Patent US5208610A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5208610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pen carriage for an ink-jet printer
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1991-07-31
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Granted: 1993-05-04
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Expires: 2011-07-31
Abstract
Abstract The carriage is configured for interchangeably holding pens of different sizes at the same position relative to a circuit that is mounted to the carriage. In a preferred embodiment, a black-ink pen or a relatively large color-ink pen may be carried by the carriage. The size of the carriage opening into which the pen is inserted is reduced by a spacer mechanism to accommodate the smaller pen, which spacer mechanism is retracted from the opening upon insertion of the larger pen.
Inventors
- 👤 Wen-Li Su
- 👤 J. P. Harmon
- 👤 Les R. Pierce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:56
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J25/00; B41J25/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A carriage for a printer, comprising: a base having features attached thereto for supporting a pen; a chute assembly attached to the base and defining an opening having a first size, the chute assembly including a first guide part configured for guiding toward the features a pen that has a first shape and that is inserted into the chute opening; and a second guide part mounted to the chute assembly and movable for changing the chute opening to a second size that is different from the first size, the second guide part being configured for guiding toward the features a pen that has a second shape, the second shape being different from the first shape, and that is inserted into the chute opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A carriage for a printer, comprising: a base having features attached thereto for supporting a pen; a chute assembly attached to the base and defining an opening having a first size, the chute assembly including a first guide part configured for guiding toward the features a pen that has a first shape and that is inserted into the chute opening; and a second guide part mounted to the chute assembly and movable for changing the chute opening to a second size that is different from the first size, the second guide part being configured for guiding toward the features a pen that has a second shape, the second shape being different from the first shape, and that is inserted into the chute opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The carriage of claim 1 wherein the second guide part is mounted to be normally forced toward a first position wherein a portion of the opening is defined by the second guide part.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The carriage of claim 2 wherein the second guide part is movable out of the first position by the first-shaped pen as that pen is inserted into the chute opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The carriage of claim 2 wherein the first guide part includes a wall through which a portion of the second guide part protrudes when the second guide part is in the first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The carriage of claim 2 including a resilient member connected to the second guide part for forcing the second guide part into the first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The carriage of claim 1 wherein the first guide part includes a wall against which one side of the first-shaped pen slides as that pen is guided toward the features, the second guide part having a tip against which one side of the second-shaped pen slides as that pen is guided toward the features.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The carriage of claim 6 wherein the second guide part includes a leg to which the tip is attached, the leg being mounted for pivotal movement as the second guide part is moved.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The carriage of claim 7 wherein the tip includes an inclined surface contacted by the first-shaped pen as that pen is inserted into the chute opening whereby a force generated by the insertion of the first-shaped pen causes the leg to move.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
The carriage of claim 1 wherein the first guide part includes a guide wall that is spaced a first distance away from the base, the first distance defining a first depth of the chute opening, the second guide part having a tip part that is movable into a first position between the base and the guide wall thereby to define a second depth of the chute opening as the distance between the base and the tip part.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The carriage of claim 9 wherein the second guide part includes a leg having first and second ends, the first end being pivotally mounted to the base, the tip part being attached to the second end, and a spring attached to the leg for forcing the tip part toward the first position.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for installing a pen in a printer carriage that has features for supporting a pen adjacent to a set of electrical connecting elements carried by the carriage, the apparatus comprising: a chute assembly attachable to the carriage, the assembly including a chute opening, the chute assembly configured for guiding into contact with the features a first-shaped pen inserted into the chute opening; and guide means for changing the chute opening shape 10 so that a second-shaped pen inserted into the opening is guided by the chute into contact with the features the first-shaped pen having a shape different from the second-shaped pen.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for installing a pen in a printer carriage that has features for supporting a pen adjacent to a set of electrical connecting elements carried by the carriage, the apparatus comprising: a chute assembly attachable to the carriage, the assembly including a chute opening, the chute assembly configured for guiding into contact with the features a first-shaped pen inserted into the chute opening; and guide means for changing the chute opening shape 10 so that a second-shaped pen inserted into the opening is guided by the chute into contact with the features the first-shaped pen having a shape different from the second-shaped pen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the chute assembly and the guide means are configured for permitting the first-shaped pen and the second-shaped pen to be interchangeably installed in the carriage in contact with a single set of electrical connecting elements that are carried by the carriage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a clamp mechanism mounted to the carriage for clamping both the first-shaped pen and the second-shaped pen to the carriage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the chute assembly includes three walls that define the chute opening, the guide means including a spacer member mounted to the assembly for pivotal movement and a resilient member for urging part of the spacer member through one wall.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-03 | 1996-11-02 | 1997-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-03 | 2000-11-02 | 2001-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-03 | 2004-11-02 | 2005-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |