Abstract: A clutch 100 includes: an internal gear 3 that includes a gear tooth formed on an inner-surface side thereof; a sun gear 4 that is disposed on the same shaft at a central portion of the inner side of the internal gear 3; one or more planetary gears 5 that are disposed between an outer circumferential surface of the sun gear 4 and an inner surface of the internal gear 3; a carrier 6 that is provided with a boss portion 6a that supports rotatably the planetary gear 5; an electromagnetic coil portion 7; a rotation limit member 8 that is slidably inserted into the electromagnetic coil portion 7 in a shaft direction and selectively disposed at a first position for limiting rotation of the internal gear 3 or the sun gear 4 or at a second position for permitting the rotations of the internal gear 3 and the sun gear 4; and an elastic member 9 that is disposed between the electromagnetic coil portion 7 and the first flange portion 8b of the rotation limit member 8.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having: a plurality of photoreceptors provided along a sheet transportation path and each extending perpendicularly to the sheet transportation path; and an imaging mechanism for forming toner images on surfaces of the respective photoreceptors. A pair of support plates receive opposite end circumferential portions of the respective photoreceptors to support the photoreceptors together in a parallel relation. Bearings are fitted around the opposite end circumferential portions of the respective photoreceptors, and the pair of support plates each have the same number of cut-away portions as the number of the photoreceptors for receiving outer rings of the bearings, the cut-away portions being formed in a spaced apart relation.

Abstract: An image-forming machine which forms an image on a photosensitive material drum which passes through the steps of electric charging, exposure to light, developing and transfer. A pair of side walls are disposed opposite to each other, spaced at a distance. Inner wheels of bearings have an inner wheel and an outer wheel. The inner wheels are secured to the outer peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive material drum at both ends thereof, and outer wheels of the bearings are secured to the corresponding side walls, so that the photosensitive material drum is rotatably supported by the side walls.

Abstract: This is invention is directed to a shaft coupling for coupling a first shaft and a second shaft. The shaft coupling includes an outer ring for encasing one end of the first shaft and one end of the second shaft; a first pin provided in the outer ring and the first pin extending in a first direction; and a second pin provided in the outer ring and the second pin extending in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction; wherein the first shaft and the first pin are so set such that the end of the first shaft is movable along the first pin and the second shaft and the second pin are so set that the end of the second shaft is displaceable along the second pin.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having components which are secured and supported by a resin apparatus body. The body if formed of mutually separable upper and lower casings, which are coupled in shiplap style. At least the upper casing is formed of a monocoque construction, and the lower casing may be formed of a monocoque construction as well.

Abstract: A toner cartridge is extractably set in a storing recess of an image forming apparatus main body, and toner is supplemented to a specified part of the image forming apparatus main body. While the toner cartridge is brand-new, an inner seal member peelably adhered to the lower surface of the toner cartridge main body seals the toner dropping opening at the lower surface. After setting the toner cartridge in the storing recess, by peeling off and taking up the inner seal member by the take-up shaft, the toner dropping opening is unsealed. An outer seal member provided slidably along the lower surface of the toner cartridge main body opens or closes the toner dropping opening beneath the inner seal member. When the toner cartridge is drawn out from the storing recess, an outer seal member operating member becomes engaged with an engaging part of the image forming apparatus main body, thereby automatically closing the outer seal member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed having a main body made of resin formed in a monocoque structure. The main body incorporates the functional components and is formed from separable upper and lower casings. The functional components of the apparatus are held by the casings. A document delivery device is located on the upper part of the upper casing. This delivery device includes a pair of delivery rollers for delivering a document along the top surface of the upper casing with the document held by and between the delivery rollers. The image forming apparatus further includes electrical connections which prevent the upper and lower casings from being separated from one another while electrical power is being supplied to the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrostatic latent image development having two or more units for multicolor development provided around a photoreceptor. Each unit has a developer feed controller for feeding developer to the developing section having a developing roller facing the photoreceptor drum and for shutting off the feeding and has a doctor blade in the feed up-stream in turning direction of the developing roller. Developer is applied to the developing section when development is performed by displacement of the developer feed controller and is shut off when the developing unit is not used for development.