Abstract: A platen has an impact surface positioned to oppose a printhead so that a part of a printhead strikes paper loaded on the impact surface. The platen includes a first impact surface having a curved surface, a second impact surface having a curved surface, and an opening formed between the first and second impact surfaces. The platen is rotatable about an axis such that the first and second impact surfaces are selectively positioned to oppose the printhead. Paper advances into the platen and passes through the opening from an inside of the platen to outside of the platen so that the paper extends to cover the first impact surface, and another paper advances to the second impact surface. The impact surfaces may have different curvatures with respect to the axis. A projection may be formed on the impact surface and extends transversely of the paper advancement. The projection is substantially configured to the flection of the paper.

Abstract: A dual type thermal printer comprises a main body frame, a first platen roller supported by the main frame for undergoing rotation, and a second platen roller supported by the main body frame in coaxial relation to the first platen roller for undergoing rotation independently from the first platen roller. A thermal head is supported by the main body frame for undergoing pivotal movement into and out of pressure contact with the first and second platen rollers. A print paper feeding mechanism separately feeds print paper to a first space between the first platen roller and the thermal head and to a second space between the second platen roller and the thermal head. An adjusting device adjusts a width of each of the first and second spaces to accommodate print paper of varying width sizes.

Abstract: A printing apparatus suitable for printing on a print medium of a large size which is reduced in overall size and facilitates adjustment of printing timings of line printing heads therein. The printing apparatus comprises a plurality of line printing heads of the type wherein printing elements are disposed on a line along an end edge thereof. The line printing heads are disposed in a pair of rows spaced in the feeding direction of a print medium in a housing such that the printing elements along the end edges thereof are disposed in an alternate relationship in a pair of rows perpendicular to the feeding direction of a print medium and each located nearest to the other row of the printing elements.

Abstract: A printing device comprises a print head and a plurality of data carriers, the print head being able to print data on at least one of the plurality of data carriers; a motor for moving said print head along said data carriers; said print head being adapted to rest at one of a plurality of home positions when said print head is not in movement; said motor being reversible to change the direction of movement of said print head; a switch coupled to and controlled by said motor; said switch being controlled by said motor to assume a plurality of states, each of said states corresponding to the location the said print head at a particular one of said print head home positions; and a printing control unit for selecting which of said data carriers is to receive data printed thereon by said print head; said printing control unit being electrically coupled to said switch and to said motor; said printing control unit also acting in response to the state of said switch to select the direction of movement of said motor m

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: Apparatus for printing characters on at least one data carrier comprising a printing head movable along the data carrier, a line advance device for feeding the data carrier substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the printing head, an ink ribbon feed mechanism for feeding an ink ribbon in relation to the data carrier, a cut-off mechanism for cutting off the data carrier, and a shaft rotatable less than 360.degree. in one direction by a reversible motor from a home position to an end position determined by the selected operation cycle and thereafter back to the home position by reversing the direction of rotation of the shaft. The reversal of the shaft is performed at different times during subsequent operation cycles to permit gears and cams on the shaft to move the printing head to positions determined by the number of characters to be printed on the data carrier, actuation of the line advance device, and actuation of the ink ribbon feed mechanism or cut-off mechanism.