PURPOSE: To perform reciprocating recording of a recording sheet by means of one and the same drive source without any trouble and to perform reliable discharge of a sheet by mounting a second drive gear rotated on the pitch periphery of a first drive gear to a drive system to transmit drive to a sheet discharge roller.

CONSTITUTION: A first drive gear 10 rotated with the aid of a stepping motor is rotated in a direction C during recording. A second drive gear 27 pivotally supported to a drive lever 26 is rotated in a direction E on the pitch periphery of the drive gear 10 through the brake force of an initially coned disc spring. The second drive gear is engaged with a third drive gear 28 pivotally supported to a sheet discharge roller 24, and rotational drive in a direction G is transmitted. By selecting the reduction ratio of gear wheel train, a difference is produced between a recording speed and the sheet discharge speed of the sheet discharge roller 24 to exert slight tension on the recording sheet, and the occurrence of a trouble, e.g. a jam, is prevented. Since, during reversing of a motor, a wheel train of the drive gears 27 and 28 is released, the sheet discharge roller 24 is brought into a rotatable state, a sheet is returned only by a friction force, and reliable discharge of a sheet is effected.