Patent ID: 6450710
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink jet printer having a print zone defined by the travel of a printhead, having a media path defined to extend through said print zone and having a media feed direction, comprising:a printer frame; a first guide rod mounted to said printer frame; a platen having a media carrying side positioned to face said printhead, and said media carrying side being positioned along said media path, said platen having a first end located on a first side of said media path and a second end located on a second side of said media path opposite to said first side of said media path; a first stop mechanism attached to said printer frame; a second stop mechanism attached to said printer frame, said second stop mechanism being spaced apart from said first stop mechanism; a first pivot plate attached to said first end of said platen, said first pivot plate including a first pivot member and a first stop surface, said first pivot plate being slideably coupled to said printer frame; a second pivot plate attached to said second end of said platen, said second pivot plate including a second pivot member and a second stop surface, said second pivot plate being slideably coupled to said printer frame; and a biasing unit for providing a biasing force to position and hold said first pivot member and said second pivot member in contact with a surface of said first guide rod, to position and hold said first stop surface in contact with said first stop mechanism and to position and hold said second stop surface in contact with said second stop mechanism.