Patent · US Expired

Process unit having mounting guides and protective covers

US5845176A · kind A · utility

36Cited by
11References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 2, 1995
Grant dateDec 1, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 2, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G2221/1687
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A fixed frame includes a photosensitive drum and a developing unit, and a movable frame is openable with respect to the fixed frame. The developing unit, which has two pairs of protrusions thereon, is detachably mounted to the fixed frame by engaging the protrusions with two pairs of guides provided on the fixed frame. One pair of guides includes a portion for momentarily catching one pair of the protrusions as the developing unit is being mounted to the apparatus, and each of the other pair of guides includes a inclined portion having the shape of an arc centered on the momentarily catching portion, whereby an impact to the developing unit is alleviated. The developing unit has a shutter which moves to a position for covering a peripheral surface of a developing sleeve when the developing unit is being dismounted, and which retracts from the developing sleeve covering position and moves to a position for covering the photosensitive drum when the developing unit is being mounted. The movable frame accommodates a fixing device to move the fixing device rearwardly together with the movable frame when the movable frame is opened, whereby the danger of an operator touching the fixing d…

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