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:
Feb. 20, 1996
Filed:
Jun. 24, 1994
Hideaki Matsui, Yokohama, JP;
Nobuaki Tomidokoro, Sagamihara, JP;
Shigeru Yoshiki, Kawasaki, JP;
Shigeru Watanabe, Yokohama, JP;
Shinichi Kawahara, Tokyo, JP;
Yasuhiro Kawashima, Atsugi, JP;
Katsuhiro Echigo, Asaka, JP;
Makoto Obu, Yokohama, JP;
Fumio Kishi, Yokohama, JP;
Hidetoshi Yano, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasuo Kawada, Kawasaki, JP;
Hidenori Sakai, Hiratsuka, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
In an image forming apparatus, an operating section accessible for entering various information and commands is implemented as a plurality of key units. The key units are each removably connected to the body of the operating section via cooperative connectors. When any one of the key units is damaged or or the life thereof expires, only the defective unit is replaced while the other units are continuously used.