Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes an image-forming member assembly including a photosensitive member, a developing unit, and a rotating unit; a driving unit; a positioning member having a positioning hole in which a shaft of the photosensitive member is rotatably supported and positioned; and a support member having a support hole that has a guide side to guide a rotating shaft of the rotating unit and supports the rotating shaft in a direction toward and away from the positioning hole. When a force received by the rotating shaft while the driving unit drives the rotating unit is divided into a first component force along the guide side and a second component force orthogonal to the guide side, the first component force has a direction in which a contact force of the shaft of the photosensitive member against an edge of the positioning hole is increased.

Abstract: A photosensitive medium supporting apparatus includes a supporting shaft to rotatably support a photosensitive medium and to have a fixing groove or a fixing projection formed at one portion of the supporting shaft that projects from one end of the photosensitive medium, a first shaft supporting member to support the one portion of the supporting shaft that projects from one end of the photosensitive medium and to have a fixing projection or a fixing groove that is inserted into the fixing groove or the fixing projection of the supporting shaft, and a second shaft supporting member to support an other portion of the supporting shaft that projects from the other end of the photosensitive medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first member and second member that are formed of different materials. The first member includes a plurality of first abutting portions. The second member includes a plurality of second abutting portions. One latent image carrier or one holding member abuts with one first abutting portion so as to regulate movements of the latent image carrier in a first direction substantially parallel to a sub scanning direction. One latent image carrier or one holding member abuts with one second abutting portion so as to regulate movements of the latent image carrier in a second direction, which is substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: The process provides an expandable chuck with a variable diameter bulb having a variable wall thickness, the chuck being operatively designed to stretch the bulb to reduce its diameter for insertion into a photoreceptor pipe and upon relaxation to the compress the bulb so as to increase its diameter. The design provides a universal chuck to reduce the cost of changing to different diameter chucks in accommodating different size photoreceptors during the coating and drying process.

Abstract: A method for dismounting a coupler from an electrophotographic photosensitive drum flange whose drum is usable with a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The coupler receives a force rotating the drum from the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted and includes force receiving and spherical portions. The method includes the steps of inclining the coupler relative to a flange rotational axis, pushing a pin from one end to the other end thereof, both of which project from the spherical portion when the inclining step inclines the coupler, making part of the pin ride on a surface of a regulator inside the flange, and dismounting the coupler from the flange by applying a force to a free end of the coupler toward the part of the pin riding on the regulator surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of process units, a plurality of latent image carriers, an optical writing unit, an upper cover, and a pitch positioning member. The pitch positioning member including a plurality of abutting portions so as to regulate movements of the plurality of process units in the horizontal direction by abutting each of the plurality of process units. The pitch positioning member including a plurality of notches extending from an upper portion to a lower portion of each of the respective plurality of abutting portions with a predetermined pitch.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printer capable of easily attaching and detaching a retaining means to retain the inside of a photoconductive drum to and from the photoconductive drum. A flange located on the extraction side of a photoconductive drum is provided with: a retaining means to support the photoconductive drum from the side of the inner circumferential face of the photoconductive drum. And an advance and retreat mechanism to advance and retreat the retaining means to and from the inner face of the photoconductive drum. The retaining means can be easily dismantled from the photoconductive drum by operating the advance and retreat mechanism, and thereafter extracting the flange from the photoconductive drum.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes, a cylindrical photoreceptor pipe; at least one flange which is attached to an opening of one end of the photoreceptor pipe, and which is provided with a shaft part projecting outward from the one end at a shaft center position of the photoreceptor pipe; and an earth member which is arranged to penetrate through the shaft part of the at least one flange, and which is provided on its inward side with at least one first contact part which contacts an inner circumference of the photoreceptor pipe, and on its outward side with a second contact part.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes a first rotation body and a second rotation body. The first rotation body includes a cup unit, a shaft, and ribs that project from the cup unit and connect the cup unit to the shaft. One of the first rotation body and the second rotation body transmits a rotational driving force to other one of the first rotation body and the second rotation body through balls. The first rotation body is so formed that the cup unit and the shaft are formed into one piece using resin material. Moreover, the rib is so formed into one piece with the cup unit and the shaft using resin material.

Abstract: A drum support structure of a production printing system is disclosed. The drum support structure secures a photoconductive drum within a printing system during operation. The drum support structure includes a plurality of ring members spaced in parallel along a longitudinal axis. The ring members have an outside diameter that corresponds with an inside diameter of the drum so that the ring members fit within the drum. The drum support structure also includes a plurality of connecting members that affix the ring members to one another. The drum support structure also includes an inner end cap that connects to an inner-most ring member through one or more connecting members and is adapted to contact one end of the drum. The drum support structure also includes an outer end cap that is adapted to fasten to an outer-most ring member and is further adapted to contact another end of the drum.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes a first frame, and a first supporting unit. The first frame includes a first plate-shaped part having a surface orthogonal to the first direction and supports a first image-bearing member. The first plate-shaped part is formed with at least two first positioning holes. Each of the at least two first positioning holes is defined by a first inner surface that extends in the first direction. The first supporting unit erects from the first plate-shaped part and includes at least two first fitting parts and a first contact part. The at least two first fitting parts fit into the at least two first positioning holes. The first contact part extends in the first direction from each of the at least two first fitting parts. The first contact part contacts and supports the exposure unit. The exposure unit is oriented in a direction in which the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements is directed toward a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printer in which a photoconductor drum and a transfer drum can be supported in a simple component construction and in the makeup free from misalignment and development of thrust load.

Abstract: A component mounting structure mounting a press component with the press component in a condition of elastic pressing against a pressed article, and comprising an intermediate fixing member mounted on a fixing frame supporting the pressed article and capable of position adjustment in a direction of pressing of the press component against the pressed article; a fixing connection part, supporting the press component, mounted on the intermediate fixing member, and capable of position adjustment in the same direction as the direction of pressing; a setting part setting a distance of separation between the fixing connection part and the pressed article within a prescribed range; a first fixing mechanism fixing a position of the intermediate fixing member with respect to the fixing frame; and a second fixing mechanism fixing a position of the fixing connection part with respect to the intermediate fixing member.

Abstract: An operation lever is configured to swing about a rotation axis. Regulating members that regulate the movement of the operation lever along the rotation axis thereof are integrally formed with a cover.

Abstract: A docking arrangement for establishing a gap between a first component and a second component comprises an adjustable spacer moveably positioned on the first component. The spacer defines a transverse channel and a cross pin extends through the transverse channel. The cross pin including a plurality of opposing surfaces with each of the opposing surfaces separated by a different distance. The cross pin further includes indicia representative of the different distances between the opposing surfaces. In at least one embodiment, the docking arrangement is configured for use in a printing machine with the spacer determining a gap between a print head mount and an imaging drum mount based on a selected set of the plurality of opposing surfaces.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising a pair of stationary side walls arranged in an image forming apparatus body and a plurality of photosensitive drum units supported between the stationary side walls. Each photosensitive drum unit comprises a drum-holding frame for holding a photosensitive drum, a head-holding frame for holding an LED head, and a pressing means for pressing the head-holding frame from one side toward the other side in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A support unit supports a rotation axe of each of at least three latent-image carriers in a rotatable manner. A plurality of developing units develops latent images on the latent-image carriers with toners of different colors, respectively. A toner-pattern detecting unit detects a toner pattern formed on a belt member that is suspended by a plurality of suspending members. A displacing unit is provided to the support unit to displace the rotation axis along a surface of the belt member in a direction of movement of the surface of the belt member. A control unit controls the displacing unit based of a result of detecting the toner pattern by the toner-pattern detecting unit.

Abstract: A pressing member applies a pressing force to a trailing end in a direction which intersects a predetermined reference direction, allowing the pressing force to have both a first component in the predetermined reference direction and a second component perpendicular to the predetermined reference direction. A trailing end is pressed in the predetermined reference direction by the first component. In the mounted state, the leading end is in contact with the reference member at two contact surfaces including a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The first contact surface defines a first positioning direction being perpendicular to the first contact surface and intersecting the predetermined reference direction.

Abstract: A photosensitive body to stably maintain an electric connection between a photosensitive drum and a shaft includes a photosensitive drum, a shaft serving as a rotational center of the photosensitive drum, and a grounding device to electrically connect the photosensitive drum and the shaft. The grounding device includes a shaft connecting portion electrically connected to the shaft, and an anchor portion fixedly stuck in an inner peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. The anchor portion moves from a first state, in which the anchor portion is extended in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum, to a second state, in which the anchor portion is extended in a radial direction of the photosensitive drum, and is fixed to the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, a plurality of drum gears, a plurality of drive gears and a removal allowing unit. Each drum gear has a first target portion. Each drive gear has a second target portion. The removal allowing unit allows each photosensitive drum to be removed from the casing only when the first target portion of the drum gear is positionally in coincidence with a first position and when the second target portion of the drive gear is positionally in coincidence with a second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a drum unit which holds photosensitive drums in parallel, a developing cartridge which is detachably mounted in the drum unit, a translation member which is provided in the apparatus body to be movable linearly, a shaft which is provided on the tandem photosensitive drum unit for each developing cartridge; and a pivoting member which is rotatably supported by the shaft. The pivoting member includes an abutting portion which is provided on one side to abut the translation member, a pressing portion which is provided on the other side, and is configured to press a predetermined portion of the developing cartridge in a direction in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; and a spring portion which applies a biasing force in a direction in which the pressing portion is separated from the predetermined portion.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an image bearing member, a developing device developing an electrostatic image formed on the member with a developer, a first receiver receiving a driving force rotating the member from a first transmitter of the main assembly, a second receiver receiving a driving force driving the developing device from a second transmitter of the main assembly. The first receiver and the transmitter are engaged with each other with play in a mounting and demounting direction of the process cartridge, when the driving force is inputted from the first transmitter to the first receiver. When the driving force is inputted from the second transmitter to the second receiver, a part of the process cartridge is urged toward a positioning portion for positioning of the process cartridge relative to the main assembly.

Abstract: A structure which increases positioning precision of a blade member to a rotating member, an image forming apparatus, and a method of manufacturing a unit frame. A first reference surface of a boss provided on a surface of a frame to which a blade is contacted is formed by a first mold that forms a positioning hole for positioning a rotating member. The first reference surface supports the blade member to prevent the blade member from moving to a weight direction. With this arrangement, there is no manufacturing error of the first reference surface due to a mold assembling error. As a result, precision of positioning the blade member to the rotating member can be increased.

Abstract: A photosensitive unit includes: plural photosensitive drums; side plates provided on a first side and a second side of the photosensitive drums in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, respectively, each of the side plates being formed with through holes at a position opposing each photosensitive drum in the axial direction; and plural bearing members fitted into the through holes, respectively, to support end portions of the photosensitive drums. An inner surface of each of the through holes has four linear portions. The four linear portions are in contact with a virtual circle virtually set in the corresponding through hole, and arranged at a regular angular interval with respect to a center of the virtual circle. Each of the bearing members includes an insertion portion which has an outer peripheral surface having a diameter larger than that of the virtual circle, and is inserted into the through hole.

Abstract: A process cartridge including a main frame including a first side wall and a second side wall, and an image carrying member supported by the first side wall and the second side wall in a manner that permits the image carrying member to rotate. The image carrying member is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When viewed from the first side wall side or the second side wall side, the image carrying member is concealed by the first side wall or the second side wall in the retracted position. When viewed from the first side wall side or the second side wall side, at least a portion of the image carrying member extends beyond a periphery of the first side wall or the second side wall in the extended position.

Abstract: A connector connects a rotatable body including an attachment hole and an engaging groove, and a shaft pressed into the attachment hole to integrally rotate. The connector includes at least one pin configured to fit in the engaging groove; and a screw having a head configured to be pressed against the rotatable body either directly or via another member. The at least one pin is fixed on the shaft and extends in a radial direction of the shaft to penetrate the shaft. The screw is screwed into a screw hole on an end face of the shaft and is tightened to press the at least one pin against a surface of the engaging groove.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material in a state in which a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus and in a state in which a developing cartridge including a developing roller for developing with a developer an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum and including a developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer is detachably mountably to the main assembly, is constituted by a cartridge supporting member movable, in a state of detachably supporting the drum and developing cartridges, between an inside position in which the cartridge supporting member is located inside the main assembly and from which the drum and developing cartridges are movable to an image forming position in which the drum and developing cartridges effect image formation and an outside position in which the cartridge supporting member is located outside the main assembly and in which the drum and devel

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of suppressing drop in the write positional accuracy of the optical write while improving the maintenancability of the photosensitive bodies and the peripheral devices thereof, having a printer comprising four processing units each holding, in the inner part thereof, a photosensitive body for supporting a latent image on an endless moving surface, an optical write unit that is movable between an operate position where a write operation is performed for writing latent images on the surface of each of these photosensitive bodies and a retreat position where this write operation is not performed, and a support body for supporting each of the photosensitive bodies of the processing units and the optical write unit, the support body being configured as an integrally molded part by being united at the location for supporting each of the photosensitive bodies of the processing units and the location for supporting the optical write unit from (front-side panel and rear-side panel).

Abstract: A flange assembly for a drum of an image forming apparatus. The flange assembly including a flange having a hollow portion that extends from a first end of the flange to a second end of the flange, and a grounding member provided within the hollow portion of the flange. The grounding member is configured to ground the drum by contacting a ground pin of the image forming apparatus when the drum and the flange assembly are mounted to the image forming apparatus. When the grounding member is provided within the hollow portion of the flange, an open space is provided along an entire length from the first end of the flange to the second end of the flange. The driving flange has a generally triangular-shaped drive member at a terminal end thereof, and the drive member is configured to mate with a drum drive assembly of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: To provide a flange to be attached to an end of a photoconductor drum, the flange including: a drum engagement part capable of being engaged with an inner surface of the photoconductor drum; and a center hole, wherein the flange is prepared by cutting at least one of a surface of the engagement part and an inner surface of the center hole so that the axis of the center hole coincides with the axis of the photoconductor drum.

Abstract: A cutting device for use in detaching a drum from a printer cartridge, the drum defining a hollow interior, the hollow interior being surrounded by an interior wall of the drum, the cutting device including a shaft and a pointed edge protruding from the shaft, the pointed edge being configured to rotate with the shaft when the drum is being detached from the printer cartridge.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum for a printer cartridge, which can be easily mounted on a printer cartridge of which the positions of drum connectors are fixed, is disclosed. The photosensitive drum for a printer cartridge comprises a cylindrical drum having a photosensitive layer on a cylindrical surface thereof; and a pair of rotation shafts which is respectively mounted on the sides of the cylindrical drum for rotating and supporting the cylindrical drum, wherein at least one of the rotation shafts is insert-fitted to the side of the cylindrical drum.

Abstract: An organic photoconductor (OPC) drum includes a support member formed as a unitary molded body, a pair of mounting members, a pair of rollers, and an OPC belt. The support member includes a plurality of support plates, a plurality of groove-defining U-shaped segments, and first and second sidewalls. Each of the support plates extends in a first direction. Adjacent ones of the support plates are spaced apart from each other in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Each of the U-shaped segments interconnects a corresponding adjacent pair of the support plates. Each of the mounting members is coupled to a respective one of the first and second sidewalls. The rollers flank the support member in the second direction. The OPC belt is trained on an assembly of the support member and the rollers, and is driven by the rollers to move on the support plates.

Abstract: A process cartridge usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge includes i) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis and having a photosensitive layer at its peripheral surface; ii) process means actable on the drum; iii) a coupling member for receiving an external force for rotating the drum, wherein the coupling member is capable of taking a first angular position for transmitting the external force to the drum, a second angular position inclined away from the axis of the drum from the first angular position, and a third angular position away from the axis of the drum from the first angle position; and iv) a regulating portion for regulating an inclination angle of the coupling member such that downward inclination angle of the coupling member is smaller than an inclination angle of the coupling member when the coupling member is at the second angular position.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a driving shaft having a rotational force applying portion by moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the driving shaft. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a coupler engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the drum and taking transmitting, pre-engagement, and disengaging positions, and a regulator regulating an inclination angle of the coupler. During cartridge mounting, the coupler moves from the pre-engagement to the transmitting position to oppose the driving shaft, and during cartridge dismounting, the coupler moves from the transmitting to the disengaging position to disengage from the driving shaft.

Abstract: For supporting a cylindrical photosensitive drum, a high-precision high-strength supporting apparatus is disclosed to include a sleeve member and a shaft member. The sleeve member has an outer wall for attaching to the photosensitive drum, an inner wall within which an axial hole is defined, a first retaining portion positioned at the inner wall, and four locating ribs disposed inside the axial hole. The shaft member has an outer tube inserted into the axial hole of the sleeve member, a second retaining portion provided on the outer tube and engaged with the first retaining portion of the sleeve member, a connecting portion inwardly extending from the outer tube, an inner tube disposed at an inner end of the connecting portion, and four locating slot provided on the inner tube and engaged with the locating rib of the sleeve member.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes; a drum; a first housing provided around the drum; a second housing provided around the first housing; a temporarily tacking section that temporarily tacks two members selected out of three members of the drum, the first housing and the second housing; and a supporting member that fixes each position of the drum, the first housing and the second housing.

Abstract: A drive transmitting mechanism configured to rotate the photosensitive drum of a color copier has a driving shaft, a driven shaft, and first and second coupling members. The first coupling member has a projection extending in a diametrical direction. The first coupling member is attached to the driving shaft, with amount of freedom to oscillate in a direction intersecting at right angles to the lengthwise direction of the projection. The second coupling member has a recess in which the projection is fitted. The second coupling member is attached to the driven shaft, with amount of freedom to oscillate in the lengthwise direction of the recess. The first and second coupling members oscillate in the diametrical direction and slide on the contacting surface in a diametrical direction intersecting at right angles to the diametrical direction, thus suppressing the rotational speed change of the driven shaft, which results from the de-centering and declination between the driving shaft and the driven shaft.

Abstract: A resilient driving force member 10 having at least one helical spring 16, each helical spring 16 having an support member 14 connected to one end thereof and an engaging portion 20 connected to the other end, the engaging portion extending further from an axis X central to the turns of the helical spring 16 than the turns, where the engaging portion 20 of the resilient driving force member 10 is adapted to engage a corner or side of another driving force member of substantially similar size having either a twisted or non-twisted recess such that, when so engaged, rotational driving force can be transferred from one driving force member to the other.

Abstract: A bearing detachably and rotatably holds a photoconductor. A bearing holder firmly holds the bearing. A rotating lever is provided on a rotation axis of a photoconductor between the photoconductor and the bearing holder. The bearing holder and the rotating lever are provided with many protrusions at regular intervals. At a first relative position of the bearing holder and the rotating lever, the protrusions on the bearing holder are located in between the protrusions on the rotating lever. At a second relative position of the bearing holder and the rotating lever, the protrusions on the bearing holder ride on the protrusions on the rotating lever thereby pushing the photoconductor away from the bearing and detaching the photoconductor from the bearing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include: a main body provided with an accommodation chamber partitioned by an inner side surface; a photosensitive unit configured to slid between an accommodated position and a drawn position; a first electrode disposed on a first outer side surface on the photosensitive unit; a second electrode disposed on a second outer side surface on the photosensitive unit to protrude toward the inner side surface beyond the first outer side surface; a third electrode disposed on a first inner side surface on the inner side surface; and a fourth electrode disposed on a second inner side surface on the inner side surface to protrude toward the photosensitive unit beyond the first inner side surface.

Abstract: An image carrying cartridge includes a shaft, an image carrying member, a first casing, and a second casing. The image carrying member is formed with a shaft insertion-hole through which the shaft is inserted. The first casing includes two first walls formed with a first through-hole. Each of the first walls opposes each end of the image carrying member in a axial direction of the shaft. The second casing includes two second walls formed with a second through-hole. Each of the second walls opposes each of the first walls in the axial direction. The first casing and the second casing are coupled by insertion of the shaft through the first though-hole and the second through-hole to provide an inner space in which the image carrying member is accommodated.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes a first frame, and a first supporting unit. The first frame includes a first plate-shaped part having a surface orthogonal to the first direction and supports a first image-bearing member. The first plate-shaped part is formed with at least two first positioning holes. Each of the at least two first positioning holes is defined by a first inner surface that extends in the first direction. The first supporting unit erects from the first plate-shaped part and includes at least two first fitting parts and a first contact part. The at least two first fitting parts fit into the at least two first positioning holes. The first contact part extends in the first direction from each of the at least two first fitting parts. The first contact part contacts and supports the exposure unit. The exposure unit is oriented in a direction in which the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements is directed toward a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes, a cylindrical photoreceptor pipe; at least one flange which is attached to an opening of one end of the photoreceptor pipe, and which is provided with a shaft part projecting outward from the one end at a shaft center position of the photoreceptor pipe; and an earth member which is arranged to penetrate through the shaft part of the at least one flange, and which is provided on its inward side with at least one first contact part which contacts an inner circumference of the photoreceptor pipe, and on its outward side with a second contact part.

Abstract: A support device for use in an image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge and an apparatus main body. The process cartridge further includes an image carrier, at least one sub unit, and a cartridge-side fitting portion. The at least one sub unit includes a rotational member having a driven shaft. The apparatus main body further includes an apparatus-main-body-side fitting portion and a driving device. The driving device is provided with a drive shaft, and is configured to drive the rotational member. With the support device, the drive shaft is radially positioned at one support point along an axial direction thereof in the driving device before installing the process cartridge into the apparatus main body. In addition, the drive shaft is radially positioned at the one support point and a connecting point between the driven shaft and the driven shaft after installing the process cartridge into the apparatus main body.

Abstract: A process cartridge is provided. The process cartridge configured to be mounted in an apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction, the process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum drive input member into which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum is inputted; and a frame which holds the photosensitive drum and the drum drive input member; the frame comprising: a substantially cylindrical first protecting member which is formed on the frame, the first protecting member configured to accommodate the drum drive input member, the first protecting member projecting in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, wherein a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at a downstream side in the mounting direction is smaller than a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at an upstream side in the mounting direction.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printer in which a photoconductor drum and a transfer drum can be supported in a simple component construction and in the makeup free from misalignment and development of thrust load.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a drum drive input member; a developing cartridge configured to be movably mounted to the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge comprising a developing roller disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum and a developing drive input member; a drum drive transmission member configured to engage with the drum drive input member and configured to transmit drum driving force to the drum drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the drum drive input member within a predetermined range; and a developing drive transmission member configured to engage with the developing drive input member and configured to transmit developing driving force to the developing drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the developing drive input member within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging unit includes a photoconductor housing, a developer housing, and a support. The photoconductor housing is configured to rotatably support a photoconductor drum. The developer housing is configured to accommodate developer and a developer roller. The support is configured to rotatably support the developer roller at opposite ends thereof. The photoconductor housing and the developer housing are hinged together at one side, and movable relative to each other at another side to open and close the imaging unit to sandwiched the support between the photoconductor housing and the developer housing when the imaging unit is closed.

Abstract: A method of removing a drum from a printer toner cartridge, the drum having a cylindrical body, the drum further having a pair of drum gears attached to each end of the drum, each drum gear being configured to attach the drum to the printer, at least one drum gear having a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body defining a hollow drum gear interior, at least one drum gear further having a drum gear wall that is positioned perpendicular to the cylindrical body and configured to cover the hollow drum gear interior, the method including the steps of creating a hole through the drum gear wall and inserting a cutting device through the hollow drum gear interior.