# US 5,342,131 A · Tension balancer device for ink ribbon > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,342,131 A - Document ID: US5342131A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/047,275 - Filed: 1993-04-19 - Granted: 1994-08-30 - Earliest claimed: 1992-04-24 - Assignees: Sony Corporation - Inventors: Takeshi Nakajima; Kazuhide Shiratori; Masahiro Uehara - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5342131A ## CPC - B41J 35/08: with tensioning arrangements - B41J 17/24: Webs supplied from reels or spools attached to the machine - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A tension balancer is disclosed for an ink ribbon adapted for a printer for thermally transferring an image onto the printing paper while moving the ink ribbon together with the printing paper, the printer including: a platen for moving a piece of printing paper wound around the platen; and a thermal head for pressingly contacting the ink ribbon, interposed between a supply reel and a take-up reel, against the printing paper on an outer circumference of the platen. The tension balancer contacts at its end face with the ink ribbon over a full width of the ink ribbon for applying tension to the ink ribbon. The tension balancer is substantially in the form of a plate. At least one projection may be provided on the end face of the tension balancer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tension device for an ink ribbon adapted for a printer for thermally transferring an image onto the printing paper while moving the ink ribbon together with the printing paper, said printer including: a platen for moving a piece of printing paper wound around the platen; and a thermal head for pressingly contacting the ink ribbon, interposed between a supply reel and a take-up reel, against the printing paper on an outer circumference of the platen; said tension device comprising: a tension applying means contacting at its end face with said ink ribbon over a full width of said ink ribbon for applying tension to said ink ribbon, said tension applying means being substantially in the form of a plate; wherein at least one projection is provided on said end face of said tension applying means, and said tension applying means is supported rotatably about a pivot axis, arranged on a transversal center of said ink ribbon, which extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to said ink ribbon. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tension device according to claim 1, wherein said projection includes two projections arranged at the same distance from a transveral center of the ink ribbon on said tension applying means. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tension device according to claim 1, wherein said tension applying means is interposed between said platen and said take-up reel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tension device according to claim 1, wherein said tension applying means is provided on said thermal head. ### Claim 5 A tension balancer for an ink ribbon adapted for a printer for thermally transferring an image onto the printing paper while moving the ink ribbon together with the printing paper, said printer including: a platen for moving a piece of printing paper wound around the platen; and a thermal head for pressingly contacting the ink ribbon, interposed between a supply reel and a take-up reel, against the printing paper on an outer circumference of the platen; said tension balancer comprising: means for balancing transversal tension of said ink ribbon, said tension balancing means being interposed between said platen and said take-up reel, said tension balancing means including: a ribbon balancer which is brought into contact with said ink ribbon over its full width; and a pivot disposed on a transveral center of said ink ribbon for rotatably supporting said ribbon balancer in a direction substantially perpendicular to said ink ribbon. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The tension balancer according to claim 5, wherein said ribbon balancer is provided on said thermal head. ### Claim 7 A tension device for an ink ribbon adapted for a printer for thermally transferring an image onto the printing paper while moving the ink ribbon together with the printing paper, said printer including: a platen for moving a piece of printing paper wound around the platen; and a thermal head for pressingly contacting the ink ribbon, interposed between a supply reel and a take-up reel, against the printing paper on an outer circumference of the platen; said tension device comprising: means for balancing transversal tension of said ink ribbon, said tension balancing means being interposed between said platen and said take-up reel, said balancing means being brought into contact at its front face with said ink ribbon over its full width; and a pivot disposed on a transveral center of said ink ribbon for rotatably supporting said ribbon balancer in a direction substantially perpendicular to said ink ribbon; wherein at least one projection is provided on said end face of said tension balancing means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The tension device according to claim 7, wherein said tension balancing means is supported rotatably about said pivot, arranged on a transveral center of said ink ribbon, in a direction substantially perpendicular to said ink ribbon. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The tension device according to claim 7, wherein said projection includes two projections arranged at the same distance from a transveral center of the ink ribbon on said tension applying means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The tension device according to claim 7, wherein said tension applying means is interposed between said platen and said take-up reel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The tension device according to claim 7, wherein said tension balancing means is provided on said thermal head.