US4738552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Platen gap adjusting mechanism of printer
Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1986-03-06
•
Granted: 1988-04-19
•
Expires: 2006-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A printer includes a platen having a longitudinal axis and a printing head mounted in opposition to the platen. The guide shaft is mounted to extend parallel to the axis of the platen. A carriage supports the printing head and includes a carriage frame mounted on the guide shaft for movement axially therealong and for movement rotatably thereabout and a base plate having a first end integral with the carriage frame and a second end directed away therefrom. A guide plate is fixed at a position below the second end of the base plate and extends parallel to the guide shaft. A parallel link mechanism includes a fixing member attached to a lower surface of the second end of the base plate and a slider memebr connected to the fixing member. The slider member has a slot within which fits the guide plate, such that movement of the carriage axially of the guide shaft causes the parallel link mechanism and the second end of the base plate to be guided by the guide plate. An adjusting screw is threaded through a hole in the second end of the base plate and has a tip end in engagement with the slider member. Thus, upon rotation of the adjusting screw the slider member and the second end of the base plate are moved relatively toward or away from each other, thereby moving the carriage and the printing head rotatably about the guide shaft to increase or decrease the platen gap. A flexible member connects the slider member to the fixing member to prevent the slider member from becoming inclined relative to the guide plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Kikuchi
- 👤 Yukio Ota
- 👤 Toshihiro Nakano
- 👤 Takashi Itaya
- 👤 Shyoichi Watanabe
- 👤 Kuniharu Hayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:33
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J25/00; B41J25/304; B41J25/308; B41J25/3082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
332 words
In a printer including a platen for supporting a printing paper and having a longitudinal axis and a printing head mounted in opposition to said platen with a platen gap therebetween, the improvement comprising means for adjusting the size of said platen gap, said means for adjusting comprising: a guide shaft mounted to extend parallel to said axis of said platen; a carriage supporting said printing head and including a carriage frame mounted on said guide shaft for movement axially therealong and for movement rotatably thereabout and a base plate having a first end integral with said carriage frame and a second end directed away therefrom; a guide plate fixed at a position below said second end of said base plate and extending parallel to said guide shaft; a parallel link mechanism including a fixing member attached to a lower surface of said second end of said base plate and a slider member connected to said fixing member, said slider member having therein a slot within which fits said guide plate, whereby upon movement of said carriage axially of said guide shaft, said parallel link mechanism and said second end of said base plate are guided by said guide plate; adjusting screw means, threaded through a hole in said second end of said base plate and having a tip end in engagement with said slider member, for, upon rotation within said hole, moving said slider member and said second end of said base plate relatively toward or away from each other and thereby moving said carriage and said printing head rotatably about said guide shaft to increase or decrease said platen gap; and said parallel link mechanism including means for, upon said moving said slider member and said second end of said base plate relative to each other, preventing said slider member from becoming inclined relative to said guide plate and thereby maintaining a parallel relation therebetween, said means for preventing comprising flexible means connecting said slider member to said fixing member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
332 words
In a printer including a platen for supporting a printing paper and having a longitudinal axis and a printing head mounted in opposition to said platen with a platen gap therebetween, the improvement comprising means for adjusting the size of said platen gap, said means for adjusting comprising: a guide shaft mounted to extend parallel to said axis of said platen; a carriage supporting said printing head and including a carriage frame mounted on said guide shaft for movement axially therealong and for movement rotatably thereabout and a base plate having a first end integral with said carriage frame and a second end directed away therefrom; a guide plate fixed at a position below said second end of said base plate and extending parallel to said guide shaft; a parallel link mechanism including a fixing member attached to a lower surface of said second end of said base plate and a slider member connected to said fixing member, said slider member having therein a slot within which fits said guide plate, whereby upon movement of said carriage axially of said guide shaft, said parallel link mechanism and said second end of said base plate are guided by said guide plate; adjusting screw means, threaded through a hole in said second end of said base plate and having a tip end in engagement with said slider member, for, upon rotation within said hole, moving said slider member and said second end of said base plate relatively toward or away from each other and thereby moving said carriage and said printing head rotatably about said guide shaft to increase or decrease said platen gap; and said parallel link mechanism including means for, upon said moving said slider member and said second end of said base plate relative to each other, preventing said slider member from becoming inclined relative to said guide plate and thereby maintaining a parallel relation therebetween, said means for preventing comprising flexible means connecting said slider member to said fixing member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible means comprises at least one deflectable plate-shaped member connecting said slider member to said fixing member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one plate-shaped member comprises two parallel plate-shaped members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement claimed in claim 2, wherein said fixing member, said slide member and said at least one plate-shaped member are integrally formed of molded resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
The improvement claimed in claim 1, further comprising a gear mounted on said adjusting screw means for axial movement relative thereto, a changeover lever mounted on said carriage for rotation about a pivot axis and having an end with gear teeth for meshing with said gear, and spring means for urging said gear axially of said adjusting screw means to a position relative thereto whereat said gear meshes with said gear teeth, whereat rotation of said changeover lever about said pivot axis rotates said gear and said adjusting screw means and thereby adjusts said platen gap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement claimed in claim 5, wherein said carriage further includes a pedestal mounted on said base plate, said pedestal having a shaft defining said pivot axis about which rotates said changeover lever, and an ink ribbon cartridge mounted on said pedestal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US565728A
Cited
US1525326A
Cited
GB234763A
Cited
US2741355A
Cited
US2986259A
Cited
US3155032A
Cited
US3666071A
Cited
US3817365A
Cited
US3946852A
Cited
US4011932A
Cited
US4023662A
Cited
US4088215A
Cited
US4268177A
Cited
US4243331A
Cited
DE2913980A1
Cited
US4300847A
Cited
US4279518A
Cited
US4402264A
Cited
JPS5738148A
Cited
US4408907A
Cited
US4420269A
Cited
US4384794A
Cited
JPS5853465A
Cited
US4390292A
Cited
JPS58153682A
Cited
US4469459A
Cited
US4479731A
Cited
JPS597076A
Cited
US4525084A
Cited
US4526486A
Cited
US4576493A
Cited
US4514101A
Cited
DE3521093A1
Cited
US4657415A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-04-19 | 1991-10-19 | 1992-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-19 | 1995-10-19 | 1996-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-19 | 1999-10-19 | 2000-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |