JP2002037469A - Recording sheet feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience in changing the size of a paper sheet. SOLUTION: This recording sheet feeder is provided with a recording sheet moving placing part 104 for holding small-sized recording sheet 103 on large- sized recording sheet 102 placed in the interior of a recording sheet cassette 101, a separating means 105 for separating recording sheet one by one, and a feeding means 106 for transporting the recording sheet to the outside of the cassette.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording paper feeder, and more particularly, to a recording paper feeder for feeding recording paper on a cassette.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As the size of an apparatus has been reduced and the installation area, that is, the footprint, has been reduced and the depth of the apparatus has been reduced as in the present case, a letter size, an A4 size, or a B5 size or less are required. When using a paper cassette with a relatively small area, it fits well within the footprint of the apparatus.However, when using a paper cassette with a relatively large area such as for legal size or double letter size, In some cases, the printer may protrude from the footprint of the printer to the rear of the printer.

In such a small apparatus, when a universal paper cassette capable of supporting a plurality of types of paper sizes with one paper cassette is used, the paper cassette is always located at the rear of the apparatus even when using smaller-sized paper. A part of the device is left protruding, and the effect of reducing the size of the device is lost.

A conventional recording paper feeder will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views showing an example of the conventional art. (For example, see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 07-012346). FIG. 3A shows the structure of the front frame, and FIG. 3B shows the structure of the rear frame. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rear frame in a state where the cover is covered, FIG. 5 is a plan view of a paper cassette when contracted to fit small-sized paper, and FIG.
5 is a side view of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a plan view of the paper cassette when it is stretched in accordance with large-sized paper, FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. 7, and FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) are paper cassettes. FIG. 4 is a side view when the printer is mounted on the printer device.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a paper cassette. The paper cassette 10 comprises a substantially rectangular front frame 11 and a rear frame 12 each having an open top and one end.
The paper cassette 10 having an open upper surface is formed by integrally disposing the open end surfaces facing each other and assembling them integrally.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a paper loading plate provided in the front frame 11, which is rotatably engaged with substantially the center of both sides of the front frame 11 via a pair of left and right fulcrums 13a provided at one end. The other end is urged by an urging member (not shown) so as to push up in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 6, and presses the cut-sheet paper stacked and stored on the sheet stacking plate 13 in the direction of a feed roller described later. It has become.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a pair of arm members provided on the left and right side surfaces on the other end side of the rear frame 12.
1a of the front end fulcrum provided on the free end side of the other end while being rotatably engaged with the rear frame 12 around the center 4a.
The cover 15 is rotatably engaged with 4b.

The front frame 11 has a structure in which one end face of the rear frame 12 is opened, and the rear frame 12 has a structure in which one end face of the front frame 11 is opened. Guide grooves 16a, 16 for moving the rear frame 12 in the front-rear direction to make the rear frame 12 expandable and contractible are provided on both left and right sides of the rear bottom surface of the front frame 11.
b are formed, and a plurality of locking holes 1 are formed on the left and right side surfaces 17 and 18 so as to form a pair on the left and right sides, respectively.
7a, 17b, 18a and 18b are provided.

Further, the locking holes 17a, 17b, 18
On the smooth bottom surface 19 corresponding to the positions where the a and b are formed, two band-shaped recesses 20 having a predetermined length are provided in a direction parallel to the guide grooves 16a and 16b.

The rear frame 12 has a shape in which one end facing the front frame 11 is opened, and a pair of left and right guide ribs 19a and 19b engaged with the guide grooves 16a and 16b are provided. The projection 22 is formed in the vicinity of the lower end of the projection 22. The guide ribs 19a, 1
Reference numeral 9b is located on the lower surface of the bottom surface where stack paper is stored.

Further, locking holes 17a, 17b, 18a, 1
8b, which can be elastically engaged with the engaging claws 24a, 24
b are formed in a pair having inwardly protruding hook portions facing each other.
On the open end side of the bottom surface 25 for stacking and storing cut-sheet paper provided horizontally between the guide ribs 19a and 19b and the belt-shaped protrusions which are opposed to and engage with the band-shaped concave portions 20. A portion 25a is formed.

Then, on the rear end side of the rear frame 12,
In the case where the arm member 14 is rotatably provided and the cut sheet stacked and stored in the sheet cassette is small, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the cover 15 is stored on the lower surface side of the bottom surface 25. In the case of large-size paper, the arm member 14 is turned around the arm fulcrum 14a as shown in FIG. By rotating the cover 15 clockwise and the cover 15 attached to the distal end portion 14b of the arm member 14 also in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, the rear upper surface of the rear frame 12 can be covered. ing.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are side views showing a state in which the paper cassette having the above-described structure is set in an electrophotographic printer. FIG. FIG. 9B shows a case where the sheet is for a large-size sheet.

Next, the operation of the paper cassette will be described. In the case of a paper cassette for small-size paper, the front frame 11 and the rear frame 12 are arranged with their opening side ends facing each other, and the guide groove 16 of the front frame 11 is formed.
The guide ribs 23a and 23b are fitted and inserted into a and 16b. Of the two pairs of locking holes 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b provided on the side surfaces 17, 18 of the front frame 11, the locking claws 24a are formed with the pair of locking holes 17a, 18a located on the front side. , 24b are locked.

As a result, the front frame 11 and the rear frame 12 form a rectangular paper cassette having an open upper surface.
At this time, the arm member 14 holds the cover 15 in such a state that the cover 15 is folded down to the lower surface side of the bottom surface 25 with the tip end fulcrum 14b on the free end side lowered.
Although not shown, a locking means for locking the cover 15 so as not to separate from the lower surface side is provided on the lower surface side of the bottom surface 25, and the cover 15 is rotated to the lower surface side to make this engagement. It is locked by the stopping means, so that it is securely locked on the lower surface side of the bottom surface 25.

On the other hand, in the case of a paper cassette for large-size paper, first, the front frame 11 and the rear frame 12 are arranged with their open ends facing each other, and are inserted into the guide grooves 16a, 16b of the front frame 11. The guide ribs 23a, 23b of the rear frame 12 are fitted and inserted, and are engaged with a pair of locking holes 17b, 18b located behind the two pairs of locking holes 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b. Stop claws 2
When the 4ah 24b is locked, the front frame 11 and the rear frame 12 form a rectangular paper cassette having an open upper surface.

At this time, the arm member 14 is set at a position where the tip fulcrum 14b is upward, and releases the locking means of the cover 15 which is supported on the lower surface side of the bottom surface 25 in a folded state. Then, the rear frame 12 is closed by covering the end face on the upper surface side of the rear frame 12 by rotating it counterclockwise about the tip end fulcrum 14b. The reason why the cover 15 closes a part of the rear frame 12 is that when the paper cassette is mounted on the printer 1, in the case of large-size paper, a part of the rear end of the paper cassette is It will protrude. If the upper surface of the protruding portion is left open, a garbage party may enter and prevent this. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the paper cassette in this state.

To change such a paper cassette from one for small-size paper to one for large-size paper and from one for large-size paper to one for small-size paper, Performed by operation.

First, when changing from a small-size paper to a large-size paper, first remove the small-size cut-sheet paper 8 stored in the paper cassette and empty it. , Locking holes 17a, 18a
By pressing the locking claws 24a, 24b locked to the outside in an outward direction, they are elastically deformed to release the locked state of both. By sliding the rear frame 12 backward in this state, the guide ribs 23a and 23b are moved in the direction in which the guide ribs 23a and 23b are expanded along the guide grooves 16a and 16b. When the locking claws 24a, 24b reach the positions corresponding to the locking holes 17b, 18b, the locking claws 24a, 24b enter the locking holes 17b, 18b with their restoring force and lock, and the paper cassette Is for large size paper.

In order to change from the large-size paper to the small-size paper, first remove the large-size cut-sheet paper 8 stored in the paper cassette and leave it empty. The locking claws 24a, 24b locked in the stop holes 17a, 18a are pressed outward to elastically deform and release the locked state. By sliding the rear frame 12 forward in this state, the guide ribs 23a, 23b are formed along the guide grooves 16a, 16b.
23b is moved in the direction of contraction. And the locking claw 24
When the locking pawls 24a and 24b enter the locking holes 17b and 18b due to their restoring force and lock when the a and 24b reach the positions corresponding to the locking holes 17b and 18b, the paper cassette is used for small-size paper. Becomes

[0022]

In the above-described conventional recording paper feeding apparatus, when changing the paper size, it is necessary to remove the paper already stored in the paper cassette and leave it empty. There is a drawback that convenience is deteriorated.

[0023]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a recording sheet by placing the recording sheet on a recording sheet cassette and feeding the recording sheet. The paper feeding device includes a placing unit for placing a plurality of sizes of recording paper on a paper cassette and a selecting unit for selecting a feeding size.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a large-size recording paper (1) placed inside a recording paper cassette (101) is provided.
02), a recording paper moving placement unit (104) for holding the small-sized recording paper (103), a separating means (105) for separating the recording paper one by one, and transporting the recording paper to the outside of the cassette Paper feeding means (106) for performing the operation.

A recording paper feeder according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, comprises a rail structure (107) provided on a recording paper cassette (101) for moving the recording paper moving mount (104). ).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shaft structure interlocked with an operating operator lever (108) for moving the recording paper cassette (101) in the front-rear direction. (109).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the recording paper feeding device according to the second aspect, the small-size recording paper (103) placed on the recording paper moving placing part (104) is moved by the recording paper moving placing part. (10
Recording paper holding means (110) for interlocking with 4).

The recording paper feeder according to the sixth invention is, in the second invention, released when the small-size recording paper (103) is fed, and is released when the large-size recording paper (102) is fed. There is a standby mechanism for holding the size recording paper (103) and retracting from the paper feeding position.

[0029]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention. The recording paper feeding device shown in FIG. 1 places a large-size recording paper 102 placed inside a recording paper cassette 101 on a recording paper cassette 101.
A recording paper moving and placing unit 104 for holding the small-sized recording paper 103; and a separating unit 105 for separating the recording paper one by one
Paper feeding means 1 for conveying recording paper outside the cassette
06 is included.

Further, the recording paper moving / placing portion 104 is moved along a rail structure portion 107 provided on the recording paper cassette 101 by a shaft structure portion 109 interlocked with an operator lever portion 108 in the front-rear direction of the recording paper cassette 101. Works. At this time, the recording paper holding means 110 for linking the small-size recording paper 103 placed on the recording paper moving placement unit 104 with the recording paper movement placement unit 104 is
When the large-sized recording paper 102 is supplied, the recording paper 103 is released from the paper supply position while holding the small-sized recording paper 103.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views for explaining the operation of the present invention. When the large-size recording paper 102 is fed, the recording-paper moving / placing unit 104 is retracted to a position where the paper feeding unit 106 does not feed the small-size recording paper 103 by the operator. The large-size recording paper 102 can be fed in the arrow direction 111.

When the small-size recording paper 103 is fed, the recording paper moving / placing unit 104 is set by the operator at a position where the paper feeding means 106 feeds the small-size recording paper 103, and the paper is fed. The means 106 can feed the small-size recording paper 103 in the arrow direction 111. Small size recording paper 1
In order to move from the state shown in FIG. 2A where the retracted position 03 is to the state shown in FIG. 2B where the sheet can be fed, the operator moves the operator lever unit 108 in the direction of the sheet feedable position. Is moved along the rail structure 107 provided on the recording paper cassette 101 by the shaft structure 109 interlocked with the operator lever 108.
Reference numeral 04 denotes a shaft structure 10 which is moved to a position where the sheet can be fed and further moved from the movement completion position to the lever 108 for the operator.
9, the recording paper holding unit 110 attached to the recording paper moving and placing unit 104 is pressed in a direction to release the small-size recording paper 103 from holding, and the small-size recording paper 103 is fed by the paper feeding unit 104. can do. Conversely, in order to move the small-size recording paper 103 from the state shown in FIG. 2B where the paper can be fed to the state shown in FIG. Is moved in the evacuation direction, the recording paper holding means 110 attached to the recording paper moving and placing part 104 releases the small-sized recording paper 103 from the release by the shaft structure part 109 interlocked with the operator lever part 108. The small-size recording paper 1 is pressed in the holding direction, and moves along with the recording paper moving placement unit 104 along the rail structure unit 107 provided on the recording paper cassette 101.
03 can also move toward the retreat position.

It is also possible to adopt a system in which the change of the recording paper size can be automatically switched by a driving means such as a motor using a separate control unit instead of manually by the operator. In addition, by making the recording paper moving mounting portion detachable, it becomes possible to store only large-sized recording paper in a large amount in the recording paper cassette.

[0035]

According to the recording paper feeding apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of recording paper sizes can be placed on a single recording paper cassette, so that the cost and the number of parts of the entire apparatus can be reduced. In addition, since there is no need to change the recording paper size, there is an effect that convenience for the operator is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views for explaining the operation of the present invention.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are perspective views showing an example of the related art.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rear frame in a state where a cover is covered.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the paper cassette when contracted to fit small-sized paper.

FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the paper cassette when extended according to large-sized paper.

FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are side views when a paper cassette is mounted on a printer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Recording paper cassette 102 Large-sized recording paper 103 Small-sized recording paper 104 Recording paper moving placement part 105 Separation means 106 Paper supply means 107 Rail structure part 108 Operator lever part 109 Shaft structure part 110 Recording paper holding means

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A recording paper feeding device for feeding recording paper by placing the recording paper in a recording paper cassette and placing the recording paper of a plurality of sizes on a single recording paper cassette. And a selection unit for selecting a paper feeding size. 2. A recording paper moving placement unit (10) for holding a small size recording paper (103) on a large size recording paper (102) placed inside a recording paper cassette (101).
4) and separating means (105) for separating recording paper one by one.
And a paper feeding means (106) for transporting the recording paper to the outside of the cassette. 3. The recording paper feeding device according to claim 2, further comprising a rail structure (107) provided on the recording paper cassette (101) for moving the recording paper moving mounting portion (104). 4. The recording paper feeder according to claim 2, further comprising a shaft structure (109) interlocked with an operating operator lever (108) for moving the recording paper cassette (101) in the front-rear direction. 5. The small-size recording paper (103) placed on the recording paper moving placement part (104) is moved to the recording paper movement placement part (1).
The recording paper feeding device according to claim 2, further comprising a recording paper holding means (110) for interlocking with the recording paper feeding device. 6. When the small-size recording paper (103) is fed, the sheet is released, and when the large-size recording paper (102) is fed, the small-size recording paper (103) is held and retracted from the paper feeding position. 3. The recording paper feeding device according to claim 2, further comprising a standby mechanism for performing the operation.