US4809033A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus and process cartridge therefor
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1987-06-17
•
Granted: 1989-02-28
•
Expires: 2007-06-17
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus wherein an image formed on an image bearing member is transferred onto a transfer material includes a feeder for feeding the transfer material to an image transfer station wherein the image is transferred from the image bearing member onto the transfer material; a guiding member for guiding the transfer material fed from the feeder to the transfer station in a guiding direction; a guide support for supporting the guiding member for movement in the guiding direction and in a direction transverse with the guiding direction; and an image bearing member supporting member for supporting the image bearing member for movement between a first position wherein the image forming apparatus is operable and a second position which is different from the first position, the image bearing member supporting member having an engaging portion for engagement with a part of the guiding member to correctly position the guiding member when the image bearing member supporting member takes its first position.
Inventors
- 👤 Isao Ikemoto
- 👤 Shinji Kanemitsu
- 👤 Morikazu Mizutani
- 👤 Hajime Kitajima
- 👤 Shigeyoshi Onoda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:17
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/1642; G03G21/1647; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/163; G03G15/1635; G03G15/165; G03G21/1604; G03G21/1623; G03G21/1628; G03G21/1661; G03G21/1671; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1651; G03G2221/1654; G03G2221/1672; G03G2221/1678; G03G2221/1687
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
An image forming apparatus wherein an image formed on an image bearing member is transferred onto a transfer material, comprising: means for feeding the transfer material to an image transfer station wherein the image is transferred from the image bearing member onto the transfer material; a guiding member for guiding the transfer material fed from said feeding means to the transfer station in a guiding direction; a guide supporting means for supporting said guiding member for movement in said guiding direction and in a crossing with said guiding direction; and an image bearing member supporting member for supporting said image bearing member for movement between a first position wherein said image forming apparatus is operable and a second position which is different from said first position, said image bearing member supporting member having an engaging portion for engagement with a part of said guiding member to correctly position said guiding member when said image bearing member supporting member takes its first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
An image forming apparatus wherein an image formed on an image bearing member is transferred onto a transfer material, comprising: means for feeding the transfer material to an image transfer station wherein the image is transferred from the image bearing member onto the transfer material; a guiding member for guiding the transfer material fed from said feeding means to the transfer station in a guiding direction; a guide supporting means for supporting said guiding member for movement in said guiding direction and in a crossing with said guiding direction; and an image bearing member supporting member for supporting said image bearing member for movement between a first position wherein said image forming apparatus is operable and a second position which is different from said first position, said image bearing member supporting member having an engaging portion for engagement with a part of said guiding member to correctly position said guiding member when said image bearing member supporting member takes its first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a spring for normally urging said guiding member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
206 words
An image forming apparatus wherein an image formed on an image bearing member is transferred onto a transfer material, comprising: means for feeding the transfer material to an image transfer station wherein the image is transferred from the image bearing member onto the transfer material; a guiding member for guiding the transfer material fed from said feeding means to the transfer station in a guiding direction, said guiding means having an elongated slot extending substantially in said guiding direction; a spring for normally urging said guiding member; a guide supporting means for supporting said guiding member for movement in said guiding direction and in a direction crossing with said guiding direction, said guide supporting member having a shaft fixed on said apparatus, which is engaged with the elongated slot of said guiding member; and an image bearing member supporting member for supporting said image bearing member for movement between a first position wherein said image forming apparatus is operable and a second position which is different from said first position, said image bearing member supporting member having an engaging portion for engagement with a part of said guiding member to correctly position said guiding member when said image bearing member supporting member takes its first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
206 words
An image forming apparatus wherein an image formed on an image bearing member is transferred onto a transfer material, comprising: means for feeding the transfer material to an image transfer station wherein the image is transferred from the image bearing member onto the transfer material; a guiding member for guiding the transfer material fed from said feeding means to the transfer station in a guiding direction, said guiding means having an elongated slot extending substantially in said guiding direction; a spring for normally urging said guiding member; a guide supporting means for supporting said guiding member for movement in said guiding direction and in a direction crossing with said guiding direction, said guide supporting member having a shaft fixed on said apparatus, which is engaged with the elongated slot of said guiding member; and an image bearing member supporting member for supporting said image bearing member for movement between a first position wherein said image forming apparatus is operable and a second position which is different from said first position, said image bearing member supporting member having an engaging portion for engagement with a part of said guiding member to correctly position said guiding member when said image bearing member supporting member takes its first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first spring for urging said guiding member in said guiding direction and a second spring for urging said guiding member in the crossing direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is separable into upper and lower assemblies, and said image bearing member supporting member is provided in said upper assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said image bearing member supporting member is movable relative to the upper assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said image bearing member supporting member supports as a unit process means actable on said image bearing member, and the image bearing member supporting member constitutes a process cartridge together with the image bearing member and said process means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said positioning portion of said image bearing member supporting member is formed by a recess engageable with the part of said guiding member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
An image forming apparatus wherein an image formed on an image bearing member is transferred onto a transfer material, comprising: an upper assembly; a lower assembly movable relative to said second assembly; a guiding member for guiding the transfer material to a transfer station in a guiding direction; a guide supporting means, provided in said lower assembly, for supporting said guiding member for movement in said guiding direction and in a direction crossing with said guiding direction; an image bearing member supporting member for supporting said image bearing member, said image bearing member supporting member having an engaging portion for engagement with a part of said guiding member to correctly position said guiding member when said upper assembly is engaged with said lower assembly for operation of said apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
An image forming apparatus wherein an image formed on an image bearing member is transferred onto a transfer material, comprising: an upper assembly; a lower assembly movable relative to said second assembly; a guiding member for guiding the transfer material to a transfer station in a guiding direction; a guide supporting means, provided in said lower assembly, for supporting said guiding member for movement in said guiding direction and in a direction crossing with said guiding direction; an image bearing member supporting member for supporting said image bearing member, said image bearing member supporting member having an engaging portion for engagement with a part of said guiding member to correctly position said guiding member when said upper assembly is engaged with said lower assembly for operation of said apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a spring for normally urging said guiding member in a direction of upward movement of said upper assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
184 words
An image forming apparatus wherein an image formed on an image bearing member is transferred onto a transfer material, comprising: an upper assembly; a lower assembly movable relative to said second assembly; a guiding member for guiding the transfer material to a transfer station in a guiding direction, said guiding member having an elongated slot extending substantially in said guiding direction; a spring for normally urging said guiding member in a direction of upward movement of said upper assembly; a guide supporting means, provided in said lower assembly, for supporting said guiding member for movement in said guiding direction and in a direction crossing with said guiding direction, said guide supporting member having a shaft fixed on said lower assembly, which is engaged with the elongated slot of said guiding member; and an image bearing member supporting member for supporting said image bearing member, said image bearing member supporting member having an engaging portion for engagement with a part of said guiding member to correctly position said guiding member when said upper assembly is engaged with said lower assembly for operation of said apparatus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
184 words
An image forming apparatus wherein an image formed on an image bearing member is transferred onto a transfer material, comprising: an upper assembly; a lower assembly movable relative to said second assembly; a guiding member for guiding the transfer material to a transfer station in a guiding direction, said guiding member having an elongated slot extending substantially in said guiding direction; a spring for normally urging said guiding member in a direction of upward movement of said upper assembly; a guide supporting means, provided in said lower assembly, for supporting said guiding member for movement in said guiding direction and in a direction crossing with said guiding direction, said guide supporting member having a shaft fixed on said lower assembly, which is engaged with the elongated slot of said guiding member; and an image bearing member supporting member for supporting said image bearing member, said image bearing member supporting member having an engaging portion for engagement with a part of said guiding member to correctly position said guiding member when said upper assembly is engaged with said lower assembly for operation of said apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a first spring for urging said guiding member in said guiding direction and a second spring for urging said guiding member in the crossing direction upward.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said image bearing member supporting member is movable relative to said upper assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said image bearing member supporting member supports as a unit process means actable on said image bearing member, and the image bearing member supporting member constitutes a process cartridge together with the image bearing member and said process means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said engaging portion of said image bearing supporting member is formed by a recess engageable with the part of said guiding member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said recess receives during engaging movement of said upper assembly to said lower assembly, receives the part of said guiding member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said recess constitutes a slot opening downwardly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
73 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to and cooperable with an image forming apparatus to form an image on a transfer material fed along a transfer material guide of said image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member; process means for forming an image on said image bearing member; an abutment for engagement with a part of the transfer material guide at fixed positions both in substantially horizontal direction and in substantially vertical direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to and cooperable with an image forming apparatus to form an image on a transfer material fed along a transfer material guide of said image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member; process means for forming an image on said image bearing member; an abutment for engagement with a part of the transfer material guide at fixed positions both in substantially horizontal direction and in substantially vertical direction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to an cooperable with an image forming apparatus to form an image on a transfer material fed along a transfer material guide of said image forming apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member; process means for forming an image on said image bearing member; and an image bearing member supporting member for supporting said image bearing member together with said process means, said image bearing member supporting member having an elongated recess for receiving and positioning relative to said process cartridge a part of the transfer material guide.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to an cooperable with an image forming apparatus to form an image on a transfer material fed along a transfer material guide of said image forming apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member; process means for forming an image on said image bearing member; and an image bearing member supporting member for supporting said image bearing member together with said process means, said image bearing member supporting member having an elongated recess for receiving and positioning relative to said process cartridge a part of the transfer material guide.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to and cooperable with an image forming apparatus to form an image on a transfer material fed along a transfer material guide of said image forming apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member; process means for forming an image on said image bearing member; an image bearing member supporting member for supporting said image bearing member together with said process means, said image bearing member supporting member having a recess for engagement with a part of said guiding member to correctly position said guiding member in a direction of movement of the transfer material and also in a direction crossing therewith.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to and cooperable with an image forming apparatus to form an image on a transfer material fed along a transfer material guide of said image forming apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member; process means for forming an image on said image bearing member; an image bearing member supporting member for supporting said image bearing member together with said process means, said image bearing member supporting member having a recess for engagement with a part of said guiding member to correctly position said guiding member in a direction of movement of the transfer material and also in a direction crossing therewith.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said recess has a recess end in conformity with the part of said guiding member.
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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) | 1992-02-28 | 1992-08-29 | 1993-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-28 | 1996-08-29 | 1997-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-28 | 2000-08-29 | 2001-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |