Abstract: An image recording apparatus for selectively performing a document reading mode and an image printing mode, which includes a scanner unit for reading an image from a document sheet, an image forming part for forming a latent image on a photosensitive medium with a light beam, a transfer part for transferring the latent image of the photosensitive medium to a copy sheet as a visible image, a fixing part for producing an image recorded on the copy sheet by fixing the visible image to the copy sheet, a first transporting part for transporting a sheet to a registration roller through a common sheet transport path, the common sheet transport path usable for transporting either a document sheet passed through the scanner unit or a copy sheet fed by a paper feeding cassette, and a second transporting part for transporting a sheet from the registration roller to a paper ejection part through a second sheet transport path.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing unit for carrying out a printing mode in which an image formed on a photosensitive unit through an electrophotographic process is transferred to a copy sheet, a reading unit for carrying out a document reading mode in which a document is optically scanned by the reading unit to read image information from the document, a sheet feeding unit for supplying a copy sheet to the printing unit, a sheet transport path usable both for sending a copy sheet present at the reading unit to the printing unit and for sending a document present at the reading unit to a document ejecting portion, a sheet sensor for detecting whether or not a sheet is present at the reading unit, and a control unit connected to the sheet sensor for setting the document reading mode when a sheet at the reading unit is detected, so as to enable the reading unit to read image information from the sheet.

Abstract: A laser beam printer having a scanner unit and a sheet transport apparatus for use with the scanner unit. The printer includes a sheet feeding part, a photosensitive medium, a transfer part and a scanner unit, the transfer part being provided at an upper portion of the photosensitive medium. The sheet transport apparatus includes an upper transport path for transporting a record sheet from the sheet feeding part to the transfer part of the printer. The sheet transport apparatus further includes a transport path which passes by a position where the scanner unit is provided, the position being adjacent to the upper transport path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a record paper comprises a main body made of a pair of outer casings which can be separated from each other so as to open the interior of the main body. A photosensitive body unit includes a supporting case which is adapted to be detachably loaded in one of the casings of the body. A photosensitive body is provided on the supporting case of the photosensitive body unit and is adapted to move through electrifying, image-exposing, developing, image-transferring, and cleaning portions so as to form thereon an image which is to be transferred to a record paper. A pair of conveying rollers and provided for feeding the record paper to the photosensitive body between the developing and image-transferring portions. At least one of the conveying rollers is supported to the supporting case of the photosensitive body unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charger unit provided at a charging station around the photosensitive member, a writing optical system housed in a housing and which casts the optical image of a document image onto the photosensitive member, the housing having a projection opening through which a light beam passes through and an exchanging kit. The exchanging kit includes a developing unit provided at a developing stage around the photosensitive member and a dustproof cover integrated with the developing unit, the dustproof cover having a dustproof glass through which the light beam passes. Furthermore, the exchanging kit is detachably provided around the photosensitive member.

Abstract: The photosensitive drum unit of an image forming apparatus is selectively coupled to the upper cover. The user can elect to have the drum unit pivot up with the upper cover or stay in the main housing independently of movement of the upper cover. The same operation that controls whether the drum unit moves with the upper cover can control whether a kit holder stays in place in the main housing or pivots up to make it easier to change kit components such as a toner container.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a printing unit and a paper supply unit mounted thereon is provided with a control means which controls a carriage such that it occupies a position other than its home position when a front end of a paper passes through a guide member for guiding a printed paper. The apparatus can be provided with a movable paper guide which is movable between a use position and a wait position. A clutch mechanism is provided for transferring rotation from the platen to a feed roller associated with the paper supply unit.

Abstract: An original supply apparatus for use in a copying machine of such a type that an original supplied automatically on a contact glass is located on the basis of one side edge of the contact glass, wherein a carrier roller provided on the upper surface of the contact glass is designed to be movable at a right angle with the travelling direction and this carrier roller is designed, by the action of the interlocking mechanism, to move in the same direction as that of a side guide member in cooperation with the movement of said side guide member provided, to an original tray, movably at a right angle with the travelling direction.