Image forming apparatus
AssigneeKonica Corporation
InventorsAkihiko Kakita, Tsugio Sugizaki, Yozo Fujii
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides an image forming apparatus having a transfer device. The transfer device includes a plurality of rollers, a belt and a cam. The belt is rotatable around the plurality of rollers so as to convey a recording sheet thereon. The transfer device is adapted to be pivotable around a pivot axis thereof. The cam pivots the transfer device so as to bring the belt in contact with and out of an imaging surface of a photoreceptor. In the device there is further provided a spring for supporting the transfer device to reduce the weight loaded onto said cam member.
Claims6
An apparatus for forming an image, comprising:
- means for carrying a toner image on an imaging surface thereof;
- and
- a transfer belt assembly having a predetermined weight including:
- a plurality of rollers;
- and
- a belt rotatable around said plurality of rollers so as to convey a recording sheet thereon, said transfer belt assembly adapted to be pivotable around a pivot axis thereof between a first position on which said belt is brought in contact with said imaging surface and a second position in which said belt is spaced away from said imaging surface, wherein said second position is vertically spaced from said first position;
- a cam pivotably contacting a first distinct supporting point of said transfer belt assembly for lifting up said transfer belt assembly to said first position and for lowering said transfer belt assembly to said second position;
- and
- a spring disposed independently of said cam and contacting a second distinct supporting point of said transfer belt assembly to support at least a part of said predetermined weight of said transfer belt assembly, thereby reducing the weight contacting said cam member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.