Paper feed system for high-speed printer

Claim 2

A paper feed system for a high-speed printer in which the line spacing is a predetermined distance consisting of a predetermined number of increments comprising: rotatable platen means for receiving and feeding paper to be printed upon, said platen means having manual rotating means; stepping motor means coupled to said platen means for incrementing said platen means said stepping motor having a plurality of rotor poles and a plurality of stator poles which may be energized to alternately change polarity to thereby produce rotation or stepping of said motor having a natural detent for a predetermined number of steps when said rotor is manually rotated while said stator poles are continuously energized with a constant polarity; and gear means coupling said stepping motor means to said platen means, said gear means having a gear ratio to provide for movement of said platen for a distance equal to one-half said number of increments which constitute a line space when said stepping motor is driven by said alternate energization of said poles said predetermined number of steps which constitute said natural detent whereby when said manual rotating means are actuated and said poles are continuously energized said natural detent occurs every one-half line space.

Claim 3

A system as in claim 1 where said line spacing is one-sixth inch, said one-half line spacing is one-twelfth inch and said number of steps per revolution is 48.

Claim 4

A system as in claim 1 where eight increments constitute a line space, four increments one-half line space and said natural detent occurs every four steps.

Claim 5

A paper feed system for a printing device in which the line spacing is a predetermined distance comprising: a rotatable platen for receiving and feeding paper to be printed upon, said platen being adapted for both manual rotation and motor-controlled rotation with a predetermined number of motor-controlled rotational increments providing movement of said paper through said predetermined distance, a stepping motor coupled to said platen through gear means for achieving said motor-controlled incremental rotation of said platen, said motor having a plurality of rotor poles and a plurality of stator poles, said stator poles being coupled to means for alternately changing their polarity when said platen is motor-controlled to thereby produce changes in the orientation in the stator field and incremental rotation of said platen, said stator poles being continuously energized with a constant polarity when rotation of said platen is achieved by manual rotation of said rotor poles, said motor having a natural electromagnetic detent for a predetermined fraction of said predetermined number of rotational increments, said gear means having a gear ratio such that said natural detent occurs when said platen has been manually rOtated a distance equal to said fraction of said predetermined number of rotational increments of said platen needed to move said paper through said predetermined distance when said platen is motor-controlled.

Claim 6

A paper feed system for a printing device in which the line spacing is a predetermined distance comprising: a rotatable platen for receiving and feeding paper to be printed upon, said platen being adapted for both manual rotation and motor-controlled rotation with a predetermined number of motor-controlled rotational increments providing movement of said paper through said predetermined distance, a stepping motor coupled to said platen through gear means for achieving said motor-controlled incremental rotation of said platen, said motor having a plurality of rotor poles and a plurality of stator poles, said stator poles being coupled to means for alternately changing their polarity when said platen is motor-controlled to thereby produce changes in the orientation in the stator field and incremental rotation of said platen, said stator poles being continuously energized with a constant polarity when rotation of said platen is achieved by manual rotation of said rotor poles, said motor having a natural electromagnetic detent for a predetermined fraction of said predetermined number of rotational increments, said gear means having a gear ratio such that said natural detent occurs when said platen has been manually rOtated a distance equal to said fraction of said predetermined number of rotational increments of said platen needed to move said paper through said predetermined distance when said platen is motor-controlled.