Mounting mechanism for a non-impact dots-matrix print head

Claim 1

In a non-impact printer of the type having a planar print head carrying on plane surface thereof a plurality of printing elements and a pattern of conductors for selectively effecting energization of said printing elements, a support member having a first planar surface upon which head is fixed and a base member upon which this support is mounted, the improvement comprising: guide means defining a rectilinear slide path along which said support member is slidably movable with respect to said base member between a free position and a working position wherein said print head is operable; means for releasably latching said support member in said working position comprising a first latch member disposed along said slide path and on said base member, a second latch member on said support member and cooperative with said first latch member when in a latching position to fix said support member along said slide path with respect to said base member; biasing means for biasing said second latch member into said latching position when said support member is moved into said working position; and means disposed on said base member for preventing any movement of said support in a direction perpendicular to the surface of said head and to the rectilinear guide path, whereby the head is fixed with respect to any pressure which is exerted onto the plane surface of the head during the printing operation.