Patents by Inventor James Richard Leemhuis
James Richard Leemhuis 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).
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Patent number: 11927911Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit is electrically connected to processing circuitry mounted on the housing. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves outward from the first side of the housing along a side-to-side dimension of the housing when the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit faces downward when the electrical connector is in the second position permitting the corresponding electrical contact to contact the electrical contact of the replaceable unit from below.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: James Richard Leemhuis, Kyle Bradley Martin
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Patent number: 11762327Abstract: An assembly for an image forming device includes an access door movable between an open position permitting replacement of a replaceable unit and a closed position. An electrical connector in the image forming device is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the electrical connector is disengaged from a corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit. The electrical connector is operatively connected to the access door such that movement of the access door from the closed to the open position moves the electrical connector from the extended to the retracted position and movement of the access door from the open to the closed position moves the electrical connector from the retracted to the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Darren Adam Keese, James Richard Leemhuis
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Patent number: 11754969Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
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Publication number: 20230004116Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit is electrically connected to processing circuitry mounted on the housing. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves outward from the first side of the housing along a side-to-side dimension of the housing when the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit faces downward when the electrical connector is in the second position permitting the corresponding electrical contact to contact the electrical contact of the replaceable unit from below.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, KYLE BRADLEY MARTIN
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Publication number: 20230004117Abstract: An assembly for an image forming device includes an access door movable between an open position permitting replacement of a replaceable unit and a closed position. An electrical connector in the image forming device is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the electrical connector is disengaged from a corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit. The electrical connector is operatively connected to the access door such that movement of the access door from the closed to the open position moves the electrical connector from the extended to the retracted position and movement of the access door from the open to the closed position moves the electrical connector from the retracted to the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: VIRGIL JOHNSON, JR., DARREN ADAM KEESE, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS
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Patent number: 11500325Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit is electrically connected to processing circuitry mounted on the housing. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves outward from the first side of the housing along a side-to-side dimension of the housing when the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit faces downward when the electrical connector is in the second position permitting the corresponding electrical contact to contact the electrical contact of the replaceable unit from below.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: James Richard Leemhuis, Kyle Bradley Martin
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Patent number: 11493876Abstract: An assembly for an image forming device includes an electrical connector movable relative to a frame of the image forming device between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the electrical connector is disengaged from a first corresponding electrical connector of a first replaceable unit and a second corresponding electrical connector of a second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical connector is engaged with the first corresponding electrical connector of the first replaceable unit and the second corresponding electrical connector of the second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2021Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Darren Adam Keese, James Richard Leemhuis
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Patent number: 11474476Abstract: An assembly for an image forming device includes an access door movable between an open position permitting replacement of a replaceable unit and a closed position. An electrical connector in the image forming device is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the electrical connector is disengaged from a corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit. The electrical connector is operatively connected to the access door such that movement of the access door from the closed to the open position moves the electrical connector from the extended to the retracted position and movement of the access door from the open to the closed position moves the electrical connector from the retracted to the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2021Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Darren Adam Keese, James Richard Leemhuis
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Patent number: 11415930Abstract: An assembly for an image forming device includes an electrical connector that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position an electrical contact of the electrical connector is disengaged from a corresponding electrical contact of a replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical contact of the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical contact of the replaceable unit. A camming member is operative to move the electrical connector between the extended position and the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Darren Adam Keese, James Richard Leemhuis
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Publication number: 20220244677Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, GREGORY ALAN CAVILL, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, JEFFREY LAWRENCE TONGES
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Patent number: 11392078Abstract: A system for an image forming device includes a first replaceable unit including a first electrical connector and a second replaceable unit including a second electrical connector. An electrical connector in the image forming device is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the disengaged position the electrical connector in the image forming device is disengaged from the first electrical connector of the first replaceable unit and the second electrical connector of the second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device. In the engaged position the electrical connector in the image forming device is engaged with the first electrical connector of the first replaceable unit and the second electrical connector of the second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2021Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Darren Adam Keese, James Richard Leemhuis
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Patent number: 11353824Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device and a magnetic sensor electrically connected to the electrical contact. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves from a retracted position to an operative position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the magnetic sensor moves from a misaligned position to an aligned position with a point in a path of movement of a magnet for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: James Richard Leemhuis, Randal Scott Williamson
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Patent number: 11340554Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2021Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
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Publication number: 20210364984Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device and a magnetic sensor electrically connected to the electrical contact. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves from a retracted position to an operative position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the magnetic sensor moves from a misaligned position to an aligned position with a point in a path of movement of a magnet for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
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Publication number: 20210333738Abstract: An assembly for an image forming device includes an electrical connector movable relative to a frame of the image forming device between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the electrical connector is disengaged from a first corresponding electrical connector of a first replaceable unit and a second corresponding electrical connector of a second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical connector is engaged with the first corresponding electrical connector of the first replaceable unit and the second corresponding electrical connector of the second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: VIRGIL JOHNSON, JR., DARREN ADAM KEESE, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS
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Publication number: 20210333745Abstract: An assembly for an image forming device includes an electrical connector that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position an electrical contact of the electrical connector is disengaged from a corresponding electrical contact of a replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical contact of the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical contact of the replaceable unit. A camming member is operative to move the electrical connector between the extended position and the retracted position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: VIRGIL JOHNSON, JR., DARREN ADAM KEESE, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS
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Publication number: 20210333739Abstract: An assembly for an image forming device includes an access door movable between an open position permitting replacement of a replaceable unit and a closed position. An electrical connector in the image forming device is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the electrical connector is disengaged from a corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit. The electrical connector is operatively connected to the access door such that movement of the access door from the closed to the open position moves the electrical connector from the extended to the retracted position and movement of the access door from the open to the closed position moves the electrical connector from the retracted to the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: VIRGIL JOHNSON, JR., DARREN ADAM KEESE, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS
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Publication number: 20210333746Abstract: A system for an image forming device includes a first replaceable unit including a first electrical connector and a second replaceable unit including a second electrical connector. An electrical connector in the image forming device is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the disengaged position the electrical connector in the image forming device is disengaged from the first electrical connector of the first replaceable unit and the second electrical connector of the second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device. In the engaged position the electrical connector in the image forming device is engaged with the first electrical connector of the first replaceable unit and the second electrical connector of the second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: VIRGIL JOHNSON, JR., DARREN ADAM KEESE, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS
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Patent number: 11119443Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device and a magnetic sensor electrically connected to the electrical contact. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves from a retracted position to an operative position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the magnetic sensor moves from a misaligned position to an aligned position with a point in a path of movement of a magnet for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: James Richard Leemhuis, Randal Scott Williamson
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Patent number: D952030Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Kyle Bradley Martin, Jay Scott Siekmann, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges, Randal Scott Williamson, Trey Dustin Gilliam