US4073587A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Corotron apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Ltd
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Filing: 1976-03-26
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Granted: 1978-02-14
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Expires: 1996-03-26
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for vibrating a corotron wire to prevent contamination including piezoelectric means to vibrate the wire. Also disclosed is an activation arrangement for the wire vibrating means including a striker plate movable with a rotating portion of the machine to periodically vibrate the wire. Additional specific configurations for vibrating means are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael F. J. Selwyn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:52
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/02; G03G15/0258; G03G15/0291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for preventing contamination of a corotron electrode in an electrostatographic copying machine comprising a support means to which the opposite ends of said corotron wire are affixed to hold said wire at a predetermined tension, vibration means positioned adjacent said corotron wire operable to vibrate said wire a predetermined amplitude to prevent the accumulation of contaminants thereon, and means for activating said vibration means periodically in response to the movement of a rotating portion of said electrostatographic machine, said vibration means including a pick means connected to a shaft generally parallel to said corotron wire, said shaft having a follower surface connected thereto, said follower surface being positioned to be struck and oscillated by a striker plate connected to a rotating portion of said electrostatographic machine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for preventing contamination of a corotron electrode in an electrostatographic copying machine comprising a support means to which the opposite ends of said corotron wire are affixed to hold said wire at a predetermined tension, vibration means positioned adjacent said corotron wire operable to vibrate said wire a predetermined amplitude to prevent the accumulation of contaminants thereon, and means for activating said vibration means periodically in response to the movement of a rotating portion of said electrostatographic machine, said vibration means including a pick means connected to a shaft generally parallel to said corotron wire, said shaft having a follower surface connected thereto, said follower surface being positioned to be struck and oscillated by a striker plate connected to a rotating portion of said electrostatographic machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pick means rotates about an axis generally parallel to said corotron wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said striker plate is attached to an end of a photoreceptor drum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pick means pivots generally about an axis transverse to the axis of said corotron wire.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for preventing contamination of a corotron electrode in an electrostatographic copying machine comprising a support means to which the opposite ends of said corotron wire are affixed to hold said wire at a predetermined tension and a vibrator means positioned adjacent said corotron wire operable to vibrate said wire a predetermined amplitude to prevent the accumulation of contaminants thereon, said vibration means comprising a piezoelectric means operating on a corotron wire engaging member to vibrate said wire.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for preventing contamination of a corotron electrode in an electrostatographic copying machine comprising a support means to which the opposite ends of said corotron wire are affixed to hold said wire at a predetermined tension and a vibrator means positioned adjacent said corotron wire operable to vibrate said wire a predetermined amplitude to prevent the accumulation of contaminants thereon, said vibration means comprising a piezoelectric means operating on a corotron wire engaging member to vibrate said wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said piezoelectric means comprises a pair of piezoelectric elements attached to opposite sides of a metallic end support strip to which said corotron wire is connected and through which receives its electrical energy.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for preventing contamination of a corotron electrode in an electrostatographic copying machine comprising a support means to which the opposite ends of said corotron wire are affixed to hold said wire at a predetermined tension and a vibrator means positioned adjacent said corotron wire operable to vibrate said wire a predetermined amplitude to prevent the accumulation of contaminants thereon, said vibrator means comprising a finger attached to one end of a pivot arm, said pivot arm having a follower surface on the opposite side of the arm pivot point, said follower surface being positioned to be struck and oscillated by a striker plate connected to a rotating portion of said electrostatographic machine.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for preventing contamination of a corotron electrode in an electrostatographic copying machine comprising a support means to which the opposite ends of said corotron wire are affixed to hold said wire at a predetermined tension and a vibrator means positioned adjacent said corotron wire operable to vibrate said wire a predetermined amplitude to prevent the accumulation of contaminants thereon, said vibrator means comprising a finger attached to one end of a pivot arm, said pivot arm having a follower surface on the opposite side of the arm pivot point, said follower surface being positioned to be struck and oscillated by a striker plate connected to a rotating portion of said electrostatographic machine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said finger is elongated and includes a notch in a side thereof which notch intermittently receives said wire therein.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for preventing contamination of a corotron electrode in an electrostatographic copying machine comprising a support means to which the opposite ends of said corotron wire are affixed to hold said wire at a predetermined tension and a vibrator means positioned adjacent said corotron wire operable to vibrate said wire a predetermined amplitude to prevent the accumulation of contaminants thereon, said vibrator means including movable pick means for plucking said corotron wire, said pick means including a finger having one end attached to a reciprocating member and having an opposite end extending through a slot in a shield about said corotron wire, said member having a shoulder restraining said finger from passing through said slot.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for preventing contamination of a corotron electrode in an electrostatographic copying machine comprising a support means to which the opposite ends of said corotron wire are affixed to hold said wire at a predetermined tension and a vibrator means positioned adjacent said corotron wire operable to vibrate said wire a predetermined amplitude to prevent the accumulation of contaminants thereon, said vibrator means including movable pick means for plucking said corotron wire, said pick means including a finger having one end attached to a reciprocating member and having an opposite end extending through a slot in a shield about said corotron wire, said member having a shoulder restraining said finger from passing through said slot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said reciprocating member is an armature of a DC type solenoid, adapted to be supplied with half-wave rectified AC voltage.
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) | 1981-02-13 | 1981-08-15 | 1982-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-13 | 1985-08-15 | 1986-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-13 | 1989-08-15 | 1990-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |