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:
Nov. 26, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 11, 1999
Shigeru Horiguchi, Kawasaki, JP;
Yuki Nanri, Tokyo, JP;
Kazuyuki Saitoh, Tokyo, JP;
Yuji Suzuki, Yokohama, JP;
Masahiro Nakajima, Tokyo, JP;
Tetsuya Gotoh, Yokohama, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus having at least two of a plurality of functions including copying, facsimile and printer functions includes a main power switch that is provided on an outer surface of the apparatus and a cover to cover the main power switch. The cover is capable of opening and closing. Because the main power switch cannot be operated unless the cover is opened, when a user inadvertently tries to turn off the main power switch, for example, at the end of a day, the user must first touch the cover and is thereby reminded that the switch which the user is trying to turn off, is actually the main power switch for the apparatus. Thus, the main power switch is prevented from being inadvertently or unconsciously turned off.