US 6,647,223 B2 · Open/close switch mechanism for use in an image forming apparatus

Abstract

A door open/close switch mechanism, which turns on and off predetermined power of an image forming apparatus in conjunction with an open/close operation of an open/close portion of the image forming apparatus, includes an operating member, a switch and an on/off member. The operating member moves in a first direction when a first open/close portion of the image forming apparatus is opened/closed while the operating member moves in a second direction when a second open/close portion of the image forming apparatus is opened/closed. The switch is provided to turn on and off the predetermined power of the image forming apparatus. The on/off member is integrally provided with the operating member and turns the switch on only when the on/off member moves to a predetermined position after moved in both the first and second directions.

Claims27

Dependent claims

An open and close switch mechanism for use in an image forming apparatus, the open and close switch mechanism comprising:

an operating member which is a shaft member having a central longitudinal axis, the shaft member being configured to rotate in a rotational direction about the central longitudinal axis thereof by an open and close operation of a first open and close portion of the image forming apparatus, and the shaft member being configured to slide back and forth in an axial direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis thereof by an open and close operation of a second open and close portion of the image forming apparatus;
a switch configured to turn a predetermined power of the image forming apparatus on and off;
and
an on and off member integrally provided on the shaft member and configured to turn the switch on only when the shaft member operates in both the rotational and axial directions.

1 more element

An open and close switch mechanism for use in an image forming apparatus, the open and close switch mechanism comprising:

operating means which is a shaft means having a central longitudinal axis, the shaft means for rotating in a rotational direction around the central longitudinal axis thereof by an open and close operation of a first open and close portion of the image forming apparatus, and the shaft means for sliding back and forth in an axial direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis thereof by an open and close operation of a second open and close portion of the image forming apparatus;
switch means for switching a predetermined power of the image forming apparatus on and off;
and
on and off means for turning the switch means on only when the shaft means operates in both the rotational and axial directions.

1 more element

A method for turning predetermined power on and off in conjunction with an open and close operation of an open and close portion of an image forming apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

operating an operating member, which is a shaft member having a central longitudinal axis, in a rotational direction around the central longitudinal axis of the shaft member by the open and close operation of a first open and close portion of the image forming apparatus, and in an axial direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the shaft member by the open and close operation of a second open and close portion of the image forming apparatus;
providing a switch configured to turn the predetermined power of the image forming apparatus on and off;
and
turning the switch on only when the shaft member operates in both the rotational and axial directions.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Open/close switch mechanism for use in an image forming apparatus

Life of this patent

Open/close switch mechanism for use in an image forming apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27