US 6,267,520 B1Granted

Printer head release mechanism

AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation

InventorsTeruhiko Unno, Akira Hashimoto

Life of this patent

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Abstract

On printer (20), tape cartridge (4) is detachable relative to mounting unit (5). Mounting unit (5) is covered by cover (22). When cover (22) is closed, its protrusion (51) rotates rotary component (54), and its operating edge (54b) moves moving component (55). When operating edge (54b) moves over the top edge of surface A of guiding surface (55a) of the moving component, the cover is completely closed. Subsequently, rotary component (54) is guided to surface B, where it is held in a coupled state. In conjunction with moving component (55), head carrier component (59) rotates, and head (6) located at the tip of the head carrier component becomes fixed at the print position. In the condition in which a print position is formed, rotary component (54) is off from protrusion (51) of the cover. Therefore, no load acts from the side of head (6) onto the side of cover (22). When cover-opening button (24) is pushed down, rotary component (54) disengages from surface B of the moving component, thus creating a condition in which the head has been released.

Claims1

Dependent claims

A printer for printing information on a recording medium stored therein, comprising:

a print head in releasable communication with said recording medium;
an external cover movable between open and closed positions for accessing the recording medium;
a cover-locking button in slidable, releasable engagement with said external cover and moveable between cover-locked and cover-released positions within said printer;
and
a printer head release mechanism in communication with said print head and cover-locking button, comprising:
a holder member in communication with said cover-locking button for holding the cover-locking button at at least one of the cover-locked and cover-released positions;
a print head support for movably supporting said print head at the print and release positions;
and
a moving member into sidable releasable communication with said print head support and said cover-locking button for moving said print head support to a position at which said print head is positioned in the release position in conjunction with moving said cover-locking button from the cover-locked position to the cover-open position.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/610,910Filed 6 Jul 2000 · division
Priority: JP 6-2996002 Dec 1994
Granted: 31 Jul 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B41J 2/32
Characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material: using thermal heads
B41J 2/325
Using thermal heads: by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet
B41J 25/304
Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for: bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface
B41J 29/02
Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for: framework