Ribbon guide system for a line printer

摘要

A printer apparatus has a frame member supporting an endless revolving type band in alignment with a row of print hammers with a gap therebetween. Ribbon spools with ribbon wound thereon are rotatably supported in spool housings at either end and on opposite sides of the frame member. The spool housings each have a receptacle portion and a cover portion which enclose the spool. A gap in the spool houses enables the ribbon to extend between the housing and through the gap. The ink ribbon is guided through the gap in parallel with the row of hammers and at an angle to the print line by a set of guide pins on the cover of one spool housing and a set set of guide pins mounted on the frame member in proximity with the other spool housing. Both sets of guide pins engage the same side of the ink ribbon in a manner whereby touching the ribbon is not required to install or remove the ribbon from the printer apparatus. Individual drive motors for rotating the ribbon spools are mounted on the receptacles of the spool housings.