US3154185A - Typewriter ribbon control arrangement - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 27, 1964 I H. KAMP TYPEWRITER RIBBON CONTROL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 5? /NVN70P Aims HMP ii' qazr s. smxa Filed June 16, 1961 Aw w 1954 H. KAMP 3,154,185

TYPEWRITER RIBBON CONTROL ARRANGEMENT Filed June 16, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mil EH70? FAA/5 MIMI Oct. 27, 1964 H. KAMP TYPEWRITER RIBBON CONTROL ARRANGEMENT Filed June 16. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNVENTOE bws K AMP Mmha l S. St ker Oct. 27, 1964 H. KAMP 3,154,185

TYPEWRITER RIBBON CONTROL ARRANGEMENT Filed June 16, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 mic 10.5 5' St'Z/kib Oct. 27, 1964 H. KAMP TYPEWRITER RIBBON CONTROL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 16, 1961 United States Patent TYPEWRHER RZBBGN CGNTROL ARRANGEMENT Hans Kamp, Wilhelmshaven, Germany, assignor to Glympia Werlre A.G., Wilhelmshaven, Germany Filed June 16, 1951, Ser. No. 166,963 Claims priority, application Germany, June 18, 1969, 0 7,467 (Filed under- Rule 47(b) and 35 U.S.C. 118) 18 Claims. (Cl. 197151) The present invention relates to a typewriter ribbon control arrangement, and more particularly to apparatus provided in a business machine, such as a typewriter, for selectively using either a standard two-color ribbon, or a carbon paper ribbon.

Typewriters are known in which, instead of a twocolor ribbon, two separate ribbons are provided, each of which is of a difterent color. The ribbons are guided in separate guide forks, and are alternately wound up on spools on the right side, and on the left side of the guide fork. Drive means are provided which are used for winding up one or the other of the two ribbons. The arrangement has the disadvantage that the ribbon, which is not in use, is without tension, and consequently tends to form a loose loop in the guide fork which interferes with the operation of the other ribbon. This arrangement is unsuitable for use with a carbon paper ribbon, which passes only once and in one direction through the machine. Furthermore, a carbon paper ribbon must be transported at uniform speed, whereas the standard transporting spools move the ribbons through greater distances for each imprinted letter as the diameter of the spool increases due to the wound up ribbon. It is also impractical to mount the carbon paper spool, which has a far greater diameter than a standard ribbon spool, in

the space avail-able for this purpose in a standard typewriter.

Apparatus is known for selectively using a carbon paper ribbon and a standard ribbon in a typewriter. Instead of the standard ribbon, a carbon paper ribbon is threaded through the guide fork of the typewriter, and the ribbon transporting means of the machine are used for driving a friction drive attachment for the carbon paper ribbon. The arrangement requires an exchange of the ribbons, and the mounting of an adapter, as well as a threading of the ribbon to be used into the guide fork from which the previously used ribbon has to be removed. Furthermore, since the standard width of a carbon paper ribbon is smaller than the width of an inked ribbon, a narrower guide must be inserted into the standard guide fork. The exchange of the ribbons is consequently so time consuming and involved, that it is preferably avoided by the operators of the typewriter or business machine.

In accordance with another construction of the prior art, an adapter for the carbon paper ribbon is mounted on a cover, which replaces the standard cover of the typewriter. In this construction, it is necessary to dis connect the mechanism by which the standard ribbon fork is raised, since otherwise jamming of the carbon paper ribbon cannot be avoided. A disadvantage of this, and similar arrangements, is that the used carbon paper ribbon is not wound up, but runs into a waste container adjacent the typewriter. The discarded carbon paper ribbon may interfere with the operation of the machine, or soil the support table or papers thereon.

It is one object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of known arrangements for alternately using conventional ink ribbons and carbon paper ribbons in business machines, particularly typewriters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ribbon control arrangement permitting selective use of an ink 3,154,185 Patented Get. 27, 1964 ribbon and a carbon paper ribbon in a business machine.

Another object of the present invention is to use the setting means, which are provided for setting the ribbon fork of the ink ribbon to red, black, or stencil respectively for an additional purpose, namely for setting the typewriter for operation with the carbon paper ribbon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide take-up means for winding up the carbon paper ribbon only in one direction, such take-up means being provided in addition to the conventional ribbon transporting means by which the ink ribbon is alternately wound up in opposite directions.

Another object of the present invention is to render the take-up means for the carbon paper ribbon inoperative when the machine is set to operation with an ink ribbon, and operative when the machine is set to operation with the carbon paper ribbon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a special guide fork for the carbon paper ribbon in addition to the standard guide fork for the ink ribbon.

Another object of the present invention is to operate the guide fork for the carbon paper ribbon and the guide fork for the ink ribbon, by the same actuating drive mechanism, and to provide coupling means for selectively coupling the respective guide fork to the common actuating drive mechanism.

A further object of the present invention is to transport the carbon paper ribbon by a pair of friction rollers, which are step-wise driven, and to drive a take-up reel through a resilient means wln'ch stores some of the drive energy to hold the take-up reel in a position in which the carbon paper ribbon is taut.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to a typewriter ribbon control arrangement which is particularly suited for alternately using an ink ribbon and a carbon paper ribbon. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, first and second guide means are provided for a first ribbon and a second ribbon, and coupling means can be moved between a position connecting actuating drive means with the first guide means, and a position connecting the actuating drive means with the second guide means. Setting means, which are preferably used for setting one of the ribbons so that different zones of the ribbon become operative, are connected to the coupling means for shifting the same. When one of the guide means is driven by the actuating means through the coupling means, a ribbon fork thereof is raised to be placed in the path of a type lever, whenever a type lever is operated.

It will be appreciated that it is a considerable advan tage to use the setting means by which the guide fork is set to place a red zone, or a black zone, of the typewriter ribbon in the path of the type lever, for setting the machine to operation with a carbon paper ribbon.

Take-up means including transporting rollers and a take-up reel are provided for winding up the carbon paper ribbon. The take-up means is also controlled by the same setting means, and is rendered operative only when the setting means set the coupling means to connect the actuating means with the guide means of the carbon paper ribbon.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, two guide forks are provided for the standard ribbon, and for the carbon paper ribbon, respectively, and each guide fork can be raised by an operating lever. The coupling means include a member slidable along the operating lever of the standard guide fork, and being turned by the setting means to vary the effective arm of this operating lever whereby the standard guide fork is raised to a diflferent extent, as in conventional machines. In accordance with the present invention, the coupling member can be turned by the setting means to an additional position in which it does not actuate the operating lever of the standard guide fork, but actuates the guide fork for the carbon paper ribbon.

In accordance with one embodiment, the operating lever of the standard guide fork is provided with a recess in which a projection of the coupling member ineffectively moves, if the machine is set to operation with the carbon paper ribbon. This recess is similar to the recess which is provided in conventional machines for rendering the guide fork inoperative during stencil operations.

The take-up means for the carbon paper ribbon are driven from a stepwise operating drive means and include a pair of friction rollers directly driven from the stepwise operating drive means, and a take-up reel which is driven through a resilient transmission member capable of storing energy so that the take-up reel is biased to hold the carbon paper ribbon taut. Preferably, an endless spring loop passes over two pulleys and the drive pulley has a greater peripheral speed than the driven pulley which is connected to the take-up reel. Thus, the spring loop is tensioned while slipping on the pulleys.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the invention in a position in which the lower zone of a two-color ribbon is used, and in which the guide fork is not actuated;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in the same position, with certain parts omitted for the sake of simplicity and clarity;

FiG. 3 is a fragmentary side view, corresponding to FIG. 2, but illustrating the raised operative position of the guide fork for the ink ribbon;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view illustrating a position in which the machine is set to operation with a carbon paper ribbon; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view corresponding to FIG. 4, but illustrating the ribbon fork for the carbon paper ribbon in the raised operative position.

Referring now to the drawings, .a specialribbon guide fork 3 of narrower width for a carbon paper ribbon 4, is provided behind the conventional guide fork 1 for an ink ribbon 2. Ink ribbon 2 is wound up by conventional spools which alternately move the ribbon to the right and to the left in a conventional manner. The carbon paper ribbon 4 is Wound off a let-off reel 5 which is turnably mounted'on a fixed axle 5a and is prevented from rapid turning movement by conventional brake means, not shown. For example, a resilient member may engage the outer rim of let-off reel 5.

The carbon paper ribbon 4 is guided over a guide 7 to a pair of transporting rollers 8 and 9 which are connected to each other by a pair of gears 8a and 9a. Roller 8 is connected through a shaft 12 to a stepping Wheel 19 which is driven by a pawl 11 in clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, and is prevented from turning in the opposite direction by a ratchet stop 81: provided adjacent roller 8 on shaft 12, as will be described hereinafter in greater detail. Whenever rollers 8-and 9 are turned one step, ribbon 4 is frictionally transported, since roller 9 is biased by a spring 90 acting on a lever 9b which is turna'ble about a stationary pivot pin 9a and supports roller 9 for turning movement.

The transported ribbon 4 is wound up on a take-up reel -6 driven by a shaft 16 which is connected to shaft 12 by a resilient transmission including a smaller pulley 13 on shaft 12, a'larger pulley on shaft 16, and a resilient spring loop 14 passing through corresponding peripheral grooves on pulleys 13 and 15. The peripheral speed of pulley 13 is greater than the peripheral speed of pulley 15 which is determined by the rotary speed of take-up reel 6 and of pulley 15, so that the spring loop 14 slips on pulley 15 and is tensioned on its driving run 14a. Consequently, energy is stored in spring portion 14a, and when friction rollers 8 and 9 stop, spring portion 14a contracts, and biases reel 6 to turn in the clockwise wind-up direction so that the paper ribbon between rollers S, 9 and reel 6 is made taut.

A power drive roll 52 drives an eccentric disc 51 mounted on a lever 53 which is connected by a link 53a to a double-armed lever 17 so that lever 17 rocks and transmits its rocking movement through a projection 11a to pawl 11 so that the stepping wheel 10 is stepwise turned when the projection 11d engages the ratchet wheel 16. A spring 17a connects pawl 11 with lever 17, and urges pawel 11 to an operative position in which pro jection 11d cooperates with the ratchet Wheel 10. However, another spring 2tld is secured to a part 20a which is mounted on a linkage 20 by screws 29b passing through slots 200 in part 213a, and through corresponding bores in linkage 29. In this manner, the position of the part 252a can be adjusted until the spring force of spring 29d exceeds the spring force of spring 17:: in the normal position shown in FIG. 1 so that pawl 11 is held by spring Zild in an inoperative disengaged position in which projection 11d does not cooperate with ratchet wheel 16 rocking under control of lever 17 so that the transmission between the power drive roll 52 and take-up reel 6 is disengaged.

The linkage 21) is mounted on a pair of parallel arms 21 and 22 for movement parallel to itself. Arm 22 is secured to a shaft 23 mounted on the machine frame, and arm 21 is mounted on a shaft 21a. A cam follower roller 292 is mounted on the end of linkage 29 and cooperates with a cam 19 which is secured to a setting disc 18 for turning movement. Cam 19 has four operative cam track portions, each of which is provided with a slight depression receiving cam follower roller 20s in the corresponding turned position of cam 19. In these positions of the setting means 18, 19, the spring 21b, acting on arm 21, pulls linkage 29 to the right as viewed 'in the drawing so that pawl 11 is in its inoperative position. In the position of cam 19 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, cam follower roller Zile abuts a projection portion of cam 19 so that linkage 2i and part 29a are shifted to the left resulting in lesser tension of spring 2003 so that the spring force of spring 17a is sufficient for turning pawl 11 to its operative position in which projection 11d cooperates with ratchet wheel 11 and turns transporting roller 8. A ratchet device Sb on shaft 12 prevents turning movement of ratchet wheel 1% in the opposite direction.

The first three cam track portions of cam 19 are used for setting the ink ribbon 2 between a position in which the black zone of the same is used, a position in which the red zone or" the same is used, and a position in which the ribbon is not used at all so that a stencil may be typed. The general shape of the setting disc 18 and its arrangement in the typewriter corresponds to conventional arrangements so that no substantial rebuilding is necessary if a standard machine is adapted for use with a carbon paper ribbon in accordance with the present invention. It is only necessary to replace the standard cam with cam 19 which has a fourth projecting cam track portion coggeratmg through cam follower roller Ztle with linkage Arm 22 turns shaft 23 and a fixed lever arm 23a when the setting means 18, 19 is operated. A lever 61 is mounted on a shaft 63 on a frame part 64 of the machine, and is articulated to another-lever 62 on which a coupling lever 29 is pivotallyvmounted. Lever 29 has a projection 29a and a projecting pin 2% on which another coupling lever 23b is turnable. The end of coupling lever 23b is articulated to lever arm 23a, so that, upon turning of shaft 23, coupling lever 29 is turned about its fulcrum on lever 62 an angle which corresponds to the turning angle of shaft 23, such turning angle being determined by the effective radius of the respective cam track portion of cam 19 acting on cam follower 29a of linkage 20.

An operating member 28 has a central bridging portion mounted on a fulcrum pin 128 for turning movement and two arms 28b and 28a. Arm 28c is pivotally connected to guide fork 1 so that turning of operating member 23 in counterclockwise direction will result in raising of guide fork 1 from the normal lower position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to the higher operative position shown in FIG. 3. Arm 28b has a slot 28a formed with two recesses 28c and 28d. Projecting pin 2% moves in slot 28a when the coupling member 29, 23b is shifted under control of cam 19. In the position shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the effective arm of operating lever 28b between pin 29]; and shaft 128 is the shortest. If cam 19 is turned one step, pin 2%; is located opposite the recess 28d. If cam 19 is further turned, pin 2% is located on the portion between recesses 28c and 28d, and when the highest cam track portion is effective, as shown in FIG. 4, pin 2% is located in the region of recess 230.

The second operating member 3% is mounted on a pin 130 on a frame portion, and has one arm articulated to guide fork 3, and another arm with a transverse projection 30a which cooperates with projection 2% if lever 29 is in the position shown in FIG. 4 in which pin 2% is located in the region of recess 280.

A rocking lever 24 is freely turnable on shaft 23 and has one end articulated to lever 62, and another end articulated to a link 25 which is pivotally connected to an arm 26 on a member 54 which has two supporting arms 54a and 54b turnably mounted on a shaft 540. A projection of member 54b cooperates with pins 51a on the eccentric member 51 when the same is rotated by power roll 52. In this manner, member 5'4 and arm 26 are rocked, and this rocking movement is transmitted to the actuating lever 24 which reciprocates coupling member 2317, 29. Such reciprocation effects an angular movement of operating member 28, if pin 2% abuts the edge of slot 28a, and is not located in the region of one of the recesses 28c and 23d. In the position of FIGS. 1 and 2, the effective lever arm between pin 2% and shaft 128 is short, and guide fork 1 will be raised the short distance required for placing the lower black zone of ink ribbon 2 in the path of a type lever, not shown. This position is conventionally indicated by a blue mark opposite the handle by which setting means 18 is turned. Turning of this handle, not shown, to a white mark will turn cam 19 to its next position in which pin 2% is located opposite recess 28d and will have no effect on operating member 28, so that the guide fork 1 is not raised into the path of the type lever, as is required for stencil operations. Further turning of the handle to a red mark will effect through the turned cam 19 shifting of pin 29]; to the position resting on the portion between recesses 28c and 28:], so that the efiective arm of operating lever 28b is increased, and guide fork 1 is raised a greater distance as is required for placing the red zone of the ribbon in the path of the type lever.

When the handle is still further turned, the highest cam portion of cam 19 will become effective, and pin 2% will be located in the region of the recess 280 as shown in FIG. 4. The reciprocating movement of pin 2% will be ineffective since pin 29b moves into the recess 280 as shown in FIG. 5, but projection 29a will engage the projection 30a of operating lever 30, and will raise guide fork 3 to an operative position in which carbon paper ribbon 4 is located in the path of the type levers. A spring 27 is connected to actuating lever 24, a spring 28 is connected to operating lever 28b, and a spring 3% is connected to operating lever 30 to establish a normal position of these levers. Levers 30 and 28:2 have stops abutting a frame portion.

Operation An ink ribbon 2 is threaded in a conventional manner through the guide fork 1, and the end portion of a carbon paper ribbon on a supply spool on reel 5 is threaded through the guide fork 3, the guide 7, through the friction rollers g and 9, and secured to the take-up reel 6.

In the position of the handle for setting means 18 opposite a red mark on the outside of the typewriter casing, not shown, cam 19 is in the position shown in FIG. 2. When a type lever is actuated, member 54 is rocked in a conventional manner by power drive roll 52 acting on eccentric member 51, and actuating lever 24 rocks coupling member 23b, 29 so that projecting pin 2% efiects an angular turning movement of operating lever 28 in counterclockwise direction resulting in raising of guide fork 1 to the operative position shown in FIG. 3 in which the red portion of the ribbon 2 is located in the path of the type lever. When setting means 13 is turned to its next position, conventionally indicated by a white mark, the same rocking movement of the parts takes place, but operating lever 28 does not perform a rocking movement, since pin 29b moves into recess 28d. When the setting means is turned to the next following position conventionally indicated by a blue mark on the outside of the typewriter casing, pin 2% is located on the portion between recesses 280 and 28d, so that the same displacement of pin 29!) causes an angular movement of operating lever'28b through a smaller angle than before, and consequently raising of guide fork 1 to a lesser extent, so that the black zone of the ribbon 2 is located in the path of the type lever.

Further turning the setting means one step, will result in the position of cam 19 shown in FIG. 4, so that pin 2% is located in the region of recess 280. The rocking movement of coupling member 29, 2311 will again displace pin 2% ineffectively in the recess 280, but the projection 29a will engage the projection 30a of operating lever 3t and effect raising of the guide fork 3 to the operative position shown in FIG. 5 in which the carbon paper ribbon 4 is located in the path of the type lever.

This position of the setting means 18 may be indicated by a black mark on the outside of the typewriter casing, not shown.

While the setting means 18, 19 is in one of the three first positions indicated by red, white and blue marks, and cam follower roller 29a is on one of the lower cam track portions, linkage 29, 29a is in a position in which spring 20:! is tensioned and produces a spring force suflicient to overcome the spring force of spring 17a and to hold pawl 11 in its inoperative position in which projection is spaced from the ratchet wheel 10, and consequently ineffective. When setting means 18, 19 is placed in the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, linkage 20, 26a is shifted to the left, and the length of spring 20d is reduced, resulting in a reduction of the spring force so that the spring force of spring 17a prevails to pull pawl 11 to its operative position in which projection 11d cooperates with ratchet wheel 10. Power drive roll 52 rotates eccentric disc 51, and effects through linkage 53, 53a rocking movement of lever 17 which is transferred to pawl 11 which turns ratchet wheel 10 stepwise so that the roller 8, and through gears 8a and 9a, also roller 9 are turned resulting in transport of the carbon paper ribbon 4 toward the take-up reel. The take-up reel 6 is also driven by ratchet wheel 10 through shaft 12 and the pulley drive 13, 14, 15, so that the used paper ribbon 4 is wound up. The run 14a is tensioned during the operation, since the peripheral speed of pulley 13 is greater than the peripheral speed of pulley 15 which is determined by the rotary speed of take-up reel 6 whose angular position is determined by paper ribbon 4. The spring belt 14 slips thus in the groove of pulley 15 so that run 14a is tensioned while in the inoperative position of pawl 11, the part 14a contracts, and biases reel 6 to.

turn until the portion of ribbon 4 between rollers 8, 9 and the take-up reel 6 is taut. 7

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of ribbon control arrangements differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a mechanism for selectively using a carbon paper ribbon and an ink ribbon under control of the setting means by which the ink ribbon is normally set to produce red or black imprints, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement comprising, in combination first guide means for a first ink ribbon; second guide means fora second carbon paper ribbon; actuating means including a power roll; first coupling means movablebetween a first position for connecting said actuating means with said first guide means and a second position for connecting said actuating means with said second guide means, .said first and second guide means, respectively, being moved by said actuating means for rendering said firstand second ribbons, respectively, operative; take-up means for said second ribbon; second springbiased coupling means having a first inoperative position, and biased to move to a second coupling position for coupling. said actuating means with said take-up meansso thattthe same are driven for winding up said second ribbon; and setting means having a first position and a second position for shifting said first coupling means between said first and second positions, said setting means in said first position holding said second coupling means in said inoperative position, and permitting in said second position said spring-biased second coupling means to move to said second coupling position so that said take-up means winds up said second ribbon.

2. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement comprising, in combination first guide means for a first ink ribbon; second guide means for a second carbon-paper ribbongactuating means including a power roll; first coupling means movable between a plurality of first positions for connecting said actuating means with said first guide means and a second position for connecting said actuating means with said secondguide means, said first guide means being operated in said first positions by said actuating means for placing said first ribbon in different positions for rendering different zones of said first ribbon operative or inoperative, and said second guide means being operated by said actuating means for rendering said second ribbon operative; take-up means for said second ribbon; second spring-biased coupling means having a first inoperative position, and biased to move to a second coupling position for coupling said actuating means with said take-up means so that the same are driven for winding up said second ribbon; and setting means having a plurality of first positions and a second position for shifting said first coupling means between said plurality of first positions, and said second position, and for shifting said second coupling means to said first inoperative position when said coupling means is in one of said first positions, said setting means in said first position-holding said second coupling means in said inoperaspring-biased second coupling means to move to said second coupling position so that said take-up means Winds up said second ribbon.

3. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement comprising, in combination, a first guide fork for a first ribbon; first operating means for said first guide fork including an operating lever having a slot with a recess; a second guide fork for a second ribbon; second operating means for second guide fork including an operating member; actuating means; coupling means including a coupling member having a portion movable in said slot-between a plurality of first positions cooperating with different portions of said operating lever to vary the effective radius of said operating lever, and a second position cooperating With said operating member, said portion being located in said recess in said second position, said coupling member being actuated by said actuating means to effect in said first positions movement of said first guide fork to different positions for rendering different zones of said first ribbon operative or inoperative, and to elfect in said second position movement of said second guide fork for rendering said second ribbon operative while said portion moves inelfectively in said recess so that the movement of said coupling member is not transferred to said operating lever; and setting means connected to said coupling member and having a plurality of first positions for shifting said coupling member between said first positions, and having a second position for shifting said coupling member to said second position.

4. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement comprising, in combination, a first guide fork for a first ribbon;

first operating means for said first guide fork including a first operating member; a second guide fork for a second ribbon, said second ribbon being a carbon paper band; second operating means for said second guide fork including a second operating member; actuating means; coupling means including a coupling member movable between a plurality of first positions cooperating with different portions of said first operating member, and a second position cooperating with said second operating member, said coupling member being actuated by said actuating means to effect in said first positions movement 'of said first guide fork to different positions for rendering different zones of said first ribbon operative or inoperative, and to etfect in said second position movement of said second guide fork for rendering said second ribbon operative; take-up means for said second ribbon, said take-up means including a take-up reel for winding up said second ribbon, a pair of cooperating rollers adapted to transport said second ribbon towards said take-up reel and through said second guide fork, a stepping wheel connected to one of said rollers for turning the same, a stepping pawl having an inoperative position and an operative position cooperating with said stepping wheel for turning the same for winding up said second ribbon; and setting means connected to said coupling member and having a plurality of first positions for shifting said coupling member between said first positions, and having a second position for shifting said coupling member to said second position, said setting means being operatively connected to said stepping pawl for placing the same in said inoperative position when said setting means is in one of said first positions, and for placing the same in said operative position when said setting means is in said second position, said setting means including a linkage means operatively connected to said coupling member, a first spring connecting a portion of said linkage means with said pawl for urging the same to one of said positions, and a second spring urging said pawl to the other of said positions thereof, one of said:springs being rendered operative to overcomethe force of the other spring to move said pawl to said operative position when said setting means is moved to said second position.

5. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement as set forth in claim 18 wherein said first operating lever has another recessed portion so that said first guide fork is not moved when said first projection is located opposite said other recess.

6. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement as set forth in claim 18 wherein said setting means includes a manually operated cam having a plurality of cam track portions respectively correlated with said first and second positions, linkage means including a cam follower cooperating with said cam track portions, a shaft angularly turned by said linkage means under control of said cam, and a lever arm fixed on said shaft and articulated to said second coupling lever so that said first and second coupling levers and said first and second projections are shifted upon operation of said cam.

7. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement as set forth in claim 6 wherein said rockable actuating lever is turnably mounted on said shaft, and including lever means connecting said actuating lever with said first coupling lever.

8. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first spring urges said pawl to said inoperative position and said second spring urges said pawl to said operative position, said linkage means reducing the spring force of said first spring when said linkage means is shifted by said setting means when said setting means is moved to said second position so that said second spring moves said pawl to said operative position.

9. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement as set forth in claim 8, said linkage means having an adjustable part and said first spring connecting said adjustable part of said linkage means with said pawl so that the tension of said first spring can be adjusted.

10. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement as set forth in claim 4 wherein said take-up means includes a shaft connected to one of said rollers, means for turning said shaft, a first pulley secured to said shaft, a second pulley connected to said take-up reel for rotation therewith, and a resilient endless loop passing over said pulleys and connecting the same so that said take-up reel is driven from said shaft whereby a portion of said resilient loop between said pulleys is tensioned during rotation of said shaft and biases said take-up reel to turn whereby said second ribbon is taut between said roller means and said take-up reel.

11. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement comprising, in combination, a first guide fork for a first ribbon; first operating means for said first guide fork including a first operating lever; a second guide fork for a second ribbon, said second ribbon being a carbon paper band; second operating means for said second guide fork including a second operating lever; actuating means including a rockable actuating lever; coupling means including a coupling member turnable between a plurality of first positions located opposite and cooperating with different portions of said first operating lever, and a second position cooperating with said second operating lever, said coupling member being connected to and actuated by said rockable actuating lever to effect in said first positions movement of said first guide fork to different positions for rendering different zones of said first ribbon operative or inoperative, and to effect in said second position movement of said second guide fork for rendering said second ribbon operative; take-up means for said second ribbon; drive means including a first rocking drive member, a second rocking drive member, means for actuating said rocking drive members, a first linkage connecting said first rocking drive member with said rockable actuating lever, a stepping mechanism for stepwise driving said take-up means, a second linkage connecting said second rocking drive member with said stepping mechanism for operating the same; and setting means connected to said coupling member and having a plurality of first positions for shifting said coupling member between said first positions, and having a second position for shifting said coupling lever to said second position, said setting means being operatively connected to said stepping mechanism for rendering the same inoperative when said setting means is in one of said first positions, and for rendering the same operative when said setting means is in said second position.

12. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement as set forth in claim 11 wherein said take-up means includes a take-up reel for Winding up said second ribbon, and a pair of cooperating rollers for transporting said second ribbon toward said take-up reel, said rollers and said take-up reel being driven from said stepping mechanism.

13. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement as set forth in claim 4; and transmission means connecting said stepping wheel with said one roller and including resilient means for storing energy whereby the ribbon between said rollers and said take-up reel is made taut.

14. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement comprising, in combination, first control means for moving an ink ribbon to an operative position; second control means for moving a carbon paper ribbon to an operative position; power drive means; coupling means including a coupling member movable between a plurality of first positions coupled with different portions of said first control means, and a second position coupled with said second control means and disengaged from said first control means, said coupling member being actuated by said power drive means to effect in said first positions movement of said first control means for different distances for rendering dififerent zones of said ink ribbon operative, and to effeet in said second position movement of said second control means for rendering said carbon paper ribbon operative; take-up means for winding up said carbon paper ribbon; transmission means connecting said power drive means with said take-up means and having a disengaged position; and setting means connected to said coupling member and having a plurality of first positions for shifting said coupling member between said first positions, and having a second position for shifting said coupling member to said second position, said setting means being operatively connected to said transmission means for placing the same in said disengaged position when said setting means is in one of said first positions whereby said power drive means operates said take-up means to wind up the carbon paper ribbon only when the latter is in said operative position.

15. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement compris ing, in combination, first control means for moving an ink ribbon to an operative position; second control means for moving a carbon paper ribbon to an operative position; power drive means; coupling means including a coupling member movable between a plurality of first positions coupled with different portions of said first control means, and a second position coupled with said second control means and disengaged from said first control means, said coupling member being actuated by said power drive means to effect in said first positions movement of said first control means for different distances for rendering different zones of said ink ribbon operative, and to effeet in said second position movement of said second control means for rendering said carbon paper ribbon operative; take-up means for winding up said carbon paper ribbon; transmission means including a stepping mechanism having a drive member, said transmission means connecting said actuating means with said take-up means; and setting means connected to said coupling member and having a plurality of first positions for shifting said coupling member between said first positions, and having a second position for shifting said coupling member to said second position, said setting means being operatively connected to said drive member of said stepping mechanism for rendering said drive member inoperative when said setting means is in one of said first positions whereby said take-up means is stopped so that said power drive means operates 11 said take-up means to Wind up the carbon paper ribbon only when the latter is in said operative position.

16. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement comprising, in combination, first control means including an operating member for moving a first ribbon to an operative position, said operating member having a recess; second control means for moving a second ribbon to an operative position; coupling means having a first movable coupling member, said coupling means being shiftable between a first position in which said first coupling member is lo cated opposite an edge of said operating member, and a second position in which said first coupling member is located opposite said recess of said operating member, said coupling means having a second coupling member cooperating with said second control means in said second position of said coupling means and being inoperative in said first position; setting means connected to said coupling means for shifting the same between said first and second positions; and actuating means for actuating said first and second coupling members so that in said first position of the coupling means said first coupling member is moved transversely to said edge to actuate said operating member and said first control means, and so that in said second position of said coupling means said first coupling member moving into said recess in ineffective to actuate said first control means, while said second coupling member actuates said second control means.

17. A typewriter ribbon control arrangement comprising, in combination, first control means including an operating member for moving a first ribbon to a plurality of operative positions, said operating member having a recess; second control means for moving a second ribbon to an operative position; coupling means having a first movable coupling member, said coupling means being shiftable between a plurality of first positions in which said first coupling member is located opposite an edge of said operating member, and a second position in which said first coupling member is located opposite said recess of said operating member, said coupling means having a second coupling member cooperating with said second control means in said second position of said coupling means and being inoperative in said first positions; setting means connected to said coupling means for shifting the same between said first positions and said second position; and actuating means for actuating said first and second coupling members so that in said first positions of the coupling means said first coupling member is moved transversely to said edge to actuate said operating member and said first control means so that said first ribbon is moved to difierent operative positions, and so that in said secportion; a second guide fork fora second ribbon; second operating means for said second guide fork and including a second operating lever; actuating means including a rockable actuating lever; a coupling member including a first coupling lever connected to said actuating lever and vhaving'a first projection cooperating'with .said first operating lever for moving said guidefork, .and a second projection cooperating with said second operating lever for moving said second guide fork, and a second coupling .lever articulated to said first-coupling lever, said coupling -member being turnable between a plurality of first positions in which said first projection of saidfirst coupling lever is located opposite .difierent portions of said first operating lever and a second position in which said first projection is located in said recessed portion of said first operating lever so as to be ineffective, said second projection being spaced from said second operating lever in said first position and cooperating with said second operating lever in said second position, said coupling member being actuated by said rockable-actuating lever to effect in said first positions movement of said first guide fork to different positions for rendering difierent .zones, of said first ribbon operative or inoperative, and to effect in said second position movement of said second guide fork for rendering said second ribbon operative; and setting means connected to said second coupling lever and being operable in such a manner that said firstcoupling lever is shifted by said second coupling lever, between said first and second positions when said settingmeans is operated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 851,142 Stickney Apr. 23, 1907 1,052,104 Ursbruck Feb. 4, 1913 2,161,856 Co'xhead June 13, 1939 2,609,077 Schroder Sept. 2, 1952 2,930,470 Roller etal Mar. 29, 1960 3,022,724 Worth Feb. 27, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,144,446 France Apr. 23, 1957

Claims (1)

1. A TYPEWRITER RIBBON CONTROL ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION FIRST GUIDE MEANS FOR A FIRST INK RIBBON; SECOND GUIDE MEANS FOR A SECOND CARBON PAPER RIBBON; ACTUATING MEANS INCLUDING A POWER ROLL; FIRST COUPLING MEANS MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION FOR CONNECTING SAID ACTUATING MEANS WITH SAID FIRST GUIDE MEANS AND A SECOND POSITION FOR CONNECTING SAID ACTUATING MEANS WITH SAID SECOND GUIDE MEANS, SAID FIRST AND SECOND GUIDE MEANS, RESPECTIVELY, BEING MOVED BY SAID ACTUATING MEANS FOR RENDERING SAID FIRST AND SECOND RIBBON, RESPECTIVELY, OPERATIVE; TAKE-UP MEANS FOR SAID SECOND RIBBON; SECOND SPRINGBIASED COUPLING MEANS HAVING A FIRST INOPERATIVE POSITION, AND BIASED TO MOVE TO A SECOND COUPLING POSITION FOR COUPLING SAID ACTUATING MEANS WITH SAID TAKE-UP MEANS SO THAT THE SAME ARE DRIVEN FOR WINDING UP SAID SECOND RIBBON; AND SETTING MEANS HAVING A FIRST POSITION AND A SECOND POSITION FOR SHIFTING SAID FIRST COUPLING MEANS BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, SAID SETTING MEANS IN SAID FIRST POSITION HOLDING SAID SECOND COUPLING MEANS IN SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION, AND PERMITTING IN SAID SECOND POSITION SAID SPRING-BIASED SECOND COUPLING MEANS TO MOVE TO SAID COUPLING POSITION SO THAT SAID TAKE-UP MEANS WINDS UP SAID SECOND RIBBON.

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