Abstract: A noise-reducing platen comprising a circular cylinder, a hub disposed along the longitudinal axis of and within the cylinder, and walls for dividing the annular region between the cylinder and the hub into a plurality of separated longitudinal channels extending the length of the cylinder. The walls include a plurality of vanes disposed at angular intervals about the hub, each vane extending (a) from the hub to the inner surface of the cylinder and (b) along the length of the cylinder, each pair of adjacent vanes defining one of the longitudinal channels. It is believed that the vibrations generated along the longitudinal channels are at a frequency above the audible range, thereby resulting in reduced undesired noise when printing elements strike the platen.

Abstract: A high speed printer has multiple paths to accommodate cut paper sheets, manually fed paper and continuous forms for supply to a cylindrical platen such that the printer can be utilized with various types and sizes of paper. The printer includes a bail mechanism operable to capture the cut paper sheets and the manually fed sheets and to be moved to a displaced position when the printer is used for continuous forms.