US5154411A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1992-03-27
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Granted: 1992-10-13
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Expires: 2012-03-27
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus having a sorter, includes a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, the bin each having sheet material sheet inlet portion, a discharging device movable along the inlet portions of the bins to discharge the sheet material to selected one of the bins, a sheet material accommodating tray other than the bins to accommodate the sheet materials, a guiding device switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to the bin or to the sheet material accommodating tray, and a device for switching the guiding device to direct the sheet material to the discharging device when the discharging device is at a position for discharging the sheet material to the bin, and the sheet material to the accommodating device when the discharging device is not at the position.
Inventors
- 👤 Jun Saito
- 👤 Tomoyuki Araki
- 👤 Hironori Shido
- 👤 Junichi Kimizuka
- 👤 Toshiyuki Itoh
- 👤 Kaoru Sato
- 👤 Toshihiko Inuyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:08
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6538; B; B65; B65H; B65H39/00; B65H39/10; B65H39/11; G03G15/6552; B65H2405/00; B65H2405/10; B65H2405/11; B65H2405/111; B65H2405/1111; B65H2408/00; B65H2408/10; B65H2408/11; B65H2408/112; B65H2408/113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An image forming apparatus having a sorter, comprising: a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bin each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; discharging means movable along the inlet portions of said bins to discharge the sheet material to select one of said bins; sheet material accommodating means other than said bins to accommodate the sheet materials; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to said sheet material accommodating means; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with movement of said discharging means to direct the sheet material to said discharging means when said discharging means is at a position for discharging the sheet material to said bin, and direct the sheet material to said accommodating means when said discharging means is not at said position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An image forming apparatus having a sorter, comprising: a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bin each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; discharging means movable along the inlet portions of said bins to discharge the sheet material to select one of said bins; sheet material accommodating means other than said bins to accommodate the sheet materials; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to said sheet material accommodating means; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with movement of said discharging means to direct the sheet material to said discharging means when said discharging means is at a position for discharging the sheet material to said bin, and direct the sheet material to said accommodating means when said discharging means is not at said position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said discharging means includes a pair of rotatable members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for guiding the sheet material from said directing means to said pair of rotatable members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said switching means is provided in said discharging means and acts on said directing means for its switching operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the means for guiding the sheet material from said directing means to the pair of rotatable members includes a member expandable together with reciprocal displacement of the pair of rotatable members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the expandable member includes a resilient member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the expandable member includes a cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said directing means includes a swingable member taking different positions between when it is pressed by said switching means and when it is not pressed thereby.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said accommodating means is disposed at a top surface of the said image forming apparatus, and wherein said plurality of bins are disposed above said accommodating means as a unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
134 words
An image forming apparatus having a sorter, comprising: a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bin each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; discharging means movable along the inlet portions of said bins to discharge the sheet material to selected one of said bins; sheet material accommodating means other than said bins to accommodate the sheet materials; directing means switchable to direct the sheet materials selectively to said bin or to said sheet material accommodating means; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with movement of said discharging means to direct the sheet material in said discharging means when said discharging means is opposed to a said bin, and to direct the sheet material to said accommodating means when said discharging means is not opposed to a said bin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
134 words
An image forming apparatus having a sorter, comprising: a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bin each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; discharging means movable along the inlet portions of said bins to discharge the sheet material to selected one of said bins; sheet material accommodating means other than said bins to accommodate the sheet materials; directing means switchable to direct the sheet materials selectively to said bin or to said sheet material accommodating means; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with movement of said discharging means to direct the sheet material in said discharging means when said discharging means is opposed to a said bin, and to direct the sheet material to said accommodating means when said discharging means is not opposed to a said bin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
An image forming apparatus having a sorter, comprising: a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bins each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; discharging means movable along the inlet portions of said bins to discharge the sheet material to selected one of said bins; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to other than said bins; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with movement of said discharging means to direct the sheet material to said discharging means when said discharging means is at a position for discharging the sheet material to said bin, and to direct the sheet material to other than said bins when said discharging means is not at said position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
An image forming apparatus having a sorter, comprising: a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bins each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; discharging means movable along the inlet portions of said bins to discharge the sheet material to selected one of said bins; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to other than said bins; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with movement of said discharging means to direct the sheet material to said discharging means when said discharging means is at a position for discharging the sheet material to said bin, and to direct the sheet material to other than said bins when said discharging means is not at said position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
121 words
An image forming apparatus having a sorter, comprising: a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bin each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; discharging means movable along the inlet portions of said bins to discharge the sheet material to selected one of said bins; sheet material accommodating means other than said bins to accommodate the sheet materials; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to said sheet material accommodating means; and means for switching said guiding means in mechanical interrelation with movement of said discharging means to direct the sheet material to said discharging means in a sorting mode, and to direct the sheet material to said accommodating means in a non-sorting mode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
121 words
An image forming apparatus having a sorter, comprising: a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bin each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; discharging means movable along the inlet portions of said bins to discharge the sheet material to selected one of said bins; sheet material accommodating means other than said bins to accommodate the sheet materials; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to said sheet material accommodating means; and means for switching said guiding means in mechanical interrelation with movement of said discharging means to direct the sheet material to said discharging means in a sorting mode, and to direct the sheet material to said accommodating means in a non-sorting mode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
An image forming apparatus having a sorter, comprising: discharging means for discharging sheet materials; a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bin each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; sheet material accommodating means other than said bins to accommodate the sheet materials; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to said sheet material accommodating means; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with relative movement between said discharging means and said bins to direct the sheet material to said discharging means when said bins are at a sorting mode position, and to direct the sheet material to said accommodating means when said bins are at a non-sorting mode position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
120 words
An image forming apparatus having a sorter, comprising: discharging means for discharging sheet materials; a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bin each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; sheet material accommodating means other than said bins to accommodate the sheet materials; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to said sheet material accommodating means; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with relative movement between said discharging means and said bins to direct the sheet material to said discharging means when said bins are at a sorting mode position, and to direct the sheet material to said accommodating means when said bins are at a non-sorting mode position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
120 words
A sorter, comprising: a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bins each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; discharging means movable along the inlet portions of said bins to discharge the sheet material to selected one of said bins; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to other than said bins; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with movement of said discharging means to direct the sheet material to said discharging means when said discharging means is at a position for discharging the sheet material to said bin, and to direct the sheet material to other than said bins when said discharging means is not at said position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
120 words
A sorter, comprising: a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bins each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; discharging means movable along the inlet portions of said bins to discharge the sheet material to selected one of said bins; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to other than said bins; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with movement of said discharging means to direct the sheet material to said discharging means when said discharging means is at a position for discharging the sheet material to said bin, and to direct the sheet material to other than said bins when said discharging means is not at said position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
An image forming apparatus having a sorter, comprising: discharging means for discharging sheet materials; a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, and bins each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to other than said bins; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with relative movement between said discharging means and said bins to direct the sheet material to said discharging means when said bins are at a sorting mode position, and to direct the sheet material to other than said bins when said bins are at a non-sorting mode position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
107 words
An image forming apparatus having a sorter, comprising: discharging means for discharging sheet materials; a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, and bins each having sheet material receiving inlet portion; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to other than said bins; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with relative movement between said discharging means and said bins to direct the sheet material to said discharging means when said bins are at a sorting mode position, and to direct the sheet material to other than said bins when said bins are at a non-sorting mode position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
84 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 15, comprising sheet material accommodating means other than said bins to accommodate the sheet materials; wherein said sheet material receiving inlet portions are movable along said discharging means; and wherein said directing means is switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bins or to said sheet material accommodating means; and wherein said means for switching said directing means directs the sheet material to said accommodating means when said bins are at the non-sorting mode position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said discharging means includes a pair of rotatable members.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising means for guiding the sheet material from said directing means to said pair of rotatable members.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said switching means is provided in a bin unit constituted by said bins, and actable on said directing means for its switching operation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said directing means includes a swingable member taking different positions between when it is pressed by said switching means and when it is not pressed thereby.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said accommodating means is disposed at a top surface of the said image forming apparatus, and wherein said plurality of bins are disposed above said accommodating means as a unit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
102 words
A sorter, comprising: discharging means for discharging sheet materials; a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bins each having a sheet material receiving inlet portion; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to other than said bins; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with relative movement between said discharging means and said bin to direct the sheet material to said discharging means when said bins are at sorting mode position, and to direct the sheet material to other than said bins when said bins are at a non-sorting mode position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
102 words
A sorter, comprising: discharging means for discharging sheet materials; a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, said bins each having a sheet material receiving inlet portion; directing means switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to said bin or to other than said bins; and means for switching said directing means in mechanical interrelation with relative movement between said discharging means and said bin to direct the sheet material to said discharging means when said bins are at sorting mode position, and to direct the sheet material to other than said bins when said bins are at a non-sorting mode position.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sorter according to claim 22, wherein said sheet material receiving inlet portions are movable along said discharging means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-13 | 1996-04-13 | 1996-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-13 | 2000-04-13 | 2000-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-13 | 2004-04-13 | 2004-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |