Patent ID: 8075212
Filing Date: 2011-12-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A tape printing apparatus comprising: a tape printing apparatus body; a cassette installation portion provided in the tape printing apparatus body, in the cassette installation portion a tape cassette being installed; a print head for printing characters on a tape derived from the tape cassette; a tape discharge portion for discharging the tape on which characters are printed through the print head; a cutter constructed in a scissors-like shape from a fixed blade and a movable blade, the cutter being provided within the tape printing apparatus body adjacent to the tape discharge portion; a cutter lever for driving the movable blade of the cutter, the cutter lever being rotatably arranged in the tape printing apparatus body; a drive mechanism for transmitting rotation of the cutter lever to the movable blade, the drive mechanism being arranged between the cutter lever and the movable blade; a cover member arranged so as to be openable and closeable for the tape printing apparatus body; the tape printing apparatus further comprising: a first engagement portion formed on a back surface of the cover member; a difference portion formed in the cutter lever; a stopper member formed in a plate-like shape, the stopper member including a second engagement portion which is rotatably formed parallel to a wall surface of the tape cassette and is engaged with the difference portion of the cutter lever, a third engagement portion engaging with the first engagement portion and a spring support portion; and a spring member supported to the spring support portion, the spring member urging the stopper member so as to rotate; wherein when the tape printing apparatus body is not covered by the cover member, the spring member urges the stopper member so as to rotate and the second engagement portion of the stopper member is engaged with the difference portion of the cutter lever, thereby the cutter lever becomes inoperable, and wherein when the tape printing apparatus body is covered by the cover member, the stopper member is rotated against rotational urging force of the spring member based on that the first engagement portion of the cover member is engaged with the third engagement portion of the stopper member and the second engagement portion of the stopper member is released from the difference portion of the cutter lever, thereby the cutter lever becomes operable.