JP2001010163A - Tool and structure for attaching/detaching option apparatus, tool housing structure, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attach/detach an option apparatus easily by a user by using a tool for attachment/detachment by forming the tool to be used when an option apparatus is attached/detached to/from an image forming apparatus main body, so that the tool has no application excluding the attachment/detachment of the option apparatus concerning the image forming apparatus. SOLUTION: When an automatic double side unit is set, the first - fifth covers 82-86 in an image forming apparatus main body 2 are removed. With regard to the covers 82, 83, a screw 88 is removed with the use of a hexagonal wrench 90 as a tool for attachment/detachment packed in the unit 12 as equipment. Next, a bracket 92 having a boss 87 is fitted to an opening 91 formed by removing the cover 86 by a slide-engaged rear screw 88. A holder on the side of the unit 12 is screwed to an opening 93 formed by removing the cover 82 to set the unit 12. The hexagonal wrench 90 is housed in a tool housing structure comprising L-shaped grooves formed in an proper place in the apparatus main body 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tool used for attaching and detaching an optional device to and from a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a storage structure and an image forming apparatus to which an optional device can be attached / detached by such an optional device attaching / detaching structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, or the like, a double-sided unit for inverting the recording medium in order to form an image on both sides of the recording medium in the image forming apparatus main body, or an optional unit in the image forming apparatus main body. Conventionally, a manual feed unit for supplying a recording medium to an image forming apparatus main body as an optional device has been conventionally performed. Conventionally, the mounting work of such an optional device and the attaching / detaching work at the time of maintenance are not performed. A serviceman had gone.

[0003]

In recent years, however, the user has to mount the optional device in some cases, and simplicity and safety of the mounting operation are required. Also, the tools used for attaching and detaching optional equipment are not usually used, so they are often lost,
However, there is a problem that if this is lost, the optional device cannot be attached or detached. Further, as described above, there are a plurality of types of optional devices, and there is a problem that various tools must be prepared if tools for attaching and detaching the optional devices are different for each optional device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a tool used for attaching and detaching an optional device, a structure for attaching and detaching the optional device, and a tool housing for preventing the loss of such a tool, in order to ensure the simplicity and safety of the attaching and detaching of the optional device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having a structure and such a tool storage structure, and an image forming apparatus to which an optional apparatus can be attached / detached by such an optional apparatus attaching / detaching structure.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: an optional device which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus; The tool is characterized in that the image forming apparatus has no purpose other than attaching and detaching the optional device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optional device attaching / detaching tool used for attaching / detaching an optional device which is detachable to / from the image forming apparatus main body. It is characterized by being used.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the tool for attaching / detaching an optional device according to the second aspect, wherein the image forming apparatus has no purpose other than attaching / detaching the plurality of types of optional devices.

[0008] The invention described in claim 4 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
In the optional device attaching / detaching tool according to any one of the above, the optional device is packaged as a fixture of the optional device.

[0009] The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
The tool for attaching / detaching an optional device according to any one of the above, wherein the tool is housed inside the image forming apparatus main body.

[0010] The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5.
A tool storage structure for engaging with the optional device attaching / detaching tool described in any one of the above and storing the optional device attaching / detaching tool, wherein the tool accommodating structure is provided in the image forming apparatus main body.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the tool storage structure of the sixth aspect, the tool storage structure is provided inside the image forming apparatus main body.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the tool storage structure according to the sixth or seventh aspect, there is provided an engaging portion for holding the engagement with the optional device attaching / detaching tool.

[0013] The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claims 6 to 8.
The tool storage structure according to any one of the above, further comprising a concave portion for gripping the optional device attaching / detaching tool when removing the optional device attaching / detaching tool.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optional device attaching / detaching structure for attaching / detaching an optional device attachable / detachable to / from the image forming apparatus main body, according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. The optional device is attached and detached by using the optional device attaching / detaching tool described above.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having the tool storage structure according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus to which an optional device is attached and detached by the optional device attaching and detaching structure according to the tenth aspect.

[0017]

1 and 2 show an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 that forms an image forming apparatus main body, a finisher 4 as an example of a post-processing unit provided on a left side surface of the apparatus main body 2, and a part of the apparatus main body 2 that forms a part of the apparatus main body 2. A relay transport unit 6 having a unit structure for transporting a sheet as a recording medium to be discharged to the finisher 4, an inner tray 7 serving as a discharge tray disposed above the relay transport unit 6, A reading scanner 8 installed on the upper surface, an automatic document feeder or ADF 10 installed on the upper surface of the reading scanner 8, and an automatic duplex unit 12 as an optional duplex device provided on the side opposite to the finisher 4; And a manual feed unit 14 as an optional device. And it includes a tray 16, and the like. FIG. 2 shows the automatic duplex unit 12 and the manual feed unit 1
4, paper tray 16 for large number of sheets, finisher 4, AD
Illustration of F10 and others are omitted.

The apparatus main body 2 has a tray 38 serving as a stacking tray formed of the upper surface of the relay conveying means 6 as a bottom thereof.
The two surfaces on the front side and the left side in FIG. 1 have a space 100 that is open to the outside. The inner tray 7 is disposed in the space 100. Since both the reading scanner 8 and the ADF 10 have a well-known configuration, the description of the configuration and functions will be omitted. In addition,
In FIG. 1, a large number of black triangles indicate paper detection sensors.

The apparatus main body 2 has a so-called vertical transport path type configuration in which a paper feeding unit 20 is located below the image forming unit 18 and a paper discharging unit 22 is located above the image forming unit 18. In the vicinity of the right side of the apparatus main body 2 in which the unit 12 is provided, a target image is formed while being conveyed substantially vertically from below to above and discharged.

In the image forming section 18, the reading scanner 8
An electrostatic latent image is formed on a photosensitive drum 26 as an image carrier by a writing unit 24 based on image data transmitted from an external device such as a personal computer or the like. The image is visualized by the developed developing roller 27. Reference numeral 29 denotes a developer supply device for supplying the developer to the developing unit 28.

Operation panel 2 shown in FIG. 2 by the operator
When the sheet is selected by the operation 1 or when the automatic selection of the sheet and the image formation are started, the corresponding sheet in the plurality of sheet cassettes 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d of the sheet feeding section 20 or the manual feed unit 14 is selected. Paper selected from one is fed. The sheet is conveyed to the transfer section with the timing of the visualized toner image on the photosensitive drum 26 and the leading edge of the image adjusted by the registration roller 30, and the toner image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer means 32. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 34 where the sheet is fixed, and then sent to the sheet discharging unit 22.

The paper discharge section 22 in the present embodiment has the following 4
It has different types of paper discharge routes.

A discharge route R1 indicated by a solid line that enters the automatic duplex unit 12 A discharge route R2 indicated by a dotted line discharged to the inner tray 7 A discharge route R3 indicated by a dotted line discharged to the tray 38 Inside the relay conveyance means 6 The paper discharge route R4 indicated by a solid line passing through the printer and entering the finisher 4 is selectively switched between the paper discharge route R1 and the paper discharge route R2 by the branching pawls 40 and 42, and the paper discharging route R3.
The paper discharge route R4 can be selectively switched by the branch pawl 40 and the branch pawl 44.

The paper discharged to the automatic double-sided unit 12 by the paper discharging route R1 is switched back in the automatic double-sided unit 12, and is conveyed from a position short of the registration roller 30 into a vertical conveyance path. When paper is fed via the manual feed unit 14 or the large number paper feed tray 16,
The sheet is transported in a vertical transport path as indicated by the arrow.

The finisher 4 has a discharge tray extension 46 that functions as a part of the tray 38 when the size of the sheet is equal to or larger than a predetermined size, and also has a tray 48. Inside the finisher 4, a stapler 50 for binding a bundle of sheets, and a discharge unit 5 for pushing up the bundle of sheets bound by the stapler 50 and discharging the bundle to a tray 48.
2 is provided. The paper discharge route R4 entering the finisher 4 includes a solid paper discharge route R5 that directly discharges to the tray 48 without performing post-processing and a paper discharge route R5 that performs post-processing.
, And is selectively switched by a branching claw 54.

Although not shown in detail, the tray 38 is rotatable so that the jam can be easily cleared, and a raised portion is integrally formed at the center of the tray 38 from the viewpoint of reducing the contact resistance of the sheet to the tray 38. Is formed. A plurality of transport rollers 49 are provided inside the relay transport unit 6 so that the sheet after image formation can be received and transported to the finisher 4.

The inner tray 7 is fixed to the apparatus main body 2 at the upstream side in the transport direction of the sheets stacked on the inner tray 7, that is, on the right side portion 74 in FIG. 1, and is stacked on the inner tray 7. The legs 73 provided on the upstream side in the paper take-out direction, that is, on the side 75 on the left side of FIG.
The sheet is supported by the apparatus main body 2 by contact with the side of the sheet, and is held in the space 100 by inclining the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction upward.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the right side surface of the apparatus main body 2, an opening / closing member which can occupy a release position for exposing the inside of the apparatus main body 2 and a shielding position for covering the apparatus main body 2 is provided. A side plate 81 is provided. In FIG. 2, the side plate 81 occupies the shielding position. The side plate 81 integrally has the transfer means 32 inside the apparatus main body 2.
Occupies the release position, the transfer means 32 and the photosensitive member 2
6 are separated from each other. The apparatus body 2 can be equipped with the automatic duplex unit 12 so as to cover the side plate 81.

The mounting operation of the automatic duplex unit 12 will be described below. First, as shown in FIG.
2. Remove the second cover 83, the third cover 84, the fourth cover 85, and the fifth cover 86. A first cover 82,
As for the second cover 83, a screw 88 is provided with a hexagon wrench 90 as a tool for attaching / detaching an optional device shown in FIGS. By using and separating, it is possible to separate from the apparatus main body 2. The screws 88 have the same shape, and work is performed using a hexagon wrench 90 that is a tool dedicated to the screws 88. A bracket 92 having a boss 87 is slidably engaged with an opening 91 formed by removing the fifth cover 86, and then screwed with a screw 88.

Next, as shown in FIG.
The holder 89 is inserted into the opening 93 formed by removing
Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the automatic duplex unit 12 is mounted. The automatic double-sided unit 12 is mounted by engaging the holder 89 mounted on the apparatus main body 2 with the support portion 94 forming a part of the automatic double-sided unit 12.
Arm 9 swingably disposed on automatic double-sided unit 12
5 is engaged with the boss 87 and fixed with the ring 96;
The connector 9 is inserted into the opening 98 formed by removing the second cover 83.
9 and the cover 110 is screwed with the screw 88.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 97 denotes a third cover 8.
4 shows engaging claws for engaging the opening 109 formed by removing the fourth cover 85 to hold the automatic duplex unit 12 in close contact with the apparatus main body 2. The arm 95
The automatic double-sided unit 12 is pivoted about the support portion 94 and the position of the automatic double-sided unit 12 is held with respect to the apparatus main body 2 in a state where the engagement claws 97 are separated from the apparatus main body 2. In this state, the side plate 81 can occupy the release position. The connector 99 electrically connects the apparatus main body 2 and the automatic duplex unit 14.

After the automatic double-sided unit 14 is mounted on the apparatus body, the holder cover 101 is screwed to the holder 89 with screws 88, thereby completing the mounting operation of the automatic double-sided unit 12. By mounting only the manual feed unit 14 on the holder 89 without mounting the automatic duplex unit 12, it is also possible to mount only the manual feed unit 14 on the apparatus main body 2. The holder 89 can hold the manual feed unit 14 in addition to the automatic double-sided unit 12, so that only the manual feed unit 14 can be mounted on the apparatus main body 2. When only the manual feed unit 14 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, as shown in FIG.
9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 and the manual feed unit 14
Is attached to the holder 89 with the screw 88. The manual feed unit 14 can be attached to the holder 89 at the same time as the automatic duplex unit 12. In this case, with the automatic duplex unit 12 attached to the holder 89, the holder cover 10
A manual feed unit 14 is mounted instead of 1. As described above, the hexagon wrench 90 can be commonly used for attaching and detaching the automatic duplex unit 12 to and from the apparatus main body 2 and for attaching and detaching the manual feed unit 14 to and from the apparatus main body 2. The hexagon wrench 90 is also included in the manual feed unit 14 as a fixture of the manual feed unit 14.

Automatic double-sided unit 12, manual feed unit 1
When detaching the device 4 from the apparatus main body 2, the operation may be performed in a procedure reverse to the above-mentioned operation, and the automatic double-sided unit 12 and the manual feed unit 14 are detachable from the apparatus main body 2. The attachment and detachment of the automatic double-sided unit 12 and the manual feed unit 14 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 do not require manipulation of parts such as screws other than the screws 88, and are performed only by the screws 88. That is, the attachment and detachment of the automatic duplex unit 12 and the manual feed unit 14 to and from the apparatus main body 2 can be performed only by the operation using the hexagon wrench 90. The structure in which the automatic double-sided unit 12 and the manual feed unit 14 are attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2 by the hexagon wrench 90 includes a hole to which the screw 88 is fixed. Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, the screw 88 is not used except for an optional attaching / detaching structure.
Since the hexagon wrench 90 cannot be fitted to a screw other than the screw 88 (not shown) in the image forming apparatus 1, the hexagon wrench 90 of the automatic duplex unit 12 and the manual feed unit 14 There is no use other than the attachment / detachment to / from the apparatus body 2.

As shown in FIG. 7, the hexagon wrench 90 is housed inside the apparatus main body 2 by being fitted into a tool housing structure 103 formed inside the apparatus main body 2. The tool storage structure 103 is formed on a wall surface 104 that appears when the front plate 102 of the apparatus main body 2 is rotated to expose the inside of the apparatus main body 2. 7, the reading scanner 8 and the ADF 10 are not shown, and only the automatic duplex unit 12 is mounted on the holder 89. As shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, the tool storage structure 103 has an L-shaped groove 1 formed corresponding to the shape of the hexagon wrench 90.
05, a plurality of engaging claws 106 which are protruded from the peripheral edge of the groove 105 so as to extend toward the groove 105, and serve as engaging portions for holding the engagement with the hexagon wrench 90; And a hemispherical concave portion 107 for holding the hexagon wrench 90 when the hexagon wrench 90 is taken out.

The depth of the groove 105 is slightly deeper than the thickness of the hexagon wrench 90, and the depth of the concave portion 107 is deeper than the depth of the groove 105. The diameter is enough to pinch firmly. The engaging claw 106 prevents the hexagon wrench 90 from being detached from the groove 105 when the
When the hexagon wrench 90 is fitted into the wrench 90 and when the finger is inserted into the concave portion 107 and the hex wrench 90 is grasped and taken out, the hex wrench 90 is set to have such a strength that no excessive force is required. The tool storage structure 103 for the apparatus main body 2 is formed, and the hexagon wrench 90 should be stored in the tool storage structure 103 after the automatic duplex unit 12 and the manual feed unit 14 have been attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2. The manual for attaching and detaching the automatic duplex unit 12 to and from the apparatus main body 2 which is bundled with the automatic duplex unit 12 and the manual for attaching and detaching the manual feed unit 14 to and from the apparatus main body 2 which is bundled with the manual feed unit 14 are respectively described. ing.

A plurality of types of optional devices are connected to the device main body 2.
When the wrench is attached to the tool, there are a plurality of hex wrenches 90, and there is an extra hex wrench 90 that cannot be stored in the tool storage structure 103.
May be discarded because they are unnecessary, or a tool storage structure similar to the tool storage structure formed in the apparatus main body 2 may be provided on each of the optional devices and stored therein. In any case, if the hexagon wrench 90 is stored in the tool storage structure 103, the hexagon wrench 90 can be used later when the optional device is attached and detached, and is stored in the tool storage structure 103 again after use. can do.

It is effective to prevent the hexagon wrench 90 from being lost, and the tool housing structure is formed inside the apparatus main body 2, and it is preferable in appearance. However, it may be formed outside the apparatus main body 2. It may be formed at another place inside the apparatus main body 2. The tool for attaching / detaching the optional device is not limited to the hexagon wrench, and may be another tool such as a screwdriver. The target of the operation with the tool for attaching / detaching the optional device is not limited to the screw. There is no use other than the attachment and detachment of the optional device, and / or it is commonly used for attaching and detaching a plurality of types of optional devices.

In the above-described embodiment, the automatic duplex unit 12, the manual feed unit 14, and the paper feed tray 16 for a large number of sheets have been described as optional devices, and only the attachment / detachment of the automatic duplex unit 12, the manual feed unit 14 has been described. Similarly, the paper tray 16 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body by an optional apparatus attaching / detaching structure using an optional apparatus attaching / detaching tool.
Alternatively, other devices may be used as optional devices, and may be attached to and detached from the apparatus body by using an optional device attaching / detaching structure using an optional device attaching / detaching tool.

[0039]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optional device attaching / detaching tool used for attaching / detaching an optional device detachable to / from the image forming apparatus main body. Since there is no use other than the attachment / detachment of the optional device, the user can attach / detach the optional device only by using the tool for attaching / detaching the optional device. It is possible to provide an optional device attaching / detaching tool which can prevent the operation of screws and the like irrelevant to the attaching / detaching of the optional device by using the optional device attaching / detaching tool, and can ensure the safety at the time of attaching / detaching the optional device. it can.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optional device attaching / detaching tool used for attaching / detaching an optional device which is detachable to / from the image forming apparatus main body, and which is common to attaching / detaching a plurality of types of optional apparatuses. Therefore, it is possible to provide an inexpensive optional device attaching / detaching tool in which a plurality of types of optional devices can be easily attached / detached and the components used for attaching / detaching the optional devices are shared.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the tool for attaching / detaching the optional device according to the second aspect, since the image forming apparatus has no purpose other than attaching / detaching the plurality of optional devices. The optional device can be attached and detached simply by using a tool for attaching and detaching, so that the attaching / detaching operation of the optional device is simplified, and the user can use the optional device attaching / detaching tool to work on screws etc. unrelated to attaching / detaching the optional device. Can be provided, and an optional device attaching / detaching tool can be provided which ensures safety at the time of attaching / detaching the optional device.

The invention described in claim 4 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
In the optional device attaching / detaching tool according to any one of the above, since the optional device is bundled with the optional device as a fixture of the optional device, the tool used by the user when attaching the optional device to the image forming apparatus main body is recognized. It is possible to provide an easy-to-use tool for attaching and detaching optional devices.

The fifth aspect of the present invention provides the first to fourth aspects.
In the tool for attaching / detaching an optional device according to any one of the above, since the tool for attaching / detaching the optional device is stored inside the image forming apparatus main body, loss of the tool for attaching / detaching the optional device is prevented, and it becomes difficult to attach / detach the optional device later. Can be prevented,
It is possible to provide an optional device attaching / detaching tool which is preferable in appearance and can prevent the optional device attaching / detaching tool from accidentally detaching from the image forming apparatus main body and being lost.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5
A tool storage structure that engages with the optional device attaching / detaching tool described in any one of the above and stores the optional device attaching / detaching tool, and is provided in the image forming apparatus main body. Further, it is possible to provide a tool storage structure capable of preventing loss of a tool for attaching / detaching an optional device, and preventing hindrance to attachment / detachment of an optional device later.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the tool storage structure according to the sixth aspect, since the image forming apparatus is provided inside the image forming apparatus main body, it is preferable in appearance and the tool for attaching and detaching the optional apparatus is erroneously made. It is possible to provide a tool storage structure that can prevent the tool from being detached from the main body and lost.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the tool storage structure according to the sixth or seventh aspect, an engaging portion for holding engagement with the optional device attaching / detaching tool is provided. It is possible to provide a tool storage structure capable of preventing the tool from being detached from the tool storage structure when it is not intended, and capable of securely holding and storing the optional device attaching / detaching tool.

The ninth aspect of the present invention is the sixth aspect of the present invention.
In the tool storage structure according to any one of the above, since there is a concave portion for gripping the optional device attaching / detaching tool when removing the optional device attaching / detaching tool, the optional device attaching / detaching tool can be easily removed. A tool storage structure that can be provided.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optional device attaching / detaching structure for attaching / detaching an optional device detachable to / from the image forming apparatus main body to the image forming apparatus main body. The above-mentioned optional device is attached / detached by the optional device attaching / detaching tool described above. Therefore, when the optional device attaching / detaching tool has no other purpose than attaching / detaching the optional device with respect to the image forming apparatus, the user uses the optional device attaching / detaching tool. The optional device can be attached and detached with only the optional device, which simplifies the attaching and detaching work of the optional device, and prevents the user from using a tool for attaching and detaching the optional device to work on screws etc. unrelated to attaching or detaching the optional device. And safety at the time of attachment / detachment work of optional equipment is ensured.
If the tool for attaching / detaching optional devices can be used in common for attaching / detaching multiple types of optional devices, the work for attaching / detaching multiple types of optional devices becomes simpler, and the parts used for attaching / detaching optional devices are made common and inexpensive. It becomes something
In addition, when the tool for removing the optional device is bundled with the optional device as an accessory of the optional device, it is easy to recognize the tool used by the user when attaching the optional device to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the workability is high. In addition, when the optional device attaching / detaching tool is stored inside the image forming apparatus main body, the optional device attaching / detaching tool is prevented from being lost, and it is possible to prevent the optional device from being attached / detached later. At the same time, it is possible to provide an optional device attaching / detaching structure which is preferable in appearance and which can prevent the optional device attaching / detaching tool from being accidentally detached from the image forming apparatus main body and lost.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having the tool storage structure according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, so that the tool according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects is provided. According to the storage structure, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having an effect that can be obtained.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which an optional device is attached / detached by the optional device attaching / detaching structure according to the tenth aspect. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having an advantageous effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main body of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an optional device attaching / detaching structure on an image forming apparatus main body side to which the present invention is applied;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an optional device attaching / detaching structure on the optional device side to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another optional device attaching / detaching structure on the optional device side to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing still another optional device attaching / detaching structure on the optional device side to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a tool storage structure to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view showing a tool storage structure to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming apparatus main body 12 Automatic double-sided unit as optional apparatus 14 Manual feed tray as optional apparatus 16 Paper feed tray for large number of sheets as optional apparatus 90 Optional apparatus attaching / detaching tool 103 Tool storage structure 106 Engaging section 107 Recess

Claims (12)

[Claims] An optional device attaching / detaching tool used for attaching / detaching an optional device detachable to / from the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the tool is used for the image forming apparatus in addition to attaching / detaching the optional apparatus. A tool for attaching / detaching optional equipment, characterized by no need. 2. An optional device attaching / detaching tool used for attaching / detaching an optional device detachable from / to the image forming apparatus main body, the tool being commonly used for attaching / detaching a plurality of types of optional apparatuses. Characteristic tool for attaching and detaching optional equipment. 3. An optional device attaching / detaching tool according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus has no other use except for attaching and detaching the plurality of types of optional devices. 4. An optional device attaching / detaching tool according to claim 1, wherein the optional device attaching / detaching tool is included in the optional device as equipment of the optional device. 5. The optional device attaching / detaching tool according to claim 1, wherein the optional device attaching / detaching tool is housed inside the image forming apparatus main body. 6. A tool storage structure for engaging with an optional device attaching / detaching tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and accommodating the optional device attaching / detaching tool. Tool storage structure provided. 7. The tool storage structure according to claim 6, wherein said tool storage structure is provided inside said image forming apparatus main body. 8. A tool storage structure according to claim 6, further comprising an engagement portion for holding engagement with said optional device attaching / detaching tool. 9. The tool storage structure according to claim 6, further comprising a concave portion for gripping the optional device attaching / detaching tool when removing the optional device attaching / detaching tool. And tool storage structure. 10. An optional device attaching / detaching structure for attaching / detaching an optional device attachable / detachable to / from the image forming device main body, the optional device attaching / detaching structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An optional device attaching / detaching structure, wherein the optional device is attached / detached by a tool. 11. An image forming apparatus having the tool storage structure according to claim 6. 12. An image forming apparatus to which an optional device is attached / detached by the optional device attaching / detaching structure according to claim 10.