Abstract: An actuator for selectively causing axial compression of friction elements in a clutch is disclosed. The actuator comprises a pair of beveled wedge washers and a bearing race supported between the washers. The race supports conical bearing rollers in a generally radial orientation. An actuator plate is mounted for rotation relative to the bearing race and includes bearing ramp surfaces that are operable to move the conical bearing rollers radially inwardly thereby forcing the washers to move apart axially and to thereby cause compression of and torque transfer through the friction elements. A clutch including the actuator is well suited for inclusion in a transfer case.

Abstract: A printhead assembly including a printhead arranged to print on an image-receiving substrate; a platen; a fixed support; a first frame slideably connected to said fixed support, one of said printhead and said platen being mounted on said first frame; and a driver for driving said first frame relative to said fixed support to cause the one of said printhead and platen to move in a linear direction toward the other.

Abstract: A method for printing an image on an elongate image receiving medium includes the steps of: inputting data defining the image to be printed; selecting a vertical printing mode in which the image is to be printed across the width of the elongate image receiving medium; initiating a print operation for printing the image; generating print data, after vertical printing mode has been selected and the print operation has been initiated in accordance with a print data generation method which ensures that the image fits in the width of the elongate receiving medium; and printing the image using the print data.

Abstract: A pinion wheel for a spitter mechanism of a tape printer includes a first surface that does not engage with a tape, and a second surface for contact with a portion of the tape. Rotation of the pinion wheel causes the second surface to engage and move the portion of tape. In an implementation, the first surface has a first curvature and the second surface has a second curvature. The first surface may be flat and the second surface may be arcuate. In another implementation, a tape printer includes a printer body, a printing means, a cutting means for cutting a tape, and a spitter mechanism for moving a portion of the tape. The spitter mechanism includes an element rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a first surface does not engage the portion of tape, and in the second position a second surface engages the portion of tape. Rotation of the element to the second position causes the portion of tape to be moved.

Abstract: A cutting system for a printing device comprises a cutting blade (58) which has a cutting surface wherein there is defined a notch (58a). The cutting system also has an anvil (60) on which a printing medium such as heat shrink material is supported during cutting. The cutting surface of the blade (58) cuts through the printing medium leaving an uncut area at the notch (58a).

Abstract: A printing device has a simple mechanism for ensuring that a cassette having tape of a proper width is inserted into it for printing and for advising a microprocessor of the width of the tape. This is achieved by providing a switch with an actuating part which can be accommodated by a cassette of one type but not by a cassette of a different type.

Abstract: A tape cutting apparatus is described for cutting off a portion of tape (4) comprising first and second layers (4a,4c) secured one to another by an adhesive layer (4b). The apparatus comprises an anvil (40) and a cutter support member (31) carrying a blade (30), the cutter support member and the anvil being mounted for relative movement to bring the blade into contact with a facing surface of the anvil. The facing surface has a stepped portion (40) over which the tape is bent during cutting such that when the tape is released the first and second layers tend to separate from one another at the cut edge.

Abstract: A blade protection device is described for protecting a cutting blade in a printing device which is actuatable so that a blade protection member is movable by insertion of a cassette into the printing device. A printing device has a cassette receiving bay for receiving a cassette of tape and a cutting blade for receiving a cassette of tape and a cutting blade for cutting the tape after printing. The printing device incorporates a blade protection device such as described above. Cassettes are also described which are adapted to actuate the blade protection device described above when inserted into a printing device. One cassette has an aperture which receives an upstanding part of the blade protection member. Another cassette has a depending part which locates a surface of the blade protection member to actuate the blade protection device when the cassette is inserted into a printing device.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism for printing tape is described wherein the tape is bent over an arcuate surface during cutting so that when the tape is cut layers of the tape secured to one another by an adhesive layer tend to separate.

Abstract: A tape printing device is described which has cutting means capable of providing a tab cut and a multiple strip of labels. The printing device also enables label lengths to be controlled and to control the cutting process in response to these label lengths.

Abstract: A printing device comprises a zone for receiving tape for printing so that said tape passes along a predetermined path in the printing device; and an optical sensing arrangement comprising first and second optical sensing assemblies which enable an end of tape state to be detected and also allow discrimination between tapes of different widths.

Abstract: There is described a printing apparatus, particularly a label printer, which includes a switching mechanism operable in response to movement of the lid to permit operation of the printing apparatus only when the lid is closed. This can be combined with detection of the presence or absence of a cassette in a cassette receiving bay of the apparatus so that operation of the printing apparatus is permitted only in the presence of a cassette and with the lid in the closed position.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is described which enables a cassette to be removed more easily. This is done by tightening the tape within the cassette automatically in response to movement of a printing mechanism from its operative to its inoperative position.

Abstract: A printer comprises a cassette bay (8) having a lid (16), a printing mechanism comprising a thermal print head (26) and a platen (32) and a linkage (38,50) coupled between the lid and the printing mechanism. On opening the lid, the linkage causes the print head to adopt an inoperative position in which a cassette can be loaded into or removed from the cassette receiving portion and, on closing the lid, the linkage causes the print head to take up its operative position reading for printing. The invention also provides a cassette for the printer.