Patents by Inventor Shigeo Miyabe

Shigeo Miyabe 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: 10845756
    Abstract: A device for transmitting a rotational force to an electrophotographic photosensitive drum includes a pin supported by a flange, with the pin being configured to transmit the rotational force to the flange. The device also includes a coupling member having a rotational axis, the coupling member including (i) a first end portion operatively connected to the flange, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion, with the first end portion including a through-hole portion. The pin penetrates the through-hole portion and is capable of receiving the rotational force from the coupling member, and the coupling member is movable with respect to the pin between a first position in which the rotational axis of the coupling member is coaxial with an axis of the flange, and a second position in which the rotational axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Publication number: 20200249624
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a rotatable member rotatably supported in a casing to permit rotation about an axis of the rotatable member, a developer roller rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2 about which the coupling member is rotatable and a free end portion for receiving a rotational force. The free end portion of the coupling includes at least two projections that are positioned at least partially outside of the casing, with each of the at least two projections being open to the axis L2. The coupling member is operatively connected to the rotatable member and the developer roller in order to transmit the rotational force to the rotatable member and the developer roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10671018
    Abstract: A process cartridge, a combination of a process cartridge and a drive shaft of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a method of mounting and using a process cartridge in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include a feature wherein a coupling member of the process cartridge can take different angular positions relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In one position, an axis of the coupling member is inclined relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In a second position, the axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Publication number: 20200159165
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a driving shaft having a rotational force applying portion, wherein the cartridge is dismountable from the main assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft, the cartridge including i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof; and ii) a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the developing roller, the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the developing roller to the developing roller and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the rotational force transmitting angular position, wherein when t
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Masanari Morioka
  • Publication number: 20200142349
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a coupling member for receiving a rotational force for rotating a developing roller. The cartridge also includes a cylinder including an accommodating portion accommodating at least a part of the coupling member, the cylinder being configured to transmit the rotational force from the coupling member to the developing roller. The cartridge further includes a frame including a bearing configured to rotatably support the cylinder and a regulating wall capable of regulating movement of the coupling member by contacting the coupling member. The bearing encompasses the regulating wall as seen along a rotational axis of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Atsushi Takasaka
  • Patent number: 10627778
    Abstract: A process cartridge, a combination of a process cartridge and a drive shaft of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a method of mounting and using a process cartridge in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include a feature wherein a coupling member of the process cartridge can take different angular positions relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In one position, an axis of the coupling member is inclined relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In a second position, the axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10620582
    Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Patent number: 10585391
    Abstract: A process cartridge, combination of a process cartridge and a drive shaft of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a method of mounting and using a process cartridge in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include a feature that a coupling member of the process cartridge can take different angular positions relative to the fixed axis of rotation of the drive shaft. In one position, the axis of the coupling member is inclined relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In another position, the axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10571859
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a driving shaft having a rotational force applying portion, wherein the cartridge is dismountable from the main assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft, the cartridge including i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof; and ii) a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the developing roller, the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the developing roller to the developing roller and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the rotational force transmitting angular position, wherein when t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Masanari Morioka
  • Patent number: 10551793
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge. The process cartridge includes a coupling member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The second end portion of the coupling member includes at least one pair of projections, with each of the projections includinga facing portion that faces the axis L2, each facing portion being open to the axis L2. A maximum dimension in a direction perpendicular to the axis L2 of at least a part of the connecting portion is smaller than a diameter of an imaginary circle that is tangent to the facing portions of the projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10545450
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a rotatable member, a coupling member for receiving a rotational force for rotating the rotatable member, and a cylindrical member movably supporting one end portion of the coupling member. A first regulating portion is provided inside of the cylindrical member for preventing the end portion of the coupling member from disengaging in an axial direction of the cylindrical member, with the first regulating portion being capable of deformation to allow the one end portion of the coupling member to disengage in the axial direction of the cylindrical member. A second regulating portion is provided for regulating the deformation of the first regulating portion in a state in which the end portion of the coupling member is mounted to the inside of the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Atsushi Takasaka
  • Patent number: 10539923
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a casing and developer contained within the casing. The process cartridge also includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, with the photosensitive drum being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1, and a developing roller having an axis L1?, with the developing roller being configured to develop a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with the developer, and with the developing roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1?. A coupling member is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling member including a body having an axis L2, and the coupling member including at least one projection provided at an end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Patent number: 10539924
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum. The coupling member is movable between a position in which an axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with an axis of the photosensitive drum and a position in which the axis of the coupling member is not substantially coaxial with the axis of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Patent number: 10520887
    Abstract: A developing device that is useable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The developing device also includes a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Publication number: 20190391528
    Abstract: A device for transmitting a rotational force to an electrophotographic photosensitive drum includes a pin supported by a flange, with the pin being configured to transmit the rotational force to the flange. The device also includes a coupling member having a rotational axis, the coupling member including (i) a first end portion operatively connected to the flange, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion, with the first end portion including a through-hole portion. The pin penetrates the through-hole portion and is capable of receiving the rotational force from the coupling member, and the coupling member is movable with respect to the pin between a first position in which the rotational axis of the coupling member is coaxial with an axis of the flange, and a second position in which the rotational axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10429794
    Abstract: A rotating force transmitting part for an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a driving shaft, to be driven by a motor, having the rotating force applying portion, and wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is dismountable from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a direction substantial perpendicular with an axial direction of the driving shaft, the rotating force transmitting part includes a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in the state in which electrophotographic photosensitive drum is mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitt
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Publication number: 20190278219
    Abstract: A process cartridge, a combination of a process cartridge and a drive shaft of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a method of mounting and using a process cartridge in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include a feature wherein a coupling member of the process cartridge can take different angular positions relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In one position, an axis of the coupling member is inclined relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In a second position, the axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Publication number: 20190278218
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum. The coupling member is movable between a position in which an axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with an axis of the photosensitive drum and a position in which the axis of the coupling member is not substantially coaxial with the axis of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Publication number: 20190278217
    Abstract: A process cartridge, combination of a process cartridge and a drive shaft of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a method of mounting and using a process cartridge in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include a feature that a coupling member of the process cartridge can take different angular positions relative to the fixed axis of rotation of the drive shaft. In one position, the axis of the coupling member is inclined relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In another position, the axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Publication number: 20190155204
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a rotatable member, a coupling member for receiving a rotational force for rotating the rotatable member, and a cylindrical member movably supporting one end portion of the coupling member. A first regulating portion is provided inside of the cylindrical member for preventing the end portion of the coupling member from disengaging in an axial direction of the cylindrical member, with the first regulating portion being capable of deformation to allow the one end portion of the coupling member to disengage in the axial direction of the cylindrical member. A second regulating portion is provided for regulating the deformation of the first regulating portion in a state in which the end portion of the coupling member is mounted to the inside of the cylindrical member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Atsushi Takasaka