Printing ribbon indexing system

Claim 2

A mechanism for indexing a printing ribbon a predetermined distance past a printing member comprising: a. a supply reel of printing ribbon; b. braking means engaging said supply reel for retarding movement of the printing ribbon from said supply reel; c. means for continually tensioning said printing ribbon including a motor driven take-up reel for moving said printing ribbon from said supply reel to said take-up reel; d. a printing member slidably mounted for reciprocal movement between a printing engagement with the printing ribbon and a home position; e. drive means engaging said printing ribbon for driving said printing ribbon past said printing member when actuated in a first direction; f. a one-way clutch means engaging said drive means, said clutch means actuating said drive means in a first direction when rotated in a first direction; g. an actuator member mounted on said clutch means, said actuator member conditioning said clutch means for rotating in a first direction when rotated in a second direction; h. a linkage assembly rotatably mounted adjacent said printing member and said actuator member, said linkage assembly having a portion positioned in the path of movement of said printing member and having a second portion mounted on said actuator member whereby movement of said printing member in a printing direction will engage and rotate said linkage assembly and said actuator member a predetermined distance in said second direction; i. and actuating means engaging said actuator member for moving said actuator member in a first direction upon rotation of said actuator member in said second direction and movement of said printing member to said home position whereby said clutch means will rotate said drive means to move a portion of the printing ribbon past said printing member from said supply reel to said take-up reel.

Claim 3

The indexing mechanism of claim 1 in which said linkage assembly includes a link member selectively mounted along the longitudinal axis of said actuator member to control the length of movement of said actuator member in said second direction whereby the actuator member will rotate said drive means a distance commensurate with the length of movement of said actuator member in said second direction.

Claim 4

The indexing mechanism of claim 2 in which said braking means comprises a slip clutch member engaging said supply reel to provide a drag on the rotation of the supply reel when the printing ribbon is removed from the supply reel, said slip clutch member supplying a drag which is greater than the force of said motor driven take-up reel on said printing ribbon and said one-way clutch means includes a one-way clutch member which transmits a torque to said drive means when moved in said first direction which is greater than the drag of said slip clutch member whereby said take-up reel will move a portion of the printing ribbon from the supply reel to the take-up reel commensurate with the length of movement of said drive means in said first direction.

Claim 5

A mechanism for indexing a printing ribbon a predetermined distance past a print hammer comprising: a. a supply reel of printing ribbon; b. braking means engaging said supply reel for retarding movement of the printing ribbon from said supply reel; c. means for continually tensioning said printing ribbon including a motor driven take-up reel for moving said printing ribbon from said supply reel to said take-up reel; d. a print hammer slidably mounted for reciprocal movement between a printing engagement with the printing ribbon and a home position; e. means for feeding a predetermined length of printing ribbon past said print hammer including a feed roll engaging said printing ribbon; f. a one direction clutch engaging said feed roll; g. an oscillatable actuating means drivingly connected to said clutch for transmitting reciprocatory movement thereto, said actuating means includes an arm member secured to said clutch; h. a first link member selectively mounted on said arm member a predetermined distance from the center of operation of said clutch; i. a second link member rotatably mounted adjacent said print hammer, said second link member engaging said first link member and having a portion extending in the path of movement of said print hammer whereby upon movement of the print hammer in a printing direction, the second link member will be rotated to move said arm member and said clutch in a non-operating direction a distance commensurate with the mounting position of said first link member on said arm member; j. and resilient means engaging said arm member for returning the arm member to a home position and operating said clutch upon movement of said print hammer to its home position whereby said feed roll will be operated to feed the printing ribbon a distance commensurate with the movement of said arm member in a non-operating direction.

Claim 6

A mechanism for indexing a printing ribbon a predetermined distance past a print hammer comprising: a. a supply reel of printing ribbon; b. braking means engaging said supply reel for retarding movement of the printing ribbon from said supply reel; c. means for continually tensioning said printing ribbon including a motor driven take-up reel for moving said printing ribbon from said supply reel to said take-up reel; d. a print hammer slidably mounted for reciprocal movement between a printing engagement with the printing ribbon and a home position; e. means for feeding a predetermined length of printing ribbon past said print hammer including a feed roll engaging said printing ribbon; f. a one direction clutch engaging said feed roll; g. an oscillatable actuating means drivingly connected to said clutch for transmitting reciprocatory movement thereto, said actuating means includes an arm member secured to said clutch; h. a first link member selectively mounted on said arm member a predetermined distance from the center of operation of said clutch; i. a second link member rotatably mounted adjacent said print hammer, said second link member engaging said first link member and having a portion extending in the path of movement of said print hammer whereby upon movement of the print hammer in a printing direction, the second link member will be rotated to move said arm member and said clutch in a non-operating direction a distance commensurate with the mounting position of said first link member on said arm member; j. and resilient means engaging said arm member for returning the arm member to a home position and operating said clutch upon movement of said print hammer to its home position whereby said feed roll will be operated to feed the printing ribbon a distance commensurate with the movement of said arm member in a non-operating direction.