JP2002037504A - Shape maintaining device for paper delivering stacker on recording device and recording device furnished with this device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shape maintaining device for a paper delivering stacker capable of making the paper delivering stacker be in its original form by correcting deforming propensity at the time of using the paper delivering stacker even in the case when the deformable paper delivering stacker has the deforming propensity. SOLUTION: This is a device furnished with a paper delivering receiver surface 37 free to be curved and deformed and to maintain the shape of the paper delivering stacker 6 on which a shape of the paper delivering receiver surface 37 at the time of using the paper discharging stacker 6 and a shape of the paper delivering receiver surface 37 at the time of storing the paper delivering stacker 6 are different from each other. Receiving holes 49, 50 having receiving sides 51 are formed is a region of the basic end side of the paper delivering stacker 6, and holding parts 53 having holding receiving parts 59 free to receive the receiving sides 51 are provided in correspondence with positions of the receiving holes in the neighbourhood of a front end of a holder 19 to support a basic end of the paper delivering receiver surface 37.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for maintaining the shape of a dischargeable stacker that can be bent and applied to a recording apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, and a recording apparatus having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a conventional paper discharge stacker in a recording apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, a rotating member made of a rigid material is rotated in a substantially horizontal state when used and used as a paper discharge stacker. When the printer is not in use, the printer is rotated so as to be substantially vertical and the front surface of the printer body is closed. Further, the conventional sheet discharge stacker includes an extension stacker that can be pulled out from a rotating member according to the size of the sheet, and receives the large-sized sheet by pulling out the extension stacker.

[0003]

By the way, in recent product development, it is necessary to provide a product that not only enhances the functional aspects but also realizes a design that meets user needs while integrating the functional aspects. It is one of the tasks imposed on the side. Especially in recent years, products are required to match the lifestyle of the user, and at the same time, the fashionability of the product is also required,
It is necessary to develop “diversified products” with “soft image” as one of the product concepts.

However, a paper discharge stacker made of the above-mentioned rigid material of a printer tends to have a limited degree of freedom in designing a product having a "soft image". For example, in a printer capable of storing a discharge stacker in a housing, when the form of the discharge stacker made of a rigid material is determined, the form of the housing has to be limited by itself according to the form of the discharge stacker. .

Therefore, the present inventor has provided a discharge receiving surface which can be bent and deformed, and when the discharge stacker is used, the discharge receiving surface takes a substantially horizontal form for receiving sheets. We are developing a paper ejection stacker whose surface can be deformed along the outer shape of the housing.

However, since the printer is provided with a standby position for the cartridge, the center line of the housing does not coincide with the center line of the opening through which the sheet is discharged. When the paper ejection stacker is deformed and stored along the outer shape, the paper discharge stacker does not deform symmetrically. Therefore, when the discharge stacker is used, a phenomenon occurs in which the discharge stacker is deformed and one end of the discharge stacker rises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to correct the deformation habit when the discharge stacker is used so that the discharge stacker can have its original form even when the deformable discharge stacker has a deformation habit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for maintaining the shape of a discharge stacker and a recording device having the same.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper ejection stacker shape maintaining device for a recording apparatus, which includes a paper ejection receiving surface that can be bent and deformed, and uses a paper ejection stacker. A shape of the paper discharge receiving surface when the paper discharge stacker is different from a shape of the paper discharge receiving surface when the paper discharge stacker is stored. A receiving hole having a receiving side is formed in an area of the holder, and a holding portion capable of receiving the receiving side corresponding to a position of the receiving hole near a front end of a holder for supporting a base end of the sheet receiving surface. A holding section having a receiving section is provided.

According to the present invention, the paper receiving stacker is held near the front end of the holder by receiving the receiving side in the holding receiving portion, so that the deformation habit of the paper discharging stacker is forcibly corrected. The paper receiving surface can be maintained in a predetermined shape.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for maintaining a shape of a discharge stacker in a recording apparatus, which maintains a shape when a discharge stacker having a discharge receiving surface made of a flexible material is used. A receiving hole having a receiving side is formed in a region on the base end side of the discharge stacker, and corresponds to a position of the receiving hole near a front end of a holder supporting a base end of the discharge receiving surface. Further, a holding portion having a holding receiving portion capable of receiving the receiving side is provided. According to the present invention as well, the paper receiving stacker is held near the front end of the holder by receiving the receiving side in the holding receiving part, so that the deformation habit of the paper discharging stacker is forcibly corrected and the paper receiving surface is Can be maintained in a predetermined shape.

[0011] In the recording apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the shape maintaining device of the sheet discharge stacker is the first or second aspect.
, Wherein the holding portion is formed integrally with the holder. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a holding part can be shape | molded simultaneously when forming a holder.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the shape maintaining device of the discharge stacker according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the holding portions are on both sides of a center line in a width direction of the discharge stacker. Are provided symmetrically. According to the present invention, since the deformation of the discharge stacker can be suppressed on both sides of the center line in the width direction of the discharge stacker on average, it is possible to maintain the discharge receiving surface in a state closer to a predetermined shape. Can be.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the shape maintaining device of the discharge stacker according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the discharge receiving surface when the discharge stacker is housed is provided in the recording device. It is characterized by being deformable along the outer shape of the housing. According to the present invention, the degree of freedom in which the outer shape of the housing of the recording apparatus can be variously changed is increased, and the compatibility of the discharge stacker with the overall design of the recording apparatus when the discharge stacker is stored is improved. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the external shape of the housing of the recording apparatus is such that the discharge receiving surface follows the storage position of the output stacker. It is characterized by being a curved surface. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording device having a “soft image”, and it is possible to provide a product that meets recent user needs.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the center line in the width direction of the housing is shifted from the center line in the width direction of the discharge stacker. When the discharge stacker is stored, the discharge stacker is distorted and deformed in a non-uniform manner along the outer shape of the housing. A deformation habit occurs when the paper discharge stacker is deformed to be distorted unevenly left and right along the outer shape of the housing. According to the present invention, such a deformation habit is corrected by the action of the holding unit. Can be. Therefore, it is possible to freely change the design of the recording apparatus without worrying about the outer shape of the housing and the positional relationship between the housing and the paper discharge stacker.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the discharge receiving surface has a transparent or translucent portion in any one of the first to seventh aspects. It is assumed that. According to the present invention, it is possible to recognize the design of the housing from the discharge stacker in the storage state of the stacker. In addition, if the paper receiving surface is colored and transparent, the paper receiving surface itself can produce a design effect, or by generating a new color by fusing with the color of the housing and harmonizing with the design on the housing, For example, value is created as an interior presence in a user's home or office. In addition, by arranging the color variations of the paper discharge receiving surface, the user can select a recording device that matches the color of the room, which has the effect of inducing new demand.

Further, the recording apparatus according to claim 9 of the present application,
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet discharge stacker shape maintaining device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. According to the present invention, printed paper can be smoothly received on the discharge stacker, so that the discharged paper does not become clogged at the discharge port, and the printed matter on the discharge stacker can be rearranged. No hassle.

The present invention relates to an improved invention based on a paper discharge stacker in a recording apparatus filed separately. 1 to 5 show the invention of the basic application. Here, the contents of the invention of the basic application will be described.

The discharge stacker in the recording apparatus according to the basic application has a discharge receiving surface that can be bent and deformed. The shape of the discharge receiving surface when the discharge stacker is used and the discharge tray when the discharge stacker is stored. The shape of the surface is different.

According to this configuration, the discharged paper can be held when the paper discharge stacker is used, and can be deformed along the outer shape of the housing when the paper discharge stacker is stored. Therefore, the degree of freedom in combining the discharge stacker and the external shape of the recording apparatus is increased, and it is easy to develop a product according to the product concept without being caught by the shape of the discharge stacker.

Further, in another configuration of the paper discharge stacker in the recording apparatus, the paper discharge receiving surface may be made of a flexible material in addition to the above configuration. According to this configuration, the discharge receiving surface is relatively freely deformed into a predetermined shape when the discharge stacker is stored, and a compact stacker storage state can be realized.

In another configuration of the discharge stacker in the recording apparatus, in addition to the above-described configuration, the discharge receiving surface when the discharge stacker is used has a substantially flat shape. According to this configuration, the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge unit of the recording apparatus is supported on the sheet discharge receiving surface without any deformation.

In another configuration of the paper discharge stacker in the recording apparatus, in addition to the above-described configuration, the central portion in the paper width direction of the paper discharge receiving surface when the paper discharge stacker is used is closer to the paper discharge direction than both ends. It is slightly curved down.

According to this configuration, the curved structure allows
Although the load increases when the sheets are stacked on the sheet discharge stacker, it is possible to make it difficult for the discharge stacker to bend in the sheet discharge direction due to the load. Here, "slightly curved" means a state in which a basic flat shape as a sheet discharge stacker is maintained, and the sheet is harder to bend than a completely flat shape with respect to the load of the sheet. In simple terms, it means a nearly flat curvature, and the degree of curvature is
It depends on the material and size of the paper receiving surface and cannot be defined uniformly.

In another configuration of the discharge stacker in the recording apparatus, in addition to the above-described configuration, a flat surface is provided on both ends of the discharge receiving surface in the sheet width direction when the discharge stacker is used. A flat surface maintaining portion for maintaining the formation is provided.

According to this configuration, it is possible to make it easy to take a curved shape of the paper discharge receiving surface which is curved when the paper discharge stacker is stored, and to reduce the weight of the paper when the paper is stacked on the paper discharge stacker. The bending of the paper discharge stacker in the paper discharge direction due to the above can be made more difficult to occur.

In another configuration of the sheet discharging stacker in the recording apparatus, in addition to the above-described configuration, the flat surface maintaining portion is formed by bending both ends of a sheet constituting the sheet receiving surface in the vertical direction. ing.

According to this configuration, in addition to the above-described functions and effects,
When both ends of the sheet are bent upward, the sheet also functions as a guide for both ends of the discharged sheet. Further, when changing from the stacker storage state to the stacker use state, it is possible to easily and quickly use the discharge stacker by simply bending both ends of the sheet.

Another configuration of the paper discharge stacker in the recording apparatus is such that, in addition to the above-described configuration, the slight downward bending is such that the sheet itself constituting the paper discharge receiving surface is curved. I have. According to this configuration, the curved state can be achieved without using any other auxiliary member, which is economical.

In another configuration of the paper discharge stacker in the recording apparatus, in addition to the above-described configuration, the slight downward bending is performed along a concave surface of a holder that supports a base end of the paper discharge receiving surface. Stipulated.

According to this structure, the base portion of the discharge receiving surface is forcibly bent downward in a concave manner, so that the bent state is extended to the leading end side of the discharge receiving surface, and the discharge receiving portion is bent. It is possible to prevent the discharge stacker from bending in the discharge direction over the entire surface discharge direction. In addition, since it is not necessary to newly provide a member for maintaining the widthwise bending state on the discharge receiving surface itself, a slightly curved state below the discharge receiving surface can be realized economically with a simpler structure. be able to.

In another configuration of the paper discharge stacker in the recording apparatus, in addition to the above-described configuration, a central portion of a base end of the paper discharge receiving surface is supported by the holder while being pressed against the concave surface portion. ing.

According to this configuration, simply pressing the central portion of the base end of the sheet discharge receiving surface against the concave portion allows the sheet to be flexed evenly along the width direction of the sheet discharge receiving surface. Further, a slight bending state in the width direction of the paper discharge receiving surface can be easily realized simply by forming a location for pressing the central portion of the base end of the paper discharge receiving surface on the holder.

In another configuration of the discharge stacker in the recording apparatus, in addition to the above-described configuration, the discharge receiving surface when the discharge stacker is stored can be deformed along the outer shape of the housing of the recording apparatus. . According to this configuration, the degree of freedom in which the outer shape of the housing of the recording apparatus can be variously changed is increased, and the compatibility of the discharge stacker with the overall design of the recording apparatus when the discharge stacker is stored is improved. .

Another configuration of the discharge stacker in the recording apparatus is characterized in that, in addition to the above-described configuration, the outer shape of the housing of the recording apparatus along which the discharge receiving surface is accommodated in the discharge stacker is a curved surface. It is assumed that. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a recording device having a “soft image”, and it is possible to provide a product that meets recent user needs.

Another configuration of the paper discharge stacker in the recording apparatus is characterized in that, in addition to the above configuration, the paper discharge receiving surface has a transparent or translucent portion.

According to this configuration, the design of the housing can be recognized from above the paper discharge stacker in the storage state of the stacker. If the paper receiving surface is colored and transparent, the paper receiving surface itself can produce a design effect,
Alternatively, the generation of a new color by combining with the color of the housing and the harmony with the design on the housing create value as an interior presence in a user's home or office, for example. In addition, by arranging the color variations of the paper discharge receiving surface, the user can select a recording device that matches the color of the room, which has the effect of inducing new demand.

Further, in another configuration of the paper discharge stacker in the recording apparatus, in addition to the above-described configuration, the paper discharge receiving surface can cover a functional portion formed on the housing and facing the outside when the paper discharge stacker is stored. It is.

According to this configuration, by covering the externally facing functional portions such as the paper feed port and the paper discharge port formed in the housing, foreign matter to the paper feed port and the paper discharge port when not in use is covered. Intrusion can be prevented, and the design value of the entire recording apparatus can be improved by concealing the paper discharge port and the like.

Further, a recording apparatus provided with any one of the above-described discharge stackers may be used. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a soft image recording device that matches the lifestyle of the user. Further, since the degree of freedom in design is increased, it is possible to easily provide various types of recording apparatuses that meet user needs to the market.

[0041]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a printer 1 to which a paper ejection stacker shape maintaining device according to the present invention can be applied. Since the present invention is based on a paper discharge stacker that does not exist before the filing of the present application, a printer 1 including a paper discharge stacker to which the present invention can be applied will be described first.

The printer 1 is provided with a housing 3 having a substantially dome shape extending in the width direction as a whole, and a paper feed unit 5 is formed on the rear side of the housing 3 and a paper discharge stacker 6 is formed on the front side. Is formed. A window portion 9 is formed from the upper portion of the housing 3 to the front surface, and the window portion 9 is formed of a transparent curved plastic cover 1.
1 is openably closed. In the meantime, the dome-shaped printer 1 extending in the width direction as described above does not exist in the conventional design because it is impossible to design the storage stacker in consideration of the storage configuration of the discharge stacker. Was.

A paper discharge port 13 is formed in the paper discharge section 7, and a shaft projection receiving hole 15 is formed at both left and right ends of the paper discharge port 13, and an arc is formed around the shaft protrusion receiving hole 15. Guide groove 1
7 are formed.

Further, a holder 19 which is rotatable in a vertical direction is attached to the paper discharge port 13. As shown in FIG.
The holder 19 is composed of a lower holder member 21 and an upper holder member 23,
One rising portion 25 is formed. Further, two projections, that is, a shaft projection 27 and a guide projection 29 are formed on both left and right ends of the lower holder member 21, respectively. The shaft protrusion 27 is inserted into the shaft protrusion receiving hole 15 to serve as a rotation axis of the holder 19, and the guide protrusion 29 is received in the guide groove 17 when the holder 19 rotates. It will be a guide.

The lower holder member 21 extends long on the paper discharge direction side, and an extended support portion 31 is formed there. The lower holder member 21 including the extension support portion 31 is slightly curved downward as a whole to form the concave portion 33. The operation of the extension support portion 31 and the operation of the concave portion 33 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper and lower holder members 23,
The paper discharge stacker 6 is supported between the two. The paper discharge stacker 6 is formed by bending a single flexible plastic sheet 35, and the upper side of the plastic sheet 35 is a paper discharge for stacking the paper discharged from the paper discharge port 13. The receiving surface 37 is provided. On the base end side (upstream side in the paper discharging direction) of the paper discharge stacker 6, a supported piece 39 is formed at a position corresponding to the rising section 25 by using a cutout portion 41 of the plastic sheet 35. .

As shown in FIG. 3, a cut-out portion 41 penetrates through two rising portions 25 of the lower holder member 21, and the supported piece 3 is located between the two rising portions 25.
The position of the paper discharge stacker 6 is determined by just fitting the paper discharge stacker 9, and the paper discharge stacker 6 is supported by the holder 19 by combining the upper holder member 23 with the lower holder member 21 in this state. Has become.

As shown in FIG. 4B, when the supported piece 39 of the sheet discharge stacker 6 is positioned between the two rising sections 25, the upper portion of the supported piece 39 is positioned higher than the upper side of the rising section 25. A slightly protruding state results. Then, the upper holder member 23 is combined with the lower holder member 21 in this state, so that the lower surface of the upper holder member 23 pushes the protruding portion of the supported piece 39 downward as shown in FIG. 6 can be forcibly deformed along the shape of the concave portion 33.

As described above, by forcibly bending the base end of the plastic sheet 35 constituting the paper discharge stacker 6, the center of the paper discharge receiving surface 37 in the paper width direction is more along the paper discharge direction than both ends. Therefore, even if a plurality of sheets are placed on the discharge stacker 6, the discharge stacker 6 is unlikely to bend downward in the discharge direction. Here, "slightly curved" means a state in which a basic flat shape as a sheet discharging stacker is maintained and the sheet is harder to bend than a completely flat shape with respect to a load of a sheet. In simple terms, it means a curve that is almost flat, and the degree of the curve varies depending on the material and size of the discharge receiving surface and cannot be defined uniformly.

At both ends in the paper width direction of the paper discharge receiving surface 37, bent portions 43 functioning as flat surface maintaining portions are formed. The bent portion 43 is formed by bending the plastic sheet 35 upward. However, the bent portion 43 may be formed by bending downward, bending obliquely upward or downward, or rounding. Bend 4
3 can be bent only when the discharge stacker 6 is used, and can be flush with the discharge receiving surface 37 when the discharge stacker 6 is stored.

By bending the bent portion 43 when the discharge stacker is used, the discharge receiving surface 37 which has been curved when the discharge stacker is stored can be easily curved to form and maintain a flat surface for placing a sheet. In addition, when sheets are stacked on the sheet discharge stacker 6, it is possible to more reliably prevent the sheet discharge stacker 6 from bending in the sheet discharge direction due to the weight of the sheet. Further, there is an advantage that, when changing from the storage state of the paper discharge stacker to the use state of the paper discharge stacker, simply by bending both ends of the plastic sheet 35, the paper discharge stacker 6 can be used easily and quickly.

Instead of the bent portion 43 as the flat surface maintaining portion, it is also possible to adopt a method in which, for example, an elongated member having rigidity can be attached to the left and right ends of the plastic sheet 35 when using the paper discharge stacker. .

Locking holes 45 are formed at both left and right ends on the leading end side of the discharge stacker 6. The locking holes 45 are formed at both ends of the upper surface of the housing 3 when the discharge stacker 6 is stored. By being locked to the projection 47, the stored state can be maintained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the locking hole 45 is in the shape of a darma, and the locking projection 47 has a slit 46 formed on the lower side. The locking hole 45 is received by the locking protrusion 47 from the larger hole of the Dharma shape, and the discharge stacker 6 is slightly naturally deformed by the shape return force of the discharge stacker 6, so that the slit 46 of the locking protrusion 47 is The structure is such that a small hole in the shape enters and cannot be removed in a natural state.

In this embodiment, the plastic sheet 35 constituting the paper discharge stacker 6 is colored and transparent, and the housing 3 can be seen through the plastic sheet 35 when the paper discharge stacker 6 is stored. The color of the plastic sheet 35 can be variously selected, and it can be selected from transparent, translucent, and opaque. The color and the pattern of the plastic sheet 35 and the color and the pattern of the housing 3 are taken into consideration. Can also be selected.

The paper output stacker to which the paper output stacker shape maintaining device of the present invention can be applied is as described above. Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of the shape maintaining device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, three receiving holes 49, 50 are provided in the region on the base end side of the paper discharge stacker 6.
Are formed. The central receiving hole 49 is for the discharge stacker 6.
Are located on the center line M1 in the width direction of the other two receiving holes 5
Numerals 0 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center line M1 in the width direction of the paper discharge stacker 6, specifically, each is formed immediately inside the bent portion 43. Each of the receiving holes 49 and 50 has a linear receiving side 51 formed on the leading end side of the paper discharge stacker 6, and the base end side is formed in a substantially arc shape.

On the other hand, in the present invention, as shown in FIG.
9, corresponding to the positions of the receiving holes 49 and 50 near the front end,
The holding portion 53 is formed integrally with the holder 19. As shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 8, the holding portion 53 has a projection 55 and a holding projection 57 projecting forward (downstream in the sheet feeding direction) from the projection 55. On the lower side, a holding receiving portion 59 capable of receiving the receiving side 51 is formed. The upstream side of the holding section 53 in the sheet feeding direction is formed in a smoothly inclined shape, and the sheet can pass over the holding section 53 along the inclined portion.

It is preferable that a plurality of receiving holes 49 and 50 and a corresponding holding portion 53 are provided symmetrically on both sides of the center line M1 in the width direction of the sheet discharge stacker 6, and the positions thereof are set. The number and number are not particularly limited. However, the holding portion 53 is preferably located on the front end side of the holder 19 and
It is generally considered that the closer to the both ends, the greater the effect of correcting the discharge stacker 6 having the deformation habit.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the holding portion 53 is formed integrally with the holder 19, but as shown in FIG. 10, the holding portion 53 is formed as a separate member from the holder 19, and the paper is discharged. When the problem of the deformation habit of the stacker 6 occurs,
If necessary, the holder 19 may be fixed to the holder 19 with an adhesive or the like.

The use state and storage state of the discharge stacker 6 and the operation of the discharge stacker shape maintaining device when the discharge stacker is used will be described below. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the discharge stacker 6 having no deformation habit is used. As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge receiving surface 37 has a substantially flat shape when the discharge stacker is used. However, although not clearly shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 5, the base end side of the discharge receiving surface 37 is pressed against the concave portion 33 as described above, The central part is slightly curved downward. The left and right ends of the sheet discharge stacker 6 are bent upward, thereby increasing the rigidity of the sheet discharge stacker 6 in the sheet discharge direction.

When the printed sheets are discharged one after another from the discharge port 13 in such a state, the sheets are stacked on the discharge stacker 6. The weight of the stacked sheets is applied to the discharge stacker 6, but the central portion of the discharge receiving surface 37 is slightly curved downward, and the bent portions 43 on both left and right sides are bent upward. Thereby, the sheet can be supported almost without bending in the middle of the sheet discharging direction. Also, the bending of the sheet discharge stacker 6 is suppressed by forming the extension support portion 31 on the lower holder member 21.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the paper discharge stacker 6 is stored. As shown in FIG. 2, when storing the paper discharge stacker 6, the bent state of both bent portions 43 of the paper discharge stacker 6 is released (that is, the entirety is substantially flat), and the holder 1 is held.
9 is rotated upward, and then the discharge stacker 6 is moved to the housing 3.
Press and curve along the curved surface of. In this state, the locking hole 45 of the discharge stacker 6 is locked to the slit 46 below the locking projection 47 of the housing 3, so that the discharge stacker 6 is maintained in a curved state along the curved surface of the housing 3. , And the storage state.

In the present invention, since the shape of the paper discharge receiving surface 37 differs between when the paper discharge stacker 6 is used and when it is stored,
The housing 3 depends on the form of the discharge stacker as in the prior art.
The degree of influence on the design of the product is reduced, and it becomes easier to perform more flexible product design.

The paper discharge receiving surface 37 can be deformed along the shape of the housing 3 when the paper discharge stacker is stored, so that the paper discharge port 13 formed in the housing 3 and other parts can be covered. it can. Thus, when the printer is not in use, for example, intrusion of foreign matter from the paper discharge port 13 can be prevented.

Next, the operation of the paper discharge stacker shape maintaining device when the paper discharge stacker is used will be described. The flexible paper discharge stacker 6 is deformed along the shape of the housing 3 as described above, so that the paper discharge stacker 6 may be deformed when the paper discharge stacker 6 is deployed in a use state. In particular, as shown in FIG. 11, since a cartridge standby position (not shown) is provided inside the right side of the housing 3, the center line M2 of the housing 3 and the paper discharge stacker 6 are disposed.
Does not match the center line M1 in the width direction (the center line coincides with the center line of the paper discharge port 13 from which the paper is discharged).
When the paper discharge stacker 6 is stored along the outer shape of the housing 3, the paper discharge stacker 6 is not symmetrically deformed, but is stored in an unevenly distorted right and left direction.

After this state has been continued for a long time, when the discharge stacker 6 is to be deployed to the use position in order to use the discharge stacker 6, the discharge stacker 6 has a deformed habit that is distorted left and right unevenly. As a result, one of the left and right sides of the sheet discharge stacker 6 is lifted upward as shown in FIG.

When the discharge stacker 6 has a deformation habit as described above, the shape maintaining device of the discharge stacker of the present invention is useful. That is, as shown in FIGS.
Since the receiving side 51 of the “0” is received by the holding receiving section 59, the upwardly inclined portion of the discharge stacker 6 is restricted from being deformed upward in the holding receiving section 59. Original paper output stacker 6
The shape is forcibly restored.

[0069]

According to the present invention, the paper receiving stacker is held near the front end of the holder by receiving the receiving side in the holding receiving portion, so that the deformation habit of the paper discharging stacker is forcibly corrected. Thus, the discharge receiving surface can be maintained in a predetermined shape.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state when a discharge stacker to which the present invention can be applied is used.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a paper discharge stacker to which the present invention can be applied is stored.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a paper discharge stacker to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 4A is a side view showing a sheet discharge stacker to which the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 4B is a vertical side view of the periphery of a holder.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the paper ejection stacker to which the present invention can be applied;

FIG. 6 is a top view showing a paper discharge stacker to which the paper discharge stacker shape maintaining device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a top view showing a holder to which the paper ejection stacker shape maintaining device of the present invention is applied.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a top view and a central vertical sectional side view, respectively, showing the periphery of each holding portion in an enlarged manner.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the receiving side of the paper discharge stacker is held by the holder of the holder, and the deformation habit of the paper discharge stacker is corrected.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which the holding portion is formed as a member separate from the holder.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing a state in which the center line of the housing and the center line of the discharge stacker are shifted.

FIG. 12 is a skeletal front view showing a discharge stacker with a deformation habit;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 3 housing 5 paper feed section 6 paper discharge stacker 7 paper discharge section 9 window section 11 plastic cover 13 paper discharge port 15 axial projection receiving hole 17 guide groove 19 holder 21 lower holder member 23 upper holder member 25 rising section 27 axial projection section 29 Guide projection 31 Extension support 33 Concave surface 35 Plastic sheet 37 Discharge receiving surface 39 Supported piece 41 Cutout portion 43 Bend 45 Locking hole 46 Slit 47 Locking projection 49, 50 Receiving hole 51 Receiving side 53 Holding section 55 Projecting section 57 Holding projection 59 Holding receiving section M1 Center line in width direction of discharge stacker M2 Center line in width direction of housing

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A discharge stacker having a discharge receiving surface that can be bent and deformed, wherein the shape of the discharge receiving surface when using the discharge stacker and the shape of the discharge receiving surface when storing the discharge stacker are different. A device for maintaining a shape in use, wherein a receiving hole having a receiving side is formed in a region on the base end side of the discharge stacker, and a vicinity of a front end of a holder for supporting a base end of the discharge receiving surface. A holding unit having a holding / receiving unit capable of receiving the receiving side corresponding to the position of the receiving hole. 2. An apparatus for maintaining a shape of a paper discharge stacker having a paper discharge receiving surface made of a flexible material when using the paper discharge stacker, the paper discharge stacker having a receiving side in a base end region. A receiving portion having a receiving hole formed therein and having a receiving portion capable of receiving the receiving side is provided near a front end of a holder that supports a base end of the sheet receiving surface, corresponding to a position of the receiving hole. An apparatus for maintaining the shape of a discharge stacker in a recording apparatus, wherein 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is formed integrally with the holder. 4. A paper discharge device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said holding portions are provided symmetrically on both sides of a center line in a width direction of said paper discharge stacker. Stacker shape maintenance device. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge receiving surface when the discharge stacker is stored is deformable along an outer shape of a housing of the recording apparatus. Device for maintaining the shape of the discharge stacker. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the outer shape of the housing of the recording apparatus is curved along the discharge receiving surface when the discharge stacker is stored. 7. The discharge stacker according to claim 6, wherein a center line of the housing in the width direction is shifted from a center line of the discharge stacker in the width direction, and the discharge stacker is housed in the outer shape when the discharge stacker is stored. A shape maintaining device for a discharge stacker in a recording apparatus, wherein the shape is deformed by being distorted non-uniformly along the right and left. 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said discharge receiving surface has a transparent or translucent portion. 9. A recording apparatus comprising the shape maintaining device for a discharge stacker according to claim 1.