Method and apparatus for storing accessories inside a printing device
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Company
InventorKieran B. Kelly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for storing accessories inside a printing device, wherein the apparatus includes a storage enclosure, which is secured pivotally to the housing of the printing device, and which is capable of assuming at least one open position and one closed position. The storage enclosure is substantially housed within the carriage swept volume, when it is located in the closed position, without interfering with the path of travel of the carriage assembly, when it is in the open position. A cover protects the inner printing mechanism when the storage enclosure is in the open position. A catch mechanism retains the storage enclosure in stable open and closed positions.
Claims19
A printing device having a movable carriage assembly and adapted for storing various components, comprising in combination:
- (a) a housing;
- (b) means for printing being substantially enclosed within said housing, and defining a carriage swept volume defined by the space into which said movable carriage may move;
- (c) enclosure means secured to the housing for enabling the storage of the accessories therewithin;
- (d) said enclosure means being capable of assuming at least one open position entirely outside the carriage swept volume and on closed position;
- and
- (e) said enclosure means being substantially housed within the carriage swept volume. when it is located in the closed position, without interfering with the path of travel of the carriage assembly when it is in the open position.
In a printing device having a movable carriage assembly, a housing, a printing mechanism substantially enclosed within the housing and defining a carriage swept volume defined by the space into which said movable carriage may move an apparatus adapted for storage accessories and comprising in combination:
- (a) enclosure means secured to the housing for enabling the storage of the accessories therewithin;
- (b) said enclosure means being capable of assuming at least one open position entirely outside the carriage swept volume and one closed position;
- and
- (c) said enclosure means being substantially housed within the carriage swept volume, when it is located in the closed position, without interfering with the path of travel of the carriage assembly when it is in the open position.
The printing device as defined in claim 18, further including cover means for protecting the printing mechanism when said enclosure means is in the open position.
A method for storage accessories inside a printing device having a movable carriage assembly, a housing, a storage enclosure, and a printing mechanism substantially enclosed within the housing and defining a carriage swept volume defined by the space into which said movable carriage may move, the method comprises the steps of:
- (a) positioning the storage enclosure to an open position entirely outside the carriage swept volume;
- (b) storing the accessories within the storage enclosure;
- and
- (c) positioning the storage enclosure in the opposite direction to a closed position within the carriage swept volume, without interfering with the path of travel of the carriage assembly, when it is in the open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.