JPH01203126A - Sheet paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Technical supervision l This invention provides a method in which a cassette 1- for storing sheet paper is inserted into a cassette insertion slot formed in the main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a fax machine, or a printer. The present invention relates to a sheet paper feeding device that becomes ready for paper feeding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally, such a sheet paper feeding device has been used in a copying machine as shown in FIG. 7 or 8, for example.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a copying machine having a sheet paper feeding device in which cassettes can be installed and removed from the side, and there are multiple stages (only two are shown in the figure) on the side 1a of the main body 1 of the copying machine. A plurality of cassettes 1 and 2 containing paper sheets are removably inserted into a cassette insertion opening B formed in the cassette insertion opening B formed in the cassette insertion opening B.

Furthermore, FIG. 8 shows an example of a copying machine having a sheet paper feeding device in which the cassette can be pulled out from the front of the copying machine. , the cassette 6 is detachably inserted in the direction of arrow A.

However, in the case of these sheet paper feeding devices as shown in Fig. 7, when the cassette is inserted into the upper cassette insertion slot as shown in the figure, the operation for attaching and removing the lower cassette is performed on the upper cassette. This is difficult because the cassette gets in the way, and especially when using a heavy cassette for large size or large capacity (for example, 500 sheets), the task becomes even more difficult.

In addition, since it is difficult to insert and remove the cassette from the front, it is necessary to move to the side where the cassette 1- is inserted, which is a troublesome task. There was also.

In addition, in the case of the sheet paper feeding device shown in Fig. 8, the cassette 1
It is easy to attach and detach the paper P from the entire surface of the copying machine because it can be pulled out from the entire surface of the copying machine.However, as shown in FIG. Then, it is separated into one sheet by the separation parallel '8 and transferred to the turn conveyance path 9.
Since the paper is conveyed to the registration rollers 10 through each conveyance roller, when the paper feeding is stopped, the leading edge of the uppermost paper prp in the cassette 6 is as shown in FIG. It is often caught between the paper roller 7 and the separation pad 8, and when the cassette is removed,
Since the uppermost paper Prp is pulled out not in the direction of arrow B, which is the direction in which it is pulled out from the paper feed roller 7 and the separation pad 8, but in a direction perpendicular thereto, there is a problem that the uppermost paper Prp is easily torn. Ta.

This invention was made in view of the above problems,
Even when a cassette is inserted in the upper cassette, the cassette in the lower cassette can be easily inserted and removed from the front of the device. The purpose is to prevent the paper from being torn when removed from the insertion slot.

In addition, even in the case of a sticker paper feeding device equipped with a cassette holder that holds cassettes in a detachable manner, the cassette holder has excellent operability for attachment and detachment, and can be attached and detached from the front of the device. The purpose is to prevent the paper from being torn when it is removed.

Furthermore, the purpose is to allow the cassette and cassette holder to be easily attached and removed from the image forming apparatus main body, and to prevent the cassette and cassette holder from coming off from the image forming apparatus main body when the cassette and cassette holder are rotated. shall be.

Structure In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sheet that can be fed when a cassette for storing sheet paper is inserted into a cassette insertion slot formed in the main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. In the paper feeding device, a boss is provided protruding near one end of the cassette and one end of the cassette insertion opening of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the boss is fitted into the other to horizontally hold the cassette. A cutout groove is provided to support the cassette so that it can be rotated in the horizontal direction, and by rotating the cassette in the horizontal direction, it can be inserted into the cassette insertion opening of the main body, and the cassette inserted into the main body can be placed in a predetermined position. It is provided with a locking means for fixing it.

The image forming apparatus also includes a cassette holder that removably holds a cassette for storing sheet paper, and a boss is provided at one end corner of the set 1 to the holder and one end of a cassette insertion opening formed in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The cassette holder is mounted on the cassette holder and rotated in the horizontal direction. The sheet paper feeding device may be configured such that it can be inserted into the cassette insertion opening of the main body and is provided with a locking means for fixing the cassette inserted into the main body at a predetermined position.

Furthermore, assuming that the cross-sectional shape of the boss portion is tJs size,
It is more effective if the cutout groove is formed by an entrance portion having a width slightly wider than the transverse dimension of the cross section of the boss portion, followed by a cylindrical portion having a diameter that allows the boss portion to rotate relative to the above. .

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained based on embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a copying machine having a sheet paper feeding device in which a boss is formed on the cassette side and a notch into which the boss is inserted is formed on the cassette insertion side.

This copying machine consists of a copying machine main body 20 that is equipped with a photoreceptor and an exposure device (not shown) for copying inside, and a cassette 24 that is detachably inserted into the copying machine main body 20.
A pressure plate 21 for setting a document to be copied by pressing it against a contact glass (not shown) is attached to the upper part of the 0, and a pressure plate 21 is attached so as to be able to open and close in the direction of arrow C.
On the side a, there is provided an operation section 22 in which various operation keys necessary for operating the copying machine are arranged.

Then, on the left side of the copying machine main body 20, there are "1 lower two rows (3
The support portions 20b to 20d may be in multiple stages or more.
Cassette insertion opening 2''; a, 23b formed by
The cassettes 24 are removably inserted into the cassette insertion openings 23a and 23b, and the opening dimensions in the width and height directions of the respective insertion openings 23a and 23b are determined based on the width and height of the cassette 1.
-24 is slightly larger than the width L and height H.

The cassette 24 has a paper storage section 25 with only the top open.
and a jetty portion 26 formed on the right side thereof, and boss portions 2 are provided on both upper and lower surfaces near one end of the jetty portion 26 on the copying machine side.
7.27 is provided protrudingly, a handle (not shown) is formed on the outer side wall 26a, and a plate-shaped magnet 29 is fixed to the rear surface 24a of the cassette 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, the boss portion 27 has, for example, an oval cross-sectional shape, and is cut out by cutting out two symmetrical planes 27a and 27b parallel to the axis of the cylinder to have a longitudinal dimension Wa. The widthwise dimension wb is made different. The two planes 27a and 27b are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cassette 24, as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the support portion 20 of each cassette insertion 1023a, 23b
Each of the cassettes 24 is supported rotatably in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Notch grooves 28a to 28c (hereinafter collectively referred to as simply notch grooves 28) are provided respectively, and when the cassette 24 is rotated in the direction of arrow D1, it enters the cassette insertion slots 25a and 23b of the copying machine main body 20. It is possible to insert it.

As shown in FIG.
It is formed by an inlet portion 28d and a cylindrical portion 28e having a diameter Da that allows the boss portion 27 to rotate relative to the inlet portion 28d.

In addition, when the cassette 1-24 is inserted into the cassette insertion slot 23ia (the same applies to cassette 23b) of the copying machine main body 20 and paper can be fed as shown by the phantom line in FIG.
A plate member 31 made of a magnetic material is fixed to a position corresponding to the magnet 29 on the rear surface 248 of the cassette 24, so that the cassette 24 is fixed to the copying machine main body 2o by the attraction force of the magnet 29.

In addition, in this embodiment, this magnet 29 and the plate material 31
This corresponds to a locking means for fixing the cassette 1-24 inserted into the copying machine main body 2o in a predetermined position.

Moreover, among the support parts 20b to 20d in which the notch grooves 28a to 28c are formed, the middle support part 20C has both the lower boss part 27 of the upper cassette and the upper boss part 27 of the lower cassette cut out. In order to fit into the groove 28b and support it, the plate thickness is made thicker than the other supporting parts 20b and 20d, and the plate thickness is made larger than the upper and lower boss parts 27.27.
It is slightly thicker than the sum of the protruding amounts.

In FIG. 1, the notch groove 28Q is formed to penetrate the support portion 20d, but if this groove is made into a bottomed notch groove, the strength of the support portion can be further increased.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

To attach the cassette 24 to this copying machine, as shown in FIG. Notch groove 28a.

When the two planes 27a and 27b of each boss part 27 are aligned with the entrance part 28d of the boss part 28b and inserted in the direction of arrow E, the two planes 27a and 27b of each boss part 27
8d, and it penetrates to the inner cylindrical portion 28e (FIG. 2).

Thereafter, when the cassette 24 is rotated in the direction of arrow D1 in FIG. 1, the lower boss portion 27 has an arcuate portion on its outer circumference touching the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 28e, as shown in FIG. Since the position is changed while sliding, even if a force is applied to pull out the cassette 24 in the direction of arrow F after this rotation, the longitudinal dimension Wa of the boss portion 27 is smaller than the width We of the entrance portion 28d. Since it is larger, it will not fall out.

Then, when the cassettes 1 to 24 are rotated to the positions shown by the phantom lines in FIG. The cassette 24 is fixed at a predetermined position in the copying machine main body 20 in order to attract the paper sheets, and the sheet paper in the cassette 24 becomes ready for feeding.

Note that each support portion 2 forming the notch grooves 28a to 28c
Since 0b to 20d all have a structure that supports the cassette 24 in a cantilevered manner, it is necessary to take this point into consideration in advance and design them to have sufficient strength.

Similarly, the cassette 24 is also inserted into the lower cassette insertion opening 25b.

Further, when it is necessary to remove paper from the cassette insertion port 23a or 23b, such as when replenishing paper into the cassette 24, a handle (not shown) formed on the outer side wall 26a of the jetty portion 26 of the cassette 24 is used. If the magnet 29 is held and rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow D1 in FIG. 1, the magnet 29 will be separated from the plate 31, so that it can be easily removed.

In this way, the cassette attachment/detachment operation of this sheet paper feeding device can be performed from the front side 2Qa side without moving to the left side of the copying machine main body 20, so this is particularly useful in a copying machine in which cassettes are arranged in multiple stages. This makes the operation even easier. Furthermore, even when the cassette 24 is inserted into the upper cassette insertion port 23a, the lower cassette 1-24 can be easily attached or removed by rotating it.

Furthermore, since the cassette 24 can be removed from the copying machine main body 20 through the boss portion 27 through the entrance portion 28d of the notch groove 28, even if an abnormality occurs in the cassette and it becomes necessary to replace it, the replacement work can be easily performed. It can be done easily.

The cassette of this sheet paper feeding device rotates horizontally when the cassette is inserted or removed, but at the moment of insertion or removal into each cassette insertion slot, the cassette rotates in the paper feeding and conveying direction (direction of arrow J in Figure 1). Since the cassettes move in approximately the same direction, not only are paper sheets less likely to be left behind or paper torn than in conventional copying machines where the cassette is pulled out from the front (Fig. 8), but the guide parts used when installing and removing the cassette are also different from conventional copying machines. Method for attaching and detaching in the paper feed conveyance direction (Figure 7)
can be used without major changes.

Furthermore, if a jam occurs in the paper feed section, rotating the cassette horizontally will move the cassette away from the cassette insertion slot, allowing the operator to easily see the paper feed section from the outside. Processing in the event of an abnormality can be easily performed.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing an example of a copying machine having a sticker paper feeding device in which a cassette is inserted into the front of the copying machine main body, and the parts corresponding to FIG. Reference numerals are given and explanations thereof are omitted.

This copying machine has a
A cassette insertion opening 33a into which the cassette 34 is inserted is formed, and upper and lower support parts '50a of the cassette insertion opening 33a,
The boss portion 27 of the cassette 1-34 is attached to one left end of each of the cassettes 30b.
cutout grooves 28a into which the cassettes 34 are supported rotatably in the horizontal direction of arrow G in FIG.
28b are provided respectively.

The height of the opening of the cassette insertion port 33a is slightly higher than the height H of the cassette 1 to 34, and the width of the opening is slightly higher than the height H of the cassette 1 to 34.
The distance is slightly wider than the diagonal distance.

In addition, although only one stage of the cassette insertion opening is provided in FIG. 3, it is also possible to provide a plurality of stages.

In the cassette 34, the jetty portion 56 has a cutout groove 28a.

28b is formed on the left side of the paper storage portion 65, and boss portions 27, 27 are protruded from both upper and lower surfaces near one end of the jetty portion 36 on the copying machine side.

A handle 3Bb is formed on the outer side wall 3B,
A plate-shaped magnet 2 is fixed to the rear surface 34a of the cassette 34, and a plate 31 is fixed to the position of the copying machine main body 20 corresponding to the magnet 29, and when the cassette 34 is inserted, it is attached to the copying machine main body 20. I am trying to fix it to .

To insert the cassette 34 into this copying machine, as in the case of the copying machine shown in FIG. When the outer side wall 36a is rotated in the direction until the outer side wall 36a is substantially flush with the front surface 20a of the copying machine main body 20, the magnet 2 of the cassette 1-34 attracts the plate 31 and is fixed in a predetermined position, allowing paper feeding. become a state.

Even in this case, the same effect as the sheet paper picture paper device shown in FIG. Since there is no protrusion, the copying machine itself can be made more compact and space can be saved.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing only the vicinity of the cassette support portion of a copying machine having a sheet paper feeding device in which a boss portion is formed on the cassette insertion port side and a notch groove is formed on the cassette side. The same reference numerals are given to the corresponding parts, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

This copying machine differs from the sheet paper feeding device shown in FIG. 3 only in that the positions of the boss portion and the notch groove are reversed.

That is, the upper and lower support parts E of the cassette insertion slot "z" za
At the left end of each SOa, 3; Ob, there is a cutout groove 2 shown in Fig. 3.
8a and 28c, the upper and lower ends of the supports 50a and 30b are integrally fixed to each other, and the cross-sectional shape and dimensional relationship are the same as that of the boss part 27 in FIG. 2. Boss portion 4 having flat surfaces 47a and 47b
7 is formed.

Then, the boss portion 47 is fitted into the position corresponding to the boss portion 47 of the jetty portion 36 of the cassette 34, and the cassette 34 is
Notch groove 48 that supports rotatably in the horizontal direction of arrow G
has been established.

Even in this case, the same effects as those of the sheet paper feeding device shown in FIG. 3 described above can be obtained.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a copying machine having a sheet paper feeding device equipped with a cassette holder for holding a cassette.
Components corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted.

This copying machine includes a cassette holder 50 that removably holds a cassette 54, and a boss portion 27 shown in FIG. Boss parts 27', 27' having the same dimensional relationship are provided in a protruding manner, and each boss part 27' is fitted into one end of the corresponding cassette insertion slot 33a of the copying machine main body 20, and the cassette holder 50 Notch grooves 28a, 2 that support rotatably in the horizontal direction of arrow G
8b is provided.

Then, attach the cassette 54 to the cassette holder 50,
Each boss portion 27' is inserted into the notch grooves 28a, 28b, and the fifth
When rotated in the horizontal direction indicated by arrow G1 in the figure and inserted into the cassette insertion slot 53a of the copying machine main body 20, the magnets 1 to
29 attracts the plate material 31 and the cassette 54 is fixed in a predetermined position.

According to this embodiment, in addition to the functions and effects of each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 described above, the boss portion 27'
The cassette 54 has a conventional shape (see FIG. 7) since there is no need to form a jetty or a jetty for providing it.
cassettes can be used in common. Furthermore, if the cassette holder is made of a steel plate or the like, the strength can be further improved.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing only the vicinity of the cassette support portion of a copying machine having a sheet paper feeding device in which a boss portion is formed on the cassette insertion port side and a notch groove is formed on the cassette holder side. The same reference numerals are given to the parts corresponding to those in FIG. 5 and FIG. 5, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

This copying machine differs from the sheet paper feeding device shown in FIG. 5 only in that the positions of the boss portion and the notch groove are reversed.

That is, the upper and lower support parts 30a of the cassette insertion slot 33a
, 30b, the notch grooves 28a, 2 shown in FIG.
8b, the upper and lower ends are integrally fixed to the support parts 30a and 30b, respectively, and the oval-shaped two parallel symmetrical planes 47a have the same cross-sectional shape and dimensional relationship as the boss part 27 in FIG. and 47b.

Then, the boss portion 47 of the jetty portion 5B of the cassette holder 50
A notched groove 48 into which the boss portion 47 is fitted to support the cassette holder 50 rotatably in the horizontal direction of arrow G is provided at a position corresponding to .

Even in this case, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the above-mentioned sticker paper feeding device shown in FIG. 5.

In each of the above embodiments, the magnet 2 and the plate 31 are used as the locking means, but the locking means is a combination of a plate spring and a recess into which the protrusion formed on the plate spring is fitted. Other locking means may be used, such as a combination of a simple protrusion and a recess.

Further, although the boss portion in each of the above embodiments has an oval cross-sectional shape, the shape of the boss portion is not limited to this.
For example, the two planes 27a in FIG.

27b may be deformed into an oval shape in which the dimension wb in the short direction is not larger than the width Wc of the entrance portion 28d of the cylindrical portion 28e, or concavely concave. Other shapes may also be used.

As described above, according to the present invention, a boss portion is provided at one end of the cassette and one end of the cassette insertion opening of the image forming apparatus main body, a notch groove is provided at the other end, and the two are inserted into the boss portion. Rotate the cassette and insert it into the cassette insertion slot,
Since the cassettes are fixed by the locking means, even if the cassettes are inserted into the main body of the apparatus in multiple stages, the lower cassettes can be easily installed and removed.

Since the cassette attachment/detachment operation can be performed from the entire surface of the apparatus, operability is improved, and the paper can be prevented from being torn when the cassette is removed.

In addition, a boss part is provided on one end of the cassette holder that removably holds the cassette and one end of the cassette insertion opening of the image forming apparatus main body, and a notch groove is provided on the other end, so that the cassette holder is inserted into the cassette holder, and the cassette holder is rotated. The same effect as above can also be obtained by inserting the cassette into the cassette insertion slot and fixing it with a locking means.

Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the boss part is oval-shaped, and the notch groove has an entrance part with a width slightly wider than the transverse dimension of the cross-section of the boss part, and a diameter that allows the following boss part to rotate relative to each other. By forming the cylindrical part, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, the cassette or cassette holder can be easily attached to and removed from the image forming apparatus main body, and moreover, when the cassette is rotated, the cassette or cassette holder can be easily attached and removed from the image forming apparatus main body. You can prevent it from coming off.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a copying machine having a sheet paper feeding device in which a boss portion is formed on the cassette side and a notch groove is formed on the cassette insertion port side 1, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the boss portion 27 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the fitted state of the notch groove 28 and the notch groove 28. FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing only the vicinity of the cassette support portion of a copying machine having a sheet paper feeding device in which a boss portion is formed on the cassette insertion port side and a notch groove is formed on the cassette side. Figure 5 is an external perspective view similar to Figure 1, showing an example of a copying machine that has a sheet paper feeding device equipped with a cassette holder that holds a cassette, and Figure 6 shows a boss part on the cassette insertion slot side and a boss on the cassette holder side. A perspective view similar to FIG. 4 showing a copying machine having a sheet paper feeding device in which notched grooves are respectively formed, and FIG. 7 and FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a paper feeding mechanism of the sheet paper feeding device shown in FIG. 8. 20...Copying machine main body 23a, 23b, 33a...Insertion port for cassette 1 24.34.54...Cassette 27.27', 47...Boss portion 28a, 28b, 28 c, 48-notch groove 28d...Entrance part 28e...Cylindrical part 2nd...Magnet 1-31...Plate material 50...
・Cassette holder Fig. 7 Fig. 9/

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sheet paper feeder in which a cassette that stores sheet paper is inserted into a cassette insertion slot formed in the main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine so that paper can be fed. In the apparatus, a boss portion is provided protruding near one end of the cassette and one end of the cassette insertion opening of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the boss portion is fitted into the other end to rotate the cassette in a horizontal direction. A cutout groove is provided to allow movable support, and by rotating the cassette in a horizontal direction, the cassette can be inserted into the cassette insertion opening of the main body, and the cassette inserted into the main body is fixed at a predetermined position. A sheet paper feeding device characterized by being provided with a locking means. 2. In a sheet paper feeder that becomes ready to feed paper by inserting a cassette that stores sheet paper into a cassette insertion slot formed in the main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, the cassette is A cassette holder that is detachably held is provided, a boss portion is provided protruding from one end corner of the cassette holder and one end of the cassette insertion opening of the image forming apparatus main body, and the boss portion is fitted into the other. a cutout groove for rotatably supporting the cassette holder in a horizontal direction;
The cassette can be inserted into the cassette insertion opening of the main body by being mounted on a cassette holder and rotated in a horizontal direction, and a locking means is provided for fixing the cassette inserted into the main body at a predetermined position. A sheet paper feeding device characterized by: 3. The cross-sectional shape of the boss part is oval-shaped, and the notch groove has an entrance part whose width is slightly wider than the width direction dimension of the cross-section of the boss part, and a cylindrical shape with a diameter that allows the following boss part to rotate relative to each other. The sheet paper feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet paper feeding device is formed by a portion.