Patents by Inventor Mamoru Namba

Mamoru Namba 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: 11736635
    Abstract: A reading apparatus, having a platen glass, a document cover, a conveyer, a reading sensor, a document supporting member, a pressing plate, and a linkage assembly, is provided. The document cover is movable between an open position and a closed position. The document supporting member is movable between a first position, where the document supporting member faces a reading surface of the reading sensor, and a second position, where the document supporting member is separated from the reading surface. The pressing plate is movable between a third position, where the pressing plate is attached to a lower side of the document cover, and a fourth position, where the pressing plate is removed from the lower side. The linkage assembly moves the document supporting member from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the pressing member moving from the third position to the fourth position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mamoru Namba, Tadanobu Chikamoto, Genki Hoshino, Hiroshi Shiomi, Takashi Ohama
  • Publication number: 20230065602
    Abstract: A printing device includes a first accommodating unit, an image-recording unit, a cutting unit, and a second accommodating unit. The first accommodating unit is configured to accommodate a printing medium therein. The printing medium is conveyed in a first conveying direction along a first conveying path. The cutting unit is configured to cut the printing medium to separate the printing medium into a first printing medium and a second printing medium. The second accommodating unit is configured to accommodate therein the second printing medium which has is produced by cutting the printing medium by the cutting unit. A length of the second accommodating unit in a printing medium conveying direction is shorter than a length of the first accommodating unit in the printing medium conveying direction. The second printing medium is conveyed to the second accommodating unit in a second conveying direction along a second conveying path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: Mamoru NAMBA
  • Patent number: 11504986
    Abstract: A printing device includes a first accommodating unit, an image-recording unit, a cutting unit, and a second accommodating unit. The first accommodating unit is configured to accommodate a printing medium therein. The printing medium is conveyed in a first conveying direction along a first conveying path. The cutting unit is configured to cut the printing medium to separate the printing medium into a first printing medium and a second printing medium. The second accommodating unit is configured to accommodate therein the second printing medium which has is produced by cutting the printing medium by the cutting unit. A length of the second accommodating unit in a printing medium conveying direction is shorter than a length of the first accommodating unit in the printing medium conveying direction. The second printing medium is conveyed to the second accommodating unit in a second conveying direction along a second conveying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mamoru Namba
  • Publication number: 20220329708
    Abstract: A reading apparatus, having a document tray, an ejection tray, a conveyer path connecting the document tray and the ejection tray and having a curved section, a conveyer to convey an original document in a conveying orientation, a first reading sensor, and a second reading sensor, is provided. The first reading sensor is located upstream in the conveying orientation from the curved section in the conveyer path. The first reading sensor optically reads a first side of the original document from below. The second reading sensor is located upstream in the conveying orientation from the first reading sensor in the conveyer path. The second reading sensor optically reads a second side of the original document from below. The first side and the second side are sides of the original document that face upward and downward, respectively, in the state where an original document is placed on the document tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mamoru NAMBA, Tadanobu CHIKAMOTO, Genki HOSHINO, Hiroshi SHIOMI, Takashi OHAMA
  • Publication number: 20220329704
    Abstract: A reading apparatus, having a platen glass, a document cover, a conveyer, a reading sensor, a document supporting member, a pressing plate, and a linkage assembly, is provided. The document cover is movable between an open position and a closed position. The document supporting member is movable between a first position, where the document supporting member faces a reading surface of the reading sensor, and a second position, where the document supporting member is separated from the reading surface. The pressing plate is movable between a third position, where the pressing plate is attached to a lower side of the document cover, and a fourth position, where the pressing plate is removed from the lower side. The linkage assembly moves the document supporting member from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the pressing member moving from the third position to the fourth position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mamoru Namba, Tadanobu Chikamoto, Genki Hoshino, Hiroshi Shiomi, Takashi Ohama
  • Patent number: 11438481
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided, including a platen glass having opposed upper and lower surfaces, a support frame supporting a peripheral portion of the platen glass, a reading device reciprocable in a first direction and disposed on an inner side of the support frame so as to be nearer to the lower surface than to the upper surface, a guide formed on an inner bottom surface on the inner side of the support frame and extending in the first direction so as to guide reciprocation of the reading device, a controller that controls operations of the reading device, a harness connecting the reading device and the controller to each other, and a harness accommodating portion accommodating the harness and constituted by a groove having a recessed shape, extending in the first direction, and formed at the inner bottom surface at a position located in front of the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Namba, Katsuro Miura
  • Publication number: 20210300082
    Abstract: A printing device includes a first accommodating unit, an image-recording unit, a cutting unit, and a second accommodating unit. The first accommodating unit is configured to accommodate a printing medium therein. The printing medium is conveyed in a first conveying direction along a first conveying path. The cutting unit is configured to cut the printing medium to separate the printing medium into a first printing medium and a second printing medium. The second accommodating unit is configured to accommodate therein the second printing medium which has is produced by cutting the printing medium by the cutting unit. A length of the second accommodating unit in a printing medium conveying direction is shorter than a length of the first accommodating unit in the printing medium conveying direction. The second printing medium is conveyed to the second accommodating unit in a second conveying direction along a second conveying path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventor: Mamoru NAMBA
  • Patent number: 10924618
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a main body extending in a widthwise direction and a depth direction; an image reader provided on an upper portion of the main body and extending in the widthwise direction and the depth direction; and an operation panel provided adjacent to one edge of the image reader which extends in the depth direction. The operation panel is provided at a front end portion of the main body. The operation panel is shorter than the image reader in the depth direction. A connector to which a connecting cable is connected is provided at a back surface of the operation panel located on an opposite side of the operation panel from the front end portion. At least a space is defined at the upper portion and extends in the depth direction from the back surface of the operation panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Namba, Katsuro Miura
  • Patent number: 10807374
    Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a case including a bottom which supports, from below, a liquid tank containing a liquid, and side parts which stand upright from the bottom and face side surfaces of the liquid tank; a first absorbing member disposed outside the case to extend along the bottom of the case and configured to absorb the liquid; and a second absorbing member disposed outside the case to extend along one of the side parts of the case while being brought into contact with the first absorbing member, and having an absorption ratio of the liquid which is higher than that of the first absorbing member under a non-pressurization state. The first absorbing member includes a groove which extends to the second absorbing member to guide the liquid leaking downward from the liquid tank to the second absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mamoru Namba
  • Publication number: 20200314271
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a main body extending in a widthwise direction and a depth direction; an image reader provided on an upper portion of the main body and extending in the widthwise direction and the depth direction; and an operation panel provided adjacent to one edge of the image reader which extends in the depth direction. The operation panel is provided at a front end portion of the main body. The operation panel is shorter than the image reader in the depth direction. A connector to which a connecting cable is connected is provided at a back surface of the operation panel located on an opposite side of the operation panel from the front end portion. At least a space is defined at the upper portion and extends in the depth direction from the back surface of the operation panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru NAMBA, Katsuro MIURA
  • Publication number: 20200314282
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a platen glass having upper and lower surfaces; a support frame supporting a peripheral portion of the platen glass; a reading device reciprocable in a first direction and disposed on an inner side of the support frame so as to be nearer to the lower surface than to the upper surface; a guide formed on an inner bottom surface on the inner side of the support frame and extending in the first direction so as to guide reciprocation of the reading device; a controller that controls operations of the reading device; a harness connecting the reading device and the controller to each other; and a harness accommodating portion accommodating the harness, constituted by a groove having a recessed shape, extending in the first direction, and formed at the inner bottom surface at a position located in front of the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Namba, Katsuro Miura
  • Patent number: 10509481
    Abstract: A key inputting apparatus includes: a substrate provided with a switch; a key having a depression surface and a back surface on an opposite side to the depression surface, and a contacting section projecting from the back surface in a first direction from the depression surface toward the back surface; a panel having an opening in which the key is arranged; a first plate arranged between the substrate and the key in the opening of the panel; a second plate supported by the first plate between the key and the first plate; and a third plate arranged between the first plate and the substrate. The first to third plates are formed with first to third through portions, respectively, through each of which the contacting section is passable. The second plate is formed with a leaf spring section urging the key in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mamoru Namba
  • Patent number: 10469683
    Abstract: A panel apparatus includes: a body having an interior space open to an outside of the panel apparatus via an opening; one of a protrusion and a recess in the interior space; an input panel having a first surface, a second surface behind the first surface, and an input part provided in the first surface; a support part provided in the body to support the input panel such that the input panel pivots relative to the body; an arm protruding from the second surface and configured to guide the input panel such that the input panel pivots relative to the body by being inserted into the interior space through the opening; and the other of the protrusion and the recess which is provided in a part of the arm inserted into the interior space. Pivoting of the input panel is regulated by engagement of the protrusion and the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mamoru Namba
  • Patent number: 10357975
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus, including: a liquid ejector; a housing including a tank storage portion in which is stored a tank for accommodating a liquid to be supplied to the ejector, the housing having an opening through which the tank storage portion and an exterior of the housing communicate; a lid attached to the housing and configured to be selectively positioned at one of a closed position at which the opening is closed and an open position at which the opening is opened; and an operation panel including an operating portion which is provided for at least one of front and upper surfaces of the housing and which is to be externally operated, wherein the lid is attached to the housing so as to be slidable in an up-down direction with respect to the housing, the lid being positioned at the open position by sliding upward from the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mamoru Namba
  • Patent number: 10338509
    Abstract: An information inputting apparatus includes: a circuit substrate configured to communicate with an information terminal through Near Field Communication; a placement surface on which the information terminal is to be put, the placement surface facing the circuit substrate; an operation unit disposed adjacent to the placement surface, the operation unit having an operation surface parallel to and protruding further than the placement surface; and a protrusion disposed between the placement surface and the operation unit, the protrusion having a height equal to or higher than a height of the operation surface at which the operation unit reacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mamoru Namba
  • Publication number: 20190092026
    Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a case including a bottom which supports, from below, a liquid tank containing a liquid, and side parts which stand upright from the bottom and face side surfaces of the liquid tank; a first absorbing member disposed outside the case to extend along the bottom of the case and configured to absorb the liquid; and a second absorbing member disposed outside the case to extend along one of the side parts of the case while being brought into contact with the first absorbing member, and having an absorption ratio of the liquid which is higher than that of the first absorbing member under a non-pressurization state. The first absorbing member includes a groove which extends to the second absorbing member to guide the liquid leaking downward from the liquid tank to the second absorbing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Mamoru Namba
  • Publication number: 20190094983
    Abstract: A key inputting apparatus includes: a substrate provided with a switch; a key having a depression surface and a back surface on an opposite side to the depression surface, and a contacting section projecting from the back surface in a first direction from the depression surface toward the back surface; a panel having an opening in which the key is arranged; a first plate arranged between the substrate and the key in the opening of the panel; a second plate supported by the first plate between the key and the first plate; and a third plate arranged between the first plate and the substrate. The first to third plates are formed with first to third through portions, respectively, through each of which the contacting section is passable. The second plate is formed with a leaf spring section urging the key in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Mamoru Namba
  • Publication number: 20180264833
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus, including: a liquid ejector; a housing including a tank storage portion in which is stored a tank for accommodating a liquid to be supplied to the ejector, the housing having an opening through which the tank storage portion and an exterior of the housing communicate; a lid attached to the housing and configured to be selectively positioned at one of a closed position at which the opening is closed and an open position at which the opening is opened; and an operation panel including an operating portion which is provided for at least one of front and upper surfaces of the housing and which is to be externally operated, wherein the lid is attached to the housing so as to be slidable in an up-down direction with respect to the housing, the lid being positioned at the open position by sliding upward from the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mamoru NAMBA
  • Publication number: 20180097948
    Abstract: A panel apparatus includes: a body having an interior space open to an outside of the panel apparatus via an opening; one of a protrusion and a recess in the interior space; an input panel having a first surface, a second surface behind the first surface, and an input part provided in the first surface; a support part provided in the body to support the input panel such that the input panel pivots relative to the body; an arm protruding from the second surface and configured to guide the input panel such that the input panel pivots relative to the body by being inserted into the interior space through the opening; and the other of the protrusion and the recess which is provided in a part of the arm inserted into the interior space. Pivoting of the input panel is regulated by engagement of the protrusion and the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mamoru NAMBA
  • Publication number: 20170289371
    Abstract: An information inputting apparatus includes: a circuit substrate configured to communicate with an information terminal through Near Field Communication; a placement surface on which the information terminal is to be put, the placement surface facing the circuit substrate; an operation unit disposed adjacent to the placement surface, the operation unit having an operation surface parallel to and protruding further than the placement surface; and a protrusion disposed between the placement surface and the operation unit, the protrusion having a height equal to or higher than a height of the operation surface at which the operation unit reacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mamoru NAMBA