Patent ID: 8864272

Claim:
A tension module for wide format inkjet printers, comprising: a throughput roller adapted for a wide format inkjet printer, said throughput roller having a length to diameter ratio of at least 10:1 and comprising a material on the surface thereof having a friction coefficient value with a print medium of less than 1; a plurality of pinch rollers arranged in a line parallel to the throughput roller, said plurality of pinch rollers to support the throughput roller and provide a pressure on the print medium when passed along the throughput roller; a motor operable to rotate the throughput roller, wherein the plurality of pinch rollers and the rotation of the throughput roller in combination are operable to draw the print medium between the plurality of pinch rollers and the throughput roller; a single tension lever having a plurality of tension settings and operable to adjust the pressure between the throughput roller and the plurality of pinch rollers on the print medium; and wherein the tension module comprises a standalone module installable into the wide format inkjet printer to retrofit a roll-to-roll wide format inkjet printer with roll-to-floor functionality.