Abstract: An image forming apparatus connected to a conveying-speed-changeable sheet post processing device includes a discharging unit which discharges a sheet in a reverse discharge mode with front and back surfaces of the image-formed sheet reversed, and a non-reverse discharge mode without front and back surfaces of the image-formed sheet reversed, and discharges the sheet at a first speed or a second speed lower than the first speed; and a control unit which controls the discharging unit to discharge the sheet at the first speed in the reverse discharge mode and at the second speed in the non-reverse discharge mode. When the sheet is discharged at the second speed, the control unit controls the discharging unit to discharge a subsequent sheet at the second speed even if the subsequent sheet is to be discharged in the reverse discharge mode.

Abstract: A sheet inverting device includes a loop pathway including an entrance slot to which a recording medium is conveyed and an exit slot from which the recording medium is conveyed, the loop pathway forming a loop shape to convey the recording medium therethrough in a forward direction defined by a sheet conveyance direction in which the recording medium is conveyed from the entrance slot travels, and a redirectable sheet conveyance member to convey the recording medium traveling through the loop pathway in the forward direction and a reverse direction that is the reverse of the forward direction. The exit slot is configured to convey the recording medium that is conveyed by the redirectable sheet conveyance member in the reverse direction outside the sheet inverting device therethrough.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a feeding path and a plurality of feed roller sets. Through the feeding path, an original document is fed in one direction from a paper supply port to a paper discharge port. The plurality of the feed roller sets are arranged along the feeding path to be spaced apart from each other. When one side of an original document is scanned and when both sides of an original document are scanned, the plurality of the feed roller sets nip the original document to feed the original document along the feeding path. In this case, the plurality of the feed roller sets are all involved in feeding the original document.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an image forming unit, a guide member, and a cover. The guide member is configured to be pivotable with respect to the apparatus body and is configured to guide the sheet along a transporting path. The cover is configured to be pivotable with respect to the apparatus body and is configured to open and close at least a part of the transporting path. The guide member includes a first engaging portion and the cover includes a second engaging portion which engages the first engaging portion of the guide member. One of the guide member and the cover includes an engagement guiding portion which guides one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion toward the other one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, such that the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engages with each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a rockable member which is configured to rotate about an axis defined at a first end portion among: a first position at which a second end portion at a downstream side in the forward feed direction with respect to the first end portion is supported by the guide member having the first orientation; a second position at which the second end portion is located at a higher position that the second end portion when located at the first position; and a third position at which the second end portion is located at a lower position that the second end portion when located at the first position; and a signal generating unit configured to output a signal corresponding to the position of the rockable member. A photo sensor is provided to generate a signal in accordance with an orientation of the rockable member.

Abstract: A duplexing unit for reversing an orientation of a sheet in an imaging apparatus, the duplexing unit includes an outer member including an inner surface; and an inner member that is housed within the outer member, the inner member including: a stationary structural element having an outer surface with a radius of curvature; and a freely rotatable element having a radius that is larger than the radius of curvature of the stationary structural element, wherein a duplexing path is provided between the inner surface of the outer member and a contact surface of the freely rotatable element.

Abstract: When a first elapse time ?t3 from time point t1 of stop of a transport motor reaches a first specified time S1, a registration roller electromagnetic clutch is engaged. At time point t2 at which the first elapse time ?t3 reaches 50 ms, normal rotation of the transport motor is started. At time point t3 at which a second elapse time ?t4 from the time point t2 reaches a second specified time S2 (a given length of time), a reverse roller electromagnetic clutch is switched from an engaged state to a disengaged state, rendering reverse rollers and sheet discharge rollers freely rotatable. At subsequent time point t4, a coil of a solenoid is de-energized, to separate the reverse rollers from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing apparatus that can prevent the occurrence of a transport error and prevent useless printing even when the sheet size of the actually fed sheet is different from the sheet size specified in the printing setting. The printing apparatus forms an image on one side of a recording medium first and then forms an image on another side of the recording medium. A determination section determines the medium length of the recording medium, and a control section causes the recording medium to be ejected to a sheet ejection port after the image is formed on the one side of the recording medium, when the determined medium length is outside of a preset threshold range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section to form an image on a sheet, a reversing section to reverse the sheet between front and rear surfaces, and an apparatus main body that houses the image forming section and the reversing section. The reversing section includes a lower-side horizontal conveying path arranged horizontally and adapted to convey the sheet, an upper-side horizontal conveying path arranged vertically above the lower-side horizontal conveying path and extending parallel to the lower-side horizontal conveying path, and a connection conveying path which connects the lower-side horizontal conveying path and the upper-side horizontal conveying path and is detachably coupled to the upper-side horizontal conveying path. The reversing section is horizontally supported by the apparatus main body so as to be movable along a direction in which the sheet is sent from the lower-side horizontal conveying path or upper-side horizontal conveying path to the connection conveying path.

Abstract: A peripheral device includes a body, a carriage, a first feeding assembly, and a second feeding assembly. The carriage and the first and second feeding assemblies are assembled to the body. The first and second feeding assemblies are located at the same side of the body. The carriage moves back and forth along an axial direction. A portion of the first feeding assembly is located on a moving path of the carriage. The first feeding assembly is removably coupled to the second feeding assembly. The first feeding assembly drives the second feeding assembly to move a printing medium into or out of the body. When the carriage is moved to one side of the body, the carriage moves the first feeding assembly away from the second feeding assembly, such that the printing medium is fed into or moved out of the body only by the first feeding assembly.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that includes a turn-around mechanism, and a re-feeding unit that includes a first feeding unit having a guide curved to bulge in such a direction as to be farther from an image forming unit, the guide defining an outer side of a curved first feeding route for feeding a sheet received from the turn-around mechanism, and a second feeding unit defining a second feeding route for feeding the sheet fed via the first feeding route, the guide including a first section on a first side thereof in the width direction of the sheet, and a second section around a second side opposite to the first side thereof in the width direction, the second section being curved to bulge more than the first section in such a direction as to be farther from the image forming unit.

Abstract: A paper inverting device includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a guiding structure, a power mechanism, and a controller. The power mechanism is used for driving rotation of the guiding structure. The first sensor is used for detecting the position of the paper. The second sensor is used for detecting the thickness of the paper. According to the sensing signals from the first sensor and the second sensor, the controller may determine the timing of rotating the guiding structure and the rotating direction and the rotating angle of the guiding structure. Consequently, the guiding structure may be controlled to stop the paper and further invert the paper.

Abstract: A post-processing device includes a cylindrical body and branching guides. The cylindrical body is rotatable. The cylindrical body and the branching guides convey paper to a processing unit that processes the paper and to an ejection tray. A paper reversing mechanism is composed mainly of the cylindrical body and the branching guide, in which a first face of the paper is directed to a peripheral surface of the cylindrical body and the paper is wound therearound by rotating the cylindrical body. The paper reversing mechanism then rotates the cylindrical body in a reverse direction and switches the posture of the branching guide, to thereby separate the paper from the peripheral surface and eject.

Abstract: Provided herein is sheet inverter apparatus which includes a diverter gate which diverts the sheet to one of at least two paths, a first paper path, and a second paper path. The first and second path each include a rotatable nip assembly, the rotatable nip assembly including a nip drive roll and a nip idler roll positioned so as to define a nip therebetween, the nip serving as a rotatable axis around which the nip drive roll and the nip idler roll rotate to invert the sheet.

Abstract: A reversing apparatus within a media path comprises an input nip moving sheets of media in a first direction, and a reversing nip positioned to receive the sheets of media from the input nip. The reversing nip stops the sheets and moves the sheets in a second direction opposite the first direction. Also included is an output nip positioned to receive the sheets of media from the reversing nip, and an actuator connected to the reversing nip. The actuator moves the reversing nip relative to a position of the input nip and the output nip, based on a characteristic of the sheets of media.

Abstract: Provided herein is sheet inverter apparatus which includes a diverter gate which diverts the sheet to one of at least two paths, a first paper path, and a second paper path. The first and second path each include a rotatable nip assembly, the rotatable nip assembly including a nip drive roll and a nip idler roll positioned so as to define a nip therebetween, the nip serving as a rotatable axis around which the nip drive roll and the nip idler roll rotate to invert the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a sheet conveyor, an image former that forms an image on a surface of a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyor, and a re-conveyor that re-conveys the sheet to the image former which forms another image on an opposite surface of the sheet. The re-conveyor includes a guide member including upper and lower conveyance members, a regulation member that regulates a position of the sheet, a conveyer roller set that conveys the sheet therebetween, an urger that urges a pinch roller toward a driving roller, and a roller holder disposed above the upper conveyance member. The upper conveyance member has ends which are secured independently to the lower conveyance member. The roller holder secures the pinch roller overlaps the upper conveyance member in a vertical direction, and secures the pinch roller, such that the pinch roller contacts the sheet through the upper conveyance member.

Abstract: Sheet inverters and methods for inverting sheets are provided that guide longer length receivers through a 180 degree turn while the receivers are being transported along a transport path while reducing the possibility of jams, the extent of sheet stress experienced during inversion and reducing the risk of creating print artifacts.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic document conveying device, including: a document feeding portion that feeds a document from a document stacking tray; a conveying portion that conveys the document which is fed, to a document reading portion; a discharge portion that discharges the document after being read to a discharge tray; a branching guide that switches a conveying path so that a second surface is read after a first surface of the document is read; and a switchback portion including a switchback roller pair for sending the document to the conveying portion again after the conveying path is switched by the branching guide, in which a switch of the conveying path by the branching guide and open/close of a nip of the switchback roller pair are performed in one drive portion.

Abstract: A multi-position letterbox media diverter that maximizes productivity includes a gate configured like a tomahawk to allow sufficient space for the diverter to operate immediately after the trail edge of a sheet passes the front edge of the gate and thereby increase gate actuation time. Reversible drives of an inverter are used to direct the sheet to a duplex path while another sheet is simultaneously directed by a lower integrated baffle portion of the gate to an output tray as needed. Thus, reducing the time required for the sheet to be in the inverter path before reversing sheet direction, thereby facilitating a reduction in required transport speed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a paper discharge device includes a discharged-sheet receiving part that can be opened and closed on a side surface of an apparatus body, is closed on the side surface and receives a recording medium dropped from above along the side surface after image formation.

Abstract: An image forming device, comprising: a device main body; a sheet cassette detachably attachable to a cassette accommodation space; an image formation unit; a re-carrying unit configured to re-carry the reversed sheet-like medium to the image formation unit and is exposed to the cassette accommodation space when the sheet cassette is detached; and a driving source supplying a driving force to the re-carrying unit, and wherein: the re-carrying unit comprises a driving roller and a pinch roller; a drive coupling mechanism having a transmission path transmitting the driving force to the driving roller is provided; the drive coupling mechanism comprises an acting part that brings the transmission path to a coupled state by moving in accordance with an attaching motion of the sheet cassette and brings the transmission path to a cut off state by moving in accordance with a detaching motion of the sheet cassette.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a first conveying unit configured to convey a sheet in a conveying direction; a conveying path configured to guide the sheet to the first conveying unit, the sheet having been conveyed by the first conveying unit in a direction opposite to the conveying direction; a second conveying unit configured to convey the sheet in the conveying path; a rotation direction detecting unit configured to detect a rotation direction of the second conveying unit; and a control unit configured to perform control, at startup, to drive the first conveying unit in a direction that causes the sheet to be conveyed in the conveying direction, and if the rotation direction detecting unit detects rotation of the second conveying unit, to drive the second conveying unit in the rotation direction that is detected by the rotation direction detecting unit.

Abstract: A sheet inverting device and a method of inverting a folded sheet include an inverting element that inverts the sheet around an axis of rotation towards a receiving member for receiving the sheet, and at least one moveable stop member that limits, in a first position of the stop member above the receiving member, an unfolding movement of the sheet in a direction towards a far side of the receiving member. The stop member is adapted to be retracted from the first position into a second position of the stop member.

Abstract: A card substrate rotator comprises a substrate support, a rotator mechanism and a lift mechanism. The substrate support is configured to receive a card substrate and comprises a feed roller. The rotator mechanism is configured to rotate the substrate support about an axis. The lift mechanism is configured to move the substrate support and the axis in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A reversely-rotatable roller conveys a sheet having an image formed on its one side at a sheet conveying velocity faster than that of a conveying roller by normal rotation and then, the reversely-rotatable roller conveys the sheet to a re-conveying path by reverse rotation. The sheet conveying velocity of the reversely-rotatable roller when the reversely-rotatable roller reversely rotates is made slower than the sheet conveying velocity when the reversely-rotatable roller normally rotates so that the sheet conveying velocity of the re-conveying roller is substantially equal to or slower than the sheet conveying velocity of the conveying roller.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an image formation path extending from an entrance end adjacent to a source of supply of media sheets, past an image forming station, to an exit end adjacent to a top collection site adapted to receive media sheets, a duplex path extending from an inlet end adjacent the top collection site to an outlet end adjacent a lower front opening in the device, a media sheet directing mechanism disposed between the exit end of the image formation path, top collection site and inlet end of the duplex path and selectively operable to deliver printed media sheets to the top collection site or the inlet end of the duplex path, and a deflector mechanism between the lower front opening and the outlet end of the duplex path and operable to divert printed media sheets from the duplex path through the lower front opening to exterior of the device.

Abstract: An automatic document feeding device including a pick motor coupled with a pick assembly, a deskew motor coupled with a deskew assembly, a sensor assembly coupled with a main media path and the deskew motor, and a feed motor coupled with a feed assembly. The deskew motor drives the deskew assembly, the deskew assembly deskewing the media sheet and moving the media sheet from the pick assembly to the feed assembly, the deskew assembly moving independently of the pick assembly and the feed assembly. The sensor assembly includes a plurality of sensors. The sensor assembly senses the media sheet moving along the main media path and sends at least one signal to a computer. The computer, based on the at least one signal, sends, an activation signal to at least one of the pick, deskew and feed motors and the first scanner.

Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a gear train and a movable gear locking device. The gear train transmits rotational drive to a drive target, and includes a first gear train forming a first transmission path for transmitting the drive to the target, a second gear train forming a second transmission path for transmitting the drive to the target as drive opposite in rotation direction to the drive transmitted by the first gear train, and a movable gear movable between a first drive transmission position whereat the movable gear forms a part of the first gear train to transmit the drive to the target and a second drive transmission position whereat the movable gear forms a part of the second gear train to transmit the drive to the target. The movable gear locking device locks the movable gear at an idle position.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes an upstream rotary member and a downstream rotary member, an endless rotatable conveyance belt, stretched over the upstream rotary member and the downstream rotary member, to convey a sheet of recording media thereon in a predetermined conveyance direction, a conveyance guide disposed downstream of the conveyance belt in the predetermined conveyance direction, disposed across a gap from the conveyance belt, to guide the sheet to a predetermined conveyance position, and a guide member to introduce the sheet into a gap between the conveyance belt and the conveyance guide and onto the conveyance belt, so that the sheet is conveyed from the downstream rotary member to the upstream rotary member.

Abstract: A printing device includes: a registration roller that once stops a transferred sheet and then feeds the transferred sheet toward an inkjet head unit; a sheet feed system that transfers and feeds a sheet to the registration roller; a sheet refeed system that, during both-side printing, reverses a one-side printed sheet and transfers the one-side printed sheet to the registration roller; and a controller that, during both-side printing, controls the registration roller so as to feed a sheet, which is fed by the sheet feed system and the sheet refeed system, toward the inkjet head unit in accordance with a predetermined print schedule. The controller controls the sheet feed system in accordance with the print schedule so that a speed when a sheet fed from the sheet feed system is abutted against the inkjet head unit becomes lower during both-side printing than during one-side printing.

Abstract: A duplex document feeding device includes a first paper transfer channel, a second paper transfer channel, a paper exit, a power source, a paper pick-up mechanism, a paper ejecting mechanism, and a linking mechanism. The paper ejecting mechanism includes an ejecting drive roller and an ejecting idler roller. After a paper is ejected from the first paper transfer channel and the paper is introduced into the second paper transfer channel by the paper ejecting mechanism, the linking mechanism is driven by the power source, so that the ejecting idler roller is shifted and moved away from the ejecting drive roller. Consequently, the front end of the paper can be smoothly ejected from the paper exit.

Abstract: A sheet inverter apparatus improves the handling capabilities of high speed printers and copiers. The sheet inverter apparatus includes a rotatable support having an axis of rotation and at least first and second arms radiating outwardly from the axis of rotation. First and second nip assemblies are is mounted to the first and second arms respectively. The support is rotatable to adjust positions of the first and second nips about the axis of rotation. Advantageously, with this arrangement, the support is adjustable so as to permit the first and second nips to receive sheets of paper at one location, be positionally adjusted with the sheets of paper moving therewith, and located at a second location so as to deliver the paper to an outlet feed path. This positional adjustment allows for inversion of the paper.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can include an image forming member that forms an image on a sheet, an ejecting transport member that can transport the sheet in first and second directions, and a switching unit. The guide member can move to a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position. At the first predetermined position, the guide member can apply a pushing force to the sheet. At the second predetermined position, the guide member can either apply a smaller pushing force to the sheet than at the first predetermined position, or provide a clearance between the guide member and the sheet. The switching unit can switch the guide member into the first and second predetermined positions based on the sheet transporting direction of the ejecting transport member.

Abstract: An image recording device that makes it possible to accurately position images on the front and reverse surfaces of a recording medium even when there is an error in length in the direction of conveyance of the recording medium. The image recording device is equipped with a paper supply part, a paper discharge part, a table movement mechanism, which moves ten tables disposed at regular intervals along a circulation path, an image recording part, which records an image on printing paper on top of the table that is moved by this table movement mechanism, an inversion part, which inverts the printing paper, and a transport mechanism, which transports the printing paper inverted by the inversion part to the paper supply part.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus which enables quick removal of remaining sheets in the image forming apparatus via an orthogonal reverse section in case a jam occurs inside the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a main conveyance section to convey a sheet in the image forming apparatus and to convey the sheet to an ejected sheet section; an orthogonal reverse section to receive the sheet from the main conveyance section and turn over the sheet without swapping a front edge for a rear edge of the sheet by conveying the sheet in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction of the main conveyance section and a sheet ejection section to eject the sheet in the orthogonal reverse section outside the orthogonal reverse section along a direction to turn over the sheet by the orthogonal reverse section.

Abstract: A sheet carrying apparatus, being applicable in (i) an automatic document feeding apparatus and/or (ii) paper feeding and conveying mechanism of an image forming apparatus, has an opening in that part of a curved guiding surface of a lower conveyance guide of a sheet conveyance guiding section constituting a curved conveyance path, which receives a front end of a document fed to the curved conveyance path. The opening has such a size in a guide width direction orthogonal to a document conveying direction, which is passable for a small size sheet not larger than a predetermined size. With this, the small size sheet passed through the opening is sorted out.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyance device to convey a sheet, an image forming device disposed opposing the conveyance device, a switchback device downstream from the conveyance device to switch hack the sheet after image formation a first face of the sheet on an opposing surface of the conveyance device, a refeeding device to refeed the sheet switched back, a reverse path to guide the sheet to a non-opposing, surface of the conveyance device, reverse the sheet, and guide the sheet to the opposing surface again, a single driving source to drive the conveyance device and the switchback device, a driving assembly to transmit driving force of the driving source to the conveyance device, a clutch assembly disposed at a position other than the driving assembly to switch rotation of the switchback device between forward rotation and reverse rotation, and an activation device to activate the clutch assembly.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder with a drive system that can efficiently handle double-side scanning and accommodate more than one timing sequence for sequentially picking individual sheets from a stack using only two motors—a pick motor and a media motor. The automatic document feeder includes a pickup unit with a pick roller, a set of de-skew rollers, a main media path configured to guide a media sheet from the pickup unit to a scanning region and from the scanning region to an output tray, and a switch-back path configured to guide the media sheet back into the main media path. The drive system is operable to provide a high-speed picking mode and a delayed picking mode. In the high-speed picking mode, the pickup unit is driven by the pick motor to pull a subsequent media sheet from a stack of media sheet as soon as a previously pulled media sheet has passed the pick roller.

Abstract: An auto document feeder includes a lead path, a first reverse path, a second reverse path, and a both surfaces eject path. The lead path guides a document from a left side to a right side of a read position. The first and second reverse paths are connected to the lead path, and reverse the document to guide the document from the right side to the left side of the read position. A both surfaces eject path is connected to the first and second reverse paths and guides the document whose image information of a second surface has been read to eject further to the right side than the read position. A shared curve path shared by the lead path and the both surfaces eject path includes a portion between the read position and a portion in which a lead curve path protrudes the most.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a sheet container unit that stores a plurality of sheets, an image forming unit that forms an image on a particular surface of a sheet that is conveyed from the sheet container unit, and a re-conveying unit that re-conveys the sheet to the image forming unit. The re-conveying unit includes a conveyor roller set that conveys the sheet. The conveyor roller set includes a pinch roller and a driving roller that receives a driving force and that contacts the particular surface of the sheet. The driving roller has a greater coefficient of friction than the pinch roller.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus according to the present invention includes an object feeding path, a temporary object feeding path branched from the object feeding path, an object feeding unit arranged on the object feeding path, the object feeding unit feeding an object; and a pair of rollers arranged on the temporary object feeding path. The pair of rollers pinches the object and feeds the object from the object feeding path toward the temporary object feeding path while keeping one edge of the object as a feeding head. The pair of rollers pinches the object and feeds the object from the temporary object feeding path toward the object feeding path while keeping the other edge of the object as a feeding head.

Abstract: A media actuated, media diverter mounted on a guide member positioned between the output of a simplex path and the entrance of a duplex path in an imaging device. The media diverter comprises a first plate, a biasing member for biasing the first plate in a first position where the first plate extends into the duplex path, and a second plate having a media guiding surface and a center of gravity biasing the second plate in a first position where the media guiding surface extends into the simplex path. First plate and second plate are movable in a slot through the guide member. With the first plate in its first position, the second plate remains movable between from its first and second positions. A media sheet fed into the duplex path moves first plate to its second position blocking movement of the second plate from its first position.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic document conveying device, including: a document feeding portion that feeds a document from a document stacking tray; a conveying portion that conveys the document which is fed, to a document reading portion; a discharge portion that discharges the document after being read to a discharge tray; a branching guide that switches a conveying path so that a second surface is read after a first surface of the document is read; and a switchback portion including a switchback roller pair for sending the document to the conveying portion again after the conveying path is switched by the branching guide, in which a switch of the conveying path by the branching guide and open/close of a nip of the switchback roller pair are performed in one drive portion.

Abstract: A sheet reversing apparatus including: a right angle reversing conveyance section which reverses front/back sides of a sheet while changing a conveyance direction of the sheet, being conveyed in a first conveyance direction, to a second conveyance direction perpendicular to the first conveyance direction; a sheet skew sensor which detects a sheet skew of the sheet being conveyed by the right angle reversing conveyance section; and a sheet skew correction mechanism which corrects the sheet skew of the sheet while the sheet is being conveyed by the right angle reversing conveyance section.

Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a conveyance member, an elastic plate member, a first conveyance path, and a second conveyance path. The conveyance member conveys a sheet of recording media with the sheet attached thereon and has a circumferential portion to separate the sheet from the conveyance member by a curvature of the conveyance member. The first conveyance path is formed by the conveyance member. The second conveyance path is disposed downstream from the first conveyance path and includes a reversal conveyance path to reverse the sheet. A face continuous to a front edge of the elastic plate member, except for the front edge, is positioned in an attachment weakened area of the circumferential portion of the conveyance member in which an attachment force of the sheet on the circumferential portion is weakened by separation of the sheet from the conveyance member by the curvature.

Abstract: A media actuated, media diverter mounted on a media guide positioned between the output of a simplex path and the entrance of a duplex path in an imaging device. The media diverter comprises a plate having a media guiding surface and a media contact surface along portions of the edge of the plate. The plate is received within a slot through the guide member such that in a first position the media contact surface extends into the duplex path and when in a second position the media guiding surface extends into the simplex path with the plate biasable in the first position. A media sheet fed into the duplex path contacts the media contact surface actuating the media diverter to move the plate to the second position directing a following media sheet in the simplex path to an exit of the imaging device.

Abstract: A dual path, single reversing roll inverter driven by a single actuator includes a single reversing roller with two, diametrically opposed idler rollers. The configuration of the reversing roller and idler rollers forms a first nip and a second nip that are alternately used to accept sequential sheets from a paper path. The first and second nips discharge the sheets into respective first and second inverting paths. A method for inverting sheets using the dual path, single reversing roll inverter includes rotating the roller in a first direction to direct a first sheet through the first nip. The roller is then rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction to direct the first sheet from the first nip and into the first inverting path and to simultaneously direct a second sheet into the second nip. A gate alternately directs the sequential sheets into the first and second nips.

Abstract: A media actuated, media diverter mounted on a guide member positioned between the output of a simplex path and the entrance of a duplex path in an imaging device. The media diverter comprises a first plate having a media contact surface, a biasing member for biasing the first plate, and a second plate having a media guiding surface. First plate and second plate are movable in a slot through the guide member and are biased in first positions where media contact surface extends into the duplex path and media guiding surface extends into the simplex path while second plate remains movable from its first position to a second position. A media sheet fed into the duplex path moves first plate to its second position blocking movement of second plate from its first position allowing a following media sheet in the simplex path to the exit of the imaging device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet storage portion, an image forming portion, a sheet ejector, a sheet-reversing unit, first to fourth conveying paths, and a two-sided conveyance unit. The fourth conveying path includes a linear path formed between two conveyance guides constituting the two-sided conveyance unit. The two-sided conveyance unit is supported in a slidable manner along a slider provided to an apparatus main body. One of the two conveyance guides is made of a flat guide plate and is supported in such a manner that it can be opened or closed with respect to the other conveyance guide.