Typewriter ribbon cartridge actuating device for portable typewriter

Claim 1

In a typewriter, a device for actuating a ribbon cartridge whenever a typewriter key lever is depressed, said device including actuating means for simultaneously moving the cartridge parallel to the longitudinal axis of a platen of the typewriter into a print position while advancing the ribbon within the cartridge, said device comprising: (a) a base formed with an opening; (b) a sliding plate slidably mounted on said base; (c) an actuating crank pivotably mounted on said base, one end of said crank being connected to a universal plate through said opening in said base and an opposite end of said crank engaging the sliding plate, actuation of the key lever causing movement of the universal plate and pivotal movement of the crank to move the sliding plate and cartridge into print position; (d) a ratchet gear rotatably mounted on said sliding plate, said gear including advancing means for advancing the ribbon; (e) a gear actuating crank pivotably secured on the base, said gear crank including a first end engageable with said ratchet gear and a second end connected to the actuating crank; (f) gear stopper means pivotably secured on the sliding plate for preventing reverse rotation of the ratchet; and (g) a cover plate including holding means for slidably retaining the cartridge on the plate, said cover plate having a first opening receiving the opposite end of the actuating crank engageable with the cartridge and a second opening receiving said advancing means of the ratchet gear, whereby said first and second openings enable sliding movement of the cartridge on the cover plate during sliding movement of the sliding plate.