Abstract:
A thermal printer is provided with a free floating print head and a sliding top supporting a platen roller. The platen roller is engageable with the print head such that a biased uniform force is applied to the print head. The sliding top is movable between a print ready position and a paper loading position. A wide gap is provided between the platen roller and the print head which in the paper loading position, allowing for easy paper loading without need for threading.
Abstract:
A paper feed mechanism includes a platen rotatably mounted on a frame and a friction feed having a support which rotatably supports a roller, the support being movable between an operable position in which the roller is in biasing engagement with the platen and a non-operable positon in which the roller is not biased toward said platen. A spring biasingly urges the support in its operable position in which the roller is in biasing engagement with the platen. A cam is rotatably mounted on the frame and rotatable between a first cam position which moves the support to its non-operable position and a second cam position which permits the support to be moved to its operable position by the spring, whereby the cam controls the operability of the friction 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:
In a computer driven printer/plotter, a printing media feed and retaining apparatus which has at least three pinch rollers mounted on a pinch roller support member having a print media guide surface and a support and actuation arm extending from a side of the pinch roller support member opposite the guide surface, and wherein an axis of said support and actuation arm intersects a vertical centerline through the middle of a polygon figure defined by intersection of straight lines between pinch rollers and having one pinch roller at each corner thereof. The pinch rollers are supported such that they are self centering and track without skewing or damaging the printing medium without the use of precision parts or mounting techniques.