Patent · US Active

Image forming apparatus with cartridge loading device

US7917058B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
1References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 18, 2008
Grant dateMar 29, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 19, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G21/1864
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An image forming apparatus that includes at least one process cartridge having a photosensitive element, a development unit, a toner storage unit, a driven shaft and a driven gear mounted thereon and which is detachably attachable to the apparatus from a top front side thereof, a drive shaft, a drive gear mounted on the drive shaft to couple with and drive the driven gear to transmit a driving force to the process cartridge, an upper cover opening and closing with respect to the apparatus, a front cover opening and closing with respect to the apparatus, and at least one block component to block coupling of the drive gear and the driven gear by contacting the driven shaft while interlocked with opening and closing of the upper cover. The process cartridge is detachably attachable to the apparatus from the front top side thereof by opening and closing the upper cover.

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