Recorder paper drive

Abstract

A platen roller type printer/plotter is provided having a paper supply which is frictionally driven by the platen. The plate comprises at least three pieces which are mounted on a drive shaft with the centermost of the pieces being keyed to the shaft to rotate therewith while the other pieces of the platen are free to turn about the shaft at the same or different speeds. A paper supply is fed to the platen with a pressure roller in the middle which bears upon the central platen piece and will drive the paper straight if it is started straight. However, if the paper is put into the platen loose and skewed, driving the center platen roller pulls the paper up tight and aligns it automatically. This is due to the differential action of the different pieces of the platen since only the center piece is keyed to the shaft. An input tray which holds the paper is pivoted under the paper. Accordingly, when the paper is presented to the platen at an angle, the tray moves with the paper reducing the angle error. By providing a multiple roller platen which is driven from the center, and a pivotal tray for feeding paper to the platen, the present invention removes the need for paper drive adjustments.