Abstract: In a photocopying apparatus wherein a first mirror is suitably connected to a second mirror, a mirror drive comprises an endless chain which is driven on a continuous path, and to which is affixed an actuation element, which may contact a projection attached to a mounting base supporting the first mirror, whereby the first and second mirrors may be driven forwards by the endless chain acting through the actuation element and the first mirror base projection.

Abstract: Optical projection apparatus for an image transfer type electrophotographic copier, wherein prism-shaped reflecting members are disposed at both ends of an optical fiber type image transmitter formed by a bundle of optical fibers having graded refractive indexes, so as to refract an optical path, whereby an optical image of an original document is projected towards the side peripheral surface of a photosensitive drum, reducing the height of the optical projection apparatus and thus providing a compact copier. The optical projection apparatus is so constructed that the image transmitter formed by a bundle of optical fibers having graded refractive indexes is fixedly held between the prism-shaped reflecting members including a prism portion and a support or body portion integrally formed therewith.

Abstract: The heat and pressure rolls of a fusing apparatus for an electrophotographic copying machine are shifted into pressure contact with one another while a support sheet bearing a toner powder image passes therebetween, and are separated while the sheet is not therebetween. A driving mechanism drives both rolls when not in contact, while one of the rolls drives the other while in pressure contact. A shifting mechanism is actuated by a sheet detector for shifting the rolls into and out of contact.In another embodiment, the rolls are in light rolling contact, with no sheet passing therebetween, under the weight of one of the rolls idly mounted in place. A pressing mechanism presses the rolls into pressure contact, upon actuation by a sheet detector, while the sheet passes between the rolls.

Abstract: A transfer type electrophotographic copying apparatus for high speed copying system which includes a photoconductive photoreceptor in the form of an endless belt and movably suspended by a plurality of rollers so as to provide a plurality of flat surfaces. A flat portion which is formed on the photoreceptor belt facing a transfer corona charger and which is directed approximately parallel to a path of a copy paper sheet is effective for shortening the length of the paper path and for improving transferred images, while blower means disposed in a fixing device is adapted to assist in the separation of the copied paper from the photoreceptor belt in normal copying operation, and to direct cooling air to the fixing device in case of paper jamming. Heat shielding means is disposed between the fixing device and the photoreceptor belt.

Abstract: A belt support structure which telescopically movably supports a belt assembly in a photoelectrostatic copying machine. The belt support structure has first guide rails secured at at least two spaced points thereof to a wall or framework of the housing structure for the copying machine, second guide rails respectively telescopically movably mounted on the first guide rails and third guide rails telescopically mounted on the second guide rails. The third guide rails carry the belt assembly for pivotal movement between operative and released positions. When the belt assembly is in the released position outside the housing structure, replacement of the used photoreceptor belt, inspection, repair or cleaning of all operating elements of the copying machine arranged around the photoreceptor within the housing structure can be facilitated.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic copying machine having a transparent support for support thereon the original to be copied, an illumination device for illuminating the original on the transparent support and a photoreceptor surface adapted to be driven past charging, exposure, developing, transfer and cleaning stations, a discharging device for extinguishing unnecessary electrostatic charge on the photoreceptor surface which is formed at an area between each two adjacent areas to be optically exposed to the incoming light, which discharging device has at least one light guide having one end situated adjacent an intercepting mechanism and the other end situated in the vicinity of the photoreceptor surface. The intercepting mechanism is brought into operation to intercept passage of discharging light towards the photoreceptor surface.

Abstract: A developing material applicator for use in a photoelectrostatic copying machine to apply or depost a uniform layer of toner particles on the electrostatic latent image carried on a photoreceptor surface. The developing applicator comprises a housing structure having two compartments divided by a partition wall. Within a first one of the compartments, there is provided an impeller and a supply roll assembly for transferrence of the developing material from the first one of the compartments to the other second compartment. Within the second compartment and adjacent the supply roll assembly, there is positioned a clipping roll assembly for clipping the developing material carried by the supply roll assembly. An applicator is positioned within the second compartment at a developing zone where the photoreceptor surface is moved. The applicator applies the developing material over the photoreceptor surface after it has received the developing material from the clipping roll assembly.

Abstract: Devices for controlling the heating of fuser roll apparatus are disclosed. In fuser roll apparatus a toner powder image is heated under pressure on a supporting sheet to be fixed thereon. The apparatus comprises a plurality of heaters for heating a fuser roll; and a plurality of surface temperature detecting elements for detecting the surface temperature of the fuser roll, the power to the respective heaters being independently controlled according to detecting signals from the respective surface temperature detecting elements.

Abstract: The heat and pressure rolls of a fusing apparatus for an electrophotographic copying machine are shifted into pressure contact with one another while a support sheet bearing a toner powder image passes therebetween, and are separated while the sheet is not therebetween. A driving mechanism drives both rolls when not in contact, while one of the rolls drives the other while in pressure contact. A shifting mechanism is actuated by a sheet detector for shifting the rolls into and out of contact.In another embodiment, the rolls are in light rolling contact, with no sheet passing therebetween, under the weight of one of the rolls idly mounted in place. A pressing mechanism presses the rolls into pressure contact, upon actuation by a sheet detector, while the sheet passes between the rolls.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying apparatus in which a photoreceptor, a developing device and a cleaning device for residual toner particles are integrally incorporated in a casing as one unit so as to be releasably inserted into the copying apparatus housing for efficient replacement and maintenance of such major components. The copying apparatus is further provided with a copy paper sheet feed device which can be changed over from manual sheet insertion to automatic sheet feeding or vice versa by simply one operation.

Abstract: An exposure control device to be incorporated in an electrophotographic copying apparatus of the full frame exposure type with a moving photoreceptor, in which device a lens for projecting a light image of an original placed on a stationary platform onto the moving photoreceptor is adapted, during the flashing period of flash lamps for illuminating the original, to move in the same direction as the photoreceptor at a rate 1/m+1 times the moving rate of the photoreceptor for full frame exposure, by which arrangement, not only sufficient duration of flashing time of the flash lamps is available in high speed copying with consequent long life of the flash lamps, but definite, clear copies with high image resolution can be obtained.

Abstract: An optical illumination device for use in a copying apparatus of the type wherein an object is to be illuminated and an image thereof is to be projected through a particular image transmitter formed of a plurality of optical fibers of graded refractive index in bundled configuration to a light sensitive surface, comprises a source of illumination light and a light guide duct of substantially flattened cubic body. The light guide duct is designed such that rays of light from the light source accommodated within the light guide duct are directed towards a curved reflective surface and subsequently converge at one point on the transparent support structure for the support of the original to be copied thereon to form a strip or ribbon of light available for illumination of the original to be copied.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copier having an endless photoconductive belt whose circumference is an integral multiple of one dimension of each of two sizes of exposure areas corresponding to two sizes of copy paper. A set of cams for each size of copy paper operates switches to control the operation for that paper size. At the end of each exposure cycle the belt is positioned so that the next exposure is made on a different area of the belt and so that the image is not located over the seam or joint in the belt. The belt is charged at the end of every copying cycle so that the next cycle can begin with immediate exposure, and the size of the area charged is set automatically when the size of the copy is selected.

Abstract: A residual toner removing apparatus comprises a rotatable cleaning brush enclosed by a casing plate and a restriction board except for two gaps housed in a housing with an opening adjacent to a known photoreceptor surface. During rotation, brush hairs contact the casing plate to charge it with an opposite polarity to that of the toner particles, while the brush hairs are compressed by the restriction board, the cleaning brush thus acting like a fan for circulation of air and entrained toner particles, during which circulation lighter toner particles are attracted by the casing plate with heavier particles falling into catchment portions on the casing and well portions at lower parts of the housing for efficient removal of toner particles without separate vacuum means.

Abstract: A residual toner removing apparatus which comprises a rotatable cleaning brush enclosed, except for two gaps, by a casing plate and a restriction board housed in a housing with an opening adjacent to a known photoreceptor surface. During rotation, brush hairs contact the casing plate to charge it with opposite polarity to toner particles, while the bursh hairs are compressed by the restriction board, thus the cleaning brush acting like a fan for circulation of air and entrained toner particles, which toner particles are mostly attracted by the casing plate and the housing wall forming an air flow chamber. A scraper actuated manually or motor-driven automatically at arbitrary times is advantageously provided in the air flow chamber for scraping off the adhering toner particles.

Abstract: An automatic toner supplying device applicable to an developing apparatus for use in an electrophotographic copying machine which is based on the physical property that the amount of toner powder consumed for developing is proportional to the potential variations of magnetic brush bristles which contact the photoreceptor surface during rotation of a photoreceptor drum and a developing roller with the potential variations utilized as a toner replenishing signal for applying a bias voltage corresponding to the toner replenishing signal, through an electrical control unit, to the brush bristles formed on a toner supply roller rotatably disposed in a toner supply tank.