Abstract: A thermal recording device suitable for use in an electronic typewriter for printing characters on a printing paper by means of an ink sheet. The device has a thermal recording head adapted to be pressed onto the printing paper through the ink sheet so as to print the characters on the printing paper. The ink sheet is adapted to be fed by a reversible winding device. The recording device further has a first detector for detecting the length of the ink sheet fed by the feeding device in a period between a moment at which the feeding is commenced and a moment at which the thermal recording head reaches the first image recording position, and a second detector for detecting the length of the ink sheet fed by the feeding device in a period between a moment at which the thermal recording head leaves the final image recording position and a moment at which the thermal recording head is stopped.

Abstract: A ribbon feed mechanism for typewriters operable to incrementally feed a ribbon with a dual segment continuous motion ribbon feed. The ribbon is advanced an initial segment by a power actuated linkage and advanced a final segment by a spring urged arm acting on a multi-toothed cam. The initial segment feed occurs when a bellcrank is pivoted, and through a linkage, urges a ribbon metering shaft to rotate which, in turn, feeds the ribbon. Simultaneously, a spring biased cam follower is gradually displaced by the multi-toothed cam which is supported on the metering shaft. The final segment feed occurs as the spring biased cam follower is rapidly displaced down a cam surface of a tooth on the multi-toothed cam.