Patents by Inventor Isao Kishi

Isao Kishi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11921457
    Abstract: A photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction. A frame includes a first side plate located at first end in the first direction and a second side plate spaced from the first side plate in the first direction. The frame rotatably supports the photosensitive drum between the first side plate and the second side plate in the first direction. The frame holds a developer cartridge. A lock lever is pivotable about a pivot axis extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The lock lever is movable between a lock position at which the developer cartridge is locked on the frame and a release position at which the developer cartridge is unlocked from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka
  • Publication number: 20240061372
    Abstract: A drum unit includes: a frame; a first photosensitive drum; a second photosensitive drum; a charger; and a storage medium. The frame includes: a first frame plate; a second frame plate spaced apart from the first frame plate in a first direction; a third frame plate connecting one end of the first frame plate to one end of the second frame plate; and a fourth frame plate connecting another end of the first frame plate to another end of the second frame plate. The first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are rotatably supported by the frame. The second photosensitive drum is spaced apart from the first photosensitive drum and positioned closer to the third frame plate than the first photosensitive drum to the third frame plate in a second direction. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface positioned at an outer surface of the third frame plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao KISHI, Nao ITABASHI, Yohei HASHIMOTO, Kouji WATANABE, Makoto SOUDA
  • Publication number: 20240027953
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft; and a cam. The casing is configured to accommodate developer therein. The developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The shaft extends along a second axis extending in the axial direction. The shaft is movable along the second axis. The cam is movable along the second axis in response to axial movement of the shaft. The cam has a cam surface non-parallel with the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen WANG, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Isao KISHI, Kazuaki OOKA
  • Patent number: 11853002
    Abstract: A drum unit includes: a frame; a first photosensitive drum; a second photosensitive drum; a charger; and a storage medium. The frame includes: a first frame plate; a second frame plate spaced apart from the first frame plate in a first direction; a third frame plate connecting one end of the first frame plate to one end of the second frame plate; and a fourth frame plate connecting another end of the first frame plate to another end of the second frame plate. The first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are rotatably supported by the frame. The second photosensitive drum is spaced apart from the first photosensitive drum and positioned closer to the third frame plate than the first photosensitive drum to the third frame plate in a second direction. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface positioned at an outer surface of the third frame plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao Kishi, Nao Itabashi, Yohei Hashimoto, Kouji Watanabe, Makoto Souda
  • Publication number: 20230350338
    Abstract: There is provided a method of assembling a developing cartridge including a casing, first and second cams, and a resiliently urging member. The casing has a through-hole extending in a first direction. The shaft extends in the first direction and is movable in the first direction relative to the casing. The first and second cams are positioned at one end portion and another end portion of the shaft, and are movable together with the shaft in the first direction. The resiliently urging member is attached to the another end portion of the shaft and is positioned between the casing and the second cam. The method includes: attaching the first cam to the one end portion of the shaft; inserting the shaft in the through-hole; and attaching the resiliently urging member to the another end portion of the shaft while the first cam contacts a jig in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen WANG, Isao KISHI, Shuhei HATANO
  • Patent number: 11774902
    Abstract: A drum unit includes: a frame; a first photosensitive drum; a second photosensitive drum; a charger; and a storage medium. The frame includes: a first frame plate; a second frame plate spaced apart from the first frame plate in a first direction; a third frame plate connecting one end of the first frame plate to one end of the second frame plate; and a fourth frame plate connecting another end of the first frame plate to another end of the second frame plate. The first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are rotatably supported by the frame. The second photosensitive drum is spaced apart from the first photosensitive drum and positioned closer to the third frame plate than the first photosensitive drum to the third frame plate in a second direction. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface positioned at an outer surface of the fourth frame plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Isao Kishi
  • Publication number: 20230280673
    Abstract: A developing roller is located nearer a first end than a second end in a first direction. A first boss extends in a second direction and is movable together with a housing. The first boss bears the weight of a developer cartridge when the first boss is supported by a support surface of a first side plate of a drum unit, and is located away from the developing roller in the first direction and the third direction. A first pressure receiving surface is located farther away from the developing roller than the first boss in the third direction. The pressure receiving member receives a pressing force in the third direction from a pressing member of the first side plate of the drum unit. The first boss is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by a first distance. The first pressure receiving surface is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by the first distance or by a second distance smaller than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen WANG, Kazuaki OOKA, Isao KISHI, Junichi HASHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 11714378
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft; and a cam. The casing is configured to accommodate developer therein. The developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The shaft extends along a second axis extending in the axial direction. The shaft is movable along the second axis. The cam is movable along the second axis in response to axial movement of the shaft. The cam has a cam surface non-parallel with the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka
  • Patent number: 11693331
    Abstract: A developing roller is located nearer a first end than a second end in a first direction. A first boss extends in a second direction and is movable together with a housing. The first boss bears the weight of a developer cartridge when the first boss is supported by a support surface of a first side plate of a drum unit, and is located away from the developing roller in the first direction and the third direction. A first pressure receiving surface is located farther away from the developing roller than the first boss in the third direction. The pressure receiving member receives a pressing force in the third direction from a pressing member of the first side plate of the drum unit. The first boss is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by a first distance. The first pressure receiving surface is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by the first distance or by a second distance smaller than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Kazuaki Ooka, Isao Kishi, Junichi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20230136526
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing having an outer surface, a developing roller, a first electrode, and a boss. The developing roller is movable together with the casing and includes a developing roller shaft extending along a first axis extending in a first direction. The developing roller is rotatable about the first axis. The first electrode is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the developing roller shaft, and electrically connected to the developing roller shaft. The boss is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the outer surface. The boss extends in the first direction and is engageable with the drum unit. A part of the first electrode is configured to contact with a second electrode of the drum unit as a result of pivotal movement of the developing cartridge about the boss relative to the drum unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka
  • Patent number: 11573503
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing having an outer surface, a developing roller, a first electrode, and a boss. The developing roller is movable together with the casing and includes a developing roller shaft extending along a first axis extending in a first direction. The developing roller is rotatable about the first axis. The first electrode is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the developing roller shaft, and electrically connected to the developing roller shaft. The boss is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the outer surface. The boss extends in the first direction and is engageable with the drum unit. A part of the first electrode is configured to contact with a second electrode of the drum unit as a result of pivotal movement of the developing cartridge about the boss relative to the drum unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka
  • Patent number: 11550252
    Abstract: A drawer includes: a photosensitive drum; a drawer frame; a connector; a drawer memory; and a holder. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction. The drawer frame holds the photosensitive drum. The drawer frame has an outer surface. The connector has a plurality of terminals arrayed in an arraying direction. The drawer memory stores information on the photosensitive drum. The drawer memory is electrically connectable to at least one of the plurality of terminals. The holder is positioned at the outer surface of the drawer frame and holds the connector. The holder is movable relative to the drawer frame in the arraying direction of the plurality of terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shota Shinoya, Isao Kishi, Yuwen Wang
  • Publication number: 20220397857
    Abstract: A drum unit includes: a frame; a first photosensitive drum; a second photosensitive drum; a charger; and a storage medium. The frame includes: a first frame plate; a second frame plate spaced apart from the first frame plate in a first direction; a third frame plate connecting one end of the first frame plate to one end of the second frame plate; and a fourth frame plate connecting another end of the first frame plate to another end of the second frame plate. The first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are rotatably supported by the frame. The second photosensitive drum is spaced apart from the first photosensitive drum and positioned closer to the third frame plate than the first photosensitive drum to the third frame plate in a second direction. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface positioned at an outer surface of the fourth frame plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Isao KISHI
  • Patent number: 11500322
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drawer and a main body. The drawer includes a drawer-side electrical contact part and a socket. The main body includes a main body-side connector including: a main body-side electrical contact part; and a holder including a base, a panel, and an elastic member interposed between the base and the panel. The holder holds the main body-side electrical contact part to be movable in an intersection direction intersecting with an extension and contraction direction of the elastic member. When the holder contacts the socket, the panel moves relative to the base in the intersection direction together with the main body side-electrical contact part, and the main body side-electrical contact part and drawer-side electrical contact part are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shota Shinoya, Isao Kishi
  • Patent number: 11429060
    Abstract: A drum unit includes: a frame; a first photosensitive drum; a second photosensitive drum; a charger; and a storage medium. The frame includes: a first frame plate; a second frame plate spaced apart from the first frame plate in a first direction; a third frame plate connecting one end of the first frame plate to one end of the second frame plate; and a fourth frame plate connecting another end of the first frame plate to another end of the second frame plate. The first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are rotatably supported by the frame. The second photosensitive drum is spaced apart from the first photosensitive drum and positioned closer to the third frame plate than the first photosensitive drum to the third frame plate in a second direction. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface positioned at an outer surface of the fourth frame plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Isao Kishi
  • Publication number: 20220236689
    Abstract: A photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction. A frame includes a first side plate located at first end in the first direction and a second side plate spaced from the first side plate in the first direction. The frame rotatably supports the photosensitive drum between the first side plate and the second side plate in the first direction. The frame holds a developer cartridge. A lock lever is pivotable about a pivot axis extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The lock lever is movable between a lock position at which the developer cartridge is locked on the frame and a release position at which the developer cartridge is unlocked from the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen WANG, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Isao KISHI, Kazuaki OOKA
  • Publication number: 20220171331
    Abstract: A drum unit includes: a frame; a first photosensitive drum; a second photosensitive drum; a charger; and a storage medium. The frame includes: a first frame plate; a second frame plate spaced apart from the first frame plate in a first direction; a third frame plate connecting one end of the first frame plate to one end of the second frame plate; and a fourth frame plate connecting another end of the first frame plate to another end of the second frame plate. The first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are rotatably supported by the frame. The second photosensitive drum is spaced apart from the first photosensitive drum and positioned closer to the third frame plate than the first photosensitive drum to the third frame plate in a second direction. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface positioned at an outer surface of the third frame plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao KISHI, Nao ITABASHI, Yohei HASHIMOTO, Kouji WATANABE, Makoto SOUDA
  • Publication number: 20220146960
    Abstract: A developing roller is located nearer a first end than a second end in a first direction. A first boss extends in a second direction and is movable together with a housing. The first boss bears the weight of a developer cartridge when the first boss is supported by a support surface of a first side plate of a drum unit, and is located away from the developing roller in the first direction and the third direction. A first pressure receiving surface is located farther away from the developing roller than the first boss in the third direction. The pressure receiving member receives a pressing force in the third direction from a pressing member of the first side plate of the drum unit. The first boss is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by a first distance. The first pressure receiving surface is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by the first distance or by a second distance smaller than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen WANG, Kazuaki OOKA, Isao KISHI, Junichi HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220137549
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft; and a cam. The casing is configured to accommodate developer therein. The developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The shaft extends along a second axis extending in the axial direction. The shaft is movable along the second axis. The cam is movable along the second axis in response to axial movement of the shaft. The cam has a cam surface non-parallel with the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen WANG, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Isao KISHI, Kazuaki OOKA
  • Patent number: 11320779
    Abstract: A photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction. A frame includes a first side plate located at first end in the first direction and a second side plate spaced from the first side plate in the first direction. The frame rotatably supports the photosensitive drum between the first side plate and the second side plate in the first direction. The frame holds a developer cartridge. A lock lever is pivotable about a pivot axis extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The lock lever is movable between a lock position at which the developer cartridge is locked on the frame and a release position at which the developer cartridge is unlocked from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka