Stenographic machine including a disposable ribbon cartridge
AssigneeXscribe Corporation
InventorGordon W. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compact and disposable stenographic ribbon cartridge system includes a cartridge driven by an external drive. The cartridge contains a densely-packed ribbon that is automatically inked. Under urging of the drive, the ribbon travels through an external guide that holds the ribbon between the character trunnion and the paper platen. A sealed ink reservoir is disposed above the ribbon chamber. The ribbon is pulled by an idler gear and a drive gear. The idler gear is in contact with a wick extending from the reservoir. As the idler gear rotates, it wicks the ink onto itself and transfers the ink to the ribbon as it makes contact. The external drive system is coupled to the platen so as to cause movement of the ribbon upon movement of the platen.
Claims15
A stenographic machine of the type having a character trunnion, a paper platen and an inked-ribbon, comprising:
- self-inking ribbon cartridge means including a housing having a chamber for circulating an endless ribbon between said trunnion and said platen in an alignment generally perpendicular to a first generally horizontal plane which bisects the paper platen, and means for containing the remainder of said endless ribbon in said chamber of said housing with said ribbon aligned generally perpendicular to a second generally horizontal plane, said first and second horizontal planes being spaced apart vertically;
- and
- first and second guide means affixed to and integral with said cartridge means, said first guide means extending between said first and second generally horizontal planes for guiding and directing said endless ribbon vertically from said chamber of said housing to said position between said trunnion and said platen, and said second guide means extending between said first and second generally horizontal planes for guiding and returning said ribbon to said chamber.
A ribbon cartridge system adapted for use in a stenographic machine of the type having a character trunnion and a paper platen, said ribbon cartridge system comprising:
- disposable ribbon cartrige means including a housing having a chamber, mounted above said trunnion and adjacent said platen, including means for storing a major portion of an endless ribbon in said chamber of said housing with said ribbon aligned generally perpendicular to an upper generally horizontal plane, and means for circulating said endless ribbon between said trunnion and said platen in an alignment generally perpendicular to a lower generally horizontal plane which bisects the paper platen, said upper and lower horizontal planes being spaced apart vertically;
- first and second guide means affixed to an integral with said cartridge means, said first guide means extending between said upper and lower generally horizontal planes for guiding and directing said endless ribbon vertically from said chamber of said housing to said position between said trunnion and said platen, and said second guide means again for guiding and returning said ribbon to said chamber;
- and
- drive means, coupled to said platen, for causing movement of said ribbon contemporaneously with movement of said platen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.