Patent ID: 7540492
Filing Date: 2009-06-02
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming portion; a conveying path configured to convey a sheet to the image forming portion; a sheet containing portion detachably attached to an image forming apparatus body and configured to contain the sheet; and a detecting device configured to detect a state of the sheet contained in the sheet containing portion, the detecting device provided between the conveying path and the sheet containing portion, the detecting device including: an arm portion which is rotatable and brought into contact with the contained sheet in the sheet containing portion; a sensor configured to output a signal according to a position of the arm portion; a stopper portion rotatable in association with the rotation of the arm portion; and an elastic member configured to elastically connect the arm portion and the stopper portion, wherein the stopper portion is rotated with the arm portion while the arm portion is in contact with the contained sheet, the stopper portion determines a position of the arm portion while the arm portion is not in contact with the contained sheet, and the arm portion can be retreated from the position determined by the stopper portion to an outside position against an elastic force of the elastic member.