Ribbon feed mechanism
US4948274A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 1989 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J33/26
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved ribbon feed mechanism having idler and drive roller assemblies, each of which uses a single roller rotatably mounted on a retainer support featuring stripping portions which strip an inked ribbon off the rollers preventing the ribbon from wrapping around the rollers. The feed mechanism feeds the ribbon inside a cassette, cartridge or other container so that the ribbon may be stacked or folded in loops or folds inside the cartridge or container and used for computer printing, dot matrix printing, typewriter printing, or other printing operations. Each of the drive and idler assemblies uses a single roller attached to a shaft which may be removably and rotatably mounted to a retainer support. The single rollers are made out of foam material. The use of a single rather than multiple rollers for the roller assemblies facilities gripping of the ribbon passing between the rollers which results in increased pulling force needed for long ribbons.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.