Portable printer with asymmetrically-damped media centering
First Claim
1. An asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism, comprisinga 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 operably engage the reciprocal movement mechanism when the pivoting arm mechanism is in the first position and to disengage the reciprocal movement mechanism when the pivoting arm mechanism is in the second position.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
14 Claims
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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 operably engage the reciprocal movement mechanism when the pivoting arm mechanism is in the first position and to disengage the reciprocal movement mechanism when the pivoting arm mechanism is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. In a portable printer, a method of centering a media roll, comprising:
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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 and to disengage the reciprocal movement mechanism when the pivoting arm is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification