Electrophotography – Having particular structure – Modular or displaceable
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-11
2003-05-06
Chen, Sophia S. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Having particular structure
Modular or displaceable
C399S111000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06560425
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shutter device. More specifically, it is mounted on the process cartridge for protecting a photosensitive rotary drum.
2. The Prior Art
There have been known various image forming apparatuses, such as a photographic copying machine, an electro-photographic printer (for example, a LED printer or a laser beam printer), and an electro-photographic facsimile machine, an electro-photographic word processor, and the like.
In the drawing,
FIG. 1
, which provides a process cartridge
1
a
being removably installed at a predetermined location in the main assembly of the electro-photographic printer. The process cartridge
1
a
comprises four devices: a photosensitive rotary drum
2
a
as an image bearing member, a rotary charge roller
3
a
as a charging member for charging the photosensitive rotary drum
2
a,
a developing device
4
a,
and a cleaning device
5
a,
which are integrally disposed in the cartridge shell, holding a predetermined positional relationship among them.
A referential numeral
20
a
designates a drum cover. It is attached to the underside of the process cartridge
1
a
and covers a bottom of the photosensitive rotary drum
2
a,
so as to protect the photosensitive rotary drum
2
a
when the process cartridge
1
a
is out of the main assembly of the printer. It is moved to a position illustrated in
FIG. 1
to expose the bottom of the photosensitive rotary drum
2
a
as the process cartridge
1
a
is installed into the main assembly of the printer. When the process cartridge
1
a
is at the predetermined location in the main assembly of the printer, the exposed bottom portion of the photosensitive rotary drum
2
a
is placed in contact with a transfer roller
10
a,
as a transferring means, on the printer main assembly side, with a predetermined contact pressure, and form a transfer nip for conveying paper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a shutter device, which has a better protection for a photosensitive rotary drum, and in the meanwhile, can be as a switch of an exposure window of the process cartridge.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, which provides a shutter device for protecting a photosensitive rotary drum, comprising a drum cover, a torsion spring, a press button and a compression spring. The drum cover has a fixed end pivotally connected to a predetermined location of a process cartridge, a free end shielded on an exposed portion of the drum and an inside surface formed with a hook, and the torsion spring is arranged on the fixed end of the drum cover. The press button is received in a room of a side of the process cartridge, and the compression spring is positioned between a protruded rod formed inside the press button and a sleeve disposed on the room of the process cartridge.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5729796 (1998-03-01), Miura et al.
patent: 5825472 (1998-10-01), Araki et al.
Law Yiu Cheong
Lui Pui Kuong
Campbell Candice C.
Chen Sophia S.
Monitek Electronics Limited
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