Label feed mechanism for portable labeling machines

Claim 1

A portable labeling machine comprising: a frame; means for supporting and dispensing a continuous strip of labels; said frame including a passage therethrough having an entrance positioned to receive a strip of labels dispensed from said supporting means therefor; said passage extending through said frame and being adapted for having a label strip pass through said passage; a label strip feed mechanism is said frame comprising: a first axis on said frame; a feed wheel mounted on said first axis for rotation around said first axis; said feed wheel having a periphery; said feed wheel being located so that said periphery engages and moves said strip of labels along and through said passage as said feed wheel rotates; a drivable element; a second rotation axis carried on said frame; said drivable element being mounted on and being rotatable on said second axis; a drive gear assembly joining and in engagement with said drivable element and with said feed wheel such that rotation of said drivable element rotates said feed wheel; a third pivot on said frame; a lever pivotally attached to said frame at said third pivot; said lever being pivotable around said third pivot between a first and a second position of said lever; a fourth pivot on said frame; a yoke pivotally supported on said fourth pivot; said yoke being connected to said lever such that said yoke is pivotable between a third and a fourth position as said lever pivots between said first and second positions, respectively; a drive element connected to said yoke and movable therewith; said drive element being connected to said yoke at a location spaced away from said fourth pivot, thereby to permit translational motion of said drive element upon pivoting of said yoke; said drive element engaging said drivable element such that movement of said yoke causes said drive element to rotate said drivable element, and thereby to rotate said feed wheel through said drive gear assembly; the motion of said drive element that is caused by motion of said yoke between said third and fourth positions rotates said drivable element through a first angular distance; said gear assembly including engaging gears shaped and dimensioned to create a gear ratio among them such that said feed wheel is rotated through a second angular distance, which is greater than said first angular distance, by movement of said yoke between said third and fourth positions.