Lexmark International, Inc.

Philip John Male

Gregory Alan Cavill

David Lee Merrifield

Christopher Elliot Lingle

Trey Dustin Gilliam

Ganesh Vivayak Phatak

An assembly according to one example embodiment includes an electrically conductive fastener that includes a head and a shank. The shank extends from an undersurface of the head along a longitudinal axis of the fastener to a distal end of the fastener. A fastening hole is formed by an electrically nonconductive material. At least a portion of the shank of the fastener is installed in the fastening hole. An electrically conductive component is held between the undersurface of the head of the fastener and a surface surrounding an entrance to the fastening hole. An electrically conductive flange extends from the component and contacts an outer portion of the head of the fastener such that an electrical path is formed between the fastener and the component.

Redundant electrical contact between a fastener and a component

A bearing assembly for supporting a rotatable component of an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a metal bearing insert molded into an electrically nonconductive plastic shell. The metal bearing includes a bearing surface that defines a cylindrical opening for receiving an axial end of a shaft. The plastic shell covers an entire outer circumferential surface of the metal bearing and an inner axial side of a portion of the metal bearing forming the opening is inset from an inner axial side of the plastic shell such that the plastic shell shields the metal bearing from electrical arcing.

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, KY, United States of America

Philip John Male