Patent ID: 9636930
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: B41J,B65H

Claim:
1. A transport with media hold down for use in connection with an inkjet printer having an inkjet print head, and a media sheet having a lead edge and a trail edge, the media sheet moving in a process direction along a process path, the transport with media hold down comprising: a frame extending longitudinally in the process direction from a first end to an opposite second end; at least one first axle mounted on the frame at the first end; a pair of driven wheels mounted for rotation on the at least one first axle; at least one second axle mounted on the frame at the second end; a pair of drive wheels mounted for rotation on the at least one second axle; at least one drive motor operatively driving at least one of the drive wheels; a plurality of links operatively connected together, each link extending between opposite ends transversely to the process direction, each link having two opposed generally parallel link edges, each link edge being juxtaposed with an adjacent link edge on each adjacent link, the plurality of links being operatively drivingly attached to the drive wheels, each link being adapted for pivotal motion with respect to each adjacent link, each link having a link surface facing outward, the plurality of links being adapted for holding the media sheet generally flat against each link surface and conveying the media sheet in the process direction, at least one of the plurality of links being a spar link, and the remaining links being vacuum links; at least one spar extending between opposite ends juxtaposed with the spar link opposite ends, the spar link having a spar link surface facing outward, the spar link having a slot extending through the spar link surface to receive the spar, the spar being adapted to move into a retracted position below the spar link surface, the spar being adapted to move into an extended position above the spar link surface, the spar having a clamp flange, the spar being adapted to move into a clamping position with the media sheet lead edge sandwiched between the clamp flange and the spar link surface, so as to hold the media sheet lead edge clamped against the spar link surface, wherein the media sheet will pass beneath the inkjet print head without contacting the inkjet print head; at least one lift cam having an entry portion with an entry profile disposed adjacent the first end, the lift cam having an exit portion with an exit profile disposed adjacent the second end; and at least one lift follower attached to the at least one spar link, the spar being operatively connected to the lift follower; wherein the lift follower is adapted to follow the lift cam entry profile so as to move the spar from the retracted position to the extended position to receive the media sheet and to the clamping position to clamp the media sheet; and the lift follower is adapted to follow the lift cam exit profile so as to move the spar from the clamping position to the extended position to release the media sheet from the clamping position and to the retracted position, allowing the media sheet to exit the transport.