Printhead mounting guide frame
AssigneeFargo Electronics, Inc.
InventorsNeil E. O'Mera, James R. Meier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermal printer has a thermal printhead mounted on a pivot frame which is movable from a working position where the printhead is in position to print from a thermal ribbon onto a substrate, to an open position which permits access to ribbon take-up and supply rolls. The printhead is pivotally mounted to the pivot frame, and its pivoting is controlled by a cam so that the sensitive thermal print element of the thermal printhead remain at a position that permits access to the ribbon and other printer working components, without exposing the print elements so they can easily be contacted by a person servicing the printer. Cooperating guide members are used for controlling the orientation of the printhead as the pivot frame moves between a working position and an open position.
Claims20
In a printer assembly having a printer housing, a platen mounted in the printer housing, and a printhead mounted on the printer housing, and when in a working position the printhead having a print line urged against the platen, the improvement comprising a pivot frame pivotally mounted on the printer housing and movable between an open and a working position, the printhead being pivotally mounted to the pivot frame to permit pivotal movement of the printhead relative to the pivot frame as the pivot frame moves to the open position, and a cooperating guide between the printer housing and the printhead to guide the printhead with the print line facing in substantially the same direction as the direction the print line faces when in a working position as the pivot frame is moved between the open and working positions.
In combination with a main frame, a support for a working component that requires alignment of a reference line and which support moves to move the working component between a working position and an open position, the support comprising a pivot frame mounted on the main frame for moving the working component between the working position and the open position, the working component being pivotally mounted on the pivot frame about a pivot axis generally parallel to a reference line of the working component, and a guide on the main frame for guiding the working component about its pivot to the pivot frame such that the working component orientation relative to the pivot frame changes as the pivot frame moves the working component to the open position from the working position.
A mounting for a working component supported on a main frame, wherein the working component has an edge line that requires alignment with a cooperating member on the frame and wherein the working component is movable between an open position and a working position, comprising a main frame, a pivot frame pivotally mounted on the main frame and movable to move the working component between an open position and a working position, the working component being pivotally mounted to the pivot frame to permit pivotal movement of the working component relative to the pivot frame as the pivot frame moves to move the working component to the open position, the main frame comprising spaced side members, said pivot frame being mounted between said main frame side members, said pivot frame having a pair of pivot frame side members extending from a pivot axis, said working component being pivotally mounted between the pivot frame side members, a cam follower on the working component, and at least one of said main frame side members having a cam track to guide the cam follower and to control pivoting of the working component relative to the pivot frame side member as the pivot frame moves the working component between the working position and the open position to hold the working component with the working component edge facing in substantially the same direction as the direction the edge faces when in the working position, as the pivot frame is moved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.