Abstract: An encoder is connected to the drive system of the optical system of an image forming apparatus including an optical system for exposing a document image to a light and scanning the document image, a home position switch for detecting the optical system when it comes to the vicinity of the starting position, and a resist roller for setting the feeding start timing of a transfer sheet to the transfer section, and, on reproducing the above document image on a transfer sheet, when the pulse signals coming from the encoder, which are counted from the time when the optical system passes through the home position switch, reach the appointed value, the above resist roller operates.

Abstract: A sorter incorporating a stapler sorts and staples sheets discharged from a discharger of an image forming apparatus. The sorter includes a plurality of bins, a stapler, a stacker, and a supplying/discharging mechanism. The plurality of bins are vertically arranged and vertically movable. The stapler staples a stack of sheets stored in each of the bins. The stacker stores the bundles of sheets stapled by the stapler. The supplying/discharging mechanism supplies into the bins of the sorter the sheets discharged from the discharger, and discharges the bundles of sheets stapled by the stapler into the stacker.

Abstract: An opening/closing mechanism for use in a circular-arc shaped sliding door including a transverse frame having a circular-arc horizontal sectional shape and mounted on the upper parts of a pair of left and right door bodies; a drive pulley and a driven pulley mounted on the circumferentially one end of the transverse frame and on the other end thereof, respectively; and an endless belt wound between and around the drive pulley and a driven pulley, the pair of door bodies being connected in place to the endless belt so that they may be slidably moved in opposite directions to each other along a pair of left and right guide rails, respectively, each of which is bent in a circular-arc shape concentric with the center of the circular-arc of the transverse door frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image by developing a latent image on a photoconductor drum with developer delivered from a developer unit disposed facing the photoconductor drum, comprising a developer collecting member that is integrally molded with a pair of photoconductor drum supporting side plates which rotatably support the photoconductor drum, and that is disposed between the photoconductor drum supporting side plates so as to collect the developer falling from between the photoconductor drum and the developer unit.

Abstract: According to a method for controlling an automatic door of the present invention, even when an accidental condition occurs due to some obstacle clogging a traveling lane of the door, the door can move at a high speed to its deceleration point so as to immediately enable a man to go through the door opening, while the door is prevented from colliding at a high speed against the obstacle repeatedly to make it possible to increase both the durability and safety of the door.

Abstract: In a method for controlling an automatic door system, after a power-supply switch of the system is turned on, a door of the system initially conducts its low-speed opening/closing operation when a first human-body detection signal is inputted to the system; and then, when the door travels a distance more than a predetermined minimum door stroke, the door conducts its normal-speed opening/closing operation after completion of its traveling the predetermined minimum door stroke to enable the door to conduct its normal-speed operation within a short time after the power-supply switch is turned on.