AU638925B1 - - Google Patents

Description

638925

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 PET I~ ~I~BN~E~ S2BX2IFI ~~AT IQrT DENHAN COOPER-SOUTHAM and

APPLICANTS:

NUMBER:

FILING DATE: Invention Title: DAVID GRANVILLE LLEWELYN INKING APPARATUS FOR RIBBONS The invention is described in the following statement:- WP51\JMSPEC\COOPER1.SPC\19 November 1992 2 TITLE: Inking Apparatus for Ribbons FIELD OF THE INVENTION: This invention relates to an inking apparatus for ribbons bearing dot matrix or like ink for use in typewriters, printers and like apparatus.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION: There is a need for apparatus which can ink or re-ink ribbons rapidly and with minimal wastage of ink. Any ink wasted by spillage, splashing etc. is an economic loss and must also be wiped-up or otherwise removed from the apparatus used.

It is desirable that the ink be applied substantially evenly to the ribbon.

It is further desirable that the apparatus be capable of handling S a wide range of ribbons of various lengths and ribbon cartridges of various shapes.

S It is yet further desirable that the various components of the apparatus be easily alterable in position with respect to each other without the necessity for a variety of holding clips, brackets, etc.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: This invention ~ftovides an inking apparatus for ribbons, which apparatus comprises:- WP51\JMSPEC\COOPER1.SPC\19 November 1992 an ink reservoir means; an inking head; drive means to pull ribbons over the inking head and to and from storage means for individual ribbons; and positioning means for the storage means, wherein integers and are mounted upon, to or with respect to a substantially vertically positioned first locating plate means and integer is mounted upon, to or with respect to a substantially horizontally positioned second locating plate means each of integers and (d) being individually mounted by respective movable magnetic means (g3) and (g4) to integers and and wherein integers and are in combination and are adapted to locate the integers and with respect to each other in such a manner that their spatial relationship may be altered rapidly and to a selected, fine distance tolerance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: The drawings illustrate several exemplary embodiments of the invention, in which:- Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the relationship of various integers of the invention; Figure 1A is a diagram illustrating how the various integers of Figure 1 may be located and their locations easily and rapidly changed; February 1993 4 Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a more complex ink reservoir for use according to the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective drawing of a constant tension means to pull ribbons over the inking head for use in a high speed embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a rear view of the embodiment according to the invention illustrating a drive motor and two position transducers for use with the mechanism of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a simplified block diagram of a stop start detector which also functions as a hole detector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: The ink reservoir means according to the invention may be a simple cup means but is preferably designed so that the flow of ink to the inking head may be controlled, for example, by raising or lowering the cup.

The inking head used is as described in co-pending petty patent application no. 28539/92.

The drive means for ribbons may be by conventional drive means, for example, one of which makes use of a shaped attachment fitted to the shaft of an electric motor to engage the drive mechanism of the cartridge. In one preferred embodiment, an .aditional integer comprises a driven roller means and associated pressure WP51\JMSPEC\COOPER1.PET\8 February 1993 roller means in combination with tension control means, wherein the ribbon being inked passes through or over the driven roller means and through or over the tension control means, whereny the tension on ribbon being returned to the storage means is controlled at a selected level.

The positioning means for the storage means may comprise a simple adjustable frame which can be used to clamp the storage means in position, the storage means having various dimensions to suit their respective uses. The adjustable frame may in turn be attached to the first locating means by means of movable magnetic means.

As described, the combination of the first and second locating means according to the invention takes the form of a substantially vertically positioned plate to which is attached a substantially horizontally positioned base plate. The movable magnetic means may be moved with respect to the plates and each 0o..

other in such a manner that the spatial relationship of the integers mounted on the magnetic means may be altered rapidly and e to a selected, fine distance tolerance.

It is preferred to pass the ribbon through a stop start detector, which may also function as a hole detector, located, for example, between the inking head and a guide post, all integers being located on the first locating means. The stop start detector comprises a conductive chemical applicator means adapted to apply a conductive chemical to a region of the ribbon S passing through the detector and an electric current detector means adapted to contact the ribbon, supply an electric current to a sub-region of the ribbon and detect, at a second sub-region, February 1993 6 the presence of an electric current passing through the abovementioned region.

The conductive chemical may be, for example, methylated spirits or graphite. The detector may be coupled to a warning system or to a switch means wherein the ribbon may be stopped or started.

The stop start detector may further comprise a radiation detector means wherein radiation, for example, infra-red radiation, is directed onto the ribbon and, if there is a flaw or hole in the ribbon, detected on the other side of the ribbon.

Turning to Figure 1, numeral 1 indicates generally an inking apparatus according to the invention. Numeral 2 indicates a substantialiy vertical backing plate to which is attached a

S

substantially horizontal base plate 2A. Ink reservoir means 3 is located on backing plate 2, but may be positioned behind backing plate 2. An ink delivery line 4 passes ink to an inking head 5 also located on backing plate 2. A ribbon 6 passes through stop-start and hole detector 6A, over guide post 7 and thence to storage means 9. Drive means 8 located on base plate 2A is connected to storage means 9 by means of drive connector 8A which rotates a spindle within storage means 9.

It should be noted that the operation of ink reservoir means 3, inking head 5, stop-start detector 6A and motor 8 may be manual or each integer may be controlled by an electronic controller.

WP51\JMSPEC\COOPER1 .SPC\19 November 1992 7 Referring to Figure 1A, storage means 9 is attached to backing plate 2 via movable magnetic means 10. In fact, ink reservoir means 3, inking head 5, detector 6A, guide post 7 and drive means 8 may also be attached to backing plate 2 or base plate 2A respectively by means of respective magnetic means.

Turning to Figure 2, numeral 11 indicates an electronic control panel which is connected by electrical connectors 12 to pressure pump 13 and pressure control transducer 17. Air delivery/connector lines 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D lead to pressure tank 15 to which is connected a pressure gauge 16. An optional S digital pressure gauge 18 is shown connected to pressure control transducer 17 by electrical connector 12. Pressure tank 15 is connected to ink reservoir 3 and pressure control transducer 17 by air delivery/connector lines 14B and 14C respectively. Ink delivery line 4 leads to inking head 5, etc.

Turning to Figures 3 and 4, a knurled drive roller 21 on which ribbon 27 is located is shown. A rubber pressure roller 20 holds the ribbon down on the knurled drive roller 21 by means of heavy tension spring 28. By depressing handle 31 the ribbon 27 can be removed or located between the knurled drive roller 21 and the rubber pressure roller 20. The ribbon 27 is then located over either of the tension arm extensions 24 or 24A depending whether the ribbon 27 is moving clockwise or anti-clockwise.

WP51\JMSPEC\COOPER1.SPC\19 November 1992 8 Tension arms 23 and 23A held by the light tension springs 26 and 26A respectively are connected to position transducers 33 or 34 respectively by way of rotatable connectors 25 and respectively. Position transducers 33 and 34 are connected to the microprocessor in the control electronics (not shown) and to drive means 8. The number of revolutions of drive means 8 is controlled electronically in such a manner that there is little tension on the ribbon 27 being returned to storage means 9.

Returning the ribbon 27 to storage means 9 in this manner permits winding the ribbon into storage means 9 at a high speed relative to the speed of the ribbon passing between knurled drive roller 21 and rubber pressure roller Motor 32, which drives knurled roller 21, is connected to the electronic controller (not shown) by connectors 36, as are .*oo: position transducers 33 and 34.

Turning now to Figure 5, numeral 40 indicates a reservoir for a conductive liquid such as methylated spirits and numeral 41 indicates connectors to a solenoid valve 42. Numeral 43 refers to an outlet for the conductive liquid. A ribbon 44 runs from left to right (or right to left) undez outlet 43. Electrodes spaced from each other under ribbon 44 are positioned to detect the presence of conductive liquid dropped on ribbon 44.

Connectors 46 lead from valve 42 and electrodes 45 to an electronic controller (not shown). An infra-red emitter 47 and WP51\JMSPEC\COOPER1.SPC\19 November 1992 9 an infra red detector 48 are located to detect the presence of flaws or holes in ribbon 44. Other connectors (not shown) lead from infra-red emitter 47 and infra-red detector 48 to the electronic controller (not shown). Box 49 indicates an alternative to use of a conductive liquid, for example, the marking of ribbon 44 with a graphite pencil.

a a a •*e *e *e ee WP51\JMSPEC\COOPER1.PET\19 November 1392

Claims (3)

1. an ink reservoir means; an inking head; drive means to pull ribbons over the inking head and to and from, storage means for individual ribbons; and positioning means for the storage means, wherein integers and are mounted upon, to or with respect to a substantially vertically positioned first locating plate means and integer is mounted upon, to or with respect to a substantially horizontally positioned second locating plate means each of integers and being individually mounted by respective movable magnetic means (g3) and (g4) to integers and and wherein integers and are in combination and are adapted to locate the 4S** integers and with respect to each other S in such a manner that their spatial relationship may be altered rapidly and to a selected, fine distance tolerance.

2. An inking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the s ribbon is passed through a stop start detector which comprises a conductive chemical applicator means adapted to apply a conductive chemical to a region of the ribbon passing through or over the detector and an electric current detector :means adapted to contact the ribbon, RA1 supply an electric current to a sub-region of the ribbon 51\JMSPEC\COOPER1.PET\B February 1993 N T Oe ngu^^i 11 and detect, at a second sub-region, the presence of an electric current passing through the abovementioned region, whereby an alarm may be sounded or a switch means operated to stop or start travel of the ribbon.

3. An inking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ribbon is passed through or over an additional driven roller means in combination with tension control means, whereby the tension on ribbon being returned to the storage means is controlled at a selected level. ~r E a a e DATED this 19th day of November 1992 r a DENHAM COOPER-SOUTHAM AND DAVID GRANVILLE LLEWELYN By Their Patent Attorneys JAMES MURRAY CO. WP51\JMSPEC\COOPER1.PET\19 November 1992 ABSTRACT a. a. a a a a a An inking apparatus which comprises: 1. an ink reservoir means an inking head drive means to pull ribbons over the inking head and to and from, storage means for individual ribbons; and positioning means for the storage means, wherein integers and are mounted upon, to or with respect to a substantially vertically positioned first locating means and integer is mounted upon, to or with respect to a substantially horizontally positioned second locating means each of integers (c) and being individually mounted by respective magnetic means (g3) and (g4) co integers and and wherein integers and are in combination and are adapted to locate the integers and with respect to each other in such a manner that their spatial relationship may be altered rapidly and to a selected, fine distance tolerance. WP51\JMSPEC\COOPER1 PET\19 November 1992