Fan-fold paper catcher for a printer

Claim 2

A paper collecting apparatus for collecting, folding and stacking fan-fold paper as it is discharged from the platen of the printer which is carried on a support, comprising: leg means to be carried on a support adjacent the printer; a body mounted on said leg means; a paper collection tray mounted on said body to extend over the top of the printer; and a paper guide means for receiving the moving paper from the platen and directing the moving paper onto the collection tray, said paper guide means comprising first channel means mounted on and extending from said body to a point adjacent the platen and defining a first paper channel for receiving the discharged paper, and second channel means including at least one passageway through said body and defining a second paper channel communicating with said first paper channel and a point above said paper collection tray so that the fan-fold paper refolds and stacks on the paper collection tray, said leg means comprising a pair of legs each including an upper section connected to said base and the lower section for engaging the support, a bar extending between connecting said legs, and a pair of feet adjustably secured to said bar for resting on the support and causing engagement of the bar with the lower surface of the printer.

Claim 3

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body comprises: first slot means defining a first slot in communication with said first channel means; and second slot means defining a second slot as a part of said second channel means, said second slot opening at said point above said paper collection tray.

Claim 4

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first channel means comprises: a first paper guide extending from said body to a point adjacent the platen to receive the fan-fold paper thereover; and a second paper guide extending from said body along said first guide for receiving the fan-fold paper thereunder.

Claim 5

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 3, wherein: each of said first and second guides comprises a distal end extending at an angle away from the other guide.

Claim 6

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 3, wherein: said second paper guide is pivotally connected to said body to rest on the top of the fan-fold paper.

Claim 7

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second channel means comprises: first slot means defining a first slot through said body in communication with said first channel means; second slot means defining a second slot through said body; and channel means connected to said body and defining a paper guiding channel between said first and second slots.

Claim 8

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said paper tray comprises a floor, an end wall extending from said floor and a projection extending from said end wall; and said body comprises an aperture for receiving said projection at a location at which said floor extends at an upward angle, with respect to horizontal, over the printer.

Claim 9

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said paper tray comprises a floor, an end wall extending from said floor and a projection extending from said end wall; and said body comprises an aperture for receiving said projection at a location at which said floor extends horizontally over the printer.

Claim 10

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said paper tray comprises a floor, an end wall extending from said floor and a projection extending from said end wall; and said body comprises an aperture for receiving said projection at a location at which said floor extends vertically with respect to the printer.

Claim 11

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 9, and further comprising: latch means including first and second latch elements respectively carried by said paper collection tray and by said body for releasably latching said paper collection tray in a vertical position.

Claim 12

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 10, wherein said latch means comprises: a resilient hook means on said tray; and a hook means on said body releasably engaged by said resilient hook means.

Claim 13

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second channel means comprises: first and second pluralities of generally U-shaped wires connected to said body spaced apart and defining at least a portion of said second paper channel.

Claim 14

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said leg means comprises a rod; and further comprising connection means connecting said rod to said body.

Claim 15

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 13, wherein said connection means comprises: at least one aperture in said body for slidingly receiving said rod therethrough; and fixing means for fixing said body at a predetermined height with respect to said rod.

Claim 16

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 14, wherein said fixing means comprises: a plurality of vertically spaced slots in said body; and a key for selective disposition in one of said slots to engage the distal end of said rod.

Claim 17

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 14, wherein said fixing means comprises: channel means defining a vertical hollow channel in said body including a first surface; aperture means defining an aperture in said body for receiving said rod therethrough including a predetermined center axis; and a key including an aperture for receiving said rod therethrough, a second surface for slidingly engaging said first surface and an axis offset of said aperture from the center axis to provide a wedging effect with said first and second surfaces to lock said rod against the edges of said apertures.

Claim 18

A paper collecting apparatus for collecting, folding and stacking fan-fold paper as it is discharged from the platen of a printed which is carried on a support, comprising: leg means to be carried on a support adjacent the printer; a body mounted on said leg means; a paper collection tray mounted on said body to extend over the top of the printer; and a paper guide means for receiving the moving paper from the platen and directing the moving paper onto the collection tray, said paper guide means comprising first channel means mounted on and extending from said body to a point adjacent the platen and defining a first paper channel for receiving the discharged paper, and second channel means including at least one passageway through said body and defining a second paper channel communicating with said first paper channel and a point above said paper collection tray so that the fan-fold paper refolds and stacks on said paper collection tray, said leg means comprising a pair of legs each including an upper section releasably connectible to said base, a lower section for engaging the support, and a bar extending between said legs and pivotably connected to said legs.

Claim 19

A paper collecting apparatus for collecting, folding and stacking fan-fold paper as it is discharged from the platen of a printed which is carried on a support, comprising: leg means to be carried on a support adjacent the printer; a body mounted on said leg means; a paper collection tray mounted on said body to extend over the top of the printer; and a paper guide means for receiving the moving paper from the platen and directing the moving paper onto the collection tray, said paper guide means comprising first channel means mounted on and extending from said body to a point adjacent the platen and defining a first paper channel for receiving the discharged paper, and second channel means including at least one passageway through said body and defining a second paper channel communicating with said first paper channel and a point above said paper collection tray so that the fan-fold paper refolds and stacks on said paper collection tray, said leg means comprising a pair of legs each including an upper section releasably connectible to said base, a lower section for engaging the support, and a bar extending between said legs and pivotably connected to said legs.

Claim 20

The paper collecting apparatus of claim 17, wherein: each of said legs comprises a distal end for engaging the lower surface of the printer.

Claim 21

Apparatus for collecting fan-fold paper which is continuously fed from the platen of a printer having a front, a top, a rear and a bottom, comprising: a paper collection tray; and mounting means mounted said paper collection tray above the top of the printer, said mounting means including guide means defining a paper travel channel extending form the platen to a point above said paper collection tray for guiding the paper onto the collection tray; said guide means comprising a generally, vertically extending body including a front, a rear, a top and a bottom; first and second slots extending through said body adjacent said top and said bottom, respectively, each of said slots forming a respective part of said paper travel channel, ribs in said slots extending in the direction of paper travel, a plurality of first spaced apart U-shaped wires including upper ends connected to said rear of said body above said first slot and lowering ends connected to said rear of said body below said second slot, and a plurality of second spaced apart U-shaped wires including upper ends connected to the rear of said body below said first slot and lower ends connected to said rear of said body above said second slot, said first and second wires spaced from one another to form a portion of said paper travel channel.

Claim 22

Apparatus for collecting fan-fold paper which is continuously fed from the platen of a printer having a front, a top, a rear and a bottom, comprising: a paper collection tray; and mounting means mounted said paper collection tray above the top of the printer, said mounting means including guide means defining a paper travel channel extending form the platen to a point above said paper collection tray for guiding the paper onto the collection tray; said guide means comprising a generally, vertically extending body including a front, a rear, a top and a bottom; first and second slots extending through said body adjacent said top and said bottom, respectively, each of said slots forming a respective part of said paper travel channel, ribs in said slots extending in the direction of paper travel, a plurality of first spaced apart U-shaped wires including upper ends connected to said rear of said body above said first slot and lowering ends connected to said rear of said body below said second slot, and a plurality of second spaced apart U-shaped wires including upper ends connected to the rear of said body below said first slot and lower ends connected to said rear of said body above said second slot, said first and second wires spaced from one another to form a portion of said paper travel channel.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: said guide means comprises means further defining said paper travel channel along a path which extends in a loop above the printer.

Claim 24

Apparatus for collecting, folding and stacking fan-fold paper continuously delivered from the platen of a printer, comprising: paper collection means for receiving the fan-fold paper; mounting means mounted said paper collection means above the printer; and guide means mounted on said monting means and adjustably extending from a point adjacent the platen to a point above said paper collection means, including a pivotal paper channel for receiving the fan-fold paper, said guide means guiding the continuously delivered paper to said paper collection means so that the fan-fold paper refolds and stacks itself on said paper collection means.

Claim 25

Apparatus for collecting, folding and stacking fan-fold paper continuously delivered from the platen of a printer, comprising: paper collection means for receiving the fan-fold paper; mounting means mounted said paper collection means above the printer; and guide means mounted on said monting means and adjustably extending from a point adjacent the platen to a point above said paper collection means, including a pivotal paper channel for receiving the fan-fold paper, said guide means guiding the continuously delivered paper to said paper collection means so that the fan-fold paper refolds and stacks itself on said paper collection means.

Claim 26

Apparatus for collecting, folding and stacking fan-fold paper continuously delivered from the platen of a printer, comprising: paper collection means for receiving the fan-fold paper; mounting means mounting said paper collection means above the printer; and guide means mounted on said mounting means and adjustably extending from a point adjacent the platen to a point above said paper collection means, including a pivotal paper channel for receiving the fan-fold paper, said guide means guiding the continuously delivered paper to said paper collection means so that the fan-fold paper refolds and stacks itself on said paper collection means, said mounting means comprising a body including first and second slots, a first paper guide communicating with said first slot and including a distal end adjustably positionable for receiving the paper from said platen, and a second paper guide communicating with said first and second slots for receiving the paper from said first slot and guiding the paper to said second slot, said second slot positioned to direct the paper onto said paper collection means.

Claim 27

Apparatus for collecting, folding and stacking fan-fold paper continuously delivered from the platen of a printer, comprising: paper collection means for receiving the fan-fold paper; mounting means mounting said paper collection means above the printer; and guide means mounted on said mounting means and adjustably extending from a point adjacent the platen to a point above said paper collection means, including a pivotal paper channel for receiving the fan-fold paper, said guide means guiding the continuously delivered paper to said paper collection means so that the fan-fold paper refolds and stacks itself on said paper collection means, said mounting means comprising a body including first and second slots, a first paper guide communicating with said first slot and including a distal end adjustably positionable for receiving the paper from said platen, and a second paper guide communicating with said first and second slots for receiving the paper from said first slot and guiding the paper to said second slot, said second slot positioned to direct the paper onto said paper collection means.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said second paper guide comprises: a plurality of spaced apart U-shaped wires including upper ends connected to said the rear of said body above said first slot and lower ends connected to the rear of said body below said second slot; and a plurality of second spaced apart U-shaped wires including upper ends connected to the rear of said body below said first slot and lower ends connected to the rear of said body above said second slot, said first and second wires spaced from one another to form a paper travel channel.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said second paper guide comprises: a plurality of first and second spaced apart U-shaped wires connected to the rear of said body and spaced from one another to form a paper travel channel.