Precision paper take-up device for high speed web feed printer

Claim 1

A precision paper take-up device for a high speed printer utilizing a web as a record medium and advancing the web from the printer in intermittent steps, comprising: a reel for storing a web; a bail for engaging the web at a location adjacent the reel, the bail being pivotally movable between a home position and an actuated position; a bail stop member on the bail; a fixed stop member positioned in the path of the bail stop member, the two stop members conjointly defining the home position for the bail; a normally energized electric motor, Operatively connected to the reel to apply a limited torque to the reel tending to rotate the reel in a take-up direction to wind the web on the reel and maintaining the web under limited tension; sensing means, responsive to movement of the bail, for deenergizing the motor whenever tha bail moves from its home position toward its actuated position; and bias means, comprising a spring connected to the bail, biasing the bail toward and tending to maintain the bail in its home position, but permitting movement of the bail toward its actuated position in response to an abrupt engagement of the web with the bail in a take-up movement of the web; the bias means applying sufficient force to the bail to pull a limited portion of the web from the reel, with the motor deenergized, and return the bail to its home position, thereby again energizing the motor so that the motor is maintained energized continuously except for brief intervals when the bail is moved away from its home position as aforesaid; the bias means further comprising a retainer device for releasably retaining the bail in its home position, preventing bouncing of the bail or reel on return of the bail to its home position.