Ink-jet hard copy apparatus having print cartridge biasing mechanism and cartridge loading method
US5642143A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 24, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J25/34
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ink jet printer includes a movable carriage supported above an ink-receiving medium by a rail defining a carriage axis, with a cartridge holder mounted on said carriage having a plurality of cartridge compartments each receiving a respective thermal ink jet printer cartridge. A unitary latch assembly secures all four cartridges inside their respective cartridge compartments of cartridge holder. The latch assembly comprises 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. Because of the serpentine shape of the individual serpentine arm, it is possible to provide a spring that is relatively compact from front to rear and yet provides a relatively substanti…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.