Abstract: An ribbon spool and associated mounting spindle for a printer incorporates multiple longitudinal ribs on the spindle that fit into multiple longitudinal slots in the spool to acquire rotational lock between the spindle and spool. A latch at the end of selected ribs interacts with a lock ridge within the spool to acquire longitudinal lock between the spindle and spool. Placing the lock ridge near one end effectively prevents the spool from being inserted from the wrong end. The latch includes a spring-loaded detent action to hold the spool in place until an operator exerts sufficient force to overcome the latch for removal and replacement of the spool. The inner cylindrical surface of the spool is also designed to work properly with conventional spring-loaded frictional force spindles. However, the reverse is not true. Due to the sloping alignment edges on the ribs of the instant spindle, conventional spools may be blocked, thus preventing improper insertion of the old spools onto the new spindles.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for wide format flexible substrates includes a generally cylindrical traction roller having a first axis of rotation, a traction surface and having a length measured parallel to the first axis at least equal to the maximum width of substrate to be used. A generally cylindrical pressure roller has a second axis of rotation, a pressure surface and has a length measured parallel to the second axis at least equal to the maximum width. The pressure roller is deployed with the second axis parallel to the first axis and the pressure surface in rolling contact with the traction surface. A clamping system is configured to apply clamping forces to the pressure roller so as to press the pressure surface against the traction surface while permitting rotation of the pressure roller about the second axis. The clamping system is configured to apply the clamping forces to the pressure roller at at least three locations spaced along the length of the pressure roller.

Abstract: A clean print ribbon feed system and method for a printer having a ribbon with two non-inked clean hands portions wound around a pair of spools is disclosed. Detection of the spool having greater angular velocity and lesser angular velocity determines the direction of feed. The spool having greater angular velocity winds and takes up the print ribbon. The non-inked portion can be formed as a conductive plastic and is initially wound on each spool. Detection of the non-inked portion of the ribbon takes place by two electrical contactors. The determination of the angular velocity of the spools determines the amount of print ribbon on one of the spools so that the spool having the lesser ribbon can be driven as a take-up spool to provide proper directional drive for winding the clean hands portion and the inked portion which follows.

Abstract: A mounting for a manual stamp has an outer casing, a stamp-carrying body that is slidably mounted in the outer casing against a spring loading force, and a protective cover. One of the stamp-carrying body and the cover has a resilient tongue, and the other has a locking member engageable with the tongue. When the cover is placed on the stamp-carrying body, the latter can be pushed into a retracted position within the outer casing and be locked in that position by latching of the tongue with the locking member.

Abstract: An ergonomical keyboard assembly includes an upper cover, a lower base plate connected to the cover, and a unitary keyboard. The upper cover includes a hollow frame that confines an opening. The keyboard has a substrate mounted on the base plate below the cover, and a plurality of keys which are mounted on the substrate and which have key caps projecting upward and outward from the cover through the opening. The substrate has a top face which is arched and which protrudes upward. The key caps form an arched overall key surface that projects upward and outward through the opening and that is arched from two ends to an intermediate portion of the opening.

Abstract: An imprinter of simplified construction, including a base having a flatbed for receiving at least one character bearing element having characters to be imprinted on a print receiving element, and having a pair of opposed upwardly extending sides as well as a lid having a top surface, a pair of platen holder supports, and downwardly extending sides engaged with and slidable along the upwardly extending sides of the base to support the lid for sliding motion in first and second opposed directions along the flatbed and to limit movement of the lid orthogonal to the flatbed during movement in the first and second directions.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotary printing machine having a form cylinder movable between an on and an off position mounted in a rotary printing machine. The form cylinder cooperates with a transfer cylinder or directly with a back-pressure cylinder (7) to print a printing material. In addition to driving gearwheels the printing machine has a positively power introducing drive band, for example a toothed belt, which transmits the drive power from the back-pressure cylinder or the transfer cylinder to the form cylinder. In the off position, the form cylinder is driven solely by the drive band.