Abstract: A paper guiding system for an acoustic printer enclosure which includes universally adjustable paper guides which slidably extend into the interior of the printer enclosure to direct printer paper across the gap formed between the paper transport system of a printer housed in the enclosure and the paper opening in a panel of the acoustic printer enclosure.

Abstract: A dot matrix printer having a platen, a carriage, and a print head mounted on the carriage. A paper guide is secured to the carriage. A ribbon mask made of a resilient plate is attached to the paper guide. A cantilevered resilient plate is formed in the ribbon mask so as to be abutted on a front end of the print head to form a path for a ribbon between the resilient plate and the print head.

Abstract: In a method for setting paper on a printer wherein a paper guide having an extending portion extending parallel to a platen is provided opposite to the platen on a printing head reciprocating in parallel with the platen, the paper guide having an opening for exposing an ink ribbon at a position opposite a nose portion of the printing head to provide for printing on a paper inserted between the printing head and the platen, the method including the steps of placing the printing head at a position where the extending portion of the paper guide faces the paper and the opening in the paper guide is displaced away from the paper, feeding the paper between the extending portion and the platen to a position where an upper side of the paper passes beyond the opening, shifting the printing head to substantially a central portion of the cut paper, and thereafter feeding the paper to a printing start position.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided which is capable of transferring recording information from an ink film to recording paper without clogging the recording paper in the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus includes a thermal recording head which generates heat in response to recording information to transfer ink from an ink film to the recording paper thereby printing the recording information on the recording paper. An ink film guide roller guides the ink film from the thermal recording head without forming wrinkles in the ink film. A separating plate is positioned closely adjacent the ink film guide roller to separate the recording paper from the ink film. The ink film guide roller has a pair of side rollers and a center roller, the diameters of the side rollers being greater than the diameter of the center roller in order to reduce the formation of wrinkles in the ink film.

Abstract: In a device having a driving mechanism for moving a writing medium over a platen disposed adjacent the mechanism and having a generally horizontal table portion and a curved outer portion where the writing medium is smoothly curved from a generally horizontal supported state to an unsupported vertically hanging state an improvement to the platen for eliminating static charge buildup problems. In its simplest form, it comprises a plurality of horizontal grooves in the upper surface of at least the curved outer portion of the platen at spaced intervals. Preferably, the plurality of horizontal grooves are substantially V-shaped in cross-section so as to create, in effect, a series of overlapped plates on the surface of the platen which, in turn, cause the creation of areas of air turbulence which partially support the moving medium.

Abstract: A printer includes improved paper feeding mechanism. A manual paper guide plate below an automatic paper feeding device can guide a thick piece of paper into a printing position on the platen without bending it hard around the platen. A pin tractor below the manual paper guide plate can feed a continuous web substantially straight into the printing position. A print head below the platen prints out on the lower surface of printing paper, whereby the printed individual cut sheets of paper being piled up one after another with the printed surface facing downward in a proper paper order. A paper tray for holding the printed paper can alternatively change its position to reverse the discharge direction of the printed continuous web. The printed and reversed paper can be stacked on the upper surface of the manual paper guide plate.

Abstract: The platen (11) is mounted between two side plates (9-10) of equipment which is hinged to two risers (5-6) to rotate about an axis .gamma. running parallel to the axis of the platen. The platen is provided with a freewheel mechanism including an inner ring (28) which is connected to the platen and an outer ring (29) which is provided with a peg (31) engaged in a slot (8) in a fixed member (7). The slot is situated on the opposite side of the platen axis .DELTA. relative to the axis of rotation .gamma. and in substantially the same plane. Detector means (36-37) for detecting the presence of a document in an insertion channel (17) cause the platen to rotate in the direction in which the freewheel mechanism drives the outer ring, thereby pressing the peg against the slot and rocking the equipment about the axis .gamma. thus allowing a document to pass between the print head and the platen until it meets an abutment (14) which is moved into place by the rocking action.

Abstract: In a word processor which includes a display unit, a keyboard unit and a printer, the display unit and the printer being viewable by an operator of the keyboard unit, a paper guide device which is detachably mountable on the printer to feed paper to be printed on into the paper inlet slot of the printer has a flat guide surface against which the paper to be printed on can be positioned and a draft holding member which is movable between a first position which allows paper which is placed against the flat guide surface to be supplied into the paper inlet slot and a second position wherein draft paper placed against the flat guide surface will be supported thereon for viewing by an operator of the keyboard unit.

Abstract: A thermal printing apparatus including a print station, a transport mechanism for positioning a record medium at the print station, an arcuately-shaped platen, a line of printing elements and a thermally responsive ribbon. Relative movement between the platen and the printing elements is effected from a pivot point. Printing in a variety of styles of fonts like E13B is possible on documents like checks or deposit slips, for example. Special spring and wire members facilitate the separation of the ribbon from the document after printing.

Abstract: A printer includes a platen and a printing head which are covered with a cover. The cover includes a top plate and a rear plate extending substantially vertically from the rear end of the top plate. A cut sheet guide and a separator are rockably mounted on the top plate, respectively. In printing on a cut sheet, the guide is rocked to a feed position, wherein it is inclined at a predetermined angle to the top plate, and held therein by the separator. In printing on a continuous sheet, it is introduced into the cover through a continuous-sheet aperture formed in the rear plate, transported to the platen, and discharged toward the rear end of the top plate from a discharge aperture formed in the top plate. At this time, the guide is rocked to a discharge position wherein it is parallel to the top plate, and the separator is rocked to a separating position wherein it is parallel to the top plate and its distal end portion projects from the rear end of the top plate.

Abstract: A carriage drive control device to enable printing on a printing sheet from the leading edge thereof. A carriage drive control device repositions a carriage supporting a print head and a paper guide member at the midpoint of a printing line prior to each advance of the printing sheet as long as the leading edge of the printing sheet has been advanced beyond the printing line by a distance less than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A printer includes a first paper feed passage extending from the rear of a platen to a printing position through the lower part of the platen, and a second paper feed passage extending from substantially just under the printing position to the printing position. A first pinch roller is disposed on the way to the first paper feed passage for pressing a first paper against the platen. The first paper is fed by rotating the platen. A second pinch roller is disposed on the way to the second paper feed passage for pressing the second paper against the platen. Rotation of the platen causes the second paper to be fed. In addition, a paper insertion device includes a flat part for placing a paper thereon and a slit for converting the advance direction of a paper from horizontal to vertical. With the second paper placed on the flat part and inserted into the printer, the paper is directed upwardly by a curved surface defining the slit and is allowed to enter the second paper feed passage with ease for further advance.

Abstract: A sheet material transferring apparatus of the type including a transferring roller about which the sheet material is wound, a sheet guiding member and a sheet retainer. The sheet guiding member is formed with a plurality of openings through which pinch rollers are projected inwardly. When it is turned in the one direction by actuating a lever, it assumes an operative position where the pinch rollers and the sheet retainer are brought in pressure contact with the circumferential surface of the sheet guiding member while the spaced relation between the sheet guiding member and the transferring member is maintained whereby the sheet material is transferred along the circumferential surface of the transferring roller.

Abstract: A printer comprises a first paper feed passage extending from the rear of a platen to a printing position through the lower part of the platen, and a second paper feed passage extending from substantially just under the printing position to the printing position. A first pinch roller is disposed on the way to the first paper feed passage for pressing a first paper against the platen. The first paper is fed by rotating the platen. A second pinch roller is disposed on the way to the second paper feed passage for pressing the second paper against the platen. Rotation of the platen here causes the second paper to be fed. In addition, a paper insertion device according to the present invention includes a flat part for placing a paper thereon and a slit for converting the advance direction of a paper from horizontal to vertical.

Abstract: A printer wherein when in printing, a platen and a head are opposedly disposed by a carriage, said printer comprising a bottom plate on which said platen or said head is disposed, and a body hinged to said bottom plate and designed to include said carriage, said body and said bottom plate being relatively rotated.

Abstract: A printer characterized in that a paper feed path for guiding a record paper to a printing position formed between a platen and a head is disposed on the same plane on the whole including the printing position and portions before and behind the printing position.

Abstract: A guard is used to close the gap between the print ribbon and a check supported by the platen in a check writing machine. The guard inhibits paper or metal shims from entering the gap to receive the check amount and payee data thereby protecting the printer from issuing blank checks which could later be filled out to create a counterfeit document.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing and issuing tickets has a circular ticket guide in which a drive cylinder is disposed to selectively rotate in a forward or reverse direction. A ticket magazine feeds a blank ticket into the ticket guide in the forward direction and the cylinder rotates, driving the ticket in the forward or reverse direction in order to execute a series of process steps involved in issuing the written ticket. Arrayed in an arcuate sequence adjacent the ticket guide in the forward direction are a printing and reading apparatus, a ramped impound aperture, and a ramped issue aperture. A ticket is fed from the hopper in the forward direction and the drive cylinder is rotated to carry the ticket past the printing and reading apparatus where information is written and verified on the ticket. The drive cylinder continues to rotate in the forward direction, carrying the ticket past the impound, and then the issue aperture.

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 print control system in a banking machine performs a validation printing, wherein the printing operation of the same printing data is repeatedly conducted by shifting the record receiving paper sheet in the direction along the printing line after the completion of the one line data printing. The print control system includes a paper feeding mechanism which tightly holds the record receiving paper sheet while the actual printing operation is conducted, and shifts the record receiving paper sheet along the printing line by a predetermined distance after the completion of the actual printing operation.

Abstract: A document encoder is described, which is conceived as a compact desk set. In order to serve as a multi purpose unit and in spite of that exhibit a compact type of construction, the various printing devices (2, 4, 6, 7, 8) and print backings (41, 42; 47; 55; 64, 71) impacting the document from its front- and back side are arranged stationary in a chassis (1), while the printing process in direction of the lines is accomplished solely through conveying the document by means of a conveyor device. The print devices and the print backings are arranged so that they apply print to the front- and back sides of the document in a partially overlapping way. The document conveyor path (10) is U-shaped, whereby the input station (11) is located at one leg of the conveyor path (10), the printing devices (2, 4, 6, 7, 8) at the other leg (15). The printing mechanisms themselves are either type wheel printing mechanisms (3), stamping print mechanisms (4, 6) or needle print mechanisms (7, 8), according to the desired needs.

Abstract: A printing medium detecting mechanism of a printer having a plurality of printing medium traveling paths includes a detecting groove provided in a circumferential portion of a platen other than a printing region thereof, a first printing medium detecting lever disposed on one of the plurality of the traveling paths to freely fit in the detecting lever, and a medium detecting sensor provided on a printer control circuit board. The printing medium detecting mechanism further includes a second printing medium detecting lever provided on any other medium traveling path of the plurality of the medium traveling paths. The first printing medium detecting lever is adapted to be interlocked with the second printing medium detecting lever, thereby enabling to provide a simplified printing medium detecting mechanism.

Abstract: A printer device for the individual feed of pre-printed sheets or tickets through a sheet guide channel to a printer platen of an associated printer comprises at least two sensors. The at least two sensors are connected to the inputs of a control processor which processes the electrical states of the sensors. The outputs LINE FEED and SELECT of this control processor are conducted to inputs of the SELECT and LINE FEED function input circuits of the associated printer. Commercially available printers can be converted into specialized printers for data recording or for filling in pre-printed forms without substantial modification by employing this device.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises recording means for effecting recording on one surface of a recording medium, means for feeding the recording medium, a housing for containing the recording means and the feeding means therein, and means provided at a position whereat it is discharged outwardly from the housing when the recording medium is fed by the feeding means, the means being for guiding the recording medium in a predetermined direction and guiding the recording medium so that on one surface of the recording medium, the means can contact only the widthwise end portions of the recording medium.

Abstract: A printer of a wire-dot impact type is provided forwardly of the housing an inlet opening for introducing a printing paper to the inside and has an outlet opening provided at a rear side of the housing for discharging the printing paper to the outside. The printing paper is transported by cooperation of a tractor arranged near the outlet opening and a feed roller arranged near the inlet opening, to thereby run inside the housing in substantially a straight path of travel from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, during which the printing paper is printed by means of a platen and a printing head, both provided between the feed roller and the tractor. A pair of guide members are provided between the feed roller and the printing unit and between the printing unit and the tractor, respectively, to thereby feed the printing paper along the straight path of travel.

Abstract: A feeder for an edge-punched record carrier (3) which can be installed on existing printers with only slight structural changes on the printer. To be able to process continuous record carriers trouble-free even in an unfavorable position of the paper supply, with a method of construction that is suitable for mass production and in which the parts can be economically produced and mounted, the feeder (6) forms a self-supporting frame including side supports (7a, 7b) which can be connected to the printer frame (1a) by means of a pair of suspension hooks (13, 14) provided on each side support (7a, 7b). The suspension hooks (13, 14) are mounted on corresponding fastening bolts (15, 16). A cover (18) for the drive elements is mounted on one of the side supports (7a, 7b). A catch (17) is provided on the cover (18) which serves to maintain the feeder (6) in operating position.

Abstract: A check encoder (11) for printing of full field MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) codes on checks, includes a check guide (19) and means for sensing the position of the check (25,27) in the check guide (19). A pair of fixed roller assemblies (29,31), coact with a pair of movable roller assemblies (33,35) to grip the check and move the check under the action of a stepper motor (44) to an initial known position. A hammer (87), mounted in a hammer mount (83) and activated by an electrical solenoid (91) impacts the check against successive selected characters on a font wheel (61) to print the desired MICR code. A computer program, controls the operation of the check positioning, check encoding and check moving operations. When the desired MICR code has been printed on the check, the check is moved out of the encoder (11) by means of the fixed and movable roller assemblies (29,31,33 and 35).

Abstract: A paper transporting mechanism is disclosed in connection with a printer having a printing head mounted on a carriage reciprocatingly moved transversely of a printing paper to be printed by the printing head and a platen arranged opposite to the printing head with a clearance being provided therebetween for passing the printing paper therethrough, wherein a first pair of rollers is frictionally rotated to transport the printing paper in the direction toward the printing head and platen, a second pair of rollers is frictionally rotated to transport the printing paper in the direction away from the printing head and platen, a guide is provided between the first and second pairs of rollers, the guide including a first guide plate for guiding the printing paper in the direction toward the printing head and platen and a second guide plate for guiding the printing paper in the direction away from the printing head and platen, the first and second guide plates being integrated to each other to provide opposite inser

Abstract: A sheet front loading printer comprising a printer body with a chute beneath the body and having the inner portion bent upwards in order to guide a sheet inserted therein up to the platen. The platen also doubles as a sheet feeding device. To allow the use of sheets having a dimension less than the one defined by the path of the bottom of the chute, the chute is provided with at least one elongated opening or indentation and an arrangement of the printer supports which allows the printer to rest on a working plane. This permits further advancement of the sheet by manual action performed by the operator through the opening in the bottom of the chute.

Abstract: A paper guide device for guiding a recording paper from a printing position to the upper and back direction of a platen, comprises an upper guide extending the width of the recording paper, a lower guide extending the width of the recording paper, and a path for passing the recording paper between the upper guide and the lower guide. The upper guide and the lower guide are disposed over the platen, and the upper guide is provided with a paper cutter for cutting the recording paper at the outlet of the forward path of the recording paper, and the lower guide is provided with means for guiding the recording paper in the lower direction along the platen, the recording paper having been inserted from the back of the platen.

Abstract: A printing device comprising a main cover having an opening which is located above a print mechanism and extends over a printing width of the print mechanism; a paper holder mounted on the main cover, pivotally at a position adjacent to a rear end of the opening, to permit a pivotal motion between a closed position for covering the opening and an open position wherein the paper holder uncovers the opening, the paper holder supporting and guiding a print paper supplied to the print mechanism when the paper holder is in the open position; and a paper guide pivotally mounted adjacent to a front edge of the opening of the main cover, and retained by a biasing member in a paper-guiding position thereof wherein the paper guide extends diagonally in a rear upward direction from a pivot thereof over the print mechanism and guiding the print paper which is fed backwardly by the print mechanism when the paper holder is in the open position, the paper guide being pushed downwardly by the paper holder and pivoted to a st

Abstract: A paper feeding and guiding system for a printer with a flat platen has twin mating feed rollers fitted with "O" ring type friction elements cooperating with specially curved entrance and exit paper directing and guiding members which keep the paper or other record material flat against the platen face without the use of a bail or vacuum system. The axis of one feed roller is adjustable to alter the rolling radius of the "O" rings from one end of the feed rollers to the other to provide correction for skew feeding of the record material. The exit paper guide is vibration isolated from the platen bar and fitted with a noise control flap to close off the paper entrance cavity. The mechanism for disengaging the feed rollers for paper insertion is combined with a paper alignment guide which is projected into the path of the inserted paper to align the top edge for correct feeding and coincidence with the steps of a stepping motor drive which incrementally drives the feed rollers.

Abstract: Printing apparatus with a roller platen and a plastic strip for holding paper against the roller platen even if insufficient paper is fed through to reach the usual guide rollers. The plastic strip is arranged in a closed loop and is connected to the print element to move with it in the line direction. The strip has a perforation for the penetration of printing type or the like.

Abstract: Above the platen and throughout the entire width of the paper guide, the back of a guide member which is inclined in the direction of the paper eject, is firmly arranged. On bolts in the end faces pairs of levers are swivel mounted which, via tooth segments, lie in engagement with one another. Between each of the levers there is arranged a tension spring. The front levers are in connection with one another by a shaft on which pressure rolls are seated. Between the levers and firmly connected thereto, there is arranged a paper-tearing device. The rearward levers are provided with oblong holes in which a rod is resiliently supported.

Abstract: A universal paper transport mechanism for feeding both continuous form and single sheet paper to a printer includes pin belt tractors longitudinally displaceable along a guide bar transversed to the direction of movement of the paper, the tractor is driven from a laterally positioned motor. The tractor drive transport mechanism is pivotable from a horizontal position to a vertical position and attachable and detachable guiding elements are provided for use with single sheet paper, and are affixable to the tractor transport mechanism in an area adjacent and above a printing station area. The guiding elements are substantially symmetrical relative to one another and can be attached to the guide strip of the tractor transport mechanism on which the individual pin belt tractor assemblies are guided.

Abstract: For the reliable guiding of a record carrier and the printing thereon as far as in the vicinity of the upper and lower edge, a pivotable device is arranged over the printing drum, said device comprising two or more flat hold-down devices which are arranged on a rotatable shaft. The hold-down devices can be slid into a first position in which they engage the printing drum and a second position in which they are lifted off the printing drum. In the first position, the record carrier is deflected to the printing drum during transport, and in the second position it is transported by additional pressure rollers. The device is pivotable about the printing drum into three positions and is constructed as a modular unit. This enables the simultaneous or alternating transport about the printing drum of different record carriers in a different manner.

Abstract: A mounting head is used to fix a print wheel to the free end of a drive shaft provided on a carrier. The head extends from the print wheel toward a platen. The head lies in a space defined by the print wheel and a document guide device which is located between the platen and the print wheel and which guides a document downward in front of the platen. A document is not blocked by the mounting head while it is guided through the gap between the platen and the document guide device.

Abstract: Paper drive apparatus for multi-ply unglued paper wherein a centrally disposed pin wheel member is rotatable in contact with a backup member the latter having a central groove or slot into which the pins of the pin wheel member are rotatably receivable. Unglued, multi-ply paper is fed into the nip between the pin wheel member and the bifurcated backup roller across a demountable, flexible paper guide, the latter ensuring the proper angle of entry of the unglued paper with respect to the nip between the pin wheel and backup roller.

Abstract: An automatic sheet feeding system of a printing apparatus comprising a platen, a printing head, a sheet ejecting stacker and a sheet feeding stacker. The platen remains stationary when the leading edge of a sheet fed by the sheet feeding roller has abutted against the platen, whereby the tilting position of the sheet can be corrected. The system comprises further sheet leading edge detecting means disposed at the inlet of the sheet ejecting passage near the platen. When the detecting means detects the leading edge of a sheet, the platen can be rotated in the reverse direction through a predetermined angle for setting the printing initiating position on a sheet at a predetermined distance from the leading edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A printing machine comprising a flat, substantially horizontal, guide portion on which the document to be printed is initially placed, a curved guide portion connected with the horizontal guide portion across which the document may be pushed manually and a final vertical guide portion connected with the curved guide portion providing a vertical passage across which a print head traverses for the purpose of printing on the document as it moves upwardly through the vertical passage. Drive rolls are provided in the vertical passage just above the line of traverse of the head for first continuously pulling the document upwardly through the passage once it has been manually pushed to this point and then incrementing the document upwardly through the machine and in the vertical passage for each of the lines of print provided by the print head.

Abstract: A printing machine, such as a typewriter, printer, etc., including a platen having wound thereon a sheet for printing characters and symbols thereon and provided with an automatic sheet feeding apparatus including a cassette containing a plurality of sheets automatically fed to the platen. The cassette can be inserted into or withdrawn from the sheet feeding apparatus through an opening in the front of the sheet feeding apparatus. The sheet feeding apparatus enables a sheet to be selectively fed manually, if desired, besides enabling sheets to be fed automatically from the cassette. The sheet feeding apparatus enables a paper bail to be mechanically operated in conjunction with its operation of automatically feeding sheets to the platen.

Abstract: Demountable, replaceable, printer ribbon cartridge transport apparatus comprising an elongated, flat, rigid, support member provided with oppositely disposed parallel recessed areas co-extensive with the longer dimension thereof and having means intermediate the ends for adjusting the length of the member and thereafter retaining the adjusted length. An endless inked ribbon is disposed within the recessed areas with each opposite end of the ribbon looped around the end of the support member and back upon itself so as to be moveable lengthwise in opposite directions along the long dimension of the support member. Demountable end caps are secured to each opposite end of the support member to protect the ribbon as it reverses direction about the end of the support and to enable the support member to be cammed into and out of engagement with ribbon drive means.

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: In a high speed printer, a system is provided for permitting paper feed optionally through openings at the front, bottom and rear of the printer housing. First and second spaced parallel arcuate rear guide members define a rear guideway leading paper from the rear opening to the front of the printer platen. Third and fourth spaced arcuate guide members define another paper guideway from the front opening; these front guide members terminate at a position forward of the frontmost plane of the rear guide members. A downwardly extending paper guideway, facilitating entry of paper from the bottom opening, is defined between the terminal portions of the front and rear guide members.