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.