Printing apparatus having interchangeable large character type fonts and tape-ribbon cartridge therefor

A printing apparatus comprising:

• a pair of frame members, each having a generally flat surface in spaced relationship with and parallel to the flat surface of the other frame member;
• a printing station;
• a force resisting means for resisting a printing force, said force resisting means being disposed generally perpendicular to and between a portion of said frame members;
• a font element having a raised character positionable in printing alignment with said printing station;
• and
• a force exerting means positioned in printing alignment with said printing station for exerting a printing force toward said force resisting means including a curved force exerting surface disposed between said frame members and generally perpendicular to the flat surfaces of said frame members and support and guide means for supporting and guiding said force exerting surface in rolling movement with respect to said printing station such that a normal printing force is exerted against successive portions of said raised character during said rolling movement, said support and guide means including gear means for guiding the rolling movement of said curved force exerting surface, said gear means including a first gear section disposed on the opposite side of one of said flat surfaces as said force exerting surface and being connected with said force exerting surface through an opening in said one flat surface and said gear means further including a second gear section connected with the frame member of said one flat surface.

A removable tape-ribbon cartridge for use in a printing apparatus having a printing station, a force resisting means for resisting a printing force, an interchangeable font element having a raised character positionable in printing alignment with said printing station and a force exerting means for exerting a printing force toward said force resisting means, said cartridge comprising:

• a housing containing a supply of printing tape and printing ribbon;
• a tape-ribbon and font guide portion connected with and extending outwardly from said housing for guiding said printing tape and said printing ribbon into printing alignment with said printing station;
• an opening in said tape-ribbon and font guide portion to define the printing station;
• and
• said tape-ribbon and font guide portion including a pair of guide edges for guiding said interchangeable font element into printing alignment and a support edge for supporting said interchangeable font element during a printing cycle.