Hewlett-packard Company

Thomas A Pearo

Steve Orrin Rasmussen

Alan Shibata

Paul David Gast

James O Beehler

Methogology and apparatus are described which employ an improved modular service station design wherein a printhead-servicing sled is selectively vertically driven to effect execution of servicing tasks. In keeping with its desired modularity, the sled is made readily removable using an improved clamp and sled arrangement. The sled is driven by a unique drive system such drive system being capable of effectively selectively stalling or locking instrumentality such as the sled in various positions defined along its path of vertical movement. To save time and space, both the printhead and the servicing mechanism such as the wipers and the caps are moved so as to place them in proper relative positions for execution of a task. Precise relative positions of the servicing mechanism and the printhead are achieved and maintained during the course of a servicing task such as printhead capping by employment of an improved printhead registration system which limits relative rotation between the printhead and the servicing mechanism.

Printhead servicing station for printers

A sheet stacking system is provided which includes mechanism designed to compensate for the aerodynamic forces which act on a sheet as it passes from the printer's output port to the floor of the printer's output tray. The system includes a pair of spaced, anti-sail wings which are positioned adjacent the printer's output port so as to controlledly receive just-expelled sheets. The wings are operatively associated with the output tray's floor, and are arranged so that opposite movement thereof results in rear-to-front sequential release of a supported sheet, directing substantially vertical passage of such sheet to the top of an output stack.

Growing community of inventors

Vancouver, WA, United States of America

Thomas A Pearo