Patents by Inventor Yoshito Takakuwa
Yoshito Takakuwa 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).
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Patent number: 9625874Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a process unit configured to be attached to and removed from the main body, the process unit being configured to integrally hold a plurality of image carriers arranged in a first direction; a plurality of developing cartridges provided in corresponding association with the image carriers, the developing cartridges configured to be attached to and removed from the process unit, each of the developing cartridges including a corresponding developer carrier, each of the developing cartridges being configured to supply developer to a corresponding image carrier; and a pressing mechanism provided in the main body, the pressing mechanism configured to press the developing cartridges, when attached to the process unit, in a direction that the developer carriers contact the image carriers.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
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Publication number: 20150248106Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a process unit configured to be attached to and removed from the main body, the process unit being configured to integrally hold a plurality of image carriers arranged in a first direction; a plurality of developing cartridges provided in corresponding association with the image carriers, the developing cartridges configured to be attached to and removed from the process unit, each of the developing cartridges including a corresponding developer carrier, each of the developing cartridges being configured to supply developer to a corresponding image carrier; and a pressing mechanism provided in the main body, the pressing mechanism configured to press the developing cartridges, when attached to the process unit, in a direction that the developer carriers contact the image carriers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2015Publication date: September 3, 2015Inventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
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Patent number: 9037037Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a process unit configured to be attached to and removed from the main body, the process unit being configured to integrally hold a plurality of image carriers arranged in a first direction; a plurality of developing cartridges provided in corresponding association with the image carriers, the developing cartridges configured to be attached to and removed from the process unit, each of the developing cartridges including a corresponding developer carrier, each of the developing cartridges being configured to supply developer to a corresponding image carrier; and a pressing mechanism provided in the main body, the pressing mechanism configured to press the developing cartridges, when attached to the process unit, in a direction that the developer carriers contact the image carriers.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
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Publication number: 20140212171Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a process unit configured to be attached to and removed from the main body, the process unit being configured to integrally hold a plurality of image carriers arranged in a first direction; a plurality of developing cartridges provided in corresponding association with the image carriers, the developing cartridges configured to be attached to and removed from the process unit, each of the developing cartridges including a corresponding developer carrier, each of the developing cartridges being configured to supply developer to a corresponding image carrier; and a pressing mechanism provided in the main body, the pressing mechanism configured to press the developing cartridges, when attached to the process unit, in a direction that the developer carriers contact the image carriers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
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Patent number: 8781360Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a process unit configured to be attached to and removed from the main body, the process unit being configured to integrally hold a plurality of image carriers arranged in a first direction; a plurality of developing cartridges provided in corresponding association with the image carriers, the developing cartridges configured to be attached to and removed from the process unit, each of the developing cartridges including a corresponding developer carrier, each of the developing cartridges being configured to supply developer to a corresponding image carrier; and a pressing mechanism provided in the main body, the pressing mechanism configured to press the developing cartridges, when attached to the process unit, in a direction that the developer carriers contact the image carriers.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Brother Kyogo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
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Patent number: 8676092Abstract: An image-forming device includes image carrying members aligned in a first direction in a main casing, one of the image carrying members being for black color, and remaining ones of the image carrying members being for other colors; a developing members provided in one-to-one correspondence with the image carrying members, each of the developing members configured to contact a corresponding image carrying member, one of the developing members being for black color, and remaining ones of the developing members being for other colors r; and a first contact/separation member linearly movable in the first direction, the first contact/separation member being disposed on one side of the plurality of developing members. The first contact/separation member comprises an elongated shape in the first direction. The first contact/separation member comprises a separating surfaces configured to contact respective developing members to separate the developing member from the image carrying member.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
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Publication number: 20130188988Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a process unit configured to be attached to and removed from the main body, the process unit being configured to integrally hold a plurality of image carriers arranged in a first direction; a plurality of developing cartridges provided in corresponding association with the image carriers, the developing cartridges configured to be attached to and removed from the process unit, each of the developing cartridges including a corresponding developer carrier, each of the developing cartridges being configured to supply developer to a corresponding image carrier; and a pressing mechanism provided in the main body, the pressing mechanism configured to press the developing cartridges, when attached to the process unit, in a direction that the developer carriers contact the image carriers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
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Patent number: 8346133Abstract: A laser printer includes a contact/separation mechanism that linearly moves developing cartridges between contact positions where the developing cartridges contact corresponding photosensitive drums and separating positions where the developing cartridges separate from the photosensitive drums. The contact/separation mechanism includes a pair of contact/separation members and a synchronous moving mechanism. The contact/separation members are disposed one on one side of the developing cartridges and another on another side of the developing cartridges. The synchronous moving mechanism is for linearly moving the contact/separation members in synchronization with each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
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Publication number: 20110243606Abstract: A laser printer includes a contact/separation mechanism that linearly moves developing cartridges between contact positions where the developing cartridges contact corresponding photosensitive drums and separating positions where the developing cartridges separate from the photosensitive drums. The contact/separation mechanism includes a pair of contact/separation members and a synchronous moving mechanism. The contact/separation members are disposed one on one side of the developing cartridges and another on another side of the developing cartridges. The synchronous moving mechanism is for linearly moving the contact/separation members in synchronization with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
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Patent number: 8032049Abstract: An image forming device is provided to be able to make efficient use of an internal space while improving the detection accuracy, with which a detected body is detected. The image forming device according to the invention comprises a housing, a duct, through which an air in the housing is caused to flow, a detection portion arranged outside the duct to be displaced according to the presence of, or movement of a detected body, an operating portion that can be displaced in the duct, a detection element arranged in the duct to detect displacement of the operating portion, and a transmission portion that transmits displacement of the detection portion to the operating portion through an opening formed on the duct.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2009Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomitake Aratachi, Yoshito Takakuwa
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Patent number: 7986906Abstract: A laser printer includes a contact/separation mechanism that linearly moves developing cartridges between contact positions where the developing cartridges contact corresponding photosensitive drums and separating positions where the developing cartridges separate from the photosensitive drums. The contact/separation mechanism includes a pair of contact/separation members and a synchronous moving mechanism. The contact/separation members are disposed one on one side of the developing cartridges and another on another side of the developing cartridges. The synchronous moving mechanism is for linearly moving the contact/separation members in synchronization with each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
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Publication number: 20100290813Abstract: A laser printer includes a contact/separation mechanism that linearly moves developing cartridges between contact positions where the developing cartridges contact corresponding photosensitive drums and separating positions where the developing cartridges separate from the photosensitive drums. The contact/separation mechanism includes a pair of contact/separation members and a synchronous moving mechanism. The contact/separation members are disposed one on one side of the developing cartridges and another on another side of the developing cartridges. The synchronous moving mechanism is for linearly moving the contact/separation members in synchronization with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
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Patent number: 7792464Abstract: A laser printer includes a contact/separation mechanism that linearly moves developing cartridges between contact positions where the developing cartridges contact corresponding photosensitive drums and separating positions where the developing cartridges separate from the photosensitive drums. The contact/separation mechanism includes a pair of contact/separation members and a synchronous moving mechanism. The contact/separation members are disposed one on one side of the developing cartridges and another on another side of the developing cartridges. The synchronous moving mechanism is for linearly moving the contact/separation members in synchronization with each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2006Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
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Publication number: 20090220271Abstract: An image forming device is provided to be able to make efficient use of an internal space while improving the detection accuracy, with which a detected body is detected. The image forming device according to the invention comprises a housing, a duct, through which an air in the housing is caused to flow, a detection portion arranged outside the duct to be displaced according to the presence of, or movement of a detected body, an operating portion that can be displaced in the duct, a detection element arranged in the duct to detect displacement of the operating portion, and a transmission portion that transmits displacement of the detection portion to the operating portion through an opening formed on the duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2009Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomitake ARATACHI, Yoshito TAKAKUWA
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Patent number: 7526232Abstract: A swinging gear is constructed to be swingable in accordance with the rotational direction of a main gear. A first gear train is arranged to drive a black developing unit by meshing with the swinging gear when the main gear is rotated in a first direction. A second gear train is arranged to drive developing units for colors such as yellow by meshing with the swinging gear when the main gear is rotated in a second direction reverse to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoya Kamimura, Yoshito Takakuwa
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Patent number: 7444103Abstract: In an image-forming device including an image-carrying member, a developer-carrying member, and a casing having an inner space in which developer is accommodated and the developer-carrying member is supported, both a pushing force and a separating force are not applied to the casing so that the thickness of the casing does not need to be increased. The casing is formed with a pair of first protruding parts each having an end that protrudes outward along the axial direction of the developer-carrying member, and a pair of second protruding parts each having an end that protrudes farther outward than the corresponding end of the first protruding part. The first protruding parts serve as operating parts operated by a pressing member, and the second protruding parts serve as operating parts operated by a separating member.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Okabe, Naoya Kamimura, Yoshito Takakuwa
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Publication number: 20070077093Abstract: A laser printer includes a contact/separation mechanism that linearly moves developing cartridges between contact positions where the developing cartridges contact corresponding photosensitive drums and separating positions where the developing cartridges separate from the photosensitive drums. The contact/separation mechanism includes a pair of contact/separation members and a synchronous moving mechanism. The contact/separation members are disposed one on either side of the developing cartridges. The synchronous moving mechanism is for linearly moving the contact/separation members with synchronization with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2006Publication date: April 5, 2007Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
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Publication number: 20070053719Abstract: A swinging gear is constructed to be swingable in accordance with the rotational direction of a main gear. A first gear train is arranged to drive a black developing unit by meshing with the swinging gear when the main gear is rotated in a first direction. A second gear train is arranged to drive developing units for colors such as yellow by meshing with the swinging gear when the main gear is rotated in a second direction reverse to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2006Publication date: March 8, 2007Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoya Kamimura, Yoshito Takakuwa
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Publication number: 20070036591Abstract: In an image-forming device including an image-carrying member, a developer-carrying member, and a casing having an inner space in which developer is accommodated and the developer-carrying member is supported, both a pushing force and a separating force are not applied to the casing so that the thickness of the casing does not need to be increased. The casing is formed with a pair of first protruding parts each having an end that protrudes outward along the axial direction of the developer-carrying member, and a pair of second protruding parts each having an end that protrudes farther outward than the corresponding end of the first protruding part. The first protruding parts serve as operating parts operated by the pressing member, and the second protruding parts serve as operating parts operated by the separating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2006Publication date: February 15, 2007Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Okabe, Naoya Kamimura, Yoshito Takakuwa