Patent attributes
An ink cartridge holding device includes: a holder holding the ink cartridge and having an opening so as to allow the ink cartridge to be inserted and withdrawn through the opening; a door which is attached to the holder and is pivotable between (a) an open position at which the opening is uncovered for permitting insertion and withdrawal and (b) a closed position at which the opening is covered for inhibiting the insertion and withdrawal; a locking member which is attached to the door and is displacable between (A) an engaging position in which the locking member is engaged with the holder for locking the door at the closed position and (B) a releasing position in which the locking member is released from the holder so as to allow the door to be pivoted from the closed position. The locking member is displaced, when the door is pivoted from the open position to the closed position, from the releasing position to the engaging position via a transitional state in which a pressing portion presses a pressing-force receiving surface while the pressing portion is moved relative to and along the pressing-force receiving surface. The pressing-force receiving surface of the locking member is a curved surface whose inclination continuously varies in a direction in which the pressing-force receiving surface and the pressing portion are moved relative to each other.
