Patent Publication Number: US-8995880-B2

Title: Cartridge drive shaft gear

Description:
This application is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/172,351 entitled “Cartridge Drive Shaft Gear” filed on Feb. 4, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/074,849 filed on Mar. 29, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,644,733 which issued Feb. 4, 2014, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     New laser printer models are introduced incorporating new and enhanced technology and designs improved over the previous existing laser printer models. This evolution in laser printers necessitates corresponding improvements in laser printer ink and toner cartridge. 
     A used ink or toner cartridge can be remanufactured to recycle and reuse the cartridge components and to extend the cartridge&#39;s life. Remanufacturing involves replacing a number of the components that have been worn out. The cartridge is also refilled with new toner and both the organic photoconductor (OPC) drum and the waste toner wiper blade are replaced. The remanufacturer must obtain replacement parts that perform the same function as the original cartridge components and also interface with the printer&#39;s components. Replacement components are purchased in the aftermarket. The present system is directed to the design of the cartridge drive gear shaft that attaches to an aftermarket replacement print cartridge. The shaft gear drives the gear train in a laser printer cartridge, which in turn operates all of the cartridge&#39;s moving components. 
     Some manufacturers describe rotational force transmitting parts that transmit rotational force from a motor in a printer to an electrophotosensitive drum. U.S. Patent Application No. 2008/0260428 (Ueno et al.) discloses a printer having an example of these parts. In order to facilitate easy alignment of the rotational force transmitting parts, at least one part is moveable about an axis extending from the electrophotosensitive drum. This movement allows for the parts to easily engage with the motor when a user inserts a toner cartridge into a printer. 
     It may be necessary to replace some or all of the rotational force transmitting parts when remanufacturing a used cartridge. It is desirable to have replacement parts that retain all of the features of the original parts. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention allows for the remanufacturing of a toner cartridge used in a printer while maintaining all of the desired features of the original toner cartridge. 
     In one embodiment an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit has a cylinder having a photosensitive layer, a gear provided at one end of the cylinder, and a drive gear element mounted onto the gear. The drive gear element includes a base portion, a shaft, and a pin. The shaft is mounted on the pin in moveable manner and the pin is connected to the base portion and an interior of the gear has one or more slots for receiving the pin and the one more slots guide the pin to a position that allows transfer of rotation forces from the drive gear element to the gear. 
     In another embodiment a drive gear element detachably mounted to an electrophotographic drum unit. The drive gear includes a pin, a base unit, a shaft, and an end. The shaft is connected to the base unit by the pin in a moveable manner and the base unit restricts movement of the shaft. 
     In another embodiment a electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit has a cylinder having a photosensitive layer, a gear provided at one end of the cylinder, and a drive gear element mounted onto the gear. The drive gear element includes a ball shaped base portion, a shaft, and a pin. The shaft is connected to the base portion via the pin and an interior of the gear has one or more slots for receiving the pin and the one more slots guide the pin to a position that allows transfer of rotation forces from the drive gear element to the gear. 
     These and other features and objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments, which should be read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
     In this regard, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a one piece cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a two piece cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a solid fixed mount cartridge drive gear shaft which is attached to the OPC gear; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment where a gear shaft that is mounted to the OPC gear in a fixed solid position; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cartridge drive gear shaft having a spring; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a gear design that comprises of three cylindrical sections; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cartridge drive gear shaft that can mount to the OPC gear and move along one plane in two directions; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment where a solid gear shaft that is mounted to the OPC gear in a fixed solid position; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cartridge drive gear shaft mounted to the OPC gear through a cam design; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a cartridge drive gear shaft having a working end with a plurality of elongated claw-type arms; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a cartridge drive gear shaft having a working end with a plurality of extruded arms; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates another cartridge drive gear shaft having a working end with a plurality of extruded arms; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a cartridge drive gear shaft having a working end made of a flexible material; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a magnet working end attached to a cartridge drive shaft; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a working end that is octagon shaped; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a rubber o-ring filled working end; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a slotted, one-piece cartridge drive gear shaft working end; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a cartridge drive shaft having a multiple cam design; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an angle section based cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a flexible arm cartridge drive gear shaft base; 
         FIGS. 21A &amp; 21B  illustrate an equidistantly spaced, non-parallel, non-perpendicular angled prongs on the working end of the drive shaft; 
         FIGS. 22A &amp; 22B  illustrate a rounded conical angle section based cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a drive shaft containing a plurality of extruded members; 
         FIGS. 24A &amp; 24B  illustrate a square extruding prongs on the cartridge drive gear shaft base; 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a sphere mounted on a podium working end for the cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a multiple solid section working end on the cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a circular shapes and recess working end for the cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 28  illustrates small engaging portions on the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIGS. 29A &amp; 29B  illustrate a plurality of pegs on the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 30  illustrates a circular shapes and recess working end for the cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 31  illustrates fins on the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 32  illustrates a plurality of recessed pockets within the working end of a cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 33  illustrates a plurality of prongs attached to the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 34  illustrates a groove inside the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 35  illustrates a changing only one side the right side of the cartridge drive gear; 
         FIG. 36  illustrates a chain link base end for cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 37  illustrates 13 ribs lining a cylinder on the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 38  illustrates 11 ribs lining a cylinder on the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 39  illustrates an asymmetric working end for cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 40  illustrates a claw side of the asymmetric working end for cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 41  illustrates a round side of the asymmetric working end for cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 42  illustrates a base end of the cartridge drive gear shaft; 
         FIG. 43A  illustrates the base end with a pin; 
         FIG. 43B  illustrates the base end having the cartridge drive gear shaft mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 44  illustrates an interior of the print cartridge gear; 
         FIG. 45  illustrates another embodiment of the interior of the print cartridge gear. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In describing an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     The prior cartridge drive gear shaft is movable around a ball joint which is formed between the drive shaft and OPC gear. A remanufactured cartridge can be implemented that replaces the ball joint with a gear shaft that is in a permanent fixed position. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an apparatus to replace the cartridge drive gear shaft  10 . The one piece is fixed and does not contain moving parts. As such, the shaft cannot be slanted, inclined, swung, pivoted, or rotatable in any direction relative to the axis and cannot necessarily be linearly slanted to any angle in the full range of 360-degree direction in the coupling. This one piece design replaces both the OPC gear and the cartridge drive gear shaft together as one unit. An advantage to this embodiment is that this piece can be manufactured as one solid unit that keeps the cartridge drive gear shaft in a fixed position. The cartridge drive gear shaft  10  has an end  12  that engages with a drive member located inside of the printer. 
       FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  illustrate a two piece design of the OPC gear where the cartridge drive gear shaft  20  is separate and the OPC gear and cartridge gear shaft can be attached together during remanufacturing of the print cartridge. The separate cartridge drive gear shaft can be attached to the OPC gear with use of at least one extruded guide on the gear shaft that interface with recessed portions of OPC gear and lock once mated together. These two pieces can be attached through a physical interference “snap fit” or through the use of adhesive. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a solid fixed mount cartridge drive gear shaft  30  which is attached to the OPC gear. The cartridge drive gear shaft  30  includes a mechanism consisting of a spring  32  that enables the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft to move in and out around the printer drive member (not shown) when the print cartridge is installed into the printer. When the cartridge is fully seated into the laser printer the spring would apply a force in the outward direction to ensure an engagement action between the cartridge drive gear shaft and the printer drive member. 
     An advantage of the previous embodiments is that a cartridge can be remanufactured with inexpensive parts that are sturdy. But, these fixed gear shafts may have difficulty interacting with the printer drive member. The following embodiments alleviate this problem by providing a fixed gear shaft that has some capability for movement. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a gear shaft  40  that is mounted to the OPC gear in a fixed solid position as previously described. The cartridge drive gear shaft can be mounted with multiple legs that fit into the OPC gear hub  44 . The gear shaft includes a flexible section  42  in the middle that enables the cartridge drive gear shaft to be able to move to accommodate slight position changes in the printer drive member. The middle section  42  of the cartridge drive gear shaft may be made of a rubber material or can be comprised of any material that possess flexible properties. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a cartridge drive gear shaft  50  having a spring  52  in the shaft which assists in the turning. The cartridge drive gear shaft  50  is able to rotate in one direction but cannot turn back in the opposite direction. 
     As previously disclosed, the prior art drive gear shaft is moveable around a ball joint. The following embodiments allow for a drive gear shaft that has similar movement without using a ball joint. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates replacing the prior art cartridge drive gear shaft with a gear design that comprises of three cylindrical sections  62 ,  63 ,  64  that are all the same size and shape but can move independently in separate directions. The sections  62 ,  63 ,  64  are attached through T slots that engage each piece and allow them to move, but only along one plane. The first piece  62  can move in X direction while the second piece  63  can move in the Y direction and the individual sections can move at the same time in opposite directions. The cartridge drive gear shaft  60  is located on the third section  64  of the gear assembly and is in a position to engage with the printer drive member. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a cartridge drive gear  70  shaft that can mount to the OPC gear and move along one plane in two directions. This can be achieved by having a slot  72  cut through the inside the gear, but not completely through the exterior walls  74 . The cartridge drive gear shaft  70  has a T type design that slides into the slot  72 , but cannot be pulled out of the gear. This design allows the cartridge drive gear shaft  70  to move on a plane and engage the printer drive member in different locations. Additionally the gear may contain detents  76 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a solid gear shaft that is mounted to the OPC gear in a fixed solid position as previously described. The gear shaft includes a swivel section in the middle that enables the cartridge drive gear shaft to move and accommodate position changes in the printer drive member. One section of the shaft includes one or more notches or extruded features that are rounded in shape. This section mounts to the second portion of the cartridge drive gear shaft which has an open recessed area that receives the first notched extruded section of the cartridge drive gear shaft. Once the two features are mated together they will lock. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a cartridge drive gear shaft  90  mounted to the OPC gear through a cam mechanism  92 . The cam mechanism  92  should be located at the point where the cartridge drive gear shaft  90  and the OPC gear are joined. The cam mechanism  92  allows the cartridge drive gear shaft  90  to have a range of motion. When the printer cartridge is seated into the laser printer the cartridge drive gear shaft  90  engages the printer drive member. Initially the cartridge drive gear shaft  90  has a range of motion, but once the cartridge drive gear shaft  90  has been moved through and past the operational positioning of the cam mechanism  92  it is locked into an engaging position with a predetermined amount of force set by the dimensions and interference of the cam mechanism  92 . 
     Another embodiment is directed to the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft which connects to and covers the printer drive mechanism. The printer drive mechanism consists of a rotating conical, hemisphere with two smaller cylinder shaped points protruding from opposite sides of the working end of the hemisphere in a diametrically opposed orientation. As the printer cartridge slides into the printer device, the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft glides over, seats on top of, and covers the printer drive mechanism. The working end comprises a hemispherical indentation that covers the hemispherical printer drive shaft mechanism. The working end also contains four slotted, extruded pieces. As the printer drive mechanism is activated, it rotates and the two points engage and slide into two of the four slots located between the extruded pieces. It is this working end that is improved upon in the present embodiment such that the proposed embodiments will also fit over the hemisphere drive mechanism and also engage at least one of the drive mechanism points. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a working edge  100  with a plurality of elongated claw-type arms  101 ,  102 ,  103 . The claw arms  101 ,  102 ,  103  may assume a closed position when the printer cartridge is inserted into the printer. The claw arms may open  104  and slide over the printer drive mechanism as the cartridge is inserted into the printer. The claw arms may then close  105  due to spring tension applied to each arm individually as the cartridge is fully seated into the laser printer. The closed arms  104  would accommodate the printer drive mechanism and engage the points on the printer drive mechanism. The rotation of the printer drive mechanism may also engage the arms and receive the rotational force from the printer drive mechanism. The rotation of the print drive mechanism rotates the engaged arms attached to the working end of the cartridge drive shaft member and thereby rotates the entire drive shaft, which rotates the affiliated components within the print cartridge. In order to facilitate the positioning of the cartridge drive shaft and arms over the printer drive member, the working end of the drive shaft may be attached to the remainder of the drive shaft by use of an Oldham coupler  106 . The Oldham coupler  106  comprises three stacked and connected discs  107 ,  108 ,  109  with the center disc rotating at the same speed as the input or output motion. Such a coupler may enable the working end to shift in a plurality of axial directions for greater freedom of movement as the drive shaft working end is seated onto the printer drive member. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a working end edge  110  containing a plurality of extruded arms  111 ,  112  branching off from the working end of the shaft  113 . Each arm extends from the working end and may extend in a manner such as, but not limited to, from a common section  114  at an angle  115 , in a curved, parabolic, or non-uniform manner from the working end. Each individual extruded arm may also extend in a different manner such that one arm might extend at an angle while another may extend in a curved manner. The extruded arms serve to collectively engage the points on the printer drive mechanism when the print cartridge is installed into the printer. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a working end edge  120  containing a plurality of extruded arms  121 ,  122  branching off at an angle  125  from a common piece  124  connected to the working end  123  of the shaft. Each arm contains two singular extruded arms  121 ,  122  opposite of each other where the two singular extrusions  127 ,  128  contain a predetermine gap  126 . The plurality of extruded arms with small predetermined gaps would seat onto the points on the printer drive mechanism and would engage the points on the printer drive mechanism when the print cartridge is installed into the printer. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a rubber working end  130  of the cartridge drive shaft. The rubber end  131  would be connected to a drive shaft  132  made out of a conventional material such as but not limited to metal or rubber. After the print cartridge is inserted into a printer, the rubber working end  131  would deform as it comes into contact with the printer drive mechanism. The rubber working end would then reform around the printer drive mechanism and tightly grip both the hemispherical surface of the printer drive mechanism and the points. Once the grip forms between the rubber working end of the drive shaft and the printer drive mechanism, the rotational motion of the printer mechanism would be transferred and would rotate the cartridge drive shaft. The rubber working end may be formed in a plurality of shapes including, but not limited to, the designs mentioned within the present application. The working portion is not limited to a rubber material, but can be comprised of different materials that would deform around the solid printer drive mechanism or possess properties similar to rubber. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a combination  140  of magnet working end  141  attached to the cartridge drive shaft  142 . After the print cartridge is inserted into a printer, the magnetic working end  141  would be attracted to the metallic printer drive mechanism. The magnetic  141  end would then attach to the metal printer drive mechanism and tightly grip both the hemispherical surface of the printer drive mechanism and the points. Once the grip forms between the magnetic working end  141  of the drive shaft and the printer drive mechanism, the rotational motion of the printer mechanism would be transferred and would rotate the cartridge drive shaft. The magnetic working end may be formed in a plurality of different working designs. Such designs could contain, but would not be limited to, a design of two prongs that would engage the printer drive member when inserted into the printer. The magnetic force of the cartridge drive gear shaft working end would be able to turn from the printer drive member without making any predetermined amount of contact force. 
       FIG. 15  Illustrates an octagon shape embodiment  150  with a circular recess  152  that has two areas  153 ,  154  through each side of the circle to engage the printer drive member. As the octagon  151  contains eight sides and subsequently contains eight intersection areas  153 ,  154  where two separate adjacent side may meet. The intersections would fit to the points on either side of the hemispherical printer drive mechanism as the cartridge is inserted into the printer device. As such, the shape within the circular recess could contain any geometric shape including, but not limited to, a pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, decagon, and any shape having either an odd or even number of sides. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a rubber o-ring filled cylindrical working end  160  for the cartridge drive shaft working end. The working end is a cylindrical shape  161  containing a recessed portion  162  in the center. The recessed portion of the working end is filled with a plurality of rubber o-rings  163  in a variety of diameters. A cavity  164  is contained inside the deepest point inside the recessed portion. As the depth of the recessed portion decreases and the diameter of the recessed portion increases, o-rings of progressively increasingly larger diameter are fitted into the recessed portion of the working end and are stacked on top of each other with each increased diameter o-ring fitting against the increasingly larger diameter of the recessed portion. As such, the first o-ring inserted into the recessed portion will be the smallest diameter o-ring and the last o-ring inserted into the recess will have the largest o-ring diameter  165 . When the cartridge drive gear shaft is slid into the printer device, the o-ring filled working end will slide onto the printer drive mechanism. The grip between the o-ring filled drive gear working end and the printer drive mechanism will enable rotational motion from the printer drive mechanism to be transferred to the working end of the print drive shaft. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a slotted, one-piece cartridge drive gear shaft working end  170 . The working end is one solid piece  171  with a slot cut through the center producing two separate extended arms  173 ,  174 . The slot engages the points on opposite sides of the printer drive mechanism when the cartridge is inserted into the printer device. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a multiple cam design  180 . The working end of the drive gear contains a plurality of cams, wherein each cam has an interior  181  portion and an outside portion  182 . Prior to coming in contact with the printer drive mechanism  183 , the interior portion  181  and the outside portion  182  are the same length. As the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the interior portions of the cams  184  are forced into contact with the printer drive mechanism  183 . The resistance offered by the printer drive mechanism pushes the interior cams backward  184 . This also forces the opposing outside portions of each cam  185  to move in the opposite forward direction along the outside edge  186  of the printer drive mechanism  183 . As the outside portions  185  move down the surface  186  of the printer drive member, the outside portions of the cam eventually come in contact with and engage with the points  187  on the working end of the printer drive member. The outside portions of the cams  185  then are seated against the points and the rotational motion of the printer drive member  183  is transferred to the working end of the drive shaft and through to the cartridge. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates an angle section based cartridge drive gear shaft  190 . The working end is a cylinder constructed of one solid piece  191  and contains a hollow conic indentation  192 . The bottom of the working end  193  is the largest diameter of the indentation and the indentation tapers inward to a progressively narrower diameter  194  until the indentation ends  195 . A profile indicates a substantially triangular shape, but the taper could also be parabolic, hyperbolic, or any other shape where one side tapers to a smaller side. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer device, the drive gear shaft working end fit over the printer drive member  196  such that the side walls of the indentation engage the points  197  on the printer drive mechanism and the contact or friction between the points and the indentation will be sufficient to transfer rotational force from the print driver mechanism to turn the cartridge drive gear shaft. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a flexible arm cartridge drive gear shaft working end  200 . A plurality of individual flexible extruded arms  201 ,  202 ,  203  extend from the working end  204  and may be brought together with an adjustable locking sleeve  205 . The locking sleeve changes position by sliding along the length of the arms toward or away from the main portion of the drive shaft  206 . The change in position of the locking sleeve may alter the amount of pressure applied by the arms onto anything located between the ends of the arms. The arms may be arranged in a circle and the ends of the arms may contain hooks  207 . When the cartridge is inserted into the printer device, the arms on the drive gear shaft working end fit over the printer drive mechanism and the tension of the arms against the side of the printer drive mechanism increases as the locking sleeve is moved toward the ends of the arms. 
       FIGS. 21A and 21B  illustrate equidistantly spaced, non-parallel, non-perpendicular angled prongs on the working end of the drive shaft  210 . The drive shaft working end is substantially flat  211  with each of a plurality of prongs  212 ,  213 ,  214  extending from the working end such that the angle  214  between the working end and each individual prong is not perpendicular. The prongs are spaced evenly between each other and may be the same distance from the center of the drive shaft working end in a pattern similar to the arrangement of the horses on a merry-go-round. The number of prongs can be two, three  210 , four  215 , or more and the arrangement will determine a pattern to be displayed such that three prongs  210  would produce a helical structure, four prongs  215  would produce an octagonal structure. The four prong arrangement  215  produces individual prongs  216 ,  217 ,  218 ,  219  which may be diametrically opposite to each other  216 ,  218  and  217 ,  219 . But the opposite prongs  216 ,  218  and  217 ,  219  do not have to be symmetric or diametrically opposite. Not all prongs have to be oriented at the same angles, at least one prong may have an angle different from the other prongs and at least one prong may be perpendicular to the working end. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer device, the prongs fit over the printer drive mechanism and engage the points. The rotation of the printer drive member places the points against the prongs and transfers the rotational energy from the printer drive mechanism to the cartridge drive gear shaft. 
       FIGS. 22A and 22B  illustrate a rounded conical angle section based cartridge drive gear shaft  220 . The working end is a cylinder  221  constructed of one solid piece and contains a hollow conic indentation  222 . The bottom of the working end is the largest diameter  223  of the indentation and the indentation tapers inward  224  to a progressively narrower diameter, until the indentation ends  225 . A profile indicates a substantially conical shaped recess shaped to fit over and cover the printer drive mechanism. The conical shaped recess would be able to engage the printer drive member when the cartridge is fully seated. The working end recess within the working end could be of a solid rigid material wherein the friction of the recess against the printer drive mechanism may engage the working end recess to the print drive mechanism. Alternately, the recess could be made of a flexible and non-rigid substance such as rubber to conform and adapt to the drive member. In a further implementation, the conical shape working end recess could also have slots cut into the inside of the recess  227  in order to accommodate the points of the printer drive member. The points from the printer drive member would engage directly with the slots cut on the inside of the cone. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer device, the drive gear shaft working end fit over the printer drive member such that the side walls of the indentation engage the points on the printer drive mechanism and the contact or friction between the points and the indentation will be sufficient to transfer rotational force from the print driver mechanism to turn the cartridge drive gear shaft. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates a drive shaft containing a plurality of extruded members  230 . The extruded members  231 ,  232 ,  233  extend perpendicular to the working end  234  and are parallel to the drive shaft  235 . The extruded members are not solid throughout but are in fact arch shaped  234  such that the inside of the extruded members underneath the arches do not contain material  235 . The curved end resembles the shapes of hooks. The extruded members do not need to be evenly space  236 , do not need to be diametrically opposed  237  to each other, and there can be any number of extruded members. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the extruded members of the cartridge drive gear shaft would hook onto, lasso, or otherwise engage the points on either side of the printer drive mechanism. The rotation of the printer drive member would then be transmitted through the engaged drive shaft working end to rotate the cartridge drive shaft. 
       FIGS. 24A and 24B  illustrate square extruding prongs on the cartridge drive gear shaft working end  240 . The extruded prongs  241 ,  242 ,  243  are substantially square or rectangular in shape and extend in a substantially perpendicular manner from the flat working end  244 . The working end may have a two or three  240  extruding prongs. The flat working end  244  may further have four  245  or any number or extruded prong. The plurality of prongs may or may not be evenly spaced  246  about the circumference of the working end and may or may not be at differing distances from the center of the working end or from the edge of the working end. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer device, the extruded prongs engage with the points on the printer drive mechanism and the rotation of the printer drive mechanism turns the cartridge drive gear shaft due to the engagement between the drive shaft prongs and the print driver mechanism points. 
       FIG. 25  illustrates a sphere mounted on a podium working end for the cartridge drive gear shaft  250 . The working end  251  of the gear shaft contains a long, narrow podium  252  atop which sits a sphere  253  shape. The sphere  253  contains a plurality of notches  254 ,  255 ,  256 ,  257  or grooves each running in a direction parallel to the podium and parallel to each and every other groove. While the notches illustrated are square notches, the notches could be of any shape including but not limited to round, triangular, and the like. The notches  254 ,  255 ,  256 ,  257  may be cut out the spherical shapes  253  or the spheres may be casts, formed, or otherwise produces with the notches created at the time the sphere  253  is created. The notches  254 ,  255 ,  256 ,  257  extending from the working end would provide an area to engage the prongs contained on either side of the printer drive mechanism. The notches may be diametrically opposite or unevenly spaced about the diameter of the sphere. When the cartridge is installed, the notches on the sphere attached to the drive shaft working end would line up with the points on the printer drive mechanism. 
       FIG. 26  illustrates a multiple solid section working end on the cartridge drive gear shaft  260 . Attached to the working end  263  are at least two solid sections  261 ,  262  which each solid section covers a fractional portion of less than half of the area of the working end. The individual solid sections are raised  264  above the working end  263 . Each individual solid section may or may not be symmetric to itself. Each asymmetric solid section  261 ,  262  may have a side where a flat portion  265  is on an axis that intersects with the center  266  of the working end, while the other side has a guide section  267 . The guide section  267  will have a portion  268  of the side that is on an axis with the center of the working end  266 , while the remainder has a curved hook section  269 . The individual solid sections may contain a surface that is flat with each point on the surface at the same distance from the working end of the drive shaft gear. Alternately, the surface of the individual solid section may be not perfectly flat, with different portions at different distances from the working end. These not perfectly flat portions may be angled, ramped, or slanted in a plurality of angles. The adjacent solid sections may or may not be located diametrically opposite to each other on the surface of the working end. There may be two, three or any number of solid sections located on the working end. The solid sections may be joined in any manner or they may be independently not connected. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the solid sections slide over the printer drive member and the points seat in the gaps  270  between the solid sections. The hook section  269  in the guide section  267  may facilitate the seating of the points into the gaps. 
       FIG. 27  illustrates a circular shapes and recess working end for the cartridge drive gear shaft  271 . The working end  272  contains a plurality of essentially thick, flat crescent circular shaped crescent areas  273 ,  274  extending from the working end  272 . The exterior of the crescent shapes may be flush  275  with the edge of the working end, while the interior of the crescent shapes are an empty area comprising a hollow recess  276  which form a hollow recess area. The plurality of crescents areas  273 ,  274  are separated by a plurality of slots  276 ,  277  cut between the crescents on opposing sides. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the hollow recess  276  would fit over the top of the printer drive mechanism and the points would catch and be engaged by the slots  276 ,  277  within the drive gear shaft working end. 
       FIG. 28  illustrates use of small engaging portions on the working end for the cartridge drive gear shaft  280 . The working end  281  is an essentially flat disc which contains a plurality of fins  282 ,  283  proceeding from the working end  281  in a direction parallel with the direction of the drive shaft  284 . The fins may contain an extend portion  285  which extends past the diameter of the working end such that the distance between the outward edges of two diametrically opposed fin extend portions would exceed the diameter of the working end. The fins may or may not be bent  286  such that the portion of the fin that is directly perpendicular  287  to the working end is aligned at an angle and in a different orientation than the extend portion of the fin  288 . The center of the working end which separates the diametrically opposed fins may also contain a circular shaped recess. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the circular shaped recess would fit over the top of the printer drive mechanism and the fins would catch and be engaged by the points on the printer drive mechanism. 
       FIGS. 29A and 29B  illustrate a plurality of pegs on the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft  290 . The pegs are circular extruded portions  291 ,  292  that extended off of the working end  293  in a direction parallel to the drive shaft  294 . The number of pegs  291 ,  292  extrusions from the working end  293  may consist of two or more and may or may not be diametrically opposed to each other. The working end  293  may also contain an extended edge, which is a circular wall  294  shaped ledge containing a hollow center recess  295 . The pegs would be located atop the top of this wall shaped ledge. 
     The width of the ledge may be larger  296  than the diameter of the individual pegs  297 ,  298 . The edge of a peg may be flush  299  with the edge of the working end, or alternately the pegs  297 ,  298  may be located closer to the center recess. The pegs  291 ,  292  may or may not be located at the same distance from the center of the recess or the edge of the working end. The number of pegs extrusions from the working end may consist of two  290 , three, four, or more and may or may not be diametrically opposed to each other. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the hollow recess  295  would fit over the top of the printer drive mechanism and the points would catch and be engaged by the pegs  291 ,  292  located on the drive gear shaft working end. 
       FIG. 30  illustrates a circular shapes and recess working end for the cartridge drive gear shaft  300 . The working end  303  contains a plurality of essentially thin, flat crescent circular shaped arcs  301 ,  302  extending from the working end  303 . The exterior of the arc shapes  304  may be flush  305  with the edge of the working end  303 , while the interior of the crescent shapes are an empty area  306  which form a hollow recess area. The plurality of arcs  301 ,  302  are separated by a plurality of slots  307 ,  308  cut between the arcs  301 ,  302  on opposing sides. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the hollow recess  306  would fit over the top of the printer drive mechanism and the points would catch and be engaged by the slots  306 ,  307  within the drive gear shaft working end  303 . 
       FIG. 31  illustrates use of small fins on the working end  313  of the cartridge drive gear shaft  310 . 
     The working end  313  contains a plurality of fins  311 ,  312  extruding from the working end  313  in a direction parallel with the direction of the drive shaft  315 . The two extruded fins  311 .  312  members are elongated toward the center  314  of the cartridge drive gear shaft. The fins  311 ,  312  may or may not be bent such that the portion of the fin that is directly perpendicular to the working end  313  is aligned at an angle and in a different orientation than the extend portion of the fin. The center of the working end  314  which separates the diametrically opposed fins  311 ,  312  may also contain a circular shaped recess  317 . When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the circular shaped recess  317  would fit over the top of the printer drive mechanism and the fins  311 ,  312  would catch and be engaged by the points on the printer drive mechanism. 
       FIG. 32  illustrates a plurality of recessed pockets within the working end of a cartridge drive gear shaft  320 . The working end  323  is empty or hollow creating a recess  32   l  enclosed by a thin ring  322 . The ring wall  324  contains a plurality of ribs  325 ,  326 ,  327 ,  328  pointed inward toward the center of the working end recess. A pocket  329  consists of the area located between adjacent ribs. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the recess  321  would fit over the top of the printer drive mechanism and the pockets  329  would be located over the points on the print drive mechanism. The ribs would catch and be engaged by the points on the printer drive mechanism. 
       FIG. 33  illustrates a plurality of prongs attached to the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft  330 . A plurality of prongs  331 ,  332 ,  333 ,  334  extend out from the flat working end in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the drive shaft  335  and at least one side of the prong is aligned with the side of the working end  336 . The working end may contain two, three, four or more prongs and the prongs may or may not be diametrically opposed to each. The prongs  331 ,  332 ,  333 ,  334  may or may not be attached to each either adjacently or oppositely. The side of each prong  337  oriented toward the center of the working end may contain a circular recess  338  cut such that a plurality of similarly cut prongs  331 ,  332 ,  333 ,  334  do produce a recess portion  338  in the center of the working end. The collection of such prongs may produce a cross with a center  339  at the center of the working end. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the recess portion  338  would fit over the top of the printer drive mechanism and the points on the print drive mechanism would fit between the adjacent prongs. 
       FIG. 34  illustrates a groove inside the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft  340 . The working end  341  contains a circular ledge  342  that forms a cylinder shape  349  wherein the axis of the cylinder is the same as the axis of the drive shaft  343 . The cylinder  349  is closed on the end nearest to the working end  341  drive shaft main portion  343 . The ledge  342  contains an engaging portion being formed in a circular shape. The ledge is thick enough as to be able to have tapered recesses  345  cut into the inside of the ledge. The ledge  342  contains a plurality of grooves  346 ,  347  cut into the body of the ledge. Each groove  346  begins with an opening  344  in the ledge  342  and circles along the inside  346  of the ledge, ending where at a point prior to the beginning opening of an adjacent groove  348 . The inside of the ledge  342  will remain open from the cut. The inside of the engaging part of the cartridge drive gear shaft will have an open circle  349  formed from the ledge. The open circle  439  in the middle of the engaging portion of the cartridge drive gear shaft will fit over the printer drive mechanism and the points will fit into the grooves  346 ,  347 . As the printer drive mechanism is rotated the points will move up into the grooves  346  and engage the working end, which will transfer rotational energy from the printer driver mechanism to the cartridge. 
       FIG. 35  illustrates a means of replacing the working end of the cartridge drive shaft  350 . The OEM cartridge drive gear shaft would have to be cut  351  and then the working end  352  could be removed and replaced with and engagement portion that would mate and interface with the printer drive member. Alternately, only one half of the working end end section could be replaced with the other half remaining as it currently arranged. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the replacement working end end portion engages the printer drive member. 
       FIG. 36  illustrates a chain link working end for cartridge drive gear shaft  360 . The working end  361  is a hollow cylinder like a pipe or drum with the end nearest the drive shaft closed  362 . In the center of the closed end is a first loop  363  comprised of a first outer circle section  364  surrounding a first empty space. The first loop is secured by attachment substantially near the center of the working end inside of the cylinder. Attached to the first loop  363  is a second loop  365  made up of a second outer circle section  366  surrounding and enveloping a second empty space. The second loop  365  may be attached by a shaft  367  to any manner of device that can accommodate the printer driver  368  mechanism. The first loop  363  and the second loop  365  are attached together by the first outer circle section  364  passing through the second empty space  366  while simultaneously the second outer circle section  365  passes through the first empty space  364 . Alternately, the first loop  363  and the second loops  365  may be connected by at least one link of chain connecting the first loop  363  with the second loop  365  without either loop directly interacting with the other loop. 
       FIG. 37  illustrates a rib lined cylinder on the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft  370 . The cylinder  371  is comprised of a ring  372  attached to the working end where the height of the ring runs in a direction perpendicular to the drive shaft  373 . The interior  374  of the ring is empty. A plurality of ribs  375 ,  376 ,  377  spaced equal distantly apart  378  from each adjacent rib  375 ,  376 ,  377  are attached to the side of the ring and facing inward toward the center  374  of the ring. The present ring contains 13 such ribs but any number of ribs may be employed. An odd number of ribs such as 3, 5, 7, 9, 15 and the like would prevent any two ribs from being diametrically opposite. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the interior  374  which is empty engages the printer drive member and the printer drive mechanism points are engaged between the equal distantly apart  378  ribs  375 ,  376 . 
       FIG. 38  illustrates 11 ribs lining a cylinder on the working end of the cartridge drive gear shaft  380 . The cylinder  381  is comprised of a ring  382  attached to the working end where the height of the ring runs in a direction perpendicular to the drive shaft  383 . The interior of the ring  384  is empty. A plurality of ribs  385 ,  386 ,  387  spaced equal distantly apart  388  from each adjacent rib are attached to the side of the ring and facing inward toward the center of the ring. The present ring contains 11 ribs  385 ,  386 ,  387 , but any number of ribs may be employed. An odd number of ribs would prevent any two ribs from being diametrically opposite. When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the interior  384  which is empty engages the printer drive member and the printer drive mechanism points are engaged between the equal distantly apart  388  ribs  385 ,  3865 . 
       FIG. 39  illustrates an asymmetric working end for cartridge drive gear shaft  390 . The working end  391  comprises a flat bottomed portion of a ring  392 ,  411  with a surface on the bottom of the working end and a recess  393  in the center. The flat bottom portion of the ring  392 ,  411  on the working end contains two separate and distinct extensions, a rounded side first extension  395  and a claw side second extension  403 . The extensions  395 ,  411  are attached in substantially opposite sides of the working end ring  392  and extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the drive shaft  394 . 
       FIG. 40  illustrates the rounded side extension  395 . The extension  395  contains a rounded side  396  and a notch side  400 , the sides being perpendicular to and resting on the working end  391  between the two ring flat bottom portions  392 ,  411 . The rounded side  396  contains an angular ramp  397  which gradually curves up  398  from the ring surface  392  to the peak  399  of the extension. The notch side  400  comprises an essentially flat portion  401  extending from the peak  399  of the round side  396  to a point below  401  the ring surface  411 . The point below  401  the ring surface  411  is the side of a semi-circle shaped indentation below the surface of the ring  411 , which is a notch  402 . 
       FIG. 41  illustrates the claw side extension  403 . The claw side extension  403  contains a ramp side  404  and a claw side  410 . The ramp side  404  begins with the surface of the ring  411  which leads to a ramp  405  and extends up and away from the surface of the ring  411  to a plateau portion  406 . The plateau portion  406  is substantially at the same height from the surface of the ring as is the peak  399  of the first extension  395 . The plateau portion then leads to a second smaller ramp  407  which leads to a top substantially flat second plateau portion  408  which extends to and ends at a sharp point  409  on the claw side  410 . The claw side  410  contains a sharp point  409  formed by the intersection of the second plateau portion  408  and a drop off  412 . The drop off  412  then tapers back as a semi-circular surface  413  gradually transitioning back up  414  to the surface of the ring  392 . The surface under the claw forms a notch  415 . The notch  415  is also located below the surface of the ring surface  392 . 
     When the cartridge is inserted into the printer, the recess  393  would fit over the top of the printer drive mechanism and the points on the print drive mechanism would slide into and fit into the notches  402 ,  415 . The notches  402 ,  415  would securely receive and retain the points such that when the printer drive mechanism rotates, the points are securely seated in the notches  402 ,  415  and transfer the rotational force to the cartridge drive shaft. 
       FIG. 42  illustrates a base end  4200  of the cartridge drive gear shaft. This base end is used to connect the cartridge drive gear shaft to the printer cartridge gear. This base end  4200  may be used with any of the drive gear shafts described above. The base end is cylindrical and has two holes  4220 . 
       FIG. 43A  illustrates how the base end is used to hold the cartridge drive gear shaft. The two holes receive a pin that may extend beyond the exterior wall of the base end. The cartridge drive gear shaft is mounted onto the pin via an eyelet (as shown in  FIG. 41 ), a hole in the shaft, or some other feature. The cartridge drive gear is able to rotate about the pin in an angular direction. The base unit limits the range of motion of the cartridge drive gear shaft. 
     In alternative embodiment, the drive gear shaft is attached via a link as shown in  FIG. 36 . In this embodiment there is no pin in the base end. The base end may be provide with two protrusions where the holes were located in order to allow for the base to engage with the print cartridge gear. 
       FIG. 44  illustrates an interior of the print cartridge gear. This interior may be formed as part of the gear or may be inserted that fits inside the gear. The interior of the gear has one or more slots  4410  for receiving the pin  4330  and the one more slots guide the pin to a position that allows transfer of rotation forces from the drive gear element to the gear. Each of the slots extends “vertically” from a distal end towards a base end. The base end is the end nearest the print cartridge. Each of the slots also has a slot that extends in “horizontally” outward. The horizontal slots allows for the base unit illustrated in  FIGS. 43A and 43B  to connect via the pin  4330 . This configuration also allows for the prior art cartridge drive gear shaft having a ball end to engage the interior of the gear. 
       FIG. 45  an alternative embodiment of the interior of print cartridge gear. In this embodiment the one or more slots start off “vertically” to receive the pin  4330 . The slots then extend diagonally towards the base end of the interior. The slots may extend diagonally in a substantially straight line or in a curved line. The slots have a final vertical drop to receive the pin. When the pin is seated in the vertical drop, rotation of the drive gear is transmitted via the pin to the print cartridge. This embodiment allows for a full range of motion of cartridge drive gear shaft when the base end is used. When the prior art ball base is used, motion is limited to a single direction. 
     The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification. Thus, the appended claims are intended to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirits and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described. Accordingly, all appropriate modifications and equivalents may be included within the scope of the invention. 
     Although this invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made which clearly fall within the scope of the invention. The invention is intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.