Media guiding apparatus and method for a printer
US5927876A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2601/322
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A printer has a print station and a guide path extending from a media roll station to the print station. Guide apparatus includes an inner edge guide extending along and defining an inner side edge portion of the path. In one embodiment, lateral tracking of the media through the print station is provided by a retractable outer edge guide. The outer edge guide automatically retracts when media is moved into the path through the outer side thereof. The outer edge guide is adjustable to firmly grip the opposite edges of the media between the inner and outer edge guides. In another embodiment, there is no outer edge guide. Instead, one or more tracking wheels are urged against a face of media moving along the path. The wheels are canted in order to provide a laterally inward force on the media. The laterally inward force automatically urges the media against the inner edge guide in both directions of media motion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.