FORMAT CONTROL TAPE CARTRIDGE AND MOUNTING ASSEMBLY THEREFORE

This invention applies to the control of material advancing means and more particularly to the control of the format of a record medium, such as an elongated paper web, advanced through a printing machine. The control is exercised by a format tape protectingly housed within a cartridge and drivingly engaged by a sprocket wheel therein which is connectable to a driving shaft associated with that part of the printing machine for advancing the paper web. The cartridge with the enclosed tape and sprocket wheel is mounted upon a plate assembly carried by the machine having protruding operating elements, one a driving shaft associated with the web advancing means and the other a tape reader, the two operating elements cooperating with the construction of the cartridge to enter the same and in the first instance drivingly couple the sprocket wheel to the drive shaft and in the second instance disposing the tape reader in position to read the tape within the cartridge. When drivingly coupled to the drive shaft, the sprocket wheel is supported thereby so that it is free of any contact with the surfaces of the cartridge within which it is housed. Also provision is made for adjusting the tape reader while the cartridge is mounted on the printing machine.