Abstract: An intermediate transfer medium conveying device conveys an intermediate transfer medium by a drive force of one DC motor, in a normal feed direction where the intermediate transfer medium is wound on a winding reel and in a reverse feed direction where the intermediate transfer medium is wound on a feeding reel. The intermediate transfer medium conveying device includes a winding shaft that drives the winding reel during normal feed where the intermediate transfer medium is conveyed in the normal feed direction, a feeding shaft driving the feeding reel during reverse feed where the intermediate transfer medium is conveyed in the reverse feed direction, transmission means for normal feed that transmits a drive force of the DC motor to the winding shaft during the normal feed, and transmission means for reverse feed that transmits a drive force of the DC motor to the feeding shaft during the reverse feed.

Abstract: A drive train for a printer is disclosed that provides and maintains a desired tension in the ribbon during transfer of the ribbon between a supply spool and a take-up spool. The drive train is configured to pre-tension the ribbon proximate the driven spool prior to driving the drive roller. During operation, the drive train provides and maintains the requisite tension in the ribbon proximate the driven spool with use of a slip-overdrive assembly. Additionally, the drive train induces a drag on the spool from which ribbon is being unwound with the use of a drag-overrun assembly.

Abstract: A drive train for a printer is disclosed that provides and maintains a desired tension in the ribbon during transfer of the ribbon between a supply spool and a take-up spool. The drive train is configured to pre-tension the ribbon proximate the driven spool prior to driving the drive roller. During operation, the drive train provides and maintains the requisite tension in the ribbon proximate the driven spool with use of a slip-overdrive assembly. Additionally, the drive train induces a drag on the spool from which ribbon is being unwound with the use of a drag-overrun assembly.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge, having a frame, a pair of supply shaft connecting members for connecting ends of a supply shaft to the frame, a first take-up shaft connecting member for connecting an end of a take-up shaft to the frame, the first take-up shaft connecting member including a gear member, and a second take-up shaft connecting member for connecting another end of the take-up shaft to the frame is provided. The first take-up shaft connecting member includes a gear portion and a spool portion which is substantially housed inside the take-up shaft. The gear portion includes at least one flexible member with at least one of a projecting portion and an angled end, the flexible member including two surfaces which become closer to each other when the flexible member is being inserted into a receiving portion of the spool portion.

Abstract: A printer, suitable for use in a hand held printer, having a dual direction drive mechanism for driving ink ribbon in a forward feed direction and a reverse feed direction. The drive mechanism is mounted in a printer body, and includes a stationary gear drive assembly engageable with a pivotal drive gear assembly having a forward feed position and a reverse feed direction.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette includes two rotatable bearings for respective spools, a drive system for alternately rotating one or the other of the two bearings so that a ribbon extending between the spools positioned on the bearings will be moved in opposite directions depending on which bearing is being rotated, and a control system for controlling which bearing is being driven by the drive system based on actuation by respective trip elements on the ribbon near its opposite ends.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for printing stamps, which are cut from a strip (2) drawn from a roll (1). The apparatus has an adjustable printer and a common drive for the non-jerky advance of the strip and for operating a cutting mechanism. An eccentrically mounted, reciprocating clutch (17) is provided for the advance and engages with a strip-diving roller (56) operates the cutting mechanism and is connected to a movable blade (22) thereof. The pawl is eccentrically fixed to a rotary driven disk (18), which also carriers a cam (58) for controlling the lever. The printer has adjustable type wheels (24), which are rotatable by a common shaft (31) via friction clutches and for each type wheel there is an independently controllable pawl (33) for arresting the type wheel in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An inkribbon feed mechanism is disclosed which feeds the inkribbon by utilizing power of a spacing motor by which a print head is transversed. The inkribbon feed mechanism comprises commanding means which detect a command element for reversing the inkribbon near one end of the inkribbon, an arm member which interlocks with the command means via a spring member and is pivotably supported by a pivot, a planetary gear member which is provided at one end of the arm member and is rotated by the power of the spacing motor via a drive gear member. In compliance with the alternate rotation of the spacing motor, the planetary gear member engages with a gear member of one reel or is slightly moved in orbit by the drive gear member so as not to render a rotational force to the reel. The arm member is pivoted by the command means to change the object which the planetary gear engages.

Abstract: A microcomputer controls a ribbon drive assembly in a high speed wire matrix printer to eliminte ribbon slack, to insure proper ribbon positioning and to conduct diagnostics in conjunction with turning on the printer such as start-up time each day and after replacement of the ribbon with a new ribbon, the diagnostics checking to be sure that a ribbon is actually in the proper position, that it is threaded across the print line and also checking for proper operation of the ribbon drive, logic, and electronics. Tests are also made for proper ribbon drive during normal ribbon feeding operations.

Abstract: An inked-ribbon feed mechanism comprises an electric drive motor (5), reversible for reversing the ribbon feed direction, and a reversing switch (32) for the motor (5). A roller (31) operating the reversing switch (32) travels along a cam (28, 29) formed on one arm (21) of a lever (19, 20, 21). A further arm (19) of this lever carries one (14) of two ribbon guides (13, 14) coupled with each other. The motor (5) drives a worm (6). A worm wheel (7) is firmly connected to a pinion (8) and is displaceable together with the latter along the worm (6) in two positions. In one position (8) the pinion meshes with a toothed rim (3) provided on one of the two ribbon spool carriers (1). In the other position (8') the pinion meshes with a toothed rim (4) formed on the other ribbon spool carrier (2).

Abstract: A device for feeding an ink ribbon for use in a printing machine in which the ink ribbon is reciprocally run by rotating reels on which the ink ribbon is wound. The device has a main drive member, two driven members, a driving force transmission member, a follower members, a spring and a movement control member and thereby providing a useful and effective device without a nonsensitive zone upon changeover of the running direction of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: An ink-ribbon reversing device for use in a printing machine having an ink-ribbon winding mechanism is provided. The device includes two ink-ribbon spools and associated spool gears mounted on separate spool shafts spaced apart from each other. A drive shaft is positioned between the spool gears with an arm rotatably mounted thereon. A first gear is fixed to the drive shaft. A second gear rotatably mounted on one end of the arm is in engagement with the first gear. One of two actuatable change-over levers abuts the free end of the arm to maintain engagement between the second gear and one spool gear to drive the associated ribbon spool. At the completion of ribbon winding, the change-over lever is displaced, releasing the arm which rotates about the drive shaft to abut the other change-over lever and engage the second gear with the other spool gear to drive the associated ribbon spool.

Abstract: In order to avoid ribbon rollover in a high speed impact printer, a crown roller, having a crown offset from the roller's center, is used to guide the ribbon. The crown tends to center the ribbon about itself and the roller is dimensioned so that the distance from the crown to the end flange of the roller is sufficiently far that under all operating conditions the ribbon will remain separated from the flange and hence will avoid rollover. In particular the roller is positioned so that the print head will initially impact the advancing ribbon off center toward one edge of the ribbon. As printing continues, this repeated impacting will cause that edge of the ribbon to wear, the result being that the tension across the ribbon will decrease and the crown roller will constantly reposition the ribbon as if it were of an ever decreasing width.