Universal ribbon re-inking apparatus
AssigneeRibbon Recyclers, Inc.
InventorWilliam R. Brueck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for re-inking a ribbon utilized in a typewriter computer printer, cash register, or other printing device. The apparatus incorporates design features which make the apparatus universally adjustable to accommodate ribbon cartridges or spools of varying design. The apparatus includes a drive motor and a take-up motor with independently variable speeds to adjust the rate of re-inking apart from the cartridge advancement mechanism to maximize the volume of ribbons which may be re-inked.
Claims18
A universal ribbon re-inking apparatus for re-inking a ribbon utilized in a typewriter, computer printer or cash register, said universal ribbon re-inking apparatus including a ribbon, said ribbon further including a carrier having said ribbon wound thereon of left hand or right hand design comprising:
- (a) a base including an upper planar surface having therein a plurality of generally parallel-spaced channels parallel to a forward edge of said base;
- (b) ribbon drive means fixedly mounted proximate said forward edge;
- (c) means for supporting said carrier in a plane generally parallel to said upper planar surface, wherein said ribbon is extended from said carrier through said ribbon drive means, said means for supporting said carrier being releasably secured to said upper planar surface in a disposition within said plurality of generally parallel-spaced channels;
- (d) a take-up motor releasably secured to said planar surface in a disposition within said plurality of generally parallel-spaced channels, and having means for rotatably coupling a take-up spool of said carrier, as supported in said horizontal plane, with said ribbon extending from said carrier through said ribbon drive means and back to said take-up spool;
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- (e) means for applying ink to said ribbon, said means releasably secured proximate said upper planar surface and in contact with said ribbon extending from said carrier to said take-up spool.
Universal apparatus for re-inking a ribbon cartridge including a ribbon, said universal apparatus including a ribbon cartridge mounted thereon, wherein substantially all of said ribbon is wound around at least one spool with a portion of said ribbon extending in a continuous loop outside said cartridge for advancement past a printing element of a printing device, said cartridge further including a means for advancing said ribbon and said continuous loop past said printing element, comprising:
- (a) a base including four vertical edges defining the perimeter of an upper planar surface having therein a plurality of generally parallel-spaced channels extending generally parallel to a forward edge of said upper planar surface;
- (b) means for supporting said ribbon cartridge in a horizontal plane parallel to the normal path of advancement of said continuous loop, said supporting means being releasably secured at a location within said plurality of generally parallel-spaced channels;
- (c) a drive motor fixedly connected to said base and having drive means operably connected to said ribbon when said continuous loop is extended outward from said cartridge through said drive means for continuously pulling said ribbon out of said cartridge during re-inking;
- (d) a take-up motor releasably secured to said planar surface at a location within said plurality of generally parallel-spaced channels, said take-up motor having means for rotatably coupling to said means for advancing said ribbon on said cartridge, for rewinding ribbon advanced by said drive motor back into said cartridge;
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- (e) means for applying ink to said ribbon, said applying means releasably secured proximate said planar surface in contact with said ribbon at a point along said continuous loop outside said cartridge.
A universal ribbon re-inking distributor for applying ink to a ribbon, comprising:
- (a) a first vertically mounted hollow circular tube having an upper end and a lower end, said tube sealed on said lower end and further having a plurality of parallel vertically-spaced holes proximate said upper end;
- (b) a second vertically mounted hollow circular tube having an upper end and a lower end, said tube having a plurality of parallel vertically-spaced holes proximate said lower end at a plurality of locations spaced circumferentially around the tube, wherein the number of vertically-spaced holes is different at each circumferential location to vary the overall vertical length of each plurality of parallel vertically-spaced holes, wherein said second tube is inserted into said first tube to a point wherein the plurality of parallel vertically-spaced holes said first tube are aligned with said plurality of parallel vertically-spaced holes at each of said plurality of circumferential locations on said second tube upon rotating said second tube relative to said first tube to allow varying the vertical length of ink distribution from said means for applying ink.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.