Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a first frame having a plate-like shape and made of metal, the first frame being configured to support the image forming unit, a second frame arranged on an opposite side, with respect to the first frame, of the first frame with sandwiching the image forming unit therebetween, the second frame having a plate-like shape and made of resin, the second frame being configured to support the image forming unit in association with the first frame, a third frame bridging between the first frame and the second frame, a sheet supplying unit being secured to the third frame, and a contacting part formed to each of the first frame and the second frame, contact parts formed to the third frame being configured to contact the first and second frames, respectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording sheet storage unit for storing recording sheets substantially in an upright position, an image forming unit which forms an image on a recording sheet conveyed from the recording sheet storage unit, and a recording sheet receiving unit for storing the recording sheet conveyed from the image forming unit substantially in an upright position. In this image forming apparatus, a paper conveyance passage for conveying the recording sheet extends upward from a lower portion of the recording sheet storage unit toward the recording sheet receiving unit. The image forming unit positioned on the paper conveyance passage comprises a fixing device and a developer unit at least including a developer carrier, and the fixing device is arranged above the developer unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a first tray configured to accommodate one or more recording sheets to be supplied to an image forming unit, a body frame configured to position an upper part of the first tray, and an expansion members disposed under the body frame to position a lower part of the first tray. The expansion member may include a transmission mechanism configured to be engagable with a body-side gear provided in the body frame. The transmission mechanism may be configured to transmit a drive force, which is transmitted from a drive source provided in the body frame via the body-side gear, to an add-on mechanism, when the transmission mechanism is engaged with the body-side gear.

Abstract: A sheet conveyer including a body, a conveyer to convey the sheet into a conveyer path formed in the body, a conveyer-supporting frame to support the conveyer, a first placement unit including a lifting plate movable between a separated position and an approximate position, and a lateral guide arranged on the lifting plate to be movable integrally with the lifting plate and slidably along a widthwise direction and configured to restrict a widthwise position of the sheet placed on the lifting plate and, is provided. The conveyer contacts the sheet placed on the first placement unit, when the lifting plate is in the approximate position, and conveys the contacting sheet into the conveyer path. The conveyer-supporting frame is formed to have an interference-avoidable dented section, in which the side guide on the lifting plate placed in the approximate position enters partly to avoid interference with the conveyer-supporting frame.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a cassette having a stacking region for stacking recording materials mounted to main assembly of the recording apparatus; a feeder for feeding the recording material stacked to the cassette; a sheet discharge portion for sheet discharging the recording material having been subjected to a recording operation; a tray movable between a first position where the recording material is incapable of being discharged from the sheet discharge portion and a second position where the recording material is capable of being discharged from a main assembly of the recording apparatus; a holding portion, disposed on the tray, for holding the recording material discharged when the tray is at the second position; an auxiliary portion disposed on the tray and capable of stacking the recording material with the stacking region when the tray is at the second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording sheet storage unit for storing recording sheets substantially in an upright position, an image forming unit which forms an image on a recording sheet conveyed from the recording sheet storage unit, and a recording sheet receiving unit for storing the recording sheet conveyed from the image forming unit substantially in an upright position. In this image forming apparatus, a paper conveyance passage for conveying the recording sheet extends upward from a lower portion of the recording sheet storage unit toward the recording sheet receiving unit. The image forming unit positioned on the paper conveyance passage comprises a fixing device and a developer unit at least including a developer carrier, and the fixing device is arranged above the developer unit.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a support member that supports a conveyed medium; a rotation member that is rotated by a drive unit, the rotation member having a contact surface for contacting the conveyed medium supported by the support member to cause the conveyed medium to move on a rotation of the rotation member; a position-changing unit that changes a position of the support member in accordance with the rotation of the rotation member from a first position where the conveyed medium does not contact the contact surface to a second position where the conveyed medium contacts the contact surface; and a buffer mechanism that allows movement of the position-changing unit or the support member in a direction opposite to a direction of the position change of the support member from the first position to the second position caused by the position-changing unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting an elevator plate of a media tray in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a request to print a print job using stacked media from one of one or more media trays, initiating lifting of the leading edge of the elevator plate so that the stacked media may be received by the one or more feeder rollers, initiating printing of the requested print job from the one of one or more media trays, determining if the amount of stacked media in the one of the one or more media trays is less than a predetermined amount, wherein if it is determined that the amount of stacked media in the one of the one or more media trays is less than the predetermined amount, initiating lifting of both of the leading and trailing edge of the elevator plate so that the stacked media may be received by the one or more feeder rollers.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises: an acquisition unit configured to analyze an input print job and acquires information of a sheet to be used in printing; and a printing unit configured to print the input print job by performing paper feed from an inserter controlled by another connected printing apparatus, if the information acquired by the acquisition unit indicates that a sheet to be used in printing is stored in a manual insertion paper feed unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a sheet feeding tray to store sheets for image forming; a sheet feeding section to feed the sheets form the sheet feeding tray so as to supply the sheets for the image forming; and a control section to individually administer remaining sheets stored in the sheet feeding tray in advance and replenishment sheets replenished when the sheet feeding tray is replenished with the sheets in a state where the sheets stored in the sheet feeding tray in advance is remaining. Whereby, a JOB can be continued or aborted appropriately with reference to information and remaining amounts of remaining sheets and replenishment sheets in one sheet feeding tray, since the information and the remaining amounts are administered individually.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a first tray configured to accommodate one or more recording sheets to be supplied to an image forming unit, a pair of body frames disposed to sandwich therebetween an upper part of the first tray, a pair of expansion members disposed under the pair of body frames to sandwich therebetween a lower part of the first tray, a plurality of first connectors configured to connect the pair of body frames with the pair of expansion members, an under bar bridged between the pair of expansion members, and a second connector configured to connect one of the expansion members with the under bar. The expansion member connected with the second connector may be configured such that a phantom line, which extends through the expansion member in a direction parallel to the attaching-detaching direction of the first tray, is in line with the second connector.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of improving operability while suppressing an increase in apparatus size. In a front cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a front cover is inserted into a bundle of sheets on which images have been formed, and in a rear cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a rear cover is inserted into the bundle of sheets. Insertion sheets for the front cover and insertion sheets for the rear cover are set with the same orientation in a manual feed tray 105. An insertion sheet for the front cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to a finisher 500 in one of a face-down state and a face-up state. An insertion sheet for the rear cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to the finisher 500 in the other of the face-down state and the face-up state. The insertion sheets for the front cover and for the rear cover conveyed from the manual feed tray 105 and the sheets on which images have been formed are stacked on the finisher 500.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which includes a main body, an image forming unit to form an image on a printing medium, a plate to open and close a first side of the main body; a pickup unit which includes a driven gear to rotate in forward and backward directions, a pickup roller to receive a driving force from the driven gear to pick up the printing medium disposed on the plate, and a support frame to rotatably support the pickup roller and to interlock with the forward and backward rotations of the driven gear to move toward and away from the plate, a driving source to drive the image forming unit and the driven gear, and a blocking gear disposed between the driven gear and the driving source, to prevent the support frame, spaced apart from the plate, from moving toward the plate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a first mode for operation with predetermined power consumption and a second mode for operation with less power consumption than the power consumption in the first mode includes: a paper cassette capable of being attached to a predetermined section of the image forming apparatus, the paper cassette storing paper therein; a detection part detecting the attachment and detachment of the paper cassette to and from the predetermined section; and a shift part, upon the detection by the detection part that the paper cassette has been attached to the predetermined section during the operation in the second mode, shifting the image forming apparatus from the second mode to the first mode.

Abstract: An image forming device includes: an image forming unit; a casing; a tray; a cover; and a handle portion. The image forming unit is configured to form an image on a sheet. The casing is formed with an opening and configured to accommodate the image forming unit therein. The tray is configured to accommodate in a stacked state a plurality of sheets to be fed toward the image forming unit. The tray is configured to be inserted into the casing through the opening to be attached to the casing and removed from the casing through the opening to be detached from the casing. The cover is configured to be connected to the tray and moved relative to the tray. The cover is configured to cover at least a part of the opening when the tray is attached to the casing. The handle portion is provided at the tray.

Abstract: A medium supply device includes a placing portion for placing a medium; a medium supply unit for picking up at least one medium urged against the medium supply unit from the placing portion; a cover member disposed to be movable; and a regulating member attached to the cover member for separating the placing portion from the medium supply unit when the cover member moves.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a particular tray, a sheet feeder configured to feed a sheet from the particular tray to a first conveying path in a feed direction, a recording unit positioned along the first conveying path, and a driving roller positioned along a second conveying path and configured to convey the sheet, after the sheet passes the recording unit, along the second conveying path and back to the first conveying path. The particular tray includes a side guide configured to position the sheets in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the feeding direction. The side guide includes a guide member that defines at least a portion of the second conveying path and is configured to guide the sheet along the second conveying path, and a driven roller rotatably supported on the guide member and configured to pinch the sheet against the driving roller as the sheet is conveyed along the second conveying path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a roller, a driving shaft, a support shaft, a bearing portion, a contact member and a pivot shaft. The driving shaft is removably connected to one end of the roller and the support shaft is disposed at the other end of the roller in an axial direction. The pivot shaft is configured to pivotably support the contact member, and includes a rotating shaft disposed coaxially with an axis line of the roller and an eccentric portion extending toward the roller at a position on the other end side of the roller and eccentric from an axis line of the rotating shaft. The contact member is disposed in the eccentric portion. Distance from the axis line of the rotating shaft to the eccentric portion in a radial direction is larger than dimension of the support shaft in a radial direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device including: a sheet feeding tray; a first air blowing section which blows air against a lateral side of the sheet bundle; a second air blowing section which blows air against a leading edge of the sheet bundle; a sheet adsorption conveyance section which conveys sheets one by one; a sheet type information transmission section; a shielding member arranged to open or shield the ventilating path; a shielding state switching section which switches to any one state of opening, partial shielding and overall shielding, wherein in the partial shielding state, less amount of air is allowed to pass than the opening state; a sheet adsorption detecting section; and a control section which controls to switch among the state of opening, partial shielding and overall shielding of the ventilating path, in accordance with the information from the sheet type and the sheet adsorption detection.

Abstract: An assist mechanism aids movement of a retractable unit reciprocally moving between an open and a closed position and includes a pressing device, a stopper mechanism, an engagement member, a catch portion, and a release member. The pressing device presses the retractable unit toward the open position in which the unit is extended. The stopper mechanism controls and releases retraction of the retractable unit to the closed position in which the unit is retracted, and includes a stopper and a blocking member. The engagement member is provided in the retractable unit. The catch portion engages the engagement member. The release member releases a force pulling the retractable unit when the retractable unit is moved to the closed position.

Abstract: A driving device to be used in an image forming apparatus includes an input gear; a partly non-toothed gear having a toothed portion engageable with the input gear and having a non-toothed portion; a holding member capable of placing the partly non-toothed gear in a holding state in which the non-toothed portion opposes the input gear and the partly non-toothed gear is not engaged with the input gear and capable of placing the partly non-toothed gear in a released state in which the holding state is released; a cylindrical member rotatable by receiving a rotational force; and an entering portion which is rotatable together with the partly non-toothed gear and which is capable of entering an inside of the cylindrical member and capable of receiving the rotational force from the cylindrical member by a frictional force between the entering portion and the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet feed cassette, a bottom plate and an end wall mechanism. When the number of recording media sheets decreases, the bottom plate hinged at a trailing edge thereof rises about the hinged end to keep the top sheet of the recording media sheets in contact with a sheet feed roller. The end wall mechanism includes a first urging member, a first pressing member, a support member, and a second pressing member, and aligns and presses the trailing edge of the recording medium. The first pressing member urged by the first urging member and supported by the support member presses the trailing edge of the recording medium. The second pressing member urged by the second urging member moves down due to the weight of the recording medium on the second pressing member and moves up when the number of the recording media sheets decreases.

Abstract: A printing system, comprises a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network and including sheet trays and a detecting section provided to each sheet tray and to detect a capacity of empty space of each sheet tray; and a sheet managing section to obtain a capacity of empty space of each sheet tray of each image forming apparatus and to compare the capacity of empty space of each sheet tray with a capacity of one bundle of sheets as a unit of supply. In the case that the capacity of empty space of a sheet tray among the plural sheet trays of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is equal to or larger than the capacity of one plural bundle of sheets, the sheet managing section notifies that sheet supply can be conducted by one bundle of sheets as a unit of supply to the sheet tray.

Abstract: A medium holding apparatus detachably is attached to a medium feeding section of an image forming apparatus. A supporting section supports the medium thereon. A side guide is mounted to the supporting section. The side guide extends in a direction parallel to a first direction in which the medium is advanced to the medium feeding section, and is movable in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The side guide abuts the side edge of the medium to guide the medium toward the medium feeding section. A guide unit is mounted to the supporting section, and holds the medium in a gently curved position. When the medium is fed to the image forming apparatus, the guide unit guides the medium to the supporting section.

Abstract: A media level indicator and a printer having some are disclosed. The printer has the media level indicator, a housing and a media container slidably contained in the housing. The media level indicator includes a media detecting assembly and a level indicating assembly, wherein the media detecting assembly includes a shaft for rotatably engaged with the housing, a detecting arm fixed to the shaft and abutting the top of the paper stack, and a driving arm. The driving arm is articulated with a lever of the level indicating assembly. When the paper amount changes, the detecting arm is moved and drives the media detecting assembly to rotate, which provides motion in an indicating end of the level indicating assembly, which extends outwardly from the media container. Therefore, a change in the paper amount is indicated.

Abstract: A media sheet tray includes a first media size sensor, a second media size sensor, a first circuit connected to the first media size sensor, a second circuit connected to the second media size sensor, and a switch within the second circuit. The switch can be in an open position disconnecting a continuity of the second circuit, or in a closed position maintaining the continuity of the second circuit. Media being within the media sheet tray closes the switch. Further, a combination of the first circuit connecting to the first media size sensor and the second circuit being discontinuous indicates that paper is absent from the media sheet tray.

Abstract: Provided is a printing apparatus which includes a tray for setting a printing medium thereon, the printing apparatus including: a switch section which is used to perform a power-on operation or a power-off operation; a tray driving section which performs a driving operation of extracting the tray; a detection section which detects whether the printing medium exists on the tray; a control section which moves the tray to a discharge position by controlling the tray driving section in order to prompt an operation of extracting the printing medium from the tray before an initialization process ends when the printing medium is detected upon performing a power-on process; and a storage section which stores information that the control section moves the tray to the discharge position upon performing the power-on process.

Abstract: A conveying device conveys a sheet of non-blank recording medium recorded with an image formed in an image forming unit, and includes a container that is detachable and contains a sheet of blank recording medium, a feeding unit that feeds the blank recording medium from the container, and a recirculating path that leads the non-blank recording medium to the feeding unit. The recirculating path is disposed lateral to the image forming unit. A part of the recirculating path is integrated into the container and forms a reversing path that leads to the feeding unit. At least one of surfaces of the reversing path can be exposed.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a plurality of medium feed units configured to feed a recording medium on respective carrying routes, an image forming unit configured to form an image on the recording medium fed from one of the plurality of medium feed units, a first roller provided on a common route of the carrying routes, the first roller being configured to rotate at a first circumferential velocity and carry, to the image forming unit, the recording medium fed from one of the plurality of medium feed units, and a control unit configured to control the first circumferential velocity of the first roller depending on from which of the plurality of medium feed units the recording medium is fed.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a cassette having a stacking region for stacking recording materials mounted to main assembly of the recording apparatus; a feeder for feeding the recording material stacked to the cassette; a sheet discharge portion for sheet discharging the recording material having been subjected to a recording operation; a tray movable between a first position where the recording material is incapable of being discharged from the sheet discharge portion and a second position where the recording material is capable of being discharged from a main assembly of the recording apparatus; a holding portion, disposed on the tray, for holding the recording material discharged when the tray is at the second position; an auxiliary portion disposed on the tray and capable of stacking the recording material with the stacking region when the tray is at the second position.

Abstract: A recording material mounting face portion is provided on which recording materials are stacked for being fed. A body slide portion is attached to the recording material mounting face portion to be slidable in a widthwise or a feeding direction of the recording material. A movable edge guide includes a body operating portion having a guide face that contacts a side of the recording material while being fed and a fixing means that fixes a position of the movable edge guide in a slide direction of the movable edge guide. The fixing means includes notch columns on a surface of the recording material mounting face portion along the slide direction of the movable edge guide and engaging protrusions on the movable edge guide and that engage notches of the notch columns to realize the fixed state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a sheet tray to store sheets to form an image thereon; a detecting section to detect a capacity of empty space of each of the sheet tray; and a sheet managing section to compare the capacity of empty space of the sheet tray with a capacity of sheets of one or plural bundles of sheets as a unit of supply to be stored in the sheet tray, wherein in the case that the capacity of empty space of the sheet tray is equal to or larger than the capacity of sheets of one or plural bundles of sheets, the sheet managing section notifies that it is possible to supply sheets by the one or plural bundle of sheets as a unit of supply to the sheet tray.

Abstract: An adjustable paper cassette is provided that may be expanded and contracted by sliding movable frames relative to a base frame and then coupling fixing protrusions to desired fixing holes. Therefore, paper sheets having various sizes may be loaded in the paper cassette, and the size of an image forming apparatus with the paper cassette and the packing size of the image forming apparatus may be reduced without limitation on the size of the paper cassette.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is swung with a stopper which is swingable simultaneously with a switching member, and which allows rotation of an output gear by being disengaged from the output gear with a swinging movement of the switching member to an ON side, and which stops the rotation of the output gear by being engaged with the output gear with a swinging movement of the switching member to an OFF side. When the switching member is swung to the OFF side, the stopper is engaged with the output gear at the same time as the switching member is disengaged from the triggering member or before the switching member is disengaged from the triggering member. Accordingly, a descent of a pressing plate at the time of stopping the pressing plate is prevented without using a one-way clutch.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes: a casing; an image-forming section including a plurality of image-forming units; a paper supply unit; and a discharge unit. The plurality of image-forming units are arranged substantially vertically within the casing when the casing is disposed in an orientation in which it is intended to be used, each image-forming unit forming an image in a corresponding color. The paper supply unit is disposed above the image-forming units when the casing is disposed in the orientation in which it is intended to be used. The paper supply unit is configured to accommodate a recording medium substantially in a vertical orientation and to supply the recording medium to the image-forming section. The discharge unit is disposed above the image-forming units when the casing is disposed in the orientation in which it is intended to be used. The discharge unit is configured to receive the recording medium discharged from the image-forming section substantially in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a main body and optional trays and a communication method between the main body and the optional trays, the apparatus including: the main body having a main controller; at least one optional tray detachably set up in the main body and having a tray controller for communicating with the main controller to transmit and receive data; and communication lines forming a communication channel connecting the main controller and the tray controllers, for data exchange, and for informing the main controller that the data is provided from tray controllers to the main controller. Since the main body and the optional trays communicate through a single UART communication channel, the number of communication channels is decreased thereby saving time and simplifying protocol as well as reducing costs and simplify circuits. Also, it is possible to assign IDs rapidly and simply, prevent generation of errors in ID assignment, and make use of the image forming apparatus convenient.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body; an image forming unit including a plurality of photosensitive drums on which electrostatic latent images are formed, respectively; a sheet storing unit detachably attached to the main body and configured to store a recording sheet, and the sheet storing unit being disposed in a first space defined in the main body when the sheet storing unit is attached to the main body; and a belt unit disposed between the plurality of photosensitive drums and the sheet storing unit and including a belt opposing the plurality of photosensitive drums. The belt unit is detachable from the main body through the first space in a state in which at least a part of the sheet storing unit is positioned outside the main body.

Abstract: An adjustable paper cassette is provided that may be expanded and contracted by sliding movable frames relative to a base frame and then coupling fixing protrusions to desired fixing holes. Therefore, paper sheets having various sizes may be loaded in the paper cassette, and the size of an image forming apparatus with the paper cassette and the packing size of the image forming apparatus may be reduced without limitation on the size of the paper cassette.

Abstract: A sheet supply device that is addable to a medium processing device includes a strage part storing a medium and a controller. The controller performs a first operation in which the medium is supplied from the storage part of the sheet supply device, and a second operation in which another medium supplied from an upstream side of a medium path is carried to a downstream side. When the second operation is performed, the controller operates the carrying part by transmitting a drive force to the carrying part via the transmission mechanism without operating the carrying transmission member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a paper feeding cassette that selectively stores at least first and second kinds of paper sheets having different sizes with respect to a paper feeding direction. Heights of the paper sheets storable in the paper feeding cassette are set in such a manner that the height of the second paper sheets is lower than the height of the first paper sheets. The apparatus also has a paper feeding tray and a structural member that has a mechanism for feeding third paper sheets loaded on the paper feeding tray. The structural member is disposed in a space of the cassette defined by a difference in the heights.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, in which a trailing edge regulation portion is moved to a position according to a sheet contained in a cassette body to regulate a position of the sheet. A positioning lever is swingably provided to the trailing edge regulation portion to be engaged with a rack tooth row provided on the cassette body. The trailing edge regulation portion is held by the positioning lever at a regulation position according to the sheet. When a force in a sliding direction is applied to the trailing edge regulation portion, the trailing edge regulation portion is moved to be brought into pressure contact with the positioning lever, thereby regulating movement in an engagement releasing direction of the positioning lever engaged with the rack tooth row.

Abstract: A printing medium supplying unit comprises a printing medium loading plate configured to move up and down based on an amount of printing medium loaded on the printing medium loading plate and an elevation control unit configured to adjust an elevation height of the printing medium loading plate such that a standby position of the printing medium loading plate can vary based on an amount of the printing medium loaded on the printing medium loading plate, wherein the standby position of the printing medium loading plate is a position in which the printing medium loading plate does not supply the printing medium to an image forming unit.

Abstract: A printed material holding device includes a printed material tray for receiving printed material and a transmission mechanism. A first claw is disposed on the printed material tray. The transmission mechanism includes a mounting plate attached to a main body of a printer. A clipping hole is defined in the mounting plate. The first claw is configured to move between a first configuration, where the first claw is engaged in the clipping hole, so that printed material tray is secured to the mounting plate, and a second configuration, where the first claw is disengaged from the clipping hole, so that the printed material tray is withdrawn from the mounting plate.

Abstract: A paper supply apparatus for conveying paper to an image forming apparatus has a paper accommodating unit to accommodate paper and to be drawn out from an accommodating space in a main body of the image forming apparatus. The apparatus also has a handle to rotate about an axis extending in the width direction of the paper in the paper accommodating unit. The handle includes a first edge that moves toward the paper accommodating unit upon rotation of the handle and a second edge that opposes the first edge. A link on the first edge of the handle releases engagement with the main body when the first edge moves toward the paper accommodating unit. A flapper is disposed on the second edge of the handle and forms a point where a force acts to move the first edge toward the paper accommodating unit.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet support, a restricting portion, a displacement section, and a link section. The restricting portion slides along a line passing through restricting points. The restricting portion restricts the position of the sheet when the restricting portion is positioned at each of the restricting points. The link section interlinks the restricting portion and the displacement section. The position of the displacement section is detected. The link section, which interlinks the restricting section and the displacement section, is configured to change a ratio of a distance that the displacement section travels as the restricting section travels a fixed distance, wherein the ratio of the distance between those restricting points which define a relatively large spacing therebetween becomes longer than the ratio of the distance between those restricting points which define a relatively small spacing therebetween.

Abstract: A recording medium conveying device including a body portion capable of being mounted to and removed from a body of an apparatus, the body portion being provided with a conveying roller; a knob member disposed at a side at which the body portion is removed, the knob member allowing manual rotation of the conveying roller; and a handle member for mounting the body portion to and removing the body portion from the body of the apparatus. The handle member is rotatably supported so as to move between a first position and a second position, The knob member is connected to a rotating shaft of the conveying roller so as to move along a direction in which the body portion is removed. The handle member moves between the first position and the second position in response to an accommodation operation and a draw-out operation of the knob member.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sheet holding device including a guiding member that defines a sheet position in a sheet width direction which is perpendicular to a sheet movement direction, a rack gear that assists a movement in the sheet width direction of the guiding member, a pinion gear that assists the movement in the sheet width direction of the guiding member in cooperation with the rack gear, and a holder that supports the rack gear and the pinion gear movable in the sheet width direction in a state of maintaining a positional relation between the rack gear and the pinion gear, and provides an effect on a load applied to the guiding member from a direction which is perpendicular to each of the sheet movement direction and the sheet width direction.

Abstract: An optional tray fastening device of an image forming apparatus, for providing a fastening connection between an optional receiving tray moving in and out with respect to a main body of the image forming apparatus and the main body when mounting the optional tray to a lower part of the main body, includes a fastening depression formed at a lower part of the main body; a connection boss that protrudes from an upper part of the optional tray to be inserted in the fastening depression; and a key member that restrains escape of the connection boss from the fastening depression.

Abstract: A conveying device conveys a sheet of non-blank recording medium recorded with an image formed in an image forming unit, and includes a container that is detachable and contains a sheet of blank recording medium, a feeding unit that feeds the blank recording medium from the container, and a recirculating path that leads the non-blank recording medium to the feeding unit. The recirculating path is disposed lateral to the image forming unit. A part of the recirculating path is integrated into the container and forms a reversing path that leads to the feeding unit. At least one of surfaces of the reversing path can be exposed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a sheet feeding portion which feeds a topmost sheet of sheets stacked on a sheet stacking portion and an image forming portion which forms an image to the sheet fed by the sheet feeding portion. The image forming apparatus also has a moisture-proof member set to a covering position so as to contact with and cover a topmost sheet of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion, a moisture-proof member detection portion which determines whether the moisture-proof member is available at the covering position, and a notification portion which notifies the presence or absence of the moisture-proof member at the covering position based on a detection result from the moisture-proof member detection portion.