Patents by Inventor Edward A. Rush

Edward A. Rush 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).

  • Publication number: 20090169239
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for removing contaminants from a belt in a printer. A blade is provided that contacts with the belt surface to form a nip where the belt is configured to either receive an image for transfer to a sheet of media or transport media within the printer for receipt of toner images. The blade surface is coated with a fluoropolymer resin in combination with a polymeric binder. The coated blade/belt provides a reduced coefficient of friction at the nip to reduce belt stall and/or belt flipping, which may lock the blade to the belt and prevent further printer operation. The coated blade/belt herein is particularly useful when applied to printing operations that utilize chemically processed toner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Wesley Etter, Whitney April Greer, David Starling MacMillan, Edward A. Rush, Peter B. Pickett
  • Patent number: 7021622
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device having an arm and a sensor that can differentiate two events. The arm is pivotally mounted to move in different directions upon the occurrence of different events. A section of the arm includes a trigger section having an unequal distribution of a sensed characteristic. A first event moves the arm in a first direction that is sensed by the sensor in a first manner. A second event moves the arm in a second direction that is sensed by the sensor in a second manner. The sensor signals a controller that oversees the image forming process. Methods of operating the arm and sensor are disclosed for detecting the two separate events, and signaling the controller accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Carter, Edward Lawrence Kiely, John William Kietzman, Edward A. Rush
  • Patent number: 6967669
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising an accumulator drum for receiving toner images from a plurality of imaging units and transferring the toner images to a receiving media. The basic components of the image forming apparatus comprise an accumulator drum having a plurality of imaging units with photoconductive drums positioned about the accumulator drum, and a laser assembly. In one embodiment, a laser emits light beams for forming a latent image on each of the photoconductive drums with each light beam having a different external optical path length. In one embodiment, a drive mechanism operatively connected to the imaging units drives the accumulator drum. In one embodiment, the imaging units are positioned about the accumulator drum is a specific angular placement. In one embodiment, the imaging units are at least partially positioned within the interior of the accumulator drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Castle, Frank M. Hughes, Edward A. Rush
  • Patent number: 6926272
    Abstract: An arm that directs media sheets along multiple paper paths of an image forming device. The arm is mounted to pivot when contacted by the media sheet to direct the sheets along the proper media paths, and divert the sheets from entering the improper media paths. A sensor positioned adjacent to the arm senses movement of the arm to determine the location and timing of the media sheets as they move along the paper paths. Sensor is operatively connected to a controller which tracks the movement of the media sheets through the image forming apparatus. The arm may further be positioned to determine the orientation of an internal part. The arm moves between first and second orientations depending upon the position of the internal part. The position of the arm is again determined by the sensor. The invention further includes methods of moving the position of the arm to determine the location of the media sheets and/or the orientation of the internal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Carter, Edward Lawrence Kiely, John William Kietzman, Edward A. Rush
  • Patent number: 6879803
    Abstract: A fuser for fusing an image to print media in a color electrophotographic printer. The fuser includes an endless idling belt defining an inner loop, and a ceramic heater positioned in contact with the belt, within the inner loop. A pressure roller defines a nip with the belt. The belt includes a compliant layer for conforming to variations in toner pile height. The heater is configured to provide a cooler nip exit and a hotter nip entrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Hrishikesh P. Gogate, James A. Lokovich, Calvin D. Murphy, Edward A. Rush, Jerry W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040218950
    Abstract: A fuser for fusing an image to print media in a color electrophotographic printer. The fuser includes an endless idling belt defining an inner loop, and a ceramic heater positioned in contact with the belt, within the inner loop. A pressure roller defines a nip with the belt. The belt includes a compliant layer for conforming to variations in toner pile height. The heater is configured to provide a cooler nip exit and a hotter nip entrance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Hrishikesh P. Gogate, James A. Lokovich, Calvin D. Murphy, Edward A. Rush, Jerry W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040183881
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising an accumulator drum for receiving toner images from a plurality of imaging units and transferring the toner images to a receiving media. The basic components of the image forming apparatus comprise an accumulator drum having a plurality of imaging units with photoconductive drums positioned about the accumulator drum, and a laser assembly. In one embodiment, a laser emits light beams for forming a latent image on each of the photoconductive drums with each light beam having a different external optical path length. In one embodiment, a drive mechanism operatively connected to the imaging units drives the accumulator drum. In one embodiment, the imaging units are positioned about the accumulator drum is a specific angular placement. In one embodiment, the imaging units are at least partially positioned within the interior of the accumulator drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Scott R. Castle, Frank M. Hughes, Edward A. Rush