JP2816413B2 - Sorter with step ring mechanism - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a plurality of distribution bins, distributing means movably provided along the plurality of distribution bins, and distributing a sheet to each distribution bin. The present invention relates to a sorter with a step ring mechanism, comprising: a stapler for stepping and binding sheets stored in a distribution bin.

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a sorter is connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copier, and sorts sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus or the like by aligning the pages in a plurality of distribution bins by a distribution unit. Things.

This sorter can be classified into various types according to a method of distributing sheets to distribution bins. As one type, a type in which a distributing means moves on the front end side of a plurality of distribution bins and discharges sheets to each distribution bin is known.

On the other hand, some sorters are provided with a step ring mechanism for stepping and binding sheets stored in a distribution bin.

As this step ring mechanism, there is known a step ring mechanism in which a stapler is movably provided along one side of a plurality of distribution bins to step a sheet (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-1853, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. See 1-281258).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when the stapler is moved along one side of the plurality of distribution bins as described above, there is a problem that the stapler projects to one side of the sorter.

Therefore, in the sorter in which the distributing means moves the front end side of the plurality of distribution bins and discharges sheets to each distribution bin, the stapler moves the front end side of the plurality of distribution bins like the distributing means. Possible provisions have been proposed by the same patent applicant as the present invention (unpublished). In this apparatus, after the distributing means moves to distribute the sheets to the distribution bins, the stapler moves to step the sheets on the distribution bins.

According to this, the stapler does not protrude to one side of the sorter, and the entire sorter can be downsized.

However, when the distributing means and the stapler are moved along the front ends of the plurality of distribution bins, the distributing means and the stapler must be prevented from interfering with each other.

Simply setting the movement range in the control means such as the CPU so that the distributing means and the stapler do not interfere with each other may cause damage to the distributing means and the stapler due to collision if the control means fails. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorter with a step ring mechanism that reliably prevents interference between a distributing unit and a stapler in a sorter that moves the distributing unit and a stapler along the front end sides of a plurality of distribution bins. It is in.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is one in which at least one of the distributing means and the stapler is arranged outside the moving area and the other home position is arranged.

[Operation] In the present invention, since the other home position is disposed outside the moving area of at least one of the distributing means and the stapler, the interference between the distributing means and the stapler can be reliably prevented.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

 FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a vertical section of this sorter.

Referring to FIG. 1, the right side of the sorter is attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus (not shown) such as a copying machine.

A plurality of distribution bins 2 are vertically arranged in a frame 1 of the sorter. A guide member 3 is movably attached to the sheet carrying end side of the distribution bin 2.

Above the distribution bin 2, a dedicated bin 4 for storing sheets in a non-sort mode without sorting is provided.

A guide roller 5 for guiding a sheet such as a copy sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus into the sorter and a transport path 6 are provided. At the entrance, a sheet sensor 7 for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet is provided. In the sort mode, when a sheet is detected to be carried in, a guide roller 5, a conveyance belt 11, a suction unit
12 is driven.

The end of the transport path 6 is connected to the dedicated bin 4. On the other hand, a switching claw 9 for selecting whether the sheet is sent to the dedicated bin 4 or the distribution bin 2 is provided in the middle of the conveyance path 6 so as to be vertically swingable.

The transport direction of the sheet is switched by the switching claw 9 entering the transport path 6, and the sheet is sent to each distribution bin 2 via a transport unit and a distribution unit described later.

The conveying means conveys the sheet downward while sucking the sheet. The transport means includes a transport belt 11 having suction holes stretched between upper and lower pulleys 10, and a suction means 12 such as a fan for attaching a sheet to the transport belt 11.

The distributing means 13 separates the sheet from the conveying means and discharges the sheet to a selected distribution bin. The distributing means 13 separates the sheet from the transport belt 11 and guides the sheet to the distribution bin 2.
1b, and the discharge roller 14 provided on the separation guide members 131a and 131b and forcibly conveying the sheet toward the distribution bin. Further, the distribution means 13 is fixed to a pair of right and left timing belts 16 for raising and lowering stretched between the upper and lower pulleys 15.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pulley 15 below the distribution means 13 is connected by a connecting shaft 17. The pulley 18 provided on the connecting shaft 17 is connected to a pinion 25 of a motor 24 via a clutch mechanism 23 having a belt 19, a pulley 20, a shaft 21, a helical gear 22, a worm gear 231 and a gear 232. The clutch mechanism 23 interrupts the drive connection between the pinion 25 of the motor 24 and the helical gear 22.

The distribution means 13 is guided along a guide rail 28 via rollers 27 on both sides thereof. The guide rail 28 also serves as a guide for a stapler unit 30 described later.

A pair of photoelectric sheet sensors 29 each including a pair of light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements are installed at the heights of the upper and lower ends of the distributing means 13 and the lifting / lowering area of the stapler unit 30. 2 is to detect the passage of the sheet discharged to the printer 2. The sheet sensor 29 detects whether or not there is a sheet on the guide member 3 when the guide member 3 movably provided with respect to the distribution bin 2 is pulled to the step ring position of the stapler 55 as described later. It is also possible.

A stapler unit 30 is provided so as to ascend and descend the elevating area of the distribution means 13. The stapler unit 30 includes a stapler 55 described later, a sheet pressing means 26, and a guide member pulling means 57 (see FIG. 3).

The stapler unit 30 is connected to a pair of right and left timing belts 32 for lifting that are stretched between upper and lower pulleys 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The lower pulley 31 is the connecting shaft
Connected at 33. Pulley provided on this connecting shaft 33
Reference numeral 34 is connected to the pinion 25 of the motor 24 via a clutch mechanism 39 having a belt 35, a pulley 36, a shaft 37, a helical gear 38, a worm gear 391 and a gear 392. The clutch mechanism 39 interrupts connection between the pinion 25 of the motor 24 and the helical gear 38.

The stapler unit 30 is configured to be guided along the guide rail 28 via rollers 41 on both sides thereof.

The clutch mechanisms 23 and 39 select whether to drive the distribution unit 13 and the stapler unit 30. Further, the amount of elevation of the distributing means 13 and the stapler unit 30 is detected by slit disks 43 and 44 and photoelectric sensors 45 and 46 provided integrally with the respective worm gears 231 and 391, and for each distribution bin 2, It is designed to feed up and down accurately.

As shown in FIG. 1, the positions A and B near the positions of the uppermost and lowermost distribution bins 2 are the distribution means 13 and the stapler unit 30 respectively.
Is the home position.

The upper end of the timing belt 32, which is the moving means of the stapler unit 30, is disposed at a position that does not interfere with the home position A of the distributing means 13 even when the stapler unit 30 moves to the uppermost end of the belt 32. .

Positioning means for positioning the sheet discharged onto the distribution bin 2 with reference to a substantially center of the distribution bin 2 is provided. This positioning means is connected to a pulley 49 on one side of the uppermost distribution bin 2 via a pulley 47 and a belt 48 as shown in FIG.
And a pulley 51 via the pulley 49 and the belt 50.
And a pair of left and right positioning members 52 are coupled to the belt 50 so as to face each other. And this top distribution bin 2
As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of left and right positioning members 52 are connected to each distribution bin 2 via a connection shaft 53 as shown in FIG. That is, by rotating the belt 50 in the normal and reverse directions, the positioning members 52 are moved in the directions away from and in contact with each other. ing.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the stapler unit 30 and the guide member 3, and FIG. 4 is a rear view in which a part of the stapler unit 30 is omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the stapler unit 30
The stapler 55 and the sheet pressing means 56 are provided integrally on the base 54 so as to be movable in the width direction of the guide member 3,
Attraction means 57 for pulling the guide member 3 are provided at the left and right ends of the base 54.
Is provided.

Pressing means 56 is integrally provided on the side of the stapler 55. A running wheel 58 is provided on the stapler 55 and is connected to a belt 59. The belt 59 is stretched between a pair of pulleys 60, and one pulley 60 is connected to a motor 61.

That is, the rotation of the motor 61 causes the stapler 55 and the pressing means 56 to move horizontally in the width direction of the guide member 3 via the belt 59.

A square shaft 62 is supported on the base 54 via a bearing 63, and the square shaft 62 is penetrated by the holding means 56 and the pulling means 57,
The pulley 64 provided on the square shaft 62 is a belt 65 and a pulley 66
Through the motor 67. The forward / reverse rotation of the square shaft 62 causes the holding means 56 and the pulling means 57 to advance and retreat with respect to the guide member 3 via a pinion rack mechanism described later.

That is, the forward / reverse rotation of the motor 67 causes the pressing means 56 and the pulling means 57 to advance and retreat with respect to the guide member 3 via the forward / reverse rotation of the square shaft 63.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pulling means 57 and the guide member 3,
FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the holding means 56, and FIG.
FIG. 55 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG.

The drawing means 57 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. FIG.

A pinion 68 is fitted to the square shaft 62, and the pinion 68
The rack 69 is engaged with the support frame 70.
Are provided integrally. A pin 72 of a lock member 75 is engaged with an elongated hole 71 formed in the support frame 70, and the lock member 75 is swingably fixed to the support frame 70 about a fulcrum shaft 74. An urging spring 76 for urging the lock member 75 downward is provided between the support frame 70 and the lock member 75.
Is interposed. On the other hand, a guide shaft 77 is fixed to the base 54, and the support frame 70 and the lock member 75 are fixed to the guide shaft 77.
Are slidably provided. That is, the forward and reverse rotation of the square shaft 62 causes the pinion 68, the rack 69, and the support frame 70 to rotate.
The lock member 75 moves back and forth along the guide shaft 77 via the. The pin 78 provided integrally with the lock member 75 and the elongated hole 79 provided in the support frame 70 regulate the range of movement of the lock member 75 in the front-rear direction. 75
a is a lock pin that engages with the guide member 3.

The guide member 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG.

The guide members 3 are provided movably with respect to the distribution bins 2 on the sheet carry-in end side of each distribution bin 2.

A regulating portion 80 for aligning and regulating one end of the sheet is provided upright at the sheet carry-in end of the guide member 3, and the stepper 55 and the pressing means 56 are used when the guide member 3 is retracted to the step ring position of the stepper 55. Notches 81a and 81b where are located are formed at the center in the width direction and at one end.

The guide member 3 and the base 54 of the stapler unit 30
Are formed in the sheet sensor 29, respectively. When the guide member 3 is drawn toward the stapler unit 30, the two through holes 82 and 83 overlap to form a sheet on the guide member 3. When there is no sheet, the beam of the sheet sensor 29 passes, but when there is a sheet on the guide member 3, the beam is cut off. Thus, the presence or absence of the sheet on the guide member 3 is detected, and the drive control of the stapler 55 is performed so that the step ring is performed only when the sheet is present.

Guide plates 84 are provided at the left and right ends of the guide member 3, and can be smoothly moved back and forth by rollers 86 provided on the side frames 85. Between the side frame 85 and the guide member 3, a return spring 87 for returning the pulled out guide member 3 is interposed.

Lock portions 88 are provided on the left and right sides of the guide member 3 to engage the lock pins 75a of the lock members 75 of the pulling means 57.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, pressing means
56 is explained.

A pinion 89 is fitted to the square shaft 62, and the pinion 89
The rack 90 is engaged with the support frame 91.
Are provided integrally, and the support frame 91 is
It moves back and forth along.

A solenoid 93 is provided on the upper part of the support frame 91,
A link 95 that swings back and forth around a fulcrum shaft 94 is connected to the lever 93a of the solenoid 93, and this link 95 is connected to a link 97 that swings up and down around the fulcrum shaft 94 via a buffer spring 96. Have been. The distal end of the link 97 is connected to a guide pin 98. The guide pin 98 is vertically moved along the elongated hole 99 and is connected to a sheet pressing member 100. A return spring 1 that separates the pressing member 100 from the seat between the link 97 and the support frame 91.
01 is interposed.

That is, by rotating the square shaft 62 forward, the pinion 89 and the rack 9 are rotated.
0, advance the holding member 100 through the support frame 91,
The solenoid 93 sucks the lever 93a and lowers the pressing member 100 via the link 95, the buffer spring 96, the link 97, and the guide pin 98 to press the sheet from above.

The stapler 55 will be described with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG.

The stapler 55 is a known one, and includes a motor 102, a gear 103 which is normally and reversely rotated by the motor 102,
A bracket 104 swings up and down by 3, an anvil 105 for stepping with the bracket 104 sandwiching a sheet bundle, and a needle storage unit 106.

The sorter configured as described above operates as follows.

When the sheet sensor 7 detects that the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus enters the sorter, the guide roller 5 is driven to convey the sheet via the conveyance path 6.

In the sorter mode, the sheet is sent downward through the switching claw 9 that has entered the transport path 6. At this time, the conveyance belt 11 of the conveyance means conveys the sheet downward while sucking the sheet. Also, a clutch 23 for the distribution means 13 is connected,
And the clutch 39 for the stapler unit is disengaged, the motor 24 is rotated forward, the pinion 25, the gear 232, the worm gear 231, the helical gear 22, the shaft 21, the pulley 20, the belt 19,
The distributing means 13 is moved to a position facing the selected distribution bin 2 via the pulley 18, the connecting shaft 17, the pulley 15, and the timing belt 16.

Accordingly, the sheet lowered by the conveyor belt 11 is separated from the conveyor belt 11 by the separation guide members 13a and 13b of the distribution bin 13 and guided to the distribution bin 2. Distribution bin 2
When the sheet sensor 29 detects that the sheet has been discharged, the distributing means 13 is controlled to move to a position facing the adjacent distribution bin 2, and discharges the next sheet to the next distribution bin 2.

Assuming that the copier uses the automatic document feeder and sets a condition that three sets of ten originals are to be copied in the sword mode, the copier first sets the first original to the first original. Then, three copies are successively made, and these copies are sequentially sent to the transport path 6 of the sorter.

The distributing means 13 peels off the leading one of the three copies from the conveyor belt 11 at the home position shown in FIG. 1, guides the sheet to the distribution bin 2 and discharges it.

A sheet sensor detects that the sheet has been discharged to the distribution bin 2.
29, the motor 24 is driven by a predetermined amount to
Is controlled to move to a position facing the adjacent lower distribution bin 2.

Then, the second copy of the copy is discharged to the distribution bin 2. When the third copy is discharged to a predetermined distribution bin (third distribution bin (not shown) from the top), distribution bin 13
Is stopped at that position, the first copy of the three copies created for the second document and conveyed continuously to the sorter side is first discharged to the distribution bin, and then the motor 24
To control the movement of the distributing means 13 to the position facing the adjacent upper distribution bin 2. For the second and third copies of the copy, the distributing means 13 is sequentially raised to discharge the copy.

The same control as described above is repeated for the third to tenth originals.

The sheet discharged onto the distribution bin 2 slides down by its own weight along the inclination of the distribution bin 2, and one end of the sheet is aligned with the regulating portion 80 of the guide member 3. Further, by rotating the belt 50 of the positioning means in the normal and reverse directions, the positioning members 52 are moved in the directions of being separated from and in contact with each other, and the sheet is pushed from the left and right to be positioned with reference to the approximate center of the distribution bin 2.

After the distribution of sheets to distribution bin 2 is completed, the indexer
13 is located at the home position shown in FIG.

Next, the clutch 23 for the indexer is disengaged, and the clutch 39 for the stapler unit is connected, the motor 24 is rotated forward, and the pinion 25, the gear 392, the worm gear 391,
Helical gear 38, shaft 37, pulley 36, belt 35, pulley 34,
The stapler unit 30 is moved via the connecting shaft 33, the pulley 31, and the timing belt 32, and stops at the position of the selected distribution bin 2.

Next, the motor 61 is driven to move the stapler 55 and the pressing means 56 integrally in the width direction of the guide member 3 via the pulley 60 and the belt 59, and stop at one of the notches 81a and 81b. I do. Depending on the stop position of the stapler 55, the center or the edge of the sheet in the width direction can be stepped.

Next, the pulley 66, the belt 65,
By rotating the square shaft 62 forward through the pulley 64, the forward rotation of the square shaft 62 causes the lock member 75 to project forward through the pinion 68 of the pulling means 57 and the rack 69, and the lock pin 75a of the lock member 75 to move. Sliding on the inclined portion of the lock portion 88 of the guide member 3,
Ascend and engage.

Further, by the rotation of the angular shaft 62, the pressing member 100 projects forward with the support frame 91 integrally via the pinion 89 and the rack 90 of the pressing means 56.

Next, the solenoid 93 of the holding means 56 is moved to its lever 93a.
Is pulled down, the link 97 is lowered via the link 95 and the buffer spring 96, and the sheet pressing member 100 presses the sheet on the guide member 3 from above through the lowering of the guide pin 98.

Next, when the motor 67 is rotated in the reverse direction to rotate the square shaft 62 in the reverse direction, the lock member 75 of the pulling means 57 is moved rearward, and the lock member 75 draws the guide member 3 toward the stapler unit 30. Due to the reverse rotation of the square shaft 62, the pressing member 100 of the pressing means 56 also moves backward while pressing the sheet.

When the guide member 3 is pulled into the stapler unit 30, the guide member 3 and the base 54 of the stapler unit 30 are moved.
The through holes 82 and 83 overlap to enable the photoelectric sheet sensor 29 to operate. When the sheet sensor 29 is ON (when the light receiving element receives light from the light emitting element), it is determined that there is no sheet on the guide member 3 and the guide member 3 is returned without executing the step ring. Then, the stapler unit 30 is moved to the next distribution bin 2.

On the other hand, when the sheet sensor 29 is OFF (when the light receiving element does not receive light from the light emitting element), it is determined that there is a sheet, and the stapler 55 steps the sheet.

After the step ring is completed, the solenoid 93 of the holding means 56
Is turned off (de-energized state), and the pressing member 100 is separated from the sheet by the action of the return spring 101.

Next, when the stapler unit 30 is slightly raised, the engagement between the lock portion 88 of the guide member 3 and the lock member 75 of the pulling means 57 is released, and the guide member 3 is returned by the return spring 87.

Next, the stapler unit 30 is moved to the adjacent distribution bin 2, and the above operation is repeated.

The home position of the stapler unit 30 is provided further below the installation area of the distribution bin 2 as shown in FIG. Is controlled along the distribution bin 2, but even if the step ring of each distribution bin 2 is executed while moving down to the uppermost distribution bin 2 position,
The step ring may be executed while ascending from the distribution bin 2 of the lowermost stage 2 of the above.

 According to the above sorter, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The same area as the elevating area of the distribution means 13 is moved to the stapler 55.
Are arranged so as to move up and down, so that the sorter can be downsized and the sorter does not protrude in the width direction.

(2) The upper end of the timing belt 32 as the moving means of the stapler unit 30 is the home position A of the distributing means 13.
The stapler unit 30 does not collide with the distribution unit 13 even if the timing belt 32 is driven beyond a predetermined amount due to a failure of the control unit or the like.

(3) One sheet sensor 29 can detect both the passage of the sheet through the distribution unit 13 and the detection of the presence or absence of the sheet on the guide member 3 drawn toward the stapler 55.

(4) Guide member 3 movably provided in distribution bin 2
To the position where you can step ring with the sheet,
Since the sheets are stepped, the driving force can be reduced and the driving system can be downsized, as compared with the case where the entire distribution bin 2 is moved to the stapler 55 side.

(5) When the guide member 3 is pulled and stepped, the upper sheet of the guide member 3 is pressed by the holding member 10.
Since the sheet is pressed by 0, the sheet can be reliably drawn together with the guide member 3, and the curled sheet bundle can be compressed to facilitate stepping.

(6) Since the guide member 3 is moved to the stapler 55 side while aligning one end of the sheet with the regulating portion 80 of the guide member 3 and pressing the sheet against the guide member 3 from above by the pressing means 56, the step Variation of the seat to be ringed during movement can be minimized.

(7) Since the sheet pressing means 56 and the pulling means 57 of the guide member 3 are integrally moved up and down together with the stapler 55 as the same stapler unit 30,
The mechanism of the step ring system can be simplified as compared with the case where the holding means 56 and the drawing means 57 are provided for each distribution bin separately from 55.

(8) Since the pulling means 57 engages with the left and right sides of the guide member 3 and pulls it, the guide member 3 can be pulled stably.

(9) By moving the stapler 55 along the width direction of the guide member 3, stepling can be performed at a plurality of positions in the width direction of the sheet or at an arbitrary position.

(10) Since the sheet pressing means 56 is moved along the width direction of the guide member 3 integrally with the stapler 55, even when the stapler 55 is moved along the width direction of the sheet, the vicinity of the stapler 55 is maintained. Thus, the sheet bundle can be compressed by the pressing means to surely perform the step ring.

(11) The pressing means 56 and the pulling means 57 which are pressed by one motor 67 can be moved forward and backward, and the drive mechanism of the pressing means 56 and the pulling means 57 can be simplified.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, even if the timing belts 32 and 16 as the respective moving means of the distributing means 13 and the stapler unit 30 are disposed at positions not interfering with the other home positions B and A. Good.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a regulating means 150 may be provided so that the distributing means 13 does not interfere with the home position B of the stapler unit 30.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, regulating means 150 and 151 may be provided so that the distributing means 13 and the stapler unit 30 do not interfere with the other home positions B and A, respectively.

Further, in the above embodiment, the sheet is pressed against the guide member provided at the front end of the distribution bin and drawn toward the stapler side. Alternatively, the entire distribution bin 2 may be drawn toward the stapler 55 side (the eleventh embodiment). Alternatively, the sheet may be nipped only from the distribution bin 2 and drawn to the stapler 55 (see FIG. 12), or the stapler 55 may be moved toward the distribution bin 2 (see FIG. 13).

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention described above is provided movably along a plurality of distribution bins and the front end side of the plurality of distribution bins,
A step ring mechanism comprising: a distributing means for distributing sheets to the respective distribution bins; and a stapler movably provided along the front end side of the plurality of distribution bins and stepping the sheets on the guide member. In the attached sorter, since the other home position is located outside the moving area of at least one of the distributing means and the stapler, both the distributing means and the stapler are moved along the front end side of the plurality of distributing bins. Even if possible, it is possible to reliably prevent the distributing means from interfering with the stapler.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 7 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the entire sorter. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a distribution bin, a guide member, and a stapler unit. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the guide member and the stapler unit. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the stapler unit. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pulling means and the guide member. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the holding means. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the stapler. 8 to 13 are schematic longitudinal sectional views of other embodiments. 2: distribution bin, 11: transport belt 12: suction unit, 13: distribution means 16: timing belt 30: stepper unit 32: timing belt 55: stepper, 56: holding means 57: pulling means 150, 151: regulating means A: Home position of distribution means B: Home position of stapler unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI B65H 39/11 B65H 39/11 B G03G 15/00 534 G03G 15/00 534 (56) References , A) JP-A-63-252872 (JP, A) JP-A-63-262374 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65H 37/00-37/06, 39/11 G03G 15/00 534 B42C 1/12 B42B 4/00 B27F 7 / 21,7 / 17

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of distribution bins, distributing means movably provided along a front end side of the plurality of distribution bins, and distributing sheets to the respective distribution bins, a front end of the plurality of distribution bins And a stepper that is provided so as to be movable along the side and steps the sheet on the guide member. A sorter with a step ring mechanism, wherein a home position is arranged. 2. A sorter with a step ring mechanism according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the moving means of the distributing means and the stapler is disposed at a position which does not interfere with the other home position. 3. A sorter with a step ring mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising regulating means for preventing at least one of the distributing means and the stapler from interfering with the other home position.