Connection device, image forming apparatus and optional device equipped with the same

• US 7,287,998 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera MITA Corporation (Kyocera Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kyocera MITA Corporation (Kyocera Corporation)
• Inventors: Masai, Katunori
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams; Neil
• Application Number:
  US11/416,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20060248733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 439/342, 439/347, 439/346, 439/312, 439/313, 439/337, 439/953
• US Class Current: 439/346
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1652 Electrical connection means
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1654 Locks and means for positioning or alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/166 Electrical connectors

Abstract

A connection device includes a fixed locking member that is connected electrically to a conductive first frame of a post processor, and a conductive movable locking member that contacts an outer face of the fixed locking member and can slide. A conductive positioning pin that is connected electrically to a conductive second frame of a copying machine is inserted in a pin insertion hole and a large diameter portion in an unlock position of the movable locking member. When the movable locking member is further moved to slide to a lock position, the positioning pin is engaged and fixed to a small diameter portion, so that a conductive plate spring of the movable locking member contacts the positioning pin.

Claims

1. A connection device comprising:

a fixed locking member that is a conductive member connected electrically to a conductive first frame of a first device, an end of the fixed locking member being connected electrically to a conductive second frame of a second device and the other end of the fixed locking member being provided with a pin insertion hole for inserting a conductive columnar pin having an engaging portion;

a movable locking member that is a conductive member contacting an outer face of the fixed locking member and can slide in a sliding direction that is perpendicular to an insertion direction of the pin, the movable locking member having a first elliptic hole including a large diameter portion at an end for inserting the pin and a small diameter portion extending in the sliding direction for retaining an engaging portion of the pin, wherein

the movable locking member includes a conductive member having an end that is connected electrically to a face that is opposed to the fixed locking member,

the fixed locking member includes a second elliptic hole extending in the sliding direction for the conductive member to be inserted and move together with the movable locking member,

the pin insertion hole and the large diameter portion of the first elliptic hole are overlapped with each other so as to permit insertion of the pin when the movable locking member is moved to slide to an unlock position, and

the pin engages the small diameter portion of the first elliptic hole to engage and fix the pin so that the first device and the second device are connected and the conductive member contacts the pin when the movable locking member is moved to slide from the unlock position to a lock position while the pin is inserted.

2. An image forming apparatus equipped with a connection device according to claim 1.

3. An optional device equipped with a connection device according to claim 1.