Patents by Inventor James Richard Leemhuis

James Richard Leemhuis 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: 10175643
    Abstract: A replaceable imaging unit according to one example embodiment includes a photoconductor unit positioned at the front of a housing of the imaging unit. First and second alignment guides extend outward at the same height from first and second sides of the housing, respectively, on the photoconductor unit and run parallel to each other along a front-to-rear dimension of the housing. Each of the first and second alignment guides includes a front contact member at a front end thereof and a rear contact member at a rear end thereof. The front contact members are positioned further outward sideways than the rear contact members. Bottom surfaces of the front and rear contact members are unobstructed to permit the bottom surfaces of the front and rear contact members to sit on top of corresponding guide rails in the image forming device to control a vertical position of the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Jason Paul Hale, James Richard Leemhuis, Matthew Lee Rogers, Daniel Joshua Smith, Edward Lynn Triplett
  • Publication number: 20180364639
    Abstract: A replaceable imaging unit according to one example embodiment includes a photoconductor unit positioned at the front of a housing of the imaging unit. First and second alignment guides extend outward at the same height from first and second sides of the housing, respectively, on the photoconductor unit and run parallel to each other along a front-to-rear dimension of the housing. Each of the first and second alignment guides includes a front contact member at a front end thereof and a rear contact member at a rear end thereof. The front contact members are positioned further outward sideways than the rear contact members. Bottom surfaces of the front and rear contact members are unobstructed to permit the bottom surfaces of the front and rear contact members to sit on top of corresponding guide rails in the image forming device to control a vertical position of the imaging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, JASON PAUL HALE, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, MATTHEW LEE ROGERS, DANIEL JOSHUA SMITH, EDWARD LYNN TRIPLETT
  • Patent number: 10139776
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes an electrical connector mounted on and translatable relative to a frame along a first dimension. The electrical connector is pivotable relative to the frame along a pivot path about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the first dimension. The electrical connector includes a first guide post and a second guide post. The first and second guide posts are received by and movable within at least one elongated guide slot on the frame defining a path of movement of the electrical connector along the first dimension. The first guide post is fixed relative to the electrical connector and defines the pivot axis of the electrical connector. The second guide post is received by and movable within an elongated guide slot on the electrical connector defining the pivot path of the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Carlo Enoc Bacon, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis
  • Publication number: 20180329360
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes an electrical connector mounted on and translatable relative to a frame along a first dimension. The electrical connector is pivotable relative to the frame along a pivot path about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the first dimension. The electrical connector includes a first guide post and a second guide post. The first and second guide posts are received by and movable within at least one elongated guide slot on the frame defining a path of movement of the electrical connector along the first dimension. The first guide post is fixed relative to the electrical connector and defines the pivot axis of the electrical connector. The second guide post is received by and movable within an elongated guide slot on the electrical connector defining the pivot path of the electrical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: JOE CARLO ENOC BACON, KATRINA ROSIT LACTUAN, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS
  • Patent number: 10048623
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A portion of a main interface gear for providing rotational power to a toner delivery system is exposed on the front of the housing near a top of a second side of the housing and engagable with a corresponding drive gear in the image forming device. A projection projects from the front of the housing and is spaced from the exit port toward the first side of the housing. The projection extends further forward than a frontmost portion of the exit port. A front of the projection is unobstructed for engaging a shutter on a developer unit when the toner cartridge is inserted into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christohper Gene Vowels, Jason Hale, Mark William Amann, Benjamin Keith Newman, Harald Portig, Rodney Evan Sproul
  • Publication number: 20180164717
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A portion of a main interface gear for providing rotational power to a toner delivery system is exposed on the front of the housing near a top of a second side of the housing and engagable with a corresponding drive gear in the image forming device. A projection projects from the front of the housing and is spaced from the exit port toward the first side of the housing. The projection extends further forward than a frontmost portion of the exit port. A front of the projection is unobstructed for engaging a shutter on a developer unit when the toner cartridge is inserted into the image forming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: BENJER ALBARAN ACOSTA, JAMES ANTHANY CARTER, II, GARY NEAL HACKNEY, KATRINA ROSIT LACTUAN, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, KEITH SEAMAN, BRYAN CHRISTOPHER SCHARF, MATTHEW LEE ROGERS, CHRISTOHPER GENE VOWELS, JASON HALE, MARK WILLIAM AMANN, BENJAMIN KEITH NEWMAN, HARALD PORTIG, RODNEY EVAN SPROUL
  • Patent number: 9983541
    Abstract: A replaceable imaging basket for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one embodiment includes a frame having a positioning slot that is open at a top of the frame for receiving a replaceable unit. An electrical connector is positioned on an inner side of the frame adjacent to the positioning slot. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact on a front of the electrical connector that faces the positioning slot. The electrical connector includes a pair of outer guides and a pair of inner guides on opposite sides of the electrical contact. The inner guides are spaced inward from the outer guides. A top portion of a front surface of each of the outer guides tapers rearward away from the positioning slot as they extend upward. A top portion of a rear surface of each of the inner guides tapers forward toward the positioning slot as they extend upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Gregory Alan Cavill, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Darren Wayne Tosh, David Francis Carter
  • Patent number: 9921522
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a toner cartridge having a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is exposed at the rear of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device. A forward facing opening is exposed at the front of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device. The forward facing opening overlaps with the rearward facing in a side-to-side dimension of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christohper Gene Vowels, Jason Hale, Mark William Amann, Benjamin Keith Newman, Harald Portig, Rodney Evan Sproul
  • Patent number: 9910403
    Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one embodiment includes a pocket formed on a first side of a housing. A bottom end of the pocket is open for receiving an electrical connector during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device. An electrical contact is positioned within the pocket and is electrically connected to processing circuitry on the housing. An outer guide is positioned on the first side of the housing and below the pocket. A portion of the outer guide inclines inward toward the first side of the housing as the outer guide extends upward. An inner guide is positioned within the pocket on a first inner surface of the pocket, which faces toward the first side of the housing. A portion of the inner guide inclines inward toward the first side of the housing as the inner guide extends upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Gregory Alan Cavill, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Darren Wayne Tosh
  • Publication number: 20170219961
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a toner cartridge having a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is exposed at the rear of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device. A forward facing opening is exposed at the front of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device. The forward facing opening overlaps with the rearward facing in a side-to-side dimension of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: BENJER ALBARAN ACOSTA, JAMES ANTHANY CARTER, II, GARY NEAL HACKNEY, KATRINA ROSIT LACTUAN, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, KEITH SEAMAN, BRYAN CHRISTOPHER SCHARF, MATTHEW LEE ROGERS, CHRISTOHPER GENE VOWELS, JASON HALE, MARK WILLIAM AMANN, BENJAMIN KEITH NEWMAN, HARALD PORTIG, RODNEY EVAN SPROUL
  • Publication number: 20170205762
    Abstract: A replaceable imaging basket for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one embodiment includes a frame having a positioning slot that is open at a top of the frame for receiving a replaceable unit. An electrical connector is positioned on an inner side of the frame adjacent to the positioning slot. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact on a front of the electrical connector that faces the positioning slot. The electrical connector includes a pair of outer guides and a pair of inner guides on opposite sides of the electrical contact. The inner guides are spaced inward from the outer guides. A top portion of a front surface of each of the outer guides tapers rearward away from the positioning slot as they extend upward. A top portion of a rear surface of each of the inner guides tapers forward toward the positioning slot as they extend upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: MARK WILLIAM AMANN, GREGORY ALAN CAVILL, KATRINA ROSIT LACTUAN, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, DARREN WAYNE TOSH, DAVID FRANCIS CARTER
  • Publication number: 20170205752
    Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one embodiment includes a pocket formed on a first side of a housing. A bottom end of the pocket is open for receiving an electrical connector during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device. An electrical contact is positioned within the pocket and is electrically connected to processing circuitry on the housing. An outer guide is positioned on the first side of the housing and below the pocket. A portion of the outer guide inclines inward toward the first side of the housing as the outer guide extends upward. An inner guide is positioned within the pocket on a first inner surface of the pocket, which faces toward the first side of the housing. A portion of the inner guide inclines inward toward the first side of the housing as the inner guide extends upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: MARK WILLIAM AMANN, GREGORY ALAN CAVILL, KATRINA ROSIT LACTUAN, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, DARREN WAYNE TOSH
  • Patent number: 9658590
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing defining a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A first alignment guide is positioned on the first side of the housing and a second alignment guide positioned on the second side of the housing. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir out of the exit port includes a main interface gear. A portion of the main interface gear is exposed on the front of the housing at a second side of the housing above the second alignment guide. A connector on the first side of the housing has a forward facing opening positioned above the first alignment guide. Electrical contacts are positioned within the connector and are accessible through the forward facing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christohper Gene Vowels, Jason Hale, Mark William Amann, Benjamin Keith Newman, Harald Portig, Rodney Evan Sproul
  • Publication number: 20170075295
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing defining a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A first alignment guide is positioned on the first side of the housing and a second alignment guide positioned on the second side of the housing. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir out of the exit port includes a main interface gear. A portion of the main interface gear is exposed on the front of the housing at a second side of the housing above the second alignment guide. A connector on the first side of the housing has a forward facing opening positioned above the first alignment guide. Electrical contacts are positioned within the connector and are accessible through the forward facing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: BENJER ALBARAN ACOSTA, JAMES ANTHANY CARTER, II, GARY NEAL HACKNEY, KATRINA ROSIT LACTUAN, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, KEITH SEAMAN, BRYAN CHRISTOPHER SCHARF, MATTHEW LEE ROGERS, CHRISTOHPER GENE VOWELS, JASON HALE, MARK WILLIAM AMANN, BENJAMIN KEITH NEWMAN, HARALD PORTIG, RODNEY EVAN SPROUL
  • Patent number: 9541860
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is exposed at the rear of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device. A forward facing opening is exposed at the front of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device. The forward facing opening overlaps with the rearward facing in a side-to-side dimension of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christopher Gene Vowels, Jason Hale, Mark William Amann, Benjamin Keith Newman, Harald Portig, Rodney Evan Sproul
  • Patent number: 9417603
    Abstract: A toner cartridge for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port on a front of the housing in fluid communication with the reservoir. A first leg and a second leg each project from a bottom of the housing and extend primarily along a front-to-rear dimension of the housing. A first alignment guide is positioned on a first side of the housing and a second alignment guide is positioned on a second side of the housing. Each alignment guide extends primarily along the front-to-rear dimension of the housing. The first alignment guide includes a pair of rounded contact points and the second alignment guide includes a rounded contact point. The rounded contact points of the first and second alignment control the vertical position of the toner cartridge in the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christopher Gene Vowels, Jason Hale
  • Publication number: 20160195833
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is exposed at the rear of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device. A forward facing opening is exposed at the front of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device. The forward facing opening overlaps with the rearward facing in a side-to-side dimension of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: BENJER ALBARAN ACOSTA, JAMES ANTHANY CARTER, II, GARY NEAL HACKNEY, KATRINA ROSIT LACTUAN, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, KEITH SEAMAN, BRYAN CHRISTOPHER SCHARF, MATTHEW LEE ROGERS, CHRISTOPHER GENE VOWELS, JASON HALE, MARK WILLIAM AMANN, BENJAMIN KEITH NEWMAN, HARALD PORTIG, RODNEY EVAN SPROUL
  • Patent number: 9323178
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A portion of a main interface gear for providing rotational power to a toner delivery system is exposed on the front of the housing near a top of a second side of the housing and engagable with a corresponding drive gear in the image forming device. A projection extends forward from the housing further forward than a frontmost portion of the exit port and is spaced from the exit port toward the first side of the housing. A front of the projection is unobstructed for engaging a developer unit when the toner cartridge is inserted into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christopher Gene Vowels, Jason Hale, Mark William Amann, Benjamin Keith Newman, Harald Portig, Rodney Evan Sproul
  • Patent number: 9298130
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A portion of a main interface gear for providing rotational power to a toner delivery system is exposed on the front of the housing near a top of a second side of the housing and engagable with a corresponding drive gear in the image forming device. A projection extends forward from the housing further forward than a frontmost portion of the exit port and is spaced from the exit port toward the first side of the housing. A front of the projection is unobstructed for engaging a developer unit when the toner cartridge is inserted into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christopher Gene Vowels, Jason Hale, Mark William Amann, Benjamin Keith Newman, Harald Portig, Rodney Evan Sproul
  • Patent number: RE47166
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a front, rear, first side, second side, top and bottom forming a toner reservoir. An outlet port is positioned on the front of the housing proximate the first side for transferring toner out of the reservoir. A drive gear is positioned on the front of the housing and has a center proximate the second side for receiving rotational power. A cavity is formed in the bottom of the housing. A latch catch is positioned in the cavity on an inner side of the front of the housing for receiving a latch for securing the toner cartridge in an image forming device. The latch catch is positioned closer to the bottom of the housing than the outlet port and the drive gear and between the center of the drive gear and the outlet port in the side-to-side direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Andrew Buchanan, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Randal Scott Williamson