Abstract: A movable rod member is provided that changes the shape of a medium receiver of a medium storage portion by changing the location of the movable rod member. The location of the movable rod member is changed in accordance with the condition of a medium, so as to change a method of storing the medium.

Abstract: A movable rod member is provided that changes the shape of a medium receiver of a medium storage portion by changing the location of the movable rod member. The location of the movable rod member is changed in accordance with the condition of a medium, so as to change a method of storing the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a housing configured to accommodating an image forming portion for forming an image on a sheet; and a conveying mechanism configured to at least partially define a conveying path for guiding the sheet to the image forming portion, wherein the conveying mechanism includes a first conveying element including an upstream end on which a feeding assembly for feeding the sheet is formed, and a second conveying element confronting the first conveying element to form the conveying path in cooperation with the first conveying element, and the housing includes a rail configured to guide displacement of the second conveying element from a first position where the second conveying element forms the conveying path along the first conveying element to a second position where the second conveying element is away from the first conveying element.

Abstract: A digital printer includes a digital printing unit for digital printing an image onto a printing substrate during relative movement between a print head and the printing substrate, and a printing table for holding the printing substrate during the digital printing. The printing table is firmly fixed to the digital printing unit during the digital printing of the image onto the printing substrate and is released from the digital printing unit prior to and after the digital printing of the image onto the printing substrate. The printing table may be moved between a printing position, in which it is firmly fixed to the digital printing unit, and a printing substrate feeding position, in which it supports feeding and removing of the printing substrate from the printing table.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that discharges droplets of recording liquid to form an image on a recording medium, a body including the image forming section, and a conveyor section that conveys the recording medium having thereon the image formed in the image forming section. An output unit is removably attached to the body and includes at least the conveyor section. The output unit may further include a face-down output path, a straight output path, a straight output tray, and the like.

Abstract: A media stacker which can be inserted into a main body of a liquid ejecting apparatus and stack a discharged recording medium moves downward in an inclined direction to be located below a liquid ejecting portion and a discharge portion when the media stacker is being inserted and moves upward in the inclined direction to be located vicinity to a discharge slot when the media stacker is being extracted. A guide mechanism for guiding movement of the media stacker and a guide gear which is rotated while following to the guide mechanism are formed on both sides of the media stacker.

Abstract: A placing table includes a placing surface on which a substrate is placed; a suction unit which sucks the substrate to the placing surface; a separation unit which separates the substrate from the placing surface; and a rotation unit, being a part of the placing surface and rotating about a vertical axis with respect to the placing surface. In the table, the suction unit sucks the substrate to the placing surface at the rotation unit and the separation unit separates the substrate from a part of the placing surface excluding the rotation unit if the rotation unit is rotated.

Abstract: The invention is relates to a simple, inexpensive high capacity output catch tray for copiers and other document production machines. The output tray automatically increases in capacity as the stack of copies in it accumulates, without external power source or control.

Abstract: A safety device with two conveying systems in the sheet feeder of a machine, capable of processing a sheet-shaped material. An objective of the invention is to construct a generic sheet feeder for large-format machines so that only stacks with a specified maximum weight can reach the processing stage. The present invention encompasses a weighing device (22, 28) located in the sheet feeder (1), which determines the weight of the stack (4), is positioned on the stack carrier (3) and is connected with a regulating and controlling device (19) controlling the driving mechanism (8). At least one permissible total weight is stored in the regulating and controlling device (19). The regulating and controlling device (19) compares the weight of the stack with said stored permissible total weight and the driving mechanism (8) is activated only if the weight of the stack does not exceed the permissible total weight.

Abstract: The invention is relates to a simple, inexpensive high capacity output catch tray for copiers and other document production machines. The output tray automatically increases in capacity as the stack of copies in it accumulates, without external power source or control, while maintaining a relatively constant elevation relative to the copier output port, and automatically returns to its original position when partially or completely unloaded.

Abstract: A printer body of a printer apparatus is provided with paired bearing portions such that the paired bearing portions face each other, while a paper support for supporting a paper sheet is provided with paired rotating shaft portions, which are rotatably journaled by the paired bearing portions. Each of the rotating shaft portions includes a shaft body and a shaft support portion for supporting the shaft body. The shaft support portion is provided at a flat plate portion of the paper support. A tab portion is formed at the shaft support portion. Each of the paired bearing portions includes a bearing body provided with an opening for receiving the shaft body. At the bearing body, an engaging portion is formed to receive the tab portion to restrict axial movement of the rotating shaft portions. As a result, it is possible to provide a printer apparatus having a paper support less likely to detach from the printer body.

Abstract: The invention is relates to a simple, inexpensive high capacity output catch tray for copiers and other document production machines. The output tray automatically increases in capacity as the stack of copies in it accumulates, without external power source or control, while maintaining a relatively constant elevation relative to the copier output port, and automatically returns to its original position when partially or completely unloaded.

Abstract: An efficient collator. The collator includes a first mechanism for selectively separating physical output from a device. A second mechanism is coupled to the first mechanism and facilitates angling and/or rotating the first mechanism based on the physical output. In a specific embodiment, the second mechanism includes a controller that generates control signals to control the second mechanism to facilitate automatic positioning of the first mechanism about a curved track.

Abstract: A multi-part output paper tray 14 including a plurality of tray plates 21 to 24 slidably arranged together in a paper eject direction is attached to a printer assembly 1 so that it can be extended/collapsed, the printer assembly 1 including a print head attached thereto for forming an image on recording paper 50. The extended/collapsed state of the output paper tray 14 is detected by an angle sensor 313. A print operation is not performed when it is detected by the angle sensor 313 that the output paper tray 14 is in the housed state, and a print operation is performed when the output paper tray 14 is in the extended state.

Abstract: A displacement device for a machine for processing flat printing materials includes a slide displaceable along a displacement path in and counter to a thrust direction, and being divided along the thrust direction into two slide parts. A drag joint forms a mutual connection between the slide parts. The drag joint has a joint axis extending perpendicularly to the displacement path. A machine for processing flat printing materials, such as a sheet-processing rotary printing press, is provided with the displacement device.

Abstract: A media handling system for handling sheets of media. The system includes a pick roller having a circumferential media-contacting surface and arranged for rotation about a roller axis to contact and pick a sheet from an input source. A drive roller rotates about a drive roller axis, with a media path extending between the pick roller and the drive roller. A first guide structure is positioned along a first longitudinal edge of the media path and providing a first media guide surface. A second guide structure is positioned along a second longitudinal edge of the media path and provides a second media guide surface. The first and second guide surfaces are positioned to constrain the movement of a media sheet in the media path between the pick roller and the drive roller, thereby alleviating trailing edge print defects.

Abstract: A printer paper support system includes a housing, a first paper support pivotally attached to the housing and a second paper support pivotally attached to the housing, the second paper support extending the first paper support.

Abstract: The invention is relates to a simple, inexpensive high capacity output catch tray for copiers and other document production machines. The output tray automatically increases in capacity as the stack of copies in it accumulates, without external power source or control, while maintaining a relatively constant elevation relative to the copier output port, and automatically returns to its original position when partially or completely unloaded.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a multi-position print media feed tray are described. In one embodiment, a print media feed-tray comprises a structure for holding print media. The print media feed-tray further comprises a coupling device for orienting the structure relative to a printing device. The coupling device can be capable of orienting the structure in at least two positions from which print media can be received by the printing device from the structure.

Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus of a printer has a tray on which printed paper is consecutively stacked, holders for supporting the printed paper above the tray, a rack reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to a sheet discharging direction “A” by the driving of a motor, and levers connecting the holders with the rack and pivoting in association with a movement of the rack. The holders horizontally move above the tray in association with a reciprocal movement of the rack, thereby supporting printing media of various widths above the tray.

Abstract: A sheet discharge unit has a transfer passage 3 for transferring a sheet of printed paper 2 toward a sheet receiving tray 20, and a pair of left and right jump wings 11, 11 located at both sides of the transfer passage 3 and moveable between a guide position in which the jump wings protrude upward from a bottom wall of the transfer passage and await position in which the jump wings are retracted below the bottom wall. In one embodiment, each of the jump wings 11, 11 comprises divided wing components laterally spaced in a direction S perpendicular to a sheet transfer direction T. In an alternative embodiment, each of the jump wings comprises a unitary body having a plurality of convex segments and a plurality of concave recesses which are alternately located in the direction S.

Abstract: The invention is relates to a simple, inexpensive high capacity output catch tray for copiers and other document production machines. The output tray automatically increases in capacity as the stack of copies in it accumulates, without external power source or control, while maintaining a relatively constant elevation relative to the copier output port, and automatically returns to its original position when partially or completely unloaded. The invention uses a trampoline-type arrangement that suspends a stack support platform by springs around its perimeter from a frame removeably attached to the copier. As copies accumulate on the platform the weight of the copies causes the springs to stretch and increases the capacity of the output tray. The springs act as energy-storing biasing elements which return the platform to its unloaded position when the stack of copies is removed from the tray, and may also act as variable length alignment surfaces to keep the accumulating stack neat and square.

Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus of a printer has a tray on which printed paper is consecutively stacked, holders for supporting the printed paper above the tray, a rack reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to a sheet discharging direction “A” by the driving of a motor, and levers connecting the holders with the rack and pivoting in association with a movement of the rack. The holders horizontally move above the tray in association with a reciprocal movement of the rack, thereby supporting printing media of various widths above the tray.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet material, includes an outer case having a box-shape, a convey path for conveying a sheet material within the outer case, a recording device disposed within the outer case and adapted to effect recording on the sheet material conveyed by the convey path. Opening portions formed in the outer case provide an inlet and an outlet of the convey path. A lid member closes at least one of the opening portions defining the inlet and the outlet, and wherein flexion of the outer case is reduced by closing the opening portion or portions by means of the lid member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer comprising a paper guide surface (11D) defining a printing region. A print head (8) is disposed opposite to the paper guide surface (11D) with a gap in between and adapted to move in parallel to the paper guide surface (11D) along the printing region (11) and beyond the printing region (11) into a retracted position (11C). A paper guide guides recording paper (5) to the printing region (11) and exposing it to the print head (8) in the printing region. The paper guide includes a guide plate (31) movable between a first position in which it is disposed opposite to the paper guide surface (11D) so as to guide recording paper (5) past the printing region (11), and a second position in which it is retracted from the printing region. A first pair of rollers is switchable between a closed state engaging each other for transporting the recording paper (5) to the printing region (11), and an open state separated from each other.

Abstract: A printer includes a housing defining a media feed portion and a media eject port, the housing being adapted to house a print engine for printing onto recording media. Included in the printer is a base slideably receivable in the housing at a position laterally distanced from the media eject port, the base having at least a pair of recesses extending in a sliding direction of the base. A pair of flaps are included in the printer, each of which has at least one width portion corresponding to the lateral distance between the base and the eject port. Each flap is hinged into a corresponding recess of the base and is biased in an upward direction via a spring which provides for angular motion of the flap relative to the base. Upon sliding action of the base out of the housing, the flaps are biased upward out of the recesses to a height corresponding to the position of the media eject port.

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 apparatus on which a cut sheet feeder is removably mountable includes an outer case, a feed roller contained in the outer case and rotatable by the power of a drive source, a pinch roller urged against or spaced apart from the feed roller, and a controlling device exposed out of the outer case and engageable with the cut sheet feeder to forcibly control the pinch roller into a state in which it is urged against the feed roller. The cut sheet feeder has a first stacker piling thereon cut sheets to be fed to the recording apparatus, a second stacker piling thereon cut sheets discharged from the recording apparatus, and a controlling device for forcibly controlling the pinch roller into its urged state when the cut sheet feeder is mounted on the recording apparatus.

Abstract: A portable printer comprises a lid member forming a portion of the printer top wall, when in a closed position. The lid member is latchable in a first open position to provide a view stand for print media. The lid member is movable to a second open position to prevent re-feed of continuous web material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotation transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of a drive gear on a printer body side to a driven gear as a rotation power source on a paper feeder side. The present invention includes a gear shaft of the driven gear freely movably disposed on the paper feeder side so that the driven gear engages with the drive gear on the printer body side. In the present invention, when the paper feeder is placed on the printer body, the gear shaft of the driven gear of the paper feeder moves downward from a position it holds when the paper feeder is removed from the printer body, and the driven gear is engaged with the drive gear of the printer body.

Abstract: A paper feeding device comprises a tractor including a paper transport member having a circumferential speed set substantially equal to or a little lower than the circumferential speed of a platen, a fulcrum shaft supporting the tractor thereon for pivotal motion between a pushing in position in which the tractor is directed toward a lower portion of an outer periphery of the platen and a pulling position in which the tractor is directed to an upper portion of the outer periphery of the platen, and a thin piece extending along the lower portion of the outer periphery of the platen from an extension line of a paper feeding route of the tractor in the pushing in position between the platen and the tractor and resiliently contacting with an inner face of a paper pan. When the tractor is fixed to the pushing in position, paper supplied from the tractor is guided by the thin piece and will not hang down to the paper pan side.

Abstract: A sheet feeder is disclosed, which is mounted in a printer for feeding cut printing sheets one by one to a printing position in the printer. The sheet feeder comprises first and second sheet accommodation sections for accommodating respective stacks of printing sheets. First and second feed roller mechanisms are provided for the respective sheet accommodation sections. These roller mechanisms selectively receive a drive torque from a single reversible drive motor via a selective coupling mechanism. The selective coupling mechanism senses the direction of rotation of the drive motor, and selectively couples the drive motor to either one of the first and second roller mechanisms according to the sensed direction of rotation.

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: A paper feeder for a printer which is adapted for feeding both continuous printing paper and cut sheet printing paper. A second frame which may carry the platen supports the rear end of a first frame which in turn supports the tractor feeder in such a manner that the first frame can be rotated backward from a first position adapted for feeding continuous paper to a second position adapted for making a room for mounting a paper guide to the printer. If the tractor feeder is adapted for pushing continuous paper towards the platen, continuous paper can be kept on the tractor feeder even when the second frame is at its second position.

Abstract: A print output station for compact printer having a cut-sheet supply station located in the lower rear of the print housing and a transport platen for feeding successive sheets from the supply station, along a print path extending through a print zone and out a print path egress, includes: (a) a first wall having an inlet edge located proximate the print path egress for defining an inlet to a cut-sheet hopper zone; and (b) a lid forming an exterior housing portion overlying the first wall and mounted to pivot about an axis spaced from the leading edge to an open position so that the lid interior forms a rearward extension of the first wall means. The movable lid is constructed to function in the closed-lid position to prevent continuous print media from refeeding.

Abstract: There is disclosed a simplified sheet feeding system for a recording apparatus such as copier. A sheet is pinched between ribs projecting on a sheet guiding face and driven feed rollers which are movable in position and partly overlap with the projecting ribs when the sheet is absent.

Abstract: The sheet feeder is formed by a separate unit (10) which can be easily mounted spaced from the platen roller (14) on a typewriter (12) or printer of a data processing system. The print carriers comprise either a continuous web (22) or individual sheets (20). The continuous web is advanced by pin wheels (72) and guided towards the platen roller. The individual sheets (20) which are supported on a feed tray (30) are fed one at a time by means of stripper rollers (40) and passed towards the platen roller (14). The printed sheets are passed into a collector tray (60) by means of collector rollers (54, 56). The pin wheels (72) device and the stripper rollers (40) are rotated selectively from the platen roller by way of a mechanical transmission including a clutch which is actuated by a manual control (116) to connect the pin wheels (72) or the stripper rollers (40) alternatively to the platen roller (14). The manual control also moves the paper guide (52) away from the platen for continuous form feed.

Abstract: A paper guide mechanism in a printer includes a platen and a plurality of paper feed rollers for setting a paper sheet around the platen. A plurality of slidable guide plates are disposed below the platen adjacent to the paper feed rollers. The upper surfaces of the slidable guide plates are shaped to accomodate the surface of the platen. To set the paper sheet around the platen, the slidable guide plates are shifted along the surface of the platen so that the slidable guide plates are protruded toward the front portion of the platen in order to ensure an easy setting of the paper sheet. When the paper setting operation is completed, the slidable guide plates are returned to the normal position so as not to disturb the printing operation.

Abstract: A device for guiding a record medium sheet which is to be printed upon in a printing machine having a platen, the device being arranged to guide the sheet around the platen and including an apron member formed and positioned to hold the sheet in contact with the platen and to guide the sheet at a point closely below the line being printed, the member being constructed to conform to the curvature of the lower portion of the platen and presenting a press and guide edge at each end of the member in the direction of the circumference of the platen, and a spring biassing component disposed for pressing the member resiliently against the platen to cause the edges to bear against the platen, the member being of a material selected so that the coefficient of friction between the record medium sheet and the press and guide edges is less than the coefficient of friction between the platen and the record medium sheet.

Abstract: A paper feed roll assembly is disclosed which is pivotally mounted on a central point with three degrees of freedom of movement. The feed rolls are engageable with the periphery of the platen. Additionally, the support for the paper feed rolls is deflectable about the central point by a feed roll release member to effect the withdrawal of the feed rolls from the periphery of the platen to enhance paper insertion and removal. The pivot point support provides for freedom of movement in the three necessary degrees of freedom to allow equilization of feed roll force against the platen and for alignment of the feed rolls with the periphery of the platen to insure proper paper feed. The feed roll truck frame, by virtue of its pivotal mounting, may be deflected downward to permit release or insertion of the paper. A deflection means or eccentric bar is disclosed for deflecting the truck member away from the periphery of the platen against the force of the pivot support acting toward the platen.

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.