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:
Nov. 12, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 22, 2000
Mitsuhisa Ando, Matsumoto, JP;
Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A print head pressure mechanism is disclosed that maintains uniform pressure between the thermal print head and platen roller regardless of variations in parts precision, and thus prints with uniform print density. The print head pressure mechanism has first and second support shafts disposed at both sides in the direction of a heat element line L of the thermal print head, a frame member for supporting the print head, and having first and second contact parts for contacting the first and second support shafts, and an one or more urging unit for pushing the print head to the platen with the urging means operating on the side of the print head opposite the side to which the heat elements are disposed. When the platen is separated from the print head, the platen axis and heat element line L of the print head are not parallel to each other. When the platen is in contact with the print head heat elements, and the first support shaft is in contact with the first contact part, the platen axis is substantially parallel to the heat element line L of the print head heat elements.