BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the invention. As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective of a stand for supporting a print feed mechanism according to the present invention including a first segment adapted to support the print feed mechanism, a second segment adapted to support the first support member and a means for coupling the first and second segments along a mating interface or plane which is inclined relative to a horizontal plane.
FIG. 2
a is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2a-2a of FIG. 1 wherein the support stand disposed in a first operational position for delivering print media of a first length dimension to the entrance portal of an in-line printer.
FIG. 2
b is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2b-2b of FIG. 1 wherein the support stand disposed in a second operational position for delivering print media of a second length dimension, longer than the first, to the entrance portal of the in-line printer.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support stand including indicia disposed along the mating interface for providing a visual cue to an operator concerning the prescribed positions of the first and second segments which correspond to various lengths of print media.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A mounting arrangement and/or stand is provided for supporting a print feed mechanism relative to a printer. The mounting arrangement includes first and second support members defining first and second mating surfaces, respectively. The first support member is adapted to support the print feed mechanism and the second support member is adapted to support the first support member. Furthermore, the first and second mating surfaces define a mating interface or plane which is inclined relative to a horizontal plane. The relative position of the first and second support members is maintained by a means for coupling the first and second segments along the inclined mating plane. The coupling means is, furthermore, operative to selectively position the first support member relative to the second support member so as to separate the print feed mechanism segment from the printer by a fixed separation distance. The selected separation distance accommodates print media which varies in length while the inclined mating plane maintains the inclination angle of the print media at any selected separation distance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is described in the context of a stand for a supporting a print feed mechanism relative to a printer. The stand defines a mounting arrangement for accommodating variable length print media stacked within and delivered by the print feed mechanism. While the invention is described as a dedicated and separate unit for supporting the print feed mechanism, it should be appreciated that the print feed mechanism may be configured or adapted to include a novel mounting arrangement incorporated within the support stand. Hence, the invention may be viewed as either a support stand or a mounting arrangement, depending upon which configuration is most efficient, i.e., structurally or fiscally.
In the described embodiment, the print feed mechanism delivers mailpiece envelopes to an in-line printer having predefined zones for printing mailpiece addresses, return address information and postage indicia. While the invention is described in the context of creating mailpieces, it should be appreciated that the invention is applicable to print feed mechanisms for any print media and for any printer, whether such printer is specifically designed to print mailpiece envelopes, conventional correspondence or other printed material.
In FIG. 1, an exploded view is shown of a support stand 10 according to the present invention adapted to support a print feed mechanism 12 relative to a printer (not shown). The stand 10 includes a first support member or segment 20, a second support member or segment 30 and a mount/mechanical interlock 40 for coupling the first and second support members 20, 30 along an inclined mating interface or plane. More specifically, the first support member 20 is adapted to support the print feed mechanism 12 and includes a first mating surface 22. The second support member 30 is adapted to support the first support member 20 and includes a second mating surface 32. The mating surfaces 22, 32 define a mating interface or plane 34 which is inclined relative to a horizontal plane 36. In the preferred embodiment, the inclined plane 34 is substantially parallel to a media support surface 38 upon which print media 50 is stacked for delivery to a printer (also not shown).
In FIGS. 1, 2a, and 2b, the mechanical interlock 40 couples the support members 20, 30 along the inclined plane and is operative to selectively position the first and second support members 20, 30 to separate the print feed mechanism 12 from the printer by a fixed separation distance. In the described embodiment the mechanical interlock 40 includes a pair of mounting pins 42a, 42b protruding orthogonally from one of the first and second mating surfaces 22, 32 and a plurality of aligned apertures 44a, 44b (see FIGS. 2a and 2b) formed in the other one of the first and second mating surfaces 22, 32, and wherein the pair of mounting pins 42a, 42b engage the aligned apertures 44a, 44b to align and position the first and second segments 20, 30 along the mating plane 34.
While the mechanical interlock 40 is shown as a pair of protruding pins 42a, 42b engaging pairs of apertures 44a, 44b, 46a, 46b, it should be appreciated that any adjustable or reconfigurable coupling means may be employed to join/mate the first and second support members 20, 30. For example, a guide track having a plurality of detents/alignment apertures may be employed for displacing the support members 20, 30 along the mating plane 34 and rigidly affixing the relative position of the support members 20, 30 to displace the first support member 20 a fixed separation distance from the printer.
In FIG. 2a, print media 50-1 of a first length dimension is stacked upon the print media support surface 38 of the print feed mechanism 12. The first support member 20 is shown in a first operational position for delivering the print media 50-1 to an entrance portal 60 of a printer 62. Moreover, the alignment pins 42a, 42b engage a first pair of apertures 44a, 44b to fix the position of the first support member 20 relative to the second support member 30. The print media 50-1 is bottom fed and the angle of inclination provides a gravity assist for supplying the print media 50-1.
In FIG. 2b, print media 50-2 of a second length, longer than the first, is stacked upon the inclined support surface 38 of the same print feed mechanism 12. In this view, it will be noted that the first support member 20 has been displaced along the mating plane 34 to a second operational position to accommodate the greater length of the print media 50-2. More specifically, the mechanical interlock 40 has been reconfigured such that the alignment pins 42a, 42b engage a second pair of apertures 46a, 46b. While the separation distance between the first support member 20 and the entrance portal 60 has increased or grown from the first to second operational positions, the inclination angle θ has been maintained by the mating interface or plane 34, i.e., by the parallel relationship between the inclined support surface 38 and the inclined plane 34. In the described embodiment the inclination angle θ is within a range of about twenty (20°) to thirty (30°) degrees to assist in the singulation and delivery of the print media 50-1, 50-2.
In FIGS. 2a and 2b, a media guide 64 may be employed in combination with the printer, proximal to (e.g., directly below) the entrance portal 60, to guide the print media 50-1, 50-2 into the printer. In the described embodiment, the media guide 64 is detachably mounted to the printer via mounting brackets 66a, 66b which engage vertical slots (not shown) in a vertical face of the printer. Furthermore, the media guide 64 extends outwardly from the printer, i.e., defining a substantially horizontal guide surface to guide the print media 50-1, 50-2 to the entrance portal 60.
In FIG. 3, an indicating tape, alignment indicia or symbology 70 may be employed adjacent the mating interface or plane 34 of the first and second segments 20, 30 to provide a visual cue to an operator concerning the relative position of the segments 2030. That is, the alignment indicia 70 provide an indication, an arrow AR, regarding the relative position of the segments 20, 30 to accommodate print media of varying size or length. The indicia 70 may include a plurality of settings for accommodating print media which may vary in ½ inch increments from, for example, five (5) inches in length to twelve (12) inches.
Returning to the exploded perspective view shown in FIG. 1, the support stand 10 interfaces with the printer so as to avoid or mitigate misalignment or skewing of the print feed mechanism 12. More specifically, the second support member or segment 30 may include a vertical registration surface 72 for abutting a vertical wall of the printer (not shown in FIG. 1) to accurately position the print feed mechanism 12 relative to the printer. Additionally, the second support member 30 may include an alignment tongue 74 protruding from a forward end thereof to engage a slot-shaped opening (not shown) in the printer. The alignment tongue 74 is operative, alone or in combination with the vertical registration surface 72, to maintain lateral alignment of the print feed mechanism 12 relative to the printer. In one embodiment of the invention and referring to additionally to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the alignment tongue 74 may slide under the printer 62 for being disposed between and abutting a pair of feet 76a, 76b which support the printer 62. In this embodiment, the width dimension W (see FIG. 1) of the alignment tongue 74 is substantially equal to the feet separation distance to prevent substantial play or movement between the printer feet 76a, 76b.
While the first and second support members or segments 20, 30 are shown as a pair of separate wedge-shaped elements, each having horizontal surfaces 20H, 30H for supporting the print feed mechanism 12 along a horizontal plane, it should be appreciated that either or both support members 20, 30 may be integrated with the underside of the print feed mechanism 12 or with another support surface defined by the printer or a separate table support.
In summary, the present invention provides a novel mounting arrangement/stand 10 for supporting a print feed mechanism 12 relative to a printer. The mounting arrangement/stand 10 accommodates the use of a variable size/shape print media while maintaining the inclination angle θ of the print feed mechanism 12. Furthermore, the invention provides a reliable, accurate and low cost mounting arrangement/support stand 10 for interfacing a print feed mechanism 12 with a printer. Moreover, the mounting arrangement/support stand 10 may be adapted for use with various print feed mechanisms and print systems.
Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and deviations in the form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the scope of this invention.
Patent Application
20080056801
