Abstract: An apparatus is provided that may offer functionalities including printing, scanning and/or copying. The apparatus may include a manual sheet feeding tray disposed at the rear of the apparatus. The height of the sheet feeding tray might not exceed a height of the apparatus, allowing use of the apparatus in spaces having smaller depths. The apparatus may include a sheet guide configured to move in conjunction with the movement of the tray. In some arrangements, a surface of the sheet feeding tray may differ in height between lateral edges of the tray and a central portion. This difference may cause a sheet to be curved in a lateral direction, rendering the sheet more inflexible in a longitudinal direction. According to other aspects, a depressed portion of the tray may match a protrusion extending from the guide in shape such that the two portions may mate in a retracted position.

Abstract: A recording medium placement device includes a placement unit in which a recording medium is placed; a guide member provided along an edge of the recording medium and movable in a first direction orthogonal to the edge, the edge being at a first position; a distance detection unit that detects a distance between the guide member and the edge; a drive unit that moves the guide member in the first direction until the distance detection unit detects that the guide member contacts the recording medium; a gap length calculation unit that calculates a length of a gap between the recording medium and the guide member when a movement of the guide member is stopped using a detection output from the distance detection unit; and an adjustment unit that moves the guide member to the edge at the first position based on the length of the gap.

Abstract: A sheet feeder cassette that can be fitted in and drawn from in a direction perpendicular to a sheet feeding direction, the sheet feeder cassette having: a bottom for receiving a stack of sheets thereon; a pair of side stopper plates provided on the bottom in such a manner to be movable in a sheet-widthwise direction so as to determine a widthwise position of the stack of sheets; and at least one displacement preventive device that is located on the bottom, at a position according to a widthwise position of a loadable maximum size sheet, and that is capable of coming into contact with one of the side stopper plates, wherein when the one of the side stopper plates receives force from a stack of the maximum size sheets placed on the bottom, the displacement preventive device pushes back and supports the side stopper plate due to reaction.

Abstract: A recording medium feeding unit includes a recording medium loading plate, a main body, positioning members, racks, a pinion, a rotating shaft and an adjustment member. The main body holds the recording medium loading plate. The positioning members position the recording member in a widthwise direction. The racks are respectively provided on the positioning members, extend along the widthwise direction, and move in the widthwise direction integrally with the positioning members. The pinion is rotatably provided on the main body, is engaged with each of the racks, and is rotated in association with the movement of the racks. The rotating shaft rotatably supports the pinion. The adjustment member applies a rotation load to the pinion by allowing the pinion to be in contact therewith. The adjustment member is capable of adjusting the rotation load in a manner to move in the thickness direction of the recording medium loading plate.

Abstract: A paper ejection device holds paper ejected out from an upstream device through a paper-ejection opening of the upstream device. The paper ejection device includes: a pair of side fences arranged parallel and perpendicularly to a paper ejection direction, the paper ejection direction being a direction in which paper is ejected through the paper-ejection opening, to restrict positions of edges of the ejected paper in a width direction; and a control unit that, when an ejection speed at which the paper is ejected through the paper-ejection opening is higher than a predetermined speed, controls spacing between the pair of side fences to be narrower than spacing between the pair of side fences for paper ejected at a speed equal to or lower than the predetermined speed.

Abstract: A recording medium containing cassette includes a recording medium support plate and a width cursor. The width cursor positions a stack of recording media in a widthwise direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of a recording medium. The recording medium support plate is allowed to swing so that a downstream portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium support plate is moved upward and downward. The width cursor includes a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion. The first limiting portion limits the upward movement of the recording medium support plate when an amount of the stack of recording media is larger than a predetermined value. The second limiting portion limits the upward movement of the recording medium support plate when the amount of the stack of recording media is smaller than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A sheet feed cassette having: a main body to be set in a body of an image forming apparatus; a first press-up member configured to support print media stacked thereon; a first elastic member configured to apply an elastic force to make the first press-up member press up the print media; a second press-up member; a second elastic member configured to apply an elastic force to make the second press-up member press up the first press-up member or the print media; an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust the force of the second press-up member to press up the first press-up member or the print media in accordance with a size of the print media; and a regulatory mechanism configured to prevent the second press-up member from pressing up the first press-up member or the print media when the main body is detached from the body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: Provided are a sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus for feeding small-size sheets without causing skew and paper jamming. On a downstream side of far-side and near-side side regulating members in a sheet feeding direction, far-side and near-side auxiliary side regulating members are provided so as to be movable in a width direction. When each of sheets has a length capable of being regulated by the far-side and near-side side regulating members in the width direction, the far-side and near-side auxiliary side regulating members are moved to retreat positions. When a sheet has a length shorter than the length capable of being regulated by the far-side and near-side side regulating members in the width direction, the far-side and near-side auxiliary side regulating members are moved to protruding positions, at which they protrude in the width direction with respect to the far-side and near-side side regulating portions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a chassis with an opening formed on one side thereof; a first placement section, on which a sheet inserted through the opening is placeable; a cover configured to be openable to expose and closable to cover the opening and configured to form, when in a position to expose the opening, an outer part of the first placement section outside the chassis; and a second placement section arranged in an upper position with respect to the first placement section, and on which a sheet inserted through the opening is placeable, is provided. The second placement section is detachably attached to the chassis through the opening.

Abstract: A sheet size setting device gives information for identifying a sheet size. The sheet size setting device includes a first rotary member, an engaging portion, a biasing member, a second rotary member, and an assisting mechanism. The first rotary member has a cylindrical shape, and is rotatable around and slidably movable along a first axis. The second rotary member is supported rotatably around a second axis parallel to the first axis. The first rotary member includes a plurality of detected portions, a plurality of engaged portions, and a first gear portion. The engaging portion is operable to engage with one of the plurality of engaged portions to thereby restrict the rotation of the first rotary member. The assisting mechanism applies a moving force to the first rotary member in the axial direction with the rotation of the second rotary member so that the engaged portion disengages from the engaging portion.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus has a rotating portion provided in an operation member to rotate around a first rotation fulcrum, an elastic portion provided in the operation member to be elastically deformed by the rotating portion being rotated, and a disengaging portion that rotates an engaging portion between an engagement position and a disengagement position by the elastic portion being elastically deformed.

Abstract: A sheet container, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a container body having a loading face to load a sheet thereon, an extension unit disposed extendable in a sheet feeding direction with respect to the container body to extend the loading face, a length regulator disposed movable in the sheet feeding direction with respect to the extension unit to regulate a sheet trailing end position in the sheet feeding direction, and a sheet size indicator having a strip-shape provided on the container body along with a moving direction of the extension unit as a reference of a position of the length regulator, having at least one sheet size mark to indicate a size of the sheet, and being variable in length in a longitudinal direction with respect to the container body along with movement of the extension unit.

Abstract: A paper feeder includes a recording-media container, a width regulating member, and a locking mechanism. The recording-media container is attachable to and detachable from a body of an image forming apparatus. The recording-media container stores a recording medium. The width regulating member regulates a position in a widthwise direction of the recording medium stored in the recording-media container. The locking mechanism steplessly changes a movable range of the width regulating member in the widthwise direction. The width regulating member includes a lever configured to cooperate with the width regulating member to hold the locking mechanism so as to bring the locking mechanism into an unlocked state. The locking mechanism in a locked state restricts movement of the width regulating member in the widthwise direction, and regulates wobbling of the width regulating member in a direction orthogonal to the widthwise direction.

Abstract: In a mechanism for detecting the size of media loaded in a media tray of an imaging device, the media tray includes at least one pair of media guiding members for alignment with the edges of the media. The media size sensing mechanism includes two racks operatively connected to the pair of media guiding members, a pinion positioned between the two racks, a cam structure attached to the pinion, and a sensor depicting the corresponding size of the loaded media. The cam structure defines an arcuate surface engaging a sliding pin of the sensor. The arcuate surface of the cam structure is configured to slide the pin linearly between a first extreme linear position and a second extreme linear position, as the cam rotates between a first extreme angular position and a second extreme angular position.

Abstract: In a mechanism for detecting the size of media loaded in a media tray of an imaging device, the media tray includes at least one pair of media guiding members for alignment with the edges of the media. The media size sensing mechanism includes two racks operatively connected to the pair of media guiding members, a pinion positioned between the two racks, a cam structure attached to the pinion, and a sensor depicting the corresponding size of the loaded media. The cam structure defines an arcuate surface engaging a sliding pin of the sensor. The arcuate surface of the cam structure is configured to slide the pin linearly between a first extreme linear position and a second extreme linear position, as the cam rotates between a first extreme angular position and a second extreme angular position.

Abstract: A sheet size setting device gives information for identifying a sheet size. The sheet size setting device includes a first rotary member, an engaging portion, a biasing member, a second rotary member, and an assisting mechanism. The first rotary member has a cylindrical shape, and is rotatable around and slidably movable along a first axis. The second rotary member is supported rotatably around a second axis parallel to the first axis. The first rotary member includes a plurality of detected portions, a plurality of engaged portions, and a first gear portion. The engaging portion is operable to engage with one of the plurality of engaged portions to thereby restrict the rotation of the first rotary member. The assisting mechanism applies a moving force to the first rotary member in the axial direction with the rotation of the second rotary member so that the engaged portion disengages from the engaging portion.

Abstract: A sheet loading unit includes a main body, a sheet loading plate, a pair of positioning portions, a pair of racks, and a pinion. The sheet loading plate is disposed on an upper surface of the main body. The racks are connected to the positioning portions. The pinion engages with the pair of racks so that the positioning portions move in an interlocking manner. At least one of the racks includes a stopper capable of moving between a first position facing a lower surface of the pinion and a second position not facing the lower surface of the pinion when the rack moves along the width direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus that can prevent changes at the time of mounting a sheet cassette, and deformation and changes of the sheets after the sheet cassette is mounted regardless of a sheet size are provided. A movable side regulating plate provided in a frame, regulates positions of width direction side ends of sheets is provided with sheet pressing portions and that press the side ends of the sheets to press the sheets against a fixed side regulating plate in a biasing manner. An indented configuration against which, when short sheets are pressed by the sheet pressing portion are stacked on a sheet stacking plate, upstream ends of the sheets do not abut is formed upward from a bottom end of the sheet pressing portion to a predetermined dimension at a sheet feeding direction center of the sheet pressing portion.

Abstract: A sheet-supply cassette includes a main member open upward and adapted to store a plurality of recording sheets stacked on each other, each of which is separated from the other recording sheets, and is fed in a sheet-feed direction, by a sheet feeder, an inclined sheet-separate plate provided in a downstream-side portion of the main member as seen in the sheet-feed direction, and which cooperates with the sheet feeder to separate the each recording sheet from the other recording sheets, and a plurality of back-surface support portions which are formed integrally with the downstream-side portion of the main member, such that the back-surface support portions are distant from each other in a perpendicular direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet-feed direction. The inclined sheet-separate plate is detachably attached to the back-surface support portions such that a back surface of the inclined sheet-separate plate is supported by the back-surface support portions.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a pair of cursor members movable in a width direction, and guide grooves configured to guide the cursor member to move in the width direction. The cursor member includes a cursor base, a cursor rising portion being in contact with or in proximity to an end of the sheet, and a connecting portion. The cursor base has a cursor plane extending in parallel to a sheet loading face with a difference of step with respect to the sheet loading face. An edge in the width direction of the cursor base extends linearly. The connecting portion extends from the sheet loading face side to a reverse side via the guide groove at a portion in the feeding direction of the inside edge of the cursor base. The connecting portion has a face connecting portion which connects the sheet loading face with the cursor plane smoothly.

Abstract: A sheet loading unit includes a main body, a sheet loading plate, a pair of positioning portions, a pair of racks, and a pinion. The sheet loading plate is disposed on an upper surface of the main body. The racks are connected to the positioning portions. The pinion engages with the pair of racks so that the positioning portions move in an interlocking manner. At least one of the racks includes a stopper capable of moving between a first position facing a lower surface of the pinion and a second position not facing the lower surface of the pinion when the rack moves along the width direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeding cassette includes a sheet stacking portion provided turnably in a vertical direction within a cassette body. The sheet feeding cassette also includes first and second side edge restricting portions configured to restrict widthwise positions of the sheets. The second side edge restricting portion includes first and second pressing portions configured to press the sheets on the sheet stacking portion against the first side edge restricting portion. The second pressing portion provided upstream in the sheet feeding direction of the first pressing portion is moved up and down by an interlock mechanism in linkage with a total thickness of the sheets on the sheet stacking portion.

Abstract: A sheet positioning device includes a sheet setting plate, first and second regulating members disposed facing each other to move in an orthogonal direction to a sheet conveyance direction to regulate positions of two facing ends of the sheet on the plate by contacting these ends, a driving mechanism to move the first regulating member in the orthogonal direction, first and second contact detectors mounted on the first and second regulating members to detect contact of the two facing ends, and a controller to stop the driving mechanism based on detection results obtained by the first and second contact detectors. The first and second regulating members are used to adjust a position of the sheet to a predetermined position. Respective contact surfaces of the first and second contact detectors with the sheet extend over an entire maximum loadable range in a sheet setting direction on the plate.

Abstract: A feeding device includes a loading unit for loading a sheet, a feeding roller section that has a shaft member on which a first roller and a second roller are disposed, and that feeds the sheet, and a holding member that holds the feeding roller section such that the first and second rollers are moved to a contact position where the first and second rollers are in contact with the sheet loaded on the loading unit and a separate position where the first and second rollers are separated from the sheet loaded on the loading unit. When the width of the sheet is less than or equal to a predetermined length, the first roller is in contact with the sheet whereas the second roller is not in contact with the sheet. The loading unit has a hole provided at a position opposite to the second roller.

Abstract: To reduce the size of a sheet cassette by reducing the height of a holding portion and to improve assembling properties by reducing the number of components around a regulating member. A sheet stacking apparatus including a rotating portion provided in an operation member to rotate around a first rotation fulcrum, an elastic portion provided in the operation member to be elastically deformed by the rotating portion being rotated, and a disengaging portion that rotates an engaging portion between an engagement position and a disengagement position by the elastic portion being elastically deformed.

Abstract: A sheet supply device includes a sheet supply tray, a guide fence for restricting sheets along a sheet width direction, a slider block that is slidable along the sheet width direction and supports the guide fence in an upright state, a slide shaft that is inserted into a through hole formed in the slider block and guides sliding of the slider block, and a guide fence lock mechanism including a restriction member on which a hole is formed and that is attached to the slider block swingably (the slide shaft is inserted into the hole). The guide fence lock mechanism restricts sliding of the slider block by holding the restriction member in a lock state where an inner circumferential edge of the hole is pushed onto an outer circumference of the slide shaft, and allows sliding of the slider block when the restriction member is swung to cancel the lock state.

Abstract: A paper feed apparatus includes a paper feeding portion that sends-out a paper placed in a paper placing tray, and is used in an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction machine. The paper feed apparatus comprises a first regulating portion and a second regulating portion that are arranged in the vicinity of a downstream side of a paper feeding position by the paper feeding portion. The first regulating portion is arranged outside a second width paper passage area to regulate a movement of a first width paper such as A4 paper placed in the paper placing tray toward a feeding direction. On the other hand, the second regulating portion is arranged inside the second width paper passage area to regulate a movement of a second width paper such as a name card placed in the paper placing tray toward a feeding direction.

Abstract: A compact sheet carrying device comprises a tray, a first supporting arm and a second supporting arm. The tray supports a first portion of a sheet. The first supporting arm is pivotally connected to the tray at one end having a first toothed portion. The second supporting arm is pivotally connected to the tray at one end having a second toothed portion. The two toothed portions mesh with each other. The two supporting arms are concurrently in a deployed state or a retracted state. In the deployed state, the two supporting arms support a second portion of the sheet. A document processing apparatus using such sheet carrying device is also provided.

Abstract: A medium feeding device includes a device body, a tray that regulates and contains a plurality of kinds of media of different sizes in a loading area according to the sizes of the media, and a detection lever that detects whether or not the media are properly loaded in the tray. In a state in which the tray is contained in the device body, when the media are not properly loaded in the tray, the detection lever moves to a non-load detection position. When the media are properly loaded in the tray, the detection lever moves to a load detection position with a front end part being oriented toward the tray containing side, and when a pressing force is applied to the detection lever at the non-load detection position from the tray containing side, the detection lever retreats toward the tray pulling out side.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a sheet-type medium stacking and guiding device, also disclosed in the present invention are a control system and a method based on the same. The device comprises: a left limiting plate (14) and/or a right limiting plate (19), which locate at the outer end of a medium passage made up of a left and a right passage plate (301, 304); a driving mechanism (25), which is in transmission connection with the limiting plates and drives the limiting plates to move along the longitudinal direction of the medium. The system comprises a central control module (901), a detection module (902), a data processing module (903), an image acquisition module (904), a storage module (905) and an execution module (906).

Abstract: A medium feeding apparatus includes an apparatus main body, and a medium cassette removably inserted into the apparatus main body. The medium cassette is configured to store a medium. The medium cassette includes a medium positioning unit for determining a position of the medium, and a locking unit that locks a movement of the medium positioning unit when the medium cassette is inserted into the apparatus main body and before the medium cassette reaches a predetermined position in the apparatus main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to which a sheet positioning device can be provided to perform a sheet positioning includes an image forming device and a sheet positioning device that includes a sheet setting plate, a pair of side fence units disposed facing each other along opposite sides of the sheet setting plate to move in a lateral direction of the sheet, a moving mechanism to move the pair of side fence units, a contact member to contact and press the sheet, a position detector to detect the position of the contact member, and a controller moving the pair of side fence units when the sheet is placed on the sheet setting plate, halting movement of the pair of side fence units after the contact member has contacted and pressed the sheet, and moving the pair of side fence units again based on detection results obtained by the position detector.

Abstract: Disclosed are a printing media holder and an image forming apparatus including the same. The printing media holder includes an printing media alignment unit capable of moving bidirectionally toward and away from the printing media loaded on the printing media holder, and includes a release mechanism that releases the printing media alignment unit, to allow the printing media alignment unit to move its position for aligning of print media of different sizes, in response to a force received thereto in any of the bidirectional directions.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including: a sheet tray; a drawing portion; and a first stop portion. The sheet tray is inserted into and pulled out from an accommodating portion along an inserting direction. A main tray of the sheet tray is positioned at a first position and at a second position located downstream of the first position in the inserting direction as a result of movement of the main tray in the inserting direction. An extension tray of the sheet tray is movable relative to the main tray. The drawing portion draws the main tray from the first position into the second position. The first stop portion is disposed in the accommodating portion and abuttable against the extension tray when the main tray is located downstream of the first position in the inserting direction to restrict movement of the extension tray in the inserting direction.

Abstract: There are provided a paper conveying apparatus which can effectively detect a sound which is generated when a jam occurs for various types of jams. The paper conveying apparatus includes a side guide, arranged to be movable in a direction which is perpendicular to a conveyance direction of a paper placed on a paper tray, for restricting a width direction of the paper, a sound signal generator, provided at the side guide so that a sound detector moves in accordance with movement of the side guide, for generating a sound signal corresponding to a sound generated by the paper during conveyance of the paper, and a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on the sound signal.

Abstract: A paper feed device includes a paper stacking shelf, a paper trailing edge guide that regulates a position of a paper bundle, a contact member that is disposed on the paper trailing edge guide, and a position switch portion that moves the contact member to either a withdrawn away position or a contact position with respect to an upper face of the paper bundle. The position switch portion is provided with a rod that is moved in conjunction with an operation for causing the paper feed device to be pulled out from and pushed into the accommodation space, and a rotatable member that is rotated in conjunction with the movement of the rod. The position switch portion supports the contact member, and causes the contact member to be rotationally moved to either the withdrawn away position or the contact position in conjunction with the rotation of the rotatable member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a manual feed portion provided on a side surface of a housing that accommodates an image forming portion and having an abutting portion against which a downstream end in a sheet feeding direction of a sheet inserted into a gap between the manual feed portion and the side surface abuts. The manual feed portion also includes a holding portion configured to hold the sheet such that a sheet surface is held along the side surface of the housing in the condition in which the downstream end of the sheet abuts against the abutting portion.

Abstract: A recording medium feeding unit includes a recoding medium loading plate, a main body, positioning members, racks, a pinion, a rotating shaft and an adjustment member. The main body holds the recording medium loading plate. The positioning members position the recording member in a widthwise direction. The racks are respectively provided on the positioning members, extend along the widthwise direction, and move in the widthwise direction integrally with the positioning members. The pinion is rotatably provided on the main body, is engaged with each of the racks, and is rotated in association with the movement of the racks. The rotating shaft rotatably supports the pinion. The adjustment member applies a rotation load to the pinion by allowing the pinion to be in contact therewith. The adjustment member is capable of adjusting the rotation load in a manner to move in the thickness direction of the recording medium loading plate.

Abstract: A paper guide mechanism includes an installation board and two guide assemblies. Each two guide assemblies slidably is engaged with the installation board and includes a first limiting piece, and the first limiting pieces are parallel to each other. One of the two guide assemblies is slidable relative to the installation board along a first direction, and another one of the two guide assemblies is slidable relative to the installation board along a second direction opposite to the first direction. Thus changing a distance between the first limiting pieces, so that the two guide assemblies can position different sizes of paper.

Abstract: A sheet storage device includes a sheet tray, two guide plates and a width adjusting mechanism. The sheet tray supports a sheet. The two guide plates, disposed on the sheet tray, guides transportation of the sheet placed on the sheet tray. The width adjusting mechanism, disposed on the sheet tray and connected to the two guide plates, adjusts a distance between the two guide plates. The width adjusting mechanism includes a pinion, a resilient member, a toothed portion and two connectors. The pinion is rotatably disposed. The resilient member is disposed coaxially with and rotated with the pinion. The toothed portion is disposed around the resilient member and in contact with the resilient member. The toothed portion provides a resisting force upon rotation of the pinion. Each connector connects the pinion to one of the guide plates.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device configured to feed sheets, the sheet feeding device including a tray configured to receive the sheets; a separation portion configured to separate the sheets one by one; a guide portion configured to guide feeding of the sheets while regulating a position of the sheets in a width direction that is orthogonal to a feed direction of the sheets, the guide portion comprising an upstream side end portion, in the feed direction of the sheets, which is disposed above the tray and a downstream side end portion, in the feed direction, which extends further to the downstream side, in the feed direction, than the separation portion.

Abstract: A cutter and a printer having a cutter prevent the paper pieces cut off by the cutter from collecting at the paper exit from which the cut-off pieces are discharged. A stage surface 40defines the bottom edge 5a of the paper exit 5. A sloped guide surface 41 is formed sloping down from the downstream side of the stage surface 40. A first side wall 42 determines where one side of the width of the paper passes over the stage surface 40 and the sloped guide surface 41. A second side wall 43 determines where the other side of the width of the paper passes. A protrusion 47 is formed on the first side wall 42 protruding toward the second side wall 43.When label paper 11 is cut, the cut-off portion 11c is deposited on the stage surface 40 covering the top of the protrusion 47. As a result, the cut-off portion 11c is made unstable by the protrusion 47 immediately after being deposited on the stage surface 40, and slides down easily.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus capable of reliably feeding a sheet even when a gap is formed between the sheet and a regulating portion, and an image forming apparatus are provided. A tail end regulating plate 13 regulates a movement of a sheet supported by a tray supporting the sheet so as to be lifted or lowered, and when a gap is formed between the tail end regulating plate 13 and the sheet supported by the tray, tail end regulating projections 18H and 18I which are provided so as to protrude to the gap regulate the movement of the sheet toward the tail end regulating plate 13.

Abstract: A device for inserting bank notes into a bank note processing device. The bank note processing device has a main body, a support surface for supporting a bank note to be inserted on a flat side, and at least one lateral positioning edge for laterally positioning the slot on the bank note processing device and/or for connecting the slot to the bank processing device in an accurately fitting manner. The device for inserting bank notes into a bank note processing device is characterized by a setting mechanism for variably setting the position of the positioning edge transversely to the insertion direction of the bank note through the slot.

Abstract: A loading device includes a disposing unit to dispose the recording media, and a detector to detect the disposed recording media. The disposing unit includes a loading member on which the recording media are loaded, a pair of guide members movable in width directions of the recording media that are mounted on the loading member, and a guide driver to move the guide members. The end detector detects positions at which the guide members are in contact with the recording media as the ends of the recording media. The guide driver further moves the guide members in the width direction to cause the recording media to form flexures, subsequently moves the guide members to separate from the recording media, and then moves the guide members to be in contact with the recording media again.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus, includes: an accommodation portion configured to accommodate a sheet; a supply mechanism configured to supply the sheet from the accommodation portion; a recording portion configured to record an image on the sheet supplied by the supply mechanism; and a first discharged tray arranged above the accommodation portion, and configured to support the sheet on which the image had been recorded by the recording portion. The accommodation portion includes: a body portion configured to accommodate the sheet; and a second discharged tray provided for the body portion and configured to move to a first position and to a second position in which the second discharged tray is positioned higher than the second discharged tray in the first position. The second discharged tray supports the sheet on which the image had been recorded, together with the first discharged tray in the second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a recording medium conveying mechanism configured to convey a recording medium; a registration roller configured to correct the direction of the recording medium; a first sensor set upstream in a recording medium conveying direction of the registration roller; an image forming section configured to form an image on the conveyed recording medium; and a lateral shift correcting apparatus set downstream of the image forming section and configured to correct the position of the recording medium in an oblique direction by an angle corresponding to a lateral shift amount of the recording medium detected by the first sensor.

Abstract: A media size detection device for detecting a size of a media held in a media tray is provided. The device includes a width adjuster and a length adjuster, a first magnetic member indicates width and a second magnetic member indicates length, and a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged on a lower surface of the media tray generates signals as to respective proximities of the first and second magnetic members, the act of placing and securing the media within the media tray enables the automatic calculation of the size of the media. A media size detection method is also provided.

Abstract: A sheet feeder is disclosed for feeding sheets from a stack by one sheet in a sheet feeding direction, the one sheet being an uppermost sheet of the sheet stack. The sheet feeder includes: a sheet stacker for accommodating the sheet stack therein; a side fence to regulate side ends of the sheets and movable in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction; a slide shaft arranged in the side fence and extending in a vertical direction; a link member that swings as the side fence moves, a first end of the link member configured to be slidable along the slide shaft, and a second end of the link member configured to be pivotable about a pivot point, which is arranged on a side wall of the sheet stacker at a position lower than the first end; and a swing stopper unit that stops swing of the link member.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a door configured to be openable and closable with respect to a housing and to support a sheet, an extender configured to be stored in the door and to support a sheet, and a mechanism configured to rotate the extender in conjunction with opening and closing the door. The extender rotates and protrudes from the door when the door is opened, and the extender rotates and is stored in the door when the door is closed.