Abstract: A simultaneous cassette withdrawal restriction mechanism for use with an image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of cassettes includes a projection provided on each cassette; a connecting rod; and an engageable member which is adapted for engaging with the corresponding projection, the connecting rod is integrally formed with the engageable members. The engageable member is selectively changeable with its posture between a first posture to restrict the withdrawal movements of the cassettes other than one which had been already withdrawn out of a main body of the image forming apparatus and a second posture to allow one of the cassettes to be withdrawn once the one having been withdrawn is returned to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A compact sheet processing apparatus mountable on the side of a copying machine body processes sheets discharged therefrom. The apparatus includes a sheet supplier for supplying sheets received from the copying machine body; a sheet discharger; a first transport route connecting the sheet supplier and discharger, and a sheet-stamping mechanism disposed opposite the sheet-bearing surface of the first transport route. Further included is a second transport route, diverging from and extending below the first transport route, which feeds sheets to a punching mechanism disposed therein; a transport drive providing controlled transport of sheets in each transport route; and a process timing control unit. The sheets are transported along both the first and second transport routes wherein the stamping and punching operations are both to be carried out, and then discharged through the discharger. The timing of the processes is controlled according to set conditions.

Abstract: The housing of a delivery unit is engaged with a predetermined part of the body of an image forming apparatus, the housing being pivotable upwardly from the body. An endless belt is wound on a pair of pulleys. One of the pulleys is mounted on a first shaft which is secured to the housing which is latched in position on the body while the other pulley is mounted on a second shaft that is movable with respect to the housing. The second shaft is attached to the body, and the endless belit is stretched to restrain the housing from being unlatched and pivoted upwardly from the body. The delivery unit is attached without use of screws. Accordingly, the delivery unit may be readily placed in its operating position on the body with no possibility of the photoreceptor being damaged. In an image forming apparatus having electric component elements disposed under the delivery unit, the maintenance of the element is facilitated.

Abstract: A sheet member feed apparatus for use in an electrophotographic copying machine includes a frame with a pair of spaced opposed walls, each wall having therein an elongated hole defined by longitudinally extending inner wall side faces. First and second feed rollers are mounted on first and second shafts, respectively, with each shaft having bearings at opposite ends thereof. The bearings of one shaft are mounted at fixed positions in the opposed frame walls, and the bearings of the other shaft are mounted in the elongated holes with clearance between outer side faces of the bearings and the confronting inner wall side faces, such that the other roller is movable toward and away from the one roller. A spring extends around a portion of each of the bearings of the other roller and biases the bearings in the elongated holes in a direction to urge the other roller toward the one roller.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a photoreceptor of an image forming apparatus includes actuating a cleaning means of a cleaning system and rotating the photoreceptor before a usual image forming operation, after a predetermined time, charging a particular area of the photosensitive drum, transferring residual toner adhering to a sealing member of a developing unit to the charged area, carrying the transferred residual toner with rotation of the photoreceptor to the cleaning means of the cleaning device, and removing the residual toner by the cleaning means. Accordingly, the present invention eliminates the possibility of mixing of the color of a previously used toner into a toner image after replacement of a developing unit by another unit containing a different color of toner.

Abstract: A copying machine including an openable original cover, an original holder movably provided on the top of the main body of the copying machine, a locking mechanism provided in the main body of the copying machine and having a projectable lock lever for restricting the movement of the original holder by engaging the receiving parts of the original holder when the original holder is located at a predetermined position, and an ON-OFF detection mechanism for elevating the lock lever a predetermined amount in accordance with the opening and shutting movement of the original cover when the original holder is located at the predetermined position and actuating a switch for driving the detecting means of the original size.

Abstract: A power transmitting device especially suitable for use in photocopying machines includes a driving shaft and a driven shaft. When locking members on the respective shafts are axially disengaged from each other, the driven shaft and the driving shaft are rotatively displaced with respect to each other by a predetermined angle so that the locking members may be freely and positively locked when the driving shaft and driven shaft are axially reengaged.

Abstract: A cleaning device in an electrostatic copying apparatus, for removing residual toner particles from the surface of a photosensitive member adapted to move through an endless conveying passage, includes a blade holding mechanism mounted pivotally around an axis extending substantially parallel to the surface of the photosensitive member and substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the photosensitive member, and a cleaning blade mounted on the blade holding mechanism. The cleaning device further includes a first spring elastically biasing the blade holding mechanism to a non-operating position in which the cleaning blade is away from the surface of the photosensitive member and an operating mechanism selectively positioning the blade holding mechanism against the elastic biasing action of the first spring to an operating position in which the cleaning blade is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A variable magnification electrostatic copying apparatus comprising a transparent plate on which to place a document to be copied, an optical system for projecting the image of the document onto an electrostatographic photosensitive member at any desired projecting ratio selected from a plurality of projecting ratios in an exposure zone located along the moving path of the photosensitive member, and a driving means for moving at least a part of the optical system and the transparent plate relative to each other. The optical system includes at least one position-variable optical element assembly adapted to be held at any of a plurality of positions corresponding to the aforesaid plurality of projecting ratios. The variable magnification electrostatic copying apparatus includes a unique improved means for varying the projecting ratio of the optical system by moving the position-variable optical element assembly.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying apparatus including a support frame having a front support wall and a rear support frame. The support frame is mounted on a housing slidably in the front and rear direction between an operating position within the housing and a pull-out position outside of the housing. A rotating drum and a developing device are mounted on the support frame. Each of the rear surface of the front support wall and the front surface of the rear support wall has a semicircular receiving portion with an open top, and each end of the rotating drum has a shaft bearing member with a circular peripheral surface. By inserting each bearing member into the associated receiving portion, the drum is rotatably mounted. The developing device has a front wall and a rear wall, with a projecting portion formed at the end of each. An abutting lower edge is defined on each projecting portion, and an abutting front edge is defined on each of the front wall and the rear wall, below the projecting portion.

Abstract: An optical device in a variable magnification electrostatic copying apparatus includes a first reflecting mirror assembly mounted for reciprocal movement, a second reflecting mirror assembly mounted for reciprocal movement substantially parallel to the reciprocating direction of the first reflecting mirror assembly, and a speed-reduction interlocking mechanism for moving the second reflecting mirror assembly at a speed equal to one-half of the moving speed of the first reflecting mirror assembly, upon movement of the first reflecting mirror assembly. The optical device further includes a magnification setting mechanism for changing the relative position of the second reflecting mirror assembly with respect to the first reflecting mirror assembly according to a desired copying magnification.