GB1604301A

GB1604301A - Printer ribbon arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB1604301A
Application number: GB23095/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co
Current assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
Priority date: 1977-09-14
Filing date: 1978-05-26
Publication date: 1981-12-09
Also published as: DE2839023C2; CA1121753A; BR7805974A; MX4424E; NL7809208A; FR2403199B1; IT7827562A0; IT1098593B; JPS5453014A; FR2403199A1; DE2839023A1; CH639901A5; BE870368A; AU3863578A; AU514362B2

Abstract

An ink-ribbon cartridge (28) in a printer with a moving printing point is arranged in a stationary manner while the ink ribbon (20) moves to the printing point and away from the latter over a predetermined ribbon length. The ribbon length is formed by a first flexible guide element (34) which extends from the cartridge (28) up to the printing point and a second flexible guide element (36) which runs from the printing point back to the cartridge (28). The cartridge has a supply roll for storing the ink ribbon (20) before it is supplied to the moving printing point and a receiving roll for storing the ink ribbon (20) when it has been returned from the moving printing point. The flexible guide element comprises a steel part with a transverse curvature in order to prevent the guide element assuming curvatures directed in the opposite direction and maintaining a curvature of substantially constant radius. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) PRINTER RIBBON ARRANGEMENT (71) We, EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, a Corporation organised and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: This invention relates to impact printers and, more particularly, to a ribbon cartridge arrangement for use with a printer.

In printers of this type including typewriters, the ribbon storage has been provided by a cartridge. These cartridges are removable so as to permit the ribbon supply to be replenished by merely replacing the ribbon cartridge.

In various printers including typewriters such as those manufactured by IBM and SCM, the platen which supports the print receiving medium in the impact printing position remains stationary and the character printing elements move along the platen to the various printing positions. In these printers the cartridge has been mounted for movement with the character elements and the print point so as to continuously supply fresh ribbon to the print point as the character elements advance. Typically, the cartridge has been supported on a carriage which moves linearly along the platen where the character elements may be mounted on a ball or wheel oftentimes referred to as a daisy.Where the printer is to operate at high speeds as in the case of a typewriter operating in an automatic memory mode, the carriage must be capable of very high acceleration and deceleration rates which places a substantial demand on the motors, drivers and power supplies for the carriage. Where the carriage also accelerates and decelerates the ribbon cartridge which is mounted on the carriage, the demands on the carriage motor, driver and power supply can become very substantial.

In order to minimize these demands, ribbon cartridges which are mounted on the carriage have had a limited ribbon capacity.

Although this has achieved the objective of limiting the weight which must be accelerated and decelerated as the carriage and the print point move, there have been certain, signifi- cant penalties. First, the cartridge must be changed more frequently where the ribbon capacity is small. This is of course timeconsuming for the operator of the printer or typewriter and also presents some risk that the print receiving medium may be in some way defaced by removing and replacing the cartridge, e.g., smearing is not at all uncommon in such circumstances. Second, the smaller ribbon cartridges include a rather complex mechanism which is quite costly when one considers that the cartridge is in effect disposable.Where the ribbon capacity is quite limited, the cost of the mechanism relative to the ribbon of the cartridge becomes quite substantial and the overall cost of the cartridge per strike becomes high.

As described in UK Patent Application 23097/78 (Serial No 1604302), assigned to the assignee of this invention, these difficulties of the prior art have been overcome by providing a laterally movable character printing means such as a print wheel which is juxtaposed to a support means such as a platen or a print receiving medium such as paper in combination with a stationary storage means for a ribbon carrying a printing medium where the ribbon is advanced past the movable print point in printing relationship with the print receiving medium while maintaining a substantially constant ribbon path length from the stationary ribbon storage means to the movable print point.

In a preferred embodiment of the aforesaid invention, the substantially constant ribbon path length is achieved by means of a first flexible leader which extends from the ribbon storage means to the print point and a second flexible leader which extends from the print point to the storage means. The ribbon is supported by and moves along these flexible leaders.

However, such flexible leaders tend to disturb the printing medium, i.e., the ink, of the ribbon as the ribbon moves therethrough.

This is particularly true where the flexible leaders assumed compound or reverse curvature so that the side of the ribbon bearing the ink or printing medium necessarily rubs against the flexible leader. Where the printing medium or ink is of the correctible or lift-off type, the ink may be easily disturbed so as to impair the printing operation. Furthermore, the flexible leaders may be unruly and produce irregular curvatures which interfere with the operation of the printer components.

It is an object of this invention to assure that the flexible leaders associated with a ribbon storage means do not adversely affect the printing medium on the ribbon.

It is a further object of this invention to assure that such flexible leaders do not in any way interfere with other components of a printer utilizing such a ribbon storage means.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a ribbon cartridge arrangement for use with a printer comprising ribbon storage means for storing ribbon, and leader means within which said ribbon is constrained to move between said storage means and a print point associated with said printer, said leader means including means for maintaining a substantially constant path length from said ribbon storage means to said print point, and for restricting curvature of said leader means and said ribbon to a single direction as said print point moves relative to said ribbon storage means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the ribbon cartridge arrangement may be included in a printer which further comprises means for supporting a print receiving medium, laterally movable character printing means juxtaposed to said supporting means for establishing said laterally movable print point, a printing ribbon stored in said ribbon storage means, said ribbon storage means being stationary, means for advancing said ribbon between said print point and said storage means, and past said movable print point in printing relationship with said print receiving medium and said character printing means, said leader means being flexible and supporting and constraining said ribbon within said constant path length.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible leader means maintains a substantially constant radius of curvature as the print point moves and the leader bends although the position of the curvature on the leader may move.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the leader means maintains a curvature in a concave direction with respect to the print point with the inked side of the ribbon facing generally toward the print point at the print point and the uninked side facing generally outwardly away from the print point.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible leader is characterized by a radius of curvature transverse to the length of the leader in a substantially straight line segment of the leader. The transverse curvature is convex with respect to the center of curvature of the leader which tends to travel along the length of the leader as the print point moves.

The invention is described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typewriter embodying the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge and the cartridge holder shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of the cartridge shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view of the cartridge taken along lines 44 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the ribbon take-up drive; Figure 6 is a sectional view of the cartridge shown in Figure 3 taken along line 6-6; Figure 7 is an end view of the cartridge showing the ribbon and flexible leaders in the stowed position; Figure 8 is a sectional view of the cartridge shown in Figure 7 taken along line 88;; Figure 9 is a sectional view of a portion of the cartridge shown in Figure 8'taken along line 9-9; Figure 10 is a sectional view of the flexible leader and ribbon of Figure 9 taken along sec tionline 10-10; Figure 11 is a plan view of the typewriter shown in Figure 1 with the print point centrally located with respect to the platen; Figure 12 is a plan view of the typewriter shown in Figure 1 showing the print point at different locations along the platen; Figure 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of the typewriter shown in Figure 1; Figure 14 is a perspective view of one side of the flexible leader with the leader in the straight, uncurved condition; Figure 15 is an elevational view of the other side of the flexible leader with the leader in the straight, uncurved condition; and Figure 16 is an enlarged view of Figure 10.

A printer comprising a typewriter shown in Figure 1 includes a keyboard 10 having a multiplicity of keys corresponding to various characters which, upon depression, control the position of a rotatable character array in the form of a print wheel 12 juxtaposed between impact means in the form of a hammer 14 and a platen 16. The platen 16 is adapted to support a print receiving medium in the form of paper 18 which is contacted by the marking medium in the form of an ink ribbon 20 which is located between the print wheel 12 and the paper 18 so as to leave a mark in ink corresponding to the particular character of the print wheel which is in position between the hammer 14 and the paper 18.

As shown in Figure 1, the print wheel 12 and the hammer 14 are mounted on a carriage 22 which is adapted to move in a lateral direction parallel with the surface of the platen 16 so as to position the print wheel 12 at various positions along the paper 18 in response to the depression of keys on the keyboard 10. As the carriage 22 is moved, the print wheel 12 rotates so as to position the proper character element at the end of a radially extending spoke 24 in a printing position aligned with the print hammer 14. The lateral movement of the carriage 22 along the support surfaces 26 may be achieved by various means known in the art including a linear stepper motor such as that shown in US Patent No.4,198,582 assigned to the assignee of this invention.

In accordance witht he aforesaid UK Patent Application 23097/78 (Serial No 1604302) assigned to the assignee of this invention, the ribbon 20 is stored within a stationary cartridge 28 which is received, as best shown in Figure 2, by a pocket 30 in an integrally molded receptacle 32. As shown in Figure 1, the ribbon path length between the print point as determined by the position of the carriage 22 and the cartridge 28 is maintained constant over a substantial portion thereof by a first flexible leader 34 which extends from the cartridge 28 to the carriage 22 and a second flexible leader 36 which extends from the carriage 22 to the cartridge 28.

The leaders 34 and 36 which are constructed in accordance with this invention to be described hereinafter are secured to the cartridge 28 by mounting brackets 38 and 40. At the carriage 22, the free ends of the leaders 34 and 36 are fastened to carriage posts 42 and 44.

The ribbon 20 is then exposed as it spans the gap between the posts 42 and 44 which includes guides 46 and 48. It will be understood that the distance from the post 42 to the print point remains constant as does the distance from the print point to the post 44.

By providing a constant ribbon path length between a stationary cartridge and the movable print point as shown in Figure 1, the ribbon may be continuously advanced as printing proceeds without any necessity for reversing the ribbon as the print point moves in different directions a and b thereby assuring a fresh segment of ribbon for the print point where the segment is guides by the leaders 34 and 36. In this regard, reference is made to Figures 11 and 12 wherein various print point positions relative to the stationary cartridge are shown. In Figure 11, the carriage 22 is substantially centered on the platten and the overall ribbon path length from the cartridge 28 along the leader 34 to the print point at the hammer 14 is substantially equal to the overall path length from the print point along the leader 36 to the cartridge 28.In Figure 12, the carriage 22 as shown in full is moved to the far left of the platen 16 while ribbon path lengths to the print point along the leader 34 and the leader 36 remain equal even thought the leaders 34 and 36 have substantially different configurations. When the carriage 22 is advanced in a direction indicated by the arrow b to a position shown in phenatom, the overall ribbon path lengths along the leaders 34 and 36 remain the same although the configurations of the leaders 34 and 36 of necessity change.

As clearly shown in Figures 1, 11 and 12, the flexible leaders 34 and 36 do not extend the full ribbon path length to the print point.

Rather, the ribbon 20 is pulled taut between posts 42 and 44 past the print point at the hammer 14 without any support by the leaders 34 and 36. However, since the position of the print point 14 with respect to the posts 42 and 44 remains constant and the overall length of the leaders 34 and 36 remains constant, the overall ribbon path length between the carriage 28 and the moveable print point remains constant.

In order to maintain the overall ribbon path length constant, it is important that the flexible leaders 34 and 36 which include loops 50, 52 which are wrapped around the posts 42 and 44 respectively do not rotate on the posts 42 and 44. Elimination of any rotation as the carriage moves is accomplished by means of keying the loops 50 and 52 to the posts as shown in Figure 13. In this connection, a keying projection 54 at the base of post 42 is received by a notch 56 in the loop 50. A similar keying projection on the post 44 is provided which cooperates with a similar notch on the loop 52.

The posts may also be provided with a slight head 58 which serves to hold the flexible leaders down on the posts once the leader is snapped in place.

Reference will now be made to Figures 3-6 for a description of the manner in which the ribbon 20 is stored within the cartridge 28. As best understood with reference to Figure 6, the cartridge 28 comprises a supply reel 60 which is mounted on a common axis 62 with a take-up reel 64. Referring to Figure 3, the ribbon 20 moves from the supply reel 62 through the interior of the cartridge to an outlet 66 at the bracket 38 mounting the leader 34. The tape then moves to the movable print point at the hammer 14 along a fixed path length including the leader 34 and returns to the cartridge 28 along the return fixed path length established in part by the leader 36 which is mounted on the bracket 40 at the inlet 68 of the cartridge 28. From the inlet 68, the ribbon is returned along the path indicated by the arrows to the take-up reel 64.

Drive means is associated with the supply reel 60 so as to meter the ribbon out from supply reel 60 and a take-up drive means is associated with the take-up reel 64 so as to continuously supply a fresh segment of ribbon to the print point. Tension control means associated with the metering drive means and the take up drive means control the drive of the take-up drive means relative to the metering drive means thereby controlling tension on the ribbon as it passes flexible leaders 34 and 36 so as to control the friction encountered by the ribbon as it moves to and from the movable print point along the fixed path length.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the metering drive means comprises a friction drive wheel 70 which is covered with rubber or another sutiable material capable of providing sufficient friction so as to pull the ribbon 20 from the supply reel 60. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the wheel 70 mounted on a shaft 71 is driven through a gear train comprising a gear 72 mounted on the same shaft with the wheel 70 an a gear 74 which engages the gear 72. The gear 74 is suitably driven so as to continuously rotate the wheel 70 as the carriage 22 and the movable print point move.

The take-up drive means as shown in Figures 4 and 5 comprises a wheel 76 which includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced spikes 78.

The wheel 76 is mounted so as to be juxtaposed to the take-up reel 64 and permit the spikes 78 to penetrate the ribbon 20. In order to provide a tight packing of the ribbon 20 on the take-up reel 64, the spikes 78 have sufficient length to actually penetrate through the first layer of the ribbon 20 and into the second layer of the ribbon 20 on the take-up reel 64. Since the diameter of the outer layer on the take-up reel 64 is greater than the diameter of the interior or second layer on the take-up reel 64, a mechanical advantage is provided which assures that the ribbon may be as tightly packed on the take-up reel 64, as it is originally packed on the supply reel 60.

The take-up drive means provided by the spiked wheel 76 tends to be overdriven with respect to the metering drive means provided by the friction wheel 70. This is accomplished by driving the take-up drive means wheel 76 with a belt which is coupled to the shaft 71 on which the wheel 70 is mounted. As shown in Figure 4, the diameter of the groove 82 in the shaft 71 which is engaged by belt 80 is substantially larger than the groove 84 in the wheel 76 which is engaged by the belt 80. As a consequence, there is a substantial mechanical advantage and the wheel 76 tends to be driven with respect to the tire 70. However, the overdriving condition is limited by slippage between belt 80 and the grooves 82 and 84 of the shaft 71 and the wheel 76. It will therefore be understood that the belt 80 serves in effect, as a clutch, associated with the take-up drive of the wheel 76.

The take-up drive wheel 76 is mounted on an arm 86 which is pivotally attached to a wall 88 of the cartridge 28 at a pin 90. The arm 86 is biased upwardly against the take-up reel 64 regardless of the amount of ribbon stored on the take-up reel by means of the tension on the belt 80. The arm 86 also carries an idler pulley 92 which includes a pair of side-by-side grooves 94 which are engaged by the belt 80. The pulley 92 holds the belt 80 away from the supply reel 60.

A dynamic brake is associated with the supply reel 60. As shown in Figure 6, the brake comprises a brake arm 95 which pivots about a point 96. A tension spring 97 at the point 96 biases a braking surface comprising a cellular foam pad 99 against the outermost ribbon on the reel 60 so as to control the tension of the ribbon from the reel 60 to the friction wheel 70 even though the inertia of the supply reel tends to continue rotation of the reel causing slippage between the outer layer of the ribbon in contact with the pad 99 and the inner layers of the reel 60. In order to limit rotation of the reel 60 under these circumstances, a second friction pad 104 is provided in the wall of the cartridge 28 which contacts the edge of the ribbon on the supply reel as shown in Figures 3 and 6.

As shown in Figure 3, the cartridge 28 also includes a number of other idlers and ribbon guides. In the path from the metering drive wheel 70 to the outlet 66, corner pin guides 98 are provided which space the ribbon 20 outwardly away from the arm 86 as well as the accumulated ribbon 20 on the take-up and supply reels 64 and 60. In addition, an idler pulley 100 is provided in this path adjacent the outlet 66 so as to rotate the ribbon 90 for alignment with the bracket mounting 38 and the leader 34.

In the path to the take-up reel 64, a guide pin 102 adjacent the inlet 68 rotates the ribbon 20 90 prior to passage by an idler pulley 104 which maintains the ribbon 20 outwardly spaced from the accumulated ribbon on the take-up and supply reels 64 and 60.

The flexible leaders 34 and 36 shown in Figures 10, 14 and 16 comprise a steel portion 120 resembling a carpenter's rule and having a radius of curvature transverse to or across the length of the leaders 34 and 36. A cover 122 cooperates with the steel portion 120 so as to form a channel 124 which receives the ribbon 20. As best shown in Figure 15, the cover 122 comprises a channel base 128 and channel walls 130 with the extremities of the walls 130 which are spaced from the base 128 contacting the steel portion 120. The ends 126 of the cover 122 wrap around the edges of the steel portion 120 so as to secure the cover 112 to the steel portion 120. The crossed curved steel portion 120 achieves two important functions.

First, the steel portion 120 serves to maintain a curvature in a single direction, i.e., there are no reverse bends or curves in the leaders 34 and 36. It will be understood that this is particularly important in order to prevent the inked surface of the ribbon 20 which is juxtaposed to the plastic member 122 from coming into contact with the plastic member 122.

Second, the cross curved steel portion 120 serves to maintain a substantially constant radius of curvature for the flexible leaders 34 and 36. This allows the flexible leaders 34 and 36 to assume the various positions shown in Figures 11 and 12 without having the flexible leaders extend into a poistion of interference with the various portions of the printing apparatus. Note that the curvature in each of leaders 34 and 36 essentially travels along the leaders as the carriage 22 moves while the radius remains constant.

In order for the cross curved steel portion 120 to serve this function, it is necessary that the cover 122 be permitted to slide on the cross curved steel portion 120. By creating this sliding relationship between the cover 122 and the steel portion 120, the steel portion 120 is capable of assuming two beam heights without interference by the cover 122. A first beam height which is shown in Figure 10 is assumed when the leader is substantially straight. A second and lesser beam height is assumed when the leader 34 or 36 has a curvature shown in Figures 11 and 12. Note that the transverse curvature is convex with respect to the traveling center of curvature of the leaders 34 and 36.

In order to assure that the ribbon 20 remains spaced from the cover 122, the leaders 34 and 36 must maintain a curvature which is concave with respect to the print point. This requires that the steel portion 120 of the leaders 34 and 36 be positioned on the inside of the curvature with the uninked side of the ribbon 20 in contact with the side of the steel portion 120 facing away from the center c such that the uninked side faces generally outwardly away from the print point at the print point and the inked side of the ribbon 20 spaced from the cover 122 faces generally toward the print point at the print point.

Referring now to Figures 7-9, it will be seen that the leaders 34 and 36 are attached to the cartridge 28 by the brackets 38 and 40 which include projections 140 which are inserted into slots or recesses 142 of the steel portion 120 in the leaders 34 and 36. The plastic cover 122 may then extend up to the bracket 40 or the bracket 38. As shown in Figure 8, the bracket 40 comprises two portions 144 and 146 which tend to sandwich the leader 36 in place with the keying projection 140 properly located with respect to the recesses 142. As also shown in Figure 8, the cartridge 28 includes stowing posts 148 which are adapted to receive the loops 50 when the leaders 34 and 36 are in the stowed position. The posts 148 include heads 150 which connect the loops 50 to the case of the cartridge 28 when the leaders 34 and 36 are stowed as shown in Figure 7.

Referring again to Figure 2, it will be seen that the cartridge 28 with the leaders 34 and 36 in the stowed position may be inserted into the pocket 30 of the integrally molded receptacle 32. Note further that the receptacle 32 includes integrally molded fingers 160 which are adapted to engage the walls of the cartridge 28.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the fingers 160 are adapted to slide along the walls 162 of the cartridge 28. The bottom of the pocket 30 includes a projection 164 which is received by an opening 166 in the bottom of the cartridge 28 so as to properly locate the cartridge within the receptacle 32.

Although a particular cartridge has been shown and described, various modifications may be made in the cartridge itself. For example, the supply reel and the take-up reel may be mounted on separate axes. Or in the alternative, the cartridge may be of the stuffed type without utilizing reels of any kind.

It will therefore be understood that a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described and various modiflcations may be made which fall within the true scope of the invention as set forth in the appended

Claims

claims. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A ribbon cartridge arrangement for use with a printer comprising: ribbon storage means for storing ribbon, and leader means within which said ribbon is constrained to move between said storage means and a print point associated with said printer, said leader means including means for maintaining a substantially constant path length from said ribbon storage means to said print point, and for restricting curvature of said leader means and said ribbon to a single direction as said print point moves relative to said ribbon storage means.

2. A cartridge according to Claim 1 wherein said leader means is formed of flexible material and has a transverse curvature.

3. A cartridge according to Claim 2 wherein said flexible leader means is attached to said storage means by means of shaping means for maintaining said transverse curvature.

4. A cartridge according to Claim 3 wherein said leader means further includes a cover portion extending along said leader means for forming a channel to restrict said ribbon to said leader means.

5. A printer which includes a ribbon cart ridge arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to4.

6. A printer which includes a ribbon cart ridge arrangement according to Claim 1 further comprising: means for supporting a print receive ing medium, laterally movable character printing means juxtaposed to said supporting means for establishing said laterally movable print point, a printing ribbon stored in said ribbon storage means, said ribbon storage means being stationary, means for advancing said ribbon between said print point and said storage means, and past said movable print point in printing relationship with said print receiving medium and said character printing means, said leader means being flexible and supporting and constraining said ribbon within said constant path length.

7. A printer according to Claim 6 wherein said leader means maintains curvature in a concave direction with respect to said print point.

8. A printer according to Claim 6 or 7 wherein said ribbon includes a first side facing generally outwardly away from said print point and a second side facing generally inwardly toward said print point, said ribbon including ink on said second side.

9. A printer according to any of Claims 6 to 8 wherein said flexible leader is characterized by a radius of curvature transverse to the length of said leader in a substantially straight line segment of said leader.

10. A printer according to Claim 9 wherein said transverse curvature is convex with respect to the center of curvature of said leader.

11. A printer according to Claim 10 wherein said ribbon is in contact with said leader on the side of said leader facing away from said center of curvature for said leader.

12. A printer according to Claim 11 wherein said ribbon includes a first side facing generally away from said center of curvature and a second side facing generally toward said center of curvature and in contact with said leader, said first side carrying ink.

13. A printer according to any of Claims 1 to 12 wherein said leader includes a steel portion.

14. A printer according to any of Claims 9 to 12 including a flexible cover extending across the transverse curvature of said leader for protecting said ribbon.

15. A printer according to Claim 14 wherein said cover may move relative to said leader along the length thereof.

16. A printer according to Claim 14 or 15 wherein said cover forms a channel for guiding said ribbon.

17. A printer according to any of Claims 14 to 16 wherein said cover extends around the edges of said leader for attaching said cover to said leader and is slidably fixed thereto.

18. A printer according to Claim 17 wherein said leader includes a steel portion and said cover comprises plastic attached thereto.

19. A printer according to Claim 9 wherein the radius of said transverse curvature is provided by a steel portion and characterized by a first beam when said leader is substan tially straight and a second beam when said leader has said substantially constant radius of curvature.

20. A printer according to Claim 19 further comprising a cover extending transversely across said leader and spaced therefrom so as to form a chamber between said leader and said cover wherein said transverse curvature is con cave with respect to said cover.

21. A printer according to Claim 20 wherein said cover is slidably attached to said leader.

22. A printer according to Claim 21 wherein said leader comprises a steel portion and said cover is slidably attached thereto.

23. A printer according to Claim 22 where in said cover forms a channel including a channel base and channel walls, the extremities of said walls spaced from said base contacting said steel portion.

24. A printer according to Claim 23 wherein said cover also extends around the edges of said leader for securing said cover to said steel portion.

25. A printer according to Claim 6 includ ing means for connecting a portion of said flexible leader means adjacent said print point to said storage means for stowing said leader means in a compact position.

26. A ribbon cartridge arrangement accord ing to Claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.