Abstract: Thermal printing apparatus is disclosed in which a thermal transfer ink ribbon (14) is drawn from a supply spool (15) past a thermal print head (12) in ink transfer engagement with an item (17) on which printing is to be effected. The used ribbon is wound upon a take up spool (16) which is driven to apply tension to the used ribbon to peel it from the face of the printed item. Drive (43) to the take up spool is controlled by a pivoted member (22) which actuates a switch (26) to apply drive when the ribbon is slack and to terminate energisation of the drive as the ribbon becomes taut.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus for performing the recording of an image on a recording medium by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet to the recording medium has an ink sheet, a conveyance unit for conveying the ink sheet, a recording medium conveyance unit for conveying the recording medium, a recording unit for recording an image on the recording medium by activating the ink sheet, a counting unit for counting the black dot numbers in the current line, a timing unit for measuring the elapsed time since the image recording in the last line by the recording unit, and a control unit for controlling the ink sheet to be conveyed for a predetermined length without conveying the recording medium in accordance with the timing value of the timing unit and the counting value of the counting unit subsequent to the current line recording by the recording, thus making it possible to separate the ink sheet and recording sheet more reliably to maintain a high recording quality.

Abstract: A printer apparatus including a slide assembly for advancing a receptor material and a ribbon material relative to a print head and platen for printing color images.

Abstract: A recording apparatus in which a comparatively small spacing is required for automatic loading of transfer paper of a transfer paper and record paper cartridge. The recording apparatus comprises a spool feeding mechanism for feeding a supply spool from a transfer paper and record paper cartridge mounted in position in the recording apparatus to an opposite position with respect to a platen roller to effect loading of the transfer paper, a paper supplying mechanism for supplying a record paper sheet from within the cartridge to the platen roller, and a print head which is pressed against the platen roller with the record paper sheet and the transfer paper interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A ribbon feed for a thermal ink transfer ribbon (14) is disclosed in which the ribbon is drawn from a supply spool (15) and, together with an article (17) such a mail item on which printing is to be effected, is fed past a thermal print head (12). A tachometer (45) is coupled to the feed to generate pulses as the item is fed. A sensor (33, 34) generates pulses as the spool (15) rotates due to drawing of the ribbon therefrom. The number of sensor pulses occurring in periods determined by the tachometer pulses is compared with a predetermined value to provide to enable detection of occurrence of a fault in the ribbon feed from the spool.

Abstract: A ribbon control mechanism for a serial encoding device is provided to conserve the usage of single-strike ribbon consumed during printing. The mechanism includes a ribbon transport mechanism and means for signaling the transport mechanism to reverse the ribbon between documents to position the ribbon for printing in unspent ribbon.

Abstract: A feed arrangement for a typing ribbon and/or a correction ribbon comprises a linear motor having a coil-carrying slide which is movable with an alternating rectilinear movement, a toothed wheel for the feed movement of the ribbon, and a connecting mechanism interposed between the coil-carrying slide and the wheel for converting the movement of the slide into a unidirectional rotary movement of the wheel for advancing the ribbon. The connecting mechanism comprises a first lever which is moved by the slide and two mutually independent ratchet assemblies and which are capable of alternately engaging with two diametrally oppositely disposed teeth on the toothed wheel. The ribbon is carried by a cassette and the wheel rotates a blade capable of engaging into a seat in a feed roller of the cassette.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes motor control apparatus for variably controlling the rotational speed of a take-up spool used to wind-up an expended dye-bearing donor web after passage through a print zone. The donor web is moved through the print zone at a substantially constant velocity by a rotatably driven print drum which cooperates with a thermal print head to unwind the donor web from a supply spool. The motor control apparatus operates to rotate the take-up spool at a speed inversely proportional to the instantaneous take-up spool diameter, whereby the expended donor web is accummulated at a rate slightly slower than the rate at which it is payed-out of the print zone during the printing operation. Preferably, the desired rate of rotations of the take-up spool, which gradually decreases with the number of prints made, is determined by the use of a shaft encoder mounted on the support shaft of the supply spool.

Abstract: An electronic typewriter has a reduced number of electrically-powered actuators and comprises a motor powering a differential motion transmission unit having first and second output members. Transmission control means powered by a solenoid moves a slider to engage stop members selectively with the first and second output members to permit the second and first output members respectively to rotate. The first output member drives the carriage transport mechanism. The second output member drives the character carrying element and also powers function devices, namely a correction device, through a motion switching mechanism controlled by a switch control mechanism including another solenoid. The typing ribbon feed is driven by reciprocation of the slider between its two states. The motor is mounted on the frame and drives the motion transmission unit on a carriage through a belt; it also drives a line spacing mechanism through a clutch operated by a further solenoid.

Abstract: In a shuttle dot line printer including a hammer bank shuttling back and forth at a given speed in a direction to transverse a sheet of print paper while turning around at two opposite ends, and an endless ink ribbon uni-directionally moving through a space between the hammer bank and the sheet of print paper, the ink density of the characters printed when the hammer bank is moving in the direction opposite to the ink ribbon is lowered. To prevent such occurrence, the ink ribbon is moved at a low speed lower than a regular speed when the moving direction of the hammer bank is opposite to that of the ink ribbon. On the other hand, when the moving direction of the hammer bank is same as that of the ink ribbon, the ink ribbon is moved at the regular speed after a predetermined period of time has been expired when the hammer bank turns around at one end and starts moving in the same direction as the ink ribbon.

Abstract: A paper bail device includes a ribbon drive gear adapted to be driven by a reversible motor; a ribbon drive shaft coupled to the ribbon drive gear through a one-way clutch; a paper bail support lever hinged to a printer body and supporting a paper bail rotatably for bringing the paper bail into and out of contact with a platen; and a paper bail drive actuated by the power of the motor for driving the paper bail support lever to bring the paper bail into and out of contact with the platen.

Abstract: A thermal head of a printer is provided to contact a platen through an elongated print paper and an elongated ink ribbon. One end of the ink ribbon is wound and retained on a ribbon core, and the other end is taken up by a take up spool. The print paper and the ink ribbon can be fed back at the same speed by reversely rotating the platen. At the same time, rotation resistance to be applied from the take-up spool to the ink ribbon is removed by a resistance removing device. Further, the ribbon core is reversely rotated by a ribbon core reverse driving device to rewind the ink ribbon, thereby preventing slacking of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: Thermal printing apparatus includes motor control means for variably controlling the rotational speed of a take-up spool used to wind-up an expended dye-bearing donor web after passage through a print zone. During a printing step in which the donor web is contacted by a thermal print head, the take-up spool is rotated at a relatively slow speed, whereby the spool takes up the donor web at a rate slower than that at which the web is payed-out of the print zone. By this arrangement, the take-up spool exerts zero tension on the web during the printing operation, and certain tension-produced artifacts in the thermal print are eliminated. During the interval between successive printing operations, the take-up spool is rotated at a rate sufficient to take-up the web slack produced during printing.

Abstract: A printer apparatus including a slide assembly for advancing a receptor material and a ribbon material relative to a print head and platen for printing color images.

Abstract: A printer having an ink ribbon shift apparatus includes a carrier unit having a printer head and a ribbon guide which is movable upwardly and downwardly. Up and down shift means are provided to shift an ink ribbon cassette up and down. A shaft is disposed parallel to a platen and extends along the entire range of movement of the carrier unit. The shaft shifts up and down together with the ink ribbon cassette and is engaged with the said ribbon guide. The up and down shift means moves the ink ribbon cassette up and down and the ribbon guide is thereby shifted up and down via the shaft so that a predetermined color band of an ink ribbon is positioned on a printing line.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording onto a recording medium and capable of correcting an erroneous recording includes an ink sheet mounting section on which an ink sheet for effecting the recording medium is mountable, a device for effecting the ink sheet to the recording medium, and a motor for driving the ink sheet. By a driving force produced by one directional rotation of the motor, the recording ink sheet is moved between an effecting position where the recording ink sheet is effected by the effecting device and a retracted position where the recording ink sheet retracts from the effecting position. Also, by a driving force produced by the motor, the correcting ink sheet is moved between an effecting position wherein the correcting ink sheet is effected by the effecting device and a retracted position where the correcting ink sheet retracts from the effecting position.

Abstract: A serial impact printer comprising a support frame, a platen mounted for rotation upon the support frame, a print element having character imprinting portions disposed thereon, a print element selector for moving the print element to position a selected character imprinting portion at a printing position, a marking ribbon and a lift-off ribbon. A hammer for moving a selected character imprinting portion for deforming the platen with a printing force, and means for moving the hammer toward and away from the platen. Each ribbon is selectively positionable between the print element and the platen. A carriage mounted for reciprocating movement generally parallel to the platen supports thereon the print element, the print element selector, the marking and lift-off ribbons, means for positioning the ribbons, means for advancing the marking ribbon, the hammer, and the means for moving the hammer. A single D.C.

Abstract: A printing apparatus employing a print ribbon provided with at least two print zones divided in width direction thereof wherein the print zones are cyclically located opposedly to a print position on a platen.A single drive power source is used to drive a ribbon holder rocking mechanism and a ribbon winding mechanism. The drive force of the drive power source to rock the ribbon holder is transmitted to the ribbon winding mechanism through a gear train. The gear train is arranged such that the drive force is transmitted therethrough only during a predetermined range of the stroke of the rocking motion of the ribbon holder.The rocking motion of the ribbon holder is controlled to vary the amount thereof depending upon the width of characater or symbol to be printed so as to vary the winding volume of the ribbon.

Abstract: A printing system includes print ribbon wound on first and second rotatable reels and a rotatable capstan for moving the ribbon between the first and second reels, such that ribbon is supplied from the first reel and is collected after use on the second reel. A microprocessor controls both the reel and capstan movements and computes the quantity of ribbon wound on each reel based on a known diameter of the capstan and the relationship between the number of rotational steps moved by the capstan and the number of rotational steps moved by the corresponding reel during a given time period. The microprocessor includes a random access memory in which a plurality of ramp tables are stored for controlling the movements of the reels. Each ramp table includes a speed parameter representing a particular rotational speed and an acceleration parameter representing a number of rotational steps for ramping up to and down from the particular speed, for a discrete range of ribbon diameters.

Abstract: A multicolor ink ribbon switching system for a printer includes at least one discrimination switch, a controller, a cassette swinging mechanism, and a ribbon feed mechanism. The discrimination switch discriminates whether a ribbon cassette mounted on a base is a multicolor or monochromatic ink ribbon cassette. The controller receives an output from the discrimation switch. If the output represents the multicolor ribbon cassette, the controller outputs a swinging signal in the color switching mode and a ribbon feed signal in the printing mode. However, if the output represents a monochromatic ribbon cassette, the controller outputs a ribbon feed signal. The cassette swinging mechanism causes the ribbon cassette to swing in response to the cassette swinging signal to switch ribbon colors. The ribbon feed mechanism winds the ribbon in response to the ribbon feed signal from the controller.

Abstract: An improved thermal transfer printer which is so arranged that a winding motor for driving a transfer ribbon winding device in synchronization with a carriage motor is mounted on the carriage separately from the carriage motor so as to reduce the load applied onto the carriage motor, with simultaneous elimination of an engaging mechanism between a carriage scanning mechanism and the ribbon winding device.

Abstract: A multi-format document printer and processor has a plurality of data writing and reading means for data in different formats, disposed along a transport path. Forms are separated from a continuous perforated form supply and advanced along the transport path. Bidirectional drive rollers disposed along the path advance the documents and reverse them for reprocessing as necessary. At the end of the transport path, the documents are routed to an exit hopper or a reject hopper and a sensor at the exit detects already-issued forms manually loaded by an operator, which already-issued forms can be likewise bidirectionally processed for reading, verification, modification and the like. The processor is preferably embodied for transportation tickets and boarding passes, having: optical character recognition (OCR) write and read devices, magnetic strip write and read devices and a dot matrix printer having an array of print heads operable to print a document in one pass.

Abstract: An exchangeably insertable ink ribbon cassette, for a printer has a storage space for an ink ribbon and a transport device for the ink ribbon that can be driven through a reduction driving gear by an electric motor. The liability to repair of the printer is reduced in that the electric motor (12) and the reduction gear (15, 16) are arranged in a drive housing (6) fixedly integrated with the housing of the ink ribbon cassette and means (7 to 10) are provided for establishing a current connection between the motor (12) and the printer by means of a detachable contact connection.

Abstract: A color ink ribbon positioning system for use with color printing apparatus that uses a color ink ribbon having a plurality of different colored ink regions formed at predetermined intervals on a ribbon base, in which only a single ink region marker block is provided for each set of colored ink regions, includes a detector for detaching the ink region marker block and a calculating unit for determining the leading edge of each color ink region that is to be successively arranged next to the printer head, so that is it only necessary to detect the single marker block in order to advance the ribbon to print the successive colors of a set.

Abstract: Ribbon feed control apparatus includes a rotatable supply roll on which a supply of ribbon to be dispensed is placed, a rotatable take-up roll on which the ribbon is collected after being used in printing, a mechanism for driving the take-up roll in one direction for pulling the ribbon from the supply roll, a device for determining the amount of ribbon required for a printing operation, a device for measuring the amount of ribbon used in such an operation, a device for comparing the amount of ribbon required with that actually used, and for terminating operation of the take-up roll driving mechanism when the amount required and the amount used are equal, tension sensing mechanism for determining when the ribbon becomes slack while it is being driven between the supply roll and the take-up roll, driving mechanism controlled by the tension sensing mechanism for driving the supply roll in a direction opposite to the direction in which the take-up roll is driven in order to take up the slack in the ribbon, and de

Abstract: A snap-fit fastening or mounting arrangement for a motor having a mounting flange. The fastening or mounting arrangement includes a side frame member having a pair of spring-like snap elements that are integral with the side frame member for securing the motor. The frame member also includes a pair of pilot studs integral therewith and positioned to be received by apertures in the mounting flange to resist torque of the motor. The side frame member includes a plurality of hubs as an integral portion thereof and gears are journaled on the hubs in an arrangement driven by the motor. A fastening element is provided with spring fingers which are inserted into the aperture of each hub and retained thereby to secure the respective gear on the hub.

Abstract: A printing apparatus system includes a plurality of type units each having a plurality of type elements and each being different from the others. Each type unit may be mounted in the apparatus. A detector detects which of the type units is so mounted and produces a detection signal representative thereof. The printing pressure with which each type element is imprinted on a print medium is determined in accordance with the particular type wheel mounted in the apparatus as indicated by the detection signal. Additionally, the amount of advance of an ink ribbon for imprinting a type element on a type unit is determined in accordance with the particular type unit mounted in the apparatus, again as indicated by the detection signal.

Abstract: A web, such as a ribbon in a printer, is provided with bar code markings arranged thereon to provide selected information, such as ribbon footage used and ribbon type. A printing fluid applied to the ribbon may be provided with particles having magnetic properties which are readable by a magnetic static read head wherein the presence of the magnetic printing fluid in the vicinity of magnetic gaps in such a head completes magnetic circuitry. Also, such printing fluid may be provided with fluorescent pigmentation, thereby affording optical sensing. In a printer embodiment, a mechanism is shown for synchronizing the output signals of the bar code sensors with a distance measuring device.

Abstract: A printing ribbon positioning apparatus and method of operation thereof advances a ribbon in connection with the printing of a character with one of a plurality of print rows across the width of the ribbon by an amount that takes into consideration the past advancement of the ribbon in connection with the last characters printed with each of the other rows of the ribbon and the widths of the character to be printed and the last character printed with the same print row of the ribbon as the character to be printed.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer having an ink ribbon winding mechanism and a heating element biasing mechanism driven by a single motor source is provided. A carriage is slideably mounted on a guide for reciprocating along a platen. A print head including a heating element is mounted on the carriage. An ink ribbon winding means for moving the ink ribbon across the heating element and a head displacing means for displacing the heating element towards the platen during printing and away from the platen when not printing are both mounted on the carriage. The motor is operatively coupled to the ink ribbon winding means and the print head displacing means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for effecting thermal recording on a sheet of a recording medium with the aid of a reusable ribbon which can be repeatedly used for recording a plurality of times. The recording operation is performed during forward movement as well as during return movement of a thermal head while the ink ribbon is wound and unwound. On completion of a predetermined number of recording operations in both direction further recording is stopped and the thermal head is returned to its home position without any displacement of the ink ribbon. Thereafter, the above-mentioned steps are repeated. The reusable ribbon is wound by a length equal to M/N of a line every time recording is performed on M lines in the two-way recording mode, where N represents the number of recording operations for which a portion of the reusable ink ribbon can be repeatedly used.

Abstract: A printer, including a first and a second feed mechanism supported by a carriage for feeding a print ribbon and an erase ribbon, respectively, at least one rotatable shaft supported by the reciprocating carriage rotatably in opposite directions, a one-way clutch for transmitting the shaft rotation in one of the opposite directions to the first feed mechanism, and inhibiting transmission of the rotation in the other direction, and a control mechanism for inhibiting transmission of the shaft rotation to the second feed mechanism when the printer is in a printing mode, and transmitting the shaft rotation to the second ribbon mechanism when the printer is in a correction mode, whereby the carriage reciprocation activates the first and second feed mechanisms. A converter may be provided for converting the shaft rotation into movements of a ribbon lift to shift the erase ribbon between an erasing and an inoperative position.

Abstract: A printer having extended ribbon capacity is provided with a vacuum buffering system which stores ribbon on either side of a ribbon utilization mechanism, illustratively an impact print head. In a preferred embodiment, the ribbon is stored in a pair of vacuum chambers which are arranged to pivot about a common axis as a carriage which bears the print head is translated along a carriage path. The vacuum chambers are each provided with telescopically extendable members which compensate for variations in the distance between the pivot of the vacuum chambers and the print carriage, as the print carriage is translated. A ribbon lift system for multitrack embodiments utilizes off-carriage drive and a direction-determining clutch toggle system.

Abstract: A single solenoid is connected to a ribbon feed mechanism which is selectively operable either to feed a print ribbon or to lift and feed an error correction tape. A print hammer solenoid is operable to condition the ribbon feed mechanism either for feeding the print ribbon or lifting and feeding the error correction tape. To feed the print ribbon, an electronic circuit energizes the print hammer solenoid before energizing the ribbon feed solenoid in response to depressing a character key. To lift and feed the error correction tape, the electronic circuit energizes the print hammer solenoid after energizing the ribbon feed solenoid in response to depressing a correction key.

Abstract: This application discloses an inked ribbon operation device in a printer in which a carriage having printing means is moved in parallel to the platen to perform printing, a reversible motor is supported on the carriage, a pair of spaced ribbon shafts are rotatably supported on the carriage for re-winding the ribbon from one ribbon shaft to the other ribbon shaft, a guide member is supported for holding the inked ribbon between the pair of ribbon shafts for moving the ribbon between the printing position and printed area viewing position, ribbon feed means is disposed between the motor and the ribbon shafts for rotating the ribbon shafts in response to the rotation of the motor in the forward direction, first connection means is disposed between the motor and guide member for moving the guide member to the raised position in response to the rotation of the motor in the forward direction, second connection means is disposed between the motor and guide member for moving the guide member to the lowered position i

Abstract: A printing device in which a printing ribbon moves in one direction and a printing head moves back and forth parallel to the ribbon. When the head and ribbon move in the same direction, printing is not started until the ribbon is moving at a faster speed than the head. When the head and ribbon move in opposite directions, printing is not started until the ribbon is moving at a given speed which is a fraction of the speed of the head.

Abstract: A ribbon feed mechanism for printing machines has a motor coupled to a ribbon drive mechanism for feeding a ribbon in response to energization of the motor. A control mechanism is coupled to the ribbon drive mechanism and responsive to the ribbon drive mechanism during ribbon feeding for limiting the amount of ribbon feed to predetermined feed increments.

Abstract: A color printer includes a carriage slidably movable on a printer frame. A print head is mounted on the carriage. A multiple-color ink ribbon having bands of color is stored in a cartridge which guides the multiple-color ink ribbon to the print head. A color selecting mechanism moves the cartridge and the multiple-color ink ribbon relative to the print head to select a color band for printing. An advancing mechanism winds the multiple-color ink ribbon in the storage member to tension the multiple-color ink ribbon after a color band has been selected and prior to printing.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink transfer printer in which an ink transfer ribbon is displaced in synchronization with the printing head under electric control to achieve high reliability with a simple mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for adapting a common dc motor for use in a typewriter to drive the ribbon lift and advance functions. The motor is coupled by means of a set of gears to a shaft on which are mounted the ribbon advance gear and ribbon lift cams. Also mounted on the shaft is a slotted disk. As the motor and disk rotate, an optical sensor outputs a signal for each slot. A processor then computes the motor speed from the slot timing and issues modulated pulses to the motor to regulate its speed.

Abstract: A color printer inludes an ink ribbon supporting frame mounted on a base unit swingingly about an axis parallel to a platen. A ribbon cassette comprises a cassette case for accommodating a color ink ribbon which has a plurality of different color longitudinal stripes so that at least a part of the ink ribbon forms a loop exposed from and extending to the cassette case. The ribbon loop is positioned along the platen and between a printing head and the platen, when the ribbon cassette is set on the ribbon frame. A ribbon guide is slidably mounted on a carrier for supporting the ink ribbon at a position adjacent to the printing head. The ribbon frame and ribbon guide are simultaneously shifted so that a desired one of color stripes of the ink ribbon is positioned on a predetermined printing line.

Abstract: In a color printer in which a shuttle assembly containing a plurality of impacting print hammers is reciprocated in bidirectional fashion relative to an opposing platen to impact a print paper against the platen through the different color zones of an ink ribbon to print in color, the different color zones of the ribbon are arranged in a repeating pattern along the length thereof enabling the lightest color to be printed first followed by successively darker colors as the ribbon is advanced bidirectionally between the opposite ends thereof. A pair of barrier zones having a blank ribbon zone therebetween are disposed between each adjacent pair of color zones on the ribbon to prevent ribbon contamination due to bleeding of ink between adjacent color zones when the ribbon is wound on a reel. Ribbon contamination is further prevented by the blank ribbon zones which absorb ink that rubs off onto the ribbon guides.

Abstract: A user-friendly ribbon cartridge to house and to facilitate handling a wide thermal transfer ribbon for a thermal color printer is composed of first and second casing sections which define a slotted let-off tube and a slotted take-up tube and turnbar. A pair of casing end pieces connect the corresponding ends of the casing sections so that they are juxtaposed with their axes parallel to one another so as to define a plane and the turnbar is spaced parallel to that plane so that a stretch of ribbon wound about cores rotatively mounted in the tubes can extend out through the tube slots and over the turnbar creating a large unobstructed planar ribbon area that is accessible from both sides for printing. A handle and latch member integral to one of the end pieces facilitate positioning the cartridge properly in the associated printing apparatus and locking it in place during printing.

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 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 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 printer using a disposable ribbon which is fed from a feed section toward a take-up section of a feeding device upon completion of printing of each line of characters. The printer comprises a memory for storing position data representing a feed-side end of an active portion of the ribbon which has been used for the last printed line, the feed-side end being located on the side of the feed section of the feeding device, and another memory for storing another position data representing a take-up-side end of another active portion of the ribbon which is to be used for the next line of characters, the take-up-side end being located on the side of the take-up section of the feeding device.

Abstract: A method of feeding an ink ribbon for a printer in which the ink ribbon is frequently reused for printing action by reversing the feeding of the ribbon at the ribbon ends including suppressing the printing action of the printer for a predetermined time at the time of reversing the feeding of the ribbon at the ribbon end to prevent the ink ribbon from excessive use at the ribbon ends to prolong the useful life of the ribbon.

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: A color printer inludes an ink ribbon supporting frame mounted on a base unit swingingly about an axis parallel to a platen. A ribbon cassette comprises a cassette case for accommodating a color ink ribbon which as a plurality of different color longitudinal stripes so that at least a part of the ink ribbon forms a loop exposed from and extending to the cassette case. The ribbon loop is positioned along the platen and between a printing head and the platen, when the ribbon cassette is set on the ribbon frame. A ribbon guide is slidably mounted on a carrier for supporting the ink ribbon at a position adjacent to the printing head. The ribbon frame and ribbon guide are simultaneously shifted so that a desired one of color stripes of the ink ribbon is positioned on a predetermined printing line.