Finishing apparatus provided with stapling function

A finisher which staples a set of sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus comprising:

• sheet stacking means which receives and stacks sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus;
• a staple head which drives staples into the stacked set of sheets;
• a staple anvil which receives and bends staples driven from the staple head;
• first moving means which moves the staple head;
• second moving means which moves the staple anvil;
• and
• position detection means which detects mutual positions of the staple head and the staple anvil.

A finisher which staples a set of sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus comprising:

• sheet stacking means which receives and stacks sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus;
• a staple head which drives staples into the stacked set of sheets;
• a staple anvil which receives and bends staples driven from the staple head;
• first moving means which moves the staple head;
• second moving means which moves the staple anvil;
• position detection means which detects mutual positions of the staple head and the staple anvil;
• and
• control means which moves either the staple head or the staple anvil to a specified stapling point, and after that, moves the other to a position detected by the position detecting means.

A finisher which staples a set of sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus comprising:

• sheet stacking device which receives and stacks sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus;
• a staple head which drives staples into the stacked set of sheets;
• a staple anvil which receives and bends staples driven from the staple head;
• a first guide shaft which supports the staple head;
• and
• a second guide shaft which supports the staple anvil.

A method of stapling a set of sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving and stacking sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus;
• transporting the stacked set of sheets in a length direction thereof;
• moving a staple head and a staple anvil in a width direction of the set of sheets independently of each other;
• driving a staple from the staple head into the set of sheets and bending the staple on the staple anvil;
• and
• transporting the stapled set of sheets in the length direction thereof without moving the staple head and the staple anvil.