Abstract:
Provided are a carriage structure capable of preventing a carriage from contacting a side edge of a print medium, without requiring a discharge roller and facilitating reducing device size, and a printer having the carriage structure. Disposed to a carriage  21  carrying and inkjet head  22  and moving bidirectionally through a range of movement including the conveyance path of a cut-sheet paper S are: a panel member  78  able to protrude in the direction of carriage  21  movement; and a moving mechanism  126  causing the panel member  78  to protrude to the conveyance path of the cut-sheet paper S when the carriage  21  is at a standby position (home position) set in the range of carriage  21  movement.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No: 2016-081979, filed Apr. 15, 2016 is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a carriage structure and to a printer. 
       2. Related Art 
       [0003]    JP-A-2011-201224 describes a printer that prevents paper on the platen from lifting away from the platen (referred to below as paper uplift). This printer has a conveyance roller and a discharge roller, and prevents paper uplift by constantly keeping the paper taut between the conveyance roller and discharge roller. 
         [0004]    The configuration described in JP-A-2011-201224 cannot be used in a printer in which a discharge roller cannot be provided, and paper uplift from the platen can result in the carriage catching on the edges of paper lifted up from the platen, resulting in paper conveyance problems. If the width of the carriage is increased so that the carriage constantly overlaps the conveyance range of the paper, thereby preventing contact between the paper edge and carriage, the size of the printer increases accordingly. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    An objective of the present invention is to provide a carriage structure, and a printer using the carriage structure, that can prevent the carriage from catching on an edge of the paper and enable reducing the device size by not requiring a discharge roller. 
         [0006]    To achieve the foregoing objective, a carriage structure according to the invention has, disposed to a carriage that carries a printhead and moves bidirectionally through a range of movement including a conveyance path of a print medium: a protrusion able to protrude in the direction of carriage movement; and a moving mechanism causing the protrusion to protrude to the print medium conveyance path side when the carriage is at a standby position set in the range of movement of the carriage. 
         [0007]    By the moving mechanism causing the protrusion to protrude from the carriage at the standby position in front of the conveyance path of the print medium, this configuration can, without using a discharge roller and drive mechanism for the discharge roller, prevent the print medium from falling into the path of carriage movement and the carriage running into the side edge of the print medium. As a result, cost and size can be reductions can be achieved without causing problems with conveyance of the print medium. 
         [0008]    In a carriage structure according to another aspect of the invention, the moving mechanism stores the protrusion beside the carriage when the carriage moves from the standby position to the print medium conveyance path side. 
         [0009]    This configuration can minimize how much the protrusion extends from the carriage in the direction of carriage movement, and helps reduce the size of a printer in which the carriage is disposed. 
         [0010]    In a carriage structure according to another aspect of the invention, the protrusion is a panel member having one end part thereof pivotably supported on the carriage; and the moving mechanism includes a link member connected pivotably to the other end of the panel member and supported slidably to the carriage, and an urging member pulling the panel member to the carriage. When the carriage is at the standby position, the link member touches a stationary contact part outside the range of carriage movement and protrudes with the panel member to the print medium conveyance path side. 
         [0011]    By configuring the protrusion with a panel member, this configuration can, by the panel member, more reliably prevent the print medium from falling forward, and by the moving mechanism can swing and store the panel member beside the carriage, thereby enabling reducing the size of the printer in which the carriage is used. Furthermore, because movement of the carriage to the standby position causes the link member to contact the contact part (stop), the panel member can be made to automatically project to the print medium conveyance path side, does not require a drive source to specifically make the panel member protrude, and cost increases can thereby be suppressed. 
         [0012]    In a carriage structure according to another aspect of the invention, the moving mechanism includes multiple rods supported slidably in relation to the carriage with one end fastened to the protrusion, and an urging member pulling the rods to the carriage. When the carriage is at the standby position, the rods touch a stationary contact part outside the range of carriage movement and cause the protrusion to protrude to the print medium conveyance path side. 
         [0013]    This configuration helps reduce the size of the printer in which the carriage is used because the protrusion can be moved by the moving mechanism and stored near the carriage. Furthermore, because movement of the carriage to the standby position causes the rod to contact the contact part (stop), the protrusion can be made to automatically project to the print medium conveyance path side, does not require a drive source to specifically project the protrusion, and cost increases can thereby be suppressed. 
         [0014]    Another aspect of the invention is a printer that has a printhead, and a carriage carrying the printhead, prints by moving the carriage bidirectionally through a range of movement including the conveyance path of a print medium, and includes: disposed to the carriage, a protrusion able to protrude in the direction of carriage movement; and a moving mechanism causing the protrusion to protrude to the print medium conveyance path side when the carriage is at a standby position set in the range of movement of the carriage. 
         [0015]    By the moving mechanism causing the protrusion to protrude from the carriage at the standby position in front of the conveyance path of the print medium, this configuration can, without using a discharge roller and drive mechanism for the discharge roller, prevent the print medium from falling into the path of carriage movement and the carriage running into the side edge of the print medium. As a result, printer cost and size can be reduced without causing problems with conveyance of the print medium. 
         [0016]    Other objects and attainments together with a fuller understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a printer according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an oblique view of the printer with the front cover removed from the main case. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a section view showing main parts of the printer. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a plan view showing main parts of the carriage and surrounding. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of main parts of the carriage assembly shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of main parts when a panel member is stored beside the carriage. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a section view through VII in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  illustrates the operation of the paper support mechanism paper support mechanism in the first embodiment of the invention, and shows the movement of the panel member when the carriage moves from the home position to the printing position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  illustrates the structure and operation of a paper support mechanism according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. 
       Embodiment 1 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a printer  1  according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows the printer  1  as it is placed when in use. When in use, the printer  1  is placed on a flat surface such as a desk or dedicated stand. The printer  1  is a device that executes a printing process to print text (including symbols) and images (including various graphics or illustrations) on cut-sheet paper S or roll paper R.  FIG. 1  is a view of the printer  1  from above the front left side. The front as seen in  FIG. 1  is referred to as the front of the printer  1 , and the opposite end is referred to as the back of the printer  1 . The left and right sides of the printer  1  are the left and right sides when looking at the printer  1  from the front. 
         [0029]    The printer  1  connects, for example, to a POS terminal (not shown in the figure) that executes a transaction process based on a sales transaction, and based on commands and data input from the POS terminal, prints a receipt or ticket showing the result of the transaction process on roll paper R. The printer can also print information including the payee, date, and payment amount, for example, on the front of a check or other payment ticket as examples of cut-sheet paper S. 
         [0030]    The printer  1  has a printer case  2  shaped basically like a rectangular box, and has a paper entrance  3  for inserting cut-sheet paper S formed in the front left part of the printer case  2 . The paper entrance  3  is formed with a specific width along the width of the printer  1 . A paper exit  4  from which processed cut-sheet paper S is discharged is formed approximately in the middle between the front and back of the top of the printer case  2  with a specific width along the width of the printer  1 . 
         [0031]    A media conveyance path  5  is formed between the paper entrance  3  and paper exit  4 , extending toward the back from the paper entrance  3  and then curving up to the paper exit  4 . The paper entrance  3 , paper exit  4 , and media conveyance path  5  are open to the left side of the printer case  2 , enabling conveying cut-sheet paper S that is wider than the paper entrance  3 , paper exit  4 , and media conveyance path  5 . 
         [0032]    The cut-sheet paper S is a cut sheet of a specific size of paper or plastic media, and may be a check, ledger form, or other type of media to which a specific surface process has been applied. The cut-sheet paper S is inserted by the user of the printer  1  to the paper entrance  3  for manual printing. 
         [0033]    The top of the printer case  2  is covered by a front cover  6  on the front side of the paper exit  4 . An operating panel  7  is also disposed at the front of the printer case  2 . The operating panel  7  includes switches for operating the printer  1 , and indicators for displaying the operating status of the printer  1 . The operating panel  7  may also have a display for displaying the operating status of the printer  1 . 
         [0034]    Also disposed widthwise to the printer  1  in part of the paper exit  4  in the top of the printer case  2  is a roll paper exit  8  from which roll paper R is discharged after printing. 
         [0035]    The roll paper exit  8  is formed from the middle of the width of the paper exit  4  to the right side edge of the paper exit  4 . 
         [0036]    An access cover  9  is disposed to the top of the printer case  2  behind the roll paper exit  8 , and the access cover  9  is attached to the printer case  2  pivotably at the back end of the access cover  9 . Opening the access cover  9  exposes the roll paper compartment  58  (see  FIG. 3 ) that holds the roll paper R, and enables replacing the roll paper R. The roll paper R is continuous plain paper wound into a roll around a core. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is an oblique view of the printer  1  with the front cover  6  removed from the printer case  2 . 
         [0038]    The printer  1  has a main assembly  11  inside the printer case  2 . The main assembly  11  includes a slip conveyance unit  12  that conveys cut-sheet paper S ( FIG. 1 ) and applies the printing process to cut-sheet paper S and roll paper R; and a roll paper conveyance unit  13  that conveys the roll paper R. 
         [0039]    The front cover  6  is part of the print unit  10 . 
         [0040]    The print unit  10  has an ink cartridge (not shown in the figure) inside, and the ink cartridge can be replaced by opening the front cover  6 . 
         [0041]    The slip conveyance unit  12  includes a front frame  17 , guide rail  18 , carriage  21 , inkjet head  22 , carriage drive motor (not shown in the figure) , timing belt (not shown in the figure) , carriage sensor  26 , and scale  27 . 
         [0042]    The front frame  17  includes abase frame  31 , left side frame  32 , right side frame  33 , front connector frame  34 , and top connector frame  36 . 
         [0043]    The base frame  31  includes left and right side walls  31   a ,  31   a,  and a front wall  31   b  connecting the side walls  31   a,    31   a.  The left side frame  32  and right side frame  33  rise respectively from the left and right ends of the base frame  31 . The front connector frame  34  extends widthwise to the printer and connects the front ends of the left side frame  32  and right side frame  33 . The top connector frame  36  extends widthwise to the printer and connects the top ends of the left side frame  32  and right side frame  33 . 
         [0044]    The guide rail  18  is attached extending widthwise to the printer  1  between the left side frame  32  and right side frame  33  of the front frame  17 . 
         [0045]    The carriage  21  carries the inkjet head  22 , and is driven through the timing belt by drive power from the carriage drive motor (not shown in the figure) to move bidirectionally along the guide rail  18 . 
         [0046]    The inkjet head  22  forms characters and images on cut-sheet paper S and roll paper R by ejecting ink stored in an ink cartridge onto the surface (printing surface) of the cut-sheet paper S or roll paper R conveyed through the media conveyance path  5 . 
         [0047]    The carriage sensor  26  is a transmissive photosensor that detects the location of the carriage  21 , is disposed to the front of the carriage  21 , and scans the scale  27  disposed along the guide rail  18  as the carriage  21  moves bidirectionally. The scale  27  has numerous slits of a specific width, and the carriage sensor  26  detects displacement of the carriage  21  and detects the location of the carriage  21  by acquiring optical signals that pass through the slits when scanning the scale  27 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  is a section view showing main parts of the printer  1 . 
         [0049]    The printer  1  has a main assembly  11  for executing the printing process, a controller  41  that controls the main assembly  11 , a frame assembly  43  that supports the main assembly  11  and controller  41 , and a cover  44  that covers the frame assembly  43 . 
         [0050]    The frame assembly  43  includes the front frame  17  and the  15 . 
         [0051]    The  15  includes a base frame  51 , left side frame (not shown in the figure), right side frame  53 , top frame  54 , and back frame  56 . 
         [0052]    The base frame  51  is disposed at the bottom of the printer  1  covering approximately the length between the front and back of the printer  1 . The left side frame and right side frame  53  rise from the left and right ends of the base frame  51 . The top frame  54  connects the tops of the left side frame and the right side frame  53 . The back frame  56  connects the back ends of the left side frame and the right side frame  53 . 
         [0053]    The cover  44  includes the front cover  6 , a back cover  61 , the access cover  9 , and a bottom cover  62 . 
         [0054]    The front cover  6  is disposed to the print unit  10 , and covers the slip conveyance unit  12 . The back cover  61  covers part of the left and right sides and the back of the printer  1 , except for the print unit  10 . The access cover  9  is attached so that it can open at the back top part of the back cover  61 , and covers the top of the slip conveyance unit  12 . The bottom cover  62  covers the front, back, and left and right sides of the bottom of the printer  1 . 
         [0055]    The slip conveyance unit  12  is disposed in the front, and the roll paper conveyance unit  13  is disposed in the back, of the main assembly  11 . 
         [0056]    The slip conveyance unit  12  includes components related to conveying the cut-sheet paper S, and more specifically includes a conveyance roller  71  and follower roller  72  described below, and in this configuration includes a lower guide surface  65 , upper guide surface  66 , media guide member  67 , the paper entrance  3 , and the paper exit  4 . 
         [0057]    The roll paper conveyance unit  13  includes components related to conveying roll paper R. More specifically, the roll paper conveyance unit  13  includes a conveyance roller  91 , follower roller  92 , conveyance roller  93 , and follower roller  94 , and in this configuration includes the roll paper compartment  58 , roll paper holder  88 , and roll paper exit  8 . 
         [0058]    The platen  81  described below is located between the slip conveyance unit  12  and roll paper conveyance unit  13 , and may be considered part of both the slip conveyance unit  12  and roll paper conveyance unit  13 . The media conveyance path  5  may also be considered part of the slip conveyance unit  12 , but part of the media conveyance path  5  may also be thought of as included in the conveyance path through which the roll paper R is conveyed. 
         [0059]    A top and bottom pair of media guide members  67  forming the lower guide surface  65  and upper guide surface  66  are disposed to the  15 , and the gap between the lower guide surface  65  and upper guide surface  66  is formed as the media conveyance path  5 . 
         [0060]    The media conveyance path  5  includes a horizontal path  5   a  extending from the paper entrance  3  toward the back, a curved path  5   b  curving up from the back end of the horizontal path  5   a,  and a vertical path  5   c  continuing up from the top end of the curved path  5   b  to the paper exit  4 . 
         [0061]    The conveyance roller  71  and follower roller  72  are respectively disposed, in mutual opposition on the curved path  5   b  of the media conveyance path  5 , to the lower guide surface  65  and upper guide surface  66 . The conveyance roller  71  turns as driven by a conveyance motor (not shown in the figure), and conveys the cut-sheet paper S held between the conveyance roller  71  and follower roller  72 . 
         [0062]    As described above, the vertical path  5   c  of the media conveyance path  5  conveys both cut-sheet paper S and roll paper R, and may therefore be considered to configure a common conveyance path. For example, when roll paper R is set in the roll paper compartment  58 , pulled from the roll paper compartment  58  and positioned on the vertical path  5   c,  and cut-sheet paper S is inserted from the paper entrance  3  and conveyed, the cut-sheet paper S and roll paper R will overlap on the vertical path  5   c.  In this event, the printer  1  can convey both the cut-sheet paper S and roll paper R. 
         [0063]    In addition to guide rail  18 , the carriage  21  of the slip conveyance unit  12  is also supported movably widthwise to the printer  1  on a guide rail  74 , and a paper support mechanism  77  that prevents cut-sheet paper S from falling into the path of carriage  21  movement is disposed at the side and top of the carriage  21 . 
         [0064]    The guide rail  74  extends widthwise to the printer  1  between the left side frame  32  and right side frame  33 . 
         [0065]    The paper support mechanism  77  has a panel member  78  capable of protruding in front of the cut-sheet paper S. The panel member  78  is configured so that it can be stored by swinging from the path of carriage  21  movement to the side of the carriage  21 . 
         [0066]    The inkjet head  22  has a nozzle row of multiple nozzles in a line along the vertical axis. The inkjet head  22  is disposed with the nozzle face in which the nozzles are disposed facing the vertical path  5   c.  The platen  81  that defines the printing position of the inkjet head  22  is disposed to the roll paper conveyance unit  13  opposite the nozzle face with the vertical path  5   c  therebetween. Ink is supplied to the inkjet head  22  from an ink cartridge (not shown in the figure), which is the ink supply source installed in an ink cartridge holder (not shown in the figure) inside the print unit  10 . The platen  81  and inkjet head  22  are thus disposed facing each other on opposite sides of the vertical path  5   c  of the media conveyance path  5 , and deposit ink on the roll paper R or cut-sheet paper S on the vertical path  5   c.    
         [0067]    The roll paper conveyance unit  13  includes a roll paper holder  88  disposed between the pair of left and right side frames, that is, the left side frame (not shown in the figure) and the right side frame  53 . The roll paper holder  88  forms the bottom  88   a,  front wall  88   b , and back wall  88   c  of the roll paper compartment  58 . The bottom  88   a , front wall  88   b,  and back wall  88   c  of the roll paper holder  88  roughly form a semicircle when seen from the side to easily hold the a roll of roll paper R, and a roller  89  is disposed to the bottom  88   a  to support and facilitate rotation of the paper roll R. Because the roller  89  can rotate while supporting the weight of the roll paper R from below, the roll paper R is supported freely rotatably, and free rotation of the roll paper R in the roll paper compartment  58  is assured. 
         [0068]    A conveyance roller  91  and follower roller  92  pair is disposed in front of the front wall  88   b.  The conveyance roller  91  is connected to a roll paper conveyance motor (not shown in the figure) , and rotates as driven by the roll paper conveyance motor (not shown in the figure) . The conveyance roller  91  and follower roller  92  hold the roll paper R delivered from the roll paper compartment  58 , and convey the roll paper R to the vertical path  5   c  by turning as driven by the roll paper conveyance motor. 
         [0069]    A conveyance roller  93  and follower roller  94  pair is disposed freely rotatably in mutual opposition near the roll paper exit  8  between the left side frame and right side frame  53 . The conveyance roller  93  is connected to the roll paper conveyance motor (not shown in the figure), and rotates as driven by the roll paper conveyance motor (not shown in the figure). The conveyance roller  93  and follower roller  94  are located on the downstream side of the vertical path  5   c,  and hold the roll paper R after printing by the inkjet head  22 , and convey the roll paper R to the roll paper exit  8 . 
         [0070]    The roll paper conveyance motor (not shown in the figure) is disposed to the left side frame, rotation of the roll paper conveyance motor is transferred through a gear (not shown in the figure) to the conveyance rollers  91 ,  93  and a drive gear (not shown in the figure) formed coaxially to the conveyance rollers, and the conveyance rollers  91 ,  93  turn. 
         [0071]    A cutter support member  97 , and a cutter blade supported by the cutter support member  97 , are disposed at the roll paper exit  8 . The cutter blade is a fixed blade with a sawtooth cutting edge, for example, and the leading end of the roll paper R passes between the cutter blade and the back slope  8   a  forming the back of the roll paper exit  8 , and out from the roll paper exit  8 . The roll paper R can be cut by the user holding the leading end of the roll paper R discharged from the roll paper exit  8  to the outside of the printer  1 , and pulling the roll paper R across the cutter blade. A remaining roll paper sensor (not shown in the figure) that detects how much roll paper R is left inside the roll paper compartment  58  is disposed to the left side frame. 
         [0072]    A box  101  is attached to the bottom of the base frame  51 , and the controller  41  is disposed inside the box  101 . The controller  41  has a circuit board  102  to which control components that control the slip conveyance unit  12  and roll paper conveyance unit  13  are disposed. 
         [0073]      FIG. 4  is a plan view showing the carriage  21  and main surrounding parts. Note that arrow FR in the figures point to the front of the printer  1  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0074]    The home position of the carriage  21  is set at the right end of the range of carriage  21  movement, and when not printing on cut-sheet paper S, the carriage  21  waits at the home position as shown in the figure. 
         [0075]    The panel member  78  of the paper support mechanism  77  is connected to the carriage  21  to protrude to the left side. The carriage  21  and the paper support mechanism  77  embody a carriage assembly  70 . 
         [0076]    The paper support mechanism  77  includes the panel member  78 , a link member  79 , a stop  36   a,  and a torsion spring  125  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0077]    One end of the panel member  78  is pivotably supported on the carriage  21 . One end of the link member  79  is pivotably connected to the distal end of the panel member  78 , and the middle part of the link member  79  can slide to the top of the carriage  21 . The stop  36   a  is disposed to the top connector frame  36 , and can contact the other end of the link member  79 . 
         [0078]    The panel member  78  is disposed to overlap the paper exit  4  widthwise to the printer  1  when the carriage  21  is in the home position. More specifically, when the right edge of the cut-sheet paper S is at the right edge of the paper exit  4 , the panel member  78  is disposed overlapping the cut-sheet paper S widthwise to the printer  1 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the carriage assembly  70  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0080]    Pin supports  24   c  are formed integrally to the back end of the left side  24   b  of the carriage  21 , and the panel member  78  is pivotably attached to the pin supports  24   c  through a first support pin  121 . 
         [0081]    The panel member  78  is formed so that two flat parts  78   a ,  78   b  bend convexly to the back at an angle           at inflection part  78   c , and a spring catch  78   d  is formed on the front part of the one flat part  78   a.  The ends  125   a,    125   b  of the torsion spring  125 , which winds around the first support pin  121 , engage the spring catch  78   d  and a spring support  78   e  formed inside the carriage  21 . As a result, the panel member  78  is urged counterclockwise around the first support pin  121  by the torsion spring  125 . 
         [0082]    One end  79   a  of the link member  79  is pivotably connected through a second support pin  122  to the distal end of the panel member  78 . The link member  79  is a straight plate, and has a slot  79   b  formed lengthwise to the link member  79 . A third support pin  123  attached to the top of the carriage  21  passes through the slot  79   b.    
         [0083]    The stop  36   a  of the top connector frame  36  ( FIG. 4 ) is a flat part formed by bending part of the top connector frame  36  up. 
         [0084]    As shown in the figure, when the carriage  21  is at the home position, the other end  79   c  of the link member  79  is against the stop  36   a  of the top connector frame  36 . As a result, the panel member  78  and link member  79  protrude to the left side of the carriage  21 . 
         [0085]    At this time, at least flat part  78   b  of the panel member  78  overlaps the cut-sheet paper S widthwise. The edge of the cut-sheet paper S can therefore be prevented from falling into the path of carriage  21  movement. 
         [0086]    The link member  79 , stop  36   a,  and torsion spring  125  embody a moving mechanism  126  that causes the panel member  78  to swing and protrude to the cut-sheet paper S side, or causes the panel member  78  to retract to the side of the carriage  21 . 
         [0087]    When in the home position, the flat part  78   b  of the panel member  78  inclines so that the left end is closer to the front than the right end. The angle of inclination of the flat part  78   b  is angle          1 to a line  127  extending widthwise. By providing this angle          1, even if the cut-sheet paper S tilts into the path of carriage  21  movement, the edge S 1  of the cut-sheet paper S will be caught by the flat part  78   b  and prevented from contacting the carriage  21 . 
         [0088]    The distance from a reference surface  24   d  extending width wise and disposed to the back  21   b  of the carriage  21 , to the highest parts of lands  21   c,    21   d  of the carriage  21 , is L 1 . The inflection part  78   c  of the panel member  78  is separated distance L 2  from the back of the reference surface  24   d  of the carriage  21 . 
         [0089]    Because distance L 2  is shorter than distance L 1 , line  127  tangent to inflection part  78   c  intersects the outside slope  21   j  of the left land  21   c.  More specifically, when the cut-sheet paper S is in contact with the inflection part  78   c  and the carriage assembly  70  moves widthwise to the back, the edge of the cut-sheet paper S contacts the outside slope  21   j  of the left land  21   c.  When the edge of the cut-sheet paper S contacts the outside slope  21   j  of the land  21   c,  the cut-sheet paper S moves along the outside slope  21   j  and is guided to the back (behind) the inkjet head  22 , and the cut-sheet paper S can be conveyed and printed on without interference. 
         [0090]      FIG. 6  is a plan view showing the panel member  78  stored to the side of the carriage  21 .  FIG. 7  is a section view through arrow VII in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0091]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the carriage  21  is positioned in the range in which printing by the inkjet head  22  is possible, the panel member  78  is stored to the left side of the carriage  21  alongside the left side  24   b  of the carriage  21  by the urging force of the torsion spring  125 . Because the other end  79   c  of the link member  79  is separated from the stop  36   a  ( FIG. 5 ) of the top connector frame  36  ( FIG. 4 ) at this time, the panel member  78  is stored as described above by the urging force of the torsion spring  125 . 
         [0092]    The panel member  78  being stored means that the panel member  78  is positioned alongside the left side  24   b  of the carriage  21  in front of the reference surface  24   d  of the carriage  21 . The storage position of the panel member  78  is determined by the left end  79   d  (see also  FIG. 5 ) of the slot  79   b  in the link member  79  contacting the third support pin  123 . 
         [0093]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the panel member  78  has a first supported part  78   f  formed in the middle of the height of the edge of the flat part  78   a,  and a second supported part  78   g  formed in the top of the edge of the panel member  78 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the first supported part  78   f  is supported by the vertical pair of pin supports  24   c  through a first support pin  121  (see  FIG. 6 ) . The second supported part  78   g  is supported through a second support pin  122  by the link member  79 . 
         [0095]    The link member  79  includes a lower leg  79   e,  connector  79   f , and upper leg  79   g  formed in order from the one end  79   a.  The lower leg  79   e  is connected to the second supported part  78   g  through the second support pin  122 . The upper leg  79   g  is a part formed a step higher than the lower leg  79   e.  The connector  79   f  connects the lower leg  79   e  and upper leg  79   g.    
         [0096]    A bearing  24   p,  which is a through-hole in which the guide rail  18  ( FIG. 3 ) fits and can move, is opened in the front bottom part of the carriage  21 . Bearings  24   q,  which are through-holes in which the guide rail  74  ( FIG. 3 ) fits and can move, are opened in the front top and bottom back parts of the carriage  21 . 
         [0097]    When seen from the side, the top edge  78   h  of the panel member  78  is located above the top end of the inkjet head  22 , and below the top end of the carriage  21  and bearing  24   q.  In side view, the bottom end  78   j  of the panel member  78  is located above the bottom end of the carriage  21 , the bottom end of the inkjet head  22 , and the two bearings  24   p,    24   q.    
         [0098]      FIG. 8  illustrates the operation of the paper support mechanism  77 . 
         [0099]      FIG. 8  (A) to  FIG. 8  (E) illustrate the movement of the panel member  78  when the carriage  21  moves from the home position to the printing position. To facilitate understanding change in the operation of the carriage assembly  70 , the imaginary line  128  in the figure indicates the right end of the home position of the carriage  21 . The white arrow in the figure indicates the direction of carriage  21  movement. 
         [0100]      FIG. 8  (A) shows the carriage  21  waiting in the home position. Because the other end of the link member  79  is against the stop  36   a , and the link member  79  is beside the carriage  21 , the panel member  78  also protrudes beside the carriage  21  and in front of the cut-sheet paper S. As a result, the cut-sheet paper S can be prevented by the panel member  78  from falling into the path of carriage  21  movement, and problems conveying the cut-sheet paper S are not caused by the carriage  21  contacting the edge of the cut-sheet paper S. 
         [0101]      FIG. 8  (B) shows the carriage  21  when it starts moving to the left from the home position. At this time the other end of the link member  79  is still in contact with the stop  36   a.  As the carriage  21  moves, the link member  79  slides relative to the carriage  21  in the direction of arrow A, and protrusion of the link member  79  to the left side of the carriage  21  decreases. As a result, protrusion of the panel member  78  to the side of the carriage  21  also decreases. As indicated by arrow B, the panel member  78  also swings counterclockwise on the first support pin  121 . 
         [0102]      FIG. 8  (C) shows when the carriage  21  has moved further to the left, and the other end of the link member  79  has begun to separate from the stop  36   a.  The link member  79  has slid relative to the carriage  21  as indicated by arrow C, and the panel member  78  has moved counterclockwise on the first support pin  121  as indicated by arrow D. As a result, protrusion of the link member  79  to the left side of the carriage  21  is minimized, and the panel member  78  has swung the greatest distance counterclockwise. In this position, the panel member  78  is stored by the left side of the carriage  21  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Because the carriage  21  is located in front of the cut-sheet paper S at this time, the carriage  21  can prevent the cut-sheet paper S from falling forward. 
         [0103]      FIG. 8  (D) shows the carriage  21  moved yet further to the left, and positioned to the right end of the printable range of the inkjet head  22  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0104]      FIG. 8  (E) shows the carriage  21  moved yet further to the left, and positioned to the left end of the printable range of the inkjet head  22 . 
         [0105]    As described above, when the carriage  21  moves through the printable range of the inkjet head  22 , the panel member  78  is stored at the side of the carriage  21 . In other words, because the other end of the link member  79  is not in contact with the stop  36   a,  and external force is not applied to the carriage  21 , printing by the inkjet head  22  is not affected. 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0106]      FIG. 9  illustrates the configuration and operation of a paper support mechanism  131  according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         [0107]      FIG. 9  (A) illustrates the configuration and operation of the paper support mechanism  131 , and  FIG. 9  (B) to  FIG. 9  (E) illustrate the operation of the paper support mechanism  131 . Imaginary line  138  in the figure indicates the right end of the home position of the carriage  21  to facilitate understanding change in the operation of the carriage assembly  130 . More specifically, imaginary line  138  indicates the right side frame  33 . The white arrows in the figure indicate the direction of carriage  21  movement, and the solid black arrows indicate the force of slide rods  133  against the right side frame  33 . 
         [0108]    As shown in  FIG. 9  (A), the paper support mechanism  131  includes a protrusion  132 , multiple slide rods  133 , the right side frame  33 , and coil compression springs  134 . The carriage  21  and paper support mechanism  131  embody the carriage assembly  130 . 
         [0109]    The protrusion  132  is a member that protrudes in front of the cut-sheet paper S when the carriage  21  is in the home position, and by protruding in front of the cut-sheet paper S prevents the cut-sheet paper S from falling into the path of carriage  21  movement. 
         [0110]    The slide rods  133  are supported movably by the carriage  21 , and one end  133   a  of the slide rods  133  is attached to the protrusion  132 . The right side frame  33  is a contact part that the other end  133   b  of the slide rods  133  contacts. 
         [0111]    The compression springs  134  are urging members that urge the multiple slide rods  133  to the opposite side of the carriage  21  as the side to which the protrusion  132  protrudes. 
         [0112]    The slide rods  133  are inserted to the compression springs  134 , the left ends of the compression springs  134  are supported on an inside wall of the carriage  21 , and the right ends of the compression springs  134  are supported by protrusions disposed along the length of the slide rods  133 . As a result, the compression springs  134  are disposed compressed between the inside wall of the carriage  21  and the protrusions of the slide rods  133 . 
         [0113]    The slide rods  133 , right side frame  33 , and compression springs  134  embody a moving mechanism  136  that moves the protrusion  132  to protrude to the cut-sheet paper S side, or stores the protrusion  132  at the side of the carriage  21 . 
         [0114]      FIG. 9  (A) shows the carriage  21  waiting at the home position. The other ends  133   b  of the multiple slide rods  133  are touching the right side frame  33 , and the multiple slide rods  133  protrude to the left side of the carriage  21 . The protrusion  132  there also protrudes in front of the cut-sheet paper S on the left side of the carriage  21 . As a result, the protrusion  132  prevents the cut-sheet paper S from falling into the path of carriage  21  movement, and problems conveying the cut-sheet paper S are not caused by the carriage  21  contacting the edge of the cut-sheet paper S. 
         [0115]      FIG. 9  (B) shows the carriage  21  when it starts moving to the left from the home position. At this time the other ends  133   b  of the multiple slide rods  133  are still touching the right side frame  33 . As the carriage  21  moves, the protrusion of the slide rods  133  to the left side of the carriage  21  decreases, and protrusion of the protrusion  132  to the side of the carriage  21  also decreases. 
         [0116]      FIG. 9  (C) shows when the carriage  21  has moved further to the left, and the other ends  133   b  of the slide rods  133  have begun to separate from the right side frame  33 . As a result, protrusion of the slide rods  133  to the left side of the carriage  21  is minimized, and the slide rods  133  are not pushing against the right side frame  33 . In this position, the protrusion  132  is stored at the left side of the carriage  21 . Because the carriage  21  is located in front of the cut-sheet paper S at this time, the carriage  21  can prevent the cut-sheet paper S from falling forward. 
         [0117]      FIG. 9  (D) shows the carriage  21  moved yet further to the left, and positioned to the right end of the printable range of the inkjet head  22  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0118]      FIG. 9  (E) shows the carriage  21  moved yet further to the left, and positioned to the left end of the printable range of the inkjet head  22 . 
         [0119]    As described above, when the carriage  21  moves into the printable range of the inkjet head  22 , the carriage  21  can prevent the cut-sheet paper S from dropping into the path of carriage  2   l  movement. Furthermore, because the protrusion  132  is stored in the side of the carriage  21 , the other ends  133   b  of the slide rods  133  do not contact the right side frame  33 , external force is not applied to the carriage  21 , and printing by the inkjet head  22  is not affected. 
         [0120]    As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the carriage configuration carries an inkjet head  22  as the printhead; and comprises, disposed to a carriage  21  that moves bidirectionally in a range of movement including the conveyance path of a cut-sheet paper S as the conveyed print medium, a panel member  78  as a protruding member that can protrude into the path of carriage  21  movement; and a moving mechanism  126  that causes the panel member  7   8  to protrude to the cut-sheet paper S conveyance path side when the carriage  21  is positioned to a standby position (home position) set in the range of carriage  21  movement. 
         [0121]    By making the moving mechanism  126  cause the panel member  78  to protrude into the conveyance path of the cut-sheet paper S from the carriage  21  at the standby position, cut-sheet paper S can be prevented from falling into the path of carriage  21  movement, and the edge S 1  of the cut-sheet paper S can be prevented from contacting the carriage  21 , without providing a discharge roller and a drive mechanism for the discharge roller. As a result, the cost and size of the printer  1  can be reduced without inviting problems with cut-sheet paper S conveyance. 
         [0122]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , because the moving mechanism  126  stores the panel member  78  at the side of the carriage  21  when the carriage  21  moves from the standby position to the cut-sheet paper S conveyance path side, protrusion of the panel member  78  from the carriage  21  can be further decreased in the direction of carriage  21  movement, and the size of the printer  1  in which the carriage  21  is used (particularly the width of the printer  1 ) can be reduced. 
         [0123]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the protrusion is a panel member  78  with one end thereof supported pivotably on the carriage  21 ; and the moving mechanism  126  includes a link member  79  connected pivotably to the other end of the panel member  78  and supported slidably in relation to the carriage  21 , and a torsion spring  125  as an urging member that pulls the panel member  78  to the carriage  21 . Furthermore, because the link member  79 , when the carriage  21  is at the standby position, contacts a stationary stop  36   a  disposed outside the range of carriage  21  movement, and protrudes with the panel member  78  to the cut-sheet paper S conveyance path side, the panel member  78  can also be considered a protrusion, and the cut-sheet paper S can be even more reliably prevented by the panel member  78  from falling into the path of carriage  21  movement. 
         [0124]    Furthermore, because the panel member  78  can be swung by the moving mechanism  126  and stored beside the carriage  21 , the size of the printer  1  in which the carriage  21  is used (see  FIG. 3 ) can be reduced. 
         [0125]    Furthermore, because the carriage  21  moving to the standby position sets the link member  79  against the stop  36   a,  the panel member  78  can be automatically projected to the cut-sheet paper S conveyance path side, a drive power source for moving the panel member  78  is not needed, and increasing the cost of the printer  1  can be suppressed. 
         [0126]    Furthermore, a moving mechanism  136  as shown in  FIG. 9  (A) has slide rods  133 , as an example of multiple rods, fastened at one end to a protrusion  132  and supported slidably to the carriage  21 ; and compression springs  134 , as an example of an urging member, that pull the slide rods  133  to the carriage  21 . Because, when the carriage  21  is at the standby position, the slide rods  133  contact the right side frame  33 , as an example of a stationary contact part (stop) outside the range of carriage  2   l  movement, and push the protrusion  132  to protrude to the cut-sheet paper S conveyance path side, the protrusion  132  can be moved by the moving mechanism  136  and stored near the carriage  21 . 
         [0127]    The size of the printer  1  in which the carriage  21  is used (see  FIG. 3 ) can therefore be reduced. 
         [0128]    The protrusion  132  can also be made to automatically project to the cut-sheet paper S conveyance path side because movement of the carriage  21  to the standby position causes the slide rods  133  to contact the right side frame  33 . A drive source for projecting the protrusion  132  is therefore not needed, and increasing the cost of the printer  1  can be suppressed. 
         [0129]    As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , a printer  1  according to the invention includes a inkjet head  22  and a carriage  21  that carries the inkjet head  22 ; prints by moving the carriage  21  bidirectionally through a range of movement including the conveyance path of the cut-sheet paper S; and includes, disposed to the carriage  21 , a panel member  78  that can protrude in the direction of carriage  21  movement; and a moving mechanism  126  that causes the panel member  78  to protrude to the cut-sheet paper S conveyance path side when the carriage  21  is positioned to a standby position set in the range of carriage  21  movement. 
         [0130]    As shown in  FIG. 9  (A), a printer  1  according to the invention includes a inkjet head  22  and a carriage  21  that carries the inkjet head  22 ; prints by moving the carriage  21  bidirectionally through a range of movement including the conveyance path of the cut-sheet paper S; and includes, disposed to the carriage  21 , a protrusion  132  that protrudes in the direction of carriage  21  movement; and a moving mechanism  136  that causes the protrusion  132  to protrude to the cut-sheet paper S conveyance path side when the carriage  21  is positioned to a standby position set in the range of carriage  21  movement. 
         [0131]    By making the moving mechanism  126 ,  136  cause the panel member  78  or protrusion  132  to protrude into the conveyance path of the cut-sheet paper S from the carriage  21  when at the standby position, cut-sheet paper S can be prevented from falling into the path of carriage  21  movement, and the edge S 1  of the cut-sheet paper S can be prevented from contacting the carriage  21 , without providing a discharge roller and a drive mechanism for the discharge roller. As a result, the cost and size of the printer  1  can be reduced without inviting problems with cut-sheet paper S conveyance. 
         [0132]    The invention is described above with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, but the invention is not limited thereto and can be modified and adapted in many ways without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims. 
         [0133]    For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the panel member  78  protrudes to the left side of the carriage  21  in the embodiment described above, but the invention is not so limited and the panel member  78  may be configured to protrude to the right side of the carriage  21 . Likewise, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the protrusion  132  protrudes to the left side of the carriage  21  in the embodiment described above, but the invention is not so limited and the protrusion  132  may be configured to protrude to the right side of the carriage  21 . 
         [0134]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that it may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.