US 12,459,767 B2
Open and close device, sheet conveyor, and image forming apparatus
Hiroki Ishihara, Kanagawa (JP); Kenji Nozawa, Kanagawa (JP); and Takehiro Nakamura, Ibaraki (JP)
Assigned to Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Hiroki Ishihara, Kanagawa (JP); Kenji Nozawa, Kanagawa (JP); and Takehiro Nakamura, Ibaraki (JP)
Filed on Oct. 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/492,060.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-181165 (JP), filed on Nov. 11, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0158191 A1, May 16, 2024
Int. Cl. G03G 21/16 (2006.01); B65H 5/02 (2006.01)
CPC B65H 5/02 (2013.01) [B65H 2402/441 (2013.01); B65H 2402/54 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
10. An image forming apparatus comprising
a sheet conveyor comprising
an open and close device including:
an open and close portion to open or shut;
a biasing mechanism to bias the open and close portion in an opening direction; and
a holder to hold the open and close portion shut,
the biasing mechanism including a first spring whose biasing force is invariable regardless of a stroke of the first spring, and a second spring whose biasing force is variable due to a stroke of the second spring,
the open and close portion including a conveyor to convey a sheet.