Printing or typing apparatus with a rotating platen as well as guide devices for the paper

Claim 1

In a printer apparatus of the type having a roller platen rotatably mounted in a housing, a printer carrier movable in a line direction across the platen, and a printer unit mounted on the carrier, the improvement which comprises: a single flexible strip of material mounted in an essentially closed loop within said housing and having a portion extending along said platen between the platen and the printer unit for holding paper into contact with the platen; a plurality of at least three spaced roller means mounted in said housing for collectively supporting said strip in said closed loop configuration and for permitting movement of said strip in said line direction relative to said platen; means securing said strip to said printer carrier whereby movement of said carrier causes synchronous movement of said strip relative to said platen; an aperture formed in said strip in the area of said printer unit to permit said printer unit to access paper through said strip; and said strip being constructed with spaced apart terminal ends, the combination further including spring means joining said terminal ends, said spring and said strip together creating a closed loop, said spring serving to maintain tension on said strip.