US 12,222,662 B2
Component movement mechanism for an image forming apparatus
Yoh Nishimura, Nagoya (JP); and Shougo Sato, Seto (JP)
Assigned to Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Jun. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/215,938.
Application 18/215,938 is a continuation of application No. 17/531,845, filed on Nov. 22, 2021, granted, now 11,726,417.
Application 17/531,845 is a continuation of application No. 16/686,530, filed on Nov. 18, 2019, granted, now 11,209,745, issued on Dec. 28, 2021.
Application 16/686,530 is a continuation of application No. 15/969,006, filed on May 2, 2018, granted, now 10,496,007, issued on Dec. 3, 2019.
Application 15/969,006 is a continuation of application No. 15/390,817, filed on Dec. 27, 2016, granted, now 9,977,366, issued on May 22, 2018.
Application 15/390,817 is a continuation of application No. 15/098,370, filed on Apr. 14, 2016, granted, now 9,563,171, issued on Feb. 7, 2017.
Application 15/098,370 is a continuation of application No. 14/275,138, filed on May 12, 2014, granted, now 9,341,982, issued on May 17, 2016.
Application 14/275,138 is a continuation of application No. 13/625,359, filed on Sep. 24, 2012, granted, now 8,761,636, issued on Jun. 24, 2014.
Application 13/625,359 is a continuation of application No. 12/507,278, filed on Jul. 22, 2009, granted, now 8,311,451, issued on Nov. 13, 2012.
Claims priority of application No. 2008-188513 (JP), filed on Jul. 22, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2024/0069464 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G03G 15/08 (2006.01); G03G 21/16 (2006.01); G03G 21/18 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/0813 (2013.01) [G03G 15/0822 (2013.01); G03G 15/0865 (2013.01); G03G 21/1676 (2013.01); G03G 21/1821 (2013.01); G03G 21/1832 (2013.01); G03G 21/1839 (2013.01); G03G 21/1842 (2013.01); G03G 2221/1684 (2013.01); G03G 2221/169 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a main body case;
a photosensitive drum;
an intermediate transfer belt disposed above the photosensitive drum; and
a developing device comprising:
a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller being disposed below the photosensitive drum; and
a developer accommodating chamber configured to accommodate developer therein, the developer accommodating chamber being disposed below the photosensitive drum,
wherein the main body case includes a developing device holder, the developing device holder configured to detachably support the developing device, the developing device holder configured to move between a first position in which the developing device is in a close position and a second position in which the developing device is in a distant position,
wherein the developing roller is farther away from the photosensitive drum when the developing device is in the distant position than when the developing device is in the close position,
wherein the main body case further includes a developing device support frame, the developing device support frame configured to movably support the developing device holder, and
wherein the developing device support frame is movable relative to main body case in a second direction different from the first direction.