Abstract: The present invention provides a low profile stackable Internet appliance printer for use with a television receiver and monitor and responsive to commands from a remote device for printing user desired information. The printer has a box like rectangular shaped housing conforming in size to that of conventional electronic audio video components such as cable boxes, DVD players, amplifiers, video tapes and the like to facilitate the stacking of the printer with such other components. A base member supports in a front portion of the printer a printbar and associated printheads to provide the user with easy printhead head access. The base member has an open bottom for receiving a removable combination input/output tray cassette. Upon removal of the combination input/output tray cassette, front user access is made available for the purposes of removing a paper jam should one occur.

Abstract: The invention concerns a printing mechanism designed for producing an ultra-compact mechanism. The thermal printing mechanism comprises a frame, a motor and a gear assembly driving a roller (7), a thermal printing head (8), a member pressing (9) the head (8) on the roller (7), characterized in that it comprises a member providing at least vertical rigidity (1) to two separate sides of the frame and at least rotational resistance along an axis substantially perpendicular to a third side of the frame, or, at least rotational resistance to two sides of the frame. The invention is useful for printing mechanisms of electronic payment terminals.

Abstract: A printer wherein a drive roller of a pair of sheet discharge rollers is made of rubber and a driven roller of the pair of sheet discharge rollers is made of synthetic resin; the leading end of a sheet is guided so as to be abutted against the drive roller earlier than the driven roller; the sheet that is in the course of being discharged is guided by a sheet discharge tray so as to come in slidable contact with an edge portion that is on a print head side of a sheet discharge opening. As a result, the printer can provide satisfactory printing conditions quickly with a simple structure and reduce noise leaking from the sheet discharge opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tear bar for a thermal printer mechanism, the thermal printer mechanism including at least a thermal head that is housed in a device housing defining an interior space with a base and surrounding walls and being formed with a window next to one of the surrounding walls, the tear bar comprising: a body portion having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge opposing the first longitudinal edge; a tear portion extending along the first longitudinal edge at a first angle with respect to the body portion; a support portion extending along the second longitudinal edge at a second angle with respect to the body portion in a direction substantially opposing the tear portion; and a retaining device formed at the support portion; whereby when the body portion rests against the base juxtaposed the window, a channel space is formed between the support portion and the surrounding wall for retaining the thermal printer mechanism therein.

Abstract: A portable computer has a base housing to which a display housing is pivotally secured for movement between open and closed orientations. Extending across a top side opening of the base housing is a keyboard assembly which may be removed from the top side of the base housing. The removed keyboard assembly may be vertically supported on a rear portion of the base housing, to permit access to the base housing through its now exposed top side opening, by means of tabs formed on a rear side edge of the keyboard support plate structure and removably insertable in corresponding vertically extending slots in the top side wall of the base housing. This vertical support of the removed keyboard assembly prevents it from being misplaced, reduces the potential for damaging it by laying it aside on an adjacent work space area, holds the vertically supported keyboard assembly away from the display screen to prevent the keyboard assembly from scratching it.

Abstract: A rack and pinion medium roll support includes a support holder, a generally circular shape support shaft perpendicularly coupled to the support holder, and a rack and pinion mechanism, said rack and pinion mechanism comprising a pinion rotatably coupled to the support holder, an inner adjustable lever having an inner toothed rack meshed with the pinion, and an outer adjustable lever having an outer toothed rack meshed with the pinion at diametrically opposite end of the inner toothed rack of the inner adjustable lever, the inner adjustable lever being slidably coupled to the support shaft at an inner end and the outer adjustable lever being slidably coupled to the support shaft at an outer end, wherein the pinion is adapted to move the inner adjustable lever and the outer adjustable lever with approximately equal distance relative to each other for center adjusting a medium roll mounted on the support shaft between the inner adjustable lever and the outer adjustable lever.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low profile stackable Internet appliance printer for use with a television receiver and monitor and responsive to commands from a remote device for printing user desired information. The printer has a box like rectangular shaped housing conforming in size to that of conventional electronic audio video components such as cable boxes, DVD players, amplifiers, video tapes and the like to facilitate the stacking of the printer with such other components. A base member having defines an interior cavity for receiving a removable combination input/output tray cassette and supports from below a low profile printbar including its feed motor, drive motor, associated electronic drivers for controlling the firing of low profile printheads, carriage movement and the moving of paper to print user desired images.

Abstract: A modular duplex media handling system is used in conjunction with a simplex media handling print recording apparatus. The duplex media handling system is linked by a transmission to a print recording system drive motor. The drive motor drives feed rollers and metering rollers or the simplex media handling system. The transmission is media-activated to allow the duplex handling drive rollers to be disengaged, engaged for rotation in the same direction as the feed rollers, or engaged for rotation in the opposite direction as the feed rollers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low profile stackable Internet appliance printer having a removable combination input/output tray cassette. An elongated opening centrally disposed in a front wall of the cassette allows a user to determine the amount of paper stored in the cassette without withdrawing the cassette from the printer body.

Abstract: A printer includes a flat case having a flat top surface in which a printing mechanism and a sheet storage portion capable of accommodating a plurality of printing sheets are housed to be arranged along the top surface such that the printed sheet is fed out through an exit slot formed in the top surface. With such an arrangement, a thin printer can be achieved. In addition, the printed sheet fed out through the exit slot onto the flat top surface can be used just like a scratch pad or a notebook while being placed thereon. Moreover, the printer is of a thermal-type using thermal sheets, leading to reduced number of components. Therefore a compact printer can be achieved. Furthermore the printer uses thermal sheets of standard size such as A6 or B7. Accordingly, the printer can be formed to have a size substantially the same as that of a small notebook. A printer that can be handled like stationery, thus, can be obtained.

Abstract: A recyclable, one-time use, print on demand, digital camera comprises a housing. A chassis is contained within the housing. An image sensor device, supported on said chassis, senses an image. A processor, arranged in the housing, processes the image sensed by the image sensor device. A replenishable supply of print media is supported on the chassis. The supply of print media includes a former defining a chamber and a quantity of print media carried by the former. A pagewidth print head is arranged on the chassis for printing, on demand, the sensed image on the print media as the print media traces the print head. A power supply is arranged within the former of the supply of print media for providing power to the image sensor device, the processing means, the print head and a drive means for the supply of print media.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low profile stackable internet appliance printer having a removable combination input/output tray cassette with a support mounted therein for holding the output tray in substantially horizontal plane when the output tray is extended outwardly from the cassette a sufficient distance to support from below individual sheets of media discharged from the printer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low profile stackable Internet appliance printer for use with a television receiver and monitor and responsive to commands from a remote device for printing user desired information. The printer has a box like rectangular shaped housing conforming in size to that of conventional electronic audio video components such as cable boxes, DVD players, amplifiers, video tapes and the like to facilitate the stacking of the printer with such other components. A base member supports in a front portion of the printer a printbar and associated printheads to provide the user with easy printhead head access. The base member has an open bottom for receiving a removable combination input/output tray cassette. Upon removal of the combination input/output tray cassette, front user access is made available for the purposes of removing a paper jam should one occur.

Abstract: A modular printer system comprising a support frame, a chassis, a media holder, and a printer assembly. The support from supports the other components and may be attached to other devices. The chassis is slidably attached to the support frame so that it may be at least partially removed from the support frame thereby exposing components attached to the chassis. The chassis is adapted to hold the media holder and the printer assembly. The media holder holds media that may be printed on by the printer assembly. The printer assembly may be removed from the chassis to service the printer assembly and give full access to the media path. The printer assembly comprises a printer for printing on the media and a controller for controlling the printer and communicating with other devices.

Abstract: A protective device for dispensing devices, such as printers, used in a relatively hostile environment. The protective device includes a dispenser which is mounted adjacent the document feed path opening of the dispensing devices. The dispenser covers the document feed path opening to minimize penetration of grease, oil, moisture or other contaminants into the internal mechanism of the dispensing device. An access opening in the dispenser allows easy retrieval of documents produced from the dispensing device. The top portion of the dispenser acts as a guide for the guiding of the dispensed document through the access opening. The dispenser can be formed as part of a separate enclosure, formed as part of the dispensing device cover assembly or provided as a separate accessory which can be mounted on the dispensing device cover assembly.

Abstract: A printer including a portable information processing portion located on the face of the printer, a paper accomodating portion located on the back of the information processing portion and capable of accomodating thermosensible printing sheets of standardized size, and a printing mechanism portion located adjacent to a side of the information processing portion is provided. With such a structure, a printer which allows for a large printing area while being as almost the same size of PDA and is suitable for portable use can be provided. Moreover, by employing a thermal head for printing on the thermosensible sheets, a space required for consumables such as ink is eliminated. As a result, a practically portable printer can be provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining tension on a ribbon in a printer used for transferring an image, e.g., thermally, from a print head through the ribbon to a print medium. By maintaining ribbon tension and thus keeping the ribbon essentially without wrinkles, print quality is enhanced. This tension maintenance apparatus uses a pair of torqued reel subassemblies with the ribbon extending between and is of particular significance when used in conjunction with a label stock as a printer medium when the printer mechanism bidirectionally moves the label stock to assist removal of labels from its backing. These torqued reel assemblies are sufficiently loaded such that ribbon tension is maintained between these reel assemblies despite this bidirectional movement.

Abstract: A modular printer includes a housing containing printing components. The housing has a first, external surface and an opposed, second external surface. A plurality of mounting elements are arranged on the second surface of the housing and a plurality of locating zones are arranged on the first surface of the housing. There are at least the same number of locating zones as there are mounting elements. Each locating zone has a plurality of locating formations with each mounting element of the housing of one printer engaging one of the locating formations of the housing of an adjacent printer, in use, to locate adjacent printers with respect to each other. More particularly, the provision of a plurality of locating formations at each locating zone allows adjacent printers to be arranged in offset relationship with respect to each other.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a print head and foil feed means provided on a mount for feeding foil past the print head when the mount is in a feed position adjacent the print head. The print head is operable to transfer ink from the foil onto a recording medium for generating printed matter on the recording medium. The print head is movable relative to the body of the apparatus between a printing position at which printing is effected and a user accessible position spaced therefrom. The apparatus is configured so that the mount can be withdrawn away from the print head with the withdrawal operation causing the print head to move from the printing postiion to the accessible position.

Abstract: An information device having a printer includes a body and a printer portion for housing the printer and a printing medium. The body has a display screen side in which a display screen is positioned and a printer side positioned opposite the display screen side. The printer portion is attached to the printer side of the body such that the printer portion remains concealed during operation of the printer when the information device is viewed from the display screen side.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus, in which excellent mounting ability is achieved and damage and dislodging of a recording apparatus can be prevented. A mounting opening for mounting the recording apparatus is formed in a side surface of an apparatus body comprised of an ASF upper case and an ASF base. When the recording apparatus is mounted, after the recording apparatus is rested on a recording apparatus supporting portions for supporting the recording apparatus for shifting movement in a mounting direction, the recording apparatus is guided along the recording apparatus supporting portions in the mounting direction. By providing an eaves portion substantially in parallel with the recording apparatus supporting portions, an upward movement of the recording apparatus is regulated when and after the recording apparatus is mounted.

Abstract: A keyboard device is disclosed which has a structure capable of ensuring positioning and fixing of a keyboard body relative to a case. The keyboard device has a keyboard body and a case. The case comprises an upper case which covers the upper surface side of the keyboard body and a lower case which covers the lower surface side of the keyboard body. A tongue piece and a cutout portion for engagement with the upper and lower cases are provided centrally of two longitudinally extending inner side and this side of the keyboard body. Positioning and fixing of the keyboard body relative to the case are effected by those two engaging portions. Also at two positions of the inner side of the keyboard body are provided fixing portions for fixing the keyboard body to the case, namely, the upper and lower cases.

Abstract: A device for thermal printing of a rolled paper strip has a frame of which a fixed part comprises two lateral cheeks, which are perpendicular to an axis of articulation of a cover, and each comprise on their inner side fixed articulation means. The cover comprises two discs, which are accommodated between the two fixed cheeks, and each comprise on their outer side mobile articulation means which cooperate with the fixed articulation means. A latch, which is articulated around an axis which is parallel to the axis of articulation of the cover, cooperates with the cover and the fixed part of the frame, in order to provide locking/unlocking of the paper compartment on the fixed part of the frame.

Abstract: A mechanism for a label printer that automatically locks two, spaced-apart, paper supporting guides. A supply roll of paper is disposed between the guides, and the guides are adjusted to a proper paper width position. The guides are each mounted on a rack that engages a centralized pinion gear disposed in the cover plate that is closed over the printer housing. The guides are locked in an adjusted position when the cover is latched to the housing of the label printer.

Abstract: A roll paper loading mechanism 2 for a printer 1 has a slide frame 25 attached to a cover frame 23, which opens and closes a top opening 22b. This cover frame 23 pivots open and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing of a cover frame 28. A platen roller 26 is held on an end of the slide frame 25 in a manner enabling the platen roller 26 to turn. After the top opening 22b to the roll paper holding unit is closed by the cover frame 23, the other cover frame 28 can pivot independently. This independent pivoting motion of the cover frame 28 causes the slide frame 25 to slide forward to a position at which the platen roller 26 is positioned to an opposed position with a constant gap to the print head 8. This arrangement increases the sliding distance of the slide frame 25, and thereby reduces the pivot radius needed to fully open the top opening 22b. As a result, the area above the top opening 22b can be efficiently used to position some other component.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having selectively two distinct working positions (P1, P2), respectively a vertical working position (P1) and a horizontal working position (P2), comprising an external casing provided with a first and a second side, both flat, with a common edge and reciprocally inclined at an obtuse angle; a feeding tray for accommodating at the entrance the sheets to be fed to the printer; and a collecting tray, arranged to the front of the feeding tray, for collecting the sheets at the outlet after they have been printed. In the vertical working position (P1), the printer sits on a horizontal plane on its first side, and has the feeding and collecting trays directed upwardly; whereas, in the horizontal working position (P2), the printer sits on the horizontal plane on its second side, and has the feeding and collecting trays disposed horizontally to the operator.

Abstract: A portable electronic printing system including power supply assembly is disclosed. The printing system includes a printer comprising a printer housing having first and second ends, a handle disposed at the first end of the housing for allowing a user to tote the portable electronic printing system, and a power supply foot disposed at the second end of the housing. The power supply foot includes a power supply circuit for supplying power received from an external power source to the printing system. The power supply assembly includes a sidewall and a bracket for supporting a first electronic device and for sinking heat generated by the first electronic device away from the first electronic device. The bracket is coupled to the sidewall such that heat received by the bracket from the first electronic device is transferred to the sidewall. A second electronic device is mounted to the bracket such that the bracket absorbs vibrational energy applied to the second electronic device.

Abstract: A low-profile printer includes a main housing portion, a front portion, a media transport mechanism, a print mechanism and a media tray. The front portion is pivotally or detachably secured to the main housing portion. The media tray is positioned inside the main housing portion. In a preferred embodiment, the media transport mechanism and print mechanism are mechanically coupled to the front portion. The media transport mechanism, the print mechanism and the media tray are accessible when the front portion is in an opened position.

Abstract: A line printer having a hammerbank for printing on media with print hammers to impact a ribbon to form a dot matrix array having printing tips and permanent magnets for magnetically retaining the hammers. Coils release the hammers by overcoming the magnetism to impact a platen against which the hammer printing tips can strike a ribbon and the underlying media. A cover overlies the hammers having an elongated ridge, and is secured to the hammerbank by threaded members. A print ribbon mask is threadably secured to the cover with openings indexed to openings of the cover to allow the passage of the printing tips.

Abstract: A printer device for printing on a strip medium, the device comprising a body (1), a carriage (5) movable in translation along a guide (2) secured to the body (1) and carrying a pivoting print head (7), and resilient means (9) disposed between the carriage (5) and the print head (7), a cover carrying a platen and pivotally connected to the body (1) to pivot between an open position and a closed position in which the print head (7) is held pressed against the platen by the resilient means (9), a locking member carried by the body (1) in retractable manner between a first position in which it co-operates with an abutment secured to the cover and a second position in which it escapes from the abutment, the locking member (17) being secured to a lever (19) hinged to the body (1), the lever (19) having an end that co-operates with the print head in such a manner that during the movement of the locking member (17) between its first and second positions, the end of the lever (19) causes the print head (7) to pivot a

Abstract: A clamshell printer having a base and a cover pivotally mounted to the base for movement between an open and a closed position, wherein the open position provides unhindered access to a media path and a print head in the printer. The printer may include a platen formed integrally therein or a platen rollingly supported in the printer. A media supply, such as a continuous sheet of linerless thermal media in the form of a roll may be quickly and efficiently drop-loaded into the printer, with no threading of the media required. Unhindered access to the print head is also provided. The printer may or may not include a drive mechanism for advancing the media through the printer. The print head is controlled by a microprocessor mounted to a circuit board in the printer. The circuit board may be spring-biased to urge the print head toward a printing position, which is located at an effective printing distance from the media and the platen. A window may be formed in the printer for observing the media supply.

Abstract: A base sheet path for peeled issue (29) for guiding a base sheet (7) in a direction different from a label issue port (22) after passing a peeling section (12) following the printing by a printing section (18) and a base sheet path for continuous issue (30) for guiding the base sheet to the label issue port (22) with labels (9) printed by the printing section (18) stuck on the base sheet are provided. Two operating modes, namely, the label peeled issue mode in which the base sheet is set to the base sheet path for peeled issue and the label continuous issue mode in which the base sheet is set to the base sheet path for continuous issue are executed selectively.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved thermal printer with a rigid frame made from a main frame plate with compound bends and a base plate, record member supply roll mounting and guide devices, an ink ribbon and record member web feed control system, a print head assembly, and improved ink ribbon cores and spindles.

Abstract: A frame structure of a printing apparatus is provided with a main frame having a developer unit and a paper supply and output unit, a subframe installed in the main frame, having a printing unit, and a damping member installed between the main frame and the subframe, for absorbing vibration which would otherwise be transferred from the main frame to the subframe. Thus, the damping member can prevent the vibration generated by the developer unit or the paper supply and output unit from being transferred to the printing unit.

Abstract: A roll paper loading mechanism 2 for a printer 1 has a slide frame 25 attached to a cover frame 23, which opens and closes a top opening 22b. This cover frame 23 pivots open and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing of a cover frame 28. A platen roller 26 is held on an end of the slide frame 25 in a manner enabling the platen roller 26 to turn. After the top opening 22b to the roll paper holding unit is closed by the cover frame 23, the other cover frame 28 can pivot independently. This independent pivoting motion of the cover frame 28 causes the slide frame 25 to slide forward to a position at which the platen roller 26 is positioned to an opposed position with a constant gap to the print head 8. This arrangement increases the sliding distance of the slide frame 25, and thereby reduces the pivot radius needed to fully open the top opening 22b. As a result, the area above the top opening 22b can be efficiently used to position some other component.

Abstract: A print head 20 is placed upstanding on a chassis 25 through a protective member 26. A support shaft 28 to which a platen roller 21 is attached through a support member 27 is fixed at a lower end to the chassis 25. The support shaft 28 is fixed at an upper end to an upper attaching portion 25a of the chassis 25. A space restricting member 31 is provided to the upper attaching portion 25a so as to engage with an engaging lug 35 on the protective member 26 to restrict the upper ends of the print head 20 and the platen roller 21 at a predetermined space from each other. Thus, the upper ends of the print head 20 and the platen roller 21 are maintained at the predetermined space during printing to press the print head 20 and platen roller 21 against each other with a uniform pressure along their lengths. As a result, there is no difference in printing state between the upper and lower portions of the print head 20 and the platen roller 21, and uniform printing and improved print quality can be achieved.

Abstract: A miniature printer is provided with a printer mechanism in a housing. A thermal printhead is fixedly mounted in the mechanism. The mechanism and the housing define a compartment for a roll of paper which is loosely disposed in the housing and is extended over the thermal printhead. The compartment is closed by a cover hinged to the housing at one end thereof. A platen roller is located in the cover in an opening larger than the shaft of the roller, which opening and cover provides a floating mount for the platen roller. A driven gear which rotates the platen roller is mounted on the shaft near one end thereof. A pair of hairpin springs have ends which are located in the path which the platen roller takes as the cover is closed and moves into engagement with the platen roller.

Abstract: A recorder includes a housing and a key entry area, which is adjacent to the front end of the housing. The recorder also includes a recording unit for recording on a sheet of paper. The distance between the front end of the housing and the recording unit is equal to or longer than the length between the top of a cut sheet of letter size and the bottom of the print area in the cut sheet of letter size. The recorder further includes a tray fitted to the bottom of the housing to receive a sheet of paper fed from the recording unit. At least while the recorder is recording on a cut sheet of letter size being fed to the recording unit, the front end of the sheet does not protrude, through the space between the housing and the tray, from the front end of the housing. If the sheet end protruded, it would interfere with the operator's key entry operation.

Abstract: A thermal ink ribbon cassette for holding an inked ribbon of indefinite length for is in a thermal transfer printing mechanism is disclosed in which the cassette holds a spool of fresh ink ribbon which passes out of the cassette and across a thermal printing head, and then back into the cassette into a used ribbon chamber. A ribbon drive mechanism is mounted in the cassette adjacent the location on the cassette where the used ribbon normally enters the cassette so that if the ribbon breaks, the free broken end can be manually fed into the drive mechanism so that the remaining portion of the unused ribbon can be used. The cassette may also be provided with a removable front wall so that replacement ribbons can be inserted by a user, and a disposable container can be put into the ribbon take up chamber of the cassette so that a user does not have to handle the rumpled ink ribbon when changing to a new ribbon.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler for printing and applying labels and for printing tags. The labeler has a keyboard, a display, a scanner, and a battery-containing handle. The labeler is user-friendly and compact. The labeler can be easily loaded with label and tag webs of different widths. The labeler has a discharge chute for the carrier web which can be slid to a position outside the labeler for easy cleaning.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved thermal printer with a rigid frame made from a main frame plate with compound bends and a base plate, record member supply roll mounting and guide devices, an ink ribbon and record member web feed control system, a print head assembly, and improved ink ribbon cores and spindles.

Abstract: A dot-matrix line printer includes a printing shuttle which moves reciprocally to carry out a printing operation, and a balancing shuttle which moves in a direction opposite to the direction of the movement of the printing shuttle. The balancing shuttle is partly inserted in the printing shuttle so as not to interfere with the latter upon printing and so that the center of gravity of the balancing shuttle is located as close to the center of gravity of the printing shuttle as possible.

Abstract: A new paper loading system is featured with a convenient drop-in paper loading and a full slip path in a receipt printer. The paper is dropped into a paper receiving bucket disposed in the central portion of the printer. The paper is fed from the bucket; and thereafter, a receipt is printed. Then, the paper is cut to the appropriate receipt length. A slip path is also provided for insertion of a single or multi-part form used for credit or check validation. The relative position of the slip path would normally interfere with the drop-in loading of the paper supply roll into the bucket. The system allows the fixed blade assembly to support a slip path upon a rear surface thereof. The slip path is substantially parallel or adjacent to the paper receipt path, which passes between assemblies supporting a fixed blade and a movable, rotary blade. The fixed blade unlatches and pivots away from the rotary blade, thus opening the printer and exposing the paper loading bucket for access thereto.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly is pivotally connected a terminal having a recess. The keyboard assembly has a slot and is shaped to lie within the recess. A glide assembly is shaped to fit within the slot and is slidable along the slot. The glide assembly pivotally connects the keyboard to the terminal within the recess. A glide surface, across which the keyboard pivots, is disposed within the recess. The glide surface provides a frictive force between the glide surface and the keyboard. The invention may be applied in general to a lottery terminal.

Abstract: In a mounting system for an assembly in a high-frequency desktop device, a chassis element ("element") provides ground. For best ground, features formed in the element near a first edge of the assembly force the two together with no fastener there. Fasteners or other provisions secure the assembly, near its second edge, to the element. The features capture the first edge at installation; the fasteners etc. secure the assembly, near its second edge so that the features pinch the first. In another form of the system (1) first raised shapes formed in the element support the assembly near its first edge; (2) features, also formed in the element next to the first shapes, engage and capture the first edge; (3) second raised shapes, formed in the element, support the assembly near its second edge; and (4) fasteners etc. secure the assembly, near its second edge.

Abstract: A printing device includes a casing housing a sheet-feed mechanism for transporting a print medium and a carriage transporting mechanism for reciprocally moving a carriage in a main scanning direction. A print unit having a print head is detachably attached to the carriage. The print unit is capable of printing whether attached or detached from the carriage. A detection unit is provided for determining whether the print unit is attached to the carriage. The casing can be formed with a hollow space in which the print unit can be stored when the print device is not being used.

Abstract: A head holder incorporating a thermal printing head is detachably mounted in a printing position defined in a thermal transfer printer by use of guide means. The head holder secured by the guide means is vertically moved by means for vertically moving the head holder so as to be positioned at a stand-by point in non-operation of printing, and at a print working point in operation of printing. When the head holder demounted for exchanging or other possible purposes is replaced in the printing position, the head holder is restrained by lateral and longitudinal spring members, thus being placed in an adequate printing position, so as to enable excellent printing on a recording medium such as ID cards to be successfully performed without marring the essential printing quality.

Abstract: A printer system and method for sealing a printer system within a housing by moving a back-up plate toward a print head access opening of the housing and into engagement with a first perimeter thereof to sealingly close the housing, whereby the printer system is sealingly enclosable within the housing when not printing. The printer system includes a main plate assembly supporting a print head removably mountable in an opening of the housing, and matably engageable with at least a portion thereof to form a seal therebetween, and a cassette assembly mountable onto the main plate assembly and matably engagable with a cassette access opening of the housing to form a seal therebetween. A back-up plate is adjustably alignable relative to a print head by moving it into engagement with a print head access opening of a housing, fixing the alignment thereof, and then moving the aligned back-up plate away from the housing for printing operations.

Abstract: A low cost small footprint thermal printer including a thermal print head and a motor drive roller/platen mounted opposite to the print head for pinching web material therebetween to draw said material from a supply roll and advance it past said print head. The roller/platen is mounted on a hinged door which can be opened to provide access to a supply roll compartment and closed to position the roller/platen in operative relationship adjacent to the print head. In its closed operative position, the roller/platen is spring biased against a fixedly mounted print head.

Abstract: A point-of-sale (POS) terminal is provided with a control device for sending control and/or print data to a printing apparatus. The control device includes a general purpose processor controlled by a general purpose operating system and a control device connector for connecting the control device to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus comprises a first connector connecting the printing apparatus to the control device through the control device connector. A second connector connects the printing apparatus to an external device. A processor for processes first data input from the first connector and second data input from the second connector. The first connector is in communication with the second connector. The POS terminal also comprises a housing including a first body frame for accommodating the printing apparatus and a second body frame for accommodating the control device, the first body frame being detachably mounted on the second body frame.