Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a body housing; an access opening closure; a rotary member rotatable relative to the body housing; a first link member coupled to the rotary member; a second link member coupling the access opening closure to the first link member, having a first end pivotally movable relative to the access opening closure and a second end slidable along the first link member, and including a slit connecting the first end and the second end; a cutaway communicating with the slit near the second end and then turning around, and narrower than the slit; a pin mounted on the body housing and located within the slit; a boss projecting from the first end; and an elongated socket mounted on the access opening closure and receiving the boss slidably. A sliding resistance between the boss and the elongated socket is larger than between the pin and the slit.

Abstract: A drum frame includes a first regulating portion located between a transfer nip and a downstream end of a conveyance surface in a conveyance direction. The first regulating portion faces the conveyance surface from above the conveyance surface. The first regulating portion includes a first horizontal portion and a pair of first inclined portions. The first horizontal portion extends in a width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The pair of first inclined portions extends from both ends of the first horizontal portion in the width direction. Each first inclined portion has one end adjacent to the first horizontal portion and an other end away from the one end in the width direction. Each first inclined portion is inclined to be closer to an endless belt from the one end toward the other end.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an open and close detection device is provided with a moving member, a first lever, a second lever, and the like. The moving member is held to be movable by a holding member within a planar area including an initial position and a detection position. Each of the first lever and the second lever includes a contact guide section, and moves the moving member in association with a closing operation of an open and close member. Also, when one of the first lever and the second lever is to move the moving member, this movement is guided by the contact guide section of the other lever.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet includes a main body, an opening and closing part, a link part, and an urging member. The link part is connected to the main body and the opening and closing part. When the opening and closing part moves between open and closed positions, the link part moves perpendicular to a direction along a rotating shaft of the link part to contact and be received by the main body. The opening and closing part can move in a state in which the link part and the main body contact each other. When the opening and closing part is in the closed position, the link part and the main body are separated from each other, and the opening and closing part is urged toward the main body by the link part urged by the urging member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a first moving member pressed and moved by an openable/closable member when the openable/closable member is opened, and switching a cartridge from a state where the cartridge is positioned in an image forming position to a state where the positioning is released; and a second moving member pressed and moved by the openable/closable member when the openable/closable member is opened, and moving the exposure member from an exposure position to a retracted position, wherein when the positioning of the cartridge is released, a reaction force applied from the first moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a first peak, when the exposure member is moved to the retracted position, a reaction force applied from the second moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a second peak, and timing of the first peak is different from timing of the second peak.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an upper transport part and a lower transport part that are disposed vertically side by side in an apparatus body and transport a recording material, a relay section that is disposed at an upper part of the apparatus body and further transports the recording material transported from the lower transport part and that places the recording material transported from the upper transport part on an upper surface of the relay section, a post-processing section that is disposed on a side surface of the apparatus body, receives the recording material via the relay section, and performs post-processing, and a control unit that performs a control such that the recording material is transported from the upper transport part to the upper surface of the relay section in a case where the recording material is a long sheet.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a device body; a conveyance table that is inserted into and pulled out of the device body and that forms a conveyance path for a sheet; a sheet mount tray; a paper feeder that feeds the sheet from the sheet mount tray to the conveyance path; and a movable support that movably supports the paper feeder on the conveyance table in a state where the conveyance table is pulled out of the device body. The paper feeder covers a predetermined part of the conveyance path in a state where the paper feeder disposed on the conveyance table is inserted into the device body, the sheet mount tray is disposed in the device body and separates from the paper feeder when the conveyance table is pulled out of the device body, and the paper feeder moves away from the predetermined part.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; a casing; a first shaft extending in the first direction and movable in the first direction between a first position and a second position; a first inclined surface movable together with the first shaft; a second shaft extending in the first direction and movable in the first direction between a third position and a fourth position; a second inclined surface movable together with the second shaft; and a link mechanism connecting the first shaft to the second shaft. The link mechanism shifts to a first state to move the second shaft to the third position when the first shaft is at the first position. The link mechanism shifts to a second state to move the second shaft to the fourth position when the first shaft is at the second position.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a body portion and a guide unit having a first and second guides. Where an openable portion in the body portion is closed, a first conveyance path is formed between the first guide and a third guide in the openable portion and a second conveyance path is formed between the second guide and the body portion, and a sheet is conveyed from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path by passing through a gap between the guide unit and a downstream end of the third guide. In a state where the openable portion is open, the guide unit moves with respect to the openable portion so the second guide faces the third guide and the gap between the guide unit and the downstream end of the third guide becomes larger than the gap in a state where the openable portion is closed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes drum shafts supported by a main body, drum cartridges insertable and removable in an axial direction, a regulation side plate having bearings, a projecting portion provided to one of the regulation side plate and the main body, a fitting portion, and an urging force imparting portion. The urging force imparting portion is provided to the regulation side plate in an array direction of the bearings to impart an urging force that urges the regulation side plate toward the main body. At least a part of the urging force imparting portion is provided at a position for imparting the urging force on, with respect to the bearings, a side opposite to a position at which one of the projecting portion and the fitting portion is provided, in a direction orthogonal to the array direction of the bearings and the axial direction of each drum shaft.

Abstract: A document feeding device 10 of an image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 14 that houses a document conveyance mechanism 15, and a document set tray 16. An upper cover 12 of the housing 14 is openable and closable with respect to a fixed cover 11, and the document set tray 16 is swingably supported. A closed position of the upper cover 12 with respect to the fixed cover 11 is set to a position overlapping with a movement trajectory M of the document set tray 16 during a swinging operation, and it is possible to open the upper cover 12 in connection with the swinging operation of the document set tray 16.

Abstract: A holding mechanism for an opening and closing detection device includes a cam, a torsion coil spring, and a pressing member. The cam is rotatably supported in a housing. The torsion coil spring is attached to the cam or an inside of the housing and includes two ends extending in two directions. The pressing member biases one end of the two ends of the torsion coil spring and bring the other end of the two ends of the torsion coil spring into contact with the cam to apply a load to the torsion coil spring. The pressing member is attached to an outside of the housing while biasing the other end of the two ends of the torsion coil spring through an opening of the housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a first sheet feeding cassette, a conveyance unit and a lock member. The first sheet feeding cassette is inserted into the apparatus main body along a predetermined insertion direction and is drawn out of the apparatus main body along a drawing direction opposite to the insertion direction. In a state where the lock member is in a lock position, the first sheet feeding cassette does not interfere with the lock member to allow the first sheet feeding cassette to be inserted into the apparatus main body. In a state where the lock member is in a lock release position, the first sheet feeding cassette interferes with the lock member to inhibit the first sheet feeding cassette from being inserted into the apparatus main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotating belt in a main body. A roller is supported by a support shaft that moves the roller into contact with the rotating belt and away from the rotating belt. A pressing part in the main body is configured to press the support shaft so that the roller presses against the rotating belt. A lever is provided that when moved causes the pressing part to move between a first position, pressing the support shaft, and a second position, away from the support shaft. A openable and closable cover covers the main body and rotates about a first axis. An engagement part is fixed to the cover and moves with rotation of the cover. The engagement part engages the lever when the cover is closed and releases the lever when the cover is opened.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a guide unit to guide a sheet conveyed by a sheet conveyance portion. The guide unit includes a first movable guide, a second movable guide, and a linking mechanism having an intermediate member through which the first and second movable guides are linked movably with respect to each other. A conveyance regulating portion is supported by the intermediate member and guides the sheet passing through a first conveyance path toward the sheet conveyance portion and guides the sheet that is switched back by the sheet conveyance portion toward a second conveyance path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a first moving member pressed and moved by an openable/closable member when the openable/closable member is opened, and switching a cartridge from a state where the cartridge is positioned in an image forming position to a state where the positioning is released; and a second moving member pressed and moved by the openable/closable member when the openable/closable member is opened, and moving the exposure member from an exposure position to a retracted position, wherein when the positioning of the cartridge is released, a reaction force applied from the first moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a first peak, when the exposure member is moved to the retracted position, a reaction force applied from the second moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a second peak, and timing of the first peak is different from timing of the second peak.

Abstract: A hinge device includes a support member, a pivotable member supported by the support member, a first gear located at one of the support member and the pivotable member, a second gear located at the other of the support member and the pivotable member, a friction member configured to apply rotational frictional resistance to the second gear, and means for disengaging. The pivotable member is configured to pivot about a pivot axis between a closed position and a different position where the pivotable member is in a position that is different from the closed position. The second gear is configured to rotate in engagement with the first gear based on pivoting of the pivotable member. When the pivotable member is at the closed position, the means for disengaging disengages the first gear and the second gear from each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly; a transfer portion; a fixing portion; an opening provided on the main assembly; a door; a first guiding member provided in the main assembly and a second guiding member provided on the door and is interlaced with the first guiding member; a supporting plate supporting the first guiding member; the first guiding member has a convex curved surface of a shape such that a force received by the first guiding member when the door is opened with a sheet jammed between the first and second guiding members is in a direction of urging the first guiding member to the supporting plate.

Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a hook, an engaged portion, and a biasing member, and locks a movable unit supported on a unit main body to the unit main body. The hook has a supporting portion pivotably supported on the unit main body and an engaging portion protruding from the supporting portion. The engaged portion is formed on the movable unit and is engageable with the engaging portion. A biasing member biases the hook in such a direction as to let the engaging and engaged portions engage. The hook has a first face facing the engaged portion at the tip end of the engaging portion and a second face extending from the first face toward the supporting portion and inclined relative to the first face in such a direction as to recede from the pivot. With the engaging and engaged portion in engagement, the engaged portion touches only the second face.

Abstract: A conveyor device, including: a first roller; a second roller disposed under the first roller and configured to be movable between a nip position at which the second roller cooperates with the first roller to nip a sheet therebetween so as to discharge the sheet in a discharge direction and a separated position located at a height level lower than the nip position; a cover configured to be movable between a first position and a second position located at a height level lower than the first position, the cover including a downstream wall which at least partially covers a downstream portion of the second roller located at the nip position when the cover is located at the first position; and a moving mechanism configured to move the second roller between the nip position and the separated position and to move the cover between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a cover unit opened and closed with respect to an apparatus body and a guide unit including first and second movable guides respectively movable with respect to the apparatus body. A first conveyance path is formed between the first guide portion and the first movable guide, and a second conveyance path is formed between the second guide portion and the second movable guide. The guide unit is provided with a linking mechanism including an intermediate member for linking the first and second movable guides. The linking mechanism coordinates movements of the first and second movable guides such that the first and second movable guides are respectively moved away from the first and second guide portions along with an opening movement of the cover unit with respect to the apparatus body.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first unit including a first rotatable member, a second unit including a second rotatable member forming a nip with the first rotatable member, for fixing a toner image on a recording material, and a frame supporting the second unit. A guiding member is movable between a guiding position for guiding the recording material toward the nip, and a retracted position in which the guiding member is retracted from a space permitting demounting of the second unit from the frame. A cover member is openable to an open position for exposing the space, and is configured to move to a closed position, and an interrelating mechanism is configured to restore the guiding member, in the retracted position when the cover member is in the open position, to the guiding position in interrelation with movement of the cover member from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A developing device and image forming apparatus are provided. The developing device includes a chassis; a developer carrying member; a thickness regulating member; a supply member; and a conveying member. In a state in which the developing device is attached to a main body an opening of the chassis faces upward; the thickness regulating member pressure-contacts the developer carrying member from below the developer carrying member; the conveying member is disposed below the developer carrying member; the supply member overlaps a portion of the conveying member in a horizontal direction; and a portion of the conveying member is disposed within a vertical projection plane between a pressure-contact position of the thickness regulating member to the developer carrying member, and a contact position of the supply member to the developer carrying member. The image forming apparatus includes a main body; a plurality of photosensitive members; and a plurality of developing devices.

Abstract: The image forming member has a frame member which forms the image forming member, the frame member including: a first support member, the first support member having a first member and a second member which is attached to the first member, a part of the second member being outside of the first member in a longitudinal direction of the first support member, a second plate member being fixed to a first plate member so that a length of the first support member in a longitudinal direction becomes a predetermined length; a second support member which is fastened to the first plate member by welding; and a third support member which is fastened to the second plate member by welding. Thereby, the image forming member can form images with high accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a first moving member pressed and moved by an openable/closable member when the openable/closable member is opened, and switching a cartridge from a state where the cartridge is positioned in an image forming position to a state where the positioning is released; and a second moving member pressed and moved by the openable/closable member when the openable/closable member is opened, and moving the exposure member from an exposure position to a retracted position, wherein when the positioning of the cartridge is released, a reaction force applied from the first moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a first peak, when the exposure member is moved to the retracted position, a reaction force applied from the second moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a second peak, and timing of the first peak is different from timing of the second peak.

Abstract: A transfer unit includes a transfer roller, a guide, a holder and a lever. The transfer roller is configured to be pressed against an image carrier to form a transferring nip and to transfer a toner image from the image carrier to a sheet at the transferring nip. The guide is configured to guide the sheet to the transferring nip. The holder is configured to support a rotating shaft of the transfer roller in a rotatable manner and to support the guide. The lever is configured to support the holder in a turnable manner around the rotating shaft so as to press the transfer roller against the image carrier. The guide has an engaged part. The lever has an engagement part which is engaged with the engaged part. An engagement of the engagement part with the engaged part prevents a turning of the guide with respect to the lever.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a paper loading base on which manual-feed paper is loaded, a manual-feed paper conveying unit, and a dustproof cover which covers the paper loading base being in the overhang state. The paper loading base has a lower end rotatably supported on one outer surface portion of the device main body, and is opened from an upper end thereof and disposed at a predetermined oblique angle or in a horizontal overhang state such that an overhang side becomes an upper side in an oblique direction. The manual-feed paper conveying unit is conveys the manual-feed paper on the paper loading base onto a paper conveyance path one by one. The dustproof cover includes a base which engages with the paper loading base, and an opening-and-closing cover which is rotatably connected to the base and is opened upwardly on the overhang side.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body housing with an inner space, and an image forming unit. The body housing includes a front cover, a top cover, and an interlocking mechanism. The interlocking mechanism lifts a front end of the top cover by a predetermined distance in association with an operation of opening the front cover from a state that the top cover and the front cover are closed. The interlocking mechanism holds a closed state of the top cover for a period until the front cover is closed from a state that the top cover is closed and the front cover is opened.

Abstract: This image forming apparatus is equipped with: a conveyance cover which forms a reverse conveyance path; and a double-sided conveyance unit. The conveyance cover is turnably mounted to a body housing, and the double-sided conveyance unit is turnably mounted to the conveyance cover. A side surface of the body housing is equipped with a first abutment surface. The double-sided conveyance unit is equipped with a second abutment surface that abuts on the first abutment surface. The first abutment surface and the second abutment surface are the surfaces against which the double-sided conveyance unit and the surface abut first when the conveyance cover is closed, if in a state where the conveyance cover is opened and the double-sided conveyance unit is separated from the conveyance cover. The abutment presses the double-sided conveyance unit toward a position to cause the conveyance cover to house the double-sided conveyance unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing section configured to fix a toner image formed on a recording medium to the recording medium by conveying the recording medium while heating and pressing the recording medium at a fixing nip; a conveyance section configured to convey the recording medium toward the fixing nip while sandwiching the recording medium; and a control section configured to control the fixing section such that, at a timing after an image formation operation on the recording medium is stopped during the image formation operation, conveyance of the recording medium in the fixing section is stopped before the conveyance of the recording medium in the conveyance section is stopped, and that a timing of stopping the conveyance of the recording medium in the fixing section is changed in accordance with a type of the recording medium.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a case having a door which can be opened and closed. A first rotating body, provided in the case, is exposed from the case when the door is opened. A second rotating body, provided in the case, is exposed from the case when the door is opened. The second rotating body forms a nip with the first rotating body. A spacer, detachably provided in the case, separates the first rotating body and the second rotating body when the spacer is attached. The second rotating body forms a nip with the first rotating body when the spacer is detached.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet on a conveyance path on which the sheet is conveyed; a first conveyance path opening member configured to open a first portion of the conveyance path; a second conveyance path opening member configured to open a second portion, which is located downstream the first portion, of the conveyance path; a sheet leading edge position detecting unit configured to detect a position of a leading edge of a stopped sheet on the conveyance path; and a determination unit configured to determine, based on a detection result of the sheet leading edge position detecting unit, one of not conveying the stopped sheet, causing the conveyance unit to convey the stopped sheet toward the first portion, and causing the conveyance unit to convey the stopped sheet toward the second portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a lock mechanism including a toggle mechanism capable of eliminating the problem of abnormal noise before and after a lock member passes a neutral point are provided. A lock mechanism includes a toggle spring that rotationally biases a toggle lever toward a standby position when the lever is between a standby position and a neutral point, and implements switching in a direction of the rotational biasing toward a locking position after the lever passes the neutral point. A projection and a locked portion of an engagement member are sandwiched by a toggle base and the toggle lever to maintain a contact state before and after the toggle lever passes the neutral point.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a first moving member pressed and moved by an openable/closable member when the openable/closable member is opened, and switching a cartridge from a state where the cartridge is positioned in an image forming position to a state where the positioning is released; and a second moving member pressed and moved by the openable/closable member when the openable/closable member is opened, and moving the exposure member from an exposure position to a retracted position, wherein when the positioning of the cartridge is released, a reaction force applied from the first moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a first peak, when the exposure member is moved to the retracted position, a reaction force applied from the second moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a second peak, and timing of the first peak is different from timing of the second peak.

Abstract: A paper conveying device includes a conveying guide, a bearing, a conveying-guide facing surface, and a separation restrictor. The conveying guide includes a conveyance surface for conveying paper and a pivot shaft and is swingable about the pivot shaft. The bearing includes a support surface facing at least an upper semiperimeter of the pivot shaft. The conveying-guide facing surface is provided to face an end of the conveying guide when the conveying guide swings. The end is opposite to the conveyance surface. The separation restrictor is provided to the conveying guide to restrict separation of the pivot shaft from the bearing at least in a given swing range of the conveying guide by contacting the conveying-guide facing surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section, an output section, a sheet transport unit, an air blowing device, and an air exhaust device. The image forming section forms a toner image. The sheet transport unit transports in a region above the image forming section a sheet onto which the toner image has been fixed. A first channel causes air to pass from a downstream side to an upstream side in a sheet transport direction, the air blowing device applies an airflow by using the first channel, a second channel causes the air to pass from the downstream side to the upstream side in the sheet transport direction, and the air exhaust device exhausts the air by using the second channel.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an improved structure to enable a user to conveniently operate the image forming apparatus at a front of the image forming apparatus, and a method thereof. The image forming apparatus includes a main body formed with a discharge port at a front portion, a printing unit mounted inside the main body and disposed adjacent to a front panel of the main body, a feeding unit to feed paper printed by the printing unit toward a rear panel of the main body, and a discharge reversal unit to reverse a moving direction of the paper fed by the feeding unit to feed the paper to the discharge port. A sensor to detect a moving position of the paper and a paper guide guiding movement of the paper is mounted between the feeding unit and the discharge reversal unit.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a rotational tray including a supporting surface for supporting a recording medium and a retaining mechanism. The rotational tray is attached to the housing to be rotatable so that an angle between the rotational tray and a side surface of the housing is changeable. The retaining mechanism is able to retain the rotational tray in one of: an open state in which a second discharging slot formed in the side surface of the housing is opened and the recording medium discharged from the second discharging slot is supportable by the supporting surface; a closed state in which the second discharging slot is closed by the supporting surface; and an intermediate state between the open state and the closed state, in which the recording medium discharged from the second discharging slot can be guided in a direction along the supporting surface.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a printing device, an image reading device, two hinge members, and a feed tray. The printing device includes a printing unit configured to record an image on a sheet. The image reading device is disposed above the printing device and includes a scanner configured to read an image recorded on a sheet. The two hinge members are configured to connect the image reading device and the printing device such that the image reading device is pivotable with respect to the printing device. The feed tray, on which a sheet is to be placed, is disposed between the two hinge members. The printing device includes a feeder configured to feed the sheet placed on the feed tray into the printing unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a first moving member pressed and moved by an openable/closable member when the openable/closable member is opened, and switching a cartridge from a state where the cartridge is positioned in an image forming position to a state where the positioning is released; and a second moving member pressed and moved by the openable/closable member when the openable/closable member is opened, and moving the exposure member from an exposure position to a retracted position, wherein when the positioning of the cartridge is released, a reaction force applied from the first moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a first peak, when the exposure member is moved to the retracted position, a reaction force applied from the second moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a second peak, and timing of the first peak is different from timing of the second peak.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device configured to form, in a first position, a toner image on a sheet using toner containing a parting material; a fixing device configured to fix the toner image formed on the sheet by the image forming device in a second position, by heat and pressure; a fan configured to flow air along an air flow path between the image forming device and the fixing device; and a partition configured and positioned to substantially separate between the air flow path and a sheet feeding path from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A media supply device includes a tray feeding printable media into a printing device. The tray has a first section sized for a first size of printable media and a second section sized for a second size of printable media. The first section is within the second section. The tray has a base with a first end and a second end. A first endwall is perpendicularly connected to the first end of the base. A second endwall is perpendicularly connected to the second end of the base. Sidewalls having a top edge are connected to edges of the base between the first endwall and the second endwall. The top edge of the sidewalls is a first height above the base in the first section and a second height above the base in the second section. The first and second heights are different.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a first guide that defines a conveyance path and rotates about a fulcrum with the opening of the cover, the fulcrum being provided at a lower portion of the first guide, the conveyance path extending upward and downward and through which the sheet is conveyed; and a second guide that defines the conveyance path in combination with the first guide, the second guide being rotatable with the cover being open. The second guide moves in a direction away from the fulcrum with the opening of the cover.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a first tray on which a sheet is to be placed, a case having a first conveyance path extending from the first tray, a feed roller to feed the sheet from the first tray, a conveyance roller to convey the sheet through the first conveyance path, a recording unit to record an image on the sheet conveyed through the first conveyance path, a first guide member pivotable between a first position defining an outside of a curved portion of the first conveyance path and a second position opening the curved portion of the first conveyance path, a second guide member defining an inside of the curved portion of the first conveyance path, and a third guide member pivotably provided at the side of a pivot front-end of the first guide member to pivot between a third position and a fourth position.

Abstract: A sheet conveyor, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a first conveyor to convey a sheet via a first sheet conveying path and move in a direction intersecting a sheet thickness direction, a second conveyor to convey the sheet via a second sheet conveying path and include a third conveyor and a fourth conveyor bringing either one close to and away from the other via the second sheet conveying path in the sheet thickness direction, a first attaching part provided to the first conveyor to attach the first conveyor to the sheet conveyor, and a state changer to change a state of one of the first attaching part to a movement allowed state and the second conveyor to a sheet releasing state in conjunction with a releasing action of the other of the first attaching part and the second conveyor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a protruding tray part. The protruding tray part is provided on the upper surface portion of a body casing part, extends in a paper discharge direction and has a convex shape which becomes convex at an upper side, and supports a part of a lower surface of a paper, which is discharged from a paper discharge port, from below, thereby forming a space between end portions of the paper and the upper surface portion of the body casing part. The paper conveying device is formed at a lower surface thereof with a guide recessed part. The guide recessed part has a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape of the protruding tray part, and is engaged with the convex shape to guide the paper conveying device when the paper conveying device is mounted in the in-body paper discharge space.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a discharge unit, fixing unit, movable guide, cover, and retaining part. The discharge unit discharges a sheet out of a main body. The fixing unit thermally fixes developer image deposited on the sheet to provide an image-fixed sheet. The movable guide is movable between a first position and second position. The movable guide guides one surface of the sheet in the first position. The movable guide exposes a conveying path in the second position. The cover is movable between an open position where the movable guide is exposed and a closed position where the movable guide is covered. The movable guide is in the first position while the cover moves from the closed position to the open position. The retaining part is configured to retain the movable guide in the second position after the movable guide moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is configured to include an apparatus main body, further including an internal sheet discharge portion for ejection of a sheet having an image formed thereon; and a relay conveying unit, positioned in the internal sheet discharge portion, and configured to convey the sheet to a post-processing device. The relay conveying unit has: a body portion; a cover member positioned on a side surface of the body portion; a detection switch; and a hook positioned on the cover member. The body portion and cover member form a sheet conveying path, the cover member being turnable in vertical directions into opening and closing states, to open and form the sheet conveying path, respectively, as detected by the detection switch. The hook prevents the cover member from being turned from the closing state and switches the detection switch into an on state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an image forming unit, a tray unit and an attaching portion. The tray unit includes a pivot portion. The sheet is placed on the tray unit in an open state. The tray unit is capable of making a sliding movement in an axial direction of the pivot portion in a closed state. The tray unit is attached to the attaching portion in the closed state. The tray unit includes a pair of hooks that project from opposite end parts in the axial direction and each includes a projection. The attaching portion includes a pair of openings and a pair of engaging portions. The projections are inserted into the opening. Engaged positions of the projections with the engaging portions are variable according to the sliding movement in the closed state of the tray unit.

Abstract: A sheet feed device of an image forming apparatus includes an outside cover and an inside cover. The outside cover opens and closes a side of a housing. The inside cover is disposed more inside of the housing than the outside cover. Each of the covers is rotatably supported with a lower end thereof as a fulcrum by the housing. A first locking piece is provided in the upper end of the outside cover, and a second locking piece is disposed below the first locking piece. A coupled portion configured to be selectively coupled with the first locking piece or the second locking piece is provided in the inside cover. During the process where the outside cover is rotationally moved in the opening direction, the coupled portion is once released from the coupling with the first locking piece, and then is coupled with the second locking piece.