Printer is provided having support base on which print media travels. Printer includes thickness detection module and processor. Thickness detection module includes pinch arm assembly with pinch arm having first and second ends, encoder, and proximate dual channel encoder sensor. First end is biased toward support base. Encoder with number of circumferentially spaced line pairs is disposed at second end. Pinch arm and encoder configured to rotate in response to engagement of pinch arm with at least print media portion. Dual channel encoder sensor configured to detect rotation direction and encoder count and output signal representing encoder count. Encoder count is number of circumferentially spaced line pairs that pass by dual channel encoder sensor as pinch arm and encoder rotate. Processor is communicatively coupled to dual channel encoder sensor and configured to receive signal and calculate print media thickness of portion from encoder count using conversion factor.

A printing apparatus includes a printhead on a movable carriage; an operating unit operating by a driving force of a driving source; a transmitting unit being displaced by the driving force between a position where the transmitting unit transmits the driving force to the operating unit and a non-transmitting position; a movable member arranged on a moving path of the carriage; a restricting member being displaced, in coordination with a displacement of the movable member, between a position where the displacement of the transmitting unit is restricted and a non-restricting position; and a selecting member provided between the movable member and the restricting member. The selecting member is displaced between a position where the movable member and the restricting member are coordinated with each other by the selecting member and a non-coordinating position.

A printing apparatus includes a printhead on a movable carriage; an operating unit operating by a driving force of a driving source; a transmitting unit being displaced by the driving force between a position where the transmitting unit transmits the driving force to the operating unit and a non-transmitting position; a movable member arranged on a moving path of the carriage; a restricting member being displaced, in coordination with a displacement of the movable member, between a position where the displacement of the transmitting unit is restricted and a non-restricting position; and a selecting member provided between the movable member and the restricting member. The selecting member is displaced between a position where the movable member and the restricting member are coordinated with each other by the selecting member and a non-coordinating position.

A thermal printer includes a platen roller, a thermal head, a head support plate, a frame including a platen roller support portion, a turn support portion configured to support the head support plate, and an urging member configured to urge the head support plate in a direction in which the thermal head approaches the platen roller. The thermal head is fixed to an opposed surface of the head support plate, which is in a first region located on one side with respect to the turn support portion, and is opposed to the platen roller in the first direction. The urging member is interposed between the opposed surface of the head support plate in a second region, which is located on another side with respect to the turn support portion and an urging member support portion of the frame.

A thermal printer includes a platen roller, a thermal head, a head support plate, a frame including a platen roller support portion, a turn support portion configured to support the head support plate, and an urging member configured to urge the head support plate in a direction in which the thermal head approaches the platen roller. The thermal head is fixed to an opposed surface of the head support plate, which is in a first region located on one side with respect to the turn support portion, and is opposed to the platen roller in the first direction. The urging member is interposed between the opposed surface of the head support plate in a second region, which is located on another side with respect to the turn support portion and an urging member support portion of the frame.

Printhead carriers and adapters are disclosed. An example disclosed print mechanism includes a printhead carrier including first and second pivot mechanisms; and a toggle assembly to, when in an engaged position, apply a force to the printhead carrier with the printhead carrier in a closed configuration, wherein the closed configuration enables printing operations, when in a disengaged position, allow the printhead carrier to transition to an open configuration via the first pivot mechanism, wherein the open configuration provides access to a printhead carried by the printhead carrier, and when in the disengaged position, allow the printhead carrier to transition to an access configuration via the second pivot mechanism, wherein the access configuration enables removal of the printhead from the printhead carrier.

Printer is provided having support base on which print media travels. Printer includes thickness detection module and processor. Thickness detection module includes pinch arm assembly with pinch arm having first and second ends, encoder, and proximate dual channel encoder sensor. First end is biased toward support base. Encoder with number of circumferentially spaced line pairs is disposed at second end. Pinch arm and encoder configured to rotate in response to engagement of pinch arm with at least print media portion. Dual channel encoder sensor configured to detect rotation direction and encoder count and output signal representing encoder count. Encoder count is number of circumferentially spaced line pairs that pass by dual channel encoder sensor as pinch arm and encoder rotate. Processor is communicatively coupled to dual channel encoder sensor and configured to receive signal and calculate print media thickness of portion from encoder count using conversion factor.

A thermal printer having a printhead, a printhead arm to engage and disengage the printhead, a platen roller, a user interface, and a printhead pressure adjustment mechanism is provided. The improvement consists of at least one force sensor adapted to sense the pressure between the printhead and the platen roller in real-time. The force sensor is communicatively linked to the user interface. The user interface is configured to display the pressure measured by the force sensor in real-time.

A thermal printer having a printhead, a printhead arm to engage and disengage the printhead, a platen roller, a user interface, and a printhead pressure adjustment mechanism is provided. The improvement consists of at least one force sensor adapted to sense the pressure between the printhead and the platen roller in real-time. The force sensor is communicatively linked to the user interface. The user interface is configured to display the pressure measured by the force sensor in real-time.

Provided herein is a media processing device including a printhead assembly, a frame, and a biasing element. The printhead assembly includes a printhead and a printhead bracket, where the printhead assembly extends in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, and where the printhead bracket includes a biasing force receiving element. The frame may be configured to receive and support the printhead assembly, where the frame includes a first portion disposed adjacent to the first end of the printhead assembly, and a second frame portion is disposed adjacent to the second end of the printhead assembly. The biasing element may extend between the first frame portion and the second frame portion, where the biasing element may engage the biasing force receiving element of the printhead assembly.