JPH0434049Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention has an endless ink ribbon 3 built into the case body 1 and is attached to printing office equipment such as typewriters, word processors, printers, etc. The invention relates to an ink ribbon cartridge used for printing.

[Problems to be solved by the prior art and the invention]

This type of cartridge consists of a case body 1 and a top cover (not shown) that covers the case body 1. An endless ink ribbon 3 is folded in a zigzag shape and loaded into an ink ribbon storage section 2 formed in the case body 1. , a part of which can be exposed to the outside of the case body 1 between the outlet 4 and the inlet 5, and near the outlet 4 there is an elastic body 6 that presses down the ink ribbon 3 being sent out and applies a braking force to it. Also, near the entrance 5 there is a 2 for feeding the ink ribbon.
A set of rollers are provided so that they can be pressed against each other, and two
By rotating the set of rollers in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 while applying resistance to each other, the ink ribbon 3 led out from the outlet 4 is moved in the direction of the arrow in the same figure with part 3a of the ink ribbon pulled out from the case body 1 in a taut state. It was designed so that it could be sent to

Originally, this type of cartridge was replaced with the entire case when the ink ribbon 3 reached its lifespan.
The case is uneconomical because it can still be used sufficiently.
Therefore, a device has been developed in which only the ink ribbon 3 can be replaced.

This is of the above type, but there are two places where the ink ribbon 3 is pressed. One of them is a portion pressed by the elastic body 6 near the exit 4, and the other is a portion held between a pair of rollers near the entrance 5.

In this way, if there are two places that press the ink ribbon 3, when replacing the ink ribbon 3, you have to release the pressure with one hand and pass the ink ribbon 3 with the other hand.
Not only is this work extremely troublesome, but when bending the pressing body 6 (often a plate spring) by hand to pass the ink ribbon 3 through, it is often necessary to apply too much force. This causes the pressing body 6 to deform too much. In this case, there is a high possibility that an appropriate braking force will not be applied to the ink ribbon 3 the next time it is used.

In order to overcome this drawback, there is a device in which an actuating piece is rotatably provided near the outlet 4, and when the ink ribbon 3 is replaced, the actuating piece is operated so that a constant force is always applied to the elastic body 6. (For example,
No. 58-126181, Utility Model Application No. 58-160169), but these are only for operating the pressing body 6, and there is no method to release the pressure on the roller side of a pair, so there is no sufficient method. I can't say it's a thing. Of course, if something with a similar function is provided on the roller side, the pressure on the roller side can be released, but since the actuating pieces are all built into the case body 1, the assembly work is extremely difficult. It has the disadvantage of being complicated.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention has been devised to eliminate these drawbacks, and includes a pressure body 6 near the outlet 4 that presses down the ink ribbon 3 to apply a braking force to it, and a pressure body 6 near the inlet 5. , a set of two drive rollers 9 and a pressure roller 10 for running the ink ribbon are arranged, and the holder 10a of the pressure roller 10 rotates about a fulcrum, and the pressure roller 1
In the ink ribbon cartridge, which is biased by a spring 12 that presses the ink ribbon 0 against the drive roller 9, one fixing piece 13 is attached to the elastic body 6 side, either when using the ink ribbon or when replacing the ink ribbon. This elastic pressure is applied near the elastic body 6 and near the holder 10a so that the elastic body 6 presses down the ink ribbon 3 being sent out, so that it can be attached alternately to the rollers 9 and 10 of a set of two. It is provided with an engaging part 14 arranged in a direction to push the body 6, and an engaging part 15 arranged in a direction to push the holder 10a against the elastic force of the spring 12.

[Effect]

Before using the ink ribbon cartridge, the case body 1 is covered with a top cover (not shown), and the pressure body 6 in the vicinity of the outlet 4 inside the case body 1 is in the state shown by the chain line in FIG. Therefore, the ink ribbon is stored in this state before use, and when using or replacing the ink ribbon, the top cover is removed and the operations described below are performed.

One fixing piece 13 is prepared for this ink ribbon cartridge, and this fixing piece 13 is used when using and replacing the ink ribbon.

Ink ribbon cartridge, that is, ink ribbon 3
The state in use is shown in FIG. 1, with the top cover omitted. In this case, since it is necessary to apply an appropriate braking force to the ink ribbon 3 passing near the outlet 4, the elastic body 6 near the outlet 4 must press the ink ribbon 3. On the other hand, since the ink ribbon 3 needs to be fed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 during use, it is necessary to rotate the two rollers shown on the right side of the figure in the direction of the arrow in the figure while keeping them in pressure contact with each other. be.

Therefore, the prepared fixing piece 13 is inserted into the engaging portion 14 on the elastic body 6 side near the outlet 4, as shown in FIG. With this simple operation that can be performed with one hand, the ink ribbon cartridge can be used and can be loaded into the printing office machine as is. Since the pair of rollers appearing on the right side of FIG. 1 are in pressure contact with each other, when both rollers are rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. It can be fed in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1. On the other hand, the elastic body 6 near the exit 4 is pushed by the fixing piece 13 inserted into the engaging part 14 and is bent as shown by the solid line from the position shown by the chain line, and the part on the protruding arc side Since the ink ribbon 3 passing nearby is pressed against the opposite side, a braking force is applied to the ink ribbon 3, and the ink ribbon 3 is fed outside the case main body 1 with the portion 3a kept taut.

When you want to replace the ink ribbon 3, replace the fixing piece 13 inserted into the engaging part 14 on the elastic body 6 side.
2 pieces 1 as shown on the right side of Figure 2.
Insert into the engaging portion 15 on the roller side of the set. Then,
Pressure body 6 which had been bent by being pushed by fixed piece 13 until now
returns to its original state (dashed line in Figure 1, solid line in Figure 2),
The pressing force on the ink ribbon 3 is released. on the other hand,
On the side of the rollers 9 and 10 in a set of two, the spring 12
The holder 10a, which was biased by the engaging portion 1
5, the roller 10 on the holder 10a side separates from the other roller 9 as shown in FIG. Therefore, both of the two pressing parts of the endless ink ribbon 3 are in an open state, and can be easily replaced.

In this way, by alternately inserting one fixing piece 13 into the engaging part 14 on the elastic body 6 side and the engaging part 15 on the roller side of a set of two pieces, the ink ribbon 3 is immediately ready for use. or make it easily replaceable.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

The cartridge is a rather thin box-shaped thing consisting of a case body 1 and an upper lid (not shown) that covers it, and a pair of arm parts 1 are attached to the upper left and right corners of the cartridge.
a, 1b are integrally formed, both arm parts 1a,
The space between 1b is defined as a printing space 7.

An ink ribbon storage section 2 is formed in the case body 1, and an endless ink ribbon 3 is loaded into the ink ribbon storage section 2 in a zigzag-folded state, and a part of it is attached to the base of the arm section 1a. The ink ribbon is fed from one outlet 4 through the inside of the arm section 1a to the outside from the tip thereof, through the printing space 7 and into the inside of the other arm section 1b from the tip thereof, and then into the inside through the inlet 5 of the ink ribbon storage section 2. It's starting to go back.

Exit 4 appearing on the left side in Figures 1 and 2
A resilient body 6 is disposed nearby, and its base is fitted into a groove of an engaging portion 8 formed integrally within the case body 1.

On the other hand, a pair of rollers 9 and 10 are arranged near the entrance 5 that appears on the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the embodiment, both rollers 9 and 10
9 of them are drive rollers, 10 are pressure rollers,
A case is shown in which only the pressure roller 10 is held elastically. That is, the holder 9a of the driving roller 9 is fixed to the case body 1, and the other pressing roller 1 is fixed to the case body 1.
The holder 10a of 0 is provided so as to be rotatable about a fulcrum 11, and is biased by a spring 12 so as to press the pressure roller 10 into contact with the drive roller 9.

Therefore, one fixed piece 13 is provided near the elastic body 6 and the pressure roller 10 in the case body 1.
Engagement portions 14 and 15 into which [described later] can be inserted are provided. In the embodiment, both engaging portions 14 and 15
is made of a U-shaped planar member and has a vertical groove 16, but the present invention is not limited to this type; for example, a hole may be provided in the bottom wall of the case body 1, This may be used as an engaging portion.

Fixing piece 1 inserted into the engaging parts 14 and 15
3 is preferably relatively thin, but its shape is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a wedge shape is shown which becomes narrower toward the bottom.

When this fixing piece 13 is inserted into the groove 16 of the engaging part 14 or 15, the tapered part 13a gradually pushes the elastic body 6 or the holder 10a of the pressing roller 10 outward, as shown in FIG. The pressing body 6 or the holder 10a of the pressing roller 10 gradually moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
When the fixing piece 13 is inserted to the deepest point, its vertical portion 13b touches the elastic body 6 or the pressing roller 10.
With the holder 10a pushed to the outermost position, the holder 10a is engaged with this with a snap. Therefore, the pressing body 6 in the state shown by the chain line in FIG. 1 and the solid line in FIG. 2 is deformed by the fixing piece 13 inserted into the engaging portion 14 as shown by the solid line in FIG. Braking force is applied to 3. On the other hand, the first
The holder 10a of the pressure roller 10 of the set of two rollers in the state shown in the figure is moved to a fulcrum point as shown in FIG. 11, the pressure roller 10 is separated from the other roller, that is, the drive roller 9, as shown in FIG. 2, and a gap is created between the two rollers. Therefore, the ink ribbon 3 can be easily replaced using this gap.

In this way, the engaging portions 14 and 2 on the side of the elastic body 6
By alternately inserting one fixing piece 13 into the engaging portions 15 on the roller side of each set, the ink ribbon 3 can be put into a state where it can be used immediately or it can be put into a state where it can be easily replaced. .

Note that when the fixing piece 13 is inserted to the farthest point (indicated by the chain line in FIG. 4), its vertical portion 13b is securely engaged with the elastic body 6 or the holder 10a of the pressing roller 10. It is possible to reliably prevent the pressing body 6 in the state shown in FIG. 1 or the pressing roller 10 in the state shown in FIG. 2 from accidentally returning to the previous state.

In other drawings, reference numeral 17 denotes a guide plate for reversing the endless ink ribbon 3.

[Effect of idea]

According to the present invention, the engaging portion 14 on the side of the elastic body 6
By simply inserting one fixing piece 13 made of a simple member alternately into the engaging portions 15 on the roller side of a set of two, the ink ribbon can be put into a usable state and it can be easily replaced. This makes it possible to release the pressure on the ink ribbon and thread the ink ribbon with one hand, which was extremely troublesome especially when replacing the ink ribbon.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is only necessary to prepare one fixing piece 13, and since it is always used on the side of the elastic body 6 and on the side of the rollers in a set of two pieces, there is no risk of losing it. It can be done.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The attached drawings show an embodiment of the ink ribbon cartridge according to the present invention, and FIGS. 1 and 2 are plan views showing the inside of the cartridge when the ink ribbon is used and when it is replaced. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fixing piece, showing the state in which the fixing piece is removed, and Fig. 4 is a partially longitudinal side view showing the principle of displacing the elastic body or roller holder by inserting it into the engaging part. It is. 1...Case body, 3...Ink ribbon, 4...
...Exit, 5...Inlet, 6...Elastic body, 9...Drive roller, 10...Press roller, 10a...Holder, 13...Fixed piece, 14, 15...Engaging part, 1
6...Groove.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] 1. Consisting of a case body 1 and a top lid covering the case body 1, an endless ink ribbon 3 is loaded in an ink ribbon storage section 2 formed in the case body 1 in a zigzag-folded state. A part of the ink ribbon can be exposed to the outside of the case body 1 between the outlet 4 and the inlet 5, and a pressing member 6 is provided near the outlet 4 to press down the ink ribbon 3 being sent out and apply a braking force to it. Further, a pair of drive rollers 9 for feeding the ink ribbon and a pressure roller 10 are disposed near the entrance 5, and the holder 10a of the pressure roller 10 rotates around a fulcrum to move the pressure roller 10 into the drive direction. In an ink ribbon cartridge biased by a spring 12 that presses against a roller 9, one fixing piece 1 is provided near the elastic body 6 and near the holder 10a.
3 are attached alternately, and when the fixing piece 13 is attached to these, the elastic body 6 is arranged in a direction in which the elastic body 6 presses the ink ribbon 3 that is sent out. An ink ribbon cartridge comprising: an engaging portion 14 that has a fixed shape; and an engaging portion 15 that is arranged in a direction that pushes the holder 10a against the elastic force of the spring 12. 2. The ink ribbon cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the fixing piece 13 is wedge-shaped and becomes narrower toward the bottom. 3. The ink ribbon cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portions 14 and 15 have a groove 16 into which the fixing piece 13 can be inserted.