# US 9,039,137 B2 · Image forming apparatus

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- Number: US 9,039,137 B2
- Document ID: US9039137B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/011,331
- Filed: 2013-08-27
- Published: 2014-03-06
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2012-09-01
- Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
- Applicants: Yuta Moriwaki; Tomomi Katoh; Soyoung Park; Hiroshi Noda
- Inventors: Yuta Moriwaki; Tomomi Katoh; Soyoung Park; Hiroshi Noda
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039137B2

## CPC

- B41J 29/02: Framework
- B41J 2/16508: {connected with the printer frame}
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming part including a recording head to form an image on a recording medium, a conveyance mechanism disposed opposite the image forming part to convey the recording medium, and a cover closably openable relative to a body of the image forming apparatus and disposed opposite the conveyance mechanism with the image forming part interposed therebetween. The recording head is detachably attachable to the cover and is configured to move away from the conveyance mechanism when the cover is opened.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image forming apparatus, comprising:
an image forming part comprising a recording head to form an image on a recording medium;
a conveyance mechanism disposed opposite the image forming part to convey the recording medium; and
a cover plate closably openable relative to a body of the image forming apparatus, the cover plate being disposed opposite the conveyance mechanism with the image forming part interposed therebetween,
wherein the recording head is detachable from, and attachable to, the cover plate in a direction along the surface of the cover plate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is constructed of a liquid ejection head from which droplets are ejectable, and is attached to the cover plate to eject the droplets in a horizontal direction.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a shutter member to cover a nozzle face of the recording head when the recording head is moved to a position away from the conveyance mechanism.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a cap member movable to cover a nozzle face of the recording head when the recording head is moved to a position away from the conveyance mechanism.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a pressing member provided to the image forming part to press the cap member against the nozzle face of the recording head.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a tension member provided to the body of the image forming apparatus to move the cap member away from the nozzle face of the recording head.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing part to press the recording head toward the conveyance mechanism when the cover plate is closed.