Portable printer
An example of the disclosed printer includes a ribbon cover configured to move between an opened ribbon position for providing access to the ribbon supply and a closed ribbon position. The ribbon cover including a slidable opening mechanism The printer further includes a media cover configured to move between an opened media position for providing access to a media supply and a closed media position.
1. A printer comprising:
a ribbon cover configured to move between an opened ribbon position to provide access to a ribbon supply and a closed ribbon position;
a slidable opening mechanism, to enable a sliding movement of the ribbon cover; and
a media cover configured to move between an opened media position to provide access to a media supply and a closed media position
wherein:
the printer defines a top surface, a front surface, and a bottom surface;
the ribbon cover and the media cover each form at least part of the front surface, and
the slidable opening mechanism is biased upwardly along a slide direction generally away from the bottom surface.
2. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the slidable opening mechanism is configured to retain the ribbon cover in the opened ribbon position.
3. The printer of claim 1 , comprising a clamshell opening mechanism to enable hinged movement of the media cover.
4. The printer of claim 3 , wherein the clamshell opening mechanism is structured to pivot downwardly generally away from the top surface.
5. The printer of claim 3 , comprising a first button to trigger the clamshell opening mechanism.
6. The printer of claim 5 , wherein the first button is located on a side of the printer substantially orthogonal to the front surface.
7. The printer of claim 5 , comprising a second button to trigger the slidable opening mechanism, wherein the second button is positioned generally adjacent to the first button.
8. The printer of claim 7 , comprising a seam defined between the ribbon cover and the media cover, wherein the first button and the second button are generally positioned proximate the seam.
9. The printer of claim 7 , wherein the second button is accessible when the media cover is in the open media position.
10. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the ribbon cover is movable to the opened ribbon position when the media cover is in the open media position.
11. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the ribbon cover has alignment markings featured on the front surface.
12. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the media cover encloses a media receiving area.
13. The printer of claim 12 , comprising media support arms within the media receiving area to support the media supply.
14. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the ribbon cover encloses a ribbon receiving area.
15. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the media cover is movable to the open media position when the ribbon cover is in the closed ribbon position.