Abstract: In a method for operating a system with drives, which are mechanically coupled to one another, and with a higher-level computer, which is connected to the drives with the aid of a data-bus connection, and a system, a respective actual torque value is determined in each drive and transmitted to the higher-level computer, in particular using a data-bus connection. The higher-level computer determines for each drive a setpoint torque value allocated to this drive, the higher-level computer has controllers, and one of the controllers is allocated, in particular biuniquely, to each drive. The controller allocated to the respective drive controls the actual torque value of the respective drive to the setpoint torque value of the respective drive by determining a setpoint speed value allocated to the respective drive as the control value and transmits it to the respective drive, in particular with the aid of a data-bus connection.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a roll spindle comprises two roll supports and a differential.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having shorter length in the longitudinal direction and a dust-protecting feature is disclosed. The printer includes a main frame, a subframe assembly, first and second pulse motors each have a reduction gear drive mechanism, a thermal head, a platen roller, a rotary blade, and a stationary blade. The first motor for driving the platen roller and the second motor for driving the rotary blade are disposed between two side plates provided one on each end of the main frame. The reduction gear drive mechanisms are substantially sealed and disposed inside the corresponding side plates. Two pulleys and a timing belt are provided outside each of the side plates.

Abstract: There is provide a printer having a rotational driving mechanism in which a print sheet can be fed in both of forward and reverse directions and a platen can be securely supported without dropping off from a head holder. The printer contains a head unit 4, a platen 20 that is freely rotatably mounted on the head unit 4 to support a print sheet and feed a print sheet through rotation, and a print head 53 for performing print on the print sheet supported by the platen 20. The head unit 4 has support grooves 10 for supporting the rotational shaft 21 of the platen 20, and a rotational driving mechanism 30 having plural gears for transmitting the rotational driving force of a driving motor 40 to a platen-side gear 22. The rotational driving mechanism 30 contains a gear 33 at the end side and two planetary gears 36 and 37.

Abstract: To provide a gear unit apparatus for a printer in which the assembling characteristics and maintenance workability of driving sections for transferring a printing paper to be printed can be improved, and particularly assembling, replacement and maintenance work can be easily performed on a platen roller and a transfer roller. The present invention focuses on unitizing a group of belts and a group of gears independently of a printer main body, and is configured such that a unit bracket that is detachable to a printer bracket is provided independently of the printer bracket, a drive motor, the belt group and the gear group are assembled to the unit bracket, and, when the unit bracket is attached to the printer bracket, a platen roller gear of a platen roller and a transfer roller gear of a transfer roller can be engaged with each other.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a driving wheel, a clutch unit, and a plurality of roller units. The clutch unit is disposed in a housing unit, and includes a first wheel driven by the driving wheel, a second wheel for driving the roller units, a resilient member interposed between the first and second wheels for biasing the second wheel to move away from the first wheel, and a driving rod. The driving rod is movable between a connecting position whereat the second wheel engages the first wheel so as to allow for transfer of rotation between the first and second wheels, and a disconnecting position whereat the second wheel is disengaged from the first wheel so as to prevent transfer of rotation between the first and second wheels.

Abstract: A driving apparatus of a multi-function machine includes a scanner unit scanning data recorded on a sheet of document and a document transport part to transport the sheet of document. A printer unit prints data on a sheet of paper for an output and includes a carrier including a print head with an ink jet nozzle mounted thereon to carry out the printing operation by moving the print head. The driving apparatus includes a driving motor, a scanner driving part driving the scanner unit, a printer driving part driving the printer unit, and a power switching part disposed with the driving motor, the scanner driving part, and the printer driving part. The power switching part selectively transmits a power of the driving motor to at least one of the scanner driving part and the printer driving part.

Abstract: An electrostatic marking system is provided having a power source(s) in each of its processing stations. A specialized power source is made up of two stepper motors in operative connection to a planetary gearset. This gearset is comprised of a sun gear, a set of planet gears supported by a carrier, and a ring gear. This power source provides a continuously variable gear ratio between each stepper motor and its load.

Abstract: This image generating apparatus is so formed that load torque in a direction for increasing the inner diameter of a coil portion is applied to a torque generation spring member of a take-up portion when an ink sheet is taken up while rotational motion of a gear portion is prevented from transmission to a take-up reel if load torque exceeding a prescribed level is applied to the take-up reel.

Abstract: A driving apparatus of a multi-function machine includes a scanner unit scanning data recorded on a sheet of document and a document transport part to transport the sheet of document. A printer unit prints data on a sheet of paper for an output and includes a carrier including a print head with an ink jet nozzle mounted thereon to carry out the printing operation by moving the print head. The driving apparatus includes a driving motor, a scanner driving part driving the scanner unit, a printer driving part driving the printer unit, and a power switching part disposed with the driving motor, the scanner driving part, and the printer driving part. The power switching part selectively transmits a power of the driving motor to at least one of the scanner driving part and the printer driving part.

Abstract: A recording member feeding device feeds a recording member such as a sheet in an image recording apparatus such as a copying machine. The recording member feeding device has a feeding rotary unit, a driving unit for driving the feeding rotary unit, and a driving power transmitting unit for transmitting he power of the driving unit to the feeding rotary unit. The recording member feeding device further has a rotation detecting unit for detecting the number of rotations of a rotary part in the rotary driving unit or in the driving power transmitting unit. The feeding rotary unit feeds the recording member by a length which is determined by the number of complete rotations detected by the rotation detecting units.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer for ink-jet printing onto a print media. The printer has an ink-jet cartridge for ejecting ink onto a print medium during printing operations. A rotating drum platen holds a print medium on an outer surface thereof, the drum platen having an interior volume defined therein and an end wall extending transversely to the outer surface. A carriage holds the cartridge in a closely arranged position relative to the external surface of the drum. A drum drive apparatus rotates the drum to move the print medium in relation to the printhead of the cartridge. The printer further has a printer controller mounted in a fixed position relative to a printer chassis, and an electronic circuit disposed in the interior volume of the drum platen. A data communication link passes data between the printer controller and the electronic circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet comprising a convey member for applying a conveying force to a sheet, a drive source for driving the convey member, and a drive transmitting means for transmitting a drive force from a first drive transmitting member attached to the drive source to a second drive transmitting member attached to the convey member through one or more speed reduction members stepwisely. Among the first drive transmitting member, second drive transmitting member and speed reduction members, manufacturing accuracy of the speed reduction member disposed at a front stage of the second drive transmitting member is greater than manufacturing accuracies of the other members.

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 Lo 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 an apparatus (1) having a roller (14) for driving a record carrier (5), and having a motor (21) which is switchable between a first direction of rotation (22) and a second direction of rotation (23), by means of which in its first direction of rotation (22) the roller (14) is drivable to drive a record carrier (5), and having a printing device (32) which extends parallel to the roller (14), at least one shaft section (16, 17) connected to the roller (14) forms part of drive means (47, 48) for driving at least one actuating device (45, 46) for moving the printing device (32) away from the roller (14), the drive means (47, 48) further comprising a unidirectional coupling (49, 50) arranged adjacent the actuating device (45, 46) and drivable via the shaft section (16, 17), which coupling forms a drive transmission between the shaft section (16, 17) ) and the actuating device (45, 46) in the second direction of rotation (23) of the motor (21).

Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a lever including a spring member supported by the lever and frame of the printer and an actuation portion for rotating the lever by pressing and displacing an intermediate portion of the spring member. The printer may include a feed-in roller for feeding sheets of paper, a carriage for printing the sheet fed by the feed-in roller, a feed-in gear for rotating the feed-in roller, a movable gear rotatably supported by a rotatable lever and capable of assuming a first position in which the movable gear meshes with the feed-in gear to rotate the feed-in gear and a second position in which the movable gear does not mesh with the feed-in gear, and an actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for performing a recording operation on recording paper includes a recording head for performing the recording operation on the recording paper, a carriage which carries the recording head, and is movable along a convey path of the recording paper, a conveying unit for conveying the recording paper, a drive source, and a lock pawl which is arranged along a moving path of the carriage and can transmit a drive force from the drive source to the conveying unit in accordance with movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A drive force transmission mechanism is applied to, for example, a printer, to transmit a drive force to a driven element such as a platen, a paper feeder, and an ink ribbon cassette, etc., included in the printer. The drive force transmission mechanism including a subsidiary frame detachably attached to a main frame such as a printer frame and having at least one shaft member projected therefrom, and at least one transmission member such as a gear rotatably supported by the shaft member to be engaged with the driven element so that the drive force is transmitted thereto. Since the transmission member is rotatably supported by the shaft member of the subsidiary frame detachably attached to the main frame, only the subsidiary frame need be replaced if a shaft member is broken.

Abstract: An indexing double planetary gear train forms a portion of a feed system for accurately advancing a print media sheet through a printer. The planetary gear train has primary and secondary rings coupled to a sun gear by a series of planet gear clusters. Each planet gear cluster has primary and secondary planet gears which engage the respective primary and secondary rings. By assembling at least two of the gear train components to be fully indexing, and through the use of the identical planet gear clusters formed in a single mold, imperfections in the planet clusters and the rings, such as tooth-to-tooth defects or eccentricity, are canceled and have no effect on the accuracy of the line feed increments. Thus, more accurate and uniform media advance is achieved using plastic molded gears which are also relatively low in cost to manufacture and easy to assemble.

Abstract: A paper handling system is provided which allows for controlled passage of a pivot between a normally biased initial position and a task-performing position. The pivot includes a sheet-directing member and a track which is fixed relative to the sheet-directing member and is movable to the task-performing position in opposition to pivot bias. A follower, which is configured for selected travel along the track, selectively applies a force against the track in opposition to biased sheet-directing member movement. A processor-controlled printhead carriage is used to trigger and then to regulate pivot rotation.

Abstract: An electronic typewriter (11) has a line spacing device (29) for rotating a platen roller (16) and a transport device (28) for moving a printing carriage (19) in both directions. The line spacing and transport devices are driven from a single motor (32) via an intermediate gear (40) mounted on a shift member (35). The shift member (35) is displaceable between two operative positions for connecting a driveshaft (33) to the transport device (28) or to the line spacing device (29). A servomechanism (36) which is motorized by the shaft (33) displaces the shift member (35) between the two positions by means of a shift electromagnet (81) which actuates a lever (79) to lock the gear (40) by means of teeth (88) on a slide member (43). Positioning means (44) hold the shift member (35) in each of the two operative positions, and an electronic control means (22) controls the motor (32 ) and the electromagnet (81). The system is of low cost, and is simple, functional and reliable.

Abstract: A printer including at least two tractor unit mounting sections upstream of the print position in the sheet feed direction, and at least one tractor unit can be mounted on either of these tractor unit mounting sections. The sheet feeding direction can thus be selected freely in accordance with the web replacement frequency or the printer installation location merely by changing the mounting position of the tractor unit. If the number of tractor units is increased, a plurality of webs can be set up simultaneously and used selectively.

Abstract: A microprinter for use in combination with such compact equipments as electronic calculator. The microprinter comprises a type belt driven through a belt pulley by a motor, a type selecting ratchet wheel combined with the belt pulley for rotation together with the latter, a hammer for pressing a selected type of the type belt to print the type on a recording sheet, a main printing gear driven by the motor, a selector lever capable of selectively engaging the type selecting ratchet wheel or the main printing gear, an armature plate associated with the selector lever, an electromagnetic clutch for driving the armature plate, and a sheet feed lever interlocked through the armature plate with the electromagnetic clutch.

Abstract: The invented printer includes a carriage-actuated clutch and a motor-driven gear element. The clutch is selectively engageable with the element and causes the printer to perform different tasks when engaged. More specifically, the invented printer includes a motor-driven gear, a printhead and a printhead carriage, a clutch having a flexible portion, and a gripping surface on the flexible portion for engaging the motor-driven gear. To actuate the clutch, the carriage pushes against the clutch causing it to flex and engage the motor-driven gear. When engaged, rotating the gear a predetermined distance causes the clutch to rotate a predetermined distance, in turn causing the printer to perform a certain task. Continuing to rotate the clutch causes the printer to perform other tasks.The invented printer also includes a paper-feed mechanism for picking up and feeding a sheet of paper into the printer.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus for the printer having an intermittent mechanism between a driving motor and both a paper feed roller and a platen. The intermittent mechanism allows both the platen and the paper feed roller to rotate simultaneously and also allows only the platen to rotate while the paper feed roller is suspended, so that a sheet of printing paper is set straight along the platen. When the rotational direction of the driving motor is reversed to reverse that of the platen, the driving motor stops rotating for a limited period. Under such conditions the sheet is fed properly in response to the rotation of the platen, being free from the inertia force of the sheet and from the platen's vibration.

Abstract: A printing device wherein a cut-form printing sheet and a serial-form printing sheet is selectively in use is disclosed.

Abstract: A paper check device for a printer including paper feed means, a light emitter, a light receiver, reflectance determination means, and paper check means. The paper check means determines that a paper is not on the platen when the platen is detected to be moving and a determined reflectance is in a preset range for a time interval longer than another preset value. The paper check device correctly detects whether the paper is on the platen even if the paper with already printed patterns of low reflectance is employed.

Abstract: A paper sheet feeding apparatus is constructed of paper feed rollers arranged in association with a respective paper tray and adapted to be driven by rotation of a printer platen in a forward paper feeding direction, with selection of the appropriate paper tray from which paper is to be fed, by a combination of forward and reverse rotations of the printer platen. The paper feed rollers, associated with each of the paper trays, are mounted on shafts which extend transversely of the apparatus. A plurality of driven gear assemblies are respectively arranged in operative association with the paper feed rolls and are adapted for lateral sliding movement between engaged and disengaged positions relative to a selector gear whose rotation is synchronized with that of the printer platen.

Abstract: A printer comprises a paper feed roller, an intermediate gear coupled with the paper feed roller and having a spur gear section on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a paper feed cam having an axis extending perpendicularly to an axis of the intermediate gear and having on its outer circumferential surface a helical tooth for meshing engagement with the spur gear section of the intermediate gear. The paper feed roller is angularly movable for a predetermined angular interval through the intermediate gear in response to angular movement of the paper feed cam. The paper feed cam has in the outer circumferential surface thereof a gap for disengagement with the intermediate gear. The helical tooth has an inclined end edge for guiding meshing engagement with the intermediate gear.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet advancing device including a driving source for driving a sheet advancing roller, a manual advancing member for manual drive of the sheet advancing roller, detention mechanism with a detention function for elastic detent of rotation of the sheet advancing roller at a determined position, and control means for disabling the detention function in sheet advancement with the drive source but enabling the detention function in sheet advancement with the manual advancing member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a driving device of platen used in printing devices such as typewriters, printers, etc., which is equipped with a motor, a first gear adapted to transmit the output from this motor and provided with notches on part thereof, a second gear which is intermittently driven by continuous rotation of this first gear and a platen driven through this second gear. A pawl holds the platen in place, but allows manual rotation thereof.

Abstract: In a governor device for a printer including a driving wheel rotating for a predetermined amount by means of urging force by a urging spring to feed paper and engaging with a stopper to stop at this position and a governor gear train consisting of a speed-up gear engaged with the driving wheel and a fly wheel to perform the governing action. The governor device for a printer further includes a wind-up gear engaging with the driving wheel and a friction slip device attached to the fly wheel in the governor gear train to absorb the bounce when the driving wheel stops.

Abstract: A device for controlling the rotary movement of a platen roller of a typewriter comprises a bidirectional electric motor coupled to the platen by a worm gear and gear wheel and a pair of knobs which are disposed at the sides of the platen and which are rotatable with respect thereto. The knobs are fixed to a bar which extends rotatably through the platen roller and carries the gear wheel. Selective bidirectional rotation of the knobs causes corresponding rotary movement of a disc in a transducer. The disc has a toothed sector in mesh with the gear wheel and is the moving part of a rotary switch which generates electrical signals which determine both the power supply to the electric motor and the direction of rotation thereof. Small degrees of rotary movement of the knobs against a first spring force establish continuous rotary movement of the platen roller at low speed. A further slight rotary movement of the knobs against a stronger spring force establishes rotary movement of the platen at high speed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a paper transport device for printers. The device transports either single sheets or continuous paper through a printer in such a manner that switching between single sheet feed or continuous paper feed does not degrade print quality. When feeding single sheets, the platen determines the paper feed rate and is driven at a first circumferential speed. When feeding continuous paper, the platen is driven at a second and faster circumferential speed, which is slightly greater than the rate at which the paper tractor feeds the paper to the platen.

Abstract: The printer includes a print head moveable in a lateral direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of a sheet of recording paper. The print head is supported on a carriage which is reciprocably driven. Different paper feed pitches are selectable depending upon the lateral position of the carriage at the end of printing. A paper feed cam includes two or more feed grooves and pitch changing grooves connecting the feed grooves so that the paper feed means can operate from any selected one of the feed grooves. A cam follower connected to the carriage rides in a groove causing the paper feed cam to be driven by motion of the carriage. Different feed pitches for graphics and text are provided.

Abstract: A mechanical torque transmitting apparatus such as a one-way clutch which includes two distinct sets of flexural arms (primary and auxiliary) and a cylindrical engagement surface. The primary flexural arm is adapted to be in edgewise continuous engagement with the cylindrical surface. Preferably, the primary flexural arm has a long, straight, narrow cross-section area and applies a relatively low force against the cylindrical surface when said surface is rotating in a free-wheeling direction. In the non free-wheeling direction, the force against the cylindrical surface increases until the rotational forces overcome and buckle the primary flexural arm whereupon the auxiliary flexural arm is brought into contact with the cylindrical surface to resist further rotation.

Abstract: An electronic mail terminal 10 that includes a keyboard 12, multi-character display 14, thermal printer 22, tape drive 118, and communication and control circuitry. The tape drive and printer mount to molded-in features of a base housing 20. A printed circuit board 28 containing the communication and control circuitry and the display is mounted to molded-in features of the base housing. The keyboard plugs into the printed circuit board from above and is supported at the sides by stand-offs in the base housing. A cover housing 88 mates with molded-in features of the base housing. The tape drive mechanism includes cassette guides 98 and 376 that are molded into the base and cover housings and a spring loaded motor mount that automatically compensates for wear and positioning tolerances. A printer carriage motor 184 drives a toothed belt 182 to position a carriage 138 which holds a thermal print head 140.

Abstract: A serial impact printer 11 includes a frame 15 mounted drive motor 47 coupled to a print wheel 31 to effect rotation thereof. The print wheel 31 is mounted on a movable print carrier 29 which serially moves from print position to print position along the print line. The motor 47 is coupled to the wheel pulley 51 of the print wheel 31 through a belt 49 which is wrapped about two idler pulleys 57 and 59 located on a sub-carrier 61. The sub-carrier 61 moves one half the distance of the print carrier 29 so that during escapement motion of the print carrier 29, the belt 49 imparts no rotary motion to the wheel pulley 51 and hence to the print wheel 31. The print carrier 29 may be clamped by clamp 77 to the belt 49 to effect the return motion thereof. The motor 47 is also coupled through a clutch 127 to the line feed apparatus of the platen 23.

Abstract: A single stepper motor is utilized in a printing device to lift a print head from the surface of recording material upon the initial angular rotation of the stepper motor output drive shaft and to move the recording material within the printing device upon further rotation of said drive shaft. The print head is returned to the surface of the recording material by operating the stepper motor in the reverse direction until the output drive shaft of the stepper motor traverses an angular displacement equal but opposite to the initial angular displacement. A cam surface couples the output drive shaft of the stepper motor to a drive gear and transforms the initial angular displacement of the output drive shaft into linear motion to lift the print head from the surface of the recording material. Further rotation of the stepper motor drive shaft rotates the drive gear to move material within the printing device.

Abstract: A small and light-weight serial printer adapted to portable electric-powered typewriters and output devices of personal computers. The serial printer of the present invention requires a reduced number of drive sources and is simply constructed. The serial printer further possesses a small and light-weight carriage which does not mount drive sources such as motors or electromagnets and which does not mount a hammering mechanism, either.

Abstract: Two friction rolls are journalled on a driven shaft, and a differential being keyed to that shaft causes that one of the rolls to be driven which is not held. The rolls are alternately held by, preferably, latching devices which are operated on limit positions of the print head.

Abstract: In the typewriter driving of the platen (1) is effected by the motor shaft (3) which operates a character selection device. This motor shaft (3) and the platen (1) occupy predetermined angular positions at rest.During a driving command of the platen, a part (26) brings a transmission pinion (22) into mesh with the last controlled pinion (9) of a gear train (5 to 9) coupled to the motor shaft (3) before this shaft is actuated by the motor (4). The transmission pinion (22) is secured to one end of the transmission shaft (16, 19, 20) and the other end of the shaft carries a toothed wheel (15) in mesh with a driving pinion (14) secured to the platen. The angular notching of the pinions and their number of teeth is provided in such a manner that the teeth of the pinion (22) engage exactly between the teeth of the controlled pinion (9).

Abstract: A printer which may be used in a billing/accounting machine having a single servo motor to drive both the printing mechanism (horizontal motion) and the record media feed (vertical motion). While the printing mechanism is always engaged with the servo motor for transportation across the record media, provision is made for disengaging the record media feed from the servo motor during the printing mode and for re-engaging the record media feed with the servo motor during the non-printing mode for the proper feeding of the media past the printing mechanism to provide line-by-line printing. With the printing mechanism continuously engaged, its exact horizontal position is always known and controlled.

Abstract: A linespacing apparatus includes a slip clutch assembly which is driven by an electric motor. The slip clutch assembly includes a face cam which drives a linkage which, in turn, indexes a platen in order to linespace the platen. The face cam includes an abutment portion which abruptly halts the motion of the linkage and the slip clutch assembly prevents bounce or recoil of the linkage thereby promoting smooth operation of the apparatus. The linkage may be adjusted by an operator to vary the amount of rotation of the platen during each operating stroke of the linkage.

Abstract: An intermittent paper feed mechanism comprises a driving wheel rotationally driven in an intermittent manner, a driven wheel disposed opposite to and rotated by the driving wheel, a stopper means for restricting the angle of rotation of the driving wheel and a coiled return spring for biasing the driving wheel in a direction opposite to its rotational driven direction. The driving and driven wheels, the stopper means and the return spring are coaxially mounted on a common shaft. The device of the invention enables a paper on which characters are printed by a printing head to be advanced at a high accuracy in an intermittent manner without using a stepping pulse motor.

Abstract: A powered gear driven paper insert and line feed mechanism capable of rotating a platen through one half line spacing increments and which is both power operated and disconnectable for manual operation is disclosed. The platen of the typewriter or printer may be manually rotated using platen or may be electronically rotated by energizing the control magnet, thus engaging the clutch assembly to connect the drive motor to the platen. The clutching assembly is such that two separate clutches are operable to disconnect the platen and gear train from the overall clutch apparatus and also to disconnect the drive motor belt and other related hardware which is driven by the drive motor and belt.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and apparatus for setting and varying margins, line spacing and printing direction of a data printing machine by a machine user before and during printing by use of a keyboard with push-button control which is coupled to a digital controller to input information about the actual and the desired location of a print head relative to a printing surface, in response to which the controller outputs signals which control relative motion of the print head and indexes its relative position, from the actual to the desired direction and location.

Abstract: Paper transporting device for cash registers, data processing machines or the like, including a motor driven cam disc having a contoured surface and a plurality of depressions or varying depth formed therein, a gear segment lever pivotally mounted about a fixed axis, gear teeth and a roller integral with the gear segment lever, the roller being operable to contact the cam disc, a gear operable to mesh with the gear teeth of the gear segment lever, a free running clutch driveable by the gear, a paper transport roller driveable by the free running clutch, a device for locking the gear segment lever in a swungout position, and a pivotable curved lever having a free end, the curved lever being disposed in one of the depressions formed in the cam disc and being rotatable therewith, the free end of the curved lever being biased against the contoured surface of the cam disc.

Abstract: A miniature printer includes character rings, each having a series of characters on the outer periphery thereof and teeth on a side surface thereof for selection of a character to be printed. The shaft carrying the character rings also has mounted thereon a radially-slotted disc through the slots of which a light beam is passed for signalling the angular position of said shaft, the light beam being directed at light-detection means. Electronic circuitry controls pawls for selectively stopping the character rings so that a selected character on each ring is brought to rest at a printing position for printing. The electronic circuitry also controls the intermittent feed of printing paper and printing ribbon. A gear-selection mechanism provides for a plurality of printing-paper feed rates as well as for holding the paper stationary when required.A number of the components are of unitary contruction to increase the ease of assembly and decrease the costs as well as the number of parts.

Abstract: A paper feed assembly for a printer which permits manual paper advance includes a pair of rotatable rollers for advancing a print paper therebetween, a paper feed gear mounted on one roller and a drive gear alternately operatively engaged with the paper feed gear. The drive gear includes a paper feed portion for incrementally rotating the paper feed gear for advance of the print paper and a drive portion for effecting proper alignment of the paper feed gear and drive gear prior to paper advancement.