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:
Dec. 25, 2001
Filed:
May. 12, 2000
Kan Tomita, Tokyo, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A sheet conveying path switching device for use in an image forming apparatus includes a supporting member. The supporting member includes two fulcrums for supporting a separation pick and for rotatively moving the supporting member itself. An engagement portion is formed in a sheet guide plate fixed to a cover opening a space around the separation pick for removing a jammed sheet. An elastic member of the supporting member engages in the engagement portion. When the cover is opened, the separation pick and the supporting member open together with the cover by rotatively moving about the second fulcrum. When a jammed sheet is jammed between the separation pick and the cover, the cover opens without moving the separation pick and the supporting member while the elastic member is disengaged from the engagement portion.