Printer ink ribbon control

Abstract

A compact, lightweight printer capable of using multi-track ink ribbons that facilitates multicolor printing, without having a dedicated track switching drive system. The printer employs a printing track setting member that is activated by contact pressure from a print head carriage when it moves in one direction and vertically displaces a ribbon frame supporting the ribbon to one of several preselected heights with respect to the print head. The setting member is preferably made in the form of a setting lever with a drive end for interacting with the print head carriage and a setting end with a series of setting height stops that interact with the ribbon frame. Rotation of the setting lever places different setting level stops under the frame which varies its height accordingly. A printing track release member is also provided which is activated by contact pressure from the print head carriage when it moves in an opposite direction and raises the ribbon frame to disengage the track setting member and move the ribbon support frame to a new height. The track release member is preferably formed as a rotatable release shaft with drive end for interacting with the print head carriage and a release end with a lever extending under and toward the ribbon cassette. Rotation of the track release member shaft causes the lever to raise the ribbon frame accordingly.