Sheet alignment apparatus, sheet processing apparatus, and image forming system

A sheet alignment apparatus comprising:

• a supporting portion configured to support a sheet;
• a reference member configured to abut an end portion in a predetermined direction of the sheet supported by the supporting portion;
• a moving unit configured to move the reference member in the predetermined direction;
• and
• a moving member configured to abut an upper surface of the sheet on the supporting portion and move the sheet such that the end portion of the sheet in the predetermined direction abuts the reference member, the moving member being configured to move in the predetermined direction while maintaining a certain distance between the moving member and the reference member in the predetermined direction.

A sheet alignment apparatus comprising:

• a supporting portion configured to support a sheet;
• an alignment member configured to abut an end portion in a first direction of the sheet supported by the supporting portion and align a position of the sheet in the first direction;
• a first moving unit configured to move the alignment member in the first direction;
• a push-out member configured to abut an end portion of the sheet in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and push out the sheet from the supporting portion in the second direction;
• and
• a second moving unit configured to move the push-out member in the second direction,
• wherein one of the first moving unit and the second moving unit is disposed below the supporting portion, and
• wherein another of the first moving unit and the second moving unit is disposed above the supporting portion.

A sheet alignment apparatus comprising:

• a supporting portion configured to support a sheet;
• an upper unit provided above the supporting portion and configured to move between a first position opposing the supporting portion and a second position upwardly away from the supporting portion;
• and
• an alignment member provided in the upper unit and configured to abut an end portion of the sheet supported by the supporting portion in a state in which the upper unit is at the first position and align a position of the sheet,
• wherein the alignment member is configured to relatively move between a third position and a fourth position with respect to the upper unit,
• wherein in a case where the upper unit is at the first position and the alignment member is at the third position with respect to the upper unit, a lower end of the alignment member is positioned below a sheet supporting surface of the supporting portion on which the sheet is supported,
• wherein in a case where the upper unit is at the second position and the alignment member is at the third position with respect to the upper unit, the lower end of the alignment member is upwardly away from the sheet supporting surface of the supporting portion, and
• wherein in a course of movement of the upper unit from the second position to the first position, the lower end of the alignment member is capable of remaining above the sheet supporting surface of the supporting portion by the alignment member relatively moving from the third position to the fourth position with respect to the upper unit.

A sheet alignment apparatus comprising:

• a supporting portion configured to support a sheet;
• an upper unit provided above the supporting portion and configured to move between a first position opposing the supporting portion and a second position upwardly away from the supporting portion;
• an alignment member provided on the upper unit and configured to abut an end portion of the sheet supported by the supporting portion in a state in which the upper unit is at the first position and align a position of the sheet;
• and
• an operation portion configured to be gripped and operated to move the upper unit between the first position and the second position,
• wherein in a case where the upper unit is at the first position, a lower end of the alignment member is positioned below a sheet supporting surface of the supporting portion on which the sheet is supported,
• wherein in a case where the upper unit is at the second position, the lower end of the alignment member is upwardly away from the sheet supporting surface of the supporting portion,
• wherein the operation portion is detachably engaged with the upper unit, and
• wherein in a case where the operation portion is operated toward the first position in the state in which the upper unit is at the second position and in which the alignment member abuts an obstacle present on the supporting portion, the operation portion is detached from the upper unit, and the upper unit remains at a position between the first position and the second position.