Patents by Inventor Masao Amano

Masao Amano 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: 20150234358
    Abstract: A watch case having a through-hole, an operating member including an operating shaft to be inserted to the through-hole of the watch case, an exterior member mounted on the operating member and configured to be displaced in a shaft direction of the operating shaft and be rotated together with the operating member, and a buffer member located between the operating member and the exterior member are provided. Therefore, when the exterior member receives impact from outside, the impact can be buffered by the buffer member. As a result, the operating member can be prevented from being damaged because the impact from the outside is not directly transmitted to the operating member, thereby improving impact resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Kazuma KOBAYASHI, Junichi SATO, Yoshihiro MARUYAMA, Masao AMANO
  • Publication number: 20140356022
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an openable cover, including a rotational shaft, capable of opening and closing an opening by being rotated about the rotational shaft relative to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus; an image forming portion for forming a toner image on a sheet; an opposing member, provided in the image forming portion, opposing the openable cover when the openable cover closes the opening; a contact member, provided on the openable cover, contactable to the opposing member; an urging member, provided on the openable cover, for urging the contact member toward the opposing member; and a locking member for locking the openable cover in a closed state relative to the main assembly. The image forming apparatus comprising a cam member, provided in the image forming portion, for moving the contact member toward and away from the opposing member by rotation of the cam member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Yu Shuhama, Yuichiro Osawa, Masao Amano, Kiyoharu Yoshioka, Nobukazu Adachi
  • Patent number: 8867965
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing an electrostatic image; a rotatable supporting member swingably supporting the rotatable supporting member, the rotatable supporting member being provided with a first gear portion and being rotatable while carrying a plurality of developing devices for developing the electrostatic image with toner; a drive transmission device for transmitting a rotational force to the rotatable supporting member, the drive transmission device being provided with a second gear portion engaged with first gear portion at an engagement position; and an opposing portion provided opposed to the rotatable supporting member with a gap therebetween which is smaller than an amount of engagement between the first gear portion and the second gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Suto, Daisuke Aoki, Nobukazu Adachi, Kiyoharu Yoshioka, Masao Amano
  • Patent number: 8838007
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an openable cover capable of opening and closing an opening, an image forming portion for forming a toner image on a sheet, and a cam member provided in the image forming portion for moving a contact member toward and away from an opposing member. A controller controls the image forming portion and rotation of the cam member. The controller stops an operation of the image forming portion when a detecting unit detects opening of the openable cover, and then controls rotation of the cam member at least one full turn when the detecting unit detects closing of the openable cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yu Shuhama, Yuichiro Osawa, Masao Amano, Kiyoharu Yoshioka, Nobukazu Adachi
  • Publication number: 20140233987
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image bearing member; a plurality of second image bearing member; an endless belt opposing the first and second image bearing members; a driving roller; a supporting roller; a first transfer member opposing the first image bearing member; a plurality of second transfer members provided opposing the second image bearing members; and a supporting member for supporting the second transfer members. The supporting member is movable between a first position as a contact position and a second position as a spaced position. When image formation is effected in a state in which the supporting member is positioned in the first position, a nip between the first image bearing member and the belt member is positioned closer to a side where the supporting roller is positioned than a rectilinear line connecting contact positions of the belt member with the second image bearing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuji Suzuki, Takeo Kawanami, Masao Amano
  • Publication number: 20140147158
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus include a door through which a tray carrying a cartridge passes, wherein in interrelation with the door closing operation, (i) movement of the tray from a movable position to an image forming position, (ii) movement of a drive transmission member, for transmitting a driving force to the cartridge from a main assembly, from a first spacing position to a drive-connecting position, (iii) movement of an urging member for urging the cartridge to the main assembly from a second spacing position to a contact position, and (iv) movement of an electric energy supply member, for supplying electric power to the cartridge from the main assembly, from a third spacing position to an electric energy supplying position, are carried out in the order named.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromi Fujinaka, Yuichiro Osawa, Masao Amano, Shigeru Hoashi
  • Publication number: 20140064046
    Abstract: A pointer including a pointer body made of a material sheet formed by a plurality of fiber sheets having carbon fibers arranged in one direction being laminated together with arrangement directions of the carbon fibers being varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masao AMANO
  • Publication number: 20120045264
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an openable cover, including a rotational shaft, capable of opening and closing an opening by being rotated about the rotational shaft relative to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus; an image forming portion for forming a toner image on a sheet; an opposing member, provided in the image forming portion, opposing the openable cover when the openable cover closes the opening; a contact member, provided on the openable cover, contactable to the opposing member; an urging member, provided on the openable cover, for urging the contact member toward the opposing member; and a locking member for locking the openable cover in a closed state relative to the main assembly. The image forming apparatus comprising a cam member, provided in the image forming portion, for moving the contact member toward and away from the opposing member by rotation of the cam member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yu Shuhama, Yuichiro Osawa, Masao Amano, Kiyoharu Yoshioka, Nobukazu Adachi
  • Publication number: 20120045248
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing an electrostatic image; a rotatable supporting member swingably supporting the rotatable supporting member, the rotatable supporting member being provided with a first gear portion and being rotatable while carrying a plurality of developing devices for developing the electrostatic image with toner; a drive transmission device for transmitting a rotational force to the rotatable supporting member, the drive transmission device being provided with a second gear portion engaged with first gear portion at an engagement position; and an opposing portion provided opposed to the rotatable supporting member with a gap therebetween which is smaller than an amount of engagement between the first gear portion and the second gear portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Suto, Daisuke Aoki, Nobukazu Adachi, Kiyoharu Yoshioka, Masao Amano
  • Patent number: 7857303
    Abstract: An over-stack protective portion is provided on a stopper member. When a sheet feeding device is in a standby position, the over-stack protective portion is held in a position in which the over-stack protective portion is in pressure contact with sheets having the maximum stacking height capable of being fed and supported by a sheet supporting portion. Also, when the sheets are to be fed, the pressure contact of the over-stack protective portion with the sheets having the maximum stacking height is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Oomori, Masao Amano, Eiichiro Kimizuka, Daisuke Aoki
  • Patent number: 7738823
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a substantially horizontally arranged image bearing member; a developing unit, including a plurality of developing devices and supporting the developing devices rotatably relative to the image bearing member; a movable intermediate transfer belt supported by first and second rotation members and facing the developing unit; a primary transfer member forming, together with the image bearing member, a primary transfer portion located near the first rotation member in a moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt, through the intermediate transfer belt; and a secondary transfer member forming, together with the second rotation member, a secondary transfer portion through the intermediate transfer belt. A toner image formed on the image bearing member by the developing unit is transferred on the intermediate transfer belt at the primary transfer portion, and is transferred on a recording material at the secondary transfer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masao Umezawa, Eiichiro Kimizuka, Ichiro Yasumaru, Masao Amano, Junichi Ochi
  • Publication number: 20100001458
    Abstract: An over-stack protective portion is provided on a stopper member. When a sheet feeding device is in a standby position, the over-stack protective portion is held in a position in which the over-stack protective portion is in pressure contact with sheets having the maximum stacking height capable of being fed and supported by a sheet supporting portion. Also, when the sheets are to be fed, the pressure contact of the over-stack protective portion with the sheets having the maximum stacking height is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: AKIRA OOMORI, MASAO AMANO, EIICHIRO KIMIZUKA, DAISUKE AOKI
  • Patent number: 7607655
    Abstract: An over-stack protective portion is provided on a stopper member. When a sheet feeding device is in a standby position, the over-stack protective portion is held in a position in which the over-stack protective portion is in pressure contact with sheets having the maximum stacking height capable of being fed and supported by a sheet supporting portion. Also, when the sheets are to be fed, the pressure contact of the over-stack protective portion with the sheets having the maximum stacking height is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Oomori, Masao Amano, Eiichiro Kimizuka, Daisuke Aoki
  • Patent number: 7519320
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable member contactable to a recording material for carrying an image; a heating member contacted to an outer surface of the rotatable member to heat the rotatable member; a holding member for holding the heating member; and an urging member for urging the holding member to contact the heating member to the rotatable member, wherein the holding member is rotatable relative to the apparatus about an axis parallel with a generating line of the rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Aoki, Satoshi Nishida, Masao Amano
  • Publication number: 20080317520
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a substantially horizontally arranged image bearing member; a developing unit, including a plurality of developing devices and supporting the developing devices rotatably relative to the image bearing member; a movable intermediate transfer belt supported by first and second rotation members and facing the developing unit; a primary transfer member forming, together with the image bearing member, a primary transfer portion located near the first rotation member in a moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt, through the intermediate transfer belt; and a secondary transfer member forming, together with the second rotation member, a secondary transfer portion through the intermediate transfer belt. A toner image formed on the image bearing member by the developing unit is transferred on the intermediate transfer belt at the primary transfer portion, and is transferred on a recording material at the secondary transfer portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao Umezawa, Eiichiro Kimizuka, Ichiro Yasumaru, Masao Amano, Junichi Ochi
  • Patent number: 7448619
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus ejects the sheet to witch image processing unit perform to an ejection tray or a staple stacker by a pair of ejection rollers and the like. A sheet path for guiding the sheet to the ejection rollers is opened and closed in conjunction with slide movement of the ejection tray when the ejection tray is attached to a main body of the apparatus, and the sheet path is opened and closed in conjunction with the slide movement of a staple stacker when the staple stacker is attached to the main body of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Kuwata, Masanobu Kanoto, Yasuyoshi Hayakawa, Masao Amano, Kazuhide Kudo, Masayoshi Fukatsu
  • Publication number: 20080014000
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus ejects the sheet to witch image processing unit perform to an ejection tray or a staple stacker by a pair of ejection rollers and the like. A sheet path for guiding the sheet to the ejection rollers is opened and closed in conjunction with slide movement of the ejection tray when the ejection tray is attached to a main body of the apparatus, and the sheet path is opened and closed in conjunction with the slide movement of a staple stacker when the staple stacker is attached to the main body of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: TAKASHI KUWATA, Masanobu Kanoto, Yasuyoshi Hayakawa, Masao Amano, Kazuhide Kudo, Masayoshi Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 7267338
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus ejects the sheet to witch image processing unit perform to an ejection tray or a staple stacker by a pair of ejection rollers and the like. A sheet path for guiding the sheet to the ejection rollers is opened and closed in conjunction with slide movement of the ejection tray when the ejection tray is attached to a main body of the apparatus, and the sheet path is opened and closed in conjunction with the slide movement of a staple stacker when the staple stacker is attached to the main body of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Kuwata, Masanobu Kanoto, Yasuyoshi Hayakawa, Masao Amano, Kazuhide Kudo, Masayoshi Fukatsu
  • Publication number: 20070145672
    Abstract: An over-stack protective portion is provided on a stopper member. When a sheet feeding device is in a standby position, the over-stack protective portion is held in a position in which the over-stack protective portion is in pressure contact with sheets having the maximum stacking height capable of being fed and supported by a sheet supporting portion. Also, when the sheets are to be fed, the pressure contact of the over-stack protective portion with the sheets having the maximum stacking height is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira OOMORI, Masao Amano, Eiichiro Kimizuka, Daisuke Aoki
  • Publication number: 20070098465
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable member contactable to a recording material for carrying an image; a heating member contacted to an outer surface of the rotatable member to heat the rotatable member; a holding member for holding the heating member; and an urging member for urging the holding member to contact the heating member to the rotatable member, wherein the holding member is rotatable relative to the apparatus about an axis parallel with a generating line of the rotatable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke AOKI, Satoshi Nishida, Masao Amano