US5678938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal printer
Assignee: Tohoku Ricoh Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1995-08-25
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Granted: 1997-10-21
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Expires: 2015-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A thermal printer that prints on a recording sheet by holding the recording sheet between a thermal print head and a platen, driving the thermal print head to generate heat and driving the platen to feed the recording sheet comprises an approach limiting means that limits the approach of the thermal print head to the platen and determines a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen. The approach limiting means is provided with a stopping member for stopping the thermal print head or a print head holding member holding the thermal print head moving toward the platen to limit the approach of the thermal print head to the platen and to determine a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen. The thermal printer reduces the bias of distribution of the pressure of the thermal print head on the recording sheet along the width of the same and is capable of printing characters and the like clearly over the entire width of the recording sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Daisuke Saito
- 👤 Hideaki Matsuda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:13
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J25/00; B41J25/304; B41J25/308; B41J25/312
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A thermal printer comprising: a platen, a thermal print head which presses a thermal transfer ribbon and a recording sheet against the platen and which generates heat to record characters on the recording sheet, and approach limiting means for limiting a approach of the thermal print head to the platen, for imposing a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen and for counteracting a first moment applied to the thermal print head by the recording sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A thermal printer comprising: a platen, a thermal print head which presses a thermal transfer ribbon and a recording sheet against the platen and which generates heat to record characters on the recording sheet, and approach limiting means for limiting a approach of the thermal print head to the platen, for imposing a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen and for counteracting a first moment applied to the thermal print head by the recording sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein said approach limiting means includes a stopping member disposed so as to stop the thermal print head, movable toward the platen, to determine directly a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen with respect to the direction of action of the pressure of the thermal print head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A thermal printer according to claim 2, wherein the approach limiting means further includes a position adjusting member for adjusting the position of the stopping member to adjust the minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein said approach limiting means includes a stopping member movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the platen, disposed so as to stop the thermal print head, movable toward the platen, to determine directly a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen with respect to the direction of action of the pressure of the thermal print head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermal printer according to claim 4, wherein said approach limiting means further includes a position adjusting member for adjusting the axial position of the axially movable stopping member to adjust the minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein said approach limiting means includes a turnable eccentric stopping member movable about the axis of the platen, disposed so as to stop the thermal print head, movable toward the platen, to determine directly a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen with respect to the direction of action of the pressure of the thermal print head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermal printer according to claim 6, wherein said approach limiting means further includes a position adjusting member for adjusting the angular position of the turnable eccentric stopping member to adjust the minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A thermal printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a print head holding member, attached to said thermal print head for holding said thermal print head, wherein said approach limiting means includes a stopping member disposed so as to stop the print head holding member to determine indirectly a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen with respect to the direction of action of the pressure of the thermal print head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A thermal printer according to claim 8, wherein the approach limiting means further includes a position adjusting member for adjusting the position of the stopping member to adjust the minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
A thermal printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a print head holding member, attached to said thermal print head for holding said thermal print head, wherein said approach limiting means includes a stopping member, movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the platen, disposed so as to stop the print head holding member to determine indirectly a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen with respect to the direction of action of the pressure of the thermal print head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermal printer according to claim 10, wherein said approach limiting means further includes a position adjusting member for adjusting the axial position of the axially movable stopping member to adjust the minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
A thermal printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a print head holding member, attached to said thermal print head for holding said thermal print head, wherein said approach limiting means includes a turnable eccentric stopping member, movable about the axis of the platen, disposed so as to stop the print head holding member, to determine indirectly a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen with respect to the direction of action of the pressure of the thermal print head.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermal printer according to claim 12, wherein said approach limiting means further includes a position adjusting member for adjusting the angular position of the turnable eccentric stopping member to adjust the minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein said approach limiting means is located only to one side of the platen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein said approach limiting means consists essentially of a stopping member, located to one side of the platen, and means for adjusting the position of the stopping member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
A thermal printer according to claim 1, wherein said approach limiting means applies a force to a first half of the thermal print head in a first direction away from the platen, and wherein the only mechanical force in the first direction received by a second half of the thermal print head is through the recording sheet from the platen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
85 words
A thermal printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a print head holding member, attached to said thermal print head for holding said thermal print head, wherein said approach limiting means applies a force to a first half of the print head holding member in a first direction away from the platen, and wherein the only mechanical force in the first direction received by a second half of the print head holding member is through the thermal print head and recording sheet from the platen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
77 words
A thermal printer comprising: a platen, a thermal print head which presses a thermal recording sheet against the platen and which generates heat to record characters on the thermal recording sheet, and approach limiting means for limiting the approach of the thermal print head to the platen, for imposing a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen and for counteracting a first moment applied to the thermal print head by the thermal recording sheet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
77 words
A thermal printer comprising: a platen, a thermal print head which presses a thermal recording sheet against the platen and which generates heat to record characters on the thermal recording sheet, and approach limiting means for limiting the approach of the thermal print head to the platen, for imposing a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen and for counteracting a first moment applied to the thermal print head by the thermal recording sheet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
A thermal printer according to claim 18, wherein said approach limiting means includes a stopping member disposed so as to stop the thermal print head, movable toward the platen, to determine directly a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen with respect to the direction of action of the pressure of the thermal print head.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
A thermal printer according to claim 19, wherein said approach limiting means further includes a position adjusting member for adjusting the position of the stopping member to adjust the minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
A thermal printer according to claim 18, wherein said approach limiting means includes a stopping member movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the platen, disposed so as to stop the thermal print head, movable toward the platen, to determine directly a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen with respect to the direction of action of the pressure of the thermal print head.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermal printer according to claim 21, wherein said approach limiting means further includes a position adjusting member for adjusting the axial position of the axially movable stopping member to adjust the minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
67 words
A thermal printer according to claim 18, wherein said approach limiting means includes a turnable eccentric stopping member movable about the axis of the platen, disposed so as to stop the thermal print head, movable toward the platen, to determine directly a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen with respect to the direction of action of the pressure of the thermal print head.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermal printer according to claim 23, wherein said approach limiting means further includes a position adjusting member for adjusting the angular position of the turnable eccentric stopping member to adjust the minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
74 words
A thermal printer according to claim 18, further comprising: a print head holding member, attached to said thermal print head for holding said thermal print head, wherein said approach limiting means includes a stopping member disposed so as to stop the print head holding member to determine indirectly a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen with respect to the direction of action of the pressure of the thermal print head.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
A thermal printer according to claim 25, wherein said approach limiting means further includes a position adjusting member for adjusting the position of the stopping member to adjust the minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
85 words
A thermal printer according to claim 18, further comprising: a print head holding member, attached to said thermal print head for holding said thermal print head, wherein said approach limiting means includes a stopping member, movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the platen, disposed so as to stop the print head holding member to determine indirectly a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen with respect to the direction of action of the pressure of the thermal print head.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermal printer according to claim 27, wherein said approach limiting means further includes a position adjusting member for adjusting the axial position of the axially movable stopping member to adjust the minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
83 words
A thermal printer according to claim 18, further comprising: a print head holding member, attached to said thermal print head for holding said thermal print head, wherein said approach limiting means includes a turnable eccentric stopping member, movable about the axis of the platen, disposed so as to stop the print head holding member, to determine indirectly a minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen with respect to the direction of action of the pressure of the thermal print head.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermal printer according to claim 29, wherein said approach limiting means further includes a position adjusting member for adjusting the angular position of the turnable eccentric stopping member to adjust the minimum distance between the thermal print head and the platen.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thermal printer according to claim 18, wherein said approach limiting means is located only to one side of the platen.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
A thermal printer according to claim 18, wherein said approach limiting means consists essentially of a stopping member, located to one side of the platen, and means for adjusting the position of the stopping member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
60 words
A thermal printer according to claim 18, wherein said approach limiting means applies a force to a first half of the thermal print head in a first direction away from the platen, and wherein the only mechanical force in the first direction received by a second half of the thermal print head is through the recording sheet from the platen.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
85 words
A thermal printer according to claim 18, further comprising: a print head holding member, attached to said thermal print head for holding said thermal print head, wherein said approach limiting means applies a force to a first half of the print head holding member in a first direction away from the platen, and wherein the only mechanical force in the first direction received by a second half of the print head holding member is through the thermal print head and recording sheet from the platen.
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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) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-04-21 | 2001-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-20 | 2005-04-21 | 2005-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-20 | 2009-04-21 | 2009-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |