Patents by Inventor Kazuaki Nogami

Kazuaki Nogami 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: 20240027956
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a tray unit to which a cartridge is detachably mounted, and that is configured to be capable of moving between an internal position situated within the apparatus main body and an external position situated outside, includes first and second side plates configured to support the cartridge, and they are each made of metal, and include a supporting portion and an outer side portion, the supporting portions includes positioning portions configured to come into contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge as to an image forming position. The apparatus main body includes first and second pressing members each capable of moving between pressing positions at which the cartridge is pressed, and separated positions separated from the cartridge. The first and second pressing members are disposed each intersecting with imaginary planes that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersect the positioning portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Takeo Kawanami, Kazuaki Nogami, Takehiro Hayashi, Kenji Watanabe, Shunsuke Hijikata
  • Publication number: 20230408965
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including an opening portion, and an opening-and-closing member, a process unit detachably attached to and supported by the apparatus body, the process unit including an image bearing member, a toner storage portion, and a supply portion, a sheet supporting portion, and a rotary feeding member. When viewed in a gravity direction, the supply portion is disposed on a same side as a side on which the sheet supporting portion is disposed with respect to the image bearing member, and the opening portion is disposed on a side opposite to the side on which the sheet supporting portion is disposed with respect to the image bearing member. In a case where the opening-and-closing member is positioned at an opening position, the process unit is configured to be attached to and detached from the apparatus body through the opening portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Takeo Kawanami, Akinori Mitsumata
  • Publication number: 20230408950
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an attaching portion including an operation member configured to be movable together with a container shutter, a toner storage portion configured to store toner received from a receiving port, an actuator configured to regulate a movement of the operation member, and a control unit configured to control the actuator. The operation member is configured to open and close the container shutter from an outside in a state in which the toner container is attached to the attaching portion. In a case where a predetermined condition is met, the control unit controls the actuator to release a regulation of the movement of the operation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: KAZUAKI NOGAMI, TAKEO KAWANAMI, AKINORI MITSUMATA, TAKEHIRO MIYASHITA
  • Patent number: 11809127
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a tray unit to which a cartridge is detachably mounted, and that is configured to be capable of moving between an internal position situated within the apparatus main body and an external position situated outside, includes first and second side plates configured to support the cartridge, and they are each made of metal, and include a supporting portion and an outer side portion, the supporting portions includes positioning portions configured to come into contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge as to an image forming position. The apparatus main body includes first and second pressing members each capable of moving between pressing positions at which the cartridge is pressed, and separated positions separated from the cartridge. The first and second pressing members are disposed each intersecting with imaginary planes that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersect the positioning portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeo Kawanami, Kazuaki Nogami, Takehiro Hayashi, Kenji Watanabe, Shunsuke Hijikata
  • Patent number: 11782378
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including an opening portion, and an opening-and-closing member, a process unit detachably attached to and supported by the apparatus body, the process unit including an image bearing member, a toner storage portion, and a supply portion, a sheet supporting portion, and a rotary feeding member. When viewed in a gravity direction, the supply portion is disposed on a same side as a side on which the sheet supporting portion is disposed with respect to the image bearing member, and the opening portion is disposed on a side opposite to the side on which the sheet supporting portion is disposed with respect to the image bearing member. In a case where the opening-and-closing member is positioned at an opening position, the process unit is configured to be attached to and detached from the apparatus body through the opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Takeo Kawanami, Akinori Mitsumata
  • Patent number: 11720037
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a charging member to charge a surface of the image bearing member, an exposure unit, a developing member to form a toner image, a transfer member, an irradiation unit, and a blocking member. The irradiation unit includes a light source provided at one end of the irradiation unit in a rotation axial direction of the image bearing member and a guide that guides a light source emitted light in the rotation axial direction. The irradiation unit irradiates the surface of the image bearing member with the light after the transfer member transfers the toner image to a transfer-receiving member. The blocking member blocks the light irradiated from the irradiation unit in the rotation axial direction. The blocking member is configured so that a quantity of blocking the light irradiated from the irradiation unit is different in the rotation axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Akinori Mitsumata, Takeo Kawanami
  • Patent number: 11666000
    Abstract: In a riding-type mower, a vehicle body includes a rear portion in which a pair of right/left vehicle body frames extend in a front-rear direction relative to the vehicle body, with a gap therebetween in a lateral width direction. A mowing device is configured to discharge mown grass rearward relative to the vehicle body such that the mown grass falls onto the ground. A cover is provided in a bottom portion of the vehicle body, at a position that is rearward of the mowing device, and covers a gap between the pair of right/left vehicle body frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Takahiro Shiraga, Eiji Sato, Seiya Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20230059386
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a tray unit to which a cartridge is detachably mounted, and that is configured to be capable of moving between an internal position situated within the apparatus main body and an external position situated outside, includes first and second side plates configured to support the cartridge, and they are each made of metal, and include a supporting portion and an outer side portion, the supporting portions includes positioning portions configured to come into contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge as to an image forming position. The apparatus main body includes first and second pressing members each capable of moving between pressing positions at which the cartridge is pressed, and separated positions separated from the cartridge. The first and second pressing members are disposed each intersecting with imaginary planes that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersect the positioning portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Takeo Kawanami, Kazuaki Nogami, Takehiro Hayashi, Kenji Watanabe, Shunsuke Hijikata
  • Publication number: 20230048810
    Abstract: An attached portion of an image forming apparatus includes a rotating member of which at least a part is exposed outside the image forming apparatus when the developer container is attached, and a rotation restricting mechanism that is movable between a restricting position to restrict rotation of the rotating member and an allowable position to allow rotation of the rotating member, and includes a restricting member that is at the restricting position when the developer container is not attached. The developer container is attached to the attached portion so that the discharging portion engaging portion and the shutter engaging portions are engaged with the frame engaged portions and the rotating member engaged portions respectively when the container shutter is in the close state, and the restricting member moves from the restricting position to the allowable position when the developer container is attached to the attached portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Takeo Kawanami, Akinori Mitsumata, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Goshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 11526124
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a tray unit to which a cartridge is detachably mounted, and that is configured to be capable of moving between an internal position situated within the apparatus main body and an external position situated outside, includes first and second side plates configured to support the cartridge, and they are each made of metal, and include a supporting portion and an outer side portion, the supporting portions includes positioning portions configured to come into contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge as to an image forming position. The apparatus main body includes first and second pressing members each capable of moving between pressing positions at which the cartridge is pressed, and separated positions separated from the cartridge. The first and second pressing members are disposed each intersecting with imaginary planes that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersect the positioning portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeo Kawanami, Kazuaki Nogami, Takehiro Hayashi, Kenji Watanabe, Shunsuke Hijikata
  • Patent number: 11526099
    Abstract: An attached portion of an image forming apparatus includes a rotating member of which at least a part is exposed outside the image forming apparatus when the developer container is attached, and a rotation restricting mechanism that is movable between a restricting position to restrict rotation of the rotating member and an allowable position to allow rotation of the rotating member, and includes a restricting member that is at the restricting position when the developer container is not attached. The developer container is attached to the attached portion so that the discharging portion engaging portion and the shutter engaging portions are engaged with the frame engaged portions and the rotating member engaged portions respectively when the container shutter is in the close state, and the restricting member moves from the restricting position to the allowable position when the developer container is attached to the attached portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Takeo Kawanami, Akinori Mitsumata, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Goshi Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20220373961
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including an opening portion, and an opening-and-closing member, a process unit detachably attached to and supported by the apparatus body, the process unit including an image bearing member, a toner storage portion, and a supply portion, a sheet supporting portion, and a rotary feeding member. When viewed in a gravity direction, the supply portion is disposed on a same side as a side on which the sheet supporting portion is disposed with respect to the image bearing member, and the opening portion is disposed on a side opposite to the side on which the sheet supporting portion is disposed with respect to the image bearing member. In a case where the opening-and-closing member is positioned at an opening position, the process unit is configured to be attached to and detached from the apparatus body through the opening portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Takeo Kawanami, Akinori Mitsumata
  • Publication number: 20220206412
    Abstract: An attached portion of an image forming apparatus includes: a rotating member of which at least a part is exposed outside the image forming apparatus when the developer container is attached; and a rotation restricting mechanism that is movable between a restricting position to restrict rotation of the rotating member and an allowable position to allow rotation of the rotating member, and includes a restricting member that is at the restricting position when the developer container is not attached. The developer container is attached to the attached portion so that the discharging portion engaging portion and the shutter engaging portions are engaged with the frame engaged portions and the rotating member engaged portions respectively when the container shutter is in the close state, and the restricting member moves from the restricting position to the allowable position when the developer container is attached to the attached portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Takeo Kawanami, Akinori Mitsumata, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Goshi Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20220113651
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a charging member to charge a surface of the image bearing member, an exposure unit, a developing member to form a toner image, a transfer member, an irradiation unit, and a blocking member. The irradiation unit includes a light source provided at one end of the irradiation unit in a rotation axial direction of the image bearing member and a guide that guides a light source emitted light in the rotation axial direction. The irradiation unit irradiates the surface of the image bearing member with the light after the transfer member transfers the toner image to a transfer-receiving member. The blocking member blocks the light irradiated from the irradiation unit in the rotation axial direction. The blocking member is configured so that a quantity of blocking the light irradiated from the irradiation unit is different in the rotation axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Akinori Mitsumata, Takeo Kawanami
  • Publication number: 20220050416
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a tray unit to which a cartridge is detachably mounted, and that is configured to be capable of moving between an internal position situated within the apparatus main body and an external position situated outside, includes first and second side plates configured to support the cartridge, and they are each made of metal, and include a supporting portion and an outer side portion, the supporting portions includes positioning portions configured to come into contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge as to an image forming position. The apparatus main body includes first and second pressing members each capable of moving between pressing positions at which the cartridge is pressed, and separated positions separated from the cartridge. The first and second pressing members are disposed each intersecting with imaginary planes that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersect the positioning portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Takeo Kawanami, Kazuaki Nogami, Takehiro Hayashi, Kenji Watanabe, Shunsuke Hijikata
  • Publication number: 20200281124
    Abstract: In a riding-type mower, a vehicle body includes a rear portion in which a pair of right/left vehicle body frames extend in a front-rear direction relative to the vehicle body, with a gap therebetween in a lateral width direction. A mowing device is configured to discharge mown grass rearward relative to the vehicle body such that the mown grass falls onto the ground. A cover is provided in a bottom portion of the vehicle body, at a position that is rearward of the mowing device, and covers a gap between the pair of right/left vehicle body frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Takahiro Shiraga, Eiji Sato, Seiya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10694676
    Abstract: In a riding-type mower, a vehicle body includes a rear portion in which a pair of right/left vehicle body frames extend in a front-rear direction relative to the vehicle body, with a gap therebetween in a lateral width direction. A mowing device is configured to discharge mown grass rearward relative to the vehicle body such that the mown grass falls onto the ground. A cover is provided in a bottom portion of the vehicle body, at a position that is rearward of the mowing device, and covers a gap between the pair of right/left vehicle body frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Takahiro Shiraga, Eiji Sato, Seiya Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20180235150
    Abstract: In a riding-type mower, a vehicle body includes a rear portion in which a pair of right/left vehicle body frames extend in a front-rear direction relative to the vehicle body, with a gap therebetween in a lateral width direction. A mowing device is configured to discharge mown grass rearward relative to the vehicle body such that the mown grass falls onto the ground. A cover is provided in a bottom portion of the vehicle body, at a position that is rearward of the mowing device, and covers a gap between the pair of right/left vehicle body frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Takahiro Shiraga, Eiji Sato, Seiya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9668404
    Abstract: A mower includes: a driver's seat provided to a vehicle frame. A transmission is arranged at least partially below the driver's seat. An engine arranged rearward of the transmission such that a bottom end of the engine is positioned higher than a bottom end of the transmission. An exhaust gas purification device is arranged rearward of the engine. An air cleaner is arranged forward of the exhaust gas purification device and above the engine. A radiator extends from an area between the transmission and the engine so as to project further upward than the air cleaner through an area between the driver's seat and the air cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Minoura, Kazuaki Nogami, Takahiro Shiraga, Hideya Umemoto, Seiya Yoshida, Hideki Aoki
  • Patent number: 9516808
    Abstract: The grass mower includes a front wheel unit having a left front wheel and a right front wheel which are mounted to a vehicle body frame, a rear wheel unit having a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel which are mounted to the vehicle body frame and a mower unit disposed between the front wheel unit and the rear wheel unit downwardly of the vehicle body frame, the mower unit including a rotary blade unit that has at least a left blade and a right blade which are disposed side by side in a vehicle body left/right direction. The rotary blade unit is configured such that a tread-on track of the left front wheel is overlapped with a rotation locus portion of the left blade from the front side to the rear side thereof and a tread-on track of the right front wheel is overlapped with a rotation locus portion of the right blade from the front side to the rear side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Takaoka, Masato Asahara, Motosumi Shiotsuki, Hideki Aoki, Kazuaki Nogami, Akira Minoura