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. 09, 2008
Filed:
Oct. 27, 2003
Tetsuroh Nakamura, Takaraduka, JP;
Ken-ichi Masumoto, Hirakata, JP;
Yuji Toyomura, Fukuoka, JP;
Takafumi Hamano, Chikushi-gun, JP;
Akira Gyotoku, Miyaki-gun, JP;
Hideki Maruyama, Chikushino, JP;
Tetsuroh Nakamura, Takaraduka, JP;
Ken-ichi Masumoto, Hirakata, JP;
Yuji Toyomura, Fukuoka, JP;
Takafumi Hamano, Chikushi-gun, JP;
Akira Gyotoku, Miyaki-gun, JP;
Hideki Maruyama, Chikushino, JP;
Panasonic Corporation, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a light source provided with converting structure for converting an advancing direction of light emitted from the light source, whereby a direction in which the light source is disposed can be determined regardless of a direction in which light is emitted. The advancing direction of the light emitted from a light emitting element is converted into a direction in which light transmitting structure can transmit the light, so that a luminous intensity on a photosensitive drum can be increased. The light source is designed so as to increase a light emitting area of the light emitting element and condense light emitted therefrom. The light emitting element utilizes a flat luminous unit, which is combined with a light transmitting structure in one optical piece.