Abstract: A sheet member conveying device is equipped with an endless sheet member conveyor belt composed of a semiconductor material and an electrical charging device which electrically charges the sheet member conveyor belt in order to transfer a toner image formed on the surface of a rotary drum onto a sheet member at a toner image transfer position. The sheet member conveyor belt is put around a plurality of rollers and moves from the toner image transfer position toward a sheet member peeling position. A grounding device is provided between the toner image transfer position and the sheet member peeling position along the sheet member conveyor belt in order to decrease the surface potential which is due to the charge of the sheet member conveyor belt.

Abstract: A composite structure is manufactured by joining a first material, preferably made of a magnetically permeable material and having a first joining surface in which a recess having an overhang surface is formed, to a second material, preferably made of an electrically conductive material and having a second joining surface to be joined to the first joining surface of the first material. On the second joining surface is integrally formed a protrusion having an outer configuration substantially corresponding to the inner shape of the recess. The first and second materials are firmly mechanically joined to each other by, for example, a casting method, a rolling method, a pressing method, or a method utilizing plastic flow of the second material.

Abstract: A composite structure is manufactured by joining a first material, preferably made of a magnetically permeable material and having a first joining surface in which a recess having an overhang surface is formed, to a second material preferably made of an electrically conductive material and having a second joining surface to be joined to the first joining surface of the first material. On the second joining surface is integrally formed a protrusion having an outer configuration substantially corresponding to the inner shape of the recess. The first and second materials are firmly mechanically joined to each other by, for example, a casting method, a rolling method, a pressing method, or a method utilizing plastic flow of the second material.