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. 18, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 24, 1998
Yoshinobu Takeyama, Kanagawa, JP;
Masanori Saitoh, Tokyo, JP;
Hideaki Kibune, Kanagawa, JP;
Nobuyuki Yanagawa, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus is provided which can selectively drive a plurality of developing units by a simple structure accommodated in a small space. Two image stations are arranged along a direction of movement of an intermediate transfer belt. Each of the image stations is provided with a plurality of developing units arranged around a photosensitive drum. A developing unit driving system drives the plurality of developing units. A switching mechanism switches a transmission path of a power generated by the developing unit driving system so that the power is selectively transmitted to one of the developing units.