Image forming apparatus having a protection unit to protect a sensitive image forming element which is exposed when an open/close member is open
US5991570A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/1687
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes an open/close member is provided to be movable to a main frame between an open position and a closed position. A sensitive image forming element is provided to be placed in an exposed condition when the open/close member is moved to the open position. A protection unit is provided to be movable to the sensitive image forming element between an active position and a retracted position, the protecting unit being moved to the active position when the open/close member is set at the open position, so that the protection unit protects the sensitive image forming element so as to prevent the sensitive image forming element from being erroneously touched, and the protection unit being moved to the retracted position when the open/close member is set at the closed position, so that the protection unit does not restrain an operation of the sensitive image forming element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.