US 5,180,232 A · Modular printer system

Abstract

Basic elements of a modular printer system may comprise a rectangular open frame with receptacles for a printer module and computerized terminal module, and with an external configuration for receiving modular components such as a carrying handle, a support foot, an auxiliary terminal module mounting bracket and an AC adaptor module. Respective different paper tray modules may be selectively secured to the open frame to form a bottom closure and to provide a repository for appropriate circuit boards and an on-board battery if needed, as well as containing an appropriate supply of paper for the printer (e.g. 50 sheets or 200 sheets). Respective terminal adaptor modules may secure different generations of computerized terminals in the frame for data transfer to the printer. A terminal module may utilize a spring-urged retainer for retaining a hand-held computerized terminal therewith. Respective printer modules may adapt different printer models to the frame, and each such printer module may be reversible in the frame to accommodate different applications, e.g. as a portable unit, and as a van-mounted unit with in-board, out-board and/or remote mounting of terminal modules.

Claims69

Dependent claims

In a modular printer system,

a modular printer device for containing a computerized terminal for supplying data to be printed and a printer means for printing data supplied by a computerized terminal, said modular printer device comprising an open frame having first terminal module receptacle means and having second printer module receptacle means,
a terminal module for releasably receiving a computerized terminal, said terminal module with a received computerized terminal being supported in said first terminal module receptacle means such that data may be supplied from a received computerized terminal to a printer means contained by said modular printer device, and being supported in said second printer module receptacle means,
a printer module for receiving a printer means such that data may be supplied to a received printer means from a computerized terminal in said terminal module, and
a printer unit in said printer module having a paper feed direction, and the printer unit being reversible with the printer module so as to provide a first paper feed direction in the first orientation of the printer module and so as to provide an opposite paper feed direction opposite to said first paper feed direction in the reverse orientation of the printer module.

1 more element

A modular printer device comprising:

an open frame having rectilinear frame elements forming vertically disposed side walls and at least one crosspiece for defining within said frame at least a terminal receptacle and a printer receptacle;
a paper tray module disposed across and assembled to said frame and defining a bottom closure, said paper tray module having means for holding a supply of paper;
a printer module mounted within said printer receptacle, said printer module comprising a printer unit disposed above said paper tray module for receiving power therefrom;
a terminal module mounted within said terminal receptacle, said terminal module including means for removably receiving a computerized terminal and for communicatively coupling a received terminal to said terminal module;
and
means for communicatively coupling said terminal module to said printer module, whereby a computerized terminal upon being inserted into said terminal module becomes enabled to communicate data to said printer unit.

3 more elements

A modular printer device comprising:

an open frame having rectilinear frame elements forming vertically disposed side walls and at least one crosspiece for defining within said frame at least a terminal receptacle and a printer receptacle, said open frame being an integral unitary structure, at least one of said rectilinear frame elements of said integral unitary structure including an externally disposed means for receiving a selected one of a plurality of attachments;
a paper tray module disposed across and assembled to said frame and defining a bottom closure, said paper tray module having means for holding a supply of paper;
a printer module mounted within said printer receptacle, said printer module comprising a printer unit disposed above said paper tray module for receiving power therefrom;
a terminal module mounted to said open frame, said terminal module including means for removably receiving a computerized terminal and for communicatively coupling a received terminal to said terminal module;
and
means for communicatively coupling said terminal module to said printer module, whereby a computerized terminal upon being inserted into and received by said terminal module becomes enabled to communicate data to said printer unit.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular printer system

Life of this patent

Modular printer system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims69