Convertible platen for graphics plotter

Abstract

A convertible platen for use in a graphics plotter to allow its selective use as either as either a cut paper plotter or a roll paper plotter. The platen is formed from a specially designed aluminum extrusion and a pair is mounted with one on either side of the drum of a drum plotter between the drum and the supply/takeup rollers. The platens can be raised and held adjacent the drum and spanning the vacuum columns in the plotter to create a table having curved outer edges to support cut paper. They can be released and dropped into the vacuum columns whereby they lie against the outer surfaces and form the upper inner wall with curved upper edges over which paper smoothly is guided between the vacuum column and the supply/takeup rollers.

Wherefore, having thus described our invention, we claim: 
     
       1. In a graphics plotter having a drum disposed between and in parallel spaced relationship with a pair of paper holding rollers and including a pair of paper loop vacuum columns disposed with respective rectangular openings between respective ones of the rollers and the drum and parallel thereto, the improvement to permit operation of the plotter as either a roll paper plotter or a cut paper plotter comprising: (a) a pair of convertible platen members disposed adjacent respective ones of the openings to the vacuum column, said members having an inner edge adapted to fit close adjacent the drum and an arcuate outer edge, said members being mounted for movement between a raised cut paper position with said inner edges adjacent a drum and said members between said inner and outer edges spanning across the openings and a lowered roll paper position lying adjacent the top of the inside of the outer wall of the vacuum columns whereby said outer edges form curved surfaces at the top outer edges of the vacuum columns over which roll paper can smoothly slide between the vacuum columns and the paper holding rollers when said members are in said lowered position and form a table on either side of the drum with curved outer edges over which cut paper can smoothly slide back and forth when in said raised position; and,   (b) support means for releasably holding said members in said position.   
     
     
       2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein: the upper portion of the outer walls of the vacuum columns are shaped to receive said platen members whereby when said platen members are in said lowered position the surface thereof facing into the vacuum columns lies in a common plane with the lower portion of the outer walls of the vacuum columns. .Iadd.   
     
     
       3.  In a graphics plotter having a drum disposed between and in parallel spaced relationship with a pair of paper holding rollers, the plotter including a pair of paper-loop vacuum columns partially defined by vacuum-column outer walls and having respective openings between respective ones of the rollers and the drum, an improvement that enables the plotter to be used as either a roll-paper plotter or a cut-paper plotter comprising: (a) a pair of convertible platen members disposed adjacent to respective ones of the openings to the vacuum column, each of the platen members having an inner edge adapted to fit closely adjacent to the drum and being mounted for movement between a raised, cut-paper position, in which the platen covers the opening of its respective vacuum column with its inner edge closely adjacent to the drum to provide a table for cut paper, and a lowered, roll-paper position, in which the platen member accords roll paper access to the vacuum column; and   (b) support means for selectively holding the platen members in the raised and lowered positions. .Iaddend. .Iadd.4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein each platen member is oriented with one edge extending into the respective vacuum column when the platen member is in its lowered, roll-paper position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.5. The improvement of claim 4 wherein the platens have outer edges opposite their inner edges and provide curved surfaces adjacent their outer edges, which outer edges are so positioned with respect to their respective outer column walls at the respective openings when their platen members are in their lowered, roll-paper positions that the roll paper can smoothly slide over the curved surfaces into and out of the vacuum columns. .Iaddend.