Ribbon positioning mechanism
US4643601A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 1984 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J35/06
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ribbon positioning mechanism comprises a ribbon cartridge, a nosepiece, a stepper motor and flexible ribbon guides connecting the ribbon cartridge to the nosepiece. The nosepiece has two side members connected by a bridge, one of which has a downwardly extending leg. A rack located on the bottom of the leg engages a pinion attached to the stepper motor for lifting the nosepiece into a desired position. A ribbon, having a plurality of parallel color bands, passes from the ribbon cartridge via the flexible ribbon guides and through the nosepiece where it is aligned with a print head. The nosepiece freely slides on vertical guide posts attached to a print head carrier and printer logic controls the stepper motor to align the desired color band with the print head.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.