International Business Machines Corporation

David V Iorio

Douglas E Goodner

Matthew J Galatha

Thomas Eugene Pangburn

Carl Wesley Robinson

Stephen G Fox

Roy D Stoyer

Ronald K Worth

Access door for a computer printer

Printer

A printer frame assembly having snap-together parts includes a base member, two side frame members, resilient cushions and an impact platen. The base member has locating receptacles to position the side frame members and interlocking flexure latches to snap-lock with corresponding locking surfaces located on the two side frame members. The interlocking flexure latches provide a bias to align the side frame members in a front-to-back direction and lateral alignment channels to prevent lateral displacement. The resilient cushions are positioned between the bottoms of the side frame members and the base member to urge the interlocking flexure latches and locking surfaces into secure engagement and to eliminate any clearances between the side frame members and the base member. The impact platen serves as a structural member of the frame and is positioned intermediate the two side frame members. The method of frame assembly comprises locating the resilient cushions on the base member, snapping the side frame members into respective locating receptacles and flexure latches of the base member, thereby trapping the resilient cushions, and locking the impact platen between the two side frame members.

Printer frame assembly and method of assembly

Operator controlled document gripper means is provided for gripping and holding a continuous web document closely downstream of the printing line of the printer so that a printed individual form can be torn away while the perforated tear line is located within the printer housing. The document gripper means includes a clamping edge on a gripper bar fixed on an access cover supported for rearward and forward sliding movement on the upper surface of the printer housing. The clamping edge is normally spaced from one face of the document to allow free passage of the document over the platen and through the printing station. With rearward sliding movement of the access cover by the operator, the clamping edge engages and presses the document against the platen to grip and hold the document while the perforated tear line is positioned closely adjacent the printing line.

Printer with slidable tear bar

Growing community of inventors

Harrisburg, NC, United States of America

David V Iorio