Support assembly for multiple development stations in an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus

DETAILED DESCRIPTION This invention is directed to a support assembly in an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus having multiple development stations respectively containing different color marking particles for selective development of a plurality of latent image-wise charge patterns on a moving dielectric member so that such apparatus is capable of making multi-color reproductions.
The support assembly arrangement yields a compact size for the development stations, and facilitates rapid movement of the individual development stations into operative relation with the dielectric member and replacement of the individual development stations.
The support assembly comprises a plurality of members adapted to receive the plurality of development stations respectively.
The plurality of members are simultaneously movable to a first position where development stations received by the members are remote from the dielectric member to facilitate removal of such development stations from the reproduction apparatus, and to a second position where such development stations are in juxtaposition with the dielectric member.
Additionally, the plurality of members, once in said second position where development stations received by the members are located to bring marking particles into development contact with the dielectric member, are independently movable to a third position where such development stations are located to prevent marking particles from coming into contact with the dielectric member.
The invention, and its objects and advantages, will become more apparent in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment presented below.