Abstract: The printer has a frame (7), a movable carriage (1) on which can be plugged in at least two types of printing heads (2) and a maintenance station (6). This latter comprises a plate support (16) on which is secured at least two covers arranged in a direction perpendicular to the translation of the carriage (1). The plate support (16) is connected by a first pair of flat springs (17) to an intermediate plate (18) which is itself connected by a second pair of flat springs (19) to the frame (17) of the printer. This arrangement permits, with a single support driven by the advance of the carriage, effecting on the one hand the selection movement of the cover (2) to be applied and on the other hand the application movement of the selected cover against the plugged-in printer head. There is thus provided a very simple construction, with a low cost of production and operation.

Abstract: The feed device comprises a supply chamber (6) with a forward wall (9) having an inclined plane (45) provided with retaining elements for the stack of sheets contained in the supply chamber in the form of strips of cut pile fabric (48) whose fibers retain the sheets by their forward edge. A drive shaft (23) carries drive rolls (20) comprising a sector (100) with high coefficient of friction to drive the top sheet from the stack and a sector (101) with low coefficient of friction permitting sliding of the sheet during an alignment phase of the sheet. The drive shaft (23) is actuated by a drive mechanism (50) comprising a clutch with a toothed pinion (62) having two discontinuities defining rest and stop positions of alignment coacting with a clutch and retaining lever (66) controlled by reverse rotation of the drive motor (58) of the printer. An advancing mechanism (54) permits effecting engagement of the toothed pinion (62) with an intermediate pinion (61) upon a clutch control.

Abstract: The introduction device includes a supply tray (6) with a front wall (9), in which a pile of sheets (14) is biased towards driving rollers (17) by the action of a support plate (12) and a spring (16). The front wall (9) is provided with an extension (30) of which one portion forms a fixed sloping plane (31) provided with three openings (34). Three leaf springs (35) are fastened on one side of the supply tray and have at their other end a curved part (36)engaged into the openings (34). These springs (35) form with the sloping plane (31) a retaining member (40) of which the slope is variable depending on the rigidity of the sheets or envelopes to be introduced, the slope being small in the case of thin sheets and greater in the case of rigid sheets or envelopes, thus ensuring a sheet by sheet introduction which is reliable.

Abstract: The device includes an introduction channel (51) into which the sheets are stacked on a support (52). During the selection of the top sheet (53a), urging members (66) urge the sheets (53) against driving rollers (11) which convey the top sheet until its front edge comes in contact with a fixed alignment stop (67). After the alignment of the sheet, deflector elements (68) bring the front edge to the driving rollers (11) in such a manner that the sheet comes in contact with the periphery of these rollers (11) to be driven until it faces the printing head. A selection and a conveying of the sheets are thus achieved which are reliable, as well as an accurate alignment, while reducing the space needed for the device.