Printhead opening system and method

A printhead assembly for use in a printer, comprising:

• an enclosure formed by a casing and a side plate coupled to the casing;
• a printhead connected to a printhead holder retained within the enclosure;
• and
• a lever subassembly including:
• a lever shaft positioned partially within the enclosure, a first end of the lever shaft extending beyond the side plate and a second end of the lever shaft, opposite the first end, extending beyond a sidewall of the casing;
• a first lock member and a second lock member positioned on the lever shaft, the first lock member releasably engaging a first locking pin and the second lock member releasably engaging a second locking pin;
• a lever cam positioned on the lever shaft and configured to rotate therewith;
• and
• a lever connected to the second end of the lever shaft and operably engaging the lever subassembly,
• wherein the printhead assembly is movable between a closed position and an open position,
• wherein the printhead occupies a lowered position when the printer is in use, and
• wherein the printhead occupies a lifted position when the printhead assembly is transitioned between the closed position and the open position.

A method of opening and closing a printhead assembly in a printer, comprising:

• providing a printhead assembly including a printhead connected to a printhead holder, a lever subassembly including a lever shaft retaining a lock member releasably engaging a locking pin, and a lever cam positioned on the lever shaft and arranged to engage the printhead holder;
• transitioning the lever subassembly from a default configuration to a lift configuration such that the lever cam engages the printhead holder and the printhead moves from a lowered position to a lifted position while the lock member maintains engagement with the locking pin;
• releasing the engagement between the lock member and the locking pin;
• moving the printhead assembly from a closed position to an open position;
• returning the printhead assembly to the closed position and reengaging the lock member with the locking pin while the printhead is in the lifted position;
• and
• returning the lever subassembly to the default configuration such that the lever cam no longer engages the printhead holder and the printhead returns to the lowered position.