# US 10,310,445 B2 · Electrical cable connecting apparatus, method for connecting electrical cable, and image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,310,445 B2 - Document ID: US10310445B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/041,748 - Filed: 2018-07-21 - Published: 2018-11-15 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2011-11-15 - Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Masahiro Imoto; Yasumasa Morimoto; Toshiki Ohgita - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310445B2 ## CPC - G03G 21/1652: {Electrical connection means} - G03G 15/60: {Apparatus which relate to the handling of originals (for photographic purposes in general G03B)} - G03G 15/80: {Details relating to power supplies, circuits boards, electrical connections} - H02G 15/18: protected by sleeves, e.g. for communication cable (two-part covers H02G15/10 {; preforms having internal stresses B29C61/00}) - H02G 3/32: using mounting clamps - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES ## Abstract An image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body) and an automatic document feeder mounted on the apparatus main body are provided, and a cable-side connector provided at a front end of an electrical cable extending from the automatic document feeder is removably connected to a board-side connector provided on a circuit board of the apparatus main body. In this configuration, an opening portion is provided in a back face of a housing of the apparatus main body at a position opposing the board-side connector, a lid that covers this opening portion is attached to a front end portion of the electrical cable by an attachment member, and this lid is configured so as to be attachable to the opening portion by a hook and fixing by screwing by means of a screw insertion boss. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising a first apparatus and a second apparatus, in which a cable-side connector of an electrical cable extending from the second apparatus is connected to a first-apparatus-side connector provided in the first apparatus, the cable-side connector being provided on a side of the first apparatus, the image forming apparatus further comprising: an outlet portion through which the electrical cable extends to outside from the first apparatus; and a binding member that binds the electrical cable, wherein the binding member is located between the cable-side connector and the outlet portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the binding member is located closer to the outlet portion than to the first-apparatus-side connector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an opening portion provided in the first apparatus and through which the cable-side connector is connectable to the first-apparatus-side connector from the outside of the first apparatus; and a lid that covers the opening portion, wherein the outlet portion is provided in the lid or the opening portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an opening portion provided in the first apparatus and through which the cable-side connector is connectable to the first-apparatus-side connector from the outside of the first apparatus; and a lid that covers the opening portion, wherein the lid is configured to be attachable to the opening portion by an engaging portion that is provided on a side of one side edge portion of the lid and is for removably engaging with a side of a side edge portion of the opening portion, and also by an attaching portion that is provided on a side of another side edge portion of the lid opposing the side of the one side edge portion of the lid and is for attaching the lid to the first apparatus. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when the opening portion is covered by the lid, the binding member is located closer to the attaching portion than to the engaging portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the outlet portion is disposed closer to the attaching portion than to the engaging portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when the opening portion is covered by the lid, the electrical cable extends to the outside from an edge portion closer to the attaching portion than to the engaging portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the binding member is attached on a rear face of the lid between the engaging portion and the attaching portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the binding member is a resin band attached to the electrical cable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an opening portion provided in the first apparatus and through which the cable-side connector is connectable to the first-apparatus-side connector from the outside of the first apparatus; and a lid that covers the opening portion, wherein the lid is attached by the attaching portion opposed to an attaching hole formed in a frame in the opening portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of cable-side connectors and a grounding terminal are provided at an end of the electrical cable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an opening portion provided in the first apparatus and through which the cable-side connector is connectable to the first-apparatus-side connector from the outside of the first apparatus; and a lid that covers the opening portion, wherein the electrical cable extends out from a side of one side edge portion of the lid in a width direction of the first apparatus. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first-apparatus-side connector is electrically connected to a circuit board provided in the first apparatus. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein any one of the first apparatus and the second apparatus is an image forming apparatus main body at least including an image forming section and a scanner section, and the other apparatus is an automatic document feeder. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein any one of the first apparatus and the second apparatus is pivotally connected to the other apparatus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the binding member is a separate member from a member including the outlet portion.