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. 10, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 09, 1999
Takahiro Fukunaga, Hiroshima, JP;
Hiroshi Kida, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Kazuo Nakamura, Kashiba, JP;
Toyoaki Nanba, Higashiosaka, JP;
Syoichiro Yoshiura, Tenri, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
Support structures for containing and supporting components forming a digital copier are configured with square pipes and are provided separately in association with a plurality of units of the digital copier. The effect of distortion is eliminated when the support structures are joined to maintain positional accuracy. Square pipes are combined to form each of a first support structure for containing and supporting various components forming the digital copier, for example, an image forming process portion and a fixing portion and a second support structure for containing and supporting various components to be incorporated therein as needed, for example, a sheet supplying portion. To combine the first and second support structures, square pipes and square pipes orthogonal to each other are joined in the regions of joining surfaces. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, distortion and twisting between the supporting structures.