Abstract: A sheet-accommodating cassette includes a cassette body for accommodating sheets. The cassette body is made up of a main container and a sub container. Both the main container and the sub container have a plurality of engagement portions which enable them to be coupled to each other at one of a plurality of positions selected according to the size of the sheets to be accommodated. A sheet-accommodating cassette, which is formed by coupling the main container to the sub container in such a manner that the cassette can accommodate sheets of a large size, is housed in an image-forming apparatus body with part of the cassette protruding from the image-forming apparatus body.

Abstract: A media handling unit is a selfcontained device which is capable of being moved to existing photoplotting structures to transport media sheets from a supply cassette housed within the unit and advanced into the plotter for conducting a plotting operation. The unit also retreives the scanned media from the photoplotter returning it the unit in a light tight environment where the scanned film is deposited onto a collecting tray. The supply of film is provided in a cassette having a semi-cyldrical support surface causing the film to take on a preformed configuration which is generally coincident with the shape of the support surface on the plotter.

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism for feeding sheets is described including an advance preventive member which is abuttable on the sheet feeding roller by a spring. The advance preventive member functions to prevent multiple feeding of sheets. The sheet feeding cassette has a first sheet advance preventive part which acts on a second sheet advance preventive part on the advance preventive member when the sheet feeding cassette is moved toward or away from the sheet feeding roller, to thereby separate the advance preventive member from the sheet feeding roller against the urging force of a spring. Specific designs of the first and second sheet advance preventive parts may be included to vibrate and rotate a roller of the advance preventive member.

Abstract: A manual paper-loading device is disclosed. The device has a manual paper feeder for manually delivering the papers therein into an electrostatic printer without delivering the papers piled up in an automatic paper loading tray into the electrostatic printer. The paper-loading device disclosed has a roll having uniform radius in contrast to a conventional pick-up roll having nonuniform radii.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus has a sheet container for stacking and supporting sheets, a support for supporting the sheet container, and a sheet supplying device for feeding out the sheet contained in the sheet container supported by the support by applying a feeding force to the sheet. The support can support one of a plurality of kinds of sheet containers having different maximum sheet stacking abilities, the sheet containers including a shiftable sheet support place on which the sheets are stacked and a pressurizing device capable of biasing the sheet support plate toward the sheet supplying device to urge the sheets stacked on the sheet support plate against the sheet supplying device, and the pressurizing device biasing the sheet support plate toward the sheet supplying device in response to an operation for placing the sheet container on the support.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a sheet article containing cassette which has a holding function to contain a sheet article, even if the cassette is in a vertical position with its ejection slot down, or to eject the sheet article without fail. Also disclosed is a sheet article containing system which has a holding function to contain a sheet article, even if it is in a vertical position with its ejection slot down, or to eject the sheet article. These functions can be achieved by holding means for holding the sheet article frictionally, by a slide member for pushing the sheet article, by magnetically attracting means disposed at the sheet article and the cassette, and by magnetically attracting means disposed on the sheet article and the apparatus using the same. That is, by the present invention, the sheet article can be ejected and containing in the cassette even if the cassette is loaded in any position, particularly in vertical position with its ejection slot down.

Abstract: A printer includes an opening in communication with a tray receptacle for receiving a paper tray. The printer further includes a pick roller assembly; a separator shaft including a first separator roll; an arm structure connecting the pick roller assembly to the separator shaft and enabling a pick action to be imparted to the pick roller assembly; and a feed roller coupled to the separator shaft. A removable media tray is positioned in the tray receptacle, holds a stack of paper sheets and includes a second separator roll and a gear that couples the second separator roll to the separator shaft. A controller causes (i) a rotation of the separator shaft and separator roll in a first direction to enable a paper pick action and to simultaneously rotate the second separator roll to enable a paper sheet separation action, and (ii) a rotation of the separator shaft in a second direction to disable the pick action and to rotate the feed roll to accomplish a paper feed.

Abstract: A paper cassette comprises a paper stack tray provided on a cassette body, a stack tray locking mechanism for locking the paper stack tray and releasing the lock when the cassette is inserted into the cassette receptacle, and a first restoring member for pushing the paper stack tray toward a supply roller and bringing the paper when the lock of the stack tray locking mechanism is released. The stack tray locking mechanism comprises a pivot member provided on the cassette body such that the pivot member is free to pivot, a locking member which engages with the pivot member, and engages the paper stack tray in the locked position, and a second restoring member for pushing the pivot member in such a direction that the pivot member comes in contact with the supply roller so as to engage the locking member with the paper stack tray.

Abstract: A highly reliable sheet feed device for a copier, facsimile apparatus, printer or similar image forming apparatus and having a plurality of sheet storing portions which are arranged substantially horizontally and serially in an intended direction of sheet transport. The device surely feeds sheets from the storing portions one by one and eliminate sheet jams and defective sheet feed. Further, the device is simple and miniature and capable of accommodating a plurality of kinds of sheets therein.

Abstract: A sheet feeder of the present invention allows a sheet feed cassette having a small capacity and a sheet feed cassette having a large capacity to be installed to a sheet feed unit by making not only members for connection between each sheet feed cassette and the sheet feed unit but also their positional relationship in common.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus comprising a sheet accommodator for accommodating sheets and movable in a predetermined direction from a sheet-feeding position; a feeding device for feeding sheets accommodated in said sheet accommodator held at said sheet-feeding position in said direction; a friction member for permitting feeding of only one of sheets fed out from said feeding device while blocking the feeding of the remaining sheets; and a support for supporting said friction member such that said friction member can be moved to a first position for separating a sheet, and to a second position for permitting movement of said sheet accommodator in said direction.

Abstract: A sheet feed device for feeding a sheet to a printer or similar image recorder which records an image on the sheet. A table is disposed below and operatively connected to the image recorder. A plurality of trays are received in the table, and each is loaded with a stack of sheets. The trays each has a base disposed in the tray and an elevation plate elevatably mounted on the base. A sheet feed mechanism feeds the sheets from a desired one of the trays to the image recorder. A drive mechanism is associated with each of the trays for moving the base in a predetermined direction over a predetermined distance within the tray. When the sheet is deviated in position from an image to be recorded, the device automatically corrects the deviation within a short period of time.

Abstract: Paper tray (3) has a camming surface (60). Sets of nip rollers (22 and 24; 26 and 28) are permanent in the printer. One of set of nip roller is pivotally mounted and biased by springs (50, 56) to a follower (54). With the tray inserted, the follower is cammed to stretch the springs to apply desired nip force. The height of the cam surface may be varied to change that force for different paper contained in the tray. With the tray removed, the nip force is removed and jammed paper may be easily removed, particularly since area of the nip rollers is close to the front of the machine and near the opening left when the tray is removed.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus has a large turntable mounted rotatably on a tray and two paper cassettes installed on the turntable. The paper cassette are movable in a radial direction of rotation of the turntable. Carriage driving mechanisms for moving the paper cassettes are controlled to move the respective paper cassettes to positions closest to the axis of rotation of the turntable when rotating the turntable so that the space occupied by the paper cassettes is minimized. A 180-degree rotation mechanism for rotating the turntable is controlled to rotate the turntable after the respective paper cassettes are moved to the positions closest to the axis of rotation of the turntable, for interchanging the paper cassette on a feeding side and the paper cassette on a non-feeding side. This enables a reduction in the size of the apparatus, irrespective of the sizes and positions of the paper cassettes on the feeding side and non-feeding side.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet supporting device for supporting sheets, a supply device for feeding the sheets supported by the sheet supporting device in a sheet feeding direction, a separating claw device for separating, one-by-one, the sheets fed by the supply device by regulating at least one front corner of the sheets relative to the sheet feeding direction. A switching device selectively switches positions of the separating claw device between a first position where the separating claw device is separated from the sheet supporting device and a second position where the separating claw device is adjacent to the sheet supporting device. A separation device separates, one-by-one, the sheets fed by the supply device in a condition that the separating claw device is in the second position.

Abstract: An automatic sheet feeding apparatus has a plurality of sheet supporting means adapted to stack and support sheets and to be arranged laterally side by side below in an image forming device, sheet feeding rollers for feeding out the respective sheets supported by the sheet supporting device, and a guide for supporting the sheet supporting device so that the sheet supporting device can be retracted in a direction intersecting a sheet feeding direction from the sheet feeding device.

Abstract: A paper tray for a photocopier comprises a container (1) which can travel between open (E) and closed (L) positions. It moves along guides (22, 24). A drive mechanism (32) move the container from the closed to the open position by exerting a constant force on the container. The container is mounted on a carriage (20). This is supported by a pair of transport rollers (28) which roll along the guides. The rollers (28) are firmly connected together for rotation by a shaft (30).A locking mechanism is provided for the container. A lever (54) is rotatable on the photocopier to lock the container in the closed position. The lever is coupled to a slide (60) having a cam groove (65) therein. This is arranged to move a locking element (55) which engages the lever (54) so as to release the lever (54) as the container is pushed further into the photocopier in the closed position.

Abstract: A paper stacking apparatus for a sheet-fed press includes a horizontal lower plate, a driving unit, a vertical chain, an upper plate, a front gauge, biasing members, a cam, and engaging members. The lower plate is free to move in a vertical direction. The driving unit and the vertical chain vertically move the lower plate. The upper plate is mounted on the lower plate to be movable in at least a paper feed direction and stacks paper sheets. The front gauge is vertically fixed on a machine frame and aligns the leading end of the paper sheets stacked on the upper plate in the paper feed direction. The biasing members bias two side portions of the upper plate in a direction to be pressed to the front gauge. The cam and the engaging members position the upper plate biased by the biasing members in the paper feed direction such that the distal end thereof is close to the front gauge in accordance with an upward movement of the lower plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet supply apparatus comprising a sheet containing device for containing a plurality of sheets, a sheet positioning member provided in the sheet containing device to position the sheets in a widthwise direction thereof by abutting against a side edge of the contained sheets, and a supply device for feeding out the sheets positioned by the sheet positioning member. Wherein the sheet positioning member is previously inclined at a predetermined angle toward a direction opposite to a direction that the sheet positioning member may be inclined by the deflection of the sheet containing device due to the weight of the sheets contained in the sheet containing device.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding sheets seriatim from a sheet supply stack. The apparatus comprises a sheet feed head assembly including a plenum, a vacuum source in flow communication with the plenum, and a mechanism, such as a feed belt, for example, associated with the plenum for urging a sheet acquired by vacuum in a sheet feeding direction away from the sheet supply stack. The sheet supply stack is supported, for example in a hopper on a support platform, so as to maintain the topmost sheet in such stack at a predetermined level in spaced relation with respect to the urging mechanism of the sheet feed head assembly. A first positive air supply directs a flow of air at the sheet supply stack to levitate the top several sheets in the supply stack to an elevation enabling the topmost sheet to be acquired by vacuum from the sheet feed head assembly plenum; and a second positive air supply directs a flow of air at an acquired sheet to assure separation of any additional sheets adhering to such topmost sheet.

Abstract: A large turntable is mounted rotatably on a tray, and two paper cassettes are rotatably installed on the turntable. The turntable is rotated by a 180-degree rotating mechanism and a small angle rotating mechanism, while the paper cassette is rotated by a cassette rotating mechanism. The 180-degree rotating mechanism interchanges the paper cassette on a feeding side and the paper cassette on a non-feeding side by rotating the turntable. The small angle rotating mechanism aligns the center of paper stored in the paper cassette on the feeding side with a feeding center line by rotating the turntable. The cassette rotating mechanism positions the leading edge of the paper in the paper cassette on the feeding side at right angles to a feeding direction by rotating the paper cassette. Since the 180-degree rotating mechanism and the small angle rotating mechanism are installed in positions on the tray outside of the turning space of the turntable, an apparatus of a reduced height and size is achieved.

Abstract: A sheet cassette is disclosed for accommodating cut sheets therein, and is detachably coupled to an apparatus to which the cut sheets are to be fed. The sheet cassette is provided with a cassette housing, and a supporting plate, provided in the cassette housing, for supporting the cut sheets thereon and being movable in a vertical direction transverse to the feeding direction of the cut sheets. The sheet cassette further includes at least one spring for biasing the supporting plate upwardly, and a lever for preventing the movement of the supporting plate upwardly while the cassette housing is being inserted into the apparatus and allowing the movement of the supporting plate when the cassette housing is coupled to the apparatus.

Abstract: A variable sheet sized sheet feeder adapted to be reloaded while running in a dual tray mode. A dual tray sheet feeder having a sheet transport to reload a stack of sheets from a holding station to an active feed station is provided. The dual tray design allows the holding station to be reloaded while the active tray is feeding thereby providing load while run capability. The feed tray is further provided with tray extensions to allow the loading and feeding of oversized sheets within the same confines. Multiple sensors and movable stack guides are provided to allow the transfer of the sheet stack from one tray to another and to report the status of each tray to the operator through a user interface.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for selectively taking out a sheet film from among sheet films accommodated in a plurality of magazines and loading the sheet film into a cassette. The sheet taken out from the magazine is adapted to be held in a holding device in a curved state. In a holding section, the sheet film is received from a lower end thereof and is taken out from an upper end thereof so as to be loaded into the cassette. Hence, even if there are a multiplicity of magazines, the film can be fetched speedily and loaded into the cassette, and the apparatus can be made compact. The magazine is drawn out from the apparatus body in a cantilevered manner so as to load the films, thereby facilitating the loading operation.

Abstract: A carriage driving mechanism moves a paper cassette forward and backward along a feeding direction. A cassette rotating mechanism rotates the paper cassette. A single carriage driving mechanism and a single cassette rotating mechanism are provided for each paper cassette and installed on a level between a cassette circular plate and a large turntable. The carriage driving mechanism includes a driving system constituted by a pulse motor, a series of gears, a pulley, a carriage, a wire wound around the pulley, and guide bars. The cassette rotating mechanism includes a pulse motor and a series of gears. The driving system of the carriage driving mechanism and the cassette rotating mechanism are mounted on the bottom surface of the carriage so as to be level, and move along with the carriage. This configuration enables a reduction in the height and size of a rotatable cassette-type feeding apparatus and an increase in copying functions.

Abstract: A cassette is attachable to an image forming apparatus including a feed roller. The cassette is provided with a push-up member for pushing up leading edges of sheets placed in the cassette so as to bring the uppermost one of the contained sheets into contact with the feed roller, and a restricting member for restricting displacement of the contained sheets from a specified position. By attaching thus constructed cassette to the image forming apparatus, sheets can be fed properly by the feed roller.

Abstract: A paper cassette adapted to be removably mounted in a paper feed section of an image forming device. The paper cassette is generally constructed of a main frame and an auxiliary frame slidably engaged with the main frame. The auxiliary frame is moved forwardly or rearwardly relative to the main frame in accordance with a longitudinal size of the desired sheets of paper to be stored in the paper cassette. Thereafter, the auxiliary frame is fixedly positioned by a position adjusting member provided on the main frame. Thus, a longitudinal size or length of the paper cassette to be mounted into the paper feed section of the image forming device can be varied in accordance with a longitudinal size of the desired sheets of paper to be used, thereby reducing the types of paper cassettes required.

Abstract: A rotatable cassette-type paper feeding apparatus includes a tray, a turning member mounted rotatably on the tray. A first rotating device is used for rotating the turning member, a plurality of paper cassettes installed rotatably on the turning member. A second rotating device is used for rotating the paper cassette in a paper feeding side, and a controller which controls the first rotating device to interchange the paper cassettes in the paper feeding side and in the non-paper-feeding side and which controls the second rotating device to switch the position of the paper cassette in the paper feeding side between sideways and lengthways. This structure achieves a compact rotatable cassette-type paper feeding apparatus capable of storing sheets of paper of various sizes and of feeding the paper sheets both sideways and lengthways by switching their positions.

Abstract: A feeding device provided with a cassette rotatable between a longitudinal feed position from which paper is fed in a longitudinal direction and a lateral feed position from which paper is fed in a lateral direction and a feeding number memory for storing respective feeding numbers in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction of the rotatable cassette. The feeding device is controlled such that after setting a priority of the feed direction of the rotatable cassette based on data stored in the feeding number memory, the rotatable cassette is rotated in the priority of the feed direction. As a result, the feeding device provides a more convenient and efficient operating process.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which probability of sheet jamming is reduced and jammed sheet can be easily removed. The apparatus is provided with a guide plate, a movable guide plate defining a sheet feed passage therebetween, and a first sheet feed roller. A detachable sheet cassette is provided for attachment to a main body portion of the apparatus. In the sheet cassette, are provided a second sheet feed roller and a leaf spring which urges the second sheet feed roller toward the first sheet feed roller when the sheet cassette is attached to the main body portion. The sheet feed passage is opened by pivotal movement of the movable guide plate when the sheet cassette is detached from the main body portion, to thereby facilitate removal of the jamming sheet from the sheet feed passage.

Abstract: A paper feeding device for feeding a sheet of paper from a paper feed cassette removably mounted in a body of an equipment includes a paper feed roller, a roller moving member for moving the paper feed roller between a normal position and a specific position, a fixing member for fixing the roller moving member so as to hold the specific position of the paper feed roller upon unloading the paper feed cassette, and a canceling member for canceling the fixation of the roller moving member by the fixing member so as to yet hold the specific position of the paper feed roller upon loading the paper feed cassette again. Accordingly, in the case of continuing to use the paper of the same size, it is possible to eliminate undue reciprocation of the paper feed roller between the normal position and the specific position upon loading and unloading the paper feed cassette and therefore reduce wear.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus having a sheet supporting tray removably mountable within the sheet feeding apparatus and adapted to stack and support sheets, a regulating device provided on the sheet supporting tray and adapted to regulate and position lateral edges of the sheets stacked in the sheet supporting tray, an urging mechanism for urging with a predetermined urging force the sheets stacked in the sheet supporting tray against the regulating device, and an urging force adjusting mechanism for adjusting the urging mechanism so that the urging mechanism can urge the sheets against the regulating device with greater force during insertion of the sheet supporting tray into the sheet feeding apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a front loading paper feeding member is described which has an improved jam removing mechanism. The apparatus includes a sheet holding section having sheet trays arranged in a vertical direction for holding copy sheets. A conveying section is included for conveying a sheet sent from one sheet tray of the sheet holding section to an image forming section. A connecting member is included in the conveying section to allow the sheet trays to be drawn out from the body of the image forming apparatus conjointly with the conveying section. Other connecting members may be included to connect the sheet trays together. Further, a door member including a sheet tray may be included in the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved printer paper pullout apparatus is described. In its preferred embodiment, the pullout apparatus includes a grasping mechanism, a capture mechanism and a securing mechanism. The grasping mechanism facilitates concurrent paper tray and paper stack movement from a printer feed zone. The securing mechanism ensures proper paper gripping before the paper tray can be released and extended from the printer feed zone. In addition, the grasping mechanism is shaped and positioned on the paper tray for ease of operator grip when manually extending the paper tray from the printer feed zone.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which includes a recording sheet storage unit disposed within a main body and a feeder for feeding recording sheets from the recording sheet storage unit. Further included is a detector which emits a signal beginning an automatic loading of the recording sheet storage unit into the main body after manual placement of the storage unit at a predetermined position, and the unloading of the recording sheet storage device when such is desired. Further included is a second detector which detects the fully loaded position of the recording sheet storage device, as well as a conveyor for conveying the storage device to the fully loaded position when loaded, and removing the storage device therefrom during unloading.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for prestacking in a sheet feeder of a rotary printing press provided with lateral stack stops, which can be adjusted to the format of the sheet to be printed, the printing press also having an automatic lateral stacking orientation and a stack raising apparatus, which are designed so that they make possible an easy manual prestacking in the sheet feeder by the operator.

Abstract: A feed cassette apparatus for retaining a loaded feed cassette in a cassette housing space containing a feed roller, wherein the feed cassette is loaded or unloaded in the direction parallel to the axis of the feed roller. The apparatus includes a cassette case and a plurality of positioning devices. The cassette case is movable in the feed-cassette loading direction and is capable of housing feed cassettes of different sizes. The positioning devices are disposed at different positions in the cassette case to suit the different-sized feed cassettes, and position the end of a stack of sheets in a given feed cassette under the feed roller. A feed cassette to be housed in the cassette case is positioned by the positioning device corresponding to the feed cassette size. As a result, when the cassette case is moved in the loading direction in order to load the feed cassette into the cassette housing space, the end of the stack of sheets in the feed cassette is brought precisely into position under the feed roller.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus provided with an urging device to urge the lift shaft, the lift gear or the lift plate in a direction opposite the insertion direction of the sheet feeding cassette, so as to disengage the lift shaft from the lift shaft drive. Insertion of the sheet feeding cassette pushes the lift shaft, lift gear or lift plate against the urging device, thereby engaging the lift shaft with the lift shaft drive. Alternately, rather than employing the urging device, the sheet feeding cassette may pull the lift shaft out of engagement with the lift drive by pulling the lifted lift plate in direction opposite the insertion direction of the sheet feeding cassette.

Abstract: A paper supplying cassette for an image-forming apparatus is capable of eliminating a watch-and-wait time necessary for a cassette withdrawal operation and of preventing a driving system from being broken. A cassette plate with papers carried thereon is movable to an upper paper supplying position and a lower withdrawal position. A holding plate moves the cassette plate to the paper supplying position. A transmission mechanism transmits driving power from a motor to the holding plate. An interlocking arrangement disconnects the transmission mechanism from the holding plate when the cassette is withdrawn.

Abstract: An opening is formed in the bottom portion of a paper cassette, and a rockable elevator is opposed to the opening. The elevator is rocked by an elevator operating mechanism, thereby pushing up a tray so that paper sheets in the paper cassette reach a position suited for takeout, or getting out of the cassette. The elevator is continuously moved up and down a plurality of times by means of the elevator operating mechanism after the end of paper feeding operation, whereby the takeout end portions of a second one of the paper sheets P and its subsequent ones, which project from the paper cassette as the sheets are taken out by a takeout mechanism, are vertically oscillated so that those sheets are repeatedly curved and straightened. As a result, the paper sheets projecting from the paper cassette are automatically returned to the cassette by their own elasticity.

Abstract: In a light-tight photoplotter, a system handles sheets of photosensitive media from an initial supply location through the photoplotter and advances them to final a location. The system includes a loading device interposed between the supply location and a workpiece support surface on which surface a work operation is conducted on the involved media sheet. It further includes an off-loading device positioned at the opposite end of the workpiece support surface and the collecting location. The loading device includes a locating mechanism which allows the involved media to be precisely oriented on the workpiece support surface in registry with two orthogonally oriented coordinated axis. The system further permits loading and unloading of covered cassettes in daylight without exposing the media supply to light which might otherwise be cast onto it. The system further provides for the safety locking of stacked media within the photoplotter to prevent inadvertent removal.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a sheet to a sheet receiving device includes a first unit having at least one stacking tray for stacking sheets; a first feeder for feeding the sheet from the stacking tray of the first unit; a first guiding member for guiding the sheet from the first feeder to the receiving device; a second guiding member for guiding a side of the sheet opposite from a side guided by the first guiding member to constitute together with the first guiding member a sheet passage; a second unit having at least one stacking tray for stacking sheets; second feeder for feeding the sheet from the stacking tray of the second unit; a third guiding member for guiding the sheet from the second feeder to the receiving device; and a supporting device for supporting the first unit to the second unit for movement between a first position wherein the first guiding member guides the sheet from the first feeder and a second position wherein at least one of the first guiding member and the second guiding me

Abstract: In a cassette type sheet supplying device, two or more adjoining spaces for installing standard cassettes therein are joined into a continuous space to enable a large cassette to be installed in the space in lieu of two stantard cassettes. When no cassette is installed or a standard cassette is installed, a paper feeding unit is pulled to the paper feeding position by a spring, and a claw portion of a lock material engages lock holes formed on paper feeding unit side frames so that the paper feeding unit is held to the paper feeding position. When the large cassette is inserted in the cassette installation space, a lock release projection formed on the large cassette comes in contact with a projection of the lock material and extends it to the outside. At this time, the claw portion comes off from the lock hole. When the large cassette is further inserted, the paper feeding unit is pushed through a cushion material.

Abstract: A device for restraining abrupt pouring of the papers for paper supply cassette. The device comprises a pair of turning members each disposed about each front side portion of a box-shaped housing of said paper supply cassette, and tension coil spring. The turning member comprises a supporter having a horizonal part and a vertical part, and an actuating lever having a horizontally extending connecting part and a downwardly extending actuating part integrally formed with said connecting part. The tension coil spring is disposed between the side wall of the housing and the connecting part in order to bias said turning member counterclockwise. The device according to this invention provides advantage in that it supports the front ends of the papers in the cassette, thereby preventing the abrupt pouring of the papers efficiently.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for a receiver sheet supply drawer of a reproduction apparatus having a receiver sheet supply drawer, such drawer being slidable to a first location for loading a receiver sheet stack in the supply drawer and a second location relative to the reproduction apparatus where receiver sheets may be fed in register from said supply drawer. The closure mechanism comprises a variable damping mechanism for damping the movement of the receiver sheet supply drawer from the first location to the second location to assure that the receiver sheet supply drawer approaches the second location at a speed sufficiently slow to prevent receiver sheet stack dishevelment irrespective of the initial speed of the receiver sheet supply drawer as it leaves the first location. When the receiver sheet supply drawer is in the second location, it is releasably latched at a predetermined accurate position in the second location.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for a copier, facsimile transceiver, printer or similar image forming equipment has a first tray and a second tray each being capable of accommodating part of a great amount of sheets and, therefore, has a thin configuration. The first tray can be pulled out along guide rails together with the first tray, facilitating the continuous supplement and feed of sheets.

Abstract: A paper tray arrangement is disclosed for receiving a stack of paper and which is insertable into a receiving device of a copying machine or the like and which includes a supporting plate for the stack of paper and springs applied to the supporting plate to lift the supporting plate off the bottom of the tray. Tensioning apparatus is provided for the springs and a stop of the receiving device is assigned to the tensioning device in such a manner that the spring is tensioned when the paper tray is inserted into the receiving device and is relaxed when the paper tray is taken out of the receiving device.

Abstract: A printer having an automatic removable cartridge. The cartridge has at least one of a photoreceptor, a developer, and a cleaner. The cartridge is automatically removed from the printer at a part when an operator opens the upper cover of the printer, or the printer senses an inside paper jam. The operator can remove the cartridge completely from the printer after it is partially removed by the automatic operation. The printer also includes an operating panel or the like to forcefully remove the cartridge from the printer by a command of the operator.

Abstract: In a paper feeding device, a paper feeding deck which moves back and forth is provided with a guide bar which extends in the direction in which the paper feeding deck moves and which has grooves formed in required portions corresponding to the sizes of recording paper sheets. A width aligning guide supporting member guided by the guide bar is fixed to a width aligning guide. The width aligning guide supporting member is provided with an engaging member detachably engagable with a groove of the guide bar. In addition, an engaging and detaching mechanism is provided for the width aligning guide supporting member. The engaging member is detachable from a groove of the guide bar by the engaging and detaching mechanism and then, the width aligning guide, along with the width aligning guide supporting member, can be moved to a position corresponding to the size of the recording paper sheets. The engaging member then is engaged with another groove of the guide bar by the engaging and detaching mechanism.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus including sheet feeding apparatus, sheet conveying apparatus, sheet delivering apparatus, structure for supporting the sheet conveying apparatus and sheet delivering apparatus and having an opening side, sheet storing apparatus, and structure for guiding the sheet storing apparatus such that the sheet forming apparatus is detachable from the sheet feeding apparatus at the same opening side.