# US 12,594,775 B2 · Printing apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,594,775 B2 - Document ID: US12594775B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/358,731 - Filed: 2023-07-25 - Published: 2024-02-01 - Granted: 2026-04-07 - Earliest claimed: 2022-07-28 - Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation - Applicants: Seiko Epson Corporation - Inventors: Ryuji Moriyama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12594775B2 ## CPC - B41J 11/06: Flat page-size platens {or smaller flat platens having a greater size than line-size platens (B41J11/0085 takes precedence)} - B41J 11/0085: {Using suction for maintaining printing material flat (on rotatable drums B41J13/226)} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A printing apparatus includes a support unit including a support surface configured to support a medium, and a printing unit configured to perform printing on the medium supported by the transport unit. The support unit includes a first member formed of metal, a second member formed of a resin, and a third member formed of metal, the third member is attached to the first member, and supports the second member, and the second member is a plate-like member that forms the support surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A printing apparatus, comprising: a support unit including a support surface configured to support a medium; and a printing unit configured to perform printing on the medium supported by the support unit, wherein the support unit includes a first member formed of metal, a second member formed of a resin, and a third member formed of metal, the third member is attached to the first member, and supports the second member, the second member is a plate-like member that forms the support surface, the third member does not contact with a bottom surface of the first member, the first member includes the bottom surface, a front surface, and a rear surface, and the third member is attached to the front surface and the rear surface of the first member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third member includes a projection portion that abuts against the second member from below, and supports the second member with the projection portion, and the first member regulates movement of the third member in an up-and-down direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the third member is a columnar member including a first end portion and a second end portion, and the first end portion is fixed to the first member, and the second end portion is coupled to the first member movably in a direction intersecting with the up-and-down direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a regulation member is attached to the first member, the regulation member being configured to abut against the second end portion to regulate movement of the third member in the up-and-down direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second member includes an abutting portion that abuts against the projection portion and a hook portion that hooks on the third member, and the hook portion abuts upward against the third member to cause the abutting portion and the projection portion to abut against each other. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one second member is supported by at least two third members. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support unit includes at least two second members. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second member is provided with an attachment portion configured to attach a jig to be mounted on the medium. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a suction unit configured to suck air, wherein a suction air space is formed, the suction air space being closed and surrounded by the first member and the second member, a suction air hole is formed in the first member, the suction air hole being configured to cause the suction unit and the suction air space to communicate with each other, and a suction hole is formed in the second member, the suction hole passing through the support surface and communicating with the suction air space. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the support unit includes at least two second members, a groove portion is formed in at least one of the at least two second members, a sealing member is provided in the groove portion, and the sealing member seals a gap between the at least two second members adjacent to each other. ### Claim 11 A printing apparatus, comprising: a support unit including a support surface configured to support a medium; and a printing unit configured to perform printing on the medium supported by the support unit, wherein the support unit includes a first member formed of metal, a second member formed of a resin, and a third member formed of metal, the third member is attached to the first member, and supports the second member, the second member is a plate-like member that forms the support surface, the support unit includes at least two second members, a groove portion is formed in at least one of the second members, a sealing member is provided in the groove portion, and the sealing member seals a gap between the at least two second members adjacent to each other. ### Claim 12 A printing apparatus, comprising: a support unit including a support surface configured to support a medium; and a printing unit configured to perform printing on the medium supported by the support unit, wherein the support unit includes a first member formed of metal, a second member formed of a resin, and a third member formed of metal, the third member is attached to the first member, and supports the second member, the second member is a plate-like member that forms the support surface, the third member includes a projection portion that abuts against the second member from below, and supports the second member with the projection portion, the first member regulates movement of the third member in an up-and-down direction, the second member includes an abutting portion that abuts against the projection portion and a hook portion that hooks on the third member, and the hook portion abuts upward against the third member to cause the abutting portion and the projection portion to abut against each other.