The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 01, 1995
Filed:
Aug. 10, 1993
Takashi Maekawa, Kawasaki, JP;
Akira Takahashi, Fukushima, JP;
Fujitsu Limited, Kawasaki, JP;
Fujitsu Isotec Limited, Inagi, JP;
Abstract
There is disclosed an image forming apparatus which facilitates exchange of a process cartridge for forming an image and which can allow a large exchangeable process cartridge to be used. This image forming apparatus consists of an endless latent image carrier; a unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier; a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier; a unit for transferring a toner image on the latent image carrier onto a sheet; a unit for fixing the toner image on the sheet; a unit for retaining the sheet; a process cartridge, provided detachable to the apparatus above the sheet retaining unit, for holding at least the latent image carrier and the developing unit; a stacker, provided above the process cartridge, for holding a discharged sheet; a feeding path along which the sheet from the sheet retaining unit is discharged on the stacker through the process cartridge; a front cover provided on the housing to be rotatable frontward of the apparatus; an upper cover provided on the housing to be rotatable upward of the apparatus, the stacker being formed in the upper cover, wherein the first cover is provided in such way that a distal end of the front cover covers that of the upper cover, a first discharge roller provided at the distal end of the front cover, a second discharge roller provided as the distal end of the upper cover, facing the first discharge roller, a movable support block provided on the upper cover, for supporting the second discharge roller, a positioning manner provided on the front cover and engageable with the support block, and wherein the support block has a sub-support block for supporting a shaft of the second discharge roller and a spring member for urging the sub-support block toward the front discharge roller.