Cartridge ribbon lift apparatus
AssigneeSCM Corporation
InventorsScott J. Longrod, Francis R. Oakley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cartridge ribbon lift apparatus is provided in which a pivotally mounted cartridge, containing a ribbon, is pivoted upward to a printing position by a linkage which is operated by a solenoid. When the cartridge reaches the printing position a second linkage latches the cartridge in the printing position for repeat and burst speed printing and the cartridge remains in the printing position as long as the solenoid remains energized. While the cartridge is latched in the printing position the first linkage is restored to its initial operating position.
Claims12
A ribbon lift apparatus for an electric printing device comprising:
- a ribbon support member operable for movement between a raised position for locating a ribbon in printing position and a lowered position for viewing printing characters;
- a lift linkage operable from a first position to a second position to raise said ribbon support member from said lowered position to said raised position and operable to return to said first position;
- a drive means including a cam cyclincally operable for actuating said lift linkage to said second position and for allowing said lift linkage to return to said first position;
- electrical transducer means operatively connected to said drive means to cause said drive means to actuate said lift linkage;
- and
- a latch means responsive to operation of said electrical transducer means to latch said ribbon support member in said raised position for a sufficient period to allow printing while said lift linkage returns to said first position, said latch means responsive to deactivation of said electrical transducer means to unlatch said ribbon support member to allow said ribbon support member to return to said lowered position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.