Patent · US Expired

Ribbon lifting mechanism for a wire matrix printer

US3987883A · kind A · utility

10Cited by
6References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 17, 1975
Grant dateOct 26, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 17, 1995

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J35/04
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved mechanism is provided for preventing long-term oil contamination of the print ribbon in a wire matrix printer. In the event that the print ribbon has an excess of oil thereon, it will cause the printed characters to be alternatively too light or too dark thereby reducing the print quality on the document. The print head of the wire matrix printer is operated to an idle or at rest position when printing is not being effected, a camming mechanism retracts the print head away from the platen and document. When this occurs, a stationary member on the printer carriage engages the ribbon and moves it away from contact with the print head in the vicinity of the apertures through which the print wires are guided for printing. With the ribbon moved away from the apertures, the lubricant oils on the print wires do not flow on to the ribbon. The retracting of the print head away from the platen and document by the camming mechanism also permits the easy insertion of new forms into the printer.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.