Variable width paper feeder for perforated and unperforated paper

Claim 1

A paper feeder capable of feeding both a paper of the type having perforated edges by engaging the perforations of the edge of the perforated paper and a paper of the type having unperforated edges by engaging the surface of the unperforated paper, comprising: a pair of slide blocks adjustably slidable along a drive shaft extending in a first horizontally defined direction so as to vary the spacing between the slide blocks in accordance with the width and type of paper to be engaged by said slide blocks; each slide block extending in a second horizontal direction normal to the first direction and having a pair of opposite vertical side walls extending in the second direction, wherein the paper is fed along a feed path in a horizontal paper feeding direction parallel to the second direction, a track rotating body mounted between said side walls at an outside location of said slide block on whose peripheral surface there is provided a plurality of pins for engaging the perforations of the perforated type of paper, a drive roller mounted between said side walls at an inside location of said slide block which has a frictional surface for engaging the unperforated type of paper, and drive means in said slide block for engaging said drive shaft and driving said track rotating body and drive roller in rotation so as to drive the corresponding type of paper engaged therewith in the paper feeding direction; a pair of holder members each mounted on a respective slide block and having a portion extending over the paper feed path formed with a pinch roller holding portion which is aligned for holding a pinch roller in position for contact with the drive roller of the respective slide block; and a pair of pinch rollers mounted adjustably slidably on a roller shaft which is movable toward said slide blocks so as to bring said pinch rollers into engagement with the holding portions of the respective holder members and into frictional contact with the respective drive rollers, wherein said slide blocks can be adjustably moved in said first direction to vary the spacing therebetween and said pinch rollers, engaged with the respective holding portions of said holder members, can be adjustably moved with said slide blocks in said first direction so as to remain in positions of frictional contact with said drive rollers mounted in said slide blocks.