A printing device and the ribbon mounting mechanism thereof are disclosed. The ribbon mounting mechanism is used for mounting a first ribbon comprising a first core and a second ribbon comprising a second core having a diameter smaller than that of the first core. The ribbon mounting mechanism includes a first shaft supporting the first core of the first ribbon; a second shaft supporting the second core of the second ribbon, wherein the second shaft and the first shaft are concentrically disposed; a torque generator comprising a third shaft; a first gear set connecting the first shaft and the third shaft, and torque generated by the torque generator is transmitted to the first shaft through the first gear set; and a second gear set connecting the second shaft and the third shaft, and torque generated by the torque generator is transmitted to the second shaft through the second gear set.

An example disclosure printer includes a base assembly, a lid pivotably attached to the base assembly, and a ribbon frame pivotably connected to the base. The ribbon frame is configured to receive at least one ribbon spool; a ribbon locker configured to interact with the ribbon spool via a spool gear assembly, the ribbon locker comprising: a biasing element to maintain a biasing force on the ribbon locker in a first direction, a first pawl, a second pawl, and a central pivot, wherein: when the ribbon locker is rotated by the actuator in the first direction, the first pawl is brought into contact with the spool gear assembly, and when the ribbon locking assembly is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second pawl is brought into contact with the spool gear assembly.

An example disclosure printer includes a base assembly, a lid pivotably attached to the base assembly, and a ribbon frame pivotably connected to the base. The ribbon frame is configured to receive at least one ribbon spool; a ribbon locker configured to interact with the ribbon spool via a spool gear assembly, the ribbon locker comprising: a biasing element to maintain a biasing force on the ribbon locker in a first direction, a first pawl, a second pawl, and a central pivot, wherein: when the ribbon locker is rotated by the actuator in the first direction, the first pawl is brought into contact with the spool gear assembly, and when the ribbon locking assembly is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second pawl is brought into contact with the spool gear assembly.

An auxiliary tape cassette includes a roll configured of a wound auxiliary tape and a case housing the roll. The auxiliary tape is for printing on a printing tape. The case has a discharge port for discharging the printing tape and a guide surface for guiding the printing tape toward the discharge port. The guide surface is defined on an inner surface or an outer surface of the case. The printing tape is wrapped around the guide surface to form a spiral portion whose angle of rotation about a central axis of the spiral portion is greater than or equal to 180 degrees. The central axis is parallel to a winding axis of the roll. The guide surface includes a curved surface for guiding at least a portion of the spiral portion on an upstream side of the discharge port in a discharging direction of the printing tape.

An auxiliary tape cassette includes a roll configured of a wound auxiliary tape and a case housing the roll. The auxiliary tape is for printing on a printing tape. The case has a discharge port for discharging the printing tape and a guide surface for guiding the printing tape toward the discharge port. The guide surface is defined on an inner surface or an outer surface of the case. The printing tape is wrapped around the guide surface to form a spiral portion whose angle of rotation about a central axis of the spiral portion is greater than or equal to 180 degrees. The central axis is parallel to a winding axis of the roll. The guide surface includes a curved surface for guiding at least a portion of the spiral portion on an upstream side of the discharge port in a discharging direction of the printing tape.

A tape cassette includes: a tape roll in which a tape is wound; a ribbon spool about which an ink ribbon is wound; a ribbon take-up spool configured to take up the ink ribbon; a housing having a first opening; a first gear configured to transmit a drive force to the ribbon take-up spool; and a second gear configured to operate in response to an operation of the first gear. The housing includes: a partition plate partitioning an internal space of the housing into a first space in which the tape roll and the ribbon spool are positioned and a second space in which the first gear and the second gear are positioned; and an arm having a second opening allowing the tape and the ink ribbon to be discharged through the second opening to an outside of the housing.

A tape cassette includes: a tape roll in which a tape is wound; a ribbon spool about which an ink ribbon is wound; a ribbon take-up spool configured to take up the ink ribbon; a housing having a first opening; a first gear configured to transmit a drive force to the ribbon take-up spool; and a second gear configured to operate in response to an operation of the first gear. The housing includes: a partition plate partitioning an internal space of the housing into a first space in which the tape roll and the ribbon spool are positioned and a second space in which the first gear and the second gear are positioned; and an arm having a second opening allowing the tape and the ink ribbon to be discharged through the second opening to an outside of the housing.

A tape cassette includes: a ribbon roll in which an ink ribbon is wound; a tape roll in which a tape is wound; and a housing having an opening space. The housing includes a first partition plate and an arm. The arm has a discharge port allowing the ink ribbon and the tape to be discharged to the opening space through the discharge port. In the tape cassette, the ink ribbon has a leading part extending from an interior of the arm to an outside of the housing through both the discharge port and the opening space. The leading part has a leading edge positioned outside the housing.

A tape cassette includes: a ribbon roll in which an ink ribbon is wound; a tape roll in which a tape is wound; and a housing having an opening space. The housing includes a first partition plate and an arm. The arm has a discharge port allowing the ink ribbon and the tape to be discharged to the opening space through the discharge port. In the tape cassette, the ink ribbon has a leading part extending from an interior of the arm to an outside of the housing through both the discharge port and the opening space. The leading part has a leading edge positioned outside the housing.

A tape cassette includes: a ribbon roll in which an ink ribbon is wound; and a housing. The housing has an opening space in which printing is performed using the ink ribbon. The housing includes a first partition plate and an arm. The arm has a discharge port allowing the ink ribbon to be discharged to the opening space through the discharge port. In the tape cassette, the ink ribbon has a leading part extending from an interior of the arm to an outside of the housing through both the discharge port and the opening space. The leading part has a leading edge positioned outside the housing.