Abstract: A sheet storage device includes a first reel, a second reel, a third reel, a shaft, a drum, a first differential mechanism and a second differential mechanism. Tips first, second and third tapes respectively unwound from the first reel, the second reel, and the third reel are fixed to the drum, and the drum winds up sheets together with the first, second and third tapes. The first differential mechanism distributes torque input from a torque source to a first path and a second path. The second differential mechanism is provided in the second path and distributes the torque that has been distributed by the first differential mechanism to a third path and a fourth path. The first reel is located in the first path, the second reel is located in the third path, and the third reel is located in the fourth path.

Abstract: According to examples, an apparatus may include a processor and a memory on which are stored computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, may cause the processor to receive a first sheet count before execution of a print job, receive a second sheet count after execution of the print job, and determine a number of sheets printed for the print job based on the first sheet count and the second sheet count. The processor may update a pick mechanism activation counter value based on the determined number of printed sheets. Based on a determination that the updated pick mechanism activation counter value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the processor may cause a pick mechanism to be actuated to sense a media stack height of print media.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a conveyance unit to convey a sheet, a support frame supporting the he conveyance unit and having a mounting member, and an exterior cover made of metal and fixed to the mounting member by a screw. The exterior cover covers the support frame on a back side of the sheet conveying apparatus and includes a hook portion provided above a position corresponding to the mounting member in a vertical direction, and a positioning pin provided below the position corresponding to the mounting member in the vertical direction. The support frame includes an engagement portion, engaged with the hook portion and provided at a position above the mounting member in the vertical direction, and a through-hole, formed at a position below the mounting member in the vertical direction, into which the positioning pin is inserted to position the exterior cover with respect to the support frame.

Abstract: A bi-directional paper pickup mechanism includes a pickup roller, a fastening structure, an input shaft, a first ratchet element, a second ratchet element, an actuating unit, a first transmission rotor and a second transmission rotor. The pickup roller has an inner space. The fastening structure is disposed in the inner space. The input shaft is accommodated in the inner space, and one end of the input shaft is pivotally connected to the fastening structure. The first ratchet element is mounted around the input shaft. The second ratchet element is mounted around the one end of the input shaft. The actuating unit is fastened around a middle of the input shaft to synchronously rotate with the input shaft. The first transmission rotor is mounted around the one end of the input shaft. The second transmission rotor is mounted around the other end of the input shaft.

Abstract: A support frame for a sheet conveying apparatus includes a bottom plate that includes a first member having a first surface portion and a first wall portion and a second member having a second surface portion and a second wall portion, a support rod that is fixed to the bottom plate, and a plurality of installation members that is fixed to the bottom plate and installs the sheet conveying apparatus. The second member is fixed to the first member by the second wall portion overlapping and being joined to the first wall portion on an outer side of the first wall portion.

Abstract: A sheet sorting apparatus comprising a first tray, a second tray, a conveyance unit, a tray detection unit, a stacking amount detection unit, and a control unit configured to control the conveyance unit to not convey the sheet to the second tray, in a case where the stacking amount detection unit detects that the amount of sheets reaches the predetermined amount, wherein the control unit is configured to permit the conveyance unit to convey the sheet to the second tray, in a case where the tray detection unit detects that the first tray is detached from the apparatus main body in a state where the stacking amount detection unit detects that the amount of sheets reaches the predetermined amount and conveyance of the sheet to the second tray by the conveyance unit is stopped.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus capable of turning over a sheet to form images on both sides of the sheet, when duplex printing is executed successively on three or more sheets, a controller causes a first sheet conveyed from an image forming unit and a second sheet conveyed from the image forming unit to be guided into a first path by positioning a guide member in a first position, and then conveyed into a third path by a first roller, and causes a third and subsequent sheets conveyed from the image forming unit to be guided into a second path by positioning the guide member in a second position, and then conveyed into the third path by a second roller.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a first roller, a second roller, and a controller. The first roller is configured to rotate in a forward direction for sheet conveyance along a sheet conveying direction. The second roller is disposed downstream with respect to the first roller in the sheet conveying direction and configured to rotate in a forward direction along the sheet conveying direction and in a reverse direction. The controller is configured to control the second roller to rotate in the reverse direction at a timing when a leading end of a sheet that is nipped and conveyed by the first roller reaches a nip of the second roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first conveyance unit including an image forming unit to convey a sheet on which an image is formed, and a second conveyance unit including a cover movable between a close position and an open position, the second conveyance unit being movable between a first position where the sheet can be conveyed to the sheet conveyance path and a second position separated from the first position. The first conveyance unit includes a retaining portion to retain the cover at a predetermined position, wherein the cover does not interfere with the retaining portion when the second conveyance unit is positioned at the first position, and the cover is in contact with the retaining portion and retained at the open position in a condition where the second conveyance unit is positioned at the second position and the cover is moved from the close position to the open position.

Abstract: A conveyance device includes a locking mechanism for an access cover. The locking mechanism includes a cooperating lever and a locking shaft attached to the cooperating lever. The locking shaft is slidable in an axial direction thereof between a locking position where the locking shaft engages in a locking groove of the access cover and a second unlocking position located lateral o the locking groove. When in the second unlocking position, the locking shaft engages with an engaged portion provided at part of a housing or at a fixed frame attached to the housing to constrain the cooperating lever against downward movement of a distal end of the cooperating lever. The locking mechanism further includes an operating member coupled to the locking shaft and including a holding portion capable of being held from outside the housing.

Abstract: An elongated T-slot protection device comprising an elongated member having a body, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of legs. The protection device is placeable into an elongated opening of a T-slot, and covers the elongated opening to prevent debris from entering the T-slot formed in a work surface.

Abstract: A medium loading device includes a side end aligning member which is positioned at a standby position when a medium is ejected; and a control section. When a value based on first information relating to recording density of a medium to be ejected this time and at least one medium among the media ejected previously is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the control section specifies a first position, which overlaps the medium to be ejected this time, as the standby position, and when the value based on the first information is less than the threshold value, the control section specifies a second position, which does not overlap the medium to be ejected this time, as the standby position, and the control section adjusts the threshold value based on second information relating to at least one medium among the media recorded before the ejection at this time.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a stacking apparatus includes: a first precedent-stage conveyor unit that conveys first sheets; a second precedent-stage conveyor unit that conveys second sheets; a merging unit that guides, to a merge point, the first sheets output from the first precedent-stage conveyor unit and guides, to the merge point, the second sheets output from the second precedent-stage conveyor unit; a subsequent-stage conveyor unit that sequentially receives, at the merge point, the conveyed first sheets and the conveyed second sheets, and conveys the received first sheets and the received second sheets in order of the reception while lining up in a conveying direction; and a stacking unit that sequentially catches each of the first sheets and each of the second sheets and stacks, at a predetermined position, each of the first sheets and each of the second sheets in order of the catch.

Abstract: A sheet processing machine stores sheets transported by a transport unit. The sheet processing machine includes: a reel on which a first end side of a tape is wound; a first stepper motor that rotates the reel about a rotation axis of the reel; a drum configured to wind up a second end side of the tape together with the sheets to form a winding body together with the tape and the sheets; a second stepper motor that rotates the drum about a rotation axis of the drum; and circuitry configured to change an interval between the sheets wound on the drum by controlling a rotation of the first stepper motor and the second stepper motor based on a parameter indicating a condition of the winding body.

Abstract: A belt feeding device includes an endless belt, stretching rollers including a tension roller, a bearing member supporting the tension roller, a beating support member supporting the bearing member, an urging member urging the tension roller, a supporting member supporting the bearing supporting member, and a locking member. The locking member is movable between a first position where an engagement between the locking member and one of the bearing support member and the bearing member is released and the bearing member is permitted to move so as to apply the tension to the belt, and a second position where the locking member locks the bearing member by engaging with the bearing support member and the bearing member and the bearing member is restricted to move. The bearing member, the bearing support member, the urging member, and the locking member constitute a unit to be integrally dismountable from the supporting in the second position.

Abstract: A sheet stacker includes a sheet stacking member, a biasing force applier, an angle setter, and a regulator. The sheet stacking member has an upstream portion in a sheet conveyance direction. The upstream portion is movable in a vertical direction. The biasing force applier is configured to apply a biasing force to bias the sheet stacking member upward. The angle setter is configured to set an angle of the sheet stacking member in the sheet conveyance direction, relative to a sheet conveying portion, between a first angle and a second angle. The regulator is configured to regulate movement of the sheet stacking member in a case in which the upstream portion of the sheet stacking member is located closer to the sheet conveying portion at either the first angle or the second angle.

Abstract: A multi-function apparatus employs an in-body sheet discharge type configuration. The image forming device includes a front door and a multi-purpose tray. The front door is movable between a closed position set along a side surface at one side of a case of the image forming device and an opened position opened at the one side with respect to the side surface. The front door has an opening formed therein. The multi-purpose tray is provided to be selectively located at a non-use state at which the multi-purpose tray closes the opening and an in-use position at which the multi-purpose tray opens the opening. When the front door is located at the closed position and the multi-purpose tray is located at the non-use position, an upper end surface of the multi-purpose tray is exposed upward.

Abstract: A medium discharge device includes a discharge roller pair that is provided with a discharge driving roller and a discharge driven roller which drivably rotates in contact with the discharge driving roller, and a medium receiving tray which receives the medium that is fed and discharged by the discharge roller pair, in which the medium receiving tray includes a guide member which guides such that a tip end of the medium which is discharged from the discharge roller pair enters the medium mounting surface at a predetermined angle, and the guide member is provided to be elastically displaceable in an advancing and retreating direction with respect to the medium mounting surface of the medium receiving tray and is displaced in a direction coming close to the medium mounting surface according to raising of a pressing load due to the medium that is discharged to the medium receiving tray.

Abstract: A pusher plate stacking bin apparatus is provided for a valuable media depository. The apparatus comprising a pusher plate driven by a rack and pinion apparatus to stack a media item that is in a final position within the apparatus onto a media stacking platform. The media item is urged into the final position such that a trailing edge of the media item overhangs and rests on a fixed media guide and such that a leading edge of the media item overhangs and rests on a hinged media guide with a bottom surface of the media item elevated above the media stacking platform. The rack and pinion apparatus drives the plate past the media guides causing the hinged media guide to drop and the media item to fold along the leading edge as the media item is stacked onto the platform.

Abstract: An example flywheel energy storage device includes a fiber-resin composite shell having an elliptical ovoid shape. The example device also includes an axially oriented internal compressive support between the axial walls of the shell. The example device also includes an inner boss plate and an outer boss plate on each side of the shell. The example device also includes a plurality of radially oriented, fiber-resin composite helical wraps forming the shell and coupling the shell to the inner and outer boss plates for co-rotation and torque transfer. The example device also includes boss plate attachments on internal boss plate supports to mount the shell for co-rotation and torque transfer via resin bonding, friction, and compression between the inner and outer boss plates.