US5784672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Color image forming apparatus having integrally formed/removable image forming body and exposive device
Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
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Filing: 1997-03-21
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Granted: 1998-07-21
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Expires: 2017-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A color image forming apparatus including: an image forming body rotating about a rotary axis; a plurality of imagewise exposure devices mounted on an optical system supporting body and provided inside the image forming body for imagewise exposing the image forming body, wherein the image forming body is integrally formed with the optical system supporting body; a plurality of developing units provided around the image forming body; a suspending member for suspending the optical system supporting body; and guiding member for guiding the suspending member so that the image forming body is pulled out in a direction of the rotary axis of the image forming body.
Inventors
- 👤 Satoshi Haneda
- 👤 Hisayoshi Nagase
- 👤 Hiroyuki Tokimatsu
- 👤 Masahiro Onodera
- 👤 Shuta Hamada
- 👤 Toshihide Miura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:08
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/011; G03G15/04; G03G15/04036; G03G15/04081; G03G15/22; G03G15/32; G03G15/326; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/01; G03G2215/0167; G03G2215/017; G03G2215/04; G03G2215/0497
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A color image forming apparatus comprising: (a) an image forming body rotating around a rotary axis; (b) a plurality of imagewise exposure devices attached to an optical system supporting body and arranged inside the image forming body for imagewise exposing the image forming body, wherein the image forming body is rotatably provided on the optical system supporting body and wherein the image forming body and the plurality of imagewise exposure devices are integrally formed into a unit through the optical system supporting body; (c) a plurality of developing units arranged so as to surround the image forming body; (d) a suspending member for suspending the optical system supporting body; and (e) a guiding member for guiding the suspending member so that the suspending member is pulled out in a direction of the rotary axis of the image forming body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A color image forming apparatus comprising: (a) an image forming body rotating around a rotary axis; (b) a plurality of imagewise exposure devices attached to an optical system supporting body and arranged inside the image forming body for imagewise exposing the image forming body, wherein the image forming body is rotatably provided on the optical system supporting body and wherein the image forming body and the plurality of imagewise exposure devices are integrally formed into a unit through the optical system supporting body; (c) a plurality of developing units arranged so as to surround the image forming body; (d) a suspending member for suspending the optical system supporting body; and (e) a guiding member for guiding the suspending member so that the suspending member is pulled out in a direction of the rotary axis of the image forming body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The color image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suspending member includes a rail member which is engaged with the guiding member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The color image forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a gear provided at an end of the image forming body, a drive motor for driving the gear, and a transmitter for transmitting power from the motor to the gear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The color image forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a drive motor for driving the plurality of developing units and a power transmitter for transmitting power from the drive motor to the developing units.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The color image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suspending member forms a stand on which the image forming body may be placed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The color image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of imagewise exposure devices are wired on a side opposite to a drive side of the image forming body and the plurality of developing units.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The color image forming apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an intermediate transfer member for transferring a toner image formed on the image forming body onto a recording sheet; and a supporting member for supporting and suspending the intermediate transfer member, wherein when the supporting member is moved in the direction of the rotary axis of the image forming body, the intermediate transfer member can be pulled out from the apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The color image forming apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a drive motor for driving the intermediate transfer member and a transmitter for transmitting power from the motor to the intermediate transfer member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The color image forming apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a gear provided at an end of the image forming body, a drive motor for driving the intermediate transfer member, and a transmitter for transmitting power from the motor to the intermediate transfer member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The color image forming apparatus of claim 7, wherein a driving system for the image forming body and a driving system for the intermediate transfer member are integrally formed into a unit and fixed on the supporting 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) | 2001-07-20 | 2002-01-19 | 2002-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-20 | 2006-01-19 | 2006-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-20 | 2010-01-19 | 2010-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |