IP Library Granted Patent US 8,200,121
Granted Patent B2
US 8,200,121 · App. 13/167,275 · Granted Jun 12, 2012

Image forming apparatus having a plurality of cartridges and a single writing unit

Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,200,121
App. No.
13/167,275
Granted
Jun 12, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image forming apparatus including a plurality of cartridges, each including a drum, a single writing unit which is an only writing unit of the image forming apparatus. There is a structural member disposed between the plurality of cartridges and the single writing unit which extends in the direction in which the cartridges are stacked. There is a first side wall, a second side wall facing the first side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall. The structural member is affixed to the first side wall, the second side wall, the top wall, and the bottom wall.

Claims (29)

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a plurality of cartridges each including a drum, the plurality of cartridges arranged one above the other;

a single writing unit which is an only writing unit of the image forming apparatus and which emits light, the single writing unit including openings respectively aligning with the drums, a frame of the single writing unit comprising resin;

a structural member disposed between the plurality of cartridges and the single writing unit and extending in parallel to a direction in which the cartridges are stacked, the structural member comprising metal;

a first side wall;

a second side wall facing the first side wall;

a top wall; and

a bottom wall facing the top wall,

wherein the structural member is affixed to the first side wall, the second side wall, the top wall, and the bottom wall.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of the cartridges is configured to be detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cartridges are arranged in a vertical direction.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the single writing unit comprises:

a polygonal mirror;

a plurality of light sources;

a plurality of mirrors configured to emit the light as light beams to the plurality of drums.

5. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a plurality of cartridges each including a drum, the plurality of cartridges arranged in an up-and-down direction;

a single writing unit which is an only writing unit of the image forming apparatus and which emits light, the single writing unit including openings respectively aligning with the drums, a frame of the single writing unit comprising resin;

a structural member disposed between the plurality of cartridges and the single writing unit and extending in parallel to a direction in which the cartridges are stacked, the structural member comprising metal;

a first side wall;

a second side wall facing the first side wall;

a top wall; and

a bottom wall facing the top wall,

wherein the structural member is affixed to the first side wall, the second side wall, the top wall, and the bottom wall.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of the cartridges is configured to be detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of cartridges are arranged in a vertical direction.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the single writing unit comprises:

a polygonal mirror; and

a plurality of mirrors configured to emit the light as light beams to the plurality of drums.

Priority Claims (3)
JP 10-124640 · May 7, 1998 · national
JP 10-128728 · May 12, 1998 · national
JP 11-99724 · Apr 7, 1999 · national
Continuity (10)
Continuation 12876710 · Sep 7, 2010
Continuation 12256981 · Oct 23, 2008
Division 11581469 · Oct 17, 2006
Division 11154700 · Jun 17, 2005
Continuation 10682191 · Oct 10, 2003
Division 10426871 · May 1, 2003
Division 10160066 · Jun 4, 2002
Continuation 09805246 · Mar 14, 2001
Division 09305275 · May 5, 1999
Related Publication 20110249984A1 · Oct 13, 2011