JPH0761104A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and safely replace an ink ribbon by expanding the gap of a required part by revolving a ribbon protector accompanied by the revolution of a lever so as to expand one gap end and moving a ribbon guide block toward one gap end. CONSTITUTION:When an ink ribbon 11 is replaced, at first, respective levers 14, 15 are revolved in a D-direction against detent springs 21, 22 and, at the same time, a ribbon changeover lever 26 is revolved in a G-direction through a pin 25 and a ribbon guide block 4 is moved in a B-direction and the gap between a ribbon guide part 10 and a ribbon protector 5 is expanded. Next, a new ink ribbon 11 is positionally set to the ribbon guide part 10 and the levers 14, 15 are revolved in an E-direction while the ribbon changeover lever 26 is moved in a C-direction. Subsequently, a ribbon guide part 12 is positionally set to the gap between the ribbon protector 5 and the leading end surface 7 of a printing head 3 to oppose the ink ribbon 11 to the leading end surface 7 of the printing head 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing device for printing using an ink ribbon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a printing apparatus which prints by using an ink ribbon is one in which the ink ribbon is inserted into a gap between a front end surface of a print head and a ribbon protector from one side which intersects with an ink ribbon feeding direction. Are being replaced.

By the way, since the gap between the front end surface of the print head and the ribbon protector is narrowed due to the operation stroke of the wire or the like, when the ribbon is replaced, the edge of the ink ribbon is pulled to the front end of the print head. Cause a catch. Therefore,
Some printers move the print head side to widen the gap for easy replacement. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-69314, which the present applicant has already filed, is one of them.

According to the publication, the print head and the media follower (which is the same as the ribbon protector in that it is pressed against the print paper) are separated from each other, and the print head moves in a direction away from the media follower. It is provided as possible.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a conventional printing apparatus, a frame having a media follower integrally formed therein is provided in order to widen the gap between the front end surface of the print head and the media follower when the ribbon is replaced. And the plate to which the print head is fixed, against the tension of a tension spring provided between the plate and the plate.
Since the force must be pulled up and a strong force is required, there is a risk that the finger may be injured or the nail may be cracked by hooking the nail on the corner of the plate.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing device which can safely and easily replace a ribbon.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in a printing apparatus of the present invention, a ribbon protector is fixed to one end portion, and one of the ribbon protectors is provided around a support shaft provided near the other gap end. A lever that rotates to widen the gap end,
A biasing member that biases the lever and a ribbon guide portion that guides the ink ribbon in the feeding direction are provided in parallel with the front end surface of the print head, and one of the gaps is provided as the ribbon protector rotates. And a ribbon guide block that moves to the end side.

[0008]

When the lever of the printer constructed as described above is rotated against the urging force of the urging member, the ribbon protector widens one gap end in accordance with the rotative movement of the lever. As it rotates, the ribbon guide block moves to one gap end side, and the gap between the ribbon guide portion and the ribbon protector becomes wider.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the ribbon can be replaced safely and easily.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Elements common to the drawings are given the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. The printing apparatus 1 has a print head 3, a ribbon guide block 4 and a ribbon protector 5 mounted on a carriage frame 2 and performs a spacing operation along a shaft 6.

A gap A is provided between the front end surface 7 of the print head 3 and the ribbon protector 5, as shown in a broken view in FIG. The ribbon guide block 4 slides along guide posts 8 and 9 arranged in parallel with the front end surface 7 of the print head 3.
The guide posts 8 and 9 are erected on the carriage frame 2. In the ribbon guide block 4, as shown in FIG.
A ribbon guide portion 10 is provided so that the ink ribbon 11 can be moved in the ink ribbon feeding direction along with the spacing operation of the carriage frame 2.

The ribbon protector 5 rotates so as to widen one gap end that intersects the ink ribbon feeding direction. That is, the ribbon protector 5 is provided with levers 14 and 15 which rotate in the directions of arrows D-E about the support shafts 12 and 13 provided on the carriage frame 2 near the other gap end.

One end portions 14a, 15a of the levers 14, 15
Is in the vicinity of the support shafts 14 and 15, and the ribbon protector 5
It is fastened with screws 16 to. The other end portions 14b and 15b as the rotating portions of the levers 14 and 15 have one end portions 14a and 15a.
Is near the support shafts 12 and 13, but is sufficiently distant from the support shafts 12 and 13.

The other ends 14b, 15b of the levers 14, 15
And the spring posts 17, 1 between the support shafts 12 and 13
8 are provided, and the carriage frame 2 is provided with spring posts 19 and 20. Spring post 1
A detent spring 21 is stretched between 7 and 19, and a detent spring 22 is stretched between the spring posts 18 and 20.

The carriage frame 2 is provided with posts 23 and 24 for abutting the ribbon protector 5, and the ribbon protector 5 is brought into contact with the posts 23 and 24 by the tension of the detent springs 21 and 22 to print the print head. A gap A is maintained between the end surface 7 and the tip surface 7. The ribbon guide block 4 contacts a pin 25 provided on the lever 14 and engages with a ribbon switching lever 26 that rotates.

The ribbon switching lever 26 is a carriage frame.
A torsion spring 28 provided on the support shaft 27 is provided on the support shaft 27 provided on the support shaft 27 so as to be rotatable in the arrow F-G direction.
Is urged in the direction of arrow F. Ribbon switching lever
A pin 29 is provided at one end of 26, and the recess 4a of the ribbon guide block 4 (shown as a broken portion in FIG.
Is shown in a perspective view). Ribbon switching lever
Reference numeral 26 moves the ribbon guide block 4 in the direction of arrow B-C intersecting the ink ribbon feeding direction during the printing operation to switch the printing color.

Next, the ribbon exchange operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the embodiment.

First, with respect to a base frame (not shown) having a platen (not shown) mounted thereon, a frame (not shown) having the printer 1 mounted thereon is rotated to separate the printer 1 from the platen. Position in position. The ribbon protector 5 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the post 2 of the carriage frame 2
3, a gap A is maintained between the print head 3 and the leading end surface 7 of the print head 3, and the ink ribbon 11 is held by the ribbon guide portion 10 of the ribbon guide block 4 located in the gap A. Is made to face the tip surface 7 of the.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the other end 14b of the lever 14 or the other end 15b of the lever 15 is rotated against the tensions of the detent springs 21 and 22, and the support shaft 12 is rotated. The levers 14 and 15 are rotated in the direction of the arrow D around the center 13 and 13. The positions of the spring posts 17 and 18 are lever-1.
The tension of the detent springs 21 and 22 changes with the rotation movement of the springs 4 and 15.
The levers 14 and 15 act to rotate in the arrow E direction until the spring 18 reaches the predetermined position. However, when the spring posts 17 and 18 pass the predetermined position, the levers 14 and 15 move.
To rotate in the direction of arrow D. The ribbon protector 5 rotates so as to widen one of the gap ends as the levers 14 and 15 rotate.

Further, the lever 14 contacts the pin 25 with the ribbon switching lever 26 in the course of the rotating operation to rotate the ribbon switching lever 26 in the arrow G direction. Ribbon switching lever-2
By rotating 6 in the direction of arrow G, the ribbon guide block 4 moves toward one of the gap ends, that is, in the direction of arrow B.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the gap between the ribbon guide portion 10 and the ribbon protector 5 is widened. When the ribbon switching lever 26 comes into contact with the carriage frame 2, the rotating operation of the levers 14 and 15 is stopped.

Next, a new ink ribbon 11 is positioned on the ribbon guide portion 10, and the other end portion 14b of the lever 14 or the other end portion 15b of 15 is attached to the detent spring 21.
It rotates in the direction of arrow E against the tension of 22. The positions of the spring posts 17 and 18 change as the levers 14 and 15 rotate, so that the detent springs 21 and 2 are moved.
The tension of 2 acts to rotate the levers 14 and 15 in the direction of the arrow D until the spring posts 17 and 18 reach the predetermined positions, but when the spring posts 17 and 18 pass the predetermined positions, the levers 14 and 15 are rotated. It acts so as to rotate -14 and 15 in the arrow E direction.

The ribbon switching lever 26 is urged and rotated by the torsion spring 28 in the direction of arrow F in accordance with the change in the position of the spring posts 17 and 18, and the bond guide block 4 is moved in the direction of arrow C. Let

When the ribbon protector 5 comes into contact with the posts 23, 24, a gap A is formed between the ribbon protector 5 and the front end surface 7 of the print head 3, and the ribbon guide portion 12 of the ribbon guide block 4 is positioned in the gap A. Then, the ink ribbon 11 is opposed to the front end surface 7 of the print head 3.

In this embodiment, the lever support shaft is provided on the carriage frame, but a bracket or the like may be attached to the carriage frame and the support shaft may be provided on the bracket.

[0027]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects.

A lever for fixing the ribbon protector to one end and rotating so as to widen one of the gap ends about a spindle provided near the other gap end, and a ribbon for guiding the ink ribbon in the feeding direction. Rotation of the lever is provided by having a ribbon guide block that has a guide portion and is arranged in the gap in parallel with the front end surface of the print head, and that moves to one gap end side with the rotation operation of the ribbon protector. As the ribbon protector rotates so as to widen one of the gap ends with the operation, the ribbon guide block moves to the one gap end side, and the gap between the ribbon guide part and the ribbon protector widens, so it is safe and easy. Ribbon can be replaced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a ribbon guide block.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Printer 4 Ribbon Guide Block 5 Ribbon Protector 10 Ribbon Guide 14, 15 Lever

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A printer in which an ink ribbon is replaced by inserting the ink ribbon into a gap between a front end surface of a print head and the ribbon protector from one side intersecting with the ink ribbon feeding direction, the ribbon protector being provided at one end of the ribbon protector. A lever that is fixedly attached to the lever and that rotates so as to widen the one gap end around a spindle provided near the other gap end of the gap; a biasing member that biases the lever; A ribbon guide block that has a ribbon guide portion that guides the ribbon in the feeding direction, is provided in parallel with the front end surface of the print head, and is moved to the one gap end side in accordance with the rotation operation of the ribbon protector. A printing device characterized by the above. 2. The ribbon guide block is slidably provided on a guide post provided in parallel with the front end surface of the print head, and is engaged with a ribbon switching lever that abuts on a pin provided on the lever and rotates. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein