Method and Latching Assembly for Securing Replaceable Unit
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorsThomas Allen Bailey, Robert White Milgate, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention describes a method and latching assembly for securing a replaceable unit in a carriage assembly of an image forming device. The latching assembly receives the replaceable unit in the carriage assembly. As the replaceable unit gets loaded in the carriage assembly, the latching assembly may automatically apply, using a power source in the image forming device, a force on the replaceable unit in a direction towards the carriage assembly until the replaceable unit is latched therein.
Claims19
A method for securing a replaceable unit in an image forming device, the method comprising:
- receiving the replaceable unit in a carriage assembly of the image forming device;
- and
- automatically applying, using a power source in the image forming device, a force on the replaceable unit in a direction towards the carriage assembly, until the replaceable unit is latched therein.
A latching assembly for securing a replaceable unit within an image forming device comprising:
- a carriage assembly for receiving the replaceable unit in the image forming device, the carriage assembly including a latching member;
- and
- a force applicator for applying a mechanical force on the replaceable unit until the replaceable unit engages with the latching member and is thereby secured within the carriage assembly, the force applicator being powered by a motor in the image forming device.
A computer program product for use with a controller for securing a replaceable unit in an image forming device, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein which, when executed by the controller, causes the image forming device to perform:
- activating a motor to control movement of a carriage assembly;
- sensing a placement of the replaceable unit in the carriage assembly;
- moving the carriage assembly to a predetermined location in response to the placement of the replaceable unit;
- and
- automatically applying, using a power source in the image forming device, a force on the replaceable unit in a direction towards the carriage assembly, until the replaceable unit is latched therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.