| CPC B41J 2/33505 (2013.01) [B41J 2/32 (2013.01); B41J 2/325 (2013.01); B41J 11/04 (2013.01); B41J 11/14 (2013.01)] | 19 Claims |
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1. A printer comprising:
a thermal head including a plurality of heat generation elements arranged in a line;
a platen configured to convey a printing medium held between the platen and the thermal head, the platen including a shaft;
a pair of bushings positioned proximate opposing ends of the shaft;
a bracket configured to support the thermal head, the bracket defining a groove at opposing ends thereof;
a pair of frames positioned proximate the opposing ends of the bracket, each of the pair of frames defining an aperture that cooperates with the groove to define a passage through which a portion of the shaft extends;
a pair of supports, each of the pair of supports is positioned to engage with the aperture of a respective one of the pair of frames, the pair of supports are rotatable within the apertures about an axis of rotation, and the pair of supports are positioned to support the opposing ends of the shaft, each of the pair of supports including an extension received within a respective one of the pair of bushings such that the extension is positioned between an interior surface of the respective bushing and the shaft, the extension causing the shaft to be eccentric from the axis of rotation; and
a rotation stopper configured to selectively hold at least one of the pair of supports in one of a plurality of a rotational positions, each of the plurality of rotational positions providing a different contact position between the thermal head and the platen.
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7. A printer comprising:
a thermal head including with a heating element;
a bracket configured to support the thermal head, the bracket defining a first groove positioned at a first bracket end thereof and a second groove positioned at an opposing second bracket end thereof;
a platen including a guide and a shaft positioned within the guide;
a first bushing positioned proximate a first shaft end of the shaft;
a second bushing positioned proximate an opposing second shaft end of the shaft;
a first frame positioned proximate the first bracket end of the bracket, the first frame defining (i) a locking interface and (ii) a first aperture that cooperates with the first groove to define a first passage through which the first shaft end of the shaft extends;
a second frame positioned proximate the opposing second bracket end of the bracket, the second frame defining a second aperture that cooperates with the second groove to define a second passage through which the opposing second shaft end of the shaft extends;
a first support including:
a first base defining a first shaft interface that receives the first shaft end of the shaft, the first base in engagement with the first aperture of the first frame;
a first arm extending from the first base, the first arm configured to engage with the locking interface;
a second arm extending from the first base, the second arm configured to function as a lever to rotate the first base within the first aperture and manipulate the first arm relative to the locking interface; and
a first insert extending from the first base and received within the first bushing; and
a second support including:
a second base defining a second shaft interface that receives the opposing second shaft end of the shaft, second base in engagement with the second aperture of the second frame; and
a second insert extending from the second base and received within the second bushing;
wherein the first insert and the second insert engage with the shaft such that the shaft is offset from a central axis defined by the first bushing and the second bushing; and
wherein manipulation of the lever causes the first arm to move relative to the locking interface and change a point of contact between the platen and the thermal element.
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