Thermal ink printer with media supply
US6130699A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 10, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J35/28
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A media supply for a thermal ink printer, includes a central shaft defining a longitudinal axis, a media hub for supporting a supply of media in a coiled configuration coaxially mounted about the central shaft and adapted for rotational movement thereabout, a hub clamp mounted to the media hub and adapted for axial movement therealong to accommodate media supplies of various lengths and a torsion spring mounted about the central shaft and operatively engageable with the media hub to rotatably bias the media hub to an initial position corresponding to an unstressed condition of the torsion spring in response to movement of the media hub through a predetermined angular sector of rotation in one rotational direction, to thereby maintain a predetermined level of tension on the media. A locking member may be associated with the hub clamp to selectively secure the hub clamp at a predetermined axial position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.