In a case where a first tape cartridge is mounted on a cartridge mounting portion, in which the first tape cartridge that accommodates first tape and a first platen roller having a first roller length and a second tape cartridge that accommodates second tape and a second platen roller having a second roller length larger than the first roller length are mounted, a thermal head that performs printing onto the first tape is pressed against the first platen roller at first head pressing force, and in a case where the second tape cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the thermal head that performs printing onto the second tape is pressed against the second platen roller at second head pressing force larger than the first head pressing force.

Provided is a driving mechanism for a photo printer, the photo printer having a frame for accommodating paper therein and a platen roller coupled to the frame to transfer paper, and the driving mechanism includes: a motor for providing a rotary force to the platen roller; a motor pinion disposed on one side of the frame to output the rotary force of the motor; at least one or more reduction gears coupled to a side wall of the frame to reduce the rotary force of the motor pinion; a final gear coupled to the platen roller to receive the reduced rotary force from the reduction gears; and a pressurizing member for elastically pressurizing the reduction gears against the side wall of the frame.

Provided is a driving mechanism for a photo printer, the photo printer having a frame for accommodating paper therein and a platen roller coupled to the frame to transfer paper, and the driving mechanism includes: a motor for providing a rotary force to the platen roller; a motor pinion disposed on one side of the frame to output the rotary force of the motor; at least one or more reduction gears coupled to a side wall of the frame to reduce the rotary force of the motor pinion; a final gear coupled to the platen roller to receive the reduced rotary force from the reduction gears; and a pressurizing member for elastically pressurizing the reduction gears against the side wall of the frame.

A recording-head position adjustment mechanism includes a beam to suspend a recording head that discharges droplets so that the recording head is drawable out in a predetermined direction; a first supporter disposed at one end of the beam in the predetermined direction and having a support shaft to support the beam; a second supporter disposed at another end of the beam in the predetermined direction with the beam interposed between the first supporter and the second supporter. The second supporter is attached with an adjuster via which the second supporter supports the beam. The adjuster includes a coarse-adjustment shaft member and a fine-adjustment shaft member that are manually rotatable independent of each other. The coarse-adjustment shaft member coarsely adjusts a rotation angle of the beam at which the beam rotates around the support shaft by manual rotation. The fine-adjustment shaft member finely adjusts the rotation angle of the beam.

A recording-head position adjustment mechanism includes a beam to suspend a recording head that discharges droplets so that the recording head is drawable out in a predetermined direction; a first supporter disposed at one end of the beam in the predetermined direction and having a support shaft to support the beam; a second supporter disposed at another end of the beam in the predetermined direction with the beam interposed between the first supporter and the second supporter. The second supporter is attached with an adjuster via which the second supporter supports the beam. The adjuster includes a coarse-adjustment shaft member and a fine-adjustment shaft member that are manually rotatable independent of each other. The coarse-adjustment shaft member coarsely adjusts a rotation angle of the beam at which the beam rotates around the support shaft by manual rotation. The fine-adjustment shaft member finely adjusts the rotation angle of the beam.

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.

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.

A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate provided adjacent to the printer, the printhead having a first configuration in which the printhead is spaced apart from the printing surface and a second configuration in which the printhead is configured to press the substrate against a printing surface during a printing operation. The printer further comprises a printhead drive assembly configured to cause movement of the printhead towards and away from the printing surface between the first and second configurations, the printhead drive assembly comprising a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. When the electromagnet is in a first condition, an attractive magnetic force is generated between the permanent magnet and the electromagnet, and when the electromagnet is in a second condition, a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the permanent magnet and the electromagnet, each of said attractive and repulsive magnetic forces being configured to one of urge the printhead away from and towards the printing surface. The printhead drive assembly is configured such that, when the printhead is in each of the first and second configurations, it is retained in that configuration by the printhead drive assembly when the electromagnet is in the first condition, the printhead being retained in one of the first and second configurations by said attractive magnetic force generated between the permanent magnet and the electromagnet.

A printer comprising a printhead configured to selectively cause a mark to be created on a substrate provided adjacent to the printer, the printhead having a first configuration in which the printhead is spaced apart from the printing surface and a second configuration in which the printhead is configured to press the substrate against a printing surface during a printing operation. The printer further comprises a printhead drive assembly configured to cause movement of the printhead towards and away from the printing surface between the first and second configurations, the printhead drive assembly comprising a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. When the electromagnet is in a first condition, an attractive magnetic force is generated between the permanent magnet and the electromagnet, and when the electromagnet is in a second condition, a repulsive magnetic force is generated between the permanent magnet and the electromagnet, each of said attractive and repulsive magnetic forces being configured to one of urge the printhead away from and towards the printing surface. The printhead drive assembly is configured such that, when the printhead is in each of the first and second configurations, it is retained in that configuration by the printhead drive assembly when the electromagnet is in the first condition, the printhead being retained in one of the first and second configurations by said attractive magnetic force generated between the permanent magnet and the electromagnet.

A thermal printer includes a frame, a platen roller supported on the frame so as to be rotatable about a first direction, a head support plate supported on the frame, and a thermal head fixed to the head support plate. The head nips paper between the roller in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The frame includes a swing support portion supporting the plate so that the plate is swingable about the first direction and a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The head is fixed to a portion of the plate located on a first side in the third direction with respect to the swing support portion. Between a portion of the plate located on a second side and the frame, an urging member configured to urge the plate in a direction of causing the head to approach the roller is interposed.