US 6,616,362 B2Granted

Modular printer

AssigneeDatamax Corporation

InventorsWilliam M. Bouverie, Mark Hitz, Chris Christensen

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A modular printer having a media take-up assembly module, a support block assembly module, a printhead assembly module, a stepper motor assembly module and a display assembly module is provided. A support body having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support body. The support body is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A modular printer comprising a media take-up assembly module, a printhead assembly module, a motor assembly module, a support block assembly module including a platen assembly module and a support body, the support body having a plurality of recesses, each of the recesses being configured to receive one of the assembly modules of the modular printer at a position to align the assembly module with the other assembly modules of the modular printer in an operational configuration, each of the assembly modules being independently mountable to and detachable from the support body;

wherein the motor assembly module includes at least first and second gears, the support body defining first and second mounting locations, each mounting location being configured to mountably receive the motor assembly module such that when the motor assembly module is received in the first mounting location, the first gear is positioned in engagement with the support block assembly module, and when the motor assembly module is received in the second mounting location, the second gear is positioned in engagement with the support block assembly module.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/965,533Filed 26 Sep 2001 · continuation
Priority: 26 Mar 1999
Published: US 2002/0067946 A16 Jun 2002
Granted: 9 Sep 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B41J 2/325
Using thermal heads: by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet
B41J 3/46
Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions: printing…
B41J 3/54
Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed: with two or more sets of type…
B41J 25/34
Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for: bodily-changeable print heads or carriages