JP5065161B2 - Ribbon cassette with integrated paper tray - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feed tray integrated ribbon cassette in which a paper feed tray and a ribbon cassette are integrated.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a thermal head having a large number of heating elements arranged in a line has been formed, and a specific heating element is selectively energized in accordance with recorded information to generate heat, thereby heating the energized heating element. Thermal type printers are used in which the image is partially transferred onto paper and recorded.

  The above-described thermal printer is a ribbon cassette in which a ribbon core for winding a long ink ribbon from one end side and a ribbon core for winding from the other end side are respectively stored in a pair of bobbin storage portions of a resin cassette case. have. In the ribbon cassette having this configuration, various inventions have been conventionally made in order to prevent looseness of the ink ribbon when the ribbon cassette is not attached to the printer. As an example of a ribbon cassette having a function of preventing the ink ribbon from slackening, a flange portion is provided on one end side of the ribbon core, and a plurality of engagement grooves are formed on the outer surface of the flange portion. An engagement groove formed in the flange portion with respect to an engagement protrusion formed on the inner wall of the cassette case by providing a spring that presses the other end side of the cassette core and pressing the ribbon core toward the one end side in the cassette case by the spring. The ribbon cassette is configured to prevent the ribbon core from freely rotating and to prevent unnecessary unwinding and loosening of the ink ribbon by engaging with each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, in a printer that uses cut sheets as sheets, a sheet feed tray that stacks and stores a plurality of cut sheets is generally used. In view of the fact that handling is complicated when the ribbon cassette and the paper feed tray are separate, a paper feed tray integrated ribbon cassette structure in which the ribbon cassette and the paper feed tray are integrated has been conventionally known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-205906 A JP 2008-44180 A

  However, in the ribbon cassette provided with the spring described above, when the spring is a metal spring, it is a separate part from the resin cassette case, so that the number of parts is increased and the assembling work becomes complicated. However, since it is a different material, there is a problem that the cost increases. Also, at the time of disposal (including recycling, the same shall apply hereinafter), the plastic cassette case and the metal spring must be separated, and the work becomes complicated. When removing the spring, it is a manual operation, so there is a risk of injury to the operator.

  Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the spring is a resin spring and is formed integrally with the cassette case, the above problem is solved. However, if a state in which a load is applied to the resin spring, that is, a state in which the end surface of the ribbon core is pressed with the resin spring is continued for a long period of time, the spring property of the resin spring is impaired, and the free rotation of the ribbon core cannot be prevented. Another problem occurs.

  Therefore, the present invention can reliably prevent slack of the ink ribbon when not attached to the printer, can be manufactured at a low cost, and can be easily and safely processed at the time of disposal. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the paper feed tray integrated ribbon cassette of the present invention is characterized in that a ribbon core for winding a long ink ribbon from one end side and a ribbon core for winding from the other end side are accommodated. A cassette case having a pair of bobbin storage portions, and a paper feed tray, an expanded state in which most of the cassette case and the paper feed tray are separated, and a closed state in which the cassette case and the paper feed tray are close to each other In the ribbon cassette integrated with a paper feed tray disposed so as to be openable and closable, concave engagement grooves aligned in the circumferential direction are formed on the peripheral surface of the ribbon core, and the cassette case is in the closed state. In the surface facing the paper feed tray, an opening for exposing the engagement groove to the inside is formed, and the paper feed tray has a cassette from the opening in the closed state. Is fitted into the case, it is in that the engagement locking projections which are engageable in engaging groove is formed.

  By adopting such a configuration, in the closed state, the locking projection formed on the paper feed tray is inserted into the opening formed in the cassette case of the ribbon cassette, and formed on the peripheral surface of the ribbon core located there. By engaging with the formed engagement groove, free rotation of the ribbon core can be prevented, and unnecessary unwinding and loosening of the ink ribbon can be effectively prevented.

  Furthermore, another feature of the paper feed tray integrated ribbon cassette of the present invention is that the ribbon core is provided with a flange-shaped flange portion, and the engagement groove is formed on the circumferential surface of the flange portion in the circumferential direction of the ribbon core. It is in the point that it is formed in an even radial pattern.

  The present invention shows a more specific configuration, and an engagement groove formed radially in the circumferential direction of the ribbon core is formed on the peripheral surface of the flange portion, and the paper feed tray side is formed in the engagement groove. The projections formed on can be engaged. In addition, by forming the flange portion from the same resin material as that of the ribbon core and the cassette case, costs such as material costs and manufacturing costs can be reduced, and work at the time of disposal can be simplified.

  As described above, according to the paper feed tray integrated ribbon cassette structure of the present invention, the slack of the ink ribbon when not attached to the printer can be surely prevented, and the ink ribbon can be manufactured at a low cost and can be easily disposed of. There is an excellent effect that it can be processed safely.

  FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 show an embodiment of a paper feed tray integrated ribbon cassette of the present invention. The paper feed tray integrated ribbon cassette 1 of this embodiment is a pair of cylindrical bobbin storage portions 11A. , 11B and the paper feed tray 20 are integrally formed.

  The cassette case 10 connects the upper half portions 12A and 12B of both bobbin storage portions 11A and 11B at both ends by a plate portion 16 integrated with both of them and an arm portion 17 bent in a cross-sectional deep plate shape. The lower half portions 13A and 13B are detachably fitted to the portions 12A and 12B. In each of the bobbin storage portions 11A and 11B, a pair of ribbon cores 14A and 14B are respectively provided with ink ribbons (not shown) at both ends. Bobbins 15A and 15B wound around are accommodated rotatably. An intermediate portion of the ink ribbon that is stretched between the bobbins 15A and 15B of both the bobbin storage portions 11A and 11B is exposed to the outside of both the bobbin storage portions 11A and 11B, and is attached to a printer (not shown). Then, it comes into pressure contact with the thermal head of this printer.

  The paper feed tray 20 has a box-type paper feed tray main body 21 in which cut sheets (not shown) are stacked and stored. The paper feed tray main body 21 includes a rectangular bottom wall 22 and a bottom wall. The side wall 23 is erected on the four sides of 22. A paper protection plate (not shown) for protecting the cut paper stored in the paper feed tray main body 21 is mounted on the paper feed tray main body 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of projecting walls 10A, 10B are formed on the upper portion of one bobbin storage portion 11A of the cassette case 10 with a space left and right, and each projecting wall 10A, The support shafts 10a and 10b are projected from one corner of 10B so as to be in an extended position. The paper feed tray main body 21 is pivotally supported on both the support shafts 10a and 10b (only one of them is shown), whereby the cassette case 10 and the paper feed tray 20 are pivotally mounted so as to be opened and closed. ing.

  Further, when the cassette case 10 and the paper feed tray 20 are in the closed state, the upper part of the other bobbin storage portion 11A, 11B of the cassette case 10 is opposed to the paper feed tray main body 21 shown in FIGS. As shown in detail, an arc-shaped recess 24 is formed, and when the upper portions of the bobbin storage portions 11a and 11B are fitted in the recess 24, the cassette case 10 and the paper feed tray 20 are closed. The size in the height direction is further reduced to reduce the space during conveyance.

  In this embodiment, a loosening prevention mechanism is formed on the cassette case 10 side and the paper feed tray 20 side to prevent the ink ribbon from loosening when not attached to the printer.

  That is, as shown in detail in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pair of ribbon cores 14A and 14B around which the ink ribbon is wound are formed of the same material as the ribbon cores 14A and 14B on one end side in the axial direction. The flange-shaped flange portion 18 is provided integrally with the ribbon cores 14A and 14B. On the peripheral surface of the flange portion 18, concave engagement grooves 18a aligned in the circumferential direction are formed radially evenly around the ribbon cores 14A and 14B. When the cassette case 10 and the paper feed tray 20 are in the closed state, the opposite surfaces of the cassette case 10 to the paper feed tray 20, that is, the upper half portions 12A and 12B of the bobbin storage portions 11A and 11B, respectively. An opening 19 that exposes the engagement groove 18a of the flange portion 18 formed in the flange portion 18 of the ribbon cores 14A and 14B is formed on the surface of the paper feed tray 20 that faces the paper feed tray main body 21. . More specifically, in the present embodiment, the opening 19 that exposes the engagement groove 18 a is formed in a portion facing the recess 24 formed in the paper feed tray main body 21.

  On the other hand, the recess 24 of the paper feed tray body 21 has a locking projection 25 that is inserted into the cassette case 10 from the opening 19 when the cassette case 10 and the paper feed tray 20 are in the closed state. Is formed.

  When the cassette case 10 and the paper feed tray 20 are in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 4, locking protrusions 25 fitted into the openings 19 of the cassette case 10 are formed on the ribbon cores 14A and 14B. By engaging with the engaging groove 18a of the flange portion 18 formed, free rotation of the ribbon cores 14A and 14B is prevented.

  In the paper feed tray integrated ribbon cassette 1 of this embodiment configured as described above, when the cassette case 10 and the paper feed tray 20 are in the closed state, the paper is fed to the opening 19 formed in the cassette case 10. By engaging the engagement protrusion 25 formed on the paper tray 20 and engaging with the engagement groove 18a formed on the peripheral surface of the flange portion 18 positioned there, the rotation of the ribbon cores 14A and 14B is prevented. Unnecessary unwinding and loosening of the ink ribbon can be effectively prevented. Thus, if unnecessary unwinding or slack of the ink ribbon can be prevented, it is possible to effectively prevent the quality of the ink ribbon from being deteriorated by rubbing against the cassette case.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, the flange portion 18 is integrally formed of the same resin material as the ribbon cores 14A, 14B, etc., thereby reducing the number of parts and reducing costs such as material costs and manufacturing costs. The work at the time of disposal becomes simple.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various change is possible as needed.

  For example, a concave engaging groove formed on the peripheral surface of the flange portion in the circumferential direction is directly formed on the peripheral surface of the ribbon core and is engaged with a locking protrusion formed on the paper feed tray. You may comprise as follows.

  Further, the configuration for opening and closing the paper feed tray and the cassette case is not limited to this configuration. In addition, instead of opening and closing the paper feed tray by each of the support shafts, one shaft instead of each of the support shafts is inserted into the cassette case and the paper feed tray, and the cassette case and the paper feed are centered on this shaft. You may make it open and close a tray. Furthermore, the cassette case and the paper feed tray may be pivotally attached to each other by a pair of resin hinges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows embodiment of the paper feed tray integrated ribbon cassette concerning this invention, and is explanatory drawing which shows the closed state of a ribbon cassette and a paper feed tray BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows embodiment of the paper feed tray integrated ribbon cassette which concerns on this invention, and is explanatory drawing which shows the expanded state of a ribbon cassette and a paper feed tray BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a paper feed tray integrated ribbon cassette according to the present invention, and is an explanatory view in which a ribbon cassette and a paper feed tray are in a closed state. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part for explaining the positional relationship between the engaging groove and the locking protrusion constituting the slack preventing mechanism of the paper tray integrated ribbon cassette according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ribbon cassette 10 Cassette case 10A, 10B Projection wall 10a, 10b Spindle 11 Bobbin accommodating part 12 Upper half part 13 Lower half part 14 Ribbon core 15 Bobbin 16 Plate part 17 Arm part 18 Flange part 18a Engaging groove 19 Opening 20 Supply Paper tray 21 Paper feed tray body 22 Bottom wall 23 Side wall 24 Recessed portion 25 Locking protrusion

Claims (2)

A cassette case having a pair of bobbin storage portions for storing a ribbon core for winding a long ink ribbon from one end side and a ribbon core for winding from the other end side, respectively, and a paper feed tray, the cassette case and the paper feed In the paper feed tray integrated ribbon cassette arranged to be openable and closable between an expanded state where most of the tray is separated and a closed state where the cassette case and the paper feed tray are close to each other,
On the peripheral surface of the ribbon core, concave engagement grooves aligned in the circumferential direction are formed,
An opening that exposes the engagement groove to the inside is formed on the surface of the cassette case that faces the paper feed tray in the closed state.
In the closed state, the paper feed tray is formed with a locking projection that is inserted into the cassette case from the opening and engageable with the engagement groove. Tray integrated ribbon cassette.   2. The ribbon core is provided with a flange-like flange portion, and the engagement groove is formed radially evenly around the ribbon core on the peripheral surface of the flange portion. Ribbon cassette with integrated paper tray.

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