Imaging apparatus having a biased platen
First Claim
1. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
- a machine frame including a first side frame and a second side frame, said first side frame being spaced apart from said second side frame;
a first plurality of platen mounting members which are spaced apart and extend from said first side frame;
a second plurality of platen mounting members which are spaced apart and extend from said second side frame;
a platen positioned to extend between said first side frame and said second side frame, said platen having a first end including a first plurality of engagement members and having a second end including a second plurality of engagement members; and
a biasing assembly coupled to said machine frame, wherein said biasing assembly applies a biasing force to said platen to move said first plurality of engagement members into respective engagement with said first plurality of platen mounting members and to move said second plurality of engagement members into respective engagement with said second plurality of platen mounting members.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An imaging apparatus provides a machine frame including a first side frame and a second side frame. A first plurality of platen mounting members is provided which are spaced apart and extend from the first side frame. A second plurality of platen mounting members is provided which are spaced apart and extend from the second side frame. A platen is positioned to extend between the first side frame and the second side frame. The platen has a first end including a first plurality of engagement members and has a second end including a second plurality of engagement members. A biasing assembly is coupled to the machine frame, wherein the biasing assembly applies a biasing force to the platen to move the first plurality of engagement members into respective engagement with the first plurality of platen mounting members and to move the second plurality of engagement members into respective engagement with the second plurality of platen mounting members.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
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a machine frame including a first side frame and a second side frame, said first side frame being spaced apart from said second side frame;
a first plurality of platen mounting members which are spaced apart and extend from said first side frame;
a second plurality of platen mounting members which are spaced apart and extend from said second side frame;
a platen positioned to extend between said first side frame and said second side frame, said platen having a first end including a first plurality of engagement members and having a second end including a second plurality of engagement members; and
a biasing assembly coupled to said machine frame, wherein said biasing assembly applies a biasing force to said platen to move said first plurality of engagement members into respective engagement with said first plurality of platen mounting members and to move said second plurality of engagement members into respective engagement with said second plurality of platen mounting members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
an elongate member having a biasing surface, said elongate member being pivotably coupled to said machine frame; and
a spring coupled between said machine frame and said elongate member to apply said biasing force to move said biasing surface into contact with said platen.
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7. The imaging apparatus of claim 6, wherein said platen is moved in a generally upward direction by said biasing force.
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8. The imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein said biasing assembly comprises:
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a first elongate member having a first biasing surface, said first elongate member being pivotably coupled to said first side frame;
a second elongate member having a second biasing surface, said second elongate member being pivotably coupled to said second side frame;
a first spring coupled between said machine frame and said first elongate member to force said first biasing surface into contact with said platen near said first end of said platen; and
a second spring coupled between said machine frame and said second elongate member to force said second biasing surface into contact with said platen near said second end of said platen.
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9. The imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said first side frame and said second side frame are formed substantially from metal, and wherein each of said first plurality of spaced apart mounting members and said second plurality of spaced apart mounting members are made of a wear-resistant plastic.
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10. The imaging apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first plurality of platen mounting members and said second plurality of platen mounting members are over-molded onto said first side frame and said second side frame, respectively.
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11. An ink jet printer, comprising:
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a machine frame including a first side frame and a second side frame, said first side frame being spaced apart from said second side frame;
a printhead coupled to said machine frame;
a first plurality of platen mounting members which are spaced apart and extend from said first side frame;
a second plurality of platen mounting members which are spaced apart and extend from said second side frame;
a platen positioned to extend between said first side frame and said second side frame, said platen having a first end including a first plurality of engagement members and having a second end including a second plurality of engagement members; and
a biasing assembly coupled to said machine frame, wherein said biasing assembly applies a biasing force to said platen to move said first plurality of engagement members into respective engagement with said first plurality of platen mounting members and to move said second plurality of engagement members into respective engagement with said second plurality of platen mounting members. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
an elongate member having a biasing surface, said elongate member being pivotably coupled to said machine frame; and
a spring coupled between said machine frame and said elongate member to apply said biasing force to move said biasing surface into contact with said platen.
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17. The ink jet printer of claim 16, wherein said platen is moved in a generally upward direction by said biasing force.
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18. The ink jet printer of claim 11, wherein said biasing assembly comprises:
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a first elongate member having a first biasing surface, said first elongate member being pivotably coupled to said first side frame;
a second elongate member having a second biasing surface, said second elongate member being pivotably coupled to said second side frame;
a first spring coupled between said machine frame and said first elongate member to force said first biasing surface into contact with said platen near said first end of said platen; and
a second spring coupled between said machine frame and said second elongate member to force said second biasing surface into contact with said platen near said second end of said platen.
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19. The ink jet printer of claim 11, wherein each of said first side frame and said second side frame are formed substantially from metal, and wherein each of said first plurality of spaced apart mounting members and said second plurality of spaced apart mounting members are made of a wear-resistant plastic.
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20. The ink jet printer of claim 19, wherein said first plurality of platen mounting members and said second plurality of platen mounting members are overmolded onto said first side frame and said second side frame, respectively.
Specification