Patent 8010017 was granted and assigned to Lexmark International, Inc. on August, 2011 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A fuser assembly includes first and second fuser structures, drive apparatus and nip engagement and release apparatus. The nip engagement and release apparatus includes nip-loading structure, a bias spring for engaging the nip-loading structure, a nip release cam for engaging the bias spring, a swing arm assembly and nip release structure. The nip engagement and release apparatus is adapted to cause a fuser nip to release during a reverse operation except when performing a duplex operation.