Patent ID: 6327448
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A connecting member for rotatably connecting a first frame and a second frame of a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said first frame for holding an electrophotographic photosensitive member and said second frame for holding developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer, said connecting member comprising:a connecting portion which is fitted into an external hole formed in an external side of said first frame, an internal hole formed in an internal side of said first frame, and a hole formed in said second frame and located between the external hole and the internal hole of said first frame, and rotatably connects said first and second frames to each other; anda head portion formed on said connecting portion on a side opposed to an insertion direction in which said connecting portion is inserted into the external hole of said first frame, the hole of said second frame, and the internal hole of said first frame,wherein said head portion has a diameter smaller than a diameter of said connecting portion, and also has an end surface substantially flush with an external side surface of said first frame on the external side surface side of said first frame in a state in which said first and second frames are rotatably connected to each other by said connecting portion, and further defines a space for gripping said head portion by a tool between the head portion and the external hole of said first frame.