Spring cartridge clamp for inkjet printer carriage
US5392063A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1993 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J25/34
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A unitary latch assembly secures all four cartridges of an inkjet printer inside their respective cartridge compartments of cartridge holder by means of a metallic spring and four forwardly facing latch ends separated by five respective forwardly facing supporting ends. Each latch end is connected to its two adjacent supporting ends by a serpentine arm defined by suitable radiused cutouts in the stamped spring to provide a shape that approximates a constant stress geometry. Each supporting end is terminated by a straight edge which is inserted into a corresponding slot at the upper rear of cartridge holder; because the latch assembly is a single unit, only one assembly operation is required for all four cartridge compartments. Each latch end is provided with a cam molded of a low friction material and shaped in the form of a horizontal section of an inclined cylinder. A lower tangential plane on the cylindrical surface intersects the plane of the latch end at an oblique angle, thereby producing a sideways force component to maintain a datum surface on an upper side edge of the cartridge in contact with a corresponding supporting surface on an interior side wall of the cartridge hol…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.