Feed system for an adhesive ribbon or the like

Claim 2

Ribbon feed mechanism having means for supporting a supply roll of ribbon for rotation about an axis, means drivingly engaging ribbon threaded from said supply roll for advancing increments of said ribbon at random intervals thereby rotating said supply roll in one rotational direction wherein the improvement comprises: means for applying a rotational force to said supply roll at substantially all times during feeding of the ribbon to tend to rotate said supply roll in the direction opposite to said one rotational direction and comprising: cam means mounted for rotation about said axis and being drivingly connected with said supply roll, said cam means having a contoured surface thereon that faces at least partially tangentially with respect to the rotational axis of said supply roll and thereby is capable of positively receiving force having a tangential component, and resilient means engaging said contoured surface for applying a resilient urging force to said contoured surface in said opposite direction.

Claim 3

The combination of ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein a supply roll of ribbon having an exposed adhesive material on one surface thereof is assembled on said supply roll supporting means.

Claim 4

Ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said cam means comprises a ratchet wheel wherein said contoured surface comprises a plurality of inclined tooth-like surfaces formed circumferentially of said ratchet wheel, each of said tooth-like surfaces terminating in a release edge, and wherein said resilient means comprises a follower member that is small in relation to said tooth-like surfaces and wherein said follower member path is angularly oriented with respect to said tooth-like surfaces so that said follower member is displaced toward the release edge of said tooth-like surfaces by movement thereof in said one rotational direction.

Claim 5

Ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said resilient urging means comprises an elongated cantilever supported wire spring and said follower member is a pawl device mounted at the free end of said wire spring.

Claim 6

Ribbon feed mechanism having means for supporting a supply roll of ribbon for rotation about an axis and comprising a base member, a platform member pivotly connected to said base member about a substantially horizontal axis for movement thereabout from a rest position to an active position, and spindle means rotatably mounted on said platform member for receiving said supply roll thereon, ribbon positioning means for moving a span of said ribbon threaded from said supply roll from a normal rest position to an elevated active position, means connecting said ribbon positioning means with said platform member so that lifting of said ribbon span by said ribbon positioning means pivots said platform member to its active position, and means drivingly engaging ribbon threaded from said supply roll for advancing increments of said ribbon at random intervals thereby rotating said supply roll in one rotational direction, wherein the improvement comprises: means for applying a bias force to said supply roll at substantially all times during feeding of the ribbon to tend to rotate said supply roll in the direction opposite to said one rotational direction and comprising: cam means mounted for rotation about said axis and being drivingly connected with said supply roll, said cam means having a contoured surface thereon that faces at least partially tangentially with respect to the rotational axis of said supply roll and thereby is capable of positively receiving force having a tangential component, and resilient means engaging said contoured surface for applying a resilient urging force to sAid contoured surface in said opposite direction.

Claim 7

Ribbon feed mechanism having means for supporting a supply roll of ribbon for rotation about an axis and comprising a base member, a platform member pivotly connected to said base member about a substantially horizontal axis for movement thereabout from a rest position to an active position, and spindle means rotatably mounted on said platform member for receiving said supply roll thereon, ribbon positioning means for moving a span of said ribbon threaded from said supply roll from a normal rest position to an elevated active position, means connecting said ribbon positioning means with said platform member so that lifting of said ribbon span by said ribbon positioning means pivots said platform member to its active position, and means drivingly engaging ribbon threaded from said supply roll for advancing increments of said ribbon at random intervals thereby rotating said supply roll in one rotational direction, wherein the improvement comprises: means for applying a bias force to said supply roll at substantially all times during feeding of the ribbon to tend to rotate said supply roll in the direction opposite to said one rotational direction and comprising: cam means mounted for rotation about said axis and being drivingly connected with said supply roll, said cam means having a contoured surface thereon that faces at least partially tangentially with respect to the rotational axis of said supply roll and thereby is capable of positively receiving force having a tangential component, and resilient means engaging said contoured surface for applying a resilient urging force to sAid contoured surface in said opposite direction.

Claim 8

Ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 5 wherein said ribbon positioning means comprises: first and second guide members respectively positioned on opposed lateral sides of an impact point, said supply roll being mounted on one side of the impact point adjacent said first guide member, means mounting said second guide member substantially stationarily upon said base member, a vertically reciprocating member, and means pivotally mounting said first guide member on said reciprocating member for pivotal motion about a horizontal axis so that said first guide member is lifted upon reciprocation of said reciprocating member.

Claim 9

Ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said cam means comprises a ratchet wheel wherein said contoured surface comprises a plurality of inclined tooth-like surfaces formed circumferentially of said ratchet wheel.

Claim 10

Ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 7 wherein said resilient means comprises an elongated cantilever supported wire spring having a pawl device mounted at its free end that engages the tooth-like surfaces of said ratchet wheel.

Claim 11

A typewriter comprising a print element carrier, a frame, track means on said frame for supporting said carrier for lateral movement thereon, means for supporting a supply roll of ribbon on said print element carrier comprising a platform member pivotly connected to said carrier about a substantially horizontal axis for movement thereabout from a rest position to an active position, and spindle means rotatably mounted on said platform for receiving said ribbon supply roll thereon, ribbon positioning means for moving a span of said ribbon threaded from said supply roll from a normal rest position to an elevated active position, means connecting said ribbon positioning means with said platform member so that lifting of said ribbon span by said ribbon positioning means pivots said platform member to its active position, and means drivingly engaging ribbon threaded from said supply roll for advancing increments of said ribbon at random intervals thereby rotating said supply roll in one rotational direction, where the improvement comprises: means for applying a bias force to said supply roll at substantially all times during feeding of the ribbon to tend to rotate said supply roll in the direction opposite to said one rotational direction and comprising: cam means mounted for rotation about said axis and being drivingly connected with said supply roll, said cam means having a contoured surface thereon that faces at least partially tangentially with respect to the rotational axis of said supply roll and thereby is capable of positively receiving force having a tangential component, and resilient means engaging said contoured surface for applying a resilient urging force to said contoured surface in said opposite direction.

Claim 12

A typewriter comprising a print element carrier, a frame, track means on said frame for supporting said carrier for lateral movement thereon, means for supporting a supply roll of ribbon on said print element carrier comprising a platform member pivotly connected to said carrier about a substantially horizontal axis for movement thereabout from a rest position to an active position, and spindle means rotatably mounted on said platform for receiving said ribbon supply roll thereon, ribbon positioning means for moving a span of said ribbon threaded from said supply roll from a normal rest position to an elevated active position, means connecting said ribbon positioning means with said platform member so that lifting of said ribbon span by said ribbon positioning means pivots said platform member to its active position, and means drivingly engaging ribbon threaded from said supply roll for advancing increments of said ribbon at random intervals thereby rotating said supply roll in one rotational direction, where the improvement comprises: means for applying a bias force to said supply roll at substantially all times during feeding of the ribbon to tend to rotate said supply roll in the direction opposite to said one rotational direction and comprising: cam means mounted for rotation about said axis and being drivingly connected with said supply roll, said cam means having a contoured surface thereon that faces at least partially tangentially with respect to the rotational axis of said supply roll and thereby is capable of positively receiving force having a tangential component, and resilient means engaging said contoured surface for applying a resilient urging force to said contoured surface in said opposite direction.

Claim 13

Ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 9 wherein said ribbon positioning means comprises: first and second guide members respectively positioned on opposed lateral sides of an impact point, said supply roll being mounted on one side of the impact point adjacent said first guide member, means mounting said second guide member substantially stationarily upon said base member, a vertically reciprocating member, and means pivotally mounting said first guide member on said reciprocating member for pivotal motion about a horizontal axis so that said first guide member is lifted upon reciprocation of said reciprocating member.

Claim 14

Ribbon feed mechanism having means for supporting a supply roll of ribbon for rotation about an axis, means drivingly engaging ribbon threaded from said supply roll for advancing increments of said ribbon at random intervals thereby rotating said supply roll in one rotational direction, wherein the improvement comprises: means for applying a rotational force to said supply roll to tend to rotate said supply roll in thE direction opposite to said one rotational direction and comprising: cam means mounted for rotation about said axis and being drivingly connected with said supply roll, said cam means having a contoured surface thereon that faces at least partially tangentially with respect to the rotational axis of said supply roll and thereby is capable of positively receiving force having a tangential component, and resilient means engaging said contoured surface for applying a resilient urging force to said contoured surface in said opposite direction, said resilient means comprising first and second spring portions, said first spring portion having a substantially stiffer spring rate than said second spring portion and means for selectively rendering said second spring portion effective and ineffective so that said resilient urging force is of selectable greater or lesser magnitude dependent respectively upon the ineffectiveness or effectiveness of said second spring portion.

Claim 15

Ribbon feed mechanism having means for supporting a supply roll of ribbon for rotation about an axis, means drivingly engaging ribbon threaded from said supply roll for advancing increments of said ribbon at random intervals thereby rotating said supply roll in one rotational direction, wherein the improvement comprises: means for applying a rotational force to said supply roll to tend to rotate said supply roll in thE direction opposite to said one rotational direction and comprising: cam means mounted for rotation about said axis and being drivingly connected with said supply roll, said cam means having a contoured surface thereon that faces at least partially tangentially with respect to the rotational axis of said supply roll and thereby is capable of positively receiving force having a tangential component, and resilient means engaging said contoured surface for applying a resilient urging force to said contoured surface in said opposite direction, said resilient means comprising first and second spring portions, said first spring portion having a substantially stiffer spring rate than said second spring portion and means for selectively rendering said second spring portion effective and ineffective so that said resilient urging force is of selectable greater or lesser magnitude dependent respectively upon the ineffectiveness or effectiveness of said second spring portion.

Claim 16

Ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for selectively rendering said second spring effective and ineffective comprises a control arm connected to said second spring portion and to said first spring portion, said control arm being positioned adjacent said means for supporting a supply roll spool of ribbon, and means carried by a supply roll of ribbon for engaging said control arm to prevent movement thereof that would accommodate stretching of said second spring portion so that said second spring portion is rendered ineffective.

Claim 17

Ribbon feed mechanism having means for supporting a supply roll of ribbon for rotation about an axis, means drivingly engaging ribbon threaded from said supply roll for advancing increments of said ribbon at random intervals thereby rotating said supply roll in one rotational direction, wherein the improvement comprises: means for applying a rotational force to said supply roll at substantially all times during feeding of the ribbon to tend to rotate said supply roll in the direction opposite to said one rotational direction and comprising: cam means mounted for rotation about said axis and being drivingly connected with said supply roll, said cam means having a contoured surface thereon that faces at least partially tangentially with respect to the rotational axis of said supply roll and thereby is capable of positively receiving force having a tangential component, a follower member that is small in relation to said contoured surface, and means resiliently urging said follower along a path that intersects said contoured surface and is angularly oriented with respect thereto so that said follower member is displaced against said resilient urging means by rotation of said supply roll in said one direction.

Claim 18

Ribbon feed mechanism having means for supporting a supply roll of ribbon for rotation about an axis, means drivingly engaging ribbon threaded from said supply roll for advancing increments of said ribbon at random intervals thereby rotating said supply roll in one rotational direction, wherein the improvement comprises: means for applying a rotational force to said supply roll at substantially all times during feeding of the ribbon to tend to rotate said supply roll in the direction opposite to said one rotational direction and comprising: cam means mounted for rotation about said axis and being drivingly connected with said supply roll, said cam means having a contoured surface thereon that faces at least partially tangentially with respect to the rotational axis of said supply roll and thereby is capable of positively receiving force having a tangential component, a follower member that is small in relation to said contoured surface, and means resiliently urging said follower along a path that intersects said contoured surface and is angularly oriented with respect thereto so that said follower member is displaced against said resilient urging means by rotation of said supply roll in said one direction.