Multi-color ribbon and mechanism

Claim 2

In a printing machine having a group of type elements arranged in side-by-side relation, means for guiding a record medium past said type elements, and cyclically operable means for effecting a printing impression between said record medium and said type elements; the combination comprising an ink transferring ribbon movable lengthwise across said type elements, said ribbon having first and second inked ribbon sections of different colors arranged in end-to-end relation, first and second ribbon inking means, said second inked ribbon section normally extending in ink transferring relation to said type elements; drive means controlled by said cyclically operable means prior to said printing impression to cause said ribbon to advance endwise in one direction to move said second inked ribbon section in ink receiving relation to said second ribbon inking means and to position said first inked ribbon section in ink transferring relation to said type elements, said drive means being effective after said printing impression to cause said ribbon to advance endwise in the opposite direction to move said first inked ribbon section in ink receiving relation to said first ribbon inking means and to position said second inked ribbon section in ink transferring relation to said type elements, and means for selectively enabling and disabling said drive means.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first and second ribbon inking means comprise ink impregnated ribbon spools engagable with respective ones of said inked ribbon sections.

Claim 4

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first inked ribbon section is inked in a color different from the color of said second inked ribbon section.

Claim 5

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a depressible key for controlling said cyclically operable means.

Claim 6

In a printing machine having a group of type elements arranged in side-by-side relation, means for guiding a record medium past said type elements, and cyclically operable means for effecting a printing impression between said record medium and said type elements; the combination comprising a first ribbon spool having an inking hub impregnated with ink of a first color and rotatably supported on one side of said group of type elements; a second ribbon spool having an inking hub impregnated with ink of a second color and rotatably supported on the opposite side of said group of type elements; an ink transferring ribbon movable endwise across said type elements and attached at opposite ends to respective ones of said spools, said ribbon having first and second ink ribbon transferring sections arranged in end-to-end relation, first drive means operable during each cycle of said cyclically operable means for rotating said first spool prior to said printing impression to wind said first ink transferring ribbon section thereon and to present said second ink transferring ribbon section in ink transferring relation to said type elements, second drive means for rotating said second spool after said printing impression to present said first ink transferring ribbon section in ink transferring relation to said type elements, and means for selectively disabling said first drive means.

Claim 7

In a printing machine having a group of type elements arranged in side-by-side relation, means for guiding a record medium past said type elements, and cyclically operable means for effecting a printing impression between said record medium and said type elements; the combination comprising a first ribbon spool having an inking hub impregnated with ink of a first color and rotatably supported on one side of said group of type elements; a second ribbon spool having an inking hub impregnated with ink of a second color and rotatably supported on the opposite side of said group of type elements; an ink transferring ribbon movable endwise across said type elements and attached at opposite ends to respective ones of said spools, said ribbon having first and second ink ribbon transferring sections arranged in end-to-end relation, first drive means operable during each cycle of said cyclically operable means for rotating said first spool prior to said printing impression to wind said first ink transferring ribbon section thereon and to present said second ink transferring ribbon section in ink transferring relation to said type elements, second drive means for rotating said second spool after said printing impression to present said first ink transferring ribbon section in ink transferring relation to said type elements, and means for selectively disabling said first drive means.

Claim 8

In a printing machine comprising a group of type elements arranged in side-by-side relation, means for guiding a record medium past said type elements, and cyclically operable means for effecting a printing impression between said record medium and said type elements; the combination comprising a first ribbon spool including ink absorbent material impregnated with ink of a first color; a second ribbon spool including ink absorbent material impregnated with ink of a second color; an ink transferring ribbon attached at opposite ends to respective ones of said spools and extending across said type elements, said ribbon having first and second inked ribbon sections arranged in end-to-end relation, spring means for rotating said second spool to wind said second ribbon section thereon whereby to ink said second ribbon section and to present said first ribbon section in ink transferring relation to said type elements, drive means operable by said cyclically operable means during each cycle for rotating said first spool whereby to wind said first ribbon section thereon whereby to ink said first ribbon section and to present said second ribbon section in ink transferring relation to said type elements, and means for selectively disabling said drive means.

Claim 9

In a printing machine comprising a group of type elements arranged in side-by-side relation, means for guiding a record medium past said type elements, and cyclically operable means for effecting a printing impression between said record medium and said type elements; the combination comprising a first ribbon spool including ink absorbent material impregnated with ink of a first color; a second ribbon spool including ink absorbent material impregnated with ink of a second color; an ink transferring ribbon attached at opposite ends to respective ones of said spools and extending across said type elements, said ribbon having first and second inked ribbon sections arranged in end-to-end relation, spring means for rotating said second spool to wind said second ribbon section thereon whereby to ink said second ribbon section and to present said first ribbon section in ink transferring relation to said type elements, drive means operable by said cyclically operable means during each cycle for rotating said first spool whereby to wind said first ribbon section thereon whereby to ink said first ribbon section and to present said second ribbon section in ink transferring relation to said type elements, and means for selectively disabling said drive means.

Claim 10

In a printing machine having a group of type elements arranged in side-by-side relation, means for guiding a record medium past said type elements, and cyclically operable means for effecting a printing impression between said record medium and said type elements; the combination comprising an ink transferring ribbon extending across said type elements, said ribbon having first and second inked ribbon sections of different colors arranged in end-to-end relation, first and second ribbon spools, each of said spools having an ink impregnated hub, means attaching opposite ends of said ribbon to respective ones of said spools, drive means operable during each cycle of said cyclically operable means for rotating said first spool to wrap said first inked ribbon section on the said hub of said first spool and to position said second inked ribbon section between said record medium and said type elements during a printing impression; means for rotating said second spool after said printing impression to wrap said second inked ribbon section on the said hub of said second spool and to position said first inked ribbon section between said record medium and said type elements, and means for selectively disabling said drive means whereby to locate said first inked ribbon section intermediate said type elements and said record medium during a said printing impression.

Claim 11

In a printing machine having a group of type elements arranged in side-by-side relation, means for guiding a record medium past said type elements, and cyclically operable means for effecting a printing impression between said record medium and said type elements; the combination comprising an ink transferring ribbon extending across said type elements, said ribbon having first and second inked ribbon sections of different colors arranged in end-to-end relation, first and second ribbon spools, each of said spools having an ink impregnated hub, means attaching opposite ends of said ribbon to respective ones of said spools, drive means operable during each cycle of said cyclically operable means for rotating said first spool to wrap said first inked ribbon section on the said hub of said first spool and to position said second inked ribbon section between said record medium and said type elements during a printing impression; means for rotating said second spool after said printing impression to wrap said second inked ribbon section on the said hub of said second spool and to position said first inked ribbon section between said record medium and said type elements, and means for selectively disabling said drive means whereby to locate said first inked ribbon section intermediate said type elements and said record medium during a said printing impression.

Claim 12

In a printing machine having a group of type elements arranged in side-by-side relation, means for guiding a record medium past said type elements, and cyclically operable means for effecting a printing impression between said record medium and said type elements; a frame having first and second magazine supporting guides on opposite sides of said group of type elements, a first ribbon magazine slidably supported by said first guide for movement toward and away from said second guide, a second ribbon magazine slidably supported by said second guide for movement toward and away from said first guide, a first ribbon spool having a hub impregnated with an ink of a first color and rotatably supported in said first magazine; a second ribbon spool having a hub impregnated with an ink of a second color and rotatably supported in said second magazine; an ink transferring ribbon extending in cooperative relation to said type elements, said ribbon having a first inked section attached to said first spool and a second inked section attached to said second spool, said inked sections being arranged in end-to-end relation, spring means for rotating said first spool to wind said first inked section thereon and to locate said second inked secTion in ink transferring relation to said type elements and to maintain said magazines on said guides, drive means controlled by said cyclically operable means for rotating said second spool to wind said second inked section thereon and to locate said first inked section in ink transferring relation to said type elements, and means for selectively disabling said drive means, said magazines being slidable in opposite directions over said guides whereby to remove said magazines and said ribbon.

Claim 13

In a printing machine having a group of type elements arranged in side-by-side relation, means for guiding a record medium past said type elements, and cyclically operable means for effecting a printing impression between said record medium and said type elements; a frame having first and second magazine supporting guides on opposite sides of said group of type elements, a first ribbon magazine slidably supported by said first guide for movement toward and away from said second guide, a second ribbon magazine slidably supported by said second guide for movement toward and away from said first guide, a first ribbon spool having a hub impregnated with an ink of a first color and rotatably supported in said first magazine; a second ribbon spool having a hub impregnated with an ink of a second color and rotatably supported in said second magazine; an ink transferring ribbon extending in cooperative relation to said type elements, said ribbon having a first inked section attached to said first spool and a second inked section attached to said second spool, said inked sections being arranged in end-to-end relation, spring means for rotating said first spool to wind said first inked section thereon and to locate said second inked secTion in ink transferring relation to said type elements and to maintain said magazines on said guides, drive means controlled by said cyclically operable means for rotating said second spool to wind said second inked section thereon and to locate said first inked section in ink transferring relation to said type elements, and means for selectively disabling said drive means, said magazines being slidable in opposite directions over said guides whereby to remove said magazines and said ribbon.