Buffer device for the scanning mechanism of an electrostatic copier

摘要

A buffer device for use in an image forming apparatus wherein a reciprocable member is placed for reciprocating motion through a belt by a rotary member driven by a drive source, the buffer device has at least two displaceable shock-absorbing rotary elements positioned so as not to interfere with the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating member and provided so as to engage with mutually facing portions of the belt, and a braking element for suppressing by friction the displacement of the shock-absorbing rotary elements, the shock given to the reciprocating member by the forward and reverse rotations of the rotary member being absorbed by displacement of the shock-absorbing rotary elements.