Patent US3889893A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3889893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ribbon drive and control system
Assignee: Genicom Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-14
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1994-01-14
Abstract
Abstract Drive and control apparatus utlizing a pair of gear motors alternating as drive and drag means for the ribbon wherein the drive motor has full voltage applied thereto for driving the ribbon, and the drag motor has reduced voltage applied for maintaining tension on the ribbon. The direction of drive is caused to be reversed by switching bars over which the ribbon travels, the bars being poles of a switch connected to the printer circuitry. The apparatus includes skew means to move the ribbon toward one or the other end of the spools and wherein a skew arm is swingably driven against either an upper or a lower stop by separate drive means caused to be actuated by ribbon sensing means at one end of the ribbon spools.
Inventors
- 👤 Ira Silverman
- 👤 James M Irvine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:04
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J33/00; B41J33/14; B41J33/34; B41J33/40; B41J33/42; B41J33/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
Ribbon drive and control mechanism comprising a pair of reels for carrying said ribbon in a path past a station for printing operations, said ribbon having conductive elements thereon, a drive motor connected to each of said reels for driving thereof, potentiometer means connected with each of said drive motors for providing a predetermined voltage thereto, each of said motors having different voltages applied thereto for providing driving of one reel in one direction while providing drag on the other reel and in the same direction, and switching means including a pair of spaced members positioned adjacent each of said reels and contactable by said conductive elements on said ribbon near the ends thereof for actuating said switching means thereby reversing the direction of said drive motors to alternately provide for drive and for drag of the reels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
Ribbon drive and control mechanism comprising a pair of reels for carrying said ribbon in a path past a station for printing operations, said ribbon having conductive elements thereon, a drive motor connected to each of said reels for driving thereof, potentiometer means connected with each of said drive motors for providing a predetermined voltage thereto, each of said motors having different voltages applied thereto for providing driving of one reel in one direction while providing drag on the other reel and in the same direction, and switching means including a pair of spaced members positioned adjacent each of said reels and contactable by said conductive elements on said ribbon near the ends thereof for actuating said switching means thereby reversing the direction of said drive motors to alternately provide for drive and for drag of the reels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said spaced members comprise a pair of elongated bars extending in parallel relation with said reels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The mechanism of claim 2 including a spAcer connected between and separating each pair of said elongated bars to provide switch legs for actuating said switching means for reversing said drive motors upon contact by one of said conductive elements with said bars.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said spaced members extend beyond the edges of said ribbon and said conductive elements are elongated metallic strips secured to said ribbon and engageable with said spaced members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The mechanism of claim 1 including arm means pivotally connected to one end of said reels and means for driving said arm means in swingable manner to effect skewing of said reels for axially moving said ribbon therealong.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mechanism of claim 5 including ribbon-edge sensing means for actuating said arm means drive to swing said arm means from one to another predetermined position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mechanism of claim 6 wherein said ribbon-edge sensing means comprises a sensing pawl for detecting absence of said ribbon for actuating said arm drive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mechanism of claim 5 including adjustable stops for limiting the swinging of said arm means by said drive means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The mechanism of claim 7 including a cam follower arm pivotally connected in relation to one of said reels, said one reel having camming means thereon engageable with said follower arm, and switching means associated with said follower arm for reversing said arm means drive upon absence of ribbon contact by said sensing pawl.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a high speed printer, mechanism for driving and controlling a ribbon, comprising a pair of reels operably positioned adjacent a printing station for carrying said ribbon in a path therethrough, means including a pair of motors for driving said reels in a manner whereby a driving force is imposed on one reel and a drag force is imposed on the other reel to maintain tension in said ribbon, and means including a pair of spaced members positioned adjacent each of said reels and a conductive element secured to said ribbon near each end thereof engageable with a respective pair of spaced members upon travel of said ribbon from one reel to the other for reversing the direction of drive of said ribbon to alternately drive and drag said reels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a high speed printer, mechanism for driving and controlling a ribbon, comprising a pair of reels operably positioned adjacent a printing station for carrying said ribbon in a path therethrough, means including a pair of motors for driving said reels in a manner whereby a driving force is imposed on one reel and a drag force is imposed on the other reel to maintain tension in said ribbon, and means including a pair of spaced members positioned adjacent each of said reels and a conductive element secured to said ribbon near each end thereof engageable with a respective pair of spaced members upon travel of said ribbon from one reel to the other for reversing the direction of drive of said ribbon to alternately drive and drag said reels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mechanism of claim 10 wherein said means for reversing includes a pair of elongated bars positioned adjacent said reels in parallel relation therewith and contactable by a respective conductive element for effecting reversal of the ribbon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The mechanism of claim 11 including a spacer connected between and separating each pair of elongated bars to effect switching legs and wherein said means for reversing includes switching means actuable by contact of said conductive element with said switching legs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The mechanism of claim 10 including arm means pivotally connected to one end of said reels and means including a motor for driving said arm means in swingable manner to effect skewing of the reels for axially moving said ribbon therealong.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mechanism of claim 13 including ribbon-edge sensing means for actuating said arm means drive motor to swing said arm means from one to another predetermined position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mechanism of claim 14 wherein said ribbon-edge sensing means comprises a sensing pawl for detecting absence of said ribbon for actuating said arm drive means motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mechanism of claim 13 including adjustable stops for limiting the swinging of said arm means by said drive means motor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
The mechanism of claim 15 including a cam follower arm pivotally connected in relation to one of said reels, said one reel having camming pins thereon engageable with said follower arm, switching means including a proximity switch associated with said follower arm, the pivoting of said follower arm permitting said switching means to reverse said arm drive means motor for swinging of said arm means from one to the other position.
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) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |