US 12,078,954 B2
Replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device having positioning features for electrical contacts
Jeremy Keith Payne, Georgetown, KY (US); and Edward Lynn Triplett, Lexington, KY (US)
Assigned to Lexmark International, Inc., Lexington, KY (US)
Filed by LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., Lexington, KY (US)
Filed on Apr. 26, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/139,640.
Application 18/139,640 is a continuation of application No. 17/691,298, filed on Mar. 10, 2022, granted, now 11,669,040.
Application 17/691,298 is a continuation of application No. 17/098,984, filed on Nov. 16, 2020, granted, now 11,300,921, issued on Apr. 12, 2022.
Application 17/098,984 is a continuation of application No. 16/688,092, filed on Nov. 19, 2019, granted, now 10,871,742, issued on Dec. 22, 2020.
Application 16/688,092 is a continuation of application No. 16/249,009, filed on Jan. 16, 2019, granted, now 10,488,812, issued on Nov. 26, 2019.
Application 16/249,009 is a continuation of application No. 15/285,932, filed on Oct. 5, 2016, granted, now 10,222,738, issued on Mar. 5, 2019.
Application 15/285,932 is a continuation of application No. 15/138,380, filed on Apr. 26, 2016, granted, now 9,482,989, issued on Nov. 1, 2016.
Application 15/138,380 is a continuation of application No. 14/854,298, filed on Sep. 15, 2015, granted, now 9,360,834, issued on Jun. 7, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0259066 A1, Aug. 17, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G03G 21/16 (2006.01); G03G 15/08 (2006.01); G03G 21/18 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 21/1652 (2013.01) [G03G 15/0863 (2013.01); G03G 15/0865 (2013.01); G03G 15/0877 (2013.01); G03G 21/1821 (2013.01); G03G 21/1867 (2013.01); G03G 21/1871 (2013.01); G03G 2221/166 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:
a housing having a front and a rear positioned between a first exterior side and a second exterior side of the housing, the front of the housing is positioned to lead during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device and the rear of the housing is positioned to trail during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device, the housing has a reservoir for holding toner;
an electrical contact on the housing for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit is electrically connected to processing circuitry positioned on the replaceable unit; and
a guide on the first exterior side of the housing positioned in front of the electrical contact of the replaceable unit and leading rearward toward the electrical contact of the replaceable unit, the guide includes a guide surface that is angled inward in a direction from the front to the rear permitting contact between the guide surface and an electrical connector in the image forming device to move the electrical connector in the image forming device toward the replaceable unit during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device with the front of the housing leading.