Patent ID: 7784786
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming section, provided in an apparatus body, for forming an image on a sheet; a sheet transport path for transporting the sheet to the image forming section; a closing member, openably and closably mounted to the apparatus body, for exposing the sheet transport path in an opened state thereof; a first guide unit and a second guide unit, disposed along the sheet transport path, for guiding the sheet, the first guide unit and the second guide unit being operable to shift between a proximate position where the first guide unit and the second guide unit are close to each other, and an away position where the first guide unit and the second guide unit are away from each other; and a position shifting mechanism for shifting the position of the second guide unit in association with a shifting operation of the first guide unit, wherein the sheet transport path includes a first transport path for transporting the sheet dispensed from a sheet storing section to the image forming section, and a second transport path for transporting the sheet toward the first transport path in a direction different from the first transport path to change a transport direction, the second transport path joining the first transport path, the first guide unit and the second guide unit are provided at a joint portion between the first transport path and the second transport path, the first guide unit constitutes a part of the first transport path and a part of the second transport path, and the second guide unit constitutes a part of the second transport path, the first guide unit is pivotally supported about an axis, and the second guide unit is movable along a guide rail, or pivotally supported about an axis and the position shifting mechanism moves the position of the second guide unit in the direction of moving away from the sheet transport path or pivots the second guide unit in an opposite direction in association with the pivoting movement of the first guide unit in the direction of moving away from the sheet transport path.