Patents by Inventor Shigeo Miyabe

Shigeo Miyabe 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: 20170192386
    Abstract: A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion connected to the drum flange, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Publication number: 20170185030
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge comprises a developer roller having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion operatively connected to the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from the developer roller as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the developer roller as measured in the direction of the axis L1, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Publication number: 20170185033
    Abstract: The process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion connected to a drum flange, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Publication number: 20170185031
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge comprises a developer roller having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion operatively connected to the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from the developer roller as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the developer roller as measured in the direction of the axis L1, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Publication number: 20170185027
    Abstract: The process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion connected to a drum flange, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Patent number: 9684261
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the cartridge being dismountable from the main assembly and including (i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof; and (ii) a coupling member capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting a rotational force for rotating the developing roller to the developing roller and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the rotational force transmitting angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Masanari Morioka
  • Patent number: 9678471
    Abstract: A process cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a casing, a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is coaxial with the axis L1 of the photosensitive drum, and a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis L1 of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 9671751
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a casing, a developer roller having an axis L1, and coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion having an outermost surface, (iii) an axle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and (iv) at least one projection extending from the second end portion. For at least part of the outermost surface of the second end portion, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outermost surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 increases as the distance along the axis L2 from the axle portion increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Patent number: 9658592
    Abstract: A drum unit usable in the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum, with a part of the drum flange being positioned within the photosensitive drum, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion at least a part of which is positioned within the drum flange, and (ii) a second end portion including (ii-i) a surface recessed in the second end portion and facing away from the first end portion and (ii-ii) at least one projection projecting from a surface adjacent to the recessed surface, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Patent number: 9658593
    Abstract: A drum unit usable in the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes a first end portion connected with the photosensitive drum, a second end portion having an outermost surface, an axle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and at least one projection extending from the second end portion. For at least part of the outermost surface of the second end portion, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outermost surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 increases as the distance along the axis L2 from the axle portion increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Publication number: 20170139349
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a cartridge that includes a developing roller and a coupling member for receiving a rotational force for rotating the developing roller. A cylindrical member movably supports one end portion of the coupling member inside of the cylindrical member. A cylindrical member side force receiving portion is provided inside the cylindrical member. A first regulating portion, provided inside of the cylindrical member, prevents one end portion of the coupling member from disengaging in an axial direction of the cylindrical member. A second regulating portion regulates deformations of the first regulating portion outward of the cylindrical member in the radial direction in a state in which one end portion of the coupling member is mounted to the inside of the cylindrical member. The apparatus also includes a driving motor and a driving shaft engageable with the coupling member of the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Atsushi Takasaka
  • Publication number: 20170102634
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a casing, a developer roller having an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller and a second end portion, the second end portion including at least one projection that is open to the axis L2 and an outer surface that faces away from the first end portion. For at least part of the outer surface, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outer surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 decreases as the distance along the axis L2 from the first end portion increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Publication number: 20170090409
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a casing including an opening and an arc-shaped protrusion on an external portion of the casing adjacent to the opening. The process cartridge also includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, with the photosensitive drum being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member has (i) a first end portion connected to the photosensitive drum, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection that is open to the axis L2, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. A maximum distance as measured from the axis L2, in a direction perpendicular to the axis L2, of at least part of the connecting portion is shorter than a distance between the at least one projection and the axis L2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Publication number: 20170090412
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a casing including an opening and an arc-shaped protrusion that is adjacent to the opening. The image forming apparatus cartridge also includes a developer roller having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection that is open to the axis L2, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. A maximum distance as measured from the axis L2, in a direction perpendicular to the axis L2, of at least part of the connecting portion is shorter than a distance between the at least one projection and the axis L2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Publication number: 20170090407
    Abstract: A drum unit usable in the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum, with a part of the drum flange being positioned within the photosensitive drum, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion at least a part of which is positioned within the drum flange, and (ii) a second end portion including (ii-i) a surface recessed in the second end portion and facing away from the first end portion and (ii-ii) at least one projection projecting from a surface adjacent to the recessed surface, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Publication number: 20170090403
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a casing, a developer roller having an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes a first end portion operatively connected to the developer roller and a second end portion, with the second end portion including at least one projection that is open to the axis L2 and an outer surface that faces away from the first end portion. For at least part of the outer surface, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outer surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 decreases as the distance along the axis L2 from the first end portion increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Publication number: 20170090413
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a casing, a developer roller having an axis L1, and coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion having an outermost surface, (iii) an axle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and (iv) at least one projection extending from the second end portion. For at least part of the outermost surface of the second end portion, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outermost surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 increases as the distance along the axis L2 from the axle portion increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Publication number: 20170090410
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a casing, a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, and a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum. The process cartridge also includes a coupling member having an axis L2, with the coupling member including (i) a first end portion at least a part of which is positioned within the drum flange, and (ii) a second end portion including (ii-i) a surface recessed in the second end portion and facing away from the first end portion and (ii-ii) at least one projection projecting from a surface adjacent to the recessed surface, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Publication number: 20170090414
    Abstract: A drum unit usable in the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes a first end portion connected with the photosensitive drum, a second end portion having an outermost surface, an axle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and at least one projection extending from the second end portion. For at least part of the outermost surface of the second end portion, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outermost surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 increases as the distance along the axis L2 from the axle portion increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Publication number: 20170090408
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a casing, a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes a first end portion connected to the photosensitive drum and a second end portion, with the second end portion including at least one projection that is open to the axis L2 and an outer surface that faces away from the first end portion. For at least part of the outer surface, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outer surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 decreases as the distance along the axis L2 from the first end portion increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka