Abstract: A sheet feed device for sequentially selecting and feeding sheets of paper from one or more trays or magazines mounted upon a printer and delivering them to the platen of the printer. The device includes one or more selector latch mechanisms, one associated with each tray, whose movement is controlled by the platen rotation and which, in turn, controls the rotation of sheet feed rollers associated with the trays, in response to a specific sequence of forward and reverse angular platen movements.

Abstract: A ribbon take-up drive mechanism for a universal ribbon cartridge. The cartridge is adapted to engage the ribbon drive shafts of printers of two different designs. The drive shaft positions are different, and the direction of drive shaft rotation is opposite for the two designs. The take-up mechanism is designed such that the ribbon is pinched between the teeth of a direct drive gear and a biased idler gear. The printer of one design drives the ribbon through the direct drive gear. The printer of the second design drives the ribbon through an alternate drive gear, an idler gear and the biased idler gear. In either case, the ribbon is advanced in the same direction.

Abstract: An end-of-ribbon sensing system which is equally compatible with various arrangements of light emitters and light detectors as utilized in different models of serial impact printers, the sensing system including a unique compound reflector, having a first reflective portion for use in cooperation with one sensing device and having a second reflective portion for use in cooperation with another sensing device. A clear transparent tape segment located near the end of the ribbon is provided to allow light to pass from a light source on the sensors to the reflective portions and back to a photodetector on the sensors.

Abstract: An improved ribbon cartridge for use in impact printers, typewriters or the like, in which inked ribbon upon a supply spool and a take-up spool are enclosed within a housing with the center of each spool being supported for rotation and for floating movement along its own guide path. A guide capstan having a fixed center is also located within the housing. The supply spool is mounted upon a torsion arm for movement in an arcuate path and is urged toward and against the take-up spool which itself is constrained to move in a straight line between the takeup spool and the fixed center drive capstan. When the capstan is rotated by an external drive, it rotates the take-up spool in order to wind the inked ribbon thereupon while simultaneously unwinding ribbon from the supply spool.