Patents by Inventor Masafumi Takahira
Masafumi Takahira 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).
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Patent number: 8923730Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a developer container to contain a developer therein and a developer supply port; an image forming unit to form an image with the developer from the developer container and including a developer intake port; an openable/closable upper cover configured to cover an upper part of the developer container in a closed state and take out the developer container in an open state; an openable/closable retention cover to hold the developer container and configured to allow the image forming unit to be removed when the retention cover is opened; a coupling device to secure a coupled state of the developer supply port of the developer container with the developer intake port of the image forming unit when the upper cover is in a closed state; and a disconnection preventer to prevent the developer container from disconnecting from the retention cover when the upper cover is opened.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Haruo Hashimoto, Tatsuo Fukushima, Masafumi Takahira
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Patent number: 8873977Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an upper cover, an image forming unit including an image carrier and a developing device, a toner container detachably connectable to the developing device to supply toner to the developing device through an opening in the toner container, a shutter provided to the toner container and biased by a first elastic member in a direction to close the opening of the toner container, a link member integrated with the shutter, a shutter switching member to switch a position of the shutter to an open position by moving the link member to a pressing position, and an interlock mechanism to retract the shutter switching member from the pressing position in conjunction with opening of the upper cover. The opening is closed with the shutter by switching the shutter switching member to a retracted position in conjunction with the opening of the upper cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masafumi Takahira, Haruo Hashimoto
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Patent number: 8831463Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an outer cover in which an air intake and an exhaust outlet are formed, an image forming unit, a fixing device to fix an image on a recording medium and including a fixing casing in which a sheet inlet and a first exhaust opening are formed, and a thermal shield disposed above the sheet inlet of the fixing device and between the fixing device and a component adjacent to the fixing device, an air channel to guide air sucked in through the air intake to the exhaust outlet, defined by the thermal shield as well as the fixing casing. The first exhaust opening formed in the fixing casing communicates with the air channel formed by the thermal shield and the fixing casing to merge the hot air discharged from the fixing device into the air flowing in the air channel.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuyoshi Kondo, Haruo Hashimoto, Genta Hagiwara, Masafumi Takahira
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Patent number: 8807552Abstract: A base plate is selectively attached to a lower surface of a main body of an image forming apparatus or to an optional sheet feeder attachable to the main body.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Kazuyoshi Kondo, Yasuo Matsuyama, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Ippei Kimura, Toshikane Nishii, Mizuna Tanaka, Tomoyoshi Yamazaki, Haruyuki Honda, Masafumi Takahira
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Patent number: 8798517Abstract: A sheet supplying device that is incorporatable in an image forming apparatus includes a recording media container, a sheet feeding unit to feed a recording medium from the recording media container, and a frame to support the recording media container and the sheet feeding unit. The recording media container is detachably attachable to the frame in a first operation in which the recording media container is moved in a sheet conveyance direction in which the recording medium is conveyed upstream or downstream by the sheet feeding unit, and the recording media container is separated from the frame and the sheet feeding unit with the sheet feeding unit remaining in the frame, and a second operation in which the recording media container is moved in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction, and the recording media container is separated from the frame together with the sheet feeding unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuo Matsuyama, Ippei Kimura, Ikuo Fujii, Takamitsu Ikematsu, Masafumi Takahira, Kaoru Tada, Tomoyoshi Yamazaki, Toru Hanashima, Chikara Hiraoka, Tamotsu Ikeda, Kazuyoshi Kondo
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Patent number: 8611783Abstract: An interlock system includes first and second racks movable in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction between opening and closing positions in conjunction with opening and closing of the first cover, respectively. A housing is provided to slidably accommodate the first and second racks in the longitudinal direction. A pinion unit is provided and is sandwiched by the first and second racks. The first and second racks have meshing sections respectively meshing with the pinion unit at one side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction facing each other. The pinion unit slides in the longitudinal direction by a prescribed length in conjunction with movement of at least one of the first and second racks. The interlock switch is turned on and off in accordance with a sliding length of the pinion unit in the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Sei Onuma, Nobuhiko Kita, Genta Hagiwara, Masafumi Takahira, Haruo Hashimoto
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Patent number: 8561979Abstract: An open/close mechanism can be used for paper trays of an image forming apparatus. The open/close mechanism includes a plate member provided on a side of a housing of the image forming apparatus and configured to pivot upon an axis between an open position and a close position, and a box member that is arranged in the housing beneath the plate member and that can be drawn out of the housing from the side. The open/close mechanism includes also includes a restricting unit that is coupled to the plate member and that abuts against the box member when the box member is set in the housing and when the plate member is in the open position thereby restricting detachment of the box member from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Toshikane Nishii, Kazuhiro Wakamatsu, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Ippei Kimura, Mizuna Tanaka, Haruyuki Honda, Masafumi Takahira, Hiroshi Fujiwara
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Publication number: 20130266340Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a developer container to contain a developer therein and a developer supply port; an image forming unit to form an image with the developer from the developer container and including a developer intake port; an openable/closable upper cover configured to cover an upper part of the developer container in a closed state and take out the developer container in an open state; an openable/closable retention cover to hold the developer container and configured to allow the image forming unit to be removed when the retention cover is opened; a coupling device to secure a coupled state of the developer supply port of the developer container with the developer intake port of the image forming unit when the upper cover is in a closed state; and a disconnection preventer to prevent the developer container from disconnecting from the retention cover when the upper cover is opened.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Inventors: Haruo HASHIMOTO, Tatsuo Fukushima, Masafumi Takahira
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Publication number: 20130243445Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an upper cover, an image forming unit including an image carrier and a developing device, a toner container detachably connectable to the developing device to supply toner to the developing device through an opening in the toner container, a shutter provided to the toner container and biased by a first elastic member in a direction to close the opening of the toner container, a link member integrated with the shutter, a shutter switching member to switch a position of the shutter to an open position by moving the link member to a pressing position, and an interlock mechanism to retract the shutter switching member from the pressing position in conjunction with opening of the upper cover. The opening is closed with the shutter by switching the shutter switching member to a retracted position in conjunction with the opening of the upper cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masafumi TAKAHIRA, Haruo HASHIMOTO
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Patent number: 8526853Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a handle member that is held by an operator when an orientation of the image forming apparatus is changed from a predetermined use orientation to a different orientation; and a blocking unit that is caused to block a path between the inside and an opening of a toner container, without being powered, in association with an operator operation performed to the handle member upon changing the orientation of the image forming apparatus from the use orientation to the different orientation.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Kaoru Tada, Nobuhiko Kita, Sei Onuma, Masafumi Takahira, Genta Hagiwara, Yuusuke Furuichi
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Patent number: 8412056Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt that conveys a transfer material, and a photosensitive body that catches the transfer material between the photosensitive body and the transfer belt and that transfers a toner image to the transfer material. The transfer belt is driven in conjunction with the opening action of the front cover, and the photosensitive body is separated from the transfer belt in conjunction with the opening action of the front cover.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company LimitedInventors: Yuusuke Furuichi, Nobuhiko Kita, Sei Onuma, Tatsuo Fukushima, Haruo Hashimoto, Genta Hagiwara, Masafumi Takahira, Kaoru Tada
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Publication number: 20120315061Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an outer cover in which an air intake and an exhaust outlet are formed, an image forming unit, a fixing device to fix an image on a recording medium and including a fixing casing in which a sheet inlet and a first exhaust opening are formed, and a thermal shield disposed above the sheet inlet of the fixing device and between the fixing device and a component adjacent to the fixing device, an air channel to guide air sucked in through the air intake to the exhaust outlet, defined by the thermal shield as well as the fixing casing. The first exhaust opening formed in the fixing casing communicates with the air channel formed by the thermal shield and the fixing casing to merge the hot air discharged from the fixing device into the air flowing in the air channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventors: Kazuyoshi Kondo, Haruo Hashimoto, Genta Hagiwara, Masafumi Takahira
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Patent number: 8320798Abstract: A conveying device conveys a sheet of non-blank recording medium recorded with an image formed in an image forming unit, and includes a container that is detachable and contains a sheet of blank recording medium, a feeding unit that feeds the blank recording medium from the container, and a recirculating path that leads the non-blank recording medium to the feeding unit. The recirculating path is disposed lateral to the image forming unit. A part of the recirculating path is integrated into the container and forms a reversing path that leads to the feeding unit. At least one of surfaces of the reversing path can be exposed.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shigeo Nanno, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Ippei Kimura, Yoshihide Ohta, Tomoyoshi Yamazaki, Masafumi Takahira
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Patent number: 8311438Abstract: In an interlock device for turning a switch on and off in accordance with closing and opening of a plurality of covers covering a body of an electronic apparatus, one striker protrudes from each of the covers. An engagement member is provided inside the body of the electronic apparatus to move in a predetermined direction to contact and separate from the switch to turn the switch on and off. All the strikers contact the engagement member to turn on the switch when all the covers are closed. At least one of the strikers separates from the engagement member to turn off the switch when the corresponding cover is opened.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Sei Onuma, Nobuhiko Kita, Haruo Hashimoto, Masafumi Takahira, Kaoru Tada, Genta Hagiwara, Tatsuo Fukushima
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Patent number: 8260187Abstract: An image forming device is disclosed. The device includes a toner-image forming unit which forms a toner image; a transfer unit; a fixing unit; a paper-output unit; a drive unit; a first drive-power transmission gear; a second drive-power transmission gear; a gear housing; a first positioning unit which positions the fixing unit relative to a device body; and a second positioning unit. The second positioning unit positions the paper-output unit relative to the device body in the direction of a gap between the first drive-power transmission gear and the second drive-power transmission gear by engaging the gear housing with the device body.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2008Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Haruyuki Honda, Yasuo Matsuyama, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Kazuyoshi Kondo, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Ippei Kimura, Toshikane Nishii, Mizuna Tanaka, Tomoyoshi Yamazaki, Masafumi Takahira
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Patent number: 8256769Abstract: A sheet discharge roller has a contact portion in contact with a feed roller and a noncontact portion not in contact with the feed roller. The sheet discharge roller includes a kick-out unit having a projected portion and a recess portion on one end of the noncontact portion in the circumferential direction. A reverse roller also has a contact portion in contact with the feed roller and a noncontact portion not in contact with the feed roller. The reverse roller includes a large-diameter portion on its one end in a direction opposite to a direction of the kick-out unit. The large-diameter portion has a diameter larger than a diameter of the contact portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masafumi Takahira, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Shigeo Nanno, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Ippei Kimura, Mizuna Tanaka, Toshikane Nishii, Haruyuki Honda, Tomoyoshi Yamazaki
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Patent number: 8240657Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet feeding member, a friction separation member, a retaining member, a downstream guiding member, and a biasing member. The downstream guiding member is arranged downstream of a sheet conveyance direction than the friction separation member such that its guide surface is inclined at a predetermined angle to a front surface of the friction separation member towards the sheet feeding member. A line joining an apex of a sheet guiding member arranged upstream of the sheet conveyance direction than the friction separation member and an apex of the downstream guiding unit is positioned towards the sheet feeding member than a contact portion of the sheet feeding member and the friction separation member.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Mizuna Tanaka, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Yasuo Matsuyama, Kazuyoshi Kondo, Toshikane Nishii, Ippei Kimura, Tomoyoshi Yamazaki, Haruyuki Honda, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Masafumi Takahira, Ikuo Fujii
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Publication number: 20120104685Abstract: An open/close mechanism can be used for paper trays of an image forming apparatus. The open/close mechanism includes a plate member provided on a side of a housing of the image forming apparatus and configured to pivot upon an axis between an open position and a close position, and a box member that is arranged in the housing beneath the plate member and that can be drawn out of the housing from the side. The open/close mechanism includes also includes a restricting unit that is coupled to the plate member and that abuts against the box member when the box member is set in the housing and when the plate member is in the open position thereby restricting detachment of the box member from the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2012Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Toshikane NISHII, Kazuhiro Wakamatsu, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Ippei Kimura, Mizuna Tanaka, Haruyuki Honda, Masafumi Takahira, Hiroshi Fujiwara
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Publication number: 20120063829Abstract: A sheet supplying device that is incorporatable in an image forming apparatus includes a recording media container, a sheet feeding unit to feed a recording medium from the recording media container, and a frame to support the recording media container and the sheet feeding unit. The recording media container is detachably attachable to the frame in a first operation in which the recording media container is moved in a sheet conveyance direction in which the recording medium is conveyed upstream or downstream by the sheet feeding unit, and the recording media container is separated from the frame and the sheet feeding unit with the sheet feeding unit remaining in the frame, and a second operation in which the recording media container is moved in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction, and the recording media container is separated from the frame together with the sheet feeding unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuo Matsuyama, Ippei Kimura, Ikuo Fujii, Takamitsu Ikematsu, Masafumi Takahira, Kaoru Tada, Tomoyoshi Yamazaki, Toru Hanashima, Chikara Hiraoka, Tamotsu Ikeda, Kazuyoshi Kondo
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Patent number: 8118296Abstract: An open/close mechanism can be used for paper trays of an image forming apparatus. The open/close mechanism includes a plate member provided on a side of a housing of the image forming apparatus and configured to pivot upon an axis between an open position and a close position, and a box member that is arranged in the housing beneath the plate member and that can be drawn out of the housing from the side. The open/close mechanism includes also includes a restricting unit that is coupled to the plate member and that abuts against the box member when the box member is set in the housing and when the plate member is in the open position thereby restricting detachment of the box member from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Toshikane Nishii, Kazuhiro Wakamatsu, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Ippei Kimura, Mizuna Tanaka, Haruyuki Honda, Masafumi Takahira, Hiroshi Fujiwara