Sheet convey apparatus

Abstract

A sheet convey apparatus includes a top unit, bottom unit, and joint arms. The top unit has a lower boundary surface of a first sheet convey path and rotates in one direction about its one end side as a rotation center. The bottom unit is arranged under the top unit and rotates in the same direction as the top unit about its one end side as a rotation center. The bottom unit has an upper boundary surface of a second sheet convey path connected to the first sheet convey path. The joint arms connect the top and bottom units and rotate the bottom unit to follow rotation of the top unit while an angle formed by the top and bottom units is increased.

1 . A sheet convey apparatus comprising: 
 a first convey path unit which has a lower boundary surface of a first sheet convey path and rotates in one direction about one end side thereof as a rotation center;    a second convey path unit which is arranged under said first convey path unit and rotates in the same direction as said first convey path unit about one end side thereof as a rotation center, said second convey path unit having an upper boundary surface of a second sheet convey path connected to said first sheet convey path; and    a link member which connects said first and second convey path units and rotates said second convey path unit to follow rotation of said first convey path unit while an angle formed by said first and second convey path units is increased.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 positions of the rotation centers of said first and second convey path units differ between said units, and    said link member comprises a rod-like member two end portions of which are pivotally held by said first and second convey path units.    
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said link member comprises a stretchable member two end portions of which are attached to said first and second convey path units.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said link member is removable from at least one of said first and second convey path units.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising 
 an upper unit arranged above said first and second convey path units, and    a lower unit arranged below said first and second convey path units,    wherein said first and second convey path units form a middle unit sandwiched by said upper unit and lower unit from above and below.    
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein 
 said upper unit has a main feed roller serving as a driving roller which feeds a sheet into the apparatus, and    said middle unit has a separation roller which is arranged in rolling contact with said main feed roller and receives a rotation force that rotates said separation roller in a direction opposite to said main feed roller.    
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said upper boundary surface of said second sheet convey path is formed of a guide member which guides sheet conveyance.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein when said first and second convey path units are interlocked to rotate, a space above said second sheet convey path is opened.  
   
   
       9 . A sheet convey path comprising: 
 first and second convey path units which are formed of different members, each of two opposing surfaces of each of said members serving to form one boundary surface of each of different convey paths for conveyance of one sheet, and which open a space above said convey paths formed by a lower boundary surface, among said boundary surfaces of said members, and an upper boundary surface of another member arranged below said members when said members are rotated simultaneously in predetermined directions each about one end side thereof as a rotation center, and    a link member which connects said first and second convey path units to each other, and moves said second convey path arranged on a lower side to follow said first convey path unit, when said first convey path unit arranged on an upper side, of said first and second convey path units, receives a rotation force in a predetermined direction, while an angle formed by said first and second convey path units is increased.