Patents by Inventor Masahiro Imoto

Masahiro Imoto 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: 9836017
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body) and an automatic document feeder mounted on the apparatus main body are provided, and a cable-side connector provided at a front end of an electrical cable extending from the automatic document feeder is removably connected to a board-side connector provided on a circuit board of the apparatus main body. In this configuration, an opening portion is provided in a back face of a housing of the apparatus main body at a position opposing the board-side connector, a lid that covers this opening portion is attached to a front end portion of the electrical cable by an attachment member, and this lid is configured so as to be attachable to the opening portion by a hook and fixing by screwing by means of a screw insertion boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Imoto, Yasumasa Morimoto, Toshiki Ohgita
  • Publication number: 20170318169
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image scanning unit that is provided with a holding portion holding a flexible flat cable. The holding portion is protruded toward an upstream side in a sub scanning direction, and provided with a second wall part. The flexible flat cable that is extended from a connector is brought into contact with the second wall part. As for the flexible flat cable, a downward movement is regulated by a lower holding portion and an upward movement is regulated by an upper holding portion. Accordingly, the flexible flat cable does not rise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Masahiro IMOTO, Yasuhiro SUTO, Hisashi YAMANAKA, Kenji NAKANISHI, Shohichi FUKUTOME, Kazuhiro IGUCHI
  • Patent number: 9742940
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image scanning unit that is provided with a holding portion holding a flexible flat cable. The holding portion is protruded toward an upstream side in a sub scanning direction, and provided with a second wall part. The flexible flat cable that is extended from a connector is brought into contact with the second wall part. As for the flexible flat cable, a downward movement is regulated by a lower holding portion and an upward movement is regulated by an upper holding portion. Accordingly, the flexible flat cable does not rise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Imoto, Yasuhiro Suto, Hisashi Yamanaka, Kenji Nakanishi, Shohichi Fukutome, Kazuhiro Iguchi
  • Patent number: 9681014
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a light source unit for illuminating an object to be illuminated, a reading unit for reading the object illuminated by the light source unit, a reflective unit, having at least a first reflection mirror, for reflecting reading light reflected by the object toward the reading unit, and a first light blocking portion for partially blocking light except the reading light. The first reflection mirror has a reflecting surface for reflecting the reading light, and an end surface substantially orthogonal to the reflecting surface. The first light blocking portion extends in a longitudinal direction of the first reflection mirror toward the end surface of the first reflection mirror, with a tip end of the first light blocking portion being opposed to the end surface of the first reflection mirror with a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Imoto, Kenji Nakanishi, Yasuhiro Suto, Shohichi Fukutome, Kazuhiro Iguchi, Hiroki Kuruma
  • Patent number: 9635209
    Abstract: In an image forming device, a light-guiding member includes an integrated ridge extending in the longitudinal direction of the light-guiding member. The light-guiding member further includes a protrusion on the ridge. The illuminating device includes an attachment recess that holds the light-guiding member and a holder member that has a fit portion to which a protrusion is fitted. The protrusion is disposed at a position decentered to one end portion of the light-guiding member in the longitudinal direction of the light-guiding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suto, Kenji Nakanishi, Shohichi Fukutome, Masahiro Imoto, Kazuhiro Iguchi, Hiroki Kuruma
  • Publication number: 20170085739
    Abstract: A driving device is used in an image reading apparatus, and reciprocates a scanning unit for reading an image on an original. The driving device comprises a pull member, a driving pulley which transmits driving force to the pull member, a following pulley which applies tension to the pull member and a pulley holder having a pulley axis which holds the following pulley rotatably. Then, the pulley axis has a lock pawl capable of locking an upper end portion of the following pulley and canceling engagement with the following pulley by being tilted toward a side of an axial center by elastic deformation. Furthermore, the lock pawl is arranged at a side of a tension acting direction from the pull member to the following pulley except the farthest position from the driving pulley among positions in a circumferential direction of the pulley axis. It is possible to attach and detach the following pulley easily at a time of maintenance or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Masahiro IMOTO, Yasuhiro SUTO, Shohichi FUKUTOME, Kenji NAKANISHI, Kazuhiro IGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20170031306
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body) and an automatic document feeder mounted on the apparatus main body are provided, and a cable-side connector provided at a front end of an electrical cable extending from the automatic document feeder is removably connected to a board-side connector provided on a circuit board of the apparatus main body. In this configuration, an opening portion is provided in a back face of a housing of the apparatus main body at a position opposing the board-side connector, a lid that covers this opening portion is attached to a front end portion of the electrical cable by an attachment member, and this lid is configured so as to be attachable to the opening portion by a hook and fixing by screwing by means of a screw insertion boss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Masahiro IMOTO, Yasumasa MORIMOTO, Toshiki OHGITA
  • Patent number: 9554012
    Abstract: A driving device is used in an image reading apparatus, and reciprocates a scanning unit for reading an image on an original. The driving device comprises a pull member, a driving pulley which transmits driving force to the pull member, a following pulley which applies tension to the pull member and a pulley holder having a pulley axis which holds the following pulley rotatably. Then, the pulley axis has a lock pawl capable of locking an upper end portion of the following pulley and canceling engagement with the following pulley by being tilted toward a side of an axial center by elastic deformation. Furthermore, the lock pawl is arranged at a side of a tension acting direction from the pull member to the following pulley except the farthest position from the driving pulley among positions in a circumferential direction of the pulley axis. It is possible to attach and detach the following pulley easily at a time of maintenance or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Imoto, Yasuhiro Suto, Shohichi Fukutome, Kenji Nakanishi, Kazuhiro Iguchi
  • Publication number: 20160344883
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit, an image forming unit, a discharge unit, and a discharge tray. The image reading unit is configured to read a document placed on a document placement table by moving and scanning of a scanning body in a sub-scanning direction. The image forming unit is configured to form an image read by the image reading unit on a paper sheet. The discharge unit is configured to discharge the paper sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit to a direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. The discharge tray is on which the paper sheet from the discharge unit is to be placed with a space portion at a lower side of the image reading unit. A bottom surface of a housing of the image reading unit facing the discharge tray is constituted of a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is a surface at a front side of the discharge unit in a discharging direction and high with respect to the discharge tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Kenji NAKANISHI, Masahiro IMOTO, Yasuhiro SUTO, Shohichi FUKUTOME, Hisashi YAMANAKA, Mitsuharu YOSHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160323464
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image scanning unit that is provided with a holding portion holding a flexible flat cable. The holding portion is protruded toward an upstream side in a sub scanning direction, and provided with a second wall part. The flexible flat cable that is extended from a connector is brought into contact with the second wall part. As for the flexible flat cable, a downward movement is regulated by a lower holding portion and an upward movement is regulated by an upper holding portion. Accordingly, the flexible flat cable does not rise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Masahiro IMOTO, Yasuhiro SUTO, Hisashi YAMANAKA, Kenji NAKANISHI, Shohichi FUKUTOME, Kazuhiro IGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20160323474
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a light source unit for illuminating an object to be illuminated, a reading unit for reading the object illuminated by the light source unit, a reflective unit, having at least a first reflection mirror, for reflecting reading light reflected by the object toward the reading unit, and a first light blocking portion for partially blocking light except the reading light. The first reflection mirror has a reflecting surface for reflecting the reading light, and an end surface substantially orthogonal to the reflecting surface. The first light blocking portion extends in a longitudinal direction of the first reflection mirror toward the end surface of the first reflection mirror, with a tip end of the first light blocking portion being opposed to the end surface of the first reflection mirror with a gap therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Masahiro IMOTO, Kenji NAKANISHI, Yasuhiro SUTO, Shohichi FUKUTOME, Kazuhiro IGUCHI, Hiroki KURUMA
  • Patent number: 9483012
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body) and an automatic document feeder mounted on the apparatus main body are provided, and a cable-side connector provided at a front end of an electrical cable extending from the automatic document feeder is removably connected to a board-side connector provided on a circuit board of the apparatus main body. In this configuration, an opening portion is provided in a back face of a housing of the apparatus main body at a position opposing the board-side connector, a lid that covers this opening portion is attached to a front end portion of the electrical cable by an attachment member, and this lid is configured so as to be attachable to the opening portion by a hook and fixing by screwing by means of a screw insertion boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Imoto, Yasumasa Morimoto, Toshiki Ohgita
  • Publication number: 20160316090
    Abstract: A driving device is used in an image reading apparatus, and reciprocates a scanning unit for reading an image on an original. The driving device comprises a pull member, a driving pulley which transmits driving force to the pull member, a following pulley which applies tension to the pull member and a pulley holder having a pulley axis which holds the following pulley rotatably. Then, the pulley axis has a lock pawl capable of locking an upper end portion of the following pulley and canceling engagement with the following pulley by being tilted toward a side of an axial center by elastic deformation. Furthermore, the lock pawl is arranged at a side of a tension acting direction from the pull member to the following pulley except the farthest position from the driving pulley among positions in a circumferential direction of the pulley axis. It is possible to attach and detach the following pulley easily at a time of maintenance or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Masahiro IMOTO, Yasuhiro SUTO, Shohichi FUKUTOME, Kenji NAKANISHI, Kazuhiro IGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20160301820
    Abstract: In an image forming device, a light-guiding member includes an integrated ridge extending in the longitudinal direction of the light-guiding member. The light-guiding member further includes a protrusion on the ridge. The illuminating device includes an attachment recess that holds the light-guiding member and a holder member that has a fit portion to which a protrusion is fitted. The protrusion is disposed at a position decentered to one end portion of the light-guiding member in the longitudinal direction of the light-guiding member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Yasuhiro SUTO, Kenji NAKANISHI, Shohichi FUKUTOME, Masahiro IMOTO, Kazuhiro IGUCHI, Hiroki KURUMA
  • Patent number: 9438757
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit, an image forming unit, a discharge unit, and a discharge tray. The image reading unit is configured to read a document placed on a document placement table by moving and scanning of a scanning body in a sub-scanning direction. The image forming unit is configured to form an image read by the image reading unit on a paper sheet. The discharge unit is configured to discharge the paper sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit to a direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. The discharge tray is on which the paper sheet from the discharge unit is to be placed with a space portion at a lower side of the image reading unit. A bottom surface of a housing of the image reading unit facing the discharge tray is constituted of a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is a surface at a front side of the discharge unit in a discharging direction and high with respect to the discharge tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Nakanishi, Masahiro Imoto, Yasuhiro Suto, Shohichi Fukutome, Hisashi Yamanaka, Mitsuharu Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 9420142
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image scanning unit that is provided with a holding portion holding a flexible flat cable. The holding portion is protruded toward an upstream side in a sub scanning direction, and provided with a second wall part. The flexible flat cable that is extended from a connector is brought into contact with the second wall part. As for the flexible flat cable, a downward movement is regulated by a lower holding portion and an upward movement is regulated by an upper holding portion. Accordingly, the flexible flat cable does not rise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Imoto, Yasuhiro Suto, Hisashi Yamanaka, Kenji Nakanishi, Shohichi Fukutome, Kazuhiro Iguchi
  • Patent number: 9420140
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a light source unit for illuminating an object to be illuminated, a reading unit for reading the object illuminated by the light source unit, a reflective unit, having at least a first reflection mirror, for reflecting reading light reflected by the object toward the reading unit, and a first light blocking portion for partially blocking light except the reading light. The first reflection mirror has a reflecting surface for reflecting the reading light, and an end surface substantially orthogonal to the reflecting surface. The first light blocking portion extends in a longitudinal direction of the first reflection mirror toward the end surface of the first reflection mirror, with a tip end of the first light blocking portion being opposed to the end surface of the first reflection mirror with a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Imoto, Kenji Nakanishi, Yasuhiro Suto, Shohichi Fukutome, Kazuhiro Iguchi, Hiroki Kuruma
  • Patent number: 9398186
    Abstract: In an image forming device, a light-guiding member includes an integrated ridge extending in the longitudinal direction of the light-guiding member. The light-guiding member further includes a protrusion on the ridge. The illuminating device includes an attachment recess that holds the light-guiding member and a holder member that has a fit portion to which a protrusion is fitted. The protrusion is disposed at a position decentered to one end portion of the light-guiding member in the longitudinal direction of the light-guiding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suto, Kenji Nakanishi, Shohichi Fukutome, Masahiro Imoto, Kazuhiro Iguchi, Hiroki Kuruma
  • Patent number: 9374486
    Abstract: A driving device is used in an image reading apparatus, and reciprocates a scanning unit for reading an image on an original. The driving device comprises a pull member, a driving pulley which transmits driving force to the pull member, a following pulley which applies tension to the pull member and a pulley holder having a pulley axis which holds the following pulley rotatably. Then, the pulley axis has a lock pawl capable of locking an upper end portion of the following pulley and canceling engagement with the following pulley by being tilted toward a side of an axial center by elastic deformation. Furthermore, the lock pawl is arranged at a side of a tension acting direction from the pull member to the following pulley except the farthest position from the driving pulley among positions in a circumferential direction of the pulley axis. It is possible to attach and detach the following pulley easily at a time of maintenance or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Imoto, Yasuhiro Suto, Shohichi Fukutome, Kenji Nakanishi, Kazuhiro Iguchi
  • Publication number: 20160150110
    Abstract: A driving device is used in an image reading apparatus, and reciprocates a scanning unit for reading an image on an original. The driving device comprises a pull member, a driving pulley which transmits driving force to the pull member, a following pulley which applies tension to the pull member and a pulley holder having a pulley axis which holds the following pulley rotatably. Then, the pulley axis has a lock pawl capable of locking an upper end portion of the following pulley and canceling engagement with the following pulley by being tilted toward a side of an axial center by elastic deformation. Furthermore, the lock pawl is arranged at a side of a tension acting direction from the pull member to the following pulley except the farthest position from the driving pulley among positions in a circumferential direction of the pulley axis. It is possible to attach and detach the following pulley easily at a time of maintenance or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Masahiro IMOTO, Yasuhiro SUTO, Shohichi FUKUTOME, Kenji NAKANISHI, Kazuhiro IGUCHI