JP3321919B2 - Ribbon cartridge - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ribbon cartridge used for a printer such as a sublimation type thermal transfer type color printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a ribbon cartridge for a sublimation type thermal transfer color printer, an ink ribbon having a continuous colored region composed of colored portions such as yellow, magenta, and cyan is wound around a supply spool and a take-up spool. Are used. This is shown in FIGS.
More specifically, in FIG. 30, reference numeral 1 denotes a ribbon cartridge. The cartridge main body 2 includes a lower shell 10 made of synthetic resin and an upper shell 20 made of synthetic resin which is joined to the lower shell 10 by ultrasonic welding or the like. It is composed of

A pair of storage portions 13 and 14 projecting upward in a semi-cylindrical shape are integrally formed at both ends of vertically opposed two side portions 11 and 12 of the lower shell 10 and have a central portion. The head of a sublimation type thermal transfer color printer (not shown) and a rectangular opening 15 for inserting a platen are shown in FIG.
Is formed. Further, a pair of U-shaped recessed bearings 11a, 11a,
11b are formed, and a pair of cylindrical bearings 12a, 12b are formed perpendicular to the inner wall of the side part 12 on the side of the storage parts 13, 14 on the inner surface of the other side part 12. So that it is integrally formed. A pair of projections (a pair of locking portions) 11c, 11c are integrally formed at the center of the inner wall of each of the bearing portions 11a, 11b of the one side portion 11.

[0006] A pair of storage portions 23 and 24 which are curved downward in an arc shape are formed on both ends of the vertically opposed opposite side portions 21 and 22 of the upper shell 20, respectively. A rectangular opening 25 for inserting a platen and a head of a sublimation type thermal transfer color printer (not shown) is formed. A pair of bearing portions 21a and 21b recessed in an inverted U-shape are formed at positions of the one side portion 21 facing the pair of bearing portions 11a and 11b. A pair of projections (a pair of locking portions) 21c, 21c are provided at the center of the inner wall of each of the bearing portions 21a, 21b of the one side portion 21.
Is integrally protruded.

A pair of storage portions 13 and 14 of the lower shell 10 and a pair of storage portions 2 of the upper shell 20 are provided.
3 and 24, a cylindrical supply spool 3 made of synthetic resin.
0 and the take-up spool 40 are rotatably housed. On each of the spools 30 and 40, an ink ribbon 50 in which a colored region composed of colored portions of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) is wound, respectively.

One end of each of the spools 30 and 40 has a large-diameter cylindrical portion 32 and 42 having a diameter larger than that of the cylindrical body 31 and 41.
And the pair of bearing portions 11a, 11b and 21
a and 21b are rotatably supported, and annular disk-shaped flange portions 33 and 43 are integrally formed on the inside thereof so as to protrude. A plurality of grooves (engaging portions) 33c, 43c are radially formed on the outer surface side of each of the flange portions 33, 43. The grooves 33c and 43c are provided on the side portions 11 and 21 respectively.
The projections 11c, 21c projecting perpendicularly to the inner surface of the bracket 11c are detachable. The other end of each of the spools 30 and 40 has annular disk-shaped flanges 34 and 44 and a medium diameter shaft 3.
5, 45 and the small-diameter shaft portions 36, 46 are formed in three stages. The small-diameter shaft portions 36, 46 are loosely fitted to the pair of cylindrical bearing portions 12a, 12b and rotatably supported. It is. Further, the medium-diameter shaft portion 3 of each of the spools 30 and 40 described above.
Metal compression coil springs 60 ′, 60 ′ that pass through the small-diameter shaft portions 36, 46 are interposed between the pair of cylindrical bearing portions 12 a, 12 b, 5 and 45. Due to the urging force of each compression coil spring 60 ', each of the spools 3
The flanges 33, 43 on one end side of the shells 0, 40
By pressing against the side portions 11 and 21 of the side portions 0 and 20 and locking the groove portions 33c and 43c of the flange portions 33 and 34 with the projections 11c and 21c of the side portions 11 and 21, The idle rotation (idling) of each of the spools 30 and 40 is prevented, and the slack of the ink ribbon 50 is prevented.

Further, a code ring 70 is fitted to the medium diameter shaft portion 35 of the supply spool 30. A half of the outer peripheral surface of the code ring 70 is a gear portion 70a, and the other half is a bar code in which the type, size, and sensitivity information of the ink ribbon 50 are printed in a white / black bar code format. A label 71 is attached. The shells 10 and 20 facing the code ring 70 include
Notches 16 and 26 are formed.

[0008]

In the conventional ribbon cartridge 1, as described above, each of the spools 30, 4 is provided.
In each of the grooves 33c, 43c formed radially on each of the flange portions 33, 43, one of the side portions 1 is formed.
By locking the projections 11c and 21c of the spools 1 and 21, and maintaining the locked state by the urging force of the compression coil springs 60 'and 60' made of metal, the spools 30 and 40 can be locked.
Of each spool 3
The biasing force for preventing the idle rotation of 0, 40 greatly changes depending on the position of the spool (stroke amount of the spool),
Stable urging force characteristics could not be obtained.

As shown in FIGS. 31 (a) to 31 (c), when the take-up spool 40 (same for the supply spool 30) is assembled into the lower shell 10, the small-diameter shaft portion 46 of the take-up spool 40 Since the small-diameter shaft portion 46 and the compression coil spring 60 'must be assembled into the cylindrical bearing portion 12b on the other side 12 of the lower shell 10 with the compression coil spring 60' applied, the assembly operation is difficult, and the ribbon cartridge The assembly workability of No. 1 was poor.

Further, the elastic member used for the ribbon cartridge 1 is provided in each of the shells 1 before the cartridge is originally mounted on the printer.
Each spool 3 is mounted on the inner wall of one of the side
A biasing force for pressing the 0, 40 flange portions 33, 43 to prevent idling and a force for pushing back the driving member of the printer with a constant force when mounted on the printer are required. However, the compression coil spring 6 which is a conventional elastic member is used.
At 0 ', each of the spools 30, 4
When the zero is pushed in, the urging force increases, and if the anti-slip force is increased, the reaction force when the printer is installed is too large. Conversely, if the reaction force when the printer is installed is regulated, the anti-spin force is too weak, which is effective. It was difficult to apply a biasing force.

Accordingly, the present invention is to provide a ribbon cartridge which can improve the workability of assembly and prevent idling of each spool.

[0012]

According to the present invention, a supply spool and a take-up spool each having an ink ribbon wound thereon are rotatably supported at a predetermined distance between both opposing and rising sides of the cartridge body. A pair of locking portions is formed on the inner wall of one side of the main body, and an engaging portion of a flange portion protrudingly formed at one end of each of the spools is detachably engaged with the pair of locking portions. A ribbon cartridge having an elastic member for urging one end of each spool toward the inner wall of one side between an inner wall of the other side of the main body and the other end of each spool; The member is formed of a metal-made substantially U-shaped leaf spring, and a hole portion in which the shaft portion of each spool is loosely fitted is formed at the base of the leaf spring, and the tip portion is formed in a forked shape to form the cartridge body. other Constructed of so as to straddle the respective bearing portions of the inner wall of the side, the tip end of the pair of tip end portion of the plate spring
Bent further to the inner wall of the other side of the cartridge body
It is formed .

[0013]

The inner wall of the other side of the cartridge body and each of the above
The elastic member interposed between the other end of the spool is made of metal
Made of a substantially U-shaped leaf spring, and the base of the leaf spring is
A hole is formed in which the shaft of each spool fits loosely.
The tip of the cartridge is bifurcated and the other side of the cartridge body
And straddle each bearing on the inner wall of the section.
The tip end of the pair of tip portions is the other end of the cartridge body.
Each bend was formed by bending it further on the inner wall side of the side.
When incorporating the tool and leaf spring into the cartridge body,
Cartridge body with leaf spring fitted to the other end of the pool
It only needs to be inserted into the inner wall on the other side of the
Not only is it easy to stand up, but also
The part that is further bent and formed is the cartridge body
Is pressed against the inner wall on the other side of the
The screw does not rotate around each bearing.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those of the conventional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a ribbon cartridge used in a sublimation type thermal transfer type color printer, and the cartridge body 2 is composed of a lower shell 10 made of synthetic resin and an upper shell 20 made of synthetic resin. One pair of bearings 11a, 21a on one side 11, 21 of each shell 10, 20 and a pair of bearings 12 on the other side 12 of the lower shell 10 between the pair of bearings 11a, 21a and 11b, 21b.
The supply spool 30 and the take-up spool 40, around which the ink ribbon 50 is wound, are rotatably supported on the supply spool 30 and the medium diameter shaft portion 35 on the other end side of the supply spool 30.
Is similar to the conventional configuration in that a code ring 70 having a bar code label 71 attached thereto is fitted thereto.

Here, the pair of bearing portions 12 integrally formed on the inner wall of the other side portion 12 of the lower shell 10 are formed.
a and 12b are formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape with an upper opening, and a pair of bearing portions 12a, 12b are formed on the ceiling surface side of the pair of storage portions 23, 24 of the upper shell 20 opposed thereto.
A pair of ribs 22a and 22b extending to the side 12b are integrally formed. A metal plate through which the small-diameter shaft portions 36 and 46 pass is provided between the outer end surfaces of the medium-diameter shaft portions 35 and 45 of the spools 30 and 40 and the pair of cylindrical bearing portions 12a and 12b. Springs (elastic members) 60, 60 are interposed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the leaf springs 60 is formed in a U-shaped side surface, and its base 61 is slightly larger than the small diameter shafts 36 and 46 of the spools 30 and 40. A hole 61a having a diameter is formed. Further, the distal end side of each of the leaf springs 60 is a pair of distal end portions 62, 62 formed so as to be divided into two forks, and the respective bearing portions 12a, 1 are formed.
2b from above . Furthermore, each tip 6 of a pair of tip portions 62, 62 of each leaf spring 60
Reference numeral 2a is bent outwardly (toward the bearings 12a and 12b) in an inverted U-shape. By the urging force of each leaf spring 60, the flanges 33, 43 on one end side of each of the spools 30, 40 are connected to one side 11, one of the shells 10, 20, respectively.
21 and presses the flanges 33, 3
4 are engaged with the respective side portions 1.
By locking the projections (locking portions) 11c and 21c of the spools 1 and 21, the spools 30 and 40 are prevented from idling (idling) and the slack of the ink ribbon 50 is prevented. At this time, a pair of tip portions 62 of each leaf spring 60,
The edge of each tip 62a of each of the shells 62 is
The leaf springs 60 themselves are prevented from rotating by being pressed against the inner walls of the other side portions 12 and 22.

According to the above embodiment, the take-up spool 40 when assembling the ribbon cartridge 1 is connected to the lower shell 1.
When assembling to zero, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, the hole 61a of the leaf spring 60 is fitted into the small diameter shaft portion 46 of the take-up spool 40. Then, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the take-up spool 40
While the leaf spring 60 is still fitted to the take-up spool 40, each end 62 a of the leaf spring 60 is pressed against the inner wall of the side part 12 by pressing the take-up spool 40 against the other side 12 side of the lower shell 10. By simply dropping the small-diameter shaft portion 46 of 40 toward the bearing portion 12b of the other side portion 12,
As shown in FIGS. 3C and 4C, the leaf spring 60 is deformed and the small-diameter shaft portion 46 of the take-up spool 40 is
b, and the large-diameter cylindrical portion 4 of the take-up spool 40.
2 is a bearing 11 on one side 11 of the lower shell 10
b. At this time, the pair of tip portions 62 of the leaf spring 60 is in contact with the inner wall of the other side portion 12 so as to straddle the bearing portion 12b. When the upper shell 20 is attached from this state, the position of the small diameter shaft portion 46 of the take-up spool 40 is regulated by the ribs 22b of the upper shell 20 so that there is no play and the rotatable support is provided.
At this time, the position of the take-up spool 40 itself is regulated by the respective distal ends 62a of the leaf springs 60, thereby preventing accidental rotation.

The supply spool 30 is assembled between the shells 10 and 20 constituting the cartridge body 2 via a leaf spring 60 in the same manner as in the case of the take-up spool 40. At this time, FIG. As shown, the leaf spring 60
The base 61 abuts on the stepped outer end surface of the small diameter shaft portion 36 and the medium diameter shaft portion 35 of the supply spool 30 and protrudes vertically from the outer peripheral surface of the medium diameter shaft portion 35. Thereby, the code link 7 fitted to the medium diameter shaft portion 35 of the supply spool 30 is provided.
The position 0 is regulated by the base portion 61 of the leaf spring 60 and the flange portion 34 of the supply spool 30 and does not come off from the supply spool 30.

As described above, the inner walls around the pair of bearings 12a, 12b on the other side 12 of the lower shell 10, the small-diameter shafts 36, 46 and the medium-diameter shafts 35, 45 of the spools 30, 40, respectively. Since the elastic member interposed between the stepped outer end surface and the leaf spring 60 is made of a metal and substantially U-shaped leaf spring 60, the spools 30 and 40 and the leaf springs 60 are assembled into the cartridge body 2. A pair of bearings 12a, 12a on the other side 12 of the lower shell 10 with the leaf springs 60 fitted on the small diameter shafts 36, 46 of the spools 30, 40.
It can be done simply by dropping it toward b. As a result, the entire ribbon cartridge 1 can be easily assembled, and the assembling workability can be significantly improved.

In the cartridge main body 2 of the ribbon cartridge 1 assembled in this manner, the supply spool 30 and the take-up spool 40 press the flange portions 33 and 43 at one end thereof by the urging force of each leaf spring 60. Each of the flanges 33 and 34 is in sliding contact with each of the side portions 11 and 21 of each of the shells 10 and 20, and each of the groove portions 33c and 4 of each of the flange portions 33 and 34.
3c is detachably engaged with the projections 11c and 21c of the side portions 11 and 21. Thereby, the idle rotation of the spools 30 and 40 can be prevented, and the slack of the ink ribbon 50 at the time of non-use can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 6, each leaf spring 60 as the elastic member of the first embodiment has substantially the same urging force when idling is prevented and when the printer is mounted. This is because the elastic force of each leaf spring 60 is a U-shaped part of the inverted U-shaped part on the side of each tip 62a (a part indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 2B) and the U-shaped part of the base 61 and each tip part 62. It is determined by the elastic force of the two portions A and B (the portion indicated by the symbol B in FIG. 2B). The portion B is dominant in the biasing force when idling is prevented, and the portion A is attached when the printer is mounted. Becomes dominant in bias. The specification of the urging force is fixed by the balance between the forces of these two parts A and B.

FIGS. 7 to 10 show a leaf spring 60A according to a modification of the first embodiment. The leaf spring 60 according to the first embodiment is formed by bending the respective distal ends 62a of the pair of distal ends 62, 62 outward in an inverted U-shape.
7A, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, each tip 62a side is bent outward in a U-shape. And each leaf spring 6
The edge portion of each tip 62a of the pair of tip portions 62A, 62A abuts on the inner walls of the other side portions 12, 22 of the shells 10, 20, and is pressed by the elastic force of each leaf spring 60A. Therefore, the leaf springs 60A do not inadvertently rotate around the bearings 11b and 12b. Accordingly, the position of each leaf spring 60A can be stabilized, so that the elastic force of each leaf spring 60A against each spool 30, 40 (the force for holding the spool so that it does not run idle) can be obtained stably.

FIGS. 11 to 15 show a leaf spring 60B according to a second embodiment used in the ribbon cartridge 1. FIG. This metal leaf spring 60B is, as shown in FIGS.
The base 61 side of the pair of tip portions 62, 62 is bent and formed into a side U-shape, and the tip 62a side of the pair of tip portions 62, 62 and the base portion 61 are further moved as shown in FIG. It is bent outward. Each tip 62a of the pair of tip portions 62, 62 of the leaf spring 60B is further bent vertically upward.

In a manner similar to the leaf spring 60 of the first embodiment, in the cartridge body 2 of the assembled ribbon cartridge 1, the supply spool 30 and the take-up spool 40 are pressed by the pressing force of each leaf spring 60B. The flanges 33, 43 on one end side are connected to the shells 10, 20, respectively.
Of the flanges 33, 34 and the grooves 33c, 43c of the flanges 33, 34, respectively.
The projections 11c and 21c of the first and the second 21 are detachably engaged with each other. Thereby, the idle rotation of the spools 30 and 40 can be prevented, and the slack of the ink ribbon 50 at the time of non-use can be prevented. At this time, each spool 3
The biasing force for preventing idling does not change depending on the positions of 0, 40, and the idling of each spool 30, 40 can be reliably prevented.

As shown in FIG. 16, the leaf spring 60B as the elastic member according to the second embodiment has substantially the same urging force when idling is prevented and when the printer is mounted. this is,
The elastic force of the leaf spring 60B is a letter-shaped portion on the tip end portion 62 side (a portion indicated by reference symbol A in FIG. 12B) and a U-shaped portion between the base portion 61 and the tip end portion 62 (FIG. 12B )) Is determined by the elastic force of the two portions A and B of the portion indicated by the symbol B), and when idling is prevented, the portion B is dominant in the urging force.
When the printer is mounted, the portion A is dominant in the urging force.
The specification of the urging force is fixed by the balance between the forces of these two parts A and B.

FIGS. 17 to 22 show a leaf spring 60C according to a third embodiment used in the ribbon cartridge 1. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the leaf spring 60C is made of a metal (such as SUS) or a synthetic resin (such as POM) and has a substantially U-shaped side surface.
Each of the spools 30 and 40 is formed with a hole 61a slightly larger in diameter than each of the small-diameter shafts 36 and 46 in each of the bases 61. Further, a pair of distal end portions 6 formed so that the distal end side of each leaf spring 60C is split into two branches.
2, 62, and the bearings 12a, 12b
It is adapted to be fitted from above . Further, the length from the center of the hole 61a of each leaf spring 60C to the apex of the bent portion 62b bent in a substantially U-shape is freely rotatable to the medium diameter shaft portion 35 of the supply spool 30, as shown in FIG. Is formed so as to have the same length L as half of the inner diameter of the cord ring 70 supported by the cord ring 70. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 21, before assembling the ribbon cartridge 1, the leaf spring 60 </ b> C on the supply spool 30 enters the inner peripheral surface 70 a of the code ring 70, and
The code ring 70 is prevented from coming off from the 0 middle diameter shaft portion 35.

As in the case of the leaf spring 60 of the first embodiment, the inner wall around the pair of bearings 12a and 12b of the other side 12 of the lower shell 10 and the spools 30 and
The elastic members interposed between the small-diameter shaft portions 36, 46 of the forty and the step-shaped outer end surfaces of the medium-diameter shaft portions 35, 45 are formed of substantially U-shaped leaf springs 60C of metal or synthetic resin. Therefore, when assembling the spools 30 and 40 and the leaf springs 60C into the cartridge body 2, the other side portions of the lower shell 10 remain fitted with the leaf springs 60C on the small diameter shaft portions 36 and 46 of the spools 30 and 40. It can be done simply by dropping it toward the pair of twelve bearing portions 12a and 12b. As a result, the entire ribbon cartridge 1 can be easily assembled, and the assembling workability can be significantly improved. In particular, as shown in FIG. 21, before assembling the ribbon cartridge 1, the bent portion 6 of the leaf spring 60 </ b> C on the supply spool 30 side is formed on the inner peripheral surface 70 a of the code ring 70.
2b is fitted to prevent the code ring 70 from coming off the medium diameter shaft portion 35 of the supply spool 30, so that the assembling work is remarkably easy.

In the cartridge main body 2 of the ribbon cartridge 1 assembled in this manner, the supply spool 30 and the take-up spool 40 are pressed by the pressing force of each leaf spring 60C, and the flange portions 33, 43 at one end thereof.
Are in sliding contact with the respective side portions 11 and 21 of the respective shells 10 and 20, and the respective groove portions 33c and 4 of the respective flange portions 33 and 34.
3c is detachably engaged with the projections 11c and 21c of the side portions 11 and 21. Thereby, the idle rotation of the spools 30 and 40 can be prevented, and the slack of the ink ribbon 50 at the time of non-use can be prevented. on the other hand,
The leaf spring 60C on the supply spool 30 side, which has been fitted with the code ring 70 before the assembly, incorporates the supply spool 30 into each of the shells 10 and 20, as shown in FIG. The fitted state is released, and the code ring 70 becomes usable.

FIGS. 23 to 26 show a fourth embodiment of a leaf spring 60D used in the ribbon cartridge 1. As shown in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the leaf spring 60D is formed of a metal or a synthetic resin into an inverted U-shaped side surface.
In FIG. 1, a hole 61a having a diameter slightly larger than or equal to that of each of the small diameter shaft portions 36, 46 of each of the spools 30, 40 is formed. The distal end 62 of each leaf spring 60D has a rectangular shape and extends downward. On the inner wall of the other side portion 12 of the lower shell 10 facing the distal end portion 62 of each leaf spring 60D,
As shown in FIG. 23, a pair of recesses 12a 'and 12b' into which the above-mentioned distal end portions 62 fit are formed.

When assembling the take-up spool 40 to assemble the ribbon cartridge 1 with the lower shell 10, as shown in FIG. 25 (a), the small-diameter shaft portion 46 of the take-up spool 40 has a hole portion of the leaf spring 60D. 61a is fitted. Next, when the distal end portion 62 of the leaf spring 60D is fitted into the concave portion 12b 'of the other side portion 12 of the lower shell 10 with the leaf spring 60D still fitted on the take-up spool 40, FIG. As shown in FIG.
1 and the distal end portion 62 are elastically deformed so that the large-diameter cylindrical portion 42 of the take-up spool 40 is
Of the bearing 11b. At this time, the leaf spring 60
The hole 61a of the base 61 of D serves as a bearing for the small diameter shaft portion 46 of the take-up spool 40. This prevents the take-up spool 40 from shifting upward when the ribbon cartridge 1 is mounted on the printer. Further, the downward displacement of the take-up spool 40 is restricted by the hole 61a of the base 61 of the leaf spring 60D. The supply spool 30 is also connected to the take-up spool 4 via a leaf spring 60D.
In the same manner as in the case 0, the cartridge is assembled between the shells 10 and 20 constituting the cartridge body 2. Thereby, the first
The same operation and effect as in the case of the leaf spring 60 according to the embodiment are exerted.

In the above embodiment, the ribbon cartridge used in the sublimation type thermal transfer type color printer has been described. However, the present invention is applied to various ribbon cartridges such as the ribbon cartridge used in the fusion type thermal transfer type color printer. Of course, you can do that.

In order to improve the workability of assembling the ribbon cartridge using the conventional compression coil spring 60 ', the spools 30' and 40 'shown in FIGS. 27 to 29 may be used. That is, each spool 30 ', 4
The medium-diameter shaft portions 35 and 45 of 0 'are formed in a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of projections 35b and 45b are integrally formed on the inner peripheral surfaces 35a and 45a. When assembling the ribbon cartridge, each of the spools 30 ', 40' is easily assembled by holding each of the compression coil springs 60 'via the respective projections 35b, 45b in the cylindrical medium diameter shaft portions 35, 45. be able to.

[0034]

As described above, the ribbon cartridge of the present invention is
According to the cartridge, the inner wall on the other side of the cartridge body
Elastic member interposed between the other end of each spool
Is formed of a metal and substantially U-shaped leaf spring.
When a hole is formed in the base to allow the shaft of each spool to fit loosely
In both cases, the tip is formed bifurcated and the cartridge body
It is configured to straddle each bearing on the inner wall of the other side,
The distal end of the pair of distal ends of the leaf spring is
Of the other side of the inner wall side, so that each
When incorporating the spool and leaf spring into the cartridge body,
Cartridge with leaf spring fitted on the other end of each spool
All you have to do is fit into the inside wall on the other side of the body
To assemble the ribbon cartridge very easily.
As well as the edge of the tip of the leaf spring
Is pressed and locked to the inner wall on the other side, and
The springs do not rotate around the bearings,
It is possible to stabilize the force that keeps the pool from spinning
it can. As a result, idle rotation occurs depending on the position of each spool.
There is no change in the biasing force to prevent
This has the advantage that the idle rotation can be reliably prevented.

[0035]

Further, the length from the hole of the leaf spring to the apex of the substantially U-shaped bent portion is formed so as to be the same as half the inner diameter of the cord ring rotatably supported by the supply spool. By doing so, the leaf spring prevents the cord ring from coming off from the supply spool, so that the assembly efficiency of the ribbon cartridge can be further remarkably improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a ribbon cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are a front view, a side view, and a rear view of a leaf spring according to a first embodiment used in the ribbon cartridge.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are cross-sectional views showing an assembled state of a take-up spool of the ribbon cartridge.

4A is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 3A, FIG.
3 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C is a perspective view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an assembled state of a supply spool of the ribbon cartridge.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view comparing the relationship between the amount of contraction of the elastic member and the urging force in the shell of the first embodiment and the conventional example.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are a front view, a side view, and a rear view of a leaf spring according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are cross-sectional views showing an assembled state of a take-up spool of a ribbon cartridge using the leaf spring of the modified example.

9A is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 8A, FIG.
9 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 8B, and FIG. 9C is a perspective view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembled state of a supply spool of a ribbon cartridge using the leaf spring of the above-described modified example.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a leaf spring according to a second embodiment used in the ribbon cartridge.

FIGS. 12 (a), (b), and (c) are a front view, a side view, and a rear view of the leaf spring according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are cross-sectional views showing an assembled state of a take-up spool of a ribbon cartridge using the leaf spring according to the second embodiment.

14 (a) is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 13 (a),
13B is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 13B, and FIG.
The perspective view corresponding to 3 (c).

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembled state of a supply spool of a ribbon cartridge using the leaf spring according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for comparing the relationship between the amount of contraction of the elastic member and the urging force in the shell of the second embodiment and the conventional example.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a leaf spring and a spool according to a third embodiment used in the ribbon cartridge.

FIGS. 18 (a), (b) and (c) are a front view, a side view and a rear view of the leaf spring according to the third embodiment.

19 (a), (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views showing an assembled state of a take-up spool of a ribbon cartridge using the leaf spring of the third embodiment.

FIG. 20 (a) is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 19 (a),
19B is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 19B, and FIG.
The perspective view corresponding to 9 (c).

FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a state before assembling a supply spool of the ribbon cartridge using the leaf spring according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing a state after the supply spool of the ribbon cartridge using the leaf spring according to the third embodiment is assembled.

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a spool and the like of a leaf spring according to a fourth embodiment used in the ribbon cartridge.

FIGS. 24A and 24B are a front view and a side view of a leaf spring according to a fourth embodiment used in the ribbon cartridge.

FIGS. 25A and 25B are cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which a take-up spool of the ribbon cartridge is assembled.

FIG. 26 is a partial perspective view showing an assembled state of a take-up spool of the ribbon cartridge.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a spool improved so that workability can be improved when a compression coil spring is used as an elastic member.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing a state where a compression coil spring is fitted to the improved spool.

FIG. 29 is a sectional view showing an assembled state of the improved spool.

FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional ribbon cartridge.

FIGS. 31 (a), (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views showing an assembled state of a take-up spool of the ribbon cartridge of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ribbon cartridge 2 ... Cartridge main body 11, 21 ... One side part 11c, 11c ... A pair of protrusions (a pair of lock parts) 12a, 12b ... A pair of bearing parts 21c, 21c ... A pair of protrusions (a pair of locks) 12, 22 ... The other side 30 ... Supply spool 33 ... Flange 33c ... Groove (engagement) 40 ... Winding spool 43 ... Flange 43c ... Groove (engagement) 50 ... Ink ribbon 60-60D ... leaf spring (elastic member) 61 ... base 61a ... hole 62 ... tip part 62a ... tip 62b ... bent part 70 ... cord ring

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 17/32

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A supply spool and a take-up spool each having an ink ribbon wound thereon are rotatably supported at a predetermined distance between two opposing sides of the cartridge body. A pair of engaging portions are formed on the inner wall of the side portion, and the engaging portions of the flange portions formed on one end of the spools are detachably engaged with the pair of engaging portions. In a ribbon cartridge having an elastic member interposed between an inner wall of a side portion and the other end of each spool to bias one end of each spool toward the inner wall of the one side portion, the elastic member is made of metal. The plate spring is formed with a substantially U-shaped leaf spring, and a hole is formed at the base of the leaf spring, into which the shaft of each spool is loosely fitted. Inner wall Configured so as to straddle the respective bearing portions, the cartridge distal end side of the pair of tip end portion of the plate spring
A ribbon cartridge characterized by being further bent and formed on the inner wall side of the other side of the main body . 2. The cartridge body stands opposite to the cartridge body.
A supply switch with the ink ribbon wound around it between both sides
The pool and take-up spool are rotatable at a predetermined distance
Support each, and one side of the cartridge body
A pair of locking portions is formed on the inner wall, and the pair of locking portions
Engagement of flanges protruding from one end of each spool
Part is detachable, and the other side of the cartridge body
Each spool between the inner wall of the
Elastic portion for urging one end side of the inner side toward the inner wall side of the one side portion
In the ribbon cartridge having a material interposed therebetween, the elastic member is formed of a substantially U-shaped leaf spring made of metal.
A hole into which the shaft of each spool fits loosely at the base of the leaf spring
As well as the tip of the cartridge
And straddle each bearing on the inner wall on the other side of the cartridge body.
Form, ribbon cartridge, characterized in that formed by bending the respective further outside a base portion and a distal end side of the plate spring. 3. The cartridge body stands opposite to the cartridge body.
A supply switch with the ink ribbon wound around it between both sides
The pool and take-up spool are rotatable at a predetermined distance
Support each, and one side of the cartridge body
A pair of locking portions is formed on the inner wall, and the pair of locking portions
Engagement of flange portions formed to project one end side of each spool
Part is detachable, and the other side of the cartridge body
Each spool between the inner wall of the
Elastic portion for urging one end side of the inner side toward the inner wall side of the one side portion
In the ribbon cartridge having a material interposed therebetween, the elastic member is formed of a substantially U-shaped leaf spring made of metal.
A hole into which the shaft of each spool fits loosely at the base of the leaf spring
As well as the tip of the cartridge
And straddle each bearing on the inner wall on the other side of the cartridge body.
Form, the length of the hole of the plate spring to the top of the bent portion of the substantially U-shaped and formed so as to also be the length of one half of the internal diameter of the rotatably supported code ring the supply spool A ribbon cartridge characterized by the above-mentioned.