# US 2014/0153953 A1 · Support unit and image forming apparatus

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- Number: US 2014/0153953 A1
- Document ID: US20140153953A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/095,782
- Filed: 2013-12-03
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-05
- Assignees: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
- Applicants: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
- Inventors: Hirokazu Fujii
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153953A1

## CPC

- G03G 21/1832: {Shielding members, shutter, e.g. light, heat shielding, prevention of toner scattering}
- G03G 21/1652: {Electrical connection means}
- G03G 21/1867: {for electrically connecting the process cartridge to the apparatus, electrical connectors, power supply}
- G03G 21/1633: {using doors or covers (G03G21/1638 takes precedence)}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

A support unit that supports a member to be supported is inserted in an apparatus main body thus to be mounted therein. The support unit includes a wall portion, a connector unit, and a cover member. The wall portion is provided on an upstream end portion of the support unit in the direction in which the support unit is inserted. The connector unit is provided on the wall portion for electrical connection between the apparatus main body and the support unit. The cover member is pivotably supported by a bearing portion provided on the wall portion, so as to pivot between a first position in which the connector unit is exposed so as to allow an operator to grasp the cover member, and a second position in which the connector unit is concealed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A support unit configured to support a member to be supported and be inserted in an apparatus main body thus to be mounted therein, the support unit comprising:
a wall portion provided on an upstream end portion of the support unit in the direction in which the support unit is inserted;
a connector unit provided on the wall portion for electrical connection between the apparatus main body and the support unit; and
a cover member pivotably supported by a bearing portion provided on the wall portion, so as to pivot between a first position in which the connector unit is exposed so as to allow an operator to grasp the cover member, and a second position in which the connector unit is concealed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The support unit according to claim 1,
wherein the cover member includes a second wall portion extending in a direction intersecting the insertion direction in the second position, and a first wall portion extending from the second wall portion in the insertion direction so as to intersect the second wall portion, and
in the first position, the second wall portion extends in the insertion direction, and the first wall portion is located upstream of the position where the first wall portion is located when the cover member is in the second position, and extends in the direction intersecting the insertion direction.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The support unit according to claim 2,
wherein the wall portion includes a screw hole for a screw to be inserted, formed at a position deviated from an end portion of the second wall portion of the cover member in the second position,
the wall portion includes a third wall portion formed at the end portion of the second wall portion of the cover member in the second position and extending in the insertion direction so as to cover the screw hole, and
the third wall portion is disposed so as to extend in the insertion direction together with the second wall portion when the cover member is in the first position, and so as to extend in the direction intersecting the insertion direction together with the second wall portion when the cover member is in the first position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The support unit according to claim 2,
wherein a first space is formed in the cover member when the cover member is at the first position, the first space being located downstream of the first wall portion in the insertion direction and surrounded by the second wall portion and the first wall portion extending from the second wall portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The support unit according to claim 3,
wherein the wall portion includes a second space extending in the insertion direction and located upstream of the screw hole in the insertion direction, and
the third wall portion is disposed to extend in the insertion direction so as to open the second space when the cover member is in the first position, and disposed to cover the second space so as to oppose the screw hole in the insertion direction, when the cover member is in the second position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The support unit according to claim 1, configured to support an image carrier that retains an image as the member to be supported.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The support unit according to claim 1, configured to support a developing unit that supplies a developing agent to an image carrier that retains an image, as the member to be supported.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An image forming apparatus, comprising:
the apparatus main body;
an image forming unit located inside the apparatus main body and configured to form an image on a recording medium; and
the image forming apparatus including the support unit according to claim 1.