Process for Installing Original Drive Gear on a Laser Printer Toner Cartridge Drum

Abstract

A method is provided for recycling a previously-used gear assembly that includes a portion having pair of slots. The method includes obtaining a previously-used gear assembly that has been removed from a first photosensitive drum-cylinder, inserting the portion of the gear assembly into a second drum-cylinder; positioning the portion of the gear assembly and the second drum-cylinder between a pair of moveable arms, and moving the moveable arms toward the portion of the gear assembly to couple the gear assembly to the second drum-cylinder by crimping the second drum-cylinder into the pair of slots.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 obtaining a previously-used gear assembly that has been removed from a first photosensitive drum-cylinder, the gear assembly including a portion defining a pair of slots;   inserting the portion of the gear assembly into a second drum-cylinder;   positioning the portion of the gear assembly and the second drum-cylinder between a pair of moveable arms; and   moving the moveable arms toward the portion of the gear assembly to couple the gear assembly to the second drum-cylinder by crimping the second drum-cylinder into the pair of slots.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the portion of the gear assembly into a second drum-cylinder includes inserting the portion of the gear assembly into a second drum-cylinder made of aluminum. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the portion of the gear assembly into a second drum-cylinder includes inserting the portion of the gear assembly into a second drum-cylinder having a photosensitive coating. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein moving the moveable arms toward the portion of the gear assembly to couple the gear assembly to the second drum-cylinder couples the gear assembly to the second drum-cylinder with a torque failure value of at least 5 ft. lbs. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the previously-used gear assembly includes obtaining a drive gear assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the previously-used gear assembly includes obtaining a helical gear assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the portion of the gear assembly and the second drum-cylinder between the pair of moveable arms includes aligning each of the pair of slots with a respective one of the pair of moveable arms. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 obtaining a previously-used drive assembly that has been removed from a first drum-cylinder, the drive assembly including a pair of slots;   positioning the drive assembly in a holding plate between a pair of moveable arms;   positioning a second drum-cylinder over a portion of the drive assembly;   moving the moveable arms to crimp the second drum-cylinder into the slots and thereby coupling the drive assembly to the second drum-cylinder.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein positioning the drive assembly in the holding plate includes moving the drive assembly along a rail provided in the holding plate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein positioning the drive assembly in a holding plate between a pair of moveable arms includes positioning the drive assembly between a pair of moveable arms in which each moveable arm includes at least one crimping tooth. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising holding the second drum-cylinder with a holding arm to limit movement of the second drum-cylinder when the moveable arms crimp the second drum-cylinder into the slots. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein holding the second drum-cylinder with the holding arm includes lowering the holding arm onto the second drum-cylinder. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein positioning the drive assembly in the holding plate includes aligning each one of the pair of slots with a respective one of the pair of moveable arms.