Self adjusting, low torque ribbon drive system
US5354138A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 1993 |
| Grant date | Oct 11, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J33/28
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved ribbon cartridge has an endless printing ribbon and a ribbon inlet and outlet through which a portion of the printing ribbon is fed outside the cartridge for use by a printing device in a printing operation. The ribbon cartridge includes a self adjusting, low torque ribbon drive system, and more particularly, a gear system having a drive gear and one or more idler gears arranged in intermeshing engagement. Each of the gears has a compound curvilinear tooth configuration including one or more ribbon engagement ribs. At least one of the gears may be slideably mounted in the ribbon cartridge for positioning relative to an adjacent intermeshing gear in response to tension on the ribbon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.