Abstract: The invention relates to a device for actuating a cover (2) for selectively closing an opening (66) in a surface (3) which surrounds the latter in a first position or for at least partially clearing the opening in a second position, the cover (2) being formed especially by the top in the opening in the roof of a motor vehicle which forms the surface (3), and the device comprising the following means: a swivelling arm which extends from the front end to the back end and which is provided with means for attachment of the cover (2); a lifting device (14) to produce a swivelling motion on the swivelling arm relative to the surface (3), and drive to apply force to the lifting device (14) and to move the cover (2) between the first and the second position in that the swivelling arm has at least two elements (A, C) which are connected to one another to be able to move or telescope, the end (30) of one of the elements (A) being hinged via a fulcrum to the stationary part of the device or the surface (3).

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof (1) with a sealing system for a support lever (11) in which a pair of seals (14, 15) adjoin one another at their sealing surfaces so as to cover the support lever (11) form above in a lowered position of the lever and are pressed to the side by the support lever (11) when it is moved into a raised support position. The use of a pair of seals instead of a single seal reduces and the seals (14, 15) are preferably hollow chamber seals.

Abstract: A folding chair has a seat, a first leg, a second leg, a first rod connected to the first leg and the second leg, a second rod connected to the first leg and the second leg, and a folding device. The folding device has a first joint and a second joint. The first joint has a guide channel, a circular aperture, and a slant round hole for receiving the first rod. The second joint has a post inserted in the guide channel, a hollow protruded block inserted in the circular aperture of the first joint, a round through aperture, and a slant circular hole for receiving the second rod. A bolt passes through the round through aperture of the second joint and the circular aperture of the first joint. A nut engages with the bolt.

Abstract: A chair with four sets of leg tubes(22) consisting of two leg tubes(22) attached at their centers in an X position which fold into a collapsed position with leg tubes(22) nearly parallel to each other. Seat tubes(24), and back tubes(44) are pivotally attached to the upper ends of leg tubes(22) at the rear of the chair. Seat tubes(24) are connected to leg tubes(22) at the front of the chair by seat clips(30). This configuration of the chair in the open position, provides a stable structure for the attachment of a seat cover(42) and for the attachment of a mechanism for reclining back tubes(24) and back cover(11). Arm braces(18) extending from the top of leg tubes(22) at the rear of the chair, and connected to vertical tubes(14) extending from near the center of seat tubes(24) support arm tubes(8), which are attached to back tubes(44). Back tubes (44) recline by moving arm tubes(8) to different positions in slots in arm plates(12) attached near the front of arm tubes(8).

Abstract: A folding seat part of a motor vehicle seat including an integrated table with a base and a tabletop. The tabletop includes a center leaf and at least one side leaf hinged to the center leaf. The tabletop is mounted to the base for rotational movement such that its rotational movement causes the side leaf to lock in a horizontal plane with the center leaf.

Abstract: A portable chair has a front and rear seat support frames hingably joined for rotating the seat support frames between a first folded mutually aligned position for carrying the combination, and a second unfolded, spread apart position for sitting. The chair further includes a chair seat joining the pair of seat support frames and providing an upwardly facing surface when the seat support frames are in the second spread apart position. A back support frame is hingably joined to one of the pair of seat support frames and rotatable between an upwardly extending position for establishing a back rest, and a laid-over position wherein the back support frame abuts the chair seat. Attached to the back support frame is a backpack removably joined to the back support frame.

Abstract: A child protecting outer cover for an infant car seat covers the car seat and extends down the sides with an elasticized or drawstring bottom hem so as to be secured in place. The cover has an opening through which the face of an infant may extend, and a recloseable flap over that opening. Below the opening, there is a pair of recloseable body flaps which open right to the bottom of the infant car seat, or close up to the opening for the infant's face. When the pair of body flaps is opened, the infant can be placed into or removed from the car seat without having to take the outer cover off the car seat; and the cover may be placed over the car seat even when the car seat is secured in place on a support.

Abstract: A cupholder assembly forms the forward support edge of an automotive vehicle seat. The cupholder assembly includes a lid member that is pivotally movable into a opened, operative position in which the lid member is positioned to rest on the floor carpet immediately beneath the cupholder to minimize vibrations and to provide support therefor. The cupholder assembly is formed with a breakaway hinge incorporating a stop mechanism to cease the rotation of the cupholder when the lid member is moved into the operative position. A three-tiered container holder structure accommodates a wide variety of sizes of cups, mugs and other drink containers. Once the lid member is pivoted into the open, operative position, an open support area of sufficient size to accommodate fast food containers is exposed immediately behind the container holders.

Abstract: A breathable cushion includes a base sheet having a circumference in a matrix of openings therethrough along with a cover sheet having a matrix of openings aligned with the base sheet openings and sealed to the base sheet along the base sheet circumference. A gel is disposed between the base and cover sheets with the gel being continuous between the base sheet and the cover sheet openings. The cover sheet is sealed to the base sheet or on each of the base sheet openings for forming a matrix of pockets with each pocket surrounding a sheet opening.

Abstract: A dual row outdoor leisure rocking chair. The chair includes two rocking chairs each having a main frame with two foot supports linked by a linking bar at the bottom side. The main frame hangs a swingable loading bracket thereon. The loading bracket has two bottom sides each engaged with a linkage rod. A top bracket is mounted at the top end of the main frame. The top bracket has a coupling section formed at one end thereof. The two rocking chairs are opposite to each other and swingable synchronously in a coupled fashion, and may be assembled easily.

Abstract: A device for detachably securing an object on a motor vehicle seat includes a transverse support member mountable adjacent to and along a gap between a seating surface and backrest of the motor vehicle seat and a pair of securements spaced apart and mounted to the support member so as to extend into the gap and being adapted for securing the object on the seating surface. Each securement includes a set of elements and structures connecting at least some of the elements of each set with one another and with the support member such that the securements are swivellable in planes defined by the securements relative to the support member between extended positions of use and retracted positions of rest. In positions of use, the securements have U-shaped configurations formed by the sets of elements such that one securement is identical to and a mirror image of the other securement.

Abstract: A body support system comprises a seat (3) including a base (19) and a seat member (21). The seat member (21) is slidably mounted on the base (19). A back support (7) is pivotable relative to the seat, and a connecting member (25) extends between the back support and the seat member (21) so as to urge the seat member to slide relative to the base (19) towards the back support as the back support is pivoted towards an in-line arrangement with the seat.

Abstract: Arrangement for securing a long slide rail device with support legs in a vehicle floor, the long slide rail device including a long lower rail, wherein, among the support legs, a leg member is provided at a vulnerable point of the long lower rail which is defined between a seat storage area and a seat home position area in a vehicle or automobile, so that a part of great force applied from a vehicle seat will be escaped through the leg member to the vehicle floor, thereby preventing undesired bending or deformation of the long lower rail at that vulnerable point.

Abstract: A constant engagement linear recliner assembly is provided for implementation with a seat assembly. The constant engagement linear recliner assembly includes a recliner rod in constant mesh engagement with a gear system. As the gear system is caused to rotate, the recliner rod moves linearly with respect to the linear recliner assembly. The linear motion of the recliner rod translates into pivotable motion of a seat back relative to a seat.

Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle, having an adjustable headrest with a belt guide. The belt guide realigns the path of travel of a torso belt of a vehicle. The adjustable headrest provides head support to smaller sized passengers while also positioning the torso belt for the smaller sized passenger.

Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint system, for use by a child, that can be installed and removed from any vehicle seat. The single end of a first Y-shaped belt is passed over the back of the seat and the double end, which hangs over the front of the seat, is provided with a pair of closed loops. A lap belt passes through the loops and the free ends thereof are releasably secured to respective ones of the double end of a second Y-shaped belt, placed on the seat. The single end of the second belt passes between the seat and the seat back and is releasably secured to the single end of the first Y-shaped belt. Optionally, a crotch strap is also releasably secured to the second Y-shaped belt, passed upwardly between the legs of the child and the other end releasably secured to the first Y-shaped belt adjacent the closed loops.

Abstract: A pivot mounting assembly (10) allows a standard tipping truck (1) to easily transport material for example earth moving machinery (20). The assembly (10) comprises a lever arm (11) between the chassis (2) and body (3) which can be pivoted by a ram (15) to cause the body (3) to rest on the ground (6).

Abstract: A surface mining and testing apparatus and system provides for the adaptation of a surface miner to the specific geological conditions of a new area of use. The special features of the surface miner are the arrangement of the milling roller (5) in front of the chassis (1) in the direction of mining, the undershot direction of rotation of the milling roller (5), as well as the adjustability of the milling roller (5) in its height and transverse slope in relation to the level. These functional features are accomplished with the testing apparatus in order to obtain the same kinematic conditions as in the surface miner. To make it possible to extrapolate the results obtained with the testing apparatus to the surface miner, the parameters overall weight, drive output and throughput of the testing apparatus are used as constant, lower ratios in relation to the surface miner.

Abstract: A trencher with a rock saw wheel has a foldable section that may be pivoted to one side during transport of the trencher on a truck or trailer, in order to decrease the overall height of the trencher during transport, or can be removed to reduce transport weight.

Abstract: A weight for correcting imbalance in a rotary element includes a number of discrete weights. The number of discrete weights is selected to substantially correct the imbalance. A piece of double sided tape has sufficient length for the number of discrete weights to be adhered to the length of double sided tape. A removable film protects the side of the tape opposite the side to which the discrete weights are adhered. The film reduces the likelihood of contamination until the film is removed to expose the side of the tape opposite the side to which the discrete weights are adhered, permitting the weight to be applied to the rotary element.

Abstract: A plurality of rotating bodies rotated in the direction orthogonal to the straight-forward direction of a wheel are disposed around the wheel in the wheel having rotating bodies provided with non-turning type rotating bodies. Each rotating body is rotatably supported around the axis of rotation across the radial direction around an axle, and each rotating body is formed in a shape in which an arc of the outer circumferential circle of the wheel is formed by a circumferential surface with the diameter of a tip portion smaller than the diameter of a base end portion. As a result, generation of a space between the rotating bodies can be suppressed.

Abstract: An omni-directional wheel for an omni-directional vehicle that exhibits constant ride height, low vibration, and reduced maximum ground contact pressure is disclosed. The invention consists of a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the omni-directional vehicle chassis. The wheel assembly includes a hub on which free spinning rollers are rotatably mounted at an angle to the wheel axis. Constant ride height and low vibration operation are accomplished by configuring the rollers with an exterior profile, thickness, material properties and surface grooving to achieve constant deflection of the roller contact surface at all wheel rotation angles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a full face wheel comprising a full face wheel disc and a partial wheel rim. The wheel disc has an annular inboard portion. The wheel rim has an annular outboard end. A chemical bond is formed between the outboard end of the wheel rim and the inboard portion of the wheel disc to secure the wheel rim to the wheel disc.

Abstract: Actuator unit for a hydraulic vehicle brake system, with a master brake cylinder in which a first piston, which can be displaced by an actuator, is disposed, a first brake circuit which can be connected by a valve arrangement in a basic position to the master brake cylinder or separated from the latter thereby in an actuating position, and a device which can be connected to a hydraulic chamber of the master brake cylinder to simulate the brake pedal behaviour, wherein a second piston is disposed in a displaceable manner in the master brake cylinder, wherein the displacement of one piston causes the displacement of the other piston, wherein the device for simulating the brake pedal behaviour is switched to an active or inactive mode through the displacement.

Abstract: A brake system control method, comprising the steps of: measuring a set of vehicle parameters including steering wheel angle, vehicle speed, lateral acceleration and vehicle yaw rate; responsive to the measured parameters using an observer to estimate lateral velocity of the vehicle, wherein the observer contains (a) an open loop dynamic model of the vehicle responsive to the measured vehicle speed and the measured yaw rate, (b) a closed loop term responsive to a first error between the measured yaw rate and a predicted yaw rate, a second error between a previously estimated lateral velocity and a predicted lateral velocity and a third error between the measured lateral acceleration and a predicted lateral acceleration; estimating a vehicle slip angle responsive to the estimate of lateral velocity; determining a control command responsive to the vehicle slip angle; and controlling an actuator responsive to the control command.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for vehicles BU, in which plurality systems of individually separated brake fluid pressure passages BC(A), BC(B) are arranged, and each passage is provided with at least one brake fluid pressure retaining means RU(A), RU(B) for continuously retaining brake fluid pressure within a wheel cylinder WC(A), WC(B) arranged in the brake fluid pressure passage after a depression of a brake pedal BP is released and for releasing the retained brake fluid pressure in response to an increase of a starting driving force of the vehicle, wherein the release of the retained brake fluid pressure is carried out in a time differential manner at each brake fluid pressure retaining means.

Abstract: A track drive device for all terrain vehicle comprises a frame (14) able to be mounted on the side of a chassis (C) of a vehicle and carrying two main wheels (38, 42) and support wheels (40A, B, 40E) around which is wound a track (12). The frame (14) comprises a rear part (16) able to be fixed to the chassis (C) of the vehicle and carrying one (38) of the main wheels, and a front part in the form of an approximately horizontal oscillating beam (18) carrying the other main wheel (42) and at least one (40D, 40E) of the support wheels and mounted pivoting about a first transverse pivot (20) located at a lower level. The device also comprises an approximately horizontal suspension arm (52) arranged above the oscillating beam (18), linked to the latter by a connecting rod (64) and mounted pivoting around a second transverse pivot (24) arranged at an upper level approximately at the height of the chassis.

Abstract: A refrigerated cabinet (10) includes a cabinet base (20) defining an open top compartment having a refrigerated interior for housing a refrigerated product (50) and a canopy (30) disposed atop the refrigerated compartment. A transparent glass window in the front wall of the canopy (30) is extended downwardly to the product fill line within the refrigerated compartment thereby expanding the customer view area. The rear wall of the canopy (30) includes a transparent service door (40) and a framework (42). The service door (40) may be rotated independently of the framework (42) to an open position providing service access to the refrigerated compartment. The service door (40) and the framework (42) may also be rotated together as a unit to a second open position to provide access to the refrigerated compartment for cleaning and sanitizing. A lamp (80) for illuminating the cabinet interior is disposed externally of the canopy (30).

Abstract: A device unit housing apparatus provided with a simple structure to easily engage and disengage a device unit such as a magnetic disk drive unit with or from an apparatus main body. The device unit housing apparatus includes an apparatus main body provided with an engaging through-hole formed therein for accommodating a device unit or an engaged subject, and a unit engaging mechanism provided on the device unit. The unit engaging mechanism includes a unit engaging body movable and engageable with the engaging through-hole, and an elastic member which can always press the unit engaging body against the engaging through-hole.

Abstract: An electrical enclosure includes gap-free trim plate installation. A switchboard or power panel includes an enclosure face with a central opening covered by a top label plate, a bottom label plate and a plurality of trim plates. The trim plate flanges cooperatively engage one another in an interlocking fashion. The interlocking arrangement allows the trim plates to remain in their installed position without external restraint during installation and removal.

Abstract: A method for varying the volumn of a refrigerator cabinet into two different configurations, by providing each of the two configurations with a substantially equal static cabinet, two deep doors of unequal height outwardly closing two end compartments and an intermediate compartment, and a frontal divider selectively fixable to the static cabinet in two different positions, on the basis of which a different selected end, compartment is increased in volume by its connection to the deep door of greater height.

Abstract: A refrigerator shelf having a plate surrounded by a frame. A guide is connected to the frame for slidable guiding of a closure member. The closure member is formed from an assembly of hinged-together bar elements which are able to pass between an extended position in which the closure member closes a chamber formed between the shelf and an underlying shelf, and a retracted position into the guide.

Abstract: An improved matching networks for matching the impedance of a source of variable frequency oscillating energy to a variable load is described. The described matching network includes variable capacitances that can be changed to maintain an impedance match between a source and a load despite rapid changes in the frequency output by the source and rapid changes in load impedance.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink jet recording device. In order to produce images superior in characteristics such as water resistance and color reproducibility regardless of the type of recording paper 41 and in order to allow selection between a mode of high image-quality recording operation and a mode of high-speed recording operation, the ink jet recording device comprises an ink jet head having a first nozzle 2i for ejection of droplets of pigment ink containing a pigment as a coloring agent and a second nozzle 2j for ejection of droplets of dye ink containing a dye as a coloring agent, wherein the maximum amount of ejection of a droplet of the dye ink that is fired from the second nozzle is set lower than the maximum amount of ejection of a droplet of the pigment ink that is fired from the first nozzle.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printhead system has a printhead with base member and a plurality of ink flow channels formed in the base member that connect to an ink reservoir and terminate in a nozzle through which ink is expelled. A heating element is associated with each ink flow channel. A monolithically integrated multiple output power driver circuit is formed as a semiconductor integrated circuit and connected to each heating element in the printhead. The multiple output driver circuit includes a power MOS transistor connected to each heating element. A reference circuit is operatively connected to each gate of the power MOS transistor and includes a reference transistor having a gate and a reference amplifier that receives as inputs a reference voltage and a source of current. An amplifier output is operatively connected to the gates of the power output transistors and the gate of the reference transistor.

Abstract: A method of operating a printing system having a media advance direction and a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the media advance direction and a first plurality of ink drop generators and a second plurality of ink drop generators by moving the first plurality of ink drop generators along the transverse direction while ejecting first ink droplets onto the media in a dot grid pattern having a first resolution in the transverse direction and moving the second plurality of ink drop generators along the transverse direction while ejecting second ink droplets onto the media in a second dot grid pattern having a second resolution in the transverse direction. The first and second resolutions being non-integer multiples of each other.

Abstract: While performing main scanning in which a head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink is moved in prescribed forward and reverse main scanning directions relative to a print medium, print images are printed on the print medium by forming dots in each pixel aligned in the main scanning direction in accordance with print data. The dot formation position misalignment amount for each nozzle is corrected using image pixel value data indicating the existence of image pixels comprising images and adjustment pixel value data indicating the existence of adjustment pixels in which dots are not formed.

Abstract: A print data loading circuit receives N bits of serial data on a serial input data line, and provides the input data to a data bus in an addressing circuit for addressing one or more image-forming elements in a printing device. The data loading circuit includes an N-bit serial shift register having N number of serially-coupled single-bit storage registers. The data loading circuit also includes N−1 number of data latches, each having a data input coupled to a data output of a corresponding one of the single-bit storage registers. The data outputs of the data latches are coupled to N−1 number of selection lines that are coupled to the data bus. Each data latch has a clock input that is coupled to the data output of the Nth storage register. Based on this configuration, a bit provided at the Nth-register data output acts as a load trigger bit to cause the other data bits in the other single-bit storage registers to be loaded into the N−1 number of data latches.

Abstract: In order to correct variations in the head temperature controlling due to variations in temperature sensing accuracy of a head temperature sensor, an ink jet recording apparatus and a method driving the same according to the present invention have pulse generating devices which can generate a plurality of signal trains of pulse widths corresponding to head temperature and devices for selecting a signal train in accordance with correction accuracy of an output of the head temperature sensor.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer, formation time of processing for generating data for providing a treatment liquid for improving fixing or water resistance of an ink by insolubilizing or coagulating a color material in the ink is reduced. For this purpose, to perform HV conversion for raster data for image data related to printing, processing for temporarily storing image data and processing of rewriting the HV conversion result are performed in a same sequence. For example, a treatment liquid data formation register having the same structure as an HV conversion register is provided. This register is masked to a pattern according to a treatment liquid composition on a printing medium and is made corresponding to data bits of the HV conversion register. Print data accessed by the HV conversion register is located in relation to the access, thereby forming the treatment liquid data simultaneously.

Abstract: A print head includes rows of plural nozzles, from which ink drops are ejected. A plurality of driving elements are respectively associated with each nozzle. A plurality of switching circuits are respectively associated with each row of nozzles. Each switching circuit is provided with a plurality of switching elements, respectively associated with each driving elements. Each switching element supplies a signal to drive an associated driving element. Each of a plurality of detectors detects a condition of associated nozzles and outputting a detecting signal in accordance with the detected condition. A controller drives the print head based on the detecting signals. At least one signal line transmits the detecting signals to the controller in a time sequence manner. The number of the signal line is less than the number of the detectors.

Abstract: There is provided a printing registration method for stably performing printing registration in bi-directional scanning by a print head in a printing apparatus or printing registration between a plurality of print heads with high accuracy. In complementary printing by the bi-directional scanning by the head, a plurality of patterns are printed while printing starting timings are shifted by predetermined quantities with respect to reference dots (dots formed by forward scanning). In the pattern, an area factor defined by the dots formed by the printing is varied according to the shifting. The plurality of patterns are optically read as an average density. The timing corresponding to a point where the read average density is highest can be determined as a printing registration condition. Furthermore, an optical sensor used for the reading is located at a position where an S/N ratio is stable with respect to fluctuations in distance from the object to be read, thus achieving stable reading.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus records an image on a recording medium by causing a recording head having an arrangement of a plurality of recording elements to conduct its main scanning for the recording medium interrelatedly in the direction opposite to the arrangement of the recording elements. The apparatus comprises a setting device to set the number of main scannings by the recording head; a main scanning device to perform recording by plural numbers of main scannings with respect to one pixel by causing the recording head to conduct its main scannings for the same recording area of the recording medium in accordance with the number set by the setting device; and a sub-scanning device to cause the recording head and the recording medium to be sub-scanned interrelatedly per main scanning in an amount smaller than the width of the arrangement of the recording elements of the recording head.

Abstract: A test pattern is scanned to find ideal print-medium advance for a pen (or other marking device). The pattern has a medium; and, marked on it, image patches each with overlapped swaths stepped by different distances. At best there are different-color pens; and for each distance a set of patches, each with a patch for each color (preferably area fills at sensitive tones by color). All patches in a set are best adjacent along a scan direction, with alignment lines above each set across the whole pattern, and a nozzle-conditioning patch at each image patch. A processor prints the pattern, operates a sensor and uses its signals to find optimum advance. The system finds and prints with ideal advance for a most-active pen; or weighs pen activity to find an optimum for all pens based on certain statistical and/or prospective choices.

Abstract: An ink cartridge which has an IC memory for holding information about the cartridge. At the time the ink cartridge is to be installed in a printing apparatus, its insertion is inhibited at a position before installation by a lock mechanism. In this state, the information in the IC memory is read out via a first electrode terminal located on the cartridge side and connected to the IC memory and the propriety of the installation of the ink cartridge to the apparatus is determined. When the ink cartridge is determined to be appropriate, the lock mechanism is unlocked and the ink cartridge can be installed into the printing apparatus. When the ink cartridge is installed in the printing apparatus, data is exchanged between the printing apparatus and the IC memory via a second electrode terminal connected to the IC memory.

Abstract: A printing cartridge includes a housing. An integrated circuit device is positioned on the housing. The integrated circuit device has memory circuitry that carries data relating to at least one of a serial number of the cartridge, a media and a media colorant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing a print job includes determining which nozzles of a printhead are currently failing, estimating a number of additional printhead nozzles that will fail while printing the print job, calculating a maximum number of failing nozzles that may not be exceeded in order to maintain a specified quality level for the print job, and determining if the number of currently failing printhead nozzles added to the estimated number of additional printhead nozzles that will fail exceeds the calculated maximum number of failing nozzles. The method and apparatus also includes providing a notification in the event that the number of currently failing printhead nozzles added to the estimated number of additional printhead nozzles that will fail exceeds the calculated maximum number of failing nozzles.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from an ink jet print head having a nozzle plate with a plurality of nozzles, having the steps of: a) applying a heat-activatable adhesive material over the surface of the nozzle plate having contaminants on the surface thereof; b) applying heat to the heat-activatable to the adhesive material to cause it to flow over the surface of the nozzle plate having contaminants on the surface thereof, thereby causing the contaminants to adhere to the heat-activatable adhesive material; and c) removing the heat-activatable adhesive material having the contaminants adhered thereto.

Abstract: In an ink jet print head including a plurality of ejection openings arranged therein for ejecting an ink, with the head carrying out printing by moving in a scanning direction relative to a printing medium, an ejection failure is detected promptly and accurately and adhesion of the ink to an ejection face on which the ejection openings are formed is also detected, without affecting print operation sequences. To achieve this, the following operations are performed: While an ink jet print head is being relatively moved in the scanning direction, a light beam is supplied diagonally of an arrangement direction of the plurality of ejection openings and in a direction traversing a trace of the ejected ink. The ink is ejected through the plurality of ejection openings in accordance with predetermined data, and a manner of ink ejection from each of the plurality of ejection openings is detected based on how the ejected ink is blocking the light beam.

Abstract: This invention concerns a printhead capping mechanism for preventing evaporation of ink from a printhead when it is not in use. The invention has utility, for instance, in a color printer which uses a drop-on-demand inkjet printhead. The mechanism includes a cap fitted with an elastomeric seal to seal against the face of the printhead, and a sponge to catch drops ejected from the printhead during the nozzle cleaning cycle. The mechanism also includes an actuating structure operable to selectively move the cap between an engaged position to press against the printhead and a disengaged position spaced away from the printhead.