Manually actuated carrier latch mechanism
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorsThomas Allen Bailey, Brian Andrew Naro, Herman Anthony Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A manually actuated spring loaded latch mechanism for releasably securing a printhead cartridge in a carrier of an ink jet printer. A latch cover engages the printhead cartridge and is secured by an actuator. Depressing the actuator releases the latch cover, which is spring biased to an open position. Further movement of the actuator lifts the printhead cartridge.
Claims32
A latch mechanism for releasably securing a printhead cartridge in a printer, said latch mechanism comprising:
- a cradle for receiving a printhead cartridge, said cradle including datum pads against which the printhead cartridge is referenced;
- a latch cover having a pivotal connection to said cradle, said latch cover including structure for engaging a printhead cartridge in two perpendicular planes;
- and
- an actuator releasably connected to said latch cover, and positioned for engaging said latch cover in a closed position, said actuator adapted for releasing a connection to said latch cover by movement of said actuator and for moving a printhead cartridge installed in said cradle by continued movement of said actuator.
A printer comprising:
- a printhead cartridge having a bottom, a top, first and second laterally spaced sides, an inner end and an outer end, said cartridge including at least one datum pad on said bottom, at least one datum pad on said inner end and at least one datum pad on one of said sides;
- a carriage adapted for receiving said cartridge, and including carriage datum pads for mating with each of said datum pads on said cartridge;
- biasing means in said carriage operating against the other side of said cartridge;
- a latch cover releasably secured overlying said cartridge top and said outer end;
- and
- an actuator for engaging said latch cover in a closed position, said actuator adapted for releasing said latch cover by movement of said actuator, and for lifting said printhead cartridge by further movement of said actuator.
A method of unseating an ink jet cartridge installed in a carriage assembly of an ink jet printer, comprising the steps of:
- providing the carriage assembly with a cartridge cradle, a latch cover pivotally connected to the cradle and an actuator for releasably engaging the latch cover, the actuator being pivotally connected to the cradle;
- releasing the latch cover by depressing the actuator;
- and
- moving the cartridge by continued depressing of the actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.