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. 17, 2015
Filed:
Nov. 04, 2013
Kenji Nakamura, Osaka, JP;
Kohta Sakaya, Hyogo, JP;
Kuniyori Takano, Kanagawa, JP;
Jong Ho Park, Seoul, KR;
Min Jae Chung, Seoul, KR;
Kenji Nakamura, Osaka, JP;
Kohta Sakaya, Hyogo, JP;
Kuniyori Takano, Kanagawa, JP;
Jong Ho Park, Seoul, KR;
Min Jae Chung, Seoul, KR;
Ricoh Company, Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier unit that includes an image carrier and is configured to be capable of being housed in and removed from an image-forming-apparatus main body; an exposure device that is arranged close to the image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image; a retracting mechanism that holds the exposure device close to the image carrier when the image carrier unit is housed in the image-forming-apparatus main body, and holds the exposure device away from the image carrier when the image carrier unit is being removed from the image-forming-apparatus main body; a covering member that covers the retracting mechanism in a state where backlash of the exposure device at least in a main-scanning direction is allowed; and a guide mechanism that positions the exposure device in the main-scanning direction when the exposure device comes closer to the image carrier through the retracting mechanism.