Drive mechanism for a reciprocating printer carriage

摘要

A printer including a print head adapted for reciprocal displacement across a print tape for effecting printing on the tape in at least one direction of the displacement is provided. The print head is engaged with a timing belt operatively coupled to a drive assembly for selectively advancing the belt in one direction either intermittently or continuously. A direction shift assembly is provided for selectively operatively coupling the print head to the timing belt at either of two locations for selectively displacing the print head in opposed directions. The printer also includes a clutch assembly for selectively transmitting unidirectional rotation power from a motor to the timing belt.