Guide and cover arrangement for printers

Abstract

A body structure for a printer comprises a front cover and a rear cover and is capable of accommodating a platen roller a typing device and advance means for advancing and feeding individual or continuous forms. A hinge element fixed to a pillar of the body structure permits pivotal movement of the covers and such that the front cover can rotate from a first operating position in which it is parallel to and supported on the body structure to a second operating position in which it is substantially turned over onto the rear cover to permit access to the platen roller and the typing device. In addition the hinge element permits the rear cover to rotate from a first operating position in which it is substantially parallel to and supported on the body structure to a second operating position in which it is substantially inclined with respect to the body structure. The forms can be supported and guided by the outside surface of the rear cover in both operating positions. In a third operating position thereof the rear cover is capable of being turned over into the front cover to permit access to the advance means. The body structure also comprises a transparent intermediate cover member pivotally mounted on the front cover to protect and silence the typing and printing zone and a transparent rear cover member pivotally mounted on the intermediate cover to protect the forms in both the operating positions of the rear cover. The intermediate member has positioning means to hold it in an inclined position on the rear cover in both its operating positions, and guide means for guiding the forms. The rear member has spacer means to space it from the rear cover.