US3763988A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cartridge ribbon drive mechanism
Assignee: MARK LOUIS AND CO Inc
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Filing: 1972-11-22
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Granted: 1973-10-09
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Expires: 1992-11-22
Abstract
Abstract The operating characteristics of an inexpensive typewriter intended primarily for juvenile use are improved with respect to the ribbon drive and reversal of ribbon drive direction and with respect to the carriage escapement. A single lever positions two cams so that one reel is driven by key action and draws in ribbon while the other is free-running and feeds out ribbon. Shifting the lever, positions the cams to shift the drive from one reel to the other with reversed direction of rotation and thus changes the direction of ribbon travel.
Inventors
- 👤 S Kuramochi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:11
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J33/00; B41J33/14; B41J33/40; B41J33/42; B41J19/00; B41J19/18; B41J19/34; B41J19/40; B41J3/00; B41J3/36; B41J3/365; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/15; Y10T74/1526; Y10T74/1532; Y10T74/1537
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
376 words
In a typewriter, a ribbon-drive mechanism comprising first and second reel assemblies, first and second movable support plates in said reel assemblies, said support plates being biased toward rest positions by first integrading molded fingers, drive means connecting said support plates to the keys of said typewriter so that depression and release of a key moves said support plates away from and returns said support plates to said rest position, a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in each of said assemblies, two pawls pivotally mounted on each of said support plates, said pawls being engageable with and biased toward said ratchet wheels by second integrally molded fingers, a cam in each of said assemblies and engageable with said pawls, said cams in a first position permitting said pawls in said first assembly to engage said ratchet wheel in said first assembly, while holding said pawls in said second assembly disengaged from said ratchet wheel in said second assembly, thereby permitting said ratchet wheel in said second assembly to rotate freely, said cams in a second position permitting said pawls in said second assembly to engage said ratchet wheel in said second assembly while holding said pawls in said first assembly disengaged from said ratchet wheel in said first assembly, thereby permitting said ratchet wheel in said first assembly to rotate freely, each cycle of an alternate rearward and frontward motion of said support plates causing rotation of one of said ratchet wheels by said engaged pawls, said pawls being so mounted that said ratchet wheel in said first assembly rotates in one direction when driven by said pawls, and said ratchet wheel in said second assembly rotates in the other direction when driven by said pawls, a reversing link joining and positioning said cams so that engagement of said pawls in either of said assemblies disengages said pawls in the other of said assemblies, a reversing lever affixed to one of said cams, a shaft centered in each of said ratchet wheels, the shaft in the assembly wherein said pawls are engaged with said ratchet wheel being rotated by said ratchet wheel and a ribbon reel mounted on each of said shafts, each of said ribbon reels rotating conjointly with said shaft on which it is mounted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
376 words
In a typewriter, a ribbon-drive mechanism comprising first and second reel assemblies, first and second movable support plates in said reel assemblies, said support plates being biased toward rest positions by first integrading molded fingers, drive means connecting said support plates to the keys of said typewriter so that depression and release of a key moves said support plates away from and returns said support plates to said rest position, a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in each of said assemblies, two pawls pivotally mounted on each of said support plates, said pawls being engageable with and biased toward said ratchet wheels by second integrally molded fingers, a cam in each of said assemblies and engageable with said pawls, said cams in a first position permitting said pawls in said first assembly to engage said ratchet wheel in said first assembly, while holding said pawls in said second assembly disengaged from said ratchet wheel in said second assembly, thereby permitting said ratchet wheel in said second assembly to rotate freely, said cams in a second position permitting said pawls in said second assembly to engage said ratchet wheel in said second assembly while holding said pawls in said first assembly disengaged from said ratchet wheel in said first assembly, thereby permitting said ratchet wheel in said first assembly to rotate freely, each cycle of an alternate rearward and frontward motion of said support plates causing rotation of one of said ratchet wheels by said engaged pawls, said pawls being so mounted that said ratchet wheel in said first assembly rotates in one direction when driven by said pawls, and said ratchet wheel in said second assembly rotates in the other direction when driven by said pawls, a reversing link joining and positioning said cams so that engagement of said pawls in either of said assemblies disengages said pawls in the other of said assemblies, a reversing lever affixed to one of said cams, a shaft centered in each of said ratchet wheels, the shaft in the assembly wherein said pawls are engaged with said ratchet wheel being rotated by said ratchet wheel and a ribbon reel mounted on each of said shafts, each of said ribbon reels rotating conjointly with said shaft on which it is mounted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
The mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive means includes a universal bar rotatable with a dirve shaft from a rest position through an angle by depression of a key and returnable to said rest position by release of said key, an arm proximate each end of said universal bar, said arms each operatively engaging one of said support plates so that rotation of said universal bar away from rest position and return to rest position displaces said support plates away from and returns said support plates to rest position, the rotation of said universal bar about said drive shaft causing rotation of said ratchet wheels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-08 | 1977-04-09 | 1977-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-08 | 1981-04-09 | 1981-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-08 | 1985-04-09 | 1985-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |