US3923267A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ribbon feed mechanism for feeding type ribbon on type ribbon spools
Assignee: Bull HN Information Systems Italia SpA
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Filing: 1974-06-03
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A printing apparatus having an electrically controlled carrier assembly for driving drive spools which engage type ribbon spools used for winding type ribbon from one type ribbon spool to another. The carrier assembly drives one of the drive spools in one direction winding ribbon on the ribbon spool. When the ribbon spool has been unwound from the opposite ribbon spool, the apparatus receives an electrical signal. The carrier assembly then disengages the drive spool, rotates and drives the other drive spool in an opposite direction. This operation is repeated continuously as the apparatus winds the ribbon from one ribbon spool to the other.
Inventors
- 👤 Steve S Eckerd
- 👤 Ivan N Markowitz
- 👤 Anthony F Maggio
- 👤 Darby A Gray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:07
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J33/00; B41J33/14; B41J33/34; B41J32/00; B41J33/40; B41J33/44; B41J33/51; B41J33/514
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
In a printing apparatus having a base plate, a type ribbon wound on type ribbon spools, a first drive spool and a second drive spool engaging the ribbon spools for winding the ribbon from one ribbon spool to the other ribbon spool, the improvement comprising: drive means for engaging and rotatably driving the first drive spool, disengaging the first drive spool, engaging and rotatably driving the second drive spool; an electric motor having a motor shaft rotatably driving said drive means; and an electrical contact board disposed between the base plate and the first and second drive spools, and electrically connected to said motor, said electrical contact board in contact with the first drive spool and the second drive spool for producing an electrical signal when the ribbon on the ribbon spool is unwound so that the direction of rotation of the motor shaft is reversed, thereby revErsing the direction of rotation of said drive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
In a printing apparatus having a base plate, a type ribbon wound on type ribbon spools, a first drive spool and a second drive spool engaging the ribbon spools for winding the ribbon from one ribbon spool to the other ribbon spool, the improvement comprising: drive means for engaging and rotatably driving the first drive spool, disengaging the first drive spool, engaging and rotatably driving the second drive spool; an electric motor having a motor shaft rotatably driving said drive means; and an electrical contact board disposed between the base plate and the first and second drive spools, and electrically connected to said motor, said electrical contact board in contact with the first drive spool and the second drive spool for producing an electrical signal when the ribbon on the ribbon spool is unwound so that the direction of rotation of the motor shaft is reversed, thereby revErsing the direction of rotation of said drive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means is a carrier assembly comprising: a carrier housing; a pinion gear attached to said housing and rotatably driven by said motor shaft; a first planet gear attached to said housing and rotatably driven by said pinion gear; and a second planet gear attached to said housing and rotatably driven by said pinion gear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein rotation of the motor shaft in one direction pivots said first planet gear on said carrier assembly into driving engagement with said first drive spool, whereas rotation of the motor shaft in the other direction pivots said second planet gear on said carrier assembly into driving engagement with said second drive spool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said first planet gear and second planet gear include thrust washers secured thereto, said washers having a greater diameter than said first and second planet gears so that when said first and second planet gears mesh with said first and second drive spools, said thrust washers engage said drive spools aligning the meshing gear teeth along the proper pitchline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
227 words
In a printing apparatus having a base plate, a type ribbon wound on type ribbon spools, a first drive spool and a second drive spool engaging the ribbon spools for winding the ribbon from one ribbon spool to the other ribbon spool, the drive spools housing spring-biased wipers which are held in place by the ribbon as it is wrapped around the ribbon spools, the improvement comprising: a carrier assembly for engaging and rotating the first drive spool, disengaging the first drive spool, engaging and rotating the second drive spool, the assembly comprising: a carrier housing; a pinion gear attached to said housing; a first planet gear attached to said housing and rotatably driven by said pinion gear, said first planet gear engaging and rotatably driving the first drive spool; a second planet gear attached to said housing and rotatably driven by said pinion gear, said second planet gear engaging and rotatably driving the second drive spool; an electric motor having a motor shaft rotatably driving said pinion gear; and an electrical contact board disposed between the base plate and the first and second drive spools, the wiper contacting said board when the ribbon on the ribbon spool is unwound to electrically signal said motor so that the direction of rotation of said motor shaft is reversed thereby reversing the direction of rotation of said carrier assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
227 words
In a printing apparatus having a base plate, a type ribbon wound on type ribbon spools, a first drive spool and a second drive spool engaging the ribbon spools for winding the ribbon from one ribbon spool to the other ribbon spool, the drive spools housing spring-biased wipers which are held in place by the ribbon as it is wrapped around the ribbon spools, the improvement comprising: a carrier assembly for engaging and rotating the first drive spool, disengaging the first drive spool, engaging and rotating the second drive spool, the assembly comprising: a carrier housing; a pinion gear attached to said housing; a first planet gear attached to said housing and rotatably driven by said pinion gear, said first planet gear engaging and rotatably driving the first drive spool; a second planet gear attached to said housing and rotatably driven by said pinion gear, said second planet gear engaging and rotatably driving the second drive spool; an electric motor having a motor shaft rotatably driving said pinion gear; and an electrical contact board disposed between the base plate and the first and second drive spools, the wiper contacting said board when the ribbon on the ribbon spool is unwound to electrically signal said motor so that the direction of rotation of said motor shaft is reversed thereby reversing the direction of rotation of said carrier assembly.
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) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |