Printer with slidable tear bar

Claim 1

In a printer for printing on a continuous web type document having transversely extending perforated tear lines spaced apart along the length of the document to permit dividing the document into individual forms, said printer including a print platen extending across and positioned on one side of the document for supporting the same along a printing line, a housing surrounding said printer and through which the continuous web type document exits after passing through said printer, said housing being spaced from said printing line and providing restricted access to the document in the vicinity of said printing line, the combination therewith of individual form removal means comprising document griping means comprising a clamping edge movably supported adjacent said platen for movement between a position spaced from the document to allow free passage of the document, and a position engaging and pressing the document against said print platen immediately downstream of said printing line, and operator means comprising an access cover supported for forward and rearward sliding movement on said housing, said access cover supporting said clamping edge and being movable by an opertor to move said clamping edge from the free passage position to the document-engaging position whereby the document may be engaged and gripped by said clamping edge to prevent movement of the document at said printing line when tearing a printed individual form along the perforation line while the perforation line is positioned closely adjacent said printing line and within said housing, said access cover including a downwardly slanting support portion having a lower edge supporting said clamping edge, and wherein said downwardly slanting support portion provides visual access to the area of said platen adjacent the printing line.