Thermal printhead Mechanism

• US 20030059241A1
• Filed: 09/21/2001
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Yehl, Gregory C., Adams, Michael Scott
• Granted Patent: US 6,672,780 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/120.01
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/32 using thermal heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 25/308 with print gap adjustment mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 25/3086 with print gap adjustment means between the print head and its carriage

Abstract

The invention is a thermal printhead mechanism having a stationary spring channel, a top bracket supported by the spring channel, and a printhead mounted to the top bracket. Additionally, the invention may include a cam, a bottom bracket, and a front mounting plate.

Claims

1. A thermal printhead mechanism comprising:

a spring channel fixed in a stationary location;

a top bracket moveably supported by the spring channel; and

a printhead secured to the top bracket.

2. The thermal printhead mechanism of claim 1, wherein the top bracket is formed in a U-shaped configuration.

3. A thermal printhead mechanism comprising:

a spring channel fixed in a stationary location;

a spring received by the spring channel;

a top bracket moveably supported by the spring; and

a printhead secured to the top bracket.

4. The thermal printhead mechanism of claim 3, wherein the top bracket is formed in a U-shaped configuration.

5. The thermal printhead mechanism of claim 3, wherein the spring is a compression spring.

6. A thermal printhead mechanism comprising:

a front mounting plate;

a spring channel fixed in a stationary location on the front mounting plate;

a spring received by the spring channel;

a top bracket moveably supported by the spring;

a printhead secured to the top bracket; and

a platen roller mounted on the front mounting plate adjacent to and aligned with the printhead.

7. The thermal printhead mechanism of claim 6, wherein the top bracket is formed in a U-shaped configuration.

8. The thermal printhead mechanism of claim 6, wherein the spring is a compression spring.

9. The thermal printhead mechanism of claim 8 further comprising:

a bottom bracket supported by the top bracket;

a cam located between the spring channel and the bottom bracket.

10. The thermal printhead mechanism of claim 9, wherein the cam further comprises:

a cam bar;

a cam rod attached to the cam bar; and

a cam knob attached to the cam bar.

11. The thermal printhead mechanism of claim 9 further comprising:

a back plate attached to the front mounting plate;

a motor attached to the back plate; and

a gear system driven by the motor and attached to the front mounting plate.

12. A method of maintaining a consistent alignment between a printhead and a platen roller comprising the steps of:

Securing a spring channel in a fixed location;

Supporting a top bracket above the spring channel; and

Mounting a printhead to the top bracket.