Abstract: A paper sheet storage device includes a storage space in which paper sheet is stored; a mounting table that is provided in the storage space and on which the paper sheet is accumulated and placed; a support base that supports the mounting table; a first lifting lowering mechanism that lifts and lowers the mounting table between a high position and a low position relative to the support base; and a second lifting lowering mechanism that lifts and lowers the support base in the storage space. The support base and the first lifting lowering mechanism are disposed within a projection area in which the mounting table is projected on a plane orthogonal to a lifting lowering direction in which the support base is lifted and lowered by the second lifting lowering mechanism.

Abstract: Method of manipulating a sheet of fiber reinforced material built up with parallel longitudinally oriented fibers embedded in a thermoplastic matrix material, wherein at least one face of the sheet is engaged by a friction element that extends substantially transversely to the orientation of the fibers, and that exerts friction onto the face in a direction substantially along the orientation of the fibers. And a device for moving sheets of fiber reinforced material having parallel longitudinally oriented fibers embedded in a thermoplastic matrix material, in particular sheets presenting anisotropic stiffness is disclosed.

Abstract: An electric paper tray includes a base, a paper holding element pivotally mounted to at least one side of the base, a power unit arranged at the base, and a lifting module connected between the paper holding element and the power unit. The lifting module is movably mounted under the paper holding element. When the lifting module is driven by the power unit to move to a first position, with respect to the base, the lifting module drives the paper holding element to make the paper holding element rotate to a closed position, when the lifting module is driven by the power unit to move to a second position, with respect to the base, the lifting module drives the paper holding element to make the paper holding element rotate to an opened position.

Abstract: An adjustable leveling assembly for engaging a stack of a plurality of sheets in a feeder tray of a printing device, including a first wedging element slidably arranged on the feeder tray and operatively arranged to engage the stack, wherein when the first wedging element is disengaged with the stack, a top sheet of the plurality of sheets is non-parallel to the feeder tray, and when the first wedging element is engaged with the stack, the top sheet is substantially parallel to the feeder tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit provided on a first conveyance path, and a reading unit provided on a second conveyance path and configured to read image information from a sheet conveyed in the second conveyance path, with the second conveyance path branching from the first conveyance path. The sheet is conveyed through the second conveyance path in a case of forming an image on a second surface of the sheet opposite to a first surface of the sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit. In addition, an opposing member opposes the reading unit with a space therebetween, and a conveyance roller conveys the sheet through the space between the reading unit and the opposing member and is rotatably supported by the opposing member.

Abstract: A liner for use with a respiratory mask having a frame portion which is detachable from a cushion portion is provided, the liner including a body constructed from an absorbent material, the body having a first end and a second end, the body including a hose aperture adjacent the first end and sized for placement over a hose connector of the respiratory mask, and a mouth aperture adjacent the second end for placement over a mouth opening of the mask to allow air to flow into a user's mouth.

Abstract: A device for offsetting sheets as they are conveyed in a paper path toward a stacker includes a narrow channel mounted to a set of linked arms which when moved in a process direction (upstream-downstream) articulate in a cross process direction (inboard-outboard) to register the sheets at various locations for stacking or finish processing. The linked arms keep the channel parallel to the paper path at all times regardless of inboard-outboard offset.

Abstract: A sheet container includes a bottom plate, a regulating body, and a holding body. The bottom plate is disposed movable and has a bottom plate-side contact portion. The regulating body regulates a position of a trailing end of a sheet. The holding body has a holding body-side contact portion and to hold the regulating body. The bottom plate and the holding body have a gap between the bottom plate-side contact portion of the bottom plate and the holding body-side contact portion of the holding body in a state in which the bottom plate is not rotated. The bottom plate-side contact portion of the bottom plate and the holding body-side contact portion of the holding body contact with each other along with rotation of the bottom plate. The holding body moves to a downstream side in a sheet feeding direction in conjunction with the rotation of the bottom plate.

Abstract: Separation strips in a dam aid in the separation of adjacent sheets of media being fed from a stack of sheets so that only one sheet is fed to a process station and, more particularly, to separating the uppermost or top sheet of a stack of sheets from the next adjacent sheet during feeding of the top sheet from the stack of sheets of media. When a lift plate is present that adjusts the height of the media stack, rotation of the separation strips to maintain a constant separation angle improves media feed reliability. Curvature of the separation strips may also maintain the separation angle as the lift plate raises the position of the top media sheet.

Abstract: An example system includes a pressure plate actuating portion. The pressure plate actuating portion includes a cam gear coupled to a cam arm and a pressure plate arranged to be driven by the cam arm as the cam arm rotates with the cam gear through a pick-up cycle, the pressure plate being biased in a first direction toward the cam arm with a pressure plate spring. The example system also includes a pressure plate release control portion, the pressure plate release control portion being arranged to transfer potential energy from the pressure plate spring in a gradual manner.

Abstract: A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum and a heater. The photosensitive drum rotates around a rotation axis extending along a rotation axis direction. The heater is installed inside the photosensitive drum and heats the photosensitive drum. The heater includes a heater substrate and a plurality of resistance elements. The heater substrate extends along the rotation axis direction. The plurality of resistance elements are aligned in the rotation axis direction and are mounted on the heater substrate.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device, which is included in an image forming apparatus and includes a device attachment body, includes a sheet container configured to accommodate a sheet, a support configured to support a lower face of the sheet in the sheet container, a sheet width regulator configured to regulate a position of the sheet in a sheet width direction, a conveying force applier configured to apply a sheet conveying force in a sheet conveying direction to the sheet in the sheet container, and a sheet guide disposed above the sheet in the sheet container and configured to regulate movement of the sheet in an upper direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing documents are provided. The apparatus includes a feeder for receiving a packet of a plurality of documents and separating the documents to serially feed the documents to a scanner. A retard adjacent the feeder is operable in first and second positions. In the first position the retard forms a nip with the feeder so that the retard is operable to impede the progress of one or more documents in the packet while the feeder feeds one of the documents in the packet. In the second position, the retard is spaced apart from the feeder to form a gap between the feeder and the retard. The system further includes a sensor for detecting a characteristic of the documents in a packet indicative of whether the number of documents in the packet exceeds a predetermined threshold. A drive mechanism automatically drives the retard pad between the first and second positions in response to the detected characteristic.

Abstract: An imaging device having a door-actuated feed roll separator mechanism. A pair of opposed panels of a frame of the imaging device are positioned parallel to a media path. A feed roll pair in the media path has a drive roll fixedly and rotatably mounted between the panels and a backup roll mounted to a pair of release assemblies that are slidably mounted to the panels. Biasing members bias the backup roll into contact with the drive roll forming a feed nip. A door pivotally mounted along a bottom end to the frame substantially covers the media path. A pair of tethers connect the pair of release assemblies to the door. With the door lowered, its weight applies a release force to the backup roll separating it from the drive roll to allow for easier removal of a media sheet jammed in the feed nip.

Abstract: An paper stacker includes a side fence and a lift plate. The side fence extends in a stacking direction and is configured to regulate a position in a width direction of paper. The lift plate is capable of moving the paper to a paper feed point. The side fence includes a main body, a swell segment swelling from the main body toward an edge of the paper below the paper feed point, and an urging segment including an urging surface portion above the swell segment. The urging surface portion is capable of moving toward the edge of the paper to urge the edge of the paper at the paper feed point.

Abstract: In one example an input tray is disclosed. The input tray has a support surface, at least one media guide and an over-center device. The media guide is movable between a first position and a second position. The over-center device forces the media guide towards the first position when the media guide is closer to the first position than to the second position and forces the media guide towards the second position when the media guide is closer to the second position than to the first position.

Abstract: A sheet storage cassette includes a cassette base, a sheet stacking plate, a lift portion, and a pair of width adjustment cursors. At least one of the width adjustment cursors has an opposing surface facing a side edge of sheets, an opening formed in the opposing surface, a restriction member, a swing support shaft, and a first biasing member. The restriction member has an arm portion, a restriction portion selectively located at a first position where the restriction portion is retracted in an inner side of the opposing surface and a second position where the restriction portion projects from the opening, and a pressed portion extending to face an under surface of the sheet stacking plate. The swing support shaft swingably supports the arm portion of the restriction member. The first biasing member biases the restriction member in a direction of the second position.

Abstract: A sheet storage cassette includes a cassette base, a sheet stacking plate, a lift portion, and a pair of width adjustment cursors. At least one of the width adjustment cursors has an opposing surface facing a side edge of sheets, an opening formed in the opposing surface, a restriction member, a swing support shaft, and a first biasing member. The restriction member has an arm portion, a restriction portion selectively located at a first position where the restriction portion is retracted in an inner side of the opposing surface and a second position where the restriction portion projects from the opening, and a pressed portion extending to face an under surface of the sheet stacking plate. The swing support shaft swingably supports the arm portion of the restriction member. The first biasing member biases the restriction member in a direction of the second position.

Abstract: By abutting a positioning member against an abutting surface provided in an image forming apparatus body, positioning in a mounting direction of a sheet storing portion drawably mounted on the image forming apparatus body. A position of the positioning member is changed stepwise by a support portion having a receiving surface abutting against the positioning member, and the shift of the sheet storing portion positioned by the positioning member with respect to the image forming portion is adjusted stepwise.

Abstract: A printing medium supplying apparatus may include a body, a feed tray configured to rotate between a first position in which the feed tray forms an external appearance of the body and a second position in which a printing medium is loaded, a knock-up plate provided on the feed tray configured to ascend and descend, a pickup roller configured to make contact with the loaded printing medium as the knock-up plate ascends, and a rotating lever configured to allow the knock-up plate to be restricted at a side of the feed tray when the feed tray rotates from the first position to the second position. Accordingly, the knock-up plate are restricted and released together with operations of the pickup roller and the feed tray.

Abstract: A variable speed unit is driven by a drive unit to make a tooth-missing large gear of a sheet feed tooth-missing stage gear mesh with a small gear of an input stage gear rotating at a constant speed, to then rotate a rotating shaft of the feeding roller and a cam at a first speed to lift an intermediate plate. If a sheet stacked on the intermediate plate is pressed against the feeding roller, the variable speed unit makes a large gear of the input stage gear and a tooth-missing small gear of the sheet feed tooth-missing stage gear mesh with each other, so that the rotating shaft of the feeding roller is rotated at a second speed faster than the first speed to rotate the feeding roller at a fast speed.

Abstract: A sheet feed cassette having: a main body to be set in a body of an image forming apparatus; a first press-up member configured to support print media stacked thereon; a first elastic member configured to apply an elastic force to make the first press-up member press up the print media; a second press-up member; a second elastic member configured to apply an elastic force to make the second press-up member press up the first press-up member or the print media; an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust the force of the second press-up member to press up the first press-up member or the print media in accordance with a size of the print media; and a regulatory mechanism configured to prevent the second press-up member from pressing up the first press-up member or the print media when the main body is detached from the body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body including a printing unit for printing an image on a recording medium and a pickup roller for picking up the recording medium, a paper feeding device, which includes an elevatable knock-up plate on which recording media are stackable and a pressure member for elastically pressing the knock-up plate towards the pickup roller and is removably inserted into the main body, and a variable guide unit, which is supported by the main body, is fixed in a slope state to lower the knock-up plate in a direction against the pickup roller when the paper feeding device is withdrawn from the main body, and moves to maintain a contact state with the knock-up plate due to a rising state of the knock-up plate in a state in which the paper feeding device is inserted into the main body.

Abstract: In a paper feeding cassette storing stacked sheets, a rotary lever adapted to rotate vertically about a rotation fulcrum is provided with a lift-up portion for lifting up the sheets as placed in contact with a bottom of the sheets stored in the paper feeding cassette. The lift-up portion is vertically turned by the rotary lever.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking plate configured to stack sheets, a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the sheets by contacting the sheets stacked on the stacking plate, an elevating unit configured to elevate the stacking plate by a drive transmitted from a drive unit, a drive transmission unit configured to transmit the drive from the drive unit to drive the sheet feeding unit, and a clutch mechanism configured to cause the drive transmission unit to transmit the drive from the drive unit to the sheet feeding unit after the elevating unit urges the sheets stacked on the stacking plate toward the sheet feeding unit by elevating the stacking plate.

Abstract: A document storage assembly for storing documents such as banknotes in a stacked configuration includes a support plate assembly for biasing the stack of documents toward an opening in the housing of the document storage assembly. The housing can include an assist mechanism to facilitate displacement of the stack of documents during the stacking of a newly received document.

Abstract: A disclosed paper supply unit includes a paper supply cassette having a bottom plate for placing stacked recording media therein and a sending out part. When the paper supply cassette is loaded at a paper supply position, the sending out part faces the bottom plate, the bottom plate is lifted and the recording media come into contact with the sending out part. A support member is rotatably fitted to the paper supply cassette. An elastic member is fastened between the support member and the bottom plate. The support member has plural fastening parts for fastening the elastic member. The elastic force of the elastic member is changeable using the plural fastening parts.

Abstract: A medium containing cassette includes: a container case for containing media; a stack plate movable in the container case and configured to stack the media thereon; a separator provided on the container case and configured to separate the media one by one; and a bias member configured to bias the stack plate toward the media stacked on the stack plate. The bias member is disposed to have a greater distance from the stack plate than the separator, in a direction from the stack plate to the separator, on a plane substantially perpendicular to a bias direction of the bias member.

Abstract: A paper feeding mechanism includes a mechanical frame, a drive assembly mounted to the mechanical frame, an input tray, a pickup assembly driven by the drive assembly, an elevating assembly and a control assembly. The elevating assembly mounted to the mechanical frame and pivoted to a bottom of the rear end of input tray includes a drive shaft, a gear assembly and an elastic element. The rotating shaft defines two cam parts projecting beyond the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is capable of rotating to make the cam parts press downward on or break away from the input tray so as to drive the input tray to swing downward or swing upward under an elastic push action of the elastic element. The control assembly includes a control system and a paper sensor controlled by the control system for detecting whether there is any paper on the input tray.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for a document feeding apparatus includes: a sheet containing section; a lift plate for lifting sheets stacked in the sheet containing section between a sheet feeding position and a sheet loading position; a sheet feeding section for separating and feeding the sheets in the sheet feeding position one after another; and a lifting mechanism for lifting up and down the lift plate, the lifting mechanism including: a biasing member for biasing the lift plate toward the sheet feeding section; a cam, having an outer peripheral surface with a cam curve, coupled with a driving force source and being rotated thereby; and an operating lever so provided independently of and between the lift plate and the cam as to abut the outer peripheral surface of the cam and to simultaneously press the lift plate against a biasing force of the biasing member, thereby to change a posture of the lift plate between the sheet feeding position and the sheet loading position.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet feeding device capable of cleaning a pickup roller satisfactorily, which is downsized and reduced in the number of components. The sheet feeding device rotates the pickup roller under a state in which the pickup roller abuts against a friction body, to thereby clean the pickup roller.

Abstract: A recording medium containing cassette includes a recording medium support plate and a width cursor. The width cursor positions a stack of recording media in a widthwise direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of a recording medium. The recording medium support plate is allowed to swing so that a downstream portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium support plate is moved upward and downward. The width cursor includes a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion. The first limiting portion limits the upward movement of the recording medium support plate when an amount of the stack of recording media is larger than a predetermined value. The second limiting portion limits the upward movement of the recording medium support plate when the amount of the stack of recording media is smaller than the predetermined value.

Abstract: The sheet feeding apparatus includes a feeding roller that includes an arc-shaped friction portion and a notch portion, and causes the friction portion to feed the sheet; a feeding motor rotationally driving the feeding roller; a separation pad that presses the sheet fed by the friction portion on a surface other than a surface at the friction portion, and separates a double-fed sheet; and a feeding spring that causes the sheet supporting portion to wait below the feeding roller such that the sheet supported on the sheet supporting portion is not in contact with the friction portion until the friction portion reaches the separation pad, and, when the friction portion reaches the separation pad, moves up the sheet supporting portion to an abutting position at which the sheet supported on the sheet supporting portion is pressed against the friction portion and the friction portion feeds the sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeder, which can reliably feed a sheet without requiring the extra operation of a regulating member, and an image forming apparatus. The sheet feeder comprises an intermediate plate 4 provided in a cassette body 2 so as to rotate in up and down directions around a rotation fulcrum portion 4a. The cassette body 2 has a freely movable rear end regulating member 5. The rear end regulating member 5 has a holding portion 5a which prevents the rotation fulcrum portion 4a of the intermediate plate 4 from being detached from the cassette body 2. In the transportation, the rear end regulating member 5 is set to a position where the holding portion 5a prevents the rotation fulcrum portion 4a of the intermediate plate 4 from being detached from the cassette body 2 and the intermediate plate 4 can rotate.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus, in which a sheet can stably be separated and fed irrespective of stiffness of the sheet. A movable wall includes a sheet abutting surface that separates the sheet one by one by abutting on the sheet, which is stacked on a tray and fed by a feeding roller. The movable wall is movable in a sheet feeding direction, and a force applying spring applies a force to the movable wall in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction. A support portion supports the movable wall such that the movable wall is movable, and such that the movable wall is sloped when abutting on the sheet, which is fed by a feeding roller, and moving on a downstream side in the sheet feeding direction against an applying force of a force applying spring.

Abstract: A sheet feeder mountable to a body of an apparatus includes a bottom plate on which the sheets are placed and a bottom plate lift unit including a bottom plate pusher disposed beneath the bottom plate, a rack member to rotate the bottom plate pusher vertically by moving horizontally, a pinion gear to move the rack member horizontally, a biasing member to pull the bottom plate pusher toward the rack member, attached therebetween, and a position detector to detect positions of the rack member and the pinion gear. The pinion gear is coupled using projection-and-recess engagement to a rotation transmission device provided to the body, and a quantity of tooth Z1 of the pinion gear by which the rack member is moved by the rotation transmission device, a total tooth number Z2 of the pinion gear, and a coupling division number S of the rotation transmission device satisfy Z1=Z2·(1/S)·N.

Abstract: A paper-feeding device and a multi-functional printer are provided. The paper-feeding device includes a base, a driving axle, a position-limiting element and a retaining element. The base has a first assembling portion. The driving axle, the position-limiting and the retaining elements are all in the base. The position-limiting element has a second assembling portion and two position-limiting portions on radial directions of the second assembling portion between the inserting portion and the body. The retaining element includes a swing frame, a paper-separating element and a spring. The body of the swing frame is located between the two position-limiting portions. The first and second pivoting portions coaxial and connect the body are pivoted respectively to the first and second assembling portions. The inserting portion of the paper-separating element is sheathed by the body and the separating element leans against the driving axle.

Abstract: A media cassette is described. The media cassette comprising: a media removal window at one end of the media cassette; a handle end at an opposite end of the cassette to the media removal window; and a pusher plate assembly. The pusher plate assembly includes: (i) a finger recess component, (ii) a pawl biased downwards to a low position, and (iii) an actuator coupled to both the pawl and the finger recess component and including a pivot. The actuator is moveable on insertion of a finger into the finger recess component to raise the pawl from the low position to a high position.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus has a sheet accommodating unit for accommodating a sheet, the sheet accommodating unit being detachably mountable to the apparatus; a feeding unit for feeding the sheet from the sheet accommodating unit; a press-contact device for press-contacting the sheet in the sheet accommodating unit to the feeding unit; a guiding member provided in the sheet feeding apparatus for guiding the sheet accommodating unit such that sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating unit is not contacted to the feeding unit when the sheet accommodating unit is mounted to the apparatus; a moving device for moving the guiding member to bring the sheet into contact to the feeding unit after the sheet accommodating unit is mounted to the apparatus.

Abstract: A paper outputting mechanism includes a paper tray for receiving a paper, a paper drive device located above the paper tray, and a paper outputting device engaged with the paper drive device. The paper outputting device includes a drive wheel and a belt surrounding the drive wheel. The belt includes a touching portion. The paper outputting device is moveable by the paper pickup arm, so that the touching portion completely abuts the paper.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus including sheet feeding unit; a pressure plate on which sheets are stacked and which is biased so that an uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets comes in pressure contact with the sheet feeding unit; a first pressing-down mechanism which presses down the pressure plate to separate the uppermost sheet and the sheet feeding unit by a constant distance when the sheet feeding unit is not operated; a second pressing-down mechanism which is adopted to press down the pressure plate when an amount of the sheets stacked on the pressure plate is smaller than a predetermined amount, and is given a load from the pressure plate depending on a position of the pressure plate; and sheet stacking amount detecting unit which measures the load and detects a stacking amount of the sheets stacked on the pressure plate on the basis of the measured load.

Abstract: A medium supplying unit and an image forming apparatus having the same. The medium supplying unit includes a cassette frame to be mounted to or detached from a main body frame, a loading plate to load a printing medium, and is disposed adjacent to the cassette frame to move between a supplying position and a standby position, and a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes an engagement unit disposed adjacent to the loading plate and a locking unit, the locking unit including a stationary end extending from the cassette frame, and a free end to lock the engagement unit if the loading plate is positioned in the standby position, and to move the free end in a direction to unlock the engagement unit by applying a pressing force so that the loading plate can move to the supplying position when mounting the cassette frame.

Abstract: This is a stacking tray especially useful in a paper marking system. When papers containing an ID or credit card attached are stacked, an uneven stack results where the card portion is thicker than the paper without the card. This presents a difficult situation for moving the stack onto a transport to a printer or other stations. To correct this uneven or thicker stack from hindering paper feed, two paper plate supports are provided, one a vertically movable plate and the other a fixed plate support. The ID card or credit card portion of the paper is always loaded onto the vertically movable plate thereby providing a substantially flat top stack for easy movement of the sheets from the stack.

Abstract: In a tandem media supply, two vertical stacks of media sheets are stored. The first stack is positioned on a lift plate that rises as top sheets are removed from the stack of media. When the first stack is exhausted, the second stack is moved by an actuator towards a position where the lift plate was loaded with the first stack of media sheets. Movement of the second stack displaces a biased gate to decouple the lift plate from a drive member that elevated the lift plate. The lift plate drops under the effect of gravity to a position where the second stack of media sheets moves onto the lift plate. Once the second stack is on the lift plate, a biasing force returns the biased gate to a position that enables the drive member to elevate the lift plate.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device may include a tray, a sheet feeder, a pressurizing unit, a height detection unit, a weight detection unit, and a control unit. The tray may be raised and lowered. The sheet feeder sends out a sheet stacked on the tray. The pressurizing unit urges the tray to pressurize the sheet stacked on the tray against the sheet feeder. The control unit adjust pressure force of the pressurizing unit per change in height of sheets stacked on the tray on a basis of weight per unit height of the sheets, calculated on a basis of an initial total weight of the sheets stacked on the tray detected by the weight detection unit before a feeding operation is started and on a basis of the initial height of sheets stacked on the tray detected by the height detection unit before a sheet feeding operation is started.

Abstract: A method of feeding a planar medium, includes providing a host tray having a feed edge adjacent to which the medium is extracted by a feeder, and having a spring plate for lifting the medium; nesting a media carrier in the host tray, wherein the media carrier includes a print biasing edge which forms an acute angle with the spring plate through the travel of the spring plate, so that the print biasing edge and the feeder together impose an angular acceleration on a planar medium disposed between the print biasing edge and the spring plate, so that the medium is rotated away from the print biasing edge; disposing a planar medium in the host tray over the spring plate; and extracting the planar medium at the feed edge using the feeder.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a sheet storage unit into which a sheet is inserted in a generally vertical direction through a sheet inlet, the sheet storage unit having a first opening portion formed on a front of the sheet storage unit, a second opening portion formed on a rear thereof, and a third opening portion formed on a top thereof; a pressure plate having a bottom portion on which the sheet inserted into the sheet storage unit is placed, and a rear portion formed on rear of the bottom portion, the pressure plate being disposed in a manner slidable in front and rear directions; a moving device configured to slide the pressure plate in the front direction so that the rear portion presses the sheet through the second opening portion; and a roller rotatably disposed so as to contact with the sheet through the first opening portion, the roller moving the sheet in a vertical direction in response to rotation of the roller, to output the sheet through the third opening portion.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device is provided. The sheet feeding device includes a body, a sheet cassette, a lifting plate, which is movable to an uplifted position when the sheet cassette is in the body and to a lowered position when the sheet cassette is outside the body, and uplifts the stack of sheets according to the uplifting movement thereof, a feeder to pick up and feed a topmost sheet, and a restrictive member, which is movable in association with the movement of the lifting plate. The restrictive member is in a restrictive position, in which at least a restricting part of the restrictive member is arranged over the stack of sheets, when the lifting plate is in the lowered position. The restrictive member is in a retracted position, in which the restrictive member is retracted off from the stack of sheets, when the lifting plate is in the uplifted position.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, which includes: a pressing lever and a pressing arm for pushing up a sheet stacking plate so that sheets stacked on the sheet stacking plate are brought into pressure contact with a sheet feeding portion; a lifter driving mechanism for driving the pressing lever and the pressing arm; and a setting mechanism disposed between the pressing lever and the pressing arm, and the lifter driving mechanism. The setting mechanism is capable of setting a pressure contact force for bringing the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking plate into pressure contact with the sheet feeding portion, to be appropriate for a size of the sheets to be stacked and an amount of the sheets to be stacked.

Abstract: When a sheet cassette (10a) is pulled out of the body of an image forming apparatus (100), winding pulleys (40a and 40b) are rotated by the weight of a lift plate. An idle gear (47) also is rotated by a predetermined amount, so that the engagement portion (47b) thereof engages with a second arm portion (50c) of a torsion spring (50). Since a force exerted by the torsion spring (50) is set greater than the force that rotates the idle gear (47) by downward movement of lift plate (30), rotation of the idle gear (47) and winding pulley (40a) is regulated, and thus the upper surface of lift plate (30) stops in a substantially constant position with respect to sheet supply opening portions (31a and 31b).