JP2002240965A - Paper feeder and imaging device with the paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feeder capable of easily and flexibly coping with the size of a sheet and satisfactorily restricting the sheet in lateral direction and an imaging device. SOLUTION: This paper feeder comprises side fences 31 having restricting faces 30 coming into contact with the side edges of the sheet P on a paper feed table and restricting the sheet P in the lateral direction X and shafts 32 for rotating the side fences 31. When the side fences 31 are rotated about the shafts 32, the positions of the restricting faces 30 coming into contact with the side edges of the sheet P are displaced in lateral direction X according to the width of the sheet P. The imaging device comprises the paper feeder.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeder used in an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a paper feeder having a side fence for regulating a side edge of a sheet on a paper feed table in accordance with the size of the sheet. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a sheet feeding device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc., a sheet feeding apparatus for supplying a sheet for forming an image is used. Such a paper feeder has a side fence that regulates the side edge of the sheet on the paper feed table in accordance with the size of the sheet in order to correspond to various sizes of the sheet to be supplied. As shown in FIG. 15, the side fence 130 in the conventional sheet feeding device is used.
Is inserted into the insertion hole 133 formed in the base 132 below the sheet feeding table 131 on which the sheets are stacked, and the upper end thereof is inserted into a hole 135 formed in an immovable member above the sheet feeding table 131. In this case, the screw holes 134 are used to attach the screw holes 134, and the insertion hole 133 and the hole 135 are selected according to the size of the sheet.

[0003]

However, the side fence 130 in such a conventional sheet feeding device is required to change the mounting position of the side fence according to the size of the sheet.
Remove the screw 134, pull out the lower part of the side fence 130 from the insertion hole 133, insert it into another appropriate insertion hole 133, and insert the upper part of the side fence 130 into the appropriate hole 13.
5, it is necessary to perform such work using a tool, which is troublesome. In addition, if the work is performed with the insertion hole 133 or the hole 135 mistaken, the side fence 13
There is a problem that the sheet is positioned in a state where 0 is tilted, the sheet stacking state is deteriorated, and the sheet feeding such as skew and jam is adversely affected.

[0004] In a paper feeder that performs a large amount of paper feed,
Since the height in the vertical direction increases, the side fence 13
Even if positioning is performed in a state where 0 is inclined, the inclination is small, so that it is difficult to notice this, and such a problem is likely to occur. In addition, since the positioning of the side fence 130 is performed by the insertion holes 133 and the holes 135 formed at predetermined positions, the size of the sheet can be flexibly adjusted, for example, the sheet of an irregular size can be well controlled. It was difficult to respond.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet feeder having a side fence capable of easily and flexibly adapting to the size of a sheet and capable of properly regulating the sheet in its width direction, and an image forming apparatus having the same. And

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper feed tray on which sheets are stacked and a regulating surface which abuts a side edge of the sheet on the paper feed tray. A sheet fence having a side fence that regulates the sheet in the width direction thereof, the sheet fence having an axis that is parallel to the sheet stacking direction on the sheet feeding table and that enables the side fence to rotate. By rotating the side fence about the axis, the position of the regulating surface abutting on the side edge is displaced in the width direction according to the width of the sheet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder according to the first aspect, the regulating surface has a plurality of planes parallel to the stacking direction and having different distances from a center of rotation by the shaft. It is characterized by the following.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder according to the second aspect, the regulating surface is a curved surface which is parallel to the loading direction and whose distance from the center of rotation by the shaft continuously changes. It is characterized by having.

The invention described in claim 4 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
The sheet feeding device according to any one of the above, wherein the side fences are arranged corresponding to each side edge of the sheet.

[0010] The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
Wherein the side fence is disposed corresponding to one of the side edges of the sheet, and has a stationary butting member for regulating the other side edge. .

[0011] The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5.
In the paper feeder described in any one of the above, a plurality of the side fences are arranged along a side edge of the sheet.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 4 or 6.
The above-described paper feeding device is characterized in that the paper feeding device has a rotation mechanism that rotates all of the side fences in synchronization.

[0013] The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claims 1 to 7.
The sheet feeding device according to any one of the above, further comprising a detection unit that detects a rotation state of the side fence.

The invention according to claim 9 is the first to eighth aspects.
The sheet feeding device according to any one of the above, further comprising fixing means for fixing the side fence in a rotating state.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeder according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the side fence is detachable from the main body of the paper feeder and can be replaced. .

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having the sheet feeding device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention including embodiments with reference to the drawings (hereinafter, simply referred to as "embodiments").
Will be described. In the embodiments and the like, components and components having the same function, shape, and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as much as possible. In the drawings, components and components which are configured as a pair and need not be specifically distinguished from each other are described in place of one of them as appropriate in order to simplify the description. In addition, although the sheet is described as paper,
This paper is not limited to ordinary plain paper, but may be envelopes, cardboard, OH
Special paper such as a P sheet may be used.

FIG. 1 shows a sheet feeder 107 to which the present invention is applied and an image forming apparatus 100 having the same. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a photosensitive member 101 serving as a latent image carrier, a charge removing device 102 for removing and charging the photosensitive member 101, and exposure by optical scanning of a laser beam for forming a latent image on the charged photosensitive member 101. A developing device 106 for developing a latent image on the photoconductor 101 after exposure, a transfer device 104 for transferring a toner image on the photoconductor 101 obtained by development to a sheet P, A cleaning device 105 as cleaning means for removing untransferred toner remaining on the photoreceptor 101 afterward, a fixing device 108 for fixing a toner image transferred to a sheet P as a sheet, and a lower portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 A transfer section 11 between a photosensitive member 101 and a transfer device 104 transfers a sheet P provided as a sheet.
4 and a paper feeder 107 that is provided outside the image forming apparatus 100 as an option and can store a large amount of paper P and supplies the paper P to the transfer unit 114.
And a reversing device 109 for reversing the sheet P after fixing by the fixing device 108 and supplying the sheet P again to the transfer unit 114 such that the back surface faces the photoconductor 101, and the image forming apparatus 100.
It has an image reading device 110 provided at the upper part of the main body and having an ADF for reading a document.

Reference numeral 111 denotes a paper feed roller, and reference numeral 112 denotes a registration roller 112 for feeding the paper P conveyed from each of the paper feeding devices 126 and 107 via the paper feed roller 111 to the transfer unit 114 at a predetermined timing. Reference numeral 113 denotes a sheet feed tray, and reference numeral 115 denotes a sheet P conveyed from the fixing device 108, which is conveyed to the sheet discharge device 1 and discharged out of the image forming apparatus 100 as it is, or
The branch claws for selecting whether to convey toward 09 are shown.

The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 shows a case where a post-processing apparatus 3 as a sheet post-processing apparatus is mounted as an optional apparatus for receiving a discharged sheet. A well-known paper output tray can be mounted as such an optional device. The post-processing device 3 includes a rotary punch unit 4 that is a paper punching device that punches the paper P, and a fixed proof tray 5.
A shift tray 6 that can be displaced up and down in accordance with the stacking height of the sheets P after image formation, a staple unit 8 for temporarily stacking a plurality of sheets and stapling them with a stapler 7, and proofing the sheets P. A proof branching claw 9 for selecting whether to discharge to the tray 5 or the shift tray 6, whether to discharge the sheet P to the shift tray 6 without stapling, or to staple the paper P in the stapling unit 8 and then discharge to the shift tray 6; And a staple branching claw 10 for selecting. The discharge tray 2 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1
00, the post-processing apparatus 3 is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 in the state shown in FIG.
The discharge tray 2 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet feeding device 107 includes a sheet feeding table elevating motor 102, a driving pulley 121 driven by the sheet feeding table driving motor 102, and a driven pulley 122.
A sheet feeding table driving unit 124 including a driving pulley 121 and an endless belt 123 wound around a driven pulley,
A paper feed tray 25 for loading paper P, which is engaged with the endless belt 123 and is moved up and down by the paper feed tray driving means 124, and a call roller 23 serving as a pickup roller for feeding out the paper P loaded on the paper feed tray 25. And a pair of separation and conveyance rollers 24 provided with a feed roller 127 and a reverse roller 128 for separating and conveying one sheet of paper P to be sent out by the calling roller 23 from another sheet P, and a pair of separation and conveyance rollers 24. A transport roller pair 129 that inherits the transport of the separated paper P and transports the paper P in the direction of arrow A;
And a sensor 125 for detecting the home position of the camera.

In the separation / conveyance roller pair 24, the sheet P is separated at a separation portion which is a contact point between the feed roller 127 and the reverse roller 128, and only one sheet P is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 129. ing. The home position of the paper feed tray 25 is near the bottom dead center of the paper feed tray 25 in the movement range of the paper feed tray drive unit 124,
In FIG. 2, this is a position where the paper feed tray 25 should be located when the paper P is loaded on the paper feed tray 25 by opening a door (not shown) located on the near side of the paper surface.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet feeding device 107 includes a side fence 31 that has a regulating surface 30 that contacts the side edge of the sheet P on the sheet feeding table 25 and that regulates the sheet P in the width direction X. A shaft 32 parallel to the stacking direction Y of the sheets P on the sheet feeding table 25 and capable of rotating the side fence 31
And a rotating mechanism 33 having a shaft 32 and rotating the shaft 32 to rotate the side fence 31. The side fences 31 are provided corresponding to the respective side edges of the sheet P, and are arranged along the side edge of the sheet P, that is, two or more, specifically, two in the transport direction Z of the sheet P. Has been established. The shaft 32 is provided on each of the side fences 31. The X direction includes an X1 direction and an X2 direction.

Reference numeral 34 indicates that the side fence 31
The figure shows a lever having a grip portion 35 that is gripped when a rotating operation is performed. The lever 34 has a long hole 36 extending in the X direction.
, Two step screws 37, 37 screwed to a stay 42 fixed to a casing (not shown). Thereby, the lever 34 is slidable in the X direction on the upper surface of the stay 42. The lever 34 has a rack 38 formed in parallel with the elongated hole 36.
8 has a shaft 32 located on the downstream side in the X2 direction and the Z direction.
And a pinion 41 integral with a shaft 40 rotatably disposed on a stay 42.

The pinion 41 has a sliding member 43,
A rack portion 44 formed parallel to the rack portion 38 is engaged. The slide member 43 has a long hole 45 extending in the X direction and formed in parallel with the rack portion 44. The long hole 45 has two stepped screws 46, 46 screwed to the stay 42. Are engaged. The slide member 43 is X1
It has a rack portion 48 which is engaged with a pinion 47 integral with the shaft 32 located on the downstream side in the Z direction and the Z direction, and is formed parallel to the rack portion 44. A roller (not shown) is integrated below the pinion 39.
A belt (not shown) is wound around a roller (not shown) integrated with the shaft 32 located on the upstream side in the direction and the Z direction. Similarly, a roller (not shown) is integrated below the pinion 47, and a roller (not shown) integrated with the shaft 32 located on the upstream side in the X2 direction and the Z direction is integrated with the roller. Not a belt is hung.

The rotating mechanism 33 includes a lever 34 and each shaft 3
2, 40, pinions 39, 41, 47, a slide member 43, step screws 37, 46, and rollers and belts (not shown). Thus, the rotation mechanism 33
When the operator grips the grip 35 and slides the lever 34 in the X1 direction, all of the side fences 31 are rotated in the B direction in synchronization, and when the lever 34 is slid in the X2 direction, 31 are rotated in the C direction in synchronization with each other.

All of the side fences 31 have substantially the same shape. 4 and 5 show one of them as a representative. The side fence 31 extends in the Y direction and has a regulating surface 30, and a shaft 32 formed substantially perpendicular to the body 49.
And a bent portion 51 having a hole 50 through which the hole 51 is inserted. In addition, as shown in FIG.
Reference numerals 1 are formed at both ends of the main body 49. Regulatory surface 30
Has a plurality of planes 53, 54, 55 in this embodiment, which are parallel to the Y direction and have different distances from the rotation center 52 by the shaft 32. Planes 53, 54,
The distances of 55 from the rotation center 52 are D1 and D, respectively.
2, D3, and has a relationship of D1 <D2 <D3. Generally, the distance from the center of rotation 52 of each plane is determined in consideration of the operability when positioning the side fence 31.
As in the present embodiment, it is desirable that they are arranged in order so as to increase or decrease in the rotation direction.

When the side fence 31 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 33, the side fence 3 is moved as described above.
Since the rotation of 1 is performed synchronously, as shown in FIG.
When the regulating surface 30 regulates the side edge of the sheet P by the flat surface 55, in all the side fences 31, the side surface of the sheet P is regulated by the flat surface 55, and the regulating surface 30 regulates the side edge of the sheet P by the flat surface 54. Sometimes, in all the side fences 31, the side edge of the sheet P is regulated by the plane 54, and when the regulating surface 30 regulates the side edge of the sheet P by the plane 53, the plane 5
3 regulates the side edge of the sheet P. The spacing between the flat surfaces 55 facing each other, between the flat surfaces 54, or between the flat surfaces 53 is a predetermined spacing.

Therefore, by rotating the side fence 31 about the shaft 32 by using the rotation mechanism 33, the plane 53 is changed according to the size of the various types of paper P, specifically, the width in the X direction. , 54, 55 to use,
By displacing the position of the regulating surface 30 in contact with the side edge of the sheet P in the X direction, the sheets P on the sheet feed table 25 can be properly aligned regardless of the size of the sheet P.
In the present embodiment, the regulating surface 30 is divided into three planes 53, 54, 55.
Therefore, it is possible to handle three types of paper P.

FIG. 3 shows a fixing means 56 for fixing the side fence 31 in its rotating state. Fixing means 56
Has a hole 57 formed in the lever 34 and a plurality of holes 58 formed in the stay 42. Three holes 58 are provided corresponding to the planes 53, 54, 55, respectively. That is, the lever 34 is slid to regulate the side edge of the sheet P by any of the planes 53, 54, and 55, and when the selected plane is parallel to the side edge of the sheet P and is in a state suitable for the regulation, the hole is opened. 57 communicates with one of the holes 58, and can be screwed by a screw (not shown). If screwing is performed with the hole 57 and the hole 58 communicating with each other,
The rotation of the side fence 31 is prohibited, and the side fence 31 is fixed in the rotated state.

Further, if any one of the three holes 58 communicates with the hole 57 in advance, the planes 53, 54, 55
If it is known which of the planes can be controlled, the lever 34 is slid so that the hole 58 and the hole 57 are in communication with each other, so that the paper P can be controlled by a desired plane. It can be set to a state. Therefore, near each hole 58, the hole 58
By displaying which plane or size of the paper P is displayed, the operator can accurately and easily perform the turning operation of the side fence 31. In addition, as a display similar to this display, the lever 34 of the stay 42 is displayed.
The scale corresponding to the size of the paper P can be displayed on a portion corresponding to the moving range of the image.

As shown in FIG. 3, a part of the lever 34 is bent upward, and the side fence 31 shown in FIG.
Shielding part 5 constituting detecting means 60 for detecting the rotation state of
9 is made. As shown in FIG. 7, the detecting means 60
It has two size detection sensors 61 provided in the X direction in which the shielding portion 59 moves. Size detection sensor 61
Is provided above the stay 42 and has a concave portion (not shown) for receiving the shielding portion 59.
When 9 enters, a signal is transmitted to a control unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100 main body.

The shielding portion 59 has a predetermined width in the X direction. When the lever 34 is slid in the X direction, the shielding portion 59 is moved to one of the concave portions of the size detecting sensor 61, It occupies any of the positions that have entered the recess of the sensor 61. The control unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 determines the rotation state of the side fence 31 based on a signal pattern from each size detection sensor 61.

The size detection sensors 61 may be provided by the same number as the number of planes constituting the regulating surface 30, but may be smaller than the number of such planes as in this embodiment, and the number of parts can be reduced. Can contribute. Image forming apparatus 1
00 determines whether or not the paper P stored in the sheet feeding device 107 can be used for image formation at the time of image formation based on the size data of the paper P obtained by the determination. Can feed paper from the paper feeding device 107.

In FIG. 6, for the sake of convenience, the interval between the side fences 31 disposed on the downstream side in the X1 direction and the interval between the side fences 31 disposed on the downstream side in the X2 direction are equally illustrated. The relationship between the distances is such that the distance between the side fences 31 disposed downstream in the X1 direction is smaller than the distance between the side fences 31 disposed downstream in the X2 direction. The downstream side in the X1 direction coincides with the near side of the sheet in FIG. 1, and the inside of the sheet feeding apparatus 107 is opened by opening a front door (not shown) of the sheet feeding apparatus 107 disposed on the near side of the sheet in FIG. 1. When the paper P is placed on the paper feed table 25, the interval between the side fences 31 arranged on the downstream side in the X1 direction is narrow, so that the stacking can be easily performed. I have.

As shown in FIG. 8, the side fence 31 is detachable from the sheet feeding device 107 main body. The side fence 31 is formed by connecting the shaft 32 with a hole 50 formed in each bent portion 51.
And is integrated with the shaft 32. As shown in FIG. 8B, grooves 62 are formed at both ends of the shaft 32. To mount the side fence 31 on the sheet feeding device 107, the shaft 32 is inserted into holes 63 and 64 shown in FIG. The ring 65 is fitted in a state where the ring 65 is positioned on the upper surface side of the paper board 25, and the state shown in FIG. To remove the side fence 31 from the sheet feeding device 107, FIG.
Then, the ring 65 is removed from the groove, and the side fence 31 is displaced downward to remove the upper part of the shaft 32 from the hole 63 and then remove the lower part of the shaft 32 from the hole 64. As described above, the side fence 31 is detachable with respect to the main body of the sheet feeding device 107, and can be replaced when it is deteriorated.
It can be replaced with a side fence of another shape to be described later.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the side fences 31 are arranged corresponding to the respective side edges of the paper P, and the paper P is aligned on the basis of the center in the X direction. The side fence 31 may be provided corresponding to one of the side edges of the paper P, and the paper P may be aligned based on one side in the X direction. On the other side edge of the sheet P, a flat plate-shaped fence 66 as an immovable abutting member for regulating the side edge is disposed, and the side fence 31 is rotated. By moving the paper P, the paper P is aligned with the fence 66.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the regulating surface 30 of the side fence 31 is a curved surface 7 parallel to the loading direction Y and whose distance from the center of rotation 52 of the shaft 32 changes continuously.
It may have 0. In this embodiment, the regulating surface 30
Has a smooth curved surface 70 whose distance from the rotation center 52 gradually increases toward the downstream side in the B direction. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the rotating mechanism 33 is provided in the same manner as in the case shown in FIG.
By rotating the side fence 31, according to the size of various types of paper P, specifically, the width in the X direction,
The position of the regulating surface 30 that abuts on the side edge of the sheet P is displaced in the X direction, so that the sheet P can be properly aligned on the sheet feed table 25 regardless of the size of the sheet P. In particular, since the regulating surface 30 has such a curved surface 70, it can correspond to a sheet P of any width, such as an irregular-shaped sheet P.

FIG. 13 shows a fixing means 56 for fixing the side fence 31 in the rotating state when the regulating surface 30 has such a curved surface 70. The fixing means 56
A long hole 67 formed in the lever 34 and extending in the X direction.
And a hole 68 formed in the stay 42. Therefore, the lever 34 is slid to regulate the side edge of the sheet P by the regulating surface 30, and when the state suitable for regulating the sheet P is established, the long hole 67 and the hole 68 are screwed at that position by the screw 69. In this case, the side fence 31 is fixed in its rotating state. Since the long hole 67 is long in the X direction, even if the side fence 31 is in any rotating state, in other words, regardless of the width of the sheet P, the side fence can be properly controlled. 31
Can be fixed. In addition, the long hole 67 is connected to the stay 42.
Alternatively, a hole 68 may be formed in the lever 34.

As shown in FIG. 12, the side fences 31 are provided corresponding to each side edge of the sheet P, and a plurality of, specifically, two side fences are provided along the side edge of the sheet P. However, as shown in FIG. 9, it may be arranged on one side edge of the sheet P, and even if it is arranged on one side edge of the sheet P, FIG. Instead of a plurality of arrangements as shown, only one arrangement may be arranged as shown in FIG. 14, or three or more arrangements (not shown) may be arranged. This is the same in the side fence 31 in which the regulating surface 30 has a plurality of planes as shown in FIGS.

Although the various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the shapes of the side fences may not be the same, and as a result of the rotation, the paper P having a desired size can be satisfactorily regulated. Just do it. Further, even if the shapes of the side fences are the same as each other, the paper P having a desired size may be regulated by performing the rotation separately. Further, in the embodiment, the case where the sheet feeding device according to the present invention is used in an image forming apparatus which is a copying machine is described. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the copying machine, and may be used in a stencil printing apparatus, an offset printing apparatus, or the like. An apparatus, facsimile, or printer may be used.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, a sheet feed tray on which sheets are stacked and a regulating surface which comes into contact with a side edge of the sheet on the sheet feed tray are regulated in the width direction thereof. And a side fence having a shaft parallel to the sheet stacking direction on the paper feed table and capable of rotating the side fence. By rotating, the position of the regulating surface, which contacts the side edge, is displaced in the width direction according to the width of the sheet. It is possible to provide a sheet feeder which can easily and flexibly cope with the size of the sheet and which can satisfactorily regulate the sheet in its width direction.

If the regulating surface has a plurality of planes parallel to the loading direction and different in distance from the center of rotation by the axis, the side fence is rotated to set an appropriate plane among the plurality of planes. By selecting the sheet feeding device, it is possible to provide a sheet feeding device capable of favorably regulating sheets of a plurality of sizes in the width direction.

If the regulating surface has a curved surface parallel to the stacking direction and whose distance from the center of rotation by the shaft changes continuously, the side fence is rotated to regulate the sheet at an appropriate position on the curved surface. By doing so, it is possible to provide a sheet feeding device capable of satisfactorily regulating sheets of any size, such as irregular shapes, in the width direction.

If the side fences are arranged corresponding to the respective side edges of the sheet, a sheet feeding device capable of restricting each side edge of the sheet with the side fence and regulating the sheet on the basis of the center. Can be provided.

If a side fence is provided corresponding to one of the side edges of the sheet and an immovable butting member for regulating the other side edge is provided, one of the side edges of the sheet can be connected to the side fence. By restricting the sheet and restricting the other side edge with the abutting member, it is possible to provide a sheet feeding apparatus capable of restricting the sheet based on one side.

If a plurality of side fences are provided along the side edge of the sheet, even if the side edge of the sheet is long, the side fence can be well regulated and aligned, and the side edge of the sheet can be set to a desired value. Can be provided.

By providing a rotating mechanism for rotating all of the side fences in synchronization, a sheet feeding device which can easily cope with the size of the sheet and can regulate the sheet in the width direction thereof is provided. can do.

By providing a detecting means for detecting the rotation state of the side fence, the size of the sheet can be detected by detecting the rotation state of the side fence, and the detected rotation state of the side fence can be detected. Based on this, it is possible to provide a sheet feeding device capable of performing various controls in an image forming apparatus having the same.

By providing a fixing means for fixing the side fence in its rotating state, a sheet feeding device capable of reliably maintaining the state in which the sheet is regulated and reliably preventing problems such as a defective sheet feeding is provided. be able to.

If the side fences are detachable from the main body of the paper feeder and can be replaced, it is possible to provide a paper feeder that can easily replace the side fences and can handle sheets of various sizes. .

The present invention is directed to any one of claims 1 to 10
In the image forming apparatus having the sheet feeding device described in (1),
It is possible to provide a highly reliable image forming apparatus which has a sheet feeding device having the above-described effects, is easy to use, and can form a good image by preventing a sheet feeding defect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the sheet feeding device shown in FIG.

3 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of the sheet feeding device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the side fence shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the side fence shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing how the side fence shown in FIG. 3 rotates.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a main part of the sheet feeding device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing how a side fence is attached and detached.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing another arrangement of side fences.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another configuration example of the side fence.

11 is a perspective view of a main part of the side fence shown in FIG.

12 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of a sheet feeding device provided with the side fence shown in FIG.

13 is an enlarged perspective view of a fixing unit in the sheet feeding device shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing yet another arrangement of side fences.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a main part of a conventional sheet feeding device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 25 sheet feeding table 30 regulating surface 31 side fence 32 axis 33 rotating mechanism 53, 54, 55 plane 56 fixing means 60 detecting means 70 curved surface 100 image forming apparatus P sheet X sheet width direction Y sheet stacking direction

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A sheet feeding apparatus comprising: a sheet feeding tray on which sheets are stacked; and a side fence having a regulating surface that contacts a side edge of the sheet on the sheet feeding tray and regulating the sheet in the width direction. A shaft that is parallel to the sheet stacking direction on the sheet feeding table and that enables the side fence to rotate; and by rotating the side fence about the axis, the width of the sheet is reduced. A sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein a position of said regulating surface in contact with said side edge is displaced in said width direction. 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating surface has a plurality of planes parallel to the stacking direction and having different distances from a center of rotation by the shaft. Paper equipment. 3. The sheet feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the regulating surface has a curved surface parallel to the loading direction and having a continuously changing distance from a rotation center by the shaft. Paper feeder. 4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein said side fences are arranged corresponding to each side edge of the sheet. 5. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the side fence is provided corresponding to one of the side edges of the sheet, and the immovable side fence restricts the other side edge. A sheet feeding device having a butting member. 6. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said side fences are arranged along a side edge of the sheet. 7. The sheet feeding device according to claim 4, further comprising a turning mechanism that turns all the side fences in synchronization. 8. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a detecting unit that detects a rotation state of the side fence. 9. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising fixing means for fixing said side fence in its rotating state. 10. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the side fence is detachable from the sheet feeding device main body and is replaceable. 11. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet feeding device according to claim 1.