Patent · US Expired

Tape tensioning apparatus particularly useful in printing apparatus

US4174078A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
5References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 16, 1978
Grant dateNov 13, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 16, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J35/08
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A tape tensioning apparatus particularly useful in regulating the tension in a tape such as an elongated strip of printer ribbon stock used in printing apparatus such as mechanical impact printers. A stock guide is supported for rotation on a base, the stock guide having an arm from which extends a roller. An inclined surface on the stock guide rests on a complementary inclined surface on the base so that the stock guide moves toward the base as the stock guide is rotated in a predetermined direction from a predetermined angular position, with a spring yieldably biasing the stock guide to its predetermined angular position. A spool of print or ribbon stock is mounted on a reel, itself supported for rotation with respect to the base, with the stock passing around the roller on the stock guide after exiting from the spool thereof and with the reel resting on and rotatable with a reel support disc which is constrained from moving more than a predetermined distance above the base. A compressible, resilient O-ring is located between the reel support disc and the stock guide and is fully compressed therebetween when the stock guide is in its predetermined angular position so as to inhibi…

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