Arrangement and method for mounting a control panel

Abstract

One embodiment of this invention includes a media processing device comprising: a housing having a front portion, a rear portion, and side portions, the front portion of the housing defining a plane; a control panel disposed on the front portion of the housing; the control panel including a fastener disposed on the rear side of the control panel, the fastener connecting the control panel to the housing and having a long axis parallel to the plane of the front portion of the housing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] An exemplary embodiment of this invention relates generally to media processing devices, or more specifically to printers, and more particularly to printers configured to include a control panel proximate a front of the printer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] After this general description of certain embodiments of the invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and in which: Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a printer according to an embodiment of this invention; Fig. 2 illustrates the example of the printer from Fig. 1, a side section of a housing with a side panel removed to illustrate the internal components according to an embodiment of this invention; Fig. 3 illustrates an extended region of Fig. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of this invention; Fig. 4 illustrates elements as in Fig. 3 shown from an orthogonal view; Fig. Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged region of Fig. 2, which is shown in an orthogonal view; Fig. 6 illustrates a rear view of a control panel of the printer according to an exemplary embodiment of this invention; Fig. Figure 7 illustrates an enlarged view of the rear view of the control panel of Fig. 6.

[0003] Skilled craftsmen will understand that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to enhance understanding of embodiments of this invention.

[0004] The components of the apparatus and method may be represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, showing only those specific details that are important for understanding embodiments of this invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this description. SHORT SUMMARY

[0005] By developing aspects of a media processing device that allow for the reduction of assembly, these developments are important for a user to save time and production costs. By making components easier to reach or accessible, users can save time by assembling and building more media processing devices in a shorter time.

[0006] Media processing devices, also referred to as printers, are used in various applications and environments. In certain embodiments, the media processing device is a thermal printer, a mobile thermal printer, a radio frequency identification (RFID) encoder, or other means for producing the label. In one embodiment, a media processing device comprises: a housing having a front portion, a rear portion, and side portions, the front portion of the housing defining a plane; a control panel disposed on the front portion of the housing; the control panel including a fastener disposed on the rear side of the control panel, the fastener connecting the control panel to the housing and having a long axis parallel to the plane of the front portion of the housing.

[0007] In some embodiments, a media processing device comprises: a housing having a front portion, a rear portion, and side portions, the front portion of the housing defining a plane; a control panel disposed on the front portion of the housing; the control panel including a fastener disposed on the rear of the control panel, the fastener connecting the control panel to the housing and having a long axis parallel to the plane of the front portion of the housing.

[0008] In some embodiments, a media processing device comprises: a housing comprising a front portion and a first side portion, wherein the first side portion comprises a side plane, the front portion comprises a front plane, and the side plane is perpendicular to the front planes; a control panel comprising: a front face; a rear face opposite the front face; a latch disposed on the rear face; and a bracket disposed on the rear face; wherein the bracket is configured to receive a fastener in a channel of the bracket along a longitudinal axis;a tab disposed on the front portion, the tab being oriented perpendicular to the front portion, wherein: when the control panel is mounted to the front portion of the housing, the latch extends through an opening in the front panel and locks the control panel to the front portion of the housing via the opening, the bracket extends through the front portion and is aligned with the tab such that a hole in the tab is concentrically aligned with the channel such that a fastener disposed along the longitudinal axis can be inserted through the hole and secured in the channel.;

[0009] In some embodiments, a method of assembling a control panel, the method comprising: aligning the control panel having a bracket and a latch with openings of a front portion of a housing, the front portion of the housing including a front plane; disposing the bracket and latch through the openings of the front portion of the housing such that the latch engages the front portion of the housing and the bracket extends through the opening of the front portion of the housing; when the bracket extends through the opening, aligning a channel disposed in the bracket with a hole in a tab of the front portion of the housing, the channel having a long axis concentric with the channel, the long axis being parallel to the front plane of the front portion of the housing; and inserting a fastener along the long axis through the hole in the tab and into the channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The following detailed description of embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in different drawings may identify like or similar elements.

[0011] Fig. 1 shows an example of a media processing device 100, a printer. The printer 100, as shown in Fig. 1 is a thermal transfer printer, however, in other embodiments, the printer may be a direct thermal printer, a desktop printer, a mobile printer, an inkjet printer, a dye-sublimation printer, an RFID encoder, or any other type of device capable of handling media. The printer 100 includes a housing 104. The housing 104 forms the overall enclosure of the printer 100 and provides structure and protection for the internal components of the printer 100. The housing 104 includes a front portion 108, a top portion 110, a rear portion 112, a bottom housing 114, a first side portion 116, and a second side portion 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion 110 and the bottom housing 114 are substantially parallel.In the illustrated embodiment, the front portion 108 and the rear portion 112 are substantially parallel, and the first side housing 116 is substantially parallel to the second side portion 118. In the illustrated embodiment, one side is parallel to the opposite side and perpendicular to the other four sides. For example, the front portion 108 is planar and parallel to the rear portion 112, which is also planar. The front portion 108 is also perpendicular to the top portion 110, the bottom housing 114, the first side portion 116, and the second side portion 118, all of which are also substantially planar.

[0012] The printer 100 further includes a lid 102 rotatably connected to the upper portion 110. The lid 102 can be rotated to an open position, allowing the user to access the internal components of the printer and / or the media processed by the printer.

[0013] The printer 100 further includes a control panel 106 mounted on the front portion 108. The control panel 106 includes a user interface and control buttons configured to operate the printer 100. The user interface is a touchscreen, but in other embodiments, the user interface may be an LCD display or other device known in the art. The control panel 106 includes an electrical connector that allows communication between the control panel 106 and the printer 100. The manner of mounting the control panel on the front portion 108 is discussed in more detail below.

[0014] As in Fig. 2, a portion of the housing 102 has been removed from the first side 116 to show components inside the printer 100. The portion 202 is shown in Fig. 2 and will be discussed in more detail below.

[0015] Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of Fig. 2, focusing on Section 202. Since Fig. 3 shows the first page section 116, the side of the control panel 106 is shown. The first page section is aligned with a page plane. Fig. 3 further illustrates a fastener 302 disposed within a tab 304. The tab 304 will be discussed further below, however, the tab 304 is flat and includes a tab plane that is parallel to the side plane. The tab 304 includes a hole within the tab 304 through which the fastener 302 can pass. The fastener 302 is inserted into the hole in the tab 304, and the fastener has a long axis that extends the length of the fastener 302, with the long axis and the first side portion 116 being substantially perpendicular. In another embodiment, the long axis and the first side portion 116 may be substantially perpendicular to each other within a range (e.g., 80-100 degrees).

[0016] Fig. Figure 4 presents a different perspective of Section 202 as it appears in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 4, fastener 302 extends through tab 304 into a bracket 402. Bracket 402 is disposed on the rear of control panel 106. When the control panel is aligned for installation on the front housing, bracket 402 aligns with tab 304 so that fastener 302 extends through tab 304 and can be secured in bracket 402. Fastener 302 aligns tab 304 with fastener 302 along longitudinal axis 410.

[0017] The longitudinal axis 410 is parallel to the front plane of the front portion 108 of the printer 100. The longitudinal axis 410 is also perpendicular to the side plane, but in other embodiments, the longitudinal axis 410 is substantially perpendicular in the range of 5-10 degrees to the vertical. As shown in Fig. 4, the longitudinal axis 410 is representative of the orientation of the fastener 302, which corresponds to the manner in which the fastener 302 must be installed. In other words, when a user assembles the printer 100, the fastener 302 secures the bracket 402 of the control panel 106 to the tab 304 of the housing 102, with the fastener 302 being inserted through the hole in the tab 304 and a channel in the bracket 402 along the longitudinal axis 410, which channel is discussed further below. The orientation of the longitudinal axis 410 is representative of how the fastener 302 must be installed.

[0018] As in Fig. 4, the printer components 412 are mounted in the housing 102. The printer components 412, as shown in Fig. 4 are for illustrative purposes and may, in other embodiments, be other components in other locations, where the term printer components is intended to refer to bulky elements of the media processing device within the housing 102. The printer components 412 may be located near the front portion 108 of the housing 104, where they would impede access to the front panel fasteners. For example, if the longitudinal axis 410 were perpendicular to the front portion 108 of the housing 102, a user would have to insert and drive the fastener 302 at an angle that could result in the user's hands or tools coming into contact with the printer components 412 or in the tools not fitting at all.By having the longitudinal axis 410 parallel to the front portion 108 of the housing 102, the fastener 302 can be inserted and driven from the first side portion 116 of the housing 102, providing much more space for installation.

[0019] As in Fig. 4, an opening 404 is disposed in the front portion 108, with the opening 404 being shown adjacent the tab 304. In other embodiments, the opening 404 may be disposed at other locations in the front portion 108. The opening 404 is configured to receive a latch 406. The illustrated latch 406 is designed to be inserted into the opening 404. The latch 406 bends away from one side of the opening 404 until a lip of the latch 406 has completely cleared the opening 404, and then the latch 406 bends back and rests against the sidewall of the opening 404. The latch 406 is attached to the control panel 106 and holds the control panel 106 against the front portion 108 during installation of the fastener 302. The illustrated latch 406 is configured to secure the control panel 106 against the front portion 108 such that the control panel 106 is held in position relative to the front portion 108.

[0020] Fig. 4 illustrates an opening 408 in the front portion 108. In other embodiments, the opening 408 may be located at a different location on the front portion 108 or may have a different shape than in Fig. 4. The opening 408 is configured to receive electrical wires (not shown) from the control panel 106. In some embodiments, the electrical wires are a ribbon cable, a cable with multiple smaller wires, or any other type of electrical wiring capable of transmitting either power, electrical signals, or both to and from the control panel 106 to a processor in the printer 100.

[0021] Fig. 5 shows a view of section 204 Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 5 is an orthogonal view showing the interior of the printer 100. As shown in Fig. 5, the feet 502 extend from the underside of the rear of the control panel 106. The feet 502 are flat projections that protrude from the control panel 106 at a distal end. The feet 502 extend through openings 504, in which the projections fit into slots 506. The feet 502 are positioned on the control panel 106 such that when the feet 502 are positioned in the openings 504, the latch is also aligned with the opening 404. This is further illustrated in Fig. 6 can be seen.

[0022] Fig. Figure 6 shows a rear view of the control panel 106. The control panel 106 includes feet 502, the bracket 402, and the latch 406. The control panel 106 includes a processor on a circuit board 604. The circuit board 604 is designed to receive user input via elements on the front of the control panel 106. The inputs received from the user are then transmitted to the printer 100. Fig. Figure 6 also shows the area 602, which is marked and will be discussed in more detail below.

[0023] Fig. Figure 7 illustrates area 602 in more detail. Fig. Figure 7 illustrates the bracket 402 and latch 406 projecting from the back of the control panel 106. The bracket 402 and latch 406 are shown as structurally integrated into the control panel 106. In some embodiments, the bracket 402 and latch 406 are fixedly attached to the back of the control panel 106.

[0024] The bracket 402 further includes a channel 702 configured to receive the fastener 302. The channel 702 is linear and configured to receive a thread-forming screw like the fastener 302; however, in other embodiments, the channel 702 may be pre-threaded. The longitudinal axis 410 extends through a central axis of the channel 702.

[0025] Fig. Figure 7 further illustrates how the longitudinal axis 410 is oriented so that the fastener 302 is accessible from a side of the control panel 106 rather than from a rearward direction. From the perspective of Fig. 7 it can be seen that the fastener 302 is inserted into the holder 402. To install the control panel 106 of the Fig. 7, the fastener 302 is first removed and then the control panel 106 is mounted on the front portion 108 of the housing 102.

[0026] To mount the control panel 106 to the front portion 108 of the housing 104, the control panel 106 must be aligned with the front portion 108 before the control panel 106 can be secured to the front portion 108. When aligning the control panel 106, the feet 502 are aligned with the openings 504, as shown in Fig.5. By inserting the feet 502 into the openings 504, the bottom of the control panel 106 can be aligned so that the rest of the control panel 106 can also be aligned. In other words, the feet 502 are configured so that they can be moved into the correct position and the control panel 106 can slide into the correct position.

[0027] When the feet 502 are pushed into the first section 108 of the housing 104, the bracket 402 passes through the front section 108 when the control panel 106 is placed against the front section 108. When the control panel 106 is fully pushed in, the latch 406 passes through the opening 404, and the latch 406 snaps into place. In other words, during installation, the feet 502 support the control panel 106 against the front section 108, and the latch 406 maintains the position of the control panel 106 against the front section 108. It is important to note that during installation of the control panel 106, the latch 406 is designed to temporarily hold the control panel 106 in place. With the latch 406 holding the control panel 106 in place, the bracket 402 is aligned with the tab 304, allowing the user to drive a fastener 302 through the tab 304 and into the channel within the bracket 402.

[0028] The channel 702 includes a longitudinal axis extending concentrically with the channel through the channel 702. The long axis is substantially parallel to the front plane of the front portion of the housing and allows the user to insert a fastener along the long axis through the hole in the tab and into the channel. In some embodiments, the channel 702 is oriented so that the longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the side plane. When the channel 702 is perpendicular to the side plane, the user can access the channel to install a fastener without worrying about interference from a printer component.

[0029] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will occur to one skilled in the art to which these inventions belong when considering the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the inventions are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe, by way of example, embodiments associated with certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it is to be understood that other combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.In this context, for example, other combinations of elements and / or functions than those expressly described above are also conceivable, as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

[1] Media processing device, comprising: a housing having a front portion, a rear portion and a side portion, the front portion of the housing defining a plane; a control panel arranged on the front portion of the housing; wherein the control panel has a fastener disposed on a rear side of the control panel, the fastener connecting the control panel to the housing and having a long axis parallel to the plane of the front portion of the housing. [2] The media processing device of claim 1, further comprising a processor, wherein the front panel is connected to the processor. [3] The media processing device of claim 1, wherein the second connecting member comprises a tab configured to be received by a slot of the housing. [4] The media processing device of claim 1, wherein the housing has an opening configured to receive the first connecting member before the first connecting member is secured to the housing. [5] The media processing device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the side portion of the housing. [6] The media processing device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis is parallel to the front portion of the housing within a range of 5-10 degrees. [7] The media processing device of claim 1, further comprising a bracket projecting from the rear of the control panel, the bracket having a channel disposed within the bracket, the channel aligned with the longitudinal axis. [8] The media processing device of claim 7, wherein the bracket is adjacent to a tab of the housing, the fastener passing through a hole of the tab before being received by the channel. [9] Media processing device, comprising: a housing having a front portion and a first side portion, the first side portion having a side plane and the front portion having a front plane, the side plane being perpendicular to the front planes; a control panel comprising: a front side; a back opposite the front; a latch located at the rear; and a bracket disposed on the rear side, the bracket being configured to receive a fastener in a channel of the bracket along a longitudinal axis; a tab disposed on the front portion, the tab being oriented perpendicular to the front portion, wherein: when the control panel is mounted on the front section of the enclosure, the latch extends through an opening in the front control panel and locks the control panel over the opening on the front section of the enclosure, the bracket extends through the front section and is aligned on the tab so that a hole in the tab is concentrically aligned with the channel so that a fastener arranged along the longitudinal axis can be inserted through the hole and secured in the channel. [10] The media processing device of claim 9, wherein the latch is adjacent to the bracket on the rear of the control panel. [11] The media processing device of claim 9, wherein the control panel further comprises at least one foot disposed on the rear of the control panel. [12] The media processing device of claim 11, wherein when the control panel is mounted on the front portion of the housing, the at least one foot is aligned with at least one opening in the front portion of the housing. [13] The media processing device of claim 9, wherein the control panel further comprises an electrical connection to a processor mounted in the housing. [14] The media processing device of claim 13, wherein the electrical connection extends through an opening in the front portion of the housing. [15] The media processing device of claim 9, wherein the fastener is installed into the channel from a direction of the first side portion. [16] A method of assembling a control panel, the method comprising: aligning the control panel with a bracket and a latch having openings of a front portion of a housing, the front portion of the housing including a front plane; Arranging the bracket and the latch through the openings of the front portion of the housing such that the latch engages the front portion of the housing and the bracket extends through the opening of the front portion of the housing; when the bracket extends through the opening, aligning a channel disposed in the bracket with a hole in a tab of the front portion of the housing, the channel having a long axis concentric with the channel, the long axis being parallel to the front plane of the front portion of the housing; and Insert a fastener along the longitudinal axis through the hole in the tab and into the channel. [17] The method of claim 16, further comprising inserting at least one foot disposed on the control panel through openings in the front portion of the housing. [18] The method of claim 16, wherein: the housing further comprises a side portion of the housing; the side portion comprises a side plane, the side plane being perpendicular to the front plane; and the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the lateral plane.

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