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:
Apr. 27, 2010
Filed:
Sep. 07, 2007
Kaoru Tada, Tokyo, JP;
Tadashi Okano, Tokyo, JP;
Genta Hagiwara, Tokyo, JP;
Nobuhiko Kita, Suita, JP;
Kazuyoshi Kondo, Toyonaka, JP;
Ryoh Idehara, Kawanishi, JP;
Kaoru Tada, Tokyo, JP;
Tadashi Okano, Tokyo, JP;
Genta Hagiwara, Tokyo, JP;
Nobuhiko Kita, Suita, JP;
Kazuyoshi Kondo, Toyonaka, JP;
Ryoh Idehara, Kawanishi, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus which prevents deformation of a structural frame caused by external force or weight of the apparatus itself, when set on a surface such as a conventional desk or floor, prevents image defects such as image deformation and the like without reducing the degree of accuracy of positioning support of respective printing devices inside the image forming apparatus, and furthermore also makes precise color matching possible while also being low price, easily assembled, compact, lightweight, highly reliable, and capable of obtaining high quality images. The structural frame of the image forming apparatus includes side wall portions made of resin and provided on either side of the apparatus, and at least two connectors formed from metal, for connecting the side wall portions, an image forming unit being supported by the side wall portions, and the connectors joining the side wall portions in substantially perpendicular and substantially horizontal directions.