Paper guide and printing device

Abstract

To provide a sheet guide and a printer which reduce a space necessary when using the printer in comparison to a prior technique.SOLUTION: A sheet guide 11 comprises: a sheet feeding guide part 80; a sheet discharge guide part 83; and an attachment part. The sheet feeding guide part 80 is brought into contact with a first surface 38 formed with a sheet feeding port 31 for feeding a print sheet M in a housing 2 of a printer 1 and guides the print sheet M toward the sheet feeding port 31. The sheet discharge guide part 83 is brought into contact with a second surface 39 being a surface different from the first surface 38 and formed with a sheet discharge port 32 for discharging the print sheet M in the housing 2 of the printer 1, and guides the print sheet M discharged from the sheet discharge port 32 to the sheet feeding side where there is the first surface 38 with respect to the second surface 39. The sheet discharge guide part 83 is formed integrally with the sheet feeding guide part 80. The attachment part is detachably attached to the housing 2 of the printer 1 and is formed integrally with the sheet feeding guide part 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper guide to be attached to a printing device and to the printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Portable, compact printing devices have been known in the past (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In conventional printing devices, printing paper is supplied from a paper feed port located at the top of a rectangular parallelepiped housing, and is transported by a platen roller, while a thermal line head prints on the printing paper. After printing, the printing paper is discharged from a paper discharge port located on the front side of the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-223923 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional printing devices require a space for feeding printing paper to a paper feed port and a space for discharging printing paper from a paper discharge port.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a paper guide and a printing device that require less space than conventional printing devices when in use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A paper guide according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a paper feed guide section that abuts against a first surface of the housing of a printing device, on which a paper feed port for supplying printing paper is formed, and guides the printing paper toward the paper feed port; a paper discharge guide section that is formed integrally with the paper feed guide section and that abuts against a second surface of the housing of the printing device, which is a surface different from the first surface and on which a paper discharge port for discharging the printing paper is formed, and guides the printing paper discharged from the paper discharge port toward the paper feed side where the first surface is located, relative to the second surface; and an attachment section that is formed integrally with the paper feed guide section and is removably attached to the housing of the printing device.

[0007] When the paper guide according to the first aspect is attached to the housing of a printing device, the paper discharge guide section can guide print paper discharged from the paper discharge outlet to the paper feed side. The paper guide allows the paper discharge space for discharging print paper from the paper discharge outlet to be partially shared with the paper feed space for supplying print paper to the paper feed outlet, thereby reducing the space required when using a printing device compared to conventional cases where the paper discharge space and the paper feed space are separate.

[0008] A printing device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a housing having a first surface on which a paper feed port for feeding printing paper is formed, and a second surface different from the first surface on which a paper discharge port for discharging the printing paper is formed, a print head arranged within the housing and capable of printing on the printing paper, a transport unit that transports the printing paper from the paper feed port toward the paper discharge port, and a paper guide attached to the housing, the paper guide having a paper feed guide unit that abuts against the first surface and guides the printing paper toward the paper feed port, and a paper discharge guide unit that abuts against the second surface of the housing and guides the printing paper discharged from the paper discharge port toward the paper feed side where the first surface is located, relative to the second surface, and is formed integrally with the paper feed guide unit.

[0009] In the printing device according to the second aspect, the paper discharge guide portion of the paper guide can guide the print paper discharged from the paper discharge outlet to the paper feed side. By making it possible for the printing device to share part of the paper discharge space for discharging print paper from the paper discharge outlet with the paper feed space for supplying print paper to the paper feed outlet, the space required to use the printing device can be reduced compared to conventional cases where the paper discharge space and the paper feed space are separate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1A is a perspective view of the printing device 1 without the paper guide 11 attached, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the printing device 1 with the paper guide 11 attached. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing device 1 without the paper guide 11 attached. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the printing device 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the printing device 1 with the paper guide 11 attached. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the printing device 1 taken along line CC in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the printing device 1 with the paper guide 11 attached. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the left paper guide 8. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the left paper guide 8. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified paper guide 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A printing device 1 and a paper guide 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that may be employed by the present invention. Hereinafter, the lower left, upper right, upper left, lower right, upper, and lower in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower, respectively, of the printing device 1.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 is a thermal printer capable of printing characters (objects such as letters, symbols, numbers, and figures) on printing paper M. The printing paper M is not limited to a specific medium, but may be, for example, a sheet or tape, and in this embodiment is cut paper of a thermal recording medium. The paper guide 11 is removably attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1. FIG. 1(A) shows the paper guide 11 removed from the housing 2, and FIG. 1(B) shows the paper guide 11 attached to the housing 2.

[0013] The printing device 1 includes a housing 2, a head unit 4, a compression coil spring 41 (see FIG. 5 ), and a paper guide 11. The housing 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped made of resin, and is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear and up-down directions. The housing 2 has a first surface 38, a second surface 39, and a third surface 40. The first surface 38 is the top surface of the housing 2. A paper feed opening 31 for feeding printing paper M is formed in the first surface 38. The second surface 39 is a surface different from the first surface 38, and is a surface where a paper discharge opening 32 for discharging printing paper M is formed. In this embodiment, the second surface 39 is the front surface of the housing 2, connected to the front end of the first surface 38. The second surface 39 extends approximately perpendicular to the first surface 38. The third surface 40 faces the second surface 39. In this embodiment, the third surface 49 extends approximately parallel to the second surface 39. The first surface 38, the second surface 39, and the third surface 40 are each the outermost surfaces of the housing 2. As shown in FIG. 1(A), when a paper guide 11 (described later) is not attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1, the housing 2 forms the outermost part of the printing device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a battery 10 is detachably attached to the housing 2. The battery 10 supplies power to the printing device 1. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the housing 2 houses the head unit 4 and a compression coil spring 41.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 2 includes a lower case 21, an upper case 22, and an opening / closing member 23. The lower case 21 is plate-shaped and forms the lower wall of the housing 2. The lower case 21 has a notch 24 cut out from the rear end of the lower case 21 to the center in the front-to-rear direction to correspond to the mounting portion of the battery 10. The upper case 22 is box-shaped with an open bottom and is attached to the upper side of the lower case 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper case 22 has an opening 25, engagement portions 26 and 27, a notch 28, and engagement portions 29 and 30. The opening 25 opens the front surface of the upper case 22 from the center in the up-down direction to the top end, and the top surface of the upper case 22 from the center in the front-to-rear direction to the front end. The opening 25 extends from the left end to the right end of the upper case 22 in the left-to-right direction. The engagement portion 26 is a downwardly recessed recess formed in a portion of the first surface 38 adjacent to the rear left end of the opening 25, and the engagement portion 27 is a downwardly recessed recess formed in a portion of the first surface 38 adjacent to the rear right end of the opening 25. The cutout portion 28 is a portion cut out from the lower end of the rear wall of the upper case 22 to the vertical center to correspond to the mounting portion of the battery 10. The engagement portion 29 is a forwardly recessed recess formed in a portion of the third surface 40 adjacent to the upper left end of the cutout portion 28. The engagement portion 30 is a forwardly recessed recess formed in a portion of the third surface 40 adjacent to the upper right end of the cutout portion 28. The engagement portions 29, 30 extend in a rectangular shape that is elongated in the left-right direction above the vertical center of the third surface 40 of the upper case 22. The left-right extension range of the engagement portion 26 at least partially overlaps the left-right extension range of the engagement portion 29. The range of extension of the engagement portion 27 in the left-right direction at least partially overlaps with the range of extension of the engagement portion 30 in the left-right direction.

[0015] The opening / closing member 23 has an L-shaped plate shape elongated in the left-right direction when viewed from the right side. The opening / closing member 23 fits into the opening 25 of the upper case 22. The rear end of the opening / closing member 23 is rotatably supported by the upper case 22. The opening / closing member 23 can be opened and closed relative to the opening 25. The following description will be based on the state in which the opening / closing member 23 is closed relative to the opening 25, as shown in FIG. 1 . In this case, the top surface of the opening / closing member 23, together with the top surface of the upper case 22, forms a first surface 38 of the housing 2. The rear end of the opening / closing member 23 faces the rear end of the opening 25 of the upper case 22 in the front-rear direction, with a gap therebetween. The paper feed opening 31 is defined by the rear end of the opening / closing member 23 and the rear end of the opening 25 of the upper case 22. The front surface of the opening / closing member 23, together with the front surface of the upper case 22, forms a second surface 39 of the housing 2. The bottom end of the opening / closing member 23 faces the bottom end of the opening 25 of the upper case 22 in the up-down direction, with a gap therebetween. The paper discharge outlet 32 ​​is defined by the lower end of the opening / closing member 23 and the lower end of the opening 25 of the upper case 22. Print paper M is supplied into the housing 2 from the paper feed opening 31 and is discharged to the outside of the housing 2 from the paper discharge outlet 32.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3 , the head unit 4 includes a support frame 5, a platen roller 6, a thermal head 7, and a heat sink 72. The support frame 5 is made of metal and includes a lower plate 51, a left plate 52, a right plate 53, and a bridging plate 54. The lower plate 51 is a rectangular metal plate in a plan view and is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-to-back direction. The lower case 21 is attached to the underside of the lower plate 51. The left plate 52 and the right plate 53 are metal plates that are generally rectangular in a side view and are longer in the front-to-back direction. The left end of the lower plate 51 is fixed to the lower part of the left plate 52 with a screw (not shown), and the right end of the lower plate 51 is fixed to the lower part of the right plate 53 with a screw 55. The left plate 52 and the right plate 53 face each other in the left-to-right direction. The bridging plate 54 is a metal plate that extends in the left-to-right direction and spans between the left plate 52 and the right plate 53. The bridging plate 54 has a generally L-shaped cross section in the left-to-right direction. The left end of the bridging plate 54 is fixed to the upper part of the left plate 52 with a screw (not shown), and the right end of the bridging plate 54 is fixed to the upper part of the right plate 53 with a screw 56 .

[0017] The platen roller 6 is located diagonally above and toward the front of the housing 2 and extends in the left-right direction. The platen roller 6 includes a cylindrical portion 61 and a shaft 62. The cylindrical portion 61 is an elastic body made of rubber or the like. The shaft 62 passes through the cylindrical portion 61 and is fixed to the cylindrical portion 61. The left end of the shaft 62 is supported at an upper, front corner 64 of the left plate 52. The right end of the shaft 62 is supported at an upper, front corner 65 of the right plate 53. The platen roller 6 rotates around the shaft 62. The platen roller 6 is connected to a motor 69 via a gear or the like. The motor 69 is fixed to the lower rear part on the right surface of the left plate 52. The platen roller 6 rotates when driven by the motor 69, and transports the printing paper M in the transport direction. The transport direction is the direction in which the printing paper M is transported by the platen roller 6 and is perpendicular to the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the front-rear direction of the support frame 5 is the transport direction, with the rear side being the upstream side in the transport direction and the front side being the downstream side in the transport direction.

[0018] The thermal head 7 is provided below the platen roller 6. The thermal head 7 is a line head and includes a substrate 71 and multiple heating elements (not shown) formed on the upper surface of the substrate 71. The substrate 71 extends in the left-right direction and the transport direction, and has heating elements at positions where the printing paper M is sandwiched between the substrate 71 and the platen roller 6. The thermal head 7 is located on the opposite side of the first surface 38, i.e., below the printing paper M transported by the platen roller 6.

[0019] The heat sink 72 is provided below the thermal head 7 and fixes the thermal head 7 as a unit. The heat sink 72 is plate-shaped and contacts the underside of the substrate 71 to dissipate heat generated by the heat generated by the multiple heat generating elements. The heat sink 72 extends in the left-right direction and the transport direction. A shaft 73 is fixed to the rear end of the heat sink 72. The shaft 73 is located below and behind the platen roller 6. The shaft 73 extends in the left-right direction. The left plate 52 rotatably supports the left end of the shaft 73. The left plate 52 rotatably supports the left end of the shaft 73. Therefore, the heat sink 72 can swing around the shaft 73. The heat sink 72 can swing around the shaft 73.

[0020] 5, the compression coil spring 41 extends in the vertical direction and is disposed between the lower surface of the heat sink 72 and the upper surface of the lower plate 51. The compression coil spring 41 biases the heat sink 72 upward so that the heat sink 72 swings clockwise about the shaft 73 as viewed from the right side.

[0021] The guide member 3 is a plate-like member made of resin that extends in the left-right direction. The guide member 3 is provided upstream of the thermal head 7 in the transport direction and is fixed to a bridging plate 54. The guide member 3 is located below the paper feed opening 31 inside the housing 2. The guide member 3 extends diagonally downward and forward from above the paper feed opening 31. The guide member 3 guides the printing paper M inserted from the paper feed opening 31 toward the gap between the thermal head 7 and the platen roller 6, and defines the path along which the printing paper M is transported.

[0022] The rear end 33 of the guide member 3 is located above the bridge plate 54. The thickness of the rear end 33 in the vertical direction is approximately the same as the thickness of the upper case 22 of the housing 2. The back surface of the rear end 33 faces the rear end of the opening 25 of the upper case 22. An engagement portion 34 is formed at the left end of the rear end 33, and an engagement portion 35 shown in FIG. 2 is formed at the right end of the rear end 33. The engagement portions 34, 35 are each recessed portions recessed forward from the back surface of the rear end 33. In the left-right direction, the extension range of the engagement portion 34 overlaps at least a part of the extension range of the engagement portion 26, and the extension range of the engagement portion 35 overlaps at least a part of the extension range of the engagement portion 27.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1 , the paper guide 11 includes a left paper guide 8 and a right paper guide 9. The left paper guide 8 and the right paper guide 9 are each formed of, for example, plastic resin. The left paper guide 8 has a paper feed guide section 80, a paper discharge guide section 83, and an attachment section 88, and is attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1 on the left side of the paper feed opening 31 in the width direction W. The right paper guide 9 has a paper feed guide section 90, a paper discharge guide section 93, and an attachment section 98, and is attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1 on the right side of the paper feed opening 31 in the width direction W. Because the left paper guide 8 has a configuration symmetrical to the right paper guide 9, the following description will focus on the configuration of the left paper guide 8, and a detailed description of the right paper guide 9 will be omitted.

[0024] The left paper guide 8 includes a paper feed guide portion 80, a paper discharge guide portion 83, a side wall portion 87, and an attachment portion 88 shown in FIG. 5 . The paper feed guide portion 80 abuts against a first surface 38 of the housing 2 of the printing device 1, on which the paper feed slot 31 through which printing paper M is supplied is formed, and guides the printing paper M toward the paper feed slot 31. The paper feed guide portion 80 includes a first paper feed wall portion 81 and a second paper feed wall portion 82. The first paper feed wall portion 81 abuts against the first surface 38. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the first paper feed wall portion 81 includes an inclined portion 811, abutment portions 812 and 813, and a parallel portion 814. The inclined portion 811 is provided in front of the first paper feed wall portion 81 and is a plate-shaped portion that extends rearward and upward from the rear of the paper feed slot 31 in a direction intersecting the first surface 38. The inclined portion 811 forms approximately the same plane as the upper surface of the guide member 3. The angle formed by the inclined portion 811 and the portion of the first surface 38 rearward of the paper feed opening 31 is an acute angle. The abutting portion 812 is a lower front end portion of the inclined portion 811, and abuts against the first surface 38 at the rear of the paper feed opening 31. The abutting portion 813 is a portion that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the inclined portion 811 rearward of the abutting portion 812, and abuts against the first surface 38. The parallel portion 814 is connected to the rear end of the inclined portion 811, is spaced apart from the first surface 38 in the up-down direction, and extends approximately parallel to the first surface 38. The printing paper M is placed on the inclined portion 811 and the parallel portion 814.

[0025] The second paper feed wall 82 is provided along the first paper feed wall 81 at a distance from the first paper feed wall 81 and guides the printing paper M to the paper feed opening 31 together with the first paper feed wall 81. A rectangular notch 821 is formed in the rear right portion of the second paper feed wall 82. As shown in FIG. 4 , the length L2 of the end of the second paper feed wall 82 on the opposite side of the paper discharge opening 32 from the paper feed opening 31, i.e., the rear end of the second paper feed wall 82, in the width direction W of the paper feed opening 31, is shorter than the length L1 of the portion of the first paper feed wall 81 corresponding to the rear end of the second paper feed wall 82. The portion of the first paper feed wall 81 corresponding to the rear end of the second paper feed wall 82 is near the boundary between the inclined portion 811 and the parallel portion 814. The length L1 of the portion of the second paper feed wall 82 above the paper feed opening 31 is the same as the length L1 of the portion of the first paper feed wall 81 behind the paper feed opening 31. The second paper feed wall 82 is spaced apart from the inclined portion 811 of the first paper feed wall 81 and extends substantially parallel to the first paper feed wall 81. As shown in FIG. 5 , the distance between the second paper feed wall 82 and the first paper feed wall 81 is greater toward the rear than toward the front. When the left paper guide 8 is attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1, the distance L3 between the first paper feed wall 81 and the paper feed opening 31 is smaller than the orthogonal length L4 of the paper feed opening 31 in a direction perpendicular to the width direction W. When the left paper guide 8 is attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1, the second paper feed wall 82 has an insertion portion 86 that is inserted into the paper feed opening 31 and extends toward the paper discharge opening 32 from the first surface 38. The insertion portion 86 is inserted into the front portion of the paper feed opening 31 and faces the front end of the paper feed opening 31, i.e., the rear end of the opening / closing member 23. The lower end of the insertion portion 86 is lower than the lower end of the paper feed opening 31. The front surface of the insertion portion 86 extends substantially vertically. The back surface of the insertion portion 86 is spaced apart from the guide member 3 and extends substantially parallel to the guide member 3. The distance between the second paper feed wall portion 82 and the paper feed opening 31 is 0, which is shorter than the orthogonal length L4. In other words, the first paper feed wall portion 81 and the second paper feed wall portion 82 each extend to the vicinity of the paper feed opening 31.

[0026] The paper discharge guide 83 abuts against the second surface 39 of the housing 2 of the printing device 1, and guides the printing paper M discharged from the paper discharge port 32 toward the paper feed side where the first surface 38 is located, i.e., the upper rear side, relative to the second surface 39. The paper discharge guide 83 is formed integrally with the paper feed guide 80. The second paper feed wall 82 in this embodiment forms part of the first paper discharge wall 84.

[0027] The paper discharge guide section 83 includes a first paper discharge wall section 84 and a second paper discharge wall section 85. The first paper discharge wall section 84 abuts against the second surface 39 of the housing 2. The rear end of the first paper discharge wall section 84 is located above the paper feed opening 31. In this embodiment, the first paper discharge wall section 84 is L-shaped in right side view and bent along the housing 2 so as to abut against a portion of the second surface 39 of the housing 2 above the paper discharge opening 32, i.e., against the front and top surfaces of the opening / closing member 23. The lower end of the first paper discharge wall section 84 is located above the paper discharge opening 32. The rear portion of the first paper discharge wall section 84 is the second paper feed wall section 82. The second paper discharge wall section 85 is provided along the first paper discharge wall section 84 at a distance from the first paper discharge wall section 84 and, together with the first paper discharge wall section 84, guides the printing paper M toward the paper feed side, i.e., the upper-rear side. The second paper ejection wall 85 is bent in a U-shape with an open rear end in right side view. The lower end of the second paper ejection wall 85 is located slightly above the lower end of the paper ejection outlet 32 ​​and slightly below the lower end of the platen roller 6. The second paper ejection wall 85 is spaced apart from the second surface 39. The distance between the first paper ejection wall 84 and the second paper ejection wall 85 is greater than the distance between the first paper feed wall 81 and the second paper feed wall 82. The rear end of the second paper ejection wall 85 is located behind the second surface 39 and in front of the paper feed outlet 31. When the left paper guide 8 is attached to the housing 2, the rear end of the second paper ejection wall 85 is located above the platen roller 6. The paper ejection guide 83 guides printing paper M, whose printing surface is arranged on the side facing the second paper ejection wall 85, toward the paper feed side, i.e., the upper rear side.

[0028] The side wall 87 is a plate-shaped portion that extends in the up-down and left-right directions at the left end of the left paper guide 8. The side wall 87 connects to the left ends of the paper feed guide 80 and the paper discharge guide 83. The side wall 87 defines the left end of the printing paper M placed in the left paper guide 8.

[0029] The mounting portion 88 removably mounts the left paper guide 8 to the housing 2 of the printing device 1. The mounting portion 88 is formed integrally with the paper feed guide portion 80. The mounting portion 88 includes a hook support portion 891 and hooks 89 and 881. The hook support portion 891 extends downward from the rear end of the parallel portion 814. When the left paper guide 8 is mounted to the housing 2, the lower end of the hook support portion 891 is located slightly above the upper end of the notch 28. The hook 89 protrudes forward from the lower end of the hook support portion 891. The hook 89 engages with the engagement portion 29, which is a recess provided on the third surface 40 of the housing 2 of the printing device 1. The hook 881 is hook-shaped and extends downward and forward from the abutment portion 812 of the first paper feed wall portion 81. The hook 881 removably engages with the engagement portions 26 and 34. The mounting portion 88 mounts the left paper guide 8 on the printing device 1 by positioning it in the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions using hooks 89 and 881 .

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the right paper guide 9 has a symmetrical configuration with the left paper guide 8 and includes a paper feed guide portion 90, a paper discharge guide portion 93, a side wall portion 97, and an attachment portion 98. The paper feed guide portion 90 includes a first paper feed wall portion 91 and a second paper feed wall portion 92. Although not shown, the second paper feed wall portion 92 includes an insertion portion similar to the insertion portion 86. A notch 921 is formed in the second paper feed wall portion 92. The paper discharge guide portion 93 includes a first paper discharge wall portion 94 and a second paper discharge wall portion 95. The attachment portion 98 includes a hook support portion 991 and a hook 99. Although not shown, the attachment portion 98 includes a hook similar to the hook 881 of the attachment portion 88, and the hook and hook 99 are used to position and attach the right paper guide 9 to the printing device 1 in the front-to-rear, left-to-right, and up-down directions.

[0031] As shown for the right paper guide 9 in Figure 6, the distance L9 between the second surface 39 and the paper feed side ends of the left paper guide 8 and the right paper guide 9, i.e., the rear ends of the left paper guide 8 and the right paper guide 9, is longer than the distance L5 between the second surface 39 and the ends of the left paper guide 8 and the right paper guide 9 opposite the paper feed side. The distance L6 between the paper feed opening 31 and the second surface 39 is also longer than the distance L5. The length L7 of the left paper guide 8 and the right paper guide 9 in the front-to-rear direction is longer than the length L8 of the housing 2 in the front-to-rear direction. The length L7 is shorter than 1.5 times the length L8.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1A, the printing operation of the printing device 1 when the paper guide 11 is not attached to the printing device 1 will be described. The user inserts the printing paper M into the housing 2 from the paper feed slot 31 along the guide member 3. The downstream end of the printing paper M is positioned between the platen roller 6 and the thermal head 7. When the user inputs a command to start printing, the printing device 1 drives the motor 69, causing the platen roller 6 to rotate clockwise when viewed from the right side. This transports the printing paper M from upstream to downstream in the transport direction toward the paper discharge slot 32. While transporting the printing paper M, the printing device 1 selectively heats the multiple heating elements of the thermal head 7 under control of a control board (not shown). This allows printing on the printing paper M. The printing paper M is then discharged forward from the paper discharge slot 32.

[0033] 1B and 5, the printing operation of the printing device 1 when the paper guide 11 is attached to the printing device 1 will be described. In FIG. 5, the transport direction of the print paper M is indicated by a thick arrow. The user places the print paper M in the paper feed guide sections 80 and 90. The left edge of the print paper M abuts against the inclined section 811 and the parallel section 814 of the first paper feed wall section 81. Similarly, the right edge of the print paper M abuts against the first paper feed wall section 91. The user moves the print paper M downward and forward along the first paper feed walls 81 and 91. The rear sections of the second paper feed walls 82 and 92 each have a notch, making it easy for the user to visually check the print paper M being supplied to the paper feed opening 31. In other words, the user can easily check whether the paper guide 11 is properly positioning the print paper M. The printing paper M passes between the first and second paper feed walls 81 and 82, and between the first and second paper feed walls 91 and 92, moves along the guide member 3 from the paper feed opening 31, and is inserted into the housing 2. At this time, the printing surface of the printing paper M faces the first paper feed walls 81 and 91, and the surface opposite the printing surface faces the second paper feed walls 82 and 92 and the first surface 38 of the housing 2. The downstream end of the printing paper M is positioned between the platen roller 6 and the thermal head 7. When the user inputs a command to start printing, the printing device 1 drives the motor 69 in accordance with the print data and rotates the platen roller 6 clockwise as viewed from the right side. As a result, the printing paper M is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction toward the paper discharge opening 32. While transporting the printing paper M, the printing device 1 selectively heats multiple heating elements of the thermal head 7 under control of the control board. As a result, the printing device 1 prints on the print paper M. The print paper M is discharged from the paper discharge outlet 32. The print paper M discharged forward from the paper discharge outlet 32 ​​abuts against the second paper discharge wall 85 of the paper discharge guide unit 83 and is guided upward along the curved surface of the second paper discharge wall 85, and then guided rearward. As a result, the print paper M discharged forward from the paper discharge outlet 32 ​​abuts against the second paper discharge wall 85 of the paper discharge guide unit 83 and is guided to the paper feed side, that is, the upper-rear side. The print paper M is discharged rearward from the paper discharge guide unit 83 with the printed surface facing upward. At this time, the printed surface of the print paper M faces the second paper discharge wall 85, 95, and the surface opposite the printed surface faces the first paper discharge wall 84, 94 and the second surface 39 of the housing 2.The rear end of the second paper ejection wall 85 is between the second surface 39 and the paper feed opening 31 in the front-to-rear direction. Printing paper M guided by the second paper ejection wall 85 and the first paper ejection wall 84 moves along the upper surface of the first paper ejection wall 84 to the rear of the rear end of the second paper ejection wall 85. The rear of the first paper ejection wall 84 is the second paper feed wall 82, and the ejected portion of printing paper M moves rearward along the upper surface of the second paper feed wall 82 above the fed portion. Because the rear end of the second paper feed wall 82 is located away from the paper feed opening 31, the ejected portion of printing paper M will not be caught in the paper feed opening 31.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the printing device 1, housing 2, platen roller 6, thermal head 7, paper guide 11, paper feed inlet 31, paper discharge outlet 32, first surface 38, second surface 39, and third surface 40 are examples of the printing device, housing, transport unit, print head, paper guide, paper feed inlet, paper discharge outlet, first surface, second surface, and third surface of the present invention. The left paper guide 8 and the right paper guide 9 are examples of the one-side paper guide and the other-side paper guide of the present invention, respectively. The paper feed guide units 80 and 90 are examples of the paper feed guide unit of the present invention. The first paper feed wall units 81 and 91 are examples of the first paper feed wall unit of the present invention. The second paper feed wall units 82 and 92 are examples of the second paper feed wall unit of the present invention. The paper discharge guide units 83 and 93 are examples of the paper discharge guide unit of the present invention. The first paper discharge wall units 84 and 94 are examples of the first paper discharge wall unit of the present invention. Each of the second paper ejection wall portions 85 and 95 is an example of a second paper ejection wall portion of the present invention. Each of the hooks 89 and 99 is an example of a hook of the present invention. Each of the insertion portions 86 and 96 is an example of an insertion portion of the present invention. Each of the mounting portions 88 and 98 is an example of a mounting portion of the present invention. Each of the engagement portions 29 and 30 is an example of a recess of the present invention.

[0035] The printing device 1 of the above embodiment comprises a housing 2, a thermal head 7, a platen roller 6, and a paper guide 11. The housing 2 has a first surface 38 on which a paper feed opening 31 for feeding print paper M is formed, and a second surface 39, which is a surface different from the first surface 38 and on which a paper discharge opening 32 for discharging print paper M is formed. The thermal head 7 is disposed within the housing 2 and is capable of printing on print paper M. The platen roller 6 transports print paper M from the paper feed opening 31 toward the paper discharge opening 32. The paper guide 11 comprises a paper feed guide unit 80, a paper discharge guide unit 83, and an attachment unit 88. The paper feed guide unit 80 abuts against the first surface 38 of the housing 2 of the printing device 1, on which the paper feed opening 31 for feeding print paper M is formed, and guides the print paper M toward the paper feed opening 31. The paper discharge guide unit 83 abuts against a second surface 39 of the housing 2 of the printing device 1, which is a surface different from the first surface 38 and is the surface on which the paper discharge outlet 32 ​​through which the printing paper M is discharged is formed, and guides the printing paper M discharged from the paper discharge outlet 32 ​​to the paper feed side where the first surface 38 is located relative to the second surface 39. The paper discharge guide unit 83 is formed integrally with the paper feed guide unit 80. The attachment unit 88 is removably attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1. The attachment unit 88 is formed integrally with the paper feed guide unit 80. When the printing device 1 and paper guide 11 are attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1, the paper discharge guide unit 83 can guide the printing paper M discharged from the paper discharge outlet 32 ​​to the paper feed side. The printing device 1 and the paper guide 11 are configured so that the paper discharge space for discharging the printing paper M from the paper discharge port 32 can be partially used as a paper feed space for supplying the printing paper M to the paper feed port 31, thereby reducing the space required for using the printing device 1 compared to when the paper discharge space and the paper feed space are separate.

[0036] The paper discharge guide portion 83 includes a first paper discharge wall portion 84 that abuts against the second surface 39, and a second paper discharge wall portion 85 that is spaced apart from and along the first paper discharge wall portion 84 and that guides the printing paper M to the paper feed side together with the first paper discharge wall portion 84. Therefore, the paper guide 11 can guide the printing paper M to the paper feed side with a relatively simple configuration consisting of the first paper discharge wall portion 84 and the second paper discharge wall portion 85.

[0037] The paper feed guide portion 80 includes a first paper feed wall portion 81 that abuts against the first surface 38, and a second paper feed wall portion 82 that is spaced apart from and along the first paper feed wall portion 81 and that, together with the first paper feed wall portion 81, guides the printing paper M to the paper feed opening 31. The paper guide 11 can guide the printing paper M to the paper feed opening 31 with a relatively simple configuration consisting of the first paper feed wall portion 81 and the second paper feed wall portion 82.

[0038] The paper feed guide portion 80 includes a first paper feed wall portion 81 that abuts against the first surface 38, and a second paper feed wall portion 82 that is spaced apart from and along the first paper feed wall portion 81 and that, together with the first paper feed wall portion 81, guides the printing paper M to the paper feed opening 31. The second paper feed wall portion 82 forms part of the first paper discharge wall portion 84. Therefore, the paper guide 11 can guide the printing paper M to the paper feed opening 31 with a relatively simple configuration that includes the first paper feed wall portion 81 and the second paper feed wall portion 82. Because the second paper feed wall portion 82 forms part of the first paper discharge wall portion 84, the paper guide 11 can have a simpler configuration than when the second paper feed wall portion 82 is provided separately from the first paper discharge wall portion 84.

[0039] In the width direction W of the paper feed opening 31, the length L2 of the end of the second paper feed wall 82 on the opposite side of the paper discharge opening 32 from the paper feed opening 31 is shorter than the length L1 of the portion of the first paper feed wall 81 corresponding to the end. Therefore, the paper guide 11 makes it easy to visually check the printing paper M that is placed between the first paper feed wall 81 and the second paper feed wall 82. Therefore, the paper guide 11 can improve the convenience for the user when placing the printing paper M in the paper feed guide section 80 or checking the printing paper M being transported to the paper feed opening 31, compared to when the length of the end of the second paper feed wall 82 on the opposite side of the paper discharge opening 32 from the paper feed opening 31 is equal to or longer than the length of the portion of the first paper feed wall 81 corresponding to the end.

[0040] When the paper guide 11 is attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1, the distance between the first paper feed wall portions 81, 91 and the paper feed opening 31 is smaller than the orthogonal length L4 in a direction perpendicular to the width direction W of the paper feed opening 31. The distance between the second paper feed wall portions 82, 92 and the paper feed opening 31 is smaller than the orthogonal length L4. When the paper guide 11 is attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1, the first paper feed wall portion 81 and the second paper feed wall portion 82 can be configured to extend close to the paper feed opening 31. The paper guide 11 can more reliably guide the printing paper M to the paper feed opening 31 compared to when at least one of the first paper feed wall portion 81 and the second paper feed wall portion 82 of the left paper guide 8 is separated from the paper feed opening 31. Similarly, the paper guide 11 can more reliably guide the printing paper M to the paper feed opening 31 than when at least one of the first paper feed wall portion 91 and the second paper feed wall portion 92 of the right paper guide 9 is away from the paper feed opening 31.

[0041] The second paper feed wall 82 has an insertion portion 86 that is inserted into the paper feed opening 31 when the left paper guide 8 is attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1, and extends toward the paper discharge opening 32 relative to the first surface 38. When the left paper guide 8 is attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1, the insertion portion 86 of the left paper guide 8 blocks part of the paper feed opening 31, making it easier for the printing paper M to pass more reliably between the first paper feed wall 81 and the second paper feed wall 82. By inserting the insertion portion 86 into the paper feed opening 31, the left paper guide 8 can be more reliably positioned in the front-to-rear direction relative to the housing 2. The right paper guide 9 has a similar configuration and achieves the same effects.

[0042] The paper guide 11 includes a left paper guide 8 and a right paper guide 9. The left paper guide 8 has a paper feed guide section 80, a paper discharge guide section 83, and an attachment section 88, and is attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1 on one side of the paper feed slot 31 in the width direction W, i.e., on the left side. The right paper guide 9 has a paper feed guide section 90, a paper discharge guide section 93, and an attachment section 98, and is attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1 on the other side of the paper feed slot 31 in the width direction W, i.e., on the right side. The paper guide 11 can guide both ends of the printing paper M with the left paper guide 8 and the right paper guide 9. The paper guide 11 allows the paper feed slot 31 and the paper discharge slot 32 to be visible between the left paper guide 8 and the right paper guide 9. The user can check the status of the paper feed slot 31 and the paper discharge slot 32 between the left paper guide 8 and the right paper guide 9, which reduces the possibility of starting printing before print paper M is set in the paper feed slot 31, for example. The paper guide 11 is lighter than if it were a single component. The paper guide 11 can be attached to multiple types of printing devices 1 in which the lengths of the paper feed slot 31 in the width direction W are different. Because the left paper guide 8 and the right paper guide 9 are configured symmetrically to each other, the print paper M can be guided more stably than if the left paper guide 8 and the right paper guide 9 were not configured symmetrically to each other.

[0043] The paper feed guide 80 and the paper discharge guide 83 each extend from one end of the paper feed opening 31 in the width direction W, i.e., the left end, to the other end of the paper feed opening 31 in the width direction W, i.e., the right end. The paper guide 11 can guide the printing paper M more stably than when guiding only a portion of the printing paper M in the width direction W.

[0044] The mounting portion 88 has hooks 89, 99 that engage with engaging portions 29, 30, which are recesses provided on a third surface 40 of the housing 2 of the printing device 1, the third surface 40 facing a second surface 39 that extends in a direction intersecting with the first surface 38. The paper guide 11 can be stably mounted to the printing device 1 by engaging the hook 89 with the engaging portion 29 provided on the housing 2 of the printing device 1 and by engaging the hook 99 with the engaging portion 30 provided on the housing 2 of the printing device 1.

[0045] Distance L9 between the end of paper guide 11 on the paper feed side, i.e., the rear end of paper guide 11, and second surface 39 is longer than distance L5 between the end of paper guide 11 opposite the paper feed side, i.e., the front end of paper guide 11, and second surface 39. Paper guide 11 requires less space on the side opposite the paper feed side relative to second surface 39 than when distance L9 is equal to or shorter than distance L5.

[0046] The first surface 38 and the second surface 39 are the outermost surfaces of the housing 2. The printing device 1 makes it easier to attach the paper guide to the housing 2 than when at least one of the first surface 38 and the second surface 39 is not the outermost surface of the housing 2.

[0047] The thermal head 7 is positioned on the opposite side of the first surface 38 from the print sheet M transported by the platen roller 6. The paper discharge guide unit 83 includes a first paper discharge wall 84 that abuts the second surface 39, and a second paper discharge wall 85 that is spaced apart from and along the first paper discharge wall 84 and that, together with the first paper discharge wall 84, guides the print sheet M toward the paper feed slot 31. The print sheet M whose printed side faces the second paper discharge wall 85 is guided toward the paper feed side. In the printing device 1, the paper discharge guide unit 83 guides the print sheet M with its printed side facing the second paper discharge wall 85, making it easier for the user to check the printed side compared to conventional printers. By attaching the paper guide 11 to the housing 2 and printing, the user can easily check the printed side of the print sheet M discharged from the paper discharge slot 32.

[0048] The printing device and paper guide of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the following modifications may be made as appropriate. The configuration of the printing device 1 may be modified as appropriate. The printing device 1 may be a printing device having a thermal head 7 that thermally transfers an ink ribbon. The printing device 1 may be an inkjet printer equipped with a line inkjet head instead of the thermal head 7. The configuration of the transport unit may be modified depending on the configuration of the print head. The thermal head 7 of the printing device 1 may be located on the first surface 38 side, i.e., above, the printing paper M transported by the platen roller 6. The paper guides 11 and 12 may be permanently attached to the housing 2. At least one of the first surface 38 and the second surface 39 does not have to be the outermost surface of the housing 2.

[0049] The configuration of the paper discharge guide 83 may be modified as needed, for example, it may include only one of the first paper discharge wall 84 and the second paper discharge wall 85. The configuration of the paper feed guide 80 may be modified as needed, for example, it may include only one of the first paper feed wall 81 and the second paper feed wall 82. The second paper feed wall 82 does not have to form part of the first paper discharge wall 84. The length L2 may be equal to or greater than the length L1. When the paper guide 11 is attached to the housing 2 of the printing device 1, the distance between the first paper feed wall 81 and the paper feed opening 31 may be equal to or greater than the orthogonal length L4 in the direction perpendicular to the width direction W of the paper feed opening 31, and the distance between the second paper feed wall 82 and the paper feed opening 31 may be equal to or greater than the orthogonal length L4. The second paper feed wall 82 does not have to have the insertion portion 86. The configuration of the mounting portion 88 may be changed as appropriate, and a hook may be provided on the housing 2 of the printing device 1, and a recess may be provided for the mounting portion 88 to engage with the hook. The distance L9 may be equal to or less than the distance L5.

[0050] The paper guide 11 may be a single member, like the paper guide 12 shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, the paper guide 12 includes a paper feed guide portion 120, a paper discharge guide portion 123, and side wall portions 87 and 97 similar to those of the paper guide 11. The paper feed guide portion 120 and the paper discharge guide portion 123 each extend from one end of the paper feed slot 31 of the printing device 1 in the width direction W to the other end of the paper feed slot 31 in the width direction W. The paper feed guide portion 120 includes a first paper feed wall portion 121 and a second paper feed wall portion 122. The first paper feed wall portion 121 has a shape that connects the first paper feed wall portions 81 and 91 attached to the printing device 1 in the width direction W as shown in FIG. 1(B), and the second paper feed wall portion 122 has a shape that connects the second paper feed wall portions 82 and 92 attached to the printing device 1 in the width direction W. A notch 127 is formed in the center of the second paper feed wall 122, cutting out from the rear end to the front. The second paper feed wall 122 has an insertion section 126 that is similar to the insertion section 86 and is inserted into the paper feed opening 31. Similarly, the paper discharge guide 123 has a first paper discharge wall 124 and a second paper discharge wall 125. The first paper discharge wall 124 has a shape that connects the first paper discharge walls 84, 94 attached to the printing device 1 in the width direction W as shown in FIG. 1(B), and the second paper discharge wall 125 has a shape that connects the second paper discharge walls 85, 95 attached to the printing device 1 in the width direction W. The left ends of the paper feed guide 120 and the paper discharge guide 123 are connected to the side wall 87, and the right ends of the paper feed guide 120 and the paper discharge guide 123 are connected to the side wall 97. Compared to paper guide 11, which guides only a portion of printing paper M in the width direction W, paper guide 12 can guide printing paper M stably over the entire width direction W. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1: Printing device, 2: Housing, 6: Platen roller, 7: Thermal head, 8: Left paper guide, 9: Right paper guide, 11: Paper guide, 29, 30: Engagement portion, 31: Paper feed slot, 32: Paper output slot, 38: First side, 39: Second side, 40: Third side, 80, 90: Paper feed guide portion, 81, 91: First paper feed wall portion, 82, 92: Second paper feed wall portion, 83, 93: Paper output guide portion, 84, 94: First paper output wall portion, 85, 95: Second paper output wall portion, 86, 96: Insertion portion, 88, 98: Mounting portion, 89, 99, 881: Hook, M: Print paper, W: Width direction

Claims

1. a paper feed guide portion that contacts a first surface of the housing of the printing device, the first surface having a paper feed opening for feeding printing paper, and that guides the printing paper toward the paper feed opening; a paper discharge guide portion formed integrally with the paper feed guide portion, the paper discharge guide portion contacting a second surface of the housing of the printing device, the second surface being a surface different from the first surface and having a paper discharge outlet formed therein for discharging the printing paper, and guiding the printing paper discharged from the paper discharge outlet toward the paper feed side where the first surface is located relative to the second surface; a mounting portion formed integrally with the paper feed guide portion and removably mounted on the housing of the printing device; A paper guide comprising:

2. The paper discharge guide portion a first paper discharge wall portion abutting against the second surface; a second paper ejection wall portion that is spaced apart from the first paper ejection wall portion and that is provided along the first paper ejection wall portion and that guides the printing paper toward the paper feed side together with the first paper ejection wall portion; The paper guide according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. The paper feed guide portion a first paper feed wall portion that abuts against the first surface; a second paper feed wall portion that is spaced apart from the first paper feed wall portion and that is provided along the first paper feed wall portion and that guides the printing paper to the paper feed opening together with the first paper feed wall portion; 3. The paper guide according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. The paper feed guide portion a first paper feed wall portion that abuts against the first surface; a second paper feed wall portion that is spaced apart from the first paper feed wall portion and that is provided along the first paper feed wall portion and that guides the printing paper to the paper feed opening together with the first paper feed wall portion; Equipped with 3. The paper guide according to claim 2, wherein the second paper feed wall portion forms a part of the first paper discharge wall portion.

5. A paper guide as described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the length of the end of the second paper feed wall portion opposite the paper discharge outlet from the paper feed outlet in the width direction of the paper feed outlet is shorter than the length of the portion of the first paper feed wall portion corresponding to the end.

6. A paper guide as described in claim 5, characterized in that when the paper guide is attached to the housing of the printing device, the distance between the first paper feed wall portion and the paper feed opening is smaller than the orthogonal length in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the paper feed opening, and the distance between the second paper feed wall portion and the paper feed opening is smaller than the orthogonal length.

7. The paper guide according to claim 6, characterized in that the second paper feed wall portion has an insertion portion that is inserted into the paper feed port when the paper guide is attached to the housing of the printing device and extends to the paper discharge port side relative to the first surface.

8. The paper guide is a one-side paper guide having the paper feed guide portion, the paper discharge guide portion, and the mounting portion, the one-side paper guide being mounted on the housing of the printing device on one side in the width direction of the paper feed opening; an other-side paper guide having the paper feed guide portion, the paper discharge guide portion, and the mounting portion, the other-side paper guide being mounted on the housing of the printing device on the other side of the paper feed opening in the width direction; 5. The paper guide according to claim 1, further comprising:

9. A paper guide according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the paper feed guide portion and the paper discharge guide portion each extend from an end portion on one side of the width direction of the paper feed opening to an end portion on the other side of the width direction of the paper feed opening.

10. A paper guide as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the mounting portion has a hook that engages with a recess provided on a third surface of the housing of the printing device that faces the second surface extending in a direction intersecting the first surface.

11. A paper guide as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the distance between the end of the paper guide on the paper feed side and the second surface is longer than the distance between the end of the paper guide on the opposite side from the paper feed side and the second surface.

12. a housing having a first surface formed with a paper feed port for feeding printing paper, and a second surface different from the first surface and formed with a paper discharge port for discharging the printing paper; a print head disposed within the housing and capable of printing on the printing paper; a conveying unit that conveys the printing paper from the paper feed port toward the paper discharge port; A paper guide attached to the housing, a paper feed guide portion that contacts the first surface and guides the printing paper toward the paper feed opening; a paper discharge guide portion formed integrally with the paper feed guide portion in the housing, the paper discharge guide portion contacting the second surface and guiding the printing paper discharged from the paper discharge outlet toward the paper feed side where the first surface is located relative to the second surface; The paper guide having A printing device comprising:

13. 13. The printing device according to claim 12, wherein the first surface and the second surface are outermost surfaces of the housing.

14. the print head is located on the opposite side of the print paper conveyed by the conveyance unit from the first side, The paper discharge guide portion a first paper discharge wall portion abutting against the second surface; a second paper ejection wall portion that is spaced apart from the first paper ejection wall portion and that is provided along the first paper ejection wall portion and that guides the printing paper toward the paper feed opening together with the first paper ejection wall portion; 14. The printing device according to claim 12, further comprising: a guide member for guiding the printing paper, whose printing surface is arranged on the side facing the second paper discharge wall portion, to the paper feed side.

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