# US 11,442,403 B2 · Image forming apparatus and process cartridge including drum cartridge and development cartridge > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,442,403 B2 - Document ID: US11442403B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/343,002 - Filed: 2021-06-09 - Published: 2021-12-16 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-06-10 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Shougo Sato; Kazuna Taguchi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11442403B2 ## CPC - G03G 21/1814: {Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing (G03G21/1835 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1821: {means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation (G03G21/1825 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1846: {using a handle for carrying or pulling out of the main machine, legs of casings} - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image forming apparatus includes a housing having an opening, a drum cartridge, and a development cartridge. The drum cartridge is movable in a first direction through the opening between a first position at which the drum cartridge is located inside the housing and a second position at which the drum cartridge is located outside the housing. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction and a first handle located at a downstream end of the drum cartridge in a movement direction in which the drum cartridge moves from the first position to the second position. The development cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the drum cartridge. The development cartridge includes a development roller and a second handle located upstream of the first handle in the movement direction in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: a housing having an opening; a drum cartridge movable in a first direction through the opening between a first position at which the drum cartridge is located inside the housing and a second position at which the drum cartridge is located outside the housing, the drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction and a first handle located at a downstream end of the drum cartridge in a movement direction in which the drum cartridge moves from the first position to the second position; and a development cartridge attachable to and detachable from the drum cartridge, the development cartridge including a development roller and a second handle located upstream of the first handle in the movement direction in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second handle is located at a center of the development cartridge in the first direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drum cartridge includes a drum frame supporting the photosensitive drum; wherein the drum frame includes: a first side plate; and a second side plate located away from the first side plate in the first direction; wherein, in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the development cartridge is located between the first side plate and the second side plate in the first direction; and wherein the first handle is attached to the first side plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first side plate has a guide configured to guide the development cartridge when the development cartridge is attached to and detached from the drum cartridge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the drum cartridge is detachable from the housing; and wherein the guide extends upward in a state where the drum cartridge is detached from the housing and is placed on a placement surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the drum cartridge includes a wall located at an opposite side of the development roller with respect to the photosensitive drum in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge; and wherein the guide extends in a direction away from the wall. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the second handle is located at an opposite side of the wall with respect to the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the development cartridge includes a development frame configured to support the development roller; and wherein the second handle is attached to the development frame, the second handle being rotationally movable between: a first position at which the second handle extends in a direction crossing a direction in which the guide extends; and a second position at which the second handle extends in the direction in which the guide extends. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a pressing member configured to press the development roller toward the photosensitive drum in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the pressing member being supported by the drum frame. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drum cartridge includes a lock configured to restrict detachment of the development cartridge from the drum cartridge in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the lock being located at an opposite side of the first handle with respect to the second handle in the first direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a cover movable between an open position at which the cover opens the opening and a closed position at which the cover closes the opening; an intermediate transfer device to which toner on the photosensitive drum is transferred; a drum pressing member movable between: a pressing position at which the drum pressing member presses the drum cartridge toward the intermediate transfer device; and a release position at which the drum pressing member does not press the drum cartridge toward the intermediate transfer device; and a cam movable in the first direction in conjunction with opening and closing of the cover, the cam being configured to: in a state where the cover is located at the closed position, cause the drum pressing member to be located at the pressing position; and in a state where the cover is located at the open position, cause the drum pressing member to be located at the release position. ### Claim 12 A process cartridge comprising: a drum cartridge having one end and an other end located away from the one end in a first direction, the drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction and a first handle; and a development cartridge attachable to and detachable from the drum cartridge, the development cartridge including a development roller and a second handle located between the one end and the other end in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the first handle being located at the one end of the drum cartridge detachably supporting the development cartridge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the second handle is located at a center of the development cartridge in the first direction. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the drum cartridge includes a lock configured to restrict detachment of the development cartridge from the drum cartridge in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the lock being located at the other end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the drum cartridge includes a drum frame supporting the photosensitive drum; wherein the drum frame includes: a first side plate; and a second side plate located away from the first side plate in the first direction; wherein, in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the development cartridge is located between the first side plate and the second side plate in the first direction; and wherein the first handle is attached to the first side plate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The process cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the first side plate has a guide configured to guide the development cartridge when the development cartridge is attached to and detached from the drum cartridge. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the guide extends upward in a state where the drum cartridge is placed on a placement surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the drum cartridge includes a wall located at an opposite side of the development roller with respect to the photosensitive drum in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge; and wherein the guide extends in a direction away from the wall. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The process cartridge according to claim 18, wherein, in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the second handle is located at an opposite side of the wall with respect to the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the development cartridge includes a development frame configured to support the development roller; and wherein the second handle is attached to the development frame, the second handle being rotationally movable between: a first position at which the second handle extends in a direction crossing a direction in which the guide extends; and a second position at which the second handle extends in the direction in which the guide extends.