IP Library Granted Patent US 11,117,403
Granted Patent B2
US 11,117,403 · App. 16/664,288 · Granted Sep 14, 2021

Printhead carriers and adapters

Inventors: Robert P. Gotschewski (Schaumburg, IL); Timothy T. Anderson (Antioch, IL)
Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
B41J25/34B41J2/32B41J2/325B41J2/335B41J25/312B41J2202/31
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,117,403
App. No.
16/664,288
Granted
Sep 14, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Printhead carriers and adapters are disclosed. An example disclosed print mechanism includes an adapter to simultaneously couple a printhead assembly to both a logic circuit of a media processing device and a power source of the media processing device; a printhead carrier coupled to the adapter; and wherein a first connection, between data input connector and the logic circuit, and a second connection, between the power input connector and the power source, are maintained when the printhead assembly is removed from the print mechanism.

Claims (28)

1. A print mechanism, comprising:

an adapter configured to simultaneously couple a printhead assembly to both a logic circuit of a media processing device and a power source of the media processing device, the adapter including a data input connector and a power input connector;

a printhead carrier coupled to the adapter wherein a first connection between the data input connector and the logic circuit and a second connection between the power input connector and a power source are maintained when the printhead assembly is removed from the print mechanism.

2. A print mechanism as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a toggle assembly to, when in a disengaged position, allow the printhead carrier to being configured in an access configuration, wherein the access configuration enables the simultaneous coupling and decoupling of the printhead assembly to and from both the logic circuit and the power source.

3. A print mechanism as defined in claim 2 , wherein the toggle assembly is to, when in an engaged position, apply a force to the printhead carrier with the printhead carrier in a closed configuration.

4. A print mechanism as defined in claim 1 , wherein the adapter is coupled to the printhead carrier via a pivot mechanism.

5. A print mechanism as defined in claim 1 , wherein the adapter is configured to simultaneously decouple the printhead assembly from both the logic circuit and the power source.

6. A print mechanism as defined in claim 1 , wherein the adapter includes alignment arms configured to be received in alignment receptacles of the printhead assembly.

7. A print mechanism as defined in claim 1 , wherein the adapter includes an output connector coupled to the data input connector and the power input connector, wherein the output connector is configured to simultaneously establish the first connection between the printhead assembly and the logic circuit and the second connection between the printhead assembly and the power source.

8. A print mechanism as defined in claim 1 , wherein the adapter includes a board to couple:

the power input connector of the adapter to an output connector of the adapter; and

the data input connector of the adapter to the output connector of the adapter.

9. A print mechanism as defined in claim 8 , wherein the power input connector and the data input connector are mounted on a first side of the board.

10. A print mechanism as defined in claim 9 , wherein the output connector is mounted on a second side of the board opposing the first side.

11. A print mechanism as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a cover to guide the printhead assembly into engagement with the adapter.

12. A print mechanism as defined in claim 1 , wherein the adapter includes a first plurality of ports configured to matingly engaged a second plurality of ports of a connector of the printhead assembly.

13. A print mechanism as defined in claim 1 , wherein the logic circuit is configured to provide the printhead assembly, via the adapter, data representative of indicia to be generated on media.

14. A media processing device comprising:

a logic circuit to provide print data usable by a printhead assembly to generate indicia on media;

a power source to provide power to the printhead assembly;

an adapter including:

a data input connector coupled to the logic circuit; and

a power input connector coupled to the power source, wherein the data input connector remains coupled to the logic circuit and the power input connector remains coupled to the power source when the printhead assembly is removed.

15. A media processing device as defined in claim 14 , further comprising a toggle assembly to, when in a disengaged position, allow the printhead carrier to being configured in an access configuration wherein the access configuration enables simultaneous coupling of the printhead assembly to both the logic circuit and the power source.

16. A media processing device as defined in claim 15 , wherein the toggle assembly is to, when in an engaged position, apply a force to the printhead carrier with the printhead carrier in a closed configuration.

17. A media processing device as defined in claim 14 , wherein the adapter is coupled to the printhead carrier via a pivot mechanism.

18. A media processing device as defined in claim 14 , wherein the adapter is configured to simultaneously decouple the printhead assembly from both the logic circuit and the power source.

19. A media processing device as defined in claim 14 , wherein the adapter includes alignment arms configured to be received in alignment receptacles of the printhead assembly.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2021
From: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 056471/0906 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST - 364 - DAY Recorded Mar 5, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; LASER BAND, LLC; TEMPTIME CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056036/0590 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2020
From: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; LASER BAND, LLC; TEMPTIME CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053841/0212 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2020
From: GOTSCHEWSKI, ROBERT P.; ANDERSON, TIMOTHY T.
To: ZIH CORP.
Reel/Frame 053399/0157 →
MERGER Recorded Aug 4, 2020
From: ZIH CORP.
To: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 053399/0237 →