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. 16, 2012
Filed:
Jul. 17, 2009
Masahiro Yonekawa, Machida, JP;
Masato Suzuki, Kawasaki, JP;
Ryota Yano, Yokohama, JP;
Ricoh Company, Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus in which unintentional operation of the operation unit does not occur when sheets on which images have been formed or sheets prior to image forming or the like are placed on the top surface of the main body of the apparatus. The operation unit and a bearing are connected by a linking member. The operation unit can be disposed further forward than the carriage, so the distance between the operator and the operation unit is small, the operation is thereby made easier. The operation unit can be disposed closer to the center of the apparatus than the position of the carriage when it has moved as far as possible to the operation unit side, so the width of the whole recording apparatus can be made narrower. The operation unit rotates about a rotation shaft, so no matter what specific position the operation unit is located in, the operation unit is lower than the top surface of the apparatus main body. Therefore, when sheets on which images have been formed or sheets prior to image forming or the like are placed on the top surface of the main body of the apparatus, unintentional operation of the operation unit does not occur.