Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for threading a ribbon, preferably an erase ribbon through an impact printer such as a typewriter. One end of the ribbon is stored at a ribbon storage means, while the other end of the ribbon has a tab fastened thereto. The longitudinal dimension of the tab is perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the ribbon and the tab contains a frangible portion which is used for finger engagement during the threading operation. The ribbon take-up reel contains a slot in one of the flanges thereof such that the ribbon tab may be inserted into the slot after the ribbon has been threaded through the printer. The frangible portion is then separated from the ribbon and discarded.

Abstract: An assembly for elevating the print ribbon and the erase ribbon of an impact printer is disclosed. In their respective rest positions, the ribbons are positioned in vertical relationship to one another and in one embodiment the ribbons are in the same plane when in their rest positions. When the printer is operating in the print mode, the print ribbon is selectively elevated to the print point while the erase ribbon remains stationary. When the printer is operating in the erase mode, both ribbons are elevated. In the erase mode, the print ribbon is elevated to a point above the print point and the erase ribbon is elevated to the print point.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ribbon cartridge for an impact printer, the cartridge having a housing in which a print ribbon is stored. A segment of the print ribbon is situated outside of the housing and is positioned adjacent the print point by means of a rigid bridge means which spans the print point and which is mounted to bridge piers located on the print element carriage. The bridge means greatly facilitates the mounting of the ribbon cartridge.