Patent · US Expired

Digital image forming apparatus capable of easily installing and removing optical scanner unit

US5751431A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
8References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 27, 1996
Grant dateMay 12, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 27, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N1/00543
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A digital image forming apparatus equipped with an optical scanner unit which is detachable from a main body includes an upper image reading section and a lower part image forming section. The apparatus is arranged such that the optical scanner unit can be installed and removed in and from the apparatus in a vertical direction, and can be removed through an opening provided for removing the image forming section therethrough. According to the described arrangement, during the installation and removal of the optical scanner unit, removal of the image reading section and a special opening for the optical scanner unit are not required, thereby reducing the restriction on structural design of the apparatus and permitting easy installation and removal of the optical scanner unit. As a result, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed with an improved efficiency.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.