US 11,912,021 B2
Printer cassette with movable tensioning roller and associated printer
Michael A. Whitby, Tipp City, OH (US); Randall L. Redman, Beavercreek, OH (US); and Austin M. Knoblauch, Fairborn, OH (US)
Assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/536,590.
Prior Publication US 2023/0166541 A1, Jun. 1, 2023
Int. Cl. B41J 15/04 (2006.01); B41J 3/407 (2006.01); G01G 19/414 (2006.01); G01G 23/42 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 15/044 (2013.01) [B41J 3/4075 (2013.01); G01G 19/4144 (2013.01); G01G 23/42 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A printing apparatus, comprising:
a body including a base and a roll holding area with a roll holding support extending from the base for receiving a roll of label stock;
a plurality of rollers located along a label stock feed path from the roll holding area to a label stock exit zone of the body, the plurality of rollers including a tensioning roller that is movable relative to the base to dissipate tension loads on label stock during label stock movement;
wherein the tensioning roller is movable between an operating position and a label stock loading position, wherein, in the operating position, the label stock feed path extends from the roll holding area and loops around the tensioning roller;
wherein the tensioning roller is mounted on and extends from a pivot bar,
wherein the pivot bar is mounted at an underside of the base, wherein a slot extends inward from a feed path side of the base, wherein the tensioning roller extends upward through the slot when the tensioning roller is in an operating position,
wherein the pivot bar is connected to a pivot post that includes a lever arm extending therefrom for manually pivoting the pivot post and the pivot bar.