Ribbon positioning mechanism for telegraph printers

Claim 2

In a ribbon shift mechanism included within a printer having a printing device and a platen mounted for relative rectilinear movement with respect to each other: means for supporting a ribbon; means for guiding said ribbon supporting means along a reciprocatory path between the printing device and the platen; stationary means mounted independently of the prinTing device for supporting said guiding means for movement along a path parallel to a path defined by the relative rectilinear movement of the printing device and the platen; means for reciprocating said ribbon supporting means, said reciprocating means having a portion connecting to said ribbon supporting means which is movable by said guiding means in a direction parallel to said parallel path of movement; and means responsive to relative movement between the printing device and the platen for moving said guiding means along said parallel path, thereby moving the connecting portion of said reciprocating means and said ribbon supporting means parallel to said parallel path of movement.

Claim 3

In a ribbon shift mechanism as set forth in claim 1, the combination wherein said means for supporting said guiding means comprises: a bar mounted independently of the printing device and parallel to the relative rectilinear path of movement of the printing device and the platen; and wherein said guiding means comprises a rider slidably mounted on said bar.

Claim 4

In a ribbon shifting mechanism for incorporation in a printing apparatus having a platen and print impressing means mounted on a carrier spaced from and movable along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platen, the improvement which comprises: a guide bar mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis of said platen; a device for holding a ribbon; means connected to said device for moving said device to position the ribbon between the print impressing means and the platen, said moving means being movable parallel to the path of movement of the carrier; means slidably mounted on said bar for engaging said moving means; and means responsive to movements of the carrier for moving said engaging means to move said moving means and said device with said carrier.

Claim 5

In a ribbon shifting mechanism for incorporation in a printing apparatus having a platen and print impressing means mounted on a carrier spaced from and movable along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platen, the improvement which comprises: a guide bar mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis of said platen; a device for holding a ribbon; means connected to said device for moving said device to position the ribbon between the print impressing means and the platen, said moving means being movable parallel to the path of movement of the carrier; means slidably mounted on said bar for engaging said moving means; and means responsive to movements of the carrier for moving said engaging means to move said moving means and said device with said carrier.

Claim 6

In a guide and shift mechanism for positioning a ribbon between a platen and a print device that is incrementally moved relative to the platen; a guide bar mounted parallel to the path of movement of and independently of the print device; a holder for supporting the ribbon, said holder being movably positioned adjacent to the guide bar for reciprocation out of and into interposing relation between the print device and the platen; a rider mounted on the guide bar for movement along the guide bar said rider including means for guiding the movement of the holder between the print device and the platen; means responsive to movement of the print device relative to the platen for moving the rider along the guide bar; and means for reciprocably moving the holder through the guide means to interpose the ribbon between the print device and the platen.

Claim 7

In a guide and shift mechanism for positioning a ribbon between a platen and a print device that is incrementally moved relative to the platen; a guide bar mounted parallel to the path of movement of and independently of the print device; a holder for supporting the ribbon, said holder being movably positioned adjacent to the guide bar for reciprocation out of and into interposing relation between the print device and the platen; a rider mounted on the guide bar for movement along the guide bar said rider including means for guiding the movement of the holder between the print device and the platen; means responsive to movement of the print device relative to the platen for moving the rider along the guide bar; and means for reciprocably moving the holder through the guide means to interpose the ribbon between the print device and the platen.

Claim 10

A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said reciprocating means comprises: a lever connected to the end of the actuator and extending through the space between the guide bar and the connecting section; a rock shaft slidably supporting the end of the lever for imparting oscillatory movement to the lever to reciprocate the actuator and move the lifter to position the ribbon between The print mechanism and the platen; and means for oscillating the rock shaft.

Claim 11

In a ribbon oscillating mechanism for a page printer wherein a printing means is supported on a carriage mounted for movement in a horizontal rectilinear path; an elongated shaft having a central axis in parallel with said path and mounted for oscillatory movement about said axis; means for oscillating said shaft; a drive lever slidably mounted on said shaft and movable therewith; a lifter connected to and vertically aligned with said drive lever and mounted for reciprocating movement and for supporting said reciprocating a ribbon; means mounted and supported independently of the carriage for holding said ribbon lifter in vertical alignment with said drive lever; and means connecting said holding means to the carriage for imparting rectilinear movement of the carriage to the aligned ribbon guide and drive arm.

Claim 12

In a ribbon oscillating mechanism for a page printer wherein a printing means is supported on a carriage mounted for movement in a horizontal rectilinear path; an elongated shaft having a central axis in parallel with said path and mounted for oscillatory movement about said axis; means for oscillating said shaft; a drive lever slidably mounted on said shaft and movable therewith; a lifter connected to and vertically aligned with said drive lever and mounted for reciprocating movement and for supporting said reciprocating a ribbon; means mounted and supported independently of the carriage for holding said ribbon lifter in vertical alignment with said drive lever; and means connecting said holding means to the carriage for imparting rectilinear movement of the carriage to the aligned ribbon guide and drive arm.

Claim 13

In a printing telegraph apparatus having a mechanism for selectively interposing a ribbon between a print hammer mounted to an assembly movable along an axis and a platen mounted parallel to said axis; an elongated guide bar extending along an axis parallel to said platen; a guide member slidably mounted on said guide bar; a ribbon lifter vertically aligned with the print hammer and mounted for reciprocating movement in said guide member in a path normal to said guide bar axis; a shaft extending parallel to said guide bar and mounted for oscillatory movement; means for oscillating said shaft; a drive lever slidably mounted on said shaft for imparting reciprocating movement to said ribbon lifter to interpose said ribbon guide between the platen and the print hammer; and means connecting said guide member, said ribbon guide and said drive lever to the movable assembly for moving said guide member, said ribbon guide and said drive lever in response to movement of the assembly along the axis in paths parallel to the path of the assembly.

Claim 14

In a printing telegraph apparatus having a mechanism for selectively interposing a ribbon between a print hammer mounted to an assembly movable along an axis and a platen mounted parallel to said axis; an elongated guide bar extending along an axis parallel to said platen; a guide member slidably mounted on said guide bar; a ribbon lifter vertically aligned with the print hammer and mounted for reciprocating movement in said guide member in a path normal to said guide bar axis; a shaft extending parallel to said guide bar and mounted for oscillatory movement; means for oscillating said shaft; a drive lever slidably mounted on said shaft for imparting reciprocating movement to said ribbon lifter to interpose said ribbon guide between the platen and the print hammer; and means connecting said guide member, said ribbon guide and said drive lever to the movable assembly for moving said guide member, said ribbon guide and said drive lever in response to movement of the assembly along the axis in paths parallel to the path of the assembly.

Claim 15

In a ribbon lifter mechanism for a printing telegraph apparatus having a movable printing unit; a lifter having a pair of spaced tongs supporting the ribbon, and a dependent actuator arm; a lever connected at one end to said actuator arm; a rock shaft mounted for oscillatory movement and connected to the other end of the lever for moving the actuator arm and the lifter to position the ribbon; means for oscillating the rock shaft; a guide bar; a guide member having a pair of spaced sections spanning the actuator arm and being slidably mounted on the guide bar; means for imparting movement of the printing unit to the guide member; and means for maintaining the lifter and lever centrally positioned between said spaced sections of the guide member.

Claim 16

In a ribbon lifter mechanism for a printing telegraph apparatus having a movable printing unit; a lifter having a pair of spaced tongs supporting the ribbon, and a dependent actuator arm; a lever connected at one end to said actuator arm; a rock shaft mounted for oscillatory movement and connected to the other end of the lever for moving the actuator arm and the lifter to position the ribbon; means for oscillating the rock shaft; a guide bar; a guide member having a pair of spaced sections spanning the actuator arm and being slidably mounted on the guide bar; means for imparting movement of the printing unit to the guide member; and means for maintaining the lifter and lever centrally positioned between said spaced sections of the guide member.

Claim 17

A mechanism for positioning a ribbon which comprises: a rock shaft; a lever slidably supported on said rock shaft; a guide shaft parallel to said rock shaft; a rider slidably supported on said guide shaft; a spacer unit connected to said rider and bearing against said lever for aligning said lever with said rider; means connected to said lever and extending between said rider and guide shaft for reciprocally supporting the ribbon; and means for rocking said shaft to rock said lever and reciprocate said supporting means and said ribbon.

Claim 18

A mechanism for positioning a ribbon which comprises: a rock shaft; a lever slidably supported on said rock shaft; a guide shaft parallel to said rock shaft; a rider slidably supported on said guide shaft; a spacer unit connected to said rider and bearing against said lever for aligning said lever with said rider; means connected to said lever and extending between said rider and guide shaft for reciprocally supporting the ribbon; and means for rocking said shaft to rock said lever and reciprocate said supporting means and said ribbon.

Claim 19

In a telegraph page printer having a platen, an inked ribbon extending along the platen, a print hammer assembly mounted on a carriage for traversing the ribbon and the platen, a hammer actuating mechanism, a rock shaft mounted for oscillatory movement about an axis parallel to the platen, and means for activating said hammer actuating mechanism in response to the movement of said rock shaft, the improvement which comprises: a guide shaft; a guide slidably mounted on said guide shaft; a reciprocating ribbon support extending through said guide and supported for sliding movement relative to said guide shaft; reciprocating means connected to said ribbon support means and slidably mounted on the rock shaft for positioning the ribbon between the print hammer and the platen when the rock shaft is oscillated to activate the print hammer actuating mechanism; and means connecting said ribbon support and said reciprocating means to the hammer assembly carriage for sliding said ribbon support along said guide shaft and said reciprocating means along said rock shaft when the carriage traverses the platen.

Claim 20

In a telegraph page printer having a platen, an inked ribbon extending along the platen, a print hammer assembly mounted on a carriage for traversing the ribbon and the platen, a hammer actuating mechanism, a rock shaft mounted for oscillatory movement about an axis parallel to the platen, and means for activating said hammer actuating mechanism in response to the movement of said rock shaft, the improvement which comprises: a guide shaft; a guide slidably mounted on said guide shaft; a reciprocating ribbon support extending through said guide and supported for sliding movement relative to said guide shaft; reciprocating means connected to said ribbon support means and slidably mounted on the rock shaft for positioning the ribbon between the print hammer and the platen when the rock shaft is oscillated to activate the print hammer actuating mechanism; and means connecting said ribbon support and said reciprocating means to the hammer assembly carriage for sliding said ribbon support along said guide shaft and said reciprocating means along said rock shaft when the carriage traverses the platen.

Claim 21

In a page printer wherein a type unit moves parallel with respect to the axis of a cylindrical platen supporting a record carrier, and wherein a ribbon interposed between the type unit and the platen is selectively forced by the type unit to move toward the platen for producing markings on the record carrier, the improvement comprising: a guide bar mounted in parallel and in fixed relation to the axis of the platen; a guide slidably mounted on and spaced from the guide bar to move in parallel to the platen; means for sliding the guide along the guide bar in response to movement of the type unit; a ribbon holder having retaining means for holding the ribbon, the ribbon holder extending perpendicular to the guide bar and through the space between the guide bar and the guide for support by the guide bar and the guide; means for reciprocating the ribbon holder between an upper position locating the lower portion of the ribbon in alignment with the type unit to allow the lower portion of the ribbon to be forced toward the platen and a lower position locating the ribbon away from the type unit; and means acting on the reciprocating means for arresting the reciprocation of the holder to locate the upper portion of the ribbon in position to be forced toward the platen by the typing unit.

Claim 22

In a page printer wherein a type unit moves parallel with respect to the axis of a cylindrical platen supporting a record carrier, and wherein a ribbon interposed between the type unit and the platen is selectively forced by the type unit to move toward the platen for producing markings on the record carrier, the improvement comprising: a guide bar mounted in parallel and in fixed relation to the axis of the platen; a guide slidably mounted on and spaced from the guide bar to move in parallel to the platen; means for sliding the guide along the guide bar in response to movement of the type unit; a ribbon holder having retaining means for holding the ribbon, the ribbon holder extending perpendicular to the guide bar and through the space between the guide bar and the guide for support by the guide bar and the guide; means for reciprocating the ribbon holder between an upper position locating the lower portion of the ribbon in alignment with the type unit to allow the lower portion of the ribbon to be forced toward the platen and a lower position locating the ribbon away from the type unit; and means acting on the reciprocating means for arresting the reciprocation of the holder to locate the upper portion of the ribbon in position to be forced toward the platen by the typing unit.

Claim 23

In a device for selectively positioning a ribbon between a platen and a printing element on a carriage which transverses the platen in response to motion of actuating mechanisms for moving the carriage: means mounted independently of the carriage for traversing movement relative to the platen; a holder for receiving the ribbon, said holder being guided by said traversing means for reciprocating movement relative to the platen; means connecting to said holder for imparting reciprocatory movement and traversing movement to said holder to position the ribbon between the printing element and the platen, said connecting means being engaged by said traversing means for traversing movement relative to the platen; means for reciprocating said connecting means, said reciprocating means slidably mounting said connecting means for traversing movement relative to the platen; and follower means connecting the carriage to said traversing means for imparting traversing movement of the carriage to said traversing means, and thereby imparting traversing movement to said connecting means and said holder.

Claim 24

In a device for selectively positioning a ribbon between a platen and a printing element on a carriage which transverses the platen in response to motion of actuating mechanisms for moving the carriage: means mounted independently of the carriage for traversing movement relative to the platen; a holder for receiving the ribbon, said holder being guided by said traversing means for reciprocating movement relative to the platen; means connecting to said holder for imparting reciprocatory movement and traversing movement to said holder to position the ribbon between the printing element and the platen, said connecting means being engaged by said traversing means for traversing movement relative to the platen; means for reciprocating said connecting means, said reciprocating means slidably mounting said connecting means for traversing movement relative to the platen; and follower means connecting the carriage to said traversing means for imparting traversing movement of the carriage to said traversing means, and thereby imparting traversing movement to said connecting means and said holder.