Thermal printer

Abstract

A thermal printer, including a drive platen, which has its external dimensions reduced to a level suitable for use in connection with portable information apparatuses. The thermal printer includes a thermal head; a platen cooperating with the thermal head to nip a printing sheet between the platen and the thermal head; an elastic member elastically pressing the thermal head and the platen to each other; a frame carrying the thermal head in a fixed manner and the platen in a movable manner relative to the thermal head; and a drive mechanism driving the platen. The drive mechanism includes a rotation drive source, a gearing unit for transmitting a torque from the rotation drive source to the platen, and a pivot member capable of pivoting about a rotation axis of a gear, arranged prior to the platen in the gearing unit, together with the platen and following gears arranged behind the prior or former gear.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.