IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,334,469
Granted Patent B2
US 8,334,469 · App. 12/805,687 · Granted Dec 18, 2012

Interlock switch and image forming apparatus using the same

Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,334,469
App. No.
12/805,687
Granted
Dec 18, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An interlock switch includes a switch mechanism. The switch mechanism includes a switch having an arm as an actuator, a holding member to which the switch is fastened by a rocking mechanism, the holding member being rotatably disposed in an apparatus body, one pressing member which presses the arm from the arm side, other pressing member which presses the holding member from the side opposite to the arm side, one elastic member which regulates the ON position of the switch in a releasing direction in arm-side view, and other elastic member which applies a force to the switch in a direction in which the one pressing member comes close to the switch. The switch is turned on when the one pressing member presses the arm from the arm side and the other pressing member presses the holding member from the side opposite to the arm side.

Claims (27)

1. An interlock switch, comprising:

a switch mechanism including

a switch having an arm as an actuator,

a holding member to which the switch is fastened by a rocking mechanism, the holding member being rotatably disposed in an apparatus body,

one pressing member which presses the arm from the arm side,

other pressing member which presses the holding member from the side opposite to the arm side,

one elastic member which regulates the ON position of the switch in a releasing direction in arm-side view, and

other elastic member which applies a force to the switch in a direction in which the one pressing member comes close to the switch, wherein

the switch is turned on when the one pressing member presses the arm from the arm side and the other pressing member presses the holding member from the side opposite to the arm side.

2. The interlock switch according to claim 1 ,

wherein the holding member includes one holding member and other holding member,

the one holding member is rotatably provided with respect to the other holding member,

the one pressing member presses the arm of the switch,

the other pressing member presses the other holding member from the side opposite to the arm side, and

a relation between the initial tension A of the other elastic member and the operation force B of the switch is set to Aa>Bb, where “a” indicates the arm length of a moment to cause the pressing member to rotate the switch, and “b” indicates the arm length of a moment to cause the elastic member to reversely rotate the switch.

3. The interlock switch according to claim 1 ,

wherein the switch is slidably provided with respect to the holding member,

the one pressing member presses the arm of the switch,

the other pressing member presses the other holding member from the side opposite to the arm side, and

a relation between the initial tension A of the other elastic member and the operation force B of the switch is set to A>B.

4. An image forming apparatus comprising:

the interlock switch according to claim 1 as an opening/closing mechanism of door covers.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 ,

wherein the interlock switch is provided in a body of the image forming apparatus, and

the one pressing member and the other pressing member are provided in the two facing door covers supported to be opened and closed, respectively, to enable the interlock switch to be turned on/off.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 ,

wherein the image forming apparatus is any one of a copy machine, a facsimile, a printer, and a multifunctional apparatus thereof.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 13, 2010
From: TAKENAKA, KOHTA
To: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
Reel/Frame 024889/0848 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2009-208085 · Sep 9, 2009 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110056811A1 · Mar 10, 2011