Abstract: A tube-shaped stub (5) of an end piece (2) is inserted into ribbon tube core (1). The stub (5) has, adjacent to its free end, hook-like projections (11). This achieves secure anchoring of the end piece (2) in the core (1), even under changing climatic conditions.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette which allows a precise recording operation to be achieved as a result of stably running an ink ribbon by preventing tilting or rattling of cores caused by tension produced in the ink ribbon during ink ribbon winding in order to stably rotate the cores; and a pancake which allows stable supply of ink ribbon by rotation of the cores. In the pancake, the cores have shaft-inserting holes, for inserting therein the supporting shafts which protrude beyond the carriage, formed in the central portion thereof, and annular grooves for fitting thereto driving power transmitting portions for transmitting rotational driving power of a take-up mechanism. The driving power transmitting portions are formed so as to protrude at the outer peripheral side of the corresponding supporting shafts.

Abstract: With a view to making it possible to load a cassette onto a to-be-loaded body in a slack-free good condition of a web accommodated in the cassette, preventing the entry of dust into engaging grooves after the loading of the cassette, and permitting the loading of only such a cassette as is suitable for the loading, there is provided a winding core in a ribbon cassette which accommodates an ink ribbon in a wound-up state, the winding core having a plurality of engaging grooves formed circumferentially in its peripheral surface for engagement with a plurality of engaging projections formed circumferentially at equal intervals on an outer peripheral surface of a winding bobbin of the to-be-loaded body onto which the cassette is to be loaded, the engaging grooves each having side engaging portions for engagement with side faces of each engaging projection and an upper engaging portion for engagement with an axial tip face of each engaging projection in an abutted or covering relation thereto.

Abstract: A ribbon tensioning assembly includes a knob having a top wall, an internal raised portion attached to the top wall having a first helical camming surface and a second helical camming surface out of phase and disposed about a center point. A compression helix has a first end portion forming a first helical camming surface and a second helical camming surface for engaging first and second helical camming surfaces of the knob, compression helix having a second end portion for receiving a spring. A clutch engages a surface and connects to a spring. A spindle, attaching to a ribbon supply roll, secures the knob, the compression helix, the spring and the clutch in relative position such that turning the spindle causes frictional resistance between the clutch and the surface for creating increased tension in a ribbon dispensed from the supply roll.

Abstract: A roller for a wound ribbon such as a printer ink ribbon may be rotationally coupled by pushing the projections or teeth of a wheel on a drive spindle into a soft material defining part of the bore in the roller. A spring blade prevents the wheel from freely rotating and provides a snap-in feeling. The roller may be part of a cartridge having members for locking the rollers in a position in which the ribbon tension is optimized. The roller and spindle may be coupled in any relative angular position, and the rollers may thus be locked. Release is automatic when the cartridge is full engaged. The ribbon may therefore be more readily installed in an optimized matter.

Abstract: Printer defining a reduced exterior envelope thereof and method of providing same. The printer comprises a housing having a front sidewall that has an aperture therethrough. A platen, a print head and a take-up spool are disposed in the housing. In one embodiment of the invention, the print head is movable from a first position spaced-apart from the platen to a second position adjacent to the platen, such that the platen and the print head define a clearance therebetween when the print head is in the first position. A dye donor cartridge, which has an elongate neck portion, is insertable through the aperture and into the housing to a position adjacent to the print head. The neck portion is sized to be received through the clearance for interference-free insertion of the cartridge. Moreover, the cartridge includes a dye donor supply spool.

Abstract: An ink-film refill for heat-transfer printers comprises a film dispenser-roll, the free end of the film being affixed to a receiving mandril. The roll and the mandril rest against each other and have their axes substantially mutually parallel, adhesive means keeping them in position, the adhesive means comprising at least one non-adhesive end forming a gripping zone to break the bond between them and to render roll and mandril mutually free.

Abstract: A ribbon tensioning assembly includes a knob having a top wall, an internal raised portion attached to the top wall having a first helical camming surface and a second helical camming surface out of phase and disposed about a center point. A compression helix has a first end portion forming a first helical camming surface and a second helical camming surface for engaging first and second helical camming surfaces of the knob, compression helix having a second end portion for receiving a spring. A clutch engages a surface and connects to a spring. A spindle, attaching to a ribbon supply roll, secures the knob, the compression helix, the spring and the clutch in relative position such that turning the spindle causes frictional resistance between the clutch and the surface for creating increased tension in a ribbon dispensed from the supply roll.

Abstract: A bar code printing device including a base frame, a cover turned about a pivot in the base frame, torsional springs mounted around the pivot to force the cover outwards from the base frame, gear wheel and sector gear assemblies mounted between the base frame and the cover to buffer the spring force of the torsional springs, a sticker reel mounted in the base frame and turned by a step motor to let off a sticker for printing, a ribbon reel mount fastened to the cover on the outside, a ribbon reel mounted on the ribbon reel mount and turned by a DC motor through a reducing gear to turn a ribbon over the sticker, the ribbon reel having a tension spring adapted for adjusting the diameter of the ribbon reel subject to the size of the ribbon to be used, and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the DC motor and the step motor.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon cassette comprises a supply (1B), a take-up spool (1A) and a molded casing (10); each spool having end portions (2, 3) and a bobbin portion (4) on which is wound one end of the transfer ribbon (5), the molded casing having locating (15, 16) means for engaging the spool ends while the spools are in parallel and spaced apart positions with the transfer ribbon extending between them, and means to retain the spool in such position comprising a closable gate (30) connected to the casing by an integrally molded hinge (31). Locating means for engaging a spindle at the undriven end of each spool, suitably comprises a trough having an internal bearing surface and a longitudinal opening (27) to receive the spindle into contact with the bearing surface, the gate (30) being closable across the trough opening to retain spindle (3). This permits a simple design for a relatively cheap, one-piece molded casing, which can be refillable if required.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing and identifying characteristics of a printer ink ribbon when a ribbon supply roll is inserted into a printer and operated. Ink ribbon cartridges used in printers are provided in a number of types, colors, and other identifiable characteristics that are important for insuring that the correct ribbon is inserted in the printer for the then current print job. In the present invention, the ribbon cartridges include ribbon supply rolls which are provided with identifying indicia on one end of the roll, and a sensor to read the presence of indicia when the printer is operated. The positions of the indicia relative to selected reference positions indicates the ink ribbon type. Suitable circuitry is used to disable the printer if the print ribbon is not properly correlated to the requirements of the printer.

Abstract: Thermal printer adapted to detect end of dye donor web by use of light beams. The printer includes a dye donor web supply spindle having a light-reflecting surface thereon. A dye donor web is wound about the spindle, the dye donor web having a predetermined number of substantially transparent color patches therein. A light source disposed near the dye donor web emits an incident light beam containing a predetermined first color penetrating the dye donor web. A portion of the incident light beam that is unabsorbed by the color patches passes through the patches of the dye donor web and is intercepted by the light reflecting surface which reflects the incident light beam. The reflected light defines a reflected light beam that passes through the dye donor web on its way to a detector disposed near the dye donor web. The detector detects the reflected light beam.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes conveying means for conveying a recording medium, a platen for conveying and supporting the recording medium and an ink sheet, recording means for pressing the recording medium and ink sheet to the platen and heating the ink sheet to record images the recording medium. This ink sheet has a first guiding member and a second guiding member which are bonded, respectively, to both ends of the ink sheet. The first and second guiding member bonded to both ends of the ink sheet substitute for a winding reel and supply reel. Therefore, these reels are no longer needed to make it possible to reduce the parts numbers, and implement the use of inexpensive materials.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device in printers of the kind wherein an ink ribbon (5) is arranged to be reeled off an unwinding roller (4) and to be wound onto a take-up roller (6) after having passed through a printing unit (7). In order to compensate for any skewing forces occuring in the ribbon (5), the unwinding roller (4) and/or the take-up roller (6) is/are mounted on a rotatable shaft (8) which is provided with a pivot mechanism (9, 11, 12; 21; 22, 24), allowing correcting guide movements of said ribbon (5).

Abstract: A thermal printer has a dye donor supply spool with a body and first and second end portions extending from the body. First and second receptacles are positioned for matingly receiving the first and second end portions of the dye donor supply spool. The supply spool is correctly loaded only when the first and second end portions of the supply spool matingly engage the first and second receptacles, respectively. A mechanical stop prevents incorrect end for end loading of a supply spool that has an off center web wound thereon by engaging the web and preventing the end of the spool from engaging the receptacle.

Abstract: An end tape for connecting a thermal recording material such as an ink ribbon or a heat-sensitive paper to a tape spool is formed of a material having a glass transition point (Tg) of 90.degree. C. or higher. Even if the end tape is continuously heated at its same position by a thermal head, the end tape is not melted.

Abstract: An improved package for supply and take-up spools of dye ribbon for use with the cassette of a thermal printer in which the ribbon spools include a part, e.g. a flange, shaped for engagement with a correspondingly shaped socket in the carton holding the spools during transport etc. to thereby prevent relative rotation of the spools while within the carton.

Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge mountable onto a recording apparatus comprises a supply reel around which an ink sheet is wound, a take-up reel for winding the ink sheet supplied from the supply reel, and a frame body for holding the supply reel and the take-up reel, wherein the strength of the take-up reel is made greater than that of the supply reel.

Abstract: A thermal printer has a dye donor supply spool with a body and first and second end portions extending from the body. First and second receptacles are positioned for matingly receiving the first and second end portions of the dye donor supply spool. The supply spool is correctly loaded only when the first and second end portions of the supply spool matingly engage the first and second receptacles, respectively. A mechanical stop prevents incorrect end for end loading of a supply spool that has an off center web wound thereon by engaging the web and preventing the end of the spool from engaging the receptacle.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge including a cartridge housing having a first side wall and a second side wall opposed to each other. The cartridge housing has a pair of first engaging portions on an inside surface of the first side wall. A supply spool and a take-up spool are rotatably disposed between the first and second side walls in spaced relation and carry an ink ribbon wound thereon. The spools have first end portions formed with flanges and second end portions opposed to the first end portions. The flanges have second engaging portions engageable with the first engaging portions. U-shaped leaf springs are disposed between the second side wall and the second end portions of the spools and bias the first end portions of the spools against the first side wall. The U-shaped leaf springs include base portions and annular portions extending from the base portions, respectively. The base portions have openings receiving the second end portions of the spools, respectively.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge includes two hubs, each hub having two sets of longitudinally extending splines. The two sets are offset from each other circumferentially and longitudinally and form a detent between the sets. A latch mechanism includes a retaining member fixed to a mandrel assembly, the retaining member including first and second pairs of elastic locking members having raised surfaces. The raised surfaces of one of the pairs of locking members engage the detent formed between the first and second sets of hub splines, and the raised surfaces of the other pair of locking members engage a spindle of the mandrel assembly, effectively securing the ribbon cartridge to the mandrel assembly.

Abstract: A thermal printing device comprises a label tape printer and tape and ink ribbon cartridge for horizontal insertion into the printer. The cartridge housing includes an upper cover and a base which are joined by telescoping hubs and posts. The cartridge contains a supply of tape and ink ribbon wound on supply spools, a ribbon or rewind spool and a roller platen all supported for rotation. The platen and the rewind spool are formed with gears which engage one another. The platen gear is disposed proximate the cartridge tape port and an opening for admitting the printer print head. When the cartridge is horizontally inserted :into a printer openings the print head bears against the tape and ink ribbon which abuts the platen for controlled printing and advancement of the tape and ribbon. The platen gear partially extends from the front of the cartridge for driving engagement with a printer motor drive gear. In an alternate embodiment the rewind spool gear engages the printer motor drive gear.

Abstract: The present invention aims at performing in a simple manner the replacement of an ink ribbon contained in an ink ribbon cassette. To this end, the attachment 11 for ink ribbon replacement according to the present invention is provided with a table portion 12 for resting the ink ribbon cassette thereon. On the upper surface of the table portion 12 is provided a positioning member 13 for positioning the ink ribbon cassette and are also provided projections 16 for pushing retaining members 10 which hold upper and lower cassette cases 6b, 6a integrally with each other, to release the engagement of both cassette cases. When the ink ribbon cassette is put on the attachment 11 for ink ribbon replacement, the retaining members 10 of the ink ribbon cassette are pushed by the projections 16 of the attachment to thereby disengage the upper and lower cassette cases 6b, 6a of the ink ribbon cassette from each other.

Abstract: A dye ribbon package for use with a thermal printer and containing for that purpose in spaced parallel relation therein a supply spool wound with dye ribbon and a take up spool for rewinding the dye ribbon as it is unwound from the supply package, a leading end of the dye ribbon on the supply spool being attached to the take up spool, each spool having a winding core with a free end portion, in which the package has a bottom wall and at each of the opposite sides of the bottom wall normal to the spool axes upstanding lateral wall integral with the bottom wall. Each lateral wall has two laterally spaced apart panels, both cut out downwardly from their edges opposite the bottom wall to removably receive the free end portions of the spool cores and permit free access to the end faces of the spool cores.

Abstract: A cassette casing adapted to house a replaceable ribbon including spaced spool carrier shafts rotatably mountable within the casing, at least one of the shafts being retractable from the casing in an axial direction and a device to lock the shaft against retraction. The casing also includes a device providing a guide path for the ribbon to travel from one spool to another, and a loading aperture in the casing through which at least one removable spool may be inserted into the cassette in a direction transverse to the axis thereof to be suitably positioned for insertion of the retractable spool carrier shaft into or retraction of the shaft from the bore of the spool.

Abstract: A tape cassette has a prohibiting member which prevents the tape cassette from being loaded into a tape printing device without a mode appropriate for the tape cassette. When an operator tries to load the tape cassette into a printing device without a mode for the tape cassette, a prohibiting member provided on the main body of the tape cassette abuts an installation member of the tape printing device thus preventing improper loading. The prohibiting member also has a function as a reinforcement member and a positioning member for reinforcing the cassette case and ensuring proper loading in the device.

Abstract: A V-shaped spring system has opposite ends formed by first and second arms and a pair of intermediate coil springs joined by a bridge. One of the coil springs pivotally receives a fixed axle, and the first arm extends from each spring. The second arms extends from the other spring. The spring operates to exert a substantially constant and limited force when the first arm is moved through an angle of up to 90.degree..

Abstract: In an electrically controlled typewriter, a printer or the like it is provided that for the read-out of a magnetic coding on a rotationally driven part a sensor emits output signals in reference to a changing magnetic field. Preferably the sensor is in the form of a pulse wire. A ribbon cassette for such a typewriter is distinguished by the disposition of at least one magnet on a rotationally driven part Advantageously this is a Wiegand wire. A type wheel can be coded in a corresponding manner.

Abstract: A unitary cassette for a typewriter comprises a container and two arms. The container comprises two support elements and which project from the bottom and which are capable of rotatably supporting a supply spool and a take-up spool for a correction ribbon. Two guide elements projecting from the ends of the arms guide a portion of the ribbon below the typing ribbon, and a tensioning device holds the ribbon taut. The cassette can be mounted on a carriage of the machine by means of two projections projecting from the underneath of the bottom and which are capable of being pivotally mounted in two respective grooves and moving against two co-operating surfaces for oscillating movement about an axis parallel to the roller. A pin on one side of the container can be removably engaged into a seat of a connecting lever of the machine, which is connected to a displacement means.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printer having a thermal print head and a cooperable platen roll. The platen roll is driven to advance a web of record medium and an ink ribbon into cooperation with the print head. The printer can use an ink ribbon cartridge. The printer has a compact arrangement for the record medium supply roll, the ink ribbon cartridge, the printing mechanism, the drive mechanism, the keyboard, and the cutting mechanism for cutting tags from the web.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a ribbon supply device for running a transfer ribbon through a printing section. The device includes a ribbon unit and a ribbon drive section which are removably mounted on a head supporting frame of the printing section. The ribbon unit includes a supply shaft on which the ribbon is wound, a take-up shaft for take-up the ribbon drawn from the supply shaft, a tension shaft, and a ribbon drive shaft. The supply and tension shafts are arranged to be symmetrical to the take-up and ribbon drive shafts, respectively, about an imaginary plane which extends between the supply shaft and the take-up shaft and between the tension shaft and the ribbon drive shaft, in parallel with these shafts, so that the unit is capable of being remounted on the head supporting frame while the unit is turned through 180 degrees.

Abstract: A refillable ink ribbon cartridge including an adapter element which can be permanently inserted in a typewriter and receive a replaceable ink ribbon. The adapter includes a ribbon drive mechanism for advancing the ink ribbon cassette. The adapter includes a body portion and two extending legs and centering pins at the free ends and a ribbon tensioning lever. The cassette is formed with a body portion and two protruding legs with guiding elements to guide the ribbon across the free end of the legs. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on a spring loaded arm to pull the ribbon through the cartridge, the arm is rotatable about a drive pin. Upon insertion of the refill cassette into the adapter, the two systems align and interact so that the ribbon is guided by the associated protruding legs and guiding elements to run smoothly through the cartridge.

Abstract: The spring (6) has two radially aligned legs (7, 8) and a circular-segment-shaped web (9) connecting the legs. The web (9) is inserted with initial stress in a circumferential groove (10) of an unwinding core (3). The free end of the leg rests against a stop (11). The free end of the leg (8) is bent at a right angle. The right-angle bend forms a deflecting organ (12), around which the ribbon (5) is fed. The surface of the spring (6) is roughened and abrasive at least in the area of the web (9). The spring (6) is preferably phosphatized for this purpose. By means of this design, a uniform ribbon tension over the entire running time of the ribbon is achieved.

Abstract: A refillable ink ribbon cartridge for use in an electronic typewriter which includes a housing, a changeable feed spool member having a semi-global member for slidably inserting into and removing from an aperture of a tensible plate supported on the cartridge through one side opening, a winding spool member having a semi-global head engagement for converting into the feed spool member, a spring arm for easily removing the winding spool member from the cartridge through the other side opening of the cartridge, and a plurality of stoppers for easily controlling the tensibility of winding spool spring, and a jagged wheel, whereby the used ink ribbon cartridge can be reused and maintains a constant tension on an ink ribbon between the feed and winding spools.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a shaft cover is attached to the front end portion of a ribbon guide shaft projecting in a cantilevered state from a side face of a printer body; cores of an ink ribbon are fitted respectively on a ribbon feed shaft and a ribbon take-up shaft both projecting in a cantilevered state from the said side face of the printer body; the ink ribbon is passed round the outer periphery of the shaft cover; then the cores and the shaft cover are pushed in simultaneously to set the ink ribbon in a predetermined certain position.

Abstract: A web holding device in which elastic pieces of tapered form projecting out towards a bearing and expanding in the outer peripheral direction are formed on a web driving shaft which is coupled with a driving unit and rotatably supported at one end on a frame; and a core having an engaging section formed at one end is mounted on the web driving shaft, such that the core is retained by a contact portion formed on the end of each of the elastic pieces.

Abstract: The supply spindle for the carbon ribbon in a thermal printer is supported cantileverly at one end thereof by a pair of axially spaced bearings. The axis of the second bearing is slightly off center relative to the axis of the first bearing, the precise location of the second bearing being adjustable in a manner that tilts and thus orients the spindle axis relative to the frame of the thermal printer. This enables the supply spindle to be aligned to the other parts in the printer so as to prevent twisting and wrinkling of the carbon ribbon. The invention compensates for manufacturing and assembly tolerances in the thermal printer and results in a consistently reliable printing quality.

Abstract: Ribbon cassettes for typewriters or office machines of similar construction are subject to differnt structural requirements and primarily they are to be easily exchangeable in a one-hand operation. Since additionally the ribbon cassettes are also designed as disposable components, many still functional individual parts are also discarded. To avoid this, ribbon cassettes are known which have exchangeable ribbon spools. It is the object of the invention to provide a reloadable ribbon cassette in which the exchange of ribbon spools (4, 5) is possible with few manipulations. The removal of the spent ribbon spools (4, 5) should here be possible without soiling the fingers.

Abstract: A reloadable ribbon cassette system for typewriters or office machines of similar construction employs a bottom housing in which an exchangeable supply spool core for the ribbon and an exchangeable take-up spool core can be rotatably mounted. To facilitate the reloading process a cover plate is placed onto the top face of the ribbon coiled on the supply spool core, the cover plate inserted into the bottom housing member along with the supply spool core and ribbon when they are loaded. The cover plate has a contact surface for helping to steady a fastening element disposed at the free end of the ribbon during reloading. The cover plate projects beyond the ribbon coil at least in the region of the contact shelf to prevent accidental removal of the first few turns of the coiled ribbon in axial direction.

Abstract: An improved automatic tape cutter/sticker is composed of an outer housing, inner housing, side cover, plate spring, circular ring tube, printing equipment, rotating cutting equipment, compressing rod and tape. The device further includes a circular ring tube, in which two opposite plates of the four pieces of circular arc tube plates are smaller and shorter than the other plates for encasing tapes with smaller widths. Moreover printing equipment is installed on the left lower side of the inner housing, which is composed of character mold rolling cylinder, ink rolling cylinder, character mold rolling cylinder shaft and ink rolling cylinder shaft. The character mold rolling cylinder linked with character mold rolling cylinder shaft is driven by the tape, so that the ink rolling cylinder located around the ink rolling shaft is driven so that the ink adheres to the convex lines of the character mold rolling cylinder for printing it in the back side of the output tape.

Abstract: A method for using and reusing an invertible correction tape assembly on a typewriter, the assembly comprising a dispensing reel and a winding reel united by a length of correction tape wound upon each. The assembly is designed for invertible attachment to typewriters having correction tape reel-attaching support shaft members, each having a base flange, a first locking pawl and a second locking pawl, so that the assembly can be mounted in both normal and inverted positions. In both positions the dispensing and winding reels are mounted on the base flange, engaged at the lower side by the first locking pawl at the upper side by the second locking pawl. After the correction ribbon is fully dispensed, the assembly is removed, inverted and reattached to redispense the correction ribbon for reuse as many times as permitted by its effectiveness.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge having a torsion spring having an improved noval contacting end for pressing the takeup spool against the drive roller, wherein the improved end holds the takeup reel against the roller in a substantially vertical position without any tilting of the takeup reel.

Abstract: An adjustable carriage assembly for a printing device having a print mechanism to be translated along a linear print path. The carriage assembly includes an upper carriage sub-assembly and a lower carriage sub-assembly, the lower carriage sub-assembly having a pair of laterally spaced arm members joined together by a pair of cross members. Each arm member has an open pivot slot and a support ramp portion. A spring coupled between the upper and lower carriage sub-assemblies in the region adjacent the pivot portions provides a spring detent for the upper carriage sub-assembly with respect to the lower carriage sub-assembly in both the first operative position and a second inoperative position. The guide members are adjustable eccentric washers.A cartridge latch is configured to be removably mounted in an aperture formed in a platform on the upper carriage sub-assembly.

Abstract: A system for positioning correction ribbons having a layer of opaque dry correction material over a letter or image on a surface such as paper for subsequent covering of the image. The system includes a supply spool rotatably mounted in a supply spool holder and a take-up spool rotatably mounted in a take-up spool holder. A hold-down member is adapted to pass the ribbon between the spool holders under the hold-down member in contact with the image. A window is formed by the hold-down member to allow placement of the ribbon and access to the ribbon by a stylus which is rubbed against the ribbon by the user in order to adhere the opaque material to the image.

Abstract: A printing ribbon spool is disclosed for maintaining the print-out density or consistency of a printing ribbon. The spool contains a sealed reservoir of ink. Within the reservoir there is provided a sealed container of ink which communicates with the reservoir when it is desired to use the spool.

Abstract: A spool for a reversible-type correction tape assembly, in which an improved fastening means is provided between the cap and the spool shaft. The spool shaft is designed to hold a ribbon-winding core so that the winding core is slideable in an axial direction of the spool shaft but is not rotatable relative to the shaft. The cap is detachably mounted on the top portion of the spool shaft so that the winding core does not slip off of the spool shaft. The spool shaft is provided with a male thread on a peripheral portion which is an extension above the winding core when the latter is engaged on the spool shaft.

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 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: A printing ribbon spool which is leak-proof even at less than atmospheric pressure and which has an indefinite shelf life. The spool utilizes a central hub as an ink reservoir and has an ink-impervious member forming a portion of the reservoir isolating the ink from an ink-delivery pad before actuation. The central tubular portions of the spool are interlocked in such a manner that the spool is leak-proof. The ink-impervious member can be pierced by a pin to actuate the spool. Air compensation grooves are utilized to maintain air flow which results in uniform distribution of the ink throughout the pad. The edge of the ribbon contacts the pad and becomes saturated by capillary action to provide uniform and consistent printing for millions of characters.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a shaft cover is attached to the front end portion of a ribbon guide shaft projecting in a cantilevered state from a side face of a printer body; cores of an ink ribbon are fitted respectively on a ribbon feed shaft and a ribbon take-up shaft both projecting in a cantilevered state from the said side face of the printer body; the ink ribbon is passed round the outer periphery of the shaft cover; then the cores and the shaft cover are pushed in simultaneously to set the ink ribbon in a predetermined certain position.