GB2161756A

GB2161756A - Ribbon feeding apparatus for printers

Info

Publication number: GB2161756A
Application number: GB08513291A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tomohisa Miyake; Tosinobu Shinozuka; Tsutomu Kataigi
Original assignee: Tokyo Juki Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Juki Corp
Priority date: 1984-05-25
Filing date: 1985-05-28
Publication date: 1986-01-22
Also published as: IT8520758A0; DE3515570A1; GB8513291D0; IT1185001B; JPS60250980A

Abstract

A ribbon feeding apparatus for a printer is provided with means for selecting either a multi-strike ribbon feed pitch where strikes can partially overlap on the ribbon, Fig 4, or a one-time feed stitch with strikes spaced apart, Fig 3. This enables the user to chose between high quality printing or longer ribbon life. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ribbon feeding apparatus for printers Background of the invention This invention relates to ribbon feeding apparatus for a printer using a multi-strike type ribbon.

Conventional types of high and medium speed printers use a multi-strike type ribbon which is arranged to strike overlapping characters on the ribbon surface, as shown in Figure 4. When the multistrike ribbon is used, the printed characters are not so clearly printed. On the contrary, when a onetime ribbon is used the characters do not overlap on the ribbon surface and the printed characters are printed clearly, but the life of the ribbon is shortened due to the greater pitch.

It is desirable to be able to improve the quality of printing by eliminating the disadvantages of the ink ribbon's short life and high cost.

The invention The invention provides ribbon feeding apparatuses as set forth in Claim 1 or 4.

The accompanying drawings The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ribbon feeding apparatus according to this invention; Figure 2 is an electrical circuit diagram for the ribbon feeding apparatus; Figure 3 shows the marks of characters on an ink ribbon using one-time pitch; and Figure 4 shows marks of characters on an ink ribbon using multi-strike pitch.

The ribbon feeding apparatus has an ink ribbon 1, an ink ribbon cartridge 2, a daisy wheel 3, a motor 4 which rotates the daisy wheel, and a hammer solenoid 5 which strikes characters, numerals, etc.

on paper 6 through the ink ribbon 1. The paper 6 is advanced by moving a platen 7 forming part of the printer. A disc type gear wheel 8 is mounted under the cartridge 2 and has a shaft 8a which rotates to feed the ink ribbon 1. A pulse or stepping motor drives a gear wheel 10 which meshes with the gear wheel 8. The cartridge 2 and the pulse motor 9 are mounted on another carriage which is not illustrated in the drawing, so as to be movable along the platen 7. The ink ribbon 1 is fed by the motor 9 in synchronized motion with the action of the solenoid hammer 5.

When a signal S1 (which sets the multi-strike pitch) is transmitted to a pulse generating circuit 11, an appropriate signal is further transmitted to the motor 9 through a plurality of amplifiers 12.

This causes the motor 9 to feed the ribbon 1 at the multi-strike pitch.

When a signal S2 (which sets the one-time pitch) is transmitted to the pulse generating circuit 11, an appropriate signal is further transmitted to the pulse motor 9 through the amplifiers 12. This causes the motor 9 to feed the ribbon 1 at the onetime pitch.

As an alternative application of this invention, the ribbon feeding apparatus may be actuated by the cam and ratchet mechanism connected to a carriage movement like in a typewriter. In such a case, the ribbon feeding pitch can be varied by changing the cam.

As described above, according to this invention, means for selecting the ink ribbon feed pitch is effective to select the multi-strike feed pitch or to select the one-time feeding pitch. Accdrdingly, the quality of typewriting can be improved greatly or the consumption of the ink ribbon can be greatly reduced.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above.

1. A ribbon feeding apparatus for a printer for printing on paper by way of an ink ribbon, and comprising means for selecting either a multi-strike feed pitch or a one-time feed pitch.

2. The ribbon feeding apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the ribbon feed pitch is controlled by pulse signals set to feed the ribbon at the multi-strike pitch or at the one-time pitch, and the pulse signals are transmitted to a motor which feeds the ribbon.

3. The ribbon feeding apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the ribbon feed pitch is controlled by cam and ratchet means in connection with a carriage movement, and the ribbon feed pitch is varied by changing the cam.

4. A ribbon feeding apparatus, substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Ribbon feeding apparatus for printers Background of the invention This invention relates to ribbon feeding apparatus for a printer using a multi-strike type ribbon. Conventional types of high and medium speed printers use a multi-strike type ribbon which is arranged to strike overlapping characters on the ribbon surface, as shown in Figure 4. When the multistrike ribbon is used, the printed characters are not so clearly printed. On the contrary, when a onetime ribbon is used the characters do not overlap on the ribbon surface and the printed characters are printed clearly, but the life of the ribbon is shortened due to the greater pitch. It is desirable to be able to improve the quality of printing by eliminating the disadvantages of the ink ribbon's short life and high cost. The invention The invention provides ribbon feeding apparatuses as set forth in Claim 1 or 4. The accompanying drawings The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ribbon feeding apparatus according to this invention; Figure 2 is an electrical circuit diagram for the ribbon feeding apparatus; Figure 3 shows the marks of characters on an ink ribbon using one-time pitch; and Figure 4 shows marks of characters on an ink ribbon using multi-strike pitch. The ribbon feeding apparatus has an ink ribbon 1, an ink ribbon cartridge 2, a daisy wheel 3, a motor 4 which rotates the daisy wheel, and a hammer solenoid 5 which strikes characters, numerals, etc. on paper 6 through the ink ribbon 1. The paper 6 is advanced by moving a platen 7 forming part of the printer. A disc type gear wheel 8 is mounted under the cartridge 2 and has a shaft 8a which rotates to feed the ink ribbon 1. A pulse or stepping motor drives a gear wheel 10 which meshes with the gear wheel 8. The cartridge 2 and the pulse motor 9 are mounted on another carriage which is not illustrated in the drawing, so as to be movable along the platen 7. The ink ribbon 1 is fed by the motor 9 in synchronized motion with the action of the solenoid hammer 5. When a signal S1 (which sets the multi-strike pitch) is transmitted to a pulse generating circuit 11, an appropriate signal is further transmitted to the motor 9 through a plurality of amplifiers 12. This causes the motor 9 to feed the ribbon 1 at the multi-strike pitch. When a signal S2 (which sets the one-time pitch) is transmitted to the pulse generating circuit 11, an appropriate signal is further transmitted to the pulse motor 9 through the amplifiers 12. This causes the motor 9 to feed the ribbon 1 at the onetime pitch. As an alternative application of this invention, the ribbon feeding apparatus may be actuated by the cam and ratchet mechanism connected to a carriage movement like in a typewriter. In such a case, the ribbon feeding pitch can be varied by changing the cam. As described above, according to this invention, means for selecting the ink ribbon feed pitch is effective to select the multi-strike feed pitch or to select the one-time feeding pitch. Accdrdingly, the quality of typewriting can be improved greatly or the consumption of the ink ribbon can be greatly reduced. As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. CLAIMS