US3762530A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printing ribbon indexing system
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1971-08-06
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1991-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A printing ribbon indexing mechanism for use with a printing mechanism utilizing a pair of operating hammer members. The indexing mechanism includes a printing ribbon supply reel mounted on a slip clutch, a take-up reel supplying tension to the ribbon, a pair of stationary rollers, a pair of movable rollers, each of which is mounted to one of the hammer members and a pressure roller mounted on a one-way clutch. Movement of either of the hammer members in a printing operation will allow the movable roller which is attached to that hammer member, to withdraw ribbon from the supply roller such that the hammer member will print on a new area of the printing ribbon.
Inventors
- 👤 R Patel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:56
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J33/00; B41J33/14; B41J33/38; B41J33/388
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A mechanism for indexing a printing ribbon past a print station during a printing operation, the mechanism including a. a source of printing ribbon; b. means engaging said printing ribbon for tensioning said printing ribbon; c. a unidirectional drive means engaging said printing ribbon; d. a pair of stationary roller members engaging said printing ribbon between said source and said tensioning means; e. a first roller member engaging said printing ribbon and positioned adjacent said stationary roller members, said first roller member mounted for reciprocal movement between said source and said tensioning means; f. and first means engaging said first roller member for reciprocally moving said first roller member during a printing operation whereby said first roller member is first moved in a direction away from said stationary roller members to produce slack in the printing ribbon which slack is removed by said tensioning means and then moved towards said stationary roller members to position new printing ribbon adjacent the print station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A mechanism for indexing a printing ribbon past a print station during a printing operation, the mechanism including a. a source of printing ribbon; b. means engaging said printing ribbon for tensioning said printing ribbon; c. a unidirectional drive means engaging said printing ribbon; d. a pair of stationary roller members engaging said printing ribbon between said source and said tensioning means; e. a first roller member engaging said printing ribbon and positioned adjacent said stationary roller members, said first roller member mounted for reciprocal movement between said source and said tensioning means; f. and first means engaging said first roller member for reciprocally moving said first roller member during a printing operation whereby said first roller member is first moved in a direction away from said stationary roller members to produce slack in the printing ribbon which slack is removed by said tensioning means and then moved towards said stationary roller members to position new printing ribbon adjacent the print station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
107 words
The ribbon indexing mechanism of claim 1 which includes a. a second roller member engaging said printing ribbon and positioned adjacent said stationary roller members, said second roller member mounted for reciprocal movement between said source of printing ribbon and said tensioning means; b. and second means engaging sAid second roller member for reciprocally moving said second roller member during a printing whereby said second roller member is first moved towards said stationary roller members to position new printing ribbon adjacent the print station and then moved away from the stationary roller members to produce slack in the printing ribbon which is removed by said tensioning means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The ribbon indexing mechanism of claim 2 in which said source of printing ribbon includes a. a supply reel of ribbon; and b. a slip-clutch engaging said supply reel to provide a drag on the rotation of the supply reel when the ribbon printing is removed from the supply reel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The ribbon indexing mechanism of claim 3 in which said tensioning means includes a. a take-up reel for the printing ribbon; and b. means for exerting a constant torque on the take-up reel which is less than the drag of said slip-clutch whereby the take-up reel will be unable to pull printing ribbon from the supply reel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The ribbon indexing mechanism of claim 4 in which said unidirectional drive means includes a. a rotatably mounted third roller member engaging said printing ribbon; b. a pair of pressure rollers normally moving the printing ribbon into engagement with said third roller member; and c. a one-way clutch member engaging said third roller member whereby the third roller member will rotate in only one direction.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for printing data from a printing ribbon including a. a supply reel of printing ribbon; b. means for continually tensioning said printing ribbon including a take-up reel; c. unidirectional drive means engaging the printing ribbon for releasing the printing ribbon for movement in a direction only from the supply reel to the take-up reel; d. a first print hammer slidably mounted for movement to a printing engagement with the printing ribbon; e. a pair of stationary rollers engaging said printing ribbon and positioned downstream from said first print hammer; and f. a first roller member mounted on said first print hammer and positioned downstream of said first print hammer and upstream of said stationary rollers whereby upon movement of said first print hammer to a printing engagement with the printing ribbon, the first roller member is moved in a direction to create a sag in the printing ribbon which sag is eliminated by said tensioning means and upon movement of the first print hammer to a home position, said first roller member is moved towards said stationary rollers to position new printing ribbon adjacent said first print hammer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for printing data from a printing ribbon including a. a supply reel of printing ribbon; b. means for continually tensioning said printing ribbon including a take-up reel; c. unidirectional drive means engaging the printing ribbon for releasing the printing ribbon for movement in a direction only from the supply reel to the take-up reel; d. a first print hammer slidably mounted for movement to a printing engagement with the printing ribbon; e. a pair of stationary rollers engaging said printing ribbon and positioned downstream from said first print hammer; and f. a first roller member mounted on said first print hammer and positioned downstream of said first print hammer and upstream of said stationary rollers whereby upon movement of said first print hammer to a printing engagement with the printing ribbon, the first roller member is moved in a direction to create a sag in the printing ribbon which sag is eliminated by said tensioning means and upon movement of the first print hammer to a home position, said first roller member is moved towards said stationary rollers to position new printing ribbon adjacent said first print hammer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
125 words
The printing apparatus of claim 6 which includes a. a second print hammer slidably mounted for movement to a printing engagement with the printing ribbon; and b. a second roller member mounted on said second print hammer, said second roller member positioned downstream of said stationary rollers, whereby upon movement of the second print hammer to a printing engagement with the printing ribbon, said second roller member is moved toward said stationary rollers thereby positioning new printing ribbon adjacent said second print hammer and upon movement of said second print hammer to a home position, said second roller member is moved in a direction away from the stationary rollers thereby creating a sag in the printing ribbon, which sag is eliminated by said tensioning means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The printing apparatus of claim 7 in which said supply reel of printing ribbon engages a slip clutch which provides a drag on the supply reel during removal of printing ribbon from the supply reel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The printing apparatus of claim 8 in which said tensioning means includes means for exerting a constant torque on the take-up reel which is less than the drag of said slip clutch whereby the take-up reel is unable to pull printing ribbon from the supply reel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The printing apparatus of claim 9 in which said unidirectional drive means includes a. a rotatably moUnted third roller member engaging said printing ribbon; b. a pair of pressure rollers normally moving the printing ribbon into engagement with said third roller member; and c. a one-way clutch member engaging said third roller member whereby the third roller member will rotate in one direction only.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |