US4397574A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reloadable ribbon cassette
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
•
Filing: 1981-08-07
•
Granted: 1983-08-09
•
Expires: 2001-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A ribbon cassette is fastened on one side of a printer and is operator reloadable. The endless ribbon is loaded in coil form and is driven from the cassette in a path past the printing station of the printer and back into the cassette where it assumes a random form corresponding to a stuffing type cassette.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary A. Wojdyla
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:32
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J33/00; B41J33/02; B41J33/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
In a printer, a ribbon cassette having an enclosure for receiving a coil of endless ribbon, means for training an end loop portion of said ribbon in a path from an exit of said cassette and across the printer along a path spaced from and then past a printing station, leaf spring means for tensioning said ribbon when training the end loop portion thereof from the cassette exit, roller means operably connected with the printer for driving the ribbon through an entrance of and back into the cassette and forming the ribbon in random folds within the enclosure of said cassette after driving the ribbon through the entrance thereof while unwinding ribbon from the coil, and cam means rotatably journaled and connected with said cassette for releasing said leaf spring means and for disengaging said roller means during loading of said ribbon cassette.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a printer, a ribbon cassette having an enclosure for receiving a coil of endless ribbon, means for training an end loop portion of said ribbon in a path from an exit of said cassette and across the printer along a path spaced from and then past a printing station, leaf spring means for tensioning said ribbon when training the end loop portion thereof from the cassette exit, roller means operably connected with the printer for driving the ribbon through an entrance of and back into the cassette and forming the ribbon in random folds within the enclosure of said cassette after driving the ribbon through the entrance thereof while unwinding ribbon from the coil, and cam means rotatably journaled and connected with said cassette for releasing said leaf spring means and for disengaging said roller means during loading of said ribbon cassette.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 1 including means for threading the end loop portion of said ribbon through a passageway of said cassette and along a path adjacent the printing station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 1 including clutch means for driving said ribbon in one direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 1 wherein said training means includes fixed and movable guide members for training the ribbon in a loop around said printing station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 1 wherein said enclosure includes a door portion operable for removing random folds of ribbon and for reloading a coil of ribbon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 1 wherein said roller means includes a drive roller and an idler roller and said cam means comprises an arm having a finger thereon engageable with said leaf spring means for releasing the tension on said ribbon when moving the idler roller from the drive roller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a printer including a printing station, a reloadable ribbon cassette having a chamber for receiving a coil of endless ribbon with a loop portion, means for guiding said loop portion from an exit of said chamber along a path spaced from and then past the printing station and thence into an entrance of the chamber, leaf spring means for tensioning the ribbon when guiding the loop portion from the chamber exit, drive and driven roller means operably connected with the printer for driving the ribbon through the chamber entrance and forming random folds of ribbon within the chamber while unwinding ribbon from the coil, and cam means rotatably journaled and connected with said cassette for releasing said leaf spring means and for disengaging said drive and driven roller means during loading of said ribbon cassette.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a printer including a printing station, a reloadable ribbon cassette having a chamber for receiving a coil of endless ribbon with a loop portion, means for guiding said loop portion from an exit of said chamber along a path spaced from and then past the printing station and thence into an entrance of the chamber, leaf spring means for tensioning the ribbon when guiding the loop portion from the chamber exit, drive and driven roller means operably connected with the printer for driving the ribbon through the chamber entrance and forming random folds of ribbon within the chamber while unwinding ribbon from the coil, and cam means rotatably journaled and connected with said cassette for releasing said leaf spring means and for disengaging said drive and driven roller means during loading of said ribbon cassette.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 7 wherein said guiding means includes fixed and movable guide members for training the loop portion in the path along the printing station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 7 wherein said chamber includes a door portion for removing random folds of ribbon and for reloading a coil of endless ribbon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
A ribbon cassette for use in a printer and comprising an enclosure for receiving a coil of endless ribbon having a loop portion, means for training the loop portion from the enclosure along a path across the printer and past a printing station and thence back into the enclosure, spring means for tensioning the ribbon when training the loop portion from the enclosure, roller means operably associated with the printer for driving the ribbon back into the enclosure and forming random folds of ribbon within the enclosure while unwinding ribbon from the coil, and cam means rotatably journaled on the enclosure for releasing the spring means and for disengaging the roller means during loading of ribbon in the cassette.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
119 words
A ribbon cassette for use in a printer and comprising an enclosure for receiving a coil of endless ribbon having a loop portion, means for training the loop portion from the enclosure along a path across the printer and past a printing station and thence back into the enclosure, spring means for tensioning the ribbon when training the loop portion from the enclosure, roller means operably associated with the printer for driving the ribbon back into the enclosure and forming random folds of ribbon within the enclosure while unwinding ribbon from the coil, and cam means rotatably journaled on the enclosure for releasing the spring means and for disengaging the roller means during loading of ribbon in the cassette.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 10 wherein said spring means comprises a leaf spring adjacent an exit of the enclosure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 10 wherein said roller means comprises a drive roller and an idler roller and said cam means engages said spring means for releasing the tension on the ribbon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 10 wherein said cam means comprises an arm having a finger thereon engageable with the spring means for releasing the tension on the ribbon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 10 wherein the roller means comprises a drive roller and an idler roller and the cam means comprises an arm having a finger thereon engageable with the spring means for releasing the tension on the ribbon when moving the idler roller from the drive roller.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-08 | 1987-02-07 | 1987-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-08 | 1991-02-07 | 1991-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-08 | 1995-02-07 | 1995-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |