US 12,001,165 B2 · Image forming apparatus having member to restrict disengagement of a detachable cartridge

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge including a portion-to-be-engaged; a main assembly to which the cartridge is detachably mountable; and an operating portion configured to be operated when the cartridge is disengaged from the main assembly. The main assembly includes a cartridge disengagement restricting mechanism configured to restrict disengagement of the cartridge, the cartridge disengagement restricting mechanism comprises an engaging portion for engaging with the portion-to-be-engaged of the cartridge so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in a disengaging direction in which the cartridge is disengaged from the main assembly; a restricting portion movable between a first position where a releasing operation of the operating portion for releasing engagement between the portion-to-be-engaged and the engaging portion and a second position where the releasing operation is permitted; and an actuator configured to move the restricting portion between the first position and the second position.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An image forming apparatus comprising:

(i) a cartridge including a portion-to-be-engaged;
(ii) a main assembly to which the cartridge is detachably mountable;
and
(iii) an operating member configured to be operated when the cartridge is disengaged from the main assembly,
wherein the main assembly includes (iv) a cartridge disengagement restricting mechanism configured to restrict disengagement of the cartridge from the main assembly, the cartridge disengagement restricting mechanism including:
(iv-i) an engaging portion configured to engage with the portion-to-be-engaged of the cartridge so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in a disengaging direction in which the cartridge is disengaged from the main assembly;
(iv-ii) a restricting member movable between a first position where a releasing operation of the operating member for releasing engagement between the portion-to-be-engaged and the engaging portion is restricted and a second position where the releasing operation is allowed;
and
(iv-iii) an actuator configured to move the restricting member between the first position and the second position.

6 more elements

An image forming apparatus comprising:

(i) a cartridge including a portion-to-be-engaged;
and
(ii) a main assembly to which the cartridge is mountable and from which the cartridge is disengageable, the main assembly including:
(ii-i) an engaging portion configured to engage with the portion-to-be-engaged of the cartridge, wherein movement of the cartridge from the main assembly in a disengaging direction is restricted in a state in which the engaging portion engages with the portion-to-be-engaged of the cartridge and is allowed by disengagement of the engaging portion from the portion-to-be-engaged of the cartridge in a case that the cartridge is moved in a predetermined direction crossing the disengaging direction;
and
(ii-ii) a cartridge disengagement restricting mechanism including:
(ii-ii-i) a restricting member movable to a first position where movement of the cartridge in the predetermined direction is restricted and a second position where the movement of the cartridge in the predetermined direction is allowed;
and
(ii-ii-ii) an actuator configured to move the restricting member between the first position and the second position.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Image forming apparatus having member to restrict disengagement of a detachable cartridge

Life of this patent

Image forming apparatus having member to restrict disengagement of a detachable cartridge

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17