JPH0732683A - Ink ribbon cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and surely install ribbon mask under the state being hard to come off a cassette case side by a method wherein the insertingly engaging holes of insertingly engaging pieces and controlling surfaces for controlling the widthwise movement of ribbon are provided on the cassette case side. CONSTITUTION:Under the condition that ribbon mask 6 is elastically deformed with fingers into a shape curved along the width direction of ribbon as shown by imaginary lines, the relative lengthwise positions of the ribbon of insertingly engaging pieces 11 and 12 and of insertingly engaging holes 13 and 14 are registered to the predetermined positions. Under the condition just mentioned above, by releasing the elastic deformation of the ribbon mask 6 under the state that the tips of the insertingly engaging pieces 11 and 12 are pressed against guide surface 22 side, the tips of the insertingly engaging pieces 11 and 12 are slidingly moved along the guide surface 22 so as to be fitted into the insertingly engaging holes 13 and 14. After that, the posture of the ribbon mask 6 is controlled by the tip parts of guide plates, resulting in installing the ribbon mask on the cassette case side in the predetermined posture, which curves outwards in the direction of the thickness of the ribbon mask.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention In the present invention, a ribbon mask made of a thin plate material having elasticity is mounted on a cassette case side in a state of covering a print target material side of an ink ribbon running in a print section. The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink ribbon cassette is provided with a ribbon mask in order to prevent unnecessary contact between the ink ribbon and the material to be printed. When the ink ribbon cassette is attached to the printer, the ribbon mask is the material to be printed. This ribbon mask is made of a thin plate material having elasticity so that the ink ribbon and the surface of the material to be printed can be brought into close contact with each other by deforming along the surface. Conventionally, a through hole is formed in the ribbon mask. In addition, a protrusion member that fits into the through hole and a retaining member that prevents the protrusion member from coming out of the through hole from the ribbon mask outer surface side are provided on the cassette case side, and the through hole formed in the ribbon mask is provided. By fitting the protrusion member, the movement of the ribbon mask in the direction along the plate surface is regulated, and further, the rib is provided between the retaining member and the cassette case side member. It regulates the movement in the thickness direction of the ribbon mask by fitting a mask (e.g., real-Open No. 4
-111460 gazette).

[0003]

Therefore, when the ribbon mask is mounted on the cassette case side, in addition to the work of fitting the protruding member into the through hole formed in the ribbon mask,
It is necessary to fit the ribbon mask between the retaining member and the cassette case side member, and there is a drawback that the ribbon mask mounting work becomes complicated. In order to solve this drawback, a retaining member having a diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole formed in the ribbon mask is provided on the tip side of the protruding member provided on the cassette case side, and the retaining member is forced into the through hole. By pushing in,
It is proposed that the work of fitting the protruding member into the through hole and the work of fitting the ribbon mask between the retaining member and the cassette case side member can be completed in series, but in this case, When the retaining member is forcedly pushed, the through hole is deformed in the radial direction, which makes it easier for the protruding member to come out of the through hole. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, by devising a locking structure for the cassette case side of the ribbon mask,
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink ribbon cassette in which the ribbon mask can be easily and surely mounted in a state in which it is difficult to remove the ribbon mask from the cassette case side.

[0004]

To achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that a ribbon mask made of a thin plate material having elasticity is provided on a printing material side of an ink ribbon running in a printing portion. An ink ribbon cassette mounted on the cassette case side in a state of covering the above, wherein a pair of engaging pieces projecting in mutually opposite directions in the ribbon width direction are provided at an end portion of the ribbon mask in a ribbon longitudinal direction, A restriction surface that restricts the movement of the ribbon mask in the ribbon width direction by abutting the engagement holes into which each of the engagement pieces can be engaged from the ribbon width direction and both end edges of the ribbon mask along the ribbon longitudinal direction. And are provided on the cassette case side. The engagement piece may be provided in a state of protruding toward the outside of the ribbon mask in the ribbon width direction. An engagement mechanism may be provided across the engagement piece side and the engagement hole side so as to be engageable with each other in a state in which the engagement piece is restricted from coming out of the engagement hole. The ribbon longitudinal end of the ribbon mask may be reinforced along the ribbon width direction. A guide surface may be provided on the cassette case side so that the engagement piece can be slidably guided in the engagement hole along the ribbon width direction.

[0005]

When the ribbon mask is elastically deformed into a shape that curves along the ribbon width direction, the tips of the respective engaging pieces are made to face the entrance of the engaging hole, and the elastic deformation of the ribbon mask is released in this state. Each of the engaging pieces is fitted in the engaging hole, and both edges of the ribbon mask along the ribbon longitudinal direction are fitted between the restricting surfaces, so that the ribbon mask is mounted on the cassette case side. Then, by fitting each of the engaging pieces into the engaging hole, movement of the ribbon mask along the ribbon longitudinal direction and movement in the ribbon mask thickness direction are restricted, and both end edges of the ribbon mask along the ribbon longitudinal direction are restricted. By fitting between the regulation surfaces, the movement of the ribbon mask along the ribbon width direction is regulated. In particular, since a pair of engaging pieces are provided so as to project in mutually opposite directions in the ribbon width direction, the ribbon mask can be securely held in a state of restraining each of the engaging pieces from coming out from the engaging hole. Can be attached to. When the engaging piece is provided so as to project toward the outside of the ribbon mask in the ribbon width direction, the base portions of the engaging piece are connected to each other via the ribbon mask in the ribbon width direction. It can be provided in a state in which the engagement piece is less likely to be deformed or displaced with respect to the ribbon mask as compared with the case where the engagement piece is provided in a state of protruding toward the inside of the ribbon mask in the ribbon width direction. In the case where an engaging mechanism is provided across the engaging piece side and the engaging hole side so that the engaging pieces can be engaged with each other in a state of restricting the withdrawal of the engaging piece from the engaging hole, the cassette case Even if the ribbon mask mounted on the side is forcibly pulled by some momentum, it is easy to prevent the ribbon mask from being pulled out from the engagement hole of the engagement piece. When the ribbon longitudinal end of the ribbon mask is reinforced along the ribbon width direction,
Even if the ribbon mask attached to the cassette case side is forcibly pulled, the end portion of the ribbon mask is less likely to be bent and deformed. Is difficult to slip out of the engagement hole. In the case where a guide surface capable of slidingly guiding the engaging piece in the engaging hole along the ribbon width direction is provided on the cassette case side, the ribbon mask is curved in the ribbon width direction. By elastically deforming, the relative position of the engaging piece and the engaging hole in the ribbon longitudinal direction is aligned with a predetermined position, and in this state, the elastic deformation of the ribbon mask is released while pressing the tip of the engaging piece against the guide surface side. The tip of the engaging piece slides along the guide surface and fits into the engaging hole.

[0006]

According to the ink ribbon cassette of the first aspect of the present invention, the ribbon mask can be easily and surely mounted in a state where it is difficult to remove the ribbon mask from the cassette case side. In the ink ribbon cassette according to the second aspect, the ribbon mask mounted on the cassette case side is hard to move with respect to the cassette case side. In the ink ribbon cassette according to the third and fourth aspects, even if the ribbon mask attached to the cassette case side is forcibly pulled, the ink ribbon cassette does not easily come off from the cassette case side. In the ink ribbon cassette of the fifth aspect, since the relative position of the tip of the engaging piece and the engaging hole in the thickness direction of the ribbon mask can be easily aligned with a predetermined position, the ribbon mask can be more easily mounted on the cassette case side.

[0007]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an ink ribbon cassette A in which an endless ink ribbon R impregnated with ink is housed in a resin cassette case 3 composed of a cover plate 1 and a case body 2. Left and right pair of ribbon guide arms 4
The endless ink ribbon R running in the printing portion B between them is printed on the recording paper D by being stamped on the impact dot head C. The ink ribbon R is guided by a guide plate 5 provided at the tip end portion of the ribbon guide arm 4 so as to travel along the paper surface of the recording paper D in the printing portion B, and across the both ribbon guide arms 4. , A ribbon mask 6 made of a thin plate material made of a resin such as polyester or a metal such as stainless steel having elasticity is mounted so as to cover the recording paper D side of the ink ribbon R traveling in the printing portion B. There is.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ribbon mask 6 has a diamond-shaped printing through hole 7 that allows the ink ribbon R and the recording paper D to come into contact with each other, and a mark that serves as a mark indicating the mounting posture with respect to the cassette case 3. Through-holes 8 are formed, and at both ends of the ribbon in the lengthwise direction of the ribbon, folding back pieces 9 are folded back at perforations 10 provided along the widthwise direction of the ribbon to be adhesively fixed. A pair of engaging pieces 11 and 12 that are reinforced and project in opposite directions toward the outside of the ribbon mask 6 in the ribbon width direction are provided on each of the folded portions, and on the front side of the both ribbon guide arms 4. The slit-shaped insertion holes 13 and 14 are provided so as to face each other in the ribbon width direction from the ribbon width direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the engaging holes 13 and 14 are provided.
Is a position where the lid plate 1 that covers the upper surface side of the ribbon guide path 15 of the ribbon guide arm 4 and the bottom plate 16 of the case body 2 that covers the lower surface side of the ribbon guide arm 4 face the guide plate 5 with the ribbon guide path 15 interposed therebetween. Is extended to the front side of the side wall 17 of the case main body 2 provided in the eaves, and the extended plate member 18, which is extended,
The extended plate member 1 which is formed in the thick portion provided in each of 19
The facing surfaces of 8 and 19 facing each other in the ribbon width direction restrict the movement of the ribbon mask 6 in the ribbon width direction by contact with both side edges of the ribbon mask 6 along the ribbon longitudinal direction. 20 and 21 and upper and lower engagement holes 1
The outer surface of the side wall 17 in the portion sandwiched between the holes 3 and 14 causes the engagement pieces 11 and 12 to engage with the engagement holes 13 and 14 along the ribbon width direction.
The guide surface 22 is slidably guided inward. The engaging hole 13 provided on the lid plate 1 side of the engaging holes 13 and 14 forms a rectangular through hole 23 on the lid plate 1 side, and the rectangular through hole 23 in the thickness direction of the ribbon mask is formed. A prismatic protrusion 24 having a smaller thickness than the width is integrally formed on the upper end of the side wall 17 of the case body 2, and the prismatic protrusion 24 is fitted into the rectangular through hole 23 to have a width slightly larger than the thickness of the engaging piece 11. The bottom plate 16 of the case body 2 is formed in a rit shape.
The engaging hole 14 provided on the side forms a rectangular through hole 25 on the side of the bottom plate 16 and the side wall 17 of the case body 2.
The lower end surface is formed in a slit shape having a width slightly larger than the thickness of the engaging piece 12 so as to face the rectangular through hole 25 in a state in which the lower end surface is slightly separated from the peripheral edge of the rectangular through hole 25 than the thickness of the engaging piece 12. I am doing it. It should be noted that the peripheral edges of the extended plate members 18 and 19 in which the engaging holes 13 and 14 are formed, facing the recording paper D side, are formed in a straight line shape that does not include a protruding portion that partially protrudes toward the recording paper D side. Since it is formed, there is no possibility that the recording paper D and the ribbon guide arm 4 come into contact with each other when the recording paper D and the ink ribbon cassette A move relative to each other.

Then, with respect to each of both end sides of the ribbon mask 6, as shown by phantom lines in FIG. 1, the ribbon mask 6 is elastically deformed by a finger into a shape curved along the ribbon width direction, and the engaging pieces 11 are formed. , 12 and the engaging holes 13 and 14 in the longitudinal direction of the ribbon are aligned with a predetermined position, and in this state, the ribbon mask 6 is elastically deformed while pressing the tips of the engaging pieces 11 and 12 toward the guide surface 22. When released, the engaging piece 11,
The tip of 12 slides along the guide surface 22 to move into the insertion hole 1
As shown in FIG. 3, the cassette case fits in the cassette case 3 and 14, and the ribbon mask 6 is regulated by the tip of the guide plate 5 and is curved outward in the thickness direction of the ribbon mask. It is installed on the 3 side.

[Second Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 5, a thin plate member 26 is separately attached and fixed to the back surface of the end portion in the ribbon longitudinal direction of the ribbon mask 6, and the end portion is reinforced along the ribbon width direction. You may. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[Third Embodiment] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a bulging portion 27 bulging along the ribbon width direction is formed at the end portion of the ribbon mask 6 in the ribbon longitudinal direction. The ends may be reinforced along the ribbon width direction. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 7, through-angle holes 28 are formed in the engaging pieces 11 and 12 of the ribbon mask 6,
As shown in FIG. 8, wedge-shaped locking claws 29 that engage with the square holes 28 are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the engagement holes 13 and 14, so that the engagement pieces 11 and 12 and the engagement holes 13 and 14 can be engaged with each other. 14 is provided with an engagement mechanism E which can engage with each other in a state of restricting the engagement pieces 11 and 12 from coming out of the engagement holes 13 and 14, and the engagement pieces 11 and 12 are engaged. As it engages with the holes 13 and 14, it bends and deforms when it comes into contact with the locking claw 29, and when the through-angle hole 28 passes through the portion of the locking claw 29, the curved deformation of the locking pieces 11 and 12 is released. The locking claw 29 may be fitted in the square hole 28. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[Fifth Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 9, engaging holes 13 and 14 are provided in each of extended plate members 18 and 19 having a constant thickness, and engaging members 11 and 12 are provided on the engaging end side. Ribbon mask 6
Formed into a hook shape having a projecting piece 30 projecting toward the center of the ribbon in the longitudinal direction, and the engaging pieces 11 and 12 are formed in a state where the projecting piece 30 projects outward from the engaging holes 13 and 14. Entry hole 1
By engaging the protrusions 30 with the extended plate members 18 and 19 by engaging the protrusions 3 and 14, the engaging holes 13 of the engaging pieces 11 and 12,
The engaging mechanism E that can engage with each other in a state in which the slipping out from 14 is restricted may be configured. In the case of the present embodiment, after the engagement pieces 11 and 12 are engaged with the engagement holes 13 and 14, the ribbon mask 6 is curved and deformed outward in the thickness direction of the ribbon mask, and is shown by an imaginary line. As described above, since the peripheral edge portions of the insertion holes 13 and 14 are fitted between the projecting piece 30 and the end edge of the ribbon mask 6, the ribbon mask 6 is forcibly pulled by some force, and the insertion piece. 11 and 12 are engaging holes 13 and 14
Even if it falls in the direction of slipping out, the projecting piece 30 provided on the engaging end side of the engaging pieces 11 and 12 easily gets caught in the engaging holes 13 and 14, so that the engaging holes 13 of the engaging pieces 11 and 12 can be caught. , 14
It is easy to block the drawer from. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[Sixth Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 10, a surrounding wall 31 surrounding the outer periphery of the projecting piece 30 protruding from the engaging holes 13 and 14 is provided on each of the extending plate members 18 and 19 to project. Piece 3
It may be configured to prevent contact between 0 and another object. Other configurations are similar to those of the fifth embodiment.

[Other Embodiments] 1. A set of engaging pieces protruding in mutually opposite directions in the ribbon width direction may be provided only on one end of either end of the ribbon mask in the ribbon longitudinal direction. 2. A plurality of engaging pieces protruding in one of the ribbon width directions and a plurality of engaging holes into which these engaging pieces can be inserted may be provided. 3. The engagement piece may be provided inside the edge of the ribbon mask along the ribbon width direction. 4. A pair of engagement pieces protruding in opposite directions in the ribbon width direction may be provided in a state of facing each other toward the center of the ribbon width direction. 5. A pair of engaging pieces that project in opposite directions in the ribbon width direction may be provided at different positions in the ribbon longitudinal direction. 6. The engagement hole into which the engagement piece is engaged may be closed at one end side in the ribbon width direction. 7. A member, which is separately attached to the cassette case and is different from the cassette case, may be provided with a restricting surface and / or an engaging hole for restricting the movement of the ribbon mask in the ribbon width direction. . 8. The engaging piece that constitutes the engaging mechanism that can engage with each other in a state in which the engaging piece is prevented from coming out of the engaging hole is a protruding piece that projects forward and backward along the ribbon longitudinal direction of the ribbon mask. It may be formed in a T shape provided on the end side. 9. The reinforcing structure of the ribbon mask end is not particularly limited, and the ribbon mask end may be simply folded back along the ribbon width direction. 10. Adhesion of the folded portion provided for reinforcement and adhesion of the reinforcing thin plate material may be performed by adhesion with a resin adhesive or heat fusion. 11. A restricting portion such as a groove for restricting the movement of the engaging piece in the ribbon longitudinal direction may be provided on the guide surface capable of slidingly guiding the engaging piece in the engaging hole along the ribbon width direction. 12. In the first to fourth embodiments, the extended plate members 18 and 19 having a constant thickness are provided with the engaging holes 13 and 14, respectively, and the engaging pieces 11 and 12 are not projected from the engaging holes 13 and 14.
May be implemented by engaging in. 13. In each embodiment, whether or not to reinforce the end portion of the ribbon mask along the ribbon width direction can be arbitrarily selected and implemented. 14. You may implement combining the structure of each part shown in each Example suitably.

It should be noted that reference numerals are added to the claims for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the accompanying drawings by the entry.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG.

[FIG. 2] Development view of a ribbon mask

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway plan view of a main part.

[Figure 4] Front view

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a ribbon mask showing a second embodiment.

6A is a plan view of a ribbon mask showing a third embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a ribbon mask showing a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Cassette case 6 Ribbon mask 11 Engagement piece 12 Engagement piece 13 Engagement hole 14 Engagement hole 20 Restriction surface 21 Restriction surface 22 Guide surface B Printing area D Printed material E Engagement mechanism R Ink ribbon

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazuya Watanabe 5-4-14 Minejima, Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Fujikopian Co., Ltd. Technical Center

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A cassette case in which a ribbon mask (6) made of a thin plate material having elasticity covers a material to be printed (D) side of an ink ribbon (R) running in a printing portion (B). The ink ribbon cassette mounted on the (3) side, wherein a pair of engaging pieces (11, 12) projecting in opposite directions in the ribbon width direction from the ribbon longitudinal end of the ribbon mask (6). Is provided, and the engaging pieces (11, 1
Engagement holes (1) that can engage each of 2) from the ribbon width direction.
3, 14) and a regulation surface (20, 21) that regulates the movement of the ribbon mask (6) in the ribbon width direction by contact with both end edges of the ribbon mask (6) along the ribbon longitudinal direction. An ink ribbon cassette provided on the cassette case (3) side. 2. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the engaging pieces (11, 12) are provided in a state of protruding toward the outside of the ribbon mask (6) in the ribbon width direction. 3. The engaging piece (11, 1) extending over the engaging piece (11, 12) side and the engaging hole (13, 14) side.
The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an engagement mechanism (E) is provided which is engageable with each other in a state of restricting the removal of 2) from the engagement hole (13, 14). 4. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the ribbon mask (6) in a ribbon longitudinal direction is reinforced along a ribbon width direction. 5. A guide surface (22) capable of slidingly guiding the engagement piece (11, 12) into the engagement hole (13, 14) along the ribbon width direction has a side of the cassette case (3). The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the ink ribbon cassette is provided in.