US5168286A — Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 302 words

An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body member having a side face, with an opening portion formed in said side face; opening and shutting means for opening and shutting said opening portion; a platen roller rotatably mounted in said main body member; fixing means within said main body member for fixing a toner image on a paper; a paper discharge portion mounted adjacent said side face for receipt of a paper discharged from said main body member after fixing of a toner image on the paper; and a thermal transfer printer for recording desired information additively on a paper on which a toner image has been fixed by said fixing means and which is positioned on the platen roller, said thermal transfer printer including: (i) a cassette for housing an ink-ribbon, (ii) a casing having said cassette detachably mounted thereon, said casing being movable between a predetermined set position in the main body member and a retracted position retracted from the set position so as to allow said cassette to be removed from said image forming apparatus through said opening portion when said opening portion is kept open by said opening and shutting means, (iii) a thermal head; (iv) thermal head supporting means for supporting said thermal head so that said thermal head is movable between a pressuring position, in which said thermal head presses an ink-ribbon housed in said cassette against the paper on said platen roller while extending the ink-ribbon from said cassette, and a retracted position retracted from the pressuring position so as to allow said cassette to be detached from said casing, and (v) an interlocking mechanism for causing said thermal head supporting means to retract said thermal head to the thermal head retracted position in response to movement of said casing to the casing retracted position.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 302 words

An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body member having a side face, with an opening portion formed in said side face; opening and shutting means for opening and shutting said opening portion; a platen roller rotatably mounted in said main body member; fixing means within said main body member for fixing a toner image on a paper; a paper discharge portion mounted adjacent said side face for receipt of a paper discharged from said main body member after fixing of a toner image on the paper; and a thermal transfer printer for recording desired information additively on a paper on which a toner image has been fixed by said fixing means and which is positioned on the platen roller, said thermal transfer printer including: (i) a cassette for housing an ink-ribbon, (ii) a casing having said cassette detachably mounted thereon, said casing being movable between a predetermined set position in the main body member and a retracted position retracted from the set position so as to allow said cassette to be removed from said image forming apparatus through said opening portion when said opening portion is kept open by said opening and shutting means, (iii) a thermal head; (iv) thermal head supporting means for supporting said thermal head so that said thermal head is movable between a pressuring position, in which said thermal head presses an ink-ribbon housed in said cassette against the paper on said platen roller while extending the ink-ribbon from said cassette, and a retracted position retracted from the pressuring position so as to allow said cassette to be detached from said casing, and (v) an interlocking mechanism for causing said thermal head supporting means to retract said thermal head to the thermal head retracted position in response to movement of said casing to the casing retracted position.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 73 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said thermal transfer printer further includes a casing supporting shaft, said casing is pivotable about said casing supporting shaft between the set position and the casing retracted position, said thermal head is pivotably supported by said thermal head supporting means, and said interlocking mechanism pivots said thermal head away from said casing in response to pivoting of said casing to the casing retracted position.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 33 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said interlocking mechanism includes spring means operative through said thermal head supporting means for urging said thermal head to the thermal head retracted position.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 45 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said thermal transfer printer further includes a contact member connected with said main body, and wherein said thermal head supporting means is in contact with said contact member to control the position of said thermal head.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 53 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said contact member includes pivoting means for pivoting said thermal head supporting means to move said thermal head to the pressuring position and allowing said spring means to pivot said thermal head supporting means to move said thermal head away from the pressuring position.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 16 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said pivoting means includes an eccentric roller.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 80 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said pivoting means further includes a roller supporting shaft, wherein said eccentric roller has a shaft-inserting through hole through which said roller supporting shaft is inserted to allow said roller supporting shaft to move in the radial direction of said eccentric roller, and wherein said pivoting means further includes a compression spring within the shaft-inserting through hole for keeping the center of said eccentric roller away from said roller supporting shaft.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said spring means includes a tension spring engaged with the thermal head supporting means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 23 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said spring means includes a torsion spring engaged with the thermal head supporting means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 94 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said thermal head is integrally mounted with said thermal head supporting means for pivoting therewith, and said interlocking mechanism includes: (i) a stay fixed to and pivotable with said thermal head supporting means, (ii) a guided member connected to said stay, and (iii) a guiding member attached to said main body member and adapted to be engaged by said guided member as said casing is pivoting from the set position to the casing retracted position, thus guiding the guided member to pivot said thermal head.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 28 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an eccentric roller contacting said stay to move said thermal head to the pressuring position for thermal transferring.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking mechanism includes a spring means engaged with the thermal head supporting means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising thermal head pivoting means for pivoting said thermal head to the pressuring position for thermal transferring.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 18 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said thermal head moving means includes an eccentric roller.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 84 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said thermal head pivoting means further includes a roller supporting shaft, wherein said eccentric roller has a shaft-inserting through hole through which said roller supporting shaft is inserted to allow said roller supporting shaft to move in the radial direction of said eccentric roller, and wherein said thermal head pivoting means further includes a compression spring within the shaft-inserting through hole for keeping the center of said eccentric roller away from said roller supporting shaft.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 55 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cassette includes (i) a body, (ii) a feed reel and a winding reel mounted in parallel with each other in said body and (iii) an ink-ribbon, and wherein said ink-ribbon is adapted to be wound from said feed reel and wound on said winding reel.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 28 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said opening and shutting means includes a cover pivotably mounted on said main body of said image forming apparatus.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 22 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said cover includes a punching unit for punching filing holes in the paper.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 18 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said cover is connected with said paper discharging portion.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 321 words

A thermal transfer printer for an image forming apparatus, for recording desired information additively on a paper on which the image forming apparatus has fixed a toner image, the image forming apparatus having a platen roller, said thermal transfer printer comprising: (i) a cassette for housing an ink-ribbon and including a feed reel for feeding the ink-ribbon and a winding reel for taking up the ink-ribbon, (ii) a thermal head movable to a pressuring position in which said thermal head extends a portion of the ink-ribbon, located between said feed reel and said winding reel, from said cassette to press the portion on paper on the platen roller, for the purpose of thermal transferring and responsive to completion of the thermal transferring, to move to a pressure release position to release pressure from the portion of the ink-ribbon, (iii) ribbon-slack eliminating means responsive to said thermal head moving to the pressure release position for actuating said winding reel to wind the portion of the ink-ribbon thereon, thus eliminating slack in the ink-ribbon brought about by said thermal head moving to the pressure release position, and for releasing said winding reel following the winding of the portion of the ink ribbon thereon, (iv) a torque limiter for restraining said ribbon-slack eliminating means from transmitting more than a predetermined amount of torque to said winding reel, and (v) resistance loading means for loading on said feed reel an amount of braking torque greater than said predetermined amount of drive torque, whereby as slack is taken up after thermal transferring is completed, the braking torque inhibits ink-ribbon from being drawn out from said feed reel to said winding reel and when further desired information is recorded by subsequent moving of said thermal head to the pressuring position, a part of the portion of the ink ribbon wound on said winding reel in the eliminating of the slack is drawn out from said winding reel.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 321 words

A thermal transfer printer for an image forming apparatus, for recording desired information additively on a paper on which the image forming apparatus has fixed a toner image, the image forming apparatus having a platen roller, said thermal transfer printer comprising: (i) a cassette for housing an ink-ribbon and including a feed reel for feeding the ink-ribbon and a winding reel for taking up the ink-ribbon, (ii) a thermal head movable to a pressuring position in which said thermal head extends a portion of the ink-ribbon, located between said feed reel and said winding reel, from said cassette to press the portion on paper on the platen roller, for the purpose of thermal transferring and responsive to completion of the thermal transferring, to move to a pressure release position to release pressure from the portion of the ink-ribbon, (iii) ribbon-slack eliminating means responsive to said thermal head moving to the pressure release position for actuating said winding reel to wind the portion of the ink-ribbon thereon, thus eliminating slack in the ink-ribbon brought about by said thermal head moving to the pressure release position, and for releasing said winding reel following the winding of the portion of the ink ribbon thereon, (iv) a torque limiter for restraining said ribbon-slack eliminating means from transmitting more than a predetermined amount of torque to said winding reel, and (v) resistance loading means for loading on said feed reel an amount of braking torque greater than said predetermined amount of drive torque, whereby as slack is taken up after thermal transferring is completed, the braking torque inhibits ink-ribbon from being drawn out from said feed reel to said winding reel and when further desired information is recorded by subsequent moving of said thermal head to the pressuring position, a part of the portion of the ink ribbon wound on said winding reel in the eliminating of the slack is drawn out from said winding reel.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

The thermal transfer printer according to claim 20 wherein said ribbon-slack eliminating means includes a stepper motor.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 93 words

The thermal transfer printer according to claim 20, wherein said torque limiter includes: (i) a first member interlocked and rotated with said ribbon-slack eliminating means, (ii) a second member disposed coaxially with said first member and interlocked and rotated with said winding reel, and (iii) urging means for urging said first and second members together, and wherein both said first member and second member are able to move axially and rotate relative to each other and have ends which face each other and which are urged into frictional engagement by said urging means.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 47 words

The thermal transfer printer according to claim 20, wherein said resistance loading means includes a frictional member and urging means for elastically urging said frictional member to a predetermined position against said feed reel to generate a frictional force therebetween for braking rotation of said feed reel.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 35 words

The thermal transfer printer according to claim 20, wherein said resistance loading means includes a solenoid having a claw portion, and a gear member provided on said feed reel for engagement with said claw portion.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 31 words

The thermal transfer printer according to claim 20, further comprising thermal head moving means for selectively moving said thermal head to each of said pressuring position and said pressure release position.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 92 words

The thermal transfer printer according to claim 25, further comprising a thermal head supporting shaft supporting said thermal head and integrally pivotable therewith, and wherein said thermal head moving means comprises: (i) urging means for urging said thermal head to the pressure release position, and (ii) pivoting means for pivoting said thermal head supporting shaft to pivot said thermal head to the pressuring position against the force of said urging means, and for allowing said urging means to pivot said thermal head to the pressure release position after completion of thermal transferring.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 38 words

The thermal transfer printer according to claim 26, wherein said pivoting means includes an eccentric roller, and a member extending in the radial direction of said thermal head supporting shaft and pivotable with said thermal head supporting shaft.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 97 words

The thermal transfer printer according to claim 27, further comprising a casing mounting said cassette, a casing supporting shaft supporting said casing, and a roller supporting shaft parallel with said casing supporting shaft, and wherein said eccentric roller is provided with a shaft-inserting through hole said roller supporting shaft is inserted in such a manner as to allow said roller supporting shaft to move in the radial direction thereof, and said eccentric roller includes a compression coil spring in the shaft-inserting through hole for keeping the center of the eccentric roller away from the roller supporting shaft.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 316 words

A thermal transfer printer for an image forming apparatus, for recording desired information additively on a paper on which the image forming apparatus has fixed a toner image, the image forming apparatus having a platen roller, said thermal transfer printer comprising: (i) a cassette for housing an ink-ribbon and including a feed reel for feeding the ink-ribbon and a winding reel for taking up the ink-ribbon, (ii) a thermal head movable to a pressuring position in which said thermal head extends a portion of the ink-ribbon, located between said feed reel and said winding reel, from said cassette to press the portion on paper on the platen roller, for the purpose of thermal transferring and responsive to completion of the thermal transferring, to move to a pressure release position to release pressure from the portion of the ink-ribbon, (iii) ribbon-slack eliminating means responsive to said thermal head moving to the pressure release position for actuating said feed reel to wind the portion of the ink-ribbon thereon, thus eliminating slack in the ink-ribbon brought about by said thermal head moving to the pressure release position, and for releasing said winding reel following the winding of the portion of the ink ribbon thereon, (iv) a torque limiter for restraining said ribbon-slack eliminating means from transmitting more than a predetermined amount of torque to said feed reel, and (v) resistance loading means for loading on said winding reel an amount of braking torque greater than said predetermined amount of torque, whereby as slack is taken up after thermal transferring is completed, the braking torque inhibits ink-ribbon from being drawn out from said winding reel and when further desired information is recorded by subsequent moving of said thermal head to the pressuring position, a part of the portion of the ink ribbon wound on said feed reel in the eliminating of the slack is drawn out from said feed reel.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 316 words

A thermal transfer printer for an image forming apparatus, for recording desired information additively on a paper on which the image forming apparatus has fixed a toner image, the image forming apparatus having a platen roller, said thermal transfer printer comprising: (i) a cassette for housing an ink-ribbon and including a feed reel for feeding the ink-ribbon and a winding reel for taking up the ink-ribbon, (ii) a thermal head movable to a pressuring position in which said thermal head extends a portion of the ink-ribbon, located between said feed reel and said winding reel, from said cassette to press the portion on paper on the platen roller, for the purpose of thermal transferring and responsive to completion of the thermal transferring, to move to a pressure release position to release pressure from the portion of the ink-ribbon, (iii) ribbon-slack eliminating means responsive to said thermal head moving to the pressure release position for actuating said feed reel to wind the portion of the ink-ribbon thereon, thus eliminating slack in the ink-ribbon brought about by said thermal head moving to the pressure release position, and for releasing said winding reel following the winding of the portion of the ink ribbon thereon, (iv) a torque limiter for restraining said ribbon-slack eliminating means from transmitting more than a predetermined amount of torque to said feed reel, and (v) resistance loading means for loading on said winding reel an amount of braking torque greater than said predetermined amount of torque, whereby as slack is taken up after thermal transferring is completed, the braking torque inhibits ink-ribbon from being drawn out from said winding reel and when further desired information is recorded by subsequent moving of said thermal head to the pressuring position, a part of the portion of the ink ribbon wound on said feed reel in the eliminating of the slack is drawn out from said feed reel.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 17 words

The thermal transfer printer according to claim 29, wherein said ribbon-slack eliminating means includes a stepper motor.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 92 words

The thermal transfer printer according to claim 29, wherein said torque limiter includes: (i) a first member interlocked and rotated with said ribbon-slack eliminating means, (ii) a second member disposed coaxially with said first member and interlocked and rotated with said feed reel, and (iii) urging means for urging said first and second members together, and wherein both said first member and second member are able to move axially and rotate relative to each other and have ends which face each other and are urged into frictional engagement by said urging means.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 35 words

The thermal transfer printer according to claim 29, wherein said resistance loading means comprises a solenoid having a claw portion, and a gear member provided on said feed reel for engagement with said claw portion.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 165 words

A winding controller for controlling taking up of slack in an ink-ribbon of a thermal transfer printer in an image forming apparatus, following thermal transferring of desired information additively on a paper on which the image forming apparatus has fixed a toner image, the thermal transfer printer including a feed reel for feeding the ink-ribbon and a winding reel for winding of the ink-ribbon after the thermal transferring, said winding controller comprising: ribbon amount detecting means for detecting either an amount of ribbon remaining on said feed reel or an amount of ribbon wound on said winding reel and providing an amount signal indicative of the detected amount, and winding time control means responsive to the amount signal for changing the winding time of the winding reel in accordance with the detected amount to cause a constant length of ribbon to be wound onto said winding reel after each thermal transfer regardless of the amount of ribbon on said feed reel and said winding reel.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 165 words

A winding controller for controlling taking up of slack in an ink-ribbon of a thermal transfer printer in an image forming apparatus, following thermal transferring of desired information additively on a paper on which the image forming apparatus has fixed a toner image, the thermal transfer printer including a feed reel for feeding the ink-ribbon and a winding reel for winding of the ink-ribbon after the thermal transferring, said winding controller comprising: ribbon amount detecting means for detecting either an amount of ribbon remaining on said feed reel or an amount of ribbon wound on said winding reel and providing an amount signal indicative of the detected amount, and winding time control means responsive to the amount signal for changing the winding time of the winding reel in accordance with the detected amount to cause a constant length of ribbon to be wound onto said winding reel after each thermal transfer regardless of the amount of ribbon on said feed reel and said winding reel.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 85 words

The controller according to claim 33, wherein: said winding time control means controls winding of ink-ribbon including a light reflecting strip along one side edge thereof, and said ribbon amount detecting means includes a light source for irradiating light on the light reflecting strip of the ink-ribbon wound on either the feed reel or the winding reel, and a detector for detecting the light reflected from the light reflecting strip to detect relative changes in the diameter of the ribbon wound on the associated reel.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 23 words

The controller according to claim 34, wherein said light reflecting strip comprises a silver evaporation portion formed on one surface of the ink-ribbon.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 20 words

The controller according to claim 34, wherein said detector comprises a photosensor for receiving light reflected from the reflecting strip.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 62 words

The controller according to claim 33, wherein the ribbon amount detecting means comprises a microswitch having an actuator which is elastically urged against the circumference of the ink-ribbon wound on either the feed reel or the winding reel and which moves according to changes in the diameter of the ink-ribbon, the microswitch outputting a signal corresponding to the position of said actuator.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 134 words

An image forming apparatus comprising: fixing means for fixing a toner image on a paper; a thermal transfer printer for recording desired information additively on the paper after the toner image has been fixed thereon; a pair of side plates a pipe of high heat conductivity and having end portions supported by said pair of side plates; pressuring means for interposing paper discharged from said fixing means into a clearance between said pressuring means and said pipe, thus pressing the paper to said pipe; driving means for driving at least one of said pipe and said pressuring means to cause said pipe and said pressuring means to deliver the paper to the thermal transfer printer; and ventilating means for causing external air to flow through said pipe to cool said pipe and the paper.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 134 words

An image forming apparatus comprising: fixing means for fixing a toner image on a paper; a thermal transfer printer for recording desired information additively on the paper after the toner image has been fixed thereon; a pair of side plates a pipe of high heat conductivity and having end portions supported by said pair of side plates; pressuring means for interposing paper discharged from said fixing means into a clearance between said pressuring means and said pipe, thus pressing the paper to said pipe; driving means for driving at least one of said pipe and said pressuring means to cause said pipe and said pressuring means to deliver the paper to the thermal transfer printer; and ventilating means for causing external air to flow through said pipe to cool said pipe and the paper.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 15 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said pipe is made of aluminum.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 31 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said pressuring means comprises either a roller or a belt, and urging means elastically urging said roller or belt to said pipe.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 45 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said pressuring means includes a roller, said roller including (i) an aluminum supporter having a plurality of hollow portions extending in the axial direction, and (ii) a frictional member provided on the circumference of the supporter.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 20 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said ventilating means includes an intake fan or a blow-in fan.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 21 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising static electricity removing means for removing static electricity in said pipe.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 33 words

The image forming apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said static electricity removing means is connected with the side plates and has a brush contact shoe for contacting the circumference of the pipe.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-12-01	1996-06-01	1996-12-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-12-01	2000-06-01	2000-12-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-12-01	2004-06-01	2004-12-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a thermal printer for such apparatus for adding supplemental data

Abstract

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