PORTABLE PRINTER WITH ASYMMETRICALLY-DAMPED MEDIA CENTERING

• US 20110200375A1
• Filed: 10/14/2010
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Datamax-O'Neil Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Gundlach, Chad M., Heaton, Guy M., Kokawa, Naoki
• Granted Patent: US 8,475,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/578
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 19/00 Apparatus or machines for carrying out printing operations combined with other operations
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/703 Cutting of tape
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/4075 Tape printers; Label printers
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 19/126 with both-ends supporting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2402/31 Pivoting support means
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2403/411 Double rack cooperating with one pinion, e.g. for performing symmetrical displacement relative to pinion
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2403/60 Damping means, shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2801/06 Office-type machines, e.g. photocopiers

Abstract

A portable printer having improved ergonomic and operational characteristics. The printer includes an asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism having first and second media support members moveable along a common longitudinal axis and configured to grasp roll media. The media support members are coupled to a reciprocal movement mechanism configured to translate a longitudinal movement of the first media support member into a corresponding opposite longitudinal movement of the second media support member. A pivoting arm is coupled to the reciprocal movement mechanism. The pivoting arm pivots to a first position when the first and second media support members are moved closer to each other, which causes a damping gear to engage the reciprocal movement mechanism, thereby damping the grasping motion of the media support members and providing an improved user experience. The printer facilitates one-handed operation, including one-handed loading and unloading of media, enabling its use in a variety of environments.

Claims

1. An asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism, comprising

a first media support member moveable along a longitudinal axis thereof;

a second media support member moveable along a longitudinal axis thereof;

a reciprocal movement mechanism operably coupled to the first and second media support members, the reciprocal movement mechanism configured to translate a longitudinal movement of the first media support member into a corresponding opposite longitudinal movement of the second media support member;

a pivoting arm coupled to the reciprocal movement mechanism and pivotable between at least a first and a second position, wherein the pivoting arm pivots to the first position when the first and second media support members are moved closer to each other, and the pivoting arm pivots to the second position when the first and second media support members are moved further apart from each other; and

a damping gear configured to engage the reciprocal movement mechanism when the pivoting arm mechanism is in the first position.

2. An asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pivoting arm includes a driven gear operatively coupled to the reciprocal movement mechanism.

3. An asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism in accordance with claim 2, wherein the driven gear engages the damping gear when the pivoting arm is in the first position.

4. An asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism in accordance with claim 1, wherein the damping gear includes damping grease.

5. An asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the first and second media support members toward each other.

6. An asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism in accordance with claim 5, wherein the biasing member includes an extension spring.

7. An asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism in accordance with claim 1, wherein the reciprocal movement mechanism further comprises:

a first drive member operably coupled to the first media support member; and

a second drive member operably coupled to the second media support member.

8. An asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism in accordance with claim 7, further comprising a drive belt operably coupled to the first and second drive members and at least partially disposed around the driven gear.

9. An asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism in accordance with claim 7, wherein the first and second drive members include a notched region dimensioned to receive a drive belt.

10. An asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism in accordance with claim 1, wherein the reciprocal movement mechanism further comprises:

a first rack member operably coupled to the first media support member;

a second rack member operably coupled to the second media support member; and

a pinion gear operably engageable with the first and second rack members and configured to translate movement of the first rack member into a corresponding opposite movement of the second rack member.

11. An asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism in accordance with claim 10, wherein the pinion gear is axially coupled to the driven gear.

12. In a portable printer, a method of centering a media roll, comprising:

providing a first and a second media support member movable along a longitudinal axis and dimensioned to axially engage a media roll;

providing a reciprocal movement mechanism operably coupled to the first and second media support members wherein a longitudinal movement of one media support member causes a corresponding opposite longitudinal movement of the other media support member;

providing a pivoting arm operably coupled to the reciprocal movement mechanism, wherein the pivoting arm pivots to the first position when the media support members are moved closer to each other, and the pivoting arm pivots to the second position when the media support members are moved further apart from each other; and

providing a damping gear configured to engage the reciprocal movement mechanism when the pivoting arm is in the first position.

13. A method of centering a media roll in accordance with claim 12, further comprising biasing the media support members toward each other.

14. A method of centering a media roll in accordance with claim 12, wherein rotation of the damping gear is impeded by damping grease.

15. A portable printer, comprising:

an upper inner frame structurally associated with a lower inner frame to form an inner support structure;

an asymmetrically-damped media centering assembly fixed to the inner support structure;

an upper housing and a lower housing joined to the inner support structure to form a dual-wall housing assembly;

a media opening defined in the upper housing exposing a media well;

a media access door operatively associated with the media opening, wherein the media access door includes at least a closed position and an open position; and

a latch assembly having a first, normally latched position and a second, unlatched position, the latch assembly associated with the inner support structure and configured to retain the media access door in the closed position when the latch is in the latched position and to release the media access door when the latch is in the unlatched position.

16. The portable printer in accordance with claim 15, wherein the latch assembly is biased towards the first, normally-latched position.

17. The portable printer in accordance with claim 15, further comprising an elastomeric dust cover assembly having a cap, a base, and a hinge portion, wherein the base portion is removably coupled to the lower housing.

18. The portable printer in accordance with claim 15, further comprising:

a control panel associated with the dual-wall housing assembly; and

an overmolded bezel joining the control panel with the dual-wall housing assembly.

19. The portable printer in accordance with claim 18, further comprising:

one or more user interface elements; and

a display.

20. The portable printer in accordance with claim 18, wherein the overmolded bezel is formed from elastomeric material.