Positive registration labeling gun

Claim 2

A labeling device having a supply roll of tape and a means for imprinting symbols on said tape comprising means for advancing the tape in one direction only comprising: a rotatable feed wheel having internal ratchet teeth and an exterior surface adapted to grip said tape; a first pawl within said wheel, said first pawl being movable with respect to said wheel between a first position in which a tip of the first pawl engages one of said ratchet teeth and a second position wherein said first pawl engages the next successive ratchet tooth; and means for moving said pawl between said first and second positions comprising: a pivotal member in contact with an activator movable between a first position and a second position, movement of said activator causing said member to pivot, a protrusion on said member in engagement with said pawl such that said first pawl moves in accordance with the movement of said protrusion, the first distance between said protrusion and the pivot of said member being not greater than the second distance from the axis of rotation of said pawl to said tip.

Claim 3

A device according to claim 1 further comprising means for preventing said activator from moving towards said first position after movement towards said second position has begun and before said movement is completed.

Claim 4

A device according to claim 1 wherein the third distance between said protrusion and said axis of rotation is not greater than said first distance.

Claim 5

A device according to claim 1 wherein said first distance is less than said second distance.

Claim 6

A device according to claim 3 wherein said third distance is less than said first distance.

Claim 7

A device according to claim 1 further comprising a second pawl having a head and a tail and being rotatable about a point between said head and said tail, a plurality of indentations on one edge of said activator, each of said indentations having an actuating face and a return face, said second pawl rotatable between an actuating position and a return position, said second pawl yieldably bearing against the actuating faces when in said actuating position, the clearance between said point and said indentations being less than the radial distance between said point and the end of said head nearest said indentations, an opening at the forward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearance between said point and said opening is at least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said first position toward said second position, said activator is prevented from return motion toward said first position until said activator has reached said second position.

Claim 8

A device according to claim 6 further comprising said second pawl yieldably bearing against said return faces when in said return position, a space at the rearward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearance between said point and said space is at least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said second position toward said first position, said activator is prevented from motion toward said second position until said activator has reached said first position.

Claim 9

A labeling device having a supply roll of tape and a means for imprinting symbols on said tape comprising means for advancing the tape in one direction only comprising: a rotatable feed wheel having internal ratchet teeth and an exterior surface adapted to grip said tape; a first pawl within said wheel, said first pawl being movable with respect to said wheel between a first position in which a tip of the first pawl engages one of said ratchet teeth and a second position wherein said first pawl engages the next successive ratchet tooth; and means for moving said pawl between said first and second positions comprising: a pivotal member in contact with an activator movable between a first position and a second position, movement of said activator causing said member to pivot, a second pawl having a head and a tail and being rotatable about a point between said head and said tail, a plurality of indentations on one edge of said activator, each of said indentations having an actuating face and a return face, said second pawl rotatable between an actuating position and a return position, said second pawl yieldably bearing against the actuating faces when in said actuating position, the clearance between said point and said indentations being less than the radial distance between said point and the end of said head nearest said indentations, an opening at the forward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearance between said point and said opening is at least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said first position toward said second position, said activator is prevented from return motion toward said first position until said activator has reached said second position.

Claim 10

A labeling device having a supply roll of tape and a means for imprinting symbols on said tape comprising means for advancing the tape in one direction only comprising: a rotatable feed wheel having internal ratchet teeth and an exterior surface adapted to grip said tape; a first pawl within said wheel, said first pawl being movable with respect to said wheel between a first position in which a tip of the first pawl engages one of said ratchet teeth and a second position wherein said first pawl engages the next successive ratchet tooth; and means for moving said pawl between said first and second positions comprising: a pivotal member in contact with an activator movable between a first position and a second position, movement of said activator causing said member to pivot, a second pawl having a head and a tail and being rotatable about a point between said head and said tail, a plurality of indentations on one edge of said activator, each of said indentations having an actuating face and a return face, said second pawl rotatable between an actuating position and a return position, said second pawl yieldably bearing against the actuating faces when in said actuating position, the clearance between said point and said indentations being less than the radial distance between said point and the end of said head nearest said indentations, an opening at the forward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearance between said point and said opening is at least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said first position toward said second position, said activator is prevented from return motion toward said first position until said activator has reached said second position.

Claim 11

A device according to claim 8 further comprising said second pawl yieldably bearing against said return faces when in said return position, a space at the rearward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearance between said point and said space is at least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said second position toward said first position, said activator is prevented from motion toward said second position until said activator has reached said first position.

Claim 12

A device according to claim 1 wherein said rotatable feed wheel is provided with teeth on its exterior surface, said tape having a plurality of openings therein for engagement by said exterior surface teeth.