Patent ID: 6931989
Filing Date: 2005-08-23
Classification: B41K

Abstract:
1. A device for selecting print characters in a printer stage section of a printer, wherein the printer includes at least one printer stage section and a printer frame, the printer stage section including a selector wheel rotatably mounted to the printer frame, a print pressure bearing member attached to the printer frame, and at least one endless printing band having an inner peripheral surface and a plurality of spaced print characters, the endless printing band contacting the selector wheel and cooperating with the selector wheel for selecting one of the print characters of the printing band upon rotation of the selector wheel, the device comprising: a stopper guide coupled to the frame, the stopper guide being provided with at least one slanted surface; a movable stopper member including an elongate guide window for engaging with the guide member, an elastic section and regulating boss portions, the movable stopper member being movable into an engaged position at which the regulating boss portions engage the selector wheel of the printer stage section such that the selector wheel is rotatable into discrete rotational positions for selecting the print characters of the printing band and a disengaged position at which the regulating boss portions are spaced away from the selector wheel, the movable stopper member being provided with at least one slanted surface configured to align with the slanted surface of the stopper guide when the movable stopper member is properly oriented to permit the elongate window of the movable stopper member to engage with the stopper guide, the slanted surfaces of the stopper guide and the movable stopper member not aligning with one another when the movable stopper member is improperly oriented to prevent the elongate window of the movable stopper member from engaging with the stopper guide, thereby preventing misassembly; a stopper bearing member coupled to the frame and contacting the elastic section of the movable stopper member for regulating movement of the movable stopper member between the engaged and disengaged positions, the stopper bearing member biasing the movable stopper member into the engaged position; drive projections coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the printing band for engaging the selector wheel, the drive projections being positioned to permit the selector wheel to select one of the print characters on the printing band when the selector wheel is rotated; and a regulating block rotatably mounted to the frame and configured to engage the drive projections so that the regulating block can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in accordance with movement of the printing band to position the print characters of the printing band, the regulating block being biased by the print pressure bearing member for providing the selected print characters of the printing band with a print pressure; wherein the elastic section of the movable stopper member prevents movement of the printing band when at least one of the drive projections contacts the elastic section of the movable stopper member, the drive projection causing the movable stopper to move into the disengaged position when contacting the elastic section of the movable stopper.