Abstract: An imprinting system with a typeface for transferring ink from an inked ribbon onto a substrate including a first resilient member having an exposed surface located opposite the typeface, and the inked ribbon and substrate disposeable between the typeface and the first resilient member. The first resilient member is mounted on a first rigid member which is supported by a second resilient member supported by a second rigid member. The first resilient member has a durometer hardness greater than a hardness of the second resilient member, wherein the second resilient member is compressible between the first rigid member and the second rigid member to absorb shock from the typeface impacting against the first resilient member during imprinting.

Abstract: A point of sale printer includes a magnetic reader for processing transactions and payment by check at a checkout point of a retail establishment. The printer includes a magnetic or MICR reader located at a predetermined point on the printer's document travel path and a print head located at the same point on the document travel path but laterally offset from the MICR reader to allow the printer to print customer receipts and a journal as well as reading MICR information from checks and endorsing the check after it is cleared. A pressure pad is used with the magnetic read head of the MICR reader which utilizes a pressure film which flexes when a document is inserted between the magnetic read head and the pressure film to provide a spring loading force on the magnetic read head while still allowing the document to be moved smoothly past the magnetic read head.

Abstract: A small-sized printer includes a printing section equipped with a shuttle head in which impact-type printing units are arranged in juxtaposition in a sub-scanning direction, a cylindrical cam for reciprocating the shuttle head in the sub-scanning direction, and paper feeding rollers for feeding a standard sheet in a main scanning direction; an input device for inputting information; a display device for displaying information; a RAM for storing information; and a CPU for controlling the printing section, the input section, the display device and the RAM and performing calculation on information. The printing section and the paper feeding rollers are provided in a body case in such a way as to be exposed where they are opposed to a case cover, which has a flat platen and spring members at positions opposed to the printing section, and ribs adapted to come into contact with the standard sheet and serving as a positioning device and as a sliding guide.

Abstract: A resistive thermal printer receives dye donor and dye receiver media between a printhead and a platen having an elastomeric surface. The platen and one of the media is wider than the printhead, and the other media is narrower than the printhead, whereby pressure between the printhead and the platen, with the media there between, tends to compress the platen in the region of the narrow medium. End portions of the platen beyond the narrow medium are relieved so as to not be compressed by pressure between the printhead and the platen.

Abstract: A pivoting platen for use with a printhead of a printing device includes a rigid portion and a compressible portion. The compressible portion contacts a sheet, which is pressed against the compressible portion by the printhead. The platen pivots about a rotational axis as the printhead scans across the sheet, creating uniform pressing forces between the printhead and the platen. These uniform pressing forces ensure uniform density of the image bands printed by the printhead.

Abstract: A printer assembly that can handle media of different width and thicknesses has a pivotable platen with a lower body portion and a curved upper portion which extends from the lower portion. The curved portion is pivoted forward to contact the carrier material. A wound torsion spring, with one end held against a stop and the other end free to move the platen, is utilized to urge the platen in a forward direction to contact the carrier strip. The spring pressure is sufficient to keep the platen from being moved by the force of printing elements striking the material to be printed on. The assembly is also provided with spring-mounted edge guides for handling different widths of printing media to be fed through the printer assembly.

Abstract: An impact printer has a print band moving longitudinally around pulleys with one side of the band moving in contact along a rigid platen and the other side having engraved characters presented along a print line of a print medium (e.g. paper and ink ribbon). The leading edge of platen is squared off (e.g. sharp) to scrape contamination off the band. A row of hammers impact the print medium against the band between the hammers and an impact surface of the platen. The impact surface of the platen contains multiple longitudinal grooves which start slightly back from the leading edge of the platen and which prevent increased friction force between the band and platen from occurring as the band wears the platen impact surface smooth.

Abstract: A platen for a line printer has a polymer wear resistant strip on a base support. To reduce frictional drag on the band which is in sliding engagement with the wear strip, the leading edge of the strip is slanted against the direction of motion of the band and is provided with grooves that run perpendicular with the leading edge.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a bearing structure (2), a slidably movable print head (6) guided in said bearing structure, a dragging unit (22, 23) adapted to move a sheet (7) to be printed under the print head and exhibiting dragging members (22) directly acting on the sheet, a plate-like body (4) provided with a write surface (5) located under the print head and representing a rest surface for the sheet, the bearing surface being oscillatable relative to the plate-like body between an operating position in which the bearing surface and plate-like body are substantially in mutual contact and a raised position for putting the sheet in place, in which the dragging members directly acting on the sheet are located in the plate-like body substantially below the write surface.

Abstract: A paper gap adjustment mechanism having two coaxially mounted cams which have a camming surface with a linear transition area for forms thickness adjustment and an adjacent ramp area for moving the platen open position plus a straight radius area at the top of the ramp area. A lever is attached to the cams for both controlling forms thickness and platen gap open but the printer operator actuates this lever itself only when controlling the forms thickness positions. A second lever is rotatable on the cam shaft also. The second lever is provided with detent means engageable by the first lever so that rotation of the second lever rotates the first lever and the cams from the set position of the first lever to the open position. The detent means has multiple set positions at which the first lever is engaged when the first lever is rotated to set thicknesses. Rotation of the second lever from the open position to closed position automatically returns the first lever to the prior set position.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a print head which is used in conjunction with a floating platen. The print head is mounted on a carriage which has a forms compensation member secured to it to contact the top surface of a document to be printed upon. The forms compensation member causes the print surface of the platen to tilt somewhat causing ink smears or uneven printing by the print head. A stabilizer is used to offset the tilting caused by the forms compensation member to thereby maintain the printing surface of the platen in parallel relationship with print face of the print head, which in the embodiment described, is a wire matrix printer. The stabilizer includes first and second leaf springs which are secured to the platen and cooperate with a channel in which the platen is mounted.

Abstract: A striker bar assembly includes a striker bar body having a recess at each of its opposite ends opening through top, bottom and end wall surfaces. The striker bar body has a flat impact surface perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces. Generally T-shaped end members have legs for disposition in the striker body recesses. The wall surfaces of the striker body and legs of the members are spaced to provide a gap into which dampening material is provided. The gaps at each end of the striker bar assembly are of identical width in a front-to-back direction.

Abstract: The impact and associated noise of matrix printers is attenuated by a laminated platen bar construction comprising a (steel) platen proper, a bonding adhesive layer, a brass bar and a resilient decoupling layer on the platen carrier.

Abstract: A platen-yoke apparatus for a printer using a "floating platen". The platen for a wire matrix printer is mounted in a U-shaped channel. When the printer is moved to one side of a document feeding surface, a ramp on one end of the platen cooperates with a roller secured to the print head to depress that end of the platen to cause it to be moved below the feeding surface. A yoke member pivotally secured to the underside of the feeding surface and coupled to the ends of the platen causes the platen to be moved parallel to the feeding surface to lower the platen below the feeding surface to facilitate the insertion of a document to a printing station associated with the printer.

Abstract: A thermal printer which includes a thermal print head (15) which is displaceable in the line direction and a print bar (6) which extends in the line direction, the print bar being located opposite the print head and being pivotable about an axis parallel to the line direction. A supporting part (19) of the print bar constitutes an abutment for the print head, and is connected by an elongated resilient hinge part (20) to a mounting part (21) of the print bar.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided which includes a molded piece-part having a substantially rectangularly-shaped plate portion including opposed surfaces. The piece-part also includes a pair of elongate parallel-spaced rack gear portions depending from one of the surfaces of the plate portion. The article further includes a member made of a resilient material having an inner surface facing the other of the surfaces of the plate portion and fixedly attached thereto. Moreover, the member includes a plurality of intersecting channels extending into the member from the inner surface thereof.

Abstract: A printer system containing an elastic endless sheet member which extends between roller members in front of a print head. The roller members are disposed so as to form a flat surface of the elastic endless sheet member in front of the print head in order to ensure clean printing. One of the roller members is connected to a paper feed motor so that a paper sheet is fed in front of the print head in the vertical direction in unison with the rotation of the elastic endless sheet member around the roller members.

Abstract: A printing apparatus wherein a platen for supporting a recording medium printed by a print head is pivotally supported by a support member. The support member, which extends between left and right side frames of the printer, includes a first and a second engaging portion at its opposite ends. These engaging portions respectively engage an aperture and a cutout formed through the respective side frames, so that the support member and the platen are pivotally supported by the side frames. The cutout is aligned with the aperture, and is open at an edge of the corresponding side frame. This side frame includes a detent portion disposed adjacent to the cutout. The support member further includes a third engaging portion which engages the detent portion, thereby preventing the second engaging portion from being disengaged from the cutout through the open end of the cutout.

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 controlled paper transport arrangement utilizes a flexible belt which attracts the paper to its surface by the application of a reduced air pressure on the other side. In a preferred embodiment, the belt operates in a continuous loop and in combination with a vacuum feed roller, the belt and the vacuum feed roller being arranged on respective sides of a print strike bar. The presence of the paper against the flexible belt causes trip valves to change state such that the full force of the air pressure differential between the ambient air and the reduced air pressure, on either side of the flexible belt, is applied only in the vicinity of the paper to be printed. In some embodiments, the vacuum feed roller is sectored so that the reduced air pressure is applied only in the region which communicates with the paper to be printed. The flexible belt and its associated assembly is tiltable about its vacuum supply inlet for achieving compact storage and for delivering printed sheets to a storage bin.

Abstract: A recording apparatus preferably usable for desk-set type electronic calculator, computer, word processor, electronic typewriter or the like of the type having a platen detachably incorporated therein. The platen is operatively connected to an upper case. When it is to be removed from the apparatus, the case is first removed and the platen is then displaced away from the operative position by a turning movement in accordance with a removing movement of the case. Recording paper can be placed on the lower guide surface which is exposed to the outside. On completion of placing of the recording paper the case is closed together with the platen by way of the reverse steps until the platen assumes the operative position. To assure that the recording paper is stably held on the lower guide surface even after the platen is displaced away from the operative position, the base board is formed with an opposing pair of semispherical projections on the inner side walls.

Abstract: In a thermal printer having a flat platen, a flat platen support mechanism comprises a flat platen support plate, and a frame body. A projection having a curvature is provided between the flat platen support plate and the frame body. The projection having a curvature is to be swingable freely and to be movable with a slip movement. The projection is arranged on a center line of a flat platen width. When a thermal head is pressed with the flat platen, the flat platen swings smoothly. The thermal head is face contacted uniformly with the flat platen.

Abstract: A printer comprises a paper feed roller, an intermediate gear coupled with the paper feed roller and having a spur gear section on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a paper feed cam having an axis extending perpendicularly to an axis of the intermediate gear and having on its outer circumferential surface a helical tooth for meshing engagement with the spur gear section of the intermediate gear. The paper feed roller is angularly movable for a predetermined angular interval through the intermediate gear in response to angular movement of the paper feed cam. The paper feed cam has in the outer circumferential surface thereof a gap for disengagement with the intermediate gear. The helical tooth has an inclined end edge for guiding meshing engagement with the intermediate gear.

Abstract: A platen support structure of a thermal transfer printer, for example, has a platen holder holding a platen, a frame supporting two ends of the platen holder, and an indexing mechanism for pivotally supporting the platen holder. The platen holder is curved in the inoperative mode of the printer and is flexed linearly in the operative mode. Clear printing can be performed without irregular line feed.

Abstract: A paper clamp is provided for a computer printer in which the paper is continuously clamped while the paper is advanced and printed. In one embodiment, a clamp magnet is positioned on one side of the paper path opposite a clamp plate on the other side of the paper path. The paper is clamped by the magnetic attraction between the clamp magnet and clamp plate.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a fixed planar thermal head composed of heating elements disposed in an area corresponding to one page, a detachable unitary ink donor ribbon assembly including a frame and an ink donor ribbon movably disposed in the frame and having a plurality of color zones, the ink donor ribbon being positioned in confronting relation to the planar thermal head, and a detachable unitary print paper storage assembly composed of a paper cartridge and print paper stored therein, and including a presser for holding the print paper in contact with the ink donor ribbon in a printing mode and for keeping the print paper out of contact with the ink donor ribbon in a non-printing mode. The planar thermal head and the print paper are prevented from relative movement in the printing mode until one-page printing is effected on the print paper. The print paper may comprise a stack of separate sheets or a roll of continuous print paper.

Abstract: The present invention is an impact print bar assembly (10) adapted for installation in a typewriter, character printer or other device adapted for linear application of printed characters to sheet material. The assembly (10) includes an impact print bar (12) which is adapted to be held within a bar holder (14) in any of four different orientations, each of the orientations presenting a different print surface. The impact print bar (12) provides a solid, non-rotating, surface for the sheet material to reast against during printing. The impact print bar (12) includes a central support rod (28) having a resilient, usually plastic, body (36) formed thereabout. The degree of hardness of the body (36) may be varied, depending on the application desired. The support rod (38) has a square cross-section such that it will fit into the hollow frame (52) of the bar holder (15) in any of the four orientations.

Abstract: A paper feed apparatus has two partially toothed gears which are separately provided on a drive shaft and which rotate corresponding to the opposite ends of the displacement path of a carriage, and a driven gear rotating together with a paper feed roller which is driven by the toothed gears. The paper feeding amount can be desiredly set by setting the mounting angular position of the partially toothed gears with respect to the drive shaft.

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

Abstract: Serial printer provided with cutter, the printer being of the type in which printing is performed by a printing head mounted on a carriage sliding on guides parallel to the printing line and a continuous printing support moves perpendicularly to the direction of such guides leaning against a substantially vertical platen. A rotating cutter is lever-mounted on the carriage over the printing head in a position very close to the printing line and it can be actuated in order to partially overlap a cutting edge of the platen, the edge being parallel to the printing line.Owing to the printing head movement along the printing line, the rotating cutter when actuated operates the transversal cutting of the continuous form. The cut form is disposed in a collecting drawer behind the platen owing to the movement imposed by the rotating cutter and to the reduced thickness of the platen which constitutes a drawer wall.

Abstract: A dot matrix line printer comprised of a main frame assembly and a shuttle frame assembly hinged thereto for limited pivotal movement around a horizontal hinge axis. The main frame assembly carries a paper drive subassembly and an adjustable platen subassembly. The shuttle frame assembly carries one or more hammer banks and a shuttle drive motor for shuttling each bank to move the hammers thereof along a print row extending across the width of the paper parallel to the front face of the platen. By pivoting the shuttle frame assembly up and away from the main assembly, ready access is afforded to the paper path for loading and to the hammer banks for servicing. Each hammer includes a hammer element mounted on the free ends of first and second spaced parallel leaf springs for linear movement toward and away from a paper to be printed upon.

Abstract: A printer subsystem is interconnected with a host system from which it receives command and data information and to which it provides status information. The printer subsystem has two microprocessors, one of which communicates with the host system for transfer of command, data, and status signals and the other of which directly controls the printer unit in the subsystem especially with respect to the print assembly, forms feed assembly, ribbon drive assembly, and print wire actuators.

Abstract: A printing machine capable of printing characters on two kinds of paper sheets, long paper sheets and short paper sheets, comprises two paper holder members movably provided relative to a paper feed roller to cause the long paper sheet to be clamped between the paper holder members and the paper feed roller, and a drive mechanism for moving the paper holder members to clamp a long paper sheet between the paper holder members and the paper feed roller when a pinch roller is pivoted away from the paper feed roller by another drive mechanism in order to set a short paper sheet into a space between a platen and a printing head.

Abstract: A locking system for directly clamping the tractor assemblies in a printer to the stationary platen in order to prevent any relative motion of the tractors with respect to the platen which may be caused by a lack of straightness of a drive bar which drives the tractors. The locking device includes an L-shaped lever which is pivotal so as to clamp a rearwardly extending portion of the platen between the bottom of the tractor and the top of a leg of the lever. The device may include a cam action locking knob which positively locks the lever in its clamped position. Both the lever and the knob are made of molded plastic. In order to balance the clamping force which is applied, a lever may be connected to each side of the tractor and actuated by a pair of connected cam action knobs. Several alternate locking systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal printer employs a soft platen to enhance the quality of the printed results. The increased friction between the paper and the soft platen is overcome by interposing between the platen and the paper a flexible platen cover of Teflon.sup.R impregnated fiber glass fabric. The cover serves as a low friction barrier and also aids automatic loading of paper by funneling the advancing edge of the paper past obstructions in the paper path.

Abstract: The impact beam of a mechanical printer is constructed for noise dampening and yet exhibits a high resistance to wear. The beam unit comprises a block of dampening material which is held along a carrier support wall. A strip of metal is arranged along an exterior, generally flat surface of the block so as to be completely separated from adjacent surfaces of the support wall by a region of block material. The metal strip is arranged to receive the impact of type bars and other noise-inducing mechanical force elements of the printer. The noise emanating from such impacts are dampened as they travel through the block material. There is no direct connection between the metal strip and the housing of the mechanical printer in order to prevent direct transmission of noise vibrations from the strip to the housing.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus having a platen, a plurality of print hammers arranged in a horizontal row and a horizontally movable type carrier on which print carriers are arranged, a restraining member limits upward movement of a horizontally movable ink ribbon and thereby eliminates character omission. Between the print hammers and the type carriers are disposed the horizontally movable ink ribbon and a vertically movable print sheet on which a character impression is made upon impact of a selectively energized hammer. The print sheet is folded along transverse cut lines to define forms which are stacked together below the apparatus. When the print sheet is pulled upwardly, the folded portion tends to drag the ink ribbon upwardly displacing the ribbon from its print position. The restraining member is mounted above the ink ribbon to limit this upward movement of the ribbon.

Abstract: An acoustical noise attenuating platen for an impact printer including lead material fastened with a thermoplastic compound to the rear surface of a non-rotatable bar.

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

Abstract: A web drive mechanism to advance the print medium of a line or serial printer apparatus including a first stationary guide track for guiding the print medium along a defined path intermediate a medium supply position and a printing position, a platen about the printing position for receiving the medium, at least one rotor drive member having a rotor positioned adjacent to the guide track along the defined path intermediate the supply position and the platen with the outer peripheral surface of the rotor being adjacent to at least a portion of the arcuate path of the guide track to permit the print medium to travel intermediate the guide track and the rotor, the rotor drive member including a first medium gate for urging the print medium in engagement with the peripheral surface of the rotor as the medium advances intermediate the supply position and the platen, and a second medium gate for holding the print medium as it advances intermediate the platen and a medium take-up position, and a drive means engaging

Abstract: An impact receiving structure for an impact type printing mechanism, in which vibration members for guiding along branched paths the vibration of an impact receiving face member, which is vibrated by the striking energy of a printing hammer, are provided at other positions than the printing face of a platen or at the inside of a type drum in the impact type printing mechanism, and in which elastic vibration absorbing materials are packed in close contact with the vibration members, so that noise attendant with the printing hammer impact can be effectively attenuated.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprising a type carrier to travel along a print line on a printing paper, a plurality of printing hammers to be selectively driven to strike the printing paper against an inking ribbon and the inking ribbon against a platen in front of the inking ribbon, and a support member supporting the type carrier, inking ribbon and platen thereon, wherein the support member is movable between a position holding the type carrier, inking ribbon and platen in positions capable of performing printing operation but intercepting the line of sight between the print line and the operator's eyes and a position holding the type carrier, inking ribbon and platen in inoperative positions but providing an unobstructed line of sight from the operator's eyes toward the print line for enabling the operator to clearly view the printed information along the print line.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a mosaic printer, for example, of the needle print head type which comprises a stationary print head and means for feeding an article, for example a web of paper to be printed, in a direction orthogonal to a row of print devices of the head and in synchronism with operation of the print devices so that, by selective operation of the print devices, the article is provided by the print devices with a pattern which constitutes visual data.