# US 2014/0193173 A1 · Image Forming Device Having Feed Tray and Retaining Unit Retaining Photosensitive Drums > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0193173 A1 - Document ID: US20140193173A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/203,055 - Filed: 2014-03-10 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-10 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Shougo Sato - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193173A1 ## CPC - G03G 15/6511: {Feeding devices for picking up or separation of copy sheets} - G03G 15/1605: {using at least one intermediate support (G03G15/1625 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/6502: {Supplying of sheet copy material; Cassettes therefor} - G03G 15/6514: {Manual supply devices} - G03G 15/6529: {Transporting (G03G15/6555 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/6552: {Means for discharging uncollated sheet copy material, e.g. discharging rollers, exit trays} - G03G 21/1619: {Frame structures} - G03G 21/1633: {using doors or covers (G03G21/1638 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1642: {for connecting the different parts of the apparatus} - G03G 21/1695: {for paper transport} - G03G 21/1839: {Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body} - G03G 21/1853: {the process cartridge being mounted perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive member} - G03G 2221/1684: using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges - G03G 2221/1869: Cartridge holders, e.g. intermediate frames for placing cartridge parts therein - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image forming device includes: a main casing; a retaining unit; a feed tray; and a pickup roller. The retaining unit retains a plurality of photosensitive drums juxtaposedly arrayed and spaced away from each other in an array direction. The retaining unit is movable in the array direction between a mounted position in which the retaining unit is mounted in the main casing and a pulled-out position in which the retaining unit is pulled out of the main casing. The feed tray is configured to accommodate a first transferred medium. The pickup roller is configured to pick up the first transferred medium accommodated in the feed tray. The pickup roller is arranged to overlap with the retaining unit in the array direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming device comprising: a main casing; a retaining unit retaining a plurality of photosensitive drums juxtaposedly arrayed and spaced away from each other in an array direction, the retaining unit movable in the array direction between a mounted position in which the retaining unit is mounted in the main casing and a pulled-out position in which the retaining unit is pulled out of the main casing; a feed tray that is configured to accommodate a first transferred medium; and a pickup roller that is configured to pick up the first transferred medium accommodated in the feed tray, the pickup roller being arranged to overlap with the retaining unit in the array direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming device according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer belt, arranged in confrontation with the plurality of photosensitive drums, to be transferred with developer supported on each photosensitive drum. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein the transfer belt has a downstream end portion in a mounting direction in which the retaining unit is moved from the pulled-out position to the mounted position, and the image forming device further comprises a transfer roller disposed in confrontation with the downstream end portion to transfer the developer, which is transferred to the transfer belt, to a transferred medium. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein the feed tray and the pickup roller are disposed opposite to the transfer belt with respect to the retaining unit in a direction in which the retaining unit and the transfer belt oppose each other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming device according to claim 1, further comprising a second supplying unit positioned at an upstream end portion of the main casing in a mounting direction in which the retaining unit is moved from the pulled-out position to the mounted position and configured to supply a second transferred medium different from the first transferred medium. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The image forming device according to claim 5, wherein the main casing has a first conveying path and a second conveying path, the first conveying path extending from the feed tray to a first position where the transfer roller opposes the downstream end portion of the transfer belt, the first transferred medium being conveyed along the first conveying path in a conveying direction, the second conveying path extending from the second supplying unit to a second position located upstream of the first position in the conveying direction, the second transferred medium being conveyed to the first conveying path through the second conveying path. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The image forming device according to claim 6, wherein the retaining unit includes a first conveying member configured to convey the second transferred medium supplied from the second supplying unit along the second conveying path. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The image forming device according to claim 7, wherein the feed tray comprises a second conveying member disposed in confrontation with the first conveying member, the second conveying member configured to convey the second transferred medium supplied from the second supplying unit in cooperation with the first conveying member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The image forming device according to claim 8, wherein the second conveying member is movable in an opposing direction in which the first conveying member and the second conveying member oppose each other, and wherein the feed tray comprises an urging member that urges the second conveying member toward the first conveying member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The image forming device according to claim 6, wherein the second conveying path joins the first conveying path at the second position, and wherein the pickup roller is disposed at the second position to be shared by the first conveying path and the second conveying path. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The image forming device according to claim 7, wherein the retaining unit comprises a second conveying member that is disposed in confrontation with the first conveying member, the second conveying member configured to convey the second transferred medium supplied from the second supplying unit in cooperation with the first conveying member, the second conveying member being movable in an opposing direction in which the first conveying member and the second conveying member oppose each other. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The image forming device according to claim 7, wherein the first conveying member is disposed between the plurality of photosensitive drums in the array direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining unit comprises a plurality of exposure units each of which exposes a corresponding one of the photosensitive drums. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining unit comprises a cleaning unit that contacts the transfer belt to clean a surface thereof. ### Claim 15 An image forming device comprising: a main casing; a retaining unit retaining a plurality of photosensitive drums juxtaposedly arrayed and spaced away from each other in an array direction, the retaining unit movable in the array direction between a mounted position in which the retaining unit is mounted in the main casing and a pulled-out position in which the retaining unit is pulled out of the main casing; a transfer belt arranged in confrontation with the plurality of photosensitive drums to be transferred with developer supported on each photosensitive drum, the transfer belt having a downstream end portion in a mounting direction in which the retaining unit is moved from the pulled-out position to the mounted position; a transfer roller disposed in confrontation with the downstream end portion to transfer the developer, which is transferred to the transfer belt, to a transferred medium; and a feed tray comprising a lift member that is configured to lift a first transferred medium and a plate disposed above the lift member and configured to place thereon a second transferred medium which is different from the first transferred medium and which has been supplied into the main casing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The image forming device according to claim 15, wherein the plate is detachable from and attachable to the feed tray. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The image forming device according to claim 15, wherein the feed tray is disposed opposite to the transfer belt with respect to the retaining unit in a direction in which the retaining unit and the transfer belt oppose each other. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The image forming device according to claim 15, wherein the feed tray comprises a conveying member configured to convey the second transferred medium supplied. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The image forming device according to claim 18, wherein the feed tray comprises an urging member configured to urge the conveying member.