Printhead carriers and adapters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9744784-B1
Application number	US-201615017135-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Feb 5, 2016
Priority date	Feb 5, 2016
Publication date	Aug 29, 2017
Grant date	Aug 29, 2017

Abstract

Printhead carriers and adapters are disclosed. An example disclosed printhead carrier includes a base to carry a printhead assembly; a first pivot mechanism to pivot the base about a first axis; and a second pivot mechanism to pivot a connector about a second axis different than the first axis, the printhead assembly to be removably coupled to the connector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A printhead carrier, comprising:
a base to carry a printhead assembly;
a first pivot mechanism to pivot the base about a first axis; and
a second pivot mechanism to pivot a connector about a second axis different than the first axis, the printhead assembly to be removably coupled to the connector.

2. A printhead carrier as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first axis is parallel to the second axis.

3. A printhead carrier as defined in claim 1 , further comprising an opening in the base, the connector to pivot in the opening.

4. A printhead carrier as defined in claim 1 , wherein:
the first axis is defined by the first pivot mechanism; and
the second axis is defined by a shaft coupled to the second pivot mechanism.

5. A printhead carrier as defined in claim 4 , wherein the shaft is coupled to the base via a biasing element.

6. A printhead carrier as defined in claim 5 , wherein the biasing element comprises a first portion coupled to the shaft and a second portion coupled to the base.

7. A printhead carrier as defined in claim 6 , wherein the biasing element comprises a third portion positioned in an aperture of the base.

8. A printhead carrier as defined in claim 5 , wherein the biasing element is a first biasing element, and further comprising a second biasing element coupling the shaft to the base.

9. A printhead carrier as defined in claim 5 , wherein a portion of the biasing element is positioned between an extension portion of the second pivot mechanism and a retainer.

10. A printhead carrier as defined in claim 1 , further comprising an adapter including the connector, a power input, and a data input, wherein the connector includes a plurality of outputs.

11. A printhead carrier as defined in claim 10 , wherein the adapter further includes an alignment arm to guide engagement of the connector with the printhead assembly.

Assignees

• Zih Corp

Inventors

• Gotschewski Robert P
• Anderson Timothy T

Classifications

• B41J25/312 Primary

  with print pressure adjustment mechanisms, e.g. pressure-on-the paper mechanisms · CPC title

• B41J2/325

  by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet · CPC title

• B41J2202/31

  Thermal printer with head or platen movable · CPC title

• B41J2/32

  using thermal heads · CPC title

• B41J25/34 Primary

  Bodily-changeable print heads or carriages · CPC title