US3724949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrophotographic copying apparatus provided with an automatic elevational original keep-plate
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1971-12-03
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A copying apparatus having an automatically elevatable original keep-plate which is normally maintained in contact with the original-receiving exposure surface when the apparatus is inoperative but which is moved upwardly to an upper position when the power switch is actuated to permit an original to be placed on the exposure surface. Actuation of the print switch moves the keep-plate downwardly to its lower position where it holds down the original and permits initiation of duplication. A change-over member is provided for switching the elevational movement of the keep-plate between manual and automatic operation, whereby during manual operation, the keep-plate moves in an elevational motion only once while one or a number of duplication cycles may take place with a single original; and during automatic operation, the keep-plate moves in elevational motion and dwells for a predetermined time interval in its upper position each times a series of duplication cycles is performed to permit the old original on the exposure surface to be replaced by a new original prior to beginning the next series of duplication cycles thus producing a predetermined number of duplicates of a plurality of originals. Suitable mechanism and circuitry are disclosed for achieving the desired operations.
Inventors
- 👤 T Kanno
- 👤 M Iwamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:24
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/62; G03B27/6207; G03B27/6221; G03B27/6228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus of the type comprising power means, duplication means, a transparent original receiving exposure surface, and an original keep-plate disposed over said exposure surface, wherein the improvement comprises: a. means supporting said keep-plate for movement with respect to said exposure surface; b. drive means connected to said support means for raising and lowering said keep-plate vertically to bring said keep-plate into and out of contact with said exposure surface, and c. control means for said drive means whereby said keep-plate is moved upwardly to its upper position from its lower position, in which the plate is in contact with the exposure surface, upon actuation of the power means so as to permit an original to be placed on the origInal receiving surface, and said keepplate is moved downwardly from its upper position to its lower position to hold down the original placed on the exposure surface, upon actuation of the duplication means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electrophotographic copying apparatus of the type comprising power means, duplication means, a transparent original receiving exposure surface, and an original keep-plate disposed over said exposure surface, wherein the improvement comprises: a. means supporting said keep-plate for movement with respect to said exposure surface; b. drive means connected to said support means for raising and lowering said keep-plate vertically to bring said keep-plate into and out of contact with said exposure surface, and c. control means for said drive means whereby said keep-plate is moved upwardly to its upper position from its lower position, in which the plate is in contact with the exposure surface, upon actuation of the power means so as to permit an original to be placed on the origInal receiving surface, and said keepplate is moved downwardly from its upper position to its lower position to hold down the original placed on the exposure surface, upon actuation of the duplication means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said original keep-plate support means comprises a shaft on which the keep-plate is mounted, rod means supporting said shaft, and linkage means connected to said rod means such that the keep-plate is brought to an upwardly directed tilting position at the terminating stage of its upward movement and to a horizontal position at the initial stage of its downward movement, said linkage means comprising a pull member slidably mounted on rod means, a connecting bar loosely connected at opposite ends thereof to said pull member and said original keep-plate, and a stopper for interrupting the upward movement of said pull member when said rod means moves upwardly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a timer means for causing the original keep-plate to move from its upper position to its lower position rendering the apparatus inoperative when a predetermined time interval has elapsed after the keep-plate has moved to its upper position upon completion of a series of duplication cycles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
115 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said keep-plate drive means comprises a change-over member for switching between automatic operation and manual operation and said control means comprises a timer means coupled to said change-over member, so that when the keep-plate drive means is set to manual operation the keep-plate is moved up and down relative to said exposure surface only at the beginning and end of a series of duplication cycles, and when the keep-plate is moved up and down relative to said exposure surface each time a series of duplication cycles takes place with the keep-plate dwelling for a predetermined time interval in its upper position between each series of duplication cycles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4, comprising a repeat counter capable of being switched between count-down operation and reset operation and wherein said change-over member can be set to automatic position only when said repeat counter is switched to reset operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises switch means actuated by said drive means when said keep-plate is in its upper position and timer means actuated by said switch means for controlling the dwell time and lowering of said keep-plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises an alternating current circuit and a direct current circuit coupled by a rectifier means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said alternating current circuit includes a motor for operating said drive means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said direct current circuit includes timer means for controlling the raising, dwell time, and lowering of said keep-plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as in claim 7, including copy sheet feed means and switch means in said direct current circuit for actuating said copy sheet feed means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |