JPH06238977A - Ink ribbon cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Lock the spool when not in use to prevent the ink ribbon from unintentionally being drawn out, and prevent it from being used unless the locked state is released. [Structure] Spool 1 around which an ink ribbon 23 is wound
5, 15 'and a case 2 formed by rotatably accommodating the spools 15, 15' and abutting upper and lower shell halves, which are exposed from the notches 13, 13 'formed in the lower shell half 7 of the case 2. Lock pins 14, 14 '
, 18 ', 18', 18 ', ... Of the engagement notches 18, 18', 18 ', 18', ... Of the flanges 17, 17 'of the spools 15, 15'.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel ink ribbon cartridge. Specifically, regarding the ink ribbon cartridge that rotatably stores the spool around which the ink ribbon is wound, the spool is locked when not in use to prevent the ink ribbon from being unintentionally drawn out. It is intended to provide a new ink ribbon cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink ribbon cartridge in which a spool around which an ink ribbon is wound is rotatably housed, it is necessary to prevent the spool from unintentionally rotating when not in use. However, the ink ribbon is unnecessarily paid out, and the end of the phrase is that the ink ribbon is torn or crunched, which makes it unusable.

Therefore, in order to prevent the spool from unintentionally rotating when not in use, measures have been conventionally made to disable the rotation.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional example of such a device.

In FIG. 7, a is an ink ribbon cartridge, b is its case, and both ends of the ink ribbon are fixed and wound in the cylindrical spool accommodating parts c and c'of the case b. The mounted substantially cylindrical spools d and d'are rotatably housed separately. And
Spool housings c, c'of the case b of the spools d, d '
At the end portion protruding from one end, there are formed connection recesses e, e'to which shafts such as a drive shaft of a device such as a printer are connected.

Reference numeral f denotes a spool stopper, which is a long plate-shaped main portion g made of synthetic resin having a slightly elastic property and locking portions h provided at both ends thereof so as to project in the same direction,
and h'are integrally formed. Then, the locking portion h,
h'is a number of plate-shaped locking pieces i, i, ..., I ', i', ... Arranged radially when the main part g is viewed in the plate thickness direction.
Consists of.

Then, the engaging portions h and h'of the spool stopper f are fitted into the connecting recesses e and e'of the spools d and d'in a light press fit manner.

Then, the coupling recesses e of the spools d, d ',
Since e'is formed with engaging projections j, j, ..., j ', j', ... for engaging with a shaft such as a drive shaft of the apparatus, the engaging projection j, j, ..., j ', j', ...
Are locking pieces i, i, ... of the spool stopper f
The rotation of the spools d, d'is prevented by engaging with i ', i', ....

When used, the locking portions h and h'of the spool stopper f may be pulled out from the coupling recesses e and e'of the spools d and d '.

FIG. 8 shows another example of a conventional device for preventing the spool from unintentionally rotating when not in use.

Reference numeral k denotes an elongated stopper seal, and an adhesive material is applied to both ends of one surface of the stopper seal to provide adhesive parts l and l '.
Are formed.

Therefore, when the ink ribbon cartridge a is not used, the adhesive parts l and l'of the stopper seal k are attached to the end faces m and m'projecting from the accommodating parts c and c'of the case b of the spools d and d '. To stick. As a result, the spools d and d'will not rotate inadvertently.

[0013]

However, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
Any of these means must be formed as a member separate from the ink ribbon cartridge a, and there is a problem in that material costs and a production process for that amount are additionally required.

Further, the spool stopper f and the stopper seal 1 become unnecessary after the ink ribbon cartridge a is mounted in a device such as a printer, and there is a problem that they are discarded and become dust.

[0015]

In order to solve the above problems, an ink ribbon cartridge of the present invention comprises a spool around which an ink ribbon is wound and a case in which the spool is rotatably housed. A lock pin that can be broken off is formed integrally with the case in the spool housing portion, and an engagement portion that engages with the lock pin is formed in the spool.

[0016]

Therefore, in the ink ribbon cartridge of the present invention, since the lock pin for locking the spool is formed integrally with the case, there is an advantage that a separate component for locking the spool is unnecessary. Since the lock pin is formed on the case so that it can be broken, the lock on the spool can be easily released by breaking the lock pin.

[0017]

The details of the ink ribbon cartridge of the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

FIGS. 1 and 4 show a first embodiment of the ink ribbon cartridge of the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 in the drawing denotes an ink ribbon cartridge.

Reference numeral 2 is a case, and two spool accommodating portions 3 and 3'having a substantially cylindrical shape are provided with connecting portions 4 near both ends thereof.
4 ', they are integrally formed of synthetic resin in a state of being spaced apart from each other and aligned in parallel in a state of being connected by 4', and one end is opened by circular openings 5 and 5, and the other end is closed.

The case 2 as described above is formed by joining upper and lower shell halves 6, that is, upper and lower shell halves 6 and 7, which are divided into upper and lower halves.

Slits 8 and 8'extending in the axial direction are formed on both side walls of the spool housing portions 3 and 3 ', which are opposite to each other, leaving both ends.

On the front end side (the side having the openings 5, 5 of the spool accommodating parts 3, 3'to the front side of the inner surfaces of the spool accommodating parts 3, 3 '. The same applies when the orientation is shown below) The ridges 9 and 9'protrude around the entire circumference at close positions.

The lower half portion 3a of the spool storage portion 3, 3 ',
As shown in FIG. 2, the spool storage portions 3 and 3'are provided at 3a '.
Spool support walls 11, 11 'and 12, 12' are sequentially formed at intervals from the rear walls 10, 10 'toward the front, and the spool support walls 11, 11', 12, 1 are formed.
Bearing recesses 11a, 11'a and 1 are provided at the center of the upper edge of 2 '.
2a and 12'a are formed.

Numerals 13 and 13 'are notches formed at the rear end side of the lower shell half 7 on the side wall surfaces of the spool accommodating portions 3 and 3'opposite each other, and the rear edges of the notches 13 and 13' are. , Located in front of the front spool support walls 12, 12 '.

The lower edges of the notches 13 and 13 'are located slightly above the lower ends of the spool accommodating portions 3 and 3', and the upper edges reach the slits 8 and 8 '.

Lock pins 14, 14 'are provided on the front surfaces of the spool support walls 12, 12' so as to project therefrom. The lock pins 14, 14 'are, as shown in FIG. Of the spool support walls 12, 12 'formed in the lower half portions 3a, 3'a, the protrusions are provided forward from the vicinity of the notches 13 and 13'. The lock pins 14, 1
The diameter of 4'is made smaller than the width of the engaging notch formed on the flange of the spool, which will be described later, and the length thereof is notch 13,1
It is shorter than the front-back width of 3 '.

Further, the lock pins 14 and 14 'are notched 1
It is located slightly inside the outer opening edges of 3, 13 '.

Numerals 15 and 15 'are spools having a substantially cylindrical shape, and flanges 16 and 1 having a small protruding amount are provided at two positions, that is, a position near one end to a certain extent from one end and a position near the other end.
6 ', and flanges 17 and 17' with a large amount of protrusion are integrally provided.

Engagement notches 18, 18, ..., 18 ', 18', are formed on the peripheral edges of the rear flanges 17, 17 '.
... are formed.

The supported shafts 19 and 19 'each having a large-diameter portion 19a, 19'a having a large diameter in the first half and a small-diameter portion 19b, 19'b having a small diameter in the latter half are provided at the center of the rear end surfaces of the spools 15, 15'.
Is projected.

The above-described spools 15 and 15 'are rotatably accommodated in the spool accommodating portions 3 and 3'of the case 2, and the front flanges 16 and 16' are protruded from the spool accommodating portions 3 and 3 '. It is located inside the strips 9 and 9'to prevent the spools 15 and 15 'from falling out of the case 2, and the supported shafts 19 and 19' formed at the rear ends of the spools 15 and 15 '. The large diameter portions 19a and 19'a and the small diameter portions 19b and 19'b are respectively the spool support wall 1
Bearing recesses 11a, 11 'of 1, 11' and 12, 12 '
located in a and 12a, 12'a, the spool 15,
The rear end of 15 'is supported.

Front flange 1 of spools 15 and 15 '
The parts 20, 20 'from 6, 16' to the front end are driven parts.

The driven parts 20, 20 'are formed with connecting recesses 21, 21' which are opened at the front end faces thereof, and the engaging projections extending in the axial direction are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the connecting recesses 21, 21 '. Two
2, 22, ... Are arrayed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction.

When the ink ribbon cartridge 1 is mounted on a device such as a printer, the drive shaft (not shown) of the device drives the driven parts 20, 20 'of the spools 15, 15'.
Are connected to the connecting recesses 21 and 21 'in a fitting manner.

Reference numeral 23 is an ink ribbon, both ends of which are fixedly attached to the spools 15 and 15 ', and the spool 1 on the supply side.
Most of them are wound around 5. Further, the portion of the ink ribbon 23 located between the spools 15 and 15 'is exposed to the outside through the slits 8 and 8'of the spool housing portions 3 and 3'.

Then, the spools 15 and 15 'are placed in the lower half portions 3a and 3'a of the spool accommodating portions 3 and 3'formed on the lower shell half 7. At this time, the lock pins 14 and 14 'are simultaneously engaged with the engagement notches 18 and 18' formed in the rear flanges 17 and 17 'of the spools 15 and 15'. Then spool 1 of upper shell half 6
The ink ribbon cartridge 1 is formed by joining the two shell halves 6 and 7 so as to cover the 5, 15 '.

As described above, the lock pins 14, 14 '
Is engaged with the engagement notches 18 and 18 'formed in the rear flanges 17 and 17' of the spools 15 and 15 ', the spools 15 and 15' are locked so as not to rotate inadvertently.

When the ink ribbon cartridge 1 is used, the lock pins 14 and 14 'are attached to the case 2 at their base ends.
The spools 15 and 15 'can be rotated by breaking them off, so that the ink ribbon cartridge 1 can be attached to the apparatus and used.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the second embodiment 1A of the ink ribbon cartridge of the present invention.

The ink ribbon cartridge 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the ink ribbon cartridge 1 according to the first embodiment only in the shape of the lock pin, and in other respects the first embodiment. Since it is the same as the ink ribbon cartridge 1 according to the example, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the detailed description will be given. Is omitted.

Reference numerals 24 and 24 'are lock pins, and grooves 26 and 26' extending in the circumferential direction are formed in the base end portions 25 and 25 'of the lock pins 24 and 24'. Then, by forming the grooves 26, 26 ', the lock pin 2
The base end portions 25, 25 'of 4, 24' are fragile portions.

When using the ink ribbon cartridge 1A in which the lock pins 24 and 24 'are provided in a protruding manner, the lock pins 24 and 24' can be easily broken, and the lock pins 24 and 24 'can be surely broken at their base end portions. Since burrs are unlikely to occur after breaking off, the flange 1 on the rear side of the spool 15, 15 '
There is no burr on 7, 17 'to prevent the rotation.

[0044]

As is apparent from the above description, the ink ribbon cartridge of the present invention comprises the spool around which the ink ribbon is wound and the case in which the spool is rotatably housed. An engaging portion for engaging a breakable lock pin is formed on the portion.

Therefore, in the ink ribbon cartridge of the present invention, since the member for locking the spool is formed integrally with the case, there is an advantage that a separate component for locking the spool is unnecessary.

In the second embodiment, as an example in which the base end portion of the lock pin of the ink ribbon cartridge of the present invention is weakened, a groove is formed all around the base end portion of the lock pin. Although shown, the range in which the groove is formed is not limited to the entire circumference of the base end portion of the lock pin, and may be a half circumference or less. The groove may be formed so that

Further, the specific structure and shape are merely examples of the embodiment in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limitedly interpreted by these. It does not happen.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the ink ribbon cartridge of the present invention together with FIGS. 2 to 4, and is a perspective view seen from below.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged main part.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the ink ribbon cartridge of the present invention together with FIG. 6, and this figure is an enlarged perspective view of a main part.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom view of the main part.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional means for locking a spool.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another example of a conventional means for locking a spool.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Ink Ribbon Cartridge 2 Case 3, 3'Spool Storage 6 Upper Shell Half 7 Lower Shell Half 13, 13 'Notch 14, 14' Lock Pin 15, 15 'Spool 17, 17' Flange 18, 18 'Engagement Notch ( Engagement part) 23 Ink ribbon 1A Ink ribbon cartridge 24, 24 'Lock pin 25, 25' Base end part 26, 26 'Weak part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A spool around which an ink ribbon is wound,
A case in which the spool is rotatably accommodated, and a foldable lock pin is integrally formed with the case in a spool accommodating portion of the case, and an engaging portion that engages with the lock pin is formed in the spool. Characteristic ink ribbon cartridge. 2. An engagement notch is formed in an outer peripheral edge of a flange provided to limit a ribbon winding area of a spool,
The ink ribbon cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the engaging notch is an engaging portion. 3. The case is formed in such a manner that two upper and lower shell halves are butted against each other and two substantially cylindrical spool accommodating portions are arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the axis thereof so as to be spaced apart from each other. The ink ribbon according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply spool and the take-up spool, which are separately fastened and wound, are individually rotatably accommodated in the spool accommodating portion. cartridge. 4. The lock pin projecting from the case has a fragile portion at the base end portion thereof.
Alternatively, the ink ribbon cartridge according to claim 3.