Ribbon drive and tensioning system for a print and apply engine or a printer
AssigneeZIH Crop.
InventorsKenneth F. Ullenius, Robert A. Ehrhardt JR., Dale W. Skamra
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for driving and tensioning a ribbon includes a supply spindle for supplying a ribbon, a supply dancer assembly for applying tension to the ribbon, a printhead, a take-up dancer assembly for applying tension to the ribbon, and a take-up spindle for collecting spent ribbon. The supply dancer assembly is positioned downstream of the supply spindle. The printhead is positioned downstream of the supply dancer assembly. The take-up dancer assembly is downstream of the printhead. The take-up spindle is downstream of the take-up dancer assembly.
Claims29
An apparatus for driving and tensioning a ribbon comprising:
- a housing;
- means for supplying a ribbon mounted on said housing;
- supply dancer means for applying tension to the ribbon, said supply dancer means being positioned downstream of said supplying means, said supply dancer assembly including a supply dancing arm pivotally mounted on said housing and a supply channel affixed to said housing, a portion of said supply dancing arm being capable of moving in and out of said supply channel;
- a printhead mounted on said housing and positioned downstream of said supply dancer means;
- take-up dancer means for applying tension to the ribbon, said take-up dancer means being positioned downstream of said printhead, said take-up dancer assembly includes a take-up dancing arm pivotally mounted on said housing and a take-up channel affixed to said housing, a portion of said take-up dancing arm being capable of moving in and out of said take-up channel;
- and
- means for taking up the ribbon mounted on said housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.