Patents by Inventor Yuuki Shiga

Yuuki Shiga 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: 11767185
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a pair of rollers, a biasing member, a guide member, a biasing support, and a biasing force changer. The pair of rollers includes a first roller and a second roller disposed in contact with the first roller. The pair of rollers is configured to hold a sheet between the first roller and the second roller. The biasing member is configured to bias the first roller toward the second roller. The biasing support is configured to support the biasing member and has a guide target member configured to slide along the guide member to move the biasing support. The biasing force changer is configured to change a biasing force of the biasing member along with movement of the biasing support. The guide target member has a portion projecting into a sheet conveyance passage through which the sheet is conveyed by the pair of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhide Fukushima, Yu Wakabayashi, Yuuki Shiga, Kazuya Yamamoto, Ryohhei Ohya
  • Patent number: 11708234
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a pair of rollers including a first roller and a second roller to hold a sheet conveyed between the first and second rollers; a biasing member to bias the first roller toward the second roller; a biasing force changer to change a biasing force of the biasing member; control circuitry to, when a predetermined changing condition is met, cause the changer to change the biasing force and cause the rollers to convey the sheet; an operation detector to detect a changing operation of the changer; and a notification device to notify an abnormality of the changing operation when the operation detector detects the abnormality. When the operation detector detects the abnormality, the control circuitry performs sheet conveyance control to cause the rollers to convey the sheet without causing the changer to change the biasing force, regardless of whether the predetermined changing condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Wakabayashi, Kazuya Yamamoto, Yasuhide Fukushima, Yuuki Shiga, Ryohhei Ohya
  • Patent number: 11442390
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes conveyance passage forming bodies to define a sheet conveyance passage, a nip forming body to form a conveying nip region in the sheet conveyance passage, and a flexible plate body having a support portion to be attached to another body and having a downstream-side end portion as a free end in a sheet conveying direction. The support portion of the flexible plate body is located on an upstream side in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the conveying nip region. The free end being located on a downstream side in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the conveying nip region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuki Shiga, Hideto Higaki, Jumpei Aoyama, Hirofumi Horita, Junpei Kamichi
  • Publication number: 20210221636
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a pair of rollers including a first roller and a second roller to hold a sheet conveyed between the first and second rollers; a biasing member to bias the first roller toward the second roller; a biasing force changer to change a biasing force of the biasing member; control circuitry to, when a predetermined changing condition is met, cause the changer to change the biasing force and cause the rollers to convey the sheet; an operation detector to detect a changing operation of the changer; and a notification device to notify an abnormality of the changing operation when the operation detector detects the abnormality. When the operation detector detects the abnormality, the control circuitry performs sheet conveyance control to cause the rollers to convey the sheet without causing the changer to change the biasing force, regardless of whether the predetermined changing condition is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu WAKABAYASHI, Kazuya YAMAMOTO, Yasuhide FUKUSHIMA, Yuuki SHIGA, Ryohhei OHYA
  • Publication number: 20210214176
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a pair of rollers, a biasing member, a guide member, a biasing support, and a biasing force changer. The pair of rollers includes a first roller and a second roller disposed in contact with the first roller. The pair of rollers is configured to hold a sheet between the first roller and the second roller. The biasing member is configured to bias the first roller toward the second roller. The biasing support is configured to support the biasing member and has a guide target member configured to slide along the guide member to move the biasing support. The biasing force changer is configured to change a biasing force of the biasing member along with movement of the biasing. support. The guide target member has a portion projecting into a sheet conveyance passage through which the sheet is conveyed by the pair of rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhide FUKUSHIMA, Yu WAKABAYASHI, Yuuki SHIGA, Kazuya YAMAMOTO, Ryohhei OHYA
  • Patent number: 10865059
    Abstract: A sheet container includes a bottom plate, a regulating body, and a holding body. The bottom plate is disposed movable and has a bottom plate-side contact portion. The regulating body regulates a position of a trailing end of a sheet. The holding body has a holding body-side contact portion and to hold the regulating body. The bottom plate and the holding body have a gap between the bottom plate-side contact portion of the bottom plate and the holding body-side contact portion of the holding body in a state in which the bottom plate is not rotated. The bottom plate-side contact portion of the bottom plate and the holding body-side contact portion of the holding body contact with each other along with rotation of the bottom plate. The holding body moves to a downstream side in a sheet feeding direction in conjunction with the rotation of the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jumpei Aoyama, Hirofumi Horita, Yuuki Shiga, Junpei Kamichi, Hideto Higaki, Fumihiro Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 10429786
    Abstract: A drive transmission device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a drive transmission body to which a drive force is applied from a driving source, and a rotary shaft having a press-in portion mounted on one end thereof in the axial direction. The press-in portion has multiple planes disposed parallel to an axial direction and configured to receive the drive transmission body. The multiple planes include upstream and downstream side planes disposed downstream from the upstream side plane in a press-in direction of the drive transmission body. The upstream and downstream side planes are aligned along the press-in direction of the drive transmission body and have respective distances different from each other from an axial center of the rotary shaft. A distance from the downstream side plane to the axial center is greater than a distance from the upstream side plane to the axial center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Tomita, Junpei Kamichi, Hiroaki Nieda, Kimihiro Tanaka, Hideto Higaki, Yuuki Shiga, Jumpei Aoyama, Hirofumi Horita
  • Publication number: 20190243296
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes conveyance passage forming bodies to define a sheet conveyance passage, a nip forming body to form a conveying nip region in the sheet conveyance passage, and a flexible plate body having a support portion to be attached to another body and having a downstream-side end portion as a free end in a sheet conveying direction. The support portion of the flexible plate body is located on an upstream side in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the conveying nip region. The free end being located on a downstream side in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the conveying nip region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuki Shiga, Hideto Higaki, Jumpei Aoyama, Hirofumi Horita, Junpei Kamichi
  • Publication number: 20190225438
    Abstract: A sheet container includes a bottom plate, a regulating body, and a holding body. The bottom plate is disposed movable and has a bottom plate-side contact portion. The regulating body regulates a position of a trailing end of a sheet. The holding body has a holding body-side contact portion and to hold the regulating body. The bottom plate and the holding body have a gap between the bottom plate-side contact portion of the bottom plate and the holding body-side contact portion of the holding body in a state in which the bottom plate is not rotated. The bottom plate-side contact portion of the bottom plate and the holding body-side contact portion of the holding body contact with each other along with rotation of the bottom plate. The holding body moves to a downstream side in a sheet feeding direction in conjunction with the rotation of the bottom plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jumpei AOYAMA, Hirofumi HORITA, Yuuki SHIGA, Junpei KAMICHI, Hideto HIGAKI, Fumihiro TSUNODA
  • Patent number: 10345754
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes first and second sheet conveying bodies to contact each other, a cover to move relative to an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus, and a connecting body to connect the cover and the second sheet conveying body. The second sheet conveying body separates from the first sheet conveying body along with an opening movement of the cover. The connecting body includes a first connecting portion connected to the cover and a second connecting portion connected to the second sheet conveying body. At least one of a connection with the cover and a connection with the second sheet conveying body is released when the cover is closed. The connecting body is brought into connection with the cover or the second sheet conveying body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuki Shiga
  • Publication number: 20190018353
    Abstract: A drive transmission device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a drive transmission body to which a drive force is applied from a driving source, and a rotary shaft having a press-in portion mounted on one end thereof in the axial direction. The press-in portion has multiple planes disposed parallel to an axial direction and configured to receive the drive transmission body. The multiple planes include upstream and downstream side planes disposed downstream from the upstream side plane in a press-in direction of the drive transmission body. The upstream and downstream side planes are aligned along the press-in direction of the drive transmission body and have respective distances different from each other from an axial center of the rotary shaft. A distance from the downstream side plane to the axial center is greater than a distance from the upstream side plane to the axial center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji TOMITA, Junpei Kamichi, Hiroaki Nieda, Kimihiro Tanaka, Hideto Higaki, Yuuki Shiga, Jumpei Aoyama, Hirofumi Horita
  • Publication number: 20170343955
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes first and second sheet conveying bodies to contact each other, a cover to move relative to an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus, and a connecting body to connect the cover and the second sheet conveying body. The second sheet conveying body separates from the first sheet conveying body along with an opening movement of the cover. The connecting body includes a first connecting portion connected to the cover and a second connecting portion connected to the second sheet conveying body. At least one of a connection with the cover and a connection with the second sheet conveying body is released when the cover is closed. The connecting body is brought into connection with the cover or the second sheet conveying body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuki Shiga
  • Patent number: 9244417
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a secondary transfer member, an image detector, a computing device, and a conveyor device. The computing device calculates a traveling speed of the intermediate transfer member based on detection information provided by the image detector. The conveyor device continuously transports to a secondary transfer portion a plurality of recording media one by one at a predetermined interval between successive recording media. The image forming unit forms a test image at a space between successive recording-medium contact regions of the intermediate transfer member at which the recording medium contacts the intermediate transfer member. A travel distance of the intermediate transfer member from the detection position on the intermediate transfer member to the secondary transfer portion in a traveling direction thereof is shorter than the space between the successive recording-medium contact regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mizuna Tanaka, Yuuki Shiga, Kimihiro Tanaka, Toshikane Nishii, Akimitsu Obana
  • Patent number: 9188933
    Abstract: A power supply device to electroconductively connect a power-fed terminal included in a power-fed unit and a power supply terminal of a power supply board. The power supply device includes a unit contact portion to contact the power-fed terminal; a board contact portion to contact the power supply board; a connector to connect the unit contact portion and the board contact portion; and a support member to support the unit contact portion, the board contact portion, and the connector. The unit contact portion is held on an inner face of the support member opposed to the power-fed unit; the board contact portion is held on an outer face of the support member opposed to the power supply board; and the connector connects the unit contact portion and the board contact portion through the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru Tada, Kozo Yamazaki, Tatsuo Fukushima, Yuuki Shiga, Haruo Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9182719
    Abstract: A moving device assembly includes a moving device and a shield. The moving device is movable between a first position and a second position, to move a detector including a detection surface relative to an opposing member disposed opposite the detector. The shield shields the detection surface of the detector. As the moving device is at the first position, the detector is at a proximal position at which the detector is near the opposing member, and as the moving device is at the second position, the detector is at a shield position at which the detector is separated from the opposing member and the detection surface of the detector is shielded by the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuki Shiga, Sei Onuma, Kozo Yamazaki, Kimihiro Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20150220033
    Abstract: A moving device assembly includes a moving device and a shield. The moving device is movable between a first position and a second position, to move a detector including a detection surface relative to an opposing member disposed opposite the detector. The shield shields the detection surface of the detector. As the moving device is at the first position, the detector is at a proximal position at which the detector is near the opposing member, and as the moving device is at the second position, the detector is at a shield position at which the detector is separated from the opposing member and the detection surface of the detector is shielded by the shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Yuuki SHIGA, Sei Onuma, Kozo Yamazaki, Kimihiro Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20150153686
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a secondary transfer member, an image detector, a computing device, and a conveyor device. The computing device calculates a traveling speed of the intermediate transfer member based on detection information provided by the image detector. The conveyor device continuously transports to a secondary transfer portion a plurality of recording media one by one at a predetermined interval between successive recording media. The image forming unit forms a test image at a space between successive recording-medium contact regions of the intermediate transfer member at which the recording medium contacts the intermediate transfer member. A travel distance of the intermediate transfer member from the detection position on the intermediate transfer member to the secondary transfer portion in a traveling direction thereof is shorter than the space between the successive recording-medium contact regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Mizuna Tanaka, Yuuki Shiga, Kimihiro Tanaka, Toshikane Nishii, Akimitsu Obana
  • Patent number: 9025986
    Abstract: A moving device assembly includes a moving device and a shield. The moving device is movable between a first position and a second position, to move a detector including a detection surface relative to an opposing member disposed opposite the detector. The shield shields the detection surface of the detector. As the moving device is at the first position, the detector is at a proximal position at which the detector is near the opposing member, and as the moving device is at the second position, the detector is at a shield position at which the detector is separated from the opposing member and the detection surface of the detector is shielded by the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuki Shiga, Sei Onuma, Kozo Yamazaki, Kimihiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8965232
    Abstract: A positioning device to position a first member relative to a second member includes two convex parts disposed on a side of the first member and apart from each other; and positioning portions disposed on a side of the second member so as to contact the convex parts, each of which is disposed apart from each other and opposed to the two convex parts. The positioning portions includes two planar portions disposed substantially perpendicularly relative to a direction to allow the first member to approach the second member; and a slanted portion disposed in the vicinity of one of the two planar portions and angled with respect to a direction to allow the first member to approach the second member. The second member is an endless belt, on which an image pattern for detection is formed, and the first member is a sensor to detect the image pattern formed on the endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuki Shiga
  • Publication number: 20140133881
    Abstract: A power supply device to electroconductively connect a power-fed terminal included in a power-fed unit and a power supply terminal of a power supply board. The power supply device includes a unit contact portion to contact the power-fed terminal; a board contact portion to contact the power supply board; a connector to connect the unit contact portion and the board contact portion; and a support member to support the unit contact portion, the board contact portion, and the connector. The unit contact portion is held on an inner face of the support member opposed to the power-fed unit; the board contact portion is held on an outer face of the support member opposed to the power supply board; and the connector connects the unit contact portion and the board contact portion through the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru TADA, Kozo YAMAZAKI, Tatsuo FUKUSHIMA, Yuuki SHIGA, Haruo HASHIMOTO