Abstract: A lead loader mechanism for a pencil plotter in which a lead stocker contains a plurality of leads for use in a pencil plotter, at least one lead actuator mechanism is coupled to the lead stocker and is adapted to release the leads, and a support is provided for holding at least one lead holder and for engaging the lead actuator mechanism to release the leads into the lead holder. In a particular embodiment, the lead stocker has at least one lead storage chamber therein and the lead actuator mechanism is mounted on the lead stocker below the lead storage chamber and is adapted to be changed from a first condition in which the leads are prevented from leaving the lead storage chamber to a second condition in which the leads are free to leave the lead storage chamber, and the support is adapted to cause the lead actuator mechanism to change from the first condition to the second condition.

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: This is an apparatus and associated method for rolling large pieces of a flexible media such as completed plots produced by a plotting pen plotter. The rolling mechanism is placed adjacent an exit of the pen plotter to received ejected media pieces therein. Upon detecting the leading edge of a media piece while in an open position, the mechanism closes to form a guide slot to a cylindrical rolling chamber. The media piece is then urged along the guide slot and into the rolling chamber where it is rolled by a drive roller. Upon detecting the trailing edge of the media piece, the mechanism opens allowing the rolled media piece to fall into a receiving bin. The stationary portion and the rotating portion are formed of a plurality of slats having low contact area edges disposed for media pieces to move along whereby the media pieces move along a low friction path.