Abstract: The present invention features an apparatus for a journal-receipt printing machine. The apparatus semi-automatically loads the journal paper onto the take-up spool. The machine also has a drop-in, loading capability for the journal-paper supply-roll. The journal-printing apparatus utilizes a duckbill, take-up core or spool that is bifurcated into stationary and movable sections. The bifurcated spool is spring-loaded, and is caused to bias-close through the movement on the cam surface. The leader of the journal paper is placed over the stationary section of the spool. The gear train causes the cam follower to turn over the cam surface and close. The gear train then forces the duckbill spool shut against its biasing, thus capturing the paper between the spool sections. In this fashion, the procedure of resupplying the machine with journal paper is accomplished without the user having to thread paper.

Abstract: The present invention features a receipt printing and check validating machine. The machine is characterized by a drop-in loading for the receipt paper supply roll. A first drive roller for the receipt printer is pivotably mounted in a clamshell bucket. The first drive roller is swung into contact, when the clamshell bucket is closed, with an idler roller centrally mounted on a fixedly-mounted idler/drive combination shaft. The check validating drive features a second, slip drive roller pair that is in pivotable contact with a pair of slip drive rollers mounted on the aforementioned fixedly-mounted idler/drive combination shaft, one on either side of the receipt idler roller. Thus, the idler/drive combination roller shaft has a fixed position with respect to both drive rollers, and is used cooperatively by both drive rollers. Both the check and the receipt can emerge from the same slot in the housing of the machine.

Abstract: A journal printing apparatus is disclosed for a journal receipt printing machine. The apparatus semi-automatically loads the journal paper onto the take-up spool. The machine is also characterized by drop-in loading for the journal paper supply roll. The journal printing apparatus utilizes a duckbill take-up core or spool that is bifurcated into stationary and movable sections. The bifurcated spool is spring loaded, and is caused to bias closed by movement of a cam. The leader of the journal paper is placed over the stationary section of the spool and a gear train causes the cam to rotate again. The gear train then forces the duckbill spool shut against its biasing, thus capturing the paper between the spool sections. In this fashion, the procedure of journal paper resupply is accomplished without the user having to thread paper.

Abstract: The aligner mechanism comprises first and second control sleeves keyed to end portions of a shaft. First and second levers are pivotally mounted on the shaft adjacent to the first and second control sleeves for movement between first and second positions. A pinch roller is rotatably mounted on the levers opposite a drive roller. The aligner mechanism also includes an aligner bar having a first leg portion and a second leg portion secured to the first and second control sleeves respectively, and an engaging portion joining the first and second leg portions. The first lever has a projection cooperating with a control member on the first control sleeve and the second lever has a projection cooperating with a control member on the second control sleeve so as to provide lost motion coupling to pivotally move the first and second levers from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: An optical sensing member for reading a coded member having parallel aligned tracks of data and clocking coded symbols which includes a pair of sensing apertures offset to enable the sensing of the data track to occur out of phase with the sensing of the clocking track. The sensing member includes a housing having a sensing surface in which the offset apertures are located, a light source, a pair of photo-transistors for sensing the tracks of coded symbols and optical fibers for transmitting light from the light source to the tracks of coded symbols and the reflected light to the photo-transistors for the reading of the coded members.

Abstract: A transition code processing system which includes a record member on which is located a plurality of bar code symbols, each of which comprises a data channel and a clocking channel. The record member is inserted into a data terminal device and intermittently driven through a printing station in which a sensing member senses the data channel out of phase with the sensing of the clocking channel and generates signals in response thereto. A circuit coupled to the sensing member will process the generated signals and transmit the processed signals to a utilization device. Upon processing the signals representing the last bar code symbol on the record member, the circuit will generate a control signal for stopping the movement of the record member through the printing station, thereby conditioning the record member for a subsequent printing operation.