# US 2018/0321633 A1 · Developing apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0321633 A1 - Document ID: US20180321633A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/036,058 - Filed: 2018-07-16 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-29 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Masato Tanabe; Kazutaka Sueshige; Teruhiko Sasaki; Tsukasa Abe; Osamu Anan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180321633A1 ## CPC - G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means} - G03G 15/0806: {on a donor element, e.g. belt, roller (complete developer unit G03G15/0896)} - G03G 21/1676: {for the developer unit} - G03G 21/18: using a processing cartridge {, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit} - G03G 21/1825: {Pivotable subunit connection} - G03G 21/1846: {using a handle for carrying or pulling out of the main machine, legs of casings} - G03G 21/185: {the process cartridge being mounted parallel to the axis of the photosensitive member} - G03G 2221/1657: transmitting mechanical drive power - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract Disclosed is a developing apparatus including: a developer bearing member that bears a developer; a developing frame body that rotatably supports the developer bearing member; a one-end side end member that supports one-end side in an axis direction of the developer bearing member of the developing frame body; and another-end side end member that supports the other-end side in the axis direction of the developer bearing member of the developing frame body. Each of the one-end side end member and the other-end side end member is independently movable with respect to the developing frame body. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-30. (canceled) ### Claim 31 A developing apparatus attachable and detachable relative to an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, the developing apparatus comprising: a developer bearing member; a developing frame that rotatably supports the developer bearing member; a one-end side end member that is attached to one end of the developing frame in an axis direction of the developer bearing member, the one-end side end member comprising a one-end side positioned portion to be positioned with respect to the apparatus main body; and an other-end side end member that is attached to an other end of the developing frame in the axis direction of the developer bearing member, the other-end side end member comprising an other-end side positioned portion to be positioned with respect to the apparatus main body, wherein the one-end side end member is rotatable with respect to the developing frame and the other-end side end member, and the other-end side end member is rotatable with respect to the developing frame and the one-end side end member. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The developing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the developing frame comprises a one-end side engaging portion that engages with the one-end side end member, and an other-end side engaging portion that engages with the other-end side end member, and wherein the one-end side end member and the other-end side end member are rotatable about a line that connects the one-end side engaging portion and the other-end side engaging portion to each other. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The developing apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising: a preventing member that prevents the one-end side end member and the other-end side end member from coming off the one-end side engaging portion and the other-end side engaging portion, respectively. ### Claim 34 (depends on 31) The developing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the one-end side positioned portion is a projection that is projected toward a direction crossing to the axis direction, and the other-end side positioned portion is a projection that is projected in the axis direction. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) The developing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the other-end side end member is disposed in a downstream side of the one-end side end member in an inserting direction in which the developing apparatus is inserted in the apparatus main body, and wherein the other-end side end member comprises an other-end side guided portion to be guided by a guide portion of the apparatus main body. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The developing apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the one-end side end member comprises a one-end side guided portion to be guided by the guide portion. ### Claim 37 (depends on 34) The developing apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the other-end side end member is disposed in a downstream side of the one-end side end member in an inserting direction in which the developing apparatus is inserted in the apparatus main body, and wherein the other-end side end member comprises a first guided portion to be guided by a first guide portion of the apparatus main body and a second guided portion to be guided by a second guide portion of the apparatus main body. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The developing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the one-end side end member comprises a third guided portion to be guided by the first guide portion and a fourth guided portion to be guided by the second guide portion. ### Claim 39 (depends on 31) The developing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the apparatus main body comprises an image bearing member on which a latent image is to be formed, and wherein the developing frame is rotatable to a position at which the developer bearing member and the image bearing member separate from each other and a position at which the developer bearing member and the image bearing member come into contact with each other. ### Claim 40 (depends on 31) The developing apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising: an other-end side restricting member that restricts rotation of the other-end side end member; and an other-end side restricted portion capable of engaging with the other-end side restricting member, wherein the other-end side restricting member is movable to a position at which the other-end side restricting member engages with the other-end side restricted portion to restrict the rotation of the other-end side end member and a position at which the other-end side restricting member disengages from the other-end side restricted portion to allow the rotation of the other-end side end member. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The developing apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising: an other-end side urging member that urges the other-end side restricting member. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) The developing apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the other-end side restricting member is provided on the developing frame, and the other-end side restricted portion is provided on the other-end side end member. ### Claim 43 (depends on 40) The developing apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising: a one-end side restricting member that restricts rotation of the one-end side end member; and a one-end side restricted portion capable of engaging with the one-end side restricting member, wherein the one-end side restricting member is movable to a position at which the one-end side restricting member engages with the one-end side restricted portion to restrict the rotation of the one-end side end member and a position at which the one-end side restricting member disengages from the one-end side restricted portion to allow the rotation of the one-end side end member. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The developing apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising: a one-end side urging member that urges the one-end side restricting member. ### Claim 45 (depends on 39) The developing apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising: an other-end side restricting member that restricts rotation of the other-end side end member; an other-end side restricted portion capable of engaging with the other-end side restricting member; a one-end side restricting member that restricts rotation of the one-end side end member; and a one-end side restricted portion capable of engaging with the one-end side restricting member, wherein the other-end side restricting member is movable to a position at which the other-end side restricting member engages with the other-end side restricted portion to restrict the rotation of the other-end side end member and a position at which the other-end side restricting member disengages from the other-end side restricted portion to allow the rotation of the other-end side end member, and wherein the one-end side restricting member is movable to a position at which the one-end side restricting member engages with the one-end side restricted portion to restrict the rotation of the one-end side end member and a position at which the one-end side restricting member disengages from the one-end side restricted portion to allow the rotation of the one-end side end member. ### Claim 46 A developing apparatus attachable and detachable to and from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, the developing apparatus comprising: a developer bearing member; a developing frame that rotatably supports the developer bearing member; an end member that is attached to either one of a one-end side and an other-end side of the developing frame in an axis direction of the developer bearing member, the end member being rotatable with respect to the developing frame, and the end member comprising a positioned portion to be positioned with respect to the apparatus main body; a restricting member that restricts rotation of the end member; and a restricted portion capable of engaging with the restricting member, wherein the restricting member is movable to a position at which the restricting member engages with the restricted portion to restrict the rotation of the end member and a position at which the restricting member disengages from the restricted portion to allow the rotation of the end member. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The developing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the restricting member is provided on the developing frame, and the restricted portion is provided on the end member. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The developing apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the developing apparatus is attachable and detachable to and from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus along the axis direction of the developer bearing member, wherein the restricting member is movable in a direction in which the developing apparatus is inserted in the apparatus main body, and wherein the restricted portion is a groove portion into which the restricting member fits from the direction in which the developing apparatus is inserted in the apparatus main body. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The developing apparatus according to claim 48, further comprising: an urging member that urges the restricting member toward a direction in which the restricting member and the restricted portion engage with each other. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) The developing apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the restricting member is pressed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the developing apparatus is inserted in the apparatus main body by an engagement cancelling portion provided on the apparatus main body, to cancel engagement between the restricting member and the restricted portion. ### Claim 51 (depends on 46) The developing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the end member is positioned with respect to an apparatus main body in a state in which the developing apparatus is attached to the apparatus main body, and wherein the developer bearing member comes in contact with and separates from an image bearing member when the developing frame rotates with respect to the end member. ### Claim 52 (depends on 31) An image forming apparatus comprising: the developing apparatus according to claim 31; and an image bearing member that comes in contact with and separates from the developer bearing member, wherein the image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using a developer image formed on the image bearing member by the developing apparatus. ### Claim 53 (depends on 31) An image forming apparatus comprising: the developing apparatus according to claim 31; and a photosensitive apparatus having an image bearing member that the developer bearing member comes in contact with and separates from, wherein the developing apparatus and the photosensitive apparatus are separately attachable and detachable to and from an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. ### Claim 54 A developing apparatus comprising: a developer bearing member; a developing frame for rotatably supporting the developer bearing member, the developing frame including a first portion and a second portion, wherein in an axis direction of the developer bearing member, the first portion is disposed in a first end and the second portion is disposed in a second end opposite to the first end; a first end member attached to the first portion; and a second end member attached to the second portion, and the second end member provided with a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first end member is rotatable with respect to the developing frame and the second end member, and the second end member is rotatable with respect to the developing frame and the first end member, and wherein as seen in the axis direction, the first end member partially overlaps the developing frame, the second end member partly overlaps the developing frame, and a part of the developing frame is exposed through the first opening and the second opening. ### Claim 55 (depends on 61) The developing apparatus according to claim 61, wherein the first portion comprises a first engaging portion that engages a first hole provided on the first end member, and the second portion comprises a second engaging portion that engages a second hole provided on the second end member, and wherein the first end member and the second end member are rotatable about a line that connects the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion to each other. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) The developing apparatus according to claim 55, further comprising: a first preventing member attached to the first engaging portion, the first preventing member preventing the first end member from coming off the first engaging portion; and a second preventing member attached to the second engaging portion, the second preventing member preventing the second end member from coming off the second engaging portion. ### Claim 57 (depends on 54) The developing apparatus according to claim 54, further comprising: a restricting member that restricts rotation of the second end member, the restricting member being movable between a position to restrict the rotation of the second end member and a position to allow the rotation of the second end member. ### Claim 58 (depends on 57) The developing apparatus according to claim 57, further comprising: an urging member that urges the restricting member to the position to restrict the rotation of the second end member from the position to allow the rotation of the second end member. ### Claim 59 (depends on 54) The developing apparatus according to claim 54, further comprising: a first restricting member that restricts rotation of the first end member, the first restricting member being movable to a position to restrict the rotation of the first end member and a position to allow the rotation of the first end member, and a second restricting member that restricts rotation of the second end member, the second restricting member being movable to a position to restrict the rotation of the second end member and a position to allow the rotation of the second end member. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The developing apparatus according to claim 59, further comprising: a first urging member that urges the first restricting member to the position to restrict the rotation of the first end member from the position to allow the rotation of the first end member, and a second urging member that urges the second restricting member to the position to restrict the rotation of the second end member from the position to allow the rotation of the second end member. ### Claim 61 (depends on 54) The developing apparatus according to claim 54, wherein the developing frame is rotatable with respect to the first end member and the second end member, so that the developer bearing member is movable between a position at which the developer bearing member contacts an image bearing member to develop a latent image formed on the image bearing member, and a position at which the developer bearing member is separated from the image bearing member. ### Claim 62 (depends on 61) The developing apparatus according to claim 61, wherein the developing apparatus is attachable and detachable t and from an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus in the axis direction. ### Claim 63 (depends on 62) The developing apparatus according to claim 62, wherein in an inserting direction of the developing apparatus, the second end member is disposed in a downstream side of the first end member. ### Claim 64 (depends on 62) The developing apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the image bearing member is provided in an image bearing unit attachable and detachable relative to the apparatus main body, and wherein the developing apparatus and the image bearing unit are attachable and detachable relative to the apparatus main body, independently from each other.