US5072920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Finisher for an image forming apparatus
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1990-09-12
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Granted: 1991-12-17
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Expires: 2010-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A finisher for an image forming apparatus for stapling or otherwise finishing paper sheets which are sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer. The finisher is capable of stapling a stack of paper sheets at any desired position or positions of the sack. A pair of reference fences and a pair of jogger fences are provided on a paper receiver for positioning paper sheets in an intended direction of paper transport and a direction perpendicular thereto, respectively. The reference fences and the jogger fences are reciprocatingly movable in a predetermined direction independently of each other, and each is movable in a symmetrical relation. The jogger fences move independently of a stapler, while the reference fences move along with the stapler by being connected to latter.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazunori Kubota
- 👤 Hideo Yamazaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:50
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6538; G03G15/6541; B; B65; B65H; B65H31/00; B65H31/34; B65H31/38; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00789; G03G2215/00822; G03G2215/00827
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A finisher for use with an image forming apparatus for stapling paper sheets which are sequentially driven out of said image forming apparatus, comprising: a receiver for receiving the paper sheets; reference fence means reciprocatingly movable in a predetermined direction to a desired position for positioning the paper sheets on said receiver in an intended direction of paper transport, wherein said reference fence means comprises a pair of reference fences reciprocatingly movable in said predetermined direction symmetrically to each other; and jogger fence means reciprocatingly movable in said predetermined direction to a desired position independently of said reference fence means for positioning the paper sheets on said receiver in a direction perpendicular to the intended direction of paper transport, wherein said jogger fence means comprises a pair of jogger fences reciprocatingly movable in said predetermined direction symmetrically to each other; and stapling means movable to a predetermined position for stapling the paper sheets positioned on said receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A finisher for use with an image forming apparatus for stapling paper sheets which are sequentially driven out of said image forming apparatus, comprising: a receiver for receiving the paper sheets; reference fence means reciprocatingly movable in a predetermined direction to a desired position for positioning the paper sheets on said receiver in an intended direction of paper transport, wherein said reference fence means comprises a pair of reference fences reciprocatingly movable in said predetermined direction symmetrically to each other; and jogger fence means reciprocatingly movable in said predetermined direction to a desired position independently of said reference fence means for positioning the paper sheets on said receiver in a direction perpendicular to the intended direction of paper transport, wherein said jogger fence means comprises a pair of jogger fences reciprocatingly movable in said predetermined direction symmetrically to each other; and stapling means movable to a predetermined position for stapling the paper sheets positioned on said receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A finisher as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pair of jogger fences are movable independently of said stapling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A finisher as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pair of reference fences each comprises an engaging portion for connecting said reference fence to said stapling means and thereby transmitting a moving force of said stapling means to said reference fence.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A finisher as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pair of reference fences are movable along with said stapling means with said engaging portions being connected to said stapling means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A finisher as claimed in claim 4, wherein when one of said pair of reference fences is moved in one direction, the other reference fence is moved in a direction opposite to said one direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A finisher as claimed in claim 5, wherein said reference fence means further comprises biasing means for constantly biasing said pair of reference fences toward center with respect to transport.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-16 | 1995-06-17 | 1995-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-16 | 1999-06-17 | 1999-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-16 | 2003-06-17 | 2003-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |