Patent Publication Number: US-11021341-B2

Title: Sheet aligning device, sheet processing device, image processing apparatus

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-130484 filed on Jul. 10, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a sheet aligning device, a sheet processing device including the sheet aligning device, and an image processing apparatus including the sheet processing device. 
     In general, a sheet processing device connected to an image forming apparatus includes a sheet aligning device and a sheet working device, wherein the sheet aligning device aligns a plurality of sheets, and the sheet working device applies working to the aligned plurality of sheets. The image forming apparatus and the sheet processing device connected thereto constitute an image processing apparatus. 
     The sheet working device is, for example, a sheet folding device that folds a plurality of sheets in two or three, or a staple device that applies a staple process to the plurality of sheets. 
     The sheet aligning device receives, by an inclined tray, a plurality of sheets with images formed thereon and aligns the leading and rear ends of the plurality of sheets on the inclined tray. The sheet aligning device includes a support member that supports the leading ends of the sheets as the sheets are sequentially conveyed onto the inclined tray. 
     For example, there is known a technology in which a stopper is provided as the support member, wherein the stopper has a recess in which the leading ends of the sheets enter on the inclined tray. 
     SUMMARY 
     A sheet aligning device according to an aspect of the present disclosure has an inclined tray held by a frame and aligns a plurality of sheets conveyed onto the inclined tray. The sheet aligning device includes a support member, a support member moving mechanism, a regulation member, a regulation member moving mechanism, and a control unit. The support member is projected on the inclined tray, supported so as to be movable on the inclined tray, and has a support surface that abuts on leading ends of the sheets that are sequentially conveyed onto the inclined tray. The support member supports, at a predetermined reference position, the leading ends of the sheets. The support member moving mechanism moves the support member along the inclined tray. The regulation member is projected from the support surface toward an upstream in a sheet entry direction in which the sheets enter onto the inclined tray, supported so as to be movable on the support surface in a separating direction from or an approaching direction to the inclined tray, and defining a sheet entry space in which the leading ends of the sheets enter. The regulation member moving mechanism moves the regulation member on the support surface. The control unit controls the support member moving mechanism and the regulation member moving mechanism. The control unit controls the regulation member moving mechanism each time a sheet is conveyed onto the inclined tray, to widen the sheet entry space by moving the regulation member in the separating direction from the inclined tray, and then to narrow the sheet entry space by moving the regulation member in the approaching direction to the inclined tray. 
     A sheet processing device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes the sheet aligning device and a sheet working device. The sheet aligning device aligns a plurality of sheets with images formed thereon supplied from an image forming apparatus. The sheet working device applies a predetermined working to the plurality of sheets aligned by the sheet aligning device. 
     An image processing apparatus according to a further aspect of the present disclosure includes an image forming apparatus and the sheet processing device. The image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram of a sheet processing device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the sheet processing device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a configuration diagram of a second sheet aligning device and a sheet folding device included in the sheet processing device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a configuration diagram of a support member moving mechanism and a regulation member moving mechanism in a reference state in the second sheet aligning device included in the sheet processing device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a configuration diagram of the support member moving mechanism and the regulation member moving mechanism in a retreated state in the second sheet aligning device included in the sheet processing device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a configuration diagram of the support member moving mechanism and the regulation member moving mechanism that have returned from the retreated state to the reference state, in the second sheet aligning device included in the sheet processing device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a configuration diagram of a support member moving mechanism and a regulation member moving mechanism in the reference state in a second sheet aligning device included in a sheet processing device according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a configuration diagram of the support member moving mechanism and the regulation member moving mechanism in the retreated state in the second sheet aligning device included in the sheet processing device according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a configuration diagram of a support member moving mechanism and a regulation member moving mechanism in a second sheet aligning device included in a sheet processing device according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a configuration diagram of a sheet processing device according to a fourth embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments are examples of specific embodiments of the present disclosure and should not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. 
     First Embodiment 
     A sheet processing device  1000  according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure performs predetermined sheet processing to sheets  9  supplied from an image forming apparatus  10 . The sheets  9  are prints on which images have been formed. The sheets  9  are sheet-like image formation media such as sheets of paper or resin films. 
     The image forming apparatus  10  and the sheet processing device  1000  are included in an image processing apparatus  1 . That is, the image processing apparatus  1  includes the image forming apparatus  10  and the sheet processing device  1000  connected to the image forming apparatus  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sheet processing device  1000  includes a plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers  11 , a path switching mechanism  12 , a first ejection tray  13   a , a second ejection tray  13   b , a third ejection tray  13   c , a first sheet aligning device  2 , a staple device  3 , a second sheet aligning device  4 , a sheet folding device  5 , and a control unit  8 . 
     The plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers  11  convey the sheets  9  with images formed thereon supplied from the image forming apparatus  10 , along any of a plurality of sheet conveyance paths  100 ,  101 ,  102 , and  103 . 
     The plurality of sheet conveyance paths  100 ,  101 ,  102 , and  103  are a main conveyance path  100 , a first conveyance path  101 , a second conveyance path  102 , and a third conveyance path  103 . 
     The path switching mechanism  12  guides the sheets  9  that have been supplied from the image forming apparatus  10  to the main conveyance path  100 , selectively to any one of the first conveyance path  101 , the second conveyance path  102 , and the third conveyance path  103 . 
     The plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers  11  include a first pair of ejection rollers  11   a , a second pair of ejection rollers  11   b , and a third pair of ejection rollers  11   c.    
     The first pair of ejection rollers  11   a  eject the sheets  9  conveyed along the first conveyance path  101 , to the first ejection tray  13   a . The second pair of ejection rollers  11   b  eject the sheets  9  conveyed along the second conveyance path  102  and processed by the first sheet aligning device  2 , to the second ejection tray  13   b . The third pair of ejection rollers  11   c  eject the sheets  9  conveyed along the third conveyance path  103  and processed by the second sheet aligning device  4  and the sheet folding device  5 , to the third ejection tray  13   c.    
     The first sheet aligning device  2  includes a first inclined tray  20 , a first support member  21 , an alignment rotator  22 , and a motor  220  configured to drive the alignment rotator  22 . The first inclined tray  20  is formed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and receive a plurality of sheets  9  sequentially conveyed from diagonally above. The first sheet aligning device  2  aligns a plurality of sheets  9  conveyed from the second conveyance path  102  onto the first inclined tray  20 . 
     The first support member  21  is disposed at a lower portion of the first inclined tray  20 , and supports the leading ends of the sheets  9  that are sequentially conveyed onto the first inclined tray  20 . The alignment rotator  22  is a rubber member that is rotationally driven at a position facing the first inclined tray  20 . 
     The alignment rotator  22 , while rotating, contacts the upper surface of the sheets  9  on the first inclined tray  20 . The alignment rotator  22  applies, to the sheets  9  on the first inclined tray  20 , a diagonally downward force, namely a force that biases the sheets  9  toward the first support member  21 . 
     The first sheet aligning device  2  aligns leading ends  9   a  of the plurality of sheets  9  on the first inclined tray  20  to a surface of the first support member  21 . It is noted that the alignment rotator  22  and the motor  220  configured to drive the alignment rotator  22  are an example of a sheet biasing mechanism. 
     The staple device  3  performs staple processing to a portion of the plurality of sheets  9  on the first inclined tray  20  aligned by the first sheet aligning device  2 , the portion being close to the leading ends  9   a  of the sheets  9 . The staple device  3  is an example of a sheet working device for applying stapling to the sheets  9 . It is noted that the staple processing may not be performed to the sheets  9  by the staple device  3 . 
     The second pair of ejection rollers  11   b  eject the plurality of sheets  9  on the first inclined tray  20  that have been aligned in an overlaid state, to the second ejection tray  13   b  in one batch. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second sheet aligning device  4  includes a second inclined tray  40 , a second support member  41 , an upper alignment member  42 , a support member moving mechanism  43 , and an upper alignment member moving mechanism  44 . The control unit  8  controls the support member moving mechanism  43  and the upper alignment member moving mechanism  44 . The second sheet aligning device  4  is an example of a sheet aligning device, the second inclined tray  40  is an example of an inclined tray, and the second support member  41  is an example of a support member. 
     The second sheet aligning device  4  aligns a plurality of sheets  9  conveyed from the third conveyance path  103  onto the second inclined tray  40 . The second inclined tray  40  is formed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and receive a plurality of sheets  9  sequentially conveyed from diagonally above. The second inclined tray  40  is held by a frame  7  of the sheet processing device  1000  at a predetermined position (see  FIG. 3 ). The frame  7  is a supporting body fixed within the sheet processing device  1000 . 
     The second support member  41  is projected on the second inclined tray  40 . The second support member  41  is supported so as to be movable on the second inclined tray  40 . The second support member  41  supports the leading ends  9   a  of the sheets  9  that are sequentially conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40  by the plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers  11 . The second support member  41  includes a support surface  41   a  that abuts on leading ends of the sheets  9 . The upper alignment member  42  is provided to face the second support member  41  at an interval on the second inclined tray  40 , the upper alignment member  42  being diagonally above the second support member  41 . 
     For example, the second support member  41  and the upper alignment member  42  are provided at the center of the second inclined tray  40  in the width direction thereof. The width direction is perpendicular to a direction in which the sheets  9  are conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40 . In  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 9 , the width direction is a depth direction on the paper surfaces of the drawings. 
     The support member moving mechanism  43  moves the second support member  41  along the second inclined tray  40 . The upper alignment member moving mechanism  44  causes the upper alignment member  42  to abut on rear ends  9   b  of the sheets  9  on the second inclined tray  40  by moving the upper alignment member  42  along the second inclined tray  40 . 
     The upper alignment member moving mechanism  44  applies a diagonally downward force, namely a force that biases the sheets  9  toward the second support member  41 , to the sheets  9  on the second inclined tray  40  by causing the upper alignment member  42  to abut on the rear ends  9   b  of the sheets  9  on the second inclined tray  40 . 
     The second sheet aligning device  4  aligns the leading ends  9   a  of the plurality of sheets  9  on the first inclined tray  20  to a surface of the second support member  41 . 
     As described above, the upper alignment member  42  is configured to be movable along the second inclined tray  40  so as to align the sheets  9  on the second inclined tray  40  by abutting on the rear ends  9   b  of the sheets  9  supported by the second support member  41 . It is noted that the upper alignment member moving mechanism  44  is an example of the sheet biasing mechanism. 
     The sheet folding device  5  applies folding to a plurality of sheets  9  aligned by the second sheet aligning device  4 . The sheet folding device  5  is an example of the sheet working device. In the present embodiment, the sheet folding device  5  can perform a two-fold working and a three-fold working. 
     In the two-fold working, the sheet folding device  5  folds the sheets  9  in two by making one fold at the center of the sheets  9 . 
     The sheet folding device  5  includes a blade  51 , a blade moving mechanism  52 , a first pair of folding rollers  53 , a second pair of folding rollers  54 , and a path switching mechanism  55 . It is noted that the first pair of folding rollers  53  and the second pair of folding rollers  54  share one share roller  53   a . Thus the first pair of folding rollers  53  and the second pair of folding rollers  54  are composed of three rollers as a whole. 
     The blade  51  is a plate-like member configured to strongly push a part of the sheets  9  on the second inclined tray  40  toward a first nip N 1  between the first pair of folding rollers  53 . The blade moving mechanism  52  moves the blade  51  toward the first nip Ni in a direction crossing the second inclined tray  40 . 
     The first pair of folding rollers  53  hold therebetween the part of the sheets  9  strongly pushed by the blade  51 , and convey the sheets  9  to a subsequent stage while making a first fold on the sheets  9 . 
     The path switching mechanism  55  selectively guides the sheets  9  folded in two and fed out from the first pair of folding rollers  53 , to the first conveyance path  501  that is directed to the third pair of ejection rollers  11   c , or to the second conveyance path  502  that comes to a dead end. 
     In a case where the path switching mechanism  55  guides the sheets  9  folded in two to the first conveyance path  501 , the sheets  9  are ejected while folded in two onto the third ejection tray  13   c  by the third pair of ejection rollers  11   c.    
     In a case where the path switching mechanism  55  guides the two-fold sheets  9  to the second conveyance path  502 , a part of the sheets  9  close to their rear end is guided by the path switching mechanism  55  to a second nip N 2  between the second pair of folding rollers  54 . 
     The second pair of folding rollers  54  hold therebetween the part of the two-fold sheets  9  guided to the second nip N 2 , and convey the sheets  9  to the third conveyance path  503  while making a second fold on the sheets  9 . This allows the sheets  9  folded in three to be conveyed to the third conveyance path  503  that is directed to the third pair of ejection rollers  11   c , and ejected by the third pair of ejection rollers  11   c  onto the third ejection tray  13   c.    
     In  FIG. 3 , the sheets  9  in the middle of the three-fold working are represented by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line). First, the first pair of folding rollers  53  hold therebetween the sheets  9  so that a fold is made on the sheets  9  at a position approximately one-third in length from the leading end  9   a  in a conveyance direction of the sheets  9 . Furthermore, the first pair of folding rollers  53  continue to convey the sheets  9  to the second conveyance path  502  with the fold being at the head, even after the leading end reaches the dead end. This causes the sheets  9  to bend, and the bent portion of the sheets  9  is held between the second pair of folding rollers  54 . The second pair of folding rollers  54  convey the sheets  9  to the third conveyance path  503  while making another fold to the portion held therebetween. 
     The support member moving mechanism  43  includes an endless first belt  43   a , a pair of first support rollers  43   b , and a first motor  43   c . The pair of first support rollers  43   b  support the first belt  43   a  such that the first belt  43   a  can move rotationally in the inclination direction of the second inclined tray  40 . 
     The second support member  41  is fixed to the first belt  43   a . A part of the first belt  43   a  supported by the pair of first support rollers  43   b  serves as a lower part of the second inclined tray  40 . 
     The first motor  43   c  rotationally drives one of the pair of first support rollers  43   b . The first motor  43   c  rotationally drives, via the pair of first support rollers  43   b , the first belt  43   a  in a predetermined forward rotation direction or a reverse rotation direction. This allows the second support member  41  to move along the second inclined tray  40  at the lower part of the second inclined tray  40 . 
     The upper alignment member moving mechanism  44  includes an endless second belt  44   a , a pair of second support rollers  44   b , and a second motor  44   c . The pair of second support rollers  44   b  support the second belt  44   a  such that the second belt  44   a  can move rotationally in the inclination direction of the second inclined tray  40 . The second inclined tray  40 , the first belt  43   a , and the second belt  44   a  form an inclined sheet placement surface on which the sheets  9  are placed. 
     The upper alignment member  42  is fixed to the second belt  44   a . A part of the second belt  44   a  supported by the pair of second support rollers  44   b  serves as an upper part of the second inclined tray  40 . 
     The second motor  44   c  rotationally drives one of the pair of second support rollers  44   b . The second motor  44   c  rotationally drives, via the pair of second support rollers  44   b , the second belt  44   a  in a predetermined forward rotation direction or a reverse rotation direction. This allows the upper alignment member  42  to move along the second inclined tray  40  at the upper part of the second inclined tray  40 . 
     The upper alignment member  42  includes a base portion  42   a  and a regulation portion  42   b . The base portion  42   a  is configured to contact the rear ends  9   b  of the sheets  9  on the second inclined tray  40 . The regulation portion  42   b  faces the second inclined tray  40  across a sheet entry space S 2  in which the rear ends  9   b  of the sheets  9  enter. 
     The control unit  8  controls: motors that drive various roller pairs; the path switching mechanisms  12  and  55 ; the staple device  3 ; the motor  220  that drives the alignment rotator  22 ; the first motor  43   c ; the second motor  44   c ; the blade moving mechanism  52  and the like. 
     A portion of the control unit  8  that controls the motor  220  is a part of the configuration element of the first sheet aligning device  2 . In addition, a portion of the control unit  8  that controls the first motor  43   c  and the second motor  44   c  is a part of the configuration element of the second sheet aligning device  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the control unit  8  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  80 , a RAM (Random Access Memory)  81 , and a secondary storage device  82 . 
     The CPU  80  executes programs that are stored in the secondary storage device  82  in advance. This allows the control unit  8  to execute data processing based on detection results of various sensors, and execute various controls. 
     The RAM  81  is a computer-readable volatile storage device that primarily stores: the programs executed by the CPU  80 ; and data that is output and consulted by the CPU  80  during execution of the programs. 
     The secondary storage device  82  is a computer-readable nonvolatile storage device. The secondary storage device  82  stores the programs and various types of data. For example, either or both of a flash memory and a hard disk drive may be adopted as the secondary storage device  82 . 
     For example, when the sheets  9  are conveyed onto the first inclined tray  20  of the first sheet aligning device  2 , the control unit  8  rotates a motor that drives the alignment rotator  22 . 
     In addition, when the sheet folding device  5  applies folding to the sheets  9 , the control unit  8  sets a target position on the sheets  9  present on the inclined tray, based on the number of folds to be made on the sheets  9 , and the size of the sheets  9 . 
     Furthermore, before the sheets  9  are conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40  of the second sheet aligning device  4 , the control unit  8  moves the second support member  41  to a lower reference position P 00  corresponding to the target position by controlling the first motor  43   c  of the support member moving mechanism  43 . 
     That is, the control unit  8  moves the second support member  41  to one lower reference position P 00  that corresponds to the size of the sheets  9  on the second inclined tray  40 , among a plurality of lower reference positions P 00  corresponding to a plurality of sheet sizes. 
     Furthermore, each time a sheet  9  is conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40 , the control unit  8  moves the upper alignment member  42  from a predetermined upper reference position P 10  to an upper retreated position P 11  that is diagonally upward of the upper reference position P 10 , and then to the upper reference position P 10 , by controlling the second motor  44   c  of the upper alignment member moving mechanism  44 . 
     When the upper alignment member  42  moves from the upper retreated position P 11  to the upper reference position P 10 , the rear ends  9   b  of the sheets  9  enter the sheet entry space S 2  of the upper alignment member  42 , and the upper alignment member  42  applies a diagonally downward force to the sheets  9 . 
     Meanwhile, a sheet  9  with an image formed thereon may be curled and conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40  in the state of being curled. To deal with this, the second support member  41  may have a recess into which the leading end  9   a  of the sheet  9  enters. 
     However, if an opening of the recess of the second support member  41  is narrow, the leading end  9   a  of the sheet  9  may come off the recess of the second support member  41 . If the leading end  9   a  of the sheet  9  comes off the recess of the second support member  41 , the alignment performance of the sheets  9  is degraded. 
     On the other hand, when the opening of the recess of the second support member  41  is wide, the leading ends  9   a  of the plurality of sheets  9  may not be aligned due to varied curls of the sheets  9 , and the alignment performance of the sheets  9  may be degraded. 
     Furthermore, when a diagonally downward force is applied to the sheets  9  on the second inclined tray  40 , a portion close to the leading end  9   a  of the curled sheet  9  may bend in the recess of the second support member  41 . 
     The second sheet aligning device  4  of the sheet processing device  1000  includes a regulation member  45  and a regulation member moving mechanism  6  that are described below. With this configuration, it is possible for the second sheet aligning device  4  to prevent degradation of the alignment performance of the sheets  9  conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40 , and prevent the portion close to the leading end  9   a  of the curled sheet  9  from bending. 
     Regulation Member  45  and Regulation Member Moving Mechanism  6   
     As shown in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 , the regulation member  45  is connected to the second support member  41 . The regulation member  45  is projected from the support surface  41   a  of the second support member  41  toward the upstream in a sheet entry direction in which the sheets  9  enter onto the second inclined tray  40 . The regulation member  45  is provided to face the second inclined tray  40  across a sheet entry space S 1  in which the leading ends  9   a  of the sheets  9  enter. That is, the regulation member  45  faces the second inclined tray  40  in such a way as to define the sheet entry space S 1 . The regulation member  45  is supported so as to be movable in a separating direction from the second inclined tray  40 . 
     Each time a sheet  9  is conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40 , the regulation member moving mechanism  6  moves the regulation member  45  in a separating direction D 1  to widen the sheet entry space S 1 , and then in an approaching direction D 2  to narrow the sheet entry space S 1 . 
     In the present embodiment, the control unit  8  causes the second support member  41  to operate as follows by controlling the support member moving mechanism  43 . That is, each time a sheet  9  is conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40 , the control unit  8  causes the second support member  41  to be held at the lower reference position P 00  to receive the sheet  9 , moves the second support member  41  from the lower reference position P 00  to a lower retreated position P 01  that is diagonally downward of the lower reference position P 00 , and then to the lower reference position P 00 . 
     The regulation member moving mechanism  6  moves the regulation member  45  in conjunction with the movement of the second support member  41 . That is, the regulation member moving mechanism  6  moves the regulation member  45  in the separating direction D 1  in conjunction with the movement of the second support member  41  from the lower reference position P 00  to the lower retreated position P 01 . Furthermore, the regulation member moving mechanism  6  moves the regulation member  45  in the approaching direction D 2  in conjunction with the movement of the second support member  41  from the lower retreated position P 01  to the lower reference position P 00 . 
     As described above, each time a sheet  9  is conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40 , the regulation member moving mechanism  6  widens the sheet entry space S 1  by moving the regulation member  45  in the separating direction from the second inclined tray  40 . Thereafter, the regulation member moving mechanism  6  narrows the sheet entry space S 1  by moving the regulation member  45  in an approaching direction to the second inclined tray  40 . The following describes a specific configuration of the regulation member moving mechanism  6  according to the present embodiment. 
     The regulation member moving mechanism  6  includes a guided portion  61 , a guiding portion  62 , a spring  63 , and one or more contact members  64 . In the present embodiment, the regulation member moving mechanism  6  includes a plurality of contact members  64  that are respectively disposed at a plurality of lower retreated positions P 01  that respectively correspond to a plurality of lower reference positions P 00 . 
     The guided portion  61  is integrally formed with the regulation member  45 . The guiding portion  62  is formed in the second support member  41 . The guiding portion  62  guides the guided portion  61  in the separating direction D 1  so that the regulation member  45  is separated from the second inclined tray  40 , and in the approaching direction that is reverse to the separating direction D 1 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , the guiding portion  62  has a long hole  62   a  in which the guided portion  61  is fitted. The long hole  62   a  is formed to extend in the separating direction D 1 . 
     The spring  63  applies an elastic force in the approaching direction D 2  to the guided portion  61 . It is noted that the spring  63  is an example of an elastic member. The spring  63  may be replaced with another elastic member such as rubber. 
     The contact members  64  are held by the frame  7  at predetermined positions and formed to project in the separating direction D 1 . The contact members  64  include contact surfaces  64   a  that are inclined with respect to a direction extending along the second inclined tray  40 . When the second support member  41  moves from the lower reference position P 00  to the lower retreated position P 01 , the guided portion  61  slides on the contact surfaces  64   a.    
       FIG. 4  shows a state where the second support member  41  is present at the lower reference position P 00 , and the regulation member  45  is present at a predetermined proximity position. When the regulation member  45  is present at the proximity position, the sheet entry space S 1  is the narrowest. 
     When the second support member  41  moves from the lower reference position P 00  to the lower retreated position P 01 , the regulation member  45  moves in the separating direction D 1  from the proximity position by a pressure applied from the contact surface  64   a  to the guided portion  61 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a state where the second support member  41  is present at the lower retreated position P 01 , and the regulation member  45  is present at a position farther from the second inclined tray  40  than the proximity position and farthest from the second inclined tray  40 . In this state, the sheet entry space S 1  is the widest. 
     Furthermore, when the second support member  41  moves from the lower retreated position P 01  to the lower reference position P 00 , the regulation member  45  moves in the approaching direction D 2  by the elastic force of the spring  63  and returns to the proximity position.  FIG. 6  shows a state where the second support member  41  has returned to the lower reference position P 00 , and the regulation member  45  has returned to the proximity position. 
     The spring  63  and the contact member  64 , in conjunction with the movement of the second support member  41  from the lower reference position P 00  to the lower retreated position P 01 , move the guided portion  61  in the separating direction D 1 . Furthermore, the spring  63  and the contact member  64 , in conjunction with the movement of the second support member  41  from the lower retreated position P 01  to the lower reference position P 00 , move the guided portion  61  in the approaching direction D 2 . 
     In the second sheet aligning device  4 , the spring  63  and the contact members  64  are an example of an interlocking mechanism configured to move the guided portion  61  in conjunction with a movement of the second support member  41 . 
     The control unit  8  causes the support member moving mechanism  43  to move the second support member  41  from the lower retreated position P 01  to the lower reference position P 00 . This causes the upper alignment member moving mechanism  44  to move the upper alignment member  42  from the upper retreated position P 11  to the upper reference position P 10  each time the leading end  9   a  of a sheet  9  is supported by the second support member  41 . 
     The control unit  8  may cause the support member moving mechanism  43  to move the second support member  41  from the lower retreated position P 01  to the lower reference position P 00 , and thereafter, may cause the upper alignment member moving mechanism  44  to move the upper alignment member  42  from the upper retreated position P 11  to the upper reference position P 10 . 
     When the second sheet aligning device  4  is to receive a sheet  9  on the second inclined tray  40 , the second sheet aligning device  4  widens the sheet entry space S 1 . This prevents the leading end  9   a  of the sheet  9  from coming off the sheet entry space S 1  that is formed by the second support member  41  and the regulation member  45 . 
     Furthermore, after the sheet  9  has been received on the second inclined tray  40 , the second sheet aligning device  4  narrows the sheet entry space S 1 . This prevents the leading ends  9   a  of a plurality of sheets  9  from not being aligned due to varied curls of the sheets  9 . 
     Similarly, the above-described configuration prevents a portion close to the leading end  9   a  of the curled sheet  9  from bending in the sheet entry space S 1  when the upper alignment member  42  applies a diagonally downward force to the sheets  9  on the second inclined tray  40 . With this configuration, even if the sheets  9  are curled, the upper alignment member  42  aligns the rear ends  9   b  of the sheets  9  while the leading ends  9   a  of the sheets  9  abut on the second support member  41 . 
     Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the alignment performance of the sheets  9  conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40  from being degraded due to curls of the sheets  9 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     The following describes, with reference to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , a second sheet aligning device  4 A included in a sheet processing device  1000 A according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The second sheet aligning device  4 A is an application example of the second sheet aligning device  4 . 
     In  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , the same components as those shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6  are assigned the same reference signs. The sheet processing device  1000 A has a configuration where the second sheet aligning device  4  in the sheet processing device  1000  has been replaced with the second sheet aligning device  4 A. 
     In addition, the second sheet aligning device  4 A has a configuration where the regulation member moving mechanism  6  in the second sheet aligning device  4  has been replaced with a regulation member moving mechanism  6 A. 
     The following describes differences of the regulation member moving mechanism  6 A from the regulation member moving mechanism  6 . The regulation member moving mechanism  6 A, as is the case with the regulation member moving mechanism  6 , includes the guided portion  61  and the guiding portion  62 . 
     The regulation member moving mechanism  6 A includes a link mechanism  66  that includes the guided portion  61  and a link member  66   a . The link member  66   a  is connected to a fixed portion  66   b  in such a way as to pivot around the fixed portion  66   b  that is held by the frame  7  at a predetermined position. 
     The link mechanism  66  moves the guided portion  61  in the separating direction D 1  in conjunction with the movement of the second support member  41  from the lower reference position P 00  to the lower retreated position P 01 . Furthermore, the link mechanism  66  moves the guided portion  61  in the approaching direction D 2  in conjunction with the movement of the second support member  41  from the lower retreated position P 01  to the lower reference position P 00 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a state where the second support member  41  is present at the lower reference position P 00 , and the regulation member  45  is present at the proximity position. When the regulation member  45  is present at the proximity position, the sheet entry space S 1  is the narrowest. 
       FIG. 8  shows a state where the second support member  41  is present at the lower retreated position P 01 , and the regulation member  45  is present at a position farther from the second inclined tray  40  than the proximity position and farthest from the second inclined tray  40 . In this state, the sheet entry space S 1  is the widest. 
     In the second sheet aligning device  4 A, the link mechanism  66  is an example of the interlocking mechanism configured to move the guided portion  61  in conjunction with a movement of the second support member  41 . 
     It is noted that in the sheet processing device  1000 A, the sheet folding device  5  is configured to perform only either of the two-fold working or the three-fold working on the plurality of sheets  9  aligned by the second sheet aligning device  4 A. In addition, in the second sheet aligning device  4 A, the lower reference position P 00  is a predetermined one position. 
     The second sheet aligning device  4 A produces the same effect as the second sheet aligning device  4 . 
     Third Embodiment 
     The following describes, with reference to  FIG. 9 , a second sheet aligning device  4 B included in a sheet processing device  1000 B according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The second sheet aligning device  4 B is an application example of the second sheet aligning device  4 . 
     In  FIG. 9 , the same components as those shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6  are assigned the same reference signs. The sheet processing device  1000 B has a configuration where the second sheet aligning device  4  in the sheet processing device  1000  has been replaced with the second sheet aligning device  4 B. 
     In addition, the second sheet aligning device  4 B has a configuration where the regulation member moving mechanism  6  in the second sheet aligning device  4  has been replaced with a regulation member moving mechanism  6 B. 
     The following describes differences of the regulation member moving mechanism  6 B from the regulation member moving mechanism  6 . The regulation member moving mechanism  6 B, as is the case with the regulation member moving mechanism  6 , includes the guided portion  61 , the guiding portion  62 , and the spring  63 . 
     The regulation member moving mechanism  6 B includes an actuator  67  in place of the contact members  64 . The actuator  67 , in response to a control command from the control unit  8 , switches between: a state where it supports the regulation member  45  at the proximity position; and a state where it supports the regulation member  45  at a position farther from the second inclined tray  40  than the proximity position. 
     In the present embodiment, a moving portion of the actuator  67  abuts on, in the separating direction D 1 , a supported portion  61   a  that is a part of the guided portion  61 . For example, the actuator  67  is a solenoid. It is noted that the actuator  67  may be realized by a motor and a cam mechanism. 
     The actuator  67  allows the regulation member  45  to be present at the proximity position by supporting the supported portion  61   a  at a first position against the elastic force of the spring  63 . In  FIG. 9 , the supported portion  61   a  supported at the first position and the regulation member  45  present at the proximity position are represented by a solid line. 
     In addition, the actuator  67  allows the regulation member  45  to be present at a position farther from the second inclined tray  40  than the proximity position in the separating direction D 1 , by supporting the supported portion  61   a  at a second position against the elastic force of the spring  63 . In  FIG. 9 , the supported portion  61   a  supported at the second position and the regulation member  45  present at the position farther from the second inclined tray  40  than the proximity position in the separating direction D 1  are represented by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line). 
     That is, the actuator  67 , in response to a control command from the control unit  8 , switches between: the state where it supports the regulation member  45  at the proximity position; and the state where it supports the regulation member  45  at the position farther from the second inclined tray  40  than the proximity position. 
     Each time a sheet  9  is conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40 , the control unit  8 , by controlling the actuator  67 , moves the supported portion  61   a  from the first position to the second position, and then returns the supported portion  61   a  to the first position. 
     Accordingly, each time a sheet  9  is conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40 , the regulation member  45  moves in the separating direction D 1  from the proximity position, and then returns to the proximity position. As such, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to move the second support member  41  from the lower reference position P 00  to the lower retreated position P 01  each time a sheet  9  is conveyed onto the second inclined tray  40 . 
     The second sheet aligning device  4 B produces the same effect as the second sheet aligning device  4 . 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     The following describes, with reference to  FIG. 10 , a sheet processing device  1000 C according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The sheet processing device  1000 C has a configuration where a regulation member moving mechanism  6 B has been added to the sheet processing device  1000 . In the present embodiment, the regulation member moving mechanism  6 B is configured to move a regulation member  23  connected to the first support member  21  of the first sheet aligning device  2 . 
     When the sheet processing device  1000 C is adopted, the first sheet aligning device  2  produces the same effect as the second sheet aligning device  4 . 
     It is to be understood that the embodiments herein are illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.