Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~3~3g
Title: Tape-RibbOn Cartridge
1 BACRGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an improved
tape-ribbon cartridge for use with a lettering apparatus or
type composing system, and more particularly, to a tape-ribbon
cartridge for housing a supply of lettering tape and lettering
ribbon and supplying the same to a lettering station in the
above-mentioned apparatus. Further features of the present
invention include an improved ribbon rewind feature for
rewinding spent ribbon after it has been used at the lettering
station of the lettering apparatus.
Typical prior art printing apparatus and type
composing systems and tape-ribbon supply cartridges for use
therein are described in U.5. Patent Nos. 3,834,507, 3,912,064,
4,015,700, 4,226,547, 4,243,333 and 4,402,612. Each of the
machines described in these patents in~ludes a printing or
lettering ltation, a raised character positionable into
alignment at such station, means for providing a printing or
lettering force and means associated with the cartridge for
appropri~tely advancing the ~ape and r;bbon. Although the
prior tape-ribbon supply cartridges function satisfactorily in
many applications, the cartridge of the present invention
embodies several improved features. These features include an
improved means for rewinding spent ribbon within a portion of
the cartridge housing and an improved cartridge construction
embodying and housing the ribbon rewind.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
-
The tape-ribbon supply cartridge of the present
invention is adapted for use in a lettering apparatus of the
general type having a lettering station, means for providing a
raised character or the outline of a character in alignment
3;3~9
1 with such station and a means ~`or creating a force to transfer
an image of the raised c~aracter to the tape or to cut out a
character in the shape of said outline from the tape. More
specifically, the cartridge of the present invention includes a
housing embodying a portion containing a supply of tape and
ribbon. Means are provided in the form of a shuttle assembly
for advancing the t2p2 and ribbon from the supply portion of
the housing to the lettering station. This shuttle assembly
includes means in the form of a rocker mechanism for increasing
the gripping force on the tape during advancement of the tape
toward the station and means for releasing such force as the
shuttle assembly is moved rearwardly. The rocker mechanism
interfaces with an appropriate drive arm on the apparatus and
insures a much quicker and more accurate tape advancement.
Means ate also provided for aligning the tape and ribbon and
for guiding the tape and ribbon into alignment with the
lettering station~ This means includes tape and ribbon guide
elements which interface with appropriate portions of the
machine to permit centering of the tape and ribbon with respect
to the machine rather than the supply cartridge.
The cartrid~e of the present invention also includes
an improved ribbon rewind feature for rewinding spent ribbon in
a plane which is common with the ribbon supply. This ribbon
rewind feature includes a ribbon rewind spool and a pair o~
clutch members for permitting rotation of the ribbon rewind
spool in one direction only. One of these clutch members
embodies a cylindrical clutch member disposed within the spool
to limit relative rotational movement between the cylindrical
clutch member and spool to one direction. A second clutch
member is disposed between the spool and a portion of the
cartridge housing. The ribbon rewind feature also includes
3~
1 means for driving the ribbon rewind spool as a result of
reciprocal movement of the shuttle assembly. This means
includes a toothed drive arm adapted for engagement with a
toothed peripheral edge of the rewind spool mechanism.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
to provide an improved tape ribbon supply cartridge for use
with a lettering apparatus having a lettering station and means
for generating a lettering force.
A further obje~t of the present ;nvention is to
provide a tape-ribbon supply cartridge havin~ a ribbon rewind
means which is driven by a linkage between the shuttle assemb~y
and the r ibbon rewind spool.
Another object of the present invention is to provide
a tape-ribbon supply car~ridge having a ribbon rewind feature
in which the ribbon is rewound onto a spool disposed in the
same plane as the ribbon supply spool.
A further object of the present invention is to
provide a tape-ribbon supply cartridge having clutch means
permitting the rotation of a ribbon rewind spool in one
direction only.
These and other objects of the p~esent invention will
become apparent with reference to the drawing, the description
of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF TE~E DRAWING
Fi~ure 1, comprised o~ ~igures 1~ and lb, is an
exploded, pictorial view of the tape-ribbon supply cartridge of
the present invention.
Figure 2 is an elevational side view of the inside of
the tape-ribbon supply cartridge of the present invention with
one side of the housing removed.
" ~Z~3;21~3~
1 Figure 3 is an elevational side viewt with portions
broken away, showing the ribbon supply spool and the ratchet
means for preventing free-wheeling thereof.
Figure 4 is a view, partially in section, of the
ribbon supply spool and ratchet means as viewed alons the
section line 4-4 of Figure 3, with the left side housing
section added.
Figure 5 is an enlarged elevatisnal side view of a
portion of the shuttle assembiy showing the rocker mechanism
and leaf spzing in a released position.
Figure 5a is an enlarged ele~ational side view of a
portion of the shuttle assembly showing the rocker mechanism
and leaf spring in a gripping position.
Figure 6 is a view, partially in section, as viewed
along the section line 6-6 of Figure 5, with the le~t side
housing section added.
Figure 7 is a top elevational view of the rocker
mechanism which forms a part of the shuttle assembly.
Figure 8 is a view, partially in section, of the tape-
ribbon guide and alignment means as viewed alon~ the sectionline 8-8 of Figure 2, with the left side housing section added
and ~he cartridge inserted within ~he apparatus.
Figure 9 is a view, partially in section, of the tape
supply gllide and alignment means as viewed along the section
line 9-g of Figure ~, with a frame member of the apparatus
added.
Figure 10 is a sectional view of the ribbon rewind
means as viewed along the section line 10-10 of Figure 2.
Figure 11 is a sectional view of the ribbon rewind
means as viewed along the section line 11-11 of Figure 10.
`` ~l2432~
1 Figure 12 is a sectional view of the ribbon rewind
means as viewed along the section line 12-12 of Figure 10.
Figure 13 is a view, partially in section, as viewed
along the section line 13-13 of Figure 1, with parts added.
Figure 14 is a view, partially in section, as viewed
along the section line 14-14 of Figure 1, with parts added.
Figure 15 is an elevational bottom view of the
cartridge.
Figure 16 is a pictorial view showing the end of the
lo tape supply spool.
DESCRIPTION OF_T~E PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Pceference is first made to Figures 1 and 2 in which
the tape-ribbon supply cartridge of the present invention is
shown in both an exploded (Figure 1) and an assembled (Figure
2) form. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing comprised
of a pair of side housing sections 11 and 12. Xach of the
housing sections 11 and 12 inrludes a rearwardly disposed tape
and ribbon supply postion 14 for housing a supply of tape 18
and ribbon 19, a forwardly disposed ribbon rewind portion 15
for housing a ribbon rewind spool 20 and related struc~ure and
a sidewall connecting portion 16 joining the tape and ribbon
supply portion 14 with ~he ribbon rewind portion 15. The
housing also includes a peripheral edge 13 to enclose the
portions 14 and 15 when assembled.
Housed within the ca~tridge is a supply of lettering
tape 18 and ribbon 19, a means in the form of the ratchet
mechanism 21 to preclude free-wheeling of the ribbon supply
spool 19, means in the form of a shuttle assembly 22-for
advancing the tape and ribbon into alignment with th2 lettering
station, means in the form of the tape and ribbon guide member
24 for guiding and properly aligning the tape and ribbon with
--5--
` ~2~32139
1 respect to the lettering station and a means for rewinding
spent ribbon onto the rewind spool 20.
With continuing reference to Figures 1 and 2, each of
the cartridge side housing sections 11 and 12 includes a
central support post 26 for rotatably supporting the supply of
tape 18. Extending generally radially outwardly from the
center post 26 are a plurality of tape support vanes 28 which
runction to retain the supply of tape 18 properly positioned
within the cartridge. - It should be noted that the width of the
vanes 28 will vary to accommodate various widths of tape 18.
Althoush not specifically illustrated, the inside of the
cartridge housing section 1~ includes a central tape support
post and a plurality of radially extending tape support vanes
similar to those shown in the housing section 11. Disposed
about a portion of the periphery of the tape supply 18 are a
plurality of curved sections 29 which also function to help
retain the tape supply 18 within the cartridge and to maintain
the same in a relatively circular configuration. The cartridge
housing section 12 includes similar portions 297 Disposed on
each side of the tape supply 18 is a disc member 30 which has a
tack surface on the side ~acing the ~ape supply 18. ~he
primary functions of the discs 30 are to prevent the tape
supply 18 from free-wheeling or unrolling due to vibrations or
movements of ~he cartridge, to pro~ect the side edges of the
tape and to maintain the supply of tape in a generally circular
configuration.
As shown best in Figure 1, the left side housing
section 12 includes a recessed cartridge alignment slot 23 to
mate and interface with an indexing or alignment tab 37 (Figure
13) on the machine. A generally v-shaped entrance or lead-in
ramp 27 is also provided to guide the indexing tab 37 into
~Z~3289
1 engagement with the slot 23. The relationship between the slot
23 and indexing tab 37 is illustrated best in Figure 13 which
shows the tab 37 extending through an opening in the forward
frame member 33 of the machine and into the slot 23.
The left side housing section 12 also includes a pair
of alignment openings 17, 17 for engagement by a pair of
corresponding, spring biased index elements 47a. As shown in
Figure 14, the elements 47a are carried by a section 47 of the
spring steel or similar material. The spring section 47 is
lo secured at its upper end to a portion of a kerning slide 4~b
and extends downwardly through an opening 33a in the fram~
member 33 to permit engagemen~ between the elements 47a and the
openings 17, 17. As a result of such engagement and the spring
47, the cartridge is biased toward the opposite side of the
cartridge receiving cavity. In the preferred embodiment, such
cavity is defined by the frame members 98 (Figures 8 and 9) and .
33 (Figures 13 and 14).
The bottom of the tape supply supply portion 14 of the
cartridge is providea with an access opening 43 to permit
access by a tape sensing mechanism 57 as illustrated in Figure
2. The mechanism 57 includes a pair of rollers 53, 53 which
ride against the tape supply 1~ The mechanism 57 is connected
with a lever arm for indicating the amount of tape 18 remaining
in the cartridge. As the ~ape 18 is used up, ~he mechanism 57
moves upwardly as viewed in Fi~ure 2, ~hereby causinq
corresponding movement of a connection linkage to reflect
remaining tape supply. In the preferred embodiment, the
mechanism carries a pair of metal rollers 53, S3 for engagement
with the tape supply~ These rollers are connected with
appropriate electrical means for causing an audio or visual
signal if electrical contact is bridged between the rollers 53,
~z~3~
1 53. As shown in Figure 16, the tape 18 is supported on a spool
9. The end of the tape is provided with a metal foil layer
127. As the tape supply nears its end, the rollers 53, 53 will
engage the foil 127 and result in electrical connection between
the rollers 53, 53. This in turn causes. a visual-or audio
signal indicating to the user that he or she only has a few
inches of tape remaining.
As illustrated generally in Figures 1 and 2 and more
specifically in Figures 3 and 41, the ribbon supply 19 is wound
onto a support spool 31 which is integrally joined with a side
flange portion 32. Also integrally joined with the spool 31 is
a rearwardly disposed ratchet portion 34 having a plurality o~
ratchet teeth disposed about its periphery. A washer 3~ is
adapted to be press-fit onto the opposite end of the spool 31
The spool 31 in~ludes an interior cylindrical opening which
permits the ribbon supply 19 and associated supporting
structure to be mounted for rotational movement on the support
post 35. The post 35 is integrally formed with the housing
s2ction 11. When disposed between the housin~ sections 11 and
12 as illustrated best in Figure 4, the outer end of the
support post 35 mates wi~h a correspondingly located circular
flange on the inside surface of the housing section 12. ~ coil
spring 38 is disposed in an annular opening in the spool 31 to
maintain the ribbon supply 19 in a position biased against the
housing section 1~ and to assist in preventing the sibbon
supply 19 from freely unwinding.
Additional means are provided for preventing the
supply of ribbon 19 from unwinding in the form of the ratchet
mechanism 21. As illustrated best in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the
ratchet mechanism ~1 includes an elongated, rear~ardly
extending ratchet arm 39 having a tooth at its outer end for
~ Z ~ 3 2 ~
1 selective engagement with the teeth in the ratchet member 34.
Extending outwardly from the forward end of the ratchet arm 39
and in a direction generally parallel to the,support post 35 is
a ribbon guide member 40. The ratchet mechanism 21 also
includes a spring member in the form of a rearwardly extending
flexible member 44 which is positioned so that its rearwardmost
end is in engag~ment with the top, inner edge of the housing
section 11. The entire ratchet mechanism 21 is supported
between the housing sections 11 and 1~ in rotational
]0 relationship by the post 41 which extends into small openings
in the side wa~l~ o~ the housing sections 11 and 12. A roller
or sleeve member 42 is disposed around the post 41 to permit
the ribbon 19 to move freely through the ratchet mechanism 21.
The principal function of the ratchet mechanism 21 is
to prevent the supply of ribbon 19 from free-wheeling or
unwinding from the spool due to vibrations or movements of the
cartridge. This s done as a result of engagement between the
ratchet tooth of the rearward end of ~he ratchet arm 39 and one
of the ratchet teeth in the ratchet member 34. This is shown
best in Figure ~. ~he ratchet arm 39 is retained in this
engaged position as a result of the spring action caused by the
f~exible member 44 acting on thP inside surface of the housing
section 11. The ra~che~ arm 39 is released, however, when
tension is placed on the ribbon 19. As a force is exerted on
th~ ribbon 19 such as by pulling it toward the left in Figure
3, the ribbon causes upward movement of the post 40 to the
position illustrated by the broken line against the force of
the flexible member 44. This similarly causes upward movement
of the ratchet arm 39 to the position of the broken line, thus
disengaging the ratchet teeth and permitting the ribbon 19 to
be fed from the ribbon spool. After leaving the ribbon supply
` :~L2~3;~:~9
I spool 31, the ribbon 19 is directed past the tape clutch post
45 (Figure 2) and through various guide openings in the shuttle
assembly 22 and the tape guide means 24,
After leaving the tape supply spool, the tape 18 is
guided by the paper divider 50 and by various structural
elements integrally ormed with the cartridge housing sections
11 and 12 to the shuttle assembly 220 Specifically, the tape
18 is directed above a guide post 46 formed in each of the
housing sections 11 and 1~ and then betwe~n the bias member 51
and the means in ~he form of the clutch post 45 for resisting
the force of the bias member 51. ~n the preferred embodiment,
the bias member 51 is a leaf spring which is supportQd by the
surface 49 and retain~d by three retaining elements 48
integrally formed on the surface 49. The clutch post 45 is
integrally formed with the inside surface of the housing
section 11 and extends outwardly therefrom at right angles.
The top surface of the clutch post 45 i~ generally flat to
support the ribbon 19 as it is directed toward the shuttle
assembly 22. It should be noted that the leaf spring 51 is
prestressed toward the left as viewed in Figure 2 to permit the
tape 18 to be advanced toward the left relative to the
cartridge housing, but to prevent movement of the tape 18
toward the right. If an attempt is made to move the tape 18
toward the right as viewed in Figure 2, the ou~er edge of the
leaf spring 51 digs into the underside of the tape 18 and
precludes such movement.
The shuttle assembly 22 is illustrated generally in
Figures 1 and 2 and more specifically in Figures 5, 6 and 7.
The shuttle assembly 22 includes a rearwardly disposed tape and
ribbon guide portion 52 which includes means in the form of the
guide slots 55 and 56 (FigurP 6) for guiding the ribbon 19 and
--10--
~Z43;~8~
1 the tape 18, respectively, along a path toward the lettering
station. Means are also provided for gripping the tape 18 and
advancing the same toward the lettering station and means in
the form of the forwardly extending support and slide arm 54.
The arm 54 is slidably connected with the inner side wall of
the housing section 11 to permit the shuttle assembly 22 to be
moved reciprocally between forward and rearward positions.
With reference ~o Figure 6, an upper flange 59 i5
positioned immediately above the vertically spaced guide slots
55 ana 56. The flange 5g in~ludes edge por~ions extending
laterally outwardly from the main body portion 52 for
supporting and guiding the shut~le assembly 22 along ~he top
edge of the housing sections 11 and 12. The left side of the
portion 52 as viewed in Figure 5 includes a further guide
portion in the form of the recessed area 60 which mates with a
corresponding rib on the inside surface of the housing section
12. A spacing tab 58 is connected with the top surface of the
member 59 and is adapted for engagement with a spacins ring 131
located on the machine font 128 ~Figure 2) in a manner kn~wn in
~he art.
~ ith reference to Figure 5, the rearward guide portion
52 also includes a bias resis~ing portion 61 and a plurality of
leaf spring support members 65, 66 and 68 for supporting and
prestressing a leaf spring member 75 in the position
illustrated. Speciically, one side edge of the leaf spring 75
is supported by the side surface of the portion 52 while the
opposite side edge of the leaf spring 75 is retained by a
portion of the member 68 and an overhanging portion 63 of the
rocker arm retaining post 62. It should be noted that the leaf
spring 75 as viewed in ~igure 5 is prestressed toward the
left. Thus, it functions to permit forward movement of the
--11--
- ~2~32~9
1 tape 18 toward the left relative to the shuttle assembly and to
precl~de rearward movement of the tape 18 toward the ~ight
relative to the shuttle assembly.
The shuttle assemblv includes a rocker mechanism 69
which functions ~o increase the force of the leaf spring 75
against the bottom surface of the tape 18 when the shuttle is
being advanced, and to release the force o~ the spring 75 from
the tape 18 when the shuttle is moved rearwardly. The rocker
mechanism 69 is pivotally secured with respect to the portion
52 by the pivot post 64. As shown best in Figure 7, the pivot
post 64 includes a small outwardly extending flange portion 67
which locks into an opening in the portion 52 to prevent the
rocker mechanism 69 from being inadvertently dislodged from its
operational position. .~ second retaining pos~ 71 is connected
with a side of the rocker mechanism 69 and extends through an
arcuate opening 77 (Figure 5) in the portion 52. As
illustrated best in Figure 7, the retaining post 71 also
includes an outwardly extending tab for retaining the rocker
mechanism 69 adjacent to the surface of the portion ~2.
The rocker mech~nism 69 also includes a pair of
outwardly extending, forward and rearward drive surfaces or
tabs 70, 70. These tabs 70, 70 are spaced apart from one
another and define a drive arm receiving cavity for receiving a
mating drive arm 125 from the machine into which the cartridge
is inserted. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 5, the drive arm
125 is inserted into the receiving cavity between the drive
tabs 70, 70 and functions to pivot the rocker mechanism 69
about the pivot 64 and to advance and retract the entire
shuttle assembly. During forward movement of the drive arm
125, the rocker mechanism 69 is first pivoted in a generally
clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 5 about the pivot 640
328~
1 This initial clockwise movement will cause the post 62 to press
the leaf spring 75 more tightly against the bottom surface of
the tape 18, thus increasing the gripping force between the
leaf spring 75 and the tape 18. Following initial clockwise
rotation of the rocker mechanism 69, further forward movement
of the drive arm 125 results in the entire shuttle assembly
being moved in a forward direction. Because of the gripping
force between the leaf spring 75 and the tape 18, the tape 18
will be advanced forwardly along with the shuttle assembly.
The position of the rocker mechanism 69 during this forward
movement is illustrated in Figure 5. After reaching its
forwardmost advancement as permitted by engagement between the
stop surface 73 and the stop arm 126, and upon commencement of
a lettering cycle, the drive arm 125 moves rearwardly. Initial
rearward movement of the drive arm 125 results in initial
counterclockwise movement of the rocker mechanism 69 about the
pivot 64 to the position illustrated in Figure 5a. This
movement causes the force of the leaf spring 75 acting against
the tape 18 to be released as a result of engagement between
the pring retaining flange 6~ and the leaf spring 75~ Upon
further rearward movement of the drive arm 125, the entire
shuttle assembly 22 moves rearwardly. ~owever, because of the
existence of the clutch member 51 (Figure 2), the tape 18 will
remain stationery with respect to the cartridge housing.
As shown best in Figures 1, 2 and 5, the shuttle
assembly 22 also includes a pair of guide tabs 72, 72 which
function to guide the drive arm 125 into engagement with the
drive arm cavity between the drive tabs 70, 70. A guide tab 74
insures the guiding of the apparatus stop arm 126 (Figure 2)
into its operative position against ~he stop surface 73
(Figures 1 and 2). The stop arm 126 functions to limit the
Z~3ZI~
1 forward movement o~ the shuttle assembly and therefore defines
the forwardmost advancement of the tape 18. In the p~eferred
embodiment, the drive arm 125 and stop arm 126 are disposed in
generally side-by-side relationship.
The forward end o~ the shuttle assembly 22 includes
the support and slide arm 54. A pair of elongated guide and
support slots 76 and 78 are located in the arm 54 and designed-
to slide along the support and guide posts 79 and 80,
respectively. The posts 79 and 80 are integrally connected
with the inside surface of the housing section 11. It should
be noted that the support post 80 includes a small down~ardly
extending flange psrtion which functions to retain the arm 54
closely adjacent to the inside surface of the housing section
11. Disposed in a portion of the arm 54 is a recessed section
81 which is designed to mate with a portion of the tape and
ribbon guide assembly 24 to insure that the shuttle assembly
will remain in a forward position when the cartridge is remo~ed
~rom the machine. Extending upwardly and rearwardly from the
forward end of the support and guide arm 54 is a means for
driving the ribbon rewind spool 20 as a result of movement of
the shuttle assembly 22. This means is in the form of a
movement transfer arm 82 which includes a plurality of ra~chet
teeth along its upper edge for corresponding engagement with
ratchet teeth on the ribbon rewind member 84.
Re~erence is next made to Figures 1, 2~ 8 and 9
illustrating the tape and ribbon guide means 24. The means 24
includes a rearward portion 85 having a laterally extending rib
86 which is adapted to mate with corresponding tab portions 87,
87 disposed within the ribbon rewind housing portions 15 of the
housing sections 11 and 12. These tabs 87, 87 in conjunction
with the portion B5 and rib 86 retain the guide means 24 in a
~iLZ~3;~8~
1 fixed position with respect to the cartridge housing. The
guide means 24 also includes a forwardly extending portion 88
which extends forwardly from a bottom edge of the portion 85
and is integrally joined with a tape guide element 89. The
tape guide element ~9 extends downwardly from the portion 88 at
generally right angles and includes a tape guide tab 92 on one
side for supporting and guiding the tape 18 in proper alignment
with the lettering station. An elongated, flexible member 91
having an inwardly extending portion at its lower end extends
downwardly from the element 89 for supporting and guiding the
other edge of the tape 18. The manner in which the elements 91
and 92 support and guide the tape 18 is illustrated best in
Figures 8 and 9. It should be noted that the normal distance
between the guide portion of the tab 92 and the member 91 in
its unstressed position is slightly less than the width of the
tape 18 which is being used in the eartridge. Thus, when the
tape is fed between the guide portions 9~ and 91, a slight
force is exerted by the member 91 against the side of the tape,
thereby retaining the tape 18 in constant engagement with the
guide portion 92. As shown in Figure 2, the bottom edge of the
tab 92 is suppor~ed by a portion of ~he force genera~ing means
130 and moves upwardly and downwardly with the means 130 during
a printing or lettering cycle.
Positioned forwardly of the tape guide element B9 and
connected thereto is a ribbon guide member 94. As illustrated
best in Figures 8 and 9, the ribbon guide member 94 includes a
ribbon guide slot 96. Integrally connected with the ribbon
guide member 94 is an upwardly extending ratchet drive arm 95.
The ratchet drive arm 95 is adapted for engagement with
corresponding ratchet teeth on a portion of the ribhon rewind
spool 20. This results in rotation of the spool ~0 as a result
~3;~
1 of upward movement of the forward end of ~he tape and ribbon
guide member 24 caused by engagement between the tab 92 and a
portion of the force means 130. Such rotation is necessary
when narrow tapes are being used to increase the passage of
ribbon 19 through the system.
The tape and ribbon guide member 24 also includes a
centering tab 90 which is intesrally formed with the portion
89. In its normal, pre-stressed position, the tab 90 extends
outwardly past the outer surface of the housing section 11 as
shown in Figure 15. In this position, the outer edge o the
dow~wardly extending guide tab 92 engages the recessed portion
81 on the inner surface of the support and slide member 54 t~
keep the shuttle assembly in its forward position when the
cartridge is out of the machine. When the cartridge is
inserted into the machine, the indexing or centering tab 90
contacts the rear frame member 98 as shown in Figure 8, thereby
causing the tab 90 and thus the entire tape and ribbon guide
means to move inwardly. This results in the tape beiny
accurately positioned in lettering alignment with respect to
the frame of the apparatus~
After passing through the ribbon guide portion 94, the
ribbon 19 is directed upwardly into the ribbon rewind housing
15 where it is rewound onto a ribbon rewind spool 20. As
illustrated best in Figures 1, 2, 10, 11 and 12, the spool 20
is mounted for rotational movement with respect to the post 99
integrally formed with the inside surface of the housing
section 15 and extending perpendicular thereto. The rewind
spool 20 includes a generally cylindrical portion 101 having an
inner cylindrical surface o a size permitting it to rotate
freely on the post 99. The spool 20 also includes an outer ~nd
lower flange por~ion 100 extending about its lower p2ripheral
-16-
~ 2~3~ ~
1 edge for engagement by one end of a leaf spring member 115
(~igure 2). The leaf spring 115 is supported and retained
within the housing section 15 by the spring retaining members
116 and 118. As shown, the leaf spring 115 is positioned to
engage the outer flange 100 to permit it to be rotated in only
a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2. Thus, the leaf
spring member 115 functions as a one way clutch to permit
rotation of the spool 20 only in a direction to rewind SpQnt
ribbon.
Located be~ween the ribbon supporting poxtion of the
spool 20 and the inner cylindrical member 101 i5 an annular
space for receiving a generally cyl indrical portion of a ribbon
rewind clutch member 84. The clutch member 84 includes a
cylindrical port:ion 108 which is disposed.outside the
cylindrical portion 101 and which extends upwardly from the
gen~erally cylindrical base portion 105. The base 105 has an
inner cylindrical opening which permits it to rotate freely on
the post 99. The cylindrical portion 108 is disposed within
the annular opening between the ribbon supporting portion 20
and the cylindrical section 101. Ins~rtion of the cylindrical
portion 108 is limited as a result of engagement between the
end of the section 101 and the base portion 105. The base 105
has a plurality of ratchet teeth 106 positioned about its
periphery for engagement with the ribbon rewind drive arm 82.
As illustrated best in Figures 10, 11 and 12, the
cylindrical section 108 is provided with a plurality of leaf
spring support members 109, 110, 111 and 112 which support a
leaf spring 114. The outer end of the spring 114 is adapted
for engagement with an annular rib 102 formed on an inside
surface of the rPwind spool 20. The leaf spring 114 is
positioned to permit rotational movement of the clutch member
~43Z~3~
1 84 in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the rewind
spool 20 (as viewed in Figure 12), but to preclude clockwise
movement of the member 84 relative to the spool 20. As a
result, rotational movement of the clutch member 84 in a
clockwise direction as viewed in Fisures 2 and 12 results in
corresponding clockwise movement of the ribbon rewind spool 20
because of engagement between the leaf spring 114 and the
annular rib 102. However, counterclockwise rotation of the
clutch m~mber 84 will not cause similar movement of the rewind
~pool 20 because of the direction in which ~he leaf spring 114
is positioned and because of the existence of the leaf spring
115 (Figure 2~ preventing counterclockwise rotation of the
Spool 20.
Rotational movement of the member 84 is caused by
engagement between the ratchet teeth on the arm 82 and the
ratchet teeth 106 on the base portion 105. As the drive arm 82
moves toward the left as viewed in Figures 11 and 12, the
clutch member 84 and thus the ribbon rewind spool 20 are caused
to move in a clockwise direction. Movement of the drive arm 82
toward the right causes cQunterclockwise movement of the clutch
member 84 but no corresponding movement of the rib~on rewind
spool 20. The drive arm 82 is supported by the post 120 and
the retaining tab 119.
~ aving described the structure of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention in detail, the operation
can be understood as follows. When the cartridge is out of the
machine, the shuttle assembly 22 is in its forward position and
retained there as a result of engagement between an outer
portion of the tape guide tab 92 and the recessed portion 81 of
the arm 54. In this position, the tab 90 of the tape and
ribbon guide means 24 extends outwardly beyond the side wall o~
-18-
~ Z ~ 2 ~ 9
1 the housing section 11. As the cartridge is inserted into the
machine, the shuttle drive arm 125 is guided between the rocker
drive tabs 70, 70 and into the drive arm cavity by the guide
members 72, 72. At the same time, the positioning tab 3i is
guided into the slot 23 by the guide surfaces 27 (Figure 13)
and the locating portions 47a snap into the openings 17 (Figure
14). This biases the cartridge toward the rear panel 98 of the
machine (Figure 8). Also, as the cartridge is inserted into
the machine, the tap~ guide alignment tab 90 engages the rear
fr~me member 98 of the machine, thus forcing the tape guide
member 89 inwardly to center the tape 18 with respect to the
machine. Insertion of the cartridge also results in the tape
sensing mechanism 57 being inserted through the opening 43 in
~he bottom of the cartridge and into engagement with the ~ape
18 and positioning of the stop arm 126 in a position forward of
the stop surface 73.
As a lettering cycle is initiated, the shut~le
assembly is in its forwardmost position as shown in Figure 5a
with the forward wall portion 73 in contact with the stop arm
126. As the cycle begins, the print bar 130 moves upwardly
toward the force resisting means 129. During this upward
mov~ment, a portion of the print bar 130 tFi~ure 2) engages the
tape guide tab 92 and moves the same upwardly. 5uch upward
movement also causes the ratchet arm 95 to engage the teeth on
the rewind spool 20, thus causing a slight rotation of the
spoolO Continued upward movement of the print bar 130 creates
a force between the print bar 130 and the character on the
periphery of the font 128. This causes an imaye of the
character to be transferred from the ribbon 19 to the tape 18
or a character to be cut from a layer of the tape. During the
above described lettering step, the shuttle drive arm 125 will
--19--
32~9
1 begin its rearward movement. Initial rearward movement will
cause the rocker assembly 69 to pivot in a counterclockwise
direction about the pivot 64, thereby releasing the gripping
force of the leaf spring 75 with respect to the tape 18.
Further rearward movement of the drive arm 125 will result in
rearward movement of the entire shuttle assembly 22. Because
of the existence of the leaf spring 51, the tape 18 will remain
stationery. The rearward movement of the shuttle assembly 22
will be limited as a result of engagement between the index tab
58 and an index or spacing ring 131 on the inside surface of
the font~ The drive arm 12~ will then reverse directions,
thereby moving in a forward direction to advance the tape 18
toward the lettering sta~ion. During initial forward movement
of the drive arm 125, the rocker assembly 69 pivots in a
cloc:kwise direction about the pivot 64, thereby causing
increased gripping engagement between the leaf spring 75 and
the tape 18. Further forward movement of the drive arm 12~
result-~ in the entire shuttle assembly and therefore tape 18
being advanced to a point which is limited by engagement of the
surf~ce 73 with the stop arm 126. During this forward movement
of the shuttle, the ribbon rewind drive arm 82 moves in a
forward direction as well, thereby causing generally clockwise
rotational movement of the cylindrical clutch 84 and
corresponding clockwise rotation of the ribbon rewind spool
20. This rotation of the spool 20 pulls printed ribbon 19 from
the ribbon supply spool.
Although the description of the preferred embodiment
has been quite specific, it is contemplated that various
changes could be made without deviating from the spirit of the
present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope
of the present invention be dictated by the appended cIaims
rather than by the description of the preferred embodiment~
-20-
