JPH0655820A - Ink ribbon cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a feed roll hard to deform in a separating direction from the other feed roll, by a method wherein the axis of the feed roll is supported axially on an outer shell following joining operation between both divided case parts. CONSTITUTION:A part of an ink ribbon R is joined to a main body case 1, to which a feed roll 5 is set up, from an axial direction of a cassette cover 2 and the feed roll 5. Then a guide member 6 provided on a cassette cover 2 is fitted into the central axial hole 5D of a driven feed roll 5 in propertion to joining operation and the driven feed roll 5 is approached and moved to a driving feed roll side up to a position where running force is imparted to the ink ribbon R. Simultaneously with this, projectionlike stepped part 6a of the guide member 6 is fitted into a recessed hole 1d of the main body case 1 and the guide member 6 is supported in a both side holding state extended over the main body case 1 and cassette cover 2. Then the axis 12 of the driven feed roll 5 also is supported axially in both the side holding state extending over the main case 1 and cassette cover 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an outer shell case in which an ink ribbon and a pair of feed rolls for gripping the ink ribbon and driving it are installed, the outer shell case being the axis line of the feed roll. And a pair of split case portions that can be joined to each other in the direction from each other, and the split receiving portion movably receives at least one of the feed rolls toward the other feed roll. The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette, which is provided in one of the case parts, and in which the rotation shaft of the feed roll is axially supported by the outer shell case when the divided case parts are joined together.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink ribbon cassette, it is necessary to assemble the ink ribbon and a pair of feed rolls in such a manner that the ink ribbon can be sandwiched between the pair of feed rolls with respect to the outer shell case. As shown in FIG. 10, a pair of upper and lower split case portions 1, which can join the receiving portions 1b that receive the pair of feed rolls 4 and 5 relatively distantly in the perspective direction, to each other in the axial direction of the feed rolls 4 and 5. 2 is provided on one side and the other split case portion 2
With the joining operation of the two divided case portions 1 and 2, the feed roller 5 is fitted in the central shaft hole 5D of the feed roll 5 received by the receiving portion 1b, and the feed rolls 4 and 5 are relatively moved toward each other. The driven feed roll 5 is provided in the cantilevered posture of the shaft member 6 having the guide surface 6c to allow the driven feed roll 5 to move within the feed roll moving range within the receiving portion 1b before the other feed roll 5 is joined. After being slightly separated from the feed rolls 4 and 5, the ink ribbon R is loaded in the gap formed between the feed rolls 4 and 5, the guide surface of the shaft member 6 is accompanied by the joining operation of the divided case portions 1 and 2. 6c, the driven feed roll 5 is moved closer to the other feed roll 4 side, and the ink ribbon R is clamped between the two feed rolls 4 and 5 without using a special assembly jig. Those configured to be able to assemble the posture have been proposed (e.g., real-Open No. 1-1
65267).

[0003]

In this conventional ink ribbon cassette, the feed roll 5 received by the receiving portion 1b is provided in the split case portion 2 on the side of the shaft member 6 only on one end side of the rotary shaft 12 thereof. Since it is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 2b, the feed roll 5 is received by the receiving portion 1b by the reaction force generated by driving the feed rolls 4 and 5.
Is easily displaced in the direction away from the other feed roll 4, and when used for a long period of time, the bearing portion 2b and the shaft member 6 yield to the reaction force, and gradually the feed roll 5 does not receive the reaction force. Creep deformation, the postures of both feed rolls 4, 5 collapse, and the ribbon holding force in the axial direction of the feed rolls becomes non-uniform, and the running force is evenly applied over the entire width of the ink ribbon R. And the ink ribbon easily slips. Therefore, the ink ribbon R moves to one side in the axial direction of the feed roll and comes into contact with the inner bottom surface of either of the split case portions 1 and 2, thus damaging the widthwise end portion of the ink ribbon R. Also, the contact of the ink ribbon R increases the ribbon traveling load, and normal ribbon driving cannot be performed.
The ink ribbon R cannot run normally and is hit twice in the printing unit, resulting in printing defects and unstable print density. Further, the ink ribbon R jams, and running becomes impossible. To do. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by devising the feed roller shaft support structure, it is possible to efficiently load the ink ribbon in conjunction with the joining operation of the split case portions. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink ribbon cassette that can keep the attitude of the feed roll constant over a long period of time.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that an ink ribbon and a pair of feed rolls for driving the ink ribbon between the feed ribbons are installed in an outer shell case. The outer shell case is provided with a pair of split case portions that can be joined to each other in the axial direction of the feed roll, and at least one of the feed rolls is connected to the other feed roll side. A receiving portion that is movably received toward is provided on one of the split case portions,
An ink ribbon cassette in which a rotation shaft of the feed roll is axially supported by the outer shell case in accordance with a joining operation between the two divided case parts, and the two divided case parts are provided in the other remaining one of the divided case parts. Along with the joining operation of the parts, the rotary shaft of the feed roll received in the receiving part is concentrically fitted, and the rotary shaft is in a posture in which the rotary shaft is axially supported across the split case parts. The point is that a guide member for guiding and moving is provided.

[0005]

When assembling the two feed rolls into one of the divided case portions, the both feed rolls are arranged at a distance larger than a predetermined facing distance that gives the running force to the ink ribbon. In this state, an ink ribbon is loaded in the divided case portion, and a part of this ink ribbon is arranged along a predetermined ribbon traveling path through a large gap between both feed rolls. Then, when the other split case portion is joined to the other split case portion in which the ink ribbon and the pair of feed rolls are set in the axial direction of the feed roll, the other split case portion is joined to the other split case portion along with the joining operation. The guide member provided is concentrically fitted to the rotary shaft of the feed roll, which is received in the receiving part and is movable in the perspective direction, and both feed rolls are relative to the position where the running force is applied to the ink ribbon. The rotation axis of the feed roll, which is moved in the near direction and is movable in the far and near directions, is supported in a cantilevered manner over both split case portions.

[0006]

As a result, the ink ribbon can be assembled in a posture in which it can be sandwiched between both feed rolls in conjunction with the joining operation of both split case portions, and after the split case portions are joined together. Since both ends of the rotation axis of the feed roll guided by the guide member are axially supported over both split case portions, the rotation axis of the feed roll is separated from the other feed roll over a long period of time. Hard to displace.

[0007]

Embodiments of the ink ribbon cassette of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 5, a cassette case CA for accommodating an ink ribbon R is divided into upper and lower parts so as to be joined in the axial direction of feed rolls 4 and 5, which will be described later. Of the two divided case portions 1 and 2, one divided case portion 1 is a pair of left and right ribbon guide arms 1.
A and 1B are integrally formed from a synthetic resin main body case, and the other split case portion 2 is formed from a synthetic resin cassette cover that closes the opening of the main body case 1. Then, the ink ribbon R hung between the pair of ribbon guide arms 1A and 1B can be printed by an impact dot head (not shown). The main body case 1 is formed with a ribbon storage portion 3 which is long in the left and right, and a pair of feed rolls 4 and 5 for applying a traveling driving force to the ink ribbon R are provided on the inlet side of the ribbon storage portion 3. This feed roll 4,
The ink ribbon R is folded and accommodated in the ribbon accommodating portion 3 by being driven and rotated by 5.

Of the pair of feed rolls 4 and 5,
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the drive-side feed roll 4 includes a body portion 4A having a gear 4a formed at a portion corresponding to the ribbon contact, and a first receiving portion 1a formed on the main body case 1.
A first shaft portion 4B that is rotatably inserted and held in a through hole 1e formed in the case, and a first shaft portion 4B protruding from the other end of the body portion 4A through a through hole 2a formed in the cassette cover 2 to the outside of the case. The two shaft portions 4C are integrally formed, and the first shaft portion 4B and the second shaft portion 4C constitute the rotary shaft 11 of the drive feed roll 4. The inner peripheral surface of the drive feed roll 4 extending from the body portion 4A to the first shaft portion 4B is fitted to a drive shaft provided in a recording device such as a printer (not shown), and the rotational force of the drive shaft is set. Is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft portion 4C to facilitate manual rotation operation when the ink ribbon R is loosened or the like. Knurled for performing. Further, the other feed roll 5 on the driven side has a body portion 5A in which a gear 5a capable of meshing with the gear 4a of the drive feed roll 4 is formed, and a rib-shaped second receiving portion formed in the main body case 1. A first shaft portion 5B rotatably held in the portion 1b, and a second shaft portion 5C rotatably held in a circular rib-shaped bearing portion 2b formed in the cassette cover 2. The rotary shaft 12 of the driven feed roll 5 is integrally formed, and the first shaft portion 5B and the second shaft portion 5C form the rotary shaft 12. The guide groove 1c formed in the second receiving portion 1b of the main body case 1
Is formed in a long groove shape along the perspective direction with respect to the drive feed roll 4, and the cassette cover 2 is formed in the axial center portion of the driven feed roll 5 as the main body case 1 and the cassette cover 2 are joined. A hollow rod-shaped guide member 6 is provided which is fitted in the central shaft hole 5D and is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the central shaft hole 5D formed in the driven feed roll 5. A convex step 6a having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the central shaft hole 5D of the driven feed roll 5 is formed at the tip of the guide member 6, and the protruding corner of the convex step 6a is formed. Is formed on a cam surface in an inclined posture that moves the feed roll 5 closer to the drive feed roll 4 side to a predetermined traveling drive force applying position as the feed roll 5 is fitted into the central shaft hole 5D. Further, in the guide groove 1c, the main body case 1 and the cassette cover 2 are provided.
A concave hole 1d into which the convex stepped portion 6a of the guide member 6 is fitted is formed in the state where they are joined. The guide member 6 is the rotating shaft 12 of the driven feed roll 5 that is forcibly moved in the joined state of the main body case 1 and the cassette cover 2.
Are fitted in a concentric manner, and the rotary shaft 12 is supported in a cantilevered manner across the main body case 1 and the cassette cover 2. The bearing portion 2b and the second receiving portion 1b prevent the positional deviation in the rotational axis direction of the driven feed roll 5 when the main body case 1 and the cassette cover 2 are joined, from the second shaft portion 5C and the second shaft portion 5C of the feed roll 5. It is also configured as a position regulating member that is blocked by contact with the one-shaft portion 5B. In addition, in the inner surface of the cassette cover 2, the through hole 2
The circular rib-shaped cylindrical projection 2c formed around a and the first receiving portion 1a cause the positional deviation of the drive feed roll 4 in the direction of the rotation axis when the main body case 1 and the cassette cover 2 are joined. Body part 4A of the feed roll 4
It is also configured as a position restricting member that is blocked by contact with.

In the feed roll mounting structure configured as described above, the receiving portions 1a, 1a,
When assembling the both feed rolls 4 and 5 to the 1b, the both feed rolls 4 and 5 are arranged at a distance larger than a predetermined facing distance that gives the running force to the ink ribbon R. In this state, the ink ribbon R is loaded in the main body case 1, and a part of the ink ribbon R is arranged along the predetermined ribbon traveling path through the gap between the feed rolls 4 and 5. Then, when the cassette cover 2 is joined to the main body case 1 in which the ink ribbon R and the pair of feed rolls 4 and 5 are set from the axial direction of the feed rolls 4 and 5, the cassette is accompanied by the joining operation. The guide member 6 provided on the cover 2 fits into the central shaft hole 5D of the driven feed roll 5, and the driven feed roll 5 moves closer to the drive feed roll 4 side to a position where the driven force is applied to the ink ribbon R. At the same time, the convex step portion 6a of the guide member 6 is fitted into the recessed hole 1d of the main body case 1 so that the guide member 6 is attached to the main body case 1 and the cassette cover 2.
And the rotation shaft 12 of the driven feed roll 5 is also supported between the main body case 1 and the cassette cover 2 in a cantilevered manner.

[Second Embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, the tip of the guide member 6 is formed in the convex step portion 6a, and the convex step portion 6a is formed in the second receiving portion 1b of the main body case 1. The rotary shaft 12 of the driven hood roll 5 is fitted into the recessed hole 1d formed in the guide groove 1c.
Although it is configured to be supported in a cantilevered manner over a distance, the leading end of the guide member 6 and the driven feed roll 5 are brought closer to the drive feed roll 4 side as shown in FIGS. It is formed on the cam surface 6b in an inclined posture to be moved, the fixed shaft 13 is erected in the guide groove 1c, and the guide member 6 is completely inserted into the central shaft hole 5D of the driven feed roll 5 at the position where the guide member 6 is guided. The fixed shaft 13 may be fitted into the tubular shape of the member 6 so that the rotary shaft 12 of the driven hood roll 5 is supported in a cantilevered manner across the main body case 1 and the cassette cover 2. . The ink coating material 10 may be a roll-shaped ink coating material 10 instead of a plate-shaped one.

[Third Embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, the diameter of the guide member 6 is set to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the central shaft hole 5D formed in the driven feed roll 5, but FIG.
As shown in, when the diameter of the guide member 6 is configured to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the central shaft hole 5D formed in the driven feed roll 5, and the driven feed roll 5 is moved closer to the drive feed roll 4 side, The second shaft portion 5C of the driven feed roll 5 is fitted and held in the bearing portion 2b, and the convex portion 5b formed on the bottom surface side of the first shaft portion 5B has the guide groove 1
The rotary shaft 12 of the driven hood roll 5 is axially supported by the bearing portion 2b and the convex portion 5b so as to extend over the main body case 1 and the cassette cover 2 by being fitted into the concave hole 1d formed in c. It may be configured as follows.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, the driven feed roll 5 is forcibly moved to a predetermined traveling driving force applying position when the main body case 1 and the cassette cover 2 are joined. As shown in FIG. 9, both feed rolls 4 and 5 may be simultaneously forced to move to a predetermined traveling drive force applying position. That is, in this embodiment, the drive feed roll 4 is configured to be movable in the perspective direction with respect to the driven feed roll 5 within the range of the long groove 1f of the first receiving portion 1a formed in the main body case 1, and the cassette cover 2 is A hollow rod-shaped guide member 6 having an inclined cam surface 6b for forcibly moving the feed roll 4 to a predetermined traveling drive force applying position when the feed roll 4 is fitted into the central axis hole 4D formed in the drive feed roll 4. When the guide member 6 is fitted into the central shaft hole 4D, the first shaft portion 4B of the drive feed roll 4 becomes
It fits into a hole 1g formed in the long groove 1f. Further, since the holding structure of the driven feed roll 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are given to the portions having the same structure or the same function, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[Other Embodiments] A guide member may be provided to guide and move only the rotation shaft of the drive feed roll in a posture in which it is axially supported across both split case portions. The drive feed roller and the driven feed roll may be interlocked with each other by a gear provided on the shaft end side away from the ribbon holding surface. The pair of feed rolls is not limited to those having teeth formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof for meshing with the ink ribbon, but those having a cylindrical shape or those having grooves formed on the outer peripheral surface. The shape of the outer peripheral surface is not particularly limited. The receiving part is not limited to being provided only on one of the split case parts, and in the case of forcibly moving both feed rolls to a predetermined traveling drive force applying position at the same time, the receiving part of one feed roll is divided into one part. It may be provided in the case part, and the receiving part of the other feed roll may be provided in the other divided case part. The ink ribbon cassette of the present invention may be one in which an ink tank is provided in the cassette, and in this case, the ink in the ink tank is transferred to the ink ribbon via the feed roll.

It should be noted that although reference numerals are given in the claims for convenience of comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structures of the accompanying drawings by the entry.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part immediately before assembly.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part after assembly.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the main part of the main body case.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the main part of the cassette cover.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway plan view of the entire cassette case.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part immediately before assembly showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an essential part after assembly showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 CA outer shell case R ink ribbon 1, 2 split case part 1b receiving part 4, 5 feed roll 6 guide member 12 rotating shaft

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An outer shell case (CA) is provided with an ink ribbon (R) and a pair of feed rolls (4), (5) for driving the ink ribbon (R) while sandwiching the ink ribbon (R). The outer shell case (CA) is configured by providing a pair of split case portions (1) and (2) that can be joined to each other in the axial direction of the feed rolls (4) and (5), and both feeds A receiving portion (1b) that movably receives at least one feed roll (5) of the rolls (4) and (5) toward the other feed roll (4) side is the divided case portions (1) and (1). The feed roll (5) is provided on one side of the feed roll (5) and is provided with the joining operation of the divided case portions (1) and (2).
Is an ink ribbon cassette whose rotation shaft (12) is axially supported by the outer shell case (CA), and the other one of the split case portions (1) and (2) is
The rotary shaft (12) of the feed roll (5) received by the receiving portion (1b) is fitted concentrically with the joining operation between the two divided case portions (1) and (2). And an ink ribbon cassette provided with a guide member (6) for guiding and moving the rotary shaft (12) in a posture in which the rotary shaft (12) is axially supported across the divided case portions (1) and (2).