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:
Jul. 20, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 14, 1997
Kasumi Yamamoto, Tokyo, JP;
Masatoshi Takano, Tokyo, JP;
Tomoyuki Nishikawa, Tokyo, JP;
Tsutomu Sato, Tokyo, JP;
Tsukasa Yanashima, Tokyo, JP;
Yutaka Ishikawa, Tokyo, JP;
Hiroyuki Saito, Tokyo, JP;
Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A fixing unit, used for fixing images on a recording sheet, includes a heat roller accommodating a heater, and a press roller movable between a retracted position and an operating position. The heat roller is rotated by a driving mechanism. A moving mechanism opens and closes a gap between the press roller and the heat roller by moving the press roller between the retracted position and the operating position. An assist gear rotates the press roller in a predetermined direction when the opening/closing mechanism moves the press roller toward the operating position.