Paper guide mechanism of printer

Abstract

A printer is provided with a printer body that includes a paper roll holder; first and second paper guides that come in contact with both end surfaces of a paper roll in the paper roll holder and prevent a positional shift of the paper roll in a central axis direction; first and second guide rails that restrict movement directions of the first and second paper guides so as to allow the first and second paper guides to slide in the central axis direction of the paper roll; and a link lever that connects the first paper guide and the second paper guide. The link lever enables the first and second paper guides to slide in conjunction with each other and to move closer to or away from each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A paper guide mechanism of a printer comprising:
 a printer body that includes a paper roll holder;   first and second paper guides that come in contact with both end surfaces, respectively, of a paper roll in the paper roll holder and prevent a positional shift of the paper roll in a central axis direction;   first and second guide rails that restrict movement directions of the first and second paper guides so as to allow the first and second paper guides to slide in the central axis direction of the paper roll; and   a link lever that connects the first paper guide and the second paper guide, wherein   the first and second paper guides engage with one end of a longitudinal side of the link lever and the other end, respectively,   a central portion of the longitudinal side of the link lever is pivotally supported on the printer body via a rotation shaft, and   the link lever enables the first and second paper guides to slide in conjunction with each other and to move closer to or away from each other.   
     
     
         2 . The paper guide mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  further includes a cover that opens or closes the paper roll holder, wherein
 the cover includes a ratchet section that is fitted onto the first paper guide and the second paper guide when the cover is closed and fix positions of the first and second paper guides. 
 
     
     
         3 . The paper guide mechanism as claimed in claim wherein
 the link lever includes a plate spring section, and   the plate spring section engages, in a frictional manner, with an uneven surface that is located in a pressing direction thereof and is provided on a side of the printer body.   
     
     
         4 . The paper guide mechanism as claimed in claim wherein
 the first and second paper guides are identical in shape, and the first and second paper guides are dyad symmetrical.   
     
     
         5 . The paper guide mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  further includes:
 a third guide rail that is disposed on an extension of the second guide rail and restricts the movement direction of the first paper guide so as to allow the first paper guide to slide in the central axis direction of the paper roll; and 
 a fourth guide rail that is disposed on an extension of the first guide rail and restricts the movement direction of the second paper guide so as to allow the second paper guide to slide in the central axis direction of the paper roll, wherein 
 the first paper guide includes a first fitting portion that is fitted onto the first guide rail, and a second fitting portion that is fitted onto the third guide rail, 
 the second paper guide includes a third fitting portion that is fitted onto the second guide rail, and a fourth fitting portion that is fitted onto the fourth guide rail, 
 the first and third fitting portions are C-shaped or O-shaped in cross section in order not to allow the first and third fitting portions to be detached in a direction perpendicular to extending directions of the first and second guide rails, and 
 the second and fourth fitting portions are U-shaped in cross section in order to allow the second and fourth fitting portions to be attached or detached in a direction perpendicular to extending directions of the third and fourth guide rails. 
 
     
     
         6 . The paper guide mechanism as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein
 the first to fourth guide rails are formed integrally with the printer body.