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:
Sep. 09, 1997
Filed:
Nov. 13, 1995
Toshihiko Kumon, Aichi-Ken, JP;
Akinori Kaneko, Fujisawa, JP;
Minolta Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductive member has a plurality of developer units supported by a rotatable supporting device, an elastic member such as a spring which rotates the supporting device through a predetermined angle to sequentially position the developer units in a developing position, and a switching device which switches the position among the developing units. The switching device has an accumulating device such as an electric motor which accumulates the energy in the elastic member, and a releasing device which releases the energy accumulated in the elastic member to effect the rotation of the supporting device and substantially instantaneous switching of the developer units.