IP Library Granted Patent US 8,620,196
Granted Patent B2
US 8,620,196 · App. 13/131,877 · Granted Dec 31, 2013

Toner cartridge with a lock mechanism

Inventors: Lianjun Wu (Guangdong, CN); Geming Ding (Guangdong, CN); Qingfei Peng (Guangdong, CN)
Assignee: Zhuhai Seine Technology Limited
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,620,196
App. No.
13/131,877
Granted
Dec 31, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a toner cartridge with a locking mechanism, including a body provided with a top cover and used for receiving a developer, wherein the locking and unlocking mechanism used for locking the toner cartridge into an image forming apparatus is arranged on the body. The locking mechanism includes a handle hinged with the top cover, a gear fixedly connected with the handle, a locking lever capable of reciprocating and a torsion spring used for realizing the automatic reset of the handle. A rack engaged with the gear is arranged on the locking lever. Moreover, the handle is driven to be close to the top cover under the action of a torque force of the torsion spring under the locking state, and the gear is engaged with the rack to drive the locking lever to be extended out of the top cover so as to lock the toner cartridge. When the handle is under the unlocking state by overcoming the torque force of the torsion spring under the action of an external force, the gear and the rack are operated to drive the locking lever to be retracted into the top cover so as to unlock the toner cartridge. Unlocking and locking can be realized through a tensile force of a human hand and the reset of the torsion spring.

Claims (10)

1. A toner cartridge with a locking mechanism, comprising

a body provided with a top cover and used for receiving developer, said locking mechanism used for locking the toner cartridge into an image forming apparatus and arranged on said body, said locking mechanism comprising a handle hinged with said top cover, a gear fixedly connected with the handle and a locking lever capable of reciprocating;

and said locking lever comprising a rack engaged with said gear,

wherein the locking mechanism also comprises a torsion spring used for realizing the automatic reset of the locking lever,

wherein the torsion spring is arranged on an articulated shaft for the handle; and two free ends of the torsion spring are butted with the handle and the top cover respectively,

wherein the handle is driven to be close to the top cover under the action of a torque force of the torsion spring under the locking state, and the gear is engaged with the rack to drive the locking lever to be extended out of the top cover so as to lock the toner cartridge; and when the handle is under the unlocking state by overcoming the torque force of the torsion spring under the action of an external force, the gear and the rack are operated to drive the locking lever to be retracted into the to cover so as to unlock the toner cartridge.

2. The toner cartridge with a locking mechanism according to claim 1 ,

wherein supporting structures of the locking lever are also arranged in the top cover and support the locking lever and limit the movement of the locking lever.

3. The toner cartridge with a locking mechanism according to claim 1 ,

wherein the periphery of the top cover corresponding to the extending position of the locking lever is provided with an opening.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 043857 FRAME: 0035. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Nov 14, 2017
From: APEX TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
To: NINESTAR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044762/0414 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: APEX TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
To: NINESTAR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043857/0035 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2016
From: ZHUHAI SEINE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
To: APEX TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 038851/0434 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2011
From: WU, LIANJUN; DING, GEMING; PENG, QINGFEI
To: ZHUHAI SEINE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 026357/0060 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 2009 1 0107985 · Jun 12, 2009 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20120087699A1 · Apr 12, 2012