Abstract: A carriage driving motor is driven with acceleration during a time period substantially equal to the half period of periodic vibration generated in a carriage in its moving direction when the carriage shifts from a stopped state to a moving state. Subsequently, the carriage driving motor is driven at a constant speed. Thus, the vibration of the carriage is minimized and movement of the carriage at the constant speed is stabilized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet convey apparatus having a convey roller contacting with a sheet while rotating to apply a convey force to the sheet, a pinch roller for cooperating with the convey roller to convey the sheet, a support for supporting a center of the pinch roller in its widthwise direction, and a biasing device for biasing the support in such a manner that the support means urges the pinch roller against the convey roller in the widthwise direction of the pinch roller.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a sheet accommodating unit for accommodating a plurality of sheets, a sheet feeding unit for feeding sheets from the sheet accommodating unit, separation pawls for individually separating the sheets fed from the sheet feeding unit, a manual feeding port for manually feeding a sheet between the sheet accommodating unit and the sheet feeding unit, and a manually-fed-sheet guiding unit disposed between the sheet accommodating unit and the sheet feeding unit for guiding the sheet manually fed from the manual feeding port. The manually-fed-sheet guiding unit is displaceable an amount sufficient to allow the formation of a loop in a sheet during the separation by the separation pawls.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first assembly, a second assembly movable relative to the first assembly to open and close the image forming apparatus, a photosensor provided in the first assembly, illuminating source provided in the second assembly, for illuminating an original to be copied, and light transmitting element for transmitting light emitted from the illuminating source in the first assembly to the photosensor in the second assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording apparatus with a supply roller for supplying a sheet, a sheet directing path for directing the sheet supplied by the supply roller to a recording portion, a sheet ejection path for directing the sheet recorded at the recording portion to an ejection outlet, a guide for guiding a sheet to be introduced from the ejection outlet, and sheet feeding rollers and detectors for directing the introduced sheet to the recording portion through the sheet ejection path and thereafter for returning the sheet to the ejection outlet.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus has a recording head provided with at least one discharge opening from which ink is discharged, a recovery execution device for clearing a predetermined amount of ink from the discharge opening to prevent any discharge failure of the recording head, and a waste ink receiving device for receiving the waste ink cleared from the discharge opening.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium repeatedly includes a plurality of recording heads each capable of conducting recording on the recording medium, a carriage incorporating the plurality of recording heads, a motor for generating a driving force, and a driving force transmission device for transmitting the driving force from the motor to the carriage to move the carriage in a predetermined direction. The spacings between the plurality of recording heads are made substantially equal to either the distance through which the plurality of recording heads are moved in one transmission period of the driving force transmission device or an integral multiple of that distance.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus comprises a mounting portion on which an ink jet cartridge is detachably mounted, the cartridge having a connector and a recording head portion for discharging ink to perform image recording. The mounting portion has a body connector associated therewith for electrically connecting the connector of the cartridge to the apparatus. A recording head positioner positions the recording head portion of the cartridge on the mounting portion. An operation device displaces the cartridge and the body connector relative to each other to connect the body connector to the cartridge connector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detecting apparatus for detecting an amount of feed of a sheet member. Detecting apparatus comprises a feeding means for feeding a sheet member, a rotary member engaged by the sheet member and rotatingly driven by the sheet member being fed by the feeding means, and an calculating circuit for calculating an amount of feed of the sheet member on the basis of a rotational amount of the rotary member.

Abstract: A process kit includes a support member having a photosensitive member integrally mounted thereon together with process elements for acting on the photosensitive member. The support member is mountable on and removable from a main image forming apparatus having an optical system for projecting an image onto the photosensitive member. The support member has a positioning element for engaging the optical system in order to position the optical system accurately with respect to the photosensitive member. This configuration permits sharply formed images to be formed on the photosensitive member after removal and remounting of the process kit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a position detection capability to prevent an image forming operation starting signal being generated by mistake to thereby start the image forming operation when an image forming apparatus is not in its normal installed state for use, for example, when the apparatus is in its carried state or its erected state with one side thereof facing downward.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image of an original using an optical image of the original has: a first assembly; a second assembly cooperable with the first assembly the second assembly being movable relative to the first assembly; between a closed position wherein the apparatus is operable and an open position wherein the apparatus is opened; a reciprocable original supporting member for supporting an original; an optical system, in the second assembly, for forming the image of the original supported on the original supporting member; a second guiding member, on the second assembly, for guiding and positioning the original supporting member adjacent one of the sides of the original support member, wherein the original supporting member is movable to be disengaged from the second guiding member, the second guiding member being contactable with the original supporting member to correctly position the original supporting member with respect to the second assembly when it is engaged with the original

Abstract: A process cartridge containing as a unit a photosensitive drum and processing elements for repetitive image formation on the photosensitive drum. The process cartridge is mountable into an image forming machine. The process cartridge is provided with a helical gear for driving the photosensitive drum. The helical gear is engaged with another helical gear in the image forming machine, when it is mounted into the image forming machine. The helical gears are twisted in such directions that when the photosensitive drum is driven, the photosensitive drum is urged toward a rear side of the apparatus, whereby during an image forming operation, the process cartridge and/or the photosensitive member is correctly positioned. More particularly, the helical gear of the process cartridge is twisted in a direction which is the same as the direction of rotation of the photosensitive drum during the image forming operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus wherein an image formed on an image bearing member is transferred onto a transfer material includes a feeder for feeding the transfer material to an image transfer station wherein the image is transferred from the image bearing member onto the transfer material; a guiding member for guiding the transfer material fed from the feeder to the transfer station in a guiding direction; a guide support for supporting the guiding member for movement in the guiding direction and in a direction transverse with the guiding direction; and an image bearing member supporting member for supporting the image bearing member for movement between a first position wherein the image forming apparatus is operable and a second position which is different from the first position, the image bearing member supporting member having an engaging portion for engagement with a part of the guiding member to correctly position the guiding member when the image bearing member supporting member takes its first positio

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having first body portion and a second body portion that swings into and out from the first body portion and a rack and pinion drive arrangement mounted on the first body portion for driving a carriage over an optical system on the second body portion when it is swung into the first body portion. The rack and pinion are disengaged when the carriage is moved away from the optical system to allow the second body portion to swing out from first body portion; and the rack and pinion have a flexible flange or specially shaped teeth to provide proper positioning of the pinion for smooth reengagement.

Abstract: A recording apparatus which includes a bottom plate constituting a bottom portion of the recording apparatus, a first unit fixed to the bottom plate and contributable to a recording operation of the recording apparatus, a second unit fixed to the bottom plate and contributable to the recording operation, and a third unit which is elongated and is contributable to the recording operation and which is fixed adjacent its one longitudinal end to the first unit and is fixed adjacent its other end to the second unit is arranged in such a manner that the mechanical strength of the whole assembly of the recording apparatus is increased. This is done without requiring additional structural members by having functional parts provide structural support for the apparatus.

Abstract: Various components of image-forming means such as corona discharger, developing device and cleaning means are arranged around a photosensitive drum. These processing parts and the photosensitive drum are assembled together into a unit which can be detachably mounted into the main body of image-forming apparatus. Such a unit is called process kit. The process kit is provided with a driving connection member for receiving a driving force from the main body. The present invention provides safety means for effectively protecting said driving connection member from shock and impact thereby assuring the utility of the process kit for a long time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which may be portable wherein the apparatus is divisible into plural parts or wherein it is openable. The apparatus is provided with a latch which can take a latching position for preventing the dividing or opening of the apparatus and a releasing position for allowing the apparatus to be divided or opened. The latch shifts between the positions depending on the posture of the apparatus. When the apparatus takes its horizontal posture wherein it is operable for image formation, the latch is released to allow the apparatus to be opened. When the apparatus is placed or carried in an upright position, the latch is prevented from taking its releasing position, thus preventing the apparatus from being divided or opened erroneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus for moving a sheet in a predetermined direction, characterized by a guide located at the lateral side of the path for the sheet, a conveyor for conveying the sheet along the guide, and a flexure inhibiting member for holding down the sheet.

Abstract: This specification discloses a molded article, for example an original document cover plate for use in a copier, composed of a flexible hinge portion and a pair of solid portions faced across the hinge portion, and adapted to be folded at the hinge portion. The hinge portion has a structure to avoid stress concentration on the end areas in the width direction of the hinge portion.