US3885518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ribbon inking apparatus
Assignee: Nu Kote International Inc
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Filing: 1974-05-28
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1994-05-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus particularly suitable for re-inking ribbons utilized in conjunction with computers and line printers and which is suitable for operation in a controlled and clean environment is disclosed. Ink and ribbons may be loaded into the apparatus without physical contact with ink or any inking surface within the apparatus. A metering roller used in conjunction with an inking roller and pressure roller provide an even flow of ink for application to the ribbon, while a guide system assures that the ribbon is wound evenly on a roll.
Inventors
- 👤 Anselm F Varni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:58
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J31/00; B41J31/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
347 words
Apparatus for re-inking a ribbon comprising; a housing; a first pair of spindles for receiving a first roll mounted for rotation in said housing; a second pair of spindles for receiving a second roll mounted for rotation in said housing, said first pair and second pair of spindles being mounted in said housing such that rolls engaging said spindles are parallel and define an intermediate space; an elongated inking roller rotatably mounted in said housing parallel to said first and second rolls in said intermediate space; a metering roller rotatably mounted within said housing parallel to said inking roller for metering ink onto said inking roller; a trough disposed beneath said inking roller; an inking well coupled to said trough such that ink from said well may be transported to said trough and brought in contact with said inking roller; a lid coupled to said housing; a pressure roller rotatably mounted within said lid parallel to said inking roller, said roller having a first and second operating position, said first position being such that said pressure roller presses a ribbon disposed between said inking roller and said pressure roller and said second position being such that said pressure roller is spaced apart from said inking roller; ribbon guiding means coupled to one of said spindles of said first pair of spindles including means for axially moving said spindle and a roll engaging said spindle for guiding a ribbon onto a roll engaging said first pair of spindles, said guiding means including photosensitive semiconductor means and a light, sAid semiconductor means being coupled to one of said spindles of said first pair of spindles and movable therewith, said light being mounted on said housing such that said ribbon may interrupt light incident on said semiconductor means when said ribbon is misaligned with respect to said rolls means responsive to said photosensitive semiconductor means to actuate said exially moving means; and means whereby the ribbon may be driven from said first roll to said second roll and inked as it passes between said pressure roller and said inking roller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
347 words
Apparatus for re-inking a ribbon comprising; a housing; a first pair of spindles for receiving a first roll mounted for rotation in said housing; a second pair of spindles for receiving a second roll mounted for rotation in said housing, said first pair and second pair of spindles being mounted in said housing such that rolls engaging said spindles are parallel and define an intermediate space; an elongated inking roller rotatably mounted in said housing parallel to said first and second rolls in said intermediate space; a metering roller rotatably mounted within said housing parallel to said inking roller for metering ink onto said inking roller; a trough disposed beneath said inking roller; an inking well coupled to said trough such that ink from said well may be transported to said trough and brought in contact with said inking roller; a lid coupled to said housing; a pressure roller rotatably mounted within said lid parallel to said inking roller, said roller having a first and second operating position, said first position being such that said pressure roller presses a ribbon disposed between said inking roller and said pressure roller and said second position being such that said pressure roller is spaced apart from said inking roller; ribbon guiding means coupled to one of said spindles of said first pair of spindles including means for axially moving said spindle and a roll engaging said spindle for guiding a ribbon onto a roll engaging said first pair of spindles, said guiding means including photosensitive semiconductor means and a light, sAid semiconductor means being coupled to one of said spindles of said first pair of spindles and movable therewith, said light being mounted on said housing such that said ribbon may interrupt light incident on said semiconductor means when said ribbon is misaligned with respect to said rolls means responsive to said photosensitive semiconductor means to actuate said exially moving means; and means whereby the ribbon may be driven from said first roll to said second roll and inked as it passes between said pressure roller and said inking roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 including ribbon drive limiting means in the path of movement of said ribbon engageable with end stop means on said ribbon for enabling and disabling the ribbon drive mechanism effective to reverse the direction of movement of the ribbon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said limiting means in the path of movement of said ribbon engageable with the end stop elements of the ribbon comprise oppositely disposed electrical switches the actuating elements of which project into the path of movement of said ribbon and are engaged by said end stops.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein said limiting means is operably coupled to said pressure roll actuating mechanism being effective in one direction of movement to elevate said pressure roll out of engagement with said ribbon into an idling position and in the opposite direction to move said pressure roll into rotating contact with said inking roll with said ribbon disposed therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pressure roller is shorter than said inking roller effective to prevent ink from contacting the edge of said ribbon and wherein said pressure roller is freely rotatable within the housing provided by said lid, and including further means for biasing said pressure roller toward said inking roller so as to urge said pressure roller into engagement with said inking roller when said ribbon is disposed therebetween during an inking operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein said metering roller is provided with means biasing said roller toward said inking roller effective to permit said metering roller to movably accommodate and pass any particular material which may appear between the metering roller and the inking roller during the ribbon inking operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 including drive means for moving said pressure roller between a first ribbon engagement position and a second non engaging position, said first position being a position where said pressure roller applies pressure to a ribbon disposed between said pressure roller and said inking roller and said second position being a position where said roller is spaced apart from said inking roller such that a ribbon may freely pass between said inking roller and pressure roller, said means including a cam and an eccentric on said roller operably engaged by said drive means responsive to the movement of said ribbon to actuate said drive means to arcuately elevate and lower said pressure roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 further including a shield rotatably mounted about said inking roller, means coupling said shield to said lid so that said shield covers the upper surface of said inking roller when said lid is open, said coupling means including means engaging said shield and said lid to rotate said shield from an inoperative to an operative position relative to said ribbon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inking includes a filling port for receiving a sealed bottle of ink and means in said port for threadedly engaging said sealed bottle, means in said well concentric with the seal of said bottle and engageable with said seal to rupture the same as the bottle is threadedly received in said well permitting ink to flow from said bottle into said well without spillage or handling of the ink.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |