US5383733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ribbon cassette for a printer
Assignee: WESTCOMP Inc
•
Filing: 1993-03-19
•
Granted: 1995-01-24
•
Expires: 2013-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A cassette for ribbon for a printer, particularly a thermal printer, is disclosed. The cassette is configured to be stably mounted to a print carriage of a thermal printer, or to a storage turret mounted to the printer for storing a number of cassettes, and to be transferred by a passive transfer system between the print carriage and the storage turret simply in response to movement of the print carriage. A smooth, low friction path is provided for the ribbon within the cassette with no acute angle changes in the path when the cassette is in a printing position and being acted upon by the printer's print head. The cassette is provided with a brake mechanism which automatically engages the supply and take-up reels in the cassette when the cassette is removed from the print carriage, and automatically disengages the brake mechanism when the cassette is mounted to the print carriage. The cassette is provided with a bar code so that cassettes on the storage turret may automatically be identified, particularly for use in an automatic cassette transfer system. The cassette housing is plastic and is provided with an anti-static additive.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles D. Zinsmeyer
- 👤 James A. Parnell
- 👤 Dan R. Poole
- 👤 Carl D. Massey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:33
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J35/00; B41J35/28; B41J32/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a housing having opposed first and second major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon; there being first and second spaced holes in said first major side for receiving respective pins projecting from a mounting structure for mounting said cassette to the mounting structure with said first major side facing the mounting structure, and third and fourth spaced holes in said second major side for receiving respective pins projecting from a mounting structure for mounting said cassette to that mounting structure with said second major side facing that mounting structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a housing having opposed first and second major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon; there being first and second spaced holes in said first major side for receiving respective pins projecting from a mounting structure for mounting said cassette to the mounting structure with said first major side facing the mounting structure, and third and fourth spaced holes in said second major side for receiving respective pins projecting from a mounting structure for mounting said cassette to that mounting structure with said second major side facing that mounting structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a housing having opposed first and second major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon; there being first and second spaced holes in said first major side for receiving pins projecting from a mounting surface; a pair of spaced projections on said peripheral edge of said housing for engaging arms on a mounting structure; engagement of the arms on a mounting structure with said lugs and entry of the pins projecting from the same mounting structure in said first and second holes cooperating to mount said cassette to that mounting structure with said first major side facing that mounting structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a housing having opposed first and second major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon; there being first and second spaced holes in said first major side for receiving pins projecting from a mounting surface; a pair of spaced projections on said peripheral edge of said housing for engaging arms on a mounting structure; engagement of the arms on a mounting structure with said lugs and entry of the pins projecting from the same mounting structure in said first and second holes cooperating to mount said cassette to that mounting structure with said first major side facing that mounting structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The cassette of claim 2 wherein there are third and fourth spaced holes in said second major side for receiving respective pins projecting from a mounting structure, engagement of arms on that same mounting structure with said lugs and entry of the pins projecting from that same mounting structure into said third and fourth holes cooperating to mount said cassette to that mounting structure with said second major side facing that same mounting structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 1 or 3 wherein said cassette has a center of gravity, and wherein said first and second holes are positioned as follows: said first hole is positioned on one side of the center of gravity adjacent said peripheral edge of said cassette; said second hole is positioned on an opposite side of the center of gravity adjacent said peripheral edge; and said first and second holes are positioned such that a first line connecting the center of said first and second holes passes through a central part of said cassette.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 4 wherein said third and fourth holes are substantially spaced apart with each positioned adjacent said peripheral edge of said cassette and such that a second line connecting the center of said third and fourth holes intersects said first line at an angle of from about 60° to about 120°.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 4 wherein said second line intersects said first line at an angle of about 90°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 1 or 3 wherein said first and second holes and said third and fourth holes are positioned and configured to accept pins simultaneously through said first and second major sides.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The cassette of claim 1 or 3 wherein said housing comprises a body and includes spaced arms projecting from said body which terminate in said inlet and outlet, said first and second holes being positioned in said body spaced from said arms, and said third and fourth holes being positioned in or near said arms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
The cassette of claim 1 or 3 comprising a first reel rotatably mounted in said housing having an axis perpendicular to said major sides and a second reel rotatably mounted in said housing having an axis perpendicular to said major sides, said first and second reels being laterally spaced in said housing, wherein said first and second holes are positioned such that a first line connecting the center of said first and second holes passes between respective axes of said reels and a second line connecting the center of said third and fourth holes does not.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
173 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a housing having opposed first and second major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon; there being first and second spaced holes in said first major side for receiving respective pins projecting from a first mounting structure for mounting said cassette to the first mounting structure with said first major side facing the first mounting structure, and third and fourth spaced holes in said second major side for receiving respective pins projecting from a second mounting structure for mounting said cassette to the second mounting structure with said second major side facing the second mounting structure; said cassette being structured such that there is space within said cassette for all of the pins of the first and second mounting structures to simultaneously project a substantial distance within said cassette, whereby all of said pins at least guide said cassette during an operation in which said cassette is being transferred between the first and second mounting structures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
173 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a housing having opposed first and second major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon; there being first and second spaced holes in said first major side for receiving respective pins projecting from a first mounting structure for mounting said cassette to the first mounting structure with said first major side facing the first mounting structure, and third and fourth spaced holes in said second major side for receiving respective pins projecting from a second mounting structure for mounting said cassette to the second mounting structure with said second major side facing the second mounting structure; said cassette being structured such that there is space within said cassette for all of the pins of the first and second mounting structures to simultaneously project a substantial distance within said cassette, whereby all of said pins at least guide said cassette during an operation in which said cassette is being transferred between the first and second mounting structures.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 1 or 2 wherein said cassette is structured such that there is space within said cassette for the pins to project within the cassette a distance sufficient to guide said cassette as it is being mounted to the mounting structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 1 or 2 wherein said cassette is structured such that there is space within said cassette for the pins to project within the cassette a distance sufficient to support said cassette on the mounting structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ribbon cassette of claim 1 or 2 wherein said cassette is structured such that there is space within said cassette for the pins to project within said cassette substantially from major side to major side.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
253 words
The combination of a plurality of ribbon cassettes each having a linear bar code thereon, mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of said ribbon cassettes thereto, and apparatus for machine reading the bar codes on said cassettes while said cassettes are mounted to said mounting apparatus, comprising: each of said cassettes comprising a housing having opposed major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon, means associated with said cassette for mounting it to said mounting apparatus with one of said major surfaces facing said mounting apparatus, and a bar code positioned on the major side opposed to said one major side; said mounting means comprising a mounting element for mounting a plurality of said cassettes to said mounting element in an adjacent relationship extending about a circle with said one major side of each of said cassettes facing said mounting element and said opposing major side of each of said cassettes having a bar code thereon facing away from said mounting element; said means for machine reading the bars codes comprising means for rotating said mounting element, and a bar code reader positioned adjacent said mounting element spaced therefrom sufficiently to permit said cassettes to pass by said bar code reader; the linear bar code being positioned on each of said cassettes and said cassettes being positioned on said mounting element such that the linear bar code on each cassette passes said bar code reader when said mounting element is rotated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
253 words
The combination of a plurality of ribbon cassettes each having a linear bar code thereon, mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of said ribbon cassettes thereto, and apparatus for machine reading the bar codes on said cassettes while said cassettes are mounted to said mounting apparatus, comprising: each of said cassettes comprising a housing having opposed major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon, means associated with said cassette for mounting it to said mounting apparatus with one of said major surfaces facing said mounting apparatus, and a bar code positioned on the major side opposed to said one major side; said mounting means comprising a mounting element for mounting a plurality of said cassettes to said mounting element in an adjacent relationship extending about a circle with said one major side of each of said cassettes facing said mounting element and said opposing major side of each of said cassettes having a bar code thereon facing away from said mounting element; said means for machine reading the bars codes comprising means for rotating said mounting element, and a bar code reader positioned adjacent said mounting element spaced therefrom sufficiently to permit said cassettes to pass by said bar code reader; the linear bar code being positioned on each of said cassettes and said cassettes being positioned on said mounting element such that the linear bar code on each cassette passes said bar code reader when said mounting element is rotated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 14 wherein said linear bar code is mounted on said opposing major side adjacent said peripheral side of said cassette at substantially the greatest radius from the axis of rotation of said mounting element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
116 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a ribbon having a conductive coating thereon for conducting static charge; a housing having opposed first and second major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for said ribbon and an inlet for said ribbon; means for mounting said ribbon in said cassette such that said ribbon may be moved from within said cassette to said outlet and from said inlet to within said cassette; said cassette housing being made of plastic which includes a conductive additive, and said housing being in contact with said conductive coating of said ribbon as said ribbon is moved for conducting static charge on said ribbon from said ribbon to said housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
116 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a ribbon having a conductive coating thereon for conducting static charge; a housing having opposed first and second major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for said ribbon and an inlet for said ribbon; means for mounting said ribbon in said cassette such that said ribbon may be moved from within said cassette to said outlet and from said inlet to within said cassette; said cassette housing being made of plastic which includes a conductive additive, and said housing being in contact with said conductive coating of said ribbon as said ribbon is moved for conducting static charge on said ribbon from said ribbon to said housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
318 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a housing having opposed major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon; a first reel having an axle fixed to said supply reel to rotate therewith, said axle having an end facing away from one side of said supply reel which is rounded to provide an area of contact thereon which is substantially less than the cross-sectional area of said axle; a second reel having an axle fixed thereto to rotate therewith, said axle having an end facing away from one side of said second reel which is rounded to provide an area of contact thereon which is substantially less than the cross-sectional area of said axle; means for rotatably mounting in said housing said first reel and said second reel, said mounting means including a planar surface having relatively low friction held from rotating in said housing and positioned in said housing adjacent each said ends of said axles on which said ends of said axles bear and rotate; said first reel and said second reel each including structure engageable through respective holes in a first of said major sides of said cassette by apparatus for rotating or braking a respective reel from a side of said reel opposite said one side; and guiding means for loosely guiding said reels at said ends opposite said one end while permitting said reels to rotate, said guiding means comprising respective holes in said first major side of said cassette which have a larger diameter than the diameter of said reels such that said holes loosely guide the outer periphery of said opposite sides of said reels, and means acting on said planar surfaces for resiliently urging said axles towards said first major side, whereby said reels are loosely captivated in said cassette when not engaged by the apparatus for rotating or braking.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
318 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a housing having opposed major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon; a first reel having an axle fixed to said supply reel to rotate therewith, said axle having an end facing away from one side of said supply reel which is rounded to provide an area of contact thereon which is substantially less than the cross-sectional area of said axle; a second reel having an axle fixed thereto to rotate therewith, said axle having an end facing away from one side of said second reel which is rounded to provide an area of contact thereon which is substantially less than the cross-sectional area of said axle; means for rotatably mounting in said housing said first reel and said second reel, said mounting means including a planar surface having relatively low friction held from rotating in said housing and positioned in said housing adjacent each said ends of said axles on which said ends of said axles bear and rotate; said first reel and said second reel each including structure engageable through respective holes in a first of said major sides of said cassette by apparatus for rotating or braking a respective reel from a side of said reel opposite said one side; and guiding means for loosely guiding said reels at said ends opposite said one end while permitting said reels to rotate, said guiding means comprising respective holes in said first major side of said cassette which have a larger diameter than the diameter of said reels such that said holes loosely guide the outer periphery of said opposite sides of said reels, and means acting on said planar surfaces for resiliently urging said axles towards said first major side, whereby said reels are loosely captivated in said cassette when not engaged by the apparatus for rotating or braking.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
154 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a housing having opposed major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon; a first reel rotatably mounted in said housing having an axis perpendicular to said major sides; a second reel rotatably mounted in said housing having an axis perpendicular to said major sides; means associated at least with said second reel for permitting said second reel to be driven; mounting means associated with said housing which cooperates with mounting means associated with a mounting structure for mounting said cassette to the mounting structure; a brake mounted in said housing for frictionally engaging at least one of said reels in any angular position thereof in response to said cassette not being mounted to said mounting structure and for not frictionally engaging said at least one reel in response to said cassette being mounted to the mounting structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
154 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a housing having opposed major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon; a first reel rotatably mounted in said housing having an axis perpendicular to said major sides; a second reel rotatably mounted in said housing having an axis perpendicular to said major sides; means associated at least with said second reel for permitting said second reel to be driven; mounting means associated with said housing which cooperates with mounting means associated with a mounting structure for mounting said cassette to the mounting structure; a brake mounted in said housing for frictionally engaging at least one of said reels in any angular position thereof in response to said cassette not being mounted to said mounting structure and for not frictionally engaging said at least one reel in response to said cassette being mounted to the mounting structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
64 words
The cassette of claim 18 wherein said housing has at least one hole therein for receiving a pin from the mounting structure, and wherein said brake does not frictionally engage said at least one reel when said pin is within said cassette through said hole, and wherein said brake frictionally engages said at least one reel when the pin is not in said hole.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
79 words
The cassette of claim 18 wherein said brake comprises an arm pivotably mounted in said housing having a free end which frictionally engages said at least one reel in a first position of said arm and does not engage said at least one reel in a second position of said arm, means urging said arm into its first position, and means for pivoting said arm towards said second position in response to the mounting means of the mounting structure.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The cassette of claim 20 wherein said housing has at least one hole therein for receiving a pin from the mounting structure, and wherein said arm is pivoted to the second position in response to the presence of the pin is in the hole.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
113 words
The cassette of claim 20 wherein said cassette mounting means includes at least one hole in said housing for receiving a pin associated with the mounting structure when said cassette is mounted to the mounting structure, said brake comprising means associated with said arm positioned in alignment with said hole so as to be contacted by the pin of the mounting means when the cassette is mounted to the mounting means to hold said arm in its second position, and wherein removal of the pin from said hole allows said arm to pivot to its first position with said free end of said arm in frictional engagement with said at least one reel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
59 words
The ribbon cassette according to claim 20 wherein said arm is configured and positioned so that when said arm is in frictional engagement with said reel, said arm applies a harder braking force to said at least one reel when said at least one reel is urged to rotate or does rotate in a direction to unwind ribbon therefrom.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
134 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a housing having opposed major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon; a first reel rotatably mounted in said housing having an axis perpendicular to said major sides; a second reel rotatably mounted in said housing having an axis perpendicular to said major sides; at least one hole in said housing for receiving a pin associated with a mounting structure when said cassette is mounted to the mounting structure; a brake mounted in said housing for frictionally engaging at least one of said reels in any angular position thereof when said cassette is not mounted to said mounting structure, and for not frictionally engaging said reel when the pin of the mounting structure is in said hole.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
134 words
A ribbon cassette comprising: a housing having opposed major sides parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and an outlet for a ribbon and an inlet for the ribbon; a first reel rotatably mounted in said housing having an axis perpendicular to said major sides; a second reel rotatably mounted in said housing having an axis perpendicular to said major sides; at least one hole in said housing for receiving a pin associated with a mounting structure when said cassette is mounted to the mounting structure; a brake mounted in said housing for frictionally engaging at least one of said reels in any angular position thereof when said cassette is not mounted to said mounting structure, and for not frictionally engaging said reel when the pin of the mounting structure is in said hole.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
89 words
The cassette of claim 24 wherein said brake comprises an arm pivotably mounted in said housing having a free end which frictionally engages said at least one reel in a first position of said arm and does not engage said at least one reel in a second position of said arm, means urging said arm into its first position, and means associated with said arm aligned with said hole for pivoting said arm towards said second position in response to the pin entering a predetermined distance into said hole.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cassette of claim 24 comprising a said brake for each of said reels.
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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) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |