Abstract: An improved print medium driving mechanism for a line or serial printer adapted for advancing either individual cut sheets or a continuous web having regularly spaced perforations preformed along its edges. The driving mechanism operates in either a friction drive mode or a spur drive mode. In friction drive mode, print medium inserted into the mechanism, is guided to a driven friction feed roller. The medium is then clamped between the feed roller and a plurality of pressure rollers. Driven by the feed roller, the medium is advanced and guided around that roller and then between immediately adjacent surfaces of a printhead and a platen. If cut sheets are being driven, they are inserted between lateral guides adjusted to the width of the sheet. Such sheets, after being advanced past the platen, contact a deflector surface of a cover which guides them into a second clamping, driven engagement in a friction feed assembly.

Abstract: A web drive mechanism to advance the print medium of a line or serial printer apparatus including a first stationary guide track for guiding the print medium along a defined path intermediate a medium supply position and a printing position, a platen about the printing position for receiving the medium, at least one rotor drive member having a rotor positioned adjacent to the guide track along the defined path intermediate the supply position and the platen with the outer peripheral surface of the rotor being adjacent to at least a portion of the arcuate path of the guide track to permit the print medium to travel intermediate the guide track and the rotor, the rotor drive member including a first medium gate for urging the print medium in engagement with the peripheral surface of the rotor as the medium advances intermediate the supply position and the platen, and a second medium gate for holding the print medium as it advances intermediate the platen and a medium take-up position, and a drive means engaging

Abstract: A print head carriage assembly for a serial printer apparatus, the carriage including a platform having two parallel channels extending laterally through the frame member for receiving self-aligning bearings and carriage guide rails; a central seat within the platform for seating the housing of a matrix print head with the longitudinal dimension of the print head oriented normal to the longitudinal axes of the channels, locking means for securing the matrix print head in place about said central seat with the neck of the head extending substantially normal to the axes of the channels, manifold adjustment means for adjusting the position of the head within the seat relative to the axes of the channels; and means for engaging the platform to a drive means for driving said platform laterally along said guide rails.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding marginally punched record material comprises a main support member, and a plurality of drive pins mounted to the main support member for movement along a predefined path past a first location at which record material is inserted into the apparatus. Means included on the main support member adjacent the first location facilitates the buckling of record material inserted into the apparatus in a direction away from the pins during movement of the pins along the predefined path when there is no initial engagement of a pin with a marginal opening of the record material. When a pin thereafter moves into substantial registration with a marginal opening of the record material, the natural bias of the buckled portion of the record material in the direction of the pins will return it to a substantially unbuckled state to thereby engage the pin with the opening.

Abstract: A carriage assembly for transporting a print member along a predetermined path adjacent a support member comprises a first carriage section adapted to be mounted adjacent the support member for movement along the predetermined path, apparatus for mounting a print member to the first carriage section for movement between first and second positions relative to the support member, and apparatus coupled to the mounting apparatus for retaining a print member mounted to the frame in each of its first and second positions. The retaining apparatus includes a biasing member for biasing the print member in a direction opposite its second position when at its first position and in a direction opposite its first position when at its second position. The biasing member preferably includes an over-center tensioned spring coupled between the first carriage section and the mounting apparatus.

Abstract: A hammer assembly comprising a housing having opposing open ends and an internal passage extending between the open ends. A hammer element is positioned in the housing for reciprocal movement in the passage between first and second positions. The hammer element has an opening formed therein in which a biasing member is positioned. When enabled, the biasing member is capable of biasing the hammer element in a desired direction relative to the first and second positions. Means are also included for enabling the biasing member when the hammer element is in at least its first position. The housing is desirably fabricated of a self-lubricating material with the area of the opening at one of its ends substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of the hammer element, taken along a plane perpendicular to the axis of motion of the hammer element at such one end in order for air to be freely vented from the passage during reciprocal movement of the hammer assembly.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge comprising a housing, a supply reel containing a supply of ribbon wound thereon, a take-up reel, means for rotatably mounting the supply reel at a first location in the housing, means for rotatably mounting the take-up reel at a second location in the housing, the second location being spaced both vertically and horizontally from the first location, and means for transferring ribbon along a predetermined path from the supply reel onto the take-up reel.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a carriage about an elongate shaft for linear movement of the carriage along the shaft. The apparatus comprises an elongate tubular housing to which a carriage may be mounted, the housing having opposing normally open ends, a pair of linear bearings mounted in the housing in spaced apart relation adjacent respective opposing ends thereof, the bearings having aligned openings for receiving an elongate shaft in contacting relatively movable relation, and means included in the housing for lubricating the bearings during movement of the housing along an elongate shaft disposed therethrough.