US2672092A - Ink ribbon feeding and ink ribbon positioning mechanism for printing machines - Google Patents

Description

March 16, 1954 H. S. BEATTIE INK RIBBON FEEDING AND INK RIBBON POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed June l0, 1950 Ll-f.

5 Sheets-Sheerl l INVENTOR Hof/)cf 5. fA Tr/f March 16, 1954 H. s. BEATTIE 2,672,092

INK-RIBBON FEEDING AND INK RIBBON PosIIIoNING MEcHANIsN FoR PRINTING MACHINES Filed June 10, 1950 Sheets-Sheet 2 J I; 77;I w-` G-QS 1;- 7i J L "lllllln 7L 5 g "ml l March 16, 1954 H s, BEAT-HE 2,672,092

INK RIBBON FEEDING AND INK RIBBON POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed June l0, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVENTOR HRHCE S BFA T/E BY 9- w' fas-#3% H. S. BEATTIE March 16, 1954 INK RIBBON FEEDING AND INK RIBBON POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Flecl June 10, 1950 March `16, 1954 H. s@ BEATTIE 2,672,092

INK RIBBON FEEDING AND INK RIBBON POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHFNES Fi-led June l0, 1 950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 16, 1954 UNITED. vSTATES i PATENT 2,672,092 oFFlcE INK RIBBON FEEBING AND INK RIBBON POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR PRNT- IN G MACHINES York Application June 10, 1950, Serial No. 167,378

(CI. IUI-336) 10 Claims.

This invention concerns ink ribbon mechanisms for use in printing devices incorporated in various forms of machines embodying such printing devices as typewriters, accounting inachines, check printing machines, etc. where it is customary to use an ink ribbon.

The object of the invention is to provide an ink ribbon feeding mechanism of such design and arrangement that it will increase the acceptable life of an ink ribbon by enabling inking through as much of the ribbon as practical, instead of the usual single horizontal line along its length. By securing the inking through most of the ribbon the effective life of a ribbon is increased because the available inking area can be very thoroughly, effectively and evenly utilized. Also failure due to mechanical damage is practically eliminated since the wear is more evenly distributed over the'entire ribbon.

In the present machine this object is attained by feeding the ink ribbon not only lengthwise but transversely up and down so that inking is effected through at least two different areas but preferably through four different areas lengthwise of the ribbon to more evenly distribute the wear over the entire ribbon. One means of accomplishing the object of the invention is shown in the preferred embodiment herein by utilizing two of these longitudinal areas in one direction of the feed of the ribbon and then utilizing the other two inking areas in the other direction of the feed of the ribbon, and Shifting the ribbon up or down for selection of the two areas during or after the feeding of the inking ribbon.

A still further object is to incorporate an automatic ribbon reverse mechanism to provide not only the change in direction of the feeding of the ink ribbon but to also position the ribbon so that two other areas are selected and used successively as the ribbon is moved up and down during the reverse direction of feed of the ribbon.

Another object is to provide an improved ink ribbon reversing control device which is preferably electrical in construction and with associated devices for selecting a diierent longitudinal area for inking when the direction of feed is reversed.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the operative association of the improved ink ribbon and ink ribbon feeding mechanism with a printing device of any suitable printing or typing machine,

Fig. 2 is a detail View showing how the contact operating mechanism is controlled by the un- Winding of the ink ribbon on a spool to close contacts which reverse the direction of feed of the ribbon.

Fig. 3 is a detail View of a pawl and ratchet ink ribbon spool driving device which is associated with the left-hand ribbon spool for Winding up the ink ribbon on this spool.

Fig. 4 is'a View in side elevation showing the f left-hand ribbon spool in an elevated position, which position is taken when the ink ribbon is being unwound from this spool.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1 and shows, apart from the constructional details of the left-hand ink ribbon spool and driving device the position that the left-hand ribbon spool takes when the inking ribbon is being wound on this spool.

Fig. 6 is a View showing the construction of the right-hand ink ribbon spool and the position that this ribbon spool takes when the ink ribbon is being unwound from this spool and onto the left-hand spool.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line l-l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail View of the pawl and ratchet ribbon spool driving device associated with the right-hand ribbon spool for winding the ink ribbon on this spool.

Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive are diagrammatic views which show Vthe different positions that the ink vribbon assumes in various operations of the machine.

Of these views:

Fig. 9 shows the diagonal position that the ink ribbon assumes in a rest position of the machine.

Fig. l0 shows the position the parts assume during an operation of the machine in which the ink ribbon is being unwound from the left-hand spool and onto the right-hand spool and printing is eiiected through the D inking area.

Fig. 11 shows the position of the parts in the following machine operation, the ink ribbon being fed in the same direction but inking now being effected in this machine Voperation through the C area of the inking ribbon.

Fig. 12 shows the position of the parts when the ribbon reverse mechanism has been rendered eiective for changing the position of the ink ribbon and winding the inking ribbon on the left-hand spool and unwinding it from the righthand spool, printing now being effected in this cycle ofinachine operation through the A inking area. Y

Fig. 13 shows the position of the parts taken in the following machine operation for eiecting inking through the B area, the ribbon still being fed in the same direction as in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view on `an enlarged scale and taken on the line I4--l 4 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 15 is 'an electrical wiring diagram of the electrical instrumentalities.

The power for driving both the left-hand and right-hand ink ribbon spools is derived from the main drive shaft IU (Fig. 5) and said shaft carries a gear H meshing with a gear l2 secured to a short shaft i3 which carries la worm i4. Said shaft I is driven one revolution for each machine cycle, i. e. for each printing operation.

Shaft l0 preferably corresponds to shaft 35 of the patent to R. E. Page et al., No. 2,438,071 wherein it will be seen that this shaft is driven with a uniform speed at times and a slower speed during printing time which is about one-fourth of its uniform speed. Thus, while in the present machine the ink ribbon is being fed about one inch for each machine cycle and shifted transversely at the same time the reduced speed of the drive shaft l0 during printing time causes very little ink ribbon feed longitudinally, which is about .03 inch in the preferred embodiment. In fact, the extent of feed is so small that the ribbon can be regarded as practically stationary during printing operations.

The worm i4 meshes with a worm wheel l5 secured to the lower end of a vertical drive shaft IS which is the drive shaft for the left-hand spool. The vertical drive shaft i3 rotates in ball bearings H and i8, both of which are carried by a casting i3 to thus support the drive shaft i5 vertically and also to provide a support and mounting for other parts comprising the lefthand ink spool and the drive therefor.

Mounted at the upper part of the vertical drive shaft I5 above the upper face of casting I9 is a sleeve 25 provided with three similar longitudinally formed key-way slots 26 (Figs. 5 and lll).

At the upper end of the vertical drive shaft i6 there `are provided three key-way slots 2l which, in conjunction with the three aligned slots 2&3 in the sleeve 25 receive balls 2s which, in effect, comprise keys between the sleeve 25 and the vertical drive shaft !5. Just below this connection a similar key connection is arranged so that the drive shaft IS and sleeve 25 are securely keyed together. Thus, the sleeve 25 will rotate with the drive shaft but an independent movement of the sleeve 25 upwardly and downwardly may be effected through the provision of the short key-way slots 2i'. A spring 30 fitting in an annular recess in the lower part of sleeve `25 and encircling the drive shaft I5 bears against the sleeve 25 and a washer 2l, the compression of the spring normally urging the sleeve 25 upwardly to the rposition shown in Fig. 4. Upward movement of washer 2l is restrained by a shoulder 22 of shaft l 6 and spring 30 causes washer 2l to bear against the inner race of ball bearing I8, so that sleeve 25 thus rotates on ball bearingr I 8. The keys just described also hold sleeve 25 in its most upward position when released and moved to this position by spring 30.

The ribbon spool carrier 32 has attached thereto a hub 33 which loosely encircles the upper portion of the sleeve 25 and the bottom face or iiange of the spool carrier 32 has attached thereto a ring 34 bearing against the iiange of the sleeve 25 and which consists of a suitable material which provides a frictional connection between the spool carrier 32 Yand the flange of sleeve 25. Mounted within longitudinal kcircular recesses of the spool carrier 32 are spring-urged balls 35 which bearagainsta plate '3S held t0 the upper extremity of the sleeve 25 by a split spring washer 31 fitting in an annular groove formed in the sleeve 25. Thus, the spring-pressed balls bearing against the fixed plate 35 urges the spool carrier downwardly so as to frictionally contact the flange of sleeve 25. This frictional connection between the sleeve 25 and the spool carrier 32 assists a pawl driven mechanism now to be described to cause the spool carrier support to rotate therewith as the ribbon is being wound onto the ribon spool 38. When the ribbon is being unwound from the ribbon spool 33, the ribbon spool support 32 rotates in a direction opposite to the sleeve 25 and the frictional connection provides the proper tautness for the ribbon at the printing line.

The ribbon spool v38 fits over the upper portion of the spool carrier support 32, and, to cause the ribbon spool 38 to rotate therewith, the ri-bbon spool 38 has an inwardly extending tab 40 (Fig. 14) which fits in a longitudinal slot 4l of the spool carrier 32. Thus, the ribbon spool 38 positively rotates with the spool carrier support 32 when the ribbon is being wound onto the spool or unwound from this spool to be wound on the other ribbon spool, in a manner which will be subsequently explained.

The gearing between the main drive shaft l0 (Fig. 5) and the vertical drive shaft i6 is designed to effect a 60 rotation of the latter or 1/6 of a revolution, and through a pawl and ratchet mechanism now to be described rotate the left-hand ribbon spool 60 when the ink ribbon is to be wound thereon for every machine cycle, whichcorresponds to each revolution 0f the main drive shaft l0. Pinned to the extremity of the drive shaft l5 is a ratchet disk 45 having, as best shown in Fig. 3, Vupwardly formed ratchet shaped teeth. Attached to the ribbon carrier 32 by a pair of screws 46 is a bracket 41. Pivotally mounted on a stud 43 carried by said bracket is an operating pawl 43 which is urged by a spring 50 to engage a tooth of the'ratchet disk 45 when pawl 49 is in certain positions. When the ribbon spoo1 occupies the lowest position shown in Fig. 5 and the one step higher position, effected by means to be subsequently described, the operating end of the pawl 43 will, by means of spring 50, engage in both positions, (full line and dotted in Fig. 3) the ratchet disk 45. The engaging end of the pawl 4S and the ratchet teeth of the disk 45 are so designed Vand Vproportioned that the operating end of the pawl 49 will be in direct engagement with the straight edge of one of the teeth so that the 60 movement of the drive shaft I6 will, through the ratchet disk 45 and pawl 49, rotate the spool carrier support 32 and thus the ribbon spool 3B.

However, in the extreme upward movement of the ribbon -spool and the pawl 49, the latter will be rocked by its spring 50 to engage a stop stud 5I carried by the bracket, and in this extreme highest position of the ribbon spool and pawl 49 and also one step below, as in Fig. 4, which is effected by means to Vbe presently described, pawl 49 will be held lout of engagement with the ratchet disk 45. This upward position of the ribbon spool and its next lower position are the positions that the ribbon spool occupies whenever the ribbon is unwound from the left-hand SpOOl and Wound O11 'the right-hand spool which latter is shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 7.

It will be understood, therefore, that the ribbon and ribbon spool 38 have four different positions; A, B, C'and D (Fig. 10). The two lower positions C and D are selected when the ribbon is being fed from left to right, at which time a magnet 6I) is deenergized (see Figs. 10 and 11) and each of these two lower C and D positions is selected by the rotated position of a cam 6I which is an integral part and forms a lower flange of the sleeve 25. However, when the solenoid 60 is energized to feed the ribbon from right to left and to select by the position of cam 6| either of the two uppermost positions A and B of the ribbon, the operating pawl 49 engages the ratchet disk IIS.V Therefore it will be understood that solenoid 60 is energized whenever the feeding of the ribbon is to take place from the right-hand spool to the left-hand spool, as shown by arrows diagrammatically in Figs. 12 and 13, and is deenergized whenever the ribbon is to feed from left to right, as in Figs. and 11.

Secured to the casting I9 (Fig. 5) is a bracket 62 on which is pivoted at 63 a follower arm 64 which fits in a side recess 65 formed in the extremiw of the core 66 of the solenoid B8. A compression spring 61 bears against a ring 68 0n the core to force it against a pin 'ID carried by the core 66 and a plate 69 attached to the casting I9. Spring 61 normally urges the core 66 to its upward position when solenoid 50 is deenergized. However, the coil spring 38 is a superior spring and urges the sleeve 25 upwardly so that cam 6I will continuously make contact with the roller at 6. the high part GIH cooperates with the follower arm so that printing can be effected through the A area of the inking ribbon. During the next machine cycle, cam BI having been rotated 1/6 of a revolution (see Fig. 13) and the ribbon fed, the ribbon spool will be in such position that inking will be provided in this machine cycle by the B area as shown in Fig. 13 but a fresh portion of the ink ribbon will be presented to the printing devices.

Associated with the left-hand ribbon spool and its drive are electrical contacts controlled by the ribbon on spool 38. These contacts are closed f to reverse the direction of feed of the inking ribthe extremity of the follower arm 64. For each 120 the cam 6 I is provided with a high part 6 IH and a following low part GIL, each of which is a segment on the diameter of the cam. Hence, for one l/eth of a revolution of the sleeve 25 the roller of the follower arm 64 will drop from the high part 6 IH, as shown in Fig. 4, to the low part 6 IL. During the next cycle, if the arm 64 be held down due to the continued energization of the solenoid 6I), the roller will then be raised from the low part SIL to a high part EIH of the cam. Thus, the ribbon spools will be taking a different vertical position during the feeding of the ink ribbon for each 1/6 revolution of the sleeve 25, and at the time of printing a new area will be in position for inking.

lFrom Fig. 10 it will be seen diagrammatically that the ribbon from which inking is to be effected comprises four longitudinal areas, the lines adjacent letters A, B, C, and D designating the center lines of the four areas A, B, C, and D from the top to the bottom.

When the solenoid 68 is deenergized the ribbon spool 38 will be held by spring 38 in its lowermost position with respect to the printing line so that areas C and D will be the yinking areas at the printing line, and selected in alternation depending upon the position of the cam 6I, as Vshown in Figs. 10 and 11. Hence, during one machine cycle when the low part BIL cam (il is effective, inking will be derived from the D area of the ribbon, as shown in Fig. 10. In the next machine cycle cam 6I having rotated 1/6 of a revolution to render the high part 6I H effective, inking will be provided by the C area (as shown in Fig. 11) but since the ribbon has been fed from the left-hand spool to the right-hand spool (solenoid Ell being deenergized), a new portion of the ribbon will be always used for inking.

When the ribbon is to be fed from the righthand spool to the left-hand spool, solenoid 60 is energized, at which time the follower arm 64 takes the position shown in Figs. 5, 12 and 13 and moves the spool 38 downwardly against the action of spring 30. As shown in Figs. 5 and 12 left-hand spool.

bon so that it will next be drawn or unwound from the left-hand spool and fed or wound onto the right-hand spool, as well as to operate certain other interlock contacts, the purpose of which will be later explained in connection with the wiring diagram.

Secured to the bottom of the ribbon spool carrier 32 is a detent plate I5 which, as shown in Fig. l, is scalloped to provide extended circular portions 'I3 which are in the path-of a detent.

' pawl 'I'I (see Figs. 1 and 4). Secured to the cast-l ing I3 is a bracket 'I8 whichis slotted so that by means of a pivot 'I3 passing through the slot the detent pawl 'I'I may be pivoted. A spring 80 normally urges the extremity of the detent pawl 'I1 in the detent position shown in Fig. 4 and also in a detent position in the next lowermost position of the ribbon spool which, it will be recalled, are the two positions that the ribbon spool occupies when the ribbon is to be unwound from the When the solenoid 66] is energized to lower the ribbon spool and to cause the drive of the left-hand spool to wind the ribbon thereon the pawl 'I'I will be held up in the position of Fig. 4, being stopped by a bracket portion II allowing the detent plate 'I5 to be moved out of engagement with detent pawl 'I'I and allowing a free rotation of the left-hand ribbon spool when the ribbon is being Wound on the spool.

The right-hand ribbon spool shown in Figs. 6,

'I and 8 and the drive therefor are substantially the same as the left-hand drive and the description ne ed not, therefore, be repeated. However, the major differences in construction and operation will be pointed out so that it will be more clearly understood how the ribbon is unwound from the left-hand spool and wound on the righthand spool when a related solenoid (Fig. 1) is energized.

It will be seen that the shaft I0 extends to the right and carries at its extremity a worm 86 (Fig. 6) meshing with a worm wheel 8'I, which latter is carried by the vertical drive shaft 88 for the right-hand ribbon spool llll). It will be seen, therefore, that the drive shaft Il! will also rotate the vertical drive shaft 8S but in an opposite direction. The vertical drive shaft 88 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 1, 1/6 of a revolution for each machine cycle, Whereas the vertical drive shaft I6 rotates counterclockwise 1/6 of a revolution in the same machine cycle.

It should be noted further that while the two lowermost positions of the left-hand ribbon spool 38 are the positions necessary for feeding the ribbon to spool 38, the right-hand spool S is in a position for feeding the ribbon to spool 93 when it is at its two highest positions. This reversal in positioning enables the diagonal position of the ribbon as shown in Fig. 9. W hen the machine is idle, that is to say, the drive shaft I0 is not turning, neither of the two solenoids 60 or 85 is en-I ergized, placing the inking ribbon in the diagonal position shown in Fig. 9. This facilitates insertion of forms in the platen carriage without interfering with the inking ribbon.

The core 9i of the solenoid 85 is provided with a slot 92 (Figs. 6 and 7) in which fits the vertical arm of a follower bell crank 93, the horizontal arm thereof having a roller cooperating with a cam 94. This cam is exactly, with respect to its cam formations, as the cam Si but is so timed that when the cam Si has its low portion effective a high portion of cam 94 will also be effective (see Fig. 9, for example). Thus, there will be a simultaneous up or down movement, or shift of the ribbon at each end in successive machine cycles. The cam 94 extends downwardly just the reverse as the cam Si, and, to cause it to have a continuous cooperation with the bell crank follower arni d3, the spring 95 (Fig. 6) is placed between the ratchet disk 96 ond a washer plate 91.

Fig. 8 shows the relationship of the feeding pawl 98 and the ratchet disk 96. The feeding operation is substantially as has been described for the left-hand spool, the only difference being in the shape of the feeding pawl and the fact that the ratchet plate 9S has its teeth extending downwardly so that only in the upper two positions of the ribbon spool will the ribbon be wound upon the right-hand spool. In these two upper positions the printing will be effected through the C and D longitudinal areas of the inning ribbon (see Figs. 10 and l1).

The right-hand ribbon spool ed also has a detent plate 95A (Fig. i) with which a detent pawl 99 cooperates, similar in function and operation to detent plate 75 and detent pawl l?. It will be obvious that in an idle position of the machine, when neither solenoid or 85 is energized and neither ribbon spool will be in a position for feeding, both detent pawls 955 and 'il will, through engagement with their ratchet shaped detent disks 98A and 75 hold both ribbon spools against a feeding movement. If it were not for the provision of this detent mechanism for both spools it is obvious that the rotation of both vertical drive shafts l@ and E@ would, through the frictional drive between the sleeve and spool 38 for example, cause feeding ofthe ribbon from one spool to the other if the frictional driving forces were unequal for both spools. As a practical matter it is not possible to get the same frictional driving force for both spools and as a result there would be a tendency to feed the ribbon from one spool to the other during idle machine operations when the main shaft it is being rotated. This is an undesirable condition and the detent mechanism effectively prevents it from occurring.

Referring now to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the ribbon per se it@ extends from one spool to the other between a conventional platen itl and a set of printing bars The ink ribbon mechanism is preferably designed for use with the printing mechanism of the printing wheel type shown in the patent to R. E. Page and H. S. Beattie, No. 2,438,071, issu-ed Ifarch 19, 1948. Such printing members iii-2 may also be reciprocable type bars or typewriter bars carrying type elements which are impressed in a percussive manner against the ribbon its and against a paper strip surrounding the platen lili. It will be recalled that while the ink ribbon is fed during the entire rotation of shaft lo, the ribbon is fed only a negligible ammznt during the time that the printing wheels of the aforesaid patent are 8 impressed against the platen IDI. This is due to the decreased speed of shaft I0 at this time.

The normal diagonal position of the ribbon lili! was previously referred to and is shown in the diagrammatic view of Fig. 9, which diagonal position facilitates, with the machine at rest, the positioning of paper strips between the platen lill and the printing mechanism. This position is attained because if neither solenoid 60 nor 85 is energized the left-hand ribbon spool 38 will be in its extreme upward position, due to the up'- ward force of the spring 30 and the printing type will be aligned with the D area of the ribbon I at this end. Since the solenoid B5 is also deenergized the downward force of the spring 95 will force the ribbon spool e@ downwardly and, assuming that the high and low portions of cams t and Sil are effective, spool 9B will be down in such a position that inling will be derived at the right end from the area. Therefore, the next position (Fig. iii) that the ribbon assumes and its direction of feeding is due to the fact that it is assumed that in the last operation of the machine the ribbon was previously feeding from the left to 'the right and the solenoid 85 will again be energized by electrical circuits to be subseduently described. However, if solenoid BQ was energized in the last operation it will again be energized to position ribbon lii so that inking can be effected through the A area. Energiz'ation of solenoid 35 will then cause the ribbon spool te to be elevated as in Rg. l() and the ribbon is now extended in a straight line so that inking can be obtained from the D area of the nking ribbon. When printing is effected through this area it is unwound from the spool 38 and wound onto the spool 5t and during the same operation cams @i and @d are rotated l/c 0f a revolution to present high and low portions respectively in effective position. This will cause the ribbon spools to take a position shown in Fig. 1l so that the inking can now be derived from the C area.

Assuming now that the ribbon has been completely unwound from the spool 38 and that the electrical ribbon reversing mechanism to be subsequently described in detail has been rendered effective, the solenoid S5 will be deenergized, allowing the ribbon spool di to drop to provide inking from the uppermost or A area of the ribbon. rihe solenoid now being energized will cause the left-hand spool to be moved to the lowerinost position to effect inking from the A area. After inking from this area the ribbon is now unwound from the right-hand spool 9U and wound around the left-hand spool 38 because the solenoid et places left-hand spool 33 in position for being rotated. Printing is now effected through the area of the ribbon Iii@ and the ribbon is fed an extent o the right spool onto left spool 38 and cams 5| and 9d now rotate 1/S of a revolution, causing the low and high points of the respective cams to be simultaneously effective which thus elevates the ribbon spools at both ends so as to present the B inlring area to the printing line. Thus, for successive printings there will be alternate inling from the A and B printing areas in succession until the ribbon Ill@ is fed completely unwound from the spool and onto the spool and after which time the direction of ribbon feed is automatically reversed and the C and D areas of the inking ribbon are used for inking the type of the printing mechanism.

The electrically controlled ribbon reversing mechanism includes electrical contacts which are closed upon the complete unwinding of the inking ribbon from the associated inking spool; that is, when the last of the convolutions of the inking ribbon are being unwound from a spool these contacts may close by their inherent resiliency which initiates the reversal of the direction of the feeding of the inking ribbon.

Fig. 2 shows the contact operating mechanism associated with the right-hand spool. The spool carrier |05 of this spool is cut away to carry a bracket |t` (Figs. 2 and '7) upon which by a pivot pin |01 a contact operating arm |08 is mounted. A plate |00 of insulating material also carried by said spool carrier carries a rigid contact carrying blade H0 and also a flexible contact blade |I|, said blades carrying electrical contacts H2. The contact operating arm |08 has a button H3 of insulating material against which the resilient blade presses so as to force the lower portion of said contact operating arm |08 through a slot in the righthand ink supply spool 90. The innermost convolutions of the ink ribbon |00 are adapted to rock the arm |08 counterclockwise in Fig. 2 so that the button I I3 bearing against the resilient blade IH opens contacts H2. Obviously, when the last convolution of the inking ribbon is unwound from this spool there will be no restraint on the arm |08 and contacts I I2 will close. will causethe closure of circuits to be described later to initiate the reversal of the direction of the inking ribbon by deenergizing one solenoid and energizing the other.

Somewhat the same arrangement is provided for the left-hand ribbon spool wherein contacts H 4 (Fig. 1) are similar to contacts H2. When the ink ribbon is fully unwound from the lefthand spool contacts H4 will close in the same manner.

A convenient means of securing electrical connections to the contacts H3 and H4 is provided consisting, as will be described, for only the leftn hand ribbon spool, of diametrically different collector rings H6 (Fig. 5) which are insulatably carried by the ink ribbon spool carrier 32. Spring pressed contact plungers H7 and H8 continuously bear against the associated collector rings I I 5 and from said plungers electrical connections are made to the associated circuits. By suitable wires electrical connections are made between the collector rings I IE and the associated contacts H4 for the left-hand spool. A similar arrangement is also provided for the right-hand spool 90 as shown in Fig. 6. Also associated with each of the solenoids 60 and 35 are interlock contacts which are adapted to be normally closed when each solenoid is deenergized. The purpose of such contacts will be explained in connection with the wiring diagram. Associated with the solenoid $0 are contacts |20 (Fig. 5). When the solenoid 6|) is deenergized the pin I0 abuts against an insulating block carried by the intermediate contact blade to close contacts |20. When solenoid 50 is energized contacts |20 open in an This that in the previous operation of the machine the circuits were conditioned for feeding the ink ribbon from the left-hand spool to the righthand spool, E3B contacts will be in their normal closed position. In the rest position of the machine the ribbon |00 is in the diagonal position of Fig. 9 and both solenoids 60 and 85 are deenergized. Upon starting up the machine, drive shaft I0 commences to rotate and such shaft rotates cams which close contacts CRI45 and CRIlit. The times such contacts close and open are shown in Fig. 15 aside of each of these contacts and in degrees of rotation of shaft I0. At the end of the first machine cycle at340 cam contacts CR|45 close to complete a circuit from the line side |25, cam contacts CRMS, RBB relay contacts, pickup coil P of a duo wound relay Rl, to line side |25. The latter closes its hold contacts RIA, and a hold circuit for RI hold coil H is maintained through RIA contacts and CRIAG cam contacts to 342 of the next cycle, it being obvious that CRIQS cam contacts close at 357 of the last part of the rst cycle before CR|45 opens its contacts, and that CR|45 closes its contacts at 340 before CRMB opens its contacts at 342. This overlap in timing keeps the Rl relay energized in successive cycles, as long as RSB contacts are closed. RI relay now having been energized at the end of the rst machine cycle it will transfer its RIB contacts completing a circuit from the line side |25 through RIB transferred contacts, interlocks contacts |20 now closed, solenoid 85 to line side |26. The parts are now in the position shown in Fig. 10; the D area will be used for inking; and the ribbon will be fed in the arrow direction of Fig. 10. The Fig. 11 position has previously been explained in detail, solenoid 85 being maintained energized because RI relay is kept energized by the circuits just described.

When solenoid 85 is energized it opens the interlock contacts |2| to prevent any possibility of energizing the solenoid in the event that some mechanical condition prevented the normal release of the core 9| of solenoid 85, thus preventing the possibility of both feeding mechanisms from being effective simultaneously, thereby destroying the ribbon. Contacts |2| are in the energizing circuit of solenoid lill and now being open there is no possibility of improperly energizing solenoid 60.

The ribbon will keep on being wound on the right-hand ribbon spool, and being shifted up and down until the ribbon is completely unwound from the left-hand spool, thus causing the closure of contacts H4 in the manner previously explained. By an obvious circuit R3 relay magnet is energized when contacts H4 close to open contacts RBB to deenergize the Rl relay and close contacts RBA. The center blade of such contacts latches below a spring-pressed latch arm |21 to hold R3B contacts latched closed. Thereafter when cam contacts CR|45 close the pickup coil of the R2 duo-wound relay is energized, and held energized through the R2A relay contacts and cam contacts CR|I|8 back to line side |25. R2 relay closes its RZB contacts, and while RiB contacts previously transferred back to normal position to deenergize the solenoid a circuit to energize the solenoid 60 cannot be completed until the interlock contacts 2| are back to closed position, effected only when solenoid 85 is completely deenergized and its core 9| is at normal position. The energizing circuit for solenoid 60 is from line sideI25,

RIB contacts now normal, REB contacts now closed, contacts i2l, solenoid 6s, to line side |26. The parts are now in the position shown in Fig. 12 and the ribbon will be unwound from the right-hand spool and wound on the left-hand spool. When the right-hand spool is empty contacts H2 will close to energize by an obvious circuit the unlatch magnet |28 which rocks latch arm l2? to allow contacts RSA to open and contacts REB to close. Solenoid Se will now be energized and the ribbon will be Wound back again on the right-hand spool.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in their operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims:

What is claimed is:

1. In an ink ribbon feed mechanism, two ink ribbon spools, driving means, a pawl and ratchet drive for each ribbon spool, cam means driven by the driving means and rotatable with the ribbon spools irrespective of their position for simultaneously positioning said ribbon spools to alterhately shift said ink ribbon widthwise, separate solenoids for connecting, when energized., a related pawl and ratchet drive with said driving means when the ink ribbon is fed from the associated spool to the other, means controlled by both of said solenoids when one is energized and the other is deenergized for positioning, in accordance with the pawl and ratchet drive connected by the energized solenoid, both of said ink ribbon spools to render two lengthwise fields of said ink ribbon effective in one direction of ribbon feed, and two other lengthwise fields effective in the other direction of ribbon feed, and means controlled by said ribbon for energizing said solenoids in succession and deenergizing the previously energized solenoid.

2. In an ink ribbon feeding mechanism, the combination of two ink ribbon spools disposed at the ends of a printing device between which is an ink ribbon having four lengthwise inking fields, a pair of cani means for positioning and shifting both of said spools for shifting said ink ribbon for utilization of two of said four inking elds in succession as said ink ribbon is fed in one direction and for alternatively positioning and shifting both of said spools for shifting said ink ribbon for utilization of two other inking fields. in succession as said ink ribbon is fed in another direction, means for rotating one of said spools for feeding said ribbon in said one direction thereon. other means for rotating the causing said ribbon spool positioning and shifting cam means to position and shift said spools for utilization of either two lengthwise elds in succession in accordance with the direction of ink ribbon feed.

3. In an ink ribbon feed mechanism, two ink ribbon spools, two drive shafts, two pawl and ratchet drives, each when rendered operable for causing a drive shaft to rotate the related ribbon spool, a pair of cam means each driven by the associated drive shaft and having one position for simultaneously shifting both of said ribbon spools to alternately shift said ink ribbon widthwise to ink from two lengthwise fields of the ink ribbon in one direction of ink ribbon feed, and having other positions for shifting both of said ribbon spools to alternately shift said ink ribbon lengthwise to ink from two other lengthwise fields of the ink ribbon in another direction of ink ribbon feed, and separate control means each operable in accordance with the direction of ink ribbon feed for rendering one or the other pawl and ratchet drives operable and for causing in accordance with the pawl and ratchet drive rendered operable the position of said cam means which effects the positioning of said inlr ribbon spools to render two lengthwise elds of said ink ribbon effective in one direction of ink ribbon feed and the two other lengthwise fields of the inl; ribbon effective in the other direction of ink ribbon feed.

e. in an ink ribbon feed mechanism, two ink ribbon spools, two drive shafts, a pawl and ratchet drives for each of said ribbon spools, each when rendered operable for causing a related drive shaft to rotate the related ribbon spool, a pair of cam means each driven by the associated drive shaft which have one position for simultaneously shifting both of said ribbon spools to alternately shift ink ribbon widthwise to inl; from two lengthwise fields of the ink ribbon in one direction of ink ribbon feed, and which have other positions for simultaneousiy shifting both of said ribbon spools to alternately shift said ink ribbon lengthwise to ink from two other engthwise elds of the ink ribbon in another direction of ink ribbon feed, and automatic means operable in accordance with the desired direction of ink ribbon feed for causing a related pawl and ratchet drive to be rendered operable to rotate an associated ink ribbon spool by the related drive shaft and for positioning in accordance with the pawl and ratchet drive rendered operable both of said cam means to eect the positioning of said ink ribbon spools to render two lengthwise fields of said ink ribbon effective in one direction of ink ribbon feed and the two lengthwise fields of the ink ribbon effective in the other direction of ink ribbon feed.

5. in an ink ribbon mechanism, the combination of ink ribbon spools carrying a reversible inl: ribbon for printing elements which spools are normally positioned to position said ink ribbon diagonally with respect to said printing elements, separate control means each when operable for po 'tioning the associated ink ribbon spool, ink i. .eben reversing mechanism, and means contro-led by said ink ribbon reversing mechanism for causing in accccrdance with the desired diof ink ribbon feed one or the other of said control means to be rendered operable for positioning the related spool to shift one end of the ini: ribbon to align said ink ribbon with said printing elements,

6. fn an ink ribbon mechanism, the combination of ink ribbon spools carrying an ink ribbon printing elements normally positioned for po oning said ribbon diagonally with respect to printing elements, a plurality of drive means each when rendered operable for rotating the associated ribbon spool, separate control means for positioning the related spool and rendering the associated drive means operable, ink ribbon reversing mechanism, and means controlled by said ink ribbon reversing mechanism for causing in accordance with the desired direction of ink ribbon feed one or the other of said drive means to be operable and for positioning the related spool to shift one end of the inl; ribbon to align said ink ribbon with said printing elements.

7. In an ink ribbon mechanism, the combination of an ink ribbon having a plurality of longitudinal inking areas A, B, C' and D, automatic ink ribbon reversing means to feed the ribbon in one direction and then the other, a pair of ink ribbon carrying spools for holding said ribbon in either of two different positions to select two different areas to be utilized for inking in each direction of ink ribbon feed, means controlled by said ink ribbon reversing means for shifting the pair of ink ribbon spools in one position to utilize two longitudinal areas A and B for inking in repeated alternation when said ink ribbon is fed in said one direction, and for shifting said pair of ink ribbon spools in another position to utilize two other longitudinal areas C and D for inking in repeated alternation when said ink ribbon is fed in said other direction, and cam means for reciprocating said pair of ink ribbon spools in either of their two positions to reciprocate the ink ribbon widthwise to utilize in accordance with the direction of ink feed selected two areas for inking therefrom in repeated alternation.

8. In an ink ribbon mechanism, the combination of an ink ribbon having a plurality of longitudinal inking areas A, B, C and D, means for feeding the ink ribbon in one direction, other means for feeding the ink ribbon in another direction, automatic ribbon reversing mechanism, means controlled by the ribbon reversing mechanism to cause said feeding means to feed the ribbon in one direction and then the other direction as the end of the ribbon is reached, means for holding said ribbon adapted to have either of two positions to provide a length of ribbon from which two different selected areas are utilized for inking in repeated alternation in each direction of ink ribbon feed, means for reciprocating said ribbon widthwise to utilize two longitudinal areas A and B for inking in repeated alternation when said holding means is in one position, and for reciprocating said ribbon widthwise to utilize two other longitudinal areas C and D for inking in repeated alternation when said holding means is in the other position, and means controlled by said ribbon reversing mechanism for shifting the holding means to one position when the ink ribbon is fed in said one direction to position the ribbon to enable said reciprocating means to shift the ribbon to utilize the A and B` areas for inking in repeated alternation, and for shifting the holding means to another position when the ink ribbon is fed in the other direction to position the ribbon to enable the reciprocating means to shift the ribbon to utilize the C and D areas for inking in repeated alternation.

9. In an ink ribbon mechanism, the combination of an ink ribbon having a plurality of longitudinal inking areas A, B, C and D, --means comprising ink ribbon carrying spools for'holding said ribbon and adapted to have either ofv inking in each direction of ink ribbon feed, means for rotating one spool for feeding the ink ribbon in one direction, other means for rotating the other spool for feeding the ink ribbon in another direction, automatic ribbon reversing mechanism, means controlled by the ribbon reversing mechanism to cause the rotation of said ink ribbon spools to feed the ribbon in one direction and then the other, rotatable cam means for reciprocating said ribbon spools widthwise to utilize two longitudinal areas A and B for inking in repeated alternation when said ink ribbon spools are in one position, and for reciprocating said ribbon spools widthwise to utilize two other longitudinal areas C and D for inking in repeated alternation when said ink ribbon spools are in the other position, means controlled by said ribbon reversing mechanism for positioning the ink ribbon spools in one position when the ink ribbon is fed in said one direction to enable said cam reciprocating means to shift the ribbon to utilize the A and B areas for inking in repeated alternation, and for positioning the ink ribbon spools in another position when the ink ribbon is fed in the other direction to enable the reciprocating means to shift the ribbon to utilize the C and D areas for inking in repeated alternation, and means for rotating said cam reciprocating means.

10. In an ink ribbon mechanism, the combination of an ink ribbon having a plurality of longitudinal inking areas A, B, C and D, a pair of ribbon carrying spools adapted to have either of two positions to provide a length of ribbon from which two different selected areas are utilized for inking in each direction of ink ribbon feed, means for rotating one ink ribbon spool for feeding the ink ribbon in one direction, other means for rotating the other ink ribbon spool for feeding the ink ribbon in another direction, automatic ribbon reversing mechanism, means controlled by the ribbon reversing mechanism to cause the rotation of one spool or the other to feed the ribbon in one direction and then the other, means for reciprocating both of said ribbon spools widthwise to utilize two longitudinal areas A and B for inking in repeated alternation when said ink ribbon spools are in one position, and for reciprocating both of said ribbon spools widthwise to utilize two other longitudinal areas C and D for inking in repeated alternation when said ink ribbon spools are in the other position, and means controlled by said ribbon reversing mechanism for positioning the ink ribbon spools in one position when the ink ribbon is fed in said one direction for reciprocation of the ribbon to utilize the A and B areas for inking in repeated alternation, and for positioning the ink ribbon spools in another position when the ink ribbon is fed in the other direction for reciprocation of the ribbon to utilize the C and D areas for inking in repeated alternation.

HORACE S. BEATTIE.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 526,894 Diss Oct. 2, 1894 599,417 Diss Feb. 22, 1898 607,226 Diss July 12, 1898 703,339 Felbel et al. June 24, 1902 947,257 Pool Jan. 25, 1910 2,438,071 Page et al. Mar. 16, 1948

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