US3618869A

US3618869A - Servoing mechanism for improved typewriter ribbon spooling

Info

Publication number: US3618869A
Application number: US51233A
Authority: US
Inventors: David R Cialone; Clifford E Herrick; George T Slaughter
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Priority date: 1970-06-30
Filing date: 1970-06-30
Publication date: 1971-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-09
Also published as: GB1284373A; JPS5113060B1; NL169285C; CA945972A; DE2131128A1; DE2131128C3; CH524465A; NL169285B; BE766572A; ES392707A1; SE368177B; DE2131128B2; NL7108616A; FR2095596A5

Abstract

A web-spooling apparatus for winding a thin web on a core is constructed to control any tendency of the web to telescope. A drive roller rides on the periphery of the web as it winds the web on the core. The drive roller includes web-penetrating radial spikes and has a pair of flanges at the top and bottom which extend radially beyond the spikes and contact the edges of the web should the web tend to move axially off the core. The core is mounted on a spindle in such a way as to permit the core to yaw about the spindle. Contact between the web and a flange causes the core to be yawed about the spindle and thereby provides an angle of small magnitude between the core and web, thus causing the web to move axially in a direction opposite to its first such action, thereby tending to correct the telescoping condition.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventors David R. Cialone;

Clifford E. Herrick; George T. Slaughter, all of Lexington, Ky. [21] Appl. No. 51,233 [22] Filed June 30, 1970 [45] Patented Nov. 9, 1971 [73] Assignee International Business Machines Corporation Armonk, NY.

[54] SERVOING MECHANISM FOR IMPROVED TYPEWRITER RIBBON SPOOLING 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 242/673, 242/65, 242/683, 197/151 [51] Int. Cl B65h 17/02, B65h 17/08 [50] Field of Search 242/673, 65, 68, 68.3, 66, 56, 56.2, 57.1, 67.1; 197/151, 175

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,017,984 2/1912 Martin 242/67.3

Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Assistant Examiner-Gregory A. Walters Attorneys-Hamlin and Jancin and E. Ronald Coffman ABSTRACT: A web-spooling apparatus for winding a thin web on a core is constructed to control any tendency of the web to telescope. A drive roller rides on the periphery of the web as it winds the web on the core. The drive roller includes web-penetrating radial spikes and has a pair of flanges at the top and bottom which extend radially beyond the spikes and contact the-edges of the web should the web tend to move axially off the core. The core is mounted on a spindle in such a way as to permit the core to yaw about the spindle. Contact between the web and a flange causes the core to be yawed about the spindle and thereby provides an angle of small magnitude between the core and web, thus causing the web to move axially in a direction opposite to its first such action, thereby tending to correct the telescoping condition.

PATENTEDHUV 9 I911 SHEET 1 [1F 3 b 2 m F INVENTORS DAVID R. CIALONE cummn E. HERRICK ,JR.

GEORGE T. SLAUGHTER BY MQMM ATTORNEY.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to typewriter ribbons and more particularly to a ribbon takeup spool device.

The development of typewriter ribbons is tending toward ribbons which afford substantially increased yields and hence longer intervals between ribbon replacement. Such improvedyield ribbons necessarily involve the use of much thinner ribbons than those which are common in present commercial use. The fragility of such thin, high-yield ribbons necessitates ribbon-handling mechanism which are designed for minimum stress, because such thin ribbons typically exhibit reduced tensile strength, high compliance, and unusually marked changes in such properties with temperature and humidity.

Mechanical arrangements adapted to unspooling, bringing the ribbon the the printing position, and driving the ribbon have been disclosed, for example, in US. Pat. application Ser. No. 752,096, filed July 16, 1968 by W. Golf and A. H. Caudill.

Thin ribbons such as the polymer matrix ribbons described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,413,184 pose an additional problem in takeup spooling. Because of the extreme length of the ribbon to be taken up, together with compliance characteristics which prohibit the use of edge-guiding techniques effective with more rigid or thicker ribbons, considerable difficulty is experienced in the takeup spooling operation. A characteristic difficulty is known as telescoping. If ribbon that is contained in a ribbon cartridge telescopes, i.e. moves axially during winding, it will bind tightly against the top or bottom of the cartridge and causes either excessive stress on the drive mechanism or ribbon advance failure or both.

There is, therefore, a need for a takeup mechanism which will insure accurate ribbon tracking under all conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION We have now found a servoing scheme which is effective in improving ribbon tracking.

In accordance with this invention there is provided an apparatus for winding a thin ribbon on a core and controlling the telescoping of the web on the core, comprising a spiked drive roller which contacts the face of the web wound on the core and feeds the web to the core. The drive roller and core are mounted to move apart as the diameter of the web on the core increases. The drive roller is located to contact the web in the hemicircle defined between the point where the web enters the core and about 180 in the direction of rotation of the core. The core is mounted for rotation by means which permits the core to yaw about the nominal axis of rotation. The drive roller includes guide flanges at its top and bottom which are adapted to contact the edges of the web should the web begin to telescope on the core. Contact between the web and one of the guide flanges causes the core to yaw about the nominal axis of rotation and assume a new axis of rotation which is related to the direction of ribbon travel in such a way that the telescoping condition is arrested and corrected.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1a is a schematic top view of an embodiment of the invention in a first condition.

FIG. lb is a schematic elevational view with parts broken away of an embodiment of the invention in the condition illustrated in FIG. la.

FIG. 2a is a schematic top view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1a and lb in a broken condition.

FIG. 2b is an elevational view with parts broken away of the embodiment of the invention in the condition shown in FIG. 20. FIG. 3a is a schematic top view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b in a third condition.

FIG. 3b is an elevational view with parts away of the embodiment of the invention in the condition illustrated in FIG. 3a.

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view with parts broken away of an embodiment of the invention including a ribbon cartridge.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view partially in section with parts broken away of the cartridge illustrated in FIG. 4.

- DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. la and 1b, 2a and 2b and 3a and 3b illustrate an embodiment of the invention at several stages in the, spooling process. The angular deflections are somewhat exaggerated for the sake of illustration. As shown in FIGS. la and lb ribbon I1 is directed around guide roll or post 10 to the periphery of takeup core 14 which is mounted on a takeup spool stud 13 with a clearance of about 0.002-0.004 in. such that core 14 can yaw about stud 13. The surface of ribbon 11 would on takeup core 14 is penetrated by spikes 15 on a cylindrical drive member or roller 16 having a pair of

flanges

17 and 19 that extend radially outward beyond the spikes 15. The drive roller 16 is located to contact the ribbon at some point in a hemicircle beginning at where the ribbon contacts the wound portion of the ribbon on the core and continuing around in the direction of rotation of the core.

FIG. lb illustrates a first condition of the takeup core 14 and ribbon 11. Assuming that for various reasons (parts misalignment, baggy ribbon edge, or other mechanism characteristics) the takeup core 14 and ribbon 11 bear the relationship that takeup core 14 is tilted counterclockwise. Because of the tilt, ribbon 11 will move toward the bottom flange 17 of the drive roller until edge 18 contacts flange 17. This downward tendency will result because friction between the ribbon web 11 and the spooled ribbon l2 acts to maintain the relative vertical relationship of the point of contact between web 11 and spooled ribbon 12. At this time the portion 12 of the ribbon wound on the core will be as is shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b with the contact between edge 18 and flange 17 causing the core 14 to yaw about stud 13 to a position where the axis 20 of the core 14 is moved to the vertical. The ribbon will now wind parallel to the edge of the core 14.

A continuation 'of the downward telescoping of the ribbon 12, for any reason, would act to tilt the axis of the takeup core beyond the vertical, causing the ribbon 11 to move upwardly as is shown in the condition illustrated in FIGS. 3aand 3b. In this condition, the tilt produces an upward tendency through the action of friction tending to maintain the vertical relationship of first contact between web 11 and spool 12. This action tends to restore the ribbon to the center position on core 14. In the event that overcompensation occurs, so that ribbon 11 moves to the top flange 19, the upward motion is terminated by the same restoring mechanism described above, operating in the opposite sense.

Although the wound portion 12 of ribbon 11 may have a somewhat nonparallel configuration on takeup core 14, the flanges l7 and 19 on drive roller 16 confine the ribbon and prevent the ribbon from binding against the adjust mechanism such as the walls of a cartridge in which the ribbon is enclosed. Excessive binding forces will not be encountered because the drive roller 16 and

flanges

17 and 19 are continually moving outwardly from the takeup core so that there'are no cumulative forces between the flanges and the wound portion 12 on core 14 due to previous telescoping.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an embodiment of the invention contained in an easily mountable, self-contained ribbon cartridge 27 having a supply 20 of ribbon 21 on a supply spool 23. The cartridge and ribbon advance mechanism are shown for example, in application Ser. No. 752,096 filed July I6, 1968. Cartridge 27 as a top portion 26 and a bottom portion 28 and is mounted on the print carriage 22 of a typewriter and held in place by clips 30 at each end which enter slots 32. The ribbon exits from a slot (not shown) in the sidewall 25 of cartridge 27 and is adapted to be passed through the ribbon guide mechanism (not shown) at the print point of the typewriter and then back into cartridge 27 through a second slot 29, around ribbon guide post 31 and then to the periphery of takeup core 24. The drive roller 35 enters the cartridge 27 through an elongated curved slot 38, as cartridge is engaged onto the ribbon drive mechanism. Drive roller 35 is attached to and adapted to be incrementally rotated by the printing machine ribbon advance mechanism. Drive roller 35 has a series of spikes 36 on its driving surface for penetrating ribbon 21. Drive roller 35 is urged into contact with spool portion 34 by a spring (not shown) and is permitted to move away from the takeup core 24 as the diameter of the wound ribbon increases. The shape of slot 38 permits the drive roller 35 to move without contacting the cartridge 27.

Flanges

37 and 39 on the top and bottom of drive roller 35 are adapted to contact the edges of ribbon 21 if the ribbon tends to telescope on takeup core 24. Core 24 as illustrated in FIG. is loosely mounted on stud 33 and is loosely held for rotation between the top wall 26 and the bottom wall 28 of cartridge 27 in a manner permitting core 24 to rotate and yaw about stud 33. The servoing operation of the apparatus is as is described in the embodiment shown in FIGS. la and lb, 2a and 2b, and 3a and 3b with the ribbon contacting the top or

bottom walls

26 and 28 of cartridge 27. Therefore, binding, tearing or folding of the ribbon due to the telescoping on the core is avoided.

The foregoing described an improved typewriter ribbonspooling apparatus employing a servoing mechanism without which it has been found impossible to reliably wind relatively fragile ribbon webs on takeup core contained in a cartridge without excessive binding forces being encountered.

While the invention has been practically shown and described with reference to preferred illustrative embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the aforegoing claim.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for winding a web on a core comprising:

a rotatable drive member which is mounted to contact the periphery of the web wound on the core and feed the web to the core,

mounting means to mount the drive member and core such that the said drive member and core move apart as the diameter of the web wound on the core increases,

means for mounting said core for rotation so as to permit the core to yaw about its nominal axis of rotation, and

guide means mounted at the top and bottom of said drive member, said guide means being adapted to contact the edges of the web if the web should telescope on said core and being so disposed relative to the core that contact between said web and one of said guide means will cause said core to yaw about said axis in a direction tending to correct the telescoping condition.

2. Winding apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive member comprises a roller having radially extending spikes therein for penetrating the web wound on said core, and said guide means extend radially outwardly of said roller beyond said spikes.

3. Apparatus for winding a web on a core comprising:

a rotatable drive member which is mounted to contact the periphery of the web wound on the core at a point in a hemicircle defined by the point where the web contacts the wound portion and a point about from where the web contacts the wound portion in the direction of rotation of the core and feed the web to the core,

mounting means to mount the drove member and core such that the said drive member and core move apart as the diameter of the web wound on the core increases,

a spindle for mounting said core so as to permit the core to yaw about said spindle, and

a pair of flanges on said drive member located at the top and bottom, said flanges being adapted to contact the edges of the web if the web should telescope on said core such that contact between said web and one of said flanges will cause said core to yaw about said spindle and thereby correct the telescoping condition.

4. Winding apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said drive member comprises a roller having radially extending spikes thereon for penetrating the web wound on said core, and said pair of flanges extend radially outwardly of said roller beyond said spikes.

5. An inked ribbon feed mechanism including:

a rotatable mounted supply spool; a spindle;

takeup spool loosely mounted to yaw on said spindle.

an inked ribbon having one end attached to said supply spool and its other end attached to said takeup spool;

and means to engage said ribbon on said takeup spool to advance said ribbon from said supply spool to said takeup spool past a printing position, said engaging means having sufficient traction with said ribbon to provide the total driving force for winding said ribbon on said takeup spool and said engaging means having guide means located at the top and bottom of said engaging means, said guide means being adapted to contact the edges of said ribbon if the ribbon should telescope relative to said core to correct the telescoping condition.

6. The mechanism according to claim 5 in which:

said engaging means is a drive roller having pointed projections thereon for penetrating said inked ribbon on said takeup spool to provide positive engagement therewith and with sufficient traction to provide the total driving force of said ribbon, said drive roller having circular flanges located at the top and bottom of said roller and extending radially outward of said pointed projections,

and resilient means to constantly urge said projections on said drive roller into said inked ribbon irrespective of the diameter of said inked ribbon on said takeup spool.

7. The mechanism according to claim 6 including:

a base plate;

a cartridge, said cartridge having a top wall, a bottom wall and a sidewall connecting said top and bottom walls removably mounted on said base plate; said supply spool being rotatably mounted in said cartridge;

said takeup spool being rotatably mounted in said cartridge;

said drive roller is supported by said base plate and extends through a curved slot in the bottom wall of said cartridge, and

said circular flanges are located between said top wall and said bottom wall of said cartridge.

Claims

1. Apparatus for winding a web on a core comprising: a rotatable drive member which is mounted to contact the periphery of the web wound on the core and feed the web to the core, mounting means to mount the drive member and core such that the said drive member and core move apart as the diameter of the web wound on the core increases, means for mounting said core for rotation so as to permit the core to yaw about its nominal axis of rotation, and guide means mounted at the top and bottom of said drive member, said guide means being adapted to contact the edges of the web if the web should telescope on said core and being so disposed relative to the core that contact between said web and one of said guide means will cause said core to yaw about said axis in a direction tending to correct the telescoping condition.

3. Apparatus for winding a web on a core comprising: a rotatable drive member which is mounted to contact the periphery of the web wound on the core at a point in a hemicircle defined by the point where the web contacts the wound portion and a point about 180* from where the web contacts the wound portion in the direction of rotation of the core and feed the web to the core, mounting means to mount the drive member and core such that the said drive member and core move apart as the diameter of the web wound on the core increases, a spindle for mounting said core so as to permit the core to yaw about said spindle, and a pair of flanges on said drive member located at the top and bottom, said flanges being adapted to contact the edges of the web if the web should telescope on said core such that contact between said web and one of said flanges will cause said core to yaw about said spindle and thereby correct the telescoping condition.

5. An inked ribbon feed mechanism including: a rotatably mounted supply spool; a spindle; takeup spool loosely mounted to yaw on said spindle. an inked ribbon having one end attached to said supply spool and its other end attached to said takeup spool; and means to engage said ribbon on said takeup spool to advance said ribbon from said supply spool to said takeup spool past a printing position, said engaging means having sufficient traction with said ribbon to provide the total driving force for winding said ribbon on said takeup spool and said engaging means having guide means located at the top and bottom of said engaging means, said guide means being adapted to contact the edges of said ribbon if the ribbon should telescope relative to said core to correct the telescoping condition.

6. The mechanism according to claim 5 in which: said engaging means is a drive roller having pointed projections thereon for penetrating said inked ribbon on said takeup spool to provide positive engagement therewith and with sufficient traction to provide the total driving force of said ribbon, said drive roller having circular flanges located at the top and bottom of said roller and extending radially outward of said pointed projections, and resilient means to constantly urge said projections on said drive roller into said inked ribbon irrespective of the diameter of said inked ribbon on said takeup spool.

7. The mechanism according to claim 6 including: a base plate; a cartRidge, said cartridge having a top wall, a bottom wall and a sidewall connecting said top and bottom walls removably mounted on said base plate; said supply spool being rotatably mounted in said cartridge; said takeup spool being rotatably mounted in said cartridge; said drive roller is supported by said base plate and extends through a curved slot in the bottom wall of said cartridge, and said circular flanges are located between said top wall and said bottom wall of said cartridge.