Stapling apparatus, finishing apparatus, and stapling method

A finishing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an aligning unit configured to receive sheets subjected to image formation and discharged by the image forming apparatus and perform aligning for aligning the sheets;
• a stapler configured to perform stapling for stapling an end of the sheets aligned by the aligning unit;
• a start switch for starting the stapling performed by the stapler;
• a stapler moving mechanism unit configured to move, in a manual mode for individually using the stapler, the stapler to face an opening of the stapler to an outside;
• first and second switches configured to be turned on when the sheets are inserted into the opening of the stapler moved by the stapler moving mechanism unit and respective edges of adjacent two sides of the sheets are pressed;
• and
• a stapler driving unit configured to instruct the stapler to perform the stapling when both the first and second switches are turned on.

A stapling method comprising:

• when plural sheets are inserted into an opening of a stapler, into which the sheets are inserted while being laid one on top of another, first and second switches, with which respective edges of adjacent two sides of the sheets come into contact, being turned on when pressed;
• when both the first and second switches are turned on, instructing the stapler to perform stapling for stapling the sheets;
• and
• the stapler having the opening performing the stapling according to the instruction for the stapling.

A stapling method in a finishing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• receiving sheets subjected to image formation and discharged by the image forming apparatus, performing aligning for aligning the sheets, and performing stapling for stapling, with a stapler configured to perform the stapling, an end of the sheets aligned by the aligning unit;
• moving, in a manual mode, the stapler with a stapler moving mechanism unit to face an opening of the stapler performing the stapling to an outside;
• and
• when first and second switches, with which respective edges of adjacent two sides of the sheets come into contact, are turned on when the sheets are inserted into the opening of the stapler moved by the stapler moving mechanism unit, instructing, with a stapler driving unit, the stapler to perform the stapling.