Abstract: A printer having a validation paper feeding mechanism in which the validation paper feed is controlled by a single solenoid and only the validation paper feed can be effected even when a cut or continuous paper is set. A ratchet wheel and a validation roller are mounted on the rotatable shaft via a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch selectively transmits a torque of the rotatable shaft to the validation roller in the direction of the validation paper feed. The validation roller has an arcuate circumferential surface for feeding the validation paper and a chord flat surface for inserting the validation paper. The armature is angularly moved between a first position where it engages the positioning projection of the ratchet wheel for determining an initial position of the validation roller and a second position where it engages the pawls of the ratchet wheel for stopping the validation roller at a plurality of predetermined positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a horizontally set recording apparatus provided with a sheet inserting and discharging holes at the upper surface, wherein substantially linear recording sheet transporting route passing through the recording section is formed, and an automatic sheet feeding apparatus can be removably attached thereon. The recording sheet is delivered into an inlet opening of said transporting route.

Abstract: A printer including a printing section capable of printing on both continuous sheet and cut sheet paper, including a printer housing containing the printing section, a pivot shaft being provided to the printer housing; a continuous sheet supplier for supplying continuous sheet to the printing section; an automatic sheet supply mechanism supported by the pivot shaft and pivotable between a cut-sheet supply position, for supplying one cut sheet at a time to the printing section, and a separation position, for separating the automatic sheet supply mechanism from the continuous sheet supplier and for providing an open space therebetween; and a fixing shaft and fixing lever for fixing the automatic sheet supply mechanism in the separation position.

Abstract: A hardcopy device has various page processing steps in a printer, fax machine or the like which are actuated by a single motor which connects through a gear mechanism to drive a main drive roller, a pick roller, and automatically move a pressure plate in a feeder slot to and fro between a position of engagement holding a stack of pages against the pick roller and a position of disengagement. A reverse action of the pick roller kicks out partially picked pages into the feeder slot after the pressure plate is moved to a position of disengagement.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus comprising a first conveyance system (C1) for conveying a first printing medium (3), a second conveyance system (C2) for conveying a second printing medium (6), and a print head (1) for conducting printing on the first or second printing medium on a platen (2), a detector (13) detects presence or absence of the first printing medium on the first conveyance system (C1), and a platen drive controller (18) causes rotation of the platen during the printing or conveyance of the second printing medium if the first printing medium is found present in the first conveyance system (C1). The platen drive controller may conduct the control over the rotation also on the basis of the state of conveyance of the second printing medium in order to ensure rotation of the platen from time to time while avoiding excessive rotation to reduce noises and power consumption.

Abstract: The transport device (10, 10a) for web-shaped recording substrates (3, 3a, 3b) includes transport devices (13, 13a, 15, 15a, 15b) driven by an electromotor, wherein the transport devices (13, 13a, 15, 15a, 15b) transport back and forth and asynchronously the recording substrate (3, 3a, 3b) from a starting position (IP, IP1, SP, SP1) to a target position (PP, PP1, TP, TP1). A gear coupling (16, 16a, 16b) is in addition coordinated to the transport devices (13, 13a, 15, 15a, 15b), wherein the gear coupling (16, 16a, 16b) controls automatically the tension of the recording substrate (3, 3a, 3b) tensioned between the transport devices (13, 13a, 15, 15a, 15b).

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a main body in which a sheet-like printing medium or a tape-like printing medium contained in a cassette can be mounted, a printing head capable of printing an image either on the sheet-like printing medium or the tape-like printing medium, and a control unit for, when an image is printed on the sheet-like printing medium, controlling the printing head and the sheet-like printing medium to make them move relative to each other and cause the printing head to print the image on the sheet-like printing medium, and for, when an image is printed on the tape-like printing medium, controlling the printing head and the tape-like printing medium to make them move relative to each other and cause the printing head to print the image on the tape-like printing medium.

Abstract: A sheet guide attaching mechanism comprises front and rear end portions of the sheet guide which respectively serve as turning fulcrums and are detachable from a printer. When printing is performed on a cut sheet, the rear end portion is detached from the printer and the sheet guide is turned about the front end portion as the fulcrum and is held by a holding portion while the sheet guide remains standing. When printing is performed on a continuous forms sheet, the front end portion is detached from the printer and the sheet guide is turned about the rear end portion as the fulcrum, to a standing position. The continuous forms sheet is set on the printer in this state.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a continuous web printing apparatus comprising transport means including an endless belt having a sticky surface, a plurality of support rollers having said endless belt entrained therearound and a drive means for rotating said support rollers to move said endless belt, a press means for pressing a continuous web, such as a fabric or transfer sheet, against said endless belt to stick said continuous web to said endless belt, an ink jet head disposed between said support rollers in opposed relation to the surface of said continuous web stuck to said endless belt, an abutment adapted to abut against said endless belt, said abutment being opposed to said ink jet head with the continuous web and said endless belt interposed therebetween, head gap adjusting means for moving at least either of said ink jet head or said abutment in a direction in which the two are opposed to each other, and recovering means for peeling said continuous web, which has passed by said ink je

Abstract: The invention is for a paper insert device for a printer having a tractor cover for openably covering an opening before a tractor, a cut paper guide located above the tractor and behind an opening for manual insertion of a cut paper, and a manual insert cover for openably covering the opening. The manual insert cover is substantially flush with the cut paper guide when open.

Abstract: A recording medium feed mechanism for a printer includes first, second and third transport sections in the printer along a medium pathway wherein the first transport section is disposed at the insertion point of the recording medium into the printer, the second transport section is disposed immediately before the printer section relative to the direction of transport of the recording medium and the third transport section is disposed immediately after the printer section relative to the direction of transport of the recording medium. A single drive source is adapted for driving in common drive rollers at all three transport sections. First, second and third opening/closing mechanisms are incorporated respectively at the first, second and third transport sections to provide closure and medium engagement and its transport when the medium is present at a particular transport section and to provide its opening when the medium is not present or no longer present at a particular transport section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flat printer which is divided in a print carrier plane into a lower housing part and a housing cover which can be placed on or lifted off the latter. The housing cover is pivotably connected to the lower housing part. In a basic version, the housing cover contains only inactive functional components, namely a printing abutment as well as upper transport rollers. All the active functional components, namely the printing head, the driven lower transport rollers with their drives, as well as the drive for the ink ribbon cassette are arranged in the lower housing part. The electronic drive and control device is designed as a circuit board, onto which the functional components to be connected to it are preferably plugged directly.

Abstract: In this printer, switching between a single-sheet form feed path and a continuous form feed path occurs by rotating a paper guide when feeding the forms. When the printed single-sheet form is to be discharged onto a table, the tail end of the form is detected by a first single-sheet form sensor. Form feed is stopped for a moment, and the paper guide is rotated toward the continuous form feed path. Reverse feed of the form is resumed and continued until the tail end of the form reaches approximate center of the paper guide. The paper guide is then rotated toward the single-sheet form feed path. The tail end of the form is bent toward the table, and the form is discharged onto the table. As a result, single-sheet forms fed from a manual insertion port or from an automatic paper sheet feeder can be conveyed after finishing printing to the position where the forms are inserted in a stabilized manner without causing the forms to jam on the discharge path.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording onto a recording medium comprises a U-turn passage having a passage for guiding the recording medium from an upper to an under side, a straight-like passage for guiding the recording medium almost horizontally, a common passage connecting the U-turn passage and the straight-like passage, and a recording head for recording onto the recording medium provided along the common passage.

Abstract: Printer device with a thermal print head (70), the print line (71) of which is resiliently pressed against a transport roller (45), which, driven by a motor, transports material to be imprinted (50, 51). Profiled guides (42, 46) form a first feed track for the paper-like material to be imprinted (50) and a second feed track suitable for inserting cardboard-like material (51) to be imprinted. It is possible to use two transport rollers (45A, 45B) with individual drives side-by-side. A tear-off edge (36B) or a motor driven roller cutting assembly is disposed behind the print line (71).

Abstract: An image copying apparatus for copying an original by scanning a print head having a predetermined head print width a plurality of times in a main scanning direction and displacing an object to be recorded in a subscanning direction, thereby forming an image of the original on the object, includes circuitry for calculating a print width formed at a last line, and for displacing the calculated printed width before the last line and for reducing a suction area of the object on a platen at the time of printing of the last line. The copying apparatus includes a continuous rolled sheet supply and cutter and a stacked pre-cut sheet supply, both sheet supplies have a conveyor for feeding the respective sheet to a recording area. Recording is performed on the inside surface of the rolled sheet and on the lower surface of the cut sheet to avoid the problem of dust collecting on the opposing surfaces.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording information on a continuous rolled recording medium, said recording apparatus comprising a fixed unit and a movable unit. The continuous rolled recording medium is exchangeable in the open position of said movable unit. A printing head is located in either of said fixed unit or said movable unit and a platen is located in the remaining unit. A pair of feed rollers are located downstream of said printing head and said platen with respect to a feeding direction of said recording medium. One of said feed rollers located in said fixed unit is displaceable between a contact position contacting with the other feed roller located in said movable unit when said movable unit is in the closed position and a release position separate from the other feed roller outside a locus of an outer profile of said movable unit.

Abstract: A single manually operated mode selector lever controls selection of a push, pull or park mode of operation of a form feed tractor in a printer. The lever controls a cam which moves a spring-biased tractor drive shaft axially so that a gear on the drive shaft selectively engages a first gear which drives the shaft in a first direction, a second gear which drives the shaft in a second direction, or engages no gear so that the drive shaft is not driven. The form feed tractors are mounted on the drive shaft so that the shaft may move along its axis relative to the tractors or the tractors may be pivoted relative to the shaft. The mode selector lever also controls a mechanism which applies a force to a tractor plate so as to pivot the tractors about the drive shaft, thereby changing the orientation of the tractors relative to the platen. The force applied to the tractor plate is also transmitted to pressure or pinch rolls in the pull mode to relieve constraint on movement of the forms.

Abstract: A printer including a mechanism part which permits selective printing on cut sheets of record paper and rolled sheet of record paper, in which the designation of the record paper can be set from a host computer and, if two or more kinds of record paper are designated at the same time, the respective kinds of record paper are can be transferred simultaneously to thereby be able to print the printed contents of the cut sheet paper on the continuous paper as well. Whereby, the printer which can accommodate various kinds of record paper, is simple in structure and highly reliable, includes an inexpensive printing mechanism which provides a good space efficiency, can selectively print cut sheets and continuous paper with a high efficiency, and can print the printed contents of the cut sheet paper on the roll paper at the same time, and a method for controlling the printer.

Abstract: The invention provides a printer where a continuous paper/cut paper changeover lever for changing over a continuous paper print mode and a cut paper print mode can be smoothly tuned so as to reduce a load on a drive mechanism and improve durability. A platen gear and a continuous paper/cut paper changeover lever at an end of a platen shaft, the platen gear is fitted to the outer periphery of the end of the platen shaft and fastened thereto by a pin. The continuous paper/cut paper changeover lever is fitted onto the outer peripheral portion of an extension portion of the platen gear. Engagement pawls of the continuous paper/cut paper changeover lever engage an engagement projection formed on a boss portion of the platen gear to be engageably held in a turnable manner relative to the boss portion of the platen gear.

Abstract: A printer includes an outer case housing a printing head and a platen and being provided with a paper sheet introducing opening. A paper sheet introducing guide is mounted on the outer case to guide a paper sheet introduced into the introducing opening to a position adjacent to the platen. A paper sheet intermediate guide is mounted within the outer case to guide the paper sheet from the distal end of the introducing guide to a gap between the platen and the printing head. A paper sheet auxiliary guide extends from the intermediate guide to the upper surface of the distal end portion of the introducing guide.

Abstract: A printing system, according to the present invention, is comprised of a carriage having a thermal print head and associated ink ribbon cartridge, a platen, a label tape cassette, and a suitable housing and control electronics. The thermal print head can be alternatively positioned over the platen for printing on ordinary paper, or positioned to be in contact with the label tape cassette for making adhesive labels. An optical sensor detects when the printing carriage swings beyond the normal plain paper printing range. The thermal print head has sufficient dot forming capability and the control electronics is designed to support the printing of many fonts, including Japanese Kanji (Chinese characters), Hiragana, Katakana, and Romaji (e.g., English alphabet).

Abstract: The recording apparatus includes a continuous rolled sheet supply and cutter and a stacked pre-cut sheet supply, both sheet supplies have a conveyor for feeding the respective sheet to a recording area. Recording is performed on the inside surface of the rolled sheet and on the lower surface of the cut sheet to avoid the problem of dust collecting on the opposing surfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus capable of automatically changing over continuous paper and cut paper, wherein manual changeover is possible even if an actuator is locked in case of an accidental paper jam, to thus facilitate a processing. A platen gear can be associated with a tractor drive gear via a clutch gear for connecting or disconnecting both gears to or from each other upon oscillation of a clutch lever. The clutch lever is oscillated by a changeover lever which is moved by a changeover cam driven by a stepping motor. Therefor, the changeover cam is manually moved under a normal condition so that the changeover of the continuous paper and the cut paper can be manually performed without any application of a load of the stepping motor.

Abstract: A printer includes a printing portion and means for defining a sheet path along which a printing media passes through the printing portion. The sheet path defining means includes a pair of first feed rollers arranged upstream of the printing portion with respect to a normal feed direction of the printing media with the first rollers being adapted to be driven in the normal or a reverse direction. The first rollers further are driven at a predetermined speed with a predetermined speed force at least in a normal direction. A pair of second feed rollers is arranged downstream of the printing portion which are driven only in the normal direction at a feed speed slightly higher than the predetermined feed speed with a feed force slightly smaller than the predetermined feed force. The second rollers further are freely rotatable in the reverse direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for the selectably alternative feeding of single sheets and of endless webs of paper in a printer includes a guide roll (7), and first and second groups (8, 9) of friction rollers concurrently movable between first and second positions to define respective single sheet and endless web feeding modes of operation. In their first positions, the first friction rollers (8) contact the guide roll (7) to define a first single sheet feed channel (4) and the second friction rollers (9) contact the guide roll (7) to define a second single sheet feed channel (5). When shifted to their second positions, the first friction rollers (8) are displaced from their first position contact with the guide roll (7) to substantially eliminate the first single sheet feed channel (4), and the second friction roller (9) are lowered to form with the guide roll (7) an endless web feed channel (6).

Abstract: The operation of an automatic sheet feeder provided with a plurality of sheet hoppers which are used selectively to feed sheets to a printer is controlled. A control unit of the printer supplies a multiplex control signal including a hopper select signal and a sheet delivery signal to the automatic sheet feeder through a single signal line. The width of pulses of the hopper select signal is smaller than a predetermined time, while the width of the sheet delivery signal is greater than the predetermiend time. The pulses of the multiplex control signal are compared with the predetermined time to discriminate the hopper select signal and the sheet delivery signal from each other. That sheet hopper corresponding to the number of pulses of the hopper select signal is selected, and then the automatic feeding of sheets from the selected sheet hopper commences upon the reception of the sheet delivery signal.

Abstract: A printer which can accommodate both continuous sheets and cut sheets includes both a continuous sheet path and a cut sheet path. A printing section is provided in common for the continuous and cut sheets. A manually slidable continuous sheet guide plate is provided in the upper portion of the printing section. A detector detects operation of the continuous sheet guide plate. When the guide plate is slid so that the cut sheet path is closed and the continuous sheet path is selected, in response to the output of the detector the continuous sheet is fed to the exit of the continuous sheet path.

Abstract: An automatic sheet feeder assembled to a printer which is provided with a sheet feed means for feeding a continuous-form sheet. The sheet feeder includes a hopper for storing therein a stack of cut sheets and a pivotable stacker for storing therein a stack of printed cut sheets. The stacker has operative position for receiving the cut sheets therein and has a spaced position for allowing the continuous form sheet to be printed. Detecting means is provided for detecting pivotal position of the stacker, and control means is provided for feeding the continuous form sheet when the stacker is out of the operative position responsive to the position of the stacker. A sheet feed mechanism is provided for feeding the cut sheets on the hopper to the printer. The sheet feed mechanism becomes inoperative when the continuous-form sheet is to be printed.

Abstract: A sheet discharge apparatus for a printer comprising a platen, a first discharge roller unit movable toward and away from the platen and defining a first sheet insertion passage at a location between the platen and the first discharge roller unit, an openable and closable top cover, a second discharge roller unit mounted for longitudinal movement in parallel relation to the top cover, to define a second sheet insertion passage at a location between the first discharge roller unit and the second discharge roller unit, and positioning means for the second discharge roller unit, which is provided on the printer body.

Abstract: A multi-tractor shuttle printer having an array of moveable tractors such that a selected tractor and form can be shuttled into, and out of, position for printing. A drive motor is linked via cable to the tractors to shuttle them into and out of position. Guide plates located on each side of the array of tractors have guide slots into which a guide rod from each tractor fits. Movement through the path of the guide slots is controlled by a pair of flippers located in each guide plate. When a tractor is driven to the engaged position, it engages a main drive gear which controls transportation of a continuous form through the engaged tractor into the printer.

Abstract: A printer suitable for use with either a continuous printing form or a separate printing form, includes a printer casing having projections on both sides thereof and a rearwardly inclined groove located below the projections. The paper shelf has elongated grooves formed at both sides of the front portion thereof so as to engage the projections of the printer casing, respectively. When a separate printing form is used, the rear end of the paper shelf is raised by pivoting the paper shelf about the projections of the printer casing and the front edge thereof enters the inclined groove of the printer casing so that when the rear ends of the elongated grooves engage the projections, the paper shelf is positioned by the inclined groove and the projections of the printer casing.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed having an improved paper feed mechanism. The improved paper feed system has a reduced cost and accepts a wide variety of paper types including continous forms and single cut sheets fed both by hand and from a paper tray. Furthermore, the printer is capable of switching from one paper source to another without requiring the operator to unload and reload paper. The mechanism operates with only two motors and no solenoids. Control over the paper path is maintained by employing the carriage to select the paper path and lift the ball. The printer also has a novel paper sensor.

Abstract: Image recording apparatus characterized by being equipped with the carriers to carry the recording sheet on which recording is made, recording heads, container to accommodate the recording heads, carrier guides which are so arranged as to place the carriers in between such carrier guides and the recording heads wherein rollers are provided to the carrier guides at the point where the carrier enters and leaves.

Abstract: A printer comprises a platen roller for supporting and feeding a cut sheet, a first motor for rotating the platen roller and a tractor for feeding a continuous paper. The tractor is capable of being connected to the first motor through the platen roller. The printer comprises a second motor having first, second and third phases based on a rotational angle. A clutch can be connected to both the platen roller and the tractor and can be disconnected between the platen roller and the tractor based on driving force from the second motor. A paper bail roller is faced with the platen and the platen bail roller can be moved between a position contacting the platen and a position separated from the platen by paper bail roller moving unit based on driving force by the second motor.

Abstract: A sheet or tractor media handling system for a compact printer having a housing, a cut-sheet supply station and a rotatable print platen constructed and located to feed top sheets from said supply station through a print path ingress past a print zone and out a print path egress. The system includes a mode control assembly for selectively controlling the movement of said supply station for sheet or tractor media; a pair of guide wheels constructed and mounted for engagement with tractor media along a tractor media inlet passage; bail rollers engaging the platen between the print path ingress and egress; and a variable spring system for urging the bail rollers against the print platen with higher or lower nip pressures for sheet or tractor media conditions.

Abstract: In an office machine, for example a printer, with an endless paper transport mode via a tractor and with an individual paper transport mode via driving rollers, one mode of operation is changed to the other in a simple way. A two-armed rotary lever is rotatably mounted relative to the housing and is positively coupled selectively to a paper switch for deflecting the paper path in accordance with the selected mode and selectively to the drive of the tractor, in such a way that, during the connection and disconnection of the tractor drive for respective endless paper and transport and idle modes, a change-over of the path switch takes place simultaneously.

Abstract: A paper transferring apparatus in an electrophotograph type printer includes rollers for transferring out papers from a hopper and through a transferrinng section to a discharge port, as well as first and second tractors for transferring continuous papers from the inlet port through the transferring section and to the discharge port. A motor provides a common driving source for both the rollers and the tractor. Clutches are provided for selectively connecting and disconnection the rollers and the tractors to the motor as a function of whether a cut paper mode or a continuous paper mode is selected by a control unit.

Abstract: A paper tractor unit is disclosed. The tractor unit which is movably provided for a support member can be selectively moved between a position at which a continuous paper is fed and a position from which the paper is drawn, a paper drawing drive roller and a pinch roller being provided at the position from which the paper is drawn. A release lever is provided which moves in synchronization with a switching position to the position from which the paper is drawn. A pinch roller and a guide shaft are provided for a support plate which is capable of being moved by the release lever. The pinch roller can come into contact with the paper-drawing drive roller and move away from the same. The guide shaft can freely move along a guide portion in a direction in which the pinch roller comes into contact with and moves away from the drive lever. A guide pin is a pinion and a rack is formed on the guide portion for the purpose of engaging with the pinion.

Abstract: A laser beam printer having a scanner unit and a sheet transport apparatus for use with the scanner unit. The printer includes a sheet feeding part, a photosensitive medium, a transfer part and a scanner unit, the transfer part being provided at an upper portion of the photosensitive medium. The sheet transport apparatus includes an upper transport path for transporting a record sheet from the sheet feeding part to the transfer part of the printer. The sheet transport apparatus further includes a transport path which passes by a position where the scanner unit is provided, the position being adjacent to the upper transport path.

Abstract: A portable printer including paper feed apparatus for utilizing sheet, roll or continuous form paper. The paper feed apparatus having pin feed drive members and friction rollers for feeding all three forms of paper. The printer also includes apparatus for selecting printing different character pitches to reduce the memory capacity required. A method is provided for operating the printer to obtain alignment of the paper feed drive motor prior to printing.

Abstract: A paper detecting apparatus for a printer which can be produced at a low cost. The paper detecting apparatus comprises a pivotal paper detecting member for detecting paper which passes a paper transport path, and a motion converting and transmitting mechanism for converting pivotal motion of the paper detecting member and transmitting the same to a remote location. The paper detecting apparatus further includes a sensor for converting linear movement transmitted thereto by the motion converting and transmitting mechanism into an electric signal.

Abstract: A printer for printing data on a form sheet and duplicate or related data on a journal tape in which the form sheet is fed lengthwise past a stationary ink jet printer head to print a line of characters and thereafter the print head is fed across the journal tape while the latter is stationary whereby to print a line of duplicate or related characters across the tape. Forms of different lengths can be printed.

Abstract: A printer having a printing unit for printing on a sheet and a sheet feeding control section for controlling continuous or cut sheet feeding is disclosed. The sheet feeding control section performs sheet feeding of a predetermined amount after the data corresponding to one page has been printed by the printing unit. The sheet detecting section detects whether or not the printing sheet exists in the vicinity of the printing unit. If no printing sheet is det4ected in the vicinity of the printing unit, the printing control section determines that no continuous-page sheet feeder has been mounted. On the other hand, if the printing sheet is detected, the printing control section determines that the continuous-page sheet feeder has been mounted. If it is found that no continuous-page sheet feeder is mounted, the printing operation is stopped temporarily. If it is found that the continuous-page sheet feeder has been mounted, the printing operation is continued.

Abstract: A printing system prints characters or figures on a label removably adhered to a backing web on a platen roller. Separating rollers are disposed on the downstream side of the platen roller. A backing web with labels fed out from the platen roller after printing is bent by the separating rollers. The backing web bent by the separating rollers is drawn out from the separating rollers by a backing web feeding mechanism. When the backing web is bent by the separating rollers and drawn out from the separating rollers by the backing web feeding mechanism, a label is peeled off from the backing web to which it has been adhered. The separating rollers and the backing web feeding mechanism are coupled in an integral relation to constitute a label separating device. The label separating device is removably supported on a body of the print system.

Abstract: A printing mechanism is preceded by a single feeding region for separate papers and endless papers. The feeding region comprises an inlet duct for manually feeding separate papers, a tractor for the transport of endless papers arranged fixedly under the inlet duct and at least one cassette for automatically feeding separate papers. The cassette is detachably arranged above the inlet duct and is inclined obliquely forwards.

Abstract: A printer for printing on at least two types of recording sheet using a single print head arranged at a single printing section. The printer includes a first recording sheet forwarding path, a second sheet forwarding path, a first recording sheet forwarding mechanism, a second recording sheet forwarding mechanism, a printing section opening/closing mechanism, a first recording sheet path opening/closing mechanism, a second recording sheet path opening/closing mechanism, a single recording sheet detector, and a recording sheet blocking mechanism.

Abstract: For a simple adjustment of a printer from paper sheet transport to endless paper transport mode and conversely, an adjustment assembly is adjustable through selective engagement by a ram of the print head carriage according to the carriage position and is in operative connection with an endless paper feed tractor, a paper path switch and pressure rollers to selectively place these elements in the sheet and endless paper feed modes.

Abstract: An apparatus of the type for the supply of webs to a processing station is described, in which by means of a controllable drive mechanism, each of several webs is advanced to the processing station in superimposed guide channels. The front portion of the web, following processing, is cut from the web and the front end of the web, following separation, is retracted out of the processing station. For this purpose, the controllable drive mechanism can be selectively engaged with one web in the vicinity of the guide channel of the web for the complete forward and return transport of the web before and after a processing operation. The drive mechanism preferably has reversibly drivable rollers. For producing an engagement between a web and a drive roller the guide channels are preferably pivotable with respect to the rollers. The processing station is generally a printing means, in which, for example tickets of differing color are to be printed.

Abstract: A printer has one or more tractor sets for continuously feeding paper along first and second paper paths. One tractor set may be pivoted between positions for feeding paper from the front or bottom of the printer along the first paper path. Where one tractor set is used, it may be removed from the first feed path and disposed along the second paper path to feed paper along the second paper path for printing. Where two tractor sets are provided, the second set is disposed along the second paper path to feed the paper along the second path for printing. The tractor sets are detachable and usable in each of the three tractor set feed positions. Other features include eccentric bearings, resilient roller assemblies, an integrally molded mainframe and a cartridge assembly having a one-way ribbon advance clutch and a tensioning device before the mobius loop.