US4563077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removable belt mechanism for image recording apparatus
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1985-05-29
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Granted: 1986-01-07
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Expires: 2005-05-29
Abstract
Abstract An image recording apparatus which sequentially performs a series of electrostatic or electrophotographic recording steps in accordance with the movement of a recording medium which is shaped as an endless belt. A section of the apparatus adapted to movably pass the belt around a drive roller, idle rollers and a tension roller have a unitary cassette configuration. Chargers, a recording head and other instruments located above the belt cassette are commonly mounted on a single base member. The belt cassette and base constitute an upper unit which is bodily movable away from a housing of the apparatus toward an open position thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenya Komada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:11
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/75; G03G15/754; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/1604; G03G21/1623; G03G21/1633; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1606; G03G2221/1615; G03G2221/1651; G03G2221/1654; G03G2221/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: a housing; and an upper unit comprising a recording medium member shaped as an endless belt and a plurality of instruments which are arranged above said recording medium member to sequentially perform a series of predetermined recording steps, said upper unit being movable to an open position in which the upper unit becomes spaced from the housing; the upper unit comprising a support member for integrally supporting the recording medium member and the instruments arranged thereabove, said support member being pivotally mounted on the housing; the recording medium member comprising a belt cassette which is pivotally mounted on the support member in such a manner that when the upper unit is in the open position the belt cassette is pivotable away from the support member to a position at which the belt cassette is spaced from both the instruments and the housing; the recording medium member comprising an endless belt, a drive roller member for drivably supporting the endless belt and a mechanism for imparting a predetermined tension to the endless belt; the recording medium member further comprising a mechanism for allowing the tension to be automatically removed from the endless belt when the upper unit is moved to the open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: a housing; and an upper unit comprising a recording medium member shaped as an endless belt and a plurality of instruments which are arranged above said recording medium member to sequentially perform a series of predetermined recording steps, said upper unit being movable to an open position in which the upper unit becomes spaced from the housing; the upper unit comprising a support member for integrally supporting the recording medium member and the instruments arranged thereabove, said support member being pivotally mounted on the housing; the recording medium member comprising a belt cassette which is pivotally mounted on the support member in such a manner that when the upper unit is in the open position the belt cassette is pivotable away from the support member to a position at which the belt cassette is spaced from both the instruments and the housing; the recording medium member comprising an endless belt, a drive roller member for drivably supporting the endless belt and a mechanism for imparting a predetermined tension to the endless belt; the recording medium member further comprising a mechanism for allowing the tension to be automatically removed from the endless belt when the upper unit is moved to the open position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the instruments arranged above the recording medium member comprise a charger for discharging, a recording head and a cleaner.
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) | 1989-01-06 | 1989-07-08 | 1990-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-06 | 1993-07-08 | 1994-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-06 | 1997-07-08 | 1998-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |