Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing on a recording medium, including a print head for printing on the recording medium supported by a platen, while the print head is moved along the platen, a changeover device for changing a printing condition of the print head, a signal generating device for generating a trigger signal indicative of a possibility of a change in the medium thickness, a medium thickness detecting device for detecting the medium thickness, and a control device responsive to the trigger signal from the signal generating device, for activating the medium thickness detecting device to detect the medium thickness, and activating the changeover device to change the printing condition of the print head, depending upon the detected medium thickness.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically adjusting the gap between the platen and print head of a printer includes a paper thickness lever detecting lever pivotably mounted on the printer base so that one end selectively contacts the surface of the platen. The opposite end of the lever contacts a pressure sensitive conductive member or adjusts the amount of light striking a photosensitive member of a paper thickness detector to generate an initial signal. After paper is fed onto the platen the lever contacts the surface of the paper and the paper thickness detector generates a second paper thickness signal corresponding to the different position of the lever. A carriage control circuit receives this signal and controls a print head carriage guide to adjust the relative position between the carriage and the platen to provide a suitable distance for printing.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer includes a head holding member for holding a printing head and for applying an urging force for urging the printing head against a platen and separating the printing head from the platen. An elastic member biases the head holding member to urge the printing head against the platen. A regulating member regulates displacement of the elastic member to change the urging force of the printing head against the platen. A driving unit drives the regulating member. A detecting unit detects either one or both of the type of ink ribbon or the surface roughness of recording paper. A control unit controls the driving unit in accordance with the result of the detecting unit. The urging force of the printing head is thus changed in accordance with either one or both of the type of ink ribbon or the surface roughness of the recording paper.

Abstract: The print head (9) disposed on a print-head carriage (8) can be moved back and forth parallel to a print support (13) between end positions (8a, 8b) and can be set perpendicular to the print-surface support (13) against a spring force of, for example, a leg spring (14) relative to the print surface support (13) in the context of a device for the setting of the distance of a print head (9) on a thick print material (10) in an office machine, in particular in a printer for savings booklets or vouchers.In addition, at least one rotatable roller (15), supported at the print-head front face (9a), is provided, which roller rests on a bendable strip (16) running in parallel to the print surface support (13), where the bendable strip (16) rests solidly on the thick printing material (10) during the printing process.

Abstract: Dot-matrix printer for printing on a paper resting against a platen includes a bendable piezoelectric lamina, means for fixedly supporting the bendable piezoelectric lamina along a first edge, a planar rerromagnetic member, means for operatively connecting the planar ferromagnetic member to the bendable piezoelectric lamina at a region remote from the first edge, a dot print element, means for mounting the dot element to be responsive to the movement of the bendable piezoelectric lamina in the region of the planar ferromagnetic member to extend along a line parallel to the plane of the planar ferromagnetic member, control means for generating first or second voltage signals for energizing the bendable piezoelectric lamina to cause the planar ferromagnetic member to assume a first or a second position, and electromagnetic means for applying a magnetic force on the planar ferromagnetic member such that only when the planar ferromagnetic member is not in the first position is there sufficient force exerted by th

Abstract: A printer including a gap changeover device for moving a print head and a platen relative to each other and thereby adjusting a head gap between the print head and a recording medium on the platen. A switch is provided to produce a signal where the recording medium includes a local portion whose thickness is greater than that of the remaining portion. A gap control device is responsive to the signal from the switch, to change a normally established head gap to a larger value. At the same time, a speed control device is operated to lower the printing speed, according to the larger head gap.

Abstract: A thermal recording apparatus capable of regulating the pressure of thermal head and the energizing time or supply voltage of the thermal head according to the quality of recording sheet. A higher pressure and a higher energy or voltage are used for a coarse recording sheet to ensure clear image recording. Plural sets of these values can be stored in a memory and suitably selected by the operator or automatically according to the quality of sheet.

Abstract: There is disclosed a recorder comprising: a print head for discharging ink toward a record medium; detection unit for detecting a thickness of the record medium; and device for adjusting a discharge timing of the ink in accordance with a signal from the detection unit.

Abstract: Several problems of alignment associated with ink-jet printers are alleviated by four aspects. In the first, a reverse bow (B) in the paper (12) is created for printing on single sheets of paper. The reverse bow, which in the transverse axis of the paper, forces the paper flat against the platen (14) by using the paper's own stiffness.In the second aspect, the paper and the carriage (30) are referenced to the same part (the carriage guide (10)). In this configuration, the paper is urged against the underside of the carriage guide off of drive rollers (18), through the reverse bow, and onto the platen, where it is printed. The carriage is referenced to the carriage guide through a slider bump by means of a carriage shaft and gravity.The carraige guide comprises stiff thin sheet metal, which is closely-toleranced and has well-controlled dimensions. Thus, this part is good to reference to, rather than molded-in parts, which are not stiff enough at the required thickness.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus includes a registration member and an apparatus for compliantly urging a substrate against the registration member such that the effects of thickness variations of and between each substrate transported past the registration member are mitigated.

Abstract: A printer apparatus including a timer, for setting a period T1 when the print head moves forward toward a platen, and a period T2, which is longer than period T1, when the print head moves away from the platen. In response to an interrupt signal from the timer, a CPU supplies a signal, for changing over the exciting phase of the stepping motor, to a motor driving circuit. As a result, the motor driving circuit operates to speed up the rotation of the stepping motor when the print head moves forward, providing a low level of torque with which to move the print head toward the platen. On the other hand, the motor driving circuit operates to slow down the rotation of the stepping motor when the print head moves away from the platen, providing a high level of torque with which to move the print head away from the platen.

Abstract: A printer mechanism including a frame, a platen, a printhead, a compensator mechanism supported on a frame and movable relative thereto to compensate for print media of various thicknesses, a drive motor for driving the printhead rotatable in the first direction to drive the printhead and rotatable in the second direction and a sector gear connected to the compensator mechanism for effecting movement of the compensator mechanism to move the platen supported thereby away from the printhead. The drive motor when rotated in the second direction is effective to drive the sector gear to move the compensator mechanism to move the platen to a position in which it is spaced apart from the printhead.

Abstract: A mechanism for compensating for different thicknesses of record media at a printing station utilizes a platen assembly which is coupled with a pivotable arm structure to move the platen assembly toward and away from the print head. The pivotable arm structure is swung in an eccentric manner relative to the center of the platen assembly to move the platen in a linear path to accommodate the record media.

Abstract: A mailing machine for conveying envelopes seriatim along a feed path toward a postage meter operatively connected to said mailing machine. The mailing machine includes a housing frame, a deck secured to the frame for supporting the envelopes, the deck having a longitudinal slot therein, a lower, driven, feed roller rotatably mounted on the frame, and an electro-mechanical tripper mounted on the frame for actuating the postage meter, the tripper projecting upwardly through the deck slot adjacent and downstream of the lower feed roller.

Abstract: The print head is mounted on a carriage which, in turn, rides on a round bar which is transversely adjustable towards and away from the parallel running platen. The round bar rolls in horizontal oblong slots in side walls of the frame and has short, drum-shaped cams eccentrically connected to its ends, the cams being coaxial to each other and are held individually in abutment with reference surfaces that are individually adjustable on these side walls towards true parallelism; an adjusting lever is affixed to a third cam on the bar, and is coaxial to the two other cams, which lever is latchable in positions to thereby hold adjusted distances of the print head from the platen.

Abstract: An arrangement of a paper guide trough supporting pressure rollers to guide paper about the platen of a typewriter is used in conjunction with a platen having an elastic bearing to effect an automatic adjustment of the platen according to the thickness of paper inserted to maintain the same printing plane without additional components.

Abstract: The thickness compensation means includes an upper and lower reaction roller. The upper reaction roller is rotatably mounted to a mailing machine is fixed location. A bracket is pivotally mounted to the mailing machine for rotatably supporting the lower reaction roller in tangential radial alignment with the upper reaction roller. The bracket is biased in a first direction to urge the lower reaction roller through an accommodating opening in the mailing machine platen into tangential communication with the upper reaction roller. The bracket further rotatably supports an impression roller in tangential alignment to the print drum of a postage meter coupled to the mailing machine.

Abstract: A dot matrix printer utilizes an inking roller for supplying ink to the surface of the printer platen and has guide means adjacent the platen to separate the print paper from the platen. The guide means includes an elongated slot or window for access to the platen by the print wires. The print wire support means is spring loaded in a direction toward the platen and utilizes a solenoid to move the support means away from the platen. A pair of rollers is engageable with the paper and positioned between the platen and the print element carriage to form a predetermined space between the paper and the end of the print wire when the carriage is moved toward the platen.

Abstract: A media thickness compensating device for a printer which senses the thickness of each record medium, e.g., a printing sheet, mounted on a platen to maintain a proper printing gap between the record medium and a print head. In this device, sensing means including a pressure-sensitive conductive rubber member is disposed so as to be movable toward and away from the platen. The movement of the print head is compensated in accordance with the displacement of the sensing means moved from a reference position to a position where the sensing means comes into contact with the record medium to cause the resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber member to reach a predetermined reference value. Thus, the printing gap can be kept proper at all times.

Abstract: In an apparatus for stamping flat objects of different sizes and thicknesses, particularly postal items, said objects are arranged vertically on a feed table. The objects are individually removed from the latter and successively moved past a stamp and are then conveyed to a depositing table. The supplied and deposited objects are in parallel planes to one another. The feed and depositing tables are successively arranged in a vertical direction to one of these planes. The objects are removed from the feed table at right angles to said direction and are supplied to the depositing table. The objects are placed on the feed table by their leading edge in the transfer direction during individual removal. The conveying path of the object between the feed and depositing tables is horizontal.

Abstract: A wire dot-matrix printer has a print head which can be moved toward and away from a sheet or sheets of print paper by means of a stepping motor, the print head being movable from an initial position. The wire dot-matrix printer also includes a detector for detecting the thickness of the sheet or sheets of print paper by bringing the print head from the initial position into abutment against the sheet or sheets and then moving the print head back to the initial position, and a controller for determining the speed of movement of the print head with respect to a platen in parallel relationship thereto, based on information from the detector.

Abstract: A mechanism for compensating for different thicknesses of record media at a printing station utilizes a platen supporting or carrying assembly which is pivotable to move the platen toward the print head. Another supporting assembly, also pivotable, is provided to carry a record media drive roller and is interconnected with the platen supporting assembly by means of a pin and slot arrangement to effect a substantially equal gap at the platen-print head and at the pressure roller-drive roller. A first cam member is rotated to engage with and to swing the platen supporting assembly into printing position and a second cam member is connected with the first cam member and rotated thereby to maintain the assembly in printing position.

Abstract: A self-leveling tranpsort for addressing envelopes in cooperation with a printer having a first link on each side of the transport, with transport drive and idler roller shafts journaled at the opposite ends, an endless transport belt stretched across the drive and idler rollers, a second link pivotally attached to each first link through the idler roller shaft, the second links being pivotally attached to the printer frame at the second links other end, a third cross link pivotally attached to each second link between the link ends, the second links having a slide block with oversized aperture at the opposite end through which the drive roller shaft fits, the slide blocks being slidable vertically up and down with springs to bias the slide blocks and the transport upwardly so that when the thickness of the articles increase, the first, second, and third links respond to draw the transport down while retaining the transport level.

Abstract: The platen roller in a matrix printer is mounted to the printer case so that stop plates of the mount define a representation of the disposition of the roller. A frame is provided to hold a guide rod on which rides a carriage, and the print head is secured to that carriage. Adjustable cams on the rod abut the stop plates when the frame is slid into the case to, thereby, establish the distance between head and platen. The frame carries also the head drive, its motor and the paper-feed motor, there being a key connection to the platen, maintaining a driving connection even for different cam adjustments and frame positions in the case.

Abstract: A print head (15) on a carriage (16) slides on a carriage guide bar (17) in front of a platen bar (18). A receipt slip (25) is fed from a roll (26) over part of the width of the platen bar (18) to a knife (40) for cutting off individual receipts. A daybook slip (45) is fed from a roll (46) over the bar (18) to a take-up roll (50). Other documents may be fed in for printing either downwardly between upper guides (37 and 38) or upwardly between lower guides (35 and 55). In either event the inserted document is engaged by a drive roller (60) and pressure roller (70) to be positioned at a predetermined height, under control of photodetectors (80 and 81). The pressure roller (70) is mounted between levers and can move away from the drive roller (60) to accommodate the thickness of the inserted document. The levers also support the carriage guide (17), whereby the head (15) is positioned a constant distance from the surface on which printing is effected.

Abstract: A circuit and related method are provided for maintaining a desired spacing between an ink-jet printing means and a receiving surface along a line scanned by the printing means. An ultrasonic transducer transmits signals at timed intervals to the receiving surface from the printing means. A reflected signal from the receiving surface is sensed by the transducer during a receiving time window after the signal is transmitted. A reference position signal representative of the head to surface spacing at a printing location is compared to the desired head to surface spacing to produce a position error signal. A servomotor responds to the position error signal to move the printing means toward and away from the receiving surface to maintain the desired spacing.

Abstract: A mechanism for compensating for different thicknesses of record media at a printing station utilizes a platen supporting or carrying assembly which is pivotable to move the platen toward the print head. A first cam member is rotated to engage with and to swing the platen supporting assembly into printing position and a second cam member is connected with the first cam member and rotated thereby to maintain the assembly in printing position.

Abstract: A trolley of a printer includes a pair of angularly upright projecting dovetail-like fingers spaced apart near a left edge thereof, and a spring biased wedge pin located near a right edge thereof, for slideably engaging chamfer-like surfaces on the left and right-hand sides of a printhead assembly, respectively, for permitting the assembly to be snapped into and out of retention upon the trolley, the trolley further including right and left hand leaf springs located near its rear edge for pushing the printhead assembly forward toward the front edge of the trolley to a forwardmost position determined by one of the pair of dovetail-like fingers striking a "stop" located upon one side of the printhead assembly for preventing further forward movement, whereas the printhead assembly is pushed rearward upon the trolley in the event of a paper jam developing between the printhead and a platen.

Abstract: The mechanism allows a document of various thicknesses and indeed variable thickness to be franked. Said mechanism includes a frame (11) which supports a pressure roll (5) and a lower feed roll (4) and urged towards the chassis by means of three springs (14) so as to allow the shafts of said rolls (4) and (5) to move in any direction.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for moving a record member into a printing position in which a single control solenoid is energized to enable a pair of drive rollers to move a multi-form record member from a holding position to a printing position. Operation of the solenoid further moves a platen member into engagement with the record member which is spring urged to enable the platen to apply a force on the record member. The force on the platen is selected to compensate for the thickness of the record member allowing a dot matrix printer to print satisfactorily on record members of varying thicknesses. The drive rollers are normally positioned to locate a record member in a validating printing position. Spring means are associated with the drive rollers to engage and hold the record member in a printing position during the operation of the solenoid.

Abstract: A printer having a carriage guided for movement along a platen and supporting a wire matrix printing element includes means for changing the distance between the printing element and the platen an amount to facilitate paper feeding and an additional amount for paper insertion.The means of changing the distance between printing element and platen includes an electric motor driven in accordance with a stored program which determines motor acceleration characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printer in which a printing head confronting a platen and a paper pressing roller for pressing a recording paper are attached to the same levers mounted rotatably and turnably and the distance between the top end of the printing head and the platen can directly be changed according to the thickness of the recording paper to be inserted, whereby influences of changes of the paper thickness on the printing state can be eliminated substantially. In this printer, the distance between the top end of the printing head and the platen can be adjusted very precisely by a simple structure.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a print head upon a carriage having an adjustable collar and a slotted support which receive opposing ends of an elongated shaft secured to the print head. The shaft is accurately positioned on the carriage by means of openings in said collar and said support which receive cooperating portions of said shaft. A spring biased cylindrical member retains the shaft within the carriage support and the collar. The collar is provided with a pair of projections which are engaged by the cam surface of a cam member rotatably mounted upon the shaft for adjusting the axial position of the print head relative to said collar and hence relative to a web supporting platen. The forms thickness setting assembly is accurately adjusted simply by axial adjustment of the collar, to assure the accuracy of all forms thickness settings through only a single adjustment step.

Abstract: A paper handling assembly supporting a platen, a paper bail adjustably mounted for movement relative to said platen and a paper guide trough adjustably mounted for movement relative to said platen. The assembly includes a common shaft which mounts a first paper pack thickness adjusting lever operative to rotate said shaft to effect movement of the entire paper handling assembly relative to a frame to adjust the printing gap, rotatably supports a second paper bail adjusting lever operative to adjustably move said paper bail, and rotatably supports a third paper trough adjusting lever operative to adjustably move said paper trough.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for a printing machine of the type which includes a carriage moving in a direction parallel to the line of typing and a needle printing head, which can move on the carriage perpendicular to its direction of movement to advance and retract the head with respect to that on which printing is effected. The cartridge is supported by the carriage and includes a container having a cover, a base and a series of inner walls which bound an opening to house the needle printing head. The cartridge comprises two arms to guide out a portion of an inked ribbon near the head. The container arranges the ribbon in loose folds and supports a pair of rollers for the single directional feed of the ribbon. A tensioning unit in the cartridge includes a roller borne by a coupling having two ends housed and guided in corresponding slots of the base and of the cover, substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the head in relation of the carriage.

Abstract: A printer comprising a carriage which is displaceable along a record carrier, parallel to the line direction, and on which a printing head is mounted which is displaceable transversely of the line direction by means of an electric motor. The electric motor is coupled to the printing head by means of two complementary cam discs and two cam followers. The electric motor is controlled by an electrical control signal which originates from a converter which is coupled to a sensor which contacts the record carrier.

Abstract: A platen assembly for feeding and holding single or multi-layer record media (forms) for printing thereon, particularly useful in connection with a matrix type printer of a point-of-sale terminal. This assembly comprises one of a pair of feed rollers pivotally mounted so as to yieldingly engage and hold both sides of the record media, while a platen yieldingly engages and holds the record media against guides which determine the gap between the matrix head for proper operation of the printer wires. For line-by-line printing, the platen is first disengaged from the record media while the power feed rollers move the record media the required distance before the platen again engages the media.

Abstract: A print head carriage assembly for a serial printer apparatus, the carriage including a platform having two parallel channels extending laterally through the frame member for receiving self-aligning bearings and carriage guide rails; a central seat within the platform for seating the housing of a matrix print head with the longitudinal dimension of the print head oriented normal to the longitudinal axes of the channels, locking means for securing the matrix print head in place about said central seat with the neck of the head extending substantially normal to the axes of the channels, manifold adjustment means for adjusting the position of the head within the seat relative to the axes of the channels; and means for engaging the platform to a drive means for driving said platform laterally along said guide rails.

Abstract: A paper guide extends around the platen of a printing machine and has a flexible extension which bears against the front of the moving printing mechanism included in the printing machine. The close proximity of the paper guide to the printing mechanism of the printing machine serves to guide the paper as closely as possible into the small gap between the printing head and the platen and also to guide the paper as accurately as possible out through the paper-exit opening of the cabinet of the printing machine. Being so closely guided (particularly in the case of multiple sheet carbon set-ups or the joints of fan-fold paper), the leading edge or a fold of the paper is less likely to catch on the ribbon or get caught on the edge of the paper-exit opening of the cabinet. The flexible final guide extends so high up the printing mechanism side of the platen that it actually bears against the printing head and is flexibly deflected by the printing head as the printing head moves across the front of the platen.

Abstract: A printer especially suitable for printing letters and symbols on a recording media having portions of different thickness such as a bank deposit pass book foldable along a folding line. A movable platen is comprised of left and right units and a central unit which are moved toward and away from the recording medium by rotary cams and spring means so that the upper surfaces of the left, right and central units of the platen are always maintained in the same plane parallel with the running path of the printing head. Satisfactory printing can be made irrespective of the difference in the thickness of the portions of the recording medium.

Abstract: A printer comprising a carriage which is displaceable along a record carrier and on which a printing head is arranged to be slidable independently of the carriage. The carriage is provided with a sensor for controlling the distance between the printing head and the record carrier.

Abstract: A printing device in which a roll having a plurality of characters disposed thereon is displaceable with respect to at least one printing hammer. The printing hammer cooperates with a coil which, when excited, generates a field which by cooperation with a stationary field, puts the hammer into motion and drives it against the character on the roll to be printed. The hammer is arranged to be movable in the device so that the distance between the hammer and the roll is adjustable. A control device is provided which measures the hammer flying time and compares this time with a nominal flying time and which, in the case of a difference, displaces the hammer relative to the roll and also changes the driving force of the hammer.

Abstract: A high speed printing device having a printing head provided with printing needles. The printing device is mounted on a movable carriage which is adapted to move adjacent to a recording medium. The printing head is pneumatically operated and also is movable relative to the carriage so that the distance between the printing needles and the recording medium is variable.

Abstract: A platen assembly for a print station apparatus, which comprises first and second indepently movable platen units for holding recording medium so as to compensate for thickness of the medium, a third platen unit interposed between the first and second platen units and independently movable from the first and second platen units, the third platen unit having a minimum length necessary for holding the centerfold of the medium, and first and second springs secured to the first and second platen units and biasing the third platen unit toward a guide of the print station apparatus.

Abstract: A printing device is provided in which a flexible strip supported by a fixed guide bar extending over the full printing width of the printing device serves to press the record media into contact with the printer platen to achieve more accurate control of the printing impacts, and serves as a track for guide rollers associated with the print head, thus giving a smooth transition between adjacent different thicknesses of record media in the printing device. The flexibility and low co-efficient of friction of the strip allow insertion and movement of the record media without raising the strip or the printing head. The guide bar acts as a guide for insertion of the record media, and also provides a camming surface co-operating with a suitable follower operatively connected to the print ribbon cassette so as to rock the cassette laterally to minimize the ribbon wear as the print head traverses a line of printing. The bar may also be designed to co-operate with a cover enclosing the print mechanism.

Abstract: A printing device is provided which includes a feeler pivotally mounted on a printer frame and urged into engagement with record media positioned on a platen for printing. A magnetic element on the feeler coacts with a Hall generator on the frame to provide a control voltage which is effective to control a motor for positioning of the frame so that a print head mounted on said frame is located at a proper distance from the record media for printing thereon.