Having Electrode Patents (Class 399/291)
  • Patent number: 6298209
    Abstract: An electrode wire for a hybrid scavengeless developer unit is electrostatically coated with a conductive coating comprised of a crosslinked polymer and a conductive material. The wire is coated by first electrostatically coating the wire with a coating composition including a crosslinkable polymer and a conductive material. Following electrostatic application of the coating, the coated wire is initially heated to a temperature above the melt temperature of the crosslinkable polymer and below the crosslinking temperature of the polymer for a time sufficient to permit the at least one polymer to flow out over the surface of the wire, and then further heated by increasing the temperature of heating above the crosslinking temperature of the polymer for a time sufficient to crosslink the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard A. Kelly, Scott M. Silence, Merrilee A. Galloway
  • Patent number: 6292643
    Abstract: In a xerographic printer, the use of traveling wave toner transport devices to deliver toner from the individual single color toner sumps to an intermediate traveling wave belt by utilizing traveling wave roll-type devices, and the traveling wave belt to carry the combination of toners to the photoreceptor. The toner could be composed of two or more toner color particles which are used as a custom color. The traveling wave transport belt mixes the two or more colors while transporting them, so that pre-mixing a custom color, and delivering it separately to the photoreceptor, is not necessary, thus enabling the use of an ordinary CMYK color printer to be used to print custom colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Tuan Anh Vo
  • Patent number: 6226483
    Abstract: An article including a cylindrical roller core; and a titanium dioxide ceramic layer bonded to the exterior of the cylindrical core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ann M. Kazakos, Joy L. Longhenry, Michelle L. Schlafer, Michael J. Duggan
  • Patent number: 6208824
    Abstract: An apparatus for non-interactive, dry powder development of electrostatic Images composed of solid areas and fine lines areas on an imageable surface including a housing containing developer material; a magnetic member, spaced a predefined distance from said image, for transporting said developer material from said housing to develop solid areas of said image, said magnetic roll including an magnetic core and a cylindrical sleeve enclosing and rotating about said magnetic core; and a resonating donor member, adjacent to said magnetic roll and spaced from the image receiving member and adapted to transport marking particles to a development zone adjacent the image receiving member; an electrode positioned in the development zone between the image receiving member and the donor member; a voltage supply for electrically biasing said electrode during a developing operation with an alternating current to detach marking particles from said resonating donor member, forming a cloud of marking particles in the develop
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Dale R. Mashtare, Christopher Snelling
  • Patent number: 6154626
    Abstract: A development roller for use in a machine in which marking particles are advanced toward a latent image to form a developed image is provided. The development roller includes a conductive body. The conductive body includes a central portion, a peripheral portion spaced from the central portion, and a support structure interconnecting the peripheral portion to the central portion. The development roller also includes a semiconductive material applied to an outer periphery of the conductive body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Alan M. Litman, Jorge A. Alvarez, Jerome P. Chasko
  • Patent number: 6023600
    Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on an imaging surface, including: a housing defining a reservoir storing a supply of developer material wherein the developer material having predefined triboelectric charge about 20 to 30 microCoulombs/gram. A donor member is mounted partially in the housing and spaced from the imaging surface, for transporting toner on an outer surface of the donor member to a region opposed from the imaging surface. An electrode member is disposed in between the donor member and the imaging surface. A system is provided for loading a region of the doner member with developer material. A charging device ion charges the toner loaded on the region of the donor member to a predefined charge level. A power supply electrically biases the electrode member positioned in close proximity to the imaging member to detach toner from the region of the donor member as to form a toner cloud for developing the latent image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul C. Julien, Elliott A. Eklund
  • Patent number: 5999780
    Abstract: Controllably conductive polymer compositions may be used in electrophotographic imaging developing systems, such as scavengeless or hybrid scavengeless systems or liquid image development systems. The conductive polymer compositions includes a charge-transporting material (particularly a charge-transporting, thiophene-containing polymer or an inert elastomeric polymer, such as a butadiene- or isoprene-based copolymer or an aromatic polyether-based polyurethane elastomer, that additionally comprises charge transport molecules) and a dopant capable of accepting electrons from the charge-transporting material. The invention also relates to an electrophotographic printing machine, a developing apparatus, and a coated transport member, an intermediate transfer belt, and a hybrid compliant photoreceptor comprising a composition of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Mort, Bing R. Hsieh, Mary A. Machonkin, Joseph Mammino, John F. Yanus
  • Patent number: 5978633
    Abstract: A developer unit for developing a latent image recorded on an image receiving member with marking particles, to form a developed image, including an image receiving member moving at a predetermined process speed. A donor member is spaced from the image receiving member and adapted to transport marking particles to a development zone adjacent the image receiving member. An electrode is positioned in the development zone between the image receiving member and the donor member. A voltage supply to electrically bias the electrode during a developing operation with an alternating current, to detach marking particles from the donor member, forming a cloud of marking particles in the development zone, and developing the latent image with marking particles from the cloud. A modulator, responsive to the predetermined process speed, controls a modulation rate of the voltage supply to minimize harmonic resonant vibrations of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Hirsch, Alexander J. Fioravanti
  • Patent number: 5950057
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing toner charge level in a hybrid scavengeless development system. The system includes a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material including toner; a toner donor member spaced from the surface and being adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface; A mag roll conveys the developer material in the chamber of the housing onto a region of the donor member; A charging device ion charges the toner loaded on the region of the donor member; and an electrode member space near the surface of the donor member being electrically biased by a power supply to detach toner from the donor member as to form a toner cloud for developing the latent image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Peter F. Erhardt, Eugene F. Young
  • Patent number: 5943539
    Abstract: A developer unit for developing a latent image recorded on an image receiving member with marking particles, to form a developed image, including: a drive mechanism for moving the surface of the image receiving member at a predetermined process speed. A donor member is spaced from the image receiving member and adapted to transport marking particles to a development zone adjacent the image receiving member. A plurality of wires having a predefined tension are positioned in the development zone between the image receiving member and the donor member. A voltage supply to electrically bias the plurality of wires during a developing operation with an alternating current, to detach marking particles from the donor member, forming a cloud of marking particles in the development zone, and developing the latent image with marking particles from the cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Hirsch, Alexander J. Fioravanti
  • Patent number: 5940667
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus that develops a latent image recorded on a surface with toner. An electrically biased electrode member in the development zone between the photoconductive member and the donor roll detaches toners from the donor roll so as to form a toner powder cloud in the development zone. The electrical bias applied on the donor member is an asymmetrical wave. Toner from the toner powder cloud develops the latent image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Folkins
  • Patent number: 5933684
    Abstract: An apparatus in which the developability and interactivity of electrostatically charged particles in a mixture of particulate material is measured. The sensor apparatus includes a transparent member positioned closely adjacent to a developer roller of an electrophotographic printing machine. Electrostatically charged particles are attracted from the particulate mixture being transported by the developer roller to the member. A beam of energy is transmitted through the member. The intensity of the internally reflected beam is detected and a signal generated indicative of the quantity of charged particles adhering to the member. A cleaning field bias is applied, to determine if a signal indicative of the charge particles being removed (interactivity) from the member is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Dale R. Mashtare, Christopher Snelling
  • Patent number: 5923932
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing ghosting defect, which appears as a lightened ghost image of a previously developed image in a halftone or solid. The defect is due to the different characteristics of the toner that has been reloaded into the recently detoned areas of the donor roll from that toner which has remained on the donor and passed through the reload nip a number of times. A developer unit for developing a latent image recorded on an image receiving member with marking particles, to form a developed image, comprising: means for moving the surface of the image receiving member at a predetermined process speed. A donor member is spaced from the image receiving member and adapted to transport marking particles to a development zone adjacent the image receiving member. A housing is provided defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material comprising toner. The donor member is biased to a first predefined potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Williams
  • Patent number: 5893015
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting charged particles in a predetermine path which includes a donor member that is adapted to move charged particles on the surface thereof in the predetermined path. The donor member includes an electrode array on the outer surface thereof; the array including a plurality of spaced apart electrodes extending substantially across width of the surface of the donor member. A multi-phase DC voltage source is operatively coupled to the electrode array, the phase being shifted with respect to each other such as to create an electrodynamic wave pattern capable of moving charged particles on the surface thereof in the predetermined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammad M. Mojarradi, James M. Donohue, Tuan Anh Vo
  • Patent number: 5892303
    Abstract: A compact design for the electronic circuits to provide electrical contact to a SED roll of a segmented electrode development unit is provided. In this invention, all the required high voltage and low voltage circuitry is placed on a printed flexible circuit which is folded and rolled into a cylindrical circuit to be connected to the SED roll. The flexible printed circuit has a plurality of output terminals each of which will be connected to one of the electrodes of the SED roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Wayman, Abdul M. Elhatem, Paul C. Tien, Tuan Anh Vo
  • Patent number: 5890042
    Abstract: A hybrid jumping development system utilizing two component developer and providing an improved device for controlling developed toner mass. Toner is metered onto a donor structure and a toner cloud is formed in a development nip between the donor structure and the charge retentive surface having a latent electrostatic image thereon. The toner cloud is formed by applying an alternating potential to the donor structure so as to cause the toner particles to jump off of the donor structure. The duty cycle of the AC potential is used to control the toner cloud and thus the amount of toner developed on the charge retentive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Lam F. Wong, Michael G. Swales
  • Patent number: 5864734
    Abstract: An apparatus for powder cloud development of an electrostatic image in which a donor roll advances toner to a development zone adjacent the image, and in which precipitating electric fields are provided at the entrance and exit of the development zone to redeposit undeveloped toner onto the surface of the doner member, whereby unwanted airborne emissions of toner are substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Lewis, William H. Wayman
  • Patent number: 5835829
    Abstract: A donor roll for transporting marking particles to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a surface is provided. The donor roll is adaptable for use with an electric field to assist in transporting the marking particles from the donor roll to a development zone adjacent the surface. The donor roll includes a rotatably mounted body and a first electrode member mounted on the body. The donor roll further includes a second electrode member mounted on the body and spaced from the first electrode member and a resistive member electrically interconnecting the first electrode member and the second electrode member so that when an activation potential for creating an electric field is applied to the first electrode member a portion of the potential will be transferred to the second electrode member creating an attenuated field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Genovese, Mark S. Amico
  • Patent number: 5825384
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a toner carrier, a counter electrode, and a control electrode, which have the same potential as a ground potential of the image forming apparatus during a non-operational period while a flight electric field-use operational voltage and control voltages are not applied. During an operational period while the operational voltage and the control voltages are applied, a flight suppressing voltage for suppressing flight of the toner in the control voltages is first applied to the control voltage, and thereafter the operational voltage is applied to the counter electrode. When the application of the operational voltage and the control voltage are suspended, the flight suppressing voltage is first applied as the control voltage, then the application of the operational voltage is suspended, and thereafter the application of the flight suppressing voltage is suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Fujita
  • Patent number: 5818476
    Abstract: Electrographic printing apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording medium, includes a magnetic brush having a rotatable magnetic core and a stationary outer shell. A developer supply supplies a magnetic developer powder including toner to the magnetic brush. A print head is located on the outer shell of the magnetic brush. The print head includes microchannels or magnetic strips for forming a plurality of parallel lines of developer, and transfer electrodes for selectively transferring toner from two or more locations within each line to a receiver moving relative to the print head. The parallel lines of developer are arranged at an angle with respect to the direction of movement of the receiver, thereby effectively increasing the resolution of the print head in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the receiver. A receiver electrode is arranged in spaced relation to the transfer electrodes to define a recording region through which the receiver is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William Mey, Thomas N. Tombs, Thomas M. Stephany, William J. Grande
  • Patent number: 5815774
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus with a photosensitive unit 100A which is rotatably structured, having a transparent conductive layer 2, a photoconductive layer 3, and a porous insulating screen 4 with an electrode layer 5 on its top surface which are sequentially stacked on a transparent substrate. An electric field is applied between the transparent conductive layer 2 and the electrode layer 5. Therefore, when a light is irradiated to the photoconductive layer 3 via the transparent layer 2, a photoconductive phenomenon takes place. The electrode layer 5 has a potential so that the conductive particles returns to an electrode member 11. The electrode member 11 for holding conductive color particles on its surface is opposite to the photosensitive unit 100A with a gap between. The conductive particles filled between the porous insulating screen 4 are transferred to a record medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Funayama, Tsutomu Uezono
  • Patent number: 5809385
    Abstract: An acoustic scavengeless assist (ASA) development apparatus, and a multicolor image reproduction machine including such a development apparatus. The (ASA) development apparatus includes a biased vibratory section having a piezoelectric member and a donor member, as well as, a development electrode section, for presenting toner particles to latent electrostatic images for image development. The donor member is positioned within the reproduction machine and forms a development nip with a latent image bearing surface of a photoreceptor of the reproduction machine. Importantly, the biased vibratory section has at least a first conductive electrode formed therein adjacent to the piezoelectric member for effecting controlled vibratory toner release from the donor member, and a first bias for biasing the at least first conductive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Snelling, Dan A. Hays, Jeffrey J. Folkins, Dale R. Mashtare
  • Patent number: 5761587
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing accumulation of toner from the surface of an electrode member in a development unit of an electrostatographic printing apparatus which includes providing a low surface energy coating on at least a portion of the electrode member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Laing, Edward J. Gutman, J. Stephen Kittelberger, John G. VanDusen, Suresh K. Ahuja, Merlin E. Scharfe, Richard L. Schank, Mark J. Hirsch, Santokh S. Badesha, Arnold W. Henry, George J. Heeks
  • Patent number: 5758239
    Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material comprising toner. The toner donor member spaced from the surface and being adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface. A magnetic brush conveys the developer material in the chamber of said housing onto said donor member. An electrode member near the surface of a donor roll is electrically biased to detach toner from said donor member as to form a toner cloud for developing the latent image. A vibration system, operatively coupled to said donor member vibrates toner on the surface of the donor member, said vibration system coacting with said electrode member to detach toner from said donor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph R. E. Matalevich
  • Patent number: 5745827
    Abstract: A donor roll for transporting marking particles to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a surface is provided. The donor roll includes a rotatably mounted body and an electrode member mounted on the body. The donor roll further includes a magnetically permeable core external to the body. The core rotates with the body. The core is composed of a plurality of wires. The donor roll further includes an electrically conductive material positioned on the core. The material is electrically connected to the electrode member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Steven C. Hart
  • Patent number: 5734956
    Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, including a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material including toner; a toner donor member spaced from the surface and being adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface, the donor member having an electrode member associated therewith; developer material is conveyed in the chamber of the housing onto the donor member; a first AC source for AC biasing the electrode member; and a second AC source for AC biasing the electrode member with an AC rectified waveform, said first and second AC source coacting to detach toner from said donor member as to form a toner cloud for developing the latent image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph R. Matalevich
  • Patent number: 5734954
    Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, including a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material including toner and carrier beads. A toner donor member is spaced from the surface and is adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface. A magnetic roller conveys the toner material in the chamber of the housing onto the donor member. An electrode member is spaced near the surface of a donor roll, the electrode member electrically biased by a power supply to detach toner from the donor member as to form a toner cloud for developing the latent image. A power supply controller, in communication with the power supply, is adapted to adjust the electrode member electrical biasing to avoid air breakdown induced contamination of the electrode member with toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Elliott A. Eklund, Gerald M. Fletcher, Dan A. Hays
  • Patent number: 5729807
    Abstract: A non-interactive or scavengeless development system for use in color imaging. To control the developability of lines and the degree of interaction between the toner and receiver, an AC voltage is applied between a donor roll and two sets of interdigitated electrodes embedded in the surface of the donor roll to enable efficient detachment of toner from the donor to form a toner cloud. An optical switching arrangement effects an electrical connection between a slip ring and one set of interdigitated electrodes. The optical switch uses photoconductor elements, each having a geometry that results in an optical switching device having a larger capacitance and therefore capable of effecting switching at lower current densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Delmer G. Parker
  • Patent number: 5717986
    Abstract: A development system which includes a flexible donor belt having groups of electrode array near the surface of the belt is disclosed. The Electrode array has group areas in which perform the function of: Loading; Transferring; Developing; Transferring and Unloading. Each electrode array group area is independently addressable and operatively connected to voltage source in order to supply a voltage in the order of .quadrature.0-1000 volts AC or DC to each group area. The electrodes array group area picks up the toner from the magnetic brush. An electrode array group area connected to the voltage source via phase shifting circuitry such that a traveling wave pattern is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Tuan Anh Vo, Mohammad M. Mojarradi, Dennis W. Sandstrom
  • Patent number: 5708940
    Abstract: An electrostatic recording apparatus including a recording medium which forms a latent image of a recording picture and then forms the recording picture, a charger which uniformly charges the recording medium, an imaging unit which forms an electrostatic latent image onto the uniformly charged recording medium, a developer which develops the electrostatic image formed on the recording medium and forms the recording picture, the developer including a development roller, and an electric field generator arranged near the developer to generate an electric field orthogonal to a rotating direction of the development roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuo Hosaka, Hitoshi Nagato, Hideyuki Nakao
  • Patent number: 5701553
    Abstract: A development apparatus for developing a latent image formed on an image forming body with a developer so as to obtain a toner image. A developer conveyance unit conveys the developer, including a toner, to a development zone, between the developer conveyance unit and the image forming body, from an upstream side of the development zone in a conveyance direction to a downstream side thereof. A plate member having an electrode portion is positioned at the upstream side of the development zone, wherein a downstream end portion of the plate member is positioned in contact with the development zone. A power supply unit applies a first voltage, including a DC component and an AC component, to the developer conveyance unit so that an electric field is generated at the development zone. The power supply unit applies a second voltage, including a DC component, to the electrode portion of the plate member, and the plate member controls the electric field with the second voltage. The development apparatus satisfies: V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Endo, Toru Komatsu, Yotaro Sato, Hiroyuki Nomori, Kunio Shigeta, Masahiro Onodera
  • Patent number: 5640657
    Abstract: A device for forming two twisted loops on the ends of a wire electrode to be used in scavengeless development. The wire is supported at both ends in a wire twisting apparatus and a specified tension is applied to the free ends of the wire. A crank is turned so that the both ends of the wire rotate at the same time. This causes the free ends of the wire to twist upon the suspended wire portion, two loops being formed at the ends of the wire. The twisted sections are stable and strong enough to maintain the loops when the wire is mounted in the development system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Hart, Gerald M. Kryk
  • Patent number: 5631679
    Abstract: An aperture electrode unit of an image forming apparatus includes an insulating sheet, control electrodes formed on the insulating sheet and apertures formed in the aperture electrode unit. The insulating sheet is formed of material having a dielectric constant higher than a toner layer. With this construction, a voltage applied across the control electrodes and the toner carry roller is divided in accordance with a capacity rate of these elements. Thus, the voltage is effectively applicable to the toner layer, so that the toner control performance can be improved even at a low-voltage driving time. Therefore, an excellent image recording operation can be performed by a low-voltage driving operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeru Kagayama
  • Patent number: 5600416
    Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning wires in a wire module assembly is disclosed. Prior to placing the wire module in an operable position, the wires are attached to the wire module and the tension is adjusted to obtain the proper operating tension. This is accomplished by having a fixed and an adjustable wire anchor support. The adjustable anchor support is positioned between two fixed cross members and an adjusting mechanism passes through a cross member, the adjustable anchor support and the other cross member. When the adjusting mechanism is turned, the adjustable anchor support translates between the two cross members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Steven C. Hart