The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 05, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 20, 1996
Joel A Schoen, Woodinville, WA (US);
Jay M Miazga, Marysville, WA (US);
Intermec Corporation, Everett, WA (US);
Abstract
A thermal printer is provided with an integrated sensor that detects the printhead position without requiring a custom cable assembly or other sensing components. The thermal printer comprises a rotatable platen and a printhead disposed relative to each other to define a print region therebetween through which a print media is transported. The printhead may be selectively pivoted between a closed position abutting the platen and an open position substantially separated from the platen. The printhead is operable to print information onto the print media as the print media is transported by rotation of the platen when the printhead is pivoted to the closed position. The printhead further comprises a circuit board coupled thereto that is pivotable in cooperation with the printhead. The circuit board is operably coupled to a central controller to receive control signals and provide the control signals to the printhead. The circuit board further has first and second electrical contact points disposed on a surface thereof that are electrically connected to the central controller. A bridge element is fixedly disposed relative to the printhead to come into contact with the first and second contact points only when the printhead is pivoted to a selected one of the open and closed positions, thereby providing a printhead status signal to the central controller indicating that the printhead is pivoted to the selected one of the open and closed positions.