Cartridge and roller for a consumable ribbon, receiving apparatus, and rotational roller coupling method
US5915860A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H75/08
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A roller for a wound ribbon such as a printer ink ribbon may be rotationally coupled by pushing the projections or teeth of a wheel on a drive spindle into a soft material defining part of the bore in the roller. A spring blade prevents the wheel from freely rotating and provides a snap-in feeling. The roller may be part of a cartridge having members for locking the rollers in a position in which the ribbon tension is optimized. The roller and spindle may be coupled in any relative angular position, and the rollers may thus be locked. Release is automatic when the cartridge is full engaged. The ribbon may therefore be more readily installed in an optimized matter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.