JP2923676B2 - Mask protection structure for ribbon cartridge - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Overview] A mask protection structure for a ribbon cartridge provided with a mask, which aims to prevent deformation of a mask attached to the ribbon cartridge and improve the reliability of the ribbon cartridge. In a ribbon cartridge in which a mask covering the exposed portion of the ribbon is attached to the cartridge main body, the thickness of the ribbon main body is set so that the mask can be protected when the ribbon cassette is placed sideways on the front and back of the cartridge main body. A plurality of projections projecting beyond the mask are provided.

[Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to a mask protection structure for a ribbon cartridge having a mask.

In a ribbon cartridge used in a dot matrix printer, a mask is often attached for reasons such as prevention of contamination. This mask is easy to deform,
Therefore, a mask protection means is required.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the conventional ribbon cartridge 1 with a mask viewed from the front, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ribbon cartridge 1 with the mask viewed from the rear. In FIG.

The cartridge body 2 incorporates an endless ribbon 4, and the ribbon 4 is pulled out of a folding storage section 6 in the cartridge body 2 by rotation of a feed roller 5 against which a pinch roller (not shown) is pressed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4. After being guided to the outside from one guide part 7, it is drawn into the cartridge main body 2 through the guide part 8, and is pushed into the folding storage part 6 through between the feed roller 5 and the pinch roller. 9 is a knob coaxial with the feed roller 5, and 10 and 11 are 1
A pair of levers. The levers 10 and 11 are engaged with the carriage-side holder when the ribbon cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage of the printer.

The mask 3 is attached to the cartridge main body 2 so as to cover the ribbon 4 exposed between the guide portions 7 and 8. Reference numeral 12 denotes a mask mounting portion, and reference numeral 13 denotes an opening for printing (for projecting a printing wire) provided on the mask 3.

The procedure for mounting the ribbon cartridge 1 on a printer will be described below.

The power switch is turned off, and as shown in FIG. 5A, the front cover 101 is opened, and the paper thickness adjusting lever 102 is adjusted to a predetermined position. As a result, the interval between the print head 103 and the platen 104 increases, and the ribbon cartridge can be easily mounted. Next, the print head 103 is moved to the cover notch 101a. Then, before attaching the ribbon cassette 1, the knob 9 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4 to eliminate the slack of the ribbon, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. While pinching, the protrusion 14 of the ribbon cartridge 1 is engaged with the hole of the holder 105 on the carriage side, and the lever is pushed until the levers 10 and 11 are locked by the holder 105. In this state, the feed roller 5 is engaged with the drive system on the printer side. Next, the print head
While moving 103 to the left and right, that is, confirming that 9 is rotating in the direction of the arrow, the front cover 101 is closed and mounting is completed.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

As described above, the mask attached to the cartridge body is easily deformed, and when the ribbon cartridge before mounting is laid on a table or the like horizontally (with the front or back surface of the cartridge body facing down) When placed, the mask is deformed by applying a force, which makes it difficult to mount the mask on a printer. Further, even if the printer can be mounted, the printer may be caught on the recording paper, which may cause a decrease in the performance of the printer itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a ribbon cartridge mask protection structure which can prevent deformation of a mask attached to a ribbon cartridge and improve the reliability of the ribbon cartridge.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in a ribbon cartridge in which a mask covering a ribbon exposed portion is attached to a cartridge main body, the mask has a shape wider than the thickness of the cartridge main body, and the mask has a cartridge shape. A plurality of protrusions protruding beyond the length protruding in the thickness direction of the main body are provided on the cartridge main body.

(Operation)

Since the plurality of protrusions as described above are provided on the front and back of the cartridge body, respectively, when the ribbon cartridge is placed on a table or the like with the front or back surface of the cartridge body down (sideways), The mask is protected from hitting the table in any position.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a mask protecting structure of a ribbon cartridge 20 of this embodiment. In the drawing, reference numeral 21 denotes a cartridge main body, and 3 denotes a mask similar to a conventional mask.

Two protrusions 22 are provided on the front surface of the cartridge body 21, and two protrusions 23 are provided on the back surface of the cartridge body 21. These projections 22 and 23 are provided at positions close to the mask 3, and each of them is
The projection 21 projects beyond the mask 3 in the thickness direction of 21.

Therefore, when the cartridge main body 21 is placed on the table 106 with its surface facing upward as shown in FIG. 2A, the projections 23 are supported by the table 106 and the mask 3 is protected. When the cartridge main body 21 is placed on the table 106 with its back face up as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the projections 22 are supported by the table 106 and the mask 3 is protected.

In the above description, two projections 22 and two projections 22 are provided at positions near the mask 3 on the front and rear surfaces of the cartridge body 21, respectively.
Although the example in which the cartridge 23 is provided has been described, additional protrusions may be provided at other positions on the front and back of the cartridge body 21, respectively.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the mask 3 having a width larger than the thickness of the cartridge body 21 is provided so as to cover the exposed portion of the ribbon, and the mask 3 has a length protruding in the thickness direction of the cartridge body 21. A plurality of protrusions 22 and 23 projecting above
Even if the ribbon cartridge body 21 is placed horizontally on a table or the like, since the projections 22 and 23 abut on the table or the like, the mask 3 does not abut on the table or the like. Can be protected.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the deformation of the mask, which has been a problem before mounting the ribbon cartridge, and it is possible to easily mount the ribbon cartridge and to stabilize the running of the medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a mask protecting structure of a ribbon cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are explanatory views of the operation of the mask protecting structure of the ribbon cartridge. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional ribbon cartridge with a mask as viewed from the front. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the conventional ribbon cartridge with a mask as viewed from the rear. FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are illustrations of how to mount the ribbon cartridge. In the figure, 3 is a mask, 20 is a ribbon cartridge, 21 is a cartridge body, and 22, 23 are projections.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masayoshi Kageyama 1405, Daimaru, Inagi-shi, Tokyo Fujitsu Isotec Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-64-69379 (JP, A) Jpn. U) Shokai Sho 56-171248 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 32/00, 32/02 B41J 35/04 B41J 11/62

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A ribbon cartridge having a mask (3) covering an exposed portion of a ribbon attached to a cartridge body (21), wherein the mask has a shape wider than the thickness of the cartridge body, and the mask is A mask protection structure for a ribbon cartridge, wherein a plurality of protrusions protruding beyond a length protruding in a thickness direction of the cartridge body are provided on the cartridge body.