Abstract: A mechanism for reversing the movement of an inked ribbon in an office printing machine or the like comprising first and second rotors each for effecting the rotation of one of two ribbon spools on which the ribbon is mounted and a driving element for alternately imparting a driving force to one of the rotors. The driving element is alternately selectively coupled to one of the two rotors to effect the reversal of the movement of the ribbon. A reversing member is shiftable between a first position wherein the driving element is coupled to the first rotor and a second position wherein the driving element is coupled to the second rotor. The reversing member is resiliently coupled to the driving element for rotational movement therewith. The reversing member is maintained in one of the two positions and is permitted to shift to the other of the two positions in response to the application of a predetermined torque.