Patent · US Expired

Refillable ink ribbon cartridge

US5127750A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
15References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 8, 1990
Grant dateJul 7, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 8, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J33/26
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A refillable ink ribbon cartridge including an adapter element which can be permanently inserted in a typewriter and receive a replaceable ink ribbon. The adapter includes a ribbon drive mechanism for advancing the ink ribbon cassette. The adapter includes a body portion and two extending legs and centering pins at the free ends and a ribbon tensioning lever. The cassette is formed with a body portion and two protruding legs with guiding elements to guide the ribbon across the free end of the legs. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on a spring loaded arm to pull the ribbon through the cartridge, the arm is rotatable about a drive pin. Upon insertion of the refill cassette into the adapter, the two systems align and interact so that the ribbon is guided by the associated protruding legs and guiding elements to run smoothly through the cartridge. When the ribbon supply has been depleted, the adapter remains in the typewriter, but the depleted refill unit is removed and a new cassette is replaced into the housing quickly and easily.

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