Abstract: A tape cartridge detachably installed on a cartridge installation portion of a tape printing apparatus having a first shaft and a second shaft on the cartridge installation portion. The tape cartridge includes a tape accommodation area in which a printing tape and a tape core are accommodated. A platen has a first reception portion in which the first shaft is inserted when the tape cartridge is installed, and a second reception portion into which the second shaft is inserted when the tape cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation portion. When seen from an attaching direction of the tape cartridge, the tape cartridge has an appearance that is formed in an L-shape and of which a base end at a right side surface slightly projects. The first reception portion and the second reception portion are arranged each other from opposite side of the tape accommodation portion.

Abstract: A tape printing device in which the closing of an open/close cover and the presence/absence of a tape cartridge can be detected simultaneously is provided. The tape printing device includes a cartridge loading section in which a tape cartridge is loaded in an unloadable manner; an open/close cover which opens/closes the cartridge loading section; a cover detection section which is provided in the cartridge loading section and detects closing of the open/close cover; and a protrusion to be detected which is provided on the open/close cover, corresponding to the cover detection section. The protrusion to be detected displaces a displacement portion of the tape cartridge loaded in the cartridge loading section, with the closing of the open/close cover. The cover detection section is actuated for detection, with the displacement of the displacement portion.

Abstract: A back tension mechanism includes: a shaft to be connected to an axle of a medium roll; a rotation transmitting member connected to the shaft via a torque limiter and having an engaging portion; a first rotating member having a first engaged portion configured to, when the rotation transmitting member rotates in a first direction, engage with the engaging portion to receive a rotational force; a second rotating member having a second engaged portion configured to, when the rotation transmitting member rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, engage with the engaging portion to receive a rotational force; an urging member for urging the first rotating member in the second direction and the second rotating member in the first direction; and a base for limiting a range of rotation of the first rotating member and a range of rotation of the second rotating member.

Abstract: A processing device comprising a ribbon cartridge including an ink ribbon wound around a feed-out core and a wind-up core winding up the ink ribbon, a device main body to which the ribbon cartridge is detachably attached, a cartridge-side brake mechanism provided to the ribbon cartridge and applying a rotational braking force to the ribbon cartridge, and a device-side brake mechanism provided to the device main body and applying a rotational braking force to the ribbon cartridge, wherein a rotational braking force by the cartridge-side brake mechanism is set stronger with respect to a rotational braking force by the device-side brake mechanism.

Abstract: A printer may include a printhead assembly a clutch assembly, and/or a printer ribbon transport assembly. The printhead assembly may include a printhead biasing assembly defining a biasing ramp which may be configured to apply a biasing force to a printhead support bracket so as to at least partially counteract a ribbon force. The clutch assembly may be configured to supply or take-up a printer ribbon with first and second spool engagement members of different diameters that frictionally engage first and second friction members. The printer ribbon transport assembly may include a rotation lock mechanism configured to prevent rotation of a ribbon take-up core when the take-up core is disengaged from a drive assembly so as to prevent a loss in ribbon tension.

Abstract: A processing device comprising a ribbon cartridge including an ink ribbon wound around a feed-out core and a wind-up core winding up the ink ribbon, a device main body to which the ribbon cartridge is detachably attached, a cartridge-side brake mechanism provided to the ribbon cartridge and applying a rotational braking force to the ribbon cartridge, and a device-side brake mechanism provided to the device main body and applying a rotational braking force to the ribbon cartridge, wherein a rotational braking force by the cartridge-side brake mechanism is set stronger with respect to a rotational braking force by the device-side brake mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge providing ribbon tension. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having walls. A first spool and a second spool are contained in at least in part in the cartridge and have a ribbon extending therebetween. The first spool and the second spool extend between a pair of ends with at least one of the pair of ends having a driving portion. At least one resistance-applying part extends around a portion of each of the first spool and the second spool. The first spool and the second spool have a loaded and an unloaded position. In the loaded position, at least one of the resistance applying part is disengaged from the walls of the cartridge. In the unloaded position, at least one resistance-applying part engages the walls of the cartridge.

Abstract: Magnetic force lines 51 are generated in the direction from a first limited portion 52 of an inside peripheral face 50a of a ribbon-delivering cylindrical core toward an opposing second limited portion 54. A first magnet is fixed at the first limited portion: a second magnet is fixed at the opposing second limited portion. With the ink ribbon cassette 40 set in a main body of a printer 10, a magnetic sensor 24 takes the position in the middle of the inside of the ribbon-delivery core 50, and detects the magnetic force line 51.

Abstract: A sheet bundle printer peeling off and performing printing on an uppermost sheet of a peelably adhered sheet bundle includes a print head performing printing on the sheet, a platen roller, at a print position, cooperating with the print head to feed both the sheet and an ink ribbon, pinched therebetween, and a platen moving mechanism moving the platen roller between the print position and a non-print position. The platen moving mechanism includes a manual operation device manually moving the platen roller from the print to non-print positions and a press roller that made to contact or moved away from the platen roller by the manual operation device to move the platen roller from the print to non-print positions while pressing it when the press roller contacts it. At the non-print position, the sheet is allowed to pass between the press roller and the platen roller.

Abstract: Applicable to machines having a moving carriage (4) that can move transversally with respect to the continuous band to be printed and that includes a thermal printing head (9) by which passes a thermal ribbon, from a cassette of origin (5) to a destination cassette (10), which pulls said ribbon (7), its characteristics centred on the fact that the drive motor for said ribbon (7) instead of being established on the moving carriage (4) is established on the fixed plate (3) along which the aforementioned carriage may travel, for which purpose said motor acts directly or indirectly on a roller (12) mounted on the fixed plate (3), aided by a return roller (14) to establish a transmission belt (14) which bends in its path due to a pair of auxiliary rollers (16–16?) mounted free to revolve about the carriage (4), by which bend the belt (13) is connected to a drive roller (15) that is also mounted on the carriage (4), which transmits the motion to the pulling cassette (10) by a transmission belt (20) and by a clutch

Abstract: A ribbon advance mechanism has a advancing spool, a metal support shaft for supporting a advancing spool base part for rotation, and a coil spring attached between a base part of the advancing spool and the support shaft. The coil spring is mounted on a center part of the support shaft in a state in which it is slightly spread. One end part of a hook of the coil spring is fixed to a slit of the advancing spool base part, whereby the advancing spool is allowed to rotate only in an advancing direction (R direction), and when power is not transferred to the advancing spool, an ink ribbon is not slack. The coil spring is placed in a enclosed space by the base part of the advancing spool and a base part of the support shaft.

Abstract: There is provided provide a tape printing apparatus which is capable of properly operating a tape feed mechanism and a tape cutting mechanism by the use of a single motor. The tape printing apparatus is capable of printing on a printing tape while feeding the printing tape by unwinding a roll of the printing tape, and cutting off a printed portion of the printing tape. A tape feed mechanism feeds the printing tape. A tape cutting mechanism cuts the printing tape. A single motor is capable of performing rotation in normal and reverse directions. A feed mechanism-side gear train transmits torque of the motor to the tape feed mechanism to cause the tape feed mechanism to operate. A cutting mechanism-side gear train transmits the torque of the motor to the tape cutting mechanism to cause the tape cutting mechanism to operate.

Abstract: Multiple images are printed utilizing lateral sets of print elements on a printhead and lateral portions of a ribbon.

Abstract: An ink ribbon take-up assembly for winding individual narrow ink ribbons produced in a slitting apparatus by slitting a wide ribbon, comprises a mounting shaft with a longitudinal groove, and ribbon cores and separators mounted alternately on the shaft. Each ribbon core has a longitudinally elongated projection on its inner surface, which is complementary to, and in engagement with, the groove in the shaft. The separators can be simple cylindrical tubes. This structure obviates cooperating notches and tabs at ends of the ribbon cores and separators, and makes it possible to achieve miniaturization by minimizing the wall thickness of the ribbon cores.

Abstract: An ink film cassette 33 incorporates therein a supply reel 30 having an ink film wound thereon and a rewind reel 31 for taking up the ink film 32 and is attached detachably to a thermal transfer printer 10. In the cassette 33, a first torque limiter 85 for transmitting braking force to a supporting shaft 78a of the supply reel 30 inside the cassette 33 is fixed detachably to the supporting shaft 78a. Bearings 81a and 81b on the take-upside transmit braking force to supporting shafts 80a and 80b of the rewind reel 31 inside the ink film cassette. Further in the cassette 33, a second torque limiter 97 for limiting the driving torque of the rewind reel 31 in the ink film cassette is fixed detachably to the supporting shaft 81a. A kick spring 106 for causing the ink film paid off the supply reel 30 to be rewound on the supply reel 30 is also fixed detachably to the supply reel 30 in the cassette 33.

Abstract: A method of printing that utilizes a printing head having a plurality of printing elements each of which is operable to transfer a pixel print medium from a carrier on to an adjacent substrate.

Abstract: A method and system for printing bi-directionally with a thermal print head movable back and forth along a print path adjacent a ribbon to transfer ink therefrom onto a substrate. The ribbon being drawn from an unwind reel and adjacent the print path, and the ribbon being clamped to maintain tension on the ribbon at least when the print head moves in the same direction as ribbon is drawn along the print path. A rotary drive member is rotatable in a first direction to actuate a brake member that clamps the ribbon against a fixed ribbon guide, and the rotary drive member is rotatable in a second opposing direction to rotate the rewind reel to draw ribbon from the unwind reel.

Abstract: A ribbon feeding device for a printer, which is simple in structure and easy to assemble and in which engagement between a pinion supported on a carriage and a rack is maintained when the carriage for carrying a printing head moves toward and away from the rack without providing the rack with any engaging member. An arm is swingably supported on the carriage at one end thereof, and the pinion engaged with the rack and operatively connected with a transmission mechanism is rotatably supported on the other end of the arm. One end of a torsion coil spring for urging the pinion towards the rack is engaged with the arm and at the other end thereof is engaged with the carriage. In accordance with the movement of the carriage toward and away from the rack, the arm swings to keep the engagement between the pinion and the rack appropriately.

Abstract: The check writer for imprinting checks is comprised of a frame having a printing line, a plurality of type segment members supported by the frame, with each segment member having a set of offset printing characters thereon on the segment member facing and being moveable to locate the desired printing characters on the printing line, and a prefix holder assembly supported by the frame and structurally arranged to receive and position a sliding prefix plate adjacent to the printing characters on the printing line. The width and length dimensions of each printing face on each type segment is substantially identical. Additionally, the check writer includes an inked ribbon and ribbon support member supporting the ribbon adjacent to the printing characters disposed on the printing line, a platen supported by the frame, and an actuating mechanism supported by the frame and movable from a normal non-printing position to an activated printing position for effecting the printing operation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ribbon cassette for use with a printer, including a cassette case detachably mounted in the printer and an ink ribbon stored in the cassette case and partially exposed to face a print head provided in the printer. The ribbon cassette further includes a ribbon take-up member rotatably supported in the cassette case, a driven member rotatably supported in the cassette case and meshing with the ribbon take-up member through the ink ribbon, and a power transmitting member provided in the ribbon take-up member to connect the ribbon take-up member to a ribbon driving shaft provided in the printer. A breaking strength of the power transmitting member against a load from the ink ribbon is set smaller than that of the ribbon driving shaft. Accordingly, in the event that ribbon jam occurs, the power transmitting member breaks to thereby prevent fracture of the ribbon driving shaft in the printer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel structure of a tape cartridge accommodating a printing tape and an ink ribbon used for printing, which prevents the printing tape from being stuck in a cartridge case or the ink ribbon from being slackened. The tape cartridge of the invention has a mechanism for preventing an end of the tape from being reversely moved back into the cartridge case. A typical structure of the mechanism includes an anti-inversion system which prevents a tape core having a tape wound thereon from rotating in a reverse direction, that is, a direction opposite to a normal rotating direction for printing. The anti-inversion effects are removed when the tape cartridge is set in a printing device such as a tape writer to ensure smooth feeding of the tape for printing. When the tape is forcibly pressed back into the cartridge case, a movable platen clamps the tape between the platen and a fixed wall to prevent reverse movement of the tape.

Abstract: To conserve relatively expensive printing ribbon, in particular a thermal transfer ribbon, when a portion of the medium which is not to be printed, e.g.

Abstract: A print unit provided with one or a multi-serial heads having a plurality of print pins widely arranged in a direction of the feeding of paper and is provided laterally movably on a guide shaft. A cassette holder having a plurality of monochromatic ribbon cassettes that are juxtaposed and received therein is arranged in parallel with and close to the moving path of the print unit. A suitable one of the monochromatic ribbon cassettes is transferred, in response to a control signal, from the cassette holder to the print unit, and from the print unit to the cassette holder.

Abstract: A tape printer capable of performing multicolor printing and permitting an already printed tape to be rewound for printing two line character trains, bold printing and adding ornamental frames beside the first printed character train. The tape printer installs therein a tape cassette in which is housed a print tape and an ink ribbon formed with different colored ink portions at a set pitch in the lengthwise direction of the print tape. An ink ribbon take up mechanism is provided for taking up ink ribbon that passes between a platen and a print element provided external to the cassette. Tape transport mechanism is provided for transporting the print tape. The tape printer is constructed so that ink ribbon and the print tape are transportable in a forward direction for printing, and the ribbon take up mechanism stops and the platen is movable away from the printing section when the tape transport mechanism reversely transports the print tape.

Abstract: A video printing apparatus and method in which, without interlocking the movement of the printing head with the capstan for carrying the printing paper and the paper feeding mechanism by a cam and linkage mechanism, they are respectively operated by three independent motors. The printer includes a first normally and reversely rotatable DC motor for searching the head of the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette housed in the printer and for taking up the ink ribbon by the take-up reel base during the printing operation. A second normally and reversely rotatable stepping motor is provided for carrying the printing paper housed in the tray by the capstan and the pinch roller to the printing position and the paper delivering position. A third normally and reversely rotatable DC motor is provided for moving the printing head which subjects the printing paper to the printing processing by pressing the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette thereon in cooperation with the platen.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge and drive system for use in printers, typewriters, copiers or the like in which a supply spool and a take-up spool are enclosed in a housing with each spool extending from the housing for selective alternate engagement with a drive member connected to a brake member, both being coordinated with the movement of a printing head. A stripper bar peels the ribbon from a copy sheet downstream of printing head movement. The drive system cooperates with the printing head whereby a method of ribbon conservation is realized.

Abstract: A heat transfer recording method and apparatus for recording images onto a recording medium is realized by transferring ink contained in an ink sheet onto said recording medium. The apparatus comprises means for conveying the ink sheet in both the positive direction and the direction opposite to the positive direction, means for conveying the recording medium, and means for recording images onto the recording medium by acting on the ink sheet. The method is characterized in that a determination is made whether or not the length of images recorded onto the recording medium is less than or equal to that of the recording medium, and if so, the ink sheet is stopped and the recording medium is conveyed so that an end portion of said recording medium may be positioned at a recording position with the recording means.

Abstract: A thermal head in a thermal printer is biased by a plurality of springs which are provided between the thermal head and stopper of the movable shafts, respectively. The distances between the thermal head and the stoppers are commonly adjusted by a rotating shaft through gears fixed to the rotating shaft and worms formed on the movable shafts, thereby subtly adjusting the thermal head biasing force of the springs in accordance with the condition of a sheet to be used.

Abstract: A thermal printer for printing on sheets of paper includes a drive motor having a gear train rotatably connected thereto. A ribbon take-up roll is rotated by rotation of the drive motor via the gear train and a thermal transfer ribbon is taken up by the ribbon take-up roll. A platen is provided on which a sheet of paper and the thermal transfer ribbon are held together during printing. A thermal head is supplied with electric printing signals when the thermal transfer ribbon and the sheet are held on the platen and selectively transfers ink from the thermal transfer ribbon to the sheet based on the electric printing signals. An electromagnetic actuator is actuated when no electric printing signals are supplied to the thermal head and a prescribed blank portion which need not be printed exists. While the actuator moves the thermal head away from the platen, the detent plate simultaneously engages with a gear of the gear train by movement of an actuator plate spring to stop rotation of the gear.

Abstract: In a printer, a drive motor, a drive roller arranged on the shaft of the motor, a reversal roller in spaced relation to the drive roller, and an elongated drive belt trained about the drive and reversal rollers form a tensioning device, the belt being fastened at its ends to a print-head carriage for selectively displacing the carriage in the forward and reverse directions along and relative to a printable substrate support roller or base. The reversal roller is carried in a carrier housing which movably and cooperatively engages a spring-loaded tensioning wedge for maintaining the elongated drive belt in a predetermined tensioned or stretched relation.

Abstract: A printing apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes: a plurality of replaceable ink ribbons each having a ribbon end indicating an end of the ribbon; a printer for printing an image by using the ink ribbons while scanning printing paper; a detector for detecting any ribbon end of the ink ribbons; a stop device responsive to a detection output of the detector for stopping operation of the printer; a storage device for storing a stop position of the stopped printer; an instructing device for instructing restart of printing after replacement of the ink ribbon having the detected ribbon end with another ink ribbon; and a control device responsive to an instruction output of the instructing device for controlling the printer to restart printing by using the replaced ink ribbon based on the stored stop position.

Abstract: In a transfer printer, the printed, ribbon-like information carrier is suddenly separated from the printing ink ribbon 1 to 5 mm after the two ribbons have passed the transfer pins. Separation is gently initiated over a brief length before this.

Abstract: A head contorl apparatus is disclosed for a printing machine. The apparatus includes a frame with a thermal head connected to the frame. A tape roller guide is connected to the frame. The guide and the head are disposed on opposite sides of an intended tape pathway, The guide and head are both movable between first and second positions with the guide and head in the first positions being spaced apart a first distance sized to freely position a tape within the intended pathway. The guide and the head in the second positions are disposed to be closely adjacent with a tape within the pathway being urged against the head. The drive for the image source type is disconnected when the guide and head are separated.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing checks comprises an internal path defined by a toothed belt (10) passing round a enclosed loop from inlet wheels (111, 112) to outlet wheels (115) followed by a disengagement curve (125, 126).Along this path there are provided: a station (50) for magnetizing and reading CMC7 or E13B characters, a station (60) for printing on the check by means of a dot matrix print head subjected to displacement along a circular arc and enabling printing to make place on the front or reverse face of the check as selected by the user, a station (70) for post printing the amount of the check in CMC7 or E13B characters, and a station (80) for printing a fixed endorsement.Subsequent processing of the check is then considerably simplified for the customer, the trader, and the bank. FIG. 2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer having a correction ribbon tape for correcting printed characters. A plurality of characters printed in the same print position can be corrected in one step of feed of the correction ribbon tape.

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: Function controlled raising and transporting mechanism for the selective control of a print ribbon or correction tape by means of a power drive and freewheeling clutches operative to effect print ribbon or correction tape transport incident to carriage motion in print direction only. In certain commanded functions such as spacing, tabulating, etc., both the print ribbon and correction tape transports are disabled by moving output elements of the freewheeling clutches to intermediate clutch disabled positions to thereby realize optimum utilization of the ribbon and tape capacities.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprising means for identifying space data present between character data in a print data string. When a space portion is detected by the space identifier, the thermal head is moved apart from the platen of the printer and the ink ribbon feed is stopped thereby preventing the waste of the ink ribbon by the space portion in a line.

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: In a printing system employing a spliced endless print ribbon, an opening is provided in the ribbon adjacent the splice to enable sensing of the approach of the splice to the print station. Printing is suspended as the splice passes the print station to avoid undesirable printing quality and damage to the splice. The same sensing means detects lack of ribbon movement, indicative of a ribbon jam, to suspend printing and ribbon drive.

Abstract: In a typewriter ribbon cartridge, it is necessary to maintain tension on the span of ribbon extending outside the cartridge to prevent tangling and to insure high print quality during machine operation. One technique for insuring that adequate tension is maintained is disclosed herein as an anti-backup back check device. Connected to the takeup spool of the ribbon cartridge is a disc member supporting thereon a pair of thin flexible resilient arms with outwardly oriented pointed ends. These ends formed in the shape of points engage ratchet teeth formed around the interior surface of a cylinder. The cylinder is formed as a part of the ribbon cartridge and, thus, is permanently positioned and fixed with respect to it. As the takeup spool disc and arms are rotated by the ribbon feed mechanism, the arms will flex and permit a rotation of the disc and takeup spool with a minimal drag force.

Abstract: An inkribbon feed mechanism is disclosed which feeds the inkribbon by utilizing power of a spacing motor by which a print head is transversed. The inkribbon feed mechanism comprises commanding means which detect a command element for reversing the inkribbon near one end of the inkribbon, an arm member which interlocks with the command means via a spring member and is pivotably supported by a pivot, a planetary gear member which is provided at one end of the arm member and is rotated by the power of the spacing motor via a drive gear member. In compliance with the alternate rotation of the spacing motor, the planetary gear member engages with a gear member of one reel or is slightly moved in orbit by the drive gear member so as not to render a rotational force to the reel. The arm member is pivoted by the command means to change the object which the planetary gear engages.