Ribbon reel locking device

Abstract

An example disclosed printer includes a base assembly, a cover pivotally attached to the base assembly, and a ribbon frame pivotally connected to the base. The ribbon frame is configured to receive at least one ribbon reel; a ribbon lock configured to interact with the ribbon reel via a reel gear assembly, the ribbon lock comprising: a biasing element for maintaining a biasing force on the ribbon lock in a first direction, a first pawl, a second pawl, and a central pivot shaft, the first pawl being configured to engage with the first direction, the second pawl being configured to engage with the second direction; wherein: when the ribbon lock is rotated in a first direction by the actuator, the first pawl is in contact with the spool gear assembly, and when the ribbon lock assembly is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second pawl is in contact with the spool gear assembly.

Description

Background Art

[0001] An unwound or loosely wound ribbon (eg, ink ribbon) can cause problems within a media handling device (eg, printer) due to a lack of tension in the ribbon. Some media handling devices utilize mechanisms to maintain tension on the ribbon to avoid these problems. Summary of the invention

[0002] An example media handling device disclosed herein includes a base assembly including a lower frame and a drive gear. The example media handling device has a cover pivotally attached to the base assembly, the cover being movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein an actuator attached to the cover is configured to apply a force to a ribbon locking assembly. The example media handling device includes a ribbon frame pivotally connected to the lower frame, wherein the ribbon frame is configured to pivot between a lowered position when the cover is in the closed position and a presenting position when the cover is in the open position, and the ribbon frame is configured to receive a ribbon spool. The example media handling device includes a ribbon locker configured to engage with the ribbon spool via a spool gear assembly. The ribbon locker includes a biasing element for maintaining a biasing force on the ribbon locker in a first direction, a first pawl, a second pawl and a central pivot, wherein the first pawl contacts the spool gear assembly when the ribbon locker is rotated in the first direction by the actuator, and the second pawl contacts the spool gear assembly when the ribbon lock assembly is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

[0004] Figure 1 A view of a housing of a printer according to an example disclosed herein is shown;

[0005] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 a detailed view of a printer showing an example ribbon frame and an example ribbon locking device according to examples disclosed herein;

[0006] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 A view of an example ribbon locking device; and

[0007] Figure 4A - Figure 4C Show Figure 2 and Figure 3 The example ribbon locking device rotates between a first position, a second position and a third position respectively.

[0008] Figure 5A - Figure 5BDetailed views of the spool gear assembly typically located beneath the ribbon locking mechanism are shown with example ribbon frames in open and closed positions, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Various embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all embodiments are shown.The examples disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0010] Some media handling devices (e.g., thermal transfer printers) are configured to print and / or encode media, such as carrier-borne labels, tag stock, tickets, wristbands, and / or linerless labels. The media handling device prints and / or encodes the media by extracting the media from a holder and delivering the media to the vicinity of a processing component (e.g., a printhead and / or an RFID reader / encoder).

[0011] From time to time, a media handling device exhausts the available supply of media, thereby requiring the user to replace the media supply. Other consumables, such as ink ribbons in thermal transfer printers, are also replaced regularly. Replacing the consumable parts of a media handling device can be complex and laborious, and the time to replace these parts results in costly downtime for the media handling device. In addition, for media handling devices with relatively small form factors, such as desktop printers or mobile printers, it is difficult to replace consumable parts because these parts are tightly arranged in a relatively small housing. Therefore, it is desirable that the media handling device provide convenient access to consumable parts to facilitate relatively quick and accurate replacement of consumable parts. In some embodiments, the ribbon may not be an ink ribbon, but an alternative type of wound media, such as a retransfer ribbon, a dye sublimation ribbon, a metal ribbon, a chemical transfer ribbon, or other materials.

[0012] Some media handling devices utilize a ribbon frame to receive a ribbon wound on a holder such as a hollow cylinder of plastic or cardboard. The combination of the ribbon and the holder on which it is wound is referred to herein as a "spool". Some spools are carried by a drum. In media handling devices that utilize a ribbon frame, the ribbon frame positions the spool for operation (e.g., printing) when the media handling device is closed; when the media handling device is closed, the ribbon frame raises the spool to a loading or presentation position to allow the spool to be removed or installed. In order to obtain high-quality printing, the ribbon passes through the printhead along with the media while maintaining a relatively uniform tension. This tension is generated by the force on the ribbon (from the motor and gear train associated with the take-up spool and the ribbon supply spool, any clutch components associated with the gear train) and the force on the ribbon generated by the nip between the printhead and the platen roller through which the ribbon passes. If the ribbon tension drops too low or becomes too high, the ribbon may wrinkle, curl, or stretch, resulting in poor print quality (PPQ). When the printhead is opened to change media or perform maintenance near the media path, the force on the ribbon changes and may also be subject to additional forces, such as from the user's hand, tools, or other objects placed near the ribbon path. In some cases, this may cause the ribbon to be partially unwound from the supply mandrel. When the printhead is subsequently closed, the tension on the ribbon may have changed so that it is no longer within the appropriate range for printing. Other related problems may also occur sometimes, such as waste of ribbon, accumulation of static charge, or wrinkling of the ribbon. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent the reel from unintentionally unwinding. As described in further detail below, examples disclosed in the present invention include a locking device to lock the reel in place to prevent the reel from rotating in multiple operating stages and positions, thereby preventing the ribbon on the reel from unwanted movement. When the ribbon passes between the supply reel and the take-up reel, if the rotation of each reel can be controlled, the tension in the ribbon can be maintained. During the time when the printer is not processing media and is idle, the position of the supply reel and the take-up reel must be maintained to maintain the tension of the ribbon. For thermal transfer printers, it is important that the ribbon maintains constant tension against the take-up during operation, as constant tension maintains the smoothness of the ribbon as it passes over the printhead. If the ribbon is not maintained under tension during operation and slack develops in the ribbon, the take-up may bunch, bunch, or crease during printing, causing defects in the printed media.

[0013] Figure 1 A printer is described that may implement the disclosed examples of the present invention. Figure 1 An example printer of depicts an external view of a housing. Although the illustrated embodiments and descriptions provided herein are primarily directed to printing devices, other devices such as media encoders, label applicators, or laminators may benefit from the examples disclosed herein. Figure 1The example printer 100 is a thermal transfer printer that uses a print head to apply heat to an ink ribbon as the ink ribbon moves past the print head along with the media to be processed, partially melting the adhesive of the ink ribbon onto the media at specific locations according to printing instructions, thereby causing the printer 100 to produce marks on the media.

[0014] Figure 1 The printer 100 includes a base assembly 104 and a cover 102. Figure 1 As shown, the cover 102 is in a closed position, wherein the cover 102 is secured to the base assembly 104. The cover 102 is pivotally attached to the base assembly 104 along a hinge 106 along the rear side of the printer 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 102 is configured to pivot along the hinge 106 to an open position when opened. The exemplary cover 102 supports an actuator 108 that a user engages to unlock the cover 102 from the closed position, thereby allowing the cover 102 to move to the open position. Figure 1 As shown, the cover pivots about the pivot axis when the cover moves between the open position and the closed position. Figure 1 As shown, the actuator 108 slides along a plane generally perpendicular to the pivot axis, which unlocks the lid to move from the closed position to the open position.

[0015] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The example printer 100 is in the open position. In the illustrated embodiment, when the printer 100 is in the open position, the cover 102 is pivoted away from the base assembly 104. In the illustration, when the printer 100 is in the open position, the user can access the example ribbon frame 202. Figure 2 The example ribbon frame 202 supports a supply spool 212 and a take-up spool 204. The supply spool 212 is loaded into the printer 100 with a new supply of ribbon, and the take-up spool 204 collects the used ribbon after printing. When a new ribbon is loaded into the printer 100, the ribbon is loaded around the edge of the print head 218 and around the take-up spool 204.

[0016] like Figure 2 As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , when the cover 102 and the ribbon frame 202 are both in the open position, a cavity 210 within the printer 100 is accessible. The cavity 210 accommodates media to be processed by the printer 100, such as a label roll.

[0017] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the ribbon frame 202 is configured to be raised in response to lifting of the cover 102. The example ribbon frame 202 is configured to move about a pivot point 214 between an open position and a closed position.

[0018] like Figure 2As shown, the example ribbon frame 202 supports an example lock 206 disclosed herein. The example lock 206 is configured to interact with the spool 204 and the spool 212 to prevent the ribbon from being unwound from the spool 204 and the spool 212. The interaction between the lock 206 and the spool 204 and the spool 212 will be described in further detail below. The lock 206 also interacts with the base 104 by locking with the base 104 and engaging with the drive gear 208. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock 206 is present on only one side of the ribbon frame 202, however in some examples, the lock 206 is present on either or both sides of the ribbon frame 202.

[0019] As in Figure 2 and similarly in Figure 5A and Figure 5B As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the drive gear 208 is housed in the base 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive gear 208 is coupled to the base 104 via a linkage gear 508 (see FIG. Figure 5B ) is mechanically connected to the motor gear 506. The motor gear 506 is connected to a motor (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the motor also drives the platen 216 of the printer 100 to advance the media within the printer. In some embodiments, a separate motor is used to drive the platen gear 504 attached to the end of the platen 216, which rotates the drive gear 208. The drive gear 208 meshes with the driven gear and the spools 204 and spools 212 so that the rotation of the platen 216 is consistent with the spools 204 and spools 212. This allows the platen 216 to drive the media through the printhead while maintaining tension on the ribbon passing between the spools 204 and spools 212. When the cover 102 is in the closed position and the ribbon frame 202 is lowered to the closed position, the driven gear meshes with the drive gear 208, which will be further explained below.

[0020] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example lock 206 . Figure 3 The lock 206 is mounted on the outer surface of the ribbon frame 202 (i.e., the surface opposite the inner surface of the ribbon frame on which the reel 204 and the reel 212 are mounted). The example lock 206 includes a latch 302, a first pawl 304, a second pawl 306, a spur gear 308, and a driven gear 310, all of which will be described in further detail below. In the depicted embodiment, the latch 302 is used to lock the cover 102 to the base 104 and maintain the cover 102 in a closed position. The latch 302 holds the cover 102 in the closed position by hooking into a fixed element of the base 104. In the example shown, the latch 302 is coupled to the actuator 108. Therefore, when a user applies a force to the actuator 108, the latch 302 unlocks the ribbon frame 202 from the base 104.

[0021] like Figure 3 As shown, the first pawl 304 and the second pawl 306 are fixed to the lock 206 so that when the lock 206 is rotated in the first direction or the second direction, the first pawl 304 or the second pawl 306 engages with the spur gear 308. Figure 3 As shown, the lock 206 rotates independently of the spur gear 308 and the driven gear 310. Figure 3 As shown, the spur gear 308 and the driven gear 310 are part of the same gear, wherein the spur gear 308 is concentric with the driven gear 310. The lock 206 covers and protects the reel gear assembly 502 including the meshing gear train, which includes at least the driven gear 310, the spur gear 308 and the reel gear assembly 502 described below. Figure 3 As shown, the reel gear 312 is partially shielded and connected to the end of the core of the reel 204. Figure 3 The reel gear assembly 502 is fixedly engaged with the reel 204 and meshes with the reel gear assembly 502 so that the reel end 504 rotates with the reel 204 and the reel gear assembly 502. In other words, if the reel gear assembly 502 is locked in place and cannot rotate, the reel gear 312, the reel 204, the spur gear 308 and the driven gear 310 are also locked in place.

[0022] Figure 5A - Figure 5B The reel gear assembly 502 is shown positioned below the lock 206. Figure 5A As shown, the reel gear assembly 502 includes the spur gear 308 / driven gear 310, a first gear 510, a second gear 512, and a third gear 514. Figure 5A As shown, the driven gear 310, the first gear 510, the second gear 512 and the third gear 514 are meshed so that if any gear within the reel gear assembly 502 rotates, the remaining gears also rotate, and similarly, if any of the gears are prevented from moving, the remaining gears cannot move. In other words, if the driven gear 310 is forced to rotate, the third gear 514 will also rotate. Similarly, if Figure 5A As shown, if the driven gear 310 / spur gear 308 is locked in place, the third gear 514 does not rotate.

[0023] like Figure 5A As shown, the third gear 514 is concentrically connected to the ribbon holder 504 so that the third gear 514 and the ribbon holder 504 rotate together. The third gear 514 and the ribbon holder 504 can be formed as two parts of the same gear, or can be connected by gear linkage, snap fit, or any other method known to allow combined rotation. Figure 5AAs shown, the ribbon holder 504 is connected to the ribbon spool 204 so that the spool end 504 rotates with the ribbon spool 204. Figure 5A As shown, if any gear within the reel gear assembly 502 remains stationary, the third gear 514 will remain stationary, and the ribbon holder 504 and the reel 204 also remain stationary. In contrast, if the gear within the reel gear assembly 502 rotates, the ribbon holder 504 and the reel 204 also rotate.

[0024] Figure 5B The ribbon frame 202 is shown in a closed position and adjacent to the base 104. Figure 5B When in the position shown, the driven gear 310 is meshed with the driving gear 208. Figure 5B As shown, the base 104 includes a motor gear 506, which is driven by a motor (not shown). Figure 5B As shown, the motor gear 506 is meshed with the linkage gear 508, and the linkage gear 508 is meshed with the drive gear 208. In some embodiments, a clutch can be used in the gear assembly, or in the reel gear assembly 502, or near the motor gear 506. In embodiments featuring a clutch, the clutch prevents overload of force between the gears, which causes overload of tension on the ribbon. When the clutch begins to be overloaded, the clutch will slip and prevent damage to the system. Figure 5B As shown, the drive gear 208 also meshes with the platen gear 306. This gear configuration allows the platen 216 to be driven by the platen gear 306, wherein the platen 216 is configured to drive the media and ribbon through the printhead for processing. When the platen 216 drives the media and ribbon, the spool gear assembly 502 allows the platen and spool 204 to rotate together, so that the ribbon is wound onto the spool 204 after passing the platen 216.

[0025] In the diagram Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the biasing element 312 is located between the lock 206 and the reel gear assembly 502. The biasing element 312 will be further described below. The biasing element 312 maintains tension and exerts a force on the lock 206 to cause the lock 206 to rotate in accordance with the reel gear assembly 502. Figure 3 The orientation is rotated in a clockwise direction so that the latch 302 remains locked.

[0026] Figure 4A - Figure 4C The operation of the ribbon locker 206 is shown during different movement positions of the ribbon frame, wherein the ribbon locker 206 operates to prevent rotation of the ribbon spool.

[0027] like Figure 4A - Figure 4CAs shown, there are three different situations where the ribbon frame 202 will move and require the spools 204 and 212 to remain stationary so that they do not allow the ribbon to unwind or lose tension.

[0028] Figure 4A The illustrated embodiment depicts when the ribbon frame 202 is in the closed position and lowered to the base 104. When the frame 202 is proximate the base, the latch 302 is attached to the base 104 and secures the ribbon frame 202 in the closed position. When the latch 302 is attached to the base 104, the latch 302 is said to be in the locked position. Figure 4A When the position shown is Figure 5B 506, wherein the drive gear 208 and the driven gear 310 are meshed together so that when the drive gear 208 is rotated by the motor gear 506, the driven gear 310 also rotates. Figure 5B and Figure 4A As shown, when the drive gear 208 is stationary, the driven gear 310 also remains stationary, and through the reel gear assembly 502, the reel 204 remains stationary and cannot unwind the ribbon and release the tension on the ribbon. Figure 4A In the position shown, the first pawl 304 and the second pawl 306 do not contact the spur gear 308. Thus, during standard printer operation, the spur gear 308 is in Figure 4A In the position shown it is free to rotate with the reel gear assembly 502. When in this position, the driven gear 310 attached to the ribbon frame 202 is in contact with the drive gear 208 of the base.

[0029] While the example lock 206 includes a first pawl 304 and a second pawl 306 that stop rotation of the spur gear 308, additional or alternative examples employ other types of one or more stopping mechanisms, such as clutches, friction plates, or other devices that prevent the ribbon from unwinding.

[0030] because Figure 4A The position is the position of the ribbon frame 202 during operation of the printer, so when the drive gear 208 drives the driven gear 310, this embodiment allows the spur gear 308 to move freely and not be blocked by the first pawl 304 and the second pawl 306. Figure 4A In the illustrated embodiment, the spur gear 308 and the driven gear 310 are concentric. In some examples, the spur gear 308 is part of the same component as the driven gear 310 or a different gear than the driven gear 310. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive gear 208 rotates, which causes the driven gear 310 to rotate and, through the spool gear assembly 502, causes the spool 204 to rotate accordingly. The spool 204 is driven so that the ribbon is fed from the spool 212 around the printhead for printing. Figure 5A and Figure 5B The process for driving the reel 204 is further explained in .

[0031] Figure 4A The example lock 206 of the embodiment serves as a cover for the reel gear assembly 502, which extends from the driven gear 310 to the ribbon reel. The example lock 206 protects the reel gear assembly 502 from external contact, while also ensuring that the various gears of the reel gear assembly 502 remain on their respective gear posts.

[0032] exist Figure 4A In the illustrated embodiment, when the latch 302 is secured to the base, the driven gear 310 remains in contact with the drive gear 208 of the base 104, which prevents undesired rotation of the driven gear 310 associated with the movement of the ribbon spool 204 described above. Figure 4A As shown, the latch 302 remains in contact with the base latch element 406. Figure 4A As shown, the base latch element 406 is a flange element integral with the base 104 and is resilient to hold the ribbon frame 202 in the closed position. Figure 4A As shown, the latch 302 is maintained in a locked position with the base latch element 406 by a biasing force exerted on the lock 206 by the biasing element 312 .

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 302 is unlocked from the base 104 when the user engages (e.g., presses) the actuator 108 to open the lid 102 and, in turn, disengages the latch 302 from the base latch element 406. When the actuator 108 is engaged, the example latch 206 is rotated in the first direction 404 to Figure 4B The actuator 108 is configured to interact with the lock 206 such that movement of the actuator 108 causes contact with the lock 206. The contact between the actuator 108 and the lock 206 causes the lock 206 to rotate.

[0034] When the ribbon frame 202 is in the closed position and the reel gear assembly 502 is engaged with the drive gear 208, the reel 204 and the reel 212 do not rotate unless the motor drive system. However, when the ribbon frame 202 moves to the open position and the reel gear assembly 502 is no longer engaged with the drive gear 208, there is no immediate part in place to prevent the reel gear assembly 502 and the reel 204 from rotating. It is important that the reel 204 does not move when it is not driven because if the reel 204 is loose, the ribbon on the reel 204 loses tension, which causes printing problems. Therefore, the reel gear assembly 502 must be prevented from rotating during the opening and closing of the ribbon frame 202.

[0035] When the user moves the actuator 108 to open the lid 102, the actuator 108 contacts the latch 206 and rotates the latch 206 about the pivot 314 in the first direction 404 to the Figure 4B When the lock 206 is pivoted to the second position, the latch 302 is disengaged from the base 104 and the drive gear 208 is disengaged from the driven gear 310. In the illustrated embodiment, when the driven gear 310 and the drive gear 208 are disengaged, the spool 204 will be free to rotate unintentionally and, if not acted upon by the lock 206, the spool 204 will unwind. When the driven gear 310 and the drive gear 208 are disengaged, the first pawl 304 meshes with the spur gear 308, as shown. Figure 4B In the illustrated embodiment, the user resists the biasing force applied by the biasing element 312 by rotating the lock 206 in a first direction 404 , so if the user stops applying force to the actuator 108 , the biasing force rotates the lock 206 in a second direction 402 opposite the first direction 404 .

[0036] When the biasing force rotates the lock 206 in the second direction 402, the first pawl 304 is disengaged from the spur gear 308, and the second pawl 306 is engaged with the spur gear 308, as shown in FIG. Figure 4C As shown. Figure 4C In the embodiment, the ribbon frame 202 is in the open position. When the latch 206 is Figure 4C When freely rotating as shown, the second pawl 306 engages the spur gear 308 so that the spur gear 308 cannot rotate, which in turn prevents the spool gear assembly 502 from rotating and thus prevents the spool 204 from rotating as described above. In the illustrated embodiment, if the printer is left open, the lock 206 stays in place. Figure 4C Once the printer is closed and the ribbon frame 202 is rotated to the closed position, the latch 302 is again locked to the base 104 and the lock 206 is rotated to the position shown. Figure 4A location.

[0037] In the foregoing description, specific embodiments have been described. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Therefore, the description and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

[0038] Benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more significant are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

[0039] In addition, in the present invention, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc. can be used only to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between these entities or actions. The terms "include", "comprising", "having", "having", "containing" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that the process, method, product or device that includes, has, contains, contains a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also may include other elements that are not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products or devices. In the absence of more restrictions, elements starting with "include...", "having...", "comprising...", "containing..." do not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, product or device that includes, has, contains, contains the element. The terms "one" and "an" are defined as one or more, unless the present invention is otherwise clearly stated. The terms "substantially," "substantially," "approximately," "about," or any other form thereof, are defined as approximating what one of ordinary skill in the art understands, and in one non-limiting embodiment, within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1%, and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as connected, but not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways not listed.

[0040] Certain expressions may be used in the present invention to list combinations of elements. Examples of such expressions include: "at least one of A, B, and C"; "one or more of A, B, and C"; "at least one of A, B, or C"; "one or more of A, B, or C". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the above expressions include any combination of A and / or B and / or C.

[0041] It should be understood that some embodiments may include one or more special-purpose processors (or "processing devices"), such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, custom processors, and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and uniquely stored program instructions (including software and firmware) that control one or more processors in combination with certain non-processor circuits to implement some, most, or all of the functions of the methods and / or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or all of the functions may be implemented by a state machine without stored program instructions, or in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), where each function or certain combinations of certain functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of both approaches may be used.

[0042] In addition, the embodiments may be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., including a processor) to perform the methods described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, ROMs (read-only memories), PROMs (programmable read-only memories), EPROMs (erasable programmable read-only memories), EEPROMs (electrically erasable programmable read-only memories), and flash memories. In addition, it is contemplated that, while significant effort and many design choices may be motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, those skilled in the art will be able to easily generate such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed in the present invention.

[0043] The Abstract of the present invention allows the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. The content submitted should be understood not to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing detailed description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of simplifying the present disclosure. The method of the present invention should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than those expressly recited in each claim. On the contrary, as reflected in the appended claims, the inventive subject matter lies in less than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. The appended claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim independently serving as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. A printer, comprising: Pedestal; a cover pivotally attached to the base, the cover being movable between a closed position in which the cover is secured to the base and an open position in which the cover is unsecured from the base; a ribbon frame pivotally connected to the base, wherein: The ribbon frame is configured to pivot between a first position when the cover is in the closed position and a second position when the cover is in the open position, The ribbon frame is configured to receive a spool; A locker configured to interact with the reel via a reel gear assembly, the locker comprising: a biasing element for applying a biasing force on the lock in a first direction, First pawl, The second pawl, and Central pivot, in: When the lock is rotated in the first direction by the actuator, the first pawl contacts the reel gear assembly, and The second pawl contacts the reel gear assembly when the locker is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein: The lock also includes a latch.

3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein: The latch is configured to secure the ribbon frame to the base when the ribbon frame is in the first position.

4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein: When the latch is secured to the base: The drive gear is configured to engage the reel gear assembly, and The first pawl and the second pawl are disengaged from the reel gear assembly.

5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein: The reel gear assembly includes a spur gear that contacts the first pawl when the locker is rotated in the first direction and that contacts the second pawl when the locker is rotated in the second direction.

6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein: The reel is connected to a reel gear, and the reel gear is rotationally paired with the reel.

7. The printer according to claim 1, wherein: The biasing element is a torsion spring.

8. A lock comprising: First stop agency; Second stop agency; A centrally located pivot; as well as a biasing element configured to apply a biasing force to the housing in a first direction; wherein: The biasing force rotates the first stop mechanism in the first direction so that the first stop mechanism engages with the spur gear, and The second stop mechanism engages with the spur gear when an external force is applied in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

9. The lock of claim 8, further comprising a latch, wherein the biasing element urges the latch into a locked position.

10. The lock according to claim 8, wherein: The biasing element is a torsion spring.

11. The lock according to claim 8, wherein: The first stop mechanism and the second stop mechanism are pawls.

12. The lock according to claim 8, wherein: The first stopping mechanism and the second stopping mechanism are one of a clutch, a friction brake or a pawl.

13. The lock of claim 8 further comprising a reel gear assembly including the spur gear and the reel gear, the reel gear assembly being arranged so that preventing rotation of a gear of the reel gear assembly also prevents rotation of all other gears of the reel gear assembly.

14. The lock according to claim 13, wherein: The reel gear is fixed to the reel such that the reel gear rotates together with the reel.

15. A method for preventing unwinding of a ribbon in a printer, the method comprising: preventing the ribbon spool from unwinding when the printer cover is closed via a spool gear assembly, wherein the spool gear assembly includes a spur gear; When the printer cover is opened, engaging the spur gear with the first pawl to prevent the ribbon spool from unwinding; as well as When the printer cover is in the open position and the actuator is released, the second pawl is engaged with the spur gear from a side opposite to the side on which the first pawl engages the spur gear.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: Preventing the ribbon spool from unwinding via the spool gear assembly is accomplished by meshing a driven gear of the spool gear assembly with a drive gear of the printer.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The first pawl and the second pawl are part of a ribbon locker.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The ribbon locker rotates on a pivot such that rotation in a first direction causes engagement of the first pawl and rotation in a second direction causes engagement of the second pawl.

19. The printer according to claim 1, wherein: The cover pivots about a pivot axis, and the printer further includes an actuator configured to slide along a plane generally perpendicular to the pivot axis to unlock the cover from the closed position to the open position.

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