A document conveyance device includes a feed roller, a separation roller, a first motor for generating a first drive force for driving the separation roller, a planet gear, a drive gear, a second motor for generating a second drive force, and a position switching mechanism for switching a position of the planet gear from a first position in which the planet gear is separated from the drive gear and does not transmit the first drive force to the separation roller to a second position in which the planet gear engages with the drive gear and transmits the first drive force to the separation roller, based on the second drive force. The position switching mechanism includes a support member for supporting the planet gear, and a transfer mechanism for moving the support member so that the planet gear engages with the drive gear, based on the second drive force. The further movement of the planet gear is prevented after the planet gear engaged with the drive gear.

An axial end of an output shaft facing toward an input shaft has a first hole that is concentric with the output shaft and that axially extends to a predetermined depth. An axial end of the input shaft facing toward the output shaft has a second hole that is concentric with the input shaft and that axially extends to a predetermined depth. A connection pin is inserted in the first hole and the second hole to connect the first hole and the second hole. When the output shaft and the input shaft axially approach each other, the connection pin interposed between the output shaft and the input shaft allows the output shaft and the input shaft to avoid coming into contact with each other.

A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance section, the conveyance section including a roller rotatable in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction, a guide member configured to move between a first position and a second position, a drive source, a drive switching unit including an input unit, an output unit, and a switching unit, a drive interruption unit configured to transition between a transmission state and a non-transmission state. The roller is configured to rotate by the driving force output from the output unit of the drive switching unit while the guide member moves between the first position and the second position.

A cord reel apparatus for holding and winding cords includes a housing, a spool and a handle. The housing and spool further have three outlets to conveniently access the two plugging ends of the cord. The handle extends from exterior of housing and a crank handle internally connected to spool helps in faster and smoother winding and unwinding of the cords. Also the cord reel apparatus includes a gear system (outer, central and inner gears) to help in faster winding and unwinding of cords.

A thermal transfer apparatus is disclosed. The thermal transfer apparatus has a heating roller movable between a film contact position and a retracted position. The thermal transfer apparatus also includes a nip roller positioned opposed to the heating roller when the heating roller is in the film contact position. The heating roller is moved from the film contact position to the retracted position in response to opening of the cover and is not moved from the retracted position to the film contact position during closing of the cover.

An electronic dispenser comprising a housing; a feed roller rotatably mounted within the housing; a motor operable to drive rotation of the feed roller, and wherein the motor is at least partially within the feed roller; and wherein actuation of the motor results in a noise level, external to the housing, of less than 53 A-weighted decibels.

A sheet conveyer, including a tray, a pickup roller, a separator roller, a separator pad, a driving source, a roller holder with an arm, an engagement member engageable with the arm, a load applier lever, and a first urging member coupled with the load applier lever, is provided. The load applier lever is movable between a first position, wherein the load applier lever supports the first end of the first urging member at a position where the first urging member causes the engagement member to be urged against the arm and to apply a load that acts in a direction to cause the pickup roller to be pressed against the sheets to the arm; and a second position, wherein the load applier lever supports the first end of the first urging member at a position where the first urging member is in the natural length thereof.

The image forming device includes a recording paper setting plate on which media are set, a paper end sensor lever, and a print control section that controls the whole of the device. The paper end sensor lever includes a paper contact part for detecting a first condition in which there are no media set on the recording paper setting plate and an arm contact part for detecting a second condition in which the amount of the media set on the recording paper setting plate is smaller than a prescribed amount.

A tape rule assembly includes differential spring-drive systems for rotating a reel of tape through an angular distance different from the angular distance traveled by a hub carrying a wound spring, relative to the tape rule housing. The differential spring drive systems include planetary and cycloidal drive systems. The tape rules of the present invention are thus made more compact than conventional tape rules.

A driven gear is relatively movable to a first support position and to a second support position on a support member. When a first gear rotates in a first direction, the driven gear rotates at the first support position in conjunction with rotation of the first gear to permit the rotation of the driven gear. When the first gear rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the driven gear moves to the second support position under a force received from the gear in an area where the driven gear meshes with the first gear. Then, at the second support position, the driven gear is locked on a locking member and thus stopped, preventing the first gear from rotating in the second direction.