Patent · US Expired

Docking station and associated method for docking a portable printer

US7306386B2 · kind B2 · utility

39Cited by
23References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 29, 2004
Grant dateDec 11, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 25, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J29/04
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a docking station and an associated method for docking a portable printer are provided. The portable printer has a printhead, media drive, and media support externally configured to be latched onto the docking station, and the docking station is adapted for convenient one-hand docking and undocking of the portable printer. The docking station includes a base member having a first surface configured to receive the portable printer, and a latching mechanism including a manually operable actuator and coupled thereto one or more latches adapted to automatically engage and securely dock the portable printer on the first surface of the base member when the printer is positioned on the first surface. The actuator is capable of actuating the latch to unlatch a latched printer and to bias the printer outwardly for removal of the printer from the station.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.