Duplex tray for duplex copying machine and the like

Abstract

A duplex tray is provided for an automatic duplex copying machine, or the like, for receiving and stacking thereon one-side-copied and for re-feeding those sheets into the machine in order to perform printing on the other side of each sheet, having, a gate for switching the sheet transportation directions from a sheet path for discharging sheets outside the machine to a sheet path for discharging sheets onto the duplex tray, and vice versa; a tray pressure application member means for moving the tray between (i) a reference position and (ii) a position deviated outwards from the reference position; an inclined roller which is movable upwards and downwards and can line up the sheets discharged onto the tray; whereby, at the time of sheet discharging, the gate is moved to the side of the sheet discharging path of the tray, and the tray pressure application member is moved to a non-pressure application position, and the tray is moved to a position deviated from the reference position and the inclined roller is moved to a descended position. In this duplex tray, by selecting either a sheet discharge mode or a sheet re-feed mode, a single solenoid is energized or deenergized, whereby a single half-turn cam is controlled through a spring clutch, and by that cam, the gate, the tray pressure application member and the inclined roller are displaced through a linkage mechanism to their respective positions for discharging sheets onto the tray or for re-feeding sheets.