Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to media doors, and more particularly to the media door having two opening directions.
Printers are widely used for printing labels, bar codes etc. Printers, such as industrial printers or household printers are compactly designed to occupy the least amount of space and therefore provide economic benefits to the users. Further, the industrial printers operate extensively for longer hours to sustain the requirements of an industry. Therefore, a small buffer space is provided for accessing various internal components of these printers such as ribbon rewind, ribbon supply, media supply which are required to be serviced regularly for maintaining the efficiency of the printers. In order to access these printers, a user is required to open a media door. The media door comes in various shapes and sizes and is bolted with main body of the printer.
However, the media door requires a bigger opening area around the printer to allow access to the printer apart from the buffer space. In case the media door has a side opening mechanism, the media door requires large side volume space of the printer to open completely. Similarly, in case the media door has a top opening mechanism, the media door requires large top volume space of the printer to open completely. Currently, media door available with the printers do not provide the users to choose between the top opening door or the side opening door. Further, the media door currently available with the printer requires different tools to detach the media door from the printer, since some users prefer to use the printer without the media door.
Applicant has identified a number of deficiencies and problems associated with conventional printing apparatuses. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified problems have been solved by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present disclosure, many examples of which are described in detail herein.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements nor delineate the scope of such elements. Its purpose is to present some concepts of the described features in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
In an example embodiment, a printer is disclosed. The printer comprising a base unit defining a storage compartment configured to house a printing mechanism of the printer. The printer further comprising a detachable cover movably attached to the base unit via one of a first pivoting mechanism and a second pivoting mechanism. The detachable cover is configured to be pivoted about a first pivoting axis defined by the first pivoting mechanism for moving the detachable cover in a first opening direction. The detachable cover is configured to be pivoted about a second pivoting axis defined by the second pivoting mechanism for moving the detachable cover in a second opening direction different from the first opening direction.
In some embodiments, the first opening direction and the second opening direction corresponds to a top direction movement and a sideward direction movement of the detachable cover with respect to the base unit, respectively. In some embodiments, the detachable cover opens in a bifold configuration or a non-bifold configuration.
In some embodiments, each of the first pivoting mechanism and the second pivoting mechanism includes one or more hinges. The first pivoting mechanism facilitates the one or more hinges to move the detachable cover in the first opening direction. The second pivoting mechanism facilitates the one or more hinges to move the detachable cover in the second opening direction.
In some embodiments, each of the first pivoting mechanism and the second pivoting mechanism includes at least one movable lever having a first end coupled to at least one handle and a second end coupled to at least one spring. The at least one spring is configured to extend or retract, for the movement of the detachable cover.
In some embodiments, the detachable cover having one or more guide members integrated on the at least one at least one movable lever to ensure movement and alignment of the first pivoting mechanism and the second pivoting mechanism.
In some embodiments, the detachable cover is configured to be moved in the first opening direction by disengaging one or more hinges of the first pivoting mechanism by the at least one handle. In some embodiments, the detachable cover is configured to be moved in the second opening direction by disengaging one or more hinges of the second pivoting mechanism by the at least one handle.
In another example embodiment, a machine for providing a tangible output is disclosed. The machine comprising a base unit and a detachable cover attached to the base unit. Further, the machine comprising a first pivoting mechanism attached to the detachable cover. The first pivoting mechanism defining a first pivoting axis, for movement of the detachable cover in a first opening direction. Further, the machine comprising a second pivoting mechanism attached to the detachable cover. The second pivoting mechanism defining a second pivoting axis, for movement of the detachable cover in a second opening direction different from the first opening direction.
In some embodiments, the first opening direction and the second opening direction correspond to a top direction movement and a sideward direction movement of the detachable cover with respect to the base unit, respectively. In some embodiments, the detachable cover opens in a bifold configuration or a non-bifold configuration.
In some embodiments, each of the first pivoting mechanism and the second pivoting mechanism includes one or more hinges. The first pivoting mechanism facilitates the one or more hinges to move the detachable cover in the first opening direction. The second pivoting mechanism facilitates the one or more hinges to move the detachable cover in the second opening direction.
In some embodiments, each of the first pivoting mechanism and the second pivoting mechanism includes at least one at least one movable lever having a first end coupled to at least one handle and a second end coupled to at least one spring.
In some embodiments, the detachable cover is configured to be moved in the first opening direction by disengaging one or more hinges of the first pivoting mechanism by the at least one handle. In some embodiments, the detachable cover is configured to be moved in the second opening direction by disengaging one or more hinges of the second pivoting mechanism by the at least one handle.
The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some exemplary embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those here summarized, some of which are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The exemplary embodiments described herein provide detail for illustrative purposes and are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be appreciated, however, that the embodiments are not limited to a particularly disclosed embodiment shown or described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims.
Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced object. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Like numerals represent like parts in the figures.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to devices such as printers or other machines that have a base unit and a detachable cover. In particular, the detachable cover may be configured to allow a user to access the interior components of the printer such as ribbon rewind, ribbon supply, media supply, which may be easily accessed by the user. For example, regarding implementations of a printer, the user may occasionally need to open the doors of the printer to load paper or other media on which text and images may be printed. Also, the user may need to open the printer to remove jammed supplies, to replace a ribbon or toner cartridge, to replace a drum, or to perform other regular tasks associated with the normal use of the printer. Thus, the present disclosure includes the detachable cover that may be detached from the printer in one or more opening directions and axis points. Such one or more opening direction of the detachable cover may occupy least amount of space while uncovering the printer.
The printer 100 may comprise a base unit 102 and a detachable cover 104. In some embodiments, the base unit 102 may correspond to a working unit of the device or machine incorporating functional elements, such as printing mechanisms in case of the printer 100, over which the detachable cover 104 may be installed. The detachable cover 104 may be movably attached to the base unit 102 via one of a first pivoting mechanism 106 and a second pivoting mechanism 108. It may be noted that the detachable cover 104 may be configured to be pivoted about an axis defined by the first pivoting mechanism 106 and the second pivoting mechanism 108. The first pivoting mechanism 106 and the second pivoting mechanism 108 may operate using one or more elements, such as, at least one movable lever 110, at least one handle 112, and one or more guide members 114 integrated on the at least one movable lever 110. The at least one handle 112 may be operated by a user to slide the at least one movable lever 110 along the axis defined by the first pivoting mechanism 106 and the second pivoting mechanism 108. The one or more guide members 114 may facilitate a planar path for the movement of the at least one movable lever 110. The guide members 114 may facilitate the planar path of the at least one movable lever 110 with the help of a plurality of pins (not shown). The working of the plurality of pins in conjunction with the guide members 114 will be described in greater detail in the following embodiments. In some embodiments, the one or more guide members 114 may correspond to slots or provisions for alignment of the at least one movable lever 110 along the axis defined by the first pivoting mechanism 106 and the second pivoting mechanism 108. The at least one movable lever 110, the at least one handle 112, and the one or more guide members 114 are described later in greater detail in conjunction with
The first pivoting mechanism 106 and the second pivoting mechanism 108 enables the user to open the detachable cover 104 in a first opening direction and a second opening direction, respectively. The first opening direction may correspond to a top direction movement of the detachable cover 104 and the second opening direction may correspond to a sideward direction movement of the detachable cover 104. It may be noted that a user may either open the detachable cover 104 in the first opening direction or the second opening direction, based on the available buffer space around the printer 100. It may be noted that opening or detaching the detachable cover 104 from the printer 100 may provide an access of inside of the printer 100 for the user to perform maintenance or other operations. In some embodiments, the opening of the detachable cover 104 may be facilitated in a bifold configuration or a non-bifold i.e., one-piece configuration. The bifold configuration or the non-bifold configuration are described later in greater detail in conjunction with
Referring to
The base unit 102 may comprise a printing mechanism 200. The printing mechanism 200 may be configured to provide a text and graphical output to a user. The printing mechanism 200 includes a ribbon rewind 202, a ribbon supply 204, a media door (also termed as the detachable cover 104), a media supply 206, a rewinder 208, and a print engine 210. The ribbon rewind 202 and the ribbon supply 204 may carry a thin band of material made up of panels and a printing ink of either a single solid color or various colors of dye. In some embodiments, the supplied printing ink may be directly applied to a printing surface such as a paper, card etc.
In some embodiments, the media supply 206 may be configured to feed a media including paper, cards, newspapers etc. over which printing is to be executed. Further, the rewinder 208 may be configured to automatically rewind labels into roll, as the labels come out of the printer 100, of different diameters. In some embodiments, the rewinder 208 may be configured to make printing large batches of labels efficient. Further, the print engine 210 may be configured to execute actual printing.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the at least one movable lever 110 may be fabricated with the knob. The operation of the knob is described in greater detail in conjunction with
In some embodiments, the engaged position of the first pivoting mechanism 106 and the second pivoting mechanism 108 may result in interlocking of the first set of hinges 212 with the second set of hinges 214. In order to facilitate the movement of the first set of hinges 212 towards the second set of hinges 214, the handles 112 may slide in opposite direction from each other due to the retraction of the at least one spring 216, as shown in
Referring to
In some embodiments, a plurality of pins 402 may be integral to the detachable cover 102 such that the plurality of pins 402 may be positioned within the one or more guide members 114. In some embodiments, the plurality of pins 402 may allow the one or more guide members 114 to reciprocate along the planar path of the at least one movable lever 110. In some embodiments, a plurality of anchor points 404 may be integrated to the detachable cover 102 such that one side of the at least one spring 216 may be connected to the plurality of anchor points 404 and other side of the at least one spring 216 may be attached to the at least one movable lever 110. Further, the plurality of anchor points 404 may be configured to fixedly connect the at least one spring 216 with the detachable cover 102. Such fixed attachment of the at least one spring 216 with the detachable cover 102 may allow the at least one spring 216 to extend or retract along the movement of the at least one movable lever 102.
In some embodiments, the first pivoting mechanism 106 may be configured to facilitate the movement of the detachable cover 104 in a first pivoting axis 602. The first pivoting axis 602 may be defined as an arc created by the detachable cover 104 while opening in the first opening direction, i.e., top direction movement of the detachable cover 104 with respect to the base unit 102. In some instances, if the user has negligible space on either sides of the printer 100, then the detachable cover 104 may be opened in the first opening direction, as shown in
In some embodiments, the second pivoting mechanism 108 may be configured to facilitate the movement of the detachable cover 104 in a second pivoting axis 702. The second pivoting axis 702 may be defined as an arc created by the detachable cover 104 while opening in the second opening direction i.e., sideward direction movement of the detachable cover 104 with respect to the base unit 102. In some instances, if the user has negligible space at an upper side of the printer 100 and enough space on either side of the printer 100, then the detachable cover 104 may be opened in the second opening direction, as shown in
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that above-mentioned mechanism of opening the detachable cover 104 with respect to the based unit 102 have been provided only for illustration purposes, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
In some embodiments, the at least one movable lever 110 may be configured to be operated by the user with the help of the knob 802. The knob 802 may be engaged with the at least one movable lever 110. In some embodiments, the knob 802 may be configured to engage the first set of hinges 212 of the first pivoting mechanism 106 and the second pivoting mechanism 108 with the second set of hinges 214 of the base unit 102. In some embodiments, counterclockwise rotation of the knob 802 may also facilitate translational movement to the at least one movable lever 110, to engage the first set of hinges 212 with the second set of hinges 214. In some embodiments, the at least one movable lever 110 may be attached to the detachable cover 104 with the help of the plurality of pins 402.
In some embodiments, the knob 802 may be configured to disengage the first set of hinges 212 of the first pivoting mechanism 106 and the second pivoting mechanism 108 from the second set of hinges 214 of the base unit 102. In some embodiments, the clockwise rotation of the knob 802 may facilitate translational movement to the at least one movable lever 110. As discussed above, the translational movement of the at least one movable lever 110 may allow the first set of hinges 212 to disengage with the second set of hinges 214.
In some embodiments, the knob 802 may comprise at least two sets of gear teeth, i.e., a first set of gear teeth 804 and a second set of gear teeth 812, as shown in
In some embodiments, the knob 802 may comprise a grooved section 810 integrated over a surface of the knob 802. The grooved section 810 may correspond to an arrow to show rotation i.e., the clockwise rotation of the knob 802 and thereby to disengage the first set of hinges 212 from the second set of hinges 214.
Further, the knob 802 may be engaged with the at least one movable lever 110 such that the detachable cover 104 may be positioned in between the first set of gear teeth 804 and the second set of gear teeth 812, as shown in
In some exemplary embodiments, the at least one torsion spring 816 may be attached to the knob 802. The at least one torsion spring 816 may facilitate the knob 802 to keep the first set of hinges 212 engaged with the second set of hinges 214. It may be noted that one end of the at least one torsion spring 816 may be attached to the knob 802 and another end of the at least one torsion spring 816 may be attached with the detachable cover 104. In some embodiments, the rotation of the knob 802 by the user in clockwise direction may stretch the at least one torsion spring 816 and disengage the first set of hinges 212 from the second set of hinges 214. Further, once the knob 802 released by the user, the at least one torsion spring 816 may further facilitate rotation of the knob 802 in anti-clockwise direction and thereby engage the first set of hinges 212 with the second set of hinges 214. The torsion spring 816 may thereby eliminate any accidental opening of the detachable cover 104.
The detachable cover 104 may open in a bifold configuration or a non-bifold configuration in the first opening direction, as shown in
For example, the user wants to open the detachable cover 104 in the first opening direction i.e., the top direction movement since the user has space constraint on sides of the printer 100. By using the second pivoting mechanism 108, the detachable cover 104 is opened in the non-bifold configuration. The detachable cover 104, when opened partially in the non-bifold configuration, creates an arc radius of 360 mm from the first pivoting mechanism 106. Further, when the detachable cover 104 is completely opened in the first opening direction, creates an arc radius of 576 mm from the first pivoting mechanism 106. Alternatively, by using the second pivoting mechanism 108, the detachable cover 104 is opened in the bifold configuration. The detachable cover 104 when opened partially in the bifold configuration creates an arc radius of 279 mm from the first pivoting mechanism 106. Further, when the detachable cover 104 is completely opened in the bifold configuration, creates an arc radius of 476 mm from the first pivoting mechanism 106. Therefore, the non-bifold configuration utilizes more space than the bifold configuration. In some embodiments, the bifold configuration of the detachable cover 104 may be useful in situations where limited space is available and the non-bifold configuration may be useful in situation where the detachable cover 104 is required to be opened fully.
As discussed, the detachable cover 104 may open in the bifold configuration or the non-bifold configuration in the second opening direction, as shown in
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of various embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module”, “system” or “sub-system.” In addition, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical applications thereof, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of embodiments to the specific embodiments described herein.