JP2006153910A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent damage or deformation due to collision between a projection shape part of a drawer unit and the lower end part of a cover part when the drawer unit is drawn out, by a simple and inexpensive mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: Since the image forming apparatus is provided with a drawer cushioning guide part 17 which is arranged near the lower end part 12a of the cover part 12 and can smoothly receive interference of the projection shape part 10 of the drawer unit 6 so that the projection shape part 10 does not interfere with the lower end part 12a when the drawer unit 6 is drawn out, the projection shape part 10 preferentially and smoothly interferes with the drawer cushioning guide part 17 in drawing out the drawer unit 6, then, interference with the lower end part 12a is prevented. Consequently damage or deformation due to collision between the projection shape part 10 and the lower end part 12a can be easily and inexpensively prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a laser beam printer, and an ink jet printer.

  In recent years, there has been a remarkable spread of copiers, printers, and the like, and they have been designed in accordance with various demands such as downsizing, upgrading, and multifunctional functions. At this time, a drawer device that can be pulled out with respect to the apparatus main body, such as a paper feed cassette, is often provided, but due to structural or design reasons, there are many restrictions on the relationship between other members and parts. Therefore, various countermeasures have been proposed and implemented (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-328661 JP-A-6-250457 JP 7-13391 A

  Here, as an example of this type of image forming apparatus, a drawing device that can be pulled out with respect to the apparatus main body, for example, a paper feeding cassette is provided, and the upper part of the paper feeding cassette is in front of the drawing direction, specifically, There are cover parts that are positioned on the front surface of the apparatus main body and can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body, for example, a manual feed tray. Here, the manual feed tray is provided so as to be openable and closable with the lower end side as a pivot point in terms of its function. In addition, the lower end near the pivot point protrudes downward at a predetermined angle in order to provide a stopper function for defining the opening amount (angle) of the manual feed tray with a simple structure and stabilizing it in the open state. In addition to having a protruding structure that abuts against the restricting portion when the opening is opened, a space is secured for ensuring the rotation of the protruding structure. On the other hand, on the paper cassette side, the stoppers for preventing the paper cassette from being pulled out are formed as protrusions on both the left and right sides of the upper edge on the back side. In some cases, the retaining stopper is locked to the restricting portion in the main body of the apparatus to prevent it from being pulled out by about half.For example, the locked state is released by lifting the front side of the paper feed cassette. When the paper cassette is pulled out to the near side, the paper feed cassette can be completely pulled out from the apparatus main body. Such a drawn-out state makes it easier to set a new recording sheet in the paper feed cassette.

  However, in the case of such a configuration, in consideration of functional points such as unlocking of the stopper for removing the sheet cassette stopper, smoothness of the drawer operation, etc. Has vertical play. At this time, on the manual feed tray side, the lower end portion of the protruding structure having a stopper function is exposed in an open space around the rotation fulcrum. Therefore, when a drawer operation that lifts the paper cassette with backlash in the vertical direction and pulls it out to the front as it is, the stopper comes into contact with the lower end of the manual feed tray (the protruding structure), It may be damaged. In this case, both the stopper and the protruding structure are provided with a stopper function, and even if any of them is deformed or damaged, the respective functions are impaired, so some measures are required.

  In this respect, for example, in Patent Document 1, in a pullable recording unit housing provided with a cartridge detaching device, a cover is attached so as to cover the upper side of the cartridge detaching device, so that the recording unit housing can be smoothly inserted and removed. I can do it. However, if such a cover is attached to a drawer device having a maintenance function, it involves an operation of opening and closing the cover at the time of maintenance, which is cumbersome and does not solve the problem of the case as described above.

  In the case of Patent Document 2, the drawing device includes a stopper (protrusion-shaped portion), and this stopper provides a rotation function, a movement function, a fixing function, a release function, and the like. It is described that buffering can be reduced. However, if the stopper (protrusion-shaped portion) on the drawer side is provided with a function for avoiding collision and avoiding interference, the mechanism becomes complicated. In addition, there are usually a plurality of such stoppers (projection-shaped portions), which are provided for each stopper, resulting in high costs.

  Further, in the case of Patent Document 3, it is proposed to use an elastic body as a method for avoiding interference between components. However, when the elastic body is simply used, if the collision between the part and the elastic body is severe due to abnormal operation or the like, there is a problem that the elastic body bends or breaks. Is not the fundamental solution.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent a damage / deformation due to a collision between a projection-shaped portion and a lower end portion on the cover part side with a simple and low-cost mechanism when the drawer device is pulled out.

  Moreover, it aims at achieving the said objective, without impairing external appearance property.

  Furthermore, it aims at achieving the said objective more reliably.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an apparatus main body incorporating a mechanism part involved in image formation, a drawing apparatus provided so as to be drawable with respect to the apparatus main body, and having a protrusion-shaped part at a part of the upper edge part, Opening and closing with respect to the apparatus main body with the lower end side set at a position above the drawing apparatus and in front of the drawing direction and capable of interfering with the projection-shaped part when the drawing apparatus is drawn out. A cover part provided movably and an interference between the protrusion-shaped part provided in the vicinity of the lower end part of the cover part so that the protrusion-shaped part does not interfere with the lower end part when the drawer device is pulled out. A drawer buffer guide portion that receives smoothly.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the drawing buffer guide portion covers the vicinity of the lower end portion of the cover part from the lower side to the rear side in the drawing direction of the drawing device. It is comprised by the member which has such a smooth guide shape.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the drawer buffer guide portion is smooth so as to cover only a rear portion in the drawer direction of the drawer device with respect to the vicinity of the lower end portion of the cover part. It is comprised by the member which has a various guide shape.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the drawer buffer guide portion is configured by a member having a smooth guide shape that is provided directly to the lower end portion of the cover part. Yes.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the drawer buffer guide portion is configured by a member having a smooth guide shape that covers the vicinity of the lower end portion of the cover component, and It is slidably provided while being urged from the rear side in the drawing direction of the drawing device toward the front side in the drawing direction.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the drawer buffer guide portion is provided so as to be rotatable at a rearward position in the drawer direction of the drawer device with respect to the vicinity of the lower end portion of the cover part. It is comprised by the roller-shaped member made.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the drawer buffer guide portion is configured by a roller-like member that is provided directly with respect to the lower end portion of the cover part and is rotatable. Yes.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the drawing device is a paper feed cassette that stores recording paper, and the protrusion-shaped portion is a portion of the paper feed cassette. The stopper is a retaining stopper that regulates the position in the pull-out direction, the cover component is a manual feed tray, and the lower end has a stopper shape that regulates the opening position of the manual feed tray.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the drawer buffer is provided near the lower end portion of the cover part and smoothly receives the interference of the projection shape portion so that the projection shape portion does not interfere with the lower end portion when the drawer device is pulled out. Since the guide portion is provided, when the drawer device is pulled out, the projection-shaped portion preferentially smoothly interferes with the drawer buffer guide portion to prevent interference with the lower end portion. Damage and deformation can be prevented easily and at low cost.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a member having a smooth guide shape that covers the vicinity of the lower end of the cover part from the lower side to the rear in the pulling direction of the pulling device is used as the pulling buffer guide. Thus, the invention of claim 1 can be easily realized.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is easy to use only a member having a smooth guide shape that covers only the rear portion of the drawing device in the drawing direction with respect to the vicinity of the lower end of the cover component as the drawing buffer guide portion. In addition, the drawer buffer guide portion is hidden behind the cover part, and the appearance shape of the image forming apparatus when viewed from the front is not impaired. .

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the invention according to the first aspect can be realized simply by using a member having a smooth guide shape that is provided directly with respect to the lower end portion of the cover part as the drawer buffer guide portion. Since the drawer buffer guide part is directly provided at the lower end part of the cover part, it is possible to reliably prevent the protrusion-shaped part due to the collision with the lower end part and damage / deformation of the lower end part, Further, the drawer buffer guide portion is hidden behind the cover part, and the appearance shape when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front is not impaired.

  According to invention of Claim 5, it comprises by the member which has a smooth guide shape which covers the lower end part vicinity of a cover component as a drawer buffer guide part, and it is the drawer direction front side from the drawer direction rear side of the drawer device. The invention according to claim 1 can be easily realized by being urged toward and slidable, and a gap is not always formed between the drawer buffer guide portion and the lower end portion. It is possible to reliably prevent damage / deformation of the projection-shaped part and the lower end part due to collision with the upper end, and furthermore, since the lower end part is not used as the drawer buffer guide part, the shape of the lower end part can be freely set Can do.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the drawer buffer guide portion is constituted by a roller-like member that is provided at a rear position in the drawer direction of the drawer device with respect to the vicinity of the lower end portion of the cover part. In addition, the invention according to claim 1 can be realized, and since it is a rotatable roller-like member, the load at the time of pulling out can be reduced.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the drawer buffer guide portion is constituted by a roller-like member that is provided directly with respect to the lower end portion of the cover part and is rotatable. In addition to being able to be realized, since it is a rotatable roller-like member, it can reduce the load when it is pulled out, and furthermore, since it is provided directly at the lower end, it has a protrusion shape due to collision with the lower end It is possible to reliably prevent damage and deformation of the lower and lower end portions.

  According to the invention of claim 8, when the drawer device has a paper feed cassette, the protruding shape portion has a stopper for stopper, the cover part has a manual feed tray, and the lower end portion has a stopper shape for regulating the opening position of the manual feed tray, The inventions of claims 1 to 7 can be preferably applied.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment shows an application example to a laser printer as an image forming apparatus, here a full-color laser printer, FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an external configuration of the laser printer, and FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal section showing an internal structure thereof. It is a side view.

  In the laser printer of the present embodiment, Y, M, C.I. K drum-shaped photoconductor 2 for each color, electrophotographic process member disposed around the photoconductor 2, optical writing unit 3 for irradiating a laser beam for forming an electrostatic latent image, and on each photoconductor 2 Built-in mechanisms for image formation, such as an intermediate transfer belt 4 for transferring each color toner image formed to the recording paper P, a fixing device 5 for fixing the recording paper P to which the toner image has been transferred, and the like. Has been. Here, the paper feed / conveyance path of the recording paper P with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 4 is set in a substantially vertical direction on the front side in the apparatus main body 1. A paper feed cassette 6 for feeding the paper by a paper feed roller 5 or the like is provided at the lowest position of the apparatus main body 1 so as to be able to be pulled out toward the front. That is, in the present embodiment, the paper feed cassette 6 serves as a drawer device, and can be pulled out in the front-rear direction of the apparatus main body 1 by a well-known rail mechanism (not shown).

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a single structure of the paper feed cassette 6. The paper feed cassette 6 mounts a plurality of recording papers P in a stacked state, and raises the bottom plate 7 so as to come into contact with the paper feed rollers 13a during the paper feeding operation, and the side fence 8 that aligns the width direction of the recording papers P. In addition, a rectangular box shape having end fences 9 for aligning the positions of the rear end portions is formed integrally with a stopper stopper 10 as a protruding shape portion at the rear end portions on both sides of the upper edge portion. The stopper stopper 10 is for temporarily stopping at that position by engaging with the stopper piece 11 in the apparatus main body 1 during the drawer operation of the paper feed cassette 6. It is formed in a triangular shape. Here, such a paper feed cassette 6 is provided so as to be freely drawn out with some degree of freedom in the vertical direction. For example, the retaining stopper 10 is locked to the stopper piece 11. However, by lifting the front side of the paper feed cassette 6 and releasing the locked state, it can be pulled out further toward the front side, and finally can be completely removed from the apparatus main body 1. Yes.

  On the other hand, a manual feed tray 12 serving as a cover component is located on the lower end 12a side of the apparatus main body 1 at a position above the storage position of the detachable paper feed cassette 6 and ahead of the drawing direction. It is provided so as to be able to open and close and rotate about a rotation fulcrum 13 set to. The manual feed tray 12 feeds the recording paper P toward the paper feed / conveyance path by the paper feed roller 14 instead of the paper feed cassette 6. Here, the lower end portion 12a of the manual feed tray 12 protrudes downward when the manual feed tray 12 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, for example, and the manual feed tray 12 is opened. In this case, it is formed so as to project into a stopper shape that regulates the opening amount (opening angle) by rotating and contacting the horizontal regulating portion 15 inside the apparatus body 1. That is, the lower end portion 12a has a structure having an acute-angled stopper shape portion whose back side is cut linearly, and a space for rotational displacement of the lower end portion 12a is secured around the lower end portion 12a.

  Here, the positional relationship between the lower end portion 12a and the stopper 10 of the paper feed cassette 6 will be described. Since the periphery of the lower end portion 12a is exposed as a space, the paper feed having backlash in the vertical direction is exposed. When the cassette 6 is pulled out and the sheet feeding cassette 6 is further lifted upward to release the stopper stopper 10 locked to the stopper piece 11 and further pull out, the stopper stopper 10 interferes with the lower end portion 12a. Therefore, there is a positional relationship that may cause a collision.

  FIG. 4 is a vertical side view showing the extracted characteristic portion of the present embodiment. Under the configuration as described above, in the present embodiment, the structure portion 16 in the apparatus main body 1 has a drawing buffer that smoothly receives the interference of the stopper stopper 10 instead of the lower end portion 12a when the sheet feeding cassette 6 is pulled out. A guide portion 17 is provided in the vicinity of the lower end portion 12a. More specifically, the drawer buffer guide portion 17 is a member having a smooth guide shape that covers the lower end portion 12a from below (directly below) the lower end portion 12a to the rear of the sheet feeding cassette 6 in the pulling direction. It is attached to the part 16. That is, when viewed from the paper feed cassette 6 side, the outer peripheral surface is composed of a smooth R-shaped portion 17a and a horizontal straight portion 17b continuous to the R-shaped portion 17a, and the lower end portion 12a is rotated on the inner side. Space is secured so as not to hinder.

  The behavior when the paper feed cassette 6 is completely pulled out from the apparatus main body 1 in such a configuration will be described. First, the case where there is no drawer buffer guide part 17 is assumed. In this case, when a drawer operation is performed such that the sheet cassette 6 having a backlash in the vertical direction is lifted upward and pulled out to the front as it is, the stopper stopper 10 collides with the lower end 12a of the manual feed tray 12, It may be damaged. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, since the drawer buffer guide portion 17 exists in the vicinity of the lower end portion 12a, when the paper cassette 6 is to be pulled out while being lifted forward, The stopper stopper 10 smoothly interferes (contacts) with the R-shaped portion 17a with little impact and descends slightly following the shape of the R-shaped portion 17a, and further interferes (contacts) with the linear portion 17b. It passes through the vicinity of the lower end portion 12a and is completely pulled out, and does not collide with the lower end portion 12a.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, when pulling out the paper feed cassette 6, the stopper stopper 10 preferentially smoothly interferes with the drawer buffer guide portion 17 to prevent interference with the lower end portion 12a. Therefore, breakage / deformation of the stopper stopper 10 and the lower end portion 12a can be prevented easily and at low cost. For this purpose, a member having a smooth guide shape covering the vicinity of the lower end portion 12a of the manual feed tray 12 from the lower side to the rear side in the drawing direction of the sheet feeding cassette 6 is used as the drawing buffer guide portion 17. Well, easy to implement.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Portions that are the same as or correspond to those shown in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is also omitted (the same applies to subsequent embodiments). FIG. 5 is a vertical side view showing the extracted characteristic portion of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, instead of the drawer buffer guide portion 17, a member having a smooth guide shape that covers only the rear portion in the drawer direction of the sheet feeding cassette 6 with respect to the vicinity of the lower end portion 12 a of the manual feed tray 12 is configured. Further, the drawer buffer guide portion 18 is provided in the structure portion 16. That is, in contrast with FIG. 4, the outer peripheral surface is a shape that leaves only a smooth R-shaped portion 17a.

  Also in such a configuration, when a drawer operation is performed such that the sheet cassette 6 with a backlash in the vertical direction is lifted upward and pulled out to the near side as it is, a drawer buffer guide with respect to the back side near the lower end portion 12a. Since the portion 18 exists, when the paper cassette 6 is lifted toward the front, the stopper stopper 10 smoothly interferes (contacts) the pull-out buffer guide portion 18 with little impact. Then, following the shape of the drawing buffer guide portion 18, it moves to the near side while descending slightly, and then is pulled out by exiting the vicinity of the lower end portion 12 a at the height position, and collides with the lower end portion 12 a. There is nothing.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. However, as the drawer buffer guide portion 18, the sheet feeding cassette 6 is rearward in the drawer direction with respect to the vicinity of the lower end portion 12 a of the manual feed tray 12. By simply using a member having a smooth guide shape that covers only the part, it can be easily realized, and furthermore, the drawer buffer guide part 18 is hidden behind the lower end part 12a of the manual feed tray 12, The appearance of the laser printer when viewed from the front is not impaired.

[Third embodiment]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal side view showing the extracted characteristic portion of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, instead of the drawer buffer guide portions 17 and 18, the drawer is provided directly on the lower end portion 12a of the manual feed tray 12 and is configured by a member having a smooth guide shape, here a slight R shape. The buffer guide portion 19 is provided at a position in the width direction corresponding to the stopper 10 of the paper feed cassette 6. Here, the restricting portion 15 on the structure portion 16 side is provided with a relief portion (not shown) so as not to interfere with the rotation operation on the manual feed tray 12 side for the portion corresponding to the drawer buffer guide portion 19. .

  Also in such a configuration, when a drawer operation is performed such that the sheet cassette 6 having a backlash in the vertical direction is lifted upward and pulled out to the front as it is, the lower end portion 12a has a drawer buffer guide portion on the back side. Since 19 exists directly, when the paper feed cassette 6 is pulled out while being lifted forward, the stopper stopper 10 smoothly interferes (contacts) with the drawer buffer guide portion 19 with little impact. Thus, following the shape of the drawing buffer guide part 19, it moves to the near side while descending a little downward, and then it is completely pulled out by pulling out the lower end of the lower end part 12 a at the height position, and collides with the lower end part 12 a. There is nothing.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments are obtained, but the lower end portion is provided as the drawer buffer guide portion 19 directly on the lower end portion 12a of the manual feed tray 12. It is possible to reliably prevent the stopper 10 and the lower end 12a from being damaged and deformed due to the collision with the 12a. Furthermore, the drawer buffer guide portion 19 is hidden behind the lower end portion 12a of the manual feed tray 12, and the appearance of the laser printer when viewed from the front is not impaired.

[Fourth embodiment]
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal side view showing the extracted characteristic portion of the present embodiment, FIG. 8 is a longitudinal side view when the manual feed tray is opened, and FIG. 9 is a configuration example of the drawer buffer guide portion of the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the perspective view.

  In the present embodiment, instead of the fixed withdrawal buffer guide portions 17, 18, and 19 as described above, a movable withdrawal buffer guide portion 20 is provided by a slide method. The drawer buffer guide portion 20 is formed in a reverse T-shape so as to cover the periphery of the lower end portion 12a while conforming to the shape of the lower end portion 12a, so that the guide shape is smooth so as to cover the vicinity of the lower end portion 12a. The drawer buffer guide portion 20 is attached to a lower cover part 21 that slidably holds in accordance with the drawer direction of the paper feed cassette 6. This lower cover component 21 is essentially attached to the structure 16 to cover the electrical system at the lower part of the structure 16, and is formed with a slit hole 22 into which the drawer buffer guide 20 is slidably inserted. ing. In addition, the drawer buffer guide portion 20 is slidable in the front-rear direction by making the long hole 24 long in the front-rear direction correspond to the mounting screw hole 23 on the lower cover component 21 side. Further, a compression spring 25 as an urging means is interposed between the drawer buffer guide part 20 and the lower cover part 21, so that the front side of the drawer buffer guide part 20 always abuts the back side of the lower end part 12a. It is so energized.

  Even in such a configuration, when the drawer operation is performed such that the sheet cassette 6 with the backlash in the vertical direction is lifted upward and pulled out to the front as it is, the drawer buffer guide portion 20 exists around the lower end portion 12a. Therefore, when the paper feed cassette 6 is pulled out while being lifted forward, the stopper stopper 10 smoothly interferes (contacts) with the drawer buffer guide portion 20 with little impact, thereby pulling out the buffer. Following the shape of the guide portion 20 and moving downward while slightly lowering, it is completely pulled out by pulling out the lower end of the drawer buffer guide portion 20 and does not collide with the lower end portion 12a. Here, in the present embodiment, since the drawer buffer guide portion 20 is slidably provided while being urged toward the front side, even if the manual feed tray 12 is in an opened state as shown in FIG. As the lower end portion 12a is rotated by the opening operation of the manual feed tray 12, the drawer buffer guide portion 20 slides to the back side against the compression spring 25 and maintains a state of covering the lower end portion 12a. Therefore, when the manual feed tray 12 is opened as shown in FIG. 8, the lower end portion 12 a is protected by the drawer buffer guide portion 20 and is subjected to the collision of the stopper stopper 10 even when the paper feed cassette 6 is pulled out. There is nothing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the drawer buffer guide portion 20 is configured by a member having a smooth guide shape that covers the vicinity of the lower end portion 12 a of the manual feed tray 12, and the sheet cassette 6 in the drawing direction rear side. In addition to being slidable by being urged toward the front side in the pulling direction, a clearance is not always generated between the pulling buffer guide portion 20 and the lower end portion 12a. It is possible to reliably prevent the stopper 10 and the lower end 12a from being damaged and deformed due to the collision with the portion 12a. Furthermore, since the lower end portion 12a is not used for the drawer buffer guide portion 20, the shape of the lower end portion 12a can be freely set.

[Fifth embodiment]
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing an extracted characteristic portion of the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, instead of the drawer buffer guide portion 18 shown in FIG. 4, a drawer buffer guide portion 26 made of a roller-like member is rotatably provided on the structure portion 16.

  Also in such a configuration, when a drawer operation is performed such that the sheet cassette 6 with a backlash in the vertical direction is lifted upward and pulled out to the near side as it is, a drawer buffer guide with respect to the back side near the lower end portion 12a. Since the portion 26 exists, when the paper cassette 6 is lifted toward the front, the stopper stopper 10 smoothly interferes (contacts) with the drawer buffer guide portion 26 with little impact. Thus, after the drawer buffer guide portion 26 is moved to the near side while rotating, the drawer buffer guide portion 26 is completely pulled out by exiting the vicinity of the lower end portion 12a at the lower end position of the drawer buffer guide portion 26, and collides with the lower end portion 12a. There is no.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as in the second embodiment can be obtained. However, since the drawer buffer guide portion 26 is a rotatable roller-like member, the load when the paper feed cassette 6 is pulled out is increased. Can be small.

[Sixth embodiment]
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a vertical side view showing the extracted characteristic part of the present embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of the drawer buffer guide portion 19,
A drawing buffer guide portion 27 made of a roller-like member is provided on the lower end portion 12a so as to be freely rotatable. Here, the restricting portion 15 on the structure portion 16 side is provided with a relief portion (not shown) so as not to interfere with the rotation operation on the manual feed tray 12 side in the portion corresponding to the drawer buffer guide portion 27. Yes.

  Also in such a configuration, when a drawer operation is performed such that the sheet cassette 6 having a backlash in the vertical direction is lifted upward and pulled out to the front as it is, the lower end portion 12a has a drawer buffer guide portion on the back side. 19 is directly present, so that when the paper cassette 6 is lifted forward, the stopper stopper 10 smoothly interferes (contacts) with the drawer buffer guide portion 27 with little impact. After moving to the near side while rotating the drawer buffer guide portion 27, the drawer buffer guide portion 27 is completely pulled out by pulling out the lower end of the drawer buffer guide portion 27, and does not collide with the lower end portion 12a.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the same effect as in the third embodiment can be obtained. However, since the drawer buffer guide portion 27 is a rotatable roller-like member, the load when the paper feeding cassette 6 is pulled out is increased. Can be small.

  In these embodiments, application examples to laser printers have been described. However, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and ink jet printers can also be applied to similar cases. Further, the application member is not limited to the case where the paper feeding cassette is used as the drawing device, and can be similarly applied as long as it is a drawing-out device having a protruding shape portion that can interfere.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing an external configuration of a laser printer to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a schematic longitudinal side view which shows the internal structure. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the single-piece | unit structure of a paper feed cassette. It is a vertical side view which extracts and shows the characteristic part of this Embodiment. It is a vertical side view which extracts and shows the characteristic part of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical side view which extracts and shows the characteristic part of 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical side view which extracts and shows the characteristic part of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical side view when the manual feed tray is opened. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the drawer buffer guide part of this Embodiment. FIG. It is a vertical side view which extracts and shows the characteristic part of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical side view which extracts and shows the characteristic part of 6th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 6 Paper feed cassette, drawer | drawing-out apparatus 10 Stopper stopper, protrusion-shaped part 12 Manual feed tray, cover component 12a Lower end part 17-20 Drawer buffer guide parts 26 and 27 Drawer buffer guide part

Claims (8)

An apparatus main body incorporating a mechanism part involved in image formation;
A drawing device provided so as to be freely drawable with respect to the device main body and having a protruding portion at a part of the upper edge portion;
Opening and closing with respect to the apparatus body with the lower end side set at a position above the drawing apparatus and in front of the drawing direction and set to a position where the projection-shaped part can interfere when the drawing apparatus is pulled out. A cover part provided freely,
A drawer buffer guide portion that is provided near the lower end portion of the cover part and smoothly receives the interference of the projection shape portion so that the projection shape portion does not interfere with the lower end portion when the drawer device is pulled out;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The drawer buffer guide portion is constituted by a member having a smooth guide shape that covers the vicinity of the lower end portion of the cover part from the lower side to the rear side in the drawer direction of the drawer device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The drawer buffer guide portion is constituted by a member having a smooth guide shape that covers only a rear portion in the drawer direction of the drawer device with respect to the vicinity of the lower end portion of the cover component. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawer buffer guide portion is configured by a member that is provided directly with respect to the lower end portion of the cover part and has a smooth guide shape.   The drawer buffer guide portion is configured by a member having a smooth guide shape that covers the vicinity of the lower end portion of the cover component, and is urged from the rear side in the drawer direction toward the front side in the drawer direction of the drawer device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is slidably provided.   The said withdrawal buffer guide part is comprised by the roller-shaped member provided in the drawer | drawing-out rear position of the said drawing apparatus with respect to the lower end part vicinity of the said cover component so that rotation was possible. The image forming apparatus according to 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawer buffer guide portion is configured by a rotatable roller-like member that is directly provided with respect to the lower end portion of the cover part. The drawing device is a paper feeding cassette that stores recording paper, the protrusion-shaped portion is a stopper for preventing the paper feeding cassette from being pulled out, a cover tray is a manual feed tray, and the lower end The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portion has a stopper shape that regulates an opening position of the manual feed tray.

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