Modular printer system

• US 5,180,232 A
• Filed: 07/05/1990
• Issued: 01/19/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Chadima, George E. Jr., Schultz, Darald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): WIECKING, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US07/549,298
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 190/109, 190/115, 190/116, 206/232, 206/305, 206/329, 206/333, 206/371, 206/373, 206/374, 206/375, 206/526, 206/576, 235/58 CF, 235/58 P, 235/60 P, 248/27.1, 248/145.6, 248/672, 292/DIG. 4, 400/88, 400/613, 400/613.2, 400/680, 400/681, 400/682, 400/683, 400/684, 400/685, 400/691, 400/692, 400/693, 400/694, 346/33 R, 346/33 WL, 346/33 P, 346/33 F, 346/33 M, 346/33 EC, 346/33 S, 346/33 HL, 346/33 A, 346/33 B, 346/33 C, 346/33 ME, 346/33 D, 346/33 TP , 346/145, 307/150, 307/151, 320/2, 361/331, 361/332, 361/334, 361/380, 361/390, 361/391, 361/392, 361/393, 361/394, 361/428
• US Class Current: 400/88
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/28 Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0225 User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisions for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10574 Multiple sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10584 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10702 Particularities of propagating elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors G06K7/10831 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10732 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10811 Focalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10841 Particularities of the light-sensitive elements semiconductor devices H01L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 : Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 : constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/12 : using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 : wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 : Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

Basic elements of a modular printer system may comprise a rectangular open frame with receptacles for a printer module and computerized terminal module, and with an external configuration for receiving modular components such as a carrying handle, a support foot, an auxiliary terminal module mounting bracket and an AC adaptor module. Respective different paper tray modules may be selectively secured to the open frame to form a bottom closure and to provide a repository for appropriate circuit boards and an on-board battery if needed, as well as containing an appropriate supply of paper for the printer (e.g. 50 sheets or 200 sheets). Respective terminal adaptor modules may secure different generations of computerized terminals in the frame for data transfer to the printer. A terminal module may utilize a spring-urged retainer for retaining a hand-held computerized terminal therewith. Respective printer modules may adapt different printer models to the frame, and each such printer module may be reversible in the frame to accommodate different applications, e.g. as a portable unit, and as a van-mounted unit with in-board, out-board and/or remote mounting of terminal modules.

Claims

1. In a modular printer system,

a modular printer device for containing a computerized terminal for supplying data to be printed and a printer means for printing data supplied by a computerized terminal, said modular printer device comprising an open frame having first terminal module receptacle means and having second printer module receptacle means,

a terminal module for releasably receiving a computerized terminal, said terminal module with a received computerized terminal being supported in said first terminal module receptacle means such that data may be supplied from a received computerized terminal to a printer means contained by said modular printer device, and being supported in said second printer module receptacle means,

a printer module for receiving a printer means such that data may be supplied to a received printer means from a computerized terminal in said terminal module, and

a printer unit in said printer module having a paper feed direction, and the printer unit being reversible with the printer module so as to provide a first paper feed direction in the first orientation of the printer module and so as to provide an opposite paper feed direction opposite to said first paper feed direction in the reverse orientation of the printer module.

2. In a modular printer system according to claim 1,

wherein the terminal module is disposed in the first terminal module receptacle means in a first orientation relative to the open frame, to orient a computerized terminal in a first orientation relative to said open frame when mounted in said terminal module, and

auxiliary means for mounting a computerized terminal disposed on said open frame and oriented for mounting a computerized terminal so as to extend at a ninety degree angle relative to said first orientation.

3. In a modular printer system according to claim 2,

said open frame having an exterior side exteriorly of the open frame, and having reception means for reception of said auxiliary means such that the auxiliary means is readily added at said exterior side of said open frame.

4. In a modular printer system according to claim 1,

said first terminal module receptacle means being of configuration adapted to selectively receive one of a plurality of terminal modules of respectively different terminal receiving configurations, said terminal module being a selected one of a plurality of terminal modules of respectively different terminal receiving configurations and including terminal electrical connector means disposed at one end thereof, and means mounted within said terminal module to move toward and away from said terminal electrical connector means for receiving one of a plurality of computerized terminals of different configurations there between, such that the open frame is readily adapted to receive one of a plurality of computerized terminals of respectively different configurations.

5. In a modular printer system according to claim 1,

said open frame having an exterior side exteriorly of the open frame, and having reception means for reception of a carrying handle to provide for carrying of said modular printer device with one hand.

6. In a modular printer system according to claim 5,

a carrying handle engaged in said reception means for one-handed transport of the printer device.

7. In a modular printer system according to claim 1, data transmission conduit means comprising a fixed connector means on said terminal module for quick release coupling with a computerized terminal and comprising cable means with a cable end connector coupled with said fixed connector means via said cable means, and

said open frame accommodating coupling of the cable end connector of the cable means with the printer unit in each of said first orientation and of said reverse orientation of said printer module.

8. In a modular printer system according to claim 1,

said modular printer device having mounting means accommodating fixed mounting of said device in a mobile vehicle.

9. In a modular printer system according to claim 8,

said mounting means comprising a mounting plate and pivot means coupling the mounting plate with the modular printer device to accommodate tilting of the modular printer device relative to said mounting plate.

10. In a modular printer system according to claim 2,

said modular printer device consisting essentially of said open frame, said terminal module, and said printer module with said printer unit therein, and a paper tray located beneath the printer unit, the paper tray holding a quantity of paper for automatic feed to the printer unit and providing a bottom closure for the open frame.

11. In a modular printer system according to claim 1,

said modular printer device further comprising a carrying handle, and

consisting essentially of said open frame, said terminal module, said printer module with the printer unit therein, and further a paper tray secured within the open frame to hold a quantity of paper for automatic feed to the printer unit and provide a bottom closure for the open frame, the carrying handle being secured with the open frame for one-handed transport of the device.

12. In a modular printer system according to claim 1,

said open frame consisting essentially of four frame elements arranged in an open rectangular configuration and a single additional cross piece frame element subdividing the open frame, the terminal module having rectilinear margins supported by the open frame at one side of the cross piece frame element and the printer module having rectilinear margins supported by the open frame at the other side of the cross piece frame element.

13. In a modular printer system according to claim 12,

a rectilinear paper tray for containing a paper supply for feed to said printer unit in the printer module, said paper tray mating with the open frame to provide a bottom closure therefor.

14. In a modular printer system according to claim 13,

said printer module comprising means for pivotally supporting said printer unit in the printer module, said printer unit being pivotal to expose said paper tray for replenishing the paper supply therein.

15. In a modular printer system according to claim 1,

said terminal module having an upwardly offset margin resting on the open frame and downwardly extending side walls extending downwardly from the upwardly offset margin and disposed in close confronting relation to the open frame, the portions of the open frame underlying the upwardly offset margin of the terminal module and the portions of the open frame confronting the side walls of the terminal module comprising said first terminal module receptacle means of the open frame.

16. In a modular printer system according to claim 1,

said printer module having an upwardly offset margin resting on the open frame and downwardly extending side walls extending downwardly from the upwardly offset margin and disposed in close confronting relation to the open frame, the portions of the open frame underlying the upwardly offset margin of the printer module and the portions of the open frame confronting the side walls of the printer module comprising said second printer module receptacle means of the open frame.

17. In a modular printer system according to claim 1,

data transmission conduit means comprising coupler means for coupling with a computerized terminal in the terminal module and comprising second coupler means for coupling with said printer unit in the printer module both in a first orientation of the printer module and in a, with respect to the first orientation, reverse orientation of the printer module, and transmission conduit means connecting with the coupler means for conveying data from a computerized terminal in the terminal module to a printer unit in the printer module via the first and second coupler means irrespective of whether the printer module has its first orientation or its reverse orientation.

18. In a modular printer system according to claim 1,

an alternating current module connected with the open frame, and containing an alternating current power cord for coupling with an alternating current power outlet, and said modular printer device having means for supplying power to said printer unit received by the printer module selectively from a portable battery source and from the alternating current power cord.

19. In a modular printer system according to claim 18,

said alternating current module having means for releasably storing the alternating current power cord.

20. In a modular printer system according to claim 19,

said alternating current module having a wall disposed in spaced relation to an exterior side of the open frame to define a recess in which the power cord is coiled.

21. In a modular printer system according to claim 20,

said alternating power cord having a free with a plug connector thereon, and said alternating current module providing friction retention means for retaining the plug connector therewith to prevent inadvertent displacement of the power cord from the recess.

22. In a modular printer system according to claim 1,

said open frame including guideway means external to said open frame for receiving one of a carrying handle and a second terminal module receptacle means, a carrying handle being insertible into said guideway means for use of the modular printer device as a portable printer device, and a second terminal module receptacle means being insertible into said guideway means for use of the modular printer device mounted within a vehicle, whereby the open frame is selectively usable in a fixed installation within a mobile vehicle and in a portable installation for one-handed transport.

23. In a modular printer system according to claim 22,

a paper tray disposed below the printer module and mating with the open frame to provide a bottom closure therefor.

24. In a modular printer system according to claim 23,

said paper tray having battery receptacle means for supplying operating power to a printer unit in said printer module.

25. In a modular printer system according to claim 1,

the terminal module having a spring urged retainer for retaining a hand-held type of computerized terminal therewith.

26. In a modular printer system,

a modular printer device having a printer unit capable of eighty column printing on paper automatically fed thereto from a supply of paper,

said modular printer device comprising an open frame having a printer receiving means receiving said printer unit, and

a paper tray module providing a paper bin of size to accommodate a substantial supply of paper for automatic feed to said printer unit as received by said printer receiving means, said paper tray module providing a bottom closure for said open frame.

27. In a modular printer system according to claim 26, said modular printer device having a terminal receiving means for accommodating different size hand-held type computerized terminals for automatic coupling to provide data communication with said printer unit as received by said printer receiving means.

28. In a modular printer system according to claim 26, said modular printer device having a terminal module secured therewith for releasably receiving a hand-held type of computerized terminal and constructed to mechanically guide a hand-held type computerized terminal into a received position where it is automatically coupled for data communication with said printer unit as received by said printer receiving means.

29. In a modular printer system according to claim 26, said modular printer device having a carrying handle secured to one side of said open frame for convenient transport thereof with one hand.

30. In a modular printer system according to claim 26, said printer receiving means comprising a printer module adapting said printer unit to the unitary modular printer device and accommodating displacement of the printer unit from its operating position so as to provide access to the paper bin for replenishment of the paper supply.

31. In a modular printer system according to claim 26, said open frame having a first section defining the first terminal module receptacle means for supporting said terminal module, therein receiving a hand-held type of computerized terminal and a second section defining the second printer module receptacle for receiving said printer unit, the second section having a separate covering enclosure for the printer unit, such that a hand-held type computerized terminal can be inserted into and removed from the first section without disturbing the covering enclosure for the printer unit.

32. In a modular printer system according to claim 31, said covering enclosure being sealed with the open frame such that the paper bin is protected from moisture during transport of the modular printer device.

33. In a modular printer system according to claim 31, a terminal module for receiving a hand-held type of computerized terminal, and being sealed with the open frame to protect the paper bin from moisture during transport of the modular printer device.

34. In a modular printer system according to claim 26, said printer receiving means mounting said printer unit selectively in a first orientation and in a reverse orientation rotated one hundred and eighty degrees relative to the first orientation.

35. In a modular printer system according to claim 26, said open frame having terminal receiving means therein adjacent the printer receiving means and constructed to mechanically guide a hand-held type of computerized terminal into a received position where it is automatically coupled for data communication with said printer unit as received by said printer receiving means.

36. In a modular printer system according to claim 26, said printer receiving means comprising mechanical guides, said printer unit being mechanically guided by said guides so as to be displaceable to a paper loading position to expose the paper bin for replenishment of the paper supply therein.

37. In a modular printer system according to claim 36, said guides including means for supporting pivotal movement of said printer unit with respect to said printer receiving means said printer unit being pivotally movable to an overcenter paper loading position where it is held by gravity until manually returned to its operating position.

38. In a modular printer system according to claim 36, said printer receiving means further including latch means for engaging and latching said printer unit, said printer unit being automatically latched in its operating position as it is returned thereto from the paper loading position.

39. In a modular printer system according to claim 36, said printer unit being automatically latched in its operating position as it is returned thereto from the paper loading position.

40. In a modular printer system according to claim 39, said printer unit being unlatched in response to limited movement from the operating position in a direction away from the paper loading position.

41. In a modular printer system according to claim 26, first optical coupler means for optical coupling with a hand-held type of computerized terminal in a terminal receiving means of the open frame, and second optical coupler means for optical coupling with a printer unit in the printer receiving means, and fiber optic transmission conduit means connecting with the optical coupler means for conveying data from a hand-held type computerized terminal in the terminal receiving means to a printer unit in the printer receiving means via the first and second optical coupler means.

42. In a modular printer system according to claim 26, alternating current connection means for coupling with an alternating current power outlet, and said modular printer device having means for supplying power to the printer unit received by the printer receiving means selectively from a portable battery source and from the alternating current connection means.

43. In a modular printer system according to claim 42, said modular printer device having means for releasably storing an alternating current power cord forming said alternating current connection means.

44. In a modular printer system according to claim 42, said alternating current connection means comprising an alternating current power cord, and a wall disposed in spaced relation to an exterior side of the open frame to define a recess in which the alternating current power cord is coiled.

45. In a modular printer system according to claim 42, said alternating current connection means comprising an alternating current power cord, and said alternating current power cord having a free end with a plug connector thereon, and said modular printer device providing friction retention means for retaining the plug connector therewith to prevent inadvertent displacement of the alternating current power cord from its stored position.

46. In a modular printer system according to claim 26, said paper tray module having power supply means therein for supplying operating power to the printer unit.

48. A modular printer device according to claim 42, wherein said means for removably receiving a computerized terminal comprises an interior space and a cover for said interior space for temporarily retaining said terminal for data communication to said printer unit.

69. In a modular printer system according to claim 26,

wherein the open frame has an external frame element having at least one aperture therethrough,

an AC adapter module disposed externally of and adjacent said open frame, said AC adapter module including external closure walls abutting said external frame element and including means for mounting said AC adapter module to said external frame element,

said closure walls defining a first chamber having an external opening and a second, externally closed off, chamber,

an AC power cord having a coiled section, which coiled section is stored in said first chamber adjacent said external opening in said first chamber and having a power plug attached to an external end adjacent said coiled section, an inner section of said AC power cord extending through said second chamber, and

a power supply disposed within the printer device, the inner section of said AC power cord electrically coupled to said power supply.

47. A modular printer device comprising:

an open frame having rectilinear frame elements forming vertically disposed side walls and at least one crosspiece for defining within said frame at least a terminal receptacle and a printer receptacle;

a paper tray module disposed across and assembled to said frame and defining a bottom closure, said paper tray module having means for holding a supply of paper;

a printer module mounted within said printer receptacle, said printer module comprising a printer unit disposed above said paper tray module for receiving power therefrom;

a terminal module mounted within said terminal receptacle, said terminal module including means for removably receiving a computerized terminal and for communicatively coupling a received terminal to said terminal module; and

means for communicatively coupling said terminal module to said printer module, whereby a computerized terminal upon being inserted into said terminal module becomes enabled to communicate data to said printer unit.

49. A modular printer device according to claim 47, wherein said means for removably receiving a computerized terminal comprises an interior space, a connector plug disposed at one end of said interior space, a slidable terminal retainer bracket disposed within said interior space and means for guiding and for urging a computerized terminal into engagement with said connector plug for establishing data communication with said printer unit upon insertion of a computerized terminal into said interior space.

50. A modular printer device according to claim 47, wherein said open frame is an integral unitary structure and wherein at least one of said rectilinear frame elements of said integral unitary structure includes an externally disposed means for receiving a selected one of a plurality of attachments.

51. A modular printer device according to claim 50, wherein one of a plurality of attachments is a foot member, wherein said at least one rectilinear frame element including an externally disposed means for receiving one of a plurality of attachments comprises two oppositely disposed frame members, and wherein a second one of a plurality of attachments is a handle member comprising a base member and a handle, said foot member being attached to one of said externally oppositely disposed receiving means of said rectilinear frame members and said base member of said handle member being attached to the other of the second one of the two externally oppositely disposed receiving means of said rectilinear frame members, said handle extending from said frame opposite to said foot member.

52. A modular printer device according to claim 50, wherein one of a plurality of attachments is an AC adapter module, said AC adapter module being mounted to said externally disposed receiving means and comprising a flat support surface for supporting said modular printer device with respect thereto, at least one cavity for removably storing a coiled portion of an AC power cord, a power supply circuit disposed within said modular printer device, an AC power cord having an internal end attached to the power supply and having a coiled portion adjacent an external end thereof, said coiled portion having a power plug at the external end of the AC power cord.

53. A modular printer device according to claim 52, wherein said open frame comprises at least one further rectilinear frame element including an externally disposed means for receiving one of a plurality of attachments, two frame elements of said open frame and the respective externally disposed receiving means being oppositely disposed on said open frame, and wherein at least one of said oppositely disposed frame elements including said externally disposed receiving means includes at least one aperture, said internal end of said AC power cord being routed through said aperture, and said power supply circuit being disposed within said open frame.

54. A modular printer device according to claim 53, wherein a second one of a plurality of attachments is a handle member comprising a base member and a handle, said base member of said handle member being attached to one of said receiving means disposed externally opposite from said AC power module with said handle extending from said open frame.

55. A modular printer device comprising:

an open frame having rectilinear frame elements forming vertically disposed side walls and at least one crosspiece for defining within said frame at least a terminal receptacle and a printer receptacle, said open frame being an integral unitary structure, at least one of said rectilinear frame elements of said integral unitary structure including an externally disposed means for receiving a selected one of a plurality of attachments;

a paper tray module disposed across and assembled to said frame and defining a bottom closure, said paper tray module having means for holding a supply of paper;

a printer module mounted within said printer receptacle, said printer module comprising a printer unit disposed above said paper tray module for receiving power therefrom;

a terminal module mounted to said open frame, said terminal module including means for removably receiving a computerized terminal and for communicatively coupling a received terminal to said terminal module; and

means for communicatively coupling said terminal module to said printer module, whereby a computerized terminal upon being inserted into and received by said terminal module becomes enabled to communicate data to said printer unit.

56. A modular printer device according to claim 55, wherein said terminal module mounted to said open frame is mounted within said terminal receptacle.

57. A modular printer device according to claim 55, wherein said at least one frame element including said externally disposed receiving means includes at least one aperture, and wherein said terminal module mounted to said open frame is attached to said externally disposed receiving means, wherein said means for communicatively coupling said terminal module to said printer module is routed from said terminal module through said aperture to said printer module.

58. A modular printer device according to claim 57, said open frame further comprising a cover plate disposed over and covering said terminal receptacle.

59. A modular printer device according to claim 55, wherein said open frame comprises at least one further rectilinear frame element including an externally disposed means for receiving one of a plurality of attachments, two frame elements of said open frame and the respective externally disposed receiving means being oppositely disposed on the open frame, and wherein at least one of said oppositely disposed frame elements with said externally disposed receiving means includes at least one aperture.

60. A modular printer device according to claim 59, wherein one of said plurality of attachments is an AC adapter module, said AC adapter module being mounted to said externally disposed receiving means and comprising a flat support surface for supporting said modular printer device with respect thereto, at least one cavity for removably storing a coiled portion of an AC power cord, an AC power cord having a coiled portion, said coiled portion having a power plug at an external end thereof and having an internal end attached to a power supply circuit, said internal end of said AC power cord being routed through said aperture and said power supply circuit being disposed within said open frame.

61. A modular printer device according to claim 60, wherein a second one of said plurality of attachments is a handle member comprising a base member and a handle, said base member of said handle member being attached to said second one of said receiving means externally oppositely disposed with respect to said AC power module with said handle extending from said open frame.

62. A modular printer device according to claim 55, wherein said paper tray module comprises means for holding an internal power source and means electrically coupling said internal power source to said printer module for providing power to said printer module.

63. A modular printer device according to claim 55, wherein said paper tray module is a 50-sheet paper tray module.

64. A modular printer device according to claim 55, wherein said paper tray module has a depth for holding a supply of paper in excess of fifty sheets of paper.

65. In a modular printer system according to claim 55, said printer module comprising a U-shaped pivot frame for receiving said printer unit, said printer unit being pivotally mounted within said pivot frame, said U-shaped pivot frame further comprising guide channels disposed within said U-shaped pivot frame, said guide channels corresponding in alignment to guide pins attached to said printer unit for releasing said printer unit from said pivot frame in response to an angle of rotation of the printer unit with respect to said printer module.

66. A modular printer device according to claim 65, wherein said printer module comprises a cover having a paper outlet slot, said printer module cover closing said printer module receptacle, wherein said terminal module is mounted within said terminal receptacle, and wherein a sealing strip extends between said open frame and said printer module and terminal module about the perimeter of said printer receptacle and terminal receptacle.

67. A modular printer device according to claim 55, wherein said printer modular comprises a U-shaped pivot frame for receiving said printer unit, said printer receptacle comprising printer module mounting means including a vertical guide channel and an arcuate guide channel, the U-shaped pivot frame of the printer module comprising outwardly extending pivot means engaging the printer module mounting means and respective limit pin means for limiting the rotational movement of the printer module within the printer receptacle, said printer module further comprising means for latching said printer module including said printer unit in a predetermined operative position, whereupon when unlatched, the printer module is pivotable within said guide channel into an inoperative position thereby providing access to the paper tray module, the printer module mounting means and said U-shaped pivot frame further comprising means for releasing the printer module from the printer receptacle.

68. A modular printer device according to claim 67, further comprising an AC adapter module, said AC adapter module being mounted exteriorly of the open frame to the open frame, the AC adapter module comprising a flat support surface for supporting said modular printer device with respect thereto, at least one cavity for removably storing an AC power cord, said power cord having an AC plug at an external end thereof, the AC adapter module further including means for storing the AC plug in an exteriorly accessible position, the open frame having an aperture adjacent the AC adapter module and comprising means for electrically coupling an inner end through the aperture to provide electrical connection through the aperture to the printer module.