Printer mobility and scalability
View Patent ↗Provided herein are devices, methods and other means, including those related to printers, as well as computer readable media for storing code to execute instructions for a device, and other systems for providing and supporting mobile printing and other types of devices. The circuit boards of a device can each be dedicated to different types of functionality and be installed into the device without the use of fasteners. In some embodiments, the printer's housing can include a base portion and a defining portion, where the defining portion largely defines the printer's shape, size and aesthetics and the base portion defines the printer's minimum size. Also provided herein is a removable belt clip that may be affixed to a portable printer and/or other device.
1. A printer, comprising:
circuitry; and
a housing that at least substantially defines an exterior shape of the printer, the housing including a base portion supporting the circuitry and a unitary defining portion, wherein:
the unitary defining portion defines an opening structured to receive the base portion therethrough during assembly of the housing; and
upon assembly of the housing:
the unitary defining portion shields the circuitry; and
the unitary defining portion envelopes the base portion such that a seam at which the unitary defining portion meets the base portion is at least partially located along a first side of the printer on which the printer is configured to rest while printing.
2. The printer of claim 1 , wherein upon assembly of the housing:
the housing defines six sides of the exterior shape of the printer;
the unitary defining portion at least substantially defines a second of the six sides;
the unitary defining portion at least substantially defines a third of the six sides;
the unitary defining portion at least substantially defines a fourth of the six sides;
the unitary defining portion at least substantially defines a fifth of the six sides;
the unitary defining portion at least substantially defines a sixth of the six sides; and
the base portion at least substantially defines the first side.
3. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the first side is configured to sit upon a surface and remain steady while the printer is printing.
4. The printer of claim 1 , wherein, upon assembly of the housing, the first side of the printer opposes a second side of the printer, the second side including a media cover that is configured to open to allow the printer to receive media.
5. The printer of claim 1 , wherein at least one dimension of the unitary defining portion is at least partially related to a size of a media roll installable into the printer.
6. The printer of claim further comprising an overmold that at least partially covers the base portion.
7. The printer of claim 1 further comprising an overmold, wherein:
the overmold at least partially covers the unitary defining portion; and
the overmold does not cover the base portion.
8. The printer of claim 7 , wherein the overmold covers a seamless portion of the housing.
9. The printer of claim 7 , wherein the overmold is configured to allow use of a molded plastic strain relief component that removably locks a cable to the printer.
10. The printer of claim 7 , wherein the overmold is configured to allow use of a USB connector strain relief component.
11. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the unitary defining portion is comprised at least mostly of plastic.
12. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the unitary defining portion defines a flange structured to support the base portion upon assembly of the housing.
13. The printer of claim 12 , wherein the flange defines a first fastening hole that is aligned with a second fastening hole of the base portion upon assembly of the housing.
14. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the first side is configured to abut a body of a person when the printer is affixed to the person.
15. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the first side opposes a second side including a media slot through which media is output by the printer.
16. A method of manufacturing a printer, comprising:
providing circuitry;
coupling the circuitry to a base portion of a housing of the printer;
inserting the circuitry and the base portion through an opening in a unitary defining portion of the housing; and
coupling the base portion to the unitary defining portion, wherein, upon the coupling of the base portion to the unitary defining portion, the unitary defining portion envelopes the base portion such that a seam at which the unitary defining portion meets the base portion is at least partially located along a first side of the printer on which the printer is configured to rest while printing.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein inserting the circuitry and the base portion into the unitary defining portion defines at least a substantial part of the first side of the minter.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein inserting the circuitry and the base portion through the opening in the unitary defining portion of the housing comprises inserting the circuitry and the base portion through a hole that is configured to receive media.
19. The method of claim 16 further comprising applying an overmold that at least partially covers the base portion.
20. The method of claim 16 further comprising applying an overmold that at least partially covers the unitary defining portion.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein applying the overmold further includes applying the overmold such that the overmold does not cover the base portion.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein applying the overmold further includes applying the overmold such that the overmold is seamless.
23. The method of claim 20 , wherein applying the overmold further includes applying the overmold such that the overmold covers a seamless portion of the housing.
24. The method of claim 20 , wherein applying the overmold further includes applying the overmold such that the overmold is configured to allow use of a molded plastic strain relief component that removably locks a cable to the printer and transfers any external stress to internal components of the printer.
25. The method of claim 20 , wherein applying the overmold further includes applying the overmold such that the overmold is configured to allow use of a USB connector strain relief component.