Compact printer with print frame interlock

Abstract

A compact printer having improved operational features is disclosed. 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 print frame includes a ribbon guide bar that facilitates loading of ribbon and media. The disclosed printer also includes a fixed or adjustable media sensor, and is configurable to accommodate an internal supply of web (roll) media or an external supply of fanfold media.

Claims

1. A printer, comprising: a media support member comprising a slot; and a fanfold guide configured to couple to the media support member, the fanfold guide comprising an elongate member, the elongate member comprising an inward facing side and an outward facing side, the inward facing side comprising a channel configured to receive print media, the outward facing side comprising a first tab configured to operably engage the slot, and the outward facing side further comprising a recess configured to promote horizontal alignment of the fanfold guide with the media support member.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein: the channel comprises a front portion and a rear portion, and the rear portion comprises a flare configured to facilitate threading the print media through the channel.

3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the flare is configured to align with an elongate media opening defined at a bottom housing of the printer when the fanfold guide is coupled with the media support member.

4. The printer according to claim 2, wherein: the fanfold guide comprises a lip extending from the front portion, and the lip is configured to reduce the tendency for the print media to jam in the fanfold guide.

5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein: the elongate member further comprises a second tab, and the second tab is configured to cooperate with the first tab to operably engage the slot.

6. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a ribbon supply roll; a print frame; a ribbon guide pivotably mounted to the print frame; and a biasing member configured to bias the ribbon guide outwardly from the ribbon supply roll.

7. The printer according to claim 6, wherein the ribbon guide comprises a first side arm and a second side arm configured to pivotally mount the ribbon guide to the print frame.

8. The printer according to claim 6, wherein the biasing member comprises a v-spring or a leaf spring.

9. The printer according to claim 6, wherein the ribbon guide comprises a smooth, arcuate surface configured to pass ribbon from the ribbon supply roll.

10. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising an articulating print frame assembly, the articulating print frame assembly comprising a ribbon guide pivotably mounted to the print frame assembly.

11. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a top cover; a print frame assembly rotatably coupled to the top cover, the print frame assembly configured to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position; and a lockout link, the lockout link configured to prevent closure of the top cover with the print frame assembly in the open position.

12. The printer according to claim 11, wherein the lockout link is configured to rotate as the print frame assembly moves from an open position to a closed position.

13. A printer, comprising: a media support member comprising a slot; and a fanfold guide configured to couple to the media support member, the fanfold guide comprising an elongate member comprising an inward facing side and an outward facing side, the inward facing side comprising a channel configured to receive print media, the outward facing side comprising a first tab and a second tab configured to cooperatively engage the slot, the outward facing side further comprising a recess configured to promote horizontal alignment of the fanfold guide with the media support member, and the channel comprising a media receiving end having a flare configured to receive the print media.

14. The printer according to claim 13, wherein a width of the media support member is selectively adjustable to accommodate differently-sized print media widths.

15. The printer according to claim 14, wherein the width of the media support member is secured at a set width by an adjustable stop.

16. The printer according to claim 13, comprising: a ribbon supply roll; a print frame; a ribbon guide pivotably mounted to the print frame; and a biasing member configured to bias the ribbon guide outwardly from the ribbon supply roll.

17. The printer according to claim 16, wherein the ribbon guide comprises a first side arm and a second side arm configured to pivotally mount the ribbon guide to the print frame.

18. The printer according to claim 16, wherein the biasing member comprises a v-spring or a leaf spring.

19. The printer according to claim 16, wherein the ribbon guide comprises a smooth, arcuate surface configured to pass ribbon from the ribbon supply roll.

20. The printer according to claim 13, further comprising: a top cover; a print frame assembly rotatably coupled to the top cover, the print frame assembly configured to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position; and a lockout link, the lockout link configured to prevent closure of the top cover with the print frame assembly in the open position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various embodiments of the subject instrument are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a view of an example embodiment of a compact printer in accordance with the present disclosure having a top cover in a closed position;

(3) FIG. 2 is a view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of a compact printer in accordance with the present disclosure having a top cover in an open position and a print frame in an open position;

(4) FIG. 2A is a view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of a compact printer in accordance with the present disclosure having a top cover in an open position and a print frame in a closed position;

(5) FIG. 3 is a view of print frame module, lower chassis, and a lockout link of an example embodiment of a compact printer in accordance with the present disclosure;

(6) FIG. 4 is an alternative view of the FIG. 3. print frame module, lower chassis, and lockout link;

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates a print frame module and lockout link in an open position in accordance with the present disclosure;

(8) FIG. 5A illustrates a print frame module and lockout link in a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure;

(9) FIG. 6 is a detail view of an example print frame module of an embodiment of a compact printer in accordance with the present disclosure;

(10) FIG. 7 is a detail view of the FIG. 6 print frame showing a ribbon guide bar in accordance with the present disclosure;

(11) FIG. 8 is a detail view of an example embodiment of a compact printer in accordance with the present disclosure having an adjustable media sensor;

(12) FIG. 9 is a view of an example embodiment of an adjustable media sensor assembly in accordance with the present disclosure.

(13) FIG. 10 is a detail view of an example embodiment of a compact printer in accordance with the present disclosure having a fixed media sensor;

(14) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a compact printer in accordance with the present disclosure configured with fanfold guides;

(15) FIG. 12 is another view of the FIG. 11 example embodiment showing a relationship between a media feed opening and fanfold guides; and

(16) FIG. 13 is view of a media support member in relation to a removable fanfold guide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(17) Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Well-known and/or repetitive functions and constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary or redundant detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. In addition, as used herein, terms referencing orientation, e.g., top, bottom, up, down, left, right, clockwise, counterclockwise, and the like, are used for illustrative purposes with reference to the figures and features shown therein. It is to be understood that embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may be practiced in any orientation without limitation. In this description, as well as in the drawings, like-referenced numbers represent elements which may perform the same, similar, or equivalent functions.

(18) FIGS. 1 and 2 present an example embodiment of a compact printer 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. The printer 10 includes a bottom housing 18 and a selectively positionable top cover 11 that may be positioned in a closed position as shown in FIG. 1 and an open position as shown in FIG. 2. Top cover 11 and bottom housing 18 are pivotably joined by a hinge 19. Top cover 11 includes a user interface panel 12, one or more user input devices 14, and one or more indicators 13. User interface panel many be any suitable form of display panel, including without limitation an LCD screen. User input device may be any suitable form of input device, e.g., a snap dome or membrane pushbutton switch. Indicator 13 may be any suitable indication, such as without limitation a light-emitting diode (LED). Indicator 13 may illuminate to indicate the status an operational parameter, e.g., power, ready, media empty, media jam, self test, and the like. Printer 10 includes a power switch 15. A pair of latches 16 is disposed on either side of top cover 11 to retain top cover 11 in a closed position, and may be disengaged using finger pressure to facilitate opening of top cover 11. A media door 17 provides an alternative point of egress for media, which may be advantageous with self adhesive labels whereby the labels peel away from the substrate upon exiting the printer.

(19) With regard to FIGS. 2 and 2A, top cover 11 includes a print frame assembly 20 pivotably mounted therein. Print frame assembly 20 includes a ribbon supply roll 22 and a ribbon take up roll 21 that are arranged to supply transfer ribbon 51 across a print head 68. Print frame assembly 20 is selectively positionable between an open position as shown in FIG. 2 and a closed position as shown in FIG. 2A. Print frame assembly 20 includes a latch 71 that engages a retaining pin (not explicitly shown) provided within top housing 11 to retain print frame assembly 20 in a closed position. A release 70 is operatively associated with latch 71 that, when depressed, releases latch 71 from the retaining pin to enable print frame assembly 20 to swing outward to an open position.

(20) Printer 10 includes a first and a second media support members 24, 25, respectively, that are configured to support roll media 23 held therebetween. Media support members 24 and 25 are moveable along a transverse axis and are operatively associated with a reciprocal movement mechanism (not explicitly shown) that is configured to translate a transverse movement of first media support member 24 into a corresponding opposite transverse movement of second media support member 25, and vice versa. By this arrangement, roll media 23 of arbitrary width may be accommodated while concurrently centering roll media 23 with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A of the print head 68 and thus to the centerline of a feed path 76 corresponding thereto. First and a second media support members 24, 25 may be biased inwardly, e.g., toward the centerline, by a biasing member, e.g., a spring (not explicitly shown), to aid in gripping media roll 23 between the support members 24, 25. A selectively adjustable stop 26 enables the position of media support members 24, 25 to be preset. Stop 26 is slidably disposed within an elongate slot 83 transversely defined in feed path 76 of lower chassis 34. Stop 26 and elongate slot 83 are configured to provide sufficient friction therebetween to enable stop 26, when positioned, to overcome the inward biasing force of media support members 24, 25 and maintain media support members 24, 25 in the desired position.

(21) A first media guide member 27 and a second media guide member 28 are moveable along a transverse axis and are operatively associated with a second reciprocal movement mechanism (not explicitly shown) that is configured to translate a transverse movement of first media guide member 27 into a corresponding opposite transverse movement of second media support member 28, and vice versa. A platen roller 29 opposes print head 68 when top cover 11 is in the closed position to ensure intimate contact between print head 68, transfer ribbon 51, and media 23 during use, which, in turn, promotes consistent high print quality. Print head 68 includes pair of saddles 44 that engage a portion of platen roller 29 to ensure precise alignment between print head 68 and platen roller 29 when top cover 11 is in a closed position. A tab 85 extends from print frame assembly 20 that is configured to engage a corresponding slot (not explicitly shown) provided in bottom housing 18 to enable the top cover 11 and/or the print frame 20 to close while ensuring the saddles 44 smoothly engage the platen roller 29 and/or a bushing (not explicitly shown) associated therewith.

(22) Turning now to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 5A, printer 10 includes a lockout link 30 that prevents closure of the top cover 11 when print frame assembly 20 is in an open position. An upper chassis 39 is provided within top cover 11. Print frame assembly 20 is pivotably joined to upper chassis 39 by a pair of pivots 72. A pair of arcuate friction members 32, 33 is disposed about hinge 19. A series of detents 36 on friction member 32, and a series of detents 37 on friction member 33 engage corresponding slots 73, 74, respectively, in upper chassis 39, which facilitates the positioning of top cover 11 in a fully open position, a fully closed position, and several intermediate positions therebetween.

(23) As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 5A, lockout link 30 is configured to prevent closure of the top cover 11 when print frame assembly 20 is in an open position. Print frame assembly 20 includes a pin 69 operably coupled print frame assembly 20 to an upper portion of lockout link 30. Lockout link 30 include slot 31 that slidably engages pin 41 of upper chassis 39 to facilitate the articulation of lockout link 30 when print frame 20 is moved between open and closed positions. In the open position, print frame assembly 20 is pivoted forward on pivot 72, causing the lockout link 30 to ride upward and to rotate slightly clockwise on pin 41, which, in turn, causes pawl 38 of lockout link 30 to engage notch 75 of friction member 32. In this position, i.e., when pawl 38 of lockout link 30 is engaged with notch 75, top cover 11 is prevented from moving to a closed position, e.g., top cover 11 cannot be pivoted counterclockwise.

(24) As print frame 20 moves clockwise from an open position to a closed position, pin 69 moves upward and leftward about pivot 72, which in turn rotates lockout link 30 counterclockwise and draws lockout link 30 upward, thereby disengaging pawl 38 from notch 75 and establishing sufficient clearance between the lower portion of lockout link 30 and friction member 32 to enable top cover 11 to be moved into a closed position.

(25) Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, print frame 20 includes transverse ribbon guide 45 pivotably mounted thereto by side arms 49. Pins 48 engage a corresponding opening (not explicitly shown) provided in a side wall 52 of print frame 20 to facilitate pivoting motion of guide bar 45. The ribbon guide 45 includes a biasing member 46, e.g., a v-spring or a leaf spring, that biases guide bar 45 outwardly from ribbon supply roll 22. During use, ribbon 51 passes over ribbon guide 45 which in turn reduces slack in ribbon 51 and maintains tautness of ribbon 51 along the traversal thereof. Guide bar 45 includes a smooth, arcuate surface 50 over which ribbon 51 passes and which promotes the steady delivery of transfer ribbon 50 over print head 68.

(26) Printer 10 includes an adjustable media sensor assembly 53 transversely disposed in lower chassis 34 across a feed path 76. Adjustable media sensor assembly 53 includes an elongate cavity 57 having a media sensor 54 slidably disposed therein. Media sensor 54 is selectively positionable along cavity 57, which enables media sensor 54 to be aligned with index marks, media gaps, or other positional indicia characteristic of the print media, which, in turn, enables printer 10 to accurately feed and position media during use. Media sensor 54 includes an aperture 55 defined therein to enable a sensing element (not explicitly shown), such as without limitation a photodiode, to sense media indicia. In an alternative embodiment, printer 10 includes a fixed media sensor 59 having an aperture 60 defined therein to enable a sensing element (not explicitly shown), such as without limitation a photodiode, to sense media indicia therethrough. Advantageously, lower chassis 34 includes a scored opening 77 that eliminates the need for separate tooling to produce a printer 10 with an adjustable media sensor assembly 53 or a printer 10 with a fixed media sensor assembly 59. During manufacturing, a removable member 78 may be removed from scored opening 77 to provide the appropriate opening to facilitate installation of adjustable media sensor assembly 53. Alternatively during manufacture, removable member 78 may be retained and fixed media sensor 59 joined thereto.

(27) With reference to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, printer 10 may include a pair of fanfold guides 61, 62 that are configured to facilitate feeding non-roll media through printer 10. Fanfold guides 61, 62 may have substantially identical construction with the exception that fanfold guide 61 may be a mirror image of fanfold guide 62. Accordingly, and for the sake of brevity, the following description of fanfold guide 61 is applicable to the corresponding, reciprocal features of fanfold guide 62. Media support member 24 includes similar reciprocal features to those of media support member 25 as will be described in detail below.

(28) Fanfold guide 61 has an elongate construction and includes a front portion 81, a rear portion 80, and a channel 79 defined therein that is adapted to accept the edge of print media during use. Rear portion 80 of channel 79 open to a flare 63 that is adapted to facilitate easy threading of media by a user. Flare 63 is aligned with an elongate media opening 65 defined in the bottom housing 18, as best seen in FIG. 12, though which media, such as without limitation fanfold media, is fed into printer 10. A lip 64 extends from the front portion 81 of fanfold guide 61 to promote a smooth and jam-free exit of media therefrom.

(29) Fanfold guide 61 includes features designed to enable the selective coupling thereof to corresponding features provided by media support member 25. A pair of tabs 84 are disposed on fanfold guide 62 that are adapted to operably engage a corresponding slot 67 defined in media support member 65. A recess 66 is defined in a closed edge 82 of fanfold guide 61 to promote horizontal alignment of fanfold guide 61 with media support member 25 when fanfold guide 61 and media support member 25 are engaged. During use, printer 10 may be reconfigured from a roll media configuration to a fanfold or external media configuration by removing media roll 23, if present, and attaching fanfold guides 61, 62 to media support members 24, 25. Media support members 24, 25 may additionally be adjusted for width as described hereinabove, and retained in place by slidably adjusting stop 26, as needed.

(30) The described embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and are not intended to represent every embodiment of the present disclosure. Further variations of the above-disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be made or desirably combined into many other different systems or applications without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims both literally and in equivalents recognized in law.