Dual segment continuous motion ribbon feed mechanism

Claim 2

A ribbon feed mechanism having a ribbon engaging means and a member operatively connected to the ribbon engaging means for driving the ribbon engaging means for incrementally feeding ribbon, the improvement comprising: a first drive means including a power source operatively connected to the member for driving the member to advance the ribbon an initial segment of the feed increment; and a second drive means operatively connected to the member for driving the member to advance the ribbon a final segment of the feed increment with a continuous motion from the initial segment and upon disengagement of the first drive means from the power source.

Claim 3

A ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein the member has a plurality of peripherally spaced teeth forming cam surfaces and the second drive means includes an element urged against one of the cam surfaces for driving the member the final segment of the feed increment.

Claim 4

A ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein the member has a plurality of peripherally spaced teeth forming cam surfaces and the second drive means includes a roller, a pivotally supported arm supporting the roller and a spring connected to the arm for biasing the roller against one of the cam surfaces for driving the member the final segment of the feed increment.

Claim 5

A ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein the member has a plurality of peripherally spaced teeth forming cam surfaces, the first drive means includes a clutch member operable by the power source for driving the member the initial segment of the feed increment, and the second drive means includes a roller, a pivotally supported arm supporting the roller and a spring connected to the arm for biasing the roller against one of the cam surfaces for driving the member the final segment of the feed increment.

Claim 6

A ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein one of the cam surfaces pivots the arm and increases the biasing effect of the spring in response to the first drive means driving the member the initial segment of the feed increment.

Claim 7

A ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein the member has a plurality of peripherally spaced teeth with valleys therebetween, each tooth has a first cam surface, an apex and a second cam surface, the second drive means includes a roller, a pivotally supported arm for supporting the roller and a spring connected to the arm for biasing the roller against the member in one of the valleys, the first drive means drives the member relative to the roller until the roller moves from the valley up the first cam surface, over the cam apex and on to the second cam surface of a tooth, and the roller of the second drive means being biased against the second cam surface of the tooth drives the member with continuous motion in the same direction as the first drive means.

Claim 8

A ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein the roller of the second drive means is driven up the first cam surface of the tooth from the valleys to increase the biasing effect of the spring in response to the first drive means driving the member the initial segment of the feed increment.

Claim 9

A ribbon feed mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein the member has a plurality of peripherally spaced teeth with valleys therebetween, and the second drive means includes a roller, a pivotally supported arm supporting the roller and a spring connected to the arm for biasing the roller against the member in each of the valleys to accurately hold the member after each feed increment.

Claim 10

A ribbon feed mechanism having a ribbon engaging means and a member operatively connected to the ribbon engaging means for driving the ribbon engaging means for incrementally feeding ribbon, the member having a plurality of peripherally arcuate spaced cam teeth with a valley between adjacent teeth the improvement comprising: a first drive means operatively connected to the member for driving the member in one direction to advance the ribbon an initial segment of a feed increment; and a second drive means including a cam follower means biased against the member and advanced from one valley to a position past an apex of the next tooth by the movement of the member during the initial segment of a feed increment, the cam follower means being biasingly operable to drive the member, upon disengagement of the first drive means, with a continuous motion in the same direction as the initial segment of the feed increment until the cam follower means seats in a succeeding valley of the member thereby advancing the ribbon a final segment of the feed increment.

Claim 11

A ribbon feed mechanism having a ribbon engaging means and a member operatively connected to the ribbon engaging means for driving the ribbon engaging means for incrementally feeding ribbon, the member having a plurality of peripherally arcuate spaced cam teeth with a valley between adjacent teeth the improvement comprising: a first drive means operatively connected to the member for driving the member in one direction to advance the ribbon an initial segment of a feed increment; and a second drive means including a cam follower means biased against the member and advanced from one valley to a position past an apex of the next tooth by the movement of the member during the initial segment of a feed increment, the cam follower means being biasingly operable to drive the member, upon disengagement of the first drive means, with a continuous motion in the same direction as the initial segment of the feed increment until the cam follower means seats in a succeeding valley of the member thereby advancing the ribbon a final segment of the feed increment.