Abstract: In preceding vehicle following control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a vehicular velocity controller includes a target inter-vehicle distance calculating section that calculates a target inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle to a preceding vehicle detected by an inter-vehicle distance sensor on the basis of a vehicular velocity detected by a vehicular velocity detector and an inter-vehicle distance detected by an inter-vehicle distance detector, a first vehicular velocity controlling section that performs a vehicular velocity control to bring the detected inter-vehicle distance substantially coincident with the target inter-vehicle distance, and a vehicular deceleration stopping section that performs a vehicular deceleration control to stop the vehicle in accordance with the inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle to the preceding vehicle immediately before a time point at which the inter-vehicle distance detector which trapped the presence of the preceding vehicle has not detected the pre

Abstract: An automatic paper feeder comprises: a pick roller for picking out paper accommodated in a paper cassette; a separation roller to which a torque limiter is connected, and which separates the paper picked out by the pick roller to feed the paper one sheet at a time; means for moving the separation roller into contact with or away from the pick roller; a lifter for lifting the paper accommodated in the paper cassette to cause the paper to be moved into contact with or away from the pick roller; and means for driving the lifter. The means for moving the separation roller into contact with or away from the pick roller and the means for driving the lifter are realized by a single driving means.

Abstract: A paper feeder comprises a tray having a stage on which papers to be fed are stacked, driving means for driving a platen, transmitting means for transmitting a motive power of the driving means to position the stage at predetermined position for paper feeding operation, and paper feeding means having a roller for feeding the uppermost one of the papers stacked on the stage when the uppermost paper positioned to contact with the feeding roller at the predetermined position by the motive power. It is advantageous that the paper feeder can be made economical and compact since there is no need to provide an exclusive motive power source having a speed reducer. Furthermore, a contact pressure between the paper feeding roller and the paper is stabilized to enhance the accuracy of the paper feeding.

Abstract: A paper clamping mechanism for clamping a sheet of printing paper on a drum-shaped platen of a printer is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a clamp member radially slidably mounted at its legs to the end surfaces of the platen, and a lever pivotted to the frame of the printer. The clamp member comprises a pressor which opposes an axial recess on the peripheral surface of the platen; the front end portion of a sheet of paper is held between the pressor and the recess during the printing operation, the clamp member being urged toward the axis of the platen by a spring. The clamp member further comprises an axially extending pin formed on a leg thereof. The lever is urged by a spring to a position at which it is stopped by a pin formed on the frame of the printer. An arm of the lever comes into contact with the pin on the leg of the clamp member when the clamp member is rotated with the platen.