# US 10,503,116 B2 · Image-forming device having guide to guide drawer supporting developing units in main casing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,503,116 B2 - Document ID: US10503116B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/227,083 - Filed: 2018-12-20 - Published: 2019-04-25 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-30 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Motoaki Mushika; Shougo Sato - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10503116B2 ## CPC - G03G 21/1676: {for the developer unit} - G03G 21/1604: {Arrangement or disposition of the entire apparatus} - G03G 21/1619: {Frame structures} - G03G 21/1623: {Means to access the interior of the apparatus} - G03G 2221/163: for the developer unit - G03G 2221/1654: Locks and means for positioning or alignment - G03G 2221/1684: using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges - G03G 2221/1815: for cleaning or developing but not being a process cartridge - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image-forming device includes a main casing, a belt accommodated in the main casing, developing units arranged along the belt, a drawer configured to detachably support the developing units, the drawer configured to move to a position inside the main casing and to a position outside the main casing, and the drawer having a leading end and a trailing end in a pulling direction from the inside position to the outside position; and a guide configured to guide the drawer and to move between a first position and a second position when the drawer is at the inside position, the second position being farther from the belt than the first position from the belt. When the guide is at the second position, the guide is configured to be tilted downward relative to a horizontal direction such that the leading end is lower than the trailing end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming device comprising: a main casing; a drawer for supporting a plurality of developing units, the drawer being movable to an inside position inside the main casing and to an outside position outside the main casing in a pulling direction, and the drawer having a leading end and a trailing end opposite to the leading end in the pulling direction; and a front cover movable between an open position at which an opening for pulling out the drawer is open and a closed position at which the opening is closed, the front cover being configured to support a bottom of the drawer when the drawer is in the outside position, wherein the leading end of the drawer is lower than the trailing end of the drawer in a state where the front cover supports the bottom of the drawer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the front cover includes a rail rib for supporting the bottom of the drawer when the drawer is in the outside position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein the rail rib extends in the pulling direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of developing units includes a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, and wherein the rail rib includes a first rail rib and a second rail rib spaced away from the first rail rib in the first direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein the front cover includes a main cover body, and wherein the rail rib extends from the main cover body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming device according to claim 1, further comprising: a drawer rail configured to guide movement of the drawer from the inside position to the outside position, the drawer rail being configured to be tilted downward from a horizontal direction such that the leading end of the drawer is lower than the trailing end of the drawer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The image forming device according to claim 6, wherein the drawer rail is movable between a first position where the drawer is positioned for forming an image and a second position where the drawer is capable of being pulled out from the main casing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The image forming device according to claim 7, wherein the drawer rail is movable between the first position and the second position when the drawer supporting the plurality of developing units is at the inside position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The image forming device according to claim 7, wherein the drawer and the drawer rail are movable integrally to the first position and to the second position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The image forming device according to claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of developing units includes a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, and wherein the drawer rail is pivotable between the first position and the second position about a second axis extending in the first direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the drawer includes a handle positioned at the leading end of the drawer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The image forming device according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer unit including: a first roller, a second roller spaced away from the first roller in the pulling direction, a transfer roller, and a transfer belt looped over the first roller and the second roller, the transfer belt being positioned between the first roller and the transfer roller. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The image forming device according to claim 12, wherein a diameter of the first roller is larger than a diameter of the second roller. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The image forming device according to claim 12, wherein the first roller is configured to drive the transfer belt.