Patent ID: 7328894
Filing Date: 2008-02-12
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A sheet finishing apparatus for post-processing sheets of paper after image forming, comprising: a gate for taking in sheets of paper ejected from an image forming apparatus through a taking-in port and switching to either of a first conveying path for post processing or a second conveying path for non-post processing to convey said sheets of paper; a tray attached to an upper part of said sheet finishing apparatus by a link mechanism which can rotate between a first height position for storing said sheets of paper ejected via said second conveying path and a second height position away from said upper part and has an angle of inclination substantially the same at either of said height positions; a sheet guidance member for supporting rollers for clamping and conveying said sheets of paper passing said first conveying path and rotating between a first position where said one roller makes contact with another roller and a second position away from said another roller; a connection member for connecting said link mechanism and said sheet guidance member so as to set said sheet guidance member at said first position when said tray is at said first height position and set said sheet guidance member at said second position when said tray is at said second height position, a processing mechanism for post-processing said sheets of paper conveyed via said first conveying path and an ejection mechanism for ejecting said sheets of paper post-processed by said processing mechanism, wherein said link mechanism has a first fixing member attached at an opposite position of said taking-in port on said upper part of said post processing apparatus body, a second fixing member attached to said tray, and a first and a second link member arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval so as to connect said first and second fixing members and wherein said first and second link members, when said tray is at said first height position, the link members are parallel with each other and substantially horizontal and when said tray is at said second height position, the link members are parallel with each other and substantially vertical.