Door assembly for an image forming device
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorsMichael Craig Leemhuis, Donn Duane Bryant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device and method of connecting a cartridge unit to a door assembly of an image forming device. The door assembly includes a first mount having a first configuration, and a second mount having a second different configuration. The cartridge unit includes a first attachment for connecting to the first mount, and a second attachment for connecting to the second mount. The cartridge unit is connected and does not become disengaged when the door assembly moves between open and closed orientations. Method of using the attachments are also disclosed that include mounting one of the attachments to the corresponding mount, and then moving the cartridge unit to mount the other attachment to the other mount.
Claims27
A door assembly for an image forming apparatus comprising:
- a door;
- a first mount and a second mount being spaced apart and attached to the door, the first mount having a post and a cap with the post extending outward from the door and the cap spaced from the door and extending outward beyond the post;
- the second mount having opposing fingers extending outward from the door and forming a channel;
- and
- a cartridge having a photoconductive member and being connected to the door by the pair of mounts, the cartridge comprising a first attachment mechanism having a slot with a slot width greater than a width of the post and less than a cap width, and a second attachment mechanism having a neck that seats within the second mount as a neck width is less than a width of the channel.
A door assembly for an image forming apparatus comprising:
- a door;
- a cartridge with a photoconductive member and having a first attachment and a second attachment to attach the cartridge to the door;
- a first mount positioned on the door and having a first configuration to receive the first attachment;
- and
- a second mount positioned on the door and having a second configuration to receive the second attachment, the first configuration and the second configuration being different such that only the first attachment can attach to the first mount and only the second attachment can attach to the second mount.
A door assembly for an image forming apparatus comprising:
- a door;
- a plurality of first mounts spaced along a first edge of the door, each of the plurality of first mounts having a post and a cap with the post extending outward from the door and the cap spaced from the door and extending outward beyond a width of the post;
- a plurality the second mounts spaced along a second edge of the door opposite from the first edge, each of the plurality of second mounts having opposing fingers extending outward from the door and forming a channel;
- and
- a plurality of cartridges each removably attached to the door, each of the plurality of cartridges having a photoconductive member, a first attachment mechanism having a slot with a slot width greater than a post width and less than a cap width, and a second attachment mechanism having a neck that seats within the second mount as a neck width is less than a width of the channel.
A cartridge for an image forming device having a first end with a first attachment with a pair of spaced-apart fingers forming a slot, and a second end with a second attachment with a neck and a head, the head positioned on an outer side of the neck away from the first end, and the neck having a smaller width than the head.
A cartridge for an image forming device comprising:
- a photoconductive member having a first end and a second end;
- a first attachment mechanism positioned adjacent to the first end and having a slot extending inward a predetermined distance from an outer edge, and a second attachment mechanism positioned adjacent to the second end and having a neck and a head, the head positioned on an outer side of the neck away and having a smaller width than the head.
A method of mounting a cartridge assembly to a door of an image forming apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving the cartridge in a horizontal direction and attaching a first end of the cartridge to the door;
- while the first end remains attached, moving the cartridge in a vertical direction and attaching a second end of the cartridge to the door;
- and
- moving the door from an open orientation to a closed orientation and maintaining the attachment of the cartridge to the door.
A method of mounting a cartridge assembly to a door of an image forming apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
- attaching a slot on a first end of the cartridge to a T-shaped member on a first door side;
- attaching a neck on a second end of the cartridge in a channel formed between two fingers on a second door side;
- and
- positioning the photoconductive member within a working area of the door between the first door side and the second door side.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.