GB2611296A

GB2611296A - Clamp for printer

Info

Publication number: GB2611296A
Application number: GB2113778.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mcnestry Martin
Original assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2021-09-27
Filing date: 2021-09-27
Publication date: 2023-04-05
Also published as: CN219295037U; GB202113778D0

Abstract

A clamp 100 for clamping a printer (2, Fig.10) to a bar (3a, Fig.4) of a bracket (3, Fig.4), the clamp comprises a main body (101, 6A), a clamping member 130, an actuation means (109, Fig.6A) and a pivot means (145, Fig.9B). The main body comprises means (106, 107, Fig.6A) for coupling to the printer and a first clamp surface (117, Fig.6A) for engagement with the bar. The clamping member comprises a second clamp surface 137, 138 for engagement with the bar. The actuation means is configured to apply a force to the clamping member so as to displace the clamping member with respect to the main body. The pivot means configured to cause the clamping member to pivot relative to the main body when the clamping member is displaced. The pivot of the clamping member is configured to cause the bar to be clamped between the first clamp surface and the second clamp surface.

Description

PM360693GB Clamp for Printer The present invention relates to a clamp for clamping a printer or coder to a bracket, such as a hot-stamp date coder bracket.

Figures 1 to 5 show a prior art clamp 1 for clamping a printer 2 to a bracket 3. The printer is sometimes referred to as a coder (sometimes also referred to as a date coder, hot coder, hot stamp date coder, hot stamp coder, or ribbon coder) and the bracket 3 is a typical coder bracket 3. The coder bracket 3 provides both a support structure to support the printer 2, and a guide for guiding substrates such as labels to be printed on. In the example shown, the printer 2 is a thermal transfer printer. The printer 2 may be the same or similar to the printer disclosed in EP3854597A1.

There are generally two modes in which thermal transfer printers can be used, which are sometimes referred to as a "continuous" mode and an "intermittent" mode. In both modes of operation, the apparatus performs a regularly repeated series of printing cycles, each cycle including a printing phase during which ink is transferred to a substrate, and a further non-printing phase during which the printer is prepared for the printing phase of the next cycle.

In continuous printing, a print head of the printer 2 is brought into contact with ink carrying ribbon, the other side of which is brought into contact with the substrate onto which an image is to be printed. The print head is held stationary during this process -the term "stationary" is used in the context of continuous printing to indicate that although the print head will be moved into and out of contact with the ribbon, it will not move relative to the ribbon path in the direction in which ribbon is advanced along that path. Both the substrate and ribbon are transported past the print head, generally but not necessarily at the same speed.

In intermittent printing, a substrate is advanced past the printhead in a stepwise manner such that during the printing phase of each cycle the substrate and generally but not necessarily the ribbon are stationary. Relative movement between the substrate, the ribbon and the printhead are achieved by displacing the printhead relative to the substrate and ribbon along the direction of the ribbon path. Between the printing phases of successive cycles, the substrate is advanced so as to present the 68502268-2 PM360693GB next region to be printed beneath the print head and the ribbon is advanced so that an unused section of ribbon is located between the printhead and the substrate. The printer 2 is generally used in an intermittent printing mode, but the clamp of the present invention could also be used for a continuous mode printer.

The coder bracket 3 comprises a bar 3a for securing the printer 2 onto the coder bracket 3. The coder bracket 3 comprises a print surface 19a. The print surface 19a provides a surface for supporting a substrate as it is being printed on by a print head 2b of the printer 2. The coder bracket 3 may include one or more platen rollers 19b for aiding the guiding of the substrate past the printer 2. In order to better illustrate the workings of the clamp 1, we refer to a Cartesian coordinates system of the clamp 1 shown in Figure 1, where the Y axis represents up and down directions in the figure, the X axis is parallel with the length of the bar 3a, and the Z axis is aligned perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis.

The clamp 1 has first and second coupling holes 4, 5 that extend through the clamp 1 receiving first and second coupling bolts 6, 7 respectively. The first and second coupling holes are clearance holes (e.g. not threaded). The clamp 1 has a locking hole 8 that extends through the clamp 1, the locking hole 8 having an internal thread for receiving a locking bolt 9. The first and second coupling bolts 6, 7 have threads (not shown) for engaging with corresponding threads in first and second attachment holes 10, 11 on the printer 2. The locking bolt 9 has a thread (not shown) for engaging with the corresponding internal thread of the locking hole 8 of the clamp 1. The first and second coupling holes 4, 5, and the locking hole 8 are arranged in line with one another along the Y axis, having their axes extend along the Z axis, with the locking hole 8 being located between the first hole 4 and the second hole 5.

The clamp 1 comprises three sections, a first section 12 (upper section), a second section 13 (lower section) and a third section 14 (middle section), where the third section 14 is located between the first and second sections 12, 13 with respect to the Y axis. Note that while reference is made to upper and lower sections, it will be appreciated that the clamp 1 may be utilized in any suitable orientation, such that the upper section may in fact be the lower section, and vice versa, when installed on a bracket 3. The first, second and third sections 12, 13, 14 are generally planar in shape, where the first and second sections 12, 13 are parallel to each other and the XZ plane, 68502268-2 PM360693GB with the third section 14 being located in a plane parallel to the XY plane. The first section 12 comprises the first coupling hole 4, the second section 13 comprises the second coupling hole 5, and the third section 14 comprises the locking hole 8.

As can be more easily seen in Figures 3A and 3B, the clamp 1 is formed so as to have an aperture 15 between the first and second sections 12, 13. That is, inner surfaces 16, 17, 18 of the first, second and third sections 12, 13, 14 define the aperture 15. As can be seen in Figure 1, the aperture 15 is sized to accommodate the bar 3a. That is, when the printer 2 is clamped to the bar 3a, the bar 3a is located within the aperture 15 so as to be surrounded by the first section 12, second section 13, third section 14 and a clamp surface 2a of the printer 2. The bar 3a has a generally rectangular cuboid shape, and so the aperture 15 is also shaped in a similar way so as to accommodate the bar 3a.

In use, a user places the clamp 1 on to the bar 3a such that the first and second sections 12, 13 extend over the bar 3a so that the bar 3a is accommodated within the aperture 15. The user then couples the clamp 1 to the printer 2 via the first and second coupling bolts 6, 7. That is, the first and second coupling bolts 6, 7 extend through the first and second coupling holes 4, 5 of the clamp 1 and enter the first and second attachment holes 10, 11 of the printer 2, where the bolts 6, 7 engage with the threads of the first and second attachment holes 10, 11 of the printer 2 so as to securely couple the clamp 1 to the printer 2. The aperture 15 is dimensioned to be marginally larger than the bar 3a such that when the printer 2 is coupled to the clamp 1, there is sufficient clearance between the surfaces of the bar 3a and inner surfaces 16, 17, 18 of the clamp 1 (see Figure 3B) and clamp surface 2a of the printer 2, to allow the printer 2 and clamp 1 to be slid along the bar 3a. This allows a user to move the printer 2 to different locations along the bar 3a (e.g. along the X axis) to print at different locations on a substrate.

Once the printer 2 is located in a desired position, the printer 2 can be locked in place by engaging the locking bolt 9. To engage the locking bolt 9, the locking bolt 9 is inserted into the locking hole 8 of the clamp 1 where it engages with the thread of the locking hole 8. As the locking bolt 9 is rotated, the locking bolt 9 moves axially through the locking hole 8 (e.g. along the Z axis), where the locking bolt 9 eventually exits the clamp 1 (exits from the inner surface 18 of the third section 14) and makes contact with 68502268-2 PM360693GB the bar 3a. As the clamp 1 and printer 2 are fixed relative to one another (via coupling bolts 4, 5), continual rotation of the locking bolt 9 causes the clamp 1 and printer 2 to be clamped onto the bar 3a. That is, a clamping action is generated which acts along the Z axis. In other words, a force for clamping is imparted on the bar 3a by the locking bolt 9, where the direction of the force is parallel to the Z axis. Any clearance or slack that existed between the inner surface 18 of the third section 14 and the clamp surface 2a (e.g. along the Z axis) is taken up by the clamping action.

As the bar 3a is not clamped between the inner surfaces 16, 17 (e.g. upper and lower internal surfaces of the clamp 1), any clearance along the Y axis between one or both of the inner surfaces 16, 17 and the bar 3a is not taken up. An example of clearance along the Y axis is shown in Figure 4, where, due to gravity, all of the clearance along the Y axis is between the inner surface 17 of the second section 13 and a lower surface 3b of the bar 3a. It has been found that, due to the clearance that exists along the Y axis, when the locking bolt 9 is tightened the entire clamp 1 and printer 2 arrangement can rotate slightly about the locking bolt (e.g. rotate in the XY plane) relative to the bar 3a. Such rotation may be caused by a number of reasons. For example, the rotation may be caused due to rotation of the bolt 9. That is, friction between the locking bolt 9 and the thread of the clamp 1 may cause the clamp 1 and printer 2 to rotate slightly as the locking bolt 9 is rotated. In other examples, such rotation may be caused by the way in which a user is holding the printer 1 while they tighten up the locking bolt 9.

An example of the rotation is shown in Figure 5, where it can be seen that the clamp 1 and printer 2 have been rotated through angle a. As such, the print head 2b of the printer 2 is not arranged parallel to the print surface 19a. Such misalignment of the print head 2b can affect printing quality as the print head 2b will not properly contact a substrate to be printed on during printing. Note that the clearance shown in Figure 4 has been exaggerated for clarity. In practice, it has been found that clearances of less than a millimetre can cause misalignment sufficient to adversely affect print quality.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved clamping arrangement.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a clamp for clamping a printer to a bar of a bracket. The clamp comprises a main body comprising means for coupling to 68502268-2 PM360693GB the printer and a first clamp surface for engagement with the bar. The clamp further comprises a clamping member comprising a second clamp surface for engagement with the bar. The clamp further comprises an actuation means configured to apply a force to the clamping member so as to displace the clamping member with respect to the main body, and a pivot means, the pivot means configured to cause the clamping member to pivot relative to the main body when the clamping member is displaced, the pivot of the clamping member configured to cause the bar to be clamped between the first clamp surface and the second clamp surface.

The clamp of the first aspect is able to clamp a printer or coder onto, for example, a bar of a hot-stamp date coder bracket utilising a pivoting action. By pivoting the clamping member, a direction in which the force (which may comprise a primary component of a force) acts can be converted so as to act in a second direction. The force acting in the second direction can be used to generate a first clamping action to clamp along a first clamping axis, where due to the pivot means, the first clamping axis can be aligned along a different axis to the direction in which the force acts. This can be useful in cases where it may be desirable to apply the clamping action in a different axis to the direction of the force applied to the clamping member.

The first clamp surface cooperates with the second clamp surface so as to clamp the bar between the first clamp surface and the second clamp surface. For example, the first clamp surface may be arranged opposite the second clamp surface.

The means for coupling to the printer may comprise one or more holes, through which one or more bolts can be passed through, respectively, the bolts for engagement with the printer. The holes may be clearance holes. Of course, other coupling means may be used where appropriate.

The clamp may be configured to clamp the printer to the bar of the bracket. The printer may be a hot stamp date coder and the bracket may be a hot stamp date coder bracket.

The pivot of the clamping member being configured to cause the bar to be clamped between the first clamp surface and the second clamp surface may comprise generating a first clamping action acting along a first clamping axis, the first clamping 68502268-2 PM360693GB action configured to clamp the bar between the first clamp surface and the second clamp surface.

As used herein, a clamping action is an action that clamps along an axis (referred to as a clamping axis). That is, the direction of forces that are imparted on the bar by the clamp surfaces so as to clamp the bar between the clamp surfaces act along (e.g. are aligned parallel to) the clamping axis.

The first clamping axis may be perpendicular to a direction in which the force acts. That is, a primary (or main) component of the force that causes displacement of the clamping member may act in a direction perpendicular to the axis in which the bar is clamped.

The first clamping axis may be perpendicular to an axis aligned along a length of the bar. As such, the first clamping action causes the clamp to be aligned with the bar along the length of the bar.

The clamp may further comprise a third clamp surface, the third clamp surface configured to cooperate with a fourth clamp surface so as to clamp the bar between the third clamp surface and fourth clamp surface when the actuation means applies the force to the clamping member.

The actuation means may further be configured to apply a force to the bar so as to generate a second clamping action acting along a second clamping axis, the second clamping action configured to clamp the bar between the third clamp surface and the fourth clamp surface, the second clamping axis being perpendicular to the first clamping axis In this way, the bar is clamped between four surfaces, and along two different clamping axes.

The second clamping axis may be parallel to the direction in which the at least primary component of the force acts. That is, the second clamping action may act along an axis parallel to the direction in which the at least primary component of the force acts. The 68502268-2 PM360693GB second clamping axis may be perpendicular to the axis aligned along of a length of the bar.

In examples where the actuation means comprises a bolt having a thread which is engaged with a thread of the clamping member, the end of the bolt may comprise the third clamp surface, which contacts the bar such that rotation of the bolt causes the end of the bolt to push against the bar in an opposite direction to the direction in which the clamping member is displaced. That is, the end of the bolt imparts a force on the bar, the force being a reaction force to the first mentioned force that causes displacement of the clamping member. In this way, the second clamping axis may be aligned along the same axis as an axis along which the force (or at least a primary component thereof) acts to displace the clamping member.

The third clamp surface may be arranged opposite the fourth clamp surface.

The actuation means comprises the third clamp surface and a surface of the printer comprises the fourth clamp surface.

The third clamp surface may comprise an end of a bolt, where the actuation means comprises a bolt. The fourth clamp surface may comprise a side or back face of the printer.

The main body main comprise an aperture configured to receive the bar, the aperture defined by at least a surface of the main body, the surface comprising the first clamp surface That is, the aperture may be a space or void within the main body in which the bar may be at least partially accommodated.

The pivot means may comprise a first pivot surface located on the main body and a second pivot surface located on the clamping member, wherein the first pivot surface is configured to engage the second pivot surface when the clamping member is displaced and act as a fulcrum so as to cause the clamping member to pivot relative to the main body.

68502268-2 PM360693GB The first pivot surface may comprise a step. For example, the step may be defined by a further aperture in the main body. The first pivot surface may comprise an apex of the step (e.g. the point at which two planes of the step meet).

The clamping member may comprise a first section and a second section, the first section configured to engage with the actuation means and the second section comprising the second clamp surface.

The first section may be configured to engage with the actuation means via a threaded coupling. For example, where the actuation means comprises a bolt having a thread, the first section may comprise a corresponding thread for engagement with the thread of the bolt.

The first section may be arranged in different plane to the second section.

The planes in which the first and second sections are arranged may be separated by 90 degrees, or about 90 degrees. The first section and second section may be planar, or generally planar, in shape.

The main body may comprise a first cam surface and the clamping member may comprise a second cam surface, the second cam surface configured to engage with the first cam surface when the clamping member pivots relative to the main body when the clamping member is displaced.

The second cam surface may be configured to push against, and slide along, the first cam surface as the clamping member pivots. In this way, the cam surfaces assist the pivot motion and help direct force onto the bar as the clamping member pivots, so as to generate the first clamping action.

The actuation means may comprise a bolt having a first thread configured to engage with a second thread coupled to the clamping member, the clamp configured such that rotation of the bolt in a first rotational direction causes the displacement of the clamping member.

68502268-2 PM360693GB That is, a rotational force applied to the bolt is converted to an axial force (e.g. the first mentioned force), which causes the displacement of the clamping member.

The main body may comprise a hole through which the bolt having the first thread passes through. The hole may have a diameter greater than a diameter of the bolt. The hole may have a diameter which is 2 mm (or more) greater than the diameter of the bolt.

The clamp being configured such that rotation of the bolt in the first rotational direction causes the displacement of the clamping member may be such that an end of the bolt engages the bar, and rotation of the bolt causes both an axial force to be applied to the bar and an opposite axial force to be applied to the clamping member.

The first section of the clamping member may comprise the second thread* The second section of the clamping member may comprise two legs.

Providing two legs allows for greater flexibility in applying the first clamping action. For example, each leg may be arranged each side of a coupling bolt which is arranged to pass through the main body and engage with the printer so as to couple the clamp to the printer.

The means for coupling to the printer may comprise a hole in the main body, the hole for receiving a second bolt, the second bolt for engagement with the printer, the main body further comprising two channels arranged either side of the hole in the main body, the two channels configured to accommodate the two legs.

In this way, the clamp can more easily conform to previous dimensions such that the clamp can be retrofit onto existing coder brackets.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a printer comprising the clamp of the first aspect.

The printer may comprise a means for coupling the clamp of the first aspect to the printer. The means may be threaded holes for receiving corresponding threaded bolts.

68502268-2 PM360693GB The printer may comprise the fourth clamp surface. For example, a side or back face of the printer may comprise the fourth clamp surface.

The printer may be a coder, sometimes referred to as a date coder, hot coder, hot stamp date coder, hot stamp coder, and ribbon coder.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for clamping a printer on a bar using a clamp, the method comprising applying a force to a clamping member of the clamp so as to displace the clamping member with respect to a main body of the clamp, pivoting the clamping member when the clamping member is displaced, the pivoting of the clamping member clamping the bar between a first clamp surface of the main body and a second clamp surface of the clamping member.

The clamp may be the clamp of the first aspect. The force may be applied by an actuation means. Pivoting of the clamping member may be caused by a pivoting means. The bar may be a bar of the bracket as described with respect to the first aspect.

Applying a force to the clamping member may comprise rotating an actuator, the rotation relative to the clamping member.

For example, the actuator may be a bolt having a thread for engaging with a thread of the clamping member. Alternatively, the actuator may comprise a cam. Rotation of the actuator may cause axial displacement of the clamping member. That is, a rotation force applied to the actuator may be converted into an axial force for axially displacing the clamping member away from the bar.

Displacing the clamping member with respect to the main body may comprise driving at least a portion of the clamping member away from the bar.

For example, a first portion of clamping member that is directly coupled to the actuation means may be driven away from the bar, but due to the pivoting, a second portion of the clamping member may be driven towards the bar so as to contact the bar and 68502268-2 PM360693GB provide a clamping action. The second portion of the clamping member may be the second clamp surface.

Clamping the bar between the first clamp surface of the main body and the second clamp surface of the clamping member may comprise generating a first clamping action acting along a first clamping axis, the first clamping action clamping the bar between the first clamp surface and the second clamp surface, the first clamping axis being perpendicular to a direction in which the force acts.

The first clamping axis may be perpendicular to an axis aligned along the length of the bar.

The method may further comprise clamping the bar between a third clamp surface and a fourth clamp surface when the force is applied to the clamping member.

The method may further comprise applying a force to the bar so as to generate a second clamping action acting along a second clamping axis, the second clamping action configured to clamp the bar between the third clamp surface and the fourth clamp surface, the second clamping axis being perpendicular to the first clamping axis.

The force applied to the bar may be applied to the bar by the actuator. The force applied to the bar may be an opposite force (e.g. a reaction force) to the force applied to the clamping member (or vice versa).

The actuator may comprise the third clamp surface and a surface of the printer may comprise the fourth clamp surface.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for clamping a printer on a bar using a clamp comprising a clamping arrangement. The method comprises exerting a first force on the bar by the clamping arrangement in a first direction, exerting a second force on the bar by the clamping arrangement in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second force aligning the clamping unit with the bar.

68502268-2 PM360693GB The clamp may be the clamp of the first aspect. The bar may be the bar of a bracket as described with respect to the first aspect.

The clamping arrangement may comprise any or all of the actuation means, pivot means, main body and/or clamping member as described herein, and in particular as described with reference to the first aspect.

The first force exerted on the bar by the clamping arrangement may be exerted by the actuation means, causing the bar to be clamped between the actuation means and the printer.

The second force exerted on the bar by the clamping arrangement may be exerted by the clamping member, causing the bar to be clamped between the clamping member and the main body.

The second force exerted on the bar by the clamping arrangement in the second direction may be generated by a pivoting motion. That is, a pivot means may be provided which causes a portion of the clamping arrangement to pivot. The portion of the clamping arrangement that pivots may be the clamping member.

It will be appreciated that optional features of one aspect may be combined with another aspect. For example, optional features of the first aspect of the invention may be combined with the third or fourth aspects of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example; with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a printer and coder bracket with a clamp of the prior art, where the printer is not connected to the coder bracket; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the printer, coder bracket and clamp of Figure 1, where the printer is connected to the coder bracket; Figure 3A is a perspective view of the clamp of Figure 1; Figure 3B is another perspective view of the clamp of Figure 1; 68502268-2 PM360693GB Figure 4 is a perspective view of the printer, coder bracket and clamp of Figure 1, showing clearance between the clamp and a bar of the coder bracket; Figure 5 is side view of the printer, coder bracket and clamp of Figure 1 showing rotation of the printer and clamp relative to the coder bracket; Figure 6A is a perspective view cf a clamp according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter; Figure 6B is a further perspective view of the clamp of Figure 6A; Figure 7A is an exploded perspective view of the clamp of Figure 6A; Figure 7B is a further exploded perspective view of the clamp of Figure 6A; Figure 8 is a side view of a main body of the clamp of Figure 6A; Figure 9A is a cross section through the clamp of Figure 6A, where the clamp is in an unlocked configuration; Figure 9B is a cross section through the clamp of Figure 6A, where the clamp is in a locked configuration; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the printer, coder bracket and clamp of Figure 6A, where the printer is clamped to the coder bracket; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of a main body of a clamp in an alternative arrangement.

With reference to Figures 6A to 11, there is now described an improved clamp 100. As with Figures 1 to 5, and purely for illustrative purposes, we refer to a Cartesian coordinates system of the clamp 100 in Figures 6A to 11, where the Y axis represents up and down directions, the X axis is parallel with the length of the bar 3a, and the Z axis is aligned perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis.

68502268-2 PM360693GB The clamp 100 is configured to be used with the printer 2 and coder bracket 3 of the prior art shown in Figure 1. That is, the clamp 100 can be retrofitted to existing printers 2 and coder brackets 3. As such, the clamp 100 has a similar construction to that of clamp 1, but differs from the clamp 1 of the prior art in a number of ways as set out herein.

The clamp 100 comprises a main body 101 and clamping member 130. The clamping member 130 is disposed within the man body 101. The main body 101 and clamping member 130 may comprise any suitable material, such as aluminium for the main body 101 and stainless steel for the clamping member 130. The main body 101 has first and second coupling holes 104, 105, which are clearance holes that extend through the clamp 100 for receiving first and second coupling bolts 106, 107 respectively. Note that coupling bolts 106, 107 are identical to bolts 6, 7 referred to above, having threads for engaging with corresponding threads in first and second attachment holes 10, 11 on the printer 2 (note that the threads of the bolts 106, 107 are not shown in the figures).

The clamp 100 has a locking hole 108 that extends through the main body 101 for receiving a locking bolt 109. However, unlike the locking hole 8 of damp 1 of the prior art, locking hole 108 does not have an internal thread. Rather, locking hole 108 has a generally smooth internal surface (e.g. is a clearance hole). Furthermore, the locking hole 108 is dimensioned such that the locking bolt 109 can be angled within the locking hole 108 (see Figure 9B and 10). That is, a diameter of the locking hole 108 is larger than a diameter of the locking bolt 109. The difference in diameter provides clearance so that the axis of the locking bolt 109 can be angled relative to the axis of the hole 108 without being prevented by an inner circumferential wall of the locking hole 108. For example, the diameter of the locking hole 108 may be about 2mm (or more) greater than the outside diameter of the locking bolt 109.

The main body 101 comprises three sections, a first section 112 (upper section), a second section 113 (lower section) and a third section 114 (middle section), where the third section 114 is located between the first and second sections 112, 113. Note that while reference is made to upper and lower sections, it will be appreciated that the clamp 100 may be utilized in any suitable orientation, such that the upper section may in fact be the lower section, and vice versa, when installed on the coder bracket 3. As 68502268-2 PM360693GB with clamp 1 of the prior art, the first coupling hole 104 of the main body 101 is located at the first section 112, the second coupling hole 105 of the main body 101 is located at the second section 113 and the locking hole 108 of the main body 101 is located at the third section 114. As with the clamp 1 of the prior art, the third section 114 is located between the first and second sections 112, 113, The first, second and third sections 112, 113, 114 are planar (or generally planar) in shape, where the first and second sections 112, 113 are parallel to each other and XZ plane, with the third section 114 being located in a plane perpendicular to the first and second sections 112, 113 (e.g. parallel to the XY plane). As with clamp 1 of the prior art, the damp 100 is formed so as to have an aperture 115 between the first, second and third sections 112, 113, 114, the aperture 115 sized to accommodate the bar 3a. That is, the aperture 115 is defined by inner surfaces 116, 117, 118 of the first, second and third sections 112, 113, 114 respectively. As noted above, the bar 3a has a generally rectangular cuboid shape, and so the aperture 115 is also shaped in a similar way so as to accommodate the bar 3a.

The inner surfaces 116, 118 of the first and third sections 112, 114 feature recessed sections shaped to accommodate the ciamping member 130. In the case of the inner surface 118 of the third section 114, the recess defines a further surface 1Tha (shown in Figure 9A and 11), which as described later, forms part of a pivot means for the clamping member 130. In the case of the inner surface 116 of the first section 112, the recesses are in the form of two channels 141, 142. Channels 141, 142 extend along the Z axis (e.g. extend towards the printer 2 when the clamp 100 and printer 2 are clamped to the bracket 3) and are separated from each other by the first coupling hole 104. That is, the channels 141, 142 are located on either side of the first coupling hole 104 with respect to the X axis.

The locking bolt 109 has a thread (not shown in the figures) for engaging with a corresponding nut 131 of the clamping member 130. The nut 131 is more clearly seen in Figure 713, and is fixed relative to the damping member 130 so as to align with a hole 132 in the clamping member 130, where the hole 132 is configured to receive the locking bolt 109, and allow the locking bolt 109 to pass through the clamping member 130. The nut 131 may be attached to the clamping member 130 using any suitable means. For example, the nut 131 may be welded onto the clamping member 130. Alternative the nut 131 may be integrally formed with the clamping member 130. That is, the clamping member 130 may have an integrally formed thread for engaging with 68502268-2 PM360693GB the locking bolt 109; e.g. the hole 132 may comprise a thread, negating the need to attach a nut to the clamping member 130.

The clamping member 130 comprises a first section 133 and a second section 134.

The first section 133 has a planar (or generally planar) profile and comprises the hole 132 and nut 131. The first section 133 is configured to sit within the recess of the inner surface 118 of the third section 114, and lies generally in the XY plane when the clamp 100 is not locked so as to clamp onto the bar 3a (see Fgure 9A).

The second section 134 of the clamping member 130 is configured to sit within the recesses in the inner surface 116 of the first section 112 (e.g. within the channels 141, 142) and lies perpendicular to the plane of the first section 133 so as to lie parallel to the XZ plane when the clamp 100 is riot locked so as to the clamp onto the bar 3a (see Figure 9A).

The second section 134 of the clamping member 130 comprises two legs 135; 136, each leg terminating in feet 137, 138 respectively. The legs 135, 136 extend from an upper portion of the first section 133 (where "upper" is with reference to Figure 75), and bend out of the plane in which they sit (e.g bend out of the XY plane) so as to sit parallel to the XZ plane. The feet 137, 138 bend out of the plane in which the legs generally sit (e.g. bend out of the XZ plane) and into the XY plane (e.g. extend downwards in Figure 7B). As will be described below, the feet 137, 138 are configured to engage with a portion of the bar 3a so as to clamp the bar between the feet 137, 138 and inner surface 117 of the second section 113 of the main body 101. Note that in other examples, the feet 137; 138 may not bend out of the XZ plane and into the XY plane. Rather, the point at which the legs 135, 136 terminate along the Z axis may define the location of the feet 137, 138 The legs 135, 136 of the second section 134 comprise cam surfaces 139, 140 respectively. The cam surfaces 139, 140 are generally located at the point where the second section 134 bends out of the XY plane (e.g. the plane in which the first section sits 133) so as to sit generally in the XZ plane. In this way, the cam surfaces 139, 140 provide curved cam surfaces. The channels 141, 142 comprise cam surfaces 143, 144 respectively (see Figures 6B and 11), for engaging with cam surfaces 139, 140 of legs 135, 136. The cam surfaces 143, 144 of the channels 141, 142 may optionally 68502268-2 PM360693GB comprise strips 143a, 144a, where strips 143a, 144a comprise a material that results in a reduced amount of friction between cam surfaces. The strips may comprise a plastic material such as acetal or nylon. The strips 143a, 144a are shown in Figures 7A and 7B in an exploded view (i.e. the strips 143a, 144a are not located within the channels 141, 142). Strip 144a can be seen in the channels 142 in Figures 9A and 9B. The strips 143a and 144a can be attached to cam surfaces 143, 144 using any suitable means. For example, glue may be used, or preferably, a pressure sensitive double sided adhesive tape may be used. While the cam surfaces 143, 144 of the channels 141; 142 are depicted in Figure 6B as extending downward (with reference to the figure) between two arches either side of each cam surface 143, 144, it will be appreciated that this arrangement is not required in every implementation. For example, the main body 101 shown in Figure 11 does not have the arches either side of each cam surface 143, 144 of each channel 141, 142.

The cam surfaces 143, 144 of the channels 141, 142 are generally flat. The cam surfaces 139; 140 of the legs 135, 136 are curved (e.g. rounded off) so as to present a curved surface to the flat cam surfaces 143, 144 of the channels 141, 142. Providing a curved surface helps reduce friction between the cam surfaces 139, 140, 143, 144. it will be appreciated that providing a curved surface may not be required in every implementation. Furthermore; it will also be appreciated that the curved surface may be provided on the cam surfaces 143, 144 of the main body 101 in addition to, or alternatively to, the curved surfaces on the cam surfaces 139, 140 of the clamping member 130.

The clamp 100 comprises a pivot means configured to cause the damping member to pivot when axially displaced (e.g. when the locking bolt 109 is rotated as described below). In the example shown, the pivot means comprises a pivot surface on the main body 101 and a pivot surface on the clamping member 130. The pivot surface on the main body 101 comprises a pivot step 145 (which is shown in Figures 8, OA and 9B). In the present example, the pivot step 145 is defined by a step between a portion of the recessed surface 118a, and a further recessed portion in the recessed surface 118a. The further recessed portion defines a further recessed surface 118b. The apex (e.g. the edge) of the pivot step 145 is arranged along the X axis (e.g. is arranged parallel to the length of the bar 3a when clamped on the bar 3a). The apex of the pivot step 145 is formed so as to be level with inner surface 116 with reference to the Y axis; 68502268-2 PM360693GB such that there are two pivot steps 145, one for each channel 141, 142 (this is more clearly shown in Figure 11). Although, it will be appreciated that in other implementations the pivot step 145 may be arranged below the inner surface 116, or above the inner surface 116 (with reference to the Y axis). The pivot step 145 is offset from the locking bolt 109, the offset providing a lever action as described below (e.g. the offset for causing leverage is with respect to the Y axis).

The pivot surface on the clamping member 130 comprises pivot surfaces 147, 148 located on the legs 135, 136 (see Figure 7B). The pivot step 145 is arranged to engage the pivot surfaces 147, 148 and act as a fulcrum, causing the clamping member 130 to pivot relative to the main body 101 when the clamping member 130 is displaced away from the bar 3a, e.g. when the clamping member 130 is axially displaced when the locking bolt 109 is rotated so as to lock the clamp 100.

The further recessed surface 118b of the third section 114 comprises a nut accommodating portion 146, which in the example shown is a cylindrical recess (see Figure 7A). The nut accommodating portion has an axis in line with the axis of hole 108 (e.g. they are coaxial). The nut accommodating portion 146 is sized so as to accommodate the nut 131, and allow the nut 131 to move unobstructed while the clamping member 130 is displaced and pivoted, as described later. That is, while the locking bolt 109 is rotated so as to tighten the locking bolt 109, the nut 131 is able to move into the nut accommodating portion 146 as the clamping member 130 is displaced.

With reference to Figures 9A and 9B, it is described how the clamp 100 operates, where Figures 9A and 9B show a cross section view through dotted line A as seen in Figure 8, Figure 9A shows the clamp 100 arranged over the bar 3a (e.g. the bar 3a is accommodated within the aperture 115, and the coupling bolts 106, 107 are located in their respective holes 104, 105 in the main body and in their respective holes 10, 11 in the printer 2). For clarity, the printer 2 is not shown in Figures 9A and 9B, however a dotted line is shown in order to indicate the location of the clamp surface 2a of the printer 2. The locking bolt 109 has been passed through the hole 108, and has been screwed into the nut 131 of the clamping member 130 until an end 109a of the locking 68502268-2 PM360693GB bolt 109 abuts the bar 3a. in the configuration shown in Figure 9A, the clamp 100 has not locked the printer 2 in a fixed position (e.g. the printer 2 is not clamped to the bar 3a) and so a user is able to slide the printer 2 along the bar 3a (e.g. along the length of the bar in the X axis). Once the user has located the printer 2 in a desired position on the bar 3a, the user engages an actuation means, which in this example comprises turning the locking bolt 109, to lock, e.g. clamp, the printer 2 in position.

Figure 9B shows the clamp 100 in a locked configuration, where the clamp 100 clamps the clamp 100 and printer 2 to the bar 3a. Starting from the arrangement shown in Figure 9A a user starts to rotate the locking bolt 109. As the user rotates the locking bolt 109, the locking bolt end 109a imparts an axial force (along the Z axis) on the bar 3a (e.g. directed towards the bar 3a) and the locking bolt thread imparts an opposite axial force (also along the Z axis) on the thread of the nut 131 of the clamping member 130 (e.g. directed away from the bar 3a). As the user continues to rotate the locking bolt 109, the clamping member 130 is driven away from the bar 3a due to the fact that the locking bolt end 109a abuts the bar 3a: and the bar 3a abuts the printer 2 at clamp surface 2a. That is, a rotational force provided by rotating the locking bolt 109 is translated into an axial force via the threaded engagement between the locking bolt 109 and the clamping member 130, where the axial force pushes against the bar 3a and axially displaces the clamping member 130 (along the Z axis in the figures) away from the bar 3a (or at least away from the bar 3a in the absence of any pivot). In this way, the locking bolt 109 is arranged to provide an actuation means configured to apply a force to the clamping member 130 so as to displace the clamping member with respect to the main body 101. The clamping member 130 may, in use, be accommodated within the main body 101 such that the clamping member 130 has limited, or no, rotational movement in the XY plane. Preventing the clamping member 130 from such rotation helps translate rotational motion of the locking bolt 109 into axial movement of the clamping member 130.

The force imparted on the clamping member 130 and the bar 3a by the locking bolt 109 may have at least a primary component which acts along the Z axis. For example, it can be see that in the example shown in Figure 9A, the locking bolt 109 is parallel with the Z axis, and so all of the axial force acts along the Z axis. However, when in the configuration shown in Figure 9B, it can be seen that, due to the tilt of the locking bolt 109, a component of the force imparted by the locking bolt 109 on the clamping 68502268-2 PM360693GB member 130 and bar 3a acts in the Y axis. However, the primary component still acts in the Z axis. As the damping member 130 moves away from the bar 3a, pivot surfaces 147, 148 of the legs 135, 136 contact pivot step 145 of the main body 101. As the axes of the locking bolt 109 and nut 131 are offset from the pivot step 145 (the offset with respect to the Y axis), the clamping member 130 begins to pivot generally about pivot step 145. At the same time as the clamping member 130 pivots, the cam surfaces 139: 140 of the legs 135: 136 push upwards against (e.g. direct a component of force in the positive Y direction in the coordinate system shown in the Figures), and slide along the cam surfaces 143; 144 (or strips 143a, 144a if present) towards the bar 3a, and the feet 137, 138 of the legs 135, 136 press downwards against the bar 3a (e.g. direct a component of force in the negative Y direction in the coordinate system shown in the Figures). The force imparted by the legs 135, 136 on the bar 3a causes the bar 3a to be clamped between the legs 135, 136 and the inner surface 117 of the main body 101.

The pivot means therefore generates a first clamping action which acts between the feet 137; 138 of the ciamping member 130 and the inner surface 117 of the main body 101 so as to clamp the bar 3a between the feet 137, 138 and inner surface 117. In this way, the inner surface 117 may be referred to as a first clamp surface; and the feet 137; 138 may be referred to as a second clamp surface. The term clamping action is used herein to denote an action that clamps along an axis. That is, the direction of the forces that are imparted on the bar 3a by the clamp surfaces are aligned parallel to the clamping axis. The first clamping action acts (e.g. clamps) along a first damping axis Cl. The first clamping axis Cl is perpendicular to the primary component of the axial force which causes axial displacement of the clamping member 130 (e.g. the first clamping axis Cl is parallel with the Y axis, such that the clamping action acts to clamp along the Y axis, and the primary component of the axial force is applied to the clamping member 130 along the Z axis). The first clamping axis Cl is also generally perpendicular to the X axis (e.g. perpendicular to the length of the bar 3a).

The damping member 130 acts as a lever, with the first section 133 generally being the effort arm and the legs 135, 136 generally being the load arm. As the clamping member 130 pivots, the end 109a of the locking bolt 109 maintains contact with the bar 3a by moving relative to the surface of the bar 3a, such that the axis of locking bolt 109 becomes angled relative to the axis of the locking hole 108. This is clearly shown in 68502268-2 PM360693GB Figures 9B and 10. Even while angled as shown, the primary (or main) component of force imparted on the clamping member 130, by the locking bolt 109, is still along the Z axis, with only a small component acting along the Y axis, When the locking bolt 109 has been fully tightened, the bar 3a is clamped along two axis 01, 02 (the Z axis and Y axis in the coordinate system shown in the Figures). That is, the bar 3a is damped between the inner surface 117 of the second portion 113 of the main body 101 and the feet 137, 138 of the clamping member 130 (e.g. the first clamping action which acts to clamp along the first clamping axis 01, which in the example shown is parallel with the Y axis). The bar 3a is further clamped between the end 109a of the locking bolt 109 and the damp surface 2a of the printer 2 (e.g. a second clamping action which acts to clamp along a second clamping axis 02, which in the example shown is parallel with the Z axis). The first clamping action and second clamping action act along perpendicular axes to one another. That is, the bar 3a is clamped between its top surface and bottom surface due to the first clamping action, and is clamped between two opposing side faces due to the second clamping action. The end 109a of the locking bolt 109 may be referred to as a third clamp surface and the clamp surface 2a of the printer 2 may be referred to as a fourth clamp surface.

By being clamped along two axes, the printer 2 is more securely clamped to the bar 3a.

Additionally, given that there is a clamping effect along the Y axis, any slack caused by clearance in the V axis, as described above with respect to Figure 4, has been taken up. In other words, the clamp 100 is aligned with the bar 3a, where the clamping member 130 effectively neutralizes any rotation in the XY plane caused by clearances between the damping member 130 and the bar 3a. in other words: rotation of the locking bolt 109 causes the clamp 100 to both clamp onto the bar 3a and to align with the bar 3a. As such, the print head 2b is kept parallel to the print surface 19a when the clamp 100 is in a locked configuration.

Figure 10 shows the clamp 100 being used to clamp the printer 2 to the bar 3a. As can be seen: the clearance at the bottom of the clamp 100 that was present in Figure 4 (between the inner surface 117 of the second section 113 and lower surface 3b of the bar 3a) has been removed.

68502268-2 PM360693GB Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the main body 101, which has been produced using a die casting method. The main body 101 functions the same as that shown in Figures 6A to Figure 93.

Whe an actuator comprising a locking bolt 109 has been described, where rotation of the locking bolt 109 causes axial displacement of the clamping member 130, alternative actuation means may be used instead. That is, any means capable of applying a force on the clamping member 130, such that the clamping member 130 is displaced towards the pivot surface 145 may be used. Such arrangements may make use of one or more cams. For example, in some examples, a lever or handle may be provided external to the main body 101, the lever coupled to a cam within the main body 101, where rotation of the cam, using for example the lever, causes the cam to act between the bar 3a and the damping member 130; forcing the clamping member 130 away from the bar 3a and towards the pivot surface 145. Other examples may not require any rotation of an actuation means. For example, an actuator may be axially displaced, where such displacement causes axial displacement of the clamping member 130.

In another example; instead of using a locking bolt 109 and corresponding thread to convert rotational motion into axial motion, an arrangement may be used which uses face cams on adjacent faces of components of an actuator. For example, the nut 131 may be dispensed with, and the locking bolt 109 replaced with an actuator comprising first and second components having first and second cam surfaces respectively, the first and second components may have a generally cylindrical profile in a similar manner to locking bolt 109. The first component may be coupled to the clamping member 130, the coupling allowing the first component to rotate with respect to the clamping member 130, but preventing the first component from axial displacement relative to the clamping member 130. The first component may also comprise a handle on a portion that extends from the locking hole, the handle allowing a user to rotate the first component. The second component may not directly couple to the clamping member 130, and may have a portion that contacts the bar 3a in a similar way to the end 109a of the bolt 109. The second component may also be configured such that it cannot rotate relative to the clamping member 130. The first and second cam surfaces of the first and second components may be arranged on adjacent, opposing, faces of the first and second components such that the first and second cam surfaces can 68502268-2 PM360693GB interact with one another. When the first component is rotated (by a user rotating the first component using the handle), the cam surface of the first component rides over the cam surface of the second component, causing the first and second components to be driven apart axially. As the first component is coupled to the clamping member 130, and the second component abuts the bar 3a, the effect of rotating the first component is to cause the first component and the clamping member 130 to be axially displaced from the second component, and thus allows engagement of the pivot means described above. In this example, the user will only need to rotate the handle less than 360 degrees in order to lock the clamp.

While two channels 141: 142 have been described, it will be appreciated that such channels may not be required in every implementation. For example, one channel, or more than two channels and corresponding legs may be used. However, it is convenient to use the two channels such that two legs 135, 136 can be accommodated either side of the coupling hole 104. In examples where the coupling hole 104 is located elsewhere, or absent, two channels may not be required. For example, a single channel may be provided, having a single leg of the clamping member 130 extending along the single channel. Alternatively, multiple channels, and multiple legs may be used.

While the first and second attachment holes 10, 11 on the printer 2, and clamp surface 2a, are shown on the side face of the printer 2 in the figures, it will be appreciated that the first and second attachment holes 10, 11 on the printer 2 and the clamp surface 2a may be located on a back face of the printer 2 (e.g. such that the printer 2 is rotated about 90 degrees in the Y axis with respect to the figures). That is, the printer 2 may be mounted on the bar 3a in a sideways orientation.

The clamping member 130 has been described as applying a downwards force on the bar 3a when it is pivoted. It will be appreciated that the arrangement described herein may be rotated 180 degrees in the XY plane, such that the clamping member 130 applies a force upwards on the bar 3a. Additionally, as mentioned above, the orientation of the clamp 100 on the bar 3a may be in any orientation, such that the force acts in any suitable direction.

68502268-2 PM360693GB While the pivot means has been described as comprising a step, it will be appreciated that other means may be used, such as a suitable protrusion in the main body.

The coupling bolts 106, 107 and locking bolt 108 may comprise any suitable bolts having a thread.

While various embodiments of the invention and variations thereof have been described above, it will be appreciated that various further modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

68502268-2

Claims

PM360693GB CLAIMS: 1. A clamp for clamping a printer to a bar of a bracket, the clamp comprising: a main body comprising: means for coupling to the printer; and a first clamp surface for engagement with the bar; a clamping member comprising: a second clamp surface for engagement with the bar; an actuation means configured to apply a force to the clamping member so as to displace the clamping member with respect to the main body; a pivot means, the pivot means configured to cause the clamping member to pivot relative to the main body when the clamping member is displaced, the pivot of the clamping member configured to cause the bar to be clamped between the first clamp surface and the second clamp surface.
2. The clamp as recited in claim 1, wherein the pivot of the clamping member being configured to cause the bar to be clamped between the first clamp surface and the second clamp surface comprises generating a first clamping action acting along a first clamping axis, the first clamping action configured to clamp the bar between the first clamp surface and the second clamp surface.
3. The clamp as recited in claim 2, wherein the first clamping axis is perpendicular to a direction in which the force acts.
4. The clamp as recited in claim 2 or 3, wherein the first clamping axis is perpendicular to an axis aligned along a length of the bar.
5. The clamp as recited in any preceding claim, further comprising a third clamp surface, the third clamp surface configured to cooperate with a fourth clamp surface so as to clamp the bar between the third clamp surface and fourth clamp surface when the actuation means applies the force to the clamping member.
6. The clamp as recited in claim 5, when dependent on at least claim 2, wherein the actuation means is further configured to apply a force to the bar so as to generate a second clamping action acting along a second clamping axis, the second clamping 68502268-2 PM360693GB action configured to clamp the bar between the third clamp surface and the fourth clamp surface, the second clamping axis being perpendicular to the first clamping axis.
7. The clamp as recited in claim 5 or 6, wherein the actuation means comprises the third clamp surface and a surface of the printer comprises the fourth clamp surface.
8. The clamp as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the main body comprises an aperture configured to receive the bar, the aperture defined by at least a surface of the main body, the surface comprising the first clamp surface.
9. The clamp as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the pivot means comprises: a first pivot surface located on the main body; and a second pivot surface located on the clamping member; wherein the first pivot surface is configured to engage the second pivot surface when the clamping member is displaced and act as a fulcrum so as to cause the clamping member to pivot relative to the main body.
10. The clamp as recited in claim 9, wherein the first pivot surface comprises a step.
11. The clamp as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the clamping member comprises a first section and a second section, the first section configured to engage with the actuation means and the second section comprising the second clamp surface.
12. The clamp as recited in claim 11, wherein the first section is arranged in different plane to the second section.
13. The clamp as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the main body comprises a first cam surface and the clamping member comprises a second cam surface, the second cam surface configured to engage with the first cam surface when the clamping member pivots relative to the main body when the clamping member is displaced.
68502268-2 PM360693GB 14. The clamp as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the actuation means comprises a bolt having a first thread configured to engage with a second thread coupled to the clamping member, the clamp configured such that rotation of the bolt in a first rotational direction causes the displacement of the clamping member.
15. The clamp as recited in claim 14, when dependent on at least claim 11, wherein the first section of the clamping member comprises the second thread.
16. The clamp as recited in any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the second section of the clamping member comprises two legs.
17. The clamp as recited in claim 16, wherein the means for coupling to the printer comprise a hole in the main body, the hole for receiving a second bolt, the second bolt for engagement with the printer, the main body further comprising two channels arranged either side of the hole in the main body, the two channels configured to accommodate the two legs.
18. A printer comprising the clamp as recited in any preceding claim.
19. A method for clamping a printer on a bar using a clamp, the method comprising: applying a force to a clamping member of the clamp so as to displace the clamping member with respect to a main body of the clamp; pivoting the clamping member when the clamping member is displaced, the pivoting of the clamping member clamping the bar between a first clamp surface of the main body and a second clamp surface of the clamping member.
20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein applying a force to the clamping member comprises rotating an actuator, the rotation relative to the clamping member.
21. The method as recited in claim 19 or 20, wherein displacing the clamping member with respect to the main body comprises driving at least a portion of the clamping member away from the bar.
22. The method as recited in claim 19, 20 or 21, wherein clamping the bar between the first clamp surface of the main body and the second clamp surface of the clamping 68502268-2 PM360693GB member comprises generating a first clamping action acting along a first clamping axis, the first clamping action clamping the bar between the first clamp surface and the second clamp surface, the first clamping axis being perpendicular to a direction in which the force acts.
23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the first clamping axis is perpendicular to an axis aligned along a length of the bar.
24. The method as recited in any of claims 19 to 23, further comprising clamping the bar between a third clamp surface and a fourth clamp surface when the force is applied to the clamping member.
25. The method as recited in claim 24, further comprising applying a force to the bar so as to generate a second clamping action acting along a second clamping axis, the second clamping action configured to clamp the bar between the third clamp surface and the fourth clamp surface, the second clamping axis being perpendicular to the first clamping axis.
26. The method as recited in claim 24 or 25, when dependent on claim 20, wherein the actuator comprises the third clamp surface and a surface of the printer comprises the fourth clamp surface.
27. A method for clamping a printer on a bar using a clamp comprising a clamping arrangement, the method comprising: exerting a first force on the bar by the clamping arrangement in a first direction; exerting a second force on the bar by the clamping arrangement in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; the second force aligning the clamping unit with the bar.68502268-2