Patent US1864066A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3874843A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3874843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and device for heating and fixing a toner image
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1973-05-04
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A method and a device using a pair of fixing rolls at least one of which is heated so that the two rolls are brought into pressing engagement with each other by thermal expansion of the heated roll. A copy sheet bearing a toner image formed thereon is fed between the two rolls so as to fix the toner image by thermal fusion.
Inventors
- 👤 Sakae Fujimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:59
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2064; G03G15/206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for heating and fixing a toner image comprising a. a pair of fixing rolls adapted to have a copy sheet with a toner image formed thereon fed therebetween, b. means for movably supporting one of said fixing rolls relative to the other fixing roll to vary the interaxial distance between said rolls, c. means for heating at least one of said fixing rolls, said last-mentioned roll undergoing radial thermal expansion when heated by said heating means, and d. means for limiting an increase in the interaxial distance between said pair of fixing rolls when said one heated fixing roll undergoes radial thermal expansion such that radial thermal expansion of said one roll effects pressure between the rolls, e. said limiting means comprising means for restraining movement of the axis of said movably supported roll away from the other of said rolls only beyond a point at which the rolls are in contact when said one heated roll has been radially thermally expanded by a predetermined amount owinG to heating by said heating means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for heating and fixing a toner image comprising a. a pair of fixing rolls adapted to have a copy sheet with a toner image formed thereon fed therebetween, b. means for movably supporting one of said fixing rolls relative to the other fixing roll to vary the interaxial distance between said rolls, c. means for heating at least one of said fixing rolls, said last-mentioned roll undergoing radial thermal expansion when heated by said heating means, and d. means for limiting an increase in the interaxial distance between said pair of fixing rolls when said one heated fixing roll undergoes radial thermal expansion such that radial thermal expansion of said one roll effects pressure between the rolls, e. said limiting means comprising means for restraining movement of the axis of said movably supported roll away from the other of said rolls only beyond a point at which the rolls are in contact when said one heated roll has been radially thermally expanded by a predetermined amount owinG to heating by said heating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 1. wherein said restraining means comprises a stop disposed in a position in which it precludes movement of the movably supported fixing roll away from the other of said rolls beyond said point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus according to claim 1. wherein said movably supported fixing roll is disposed abofe the other fixing roll, and including a bearing supporting and movable with said movably supported fixing roll, and wherein said restraining means comprises an arrester member having a pivotally supported base and a free end portion extending from said base and disposed on said bearing supporting the movably supported fixing roll, and a stop disposed above said free end portion of said arrester member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
An apparatus according to claim 1. wherein said movably supported fixing roll is disposed above the other fixing roll, and including a bearing supporting and movable with said movably supported fixing roll, and wherein said restraining means comprises a presser member having a pivotally supported base and a free end portion extending from said base and disposed above said bearing supporting the movably supported fixing roll and within a range of movement of said bearing, a spring urging said presser member to move toward said bearing, and a stop for preventing downward movement of said free end portion of said presser member beyond a predetermined position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
An apparatus according to claim 1. wherein said movably supported fixing roll is disposed below the other fixing roll, and including a bearing supporting and movable with said movably supported fixing roll, and wherein said restraining means comprises a pivotally supported bell-crank having one arm disposed for engagement with said bearing, a spring for exerting a biasing force to urge said bell crank to cause said one arm to move upwardly said bearing supporting the movably supported fixing roll, and a stop adapted to prevent upward movement of said one arm beyond a predetermined position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 2. wherein said stop is adjustable to vary said predetermined position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 2. wherein said stop comprises an immovable member and a screw threaded therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 7. wherein said stop comprises a cam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 3. wherein said stop comprises an immovable member and a screw threaded therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 3. wherein said stop comprises a cam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 4. wherein said stop comprises an immovable member and a screw threaded therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 4. wherein said stop comprises a cam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 including an immovable member and a screw threaded therein for adjusting the biasing force of said spring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 5. wherein said stop comprises a cam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 5. including an immovable member and a screw threaded therein for adjusting the biasing force of said spring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1. wherein said supporting means includes a bearing supporting and movable with said movably supported roll, and wherein said restraining means includes a pivoted arrester member engageable with said bearing for opposing movement of the axis of said movably supported roll away from the other of said rolls, and means for opposing movement of said arrester member with said movably supported roll away from the other roll only beyond a position corresponding to said point at which the rolls are in contact with said one heated roll radially thermally expanded by said predetermined amount, said opposing means including a stop for preventing movement of said arrester member in one direction beyond said position and said stop being adjustable to vary said position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16. wherein said opposing means comprises an adjustable stop for engaGing said arrester member to prevent movement thereof beyond said position in the direction in which the arrester member moves when the axis of said movably supported roll moves away from the other of said rolls.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16. wherein said opposing means comprises means for applying to said arrester member a force for urging said movably supported roll toward the other of said rolls, and an adjustable stop for engaging said arrester member to prevent movement thereof beyond said position in the direction in which said arrester member is urged by said force-applying means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |