Patents by Inventor Yoichiro NISHIMURA

Yoichiro NISHIMURA 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).

  • Publication number: 20200307929
    Abstract: A sheet feed device includes a housing, a tray, a feed roller, an arm, a pad, and a protruding portion. The housing has a sheet conveyance path. The tray includes a bottom plate having a sheet support surface that supports a sheet. The sheet conveyance path extends upward from the sheet support surface. The feed roller rotates about a rotational axis and feeds the sheet supported on the sheet support surface in a first direction. The arm rotatably supports the feed roller. The arm swingably moves about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the feed roller. The pad is disposed on the bottom plate. The pad has a higher friction coefficient than a friction coefficient of the sheet support surface. The protruding portion protrudes upward from the sheet support surface at a position shifted from the pad in a second direction opposite from the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Yoichiro NISHIMURA, Asami HASHIMOTO, Gakuro KANAZAWA, Tetsuo ASADA
  • Publication number: 20200299085
    Abstract: In a transport device, a cover defining a portion of a transport path is pivotable between a closed state and an open state. The cover is movable while in the closed state between a first position and a second position lower than the first position. An urging member urges the cover from the second position toward the first position. The cover includes a main body for guiding the sheet in the transport direction and an engagement portion engaged with a frame when the cover is at the first position to restrict pivoting of the cover from the first position to a third position at which the cover is in the open state. The engagement portion is disengaged from the frame when the cover is at the second position to allow pivoting of the cover from the second position to the third position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuo ASADA, Asami HASHIMOTO, Gakuro KANAZAWA, Yoichiro NISHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20200238739
    Abstract: A slide member slides in conjunction with reciprocation of a carriage. The slide member slides between a first position and a second position to cause a switch gear to move between a plurality of slide positions at which the switch gear engages respective ones of a plurality of transmission gears. The slide member at the second position is closer to a first end of a shaft than the slide member at the first position is. A first cover covers a first sliding contact portion of the shaft over an entire range of the first sliding contact portion in a main scanning direction. The slide member is in sliding contact with the first sliding contact portion when the slide member slides between the first position and the second position. The first sliding contact portion is closer to the first end than the slide member located at the first position is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Yuta Arakawa, Yoichiro Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20200171859
    Abstract: A front plate is rotatably supported at an end portion of a tray in a pulling direction. The front plate rotatably moves between: a first position at which the front plate extends diagonally upward in the pulling direction from a first end portion at which a rotational axis is located toward a second end portion opposite the first end portion; and a second position at which the second end portion of the front plate is located at a position that is higher than the second end portion at the first position and that is shifted in an insertion direction from the second end portion at the first position. The front plate includes a grip and a surface. The surface of the front plate faces in the pulling direction and downward in a state where the front plate is located at the first position, wherein the surface surrounds the grip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Tetsuo ASADA, Yoichiro NISHIMURA, Asami HASHIMOTO, Gakuro KANAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20200172355
    Abstract: A housing is formed with a first opening and a sheet conveyance path. A tray is inserted into the housing through the first opening in a first direction and pulled out in a second direction opposite from the first direction. The tray supports a sheet. The tray includes a bottom plate, a front plate, and a cover. The bottom plate supports a sheet. The front plate protrudes upward from an end portion of the bottom plate in the second direction. The cover is configured to move between a first position at which the cover closes a second opening and a second position at which the cover opens the second opening. The second opening is defined by an end of a top plate in the second direction and an upper end of the front plate, the top plate covering an upper side of a space that accommodates a sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Tetsuo ASADA, Yoichiro NISHIMURA, Asami HASHIMOTO, Gakuro KANAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20190263609
    Abstract: A sheet supplier includes: a tray having a support surface; a roller that supplies a sheet supported on the support surface; an arm pivotable about a pivot shaft, extending in a supply direction and toward the support surface, and supports the roller at its pivotal distal end portion; a motor; and a driving-force transmitting mechanism supported by the arm and configured to transmit a driving force supplied from the motor, to the roller. The driving-force transmitting mechanism includes: a rotating member supported by the pivot shaft and configured to be rotated by the driving force supplied from the motor; and a speed changer configured to determine a rotational speed of the roller to a speed different from a rotational speed of the rotating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Yoichiro Nishimura, Gakuro Kanazawa, Tetsuo Asada, Asami Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9776433
    Abstract: A conveyor includes: a first power transmitting mechanism configured to transmit one of forward rotation and reverse rotation of a motor to a first roller and not to transmit the other from a driven member to the first roller; and a second power transmitting mechanism configured to transmit the other rotation to the first roller and not to transmit the one rotation to the first roller. The first power transmitting mechanism includes a transmission delayer that does not transmit rotation of the motor from the driven member to the first roller until the motor is rotated by a particular amount from a time point at which the motor starts to be rotated in a rotational direction of the one rotation when rotation transmitted from the motor to the driven member is changed from the other rotation to the one rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoichiro Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9624051
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes: a main unit; a tray main body pivotable between a standing position and an inclined position; and a tray cover connected to the tray main body and pivotable between a bent position and a straight position. A space formed between the main unit and the tray main body is covered by the tray cover located at the bent position relative to the tray main body at the standing position and exposed by the tray cover located at the straight position relative to the tray main body at the inclined position. The tray cover pivoting from the straight position to the bent position relative to the tray main body at the inclined position causes the tray main body to pivot from the inclined position to the standing position, so that the tray cover covers the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Wakakusa, Yoichiro Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20170087877
    Abstract: A conveyor includes: a first power transmitting mechanism configured to transmit one of forward rotation and reverse rotation of a motor to a first roller and not to transmit the other from a driven member to the first roller; and a second power transmitting mechanism configured to transmit the other rotation to the first roller and not to transmit the one rotation to the first roller. The first power transmitting mechanism includes a transmission delayer that does not transmit rotation of the motor from the driven member to the first roller until the motor is rotated by a particular amount from a time point at which the motor starts to be rotated in a rotational direction of the one rotation when rotation transmitted from the motor to the driven member is changed from the other rotation to the one rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoichiro NISHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20160332828
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes: a main unit; a tray main body pivotable between a standing position and an inclined position; and a tray cover connected to the tray main body and pivotable between a bent position and a straight position. A space formed between the main unit and the tray main body is covered by the tray cover located at the bent position relative to the tray main body at the standing position and exposed by the tray cover located at the straight position relative to the tray main body at the inclined position. The tray cover pivoting from the straight position to the bent position relative to the tray main body at the inclined position causes the tray main body to pivot from the inclined position to the standing position, so that the tray cover covers the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke WAKAKUSA, Yoichiro NISHIMURA
  • Patent number: 9327533
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus, including: a carriage configured to reciprocate in main scanning directions composed of a first direction and a second direction; and a lever member having a lever arm; and a first guide member for guiding the lever arm that protrudes into a movement region of the carriage, wherein the first guide member has an elongate hole through which the lever arm passes and which is defined by first and second edge portions extending in the main scanning directions, the second edge portion located more distant from the carriage than the first edge portion extending outward, in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning directions, from a carriage region over which the carriage passes, the second edge portion having a guide portion inclined such that its downstream end in the second direction is closer to the carriage region than its upstream end in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Wakakusa, Yoichiro Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20160089915
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus, including: a carriage configured to reciprocate in main scanning directions composed of a first direction and a second direction; and a lever member having a lever arm; and a first guide member for guiding the lever arm that protrudes into a movement region of the carriage, wherein the first guide member has an elongate hole through which the lever arm passes and which is defined by first and second edge portions extending in the main scanning directions, the second edge portion located more distant from the carriage than the first edge portion extending outward, in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning directions, from a carriage region over which the carriage passes, the second edge portion having a guide portion inclined such that its downstream end in the second direction is closer to the carriage region than its upstream end in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke WAKAKUSA, Yoichiro NISHIMURA
  • Patent number: 9261902
    Abstract: An electric device with a tilt mechanism is provided. The electric device includes a main body and a panel body rotatable with respect to the main body about a rotation axis. The electric device includes an engagement piece mounted on one of the panel body and the main body and an engaging piece mounted on the other one of the panel body and the main body. The engagement piece is formed to have a plurality of teeth on a plane spreading orthogonally with respect to the rotation axis. The plurality of teeth are disposed along a circumference centered on the rotation axis at a predetermined interval from one another. The engaging piece includes an engaging claw configured to be movable to be closer to and farther from the engagement piece, and an urging member configured to urge the engaging claw in a direction to be closer to the engagement piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro Nishimura, Tomohiro Wada
  • Patent number: 8655226
    Abstract: The opening and closing apparatus includes a lower unit case, an upper unit case, a hinge, a lower guide member, an upper guide member and an opening/closing linking unit. The upper unit case is configured to open and close with respect to the lower unit case. The lower guide member is disposed in the lower unit case, and the upper guide member is disposed in the upper unit case. The opening/closing linking unit includes a first rotating member, a second rotating member and a linking portion. As the upper unit case is closed, the opening/closing linking unit moves from the base end side toward the distal end side along the upper guide member and the lower guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoichiro Nishimura, Kumiko Kuriki, Yukio Shiohara, Kazuhito Ishida, Masahisa Kato, Tomohisa Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8655227
    Abstract: The opening and closing apparatus includes a lower unit case, an upper unit case, a hinge, a lower guide member, an upper guide member and an opening/closing linking unit. The upper unit case is configured to open and close with respect to the lower unit case. The lower guide member is disposed in the lower unit case, and the upper guide member is disposed in the upper unit case. The opening/closing linking unit includes a first rotating member, a second rotating member and a linking portion. As the upper unit case is closed, the opening/closing linking unit moves from the base end side toward the distal end side along the upper guide member and the lower guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoichiro Nishimura, Kumiko Kuriki, Yukio Shiohara, Kazuhito Ishida, Masahisa Kato, Tomohisa Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20140029180
    Abstract: An electric device with a tilt mechanism is provided. The electric device includes a main body and a panel body rotatable with respect to the main body about a rotation axis. The electric device includes an engagement piece mounted on one of the panel body and the main body and an engaging piece mounted on the other one of the panel body and the main body. The engagement piece is formed to have a plurality of teeth on a plane spreading orthogonally with respect to the rotation axis. The plurality of teeth are disposed along a circumference centered on the rotation axis at a predetermined interval from one another. The engaging piece includes an engaging claw configured to be movable to be closer to and farther from the engagement piece, and an urging member configured to urge the engaging claw in a direction to be closer to the engagement piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoichiro NISHIMURA, Tomohiro WADA
  • Patent number: 8611792
    Abstract: There is provided an opening/closing device for an upper unit case, including a pair of guide members formed of lower and upper guide members provided on lower and upper unit cases respectively, at least one of the lower and upper guide member being configured to be swingable in an up and down direction; a movable body which is connected movably to the lower and upper guide members and which has a rotary body installed in the movable body while being fitted rollably with respect to the lower and lower guide members; and a regulating mechanism which regulates swinging amount in the up and down direction of the at least one guide member configured to be swingable in the up and down direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoichiro Nishimura, Kumiko Kuriki, Yukio Shiohara, Kazuhito Ishida, Masahisa Kato, Tomohisa Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20110241511
    Abstract: The opening and closing apparatus includes a lower unit case, an upper unit case, a hinge, a lower guide member, an upper guide member and an opening/closing linking unit. The upper unit case is configured to open and close with respect to the lower unit case. The lower guide member is disposed in the lower unit case, and the upper guide member is disposed in the upper unit case. The opening/closing linking unit includes a first rotating member, a second rotating member and a linking portion. As the upper unit case is closed, the opening/closing linking unit moves from the base end side toward the distal end side along the upper guide member and the lower guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro NISHIMURA, Kumiko KURIKI, Yukio SHIOHARA, Kazuhito ISHIDA, Masahisa KATO, Tomohisa HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20110243608
    Abstract: There is provided an opening/closing device for an upper unit case, including a pair of guide members formed of lower and upper guide members provided on lower and upper unit cases respectively, at least one of the lower and upper guide member being configured to be swingable in an up and down direction; a movable body which is connected movably to the lower and upper guide members and which has a rotary body installed in the movable body while being fitted rollably with respect to the lower and lower guide members; and a regulating mechanism which regulates swinging amount in the up and down direction of the at least one guide member configured to be swingable in the up and down direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro NISHIMURA, Kumiko KURIKI, Yukio SHIOHARA, Kazuhito ISHIDA, Masahisa KATO, Tomohisa HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20110240668
    Abstract: The opening and closing apparatus includes a lower unit case, an upper unit case, a hinge, a lower guide member, an upper guide member and an opening/closing linking unit. The upper unit case is configured to open and close with respect to the lower unit case. The lower guide member is disposed in the lower unit case, and the upper guide member is disposed in the upper unit case. The opening/closing linking unit includes a first rotating member, a second rotating member and a linking portion. As the upper unit case is closed, the opening/closing linking unit moves from the base end side toward the distal end side along the upper guide member and the lower guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichiro NISHIMURA, Kumiko KURIKI, Yukio SHIOHARA, Kazuhito ISHIDA, Masahisa KATO, Tomohisa HIGUCHI