Patents by Inventor Yoshiya Tomatsu

Yoshiya Tomatsu 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).

  • Patent number: 11964476
    Abstract: A print device includes a supply unit, a print unit, a conveyer, a tensioner, and a rotor. The conveyer is configured to nip and to convey, with a pair of rollers, a long medium in a conveyance direction. The tensioner is configured to contact a second surface of the medium to cause the medium to bend. The tensioner is pivotably supported at a position upstream of the conveyer in the conveyance direction. The rotor is rotatably supported at a position upstream of the conveyer in the conveyance direction, and positioned downstream, in the conveyance direction, of an upstream end portion, in the conveyance direction, of the tensioner. The rotor is positioned such that an upper end of the rotor and a nipped point are at a same height. The rotor is configured to contact the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiya Tomatsu, Mitsugi Tanaka, Yoji Tsujishita, Masayuki Okumura
  • Publication number: 20230312294
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus includes: a conveying unit configured to convey a sheet in a conveyance direction along a conveyance path; a sheet holder arranged upstream in the conveyance direction from the conveying unit to rotate around an axis, the axis extending in a first direction intersecting with the conveyance direction; a tensioner arranged between the sheet holder and the conveying unit in the conveyance path and configured to apply tension to the sheet with the sheet being curved; and a first side guide attached to the tensioner and having a first guide surface, the first guide surface spreading along the conveyance direction and a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The tensioner includes an oblique roller configured to guide the sheet to the first guide surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Yoshiya TOMATSU, Shigeki KATO, Yasunari TSUJI
  • Publication number: 20230202781
    Abstract: There is provided a sheet conveying apparatus including: a casing having an opening; a cover configured to uncover and cover the opening; a holder configured to hold a roll body, the roll body including a sheet being rolled; a slidable support attached to the casing, the slidable support being configured to support the holder, the slidable support being configured to slide to an accommodated position at which the slidable support is accommodated within the casing and to a drawn position at which at least a part of the slidable support is positioned at outside of the casing with respect to the opening; and a conveyer configured to convey the sheet of the roll body in a state that the slidable support is at the accommodated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Yoji Tsujishita, Yoshiya Tomatsu, Mitsugi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11586137
    Abstract: A conveyor includes: a receiver that detachably receives a roll-like sheet; a conveyance unit that conveys the sheet in a conveyance orientation along a conveyance surface; and a tensioner that applies tension to the sheet at a position upstream of the conveyance unit in the conveyance orientation. The tensioner includes: a frame having a groove pair extending in a first direction along the conveyance orientation; a guide having a curved surface that contacts the sheet and an engagement member pair that engages with the groove pair; a pivoting member that pivots around an axis extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the conveyance surface; a transmission member that transmits pivoting of the pivoting member to the guide; and an urging member that applies urging force including a component in the first direction to the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiya Tomatsu, Mitsugi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20220410595
    Abstract: A printer includes: a conveyor conveying a sheet in a conveying direction; a first supporting part positioned on an upstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the conveyor, and having a first supporting surface; a side guide making contact with at least one of both ends, in a width direction of the sheet, in the first supporting surface, the width direction being orthogonal to the conveying direction and parallel to the first supporting surface; a suction-attraction force generator generating a suction-attraction force in an area, in the first supporting surface, which is adjacent to the side guide and in which the sheet passes; a second supporting part positioned on a downstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the conveyor, and having a second supporting surface; and a recording part recording an image on the sheet supported by the second supporting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Masayuki OKUMURA, Shigeki KATO, Yoshiya TOMATSU
  • Publication number: 20220402284
    Abstract: A print device includes a supply unit, a print unit, a conveyer, a tensioner, and a rotor. The conveyer is configured to nip and to convey, with a pair of rollers, a long medium in a conveyance direction. The tensioner is configured to contact a second surface of the medium to cause the medium to bend. The tensioner is pivotably supported at a position upstream of the conveyer in the conveyance direction. The rotor is rotatably supported at a position upstream of the conveyer in the conveyance direction, and positioned downstream, in the conveyance direction, of an upstream end portion, in the conveyance direction, of the tensioner. The rotor is positioned such that an upper end of the rotor and a nipped point are at a same height. The rotor is configured to contact the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Yoshiya Tomatsu, Mitsugi Tanaka, Yoji Tsujishita, Masayuki Okumura
  • Patent number: 11524861
    Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus including: a recorder; first and second conveying rollers; a first member which includes the first conveying roller and in which the first conveying roller is supported shakably; and a second member which includes the second conveying roller. The first member includes: a roller support having: an extending part which extends in an extending direction of a rotation shaft of the first conveying roller, and first and second supports which rotatably supports first and second ends of the rotation shaft of the first conveying roller, respectively; and at least one pressing part configured to press a central area of the extending part in a pressing direction extending from the first conveying roller to the second extending roller, in a state that the first and second conveying rollers are brought into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiya Tomatsu
  • Publication number: 20220388798
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a pair of conveying rollers configured to convey a sheet in a conveying direction, a recording unit located downstream of the pair of conveying rollers in the conveying direction and configured to record an image on the sheet, a first side-guide located upstream of the pair of conveying rollers in the conveying direction and configured to come into contact with at least one of opposite ends of the sheet in a width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. The first side-guide is movable in the width direction. The image recording apparatus further includes a second side-guide located downstream of the pair of conveying rollers and upstream of the recoding unit in the conveying direction, the second side-guide being configured to come into contact with at least one of opposite ends of the sheet in the width direction and movable in the width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiya TOMATSU
  • Publication number: 20220169053
    Abstract: First and second flanges protrude from a shaft portion in a direction crossing an axial direction. The first and second flanges define a position of a roll fitted to the shaft portion in the axial direction. First and second facing surfaces face the roll. First and second contact portions protrude from the first and second facing surfaces in the axial direction. The first and second contact portions are configured to contact a paper tube. A screw member is rotatable relative to the shaft portion, the first flange, and the second flange, thereby changing a relative position of the first flange and the second flange between a hold position at which the first and second contact portions press and hold the paper tube in the axial direction and a separation position at which at least the first contact portion or the second contact portion is separated from the paper tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiya TOMATSU
  • Publication number: 20210181666
    Abstract: A conveyor includes: a receiver that detachably receives a roll-like sheet; a conveyance unit that conveys the sheet in a conveyance orientation along a conveyance surface; and a tensioner that applies tension to the sheet at a position upstream of the conveyance unit in the conveyance orientation. The tensioner includes: a frame having a groove pair extending in a first direction along the conveyance orientation; a guide having a curved surface that contacts the sheet and an engagement member pair that engages with the groove pair; a pivoting member that pivots around an axis extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the conveyance surface; a transmission member that transmits pivoting of the pivoting member to the guide; and an urging member that applies urging force including a component in the first direction to the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Yoshiya Tomatsu, Mitsugi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20210179378
    Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus including: a recorder; first and second conveying rollers; a first member which includes the first conveying roller and in which the first conveying roller is supported shakably; and a second member which includes the second conveying roller. The first member includes: a roller support having: an extending part which extends in an extending direction of a rotation shaft of the first conveying roller, and first and second supports which rotatably supports first and second ends of the rotation shaft of the first conveying roller, respectively; and at least one pressing part configured to press a central area of the extending part in a pressing direction extending from the first conveying roller to the second extending roller, in a state that the first and second conveying rollers are brought into contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventor: Yoshiya TOMATSU
  • Publication number: 20210179376
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus includes: a casing; a motor; a supporting part; a first shaft; a rotary body rotating about an axis of the first shaft; a driving transmitting part transmitting a driving force from the motor to the rotary body; a holder supporting a roll of a continuous sheet, being detachably attached to the first shaft, and rotating about the axis of the first shaft; a rotation transmitting part transmitting rotation of the rotary body to the holder; and a conveyor conveying the continuous sheet. The holder includes: a second shaft inserted into the roll of the continuous sheet, and a joint, on one end of the second shaft, attaching the second shaft to the first shaft detachably such that the second shaft is coaxially with the first shaft; and in an attached state, the rotation transmitting part connects the second shaft to the first shaft or the rotary body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventor: Yoshiya TOMATSU
  • Patent number: 10995834
    Abstract: A gear transmission device includes a frame, a sun gear including a first shaft having a first axis, a driven gear, a planet gear movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position and including a second shaft having a second axis, an auxiliary gear including a third shaft, a first guide portion to guide the second shaft, and a second guide portion to guide the third shaft. At least a portion of the third shaft is positioned opposite to the driven gear relative to a first imaginary line passing the first axis and the second axis of the planet gear located at the disengaged position. As the sun gear rotates with the auxiliary gear in mesh with the planet gear, the third shaft moves with contacting a guide surface and the second shaft moves in a direction opposite to a direction in which the third shaft moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiya Tomatsu
  • Patent number: 10907703
    Abstract: A gear transmission device includes a frame, a sun gear, a driven gear, a planetary gear, a contact member, and a guide. The guide guides the contact member as described below. When the planetary gear is at a meshing position, a first tooth portion and a first contact portion of the contact member are away from the planetary gear. When the planetary gear is at a farthest position, the first contact portion is in contact with the planetary gear and the first tooth portion is away from the planetary gear. When the planetary gear is between the meshing position and the farthest position, the first tooth portion moves in mesh with the planetary gear in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the planetary gear around the sun gear, and the first contact portion is switched between a state in contact with the planetary gear and a state away from the planetary gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiya Tomatsu
  • Patent number: 10831147
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a drum unit including a photosensitive drum; an exposure head configured to expose the photosensitive drum to light; a developing cartridge configured to store developer therein; and a support member configured to support the exposure head and the developing cartridge. The support member is pivotally movable between an exposure position and a separation position. The exposure head is able to expose the photosensitive drum to light at the exposure position. The exposure head is positioned away from the photosensitive drum when the support member is at the separation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiya Tomatsu
  • Publication number: 20200149618
    Abstract: A gear transmission device includes a frame, a sun gear including a first shaft having a first axis, a driven gear, a planet gear movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position and including a second shaft having a second axis, an auxiliary gear including a third shaft, a first guide portion to guide the second shaft, and a second guide portion to guide the third shaft. At least a portion of the third shaft is positioned opposite to the driven gear relative to a first imaginary line passing the first axis and the second axis of the planet gear located at the disengaged position. As the sun gear rotates with the auxiliary gear in mesh with the planet gear, the third shaft moves with contacting a guide surface and the second shaft moves in a direction opposite to a direction in which the third shaft moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventor: Yoshiya TOMATSU
  • Publication number: 20200103006
    Abstract: A gear transmission device includes a frame, a sun gear, a driven gear, a planetary gear, a contact member, and a guide. The guide guides the contact member as described below. When the planetary gear is at a meshing position, a first tooth portion and a first contact portion of the contact member are away from the planetary gear. When the planetary gear is at a farthest position, the first contact portion is in contact with the planetary gear and the first tooth portion is away from the planetary gear. When the planetary gear is between the meshing position and the farthest position, the first tooth portion moves in mesh with the planetary gear in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the planetary gear around the sun gear, and the first contact portion is switched between a state in contact with the planetary gear and a state away from the planetary gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Yoshiya TOMATSU
  • Publication number: 20190278216
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a drum unit including a photosensitive drum; an exposure head configured to expose the photosensitive drum to light; a developing cartridge configured to store developer therein; and a support member configured to support the exposure head and the developing cartridge. The support member is pivotally movable between an exposure position and a separation position. The exposure head is able to expose the photosensitive drum to light at the exposure position. The exposure head is positioned away from the photosensitive drum when the support member is at the separation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventor: Yoshiya Tomatsu
  • Patent number: 10006481
    Abstract: A boss for a self-tapping screw includes a main body having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, a plurality of reinforcing ribs connected with an outer peripheral surface, and a plurality of inner wall portions extending parallel to the central axis. Each of the plurality of inner wall portions are disposed at a portion of the inner peripheral surface opposite to a corresponding one of the plurality of reinforcing ribs across the main body. Each of the plurality of inner wall portions includes a specific portion opposite to the corresponding one of the plurality of reinforcing ribs across the main body. The specific portion is closer to the central axis than other portions of the each of the inner wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiya Tomatsu
  • Patent number: 9834973
    Abstract: There is provided an opening and closing apparatus, including: a main body; an openable body pivoting between a closed position and an open position; a connecting part connecting an end of the main body and an end of the openable body; a rack provided in one of the main body and the openable body; and an arm, wherein a part, of a pitch line of the rack, which makes contact with a pitch circle of the pinion in a state that the openable body is positioned in the vicinity of the closed position is an inclined line which is inclined to approach the other of the main body and the openable body having no rack, as the inclined line is farther away from the connecting part with the openable body being in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiya Tomatsu