Patents by Inventor Tatsuo Ogasawara
Tatsuo Ogasawara 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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Patent number: 11977345Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a holder holding the nip forming member, a first stay supporting the holder, an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator, a second stay, and a connector. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay extends in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis. The second stay is positioned upstream of the first stay in a moving direction of the belt at the nip. The moving direction is perpendicular to the width direction. The connector extends through at least one of the first stay and the second stay to connect the first stay to the second stay.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuna Taguchi, Hiroshi Handa, Shuhei Fukue, Tomonori Watanabe, Kenji Takeuchi, Tatsuo Ogasawara
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Patent number: 11675293Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first fixing member, a second fixing member, and a controller. The second fixing member includes a first nip forming member and a second nip forming member each configured to nip an endless belt in combination with the first fixing member to form a nip region. A first end face on a first-fixing-member side of the first nip forming member is located closer, than a second end face on a first-fixing-member side of the second nip forming member, to the first fixing member. The controller is capable of executing a first printing process performed in a nip region formed between each of the first nip forming member and the second nip forming member and the first fixing member, and a second printing process performed in a nip region formed between only the first fixing member and the first fixing member.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hirotaka Imaeda, Tomonori Watanabe, Tatsuo Ogasawara, Shuhei Fukue
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Patent number: 11635716Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a first stay surrounded by the belt and extending in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis, a holder holding the nip forming member, and an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay includes a first end and a second end. The holder includes a first engaging portion positioned at a first end of the holder, and a second engaging portion positioned at a second end of the holder. The first engaging portion engages the first end of the first stay. The second engaging portion engages the second end of the first stay.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi Handa, Tomonori Watanabe, Shuhei Fukue, Kenji Takeuchi, Kazuna Taguchi, Tatsuo Ogasawara
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Patent number: 11614702Abstract: In a fixing device, an endless belt is nipped between a roller and a nip-forming member, and a sheet is conveyed through a first nip region formed between the endless belt and the roller by the nip-forming member. A pair of conveyor rollers located downstream of the first nip region in a sheet conveyance direction are configured to convey the sheet through a second nip region formed therebetween. A sheet guide located between the roller and the pair of conveyor rollers includes a first guide which in a plane perpendicular to a rotation axis of the roller, intersects with a line tangent to an outer cylindrical surface of the roller at a downstream end of the first nip region, while an extension line of the first guide intersects with a line segment connecting the downstream end of the first nip region to an upstream end of the second nip region.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuhei Fukue, Tatsuo Ogasawara, Tokifumi Tanaka, Tomonori Watanabe
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Publication number: 20220269200Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a first stay surrounded by the belt and extending in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis, a holder holding the nip forming member, and an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay includes a first end and a second end. The holder includes a first engaging portion positioned at a first end of the holder, and a second engaging portion positioned at a second end of the holder. The first engaging portion engages the first end of the first stay. The second engaging portion engages the second end of the first stay.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi HANDA, Tomonori WATANABE, Shuhei FUKUE, Kenji TAKEUCHI, Kazuna TAGUCHI, Tatsuo OGASAWARA
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Patent number: 11353811Abstract: A fixing device includes a roller having a rotation axis, and a belt unit that conveys a sheet in combination with the roller. The belt unit includes an endless belt, a nip forming member that forms a nip in combination with the roller, and an upstream belt guide. The fixing device further includes a chute having a guide surface configured to guide the sheet toward the nip. In a section orthogonal to the rotation axis, a line segment connecting a downstream end of the guide surface and an upstream end of the nip does not intersect the upstream belt guide, and an extended line extended from the downstream end of the guide surface along the guide surface toward the roller intersects a surface of the roller at a position upstream of an upstream end of the nip.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2021Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hirotaka Imaeda, Kenji Takeuchi, Tokifumi Tanaka, Tomonori Watanabe, Tatsuo Ogasawara
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Patent number: 11300907Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a first stay surrounded by the belt and extending in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis, a holder holding the nip forming member, and an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay includes a first end and a second end. The holder includes a first engaging portion positioned at a first end of the holder, and a second engaging portion positioned at a second end of the holder. The first engaging portion engages the first end of the first stay. The second engaging portion engages the second end of the first stay.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2021Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi Handa, Tomonori Watanabe, Shuhei Fukue, Kenji Takeuchi, Kazuna Taguchi, Tatsuo Ogasawara
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Patent number: 11281142Abstract: In a fixing device, a pressure unit is pressed toward a roller by an arm, to form a nip region. The pressure unit includes a belt configured to contact the roller in a nip region, a pressure pad configured to press the belt in combination with the roller, and a side guide including an end guide surface configured to guide a side end of the belt, and a stay configured to support the pressure pad. A supporting member is located on an outer side of the side guide that is opposite to an inner side on which the end guide surface faces. The supporting member is held between the stay and the arm, the supporting member comprising a contact surface which contacts the side guide and on which the side guide is swayably supported.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mingguang Zhang, Tatsuo Ogasawara, Kenji Takeuchi, Tokifumi Tanaka
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Publication number: 20220035283Abstract: In a fixing device, an endless belt is nipped between a roller and a nip-forming member, and a sheet is conveyed through a first nip region formed between the endless belt and the roller by the nip-forming member. A pair of conveyor rollers located downstream of the first nip region in a sheet conveyance direction are configured to convey the sheet through a second nip region formed therebetween. A sheet guide located between the roller and the pair of conveyor rollers includes a first guide which in a plane perpendicular to a rotation axis of the roller, intersects with a line tangent to an outer cylindrical surface of the roller at a downstream end of the first nip region, while an extension line of the first guide intersects with a line segment connecting the downstream end of the first nip region to an upstream end of the second nip region.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuhei FUKUE, Tatsuo OGASAWARA, Tokifumi TANAKA, Tomonori WATANABE
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Publication number: 20220035284Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first fixing member, a second fixing member, and a controller. The second fixing member includes a first nip forming member and a second nip forming member each configured to nip an endless belt in combination with the first fixing member to form a nip region. A first end face on a first-fixing-member side of the first nip forming member is located closer, than a second end face on a first-fixing-member side of the second nip forming member, to the first fixing member. The controller is capable of executing a first printing process performed in a nip region formed between each of the first nip forming member and the second nip forming member and the first fixing member, and a second printing process performed in a nip region formed between only the first fixing member and the first fixing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hirotaka Imaeda, Tomonori Watanabe, Tatsuo Ogasawara, Shuhei Fukue
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Publication number: 20210311422Abstract: A fixing device includes a roller having a rotation axis, and a belt unit that conveys a sheet in combination with the roller. The belt unit includes an endless belt, a nip forming member that forms a nip in combination with the roller, and an upstream belt guide. The fixing device further includes a chute having a guide surface configured to guide the sheet toward the nip. In a section orthogonal to the rotation axis, a line segment connecting a downstream end of the guide surface and an upstream end of the nip does not intersect the upstream belt guide, and an extended line extended from the downstream end of the guide surface along the guide surface toward the roller intersects a surface of the roller at a position upstream of an upstream end of the nip.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hirotaka Imaeda, Kenji Takeuchi, Tokifumi Tanaka, Tomonori Watanabe, Tatsuo Ogasawara
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Publication number: 20210240118Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a first stay surrounded by the belt and extending in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis, a holder holding the nip forming member, and an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay includes a first end and a second end. The holder includes a first engaging portion positioned at a first end of the holder, and a second engaging portion positioned at a second end of the holder. The first engaging portion engages the first end of the first stay. The second engaging portion engages the second end of the first stay.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi HANDA, Tomonori WATANABE, Shuhei FUKUE, Kenji TAKEUCHI, Kazuna TAGUCHI, Tatsuo OGASAWARA
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Publication number: 20210200131Abstract: In a fixing device, a pressure unit is pressed toward a roller by an arm, to form a nip region. The pressure unit includes a belt configured to contact the roller in a nip region, a pressure pad configured to press the belt in combination with the roller, and a side guide including an end guide surface configured to guide a side end of the belt, and a stay configured to support the pressure pad. A supporting member is located on an outer side of the side guide that is opposite to an inner side on which the end guide surface faces. The supporting member is held between the stay and the arm, the supporting member comprising a contact surface which contacts the side guide and on which the side guide is swayably supported.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2020Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mingguang ZHANG, Tatsuo OGASAWARA, Kenji TAKEUCHI, Tokifumi TANAKA
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Publication number: 20210181662Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a holder holding the nip forming member, a first stay supporting the holder, an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator, a second stay, and a connector. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay extends in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis. The second stay is positioned upstream of the first stay in a moving direction of the belt at the nip. The moving direction is perpendicular to the width direction. The connector extends through at least one of the first stay and the second stay to connect the first stay to the second stay.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuna TAGUCHI, Hiroshi HANDA, Shuhei FUKUE, Tomonori WATANABE, Kenji TAKEUCHI, Tatsuo OGASAWARA
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Patent number: 10996600Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a first stay surrounded by the belt and extending in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis, a holder holding the nip forming member, and an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay includes a first end and a second end. The holder includes a first engaging portion positioned at a first end of the holder, and a second engaging portion positioned at a second end of the holder. The first engaging portion engages the first end of the first stay. The second engaging portion engages the second end of the first stay.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi Handa, Tomonori Watanabe, Shuhei Fukue, Kenji Takeuchi, Kazuna Taguchi, Tatsuo Ogasawara
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Patent number: 10942478Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a holder holding the nip forming member, a first stay supporting the holder, an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator, a second stay, and a connector. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay extends in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis. The second stay is positioned upstream of the first stay in a moving direction of the belt at the nip. The moving direction is perpendicular to the width direction. The connector extends through at least one of the first stay and the second stay to connect the first stay to the second stay.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuna Taguchi, Hiroshi Handa, Shuhei Fukue, Tomonori Watanabe, Kenji Takeuchi, Tatsuo Ogasawara
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Publication number: 20200310312Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a holder holding the nip forming member, a first stay supporting the holder, an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator, a second stay, and a connector. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay extends in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis. The second stay is positioned upstream of the first stay in a moving direction of the belt at the nip. The moving direction is perpendicular to the width direction. The connector extends through at least one of the first stay and the second stay to connect the first stay to the second stay.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuna TAGUCHI, Hiroshi HANDA, Shuhei FUKUE, Tomonori WATANABE, Kenji TAKEUCHI, Tatsuo OGASAWARA
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Publication number: 20200310314Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a first stay surrounded by the belt and extending in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis, a holder holding the nip forming member, and an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay includes a first end and a second end. The holder includes a first engaging portion positioned at a first end of the holder, and a second engaging portion positioned at a second end of the holder. The first engaging portion engages the first end of the first stay. The second engaging portion engages the second end of the first stay.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi HANDA, Tomonori WATANABE, Shuhei FUKUE, Kenji TAKEUCHI, Kazuna TAGUCHI, Tatsuo OGASAWARA
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Patent number: 10599092Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a heating unit; a pressure roller; a first frame supporting the heating unit; a second frame engaging the first frame; a first gear; a second gear; and a fixing member. The second frame supports a shaft portion of the pressure roller. The first gear is provided at one end of the shaft portion and rotatable with the pressure roller. The second gear engages the first gear and transmits a drive force to the first gear. The fixing member has a first portion engaging the shaft portion and a second portion engaging the second frame. At least a part of the first portion engages the shaft portion at a position on a downstream side of the shaft portion in a second direction in which the shaft portion receives a force upon transmission of the drive force.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroki Mori, Hiroshi Handa, Tatsuo Ogasawara, Takuji Matsuno
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Patent number: 10390794Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe with transducers, memory storing probe identification information and binary state generation unit generating a binary electrical state corresponding to a probe identifier, probe identifier conversion unit converting the electrical state into the probe identifier, read unit reading the probe identification information from the memory, determination unit determining consistency between the probe identifier after conversion and the probe identification information read from the memory, and warning output unit outputting a predetermined warning if the probe identifier is inconsistent with the probe identification information.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Canon Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Koji Kuroiwa, Tatsuo Ogasawara, Kazuhito Nakata, Gen Nagano, Kenichi Unayama, Takeshi Fukasawa, Fumio Mochizuki