US4947208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus using same
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1988-12-19
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2008-12-19
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus usable with a process cartridge having an improved positioning mechanism between the process cartridge and an optical system of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge and the optical system are freely movable supported in the main assembly, and positioning portions of the process cartridge and the optical system are abutted to a positioning member fixed to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Teruo Komatsu
- 👤 Ichiro Ohsawa
- 👤 Shinji Goto
- 👤 Nobukazu Adachi
- 👤 Takashi Goto
- 👤 Junichi Asano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/18; G03G21/1839; G03G21/1842; G03G15/00; G03G15/04; G03G15/04036; G03G15/04045; G03G15/04072; G03G21/1604; G03G21/1623; G03G21/1628; G03G21/1661; G03G21/1666; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1636; G03G2221/1651; G03G2221/1654; G03G2221/1678; G03G2221/1687; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive member and process means actable on said photosensitive member, and a second supporting portion for movably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto said photosensitive member; and said second portion of said image forming apparatus including. first positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said photosensitive member of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive member and process means actable on said photosensitive member, and a second supporting portion for movably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto said photosensitive member; and said second portion of said image forming apparatus including. first positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said photosensitive member of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first positioning means and said second positioning means are adjacent to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second positioning means is abutted by a part of said optical means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
133 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive member and process means actable on said photosensitive member, and a second supporting portion for rotatably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive member adjacent an axis about which said first portion and said second portion of said image forming apparatus are separable; and said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, a first positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for the photosensitive member of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive member and process means actable on said photosensitive member, and a second supporting portion for rotatably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive member adjacent an axis about which said first portion and said second portion of said image forming apparatus are separable; and said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, a first positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for the photosensitive member of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first positioning means and said second positioning means are adjacent to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said second positioning means is abutted by a part of said optical means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
163 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive member and process means actable on said photosensitive member, and a second supporting portion for rotatably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive member adjacent an axis about which said first and second portions of said image forming apparatus are separable; said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for the photosensitive member for the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means; and said first portion of said image forming apparatus further including, means for urging the process cartridge to said first positioning means, and means for urging the optical means to said second positioning means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
163 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive member and process means actable on said photosensitive member, and a second supporting portion for rotatably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive member adjacent an axis about which said first and second portions of said image forming apparatus are separable; said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for the photosensitive member for the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means; and said first portion of said image forming apparatus further including, means for urging the process cartridge to said first positioning means, and means for urging the optical means to said second positioning means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second positioning means is abutted by a part of said optical means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
163 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive drum and process means actable on said photosensitive drum, and a second supporting portion for rotatably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive drum adjacent an axis about which said first and second portions of said image forming apparatus are separable; said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means; and said first portion of said image forming apparatus further including, means for urging the process cartridge to said first positioning means, and means for urging the optical means to said second positioning means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
163 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive drum and process means actable on said photosensitive drum, and a second supporting portion for rotatably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive drum adjacent an axis about which said first and second portions of said image forming apparatus are separable; said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means; and said first portion of said image forming apparatus further including, means for urging the process cartridge to said first positioning means, and means for urging the optical means to said second positioning means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said second positioning means is abutted by a part of the optical means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
113 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive drum and process means actable on said photosensitive drum, and a second supporting portion for movably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive drum; and said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for supporting a rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
113 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive drum and process means actable on said photosensitive drum, and a second supporting portion for movably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive drum; and said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for supporting a rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first positioning means and said second positioning means are adjacent to each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said second positioning means is abutted by a part of said optical means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
173 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive drum and process means actable on said photosensitive drum, and a second supporting portion for rotatably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive drum at a position adjacent to an axis about which the first portion and the second portion of said image forming apparatus are separable; said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for positioning a rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a part of said second supporting portion for said optical means; and said first portion of said image bearing member further including, means for urging the process cartridge to said first positioning means, and means for urging the optical means to said second positioning means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
173 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive drum and process means actable on said photosensitive drum, and a second supporting portion for rotatably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive drum at a position adjacent to an axis about which the first portion and the second portion of said image forming apparatus are separable; said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for positioning a rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a part of said second supporting portion for said optical means; and said first portion of said image bearing member further including, means for urging the process cartridge to said first positioning means, and means for urging the optical means to said second positioning means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
172 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive drum and process means actable on said photosensitive drum, and a second supporting portion for rotatably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive drum at a position adjacent an axis about which the first portion and the second portion of said image bearing member are separable; said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for supporting a rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a part of said second supporting portion for said optical means; and said first portion of said image forming apparatus further including, means for urging the process cartridge to said first positioning means, and means for urging the optical means to said second positioning means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
172 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive drum and process means actable on said photosensitive drum, and a second supporting portion for rotatably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive drum at a position adjacent an axis about which the first portion and the second portion of said image bearing member are separable; said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for supporting a rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a part of said second supporting portion for said optical means; and said first portion of said image forming apparatus further including, means for urging the process cartridge to said first positioning means, and means for urging the optical means to said second positioning means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said optical means is a laser scanning device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said process means of said process cartridge contains a charger, a developing device and a cleaning device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
121 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including when it is separated from said second portion, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive drum and process means actable on said photosensitive drum, and a second supporting portion for movably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive drum; and said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for supporting a rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
121 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus: said first portion including when it is separated from said second portion, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive drum and process means actable on said photosensitive drum, and a second supporting portion for movably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive drum; and said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for supporting a rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
125 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus, said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive drum and process means actable on said photosensitive drum; a second supporting portion for movably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive drum; said second portion including, first positioning means for supporting a rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge; said first portion of said image bearing member further including, means for urging the process cartridge to said first positioning means; and means for urging the optical means to correctly position it.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
125 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus, said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting the process cartridge which contains a photosensitive drum and process means actable on said photosensitive drum; a second supporting portion for movably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto the photosensitive drum; said second portion including, first positioning means for supporting a rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge; said first portion of said image bearing member further including, means for urging the process cartridge to said first positioning means; and means for urging the optical means to correctly position it.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 18 or 19, wherein said process means of said process cartridge contains a charger, a developing device and a cleaning device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
96 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a photosensitive member detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus, said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting a photosensitive member, and a second supporting portion for movably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto said photosensitive member; and said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said photosensitive member, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
96 words
An image forming apparatus including separable first and second portions and usable with a photosensitive member detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus, said first portion including, a first supporting portion for detachably mounting and movably supporting a photosensitive member, and a second supporting portion for movably supporting optical means for producing light information to be projected onto said photosensitive member; and said second portion of said image forming apparatus including, first positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said photosensitive member, and second positioning means for supporting a positioning portion for said optical means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 18, 19 or 21, wherein said optical means is a laser scanning device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 18 or 21, wherein said first positioning means and said second positioning means have a common positioning portion.
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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) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |