Visco-elastic dampener mechanism for fuser assembly

Claim 1

In a pressure roll fuser fusing apparatus adapted for use with copy producing machines, said fusing apparatus including cooperating first and second rollers adapted to form a nip through which copies being fused pass with one of said rollers being heated, the combination of: means supporting said first roller for movement into and out of cooperative pressure relationship with said second roller; drive means adapted when actuated to move said first roller into pressure relationship with said second roller; bias means adapted when loaded and activated to move said first roller away from said second roller, said drive means serving when actuated to load said bias means; means for locking said roller in pressure relationship with said bias means loaded and ready to move said first roller away; means to release said locking means whereby to activate said bias means and move said first roller Away; visco-elastic dampener means including a supply of silicone putty operable on release of said locking means to cushion the load of said first roller under the influence of said bias means upon subsequent stopping of said first roller and movement away from said second roller, said visco-elastic dampener means including a housing receiving a sliding disc member which is connected to a flexible cable wrapped around a shaft connected to said drive means, said housing containing said silicone putty which is in surface contact with said sliding disc member.