is disclosed which comprises a platen roller for feeding a cut paper sheet set on a hopper, a paper bail bar having paper bail rollers used in conjunction with the platen roller to secure the cut paper sheet against the platen roller, and a paper loading mechanism for loading the cut paper sheet by causing rotation of the platen roller at a predetermined angle. The paper loading mechanism includes a paper bail switch for checking whether the paper bail roller is in contact with the platen roller. When it is detected by the paper bail switch that the paper bail roller is released from the platen roller, the platen roller is rotated in the normal direction at a first predetermined angle. When, it is detected by the paper bail switch that the paper bail rollers are in contact with the platen roller, the platen roller is rotated in the reverse direction at a second predetermined angle.

Abstract: This invention provides an electronic scale printer, and more particularly an electronic scale printer in which a printer is connected electrically to the electronic scale used in a department store or supermarket etc., and required data are printed on a printing sheet under an instruction from the electronic scale and issued from the printer. The invention provides a printer capable of issuing both a label and a receipt through one printing means and more particularly an electronic scale printer in which either a label or a receipt corresponding to the kind of printing sheet stored in a cassette is printed and issued under proper replacement of the cassette having printing sheet for label stored therein with a cassette having a printing sheet for receipt stored therein.

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: In a paper feeding and ejecting device for a printing apparatus, a sheet of paper is fed by a paper feeding roller from the top of a stack of paper sheets in a magazine through a feeding guide to a gripping assembly on the peripheral surface of a platen which is rotated in one direction during printing and in the opposite direction during ejecting of a printed sheet through an ejecting guide to ejecting rollers. The feeding roller and the ejecting rollers are driven by a single reversible drive motor at suitable times during the operating cycle. The feeding guide and the ejecting guide are separated from each other at the platen so that the feeding of a sheet to the platen will not interfere with the ejecting of a printed sheet. At the completion of each operating cycle, the feeding roller is accurately located at a standby position without requiring the use of a control sensor therefor.

Abstract: A recorder comprises a recorder body including a case, holding means for holding continuous record paper sources such as, an elongated record form stack, and a record paper roll, guide structure for guiding a record paper taken out of the record paper source, and a record head for recording on said record paper fed through the guide structure, and a cover member for converting at least a portion of the holding means, the guide structure and the record head, the cover member being removably attached to the case. A non-continuous paper sheet, which is fed to the record head through a slot in the cover member along a feed path different from the continuous record paper, may be used in the recorder. A detector is also provided for detecting the end of the continuous record paper.

Abstract: An electronic typewriter including a memory storing therein text data which is printed as printing signals are produced. The electronic typewriter enables the operator to pass judgment as to whether printing can be performed on a portion of a sheet of paper between the last printed line and the trailing end of the sheet when the sheet of paper has been set in the typewriter in a usual manner, so that printing can be continued when it is possible to do so. When it is judged that it is impossible to continue printing due to a lack of space, printing is stopped and the existence of the condition of "paper empty" is indicated, prompting the operator to insert a new sheet of paper.

Abstract: A printer having a plurality of differently located feed paths for print material including in each instance a feed channel, has also separately positioned feeler and scanning levers projecting into the respective feed path and channel, in the case of absence of print material in the respective feed path and channel, but the respective lever is pushed out of the channel and feed path in the case of presence of the respective print material; the scanning levers and feelers are linked by a slotted cam plus pin linkage and one of the levers carries a single switch actuating element such as a projector; electric contact making and breaking switching means with three point biased and clamped tongues are actuated by said actuating element to provide a first switching state when print material and sheet stock is in one of said feed paths and channels, independently from the particular channel and feed path involved and providing a second switch state when none of said feed paths and channels includes or contains she

Abstract: There is illustrated and described a printing device having an integrated paper feeding apparatus adapted for supplying individual sheets of paper to the printing device to effect printing thereon. The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus for the present invention is particularly suitable for use in word processing systems where the information to be printed in hard copy is contained in a memory device such as a floppy disk or the like. The apparatus may be directly linked to word processing equipment to receive the text of material to be printed. In addition to having the capability of automatically feeding individual sheets of paper from one or more paper trays to the printing device, the apparatus includes an automatic envelope supply mechanism for supplying individual envelopes to the printing device, as well as a manual paper feed option. After effecting printing on the paper or envelope, an ejector mechanism ejects the printed paper from the apparatus and into a receptacle in collated form.

Abstract: An electronic printer capable of operating in a manual feed mode and being adapted to operate in two automatic feed modes, a first involving operation with a continuous sheet, tractor feed mechanism and a second involving operation with stacked sheet mechanism. Mechanical attachment of either auto feed mechanisms to the printer results in the operation of detector switches on the printer that identify the presence of an auto-feed and the type of unit being attached. The printer also has a detection mechanism to identify the presence or absence of sheets in an attached auto feed unit. The detection mechanism is generally a spring-loaded mechanical linkage between a roller and an electrical switch, when the roller is adapted to drop into a window on the surface of a sheet feed platen when no sheet is present. The printer unit detects the condition of the switches, all of which are on the printer unit, and controls its operation in response thereto.

Abstract: A paper loading system for use in a printer has a platen and a paper bail mounted with two rollers. A carriage having a projection is provided to move parallelly to the platen. At the free end of the projection, a photodetector is provided to detect an edge of a loaded paper so as to memorize the opposite ends of the loaded paper. When the paper bail is in a pressing position at which rollers are holding the paper on a path of advance of the paper, no engagement is accomplished between the projection and the rollers. But when the paper bail is in a releasing position at which rollers are separated from the path to release the paper, the projection may come into contact with rollers to change the position of rollers. Using the memorized data, the movements of the carriage and the paper bail are controlled to locate the rollers at the opposite side rims of the loaded paper.

Abstract: A printer which utilizes a charge controlled ink jet head is disclosed. A platen and its surrounding parts will be marred if the ink jet head is operated when there is no paper around the platen. Thus, the detection of a paper is of importance, and accordingly, a paper sensor is disposed near the platen. To prevent the sensor from being contaminated by the ink, the paper sensor is disposed rearward of the platen, as viewed from the ink jet head. The presence or absence of a record paper in front of the ink jet head is determined by a microprocessor which responds to a detection signal from the paper sensor and the amount of rotation which the platen has undergone since the detection of a paper by the sensor. If the printing operation is in pause over a given time interval at the end thereof or after the initiation of the projection of an ink jet, the projection of the ink jet is interrupted in order to reduce evaporation of solvent from the ink.

Abstract: A check encoder (11) for printing of full field MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) codes on checks, includes a check guide (19) and means for sensing the position of the check (25,27) in the check guide (19). A pair of fixed roller assemblies (29,31), coact with a pair of movable roller assemblies (33,35) to grip the check and move the check under the action of a stepper motor (44) to an initial known position. A hammer (87), mounted in a hammer mount (83) and activated by an electrical solenoid (91) impacts the check against successive selected characters on a font wheel (61) to print the desired MICR code. A computer program, controls the operation of the check positioning, check encoding and check moving operations. When the desired MICR code has been printed on the check, the check is moved out of the encoder (11) by means of the fixed and movable roller assemblies (29,31,33 and 35).

Abstract: A hand-held printing calculator for printing calculating results on elongated paper strips from a bundle of paper strips disposed within the calculator is provided. The calculator includes a microprinter having a paper feeding assembly including feeding elements disposed before and after the print position and in the same plane as the advancing paper for maintaining the paper flat during printing. In another embodiment of the invention, a detection sensor detects the absence of a paper strip at the print position for generating a signal for feeding the next paper strip so that paper is continuously fed to the print position.

Abstract: A printing system for printing characters in various fonts and formats onto webs of sheet stock of various sizes includes apparatus for cutting the web into various lengths to accommodate various formats as well as for providing different lengths of tags which are interposed between batches of tags to permit easy separation of the batches. A stacker is also provided which selectively stacks the tags in a shingle fashion or into piles. Circuitry is provided to detect jams in the system and to assure that the proper size web corresponding to the selected format is used. Also, the system is provided with circuitry for adjusting the line print position to compensate for positioning errors caused by mechanical tolerances in the printers.

Abstract: In a printer including a platen rotatably provided around a first axis and a plurality of recording member pressing rollers rotatably provided around a second axis parallel with the first axis in which a recording member is forwarded to a printing position around the platen faced with a printing head and is pressed on the platen by the recording member pressing rollers, a recording member pressing device comprises a memory for storing positioning information of at least one of the pressing rollers depending on the size of the recording member, a recording member size detector for detecting the size of the inputted recording member, read-out means responsive to the recording member size detector for reading out the positioning information stored in the memory, and positioning means responsive to the read-out means for slidably moving the at least one of the pressing rollers along the second axis and setting the pressing position of the at least one of the pressing rollers.

Abstract: A paper loading apparatus for a printer wherein sheets of paper are moved by a paper feeding device to a printing device to effect printing on the paper. The apparatus comprises a paper stacker for storing a stack of the sheets of paper, a feed roller engageable with the top of the paper stack and rotatable for feeding along a first paper path the individual sheets in one direction from the paper stacker toward the paper feeding device, a controller for controlling the paper feeding device such that the sheets of paper fed from the paper stacker are first moved in the above one direction into the printing device and subsequently moved in a reverse direction opposite to the above one direction, and a guiding device for guiding the sheet of paper moving in the reverse direction along a second paper path in which the sheet of paper is free from engagement with the feed roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a paper transportation device for printers, which use reel paper, having a motor-driven platen and one paper pressure roller which contacts the platen approximately at the center thereof so that it can be swung away in an elastic manner. The paper pressure roller is motor-driven such that the peripheral speed of the paper pressure roller leads the peripheral speed of the platen and by virtue of the arrangement of the paper pressure roller, the maximum possible angle of loop (.beta.) of the paper and the platen is achieved. This angle is delimited by the paper pressure roller and by a paper guidance channel which is aligned to lead tangentially away from the platen. The paper guidance channel is preceded by a device which produces a bias between the paper and the platen.

Abstract: A paper feed apparatus for line printer means for the transport of single-ply and multi-ply paper contains a paper levelling gap in the ingress region of the paper guidance channel. The paper levelling gap consists of a stationary part and of a slide capable of excursion relative to said stationary part, with said slide communicating with a sensing means. Given transgression of a prescribed slot width due to buckling of the multi-ply paper, the paper feed is interrupted via the sensing means and a warning light is actuated.

Abstract: A printer includes a carriage supporting a printing mechanism, a platen for carrying printing paper, a detector for detecting presence of the printing paper on the platen, a device for determining margin and/or tabulator positions in relation to an end of the platen, a central processing unit for determining the distance between the end of the platen and the printing paper in response to the detector to convert the margin and/or tabulator positions into positions determined from the edge of the paper and to control the printing mechanism in response to thus converted positions, and a memory for storing signals representing the margin and/or tabulator positions.

Abstract: In order to control the movement of a label web to be imprinted past the printing head of a thermal printer, or the like, the label web carries optically detectable marks at predetermined intervals therealong. The label web is comprised of label pieces adhesively secured to an underlying supporting web. An optical sensor for detecting the marks on the label web is disposed on a label holding member which is hinged to a supporting base, so that the label web is fed past the supporting base and is pressed thereagainst by the label holding member. Holes located on the supporting base at opposite sides of the label web help remove any adhesive material that is emitted from the sides of the label web. The support base has guiding lands for guiding the movement of the label web. The operation of the printer and of the label feed device is controlled by the optically sensed marks on the web.

Abstract: A device for monitoring paper feed movement in typewriters, printers or other paper-feeding apparatus, e.g. photocopiers wherein paper sheets inserted between a rotatable platen and pressure rollers are driven incident to rotation of the platen. A signal generator has a driving roll of the same size as the pressure rollers and axially aligned therewith which is prevented from being driven by the platen by the interposition of a narrow stationary belt positioned between the platen and drive roller adjacent one end of the platen. When paper is inserted a side edge passes between the belt and the drive roll and movement of the paper incident to platen rotation drives the drive roll of the pulse generator which monitors paper movement. If there is no paper movement due to paper jams or the end of a paper sheet is reached this condition is detected by the absence of pulses at the output of the pulse generator. The absence of pulse sequences serve to shut down the machine.

Abstract: An electronically controlled mailing machine is provided which includes a housing having a slot into which an envelope may be inserted, a platen movably connected to said housing, a print head overhanging said platen, and structure for moving the platen into engagement with an envelope inserted into the slot for urging the envelope into imprinting engagement with the print head. In addition there is provided a computer, for controlling the platen moving means, and switching apparatus including a member movably connected to the housing and extending into said slot for movement by an envelope inserted into the slot. The switching apparatus includes an optical sensing device mounted within the housing and electrically connected to the computer. The sensing device is responsive to movement of the member for signalling the computer. And the computer is responsive to the signalling for causing the platen moving structure to move the platen.

Abstract: A compact, modular, electronic measuring unit (10) constructed for enclosure within a small, portable housing (12) having a removable front wall (40) to provide access to the enclosure (28) formed within the housing (12). A measuring and indicator circuit card (60) is mounted within the enclosure (28) adjacent the front wall (40) while a power circuit card (58) is mounted within the enclosure adjacent the rear wall (22) thereof. Manual control units (44, 52, 54) are mounted on the front wall (40) of the housing (12) and are removable therewith.A moving dot matrix printer (56) is mounted within the housing (12) and is connected to receive data from the measuring and indicator circuit (60).

Abstract: Printing apparatus in which the print head and ribbon cartridge assembly of the printing apparatus provides for tilting movement of the print head and ribbon cartridge into an inoperative position tilted away from the platen, with the ribbon cartridge in an extended tilted position for removal and replacement of the rotary disk print wheel, free from interference from either the platen or the ribbon cartridge without removing the ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with improved bottom-edge margin indicators for typewriter paper and the like using an optical sensor-monitor wherein spurious effects of the edge of the paper exiting from the bottom margin sensor region and pre-printed material thereon are obviated, and in which the sensor-monitor of the bottom edge of the paper is preferably carried by the platen shield itself in manner that is particularly advantageous for optical sensing of the paper, with the sensor maintained in extremely closed proximity to the paper irrespective of its thickness, and adapted for simple and ready adjustment, if desired, to vary the margin setting.

Abstract: A compact, modular, electronic measuring unit (10) constructed for enclosure within a small, portable housing (12) having a removable front wall (40) to provide access to the enclosure (28) formed within the housing (12). A measuring and indicator circuit card (60) is mounted within the enclosure (28) adjacent the front wall (40) while a power circuit card (58) is mounted within the enclosure adjacent the rear wall (22) thereof. Manual control units (44, 52, 54) are mounted on the front wall (40) of the housing (12) and are removable therewith.A moving dot matrix printer (56) is mounted within the housing (12) and is connected to receive data from the measuring and indicator circuit (60).

Abstract: Printing apparatus, having a rotatable platen with a printing element in front of it and a reversible platen drive for rotating the platen counterclockwise or clockwise relative to the printing element, is operable to feed, from an upper hopper extending upwardly and rearwardly from the bottom of the platen, an unprinted sheet to the bottom of the platen and forwardly and upwardly to the front of the platen into printing position. A selector switch may be provided for selecting the direction of rotation of the platen after completion of printing so that its rotation counterclockwise moves the printed sheet upwardly and rearwardly toward the upper hopper and its rotation clockwise moves the printed sheet downwardly for sequential stacking in the lower hopper to collate successive printed sheets in their order of printing.

Abstract: A one-arm sensing lever having a sensing cam and carrying a permanent magnet faces a spring-biased, two-arm rocking lever across the paper-feed path of a printer; in the absence of paper, the cam drops into the feed path and the magnet is now capable of attracting one arm of the rocking lever so that its other arm operates a switch.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the recording paper is transported by at least one drive capstan driven by a motor across a writing surface at which a fluid writer is disposed for writing. The object of the disclosure is to create a paper transport system which always avoids unnecessary contaminations due to writing fluid with certainty. This object is achieved in that the motor-driven drive capstan has a no-load indicator allocated to it which identifies no-load operation of the drive capstan and generates a shut-down signal for the fluid jet writer.

Abstract: A paper gauge for use with a shorthand machine to determine the quantity of paper remaining in the shorthand machine. A scale arm weighs the paper tape in the machine and the gauge is calibrated by weight to give the shorthand machine operator a reading in terms of the number of folds left in the paper strip. The displacement of the scale arm is proportional to the weight of the paper tape and movement of the paper gauge indicating means is proportional to displacement of the scale arm. Accurate readings are facilitated by the use of a hinged tray plate to hold the paper tape in correct position on the scale arm. An "L"-shaped end portion of the tray plate in hinged engagement with the base portion of the tray plate successfully prevents the used portion of the paper tape from urging against the remaining supply and thereby causing an inaccurate reading.

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.