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. 21, 2014
Filed:
May. 15, 2012
Tamotsu Ikeda, Osaka, JP;
Kohta Sakaya, Hyogo, JP;
Yoshiharu Takahashi, Osaka, JP;
Chikara Hiraoka, Osaka, JP;
Tamotsu Ikeda, Osaka, JP;
Kohta Sakaya, Hyogo, JP;
Yoshiharu Takahashi, Osaka, JP;
Chikara Hiraoka, Osaka, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A fixing device includes a first opposed body and a second opposed body pressed against the first opposed body. A resilient member exerts a resilient bias to the second opposed body that presses the second opposed body against the first opposed body. A lever assembly is swingable to move the second opposed body against the resilient bias exerted by the resilient member between at least a reduced pressure position where the second opposed body presses against the first opposed body with reduced pressure therebetween and an enhanced pressure position where the second opposed body presses against the first opposed body with enhanced pressure therebetween. A resistance applier engages the lever assembly to exert drag on the lever assembly when the lever assembly moves the second opposed body from the reduced pressure position to the enhanced pressure position.