IP Library Granted Patent US 11,167,947
Granted Patent B2
US 11,167,947 · App. 16/459,030 · Granted Nov 9, 2021

Image forming apparatus

Inventor: Takatoshi Nishimura (Osaka, JP)
Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
B65H9/166B65H5/062B65H7/08B65H9/002B65H5/36B65H2404/14212B65H2404/6111B65H2511/216B65H2701/1311
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,167,947
App. No.
16/459,030
Granted
Nov 9, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a feeder, and a relay device. The main body forms an image on a sheet. The feeder feeds the sheet toward the main body. The relay device connects the main body to the feeder. The main body is placed on a placement surface. The feeder is arranged opposite to the main body with the relay device therebetween in a direction along the placement surface. The relay device includes a conveyance unit and a casing which houses the conveyance unit. The conveyance unit conveys the sheet fed from the feeder to the main body and rotates relative to the casing with an axis as a pivot thereof. The axis extends in a cross direction intersecting with the placement surface.

Claims (39)

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a main body configured to form an image on a sheet;

a feeder configured to feed the sheet toward the main body; and

a relay device connecting the main body to the feeder, wherein

the main body is placed on a placement surface,

the feeder is arranged opposite to the main body with the relay device therebetween in a direction along the placement surface,

the relay device includes a conveyance unit and a casing which houses the conveyance unit,

the conveyance unit

conveys the sheet fed from the feeder to the main body, and

rotates relative to the casing with an axis as a pivot thereof, the axis extending in a cross direction intersecting with the placement surface,

the conveyance unit includes a rotation adjustment section configured to adjust rotation of the conveyance unit with the axis as a pivot thereof,

the rotation adjustment section includes a male screw member and a female screw member,

the male screw member includes a head and a screw extending from the head toward the female screw member,

the casing includes a side plate member configured to restrict movement of the head, and

the head presses against the side plate member as threading of the female screw member and the screw loosens.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the conveyance unit includes an outward conveyance section configured to convey the sheet out to the main body in an outward conveyance direction, and

the outward conveyance section changes the outward conveyance direction according to a rotational angle by which the conveyance unit is rotated with the axis as a pivot thereof, and conveys the sheet out to the main body.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the casing includes a shaft member extending in a direction along the axis, and

the conveyance unit has an insertion hole into which the shaft member is rotatably inserted.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the casing includes a base member onto which the conveyance unit is placed, and

the conveyance unit includes a swinging member configured to swing an upper portion of the base member according to rotation with the axis as a pivot thereof.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the rotation adjustment section includes an urging member, and

the urging member urges the head toward the side plate member.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the side plate member has a through hole at a location opposite to the head, and

the through hole has a shape corresponding to a shape of a tool.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the relay device includes a rotational driving section configured to rotationally drive the male screw member,

at least one of the relay device and the main body includes a detector configured to detect the conveyed sheet, and

the main body includes a controller configured to control the rotational driving section based on a result of detection by the detector.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the feeder includes a first feeder and at least one second feeder,

the first feeder is connected to the relay device,

the second feeder conveys the sheet toward the first feeder, and

the second feeder is arranged opposite to the relay device with the first feeder therebetween in a direction along the placement surface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2019
From: NISHIMURA, TAKATOSHI
To: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 049645/0254 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2018-127545 · Jul 4, 2018 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200010296A1 · Jan 9, 2020