Electrically powered paper stacking apparatus and method for impact

Abstract

Method, apparatus, system and circuitry for controlling the paper motion and accumulation at the output of a high speed impact printer or the like. The preferred embodiment includes means for providing stepped motion paper drive at the output of the printer which is synchronously controlled with respect to paper motion within the printer. This stepped motion drive is set at one stepping rate when a print bar of the impact printer is forming characters in a single line of print and this drive is periodically increased when the paper slews between lines of printed text. This novel paper drive technique operates to eliminate excessive pulling force on the paper, conserve print quality thereon, and simultaneously minimizes power consumption in the printer. The preferred embodiment of the invention also includes a new and improved paper stacking apparatus adapted for attachment to the paper feed output port of an impact printer, and a novel control system and novel implementing circuitry for providing precise stepper motor and paper drive control operative within this paper stacking apparatus for aiding in the uniform stacking fan fold paper which has been processed at high impact printing speeds. In addition, the above implementing circuitry is operative with a maximum of energy conservation, and the control system in which this circuitry is used is simultaneously operative with a minimum of power consumption.