Abstract: A platen is located at a print position in a sheet path leading from a sheet supply position through the print position to a sheet delivery position, and a thermal head having an edge portion at which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in a line is held by a head holder, wherein the thermal head is positioned so that the heating elements are kept in contact with the platen through the sheet path at the print position and that the heating elements are directed to a downstream side of the sheet path. With this arrangement, the heating elements of the thermal head can be located close to the sheet delivery position, so that just after a leading sheet after printed is delivered, the next sheet can be printed.

Abstract: When different tape cartridges accommodating printing tapes having different hardness, thicknesses or widths are exchangeably mounted in the same printing apparatus, excellent printing can be obtained using the present embodiment. In a platen 12 provided in a tape cartridge 10, the harder, thicker or wider the tape T accommodated in the tape cartridge 10, the softer a platen rubber provided on a surface of the platen. The platen rubber 14 having a hardness corresponding to the properties of the tape T is used so as to obtain an ideal contact state between a printing head and the tape T regardless of the properties of the tape T when the tape cartridge 10 is mounted in a tape writer 1. Accordingly, the tape T can be properly conveyed by the platen 12 and a tape guide pin 26 regardless of its properties, and can be brought into contact with a printing head through an ink ribbon R in an ideal and consistent contact state.

Abstract: A dye donor cartridge and method for use in a printer. The cartridge comprises a dye donor ribbon formed into a roll. The dye donor ribbon has an end portion. A shield is attached to the end portion of the dye donor ribbon and surrounds the dye donor ribbon as the dye donor ribbon forms the roll. In this manner, the shield shields the dye donor ribbon from damage during handling of the ribbon roll. The dye donor ribbon roll including its shield is mountable on a supply spool, so that the dye donor ribbon unrolls from about the supply spool as the supply spool rotates. The shield preferably has a plurality of sprocket holes for engaging the sprockets of a take-up spool, so that the dye donor ribbon is precisely taken-up onto the take-up spool without "jamming" as the take-up spool rotates. An alternative embodiment of the invention comprises an encasement surrounding the shield as the shield surrounds the dye donor ribbon for enhancing protection of the dye donor ribbon roll during handling.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette has an ink ribbon; a case; a cover coupled to the case by hinge pins, the cover being freely opened or closed through hinge pins; a drive roller in contact with the ink ribbon for running the ink ribbon; a follower roller for pressing the ink ribbon against the drive roller a holder for holding the follower roller; and a spring for biasing the follower roller against the drive roller via the holder. The holder is further provided with hook parts, and the cover has protruding pieces which engage with the hook parts of the holder and thereby move the holder away from the drive roller to detach the follower roller from the drive roller.

Abstract: A label printer for printing tape-shaped labels. The label printer includes a freely detachably mountable tape cassette housing a tape; printing device including a print head for printing symbols and alphanumeric characters on the tape; controller for controlling printing operations; a freely detachably mountable ribbon cassette independent from the tape cassette, the ribbon cassette housing an ink ribbon; detector for detecting a type of the ribbon cassette; and an operation portion for operating the detector, the operation portion being provided to the ribbon cassette in a configuration corresponding to the type of ribbon cassette.

Abstract: A method for consistently inserting pads into ribbons cassettes and a plunger for performing such method are provided. The specially designed plunger insures each pad is subject to the same amount of compression upon insertion into the reinker housing walls of each ribbon cassette. Since each pad is subject to the same amount of compression, each pad consistently absorbs the same quantity of ink without pooling.

Abstract: Ink ribbon cassette having flexible spacers for insuring that the ratchet of the cassette is engaged by the teeth of the ratchet and pawl of the printer are provided. In particular, the present invention provides flexible spacers for the ink ribbon cassettes used in the new style 2170 printer, a Showa-Seiki HS-45.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus in a printing device having a printhead displaceable along a record carrier. The record carrier is supported beneath the printhead by a platen. The improved apparatus includes a mechanism for spacing the printing distance between the printhead and the record carrier. The spacing mechanism is positioned to bear upon the record carrier in advance of the printhead. A mechanism urges the platen away from the printhead and the spacing mechanism so as to permit a ribbon mechanism to be inserted between the printhead and the platen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dot impact printer wherein a ribbon cassette formed, at its both end portions, with a pair of arm portions, respectively, between which an ink ribbon is exposed, and the ink ribbon therebetween is inserted and placed between a printing head and a platen. According to the first invention, the printer comprises a supporting frame displaceable between a first position for inserting the ink ribbon into the printing head and the platen and a second position for drawing out the ink ribbon from between these two. According to the second invention, the printer comprises an auto loading means which, in a condition in which the ribbon cassette is retained by the supporting frame, moves the ink ribbon to an insertion position where it is inserted between the printing head and the platen and to a draw-out position where it is drawn out from between these two.

Abstract: A printer using a thermal ribbon to print on paper with a thermal head facing a platen with a ribbon supply core and take-up core with the head between the cores wherein a tension member contacts and biases the ribbon in a direction to give tension and is rotated in a retracted direction by a ribbon feed force against a biasing force by the tension member when the ribbon is fed and a plate spring supported on the tension member gives a rotational load to the supply core and a release member separate from the head contacts the ribbon on the platen side of a tangent line of the platen at the printing position whereby a push-up force of the paper in contact with and supported by the release member prevents lowering of print quality as the push-up force is not applied to the thermal head.

Abstract: An endless ink ribbon cartridge with protected splice of the endless ribbon, wherein a reactance detector element housed in the cartridge at a location close to a predetermined travel path of the ink ribbon increases its reactance as a conductive strip disposed on the ribbon at a predetermined location relative to the splice moves close past the detector element, the reactance increase being detected by a protection arrangement external of the cartridge to prevent printing operations from being carried out through said splice.

Abstract: An ink ribbon unit has supply and take-up spools which are fastened securely and locked against free rotation inexpensively and reliably in a manner not to impair the quality of an ink ribbon thereof. The supply and take-up spools are fastened securely and locked against free rotation by an elastic sheet-like holder which is formed by vacuum forming and has a fixed shape. The holder has a first holding portion for holding the take-up spool and a pair of second holding portions for holding diametrically opposite surfaces of the ink ribbon wound on the supply spool. The holder has free ends extending from the respective second holding portions and secured to each other by an adhesive tape.

Abstract: A ribbon shield for an impact printer having a row of print hammers and an endless moving type band comprises an elastic separator sheet in which an edge thereof is formed with an offset projecting from the plane of the sheet. The offset projects an amount which is greater than the thickness of the sheet. The sheet, which is made preferably from a polyester material, can be very thin so that it will not cause underscoring and its compliance to force from the print hammer will not extract the energy therefrom.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for performing recording by transferring ink on an ink sheet onto recording medium includes a sensor for determining the type of ink sheet to be used for recording, a recorder for performing recording by transferring the ink on the ink sheet onto the recording medium, and a controller for controlling the relative movement of the ink sheet with respect to the recorder during the recording performed by the recorder in accordance with the type of ink sheet determined by the sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a printer and a method of switching ribbon tracks of an ink ribbon. The printer uses an ink ribbon having a plurality of ribbon tracks of the same color and properly switches the ribbon tracks from one to another in a printing operation. This ribbon-track switching method switches the ribbon tracks from one to another when a printing page is changed or an equivalent operation is executed. It is therefore possible to suppress a decrease in printing density to thereby prolong the service life of the ink-ribbon cartridge. Since the ribbon tracks are switched from one to another when a printing page is changed or an equivalent operation is executed, thus inhibiting the switching of the ribbon tracks on the same page, the printing density on the same page becomes even and the printing quality can be improved.

Abstract: A thermal printing device comprises a label tape printer and tape and ink ribbon cartridge for horizontal insertion into the printer. The cartridge housing includes an upper cover and a base which are joined by telescoping hubs and posts. The cartridge contains a supply of tape and ink ribbon wound on supply spools, a ribbon or rewind spool and a roller platen all supported for rotation. The platen and the rewind spool are formed with gears which engage one another. The platen gear is disposed proximate the cartridge tape port and an opening for admitting the printer print head. When the cartridge is horizontally inserted :into a printer openings the print head bears against the tape and ink ribbon which abuts the platen for controlled printing and advancement of the tape and ribbon. The platen gear partially extends from the front of the cartridge for driving engagement with a printer motor drive gear. In an alternate embodiment the rewind spool gear engages the printer motor drive gear.

Abstract: A label printer for receiving a continuous strip of labels on a backing strip from a label supply and for passing the labels between a thermal first head and a platen roller. A motor connected with the platen roller rotates the platen roller. A peeling rod located past the thermal head in the path of the backing strip about which the strip is sharply deflected for separating the labels from the backing strip. A rotatable presser roller opposite the platen roller and past the peeling rod for pressing the backing strip with the labels now removed against the platen roller, whereby the label strip is driven by the platen roller past the thermal head and the backing strip is driven by the rotation of the platen roller and the cooperating rotation of the presser roll again past the platen roller.

Abstract: A cassette for ribbon for a printer, particularly a thermal printer, is disclosed. The cassette is configured to be stably mounted to a print carriage of a thermal printer, or to a storage turret mounted to the printer for storing a number of cassettes, and to be transferred by a passive transfer system between the print carriage and the storage turret simply in response to movement of the print carriage. A smooth, low friction path is provided for the ribbon within the cassette with no acute angle changes in the path when the cassette is in a printing position and being acted upon by the printer's print head. The cassette is provided with a brake mechanism which automatically engages the supply and take-up reels in the cassette when the cassette is removed from the print carriage, and automatically disengages the brake mechanism when the cassette is mounted to the print carriage.

Abstract: A thermal printer accepting an ink ribbon cartridge includes a chassis, a thermal head secured to the chassis and a platen roller which is rotatably supported in the chassis and swingably movable relative to the thermal head. The platen roller is rotated by a first platen driving mechanism and is moved toward and away from the thermal head by a second platen driving mechanism. When the platen roller is moved to contact the thermal head via an ink ribbon intervened therebetween, an image is printed on a printing medium fed between the platen roller and the ink ribbon. The printer accomplished aligned overprinting on the printing medium via a paper supply mode, a printing mode, a paper retract mode and a paper discharge mode effected by the first and second platen driving mechanisms.

Abstract: A system is provided for assisting operators of a printing press in webbing ribbons of a web material exiting a printing unit of the printing press through paths of rolls which direct the ribbons into preselected formers of a folder. A remote display device is provided on each roll which is utilized in more than one path. The remote display devices operate under the control of a web management system and display information which indicates the identity of its respective roll, the direction in which the ribbon must be wrapped around its respective roll, and the identity of the next roll to be wrapped. Ribbon path information for a plurality of jobs is stored by the web management system allowing for rapid ribbon path changes between jobs without limiting the number of permissible ribbon path layouts.

Abstract: A paper guide mechanism for a serial printer wherein print paper can be prevented from being soiled by contact thereof with an ink ribbon or an ink ribbon guide plate while also leaping out of the ink ribbon through a printing hole of the ink ribbon guide plate is prevented. A paper guide plate is disposed in such a manner as to assure a gap from a print head so that the ink ribbon may not leap out readily from the printing hole of the ink ribbon guide plate mounted on the paper guide plate. The paper guide plate is so shaped that, when the ink ribbon guide plate is mounted on the paper guide plate, the ink ribbon guide plate presents a concave configuration toward the platen so as to prevent contact between the ink ribbon guide plate and print paper as far as possible.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use with printers (or plotters) for storing and transferring ink-containing ribbon cassettes between a print head and a storage location. The printers (or plotters) are of the type which include a print head that is not as wide as the width of the medium to be printed on so that the print head has to be moved to print (or plot) across the full width of the medium. The apparatus automatically removes a cassette mounted to the movable carriage to which the print head is also mounted and deposits it in the storage station, and automatically removes a selected cassette from the storage station and deposits it on the print carriage. The apparatus includes cassette holders at the storage location and a cassette holder mounted to the print carriage.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette includes a top, a bottom, sides disposed between the top and bottom, a ribbon chamber disposed between the top and bottom, a ribbon outlet extending from the chamber, a ribbon inlet extending into the chamber, and a positionable tab disposed on the cartridge for actuating a power switch on a device in which the cartridge may be mounted.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge has an ink ribbon and a ribbon casing accommodating the ink ribbon therein and defining in a part thereof an ink ribbon exposure opening. A film defining a printing opening therethrough is fixed at lengthwise opposite ends thereof on the ribbon casing by two supports, respectively, while covering the exposure opening. At least one of the two supports is movable along the length of the film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ribbon guide assembly for a printer. A ribbon guide assembly (40) includes a ribbon guide (50) and a guide support (45). The ribbon guide (50) is employed on a replaceable printer ribbon cartridge to guide an exposed print section of a print ribbon (64) over a print head (80) of the printer. The ribbon guide (50) of the present invention has four members (56, 58, 60, 62) disposed between a bottom platform (52) and a top platform (54), whereby the members define a path for the print ribbon. The ribbon guide also has two collars (66, 68) coupled to the bottom platform and two of the members. Each of the collars defines a substantially circular opening. The guide support (45), affixed to the print head carriage, has two cylindrical alignment rods (90, 92) extending upward substantially perpendicular from the path of the carriage.

Abstract: In a dot impact printer, printing heads impact on an inked ribbon so as to form a pattern of dots on a paper sheet. The more often printing is carried out, the looser the central portion of the inked ribbon becomes. A sensor disposed perpendicularly against a surface of the inked ribbon detects such a condition of the inked ribbon, emitting a signal. Receiving the signal, a control means finds the inked ribbon unusable, interrupting the printing operation, and knowing a timing to replace the inked ribbon. The control means operates an alarm to urge replacement of the inked ribbon. Therefore, the dot impact printer is prevented from performing the printing operation under unfavorable conditions.

Abstract: A ribbon adaptor attachable to a recording apparatus comprises a ribbon loader for loading an ink ribbon, a ribbon feeder for feeding the ribbon loaded by the ribbon loader, a support frame member for supporting the ribbon loader and ribbon feeder, and an adaptor stopper provided on the frame member.

Abstract: In a printer having a platen, a print head disposed opposite to the platen, and a ribbon mask fixedly provided on the print head and having a masking plate provided with an aperture to expose only the front end of the print head to the platen, an ink ribbon is extended through a space between the platen and the print head, and the masking plate is disposed between the platen and the ink ribbon to shield a recording sheet wound round the platen from the ink ribbon. The aperture of the masking plate has inclined edges inclined to a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the print head so as to intersect a platen center obliquely. In case the side edge of a floating portion of the recording sheet is caught in the aperture of the masking plate while the print head is moved, the side edge slides along the inclined edge to escape from the aperture, so that the side edge is not caught in the aperture of the masking plate.

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.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette includes a top, a bottom, sides disposed between the top and bottom, a ribbon chamber disposed between the top and bottom, a ribbon outlet extending from the chamber, a ribbon inlet extending into the chamber, and a positionable tab disposed on the cartridge for actuating a power switch on a device in which the cartridge may be mounted.

Abstract: An improved dual purpose print ribbon cartridge for use with a typewriter or printer having upper and lower walls joined by side walls one of which is a front sidewall. The cartridge being provided with ribbon exit and entrance ports at opposite ends of one of the front sidewalls for movement of said ribbon along and spaced from said front sidewall. The upper wall being formed with an upwardly directed extension for guiding the paper, after printing, in an upwardly direction.

Abstract: An improved dual purpose print ribbon cartridge for use with a typewriter or printer having upper and lower walls joined by side walls one of which is a front sidewall. The cartridge being provided with ribbon exit and entrance ports at opposite ends of one of the front sidewalls for movement of said ribbon along and spaced from said front sidewall. Said front sidewall being formed with an upwardly directed extension for guiding the paper, after printing, in an upwardly direction.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette has a rectangular clip and a mushroom clip on its guide arms for detachably mounting a ribbon protector which has a rectangular slot that attaches to the rectangular clip and allows some lateral and back and forth movement of the ribbon protector, and has a starburst hole with leaves that attach to the mushroom clip for detachably holding the ribbon protector on the cassette and for positioning a central print hole in the protector in a central space between the ribbon guide arms of the cassette.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette includes a top, a bottom, sides disposed between the top and bottom, a ribbon chamber disposed between the top and bottom, a ribbon outlet extending from the chamber, a ribbon inlet extending into the chamber, and a positionable tab disposed on the cartridge for actuating a power switch on a device in which the cartridge may be mounted.

Abstract: A printer has one or more tractor sets for continuously feeding paper along first and second paper paths. One tractor set may be pivoted between positions for feeding paper from the front or bottom of the printer along the first paper path. Where one tractor set is used, it may be removed from the first feed path and disposed along the second paper path to feed paper along the second paper path for printing. Where two tractor sets are provided, the second set is disposed along the second paper path to feed the paper along the second path for printing. The tractor sets are detachable and usable in each of the three tractor set feed positions. Other features include eccentric bearings, resilient roller assemblies, an integrally molded mainframe and a cartridge assembly having a one-way ribbon advance clutch and a tensioning device before the mobius loop.

Abstract: In a ribbon cassette capable of being provided on a printing device including a rocking mechanism for rocking a ribbon cassette in a vertical direction, a protection portion provided on the ribbon cassette protects the ribbon cassette from being fit with the rocking mechanism. Thus, even if the rocking mechanism is operated, the ribbon cassette is not rocked. In other words, the ribbon cassette is not rocked even if a data for rocking the ribbon cassette is erroneously inputted to the printing device.

Abstract: A flat substrate (3) for surface structure is insertable, in each case, in positions where the processing means (5) are moved into positions outside of the path of the substrate, in particular for print and/or read means (6, 7) in a device for the transport of flat substrates (3) in office machines, in particular for records in record-processing apparatus (1). A pull-in shaft (8) or feed throat includes guide means which form, in transport direction (4), one or several successive, cross-running openings (19) for the processing means (5) movable cross to the transport direction (4). The openings (19) are closable, at least in part, by way of elastic coverings (24, 25) for achieving an interference-free pull-in of damaged and/or irregular substrates (3) or, respectively, records.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printer with an improved arrangement to facilitate changing of inking ribbons. A slide assembly is placed in a load position and loaded with an inking ribbon supply roll. Thereafter, the inking ribbon is threaded about guides. With the print head and the platen of the printer separated, the slide assembly is slid to a printing position where the inking ribbon is disposed in space between the print head and the platen. Thereafter, the print head and platen are moved relatively together so that the printer is now able to print on a record medium.

Abstract: In an electronically controlled typewriter, a printer or the like with an exchangeable ribbon cassette, which is provided with identifying codings and where the ribbon cassette is pivotable between a lowered position of rest and an elevated printing or operating position around the cassette base facing away from the printing area, it is provided in order to attain a simple and dependably readable coding which can discriminate between a plurality of different types of ribbon cassettes, that at a defined radial distance from the base of the ribbon cassette, which is to be inserted, a sensor is disposed at the side of the pivot path of the same, which gives off an electrical output signal in reference to a changing magnetic field. It is provided in a ribbon cassette for such a typewriter or such a printer to dispose at least one bistable magnetic element on a lateral surface of the ribbon cassette.

Abstract: A thin metal ribbon shield for mounting in a standard data processing printer ribbon guide. The ribbon shield has a short insert tab and a long insert tab, and is particularly designed for ease of installation and removal. The thin metal ribbon shield is durable and permits printhead gap settings from the paper of the minimum distance capable in a printer. The ribbon shield is unlikely to kink during installation or removal because the stress when bending the shield is at the juncture of the long insert tab and the ribbon shield, rather than down the middle of the shield face.

Abstract: A printer is provided with a band 44 attached to the printhead 54 to move to-and-fro across the line of printing, and around rollers (98,110) allowing it to pass beneath a printing support bed 12 so that introduced documents and documents being printed are restrained from excessive separation from the printing support bed 12. The band 44 is supported in association with the printhead 54 by non-return cylinders 58,64 capable only of uni-directional rotation. Each cylinder 58,64 is provided with a rotary spring 76 which takes up any excess length developing in the band 44. Spring loaded rollers 98,110 at either end of the printing path support the band 44. Electrical indication is provided when one, the other or both of the cylinders 58,64 cease to take up excess length and when one, the other or both of the spring loaded rollers 98,110 also cease to take up excess length in the band 44.

Abstract: A thermal ink-transfer printer is disclosed in which an ink donor sheet is wound on a supply reel. The ink donor sheet is drawn out from the supply reel and passes between a rotating drum and a thermal head and is then rolled round a winding reel. Printing paper is moved in a printing-paper transporting path formed between the rotating drum and guide means. The thermal head presses the ink donor sheet against the printing paper and heats the ink donor sheet to transfer the ink on the ink donor sheet to the printing paper. The ink donor sheet after completing the ink transfer is separated from the printing paper and rolled round the winding reel. The printing paper separated from the ink donor sheet is moved in the printing-paper transporting path. When the ink donor sheet during separation from the printing paper is erroneously drawn into a predetermined portion of the printing-paper transporting path, this erroneous operation of the ink donor sheet is detected by jam detecting means.

Abstract: A document track for use in a check encoding machine or typewriter comprises a workhead positioned in a slot in a wall of the track, the slot being positioned transverse to the direction of movement of a document in the track, the slot closed off by a flexible strip held flush with the inner surface of the wall by means of first and second support brackets and first and second support arms. As the workhead moves up and down the slot, the flexible strip passes around the workhead such that only a working surface of the workhead is exposed in the slot, the rest of the slot being screened off flush with the inner surface of the wall by the flexible strip.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge having flexible ribbon guides and an integral, resilient ribbon shield in pressure contact with paper to deaden noise from the printing operation. Also disclosed is a method of preparing paper which may have been folded or had corners bent from handling for printing and feeding through a printer in which the ribbon shield is pressed against the paper while the printer head carriage traverses across the paper to flatten the paper and urge the paper toward a nip of opposed paper feed rolls of a paper handling module associated with the printer.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer wherein a ribbon cassette adapted to receive therein an ink ribbon which is guided outside from a ribbon take-out portion in a manner such that the ribbon is drawn out of a ribbon pull-in portion is placed on a carriage, and a head mounting member supporting the thermal head is disposed within a recess formed on the platen side of the carriage so that the mounting member may be moved to and from the platen, characterized by the provision of a moving mechanism in which the width of the recess in the carriage moving direction is formed to be larger than that of the head mounting member in the same direction as the former so that the carriage and the head mounting member may be relatively moved in the carriage moving direction, and the head mounting member and the carriage may be relatively moved so that when the head mounting member is projected from the recess of the carriage toward the platen, the head mounting member is moved close to the ribbon pull-in portion of the ribbon casset

Abstract: A printer having extended ribbon capacity is provided with a vacuum buffering system which stores ribbon on either side of a ribbon utilization mechanism, illustratively an impact print head. In a preferred embodiment, the ribbon is stored in a pair of vacuum chambers which are arranged to pivot about a common axis as a carriage which bears the print head is translated along a carriage path. The vacuum chambers are each provided with telescopically extendable members which compensate for variations in the distance between the pivot of the vacuum chambers and the print carriage, as the print carriage is translated. A ribbon lift system for multitrack embodiments utilizes off-carriage drive and a direction-determining clutch toggle system.

Abstract: A guard is used to close the gap between the print ribbon and a check supported by the platen in a check writing machine. The guard inhibits paper or metal shims from entering the gap to receive the check amount and payee data thereby protecting the printer from issuing blank checks which could later be filled out to create a counterfeit document.

Abstract: A ribbon shield for a dot matrix printer which is comprised of a step contoured recessed cavity such that the ribbon sequentially wipes against an upper edge, a lower edge, towards the paper, the other lower edge and the other upper edge and the ink removed accumulates in the cavity whereby it is restrained from flowing onto the paper.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette has a box-shaped ribbon container for housing an endless ink ribbon and a ribbon protector positioned between a sheet of print paper and the ink ribbon exposed between ribbon guide arms. The ribbon protector is elongate in shape and has a pair of holes defined in the opposite ends thereof and a central hole. The ribbon protector is mounted in position by fitting the end holes thereof over projections on the ribbon guide arms. The ink ribbon cassette also has a pair of holders for preventing the mounted ribbon protector from being detached from the ribbon guide arms. During a printing operation, the ink ribbon is pressed against the sheet by a print head through the central hole in the ribbon protector.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises recording means for recording on a recording medium through an ink ribbon in accordance with a predetermined system, means for covering the recording means such that the cover means is free to open or close, and means, interlocked with an opening/closing operation of the cover means, for shifting the ink ribbon from a first position to a second position when the cover means is opened.