Abstract: The printer comprises an entrance, a printing station, a collection tray for the printed sheets and temporary storage mechanisms on which a printed sheet is placed immediately after printing. These mechanisms comprise pivotingly mounted shutters, opening and closing of which is commanded by a slide comprising two rails cooperating with levers integral with the shafts of the shutters. The slide can be made temporarily integral with the printing carriage by means of a selection pin, the cams of which cooperate with two fixed abutments. The carriage thus performs selection and driving of the temporary storage mechanisms, which are easy to build and operate precisely at a low cost price.

Abstract: A dot-matrix line printer includes a printing shuttle which moves reciprocally to carry out a printing operation, and a balancing shuttle which moves in a direction opposite to the direction of the movement of the printing shuttle. The balancing shuttle is partly inserted in the printing shuttle so as not to interfere with the latter upon printing and so that the center of gravity of the balancing shuttle is located as close to the center of gravity of the printing shuttle as possible.

Abstract: In a serial printer a pinion and a rack for lateral movement of a carriage, a dislodging member with edges proximate to the rack is provided to remove any chads or other foreign matters that may be attached to the rack, as they approach the pinion with the lateral movement of the carriage. The chads or other foreign matters are prevented from being caught between the pinion and the rack, and noises and increase in the torque due to the rolling in is prevented.

Abstract: The present patent discloses a method and apparatus for improving communication between print drivers and a host computer. The disclosed method simplifies and standardizes the output data format of the host computer. The disclosed printer processing electronics are placed on a moving "smart" printer carriage in close proximity with the print drivers. The simplification of the host computer output, and the positioning of processing electronics speeds up printing of documents and eliminates the need for substantial intermediate processing electronics between the host computer and the printer carriage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carriage shifting apparatus comprising a drive source, a suspension member suspended to transmit a driving force of the drive source, a carriage connected to the suspension member and reciprocally shiftable by the driving force of the drive source, a tension applying means for applying a tension force to the suspension member, and a weight body attached to the tension applying means via a viscoelastic member.

Abstract: A small-sized printer includes a printing section equipped with a shuttle head in which impact-type printing units are arranged in juxtaposition in a sub-scanning direction, a cylindrical cam for reciprocating the shuttle head in the sub-scanning direction, and paper feeding rollers for feeding a standard sheet in a main scanning direction; an input device for inputting information; a display device for displaying information; a RAM for storing information; and a CPU for controlling the printing section, the input section, the display device and the RAM and performing calculation on information. The printing section and the paper feeding rollers are provided in a body case in such a way as to be exposed where they are opposed to a case cover, which has a flat platen and spring members at positions opposed to the printing section, and ribs adapted to come into contact with the standard sheet and serving as a positioning device and as a sliding guide.

Abstract: A cordless printer head, for example of a bubble-jet or ink-jet printer, is provided with memory to allow it to store data to be printed and a control device for driving the printer head. This avoids the need for a continous data transmission to the printer head requiring a costly cable and associated space and other problems. Instead data to be printed can be downloaded to the printer head at intervals by a data transfer device provided at the end of the movement of the printer head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carriage driving device in which a rack 8 with high rigidity and gear teeth 8a at one side elongated therethrough is fixed on a bottom frame 7c in a frame 7 of a printer 1 so that the rack 8 is arranged parallel with a platen 5, and both a pinion 16 meshed with the gear teeth 8a of the rack 8 and a driving motor 15 for rotating the pinion 16 are arranged on a plate 18 which is rotatably supported around a support shaft 17 in a horizontal direction on the carriage 2. The pinion 16 is biased by a spring 22 so as to constantly mesh with the gear teeth 8a of the rack 8. In the carriage 2, a first contact member 10 slidably contacting on the upper surface of the rack 8 and a second contact member 11 slidably contacting to the side of the rack 8 opposite to the side where the gear teeth 8a are formed, are arranged so that a predetermined positional relationship of the carriage 2 against the platen 5 is maintained.

Abstract: A serial printer is disclosed in which a serial printer body is connected to a carriage via a cable. The carriage is driven by electric power supplied through the cable, and signals are also transmitted between the serial printer body and the carriage through the cable. The cable comprises a sheet-like substrate and a plurality of conductive strips which are formed on the sheet-like substrate and which extend in a longitudinal direction of the sheet-like substrate. The plurality of conductive strips includes at least one wide conductive strip for supplying the electric power and at least one narrow conductive strip for transmitting the signals. The wide and narrow conductive strips are arranged such that noise created by the electric power supplied by the wide conductive strip does not interfere with the signals transmitted in the narrow conductive strip.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a card transport mechanism for printing on a card-like medium. A slider is provided having a card stop against which one edge of the card stops and a holding mechanism holds the card to the slider. A guide frame is further provided having at least one guide portion engaged with the slider for moving the slider parallel to the guide frame. A motor and transmission mechanism moves the slider, whereon a card-like medium is held by the holding mechanism, along the guide member for printing.

Abstract: A sheet transport for transporting sheets across a surface which includes an elongated member supported for transverse movement across the surface. The transport further includes a fibrous material which comprises a base substrate portion carried by the member and a plurality of fibers extending from the base substrate so that the extending fibers form a sheet engaging area with the surface. Apparatus for moving the member across the surface is also provided so that a sheet in the sheet engaging area is translated in a process direction across the surface when the member is translated.

Abstract: A xerographic serial printer includes a sheet feeding mechanism for feeding a recording sheet, a xerographic recording head for recording a toner image on a recording sheet, a carriage disposed below a sheet path for carrying the xerographic recording head such that the xerographic recording head records the image on a lower major surface of the recording sheet, a carriage actuation mechanism for driving the carriage along a recording sheet in a horizontal direction such that the xerographic recording head scans the lower major surface in the horizontal direction, a platen plate disposed above the recording sheet feed path in engagement with an upper major surface of the recording sheet, for causing a transfer of the toner image to the lower major surface of the recording sheet, and a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the lower major surface of the recording sheet by heating the toner image on the recording sheet.

Abstract: A mounting bed integral with a hammer bank is disposed parallel to a counter balancer composed of a counter balancer constituting member and a yoke. The mounting bed and the yoke are provided with solenoid coils opposed to a permanent magnet provided on the frame, and a pair of bearings are arranged between the mounting bed and the counter balancer constituting member. A position sensor for the mounting bed and the counter balancer is provided. A controller is provided to control a current and direction of the solenoid coil by a detection signal from the position sensor. The mounting bed integral with the hammer bank and the counter balancer are shuttle-operated in opposite directions by the controller.

Abstract: A printing machine wherein printing onto a substrate is effected by a first movement of a print head (1) downwardly into contact with the substrate and then by a second movement over the surface of the substrate while thermal printing elements within the print head (1) are selectively energized. The first movement is controlled by downward movement of a pair of rollers (6,7) operated by synchronized angular movement of a pair of eccentric shafts (8,9) one of which is freely mounted within each roller (6,7). The first and second movements are driven by a first and second stepper motor respectively. The rollers may be coupled by drive belts (4,5).

Abstract: A movement distance monitoring pulse counter counts drive pulses being applied to a carriage-moving pulse motor, and produces a count value M. An optical sensor attached to a head carriage detects slits of a slit encoder passed by the head carriage. A slit counter counts output pulses of the optical sensor, and produces a reset signal every time the count reaches a preset number of output pulses corresponding to a monitoring carriage movement distance. The count value M is reset in response to the reset signal. When the count value M exceeds a preset number of drive pulses corresponding to the monitoring carriage movement distance, an abnormality detection signal is produced.

Abstract: A serial printer comprises a printing head, a carrier for carrying the printing head, a platen, and a pair of guide members extending in parallel with the platen for supporting the carrier in a movable manner. An openable member is attached openably to the casing of the printer and supporting one of the guide members. Engaging receivers are formed in the carrier for allowing the one guide member to engage therewith and disengage therefrom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the one guide member. Engaging brackets may be mounted on the printing head for coming into and out of engagement with one of the guide members at a right angle with respect to the extending direction of the one guide member. Moving members may be supported movably in the casing of the printer for supporting the one guide member, when moved, to bring the one guide member into and out of an engagement with the engaging brackets.

Abstract: A position detecting apparatus comprises a motion detecting section for generating a pulse when a carriage passes each of coordinate points set in a reciprocal movement span thereof at a predetermined pitch, and a counting section for storing position data representing an initial position of the carriage in advance, incrementing the position data in response to a pulse which is generated by the motion detecting section when the carriage is moved in the forward direction, and decrementing the position data in response to a pulse which is generated by the motion detecting section when the carriage is moved in the backward direction.

Abstract: A sheet guide apparatus for a printer comprises a printing head, a platen arranged in opposed relation to the printing head, sheet feed tractor arranged upstream of the platen in a sheet delivering direction, a plurality of guide elements arranged downstream of a delivering direction of a sheet passing between the printing head and the platen, along an axis of the platen with the guide elements spaced from a surface of the platen, wire rope and pulley system for moving the printing head axially of the platen, and control unit for controlling the wire rope and pulley system such that, after a forward end of the sheet transported by the sheet feed tractor has been abutted against sheet engaging surfaces of the respective guide elements, the printing head is reciprocated along the platen axis.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for effecting recording on a recording medium includes a recording head, a reversible motor, a force transmitting pulley for transmitting the drive force of the motor, a timing belt having a toothed portion engageable with teeth of the force transmitting pulley to receive the transmission of the force in order to move the recording head and an untoothed portion for idly rotating the pulley, and a controller for controlling the motor. The toothed portion of the belt includes two teeth at opposite ends of the untoothed portion, one of which is formed into such a shape that it is difficult for a tooth of the pulley to run thereon.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording data on a recording medium including a recording device capable of moving along a passage through which a recording medium passes and recording data on the recording medium; a conveyance device for conveying the recording medium; a moving device for moving the recording device along the conveyance passage; a driving source; a first transmission device for transmitting the power from the driving source to the conveyance device; a second transmission device for transmitting the power from the driving source to the moving device; and a switch for selectively connecting the first transmission device and the drive source while maintaining the connection between the driving source and the second transmission device.

Abstract: A paper width of a sheet of paper is input into a paper width setting section. In case of defining a non-print area at a fore end of the paper, a paper bail roller is manually separated from a platen to output a detection signal A from a paper bail switch. In this case, a paper feeding motor is controlled to be driven by a control device, thereby feeding the paper until the fore end of the paper reaches the paper bail roller. On the other hand, in case of starting printing from the fore end of the paper, an operating section is operated to output a command signal B therefrom.

Abstract: The invention provides the user with the capability of viewing a form positioned in a printer associated with a computer, a keyboard and a monitor. The printer has a camera and a lens positioned thereon, the camera including an image sensing array for providing video signals corresponding to images sensed on the form. The computer processes the video signals to display images sensed on various portions of the form. The user responds by entering via a keyboard data corresponding to the various portions of the form displayed. During the first use of a form, the computer memorizes the portions of the form for which data are entered and on which data are to be printed. For subsequent uses of the form the corresponding data are entered via the keyboard, and the printer automatically fills in the form.

Abstract: In the determination of the length of a sheet that has been inserted in a printer, an optical sensor scans the length of the sheet as it is fed into the printer, and a counter is controlled to provide a count corresponding to the length of the sheet. When the sensor encounters a mark on the sheet, such as a line, it provides an output indicating that the sheet is not present. This erroneous output is corrected by moving the sensor laterally of the sheet to a position displaced from the mark to enable further sensing of the presence of the sheet in a region that does not include the mark.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a platen on which a printing medium is set, a carriage which is movable along the platen and having a guide for guiding the printing medium to the platen and a printing head for making a print on the printing medium which is set on the platen, a first motor for moving the carriage along the platen, a second motor for feeding the printing medium, and a controller for controlling the first motor so that the carriage is moved to a first position until a tip end of the printing medium passes between the printing head and the platen and the carriage is moved to a second position after the tip end of the printing medium passes between the printing head and the platen, where the first and second positions are mutually different positions.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium repeatedly includes a plurality of recording heads each capable of conducting recording on the recording medium, a carriage incorporating the plurality of recording heads, a motor for generating a driving force, and a driving force transmission device for transmitting the driving force from the motor to the carriage to move the carriage in a predetermined direction. The spacings between the plurality of recording heads are made substantially equal to either the distance through which the plurality of recording heads are moved in one transmission period of the driving force transmission device or an integral multiple of that distance.

Abstract: A printing head drive circuit of a printer is mounted on the side of a carriage having a printing head attached thereto for a allowing said carriage to act as a heat sink. Hereby, no particular cooling means (heat sink, cooling fan and the like) is required for printing head drive elements. In addition, a controller and heat generating parts can be completely separated. Thus, it can be anticipated to reduce the number of parts and the cost required for assembling the whole structure as well as to improve reliability of the printing head drive circuit.

Abstract: A serial printer includes: a carrier mounted with a printing head; a display means movable with the carrier; a stationary panel having indicating windows arranged so that the display means is recognizable through the specific indicating window when the carrier comes to a predetermined position; a carrying means for carrying the carrier; a printing mode storage means for storing printing modes; an operating switch for selecting the printing modes; and a printing mode setting means for permitting the carrying means to move the carrier and changing the printing mode of the printing mode storage means according to the position of the carrier.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for effecting recording on a recording medium has a recording head for effecting recording on the recording medium, a reversible motor, a force transmitting device for transmitting the drive force of the motor, a belt having both an engagement portion engageable with the force transmitting device to receive the transmission of the force in order to move the recording head, and an area in which the engagement portion is not provided, and a control unit for controlling the motor so that the motor is rotated in a reverse direction and thereafter rotated in a forward direction when the engagement portion of the belt is brought into engagement with the force transmitting device.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium includes a feed roller for feeding a recording medium, a recording head reciprocally movable along a feed path of the recording medium conveyed by the feed roller, the recording head being arranged to perform recording on the recording medium, a motor rotatable in a forward and a reverse direction, a first driving force transmitting unit for driving the feed roller upon rotation of the motor, and a second driving force transmitting unit capable of not receiving the driving force when the driving force is transmitted from the motor to the first driving force transmitting unit. The second driving force transmitting unit is arranged to reciprocate the recording head upon reversible rotation of the motor. A particularly configured drive belt with toothed and non-toothed portions accomplishes this operation.

Abstract: In a printer, a drive motor, a drive roller arranged on the shaft of the motor, a reversal roller in spaced relation to the drive roller, and an elongated drive belt trained about the drive and reversal rollers form a tensioning device, the belt being fastened at its ends to a print-head carriage for selectively displacing the carriage in the forward and reverse directions along and relative to a printable substrate support roller or base. The reversal roller is carried in a carrier housing which movably and cooperatively engages a spring-loaded tensioning wedge for maintaining the elongated drive belt in a predetermined tensioned or stretched relation.

Abstract: The subject invention is an optical sensor detection system for a serial printer useful for the determination of alignment and misalignment of images on a sheet of print media and the correction of misalignment. The present invention includes a photoelectric sensor mounted on the carriage of a serial type printer to locate various indicator markings.In operation the sensor detects the position of a midpoint indicator when the carriage travels from right to left, and then from left to right. The positional information is then compared with the assumed mid-carriage position of the print head based upon the time of travel, that is, the predicted position of the sensor assuming no flex in the support members of the print head and no stretch of the belt driving the print head.

Abstract: In a dot matrix type printer, a method of printing wherein successive lines are printed using a first and second plurality of print wires to print a first line in left to right and a second in right to left printing that is done in two passes over each line. When high-quality printing is required, all print wires are used in both passes with the print head being repositioned, at the start point of the first line by a feed direction adjustment to center the print wires between the previously printed dots, prior to the second pass over the two lines. The result is high-quality printed characters. In normal print, the odd print wires comprise the first plurality of print wires used in the first pass and the even print wire comprise the second plurality used in the second pass over the two lines.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for driving a platen and carriage of a printing machine comprises a motor with a motor gear, a platen drive gear and a carriage drive gear, characterized in that the motor gear may be only selectively engaged with one of the platen drive gear or carriage drive gear according to whether the platen or carriage should be moved. Thus, the number of the components relating to the device for driving the platen and carriage is considerably reduced, thus simplifying the construction so as to achieve an economical advantage.

Abstract: The drive includes a cable attached to opposite sides of the print head carrying carriage, looping on one side in several loops around a drive drum, and on the other side around a deflection pulley. The deflection pulley is mounted on a spring-biased pivot lever to tension the cable in an adjustable manner. The drum is connected to the drive motor in a compact fashion by means of a belt drive.

Abstract: A print head mounting mechanism for a printer is disclosed by which positioning of a print head in the forward and backward directions, leftward and rightward directions, and upward and downward directions with respect to a carrier can be achieved readily. The mounting mechanism includes a print head mounting plate secured in an integrated relationship to the carrier and having a predetermined thickness. The print head mounting plate has a U-shaped recess having a predetermined width and a predetermined depth. A mounting section for fitting in the U-shaped recess is provided on the print head. The print head is mounted on the carrier in an accurately positioned condition by fitting the print head mounting section into the U-shaped recess and urging the print head in the rearward direction and also in the downward direction by a wire spring.

Abstract: In a printer with reciprocating carriage, a motor mounted on the carriage is used for up-down motion of the recording head, reciprocating motion of the carriage and sheet feeding motion so that the printer can be made compact and less expensive. The carriage engages with the sheet driving mechanism when it is positioned at the left end position to advance the recording sheet.

Abstract: A printer in which a single pinch roller serves the dual function of a pinch roller cooperating with the drive roller to feed paper to the printing zone, and a carriage guide to guide movement of the printhead carriage. This roller automatically properly references the printhead to the printing surface, regardless of paper thickness. The printhead carriage, which is pivotally mounted to a carriage guide rod, rests in contact with and rides along the roller. Preferably, the center of gravity of the printhead carriage is spaced from the carriage guide rod and is disposed above the pinch roller, and the pinch roller is spaced from the carriage guide rod, so that the printhead carriage is preloaded into continual contact with the carriage guide rod. The carriage guide rod may be disposed either on the same side of the printhead carriage as the pinch roller, or on the opposite side of the carriage from the pinch roller.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a platen on which a printing medium is set, a carriage which is movable along the platen and having a guide for guiding the printing medium to the platen and a printing head for making a print on the printing medium which is set on the platen, a first motor for moving the carriage along the platen, a second motor for feeding the printing medium, and a controller for controlling the first motor so that the carriage is moved to a first position until a tip end of the printing medium passes between the printing head and the platen and the carriage is moved to a second position after the tip end of the printing medium passes between the printing head and the platen, where the first and second positions are mutually different positions.

Abstract: A printing head drive circuit of a printer is mounted on the side of a carriage having a printing head attached thereto for a allowing said carriage to act as a heat sink. Hereby, no particular cooling means (heat sink, cooling fan and the like) is required for printing head drive elements. In addition, a controller and heat generating parts can be completely separated. Thus, it can be anticipated to reduce the number of parts and the cost required for assembling the whole structure as well as to improve reliability of the printing head drive circuit.

Abstract: A serial printer includes a print head movable along a print line of a recording sheet. A flexible carrier cable is attached to the print head for supplying a drive signal thereto. One end of the carrier cable is fixed to the movable print head, but its longitudinally intermediate portion is free, and bent to form a C-shape which follows the movement of the print head. The carrier cable includes a magnetic material, and a magnetic plate is provided at a position opposing the lower part of the C-shaped carrier cable to attract and hold the lower part of the carrier cable, whereby the vibration caused in the carrier cable by the movement of the print head is reduced.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet feed control method for feeding sheets at a predetermined pitch to the printing section of a printing machine that comprises a sheet feeding roller and a pair of small rollers provided one upstream and the other down stream and pressed against the outer periphery of said sheet feeding roller to sequentially catch and convey sheets, said sheet feed roller being rotated by means of a transmission gear mechanism driven by a source of driving force, said control method being characterized by that it is so designed as to be capable of calculating the time when the rear edge of a sheet passes between said sheet feed roller and said upstream small roller and offsetting or compensating for the preceding backlash of said transmission gear mechanism by modifying said pitch when the rear edge of said sheet passes between said sheet feed roller and said upstream small roller by an amount that corresponds to the amount of the backlash.

Abstract: A device for connecting a toothed timing belt to a printhead carriage includes an arcuate member and a pair of posts extending downwardly from the carriage. The arcuate member includes a generally concave surface and a generally convex surface which is complementary to the toothed configuration of the timing belt. The posts are provided with angled surfaces located adjacent to the convex surface of the arcuate member to define passageways into which the belt is placed. Ledges at the lower ends of the posts prevent unintended slippage of the belt from the device when the belt is not under tension.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus for drawing up documents. The apparatus includes an indicator for indicating registration of information, a keyboard for entering indicia and print pitch information, a memory including a first area for storing keyboard information, a second area for storing entered print pitch information, and a third area for storing registration information according to an indication by the indicator. The apparatus further includes a controller for, in response to the registration indication, storing the indicia information stored in the first area and the pitch information stored in the second area in the third area.

Abstract: A printer carriage is carried by the guide bars of a printing unit with the help of busings and is moved along the guide bars by means of a traction mechanism. The traction mechanism is attached to the printer carriage and/or the bearing elements, in such a way that a compensating torque is exerted on the printer carriage or the bearing elements. The compensating torque counterbalances the torque generated during reversal of movement so that the carriage does not rock when it reaches an endpoint of its travel.

Abstract: A printer including a stepper motor for moving a carriage, a detector for detecting arrival of the carriage at a detection point within a range of the carriage movement, a stop for determining one end of the carriage movement range, and a first setting device operable upon power application to the printer, for activating the motor to move the carriage toward the stop until the carriage arrives at the detection point, and further activating the carriage in the same direction by a predetermined number of steps from the detection point such that the motor is activated without displacement thereof with the carriage held in abutment on the stop for at least the last one step, whereby a zero point of the carriage is established for the first time after the power application.

Abstract: In a thermal printer, a driving apparatus moves a thermal head both longitudinally of and perpendicularly toward and away from a platen. A racing or idle rotating of gears is utilized in a driving mechanism for reciprocatingly moving a carriage carrying the head. Further, sector gears are used in a loading mechanism for moving the head toward and away from the platen. By combining these two unique structures, the rotational force of a drive motor is converted into the driving force to move the head toward and away from the platen when the carriage is switched between its forward movement and its backward movement. The result is that the carriage driving mechanism and the head load mechanism are operated by the common drive motor.

Abstract: Belt tensioning apparatus for a serial printer wherein a spring imparts a predetermined pull to driving belt by applying a predetermined force to a slide on which a belt return idle pulley is mounted, and wherein a slide is offset from a working point and in the direction opposite to the force exerted by the spring by an amount controlled by a stop pad, preferably resilient and position adjustable, or automatically changeable in position owing to belt elongations occurring during operation.

Abstract: An improved carriage moving mechanism on a frame for a typewriter of printer.(a) The carriage is movably mounted on a guide rail for longitudinal movement on the frame;(b) The traveling motor is fixedly mounted on the carriage including a pinion attached to a rotary shaft of the motor;(c) The rack is attached to the frame extending longitudinally substantially in parallel to the guide rail;(d) The rack is rigid longitudinally thereof and is flexible in a flex direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the rack including a tooth side adapted to engage with said pinion, the surface of the rack including the line of teeth and its surface opposite the pinion being substantially parallel to the guide rail; and(e) A spring loaded slider assembly is mounted as a part of the carriage and is adapted to make continuous sliding contact with the surface of the rack in opposition to the tooth surface of the rack in the area of the pinion rotation.

Abstract: A print apparatus is provided to perform in a Character-By-Character mode, a print operation or a function processing operation depending upon whether or not the pressed key is a character key. On the other hand, in a Line-By-Line mode, when the pressed key is not a carriage shift key, a character storing operation or a function processing operation including a print operation is performed depending upon whether or not the pressed key is a character key. In the Line-By-Line mode, when no character is keyed in, a carriage shift operation is performed, thereby allowing the positions of tabs/margins and the position at which print starts to be changed.

Abstract: A printer comprising a frame, a platen for supporting printing paper, a carriage reciprocally movable along said platen and having a print head mounted thereon defining a print point, paper feed rollers for feeding said printing paper through said printing point, at least one back-up roller disposed at an upstream side of said printing point and rotationally abutted against one of said paper feed rollers, at least one discharge roller disposed at a downstream side of said printing point and movable toward and away from another of said paper feed rollers, and a discharge roller driver for moving said discharge roller toward and away from said roller, said discharge roller driver moving said at least one discharge roller toward said roller for nipping said printing paper therebetween prior to the release of a tail edge of said printing paper from between said at least one back-up roller and said paper feeder, a link disposed in parallel with said platen and having a first end portion and a second end portion, e