Patent US4873541A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4873541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image forming apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1989-02-21
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Granted: 1989-10-10
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Expires: 2009-02-21
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer has a plurality of movable image carrying members such as photosensitive drums, an image forming member such as a laser beam scanner capable of forming on the image carrying members images of different colors correspoding to image information, and transfer devices for sequentially transferring the image carried by the image carrying members to an image receiving member such that the image of different colors are superposed. The image receiving member may be copy paper or an overhead projector sheet, and is fed by a feeding device in the form of an endless belt. A lifting device is provided to move the feeding device from an operative position to at least one retracted position in response to detection of jamming or when an image receiving member having a large heat capacity is used.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshihiko Hirose
- 👤 Tomohiro Aoki
- 👤 Kazuyoshi Chiku
- 👤 Yasushi Murayama
- 👤 Takashi Uchida
- 👤 Kunihiko Matsuzawa
- 👤 Kazunori Kanekura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:13
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/163; G03G15/1635; G03G15/165; G03G15/1655; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/0131; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/01; G03G2215/0103; G03G2215/019; G03G2215/0193
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means including movable image carrying means for forming an image corresponding to image information on said image carrying means; transfer means for transferring the image carried by said image carrying means to an image receiving member; feeding means defining a closed path for feeding said image receiving member to a position for the transfer of the image from said image carrying means; moving means for moving said feeding means between a first position where said feeding means is operable with said image carrying means and a second position where said feeding means is not operable with said image carrying means; cleaning means for cleaning said feeding means; and control means for operating said feeding means so that said feeding means is cleaned by said cleaning means when said feeding means is in said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means including movable image carrying means for forming an image corresponding to image information on said image carrying means; transfer means for transferring the image carried by said image carrying means to an image receiving member; feeding means defining a closed path for feeding said image receiving member to a position for the transfer of the image from said image carrying means; moving means for moving said feeding means between a first position where said feeding means is operable with said image carrying means and a second position where said feeding means is not operable with said image carrying means; cleaning means for cleaning said feeding means; and control means for operating said feeding means so that said feeding means is cleaned by said cleaning means when said feeding means is in said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said image forming means includes second cleaning means for cleaning said image carrying means, said image carrying means also being cleaned when said feeding means is cleaned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said feeding means is moved from said second position to a position different from said first and second position, by said moving means, after being cleaned by said cleaning means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first position is a position where said image carrying means and said feeding means are contactable with each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising detection means for detecting a feeding failure of said image receiving member in the feed path of said image receiving member, said feeding means being moved to said second position in response to the detection by said detection means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein during a stand-by state of said image forming apparatus, said image carrying means and said transfer means are maintained in an operable state, and said feeding means is maintained in a stand-by state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image carrying means includes a plurality of image carrying members and said image forming means includes plural members associated with said image carrying members so as to form images of different colors on said image carrying members, and wherein said transfer means includes plural members associated with said image carrying members, the images of different colors being transferred successively to the same image receiving member in a superposed manner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said feeding means is common to said plurality of image carrying members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said feeding means is a belt-like means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said transfer means is movable by said moving means together with said feeding means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer means is movable by said moving means together with said feeding means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 7, wherein said image carrying means includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and said image forming means includes a laser beam scanner capable of delivering light information corresponding to image information to said electrophotographic photosensitive member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
137 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means including movable image carrying means for forming an image corresponding to image information on said image carrying means; transfer means for transferring the image carried by said image carrying means to an image receiving member; feeding means defining a closed path for feeding said image receiving member to a position for the transfer of the image from said image carrying means; moving means for moving said feeding means between a first position where said feeding means is operable with said image carrying means and a second position where said feeding means is not operable with said image carrying means; and supporting means for supporting said feeding means so that said feeding means can be withdrawn from said image forming apparatus when said feeding means is in said second position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
137 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means including movable image carrying means for forming an image corresponding to image information on said image carrying means; transfer means for transferring the image carried by said image carrying means to an image receiving member; feeding means defining a closed path for feeding said image receiving member to a position for the transfer of the image from said image carrying means; moving means for moving said feeding means between a first position where said feeding means is operable with said image carrying means and a second position where said feeding means is not operable with said image carrying means; and supporting means for supporting said feeding means so that said feeding means can be withdrawn from said image forming apparatus when said feeding means is in said second position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising detection means for detecting a feeding failure of said image receiving member in the feed path of said image receiving member, said feeding means being moved to said second position in response to the detection by said detection means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said image carrying means includes a plurality of image carrying members and said image forming means includes plural members associated with said image carrying members so as to form images of different colors on said image carrying members, and wherein said transfer means includes plural members associated with said image carrying members, the images of different colors being transferred successively to the same image receiving member in a superposed manner.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said transfer means is movable by said moving means together with said feeding means and can be withdrawn together with said feeding means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said feeding means is common to said plurality of image carrying members.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said feeding means is a belt-like means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said transfer means is movable by said moving means together with said feeding means and can be withdrawn together with said feeding means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 13 or 15, wherein said image carrying means includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and said image forming means includes a laser beam scanner capable of delivering light information corresponding to image information to said electrophotographic photosensitive member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
122 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means including movable image carrying means for forming an image corresponding to image information on said image carrying means; transfer means for transferring the image carried by said image carrying means to an image receiving member; feeding means defining a closed path for feeding said image receiving member to a position for the transfer of the image from said image carrying means; and moving means for moving said feeding means to one of a first position where said feeding means is operable with said image carrying means, a second position where said feeding means is retracted from said first position, and a third position where said feeding means is further retracted from said second position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
122 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means including movable image carrying means for forming an image corresponding to image information on said image carrying means; transfer means for transferring the image carried by said image carrying means to an image receiving member; feeding means defining a closed path for feeding said image receiving member to a position for the transfer of the image from said image carrying means; and moving means for moving said feeding means to one of a first position where said feeding means is operable with said image carrying means, a second position where said feeding means is retracted from said first position, and a third position where said feeding means is further retracted from said second position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein during a stand-by state of said image forming apparatus, said feeding means is set in said second position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 21 or 22, further comprising detection means for detecting a feeding failure of said image receiving member in the feed path of said image receiving member, said feeding means being moved to said third position in response to the detection by said detection means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
49 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising: detection means for detecting a characteristic of said image receiving member; and control means operable in response to said detection means to activate said moving means to move said feeding means from said first position to said second position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the movement of said feeding means from said first position to said second position is effected when the characteristic detected by said detecting means indicates that said image receiving member has a large heat capacity.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said first position is a position where said image carrying means and said feeding means contact each other.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said image receiving member is a member made of plastic.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said image carrying means includes a plurality of image carrying members and said image forming means includes plural members associated with said image carrying members so as to form images of different colors on said image carrying members, and wherein said transfer means includes plural members associated with said image carrying members, the images of different colors being transferred successively to the same image receiving member in a superposed manner.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said transfer means is movable by said moving means to one of said first, second and third positions together with said feeding means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said feeding means is common to said plurality of image carrying members.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said feeding means is a belt-like means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said transfer means is movable by said moving means to one of said first, second and third positions together with said feeding means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 21 or 28, wherein said image carrying means includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and said image forming means includes a laser beam scanner capable of delivering light information corresponding to image information to said electrophotographic photosensitive member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
169 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means, including a plurality of movable image carrying means, corresponding to said image carrying means for forming images corresponding to image information on respective image carrying means; transfer means corresponding to said image carrying means for transferring the images on the respective image carrying means to an image receiving member; feeding means defining a closed path for feeding said image receiving member to positions where images are transferred thereto from respective image carrying means; moving means for moving said feeding means between a first position where said feeding means is operable with the respective image carrying means and a second position where said feeding means is retracted from said first position; detecting means for detecting a feeding failure of said image receiving member in the feed path of said image receiving member; and transmitting member for transmitting a signal to said moving means, thereby to move said feeding means to said second position in response to the detection by said detecting means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
169 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means, including a plurality of movable image carrying means, corresponding to said image carrying means for forming images corresponding to image information on respective image carrying means; transfer means corresponding to said image carrying means for transferring the images on the respective image carrying means to an image receiving member; feeding means defining a closed path for feeding said image receiving member to positions where images are transferred thereto from respective image carrying means; moving means for moving said feeding means between a first position where said feeding means is operable with the respective image carrying means and a second position where said feeding means is retracted from said first position; detecting means for detecting a feeding failure of said image receiving member in the feed path of said image receiving member; and transmitting member for transmitting a signal to said moving means, thereby to move said feeding means to said second position in response to the detection by said detecting means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said transfer means is movable by said moving means together with said feeding means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said plurality of image carrying means carry images of different colors which are successively transferred by said transfer means to the same image receiving member in a superposed manner.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said image carrying means includes electrophotographic photosensitive members and said image forming means includes laser beam scanners capable of delivering light information corresponding to image information to said electrophotographic photosensitive members.
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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) | 1992-10-09 | 1993-04-10 | 1993-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-09 | 1997-04-10 | 1997-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-09 | 2001-04-10 | 2001-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |