Sheet holding mechanism and printing device

Abstract

To provide a sheet holding mechanism capable of adjusting a holder to a desired position with a simple operation according to the width of a sheet roll being used.SOLUTION: A sheet holding mechanism 30 includes a pair of holder members 31, a rack-and-pinion mechanism, and a lock mechanism. Each holder member 31 is provided to be rotatable about a support shaft Sb disposed on the lower end side of the holder member 31. The lock mechanism includes a locking rack portion 49, a locking portion 51a that is disengaged from the locking rack portion 49 in a state where the pair of holder members 31 is rotated toward each other, and is engaged with the locking rack portion 49 in a state where the pair of holder members 31 is at positions holding the sheet roll, and a biasing member. In the state where the locking portion 51a is engaged with the locking rack portion 49, the holder members 31 do not move in the width direction of the sheet. In the state where the locking portion 51a is disengaged from the locking rack portion 49, the holder members 31 are movable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper holding mechanism and a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, regarding a printing apparatus such as a label printer, an apparatus has been known in which a pair of holders for holding a roll of paper is provided, and the distance between the holders is configured to be adjustable (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which the position of the holder is fixed by fitting the upper part of the holder into a recess provided in a lid that covers the holder.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional configuration, since the position of the holder is defined by closing the lid, it is necessary to open the lid and move the holder in order to adjust the interval between the holders, which may cause a problem that the operation is difficult.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper holding mechanism and a printing apparatus capable of easily adjusting a holder member to a desired position by a simple operation according to the width of a paper roll to be used.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The paper holding mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of holder members that extend upward from a support member of a printing device and hold a paper roll around which paper is wound, a rack and pinion mechanism that adjusts the distance between the pair of holder members, and a locking mechanism that locks the positions of the respective holder members. The holder members are provided so as to be rotatable about a support shaft disposed on the lower end side of the holder members, with the distal ends of the pair of holder members approaching each other. The locking mechanism includes a locking rack portion disposed so as to extend in the width direction of the paper, and a locking portion provided on the lower end side of the holder member and meshing with the locking rack portion. In a state where the pair of holder members are rotated in a direction approaching each other, the locking portion disengages from the locking rack portion, and in a state where the pair of holder members are in a position holding the paper roll, the locking portion meshes with the locking rack portion. The locking mechanism further includes a biasing member that applies a rotational force around the support shaft so that the locking portion meshes with the locking rack portion. In a state where the locking portion meshes with the locking rack portion, the holder member does not move in the width direction of the paper, and the holder member is movable in a state where the locking portion disengages from the locking rack portion.

[0007] The locking portion may be a plurality of teeth that mesh with the teeth of the locking rack portion.

[0008] As the locking rack portion, a first locking rack portion provided on one end side in the width direction of the holder member and a second locking rack portion provided on the other end side in the width direction of the holder member are provided. As the locking portion, a first locking portion that meshes with the first locking rack portion and a second locking portion that meshes with the second locking rack portion may be provided.

[0009] The holder member is pivotally supported by a shaft member disposed parallel to the support shaft, and the distal ends of the pair of holder members are rotatable about the shaft member in a direction away from each other. When an outward force in the width direction of the paper is applied to the holder member, the holder member may be provided so as to rotate while maintaining the locked state between the locking portion and the locking rack portion.

[0010] It may have a plate member pivotally supported on the support shaft, a bracket may be fixed to the upper surface side of the plate member, and the holder member may be supported on the bracket via the shaft member.

[0011] The rack and pinion mechanism includes a first rack member connected to one of the pair of holder members, a second rack member connected to the other of the pair of holder members, a gear disposed so as to be sandwiched between the rack of the first rack member and the rack of the second rack member, and a base plate having a shaft for supporting the gear. The first rack member and the second rack member may be formed on the upper surface of the base plate.

[0012] The printing device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the paper holding mechanism described above and a printing mechanism that performs printing on the paper.

Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, there is an effect that a paper holding mechanism and a printing device can be provided in which the holder member can be adjusted to a desired position by a simple operation according to the width of the paper roll to be used.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the paper holding mechanism with some components omitted. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the paper holding mechanism. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the paper holding mechanism. FIG. 4(a) is a front view, and FIG. 4(b) is a plan view. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the holder members are rotated outward.

[0016] In the following description, as shown in FIG. 5, the rotation of the holder members in a direction away from each other is referred to as "rotating outward", and the rotation in the opposite direction is referred to as "rotating inward".

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus S100 includes a support member 10, a printing mechanism 20, and a paper holding mechanism 30. The printing apparatus S100 is an apparatus that performs printing on a long sheet (not shown) drawn from a paper roll R (see FIG. 4). The printing apparatus S100 is used, for example, in a KIOSK terminal or the like.

[0018] The support member 10 is a member that supports the printing mechanism 20 and the paper holding mechanism 30. In this example, the printing mechanism 20 and the paper holding mechanism 30 are arranged on the upper surface of the support member 10.

[0019] The printing mechanism 20 is a mechanism that performs printing on paper. A thermal head (not shown) and a platen roller (not shown) are arranged in the printing mechanism 20. The paper on which printing has been performed by the thermal head is discharged from the paper discharge port 20a of the printing mechanism 20 as the platen roller rotates.

[0020] 〔Paper Holding Mechanism 30〕 As shown in FIG. 1, the paper holding mechanism 30 includes a holder member 31, a rack and pinion mechanism 40, and a lock mechanism 50.

[0021] The holder member 31 is a member that holds the paper roll R. As the holder member 31, a pair of holder members 31 including a left holder member 31L and a right holder member 31R are provided. The left holder member 31L and the right holder member 31R are provided in a symmetrical shape. Since the structure of the left holder member 31L and the structure of the right holder member 31R are similar to each other, hereinafter, the right holder member 31R will be described as an example of the holder member 31, and the detailed description of the left holder member 31L will be omitted.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the holder member 31 extends upward from the support member 10 of the printing device S100. The holder member 31 may be a resin member or a metal member. As shown in FIG. 2, the holder member 31 has a main surface 32, an upper surface 33, and a side surface 34. The main surface 32 is a portion facing the side surface of the paper roll R. A protrusion 32a to be inserted into the central hole of the paper roll R is formed on the main surface 32. The upper surface 33 is a portion formed on the upper part of the holder member 31. The side surface 34 is a portion extending along the width direction of the printing device S100.

[0023] (Structure in which the holder member 31 rotates outward) As shown in FIG. 2, the holder member 31 is fixed to the support portion 46 via a bracket 38. Specifically, the holder member 31 is rotatably supported by a shaft member Sa provided on the bracket 38.

[0024] The bracket 38 is a metal member as an example. The bracket 38 is fixed to the upper surface side of the support portion 46 (more specifically, the upper surface side of the plate member 51). Specifically, the bracket 38 is fixed to the support portion 46 via the plate member 51 and the support shaft Sb. The support shaft Sb is arranged in parallel with the shaft member Sa and is provided inside the printing device S100 in the width direction with respect to the shaft member Sa. A plate member 51 is attached to the lower surface of the bracket 38. The plate member 51 will be described later with reference to other drawings.

[0025] The shaft member Sa extends along the front - rear direction of the printing device S100. The ends of the shaft member Sa are respectively supported by the side surfaces 34 (both ends of the bracket 38). A spring T1 is provided on the shaft member Sa. The spring T1 is a torsion spring and applies a rotational force in the direction in which the tip side of the holder member 31 moves inward to the holder member 31. A plurality of springs T1 may be provided on one shaft member Sa.

[0026] When a force in the direction of arrow A1 (outward force) as shown in FIG. 5 is applied to the holder member 31, the holder member 31 rotates outward about the shaft member Sa. In this state, the bracket 38 does not rotate, and the locked state between the locking portion 51a and the locking rack portion 49 described later remains maintained.

[0027] When the force is no longer applied, due to the action of the spring T1, the holder member 31 returns to its original position. Thus, in this embodiment, the holder member 31 is configured to be rotatable such that its tip side moves outward, and the distance between the pair of holder members 31 can be increased. Therefore, the user can easily attach and remove the paper roll R.

[0028] (Structure in which the holder member 31 rotates inward) The holder member 31 is also configured to be rotatable in a direction in which the tip sides of the holder member 31 approach each other. FIG. 6 is a cross - sectional view of the holder member in a state where no force is applied. FIG. 7 is a cross - sectional view of the holder member in a state where an inward force is applied and the holder member rotates inward.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the holder member 31 is provided to be rotatable about a support shaft Sb disposed on the lower end side of the holder member 31 in a direction in which the tip sides of the holder member 31 approach each other. Specifically, the holder member 31 is configured to rotate around the support shaft Sb together with the bracket 38 and the plate member 51.

[0030] The support shaft Sb extends in a direction along the front-rear direction of the printing device S100, similar to the shaft member Sa. A spring is provided on the support shaft Sb. In FIG. 6 and the like, the spring of the support shaft Sb corresponding to the holder member 31 on the right side in the drawing is not depicted, but since a spring is depicted on the support shaft Sb on the left side in the drawing, in this figure, for the sake of understanding the invention, this spring is shown as spring T2. This spring T2 is a torsion spring and applies a force in the direction in which the tip side of the holder member 31 moves outward (in other words, the direction in which the lower surface side of the plate member 51 is pressed against the locking rack portion 49) to the plate member 51. Thereby, the locking portion 51a is pressed against the locking rack portion 49. Details will be described later as an explanation of the lock mechanism 50.

[0031] As described above, the holder member 31 and the bracket 38 are connected to each other via the shaft member Sa. Therefore, when a force in the direction of arrow A2 (inward force) as shown in FIG. 7 is applied to the holder member 31, the holder member 31 rotates inward about the support shaft Sb. Specifically, the holder member 31 rotates around the support shaft Sb together with the bracket 38 and the plate member 51.

[0032] When no force is applied, due to the action of a spring (not shown) provided on the support shaft Sb, the holder member 31 returns to its original position. Thus, the reason why the holder member 31 is configured to be rotatable inward is to release the locked state of the lock mechanism 50, as will be described later.

[0033] 〔Rack and Pinion Mechanism 40〕 The rack and pinion mechanism 40 (see FIG. 2) is a mechanism for adjusting the distance between a pair of holder members 31. The rack and pinion mechanism 40 includes a first rack member 41, a second rack member 42, a gear 45, an upper cover 47 (see FIG. 1), and a base plate 48. Since the structures of the first rack member 41 and the second rack member 42 are basically common, hereinafter, mainly the first rack member 41 will be described, and the description of the second rack member 42 will be omitted.

[0034] The first rack member 41 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the right holder member 31R, which is one of the pair of holder members 31, via a support shaft Sb. The second rack member 42 is connected to the left holder member 31L. A part of the first rack member 41 is formed with the support portion 46 described above. The support portion 46 has, as an example, an opening through which the locking portion 51a and the like pass (details will be described later).

[0035] Both the first rack member 41 and the second rack member 42 are provided so as to be reciprocally movable along the extending direction of the base plate 48.

[0036] The gear 45 is supported by a shaft 48a formed on the base plate 48. The gear 45 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the rack 41a of the first rack member 41 and the rack of the second rack member 42, and meshes with the teeth of each rack. With such a configuration, the first rack member 41 and the second rack member 42 move simultaneously and in opposite directions to each other.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the support portion 46 is, as an example, a part of the first rack member 41. A plate member 51 is arranged above the support portion 46. The plate member 51 is arranged so that the locking portion 51a (see FIG. 5) of the plate member 51 meshes with the teeth of the rack of the base plate 48.

[0038] The upper cover 47 is a member arranged to cover the base plate 48, the first rack member 41, and the second rack member 42.

[0039] 〔Lock mechanism 50〕 The locking mechanism 50 is a mechanism for locking the positions of the respective holder members 31. As shown in FIG. 6, the locking mechanism 50 is composed of a locking rack portion 49, a locking portion 51a, and a spring T2 provided on the support shaft Sb. In this embodiment, one locking mechanism 50 is provided on each side of the apparatus. However, since the structures of the locking mechanisms 50 are basically common, hereinafter, mainly the mechanism on the right side in the drawing (see FIG. 6) will be described, and the description of the mechanism on the left side in the drawing will be omitted.

[0040] The locking rack portion 49 is arranged so as to extend in the width direction of the printing device S100. The locking rack portion 49 is a rack portion in which a plurality of convex portions (teeth) having an inverted V-shaped cross-sectional shape are arranged. Only one locking rack portion 49 may be formed for one holder member 31. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a first locking rack portion 49-1 and a second locking rack portion 49-2 are provided on the upper surface of the base plate 48.

[0041] The first locking rack portion 49-1 is provided on the front side of the printing device S100 (one end side in the width direction of the holder member) among the two rack portions. The second locking rack portion 49-2 is provided on the rear side of the printing device S100 (the other end side in the width direction of the holder member) among the two rack portions.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the locking portion 51a is provided on a part of the plate member 51 on the lower end side of the holder member 31. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the plate member. As shown in FIG. 8, the plate member 51 is a plate-shaped member and is provided so as to be rotatable around the support shaft Sb with respect to the support portion 46. Two locking portions 51a are formed on the plate member 51. One locking portion 51a (first locking portion 51a-1) meshes with the first locking rack portion 49-1, and the other locking portion 51a (second locking portion 51a-2) meshes with the second locking rack portion 49-2. Each locking portion 51a specifically has a plurality of teeth that mesh with the teeth of the locking rack portion 49.

[0043] As described above, the spring provided on the support shaft Sb is a biasing member that applies a rotational force to the bracket 38 so that the locking portion 51a meshes with the locking rack portion 49. This spring is, for example, a torsion spring. In the state where the locking portion 51a meshes with the locking rack portion 49 as shown in FIG. 6, the holder member 31 does not move in the width direction of the paper and is locked.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 7, when a force in the direction of arrow A2 is applied to the holder member 31, the holder member 31 rotates around the support shaft Sb. Along with this, the bracket 38 and the plate member 51 also rotate in the same manner. In the state where the pair of holder members 31 rotate in a direction approaching each other as shown in FIG. 7, the locking portion 51a disengages from the locking rack portion 49. In this way, with the locking portion 51a disengaged from the locking rack portion 49, the holder member 31 becomes movable.

[0045] (Usage method of the paper holding mechanism 30) The paper holding mechanism 30 configured as described above can be used as follows. First, the user adjusts the distance between the pair of holder members 31. For example, the user presses the tip portions of the respective holder members 31 with the thumb and index finger, and by applying a force in the direction of arrow A2 (see FIG. 7) to the holder members 31, the holder members 31 rotate inward, the locking state between the locking portion 51a and the locking rack portion 49 is released, and each holder member 31 becomes movable. In this state, after each holder member 31 is moved to a predetermined position, when the user stops applying the force in the direction of arrow A2, the holder members 31 return to the state as shown in FIG. 6 and are locked in the predetermined position.

[0046] In this way, in the paper holding mechanism 30 of the present embodiment, the locking state of the locking mechanism 50 that locks the positions of the pair of holder members 31 can be released by a simple operation of bringing the pair of holder members 31 closer to each other. Also, when the user removes a finger from the holder member 31, the holder member 31 is locked in place by the biasing force of the spring provided on the support shaft Sb.

[0047] According to such a configuration, for example, compared with a method of moving the holder member 31 to a predetermined position and fixing it by operating a fixture such as a fixing screw or a fixing lever on the spot, the position of the holder member 31 can be adjusted with a simple operation.

[0048] Further, different from a positioning method in which a concave portion provided in a cover covering the holder member 31 is engaged with the upper end portion of the holder member 31 as in the prior art, the user can directly move the holder member 31 to a desired position and lock the position. Therefore, the operability is good and the positioning accuracy is also good.

[0049] In addition, in the configuration of the present embodiment, since the locking portion 51a is a plurality of teeth that mesh with the teeth of the locking rack portion 49, the position of the holder member 31 can be locked well with a simple structure of the meshing between the teeth of the locking portion 51a and the teeth of the locking rack portion 49.

[0050] In addition, in the configuration of the present embodiment, instead of one locking rack portion 49, as shown in FIG. 3, two locking portions 51a (see FIG. 8) on the lower surface of the plate member 51 mesh with the first locking rack portion 49-1 and the second locking rack portion 49-2. Therefore, the holder member 31 can be stably positioned.

[0051] In addition, in the configuration of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, since the pair of holder members 31 can be rotated outward in a state where the position of the holder member 31 is locked, there is also an advantage that it is easy to attach and detach the paper roll R.

[0052] In addition, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the first locking rack portion 49-1 and the second locking rack portion 49-2 are formed on the base plate 48 in which the shaft 48a that supports the gear 45 constituting the rack and pinion mechanism is formed. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which a member having a rack portion is provided separately from the member in which the shaft 48a is formed, the configuration can be simplified.

[0053] As described above, the present invention has been explained using the embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically dispersing and integrating it in any unit. Also, new embodiments generated by any combination of a plurality of embodiments are included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments generated by the combination have the effects of the original embodiments combined.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0054] 10 Support member 20 Printing mechanism 20a Paper discharge port 30 Paper holding mechanism 31 Holder member 31L Left holder member 31R Right holder member 32 Main surface 32a Protrusion 33 Upper surface 34 Side surface 38 Bracket 40 Rack and pinion mechanism 41 First rack member 41a Rack 42 Second rack member 45 Gear 46 Support portion 47 Upper cover 48 Base plate 48a Shaft 49 Locking rack portion 49-1 First locking rack portion 49-2 Second locking rack portion 50 Locking mechanism 51 Plate member 51a Locking portion A1 Arrow A2 Arrow R Paper roll S100 Printing device Sa Shaft member Sb Support shaft T1 Spring T2 spring

Claims

1. A pair of holder members that extend upward from a support member of a printing device and hold a paper roll around which paper is wound, A rack and pinion mechanism for adjusting the distance between the pair of holder members, A locking mechanism for locking the positions of the respective holder members, Comprising, The holder member is provided so as to be rotatable about a support shaft disposed on the lower end side of the holder member, with the distal ends of the pair of holder members approaching each other, The locking mechanism is, A locking rack portion disposed so as to extend in the width direction of the paper, A locking portion provided on the lower end side of the holder member and meshing with the locking rack portion, which disengages from the locking rack portion when the pair of holder members rotate in a direction approaching each other and meshes with the locking rack portion when the pair of holder members are in a position holding the paper roll, A biasing member that applies a rotational force around the support shaft so that the locking portion meshes with the locking rack portion, Having, When the locking portion is engaged with the locking rack portion, the holder member does not move in the width direction of the paper, and the holder member is movable when the locking portion is disengaged from the locking rack portion, Paper holding mechanism.

2. The locking portion is a plurality of teeth that mesh with the teeth of the locking rack portion, The paper holding mechanism according to claim 1.

3. As the locking rack portion, A first locking rack portion provided on one end side in the width direction of the holder member, A second locking rack portion provided on the other end side in the width direction of the holder member, Are provided, As the locking portion, A first locking portion that meshes with the first locking rack portion, A second locking portion that meshes with the second locking rack portion, Are provided, The paper holding mechanism according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The holder member is pivotally supported by a shaft member disposed parallel to the support shaft, and the distal ends of the pair of holder members are rotatable about the shaft member in a direction away from each other. When an outward force in the width direction of the paper is applied to the holder member, the holder member is provided so as to rotate while maintaining the locked state between the locking portion and the locking rack portion, The paper holding mechanism according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Having a plate member pivotally supported on the support shaft, A bracket is fixed to the upper surface side of the plate member, and the holder member is supported by the bracket via the shaft member. The paper holding mechanism according to claim 4.

6. The rack and pinion mechanism includes a first rack member connected to one of the pair of holder members, a second rack member connected to the other of the pair of holder members, a gear disposed so as to be sandwiched between the rack of the first rack member and the rack of the second rack member, a base plate formed with a shaft for supporting the gear, and the first rack member and the second rack member are formed on the upper surface of the base plate. The paper holding mechanism according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The paper holding mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, and a printing mechanism for performing printing on the paper, comprising a printing apparatus.

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