Patents by Inventor Takahito Ueno

Takahito Ueno 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: 11061369
    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: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Masanari Morioka
  • Patent number: 11042117
    Abstract: A rotational force is transmitted to a main assembly side feeding member for feeding the toner into a main assembly side toner accommodating portion from a coupling member provided on a cartridge. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a discharge opening configured to discharge the toner removed from the photosensitive drum toward the main assembly side feeding member, and a coupling member configured to transmit the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member. The coupling member is movable between a first position for transmitting the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member and a second position retracted from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11036179
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises a frame including a chamber, a photosensitive drum supported by the frame, a first coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum such that a rotational force can be transmitted from the first coupling member to the photosensitive drum, and a second coupling member provided adjacent to an opening in the cartridge. The chamber is in fluid communication with the opening, with the second coupling member forming at least a part of the passageway through which toner can move from the chamber to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20210165359
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a developing roller and a coupling member for receiving a rotational force for rotating the developing roller. The cartridge also includes a frame having 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. A spring presses the coupling member to contact the regulating wall, and the bearing encompasses the regulating wall as seen along a rotational axis of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Atsushi Takasaka
  • Patent number: 10976698
    Abstract: A rotational force is transmitted to a main assembly side feeding member for feeding the toner into a main assembly side toner accommodating portion from a coupling member provided on a cartridge. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a discharge opening configured to discharge the toner removed from the photosensitive drum toward the main assembly side feeding member, and a coupling member configured to transmit the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member. The coupling member is movable between a first position for transmitting the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member and a second position retracted from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10976697
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises a frame including a chamber, a photosensitive drum supported by the frame, a first coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum such that a rotational force can be transmitted from the first coupling member to the photosensitive drum, and a second coupling member provided adjacent to an opening in the cartridge. The chamber is in fluid communication with the opening, with the second coupling member forming at least a part of the passageway through which toner can move from the chamber to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10969734
    Abstract: A rotational force is transmitted to a main assembly side feeding member for feeding the toner into a main assembly side toner accommodating portion from a coupling member provided on a cartridge. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a discharge opening configured to discharge the toner removed from the photosensitive drum toward the main assembly side feeding member, and a coupling member configured to transmit the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member. The coupling member is movable between a first position for transmitting the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member and a second position retracted from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10969733
    Abstract: A rotational force is transmitted to a main assembly side feeding member for feeding the toner into a main assembly side toner accommodating portion from a coupling member provided on a cartridge. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a discharge opening configured to discharge the toner removed from the photosensitive drum toward the main assembly side feeding member, and a coupling member configured to transmit the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member. The coupling member is movable between a first position for transmitting the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member and a second position retracted from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10962926
    Abstract: A rotational force is transmitted to a main assembly side feeding member for feeding the toner into a main assembly side toner accommodating portion from a coupling member provided on a cartridge. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a discharge opening configured to discharge the toner removed from the photosensitive drum toward the main assembly side feeding member, and a coupling member configured to transmit the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member. The coupling member is movable between a first position for transmitting the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member and a second position retracted from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10955795
    Abstract: A rotational force is transmitted to a main assembly side feeding member for feeding the toner into a main assembly side toner accommodating portion from a coupling member provided on a cartridge. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a discharge opening configured to discharge the toner removed from the photosensitive drum toward the main assembly side feeding member, and a coupling member configured to transmit the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member. The coupling member is movable between a first position for transmitting the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member and a second position retracted from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20210080903
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a photosensitive layer at a peripheral surface thereof, and process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The process cartridge also includes a coupling member capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the rotational force transmitting angular position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10935927
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises a frame including a chamber, a photosensitive drum supported by the frame, a first coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum such that a rotational force can be transmitted from the first coupling member to the photosensitive drum, and a second coupling member provided adjacent to an opening in the cartridge. The chamber is in fluid communication with the opening, with the second coupling member forming at least a part of the passageway through which toner can move from the chamber to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10935926
    Abstract: A technique enabling downsizing of an image forming apparatus is provided. A cleaning unit 13 attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a recording material 12 is provided, with this cleaning unit 13 including: a photosensitive drum 1; and a cleaning frame body 14 that supports the photosensitive drum 1 and that includes an opening 14c through which laser light 3c for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 can pass, wherein the opening 14c is configured such that a width of the opening 14c in a scanning direction in an irradiation range of the light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 becomes greater toward a side of the photosensitive drum 1 from a side of a light source of light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takeuchi, Takahito Ueno, Yuuki Nakamura, Kensuke Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20210041829
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a discharge opening for permitting discharge of toner removed from the photosensitive drum to outside of the cartridge. The cartridge also includes a coupling member provided adjacent to the discharge opening and configured to output a rotational force, with the coupling member being movable relative to the photosensitive drum between (i) a first position and (ii) a second position retracted from the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20210041830
    Abstract: A device for transmitting a rotational force to an electrophotographic photosensitive drum includes a flange connectable to the photosensitive drum and having a rotational axis, a hollow portion, and a force receiving surface, a pin configured to transmit the rotational force to the flange, and a coupling member the coupling member including a shaft shaped portion extended along a rotational axis of the coupling member and including a through-hole portion. When the pin and at least a part of the shaft shaped portion of the coupling member are accommodated in the hollow portion of the flange and the pin contacts the force receiving surface, the pin is capable of transmitting the rotational force received from the coupling member to the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10901360
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Atsushi Takasaka
  • Patent number: 10884374
    Abstract: A rotational force is transmitted to a main assembly side feeding member for feeding the toner into a main assembly side toner accommodating portion from a coupling member provided on a cartridge. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a discharge opening configured to discharge the toner removed from the photosensitive drum toward the main assembly side feeding member, and a coupling member configured to transmit the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member. The coupling member is movable between a first position for transmitting the rotational force to the main assembly side feeding member and a second position retracted from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10877433
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Publication number: 20200379405
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a coupling member having an axis about which the coupling member is rotatable. The coupling member includes a first end portion operatively connected to a developer roller and a developer supplying roller and a second end portion for receiving a rotational force. The coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis of the developer roller, a second position in which the axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis when the coupling member is in the first position, and a third position in which the axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis when the coupling member is in the first position in a direction opposite to the direction the coupling member is inclined when in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shiego Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • 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