CN110435313B

CN110435313B - Printer with adaptive core clamping main shaft

Info

Publication number: CN110435313B
Application number: CN201810413944.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 程洪坤
Original assignee: Datamax ONeil Corp
Current assignee: Hand Held Products Inc
Priority date: 2018-05-03
Filing date: 2018-05-03
Publication date: 2022-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-03
Also published as: CN110435313A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to a printer including an adaptive core retaining spindle. In one exemplary embodiment, the adaptive core holding spindle incorporates two rectangular plates disposed on opposite sides of an outer peripheral portion of the spindle. A compressible element (such as a compression spring) disposed between the two rectangular plates pushes the two rectangular plates apart when the media roll is mounted on the spindle. When pushed apart, the opposing edges of each of the two rectangular plates come into contact with the inner surface of the core portion of the media roll, allowing the spindle to automatically accommodate media rolls having various core sizes and preventing slippage of the media roll as the adaptive core holds the spindle in rotation in the printer.

Description

Printer with adaptive core clamping main shaft

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to printers, and more particularly to a spindle in a printer.

Background

Printers typically incorporate a number of components, such as drums, spindles, spools, gears, and media mounting components. The media mounting assembly may be used to store and/or move various types of media, such as ink ribbons, paper, and paper rolls. One example of a media mounting component is a spindle on which a roll of media (such as a roll of paper or a roll of ink ribbon) is mounted. Media rolls typically include a core element, such as a cardboard or plastic drum, over which the media is wrapped. The size of the core elements may vary depending on various factors such as the type of media and the amount of media disposed on the media roll. Thus, a spindle with a fixed diameter may allow installation of a particular type of media roll with a particular size of core element and may prove unsuitable for installation of other media rolls with other sizes.

There are additional disadvantages associated with using a spindle with a fixed diameter. For example, during normal operation of the printer, as the spindle rotates, various factors (such as manufacturing tolerances, wear, and contaminants) may cause a media roll mounted on the spindle to experience slippage. Slippage is undesirable because it can lead to poor print quality and other problems, such as printer damage, media jams, and media tears.

Disclosure of Invention

In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, a printer includes a spindle for mounting a media roll. A first pair of grooves is provided in an inner peripheral portion of a hollow shaft of the main shaft, the first pair of grooves extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft. The printer includes a first rectangular plate having a first pair of tabs arranged to engage with the first pair of grooves, the first pair of grooves providing the first rectangular plate with a first degree of freedom of movement in a first radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft. A second pair of grooves is disposed in the inner peripheral portion of the hollow shaft diametrically opposite the first pair of grooves, the second pair of grooves extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft. The printer further includes a second rectangular plate having a second pair of tabs arranged to engage with the second pair of recesses, the second pair of recesses providing the second rectangular plate with a second degree of freedom of movement in a second radial direction diametrically opposite the first radial direction. A first opening is positioned intermediate the first pair of grooves. A second opening is positioned intermediate the second pair of grooves. A spring is positioned within the hollow shaft, the spring having a proximal end extending through the first opening and attached to the bottom surface of the first rectangular plate and a distal end extending through the second opening and attached to the bottom surface of the second rectangular plate, the spring operable to urge the first rectangular plate outward in the first radial direction and the second rectangular plate outward in the second radial direction to engage an inner surface of a core of the roll of media when the roll of media is mounted on the spindle.

In another exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, a printer includes a spindle for mounting a media roll. A first pair of grooves is provided in an outer peripheral portion of the hollow shaft of the main shaft. A second pair of grooves is disposed in the inner peripheral portion of the hollow shaft diametrically opposite the first pair of grooves. The printer includes a first rectangular plate having a first pair of tabs inserted into the first pair of recesses, and further includes a second rectangular plate having a second pair of tabs inserted into the second pair of recesses. The second rectangular plate is coupled to the first rectangular plate by a compressible element that pushes the first and second rectangular plates apart when the compressible element is compressed during installation of the media roll on the spindle, whereby opposing edges of the first and second rectangular plates come into contact with an inner surface of a core portion of the media roll.

In yet another exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, a printer includes a spindle that is automatically adapted to accommodate installation of a first roll of media at a first time and a second roll of media at a second time, the first roll of media having a core of a first diameter and the second roll of media having a core of a second diameter different from the first diameter. A first rectangular plate is arranged on a first portion of the outer peripheral portion of the hollow shaft of the main shaft. A second rectangular plate is arranged parallel to the first rectangular plate on a diametrically opposite portion of the outer peripheral portion of the hollow shaft. The second rectangular plate is coupled to the first rectangular plate by a compressible element that pushes the first and second rectangular plates apart toward one of the core of the first media roll or the core of the second media roll when the compressible element is compressed during installation of the respective one of the first media roll or the second media roll on the spindle.

In addition, the present disclosure also includes the following technical solutions.

The technical scheme 1: a printer, comprising:

a spindle for mounting a media roll;

a first pair of grooves disposed in an inner peripheral portion of a hollow shaft of the main shaft, the first pair of grooves extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft;

a first rectangular plate comprising a first pair of tabs arranged to engage with the first pair of grooves, the first pair of grooves providing the first rectangular plate with a first degree of freedom of movement in a first radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft;

a second pair of grooves disposed in the inner peripheral portion of the hollow shaft and diametrically opposed to the first pair of grooves, the second pair of grooves extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft;

a second rectangular plate comprising a second pair of tabs arranged to engage with the second pair of grooves, the second pair of grooves providing the second rectangular plate with a second degree of freedom of movement in a second radial direction diametrically opposite the first radial direction;

a first opening positioned between the first pair of grooves;

a second opening positioned between the second pair of grooves; and

a spring positioned within the hollow shaft, the spring having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end extending through the first opening and attached to the bottom surface of the first rectangular plate, and the distal end extending through the second opening and attached to the bottom surface of the second rectangular plate, the spring operable to urge the first rectangular plate outward in the first radial direction and the second rectangular plate outward in the second radial direction to engage an inner surface of a core of the roll of media when the roll of media is mounted on the spindle.

The technical scheme 2 is as follows: the printer of claim 1, wherein the first opening is one of a first hole or a first slot; the second opening is one of a second hole or a second slot; and the spring is a compression spring that provides an opposing force when compressed.

The technical scheme 3 is as follows: the printer of claim 2, wherein the first rectangular plate is a first flat rectangular plate and the compression spring is operable to urge opposing longitudinal edges of the first flat rectangular plate against a first portion of the inner surface of the core of the media roll, and wherein the second rectangular plate is a second flat rectangular plate and the compression spring is operable to urge opposing longitudinal edges of the second flat rectangular plate against a second portion of the inner surface of the core of the media roll, the second portion being positioned diametrically opposite the first portion.

The technical scheme 4 is as follows: the printer according to claim 1, wherein:

the first pair of tabs attached to the bottom surface of the first rectangular plate and extending longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft, the first pair of tabs comprising a first generally L-shaped portion and a second generally L-shaped portion; and is provided with

The second pair of tabs is attached to the bottom surface of the second rectangular plate and extends longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft, the second pair of tabs including a third generally L-shaped portion and a fourth generally L-shaped portion.

The technical scheme 5 is as follows: the printer of claim 4 wherein the horizontal leg of the first generally L-shaped portion is arranged to movably engage with a first groove of the first pair of grooves, the horizontal leg of the second generally L-shaped portion is arranged to movably engage with a second groove of the first pair of grooves, the horizontal leg of the third generally L-shaped portion is arranged to engage with a third groove of the second pair of grooves, and the horizontal leg of the fourth generally L-shaped portion is arranged to engage with a fourth groove of the second pair of grooves.

The technical scheme 6 is as follows: the printer of claim 5, wherein each of the depth of the first recess and the depth of the second recess provides, at least in part, the first rectangular plate with the first degree of freedom of movement in the first radial direction, and further wherein the depth of the third recess and the depth of the fourth recess provides, at least in part, the second rectangular plate with the second degree of freedom of movement in the second radial direction.

The technical scheme 7 is as follows: the printer of claim 1, wherein the first rectangular plate includes a first beveled edge positioned proximate to an end of the hollow shaft; and the second rectangular plate comprises a second chamfered edge located proximate to the end of the hollow shaft; each of the first and second beveled edges is configured to facilitate mounting of the media roll on the spindle.

The technical scheme 8 is as follows: the printer of claim 1, wherein the media roll comprises one of a paper roll, a thermal transfer ink roll, or an ink ribbon roll.

Technical scheme 9: a printer, comprising:

a spindle for mounting a media roll;

a first pair of grooves provided in an inner peripheral portion of a hollow shaft of the main shaft;

a second pair of grooves disposed in the inner peripheral portion of the hollow shaft and diametrically opposed to the first pair of grooves;

a first rectangular plate comprising a first pair of tabs inserted into the first pair of grooves; and

a second rectangular plate comprising a second pair of tabs inserted into the second pair of grooves, the second rectangular plate coupled to the first rectangular plate by a compressible element, the compressible element pushing the first and second rectangular plates apart when the compressible element is compressed during installation of the media roll on the spindle, whereby opposing edges of the first and second rectangular plates come into contact with an inner surface of a core portion of a media roll.

Technical scheme 10: the printer of claim 9, wherein the compressible member is a compression spring.

The technical scheme 11 is as follows: the printer of claim 10, wherein the compression spring has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end extending through a first opening between the first pair of recesses and attached to the bottom surface of the first rectangular plate, and the distal end extending through a second opening between the second pair of recesses and attached to the bottom surface of the second rectangular plate.

Technical scheme 12: the printer of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second pairs of grooves extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft.

Technical scheme 13: the printer of claim 9, wherein:

the first pair of tabs attached to a bottom surface of the first rectangular plate and extending longitudinally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft, the first pair of tabs comprising a first generally L-shaped portion and a second generally L-shaped portion; and is

The second pair of tabs is attached to a bottom surface of the second rectangular plate and extends longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft, the second pair of tabs including a third generally L-shaped portion and a fourth generally L-shaped portion.

Technical scheme 14: the printer of claim 13 wherein the horizontal leg of the first generally L-shaped portion is arranged to movably engage a first groove of the first pair of grooves, the horizontal leg of the second generally L-shaped portion is arranged to movably engage a second groove of the first pair of grooves, the horizontal leg of the third generally L-shaped portion is arranged to engage a third groove of the second pair of grooves, and the horizontal leg of the fourth generally L-shaped portion is arranged to engage a fourth groove of the second pair of grooves.

Technical solution 15: the printer of claim 14, wherein each of the depth of the first groove and the depth of the second groove at least partially provides the first rectangular plate with a first degree of freedom of movement in a first radial direction, and further wherein the depth of the third groove and the depth of the fourth groove at least partially provide the second rectangular plate with a second degree of freedom of movement in a second radial direction that is diametrically opposite to the first radial direction.

Technical scheme 16: a printer, comprising:

a spindle that automatically adapts to accommodate installation of a first roll of media at a first time and a second roll of media at a second time, the first roll of media having a core of a first diameter and the second roll of media having a core of a second diameter that is different than the first diameter;

a first rectangular plate disposed on a first portion of an outer peripheral portion of a hollow shaft of the main shaft; and

a second rectangular plate disposed parallel to the first rectangular plate on a diametrically opposite portion of the outer peripheral portion of the hollow shaft, the second rectangular plate coupled to the first rectangular plate by a compressible element that pushes the first and second rectangular plates apart toward one of the core of the first media roll or the core of the second media roll when the compressible element is compressed during installation of the respective one of the first media roll or the second media roll on the spindle.

Technical solution 17: the printer of claim 16, wherein the compressible element is a compression spring that pushes the first and second rectangular plates apart to cause opposing longitudinal edges of the first and second rectangular plates to automatically come into contact with the inner surface of the core of the respective one of the first or second media rolls.

Technical solution 18: the printer of claim 17, wherein the first rectangular plate includes a first pair of tabs arranged to engage a first pair of recesses provided in an interior perimeter portion of the hollow shaft, and the second rectangular plate includes a second pair of tabs arranged to engage and diametrically oppose a second pair of recesses provided in the interior perimeter portion of the hollow shaft.

Technical scheme 19: the printer of claim 18, wherein the first pair of recesses are configured to provide the first rectangular plate with a first degree of freedom of movement in a first radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft, and the second pair of recesses are configured to provide the second rectangular plate with a second degree of freedom of movement in a second radial direction diametrically opposite the first radial direction.

The technical scheme 20 is as follows: the printer of claim 19, wherein each of the first degree of freedom of movement of the first rectangular plate and the second degree of freedom of movement of the second rectangular plate is selected to accommodate installation of the first media roll at the first time and automatically adapts to accommodate installation of the second media roll at the second time.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary purposes and/or advantages described in the present disclosure and the manner in which it is accomplished, is further explained in the following detailed description and its drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows an exterior view of an exemplary printer according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows some of the internal components of the printer shown in fig. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts the mounting of a media roll on an exemplary spindle of a printer according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts the mounting of a media roll and take-up core on a respective one of a first and second exemplary spindle of a printer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a media roll and take-up core after installation in a printer according to an example embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 6 illustrates an adaptive core clamping spindle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7A-7C show some structural details of the adaptive core clamping spindle shown in fig. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a media roll mounted on an adaptive core clamping spindle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional end view of the adaptive core clamping spindle shown in FIG. 6.

Detailed Description

Throughout this specification, several examples and variations are described for the purpose of illustrating uses and embodiments of the inventive concepts. This illustrative description should be understood to present examples of the inventive concepts rather than to limit the scope of the concepts as disclosed herein. To this end, certain words and terms are used herein for convenience only and such words and terms should be broadly interpreted to encompass various objects and actions commonly understood by those skilled in the art in various forms and equivalents. The word "example" as used herein is intended to be non-exclusive and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word "exemplary" as used herein indicates one of several instances, and it is to be understood that no particular emphasis, exclusion, or preference is associated with or implied by the use of such word. The phrase "adaptive core holding spindle" may be referred to as a "spindle" in various locations in this disclosure. It must be understood that this shortened form is used in this way only for convenience.

The present disclosure relates generally to a printer including an adaptive core holding spindle. In one exemplary embodiment, the adaptive core holding spindle incorporates two rectangular plates disposed on opposite sides of an outer peripheral portion of the spindle. A compressible element, such as a compression spring, disposed between the two rectangular plates pushes the two rectangular plates apart when the media roll is mounted on the spindle. When pushed apart, the opposing edges of each of the two rectangular plates come into contact with the inner surface of the core portion of the media roll, allowing the spindle to automatically accommodate media rolls having various core sizes and prevent slippage of the media roll as the adaptive core holding spindle rotates in the printer.

Fig. 1 shows an exterior view of an exemplary printer 100 according to the present disclosure. The printer 100 may be any of various types of printers, such as an inkjet printer, a laser printer, or a thermal ink transfer printer. In this example, the printer 100 includes a cover panel 105 that opens in the direction indicated by arrow 110.

Fig. 2 shows cover 105 opened to expose some of the internal components of printer 100, as well as paper roll 205, which paper roll 205 has been mounted on spindle 210 positioned in the rear portion of printer 100. The paper roll 205 constitutes one example of a media roll according to the present disclosure. When placed in operation, printer 100 prints text and/or images on paper roll 205 and ejects paper roll 205 via slot 215 positioned in a front portion of printer 100.

The internal components of printer 100 include a first spindle mount 220 and a second spindle mount 225. First spindle mount 220 may be used to mount an ink ribbon roll (not shown) that constitutes another example of a media roll according to the present disclosure. The second spindle mount 225 may be used to mount a ribbon take-up core that takes up a roll of ink ribbon dispensed from a roll of ribbon mounted on the first spindle mount 220. When printer 100 is operating for printing text and/or images on paper roll 205, a motor (not shown) may be used to rotate one or both of first spindle mount 220 and second spindle mount 225. The ink ribbon rolls provide ink that is transferred to the paper roll 205 for creating text and/or images. Details regarding components such as rollers and platens for transferring ink to paper roll 205 in the form of text and/or images are not described herein as these aspects are generally known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 3 depicts the mounting of a media roll 310 on an adaptive core holding spindle 315. The media roll 310 includes one of various types of media 320 wound on a core 305. Some examples of media 320 include paper rolls, thermal transfer ink rolls, and ink ribbon rolls. The core 305, which may be made of various materials (such as cardboard or plastic), may have a first diameter in one exemplary embodiment, and a second diameter in another exemplary embodiment. The adaptive core retaining spindle 315, which is an exemplary component according to the present disclosure, is configured to automatically accommodate such changes in diameter. Further details of the adaptive core retaining spindle 315 are provided below using other figures.

Fig. 4 shows the mounting of spindle 315 (along with media roll 310) on first spindle mount 220, and also shows the mounting of ribbon take-up core 405 on second spindle mount 225. It should be understood that the description herein of the spindle 315 inserted into the media roll 310 is equally relevant to spindles that may be used to mount the paper roll 205 shown in fig. 2, as well as spindles that may be used to mount various other media rolls in various printers. Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure encompass all such variations.

Fig. 5 shows a media roll 310 and ribbon take-up core 405 mounted on first spindle mount 220 and second spindle mount 225, respectively.

Fig. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a spindle 315 according to the present disclosure. In this exemplary embodiment, spindle 315 includes a mounting face plate assembly 625 configured to removably engage first spindle mount 220 (shown in fig. 2). The main shaft further comprises a first rectangular plate 605 arranged on a first part of the outer peripheral portion of the hollow shaft 610, and a second rectangular plate 615 arranged parallel to the first rectangular plate 605 on a diametrically opposite part of the outer peripheral portion of the hollow shaft 610. In this exemplary embodiment, each of the first and second

rectangular plates

605, 615 has a length that extends from a proximal end of the hollow shaft 610 to near a mounting panel assembly 625 positioned at a distal end of the hollow shaft 610. In other exemplary embodiments, one or both of the first and second

rectangular plates

605, 615 may have a length that extends, for example, from a proximal end of the hollow shaft 610 to a midpoint of the hollow shaft 610.

The first rectangular plate 605 is coupled to the second rectangular plate 615 by a compressible element 620, the compressible element 620 pushing the first and second

rectangular plates

605, 615 apart toward the core 305 (shown in FIG. 3) of the media roll 310. As indicated above, the core 305 may have various diameters in various printer-related applications. The compressible element (which may be a compression spring in one exemplary embodiment) is compressed during installation of the media roll 310 on the spindle 315 and automatically provides an opposing force that pushes the first and second

rectangular plates

605, 615 apart.

Fig. 7A shows an intermediate assembled state during assembly of the first and second

rectangular plates

605, 615 on the shaft 610 according to the present disclosure. Fig. 7B showsbase:Sub>A cross-sectional view of spindle 315 in the direction indicated by directional arrowbase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A' in fig. 7A. Fig. 7B shows a cross-sectional view of spindle 315 in the direction indicated by directional arrow B-B' in fig. 7A.

Attention is first drawn to fig. 7B, which shows a first groove 705 and a second groove 710 constituting a first pair of grooves provided in an inner peripheral portion of the hollow shaft 610. Third and

fourth grooves

715 and 720 constituting a second pair of grooves are provided in an inner peripheral portion of the hollow shaft 610 and diametrically opposite to the first pair of grooves.

Each of the first, second, third, and

fourth grooves

705, 710, 715, 720 extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis 740 of the hollow shaft 610. The proximal end of each of these grooves is exposed at the proximal end of the hollow shaft 610. In an exemplary embodiment, the distal ends of some or all of the first, second, third and

fourth grooves

705, 710, 715, 720 may extend all the way up to a mounting panel assembly 625 positioned at the distal end of the hollow shaft 610. In another exemplary embodiment, the distal ends of some or all of the first, second, third, and

fourth grooves

705, 710, 715, 720 may extend to a point halfway along the length of the hollow shaft 610, such as, for example, to a halfway point along the length of the hollow shaft 610.

Fig. 7B also shows a first opening 725 positioned between first recess 705 and second recess 710 and a second opening 730 positioned between third recess 715 and fourth recess 720. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 7B, first opening 725 is a first slot that is an elongated slot extending longitudinally along longitudinal axis 740 of hollow shaft 610 from near the proximal end of hollow shaft 610 to near mounting panel assembly 625 positioned at the distal end of hollow shaft 610. In another exemplary embodiment, the first slot may extend from near the proximal end of the hollow shaft 610 to a location halfway through the hollow shaft 610, such as, for example, to a halfway point along the length of the hollow shaft 610. The second opening 730 may be a second slot having a configuration substantially similar to the first slot.

Attention is next drawn to fig. 7C, which shows a first rectangular plate 605 engaged with a first pair of grooves (first groove 705 and second groove 710) and a second rectangular plate 615 engaged with a second pair of grooves (third groove 715 and fourth groove 720). More particularly, a first pair of tabs is utilized to arrange the first rectangular plate 605 into engagement with the first pair of recesses, and a second pair of tabs is utilized to arrange the second rectangular plate 615 into engagement with the second pair of recesses. In this exemplary embodiment, the first pair of tabs includes a first tab 745 and a second tab 750 attached to the bottom surface of the first rectangular plate 605, each extending longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis 740 of the hollow shaft 610. The bottom surface of the first rectangular plate 605 refers to a main surface of the first rectangular plate 605 facing the outer periphery of the hollow shaft 610. The first tab 745 comprises a first generally L-shaped portion and the second tab 750 comprises a second generally L-shaped portion oriented in an opposite direction to the first generally L-shaped portion.

The horizontal leg of the first generally L-shaped portion is arranged to be movably positioned within the first recess 705 and the horizontal leg of the second generally L-shaped portion is arranged to be movably positioned within the second recess 710. This arrangement allows the first rectangular plate 605 to move vertically up or down as indicated by the double-headed arrow 748. The extent of the bi-directional movement of the first rectangular plate 605 may be defined in part by the depth of each of the first pair of recesses and the height of the vertical leg of each of the first and second generally L-shaped portions. The degree of bi-directional movement of the first rectangular plate 605 defines a first degree of freedom of movement in a first radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis 740 of the hollow shaft 610.

A second pair of tabs is utilized to place a second rectangular plate 615 in engagement with the second pair of recesses. In this exemplary embodiment, the second pair of tabs includes a third tab 755 and a fourth tab 760 attached to the bottom surface of the second rectangular plate 615, each of which extends longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis 740 of the hollow axle 610. The bottom surface of the second rectangular plate 615 refers to a main surface of the second rectangular plate 615 facing the outer periphery of the hollow shaft 610. The third tab 755 includes a third generally L-shaped portion and the fourth tab 760 includes a fourth generally L-shaped portion. The third generally L-shaped portion of the third tab 755 is oriented in a vertically opposite direction relative to the first generally L-shaped portion of the first tab 745. The fourth generally L-shaped portion of the fourth tab 760 is oriented in a vertically opposite direction relative to the second generally L-shaped portion of the second tab 750.

The horizontal leg of the third generally L-shaped portion is arranged to be movably positioned within the third groove 715 and the horizontal leg of the fourth generally L-shaped portion is arranged to be movably positioned within the fourth groove 720. This arrangement allows the second rectangular plate 615 to move vertically upward or downward as indicated by the double-headed arrow 749. The extent of the bi-directional movement of the second rectangular plate 615 may be defined in part by the depth of each of the second pair of recesses and the height of the vertical leg of each of the third and fourth generally L-shaped portions. The degree of bidirectional movement of the second rectangular plate 615 defines a second degree of freedom of movement in a second radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis 740 of the hollow shaft 610. The second radial direction is diametrically opposite the first radial direction.

In other exemplary embodiments, one or both of the first and second pairs of grooves, and/or one or both of the first and second pairs of tabs may be replaced with different structures and cooperative arrangements that provide the same general functionality as described above with reference to fig. 7C. Thus, for example, one or more of the grooves may be replaced by notches and one or more of the tabs may have a wedge shape or partial Z-shape. Many such shapes and structures are included herein in accordance with the present disclosure.

Attention is now directed to fig. 7A, which shows a compressible element 620, the compressible element 620 having a proximal end extending through a first opening 725. The proximal end of the compressible element 620 is attached to the bottom surface of the first rectangular plate 605. The distal end of the compressible element 620 extends through the second opening 730 (shown in fig. 7B) and is attached to the bottom surface of the second rectangular plate 615. The arrangement of the compressible element 620 inside the hollow shaft 610 of the main shaft 315 may be performed by first inserting the first rectangular plate 605 into the first pair of grooves and then inserting the second rectangular plate 615 into the second pair of grooves. The first rectangular plate 605 is then slid inward toward the mounting panel assembly 625 until a first attachment element (not shown), such as a peg or post, positioned on a bottom surface of the first rectangular plate 605 is visible through the first opening 725. The proximal end of the compressible element 620 may then be placed into engagement with the first attachment element, such as by inserting the open proximal end of the compressible element 620 into a first peg (not shown) or by inserting the proximal end of the compressible element 620 through a hole provided in a first post (not shown).

The second rectangular plate 615 is similarly slid inward toward the mounting panel assembly 625 until a second attachment element (not shown), such as a peg or post, positioned on a bottom surface of the second rectangular plate 615 is visible through a second opening 730 positioned between a second pair of recesses. The distal end of compressible element 620 is arranged to engage with a second attachment element, such as by inserting the open distal end of compressible element 620 into a second peg (not shown) or by inserting the distal end of compressible element 620 through a hole provided in a second post (not shown).

After engagement of the distal end of the compressible element 620 with the second attachment element is completed, the first and second

rectangular plates

605, 615 may be simultaneously slid inward toward the mounting panel assembly 625 to obtain the assembled configuration shown in fig. 6. It is to be understood that in some other exemplary embodiments, more than one compressible element may be used. If these additional compressible elements are used, the assembly process described above for attaching the compressible element 620 to the first 605 and second 615 rectangular plates may be repeated thereon.

FIG. 8 illustrates the insertion of a media roll 310 on a spindle 315. When the media roll 310 has not been inserted onto the spindle 315, there is a default separation distance between the first rectangular plate 605 and the second rectangular plate 615. In one exemplary application, the media roll 310 may have a core 305 that is larger than the diameter of the hollow shaft 610, but smaller than the default separation distance between the first rectangular plate 605 and the second rectangular plate 615. An insertion process for inserting a media roll 310 having this core size may include a human operator using the fingers of one hand to compress the first and second

rectangular plates

605, 615 together, while using the other hand to insert the media roll 310 (along with the core 305) into the spindle 315. In some exemplary embodiments, the first rectangular plate 605 may include a beveled edge positioned proximate to the proximal end of the hollow shaft 610. The second rectangular plate 615 may also include a beveled edge positioned proximate to the proximal end of the hollow shaft 610. The beveled edge is configured to facilitate mounting of the media roll 310 on the spindle 315.

Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of spindle 315 to illustrate some of the operating features of spindle 315 when two different media rolls with cores having different diameters are mounted on spindle 315. A media roll 310 having a core 305a may be mounted on a spindle 315 at a first time. The compressible element 620 pushes the first rectangular plate 605 (which in this example is a first flat rectangular plate) and the second rectangular plate 615 (which in this example is a second flat rectangular plate) apart such that the opposing

longitudinal edges

101 and 102 of the first rectangular plate 605 engage a first portion of the inner surface of the core 305a and the opposing

longitudinal edges

103 and 104 of the second rectangular plate 615 engage a second portion of the inner surface of the core 305a that is positioned diametrically opposite the first portion. The engagement of the opposing

longitudinal edges

101 and 102 and the opposing

longitudinal edges

103 and 104 with the respective portions of the inner surface of the core 305a allows the spindle 315 to obtain a clamping force on the media roll 310 and prevent slippage of the media roll 310 as the spindle 315 rotates during operations performed by the printer 100.

Another media roll 310 having a core 305b may be mounted on a spindle 315 at a second time. Core body 305b has a diameter different from the diameter of core body 305 a. The compressible element 620 pushes the first and second

rectangular plates

605, 615 apart such that the opposing

longitudinal edges

101, 102 of the first rectangular plate 605 engage a first portion of the inner surface of the core 305b and the opposing

longitudinal edges

103, 104 of the second rectangular plate 615 engage a second portion of the inner surface of the core 305b, the second portion being positioned diametrically opposite the first portion. The engagement of the opposing

longitudinal edges

101 and 102 and the opposing

longitudinal edges

103 and 104 with the respective portions of the inner surface of the core 305b allows the spindle 315 to obtain a clamping force on the media roll 310 and prevent slippage of the media roll 310 as the spindle 315 rotates during operations performed by the printer 100.

The degree to which the first rectangular plate 605 and the second rectangular plate 615 are pushed apart when the core body 305b is mounted on the spindle 315 is different from the degree to which the first rectangular plate 605 and the second rectangular plate 615 are pushed apart when the core body 305a is mounted on the spindle 315. Therefore, when core body 305b has a larger diameter than core body 305a, first rectangular plate 605 and second rectangular plate 615 are pushed apart to a greater extent when core body 305b is mounted on spindle 315 than when core body 305a is mounted on spindle 315. According to the present disclosure, the degree to which the first and second

rectangular plates

605, 615 are pushed apart is automatically defined by the action of the compressible element 620, thus allowing the use of the adaptive core holding spindle 315 to prevent slippage when media rolls having various core diameters are installed in the printer 100.

To supplement this disclosure, this application incorporates by reference in its entirety the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:

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In the description and/or drawings, exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. For example, it is to be understood that the printer is only one example of a device in the above description, and may be replaced by various other types of devices without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Use of the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and are, therefore, not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise indicated, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A printer, comprising:

a spindle for mounting a media roll;

a first opening positioned between the first pair of grooves;

a second opening positioned between the second pair of grooves; and

2. The printer of claim 1, wherein the first opening is one of a first hole or a first slot; the second opening is one of a second hole or a second slot; and the spring is a compression spring that provides an opposing force when compressed.

3. The printer of claim 2, wherein the first rectangular plate is a first flat rectangular plate and the compression spring is operable to urge opposing longitudinal edges of the first flat rectangular plate against a first portion of the inner surface of the core of the media roll, and wherein the second rectangular plate is a second flat rectangular plate and the compression spring is operable to urge opposing longitudinal edges of the second flat rectangular plate against a second portion of the inner surface of the core of the media roll, the second portion being positioned diametrically opposite the first portion.

4. The printer of claim 1, wherein:

the first pair of tabs are attached to the bottom surface of the first rectangular plate and extend longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft, the first pair of tabs comprising a first generally L-shaped portion and a second generally L-shaped portion; and is provided with

5. The printer of claim 4, wherein the horizontal leg of the first generally L-shaped portion is arranged to movably engage with a first groove of the first pair of grooves, the horizontal leg of the second generally L-shaped portion is arranged to movably engage with a second groove of the first pair of grooves, the horizontal leg of the third generally L-shaped portion is arranged to engage with a third groove of the second pair of grooves, and the horizontal leg of the fourth generally L-shaped portion is arranged to engage with a fourth groove of the second pair of grooves.

6. The printer of claim 5, wherein each of a depth of the first recess and a depth of the second recess provides, at least in part, the first rectangular plate with the first degree of freedom of movement in the first radial direction, and further wherein a depth of the third recess and a depth of the fourth recess provides, at least in part, the second rectangular plate with the second degree of freedom of movement in the second radial direction.

7. The printer of claim 1, wherein the first rectangular plate includes a first beveled edge positioned proximate to an end of the hollow shaft; and the second rectangular plate comprises a second chamfered edge located proximate to the end of the hollow shaft; each of the first and second beveled edges is configured to facilitate mounting of the media roll on the spindle.

8. The printer of claim 1, wherein the media roll comprises one of a paper roll, a thermal transfer ink roll, or an ink ribbon roll.

9. A printer, comprising:

a spindle for mounting a media roll;

a second rectangular plate comprising a second pair of tabs inserted into the second pair of grooves, the second rectangular plate coupled to the first rectangular plate by a compressible element, the compressible element pushing the first and second rectangular plates apart when the compressible element is compressed during installation of the media roll on the spindle, whereby opposing edges of the first and second rectangular plates make contact with an inner surface of a core portion of a media roll.

10. The printer of claim 9, wherein the compressible element is a compression spring.

11. The printer of claim 10, wherein the compression spring has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end extending through a first opening between the first pair of recesses and attached to the bottom surface of the first rectangular plate, and the distal end extending through a second opening between the second pair of recesses and attached to the bottom surface of the second rectangular plate.

12. The printer of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second pairs of grooves extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft.

13. The printer of claim 9, wherein:

14. The printer of claim 13, wherein the horizontal leg of the first generally L-shaped portion is arranged to movably engage with a first groove of the first pair of grooves, the horizontal leg of the second generally L-shaped portion is arranged to movably engage with a second groove of the first pair of grooves, the horizontal leg of the third generally L-shaped portion is arranged to engage with a third groove of the second pair of grooves, and the horizontal leg of the fourth generally L-shaped portion is arranged to engage with a fourth groove of the second pair of grooves.

15. The printer of claim 14, wherein each of the depth of the first groove and the depth of the second groove provides, at least in part, a first degree of freedom of movement in a first radial direction to the first rectangular plate, and further wherein the depth of the third groove and the depth of the fourth groove provides, at least in part, a second degree of freedom of movement in a second radial direction that is diametrically opposite to the first radial direction to the second rectangular plate.

16. A printer, comprising:

a spindle that automatically adapts to accommodate the installation of a first roll of media at a first time and a second roll of media at a second time, the first roll of media having a core of a first diameter and the second roll of media having a core of a second diameter that is different than the first diameter;

a second rectangular plate disposed on a diametrically opposite portion of the outer perimeter portion of the hollow shaft parallel to the first rectangular plate, the second rectangular plate coupled to the first rectangular plate by a compressible element that pushes the first and second rectangular plates apart toward one of the core of the first media roll or the core of the second media roll when the compressible element is compressed during installation of the respective one of the first or second media rolls on the spindle.

17. The printer of claim 16, wherein the compressible element is a compression spring that urges the first and second rectangular plates apart to cause opposing longitudinal edges of the first and second rectangular plates to automatically come into contact with an inner surface of the core of the respective one of the first or second rolls of media.

18. The printer of claim 17, wherein the first rectangular plate includes a first pair of tabs arranged to engage a first pair of recesses provided in an interior perimeter portion of the hollow axle, and the second rectangular plate includes a second pair of tabs arranged to engage and diametrically oppose a second pair of recesses provided in the interior perimeter portion of the hollow axle.

19. The printer of claim 18, wherein the first pair of grooves is configured to provide the first rectangular plate with a first degree of freedom of movement in a first radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft, and the second pair of grooves is configured to provide the second rectangular plate with a second degree of freedom of movement in a second radial direction diametrically opposite the first radial direction.

20. The printer of claim 19, wherein each of the first degree of freedom of movement of the first rectangular plate and the second degree of freedom of movement of the second rectangular plate is selected to accommodate installation of the first media roll at the first time and automatically adapts to accommodate installation of the second media roll at the second time.