Paper feed device for a printer

Claim 1

A paper feed device for a printer, comprising: a pin feed mechanism positionable in a pushing position for pushing sprocket paper around a platen and a drawing position for drawing sprocket paper from around said platen, a frame on which said pin feed mechanism is mounted for selective pivotal motion between said pushing position and said drawing position, a guide plate for guiding sprocket paper to said platen from a position rearwardly of said pin feed mechanism when said pin feed mechanism is in said pushing position, a pinch roller mounted on said guide plate for movement toward and away from said platen, a movable guide plate positioned for guiding a cut sheet from between a front face of said pin feed mechanism and said platen to a contact point between said platen and said pinch roller when said pin feed mechanism is in said pushing position, a pair of arms pivotally supported at opposite side ends of said movable guide plate and mounted for pivotal motion around an axis of said platen, and supporting means located on opposite sides of said pin feed mechanism, said supporting means being coupled to said movable guide plate to retract said movable guide plate upwardly and out of a path of sprocket paper drawn by said feed mechanism when said pin feed mechanism is selectively moved to said drawing position.