IP Library Granted Patent US 8,882,374
Granted Patent B2
US 8,882,374 · App. 13/481,067 · Granted Nov 11, 2014

Printer with print frame interlock and adjustable media support

Inventors: Kenneth Colonel (Oviedo, FL); Raul Palacios (Apopka, FL); Ching-Yang Chou (New Taipei, TW); Dick Feng Yi Tai (New Taipei, TW)
Assignee: Datamax—O'Neil Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,882,374
App. No.
13/481,067
Granted
Nov 11, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A printer having improved operational features. The printer includes an articulating print frame assembly coupled to a top cover that is adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position. When the print frame is in an open position, the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to a closed position. The printer may include at least one media support member with a media adjustment channel disposed therein, a media adjustment member slidingly disposed through each of the media adjustment channels, and a resilient member configured to apply friction between each of the media adjustment members and the corresponding media support member.

Claims (37)

1. A media support member, comprising:

a media adjustment channel disposed in the media support member;

a media adjustment member slidingly disposed through the media adjustment channel;

a recess continuous with the media adjustment channel and configured to receive the media adjustment member, such that the media adjustment member is flush with an inner surface of the media support member; and

a resilient member configured to apply friction between the media adjustment member and the inner surface of the media support member.

2. The media support member as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the media adjustment member further comprises at least one tab, and the media support member further comprises at least one tab receiving member, wherein the at least one tab is configured to engage with the at least one tab receiving member.

3. The media support member as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the media adjustment member further comprises an engaging member on a first end of the media adjustment member and a shaft on a second end of the media adjustment member.

4. The media support member as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the shaft is slidingly disposed in the media adjustment channel.

5. The media support member as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the resilient member is a compression spring which substantially surrounds the shaft, and wherein the compression spring is secured by a retaining member which is threadedly engaged with the shaft.

6. A printer, comprising:

a bottom housing;

a top cover coupled to the bottom housing, the top cover being adapted to rotate away from the bottom housing to an open position and rotate toward the bottom housing to a closed position; and

at least one media support member including:

a media adjustment channel disposed in the at least one media support member;

a media adjustment member slidingly disposed through the media adjustment channel;

a recess continuous with the media adjustment channel and configured to receive the media adjustment member, such that the media adjustment member is flush with an inner surface of the at least one media support member; and

a resilient member configured to apply friction between the media adjustment member and the inner surface of the at least one media support member.

7. The printer as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising:

a slot formed on the top cover and a protrusion disposed on the top cover; and

a friction member disposed through the slot and a female pocket disposed on the friction member; wherein the protrusion is configured to rest within the female pocket.

8. The printer as claimed in claim 7 , wherein selective engagement of the protrusion with the female pocket inhibits movement of the friction member.

9. The printer as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising:

a print frame assembly coupled to the top cover, the print frame assembly being adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position; and wherein the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to the closed position when the print frame assembly is in the open position.

10. The printer as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the at least one media support member includes a first media support member and a second media support member reciprocally movable along a transverse axis of the printer and configured to support media therebetween.

11. The printer as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising a stop selectively adjustable along a transverse axis of the printer and adapted to prevent transverse motion of the at least one media support member.

12. The printer as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the media adjustment member further comprises at least one tab and at least one tab receiving member, wherein the at least one tab is configured to engage with the at least one tab receiving member.

13. The printer as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the media adjustment member further comprises an engaging member on a first end of the media adjustment member and a shaft on a second end of the media adjustment member.

14. The printer as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the shaft is slidingly disposed in the media adjustment channel.

15. The printer as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the resilient member is a compression spring which substantially surrounds the shaft, and wherein the compression spring is secured by a retaining member which is threadedly engaged with the shaft.

16. A printer system, comprising:

a first media support member and a second media support member, wherein each of the first and second media support members includes:

a media adjustment channel disposed in the respective one of the first and second media support members;

a media adjustment member slidingly disposed through the respective media adjustment channel;

a recess continuous with the media adjustment channel and configured to receive the media adjustment member, such that the media adjustment member is flush with an inner surface of the respective one of the first and second media support members; and

a resilient member configured to apply friction between the media adjustment member and the inner surface of the respective one of the first and second media support members.

17. The printer system as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising a media cartridge disposed between the first media support member and the second media support member.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the media cartridge further comprises a media sensor channel disposed on at least one side of the media cartridge.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CORRECT NAME OF THE ASSIGNEE IS HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 062308 FRAME: 0749. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Feb 1, 2023
From: DATAMAX-O'NEIL CORPORATION
To: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062639/0020 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2023
From: DATAMAX-O'NEIL CORPORATION
To: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062308/0749 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 14, 2012
From: COLONEL, KENNETH; PALACIOS, RAUL; CHOU, CHING-YANG; TAI, DICK FENG YI
To: DATAMAX-O'NEIL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028376/0557 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130314721A1 · Nov 28, 2013