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).

  • Patent number: 9625874
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
  • Publication number: 20150248106
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 9037037
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
  • Publication number: 20140212171
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8781360
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kyogo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8676092
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
  • Publication number: 20130188988
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshito Takakuwa, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Atsushi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8346133
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
  • Publication number: 20110243606
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
  • Patent number: 8032049
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomitake Aratachi, Yoshito Takakuwa
  • Patent number: 7986906
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
  • Publication number: 20100290813
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
  • Patent number: 7792464
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
  • Publication number: 20090220271
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomitake ARATACHI, Yoshito TAKAKUWA
  • Patent number: 7526232
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoya Kamimura, Yoshito Takakuwa
  • Patent number: 7444103
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Okabe, Naoya Kamimura, Yoshito Takakuwa
  • Publication number: 20070077093
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Okabe, Yoshito Takakuwa
  • Publication number: 20070053719
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoya Kamimura, Yoshito Takakuwa
  • Publication number: 20070036591
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Okabe, Naoya Kamimura, Yoshito Takakuwa