Portable printer and sheet feeder

A portable printer comprising:

• a printing unit having a paper entrance slot;
• an automatic sheet feeder connectable to said printer unit for feeding print media thereto;
• a frame;
• means for pivotally connecting said printing unit and said sheet feeder to said frame including an elongated cylindrical member mounted on said frame for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof;
• said elongated cylindrical member having a slot along one side thereof for receiving and holding said printing unit.

A portable printer comprising:

• a printing unit having a paper entrance slot;
• an automatic sheet feeder connectable to said printing unit for feeding print media thereto;
• a frame;
• an elongate member mounted on said frame for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof for configuring said printer into different operating modes;
• and
• means for attaching said printing unit to said elongate member;
• a groove formed on said elongate member;
• and
• locking means mounted on said frame, said locking means cooperating with said groove for fixing said elongate member against rotation at a selected position.

A portable printer comprising:

• a printing unit having a paper entrance slot;
• an automatic sheet feeder connectable to said printing unit for feeding print media to said entrance slot during different operating modes;
• a base;
• a frame mounted on said base;
• a cylindrical elongate member mounted on said frame for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof for configuring said printer into said different operating modes, said cylindrical elongate member having a slot along one side thereof for receiving and holding said printing unit;
• and
• a lock disposed between said sheet feeder and said base for selectively locking said sheet feeder to said base for locking said printing unit and said sheet feeder to said base for transporting or storing said printer.

A portable printer comprising:

• a substantially planar base:
• a frame mounted on said base;
• a printing unit pivotally mounted on said frame, said printing unit being operable in a first mode in which it is connected to an automatic sheet feeder or in a second mode in which it is separated from said frame and said sheet feeder and a user hand feeds print media to the printer;
• an automatic sheet feeder connectable to said printing unit for feeding print media thereto when said printing unit is operating in said first mode, said sheet feeder being pivotally mounted on said frame;
• and
• means for separating said printing unit from said frame for operating the printing unit in said second mode.

A portable printer comprising:

• a substantially planar base:
• a frame mounted on said base;
• a printing unit having paper entrance and exit slots, said printing unit being pivotally mounted on said frame;
• an automatic sheet feeder pivotally mounted on said frame;
• means for disposing said sheet feeder and printing unit at a first predetermined angular position relative to one another in an automatic printing mode to permit said sheet feeder to feed print media into said entrance slot;
• and
• means for disposing said sheet feeder and said printing unit at a second predetermined angular position relative to one another in a manual printing mode to permit an operator to hand feed paper into said entrance slot.

A portable printer comprising:

• a substantially planar base;
• a frame mounted on said base;
• a printing unit;
• a rotatable member mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis of said member, said member including a slot along one side thereof in which said printing unit is receivable, said printing unit being connected to said rotatable member when said printing unit is received in said slot, said printing unit being connectable to said member for rotation between a first position in which a side of said printing unit is substantially flush against said base and a second position in which said printing unit side is away from said base;
• and
• means for preventing said printing unit from being disconnected from said rotatable member when said printing unit is in said first position.

A portable printer comprising:

• a substantially planar base;
• a printing unit;
• a sheet feeder;
• means for rotating said printing unit and said sheet feeder relative to said base about a substantially common axis of rotation;
• means for locking said sheet feeder to said base;
• means for locking said printing unit and said sheet feeder against rotation relative to one another;
• and
• a control for simultaneously operating said means for locking said sheet feeder to said base and said means for locking said printing unit and said sheet feeder against rotation relative to one another.

A portable printer comprising:

• a substantially planar base;
• a frame mounted on said base;
• a rotatable member mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis;
• a printing unit connectable to said rotatable member for rotation therewith;
• a sheet feeder pivotally mounted on said frame for rotation substantially about said axis;
• and
• means for locking said sheet feeder to said base and for locking said sheet feeder and said printing unit against relative rotation.

A portable printer comprising:

• a substantially planar base;
• a frame mounted on said base;
• a rotatable member mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis;
• a printing unit connectable to said rotatable member for rotation therewith;
• a sheet feeder pivotally mounted on said frame for rotation substantially about said axis;
• a slot formed in said rotatable member;
• and
• a spring-biased locking member mounted on said sheet feeder for engaging said slot for locking said sheet feeder to said base and for locking said printing unit and said sheet feeder against relative rotation when both said sheet feeder and said printing unit are rotated against said base.