Patent ID: 8249494
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus body; a first medium stacking unit for stacking medium; a second medium stacking unit capable of being opened and closed with respect to the apparatus body for stacking the medium; a guiding member arranged swingably on a non-moving, fixed portion of the apparatus body, the guiding member including a first end at the non-moving, fixed portion of the apparatus body and an opposing free, non-attached second end, an attaching portion proximate the first end having a rotation center serving as a swinging center when attached to the apparatus body; a first discharging member for conveying the medium to the first medium stacking unit; a second discharging member for conveying the medium to the first medium stacking unit via the first discharging member and discharging the medium to the second medium stacking unit; and a medium conveyance route formed between the first discharging member and the second discharging member, wherein the guiding member is spaced apart from the first and second discharging members such that when the second medium stacking unit is closed, the medium is guided to the first medium stacking unit by the guiding member in combination with a surface of the second medium stacking unit, and when the second medium stacking unit is open, the medium that is normally curled is guided to the second medium stacking unit by the guiding member and the medium that is other than normally curled is discharged to the second medium stacking unit without contacting the guiding member, wherein the second medium stacking unit includes a first stacking portion and a second stacking portion, the first stacking portion being attached to the second stacking portion in a foldable manner, the second stacking portion being attached to the apparatus body in a foldable manner as the first stacking portion is in a folded state, wherein a rib assisting in conveying the medium to the first medium stacking unit is formed on a surface opposite to a medium stacking surface of the first stacking portion, wherein the guiding member is held in a non-swingable state as sandwiched between the second medium stacking unit and the apparatus body when the second medium stacking unit is in a closed state, and the guiding member is held in a swingable state by the apparatus body when the second medium stacking unit is in an open state, and wherein at least the free, non-attached second end of the guiding member passes over the medium conveyance route when the second medium stacking unit is open, wherein, when the free, non-attached second end of the guiding member passes over the medium conveyance route when the second medium stacking unit is open, the first end of the guiding member is downstream of the free, non-attached second end of the guiding member along the medium conveyance route.