Patent ID: 6026274
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
In a reproduction apparatus where a colorant image is formed on a receiver member, and said colorant image is fixed on said receiver member by a belt fusing apparatus for providing image gloss to such colorant image, said belt fusing apparatus including a fuser assembly and a pressure roller operative associated with said fuser assembly, said fuser assembly comprising:a fuser roller;a first pair of arms supporting said fuser roller, said first pair of arms being spaced apart by a first brace member, said first brace member serving as a heat shield;a steering roller;a second pair of arms supporting said steering roller, said second pair of arms spaced apart by a second brace member, said second brace member serving as a cooling air flow housing; anda member for pivotably interconnecting said first pair of spaced arms and said second pair of spaced arms so that said fuser roller can move relative to said steering roller to and from an operative association therebetween and a collapsed position to facilitate accessibility, serviceability, and ready replacement of a fusing belt adapted to be entrained about said fuser roller and said steering roller for movement in a predetermined direction about a closed loop path.