Multiple Stapling Apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is a multiple stapling apparatus that can staple at least two or more parts of a sheet by exactly supporting the sheet a stapling position of a sheet finisher which finishes the sheet ejected from a digital output device. The multiple stapling apparatus includes a clamp shaft (65) parallel to a moving direction of the stapler, a first guide (50) having a first base wall (51) axially rotated around the clamp shaft (65) at a predetermined angle on the clamp shaft, supporting the sheet stacked on the compile tray, and second guides (60a and 60b) having second base walls (61a and 61b) slid along the clamp shaft along with the stapler, supporting the sheet on the compile tray when the first base wall is opened, wherein the first guide is axially rotated at a predetermined angle around the clamp shaft to open the first base wall when the stapler moves at a predetermined distance along the clamp shaft from a hole position (94). In case that the sheet is supported by the first base wall, the edge of the sheet can be stapled by rotation of the stapler. In case that the sheet is supported by the second base wall, two or more parts of the sheet can be stapled while the stapler is moved along the supported sheet.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.