×

Feed assembly and image forming apparatus incorporating feed assembly

  • US 8,500,115 B2
  • Filed: 11/23/2010
  • Issued: 08/06/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet, comprising:

  • a feed assembly configured to feed the sheet; and

    an image forming unit configured to form the image on the sheet conveyed from the feed assembly;

    whereinthe feed assembly includes;

    a feed roller configured to convey a sheet;

    a support element configured to detachably and rotatably support the feed roller;

    a base including a guide surface configured to guide the sheet;

    a frictional element including a frictional piece that presses the sheet against the feed roller to generate a frictional force on the sheet guided by the guide surface; and

    a coil spring provided between the frictional piece and the base; and

    whereina recess is defined in the guide surface to accommodate the friction element;

    the frictional element projected from the guide surface when the feed roller is detached from the support element becomes detachable from the base;

    a groove is formed in a surface of the base that defines a side surface of the recess and has a longitudinal extension direction extending toward a rotational axis of the feed roller; and

    the frictional element includes;

    a rib complementary with the groove, the rib is engaged with the groove to guide the frictional element toward the rotational axis of the feed roller,a holder including a main plate that supports the frictional piece, a side plate that rotatably supports the main plate, and a back-up plate that supports the coil spring including a first spring end connected to the main plate and a second spring end connected to the back-up plate;

    the coil spring causes the main plate to rotate with respect to the side plate when the feed roller is detached from the support element.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×