초록 ▼

A developing device includes a developing section provided with an applicator for applying a developer to a latent electrostatic image and a supporting section for supporting the developing section turnably between an operating position at which the developer held on the applicator acts on image-bea

A developing device includes a developing section provided with an applicator for applying a developer to a latent electrostatic image and a supporting section for supporting the developing section turnably between an operating position at which the developer held on the applicator acts on image-bearing member and a non-operating position at which the developer held on the applicator does not substantially act on the image-bearing member. According to a first aspect, positioning device acts on the developing section and holds it at the operating position. According to a second aspect, there is provided device for holding the developing section at the non-operating position at the time of mounting a main body of the developing device on an image-forming machine. According to a third aspect, when the main body of the developing device is mounted on the image-forming machine, electrical connecters provided thereon are electrically coupled to each other. According to a fourth aspect, a toner cartridge loaded detachably into the main body of the developing device, not necessarily of the above type, cannot be detached from the main body of the developing device unless its discharge opening is closed with a cover member.

대표청구항 ▼

A developing device for developing an image in an image forming machine, said developing device comprising: a main body including a supporting section to be connected to the image forming machine and a developing section having applicator means for applying a developer to a latent electrostatic imag

A developing device for developing an image in an image forming machine, said developing device comprising: a main body including a supporting section to be connected to the image forming machine and a developing section having applicator means for applying a developer to a latent electrostatic image of the image forming machine, said developing section being turnably connected to said supporting section for movement relative thereto over a predetermined range between an operating position, whereat developer on said applicator means acts on an image-beareing means on which the latent electrostatic image is formed, and a non-operating position, whereat developer on said applicator means substantially does not act on the image-bearing means; a changeover mechanism for selectively moving said developing section relative to said supporting section between said operating and non-operating positions; and positioning means, operatively controlled by said changeover mechanism, for, when said changeover mechanism moves said developing section to said operating position thereof, movement to an operating state whereat said positioning means acts on said developing section and holds said developing section in said operating position thereof, and for, when said changeover mechanism moves said developing section to said non-operating position thereof, movement to a non-operating state substantially not acting on said developing section.