| (57) A printhead cartridge and carriage assembly (10) is provided comprising:
(a) a carriage (12);
(b) a snap-spring (62) for securing a printing cartridge (14) in position on the
carriage; and
(c) an interconnect strip (16) for supplying electrical signals to the cartridge,
including a force loading spring pad (24) for urging a portion of the interconnect
strip (1b) against a portion of the cartridge.
The cartridge has top (32), bottom (34), sides (36, 38), front (40) and rear (42)
surfaces and includes a printhead (44) on the bottom surface, an electrical contact
strip (46) on the back surface connected to the printhead (44), referencing pads (56)
on the side surfaces, and a lip (64) on the back surface for accepting the snap-spring
(62).
Referencing surfaces (60) are provided for receiving the referencing pads on the
cartridge. The spring pad (24) urges the interconnect strip (16) against the electrical
contact of the cartridge.
The printhead cartridge/carriage assembly of the invention requires only one hand
of the operator to both insert and lock the cartridge in position. Further, the cartridge/carriage
assembly (10) provides simultaneous alignment of the printhead (44) in the X, Y,
and Z directions. Finally, contact between the printhead (44) and the interconnect
strip (16) is reliably made each time the cartridge is inserted and locked in position,
thereby ensuring proper nozzle firing each time.
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