US 5,180,236 AGranted

Transfer printer

AssigneeTokyo Electric Co., Ltd.

InventorsSatoshi Kitahara, Shuji Koyama, Tsugio Shiozaki

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Abstract

A label printer comprises a supporting frame having a pair of side plates facing each other. A print head and a platen roller are arranged between the side plates. Above the print head is arranged a ribbon supply device for running a transfer ribbon between the print head and the platen roller. The ribbon supply device includes a ribbon drive section, and a ribbon unit supported on a supporting member and movable between a first position wherein the unit engages the drive section and a second position wherein the unit is located outside the supporting frame. A fixing member is attached to one of the side plates and movable between a release position wherein the fixing member allows the ribbon unit to move and a fixing position wherein the fixing means engages the ribbon unit to hold it in the first position.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A transfer printer comprising:

a main body including first and second supporting sections facing each other;
a platen extending between the first and second supporting sections;
a head unit including a print head;
a supporting member having a fixed end fixed to the first supporting section and a free end extending close to the second supporting section, said supporting member supporting the head unit in an operative position in which the print head is opposed to the platen so that the head unit is movable along the supporting member in a longitudinal direction of the platen, from the operative position to the outside of the main body;
fixing means attached to the second supporting section so as to be movable between a release position in which the head unit is allowed to move and a hold position in which the fixing means engages and supports the free end of the supporting member;
and
means for holding the head unit, supported by the supporting member, in the operative position.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.