Expandable chuck for thermal printing ribbon reel

摘要

A reel-to-reel assembly is provided. The reel-to-reel assembly includes, but is not limited to a supply spindle and a wind-up spindle. The supply spindle receives a supply reel having a length of ribbon wrapped around the supply reel. The wind-up spindle receives an initially empty wind-up reel. The wind-up spindle includes an adjustment mechanism for varying the outer diameter DO of the wind-up spindle from an initial outer diameter DOi to a final outer diameter DOf which is larger than the initial outer diameter DOi.

主权项

1. A reel-to-reel assembly, comprising:
a supply spindle which receives a supply reel having a length of ribbon wrapped around the supply reel; and a wind-up spindle which receives an initially empty wind-up reel and the wind-up spindle having an initial outer diameter DOi, a final outer diameter DOf which is larger than the initial outer diameter DOi, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the wind-up spindle includes an adjustment mechanism which includes an adjustment member positioned adjacent the first end of the wind-up spindle and moveable toward the second end of the wind-up spindle to vary the outer diameter DO of the wind-up spindle from the initial outer diameter DOi to the final outer diameter DOf; wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an expansion ring forming a slit and wrapped around a central shaft of the wind-up spindle, wherein the adjustment member provides axial pressure onto the expansion ring as the adjustment member moves toward the second end of the wind-up spindle, causing the expansion ring to expand in diameter; and wherein the adjustment member includes a threaded member for providing axial pressure onto the expansion ring.