Abstract: The apparatus comprises a driving mechanism for reciprocating a slider having a contact glass thereon, and a rotation control member which is associated with the driving mechanism and which makes one rotation per two rotations of a photoconductor drum and one reciprocating cycle of the slider. Through the rotation control member, a copying process can be controlled in association with the rotations of the photoconductor drum. The slider can be reciprocated freely when the copying machine is not in operation by the present known slider reciprocating driving apparatus. A stopper for stopping the forward movement of the slider without causing any adverse shock is provided.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a drum around which a photoconductor sheet is to be wound, a front end clamp member and a back end clamp member disposed in a recess formed along a generating line of the peripheral surface of the drum, a front end clamp member operation device, a back end clamp operation device, separation guides for separating the leading end portion of the photoconductor sheet from the drum, and a drum stopping device for stopping the drum at a predetermined position for exchanging the photoconductor sheet. The front end clamp member is disposed in the recess, and the back end clamp member is rotatable around the drum independently of the drum during the photoconductor sheet exchanging process. The front end clamp member operation device is operable to move the front end clamp member radially, and the back end clamp member operation device is operable to stop the back end clamp member so as to rotate the back end clamp relative to the drum.

Abstract: A method of controlling the fixing temperature of a powder image comprises the steps of detecting electric power, which is supplied from a power source to a heating element that is contained in a powder image fixing unit to heat the image, by means of a power detector, and controlling the power supplied to the heating element in accordance with an output signal from the detector, thus preventing a variation in the fixing temperature which might result from a fluctuation in the source voltage.

Abstract: A horizontal platen is translatable through a first exposure position above a photoconductive drum for supporting bulky original documents such as books. A first focussing optical fiber array is disposed between the first exposure position and the drum. A sheet feed mechanism is provided at a second exposure position for feedingly scanning original documents in the form of sheets. The second exposure position is on a circle concentric with the first exposure position and a second focussing optical fiber array is disposed between the second exposure position and the drum. The sheet feed mechanism is located below the platen. A directed light source is movable to selectively direct light to the first or second exposure position. In one form of the invention only one focussing optical fiber array is provided which is movable between the first exposure position and the drum or between the second exposure position and the drum.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus is provided of the type in which a toner image formed on a photosensitive member is transferred onto a transfer or copy sheet. The apparatus is used in a copying machine of a so-called delivery type in which the sheet is conveyed using a sheet gripper. During the transfer of a toner image, the appartus applies a corona discharge to the rear side of the sheet which is of the opposite polarity from that of the toner image. The apparatus comprises a diaphragm member for restricting an opening of a transfer charger and disposed between the transfer charger and the photosensitive member, the diaphragm member being movable away from the photosensitive member as the sheet gripper passes between the transfer charger and the photosensitive member.

Abstract: An electric heater means thermally fixes a toner image to a copy sheet to produce a permanent electrostatic copy of an original document. The heater means is normally energized at partial power but is switched to full power by means of microswitches at the inlet and outlet of the heater means which are actuated by the copy sheet while the copy sheet passes through the heater means. The heater means is switched to full power for a shorter length of time during a multiple copy operation than during a single copy operation.

Abstract: A clamp which spans a pair of endless chains grips the leading edge of a sheet to convey the same into engagement with a photoconductive drum of an electrostatic copying machine or the like. A primary feed roller is driven through one rotation to feed the top sheet from a stack into the bite of the clamp. A cam follower actuated by a cam integral with the primary feed roller moves a release member into engagement with the clamp to open the same and further disengages secondary feed rollers between which the top sheet passes from the stack to the clamp. At the completion of rotation of the cam, the cam follower disengages the clamp to grip the leading edge of the sheet and engages the secondary feed rollers to feedingly grip the sheet. The secondary drive rollers are interconnected with the chains for integral driving movement after the sheet is gripped by the clamp and secondary feed rollers.

Abstract: A copying machine of the scanning exposure type includes an original receptacle or an optical system which is adapted to reciprocate. The original receptacle or optical system is mounted on a rockable support which has one end pivotally mounted on the body of the copying machine. A normally inoperative locking device is interposed between the original receptacle or optical system and its drive mechanism, so that when the rockable support is released and pivoted, the locking device is effective to prevent a movement of the original receptacle or optical system which may result from its weight.

Abstract: A cleaning unit for an optical system of slit exposure type is provided for a copying machine in which either an original receptacle or the optical system is movable in reciprocal motion for scanning an original on the receptacle to be copied. By utilizing the relative movement of the receptacle and the optical system, a lens face or other faces of the optical system which are to be maintained cleaned are automatically wiped by means of a soft material each time the scanning takes place.

Abstract: A sheet separator separates a copy sheet held attracted to the surface of a rotating photosensitive member by the use of a suction member pivotably disposed at a sheet separating position. The suction member includes an air suction port in its surface which is located opposite the photosensitive member. During a movement of the suction port from a first position in which it is located rearwardly, as viewed in the direction of movement of the photosensitive member, of a line joining the axis of rotation of the photosensitive member and the pivotal axis of the suction member to a second position forwardly of the line, the suction member holds the leading edge of the copy sheet attracted thereto, thereby separating it from the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A large number of cards are vertically randomly stored on a horizontal platen. Each card has a serrated bottom code edge contacting the platen, a magnetic chip implanted in a vertical edge and a hook on the upper edge. Selected serrations are removed from the bottom edges of the cards to constitute a selection code. Selected sorting bars are raised into position between the serrations, and a magnet attracts the magnetic chips so that only the selected card having serrations removed corresponding to the raised sorting bars is pulled horizontally backward by the magnet by a distance of one serration. A push bar then engages with the hook of the selected card, and pushes the selected card horizontally forward and simultaneously lifts the selected card clear of the other cards to a retrieval position.