Patent ID: 7766568

Claim:
A printhead carrier having a zero clearance bearing arrangement for use in an imaging apparatus having a guide rod, said guide rod extending lengthwise in a direction of extension along a first axis and having a cylindrical guide surface, comprising: a carrier body; a dampener frame to which said carrier body is mounted; a first open-faced bearing coupled to said dampener frame, said first open-faced bearing having a first bearing surface positioned to contact said cylindrical guide surface of said guide rod; a second open-faced bearing coupled to said dampener frame, said second open-faced bearing having a second bearing surface positioned to contact said cylindrical guide surface of said guide rod, said guide rod being diametrically positioned between said first open-faced bearing and said second open-faced bearing; and an elastic foam member interposed between said first open-faced bearing and said dampener frame, said elastic foam member being compressed to exert an expansion force between said first open-faced bearing and said dampener frame to load said second open-faced bearing on said guide rod in a zero-clearance relationship with said guide rod.