US3910399A - Reversible ink ribbon feed device having unitary bulk sensors - Google Patents

Reversible ink ribbon feed device having unitary bulk sensors Download PDF

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Publication number
US3910399A
US3910399A US380646A US38064673A US3910399A US 3910399 A US3910399 A US 3910399A US 380646 A US380646 A US 380646A US 38064673 A US38064673 A US 38064673A US 3910399 A US3910399 A US 3910399A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
ink ribbon
pair
rotatably mounted
coplanar
spaced
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US380646A
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English (en)
Inventor
Tadayoshi Shimodaira
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Suwa Seikosha KK
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Suwa Seikosha KK
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP7222372A external-priority patent/JPS539129B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP8363972A external-priority patent/JPS5228047B2/ja
Application filed by Suwa Seikosha KK filed Critical Suwa Seikosha KK
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3910399A publication Critical patent/US3910399A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J33/00Apparatus or arrangements for feeding ink ribbons or like character-size impression-transfer material
    • B41J33/14Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms
    • B41J33/40Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms with arrangements for reversing the feed direction
    • B41J33/44Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms with arrangements for reversing the feed direction automatically
    • B41J33/46Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms with arrangements for reversing the feed direction automatically and characterised by its application to mechanism in which two spools are driven by pawl-and-rachet mechanism
    • B41J33/50Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms with arrangements for reversing the feed direction automatically and characterised by its application to mechanism in which two spools are driven by pawl-and-rachet mechanism comprising a single pawl or integral double-tooth pawl selectively engageable with two ratchets, one for each spool
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J33/00Apparatus or arrangements for feeding ink ribbons or like character-size impression-transfer material
    • B41J33/14Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms
    • B41J33/40Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms with arrangements for reversing the feed direction
    • B41J33/44Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms with arrangements for reversing the feed direction automatically
    • B41J33/51Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms with arrangements for reversing the feed direction automatically and characterised by the use of particular reversing control means
    • B41J33/512Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms with arrangements for reversing the feed direction automatically and characterised by the use of particular reversing control means using a pivoted reversing-feeler engaging the external periphery of the wound ribbon

Definitions

  • FIGII US. Patent 0m. 7,1975 Sheet 2 of6 3,910,399
  • This invention relates to a device for reversibly feeding ink ribbon through the print space provided in a compact printer or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ink ribbon feed device provided with detecting means for detecting the outer diameter of reeled ink ribbon for selectively reversing ribbon feed from reel to reel.
  • ribbon feed reversing mechanisms for alternately feeding an ink ribbon from one reel to another.
  • printing devices are provided with a pair of spaced ink ribbon reels which carry wrapped ends of an ink ribbon. To assure that a clear imprint occurs when a print hammer strikes the ribbon fed through the print space, the ribbon is fed from one reel to the other during the printing operation.
  • these printing devices are provided with ribbon feed reversing mechanisms for alternately reversing ribbon feed travel between the reels.
  • the prior art devices for reversing ribbon feed direction between reels usually coact with eyelets mounted at both ends of the ribbon or include members which apply tensile force to the ribbon or include a pair of detecting members for detecting the outer diameter of the reeled ribbon. All of these prior art devices are complex and delicate and in many cases mirror image components are employed for coacting with each ribbon reel. These prior art devices are therefore bulky and difficult to service and correspondingly increase the size and cost of any printer device in which they may be employed.
  • an ink ribbon feeder for a printer which includes a pair of spaced, coplanar, rotatably mounted means for intermittently rotating a pair of ink ribbon reels, an ink ribbon reel rotatably mounted on each of said rotatably mounted means for linearly feeding an ink ribbon through a selected print path alternately from reel to reel, oscillatable means for selectively advancing one or the other of said rotatably mounted, spaced, coplanar means for advancing ink ribbon onto the advanced spool, a reciprocable lever pivotally connected at one end of said oscillatable means for driving said oscillatable means for thereby advancing one or the other of said rotatably mounted, spaced, coplanar means, and a spring biased ink ribbon detect lever for selectively oscillating said oscillatable means into engagement with one or the other of said rotatably mounted, spaced. coplanar means for advancing the ink ribbon reel rotatably mounted thereon.
  • the oscillatable means for selectively advancing the ink reels is provided with a pair of equispaced advancing pawls for advancing the rotatably mounted, spaced, coplanar means with which it is engaged.
  • the oscillatable means is also provided with a pair of equispaced reversing pawls for coacting with the detect lever for thereby shifting the oscillatable means.
  • a unitary detect lever is provided for detecting the amount of ribbon on either spool and for reversing the ribbon feed direction from one spool to the other.
  • plural detect levers have been employed for accomplishing these functions.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the device of the invention
  • FIG. la is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 taken along line la la thereof;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detect lever of the type employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the device of the invention.
  • FIG. 3a is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 taken along line 3a 3a thereof;
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the device of the invention.
  • FIG. 4a is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 taken along line 4a 4a thereof;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the detect lever employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of still another embodiment of the device of the invention.
  • FIG. 6a is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 taken along line 6a 6a thereof.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 there is provided a pair of spaced, coplanar ratchet wheels 1 and 2 rotatably mounted respectively on rotary shafts 3 and 4 for intermittently rotating respective ribbon reels l7 and 17' (not shown) mounted thereon.
  • Reel driving member 5 is symmetrically configured and is provided with a pair of equispaced reversing pawls 6 and 6' and a pair of equispaced feeding pawls 9 and 9'.
  • Reel driving member 5 is pivotally mounted on driving lever 7 by shaft 8 and may be reciprocably driven thereby as shown by arrows A and B of FIG. 1.
  • Reel driving member 5 is provided with feeding pawls 9 and 9 for. translating the lever actuated reciprocating motion thereof to intermittent rotation for ratchet wheel 1 or 2.
  • a detect lever 11 is pivotally connected to base plate 15 of the device by a shaft 14.
  • Detect lever 11 is provided with a pair of coplanar arms which terminate in respective fingers l2 and 12' arranged for respectively engaging reversing pawls 6 and 6' of reel driving member 5.
  • An elbowed member of detect lever 11 is provided with edges 13 and 13 on an expanded neck portion for detecting the outer diameter of an ink ribbon (not shown) that may be wrapped on a reel 17 rotatably mounted on ratchet wheel 2. While not shown, an identical reel, 17 is rotatably mounted on ratchet wheel 1.
  • a free floating torsion coil spring 16 is connected at one end of a stud 10' mounted in a tail portion 10 of reel driving member 5. At its other end torsion coil spring 16 is connected to an interiorly extending stud 11' mounted on detect lever 11. Torsion coil spring 16 oppositely biases detect lever 11 and reel driving member 5 for biasing a ribbon sliding edge, for instance, 13 of detect lever 11 against the perimeter of ribbon wrapped on reel 17 and for biasing feeding pawl 9 of reel driving member 5 into engagement with teeth of ratchet wheel 1.
  • reel driving member 5 pivots on shaft 8 in the direction of arrow C for engaging driving pawl 9' with ratchet wheel 2.
  • tail portion 10 of reel feeding member 5 is displaced in the direction of arrow D to the position shown in phantom line.
  • detect lever 11 is rotated oppositely from the direction of arrow D by the spring bias of torsion coil spring 16.
  • FIG. 1 embodiment is not shown as including a means for preventing ratchet backlash attributable to movement of reel driving member 5 in the direction of arrow B, any backlash that may occur can be prevented by applying a frictional brake between ratchet wheels 1 and 2 and respective shafts 3 and 4.
  • discrete reel driving members and reversing members may be provided.
  • a feeding pawl lever provided with pawls 19 and 19 pivotally mounted on driving lever 37 by shaft 38.
  • a reversing member 21 is provided with reversing pawls 36 and 36 and is also mounted on driving lever 37 by shaft 38.
  • a stud 2.2 fixedly connects feeding pawl lever 20 and reversing member 21 for moving both members together.
  • a spring biased lever 23 is provided for preventing backlashing in ratchet wheels 1 and 2.
  • Lever 23 pivots on stud 24 according to the oscillating action of feeding pawl lever 20 which in selected oscillating positions abuts a sidewall 23 of lever 23 and pivots lever 23 against the spring bias of torsion coil spring 25.
  • reversing member 21 and driving lever 37 are mounted on the back of base plate 15, while feeding pawl lever 20 and lever 23 are mounted on the front of base plate 15.
  • feeding pawl lever 20 and lever 23 are arranged for providing a flat ribbon device.
  • FIG. 3 operates on the same principles and with the same detect lever 11 as described in connection with FIG. 1 and ribbon feed reverse is accomplished in the same way by interaction between fingers 12, 12 provided on arms of detect lever 1 1.
  • Identical numbers refer to substantially identical parts in FIGS. 1 through 3.
  • Detect lever 115 is substantially identical with the detect lever embodiment shown in FIG. 2 however the parts thereof have been renumbered to conform with numbering for the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 6.
  • identical numbers refer to substantially identical elements.
  • the principle of operation of these embodiments is substantially the same as that described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, however, in each of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 6 interacting discrete members advance the ratchet wheels and coact with the detect lever for reversing the ribbon feed direction in the manner described in connection with FIG. 3.
  • ratchet wheels 101 and 102 which intermittently rotate a corresponding pair of ink ribbon reels, only one of which is shown as 1 17.
  • Axial central shafts 103 and 104 of ratchet wheels 101 and 102 serve to rotatably mount the ink ribbon reels thereon.
  • An ink ribbon reel driving member 105 is provided with a pair of equispaced reversing pawls 106 and 106 for interacting respectively with fingers 116 and 116 for thereby reversing the ribbon feed direction.
  • Ink ribbon reel driving member 105 is pivotally mounted on a driving lever 107 by a shaft 108 and is reciprocated thereby as shown by directional arrows A and B.
  • Ink ribbon reel driving member 105 is provided with a pair of equispaced feeding pawls 109 and 109' for translating the reciprocating motion thereof to intermittent rotation of ratchet wheels 101 or 102.
  • a torsion coil spring 110 is connected at one end to ink ribbon reel driving member 105 and at the other end thereof to driving lever 107.
  • a reel feed reversing member 111 pivotally connected to base plate 120 by shaft 113 is provided with a trapezoidally configured aperture 112 for receiving a pin 114 fixedly connected to driving member 105. Pin 114 engages a sidewall 112 of aperture 112 for transmitting the motion of member 105 to member 111 as shown by directional arrow C.
  • Detect lever 115 is provided with fingers 116 and 116 in one plane and in a second plane with ink ribbon sliding edges 118 and 118. Edges 118 and 118 are alternately spring biased against the periphery of ink ribbon wrapped on a reel 117.
  • Detect lever 115 is rotatably mounted on base plate 120 by shaft 119.
  • Torsion coil spring 121 connected at both ends. respectively to detect lever 115 and member 111 for oppositely biasing detect lever 115 and member 111 is free floating and it provides a biasing force whereby detect lever In FIG.
  • a member 130 is pivotally connected to driving lever 107' by shaft 108' and is provided with pawls 136 and 136, feeding pawls 139 and 139 and a reversion transmitting portion 131.
  • a second member 132 is rotatably mounted on base plate 120 by shaft 113 and is provided with a pair of pawls 133 and 133 for preventing backlashing of respective ratchet wheels 101 and 102. Either of pawls 133 or 133 is engaged, respectively, with either of ratchet wheels 101 or 102 by torsion coil spring 121' for preventing backlashing therein.
  • reversion transmitting portion 131 of member 130 engages backlash preventing pawl 133 for reversing member 132 in the direction of arrow E.
  • detect lever 115 reverses oppositely thereto in response to the bias of torsion coil spring 121 for thereby completing the reversing operation.
  • the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is a preferred embodiment because of the inclusion therein of a means for preventing backlash in ratchet wheels 101 and 102.
  • devices of this invention are precision operated, employ a single ribbon reel detect lever and are of compact construction. Either a single means may be employed for reversing ribbon feed between ink ribbon reels or plural coacting means may be employed for that purpose.
  • An ink ribbon feeder for a printer comprising a base, a pair of spaced, coplanar means rotatably mounted on said base for intermittently rotating a pair of ink ribbon reels, oscillatable means alternately coacting with each of said pair of rotatably mounted spaced, coplanar means for selectively intermittently advancing one or the other of said rotatably mounted, spaced coplanar means, reciprocable means pivotally connected to said oscillatable means for reciprocating said oscillatable means for thereby intermittently advancing one of said rotatably mounted, spaced, coplanar means, a pivotally mounted detect lever for sensing a predetermined unreeled quantity of ink ribbon on an ink ribbon reel and for shifting said oscillatable means into position for intermittently rotating said other of said rotatably mounted, spaced, coplanar means, said detect lever including an elbowed member having an expanded neck portion provided with ink ribbon sliding surfaces, and means for oppositely biasing said ink ribbon detect lever and said oscillatable means, said detect lever including a
  • oscillatable means includes first and second coacting members, said first member being cooperable with one of said pair of rotatably mounted spaced, coplanar means for intermittently rotating said rotatably mounted, spaced, coplanar means, said second member being cooperable with said detect lever for shifting said first member into position for intermittently rotating said other of said rotatably mounted spaced, coplanar means.
  • the ink ribbon feeder of claim 1 including an ink ribbon reel mounted on each of said pair of rotatably mounted spaced, coplanar means for intermittent rotation therewith.
  • each of said pair of rotatably mounted spaced, coplanar means is a ratchet wheel.
  • oscillatable means includes an equispaced pair of position reversing pawls engageable with one or the other of said branched arm detect lever fingers.
  • the ink ribbon feeder of claim 1 including backlash preventing means coacting with said oscillatable means and cooperable with one or the other of said pair of rotatably mounted spaced, coplanar means.

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  • Impression-Transfer Materials And Handling Thereof (AREA)
US380646A 1972-07-19 1973-07-19 Reversible ink ribbon feed device having unitary bulk sensors Expired - Lifetime US3910399A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP7222372A JPS539129B2 (xx) 1972-07-19 1972-07-19
JP8363972A JPS5228047B2 (xx) 1972-08-23 1972-08-23

Publications (1)

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US3910399A true US3910399A (en) 1975-10-07

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US380646A Expired - Lifetime US3910399A (en) 1972-07-19 1973-07-19 Reversible ink ribbon feed device having unitary bulk sensors

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US (1) US3910399A (xx)
DE (1) DE2336863C3 (xx)
FR (1) FR2193355A5 (xx)
GB (1) GB1393479A (xx)
HK (1) HK6077A (xx)
IT (1) IT991985B (xx)
MY (1) MY7700013A (xx)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2419172A1 (fr) * 1978-03-10 1979-10-05 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd Mecanisme d'avance pour un ruban encreur
US4205923A (en) * 1978-03-13 1980-06-03 Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. Ink ribbon feed mechanism
US4364680A (en) * 1979-05-02 1982-12-21 Star Seimitsu Kabushiki Kaisha Ink ribbon feeder
US4408911A (en) * 1977-05-13 1983-10-11 Epson Corporation Ink ribbon winding and reversing assembly

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1193309B (it) * 1979-07-25 1988-06-15 Furib Anstalt Dispositivo di avanzamento e inversione del moto del nastro inchiostrato per cartucce per macchine da scrivere e cartuccia relativa

Citations (17)

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US36763A (en) * 1862-10-28 Improvement in presses for stamping tickets
US715456A (en) * 1900-10-09 1902-12-09 Richard Buerk Ribbon-feeding mechanism.
US917803A (en) * 1906-05-25 1909-04-13 Detroit Typomarker Company Automatically-reversible ink-ribbon-feeding mechanism.
US1852645A (en) * 1930-07-26 1932-04-05 Farrington Mfg Co Stamping device
US1928685A (en) * 1929-11-02 1933-10-03 Farrington Mfg Co Printing device
US1937145A (en) * 1930-07-14 1933-11-28 Speedaumat Mfg Company Printing machine
US2126347A (en) * 1936-11-12 1938-08-09 Simplex Time Recorder Co Ribbon mechanism for recording apparatus
US2329842A (en) * 1940-06-12 1943-09-21 American Machinery Corp Marking machine
US2335679A (en) * 1940-06-12 1943-11-30 American Machinery Corp Ribbon mechanism for stamping machines
US2487834A (en) * 1946-03-07 1949-11-15 Stolz James Marshall Ribbon reversing mechanism for writing machines
US2505991A (en) * 1946-05-31 1950-05-02 Rca Corp Ribbon feed device
US2691342A (en) * 1954-10-12 Johnston etaj
US2972402A (en) * 1959-07-02 1961-02-21 Teleprinter Corp Ribbon feed mechanism
US3037448A (en) * 1961-03-28 1962-06-05 Commercial Controls Corp Print ribbon feed mechanism
US3513957A (en) * 1966-09-20 1970-05-26 Olivetti & Co Spa Ink ribbon cartridge for a typewriter,teleprinter or similar office machines
US3542183A (en) * 1967-11-06 1970-11-24 Singer Co Print ribbon feed structure
US3786906A (en) * 1971-07-19 1974-01-22 Copal Co Ltd Printing ribbon feeding mechanism in a printer

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR808330A (fr) * 1935-06-25 1937-02-03 Kooperativa Forbundet Forening Dispositif d'ajustement et de verrouillage de pièces ajustables dans deux positions l'une par rapport à l'autre

Patent Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US36763A (en) * 1862-10-28 Improvement in presses for stamping tickets
US2691342A (en) * 1954-10-12 Johnston etaj
US715456A (en) * 1900-10-09 1902-12-09 Richard Buerk Ribbon-feeding mechanism.
US917803A (en) * 1906-05-25 1909-04-13 Detroit Typomarker Company Automatically-reversible ink-ribbon-feeding mechanism.
US1928685A (en) * 1929-11-02 1933-10-03 Farrington Mfg Co Printing device
US1937145A (en) * 1930-07-14 1933-11-28 Speedaumat Mfg Company Printing machine
US1852645A (en) * 1930-07-26 1932-04-05 Farrington Mfg Co Stamping device
US2126347A (en) * 1936-11-12 1938-08-09 Simplex Time Recorder Co Ribbon mechanism for recording apparatus
US2335679A (en) * 1940-06-12 1943-11-30 American Machinery Corp Ribbon mechanism for stamping machines
US2329842A (en) * 1940-06-12 1943-09-21 American Machinery Corp Marking machine
US2487834A (en) * 1946-03-07 1949-11-15 Stolz James Marshall Ribbon reversing mechanism for writing machines
US2505991A (en) * 1946-05-31 1950-05-02 Rca Corp Ribbon feed device
US2972402A (en) * 1959-07-02 1961-02-21 Teleprinter Corp Ribbon feed mechanism
US3037448A (en) * 1961-03-28 1962-06-05 Commercial Controls Corp Print ribbon feed mechanism
US3513957A (en) * 1966-09-20 1970-05-26 Olivetti & Co Spa Ink ribbon cartridge for a typewriter,teleprinter or similar office machines
US3542183A (en) * 1967-11-06 1970-11-24 Singer Co Print ribbon feed structure
US3786906A (en) * 1971-07-19 1974-01-22 Copal Co Ltd Printing ribbon feeding mechanism in a printer

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4408911A (en) * 1977-05-13 1983-10-11 Epson Corporation Ink ribbon winding and reversing assembly
FR2419172A1 (fr) * 1978-03-10 1979-10-05 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd Mecanisme d'avance pour un ruban encreur
US4205923A (en) * 1978-03-13 1980-06-03 Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. Ink ribbon feed mechanism
US4364680A (en) * 1979-05-02 1982-12-21 Star Seimitsu Kabushiki Kaisha Ink ribbon feeder

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1393479A (en) 1975-05-07
DE2336863B2 (xx) 1980-03-13
HK6077A (en) 1977-02-04
DE2336863C3 (de) 1980-10-30
FR2193355A5 (xx) 1974-02-15
IT991985B (it) 1975-08-30
MY7700013A (en) 1977-12-31
DE2336863A1 (de) 1974-01-31

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