Roller element for hardcopy apparatus
US6969061B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 30, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/4956
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A printer or other hardcopy apparatus comprises a pinch system (20) comprising a pinch wheel (21) and a drive roller (23) in which the pinch wheel is arranged to contact a print media at locations which move continuously transversely of the direction of media advance. The surface of the pinch wheel may have raised portions (25, 26) extending around the circumference of the roller element and forming continuous bands inclined to the direction of media advance. In a modification, the bands form a helix (45, 46) at each end of the pinch wheel. In a further modification a pinch member (51) comprises two parallel rows of freely-rotatable ball bearings (52) in a holder (53), in which they may be capable of a certain amount of lateral movement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.