Capping mechanism for pen printhead

• US 6,474,773 B1
• Filed: 10/20/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, King, Tobin Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Nghiem, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): HSIEH, SHIH WEN
• Application Number:
  US09/693,336
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 347/29, 347/9, 347/109, 347/44, 347/40, 347/54, 298/901, 216/27, 346/139.R, 400/88, 400/174
• US Class Current: 347/29
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16511 Constructions for cap positioning B41J2/16547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides an ink ejection type printhead assembly including a capping device movable between an open position, in which the printhead may deposit ink on the surface, and a closed position, in which the capping blocks the printhead from depositing ink. The capping device is being mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to a first direction, the direction that the printhead ejects ink.

Claims

1. An ink ejection type printhead assembly including:

a capping device movable between an open position, in which the printhead may deposit ink on a surface, and a closed position, in which the capping blocks the printhead from depositing ink;

the printhead ejects ink in a first direction and the capping device being mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the first direction.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the printhead ejects ink along a first axis and the capping device is mounted for rotation about the first axis.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the printhead includes a plurality of ink ejection devices arranged in a series of groups, each of the groups generally extending along radial lines from a common point.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the ink ejection devices of each group are located on alternate sides of a radial line.

5. The assembly of claim 3 wherein adjacent ink ejection devices of each group are located on a radial line.

6. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the capping device includes a like number of radially extending apertures.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the width of the apertures generally increases with radial distance from the common point.

8. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the ink ejection devices each have an aperture through which ink is ejected, the apertures being located substantially in a plane extending substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

9. The assembly of claim 1 further including:

a stylus nib movable along a first axis, the stylus nib including a slot or groove extending at other than 0°

or 90°

to the first axis; and

wherein, the capping device is mounted in front of the printhead and is rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis between an open and closed position, the capping device including an arm engaging the slot or groove,

 

whereby movement of the stylus nib along the first axis moves the capping device between the open and closed positions.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein further including an on/off switch operable by movement of the capping device.

11. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the on/off switch is incorporated into the capping device.

12. An ink ejection type printhead assembly including:

a capping device movable between an open position, in which the printhead may deposit ink on the surface, and a closed position, in which the capping blocks the printhead from depositing ink,

wherein the printhead includes a plurality of ink ejection devices arranged in a series of groups, each of the groups generally extending along radial lines from a common point, and

wherein the capping device includes a like number of radially extending apertures.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the width of the apertures generally increases with radial distance from the common point.

14. An ink ejection type printhead assembly including:

a capping device movable between an open position, in which the printhead may deposit ink on a surface, and a closed position, in which the capping blocks the printhead from depositing ink.

 

and further including;

a stylus nib movable along a first axis, the stylus nib including a slot or groove extending at other than 0°

or 90°

to the first axis; and

wherein, the capping device is mounted in front of the printhead and is rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis between an open and closed position, the capping device including an arm engaging the slot or groove,

 

whereby movement of the stylus nib along the first axis moves the capping device between the open and closed positions.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein further including an on/off switch operable by movement of the capping device.

16. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the on/off switch is incorporated into the capping device.