JPH07267474A - Sheet truing-up device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a sheet truing-up device aligning a copying paper sheet fed to a guide table in the width direction and preventing the fed copying paper sheet from being floated to cause a conveyance trouble. CONSTITUTION:This sheet truing-up device is provided with pressing members 39, 39a pressing both side sections of the fed copying paper sheet 2 from above on a pair of side fences 14, 14a aligning the copying paper sheet 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a pair of side fences located on both sides of a sheet to be aligned, and at least one of the side fences is reciprocated in the lateral direction with respect to the traveling direction of the sheet. The present invention relates to a sheet aligning device that moves and aligns sheets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a copying machine, a printing machine, a facsimile or peripheral devices thereof, such as an automatic document feeder, a paper folding machine, a punching machine, a paper binding machine, etc., sheets of copying paper, printing paper or originals are described above. It is well known in the prior art that sheet alignment devices of this type can be used to facilitate alignment and subsequent processing. For example, in a double-sided copying machine, a copy sheet having a copy image formed on one side is temporarily stored in an intermediate sheet feeding device and then re-fed toward the photoconductor. In order that the sheet can be aligned with the predetermined position of the photoconductor, the copy sheets carried into the intermediate sheet feeding device are aligned by the sheet aligning device.

In a conventional sheet aligning apparatus of this type, a movable side fence is supported so as to be capable of reciprocating between a standby position and an aligning position for aligning sheets, and a sheet is fed between both side fences. When coming in, the movable side fence occupies its standby position, and during the alignment operation of the sheets, this movable side fence moves from the standby position to the alignment position to align the sheets.

In such a conventional sheet aligning apparatus, when a sheet is fed between both side fences, the sheet is lifted, which may cause a sheet conveyance trouble. In particular, if the sheet fed in is curled, the conveyance problem is likely to occur.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet aligning device which eliminates the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has a guide table for supporting a sheet and both sides of the sheet fed on the guide table, at least one of which is the sheet. A pair of side fences that reciprocate laterally with respect to the traveling direction, a forward and reverse stepping motor that drives the movable side fence, and a stepping motor and a movable side fence so that the movable side fence reciprocates. A transmission means for drivingly connecting the movable side fence, a standby position for the movable side fence, and a sheet receiving position closer to the sheet than the standby position, which is outside the side edge of the sheet by a predetermined distance.
Control means for controlling the stepping motor so as to occupy the alignment position for aligning the sheet on the guide table, and for the movable side fence to occupy the sheet receiving position when the sheet is fed between the pair of side fences. And when a sheet is fed onto the guide table with the movable side fence occupying the sheet receiving position supported by the side fence,
A sheet aligning device is proposed which includes a pressing member that presses the side portion of the sheet in the traveling direction from the upper surface side toward the guide table.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a sheet aligning device of an intermediate sheet feeding device in a double-sided copying machine will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The intermediate paper feeder 1 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged in a main body of a double-sided copying machine (not shown), and is separated from a photoconductor (not shown) to form a copy sheet on one side of which a copy image is formed. The (sheet) 2 is carried into the paper feeding device 1 from the left side of the drawing, for example, as indicated by an arrow A1.

The copy paper 2 carried in is sent in the direction of arrow A onto the intermediate tray 3 and the guide table 4 of the sheet aligning device 11 which will be described later. At that time, the copy paper 2 comes into contact with the copy paper 2 and is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to be driven by the feed roller 5.
The leading end of the copy paper hits the stopper 6 and stops. When the copy paper 2 is stopped, the feed roller 5 rotates while slipping on the copy paper.

Similarly, a predetermined number of copy sheets are sequentially fed onto the intermediate tray 3 and the guide table 4, and the leading ends thereof are aligned by the stopper 6. The feed roller 5 continues to rotate while the copy paper 2 is sequentially fed. The feed roller 5 is supported by an arm 8 rotatably supported around a support shaft 7 in the direction of arrow B, contacts the copy paper 2 by its own weight, and moves upward as the stack thickness of the copy paper increases. Lift up. The stopper 6 is also supported rotatably around its support shaft 9.

When a predetermined number of copy papers 2 have been accumulated,
The stopper 6 rotates clockwise from the position shown in the figure, the leading edge of the copy paper is opened, and the feed roller rotates in the direction of arrow B to separate from the copy paper. Further, the paper feed roller 10 drops onto the uppermost copy paper, and the roller rotates counterclockwise, so that the copy papers are sent out one by one from the intermediate paper feed device 1 as shown by an arrow C, and again on the photoconductor. Then, the copy image is formed on the other side of the copy paper.

At this time, the copy paper needs to be aligned in the lateral position so that the copy paper can be aligned with a predetermined position on the photoconductor. For this purpose, as described above, the copy paper 2 is used.
When the sheet is fed to the intermediate sheet feeding device 1, the sheet aligning device 11 aligns the positions in the width direction. The details will be clarified below.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sheet aligning devices 11 in this embodiment are spaced apart from each other, and the stay member 13 is provided.
Has a pair of side plates 12 and 12a connected to each other via the side plates 12 and 12a, and the guide table 4 for supporting the copy paper is fixedly supported on the side plates 12 and 12a. A pair of movable side fences 14, 14a are symmetrically arranged on the upper surface of the guide table 4, and each side fence 14,
14a is an upright portion 1 that stands up from the base portions 15 and 15a.
6 and 16a, each base and each side fence are substantially L-shaped as a whole. Further, in this example, the side fence 14a has a leaf spring 35 having one end fixed to the inner wall surface of the upright portion 16a, and the other end of each leaf spring 35 can be elastically deformed as shown by the arrow. Furthermore, each leaf spring 35
A bead 36 is formed on the side fence portion on the copy paper entrance side. Both side fences may be provided with leaf springs and beads or these leaf springs and beads may be eliminated. Also the side fence 14,
Two sliding plates 17 and 17a are arranged on the lower surface of the guide table on the side opposite to the side on which 14a is provided.

On the other hand, the guide table 4 has two elongated holes 18, 1 extending in the lateral direction D with respect to the traveling direction A of the copy paper 2.
8a is provided, and guide pins 19, 19a are slidably fitted in these elongated holes 18, 18a in the longitudinal direction of each hole. Guide pin 1 fitted in one long hole 18
Each end of 9 has a base 15 for one side fence 14.
And one end of the guide pin 19a fixed to the one slide plate 17 respectively and similarly fitted into the other long hole 18a, the base part 15a for the other side fence 14a and the slide plate 17a. It is fixed to each. Further, elongated holes 20, 20a extending in the lateral direction D are also formed in the sliding plates 17, 17a, and stepped screws 21, 21a fixed to the guide table 4 are formed in the elongated holes 20 respectively. , 2
It is slidably fitted in the extending direction of 0a.

As described above, each side fence 14, 14a
Is attached to each of the sliding plates 17 and 17a corresponding to these bases 1
5, 15a and the guide pins 19, 19a are integrally connected to each other, and the side fences 14, 14a are arranged on the guide table 4 on the bases 15, 15a and the sliding plates 1.
It is possible to move in the lateral direction D together with 7, 17a.

A bracket 22 is fixedly mounted on one side plate 12, and a forward / reverse stepping motor 23 for driving the movable side fences 14 and 14a is fixedly supported on the bracket 22. A drive pulley 24 fixed to the output shaft of the motor 23 and guide pulleys 27, 26, 25 rotatably supported by the bracket 22 and the stay member 13 pass through holes (not shown) in the side plate 12. An extending wire 28 is wound around, and both ends of this wire 28 are connected via tension springs 29. In this way, the wire 28 forms an endless loop and hangs on each pulley, and is tensioned by the spring 29.

Wire portions 28a, 2 extending parallel to each other
One portion 28a of 8b includes a wire locking portion 30 projectingly formed on the sliding plate 17 and a fixing plate 31 screwed to the wire locking portion 30.
And the other wire portion 28b is similarly fixed between the wire locking portion 30a of the other sliding plate 17a and the fixed plate 3.
It is fixed by 1a and. Since the wire portions 28a and 28b are fixedly connected to the sliding plates 17 and 17a, respectively, when the wire 28 is actuated, the side fences 14 and 14a are pulled by the wire 28 in the lateral direction D. Activated, with these side fences 14, 1
4a move toward or away from each other while maintaining symmetry with respect to the central reference line E.

A sensor (photointerrupter in the illustrated example) 32 is fixed to the bracket 22, and a shield plate 33 is fixed to the outer surface of one side fence 14, and the tip of this shield plate 33 is a side plate. 12 and bracket 22
The sensor 32 is operated by entering or leaving the space F between the light source and the light-receiving element (both not shown) of the sensor 32 through the hole 34 formed in and. The sensor 32 determines the standby position of the side fences 14 and 14a as described later.

Further, the sheet aligning device 11 is provided with a pair of sheet guide devices 37, 37a provided with pressing members 39, 39a for preventing the copy sheet from floating.
This will be described in detail later.

When the sheet aligning device 11 is not in operation, both side fences 14 and 14a are stopped at the standby positions shown in FIGS. Prior to the start of the copy sheet alignment operation, the stepping motor 23 starts to operate in response to a command from a control means (not shown), and the drive pulley 24 is rotationally driven clockwise in FIG. Along with this, the wire 28 travels in the direction of the arrow G, and the guide pulleys 25, 26, 27 rotate in the directions indicated by the arrows. As a result, the sliding plates 17 and 17a, the bases 15 and 15a, and the side fences 14 and 14a are inserted into the long holes 18, 18a;
While being guided by 1, 21a, the side fences 14, 14a move in a direction in which they approach each other, and each side fence 14, 14a operates by a predetermined distance indicated by symbol a in FIG. 3 and stops.

This stop position is the seat receiving position, and both side fences 14 and 1 brought to this position.
4a is separated from each side edge 2a, 2b of the copy sheet 2 by a predetermined distance b when the copy sheet enters between them.

As in this example, the side fence 14a
When the sheet spring 35 has the leaf spring 35, the distance from the leaf spring 35 to the side edge 2b of the copy sheet is the distance b between the fence 14a and the side edge 2b. Similarly, the distance between both side fences described later is also the distance from one side fence 14 to the leaf spring 35 of the other fence 14a.

On the other hand, the copy paper 2 is fed onto the guide table 4 as described above, but at this time, both side fences 14 and 14a stop at the sheet receiving position, and the fence and the side edge of the copy paper. Since there is the above-mentioned distance b between 2a and 2b, the copy paper is slightly skewed, or even if its position is slightly displaced, the copy paper may hit the edges of both side fences 14 and 14a. The progress of the copy paper 2 is not hindered.

When the leading edge of the copy paper 2 hits the stopper 6 as described above, the stepping motor 23 starts to rotate in the same direction again in response to a command from the control means, so that the side fences 14 and 14a are separated by a distance b or more. Closer to each other by a distance that is slightly larger or smaller. This position of the side fence is the alignment position.

By operating both side fences to the alignment position in this manner, the skew of the copy paper 2 can be corrected and the width direction of the copy paper 2 can be aligned. In this case, even if a copy paper having a slightly larger copy paper width 1 enters due to variation in copy paper size, the leaf spring 3 is attached to the side edge 2b.
Since the spring 5 elastically abuts the spring 5 and elastically deforms the spring, it is possible to prevent the side fences from applying an excessive external force to the copy paper and curving it into an undesired shape. A round bead 36 is provided near each leaf spring 35.
Since this is formed, it is also possible to prevent a defect that the leading end of the copy paper comes into contact with the edge of the leaf spring end portion 35a when the copy paper enters, which causes a trouble of conveying the copy paper.

As mentioned above, the movable side fences 14,
14a is a standby position, a sheet receiving position that is outside the side edge of a copy sheet which is an example of the sheet by a predetermined distance, and is closer to the copy sheet 2 than the standby position, and the copy sheet 2 on the guide table 4. And the copy paper 2 has a pair of side fences 14 and 14a.
Movable side fence 14, when it is sent between
The stepping motor 23 is controlled by the control means so that 14a occupies the sheet receiving position, and then the movable side fences 14 and 14a move to the aligning position to align the copy paper 2 on the guide table 4. .

When the aligning operation for one copy sheet is completed,
Before the next copy sheet enters the guide table 4, the stepping motor 23 operates in the direction opposite to the direction shown above, the side fences 14 and 14a are retracted to the sheet receiving position again, and The inconvenience that the entrance of copy paper is obstructed by the side fences 14 and 14a is prevented.

By repeating the above operation every time a copy sheet enters, all copy sheets can be aligned without any trouble. The operation of both side fences 14 and 14a from the sheet receiving position to the aligning position may be repeated a plurality of times for one copy sheet to enhance the alignment effect.

After the final aligning operation of the copy paper, both side fences 14 and 14a are attached to the side edges 2a and 2a of the copy paper 2, respectively.
Lightly hitting 2b or brought to a guide position (which may be the same position as the alignment position) close to it. Therefore, as described above, when the copy paper is re-fed from the intermediate paper feeding device 1, the copy paper is guided in the width direction by the side fences 14 and 14a and is fed correctly.

When the final copy sheet is sent out, the stepping motor 23 is actuated to move the side fences 1
4, 14a are returned to the standby position. In this case, when the side fence 14 reaches the standby position, the side fence 1
The tip of the shielding member 33 that operates together with 4 interrupts the light source and the light receiving element of the sensor 32, and the stepping motor 23 stops its operation due to the signal generated thereby.
Both side fences 14 and 14a stop at the standby position.

As described above, the side fence does not start operating from the standby position when aligning the copy paper, but starts operating from the sheet receiving position closer to the copy paper than the standby position. Therefore, the side fence moves during alignment. The distance to be moved becomes short, and the copy sheets can be aligned in a short time.

The spacing between the side fences at the guide position and the aligning position when the copy paper is re-fed is substantially the same as the width l of the copy paper as described above. When it was set to about ± 2 mm, a preferable matching action and a guide function were obtained. By the way, if we show an example of the spacing between both fences when the side fences are at each position, the side fence spacing at the standby position; l + 2 × (a + b) side fence spacing at the seat receiving position; l + 2 × b alignment position, guide The side fence spacing at the position; l. In addition, from the wire locking portions 30 and 30a to the fixing plate 3
Loosen 1,31a, wire and each fence 14,14a
By changing the relative position of the, you can easily fine-tune the spacing between both fences.

As described above, the sheet aligning device 11 of the present example.
So that sheets of copy paper can be aligned with respect to their center.
Although 4 and 14a can be reciprocated, only one may be movable and the other may be fixed. In short, it is sufficient to provide a pair of side fences which are located on both sides of the sheet fed onto the guide table and at least one of which reciprocates in the lateral direction with respect to the traveling direction of the sheet.

In this example, the pulleys 24, 25, 26,
27, wire 28, spring 29, wire locking portions 30, 30
a, the fixed plates 31 and 31a, the sliding plates 17 and 17a, and the guide pins 19 and 19a constitute transmission means for drivingly connecting the stepping motor and the movable side fence so that the movable side fence reciprocates. However, other suitable transmission means may be used. However, when using a single wire and pulley,
The configuration can be simplified, and the variation in the amount of movement of the side fence due to the backlash of the gear can be eliminated, which enables accurate control.

By the way, in the sheet aligning apparatus 11 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, assuming that the sheet receiving positions of the side fences 14 and 14a are always constant, when these fences are brought to the sheet receiving position, the side Distance b from fence to edge 2a, 2b of copy paper
Varies depending on the size of the copy paper width 1 (FIG. 3), and the time taken for the side fence to move from the sheet receiving position to the aligning position also differs depending on the copy paper size. Also, if the distance b is too large, the distance that the side fences move during copy paper alignment becomes large, while if it is too small, the entering copy paper may hit the side fences.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the width of the copy paper to be used is detected in advance, and according to this detection signal, that is, the width of the copy paper, each side fence moves from its standby position to the sheet receiving position by a distance a. Regardless of the size of the copy paper used, the distance b from the side fences 14 and 14a located at the sheet receiving position to the side edges 2a and 2b of the copy paper is a proper and substantially constant size. Is configured. That is, the width l of the copy paper 2
When becomes smaller, the distance a that the side fence moves to the seat receiving position becomes larger than when it becomes larger,
The distance b is almost always constant.

The width size of the copy paper can be known by detecting the size of a copy paper cassette (not shown) set in the main paper feeding device of the copying machine by a detecting device, as is known per se. The detection signal brings the side fence to a pre-programmed seat receiving position.

For reference, if the relationship between the movement amount of the side fence, the time required for this, and the stepping motor is shown, the stepping angle of the stepping motor: θ (°) Rotational speed of the stepping motor; r (pulse / second) Input pulse to stepping motor; N (pulse) Drive pulley diameter; D Moving amount of each side fence; S Moving time of each side fence; When T, S = πD × θ ・ N / 360 T = N / r.

In this case, in actuality, due to the characteristics of the stepping motor, an error of up to ± 1 step angle may occur, and an error may occur in the movement amount of the side fence. Therefore, a stepping motor with a small step angle should be used. It is advantageous to increase the positional accuracy of the fence.

Next, the above-mentioned sheet guide devices 37, 37
A will be described.

The sheet guide devices 37 and 37a have the same structure except that they are symmetrically arranged, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a support member 38 made of a rigid body such as metal or synthetic resin. , 38a, and flexible or elastic sheet pressing members 39, 39a fixed to the tip ends of the supporting members 38, 38a with an adhesive or the like.

The pressing member 39 is made of a flexible sheet-shaped or film-shaped member such as a polyester film or a spring material, and each supporting member 3 is used.
8, 38a are rotatably supported by pivot pins 40, 40a fixed to the inner surface of each side fence 14, 14a in the direction of arrow I (FIG. 1). In this way, each pressing member 39, 39a is connected to each supporting member 38, 38a and pivot pin 40,
It is supported by each side fence 14, 14a via 40a. Weights 41 and 41a are fixed to the support member 38 as needed.

When the copy paper 2 is sequentially fed onto the guide table 4 with the movable side fences 14 and 14a occupying the sheet receiving position, two pressing members 39 and 39a are provided on the upper surface of the copy paper 2. These pressing members 39 and 39a press the front end areas of the respective side portions of the copy sheet in the traveling direction toward the guide table 4 from the upper surface side. For this reason, the advancing copy paper 2 is guided, and the floating of the copy paper is suppressed. Further, even if the copy paper 2 is slightly curled, the copy paper is corrected to a flat state by the pressing action of the pressing members 39 and 39a, so that the paper conveyance trouble due to the curl is suppressed. In addition, when the feed roller 5 is provided as in this example, the following advantages can be obtained.

That is, even after the leading edge of the copy sheet 2 fed to the guide table 4 contacts the stopper 6, the feed roller 5 continues to rotate, and the feed force is exerted on the copy sheet 2. If not provided, the copy paper 2 may buckle and be curved between the stopper 6 and the feed roller 5, as indicated by reference numeral 2c in FIG. This tendency is particularly strong in thin letter copy paper, which has a weak waist. However, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, sheet guide devices 37, 3
If the copy paper 2 is pressed by the pressing members 39, 39a of 7a, the resistance against buckling is increased and the buckling of the copy paper can be suppressed.

Each sheet guide device 37, 37a presses the copy paper with its own weight and the pressure determined by the position of the pivot pins 40, 40a, but the weight 4 is applied to the support members 38, 38a.
By providing 1, 41a and appropriately selecting the weight thereof, the force for pressing the copy paper 2 can be set to the most appropriate value.

Further, the support members 38, 38a are the pivot pins 4
Since it can rotate around 0, 40a, even if the stack thickness of the copy paper on the guide table 4 increases, the sheet guide device 3
7, 37a can be rotated according to the stacking thickness, and the pressure applied to the copy paper by these devices can be kept almost constant at all times.
The sheet guide devices 37, 37a are attached to the side fences 14,
When it is fixed to 14a, the pressure with which the pressing members 39 and 39a press the copy papers increases as the stack thickness of the copy papers increases, and the pressing force becomes too strong, which may cause a stacking failure of the copy papers.

As described above, the pressing members 39 and 39a are made of a flexible material in order to make the contact pressure with the copy paper 2 uniform and smooth, and the weights are used for the supporting members 38 and 38a as in this example. When the pressure of the pressing members 39, 39a against the copy paper 2 is increased by providing 41, 41a or the like, as shown in FIG.
It is also advantageous to form 2 to increase its rigidity. Further, when the side fences 14 and 14a are at the sheet receiving position, the pressing members 39 and 39a overlap the copying paper 2 so that the copying paper 2 entering in the direction of the arrow A does not come off from the pressing members 39 and 39a. The amount of overlap in the lateral direction D should be relatively large.

At this time, in the sheet aligning apparatus 11 of this example, when the copy paper 2 is fed between the side fences 14 and 14a, the movable side fences 14 and 1 are moved.
Since 4a occupies the sheet receiving position closer to the copy paper 2 than its standby position, the pressing members 39, 39a
It is possible to enlarge the portion where the copy paper 2 and the copy paper 2 overlap.
When the copy paper is fed between the side fences while the movable side fences are brought to a retracted position far away from the copy paper as in the conventional case, the lateral width of the holding member provided on each side fence is reduced. If you do not set it to a large value, the pressing member will not cover the copy paper,
Alternatively, the overlapping portion of the pressing member and the copy paper becomes extremely small. In the illustrated sheet aligning apparatus 11, the copy paper is fed in with the movable side fences 14 and 14a occupying the sheet receiving position close to the copy paper, so that even if the widths of the pressing members 39 and 39a are narrow,
The pressing members 39 and 39a can overlap the copy papers over a large area. Small size holding member 39,
39a makes it possible to enhance the effect of pressing the copy paper.

Further, the copy paper pressing effect of the pressing members 39 and 39a is maintained when the copy papers are aligned by the side fences 14 and 14a and when the copy papers are re-fed. It is possible to prevent the problem that the copy paper 2 is disturbed not only at the time of entry but also at the time of alignment operation and re-feeding.

When the sheet aligning device is repaired or inspected, or when a jammed copy sheet is processed, the sheet guide devices 37 and 37a are pressed together with the side fence while the copy sheet is placed on the guide table 4. Member 39, 39a
When the pressing member is returned to the copy paper after the side of the copying paper is separated from the side edges 2a and 2b of the copying paper, the bent portion 42 may be formed on the pressing member 39 and 39a as shown in FIG. For example, when the pressing member returns onto the copy paper, the curved bent portion of the bent portion smoothly hits the copy paper, and it is possible to suppress the drawback that the copy paper is bent. Also, the copy paper may be pressed by three or more or one sheet guide device,
Especially when one apparatus is used, it is preferable to press the center of the copy sheet (reference line E) or its vicinity with this apparatus.

Finally, since the intermediate paper feeding device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with the discharge gate device 50 for discharging the copy paper to the intermediate tray 3, its configuration will be briefly described.

The discharge gate device 50 is a device that can reliably feed both long copy paper and short copy paper to the stopper 6, and the device 50 is arranged in the left-right direction in FIG. A suitable number of three firsts in the example
It has second and third gates 51, 52, 53, which are rotatably supported about their pivots 54, 55, 56. Further, a feed belt 60 which is wound around a driving roller 57 and a driven roller 58 and travels in the direction of the arrow is provided facing the gates, and further, discharge rollers 61 and 62 paired with the rollers 57 and 58, and a pair of discharge rollers 61 and 62. Two sets of discharge rollers 63 and 64 are provided.

When the length of the copy sheet conveyed by the conveying roller 65 is long, the first gate 51 is rotated to the position indicated by the solid line, and the copy sheet is moved to the intermediate tray 3 by the arrow A1 as described above.
Guide as shown in. When the length of the copy paper is the next longest, the second gate 52 instead of the first gate 51 operates to the position shown by the solid line, and the copy paper conveyed and guided by the feed belt 60 and the roller 63 is indicated by the arrow A2. Guide as shown. Similarly, when the length of the copy paper is the next longest, the copy paper is guided by the third gate 53 (arrow A3), and if it is shorter, it is guided between the rollers 58 and 62 as shown by the arrow A4. . Thus, the copy paper of any length can be reliably conveyed to the stopper 6 at its leading end.

The present invention, in addition to the intermediate paper feeding device of the double-sided copying machine and the sheet aligning device of the above-mentioned various devices, a sheet aligning device of a copying machine for forming a copy image on one copy sheet by combining them. It can also be applied to other things.

[0055]

According to the present invention, since the side fence supports the pressing member for pressing the side of the sheet fed in between the side fences in the traveling direction from the upper surface side, the sheet is lifted. Further, even if the sheet is curled, it can be corrected to a flat state, and the sheet conveyance trouble can be suppressed. Moreover, in addition to the standby position and the alignment position, the movable side fence can be moved to a sheet receiving position closer to the sheet than the standby position, and the sheet is placed on the guide table with the movable side fence occupying the sheet receiving position. Since the pressing member presses the sheet when it is sent in, even if the width of the pressing member is set small, the pressing effect can be enhanced. Moreover, the pressing effect of the pressing member on the sheet is maintained even during the sheet aligning operation, and it is possible to prevent the problem that the sheet is disturbed during this operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate sheet feeding device having a sheet aligning device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a portion of the sheet aligning device is cut along a line I-I in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the sheet aligning device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the sheet aligning device with a stopper added by a chain line.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a problem when a sheet guide device is not provided.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a specific example in which a bending portion is formed on a pressing member of a sheet guide device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2a Side edge 2b Side edge 4 Guide table 11 Sheet aligning device 14 Side fence 14a Side fence 23 Stepping motor 39 Holding member 39a Holding member b Distance A Traveling direction D Lateral direction

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A guide table for supporting a sheet, and a pair of side fences located on both sides of the sheet fed onto the guide table, at least one of which reciprocates laterally with respect to the traveling direction of the sheet. A stepping motor capable of rotating the movable side fence in the forward and reverse directions, a transmission means for drivingly connecting the stepping motor and the movable side fence so that the movable side fence reciprocates, and the movable side fence is The standby position, the sheet receiving position outside the side edge of the sheet by a predetermined distance and closer to the sheet than the standby position, and the alignment position for aligning the sheet on the guide table, and the sheet A movable side fence occupies the seat receiving position when fed between a pair of side fences When the sheet is fed onto the guide table in a state where the side fence supported by the side fence and the movable side fence occupy the sheet receiving position, the traveling direction of the sheet is controlled. A sheet aligning device comprising: a side portion; and a pressing member that presses the side surface toward a guide table.