Abstract: A sheet sorting device includes a plurality of trays which are immovably arranged in a vertical array, a sheet ejection unit which is selectively movable from tray to tray and which includes a guide member which guides a sheet into the entrance of the tray and an ejection roller which ejects the sheet. The ejection unit is connected with drive mechanism which includes a Geneva cam and wheel arrangement. Each rotation of the Geneva cam moves the ejection unit from one tray entrance to a predetermined position with respect to the next entrance. During non-sorting modes, the ejection unit is set in a predetermined high position above the uppermost tray wherein the distance between the ejection unit and the uppermost tray is greater than the space between trays.

Abstract: A sorting machine has a plurality of trays arranged in a vertical array, a vertical transport belt for transporting a recorded sheet introduced through a feed opening, a discharge unit for discharging the sheet to one of the trays, and a guide member which guides the transported sheet to the discharge unit. The discharge unit is shifted to one of the trays. The recorded sheet transported by the transport belt is held between the transport belt and a spiral spring which is retractile in the transport direction, so that dropping of the sheet by gravity is prevented.