Patent ID: 7079168

Claim:
An apparatus for driving and tensioning a ribbon comprising: a housing; means for supplying a ribbon mounted on said housing; supply dancer means for applying tension to the ribbon, said supply dancer means being positioned downstream of said supplying means, said supply dancer means including a supply dancing arm pivotally mounted on said housing and a supply channel affixed to said housing, a portion of said supply dancing arm being capable of moving in and out of said supply channel; a printhead mounted on said housing and positioned downstream of said supply dancer means; take-up dancer means for applying tension to the ribbon, said take-up dancer means being positioned downstream of said printhead, said take-up dancer means includes a take-up dancing arm pivotally mounted on said housing and a take-up channel affixed to said housing, a portion of said take-up dancing arm being capable of moving in and out of said take-up channel; and means for taking up the ribbon mounted on said housing.