Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Corporation

Kiyoshi Tokishige

Toyoaki Nanba

Jinichi Nagata

Shigeki Hayashi

Naofumi Okada

Toshiki Ogita

Toshiki Ohgita

Masaki Saka

The subject invention provides a sheet feeding device which can be easily attached to an image forming apparatus. The sheet feeding device includes an adapting part and a lock section. When the sheet feeding device is attached to the image forming apparatus, the adapting part is hooked to a catch section provided in the image forming apparatus. Then, the sheet feeding device is lifted up by the adapting part, which serves as a fulcrum, so as to attach lock section to an attachment board of the image forming apparatus. In this method, it is not necessary to lift up the entire body of the sheet feeding device, and therefore the sheet feeding device can be installed on the image forming apparatus with a little effort. After installation, the sheet feeding device transfers recording sheets to the image forming apparatus via a sheet feeding opening.

Sheet feeding device, image-forming device, image-forming system, method of installing peripheral device, and method of connecting devices

A connector cover of the present invention serves a function as a cover for a connector when a postprocessing device is not fitted to a main unit of an image forming device. Further, when the postprocessing device is fitted to the main unit of the image forming device, the connector cover is secured at the other position while maintaining the function as a cover for the connector, and serves a function as a shock-absorbing member with respect to the actuator which is provided in the postprocessing device. This makes it possible to secure a good appearance of the image forming device and make effective use of resources.

External cover, and image forming device and control system including the same

A sheet post-processing device of the present invention includes a jam-disposal mechanism for moving a moving section which is provided opposite to a staple tray to the outside of the device. That is, in the sheet post-processing device, since a portion of the moving section can be moved to the outside, it is possible to form a space in front of the staple tray. Thus, it is easy to perform the jam-disposal by using the space. Further, since the staple tray is not moved in forming the space, consistency of placed sheets is not lost. Further, since it is not required that a space to perform the jam-disposal is prepared inside the device in advance, it is easy to miniaturize the device. Thus, the sheet post-processing device of the present invention is a compact sheet post-processing device by which the jam-disposal can be performed without losing the consistency of a sheet bundle placed on the staple tray.

Jam disposer for sheet post-processing device

In an image forming system, an image forming device and a post-treatment device are provided so as to keep a distance L therebetween, by a positioning member and a transfer relaying device, and the image forming device is connected with the post-treatment device by the transfer relaying device. With this arrangement, a space surrounded by the image forming device, post-treatment device, positioning member, and transfer relaying device is made. On this account, it is possible to provide an image forming system in which an image forming device is coupled with a peripheral unit, which does not require cumbersome operations to make a space between the image forming device and the peripheral unit, on the occasion of carrying out unjamming treatment between the image forming device and the peripheral unit.

Image forming system having a space for unjamming

Jam disposal for sheet post-processing device

A plurality of bin units are provided with respective gates and, hence, it is possible to sufficiently narrow the clearance between the gates and the bodies of the bin unit. When the gate provided at each bin unit is expanded to lie toward a conveying path, the front edge of the gate becomes put into a dent portion of a sidewall of an image-forming apparatus. For this reason, any clearance or protrusion causing jamming of recording paper is not formed in a branch path extending from the conveying path to a discharged paper tray through the gate and, hence, it is possible to guide recording paper from the conveying path into each bin unit by means of the gate smoothly.

Sheet-like object sorter, and discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus employing the same

A paper feeder includes: a multiple number of paper feed cassettes arranged abreast at approximately the same level in the sheet feed direction. These paper feed cassettes are formed into a unibody structure so that they can be pulled out altogether. The more upstream a paper feed cassette is located with respect to the sheet feed direction, the higher the level of the upper surface of the paper feed cassette is arranged. This arrangement affords a space over the downstream paper feed cassette, in which a feed path for recording paper picked up from a paper feed cassette located on the upstream side can be arranged.

Paper feeder for an image forming apparatus

Part of the space occupied by a conveying device (guides) for conveying sheets and part of the space occupied upon movement of a post-processing device (stapler) for achieving a post-process over the sheets on the post-processing tray (post-processing sheet stacking table) are adapted to share the same space.

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Kyoto, Japan

Kiyoshi Tokishige