JP2004043169A - Paper sheet turning over device and opening/closing shaft mounting mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper sheet turning over device and an opening/closing shaft mounting mechanism capable of mounting a knob on a shaft easily and surely and improving the workability when mounting the shaft. <P>SOLUTION: The shaft 5 is provided with a notch groove 5d and a stopper 5e projected outside the notch groove 5d. A hook 5f projected further outside and having a tapered section on its tip side is formed at the tip section of the stopper 5e. In this constitution, the operator can maintain such a state that the shaft 5 is moved toward a spring 6 in the axial direction (the Y direction) resisting against the spring 6 by hooking the hook 5f of the stopper 5e on a support rib 41c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is used when two-sided printing is performed by an image forming apparatus, and a sheet surface reversing device that supplies a target medium having one side printed thereon to the image forming apparatus again by reversing the side of the target medium. And a shaft mounting mechanism for opening and closing used in a device having a lid that can be opened and closed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer widely used, an apparatus having a double-sided printing mechanism for printing on both sides of a target medium (hereinafter, referred to as printing paper) such as printing paper is known. Such an image forming apparatus has a double-sided printing mechanism inside, so that the apparatus has been increased in size. For this reason, a paper surface reversing device for realizing double-sided printing by connecting to an image forming device as needed, and an image forming device corresponding thereto have been developed.
[0003]
In such a paper surface reversing device 1, a cover 4 that forms a transport path for transporting print paper together with a main body side frame is attached to the main body. As shown in FIG. 7, the cover 4 is provided with a lid 42 that can be opened and closed on the front surface of a cover body 41. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of support ribs 41c are formed on the cover body 41, and the shaft 5 for locking the closed lid 42 is attached to the support rib 41c so as to be movable in the axial direction. . Holes 41d into which the shaft 5 is inserted are formed in the support portion of the support ribs 41c located on both sides of the plurality of support ribs 41c so that the shaft 5 does not come off.
[0004]
The shaft 5 has a locking projection 5a projecting in the vertical direction and having a hook 5b at the tip. The hook 5b is hooked into a locking hole (not shown) provided in the lid 42, so that the lid 42 is hooked. It is locked. Further, the shaft 5 is formed with a notch groove 5d, and a stopper 5e projecting outside the notch groove 5d is formed. When the shaft 5 moves a predetermined distance in the axial direction, the stopper 5e restricts the shaft 5 from moving further in the axial direction due to the tip end contacting the support rib 41c.
[0005]
At one end of the shaft 5, a stepped portion 5c having a smaller diameter than other portions is formed, and a spring 6 is fitted on the stepped portion 5c. On the other hand, the other end of the shaft 5 is provided with a knob 7 that is engaged from the inside of the cover main body 41 into a knob hole 41e provided in the cover main body 41. The shaft 5 is locked by the knob 7 in a state where the shaft 5 is urged toward the axial knob 7 (X direction shown in FIG. 8) by the spring 6. With such a configuration, when the knob 7 is pressed from the outside of the cover main body 41, the shaft 5 moves toward the axial spring 6 (the Y direction shown in FIG. 8), and the hook 5b caught in the locking hole comes off. The lid 42 is opened.
[0006]
Next, a procedure for attaching the shaft 5, the spring 6, and the knob 7 to the cover main body 41 will be described. First, the shaft 5 is inserted through the knob hole 41e of the cover main body 41 from the end of the stepped portion 5c side, and the shaft 5 is moved in the axial direction (Y direction shown in FIG. 8) through the hole 41d of the support rib 41c on the knob hole 41e side. ). Next, after the spring 6 is fitted onto the stepped portion 5c, the end on the stepped portion 5c side is inserted into the hole 41d of the support rib 41c opposite to the knob hole 41e. Then, in a state where the stopper 5e is elastically deformed by pushing the stopper 5e by a finger toward the cut groove 5d, the shaft 5 is moved toward the axial spring 6 (Y direction shown in FIG. 8) against the spring 6, and the stopper 5e is passed through the hole 41d of the support rib 41c on the knob hole 41e side. The knob 7 is fitted into the end of the shaft 5 using the space between the end of the shaft 5 and the knob hole 41e generated in this state. Thereafter, the operator moves the shaft 5 toward the axial knob 7 (X direction shown in FIG. 8), and engages the knob 7 with the knob hole 41e of the cover main body 41. In this manner, the shaft 5 is attached so that the shaft 5 can be moved in the axial direction by pressing the knob 7 from outside the cover main body 41.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above configuration, when the knob 7 is fitted into the end of the shaft 5, the operator moves the shaft 5 toward the axial spring 6 (the Y direction shown in FIG. 8) against the spring 6. Must be maintained. Here, since a relatively strong spring 6 having a free length of about 30.5 mm and a spring constant of about 0.67 N / mm is used, a burden is imposed on the operator. Further, since the force pushed back by the spring 6 is strong, the knob 7 cannot be fitted well, and the work is difficult.
[0008]
By the way, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-307074 discloses a mounting mechanism of a lid opening spring in an apparatus having a lid. This lid opening spring mounting mechanism is provided with a hook-shaped temporary fixing projection for temporarily fixing an arm on one side of the spring when the lid is attached, on the device body side. A configuration is provided in which a pressing projection is provided to press the arm of the spring by closing the lid to remove it from the temporary fixing projection, and to close the lid to release the arm of the spring from the temporary fixing projection and lock it in the proper position. Have been. In this way, the number of man-hours at the time of mounting the spring and the mounting failure of the spring are reduced.
[0009]
However, the mounting mechanism of the lid opening spring has a problem in mounting the lid opening spring, and also has a different configuration. Therefore, when the knob 7 is fitted to the end of the shaft 5 as described above. The problem cannot be solved.
[0010]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a sheet surface reversing device and an opening / closing device capable of easily and securely attaching a knob to a shaft and improving workability at the time of attaching the shaft. It is an object to provide a shaft mounting mechanism.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a sheet-side reversing device according to the present invention, when performing double-sided printing by an image forming apparatus, converts a target medium supplied after printing on one side into a surface of the target medium. In the paper surface reversing device for reversing and supplying the image medium to the image forming apparatus again, the paper reversing device has a lid portion that is freely opened and closed, and is mounted on the main body of the apparatus and forms a transport path for transporting the target medium together with the main body side frame. A shaft having a stopper for locking the lid to the cover to be formed, releasing the lock by moving in the axial direction, and restricting the movement of the shaft in the axial direction by a predetermined distance; Attached to one end of the shaft, the cover has an edge having a larger diameter than the knob hole provided in the cover body and a central portion having a smaller diameter than the knob hole. A knob fitted with a central portion, and a spring attached to the other end of the shaft and biasing the shaft toward the knob in the axial direction. The stopper of the shaft resists the shaft against the spring. In this state, a hook is provided for engaging a rib provided on the cover body.
[0012]
According to such a configuration, when attaching the knob between one end of the shaft and the knob hole of the cover body, the operator moves the shaft to the opposite side of the axial knob against the spring, and The hook can be hooked on a rib provided on the cover body to lock the shaft. This eliminates the need for the operator to maintain the state in which the shaft has been moved to the side opposite to the axial knob in a state where the shaft is opposed to the spring, so that the knob can be easily and reliably attached to the shaft.
[0013]
In addition, the opening / closing shaft mounting mechanism according to the present invention locks a lid that is openably and closably mounted on the main body, and releases the locking by moving in the axial direction, and attaches the shaft to one end of the shaft. A knob that is fitted into the knob hole provided in the main body from the inside of the main body, and a spring that is attached to the other end of the shaft and biases the shaft toward the knob in the axial direction. And a locking portion is provided on the shaft for locking the shaft against the spring in a state where the shaft is opposed to the spring.
[0014]
According to such a configuration, when attaching the knob between one end of the shaft and the knob hole of the cover main body, the operator moves the shaft to the opposite side of the axial knob against the spring, and The locking portion can be hooked on a rib provided on the cover body to lock the shaft. This eliminates the need for the operator to maintain the state in which the shaft has been moved to the side opposite to the axial knob in a state where the shaft is opposed to the spring, so that the knob can be easily and reliably attached to the shaft.
[0015]
Further, it is preferable that the locking portion is a hook provided on a stopper provided on the shaft for limiting movement in an axial direction at a predetermined distance. In this case, it is not necessary to separately provide a locking portion on the shaft, and it is only necessary to change the shape of the stopper.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a cover mounted on a main body of an embodiment of a paper surface reversing device to which an opening / closing shaft mounting mechanism according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. It is a schematic explanatory diagram for showing. Hereinafter, the sheet surface reversing device will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components as those in FIGS. 7 and 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The paper surface reversing device 1 is installed and used below the image forming apparatus 20 as shown in FIG. 6, and mainly includes a standby unit 3 that waits for the printing paper T, and a printing paper T supplied from the image forming apparatus 20. , Which is a transport path for transporting the printing paper T from the standby section 3 to the image forming apparatus 20, and a standby path from which the transport path A is transported. There is provided a reversing means (not shown) for reversing the surface of the printing paper T by carrying out the printing paper T to the carry-out path B with the rear end of the printing paper T when transported to the unit 3 as a leading end.
[0017]
In the sheet surface reversing device 1, the printing sheet T supplied from the image forming apparatus 20 is conveyed to the standby unit 3 through the carry-in path A, temporarily stopped, and waits. The printing paper T once stopped in the standby unit 3 is supplied again from the standby unit 3 to the image forming apparatus 20 through the unloading path B, with the rear end when transported to the standby unit 3 as the head. The paper surface reversing device 1 reverses the surface of the printing paper T by feeding the printing paper T in this manner, and supplies the same to the image forming apparatus 20 again.
[0018]
The carry-in path A is formed by a body-side frame (not shown) and a cover 4 attached to the body 2. The cover 4 is made of, for example, PC (polycarbonate) + ABS resin or the like. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of protrusions 41a having holes 41b are provided on the upper inside of the cover main body 41. On the other hand, convex portions 42a are provided on both side ends of the upper portion of the lid portion 42, as shown in FIG. The lid 42 is adapted to rotate around the convex 42a to open and close by fitting the convex 42a into the hole 41b of the cover main body 41. A plurality of ribs 42b are protruded from the inside of the lid portion 42 from inside, and two of the ribs 42b are provided with locking holes 42c.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a plurality of support ribs 41c for supporting the shaft 5 for locking the closed lid portion 42 are formed in the lower portion of the inside of the cover main body 41. Of the support ribs 41c located on both sides, a hole 41d into which the shaft 5 is inserted is formed to support the shaft 5 so as not to come off. The shaft 5 is attached so as to be axially movable on the support rib 41c while being inserted into the holes 41d of the support ribs 41c located on both sides. Further, a knob hole 41e is formed at a position corresponding to the support rib 41c in a lower portion of the side surface of the cover main body 41.
[0020]
The shaft 5 is made of, for example, an ABS resin and has a T-shaped cross section. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shaft 5 has a locking projection 5a projecting vertically above the T-shape and having a hook 5b at the tip at a position corresponding to the locking hole 42c of the lid 42. Two are formed. The hook 5b of the locking projection 5a locks the lid 42 by being hooked on the locking hole 42c.
[0021]
At one end of the shaft 5, a stepped portion 5c having a smaller diameter than other portions is formed, and a spring 6 is fitted on the stepped portion 5c. On the other hand, the other end of the shaft 5 is provided with a knob 7 that is engaged with the knob hole 41e from inside the cover main body 41. As shown in FIG. 2, the knob 7 has an edge portion 7a having a larger diameter than the knob hole 41e and a central portion 7b having a smaller diameter. Is formed. That is, the knob 7 has the concave portion 7c fitted into the shaft 5, the central portion 7b is fitted into the knob hole 41e from the inside of the cover main body, and is locked to the side surface of the cover main body by the edge 7a. The shaft 5 is locked by the knob 7 in a state where the shaft 5 is urged by the spring 6 toward the axial knob 7 (X direction shown in FIG. 1).
[0022]
Near the other end of the shaft 5, a cut groove 5d and a stopper 5e protruding outside the cut groove 5d are formed. A hook 5f that projects further outward and has a taper on the tip side is formed at the tip of the stopper 5e. When the shaft 5 moves a predetermined distance in the axial direction, the stopper 5e restricts the distal end portion from contacting the support rib 41c of the cover body 41 so that the shaft 5 does not move further in the axial direction.
[0023]
By pressing the knob 7 from the outside of the cover main body 41 with the above configuration, the shaft 5 moves toward the axial spring 6 (Y direction shown in FIG. 1), and the hook 5b caught in the locking hole 42c is moved. The lid 42 is opened. When the lid 42 is closed, the hook 5b of the shaft 5 is pushed by the rib 42b of the lid 42, and once the shaft 5 moves to the axial spring 6 side (Y direction shown in FIG. 1), the lid 42 The shaft 5 returns to the axial knob 7 side (the X direction shown in FIG. 1) when the hooking hole 42c reaches the position of the hook 5b, and the hook 5b is hooked on the hooking hole 42c to lock the lid 42. It has become.
[0024]
Next, a procedure for attaching the shaft 5, the spring 6, and the knob 7 to the cover main body 41 will be described.
First, the shaft 5 is inserted through the knob hole 41e of the cover main body 41 from the end on the stepped portion 5c side, and the shaft 5 is axially moved through the hole of the support rib 41c on the knob hole 41e side (Y direction shown in FIG. 1). Move to Next, after the spring 6 is fitted onto the stepped portion 5c, the end on the stepped portion 5c side is inserted into the hole 41d of the support rib 41c opposite to the knob hole 41e. Then, the worker pushes the stopper 5e from the normal state as shown in FIG. 3A to the cut groove 5d with a finger to elastically deform as shown in FIG. Then, the shaft 5 is moved toward the axial spring 6 (Y direction shown in FIG. 1), and the stopper 5e is passed through the hole 41d of the support rib 41c on the knob hole 41e side. At this time, the hook 5f of the stopper 5e is hooked on the support rib 41c as shown in FIG. 3C so that the shaft 5 does not return to the axial knob 7 side (X direction shown in FIG. 1) by the force of the spring 6. To lock. The knob 7 is fitted into the end of the shaft 5 using the space between the end of the shaft 5 and the knob hole 41e generated in this state. Thereafter, the operator pushes the stopper 5e toward the cut groove 5d to elastically deform the hook 5f of the stopper 5e from the support rib 41c, and moves the shaft 5 toward the axial knob 7 (X direction shown in FIG. 1). Then, the knob 7 is engaged with the knob hole 41e of the cover main body 41. In this manner, the shaft 5 is attached so that the shaft 5 can be moved in the axial direction by pressing the knob 7 from outside the cover main body 41.
[0025]
As described above, since the hook 5f projecting outward is formed at the distal end of the stopper 5e, when the knob 7 is fitted into the end of the shaft 5, the operator can oppose the spring 6 to prevent the shaft 5 from moving. Is moved to the axial spring 6 side (Y direction shown in FIG. 1), and then the hook 5f of the stopper 5e is hooked on the support rib 41c to thereby move the shaft 5 to the axial spring 6 side (Y direction shown in FIG. 1). Can be maintained. This eliminates the need for the operator to maintain the state in which the shaft 5 has been moved against the spring 6, and can reduce the burden on the operator. Further, since the operator can use both hands, the knob 7 can be easily and securely fitted to the shaft 5.
[0026]
In this embodiment, the case where the opening / closing shaft mounting mechanism is applied to the paper surface reversing device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to an openable and closable lid of a printer device, and can also be applied to a device having a similar openable and closable lid.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the paper surface reversing device according to the present invention, since the hook projecting outward is formed at the tip of the stopper, the knob is placed between one end of the shaft and the knob hole of the cover body. At the time of mounting, the operator can lock the shaft by moving the shaft to the opposite side of the axial knob against the spring, and hooking the hook of the stopper on the rib provided on the cover body. This eliminates the need for the operator to maintain the state in which the shaft has been moved against the spring, thereby reducing the burden on the operator. Further, since the operator can use both hands, the knob can be easily and securely fitted to the shaft, and the workability at the time of mounting the shaft can be improved.
[0028]
Further, in the opening / closing shaft mounting mechanism according to the present invention, since the locking portion for locking the shaft against the spring is provided on the shaft, the knob is connected to one end of the shaft and the cover main body. When mounting between the knob hole of the shaft, the operator moves the shaft to the opposite side of the axial knob against the spring, and hooks the locking portion of the shaft on the rib provided on the cover body, thereby obtaining the shaft. Can be locked. This eliminates the need for the operator to maintain the state in which the shaft has been moved against the spring, thereby reducing the burden on the operator. Further, since the operator can use both hands, the knob can be easily and securely fitted to the shaft, and the workability at the time of mounting the shaft can be improved.
[0029]
Further, when the locking portion is a hook provided on a stopper for limiting movement in an axial direction provided on the shaft at a predetermined distance, there is no need to separately provide a locking portion on the shaft. Since it is only necessary to change the shape, it can be easily realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a cover mounted on a main body of an embodiment of a paper surface reversing device to which an opening / closing shaft mounting mechanism according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a shaft and a knob attached to the cover.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams when a knob is attached to a shaft; FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a state before attachment; FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a state in which a stopper is elastically deformed; FIG. The cover part 42 is provided with the convex part 42a.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cover body of the cover.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cover of the cover.
FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view showing the installation and operation of the paper surface reversing device.
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the sheet surface reversing device.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a cover mounted on a main body of a conventional paper surface reversing device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper surface reversing device 2 Main body 3 Standby part 4 Cover 41 Cover main body 41c Support rib 41e Knob hole 42 Lid 5 Shaft 5e Stopper 5f Hook 6 Spring 7 Knob 20 Image forming apparatus T Printing paper (target medium)
A Loading route (transport route)

Claims (4)

When performing double-sided printing by the image forming apparatus, the target medium supplied after printing on one side, in a sheet surface reversing device for reversing the surface of the target medium and supplying the image forming apparatus again,
A cover that has a lid portion that is openably and closably attached to a cover that is attached to the apparatus main body and forms a transport path for transporting the target medium together with the main body side frame,
A shaft having a stopper for locking the lid and releasing the lock by movement in the axial direction, and restricting movement of the shaft in the axial direction at a predetermined distance,
Attached to one end of the shaft, the cover has an edge having a larger diameter than a knob hole provided in a cover body of the cover, and a central portion having a smaller diameter than the knob hole. And a knob to which is fitted
A spring attached to the other end of the shaft and biasing the shaft toward the knob in the axial direction;
A paper surface reversing device, wherein a hook for locking the shaft against a rib provided on the cover body in a state where the shaft is opposed to the spring is provided on a stopper of the shaft. A shaft that locks a lid that is openably and closably attached to the main body, and releases the lock by moving in an axial direction;
A knob attached to one end of the shaft and fitted into a knob hole provided in the main body from the inside of the main body,
A spring attached to the other end of the shaft and biasing the shaft toward the knob in the axial direction;
An opening / closing shaft mounting mechanism, wherein a locking portion for locking the shaft to the body in a state where the shaft is opposed to the spring is provided on the shaft. The opening / closing shaft mounting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the locking portion is a hook provided on a stopper provided on the shaft for limiting movement in an axial direction at a predetermined distance. 4. The lock according to claim 2, wherein when the knob is attached between one end of the shaft and the knob hole, the shaft is locked to the main body by the locking portion in a state where the shaft is opposed to the spring. 2. The opening / closing shaft mounting mechanism according to 1.

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