Abstract: A branch frame has a first guide surface and a second guide surface. In a state where a first cover is located at an open position, at least part of the first cover is located in a space through which a fixing device passes when the fixing device is detached from a mount portion, and the fixing device is unattachable to and undetachable from the mount portion through a first opening. In a state where the branch frame is attached to a main housing, at least part of the branch frame is located in the space, and the fixing device is unattachable to and undetachable from the mount portion through the first opening. In a state where the first cover and the branch frame are detached from the main housing, the fixing device is attachable to and detachable from the mount portion through the first opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed which includes a housing, one or more drum cartridges, and one or more exposure heads. Each of the one or more drum cartridges includes a photoconductor drum and is installable in the housing. Each of the one or more exposure heads is configured to expose a corresponding photoconductor drum to light, and to be movable between an exposure position fit to expose the corresponding photoconductor drum to light and a retreated position away from the corresponding photoconductor drum. The housing has a groove through which to guide installation of the drum cartridge and in which to cause an exposure head in a corresponding exposure position to be located in place in a sub scanning direction.

Abstract: A lateral slide member includes first locked portions and a second locked portion and is configured to be displaced between a first lock position and a first release position. A vertical slide member includes a second locking portion that restricts the lateral slide member from being displaced from the first lock position to the first release position, the vertical slide member configured to be displaced between a second lock position and a second release position. A swing member includes a contacted portion and a third locking portion. A cover projection portion includes a third locked portion that is locked to the third locking portion and thereby restricts a document sheet cover from moving upward. When a document sheet reading unit is closed, a main body projection portion pushes up the contacted portion to hold the swing member at a third release position, allowing the contacted portion to extend diagonally upward.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion provided with an opening portion through which a cartridge is removably mounted and a cover member opening and closing the opening portion. An original reading portion is pivotable about a first rotation axis. The cover member is pivotable about a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis. A force is applied to pivot the original reading portion so that an engagement portion of the original reading portion slides on a sliding face of the cover member to apply a force from the engagement portion to the sliding face to pivot the cover member. In a cross section orthogonal to the first rotation axis, a first portion of the sliding face approaches the original reading portion from one end side on which the first and the second rotation axes are provided toward an opposite side.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus according to an embodiment may include: an image formation unit; an apparatus main body including therein the image formation unit; a cover rotatable about a first rotation axis to open and close the apparatus main body; an exposure unit including an exposure head; and a holding member fixed to an inner surface of the cover and holds the exposure unit. The holding member includes a first support portion at a side of the holding member closer to the first rotation axis and a second support portion at a side of the holding member farther from the first rotation axis. The first support portion supports the exposure unit to be rotatable, about a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis, and the second support portion supports the exposure unit to be swingable in directions closer to and away from the inner surface of the cover.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a first unit having an image bearing member, a second unit having a development member, an apparatus main body which includes an opening portion, an opening-closing member to open or close the opening portion, a first portion contacting with a part of the first unit to position the first unit to the apparatus main body, and a second portion arranged on an opposite side of the first portion with respect to the image bearing member, and a sandwiched unit movable between a first position at which the sandwiched unit is sandwiched between the first unit and the second portion and a second position at which the sandwiched unit is not sandwiched, wherein when the sandwiched unit is located at the first position, a part of the first unit is urged against the first portion by the sandwiched unit.

Abstract: A sheet transport device includes a sheet transport path along which at least one sheet is transported to a nip defined by a fixing roller and a displacement roller, a sensing unit disposed on the sheet transport path, an opening and closing member that is movable between a closed position at which the sheet transport path is formed and an open position at which the sheet transport path is exposed, and a guide member that is attached to the opening and closing member and that moves by following displacement of the displacement roller in such a manner as to maintain a certain distance from the sensing unit.

Abstract: An open/close assembly, having a first housing with an aperture; a second housing being openable and closable to the first housing; a first protrusion arranged in the second housing and movable between a first position protruding from the second housing to be inserted in the aperture and a second position being more inward than the first position; a spring arranged in the second housing and configured to urge the first protrusion toward the second position; a sensor arranged in the first housing and configured to detect the first protrusion inserted in the aperture; and an actuator with a surface configured to move the first protrusion to the first position when the second housing is being closed and to move the first protrusion to the second position when the second housing is being opened, is provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a first unit having an image bearing member, a second unit having a development member, an apparatus main body which includes an opening portion, an opening-closing member to open or close the opening portion, a first portion contacting with a part of the first unit to position the first unit to the apparatus main body, and a second portion arranged on an opposite side of the first portion with respect to the image bearing member, and a sandwiched unit movable between a first position at which the sandwiched unit is sandwiched between the first unit and the second portion and a second position at which the sandwiched unit is not sandwiched, wherein when the sandwiched unit is located at the first position, a part of the first unit is urged against the first portion by the sandwiched unit.

Abstract: An open-close discriminating apparatus includes an output portion configured to output a DC voltage having been converted from an AC voltage; a switch portion having an end connected with the output portion, the switch portion being configured to supply the DC voltage outputted to the output portion to a load when the switch portion is in a closed state, and to shut off the supply when the switch portion is in an open state; a capacitor connected with the other end of the switch portion; and a discriminating portion configured to discriminate whether the switch portion is in the open state or the closed state on the basis of a change amount of a voltage of the other end of the switch portion in a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a hinge connected to the reading unit, and a cover connected to the hinge. The image reading apparatus further includes a decelerator configured to apply a damping resistance to a particular gear of the hinge, as a planet gear engages with the particular gear during movement of the cover from an open position to a closed position.

Abstract: An openable cover mechanism includes a shaft section disposed in a casing, a hinge section that swings around the shaft section, a cover that is supported by the hinge section and is openable and closable relative to the casing, and a stopper section supported by the casing. The stopper section includes a contact section that makes contact with the hinge section and an urging section that urges the contact section. The hinge section includes a peripheral surface in an arc shape that makes contact with the contact section, and a raised section that is raised from the first peripheral surface. When the cover moves from a closed position to an open position, the contact section slides along the peripheral surface relative to the peripheral surface and engages with the raised section to fix the cover in the open position.

Abstract: A printer includes a printing unit, a casing, a scanner unit disposed in an upper portion of the casing, and a discharge unit that, below the scanner unit, is connected to the casing pivotably between a closed position and an open position and that a sheet of paper is discharged to. The discharge unit includes a placement surface for the sheet and a medium support unit capable of supporting the sheet from below while in a state of being protruded from the placement surface. The medium support unit is displaceable between a maximum protruded position and a minimum protruded position. When the amount of protrusion of the medium support unit from the placement surface when the discharge unit is in the open position is less than the amount of protrusion of the medium support unit in the maximum protruded position from the placement surface.

Abstract: An image forming device (1) has an image carrier (331), a transfer member (35), a holding member (81) which holds the transfer member, a pressing member (83) which changes a position between a first position and a second position to make the transfer member contact and separate from the image carrier, a first moving member (325) and a second moving member (10P1) which are movable, and a first interlocking mechanism (33T) and a second interlocking mechanism (10Q). The first interlocking mechanism and the second interlocking mechanism press the pressing member to change a position of the pressing member in conjunction with the first moving member and the second moving member. The pressing member includes a first pressed portion (83P1) which is pressed by the first interlocking mechanism, and a second pressed portion (83P2) which is pressed by the second interlocking mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided an opening and closing apparatus, including: a main body; an openable body pivoting between a closed position and an open position; a connecting part connecting an end of the main body and an end of the openable body; a rack provided in one of the main body and the openable body; and an arm, wherein a part, of a pitch line of the rack, which makes contact with a pitch circle of the pinion in a state that the openable body is positioned in the vicinity of the closed position is an inclined line which is inclined to approach the other of the main body and the openable body having no rack, as the inclined line is farther away from the connecting part with the openable body being in the closed position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an opening closing unit openably arranged between first and second positions and an associating mechanism connecting a body unit with the opening closing unit and operating in association with the opening closing unit. The associating mechanism includes plural compression springs and a buffer member, urges the opening closing unit with a first compression spring among the plural compression springs when the opening closing unit is placed at the first position, urges the opening closing unit with the first compression spring and a second compression spring when the opening closing unit is placed at a third portion between the first portion and the second position, and buffers the motion of the opening closing unit with the buffer member when the opening closing unit is placed at a fourth position between the second position and the third position.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: The one end portion and the other end portion of the support member have tapered portions, respectively, and thickness of each tapered portion is gradually reduced toward a center side from an end side of the support member in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An opening/closing apparatus includes: an apparatus body; a pivot body pivotable between a close position covering an upper portion of the apparatus body and an open position releasing the upper portion of the apparatus body; a rack member provided on the pivot body and having a rack gear extending in a radial direction from a pivot base end portion to a pivot front-end portion of the pivot body; and an arm body having one end portion connected to the apparatus body and the other end portion connected to the rack member and slidably movable relative to the rack member. The arm body includes: a housing; a rotary damper supported by the housing and having a damping gear receiving damping force from viscous fluid; and a gear section supported by the housing and transmitting the damping force of the damping gear to the rack gear.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of developing units disposed in parallel with each other, a developer cartridge being detachably attached to each of the plurality of developing units, each of the plurality of developing units forming a developer image with a developer agent in the developer cartridge; a first cover covering at least one specified developer cartridge of a plurality of developer cartridges attached to the plurality of developing units, the first cover being openable to allow the at least one specified developer cartridge to be attached and detached; and a second cover covering at least one developer cartridge other than the at least one specified developer cartridge of the plurality of developer cartridges, the second cover being openable to allow the at least one developer cartridge other than the at least one specified developer cartridge to be attached and detached.

Abstract: A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exposure device exposing a photosensitive member, an exposure device support member supporting the exposure device, a cartridge holding member holding a cartridge which includes the photosensitive member, and a locking mechanism to prevent the cartridge holding member from being drawn out from the main body of the apparatus. The locking mechanism includes a locking member that is movable between a locking position at which the locking member is engaged with the cartridge holding member and an unlocking position at which the locking member is disengaged from the cartridge holding member, and an interlocking mechanism having an urging member urging the locking member so it is located at the locking position, and a pressing member that is displaced along with the movement of the exposure device support member and presses the locking member against an urging force of the urging member so as to move the locking member to the unlocking position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing pivotable relative to the first housing in such a manner as to be located to an open position and a close position, a slider provided in one of the first and second housings configured to be slidable relative to the one in a slide moving direction, a connecting portion provided in the other of the housings; an arm member configured to connected each of the slider and the connecting portion to be pivotable relative to each of them, and an elastic member comprising a first engaging portion engaging with the slider and a second engaging portion engaging with the one of the housings. The elastic member applies, to the slider, a force in a direction in which the slider moves closer to the connecting portion, when the second housing is in the close position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes process units arranged in a predetermined direction to form a process-unit row, each having a photosensitive body and a developer container; a casing accommodating the process units and having a cover opening and closing an opening formed at one side in the predetermined direction, and an exposure member exposing the photosensitive body, and having a laser source, a deflector, and an optical element, and the exposure member is arranged facing the developer container of each process unit in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The process units are detachable from the casing, through the opening of the casing, and the developer container of one process unit arranged at one end of the process-unit row has a protruding portion protruding toward the exposure member to overlap with the exposure member in the orthogonal direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion; an image reader movable between a first open position and a first closed position; an openable member movable between a second open position and a second closed position; and a supporting member. When the image reader is located at the first open position, the openable member is supported at the second open position by the supporting member. When the image reader is moved from the supported state toward the first closed position, closing of the openable member from a predetermined position closer to the second closed position than the second open position is limited by the supporting member. When the image reader is moved toward the first closed position from a limited state in which the closing of the openable member is limited by the supporting member, limitation of the openable member by the supporting member is eliminated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing having an opening that is open upward, a cover supported by the casing, a process cartridge configured to be attached to or removed from the casing through the opening, and a particular guide configured to guide the process cartridge when the process cartridge is attached to or removed from the casing. The cover is configured to pivot around a pivot axis to open and close the opening. The cover includes a pressing portion. The pressing portion is configured to, when the cover is closing the opening, contact the process cartridge being attached inside the casing and press the process cartridge toward an attachment position in which the process cartridge is attached to the casing. A path of the pressing portion in the casing is substantially same as a shape of the particular guide as viewed from an axial direction of the pivot axis.

Abstract: A document reader is provided, which includes side covers disposed to face each other to form side faces of a main body housing, each of the side covers including a protruding section formed with an upper portion of the side cover being protruded outward relative to the main body housing, the upper portion being higher than a predetermined position below a reading unit, the protruding section including a first finger-holding portion disposed on a lower surface of the protruding section, the first finger-holding portion being formed with a length in a longitudinal direction thereof as long as a length of a readable range for the reading unit in a main scanning direction, the first finger-holding portion being configured such that one or more operators put their fingers thereon from below, the first finger-holding portion including one or more ribs formed along the longitudinal direction of the first finger-holding portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first casing, a second casing, an arm, a guide unit, a support part, and an urging member. The second casing is supported on the first casing and configured to pivot relative to the first casing. The arm has a first end portion rotatably coupled to one of the first casing and the second casing and a second end portion slidably coupled to the other of the first casing and the second casing. The guide unit is provided at the other of the first casing and the second casing and configured to slidably guide a shaft. The guide unit includes a first guide and a second guide. The support part supports the first guide such that the first guide is movable toward and away from the second guide. The urging member is configured to urge the first guide toward the second guide.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which includes a sheet tray disposed to face a plurality of photoconductive bodies across a belt device, and two main frames disposed to face each other across the plurality of photoconductive bodies, the belt device, and the sheet tray, the two main frames being configured such that the plurality of photoconductive bodies, the belt device, and the sheet tray are detachably attached thereto, the two main frames being further configured to define a communication section that leads from a space for accommodating the plurality of photoconductive bodies to the sheet tray.

Abstract: An image scanner section is disposed above a printer section. The image scanner section is supported by the printer section in such a manner as to be pivotable about a pivotal axis. The printer section has a lower housing having a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from above. The image scanner section has an upper housing having a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from above. The upper housing and the lower housing are configured such that a second upper corner portion, which is a corner portion of the upper housing, projects beyond a second lower corner portion, which is a corner portion of the lower housing and is located just under the second upper corner portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of preventing the image formation unit from being attached to a guide member for the image formation unit mistakenly, including an apparatus body; an image carrier including a rotary shaft; an exposure device configured to form a latent image through exposure of a surface of the image carrier and retractable from an exposure position; an image formation unit disposed detachably from the apparatus body; and a guide member to guide the exposure device to the exposure position. In the optimal apparatus, the guide member is used both to guide the image formation unit to the apparatus body and to guide the exposure device to the exposure position.

Abstract: A fixing element, a cover device and a multifunction printer are provided. The multifunction printer includes a machine body, the cover device and the fixing element. The cover device is disposed on the machine body and includes a first cover, a second cover and a third cover, wherein the second cover is between the first cover and the third cover. The fixing element passes through and is fixed on the second cover. The first cover and the second cover open relative to the third cover when the fixing element locks the first cover and the second cover, and the first cover opens relative to the second cover and the third cover when the fixing element locks the second cover and the third cover.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a bearing member provided to a secondary transfer unit, with the bearing member being configured to engage with a main body unit of the apparatus, a hooking-receiving member rotatably provided in the main body unit of the apparatus and opposed to the bearing member, and a rotation regulation member provided to the main body unit of the apparatus to regulate rotation of the hooking-receiving member. The hooking-receiving member contacts the rotation regulation member when the secondary transfer unit is closed with respect to the main body unit of the apparatus and-rotates in a direction away from the rotation regulation member when the secondary transfer unit is opened with respect to the main body unit of the apparatus.

Abstract: Automatic document feeder includes a transport path member having a transport path surface configuring a transport path in a device body, a latching member that is mounted on a rotating shaft provided in the other end side, is urged in a first rotation direction latched to a latched portion, and holds the transport path member in closed transport path, and an operating member that is rotated up to an operating position by own weight thereof or urging force in a second rotation direction when the device body moves to an exposed position of the transport path member, and is mounted with allowance so that the latching member is rotated in the second rotation direction according to a further rotating operation in the second rotation direction from the operating position and the latching member is detached from the latched portion.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus configured to read images of both surfaces of a document is provided. The image reading apparatus may include a first image reading device configured to read an image of a first surface of a document, a second image reading device configured to read an image of a second surface of the document, and a document conveying mechanism configured to convey the document from the second image reading device to the first image reading device. The first image reading device has a first reading range, and the second image reading device has a second reading range, which is smaller than the first reading range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing defining a sheet convey path through which a sheet is conveyed, a transfer belt disposed in the sheet convey path within the housing, a plurality of photosensitive members disposed opposite to the transfer surface from below in the housing, and a plurality of developing units disposed in the housing such that each of the developing units corresponds to one of the photosensitive members. The housing includes a first body configured to accommodate the developing units detachably and a second body disposed above the first body and configured to accommodate the transfer belt and the photosensitive members. The second body is configured to pivot around a pivot axis located on a first end of the first body and separate upward from the first body such that the developing units are exposed from the first body.

Abstract: A multifunction printer including a machine body, a first cover, a second cover, a third cover and a fixing element is provided. The first cover and the second cover are hinged, and the second cover and the third cover are hinged and the third cover is hinged on the machine body, wherein the second cover is installed between the first cover and the third cover. The fixing element is installed in the second cover to lock the third cover or unlock the third cover. When the first cover is opened relative to the second cover, the third cover is locked each other by the fixing element. When the first cover is closed relative to the second cover, the third cover is unlocked by the fixing element.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame, a photosensitive drum, an endless belt disposed above the photosensitive drum, and a pressing member. The photosensitive drum includes a drum body and a flange portion that is provided on one end portion of the drum body. The flange portion has a contacted portion and a pressed portion. The pressing member presses the pressed portion upward to permit the photosensitive drum to be in contact with the endless belt. The frame has a positioning portion disposed above the pressing member and above the photosensitive drum. The positioning portion is configured to be in contact with the contacted portion and to position the photosensitive drum when the pressing member presses the pressed portion. The pressed portion is disposed farther from the drum body in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum than the contacted portion.

Abstract: An arm unit includes a first member, a rotation shaft, a second member, a spring member, and a displacement adjusting device. The second member is expandably connected to the first member via the rotation shaft. The spring member is configured to bias the first member and the second member to a direction of expanding the first member and the second member. The displacement adjusting device is configured to displace the spring member at an amount of displacement less than an amount of displacement between the first member and the second member around the rotation shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a document board to open and close an upper side of the main body while being pivoted, and a shock absorber to reduce impact generated when the document board closes the upper side of the main body, wherein the shock absorber includes a link pivotably mounted, at a first end thereof, to the document board while guide protrusions are formed at a second end thereof, and a guide slot formed so that each guide protrusion is movable. Since the guide slot applies a pressure gradually increased from the first end side of the guide slot to the second end side thereof, to the guide protrusion, a speed of the guide protrusion and a pivoting speed of the document board are restricted below a certain speed when the upper side of the main body is closed through the document board.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a substructure, a first opening and closing body that opens and closes the upper portion of the substructure, and a second opening and closing body that opens and closes the upper portion of the first opening and closing body, and includes a locking mechanism in which the first opening and closing body and the second opening and closing body do not enter the opened state at the same time.

Abstract: A color multifunction printer as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges each containing a photoconductor; a support frame configured to support the cartridges arranged in tandem, the support frame being allowed to be pulled out horizontally from a casing of the apparatus to a position in which each of the cartridges is detachable from the support frame; and a plurality of exposure units mounted to the support frame, wherein each of the exposure units is disposed opposite to a corresponding photoconductor and is configured to expose the photoconductor to light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. Each of the cartridges is configured to be detachable in such a direction that the photoconductor in the cartridge moves away from the corresponding exposure unit upon detachment.

Abstract: An image scanner section is disposed above a printer section. The image scanner section is supported by the printer section in such a manner as to be pivotable about a pivotal axis. The printer section has a lower housing having a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from above. The image scanner section has an upper housing having a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from above. The upper housing and the lower housing are configured such that a second upper corner portion, which is a corner portion of the upper housing, projects beyond a second lower corner portion, which is a corner portion of the lower housing and is located just under the second upper corner portion.

Abstract: A housing engagement structure used for a housing to accommodate therein an apparatus body includes a first housing member and a second housing member. The first housing member includes a first wall having a first overlap portion being an end of the first wall. The second housing member includes: a second wall having a second overlap portion being an end of the second wall configured to be in contact with an inner surface of the first overlap portion and overlapped with the first overlap portion; and a first reinforcement rib projected from the inner surface of the second wall and extending to a position to be in contact with an inner surface of the first wall in the vicinity of the first overlap portion thereby reinforcing the first overlap portion.

Abstract: An automatic document transportation device includes an ADF main body, a first lock pin and a second lock pin, a cover, a first lock lever and a second lock lever, and an unlock portion. The first lock pin and the second lock pin are arranged in the ADF main body. The cover is supported in an openable/closable manner at the ADF main body. The first lock lever and the second lock lever lock the cover so as not to open by being hooked at the first lock pin and the second lock pin when the cover is closed. The unlock portion is arranged on the surface on the ADF main body side of the cover and in the vicinity of the end of the distal end side of the cover, and can unlock the lock of the first lock lever and the second lock lever.

Abstract: The retaining unit is configured to retain a plurality of photosensitive drums juxtaposedly arrayed with each other in a predetermined direction. The retaining unit is movable between an internal position within the main casing and an external position outside of the main casing. Each photosensitive drum includes a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion opposite to the first pressed portion in an axial direction. The endless belt is disposed above the retaining unit that is in the internal position. The retaining unit includes a pair of side plates. Each of the pair of side plates includes a plurality of receiving portions each of which being configured to receive each photosensitive drum to be movable in a vertical direction. The first pressed portion and the second pressed portion protrude outward from a corresponding one of the plurality of receiving portions in the axial direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion for forming an image on a recording material; an image reading portion, for reading an original image, movable between a first position in which the image reading portion opposes the image forming portion and a second position in which the image reading portion is partly raised from the image forming portion; an openable member movable, relative to the image forming portion independently of the image reading portion, between an open position in which the openable member exposes an inside of the image forming portion and a closed position in which the openable member covers the image forming member; and preventing means capable of preventing movement of the openable member toward the closed position when the image reading member is located at the second position.

Abstract: An image reader includes: a bottom wall that faces a discharge table of a main body of an image forming apparatus, to which a printed sheet is discharged, with a space formed therebetween, the bottom wall forming a bottom surface of a housing that receives an optical system and including a concave portion recessed into the inside of the housing without including a convex portion protruding toward the outside of the housing in a contactable area having a possibility that the printed sheet comes into contact therewith when the printed sheet is discharged to the discharge table, the bottom wall including the convex portion protruding toward the outside of the housing in the other areas except for the contactable area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus main body; a supported body rotatably supported with the image forming apparatus main body; and a buffer device that shock-absorbs a shock due to a rotational operation of the supported body, the buffer device having: a guide member provided in the supported body; and a buffer device main body having a guided member provided in the image forming apparatus main body and guided with the guide member and a pressing member that presses the guided member, and in assembly before attachment of the buffer device main body to the image forming apparatus main body, in a state where the supported body is opened from the image forming apparatus main body, when the guided member is attached to the guide member, a movement prevention part provided in the guided member or the guide member preventing movement of the guided member in a direction away from the guide member.

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.