US2987265A - Automatic ribbon winding machine - Google Patents

Description

June 6, 1961 J. E. QUlfiONES AUTOMATIC RIBBON WINDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 7, 1958 INVENTOR. JUAN EQUINONES BY ATTORNEY June 6, 1961 QUIIRIQNES 2,987,265

AUTOMATIC RIBBON WINDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INYENTOR. J UAN EQUINONES ATTOPAEY June 6, 1961 J. E. ufrioNEs AUTOMATIC RIBBON WINDING MACHINE Filed Au 7, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INYENTOR. JUAN E. QUINONES ATTOPNEY June 6, 1961 J. E. QUIfiONES 2,987,265

AUTOMATIC RIBBON WINDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTOkLVE-V June 6, 1961 J. E. ulfioNEs 2,987,265

AUTOMATIC RIBBON WINDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

JUAN E. QurfioNEs United States Patent 2,987,265 AUTOMATIC RIBBON WINDING MACHINE Joan E. Quifiones, P.O. Box 234, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico Filed Aug. 7, 1958, Ser. No. 753,732 2 Claims. (Cl. 24267.3)

This invention relates to a device or apparatus for automatically winding a machine ribbon such as, for example, a typewriter ribbon, adding machine ribbon, or like ribbons, so that said typewriter ribbon or the like may be either wound upon or unwound from a conventional spool. I

Often, it is necessary to wind a typewriter or other ribbon at a location remote from the repair or machine shop. In these circumstances, it is diflicult to wind the typewriter ribbon or the like, and often, it is necessary that this operation be carried out manually, requiring a considerable expenditure of time and efiort.

In view of the above, the main object of the present invention is to provide a generally improved means for automatically winding a typewriter ribbon or the like, which means will not only be designed to effectively and swiftly wind the ribbon upon a conventional spool, but also, will be readily portable so as to be capable of being carried directly to the site of the particular repair job.

Another object is to so form the structure that when being carried from place to place, it is compact and foldable into a completely closed condition, and has the general characteristics and appearance of a tool kit, suitcase, or the like.

Another object is to so form the device that although it has the above-mentioned characteristics when being carried from place to place, it nevertheless is capable of being swiftly opened in a manner to expose all the working parts thereof ready for use.

Another object is to so form the device that the mere opening of the same not only locates various storage compartments where they are of maximum convenience and accessibility to the user, but also, locates the winding mechanism in an upright position, with all rollers, guides, and other components of said mechanism exposed to facilitate observation of the operation and to facilitate, also, repair of parts.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG..1 is a perspective view of a device made according to the present invention, in open position, ready for use.

FIG. 2 is a view like FIG. 1, showing another manner of use of the device, parts being omitted.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device in open position, showing the side opposite that seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the device, the device being shown in full lines in its closed position ready for transportation or storage, in dash-dotted lines in partially open position, and in fully open position.

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary elevational view of the stop switch operating mechanism, shown in full lines in its normal, inoperative position and in dotted lines in its switch-tripping position.

FIG. 7 is a detail sectional view on part of the switching mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a wiring diagram of the device.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1, the ribbon winding apparatus made in accordance with the Patented June 6, 1961 present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 8. The apparatus comprises broadly a rectangular-shaped base plate 9 for supporting the ribbon winding mechanism indicated generally at 14. Flanged cover or closure members 10 and 12 are hinged to the long edges of the plate for closing or covering the winding mechanism when not inuse.

The base plate 9 and cover members 10 and 12 constitute the walls of a hollow container when in its fully closed position, resembles a suitcase as will be noted from the full lines in FIG. 5. Thus, each closure member is in the form of a rectangular receptacle, and as will be noted, the closure member 10 is shallower than the closure member 12 (see FIG. 5).

The closure member 10 will first be described, and this includes the rectangular flat main panel 16, peripherally braced along its inner long edge by a brace member 18. The ends of the panel are braced by end brace members 20.

Fixedly secured to the members 20 are end walls 22, and between the end walls 22 there is fixedly connected an outer longitudinal wall 24. The top edges of end walls 22 and outer wall 24 are flush. Carried by the end walls 22 are pivoted latch members 26, these being the conventional type of latch members that are often employed in suitcase construction.

The closure member 12 is basically similar in construction to the closure member 10, and includes a wholly fiat, rectangular main panel 28 which is also peripherally braced by members similar to the members 18, 20. Fixedly secured to the opposite ends of the main panel 28 are end walls 30, and secured to the outer edge of the panel between the ends thereof there is a longitudinal wall 32.

Since the closure members constitute receptacles, they may be employed to carry spare parts, typewriter ribbon spools, reels, etc., at opposite sides of the operating mechanism 14. To this end, the deeper closure member 12 may be provided at one end with a relatively deep storage container or box 34, said storage container having its side walls formed in part by the walls 32, 30 adjacent the same. The remaining side walls of the storage container have been designated 36, and normally closing the container 34 is a movable lid 38 having a handle 39. The lid may be either hinged, or may be completely removable, as desired.

Obviously, other containers or boxes similar to the container 34 can be mounted in the closure members, and containers or boxes of various shapes, compartments, etc., can be employed, to facilitate storage of tools and spare parts, and to provide ready access thereto.

The closure members 10, 12 are connected by piano hinges 41 (see FIG. 5) or by equivalent hinge means to the opposite longitudinal edges of the flat, rectangular base plate 9 of the operating mechanism 14. Thus, the base plate 9 constitutes the bottom Wall of the completely closed container shown in full lines in FIG. 5. When the closure members are open, they are adapted to lie flat upon a supporting surface as shown in chain-dotted lines in FIG. 5.

According to the invention, the ribbon winding mechanism per se is mounted on and supported by a vertically disposed rectangular-shaped panel or instrument board 43. The panel 43 is supported vertically on its edge and is secured to the base plate 9 by means of angle brackets 44 secured to the base plate and opposite sides of the panel adjacent one end thereof. When the closure members 10 and 12 are in fully open position, the panel or instrument board 43 is unobstructed and in full view of the operator. Opening movement of the closure member 10 is limited by a toggle link 46 connected. at

" the stub shaft 68.

one end to the end of the panel or board 43 and at the other end to the wall 22 adjacent the inner corner thereof. Opening movement of the closure member .12 is similarly limited by a toggle link 47 secured at one end to'oneof the end Walls 30 adjacent its inner end'and secured at its other end to the adjacent end of the base plate 9.

- Tl 1 e apparatus or device is intended to be carried from .jebi to; job and for this purpose a handle '48 is secured to the outer wall 32 of closure'member 12. V :When the device is being transported in this manner, the closure members of course are latchably engaged in their closed abutting position, fully enclosing andprotee-tingthe operating mechanism 14". Thelatchmembars 26' provided upon the ends of the closure member engage in keepers 40 mounted fixedly upon the end walls of closure member 12' in these circumstances.

of the shaft 68, thus not only disengaging the spool 70 from conjoint rotation with the shaft 68, but also, permitting removal of the spool completely from the shaft.

Thus, when a ribbon has been wound upon the spool 70, the spool can be removed with the ribbon wound thereon at the completion of the winding operation, for storage.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, a flat lever bar'89is secured at one end to the end of the shaft 76 011 the rear side of the panel 43 and is normally disposed in a vertical position. One end of a horizontally disposed link rod 84 is pivotally fastened to the lower'endof thebar89; I, The .other end of the rod 84 is pivotally fastened toone leg8 6 of an inverted U-shaped lever memberfl 92, the bight por- The drive means of the operating mechanism 14 will j tion 88 of which extends across the top of the panel 43 with its other leg 94 extending downwardly along the front sideof a triangular-shaped supporting plate 98 adjustably .secured tothe front of .the panel 43 by means of akeyhole slot 99 and screw. 100 connection. A guide roller 106 vissupported on the bottom end 'of leg 94 and extends forwardly thereof. The supporting plate 98 projects slightly above the top of the, panel 43 and removably secured to the projecting end .of the plate at one corner .thereof is a pin 102 extending forwardly'of the plate.

purpose of this arrangement is to provide room for the a plate bracket 62 secured to panel 43 at one end thereof and spaced therefrom by posts 51. Another stulp'shaft 59 is journalled in bracket 62 parallel to shaft 5 7 and fixed on one end of shaft 5 9,is a gear 58 meshing with a pinion 55 on the other end of shaft 57. A small -.pulley 60 is removably secured on the otherend. of shaft- 59. A stub shaft 68 is journalled in plate 43 parallel to and above shaft 59 and removably secured on one end of shaft 68 is a large pulley 66. The drive isbrought from shaft 59 to shaft 68 by means of a belt trained around the pulleys 60 and, 66. Thus, it is "seen that the mechanism includes a prime mover .50 and .a transmission which is of the speed-reductiontype.

shaft 68 extends through an opening in the panel 43 to the opposite side thereof as shown in FIG. 1. Re-

.ferring; to this figure of the drawing,'removably connectable to shaft 68 for rotation therewith is a spool 70. The particular nature of the connection of the spool 70 to the shaft 68 will be described in detail hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a stub shaft 76 is jourmalledinthe panel 43 adjacentto shaft 68 and parallel thereto, extending on both sides of the panel, A knob 7 4.-is fixed on the front end of the shaft as viewed in FIG'. land carried by said knob is a lever arm 80 extending toward spool 70 and having a flat shoe 81 at its extreme outer end disposed over the spool.

Returning now to the spool 70, as shown in FIG. 1 a connector arm 82 is carried by said spool 70, being pivoted upon the spool 70' at 83 to swing toward and away from shaft 68. Ann 82 has a notch intermediate its ends, as shown at 85, said notch being adapted to engage in complementary transverse recesses formed in In other words, the opposite walls of "the .notch 85 will engage in diametrically opposite,

"straight recesses of the shaft 68. Therefore, when the 82 is engaged with the shaft 68 it will connect spool '70. to .the shaft for rotation therewith. The arm 82 remains in engagement with the shaft 68 by frictionally binding against the same within the recesses of the shaft 68;

jItwill be seen that by throwing the arm 82 upwardly fromits FIG. 1 position, the opposite edges of the notch 85' will move clear of the diametrically opposed recesses A'spool 104 is rotatably mounted on the pin 102 and is held in position thereon by a springr103 sleeved around the pin between an elongated nut 105 and a short sleeve .107 slidably mounted on the pin.

A guide roller 108 is mounted on-a shaft 109 disposed vabove but parallel to guide roller, 106 and another guide -.roller 110 is mounted on a shaft 111' disposed below the flrolle'r 108 but parallel thereto. -'T-he spool 104 mounted on'shaft'102 is thesupply spool containing theribbon' 112 "which it is desired to .wind .on the spool 70 for the immediate purpose desired. llnlorder to windthe ribbon-112 onvthe spool 70, its leadiiigedge is passed under guide. roller. 106, over roller 108, nnder, roller 110 and on to spool 70 where the leading edge thereof is fastened. Spool ,70. turns in a clockwise direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2., p

When the ribbon extends under the roller 106, it will lift the same and will maintain the same in an elevated position as long as'the ribbon is traveling under the roller .106, that is, as long as there is ribbon left upon the lspool 104. Lifting of roller 106 causes rotation of shaft 76 to an extent such that the bar 89- will be in the full line position shown in'FIG. 6. Further, the elevation of roller 106 will cause the leg 94 to be rocked upwardly. This in turn rocks upwardly the angular bight portion 88 and the leg '86 connected -to a lever 116. The purposeof this arrangement will be described in detail hereinafter. l A rod 114 is pivotally connected to the leg 86 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) at one end. At its 'oth'erend, the rod 114 is pivotally connected .to theupper .end of the lever ..1-16.pivoted intermediate. its ends upon a pin 1'18 extending from the rear of the panel 43, for swinging movement between the normal full line position shown in FIG. 6 and the dotted line position shown in FIG. 6 and the dotted line position shown in the same figure of the drawing. It will be apparent that if bar 89 is rocked from its full line to its dotted line, position in FIG. 6, it will exert .a pull on rod 84 tending to move the same to the left in FIGS. 4 and 6. This will in turn exert a corresponding pull upon the rod 114 tending to rock the lever 116 from the full to the dotted line position of FIG. 6. The leg 86, .when this happens, will be free to swing. clockwisefrom its FIG. 4 position, correspondingly to the swinging movement of bar 89 from its fullvto its dotted line position in FIG. 6. This will be permitted by reasonof thepivotal connection 96 (see FIG. 2) which the leg .94 has to the panel 43. I

, Integral with the lever 116 at the loweri end thereof is jan abutting lug'12 0 disposed in elose;proximity to one "longitudinal edge of a bar 122,whicl1is' pivotally mounted on a pin 124 for swinging movement between the normal full line and the dotted line position shown in FIG. 6. A contractile, coil spring 126 is connected between the lower end of the bar 122 and a projecting lug 127, provided upon one end of an elongated bar 128 having longitudinal slots 129 receiving screws 130. By reason of the screw and slot connection, bar 128 is permitted to move longitudinally.

A resetting lever bar 132 is slidably mounted on panel 43, in a vertical direction, adjacent to bar 122. The bar 132 is secured by screws 134 passing through elongated slots 133 in the bar. The bar projects above the top of panel 43 and has a handle 135.

The lower end of the bar 132 has an angular extension terminating in an abutment 136 disposed above and in close proximity to an elongated lever 138 pivoted intermediate its ends on a pin 140 to swing between the full and dotted line positions shown in FIG. 6. Normally, lever 138 is in the full line position of FIG. 6. However, the lever is under bias of a spring 142 tending to urge the same counterclockwise from its full line position of FIG. 6, into its dotted line position. Movement of the lever in a clockwise direction in FIG. 6 beyond its dotted line position is prevented by the abutment 136. The abutment 136 can be adjustably positioned through the provision of the slot and screw means 133, 134, so as to permit one to select the extent of movement of the lever 138.

Fixedly secured to one end of the lever 138 is a depending, approximately L-shaped arm 144 slidably hearing against the free end of the operating arm 146 of a micro-switch 148.

Designated at 150 is a large-diameter, peripherally toothed disc, freely rotatable upon a pin 152 carried by the panel 43. Adjacent the margin of one surface of the disc, there is provided a finger 154 which is fixedly secured to the disc. The free end of the finger is spaced away from the disc and is adapted to engage in the notches of a toothed wheel 156 freely rotating on a pin 157 carried by panel 43 offset from the plane of disc 150. Fixedly secured to the surface of wheel 156 so as to rotate therewith is a larger disc 158 having diametrically opposed peripheral notches 160.

The toothed disc 150 is in mesh with a pinion 162 (FIG. 4) which in turn meshes with and is driven by a pinion 164 on rotatable stub shaft 198. The rotation of disc 150 coacting with gear 156 and disc 158 is adapted to efiect stoppage of the mechanism 14 upon winding of a preselected length of ribbon. This will be described in full detail hereinafter, in the description of the operation of the device.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a stub shaft 168 is supported on and extends forwardly from one end of the panel 43 adjacent its top corner and fixed on said shaft adjacent the panel is a disc 166. A fiat annular member 170 of relatively small diameter having a central opening therein is rotatably and removably mounted on the shaft 168 outwardly of the disc 166. A supply of ribbon 172 is wound around the member 170, the member 170 and ribbon 172 constituting a reel of ribbon, the member 170 constituting the core of the reel. The reel is held in position on the shaft 168 by a removable disc 174 (FIG. 1) removably mounted on the shaft outwardly of the reel. Disc 174 is held in position by a setscrew 176.

When ribbon 172 leaves the reel on which it is wound, it travels in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, and initially passes through a pressure guide means, generally designated at 178. The guide means includes a stationary bottom plate 180, secured to the panel 43 and projecting forwardly thereof and a plate 182 superposed on plate 180 and movable toward and away from said plate 180. Plate 182 may have a felt lining 185 and is guided in its movements by a stud 1'87 projecting upwardly from one end of plate 180 and passing through an opening in one 6 end of the plate 182, and by a pin 184 carried by the plate 182 at its other end and extending through aligned openings in the spaced arms 183 of a C-shaped bracket 181 secured to the panel 43. A spring 186 sleeved around the stud 187 between a head 191 on the stud and the plate 182 presses the plate 182 with its felt lining downwardly against the ribbon 172 passing thereunder. As a result, the ribbon is guided between the plates 180 and 182 and sufiicient friction is impressed upon the ribbon to insure that the ribbon will not overrun the various guide means about which it is trained enroute to the spool 70.

As will be noted from FIG. 2, the ribbon is trained about a guide roller and about another guide roller 192 after leaving the pressure guide means, the rollers being supported on panel 43. The ribbon is then trained about a spool 194 fixed on a stub shaft 198 journalled in the panel 43 and in an angular bracket 196 secured at one end to the panel. Shaft 198 extends through an opening in the panel and mounts the pinion 164 on its projecting end on the rear side of the panel.

An additional or substitute means is provided for supporting a flat reel of ribbon in place of the shaft 168 or interchangeably therewith. This means, as seen best in FIG. 2, comprises an elongated rectangular-shaped plate 200 mounting a radial shaft 204 adjacent one end thereof for receiving the reel of ribbon. The plate is removably mounted in a vertical position on the end of the panel 43 opposite to the end mounting the shaft 168 by means of a threaded bolt 202 extending from one side thereof and passing loosely through one of spaced openings 203 in the panel. When the plate 200 is not being used for mounting a reel of ribbon as shown in FIG. 2, the bolt 202 is mounted in the lowermost opening 203 in the panel. When the plate is used to support a reel of ribbon such as the reel on core 206 shown in FIG. 1, the bolt 202 is mounted in the uppermost opening 203 in the panel thereby raising the reel above the spool 70. When in this operative position, a recess 201 formed in the bottom end of one long edge, as viewed in FIG. 1, afiords clearance for the spool 70.

When a reel of ribbon such as the reel 206 is mounted on the shaft 204 as shown in FIG. 1, the ribbon extends over the guide rollers 108 and 110 in the direction as shown in FIG. 1 on its way to the spool 70'.

The ribbon winding mechanism is electrically operated and the motor 50 is connected to a source of electromotive force such as a house supply by conductors 226 and 230 connected to a plug 228. Conductor 214 connects the motor to the various mechanisms of the device and interposed in this conductor is a push button main switch 210 (FIG. 4) mounted on a bracket 212 supported on the panel 43 adjacent the top thereof.

A box 216 mounted on the base plate 9 houses a relay 220 having a movable contact 222 which is normally in its FIG. 8 position, and extending through an opening in the box and connected to the relay is a conductor 218. Contact 222 is adapted to engage a stationary contact 223 upon energization of the relay. A conductor 224 is connected to contact 223 and to one terminal of the relay winding. Conductor 214 also is connected to the same terminal of the relay winding. Conductor 231 is connected to conductor 230 and contact 222.

The improved winding mechanism may be used invarious ways. For example, a supply of ribbon 208 mounted on a reel 206 may be supported on the supporting plate 200 and transferred to the spool 70 on shaft 68. For this purpose, the mounting pin 202 of the plate 200 is mounted in the uppermost opening 203 in panel 43 so that the shaft 204 of the plate will be positioned above the spool 70 and the recess 201 will clear the spool. The leading edge of the ribbon 208 is trained around the guide rollers 108 and 1 10, guide roller 192 to the spool 70 where the leading edge is fastened to the core of the spool 70 mounted on shaft 68.

When the ribbon is thus properly extended, the motor ing.

the switch 148 is in closed position.

.a predetermined diameter.

7 50, having first been connected to the source of electromotive power by the plug 228, is started by manually pushing the switch button 210. This closes a circuit through the following instrumentalities: conductors 230, 214,

, switch 210, conductor 214, winding of relay 220, conductor 218, normally closed switch 148, motor 50, back to the source of electrical power through conductor 226.

The switch button switch is depressed only for an instant and may then be released. However, the momentary closure of switch 210 will cause the contact 222, 223 to close since the contact 222 is attracted toward the relay proper responsive to energization of the relay wind- The closure of the contacts 222, 223' operates to maintain a circuit through the relay winding to hold the same energized, even though the push button switch 210 is instantaneously released. This circuit is as follows: from the source of power through conductor 230, conductor 231, closed contacts 222, 223; conductor 224,

the relay winding 220, conductor 218, closed switch 148, motor 50 and back to the source of electrical power through conductor 226.

' Thus, this circuit will be maintained closed as long as However, as will presently appear, switch 148 is adapted to open under predetermined conditions.

When the device is being used as in FIG. 1, to unwind ribbon 208 from the core 206, the ribbon will be wound upon the spool 70 with the motor in continuous operation until such time as the winding on the spool reaches At such time, the wound ribbon on spool 70 will engage the finger 81 of lever arm 80. Eventually, lever 80 will be rocked upwardly in FIG. 1 to an extent sufiicient to impart a predetermined amount of rotational movement to shaft '76, in a counterclockwise direction viewing the same as in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, in which is seen the opposite face of the panel 43, this rocking of shaft 76 would be in a clockwise direction viewing the same as in FIG. 6 (that is, counterclockwise in FIG. 1). Therefore, bar 89 is caused to move from its full line to its dotted line position of FIG. 6. This exerts a pull on lever 116 'pivot 124 to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 6,

against the restraint of spring 126.

Previously bar 122 was positioned on a high surface 232 of lever 138, said high surface merging into a lower surface 234. At the juncture of the surfaces 232, 234

there is a step 236. Bar 122 has a nose 238 at its lower end. This nose bears against surface 232, normally, but as will be apparent when the bar 122 is rocked to the dotted line position, the nose is moved off the surface 232 and in fact moves a substantial distance outwardly beyond the shoulder or step 236.

As a result, spring 142 is now free to contract, to rock lever 138 about its pivot 140. When nose 238 was in engagement with the edge or surface 232, this was not permitted, as will be apparent by a study of the full line position of the components in FIG. 6.

When spring 142 contracts to rock the lever 138 to its dotted line position, arm 144 is shifted downwardly to its dotted line position, so as to move switch arm 146 in a downward direction. The switch arm thus is moved to a switch-opening position, opening the circuit to the motor 50 and halting operation of the machine, automatically. Another way of operating the device is shown in FIG. 2.

' In this manner of operation, the spool onshaft 68 is a reel 170; These-tworibbons, which are designated at 112,

8 172, respectively, travel in different paths but are both wound simultaneously upon inner spool 70 and the outer spool 72, constituting the double spool on shaft 68. The outer spool is removably, fixedly connected to the shaft 68.. t

In any event, in this form of the invention, the purpose of the arrangement is to wind up the spool 70, such as an adding machine spool, a ribbon of the same length as is unwound from the conventional typewriter ribbon spool In this arrangement, the push button switch 210 is again depressed to place the motor in operation. Previously, however, the switch actuating components shown in FIG. 6 have beenmoved to their full line position to keep the switch 148 closed during normal operation of the device.

The switch-actuating components of FIG. 6 are reset to their normal position merely by depressing the right-hand end of the lever 138, viewing the same as in'FIG'. 6, by means of the sliding lever 132. This permits the spring 126 to swing the bar 122 into engagement with the abutment 127, so that the nose 238 bears against the edge 232 of the lever 138. This cocks, so to speak, the'switchtripping mechanism shown in FIG. 6, awaiting actuation thereof in a manner to be described hereinafter.

Reverting now to FIG. 2, ribbon 112 after extending from spool 104 is trained about the roller 106, and then passes about rollers 108, and its leading edge is then secured to the spool 70.

On depression of the push button switch 210, the motor is placed in operation in the manner previously described and will continue in operation even after the push button is released. The ribbon is unwound from spool 104 and wound on spool 70. At the same time, the ribbon 172 on reel 170 on shaft 168 is being wound upon outer spool 72. The ribbon 172 passes from the reel through the pressure guide means 178, over guide rollers 190, 192 and 194 to the spool 72.

The winding movements of spools 70 and 72 are autobuilds up to a predetermined diameter, the finger 81 through lever 80 turns the shaft 76 which trips the actuating lever 146 of themicroswitch 148 in the same manner as the movement of ribbon 208 in FIG. 1, thereby opening the circuit through the motor 50.

Movement of the ribbon 172 over the roller 194 turns shaft 198. Shaft 198 in turn rotates pinion 164 which turns disc 150 with its finger 154 for turning the disc 158.

The periphery of the disc contacts arm 144 holding same against downward movement until a slot is reached when spring 142 pulls down lever 138 with arm 144 downwardly against operating arm 146 to break the circuit as of a predetermined length, with the length being preset as desired. One would know how many yards are wound in each single step advancement of the disc 158 and said disc might, if desired, be calibrated so as to locate slot 160 thereof at a predetermined angular distance from the switch arm 146, before the machine is started.

This provides one way of stopping the machine after a predetermined yardage has been wound upon the spools 70, 72. Another way of stopping the machine operation may also be provided and is shown in FIG. 2. This results from the engagement of the ribbon under the roller 106. As soon as all the ribbon is unwound from the spool 104, it will leave the roller 106, permitting the roller 106 to drop. The angular leg 94 swings downwardly, with leg 86 dropping downwardly. This produces a pull on rod 114, tending to shift the same to the left in FIG. 3. Once again, lever 116 is swung to its dotted line position of FIG. 6, and in a manner previously described, switch 148 is caused to open.

The circuit through motor 50 is also broken after a predetermined number of windings of the ribbon 172 upon the spool 72 by means of a pin 240 extending from the disc 150' adjacent its periphery and spaced forwardly of the finger 154. Pin 240 is carried around by the disc 150 in the path of the end of lever 128 and when it impinges against the end of the lever, it moves it lengthwise to the right as viewed in FIG. 4. Movement of the lever 128 in this fashion pushes the bar 122 on its pivot 124 moving its nose 238 off of the surface 232 of lever 138 thereby permitting the spring 142 to pull the lever 138 downwardly whereby its arm 144 presses the operating lever 146 of microswitch 148 downwardly thereby breaking the circuit. After such breaking of the circuit, the parts may be reset by merely pushing down on lever 132.

It will be seen that a winding operation might be carried on from two spools simultaneously as in FIG. 2. Then again, a Winding operation from one spool 104 without winding from the roll 170 might be carried on also. If a ribbon is being wound only from the spool 104, then the switch 148 would be caused to open responsive to dropping of the roller 106 following complete exhaustion of the ribbon from the spool 104.

On the other hand, if the only ribbon being wound is the ribbon 172 emanating from the roll or core 170, then the machine is caused to stop operation following winding of a predetermined yardage of ribbon on the spool 70. In these circumstances, operation is stopped by rotation of the disc 158 through a predetermined angular distance suflicient to permit arm 144 to be pulled downwardly through a slot 160 and move operating arm 146 of switch 148.

From the description which has been provided, it will be seen that there are many ways of use of the device, so that the device has considerable versatility. The device might be used to completely unwind a ribbon from a typewriter spool and wind same on an adding machine spool, or unwind a used ribbon from a ribbon spool, so that said ribbon spool may be used as a carrier for a new length of ribbon. The new length of ribbon may be wound upon said ribbon spool by placing the ribbon spool upon the shaft 68 and locking it to the shaft 68 for rotation therewith. The machine is automatically caused to stop operation as soon as the unwinding or winding operation is completed, automatically.

Or, from a large supply roll such as the roll carried by the plate 200 or the plate 166, a ribbon of a predetermined yardage may be wound upon a spool, according to the length of ribbon that is to be used on a spool of a particular make of machine.

In this instance, the spool may be wound from a roll supported upon plate 200 as in FIG. 1. Or, the spool or shaft 68 might be wound from a supply ribbon carried on spindle 168 of FIG. 2. In either event, as previously noted, means is provided for halting operation of the machine after a predetermined amount of ribbon has been wound upon the spool carried by shaft 68.

In still another usage of the machine, one might wind upon a new spool the same amount of ribbon that is being simultaneously unwound from a used, similar spool. In other words, suppose that it is desired to replace a used typewriter ribbon. From the supply roll carried by spindle 168, one can wind upon a spool carried by shaft 68 the exact same amount of ribbon that is being unwound from an identical spool carried on shaft 102. Then, the spool upon which the fresh ribbon is wound can be placed in the typewriter, in place of the exhausted spool from which the used ribbon was just unwound. The unwinding of one spool occurs simultaneously with the winding of the other spool. Much time is saved in this manner.

Various other usages of the machine may suggest themselves, and it is not desired to be limited to the particular uses hereinbefore described in detail.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may It) be made within the scope'of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. In a portable ribbon winding machine, mechanism for simultaneously winding a pair of ribbons, said mechanism including an electric motor, means of connection between the motor and a source of electromotive force, a rotatable shaft operatively connected to said motor and driven thereby, a ribbon takeup spool unit fixed on said shaft, said spool unit constituted by an outer spool and an inner spool, a second rotatable shaft, a ribbon supply reel on said second shaft, a supply of ribbon around said reel, lguide rollers interposed between the supply reel and the takeup spool unit, said guide rollers defining a path of advancement for said ribbon to the inner spool of said spool unit, a third rotatable shaft, a ribbon supply reel on said third shaft, a supply of ribbon around said latter reel, guide rollers interposed between the supply reel on the third shaft and the takeup spool unit, said latter guide rollers defining a path of advancement for the ribbon on the supply reel on the third shaft to the outer spool of the takeup spool unit, and separate means for stopping the motor upon reeling of a predetermined amount of ribbon on each spool of the takeup spool unit, said motor stopping means including a fourth rotatable shaft, an arm having one end secured to said fourth shaft, the other end of the arm riding upon the ribbon wound on the inner spool of the takeup spool unit, said arm adapted to rotate said shaft upon the build-up of a predetermined amount of ribbon upon said inner spool, a lever mounted on said fourth shaft and rotatable therewith, a rod having one end secured to said lever, a rotatable lever secured to the other end of said rod and movable thereby, a microelectric switch having a protruding movable contact member, and movable linkage interposed between the lever secured to the end of the rod and movable contact member of the microelectric switch adapted to be moved for moving said contact member for opening the circuit through the motor.

2. In a portable ribbon winding machine, mechanism for simultaneously winding a pair of ribbons, said mechanism including an electric motor, means of connection between the motor and a source of electromotive force, a rotatable shaft operatively connected to said motor and driven thereby, a ribbon takeup spool unit fixed on said shaft, said spool unit constituted by an outer spool and an inner spool, a second rotatable shaft, a ribbon supply reel on said second shaft, a supply of ribbon around said reel, guide rollers interposed between the supply reel and the takeup spool unit, said guide rollers defining a path of advancement for said ribbon to the inner spool of said spool unit, a third rotatable shaft, a ribbon supply reel on said third shaft, a supply of ribbon around said latter reel, guide rollers interposed between the supply reel on the third shaft and the takeup spool unit, said latter guide rollers defining a path of advancement for the ribbon on the supply reel on the third shaft to the outer spool of the takeup spool unit, and separate means for stopping the motor upon reeling of a predetermined amount of ribbon on each spool of the takeup spool unit, said motor stopping means including a spool interposed between the supply reel on the third shaft and the ribbon takeup unit in the path of advancement of the ribbon on the supply reel on the third shaft, a rotatable shaft mounting said latter spool, a microelectric switch having a protruding movable contact member, a rotatable disc adjacent said movable contact member, an arm carried by said disc and movable therewith, said movable contact member disposed in the path of movement of said arm, and gearing interposed between the shaft mounting the last-named spool and the disc for rotating said disc to move the contact member for opening the circuit through the motor 1 1 upon bui1d-up of a pre-determined amount of ribbon reeled around the outer spool of thetakeup spool unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 12 Haynes May 4, 1954 Conti Nov. 8, 1955 Travis Jan. 24, 1956 150111 Feb. 19, 1957 Steigman Feb. 26, 1957 Miller June 4, 1957

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