PURPOSE: To switch a ribbon without using a driving source exclusive for a ribbon lift by providing an intermittent mechanism and an engaging means for stopping the rotation of an intermittent gear between a driving gear and a lift cam.

CONSTITUTION: When an ink ribbon cassette 7 mounted on a carriage 2 in the movable manner in the vertical direction is to be lifted, a trigger solenoid 35 is excited and a plunger 36 is attracted against a returning spring 21. A notch part of a trigger lever 20 is separated from a projecting part of a lift intermittent gear 16, and at the same time, the carriage 2 is moved to mesh the lift intermittent gear 16 with a lift transmission gear 14. At this time, the lift intermittent gear 16 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of a lift friction gear. Meanwhile, when the excitation of the trigger solenoid 35 is shut and the carriage 2 is moved to mesh the notch part of the trigger lever 20 with the projecting part of the lift intermittent gear 16, the rotation of the lift intermittent gear 16 is stopped.