IP Library Granted Patent US 10,866,557
Granted Patent B2
US 10,866,557 · App. 16/803,329 · Granted Dec 15, 2020

Image forming apparatus

Inventors: Kazutoshi Nakamura (Kuwana, JP); Yasuo Fukamachi (Nagoya, JP); Masaaki Furukawa (Nagoya, JP)
Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
G03G21/1647G03G21/1671G03G21/1676
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,866,557
App. No.
16/803,329
Granted
Dec 15, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge. The drum cartridge may include a first handle positioned at a first end of a frame of the drum cartridge. The developing cartridge may include a second handle positioned at a first end of a developing casing the developing cartridge. The main casing may include a first edge surface in the axial direction and a second edge surface opposite the first edge surface in the axial direction. The second handle may extend farther from the second edge surface than the first handle extends from the second edge surface in the axial direction in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main casing.

Claims (22)

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a main casing;

a drum cartridge including:

a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction;

a frame having first and second ends spaced apart in the axial direction and rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum, and

a first handle positioned at the first end of the frame,

a developing cartridge including:

a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction;

a developing casing configured to accommodate developer therein, and having first and second ends spaced apart in the axial direction and rotatably supporting the developing roller; and

a second handle positioned at the first end of the developing casing,

wherein the main casing includes:

a first edge surface in the axial direction;

a second edge surface opposite the first edge surface in the axial direction;

a slot extending from the first edge surface toward the second edge surface, the slot configured to allow the drum cartridge to be inserted in the axial direction, and the slot configured to allow the developing cartridge to be removed in the axial direction;

wherein the first end of the frame of the drum cartridge and the first end of the developing casing are proximate the first edge of the main casing in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main casing, and

wherein the second handle extends farther from the second edge surface than the first handle extends from the second edge surface in the axial direction in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main casing.

2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a cover at the first edge surface, the cover being movable between an open position in which the cover does not cover the slot and a closed position in which the cover covers the slot;

wherein the second handle extends farther from the second edge surface than the first handle extends from the second edge surface in the axial direction in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main casing and the cover is in the open position.

3. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 ,

wherein the first handle has a first end wall and the second handle has a second end wall, and

wherein the second end wall is farther from the second edge surface than the first end wall in the axial direction.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2020
From: NAKAMURA, KAZUTOSHI; FUKAMACHI, YASUO; FURUKAWA, MASAAKI
To: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 051953/0045 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2018-184040 · Sep 28, 2018 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTJP2019022497 · Jun 6, 2019
Related Publication 20200192274A1 · Jun 18, 2020