EP2150416B1 - Device for mounting a movably mounted lockable cover on the chassis of a thermal printing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

The invention is in the field of thermal printing mechanisms for delivering a thermally printed coupon from a printing medium arranged in a strip and packaged in a roll. It relates to such a mechanism and more particularly to the provisions relating to the loading of the roll and the application of the tape against a thermal print head.

Thermal printing mechanisms are commonly organized to deliver a coupon from a print medium which is arranged in packaged roll tape. Such mechanisms mainly comprise a carrier chassis carrying means for conveying the tape to a thermal print head, against which the pull-down tape is kept pressed for printing. The frame provides a compartment for receiving the web roll and for housing the thermal print head, and has a cover mounted movably on the chassis to allow a user access to the compartment. This access replaces an exhausted tape roll, and places the newly installed tape free end against the thermal print head. In order to apply the strip against the thermal print head, it is known to rotateably mount on the cover a support and motorized roll of the strip against the print head. The latter is provided with an elastic member for pushing towards the backing roll, so that the band can run against the print head by being elastically trapped between the latter and the backing roll.

According to various alternative embodiments, the mobile mounting of the cover on the frame is a tilt and / or translation mount, or even a removable mounting of the cover on the frame. The movable mounting of the lid makes it operable between an open position in which access to the interior volume of the compartment and to the environment of the print head is provided, and a closed position in which the lid covers the head of the printer. thermal printing and compartment. Depending on the configuration of the mechanism and its conditions of implantation on site, such as a configuration of the mechanism for its installation in kiosk or table mechanism, the cover is likely to be reduced to a bearing member of the support roller, and is incidentally completed by a hood on which is mounted this carrier member. The cover can be mounted movably on the frame via the carrier member or, if appropriate, via the cover. One will understand by cover a member may be simply constituted by the bearing member of the support roller or by this carrier member which is attached to a closing cap of the mechanism.

There arises the problem of the antagonism between an easy manipulation of the lid by the operator, both at opening and closing, and a reliable maintenance of the lid in the closed position. More particularly, it is desirable that the cover is effectively held in the closed position on the frame, so as to prevent accidental opening of the lid, in case of falling of the mechanism for example. It is also sought to consolidate the maintenance of the lid in the closed position against its undesirable maneuver in the open position, which is likely to be caused by the use of a band of substantial thickness and / or by forces induced by a cutting tool integrated in the lid. However, the effectiveness of maintaining the lid in the closed position hinders the ease of its operation by an operator to cause its passage from one to the other opening and closing positions. Furthermore, the support roller carried by the cover must be rigorously positioned on the frame when the lid is in the closed position, to make its engagement with rotating drive means and, if necessary, its relative positioning more reliable. a cutting tool integrated in the lid or carried by the frame.

According to a particular embodiment, it is known to provide the thermal printing mechanisms reversible interlocking means between the frame and the cover to maintain the latter in the closed position. The support roller is used for this purpose from its mounting on the lid via its axis of rotation, not only in a rotating manner but also floating in translation along elongated slots receiving the respective ends of the this axis. The chassis meanwhile comprises corresponding dihedral lights, along which are respectively guided the ends of the axis of the support roller when the cover is operated by the operator between its open and closed positions. The elasticity of the support that takes the print head against the support roller is used to maintain the support roller in the bottom of the dihedral lights. A voluntary operation exerted by the operator on the cover for its displacement in the open position causes a clearance of the axis out of the dihedral lights against the elastic thrust exerted by the print head against the roller. 'support.

By way of example and according to a current embodiment, the lid is pivotally mounted on the frame. In order to replace a roll of tape, the operator moves the lid towards its open position to access the compartment, against the elastic thrust exerted by the print head against the backing roll. With the replacement of the tape roll being performed, the operator folds the lid towards the frame in the closed position, which causes the print head to spring against the support roll by means of the tape. interposed between them. For example, we can refer to the documents EP1218200 (APS ENGINEERING) and EP1135259 (APS ENGINEERING) which describe thermal printing mechanisms comprising such arrangements.

More particularly according to EP1218200 it is proposed to use a lever to operate the lid in the open position, which makes it possible to increase the thrust force exerted by the printing head against the support roller in the closed position of the lid, while limiting the effort that must provide the operator to cause the passage of the lid in the open position. More particularly according to EP1135259 , it is proposed to arrange the cooperation between the dihedral lights and the axis of the support roller, so that this axis is placed in the bottom of the light after its passage in unstable equilibrium position in the zone intersection of the upstream and downstream parts of the dihedral lights. Such lid mounting solutions are satisfactory, providing a comfortable handling that does not prevent a firm maintenance of the axis in the bottom of the dihedral lights. However, such a maintenance deserves to be reinforced by specific provisions allowing its rigorous locking.

There are known solutions for locking the lid in the closed position on the chassis, which implement a latch movably mounted on the frame. This latch is operable by the user between an unlocking position in which opening operation of the lid is authorized, and a locking position in which the lid is locked on the chassis as the latch is not operated in unlock position. The lights in the frame for receiving the axis of the support roller are movably mounted on the frame to obtain a rigorous locking of the cover in the closed position without hindering its movement to this position. For example, it is proposed by FR2829964 (AXIOHM) to provide these lumens in a latch that is resiliently slidably mounted on the frame so as to hold the platen roller pressed against the print head. For example again according to EP1602502 (SEIKO INSTRUMENT INC), a latch arranged in a hook is pivotally mounted on the frame to trap the axis of rotation of the support roller to maintain it elastically against the print head. However, these solutions are uncomfortable for the user, and give the mounting of the cover on the chassis a complex, cumbersome and expensive, with the consequent inability to be implanted on any printing mechanism, and especially on a mechanism of reduced size.

The object of the present invention is to propose methods for loading a roll-conditioned printing tape inside a thermal printing mechanism, which takes into account the constraints that have just been stated. It is particularly aimed at by the present invention to provide a comfort of maneuvering the lid for the user, and a firm hold of the lid in the closed position. Such firm hold aims in particular to prevent unwanted movement of the cover towards its open position. It is also particularly targeted by the present invention to achieve these objectives without affecting the rigor of the positioning of the support roller on the frame in the closed position cover, and taking into account a size of the chassis may be reduced, to allow an implementation of the cover and its mobility on any thermal printing mechanism, for the lowest possible cost.

It is more particularly the object of the present invention to provide a movable mounting device for a cover on the frame of a thermal printing mechanism, allowing locking of its holding in the closed position and easy maneuvering in position d 'opening. The arrangement of such a device is sought so as to reconcile the ease of maneuvering the lid between its open and closed positions, and a firm hold of the lid in the closed position which prohibits any unwanted maneuver of the to its open position. This device is also searched for a simple structure and space as small as possible, to not increase its size and therefore allow its implementation on any thermal printing mechanism. The invention also relates to a thermal printing mechanism equipped with such a mounting device.

The device of the present invention is a device for mounting a lid mounted movably between an open position and a closed position on the frame of a thermal printing mechanism. This mobile assembly of the cover is preferably a mounting tilt cover on the chassis. However, it is conceivable without departing from the rules of the present invention to similarly mount the mobile cover on the frame according to other types of movements, such as a translational movement, a combined movement tilting and translation, or even a removable mounting of the cover on the frame allowing the user to disassociate or alternatively to assemble. The mobility of the cover relative to the frame allows a clearance or alternatively a cover of a receiving compartment of a printing tape roll and a print head that includes the mechanism. This mobility of the cover also makes it possible, in the closed position, to press a support roller which bears elastically against the printing head, in particular in response to a reverse thrust exerted by elastic means which the mechanism comprises. and which are assigned to the print head. Depending on the configuration of the mechanism and its conditions of implantation on site, such as a configuration of the mechanism for its installation in kiosk or table mechanism, the cover is likely to be reduced to a bearing member of the support roller, and is incidentally completed by a hood on which is mounted this carrier member. For its mobility, the cover can be mounted movably on the frame via the carrier member, or possibly by means of the cover. Thus, by cover, there will be understood a member that can simply be constituted by the support member of the support roller or by this supporting member associated with a closing cap of the mechanism.

• *) un rouleau d'appui monté rotatif sur le couvercle par l'intermédiaire de son axe, ledit axe étant logé à l'intérieur de premières lumières allongées que comporte le couvercle. La conformation allongée de ces premières lumières est à comprendre en ce qu'elle leur confère une aptitude à autoriser des mouvements de rotation et de translation du rouleau d'appui par rapport au couvercle. Ces dispositions sont telles que le rouleau d'appui est guidé en mobilité sur le couvercle non seulement en rotation, mais aussi en translation à partir d'une circulation de son axe le long des premières lumières. D'une manière générale, la liberté de mouvement du rouleau d'appui par rapport au couvercle, et plus particulièrement la conformation des premières lumières, sont agencées pour guider le rouleau d'appui en prise sur le châssis lorsque le couvercle est déplacé vers sa position de fermeture. Ces premières lumières sont ménagées latéralement en vis-à-vis sur le couvercle, et sont de conformation correspondante pour permettre un tel guidage du rouleau d'appui sur le couvercle.
• *) des deuxièmes lumières qui sont ménagées dans le châssis pour la réception de l'axe du rouleau d'appui. Ces deuxièmes lumières sont ouvertes pour l'introduction de l'axe et comportent un logement borgne pour recevoir l'axe en leur fond en position de fermeture du couvercle. Ces deuxièmes lumières comportent notamment une partie amont qui est ouverte pour autoriser une introduction de l'axe, et une partie aval qui est borgne pour le blocage de l'axe en fond des deuxièmes lumières sous l'effet d'une poussée exercée par des moyens élastiques. Les parties amont et aval sont à considérer dans le sens de mobilité du couvercle vers sa position de fermeture, et sont susceptibles d'être orientées en dièdre l'une par rapport à l'autre. Les deuxièmes lumières sont ménagées latéralement en vis-à-vis sur le châssis, et sont de conformation correspondante pour le guidage du rouleau d'appui sur le châssis.

More particularly, this mounting device comprises:

• *) a support roller rotatably mounted on the cover via its axis, said axis being housed inside first elongate slots that includes the cover. The elongated conformation of these first lights is to be understood in that it gives them an ability to allow movements of rotation and translation of the support roller relative to the cover. These arrangements are such that the support roller is guided in mobility on the lid not only in rotation, but also in translation from a movement of its axis along the first lights. In general, the freedom of movement of the backing roller with respect to the cover, and more particularly the conformation of the first lumens, are arranged to guide the support roller engaged on the chassis when the cover is moved towards its position. closing position. These first lights are formed laterally vis-à-vis the cover, and are of corresponding conformation to allow such guidance of the support roller on the cover.
• *) second lights which are formed in the frame for receiving the axis of the support roller. These second lights are open for the introduction of the axis and comprise a blind housing for receiving the axis at their bottom in the closed position of the lid. These second lights comprise in particular an upstream portion which is open to allow introduction of the axis, and a downstream portion which is blind for blocking the axis at the bottom of the second lights under the effect of a thrust exerted by elastic means. The upstream and downstream parts are to be considered in the direction of mobility of the cover towards its closed position, and are likely to be oriented dihedral relative to each other. The second lights are formed laterally vis-à-vis the frame, and are of corresponding conformation for guiding the support roller on the frame.

• *) des moyens élastiques prenant appui contre le châssis pour exercer une poussée contre le rouleau d'appui et maintenir son axe en fond des logements en position de fermeture du couvercle.

Said conformation correspondence between the lights is made according to the dimensions and conformations specific to the ends of the axis that they respectively receive. According to a simple embodiment, this correspondence is a similar conformation of the lights between them, identical or even homothetic.

• *) elastic means bearing against the frame to exert a thrust against the support roller and maintain its axis at the bottom of the housing in the closed position of the lid.

The operation of the support roller jointly along the first and second lights is caused by a combination of the movement of the lid between its open and closed positions, the thrust exerted by the elastic means towards the roller of support, and antagonistic support that takes the axis respectively against the cover and against the frame through the lights that they respectively comprise. These arrangements are such that the cover is held elastically in the position of closing from the thrust exerted by the resilient means against the axis and its resilient bearing against the cover and the frame.

According to the preferred embodiment according to which the lid is mounted movably tilting on the frame, the tilting of the lid towards its closed position is preferably carried out simply by means of a pushing gesture applied by the user at least against the cover to fold it down to the frame.

According to the present invention, such a device for mounting the lid on the chassis in mobility is mainly recognizable in that the second lights are arranged fixed in the frame, and in that it comprises means for locking the elastic support of the frame. axis at the bottom of the housing. These locking means are constituted by the cooperation of the opposing supports that the axis takes respectively against the housing and the first lights in the closed position of the lid. These antagonistic supports constitute means for retaining the lid against its displacement towards its open position, in the absence of a prior escape from the axis outside the housing.

Such retaining means constitute irreversible engagement means of the cover on the frame, otherwise to extract the axis out of the housing from a specific movement which is excluded a mobility of the lid to its open position. The irreversibility of this interlocking is preferably strict, or at least constitutes an obstacle to maneuvering the cover towards its open position in the absence of a specific extraction of the axis out of the housing. This obstacle is opposed to a maneuvering of the cover towards its open position, and is at least a disincentive and / or uncomfortable discomfort for the user when operating the cover towards its open position. Ideally, the retaining means are means able to strictly prohibit a displacement of the cover towards its open position in the absence of a prior escape from the axis out of the housing operated by the user.

In the closed position of the cover, the bearing of the axis jointly against the frame and against the cover, in particular by means of the first and second lights which house it, constitutes stop means capable of obstructing and preferably to strictly prohibit a mobility of the cover towards its open position. The authorization of this mobility is subject to the condition of a prior displacement of the axis out of the housing.

The invention also relates to a device for mounting a lid mounted movably between an open position and a closed position on a chassis of a thermal printing mechanism, this device comprising: a support roller mounted to rotate on the cover via its axis, said axis being housed inside first elongate slots that includes the cover; second lights provided in the frame for receiving the axis of the support roller, these second lights being open for the introduction of the axis and comprising a blind housing for receiving the axis at their bottom in the closed position of the lid; elastic means bearing against the frame to exert a thrust against the support roller and maintain its axis at the bottom of the housing in the closed position of the lid; in which the second lights are arranged fixed in the frame, and comprising means for locking the elastic retention of the axis at the bottom of the housing, these locking means being constituted by the cooperation of the counterforce supports that the axis takes respectively against the housing and the first lights in the closed position of the cover, these antagonistic supports constituting means for retaining the cover against its displacement towards its open position in the absence of a prior escape from the axis out of the housing, and further comprises a specific unlocking member pushing the escapement of the axis out of the housing to allow the opening of said cover. Preferably, the unlocking thrust is effected on the axis of the support roller or, in an equivalent manner, on the rubber of the support roller.

The implementation of the abutment means induces a rigorous prohibition, if not at least an obstacle or even an inconvenience, to a mobility of the lid towards its open position, which can only be broken when a movement of the axis out of housing. The mounting device incorporates retaining means adapted to impose a succession of two distinct movements to allow a mobility of the lid from its closed position to its open position. These two successive movements respectively correspond to a first extraction movement of the axis out of the housing to unlock the holding of the cover in the closed position, followed by the movement of the cover in its movable position to its opening position, authorized from the extraction of the shaft out of the housing which releases the cover of its connection with the frame.

These provisions are such that despite the fixed nature with respect to the chassis of the second lights, to simplify the structure of the device and improve the comfort of maneuvering the cover, the association between the first lights and the second lights is a latch allowing to imprison the axis to lock the holding of the lid in the closed position, its mobility being prohibited regardless of the particular traction forces, may be exerted on the cover to cause its mobility to its open position. Unlocking the holding of the cover in the closed position is obtained from a movement of the axis out of the housing prior to any mobility of the cover relative to the frame, to its open position in particular.

The mounting means are organized as holding means of the lid in the closed position by means of the trapping of the axis jointly inside the first and second lights, and locking means of this trapping. This trapping is obtained from the supports that take the axis jointly inside. first and second lights, which simplifies the actions that the user must perform to maneuver the cover to its open position.

The antagonistic supports constituting the retaining means more particularly induce reaction forces against a movement of the cover from its closed position to its open position, which tend at least to maintain the axis in a stable position inside the first lights and second lights, if not to induce a repulsion force of the axis at the bottom of the housing in addition to the thrust forces exerted by the elastic means. According to these arrangements and in the closed position of the cover, the orientation and / or the relative positions between the first lights and the housings correspond to a bearing against them of the axis which generates, in response to a force applied on the cover for its passage to its open position, at least a neutral reaction force oriented substantially parallel to said applied force, otherwise a reaction force comprising a component causing a repulsion of the axis towards the bottom of the housing and incidentally first lights.

The counteracting bearing corresponds in particular to a first point of support of the axis against the second light and a second point of support of the axis against the first light which are aligned along a generatrix of the axis. This counteracting support forms the retaining means able not only to keep the lid in the closed position, but also to lock this holding against a movement of movement of the lid towards its open position in the absence of extraction of the axis out of the housing.

More particularly, the retaining means consist of at least one pair of opposing supports that the axis takes respectively against the housing and the first lights in the closed position of the cover, these opposing supports being aligned along a generatrix of the axis. . These provisions induce a radial alignment of the support bearing reactions of the axis jointly on the frame and on the cover in the closed position of the latter, against its escape from the housing under the effect of a moving movement of the cover towards its open position.

The axis is likely to be moved out of the housing from a direct grip by the user. This direct grip is a unique gesture that the user must provide to move the lid in the open position in the advantageous case where said ramp is used to cause a spontaneous movement of the lid to its open position. However, it is preferred to provide the device with a thrust member of the shaft out of the housing. This push member is operable by the user to cause the unlocking of the cover in the closed position and allow its mobility to its open position. This thrust member is movably mounted indifferently on the frame or on the cover and is operable between a neutral locking position in which the axis is maintained. at the bottom of the second lights under the effect of thrust exerted by the elastic means, and an active unlocking position in which it bears against the axis until it is extracted from the housing against the thrust antagonist exerted by the elastic means.

More particularly, the device comprises a thrust member of the shaft out of the housing against the biasing thrust exerted by the resilient means in the closed position of the lid, said thrust member being operable by the user to allow mobility from the lid to its open position.

The thrust member is advantageously constituted by at least one thrust finger provided on a lever which is indifferently pivotally mounted on the frame or on the cover. The arrangement of the thrust member lever provides satisfactory ergonomics to cause the opening of the lid from a simple gesture made by the user on the corresponding end of the lever.

The lever is preferably hinged to the lid and is arranged in a pair of side plates disposed at a respective side of the lid. These plates are each pivotally articulated on the cover and are provided with a thrust finger of the corresponding end of the axis. An actuator lever member by the user longitudinally connects the plates to one another to cause their joint pivoting.

These arrangements make it possible to offer the user easily accessible means for easily provoking the extraction of the ends of the shaft out of their housing, without these means being a hindrance for the quick and easy loading of a roll of band inside the mechanism. More particularly, the arrangement of the thrust member in plates articulated laterally on the frame and connected by a common longitudinal actuating member avoids a bulk of the area of the frame receiving the thermal print head to facilitate the installing the end of the newly loaded tape. In addition, the operation of the lever in the closed position of the cover is adapted to be performed from the pushing gesture that the user makes on the cover to move it to its closed position. It follows that, from a single pushing action on the lid, the lid is placed in the closed position, is held in this position, and this holding is locked. Conversely, from a single gesture of operation of the lever, the unlocking of the holding of the lid is operated and it is moved to its open position.

Incidentally, the thrust member is associated with an accompanying member of the mobility of the cover towards its open position. More particularly, this support member is capable of being connected to the thrust member for, when unlocking the holding of the lid in the closed position, pushing back on the lid towards its open position at least 1 escape from the axis out of the second lights, if not from the extraction of the axis out of the housing. This connection is likely to be a mobility link allowing independent operation of the support member with respect to the thrust member. However, it is advantageous to use the organization of the thrust member lever arm, to provide the latter of the accompanying body. For example, the support member is provided on the lever being oriented, in the general plane of mobility of the cover, in particular rocking, with an angular offset relative to the orientation of the thrust fingers. This angular offset corresponds in particular to the distance that must traverse the pushing finger or fingers to extract the axis out of the housing, prior to taking support of the support member against the lid to maneuver to its position d 'opening. In this case, the lever arm is supported on the frame to allow the implementation of the accompanying member.

It is proposed to operate a guide ramp of the axis to spontaneously cause the maneuvering of the lid to its open position after extraction of the axis out of the housing made by the user. This guide ramp is advantageously that used to place under stress the elastic means prior to their release to repel the axis at the bottom of the housing. Since the organization of the means for holding the lid in the closed position coincides with the organization of the retaining means, the structure of the mounting device can simply be organized to allow the lid to be moved towards its open position from a unique gesture of the user extracting the shaft out of the housing. Following this action, the elastic means are used, these elastic means being able not only to push the axis at the bottom of the housing, but also able to cause the mobility of the lid, in particular tilting, to its open position after extraction of the axis out of the housing. It generally results in a simplification of the structure of the mounting device and ease of operation of the cover towards its open position, without affecting the quality of its locking in the closed position.

More particularly, the second lights are advantageously of the type comprising upstream of the housing a guide ramp of the axis against a setting stress and / or progressive release of the elastic means, caused by a maneuver of the lid respectively at closing and opening. The guide ramp is formed by the edge of a largely open clearance that includes the second lights to allow easy introduction of the axis. The upstream position of the ramp is to be considered with regard to the direction of mobility of the cover towards its closed position.

The proposed organization of the retaining means disassociates the holding of the lid in the closed position and the positive locking of its holding independently of the own organization of the elastic means. These arrangements make it possible to organize the elastic means constituting the means for maintaining the lid in the closed position, independently of the retaining means capable of locking this holding. These arrangements are such that the elastic means may be indifferently specific elastic means or elastic means attached to the implementation of another mechanism of the mechanism, including thermal printing head. The proposed organization of the retaining means makes it possible to avoid complicating the structure of the device for the installation of the elastic means, these not participating in the positive locking of the holding of the lid in the closed position. Such a simplification of structure makes it possible to limit the size and the costs of obtaining the device, and to allow its easy implementation on any printing mechanism, including on a small mechanism.

For this purpose and according to a preferred embodiment, the elastic means are coincident with those of which is provided with a thermal printing head equipping the mechanism for its plating to the support roller.

The invention also relates to a thermal printing mechanism in which is integrated a mounting device as just described.

• Les fig.1 à fig.4 sont des schémas de profil représentant un dispositif de montage d'un couvercle monté sur le châssis d'un mécanisme d'impression thermique selon les dispositions prévues par la présente invention, qui illustrent successivement les modalités de mobilité de ce couvercle.
• Les fig.5 à fig.8 sont des représentations du dispositif schématisé sur les fig.1 à fig.4, qui illustrent en perspective les modalités de mobilité du couvercle respectivement représentées sur ces figures.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description which will be given of a preferred embodiment, in connection with the figures of the attached plates, in which:

• The fig.1 to fig.4 are profile diagrams representing a device for mounting a cover mounted on the frame of a thermal printing mechanism according to the arrangements provided by the present invention, which successively illustrate the mobility modalities of this cover.
• The fig.5 to fig.8 are representations of the schematized device on fig.1 to fig.4 , which illustrate in perspective the mobility modalities of the lid respectively shown in these figures.

In the figures, a thermal printing mechanism comprises a frame 1 housing a thermal printing head 2 intended to print a band-conditioned printing medium. A cover 3 is mounted on the chassis 1, such as tilting or the like, between an open position shown on the fig.4 and fig.8 , and a closed position shown on the fig.2 and fig.6 . This cover 3 carries a support roll 4, intended to hold the band pressed against the print head 2 in the closed position of the lid 3. This plating results from a thrust R exerted by the print head 2 to the support roller, via elastic means 5 which are assigned to the print head 2 and which are engaged on the frame 1.

The support roller 4 is carried by the cover 3 via its axis 6. For this purpose, the cover 3 comprises first elongated slots 7 for receiving the ends of the axis 6. These first lights 7 allow a mobility of the support roll 4 in rotation for driving the band, and in translation on the lid 3 during the movement of the latter between its open and closed positions. This displacement in translation of the support roller 4 allows a circulation of the axis 6 along second lights 8 formed fixed on the frame 1. These second lights 8 comprise an upstream portion 9 open for the introduction of the axis 6 , and a downstream portion arranged in blind housing 10 for the reception at its bottom of the axis 6 in the closed position of the cover 3. In this position, the counteracting bearing 13 of the support roller 4 respectively against the cover 3 and against the frame 1 allows a holding of the lid 3 in the closed position. To lock this maintenance, the axis 6 is maintained at the bottom of the housing 10 not only from the elastic thrust R exerted by the print head 2 on the support roll 4, but also from an arrangement of said antagonistic support points 13 which prohibits a mobility of the cover 3 in the absence of a prior extraction of the axis 6 out of the housings 10 that comprise the second lights 8.

More particularly, the cover 3 is moved from its open position shown on the fig.4 and fig.8 to an insertion position of the axis 6 inside the upstream portion 9 of the second lights 8, as shown in FIGS. fig.1 and fig.5 . This movement is caused by a pushing action P exerted by the user against the upper face of the cover 3, which induces a sliding bearing of the pin 6 against a guide ramp 11 formed in the upstream part. 9 of the second lights 8. In this insertion position, the support roller 4 exerts a thrust against the print head 2, the elastic retraction allows the passage of the axis 6 to the housing 10. When the 6 axis crosses the intermediate zone 12 of the second lights 8 separating the upstream portion 9 of the housing 10, it is spontaneously pushed R at the bottom of the housing 10 to maintain the lid 3 in the closed position, as shown in the fig.2 and fig.6 . In this closed position the lid 3 is fitted on the frame 1 irreversibly, otherwise to extract the axis 6 out of the housing 10 from a specific movement which is excluded a mobility of the cover 3 to its open position .

This irreversible engagement is obtained from the relative positions of the first lights 7 and the housings 10 which jointly receive the axis 6 so as to induce, under the effect of a force S to move the lid 3 towards its position. opening, reaction forces F of the axis 6 against the frame 1 and the cover 3 which prevent such a displacement of the cover 3 towards its open position. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the general orientations A respectively of the first lumens 7 and the corresponding housings 10 are merged, so that said reaction forces F are oriented substantially parallel to the general direction S of displacement of the cover 3 towards its position. openness or, by analogy, to an effort S aimed at such displacement. These reaction forces F and stress S are in particular oriented substantially perpendicular to the general orientation of the first lights 7 and the housings 10, taken in the corresponding zone of reception of the axis 6. The bearing points 13 that the axis 6 takes respectively respectively against the first lights and against the housings are aligned along a generatrix of the axis 6. According to an improved form of embodiment and to from an adaptation of the corresponding orientation of the first lights 7 and / or housings 10 relative to each other, a force S applied to the lid 3 according to its direction of movement towards its open position, induced reaction a force F of the axis 6 on the cover 3 and on the frame 1 may comprise a component C capable of causing a repulsion of the axis 6 at the bottom of the housing 10, in addition to the forces R exerted by the elastic means 5 on the support roller 4, and accordingly able to reinforce the locking of the holding of the cover 3 in the closed position.

On the fig.3 and fig.7 , the axis 6 is in the extraction position out of the housing 10. This extraction is caused by the user, from the operation of a lever 14 which is pivotally articulated on either the chassis 1, but preferably on the cover 3 as illustrated. This lever 14 is composed of a pair of plates 15 arranged laterally on the cover 3 on either side of the support roller 4. These plates 15 are each provided with a thrust pin 16 of the axis 6 to against the thrust R exerted by the elastic means 5 fitted to the printing head 2. These thrust fingers 16 are advantageously formed from the own conformation of the plates 15, which simplifies the structure of the device and of promote its realization at lower costs. The plates 15 are interconnected by an operating member 17, shaped rod or the like, which extends parallel to the support roller 4. From a tilting of the lever 14 operated by the user, the axis 6 is pushed G out of the housing 10 and the opening of the lid 3 is allowed. When the tape loading is performed, the user applies a thrust P jointly against the lever 14 and against the upper face of the cover 3, to cause the closing position of the lid 3 and a locking of its holding in this position .

Claims (9)

1. Mounting device a cover (3) mounted movably between an open position and a closed position on a frame (1) of a mechanism designed for thermal printing including the following:

   *) supporting roller (4) mounted such as to rotate on the cover (3) around the shaft (6), said shaft (6) being housed within the first apertures (7), situated on the cover (3),

   *) second apertures (8), situated on the frame (1) which receive the shaft (6), on the supporting roller (4), the second apertures (8) being opened for the introduction of the shaft (6) and include a one side opened seat (10) for receiving the shaft (6) at the bottom in the closed position of the cover (3), while the second apertures are fixed to the frame,

   *) elastic means (5) abutting the frame (1) in order to exert pressure against the supporting roller (4) and thus to maintain the shaft (6) at the bottom of the seat (10) in a closed position of the cover (3),

   *) locking means for the elastic fastening of the shaft (6) at the bottom of the seat (10), these locking means being obtained by means of the interaction of the antagonists supports (13) of the shaft (6) towards the seat (10) and the first apertures (7) in a closed position of the cover (3), the said antagonists supports (13) representing the means for maintaining the cover (3) during its movement towards an open position without preliminary getting out of the shaft (6) from the seat (10),

   characterized in that it includes means especially designed for unlocking, provoking by pushing getting out of the shaft from the seat, which enables opening of the cover and in that the unlocking means comprises a means for pushing the shaft (6) out of the seat (10), against the antagonist pushing exerted from the elastic means (5) in the closed position of the cover (3).
2. Mounting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means designed for pushing out consists in at least one pawl (16), situated on the lever (14) being mounted to rotate on the frame (1) or on the cover (3).
3. Mounting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the lever (14) is designed as a pair of side plates (15), disposed at the corresponding side of the cover (3), each of these side plates (15) being articulated pivotally to the cover (3) and is provided with a pawl (16) for pushing of the corresponding end of the shaft (6), while on the lever (14) there is an actuating means (17) longitudinally connecting the plates (15) to each other in order to provoke their joint rotation.
4. Mounting device, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a closed position of the cover (3), the orientation and/or the relative position between the first apertures (7) and the seat (10) correspond to the push exerted against them of the support (13) of the shaft (6), which generates, in response to a force (S) applied towards the cover (3) for its transition in an open position, at least a responding force (F), neutrally oriented substantially parallel to the applied force (S), otherwise responding force (F) including a component, provoking pulling back of the shaft (6) towards the bottom of the seat (10).
5. Mounting device, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in a closed position of the cover (3) the said antagonist supports (13) are aligned according to the line of the shaft (6).
6. Mounting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second apertures (8) include ahead the seat (10) a guiding ramp (11) for the shaft (6) to gradually retain and/or release the elastic means (5), caused by the operation of the cover (3), during the closing and the opening respectively.
7. Mounting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic means (5) represent either special elastic means or elastic means, used for effecting on other parts of the mechanism.
8. Mounting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic means (5) coincide with those that are provided to the thermal printing head (2), fitted to of the mechanism, for its plating towards the supporting roller (4).
9. Mechanism for thermal printing supplied with a mounting device, according to any of the preceding claims.

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