Systems & Methods for Remanufacturing Imaging Components

Abstract

A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component, the drive gear comprising:
 a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component;   a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and   an element that extends outward from the end surface, wherein the element has six sides.   
     
     
         2 . The drive gear of  claim 1  wherein element is shaped to engage a helical recess. 
     
     
         3 . The drive gear of  claim 2  wherein the helical recess is in a drive mechanism of an imaging device. 
     
     
         4 . The drive gear of  claim 1  wherein at least one side of the element is curved. 
     
     
         5 . The drive gear of  claim 1  wherein the element has vertices where each of the six sides connects and the element is adapted to engage a helical recess with only three of the vertices contacting the helical recess. 
     
     
         6 . An imaging apparatus assembly comprising:
 a drive mechanism including a helical recess; and   a drive gear including a body for engaging a generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and at least one element that extends outward from the end surface, wherein the at least one element has six sides.   
     
     
         7 . The imaging apparatus assembly of  claim 6  wherein the at least one element is shaped to engage the helical recess. 
     
     
         8 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 6  wherein at least one side of the element is curved. 
     
     
         9 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the element has vertices where one of the six sides contacts another of the six sides and the element is adapted to engage a helical recess with only three of the vertices contacting the helical recess. 
     
     
         10 . An imaging apparatus assembly comprising:
 a generally cylindrical imaging component; and   a drive gear including a body engaging a generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and at least one element that extends outward from the end surface, wherein the at least one element has six sides.   
     
     
         11 . The imaging apparatus assembly of  claim 10  wherein the at least one element is shaped to engage a helical recess. 
     
     
         12 . The imaging apparatus assembly of  claim 10  wherein at least side of the element is curved. 
     
     
         13 . The imaging apparatus assembly of  claim 10  wherein the element has vertices where one of the six sides contacts another of the six sides and the element is adapted to engage a helical recess with only three of the vertices contacting the helical recess.