PRINTING RIBBON CARTRIDGE WITH FLEXIBLE RIBBON GUIDES

摘要

A ribbon cartridge in a movable print point printer remains stationary while the ribbon moves to and from the print point along a path of fixed length. The path length is established by a first flexible leader which extends from the cartridge to the print point and a second flexible leader which extends from the print point back to the cartridge. The cartridge includes a supply reel for storing ribbon before the ribbon advances to the movable print point and a take-up reel for storing ribbon after it returns from the movable print point. The flexible leader comprises a steel member having a transverse curvature for preventing the leaders from assuming a reverse curvature and maintaining a curvature of substantially constant radius.