Patent ID: 7611144

Claim:
A guide device for a sheet, comprising: transport means for holding and transporting the sheet; a first piling device and a second piling device for piling the sheet transported by said transport means; switching means for switching between a first state, where the sheet held by said transport means is delivered to said first piling device, and a second state, where the sheet held by said transport means is passed above said first piling device and transported to a downstream side in a sheet transport direction; at least one guide means, each guide means including, first guide means which, when in said second state, stretches out toward a side above said first piling device under an action of drive means to guide the sheet being passed, second guide means adapted to move between a guide position, at which said second guide means guides the sheet between said first piling device and said second piling device, such that the sheet is guided over substantially an entire distance between the first piling device and the second piling device, and a retreat position, at which said second guide means has receded from said guide position, said second guide means moves toward the guide position as the first guide means stretches out; and a position restraint member provided beside said second piling device and supported to be movable in the sheet transport direction in accordance with a size of the sheet, wherein when in said second state, said second guide means is at said guide position, and wherein said second guide means is supported via said position restraint member.