JP2008034941A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus to the cover of which a cradle of a handset is fitted, the image forming apparatus adopting a simple configuration where the handset is not fallen off from a placing part of the cradle when the cover is opened and tilted and exhibiting a fall prevention function independently of an angle of opening the cover. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with: a base 2; the cover 3 tiltable around a rotating shaft 2a with respect to the base 2; the cradle 1 fitted to the cover 3; and the handset 10 placeable on the placing part of the cradle 11, wherein a second rotating shaft 11a is established in parallel with the rotating shaft 2a, the cradle 11 is configured freely rotatable around the second rotating shaft 11a with respect to the cover 3, when the cover 3 is tilted with respect to the base 2, the placing part of the cradle 11 can be kept horizontal. Preferably, a weight 13 is fitted to a lower part of the cradle 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a base, a cover that can be tilted around the rotation axis with respect to the base, a pedestal that is attached to the cover, and a handset that can be placed on the placement of the pedestal. And an image forming apparatus including the above.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus (facsimile apparatus, digital multifunction machine, etc.) having a configuration in which a telephone handset (handset) is attached is known. The structure of the image forming apparatus is large and can be divided into a base portion and a cover portion. The base of the image forming apparatus is provided with a recording paper storage unit, a transport mechanism, a toner cartridge, and the like, and it is necessary to appropriately perform jam processing of the recording paper and replacement work of the toner cartridge. For this purpose, the cover portion is supported so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis with respect to the base portion. In addition, the handset is configured to be placed on a placement portion of a placement base fixed to the cover portion of the image forming apparatus. The reason why the handset rest is attached to the cover is to facilitate the operation of the handset.

  According to such a configuration, since the cover portion is inclined around the rotation axis when the cover portion is opened, the pedestal is also inclined. If it does so, the problem that the handset mounted in the mounting part will fall from a mounting part arises. As a conventional technique for solving such a problem, a handset mounting structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known.

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a pedestal for a handset is provided on an openable / closable front door (corresponding to a cover portion), and the pedestal is rotatably supported by a spring. When the front door is opened, the urging force of the spring is released, and the cradle rotates so that the placing portion is in a horizontal state. When the front door is closed, the pedestal is configured to be held in a predetermined posture against the urging force of the spring.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-126472

  According to such a conventional technique, when the front door is opened, the placing portion of the cradle can be set horizontally, but has the following problems. That is, the mounting portion can be kept horizontal when the front door is rotated by a predetermined angle, and otherwise the horizontal state is not achieved. Therefore, the state is not horizontal until the front door is opened and reaches a predetermined angle, and there may be an unstable state depending on the angle. Moreover, since it is the structure which uses a spring, there exists a possibility that an assembly process may become complicated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem is that, in an image forming apparatus in which a pedestal for a handset is attached to the cover, the handset is placed when the cover is opened and tilted. It is to provide a simple configuration that does not fall off. Also, the fall prevention function can be exhibited regardless of the angle at which the cover portion is opened.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention provides:
A base, a cover that can be tilted around the rotation axis with respect to the base, a pedestal that is attached to the cover, and a handset that can be placed on the placement of the pedestal. An image forming apparatus,
When a second rotation axis is set in parallel with the rotation axis, the pedestal is configured to be rotatable around the second rotation axis with respect to the cover portion, and the cover portion is inclined with respect to the base portion, It is characterized in that the placing portion of the placing table can be maintained in a horizontal state.

  The operation and effect of the image forming apparatus having this configuration will be described. A stand on which the handset can be placed is attached to the cover portion. A second rotation axis is set in parallel with the rotation axis with respect to the base of the cover portion. The cradle is supported by the cover portion so as to be rotatable around the second rotation axis. Even when the cover part is opened and tilted with respect to the base part for maintenance or the like, the placing table rotates around the second rotation axis, so that the placing part of the placing table is maintained in a horizontal posture. In other words, due to the action of the weight of the cradle and the handset mounted thereon, the cradle acts to take the same posture (stable posture) regardless of the inclined state of the cover portion. Thereby, it is possible to always take a stable posture in the entire cover opening process. In addition, since the action of the weight of the member is used without using a spring, the configuration is simple and the assembly process is not complicated.

  In this invention, it is preferable to attach a weight to the lower part of the said stand.

  By attaching such a weight to the lower part, the position of the center of gravity can be lowered, and a more stable horizontal posture can be maintained.

  In the present invention, a pedestal support that is fixed to the cover portion and on which the second rotation axis is set is provided, and the pedestal support prevents the handset from falling when the cover portion is inclined with respect to the base. It is preferable to move to the state to do.

  According to this configuration, the cradle support is fixed to the cover portion, and the second rotation axis is set on the cradle support. When the cover portion is inclined, the pedestal support fixed to the cover portion also rotates around the rotation axis. At this time, the relative positional relationship of the cradle support with respect to the handset changes, and the cradle support moves to a state that prevents the handset from falling. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the handset from falling more reliably.

In order to solve the above problems, another image forming apparatus according to the present invention provides:
A base, a cover that can be tilted around the rotation axis with respect to the base, a pedestal fixed to the cover, and a handset that can be placed on the placement of the pedestal. An image forming apparatus comprising:
When the second rotation axis is set in parallel with the rotation axis, the fall prevention body is configured to be rotatable around the second rotation axis with respect to the pedestal, and when the cover portion is inclined with respect to the base portion, The fall prevention body moves to a state that prevents the handset from falling.

  The operation and effect of the image forming apparatus having this configuration will be described. A stand on which the handset can be placed is fixed to the cover portion. A second rotation axis is set in parallel with the rotation axis with respect to the base of the cover portion. The fall prevention body is supported by the pedestal so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis. When the cover portion is opened and inclined with respect to the base portion for maintenance or the like, the placement portion of the cradle is also inclined. However, since the fall prevention body rotates around the second rotation axis with respect to the cradle, the fall prevention body is maintained in a predetermined posture regardless of the posture of the cover portion. In other words, due to the action of the weight of the fall prevention body itself, the fall prevention body acts so as to take the same posture (stable posture) regardless of the inclined state of the cover portion and the cradle. Accordingly, the relative positional relationship between the handset and the fall prevention body is changed by opening the cover, and the fall prevention body moves to a state in which the handset is prevented from falling. Since such a configuration uses the action of the weight of the fall prevention body without using a spring, the configuration is simple and the assembly process is not complicated.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that a weight is attached to the lower part of the fall prevention body.

  By attaching such a weight to the lower part, the position of the center of gravity can be lowered, and the posture of the fall prevention body can be made more stable.

  A preferred embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a facsimile machine 1 which is an example of an image forming apparatus, and shows a state where a cover portion is closed. FIG. 2 is an external view showing a state in which the cover is opened in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the front side of the facsimile apparatus. The direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIGS. 1 and 2 is the longitudinal direction of the apparatus, and the vertical direction along the paper surface of FIGS. 1 and 2 are defined as the horizontal direction of the apparatus.

<Overall configuration of facsimile machine>
The facsimile apparatus 1 includes a paper feeding device 4, a printer device 5, a scanner casing 6, and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter abbreviated as ADF) 7. Further, an operation panel 8 disposed on the front side of the scanner casing 6 and a handset unit 9 disposed on the left side of the scanner casing 6 are provided. Hereinafter, the configuration of each apparatus provided in the facsimile apparatus 1 will be schematically described.

  The printer device 5 is a device for recording image data on recording paper. The printer device 5 includes a facsimile communication circuit unit and a telephone communication circuit unit. The paper feeding device 4 is a device for supplying recording paper to the printer device 5.

  A scanner device is built in the scanner casing 6. The scanner device is a device that reads an original image and creates electronic image data of the original image. The ADF 7 is a device that transports a document so that each part of the document passes through a reading unit included in the scanner device in the scanner casing 6.

  The operation panel 8 includes user operation input means (configured by keys or the like) for operating each function of the facsimile apparatus 1 and image output means (display display) for displaying the operation status of the facsimile apparatus 1. Is provided. A handset 10 constituting the handset unit 9 is a telephone receiver, and constitutes voice input means and voice output means in telephone communication.

  The facsimile apparatus 1 shown here is structurally divided into a base 2 having a paper feeding device 4, a printer device 5 and the like, and a cover 3 having a scanner casing 6, an ADF 7, an operation panel 8, a handset unit 9, and the like. be able to. The cover portion 3 is supported so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis 2 a with respect to the base portion 2. As shown in FIG. 2, when the cover unit 3 is rotated about the rotation shaft 2a, the cover unit 3 is inclined and the upper portion of the base unit 2 is opened to expose the inside of the printer device 5 and the like. At this time, maintenance such as jamming of recording paper in the printer device 5, replacement of a toner cartridge disposed in the printer device 5, replacement of a drum cartridge can be performed.

  The rotation shaft 2a, which is the rotation center of the cover portion 3, is arranged from the upper left portion of the base portion 2, and is an axis extending in the front-rear direction. The cover portion 3 is configured to open to the base portion 2 so that the right end portion of the cover portion 3 moves in the vertical direction. In the following description, the state where the cover 3 is closed with respect to the base 2 as shown in FIG. Conversely, the cover portion 3 is inclined with respect to the base portion 2, and the state where the upper portion of the base portion 2 is opened is referred to as an open state of the cover portion 3. The state shown in FIG. 2 shows an open state when the cover portion 3 is opened to the maximum.

<Configuration of handset unit (first embodiment)>
Next, the configuration of the handset unit 9 according to the first embodiment will be described. 3A is a front view of the handset unit as viewed from the front, FIG. 3B is a plan view of the handset unit as viewed from above, and FIG. 3C is a front view showing a state when the cover 3 is opened. The handset unit 9 is prepared as an option, and can be freely attached to and detached from the cover portion 3.

  Incidentally, the reason why the handset unit 9 is arranged at the upper left part of the facsimile apparatus 1 is as follows. That is, when the handset 10 is used, the position shown in the drawing is a preferable position in terms of operation because the handset 10 is normally gripped with the left hand and the front operation panel 8 is operated with the right hand. Further, since the printer device 5 and the paper feeding device 4 are arranged on the left side of the base portion 2 of the facsimile machine 1, it is difficult to place the printer device 5 and the paper feeding device 4 at this position, and there is a problem in operation. Therefore, the handset unit 9 is arranged on the left side of the cover part 3 as shown in the drawing.

  The handset unit 9 is attached to the left side surface portion of the cover portion 3, and when the cover portion 3 is moved from the closed state to the open state and tilted, the handset unit 9 tends to be tilted in the same manner. At this time, a structure is employed in which the handset 10 does not fall from the cradle.

  A cradle 11 having a placement portion on which the handset 10 is placed is supported rotatably with respect to the cradle support 12. The cradle support 12 has a substantially L shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and is fixed to the left side portion of the cover 3. As shown in FIG. 3B, the cradle support 12 has two support arms 12a projecting in the front-rear direction, and the cradle 11 is rotatably supported at the tip. The rotating shaft 11a (corresponding to the second rotating shaft) of the cradle 11 is set so as to be parallel to the rotating shaft 2a of the cover portion 3, and is disposed at a position relatively close to the rotating shaft 2a. The rotating shaft 11a may be formed on the cradle support 12 side. A weight 13 is attached to the lower surface of the table 11. An appropriate metal lump can be used for the weight 13.

  In the closed state of the cover portion 3 shown in FIG. 3A, the placement portion of the cradle 11 is horizontal, and the handset 10 is also held in the horizontal state. If the cover part 3 is made into an open state, the cover part 3 will incline and the stand support body 12 integral with this will also incline. However, since the cradle 11 is supported rotatably with respect to the cradle support 12, the cradle 11 is maintained in a horizontal state. That is, the horizontal state is maintained by the action of the weight of the cradle 11, the handset 10, and the weight 13. Therefore, since the handset 10 mounted on the cradle 11 is also maintained in a horizontal state, the handset 10 does not fall. In particular, since the weight 13 is attached to the lower portion of the cradle 11, the horizontal state can be stably maintained.

  However, in the present invention, the weight 13 is not necessarily required, and the horizontal state can be maintained by the weight of the handset 10 or the table 11 itself. By attaching the weight 13, the entire center of gravity can be lowered, and the posture can be stabilized. Regardless of the presence or absence of the weight 13, it is preferable to set the position of the center of gravity below the rotation axis 11a.

  By configuring as described above, it is possible to reliably prevent the handset 10 from falling. Further, there is no need for a member such as a spring, the assembly process can be simplified, and there is a cost advantage. Moreover, by attaching the weight 13, it can be opened with a lighter force when the cover 3 is opened, and the operability is improved. This is also true for other embodiments described below.

<Configuration of Handset Unit (Second Embodiment)>
Next, the configuration of the handset unit 9 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals, and the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The gantry support 12 is integrally formed with a pair of support arms 12 a, a support arm connecting portion 12 b that connects the support arms 12 a, and a fixing portion 12 c that is fixed to the cover portion 3. The cradle 11 is rotatably supported with respect to the cradle support 12. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4C, even when the cover 3 is opened, the horizontal state of the handset 10 is maintained as in the first embodiment. Further, when the cover portion 3 is inclined, the cradle support 12 rotates in the counterclockwise direction around the rotation shaft 11 a, and the support arm connection portion 12 b covers the handset 10. Accordingly, the handset 10 does not fall off the cradle 11. By adding such a function, it is possible to provide a structure that is more difficult to drop. Also in this embodiment, the presence or absence of the weight 13 is arbitrary.

<Configuration of Handset Unit (Third Embodiment)>
Next, the configuration of the handset unit 9 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5A is a front view of the handset unit as viewed from the front, FIG. 5B is a side view of the handset unit as viewed from the left side, and FIG. 5C is a front view illustrating a state when the cover 3 is opened. Portions having the same functions as those of the other embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and will be described mainly with respect to differences from the other embodiments.

  The cradle 11 is fixed to the cover part 3 by an attachment part 11b. Therefore, when the cover part 3 inclines, the stand 11 also inclines. A fall prevention body 14 is attached to the table 11 so as to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 14a (corresponding to a second rotation shaft). The fall prevention body 14 is integrally formed with a locking portion 14b that protrudes leftward with respect to the rotation shaft 14a and a weight support portion 14c that protrudes downward with respect to the rotation shaft 14a when viewed in the front-rear direction. . The locking portion 14b has a protruding portion extending upward, and a gap is formed between the protruding portion and the handset 10 when the cover portion 3 is closed. Therefore, the handset 10 can be easily taken out regardless of the presence of the locking portion 14b. A weight 15 is attached below the weight support portion 14c. The fall prevention body 14 is arrange | positioned in the center part of the front-back direction as shown in FIG.5 (b). However, the structure of the fall prevention body 14 is not limited to this, and various modifications can be considered. For example, the fall prevention body 14 may be arranged at a plurality of places instead of one place. The width of the fall prevention body 14 in the front-rear direction is not limited to the illustrated size, and may be wide.

  When the cover 3 is opened, the cradle 11 and the handset 10 are also inclined as shown in FIG. However, since the fall prevention body 14 is rotatably supported with respect to the cradle 11, the same posture can be maintained regardless of the inclined state of the cover portion 3. Thereby, the latching | locking part 14b of the fall prevention body 14 contact | abuts to the left side part of the handset 10, and the fall of the handset 10 is prevented.

<Other embodiments>
The facsimile apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the structure of this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the cover portion 3 rotates around the fixed rotation shaft 2a, but the present invention is also included in the case of a structure in which the rotation shaft 2a is not fixed. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a structure in which the cover 3 is opened via a link mechanism.

  The facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a structure in which the original reading method has only a sheet feed type that is read by the ADF 7, but is a flat bed type that reads an original image by moving the reading sensor in the sub-scanning direction. It may be a structure provided with a structure. In this case, a contact glass serving as a document placing table is provided on the upper surface of the scanner casing 6, and a platen cover (document pressing plate) for opening and closing the surface of the placing table is provided to be freely opened and closed. In such a case, it is preferable to attach the handset unit 9 to the scanner casing main body (part excluding the platen cover), avoiding a platen cover that has a relatively high opening / closing frequency and a relatively large opening / closing angle.

Figure showing the external configuration of the facsimile machine (with the cover closed) Figure showing the external configuration of the facsimile machine (with the cover open) The figure which shows the structure of the handset unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the handset unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the handset unit which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile apparatus 2 Base 2a Rotating shaft 3 Cover part 9 Handset unit 10 Handset 11 Stand 11a Rotating shaft (second rotating shaft)
12 Pedestal support 13 Weight 14 Fall prevention body 14a Rotating shaft

Claims (5)

A base, a cover that can be tilted around the rotation axis with respect to the base, a pedestal that is attached to the cover, and a handset that can be placed on the placement of the pedestal. An image forming apparatus,
When a second rotation axis is set in parallel with the rotation axis, the pedestal is configured to be rotatable around the second rotation axis with respect to the cover portion, and the cover portion is inclined with respect to the base portion, An image forming apparatus configured to be capable of maintaining a mounting portion of a mounting table in a horizontal state.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a weight is attached to a lower portion of the table.   A state in which the cradle support is fixed to the cover part and the second rotation axis is set, and the cradle support prevents the handset from falling when the cover part is inclined with respect to the base. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is moved to the position. A base, a cover that can be tilted around the rotation axis with respect to the base, a pedestal fixed to the cover, and a handset that can be placed on the placement of the pedestal. An image forming apparatus comprising:
When the second rotation axis is set in parallel with the rotation axis, the fall prevention body is configured to be rotatable around the second rotation axis with respect to the pedestal, and when the cover portion is inclined with respect to the base portion, An image forming apparatus, wherein the fall prevention body moves to a state in which the handset is prevented from falling.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a weight is attached to a lower portion of the fall prevention body.

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