Sheet aligning device and image forming apparatus including the same

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a sheet conveying path through which a sheet is conveyed to an image transfer unit;
• a lateral registration unit configured to move in a lateral direction to correct a misalignment of the sheet in the lateral direction;
• and
• a conveying unit arranged downstream from the lateral registration unit, the conveying unit configured to convey the sheet after the misalignment in the lateral direction is corrected by the lateral registration unit,
• wherein the lateral registration unit includes a pair of lateral registration rollers that is configured to nip the sheet and move in the lateral direction from a home position, the pair of lateral registration rollers configured to separate from each other after the sheet whose misalignment in the lateral direction is corrected by the lateral registration unit reaches the conveying unit, the pair of lateral registration rollers configured to move in a direction opposite to the lateral direction after separating to return to the home position to prepare for an arrival of a subsequent sheet, the pair of lateral registration rollers configured to remain separated during the move to the home position and while the sheet is passing therethrough.