CA1087586A - Typewriter cartridge and feed mechanism therefore - Google Patents

Typewriter cartridge and feed mechanism therefore

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Publication number
CA1087586A
CA1087586A CA340,223A CA340223A CA1087586A CA 1087586 A CA1087586 A CA 1087586A CA 340223 A CA340223 A CA 340223A CA 1087586 A CA1087586 A CA 1087586A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
cartridge
ribbon
case
typewriter
accordance
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA340,223A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John O. Schaefer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
International Business Machines Corp
Original Assignee
International Business Machines Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US05/801,286 external-priority patent/US4347007A/en
Application filed by International Business Machines Corp filed Critical International Business Machines Corp
Priority to CA340,223A priority Critical patent/CA1087586A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1087586A publication Critical patent/CA1087586A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

TYPEWRITER CARTRIDGE AND FEED MECHANISM THEREFORE
Abstract of the Disclosure Disclosed is a cartridge and a cartridge assembly for a typewriter, the assembly comprising a pair of case members, each case having a separate chamber and including means for releasably connecting the two cases in superimposed overlapping relation. First and second pairs of spaced apart ribbon guide means are associated with each of the cases and dimensioned to be aligned, first pair to second pair. Each of the case members includes a separate supply and take-up spool, the supply spool having a fixed axis of rotation and the take-up spool having a shiftable axis of rotation along a translatory path. An opening is provided along one edge of each of the cases, the openings being aligned in the paths while the take-up spools are biased in their respective paths towards the opening. Also disclosed is a drive mech-anism for the cartridge in which the type of ribbon (for example, carbon or cloth) is indicated on the cartridge by a cam arrangement and, upon insertion into the machine, automatically selects the correct feed and ribbon lift mechanism to minimize ribbon wastage.
The purpose of this abstract is to enable the public and the Patent Office to determine rapidly the subject matter of the technical disclosure of the application. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope thereof.

Description

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Field of the Invention and State of the Prior Art `: :
The present invention relates to a cartridge for a typewriter and the feed mechanism for the ribbon held thereby, and more particularly relates to a cartridge assembly in which, for example, two ribbons such -as a carbon or film ribbon may be employed in conjunction with an erase -. .
ribbon in separate and severable housings or cases in the assembly, and -~
which may be separately and selectively driven by the novel drive mechanism which is shiftable automatically as to both ribbon feed rate and ribbon lift by action of the cartridge employed. ~ ~-In conventional typewriters, for example such as the IBM Selectric . :
typewriter, typ7ng ribbon is wound in a case or cartridge on a supply spool, ribbon passes out an exit port and enough slack is left 7n the ribbon so that the typist, upon mounting the cartrldge ~n the typewr7ter, handles the ribbon plac7ng the rlbbon on the osc711at-7ng gu7des which ~.
form part of the typewriter mechanism. The tape or ribbon feeds back into the cartridge and onto a take-up spool, the take-up spool conven- .
tionally having a portion thereof which engages drive mechanism fixedly ;mounted on the typewriter. If the ribbon is of a carbon type, a special lift-off tape is employed such as disclosed 7n U.S. patent 3,788,442 .
7ssued on January 29, 1974 and mounted on a separate feed mechanism. The typ7st 7n a sim71ar manner, must thread the lift-off tape through the ~.
separate guides. When the operator is typing, the ribbon is lifted by the oscillating guides intermediate the single element typing head and .
the platen so that the typing elemer,t strikes the ribbon and prints upon the paper held by the platen. If the ribbon is carbon, the guides lift ~ `
the ribbon to permit striking the ribbon at successive typing operations at different elevations of the ribbon, the ribbon being incrementally fed :
by the feed mechanism so as to take full advantage of the tape width while preventing overstrike of the single element printing element or ball against the ribbon. Intermediate each imprinting operation, the guides return the ribbon to a depressed poSitiQn so that the typ7st may ~ .;: : 1 , ~
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1 see the letter previously typed. Thus the mechanism takes full advan-tage of the width of the ribbon without overstrike while permitting the employment of a separate spool of tape for lift-off type operation.
Where it is not essential that the type be as perfect as a carbon ribbon can make, a "strikeover" type ribbon such as the "IBM Tech III"
may be employed, the cartridge having means thereon for shifting the mechanism to permit strike-over merely by changing the ribbon feed rate.
With this type of ribbon, the erase ribbon is conventionally of the cover up type as opposed to a lift-off type ribbon employed convention-ally with carbon ribbon. In each instance, the ribbons must be handled by the typist for initial threading into the guides and then, when the cartridge has been used, the ribbon removed from the guides, leaving smudges at least on the operator's fingertips and many t~mes on adjacent portions o~ the mach~ne. One of the major reasons for bringing the ribbon externally of the cartrldge which necessitates mounting or threading the ribbon through the oscillating guides (erase or print ribbon) is that the mass being moved, i.e., of the ribbon, is small.~ ;
Moreover, in this type of machine, the loading of the cartridge is always a two-handed operation.
In view of the above, it ;s a principle object to the present ;
invention to provide a novel cartridge and cartridge assembly for a typewriter which is easily insertable by the operator; does not require the operator to soil his/her hands in either removing or inserting the cartridge; and does not require ribbon slack removal.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel cart-ridge for a typewriter which is insertable within the typewriter with one hand by the operator and which engages in locking engagement therein in a position ready for immediate typing operations.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge for a typewriter which will permit an automatic changing of the typewriter mechanism to accommodate the drive requirements of a plurality of ribbon types.

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1 Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel cartridge assembly co~prised of two sections, a first section containing the print ribbon, and the second section containing an erase ribbon or tape which is detachably coupled to the first case so as to form an -~
assembly. `
Still another object of the present invention is to provide easily actuable means on the cartridge assembly for coupling the assembly to the typewriter in locking engagement therewith and positioning the same after such coupling occurs automatically in a print position. ~ ;
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel i ;
cartridge for a typewriter in which the drive for the ribbon is posi- ~ -tioned externally of the cartridge whereby upon insertion of the cart-ridge ;nto the typlng mechanism, the drive is coupled to the cartridge for motlon therewith and yet externally of the cartr;dge.
Yet another ob~ect of the present ;nvention ;s to provide a novel drive mechanism which cooperates with the cartridge of the present invention to permit rotation of the cartridge in a predetermined manner about a transverse axis of the cartridge so as to permit full usage of the width of the cartridge ribbon depend;ng upon the type of ribbon employed in the cartridge.
Another object of the present invention is to provide novel drive mechanism for the cartridge whlch wlll permit a predeterm~ned elevation of the cartridge about a transverse axis for presenting the ribbon to a printing element, and after printing occurs depress the cartridge about said axis to permit viewing by the operator of the previous print, and ; m~
to automatically advance the ribbon intermediate at least predetermined print operations.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple yet effective drive mechanism for the novel cartridge assembly of the present invention which will effect both tape elevation and advance and permit selective operation automatically of the erase ribbon when de-sired by the operator.
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1 Other objects and a more complete understanding of the invent;on may be had by referring to the following specification and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
In the Drawings ~ :
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cartlidge assembly com-prised of cartridges constructed in accordance with the present inventian;
Fig. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of the cartridge assembly in posit;on on a typewriter and illustrating the movement of the cartridge assembly relative to the print head and the platen;
Fig. 3a is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the print ribbon when the print ribbon employed is a carbon type;
Fig. 3b is an enlarged fragmentary view of another ribbon in which strikeover ;s permitted and illustrat;ng the spacing and tracks for elevation between letters or characters being typed by the typlng head and cartridge illustrated ln Figs. 1 and 2; ~
Fig. 4 is a plan view of a cartridge constructed in accordance with -the present invention, one of which is illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the cartridge illustrated in Fig. 4 with the top cover removed;
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary bottom view of the lower cartridge in the ~, cartridge assembly illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a bottom view o~ the cartridge ;llustrated in Fig. 6 but with the bottom cover removed;
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 6; ~i Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the mechan-ism adapted to accommodate the cartridge of the present inventian; ~ `
.
Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional side elevational view of a ~ ;
portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 9;
Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are fragmentary perspective schematic views illustrating the manner in which the cartridge assembly of the present invention may be inserted into the novel drive mechanism for the cart~

1 ridge; i~8 7586 Fig. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 9-13 for providing drive for the ribbon; ,- ;~
Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the rela~
tionship between certain parts of the novel drive mechanism for the . ~ . . .
cartridge; ;
Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the ;
mechanism illustrated in Fig. 14 which facilitates the feed of the ribbon associated with the cartridge assembly, F-ig. 17 is a cam timing diagram which illustrates both the ribbon `
feed and ribbon lift cam patterns for the cam illustrated in Fig. 15, ~-Fig. 18 is a layout of the erase function cam for both feed and - ; ;
lift; and Fig. 19 -is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a portion o~ the apparatus illustrated -in Fig. 16 by wh-ich the ribbon ~s fed for both ribbons of ~he cartrldge assembly.
Referring now to the draw-ings and especially Fig. 1 thereof, a -~
cartridge assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated therein. The assembly 10 comprises a first cartridge or case member 15 and a second cartridge or case member 30, each case as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 including a separate chamber 16, 31 and means (apertures 17 and snap pins 32) for releasably connect-ing the two cases in super-imposed overlapping relation. As illustrated -in Figs. 1 and 4-7, first and second pairs of spaced apart guide means -18a, 18b, 33a, 33b are dimens-ioned to be aligned, first pair to second pair. Separate ribbon supply and take-up spools 19, 20 and 34, 35 are mounted in the chambers-16 and 31 respectively, the supply spools 19 and 34 having a fixed axis of rotation and the take-up spools or rollers 20 and 35 having a shiftable axis of rotation along a path 21 and 36 `~respectively. Means 22 and 37 define an opening along one edge of each of the case members 15 and 30, the openings being aligned in the paths 21, 36 respectively with each of the cartridge or case members ~including : ` ~

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-~(~87S~6 1means 23, 38 to bias each of the take-up spools 20, 35 in their respec-tive paths towards the openings 22 and 37.
The cartridge assembly 10 may be inserted into the carrier portion 71 of a single elemen-t typewriter (for example) such is illustrated in -Figs. 2, 9 and 10, the carrier and selection mechanism for the single typing element being substantially that which has been disclosed in U.S.
patent 3,892,304 issued on July 1, 1975, and U.S. patent 4,059,184 issued on November 22, 1977 to Redding et al.
The carrier portion 71, as described in the foregoing patents includes selection mechanism (not shown) for a typing element 72 (sometimes referred to as a ball) which is rotated and moved forward to strike a ribbon and make an imprint of a selected letter against a sheet of paper held by the platen 73. Conventionally, and as has been explained hereto-~ore in the statement of prior art, the ribbon is held by guldes and moved upwardly into the path intermediate the moving typing element 72 and the platen, and then depressed between each striking of a key of the typewriter so that the operator may see where the element is striking and thereby insure that the proper letter is being imprinted on the paper carried by the platen. In the present instance, the cartridge assembly 10 is locked into place in a cartridge holder 75 which ~ill be more fully explained hereinafter, and the cartridge presents to the ~ ;
typing element the ribbon as by ~ts guides 18a and 18b (see Fig. 1), the space between the guides 18a and 18b being sufficient to permit entry and exit of the typing ele~ent 72 from therebetween. Suffice at this time that upon clamping of the cartridge assembly 10 in the holder 75, no further action need be taken by the operator to prepare the machine for typing other than turning the switch on and providing paper etc. to the platen.
Depending upon the type of cartridge presented and held by the ~ ;
holder, drive means operatively associated with the holder 75 effect rotation of the assembly 10 about an axis 11 so as to present dif~ferent - ;~
portions of the ribbon 12 during each typing operation to the printing . ' - , 1C187S1~6 : ~
"~,,`' 1 element 72. Additionally, the drive means not only provides for eleva-tion of the ribbon 12 but effects advancement or feed of the ribbon between the supply and take-up spool so as to present new ribbon por-tions to the typing element as typing commences.
As will become clear hereinafter, the motion of l;he cartridge 15 or the cartridge assembly 10 about the axis 11 is depicted best in Fig. 2.
Depending whether the ribbon is for example, a carbon ribbon, or a ribbon such as the IBM Tech III ribbon, will determine the coding provided by the cartridge assembly 10 which will in turn effect shifting of the drive means associated with the holder 75 causing the lift and feed evidenced in Fig. 3a or the lift and feed shown in Fig. 3b. For example, if the ribbon is a carbon ribbon 12a illustrated in Fig. 3a, where no strike-over is permitted, the motlon of the cartridge assembly 10 will be to elevate the ribbon to a first level 1, a charac~er is pr~nted ("A"
1n the drawlng), the cartridge is then depressed and the ribbon advanced in the direction of the arrow a distance d, the cartridge is then elevated to permit printing at a second level Z, and then depressed once ~ ~
again to permit the operator to view the letter or other indicia type, ~ ;
and then advancement once again a distance d. The cartridge is then elevated to a third level 3 whereupon third indicia will be typed and then once again lowered or depressed and the ribbon advanced another increment d. It is evident, therefore, that the distance between adjacent indicia in a single horizontal row on the tape will be equal to 3d. In a like manner, if the ribbon 12b being used is, for example, a fabric ribbon wherein strike-over is permitted and useful to minimize ribbon waste and to permit maximum usage of the ribbon, 9 imprints will occur for each incremental advancement, for example d advancement of the print ribbon 12b in the direction of the arrow. From the foregoing, it is obvious that the distance incrementally advanced by the elevation of the tape to present the same at the print point is a matter of drive design. Moreover, it should be understood that if the difFerence in both elevation and feed of the print ribbon is going to depend upon the type of print ribbon utilized, if it is desired that such change be lV8~
1 automatic, the obvious place to place the switch function or identiFying print ribbon function is on the cartridge itself so that it automatically compensates or shifts for the required alternation of the print ribbon and feed of the same.
Specific Cartridge Embodiment As has been previously explained, the cartridge assembly lQ com- ;
prises a pair of cartridges 15 and 30 respectively, the cartridge 15 being adapted to present to the printing element printing ribbon 12 while the cartridge 30 has a more limited role or use of presenting to the printing element an erase tape or the like 13. Although the cartridge assembly 10 may comprise a single unit, because the supply of printing ribbon 13, it is believed desirable that the cartridges be divisible and yet ma-table ln superimposed overlapping relatlon as briefly described heretoFore. However, the principle cartridge 15 oF
the present invention may be utilized without the cartridge 30, while the converse is not true.
Referring now to the drawing, and especially Figs. 1, 4 and 5 thereof, the cartridge 15 comprises a case having an upper surface 15a and a lower surface 15b which mate with and are spaced apart as by the external case wall 16a thereby forming the chamber 16. At the end of the guides 18a, 1~b are respectively located the ribbon exit and entrance ports 23a, 23b respectively which allow the print ribbon 12 to traverse a path externally oF the case so as to be exposed to the print~
ing element 72 for a printing operation. As shown best in Fig. 4, the supply reel 19 includes a hub 19a which is mounted in the upper and lower cover 15a and 15b for rotation. A drag wire 24 serves to main-tain tension on the ribbon being extracted from the supply spool 19 and is more fully described in IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 18, No. 4, September 1975, page 1093 in an article entitled "Ribbon Drag Wire". The ribbon exits through the exit port 23a and enters into the entry port 23b, past a guide pin or the like 25 and then is wound on the pickup roller 20, the roller 20 having a print ribbon advancing 1(~87586 1 surface 20a thereon which cooperates with the opening 22 for exposing the print ribbon advancing surface 20a externally of the case 15.
In order to insure that the print ribbon advancing surface extends externally of the case so as to permit effective engagement thereof with the ribbon advancing means, the center 20b of the spool or roller 20 is engaged by a shaft or rod 26 forming part of the biasing means 23, one end 26a of the rod extending downwardly through the center 20b of the spool or roller 20 and engaging the slot 21 in the lower surface 15b of the case or cartridge 15. The opposite end 26b of the shaft 26 ~-engages a spring 27 which is connected to the upper surface 15a of the case 15 thereby serving to bias the rod and thus the roller 20 towards i~
the opening 22.
Additionally, the depending or terminal end 26b of the rod 26 not only is guided ln slot 21a but also serves to llm~t leftward depression along the axls or path 21 because of engagement of the depending portion 26b with the peripheral winding of the supply spool 19. ;~
Inasmuch as the cartridge and associated mechanism was designed to minimize ribbon handllng by the operator when loading and unloading the cartridge, it is necessary that the case include a laterally extending axis of rotation, as illustrated in Fig. 1 the axis 11 which is approximately along the center of mass of the cartridge. A trunnion 27 .
projects from the case along the axis 11 and clamping means formed in part as hinge means or projecting ears 28 on the case are spaced from the trunnion along the axis permitting locking engagement in the type-writer in conjunction with the trunnion so as to allow rotation of the cartridge about the axis 11. In a manner which will be more fully explained herelnafter, the clamping means 28 serve as hinges and co-operate with a portion of the holder 75 (Figs. 9 and 10) to clamp the cartridge 15 or the cartridge assembly 10 to the carrier 71 of the typewriter.
The cartridge or case 30, in illustrated instance loaded with erase tape 13, is identical to the cartridge 15 except for the lack of 9 ~:
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1 the separate clamping means 28 and trunnion 27 associated with the ~' cartridge 15. As may be seen in Figsr 6, 7 and 8, the cartridge 30 is similar in all other respects to the cartridge 15, and ?ncludes a top (lower) cover 30a and l?ower bottom cover 30b, the bottom cover 30b adapted for mating engagement with the bottom cover 15b of the cartridge 15 by way of the pins 32 and apertures 17. As may easily be seen in Fig. 6 and 7, the cartridge 30 is slightly smaller in overall con-figuration while the opening 37 is adapted to be mated with the opening 22 in the cartridge 15 when the cartridges are in registry in super-imposed overlapping relation. Additionally, take-up spool or roller 35 inc1udes, like its counterpart take-up roll 20, a ribbon advancing ':~
surface 35a which is exposed to the drive means which will be described hereinafter. Additionally, the roller 35 and thus t?ts advancing surface 35a is biased as by the bias~?ng means 38 which ~Includes sprl?ng loaded ~, rod 39 and spring ~0, in identica'l Fashion to that incorporated in the cartridge 15. ~;
Drive and Holder Mechanism ~
As has already been described heretofore, the holder mechanism 75 '~ ~' (Figs. 9 and 10~ is adapted to receive the cartridge assembly 10 or at ~
least the cartridge 15 and place it into position relative to the typing ' ' element 72 on the carrier 71 to faci'l?tate typ?ng. To this end, the holder mechanlsm 75 includes a first end 76 which cooperates w?th the clamping means 28 associated with the cartridge 15 or cartridge assembly 10 to clamp the one end of the cartridge assembly along the laterally ' extending axis 11, and a second end 86 which cooperates with the ' trunnion 27 of the cartridge 15 to releasably capture the trunnion and ~ ~;
eFfect, when necessary, shifting of the drive mechanism depending upon the type ribbon carried by the cartridge. The first end portion 76 of the cartridge holder mechanism comprises a bracket 77 which is mounted for rotation about a stud or pivot 78 mounted on a sub frame 71a of the carrier 71. The bracket 77 includes a central portion 79 which pro-jects inwardly of the carrier and includes depending hinge pins or ' ~ 10 ,~

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1087S8t;
1 portions 79a, 79b, outboard of the central portion 79, and dimensioned to fit into the apertures 28a and 28b respectively associated with the ~
hinge means or ears 28 projecting from the cartridge 15 (see Fig. 4). ~, Outboard of the central portion 79 and its associated depending hinge -pin 79a, 79b are in turn bifurcated, spaced apart clamp legs 80 and 81 respectively, each of the legs having vertically spaced apart project~
ing finger portions 30a, 80b, 81a, 81b which serve to embrace the projecting ears of the cover hinge portion 28 to serve as a clamp and cam forcing the pins 79a and 79b into locking engagement with the ~ -respective apertures 28a, 28b on the cartridge 15 upon insertion of the cartridge into the typewriter.
The manner in which the cartridge assembly 10 is inserted into the holder mechanism 75 and bracket 76 is clearly lllustrated in Figs. 11 through 13 wherein the cartridge in Fig. 11 is shown being inserted press~ng the hinge ears 28 towards the bracket 77. Insertion of the ears 28 into the bifurcated legs 80 and 81 assist in aligning the .
apertures or hinge openings 28a and 28b with the hinge pins 79a, 79b respectively so that after entry of the cartridge, the cartridge may be depressed as shown by the arrow in Fig. 13 permitting full engagement of the hinge pin 79, 79b into the apertures 28a, 28b and due to the embracing lever or cam like action of the bifurcated legs 80 and 81, effect capturing of the cartridge 10 in the holder 75.
Obviously, while the mechanism heretofore described would be adequate to locate and anchor one end of the cartridge relative to the typing element 72, it is preferable that the opposite end of the cartridge be connected also to the second end 86 of the holder 75. To this end, and has already been described the cartridge includes a trunnion 27 which may be latched by the second end 86 so as to effect retention of the cartridge 15 while permitting rotation of the cartridge assembly 10 about the lateral or longitudinally extending axis 11 which ~;
passes through the cartridge 27 intermediate the hinge pins 79a, 79b and the associated hinge proiections on the cartridge 15. To this end, ;, ~ :

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1 and referring to Figs. 9 through 13, the second end 86 includes a fixed,upstanding post or guide 87 which is attached to a bracket 86a connected to the carrier 71. A shiftable bracket section 88 which is pivotally mounted as at 89 and biased to rotate about the pivot in the direction of ~
the arrow, that is counterclockwise, as by the rod 90 and slot 91 ~ -arrangement in the bracket 88 and spring 92 which bears against the rod tending to create the rotation of the bracket 88. The bracket 88 is inhibited from such counterclockwise motion by a latch spring 93 adjacent the post or guide 87 and positioned slightly higher than the opening 87a defined intermediate the edge 88a of the bracket 88 and the post 87. Upon entry of the trunnion into the opening 87a, the latch spring 93 is upset releasing the partial bracket 88 causing counterclock~
wise rotation of khe bracket about khe pivot 89 capturing the trunnion wlthin the space or opening 87a. The latch 93 is adapked to engage a depending portion 94 of the cover plate or piece 95 which serves to form a top for the trunnion 27 effect;vely embracing the trunnion within the space 87a upon release of the bracket 88. ~-In order to uncover the trunnion 27 when it is within the opening 87a, a load button 96 is placed on the shiftable bracket section 88 allowing it to be depressed into the position shown in Figs. 9, 10, 11 . . :
and 12 so as to permit removal of the trunnion 27 and lifting out of the cartridge in the reverse procedure from thak shown in Figs. 11-13.
It should also be noked, that the rod 90 includes an off-set portion 90a which rides on a bracket extension 77a. Additionally, the bracket is biased against the rod and its extension 90a by the spring 97, best illustrated in Figs. 14 and 16. Thus depressing the load point 96 effectively acts to cock the bracket 77 abouk the pivot 78 biasing the spring 97. When the trunnion 27 associated with the cartridge assembly 10 engages the latch 93, the bracket 88 is released and the spring 92 effects rotation of the bracket 88 about the pivot 89 locking the trunnion into the opening 87a.
~'' ' . , , ~V~7S816 1 It should be noted therefore that upon release of the latch spring 93 by the striking thereof by -the trunnion 27 associated with the cartridge 10, and release therefore of the rod 90, spring 92 and rod end or extension 90a, the bracket 77 rotates clockwise about the pivot 75 due to the biasing action of the spring 97, effectively causing rotation of the cartridge assembly 10 in the direct;on of the arrow 78a (Fig. 13) about the pivot 78. This places the cartridge and its assembly in a home or first position relative to the print element 72.
After the cartridge 15 or the cartridge assembly 10 has been 10 inserted as described above, and the cartridge tilted to its home or ~.
initial position due to release of the rod 90 which allows biasing ~:
spring 97 to take over tilting the cartridge forward, the typewrlter is ready for operation. The means for shifting the drlve mechanism so that the ribbon elevation or lift and the ribbon Feed are different dependin~
upon the type of rlbbon to be used in the cartridge 15, will be des-cribed more completely hereinafter after a more thorough or complete .
understanding of the ribbon elevation and ribbon feed mechanism. :
The selection mechanism for the typewriter is substantially as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,059,184, Filed November 22, 1977 and :
assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Suffice at this point that a print shaft 100 causes rotation through gearing 99 of a : ~ .
second shaft 99a to cause rotat~on of barrel cams 98 whlch effect both rotation and tilting of the printing element 72 to effect the striking of the element 72 on paper carried by the platen. The print shaft 100 : :
is caused to rotate in a conventional manner such as disclosed in U.S.
Patent 3,892,304 also assigned to the present assignee and identified :
heretofore. Suffice that upon the striking of a letter or other in-dicia, the print shaft 100 is caused to rotate.
In the present instance, and in order to effect both lift and feed .

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1 of the ribbon to place the ribbon in-termediat2 the typiny element 72 andthe platen, and referring now to Figs. 14 and 15, a gear 101 is mounted on the print shaft 100 and disposed in driving relation to a gear 102 ~;
mounted on a shaft 103 which is connected to the carrier 71. The gear ratio between gears 101 and 102 is such that one rotation of the print shaft serves to move the gear 102 1/9th of its total possible rotation.
However, it should be understood that the ratio is only by way of example and other ra~ios may be chosen depending upon the function desired, and in accordance with the teachings set forth herein.
Mounted on the gear 102 is a multiple cam 110 having a plurality of cams or cam tracks thereon designated 111-114 from top to botto~ and the layout of which are shown in Fig. 17. As will be more clearly shown hereina~ter, cams 111 and 112 are operative to ef~ect feed of the ribbon in the cartridge, depending upon the posltion of an associated cam follower 115, while cams 113 and 114 are coupled through a cam follower 150 to provide lift for the cartridge to conform to one or the other patterns assoclated with the printing schemes illustrated in Figs.
3a and 3b. For illustration purposes, when cam follower 115 is in con-tact with cam 111, cam follower 150 is in contact with cam 114 to provide the feed and lift respectively for the ribbon print structure illustrated in Fig. 3a. Moreover, when cam follower 115 is in contact with cam 112, cam Follower 150 is in contact with cam 113 to provide, respectively, for ribbon feed and cartridge lift for the print structure illustrated in Fig. 3b. In summary, when cam Follower 115 is on cam 111, cam follower 150 will be riding cam 114, and when cam 115 is riding cam 112, cam follower 150 will be riding cam 113.
Turning first to the ribbon feed mechanism, when the cam follower 115 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 15, that is riding cam 111, ~ :~and inasmuch as the ratio between the gearing 101 and 102 is 9:1, it is ~
evident that the cam 111 moves from lobe 1 to lobe 2 (as numbered in ~ ' Fig. 17 for ease of identification) during one revoltu;on of the print shaft 100, the feed being moved wholly upon the cam rising up the slope ~L~)8~75 8 ~l 1 of the lobe. To this end, and as illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, the follower 115 is pivotally connected through a link 116 pivoted at 117 and connected to a push rod 118 which in turn is coupled to a ribbon drive means, the illustrated instance, a spiked ribbon drive 120 as by a ratchet lever 119 which effects unitary rotation to the spiked driver 120, in the present instance only upon withdrawal or movement of the link 118 to the left (relative Fig. 16). As best shown in Figs. 16 and 19, the spiked drive means 120 is coupled for rotation to the central portion 79 of the bracket 77 as by shaft 120a, the bracket including a lower stablizer portion 121 which is adapted to underlie a portion of the cartridge 15 and act, in conjunction with pins 79a, 79b and the bifurca-ted legs 80 and 81 to insure good cooperation of the spike driver with the ribbon advanc;ng surface 20a of the roller or take-up roll 20 through the open;ng 22 (see Fi~. 4). Thus as the cam follower 115 follows each of the lobes 1 through 9, the sp-iked driver increments one distance "d"
for each revolution of the pr;nt shaft 100. As will be more fully ~ ;
explained hereinafter, when the cam follower 115 is lowered to cam 112, while the feed mechanism remains identical, there is only one incremental motion given to the spiked driver 120 for every revolution of the cam 110 and thus only one feed increment of the ribbon for every 9 rotations of the print shaft 100.
As has previously been explained, the mechanism for lifting the ribbon operates off cams 113 or cam 114 depending upon which cam is selected. As illustrated in Figs. 14, 15 and 17, the cam follower 150 is positioned on a post or the like 151 for vertical movement and for shifting between cam 114 and 113 in a manner which will be explained more fully hereinafter. The follower is connected to a link 152 which is pivoted at 153 to the carrier 71. Link 152 is in turn connected through lift l;nkage 154 pivoted at 155 and 156 to a yoke 157 having arms 158 and 159 which underlie the guides 18a, 18b of the cartridge 15.
As the cam follower 150 follows the cam 114 (when cam follower 115 is associated with cam 111) and as may be seen from Fig. 17, the cycle is .. .. . ..

~V137586 1 repeated three times for every revolution of the cam llo, thus providing for the three track levels 1, 2 and 3 shown in Fig. 3a. In a like manner, when cam 150 follows cam track 113, the lobes are progressively smaller as shown in Fig. 17 allowing for the different track levels (9 in all) as illustrated in Fig. 3b.
As heretofore described, ~he shifting of the mechanism so that cam -;
followers 115 and 150 respectively are either on cams 111 and 114 or 112 ~-and 113 respectively, is preferably controlled automatically by the cartridge, depending upon which kind of cartridge is installed in the typewriter. As described heretofore, the type of ribbon contained in the cartridge will depend upon which feed pattern and print pattern is desired, such as that illustrated in Fig. 3a or Fig. 3b. To this end, the cartridge trunnion preferably contains a lobe such as illustrated in Flg. ~ facing either forward or rearwardly, such as designated F and R
in Fig. 4. If the cam lobe R is present, the feed and lift pattern will be such as illustrated in Fig. 3a while if the lobe F is present, the ~ !
feed pattern and lift pattern will be as shown in Fig. 3b.
The mechanism by which this is accomplished is best illustrated in Figs. 9, 10, 14 and 15 wherein a cam engaging means, in the illustrated instance a sliding yoke 160 having an opening 161 therein, is mated in sliding engagement with the post 87 and opening ~7a, the cam engaging means having a depending portlon 162 which is pivotally connected to the bracket ~6a as at 162a. The yoke 160 is connected to a lever 163 which is split into a pair of shifting forks 164 and 165 respectively which grasp the cam followers 115 and 150. The shifting forks are pivoted to the carrier 71 at 166 so that upon rotation or sliding movement of the ;
yoke 160 about its pivot 162a, will effect movement of the shi~ting forks 164 and 165 about the pivot 166. Thus with the lobe R (Fig. 4) on the cartridge, insertion of the cartridge into the holder as heretofore described and the trunnion into the bracket will cause the mechanism to shift to the left elevating the cam follower 115 and depressing the cam follower 150 about the pivot 166 causing cam follower 115 to engage :~8758~
1 the upper cam track 111 and the cam follower 150 to engage the lower cam track 114. Alternately, if the cam follower F is in place on the cartridge, and is inserted into the holder as heretofore described, the cam engaging means 160 will tend to move to the right (Fig. 9) causing the shifting forks 164 and 165 to effect depression of the follower 115 and elevation of the follower 150 so that the follower 115 engages cam track 112 while the follower 150 engages cam track 113.
Erase Function When an error has been made, it is desirable to elevate the cartridge assembly 10 to a position wherein the ribbon or tape 13 associated with the cartridge 30 lies intermediate the typing element 72 and the platen. To this end, mounted on the print shaft 100 is a s~mple double cam 175 hav~ng a ribbon feed cam track 176 and a ribbon l~F-t cam track 177. These separate cams are engageable in turn by separate mechanism and followers 178 and 179 respectively, the follower 178 tracking the feed cam 176 while the follower 179 adapted but not ;~
engageable with the lift cam 177 until desired. The tape feed cam follower 178 is connected by linkage 180 to a ratchet mechanism illustrated in Figs. 16 and 19. The ratchet mechanism comprises an indexer 181 which is connected to the link 180 which is engageable for unitary motion with spike driver 182 for feed of the tape 13. However desp~te the fact that Follower 178 always Follows tape Feed cam 176 on print shaft 100, link 180 is incapable of movement because of the motion inhibiting means 185 which forms part of the erase actuator mechanism 186 associated with the erase function. The mechanism 186 may be formed ~ -in any convenient manner but serves to disengage, when energized as by a solenoid or the like 187, the inhibit means 185. Simultaneously, depression of the shift fork arm 186a places cam follower 179 into co-operation with the high lift portion of the cam 175 (i.e., the cam track 177) associated with the tape lift function. The follower 179 is con-nected to a link 188 which in turn is coupled to the link 15~ and the yoke 157. Upon energization of the solenoid 187, the downward movement ., ' ~ ` ,' .

1~)875~36 ~ : ~

1 (see the direction of the arrow in Fig. 15) serves -to depress through ~ :
shift fork arm 186a the link 188 causing engagement of the follower 179 in the track 177 and serving to override link 152 and increasing the lift on yoke 157 thereby increasing the elevation of the cartridge assembly 10 and effectively causing the erase tape 13 to be positioned ~ -intermediate the typing element 72 and the platen. At the same time, the inhibitor 185 is removed to permit the follower 178 to follow the cam track 176 and allow the linkage 180, 181 and thus the feed driver 182 to move the tape through the opening 37 (Fig. 6).
It should be noted that print occurs during the dwell of ribbon feed and ribbon lift as shown by the two sample lines labelled 201 in ; ?
Fig. 17. ~oreover during the erase function, the feed of the tape occurs one-half before print and one-half after print.
Thus the cartrldge of the present inventlon as well as the mechanism for drivlng the same presents a new and novel and yet simple but effective way of manipulating and using operator control of a ~ `
typewriter without the concomitant problems normally associated with operator's having to change tape, shift mechanism by hand, thread ribbon and remove slack therefrom.
Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of :
particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and khat numerous changes ln the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be made without departing.from the spirit and scope of the invention as herein~
after claimed-~' ,': '.' `: ~ ' ': .

-,' `','.
,,. ~, ... . . . . .

Claims (12)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A cartridge for a typewriter comprising:
a case, means to hold a supply of print ribbon in said case, means to allow print ribbon to traverse a path externally of said case, a roller in said case having a print ribbon advancing surface thereon, an opening along one peripheral surface of said case for exposing said print ribbon advancing surface externally of said case, biasing means for biasing said roller and its print ribbon advancing surface towards said opening, means on said case for effecting engagement of said print ribbon advancing surface with a print ribbon advancing means on the typewriter, and cartridge retention means on said case for engagement on said typewriter for holding said cartridge in a predetermined posi-tion relative to said print ribbon advancing means on said typewriter.
2. A cartridge in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said means on said case for effecting engagement with said print ribbon advancing means on said typewriter includes hinge means on said cartridge.
3. A cartridge in accordance with Claim 2 wherein said hinge means comprises a pair of ears projecting from said cartridge from opposite sides of said opening.
4. A cartridge in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said cartridge includes a trunnion projecting from said case and positioned along a line with respect to said opening.
5. A cartridge in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said means to hold a supply of print ribbon in said case comprises a supply roll of print ribbon mounted for rotation on a fixed axis, said roller com-prising a take-up roll for said ribbon, means defining a translatory path of movement of said take-up roll in said case.
6. A cartridge in accordance with Claim 5 including an axis of.
rotation of said case through said supply and take-up rolls.
7. A cartridge in accordance with Claim 6 wherein said cartridge retention means comprises a trunnion projecting from said cartridge and along said axis.
8. A cartridge in accordance with Claim 7 wherein said means for effecting engagement with said print ribbon advancing means on the typewriter includes a pair of hinges projecting from said cartridge on opposite sides of said opening.
9. A cartridge in accordance with Claim 8 including cam means on said cartridge to effect a shift in -the typewriter drive mechanism for both ribbon feed and lift depending on the type of ribbon in said one chamber.
10. A cartridge in accordance with Claim 9 wherein said cam means is mounted on said trunnion.
11. A cartridge in accordance with Claim 5 wherein said means to bias said take-up spool towards its opening comprises a rod having a first depending terminal end portion acting as an axis for said take-up spool, and spring means connected to said rod to effect said bias.
12. A cartridge in accordance with Claim 11 including a second depending portion on said rod spaced a predetermined distance from said supply spool so that said supply spool limits, by engaging said second depending portion when the take-up spool is pressed inwardly from said opening and along said path a distance greater than said predetermined distance.
CA340,223A 1977-05-27 1979-11-20 Typewriter cartridge and feed mechanism therefore Expired CA1087586A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA340,223A CA1087586A (en) 1977-05-27 1979-11-20 Typewriter cartridge and feed mechanism therefore

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US05/801,286 US4347007A (en) 1977-05-27 1977-05-27 Typewriter cartridge and feed mechanism therefor
US801,286 1977-05-27
CA297,724A CA1085801A (en) 1977-05-27 1978-02-24 Typewriter cartridge and feed mechanism therefore
CA340,223A CA1087586A (en) 1977-05-27 1979-11-20 Typewriter cartridge and feed mechanism therefore

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1087586A true CA1087586A (en) 1980-10-14

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA340,223A Expired CA1087586A (en) 1977-05-27 1979-11-20 Typewriter cartridge and feed mechanism therefore

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1087586A (en)

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