Electrophotography – Having particular structure – Modular or displaceable
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-13
2001-01-09
Brase, Sandra (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Having particular structure
Modular or displaceable
C399S110000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173140
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART
The present invention relates to a coupling member, a process cartridge and an assembling method of a process cartridge.
Here, the process cartridge may be a cartridge which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus and which contains as a unit, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and developing means. The process cartridge may be a cartridge which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus and which contains as a unit, at least charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member and cleaning means for removing residual developer from the electrophotographic photosensitive member, as well as the developing means.
Here, the term electrophotographic image forming apparatus refers to an apparatus using an electrophotographic image formation type process to form an image on a recording medium. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser beam printer, an LED printer or the like), a facsimile device and word processor.
The electrophotographic image forming apparatus, such as an electrophotographic copying machine or laser beam printer, includes a photosensitive drum. The photosensitive drum is subjected to known processes including charging, exposure, and development processes to form a toner image thereon, and the image thus formed is transferred onto a recording material, such as a transfer sheet. Thereafter, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum is removed by a cleaning device.
In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus field, a process cartridge type is widely used, since this type is advantageous in that it permits downsizing and easy maintenance. The process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus by a user and contains as a unit, an electrophotographic photosensitive member or drum and at least one of process means, such as charging means, developing means, cleaning means, or the like.
A process cartridge comprising frames which are coupled with a coupling member, is known.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a coupling member, a process cartridge, and an assembling method for a process cartridge, wherein assembling operativity is improved.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a coupling member capable of easily coupling a first frame supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a second frame for supporting a developing member for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive member, a process cartridge, and an assembling method of the process cartridge using such a coupling member.
According to the present invention, there is provided a coupling member for coupling a first frame for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a second frame for supporting a developing member for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive member, the coupling member comprising:
(a) a base;
(b) a shaft mounting portion provided in the base to mount a shaft for rotatably coupling the first frame and the second frame;
(c) an urging portion, provided in the base, for urging, to the second frame, a resilient member for applying a resilient force between the first frame and the second frame; and
(d) a fixed portion, in the base, for fixing the base to the first frame.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Chadani Kazuo
Matsuzaki Hiroomi
Miyabe Shigeo
Suzuki Akira
Brase Sandra
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
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