Capping mechanism and ink jet recording apparatus using such capping mechanism

A capping mechanism for protecting recording means for effecting recording by discharging ink toward a recording medium, comprising:

• a cap movable in directions along which said cap can be contacted with and separated from a discharge port face of said recording means;
• cam means for controlling a position of said cap;
• and
• biasing means for biasing said cap to be separated from said discharge port face;
• and wherein
• said cam means includes first and second cams and a cap holding member for holding said cap includes first and second engagement portions so that said first cam is normally engaged with said first engagement portion, and, when said first cam is disengaged from said first engagement portion, said second cam is engaged with said second engagement portion.

An ink jet recording apparatus for effecting recording by discharging ink from recording means toward a recording medium, comprising:

• a capping mechanism for protecting said recording means;
• said capping mechanism including:
• a cap movable in directions along which said cap can be contacted with and separated from a discharge port face of said recording means;
• cam means for controlling a position of said cap;
• shifting means for shifting said cap in said directions;
• and
• biasing means for biasing said cap to be separated from said discharge port face;
• and wherein
• said cam means includes first and second cams and said shifting means includes first and second engagement portions so that said first cam is normally engaged with said first engagement portion, and, when said first cam is disengaged from said first engagement portion, said second cam is engaged with said second engagement portion.

An ink jet recording apparatus for effecting recording by discharging ink from recording means toward a recording medium, comprising:

• a capping mechanism for protecting said recording means;
• said capping mechanism including:
• a cap movable in directions along which said cap can be contacted with and separated from a discharge port face of said recording means;
• cam means for controlling a position of said cap:
• and
• biasing means for biasing said cap to be separated from said discharge port face;
• and wherein
• said cam means includes first and second cams and a cap holding member for holding said cap includes first and second engagement portions so that said first cam is normally engaged with said first engagement portion, and, when said first cam is disengaged from said first engagement portion, said second cam is engaged with said second engagement portion.