International Business Machines Corporation

James K Howes

Donald K Rex

Jeffrey H Paterra

Graham M White

Walter B Koteff

Robert W Cornell

Kenneth G Kluvo

A paper handling system for a printer or copier has a forms feed tractor employing a sliding sprocket assembly and idler sprocket. The idler sprocket is mounted on the sliding sprocket assembly providing for adjusting the tension on the belt. The sliding sprocket assembly also has an inclined ramp thus providing a symmetric belt path.

Forms feed tractor

The present printer is adapted to be easily equipped with removable and interchangeable paper feed modules of several different types. Each of the paper feed modules is specifically adapted to feed a particular type of paper through the printer and each is easily replaceable by the purchaser of the printer to be used for feeding a specific type of paper therethrough. The printer is provided with a main frame including a pair of side support members and an elongate platen extends between the side support members and is fixed at opposite ends thereto. Three different types of removable and interchangeable paper feed modules are illustrated in the present application and each includes a pair of elongated end plates with a paper moving mechanism supported intermediate the elongated end plates. The end plates are each provided with a pivoted mounting member adapted to engage a guide slot in the main frame side support members and a mounting notch is provided in the midportion of each of the end plates to swing into clamping engagement with the platen when the elongated end plates are pivoted about the pivotal axis of the mounting members so that the removable paper feed module may be inserted into the working region of the printer and on the side of the platen opposite the printhead and pivoted toward the printhead to bring the clamping notch into clamping engagement with the platen.

Printer having removable paper feed module

A forms feed tractor belt includes drive members molded around a thin, flexible band at longitudinal intervals. To make the belt, slots are first punched at longitudinal intervals in at least one side of the flexible band. Drive members are then molded around the band at the slots except for at least one drive memberless interval at each end of the band. The ends of the band are overlapped so that the slots of the drive memberless intervals coincide. Final drive members are then molded around the slots of each pair of coincided drive memberless intervals to complete the endless tractor belt.

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Matthews, NC, United States of America

James K Howes