Patent ID: 7306386
Filing Date: 2007-12-11
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A docking station adapted for convenient one-hand docking and undocking of a portable printer, the portable printer comprising a printhead, media drive, and media support, the portable printer being externally configured to be latched onto the docking station, said docking station comprising: a base member having a first surface configured to receive the portable printer; and a latching mechanism including a manually operable actuator and coupled thereto one or more latches adapted to automatically engage and securely dock the portable printer on the first surface of the base member when the printer is positioned on the first surface, wherein the actuator is capable of actuating the one or more latches to unlatch a latched printer and to bias the printer outwardly from the base member for removal of the printer from the station, and wherein the latching mechanism includes a locking mechanism configured to prevent self-relatching of the printer during undocking.