# US 2017/0255138 A1 · Image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0255138 A1 - Document ID: US20170255138A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/424,940 - Filed: 2017-02-06 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-01 - Assignees: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc. - Applicants: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc. - Inventors: Hironori TAKAHASHI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170255138A1 ## CPC - G03G 15/2028: {with means for handling the copy material in the fixing nip, e.g. introduction guides, stripping means} - G03G 15/234: {by inverting and refeeding the image receiving material with an image on one face to the recording member to transfer a second image on its second face, e.g. by using a duplex tray; Details of duplex trays or inverters} - G03G 21/1638: {directed to paper handling or jam treatment} - G03G 21/1685: {for the fixing unit} - G03G 2215/0054: Detachable element of feed path - G03G 2215/00675: Mechanical copy medium guiding means, e.g. mechanical switch - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a fixing device, a conveying guide and a branching guide. In the apparatus main body, a conveying path and an inversion path are formed. The conveying guide guides the sheet along the conveying path closer to a downstream side than the fixing device. The branching guide guides the sheet toward an ejecting part along the conveying path closer to the downstream side than the fixing device and guides the sheet toward the inversion path along the conveying path closer to the downstream side than the fixing device. The conveying guide is detachably attached to one of the apparatus main body and the fixing device so as to cover a part of the fixing device from a downstream side in a conveying direction of the sheet. The branching guide is detachably attached to the conveying guide. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus main body in which a conveying path and an inversion path are formed, the conveying path extending from a feeding part for a sheet to an ejecting part for the sheet, the inversion path branching from a portion on a downstream side of the conveying path and joining to a portion on an upstream side of the conveying path; a fixing device which fixes an image on the sheet conveyed along the conveying path; a conveying guide which guides the sheet along the conveying path closer to the downstream side than the fixing device; and a branching guide which guides the sheet toward the ejecting part along the conveying path closer to the downstream side than the fixing device and guides the sheet toward the inversion path along the conveying path closer to the downstream side than the fixing device, wherein the conveying guide is detachably attached to one of the apparatus main body and the fixing device so as to cover a part of the fixing device from a downstream side in a conveying direction of the sheet, the branching guide is detachably attached to the conveying guide. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device includes: a fixing member which is rotatable and heated by a heat source; a pressuring member which is rotatable and comes into pressure contact with the fixing member to form a fixing nip; and a separating member which is arranged on the conveying path closer to the downstream side than the fixing nip and separates the sheet from the fixing member, wherein the conveying guide covers the fixing member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying guide is attached to the one of the apparatus main body and the fixing device with a fastening member, the branching guide is attached to the conveying guide so as to cover the fastening member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an opening/closing guide supported by the apparatus main body so as to be turnable between a supporting position where the opening/closing guide supports the conveying guide from a lower side and a leaving position where the opening/closing guide leaves from the lower side of the conveying guide; and a biasing member which biases the opening/closing guide toward the supporting position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the conveying guide rotatably supports a first roller, the opening/closing guide rotatably supports a second roller, and when the opening/closing guide is turned to the supporting position, the second roller comes in pressure contact with the first roller. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the branching guide is turnable between an ejection position where the branching guide rubs on the sheet conveyed toward the downstream side of the conveying path and a reverse conveying prevention position where the branching guide rubs on the sheet conveyed toward the inversion path. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the branching guide includes: a plurality of branching ribs arranged at equal intervals; and a connecting part connecting the plurality of branching ribs. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cover which closes and opens an opening of the apparatus main body, wherein when the cover opens the opening, a part of the conveying path and a part of the inversion path are exposed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an opening/closing guide supported by the apparatus main body so as to be turnable between a supporting position where the opening/closing guide supports the conveying guide from a lower side and a leaving position where the opening/closing guide leaves from the lower side of the conveying guide, wherein the conveying guide rotatably supports a first roller, the opening/closing guide rotatably supports a second roller, the cover rotatably supports a cover roller, wherein a conveying nip is formed along the conveying path between the first roller and the second roller, and an inversion nip is formed along the inversion path between the second roller and the cover roller.