Abstract: A ribbon positioning mechanism comprises a ribbon cartridge, a nosepiece, a stepper motor and flexible ribbon guides connecting the ribbon cartridge to the nosepiece. The nosepiece has two side members connected by a bridge, one of which has a downwardly extending leg. A rack located on the bottom of the leg engages a pinion attached to the stepper motor for lifting the nosepiece into a desired position. A ribbon, having a plurality of parallel color bands, passes from the ribbon cartridge via the flexible ribbon guides and through the nosepiece where it is aligned with a print head. The nosepiece freely slides on vertical guide posts attached to a print head carrier and printer logic controls the stepper motor to align the desired color band with the print head.

Abstract: An improved flexible leader for use in conveying ink ribbon from a ribbon box to the print point of a printer or typewriter is disclosed. The leader is a U-shaped channel with top latches which protects the ribbon from operator contact and provides good ribbon tracking. Vertical raised ridges on the insides of the channel reduce frictional contact between the ribbon and the leader. The leader is easy to install.