Genicom Corp.

Printronix, Inc.

Paul W Snyder

Edward D Furrow

Fred O Stephens

Harry C Quick

James L Harlow

Frank A Ellis

Gerald A Bradfield

Thomas A Rogel

Paul J Morris

John P McAlister

Robert M Schooley

Ken A Boulanger

A motion detector comprising a rotator member having at least one radially positioned member and being mounted for rotation from at least a first position to at least a second position; a detector member, preferably a Hall Effect sensor; and a magnet producing a magnetic field; wherein, the radially positioned member is characterized by altering the magnetic flux of the magnetic field when it moves into and out of proximity to the magnet; and wherein the detector member detects the alteration of the magnetic flux. The motion detector is preferably used to detect the speed, type, position, presence, and absence of a printer ribbon cartridge.

Printer ribbon motion detection system

The ribbon cartridge includes a re-inker assembly having a pair of idler rollers defining a nip therebetween through which the print ribbon is advanced. The idler rollers have teeth intermeshing one with the other and with the print ribbon therebetween such that the idler rollers are positively driven when the ribbon is advanced. One of the idler rollers lies in contact with a re-inker roller or wick for transferring ink from the re-inker roller or wick to the print ribbon as the ribbon passes through the nip of the idler rollers.

Print ribbon cartridge with re-inker assembly

A printer cartridge includes exit and entrance arms for receiving and exiting ribbon from the cartridge in response to a drive mechanism whereby the ribbon passes from the exit arm to an entrance arm past a printhead. An oscillator is coupled to the ribbon drive mechanism and includes a cam carried by the cartridge engaging a cam lever pivotally carried by the cartridge. The lever bears against a printer support when the cartridge is disposed in the printer. When the drive mechanism advances the ribbon, the oscillator is also driven to pivot the cartridge about a longitudinal axis, thereby gradually locating upper and lower portions of the ribbon in registration with the printhead as the ribbon advances.

Oscillatory ribbon cartridge for a printer

A printer has one or more tractor sets for continuously feeding paper along first and second paper paths. One tractor set may be pivoted between positions for feeding paper from the front or bottom of the printer along the first paper path. Where one tractor set is used, it may be removed from the first feed path and disposed along the second paper path to feed paper along the second paper path for printing. Where two tractor sets are provided, the second set is disposed along the second paper path to feed the paper along the second path for printing. The tractor sets are detachable and usable in each of the three tractor set feed positions. Other features include eccentric bearings, resilient roller assemblies, an integrally molded mainframe and a cartridge assembly having a one-way ribbon advance clutch and a tensioning device before the mobius loop.

Printer and cartridge assembly therefor

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Waynesboro, VA, United States of America

Paul W Snyder