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. 20, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 26, 1998
Shirou Wakahara, Chiba, JP;
Tomohiko Okada, Soraku-gun, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus is described that records with the developer a desired image on a recording medium, which is transported in a transporting direction through a gap between a control electrode and a counter electrode, by supplying a potential to the control electrode based on image data and selectively permitting the developer to pass through gates. The control electrode is a flat-shaped member interposed between the developer carrier and the counter electrode. It has a pair of support regions that are spaced apart from a central region, one supporting region on each side of said central region in the transporting direction. A first support member has a first flat surface and a first fixing member that holds one support region of the control electrode member fixedly on said first flat surface and (2) a second support member has a second flat surface and a second fixing member that holds the other support region of the control electrode member fixedly on said second flat surface. An adjustment feature can be used for slightly deforming the supporting member in the transporting direction.