Abstract: An adapter is provided for use with a supply spool having first and second spool ends the spool having web media thereon. The adapter has a body having first and second body ends with each of the first and second body ends having shaped linkages to join to one of the first and second supply ends and with each body end further shaped to join to a printer receptacle when not joined to a spool end; and a data source. The body shaped to position the data source relative to the first body end so that when the first body end is joined to a first spool end, the data source is positioned to provide the machine readable data so that the machine readable data can be read by a reader in a printer that is adapted to accept a supply spool having web media that is axially located asymmetrically.

Abstract: A tape printer includes a roll sheet holder storage part of which a bottom is formed with a positioning recess which is rectangular in plan view and long sideways and has a predetermined depth. A discrimination recess rectangular in plan view is provided between the positioning recess and an inner base end of a holder support member). The discrimination recess fittingly receives a sheet discrimination part extending in a predetermined length from a lower end of the positioning holding member inward at substantially right angle thereto. The sheet discrimination part is formed with sensor holes arranged in an L-shaped pattern. In the discrimination recess, there are provided sheet discrimination sensors arranged in an L-shaped pattern.

Abstract: In a holder for holding a rolled recording medium, each of a pair of side wall members is opposed to a side end face of the rolled recording medium to regulate a position of the rolled recording medium in a widthwise direction thereof. At least one of the side wall members includes a first section adapted to be brought into contact with the side end face, and a second section adapted to avoid contact with the side end face. A position of the second section is determined such that an upper part of the side end face is free from contact with the at least one of the side wall members, and a position of the first section is determined such that a lower part of the side end face is brought into contact with the first section.

Abstract: A portable printer is provided having a housing with a compartment for a roll of media and two spindle members coupled to roll positioning mechanism in the compartment. Each spindle member has tow sides with different diameter conical surfaces and is reversibly mountable in the printer to select such conical surface having a diameter for engaging the core diameter of a roll mounted between the spindle members. Each of the spindle members is reversible in the printer to enable presentation of two different diameter conical surfaces for engaging two different diameter roll cores in the printer. The conical surfaces can also reshape the ends of a crushed roll core from a oval to a circular cross-sectional shape when the spindle members are urged towards each other by the roll positioning mechanism into the ends of the roll core, thereby providing for proper rotational mounting of such roll in the printer.

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 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 tape/ribbon composite cassette comprising a tape cassette freely detachably mounted in a printer provided with a print head, the tape cassette housing a tape serving as a print medium, the tape cassette having an upper surface; a ribbon cassette freely detachably mounted in the tape cassette, the ribbon cassette housing an ink ribbon, the ribbon cassette provided with an upper surface overlapping at least a portion of the upper surface of the tape cassette; at least two guide portions provided to the tape cassette at positions separated from each other at an outer periphery of the tape cassette, the at least two guide portions guiding the ribbon cassette vertically in and out of the tape cassette; and at least two guided portions formed integrally to the upper surface of the ribbon cassette at positions corresponding to the positions of the guide portions, the at least two guided portions engaging with the guide portions to guide the ribbon cassette vertically in an out of the tape cassette.

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: In a combination of a thermal transfer recording apparatus and an ink sheet cassette therefor, a take-up shaft of the ink sheet cassette has an outer diameter smaller than that of a supply shaft. A new ink sheet wound about the supply shaft to a location close to an inner wall surface of a supply shaft housing section of a cassette case is changed to a used ink sheet wrinkled due to heating by a thermal head. The used ink sheet having an increased thickness due to the wrinkles is taken up in the form of a roll about the take-up shaft. The roll of the used ink sheet entirely wound about the take-up shaft has such an outer diameter as to be out of contact with an inner wall surface of a take-up shaft housing section to thereby prevent contact of the take-up shaft with an inner wall surface of the cassette case due to an increase in the diameter of the roll of the used ink sheet wound about the take-up shaft.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge of the type employing two ribbon spools mounted in spaced relation in the cavity formed in the case of the cartridge. The ribbon is driven by a belt engaging the spools. The belt is rotated over the spools by rotation of a predetermined drive wheel of two spaced sets of two intermeshing drive wheels. Means are provided for operating the cartridge in various printers having drive locations of varying spatial location as well as direction of rotation.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge may contain a single color ribbon or a multicolor ribbon, and is of wide U construction with a first pair of aligned (coaxial) pivot pins extending away from sides at locations therefrom remote from the legs of the U; a second pair of pins extends also from the sides and parallel to the first pair of pins; finally, a pair of support projections extend from the legs and also in opposite directions from the sides; the printer has two pivot mounts for receiving the pins of the first pair to thereby mount the cartridge, permitting pitch-like pivoting; in addition, the printer contains either (a) a second pair of mounts open from above for receiving the pins of the second pair, and thereby mounting the cartridge in a fixed position for single color printing, or (b) a cam shaft with at least one cam of different radial dimensions for engaging at least one of the projections such that upon turning of the cam a variable pivot-pitch is imparted upon the cartridge, the pins of the second pair being u

Abstract: A ribbon take-up drive mechanism for a universal ribbon cartridge. The cartridge is adapted to engage the ribbon drive shafts of printers of two different designs. The drive shaft positions are different, and the direction of drive shaft rotation is opposite for the two designs. The take-up mechanism is designed such that the ribbon is pinched between the teeth of a direct drive gear and a biased idler gear. The printer of one design drives the ribbon through the direct drive gear. The printer of the second design drives the ribbon through an alternate drive gear, an idler gear and the biased idler gear. In either case, the ribbon is advanced in the same direction.

Abstract: A universal typewriter ribbon spool comprises a base member including a first flange member, and a centrally disposed annular hub having an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall defining an opening extending end-to-end therethrough; four splines equidistantly secured about the outer wall; four posts equidistantly secured about the inner wall and each having a longitudinal aperture therein; an annular ribbon holder having an inner wall defining an opening extending end-to-end therethrough and positioned about the hub; four splines equidistantly secured about the inner wall of the ribbon holder and which engage with the splines on the hub to prevent rotation of the ribbon holder about the hub; a resilient spool adapter positioned within the hub and formed of opposing arcuate gripping members which grip opposing posts of the hub, and a resilient center section having a central aperture, the center section connecting the gripping members together and being spaced from the remaining two posts when positione

Abstract: A cartridge for accommodating a daisy wheel type printer includes a supply spool for holding a fresh supply of ribbon and a take-up spool for holding used ribbon. The cartridge includes two arms which define a path for the ribbon to pass between the paper and the printer mechanism. In one embodiment, two drive gears are serially engaged with each other and with a ribbon drive wheel. When the first drive gear is driven by a drive shaft of the printer, the direction of ribbon advance is the same as that of the rotation of the drive shaft. When the second gear is driven, the rotational direction of the ribbon advance is opposite that of the drive shaft. In an alternate embodiment, a ribbon drive gear is mounted on a common shaft with the first drive gear and biased against a single idler wheel.

Abstract: A cartridge for accommodating a daisy wheel type printer is disclosed. The cartridge has a supply spool for holding a fresh supply of ribbon and a take-up spool for holding used ribbon. The cartridge includes two arms which define a path for the ribbon to pass between the paper and the printer mechanism. Two drive gears are serially engaged with each other and with the ribbon drive means. When the first drive wheel is driven by a drive shaft of the printer, the second acts as an idler gear so that the direction of ribbon take-up is the same as the direction of the rotation of the drive shaft. When the second gear is driven, it drives the ribbon drive gear means directly so that the rotational direction of the ribbon take-up is opposite that of the drive shaft. The drive gears are located and their lower portions are configured to engage the respective drive shafts of various printers.