Printer device

Abstract

To provide a printer which can reduce an occupied area in opening.SOLUTION: A printer includes an ink ribbon shaft held in a cantilever structure, a printing head unit held to one side on a bottom of the ink ribbon shaft in a cantilever structure, a platen roller unit which has a gap for inserting and conveying an ink ribbon and a sheet formed between the printing head unit and the platen roller unit, a plate-like holding side plate for fixing a relative position of free ends of the ink ribbon shaft and the printing head unit relative to the platen roller unit, and a first hinge part for rotatably holding the holding side plate in a direction of contacting and separating from the free ends, wherein the holding side plate has a lower plate and an upper late which are divided into two in a height direction of the body housing, and a second hinge part which connects a gap between the plates and is configured so as to fold the upper plate in the one side direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a printer device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are thermal transfer printers that use ink ribbons for printing. In such printers, the ink ribbon shaft and print head unit are cantilevered, with one side open, to allow for easy installation and removal of the ink ribbon.

[0003] However, in the printer device with the cantilever structure described above, various factors can cause the ink ribbon shaft to tilt or the gap between the print head unit and the platen roller unit to become misaligned. To address this, conventionally, a positioning plate (hereinafter also referred to as a holding side plate) made of a single plate-like member is used, and the lower end of the holding side plate is fixed with a hinge, thereby realizing a closed state in which the ink ribbon shaft and the free end of the print head unit are fixed, and an open state in which they are released.

[0004] However, in the conventional configuration described above, the holding side plate is configured to open to the outside of the printer device using a hinge as a fulcrum, so when the free end is opened, for example to replace the ink ribbon, it protrudes significantly beyond the width of the printer device, resulting in a problem of a large occupied area. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer device that can reduce the occupied area when open. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printer device of the embodiment comprises a main body housing, an ink ribbon shaft for feeding and winding an ink ribbon, which is held in a cantilevered structure on one side of the main body housing, a print head unit held in a cantilevered structure below the ink ribbon shaft on the one side of the main body housing, a platen roller unit provided below the print head unit and forming a gap between the print head unit and the platen roller unit for inserting and transporting the ink ribbon and paper, and a contact between the ink ribbon shaft and the print head unit and the platen roller unit. The head unit is provided with a plate-shaped holding side plate for fixing the relative position of the free end of the head unit, and a first hinge portion that connects the lower end of the holding side plate to the platen roller unit and holds the holding side plate so that it can rotate toward and away from the free end, thereby realizing a closed state in which the relative position is fixed and an open state in which the fixation is released, and the holding side plate has a lower plate and an upper plate that are divided into two in the height direction of the main body housing, and a second hinge portion that connects the plates and is configured to allow the upper plate to be folded in the direction of one side. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the appearance of a printer apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which the cover of the printer device according to the embodiment is open. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which the cover and the holding side plates of the printer device according to the embodiment are open. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view schematically showing the printer device according to this embodiment with the cover open. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic internal structure of the printer device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic internal structure of the printer device according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the holding side plate shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the holding side plate shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a perspective view of the upper plate in the state shown in FIG. 7, viewed from the direction D. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the upper plate in the state shown in FIG. 8, viewed from the direction D. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of the joint shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of the joint shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a view of the periphery of the lower end of the handle shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, seen from the direction of the arrow E. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a perspective view of the holding side plate shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the C direction. [Figure 15] 15 is a perspective view of the holding side plate shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the C direction. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a view of the holding side plate shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 as seen from the direction of the arrow J. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view that schematically shows the appearance of a printer device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view that schematically shows a state in which the cover of the printer device according to an embodiment is open. FIG. 3 is a perspective view that schematically shows a state in which the cover and holding side plates of the printer device according to an embodiment are open. FIG. 4 is a front view that schematically shows a state in which the cover of the printer device according to this embodiment is open. FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams that schematically show the internal structure of a printer device according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the width direction, depth direction, and height direction of the printer device are represented using three mutually orthogonal axes (X, Y, Z).

[0010] The printer device 10 accommodates a roll of paper as a print medium. For example, the printer device 10 prints on labels temporarily attached to a roll of backing paper (hereinafter also referred to as label roll paper 19).

[0011] An outlet 12 through which printed labels are discharged is formed on the front of the main body housing 11 of the printer device 10. A control box 15 having an input unit 13 made up of various operation keys and a display 14 on the front is provided on the left side of the main body housing 11. Inside the control box 15 is a control unit that drives and controls each part of the printer device 10.

[0012] A cover 16 is provided above the main body housing 11 to close the open interior of the main body housing 11. This cover 16 is provided so as to be able to rotate upward around a hinge 17 provided on the control box 15 side of the top surface of the main body housing 11.

[0013] A label supply shaft 18 for holding label roll paper 19 is provided inside the main body housing 11 of the printer device 10. The label supply shaft 18 rotatably holds the label roll paper 19. Here, the label roll paper 19 is configured by temporarily attaching peelable labels to a backing sheet.

[0014] Also provided inside the main body housing 11 of the printer device 10 are a ribbon supply shaft 21 and a ribbon take-up shaft 22, which are examples of ink ribbon shafts for holding the ink ribbon 23. One end of the ribbon supply shaft 21 and the ribbon take-up shaft 22 has a cantilever structure supported by a wall surface on the control box 15 side of the main body housing 11, and the other end is a free end.

[0015] At the free end side of the ribbon supply shaft 21, a positioning pin 211 is provided as an engaging part that fits into a positioning hole 831 of the upper plate 83, which will be described later. At the free end side of the ribbon take-up shaft 22, a positioning pin 221 is provided as an engaging part that fits into a positioning hole 832 of the upper plate 83, which will be described later.

[0016] 5 and 6, an ink ribbon 23 is attached to the ribbon supply shaft 21 and the ribbon take-up shaft 22. The ribbon supply shaft 21 and the ribbon take-up shaft 22 are driven by a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The ribbon take-up shaft 22 is driven to rotate by the drive source, thereby taking up the ink ribbon 23 transported in the forward direction. Note that the "forward direction" refers to the direction in which the label roll paper 19 is transported by the pinch roller block 50 and the platen roller unit 70, that is, the direction from the upstream side of the transport direction (+Y direction) to the downstream side of the transport direction (-Y direction).

[0017] Also housed inside the main body housing 11 are a pinch roller block 50, a print head unit 60, and a platen roller unit 70. The pinch roller block 50 has pinch rollers for transporting the label roll paper 19, a drive source for driving the pinch rollers to rotate, a drive train, etc. (none of which are shown).

[0018] The print head unit 60 is an example of a print head unit, and is provided below the ribbon supply shaft 21 and the ribbon take-up shaft 22. The print head unit 60 has a thermal head, a drive unit for driving the thermal head, a pressing mechanism for raising and lowering the thermal head, etc. (none of which are shown).

[0019] The platen roller unit 70 is an example of a platen roller unit, and is provided below the print head unit 60 and fixed to the main body housing 11. The platen roller unit 70 forms a gap between it and the print head unit 60 for passing the ink ribbon 23 and label roll paper 19. The platen roller unit 70 has a platen roller, a drive source and drive train for driving the platen roller to rotate, etc. (none of which are shown).

[0020] When printing on the label roll paper 19, the printer device 10 presses the thermal head against the platen roller with the label roll paper 19 and ink ribbon 23 interposed between the thermal head and the platen roller. The printer device 10 then rotates the pinch roller and platen roller to transport the label roll paper 19 and ink ribbon 23 from upstream to downstream in the transport direction. The printer device 10 also supplies a print signal to the thermal head while transporting the label roll paper 19 and ink ribbon 23. This causes the heating element in the thermal head to heat up, printing on the label on the label roll paper 19. The printer device 10 then ejects the printed label to the outside through the ejection port 12.

[0021] The pinch roller block 50 has a cantilever structure supported by a rotating shaft (not shown) provided on the wall surface on the control box 15 side. The print head unit 60 also has a cantilever structure supported by a rotating shaft (not shown) provided on the wall surface on the control box 15 side.

[0022] One or more positioning pins 61 are provided on the side surface of the free end of the print head unit 60 as engaging parts that fit into positioning holes 821 in the lower plate 82, which will be described later. Similarly, one or more positioning pins 71 are provided on the side surface of the platen roller unit 70 as engaging parts that fit into positioning holes 822 in the lower plate 82, which will be described later.

[0023] The free ends of the ribbon supply shaft 21, ribbon take-up shaft 22, and print head unit 60 are fixed to the main body housing 11 (platen roller unit 70) by a plate-shaped holding side plate 80 that can be opened and closed by a first hinge portion 81. Specifically, various positioning pins (described below) provided on the free end sides of the ribbon supply shaft 21, ribbon take-up shaft 22, and print head unit 60 are fitted into positioning holes in the holding side plate 80, thereby fixing them to the platen roller unit 70 via the holding side plate 80. Note that Figures 2 and 5 show the holding side plate 80 in a closed state. Also, Figures 3 and 6 show the holding side plate 80 in an open state (hereinafter also referred to as the open state).

[0024] The holding side plate 80 is an example of a holding side plate. The lower end of the holding side plate 80 is connected to the platen roller unit 70 by a first hinge portion 81. The first hinge portion 81 holds the holding side plate 80 rotatably in directions toward and away from the free ends of the ribbon supply shaft 21, the ribbon take-up shaft 22, and the print head unit 60, thereby realizing a closed state in which the positions of the free ends are fixed, and an open state in which the fixation is released.

[0025] The holding side plate 80 has a lower plate 82 and an upper plate 83 that are divided into two in the height direction of the main body housing 11, and the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 can be folded in half.

[0026] Specifically, the lower end side of the lower plate 82 is connected to the platen roller unit 70 via a first hinge portion 81. The lower plate 82 is rotatable around the first hinge portion 81 toward the outside in the width direction of the main body housing 11 (+X direction). In addition, a second hinge portion 84 is provided on the upper end side of the lower plate 82. The lower end side of the upper plate 83 is connected to the lower plate 82 via the second hinge portion 84. The upper plate 83 is rotatable around the second hinge portion 84 toward the inside in the width direction of the main body housing 11 (-X direction). In other words, the second hinge portion 84 allows the holding side plate 80 to fold the upper plate 83 toward the wall surface on the control box 15 side.

[0027] The lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 are configured so that their outer surfaces are flush when the printer 10 is in an upright position (see FIG. 2). Here, the "outer surfaces" of the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 refer to the surfaces located on the outside of the printer 10 when the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 are in an upright position in the height direction of the printer 10. The "inner surfaces" of the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 refer to the surfaces located on the inside of the printer 10 when the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 are in an upright position in the height direction of the printer 10. The outer surface of the upper plate 83 is provided with a handle 85 that can be used to hold the holding side panel 80 when opening and closing it.

[0028] To open the holding side plates 80, the user rotates the lower plate 82 outward in the width direction of the main body housing 11 while rotating the upper plate 83 inward in the width direction of the main body housing 11 (see arrows A and B in FIG. 3). This causes the holding side plates 80 to be in a state where the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 are folded. Note that FIGS. 2 and 5 show the holding side plates 80 in a closed state, and FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 show the holding side plates 80 in an open state.

[0029] 4, it can be seen that the amount by which the holding side plate 80 protrudes from the main body housing 11 when it is open is within the size of the lower plate 82. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the holding side plate 80 is a single flat plate, the amount by which the holding side plate 80 protrudes from the main body housing 11 when it is open can be reduced in the printer device 10 of this embodiment. In other words, the footprint of the printer device 10 when the holding side plate 80 is open can be reduced.

[0030] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the holding side plate 80. Figures 7 and 8 are enlarged views of a portion around the holding side plate 80 shown in Figure 2.

[0031] 7 and 8, the lower plate 82 is provided with positioning holes 821 into which positioning pins 61 provided on the print head unit 60 are fitted. The lower plate 82 also has positioning holes 822 into which positioning pins 71 provided on the platen roller unit 70 are fitted. The lower plate 82 is also provided with positioning holes 823 into which positioning pins 833 (see FIGS. 14 and 15) provided on the outer surface of the upper plate 83 are fitted.

[0032] On the other hand, the upper plate 83 is provided with positioning holes 831 and 832 into which positioning pins 211 and 221 provided at the ends of the ribbon supply shaft 21 and the ribbon take-up shaft 22 are fitted.

[0033] The positioning holes in the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 are located at positions that face the positioning pins of the ribbon supply shaft 21, the ribbon take-up shaft 22, the print head unit 60, and the platen roller unit 70 when the holding side plate 80 is closed.

[0034] More specifically, the positioning holes in the lower plate 82 and upper plate 83 are designed to maintain the proper positioning of the ribbon supply shaft 21, ribbon take-up shaft 22, and free ends of the print head unit 60 relative to the platen roller unit 70. When the holding side plates 80 are closed, the various positioning pins fit into and engage with the corresponding positioning holes. This allows the holding side plates 80 to fix the relative positions of the ribbon supply shaft 21, ribbon take-up shaft 22, and free ends of the print head unit 60 relative to the platen roller unit 70. The holding side plates 80 may also be configured to fix the pinch roller block 50 in the same manner as the print head unit 60, etc.

[0035] A handle portion 85 provided on the outer surface of the upper plate 83 is configured to be slidable in a direction toward and away from the lower plate 82. Hereinafter, based on the state in which the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 are upright, the sliding direction away from the lower plate 82 will also be referred to as the "up" direction, and the sliding direction toward the lower plate 82 will also be referred to as the "down" direction.

[0036] The handle 85 is connected to a shutter 87 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) provided on the inner surface of the upper plate 83 via a slit provided in the upper plate 83. The shutter 87 moves up and down in response to the sliding operation of the handle 85 in the up and down direction. Note that FIG. 7 shows the state in which the handle 85 has been slid up. Also, FIG. 8 shows the state in which the handle 85 has been slid down.

[0037] Here, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the upper plate 83 in the state shown in Fig. 7, as seen from the direction D. Also, Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the upper plate 83 shown in Fig. 8, as seen from the direction D.

[0038] 9 and 10, a lock arm 86 and a shutter portion 87 are provided on the inner surface side of the upper plate 83. The lock arm 86 is a columnar rigid body, and is provided integrally with the shutter portion 87.

[0039] The shutter portion 87 is a flat plate-like member provided along the inner wall surface of the upper plate 83. The shutter portion 87 is joined to the handle portion 85 with joining members such as screws, and moves up and down in conjunction with the sliding operation of the handle portion 85. When the handle portion 85 is slid upward, the shutter portion 87 closes positioning holes 831 and 832, which are an example of holes provided in the upper plate 83. When the handle portion 85 is slid downward, the shutter portion 87 opens the positioning holes 831 and 832.

[0040] Furthermore, the lock arm 86 moves vertically together with the shutter portion 87 in conjunction with the sliding operation of the handle portion 85. The lock arm 86 is configured so that, when the handle portion 85 is lowered, the tip portion (lower end portion) of the lock arm 86 reaches and engages with a mating portion 88 of the lower plate 82. The lock arm 86, the shutter portion 87, and the mating portion 88 are an example of a lock mechanism.

[0041] The engagement portion 88 is provided at the upper end of the inner surface of the lower plate 82, and engages with the tip of the lock arm 86 when the handle portion 85 is lowered. Fig. 11 is a partial enlarged view of the vicinity of the engagement portion 88 (broken line area F) shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a partial enlarged view of the vicinity of the engagement portion 88 (broken line area F) shown in Fig. 10.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 11, the mating portion 88 includes a matable member 881 that forms a recess into which the locking arm 86 fits. When the locking arm 86 is moved upward, it is not mated with the matable member 881 and is independent of the lower plate 82. In other words, when the handle portion 85 is pulled upward, the holding side plate 80 can fold the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 12, when the locking arm 86 moves downward, its tip fits into the recess formed by the matable member 881.

[0043] That is, when the handle portion 85 of the holding side plate 80 is pulled downward, the holding side plate 80 enters a locked state in which the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 are fixed in a flush state. When the handle portion 85 of the holding side plate 80 is pulled upward, the locked state is released and the holding side plate 80 enters an unlocked state in which the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 can be folded.

[0044] Furthermore, a lower end 851 of the handle 85 is configured to overlap the outer surface of the lower plate 82 when slid downward. Here, Fig. 13 is a view of the periphery of the lower end of the handle 85 shown in Figs. 7 and 8, as seen from the direction of arrow E.

[0045] 13, the corners of the lower end 851 of the handle 85 are chamfered, forming an overall tapered shape. More specifically, the corner of the lower end 851 of the handle 85 that faces the outer surface of the upper plate 83 is formed in an inclined surface shape.

[0046] When the handle portion 85 is pushed down in the G direction, the inclined surface formed on the lower end portion 851 of the handle portion 85 comes into contact with the upper end portion of the lower plate 82. Furthermore, as the handle portion 85 moves in the G direction, the upper end portion of the lower plate 82 slides along the inclined surface of the lower end portion 851, thereby moving in the H direction. With this configuration, in the holding side plate 80, when the handle portion 85 is pushed down in the G direction, a force acts to make the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 flush with each other.

[0047] When closing the holding side plate 80 configured as described above, which is in an open state, the user slides the handle portion 85 upward and then stands the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 in the vertical direction of the printer device 10.

[0048] At this time, the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 abut against the ribbon supply shaft 21 and the ribbon take-up shaft 22 in a slightly bent, dogleg-shaped state. If the positioning pins 211 and 221 come into contact with the positioning holes 831 and 832 formed in the upper plate 83 in this state, the tips of the positioning pins 211 and 221 may become galled, potentially causing the upper plate 83 to fail to reach its normal position, resulting in a misfit. However, in the printer device 10 of this embodiment, as described above, when the handle portion 85 is slid upward, the shutter portion 87 integrated with the lock arm 86 closes the positioning holes 831 and 832. Therefore, in the holding side plate 80 of this embodiment, when the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 are not flush with each other, the shutter portion 87 closes the positioning holes 831 and 832, preventing a misfit.

[0049] Furthermore, when the user slides the handle portion 85 downward with the positioning pins 211 and 221 in contact with the shutter portion 87, the tapered shape of the lower end portion 851 of the handle portion 85 acts to make the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 flush. As the handle portion 85 slides downward, the shutter portion 87 opens the positioning holes 831 and 832. Accordingly, each of the positioning pins, including the positioning pins 211 and 221, is fixed to the upper plate 83 at an appropriate position, and the tip of the lock arm 86 engages with the engagement portion 88, locking the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83. As a result, the holding side plate 80 closes the free ends of the positioning pins 211 and 221 and the print head unit 60, with the units fixed to the platen roller unit 70.

[0050] To open the holding side plates 80 that are closed, the user slides the handle 85 upward to unlock the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 and release the various positioning pins. Then, the user folds the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 to keep the holding side plates 80 in the open state.

[0051] By adopting the above configuration, the printer device 10 can open the holding side plates 80 while minimizing the occupied area when opened. Furthermore, the printer device 10 improves operability in opening and closing the holding side plates 80, and can reliably position the ribbon supply shaft 21, ribbon take-up shaft 22, and print head unit 60. Specifically, the user can grasp the handle 85 to open and close the device with one hand, thereby improving operability.

[0052] As described above, the lock arm 86 provided on the upper plate 83 engages with the mating portion 88 of the lower plate 82 when the handle portion 85 is lowered. Therefore, for example, when the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 are folded together (see FIG. 3), if the upper plate 83 is raised with the handle portion 85 lowered, the lock arm 86 and the mating portion 88 (the mated member 881) may interfere with each other, possibly causing damage or other problems.

[0053] Therefore, the holding side plate 80 of this embodiment has a structure for preventing interference between the lock arm 86 and the mating portion 88. Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 14 to 16, the structure of the holding side plate 80 for preventing interference between the lock arm 86 and the mating portion 88 will be described.

[0054] Figures 14 and 15 are perspective views of the holding side plate 80 shown in Figure 3, viewed from direction C. Here, Figure 14 shows a state in which the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 are folded, and Figure 15 shows a state in which the upper plate 83 is unfolded in the direction of arrow I from the state shown in Figure 14. Also, Figure 16 is a view of the holding side plate 80 shown in Figures 14 and 15, viewed from direction J.

[0055] 14, 15, and 16, a convex guide portion 824 is provided on the upper end of the inner wall surface of the lower plate 82. The guide portion 824 has a chamfered curved surface, and is provided at a position corresponding to the lower end 851 of the handle portion 85. Specifically, the guide portion 824 has a curved surface shape throughout the height direction of the lower plate 82.

[0056] When upper plate 83 rises in direction I in Fig. 15, lower end 851 of handle portion 85 of upper plate 83 abuts against guide portion 824, as shown in Fig. 16(a). Also, lower end 851 of handle portion 85 slides along guide portion 824, and handle portion 85 moves in direction L in the figure, thereby pushing up handle portion 85. Then, as shown in Fig. 16(c), upper plate 83 moves in direction M, and positioning pin 833 of upper plate 83 fits into positioning hole 823 provided in lower plate 82, and lower plate 82 and upper plate 83 become unfolded.

[0057] With the above-described configuration, even if the upper plate 83 is raised while the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 are folded and the handle portion 85 is lowered, the handle portion 85 is automatically pushed up, preventing interference between the lock arm 86 and the mating portion 88. As a result, even when the lower plate 82 and the upper plate 83 are unfolded by grasping a location other than the handle portion 85, the lock arm 86 and the mating portion 88 do not interfere with each other, and the plates can be unfolded smoothly.

[0058] As described above, in the printer device 10 of this embodiment, the ribbon supply shaft 21, the ribbon take-up shaft 22, and the free end of the print head unit 60 are fixed openably and closably by the holding side plates 80, and the holding side plates 80 are configured to be foldable when in the open state. This allows the printer device 10 to reduce the occupied area when open, making it convenient to open the free end for replacing the ink ribbon 23, etc.

[0059] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments and their modifications can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10 Printer device 11 Main body housing 12 Outlet 13 Input section 14 Display 15 Control box 16 Cover 17 Hinge 18 Label supply shaft 19 Label roll paper 21 Ribbon supply shaft 22 Ribbon winding shaft 23 Ink ribbon 50 Pinch roller block 60 Print head unit 70 Platen roller unit 80 Holding side plate 81 First hinge part 82 Lower Plate 83 Lower Plate 84 Second hinge part 85 Handle 86 Lock Arm 87 Shutter section 88 Engagement part 881 Engaged parts [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0061] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-251873

Claims

1. A main body housing; an ink ribbon shaft for feeding and winding the ink ribbon, the ink ribbon shaft being held in a cantilevered structure on one side of the main body housing; a print head unit supported in a cantilever structure below the ink ribbon shaft and on the one side of the main body housing; a platen roller unit provided below the print head unit and forming a gap between the print head unit and the platen roller unit for inserting and transporting the ink ribbon and paper; a plate-shaped holding side plate for fixing the relative positions of the ink ribbon shaft and the free end of the print head unit with respect to the platen roller unit; a first hinge portion that connects a lower end of the holding side plate to the platen roller unit and holds the holding side plate rotatably in a direction toward and away from the free end, thereby realizing a closed state in which the relative position is fixed and an open state in which the fixation is released; Equipped with The holding side plate has a lower plate and an upper plate that are divided into two in the height direction of the main housing, and a second hinge portion that connects the plates and is configured to be able to fold the upper plate in the direction of one side.

2. a handle portion provided on an outer surface of the upper plate and slidable in a direction toward and away from the lower plate; a locking mechanism that, in conjunction with a sliding operation of the handle portion, realizes a locked state in which the upper plate and the lower plate are fixed to a flush state and an unlocked state in which the fixation is released; The printer device of claim 1 further comprising:

3. the upper plate has a hole into which a positioning pin provided at the free end of the ink ribbon shaft is fitted in the closed state; The locking mechanism opens and closes the hole in conjunction with the sliding operation of the handle.

3. The printer device according to claim 2.

4. a lower end of the handle portion formed in a tapered shape, and by sliding the handle portion in a direction approaching the lower plate, the lower end abuts against an upper end of the outer surface of the lower plate, thereby moving the lower plate in a direction in which the surface becomes flush with the lower plate; 3. The printer device according to claim 2.

5. a chamfered guide portion is provided on the upper end of the inner surface of the lower plate; When the upper plate is moved in the direction to become flush with the folded state, the guide portion abuts against a lower end of the handle portion and moves the handle portion in a direction away from the lower plate.

3. The printer device according to claim 2.

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