This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-219184 filed on Dec. 28, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus.
A related art discloses a printing apparatus configured to hold a roll having a printing medium rolled thereon, to reel out the printing medium from the roll and to perform printing. For example, the related-art printing apparatus has a pair of support parts configured to support a roll. The pair of support parts is supported in grooves provided at a fixing part of a holder and is configured to move along the grooves.
According to one illustrative aspect of the present disclosure, a printing apparatus includes: a first frame; a second frame fixed to the first frame, the second frame having an accommodation space configured to accommodates a roll, the roll having a printing medium rolled thereon; a pair of support parts supported on the second frame, the pair of support parts being configured to support end faces of the roll in a first direction, at least one of the pair of support parts being supported on the second frame so as to be movable in the first direction; a guide member provided on the first frame; and contact portions provided to the support parts, the contact portions being configured to slide while being in contact with the guide member.
In the present disclosure, the end faces on both sides in the first direction of the roll accommodated in the accommodation space of the second frame are supported by the pair of support parts supported on the second frame. At least one of the pair of support parts is supported to be movable in the first direction. The support part configured to be movable is provided with the contact portion, and the first frame is provided with the guide member. The guide member is configured to contact and slide the contact portion, thereby guiding movement of the support part having the contact portion.
In the present disclosure, the pair of support parts supported on the second frame is provided with the contact portions, and the contact portions are guided while sliding in contact with the guide member provided on the first frame. Specifically, the pair of support parts is supported not only by the second frame but also by the first frame. Thereby, even when a user erroneously applies an excessive force to the support parts at a time of manually moving the support parts, deformation of the second frame is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to smoothly move the support parts.
According to the present disclosure, it is possible to smoothly move the support parts.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
In the above-described related-art printing apparatus, when a user applies an excessive force at a time of moving the pair of support parts, for example, the fixing part is slightly deformed, so that a load resistance against movement of the pair of support parts increases.
Therefore, illustrative aspects of the present disclosure provide a printing apparatus that smoothly moves support parts.
Hereinafter, an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. A printing apparatus 1 is connected to an external terminal (not shown) via a signal cable. The printing apparatus is configured to print characters such as letters, figures and the like on a printing medium, based on print data received from the external terminal. The external terminal is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer (PC). The printing apparatus 1 can be driven by a battery. The printing apparatus 1 is carried and used by a user during an operation by being mounted to a waist belt via a belt clip (not shown). The right lower side, the left upper side, the right upper side, the left lower side, the upper side and the lower side in
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The platen holder 35 is provided at a sensor holder 37. The sensor holder 37 is provided on a front side of the opening/closing cover 5. Specifically, the platen holder 35 is provided at the opening/closing cover 5 via the sensor holder 37. The sensor holder 37 is configured to support a sensor 39 configured to detect presence or absence of the tape that is conveyed by the platen roller 23. The sensor 39 is, for example, an optical reflection sensor.
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The second holding plate part 49 extends upward obliquely forward from a lower end portion of the accommodation part 11. The second holding plate part 49 has a first groove 55 and a second groove 57 each extending in the right and left direction. The grooves 55 and 57 are linearly aligned in the right and left direction and are spaced in the right and left direction. The first groove 55 is disposed at the left of the second groove 57.
The accommodation part 11 has engaging parts 59 and 61 at a lower end portion on a rear side of the second holding plate part 49. The engaging parts 59 and 61 are aligned in the right and left direction and each have a plurality of teeth extending in the front and rear direction. The engaging part 59 and 61 are linearly aligned in the right and left direction and are spaced in the right and left direction. The engaging part 59 is disposed at the left of the engaging part 61.
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The adjusting mechanism 63 is configured to interlockingly move at least one of the pair of support parts 51 and 53 in the right and left direction. The adjusting mechanism 63 is disposed ahead of the second holding plate part 49. As shown in
The first rack gear 93 and the second rack gear 101 are in mesh with a pinion gear 103. The pinion gear 103 has a through-hole formed at a center. As shown in
The first rack gear 89 and the second rack gear 97 are each configured to move in the right and left direction as the pinion gear 103 rotates. In association with this, the pair of support parts 51 and 53 is moved in the right and left direction along the grooves 55 and 57. For example, when the first support part 51 moves leftward by a predetermined amount, the second support part 53 moves rightward by a predetermined amount in conjunction with the movement of the first support part 51 via the first base portion 87, the first rack member 89, the pinion gear 103, the second rack member 97, and the second base portion 95. Specifically, the adjusting mechanism 63 is configured to move the pair of support parts 51 and 53 in a direction of getting away from each other (outward in the right and left direction). Similarly, when the first support part 51 moves rightward by a predetermined amount, the second support part 53 moves leftward by a predetermined amount in conjunction with the movement of the first support part 51. Specifically, the adjusting mechanism 63 is configured to move the pair of support parts 51 and 53 in a direction of coming close to each other (inward in the right and left direction). As shown in
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The contact portion 117 is provided at a left end portion of the first base portion 87. The contact portion 117 is formed as a substantially rectangular protruding portion, and extends in the upper and lower direction. The contact portion 117 protrudes from the facing surface 113 in a direction perpendicular to the facing surface 113 by a predetermined amount. The contact portion 117 is in contact with the first frame 45 to prevent the first support part 51 from falling down in the upper and lower direction. The contact portion 117 is an example of the second contact portion, and the left end portion of the first base portion 87 is an example of the second position different from the first position of the first guide part.
The contact portions 115 and 117 of the first rack member 89 are in contact with a rear-side surface of the first holding plate part 119 of the first frame 45. Here, although the contact portions 115 and 117 are configured to be in contact with the guide members (which will be described later) provided on the first frame 45, the contact portions 115 and 117 are described as being in contact with the rear-side surface of the first holding plate part 119 of the first frame 45, for convenience. The portions of the first rack member 89 except the contact portions 115 and 117 are not in contact with the rear-side surface of the first holding plate part 119 of the first frame 45. The contact portion 115 and the contact portion 117 are disposed offset by predetermined distances in the upper and lower direction and in the right and left direction, and are also formed so that extension directions thereof are substantially orthogonal to each other. When the user manually moves the first support part 51 in the right and left direction, the first support part 51 is also applied with a force in a direction of being pushed toward the first frame 45. At this time, since the contact portions 115 and 117 are in contact with the rear-side surface of the first holding plate part 119 of the first frame 45, the first support part 51 is supported by the first frame 45. In addition, when the first support part 51 is applied with the force in the direction of being pushed toward the first frame 45, the first rack member 89 is likely to be inclined in a direction in which the right end portion gets away from the first frame 45, i.e., comes close to the second holding plate part 49 of the second frame 47. At this time, since the contact portions 109 and 111 are in contact with the front-side surface of the second holding plate part 49 of the second frame 47, the right end portion of the first rack member 89 is supported by the second frame 47. In addition, since the contact portions 115 and 117 and the contact portions 109 and 111 are formed small, contact areas can be reduced, so that it is possible to reduce a friction resistance when moving the first support part 51.
Note that, since the first rack member 89 and the second rack member 97 have the equivalent structure, the description of the second rack member 97 is omitted.
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Four guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163 are provided on a rear-side surface of the first holding plate part 119 of the first frame 45. The guide member 157 extends in the right and left direction over a substantial right half region at the upper part of the first holding plate part 119. The contact portion 115 provided in the vicinity of the right end portion of the second rack member 97 of the second support part 53 is configured to slide in the right and left direction with being in contact with the guide member 157. The guide member 159 extends in the right and left direction over a substantial right half region at the central part of the first holding plate part 119 in the upper and lower direction. The contact portion 117 provided at the right end portion of the second base portion 95 of the second support part 53 is configured to slide in the right and left direction with being in contact with the guide member 159.
The guide member 161 extends in the right and left direction over a substantial left half region at the central part of the first holding plate part 119 in the upper and lower direction. The contact portion 117 provided at the left end portion of the first base portion 87 of the first support part 51 (not shown) is configured to slide in the right and left direction with being in contact with the guide member 161. The guide member 163 extends in the right and left direction over a substantial left half region at the lower part of the first holding plate part 119. The contact portion 115 provided in the vicinity of the left end portion of the first rack member 89 of the first support part 51 (not shown) is configured to slide in the right and left direction with being in contact with the guide member 163.
The guide members 159 and 161 are linearly aligned in the right and left direction and are spaced in the right and left direction. The pinion gear 103 is disposed between the guide members 159 and 161. The guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163 are each a tape-shaped member where a surface in contact with the contact portion 115 or 117 has been subjected to a friction resistance reducing treatment, for example. The guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163 are each accommodated in each of concave parts each having a shape corresponding to each of the guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163. The surfaces of the guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163 with which the contact portions 115 and 117 are in contact are substantially flush with the rear-side surface of the first holding plate part 119. The contact portions 115 and 117 may always contact the guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163. The contact portion 115 or 117 may not always contact the guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163. For example, the contact portion 115 or 117 may be in contact with the guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163 when the support parts 51 and/or 53 is moved. The contact portion 115 or 117 may be in contact with the guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163 in a case the user erroneously applies an excessive force to the support parts 51 and 53 in a case of manually moving the support parts 51 and 53.
In the printing apparatus 1 of the illustrative embodiment as described above, the end faces on both sides in the right and left direction of the roll 15 accommodated in the accommodation part 11 of the second frame 47 are supported by the pair of support parts 51 and 53 supported on the second frame 47. Both the pair of support parts 51 and 53 are supported to be movable in the right and left direction. The support parts 51 and 53 configured to be movable are each provided with the contact portions 115 and 117, and the first frame 45 is provided with the guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163. The guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163 are configured to slide the contact portions 115 and 117 with being in contact with the contact portions, thereby guiding movement of the support parts 51 and 53 having the contact portions 115 and 117.
In the present illustrative embodiment, the pair of support parts 51 and 53 supported on the second frame 47 is provided with the contact portions 115 and 117, and the contact portions 115 and 117 are guided while sliding in contact with the guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163 provided on the first frame 45. Specifically, the pair of support parts 51 and 53 is supported not only by the second frame 47 but also by the first frame 45. Thereby, even when the user erroneously applies an excessive force to the support parts 51 and 53 at a time of manually moving the support parts 51 and 53, deformation of the second frame 47 is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to smoothly move the support parts 51 and 53.
Further, in the present illustrative embodiment, particularly, the pinion gear 103 provided on the second frame 47 is in mesh with each of the first rack gear 93 and the second rack gear 101 of the first rack member 89 and the second rack member 97. Thereby, the first rack member 89 and the second rack member 97 are configured to move in the right and left direction in conjunction with each other via rotation of the pinion gear 103. When moving, the protrusion portions 69 and 75 of the support parts 51 and 53 are guided engaged with the first groove 55 and the second groove 57 provided to the second frame 47. The contact portions 115 and 117 are provided at portions, which face the first frame 45, of the first base portion 87 and the second base portion 95, and the two contact portions 115 and 117 are guided while sliding in contact with the guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163 provided on the first frame 45.
As described above, in the present illustrative embodiment, the first rack member 89 and the second rack member 97 are moved in conjunction with each other by rotation of the pinion gear 103. Thereby, when the user simply manually operates any one of the pair of support parts 51 and 53, the other of the pair of support parts 51 and 53 can also be smoothly moved in an interlocking manner.
Further, in the present illustrative embodiment, particularly, the contact portions 115 each extending in the right and left direction are provided in the vicinity of the left end portion of the first rack member 89 and in the vicinity of the right end portion of the second rack member 97, as the contact portion. Thereby, while preventing the first support part 51 and the second support part 53 from falling down in the right and left direction, it is possible to smoothly move the first and second support parts toward one side and the other side in the right and left direction.
Further, in the present illustrative embodiment, particularly, the contact portions 117 each extending in the upper and lower direction are provided at the left end portion of the first base portion 87 and at the right end portion of the second base portion 95. Thereby, while preventing the first support part 51 and the second support part 53 from falling down in the upper and lower direction, it is possible to smoothly move the first and second support parts toward one side and the other side in the right and left direction.
Further, in the present illustrative embodiment, particularly, the first frame 45 and the second frame 47 are each provided with the first holding plate part 119 and the second holding plate part 49 each having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. The first rack member 89, the second rack member 97 and the pinion gear 103 are interposed between the first holding plate part 119 and the second holding plate part 49. The first holding plate part 119 and the second holding plate part 49 are fastened via the screws 121, 123, 125 and 127, so that the first frame 45 and the second frame 47 are fixed. According to the present illustrative embodiment, it is possible to support the pair of support parts 51 and 53 by the first frame 45 and the second frame 47 firmly fixed and integrated as described above.
Further, in the present illustrative embodiment, particularly, the support shaft portion 105 is provided in the substantially central position of the second holding plate part 49, and the first holding plate part 119 is fixed to the support shaft portion 105 via the fastening of the first holding plate part 119 by the screw 145. Thereby, the central part of the first holding plate part 119 distant from the four corners of the first holding plate part 119 fixed by the screws 121, 123, 125 and 127 can be firmly fixed to the second holding plate part 49-side.
Further, in the present illustrative embodiment, particularly, the contact-side surfaces of the guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163 with the contact portions 115 and 117 have been subjected to the friction resistance reducing treatment. Thereby, the friction resistance at a time when the contact portions 115 and 117 slide in contact with the guide members 157, 159, 161 and 163 is reduced to smoothly move the support parts 51 and 53.
Further, in the present illustrative embodiment, particularly, the pair of support parts 51 and 53 is supported not only by the second frame 47 formed of the normal resin material but also by the first frame 45 formed of the fiber reinforced resin material. Thereby, even when the excessive force is applied to the support parts 51 and 53 during movement of the support parts 51 and 53, deformation of the second frame 47 is suppressed, so that the support parts 51 and 53 can be smoothly moved.
Note that, in the above descriptions, when the terms ‘vertical’, ‘parallel’, and ‘plane’ are used, these terms may not necessarily mean ‘vertical’, ‘parallel’, and ‘plane’, respectively, in a strict sense. Specifically, the terms ‘vertical’, ‘parallel’, and ‘plane’ mean ‘substantially vertical’, ‘substantially parallel’, and ‘substantial plane’, respectively, with design-related and production-related tolerance and error taken into consideration.
Note that, in the above descriptions, when the terms ‘same’, ‘equivalent’, and ‘different’ are used in the context of dimensions or sizes of external appearance, these terms may not necessarily mean ‘same’, ‘equivalent’, and ‘different’, respectively, in a strict sense. Specifically, the terms ‘same’, ‘equivalent’, and ‘different’ mean ‘substantially same’, ‘substantially equivalent’, and ‘substantially different’, respectively, with design-related and production-related tolerance and error taken into consideration.
Also, other than mentioned above, the above illustrative embodiment and methods of each of the modified illustrative embodiments may be combined for use as appropriate.
Although not specifically exemplified, the present invention is put into practice with various changes made within a range not departing from the scope of the present invention.
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Number | Date | Country |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20220203706 A1 | Jun 2022 | US |