Abstract: A self-threading and feeding arrangement for a printer including a drop-in supply station, a printing station and a take-up station. A pay-out roller is journaled across the bottom arcuate wall of the supply station for supporting a web of print receiving media placed therein. A take-up spool includes a retainer for interengaging with a lead of the media web to positively draw the web around the rotated spool. The take-up station also includes a slot-like exit guide chute that has a contoured tip for cooperating with the retainer on the take-up spool, during loading of a new roll, to place the web lead into engagement with the retainer. A drive roller, and preferably the pay-out roller, are driven by a first stepping motor, and the take-up spool is driven by a separately actuable second stepping motor.

Abstract: A mechanism for compensating for different thicknesses of record media at a printing station utilizes a platen assembly which is coupled with a pivotable arm structure to move the platen assembly toward and away from the print head. The pivotable arm structure is swung in an eccentric manner relative to the center of the platen assembly to move the platen in a linear path to accommodate the record media.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is disclosed in which a platen is mounted on a forms compensation device which is pivotally mounted so as to enable record media of varying thicknesses to be placed between the platen and associated printing elements to enable printing thereon. The forms compensation device is held in printing position by latch elements thereon which cooperate with complementary elements on the printer frame. The latch elements are associated with oppositely acting axially positioned armatures of a single-coil solenoid mounted on the forms compensation device, so that the solenoid is energized only when it is desired to move the latch elements out of engagement with the complementary elements on the printer frame, to enable the forms compensation device to be moved to a remote non-printing position in which record media may readily be inserted between the platen and the associated printing elements.

Abstract: A mechanical damper system for use in a multiple wire, dot matrix print head to dampen the motion of each print wire actuator when such actuator returns from the printing position to the non-printing or home position. A single injection-molded plastic piece includes a plurality of plunger backstops arranged in a circle and spring-hinged for impact against a rubber damper by the respective print wire actuators.

Abstract: Paper or like record media from a supply roll is driven past a printing station and is rewound on a rotatable core member which is movable away from a drive roller against the bias of a pair of springs. The roller drives the core member through engagement with the record media thereon, the core not being independently driven, so that the increase in diametric size of the record media on the core member has no effect on the index length or linear motion of such media throughout the overall driving thereof.