Abstract: An actuator mechanism for a plotter carriage adaptable for use in either a pen plotter or a pencil plotter mode in which a coupler engages both a support for a pen holder and a support for a lead holder and a motor and an actuator arm coupled to the motor are provided for driving the coupler relative to a drawing media surface. An interlock and a sensor are provided to enable the motor, actuator arm and coupler to be coupled to a pencil actuator mechanism and to determine whether the plotter carriage is being used in a pen plotter or a pencil plotter mode.

Abstract: In a pen plotter having a pen carriage exchangeably carrying a pen with a downward-facing plotting tip controlled in its movement over a plotting area by control logic and also having a multiple pen-holding rotating turret hub controlled by the control logic, this invention consists of cleaning apparatus for automatically cleaning the tip of a pen after pickup from the turret hub and prior to or just after use. There is a brush ring having upward-facing bristles concentrically carried by the turret hub and additional logic contained in the control logic for moving the pen carriage to the brush ring to place the plotting tip within the bristles prior to or just after plotting with the plotting tip and for rotating the turret hub and the brush ring in combination when the plotting tip is within the bristles whereby to clean the plotting tip with the bristles. The brush ring can be rotated bi-directionally for better cleaning if desired.

Abstract: A cutter assembly (82) for cutting web material such as paper (80) includes a circular cutter (100) having an endless peripheral blade (102) mounted on a frame (92) on which also is mounted a tension roller in the form of a pulley (94). A smaller pulley (98) is mounted on and co-axial with the circular cutter 100, and a belt (96) is trained around the pulleys (94 and 98). The portion of the belt (96) on the tension roller (94) provides an engagement surface adapted to engage the paper (80) so that movement of the cutter assembly (82) causes rotation of the tension roller (94) and thus faster rotation of the circular cutter (100). This results in efficient cutting of the paper (80) and high cut quality because the tension roller (94) prevents bunching of the paper (80) in the vicinity of the endless blade (102).

Abstract: A drive roll 14 carries a gear (60) that engages a reversing gear (58) driven by a planetary gear (56) on a pivot arm (50). The planetary gear (56) is driven by a sun gear (48) that rotates about the pivot axis of the pivot arm (50) and in turn is driven ultimately by a motor (30). A unidirectioal roller clutch (52) is connected between the pivot arm (50) and the sun gear (48) so as to permit relative rotation between the sun gear and the pivot arm in one direction but prevent it in the other direction. As a result, when the sun gear (48) is driven in one direction, it permits the pivot arm to remain in the position in which the planetary gear (56) engages the reversing gear (58). When the sun gear (48) is driven in the other direction, on the other hand, the pivot arm (50) is caused to pivot with rotation at the sun gear (48) to bring the planetary gear (56) out of engagement with the reversing gear (58).