Patents by Inventor Takayuki Niihara
Takayuki Niihara 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).
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Publication number: 20240131553Abstract: A liquid application apparatus includes an applicator, a maintenance device, a conveyor, a first conveyance path, and a second conveyance path. The applicator applies a liquid to an object. The maintenance device maintains an applying condition of the liquid by the applicator. The conveyor conveys the object and the maintenance device. The object is to be conveyed along the first conveyance path. The maintenance device is to be conveyed along the second conveyance path. The applicator includes a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles to discharge the liquid is formed. The maintenance device includes a wiper to wipe the nozzle surface. The first conveyance path overlaps with the second conveyance path at least at a portion at which the first conveyance path passes by the applicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yohsuke Konishi, Takayuki Niihara, Takashi Fujita, Yukihiro Wakabayashi
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Patent number: 9004390Abstract: A roll medium holding unit is disclosed that includes a core part configured to be inserted in a core pipe of a roll medium; and plural diameter-increasing members configured to be variably arranged at corresponding first positions provided along a periphery of the core part and arranged at corresponding second positions provided away from the core part. The roll medium holding unit is capable of being set in a first holding state where the diameter-increasing members arranged at an outer peripheral surface of the core part support the roll medium with the diameter-increasing members arranged at the corresponding first positions and capable of being set in a second holding state where the core part of a holding member supports the roll medium with the diameter-increasing members arranged at the corresponding second positions.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Morinaga, Kazuhiro Wakamatsu, Takayuki Niihara, Kikuya Nakada
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Patent number: 8888247Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a head holder, a carriage, a guide member, a reference member, and a pressing unit. The recording head has a plurality of nozzles to eject liquid droplets. The head holder holds the recording head. The carriage is reciprocally movable in a main scanning direction and holds the head holder. The guide member is disposed along the main scanning direction to guide the carriage along the main scanning direction. The reference member is disposed parallel to the guide member in the carriage to rotatably hold the head holder. The pressing unit presses the head holder toward the carriage. The head holder is pressed against the reference member and the carriage by the pressing unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Niihara, Shinichiro Naruse, Kenji Shimizu
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Patent number: 8888238Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head including plural nozzles discharging liquid droplets, a head holder holding the recording head, a carriage holding the head holder, a guide member extending in a main scanning direction of the image forming apparatus, and a reference member extending in the direction substantially parallel to the direction of the guide member. Further, the carriage moves along the guide member, a part of the reference member is disposed in the carriage, and the head holder is attachably and detachably hooked on and held by the reference member.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shinichiro Naruse, Takayuki Niihara, Kenji Shimizu
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Patent number: 8821051Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet, disposed in an upper portion of the image forming apparatus; at least upper and lower sheet roll supporters provided one above the other below the image forming unit to support a sheet roll, the lower sheet roll supporter offset proximally toward a front surface of the image forming apparatus from the upper sheet roll supporter; and multiple openings provided in the front surface of the image forming apparatus for the at least upper and lower sheet roll supporters through which the sheet roll is set to the at least upper and lower sheet roll supporters, an upper edge of the opening for the upper sheet roll supporter having a sloped portion tilting downward from the front surface to the back of the image forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Takayuki Niihara, Masahiko Yamada, Masato Ogawa, Yuichiro Maeyama
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Patent number: 8790028Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image reading unit to read an image of a document, disposed in an upper portion of the image forming apparatus; an image forming unit to form the image on a sheet, disposed below the image reading unit; at least upper and lower sheet roll supporters provided one above the other below the image forming unit to support a sheet roll, the lower sheet roll supporter offset proximally toward a front surface of the image forming apparatus from the upper sheet roll supporter; and multiple openings provided in the front surface of the image forming apparatus for the at least upper and lower sheet roll supporters through which the sheet roll is set to the at least upper and lower sheet roll supporters from a front surface side of the image forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Takayuki Niihara, Masahiko Yamada, Yuichiro Maeyama, Masato Ogawa
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Patent number: 8777373Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a carriage, a drive mechanism, a flexible harness, and a support member. The carriage includes a recording head to jet liquid droplets. The drive mechanism, which moves the carriage in a main scanning direction, includes a belt extending in the main scanning direction. The flexible harness, connecting the recording head and another unit, transmits signals between the recording head and another unit. The support member supports the flexible harness in an upright position over the belt. The flexible harness is routed at least partially in the main scanning direction of the carriage. The support member includes a regulation member at an exit portion of the support member to set a vertical height of the support member at the regulation member smaller than a width of the flexible harness.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Niihara, Shinichiro Naruse
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Patent number: 8770717Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a carriage, an image forming unit, a driving pulley, a driven pulley, a driving source, an open-ended carriage drawing member, and a mount. The drawing member is extended between the pulleys and having end portions mounted to the carriage. Each end portion has a surface including an indented area. The mount is disposed on the carriage and having first engagement portions and second engagement portions. Each first engagement portion has at least one indented area to engage the indented area of the drawing member. Each second engagement portion is connected to a corresponding first engagement portion in an orientation to be folded back relative to the corresponding first engagement portion. The end portions are mounted to the mount in a state in which the surface having the indented area is directed to a portion folded back along a corresponding second engagement portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shinichiro Naruse, Takayuki Niihara, Soichi Saiga, Kenji Shimizu
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Patent number: 8632160Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes recording heads, head holders, a carriage, a guide member, a reference member, and a pressing member. The recording heads have nozzles to eject liquid droplets. The holders hold the recording heads. The carriage is reciprocally movable in a main scanning direction and holding the holders. The guide member is disposed along the main scanning direction to guide the carriage along the main scanning direction. The reference member is disposed parallel to the guide member in the carriage to hold the holders. The pressing member presses at least one of the holders toward at least another of the holders. The holders have reference faces to contact each other in the main scanning direction to determine relative positions of the holders. With the recording heads positioned based on the reference faces of the holders, the recording heads are held by the holders.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masato Ogawa, Shinichiro Naruse, Kenji Shimizu, Takayuki Niihara
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Patent number: 8593651Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image reading unit disposed in an upper portion of the image forming apparatus, an image forming unit disposed below the image reading unit to form an image on a sheet fed from a sheet roll, a pair of flange members attached to both lateral ends of the sheet roll in a width direction of the sheet roll, a sheet roll supporter disposed below the image reading unit in a rear portion of the image forming apparatus to support the sheet roll, an opening through which the sheet roll is set to the sheet roll supporter, and a guide assembly provided at upper and lower parts of the opening to position at least one of the pair of flange members attached to the sheet roll in the width direction to guide the sheet roll to the sheet roll supporter.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Niihara, Masahiko Yamada, Yuichiro Maeyama, Masato Ogawa, Shigeru Morinaga, Kazuhiro Wakamatsu
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Patent number: 8573723Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a head holder, a carriage, a guide member, a reference member, an intermediate member, and an adjuster. The recording head has a plurality of nozzles to eject liquid droplets. The head holder holds the recording head. The carriage is reciprocally movable in a main scanning direction and holds the head holder. The guide member is disposed along the main scanning direction to guide the carriage along the main scanning direction. The reference member is disposed parallel to the guide member in the carriage to hold the head holder. The intermediate member is displaceably disposed between the head holder and the carriage and held by the carriage. The adjuster adjusts a position of the head holder by displacing the intermediate member.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Shimizu, Takayuki Niihara, Shinichiro Naruse
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Publication number: 20130070022Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes recording heads, head holders, a carriage, a guide member, a reference member, and a pressing member. The recording heads have nozzles to eject liquid droplets. The holders hold the recording heads. The carriage is reciprocally movable in a main scanning direction and holding the holders. The guide member is disposed along the main scanning direction to guide the carriage along the main scanning direction. The reference member is disposed parallel to the guide member in the carriage to hold the holders. The pressing member presses at least one of the holders toward at least another of the holders. The holders have reference faces to contact each other in the main scanning direction to determine relative positions of the holders. With the recording heads positioned based on the reference faces of the holders, the recording heads are held by the holders.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Masato OGAWA, Shinichiro Naruse, Kenji Shimizu, Takayuki Niihara
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Publication number: 20120306970Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head including plural nozzles discharging liquid droplets, a head holder holding the recording head, a carriage holding the head holder, a guide member extending in a main scanning direction of the image forming apparatus, and a reference member extending in the direction substantially parallel to the direction of the guide member. Further, the carriage moves along the guide member, a part of the reference member is disposed in the carriage, and the head holder is attachably and detachably hooked on and held by the reference member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shinichiro NARUSE, Takayuki NIIHARA, Kenji SHIMIZU
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Publication number: 20120306960Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a head holder, a carriage, a guide member, a reference member, and a pressing unit. The recording head has a plurality of nozzles to eject liquid droplets. The head holder holds the recording head. The carriage is reciprocally movable in a main scanning direction and holds the head holder. The guide member is disposed along the main scanning direction to guide the carriage along the main scanning direction. The reference member is disposed parallel to the guide member in the carriage to rotatably hold the head holder. The pressing unit presses the head holder toward the carriage. The head holder is pressed against the reference member and the carriage by the pressing unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Takayuki NIIHARA, Shinichiro Naruse, Kenji Shimizu
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Publication number: 20120306967Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a head holder, a carriage, a guide member, a reference member, an intermediate member, and an adjuster. The recording head has a plurality of nozzles to eject liquid droplets. The head holder holds the recording head. The carriage is reciprocally movable in a main scanning direction and holds the head holder. The guide member is disposed along the main scanning direction to guide the carriage along the main scanning direction. The reference member is disposed parallel to the guide member in the carriage to hold the head holder. The intermediate member is displaceably disposed between the head holder and the carriage and held by the carriage. The adjuster adjusts a position of the head holder by displacing the intermediate member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Kenji SHIMIZU, Takayuki Niihara, Shinichiro Naruse
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Patent number: 8167307Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus that includes an image forming unit that forms an image and a conveyance unit that conveys a medium to be recorded opposing the image forming unit. The conveyance unit includes a platen member that guides the medium to be recorded and has plural suction holes formed therein, plural air chambers that the plural suction holes formed in the platen member face, and plural suction units that suction air inside the plural air chambers through the suction holes. At least two or more of the plural air chambers are arranged in a direction crossing a conveyance direction of the medium to be recorded. One of the plural air chambers is connected to one of the plural suction units, and one or two or more of the plural air chambers is connected to at least one of the plural suction units.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yuichiro Maeyama, Takayuki Niihara, Masahiko Yamada, Masato Ogawa
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Publication number: 20120062649Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a carriage, an image forming unit, a driving pulley, a driven pulley, a driving source, an open-ended carriage drawing member, and a mount. The drawing member is extended between the pulleys and having end portions mounted to the carriage. Each end portion has a surface including an indented area. The mount is disposed on the carriage and having first engagement portions and second engagement portions. Each first engagement portion has at least one indented area to engage the indented area of the drawing member. Each second engagement portion is connected to a corresponding first engagement portion in an orientation to be folded back relative to the corresponding first engagement portion. The end portions are mounted to the mount in a state in which the surface having the indented area is directed to a portion folded back along a corresponding second engagement portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shinichiro NARUSE, Takayuki Niihara, Soichi Saiga, Kenji Shimizu
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Patent number: 8132883Abstract: An inkjet-type image forming apparatus includes a recording head configured to eject ink to form an image; a carriage where the recording head is provided, the carriage being configured to reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to a sheet transport direction; a transport unit disposed upstream of a print area in the sheet transport direction, the transport unit being configured to intermittently transport a sheet to the print area; a transport control unit configured to control the transport unit; a platen guide plate; a suction unit configured to suction the sheet onto the platen guide plate; and a control unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Niihara, Mamoru Yorimoto, Yuichiro Maeyama
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Publication number: 20120032021Abstract: A roll medium holding unit is disclosed that includes a core part configured to be inserted in a core pipe of a roll medium; and plural diameter-increasing members configured to be variably arranged at corresponding first positions provided along a periphery of the core part and arranged at corresponding second positions provided away from the core part. The roll medium holding unit is capable of being set in a first holding state where the diameter-increasing members arranged at an outer peripheral surface of the core part support the roll medium with the diameter-increasing members arranged at the corresponding first positions and capable of being set in a second holding state where the core part of a holding member supports the roll medium with the diameter-increasing members arranged at the corresponding second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: SHIGERU MORINAGA, KAZUHIRO WAKAMATSU, TAKAYUKI NIIHARA, KIKUYA NAKADA
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Patent number: 8079679Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a carriage, a plurality of sub-tanks, a main tank, and a plurality of supply tubes. The carriage includes a plurality of recording heads that jet liquid droplets of a plurality of colored ink. The plurality of sub-tanks supply the plurality of recording heads with the corresponding colored ink. The main tank supplies the corresponding colored ink to each of the sub-tanks. The plurality of supply tubes connect the main tank and the sub-tanks. The plurality of supply tubes are fused in a band-shape at a position between the main tank and the carriage, and a maximum of two of the supply tubes are fused together at a position corresponding to a groove of a tube fixing unit provided to the carriage.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shinichiro Naruse, Takayuki Niihara