Patent Application
20240246346
This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a) to Chinese application Ser. No. 202310088022.7, filed Jan. 19, 2023, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Various embodiments described herein relate generally to printers, and, more particularly, to printer devices configured to execute one or more printing operations using a print media stored within a printer housing of the device.
Applicant has identified many technical challenges and difficulties corresponding to printer devices having housings that are selectively configurable between a closed configuration and an open configuration to facilitate operation of the printer device and provide selective access to an interior portion defined within the printer housing. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, Applicant has solved problems related to printer devices by developing solutions embodied in the present disclosure, which are described in detail below.
Various embodiments are directed to printer devices and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a printer device may comprise a printer housing defining an interior portion configured for housing a plurality of internal printer components therein, the printer housing being selectively configurable in an open configuration to facilitate access to at least a portion of the one or more internal printer components, wherein the printer housing comprises: a bottom housing portion; and a top housing portion hingedly connected to the bottom housing portion via one or more hinge elements, the top housing portion being configured to rotate relative to the bottom housing portion about a hinge axis defined by the one or more hinge elements to selectively configure the printer housing between the closed configuration and the open configuration; wherein the plurality of internal printer components comprises a first internal printer component operatively secured to the bottom housing portion; and wherein the plurality of internal printer components further comprises a second internal printer component operatively secured to the top housing portion such that the second internal printer component is moved relative to the first internal component as the top housing portion rotates relative to the bottom housing portion, the second internal printer component defining a media support assembly configured to receive a media supply to at least partially define an arrangement of the media supply within the printer housing.
In various embodiments, the closed configuration of the printer housing may be defined at least in part by a lower boundary edge of the top housing portion engaging an upper boundary edge of the bottom housing portion such that the top housing portion is positioned on top of the bottom housing portion. In certain embodiments, the open configuration of the printer housing may be defined at least in part by the lower boundary edge of the top housing portion being disengaged from the upper boundary edge of the bottom housing portion and positioned such that both the lower boundary edge and the upper boundary edge are arranged to face in an at least partially upward vertical direction. In various embodiments, upon the printer housing being arranged in the closed configuration, the top housing portion and the bottom housing portion may define an at least partially vertically stacked configuration relative to one another. In certain embodiments, the at least partially vertically stacked configuration defined by the top housing portion and the bottom housing portion may be defined at least in part by the second internal printer component operatively secured to the top housing portion being positioned in vertically overlapping position relative to at least a portion of the first internal printer component operatively secured relative to the bottom housing portion. In various embodiments, the closed configuration of the printer housing may be further defined by a first rear surface of the top housing portion and a second rear surface of the bottom housing portion being arranged in an at least substantially coplanar configuration to collectively define an at least substantially vertical rear face of the printer housing.
In various embodiments, the plurality of internal printer components may further include a third internal printer operatively secured to the top housing portion, the third internal printer component defining an internal user interface. In various embodiments, the open configuration of the printer housing may be defined at least in part by an engagement of a first rear surface of the top housing portion with a second rear surface of the bottom housing portion. In certain embodiments, the engagement of the first rear surface of the top housing portion with the second rear surface of the bottom housing portion may be defined by the first rear surface physically contacting the second rear surface at a contact surface area to define an interface between the top housing portion and the bottom housing portion. In various embodiments, the open configuration of the printer housing may be defined at least in part by the top housing portion being arranged in a vertically inverted arrangement. In various embodiments, the open configuration of the printer housing may be defined at least in part by the top housing portion being arranged in a side-by-side arrangement relative to the bottom housing portion. In various embodiments, the open configuration of the printer housing may be further defined by a top surface of the top housing portion being arranged in an at least substantially coplanar configuration relative to a bottom surface of the bottom housing portion.
In various embodiments, the printer device may further comprise one or more fastener elements disposed about the printer housing and configured to facilitate a retention of the top housing portion in the open position in order to maintain the printer housing in the open configuration. In certain embodiments, the one or more fastener elements may include a first fastener element provided at a first rear surface of the top housing portion and a second fastener element provided at a second rear surface of the bottom housing portion, and wherein the first fastener element is configured for engagement with the second fastener element when the top housing portion is provided in the open position. In certain embodiments, the first fastener element and the second fastener element may embody corresponding magnet components configured to define an attraction force therebetween to facilitate the retention of the top housing portion in the open position.
In various embodiments, the top housing portion may be configured to rotate about the hinge axis between a closed position and an open position, wherein the closed configuration of the printer housing is defined at least in part by the top housing portion being arranged in the closed position, and wherein the open configuration of the printer housing is defined at least in part by the top housing portion being arranged in the open position. In certain embodiments, the top housing portion may define a range of relative rotational motion with respect to the bottom housing portion, the range of relative rotational motion being defined between the closed position and the open position. In certain embodiments, the range of relative rotational motion may be defined by an angle of rotation of at least substantially 180 degrees. In various embodiments, the first internal printer component operably secured relative to the bottom housing portion of the printer housing may define a chassis. In various embodiments, the printer device may further comprise a ribbon assembly, wherein at least a portion of the ribbon assembly is attached to the chassis such that the chassis is configured to arrange the at least a portion of the ribbon assembly connected thereto within the printer housing.
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The present disclosure more fully describes various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that some, but not all embodiments are shown and described herein. Indeed, the embodiments may take many different forms, and accordingly this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more aspects are illustrated below, the disclosed assemblies, systems, and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. While values for dimensions of various elements are disclosed, the drawings may not be to scale.
The words “example,” or “exemplary,” when used herein, are intended to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as an “example” or “exemplary embodiment” is not necessarily preferred or advantageous over other implementations.
Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in relation to a thermal transfer printer. However, the present invention may be equally applicable to other types and styles of printers (inclusive of printer-verifiers) (e.g., a thermal direct printer, a laser toner printer, an ink drop printer, etc.).
The terms “print media,” “physical print media,” “paper,” and “labels” refer to tangible, substantially durable physical material onto which text, graphics, images and/or the like may be imprinted and persistently retained over time. Physical print media may be used for personal communications, business communications, and/or the like to convey prose expression (including news, editorials, product data, academic writings, memos, and many other kinds of communications), data, advertising, fiction, entertainment content, and illustrations and pictures. Physical print media may be generally derivatives of wood pulp or polymers, and includes conventional office paper, clear or tinted acetate media, news print, envelopes, mailing labels, product labels, and other kinds of labels. Thicker materials, such as cardstock or cardboard may be included as well. In exemplary embodiments discussed throughout this document, reference may be made specifically to “paper” or “labels;” however, the operations, system elements, and methods of such exemplary applications may be applicable to media other than or in addition to the specifically mentioned “paper” or “labels.”. In some embodiments, the print media may correspond to a continuous media that may be loaded in a printing apparatus in form of a roll or a stack, or may correspond to media that may be divided into a plurality of labels through perforations defined along a width of the print media. Alternatively or additionally, the print media may be divided into the plurality of labels through one or more marks that are defined at a predetermined distance from each other, along the length of the print media. In some example embodiments, a contiguous stretch of the print media, between two consecutive marks or two consecutive perforations, corresponds to a label of the print media.
The terms “printer” and “printing apparatus” refer to a device that may imprint texts, images, shapes, symbols, graphics such as barcodes, and/or the like onto print media to create a persistent, human-viewable representation of the corresponding texts, images, shapes, symbols, graphics, and/or the like. Printers may include, for example, laser printers, thermal printers, ink-jet printers, and/or the like.
Various example embodiments address technical problems associated with printer devices having printer housings configurable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. As understood by those of skill in the field to which the present disclosure pertains, there are numerous scenarios in which it is beneficial for a user to utilize a printer device embodying a desktop apparatus to execute a printing operation. For example, such a printer device may be disposed upon a surface such as, for example, a desktop, a table top, and/or the like, in a position that may be easily accessible to the user such that the user may retrieve a printed media dispensed therefrom or open the housing of the printer device to replace, fix, and/or otherwise engage with various internal printer components utilized by the printer device to execute a printing operation. For example, components such as a media roll and/or a ribbon can exhibit lifespans that may require recurring maintenance thereto and/or replacement thereof. In such exemplary circumstances, the housing of various printer devices may be at least partially opened such that the interior portion therein and/or the internal printer components disposed therein may be access by the user. For example, various printer devices may have housings that are configurable in an open configuration by removing and/or rearranging a housing cover component relative to a printer base within which the internal printer components are housed. Each of the internal printer components used by the printer in executing a printing operation may be secured relative to the printer base such that moving the cover component away from the closed configuration may provide access to the internal printer components that remain disposed in their respective positions within the printer base. Various printer devices having such a configuration may have undesirably bulky housing configurations defined by large printer footprints that require valuable surface area, for example, on a desktop, to be occupied by the printer device during operation thereof and/or maintenance thereto.
Various embodiments described herein relate to printer devices comprising printer housings defined by a top housing portion and a bottom housing portion, with a first portion of the internal printer components stored within the printer housing being secured relative to the bottom hosing portion and a second portion of the internal printer components being operatively secured relative to the top housing portion. For example, an exemplary printer device may comprise a media supply assembly operatively secured relative to a top housing portion that is configured to rotate between a closed configuration and an open configuration to facilitate the opening of the printer housing. In various embodiments, an exemplary printer device described herein may be configured such that the internal printer components operatively secured relative to the top housing portion, such as, for example, the media support assembly, may be moved with the top housing portion as it rotates from a closed position towards an open position. Further, as described herein, the printer device may be configured such that when the printer housing is arranged in a closed configuration, the internal printer components operatively connected to the top housing portion may define an at least partially vertically stacked configuration relative to those internal printer components secured to the bottom housing portion. In various embodiments, the printer device described herein is configured to maintain operability of the printer device for effectively and efficiently executing various printing operations, while enabling a smaller printer size defined by having an at least substantially minimized printer footprint. For example, the reduction in printer device size enabled by the present invention may further enable a decrease in the costs associated with packaging and transporting the smaller printer device compared to other larger devices.
In various embodiments, the top housing portion 110 of the printer housing 100 may define a cover that may be at least partially secured relative to the bottom housing portion 120 (e.g., a base), such as, for example, via a hinged connection, such that the top housing portion 110 is moveable through a range of rotational motion defined relative to the bottom housing portion 120. For example, the range of rotational motion defined by the top housing portion 110 may be defined between a closed position and an open position, corresponding to the configuration of the printer housing 100 between the closed configuration and the open configuration, respectively.
In various embodiments, wherein the printer housing 100 is provided in the closed configuration, the printer housing 100 may define a front face 101 embodying a forward-facing surface (e.g., facing in the negative x-direction as defined in the exemplary orientation illustrated in
For example, the printer device 10 may be defined at least in part by a printer width defined by the distance between the opposing lateral sides (e.g., the first lateral side 103 and the second lateral side 104) of the printer housing 100, as measured in a lateral direction (e.g., in the z-direction as defined in the exemplary orientation illustrated in the exemplary embodiment shown in
Further, the printer device 10 may be defined at least in part by a printer length defined by the distance between the front face 101 and the rear face 102 of the printer housing 100, as measured in a longitudinal direction (e.g., in the x-direction as defined in the exemplary orientation illustrated in the exemplary embodiment shown in
Further, the printer device 10 may be defined at least in part by a printer height defined by the distance between a lowermost portion (e.g., a bottom surface of the bottom housing portion 120) and an uppermost portion (e.g., the upper surface of the top housing portion 110) of the printer housing 100, as measured in a height direction (e.g., in the y-direction as defined in the exemplary orientation illustrated in the exemplary embodiment shown in
In various embodiments, the printer housing 100 being in the open configuration may be defined by the top housing portion 110 being rotated about a hinge axis relative to the bottom housing portion 120 such that one or more of the internal component housed within the interior portion of the printer housing 100 (e.g., a media support assembly, a chassis, and/or a ribbon assembly) are at least partially exposed and/or accessible to a user. For example,
In various embodiments, an exemplary printer device 10 may comprise a media support assembly 130 disposed within the interior portion of the printer housing 100 that is configured to receive a media roll (not shown) in order to at least partially secure the media roll within the printer housing 100. For example, the media support assembly 130 may be configured to engage a media roll (e.g., a media roll 14, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiments depicted in
In various embodiments, as illustrated, the media support assembly 130 may comprise a pair of opposedly mounted media support subassemblies, including a first media support subassembly 131 and a second media support subassembly 132, configured to engage the respective lateral ends of a media roll (e.g., a print media roll) in order to at least partially secure the media roll therebetween (e.g., within the printer housing). The media support subassemblies 131, 132 may be configured to arrange a media roll disposed therebetween in an installed position that enables the media roll to be at least partially dispensed and/or fed to one or more other internal components of the printer device 10, such as, for example, a ribbon assembly 150, as part of a printing operation executed by the printer device 10. In various embodiments, the opposedly mounted media support subassemblies 131, 132 of the media support assembly 130 may be selectively moveable in one or more lateral directions such that the lateral distance defined therebetween may be varied to accommodate various media rolls of different configurations (e.g., media roll widths).
In various embodiments, an exemplary printer device 10 may further comprise a chassis 140 disposed within the interior portion of the printer housing 100 that is configured for supporting the arrangement of at least a portion of the internal printer components within the printer housing 100 in respective operating positions relative to one another to enable interaction therebetween during the execution of a printing operation. The chassis 140 may define a structural component embodying an internal frame to which one or more internal components of the printer device 10 may be secured to facilitate the arrangement thereof in an operable position within the printer housing 100. For example, the chassis 140 may be configured for securing at least a portion of a ribbon assembly 150 in an operating position defined by a relative arrangement of the ribbon assembly 150 relative to one or more other internal components of the printer device 10, such as, for example, a media support assembly 130 (e.g., a media roll), that enables an interaction therebetween to facilitate the execution of at least a portion of a printing operation. In various embodiments, as described herein, the chassis 140 of an exemplary printer device 10 may be moveable (e.g., about a chassis hinge axis) between a loading position in which the chassis 140 is configured to enable an initial feed of a new print media therethrough (e.g., as part of an initial installation of a new media roll), and an operating position in which the one or more components secured relative to the chassis 140 are provided in respective operating positions such that the printer device 10 may be operable to execute a printing operation defined by the traversal (e.g., conveyance) of a print media from the media roll within the media support assembly 130 and along a media path to a print media output defined by the printer device 10.
In various embodiments, an exemplary printer device 10 may further comprise a ribbon assembly 150 disposed within the interior portion of the printer housing 100 that is configured to facilitate engagement of a ribbon (e.g., a ribbon 151, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiments depicted in
Further, in various embodiments, an exemplary printer device 10 may comprise a print head configured to print content on the print media prior to the dispense thereof from the printer housing (e.g., via the print media output). In an example embodiment, the print head may include a plurality of heating elements (not shown) that are energized and pressed against a ribbon of the ribbon assembly 150 to perform a print operation. In operation, the print head may apply heat on a portion of the ribbon and, concurrently, presses the ribbon against at least a portion of the print media to cause the ink to transfer onto the print media. In an exemplary configuration wherein the print media disposed within the printer device 10 embodies thermal paper, the print head may be configured to be pressed directly against the thermal paper to perform the print operation.
In various embodiments, at least a portion of the internal components of the printer device 10 may be secured relative to the top housing portion 110 of the printer housing 100. As a non-limiting example, the exemplary printer device 10 illustrated in
Further, in various embodiments, at least a portion of a ribbon assembly 150 may be connected to the chassis 140 so as to define an operative connection of the ribbon assembly 150 relative to the bottom housing portion 120 (e.g., via the chassis 140). In such an exemplary configuration, an opening of the printer housing 100 defined by the top housing portion 110 being reconfigured to the open position may cause the media supply assembly 130 attached to the top housing portion 110 to move at least relative to the portion of the ribbon assembly 150 secured to the chassis 140. As a non-limiting example, in various embodiments wherein the printer housing 100 is arranged in a closed configuration, the media support assembly 130 secured to the top housing portion 110 and the chassis 140 secured to the bottom housing portion 120 may be arranged in an at least partial vertically-stacked configuration defined by at least a portion of the media support assembly 130 being disposed vertically above at least a portion of the chassis 140. For example, at least a portion of the media support assembly 130 may be positioned to overlap at least a portion of the chassis 140 by defining a vertical position above the at least a portion of the chassis 140. In various embodiments, an exemplary printer device 10 may be configured such that opening the printer housing 100 from the closed configuration to the open configuration illustrated in
In various embodiments, the top housing portion 110 may include a front surface 111 and an opposing rear surface 112. As illustrated, the front surface 111 of the top housing portion 110 may be defined by a surface of the top housing portion 110 that, when the printer housing 100 is provided in the closed configuration, faces in a forward-facing direction (e.g., in the negative x-direction as defined in the exemplary orientation illustrated in
In various embodiments, the bottom housing portion 120 of the printer housing 100 may embody a base defining a lower shell portion of the exterior shell defined by the printer housing 100. As illustrated in
In various embodiments, the printer housing 100 may be configured such that the rear surfaces 112, 122 of the top housing portion 110 and the bottom housing portion 120 may each define at least substantially flat planar surfaces. Further, in various embodiments, printer housing 100 may be configured such that, upon being arranged in the closed configuration, the 112 is stacked directly above the 122 such that the rear surfaces 112, 122 collectively define an at least substantially continuous rear face of the printer device 10. In such an exemplary configuration, as illustrated, the respective rear surfaces 112, 122 of the first and second housing portions 110, 120 may each define an at least substantially vertical configuration (e.g., provided within the y-z plane as defined in the exemplary orientation illustrated in
As illustrated in
In various embodiments, as described herein, the hinge 105 operatively securing the top housing portion 110 relative to the bottom housing portion 120 may be configured such that an axis of rotation defined by the hinge 105 is defined in a lateral direction (e.g., between opposing lateral sides of the printer housing 100). For example, in various embodiments, the printer housing 100 may be configured such that the axis of rotation defined by the hinge 105 is defined in a direction that is at least substantially parallel to at least a portion of the rear surface 112 of the top housing portion 110 and/or the rear surface 122 of the bottom housing portion 120.
In various embodiments, the hinge 105 may be positioned along a rear face 102 of the printer device 10. For example, in various embodiments, the hinge 105 may be positioned at a rear surface 112 of the top hosing portion 110 of the printer housing 100. In various embodiments, the hinge 105 defining the hinged connection between the top and bottom housing portions 110, 120 may at least partially define the range of rotation motion through which the top housing portion 110 is rotated as the printer housing 100 is reconfigured between the open configuration and the closed configuration. For example, as illustrated in
In various embodiments, the exemplary printer device 10 may further comprise one or more temporary (e.g., detachable) fastening elements (not shown) disposed along an exterior portion of the printer housing 110 at corresponding positions on the top housing portion 110 and the bottom housing portion 120. As described herein, the printer device 10 may include a first temporary fastening element provided at and/or accessible via the rear surface 112 of the top housing portion 110 and a second temporary fastening element provided at the rear surface 122 of the bottom housing portion 120. The first temporary fastener element secured to the rear surface 112 is configured to engage the second temporary fastener element provided on the rear surface 122 as the top housing portion is rotated in the first rotational direction 1 towards the open position. For example, the first and second temporary fastening elements may be provided at corresponding positions at the rear surface 112 and the rear surface 122, respectively, such that as the top housing portion 110 is rotated towards the open position, as illustrated in
In various embodiments, an exemplary printer device may be configured such that at least a portion of the media support assembly 130 is operatively secured to the top housing portion 110 of the printer housing. For example, the media support assembly 130 may be attached to one or more interior surfaces of the top housing portion 110. In various embodiments, the media support assembly 130 may be attached to the top housing portion 110 such that the media support assembly 130 moves with the top housing portion 110 as the printer housing is moved between the open and closed configurations. For example, the media support assembly 130 may be installed within the top housing portion 110 such that as the printer housing is opened from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the media support assembly 130 is moved relative to the bottom housing portion and the internal components housed therein. Further, as described herein, the media support assembly 130 may be installed within the top housing portion 110 such that, when the printer housing is provided in the closed configuration, the media support assembly 130 is disposed in an operable position relative to one or more internal printer components secured relative to the bottom housing portion of the printer housing (e.g., a chassis, a ribbon assembly, and/or the like) to facilitate interaction therewith and/or operation of printer device using a media roll (not shown) secured within the media support assembly 130.
In various embodiments, as illustrated, the media support assembly 130 may be operatively connected to the top housing portion 110 at an interior top surface thereof defined by an underside of the exterior top surface of the top housing portion 110. In such an exemplary configuration, the media support assembly 130 may face in a direction at least substantially away from the interior top surface of the top housing portion 110 to which it is secured such that the media support assembly 130 may be accessed through an opening in the bottom of the top housing portion 110 defined by the lower boundary edge 114. For example, the opposedly mounted media support subassemblies 131, 132 of the media support assembly 130 may extend away from the interior top surface of the top housing portion 110 in order to facilitate installation of a media roll (e.g., a print paper roll) within the media support assembly 130 when the printer housing is provided in the open configuration.
In various embodiments, the top housing portion 110 of the printer housing of an exemplary printer device may define one or more hinge elements 115a, 115b configured to facilitate the hinged connected between the top housing portion 110 and the bottom housing portion of the printer housing, as described herein. For example, in various embodiments, the top housing portion 110 may define a first hinge protrusion 115a provided along a first interior lateral surface of the top housing portion 110 (e.g., defined by an interior surface opposing an exterior lateral surface of the top housing portion 110). Further, the top housing portion 110 may define a second hinge protrusion 115b provided along a second interior lateral surface of the top housing portion 110 that faces towards the first interior lateral surface from which the first hinge protrusion 115a protrudes. In various embodiments, the first hinge protrusion 115a and the second hinge protrusion 115b may be coaxially arranged such that the axis of rotation defined by hinge of the printer device (e.g., hinge 105 as described in reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
In various embodiments, an exemplary printer device may be configured such that an internal user interface 160 is operatively secured to the top housing portion 110 of the printer housing. For example, the internal user interface 160 may be attached to one or more interior surfaces of the top housing portion 110. In various embodiments, the internal user interface 160 may be attached to the top housing portion 110 such that the internal user interface 160 moves with the top housing portion 110 as the printer housing is moved between the open and closed configurations. For example, the internal user interface 160 may be installed within the top housing portion 110 such that as the printer housing is opened from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the internal user interface 160 is moved relative to the bottom housing portion and the internal components housed therein. Further, as described herein, the internal user interface 160 may be installed within the top housing portion 110 such that, when the printer housing is provided in the closed configuration, the internal user interface 160 is fully contained within the interior portion of the printer housing and inaccessible to a user without opening the printer housing.
In various embodiments, as illustrated, the internal user interface 160 may be operatively connected to the top housing portion 110 at an interior front surface thereof defined by a backside of the exterior front surface 112 of the top housing portion 110. For example, the internal user interface 160 may include interface elements 161 defined by one or more buttons, surfaces, and/or the like configured to be engaged by a user that, upon the printer housing being provided in an open configuration, may face in direction at least substantially towards the opening in the bottom of the top housing portion 110 defined by the lower boundary edge 114 to facilitate user interaction therewith via access provided by the bottom opening.
In various embodiments, an exemplary printer device may be configured such that the top housing portion 110 of the printer housing includes one or more temporary fastening elements provided at the rear surface 112 of the top housing portion 110 and configured to facilitate an at least temporary arrangement of the printer housing in an open configuration. For example, as illustrated, the exemplary top housing portion 110 may include a first temporary fastening element 116a and a second temporary fastening element 116b distributed along the rear surface 112. In various embodiments, the one or more temporary fastening elements 116a, 116b defined by, attached to, and/or imbedded within the rear surface 112 of the top housing portion 110 may be configured to engage one or more corresponding fastener elements defined by the bottom housing portion upon the top housing portion being opened (e.g., rotated about the hinge axis) toward the open configuration. In various embodiments, the one or more temporary fastening elements 116a, 116b may be configured to engage a corresponding fastening element provided on the bottom housing portion via various mechanical fastening means, such as, for example, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, magnets, and/or the like, including any mechanism that may be used to facilitate the temporary and/or semi-permanent attachment and detachment of the top housing portion 110 relative to the bottom housing portion of the printer housing.
The one or more temporary fastening elements 116a, 116b may engage the corresponding one or more temporary fastening elements defined by the bottom housing portion (e.g., along the rear surface thereof) in order to at least partially secure the position of the top housing portion 110 (e.g., the rear surface 112 along which the one or more temporary fastening elements 116a, 116b are provided) relative to the rear surface of the bottom housing portion of the printer housing. As a non-limiting example, the first and second temporary fastening elements 116a, 116b may each embody magnets configured to be attracted to a corresponding magnet provided at a rear surface of the bottom housing portion such that, upon the top housing portion 110 being arranged in an open position, one or more attractive forces defined between the first and second temporary fastening elements 116a, 116b and the bottom housing portion (e.g., the corresponding magnets thereon) causes the top housing portion 110 to be retained in a position wherein the rear surface 112 thereof is physically abutted against the rear surface of the bottom housing portion. For example, securing the rear surface 112 of the top housing portion 110 relative to the rear surface of the bottom housing portion (e.g., via the temporary engagement of the one or more temporary fastening elements 116a, 116b to a corresponding one or more temporary fastening elements of the bottom housing portion) may function to at least temporarily maintain the printer housing in the open configuration. The operative attachment of the one or more temporary fastening elements 116a, 116b to the rear surface of the bottom housing portion of the printer housing may prevent the top housing portion 110 from rotating relative to the bottom housing portion (e.g., towards a closed position). In various embodiments, the one or more temporary fastening elements 116a, 116b may be configured such that a user interaction with the top housing portion 110 defined by a sufficiently large separation force may cause the one or more temporary fastening elements 116a, 116b to detach from the bottom housing portion such that the top housing portion is free to rotate (e.g., about the hinge axis) towards a closed position, as described herein.
In various embodiments, the top housing portion 110 may further comprise an alignment protrusion 117 disposed along the rear surface thereof that is configured to engage a corresponding alignment feature defined by the bottom housing portion as the top housing portion 110 is being rotated (e.g., about the hinge) towards the open position. In various embodiments, the alignment protrusion 117 may protrude in an outward direction away from the rear surface. For example, as described herein, a printer housing being opened from a closed configuration towards an open configuration may be defined by a rotation (e.g., about the hinge axis) of the top housing portion 110 relative to the bottom housing portion that causes the rear surface 112 to approach a corresponding rear surface of the bottom housing portion. In various embodiments, the alignment protrusion 117 may be configured to engage a corresponding alignment feature defined by the bottom housing portion (e.g., on the rear surface thereof) as the rear surface 112 of the top housing portion 110 approaches the rear surface of the bottom housing portion in order to establish an aligned relative position between the top and bottom housing portions when the printer housing is in the open configuration. For example, the rotation of the top housing portion 110 towards the open position may cause the alignment protrusion 117 to be moved towards the rear surface of the bottom housing portion and such that the alignment protrusion 117 is at least partially received within an alignment slot provided along the rear surface of the bottom housing portion. The alignment protrusion 117 may be configured to engage the corresponding alignment slot of the bottom housing portion to guide the motion of the top housing portion 110 relative to the bottom housing portion as it approaches the open position. For example, the alignment protrusion 117 being disposed within the alignment slot of the bottom housing portion may at least partially restrict the motion of the alignment protrusion 117 relative to the bottom housing portion in order to facilitate a repeatable arrangement of the printer housing in an open configuration in which the top housing portion 110 and the bottom housing portion (e.g., and the internal components attached to the respective housing portions) are properly aligned with one another to enable operation of the exemplary printer device.
In various embodiments, an exemplary printer device may be configured such that at least a portion of a chassis 140 is operatively secured to the bottom housing portion 120 of the printer housing. For example, the chassis 140 may be attached to one or more surfaces of the bottom housing portion 120. In various embodiments, the chassis 140 may be attached to the bottom housing portion 120 such that the chassis 140 is maintained in an at least substantially stationary position relative to the bottom housing portion 120 as the top housing portion 110 is moved (e.g., rotated) between the open and closed positions. For example, the chassis 140 may be installed within the bottom housing portion 120 such that as the printer housing is opened from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the top housing portion of the printer housing and the internal components housed therein (e.g., the media support assembly, the internal user interface, and/or the like) are moved relative to the chassis 140, such as, for example, in a direction at least partially away from the chassis 140. Further, as described herein, the chassis 140 may be installed within the bottom housing portion 120 such that, when the printer housing is provided in the closed configuration, the chassis 140 is disposed in an operable position relative to one or more internal printer components secured relative to the top housing portion of the printer housing (e.g., a media support assembly, and/or the like) to facilitate interaction therewith in order to execute at least a portion of a printing operation.
In various embodiments, an exemplary chassis 140 may comprise a plurality of chassis attachment elements attached to the bottom housing portion 120, each configured to engage a respective portion of the chasses 140 so as to define the operative connection of the chassis 140 to the bottom housing portion 120. As illustrated in
In various embodiments, the chassis 140 may be configured such that the respective attachments of the chassis 140 (e.g., the chassis body) to the first and second chassis attachment elements 141, 142 may each be defined by a hinged configuration such that the chassis 140 is configured for selective rotation relative to the first and second chassis attachment elements 141, 142 between a first chassis position and a second chassis position. For example, in various embodiments, the hinged connections between the chassis 140 and the first and second chassis attachment elements 141, 142 may each be defined by an attachment of the respective lateral side of the chassis 140 to the corresponding chassis attachment element that allows for the respective lateral side of the chassis 140 to be rotated about a hinge axis relative to the chassis attachment element connected thereto. As illustrated, a first lateral side of the chassis 140 may be connected to the first chassis attachment element 141 via a first hinge element 141a (e.g., a first hinge pin) configured to define a first hinge axis about which the first lateral side of the chassis 140 may rotate relative to the first chassis attachment element 141. Further, an opposing second lateral side of the chassis 140 may be connected to the second chassis attachment element 142 via a second hinge element 142a (e.g., a second hinge pin) configured to define a second hinge axis about which the second lateral side of the chassis 140 may rotate relative to the second chassis attachment element 142. For example, in various embodiments, the first and second chassis attachment elements 141, 142 may be configured such that the first and second hinge axes defined by the first and second hinge elements 141a, 142a may define a coaxial arrangement such that the chassis 140 is configured about a lateral axis of rotation defined in the width direction in between the first and second hinge elements 141a, 142a. For example, as described in further detail herein, the chassis 140 may be configured for selective rotation about an axis of rotation defined by the respective first and second hinge elements 141a, 142a between a loading position and an operating position.
In various embodiments, an exemplary printer device may be configured such that at least a portion of the ribbon assembly 150 is operatively secured to the bottom housing portion 120 of the printer housing. For example, the ribbon assembly 150 may be attached to the chassis 140 that is operatively connected to the bottom housing portion 120. In various embodiments, the ribbon assembly 150 may be directly and/or indirectly secured relative to the bottom housing portion 120 such that the ribbon assembly 150 is maintained in an at least substantially stationary position relative to the bottom housing portion 120 as the top housing portion 110 is moved (e.g., rotated) between the open and closed positions. For example, at least a portion of the ribbon assembly 150 may be attached to the chassis 140 such that the least a portion of the ribbon assembly 150 is operatively secured to the bottom housing portion 120 based at least in part on the attachment of the chassis 140 to one or more surfaces of the bottom housing portion 120. Further, in various embodiments, at least a portion of the ribbon assembly 150 may be attached to a surface (e.g., an interior surface) of the bottom housing portion 120 such that the least a portion of the ribbon assembly 150 is operatively secured to the bottom housing portion 120 based at least in part on the direct attachment to the bottom housing portion 120.
In various embodiments, the ribbon assembly 150 may be installed relative to the bottom housing portion 120 such that as the printer housing is opened from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the top housing portion and the internal components secured thereto therein (e.g., the media support assembly, the internal user interface, and/or the like) are moved relative to the ribbon assembly 150. Further, as described herein, the ribbon assembly 150 may be installed within the bottom housing portion 120 such that, when the printer housing is provided in the closed configuration, the ribbon assembly 150 is disposed in an operable position relative to the media support assembly attached to the top housing portion facilitate interaction therewith in order to execute at least a portion of a printing operation.
In various embodiments, the bottom housing portion 120 of the printer housing of an exemplary printer device may define one or more hinge elements 125a, 125b configured to facilitate the hinged configuration of the top housing portion of the printer housing relative to the bottom housing portion 120, as described herein. For example, in various embodiments, the one or more hinge elements of the bottom housing portion 120 may be defined by a first hinge positioning element 125a provided along a first lateral side of the bottom housing portion 120 and a second hinge positioning element 125b provided along an opposing second lateral side of the bottom housing portion 120. In various embodiments, the first hinge positioning element 125a and the second hinge positioning element 125b may each be configured for engaging a respective portion of the top housing portion (e.g., a corresponding hinge protrusion defined by the top housing portion) to secure the top housing portion relative to the bottom housing portion 120 in one or more linear directions. For example, the first hinge positioning element 125a and the second hinge positioning element 125b may be configured to engage a first hinge protrusion and a second hinge protrusion, respectively, defined by the top housing portion. In such an exemplary configuration, the first and second hinge positioning elements 125a, 125b may each be configured to define a hinged engagement of the respective hinge protrusion engaged therewith in which the respective hinge protrusions are configured to rotate about a respective central axis thereof within the corresponding hinge positioning element 125a, 125b as the top housing portion is rotated between the open and closed positions. As an illustrative example, in various embodiments, one or more of the hinge positioning elements 125a, 125b may embody a hoop element, a loop element, and/or the like that defines an opening within which a hinge protrusion (e.g., a hinge pin) defined by the top housing portion may be inserted to at least partially secure the top housing portion relative to the bottom housing portion 120 and establish an axis of rotation that defines the hinged configuration of the printer housing, as described herein. As illustrated, the first hinge positioning element 125a and the second hinge positioning element 125b may be coaxially arranged such that the one or more hinge elements defined by the top housing portion (e.g., a first and second hinge protrusion) that are received within the first and second hinge positioning elements 125, 125b are coaxially arranged along the axis of rotation defined by the printer housing (e.g., hinge 105 as described in reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
In various embodiments, the bottom housing portion 120 of an exemplary printer device include one or more temporary fastening elements provided at the rear surface 122 thereof to facilitate an at least temporary arrangement of the printer housing in an open configuration. For example, as illustrated in
The one or more temporary fastening elements 126a, 126b may engage the corresponding one or more temporary fastening elements defined by the bottom housing portion (e.g., along the rear surface thereof) in order to at least partially secure the position of the top housing portion (e.g., the rear surface thereof) relative to the rear surface 122 of the bottom housing portion 120. As a non-limiting example, the first and second temporary fastening elements 126a, 126b may each embody magnets configured to be attracted to corresponding magnets (e.g., temporary fastener elements) provided at the rear surface of the top housing portion such that, upon the top housing portion being arranged in an open position, one or more attractive forces defined between the first and second temporary fastening elements 126a, 126b and the top housing portion (e.g., the corresponding magnets distributed about the rear surface thereof) causes the top housing portion to be retained in a position wherein the rear surface thereof is physically abutted against the rear surface 122 of the bottom housing portion 120.
In various embodiments, the bottom housing portion 120 may further comprise an alignment slot 127 disposed along the rear surface 122 thereof that is configured for engagement with a corresponding alignment feature defined by the top housing portion to align the top housing portion in an operable alignment relative to the bottom housing portion 120 as the top housing portion is rotated towards the open position. In various embodiments, the alignment slot 127 may embody an opening, an aperture, a material recess, and/or the like provided at the rear surface 122 and configured for receiving an alignment protrusion defined by the top housing portion therein. In various embodiments, the alignment slot 127 may be configured to receive at least a portion of an alignment protrusion provided disposed on the rear surface of the top housing portion as the rear surface approaches the rear surface 122 of the bottom housing portion 120. For example, the rotation of the top housing portion towards the open position may cause the alignment protrusion to be moved towards the rear surface 122 such that the alignment protrusion is at least partially inserted into the alignment slot 127. In various embodiments, the alignment slot 127 may be configured to receive at least a portion of an alignment protrusion therein to at least partially guide and/or redirect the movement of the top housing portion relative to the bottom housing portion 120 such that, upon the top housing portion being rotated to the open position, the top and bottom housing portions are positioned in an operably aligned arrangement relative to one another. As described herein, the alignment slot 127 may function to at least partially restrict the relative movement of the alignment protrusion disposed therein with respect to the bottom housing portion 120. Such an exemplary configuration may facilitate a repeatable arrangement of the printer housing in an open configuration in which the top housing portion and the bottom housing portion 120 (e.g., and the internal components attached to the respective housing portions) are properly aligned with one another to enable operation of the exemplary printer device, as described herein.
Further,
Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202310088022.7 | Jan 2023 | CN | national |
