Sheet loading apparatus for image forming device

Sheet loading apparatus, in which for use with a device having sheet feeding means, comprising:

• a tray fittable in said device,
• a sheet loading plate having a sheet supporting surface disposed in said tray,
• means for moving said sheet loading plate for pressing sheets supported thereby into operative contract with said sheet feeding means,
• a width regulating means for regulating lateral positioning of said sheets on said sheet loading plate positioned on said sheet supporting surface and being supported by said sheet loading plate, said width regulating means comprising a pair of laterally spaced guides operative to positionally engage side edges of said sheets positioned on said sheet supporting surface and supported by said sheet loading plate, and means for adjusting the lateral position of said side guides for accommodating sheets of various sizes, and wherein
• said sheet loading plate is pivotally mounted in said tray for moving said sheet loading plate into contact with said sheet feeding means and said width regulating means comprises a pair of laterally spaced side guides operative to positionally engage side edges of said sheets positioned on said sheet supporting surface of said sheet loading plate, a pair of cutout slots provided in said sheet loading plate for receiving each of said side guides, and means for mounting each said side guide in its associated slot including a pivot connection connecting an end of said side guide upstream of said sheet feeding means, whereby free ends of said side plates project through said cutout slots to a bottom of said tray upon pivotal movement of said sheet loading plate toward said sheet feeding means.