Patent ID: 6105493
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: B41J,B65H

Abstract:
A card transport mechanism for transporting a card past a printing apparatus within a printer, comprising:a first elevator mechanism for displacing the card from a first level to a second level, the first elevator mechanism configured to hold the card such that the card is oriented in a plane while being displaced from said first level to said second level with the plane of the card parallel to a direction of displacement from said first level to said second level;a translating mechanism disposed at the second level and having a receiving end disposed adjacent the first elevator mechanism for receiving the card therefrom and an output end, said translating mechanism including means for moving the card from the receiving end to the output end thereof along a direction that is generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first elevator mechanism; anda second elevator mechanism disposed adjacent the output end of the translating mechanism for receiving the card from the output end and displacing the card from the second level to a third level, the second elevator mechanism configured to hold the card such that the plane of the card is parallel to a direction of displacement from said second level to said third level.