Image forming device
US6923439B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 2, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H29/60
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An image forming device includes an upstream-side sheet transport pathway, a plurality of downstream-side sheet transport pathways, and a pathway switching mechanism. The plurality of downstream-side sheet transport pathways diverge from the upstream-side sheet transport pathway at a divergence point. At the divergence point, the pathway switching mechanism selectively guides sheets that were transported following the upstream-side sheet transport pathway to one of the plurality of downstream-side sheet transport pathways. The pathway switching mechanism includes a pair of upstream-side gate members and a gate member pivoting unit. The pair of upstream-side gate members include a pair of pivot shafts and a pair of gates. The pair of pivot shafts are disposed with the sheet transport pathway interposed therebetween. Each of the pair of gates is pivotable around a corresponding one the pair of pivot shafts and extends substantially toward the downstream-side sheet transport pathways. The gate member pivoting unit pivots the pair of gates substantially simultaneously and substantially in the same direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.