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:
Mar. 07, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 22, 1997
Jun Azuma, Kashiwa, JP;
Takashi Goto, Zushi, JP;
Masaaki Nishikawa, Kashiwa, JP;
Shigeo Murayama, Abiko, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus which forms an image on a recording medium and to which a process cartridge can detachably be mounted includes (a) a cartridge mounting portion capable of detachably mounting a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a process device acting on the photosensitive drum, and a projection having a first-twisted-polygonal prism shape provided on one longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum, (b) a rotatable rotary member having a first twisted hole of polygonal cross-section, (c) a rotatable coupling shaft supported for axial movement and being provided at its one end with a second-twisted-polygonal prism shape fitted into the first twisted hole of the rotary member, and being provided at its other end with a second twisted hole of polygonal cross-section for engaging with and disengaging from the projection having the first-twisted-polygonal prism shape and having substantially the same twisted angle and twisted direction as those of the first-twisted-polygonal prism shape, (d) a spring member for biasing the coupling shaft toward the photosensitive drum, (e) an axial direction shifter for shifting the second twisted hole and the projection having the first-twisted-polygonal prism shape relative to each other between a first position and a second position, and (f) a conveyor for conveying the recording medium.