A sheet conveyance device includes a shape detecting portion, and a switch control portion. The shape detecting portion detects a shape of a sheet at a detection position between a first conveyance member and a second conveyance member. The switch control portion, when a front end of the sheet has passed a arrangement position at which the first conveyance member is arranged, switches an detection interval at which the shape of the sheet is detected by the shape detecting portion, to a first interval that corresponds to a rotation speed of the first conveyance member, and when a rear end of the sheet has passed the arrangement position, switches the detection interval to a second interval that corresponds to the rotation speed of the second conveyance member.

Provided is a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of reliably protecting an edge-binding stapling unit and a sheet material, and of performing a sheet-binding process without increasing the size of the apparatus. The sheet post-processing apparatus includes: a binding unit movable to a binding position in which the binding unit performs a binding process using a binding member on a sheet, and an access position in which a user is accessable to the binding unit; and a control unit configured to cause, when the binding unit performs a setting operation for the binding member, the binding unit to perform the setting operation after causing the binding unit to move to a position different from the access position.

A recording material feeding device includes a stacking portion, a driving source, a holding member, a torque limiter for limiting transmission of a driving torque from the driving source to the stacking portion in a case that the driving source rotates in a state in which the holding member holds the position of the stacking portion; a storing portion for storing information on a holding state of the holding member; and a controller for controlling the driving source to rotate at a rotational speed slower when the information is information indicating that the holding member holds the position of the stacking portion than when the information is information indicating that the holding member does not hold the position of the stacking portion.

A sheet feeding device includes a stacking unit for stacking a sheet; a feeding member for feeding the sheet stack on the stacking unit; a holding member holding the feeding member; a holder supporting portion, provided above the stacking unit, for detachably supporting the holding member; a raising and lowering unit for raising and lowering the holding member; a detection unit for detecting a topmost surface of the sheet stacked on the stacking unit, by detecting the holding member; a control unit for effecting raising and lowering operation of the holding member using the raising and lowering unit before a feeding operation of the feeding member and detect presence or absence of the holding member on the basis of a signal from the detection unit produced with the raising and lowering operation.

A sheet conveying device, which is included in a sheet discharging device and an image forming apparatus, includes a contact body configured to rotate while contacting a sheet in conveyance, a shaft configured to rotate together with the contact body in a range of rotation of the contact body, a sheet detector configured to detect the sheet through detection of rotation of the shaft, and a rotary body support configured to rotatably support the contact body to the shaft, extending the range of rotation, in a same direction as the direction of rotation of the shaft. The sheet discharging device includes a sheet discharging body, a sheet stacker of the sheet discharged, and the above-described sheet conveying device. The sheet detector is a stack height detector configured to detec't that the height of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacker is equal to or higher than a predetermined height.

First and second detecting members that detect a sheet or an object lifted beyond a delivery position at which the sheet is delivered is provided, and the second detecting member is configured to be activated in conjunction with activation of the first detecting member. Thus, with a simple configuration, it is possible to detect, over a wide area above a sheet loading section, a sheet or an object placed at a wrong position.

According to the present disclosure, a first guide unit is provided with a first opening portion through which light in an optical path connecting a first optical element unit and a second optical element unit passes, a second guide unit is provided with a second opening portion through which light in the optical path connecting the first optical element unit and the second optical element unit passes, the first guide unit is provided with a duct for sending air to the first optical element unit, and the air coming out from the first opening portion hits the second optical element unit via the second opening portion.

Provided is a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of reliably protecting an edge-binding stapling unit and a sheet material, and of performing a sheet-binding process without increasing the size of the apparatus. The sheet post-processing apparatus includes: a binding unit movable to a binding position in which the binding unit performs a binding process using a binding member on a sheet, and an access position in which a user is accessable to the binding unit; and a control unit configured to cause, when the binding unit performs a setting operation for the binding member, the binding unit to perform the setting operation after causing the binding unit to move to a position different from the access position.

Provided is a paper-discharge apparatus that suppresses operating sound of the paper-discharge apparatus. A contact member changes the posture of the introduction guide by coming in contact with the introduction lever and rotating the introduction lever. A control unit sets a state in which paper is introduced to the paper-discharge-conveying unit to a non-contact state of the introduction lever and contact member, and sets a state when conveyed paper is guided to another discharge destination to a contact state of the introduction lever and the contact member. The control unit rotates the motor at a first speed and moves the contact member, and brings the contact member in contact with the introduction lever after setting the rotating speed of the motor to a second speed that is slower than the first speed.

A sheet supporting apparatus includes a body, a supporting portion configured to be held in an elevating manner by the body and to support a sheet, a sheet regulation portion regulating a position of the sheet supported on the supporting portion, a movement portion capable of moving between a first position where the sheet regulation portion regulates the position of the sheet supported on the supporting portion, and a second position where the supporting portion is regulated from elevating with respect to the body, and a movement regulation unit regulating the movement portion from moving to the second position.