Patent ID: 7234884

Claim:
In combination with a printing mechanism of the type in which ribbon spools are required to be locked in place radially when the printing mechanism is functioning, wherein the printing mechanism includes a pivoting ribbon tension arm that applies tension to the ribbon for printing-related purposes and the tension arm must be pivoted out of its normal operating position when ribbon is to be replaced and held out of position during the replacement process, the improvement comprising: a ribbon spool lock assembly including a rotating locking hub on the side of the printing mechanism, the rotating locking hub including a locking feature that protrudes into the printing mechanism to radially lock the ribbon spool when the locking hub is in a locked position thereby providing a positive radial spool lock, the assembly further including a pivoting lock arm for pivoting the locking hub into an unlocked position in which the locking feature is disengaged from the ribbon spool.