IP Library Granted Patent US 8,725,037
Granted Patent B2
US 8,725,037 · App. 13/074,326 · Granted May 13, 2014

Image forming apparatus

Inventor: Yasunori Kawamura (Osaka, JP)
Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
G03G15/0832G03G2215/068G03G2215/066
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,725,037
App. No.
13/074,326
Granted
May 13, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image forming apparatus comprising a detachable container storing a toner, the image forming apparatus comprising: a lever part movable in an attaching and detaching direction of the container, the lever part also contacting the container when the container is being detached, thereby moving the container in a detaching direction; and a stopper part being latched to the container and preventing the container from moving, a latching of the stopper part and the container being unlatched by a movement of the lever part when the container is being detached.

Claims (35)

1. An image forming apparatus comprising a detachable container storing a toner, the image forming apparatus comprising:

a lever part movable in an attaching and detaching direction of the container and axially supported so as to rotate freely around an axis provided in a longitudinal direction, the lever part also contacting the container when the container is being detached, thereby moving the container in a detaching direction; and

a stopper part being latched to the container and preventing the container from moving, a latching of the stopper part and the container being unlatched by a movement of the lever part when the container is being detached, and

the image forming apparatus further comprising on a main body:

a developing device positioned and configured to be provided with a toner contained in the container; and

a drum unit comprising an image supporting body positioned and configured to supply the toner from the developing device and forming a toner image, wherein:

the developing device is held by a supporting member provided movably to the main body;

the supporting member is movable between a set position and a retreating position, the set position being a position at which the developing device adjacent to the drum unit and the toner image is formed, and the retreating position being separated from the drum unit by a predetermined distance;

the container is supported by the supporting member so that the container is attachable to the supporting member and detachable from the supporting member;

the container is movable in a different direction from the detaching direction; and further comprising:

a lever part movement prevention part positioned parallel to a width direction of the container, the lever part movement prevention part preventing the lever part from moving, when the container is at a position at which the container is neither detachable nor attachable,

wherein the developing device is positioned to the main body when the supporting member moves to the set position, whereas the developing device is attachable to the supporting member and detachable from the supporting member when the supporting member moves to the retreating position; and

the container is attachable to the supporting member and detachable from the supporting member when the supporting member moves to the set position, whereas an attachability and a detachability of the container to the supporting member are restrained when the supporting member moves to the retreating position.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

when the lever part moves, the stopper part is provided along a rail provided on the lever part, thereby the stopper passes through a position at which the container is latched and a position at which the container is unlatched.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the lever part contacts the container from only a side opposite to the detaching direction of the container; and

the stopper is supported without being fixed in an upper direction, and, by being pushed up by the container when the container is attached, the stopper is retreatable to a position at which the container is unlatched.

4. An image forming apparatus comprising a detachable container storing a toner, the image forming apparatus comprising:

a lever part movable in an attaching and detaching direction of the container, the lever part also contacting the container when the container is being detached, thereby moving the container in a detaching direction; and

a stopper part being latched to the container and preventing the container from moving, a latching of the stopper part and the container being unlatched by a movement of the lever part when the container is being detached, and

the image forming apparatus further comprising on a main body:

a developing device positioned and configured to be provided with a toner contained in the container; and

a drum unit comprising an image supporting body positioned and configured to the toner from the developing device and forming a toner image, wherein:

the developing device is held by a supporting member provided movably to the main body;

the supporting member is movable between a set position and a retreating position, the set position being a position at which the developing device adjacent to the drum unit and the toner image is formed, and the retreating position being separated from the drum unit by a predetermined distance;

the container is supported by the supporting member so that the container is attachable to the supporting member and detachable from the supporting member;

the developing device is positioned to the main body when the supporting member moves to the set position, whereas the developing device is attachable to the supporting member and detachable from the supporting member when the supporting member moves to the retreating position; and

the container is attachable to the supporting member and detachable from the supporting member when the supporting member moves to the set position, whereas an attachability and a detachability of the container to the supporting member are restrained when the supporting member moves to the retreating position.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising a rail positioned on the lever part,

wherein when the lever part moves, the stopper part is provided along the rail such that the stopper part passes through a position at which the container is latched and a position at which the container is unlatched.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the lever part contacts the container from only a side opposite to the detaching direction of the container; and

the stopper is supported without being fixed in an upper direction, and, by being pushed up by the container when the container is attached, the stopper is retreatable to a position at which the container is unlatched.

7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the container is movable in a direction different from the detaching direction, and

further comprising a lever part movement prevention part positioned so as to prevent from moving the lever part when the container is placed at a position at which the container is neither detachable nor attachable.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 6, 2012
From: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
To: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 028330/0473 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2011
From: KAWAMURA, YASUNORI
To: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026041/0391 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP P2010-079492 · Mar 30, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110243613A1 · Oct 6, 2011