Patents by Inventor Ryota Shibuya

Ryota Shibuya 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: 11966193
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis of the photosensitive drum and a gear at least a part of which is uncovered to outside of the cartridge and faces an axis of the photosensitive drum, with the gear being positioned at a first side of the cartridge in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. A lever is movable between a first position and a second position such that an end of the lever is movable toward and away from the gear and the axis of the photosensitive drum. The cartridge also includes a frame supporting the photosensitive drum, the lever, and the development roller, with the frame including a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion at the first side of the cartridge, and the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion projecting away from a second side of the cartridge that is opposite to the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Goshi Ozaki, Ryota Shibuya
  • Publication number: 20230408970
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum unit having a photosensitive drum and a drum frame supporting the photosensitive drum so that the photosensitive drum is rotatable about a rotational axis. The photosensitive drum unit also includes a positioned portion configured to contact a positioning portion of a main assembly so that the photosensitive drum unit is positioned relative to the main assembly and a rotation-prevented portion configured to prevent the photosensitive drum unit from rotating relative to the main assembly. The cartridge further includes a developing unit having a developing roller configured to supply toner to the photosensitive drum. The developing unit also includes a memory unit having an electrical contact surface configured to contact a main assembly contact of the main assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Ryota Shibuya, Goshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 11796958
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum unit including a photosensitive drum, and a first and second positioning portions Configured to position the photosensitive drum unit relative to the main assembly; and a developing unit connected with the photosensitive drum unit, the developing unit including a developing roller, a storing means having a contact surface electrically connectable with a main assembly contact of the main assembly to communicate with the main assembly. As seen in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a first line segment connecting the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion with each other and a first linear line passing through the contact surface and perpendicular to the contact surface crosses with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Ryota Shibuya, Goshi Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20230297025
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a development roller, a cartridge side gear, a movable member and a restricting portion. The cartridge is constituted such that when the cartridge side gear and a drive transmission member of a main assembly of an image forming apparatus are engaged with each other, the drive transmission member and a cover covering the drive transmission member is accommodated in a space surrounded by the restricting portion, the movable member and the cartridge side gear. the space includes, in a range downstream of the restricting portion and upstream of the cartridge side gear, a region in which a distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum exceeds Ra which is a distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the restricting portion. The cartridge is structured to accommodate the cover in the region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Goshi Ozaki, Ryota Shibuya
  • Patent number: 11693356
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a development roller, a cartridge side gear, a movable member and a restricting portion. The cartridge is constituted such that when the cartridge side gear and a drive transmission member of a main assembly of an image forming apparatus are engaged with each other, the drive transmission member and a cover covering the drive transmission member is accommodated in a space surrounded by the restricting portion, the movable member and the cartridge side gear. the space includes, in a range downstream of the restricting portion and upstream of the cartridge side gear, a region in which a distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum exceeds Ra which is a distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the restricting portion. The cartridge is structured to accommodate the cover in the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Goshi Ozaki, Ryota Shibuya
  • Publication number: 20230031856
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum unit including a photosensitive drum, and a first and second positioning portions Configured to position the photosensitive drum unit relative to the main assembly; and a developing unit connected with the photosensitive drum unit, the developing unit including a developing roller, a storing means having a contact surface electrically connectable with a main assembly contact of the main assembly to communicate with the main assembly. As seen in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a first line segment connecting the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion with each other and a first linear line passing through the contact surface and perpendicular to the contact surface crosses with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Ryota Shibuya, Goshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 11567445
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum unit including a photosensitive drum, and a first and second positioning portions Configured to position the photosensitive drum unit relative to the main assembly; and a developing unit connected with the photosensitive drum unit, the developing unit including a developing roller, a storing means having a contact surface electrically connectable with a main assembly contact of the main assembly to communicate with the main assembly. As seen in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a first line segment connecting the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion with each other and a first linear line passing through the contact surface and perpendicular to the contact surface crosses with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Ryota Shibuya, Goshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 11543768
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge provided with a memory. The apparatus main body includes a frame, a movable electric contact unit including an electric contact portion contacting with the memory, and a holding member holding the electric contact portion and including an urging member urging the electric contact unit toward the memory in a mounted state of the cartridge, and a positioning portion positioning the electric contact unit in an unmounted state of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Furukawa, Ryota Shibuya
  • Publication number: 20220221820
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a development roller, a cartridge side gear, a movable member and a restricting portion. The cartridge is constituted such that when the cartridge side gear and a drive transmission member of a main assembly of an image forming apparatus are engaged with each other, the drive transmission member and a cover covering the drive transmission member is accommodated in a space surrounded by the restricting portion, the movable member and the cartridge side gear. the space includes, in a range downstream of the restricting portion and upstream of the cartridge side gear, a region in which a distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum exceeds Ra which is a distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the restricting portion. The cartridge is structured to accommodate the cover in the region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Goshi Ozaki, Ryota Shibuya
  • Patent number: 11294320
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including a mounting portion, a drive transmission member provided on the apparatus body, and a cover portion configured to cover the drive transmission member. The mounting portion is configured to accommodate a cartridge including an input coupling portion and an input gear portion. The drive transmission member includes an output coupling portion configured to engage with the input coupling portion, and an output gear portion configured to engage with the input gear portion. The cover portion is located between the mounting portion and the drive transmission member and includes a first opening configured to expose the output coupling portion, and a second opening configured to expose the output gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryota Shibuya, Goshi Ozaki, Yusuke Kai
  • Publication number: 20220035307
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum unit including a photosensitive drum, and a first and second positioning portions Configured to position the photosensitive drum unit relative to the main assembly; and a developing unit connected with the photosensitive drum unit, the developing unit including a developing roller, a storing means having a contact surface electrically connectable with a main assembly contact of the main assembly to communicate with the main assembly. As seen in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a first line segment connecting the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion with each other and a first linear line passing through the contact surface and perpendicular to the contact surface crosses with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Ryota Shibuya, Goshi Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20210389719
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge provided with a memory. The apparatus main body includes a frame, a movable electric contact unit including an electric contact portion contacting with the memory, and a holding member holding the electric contact portion and including an urging member urging the electric contact unit toward the memory in a mounted state of the cartridge, and a positioning portion positioning the electric contact unit in an unmounted state of the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Tetsuo Furukawa, Ryota Shibuya
  • Publication number: 20210124304
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developing unit, swingably supported, for supplying a developer to an image bearing member, and including an inwardly extending wall portion. In an attitude during use, when against an urging force of an urging member configured to urge the developing unit in a first direction toward the image bearing member, the developing unit is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the inwardly extending wall portion is contactable to a restricting member for restricting an amount of movement of the developing unit in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Tachio Kawai, Shigemi Kamoshida, Goshi Ozaki, Shohei Katsuya, Ryota Shibuya, Daisuke Makiguchi
  • Publication number: 20210096497
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including a mounting portion, a drive transmission member provided on the apparatus body, and a cover portion configured to cover the drive transmission member. The mounting portion is configured to accommodate a cartridge including an input coupling portion and an input gear portion. The drive transmission member includes an output coupling portion configured to engage with the input coupling portion, and an output gear portion configured to engage with the input gear portion. The cover portion is located between the mounting portion and the drive transmission member and includes a first opening configured to expose the output coupling portion, and a second opening configured to expose the output gear portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Ryota Shibuya, Goshi Ozaki, Yusuke Kai
  • Patent number: 10915060
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developing unit, swingably supported, for supplying a developer to an image bearing member, and including an inwardly extending wall portion. In an attitude during use, when against an urging force of an urging member configured to urge the developing unit in a first direction toward the image bearing member, the developing unit is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the inwardly extending wall portion is contactable to a restricting member for restricting an amount of movement of the developing unit in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tachio Kawai, Shigemi Kamoshida, Goshi Ozaki, Shohei Katsuya, Ryota Shibuya, Daisuke Makiguchi
  • Publication number: 20200201244
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developing unit, swingably supported, for supplying a developer to an image bearing member, and including an inwardly extending wall portion. In an attitude during use, when against an urging force of an urging member configured to urge the developing unit in a first direction toward the image bearing member, the developing unit is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the inwardly extending wall portion is contactable to a restricting member for restricting an amount of movement of the developing unit in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Tachio Kawai, Shigemi Kamoshida, Goshi Ozaki, Shohei Katsuya, Ryota Shibuya, Daisuke Makiguchi
  • Patent number: 10649368
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a first unit having an image bearing member, a second unit having a development member, an apparatus main body which includes an opening portion, an opening-closing member to open or close the opening portion, a first portion contacting with a part of the first unit to position the first unit to the apparatus main body, and a second portion arranged on an opposite side of the first portion with respect to the image bearing member, and a sandwiched unit movable between a first position at which the sandwiched unit is sandwiched between the first unit and the second portion and a second position at which the sandwiched unit is not sandwiched, wherein when the sandwiched unit is located at the first position, a part of the first unit is urged against the first portion by the sandwiched unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsuke Hijikata, Ryota Shibuya
  • Patent number: 10606205
    Abstract: Radius increased areas, radius decreased areas, and rotation stop areas are arranged in peripheral surfaces of first and second cams. In a state in which a portion in the peripheral surface of the first cam to which the first cam follower is contacting is positioned at an upstream end portion of the radius increased area, ?1 is a rotation amount of the first cam from the end portion needed until the first cam follower contacts the rotation stop area, and in a state in which a portion in the peripheral surface of the second cam to which the second cam follower is contacting is positioned at an upstream end portion of the radius increased area, ?2 is a rotation amount of the second cam from the end portion needed until the second cam follower contacts the rotation stop area. ?1<?2 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryota Shibuya
  • Publication number: 20200004176
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a first unit having an image bearing member, a second unit having a development member, an apparatus main body which includes an opening portion, an opening-closing member to open or close the opening portion, a first portion contacting with a part of the first unit to position the first unit to the apparatus main body, and a second portion arranged on an opposite side of the first portion with respect to the image bearing member, and a sandwiched unit movable between a first position at which the sandwiched unit is sandwiched between the first unit and the second portion and a second position at which the sandwiched unit is not sandwiched, wherein when the sandwiched unit is located at the first position, a part of the first unit is urged against the first portion by the sandwiched unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Shunsuke Hijikata, Ryota Shibuya
  • Patent number: 10444665
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a first unit having an image bearing member, a second unit having a development member, an apparatus main body which includes an opening portion, an opening-closing member to open or close the opening portion, a first portion contacting with a part of the first unit to position the first unit to the apparatus main body, and a second portion arranged on an opposite side of the first portion with respect to the image bearing member, and a sandwiched unit movable between a first position at which the sandwiched unit is sandwiched between the first unit and the second portion and a second position at which the sandwiched unit is not sandwiched, wherein when the sandwiched unit is located at the first position, a part of the first unit is urged against the first portion by the sandwiched unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsuke Hijikata, Ryota Shibuya