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 composite image forming apparatus including an analog or a digital image forming apparatus of the type in which an optical system moves relative to a document placed on a document table, the image on the document is scanned by the optical system and the image is transferred to a sheet of image transferring paper and a belt like recording medium on which additional or optional images from which additional or optional images other than the document image can be transferred to the sheet of image transferring paper.

Abstract: A developing device includes a unit support member attached to an opening formed in a front panel of image forming apparatus, support for supporting the unit between the unit support member and a rear panel of the apparatus with the unit pivotable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the photoreceptor, and a guide mechanism for guiding a casing of the unit, whereby when the unit is set in the apparatus, a developing sleeve is put in a first state in which the sleeve is near the photoreceptor, and when the unit is inserted in and drawn out of the apparatus, the sleeve is put in a second state in which the sleeve is spaced apart from the photoreceptor. Also when the unit is set in the apparatus, the sleeve is changed from the first state to the second state and vice versa.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying apparatus includes a lower supporting frame, an upper supporting frame mounted on the lower supporting frame for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position, a document placing assembly having a transparent plate for placing a document to be copied thereon, an optical unit and a driving source. Either the document placing assembly or at least a part of the optical unit is mounted reciprocally on the upper supporting frame and drivingly coupled to the driving source via a power transmission mechanism. The apparatus further includes an automatic locking device for automatically locking the document placing assembly or at least a part of the optical unit and cancelling the locking according to an operation of moving the upper supporting frame to an open or closed position or an operation incident to this moving operation.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying apparatus comprising a lower supporting frame, an upper supporting frame mounted on the lower supporting frame for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position, a document placing means having a transparent plate for placing a document to be copied thereon, an optical unit and a driving source. Either the document placing means or at least a part of the optical unit is mounted reciprocally on the upper supporting frame and drivingly coupled to the driving source via a power transmission mechanism. The apparatus further includes an automatic locking means for automatically locking the document placing means or at least a part of the optical unit and cancelling the locking according to an operation of moving the upper supporting frame to an open or closed position or an operation incident to this moving operation.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying apparatus comprising a lower supporting frame, an upper supporting frame mounted on the lower supporting frame for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position, a document placing means having a transparent plate for placing a document to be copied thereon, an optical unit and a driving source. Either the document placing means or at least a part of the optical unit is mounted reciprocally on the upper supporting frame and drivingly coupled to the driving source via a power transmission mechanism. The apparatus further includes an automatic locking means for automatically locking the document placing means or at least a part of the optical unit and cancelling the locking according to an operation of moving the upper supporting frame to an open or closed position or an operation incident to this moving operation.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying apparatus comprising a lower supporting frame, an upper supporting frame mounted on the lower supporting frame for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position, a document placing means having a transparent plate for placing a document to be copied thereon, an optical unit and a driving source. Either the document placing means or at least a part of the optical unit is mounted reciprocally on the upper supporting frame and drivingly coupled to the driving source via a power transmission mechanism. The apparatus further includes an automatic locking means for automatically locking the document placing means or at least a part of the optical unit and cancelling the locking according to an operation of moving the upper supporting frame to an open or closed position or an operation incident to this moving operation.

Abstract: A latent electrostatic image developing device comprising a developer receptacle for holding a developer composed of carrier particles and toner particles, a developer applicator means for holding part of the developer in the developer receptacle on its surface and carrying it to a developing zone, a developer agitating means, a toner particle receptacle for holding toner particles and a toner particle feed means for feeding the toner particles from the toner particle receptacle to the developer receptacle. The developer applicator means has a plurality of agitating blades extending in the widthwise direction, and a cut is formed in at least some of the agitating blades. The developing device also has a developer detector for detecting the consentration of the developer, and the developer detector detects the concentration of the excess of the developer removed from the developer applicator means.

Abstract: A latent electrostatic image developing device for developing a latent electrostatic image formed on an image-bearing member by applying a developer thereto. The developing device comprises a developer applicator means for holding the developer on its surface, carrying the developer to a developing zone and applying it to the latent electrostatic image in the developing zone and a bias voltage applying means for applying a bias voltage to the developer held on the surface of the developer applicator means. The developing device further includes a detector means for detecting the relative humidity of the environmental atmosphere and a control means for changing the magnitude of the applied bias voltage to a lower value when the detected relative humidity of the atmosphere exceeds a predetermined value.