Patent ID: 7341219
Filing Date: 2008-03-11
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for rotatably holding a paper supply roll, having a cylindrical peripheral surface and a hollow cylindrical core, within a printer, wherein the apparatus comprises: a lower support surface for engaging the peripheral surface of the paper supply roll; a cavity for holding the paper supply roll, extending within the printer above the lower support surface; a pair of spaced-apart side plates disposed within the cavity, wherein each of the side plates includes a mounting structure having a tubular portion extending outward from the side plate having a slot extending inward; a bearing member, pivotably and slidably mounted within the tubular portion of each of the mounting structures, wherein the bearing members are held in axial alignment with one another, wherein each of the bearing members includes a tapered surface for engaging the hollow cylindrical core and a shoulder having a tab, wherein each of-the bearing members is mounted to be moved between an inward position, having the tapered surface of the bearing member facing inward within a space between the side plates and disposed within the space between the side plates, and having the tab extending inward within the slot of the tubular portion, and an outward position, having the tapered surface of the bearing member facing inward and held out of the space between the side plates, and having the tab held against an outer surface of the tubular portion, and wherein each of the bearing members is held in the inward position or in the outward position.