JP2002255431A - Sheet stacking device with tilting sheet receptacle, sheet post-processing device equipped with stacking device, and imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate taking-out of a bundle of sheets by restricting the leading edge of the bundle when sheets are to be stacked. SOLUTION: A sheet stacking device 55 according to the invention is equipped with a tray 32 on which exhausted sheets are stacked and a stopper 310 installed on the tray arranged capable of tilting at least to downstream side of upstream side and downstream side, about the sheet exhausting direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet stacking apparatus for receiving and stacking a sheet discharged from an apparatus for handling sheets by a tiltable sheet receiving means, and a sheet post-processing provided with the sheet stacking apparatus in an apparatus main body. The present invention relates to an apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of a sheet stacking apparatus, there is one disclosed in JP-A-11-193162. The disclosed sheet stacking device includes a stacking stopper that receives the folded end of the sheet bundle discharged onto the sheet stacking member. At the start of sheet bundle discharge, the stacking stopper moves to the vicinity of the bundle discharge port, which is the most upstream part of the sheet bundle stacking area, and as the sheet bundles are sequentially discharged, the sheet bundle stacking member moves over the sheet bundle stacking member. It moves to the downstream side in the discharge direction.

In this sheet stacking apparatus, when a large number of sheet bundles are to be stacked on the sheet stacking member, the stacking height of the sheet bundle increases and the height of the stacking stopper increases accordingly.

In the above-described sheet stacking device, when a number of sets of sheets are discharged to the sheet stacking member, even if a predetermined number of stacks of sheets are not stacked on the sheet stacking member. If the stacking stopper returns to the initial position, the entire sheet stacking member cannot be used effectively. Therefore, when the stacking stopper is not always stacked up to the specified stacking number, the stacking stopper does not return to the initial position until the sheet bundle is removed. For example, in the case of a sheet stacking member defined to be capable of stacking 50 copies, even if 30 sheets are stacked,
The stacking stopper does not return to the initial position, and waits for the next sheet bundle to be discharged at that position, so that only the next sheet bundle to be discharged can be additionally stacked on the sheet stacking section by 20 copies. ing.

[0005]

However, when the number of sets of the sheet bundle on the sheet stacking member is not small, the stacking stopper is stopped near the sheet bundle discharge port. In such a case, when the user takes out the sheet bundle,
The sheet bundle may interfere with the stacking stopper.

For this reason, in the conventional sheet stacking apparatus, the user has to take out the sheet bundle from the sheet stacking member so that the user does not interfere with the stacking stopper.

Therefore, the height of the loading stopper is reduced,
It is conceivable that the sheet bundle can be easily taken out. However, when the height of the stacking stopper is reduced, another problem arises that the number of stacked portions of the sheet bundle is reduced and the function of the stacking stopper to receive the leading end of the sheet bundle is impaired.

The stacking stopper can be moved. However, even when the stacking stopper is fixed, the sheet stack interferes with the stacking stopper when the sheet stack stacked on the sheet stacking member is taken out. There is a problem that it is difficult to take out a sheet bundle.

According to the present invention, a sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver, which can regulate the front end of the sheet bundle when stacking the sheet bundle and makes it easy to take out the sheet bundle, and a sheet rear provided with the sheet stacking device in the apparatus main body. It is an object to provide a processing device and an image forming device.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a sheet stacking apparatus with a tilted sheet receiver according to the present invention comprises a discharge sheet stacking unit on which discharged sheets are stacked, and an upstream side and a downstream side in a sheet discharging direction. And sheet receiving means provided on the discharged sheet stacking means so as to be tiltable at least downstream.

The sheet receiving means of the sheet stacking apparatus with a tilted sheet receiver according to the present invention is capable of tilting upward from an intermediate portion in the vertical direction.

The sheet receiving means of the sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to the present invention can be tilted from a base.

The sheet receiving means of the sheet stacking apparatus with a tilted sheet receiver according to the present invention includes a base member provided on the discharge sheet stacking means, and a tilted upper end of the base member connected to the base member by an elastic member. A tilting member provided so as to be capable of returning from the tilted state to the original upright state by an elastic member.

The elastic member of the sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to the present invention is provided between the opposed portions of the base member and the tilting member.

The sheet receiving means of the sheet stacking apparatus with a tilted sheet receiver according to the present invention includes a base member provided on the discharge sheet stacking means, and an upper end of the base member connected to the base member by an intermediate elastic member. An intermediate tilting member provided to be tiltable, and an upper tilting member connected to the intermediate tilting member by an upper elastic member and tiltably provided at an upper end of the intermediate tilting member; and One of the upper elastic member is provided on the upstream side in the sheet discharging direction, and the other is provided on the downstream side, and the intermediate tilting member and the upper tilting member are originally raised from the tilted state by the intermediate elastic member. The upper tilting member can be returned from the tilted state to the original upright state by the upper elastic member.

The sheet receiving means of the sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to the present invention is an elastic member provided upright on the discharge stacking means, and a weak portion is formed at a vertically intermediate portion of the elastic member. The tilting portion above the weakened portion has a larger tilting amount than the base below the weakened portion.

The sheet receiving means of the sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to the present invention has a tilting member connected to the discharge sheet stacking means by an elastic member and provided to be tiltable to the discharge sheet stacking means. The tilting member can be returned from the tilted state to the original standing state by the elastic member.

The elastic member of the sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to the present invention is provided between opposed portions of the tilting member and the discharge sheet stacking means.

The sheet receiving means of the sheet stacking apparatus with a tilted sheet receiver according to the present invention is an elastic member provided upright on the discharge stacking means, and the elastic member can be tilted from a base.

The sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to the present invention is further provided in the discharge sheet stacking means and can move downstream in the sheet discharging direction as the sheets are stacked on the discharge sheet stacking means. The sheet receiving means is provided in the moving means.

The sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to the present invention further includes sheet holding means for holding the sheets stacked on the discharged sheet stacking means from above.

In order to achieve the above object, a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a sheet folding means for folding the sheet; and any one of the above sheet stacking apparatuses with a tilted sheet receiver for stacking the folded sheet. It has.

In order to achieve the above object, a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and any one of the above-mentioned ones on which the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming means is stacked. And a sheet stacking device with two tilted sheet receivers.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, a sheet folding means for folding the sheet, and one of the folded inclined sheet receivers. A sheet stacking device.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A sheet stacking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a sheet post-processing apparatus provided with the apparatus in a main body, and a copying machine (image forming apparatus) will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The sheet stacking apparatus is used by being mounted on a discharge section of a sheet handling apparatus in addition to the sheet post-processing apparatus and the main body of the image forming apparatus.
The apparatus main body to be attached is not limited to the sheet post-processing apparatus and the main body of the image forming apparatus. Also,
The image forming apparatus is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.
Image forming apparatuses include copying machines, facsimile machines, printers,
And their composite devices.

(Copier) The configuration of the copier will be described.

1 and 2, the apparatus main body 900 of the copying machine 903 is equipped with a sheet post-processing apparatus 2 having a staple unit 18, a sheet folding apparatus 50, and the like. The copier body 900 includes a platen glass 906 as a document table, a light source 907, a lens system 908, a sheet supply unit 909, an image forming unit 902, and a fixing device 90.
4, a control device 150 and the like are provided.

The sheet supply unit 909 includes a sheet S for recording.
Cassette 91 that can be attached to and detached from copier body 900
0, 911, and a deck 913 located on the pedestal 912. The image forming unit (image forming unit) 902 includes a cylindrical photosensitive drum 914 and a developing device 915, a transfer charger 916, a separation charger 917, a cleaner 918, and a primary charger 919 disposed around the photosensitive drum 914. Etc. are provided respectively.

The operation of the copying machine 900 will be described.

When a sheet supply signal is output from control device 150, copying machine main body 900 receives cassettes 910 and 91.
1 or the sheet feeding operation from the deck 913 is started. On the other hand, light from the light source 907 which is applied to and reflected from the original D placed on the original
8 irradiates the photosensitive drum 914. Since the photosensitive drum 914 is charged in advance by a primary charger 919, an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the surface with light, and then the electrostatic latent image is developed by a developer 915 to form a toner image. Is formed.

On the other hand, the registration roller 901 once receives the sheet S fed from the sheet supply unit 909, and
After straightening the skew of the sheet, the photosensitive drum 9
The image is sent to the image forming unit 902 in accordance with the position of the toner image on the image 14. Then, the image forming unit 902 includes the photosensitive drum 9
The fourteen toner images are transferred by the transfer charger 916 to the fed sheet S. Then, the separation charger 917
Charges the sheet S to which the toner image has been transferred to a polarity opposite to that of the transfer charger 916 and separates the sheet S from the photosensitive drum 914.

Thereafter, the transport device 920 moves the photosensitive drum 9
The sheet S separated from the sheet 14 is conveyed to the fixing device 904. Then, the fixing device 904 permanently fixes the toner image on the sheet. Finally, the discharge roller pair 905 discharges the sheet S on which the image has been fixed from the copying machine main body 900 to the sheet post-processing apparatus 2.

(Sheet Post-Processing Apparatus) In FIG. 2, the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is connected to the main body 900 of the copying machine 903. Note that the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 includes a copier 9
03 may be incorporated in the main body 900.

The sheet post-processing device 2 includes an entrance flapper 3
It has. The entrance flapper 3 engages with the entrance solenoid 3d shown in FIG. 3, and switches between the bookbinding mode and the stack mode by operating the entrance solenoid 3d by turning on and off the power. A stacker discharge roller 5 and a stacker discharge roller 6 are arranged downstream of the sheet discharge guide 4. The stacker tray 7 is configured to stack sheets discharged from the stacker discharge rollers 5.

In the sheet processing, when the stack mode is selected, the flapper 3 guides the sheet on which the image is formed in the main body 900 of the copying machine 903 to the sheet discharge guide 4. The stacker discharge rollers 5 and the stacker discharge rollers 6 discharge sheets guided by the sheet discharge guide 4 onto a stacker tray 7 and stack the sheets.

The stacker tray 7 is arranged so that the tip side is lower than the stacker discharge roller 5 side. For this reason, the sheets S stacked on the stacker tray 7 move to the front end side on the stacker tray 7 and are received by the sheet stopper 7a protruding from the front end of the stacker tray 7. Therefore, the sheets S discharged to the stacker tray 7 are stacked on the stacker tray 7 with their leading ends aligned.

In FIG. 2, the sheet discharge guide 4
Downstream of the guides 11 and 12 branched from the first conveying roller 13, a conveying roller 14 for pressing a sheet against the first conveying roller 13, a second conveying roller 17a, and a second conveying roller 17a. Elastic member 17 for pressing the sheet to
d, a stapler unit 18 for stapling the sheet bundle, a projecting unit 25 for projecting an intermediate portion of the sheet bundle, and folding rollers 26 and 2 for folding the projected sheet bundle into two.
7, the third transport roller 22a, the third transport roller 2
An elastic member 22d for pressing the sheet, a pair of width shifting members 24a (24b) for adjusting the width of the sheet, a stopper 23 for receiving the sheet, and the like are arranged on 2a. The protruding unit 25 and the folding rollers 26 and 27 constitute a sheet folding device (sheet folding means) 50.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first transport roller 13
Central axis 13a, the central axis 17 of the second transport roller 17a
e, and roller pulleys 13b, 17c and 22c are fixed to the center shaft 22b of the third transport roller 22a. The roller pulley 13b, the roller pulley 17c, and the motor pulley 5 fixed to the output shaft of the transport motor 51
2, a timing belt 53 is wound. A timing belt 54 is wound between the roller pulley 17c and the roller pulley 22c.

The rotational force of the transport motor 51 is transmitted to the roller pulley 1 via a motor pulley 52 and a timing belt 53.
3b and the roller pulley 17c, and further transmitted to the roller pulley 22c via the roller pulley 17c and the timing belt 54. As a result, the first, second, and third transport rollers 13, 17a, and 22a rotate synchronously.

In FIG. 2, the second and third transport rollers 1
The reference numerals 7a and 22a receive and convey the sheet sent by the first conveying roller 13, and bring the leading end of the sheet into contact with the leading end stopper 23. The sensor 33 detects the leading edge of the sheet, stops rotation of the conveyance motor 51, and stops rotation of the second and third conveyance rollers 17a and 22a.

The stopper 23 receives a plurality of sheets. The sheets stacked on the stopper 23 are bundled. When binding a bundle of sheets, the stopper 23 is
The sheet bundle is moved in the direction of arrow A along 0, 21 so that the binding position of the sheet bundle is opposed to the stapler unit 18. The stapler unit 18 binds a desired position of the sheet bundle with a staple. Thereafter, the stopper 23 moves again in the direction of the arrow A to make the folding position of the bound sheet bundle face the protruding unit 25. The protruding unit 25 protrudes the protruding plate 25a and folds the sheet bundle into folding rollers 26 and 27.
And feed it into the nip. Fold roller 2
6 and 27 rotate and fold the sheet bundle into two while pulling in the sheet bundle, and feed the sheet bundle into the nip between the discharge roller 30 and the discharge roller 31 with the bent end first. In general, a sheet bundle is bound at the center in the longitudinal direction of the sheet and then bent at that portion to have a shape like a weekly magazine.

In FIG. 3, the shaft 30a of the discharge roller 30
A timing belt 93 is wound around the upper pulley 30b and the pulley 92 on the output shaft of the discharge motor 91. Therefore, the discharge roller 30 is rotated by the discharge motor 91. As the discharge motor 91, a stepping motor is used.

The peripheral speed of the discharge roller 30 is
It is set faster than the peripheral speeds 6, 27. However, the conveying force of the folding rollers 26 and 27 is set higher than the conveying force of the discharge roller 30 and the discharge rollers 31. For this reason, the discharge roller 30 is configured to
When the sheet bundle passes through the folding rollers 26 and 27, the sheet bundle is conveyed in cooperation with the discharge rollers 31 when the sheet bundle passes through the folding rollers 26 and 27. During this time, the discharge sensor 29 detects the leading end and the trailing end of the sheet bundle conveyed while being folded by the folding rollers 26 and 27. The discharge roller 30 is
When the discharge sensor 29 detects the leading end of the sheet bundle, it starts, and starts discharging the sheet bundle to the sheet stacking device 55 (see FIG. 2) in cooperation with the discharge rollers 31. Is stopped, and the discharge of the sheet bundle to the sheet stacking device is completed.

Note that a stitcher may be used instead of the stapler unit 18. The number is not limited to two, but may be one, or three or more. Further, the number of the sheet conveying rollers and the number of the sheet bundle folding rollers may be increased so that the sheet bundle can be more reliably conveyed and folded.

(Sheet Loading Apparatus) In FIGS. 2 and 4,
The sheet stacking device 55 includes a sheet bundle holding arm (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet bundle holding arm).
35, a discharge sheet paddle 36,
Arm stopper 35d, loading tray (discharge sheet loading means) 32, loading stopper (sheet receiving means) 310
It is provided near the discharge roller 31 and the discharge roller 32 of the main body 10 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2. Note that the sheet bundle holding arm 35, the arm stopper 35d, and the discharge sheet paddle 36 are not necessarily required.

In FIG. 2, the arm 35 is provided on a rotation shaft 35a provided at the downstream end of the discharge guide 28 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The arm 35 may cause the sheet bundle Sb that has been saddle-stitched (folded in two) to be discharged from the discharge port 250 (FIG. 4) to the stacking tray 32 by the discharge roller 30 in an insufficiently folded state. However, the end of the sheet bundle Sb is pressed so as not to open on the stacking tray 32.

One end of the arm 35 is connected to a rotating shaft 35a.
The main body 10 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is provided so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction. The middle part of the arm 35 is the arm 3
5 is suspended from the main body 10 by an arm stopper 35d formed of a cord-like body such as a cord or the like so that the leading end portion 35b does not contact the stacking tray 32. The arm stopper 35d regulates the distal end portion 35b of the arm 35 so as not to be lower than a predetermined height H at which the arm 35 does not contact the stacking tray 32. For this reason, the sheet bundle S having a weak stiffness
The sheet bundle Sb is reliably stacked on the stacking tray 32 without the discharge failure of the sheet bundle generated when the leading end of the sheet b is pressed against the arm 35.

Note that a rotatable roller 35e is attached to the tip 35b of the arm 35. By these rollers 35e, even if the leading end of the sheet bundle Sb being discharged contacts the arm 35, it does not hinder the discharge of the sheet bundle Sb. Thus, even when a large number of weak sheet bundles Sb are stacked on the stacking tray 32 and come into contact with the leading end 35b of the arm 35, the sheet bundle Sb
The b is sunk under the arm 35 and hardly loaded on the stacking tray 32 with almost no load on the tip 35b.

When the number of stacked sheets Sb is small, the arm 35 holds the end of the sheet bundle Sb at the leading end 3.
5b. However, the arm 35
When the number of stacks of the sheet bundle Sb increases, the stacking height of the sheet bundle increases as described above, and the end of the sheet bundle Sb approaches the discharge roller 30, and the sheet bundle S at the leading end 35b.
The end of b may not be able to be pressed.

Therefore, even if the stacking height of the sheet bundle Sb is increased, the end of the sheet bundle Sb can be pressed by the arm 35. Is provided. Therefore, even if the height of the sheet bundle Sb on the stacking tray 32 increases,
The arm 35 presses the upper surface of the sheet bundle Sb with the protruding portion 35c so that the stacking height of the sheet bundle can be made lower than the nip of the discharge rollers 30 and 31, so that the sheet bundle is continuously discharged. Even if this happens, the end of the sheet bundle Sb will not obstruct the next sheet bundle to be discharged.

The discharge sheet paddle 36 is connected to the discharge roller 30.
Is provided movably on the support shaft 30a. The discharge sheet paddle 36 is a sheet bundle S discharged to the stacking tray 32.
b to prevent the rear end of the sheet bundle Sb from expanding, thereby preventing the previously discharged sheet bundle from interfering with the discharge of the next discharged sheet bundle. I try not to be.

Loading stopper (sheet receiving means) 31
0 is a base member 311 provided on the loading tray 32;
A tilting member 313 connected to the base member 311 by a coil spring (elastic member) 312 is provided at the upper end of the base member 311 so as to be tiltable and return to the upright state.

The coil spring 312 is provided in the holes 311 a and 313 a of the base member 311 and the tilting member 313 so as to be able to expand and contract and bend. Therefore, the coil spring 312
When the tilting member 313 is tilted, the tilting member 31 is tilted while slightly extending to allow the tilting member 313 to tilt, and then the tilting member 31 is tilted.
3 can be returned from the tilted state (the state shown in FIG. 5A) to the original standing state (the state shown in FIG. 4).

When the tilting member 313 returns to the upright state, a pair of arc-shaped concave portions 314 formed on the lower surface of the tilting member 313 project from the upper surface of the base member 311 to form a pair of arc-shaped projections 315. , And surely overlaps a predetermined position on the base member 311. Base member 311
When the tilting member 313 overlaps, the wall surfaces 311b and 313b on the upstream side in the sheet bundle discharge direction are placed on the stacking tray 32.
It is designed to be a continuous wall that is almost perpendicular to the wall. Note that the arrangement relationship between the concave portions and the protrusions is not limited to the above-described arrangement relationship, and the recesses and the protrusions may be provided in any arrangement relationship. Further, the concave portion and the projecting portion are not necessarily required.

In the above configuration, when some bundles of sheets Sb are stacked on the stacking tray 32 and the user grasps the sheet bundle and takes out the stacking tray 32 from the stacking tray 32 in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. The bundle may interfere with the tilting member 313. At this time, the tilting member 313 receives the force in the direction of the arrow F from the sheet bundle and falls to the downstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction, so that the user can easily take out the sheet bundle from the stacking tray 32. Falling down member 313
When the coil spring 31 stops receiving the force in the direction of arrow F,
2 to return to the base member 311 and return to the upright state at the original position by the fitting of the recess 314 and the protrusion 315.

Further, the sheet bundle is pressed by the arm 35, but can be easily taken out of the stacking tray 32 by the tilting member 313 being tilted.

The coil spring 312 is connected to the base member 31.
Since the tilting member 313 is provided between the facing portions 311c and 313c of the tilting member 313 and the tilting member 313, the tilting member 313 is located not only on the downstream side in the sheet bundle discharge direction shown in FIG. Can also lean. For this reason, when the user attempts to remove the sheet bundle from the stacking tray 32, even if the fingertip touches the tilting member 313, the tilting member 313 tilts upstream and the user touches the stacking stopper 310. It can reduce the shock when it hits. The tilting member 313 tilted to the upstream side returns to the original position by the coil spring 312.

The stacking stopper 310 can tilt the tilting member 313 to both the upstream side and the downstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction. However, as in the case of the stacking stopper 320 shown in FIG. The member 323 may be inclined only to the downstream side to make it easier to take out the sheet bundle.

This loading stopper (sheet receiving means)
320 is also a base member 321 provided on the stacking tray 32.
When it is screwed to the base member 321, it is connected by a spring (elastic member) 322 and can tilt to the upper end of the base member 321,
And a tilting member 323 provided to be able to return to the upright state. The tilting member 323 can be rotated by twisting.
2, since the downstream angle 323d of the tilting member 323 and the downstream angle 321d of the base member 321 face each other while tilting, it is possible to reliably return to the original return position.

The stacking stopper 320 shown in FIG. 7 can be tilted only to the downstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction. However, if it can be tilted to the upstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction, the stacking stopper 330 as shown in FIG. become.

The loading stopper 330 is mounted on the loading tray 3
2 and a base member 321 provided on the base member 321.
An intermediate tilting member 333 connected by an intermediate elastic member (intermediate elastic member) 322 and provided at the upper end of the base member 321 so as to be tiltable and capable of returning to an upright state, Elastic member) 33
4 and an upper tilting member 335 provided at the upper end of the intermediate tilting member 333 so as to be tiltable and return to the upright state.

When the loading stopper 330 receives the force F1 in the downstream direction, only the upper tilting member 335 tilts downstream as shown in FIG. 8B. When the force F2 in the upstream direction is received, as shown in FIG. 8C, the upper tilting member 335 and the intermediate tilting member 333 are integrated and tilted to the upstream side. The tilted upper tilting member 335,
The intermediate tilting member 333 is returned to the upright state by the upper torsion spring 334 and the intermediate torsion spring 332.

The loading stopper 340 shown in FIG. 9 has the same structure as the loading stopper 330 shown in FIG. 8, except that the arrangement of the intermediate screw 342 and the upper screw 344 is different. That is, if you twist it in the middle 34
2 is disposed on the downstream side, and the upper torsion spring 344 is disposed on the upstream side.

Therefore, when the loading stopper 340 receives the force F1 in the downstream direction, as shown in FIG. 9B, the upper tilting member 345 and the intermediate tilting member 343 are integrated, and Lean down. And the force F2 in the upstream direction
Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, the upper tilting member 3
Only 35 tilts upstream. Top tilting member 3 tilted
45 and the intermediate tilting member 343 can be returned to the upright state by the upper twist 344 and the middle twist 342.

Since the stacking stoppers 330 and 340 are also tilted to the downstream side, the user can easily take out the sheet bundle from the stacking tray 32. In addition, since it is possible to incline to the upstream side, even if the user's finger touches the loading stoppers 330 and 340, the impact when touched can be reduced.

The loading stoppers 310, 320, 33 described above
0, 340 is composed of a plurality of members.
As shown in FIG. 0, if the loading stopper (sheet receiving means) 350 uses one elastic plate, the configuration can be simplified. The stacking stopper 350 is erected on the stacking tray 32, and a groove 356 parallel to the stacking tray 32 is formed on both surfaces of an intermediate portion in the vertical direction, and a weak portion 350 a is formed.

Therefore, the loading stopper 350
The inclined part 350b above the weak part 350a is the weak part 3
Since the amount of bending and tilting is greater than that of the base 350c below the base 50b, the user can easily take out the sheet bundle from the stacking tray 32. In addition, since it is possible to incline to the upstream side, even when the user's finger touches the stacking stopper 350, the impact when touched can be reduced.

Further, the loading stoppers 310, 32
The stacking stoppers (sheet receiving means) 360, 37 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are inclined upward from the middle part in the vertical direction.
As in the case of 0, the whole may be inclined.
In this case, the structure can be simplified.

The loading stopper 360 shown in FIG. 11 includes a tilting member 361 located on the loading tray 32 and a tilting member 3.
A coil spring (elastic member) 362 for connecting 61 to the stacking tray 32 is configured. Coil spring 36
2 is a facing portion 36 between the tilting member 361 and the loading tray 32.
It is provided between 1a and 32a. For this reason, the tilting member 361, as shown in FIGS.
The sheet can be tilted in both the downstream side and the upstream side in the sheet discharging direction, and the coil spring 362 can return from the tilted state to the original standing state. Also in the loading stopper 360, the facing portions 361a, 32a
5B, a concave portion 314 and a protruding portion 315 shown in FIG. 5B may be formed so that the tilting member 361 can be accurately erected at the original position.

The loading stopper 370 shown in FIG. 12 comprises only an elastic plate (elastic member) 371 erected on the loading tray 32. The elastic plate 371 includes a base 371
a, it is bent and tilted to the downstream side and the upstream side in the sheet discharging direction.

Therefore, the loading stopper 360 is
The structure is the simplest than any of the loading stoppers described above. The stacking stopper 360 also allows the user to easily take out the sheet bundle from the stacking tray 32.
Furthermore, since it is possible to incline to the upstream side, even if the user's finger touches the loading stopper 350, the impact when touched can be reduced.

The loading stoppers 310 and 32 described above
Each of the reference numerals 0, 330, 340, 350, 360, and 370 is fixed to the stacking tray 32. However, as shown in FIG. A moving mechanism (moving means) 43 shown in FIG. 14 may be arranged so that it can be moved to the downstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction. In FIG. 13, the loading stopper 310 shown in FIG. 4 is configured to move, but the other loading stoppers 310, 320, and 3 are moved.
Of course, it is possible to replace with 30, 340, 350, 360, 370 so as to be movable.

The moving mechanism 43 is built in the stacking tray 32. A stepping motor 38 is placed inside the stacking tray. The torque of the motor 38 is transmitted to the final pinion 41a via the timing belt 39 wound around the pulley 38a and the gear pulley 40, and the gears 40a and 41.

On the other hand, below the loading stopper 310, the moving plate 44 is provided. A rail receiving groove 37b is formed on the lower surface of the moving plate 14, and is fitted to a rib 32a extending in the sheet bundle discharging direction on the stacking tray 32 to change the moving direction of the stacking stopper 310 on the moving plate 14. Regulating. Further, a rack 37a meshing with the pinion 41a is cut at an edge of the moving plate 44 along the sheet bundle discharging direction.

Therefore, as the sheet bundle is sequentially discharged to the stacking tray 32, the stacking stopper 310 is rotated by the rotation of the stepping motor 38 as shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), the sheet bundle is moved to the downstream side in the sheet bundle discharge direction so that the sheet bundle can be reliably stacked on the stacking tray 32.

In this case, it is easy to take out the sheet bundle in the state of FIG. 13B in which the stacking stopper 310 is moving to the downstream side.
However, if it is attempted to take out the sheet bundle in the state of FIG. 13A still stopped on the upstream side, it is difficult to take out the sheet bundle. However, as described above, the stacking stopper 310 is configured so that the tilting member 313 tilts to the downstream side, so that even in the state shown in FIG. Can be taken out.

The sheet stacking device of the above embodiment has an advantage that the stacking stopper is inclined to the downstream side in the sheet discharging direction, and the sheet bundle can be easily taken out from the stacking tray. In particular, when a large number of sheet bundles are stacked on a stacking tray having a small sheet stacking area, the above advantage can be greatly exerted.

In the above description, the loading tray 32
Is configured to stack a bound sheet bundle, but a large number of sheets are stacked in a bundle. Examples of the sheet include plain paper and a thin resin sheet which is a substitute for plain paper.

[0080]

According to the sheet stacking apparatus with the tilted sheet receiver of the present invention, the sheet receiving means can be tilted at least to the downstream side in the sheet discharging direction, so that the sheet bundle can be easily taken out from the sheet stacking means. be able to.

In particular, in a sheet stacking apparatus in which many sheets are stacked on a sheet stacking unit having a small sheet stacking area, the sheet receiving means can be tilted at least to the downstream side in the sheet discharging direction, so that the sheets are stacked from above the sheet stacking means. It has an enormous effect that it can be easily taken out.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front sectional view of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a transport drive system of the sheet post-processing apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a stacking stopper showing a state in which a tilting member is tilted to a downstream side in a sheet bundle discharging direction when a sheet bundle is taken out in the sheet stacking device of FIG. 4; (A) It is a front schematic diagram of a sheet stacking apparatus. (B) It is a perspective view of a loading stopper.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the sheet stacking device of FIG. 5 in a state where a tilting member of a stacking stopper is tilted to an upstream side in a sheet bundle discharging direction.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a loading stopper according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a loading stopper according to another embodiment. (A) is a state diagram when no external force is acting. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state where a part is tilted to the downstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction. FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a state where a part is tilted to the upstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a loading stopper according to another embodiment. (A) is a state diagram when no external force is acting. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state where a part is tilted to the downstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction. FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a state where a part is tilted to the upstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a loading stopper according to another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a loading stopper according to another embodiment. (A) is a state diagram when no external force is acting. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state where the entire stacking stopper is tilted to the downstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction. FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a state where the entire stacking stopper is tilted to the upstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a loading stopper according to another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a loading stopper according to another embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the stacking stopper is stopped on the upstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a state where the stacking stopper has moved to the downstream side in the sheet bundle discharging direction.

14 is a plan view of a moving mechanism that moves the loading stopper of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 S sheet D original 2 sheet post-processing device 32 stacking tray (discharge sheet stacking means) 35 sheet holding arm (sheet holding means) 43 moving mechanism (moving means) 50 sheet bending device (sheet bending means) 55 sheet stacking device 310 stacking stopper (Sheet receiving means) 311 Base member 311c Opposing part 312 Coil spring (elastic member) 313 Tilt member 313c Opposing part 320 Loading stopper (sheet receiving means) 330 Loading stopper (sheet receiving means) 331 Base member 332 Intermediate torsion (intermediate elasticity) 333 Intermediate inclining member 334 Upper torsion (upper elastic member) 335 Upper inclining member 350 Stacking stopper (sheet receiving means) 350a Weak body 350b Inclining section 350c Base 360 Loading stopper (sheet receiving section) 361 Inclining member 361a Opposing portion 362 Coil spring (elastic member) 362a Opposing portion 370 Stacking stopper (sheet receiving means) 371 Elastic member 371a Base 900 Device body 902 Image forming section (image forming means) 903 Copy machine (image forming) apparatus)

Claims (15)

[Claims] A discharge sheet stacking means on which the discharged sheets are stacked; and a sheet catching means provided on the discharge sheet stacking means so as to be tiltable at least to a downstream side between an upstream side and a downstream side in a sheet discharging direction. Means, and a sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver. 2. The sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to claim 1, wherein the sheet receiving means can tilt upward from an intermediate portion in a vertical direction. 3. The sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to claim 1, wherein the sheet receiving means is tiltable from a base. 4. The sheet receiving means includes: a base member provided on the discharged sheet stacking means; and a tilting member connected to the base member by an elastic member and tiltably provided at an upper end of the base member. Having the tilting member,
3. The sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member can return from the tilted state to the original standing state. 5. The sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to claim 4, wherein the elastic member is provided between facing portions of the base member and the tilting member. 6. The sheet receiving means includes a base member provided on the discharged sheet stacking means, and an intermediate tilting member connected to the base member by an intermediate elastic member and tiltably provided at an upper end of the base member. And an upper tilting member connected to the intermediate tilting member by an upper elastic member and tiltably provided at an upper end of the intermediate tilting member,
One of the intermediate elastic member and the upper elastic member is provided on the upstream side in the sheet discharging direction, and the other is provided on the downstream side, and the intermediate tilting member and the upper tilting member are provided by the intermediate elastic member. The tilting sheet according to claim 1, wherein the tilting sheet can be returned to an original standing state from the tilting state, and the upper tilting member can be returned to the original standing state from the tilting state by the upper elastic member. Receiving sheet loading device. 7. The sheet receiving means is an elastic member erected on the discharge stacking means, and a weak portion is formed at an intermediate portion of the elastic member in the up-down direction, and the inclined portion above the weak portion is provided. The sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to claim 1, wherein a tilting amount of the tilting sheet is greater than a tilting amount of the base portion below the weakened portion. 8. The sheet receiving means includes a tilting member connected to the discharge sheet stacking means by an elastic member and provided to be tiltable to the discharge sheet stacking means,
2. The tilting member is capable of returning from a tilted state to an original standing state by the elastic member.
Or the sheet stacking device with the tilted sheet receiver according to 3. 9. The sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to claim 8, wherein the elastic member is provided between a facing portion of the tilting member and the discharge sheet stacking means. 10. The sheet receiving means is an elastic member provided upright on the discharge stacking means, and the elastic member can be tilted from a base.
Or the sheet stacking device with the tilted sheet receiver according to 3. 11. A moving means provided on the discharged sheet stacking means and capable of moving downstream in the sheet discharging direction as the sheets are stacked on the discharged sheet stacking means, wherein the sheet receiving means comprises: 11. The moving device according to claim 1, wherein the moving device is provided.
The sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to any one of the preceding claims. 12. The tilted sheet receiver according to claim 1, further comprising a sheet presser for pressing the sheet stacked on the discharge sheet stacker from above. Sheet loading device. 13. A sheet folding means for folding the sheet, and loading the folded sheet.
2. A sheet post-processing device, comprising: the sheet stacking device with the tilted sheet receiver according to any one of 2. 14. The tilted sheet receiver according to claim 1, wherein an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet, and the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit are stacked. An image forming apparatus comprising: 15. An image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, a sheet folding means for folding the sheet, and loading the folded sheet.
2. An image forming apparatus, comprising: the sheet stacking device with a tilted sheet receiver according to any one of 2.