HK1008196B - Printing apparatus comprising plural printing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Printing device with multiple printing mechanisms

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus with a plurality of printing mechanisms, which can perform various different printing processes such as receipt printing and running record printing. Particularly, the printer is suitable for constructing an information processing station such as POS.

Conventionally, a freely configurable POS station is widely used in an installation environment suitable for the scale of a ticket office and a store, the arrangement of a computer, and the like by combining devices such as a display, a plotter, a printer, a detection reader, and the like, which are personal computer centers. As one type of printer suitable for such a POS station, a multifunction printer having both a receipt printing function for printing a receipt delivered to a customer and an operation record printing function for printing an operation record for controlling a shop is widely used. Fig.7 shows an example of a printer that can perform receipt printing and run record printing. The receipt printer 10 for printing receipts and the operation record printer 20 for printing operation records in the printer 1 of this example are arranged in parallel in the lateral direction of the printer 1. A receipt printing roll paper 11 is attached to the rear of the receipt printing unit 10, and receipt paper from the roll paper 11 is supplied to the printing unit 10, and is discharged from the discharge port 2 to the outside of the printer 1 after receipt printing. On the other hand, a running record printing roll paper 21 is attached behind the running record printing unit 20, and a winding reel 22 for collecting the running record paper subjected to printing is attached behind the roll paper 21. The running recording paper from the roll paper 21 is supplied to the running recording printing unit 20, is printed, is guided to the rear of the printer 1, and is wound by the winding reel 22.

In recent years, since POS stations are introduced into small-scale stores and ticket offices with narrow spaces and the area occupied by the POS stations is greatly restricted, it is necessary to reduce the size of each device constituting the POS station and to appropriately combine a plurality of devices. On the other hand, the equipment constituting the POS station should be sufficient to allow easy operation by the operator without causing erroneous operation. And also needs to be easily repaired when a failure occurs, without a service barrier.

The printer 1 for POS stations shown in fig.7 is a multifunction printer having receipt printing and operation record printing, and is effective in reducing the number of devices for constructing POS stations, thereby reducing the installation area. However, when the POS station is constructed in a narrower space, the POS station is not formed in a shape that is excellent in space efficiency. In other words, the receipt printer 10 and the operation record printer 20 of the printer 1 shown in fig.7 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction, and the overall shape thereof is approximately square. Therefore, it is difficult to arrange a personal computer, a display, and the like adjacent to each other in the lateral direction on a plotter, for example, and a phenomenon of wasting a space is likely to occur in arrangement of a POS station. Further, even in the printer 1, since the roll paper 21 is arranged opposite to the winding reel 22 behind the operation recording and printing unit 20 and only the roll paper 11 is arranged behind the receipt printing unit 10, a part of the space corresponding to the winding reel 22 cannot be effectively used.

In the printer 1 having the configuration in which the roll papers 11 and 21 are arranged in the lateral direction, the width of the paper needs to be reduced in order to reduce the width of the printer itself. In this way, the number of possible printing bits is reduced, and there is a drawback that, for example, the presentation of the receipt issuance, the shop name, the comic character, the service, and the like, and the presentation of the details of the product name, the amount of money, and the like on the receipt are restricted, that is, a drawback that the printing expression is not good occurs.

On the other hand, in order to eliminate such a drawback, a printer in which the receipt printing section and the operation record printing section are arranged vertically with each other is disclosed in japanese utility model laid-open No. 12863/93.

However, according to this type of printer, since the running record printing section is provided below the roll paper for receipts, and the transport path for the running recording paper is provided at a position that is not visible to the user, the printed result cannot be visually confirmed after printing the running recording paper. Therefore, regardless of whether the operation record result is correct, the print processing of the data of the next customer is started, and the original purpose of the operation record for controlling the storage of the shop cannot be achieved.

The invention provides a printing device which can make a printing device with two functions of receipt printing and operation record printing more compact and effectively use narrow space to construct POS station, and can ensure the printing result of operation record to be correct. Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus which has operability and maintainability and can achieve a saving in setting space.

Therefore, in the present invention, the two printing units and the space for placing the printing paper supplied to the two printing units are provided in a substantially straight line in the front-rear direction, so that a longitudinally long printing apparatus can be obtained, and the result can be confirmed before the printing result is saved, so that the printing apparatus with high reliability can be provided in combination with a personal computer or the like on a plotter or in the remaining space for the POS area.

In other words, the printing apparatus of the present invention includes: a printing mechanism for arranging first and second printing mechanisms for printing on first and second recording media, respectively, in a vertical arrangement, a medium mounting portion for mounting the first recording medium printed by the first printing mechanism, and a recording medium path for connecting the first printing mechanism having a path defined by the recording medium to the medium mounting portion, the printing mechanism comprising: a first cover for covering at least the recording medium path; an opening part is arranged on the first cover, so that the printing result printed on the first recording medium can be seen from the outside.

In this case, at least one of the first and second recording media is a web, and at least one of the webs is disposed substantially linearly between the first and second printing mechanisms. Thus, the recording medium path for feeding the recording medium from the first printing means can be easily led to the recording medium exposing portion.

In this case, the first printing mechanism further includes: the printing head, the printing roller facing the printing head through the recording medium and the printing part opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the printing head and the printing roller mutually can be operated when the roll paper arranged between the first printing mechanism and the second printing mechanism is removed. Thus, the recording medium fragments sandwiched between the print head and the platen can be easily removed.

When the first recording medium is a roll paper, the recording medium, the first printing mechanism, and the medium mounting portion are disposed substantially in a straight line. Further, when the second recording medium is a roll paper, at least one of the first and second recording media is disposed between the first and second printing mechanisms, and the first and second recording media and the first and second printing mechanisms are disposed substantially linearly. Thus, the recording medium path for feeding the recording medium from the first printing means can be easily led to the recording medium exposing portion.

Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention includes, in addition to the above configuration: a housing for mounting at least a recording medium, a printing mechanism, a medium mounting portion and a recording medium path; a first cover openably and closably provided on the housing and exposing at least the recording medium, the printing mechanism, the medium mounting portion, and the recording medium path in an open state. Thus, all the necessary elements constituting the printing apparatus can be exposed by opening the first cover. The recording medium exposure portion is an opening provided in the first cover. With this configuration, the visibility of the exposed portion of the recording medium can be improved.

In this case, when the second recording medium is a roll paper, the printing apparatus further includes: a cutting mechanism installed in the casing for cutting the recording medium, and a second cover openably and closably provided at the front part of the casing and exposing the cutting mechanism in an open state. With this structure, the recording medium fragments clamped by the cutting mechanism can be easily removed. In this case, of course, the web is disposed somewhat linearly between the first and second printing mechanisms. The cutting mechanism is provided so as to be openable and closable in a state where the second cover is opened, and the second printing mechanism can be exposed in a state where the cutting mechanism is opened. According to this structure, maintenance of the second printing mechanism can be performed from the front of the printing apparatus. The second printing mechanism includes a printing head, a platen facing the printing head via a recording medium, and a printing section opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the printing head and the platen with respect to each other, and the printing section opening/closing mechanism is operable when the second printing mechanism is exposed. Thus, the recording medium fragments held between the print head and the platen can be easily removed.

The printing apparatus of the present invention has the following components in addition to the above-described configuration. That is, the first and second printing mechanisms include at least: the printer includes a base frame, a print head supported on the base frame, a platen supported on the base frame so as to be opposed to the print head via a recording medium, and a recording medium transport mechanism supported on the base frame and transporting the recording medium past the print head. According to this configuration, since the printing mechanism can be mounted in a compact configuration, the length of the printing apparatus in the front-rear direction can be shortened. Further, the first printing mechanism is provided at a position higher than the second printing mechanism, whereby the visibility of the recording medium exposure portion provided on the recording medium path fed from the first printing mechanism can be improved. Further, the first and second printing mechanisms are interchangeable. Therefore, the operation and maintenance method is universal, the components are universal, and the practicability is high.

Fig.1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig.2 is a perspective view showing a structure in which an upper case of the printer shown in fig.1 is opened.

Fig.3 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the printer shown in fig. 1.

Fig.4 is a bottom view of the printer shown in fig.1, viewed from the bottom.

Fig.5 is a schematic diagram showing a structure in which a front case of the printer shown in fig.1 is in an open state.

Fig.6 is a schematic view showing a state of adjusting the roll paper of the printer shown in fig. 1.

Fig.7 is a perspective view of a printer in which a conventional receipt printing unit and a run-length recording printing unit are arranged side by side.

The invention is further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and by way of example. Fig.1 shows a schematic configuration of a printer 5 of the embodiment of the present invention. Fig.2 shows the upper case 32 of the printer 5 in an opened state, and fig.3 shows a schematic structure of the printer 5 in a sectional view. The printer 5 of the present embodiment is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending from a front 6a to a rear 6c, and the whole is covered with a plastic case 30. The casing 30 includes a lower casing 31 for housing the mechanisms of the printer 5, an upper casing 32 which is opposed to the lower casing 31 and is openable and closable in the upward direction 6b, and a front casing 33 which is openable and closable in the forward direction 6 a. A monitor window 34 for performing a re-correction after confirming a print result of an operation record described later is provided at a substantially central position of the upper case 32. The discharge port 35 is formed by the front case and the upper case, and discharges the printed receipt roll paper from the front of the upper part of the front case 33 when the front case 33 is closed with respect to the lower case 31.

An opening is formed in a portion of the right side of the upper case 32 by a notch so as to expose the operation panel 36 attached to the lower case 31. The printer 5 of the present embodiment can be manually operated by the power switch 37 and the operation panel 36 provided on the front side 6a of the lower case 31.

As shown in fig.2 and 3, the printer 5 of the present example is divided into two large sections from the front 6 a. The front section is a section for printing receipts, and includes an auto cutter 19 for automatically cutting receipts printed from the front side 6a, a receipt printing unit 10 for printing receipts, and a roll paper placement unit 17 for placing the roll paper 11 for printing receipts. The rear section is a section for performing operation recording printing, and is provided with an operation recording printing unit 20 for performing operation recording printing from the front 6a side, a roll paper placing unit 27 for placing the operation recording printing roll paper 21, and a winding roll placing unit 29 for placing the winding roll 22, and the winding roll 22 is used for winding and storing the printed operation recording paper.

The receipt printer section 10 and the operation record printer section 20 of the printer 5 of this embodiment employ a printing mechanism 50 having the same configuration. The printing mechanism 50 is a flat device including a platen roller 51, a thermal head base plate 52 for pressing a thermal paper for printing against the platen roller 51 and performing printing, a roller 53 for guiding a roll paper on the platen roller 51, a motor 56 which is connected to the platen roller 51 via a gear train not shown and rotationally drives the platen roller 51 at a predetermined speed, and a support base 55 for supporting these elements, and the support base 55 is mounted on a base substantially perpendicular to the casing 38 in the lower housing 31. A knob 58 and a lever 59 for manually rotating the platen roller 51 are attached to the right side viewed from the front of the platen roller 51, that is, the side on which the operation panel 36 is provided, and the lever 59 is used to reduce a load that the motor 56 is disconnected when the platen roller 51 is rotated by the knob 58. In other words, the operating mechanism for manually operating the printer is disposed collectively on one side, particularly the right side, of the printer. This makes it easy for the operator to operate and can be operated with one hand.

Further, a guide plate 54 is attached above the printing cylinder 51 to guide the printed roll paper when guiding the roll paper rearward. A lever 57 for opening the printing unit is attached to the opposite end portion 52a of the thermal head substrate 52 on the side in contact with the platen roller 51, and the thermal head substrate 52 can be separated from the platen roller 51 by rotating the lever 57. Thereby opening the paper path inside the printing mechanism 50 in a large outward direction. When a paper jam occurs inside the printing mechanism 50, the jammed paper piece can be simply removed by opening the paper path by rotating the lever 57.

In the printing mechanism 50 mounted on the receipt printing unit 10, the receipt paper 12 from the receipt printing roll paper 11 is guided by the guide roller 53, and the receipt printing roll paper 11 is mounted on the roll paper mounting unit 17 located behind the receipt printing unit 10. The receipt paper 12 is then guided to the platen roller 51, and reaches the printing portion 52b of the thermal head substrate 52 with the rotation of the platen roller 51, where receipt printing is performed. The receipt paper 12, which has passed along the guide blade 19a extending from the auto-cutter 19 located in front of the receipt printer 10 toward the platen roller 51, is introduced into the cutter unit 19b of the auto-cutter 19. Then, the receipt paper 12 is discharged from the discharge port 35 of the case 30 located in front of the cutter portion 19b to the outside of the printer 5 through the cutter portion 19 b. The receipt paper 12 is printed by the receipt printing unit 10, discharged from the printer 5 when printing is completed, and then automatically cut by the cutter unit 19b of the auto-cutter 19, so that the printed receipt can be delivered to the customer.

On the other hand, in the printing mechanism 50 mounted on the operation record printing section 20, the roll paper 21 from the operation record printing roll paper placement section 27 located behind the printing mechanism 50 is supplied to the impression cylinder 51 via the guide roller 53. The running recording paper 23 is passed through the printing portion 52b of the thermal head base plate 52 by the rotation of the platen roller 51, running recording printing is performed, and then, the running recording paper is guided to the rear of the running recording printing mechanism 50 through the upper side of the guide plate 54. The printed running recording paper 23 is wound by the winding drum 22 provided in the winding drum mounting unit 29 behind the roll paper mounting unit 27. In the winding-spool setting section 29, a spool holder 25 for supporting the spool 22a of the winding spool 22, a motor 26 for driving the winding spool 22, and a gear train 28 for transmission are provided in order to wind the printed running recording paper 23 by the rotation of the winding spool 22.

Further, a monitor window 34 for visually checking the print result of the running recording paper 23 is provided at a position substantially above the guide plate 54 of the printing mechanism 50. Therefore, the operator can monitor the print result of the running record through the monitoring window 34, and can mark, memo, correct the record, and the like on the running record sheet by pressing the guide plate 54 downward. Further, since the printing mechanism 50 provided in the operation recording printing section 20 of the present embodiment is fixed to the housing at a position higher than the receipt printing section 10, the operation recording sheet 23 is not only brought close to the monitoring window 34 to facilitate monitoring, but also to facilitate memorandum entry and the like.

In the printer 50 of the present embodiment, a print control board 62 and a connector 63 for transmitting and receiving data and control signals are disposed on a base 61 below the receipt printing unit 10 and the receipt printing roll paper placement unit 17. The connector 63 is disposed to face the rear side 6c of the printer 5 as a whole. Further, a space 65 for housing a cable is provided below the housing unit 27 for running the roll paper for recording and printing, the space being formed by extending only both side walls of the printer 5 downward. Therefore, as shown in fig.4, cables 66 and 67 for transmitting print data and control signals can be connected to the connectors 63a and 63b by the cable housing space 65. Therefore, the plug 66a of the cable or the like does not protrude from the rear of the printer 5, and the printer 5 of the present embodiment can be disposed in a sealed manner with a wall surface or other equipment. Further, since the connection portion of the cable is not exposed to the outside, and the cable in the housing space 65 does not need to be disposed so as to be very bent, it is possible to prevent the cable from being disconnected from the connector or from being broken. Further, by providing the slit 31a in the extension of the side wall of the printer 5, the interface cable can be laterally taken out from the slit 31a according to the position of the printer.

In this way, the printer 5 of the present embodiment arranges the receipt printing unit 10, the receipt printing roll paper placement unit 17, the operation record printing unit 20, the operation record printing roll paper placement unit 27, and the placement unit 29 for winding the roll of the operation recording paper after printing in a line from the front 6a to the rear 6 c. Therefore, the printer 5 having the dual functions of receipt printing and running record printing can be made small in size with a small width while ensuring the width of each sheet. Since the mounting unit 29 of the winding reel is disposed behind the operation record printing unit 20, additional writing can be performed while observing the printing result through the monitoring window 36 with the naked eye.

In addition, the printer of the present embodiment, which is narrow in width, can easily install a personal computer and a display in parallel on a plotter or the like when constructing a POS station. Further, it is relatively easy to make the space or the like along the end of the P0S setting area into a slender shape, and therefore, the printer of the present embodiment is a printer which can easily be combined with other devices constituting the POS and can constitute an efficient multifunction POS in a narrow area. Further, since the printing and output portion of the receipt which the operator often handed to the customer is required to be provided in front of the hand (front) 6a, the operability is good.

Further, since the monitoring window 34 is provided above the print means for running recording at a substantially central position of the upper case 32 and the print means for running recording is set at a position higher than the print means for receipt, it is easy to check the print result of the running recording and to perform processing such as memo on the paper after the printing of the running recording. Thus, the printer of the present embodiment is a printer which can be further miniaturized and easily constitutes a POS station.

Further, since the printer of the present embodiment arranges the receipt printing section 10, the roll paper placing section 17 for receipt printing, the running record printing section 20, the roll paper placing section 27 for running record printing, and the placing section 29 for winding the roll of the running record paper after printing in a line, when the upper case 32 is opened, the entire portion can be easily exposed in a flat surface for easy access. Therefore, maintenance is easy. In addition, since the printer 5 of the present embodiment has a structure in which the front case 33 can be opened forward, maintenance around the receipt printer section 10 can be easily performed even when a paper jam occurs.

Fig.5 shows a state in which portions of the printer 5 are accessible when a malfunction such as a paper jam occurs. First, the upper case 33 is opened upward to see the main parts of the printer 5, and then the front case 32 is opened forward to expose the auto-cutter 19, so that if a paper jam occurs at this part, it can be immediately removed. In addition, since the auto-cutter 19 is rotatably mounted on the chassis of the printer 5 in the forward direction, when rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow a, the printing mechanism 50 provided on the receipt printing section 10 can be substantially exposed as shown in the drawing. Next, if the lever 57 for rotating the thermal head base plate 52 is rotated forward in the direction indicated by the arrow B, the thermal head base plate 52 is tilted forward to open the paper path, and the paper sheet jammed between the thermal head base plate 52 and the platen roller 51 can be easily taken out.

Further, by operating the control lever 59 on the right side of the platen roller 51 in the direction indicated by the arrow C, the engagement between the platen roller 51 and the motor is released, and the platen roller 51 can be easily rotated by the right knob 58. Accordingly, the jam near the impression cylinder 51 can be easily removed. In the printer 5 of the present embodiment, since the receipt printing section 10 and the run-length recording printing section 20 employ the same printing mechanism 50, the method of releasing the jam is completely the same. Also, the manual operation lever is on the same side as the knob, for example, is disposed concentrically on the right side as viewed from the front 6a of the present embodiment. Therefore, even if the printer of the present embodiment has a paper jam, anyone can simply remove the jam, and the customer can continue the service without waiting.

Similarly, even if paper breakage occurs, the respective roll paper can be easily adjusted in the respective printing units 10 and 20. This state is shown in fig. 6. First, the upper case 32 is opened, and the roll paper 11 or 21 is adjusted in the roll paper placement unit 17 or 27, respectively. Then, the adjustment lever 59 on the right side of the printing mechanism 50 is tilted forward, and the engagement between the platen roller 51 and the motor is released. Then, the receipt paper 12 or the running recording paper 23 from the roll paper 11 or 21 is adjusted in the paper path while rotating the impression cylinder 51 by rotating the knob 58 with a hand. In the process of adjusting the sheets, the printer 5 of the present embodiment operates either the receipt sheet 12 or the run recording sheet 23 in the same operation order and with the lever 59 and the knob 58 in the same direction, and therefore can obtain excellent operability.

In the printer 5 of the present embodiment, since the receipt printer section 10 and the operation record printer section 20 are arranged in a planar manner, and can be downsized, not only is the maintenance performance excellent, but also, compared with a printer in which these printer sections are arranged in a three-dimensional manner, it is possible to prevent one of the printer sections from being defective due to the generation of paper dust. In the printer of the present embodiment, the receipt printer section 10 and the operation record printer section 20 are arranged in a planar manner, and therefore, the print result obtained by any of the printer sections can be easily confirmed from above the printer.

In the present embodiment, the roll paper placement unit 27 for running record printing and the placement unit 29 for winding reel are also arranged in a line in a planar manner, and therefore, the height of the printer 5 can be reduced. However, the roll paper 21 and the roll 22 mounted on the mounting portions 27 and 29 may be exchanged at the same time. Therefore, the two placement portions may be arranged three-dimensionally. With this configuration, the height of the printer 5 is slightly increased, and the maintenance performance and the operation performance of the printer 5 are not affected, and the printer can be narrowed and shortened.

In the present embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking as an example a multifunction printer having two functions of receipt printing and operation record printing for use in a POS printer, but the present invention is not limited to a printer for POS. For example, in a recording apparatus having two types of printing units having different functions, such as a thermal printer and a dot printer, the two printing units and a space for placing printing paper therein may be arranged in a line. Further, in a printer using a sheet for a receipt instead of a roll paper, the configuration can be made narrow and compact by using the same arrangement.

In the present embodiment, although the printing-dedicated printer used for the POS is described as an example, the present invention is also applicable to a composite device in which functions of a plotter and a printer such as a personal computer or a display are integrated, and a receipt, a run-length recording printing unit, and respective roll papers are arranged in a line, whereby maintenance and operability can be ensured in a limited space of the composite device, and a structure having a printing function can be made compact.

As described above, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the first printing unit and the mounting unit for the printing paper thereof and the second printing unit and the mounting unit for the printing paper thereof, which have different functions of printing a receipt and printing a running record, are arranged in this order in substantially one row, the printing apparatus having two printing functions can be made narrow and compact. Further, since the first printing unit and the placement unit for printing paper thereof, and the second printing unit and the placement unit for printing paper thereof are arranged substantially in a line, they can be arranged compactly on a plane, and high maintainability and operability of each portion can be maintained.

The printing apparatus of the present invention, which is narrow in width and compact in structure, is suitable for a printing apparatus installed in a narrow space where a personal computer, a plotter, a display, or the like are combined, and is also suitable for a printing apparatus for constructing a small-sized multifunctional POS station.

Claims (13)

1. A printing apparatus comprising:

first and second printing means arranged in a row on the first and second recording media for printing on the first and second recording media, respectively;

a medium mounting means for mounting the first recording medium printed by the first printing mechanism;

a recording medium path for connecting the first printing mechanism having a path defined by the first recording medium to the medium mounting device, the recording medium path comprising:

a first cover for covering at least the recording medium path;

an opening part is arranged on the first cover, so that the printing result printed on the first recording medium can be seen from the outside.

2. The printing apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second recording media is a web, at least one of said webs being disposed substantially linearly between said first and second printing mechanisms.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first printing means includes: the printing head, the printing roller facing the printing head through the recording medium and the printing part opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the printing head and the printing roller mutually can be operated when the roll paper arranged between the first printing mechanism and the second printing mechanism is removed.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first recording medium is a roll paper, and said first recording medium, said first printing means, and said medium placement device are disposed substantially in line.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said second recording medium is a roll paper, at least one of said first and second recording media is disposed between said first and second printing mechanisms, and said first and second recording media and said first and second printing mechanisms are disposed substantially linearly.

6. The printing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing in which the first and second recording media, the first and second printing mechanisms, the medium placement device, and the recording medium path are installed;

the first cover is provided on the housing so as to be openable and closable, and exposes at least the first and second recording media, the first and second printing mechanisms, the medium placement device, and the recording medium path in an opened state.

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said second recording medium is a roll paper, said printing apparatus further comprising:

a cutting mechanism mounted in the housing for cutting the second recording medium;

a second cover which is provided at the front part of the housing in an openable and closable manner and exposes the cutting mechanism in an opened state.

8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second recording medium is disposed substantially in line between said first and second printing mechanisms.

9. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cutting mechanism is provided so as to be openable and closable in a state where the second cover is opened, and the second printing mechanism is exposed in a state where the cutting mechanism is opened.

10. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second printing means includes a printing head, a platen opposed to the printing head via a recording medium, and a printing section opening/closing means for opening and closing the printing head and the platen with respect to each other, and the printing section opening/closing means is operable when the second printing means is exposed.

11. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second printing mechanisms include at least:

a base frame;

a printhead supported on the pedestal;

a platen roller supporting the base frame and opposed to the print head via a recording medium; and

a conveying mechanism supported on the base frame and conveying the recording medium via the print head,

the first and second printing mechanisms are disposed substantially vertically on the base frame.

12. The printing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first printing mechanism is disposed at a higher elevation than said second printing mechanism.

13. A printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said first and second printing mechanisms are interchangeable.