Patents by Inventor Michael James Shanor

Michael James Shanor 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: 11914322
    Abstract: An assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a drive coupler movable along an axial direction between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the drive coupler is disengaged from a drive interface of a first replaceable unit when the first replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the drive coupler is engaged with the drive interface of the first replaceable unit when the first replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device for providing a rotational force to the drive interface of the first replaceable unit. A lever is operatively connected to the drive coupler such that the lever causes the drive coupler to move from the retracted position to the extended position upon the lever receiving an actuation force from insertion of a second replaceable unit that is toward the drive coupler along the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley Charles Gould, II, Michael James Shanor
  • Publication number: 20230185230
    Abstract: An assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a drive coupler movable along an axial direction between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the drive coupler is disengaged from a drive interface of a first replaceable unit when the first replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the drive coupler is engaged with the drive interface of the first replaceable unit when the first replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device for providing a rotational force to the drive interface of the first replaceable unit. A lever is operatively connected to the drive coupler such that the lever causes the drive coupler to move from the retracted position to the extended position upon the lever receiving an actuation force from insertion of a second replaceable unit that is toward the drive coupler along the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: BARTLEY CHARLES GOULD, II, MICHAEL JAMES SHANOR
  • Patent number: 11194285
    Abstract: A system for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a basket including a plurality of positioning slots each including cartridge datum locators that position a plurality of toner cartridges relative to the basket. A first guide rail and a second guide rail, each movable between a raised position and a lowered position, raise and lower the basket when the first and second guide rails move between the raised and lowered positions. In the raised positions the first and second guide rails support the basket permitting the basket to slide along the first and second guide rails into and out of the image forming device. When the first and second guide rails are in the lowered positions basket datum locators within the image forming device support the basket and position the basket relative to the image forming device in order to position the toner cartridges relative to the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Allen Blair, Jie Chen, Benjamin Charles Devore, Darin Michael Gettelfinger, Michael James Shanor, Christopher Kent Washing
  • Patent number: 11194286
    Abstract: A system for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a basket insertable into and extendable out of the image forming device. The basket includes a plurality of positioning slots each configured to receive a corresponding toner cartridge of a plurality of toner cartridges. The basket includes a cartridge latching assembly configured to apply a hold-down force on each toner cartridge to rigidly hold each toner cartridge against corresponding datums of the basket. A basket latching assembly in the image forming device is configured to apply a hold-down force on the basket when the basket is inserted into the image forming device to rigidly hold the basket against corresponding datums of the image forming device for positioning the plurality of toner cartridges in respective operational positions within the image forming device with only the cartridge latching assembly of the basket directly applying hold-down forces on the plurality of toner cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Allen Blair, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, Jie Chen, Benjamin Charles Devore, Darin Michael Gettelfinger, Michael James Shanor, Christopher Kent Washing
  • Patent number: 11194287
    Abstract: A system for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a basket for holding multiple toner cartridges. A guide rail assembly operatively connected to an access door moves between a raised position and a lowered position to raise and lower the basket when the access door moves between an open position and a closed position. The basket is slidable along the guide rail assembly into and out of the image forming device when the guide rail assembly is in the raised position, and is in an operational position within the image forming device when the guide rail assembly is in the lowered position. A rail lock mechanism locks the access door in the open position when the guide rail assembly is in the raised position and the basket is extended out of the image forming device and unlocks the access door from the open position when the basket is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jie Chen, Benjamin Charles Devore, Michael James Shanor, Christopher Kent Washing
  • Publication number: 20210255578
    Abstract: A system for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a basket including a plurality of positioning slots each including cartridge datum locators that position a plurality of toner cartridges relative to the basket. A first guide rail and a second guide rail, each movable between a raised position and a lowered position, raise and lower the basket when the first and second guide rails move between the raised and lowered positions. In the raised positions the first and second guide rails support the basket permitting the basket to slide along the first and second guide rails into and out of the image forming device. When the first and second guide rails are in the lowered positions basket datum locators within the image forming device support the basket and position the basket relative to the image forming device in order to position the toner cartridges relative to the image forming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: BRIAN ALLEN BLAIR, JIE CHEN, BENJAMIN CHARLES DEVORE, DARIN MICHAEL GETTELFINGER, MICHAEL JAMES SHANOR, CHRISTOPHER KENT WASHING
  • Publication number: 20210255582
    Abstract: A system for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a basket for holding multiple toner cartridges. A guide rail assembly operatively connected to an access door moves between a raised position and a lowered position to raise and lower the basket when the access door moves between an open position and a closed position. The basket is slidable along the guide rail assembly into and out of the image forming device when the guide rail assembly is in the raised position, and is in an operational position within the image forming device when the guide rail assembly is in the lowered position. A rail lock mechanism locks the access door in the open position when the guide rail assembly is in the raised position and the basket is extended out of the image forming device and unlocks the access door from the open position when the basket is inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: JIE CHEN, BENJAMIN CHARLES DEVORE, MICHAEL JAMES SHANOR, CHRISTOPHER KENT WASHING
  • Publication number: 20210255580
    Abstract: A system for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a basket insertable into and extendable out of the image forming device. The basket includes a plurality of positioning slots each configured to receive a corresponding toner cartridge of a plurality of toner cartridges. The basket includes a cartridge latching assembly configured to apply a hold-down force on each toner cartridge to rigidly hold each toner cartridge against corresponding datums of the basket. A basket latching assembly in the image forming device is configured to apply a hold-down force on the basket when the basket is inserted into the image forming device to rigidly hold the basket against corresponding datums of the image forming device for positioning the plurality of toner cartridges in respective operational positions within the image forming device with only the cartridge latching assembly of the basket directly applying hold-down forces on the plurality of toner cartridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: MARK WILLIAM AMANN, BRIAN ALLEN BLAIR, BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, JAMES ANTHANY CARTER, II, JIE CHEN, BENJAMIN CHARLES DEVORE, DARIN MICHAEL GETTELFINGER, MICHAEL JAMES SHANOR, CHRISTOPHER KENT WASHING
  • Patent number: 9448523
    Abstract: A bump alignment assembly using at least two input media feeds for use in an imaging device. Two spaced apart media guides form a tunnel-shaped bubble chamber about a media path. Two media feed roll pairs are positioned adjacent to the entrance of the bubble chamber. The width of the entrance to the bubble chamber is equal to or greater than the separation of the feed nips of the two media feed roll pairs allowing two or more media paths to be accommodated without the use of media path extensions. A bump alignment roll pair is adjacent the exit of the bubble chamber. Entry, exit and biasing surface features of the media guides provide for buckling and bubble formation of media being fed into the bubble chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle Elizabeth Beck, Derek Masami Inouye, Philip David Jones, Michael James Shanor, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Publication number: 20150378299
    Abstract: A bump alignment assembly using at least two input media feeds for use in an imaging device. Two spaced apart media guides form a tunnel-shaped bubble chamber about a media path. Two media feed roll pairs are positioned adjacent to the entrance of the bubble chamber. The width of the entrance to the bubble chamber is equal to or greater than the separation of the feed nips of the two media feed roll pairs allowing two or more media paths to be accommodated without the use of media path extensions. A bump alignment roll pair is adjacent the exit of the bubble chamber. Entry, exit and biasing surface features of the media guides provide for buckling and bubble formation of media being fed into the bubble chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle Elizabeth Beck, Derek Masami Inouye, Philip David Jones, Michael James Shanor, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Patent number: 8371572
    Abstract: A detachable reversible pick mechanism for a media input tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Allen Blair, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Derek Masami Inouye, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Michael James Shanor, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges, Edward Lynn Triplett
  • Patent number: 8210521
    Abstract: A pick mechanism according to one exemplary embodiment includes transmission housing and a drive transmission engageable with a drive shaft for receiving rotational force from the drive shaft. A pick axle has at least one pick wheel mounted thereon and is operatively connected to the drive transmission for rotating the at least one pick wheel. A first stop extends from the transmission housing for limiting the rotation of the pick mechanism about the drive shaft. A method for feeding compressible media according to one embodiment includes rotating a pick mechanism downward about a drive shaft, limiting the downward rotation of the pick mechanism to convert the pick mechanism from a compliant element to a non-compliant element, and feeding a first compressible media from a top surface of a lift plate in a media process direction with the non-compliant pick mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Allen Blair, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Derek Masami Inouye, Michael James Shanor, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges, Edward Lynn Triplett
  • Publication number: 20120103118
    Abstract: A detachable reversible pick mechanism for a media input tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Allen Blair, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Derek Masami Inouye, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Michael James Shanor, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges, Edward Lynn Triplett
  • Publication number: 20120104680
    Abstract: A pick mechanism according to one exemplary embodiment includes transmission housing and a drive transmission engageable with a drive shaft for receiving rotational force from the drive shaft. A pick axle has at least one pick wheel mounted thereon and is operatively connected to the drive transmission for rotating the at least one pick wheel. A first stop extends from the transmission housing for limiting the rotation of the pick mechanism about the drive shaft. A method for feeding compressible media according to one embodiment includes rotating a pick mechanism downward about a drive shaft, limiting the downward rotation of the pick mechanism to convert the pick mechanism from a compliant element to a non-compliant element, and feeding a first compressible media from a top surface of a lift plate in a media process direction with the non-compliant pick mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Allen Blair, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Derek Masami Inouye, Michael James Shanor, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges, Edward Lynn Triplett
  • Patent number: 8061704
    Abstract: A pick mechanism according to one exemplary embodiment includes transmission housing and a drive transmission engageable with a drive shaft for receiving rotational force from the drive shaft. A pick axle has at least one pick wheel mounted thereon and is operatively connected to the drive transmission for rotating the at least one pick wheel. A first stop extends from the transmission housing for limiting the rotation of the pick mechanism about the drive shaft. A method for feeding compressible media according to one embodiment includes rotating a pick mechanism downward about a drive shaft, limiting the downward rotation of the pick mechanism to convert the pick mechanism from a compliant element to a non-compliant element, and feeding a first compressible media from a top surface of a lift plate in a media process direction with the non-compliant pick mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Allen Blair, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Derek Masami Inouye, Michael James Shanor, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges, Edward Lynn Triplett
  • Patent number: D867445
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Darin Michael Gettelfinger, Matthew Ryan Keniston, Franklin Joseph Palumbo, Michael James Shanor, Jay Scott Siekmann, Christopher Kent Washing
  • Patent number: D894272
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Darin Michael Gettelfinger, Matthew Ryan Keniston, Franklin Joseph Palumbo, Michael James Shanor, Jay Scott Siekmann, Christopher Kent Washing