JP2023009141A - Media cutting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clamping technique capable of easily performing cutting of media.

SOLUTION: A media cutting device 10 includes: a table 20 having an upper surface part 21 onto which a medium Me is conveyed, and a groove 22 recessed in the upper surface part 21; a cutter mechanism 13B for cutting the medium Me, movably disposed along the groove 22; and a clamp member 30 that presses the medium Me to the table 20. The cutter mechanism 13B includes a pressing part 13bB biased toward the upper surface part 21 of the table 20, and a blade 13aB capable of cutting the medium Me. The pressing part 13bB is arranged at a position where the clamp member 30 is biased toward the upper surface part 21 when the blade 13aB is brought into contact with the medium Me.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to clamping technology for media placed on a table.

For example, in a printer device, it is known to clamp a medium to a table in order to prevent the medium as a printed material from floating. There is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200016 as a conventional technique related to clamping a medium to a table.

A printer device as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a table on which a medium is conveyed on the upper surface, and a clamp member that presses the medium toward the upper surface of the table.

The clamp member is formed by a pair of leaf springs provided along the medium transport direction. A pair of leaf springs are arranged to avoid the printing range.

By using the clamp member, printing can be performed in a state in which floating of the medium is suppressed.

JP-A-2005-35681

By the way, the clamp member is also used when cutting the media.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a clamping technique that facilitates cutting of media.

A media cutting device according to the present invention comprises: a table having an upper surface on which a medium is conveyed; a cutter mechanism for cutting the medium; and a clamp member for pressing the medium against the table. The cutter mechanism has a pressing portion that is biased toward the upper surface of the table, and a blade capable of cutting the medium. The holding portion is arranged at a position that urges the clamp member toward the upper surface portion when the blade contacts the medium.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the clamping technique which can cut|disconnect a medium easily can be provided.

1 is a front view of a printer/media cutting device equipped with a clamp member according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of two parts of FIG. 1; 3 is an enlarged view of three parts of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the clamping member shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a method of attaching the clamp member shown in FIG. 3 to a groove; FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the base of the clamp member shown in FIG. 3; 5 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the clamp member shown in FIG. 4; FIG. Figure 10 is a plan view of the clamp member shown in Figure 9; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a main part of a printer/media cutting device according to a second embodiment; 12A and 12B are diagrams for explaining the action of the printer/media cutting device shown in FIG. 11; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the essential parts of a printer/media cutting device according to Embodiment 3; Figure 14 is a plan view of the clamping member shown in Figure 13; 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining the action of the printer/media cutting device shown in FIG. 13; FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a printer/media cutting device according to a fourth embodiment; 17 is a front view of the inside of the housing shown in FIG. 16; FIG. 17 is a side view of the interior of the housing shown in FIG. 16; FIG. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the platen and right retainer shown in FIG. 18; FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state in which the recording medium is pressed against the platen by the right presser shown in FIG. 19; 21 is an enlarged view of part 21 of FIG. 18; FIG. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which the recording medium is pressed against the platen by the right presser according to a modified example of the right presser shown in FIG. 20;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, front and rear refer to front and rear with respect to the medium transport direction. In the figure, Fr indicates front, Rr indicates rear, Le indicates left, Ri indicates right, Up indicates upper, and Dn indicates lower.
<Example 1>

[Regarding the printer/media cutting device 10]
Please refer to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a printer/media cutting device 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "printer device 10") capable of printing on media and cutting the media. The printer device 10 can also be called a media cutting device 10 in that it can cut media.

Also refer to FIG. The printer device 10 includes a table 20 on which the medium Me is conveyed on the upper surface, a carriage 12 for printing on the conveyed medium Me, a cutter mechanism 13 capable of cutting the medium Me, and an end portion of the medium Me. and clamping members 30 , 30 for clamping to the table 20 .

The printer device 10 can transport the medium Me in the front-rear direction. The carriage 12 and the cutter mechanism 13 are provided movably in the left-right direction. Printing can be performed on the medium Me by moving the carriage 12 left and right with respect to the medium Me that is transported back and forth. On the other hand, when cutting the medium Me, the medium Me is transported to a predetermined position, and while the left and right ends are clamped by the clamp members 30, 30, the cutter mechanism 13 is moved left and right. A blade 13 a provided in the cutter mechanism 13 cuts the medium Me.

[About Media Me]
The medium Me is, for example, a roll medium wound on a roll, and the material of the medium Me may be paper such as plain paper, or resin such as polyvinyl chloride or polyester. Metals such as aluminum and iron may be used, and various materials may be used. The medium Me is sent from the rear to the front by the conveying device.

[About Table 20]
Please refer to FIGS. The table 20 has a planar upper surface portion 21 on which the medium Me is conveyed. A groove 22 is formed in a portion of the upper surface portion 21 extending in the left-right direction. That is, the grooves 22 are formed in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the medium Me. A suction hole or the like for sucking the medium Me downward may be formed in the upper surface portion 21 .

[Regarding the groove 22]
The groove 22 has a substantially inverted T-shape, and has a bottom portion 22a extending in the left and right direction (front and back direction in FIG. 4), side wall portions 22b and 22b respectively raised from the front and rear of the bottom portion 22a. retaining portions 22c, 22c that protrude from the upper ends of the side wall portions 22b, 22b of the clamp member 30 to prevent the clamp member 30 from coming off upward; It has openings 22d, 22d open to the outside.

An upper portion of one opening 22d (left in the drawing) is formed in a tapered shape that widens upward. The other opening 22d (right in the drawing) extends vertically. It is also possible to form both upper portions of the opening 22d in a tapered shape.

[Regarding the carriage 12]
Please refer to FIG. The carriage 12 is movably supported on rails 15 extending left and right. The carriage 12 accommodates a plurality of ink heads that eject different colors.

[Regarding the cutter mechanism 13]
The cutter mechanism 13 is movably supported on rails 15 extending in the left-right direction. The cutter mechanism 13 has a blade 13a capable of cutting the medium Me. The blade 13a is provided so as to be vertically swingable. By rotating the blade 13a, it can be displaced from a retracted position away from the medium Me to a contact position where it contacts the medium Me. When cutting the medium Me, the blade 13a is rotated to the contact position, and the cutter mechanism 13 is moved in the horizontal direction.

[Regarding the clamp member 30]
Please refer to FIGS. Two clamp members 30 are used to respectively clamp the left and right ends of the medium Me (see FIG. 1). The right clamp member 30 will be described below. The configuration of the left clamp member 30 is the same, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The clamping member 30 includes a base portion 31 housed in the groove 22 , first and second members 32 and 33 supported by the base portion, and a medium Me formed continuously from the first member 32 on the upper surface of the table 20 . a first clamp portion 34 that biases toward the portion 21; a second clamp portion 35 that is formed continuously from the second member 33 and biases the medium Me toward the upper surface portion 21 of the table 20; A first spacer 36 fixed to the lower surface of the first member 32 and in contact with the upper surface portion 21 of the table 20, and a second spacer 37 fixed to the lower surface of the second member 33 and in contact with the upper surface portion 21 of the table 20. have.

[Regarding base 31]
The base 31 is a resin molded product made of hard resin. More specifically, polyacetal (POM) or polypropylene (PP) can be used as the material of the base 31 . The upper surface of the base portion 31 is in contact with the retaining portion 22 c of the groove 22 .

A portion of the base portion 31 between the portion where the first member 32 is inserted and the portion where the second member 33 is inserted is compared to the portion where the first member and the second members 32 and 33 are inserted. A thin portion 31a having a small thickness is formed. The thin portion 31 a is formed over the entire base portion 31 along the groove 22 . The thin portion 31a has a shape in which the upper surface thereof is scooped downward compared to the portion into which the first member and the second members 32 and 33 are inserted.

Please refer to FIGS. Based on the direction along the groove 22, the length L5 of the base portion 31 is longer than the sum L6 of the length of the first extension portion 42 and the length of the first clamp portion 34, and It is longer than the sum L7 of the length of the extension portion 47 and the length of the second clamp portion 35 . Note that L6≈L7.

[Regarding the first member 32]
Please refer to FIGS. The first member 32 is formed, for example, by press forming a steel plate. The first member 32 has a substantially L shape when viewed from the side of the printer device 10 . The first member 32 includes a first raised portion 41 raised from the base portion 31 and arranged along the side wall portion 22b of the groove 22, and an upper surface portion 21 of the table 20 extending from the tip of the first raised portion 41. and a first extension 42 extending along. A tip portion 42a of the first extension portion 42 is bent obliquely upward.

As the material of the first member 32, any material other than steel, such as metal or resin, can be used.

[Regarding the second member 33]
The second member 33 is formed, for example, by press forming a steel plate. The second member 33 has a substantially L shape when viewed from the side of the printer device 10 . The second member 33 includes a second raised portion 46 raised from the base portion 31 and extending opposite to the first raised portion 41, and a first extension portion extending from the tip of the second raised portion 46. and a second extension 47 extending along the top surface 21 of the table 20 so as to be spaced apart from 42 . A tip portion 47a of the second extension portion 47 is bent obliquely upward.

The second raised portion 46 is provided substantially parallel to the first raised portion 41 .

The length L1 of the first extending portion 42 is shorter than the length L2 of the second extending portion 47 with reference to the direction perpendicular to the groove 22 (the transport direction of the medium Me). Using the direction along the groove 22 as a reference, the length L3 of the first extension 42 is substantially the same as the length L4 of the second extension 47 .

As the material of the second member 33, any material other than steel, such as metal or resin, can be adopted.

[Regarding the first clamp part 34]
The first clamping part 34 and the first member 32 are made of one plate material. The first clamp portion 34 extends from the entire side of the first extending portion 42 facing the medium Me toward the center of the table 20 in the width direction. A tip portion 34a of the first clamp portion 34 is bent obliquely upward. The edge of the medium Me is covered with the first clamp part 34, thereby preventing the medium Me from floating when cutting the medium Me.

[Regarding the second clamp part 35]
The second clamping part 35 and the second member 33 are made of one plate material. The second clamp portion 35 extends from the entire side of the second extending portion 47 facing the medium Me toward the center of the table 20 in the width direction. A tip portion 35a of the second clamp portion 35 is bent obliquely upward. The edge of the medium Me is covered with the second clamp part 35, thereby preventing the medium Me from floating when cutting the medium Me.

Tip portions 34a and 35a formed at the tips of the clamp portions 34 and 35 and extending obliquely upward from general surfaces of the clamp portions 34 and 35 serve as guides for guiding the medium Me downward to the respective clamp portions 34 and 35. fulfill The tip portions 34 a and 35 a may be formed not only on the ends along the groove 22 of the clamping portions 34 and 35 but also on the ends orthogonal to the groove 22 .

By performing the cutting operation while the clamp portions 34 and 35 are pressed by the pressing portion 13bB (see FIG. 2), the blade 13 can be brought into contact with the medium Me in a state in which the floating of the medium Me is eliminated, and the cutting accuracy is improved. improves. This point will be explained in detail later.

Please refer to FIG. The clamp member 30 can be manufactured by insert molding. More specifically, the clamp member 30 is set in a mold with the vertical sides of two substantially L-shaped metal plates facing each other and the horizontal sides facing away from each other. It is formed by connecting them with resin.

Through holes 41a and 46a may be formed in the portions of the first and second rising portions 41 and 46 covered with the base portion 31, respectively. By filling the through holes 41a and 46a with resin, the base portion 31 can support the first and second rising portions 41 and 46 more firmly.

[Regarding the first spacer 36]
Also refer to FIG. The first spacer 36 is a substantially rectangular resin plate. The first spacer 36 is, for example, adhered to the back surface of the first clamp portion 34 with an adhesive. The first clamp portion 34 is separated from the upper surface portion 21 of the table 20 by the thickness of the plate of the first spacer 36 .

[Regarding the second spacer 37]
The second spacer 37 is a substantially rectangular resin plate. The second spacer 37 is, for example, adhered to the back surface of the second clamp portion 35 via an adhesive. The second clamp part 35 is separated from the upper surface part 21 of the table 20 by the thickness of the plate of the second spacer 37 .

The same parts can be used for the first spacer 36 and the second spacer 37 .

The clamp member 30 described above is provided detachably with respect to the table 20 . How to attach the clamp member 30 to the table 20 will be described.

[How to attach the clamp member 30 to the table 20]
Please refer to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). FIG. 6(a) shows the clamp member before it is attached to the table. FIG. 6(b) shows the table as viewed from the side.

Before being attached to the table 20, for example, the angle formed by the first rising portion 41 and the first extending portion 42 is θ1. The angle formed by the second rising portion 46 and the second extending portion 47 is also θ1. Here, θ1<90°.

The height from the upper surface of the base 31 to the first spacer 36 is H1. The height from the upper surface of the base 31 to the second spacer 37 is also the same. On the other hand, the height from the retaining portion 22c to the upper surface of the table 20 is H2. Here, H1<H2.

If the angle formed by the second raised portion 46 and the second extending portion 47 is less than 90°, the angle formed by the first raised portion 41 and the first extending portion 42 is Different angles are possible.

Also, the height from the upper surface of the base portion 31 to the second spacers 37 may be different from the height from the upper surface of the base portion 31 to the first spacers 36 as long as it is less than H2.

Please refer to FIG. When attaching the clamp member 30 to the table 20 , the clamp member 30 is slid from the side of the table 20 and inserted into the groove 22 . More specifically, the base portion 31 is inserted into the area surrounded by the bottom portion 22a, the side wall portions 22b, 22b, and the retaining portions 22c, 22c. The base portion 31 is pushed in until the respective clamp portions 34 and 35 (see also FIG. 6(a)) are positioned above the medium Me.

Please refer to FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 6(b) together. A height H1 from the base portion 31 to the respective spacers 36 and 37 is lower than a height H2 from the retaining portion 22c to the upper surface of the table 20. As shown in FIG. The base portion 31 is pushed in while elastically deforming the extension portions 42 and 47 .

Refer to FIG. 6(c). FIG. 6(c) shows the clamp member attached to the table as viewed from the side. Since the base portion 31 is pushed in while the extension portions 42 and 47 are elastically deformed, the upper surface of the base portion 31 contacts the retaining portions 22c and 22c, and the respective spacers 36 and 37 contact the upper surface of the table 20. FIG. Biasing forces from the extensions 42 and 47 are applied to the upper surface of the table 20 through the spacers 36 and 37 .

The angle formed by the first rising portion 41 and the first extending portion 42 when attached to the table 20 is θ2. The angle formed by the second rising portion 46 and the second extending portion 47 is also θ2. Here, θ2=90°.

Note that θ2 may be larger than θ1 and does not necessarily have to be 90°. Further, the angle formed by the second raised portion 46 and the second extension portion 47 may be different from the angle formed by the first raised portion 41 and the first extension portion 42. .

See FIG. 6(d). FIG. 6(d) shows the action when the clamp member is slid. When the clamp member 30 is slid along the groove 22, the boundary portion B1 between the first raised portion 41 and the first extension portion 42, and the second raised portion 46 and the second extension The boundary portion B2 of the portion 47 is pushed downward and slid.

Only parts of the spacers 36 and 37 come into contact with the upper surface of the table 20 during the slide operation. In addition, since the base portion 31 is pushed down via the rising portions 41 and 46, the base portion 31 is separated from the retaining portion 22c.

A portion of the base portion 31 is a thin portion 31a that is thinner than other portions. Thereby, the base 31 can be easily bent. The thin portion 31 a is preferably formed continuously between the first raised portion 41 and the second raised portion 46 .

[Description of action during mounting operation of clamp member]
Please refer to FIG. FIG. 8(a) schematically shows a clamping member according to a comparative example. In the clamping member 230 according to the comparative example, the length L15 of the base portion 231 is shorter than the sum L6 of the length of the first extending portion 42 and the length of the first clamping portion 34 . Other constituent elements are the same as those of the clamp member according to Example 1, and the same reference numerals are used.

Refer to FIG. 8(b). FIG. 8(b) shows the action when the clamping member according to the comparative example rotates inside the groove. A clamping member 230 may be slid along the groove 22 . The base 231 may rotate by the gap between the base 231 and the groove 22 . For example, the base 231 rotates by an angle θ3 with respect to the center axis of the groove 22 .

See FIG. 8(c). FIG. 8(c) schematically shows a clamping member according to Example 1. As shown in FIG. In the clamp member 30, the length L5 of the base portion 31 is longer than the sum L6 of the length of the first extension portion 42 and the length of the first clamp portion .

See FIG. 8(d). FIG. 8(d) shows the action when the clamping member according to Example 1 rotates inside the groove. A clamping member 30 may be slid along the groove 22 . The base 31 may rotate by the gap between the base 31 and the groove 22 . For example, the base 31 rotates by an angle θ4 with respect to the central axis of the groove 22 .

Also refer to FIG. 8(b). The clamping member 30 according to Example 1 having a long base 31 rotates less in the groove 22 than the clamping member 230 according to Comparative Example having a short base 31 .
The clamping member 30 can also be configured as shown in the next figure.

[About modification]
See FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. FIGS. 9 and 10 show a clamp member 30A used in the printer/media cutting device 10A according to the modification. The 1st member 32 and the 2nd member 33 are comprised by the metal plate of 1 sheet. Other basic configurations are the same as those of the printer according to the first embodiment. Reference numerals are used for common parts, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

Specifically, the clamp member 30</b>A has the lower end of the first raised portion 41 and the lower end of the second raised portion 46 connected by the connecting portion 38 . In addition, the left-right end portion continuous from the connecting portion 38 is formed as a coming-off prevention portion 39 that protrudes in the front-rear direction and prevents coming-off from the base portion 31 .

Also refer to FIG. 6(d). When the boundary portions B1 and B2 are pushed downward, the clamp portions 34 and 35 are opened (lifted upward) with the gaps (intervals with the table) on both end sides being larger than those on the center side.

The clamping portions 34 and 35 are longer in the main scanning direction than the center side (protruding in the main scanning direction as they move away from the groove 22) at the end portions where the gap (interval with the table) is large, so the clamps are set. When the medium is actually moved in the main scanning direction, the medium Me first enters into the large gap portion (end portion side).

Since it is possible to prevent the media Me from floating after being cut, it is possible to prevent the media Me from being caught by the clamp members 30 when the media Me moves in the transport direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction (cutting direction).

The clamp member 30 described above has the following effects.

Please refer to FIG. The first raised portion 41 and the second raised portion 46 are arranged along the side wall portion 22b of the groove 22 so as to face each other. Additionally, a gap is formed between the first clamping portion 34 and the second clamping portion 35 . The blade 13 a of the cutter mechanism 13 can be passed between the first raised portion 41 and the second raised portion 46 and between the first clamp portion 34 and the second clamp portion 35 . Also refer to FIG. The medium Me can be cut along the groove 22 while the medium Me is clamped by the clamp member 30 . By using the clamp member 30 according to the present invention, the medium Me can be cut easily and accurately. That is, it is possible to provide a clamping technique that facilitates cutting of the medium Me.

In addition, by adopting a structure in which the first member and the second members 32, 33 are supported by the base portion 31, the first member and the second members 32, 33 can be arranged at accurate positions. Therefore, even if the width of the groove 22 is small, a predetermined gap can be accurately formed between the first member and the second members 32, 33, allowing the blade 13a of the cutter mechanism 13 to pass through. can be done.

Please refer to FIG. The clamp member 30 is configured to support two substantially L-shaped first and second members 32 and 33 with a base portion 31 . If a biasing force can be applied to the table 20 when attached to the table 20, the angle θ1 at which the first and second members 32 and 33 are bent has some error. Therefore, dimensional control is easy.

Furthermore, the base 31 is made of hard resin. Thereby, the base portion 31 can be easily slid along the groove 22 while being arranged in the groove 22 . Since the clamp member 30 can be easily moved along the groove 22, the position can be easily adjusted.

Please refer to FIG. First and second spacers 36 and 37 having a predetermined height and abutting on the upper surface portion 21 of the table 20 are provided on the lower surfaces of the first and second members 32 and 33, respectively. there is As a result, the first and second members 32 and 33 and the clamp portions 34 and 35 are prevented from coming into direct contact with the upper surface portion 21 of the table 20, and the medium Me is prevented from floating. can. By suppressing the first and second members 32, 33 and the clamping portions 34, 35 from directly contacting the upper surface portion 21 of the table 20, when the clamping member 30 is slid, these It is possible to suppress the portion from becoming a resistance to the slide operation. Thereby, high operability of the clamp member 30 can be ensured.

Also refer to FIG. 8(d). Based on the direction along the groove 22, the length L5 of the base portion 31 is longer than the sum L6 of the length of the first extension portion 42 and the length of the first clamp portion 34, and It is longer than the sum L7 of the length of the extension portion 47 and the length of the second clamp portion 35 . By increasing the length of the base portion 31, the amount of rotation of the base portion 31 within the groove 22 during the slide operation can be reduced. Thereby, when the clamp member 30 is slid, it is possible to prevent the base portion 31 from resisting the slide operation. Thereby, high operability of the clamp member 30 can be ensured.

Please refer to FIG. In order to prevent the base 31 from coming off upward, the groove 22 has retaining portions 22c protruding from both side wall portions 22b so as to approach each other. By having the retaining portion 22c, the base portion 31 is prevented from coming out of the groove 22, and the medium Me can be clamped more securely.

By the way, in the state shown in FIG. 4 , stress concentrates on the base portion 31 at the lower end of the first raised portion 41 and the lower end of the second raised portion 42 . In this case, if the portion of the base portion 31 embedded in the resin is short, the clamp member 30 (the lower end of the first rising portion 41 and the lower end of the second rising portion 42) wobbles. See FIG. A lower end of the first raised portion 41 and a lower end of the second raised portion 46 are connected by a connecting portion 38 . Therefore, even if stress concentrates on the lower end of the first raised portion 41 and the lower end of the second raised portion 42, the lower end of the first raised portion 41 and the second raised portion 42 Since the lower ends are connected and embedded in the resin, the stress can be dispersed and the load applied to the base portion 31 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the clamp member 30 from wobbling.

A printer device according to the second embodiment will be described below.
<Example 2>

11 and 12 show the main part of the printer device 10B according to the second embodiment. The printer 10B according to the second embodiment differs from the printer 10 (see FIG. 2) according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the cutter mechanism 13B. Other basic configurations are the same as those of the printer according to the first embodiment. Reference numerals are used for parts that are common to the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

11 and 12 show the table 20, the carriage 12, the cutter mechanism 13B, the left clamp member 30 (see also FIG. 1), and the medium Me.

[Regarding the configuration of the cutter mechanism 13B]
The cutter mechanism 13B has a pressing portion 13bB biased toward the upper surface portion 21 and a blade 13aB capable of cutting the medium Me.

[Regarding the pressing portion 13bB]
The pressing portion 13bB is composed of a rotatable roller, and when the blade 13aB contacts the medium Me, it contacts the clamp member 30, specifically the second extending portion 47, thereby restricting the movement of the medium. ing. Specifically, the pressing portion 13bB is biased toward the upper surface portion 21 of the table 20, and contacts the clamp portion 35 after contacting the extending portion 47. As shown in FIG. A gap corresponding to the thickness of the spacer 37 is provided between the central side of the extending portion 47 (the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the clamp member 30 ) and the clamp portion 35 from the upper surface portion 21 of the table 20 . Therefore, the carriage 12 moves to one side in the scanning direction (the left side in FIG. 11), and the pressing portion 13bB biased toward the upper surface portion 21 moves toward the center side of the extension portion 47 (the longitudinal direction of the clamp member 30). center portion), the contact portion is bent downward by the amount of the gap due to the biasing force of the pressing portion 13bB. movement is restricted. Further, when the carriage 12 moves and the pressing portion 13bB comes into contact with the clamping portion 35, the entire second clamping portion 35 presses the medium Me (upper surface portion 21 of the table 20) due to the biasing force of the pressing portion 13b. be. Therefore, by bringing the pressing portion 13bB into contact with the second clamping portion 35, the movement of the medium Me can be restricted more reliably than when the pressing portion 13bB is brought into contact with the second extending portion 4. FIG. Therefore, since the blade cuts into the edge face of the paper in a state in which the movement of the medium is regulated when cutting the sheet, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of floating of the medium. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the distortion of the cut edge of the media, and achieve a fine finish.

It should be noted that the pressing portion 13bB may bias the first clamping portion 34. As shown in FIG. Alternatively, it may be the first extension portion 42 or the second extension portion 47 . Although the first extending portion 42 and the second extending portion 47 do not directly press the medium Me, the extending portions 42 and 47 are made of the same single plate as the clamp portions 34 and 35. Since the media Me is bent by the thickness of the spacer, the medium Me is indirectly pressed against the upper surface 21 of the table 20 by bringing it into contact with the first extension 42 and the second extension 47, and the movement of the medium Me is suppressed. Regulated.

[Regarding the blade 13aB]
The blade 13aB is arranged at a position that intersects a line CL that passes through the center C1 of the pressing portion 13bB and extends perpendicularly to the upper surface portion 21. As shown in FIG. That is, it is arranged behind the lowest point of the roller in the moving direction of the cutter mechanism 13B. Therefore, if cutting is performed without a media clamp, after the blade of the cutter comes into contact with the media, the roller presses the media. There is a risk that an uncut portion or the like will be left uncut and that the cut surface will be loose. On the other hand, when the media is cut using the media clamp, the media clamp is pressed by the roller, and after the media is pressed by the media clamp, the blade of the cutter comes into contact with the media. That is, the media can be cut while movement of the media is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the distortion of the cut edge of the media, and achieve a fine finish.

The printer device 10B described above also achieves the desired effects of the present invention.

Further, the cutter mechanism 13B has a pressing portion 13bB biased toward the upper surface portion 21 and a blade 13aB capable of cutting the medium Me,
The pressing portion 13bB is arranged at a position that urges the clamp member 30 toward the upper surface portion 21 when the blade 13aB comes into contact with the medium Me.

When the blade 13aB contacts the medium Me, the clamp member 30 is biased toward the upper surface portion 21 by the pressing portion 13bB. The medium Me is sandwiched between the clamp member 30 and the upper surface portion 21 and its movement is restricted. In particular, when the movement of the medium is not restricted, the edges of the medium Me may be bent due to contact with the blade 13aB. Since the blade 13aB can be brought into contact with the edge of the medium Me while the displacement of the medium Me is restricted, the occurrence of bending can be suppressed.

The pressing portion 13bB is composed of a rotatable roller,
The blade 13aB is arranged at a position that intersects a line CL that passes through the center C1 of the pressing portion 13bB and extends perpendicularly to the upper surface portion 21. As shown in FIG.

The pressing portion 13bB contacts the clamp member 30 on a line CL passing through the center C1 and extending perpendicularly to the upper surface portion 21. As shown in FIG. Since the blade 13aB intersects the line CL, the blade 13aB can be arranged in the vicinity of the portion where the pressing portion 13bB contacts the clamp member 30. As shown in FIG. By bringing the position where the medium Me is pressed closer to the position where the medium Me is cut, it is possible to further suppress the bending of the medium Me.

A printer device according to the third embodiment will be described below.
<Example 3>

13 and 14 show the essential parts of a printer device 10C according to the third embodiment. A printer device 10C according to the third embodiment differs from the printer device 10B according to the second embodiment in a clamp member 30C. Other basic configurations are common to the printer device according to the first or second embodiment. Reference numerals are used for parts that are common to the first or second embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[Regarding the clamp member 30C]
30 C of clamp members have the 1st flexible part 51 and the 2nd flexible part 52, and the part from the 1st rising part 41 to the 1st extending part 42, and from the 2nd rising part 46 Compared to the portion reaching the second extending portion 47, it is configured to be elastically deformable more easily. Therefore, if the roller 13bB directly rides on this portion, it will cause resistance, but the first flexible portion 51 and the second flexible portion 52 are configured to be elastically deformable and play the role of a slope, so the resistance is reduced. Small enough.
Specifically, in the clamp members 30, 30A, and 30B shown in the first to third embodiments, when the roller moves from the outside toward the center (when moving leftward in FIGS. 3 and 10), , the roller first hits the end surface of the portion from the first rising portion 41 to the first extending portion 42 and the end surface of the portion from the second rising portion 46 to the second rising portion 46 . Since a bend is interposed between the first rising portion 41 and the first extending portion 42, resistance is generated when the roller rides on this portion, and the clamping members 30, 30A, 30B do not move the rollers. There is concern that the positions of the clamp members 30, 30A, and 30B may be displaced by being pushed in the advancing direction (leftward).

The first flexible portion 51 is integrally formed with the first member 32 and has a substantially triangular shape. Since the first flexible portion 51 is not connected to the first rising portion 41 (see FIG. 4), it bends more easily toward the upper surface portion 21 than the first extending portion 42 does.

The first flexible portion 51 includes a first parallel side portion 51a extending parallel to the groove 22 from one end portion 42b of the first extending portion 42 located above the groove 22, and the first parallel side portion 51a. and a first oblique side portion 51 b extending from the tip of the first extension portion 42 to the other end portion 42 c of the first extension portion 42 . The second flexible portion 52 also has the same configuration as the first flexible portion 51 . The first flexible portion 51 and the second flexible portion 52 are portions to be pressed by the roller 13bB, and only one of them may be formed. In addition, the first flexible portion 51 and/or the second flexible portion 52 may slope downward from the respective extensions 42 , 47 toward the upper surface portion 22 .

Please refer to FIGS. 13 and 15 . As the carriage 12 moves, the pressing portion 13bB rides on the second flexible portion 52 from the second oblique side portion 52b. The pressing portion 13bB moves from the upper surface of the second flexible portion 52 to the upper surface of the second extending portion 47. As shown in FIG.

The printer device 10C described above also achieves the desired effects of the present invention.

In addition, the printer device 10C
Further having a first flexible portion 51 extending along the upper surface portion 21 from the first extension portion 42 and formed to sandwich the first extension portion 42 together with the first clamp portion 34,
The first flexible portion 51 is configured to bend toward the upper surface portion 21 more easily than the first extension portion 42,
Further having a second flexible portion 52 extending from the second extension portion 47 along the upper surface portion 21 and formed to sandwich the second extension portion 47 together with the second clamp portion 35,
The second flexible portion 52 is configured to bend toward the upper surface portion 21 more easily than the second extension portion 47 .

The second flexible portion 52 bends toward the upper surface portion 21 more easily than the second extension portion 47 . Therefore, the pressing portion 13bB can be reliably mounted on the upper surface of the second extending portion 47. As shown in FIG. The movement of the medium Me can be regulated more reliably when the medium Me is disconnected.

The first flexible portion 51 includes a first parallel side portion 51a extending parallel to the groove 22 from one end portion 42b of the first extending portion 42 located above the groove 22, and the first parallel side portion 51a. a first oblique side portion 51b extending from the tip of 51a to the other end portion 42c of the first extending portion 42;
The second flexible portion 52 includes a second parallel side portion 52a extending parallel to the groove 22 from one end portion 47b of the second extension portion 47 located above the groove 22, and the second parallel side portion 52a. and a second oblique side portion 52 b extending from the tip of the second extension portion 47 to the other end portion 47 c of the second extension portion 47 .

The pressing portion 13bB rides on the clamp member 30C from the second oblique side portion 52b formed obliquely with respect to the traveling direction of the carriage 12. As shown in FIG. Compared to the case where the carriage 12 is formed perpendicularly to the traveling direction of the carriage 12, the pressing portion 13bB can be easily moved up.

Note that the pressing portion 13bB rides only on the second extending portion 47. As shown in FIG. Therefore, in the printer device 10C, even if the first flexible portion 51 is not provided, the above effects can be obtained. At least the first flexible portion 51 must be formed in the printer device in which the pressing portion 13bB rides only on the first extending portion 42. As shown in FIG. Thereby, there exists the said effect.

A printer device according to a fourth embodiment will be described below. Example 4 is different from Example 1 in that the media clamp is composed of a single spring, and the base portion 31 and the first member 32 and the second member 33 are integrally formed.
<Example 4>

[1. Configuration of printing device]
16 is a perspective view of the printer device 101, FIG. 17 is a front view of the interior of the printer device 101, and FIG. 18 is a side view of the interior of the printer device 101. FIG. In the following description, the direction in which the medium Me printed by the printer device 101 is transported may be referred to as the transport direction, the upstream side in the transport direction may be referred to as the rear, and the downstream side in the transport direction may be referred to as the front. Also, the direction perpendicular to the transport direction is called the main scanning direction, and the main scanning direction is sometimes called the horizontal direction. Also, the left and right directions are determined when viewed from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction.

As shown in FIG. 16, the printer device 101 includes a printing mechanism unit 102, a housing 110, a table 151, a cutter mechanism 125, and a pair of left and right clamp members 160R and 160L that can be attached to and removed from the table 151. have. Here, FIG. 16 shows a state in which the clamp members 160R and 160L are removed from the table 151, and FIGS. 17 and 18 show a state in which the clamp members 160R and 160L are attached to the table 151. .

Openings are formed in the front and rear surfaces of the housing 110, and the openings are opened and closed by respective covers. FIG. 16 shows a state in which a cover for opening and closing the front opening of the housing 110 is removed.

The table 151 is mounted inside the housing 110 . The upper surface of the table 151 is formed in a planar shape that extends in the front, rear, left, and right directions. A groove 152 is formed in the upper surface of the table 151 . The groove 152 extends in the main scanning direction.
The medium Me is a printing medium supported by the table 151 . The medium Me is, for example, a resin sheet, a metal sheet, or a paper sheet.
The medium Me is supported on the table 151 so that its width direction is the main scanning direction. At this time, the media Me covers the grooves 152 so that the edges on both sides in the width direction straddle the grooves 152 in the transport direction.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the printing mechanism unit 102 has various configurations for performing inkjet printer type printing. Specifically, the printing mechanism section 102 has a guide rail 111 , a carriage 120 , a print head 121 , a carriage driving mechanism 112 , a driving roller 141 , a conveying motor 142 and pinch rollers 146 .

The guide rail 111 is attached to the housing 110 above the table 151 so as to extend in the main scanning direction. The guide rail 111 guides the carriage 120 above the table 151 and in front of the driving roller 141 in the main scanning direction.
The carriage drive mechanism 112 reciprocates the carriage 120 in the main scanning direction along the guide rails 111 .

A plurality of print heads 121 are mounted on the carriage 120 so as to vertically face the table 151 and the medium Me. The print head 121 is an inkjet head. That is, a plurality of nozzles are formed on the lower surface of the print head 121, and the print head 121 ejects ink from the nozzles toward the medium Me below, thereby forming an image on the medium Me.

The driving roller 141 is arranged upstream of the groove 152 in the conveying direction. A portion of the drive roller 141 is embedded in the table 151 , and the upper peripheral surface of the drive roller 141 is exposed from the upper surface of the table 151 .

A vertically movable pinch roller 146 is arranged above the drive roller 141 . The media Me is sandwiched between the pinch roller 146 and the drive roller 141 in a state where the pinch roller 146 is lowered. In this state, when the driving roller 141 is rotationally driven by the transport motor 142, the medium Me is transported in the transport direction. That is, the mechanism including the driving roller 141, the transport motor 142, and the pinch roller 146 is a transport mechanism that transports the medium Me.

The printing operation by the printing mechanism section 102 is executed by alternately repeating the conveyance of the medium Me by the conveyance motor 142 for a predetermined distance, the movement of the carriage 120 , and the ejection of ink from the print head 121 . Specifically, the drive roller 141 is intermittently rotationally driven by the transport motor 142, thereby intermittently transporting the medium Me forward by a predetermined distance. While the medium Me is paused each time, the carriage 120 is moved in the main scanning direction by the servomotor 116, and the print head 121 ejects ink while the carriage 120 is moving.

The cutter mechanism 125 is a mechanism for cutting the medium Me. Cutter mechanism 125 has driver 126 and blade 127 . A drive 126 is mounted on the carriage 120 . Blade 127 is connected to driver 126 . The driving machine 126 is, for example, a solenoid or a motor, and drives the blade 127 to move up and down with respect to the table 151 . The groove 152 described above is formed below the blade 127 , and the lowered blade 127 is inserted into the groove 152 .

For example, the cutter mechanism 125 cuts the medium Me after printing. Specifically, the driver 126 lowers the blade 127 while the transportation of the medium Me by the transportation motor 142 is stopped. Then, the servo motor 116 moves the carriage 120 in the main scanning direction. As the carriage 120 moves, the blade 127 moves along the groove 152 in the main scanning direction to cut the medium Me.

[2. clamp member]
Since the pinch roller 146 is arranged upstream of the print head 121 in the transport direction, the medium Me may be lifted from the table 151 downstream of the pinch roller 146 . Also, if the widthwise side portion of the medium Me is displaced from the pinch rollers 146 in the main scanning direction, the medium Me may be lifted off the table 151 . In order to prevent the above problems, the clamp members 160R and 160L press both sides of the medium Me to the table 151 in the width direction.

19 and 20 are perspective views of the table 151 and the right clamp member 160R, and FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of part 18 of FIG. 19 shows a state in which the clamp member 160R is removed from the table 151, and FIG. 20 shows a state in which the clamp member 160R is attached to the table 151. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 21, the clamp member 160R attached to the table 151 is indicated by a solid line, and the clamp member 160R detached from the table 151 is indicated by a chain double-dashed line. The shape of the left clamp member 160L has a mirror image relationship with respect to the shape of the right clamp member 160R with respect to the plane perpendicular to the main scanning direction, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the clamp member 160R is a member for holding the medium Me against the table 151, and is composed of a leaf spring formed by pressing a thin metal plate (for example, a thin stainless steel plate). It is The clamping member 160R has a clamping portion 161R, a clamping portion 162R, tip portions 166R to 169R, and a fixing member 170R. In this embodiment, the clamping member 160R is an integrally molded product in which a clamping portion 161R, a clamping portion 162R, tip portions 166R to 169R and a fixing member 170R are integrally molded.

The clamp portions 161R and 162R are formed in a thin plate shape. The clamp part 161R presses the right side of the medium Me to the table 151 on the downstream side of the groove 152 in the transport direction, and the clamp part 162R presses the right side of the medium Me to the table 151 on the upstream side of the groove 152 in the transport direction. The clamp portions 161R and 162R are spaced apart, and a gap 163R is formed between the clamp portions 161R and 162R. Therefore, the clamping portions 161R and 162R are arranged on both sides of the groove 152 so that the groove 152 crosses the gap 163R between the clamping portions 161R and 162R in the main scanning direction. Also, when the medium Me is held down, the medium Me is exposed in the gap 163R between the clamp portions 161R and 162R, and the right edge 109e of the medium Me crosses the gap 163R between the clamp portions 161R and 162R in the transport direction. , clamp portions 161R and 162R are arranged.

Through holes 164R and 165R are formed in the clamp portion 161R. By viewing the medium Me and its right edge 109e through the through holes 164R and 165R, it is possible to adjust the relative position of the clamp member 160R in the horizontal direction with respect to the medium Me. A through hole may be formed in the clamp portion 162R as well as the clamp portion 161R.

The clamp portions 161R and 162R are fixed to the table 151 by a fixing member 170R.
The fixing member 170R has connecting portions 171R and 172R, and a fitting portion 173R that fits into the groove 152 and opens upward.

The connecting portion 171R connects the fitting portion 173R and the clamp portion 161R. The connecting portion 171R is formed in a thin plate shape so as to be flush with the clamp portion 161R. Among the thin plate-like portions, a portion downstream of the fitting portion 173R is the connecting portion 171R, and a portion downstream of the gap 163R is the clamp portion 161R. The connecting portion 171R extends from the clamp portion 161R to the outside of the right edge 109e of the medium Me, and also extends downstream in the transport direction from the downstream edge portion of the opening of the fitting portion 173R (see FIG. 20). ).

Since the connecting portion 172R on the upstream side connects the fitting portion 173R and the clamping portion 162R in the same way that the connecting portion 171R connects the fitting portion 173R and the clamping portion 161R in the above-described mode, A detailed description of the connecting portion 172R and the clamp portion 162R is omitted.

The fitting portion 173R is a portion that fits into the groove 152 in an elastically compressed state (see FIG. 20). The fitting portion 173R is formed in a concave shape. The position where the fitting portion 173R is fitted into the groove 152 is outside the right edge 109e of the medium Me. The fitting portion 173R may be formed in a concave shape such as a V shape, a semicircular arc shape, or a portal shape.
In addition, when the fitting portion 173R is formed in an arch shape (U-shape or semi-elliptical arc shape), the fitting portion 173R easily fits along the groove 152 smoothly.

By removing the fitting portion 173R from the groove 152, the clamp member 160R is removed from the table 151. As shown in FIG.

As indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 21, in a natural state where no external force is applied to the fitting portion 173R that is out of the groove 152, the width W1 of the opening of the fitting portion 173R is equal to the width W2 of the opening of the groove 152. (see also Figure 19). Therefore, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 21, when the fitting portion 173R is fitted into the groove 152, the fitting portion 173R is elastically compressed so that the width W1 of the opening of the fitting portion 173R is narrowed. (see also Figure 20). This makes it difficult for the fitting portion 173</b>R to come off the groove 152 . The width W1 of the opening of the fitting portion 173R when the fitting portion 173R is fitted in the groove 152 is a width through which the cutting edge of the blade 127 can pass.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, when the clamp member 160R is detached from the table 151, a thin plate-like portion constituted by the connecting portion 171R and the clamping portion 161R and the connecting portion 172R and the clamping portion 162R The entrance angle (the angle on the table side) sandwiched by one sheet of thin plate-like portion formed by and is less than 180 degrees. The fitting portion 173R is in a state of being opened toward the output angle side sandwiched between the connecting portion 171R and the connecting portion 172R.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, in a state where the fitting portion 173R is fitted into the groove 152 and the clamp member 160R is attached to the table 151, the connecting portion 171R and the clamp portion 161R constitute a single unit. Since the thin plate-like portion and the single thin plate-like portion constituted by the connecting portion 172R and the clamp portion 162R are positioned on the surface of the table 151, the opening of the fitting portion 173R is narrowed. Thus, the fitting portion 173R is elastically deformed. That is, in a state where the fitting portion 173R is fitted into the groove 152 and the clamp member 160R is attached to the table 151, one thin plate-like portion constituted by the connecting portion 171R and the clamping portion 161R and the connecting portion The angle on the table side sandwiched by one thin plate-like portion constituted by 172R and clamp portion 162R is widened to 180 degrees. Therefore, the connecting portions 171R, 172R and the clamping portions 161R, 162R receive reaction force from the table 151, and the fitting portion 173R is elastically deformed as described above. Therefore, the elastic force of the fitting portion 173R acts on the connecting portions 171R and 172R as a force for pressing the connecting portions 171R and 172R against the table 151, and acts on the clamp portions 161R and 162R as a force for pressing the clamp portions 161R and 162R against the medium Me and the table 151. 161R and 162R.

In addition, when the fitting portion 173R is fitted into the groove 152, it is elastically deformed so that the entrance angle portion 174R formed by the connecting portion 171R and the fitting portion 173R is widened. The connecting portion 171R is pressed against the table 151 by the elastic deformation of the entering corner portion 174R, and the clamp portion 161R is pressing the medium Me against the table 151. FIG. Similarly, by fitting the fitting portion 173R into the groove 152, the entrance angle portion 75R formed by the connecting portion 172R and the fitting portion 173R is elastically deformed so as to widen. The elastic forces of the fitting portion 173R and the entering corner portions 174R and 75R are designed so that the medium Me conveyed by the drive roller 141 and the pinch roller 146 moves relative to the clamp portions 161R and 162R and the table 151. It is

As shown in FIG. 18, when the fitting portion 173R is fitted in the groove 152, the longitudinal length of the clamping member 160R, that is, the length from the downstream end of the clamping portion 161R to the upstream end of the clamping portion 162R is The length is longer than the longitudinal length of the print head 121 and the longitudinal length of the carriage 120 (see FIG. 18). The downstream end of the clamping portion 161R is located forward of the front end of the print head 121 and the front end of the carriage 120, and the upstream end of the clamping portion 162R is located forward of the rear end of the print head 121 and the rear end of the carriage 120. is also behind. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sides of the medium Me from lifting from the table 151 in the front-rear length of the print head 121 and under the carriage 120 .
Note that the shorter the distance from the drive roller 141 and pinch roller 146 to the rear end of the clamp portion 162R, the higher the effect of suppressing the lifting of the medium Me from the table 151. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 19, a tip portion 166R is provided at the downstream end portion in the transport direction of the clamp portion 161R and the connecting portion 171R. The tip portion 166R is formed in a state of being warped with respect to the clamp portion 161R and the connecting portion 171R. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, when the fitting portion 173R is fitted into the groove 152, the tip portion 166R is inclined with respect to the upper surface of the table 151. As shown in FIG. Even if the medium Me is lifted from the table 151 on the downstream side of the clamp section 161R in the conveying direction, the medium Me being conveyed upstream moves relative to the leading edge 166R and enters the clamp section 161R. That is, the leading end portion 166R guides the medium Me conveyed upstream between the clamp portion 161R and the table 151. As shown in FIG.
Similarly, to guide the medium Me, a leading end portion 167R is provided at the upstream end of the clamp portion 161R in the transport direction, and a leading end portion 169R is provided at the upstream end of the clamp portion 162R and the connecting portion 172R in the transport direction. is provided, and a leading end portion 168R is provided at the downstream end portion of the clamp portion 162R in the conveying direction.

[3. How to use the clamp member (how to attach the clamp member)]
A method of using the clamp members 160R and 160L will be described.
The medium Me is placed on the table 151 so as to traverse the groove 152 in the transport direction inside the housing 110 . Here, the width of the medium Me is shorter than the length of the groove 152 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the central portion of the groove 152 is covered with the media Me, and the left and right portions of the groove 152 are exposed without being covered with the media Me.

Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the posture of the right clamp member 160R is determined by positioning the right clamp member 160R above the right edge 109e of the medium Me. Specifically, the opening of the fitting portion 173R faces upward, the clamp portion 161R and the connecting portion 171R are arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction, and the clamp portion 162R and the connecting portion 172R are arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction.

Then, the clamp member 160R is lowered so that the clamp portions 161R and 162R are placed over the right edge 109e of the medium Me, and the fitting portion 173R is fitted into the groove 152 outside the right edge 109e of the medium Me. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 20, the medium Me is sandwiched between the clamp portions 161R and 162R and the table 151. As shown in FIG. At this time, the right edge 109e of the medium Me is visually recognized through the through holes 164R and 165R, the through holes 164R and 165R overlap the right edge 109e of the medium Me, and the medium Me is held by the clamp portion 161R. Thereby, the lateral position of the clamp member 160R can be determined.

When fitting the fitting portion 173R into the groove 152 as described above, the fitting portion 173R is elastically compressed so that the width W1 of the opening of the fitting portion 173R is narrowed. Also, the clamping portions 161R and 162R and the connecting portions 171R and 172R receive the reaction force from the table 151, and the angle between the connecting portions 171R and 172R widens to 180°. Furthermore, the entrance corner portions 174R and 75R are elastically expanded. Such elastic force acts on the clamp portions 161R and 162R as a force for pressing the clamp portions 161R and 162R against the medium Me and the table 151. FIG.

The left clamp member 160L is similarly attached to the table 151, and the medium Me is sandwiched between the clamp portion of the clamp member 160L and the table 151. FIG.

[4. How to use the clamp member (how to remove the clamp member)]
The clamp member 160R can be removed from the table 151 by pulling the fitting portion 173R upward from the groove 152 and pulling the clamp portions 161R and 162R upward from the table 151. FIG.
Specifically, do the following:

First, a fingertip or the like is hooked on the tip portion 169R and the tip portion 169R is pulled up, thereby raising the clamp portion 162R and the connecting portion 172R with the fitting portion 173R as a fulcrum. Then, the fitting portion 173R is elastically compressed so that the opening thereof narrows, and the corner portions 174R and 75R are elastically expanded, so that the fitting portion 173R is pulled out of the groove 152 upward. Thereby, the clamp portion 161R and the connecting portion 172R can be separated upward from the table 151. As shown in FIG. The fitting portion 173R can also be easily extracted from the groove 152 by hooking the tip portion 166R with a fingertip or the like and pulling up the tip portion 166R.

The left clamp member 160L is also removed from the table 151 in the same manner.

[5. effect〕
According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, the following effects are obtained.
(1) The clamping portion 162R is arranged on the upstream side of the groove 152 in the conveying direction, and the clamping portion 161R is arranged on the downstream side of the groove 152 in the conveying direction at a distance from the clamping portion 162R. The medium Me is held on the table 151 . Therefore, the media Me and its right edge 109e are exposed in the gap 163R between the clamping portions 161R and 162R, and the portion of the media Me overlapping the groove 152 does not contact the clamping portions 161R and 162R. Therefore, when the lowered blade 127 passes through the gap 163R between the clamp portions 161R and 162R in the main scanning direction, it also passes the right edge 109e of the medium Me. Therefore, it is possible to cut the medium Me held by the clamp member 160R.
(2) Since the fitting portion 173R fits into the groove 152 in an elastically deformed state, the fitting portion 173R is pressed against the inner surface of the groove 152 . Therefore, the clamp member 160R can be fixed to the table 151, and the state in which the clamp portions 161R and 162R hold down the medium Me can be maintained.
(3) Since the fitting portion 173R fits into the groove 152 outside the right edge 109e of the medium Me, the media Me can be cut without the blade 127 moving to the fitting portion 173R.

(4) Since the fitting portion 173R is formed in a concave shape, even when the clamp member 160R is mounted on the table 151 and holds down the medium Me, the blade 127 can be inserted into the recessed gap of the fitting portion 173R. Thus, the blade 127 can move to the fitting portion 173R. Therefore, the movable range of the blade 127 can be widened, and the medium Me held down by the clamp member 160R can be cut.

(5) Since the tip portions 167R and 169R are warped with respect to the table 151, even if the medium Me is lifted from the table 151, the media Me conveyed downstream is guided by the tip portions 167R and 169R. and smoothly guided between the clamping portions 161R and 162R and the table 151. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the medium Me lifted from the table 151 is not caught on the upstream end portions of the clamp portions 161R and 162R in the conveying direction, and the medium Me can be smoothly conveyed downstream. Similarly, the curved shape of the leading end portions 166R and 68R allows the media Me to be smoothly transported upstream.

(6) The elastic force of the entrance corner portions 174R and 75R that are elastically deformed so as to expand increases the force for sandwiching the medium Me. As a result, it is possible to prevent the medium Me from floating up from the table 151 .

(7) The elastic force of the compressed fitting portion 173R presses the clamp portions 161R and 162R against the table 151 via the medium Me, and a force is generated to sandwich the medium Me between the clamp portions 161R and 162R and the table 151. .

(8) The clamp member 160R can be easily removed from the table 151 by simply pulling up the tip 166R or the tip 169R with a finger or the like.

(9) Since the clamp members 160R and 160L are detachable from the table 151, the mounting positions of the clamp members 160R and 160L can be determined according to the width of the medium Me. That is, regardless of the width of the medium Me, the left and right sides of the medium Me can be held by the clamp members 160R and 160L.

(10) When attaching the clamp member 160R, the lateral position of the clamp member 160R can be determined by the through holes 164R and 165R. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately adjust the overlapping range of the clamp portion 161R and the medium Me, thereby preventing erroneous printing on the clamp portion 161R.

[6. Modification]
Although the embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit and interpret the present invention. In addition, the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and the present invention also includes equivalents thereof. Changes from the above embodiment will be described below. The modifications described below may be applied in combination wherever possible.

(a) In the above embodiment, the clamp members 160R and 160L are made of metal, but the material of the clamp members 160R and 160L may be changed. For example, the clamp members 160R and 160L may be made of resin, fiber-reinforced resin, or a composite material (for example, a composite material of metal and resin).

(b) In the above-described embodiment, the clamp member 160R has a left-right asymmetrical shape and is exclusively for the right side of the medium Me. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 22, the clamp member 160R may have a symmetrical shape so that it can be used for both the right and left sides of the medium Me. Specifically, the clamping portion 181R, which is formed in a thin plate shape so as to be flush with the connecting portion 171R, is positioned on the opposite side of the extending direction of the clamping portion 161R from the connecting portion 171R with respect to the connecting portion 171R. direction from the connecting portion 171R. Similarly, the clamping portion 182R, which is formed in a thin plate shape so as to be flush with the connecting portion 172R, extends in the direction opposite to the extending direction of the clamping portion 162R from the connecting portion 172R with respect to the connecting portion 172R. It extends from the connecting portion 172R. A gap 83R is formed between the clamp portion 181R and the clamp portion 182R. The leading end portion 166R extends not only to the downstream end of the clamp portion 161R and the connecting portion 171R in the conveying direction, but also to the downstream end of the clamp portion 181R in the conveying direction. It is formed at the downstream end of 181R in the transport direction. The leading end portion 169R extends not only to the upstream end of the clamp portion 162R and the connecting portion 172R in the conveying direction, but also to the upstream end of the clamp portion 182R in the conveying direction. It is formed at the downstream end of 182R in the conveying direction. A leading end portion 87R is provided at the upstream end portion of the clamp portion 181R in the transport direction. The distal end portion 87R is formed in a curved state on the clamp portion 181R. A tip portion 188R is provided at the downstream end portion of the clamp portion 182R in the transport direction. The tip portion 188R is formed in a state of being warped with respect to the clamp portion 182R.
When the left side of the medium Me is pressed by the clamping member 160R shown in FIG. 22, the clamping member 160R is lowered so as to cover the left side edge of the medium Me with the clamping sections 181R and 82R, and the fitting section 173R is moved to the medium Me. fits into the groove 152 at a position outside the left edge of the . As a result, the medium Me is sandwiched between the clamp portions 181R, 82R and the table 151. FIG.

(c) In the above-described embodiments, the printer device 101 has the cutter mechanism 125 . In contrast, the printer device 101 may not have the cutter mechanism 125 . Even in this case, a groove 152 is formed in the table 151 so that the clamp members 160R and 160L can be attached to the table 151. FIG.
Even if the printer device 101 does not have a cutter mechanism 125, a user can insert a hand-held cutter into the groove 152 from above the medium Me and move the cutter left and right without being interfered by the clamp members 160R and 160L. can cut the medium Me.

(d) In the above embodiment, the groove 152 is bottomed. On the other hand, the groove 152 may penetrate the table 151 vertically.

(e) In the above-described embodiment, the groove 152 is formed for escape of the blade 127 penetrating the medium Me, but the groove 152 may be used for other purposes. For example, a medium detection sensor (for example, an optical sensor) that detects the medium Me may be provided in the groove 152 . In this case, the medium detection sensor is provided so as not to interfere with the fitting portion 173R of the clamp member 160R.

(f) In the above-described embodiment, the printing mechanism unit 102 is an inkjet printer type printing mechanism unit, but other printing methods (for example, a laser printer type, an LED printer type, or other photosensitive type, or a thermal transfer type) can be used for printing. It may be a mechanical part.

The above can be summarized as follows.

a table 151 that has a groove 152 in which the blade 127 moves, and supports the medium Me that covers the groove 152 so that the edge Mea of the medium Me straddles the groove 152 in the conveying direction of the medium Me;
A printer device 101 comprising a clamp member 160R attached to a table 151,
The clamp member 160R is
a pair of clamping portions 161R and 162R, which are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the groove 152 in the conveying direction with a space therebetween and hold the medium Me against the table 151;
and a fixing member 170R that fixes the clamp portions 161R and 162R to the table 151,
The fixing member 170R is
a fitting portion 173R that fits into the groove 152 outside the edge of the recording medium in an elastically deformed state;
It has a pair of connecting portions 171R and 72R that connect the fitting portion 173R and the clamping portions 161R and 162R.

The fitting portion 173R is formed in a concave shape.

The clamp member 160R further has tip portions 166R to 169R which are formed at the end portions of the clamp portions 161R and 162R in the transport direction and are formed in a state of being warped with respect to the clamp portions 161R and 162R.

A pair of connecting portions 171R and 72R extend from the fitting portion 173R to the upstream side and downstream side of the groove 152 in the conveying direction, and the fitting portion 173R is fitted into the groove 152 to form the connecting portions 171R and 72R and the fitting portion. The entrance angle formed by 173R is elastically deformed so as to widen.

A clamp member 160R that is attached to the table 151 that supports the medium Me that covers the groove 152 formed in the table 151 so that the edge Mea of the medium Me straddles the groove 152 in the transport direction of the medium Me,
a pair of clamps 161R and 162R arranged at a distance from each other on the upstream and downstream sides of the groove 152 in the conveying direction to hold the medium Me against the table 151;
and a fixing member 170R that fixes the clamp portions 161R and 162R to the table 151,
The fixing member 170R is
a fitting portion 173R that fits into the groove 152 outside the edge Mea of the medium Me in an elastically deformed state;
It has a pair of connecting portions 171R and 72R that connect the fitting portion 173R and the clamping portions 161R and 162R.

Although the clamp member according to the present invention has been described based on an example in which it is installed in a printer/media cutting device, it can be applied to a printer device having only a function to print on media or a media cutting device having only a function to cut media. It is applicable even if there is, and is not limited to these formats.

Each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

As long as the action and effects of the present invention are exhibited, the present invention is not limited to the examples.

The present invention is suitable for clamping media during cutting.

10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 101...Printer and media cutting device (media cutting device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13B... Cutter mechanism 13aB... Blade 13bB... Holding part 20... Table 21... Upper surface part 22... Groove 22b... Side wall part 22c... Retaining part 31... Base part 32... First member 33... Second member 34... First clamp part 35... Second clamping part 36... First spacer 37... Second spacer 41... First rising part 42... First extending part 42b... One end part 42c... Other end part 46... Second standing part Raised portion 47 Second extension portion 47b One end portion 47c Other end portion 51 First flexible portion 51a First parallel side portion 51b First oblique side portion 52 Second flexible portion 52a... Second parallel side part 52b... Second oblique side part Me... Media

Claims (6)

a table having an upper surface on which a medium is conveyed and a groove recessed in the upper surface and extending in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the medium;
a cutter mechanism that is movably provided along the groove and cuts the medium;
a clamp member that presses the medium against the table;
The cutter mechanism has a pressing portion that is biased toward the upper surface of the table and a blade capable of cutting the medium,
The media cutting device, wherein the pressing portion is arranged at a position to urge the clamp member toward the upper surface portion when the blade contacts the media. 2. The media cutting device according to claim 1, wherein said holding portion is composed of a rotatable roller. the clamping member has a first clamping section and a second clamping section for biasing the medium placed on the table toward the upper surface of the table;
The second clamping part is arranged in front of the first clamping part,
2. The media cutting device according to claim 1, wherein a gap positioned above said groove of said table is formed between said first clamp part and said second clamp part. The clamp member has a first portion facing the top surface of the table via a spacer and a second portion facing the top surface of the table via a gap,
2. The media cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portion abuts on the second portion after abutting on the first portion when the cutter mechanism moves. 2. The media cutting device according to claim 1, wherein said holding portion is arranged in front of said blade of said cutter mechanism. 2. The media cutting device according to claim 1, wherein said blade is arranged at a position that intersects a line passing through the center of said pressing portion and extending perpendicularly to said upper surface portion.

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