Serial printer with linear motor drive

A serial printer apparatus comprising in combination:

• a print mechanism operable for recording data marks or the like on a print medium, and
• drive means for causing said print mechanism to traverse said print medium in a fixed path corresponding with a print line on said print medium,
• said drive means comprising a linear stepper motor having a magnetic stator bar fixed in a position substantially parallel with said fixed path,
• said stator bar having at least one surface with teeth extending along the direction of said fixed path,
• said teeth having a pitch proportional to the spacing of print positions on said print line,
• a carrier for said print mechanism movably mounted on said stator bar,
• said carrier including an armature formed with poles having surfaces cooperative with said surface of said stator bar and windings on said poles,
• said pole surfaces having teeth with a pitch correlated to the pitch of said stator bar teeth,
• and control means connected to energize said windings for controlling the motion of said carrier and print mechanism along said stator bar
• said control means including sense means movable with said carrier and coating with the teeth of said stator bar for generating control signals useful in the operation of said printer apparatus.