Charging member and image forming member spacer apparatus

Abstract

A spacer apparatus for providing separation between a photoconductor drum and a charge roller in an electrophotographic printing system prior to first use includes a first and a second spacer member pivotally mounted to the shaft of the charge roller. Attached to the first and the second spacer members are, respectively, a first and a second spacer cam which contact the photoconductor drum in a region outside of the electrostatic latent image forming area of the photoconductor drum. Prior to the first rotation of the photoconductor drum, the first and second spacer cams maintain separation between the photoconductor drum and the charge roller. After the first rotation of the photoconductor drum, the first and second spacer cams rotate about the shaft of the charge roller and permit the charge roller to be engaged against the photoconductor drum by the compression springs.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.