Universal ribbon spool for typewriters and other machines

Claim 1

A universal spool for ribbons comprising, a. a base member including, a first flange member, and a centrally disposed annual hub having an inner wall and an outer wall, said inner wall defining an opening extending end to end therethrough, b. spline means disposed on said outer wall of said annular hub, c. an annular ribbon holder having an inner wall defining an opening extending end to end therethrough and positioned about said hub, d. restraining means disposed on the inner wall of said ribbon holder for engagement with said spline means to prevent rotation of said ribbon holder about said hub, e. resilient spool adapter means positioned entirely within the opening of said hub and having a central section which defines a central opening, f. a first connector means disposed on the inner wall of said annular hub having at least one pair of posts, each post being positioned diametrically opposite the other post of said at least one pair of posts, and each post having an aperture arranged in the axial direction of said hub, g. at least two diametrically opposed gripping members disposed on said spool adapter means for mating engagement with said at least one pair of said posts, said mating engagement preventing substantial relative rotation between said annular hub and said resilient spool adapter means, h. a closure member including, a second flange member, and a second connector means centrally disposed on the closure member said closure member retaining said resilient spool adapter means within said opening of said hub, and i. said second connector means having at least one pair of pins disposed for mating engagement with the aligned apertures in said at least one pair of posts to fixedly connect said closure member to said base member such that the first and second flange members are arranged in spaced parallel relation.