Abstract: An automatic take-up device for automatically rolling and taking up a continuous sheet of paper on which transaction results are printed. The automatic take-up device comprises a take-up spool having a first flange member, a second flange member, and a take-up shaft for coupling the first and second flange members together. The automatic take-up device also includes a housing having a first wall and a second wall, each having a slot therein to enable the take-up spool to be detachably mounted in the housing. A guide module is coupled to the housing and guides the continuous sheet of paper around the take-up spool as the continuous sheet of paper is guided to and is caused to be wrapped around the take-up spool.

Abstract: A stamp mechanism for printing a message on a receipt or like record media issued from a business machine. The stamp mechanism includes a stud with a spring-loaded washer thereon. The stud extends through an opening in a stamp holder and supports a spherically-shaped skirt that mates with a recess in the stamp holder. The washer includes downwardly extending tongues that engage with slots in the stamp holder and which arrangement maintains the stamp in a parallel position relative to the platen.

Abstract: A dot matrix printer has two print head carriages, supported in parallel, and two print heads for printing a receipt and a journal in a tandem printing station arrangement. A drive cam with a rail on the periphery thereof is coupled to both carriages to drive the carriages in opposite directions upon rotation of the drive cam. The movement of one carriage acts as a balance to movement of the other carriage and thereby eliminates or substantially reduces vibration during printing operation.

Abstract: A guide mechanism for a slip paper path and for a receipt paper path. A spring plate is provided at the confluence of the paper paths to prevent the slip from entering the receipt paper path. The spring plate is engaged by the receipt to allow the receipt to be fed from the receipt paper path into the slip paper path.

Abstract: A receipt cutting mechanism includes a round knife or blade which is positively and rotatably driven and which engages with a fixed knife edge as the round knife travels across the printer on a driven carriage. The positive drive includes a gear cluster arrangement operated by a toothed belt which is stretched across the printer. The round knife is maintained in engagement with the fixed knife edge by means of a torsion spring tending to rotate the knife and its support in one direction.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for automatically starting the winding of a web or strip of paper material onto a rotating take-up spool. Triangular-shaped guide members projecting from opposing sides of the take-up spool guide the free end of the moving web to a position between oppositely-aligned guide members and the hub of the take-up spool allowing the free end of the web to be gripped by other guide members positioned downstream of the engaged guide members for winding the web onto the hub of the take-up spool. The oppositely-aligned guide members have a web supporting surface which is inclined towards the hub and are spaced slightly less than the width of the web allowing the free end of the web to slide to a position beneath the guide members in which the web is gripped by adjacent guide members as the spool rotates resulting in the web being wound onto the spool.