Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/036,673 filed Feb. 25, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The disclosed embodiments relate to printers and methods of making printers. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     The following prior art is made of record: U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,205; U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,259; U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,121; U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,756; U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,462; U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,442; U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,249; U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,407; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,844. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a specific embodiment, a printer includes a housing, a support mounted on the housing, a print head mounted on the support and capable of printing on a web of record members, an ink ribbon cartridge received on the support, a guide for the web continuously spring-urged into a non-operating position, the guide being movable between the non-operating position and an operating position through an intermediate position, the ink ribbon cartridge being movable to move the guide from the non-operating position to the intermediate position against the spring-urging, and the housing having a movable housing section capable of moving the guide from the intermediate position to the operating position against the spring-urging. It is preferred that the support is movably mounted between operating and non-operating positions and that the support is spring-urged to its non-operating position. It is preferred that the printer include a platen roll, wherein support is cooperable with the platen roll in its operating position and is free of the platen roll in its non-operating position. It is preferred that a spring is connected to the support and the guide for accomplishing the spring-urging. 
     In a specific embodiment, a printer includes a housing, a support mounted on the housing, a print head mounted on the support and capable of printing on a web of record members, an ink ribbon cartridge received on the support, a holder continuously spring-urged into a non-operating position, a sensor and/or a light source on the holder, the holder being movable between the non-operating position and an operating position through an intermediate position, the ink ribbon cartridge being movable to move the holder from the non-operating position to the intermediate position against the spring-urging, and the housing having a movable housing section capable of moving the holder from the intermediate position to the operating position against the spring-urging. It is preferred that the support is movably mounted between operating and non-operating position and that the support is spring-urged to its non-operating position. It is preferred that the printer include a platen roll, and that the support is cooperable with the platen roll in its operating position and is free of the platen roll in its non-operating position. It is preferred that a spring is connected to the support and the guide for accomplishing the spring-urging. 
     In a specific embodiment, a printer includes a support movably mounted on the housing between operating and non-operating positions, the support being continuously spring-urged to its non-operating position, a platen roll mounted on the housing, the support being located with respect to the platen roll in the operating position, and a print head yieldably mounted to the support. It is preferred that there is at least one spring for spring-urging the support. It is preferred that the housing includes a door movable between open and closed positions, and a latch mounted on the door to move the support to the operating positing against the spring-urging to the support. It is preferred that the latch is comprised of a toggle mechanism and that the toggle mechanism grips the ink ribbon cartridge. It is preferred that the print head is spring-urged by at least one spring, and wherein the spring is partially compressed when the support is in its operating position. 
     It is a feature of the disclosed embodiments to provide an improved printer and in particular a portable printer which is lightweight, compact, durable, user-friendly, easy to load and unload of label and tag supplies in a roll and fan-fold form and an ink ribbon cartridge, and has minimal parts almost all of which are of molded plastics construction. Various other features will be readily evident to persons skilled in the art by reference to the drawings and the detailed description that follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMMATIC DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of a printer in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view through the printer taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged sectional view showing the upper portion of the printer; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged sectional view of the printer along a different line than in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a pictorial view of the printer with the front door open and with an ink ribbon cartridge exploded away; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the printer with its front door open and the ink ribbon cartridge exploded away; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded pictorial view of the front door and a toggle latch mechanism on the door; 
         FIG. 8  is an assembled pictorial view of the front door on which a platen roll, a delaminator, a tear edge, a toggle latch mechanism and a roll mounting assembly are mounted; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded pictorial view of a portion of the printer showing a portion of the door, the roll mounting assembly and the platen roll; 
         FIG. 10  is a rotated, exploded, pictorial view of a portion of the printer; 
         FIG. 11  is a rotated, exploded, pictorial view of another portion of the printer; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded elevational view showing the printer in a position to be capable of receiving an ink ribbon cartridge; 
         FIG. 12A  is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the printer shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of a portion of the printer with the ink ribbon cartridge partly received in the printer; 
         FIG. 14  is a view similar to  FIG. 13 , but showing the ink ribbon cartridge fully received in its operating position in the printer; 
         FIG. 15  is a pictorial view of the ink ribbon cartridge; 
         FIG. 16A  is a pictorial view of one portion of the ink ribbon cartridge; 
         FIG. 16B  is a pictorial view of another portion of the ink ribbon cartridge; 
         FIG. 17  is a pictorial view of a portion of the printer showing the ink ribbon cartridge latched in position and broken away to expose the drive mechanism for the ink ribbon cartridge and the platen roll; 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged, partly sectional view showing the manner in which the platen gear is held in position with respect to the driving gear; 
         FIG. 19  is a pictorial view showing the manner in which the print head assembly is mounted; 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded pictorial view of the print head assembly; 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom plan view of the print head assembly; 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional pictorial view through the upper portion of the printer; 
         FIG. 23  is a pictorial view of one of the bumpers which also serves as a foot for the printer; 
         FIG. 24  is a pictorial view showing the bumper assembled onto the main printer housing; 
         FIG. 25  is a sectional view showing a portion of the main printer housing; 
         FIG. 26  is a sectional view showing the manner in which the bumper or foot is held captive in the main printer housing; 
         FIG. 27  is a pictorial view showing a slot in the front portion of the main housing into which a bumper can be inserted; 
         FIG. 28  is an exploded pictorial view showing the front portion of the housing depicted in  FIG. 27  into which a bumper can be inserted; 
         FIG. 29  is a pictorial view of the bumper shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a sectional view taken along line  30 - 30  of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a sectional view taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 32  is an exploded pictorial view of a bumper at the rear portion of the housing; 
         FIG. 33  is a sectional view of the lower portion of the printer with a guide for guiding a record member web in a fan-fold mode; 
         FIG. 34  is an exploded pictorial view of the guide also shown in  FIG. 33 ; 
         FIG. 35  is a sectional view of the guide held in a label roll holder; 
         FIG. 36  is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the guide depicting an alternative way in which side edge guide members may be mounted; 
         FIG. 37  is an exploded side elevational view similar to  FIG. 12 , but showing another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 38  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 13 , but showing the other embodiment also shown in  FIG. 37  wherein a guide or holder is held in an open position; 
         FIG. 39  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 14 , but showing the other embodiment with the guide or holder is an intermediate position; and 
         FIG. 40  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 14 , but showing the other embodiment with the guide or holder in a closed or operating position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference initially to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a printer generally indicated at  50  having a housing generally indicated at  51 . The printer  50  is portable and can be easily carried by a strap (not shown) on opposed posts  50 ′ (only one of which is shown) or used on a table or other surface. The printer  50  is lightweight and has a small footprint. The housing  51  includes a main housing section  52 , another housing section  53  which is movable relative to the housing section  52  and a third housing section  54 . The housing sections  52  and  53  open relative to each other like a clam shell. The use of the term “main” for the housing section  52  is only to distinguish it from the housing section  53 , not to signify dominant importance. The housing section  52  may stand on a horizontal surface such as a table and be supported at bumpers  52 ′ in the form of preferably identical feet at the four corners of the housing  51 . The housing section  54  preferably takes the form of an ink ribbon cartridge. The housing section  52  also has front bumpers  55  and  56  and rear bumpers  57  and  58 . The bumpers  55  and  56  are the same, except that the bumper  55  is a left-hand version and the bumper  56  is a right-hand version. Likewise, the bumpers  57  and  58  are the same, except that the bumper  57  is a left-hand version and the bumper  58  is a right-hand version. The bumpers  52 ′ and  55  through  58  are disposed at least at the corners of the main housing section  52  and extend outwardly so that in the event the printer  50  falls on a flat surface one or more of the bumpers will impact the flat surface and not any part of the housing  51 , except for the posts  50 ′. The posts  50 ′ may project outwardly beyond the bumpers  52 ′ and  55  through  58  and thus the areas of the housing section  52  where the posts  50 ′ are mounted are made thicker. The front of the printer  50  is designated F and the rear of the printer  50  is designated R. The front F also includes a display  60  and a keypad or keys  61  to control various printer functions. The housing sections  53  and  54  are connected by a toggle mechanism  62  which has spaced gripper arms  63 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there are shown the housing sections  52  and  53  which help define space  64  for reception of a roll R′ of a composite web C of record members. The record members can comprise paper labels L releasably adhered to a carrier web W as illustrated, or they can comprise tags or forms. The composite web C for example can pass from the roll R′ to between a guide wall  65  and a guide and holder member  66 . The member  66  has a dual purpose of guiding the web C and of mounting part of a sensor system S including a light source  66 ′ ( FIG. 3 ) and a light source/sensor  66 ″. The light source  66 ′ can be a light emitting diode for example OPR5200 and the light source sensor can be Type OPR5005, both sold by Optek Technology, Inc. Carrollton, Tex. The light from the light source  66 ′ can pass through an aperture or notch in the web C or through the web W between spaced labels L and can be detected by the sensor of the light source/sensor  66 ″ for web registration purposes or the light source/sensor  66 ″ can detect edges between spaced adjacent labels L. The light source/sensor  66 ″ can also detect registration marks on the underside of the web C by shining light from the light source portion of the light source/sensor  66 ″ onto the underside of the web C and detecting the registration mark with the sensor portion of the light source/sensor  66 ″. It is preferred to mount the light source  66 ′ and the light source/sensor  66 ″ as shown and described however, a different arrangement can be used, for example, a sensor can be mounted on the member  66  at the location where the light source  66 ′ is disposed and the light source for that sensor can be located where the light source/sensor  66 ″ is disposed. Alternatively, the positions of the light source/sensor  66 ″ and the light source  66 ′ can be reversed. Accordingly, because the member  66  acts as a guide it is properly termed a guide or guide member or a member, however, because the member  66  serves as a mount for part of the sensing system S it is properly called a mounting member or member. From between guides  65  and  66  the composite web C can pass to a nip between an elongate thermal print head  67  and a platen roll  68 . From there the carrier web W passes partly around a delaminator  69  and the printed label L passes through an exit opening  70  ( FIG. 2 ) and along an exit path between the gripper arms  63  ( FIG. 1 ). After passing about the delaminator  69  at a sharp angle, the carrier web W passes between and into contact with the platen roll  68  and a back-up or pressure roll  71 . From there the web W passes through an exit opening  72  between toggle members  73  and  74 . 
     The housing section or specifically the ink ribbon cartridge or cassette  54  is comprised of a cartridge frame or housing generally indicated at  75 . The frame  75  includes an ink ribbon supply frame section  76  and a spent ink ribbon section  77  joined to each other. The frame section  76  mounts a supply roll spindle  78  about which an ink ribbon supply roll SR is wound. Ink ribbon I passes from the supply roll SR over the composite web C to the nip between the print head  67  on the one side and the web C and the platen roll  68  on the other side. From there the spent ink ribbon I passes about a guide  79  preferably in the form of a guide plate and from there the spent ink ribbon I passes to the take-up roll TR where the spent ink ribbon I is accumulated. As the printer  50  operates and the ink ribbon I is advanced from the supply roll SR to the take-up roll TR, the size of the take-up roll TR grows until the supply roll SR is exhausted and the take-up roll TR is full as indicated by the circular phantom line PL. The take-up roll TR is wound on a take-up spindle  78 ′. 
     The section taken to create  FIG. 2  shows the battery pack  80  including preferably a plurality of batteries  80 ′ used to power the circuitry (not shown) and the drive mechanism or drive assembly  81  ( FIG. 17 ). The battery pack  80  is received in a compartment  82  in the housing section  52 . 
       FIG. 2  also shows one of the two axially aligned pivots  83  for the housing section  53 . The housing section  53  which functions as a door and, in particular, a front door is movable about the pivots  83  between a closed position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, and an open position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the upper portion of  FIG. 2  on a larger scale.  FIGS. 2 and 3  show that the housing section  52  has a cantilevered support  84  which mounts a print head assembly  85  and is capable of removably receiving and supporting the ink ribbon cartridge  54 . The support  84  has a projection  86  about which the print head assembly  85  is pivotal or gimbaled. 
       FIG. 4  is a view taken through one of the gripper arms  63  and shows how a tooth  87  engages a gripper or gripped surface  88  on the cartridge  54 .  FIG. 4  also shows the manner in which the print head assembly  85  and in particular its print head support  89  can locate on the bearing  120  for the platen roll  68 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the housing section or door  53  is shown to mount a label roll holder generally indicated at  90 . The label roll holder  90  can be any suitable structure to mount a label or tag roll, however, it is preferred that the holder  90  have holder members  91  engageable with the label or tag roll R′ and which are movable relatively toward and away from each other in unison to center-justify the label roll R′ with respect to the center of the elongate print head  67 . The holder members  91  are preferably identical and are shown to be in the form of discs have having projections or hubs or hub portions  92  capable of fitting preferably with a close fit into the inside of a core  93  of the label roll R′. The door  53  also rotatably mounts the platen roll  68  which has a platen shaft  94  and a gear  95  secured to the shaft  94 . 
     The gripper arms  63  are spaced outboard of the exit path  70  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) along which a record member, for example, label L exits the printer  50 . It is also apparent from  FIG. 5  that the printer  50  is easy to load by moving the holder members  91  apart and allowing the projections  92  to enter into the inside of the core  93 . The user may strip several labels L from the carrier web W and lay the spent web W across the platen roll  68  and then pass the web W partially around the delaminator  69  and insert the web W between the platen roll  68  and the pressure roll  71  and out through exit opening  72 . Then the user can move the door  53  to its closed position as shown in  FIG. 1  for example and may tug on the web W which is beyond the exit opening  72  to remove any slack from the web W. It is evident from the figures such as  FIG. 1  that the exit openings  70  and  72  are readily accessible in open space between gripper arms  63  from the outside of the printer  50 . 
       FIG. 5  also shows the ink ribbon cartridge  54  ready to be inserted into the housing section  52  in the direction of arrow  100  and onto the support  84 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , there is shown the outer panel or plate  101  of the door  53  and the toggle mechanism  62 . The panel  101  mounts the delaminator  69  shown to take the form of a roller or peel roller  102 . The delaminator  69  can alternatively be a peel plate (not shown), however, a peel roller  102  is a preferred form of a delaminator. The preferably one-piece panel or plate  101  has a pair of space C-shaped sockets  103  which capture end portions of the roller  102 . The panel  101  has a pair of aligned holes  104  which mount a shaft  105 . One end portion  106  of the shaft  105  is knurled and is press-fitted into the hole  104  at the left side of the panel  101 . The shaft  105  passes through a through-hole  107  in the preferably one-piece toggle member  73  to mount the toggle member  73  for pivotal movement. The preferably one-piece toggle member  74  is shown to include a bar or transverse connector  108  that connects the gripper members  63  to each other. The teeth  87  are located in one direction, for example, above the connector  108  and extensions or shaft mounting members  109  extend in the other direction or below the connector  108 . The connector  108  preferably rigidly connects the one gripper member  63  to the other gripper member  63  and connects the one member  109  to the other member  109 . The members  109  have aligned holes  110  to receive a shaft  111 . The toggle member  73  is disposed between gripper arms  63  and the shaft  111  passes through a hole  107 ′ in the toggle member  73 . An end portion  112  of the shaft  111  is knurled. The end portion  112  is press-fitted into the hole  110  of the member  109  at the left side of the toggle member  174 . In order to release gripper members  63  so that teeth  87  no longer engage the gripped surfaces  88  on the cartridge  54  and so that the cartridge  54  can be removed from the remainder of the printer  50 , the user can insert a finger beneath a handle  113  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4  and  7 ) and pull the toggle member  73  to move clockwise about the shaft  105 . As the toggle member  73  starts to move clockwise in  FIG. 4  for example about the shaft  105 , the gripper teeth  87  exert increased force against the gripped surfaces  88 . As the toggle member  73  continues to move clockwise even further, then the shaft  111  moves from the right side of a centerline  114  to the left side of the centerline  114 . In  FIG. 4 , the shaft  111  is overcenter with respect to the centerline  114  in one direction at a latched condition or state. When the shaft  111  has moved to the left of the centerline  114 , the shaft is overcenter in the other direction which causes loosening of the gripper teeth  87  from the gripped surfaces  88  until the gripper arms  63  are free of the cartridge  54 . Now the ink ribbon cartridge  54 , the support  84  and the print head  85  can be manually pivoted slightly clockwise as viewed in  FIG. 4  to disengage guide slots  285  from bearings  119 ′ and  120 ′. The door  53  can now be moved to its open position with respect to the housing section  52 . When the door  53  is moved to the closed position, the teeth  87  are at a position over and spaced from the gripped surfaces  88 . By pushing on the handle  113 , the toggle member  73  is pivoted counterclockwise ( FIGS. 4 and 7  for example) to bring the shaft  111  and the gripper members  63  to the closed position shown in  FIG. 4  for example, and thus the shaft  111  has moved to the right of the centerline  114 .  FIGS. 2 ,  7  and  8  show the panel  101  as having a recess  115  to provide ready finger access by the user to the underside of the handle  113 . The panel  101  can also be provided with a logo plate  116 . The toggle member  74  also has an on-demand sensor S′ ( FIG. 8 ) which can sense the presence of a label L at the exit opening  70 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , there is shown an inner panel or plate generally indicated at  116  attached to the panel or plate  101  by screws  116 ′. The preferably one-piece panel  116  has a pair of aligned C-shaped sockets  117  and  118 . Ball bearings  119  and  120  are received in respective socket portions  117 ′ and  118 ′ of the sockets  117  and  118  and ball bearings  119 ′ and  120 ′ are in contact with the inboard sides of the respective sockets  117  and  118 . The shaft  94  has one end portion  121  received in the ball bearings  119  and  119 ′ and another end portion  122  received in the ball bearings  120  and  120 ′. An E-ring  120 ″ keeps the bearing  120  on the end portion  122 . The gear  95  is press-fitted onto the end portion  121  and holds the bearing  119  in place. 
     The label roll holder  90  includes a pair of identical slides  123  and  124 . The preferably one-piece slides  123  and  124  have respective arms  125  and  126 . Each arm  125  and  126  has a hole  127  into which an integral connector  128  on the disc  91  is received. The connectors  128  enable the discs  91  to rotate relative to their respective arms  125  and  126 . 
     Each arm  125  and  126  has an outwardly extending boss  129  having a hole  129 ′. Handles  130  preferably in the form of washers are held onto the bosses  129  spaced from the outer surfaces of the respective arms  125  and  126  by screws  131 . Either handle  130  enables the user to insert a fingernail between the handle  130  and the outer surface of the respective arm  125  or  126  and pull outwardly, thereby causing the roll mounting members  91  to move apart should it be desired, for example, to remove a spent core  93  or a guide  341  ( FIG. 35  for example). Alternatively, either handle  130  can be grasped between two fingers to spread the holder members  125  and  126  apart. It is noted that when one holder member  125  or  126  is moved outwardly away from the other holder member  126  or  125 , a rack and pinion mechanism generally indicated at  132  moves the other holder member  126  or  125 . 
     The panel  116  has a pair of parallel slots  133  and  134  bounded by respective flanges  135  and  136 . The slide  123  has a pair of L-shaped members  137  with flanges  138 . The members  137  extend through slots  137 ′ bounded by flanges  138 ′ having end surfaces  138 ″. The flanges  138  contact the end surfaces  138 ″. Likewise, the slide  124  has a pair of L-shaped members  139  with flanges  140 , which are received in similar slots (not shown) that are mirror images of the slots  137 ′. The members  137  are assembled through respective slots  138   s.    
     The slides  123  and  124  have double racks or straight gears  141  and  142  and  143  and  144 , respectively. The panel  116  has an integrally molded pin  145  on which is gear or pinion  146  can be rotatably mounted. The gear  146  is coupled to and can mesh with racks  142  and  143 . The slide  123  has a post  147 . The slide  124  was molded with a post (not shown) like the post  147  which can be cut off before assembly of the printer  50 . The pinion  146  assures that the slides  123  and  124  move equal distances to keep the arms  125  and  126  and the discs  91  at equal distances with respect to the centerline between the ends of the elongate print head  67 . A tension spring  149  is hooked onto the post  147  and onto a post  148  on the panel  116 . The spring  149  is under tension and acts to urge the slides  123  and  124  and their respective arms  125  and  126  toward each other. 
     A keeper or plate  150  slidably contacts the end surface  135 ′. Screws  151  pass through the plate  150  and are received in bosses  152 . Likewise a keeper or plate  153  slidably contacts the end surface  136 ′. Screws  154  pass through the plate  153  and are received by bosses  152 ′. The bosses  152 , the post  147  and the racks  141  and  142  travel in the slot  133  and the bosses  152 ′ and the racks  143  and  144  travel in the slot  134 . A tang or stop  155  on the plate  150  projects into the slot  133  and can contact end  156  of the slot  133  to prevent the members  137  from aligning with the slot  138   s  and to thereby prevent the members  137  from coming out of the slot  137 ′ during use. A tang or stop  157  on the plate  153  projects into the slot  134  and can contact end wall  158  to prevent members  139  from coming out of their respective slot  134  during use. 
     The panel  116  also has a post  159  for mounting a gear  160  which is coupled to and can mesh with the rack  144 . A plate or slide  161  guided in a slot  162  has a tooth  163  which can engage a tooth of the gear  160  below the axis of rotation of the gear  160 . The slide  161  is normally urged to the right as shown in  FIG. 9  by a compression spring  163 ′ that abuts against and is captive between a boss  164  and a surface  165  on the panel  116 . An arm  166  joined to the slide  161  has a cam surface  167  used to move the slide to the left as viewed in  FIG. 9 . When the door  53  is being closed, the cam surface  167  contacts the housing section wall  186  as seen in  FIG. 11  to urge the slide  161  to the left ( FIG. 9 ) to engage the gear  160  and rotate the gear  160  clockwise ( FIG. 9 ). This slight rotation of the gear  160  causes the pinion  146  to be moved slightly to cause the slides  123  and  124  and their respective discs  91  to move slightly apart. This causes the pressure and thus friction between the rotatable discs  91  and the arms  125  and  126  to be reduced and thus drag on motor  242  ( FIG. 17 ) is reduced. When the door  53  is being opened, the spring  163 ′ causes the tooth  163  to disengage from the gear  160 . 
       FIG. 10  shows the support  84  which is pivotally mounted to the housing  52 . The front part of the housing section  52  has a panel  169  with an irregular rear edge  170 . A panel  171  with an irregular edge  172  contacts and mates with the panel  169  and captures a flange  174 ′ of the mounting plate  242 ′, thereby defining a generally rectangular aperture  173  and round holes  174  and  175 . The support  84  has an integral stud or shaft  176  pivotally received in the hole  174 . The web guide and/or holder member  66  has an integral stud or shaft  177  pivotally received in the hole  175 . The support  84  can pivot counterclockwise as viewed in  FIG. 10  until a stop face  179  contacts a stop  180  on the housing section  52 . The support  84  has a stop  181  which can bottom on a stop face  182  in the aperture  173  to limit the clockwise movement of the support as viewed in  FIG. 10 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , the support  84  is shown to have a shaft or stud  182  rigidly secured to its side  183  in axial alignment with the shaft  176 . An arm  184  having a hook-shaped connector  185  is rigidly secured to the shaft  182 . The shaft  182 , the side  183  and the arm  184  can be integrally molded. The front part of the housing section  52  has a panel  186  with an irregular rear edge  187 . A panel  188  with an irregular edge  189  which contacts and can mate with the panel or housing section wall  186 , thereby defining a generally rectangular aperture  190  and round holes  191  and  192 . The shaft  182  is pivotally received in the hole  191  and the arm  184  is located in hollow space within the housing section  52 . The preferably one-piece member  66  has a shaft or stud  193  and an arm  194  having a hook-shaped connector  195 . The shaft  193  is axially aligned with the shaft  177 . The member  66  includes a side wall  196 . A stop  197  on side wall  183  fits into the aperture  190  and can bottom on a stop surface  198 . The stops  181  and  197  are laterally aligned, the apertures  173  and  190  are laterally aligned, the holes  174  and  191  are laterally aligned, and the holes  175  and  192  are laterally aligned. 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , a tension spring  199  is hooked onto the connectors  185  and  195 . The arms  184  and  194  and their connectors  185  and  195  are so positioned that in the open position shown in  FIG. 12 , the support  84  can receive the cartridge  54  or the cartridge  54  can be removed. The support  84  can have limited pivotal movement about aligned shafts  176  and  182 , and the member  66  can have limited pivotal movement about aligned shafts  177  and  193 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , a centerline  200  through the axes of rotation of the support  84  and the member  66  shows that the forces exerted by the spring  199  normally keep the member  66  in the open position to enable a cartridge  54  to be loaded or unloaded. 
       FIG. 13  shows the cartridge partially inserted into the operating position. There are actuators or posts  201  on the cartridge  54  which can touch cam faces  202  on the member  66 . In that the posts  201  and the cam faces  202  are just touching, the member  66  continues to be held in the open position by the spring  199 . Upon continued insertion of the cartridge  54  toward the operating position shown in  FIG. 14 , the actuators  201  cam the member  66  until the member  66  has rotated overcenter with respect to the centerline  200 . As soon as the member  66  is overcenter, the spring  199  urges the member  66  to the operating position. Accordingly, the spring  199  can alternately hold the member  66  in either the open position ( FIG. 12 ) or in the closed position ( FIG. 14 ). The operating position is also shown in  FIGS. 2 through 4  and  22  for example. When removing the cartridge  54 , the posts or pins  201  act on cam surfaces  202 ′ to drive the member  66  to its open position. The member  66  has projections  203  received in pockets  204  in the plate  116 , one of which is shown in  FIG. 4 . The actuators  201  cooperating with cam faces  202  are sufficient to bring the holder  66  to its operating position when the cartridge is inserted fully, without the aid of the spring  199 . The actuators  201  cooperating with cam faces  202 ′ are sufficient to bring the holder  66  to its open position during removal of the cartridge  54 . The spring  199  is useful is bring the holder  66  either into its fully open position or its fully closed position and hold the holder in either position. 
       FIGS. 15 ,  16 A and  16 B show that the cartridge  54  has a frame or housing  75  which can have frame or housing sections  206  and  207 . The frame sections  206  and  207  are preferably of one-piece construction. The frame section  206  has a supply roll mounting portion  208  and a take-up roll mounting portion  209 . The supply roll mounting portion  208  can have an arcuate frame wall  208 ′. The arcuate shape is preferred for strength and to more fully enclose the supply roll SR, however, more open shapes can be provided instead. The wall  208 ′ is integral with a side wall  210  and has a post  211  which rotatably mounts a shaft  211 ′. The position of the shaft  211 ′ which extends beyond the post  211  receives an annular, axially compressible and radially expandable elastomeric brake sleeve  212 . The side wall  210  is connected to a side wall  213  of the take-up roll mounting portion  209 . The section  206  can have an arcuate frame wall  214  if desired and post  215  joined to the wall  213 . The post  215  rotatably mounts a shaft  215 ′. The posts  211  and  215  are generally parallel. A rotatable spindle  216  can grip the take-up roll core  78 ′ to wind up the take-up roll TR and thereby advance the ink ribbon I. The spindle  216  is coupled to a driver  217  ( FIG. 10 ) when the cartridge  54  is in the operating position in the printer  50 . A clutch  245  ( FIG. 17 ) attempts to advance the ink ribbon I faster than the ink ribbon I is advanced by the platen roll  68  to maintain tension in the ink ribbon I between the platen roll  68  and the take-up roll TR. The portion  206  of the cartridge frame is shown to have a tear edge portion  218  of a tear edge  219  ( FIG. 15  for example). 
     With reference to  FIG. 16B , the frame section  207  includes a side wall  220  joined to a side wall  221 . The section  207  can also have arcuate frame walls  222  and  223  joined to the respective side walls  220  and  221 . The posts  224  and  225  are joined to the side wall  220  and a post  226  is joined to the side wall  221 . The post  224  is axially aligned with the spindle  216 , the post  225  is axially aligned with the post  215 , and the post  226  is axially aligned with the post  211 . The shaft  215 ′ is connected to a handle  227  ( FIG. 15 ) which is detentable in two alternative positions. The shaft  211 ′ is connected to a handle  228 . The shaft  215 ′ has a non-circular projection  229  and the shaft  211 ′ has a non-circular projection  230 . The projection  229  can be received in a non-circular hole  231  in the post  225  and the projection  230  can be received in a non-circular hole  232 . When the handles  227  and  228  are in their locked positions shown in  FIG. 15 , the projections  229  and  230  are in the hollows of posts  225  and  226  out of alignment with holes  231  and  232 . The projections  229  and  230  extend beyond the holes  231  and  232  into hollow interior space in the posts  225  and  226 . When the handle  228  is moved to its unlocked positions at a right angle to the position shown, the handle  228  falls into a recess  228 ′ which relieves the compression force against the end  212 ′ of the brake sleeve  212  exerted by flange  211 ″ on the shaft  211 ′ in the locked condition shown in  FIG. 15 . For further details reference may be had to the ink ribbon cartridge shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,249. 
     As shown, the frame section  207  has a tear edge portion  241  aligned with the tear edge portion  218  of the tear edge when the frame sections  206  and  207  are assembled to provide a tear edge  219  that extends at least as long as the widest web W between gripper arms  63 . The walls  214  and  222  terminate at respective tear edge portions  218  and  241 . The tear edge  219  can be used to tear off the web C or the carrier web W in the strip mode in which the web C or the web W is fed out through the exit opening  70 . In the peel mode, of course, the carrier web W passes about the delaminator  69  and between the platen roll  68  and the back-up roll  71  and from there the web W passes out of the exit opening  72 . Lower edge of the toggle member  74  also has a tear edge  74 ′ ( FIG. 3  for example) for tearing of excess carrier web W that extends beyond the exit opening  72 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 17 , there is shown the drive mechanism  81  which is essentially the same as the drive mechanism in U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,249, except for example a guide slot  260  ( FIG. 18 ) in the mounting plate  242 ′.  FIG. 17  shows the electric motor  242  mounted on a stand off  243 . Gearing generally indicated at  244  drives the toothed driver  217  ( FIG. 5 ) through a clutch  245  which may be of the wrapped-spring type if desired. The gearing  244  includes a compound gear  246  which includes a gear  247  rigidly coaxially connected to a gear  248 . The gear  247  meshes with a pinion on the motor shaft (not shown). The pinion on the motor shaft also drives a compound gear  249  which drives a gear  249 ′ and in turn a gear  250  which is part of the clutch  245 . 
       FIG. 18  shows the mounting plate  242 ′ as having an open-ended slot  260  which receives the bearing socket  117 ′ and the outboard bearing  119 . The slot  260  thus captures the bearing socket  117 ′ and the bearing  119  and promotes proper meshing of the gear  95  and the gear  248 . The housing section  169  has an open-ended slot  169 ′ ( FIG. 10 ) which is larger than the slot  260  so that neither the shaft  94  nor socket  117  controls the alignment of the gear  95  with the gear  248 . It is rather the slot  260  alone which controls the meshing of the gears  95  and  248 . It is noted that when the door  53  is closed the socket portion  117 ′ preferably bottoms in the slot  260 , as shown. The slot  260  has a converging entry  261  with tapers  262  at both sides adjacent the opening in the slot  260  to guide the socket portion  117 ′ and the bearing  119  into the slot  260  when the door  53  is moved to the closed position. 
     With reference to  FIG. 20 , there is shown the print head assembly  85  which may include support or mounting plate  89  having a socket  262  for receiving the post  86  ( FIG. 3  for example). The socket  262  and the post  86  enable the support  89  to pivot or gimbal to enable the print head  67  to accommodate to the platen roll  68 . The print head  67  is mounted on the underside of a metal plate or heat sink  67 ′ which helps dissipate heat from the print head  67 . The support  89  is shown to have preferably three holes  263 ,  264  and  265 . The holes  263 ,  264  and  265  are aligned with respective threaded holes  266 ,  267  and  268  in the heat sink  67 ′. However, the holes  263 ,  264  and  265  are unthreaded and may be slightly larger in diameter than the shanks  269  of screws  270 . The ribbon guide  79  which may be in the form of a guide plate  271  having a generally planar or plate-like portion  271 ′ having three holes  272 ,  273  and  274 . The hole  272  is round and makes a rotatable fit around a boss  263 ′ surrounding the hole  263 . The hole  273  is oversize with respect to the boss  264 ′ and receives the boss  264 ′ that surrounds hole  264 . The hole  274  is elongate and receives the boss  265 ′ which surrounds the hole  265 . A screw  270  passes through holes  272  and  263  and is threadably received in the hole  266 . A screw  270  passes through holes  273  and  264  and is threadably received in the hole  267 , and a screw  270  passes through the holes  274  and  265  and is threadably received in the hole  268 . The guide  79  has a curved portion  275  which is at least as wide as the ink ribbon I and is joined to the planar portion  271 ′. The guide  79  also includes a flange  271 ″ with a threaded hole  276  to receive a threaded shank  277  of an adjusting screw  278 . The screw  278  can preferably have a socketed head  279  with an Allen socket to receive an Allen wrench (not shown). The head  279  is received in a socket  280  molded integrally with the support  89 . A groove  281  aligned with the head  279  in the socket  280  serves as a guide for the Allen wrench. As shown, the groove  281  is open at both ends and one end opens into the socket  280 . The screw  278  is able to rotate but is not able to translate. Rotation of the screw  278  will cause the guide  79  to pivot about the boss or pivot  263 ′ to adjust the guide  79 .  FIG. 22  shows that the groove  281  shown in  FIG. 20  comprises only one-half the opening  282  through which an Allen wrench can extend. The other half of the opening  282  is comprised of an end wall  281 ′ in the support  84 . The opening  282  is aligned with an access opening  283  in the support  84 . While the printer of U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,249 had a guide which was adjustable it was not possible to adjust the guide while the printer was advancing the record member web or the ink ribbon. It was necessary to stop operation of the printer, adjust the guide, restart the printer and possibly re-adjust the guide again, and so on until adjustment and wrinkle-free advance of the ink ribbon was attained. In the embodiment of the present invention, the web C and the ink ribbon I can be advanced upon rotation of the platen roll, and the guide  79  can be adjusted while the ink ribbon I is advancing. 
     The support or mounting member  89  includes a pair of depending flanges  284 , each having a locating or guide slot  285  ( FIG. 19 ). Springs  286  ( FIG. 20 ), resting in respective pockets  287  (one of which is shown in  FIG. 12A ) in the support  84 , bear against the flat panel  271 ′ of the guide plate  271 . When the cartridge  54  is in position and the toggle mechanism  62  is closed or latched, the toggle mechanism  62  causes the cartridge  54  to exert force against the support  84 .  FIG. 9  shows pairs of stops  117   a  and  118   a . The support  84  has a pair of stop faces  84   a  and  84   b  which abut the respective stops  117   a  and  118   a  when the support  84  is in the operating position. When the support  84  is in its operating position the springs  286  are compressed to exert just the right amount of printing operating pressure or force against the ink ribbon I and the composite web C and against the platen roll  68  for effective thermal printing. It is noted that surface  292  of the heat sink  67 ′ is located on the support  89  against a pair of locating surfaces  288 ′ on locators  288 . Two pairs of spring fingers  290  and  291  exert pressure against surface  293  of the heat sink  67 ′. This insures accurate positioning of print head  67  with respect to alignment slots  285 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 23 , there is shown one of the resilient, elastomeric bumpers  52 ′, in particular a foot which can be attached to the housing section  52  easily during manufacture and which can be removed if desired. The four feet  52 ′ are shown taking  FIGS. 1 and 2  together. The feet  52 ′ are preferably identical as is preferred so only one is described in detail. The foot  52 ′ has a body  52 ″ which is external to the housing section  52  and preferably has a triangular shape in horizontal section and the foot  52 ′ also has a triangular shape in vertical section. The foot  52 ′ is intended to be attached to the outside of the housing section  52 , but part of the foot  52 ′ is internal to the housing section  52 . With reference to  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the housing section  52  has a pair of spaced internal ribs  300  which straddle an opening or slot  301 . The foot  52 ′ has an elongate portion  302  received in the slot  301  and a pair of flanges  303  which contact inner faces  300 ′ of the ribs  300 . The flanges  303  capture the foot  52 ′. The bumper  52 ′ has a projection  304  which cooperates with a projection  305  on the housing section  52  ( FIG. 26 ) to prevent retrograde movement of the foot  52 ′ out of the slot  301 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 27 , there is shown a portion of the housing section  52  with slots  306  and  307  by which a front bumper  55  can be attached. The slot  306  is open-ended, while the slot  307  has closed ends  308  and  309 . The slot  306  may have a constant width as shown, and the slot  307  has a wide portion  310  and a narrow portion  311  joined by a converging portion  312 .  FIG. 28  shows the bumper  55  as having an arcuate shape to fit the outer profile of the arcuate-shaped corner portion  313  ( FIG. 27 ) of the housing section  52 . The underside of the bumper  55 , that is, the portion at the inner side of the bumper  55  has two flexible, cantilevered projections  314  and  315  having respective flanges  316  and  317 . To attach the bumper  55  to the curved corner  313 , the projection  315  is inserted into the wide slot portion  307 . In this position of the bumper  55 , the projection  314  is slightly beyond the open end of the slot  306 . Next the bumper  55  is slid along the arcuate portion  313  so that a relatively wide neck  318  of the projection  314  enters the slot  306  and a relatively narrow neck  319  of the projection  315  starts moving along the converging slot portion  312 . When the neck  319  reaches the slot end  309  ( FIG. 27 ) the bumper  55  is in place and the flanges  316  and  317  are against an inner surface  313 ′ of the housing  52  adjacent slot  306  and slot portion  311 , respectively. The resilient elastomeric material of the bumper  55  frictionally grips the arcuate portion  313  adjacent the slots  306  and  307 , partly due to the close fit between the necks  318  and  319  and upper sides  316 ′ and  317 ′ and the underside  313 ′ of the arcuate portion  313 . 
       FIG. 32  shows the bumper  57  with preferably two substantially identical, spaced, cantilevered, internal projections  325 , each including a neck  326  and a flange  327  with a face  328 . The face  328  overhangs a face  329  on the bumper body  57 ′. The housing section  52  has a curved external corner portion  330  protected by the bumper  57 . The bumper body  57 ′ has a flange  331  which covers the left side of the housing section  52 . The remainder of the body  57 ′ covers the top of the housing section  52 . The housing section  52  has slots  332  each of which as an enlarged slot portion  333  and a reduced slot portion  334 . To couple the bumper  57  to the housing section  52 , the projections  325  are lined up with respective enlarged slot portions  333  and pushed inwardly until the faces  328  are in line with the inside surface  335  of wall  336  of the housing section  52 . Then the bumper  57  is slid downwardly and rearwardly as viewed in  FIG. 32  until the necks  326  abut against bottoms  337  of the slots  332 , whereby the bumper  57  is captive in the slots  332  in the housing section  52  with the housing wall  336  between faces  328  and  329 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 33 through 36 , there is shown an arrangement by which a fan-folded web of a composite web C or a web of tags (not shown) can be utilized by the printer  50 . The lower portion of the door  53  is provided with a converging throat  340  provided by guide surfaces  340 ′ which provide entry into the space  64  normally used to contain the record member supply roll R′. The space  64  is bounded by surfaces  66   a ,  66   b  and  66   c  ( FIG. 2 ). From there the composite web C, or the web of tags, as the case may be, is guided by a guide generally indicated at  341  and from there the web C is guided to between the print head  67  and the platen roll  68 . 
       FIG. 34  shows the guide  341  as including a preferably tubular shaft or tube  342  and preferably identical side edge or side guides  343 . The shaft  342  has a certain outside periphery or surface at  342 ′ with a certain diameter and one or more integral, radially outwardly extending ribs or web-contacting guide members  344 . The set of members  344  is preferably midway between terminal ends  345  and  346  of the shaft  342 . The shaft  342  has diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending grooves  347 . The grooves  347  in turn contain laterally extending closely spaced ridges  348  best shown in  FIGS. 35 and 36  disposed on opposite sides of the guide members  344 . The outer surface  342 ′ also contains peripherally extending graduations  349  at preferably equally spaced or selected intervals at both sides of the guide members  344 . Side guides  343  have disc-shaped members  350  and an annular or tubular hub  351 . The hub  351  has opposed slots  352  into which at least one and preferably two diametrically opposed spring fingers or projections  353  extend. The spring fingers  353  are cantilevered to the disc  350  and each spring finger  353  has a tooth  353 ′ to engage the shaft  342  between adjacent ridges  348  in the respective groove  347 . The spring fingers  353  may have a slight inward inclination toward the tube  342  in the as-molded state. The spring fingers  353  preferably do not project outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the hub  351 . It is noted that the outside diameters of the hubs  351  and the guide members  344  are preferably the same or essentially the same so that side edges of the web C are guided by the discs  350  and the marginal sides edges of the web C are supported by the hubs  351  and the guide members  344 . Not only is the web C guided but the web C is well supported so that any tendency of the web C to warp or meander is eliminated. As shown in  FIG. 35 , end portions  354  of the shaft  342  receive the hubs  92  of the roll mounting members  91 . In order to mount the shaft  342  on the roll mounting members  91 , the roll mounting members  91  are manually spread apart and then the shaft  342  is aligned with the hubs  92  and released so the shaft  342  is mounted as shown in  FIG. 35  center-justified with respect to the print head  67 . Even though the shaft  342  is center-justified along centerline CL midway between terminal ends  345  of the shaft  342 , the user may position the side guides  343  at equal distances from the ends  345  in order to achieve such center-justification. Accordingly, the graduations  349  are provided so that the user can readily position both side guides  343  at equal distances from the centerline CL, that is, at equal distances from the terminal ends  345  and  346 . The graduations  349  may be grooves as shown or slightly raised or they may be printed, however, grooves as shown or ridges are preferred because they are molded-in and do not require a secondary operation to create them. If the graduations  349  are raised, the inside diameters of the hubs  351  need to be sized accordingly. The entire shaft  342  including its features such a guide members  344  is of one-piece molded plastics construction. 
     It is noted that according to  FIG. 35  in particular the side guides  343  are assembled with the discs  350  outboard of the hubs  351 . This enables the guide  341  to be used with the widest webs and some narrower webs C. However, as shown in  FIG. 36 , the side guides  343  can be turned around or reversed so that the web C, shown in phantom lines, can be used to guide a narrow web C. 
     It is to be noted that in the  FIG. 36  position, the web C is not supported at its marginal side edges but this is inconsequential because the distances between the endmost guide members  344  and the respective discs  350  is small. In either of the orientations of the side guides  343  as in  FIG. 35  or in  FIG. 36 , the user can space the guides  343  accurately visually or by feeling the graduations  349 . 
     The entire printer is composed of molded plastics material except for the peel roller  69 , the guide  79 , shafts  94 ,  105  and  111 , springs  149 ,  199  and  286  bearings  119 ,  119 ′  120  and  120 ′, the display  60 , the print head  67 , the heat sink  67 ′, the motor  242  the clutch  245  and its gear  244 , the batteries  80 ′, contacts, electronics and various screws. The brake  212  and the outer part of the platen roll  68  are comprised of resilient elastomeric material, as are all the bumpers  52 ′,  55 ,  56 ,  57  and  58 . 
     While the housing sections  52 ,  53  and  54  are sometimes referred to respectively as first, second and third housing sections, there is no intention to thereby limit the invention, or signify importance of one housing section over any other housing section. 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 37 through 40  is the same as the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 36  except as otherwise indicated. Accordingly, the same reference characters as used to designate components having the same construction for the sake of clarity. 
       FIGS. 37 through 40  show an arm  184 ′ with an integrally formed flange or support  184 ″ which may extend perpendicular to the arm  184 ′ as shown. The arm  184 ′ is essentially the same in shape as the arm  184 , but the arm  184 ′ is modified to mount the flange  184 ″. A tension spring  199 ′ is similar to the spring  199 , but the spring  199 ′ is connected to the connector  185 , passes partially around and against the flange  184 ″ and is connected to the connector  195 . In the  FIG. 37  through  FIG. 40  embodiment, the support  84  is continuously urged clockwise by the spring  199 ′ and the guide or holder  66  is continuously urged counterclockwise by the spring  199 ′. Thus, the support  84  is continuously urged to its raised on non-operating position by the spring  199 ′ and the guide or holder  66  is continuously urged to its open or non-operating position by the spring  199 ′. Thus, when the ink ribbon cartridge  54  is inserted or loaded into the printer  50 , the guide or holder  66  is always open or in its non-operating position. The guide or holder  66  cannot be inadvertently in the closed or operating position.  FIG. 38  shows one of the actuators  201  as just touching the surface  202  and consequently the guide or holder  66  has not moved from its  FIG. 37  position. However, as the ink ribbon cartridge  54  continues to be inserted into the printer  50 , the actuators  201  push against surfaces  202  and move, and in particular pivot, the guide or holder  66  clockwise against the counterclockwise urging force of the spring  199 ′ to bring the guide or holder  66  to the intermediate position shown in  FIG. 39 . When the housing section  53  is subsequently closed, the guide or holder  66  will be cammed by the housing section  53  acting against the projection  203  until the projection  203  descends into the pocket  204  as shown in  FIG. 4 , thereby bringing the guide or holder  66  to the closed or operating position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 40 . 
     Whenever the ink ribbon cartridge is not latched by gripper arms  63 , the support will be urged into its raised or non-operating position by the sprint  199 ′ as illustrated in  FIGS. 37 through 39 . In this raised position of the support  84 , guide slot  285  is clear of the bearings  119 ′ and  120 ′, thereby enabling the ink ribbon cartridge  54  to be inserted or removed. 
     Other embodiments and modifications of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and all such of these as come within the spirit of this invention are included within its scope as best defined by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 7