Pressure mechanism for holding a position of a printhead
AssigneeZebra Technologies Corporation
InventorRobert P. Gotschewski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pressure mechanism is disclosed. The pressure mechanism may include an actuator that is configured to be rotatable about a support axis between a first position and a second position. The actuator may include a sleeve with a cam that is disposed on an end of the actuator. The pressure mechanism may include a retainer that is slidable within the sleeve based on a position of the actuator, and the retainer may include a tooth. A tooth surface of the tooth may be configured to slide, as the assembly is rotated between the first position and the second position, along a cam surface of the cam in an axial direction that is parallel to the support axis.
Claims3
A pressure mechanism for applying pressure to a printhead in a printer, the pressure mechanism comprising:
- a support member defining a support axis and comprising a plurality of slots;
- an actuator supported by the support member, the actuator configured to be rotatable about the support axis between a first position and an second position, the actuator comprising:
- a handle at a first end;
- a sleeve at a second end, the sleeve configured to operably couple to the printhead;
- and
- a recess disposed on an end surface of the handle, wherein an edge of the recess forms a cam having a cam surface;
- a retainer assembly comprising:
- a retainer slidably disposed within the sleeve, the retainer defining a compartment and comprising a base and a plurality of ribs, wherein the plurality of ribs are received within the plurality of slots of the support member to prevent rotation of the retainer relative to the support axis;
- a tooth extending from a distal end of the retainer, the tooth having a tooth surface configured to slide along the cam surface in an axial direction as the actuator is rotated;
- a spring received within the compartment of the retainer;
- and
- a fastener configured to extend through the spring and an opening in the base of the retainer to attach to the support member;
- wherein the spring is compressed between against an interior surface of the compartment to bias the retainer in an inward axial direction toward the support member;
- wherein, in the first position, the tooth is received by the recess, and the retainer is in an inward axial position such that no force is applied to the printhead;
- wherein, in the second position, the tooth surface is in contact with the end surface of the handle, causing the retainer to be in an outward axial position against the bias of the coil spring, and
- wherein the movement to the outward axial position causes the sleeve of the actuator to apply a force to the printhead in a direction perpendicular to the support axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.