Patent US5167126A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4500892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Serial thermal printer
Assignee: Epson Corp
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Filing: 1983-07-18
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Granted: 1985-02-19
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Expires: 2003-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A serial printer for printing on a thermosensitive recording medium. The printer includes a frame having a carriage supported thereon for lateral movement across the recording medium. A thermal print head is supported on the carriage for lateral displacement therewith for printing on the recording medium. A platen is supported on the frame for supporting the recording medium so that the print head can be pressed against the recording medium to effect thermal printing thereon. A motor having a relatively flat configuration is supported on the frame and includes a vertical rotatable shaft which is rotated by the motor. A drive gear system is operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft of the motor for selective rotation thereby in opposite directions in response to rotation by the motor. A conversion mechanism converts rotation of the drive gear into lateral movement of the carriage. A paper feed mechanism for feeding the recording medium past the print head and a platen release mechanism for releasing the print head from engagement with the platen are operatively coupled to the carriage for selective actuation thereby.
Inventors
- 👤 Seiichi Hirano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:00
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J19/00; B41J19/14; B41J25/00; B41J25/304
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A serial thermal printer for printing on a thermo-sensitive recording medium comprising a frame, a carriage supported on said frame for lateral movement across said recording medium, a thermal print head supported on said carriage for lateral displacement therewith for printing on said recording medium, platen means supported on said frame for supporting said recording medium so that said print head can be pressed against said recording medium to effect thermal printing thereon, motor means having a relatively flat configuration supported on said frame and having a vertical rotatable shaft which is rotated by said motor means, drive gear means operatively coupled to said rotatable shaft for selective rotation thereby in opposite directions in response to rotation by said motor means, converting means for converting rotation of said drive means into lateral movement of said carriage, paper feed means operatively coupled to said carriage for feeding said recording medium past said print head, and platen release means selectively engageable with said carriage for releasing said print head from engagement with said platen means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A serial thermal printer for printing on a thermo-sensitive recording medium comprising a frame, a carriage supported on said frame for lateral movement across said recording medium, a thermal print head supported on said carriage for lateral displacement therewith for printing on said recording medium, platen means supported on said frame for supporting said recording medium so that said print head can be pressed against said recording medium to effect thermal printing thereon, motor means having a relatively flat configuration supported on said frame and having a vertical rotatable shaft which is rotated by said motor means, drive gear means operatively coupled to said rotatable shaft for selective rotation thereby in opposite directions in response to rotation by said motor means, converting means for converting rotation of said drive means into lateral movement of said carriage, paper feed means operatively coupled to said carriage for feeding said recording medium past said print head, and platen release means selectively engageable with said carriage for releasing said print head from engagement with said platen means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said converting means includes a rack on said carriage operatively coupled to said drive gear means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said drive gear means includes a motor gear mounted on said rotatable shaft and a pair of drive gears operatively coupled to said motor gear for rotation thereby, said rack being selectively engageable by said pair of drive gears.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 3, wherein said paper feed means includes a cylindrical cam having an inverse cam carrying said carriage thereon, said inverse cam being angularly movable in response to movement of said carriage therealong, and a paper feed roller operatively coupled to said cylindrical cam for rotation in response to angular movement of said cylindrical cam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 4, wherein said paper feed means further includes a one-way clutch coupling said cylindrical cam to said paper feed roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 5, wherein said platen release means includes a slant cam projecting from said platen means into the path of movement of said carriage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 6, wherein said cylindrical cam operates after said slant cam effects release of said platen from said head.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 7, wherein said rotor means is a stepper motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said paper feed means includes a cylindrical cam having an inverse cam carrying said carriage thereon, said inverse cam being angularly movable in response to movement of said carriage therealong, and a paper feed roller operatively coupled to said cylindrical cam for rotation in response to angular movement of said cylindrical cam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 9, wherein said paper feed means further includes a one-way clutch coupling said cylindrical cam to said paper feed roller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 10, wherein said platen release means includes a slant cam projecting from said platen means into the path of movement of said carriage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 11, wherein said cylindrical cam operates after said slant cam effects release of said platen from said head.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 12, wherein said motor means is a stepper motor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said motor means is a stepper motor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carriage includes two deformable ends, said two ends being deformed when pressed against said frame.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said drive gear means includes a drive gear rotatable by said motor means and in meshing engagement with said rack.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 16, wherein said drive gear is mounted on said rotatable shaft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 12, wherein said drive gear means includes a drive gear rotatable by said motor means and in meshing engagement with said rack.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 18, wherein said drive gear is mounted on said rotatable shaft.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The serial thermal printer as claimed in claim 12, wherein said drive gear means includes a drive gear rotatable by said motor means, said drive gear having a pulley disposed thereon, said converting means including a wire trained around said pulley and coupled to said carriage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-02-19 | 1988-08-20 | 1989-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-02-19 | 1992-08-20 | 1993-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-02-19 | 1996-08-20 | 1997-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |