Mobile device with printhead and media path in two relatively moveable sections

• US 7,878,645 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2005
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Tow, Gregory Michael, Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul, King, Tobin Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zimmermann; John P
• Application Number:
  US11/187,976
• Publication Number:
  US 20060250470A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,017 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 347/104
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16508 connected with the printer frame

Abstract

A mobile device is provided which has first and second body sections movable relative to each other between operative and inoperative configurations of the device, a printhead for printing onto a media substrate, and a media feed path for feeding the media substrate past the printhead. The media feed path extends from the first body section into the second body section when in the operative configuration.

Claims

1. A mobile telephone device comprising:

a first body section having an input control pad and a second body section having a display, the first and second body sections being movable relative to each other into a first configuration in which the input control pad of the first body section is obscured by the second body section and a second configuration in which the input control pad of the first body section is not obscured by the second body section;

a printhead for printing onto a media card;

a media feed path for feeding the media card past the printhead;

a capper moveable between a capped position in which the capper caps the printhead and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media card; and

a mechanism for maintaining the capper in the uncapped position, the mechanism having actuation arms configured to grip and retain the media card suspended from the mobile telephone device once printing is complete until removal of the media card from the mobile telephone device by a user, wherein,

the media feed path extends from the first body section into the second body section when in the second configuration.

2. A mobile device according to claim 1 wherein the second body section has a collection facility for holding the media substrate after printing.

3. A mobile device according to claim 2 wherein the first body section has a storage facility for the media substrate and the printhead is positioned between the storage facility and the collection facility.

4. A mobile device according to claim 1 wherein the printhead has an array of nozzles.

5. A mobile device according to claim 1 further comprising a drive shaft for feeding the media past the printhead.

6. A mobile device according to claim 1 wherein the drive assembly has a drive shaft with a media engagement surface for feeding a media substrate along a feed path;

and,

a media guide adjacent the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate against the media engagement surface.

7. A mobile device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate past the printhead;

wherein during use,

the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.