US3785288A

US3785288A - Ink roll cartridge

Info

Publication number: US3785288A
Application number: US00159811A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Hunter
Original assignee: Decision Data Corp
Current assignee: IIS Inc
Priority date: 1971-07-06
Filing date: 1971-07-06
Publication date: 1974-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-15
Also published as: FR2145250A5; IT962439B; DE2232862A1; CA935036A; GB1376967A; BR7204397D0; JPS5540432B1

Abstract

A cartridge for an ink roll is disclosed comprising a pair of cylindrical casing or shell elements each of which has a cylindrical side wall and end walls. The ink roll is encased within the two cylindrical elements which are nested together and mounted for limited relative rotation with respect to one another. Each cylindrical element has an opening in the side wall. The openings are out of registry with one another thereby sealing the cartridge and preventing contact with the ink roll when the cylindrical elements are in a first position. Upon relative rotation of the elements to a second position the openings are in registry so that a portion of the ink roll is exposed for contact by a printing member. A releasable fitting, for example of the bayonet type is provided on the end wall of one of the casing elements. Upon rotation of the other casing element to lock the bayonet fitting the two casing elements are caused to rotate relative to one another to expose the ink roll. Relative rotation of the casing elements in the opposite direction effects release of the bayonet fitting and movement of the casing elements to close the cartridge. Also disclosed are mounting means for moving the cartridge toward and away from the printing members.

Description

United States Patent 1 Hunter [451 Jail. 15, 1974 INK ROLL CARTRIDGE [75] Inventor: Alexander Hunter, Chalfont, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Decision Data Corporation,

Warminster, Pa.

22 Filed: July 6,1971

21 Appl. No.: 159,811

[52] US. Cl. 101/348, 101/103 [51] Int. Cl. B4lf l/46, B4lf 31/24, B4lf 31/32 [58] Field of Search 101/349, 328, 329,

Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-William Pieprz Attorney-Andrew Klein et a1.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT A cartridge for an ink roll is disclosed comprising a pair of cylindrical casing or shell elements each of which has a cylindrical side wall and end walls. The ink roll is encased within the two cylindrical elements which are nested together and mounted for limited relative rotation with respect to one another. Each cylindrical element has an opening in the side wall. The openings are out of registry with one another thereby sealing the cartridge and preventing contact with the ink roll when the cylindrical elements are in a first position. Upon relative rotation of the elements to a second position the openings are in registry so that a portion of the ink roll is exposed for contact by a printing member. A releasable fitting, for example of the bayonet type is provided on the end wall of one of the casing elements. Upon rotation of the other casing element to lock the bayonet fitting the two casing elements are caused to rotate relative to one another to expose the ink roll. Relative rotation of the casing elements in the opposite direction effects release of the bayonet fitting and movement of the casing elements to close the cartridge. Also disclosed are mounting means for moving the cartridge toward and away from the printing members.

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEBJM 15 I974 SHEET 1 BF 3 IINVENTOR. Q4 Ex H FR ATTORNEYS PAYENTEDJAN 15 I874 SHEET 3 [1F 3 INVENTOR.

v T R N m W An INK ROLL CARTRIDGE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to printing devices and more particularly to a cartridge for an ink dispensing roll which is adapted for applying ink to type carrying printing elements used for example in high speed printers and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional ink rolls of the kind used for ink printing cylinders or elements of data processing printers or the like are practically impossible to install without physical contact with the ink roll itself with the result that the person doing the job ends up with ink-stained fingers. This is irritating to the worker, and often results in messy work product, stained clothing or the like due to contact with the ink roll or ink-stained fingers.

Although cartridges for typewriter ribbons, for example of the kind shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,986,260, have been provided to make it possible for the typist to easily mount the typewriter ribbon on a typewriter without touching the ribbon, to the best of my knowledge, a suitable cartridge has not been devised for printer ink rolls. This despite the fact that the porous ink rolls store a large quantity of ink and are far more likely to cause a mess when the ink roll is being replaced.

With the foregoing in view, an important object of this invention is the provision of a cartridge structure for ink rolls used for inking the type characters on a printing member.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an ink roll cartridge promoting cleanliness and permitting changing of ink rolls when the supply of ink in the roll in use is exhausted. I

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cartridge comprising a pair of movable casing elements which are adapted to be moved relatively to one another to a position in which the ink roll is exposed when the cartridge is fastened in place in the printer and to a position in which the ink roll is covered as the cartridge is removed from the printer.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of novel mounting means for mounting a disposable ink cartridge on a printer.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

In summary, the above and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a structure which comprises a pair of relatively rotatable interfitting casing elements each of which has an opening in its side wall and within which an ink roll is rotatably mounted. The casing elements are adapted to be relatively moved from a first position in which the openings in the side wall are out of registry thereby covering the entire ink roll to a second position in which the openings are in registry thereby exposing the surface of the ink roll so that it can be pressed into contact with a type carrying printing element. 7

Preferably the cartridge is mounted on a support member which is pivotally movable toward and away from the printing element. Releasable locking means are provided for the cartridge which require relative movement of the cartridge elements to the position in which the openings are in registry in order to effect locking of the cartridge on its mount. Movement of the cartridge to release it from the support member involves moving the openings out of registry so that the ink roll is covered.

In the drawings:

FIG. II is a plan view, partly in section, taken as indicated by the line 1-1 of FIG. 3 with the ink roll cartridge in the position in which the ink roll is exposed and in contact with a print head;

FIG. 2 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 with the cartridge pivoted away from the print head and the casing parts in the position in which the ink roll is covered but with the parts of the bayonet coupling not yet interconnected.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view with the ink roll cartridge shown in section as taken on the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section taken as indicated by the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail elevational view of the elements in position in which the ink roll is exposed;

. FIG. 6 is a detail elevational view of the cartridge in the position in which the ink roll is covered;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of various parts of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a detail plan view of the pivotal cartridge support element;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the block on which the cartridge support is pivotally mounted; and

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the stop member which limits the pivotal movement of the parts.

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 through 6 which illustrate various aspects of a cartridge incorporating the principles of the present invention. As is best shown in these Figures, the cartridge comprises a pair of casing or

shell elements

20 and 21. As shown in the drawings these shell elements are typically of cylindrical shape, each element being provided with a cylindrical side wall and end walls. Casing element 21 is slightly smaller in diameter than the casing element 20 so that it fits within that element with sufficient clearance so that the elements are readily rotatable with respect to one another. Each of the

elements

20 and 21 has an opening or window identified by the

numbers

20a and 210 respectively located in its side wall. An ink roll 22 described more fully hereinafter is housed within the cartridge comprising the

casing elements

20 and 21.

Means are provided, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 for limiting the amount of relative rotation of the two casing elements. In the illustrative embodiment, this means simply comprises a pair of slots 23 in the casing element 20 and pins 24 which ride in the slots. For convenience in manufacture, the Pins 24 may be molded integrally in the casing elment 21. The slots thus define the limits of rotation of the two casing elements. In the position of the parts shown in FIG. 6, the pin 24 shown in full lines is at the left hand end of its slot 23 and

openings

20a and 210 are out of registry. In the position shown in FIG. 5, the pin 24 shown in full lines is at the right hand end of its slot 23 and the

openings

20a and 21 are in registry.

Preferably, the slots 23 are inclined slightly so that when the casing elements are rotated to the position in which the openings are in registry, element 20 is raised slightly relatively to element 21. As can be seen in the drawings the element 20 is provided with an interior boss 25. In the position of the parts shown in FIG. 6, boss 25 bears against the side of the ink roll, holding it against movement when the openings are covered. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the openings are in registry so that the ink roll is exposed, the boss moves upward sufficiently to permit rotational movement of the ink roll.

Preferably the ends of slots 23 are provided with

small notches

26 and 27, the notch 26 extending downwardly from the slot and notch 27 extending upwardly therefrom. As can be seen in FIGS. and 6 the notches hold the parts against inadvertent rotational movement when the pin rests in one or the other of them. In order to move the housing parts from the position of FIG. 6

to the position to FIG. 5 the parts must be compressed slightly to move pins 24 out of the notches they are resting in. To return the housing parts to the position where the openings are out of registry, housing element is lifted slightly and then rotated.

As can be understood upon reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, the cartridge is adapted to cooperate with a printing head or cylinder 28. The head 28 is typically comprised of a plurality of type carrying printing elements 29. Elements 29 are located on a shaft 30 which is journaled on a support 31 bolted to a base 32. A pulley 33 is secured to the shaft and rotates the printing elements by virtue of a belt drive. A portion of the belt is shown at 34 in FIG. 1 through 3. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above printing mechanism is of conventional design, this portion of the mechanism being described by way of background for illustrative purposes only.

The supporting apparatus for the ink cartridge will next be described. The cartridge is mounted on a cartridge support member 35 best shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 7 and 8. Cartridge support member 35 is provided with an axial bore 36 (FIG. 4). A shaft 37 is journaled for rotation within the bore by means of bearings 38. A spacer 39 is mounted on the shaft between the bearings 38, the spacer being held in place by a retainer ring 40 which fits within a groove in the bore 36. A pair of machine screws 41 are threadedly secured to the support member 35 on either side of the lower bearing 38. Washers 42 beneath the heads of the machine screws 41 overlap the bearing thereby locking it in place.

A fitting 44 on which the ink roll is mounted is secured to the upper end of shaft 37. Fitting 44 is slotted as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 so as to be separated into four yieldable pieces 44a. The ends of pieces 44a flare outwardly and then are cut away. A seat 44b on which the ink roll rests when it is properly positioned on fitting 44 is located beneath the yieldable pieces 44a.

As seen in FIG. 3, the cartridge element 21 is provided with a shaft receiving opening surrounded by a neck or sleeve 45. In FIG. 3, the ink roll cartridge is shown mounted on the fitting 44 with the ink roll hub resting on seat 44b and the flared portion 44a extending beyond the hub so the ink roll is held in place.

Sleeve 45 carries a releasable coupling element locking the cartridge on the cartridge support. As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 a bayonet type coupling is provided including slot 46 which extends vertically and then horizontally as the parts are oriented in the drawings. A pin 47 which fits within the slot extends radially from the cartridge support. Immediately beneath the pin 47 is mounted a spring washer 48.

In order to seucre the cartridge on the cartridge support member 35, the cartridge is pressed downwardly with the parts positioned so that the pin is aligned with the vertical part of slot 46. The cartridge is moved downwardly until the pin reaches the end of the vertical portion of the slot and the cartridge is then rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 by turning the casing element 20. This moves the pin into the horizontal portion of the slot and at the same time moves casing element 20 relative to element 21 thereby exposing the ink roll. In the preferred embodiment when the cartridge is in position so that the pin is able to enter the horizontal portion of the slot 46, spring washer 48 presses upwardly on the sleeve 45 thereby holding the pin in a notch at the end of the horizontal portion of the slot thereby locking the parts in place. When the parts of the bayonet fitting are coupled in the manner just described, the pins 24 in casing elements 21 rest in the notches. 27 in slots 23 so that the casing parts are also locked in position.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cartridge support member 35 is pivotally mounted so that it can move the ink roll toward and away from the type carrying printing elements 29. To that end the support member 35 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 50 (see especially FIG. 7) which is secured to a pivot block 51. Block 51 is also provided with a boss 52 and a threaded bore 53 extending upwardly centrally of the boss. A retaining ring or washer 54 holds the cartridge support member on shaft 50. A bolt 55 which fits through a hole in base 32 secures the pivot block in place.

Preferably, means are provided for limiting movement of the cartridge support member between a position in which it is yieldably held against the printing head and a position in which it is away from the printing head, the latter position being termed the loading position. For this purpose, a stop member 56 shown in detail in FIG. 10 is mounted on the boss 52 for limited movement with respect to the pivot block 51.

Stop member 56 is provided with a pair of

upright arms

57 and 58. Arm 57 carries a set screw 57a which bears against the block 51 when the parts are in the printing position as shown in FIG. 1. Arm 58 fits within a slot 59 in the cartridge support member 35 as can be best seen perhaps in FIG. 2. A spring 60 is mounted within a transversely extending bore 61 located in member 35 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2. The end of the spring bears against the arm 58 and functions to yieldingly urge the cartridge support member in the clockwise direction relatively to the stop member as the parts are viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Detent means serves to hold the cartridge support member and the stop member in the loading position and also in the position in which the ink roll is firmly held against the printing cylinder. Preferably, the detent means comprises a spring loaded ball which is mounted in the pivot block 5] and is shown in broken lines at 62 in FIG. 3. Detent ball 62 is adapted to fit in one of a plurality of detent holes 63 located in the upper surface of the stop member 56. When the cartridge is moved to the loading position, the cartridge support member and the stop member are rotated in the counterclockwise direction relatively to the pivot block 51 and when the detent ball 62 drops into a detent hole 63 the parts are yieldably held in that position. Pressure to move the support member 35 in the clockwise direction is transmitted to the stop member 56 because the arm 35a bears directly against the arm 58. Relative rotation of the stop member thus takes place until the detent ball 62 slips into the next detent hole 63. The set screw 57a limits the movement of the stop member relatively to the pivot block 51. By adjusting the set screw, the stop member is freed to move a further amount in the clockwise direction so that the detent ball can move into the next detent hole 63, thereby more firmly pressing the print roller against the printing elements of the printing head if that is desired.

Print roll 22 is typically an ink filled porous member, a suitable roll for the purpose being available from S. C. Johnson & Sons Comapny and sold under the trademark PORLON. Other rolls made, for example, of porous nylon, polyvinylchloride and the like may also be employed.

When it becomes necessary to replace a cartridge, the ink roll is pivoted away from the position in which it is in contact with the print head by swinging the cartridge in the counterclockwise direction from the position shown in FlG. l to that shown in FIG. 2. Detent ball 62 locks it in this position when it drops into the appropriate detent hole in stop member 56. The cartridge element is now rotated in the counterclockwise direction relative to the element 21 and this motion covers the spent ink roll and simultaneously moves the pin of the bayonet coupling out of the horizontal portion of the slot. The cartridge can now be simply pulled off the support and discarded.

A new cartridge is installed with the parts shown in FIG. 2 by pressing the new cartridge down onto the upstanding portion of shaft 37 with the pin 47 in registry with vertical portion of slot 46. The entire cartridge is rotated by rotating cartridge element 20 in the clockwise direction. This motion locks the cartridge on the support member and moves the

openings

20a and 21a into registry so that the ink roll is exposed for contact with the printing head. Pivotal movement of the cartridge support member about the shaft 50 by pressing on the cartridge, moves the ink roll into contact with the printing head.

It can be seen from the foregoing that a simple, clean and efficient handling of ink rolls for printing elements is provided for by the use of my invention. Physical contact with the ink roll is eliminated as is the mess caused by handling the ink rolls. Further, an ink roll is not likely to be left exposed on a desk or machine top where it can stain equipment or papers because the removal of the cartridge from the printer requires that the operator close the cartridge.

I claim:

1. A replaceable cartridge for an inkfilled porous member device wherein the cartridge is adapted to be mounted on a cooperating mounting member, said cartridge comprising a nested pair of easing elements within which the porous member is encased, the casing elements being mounted for relative rotation with respect to one another, the casing elements having side walls providing for substantially complete enclosure of the porous member when one casing element is rotated in one direction relatively to the other to a first position and for exposure of the porous member for contact by a type carrying member when the casing elements are relatively rotated opposite to said one direction to a second position, releasable mounting means on one of said casing elements being connectible and disconnectible with respect to the mounting member, and means interconnecting said casing elements for causing rotation of the mounting means to effect connection of the mounting means to the mounting member upon relative movement of the casing elements to the second position and for causing rotation of the mounting means to effect disconnection from the mounting member upon relative movement of the casing elements to the first position.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1 herein said releasable mounting means comprises a twist lock device and wherein relative rotation of said cartridge elements to the position in which the openings are in registry and the porous member exposed, effects locking of said twist lock device.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said elements is fitted with a releasable twist lock device for mounting said roll in a position of use, and wherein relative rotation of casing element to the position in which said openings are in registry effects locking of the twist lock device.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the casing elements are of cylindrical shape.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said porous member is mounted for rotation within said casing elements.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means interconnecting said casing elements comprises a slot extending in a generally circumferential direction in the wall of one element and a pin projecting from the wall of the other element into the slot in the wall of said one element.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said slot is inclined in a direction which causes relative axial separation of the two casing elements when the casing elements are in the second position, said porous member being clamped by the casing elements when the casing elements are in the first position and being free for rotational movement within the casing when the casing elements are in the second position.

8. For use with a printer having a type carrying member, a replaceable cartridge for an ink roll adapted to cooperate with the type carrying member, said cartridge being adapted to be mounted on a cooperating mounting member adjacent the type carrying member, the cartridge comprising first and second housing parts nested to provide an enclosure for the ink roll, one of the housing parts having mounting means connectible and disconnectible with respect to said cooperating mounting member, said housing parts having wall elements and being relatively rotatable to provide for substantially complete enclosure of the ink roll when the housing parts are in a first position and exposure of the ink roll for cooperation with the type carrying member when the housing parts are in a second position, interconnecting means on said housing parts for connecting the mounting means to said mounting member upon relative rotation of the parts in the direction which exposes the ink roll, and for disconnecting the mounting means with respect to the mounting member upon relative rotation of the parts in the direction which encloses the ink roll.

9. For use with a printer having a type carrying member, a replaceable cartridge for an ink roll adapted to cooperate with the type carrying member, said printer having a cooperating mounting member on which the cartridge is adapted to be mounted, the cartridge comprising first and second housing parts nested to provide an enclosure for said ink roll, the first of the housing parts having mounting means connectible and disconnectible with respect to said cooperating mounting member by relative rotation with respect to the mounting member, said housing parts having wall elements being relatively rotatable to provide for opening and closing the housing, the ink roll being exposed for cooperation with the type carrying member when the housing parts are rotated to open the housing, and the mounting means being disconnected when the second housing part is rotated in the direction to close the housing.

10. For use with a printer having a type carrying member, a replaceable cartridge for an ink roll adapted to cooperate with the type carrying member, said cartridge being adapted to be mounted on a cooperating mounting member adjacent the type carrying member, the cartridge comprising first and second housing parts nested to provide an enclosure for said ink roll, the first of said housing parts having mounting means connectible to said cooperating mounting member by relative rotation with respect to the mounting member, said housing parts having wall elements being relatively rotatable to provide for substantially complete enclosure of the ink roll when the housing parts are moved in a first direction to a first position and exposure of the ink roll for cooperation with the type carrying member when the housing parts are relatively rotated opposite said one direction to a second position, and means interconnecting said relatively rotatable parts for causing rotation of the mounting means to provide for connection with respect to the cooperating mounting member upon movement of the housing parts to said second position and for causing rotation of the said mounting means to provide for disconnection with respect to the mounting member upon movement of said relatively rotatable parts to said first position.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the means interconnecting the casing elements comprises a slot in the side wall of one housing part and a pin in the side wall of the other housing part, said pin being oriented for limited relative movement within said slot and for causing rotation of the mounting means to effect connection of the mounting means to the mounting member upon relative movement of the housing parts to the second position and for causing rotation of the mounting means to provide for disconnection with respect to the mounting member when said relative rotatable parts are moved to said first position.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said slot is inclined with respect to the direction of rotation of the parts, wherein the raised end ofthe slot is the end which limits the movement of the parts in the first position and the lower end of the slot is the end which limits the movement of the parts in the second position whereby the second of said parts is raised relatively to the ink roll and to the first part when the parts are shifted to the second position, and a boss on said second part, said boss being in engagement with the ink roll to prevent rotation of ink roll when the parts are in the first position and moving out of engagement with the ink roll to free the ink roll for rotational movement when the parts are in the second position.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,785,288 Dated January 15, 1974 lnventofls) Alexander Hunter It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Change "Assignee: Decision Data Corporation,

Corporation, Horsham, Pa.--.

Col. 2, line 50, delete "in" and insert --l0c-atecl oppositely one another in the sidewall of".

change "Johnson 8 Sons Comapny" Col. 5, line 12,

to -Johnson & Sons Company--.

Col. 6, line 8, change "herein" to wherein-E.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of June 1974.

(SEAL) I Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. V C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer uscoMM-oc 60 PB U.S, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFEICEJ IQI FORM Po-mso (10-69)

Claims

1. A replaceable cartridge for an ink filled porous member device wherein the cartridge is adapted to be mounted on a cooperating mounting member, said cartridge comprising a nested pair of casing elements within which the porous member is encased, the casing elements being mounted for relative rotation with respect to one another, the casing elements having side walls providing for substantially complete enclosure of the porous member when one casing element is rotated in one direction relatively to the other to a first position and for exposure of the porous member for contact by a type carrying member when the casing elements are relatively rotated opposite to said one direction to a second position, releasable mounting means on one of said casing elements being connectible and disconnectible with respect to the mounting member, and means interconnecting said casing elements for causing rotation of the mounting means to effect connection of the mounting means to the mounting member upon relative movement of the casing elements to the second position and for causing rotation of the mounting means to effect disconnection from the mounting member upon relative movement of the casing elements to the first position.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1 wherein said releasable mounting means comprises a twist lock device and wherein relative rotation of said cartridge elements to the position in which the openings are in registry and the porous member exposed, effects locking of said twist lock device.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said slot is inclined with respect to the direction of rotation of the parts, wherein the raised end of the slot is the end which limits the movement of the parts in the first position and the lower end of the slot is the end which limits the movement of the parts in the second position whereby the second of said parts is raised relatively to the ink roll and to the first part when the parts are shifted to the second position, and a boss on said second part, said boss being in engagement with the ink roll to prevent rotation of ink roll when the parts are in the first position and moving out of engagement with the ink roll to free the ink roll for rotational movement when the parts are in the second position.