Belt-type photoconductor replacement apparatus
US5400121A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/754
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An expandable shell for changing a belt-type photoconductor in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer. The apparatus has a two piece expandable housing which captures the belt around the housing's inner wall. Guide features are provided on each half of the housing to ensure proper belt placement. Mating guide features are located in the image forming apparatus. The guide feature in the printer nearest the idler roller is linked to the idler roller which is movable toward the drive roller to facilitate changing the belt. The belt is captured in the housing when the housing is in the collapsed position. When the housing expands, the belt becomes free from the housing and is captured by the drive and idler rollers in the printer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.