Stapling apparatus

It is an object of the invention to bind recording papers at a desired position, and produce a stapled sheaf of recording papers efficiently. The recording paper fed in the feeding direction by conveying rollers is held by a support plate so that a downstream end in the conveying direction thereof abuts against a predetermined gate projecting from a holding face of a support plate by a paddler. Mutually opposite ends parallel to the conveying direction are aligned by joggers. When a predetermined number of recording papers are held in stuck, upper and lower stapling units separately provided with the support plate between them are put in action, and a staple is driven from a surface of the recording paper. A tip portion of the staple projecting from the other surface of the recording paper is bent by a clinching member of the lower stapling unit. A stapled sheaf of recording papers is discharged in the discharging direction parallel to the feeding direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a stapling apparatus attached to, for 
example, a copying machine and such electronic devices as a printer for 
binding plural recording papers on which characters and images are 
recorded as a result of a predetermined process such as a copying process 
by the apparatus to which the stapling apparatus is attached. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Conventional stapling apparatuses with upper and lower units integrated 
with each other are of so-called spectacles clinch and flat clinch types. 
Those of the spectacles clinch type are constructed in a manner similar to 
so-called staplers, and it is a problem that a stapled sheaf of recording 
papers cannot be smoothly handled, because a tip portion of a staple 
driven through the recording papers may project beyond the surface from 
which the staple was driven, when a relatively small number of recording 
papers are stapled, and the projecting parts of the staple may caught by 
each other. It is another problem that a staple is bulky in a bending 
portion thereof, in the case of saddle stitching, and reformation of 
folding the recording papers in a central part comes to be difficult in 
bookbinding. 
On the other hand, those of the flat clinch type allows a tip portion of a 
staple driven through recording papers to be bent in such manner that the 
tip portion never projects beyond the surface of the uppermost recording 
paper against which a staple was driven (hereinafter described as drive 
surface), and a stapled sheaf of recording papers can be smoothly handled. 
For such reason, the flat clinch type is more widely applied in practice 
than the spectacles clinch type. 
FIG. 51 is a side view showing a construction of a conventional stapling 
apparatus 301 of the flat clinch type. FIG. 52 is a plan view taken in a 
direction I of FIG. 51, and FIG. 53 is a front view taken in a direction 
II of FIG. 51. The stapling apparatus 301 is constructed by integrating an 
upper stapling unit 302 with a lower stapling unit 303. The upper stapling 
unit 302 comprises an upper main stapling member 304, a driving member 305 
having an anvil member 306 and a staple containing member 307. The lower 
stapling unit 303 comprises a lower main stapling member 308 having a 
clinching member 309. 
A staple is driven from one surface of a sheaf of recording papers to be 
bound by placing the sheaf of recording papers between the upper and lower 
stapling units 302 and 303, lowering the anvil member 306 so that the 
staple contained in the staple containing member 307 is bent into a 
U-shape, and forced out of the containing member. A tip portion of the 
staple projecting outside from the other surface of the sheaf of recording 
papers is bent as they abut against a clinching groove 310 in the 
clinching member 309. A stapled sheaf of recording papers is produced by 
binding the recording papers with the staple in such manner. 
The upper and lower stapling units 302, 303 are driven by a driving motor 
315 located in the lower main stapling member 308. In order to control 
operations of the anvil member 306 and clinching member 309, the upper and 
lower stapling units 302, 303 are integrally joined with each other by a 
support shaft 314 of a gear 311, so that they are pivoted about the 
support shaft 314. An output from the driving motor 315 is transmitted 
through plural gears 312, 316 to the gear 311. An encoder 313 reads a 
location of the lower stapling unit 303. 
Such stapling apparatus with upper and lower stapling units integrated with 
each other is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent 
Publications JPA 4-148993 and JPA 4-37592. The former shows a stapling 
apparatus allowing selection of a binding position in the direction 
orthogonal to a recording paper feed direction, and the latter provides a 
stapling apparatus allowing change of a position of binding recording 
papers by moving stapling units. 
FIG. 54 is a side view showing a construction of a finishing apparatus 351 
having a stapling apparatus similar to that described above with upper and 
lower units integrated with each other. The finishing apparatus 351 is 
used by attaching it to a copying machine 352. A recording paper 
discharged by discharge rollers 353, 354 of the copying machine 352 is 
conveyed in a direction 360 through a conveying path 359 by conveying 
rollers 355, 356; 357, 358 of the finishing apparatus 351. The recording 
paper is conveyed to an area below a paper Inlet, where a stapling 
apparatus 361 similar to that described above with the upper and lower 
units integrated with each other is placed, and bound by the stapling 
apparatus 361 to form a sheaf of recording papers. The sheaf of recording 
papers is pushed out by a pusher 362 provided in a downstream side in the 
recording paper conveying direction. Then, the sheaf of recording papers 
turned to a different direction in such manner is conveyed in a direction 
368 through a conveying path 367 by conveying rollers 363, 364; 365, 366. 
The sheaf of recording papers is thereafter discharged to a paper tray 369 
through a sheaf outlet positioned generally in a same level as that of the 
paper inlet. 
FIG. 55 is a side view showing a construction of another finishing 
apparatus 370 having a stapling apparatus with upper and lower units 
integrated with each other. A recording paper discharged by discharge 
rollers 353, 354 of a copying machine 352 is generally horizontally 
conveyed by conveying rollers 371, 372 and a paddler 376 of the finishing 
apparatus 370. The recording paper is conveyed to an area where a stapling 
apparatus 374 with upper and lower units integrated with each other is 
placed, and bound by the stapling apparatus 374 to form a sheaf of 
recording papers. The sheaf of recording papers is pushed out by a pusher 
375 located in a downstream side in the recording paper conveying 
direction. Then, the sheaf of recording papers turned to a different 
direction in such manner is conveyed in a direction 382 through a 
conveying path 381 by conveying rollers 377, 378; 379, 380. The sheaf of 
recording papers is thereafter discharged to a paper tray 383 through a 
sheaf outlet provided below a paper inlet. 
FIG. 56 is a side view showing a construction of the stapling apparatus 321 
of other prior art. The stapling apparatus 321 comprises an upper stapling 
unit 322 and a lower stapling unit 323 separated therefrom. The upper 
stapling unit 322 comprises an upper main stapling member 324, a driving 
member 325 and a staple containing member 327. 
An output from a driving motor 328 is transmitted through plural gears 329 
to 331, 338 to an attachment element 326 attached to the gear 331. The 
attachment element 326 is fixed through a guide plate 336 to an anvil 
member in the driving member 325 by means of a pin 335. When the driving 
motor 328 is operated, and the gear 331 is rotated, the attachment element 
326 vertically moves along a guide groove 337 in the guide plate 336. As 
the attachment element 326 is lowered, a staple contained in the staple 
containing member 327 is bent into a U-shape, and forced out of the 
containing member. The lower stapling unit 323 comprises a lower main 
stapling member 332 having a clinching member 333 with a clinching groove 
334 formed therein. 
A staple is driven through recording papers to be bound together by placing 
the recording papers between the upper and lower stapling units 322, 323, 
and forcing the staple out as described above. A tip portion of the staple 
projecting from the recording papers is bent as the tip portion of the 
staple abuts against the clinching groove 334 in the clinching member 333. 
The recording papers are stapled in such manner to form a sheaf of 
recording papers. 
Such stapling apparatus with upper and lower stapling units separated from 
each other is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model 
Publications JPU 6-53075 and JPU 6-63345. 
In the finishing apparatuses 351, 370 of FIGS. 54 and 55 provided with a 
stapling apparatus similar to the stapling apparatus 301 as shown in FIGS. 
51 to 53 with upper and lower units integrated with each other, mutually 
opposite directions are selected for feeding recording papers between the 
upper and lower stapling units 302, 303 and removing a bound sheaf of the 
recording papers. The discharging direction is selected so as to be 
orthogonal to the feeding direction. As a consequence, the recording paper 
conveying direction must be changed, and a conveying mechanism is, 
therefore, complex. In addition, recording papers to be stapled next can 
be fed only after the stapled sheaf of recording papers is completely 
removed, and an efficiency of producing sheaves of recording papers is 
low. 
The upper and lower stapling units 302, 303 are pivoted about the pivot 
shaft 314, and accordingly when the number of recording papers placed 
between the upper and lower stapling units 302, 303 is increased, a staple 
is not driven orthogonally to a surface of the sheaf of recording papers 
to be bound, and a tip portion of the staple projecting from the other 
surface thereof cannot be bent, resulting in that the recording papers are 
not bound, or the stapled sheaf of recording papers is poor in appearance. 
In the case of JPA 4-37592 described above, it is a problem that plural 
sheaves of recording papers are stapled in positions different from each 
other, and are poor in appearance, although tangling between staples of 
the sheaves is avoided, and the sheaves of recording papers can be 
smoothly conveyed, because they are stapled in different positions. 
Such problems can be solved by using a stapling apparatus of separate type 
as shown in FIG. 56. In other words, since upper and lower stapling units 
are separated from each other, sheaves of recording papers can be 
discharged in the direction identical to the feeding direction thereof. 
Thus, it is not required to change the recording paper conveying 
direction, and a conveying mechanism can be simplified. Also, recording 
papers to be stapled next can be fed immediately after discharge of a 
stapled sheaf of recording papers is started, and the efficiency of 
producing stapled sheaves of recording papers Is increased. The recording 
papers are stapled securely in good appearance, because a staple is always 
driven orthogonally against one surface of the sheaf of recording papers 
to be stapled, and a tip portion of the staple projecting from the other 
surface of the sheaf of recording papers is bent without fail, even when 
the number of recording papers is increased. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to provide a stapling apparatus enabling 
simplification of a recording paper conveying mechanism, assuring a high 
efficiency of producing stapled sheaves of recording papers, and allowing 
a sheaf to be easily stapled at an arbitrary position of a surface of the 
sheaf of recording papers to be stapled. 
The invention provides a stapling apparatus for producing a stapled sheaf 
of recording papers by stapling plural recording papers, the stapling 
apparatus comprising: 
holding means for stacking and holding recording papers fed into a stapled 
sheaf production area for producing a stapled sheaf of recording papers, 
aligning means having a projecting piece angularly displaceable such that 
the projecting piece projects from a holding face of the holding means, 
recording paper conveying means for conveying the sheaf of the recording 
papers in such manner that the downstream end of the sheaf of the 
recording papers in the recording paper conveying direction abuts against 
the projecting piece projecting from the holding face of the holding 
means, 
stapling means including a driving-side stapling unit provided with a drive 
member for driving a staple from one surface of the sheaf of the plural 
recording papers held by the holding means and a bending-side stapling 
unit separated from the driving-side stapling unit and provided with a 
bending member for bending a tip portion of the driven staple, projecting 
outside from the other surface of the sheaf of the plural recording 
papers, 
discharge means for discharging the sheaf of the recording papers from the 
stapled sheaf production area in the discharging direction parallel to the 
feeding direction to the stapled sheaf production area, after the sheaf of 
the recording papers is stapled and the tip portion of the staple 
projecting outside from the other surface of the sheaf of the plural 
recording papers is bended, and 
control means for allowing the projecting piece to project from the holding 
face of the holding means at a predetermined alignment position selected 
from plural alignment positions preset in the stapled sheaf production 
area according to a distance between the downstream end of the sheaf of 
the recording papers in the recording paper conveying direction and a 
stapling position of the recording papers, activating the stapling means 
to bind a predetermined number of recording papers to produce a stapled 
sheaf when the predetermined number of recording papers are held by the 
holding means, and driving the discharge means. 
According to the invention, the recording papers fed to the stapled sheaf 
production area are held by the holding means in such a manner that the 
downstream end of the recording papers in the recording paper conveying 
direction abutting against the projecting piece which projects from the 
holding face of the holding means. The projecting piece projects from the 
holding face at a predetermined alignment position selected from plural 
alignment positions preset in the stapled sheaf production area according 
to a distance between the downstream end of the recording paper and a 
stapling position of the recording paper. When a predetermined number of 
recording papers are held, the stapling means is put in action, a staple 
is driven from one surface of the sheaf of the recording papers, and a tip 
portion of the staple projecting outside from the other surface of the 
sheaf of the recording papers is bent so that a stapled sheaf of the 
recording papers is produced. The stapled sheaf of recording papers is 
discharged from the stapled sheaf production area in the discharging 
direction parallel to the direction of feeding to the stapled sheaf 
production area. At the time of such discharge, the projecting piece is 
angularly displaced so that it does not project from the holding face of 
the holding means. 
Since the driving-side stapling unit and the bending-side stapling unit 
constituting the stapling means are separately provided, the feeding 
direction and the discharging direction can be selected to be parallel to 
each other, as described above. Thus, it is not required to change the 
recording paper conveying direction, and therefore a conveying mechanism 
is relatively simplified. Also, recording papers to be stapled next can be 
fed immediately after a stapled sheaf of recording papers begins to be 
discharged, and an efficiency of producing stapled sheaves of recording 
papers can be increased. Further, even when the number of recording papers 
is increased, as a staple can be always driven orthogonally to one surface 
of the sheaf of recording papers, and a tip portion of the staple 
projecting from the other surface of the sheaf of recording papers can be 
bent without fail, a stapled sheaf of recording papers is assuredly 
produced in a good appearance. The projecting piece may be provided, 
respectively, in plural alignment positions preset in the stapled sheaf 
production area, and a stapling position can be selected in the direction 
parallel to the recording paper conveying direction by allowing a 
projecting piece provided at a predetermined alignment position out of the 
plural projecting pieces to project from the holding face of the holding 
member. 
Further, the invention is characterized in that: 
the stapling means is provided at each of plural stapling positions preset 
in the direction orthogonal to the recording paper conveying direction, 
and 
the control means activates the stapling means provided at a position 
selected from the plurality of preset stapling positions, when a 
predetermined number of recording papers are held by the holding means. 
According to the Invention, the stapling means is provided at each of 
plural stapling positions preset in the direction orthogonal to the 
recording paper conveying direction and the stapling means provided at a 
selected one from the plurality of preset stapling positions is put in 
action. Therefore, a stapling position can be selected in the direction 
orthogonal to the recording paper conveying direction. 
Further, the invention is characterized in that: 
the stapling apparatus further comprises driving means for moving the 
driving-side and bending-side stapling units of the stapling means in 
synchronization with each other in the direction orthogonal to the 
recording paper conveying direction, and 
when a predetermined number of recording papers are held by the holding 
means, the control means drives the driving means to move the stapling 
means to one selected from the plurality of stapling positions preset in 
the direction orthogonal to the recording paper conveying direction, and 
then activates the stapling means. 
According to the invention, since the stapling means is moved in the 
direction orthogonal to the recording paper conveying direction with the 
driving-side and bending-side stapling units synchronized with each other, 
a stapling position can be selected in the direction orthogonal to the 
recording paper conveying direction. 
Since the stapling means is movable in the direction orthogonal to the 
recording paper conveying direction, a stapling position can be selected 
in the direction orthogonal to the recording paper conveying direction, 
and only one stapling means is required, which can be moved by a general 
moving mechanism, resulting in lowered production cost of a stapling 
means. Furthermore, since supplement only to one driving-side stapling 
unit suffices, the ease of manipulation is increased in comparison with 
the case where plural driving-side stapling units are provided. 
Further, the invention is characterized in that: 
the stapling apparatus further comprises driving means for moving the 
stapling unit on one side of the bending side and the driving side of the 
stapling means, 
the stapling unit on the other side of the driving side and the bending 
side of the stapling means is provided in each of plural stapling 
positions preset in the direction orthogonal to the recording paper 
conveying direction, and 
when a predetermined number of recording papers are held by the holding 
means, the control means drives the driving means to move the staple unit 
on the one side to one stapling position selected from the plurality of 
preset stapling positions, and then activates the stapling unit on the one 
side and the stapling unit on the other side, provided at the selected 
stapling position. 
According to the invention, the bending-side stapling unit is provided in 
each of the plural stapling positions, and the driving-side stapling unit 
is moved in the direction orthogonal to the recording paper conveying 
direction. Accordingly, a stapling position can be selected in the 
direction orthogonal to the recording paper conveying direction. Besides, 
refilling of staples is required only for the driving-side stapling unit, 
and therefore the controllability is increased. 
On the contrary to the above, the driving-side stapling unit is provided in 
each of the plural stapling positions, respectively, and the bending-side 
stapling unit is moved in the direction orthogonal to the conveying 
direction. Therefore, a stapling position can be selected in the direction 
orthogonal to the conveying direction. Since the movable bending-side 
stapling unit is lighter in weight than the driving-side stapling unit, 
the force of inertia is lower, a lower driving force is enough, and the 
power consumption can be reduced in comparison with the case of moving the 
driving-side stapling unit. 
The invention also provides a stapling apparatus for producing a stapled 
sheaf of recording papers by stapling plural recording papers, the 
stapling apparatus comprising: 
holding means for stacking and holding recording papers fed to a stapled 
sheaf production area for producing a stapled sheaf of recording papers, 
a pair of alignment means movable in the direction orthogonal to the 
recording paper conveying direction for aligning the recording paper by 
abutting against mutually opposite ends parallel to the recording paper 
conveying direction, respectively, 
a staple unit comprising a driving-side stapling unit provided with a 
driving member for driving a staple to plural recording papers held by the 
holding means from one surface of the sheaf of the plural recording papers 
and a bending-side stapling unit provided separately from the driving-side 
stapling unit with a bending member for bending a tip portion of the 
driven staple projecting outside from the other surface of the sheaf of 
the plural recording papers, 
discharge means for discharging a stapled sheaf of the recording papers 
produced by driving the staple to the sheaf of the plural recording papers 
and bending the tip portion of the staple projecting outside from the 
other surface of the sheaf of the plural recording papers, from the 
stapled sheaf production area in the discharging direction parallel to the 
feeding direction to the stapled sheaf production area, and 
control means for allowing the pair of alignment means to abut against the 
mutually opposite ends parallel to the recording paper conveying direction 
every time when the recording paper is fed, moves the pair of alignment 
means by a predetermined length in a same direction, when a predetermined 
number of recording papers are held by the holding means, while alignment 
of the recording papers is maintained, then activating the stapling means 
so that the recording papers are stapled to form a stapled sheaf of 
recording papers, and driving the discharge means. 
According to the invention, the recording papers fed to the stapled sheaf 
production area are aligned by abutting the pair of alignment means 
against mutually opposite ends parallel to the recording paper conveying 
direction and held by the holding means. The recording paper is aligned 
every time when each paper is fed. When a predetermined number of 
recording papers are aligned and held, the stapling means is put in action 
in a manner similar to the case described above, the recording papers are 
stapled, and a stapled sheaf of recording papers is produced. When the 
recording papers are stapled, the pair of alignment means is moved by a 
predetermined length in the same direction orthogonal to the recording 
paper conveying direction. 
Accordingly, a stapling position can be selected in the direction 
orthogonal to the conveying direction. The stapled sheaf of recording 
papers is discharged in the discharging direction orthogonal to the 
conveying direction. Thus, since a stapling position can be selected only 
by controlling the movement of the pair of alignment means, a stapling 
apparatus can be constructed in a simple manner, and the production cost 
of the stapling apparatus is lowered. 
The invention is characterized in that the control means moves the pair of 
alignment means by a predetermined length in a same direction every time 
when a stapled sheaf of recording papers is discharged. 
According to the invention, the pair of alignment means is moved by a 
predetermined length in a same direction even when a stapled sheaf of 
recording papers is discharged. In such manner, overlapping of staples in 
sheaves of recording paper can be avoided between sheaves. Therefore, 
conveyance of the sheaves of recording paper is never obstructed due to 
tangling of staples, use of an expensive offset tray for a specific 
purpose is eliminated, and a smooth conveying operation can be achieved at 
a low cost. 
The invention further provides a stapling apparatus for producing a stapled 
sheaf of recording papers by stapling plural recording papers, the 
stapling apparatus comprising: 
holding means for stacking and holding recording papers fed to a stapled 
sheaf production area for producing a stapled sheaf of recording papers, 
stapling means comprising a driving-side stapling unit provided with a 
driving member for driving a staple to the sheaf of the plural recording 
papers held by the holding means from one surface of the sheaf of plural 
recording papers and a bending-side stapling unit provided separately from 
the driving-side stapling unit with a bending member for bending a tip 
portion of the driven staple projecting outside from the other surface of 
the sheaf of the plural recording papers, 
first driving means for moving the driving-side and bending-side stapling 
units of the stapling means in synchronization with each other in the 
direction parallel to the recording paper conveying direction, and 
control means for driving the first driving means to move the stapling 
means to a stapling position selected from plural stapling positions 
preset in the direction parallel to the recording paper conveying 
direction when a predetermined number of recording papers are held by the 
holding means, and then activating the stapling means so that the 
recording papers are stapled to form a stapled sheaf of recording papers. 
According to the invention, the first driving means moves the driving-side 
and bending-side stapling units of the stapling means in synchronization 
with each other parallel to the recording paper conveying direction. 
Accordingly, a stapling position can be selected in the direction parallel 
to the conveying direction. 
The invention is characterized in that: 
the stapling apparatus further comprises second driving means for moving 
the driving-side and bending-side stapling units of the stapling means in 
synchronization with each other in the direction orthogonal to the 
recording paper conveying direction, and 
when a predetermined number of recording papers are held by the holding 
means, the control means drives the first and second driving means to move 
the stapling means to selected one from plural stapling positions preset 
according to a size of the recording paper surface, and then activates the 
stapling means. 
According to the invention, the second driving means is provided in 
addition to the first driving means, and the second driving means moves 
the driving-side and bending-side stapling units of the stapling means in 
synchronization with each other in the direction orthogonal to the 
recording paper conveying direction. Accordingly, the stapling means is 
movable in the direction parallel and orthogonal to the recording paper 
conveying direction, and a stapling position can be arbitrarily selected 
in an entire surface of the recording paper. 
The invention still further provides a stapling apparatus for producing a 
stapled sheaf of recording papers by stapling plural recording papers 
comprising: 
holding means inclined to the horizontal direction by a predetermined angle 
for stacking and holding recording papers fed to a stapled sheaf 
production area for producing a stapled sheaf of recording papers, 
a projecting piece positioned orthogonal to a holding face of the holding 
means in a lower side of the holding means and movable to be closer to and 
apart from the holding face of the holding means, 
stapling means comprising a driving-side stapling unit provided with a 
driving member for driving a staple to the plural recording papers held by 
the holding means from one surface of the sheaf of plural recording papers 
and a bending-side stapling unit provided separately from the driving-side 
stapling unit with a bending member for bending a tip portion of the 
driven staple projecting outside from the other surface of the sheaf of 
the plural recording papers, and 
control means for moving the projecting piece closer to the holding face of 
the holding member, activating the stapling means so that the recording 
papers are stapled to form a stapled sheaf of recording papers when a 
predetermined number of recording papers are held by the holding member, 
and moving the projecting piece apart from the holding face of the holding 
means. 
According to the invention, the recording paper fed to the stapled sheaf 
production area for producing a stapled sheaf of recording papers is held 
by the holding face of the holding means inclined to the horizontal 
direction by a predetermined angle. In such operation, the recording paper 
is held so as to abuts against the projecting piece positioned orthogonal 
to the holding means in the vicinity of the holding face in a lower side 
of the holding means. When a predetermined number of recording papers are 
held by the holding means, the stapling means is put in action, and the 
recording paper are stapled to form a stapled sheaf of recording papers. 
After the stapled sheaf of recording papers is produced, the projecting 
piece is moved apart from the holding face of the holding means, and the 
stapled sheaf of recording papers falls downward by its own weight, and is 
discharged from the stapled sheaf production area. 
By positioning the holding means to be inclined, the stapled sheaf of 
recording papers falls by its own weight for discharge, and therefore the 
above-described discharge means is not required. Accordingly, a stapling 
apparatus can be constructed in a simple manner. Since space for a 
conveying system for sheaves of recording paper is effectively used, a 
conveying system can be achieved in a smaller space. Furthermore, since 
the recording papers to be stapled next can be fed immediately after a 
stapled sheaf of recording papers is discharged, conveying time is 
reduced, and a stapled sheaf of recording papers can be efficiently 
produced. 
The invention is characterized in that: 
the holding means is arranged to be inclined so that an end of the holding 
means corresponding to the upstream side in the recording paper feeding 
direction is located in a lower level, and 
the stapling apparatus further comprises conveying direction reversing 
means for reversing the conveying direction for conveying the recording 
paper so that an upstream end in the recording paper feeding direction 
abuts against the projecting piece in the vicinity of the holding face of 
the holding means. 
According to the invention, the holding means is positioned to be inclined 
so that an end of the holding means corresponding to the upstream side in 
the feeding direction of recording paper is located in a lower level. The 
fed recording paper is conveyed in the reversed conveying direction so 
that an upstream end in the recording paper feeding direction abuts 
against the projecting piece projecting from the holding face, and held by 
the holding means. By reversing the conveying direction, a length of the 
apparatus parallel to the recording paper feeding direction is reduced, 
and an apparatus can be constructed in a compact manner. 
The invention is characterized in that: 
the stapling apparatus further comprises a belt to which a projecting piece 
of the alignment means and a projecting piece of the discharge means are 
attached, located in the side opposite to the holding face of the holding 
means, and plural rollers about which the belt is wound, 
the projecting piece of the discharge means is angularly displaceable so as 
to project from the holding face of the holding means, and 
the control means drives the rollers so that one of the projecting pieces 
is positioned so as to project from the holding face of the holding means 
at a predetermined alignment position, activates the stapling means to 
form a stapled sheaf of recording papers when a predetermined number of 
recording papers are held by the holding means, activates the rollers 
again to allow a projecting piece different from that placed at the 
alignment position to abut against an upstream end in the conveying 
direction of the stapled sheaf of recording papers after the stapled sheaf 
of recording papers is produced, and pushes the stapled sheaf of recording 
papers for discharging. 
According to the invention, the conveying means has a projecting piece 
similar to that of the alignment means. The projecting piece of the 
alignment means and the projecting piece of the conveying means are 
attached to a belt located in the side opposite to the holding face of the 
holding means. By driving rollers wound about by the belt, one of the 
projecting piece is so positioned that it projects from the holding face 
at a predetermined alignment position. The projecting piece serves for 
aligning a downstream end in the recording paper conveying direction. 
After a stapled sheaf of recording papers is produced in a similar manner 
to that described above, the rollers are driven again, and a projecting 
piece different from that placed at the alignment position abuts against 
the upstream end in the feeding direction of the sheaf of the recording 
papers, and pushes the sheaf of the recording papers for discharging. The 
projecting piece functions as a pusher. 
It is not required, therefore, to specifically provide discharge means, and 
a stapling apparatus can be constructed in a simple manner. Conveying 
operation of recording paper and a sheaf of recording papers can be also 
controlled easily. Further, since recording papers to be stapled next can 
be fed immediately after a stapled sheaf of recording papers is 
discharged, a stapled sheaf of recording papers can be produced 
efficiently. By changing a stop position of the belt, a stapling position 
can also be selected. 
The invention is still characterized in that: 
the holding means includes a belt having plural through holes to which the 
projecting piece of the alignment means is attached and plural rollers 
about which the belt is wound, 
the discharge means includes air sucking means placed in a space inside the 
belt wound about the plural rollers for sucking the air outside the belt 
through the plural through holes in the belt, and 
the control means drives and positions the rollers so that the projecting 
piece projects from the holding face of the holding means at a 
predetermined alignment position, activates the stapling means so that a 
predetermined number of recording papers are stapled to form a stapled 
sheaf of the recording papers when the predetermined number of recording 
papers are held by the holding means, and then activates the air sucking 
means, while driving the roller again. 
According to the invention, the holding means includes a belt having plural 
through holes to which a projecting piece of the alignment means is 
attached and plural rollers about which the belt is wound. The conveying 
means includes air sucking means placed in a space inside the belt wound 
about the plural rollers for sucking the air outside the belt through the 
plural through holes. By driving the rollers about which the belt is 
wound, the projecting piece of the alignment means is positioned so as to 
project from the holding face of the holding means in a predetermined 
alignment position. After a stapled sheaf of recording papers is produced 
in a manner similar to that described above, the projecting piece and the 
rollers are driven, and the sheaf of recording papers is discharged by 
being suctioned against the belt. 
Accordingly, the belt can be constructed in a simple manner. Conveying 
operation of recording paper and a sheaf of recording papers is also 
controlled simply. Further, since recording papers to be stapled next can 
be fed immediately after a stapled sheaf of recording papers is 
discharged, efficiently producing a stapled sheaf of recording papers can 
be attained. By changing a stop position of the belt, a stapling position 
can also be selected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Now referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are 
described below. 
FIGS. 1A to 1C are schematic drawings for explaining basic operations of a 
stapling apparatus of the invention in steps. The stapling apparatus is 
used by being attached, for example, to a copying machine, and binds 
plural recording papers on which characters and images are recorded by a 
copying process in the copying machine. 
A recording paper 1 is fed in the feeding direction 14 to a stapled sheaf 
production area for producing a stapled sheaf of recording papers by a 
pair of conveying rollers 2, 3 provided in a conveying path, as shown in 
FIG. 1A. The recording paper 1 fed to the stapled sheaf production area is 
aligned so that a downstream end 1a of the recording paper 1, orthogonal 
to a recording paper conveying direction, abuts against a gate 4 shown in 
FIG. 1B, and mutually opposite ends 1b, 1c of the recording paper 1 
parallel to the conveying direction abut against joggers 5, 6, 
respectively, which are moved apart from each other in directions 7, 8 and 
toward each other in directions 9, 10, and the recording papers 1 conveyed 
sequentially one after another are stacked and held by holding means 
provided in the stapling apparatus. 
A predetermined number of recording papers of the recording papers 1 
aligned and held are stapled by an upper stapling unit 11 having a driving 
member for driving a staple from one surface 1d of the plural recording 
papers 1 and a lower stapling unit 12 having a clinching member for 
bending a tip portion of the driven staple projecting outside from the 
other surface 1e of the sheaf of the plural recording papers 1, and 
provided separately from the upper stapling unit 11. A stapled sheaf of 
recording papers 13 formed by stapling the plural recording papers 1 is 
discharged from the stapled sheaf production area in the discharging 
direction 15 parallel to the feeding direction 14 to the stapled sheaf 
production area. 
FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic drawings for explaining operations of the 
stapling apparatus according to the invention in comparison with those of 
a stapling apparatus of prior art, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective 
views showing an area (defined by shading) of the recording paper 1 in 
which a staple can be driven. As shown in FIG. 2A, in the stapling 
apparatus according to the invention, the upper and lower stapling units 
11, 12 are separately provided, and a gap is formed between the upper and 
lower stapling units 11, 12. The stapled sheaf of recording papers 13 can 
be, therefore, discharged in the discharging direction 15 parallel to the 
feeding direction 14 of the recording paper 1. 
The stapling apparatus of prior art shown in FIG. 2B has stapling means 18 
into which an upper stapling unit 16 and a lower stapling unit 17 are 
integrated. In the case such stapling means 18 is so positioned that the 
recording paper 1 is placed between the units from the side of the 
downstream end 1a in the conveying direction, the sheaf of recording 
papers 13 cannot be discharged in the discharging direction 15 parallel to 
the feeding direction 14 as described below without moving the stapling 
means 18, and it is required to discharge the sheaf in the discharging 
direction 19 opposite to the feeding direction 14 or the discharging 
direction 20 orthogonal to the feeding direction 14. Therefore, the 
rotating direction of conveying roller must be changed, or a conveying 
rollers for discharge rotating in the direction different from conveying 
rollers for feeding must be provided, and control of the conveying rollers 
and conveying mechanism come to be complicated. In order to achieve the 
discharging direction 15 parallel to the feeding direction 14, similarly 
to the case of the stapling apparatus according to the invention, it is 
required to move the stapling means 18, for example, in the retracting 
direction 21 shown in the figure, and arrangement in the vicinity of the 
stapling means is complex. 
In the stapling apparatus according to the invention, since the discharging 
direction 15 is parallel to the feeding direction 14, it is not required 
to change the rotating direction of conveying rollers, control of the 
conveying rollers are simple, and a conveying mechanism is also 
simplified. 
In the stapling apparatus of prior art, in discharging the sheaf of 
recording papers 13 in the discharging directions 19, 20, recording papers 
1 to be stapled next can be fed only after the sheaf of recording papers 
13 has been completely discharged. In the stapling apparatus according to 
the invention, however, since the discharging direction 15 is parallel to 
the feeding direction 14, as described above, feeding of recording papers 
1 to be stapled next can be started immediately after discharge of the 
sheaf of recording papers 13 is started. Therefore, the conveying time is 
reduced, and an efficiency of producing a stapled sheaf of recording 
papers 13 can be increased. 
When a stapling apparatus with the feeding direction selected oppositely to 
the discharging direction as described is attached to a copying machine 
capable of producing 60 copies a minute, for stapling every two recording 
papers discharged from the copying paper, the copying speed of the copying 
machine must be reduced to 30 copies/min. To the contrary, when the 
stapling apparatus according to the invention is attached to a similar 
copying machine, every two recording papers can be stapled, while the 
copying speed of the copying machine is maintained approximately at 60 
copies/min. 
In the stapling apparatus according to the invention, a staple can be 
driven in an area 22 shown by shading in FIG. 3A, that is, an entire area 
of the recording paper 1. Therefore, according to contents printed on the 
recording paper, for example, any binding method of left binding (Western 
binding) for binding a left end, right binding (Japanese binding) for 
binding a right end and center binding (saddle stitching) for binding the 
recording paper 1 in a central part thereof can be allowed. On the other 
hand, in the stapling apparatus of prior art, a staple can be driven only 
in an area 23 shown by shading in FIG. 3B, that is, in a vicinity of a 
downstream end 1a in the conveying direction of the recording paper 1 and 
two sides adjacent to the end 1a, that is, in the vicinity of ends 1b, 1c. 
Thus, the recording paper 1 cannot be bound in a vicinity of its center, 
and the center binding method employed for weekly magazines, photographic 
magazines, catalog magazines and the like is unachievable. 
As described, with the stapling apparatus of the invention, plural 
recording papers 1 can be bound at an arbitrary position, and an 
efficiency of producing the stapled sheaf of recording papers 13 is 
increased. Embodiments of the invention are described below in detail. 
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a construction of a stapling apparatus of a 
first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the same. 
The stapling apparatus 31 comprises conveying rollers 32, 33, paddler 34, 
gate 35, support plate 36, joggers 37, 38, upper stapling unit 39, lower 
stapling unit 40 and pusher 41. 
Recording paper 43 subjected to a copying process by a copying machine with 
the stapling apparatus 31 attached thereto is conveyed along a 
predetermined conveying path. A pair of conveying rollers 32, 33 provided 
in the conveying path are rotated in directions 45, 46, respectively, and 
feed it to a stapled sheaf production area for producing a stapled sheaf 
of recording papers by clinching the recording paper 43, and conveying it 
in the feeding direction 47. 
The support plate 36 holds the fed recording paper 43. Here, the recording 
paper 43 is held so that a downstream end 43a thereof, orthogonal to the 
conveying direction abuts against the gate 35 projecting from a holding 
face of the support plate 36. The paddler 34 is a conveying roller for 
conveying the recording paper 43 by applying a conveying force 
sufficiently low to buckling of the recording paper 43, and the recording 
paper 43 provided with an appropriate conveying speed by the paddler 34 is 
forced against the gate 35 in an end thereof 43a. In such manner, the end 
43a of the recording paper 43 is aligned. The joggers 37, 38 serve for 
aligning mutually opposite ends 43b, 43c paper parallel to the conveying 
direction of the recording paper 43, respectively. The joggers 37, 38 are 
movable orthogonally to the conveying direction of the recording paper 43 
apart from each other in directions 49, 51 and toward each other in 
directions 50, 52, respectively. As the joggers 37, 38 are moved toward 
each other in the directions 50, 52, the ends 43b, 43c of the recording 
paper 43 are aligned. 
Once a predetermined number of recording papers 43 are stacked and held on 
the support plate 36, plural recording papers 43 are bound, and a stapled 
sheaf of recording papers is produced. The upper and lower stapling units 
39, 40 are located vertically with the support plate 36 between them. The 
upper stapling unit 39, for example, comprises a driving member for 
driving a staple bent in a U-shape by an anvil member from one surface 43d 
of the hold plural recording papers 43. The lower stapling unit 40 
comprises a clinching member for bending a tip portion of the staple 
projecting outside from the other surface 43e of the sheaf of the plural 
recording papers 43. 
By lowering the upper stapling unit 39 toward the lower stapling unit 40 in 
the direction 53, for example, the plural recording papers 43 are clinched 
by the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 to prevent displacement, a 
staple is driven by the driving member, and a tip portion of the driven 
staple is bent by the clinching member in the direction orthogonal to the 
driving direction. After the staple is driven and bent, the upper stapling 
unit 39 is lifted apart from the lower stapling unit 40 in the direction 
54. 
A stapled sheaf of recording papers produced in such manner is discharged 
to a discharge tray 42. Here, the gate 35 is angularly displaced in the 
direction 55 so that it does not project from the holding face of the 
support plate 36. The pusher 41 is moved in the direction 57, and pushes 
the sheaf of recording papers from an upstream end 43f in the conveying 
direction of the recording paper 43. By such operation, the sheaf of 
recording papers is discharged from the stapled sheaf production area in 
the discharging direction 59 parallel to the feeding direction 47. After 
the sheaf of recording papers is discharged, the gate 35 is angularly 
displaced in the direction 56 opposite to the direction 55, and projects 
again from the holding face of the support plate 36, and the pusher 41 Is 
moved in the direction 58, and returns to a predetermined home position. 
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the support plate 36. The support plate 36 is 
provided with a cutout 30a for attachment of the gate 35, windows 30b, 30c 
for movement of the joggers 37, 38, window 30d for binding the recording 
paper 43 by the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 and window 30e for 
movement of the pusher 41, respectively. The cutout 30a is formed in a 
side surface of the support plate 36 in a downstream side in the conveying 
direction of the recording paper 43. 
FIG. 7 is a side view for explaining an example of operating principles of 
the gate 35. The gate 35 is joined by a link 85 with an operative element 
83 moved in directions 86, 87 by a solenoid 62. The operative element 83 
is biased by a spring 84 so that it is at such position as shown in a 
solid line that the gate 35 projects from the holding face of the support 
plate 36, when the solenoid 62 is de-energized, and at such position as 
shown by a two-dot long and two short dashes line that the gate does not 
project from the holding face of the support plate 36, when it is 
energized. Therefore, the gate 35 is angularly displaced in the direction 
55 to an open position, when the solenoid 62 is turned "on", and 
energized, and the gate 35 is angularly displaced in the direction 56 to a 
closed position, when the solenoid 62 is turned "off", and deenergized. 
The operating principle of the gate 35 is not limited to that described 
above, and the gate can be opened and closed also by other methods. 
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the stapling 
apparatus 31. The stapling apparatus 31 comprises a driving motor 60 for 
driving the conveying rollers 32, 33, driving motors 61, 63, 64 and 66 for 
driving the paddler 34, the jogger 37, the jogger 38 and the pusher 41, 
respectively, a solenoid 62 for driving the gate 35, a vertical driving 
motor 65 for driving an upper stapling unit 39, which have been already 
described, a control circuit 68 for controlling the operations of the 
driving motors 60, 61, 63 to 66 and the solenoid 62, a sensor 69, a 
measuring circuit 70, a memory circuit 71, an output interface (I/F) 
circuit 67, and an input/output interface (I/F) circuit 72. 
Control signals for controlling operations of the driving motors 60, 61, 63 
to 66 and solenoid 62 from the control circuit 68 achieved, for example, 
by a central processing unit (CPU) are applied through the output 
interface circuit 67 to the driving motors 60, 61, 63 to 66 and solenoid 
62, respectively. The sensor 69 detects such state of the members as 
positioning. When the upper stapling unit 39 is lowered to a predetermined 
position, for example, the sensor 69 is turned "on". The control circuit 
68 instructs the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 to initiate the 
staple driving operation according to a result of detection by the sensor 
69. In such manner, timings for initiating and discontinuing operation of 
the driving motors 60, 61, 63 to 66 and solenoid 62 can be determined 
according to a result of detection by the sensor 69. 
The control circuit 68 is also capable of determining the timings for 
initiating and discontinuing operation of the driving motors 60, 61, 63 to 
66 and solenoid 62 according to a result of measurement by the measuring 
circuit 70. For example, time required for producing a stapled sheaf of 
recording papers by such sequential operation of lowering the upper 
stapling unit 39, driving a staple to the recording paper 43, bending the 
tip portion of the staple and lifting the upper stapling unit 39 is 
preset, and measurement of time is started as soon as the upper and lower 
stapling units 39, 40 are put in action. When the preset time is elapsed, 
it is determined that the operation is completed, and a stapled sheaf of 
recording papers is produced, and execution of an operation for 
discharging the produced sheaf of recording papers is subsequently 
instructed. 
The memory circuit 71 is achieved, for example, by ROM (read only memory) 
and RAM (random access memory). In the memory circuit 71, an operating 
program of the entire stapling apparatus 31 is stored, and such data 
required for producing a stapled sheaf of recording papers input from a 
copying machine 211 to which the stapling apparatus is attached as number 
of recording papers for a sheaf of recording papers, copies (books) of the 
sheaf and stapling position can also be stored. Such data from the copying 
machine 211 and that to the copying machine 211 are inputted/outputted 
through the input/output interface circuit 72. 
The copying machine 211 to which the stapling apparatus 31 is attached 
comprises a control circuit 217 for controlling operations of the entire 
copying machine 211, copying unit 212, recording paper conveying unit 213, 
original feeding unit 214, display means 215, control panel 216 and 
input/output interface (I/F) circuit 218. 
The copying unit 212 is for reading an image in an original placed on a 
predetermined image reading section, and copying it to the recording 
paper, and comprises an exposure lamp for reading the image, optical 
system including a reflecting mirror and a zoom lens, developing unit for 
forming a toner image from the image read, and fixing the toner image to a 
predetermined recording paper, corona discharger for image transfer and 
fixing unit. 
The recording paper conveying unit 213 comprises plural cassettes for 
containing recording paper of different sizes by paper size, feed rollers, 
conveying rollers for conveying the recording paper after copying process 
is completed and the like. The original feeding unit 214 is for conveying 
originals sequentially to the image reading section, and comprises an 
original containing mechanism, original feeding mechanism and the like. 
Such original feeding unit 214 is removable from the copying machine 211, 
and an operator can place originals to the image reading section one after 
another for taking copies, in the case the unit is removed. In the 
embodiment, copies are taken with the original feeding unit 214 attached 
to the copying machine. 
The display means 215 is achieved, for example, by a liquid crystal 
display, and indicates whether copies can be taken or not. For example, it 
indicates presence or absence of paper jam and location of such paper jam. 
In the case of the embodiment, it is indicated that the stapling apparatus 
31 is attached for a process of binding the recording papers 43. 
The control panel 216 comprises selection keys for selecting whether the 
image read should be copied to only one side of the recording paper or 
both sides thereof. An operator can select desired copying conditions 
through the control panel 216. In the case the stapling apparatus 31 is 
attached as shown in the embodiment, the number of recording papers for a 
sheaf and copies of the sheaf are inputted. A stapling position is also 
selected. Such data required for producing a stapled sheaf of recording 
papers is outputted through the input/output interface circuit 218 to the 
stapling apparatus 31. Data from the stapling apparatus 31 is also 
inputted through the input/output interface circuit 218. 
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing operations of the stapling apparatus 31. 
FIGS. 10A to 10D are side views showing operations of the stapling 
apparatus 31 in steps. First, the number of recording papers for a sheaf 
of recording papers and copies of the sheaf are inputted through the 
control panel 216 of the copying machine 211. The solenoid 62 is turned 
"off", and de-energized, and the gate 35 is in the closed state, 
projecting from the holding face of the support plate 36. 
In step a1, the conveying rollers 32, 33 start rotating in the directions 
45, 46. This is accomplished in response to an output from a discharge 
sensor indicating presence of recording paper in the copying machine 211 
which has been subjected to a predetermined copying sequence, and should 
be discharged. In step a2, feeding of the recording paper 43 discharged 
after being subjected to the predetermined copying sequence in the copying 
machine 211 is initiated. The recording paper 43 is clinched by the 
conveying rollers 32, 33, and fed in the feeding direction 47 shown in 
FIG. 10A. 
In step a3, the paddler 34 starts rotating in the direction 48. The paddler 
34 is for giving an appropriate conveying speed to the recording paper 43, 
as described above, and allowing a downstream end 43a in the conveying 
direction thereof to abut against the gate 35 which is in a projecting 
state. A plurality of rubber fins 34b, for example, are formed on a 
surface of the roller 34a. 
In step a4, the joggers 37, 38 are put in action. In FIG. 5, first, the 
joggers 37, 38 are moved apart from each other in the directions 49, 51, 
and only one of the recording papers 43 is fed in such state (open state). 
As soon as the recording paper 43 is fed, the joggers 37, 38 are moved 
toward each other in the directions 50, 52 to be in a closed state, and 
the ends 43b, 43c parallel in the conveying direction of the recording 
paper 43 are aligned. After such alignment, the joggers 37, 38 are moved 
apart from each other in the directions 49, 51 again to be in the open 
state. 
In step a5, it is determined whether the fed particular recording paper 43 
is a final one or not, and step a6 is executed, if it is final, while the 
steps are repeated from the step a3, if it is not final. The determination 
whether it is final or not may be based on the number of recording papers 
for a sheaf of recording papers inputted through the control panel 216 of 
the copying machine 211, or on an output from a completion sensor for 
sensing the completion of feeding cycle of a set of originals, if the 
original feeding unit 214 of the copying machine 211 is provided with such 
sensor. The completion sensor detects that a complete set of originals 
contained in the original containing mechanism of the original feeding 
unit 214 has been fed. 
In step a6, the joggers 37, 38 are moved toward each other in the 
directions 50, 52 to be in the closed state. After a predetermined number 
of recording papers 43 are aligned and held, as shown in FIG. 10B, in step 
a7, the stapling units 39, 40 are put in action. That is, as shown in FIG. 
10C, the upper stapling unit 39 is lowered in the direction 53, secures 
the plural recording papers 43 by clinching them in cooperation with the 
lower stapling unit 40 to avoid misalignment, drives a staple, and bends a 
tip portion thereof. After the driving and bending operation of the staple 
is completed, the upper stapling unit 39 is lifted in the direction 54. 
In step a8, the joggers 37, 38 are moved apart from each other in the 
directions 49, 51 to be in the open state, the solenoid 62 is turned "on", 
and energized, the gate 35 is angularly displaced in the direction 55 to 
be in the open state, and a stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 can be 
discharged. 
In step a9, the pusher 41 is put in action, and moved in the direction 57. 
In step a10, the stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is discharged to the 
discharge tray 59, as shown in FIG. 10D. The discharging direction 59 of 
the sheaf of recording papers 44 pushed by the pusher 41 is parallel to 
the feeding direction 47. In step all, the pusher 41 is moved in the 
direction 58 opposite to the direction 57 of pushing the sheaf of 
recording papers 44, and positioned at a predetermined home position. In 
step a12, the solenoid 62 is turned "off", and the gate 35 is angularly 
displaced in the direction 56 opposite to the direction 55, and returns to 
the closed state, projecting from the holding face of the support plate 
36. 
In step a13, it is determined whether the particular sheaf of recording 
papers 44 is a final set (copy) or not, that is, whether a predetermined 
number of copies have been produced. The operation is discontinued, if it 
is a final set, and the predetermined number of copies have been produced, 
and the steps are repeated from the step a2, if the predetermined number 
of copies have not been produced. 
As described above, according to the first embodiment, since the stapled 
sheaf of recording papers 44 can be discharged in the discharging 
direction 59 parallel to the feeding direction 47 of the recording paper 
43, no complex conveying mechanism is required for switching between the 
conveying directions. Additionally, since the feeding and discharging 
directions are parallel to each other, the recording papers 43 to be 
stapled next can be fed immediately after discharge of the sheaf of 
recording papers 44 from the stapled sheaf proceeding area is started. 
Thus, the stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 can be produced without 
reducing a copying capacity of the copying machine 211, and an efficiency 
for producing the stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is increased. 
FIG. 11 is a side view showing a construction of a stapling apparatus 81 of 
a second embodiment of the invention. Although the stapling apparatus 81 
is constructed in a manner similar to that of the stapling apparatus 31, 
it is characterized in that plural (three in the embodiment) gates 35 are 
provided. Three gates 35a to 35c are located at distances L1, L2 and L3 
from a position A in the discharging direction of the stapled sheaf of 
recording papers 44, respectively, where the reference mark A depicts a 
driving position of a staple in the stapling apparatus 81, when upper and 
lower stapling units 39, 40 are fixedly provided. The distances L1 to L3 
are set according to a distance between a downstream end 43a in the 
conveying direction of the recording paper 43 shown in FIG. 12 and 
stapling positions 88a to 88c. 
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the stapling 
apparatus 81. In the block diagram, the gates 35a to 35c are provided in 
place of the gate 35 shown in the block diagram of FIG. 8, solenoids 62a 
to 62c in place of the solenoid 62, and the solenoids 62a to 62c serve for 
driving the gates 35a to 35c, respectively. 
In Table 1 below, binding methods of the recording paper 43 are shown in 
relation with on/off state of the solenoids 62a to 62c. In the case of 
so-called right binding, the solenoid 62a is turned "off", and the 
solenoids 62b, 62c are turned "on". Thus, the gate 35a is closed, while 
the gates 35b, 35c are open, and the recording paper 43 is bound at the 
stapling position 88a shown in FIG. 12. For achieving the right binding by 
stapling at the position 88a, the recording paper 43 is conveyed in such 
manner that the end 43f is positioned in the upper side, and the end 43a 
is positioned in the lower side, so that contents copied to the recording 
paper 43 are read in the vertical direction. 
In the case of the center binding, the solenoids 62a, 62c are turned "on", 
and the solenoid 62b is turned "off". Thus, the gate 35b is closed, while 
the gates 35a, 35c are open, and the recording paper is bound at the 
stapling position 88b shown in FIG. 12. For achieving the center binding 
by stapling at the position 88b, the recording paper 43 is conveyed in 
such manner that the end 43b is positioned in the upper side, and the end 
43c is positioned in the lower side, so that contents copied to the 
recording paper 43 are read in the horizontal or vertical direction, or 
the end 43c is positioned contrarily in the upper side, and the end 43b is 
positioned in the lower side, so that they are read in the horizontal or 
vertical direction. 
Now, in the case of the left binding, the solenoids 62a, 62b are turned 
"on", and the solenoid 62c is turned "off". Thus, the gate 35c is closed, 
while the gates 35a, 35b are open, and the recording paper is bound at the 
stapling position 88c shown in FIG. 12. For achieving the left binding by 
stapling at the position 88c, the recording paper 43 is conveyed in such 
manner that the end 43a is positioned in the upper side, and the end 43f 
is positioned in the lower side, so that contents copied to the recording 
paper 43 are read in the horizontal direction. 
When the stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is discharged, all solenoids 
62a to 62c are turned "on", and all gates 35a to 35c are open. 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
Solenoid 62a Solenoid 62b 
Solenoid 62c 
Binding methods 
(Gate 35a) (Gate 35b) 
(Gate 35c) 
______________________________________ 
Right binding 
OFF ON ON 
Center binding 
ON OFF ON 
Left binding 
ON ON OFF 
(Discharge) 
ON ON ON 
______________________________________ 
OFF: Gate closed 
ON: Gate opened 
As described, according to the second embodiment, a stapling position can 
be selected in the direction parallel to the conveying direction of the 
recording paper 43 by controlling the open and closed states of plural 
gates 35a to 35c provided according to the distance between the downstream 
end 43a in the conveying direction of the recording paper 43 and the 
stapling position, and the right binding, center binding, left binding and 
the like can be selectively achieved. 
FIG. 14 is a plan view showing stapling means of a stapling apparatus 91 of 
a third embodiment of the invention. Although the stapling apparatus 91 of 
the third embodiment is constructed generally in a similar manner as that 
of the stapling means 31 of the first embodiment, it is characterized in 
that plural sets (four sets, in the embodiment) of upper and lower 
stapling units 39, 40 are provided. Four sets of the stapling units 39a to 
39d, 40a to 40d are located in four stapling positions set in the 
direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording paper 43, 
respectively. The stapling position is set, for example, with an even 
space between them. Thus, a support plate 36 is formed with four windows 
30d in correspondence with the four sets of stapling units 39a to 39d, 40a 
to 40d, respectively. 
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the stapling 
apparatus 91. In the block diagram, the upper stapling units 39a to 39d 
are provided in place of the upper stapling unit 39 shown in the block 
diagram of FIG. 8, driving motors 65a to 65d in place of the driving motor 
65, and the driving motors 65a to 65d serve for driving the upper stapling 
units 39a to 39d, respectively. 
In the stapling apparatus 91, a desired stapling position is selected by an 
operator through a control panel 216 of a copying machine 211. A control 
circuit 68 applies control signals to the driving motors 65a to 65d so 
that the upper and lower stapling units 39a to 39d, 40a to 40d at a 
stapling position corresponding to the stapling position selected are put 
in action. In such manner, the recording paper 43 is stapled in the 
desired stapling position. 
In Table 2, the upper and lower stapling units 39a to 39d, 40a to 40d put 
in action to achieve various binding methods are shown. For example, when 
the recording paper 43 is of A4 size, and is desired to be bound in a 
corner thereof, the stapling units 39a, 40a are put in action. In such 
case, the recording paper 43 is conveyed in such manner that the end 43c 
is positioned in the upper side, and the end 43b is positioned in the 
lower side, so that contents copied are read in the horizontal direction. 
When the recording paper 43 is of A4 size, and is desired to be bound at 
two points, the stapling units 39b, 40b and the stapling units 39c, 40c 
are put in action. In such case, the recording paper 43 is conveyed in 
such manner that the end 43c is positioned in the upper side, and the end 
43b is positioned in the lower side, so that contents copied are read in 
the horizontal direction. 
When the recording paper 43 is of A4 size, and the Japanese binding is 
desired in a corner thereof, the stapling units 39d, 40d are put in 
action. In such case, the recording paper 43 is conveyed in such manner 
that the end 43b is positioned in the upper side, and the end 43c is 
positioned in the lower side, so that contents copied are read in the 
vertical direction. 
When the recording paper 43 is of A3 size, and is desired to be bound at 
two points, the stapling units 39a, 40a and the stapling units 39d, 40d 
are put in action. In such case, the recording paper 43 is conveyed in 
such manner that the end 43c is positioned in the upper side, and the end 
43b is positioned in the lower side, so that contents copied are read in 
the horizontal direction. @102 As described above, according to the third 
embodiment, a stapling position can be selected in the direction 
orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording paper 43 by 
selectively activating the plural sets of upper and lower stapling units 
39a to 39d, 40a to 40d provided. The third embodiment is also achievable 
in combination with the second embodiment. 
TABLE 2 
______________________________________ 
Stapling Stapling Stapling 
Stapling 
units units units units 
Binding methods 
39a, 40a 39b, 40b 39c, 40c 
39d, 40d 
______________________________________ 
A4 corner binding 
0 
(Portrait) 
A4 two-point binding 0 0 
A4 Japanese corner 0 
binding 
(Landscape) 
A3 two-point 
0 0 
binding 
______________________________________ 
FIG. 16 is a schematic drawing for explaining operations of a stapling 
apparatus 111 of a fourth embodiment of the invention. Although the 
stapling apparatus 111 according to the fourth embodiment is constructed 
generally in a manner similar to that of the stapling apparatus 31 
according to the first embodiment, it is characterized in that a set of 
stapling units 39, 40 are movable synchronously in the direction 
(horizontal X direction) 109, 110 orthogonal to the conveying direction of 
the recording paper 43. 
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a moving mechanism of the upper and 
lower stapling units 39, 40 of the stapling apparatus 111. The upper 
stapling unit 39 comprises an upper main stapling member 92 and an anvil 
member 93. The anvil member 93 bends a bar-shaped staple positioned in the 
upper main stapling member 92 into a U-shape. In the upper main stapling 
member 92, a through hole 94 is formed for allowing a guide 100 to slide 
therethrough, and a rack 102 formed with a groove is fixed. 
The lower stapling unit 40 comprises a lower main stapling member 96. In 
the lower main stapling member 96, a clinching member 97 is formed for 
bending a tip portion of a driven staple by abutting against the anvil 
member 93, when the upper stapling unit 39 is lowered. In the lower main 
stapling member 96, a through hole 98 is formed additionally for allowing 
a guide 101 to slide therethrough, and a rack 103 formed with a groove is 
fixed. 
The guides 100, 101 are positioned in the direction orthogonal to the 
conveying direction of the recording paper 43. They are positioned such 
that a groove in a gear 104 is engaged with the groove in the rack 102, a 
groove in the gear 105 is engaged with the groove in the rack 103, and a 
groove in the gear 104 is engaged with the groove in the gear 105. The 
gear 105 is rotatable in mutually opposite directions 107, 108 by a 
driving motor 106, which is achieved, for example, by a pulse motor. By 
driving the driving motor 106, and rotating the gear 105 in the directions 
107, 108, the racks 102, 103 can be moved in synchronization with each 
other in mutually opposite directions 109, 110, respectively. Thus, the 
upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 are also moved synchronously in the 
directions 109, 110. 
The support plate 36 is formed, in correspondence with the directions 109, 
110 of movement of the stapling units 39, 40, with a window 30d 
communicating in the directions 109, 110. Alternatively, the window can be 
formed only at such position that the stapling units 39, 40 are stopped 
for stapling operation. 
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the stapling 
apparatus 111. The block diagram of the figure is identical with the block 
diagram shown in FIG. 8, except that the lower stapling unit 40 and the 
driving motor 106 are added. The driving motor 106 moves the upper and 
lower stapling units 39, 40 in the direction (horizontal X direction) 109, 
110 as described above. 
In the stapling apparatus 111, a desired stapling position is selected by 
an operator through a control panel 216 of a copying machine 211. The 
stapling position is selected from plural stapling positions along the 
downstream end 43a in the conveying direction of the recording paper 43. A 
control circuit 68 applies control signals to the driving motor 106 so 
that the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 are positioned in stapling 
positions corresponding to the stapling position selected. This is 
achieved, for example, by applying a predetermined number of pulses. The 
upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 are moved to the stapling positions 
selected, and put in action in the stapling positions. That is, the 
stapling positions are set in correspondence with the plural stapling 
positions in the direction orthogonal to the recording paper 43 conveying 
direction. In such manner, the recording paper 43 is bound in the desired 
stapling position. By repeating such operation, the recording paper 43 can 
be bound in plural positions. 
In the embodiment, the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 are generally 
at a home position (HP), which is a first position selected from plural 
stapling positions, as described below. 
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing operations of the stapling apparatus 111. 
The flowchart is based on stapling of the recording paper 43 at two 
points. First, the number of recording papers forming the sheaf of 
recording papers 44 and the number of sheaves are inputted through the 
control panel 216 of the copying machine 211, and stapling positions are 
selected. 
In step b1, the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 are in the HP. The HP 
is set at a stapling position corresponding to the stapling position which 
is often selected, for example, for one-point stapling. Successively, 
operations similar to the step a1 to step a6 above are carried out, and a 
stapling signal for instructing initiation of a stapling operation is 
applied to the driving motor 65 in step b2. In step b3, the upper and 
lower stapling units 39, 40 are operated in the HP. After the stapling 
operation is completed, step b4 is started and the driving motor 106 is 
operated by a predetermined number of pulses in the direction 107 for 
moving the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 to a second position 
selected from plural stapling positions corresponding to the stapling 
positions selected. 
In step b5, the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 are at the second 
position. In step b6, the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 are 
operated at the second position in a manner similar to that of step b3. In 
step b7, a completion signal indicating completion of the stapling 
operation for two-point binding is outputted. 
In step b8, it is determined whether the job has been completed or not. In 
other words, it is determined whether the predetermined number of stapled 
sheaves of the recording paper 44 have been produced or not. If it is 
determined that the job has been completed, that is, the predetermined 
number of stapled sheaves of the recording paper 44 have been produced, 
step b9 is started, and the driving motor 106 is operated by a 
predetermined number of pulses in the direction 108 for returning the 
upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 to the HP. After the operation in 
step b9 is completed, the sequence returns to step b1. If it is determined 
in step b8 that the job has not been completed, that is, the predetermined 
number of stapled sheaves of the recording paper 44 have not been 
produced, the operations of step b10 are started. 
In step b10, after operations similar to those of the step a1 to step a6 
are conducted, a stapling signal for instructing initiation of the 
stapling operation is inputted. In step b11, the upper and lower stapling 
units 39, 40 are operated at the second position. In step b12, the driving 
motor 106 is operated by a predetermined number of pulses in the direction 
108 in order to return the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 to the 
HP. In step b13, similarly to the step b11, the upper and lower stapling 
units 39, 40 are operated in the HP. After the operation in step b13 is 
completed, the sequence returns to step b1. 
As described, according to the fourth embodiment, since the upper and lower 
stapling units 39, 40 are movable in synchronization with each other, the 
stapling position can be selected in the direction orthogonal to the 
conveying direction of the recording paper 43. Also, since the set of 
stapling units 39, 40 can be moved synchronously by means of a general 
moving mechanism, the stapling apparatus 111 can be produced at a low 
cost. Since the stapled sheaves of recording paper 44 are produced by 
repetitive operations at the HP, second position, second position, HP, 
comparing with the case of producing the stapled sheaves by repetitive 
operations at the HP, second position, HP, second position, movement of 
the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 is less, a wear of the grooves 
in the racks 102, 103 and gears 104, 105 can be reduced, and such problem 
as vertical offset between the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 is 
reduced. Further, only the upper stapling unit 39 is refilled with 
staples, the controllability is increased. 
It is also possible to combine the fourth embodiment with the second 
embodiment. 
FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a moving mechanism for an upper 
stapling unit 39 of a stapling apparatus 121 of a fifth embodiment of the 
invention. Although the stapling apparatus 121 according to the fifth 
embodiment is generally constructed similarly to the stapling apparatus 31 
according to the first embodiment, it is characterized in that only the 
upper stapling unit 39 is movable in the directions 109, 110, and lower 
stapling units 40e, 40f are provided in plural (two, in the embodiment) 
positions set in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of 
the recording paper 43, respectively. 
The upper stapling unit 39 comprises, similarly to that of the fourth 
embodiment, an upper main stapling member 92 and an anvil member 93, and a 
through hole 94 for allowing a guide 100 to slide therethrough and a 
through hole 112 having a groove for allowing a lead screw 113 to slide 
therealong are formed in the upper main stapling member 92. The lead screw 
113 is rotated in mutually opposite directions 115, 116 by a driving motor 
114 such as a DC (direct current) motor. By rotating the read screws 113 
in the directions 115, 116 by operating the driving motor 114, the upper 
stapling unit 39 can be moved in the directions 109, 110. 
A position detecting sensor 117 having, for example, a light emitting 
device and a light receiving device is attached to the upper main stapling 
member 92. At stapling positions corresponding to the position at which 
two lower stapling units 40e, 40f are provided, sensor plates 118, 119 are 
provided, respectively. The position detecting sensor 117 detects if the 
upper stapling unit 39 is at the stapling position by means of presence or 
absence of the sensor plates 118, 119 between the light emitting device 
and light receiving device. 
The lower stapling units 40e, 40f have a lower main stapling member 120 
formed, respectively, with a clinching member 97 similar to that described 
above. One lower stapling unit 40e is located at a home position (HP), 
that is, a first position, while the other lower stapling unit 40f is 
located at a second position. For the HP, a stapling position 
corresponding to a stapling position which is often selected for one-point 
binding, for example, is selected. The second position is selected 
according to a size of the recording paper 43. 
A support plate 36 is formed with two windows 30d in correspondence with 
the positions in which the lower stapling units 40e, 40f are provided. 
Alternatively, single communicating window 30d may be formed in 
correspondence with the positions in which the lower stapling units 40e, 
40f are provided. 
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the stapling 
apparatus 121. The block diagram shown corresponds to the block diagram of 
FIG. 8 with a driving motor 114 added thereto. The driving motor 114 
serves for moving the upper stapling unit 39 in the directions 109, 110 
(horizontal X direction) as described above. In the embodiment, the lower 
stapling units 40e, 40f are fixed in position, it is not required for an 
operator to select a desired stapling position through a control panel 216 
of a copying machine 211. 
A control circuit 68 applies a control signal to the driving motor 114 for 
moving the upper stapling unit 39. When the position detecting sensor 117 
is turned "on", the control circuit 68 determines that the upper stapling 
unit 39 has been moved to a predetermined position, and the control 
circuit 68 activates the lower stapling units 40e, 40f at the position 
where the upper stapling unit 39 is located and the upper stapling unit 39 
which has been moved. In such manner, the recording paper 43 is stapled at 
a predetermined stapling position. By repeating such operation, the 
recording paper 43 can be stapled in plural positions. In the embodiment, 
the upper stapling unit 39 is generally in the HP. 
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing operations of the stapling apparatus 121. 
First, the number of the recording papers forming a sheaf of recording 
papers 44 and the number of sheaves are inputted. According to the 
embodiment, since the recording paper 43 is stapled in stapling positions 
corresponding to two positions in which the lower stapling units 40e, 40f 
are located, although it is not required to select stapling positions for 
two-point binding, one-point binding is also possible by selecting either 
one of the stapling positions. 
In step c1, the upper stapling unit 39 is positioned in the HP. 
Successively, operations similar to the step a1 to step a6 above are 
conducted, and a stapling signal is inputted in step c2. In step c3, the 
upper stapling unit 39 and the lower stapling unit 40e in the HP are put 
in action. In step c4, the driving motor 114 is rotated in the direction 
115. 
In step c5, it is determined whether the sensor plate 119 is detected by 
the position detecting sensor 117 or not. If it is detected, the sequence 
is proceeded to step c6, and if not, it is returned to step c4. In step 
c6, the rotation of driving motor 114 is discontinued. In step c7, the 
upper stapling unit 39 and the lower stapling unit 40f in the second 
position are put in action. 
In step c8, it is determined whether the job has been completed or not, the 
sequence is proceeded to step c15, if it has been completed, and the 
driving motor 114 is rotated in the direction 116. In step c16, it is 
determined whether the sensor plate 118 is detected by the position 
detecting sensor 117 or not. The sequence is proceeded to step c17, if it 
is detected, and returned to step c15, if not. In step c17, the rotation 
of driving motor 114 is discontinued. 
If it is determined in step c8 that the job has not been completed, a 
stapling signal is inputted in step c9. In step c10, the upper stapling 
unit 39 and the lower stapling unit 40f at the second position are put in 
action. In step c11, the driving motor 114 is rotated in the direction 
116. In step c12, it is determined whether the sensor plate 118 is 
detected by the position detecting sensor 117 or not. The sequence is 
proceeded to step c13, if it is detected, and returned to step c11, if 
not. In step c13, the rotation of driving motor 114 is discontinued. In 
step c14, the upper stapling unit 39 and the lower stapling unit 40e in 
the HP are put in action. 
As described, according to the fifth embodiment, since the upper stapling 
unit 39 is movable, and two lower stapling units 40e, 40f are provided, 
the recording paper 43 can be stapled in two positions orthogonal to the 
conveying direction of the recording paper 43. Stapling in more positions 
is possible by increasing the number of lower stapling units. 
According to the sequence of movement of the upper stapling unit 39 in the 
embodiment, a wear of the through hole 112 and lead screw 113 having 
grooves can be reduced, similar to the case of the fourth embodiment, and 
a vertical offset between the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40e, 40f 
can be reduced. Further, only the upper stapling unit 39 is refilled with 
staples, the controllability is increased. 
The fifth embodiment can be achieved also in combination with the second 
embodiment. 
FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a moving mechanism of a lower 
stapling units 40 of a stapling apparatus 132 of a sixth embodiment of the 
invention. The stapling apparatus 132 according to the sixth embodiment is 
characterized in that the lower stapling unit 40 is moved in the 
directions 109, 110, and upper stapling units 39e, 39f are provided in 
plural (two, in the embodiment) positions, respectively, which are set in 
the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording paper 
43, contrarily to the stapling apparatus 121 according to the fifth 
embodiment. 
The lower stapling unit 40 comprises a lower main stapling member 96 formed 
with a clinching member 97, similarly to the fourth embodiment. In the 
lower main stapling member 96, a through hole 98 for allowing a guide 101 
to slide therethrough Is formed. By rotating a driving motor 125 such as a 
DC motor in the mutually opposite directions 126, 127, a pulley 122 on the 
drive side is also rotated in the same directions. A wire 124 is wound 
about the pulley 122 and a pulley 123 on the drive side. The lower main 
stapling member 96 of lower stapling unit 40 is fixedly attached to the 
wire 124. Therefore, by operating the driving motor 125, and rotating the 
pulley 122 in the directions 126, 127, the lower stapling unit 40 can be 
moved in the directions 109, 110. 
A position detecting sensor 128 achieved, for example by a light receiving 
device is also attached to the lower main stapling member 96. 
The upper stapling units 39e, 39f have an upper main stapling member 131 
and an anvil member 93 similar to that described above, respectively. 
Light emitting devices 129, 130 are attached to the upper main stapling 
member 131, respectively. One upper stapling unit 39e is located at a home 
position, that is, a first position set in a manner similar to that of the 
fifth embodiment, and the other upper stapling unit 39f is located at a 
second position. A position detecting sensor 128 attached to the lower 
main stapling member 96 receives a light from the light emitting devices 
129, 130, and detects that the lower stapling unit 40 is at the position. 
A support plate 36 is formed with two windows 30d in correspondence with 
the positions in which the upper stapling units 39e, 39f are provided, 
respectively. Alternatively, single communicating window 30d may be 
provided in correspondence with the positions in which the upper stapling 
units 39e, 39f are provided. 
FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the stapling 
apparatus 132. The block diagram shown corresponds to the block diagram of 
FIG. 8 with the upper stapling unit 39 replaced by the upper stapling 
units 39e, 39f, and the lower stapling unit 40 and a driving motor 125 
added thereto. The driving motor 125 moves the lower stapling unit 40 in 
the directions 109, 110 (horizontal X direction) as described above. In 
the embodiment, since the upper stapling units 39e, 39f are fixed in 
position, it is not required for an operator to select a desired stapling 
position through a control panel 216 of a copying machine 211 for 
two-point stapling. A stapling position may be selected for placing the 
lower stapling unit 40 at either position. In such manner, one-point 
binding can be also achieved. 
A control circuit 68 applies a control signal to the driving motor 125 for 
moving the lower stapling unit 40. When the position detecting sensor 128 
is turned "on", the control circuit 68 determines that the lower stapling 
unit 40 is at a predetermined stapling position, and the control circuit 
68 activates corresponding upper stapling unit 39e, 39f and the lower 
stapling unit 40 which has been moved. In such manner, the recording paper 
43 is stapled at a predetermined stapling position. By repeating such 
operations, the recording paper 43 can be stapled in plural positions. 
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing operations of the stapling apparatus 132. 
First, the number of recording papers for one sheaf of recording papers 44 
and the number of sheaves are inputted through the control panel 216 of 
the copying machine 211. 
In step d1, the lower stapling unit 40 is located in the HP. A stapling 
signal is inputted in step d2 after operations similar to those of step a1 
to step a6 have been conducted. In step d3, the upper stapling unit 39e 
and the lower stapling unit 40 in the HP are put in action. In step d4, 
the driving motor 125 is rotated in the direction 126. 
In step d5, it is determined whether a light from the light emitting device 
130 is received by the position detecting sensor 128. The sequence is 
proceeded to step d6, if it is determined that the light is received, and 
the lower stapling unit 40 is at the second position, and the sequence is 
returned to step d4, if it is determined that no light is received, and 
the lower stapling unit 40 is not at the second position. In step d6, 
operation of the driving motor 125 is discontinued. In step d7, the upper 
stapling unit 39f at the second position and the lower stapling unit 40 
are put in action. 
In step d8, it is determined whether the job has been completed. If it has 
been completed, the sequence is proceeded to step d15. In step d15, the 
driving motor 125 is rotated in the direction 127, and the lower stapling 
unit 40 is moved in the direction 110. In step d16, it is determined 
whether a light from the light emitting device 129 is received by the 
position detecting sensor 128 or not. In other words, it is determined 
whether the lower stapling unit 40 is in the HP or not. The sequence is 
proceeded to step d17, if the light is determined to be received, and it 
is returned to step d15, if the light is determined to be unreceived. 
If it is determined in step d8 that the job has not been completed, a 
stapling signal is inputted in step d9, and the upper stapling unit 39f at 
the second position and the lower stapling unit 40 are put in action in 
step d10. In step d11, the driving motor 125 is rotated in the direction 
127, and the lower stapling unit 40 is moved in the direction 110. In step 
dl2, it is determined whether a light from the light emitting device 129 
is received by the position detecting sensor 128 or not. The sequence is 
proceeded to step d13, if the light is determined to be received, and the 
sequence is returned to step d11, if it is determined to be unreceived. In 
step d13, operation of the driving motor 125 is discontinued. In step d14, 
the upper stapling unit 39e in the HP and the lower stapling unit 40 are 
put in action. 
As described, according to the sixth embodiment, since the lower stapling 
unit 40 is movable, and two upper stapling units 39e, 39f are provided, 
the recording paper 43 can be stapled in two positions orthogonal to the 
conveying direction of the recording paper 43. By using more upper 
stapling units, stapling in more positions is possible. In the sixth 
embodiment, since the lower stapling unit 40 lighter than the upper 
stapling unit 39 is moved, the inertial force is lower, the driving power 
is reduced, and reduction in power consumption can be achieved. 
The sixth embodiment can be also achieved in combination with the second 
embodiment. 
FIGS. 26A, 26B are schematic drawings for explaining operations of a 
stapling apparatus 160 according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. 
Although the stapling apparatus 160 according to the seventh embodiment is 
generally constructed in a manner similar to the stapling apparatus 31 
according to the first embodiment, it is characterized in that joggers 37, 
38 are moved in an identical direction. 
The joggers 37, 38 are movable apart from each other in the directions 49, 
51 and toward each other in the directions 50, 52, as described above, for 
aligning ends 43b, 43c of the recording paper 43 held on a supporting 
plate 36. The joggers 37, 38 of the embodiment also serve for aligning 
recording paper 36 at a first position shown in FIG. 26A, and the joggers 
37, 38 moved to a second position in an identical direction 152, as shown 
in FIG. 26B, after a stapling operation at the first position is 
completed. By the movement of the joggers 37, 38, the recording paper 36 
held on the support plate 36 is also moved. After a stapling operation at 
the second position is completed, a stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 
is discharged in the discharging direction 59. As the sheaf of recording 
papers 44 is discharged, the joggers 37, 38 are moved in the direction 151 
opposite to the direction 152. 
FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a moving mechanism of the joggers 37, 
38 in the stapling apparatus 160. The joggers 37, 38 have through holes 
141, 143 for allowing a guide 145 to slide therethrough, respectively. The 
guide 145 is positioned in the direction orthogonal to the conveying 
direction of the recording paper 43. The joggers 37, 38 also have 
projecting pieces 142, 144, respectively. 
By rotating a driving motor 63 such as a stepping motor in mutually 
opposite directions 149, 150, a pulley 146 on the drive side is rotated in 
the same directions. A wire 148 is wound about the pulley 146 and a pulley 
147 on the drive side. The projecting piece 142 of the jogger 37 is 
fixedly attached to the wire 148. Thus, by operating the driving motor 63, 
and rotating the pulley 146, the jogger 37 is moved in mutually opposite 
directions 151, 152. 
This applies to the jogger 38 as well. In other words, by rotating a 
driving motor 64 such as a stepping motor in mutually opposite directions 
156, 157, a pulley 153 on the drive side is also rotated in the same 
directions. A wire 155 is wound about the pulley 153 and a pulley 154 on 
the drive side. The projecting piece 144 of the jogger 38 is fixedly 
attached to the wire 155. Thus, by operating the driving motor 64, and 
rotating the pulley 153, the jogger 38 is moved in mutually opposite 
directions 151, 152. 
A home position (HP) sensor 158 is placed at a position corresponding to a 
first position of the jogger 37 for detecting that the jogger 37 is at the 
first position, while a home position (HP) sensor 159 is placed at a 
position corresponding to a first position of the jogger 38 for detecting 
that the jogger 38 is at the first position. 
FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the stapling 
apparatus 160. The block diagram corresponds to the block diagram of FIG. 
8 with the HP sensors 158, 159 added thereto. A control circuit 68 applies 
a control signal to the driving motors 63, 64 according to a stapling 
position selected through a control panel 216 of a copying machine 211 by 
an operator, and moves the joggers 37, 38. Specifically, the control 
circuit 68 controls the diving motors 63, 64 such that the joggers 37, 38 
are moved apart from each other and toward each other for aligning, and 
they are moved in the same directions 151, 152 for moving the recording 
paper 43. Positioning of the joggers 37, 38 in the respective first 
positions is detected by "on"-state of the HP sensors 158, 159. 
In the embodiment, a stapling operation is generally conducted after the 
joggers 37, 38 are placed in the first positions, and the recording paper 
43 is aligned in those positions. In the embodiment, although the stapling 
operation is conducted in two positions for two-point binding, by more 
finely moving the joggers 37, 38, the stapling operation can be conducted 
in three or more positions for stapling the recording paper. 
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an operation for aligning the recording 
paper 43 by the joggers 37, 38. In step e1, only one recording paper 43 is 
fed, and a control signal indicating closure of the joggers 37, 38 is 
outputted from the control circuit 68. In step e2, the driving motors 63, 
64 are operated by a predetermined number of pulses. The driving motors 63 
and 64 are rotated in the directions 149 and 157, respectively. In step 
e3, operation of the driving motors 63, 64 are discontinued when a 
distance between the joggers 37, 38 is identical with a width defined by 
the ends 43b, 43c of the recording paper 43. In such manner, the ends 43b, 
43c are aligned. 
In step e4, a control signal indicating opening of the joggers 37, 38 are 
outputted from the control circuit 68. In step e5, the driving motors 63, 
64 are operated by a predetermined number of pulses. The driving motors 63 
and 64 are rotated in the directions 150 and 156, respectively. In step 
e6, operation of the driving motors 63, 64 is discontinued when the HP 
sensors 158, 159 are turned "on". 
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an operation for moving the joggers 37, 38 
in a same direction. In step fl, a control signal indicating closure of 
the joggers 37, 38 is outputted from the control circuit. In step f2, 
after operations similar to those of steps e2, e3 are conducted, the 
stapling units 39, 40 are put in action. In the operation, the joggers 37, 
38 are in the first positions. In step f3, the driving motors 63, 64 are 
operated by a predetermined number of pulses. Here, the driving motors 63, 
64 are rotated in the same directions 150, 157. Thus, the joggers 37, 38 
are placed in the second positions. 
In step f4, the stapling units 39, 40 are put in action. In step f5, a 
control signal indicating opening of the joggers 37, 38 is outputted from 
the control circuit 68. In step f6, the pusher 41 is put in action, and a 
stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is discharged in the discharging 
direction 59. After the sheaf of recording papers 44 is discharged, the 
sequence is proceeded to step f7, and the diving motors 63, 64 are 
operated by a predetermined number of pulses. The driving motors 63, 64 
are rotated together in the same directions 149, 156. In step f8, 
operation of the driving motors 63, 64 is discontinued when the HP sensors 
58, 59 are turned "on". 
As described, according to the seventh embodiment, as the upper and lower 
stapling units 39, 40 are fixedly provided, and the joggers 37, 38 are 
movable, the recording paper 43 can be moved in the direction orthogonal 
to the conveying direction. Therefore, the third to sixth embodiments can 
be achieved only by controlling an amount of movement of the joggers 37, 
38, the construction is simplified, and a cost for producing the stapling 
apparatus is reduced. In addition, Although a vertical alignment at an 
accuracy of about 1/10 mm is required, in the case of moving the stapling 
units 39, 40, since the stapling units 39, 40 are stationary according to 
the embodiment, the accuracy of such alignment is out of question. In the 
embodiment, a stapling position of the recording paper 43 is allowed to be 
offset by about 1 mm, for example, in plural sheaves of recording paper 
44. 
FIGS. 31A to 31C are schematic drawings for explaining operations of a 
stapling apparatus according to a eighth embodiment of the invention. The 
stapling apparatus according to the eighth embodiment is constructed 
similarly to the stapling apparatus 160 of the seventh embodiment, and is 
characterized in that joggers 37, 38 are moved in a same direction for 
discharging a stapled sheaf of recording papers 44. 
For example, when an even-numbered sheaf of recording papers 44 is 
discharged, the joggers 37, 38 are placed in the first positions shown in 
FIG. 31A for discharging the sheaf of recording papers 44. In discharging 
an odd-numbered sheaf of recording papers 44, the joggers 37, 38 are 
placed in the second positions shown in FIG. 31B for discharging the sheaf 
of recording papers 44. Thus, the joggers 37, 38 are moved in the 
directions 151, 152, similarly to those of the seventh embodiment. A 
moving mechanism can be achieved, for example, in a manner similar to that 
of the seventh embodiment. 
By discharging the sheaf of recording papers 44 in such manner, stapling 
positions in succeeding sheaves of recording paper 44 are never overlapped 
by each other on a discharge tray 42, as shown in FIG. 31C. The second 
positions in the eighth embodiment need not be selected identically with 
the second positions in the seventh embodiment. 
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing operations of the stapling apparatus of the 
eighth embodiment. In step g1, a count n of a counter in a measuring 
circuit 70 is at 1, for example. In step g2, the recording paper 43 is 
fed, aligned, and held by the support plate 36. In step g3, recording 
papers 43 for a sheaf are completely fed. In step g4, the joggers 37, 38 
are in a closed state. In step g5, the stapling units 39, 40 are put in 
action, and a stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is produced. 
In step g6, it is determined whether the count n is an even number or not, 
and the sequence is proceeded to step g7, if it is an even number, and the 
driving motors 63, 64 are operated by a predetermined number of pulses. 
The driving motors 63, 64 are rotated together in the same directions 150, 
157. In step g8, the joggers 37, 38 are opened, and the stapled sheaf of 
recording papers 44 is discharged in step g9. In step g10, the driving 
motors 63, 64 are operated by a predetermined number of pulses. The 
driving motors 63, 64 are rotated together in the same directions 149, 
156. In step g11, the count n of the counter is increased to n+1, and the 
sequence is returned to the step g2. 
If it is determined that the count n is not an even number in the step g6, 
the sequence is proceeded to step g12, and the joggers 37, 38 are opened. 
In step g13, the stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is discharged, and 
the sequence is returned to the step g11. 
As described, according to the eighth embodiment, the stapled sheaf of 
recording papers 44 is discharged in such manner that stapling positions 
are not overlapped with each other between succeeding sheaves of recording 
paper 44. Thus, the discharge is never interfered by tangling between 
staples. Although a dedicated offset tray with a discharge tray 
constructed movably in the direction orthogonal to the discharging 
direction of the stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 has been 
conventionally provided for achieving such discharging operation, such 
offset tray requires a motor and a complicated moving mechanism for moving 
the discharge tray which holds the sheaves of recording paper discharged, 
for example, about 500 to 1000 recording papers (weighing approximately 10 
kg or more), and a relatively high electric power is required for driving 
the motor. This results in a high cost. According to the embodiment, 
however, the operation is achieved by controlling movement of the joggers 
37, 38. Therefore, the discharging operation can be achieved at a low cost 
without using an expensive dedicated offset tray. 
FIGS. 33A, 33B are schematic drawings for explaining operation of a 
stapling apparatus 173 according to a ninth embodiment of the invention. 
The stapling apparatus 173 according to the ninth embodiment is 
characterized in that plural sets (two sets, in the embodiment) of upper 
and lower stapling units 39g, 40g; 39h, 40h are provided in the direction 
orthogonal to the recording paper conveying direction 43, and two sets of 
stapling units are moved in synchronization with each other parallel to 
the conveying direction. 
Two sets of stapling units 39g, 40g; 39h, 40h are placed at a first 
position shown in FIG. 33A, and conduct a stapling operation in that 
position for two-point binding. In the case of center binding, they are 
moved parallel to the recording paper 43 conveying direction to a second 
position shown in FIG. 33B, and conduct a stapling operation at that 
position. 
FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing a moving mechanism of the stapling 
units 39g, 40g; 39h, 40h. Both sets of stapling units 39g, 40g; 39h, 40h 
are fixedly attached to an attachment board 161. In the attachment board 
161, a window 162 for inserting the recording paper 43 between the upper 
and lower stapling units is formed. The attachment plate 161 is also 
formed with a through hole 163 for allowing a guide 164 to slide 
therethrough. The guide 164 is positioned parallel to the conveying 
direction of the recording paper 43. 
By rotating a driving motor 165 in mutually opposite directions 169, 170, a 
pulley 166 on the drive side is also rotated in the same directions. A 
wire 168 is wound about the pulley 166 and a pulley 167 on the drive side. 
An attachment board 161 is fixedly attached to the wire 168. Therefore, by 
operating the driving motor 165, and rotating the pulley 166, two sets of 
staple units 39g, 40g; 39h, 40h are moved synchronously together with the 
attachment plate 161 in mutually opposite directions 171, 172. 
A support plate 36 is formed with two windows 30d corresponding to 
positions in which two sets of stapling units 39g, 40g; 39h, 40h are 
located, respectively, and the windows 30d are formed in a communicating 
manner in the direction of movement of the stapling units. Alternatively, 
the windows 30d may be formed, that is, four windows 30d may be provided 
in the first positions and second positions, respectively. 
FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the stapling 
apparatus 173. The block diagram shown corresponds to the block diagram of 
FIG. 8 with the upper stapling unit 39 replaced by the upper stapling 
units 39g, 39h and the lower stapling units 40g, 40h and driving motor 165 
added thereto. 
A control circuit 68 applies a control signal to the driving motor 165 such 
as a pulse motor according to a stapling position selected through a 
control panel 216 of a copying machine 211 by an operator. By applying a 
predetermined number of pulses, the upper and lower stapling units 39g, 
40g; 39h, 40h are moved in the directions 171, 172. 
As described, according to the ninth embodiment, a set of the stapling 
units can bind the recording paper 43 in plural positions in the direction 
parallel to the recording paper 43 conveying direction. In the embodiment, 
although two sets of stapling units 39g, 40g; 39h, 40h are provided, by 
employing more sets of stapling units, stapling can be achieved in more 
positions in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. 
A moving mechanism for synchronously moving the stapling units can be 
achieved in a simple manner without combining a lot of components such as 
the gears 104, 105 and racks 102, 103 as in the case of the fourth 
embodiment, and construction in the vicinity of the stapling units comes 
to be compact. 
FIGS. 36A, 36B are schematic drawings for explaining operations of a 
stapling apparatus 203 according to a tenth embodiment of the invention. 
The stapling apparatus 203 according to the tenth embodiment is 
characterized in that upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 are 
synchronously moved in the directions parallel and orthogonal to the 
recording paper 43 conveying direction. 
A set of stapling units 39, 40 are located at first position in the X and Y 
directions shown in FIG. 36A, and conduct a stapling operation at that 
position for corner binding, and a stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is 
discharged. In the case of center binding, they are located at a second 
position in the Y direction, while the position in the X direction is 
unchanged, and conduct a stapling operation at that position. 
Successively, they are located at a second position in the X direction, 
while the position in the Y direction is unchanged, and conduct a stapling 
operation at that position. After the stapling operations in two positions 
are completed, a stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is discharged, and 
the stapling units 39, 40 are returned to the first position in the X and 
Y directions. 
FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a moving mechanism of the stapling 
units 39, 40. Through holes 174, 177 for allowing guides 175, 178 to slide 
therethrough are formed, respectively, in main stapling members of the 
upper and lower stapling units 39, 40. The guides 175, 178 are positioned 
in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording 
paper 43. The upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 and the guides 175, 
178 are attached to an attachment board 176. The attachment board 176 is 
formed with a window 179 for inserting the recording paper 43. 
By rotating a driving motor 180 in mutually opposite directions 189, 190, a 
pulley 181 on the drive side is also rotated in the same directions. A 
wire 204 is wound about the pulley 181 and plural (seven, in the 
embodiment) pulleys 182 to 188 on the drive side provided along a surface 
of the attachment board 176. The upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 are 
fixedly attached to a portion of the wire 204 arranged to move in a same 
direction. Therefore, by operating the driving motor 180, and rotating the 
pulley 181, the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 are moved in 
mutually opposite directions 191, 192. 
The attachment board 176 is further formed with a through hole 193 for 
allowing a guide 194 to slide therethrough. The guide 194 is positioned 
parallel to the conveying direction of the recording paper 43. By rotating 
a driving motor 195 in mutually opposite directions 199, 200, a pulley 196 
on the drive side is also rotated in the same directions. A wire 198 is 
wound about the pulley 196 and a pulley 197 on the drive side. An 
attachment board 176 is fixedly attached to the wire 198. Thus, by 
operating the driving motor 195, and rotating the pulley 196, the upper 
and lower stapling units 39, 40 are moved in mutually opposite directions 
201, 202. 
A support plate 36 is formed with a big window 30d communicating in the 
direction of movement of the stapling units 39, 40. Alternatively, the 
windows 30d may be formed in such positions that the stapling units 39, 40 
are stopped. 
FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the stapling 
apparatus 203. The block diagram shown corresponds to the block diagram of 
FIG. 8 with the lower stapling unit 40 and driving motors 180, 195 added 
thereto. 
A control circuit 68 applies a control signal, respectively, to the driving 
motors 180, 195 such as pulse motors according to a stapling position 
inputted through a control panel 216 of a copying machine 211 by an 
operator. By applying a predetermined number of pulses, for example, the 
upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 are moved in the directions 191, 
192; 201, 202. 
In the embodiment, the set of stapling units 39, 40 are generally located 
at the first position in the X direction and the first position in the Y 
direction. 
FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing operations of the stapling apparatus 203. 
The flowchart is for the case of selecting between corner binding and 
center binding. In step h1, a predetermined number of recording papers 43 
are aligned, and held on the support plate 36. In step h2, the stapling 
units 39, 40 are at a home position, that is, at the first position in the 
X direction and the first position in the Y direction. In step h3, it is 
determined whether the corner binding should be conducted or not, and the 
sequence is proceeded to step h4, if the corner binding should be 
conducted. In step h4, the stapling units 39, 40 are put in action, and a 
stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is produced. In step h5, the stapled 
sheaf of recording papers 44 is discharged. 
If it is determined in step h3 that the corner binding should not be 
conducted, the sequence is proceeded to step h6, and the driving motor 195 
is operated by a predetermined number of pulses. The driving motor 195 is 
rotated in the direction 199, and the stapling units 39, 40 are thereby 
placed at the first position in the X direction and second position in the 
Y direction. In step h7, the stapling units 39, 40 are put in action. 
In step h8, the driving motor 180 is operated by a predetermined number of 
pulses. The driving motor 180 is rotated in the direction 190. The 
stapling units 39, 40 are thereby placed at the second position in the X 
direction and second position in the Y direction. In step h9, the stapling 
units 39, 40 are put in action. Thus, a sheaf of sheets of recording paper 
44 stapled in the center is produced. In step h10, the stapled sheaf of 
recording papers 44 is discharged. 
As described, according to the tenth embodiment, the recording paper 43 can 
be bound in plural positions in the directions parallel and orthogonal to 
the conveying direction of the recording paper 43 by using the set of 
stapling units 39, 40. It means that the recording paper 43 can be bound 
at any position in the entire surface thereof. A moving mechanism for 
synchronously moving the set of stapling units 39, 40 can be achieved in a 
simple manner similarly to the case of the ninth embodiment, and 
construction in the vicinity of the stapling units comes to be compact. 
In all embodiments illustrated above, although the stapling apparatus is 
described, by way of example, as a postprocessing apparatus (generally 
called a finishing apparatus) used with such apparatus that produces 
copies one after another in the order of pages, and repeats the copying 
operation until required sets of copies are obtained in a so-called 
on-line processing system, it may be provided as a so-called off-line 
postprocessing apparatus used in connection with such apparatus as a print 
machine or similar apparatus which produces required prints from a page at 
a time, and repeats the printing operation for given pages. In the latter 
case, recording papers are once stored by pages in a sorter, then bound 
after they are collected in the order of pages by a collector. 
FIG. 40 is a side view showing a construction of a finishing apparatus 221 
of an eleventh embodiment of the invention. Although a stapling position 
in the eleventh to thirteenth embodiments is located oppositely to that of 
the first to tenth embodiments, stapling at a desired stapling position 
can be achieved by reversing the direction of originals set in a copying 
machine 211 or reversing the discharging direction of recording paper from 
the copying machine 211. 
The finishing apparatus 221 comprises conveying rollers 32, 33, gate 35, 
upper stapling unit 39 and lower stapling unit 40 similar to those of the 
stapling apparatus 31 described in the first embodiment, and further 
comprises discharge rollers 225, 226 and collection tray 233. 
Recording paper 43 discharged by discharge rollers 222, 223 of a copying 
machine 211 to which the finishing apparatus 221 is attached is conveyed 
by the conveying rollers 32, 33 of the finishing apparatus 221, and fed 
along a guide plate 244 to a stapled sheaf production area for producing a 
stapled sheaf of recording papers 44. 
The collection tray 233 in the stapled sheaf production area is positioned 
at a predetermined angle to the horizontal direction of, for example, a 
bottom surface of housing 228, preferably at such predetermined angle that 
an end corresponding to a upstream side in the conveying direction of the 
recording paper is located at a lower level. The angle is selected, for 
example, to be 45.degree. or more. A depth of the collection tray 233 is 
selected such that an upstream side in the conveying direction of the 
recording paper 43 transferred thereto is placed above the recording paper 
43 already collected by the collection tray 233. The gate 35 is attached 
in a manner movable toward/apart from a holding face of the collection 
tray 233, and positioned in the vicinity of the holding face, when the 
recording paper 43 is transferred thereto. The gate 35 is driven by a 
solenoid 62. 
The gate 35 is positioned orthogonal to the holding face of the collection 
tray 233 below the collection tray 233, and provided in such manner that 
it is moved toward/apart from the holding face by the solenoid 62. The fed 
recording paper 43 is conveyed with the conveying direction reversed 
(switched back) so that an upstream end in the conveying direction thereof 
abuts against the gate 35 in the vicinity of the holding face, and held by 
the collection tray 233. 
The upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 positioned above and below the 
collection tray 233 between them, respectively, are put in action when the 
recording papers 43 held reaches a predetermined number of recording 
papers, and produce a stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 by stapling the 
recording paper 43. 
As the stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is produced, the gate 35 driven 
by the solenoid 62 is moved apart from the collection tray 233. Thus, the 
sheaf of recording papers 44 falls downward by its own weight, is conveyed 
along a conveying path 227 by the discharge roller 225, 226, and 
discharged to a discharge tray 42 through an outlet below an inlet of the 
recording paper 43. The conveying rollers 32, 33, guide plate 224, 
collection tray 233, upper stapling unit 39, lower stapling unit 40, gate 
35, solenoid 62, conveying rollers 225, 226 and conveying path 227 are 
enclosed in a housing 228. The housing 228 is provided at least with an 
inlet for feeding the recording paper 43 and an outlet for discharging the 
stapled sheaf of recording papers 44. 
The finishing apparatus 221 is provided with joggers 37, 38 similar to 
those of the first embodiment, although they are not shown. 
FIG. 41 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the finishing 
apparatus 221. The finishing apparatus 221 is generally constructed 
similarly to the stapling apparatus 31, and includes driving motors 60, 
63, 64, solenoid 62 and driving motor 65 for driving the conveying rollers 
32, 33, joggers 37, 38, gate 35 and upper stapling unit 39, respectively, 
while the paddler 34, pusher 41 and driving motors 61, 66 for driving 
them, provided in the stapling apparatus 31, are eliminated. Otherwise, it 
is constructed similarly to the stapling apparatus 31, and similar members 
are shown by identical reference numerals. 
FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing operations of the finishing apparatus 221. 
FIGS. 43A to 43E are side views showing operations of the finishing 
apparatus 221 in steps. In step il, initiation of copying operation is 
instructed through a control panel 216 of a copying machine 211, and the 
copying operation is initiated. In step i2, the conveying rollers 32, 33 
of the finishing apparatus 221 start rotating in the directions 45, 46 
shown in FIG. 43A. 
In step i3, the recording paper 43 is fed. The recording paper 43 is 
clinched by the conveying rollers 32, 33, and conveyed in the direction 
229 shown in FIG. 43A. At this time, the gate 35 is in a closed state in 
the vicinity of the collection tray 233. The recording paper 43 is 
conveyed along the guide plate 224 in such manner that an upstream end in 
the feeding direction is in a level lower than a downstream end in the 
feeding direction thereof. Successively, as shown in FIG. 43B, the 
upstream end in the feeding direction falls in the direction shown by an 
arrow 230 toward the collection tray 233, drops in the downward direction 
231, as shown in FIG. 43C, and is held as it is abutted by the gate 35. 
Thus, the upstream end in the feeding direction of the recording paper 
turns to be a downstream end in the discharging direction, and the 
conveying direction is reversed. 
In step 14, It is determined whether the fed recording paper 43 is a final 
one or not, and the sequence is proceeded to step i5, if it is a final 
sheet, while the sequence is returned to step i2, if not. In step i5, 
rotation of the conveying rollers 32, 33 is discontinued. In step i6, as 
shown in FIG. 43D, the upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 are put in 
action, and a stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is produced. In step 
i7, the gate 35 is moved apart from the collection tray 233 to an open 
state. 
In step i8, the discharge rollers 225, 226 for discharging the sheaf of 
recording papers 44 are rotated. The sheaf of recording papers 44 falls 
down by its own weight, as shown in FIG. 43E, conveyed along the conveying 
path 227 by the discharge rollers 225, 226, and discharged to the 
discharge tray 42. In step i9, discharge of the sheaf of recording papers 
44 to the discharge tray 42 is completed. In step i10, the gate 35 is 
closed. Rotation of the discharge rollers 225, 226 is discontinued. In 
step i11, the copying operation of the copying machine 211 is completed. 
As described, according to the eleventh embodiment, the pusher 41 for 
discharging the sheaf of recording papers 44 and the paddler 34 for 
aligning the recording paper 43 with the gate 35 as described in the first 
to tenth embodiments are not required, and construction of the finishing 
apparatus 221 is simplified. Also, since the collection tray 233 is 
positioned at an inclination and a storage space is effectively used, a 
space for a conveying system can be reduced. Since the recording papers 43 
to be stapled next can be fed immediately after the sheaf of recording 
papers 44 is discharged, conveying time is shortened, and the stapled 
sheaf of recording papers 44 can be efficiently produced. 
Besides, by using such construction that the conveying direction is 
reversed as shown in the embodiment, a length parallel to the feeding 
direction of the apparatus is reduced, and the apparatus is realized in a 
compact size. 
The collection tray 233 may be positioned at a predetermined angle so that 
an end corresponding to the downstream side in the feeding direction of 
the recording paper is located in a lower level. Even in the case of such 
construction, a length parallel to the feeding direction of the apparatus 
is reduced, and the apparatus can be realized in a compact size. 
The stapling units 39, 40 of the finishing apparatus 221 can be placed in a 
side of general operation by an operator by selecting the recording paper 
conveying direction or the arrangement of originals set in the copying 
machine 211, such operation as refilling of staples and maintenance can be 
easily conducted. Such effect is obtained, however, only in the case 
single stapling units 39, 40 are provided, and the home position is 
selected in the side of one or the other end of the support plate 36 in 
the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording 
paper. Although the size of an apparatus can be reduced by angularly 
positioning the collection tray 233 as described, the controllability is 
reduced, because the stapled sheaf of recording papers is discharged from 
a lower part of the apparatus. 
The finishing apparatus 221 according to the embodiment can also be 
achieved in combination with the stapling apparatuses according to the 
second to tenth embodiments. In other words, it is possible to provide 
plural gates 35 in the finishing apparatus 221, provide plural upper and 
lower stapling units 39, 40, allow the upper stapling unit 39 to move, 
allow the lower stapling unit 40 to move, and allow the joggers 37, 38 to 
move. 
FIG. 44 is a side view showing a construction of a finishing apparatus 241 
of a twelfth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 45 is a magnified partial 
perspective view showing a belt 246 to which the gate 35 is attached. 
The finishing apparatus 241 according to the embodiment comprises conveying 
rollers 32, 33, paddler 34, support plate 36, upper stapling unit 39 and 
lower stapling unit 40 similar to those of the stapling apparatus 31 
described in the first embodiment, and further comprises discharge rollers 
242, 243, belt 246 to which two projecting pieces 248, 249 are attached 
and rollers 244, 245. The projecting pieces 248, 249 in the embodiment 
serve as a gate and pusher. When a projecting piece 248 serves as a gate, 
the other projecting piece 249 serves as a pusher. The belt 246 is wound 
about the rollers 244, 245. 
Recording paper 43 discharged by discharge rollers 222, 223 of a copying 
machine 211 to which the finishing apparatus 241 is attached is conveyed 
by the conveying rollers 32, 33 and paddler 34 of the finishing apparatus 
241, and fed to a stapled sheaf production area for producing a stapled 
sheaf of recording paper 44. The recording paper 43 fed thereto is held by 
the support plate 36. The support plate 36 is formed with a window 36a for 
allowing the projecting pieces 248, 249 to project from a support surface 
of the support plate 36. A downstream end in the conveying direction of 
the recording paper 43 abuts against a projecting piece 248 projecting 
through the window 36a, aligned, and held. In such operation, the other 
projecting piece 249 projects from a surface opposite to the support 
surface of the support plate 36. The upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 
positioned above and below the support plate 36 between them, 
respectively, are put in action when the number of the recording paper 43 
held reaches a predetermined number, and produce a stapled sheaf of 
recording papers 44 by stapling the recording papers 43. 
After the stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is produced, the rollers 
244, 245 are rotated, and the belt 246 is moved in the direction 250. 
Thus, an upstream end in the conveying direction of the recording paper 44 
on the support plate 36 abuts against the projecting piece 249. By further 
movement of the belt 246, the sheaf of recording papers 44 is pushed by 
the projecting piece 249 serving as a pusher. The sheaf of recording 
papers 44 is conveyed along the conveying path 247 so curved that the 
sheaf of recording papers 44 is conveyed in the direction 254 opposite to 
the feeding direction 253 of the recording paper 43, and discharged to the 
discharge tray 42 by the discharge rollers 242, 243. 
A length of the belt 246 and position of the projecting pieces 248, 249 are 
selected according to a size of the recording paper 43. In other words, 
they are designed such that the other projecting piece 249 does not 
project form the support surface, when a projecting piece 248 projects 
from the support surface, considering a maximum size of recording paper 43 
to be bound. Further, the projecting pieces 248, 249 are attached to such 
positions that the belt 246 is evenly divided lengthwise. As a result, 
sufficient function as a gate and that as a pusher can be achieved. 
The conveying rollers 32, 33, support plate 36, upper stapling unit 39, 
lower stapling unit 40, belt 246 with the projecting pieces 248, 249, 
rollers 244, 245, discharge rollers 242, 243 and conveying path 247 
described above are covered by a housing 251. The housing 251 is provided 
at least with an inlet for feeding the recording paper 43 and an outlet 
for discharging the sheaf of recording papers 44. 
The finishing apparatus 241 is further provided with joggers 37, 38 similar 
to those of the first embodiment, although they are not shown. A home 
position sensor for detecting whether the projecting pieces 248, 249 are 
in predetermined positions and a driving motor for driving the roller 244 
are also provided. 
The support plate 36 is formed with windows 30b, 30c for movement of the 
joggers 37, 38 and a window 30d for the stapling units 39, 40. 
FIG. 46 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the finishing 
apparatus 241. The finishing apparatus 241 is generally constructed 
similarly to the stapling apparatus 31, comprises a driving motor 60, 63 
to 65 for driving, respectively, the conveying rollers 32, 33, joggers 37, 
38 and upper stapling unit 39 described above, and further comprises a 
driving motor 255 for driving a driving roller of the rollers 244, 245, 
for example, the roller 244. The paddler 34, gate 35, pusher 41, driving 
motor 61, solenoid 62 and driving motor 66 for driving them are not 
included. Otherwise, it is constructed similarly to the stapling apparatus 
31, and similar members are shown by identical reference numerals. 
FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing operations of the finishing apparatus 241. 
In step jl, initiation of a copying operation is instructed through a 
control panel 216 of a copying machine 211, and the copying operation is 
initiated. In step j2, the conveying rollers 32, 33 of the finishing 
apparatus 241 start rotating. In step j3, the belt 246 is moved, and the 
projecting pieces 248, 249 attached to the belt 246 are placed at 
predetermined home positions. 
In step j4, recording paper 43 is fed. In step j5, it is determined whether 
the fed recording paper 43 is a final one or not, and the sequence is 
proceeded to step j6, if it is a final one, while the sequence is returned 
to step j4, if it is not. In step j6, the upper and lower stapling units 
39, 40 are put in action, and a stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is 
produced. In step j7, the discharge rollers 242, 243 for discharging the 
sheaf of recording papers 44 are rotated. In step j8, the roller 244 is 
rotated, and the belt 246 is moved in the direction 250. In step j9, it is 
detected whether the belt 246 is moved over a predetermined length. The 
sequence is proceeded to step j10, if it is moved, while the sequence is 
returned to step j8, if it isn't. In step j10, rotation of the roller 244 
is discontinued, and movement of the belt 246 is stopped. In step jll, the 
sheaf of recording papers 44 is discharged to the discharge tray 42. 
As described, according to the twelfth embodiment, use of the pusher 41 
described in the first to tenth embodiments is not required, and a 
reciprocating movement of the pusher 41 in the first to tenth embodiments 
is eliminated, because the projecting piece 249 functioning as a pusher 
for discharging the sheaf of recording papers 44 acts as a gate for 
producing the next stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 after the stapled 
sheaf of recording papers 44 is discharged. Thus, construction of the 
finishing apparatus 241 is simplified, the projecting pieces 248, 249 
functioning as a gate and pusher can be operated only by controlling 
rotation of the roller 244, and a simple control is achieved. The 
recording paper 43 and the sheaf of recording papers 44 can be conveyed 
efficiently as in the case of the embodiments. A stapling position of the 
recording paper 43 can be also selected simply by changing positions of 
the projecting pieces 248, 249. 
Although two projecting pieces 248, 249 are attached to the belt 246 in the 
embodiment, three or more projecting pieces may be employed. The number of 
such projecting pieces are determined by a length along the conveying 
direction of the recording paper and a length of the belt 246, and the 
length along the conveying direction of the recording paper constitutes a 
minimum interval between the projecting pieces. In the case of providing 
three projecting pieces, for example, feeding of the recording paper and 
discharge of the sheaf of recording papers can be efficiently achieved. 
FIG. 48 is a perspective view showing another example of the belt 246, 
which constitutes a thirteenth embodiment of the invention. The belt 246 
has a projecting piece 248 attached thereto, and plural through holes 246a 
are formed therein. The belt 246 is wound about three rollers 244, 245, 
256. An air fan 257 and an air duct 258 are provided between the belt 246 
wound about the rollers 244, 245, 256. The air fan 257 suctions the air 
through the through hole 246a in the direction shown by an arrow 259, that 
is, from outside toward inside of the belt 246. The air duct 258 
discharges the suctioned air in the direction shown by an arrow 260, that 
is, toward outside of the belt 246. 
FIG. 49 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of a finishing 
apparatus 261 with the belt 246. The finishing apparatus 261 corresponds 
to the finishing apparatus 241 with the air fan 257 and driving motor 262 
for driving the fan added thereto. 
FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing operations of the finishing apparatus 261. 
It is constructed similarly to the finishing apparatus 241 except the 
vicinity of the belt 246, and the operations are explained by referring to 
FIG. 44. In step k1, initiation of a copying operation is instructed 
through a control panel 216 of a copying machine 211, and the copying 
operation is initiated. In step k2, conveying rollers 32, 33 of the 
finishing apparatus 261 start rotating. In step k3, the belt 246 is moved, 
and a projecting piece 248 attached to the belt 246 is placed at a 
predetermined home position. 
In step k4, recording paper 43 is fed. In step k5, it is determined whether 
the fed recording paper 43 is a final one or not, and the sequence is 
proceeded to step k6, if it is a final one, while the sequence is returned 
to step k4, if it isn't. In step k6, upper and lower stapling units 39, 40 
are put in action, and a stapled sheaf of recording papers 44 is produced. 
In step k7, the air fan 257 is put in action. Discharge rollers 242, 243 
for discharging the sheaf of recording papers 44 are also rotated. 
In step k8, a roller 244 is rotated, and the belt 246 is moved in the 
direction 250 over a predetermined length. In step k9, the sheaf of 
recording papers 44 is discharged to a discharge tray 42. In step k10, 
operation of the air fan 257 is discontinued. In step k11, the belt 246 is 
moved in the direction 250 over a predetermined length, and the projecting 
piece 248 is placed again at the predetermined home position after a 
complete cycle. 
As described above, according to the thirteenth embodiment, the stapled 
sheaf of recording papers 44 is discharged as it is adhered to the belt 
246. Therefore, single projecting piece 248 can be employed, and 
construction of the belt 246 is simplified in comparison with that of the 
twelfth embodiment. A stapling position of the recording paper 43 can be 
selected simply by selecting a position of the projecting piece 248. 
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing 
from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present 
embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative 
and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the 
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes 
which come within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims 
are therefore intended to be embraced therein.