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EP0048418A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Multiposition ribbon cassette system
Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems America Inc
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Filing: 1981-09-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-09-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved multicolor ribbon cassette system for use with a printing mechanism (12). A ribbon cassette (20) is carried on a plate (26) which is pivotally connected to a shuttle mechanism (14). The plate (26) rotates about an axis which is perpendicular to a printing medium (24) and the portion (22a) of the ribbon adjacent the printing mechanism (12). The pivot plate (26) is tilted up or down to position a different part of the ribbon in alignment with the printing mechanism (12). The configuration of the device is such that the ribbon will remain parallel to the printing medium (24) as it is tilted. The position of the pivot plate (26) is controlled by means of a barrel cam (32) driven by a stepper motor (36). The stepper motor is controlled by a logic circuit. An optical sensor (42) is also connected to the logic circuit to determine whether a single color or multicolor cassette (20) is in position.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur C. Van Horne
- 👤 Terry Lee Branson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:12
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J35/00; B41J35/04; B41J35/10; B41J35/12; B41J35/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A multiposition ribbon cassette system for use in a printer of the like comprising: a shuttle (14) which is adapted to carry a printhead (12) across a printing medium (24); and means (26), coupled to said shuttle, for supporting a ribbon cassette (20) having a ribbon (22) therein, said ribbon cassette carrying a portion (22a) of said ribbon in a plane parallel to the printing medium (24), wherein said means (26) for supporting are movable to change the vertical position of the ribbon cassette (20) with respect to the printhead (12) while maintaining the ribbon (22) parallel to the printing medium (24).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A multiposition ribbon cassette system for use in a printer of the like comprising: a shuttle (14) which is adapted to carry a printhead (12) across a printing medium (24); and means (26), coupled to said shuttle, for supporting a ribbon cassette (20) having a ribbon (22) therein, said ribbon cassette carrying a portion (22a) of said ribbon in a plane parallel to the printing medium (24), wherein said means (26) for supporting are movable to change the vertical position of the ribbon cassette (20) with respect to the printhead (12) while maintaining the ribbon (22) parallel to the printing medium (24).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the means (26) for supporting are pivotal about an axis perpendicular to said plane and printing medium (24), whereby the ribbon cassette (20) is tilted in order to change the position of the ribbon (22) with respect to the printhead (12).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 2 wherein the means for supporting comprises a pivot plate (26) pivotally secured to the shuttle (14), wherein said pivot plate is pivotal about said axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 3 further comprising a ribbon drive motor (38) attached to the pivot plate (26), said ribbon drive motor coupling to a ribbon cassette (20) and operable to advance the ribbon (22) in the cassette.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 3 or 4 further including a multiposition cam (32) coupled to the pivot plate (26), said cam being movable to position the pivot plate in one of a plurality of locations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system accordingto claim 5 wherein said cam (32) is mounted on said shuttle (14) and further including: a cam motor (36) attached to the shuttle for controlling the position of the cam (32); and a cam follower (34) connecting the cam to the pivot plate (26).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein said cam (32) is cylindrical and includes a substantially spiral slot (32a) on its outer surface and wherein said cam follower (34) comprises a rod coupled to said slot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein said cam motor (36) is a stepper motor.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
30 words
A system according to one of claims 1 to 8 further including an optical sensor (42) for detecting the presence of a fin (40) located on each ribbon cassette (20).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein the configuration of said fin (40) is a function of one of two types of ribbon (22) carried within the ribbon cassette (20) and wherein said sensor (42) is such that when the pivot plate (26) is in a first position either configuration of said fin (40) will be detected and when the pivot plate (26) is in a second position only one configuration will be detected, thereby facilitating determination of the type of ribbon carried within the ribbon cassette.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
173 words
In combination with a printer or the like having a printhead (12) which traverses a printing medium (24), a multiposition ribbon cassette system comprising: a shuttle (14) which is adapted to carry the printhead (12) perpendicular to and across the printing medium (24); a pivot plate (26) having one end pivotally secured to the shuttle along an axis perpendicular to the printing medium; a cam motor (36) secured to the shuttle (14); a cam (32) attached to the cam motor; a cam follower (34) connected between the cam (36) and the pivot plate (26); and . a ribbon cassette (20) detachably connected to the pivot plate (26) and housing a ribbon (22), wherein a portion (22a) of said ribbon is carried parallel to the printing medium (24); whereby movement of said cam (32) will cause said pivot plate (26) to pivot up or down, thereby changing the position of the ribbon cassette (20) with respect to the printhead (12) while maintaining the ribbon (22) in a plane parallel to the printing medium (24).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
173 words
In combination with a printer or the like having a printhead (12) which traverses a printing medium (24), a multiposition ribbon cassette system comprising: a shuttle (14) which is adapted to carry the printhead (12) perpendicular to and across the printing medium (24); a pivot plate (26) having one end pivotally secured to the shuttle along an axis perpendicular to the printing medium; a cam motor (36) secured to the shuttle (14); a cam (32) attached to the cam motor; a cam follower (34) connected between the cam (36) and the pivot plate (26); and . a ribbon cassette (20) detachably connected to the pivot plate (26) and housing a ribbon (22), wherein a portion (22a) of said ribbon is carried parallel to the printing medium (24); whereby movement of said cam (32) will cause said pivot plate (26) to pivot up or down, thereby changing the position of the ribbon cassette (20) with respect to the printhead (12) while maintaining the ribbon (22) in a plane parallel to the printing medium (24).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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