Patent US4945390A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4945390A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image-forming apparatus
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1989-05-25
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Granted: 1990-07-31
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Expires: 2009-05-25
Abstract
Abstract An image-forming apparatus comprises a machine body and a paper discharge unit removably attached to the machine body. The machine body defines a face-down discharge tray on top. The paper discharge unit includes a face-up discharge tray and a discharge roller pair. A switch lever is provided in the machine body for selecting between a state in which recording paper is turned over for discharge onto the face-down discharge tray, and a second state in which the recording paper is discharged face up onto the face-up discharge tray.
Inventors
- 👤 Hirofumi Hasegawa
- 👤 Hiroaki Kojima
- 👤 Yasuhiro Matsuura
- 👤 Naoto Ohmori
- 👤 Yukio Yamada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:56
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6552
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An image-forming apparatus comprising: a machine body including image-forming means for forming an image on one side of recording paper, a first tray, a first transport passage means for discharging the recording paper with said one side facing down onto said first tray, and a second transport passage means branched from said first transport passage means; and a paper discharge unit removably attached to said machine body and including a second tray, and discharge roller means for discharging the recording paper delivered through said second transport passage means with said one side facing up onto said second tray.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An image-forming apparatus comprising: a machine body including image-forming means for forming an image on one side of recording paper, a first tray, a first transport passage means for discharging the recording paper with said one side facing down onto said first tray, and a second transport passage means branched from said first transport passage means; and a paper discharge unit removably attached to said machine body and including a second tray, and discharge roller means for discharging the recording paper delivered through said second transport passage means with said one side facing up onto said second tray.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
An image-forming apparatus comprising: a machine body including image-forming means for forming an image on an upper face of recording paper, a first tray disposed above said image-forming means, a first transport passage means having a reversing portion for reversing the recording paper once for face-down discharge onto said first tray, and a second transport passage means branched from said first transport passage means at a position upstream of said reversing portion with respect to a paper transport direction; and a paper discharge unit removably attached to said machine body and including a second tray and discharge roller means for discharging the recording paper delivered through said second transport passage means face up onto said second tray.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
An image-forming apparatus comprising: a machine body including image-forming means for forming an image on an upper face of recording paper, a first tray disposed above said image-forming means, a first transport passage means having a reversing portion for reversing the recording paper once for face-down discharge onto said first tray, and a second transport passage means branched from said first transport passage means at a position upstream of said reversing portion with respect to a paper transport direction; and a paper discharge unit removably attached to said machine body and including a second tray and discharge roller means for discharging the recording paper delivered through said second transport passage means face up onto said second tray.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
153 words
An image-forming apparatus comprising: image-forming means for forming an image on one side of recording paper; a first tray; a second tray removable from said apparatus; a first transport passage means for discharging the recording paper with said one side facing down onto said first tray; a second transport passage means branched from said first transport passage means for transporting the recording paper toward said second tray with said one side facing up; discharge roller means for discharging the recording paper delivered through said second transport passage means onto said second tray; and switch means for selectively providing a first state for allowing the recording paper delivered through said first transport passage means to move further on through said first transport passage means and a second state for directing the recording paper into said second transport passage means; wherein said discharge roller means is removable with said second tray from said machine body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
153 words
An image-forming apparatus comprising: image-forming means for forming an image on one side of recording paper; a first tray; a second tray removable from said apparatus; a first transport passage means for discharging the recording paper with said one side facing down onto said first tray; a second transport passage means branched from said first transport passage means for transporting the recording paper toward said second tray with said one side facing up; discharge roller means for discharging the recording paper delivered through said second transport passage means onto said second tray; and switch means for selectively providing a first state for allowing the recording paper delivered through said first transport passage means to move further on through said first transport passage means and a second state for directing the recording paper into said second transport passage means; wherein said discharge roller means is removable with said second tray from said machine body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second transport passage means is also removable with said second tray from said machine body, said switch means providing said first state when said second tray is attached to said machine body and said second state when said second tray is removed from said machine body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said switch means comprises a pivotable lever for defining a first guide surface forming part of a passage wall of said first transport passage means when in said first state, and a second guide surface forming part of a passage wall of said second transport passage means when in said second state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said pivotable lever is manually controllable.
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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) | 1993-07-30 | 1994-01-29 | 1994-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-30 | 1998-01-29 | 1998-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-30 | 2002-01-29 | 2002-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |