The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 04, 1994
Filed:
Jul. 29, 1992
Joseph T Wilson, III, Endicott, NY (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A re-inker mechanism is described for replenishing ink in a ribbon by increasing the contact force between an ink supply roller and a transfer roller as the weight of the ink supply roller decreases. This is accomplished by locating the transfer roller rotatably in a fixed position and locating the ink supply roller somewhat beneath the transfer roller on a support that is movable. A biasing force is attached to the ink supply roller to urge the ink supply roller against the transfer roller with a force sufficient to overcome the weight of the ink supply roller and to provide a predetermined contact force between the ink supply roller and the transfer roller, so that as the ink is used, the weight of the ink supply roller decreases and the contact force with the transfer roller increases.