Abstract: A ribbon cartridge includes a feed core and a takeup core around which an ink ribbon is wound. The cartridge is formed substantially symmetrically in the right-left direction and reversibly loaded in a printer. The ribbon whose width is great enough to accommodate two characters has a upper and a lower parts which each extend in the lengthwise direction of the ribbon, the upper and lower parts being usable in sequence for printing out data. A ribbon feed belt is passed over a drive roller and a pair of rollers which are located to define apexes of a triangle, remaining in frictional contact with the outer peripheries of the ribbon on the opposite cores. The drive roller drives the belt to feed the ribbon.

Abstract: Mechanism for automatically adjusting the feed increment according to the type of ribbon in a ribbon cassette is characterized by a pawl and feed ratchet and to means operative by coded features on a cassette, when the cassette is mounted, to control the interval of engagement of the pawl and feed ratchet.

Abstract: An improved transfer material holding cassette of the type including transfer material in the form of ribbon, two cores and a case is disclosed. The case is formed with an opposing pair of guides and the inoperative position of the guides is determined offset from the operative position where two supporting members are mechanically engaged to the guides in the housing of an image building apparatus. When the support members are practically engaged to the guides, the inner wall of each of the guides is brought in uniform close contact with the outer surface of each of the support members under the effect of elastic force generated by engagement of the latter to the guides. Thus, any uneven area on the guides which is developed at a time of molding can be automatically eliminated by fitting the transfer material holding cassette to the holding of the apparatus.

Abstract: Member (9) has a tension arm (13) over which ribbon (3) feeds. Biasing arm (17) presses member (9) toward brake surface (7), with slot (21) moved until it encounters stud (23). At low tension of ribbon (3), brake surfaces (11) and (7) press and hold ribbon (3). As feed tension increases tension arm (13) forces member (9) back until stud (23) encounters the opposite end of slot (21), after which slightly higher force further opens the brake and arm (13) continues to provide feed tension. The mechanism is small, efficient, smooth functioning, and suited to incorporation as part of a ribbon cartridge.

Abstract: A ribbon supply arrangement for a printer is provided with a first ribbon supply portion having supply and take-up reels therein, the ribbon being provided to a second ribbon supply portion which is installed on a carriage of the printer. In one embodiment, the first ribbon supply portion is pivotally coupled to the second ribbon supply portion, and also pivotally coupled to a pivot coupling on the frame of the printer such that the bulk of the weight of the first ribbon supply portion, including the ribbon supply therein is borne by the frame, and not the print carriage. In a further embodiment, the first ribbon supply portion is provided with a large supply reel and a plurality of take-up reels.

Abstract: A thermal recording apparatus for recording onto a recording paper comprises a printing head, an ink ribbon member, and a movement member for moving the printing head between a first position in which the printing head is in contact with the recording paper via the ink ribbon member and a second position in which the printing head is not in contact with the recording paper.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette for winding an ink ribbon from a feed spool to a winding spool is provided. The cassette includes a base with a guide path for receiving a guide projection formed on a support member having a feed spool sleeve. A drive roller and controlling roller are rotatably mounted on the cassette base. A winding spool is rotatably mounted on the feed spool sleeve and biased towards the drive roller, and a feed spool is rotatably mounted on the feed spool sleeve and biased towards the controlling roller. The spool sleeves are positioned so that when the guide projection of the support moves within the guide path the winding spool operatively engages the drive roller and the support member pivots about the guide projection so that when the ribbon is wound from the feed spool to the winding spool, the feed spool maintains engagement with the controlling roller.

Abstract: A printing device having a plurality of indicating units for indicating information on the ink ribbon and having a detecting unit for ink ribbon information, with the indicating units and the detecting unit being arranged opposite to each other.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal head pressed against a paper sheet on a platen directly or through an ink ribbon, a carrier which holds the thermal head and on which a black or color ink ribbon is detachably mounted, a first detector for generating a color output signal upon detecting that a color ink ribbon cassette is mounted on the carrier, a second detector for generating a "black" signal while detecting a black area of the ink ribbon, and a control circuit for setting a thermal printing mode, a black or a color ink printing mode in accordance with the output signals from the first and second detectors. When the thermal printer is powered, the control circuit sets the color ink printing mode upon detecting that the color output signal is continuously generated from the first detector. When the color output signal is not generated from the first detector, the control circuit moves the thermal head by a given distance upon pressing it against the paper sheet on the platen.

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: A multicolor inked ribbon cartridge for an impact serial printer comprising a ribbon housing body and two arms protruding from such body to allow the interposition of a ribbon portion between a printing head and a printing support for the whole length of the platen when the cartridge is rotatably attached to the frame of an impact serial printer by means of two lateral cylindrically-shaped projections provided on the body of a cartridge thus permitting rotation of the body around a common axis of said cylindrical projections, parallel to the platen. The cartridge rotation around such axis and therefore the positioning of a suitable multicolor band between the printing head and printing support is assured by a cam actuated by a motor and interacting with the body of such cartridge. The cartridge is further provided with a string made tight between the ends of its arms upon the multicolor ribbon portion which is interposed between the head and printing support.

Abstract: A cartridge (1) is attached to a carrier and tiltable around a tilting axis (2). The carrier is movable along platen (3) and parallel to the print line and tilting axis (2). On the rear and on the bottom of the cartridge a drive knob (4) is provided as part of the internal cartridge ribbon drive. On the carrier a ribbon feed device with wheel (6) and upright standing blades (7) is provided. Those blades (7) cooperate with walls (9) inside the knob surface and form a kind of screw driver interconnection. Both engaging parts (7) and walls (9) allow a movement perpendicular to their rotational axis and to each other. Wheel (6) with blades (7) rotates around an axis (11) and knob (4) rotates around axis (12). Intentionally the two rotational axes (11, 12) are offset to each other relative to tilting axis (2). Thus, always a moment around this tilting axis (2) is created.

Abstract: Bi-level cartridge for an endless printer ribbon has superposed upper and lower compartments with a ribbon stuffing feed means located in each compartment. The ribbon is guided so that it travels once through each of the compartments for each pass that it makes past a printing station. The feed means for each compartment are coaxial and keyed together so they can be driven by the printer's drive member. To facilitate threading and stuffing of the cartridge, an idler roller portion for one of the feed means is selectively movable into or out of biased engagement with its driven roller portion.

Abstract: The multicolor thermal printer comprises a frame (1), a platen (4) and a carriage (2) that can move along the platen (4). This carriage (2) consists of a lower part (5) carrying the thermal print head (3) and an upper part (6) hinged to the part (5) thanks to a hinge pin (7a). The upper part (6) carries four inking ribbons (31) located on levels of height increasing from the front to the rear so that the inking ribbons are arranged in a vertically offset fashion on the ribbon guides (40). By pivoting of the upper part (5), the ribbons can be placed successively opposite the heating elements (3a). A drive mechanism (53 to 68) for the ribbons is made so as to drive only the ribbon placed opposite the heating elements (3a) and only when the carriage (2) is moved in the direction of printing.By this design, a fast change of the printing color and a reduced consumption of inking ribbons can be attained.

Abstract: A fan-folded type ink ribbon cartridge in which an ink ribbon is regularly folded to have a constant width and is enclosed in an enclosing space of a cartridge casing. This cartridge is provided with a plurality of projections which are arranged to face one another on the mutually facing inner surfaces of the cartridge casing near the outlet of the enclosing space of the cartridge casing. Each gap which is formed by the projections facing each other is set to be more narrow than the folding width of the ink ribbon. These gaps may be set to be constant or they may be set so as to gradually become more narrow towards the outlet of the enclosing space. The ink ribbon is hooked by the projections and the folding width is gradually reduced, so that the ink ribbon can be stably pulled out with minimal load variation. In addition, the ink ribbon is prevented from falling down due to the pressure of the inlet side of the enclosing space or due to the weight of the ribbon itself.

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 image recording apparatus is provided with a device for detecting the presence or absence of an ink ribbon, which is characterized in that one of a one-direction recording mode and a both-direction recording mode is selected in accordance with the result of the detection of the detecting device.

Abstract: A cartridge for a typing ribbon and spools for a correcting ribbon are mounted on a common frame which can tilt about a spindle. In a lowered position of the frame the typing line behind a daisy wheel is visible. The frame is raised by a first stroke to the position shown to dispose the typing ribbon over the typing point on the platen. A longer stroke raises the correcting ribbon to the typing point and this longer stroke also actuates an automatic ratchet wheel and pawl type of feed mechanism for the correcting ribbon. The two strokes of the frame are controlled by a disc comprising two cam tracks with a common part and separate parts having different degrees of eccentricity relative to the common part.

Abstract: There is disclosed a replaceable inking cartridge for a printer. The inking cartridge includes an arrangement for indicating when the inking medium of the cartridge has been spent. The indicating arrangement is non-resettable so that the user is prevented from using a spent cartridge for additional printing. The indicating means is useful for signalling the user or the printer about the spent condition of the cartridge.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge (10) is attached to a carrier (1) of a printing device such that it is tiltable along an axis that is parallel to the print line to drop the ribbon such that the print line is visible. That part of cartridge (10) which is opposite of the ribbon exposing part and on the other side of tilting axis (18) is on its bottom provided with a ribbon advance knob (8). Into this knob (8) two essentially upright standing walls and inclined ramps (11) are molded. The ribbon feed device (6), provided on carrier (1), has a blade (5) or noses (17) which cooperate with slot-forming walls (12) of knob (8). In ribbon drive direction (14) cartridge (10) automatically drops into coupling interconnection for ribbon feed. Upon turning ribbon feed device (6) in reverse direction (16) blade (5) or noses (17) slide up ramp (11) and lift the rear part and drop the front part of the cartridge (10) so that the print line is rendered visible.

Abstract: The inked ribbon cartridge comprises an endless ribbon, an elongated housing for the ribbon, a first laterally extending finger at on end of the housing, a longitudinally slidable arm at the other end of the housing carrying a second finger disposed generally parallel to the first finger. A drive wheel is located behind the ribbon and is rotatable for withdrawing ribbon from the front section and is operative to create folds in the used ribbon and to stuff the folds of ribbon between the drive wheel and the ribbon. A fixedly mounted stripper ring encircles the drive wheel and carries a stripper foot to strip the ribbon from the wheel. At the exit port are three aligned support members with the middle support member being over center with respect to the other two. A leaf spring member is located in contact with all three support members. The ribbon passes between one of the support members and the spring.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cassette of the type employing two ribbon spools. In this one, the ribbon is driven by a belt engaging the spools and, in turn, the belt is engaged by both of two alternately driven drive rollers and wherein each drive roller, when it is driven, effects removal or unwinding of ribbon from the spool with which it is directly associated.

Abstract: A printer having a daisy type-wheel or the like comprises a carrier longitudinally movable along a platen and a carriage detachably and pivotally mounted on the carrier. Mounted on the carriage are a ribbon cartridge, the type-wheel, a hammer assembly and a magnet assembly for actuating the hammer assembly. The design of the printer permits easy and accurate positioning and adjustment of constituents of the carriage, easy and accurate attachment of the carriage to the carrier, and easy tilting of the carriage for replacement of the type-wheel. Shifting of the type-wheel is achieved rapidly and with the low vibration. The ribbon cartridge may be moved from a non-printing to a printing position easily, with low vibration and with little generation of noise. The U-shaped ribbon cartridge includes an engaging member extending from a front leg of the cartridge toward the inside of the U-shape.

Abstract: For the retention of a ribbon cartridge (1) on a carrier (2) in a printer or a typewriter or the like, a flexible retaining arm (3) is disclosed. This retaining arm (3) is attached to carrier (2) and stands upright from it. Arm (3) includes a protruding leg (12) underneath cartridge (1) and a tenon (8) adapted to snap back into a recess (7) in cartridge (1) after deflection of retaining arm (3). On its opposite side cartridge (1) is supported with its trunnion (5) in a hole in a fixed retaining arm (6) of carrier (2). Trunnion (5) and tenon (8) are arranged on tilting axis (4) which is parallel to the print line. Upon loading cartridge (1) on carrier (2) protruding leg (12) is biased so that upon removal of cartridge (1) protruding leg (12) urges cartridge (1) upwardly. Retaining arm (3) with its protruding leg (12) is made of spring steel in leaf spring form.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette mounting mechanism is generally constructed with a guiding device for guiding an ink ribbon cassette, housing an ink ribbon and having an engaging part on the wall surface thereof, from a predetermined direction to a predetermined position. An engaging and holding device is engaged with the engaging part on the ink ribbon cassette to hold the same at the predetermined position, when the ink ribbon cassette is shifted from the predetermined direction to the predetermined position; and releases the engagement with the engaging part, when the ink ribbon cassette is further shifted in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: The cartridge comprises a container (7) of substantially parallelepipedal form with its corners radiused and rounded off. The container is provided with a back (8) having a slot (27) adapted to guide a slide (26) on the ends of which are rotatably mounted a feed spool (22) and a take-up spool (32) on which the ribbon (21) is wound. A spring (36) engaged with a stud (41) on the slide keeps the slide (26) towards the right-hand side of the container with the take-up spool (32) engaged with the pin teeth of a feed roller (42). As the turns of ribbon wound on the take-up spool increase, the slide shifts with the two spools towards the left-hand side of the container in opposition to the action of the spring. The cartridge is mounted removably on a support of the machine which is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the machine passing through the printing point in a manner such as to permit visibility of the printed characters.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for a printer comprising a storage reel for an ink ribbon, a take-up reel for the ink ribbon, drive wheels for longitudinally advancing the ink ribbon from the storage reel to the take-up reel for printing on the ribbon and a pulley which rides on a cam for transversely displacing the ribbon during its longitudinal advance to produce a saw-tooth path of travel of the ribbon and offset the area of the ribbon utilized in printing.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for use in an impact printer has a pair of spaced ribbon guide arms pivotally mounted on a cartridge case. An endless ink ribbon is stored in a storage space in the cartridge case. A feed roller is drivably mounted in the cartridge case. A roller guide is pivotally mounted in the cartridge case and has a hook engageable by a post on the rear end of one of the ribbon guide arms. A pressure roller is rotatably mounted on the roller guide and movable toward and away from the feed roller in response to angular movement of the roller guide. The pressure roller is normally urged by a spring to move toward the feed roller.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus which is loaded with a transfer member including a color agent to be transferred to a sheet and which transfers the color agent to the sheet in accordance with a pattern to form an image on the sheet, a cassette holding section is provided in a housing having a transferring function, whereby the transfer member is set in the position where the color agent can be transferred to the sheet in accordance with the pattern. The cassette holding section is provided with a holder for holding a spare transfer member.

Abstract: A cartridge 12 for correction tape 22 is disclosed which utilizes a cam follower 40 operated pawl 50/ratchet 52 for feeding of the tape 22, where the pawl 50 is operated as a result of the movement of a cam follower 40 against a cam 40 on the support frame 10. As the cartridge 12 oscillates, the pawl 50 is displaced to increment the ratchet 52 to effect feed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a power supply for supplying power thereto and a battery supply for supplying back-up battery power. A printing mechanism effects printing on a printing paper in accordance with one of a plurality of printing pitches, and a processor controls the printer and produces data signals. A selector selects one of a plurality of printing pitches and applies a signal indicating the selected printing pitch to the processor. A plurality of indicators each indicates a respective one of the plurality of printing pitches and one of the indicators is energized by a data signal produced by the processor. A memory is supplied with back-up battery power by the battery power supply and stores a selected one of the plurality of printing pitches. The memory is accessed by the processor.

Abstract: An ink ribbon feeding mechanism includes a rotatably supported capstan roller which is fixed in position and a rotatably supported pinch roller which is movable with respect to the capstan roller and normally biased toward the capstan roller to be pressed thereagainst with ink ribbon to be fed as being sandwiched therebetween. In the present invention, there is provided a structure which allows to keep the pinch roller separated away from the capstan roller when desired. In the preferred embodiment, it is so structured that the pinch roller is brought into contact with the capstan roller under pressure when a top cover is pivoted closed and brought out of contact with the capstan roller when the top cover is pivoted open, automatically.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mechanism for raising and feeding different types of ink ribbons in typewriters and similar machines. With a simple design and using only one motor under programmed control, the mechanism is capable of utilizing ink ribbons economically, e.g. printing alternately in several printing zones of a ribbon or in several colors. It also feeds ribbon by a length which corresponds to the type of ribbon, or type of operation, e.g. proportional typing. The starting point for the various functions is a basic position to which the mechanism is positioned by the motor.

Abstract: A printer having a print ribbon feed mechanism is disclosed which allows optimal feeding of a print ribbon, eliminating unnecessary consumption of the ribbon. The mechanism includes first and second clamp means mounted on a stationary section and a print carrier of the machine, respectively, which are both controlled in accordance with movement of a print head from and to a print enabling position. Means are provided which are connected to a carrier indexing mechanism for impositively driving print ribbon supply and takeup spools disposed on the stationary section to wind a print ribbon onto them during a carrier return operation whereas they allow the ribbon to be unwound from the ribbon spools when the carrier advances.

Abstract: A thermal printer is provided with a detecting member adapted to detect the presence of a thermal ribbon cassette on the printer. When the thermal ribbon cassette is mounted on the printer, the thermal print head is held at a release position until a cycle of ribbon feeding action has been completed. The thermal head is moved from the release position to a print position to print data on the next line, after the used part of the thermal ribbon has been taken up and an unused part of the thermal ribbon is positioned opposite a sheet of ordinary paper.

Abstract: An image transfer type image building apparatus includes a platen and a recording head, the latter being adapted to come in contact or out of contact with the former. A cassette containing a supply of thermal transfer ribbon wound on a pair of winding cores is positioned opposite the platen with respect to the recording head. A driving power source for displacing the recording head is positioned opposite the recording head with respect to the cassette. Driving power is transmitted from the driving power source to the recording head via power transmitting members which extend between the winding cores. The cassette is detachably secured to a frame member of the apparatus. The driving power source is mounted outside the cassette permitting the cassette structure to be designed in smaller dimensions.

Abstract: A printing ribbon cassette having in a casing a supply spool carrying a printing ribbon thereon and a take-up spool on which the ribbon is wound as it is released from the supply spool having an axis of rotation which is movable as the ribbon is released therefrom. A ribbon tensioner in the casing has a base rotatably supported on a supply spool shaft, and one end engaged with the ribbon released from the supply spool, while the other end of the tensioner is engaged with a guide member in the casing. The outer end of the tensioner is movable along the guide member with the displacement of the supply spool shaft to enable one end of the tensioner to maintain a constant range of tension on the ribbon.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for proportional ribbon (23) tracking on a printer (20), the printer (20) including a carrier (30) upon which implements of printing, for example the printwheel (25), ribbon (23) and hammer (28) are all mounted for translation opposite a platen (21). Ribbon lift mechanism is provided for effecting elevation of a ribbon (23) to multiple predetermined positions or tracks (1-10) (FIG. 3B) intermediate a printwheel (25) and a platen (21) so that indicia or character may be printed on print receiving medium (22) held thereby. In essence, an input means (11) receives a character to be printed. The microprocessor (13), in conjunction with the ROM (15), characterizes the character in accordance with a predetermined plurality of characteristics. In accordance with ribbon lift and feed algorithms, a particular characteristic of the character to be printed is added to a position on the ribbon upon which at least one prior character has been printed.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette incorporates a locking mechanism which acts to prevent both rotational spool movement and axial displacement or "treeing" of the coils of ribbon wound on a single flange supply spool prior to mounting for use in a typewriter. The locking mechanism is automatically released when the cassette is mounted for use in a typewriter or like machine.

Abstract: A print ribbon cassette of a simplified construction which can prevent slackening of a print ribbon and normally keep the print ribbon in taut condition for printing. The print ribbon cassette comprises a lock member having a locking position for preventing inadvertent rotation of a feed spool on which a print ribbon to be supplied is wound. The cassette further comprises a ribbon lock control member which is moved between an operative position and an inoperative position in response to a tensile force of a print ribbon applied thereto. In the operative position of the ribbon lock control member, it engages with the lock member and holds the same to the lock position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly to an arranging structure in which an ink ribbon extended from a ribbon cassette is arranged between a platen and a print head. The printing apparatus comprises a platen rotatably supported on a frame, a print head capable of moving reciprocally along the platen, a ribbon cassette replaceably loaded at one end side of the movable range of the print head and housing an ink ribbon with some portion extending outwardly as a loop, and a ribbon guide body located inside the loop of the ink ribbon and for pulling out the same. The ribbon guide body is movably provided along the platen and enters inside the loop of the ink ribbon when the ribbon cassette is mounted on the frame with the ribbon guide body located at one end side of the movable range of the print head.

Abstract: A thermal printer for printing characters or the like on a recording medium, heat-sensitive paper or plain paper, by a thermal printhead which is mounted on a carriage movable along the recording medium in a reciprocating manner is provided. The printhead is pressed against the recording medium while the carriage is moving in a printing direction and the printhead is kept away from the recording medium while the carriage is moving in a returning direction opposite to the printing direction. A cassette containing therein heat-sensitive ink ribbon is substantially elongated in shape and it bridges between a pair of side plates forming part of a frame of the printer when detachably mounted in position. The cassette is provided with a supply port at one end and a take-up port at the opposite end and thus the ribbon is lead outside through the supply port and lead inside through the take-up port. And the ribbon is taken up in association with the returning motion of the carriage.

Abstract: A film ribbon cassette for an impact printer is disclosed. The cassette includes two compartments (430 and 432) divided by a central wall (434). A central shaft (482) extends from compartment (432) into the other compartment where it receives a motor drive (486). The shaft is attached to a knurled roller (472) which draws the ribbon from the supply spool (438) through a member (436) across an aperture for a printing station, crossing over and returning to the other side of the cassette into the spent ribbon compartment (432).

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette for a printer includes a casing defined by a top wall and a bottom wall, at least one ink cartridge disposed slidably in the casing, a transfer roller disposed in the casing for transferring ink from the ink cartridge to an ink ribbon, and a spring urges the ink cartridge toward the transfer roller. The top wall has a slot extending radially relative to the transfer roller. A first projection is formed on the ink cartridge, and extends upwardly through the slot. A pair of elastic levers extend from the first projection radially relative to the transfer roller, and are disposed in the slot. Each lever has a second projection formed adjacent to an end thereof remote from the first projection. A pair of third projections are provided on the opposite edges of the slot for engaging the second projections to maintain the ink cartridge in its retracted position away from the transfer roller.

Abstract: A cartridge using an endless printer ribbon includes a re-inker and a drive assembly which pulls the ribbon through the re-inker and advances it while folding it in fan fold fashion into a storage compartment. The fan folds are compressed before they exit from the storage compartment into an expansion area where the fan folds unfold. From the expansion chamber the ribbon passes through a straightening compartment to ensure that all the folds in the ribbon have been eliminated before the ribbon leaves the cartridge.

Abstract: A combination of a printing head supporting carriage in a printer, and an ink ribbon cassette adapted for mounting on the carriage at an angle thereto and having a recess in which a printing head can be positioned. The cassette has at least one positioning pin at its bottom. A resilient lever is provided on the peripheral surface of the cassette which is substantially perpendicular to the bottom thereof. The lever has a lower end secured to the peripheral surface and a free upper end. The carriage has at its top a first inclined surface adapted to support the bottom of the cassette thereon, and having a hole for receiving the pin of the cassette therein. The carriage also has at its top a second inclined surface which is substantially perpendicular to the first inclined surface, and adapted to support the peripheral surface of the cassette thereon. The lever is engageable with the second inclined surface to hold the cassette on the carriage.

Abstract: Apparatus to support an inked ribbon cartridge and/or daisywheel motor and assembly. The cartridge has a paper shield integral therewith that is notched to expose the ribbon to the paper, whereby a daisywheel petal carrying a type font may be struck by a print hammer to type a character. The cartridge has a detent to lock the daisywheel motor support in a fixed position. The motor support may be adjusted in position relative to the platen.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus which is loaded with a transfer member including a color agent and transfers the color agent to a sheet in accordance with a pattern, thereby forming an image on the sheet, a housing has a transferring function. The housing includes a ribbon cassette holding section for setting the transfer member therein. The printing apparatus is provided with a detection mechanism for detecting the type of the transfer member to be set therein and for delivering a detection signal.

Abstract: A reversible typing ribbon cartridge has two pairs of pinch roll pairs for moving the ribbon in the direct and inverted positions respectively. When the cartridge is off the typing machine both pinch pairs are engaged with the ribbon, but as the cartridge is installed, a rod penetrates into the cartridge and disengages the pinch pair in the following position while drives engage the ribbon spool and the pinch pair in the leading position.

Abstract: A printer for use with a data processor and a ribbon cartridge for use in the same are disclosed. The cartridge has at least two separate ribbon supplies which may differ in the type of ink on the ribbon (MICR vs. ordinary) and/or in color of ink or otherwise. A mechanism moves the cartridge along a straight line path to index selectively an active portion of each of the ribbons to a position aligned between a printhead and a platen for printing through the selected ribbon. A ribbon drive mechanism drives at least one of the ribbon supplies only when that ribbon supply has been selectively indexed to be printed through. In one embodiment a Magnetic Ink Character Recognition ribbon supply is driven between take-up and supply reels only when it is indexed for printing, while a multi-strike ribbon with ordinary ink is driven continuously. In another embodiment only one of two or more ribbon supplies is driven at one time.