Patent Publication Number: US-10787333-B2

Title: Roller adapters

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Printing devices may have the ability to deposit a fluid such as ink on various types of print media. Print media may include flexible media disposed in a roll, or flat or rigid substrates or media such as card stock or another stiff material. Rigid print media may be supported by a primer media table or extension table prior to entering the input path of the printer, after exiting the output path of the printer, or both. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an example roller adapter. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of an example roller adapter. 
         FIG. 1C  is a side view of an example roller adapter. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of an example roller adapter. 
         FIG. 2B  is a bottom view of an example roller adapter taken along view line  2 B. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a roller adapter system. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a roller adapter system. 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of a roller adapter system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Printing devices such as printers may have the ability to deposit a fluid such as ink on various types of print media. Print media may include flexible media disposed in a roll, or flat or rigid media such as card stock, poster board, signs, or another stiff material. Printing devices may have the ability to switch from printing on a flexible print media to priming on a rigid print media. Rigid print media may be difficult to handle, depending on the size and/or weight of the media. As such, the rigid print media may be supported by a printer media table or extension table prior to entering the input path of the printer, after exiting the output path of the printer, or both. The printer media tables may help with aligning the border of the media with the printer, and may also help avoid applying unnecessary frictional forces to the media, and help avoid inflicting dents, marks, or other defects upon the media. As such, a high degree of precision and accuracy is needed when installing and aligning such printer media tables to the printer. In some situations, it may be desirable to change from printing on a rigid print media, to printing on a flexible print media, which may be disposed on a roll. Further, in some situations, it may be desirable to print on flexible media prior to printing on rigid media. The flexible media run may be a short run or a proofing run prior to printing a final product upon the rigid media. In such situations, the printer media tables before the input path or after the output path of the primer, or both, may be disengaged from the printer and replaced with structures that may support a roll of flexible media, or vice versa. Such a transition from a rigid media support structure to a flexible media support structure and vice versa may be complex and difficult or arduous to accomplish, and may include extensive downtime, or an extended period of time for which the printer is inoperative. 
     Implementations of the present disclosure provide roller adapters that support a roll of flexible print media upon a primer media table that is normally used to support rigid print media. Further, the roller adapters may easily and quickly engage with a printer media table, such that a printer or printing device can quickly and easily switch from printing on rigid print media to printing on flexible print media without uninstalling the primer media table and installing a structure to support a roll of flexible print media in its place. Further, the roller adapters may easily disengage with the printer media table, such that the printer can quickly and easily return to printing on rigid print media. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1A , a perspective view of an example roller adapter  100  is illustrated. The example roller adapter  100  may comprise a frame, which may also be referred to as a cradle,  102 , a first roller  104 , and a second roller  106 . The example roller adapter  100  may further include an alignment feature, sometimes referred to as an alignment pivot or knob,  108  disposed on a base  109  of the cradle  102 . Referring additionally to  FIGS. 1B-C , side views of example roller adapter  100  rotatably engaging and supporting a roll of flexible print media  110  are illustrated. 
     The frame or cradle  102  may be a rigid structure or housing to which the first and second rollers  104  and  106  are rotatably attached in such a fashion such that the rollers ma receive and rotatably support a roll of flexible print media  110 . In some implementations, the frame or cradle  102  may have a top side on which the first and second rollers  104  and  106  are disposed, and may, further, have a base or bottom side  109  substantially opposite that of the top side. The cradle  102  may engage with a separate component or primer structure, such as a print media table, by resting the base  109  on such a separate component, or a top surface thereof, such that the base  109  is disposed in between the separate component and the top side of the cradle  102 , and the base  109  may transfer the weight of the roll of flexible print media  110  to the separate component or printer structure. In some implementations, the cradle  102  may be constructed of a unitary piece of material, or be constructed out of multiple pieces of material which may then be mechanically assembled and fastened to one another. In further implementations, the cradle  102  may comprise a metallic material such as steel, aluminum, titanium, alloys thereof, or other metallic materials. In yet further implementations, the cradle  102  may be constructed out of a sheet material, such as sheet steel or sheet aluminum, and bent, folded, or stamped into the desired geometry. In other implementations, the cradle  102  may be cast, or may be formed out of a solid piece of material, such as billet steel or aluminum. 
     The first and second rollers  104  and  106  may each be rigid elongate structures having a central longitudinal axis and a circumferential surface around such an axis. In some implementations, the first and second rollers  104  and  106  may comprise a cylindrical geometry. In other implementations, the first and second rollers  104  and  106  may comprise another elongate geometry that allows the roller to rotate along its longitudinal axis. In some implementations, each of the first and second rollers  104  and  106  may comprise a smooth metallic outer surface, such as polished aluminum, steel, or another polished metallic material. In some implementations, each of the rollers  104  and  106  may include a central spindle or axle extending along the central longitudinal axis, and about which the circumferential outer surface of the roller may rotate. The rollers  104  and  106  may include rotational bearings disposed in between the spindle and the outer circumferential surface, in order to minimize the rotational friction about the spindle. In some implementations, the first and second rollers  104  and  106  may be structurally similar to one another, and may further comprise similar dimensions and sizes. In further implementations, the first and second rollers  104  and  106  may comprise circumferential outer surfaces having differing diameters from one another. In yet further implementations, each of the first and second rollers  104  and  106  may be similar to a conveyor roller. 
     The first and second rollers  104  and  106  may each be capable of moving an object in a translational fashion through rotation of the roller along the central longitudinal axis of the roller. The rollers  104  and  106  may also be capable of moving a cylindrical object in a rotational fashion through rotation of the roller along its longitudinal axis, whereas the rotation of the object may be the opposite rotational direction than that of the rollers. The first and second rollers  104  and  106  may be disposed on or within the cradle  102  such that the two rollers extend in a substantially parallel direction. In this context, substantially parallel direction may refer to the rollers  104  and  106  extending in the same direction close enough to parallel such that, together, the rollers may support a cylindrical object such that the cylindrical object may rotate along its own longitudinal axis through the rotation of each of the rollers  104  and  106 . The two rollers may be disposed on or within the cradle  102  by having their respective spindles or central axles fixed to side portions  105  of the cradle  102 , in some implementations. The first and second rollers  104  and  106 , further, may each be rotatably engaged with the cradle  102  through rotational bearings so as to minimize the rotational friction of each roller. Referring still to  FIGS. 1B-C , the first and second rollers  104  and  106  may be disposed on or within the cradle  102  such that the rollers may structurally and rotationally engage with and support a roll of flexible print media  110  having a diameter that is greater than a perpendicular distance  112  between the closest edges of the first and second rollers  104  and  106 . In some implementations, the rollers  104  and  106  may continually support a roll of flexible print media  110  as its diameter decreases as print media is pulled or fed from the roll. The rollers  104  and  106  may support such a roll of flexible print media  110  until the roll&#39;s diameter is no longer greater than the perpendicular distance  112  between the closest edges of the first and second rollers  104  and  106 . 
     The example roller adapter  100  may further comprise an alignment pivot or knob  108  disposed on, or extending from the base  109  of the cradle  102 . The alignment knob  108  may be a rigid protrusion extending from the base or bottom side  109  of the cradle  102 . In some implementations, the alignment knob  108  may have a geometry and size such that it may be inserted into and rotate within a complementary receptacle or cavity disposed in a separate component, or a top surface thereof that may receive the base  109  of the roller adapter  100 . In some implementations, the alignment knob  108  may comprise a cylindrical geometry and may engage with a complementary receptacle or cavity having an elliptical or round geometry. In some implementations, the alignment knob  108  may be generally disposed along a centerline of the cradle  102 , or a line substantially bisecting the longitudinal axes of the rollers  104  and  106 . In further implementations, the alignment knob  108  may actually be a cavity, receptacle, or aperture on the cradle  102  that may engage with and receive a complementary protrusion on a separate component upon which the roller adapter  100  is disposed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , a side view of an example roller adapter  200  is illustrated. Example roller adapter  200  may be similar to example roller adapter  100 . Further, the similarly named elements of example roller adapter  200  may be similar in function and/or structure to the elements of example roller adapter  100 , as they are described above. Roller adapter  200 , similar to roller adapter  100 , may comprise a frame or cradle  202 , a first and second roller  204  and  206 , and an alignment pivot or knob  208 , disposed on a base or bottom side  209  of the frame or cradle  202 . Further, example roller adapter  200  may include a support surface  214 . The support surface  214  may be an integral or unitary part of the cradle  202 , or it may be a separate component that is mechanically assembled onto and fastened to the cradle  202 . The support surface may be a stiff or rigid structure that extends from the base  209  to a height beyond that of the top-most surface of the second roller  206 , such that there is a height differential  216  between the top surface of the support surface  214 , and the top-most surface of the second roller  206 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . Thus, if a roll of flexible print media  210  were to roll over the second roller  206  in a direction  215  away from the first roller  204 , as is shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 2A , the support surface would prevent the roll  210  from falling off of the back of the roller adapter  200 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIG. 2B , a bottom view of an example roller adapter  200 , as taken along view line  2 B of  FIG. 2A , is illustrated. In some implementations, the roller adapter  200  may include a handle cavity  216  disposed on the base  209  of the cradle  202 . The handle cavity  216  may be an aperture or opening in the cradle  202  material. In implementations where the cradle  202  is constructed of a metallic sheet material such as sheet steel, the handle cavity  216  may be an opening that is stamped through or cut out of the sheet material. The handle cavity  216  may be sized such that a user may be able to grasp or hold the roller adapter  200  and carry it by inserting a hand into the handle cavity  216 . In further implementations, the handle cavity  216  may be disposed in a centralized location on the base  209  of the cradle  202 , and may be disposed substantially opposite that of the alignment knob or pivot  208 . In this context, substantially opposite of the alignment knob  208  may refer to a location for the handle cavity  216  that ensures the alignment knob  208  does not interfere with a user&#39;s hand while the roller adapter  200  is being carried by the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , a perspective view of a roller adapter system  301  is illustrated. The roller adapter system  301  may include an example roller adapter  300 , an associated printing device such as a printer  318 , and a printer media table  320 . Example roller adapter  300  may be similar to example roller adapter  100  or  200 . Further, the similarly named elements of example roller adapter  300  may be similar in function and/or structure to the elements of example roller adapter  100  or  200 , as they are described above. Printer  318  and printer media table  320  may also be similar in function or structure to similarly-named elements described above. 
     The printer media table  320  may receive and support a rigid printing media for insertion into the associated printer  318 , which may be disposed next to or adjacent to the printer media table  320 . The printer media table  320  may also receive and support a roll of flexible print media through the use of an example roller adapter  300 . The printer media table  320  may be aligned with the printer  318  such that the minter media table  320  may support print media, flexible or rigid, far insertion into an input path  326  of the printer  318  and, thus, through the print zone of the printer  318 . Further, the printer media table  320  may structurally engage with the printer  318 , in some implementations, so that media disposed upon the table  320  may be set up for proper aligned insertion into the input path  326 . In further implementations, the printer media table  320  may be structurally engaged with, or aligned with the printer  318  such that the table  320  may receive print media exiting an output path of the printer  318 . In yet further implementations, the roller adapter system  301  may include a printer media table  320  aligned with the input path  326 , as well as an additional printer media table  320  aligned with the output path, such that print media is supported upon insertion into the printer  318  and upon exiting the printer  318 . The printer media table  320  may include a substantially flat top surface  321  upon which to receive the rigid print media, or, in some implementations, the base or bottom side of an example roller adapter  300 . In further implementations, the printer media table  320  may include rollers, transfer balls, or bearings, or other rotational features disposed on the top surface  321  in order to assist in the translation of rigid print media across the top surface  321  and into the input path  326  of the printer  318 , or out from the exit path of the printer  318 . 
     The roller adapter system  301  may include an example roller adapter  300  to engage with a printer media table  320 , either at the input path  326  of the printer  318 , or the output path of the printer  318 , or a separate roller adapter  300  for both. The example roller adapter  300  may include an alignment knob or pivot to removably engage with a complementary pivot receptacle or cavity  322  on the printer media table  320  such that the roller adapter  300  can rotate in a direction  324  about the alignment pivot on a top side of the printer media table  320 . In some implementations, the printer media table  320  may comprise a plurality of, or multiple complementary pivot receptacles  322  across the top surface  321  of the table. The plurality of complementary pivot receptacles  322  may enable the example roller adapter  300  to be placed in various locations across the top surface  321  of the table, and, therefore, the roller adapter  300  may be able to engage with and support rolls of flexible print media of varying sizes and dimensions. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , a perspective view of a roller adapter system  301  is illustrated. The roller adapter system  301  may include two or more example roller adapters  300  (for example a first roller adapter and a second roller adapter), in some implementations. Each of the example roller adapters  300  may have an alignment knob or pivot that is engaged with a separate complementary pivot receptacle on the top side  321  of the printer media table  320 . Each of the example roller adapters  300  may be adjacent to or laterally aligned with one another across the width of the printer media table  320 , such that they both are facing the input path  326  of the primer  318 , and, together, the roller adapters  300  may rotatably support a roll flexible print media  310  (shown here in phantom lines so as not to obstruct the illustration of the roller adapters) for insertion into the input path  326 . The roller adapters  300  may be variably spaced apart from each other across the top surface  321  to accommodate rolls of flexible prim media  310  having varying widths. The roller adapters  300  may, together, rotatable support the roll of flexible print media  310  such that the flexible print media is aligned with and continuously fed into the input path  326 , and, thus, through the print zone of the primer  318 . 
     In some implementations, the roller adapters  300  are to each engage with the roll of flexible print media  310 , such that the respective contact with and weight of the roll is to rotate each of the roller adapters about their respective alignment pivots until the roller adapters are both aligned with the input path  326  of the printer  318  disposed adjacent to the printer media table  320 . In other words, one or both of the example roller adapters  300  may be set on the top surface  321  of the printer media table  320  so that the alignment knob or pivot of each of the roller adapters  300  is engaged with a separate complementary pivot receptacle  322  that is laterally aligned with the other. Despite the engagement of the alignment knobs with pivot receptacles  322  that are aligned with each other, one or both of the roller adapters  300  may be facing a direction other than straight into the input path  326 . The roll of flexible print media  310  may then be lowered on to the roller adapters  300 , making contact with the rollers of each of them. The weight of the roll  310  may force the rollers, and thus the respective roller adapters  300  to which they are attached, to rotate in a direction similar to direction  324  of  FIG. 3A , about their respective alignment pivots until each of the roller adapters  300  is properly facing the input path  326 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3C , a perspective view of a roller adapter system  301  is illustrated. In some implementations, it may be desirable to switch from printing on the roll of flexible print media  310 , to printing on rigid print media  328 . In some implementations, the printer media table  320  may have a secondary complementary pivot cavity or receptacle to receive the alignment pivot or knob of an example roller adapter  300 . The printer media table  320  may include a plurality of, or multiple secondary complementary pivot receptacles, such that an example roller adapter  300  may engage with any one of them. In some implementations, the printer media table  320  may include a secondary complementary pivot receptacle disposed on a side  322  other than the top surface  321  of the printer media table  320  such that the roller adapter  300  can hang from the secondary complementary cavity in a stowed fashion. In further implementations, the printer media table  320  may have a plurality of secondary complementary pivot receptacles disposed underneath the top surface  321  of the table  320  such that multiple example roller adapters  300  may hang from the receptacles in a stowed fashion, as illustrated in  FIG. 3C . Note, the secondary complementary pivot receptacles are not shown in  FIG. 3C , as they are concealed by the top surface  321 . The example roller adapters  300  may each be disengaged from the table  320  by lifting the adapter  300  off of the top surface  321  of the table  320  such that the adapter&#39;s alignment pivot is lifted out of the complementary receptacle retaining it. Once the roller adapters  300  are disengaged from the top surface  321  of the printer media table  320 , the roller adapters  300  may be stowed or hung from one of the secondary complementary receptacles, and the top surface  321  may receive a rigid print media  328 . The rigid print media  328  may then be properly aligned with the input path  326  of the printer  318 , and fed into the input path, and thus, through the print zone of the printer  318 .