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:
Oct. 09, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 03, 1999
Masashi Hirai, Katano, JP;
Hidekazu Sakagami, Sakurai, JP;
Syoichiro Yoshiura, Tenri, JP;
Osamu Nakayama, Nara, JP;
Fumio Shimazu, Nara, JP;
Noritaka Okazaki, Nara, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
In an image forming apparatus including a transfer and transport belt suspended between a plurality of rollers, an image forming section for forming a pattern image on the transfer and transport belt, and a pattern image detecting sensor for detecting the pattern image, the pattern image detecting sensor is disposed so as to detect the surface of a suspended segment, of the transfer and transport belt, suspended between the rollers, and a back surface contact member that is in contact with a back surface of a detection area where the pattern image detecting sensor detects the pattern image on the surface of the transfer and transport belt is provided so as to render the detection area flat and stable. This can provide an image forming apparatus incorporating a pattern image detecting means having a simple arrangement and a capability to surely detect the pattern image in a precise and stable manner.