Abstract: A process unit includes a unit body, a photosensitive device set in the unit body and designed to have a toner image formed thereon, a transfer unit body set in the unit and swingable between a first position in which the transfer unit body is located close to the photosensitive device to form a conveyor path for conveying a recording sheet between the transfer unit body and the photosensitive device, and a second position at a distance from the first position, and a transfer device set in the transfer unit body and capable of transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive device to the recording sheet.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus provided with: a stacking tray for stacking originals thereon; a feeding device for feeding the originals on the stacking tray one by one; a reading device for reading the information of the originals fed by the feeding device; a storing device for storing the read information thereon; an image forming device for forming an image on a sheet based on the read information; and a control device for effecting a control of reading and storing a plurality of originals corresponding to the storage capacity of the storing device, and forming an image on the sheet based on the storage of the storing device, and effecting a control of forming an image on a sheet each time the image of a remaining original is read by the reading device.

Abstract: In an apparatus, such as a fuser for xerographic printing, wherein sheets pass through a nip formed by two moving rollers, a substantially enclosed, effectively funnel-shaped path is defined to direct sheets from the nip to a subsequent processing station. When a jam condition occurs in the path, a movable surface defining the path moves to increase a size of the path. The increase in size prevents impaction of subsequent sheets entering the path, and also facilitates manual jam clearance.

Abstract: A multi-function actuator of a duplex printer selects one of movement passages of a printing medium according to whether to print one side or on both sides of the printing medium and includes a duplex guide, a jam removing mechanism, a sensor arm, and a sensor. The duplex guide is rotatably disposed above a pressure roller of a duplex printer frame and includes a hollow cylinder and a plurality of bar-shaped guide pins at one side thereof guiding the printing medium. The jam removing mechanism is rotatably disposed inside of the hollow cylinder to allow the pressure roller to be separated from the heat roller when a jammed material is removed. The sensor arm is disposed co-axially with the duplex guide and rotates by a weight thereof. The sensor is disposed at the duplex printer frame and operates by the sensor arm. Accordingly, the multi-function actuator selects the one of the movement passage and allows the jammed material to be removed by separating the pressure roller from the heat roller.

Abstract: A duplex image forming apparatus including a first image carrier configured to carry a first image, and a second image carrier configured to receive the first image. The first image is transferred to one side of a recording medium from the second image carrier, and a second image is formed on the first image carrier and transferred to the other side of the recording medium. Also included is a recording medium conveying device configured to vertically convey the recording medium to a fixing section along a vertical conveyance path at least starting from where the first and second images are transferred onto the recovery medium, and a fixing device included in the fixing section configured to simultaneously fix the first and second images to respective sides of the recording medium.

Abstract: There are plural subunits having a positional relationship that at least one of the subunits is located at such a position as to obstruct an operation of replacing another. There are provided positioning portions that are provided on the main body frame and position the respective subunits, and a subunit releasing mechanism that moves at least an outside subunit from a positioning and fixing position to a prescribed releasing position or a subunit fixing mechanism that holds the outside subunit at a prescribed releasing position and moves it from the released position to a prescribed, positioning and fixing position. Also provided is an axial movement prohibiting portion that prohibits in advance axial movement of a subunit before it is positioned. Further, a two-direction positioning portion is allowed to position a subunit preferentially over a one-direction positioning portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes an apparatus main body having an opening portion, a cover provided on the apparatus main body and for covering/uncovering the opening portion, an image forming unit that is provided in the apparatus main body and that includes a photosensitive member on which a toner image is formed, a transcribing device provided in the apparatus main body for transferring the toner image from the photosensitive member onto a recording paper, a fixing device provided on the cover and for fixing the toner image on the recording paper, a register roller provided in the apparatus main body for conveying the recording paper to the photosensitive member, and a discharging mechanism provided in the apparatus main body. The discharging device conveys the recording paper on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device, and discharges the recording paper from the apparatus main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of duplex printing includes a door panel and a cover panel being connected for relative turning and facing each other for forming the printing paper circulation path so that one-side printed paper can re-enter an image forming engine for duplex printing; a printing paper transferring member being formed in a facing side of the door panel and the cover panel for transferring a printing paper to one direction; and an image forming apparatus capable of duplex printing constructed for more effective dealing with a jammed paper generated in a circulation path, wherein a modular duplex printing unit can be removable and attachable as needed, is formed and the duplex printing unit includes a power transmission device for transferring power generated in a driving unit of a main body.

Abstract: A process unit of this invention includes a unit body, a photosensitive device set in the unit body and designed to be formed a toner image thereon, a transfer unit body set in the unit and swingable between a first position in which the transfer unit body is located close to the photosensitive device to form a conveyor path for conveying of a recording sheet between the transfer unit body and the photosensitive device, and a second position at a distance from the first position, and a transfer device set in the transfer unit body and capable of transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive device to the recording sheet.

Abstract: A multi-function machine has a multifunctional cover which includes a jam removal lever position checking portion, a toner container locking lever position checking portion, a shutter switch, and a side cover bracket. The jam removal lever position checking portion interferes with a jam removal lever installed in the main body to check whether the jam removal lever is properly positioned. The toner container locking lever position checking portion interferes with a toner container locking lever installed in the main body to check whether a toner container is properly fixed. The shutter switch opens and closes a shutter to control a flow of remaining toner collected by a developer roller after being developed, into the toner container. The side cover bracket interferes with a side cover bracket installed at the main body to control joining a side cover with the main body.

Abstract: A fixing device for use in an image forming apparatus in which a toner image is transferred and fixed onto recording paper. The image forming apparatus includes a housing made of a heat-resistant resin having an outside surface which serves as an outside surface of the fixing device. The housing includes two casings which are separable along a direction of conveyance or passage of the recording paper in the fixing device. One of the casing includes a mount section for holding a pair of rollers in a predetermined position in the fixing device. The other casing includes a paper outlet opening through which the paper is conveyed.

Abstract: The carrying apparatus comprises a carrying device for carrying an object to be carried, along a carrying route, a control device for temporarily stopping and holding the object carried by the carrying device, on the carrying route, if necessary, an open/close door provided in the carrying device, for opening/closing the carrying route, and a limiter device for limiting opening of the open/close door, based on detection of the object by the detection device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first sheet path, a first sheet transfer mechanism, an ejection mechanism, a second sheet path, and a sheet flipping mechanism. The first sheet path is in a first side of the image forming apparatus. The first sheet transfer mechanism sends recording sheets from a sheet cassette through the first sheet path. The ejection mechanism switches between an ejection process and a duplex recording process. The second sheet path receives the recording sheet from the ejection mechanism and returns it to the image recording mechanism. The second sheet path is on the other side of the apparatus than the first side in which the first sheet path is arranged. The sheet flipping mechanism flips the recording sheet and has a flipping space in which the recording sheet is flipped without coming outside of the image forming apparatus. The ejection mechanism, the second sheet path, and the sheet flipping mechanism are located in a separate add-on unit.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a main body of the apparatus which has an opening section, a cover which covers/uncovers the opening section of the main body of the apparatus, a photosensitive member provided in the main body of the apparatus, a developer provided for forming a toner image sticking toner on the photosensitive member at a developing position in the main body of the apparatus, a transfer roller provided in the main body of the apparatus, and a control mechanism provided in the main body of the apparatus, for rotating the photosensitive member by a distance larger than a distance between the developing position and the transcribing position during the cover is moved from the first position to the second position and then moved from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises an apparatus main body with an opening portion, a cover provided on the apparatus main body and covering/uncovering the opening portion, an image forming unit provided in the apparatus main body and including a photosensitive member on which a toner image is formed, a transcribing device provided in the apparatus main body and transferring the toner image on the photosensitive member onto a recording paper, a fixing device provided on the cover and fixing the toner image transferred on the recording paper by the transcribing device, a register roller provided in the apparatus main body and conveying the recording paper to the photosensitive member, and a discharging mechanism provided in the apparatus main body, conveying the recording paper on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device, and discharging the recording paper to the outside of the apparatus main body.

Abstract: The carrying apparatus comprises a carrying device for carrying an object to be carried, along a carrying route, a control device for temporarily stopping and holding the object carried by the carrying device, on the carrying route, if necessary, an open/close door provided in the carrying device, for opening/closing the carrying route, and a limiter device for limiting opening of the open/close door, based on detection of the object by the detection device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotor to which torque in a fixed direction is transmitted and a transmitting unit for transmitting torque to the rotor. The transmitting unit is replaceable by a driving unit capable of freely rotating the rotor in both forward and backward directions.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus employs a manual sheet feeder tray that overlaps a part of a side wall of an upper main body portion to be in contact therewith in a non-working mode irrespective of an opener assembly being open or closed. A guide member can be provided to prevent contact of the manual sheet feeder tray with the upper main body portion. Further, an image-forming apparatus employs a discharged-sheet selectively positionable for a working mode or a non-working mode, where the discharged-sheet tray overlaps a part of a side wall of the upper main body when in the non-working mode, irrespective of an opener assembly being opened or closed. A guide member can be provided to prevent contact of the discharged-sheet tray with the upper main body portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an image carrier unit having an image carrier for carrying an image and a transfer material carrier unit having a transfer material carrier for carrying a transfer material, the transfer material carrier unit being capable of assuming a first state when the image on the image carrier is transferred onto a transfer material carried by the transfer material carrier and a second state that the transfer material carrier unit escapes more than the first state. The image carrier unit is detachably attached to an apparatus body through a space formed in the apparatus body after the transfer material carrier unit enters in the second state.

Abstract: An electrophotographic recording apparatus has a lid movable to open and close relative to a body of the apparatus, the lid having an exposing unit mounted thereto. The recording apparatus includes a collapsible mechanism and a drive mechanism (gear mechanism). The exposing unit is suspended from the collapsible mechanism. The gear mechanism is operatively connected to the lid so that when the lid is opened and closed, the gear mechanism drives the collapsible mechanism to deform selectively into the collapsed position and the expanded position, respectively. When the collapsible mechanism is at the expanded position, the exposing unit is accurately positioned relative to an image-forming unit. When the collapsible mechanism is at the collapsed position, the exposing unit is at a retracted position so that the exposing unit allows easy access to the interior of the apparatus. The gear mechanism may include a torque limiter.

Abstract: A main body is separable into a static body and a movable body along a carrier path extending from a sheet feeding unit to a sheet discharge unit, and the static body is provided with an image forming unit. The movable body can be slid straightly with respect to the static body. The carrier path can be wide open along the entire length thereof by sliding the movable body, facilitating the removal of stuck sheet from the carrier path.

Abstract: In an image forming device of the present invention, which is a tandem type, electrophotographic image forming device in which a plurality of photoconductor drums are located in order from one side to the other side of the main unit of the device, and a sheet of paper sequentially passes through the respective photoconductor drums with being supported by a transfer and transport belt unit, so as to transfer a plurality of kinds of toner images onto the sheet of paper, a first separating/contacting mechanism mechanically lowers/raises the whole of a transfer frame holding the transfer and transport belt unit in association with the opening/closing of a front door, a second separating/contacting mechanism mechanically lowers/raises the right side of the transfer frame in association with the opening/closing of a right side door, and a third separating/contacting mechanism mechanically lowers/raises the left side of the transfer frame in association with the opening/closing of a left side door.

Abstract: There are provided a conveying path provided in an apparatus body and serving to convey a sheet-like object in a longitudinal direction, a moving body capable of being moved to a position in which the conveying path is to be exposed and a position in which the sheet-like object can be conveyed to cover the conveying path, and at least three support members for supporting the moving body to be slid in an almost horizontal direction with respect to the apparatus body and to be separated or joined are provided on a lower end portion at the side that a user accesses for a jam processing in the moving body and both upper and lower end portions at the opposite side thereof. Accordingly, in the case in which the user is to carry out the jam processing by separating the moving body from the apparatus body, a jammed paper in the conveying path can be removed easily.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to solve the following problem of an image forming apparatus in which a sheet-of-paper conveying path cover is disposed so as to be swingable. In the case where a recording-sheet accommodating unit having at least one or more sheet-of-paper discharging trays is mounted above an apparatus main body, the lowermost sheet-of-paper discharging tray hinders the conveying path cover from swinging and large space for upward swing of the conveying path cover cannot be ensured. Accordingly an intermediate conveying path is difficult of access for coping with a jam.

Abstract: A recording-material discharging section 3 is disposed above an image forming section 1, and a recording-material supplying section 4, in which a user operation-side surface of a recording material cassette 5 is set substantially flush with a surface of the apparatus body, is disposed below the image forming section 1. A recording-material transporting system 6 is provided in which transporting paths are provided for transporting to the image forming section 1 the recording material supplied from the recording-material supplying section 4 and for subsequently guiding the recording material to the recording-material discharging section, and in which a portion of the transporting path leading to the image forming section is arranged on a rear side of the apparatus body located on an opposite side to the user operation side. At least either one of the recording-material supplying section 4 and the recording-material transporting system 6 is provided with a jam clearing section 8 (e.g.

Abstract: A door open/close switch mechanism, which turns on and off predetermined power of an image forming apparatus in conjunction with an open/close operation of an open/close portion of the image forming apparatus, includes an operating member, a switch and an on/off member. The operating member moves in a first direction when a first open/close portion of the image forming apparatus is opened/closed while the operating member moves in a second direction when a second open/close portion of the image forming apparatus is opened/closed. The switch is provided to turn on and off the predetermined power of the image forming apparatus. The on/off member is integrally provided with the operating member and turns the switch on only when the on/off member moves to a predetermined position after moved in both the first and second directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting web-shaped recording media through an electrographic printer or copier has a support member which supports driving and guiding elements. The support is pivotally mounted in the housing via a support shaft. The recording medium is transported by friction by a drive roller mounted on the support, the recording medium being pressed against the toner carrier by a pressing member. The supporting shaft and the drive roller run in a coaxial manner.

Abstract: A sheet transporting device assembly, such as a idler mounting assembly, of an image forming device has a frame portion attachably detachable to a guide member. The frame portion has at least one opening able to receive at least one idler roll. Each idler roll is rotatably attached to a shaft. The shaft is moveably attached to the frame by an attachment structure. The idler mounting assembly is pivotably and precisely aligned with the outer mainframe so that the components of the outer frame and the idler mounting assembly are aligned, and further allows the user to gain access the space around the guide member and between the idler rolls and drive rolls of the outer frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a paper feed cassette that holds a record medium vertically, and paper feed rollers that feed the record medium in the paper feed cassette to image forming direction while holding the record medium vertically, and a developed image forming portion that forms a developed image onto the record medium while the record medium is fed from the paper feed cassette and held and transferred vertically, and a sorter that sorts the record media discharged from the developed image forming portion for respective users and collects the record media vertically into plural sorter bins, and a flat panel that incorporates at least the paper feed cassette, the developed image forming portion, and the sorter into a vertical flat plane as a body. And further, the panel is arranged vertically in space, and at necessity functions as a partition to separate the space.

Abstract: A printer has monochrome and color printing heads for printing color and monochrome images, respectively, and a media feed path for moving sheets of media by the printing heads. The media feed path has a color position in which the color printing heads print color images and the monochrome printing head prints monochrome images, and a monochrome position in which the monochrome printing head prints monochrome images but the color printing heads cannot print color images. A memory stores data on prior print jobs, and a control circuit switches the media feed path from the color position to the monochrome position in response to the data stored in the memory.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device has a body including an upper housing and a lower housing, a photosensitive belt which is provided in the body, a belt driver for rotating the photosensitive belt, which is covered with the photosensitive belt, and a hinge joining the upper housing, the lower housing, and the belt driver so as to enable the upper housing and the belt driver to swing with respect to the lower housing.

Abstract: An electrophotographic recording apparatus has a lid movable to open and close relative to a body of the apparatus, the lid having an exposing unit mounted thereto. The recording apparatus comprises a collapsible mechanism and a drive mechanism (gear mechanism). The exposing unit is suspended from the collapsible mechanism. The gear mechanism is operatively connected to the lid so that when the lid is opened and closed, the gear mechanism drives the collapsible mechanism to deform selectively into the collapsed position and the expanded position, respectively. When the collapsible mechanism is at the expanded position, the exposing unit is accurately positioned relative to an image-forming unit. When the collapsible mechanism is at the collapsed position, the exposing unit is at a retracted position so that the exposing unit allows easy access to the interior of the apparatus. The gear mechanism may include a torque limiter.

Abstract: A multi-functional fuser backup roll release mechanism and operating process are defined. In the event of a paper jam, the primary gear train from a prime mover to driven rolls of the imaging apparatus is interrupted, and a secondary drive train is engaged. The drive train operates a drive shaft, rotating a worm gear to control a cam and lever apparatus connected to springs and bellcranks at opposite ends of the backup roll. Upon the detection of a paper jam, or prolonged inactivity of the fuser, the nip between the fuser hot roll and backup roll is opened. During normal operation, the mechanism can be used to control the nip force between the fuser roll and the backup roll, to provide the optimal nip load for the media being processed, and the print glossiness desired.

Abstract: A shutter device enables access to the paper path in a single sheet printer with a first shutter (P1) which can pivot about a first pivotal axis (D2) into an open position wherein shutter stands at a distance from the paper path and uncovers an opening. A second shutter (P2) is located near the first shutter (P1). Like the first shutter, the second shutter forms, when in an operating position, a second of the guide surfaces adjacent to the section formed by the first shutter (P1), which can pivot about a second pivotal axis (D1) into an open position and increase an opening for access to the paper path when in this position. In order to support opening of the second shutter (P2), a clamping member (Z1) is also provided on the second shutter, which is prestressed when the second shutter (P2) is in the operating position.

Abstract: A modular duplex media handling system is installable for use with a print recording system having a simplex media handling system. During first side printing a media sheet is fed along a first media path in the simplex system from feed rollers to metering rollers and into a print zone. After first side printing and prior to releasing the media sheet, the metering rollers feed the media sheet back along the first media path to the feed rollers. The feed rollers in turn feed the media sheet completely into the duplex module where the media moves along a loop path (in effect flipping the media sheet). The media sheet then is fed back to the feed rollers and along the first media path for second side printing. A humidity sensor in the duplex module signals to the print recording system whether the duplex handling system is installed.

Abstract: A duplex unit includes a case housing a sheet reverse path that connects to a sheet discharging outlet and a sheet refeed inlet provided on a side of a main body case housing an image forming unit and that is configured to reverse the sheet supplied from the sheet discharging outlet and refeed the sheet to the sheet refeed inlet. The case is rotatable around a first supporting shaft so as to be opened and closed. The duplex unit includes a manual sheet feeding tray that is rotatably supported by a horizontal second supporting shaft so as to be opened to manually feed a sheet to a manual sheet feeding inlet provided on the side of the main body case and to be closed otherwise. A recess is provided on the case so as to retract the manual sheet feeding tray into the recess without protruding from a side surface of the case when the tray is closed. The case and the manual sheet feeding tray are engaged by engaging a concave portion of the case and a convex portion of the manual sheet feeding tray.

Abstract: A position detecting sensor for detecting that a sheet having come into an openable both-face conveying path for reversing the surfaces of the sheet having an image formed on one surface thereof and conveying the reversed sheet to an image forming portion has arrived at a predetermined re-feeding position, and the position detecting sensor is designed to be capable of detecting also the presence or absence of the occurrence of jam in the both-face conveying path, the mounting and dismounting of a both-face conveying portion and the opening and closing of the both-face conveying path.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus capable of easily removing a jammed paper including upper and lower bodies pivotally combined to each other, a photosensitive drum detachably combined with the upper body, an arm provided with an LED and pivotally installed in the upper body so as to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the photosensitive drum, a developing device and a paper supply cassette detachably installed in the lower body, lower rolling means including a paper supply roller and a paper convey roller located on the same axis between the developing device and paper supply cassette, upper rolling means and fixing rollers provided on the opposite of the detaching side of the photosensitive drum installed in the upper body.

Abstract: In a sheet conveying unit, two conveying sections turn linked and spaced apart such that sheet jams arising in the course of conveyance through the conveying sections can be easily cleared single-handedly. Wherein the sheet-conveying unit functions to turn over, convey and store sheets in a dual-sided copying section inside a copying machine main body (1), it may include a main frame (30) that is withdrawable frontward from the copying machine main body (1); an intermediate tray (31) storing the reversed sheets; a lower conveyor (32); an upper conveyor (33); and a linkage (34). The upper and lower conveyors (33, 32) have upper and lower conveying guides (50, 45) and upper and lower conveying rollers (51, 46), respectively, and both conveyors are open/closable on the main frame (30) disposed above the intermediate tray (31).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having an image recording portion for recording an image on a sheet, and an image reading portion for reading the image of a sheet to be read, characterized in that the image reading portion is disposed in the lower portion of the image recording portion, and a sheet conveying path on the image reading portion side is disposed in a direction substantially orthogonal to a sheet conveying path on the image recording portion side.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus containing: a paper feed portion; a processing portion; a paper output portion; a paper transport path defined from the paper feed portion to the paper output portion by way of the processing portion, by components arranged opposing both sides or surfaces of a paper sheet to be transported; and a side panel cover, which is integrated with the components opposing one of the paper sheet's surfaces on one side of an apparatus body, being among the components constituting the paper transport path, wherein the side panel cover is adapted to move horizontally with respect to the apparatus body; wherein the paper transport path includes a primary transport path defined from the paper feed portion to the paper output portion by way of the processing portion, by components opposing both sides or surfaces of the paper sheet to be transported, and an auxiliary transport path defined from the paper output portion to the paper feed portion, by components opposing both sides or surfaces of the

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a document-loading device that loads a plurality of sheets of a document thereupon. A document-receiving device is arranged below the document-loading device and receives and stacks sheets of the document one by one, which have been transported from the document-loading device. A sheet-guiding device guides transportation of a sheet of the document from the document-loading device to the document-receiving device. A sheet-transporting device transports a sheet of the document one by one along the sheet-guiding device from the document-loading device to the document-receiving device. An open-and-close cover covers and exposes an upper portion and a side of the sheet-guiding device and the sheet-transporting device.

Abstract: Front and side surfaces of an image forming device are provided with a front cover and a side cover, respectively, which cover an image forming section, and which can be opened and closed. A supporting hinge of the side cover is provided along a lateral edge thereof toward the rear of the main body of the device, and the side cover opens to widely expose a lower portion of the image forming section. Further, by means of an obstructing body provided integrally with the front cover, the front and side covers are given an order of opening and closing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of preventing the return of a power supply switch from being forgotten and eliminating the troubles due to the forgetting of this return and having a sheet processing device attached to the main body thereof. The sheet processing device includes a driving source for actuating the sheet processing device, a power supply for supplying the power to the driving source and a switch for the switching of the power supply to ON/OFF, wherein the switch becomes switchable to ON condition on detaching the outer cover of the sheet processing device and is switched to OFF condition on attaching the outer cover.

Abstract: A casing unitarily housing the photosensitive drum and developing device of a xerographic imaging system such that the thus composed imaging unit is retained in a predetermined operational position removably installed into a printing machine. The casing is configured such that when the imaging unit is removed from the printing machine, the imaging unit is retained in a posture equivalent to the predetermined operational orientation. Toner and developing agents are thus held in a steady state within the imaging unit, which particularly is an imaging unit in a lateral-transfer, vertical sheet-transport xerographic printing machine.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image reading portion provided in an upper portion of an apparatus body on the side of its front surface, an optical signal generating portion provided in rear of the image reading portion, an image forming portion disposed downwardly of the optical signal generating portion, a fixing portion provided in the vicinity of a lower portion of the apparatus body on its front surface side, a sheet discharge portion, disposed between the image forming portion, the optical signal generating portion and the image reading portion, to which to discharge the record sheet onto which a toner image is fixed by the fixing portion, and an opening/closing cover rotated integrally with the image reading portion and the sheet discharge portion. When the opening/closing cover is opened, the image forming portion is exposed and a part of a sheet carry path extending from the fixing portion to the sheet discharge portion is made open.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which includes both a front cover and a side cover which must be opened to properly access an area where a paper jam may occur. The side cover includes an extending portion protecting board which extends into an area covered by the front cover. The protecting board prevents access to internal elements of the image forming apparatus which an operator may attempt to access if a paper jam occurs, without also opening the side cover. Thereby, an operator is required to properly open both the front cover and the side cover to address a paper jam situation.

Abstract: A slide mechanism for mounting a sliding member to a housing is provided. The mechanism includes a body having first and second opposed surfaces. The sliding member is mountable to the body. The mechanism also includes a plurality of journals extending from the body. Each of the plurality of journals has a central axis thereof. The mechanism also includes a plurality of rollers. Each of the plurality of rollers is rotatably fitted to one of the plurality of journals. The plurality of rollers is operably connectable to the housing. At least one of the body and the plurality of journals are molded from a moldable material.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus having such a sheet conveying apparatus. If a sheet is jammed, the sheet is stopped in a sheet convey path at a position where the sheet can easily be removed by optimum treatment procedure. Sensors are disposed in a sheet convey path constituted by a plurality of units of an image forming apparatus portion and a sheet is stopped at an optimum position by a sheet position counter for recognizing the present position of the sheet in the sheet convey path.

Abstract: A compact printer has a sheet feeder positioned at its front wall and electrophotographic components arranged along a sheet moving path for receiving a sheet from the sheet feeder and for exposing, developing, then transferring a toner image onto the sheet. At its rear side, the printer has an image fixing unit and a discharge portion for discharging the sheet to a side output tray or onto the top wall of the printer. The discharge portion is provided with a detachably hinged, sheet turning apparatus when it is desired to discharge sheets onto the top wall, or with a detachably hinged cover with a rear opening to discharge sheets onto a rear side output tray.