Abstract: A mount assembly for releasably receiving a mounting cleat includes a top housing portion, a bottom housing portion, and a recess in the top housing portion to receive the mounting cleat. The mount assembly further includes a biasing device connected to housing portions such that the biasing device exerts a force upon the top housing portion which tends to return the top housing portion to an unrotated position relative to the bottom housing portion. The mount assembly further includes a first clasp mechanism and a second clasp mechanism at least partially disposed within the top housing portion extendable into the recess to clasp the mounting cleat when the top housing portion is in the unrotated position. Finally, the mount assembly includes a locking mechanism configured to temporarily prevent rotation of the top housing portion relative to the bottom housing portion when the locking mechanism is in a locked position.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to enclosure members that include a seal dispensed onto the enclosure surface, and methods of dispensing such seals. A dispensed seal may be formed from an elastomeric material using a dispensing apparatus. The seal may be formed as a continuously dispensed bead that begins as a first ramped portion, continues as a second portion, and ends as a third portion positioned over the first ramped portion such that the first and second portions are have a combined cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the second portion. The seal may also be non-contiguous and formed from two or more members with multiple ramped portions. The ramped and inverted ramp portions prevent protrusions and depressions in the thickness of the seal. The seal may include one or more secondary structures dispensed on the surface of the seal and/or a surface of the enclosure surface.

Abstract: A mount assembly for releasably receiving a mounting cleat includes a top housing portion, a bottom housing portion, and a recess in the top housing portion to receive the mounting cleat. The mount assembly further includes a biasing device connected to housing portions such that the biasing device exerts a force upon the top housing portion which tends to return the top housing portion to an unrotated position relative to the bottom housing portion. The mount assembly further includes a first clasp mechanism and a second clasp mechanism at least partially disposed within the top housing portion extendable into the recess to clasp the mounting cleat when the top housing portion is in the unrotated position. Finally, the mount assembly includes a locking mechanism configured to temporarily prevent rotation of the top housing portion relative to the bottom housing portion when the locking mechanism is in a locked position.

Abstract: A mounting system with a lock switch can be used to releasably attach a first item, such as a protective encasement for an electronic device, to a second item, such as a bicycle mount, suction cup mount, or a surface in a home, office, or vehicle. The mount assembly may include a housing that encloses a cam and torsion spring disposed within a housing volume and has a portion that rotates relative to the cam. A recess in the mount assembly can receive and retain a mounting cleat associated with the first item. One or more clasp mechanisms of the mount assembly can be configured to clasp the mounting cleat when it is inserted into the recess, and to release the mounting cleat when the one housing portion is rotated relative to the cam. A locking mechanism may be included that prevents the housing from rotating and releasing the cleat.

Abstract: A mounting system can be used to releasably attach a first item to a second item. In one example, the first item can be a protective encasement for a mobile electronic device, and the second item can be a bicycle mount, suction cup mount, vehicle surface, office surface, or home surface. The mount assembly can include a first housing portion connected to a second housing portion, and can include a cam and torsion spring disposed within a housing volume defined by the first and second housing portions. A recess in the mount assembly can receive and retain a mounting cleat associated with the first item. One or more clasp mechanisms of the mount assembly can be configured to clasp the mounting cleat when it is inserted into the recess and to release the mounting cleat when the first housing portion is rotated relative to the second housing portion.

Abstract: A mounting system with a lock switch can be used to releasably attach a first item, such as a protective encasement for an electronic device, to a second item, such as a bicycle mount, suction cup mount, or a surface in a home, office, or vehicle. The mount assembly may include a housing that encloses a cam and torsion spring disposed within a housing volume and has a portion that rotates relative to the cam. A recess in the mount assembly can receive and retain a mounting cleat associated with the first item. One or more clasp mechanisms of the mount assembly can be configured to clasp the mounting cleat when it is inserted into the recess, and to release the mounting cleat when the one housing portion is rotated relative to the cam. A locking mechanism may be included that prevents the housing from rotating and releasing the cleat.

Abstract: A mounting system can be used to releasably attach a first item to a second item. In one example, the first item can be a protective encasement for a mobile electronic device, and the second item can be a bicycle mount, suction cup mount, vehicle surface, office surface, or home surface. The mount assembly can include a first housing portion connected to a second housing portion, and can include a cam and torsion spring disposed within a housing volume defined by the first and second housing portions. A recess in the mount assembly can receive and retain a mounting cleat associated with the first item. One or more clasp mechanisms of the mount assembly can be configured to clasp the mounting cleat when it is inserted into the recess and to release the mounting cleat when the first housing portion is rotated relative to the second housing portion.

Abstract: A closed ink replenishment system for replenishing the supply of ink in negative pressure spring-bag reservoirs in a printer/plotter. A tube runs between each cartridge reservoir and an auxiliary reservoir mounted to the printer/plotter frame to form the closed ink system. As ink is depleted from the spring-bag reservoir during printing operation, the negative pressure in the cartridge increases, drawing ink through the tube from the auxiliary reservoir into the cartridge until the negative pressure decreases to an equilibrium point. As a result, the volume of ink within the spring-bag reservoir remains substantially constant so long as there is ink remaining within the auxiliary reservoir. This maintains the print quality. The auxiliary reservoir is a flat bag mounted on a spring-biased platform, which acts as a height regulating system. As ink is depleted from the auxiliary bag, the height of the platform and bag increases to maintain a constant pressure and elevation head at the spring-bag reservoir.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is mounted on a cartridge which has an outer casing member, an inner collapsible reservoir formed by non-elastic flexible walls, and an internal spring means inside the reservoir for creating negative pressure in the collapsible reservoir during the filling and storage of ink in the collapsible reservoir as well as during the dispensing of ink from the collapsible reservoir to the printhead.

Abstract: An ink-jet swath printer employing a cartridge with a spring bag primary reservoir and an auxiliary ink reservoir interconnected via a tube to form a closed ink replenishment system. The primary reservoir creates a negative pressure which draws ink from the auxiliary reservoir as ink is expelled from the cartridge printhead during printing operations. The auxiliary reservoir can either be mounted on the cartridge carriage or on the printer body. The auxiliary reservoir is a large capacity collapsible bag mounted below the level of the printhead to establish an ink pressure head at the primary reservoir connection which is not so large as to destroy or diminish the negative pressure and allow ink to drool from the printhead, yet is sufficient to permit replenishment of the primary reservoir to avoid printhead ink starvation.

Abstract: A method for ink-jet printing including providing a collapsible ink reservoir structure to facilitate assembly of a replaceable or refillable printer ink cartridge, the cartridge being formed of a relatively rigid frame (20) and flexible membranes (22, 24) forming an ink reservoir having side walls which collapse to a substantially flat shape to minimize the amount of ink remaining in the reservoir structure after computer generated printing has depleted the ink from the cartridge. The ink reservoir structure is a separate unit which is assembled and mounted in an outer housing (10) to form an ink cartridge and preferably contains an ink pressure regulator (30) which maintains a negative pressure therein.

Abstract: A collapsible ink reservoir structure (25) to facilitate assembly of a replaceable or refillable printer ink cartridge is comprised of a relatively rigid frame (20) and flexible membranes (22, 24) forming an ink reservoir having side walls which collapse to a substantially flat shape to minimize the amount of ink remaining in the reservoir structure after computer generated printing has depleted the ink from the cartridge. The structure (25) is a separate unit which is assembled and mounted in an outer housing (10) to form an ink cartridge. The structure preferably contains an ink pressure regulator (30) which maintains a negative pressure therein.

Abstract: A system for monitoring ink volume in an ink reservoir carried on-board the print head carriage and replenishing the ink as needed to maintain an adequate volume of ink in the print head carriage ink reservoir, such replenishment coming from an off-board ink supply not positioned on the print head carriage.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is mounted on a cartridge which has an outer casing member, an inner collapsible reservoir formed by non-elastic flexible walls, and an internal spring means inside the reservoir for creating negative pressure in the collapsible reservoir during the filling and storage of ink in the collapsible reservoir as well as during the dispensing of ink from the collapsible reservoir to the printhead.

Abstract: In a computer-driven ink-jet printer, a carriage-borne ink reservoir system adjacent a print head, having a housing and a movable wall within and in sealing contact with the housing, the movable wall being observable and forming a portion of a variable volume ink chamber within the housing, the position of the movable wall being related to the volume of ink contained in the carriage-borne ink reservoir.

Abstract: A closed ink replenishment system for replenishing the supply of ink in negative pressure spring-bag reservoirs in a printer/plotter. A tube runs between each cartridge reservoir and an auxiliary reservoir mounted to the printer/plotter frame to form the closed ink system. As ink is depleted from the spring-bag reservoir during printing operation, the negative pressure in the cartridge increases, drawing ink through the tube from the auxiliary reservoir into the cartridge until the negative pressure decreases to an equilibrium point. As a result, the volume of ink within the spring-bag reservoir remains substantially constant so long as there is ink remaining within the auxiliary reservoir. This maintains the print quality. The auxiliary reservoir is a flat bag mounted on a spring-biased platform, which acts as a height regulating system. As ink is depleted from the auxiliary bag, the height of the platform and bag increases to maintain a constant pressure and elevation head at the spring-bag reservoir.

Abstract: A collapsible ink reservoir structure to facilitate assembly of a replaceable or refillable printer ink cartridge is comprised of a relatively rigid inner frame and flexible membranes forming an ink reservoir having side walls which collapse to a substantially flat shape to minimize the amount of ink remaining in the reservoir structure after computer generated printing has depleted the ink from the cartridge. The reservoir structure is a separate unit from the ink discharge aperture device which is assembled and mounted in an outer housing and includes the inner frame and ink bags formed of films to form the cartridge assembly. Multiple reservoirs can be formed within the structure to permit the use of different colorants in each reservoir. The structure preferably contains an ink pressure regulator within each reservoir to maintain a negative pressure therein.

Abstract: An ink pressure regulator for use inside of a flexible ink bag reservoir for a replaceable or refillable ink cartridge comprises a bow spring (60) configured to have substantially linear force/deflection characteristics and a pair of plates (40, 50) which collapse to a substantially flat shape to minimize the amount of ink remaining after printing has depleted the ink from the cartridge. The regulator may be manufactured of one or aplurality of separate pieces.

Abstract: A method of assembling a collapsible ink reservoir for a liquid ink printer cartridge comprising the steps of attaching a first sidewall to a frame member along a sealable junction to form an open assembly; assembling a pressure regulator; inserting the pressure regulator of said assembly step into the open assembly of said attaching step; and affixing a second sidewall to the open assembly of said attaching step to form an enclosed assembly.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for a thermal ink jet printer containing a separate collapsible ink reservoir which is kept under negative pressure by a pressure regulator to prevent ink leakage. The collapsible reservoir has a pair of flexible plastic membrane ink bag sidewalls each connected at their periphery to form an ink bag and an ink pressure regulator in the bag. The pressure regulator comprises a pair of spaced parallel side plates urged apart by a spring toward the adjacent bag sidewalls whereby the reservoir is collapsible against the spring pressure to an essentially flat shape to permit substantially complete dispensation of ink from the bag. Inadvertent puncture of the thin bag walls by the regulator is prevented by a protective edge guard in the form of a layer of tough plastic bonded to the outer surfaces of the sideplates, the protective layers each having a peripheral edge which extends beyond the edge of the side plate to prevent the edges of the sideplates from directly contacting the bag walls.