Abstract: The present invention is an improved inked ribbon advance and reverse mechanism for use in a multiple print station printing apparatus. The improved inked ribbon advance and reverse mechanism includes a first ribbon spool and a second ribbon spool onto and from which an inked ribbon is wound and unwound, respectively. The improved inked ribbon advance and reverse mechanism also includes a first ratchet wheel and a second ratchet wheel which are axially aligned and fixedly coupled to the first ribbon spool and the second ribbon spool, respectively, so that they rotate together. The second ratchet wheel is disposed in a vertical plane which is parallel with the axis of the rotative drive shaft of the printing apparatus and substantially orthogonal to the plane in which the first ratchet wheel is disposed, and is adjacent, but not contiguous, to the first ratchet wheel.

Abstract: The present invention is a rotatable print head in combination with a multiple print station printing apparatus which includes a movable carrier to which the rotatable carrier is pivotally coupled by an axial rod so that the rotatable print head may rotate substantially an angle of 90.degree., a frame and a driving mechanism which is mechanically coupled to the frame and which drives the movable carrier laterally across the frame in a direction, which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable print head.

Abstract: The present invention is an inked ribbon advancement mechanism which is used in combination with a printer having a movable print head. The printer includes a frame and a print head mechanically coupled to the frame so that it travels laterally along the front of the frame. The inked ribbon advancement mechanism includes an apparatus for continuously advancing an increment of inked ribbon in response to the position of the print head. The apparatus includes a device for positioning the increment of inked ribbon adjacent to the print head and a slidable member which is slidably coupled to the print head in parallel juxtaposition so that the slidable member can move differentially in response to the print head. The apparatus also includes a cam for continuously displacing the slidable member in response to the movement of the print head.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved media advancement mechanism for use in combination with a printer that includes a frame, a print head mechanically coupled to the frame and a platen mechanically coupled to the frame so that a print media may pass between it and the print head. The printer also includes a pair of sprockets which are adapted to support the print media and which are mechanically coupled to the frame by a sprocket shaft. The improved media advancement mechanism includes a ratchet wheel which is mechanically coupled to the sprocket shaft in order to provide rotational motion thereto in response to an electrical signal from the printer thereby moving the print media incrementally. The improved media advancement mechanism also includes an adjustment plate pivotally coupled to a sidewall of the frame and a restraining device for restraining the adjustment plate from its pivotal motion.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved pawl for use in combination with an inked ribbon advance and reverse mechanism which includes a plate member, a pair of ribbon spools which are disposed on the surface of the plate member and are mechanically coupled thereto so that they can rotate bidirectionally, a pair of ratchet wheels, each having teeth disposed in an opposite direction and each being mechanically coupled to one of the pair of ribbon spools, and a mounting device for mechanically coupling the improved pawl to the plate member. The improved pawl includes an elongated member having a pair of ends, each end having a plurality of teeth which are disposed along the surface of the elongated member that mechanically engages one of the ratchet wheels. The elongated member is pivotally coupled to the mounting device which includes a pivot pin which mechanically couples the elongated member to the mounting device by means of a pair of springs.

Abstract: The present invention is a guide for use in combination with a printer which includes a frame and a print head that is mechanically coupled to the frame and that is adapted to travel laterally along the front of the frame. The printer also includes a platen which is mechanically coupled to the frame and which is disposed so that a print medium may travel between the platen and the print head, and a pair of sprockets, each of which has a cylindrical sidewall on which the print medium travels. Each of the sprockets has a disc-shaped hub and is axially coupled to the frame. The media guide includes a pair of integral members each of which is disposed adjacent to one of the sprockets so that the print medium is disposed between the cylindrical sidewall of the sprocket and has a first portion which is mechanically coupled to the disc-shaped hub of the sprocket adjacent to a second portion of the integral member so that each of the sprockets may rotate independently of each of the integral members.

Abstract: A serial impact printer of the type utilizing a dot matrix print head is specifically adaptable for use as a calculator or adding machine and is characterized by utilizing a common drive source to advance the print head across the paper, advance the paper between printing operations, and selectively advance the print ribbon between the ribbon supply spool and takeup spool. An improved paper-advancing means has been devised which operates in close correlation with the print head drive member to provide a relatively high speed, simplified and inexpensive printer unit; and the ribbon supply spools are so constructed and arranged as to be interchangeable and to permit direct drive through a spool-engaging member on the print head whereby to advance the ribbon in direct response to print head travel.

Abstract: A matrix printer which is specifically adaptable for printing and the like is characterized by having a stationary print head containing a plurality of print wires which are arranged in a single row extending transversely of the direction of travel of a relatively heavy paper stock. The paper is advanced at a substantially constant rate of speed along the guide path and signals are generated in response to that advancement to activate selected ones of the print wires in the row so as to form dot-like impressions in the paper, line-by-line, as it is advanced past the print head. The density or spacing of the wires coupled with the printing speed is such that designs, alphanumeric characters, together with coded information, may be impressed upon the paper as it is continuously advanced past the print head, the code providing a means of verification of the information printed as well as to signal the end of the printing operation for each ticket.

Abstract: In a print head assembly for calculators and the like, the print head is reversibly driven in a print and return direction transversely of the direction of advancement of the recording medium by a drum segment having a cam drive in the form of an endless helical groove which extends along a cylindrical surface of revolution between opposite ends of a drive axle mounted in driving relation to the print head so that rotation of the drum will impart translational movement to the print head through a suitable drive member engaged by the helical groove at a preselected rate of speed both in the print and return direction.

Abstract: A lightweight, extremely compact printer apparatus has a constant speed drive which imparts reversible, translatory motion to a print head; and as the print head is advanced with respect to a platen imparts a direct mechanical drive to a paper advancing roller in order to advance paper from a feed roll line by line between printing operations. In turn, advancement of the paper or other recording medium from the paper roll drives a print ribbon supply holder to advance a print ribbon across the platen in front of the paper. The power requirements and size of the apparatus are substantially reduced to the extent that the apparatus is of a size corresponding to hand held calculator printers, since the movement of each element is utilized to drive another element successively from the print head carrier, paper advancement roller, paper roll to the print ribbon in close correlation to one another during each print cycle.

Abstract: A serial impact printer of the type utilizing a dot matrix print head is specifically adaptable for use as a calculator or adding machine and is characterized by utilizing a common drive source to advance the print head across the paper, advance the paper between printing operations, and selectively advance the print ribbon between the ribbon supply spool and takeup spool. An improved paper-advancing means has been devised which operates in close correlation with the print head drive member to provide a relatively high speed, simplified and inexpensive printer unit; and the ribbon supply spools are so constructed and arranged as to be interchangeable and to permit direct drive through a spool-engaging member on the print head whereby to advance the ribbon in direct response to print head travel.

Abstract: A serial printer is provided with a multi-position flexible membrane printing element with columns and rows of print characters disposed coplanarly in spaced apart relationship therein, the flexible printing element being differentially positionable along an X and a Y axis to bring selected print characters into printing alignment with an actuatable hammer, the differential positioning of the printing element being effectuated by a rotatable crank and quadrilateral linkage means in association with a pair of position sectors and a pair of spur gears coupled to the quadrilateral linkage, the pair of position sectors being variably positionable by a first and second plurality of actuatable sector limit stops.

Abstract: A wire matrix print head for a dot matrix printer employs a plurality of electromagnetically actuated print wires converging forwardly through a wire guide member for termination at their leading ends in confronting and adjacent relation to the print medium. The trailing ends of the print wires are mounted within electromagnetic actuators for movement in a lengthwise direction to cause their leadings ends to be driven into the print medium to form a series of even impressions or dots thereon, the print wires being displaced at equal included angles between adjacent print wires. The wires diverge in different directions along equal radii of curvature preferably corresponding to their elastic curves from their leadings ends toward the trailing ends whereby to minimize frictional surface engagement in supporting the wires for movement into the print medium under an equal degree of force to assure uniform impressions or dots in forming each character or symbol.

Abstract: A serial impact printer of the type utilizing a dot matrix print head is specifically adaptable for use as a calculator or adding machine and is characterized by utilizing a common drive source to advance the print head across the paper, advance the paper between printing operations, and selectively advance the print ribbon between the ribbon supply spool and takeup spool. An improved paper-advancing means has been devised which operates in close correlation with the print head drive member to provide a relatively high speed, simplified and inexpensive printer unit; and the ribbon supply spools are so constructed and arranged as to be interchangeable and to permit direct drive through a spool-engaging member on the print head whereby to advance the ribbon in direct response to print head travel.