Corona charger apparatus of simplified construction

Abstract

A universally adaptable corona charger apparatus of simplified construction which is replaceable by an unskilled operator and is inexpensive so that discarding the apparatus when it is no longer useful is cost justified. The corona charger apparatus comprises a conductive corona wire, a generally U-shaped conductive shield, a generally U-shaped non-conductive housing, and a pair of non-conductive end caps. The housing is formed with integral features which retain and accurately space the shield within the housing, locate and properly tension the corona wire, locate and support a grid if required, support electrical terminals for the corona wire and grid, retain and locate the end caps, and enable the assembled apparatus to be accurately located by an unskilled operator. By use of the integral features, the corona charger apparatus is substantially simpified with a concomitant reduction in its cost. Further, the corona charger apparatus has a universal nature in that it is adapted to be readily configured in a desired manner to carry out a particular desired electrostatographic process step.