Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Tonges

Jeffrey Tonges 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).

  • Publication number: 20070116506
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a body and one or more door assemblies. At least one door assembly may be movable between open and closed orientations. A variety of mechanical and electrical interlocks may be used to control motion of the door assemblies. A first interlock may prevent a door assembly from moving under the influence of a force between an open and closed orientation prior to a condition being satisfied. This condition may depend on the position of a second door assembly. A breakaway feature may release the first interlock when the closing force exceeds a predetermined level. A second interlock may work with the first interlock to keep a second door assembly from opening if the first door assembly is closed. An electrical interlock may disconnect power to the image forming device when the first door assembly is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Harald Portig, Larry Foster, Brian Blair, David Rennick, Jeffrey Tonges, Robert Newman
  • Publication number: 20070065174
    Abstract: An image forming device with one or more door assemblies that engage locking mechanisms to secure a module in an operating position. The module may be coupled to one of the one or more door assemblies. A first locking mechanism may secure the module to the image forming device body when a first door assembly is closed. A second locking mechanism may secure the module to the body with a greater securing force than the first locking mechanism to secure the module to the body. The second locking mechanism may be engaged upon closing a second door assembly. Separate biasing members may be used to apply the securing forces. The locking mechanisms may comprise four-bar or over-center mechanisms to apply the securing forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: David Rennick, Jason Rowe, Jeffrey Tonges, Brian Blair, Larry Foster, Robert Newman, Edward Triplett, Gary Tylicki
  • Publication number: 20050207780
    Abstract: A door assembly movably positioned to a body of an image forming device. The door assembly includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame is movably attached to the body, and the second frame is movably attached to the first frame. The movable connections between the frames and the main body cause accurate locating of a photoconductive member mounted on the door assembly within the body. In one embodiment, a contour surface within the body contacts the second frame to locate the second frame within the body. Methods of moving the door assembly are also disclosed including moving the door assembly from an open orientation that is spaced from the body, to a closed orientation that is in proximity to the body. The movement of the door assembly causes interaction between the frames and the body to accurately locate the second frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Jeffrey Tonges, Richard Boyatt, Daniel Carter, Kerry Embry, Larry Foster, Harald Portig, David Rennick, Darren Tosh, Edward Triplett
  • Publication number: 20050207787
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having a subunit movable between closed and open positions, the nip between media alignment rollers is opened automatically when the subunit is opened. A drive roller and a backup roller are disposed in a housing, wherein the bearing holding the backup roller is segmented. A rear segment is disposed on a flexible arm, and is biased towards the front segment, biasing the backup roller to contact the drive roller to form a nip for bump alignment of media sheets. A bell crank engages a rotary member or rotary member frame mounted on the subunit when the subunit is closed. When the subunit is opened, the bell crank disengages the member, pivoting a link member having a cam surface and engaging the cam surface against a cam follower surface on the housing, forcing the backup roller to a position spaced apart from the drive roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Blair, Jeffrey Tonges, Edward Triplett