Photoelectrostatic duplicator

Claim 2

In a photoelectrostatic copying apparatus for making reproductions from a continuous photoconductive belt adapted to move in a predetermined closed path within said apparatus, means for removably mounting said belt comprising: a main frame, a support frame including a pair of spaced end members; a set of axially parallel rollers supporting the belt and rotatably mounted in said support frame between said end members; pivotal support means coupled between said main frame and one of said end members of said support frame to render the roller set movable from an operating position in said path to a loading position in which the free end of said support frame and roller set is exposed to receive the continuous belt, drive means for rotating said roller set, and support means on said main frame releasably engageable with the other of said end members for lockingly engaging the free end of said roller set in the operating position whereby said belt moves in said predetermined path, said roller set, support frame, and end members being dimensioned so that the belt is slidably removable over said other end member.

Claim 3

In a photoelectrostatic copying apparatus for making reproductions from a photoconductive belt adapted to move in a predetermined path within said apparatus, means for removably mounting said belt comprising: a set of axially parallel rollers rotatably mounted in a support frame, pivotal support means for receiving one end of said frame to render the roller set movable from an operating position in said path to a loading position in which the free end of said frame and roller set is exposed to receive the continuous belt, drive means for rotating said roller set, and support means for lockingly engaging the free end of said roller set in the operating position whereby said belt moves in said predetermined path, said pivotal support means comprising a pair of apertured, spaced-apart support members and a hinge member attached to said one end of said frame, said hinge member including a pair of rod portions extending outwardly from opposite ends of said hinge member and each being received in one of the apertures in a respective one of said support members for rotational movement therein.

Claim 4

In a photoelectrostatic copying apparatus for making reproductions from a photoconductive belt adapted to move in a predetermined path within said apparatus, means for removably mounting said belt comprising: a set of axially parallel rollers rotatably mounted in a support frame, pivotal support means for receiving one end of said frame to render the roller set movable from an operating position in said path to a loading position in which the free end of said frame and roller set is exposed to receive the continuous belt, drive means for rotating said roller set, and support means for lockingly engaging the free end of said roller set in the operating position whereby said belt moves in said predetermined path, said pivotal support means comprising a pair of apertured, spaced-apart support members and a hinge member attached to said one end of said frame, said hinge member including a pair of rod portions extending outwardly from opposite ends of said hinge member and each being received in one of the apertures in a respective one of said support members for rotational movement therein.

Claim 5

A photoelectrostatic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pivotal support means further includes a latching mechanism for retaining said frame and roller set in said operating and loading positions, respectively, said latching mechanism including at least one movable pin member receivable in predetermindedly placed second and third apertures in a corresponding one of said support members, whereby upon pivoting said roller set to said operating position, said pin member is receivable in said second aperture and upon pivoting said roller set to said loading position, said pin member is receivable in said third aperture.

Claim 6

A photoelectrostatic-copying apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said latching mechanism includes a pair of pin members each being receivable in a respective second and third aperture in a respective support member for retaining said frame and rolLer set in said operating and loading positions, respectively, said latching mechanism further including a hollow tube member receiving said pin members, one in each end thereof and a coiled spring member mounted in said tube between opposing ends of said pin members urging said pin members outwardly from the ends of the tube toward a respective support member, each of said pin members including a pinch rod extending outwardly of the tube through a respective slot formed in the wall of said tube provided therefor, so that upon moving the pinch rods toward each other against the force of the coiled spring member said pin members are urged away from said support members, and upon releasing said pinch rods, said pin members are urged by said coiled spring member toward said support members and into said second or third aperture, as the case may be.

Claim 7

In a photoelectrostatic copying apparatus for making reproductions from a photoconductive belt adapted to move in a predetermined path within said apparatus, means for removably mounting said belt comprising: a set of axially parallel rollers rotatably mounted in a support frame, pivotal support means for receiving one end of said frame to render the roller set movable from an operating position in said path to a loading position in which the free end of said frame and roller set is exposed to receive the continuous belt, drive means for rotating said roller set, and support means for lockingly engaging the free end of said roller set in the operating position whereby said belt moves in said predetermined path, said support means including a rigid support member mounted on said copying apparatus in alignment with the free end of said frame and a plurality of retractable bearing members, one associated with each of the rollers of said set and each being lockingly engageably with said rigid support member upon moving said roller set to the operating position, whereby said rollers are rotatable on said bearing members to allow said belt to move thereover along said predetermined path.

Claim 8

In a photoelectrostatic copying apparatus for making reproductions from a photoconductive belt adapted to move in a predetermined path within said apparatus, means for removably mounting said belt comprising: a set of axially parallel rollers rotatably mounted in a support frame, pivotal support means for receiving one end of said frame to render the roller set movable from an operating position in said path to a loading position in which the free end of said frame and roller set is exposed to receive the continuous belt, drive means for rotating said roller set, and support means for lockingly engaging the free end of said roller set in the operating position whereby said belt moves in said predetermined path, said support means including a rigid support member mounted on said copying apparatus in alignment with the free end of said frame and a plurality of retractable bearing members, one associated with each of the rollers of said set and each being lockingly engageably with said rigid support member upon moving said roller set to the operating position, whereby said rollers are rotatable on said bearing members to allow said belt to move thereover along said predetermined path.

Claim 9

A photoelectrostatic-copying apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the free end of said frame includes a plate having said bearing members mounted thereon, spring means coupled to said plate, urging the plate and bearing member toward the free end of the roller set, and a cam operatively connected to said plate and being movable to a first position against the force of said spring means for moving said bearing members into a retracted position, causing said bearing members and said support member to become disengaged and to a second position allowing said plate and bearing members to be moved to a protracted position, whereby said bearings are lockingly engageable with said support member.

Claim 10

A photoelectrostatic copying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said rollers of said set is spool-shaped including a flange portion along the circumference of each outer edge thereof so as to provide a retention guide for said photoconductive belt mounted thereon, the width between said raised outer flange portions being substantially equal to the width of said belt.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 1 further including manually releasable latch means operatively associated with said one end member for releasably holding said support frame and roller set in said loading position.