Abstract: A sheet transfer apparatus includes a sheet receiver for receiving a plurality of sheets, and a transfer mechanism for successively transferring each of the sheets from the sheet receiver along a predetermined transfer path. The sheet receiver has an openable member which is movable between an open position and a closed position. The sheet transfer apparatus further includes a detecting device provided at a predetermined position in the transfer path for detecting a transfer state of each transferred sheet and for detecting an open/closed state of the openable member, and a controller for determining whether the detecting device is detecting the transfer state of each transferred sheet or the open/closed state of the openable member.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink ribbon cartridge which ensures proper, reliable mounting of an ink ribbon. The ink ribbon cartridge of the invention includes a pair of spools, an ink ribbon including a band-like sheet wound around the pair of spools and provided with a layer of ink formed on one surface thereof, four spindles which have disk-shaped sections at one end and can be placed, for a specific length in both ends of the pair of spools, and a cover covering the pair of spools around which the sheet is wound and having four round holes in which the disk-shaped sections of each of the spindles are loosely fitted. In one of the four ends of the pair of spools, only the other end of a specific one of the four spindles can be inserted for a specific length, and one of the four round holes formed in the cover is formed such that only the disk-shaped section on one side of the specific spindle can be loosely fitted.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes a main body frame, an operable cover plate for covering at least the front top of the main body frame, a separating roller for separating a document sheet attached to the main body frame and a document feeding mechanism for feeding a document sheet separated by the separating roller. All of the rollers in the document feeding mechanism are attached to the main body frame. Since all rollers of the document feeding mechanism are attached to the main body frame, it is not necessary that the cover plate have high rigidity. Consequently, the weight of the cover plate can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the cover plate can be reduced.

Abstract: A facsimile machine has various detection devices. One of the detection device detects a sheet medium. The detection device includes a reflection type sensor directly mounted on a control board. An actuator is pivotally movably supported in a main frame of the facsimile machine. The actuator has a pivot shaft portion, a first arm and a second arm those extending from the pivot shaft portion. A free end of the first arm is abuttable on the sheet medium. If sheet medium is transferred to a predetermined portion, an edge of the sheet urges the free end to angularly rotate the actuator. A free end of the second arm is provided with a reflection member. The angular movement of the actuator causes the reflection member to be brought into confrontation with the reflection type sensor so as to detect passage of the sheet medium. A regulation member is integrally provided to the reflection member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a rotatable image carrying member, a charger, a scanner unit for forming a latent image at an exposure position on the surface of the image carrying member charged by the charger, a developing device for converting the latent image to a toner image, and a transfer roller for transferring the toner image on the image carrying member to a recording paper by application of a transfer voltage to the toner image. A conductive member is provided on a charger case covering the charger adjacent to the charger and between the charger and the exposure position. The conductive member is positioned close to the surface of the photosensitive drum. Thus, ions (positive charges) generated by the charger are prevented from reaching the exposure position where the latent image is formed.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes a light emitting unit disposed downstream in the direction of feed of a document with respect to a normal plane perpendicular to the document surface on a reading line. Outgoing beams for reading travel rearward in a substantially horizontal direction. Incoming beams from the light emitting unit are reflected on the reading line on the document surface and are supplied as the outgoing beams for reading to a light sensing unit. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the height of the front portion of the facsimile apparatus so as to increase a degree of freedom in designing while enhancing reliability in reading the document.

Abstract: A facsimile-printer combination of a dot-matrix type, including: a first and a second printing device operable in a fascimile mode and a printer mode according to first and second printing information, respectively, for selectively producing dots on a recording medium, at a first printing pitch in metric and a second printing pitch in inch unit, respectively, in a direction of width of the recording medium; a first and a second feeding device in association with the first and second printing devices, for feeding the recording medium at a first feeding pitch the metric unit and a second feeding pitch in the inch unit, respectively, in a direction of length of the recording medium; an input device for receiving the first and second printing information output devices; and a selector device for rendering the first printing and feeding devices operative when the first printing information is received by the input device, and rendering the second printing and feeding devices operative when the second printing info