US539683A - Ribbon mechanism for type-writers - Google Patents

Description

(N0 Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 1.

W. R. JOHNS.

RIBBON MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITERS. No. 539,683. Patented May 21, 1895.

v I c iv UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

WILL R. JOHNS, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

RIBBON MECHANISM FOR TYPE-WRITERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 539,683, dated May 21, 1895.

Application fi January 14, 1895. Serial No. 534,910- (No model.)

To all whom it mag concern.-

Be it known that I, WILL R. JOHNS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ribbon Mechanism for Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The object ofthis invention is to construct a ribbon mechanism for typewriting machines in which an endless ribbon is employed and thereby obviating thenecessity of reversing the ribbon when one end has been reached.

The further object of this invention'is to provide a receptacle-for holding the ribbon and means for moving the ribbon across the typewriter in proper position to be operated upon bytype-bars and for placing the ribbon in the receptacle at one point and drawing it out at another point only sufficient ribbon being outside of the receptacle to reach from the outlet point of the receptacle around the machine to the inlet point.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an isometrical representation of the frame of a Remington standard type-writer to which my improvements have been applied. Fig. 2 is a' transverse section of the same. Fig. 3 is a left-hand end view. Fig. 4 is an isometrical section of the ribbon-receptacle. Fig. 5 is an isometrical representation of the guide for the ribbon located beneath the type-writer and supported thereby.

In illustrating my improvements I have shown them attached to the frame of a Remington standard type-writer, such frame being no part of my invention.

In the construction of typewriters employing a ribbon so far as known to me two spools have been employed, one located on each side of the machine, and during the printing process the ribbon is unwound from one spool onto the other spool, the ends of the ribbon having a connection at its ends with its respective spools, and when the end of the rib- Don has been reached in one direction, the mechanism imparting movement to the spools is shifted, reversing the direction of the movement of the ribbon, this reversing movement taking place as either end of the ribbon is reached and this application is to overcome this reversing movement, and allow the ribbon a continuous movement in one direction.

As my improvement as shown and applied to the Remington typewriter it will be necessary to describe such parts thereof as will make the operation of my improvement clear.

At the left-hand end of the machine is supported a shaft 1, upon which is locatedaspool 2, having a rotatable connection therewith through the usual feather connection, and capable of sliding in its lengthwise direction. Upon its shaft is secured a ratchet wheel 3, and a casing 4, carrying a volute spring. dog 5, has a connection with the casing and engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel. This casing has a connection with the paper carriage so that the spring will draw the carriage in one direction, also impart an intermittent rotary movement to the shaft 1, through the ratchet wheel, and upon moving the carriage to its starting position the dog will again engage the ratchet wheel.

The ribbon receptacle consists of the sides v 6, and bottom 7. The top has an inclined portion 8, and a curved portion 9, separated at the centerof the receptacle. The bottom has an opening 10. To the sides of the receptacle are secured supports 11, having their upper ends perforated, and spring supports 12, are also secured to the sides. From the lower ends of the sides extend plates 13. This receptacle is supported upon the shaft 1, by the shaft passing through the perforated upper ends of the supports 11, in such position that the ends of the spool will be outside of the receptacle and the curved portion 9, of the top will lie in contact with the center portion of the spool. The springs 12, support a roller 14, and hold it yieldingly in contact with the center of the spool as shown at Fig. 2.

The bars 15, of the frame of the typewriter support a guide for the ribbon, consisting of the box portion 16, having clamps 17, rising therefrom, having their upper ends bent. One end of the box has a portion 18, of its top removed and extends beyond the clamp of that end. This guide is located beneath the frame of the typewriter and is held in place by the clamps embracing the upper face of the bars 15, of the frame, and is so located that the lower end of the ribbon receptacle will overlie the cutaway portion 18.

To the right hand side of the machine is supported a spool 19, which is free at all times to rotate, and acts as a guide for the ribbon.

With the parts assembled as shown in the drawings the ribbon is passed through the receptacle, and the guide beneath the machine, and over the machine in proper position to be operated upon by the type-bars. When the ends of the ribbon are secured by sewing or by adhesion, the surplus ribbon may be run into the receptacle by a movement of the paper carriage until itwill appear as shown at Fig. 2 in which it will be seen that the ribbon in the receptacle lies in folds, and as it is forced by the roller 14, and shaft 2, the bottom folds will be drawn out, thereby keeping the same quantity of ribbon in the receptacle at all times, and in use the folds will be much closer than is shown in the drawings.

In use the spool 2, is caused to rotate step by step as the paper carriage moves across the machine which will draw the ribbon across the machine. As the receptacle is supported upon the same shaft that supports the spool 2, the spool and receptacle can be adjusted in unison in the direction of the length of the shaft to present new ribbon surface to the type, and the guide is made wide enough to accommodate this adjustment, and the plates 13, protect the open upper surface of the guide from dust. I have attached a crank 20,

to the shaft 1, by means of which it may be By this arrotated to draw in a new ribbon.

rangeinent an endless ribbon is employed which will do away with all of the shafting and gearing now employed to do the shifting of the ribbon.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a typewriting machine, an endless ribbon, a receptacle, containing the greater portion of the ribbon and means for moving the ribbon, and causing it to enter the receptacle at one point and drawing it-out at another point.

2. In a typewriting machine, an endless ribbon, a receptacle, containing the greater portion of the ribbon and means for moving the ribbon and causingit'to enter the receptacle, the receptacle made adjustable in the direction of the width of the ribbon.

3. In a typewriting machine, an endless ribbon, a spool having an intermittent rotary movement, a receptaclecontainin g the greater portion of the ribbon, a roller held in a yield ing manner against the spool, and means for rotating the spool causing the ribbon to enter the receptacle at one point and drawing it out atanother point.

4. In a typewriting machine, an endless ribbon, a spool having an intermittent rotary movement, a receptacle containing the greater portion of the ribbon, a roller held in a yielding manner against the spool, the opposite on d of the receptacle having an opening through which the ribbon is drawn.

YVILL R. JOHNS.

\Vitnesses:

A. O. BEHEL,' E. BEHEL.

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