JP2009046252A - Image forming device with hand insertion tray - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that if a user forgets to move side guides when folding a folding type hand insertion tray to make it compact, the side guides and a second tray interfere with each other and the hand insertion tray can not be made compact. <P>SOLUTION: The hand insertion tray 5 is provided with a first tray 10, a second tray 20 rotatably provided relative to the first tray 10, the pair of side guides 41, 42, guide grooves 11, 12 for movably guiding the side guides 41, 42 in a guide movable ranges G1, G2, a spring 13 for guiding biasing the right side guide 41 to an end side of the first tray 10 and (an engaging protruding part 15, a lever 43 having an engaging receiving part 43a, a lever guide part 44, and a leaf spring 45) for restraining movement of the right side guide 41 at a specific position PS1 within the guide movable range G1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a manual feed tray on which a sheet to be supplied to a sheet conveying apparatus is placed.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses have a manual feed tray as a recording paper supply source in addition to a paper feed cassette. The manual feed tray is disposed so as to project to the side of the apparatus main body. Then, the recording paper stored in the manual feed tray is sent out to a paper feeding mechanism provided in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. In particular, considering that the manual feed tray that protrudes to the side when not in use is a hindrance, the manual feed tray itself can be stored in the apparatus main body when not in use.

Patent Document 1 discloses an example of such a manual feed tray. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the document, the manual feed tray disclosed in Patent Document 1 can fold the first tray (47) and the second tray (48) with respect to the tray body (41). It is configured. In particular, the sheet placement area can be changed in two stages, and the state where the first tray (47) is expanded with respect to the tray body (41) (FIG. 4) is the first stage, and further the second tray ( 48) is the second stage (FIG. 3). In addition, the code | symbol and figure number of () are the code | symbol and figure number of patent document 1.
JP 2005-138965 A

  In order to store the manual feed tray in the main body of the image forming apparatus when not in use, it is desirable that the entire manual feed tray is made compact. This is because the storage space for the manual feed tray provided in the apparatus main body can be reduced accordingly.

  Folding type manual feed tray as disclosed in Patent Document 1, that is, a manual feed provided with a first tray (a tray body of Patent Document 1) and a second tray (a first tray and a second tray of Patent Document 1) In the case of a tray, the following needs to be taken into account when making the manual feed tray compact. Since the side guide, which is a sheet width regulating means, is provided on the first tray, the second tray may interfere with the side guide when the second tray is closed with respect to the first tray. Then, since the second tray cannot be completely closed with respect to the first tray, the second tray is lifted with respect to the first tray. Furthermore, when trying to store the manual feed tray in the apparatus main body in an incomplete state, an excessive force may be applied and the manual feed tray may be damaged. Therefore, when the second tray is folded on the first tray, the user needs to move the side guide in advance so that the side guide and the second tray do not interfere with each other.

  Also, in the manual feed tray provided in the automatic document feeding mechanism (ADF) of the image forming apparatus, when the folding manual feed tray is employed, it is desirable that the manual feed tray is compact when not in use. Then, even in the case of the manual feed tray provided in the image forming apparatus, the side guide must be moved in advance when the second tray is to be closed to the first tray when not in use. This is the same as in the case of an attached manual feed tray.

  In other words, the problem to be solved is that when the user forgets to move the side guide when folding the foldable manual feed tray and making it compact, the side guide and the second tray interfere with each other and the compact size of the manual feed tray is reduced. It is a point that cannot be converted.

  The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, means for solving the problems will be described.

An image forming apparatus provided with the manual feed tray of the present invention includes:
An image forming apparatus including a foldable manual feed tray on which paper to be supplied to a paper transport device is placed,
A first tray on which a paper placement surface is formed;
A second tray provided to be rotatable with respect to the first tray around a rotation axis parallel to the placement surface so as to open and close the placement surface of the first tray;
A pair of side guides are provided along the paper width direction parallel to the rotation axis on the placement surface of the first tray to position the paper, one of which is movable with respect to the first tray A pair of side guides that are fixed or movable with respect to the first tray.
A guide unit provided in the first tray, the guide unit movably guiding the movable side guide within a guide movable range that is a predetermined range in the paper width direction;
Retracting means for moving the movable side guide to a position that does not interfere with the second tray when the second tray is rotated so as to close the mounting surface of the first tray;
Have

The above configuration has the following effects.
When the second tray closes the placement surface of the first tray, the movable side guide is moved to a position where it does not interfere with the second tray by the retracting means. For this reason, when the second tray is rotated and moved so as to close the placement surface of the first tray, the second tray is closed to the placement surface of the first tray without interfering with the pair of side guides. It is done.

In the image forming apparatus provided with the manual feed tray of the present invention,
The retracting means is
Guide urging means for urging the movable side guide toward the end side of the first tray in the paper width direction so that the interval between the pair of side guides is widened;
The movement of the movable side guide is stopped when the movement of the movable side guide is stopped at a specific position within the movable range of the guide and the second tray is rotated so as to close the mounting surface of the first tray. Stopping means to release
Have

  When the second tray closes the mounting surface of the first tray, the movement restraining of the movable side guide is released by the restraining means. Then, the movable side guide moves to the maximum within the movable range of the guide without being restrained by the restraining means by the biasing of the guide biasing means. When the movable side guide moves to the maximum in the guide movable range and is positioned on the end side in the paper width direction, the movable side guide is moved to the second tray when it is closed on the mounting surface of the first tray. Does not interfere with the tray. For this reason, when the second tray is rotated and moved so as to close the placement surface of the first tray, the second tray is closed to the placement surface of the first tray without interfering with the pair of side guides. It is done.

  Further, since the side guide is always urged by the guide urging means, the side guide is kept at the specific position or the end position within the guide movable range except when the second tray is closed.

An image forming apparatus provided with the manual feed tray of the present invention includes:
In the manual feed tray,
A lever provided movably on the movable side guide in an engaging / disengaging direction having a direction component perpendicular to the conveying surface of the first tray;
A lever guide portion provided in the movable side guide, for guiding the lever movably within a lever movable range that is a predetermined range in the engagement / disengagement direction;
Lever urging means for urging the lever toward an engagement position provided within the lever movable range;
An engagement receiver fixed to the lever;
An engaging projection supported by the first tray;
With
When the movable side guide is in the specific position and the lever is in the engagement position, the engagement receiving portion engages with the engagement convex portion, and the guide urging means is urged Is restricted from moving in the direction,
When the lever is in the engagement position, the lever protrudes on the opposite side of the transport surface of the first tray from the movable side guide,
The restraining means comprises the engagement convex part, the lever having the engagement receiving part, the lever guide part, and the lever urging means,
When the second tray presses the lever, the movement restraining of the movable side guide by the restraining means is released.

The above configuration has the following effects.
When the second tray closes the mounting surface of the first tray and the movable side guide is in a position where it interferes with the second tray, the second tray comes into contact with the lever of the movable side guide, and the lever Is moved to the release position. When the lever moves to the release position, the engagement between the engagement receiving portion and the engagement convex portion is released, and the movement restraint of the movable side guide is released. As a result, the second tray is closed to the placement surface of the first tray without interfering with the side guide. On the other hand, when the second tray closes the mounting surface of the first tray and the movable side guide is in a position where it does not interfere with the second tray, the second tray does not interfere with the side guide. Closed to the mounting surface.

  In addition, the lever is biased so as to be always located at the engagement position by the lever biasing means unless the second tray is pressed against the lever, and the lever can be engaged with the engaging convex portion. It is kept in. And when an engagement receiving part engages with an engagement convex part, it is a case where a side guide is restrained in a specific position. When the engagement receiving portion does not engage with the engagement convex portion, the side guide is maintained at the end position within the guide movable range.

In the image forming apparatus provided with the manual feed tray of the present invention,
In the manual feed tray,
A lever provided movably on the movable side guide in an engaging / disengaging direction having a direction component perpendicular to the conveying surface of the first tray;
A lever guide portion provided in the movable side guide, for guiding the lever movably within a lever movable range that is a predetermined range in the engagement / disengagement direction;
When the lever is in the release position and the engagement position included in the lever movable range, a relatively high movement resistance force is applied to the lever than when the lever is in another position of the lever movable range. Resistance applying means to perform,
An engagement receiver fixed to the lever;
An engagement convex portion supported on the first tray so as to be movable in the engagement / disengagement direction
Convex-side biasing means for biasing the engagement convex toward the convex-side engagement position included in a range in which the engagement convex is movable;
The movable tray is provided on the first tray, and the movable side guide is moved in the urging direction by the guide urging means from the specific position so that the engagement receiving portion passes the engagement convex portion. A lever pressing guide portion that contacts the lever and pushes the lever to the engagement position;
With
When the movable side guide is in the specific position, the lever is in the engagement position, and the engagement projection is in the projection-side engagement position, the engagement receiver is in the engagement position. Engaging with the convex portion, the movement of the guide urging means in the urging direction is restrained,
When the lever is in the engagement position, the lever protrudes on the opposite side of the transport surface of the first tray from the movable side guide,
Of the pair of surfaces facing in the paper width direction that are the outer surfaces of the engagement convex portion, the surface that contacts the engagement receiving portion that moves in the urging direction by the guide urging means is the engagement receiving portion. The surface that is a vertical surface that restrains the movement of the portion and that abuts on the engagement receiving portion that moves in a direction opposite to the urging direction by the guide urging means causes the engagement convex portion to move to the engagement receiving portion. As an inclined surface to be interlocked,
The force that prevents the pressing force urging means from moving the lever in the engaging position prevents the convex side urging means from moving the engaging convex part in the convex side engaging position. Set larger than force,
The restraining means comprises the engagement convex part, the lever having the engagement receiving part, the lever guide part, the resistance applying means, and the lever pressing guide part,
When the second tray presses the lever, the movement restraining of the movable side guide by the restraining means is released.

The above configuration has the following effects.
When the second tray closes the mounting surface of the first tray and the movable side guide is in a position where it interferes with the second tray, the second tray comes into contact with the lever of the movable side guide, and the lever Is moved to the release position. When the lever moves to the release position, the engagement between the engagement receiving portion and the engagement convex portion is released, and the movement restraint of the movable side guide is released. As a result, the second tray is closed to the placement surface of the first tray without interfering with the side guide. On the other hand, when the second tray closes the mounting surface of the first tray and the movable side guide is in a position where it does not interfere with the second tray, the second tray does not interfere with the side guide. Closed to the mounting surface.

  Further, unless the lever is pressed by the second tray being applied to the lever, the lever is maintained so as to be positioned at the engagement position by the resistance applying means, and is maintained in a state where it can come into contact with the engagement convex portion. ing. And when an engagement receiving part contact | abuts to the inclined surface of an engagement convex part, it is a case where a side guide is restrained in a specific position. When the engagement receiving portion abuts on the vertical surface of the engagement convex portion or does not abut on the engagement convex portion, the side guide is kept at the end position within the guide movable range. When the side guide reaches the end position within the guide movable range, the lever pressing guide portion returns the lever to the engagement position.

In the image forming apparatus provided with the manual feed tray of the present invention,
In the manual feed tray,
A lever provided movably on the movable side guide in an engaging / disengaging direction having a direction component perpendicular to the conveying surface of the first tray;
A lever guide portion provided in the movable side guide, for guiding the lever movably within a lever movable range that is a predetermined range in the engagement / disengagement direction;
When the lever is in the release position and the engagement position included in the lever movable range, a relatively high movement resistance force is applied to the lever than when the lever is in another position of the lever movable range. Resistance imparting means;
The movable side guide provided on the first tray is moved in a direction opposite to the biasing direction by the guide biasing means from the specific position, and the engagement receiving portion passes the engagement convex portion. A lever pressing guide portion that contacts the lever and pushes the lever to the engagement position at a position
An engagement receiver fixed to the lever;
An engaging projection supported by the first tray;
With
When the movable side guide is in the specific position and the lever is in the engagement position, the engagement receiving portion is engaged with the engagement convex portion, and the guide urging means is urged Is restricted from moving in the direction,
When the lever is in the engagement position, the lever protrudes on the opposite side of the transport surface of the first tray from the movable side guide,
The restraining means comprises the engagement convex part, the lever having the engagement receiving part, the lever guide part, the resistance applying means, and the lever pressing guide part,
When the second tray presses the lever, the movement restraining of the movable side guide by the restraining means is released.

The above configuration has the following effects.
When the second tray closes the mounting surface of the first tray and the movable side guide is in a position where it interferes with the second tray, the second tray comes into contact with the lever of the movable side guide, and the lever Is moved to the release position. When the lever moves to the release position, the engagement between the engagement receiving portion and the engagement convex portion is released, and the movement restraint of the movable side guide is released. As a result, the second tray is closed to the placement surface of the first tray without interfering with the side guide. On the other hand, when the second tray closes the mounting surface of the first tray and the movable side guide is in a position where it does not interfere with the second tray, the second tray does not interfere with the side guide. Closed to the mounting surface.

  Further, unless the lever is pressed by the second tray being applied to the lever, the lever is kept at the engagement position by the resistance applying means, and is kept in a state where it can be engaged with the engagement convex portion. I'm leaning. And when an engagement receiving part engages with an engagement convex part, it is a case where a side guide is restrained in a specific position. When the engagement receiving portion does not engage with the engagement convex portion, the side guide is maintained at the end position within the guide movable range. If the side guide is moved from the end position within the guide movable range to a position exceeding the specific position against the biasing direction of the guide biasing means to stop the side guide at the specific position, the lever pressing guide portion engages the lever. Return to the alignment position.

  As effects of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

In the present invention,
When the second tray is folded to the first tray, the side guide automatically moves to a position where it does not come into contact with the second tray, so that the user can only rotate the second tray without operating the side guide. The manual feed tray can be appropriately folded for compactness. Further, when the manual feed tray with the second tray opened is used, the side guide can be stopped at a specific position, so that the paper can be aligned with the paper width corresponding to the specific position.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a printer (image forming apparatus) 1. The printer 1 includes a printer main body 2 and a paper feed cassette 3.

  The printer main body 2 includes a paper transport device that transports recording paper along the paper transport path R 1, an image forming process device 4, and a manual feed tray 5 that can be opened and closed with respect to the printer main body 2.

  The paper transport device includes various rollers disposed along the paper transport path R1 and a guide member that guides the transport of the recording paper around the paper transport path R1, and records the recording paper by rotating the various rollers. Transport.

  The image forming process apparatus 4 is an apparatus that performs image formation (toner image transfer and fixing processing) on a recording sheet conveyed along the sheet conveyance path R1.

  The paper feed cassette 3 is a means for storing the recording paper and sending the recording paper to the paper conveying device in the printer main body 2. In the paper feeding cassette 3, a feeding device that feeds the recording paper along the feeding path R2 is provided. The feeding device includes various rollers arranged along the feeding path R2, and a guide member that guides the conveyance of the recording paper around the feeding path R2, and records the recording paper by rotating the various rollers. Transport. The feeding path R2 is connected to a paper transport path R1 disposed in the printer main body 2. Then, the recording sheet sent out to the feeding path R2 by the feeding device is transferred to the sheet conveying path R1, and is subsequently conveyed along the sheet conveying path R1 by the sheet conveying apparatus.

  The manual feed tray 5 is a means for storing recording paper to be supplied to the paper transport device in the printer main body 2 separately from the paper feed cassette 3. The manual feed tray 5 can be opened and closed with respect to the printer main body 2. In addition, the manual feed tray 5 itself is foldable, and the second tray 20 opens and closes with respect to the first tray 10. The detailed configuration of the manual feed tray 5 will be described later.

  FIG. 1A shows a storage state of the manual feed tray 5 (a state in which the inside of the printer main body 2 is covered). FIG. 1B shows a preparation state of the manual feed tray 5 (the manual feed tray 5 is opened to expose the inside of the printer main body 2 but the manual feed tray 5 is folded). FIG. 1C shows a use state of the manual feed tray 5 (a state in which the inside of the printer main body 2 is exposed and the manual feed tray 5 is unfolded).

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the manual feed tray 5 is supported by the printer main body 2 so as to be rotatable around a rotation shaft (a convex portion 32c described later). This rotation axis (convex portion 32c) is an axis included in the horizontal plane. The rotating shaft (convex portion 32 c) is located at one end of the manual feed tray 5 and at the bottom of the printer main body 2. In the storage state of the manual feed tray 5 (FIG. 1A), the manual feed tray 5 is in an upright state. Further, in the preparation state of the manual feed tray 5 (FIG. 1B) and the use state of the manual feed tray 5 (FIG. 1C), the manual feed tray 5 is in a state of protruding to the side of the printer main body 2.

  In the use state of the manual feed tray 5 shown in FIG. 1C, the foldable manual feed tray 5 is in an opened state. When in this use state, a recording sheet can be placed on the manual feed tray 5. Further, the recording paper is not blocked by a guide member or the like provided in the printer body 2 from the recording paper placement surface (the surface on which the recording paper is placed) formed on the manual feed tray 5 to the paper conveyance path R1. It is connected so that it can be transported. In addition, the paper transport device is configured to transport the recording paper on the manual feed tray 5 to the paper transport path R1. For this reason, the paper transport device can send out the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray 5 to the paper transport path R1, and then transport the recording paper along the paper transport path R1.

  The manual feed tray 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the description of the manual feed tray 5, the direction is defined as follows.

  The posture with respect to the manual feed tray 5 will be described based on the posture of the manual feed tray 5 when not in the preparation state shown in FIG. 1A but in the use state shown in FIG. Then, the direction with respect to the manual feed tray 5 is defined as follows based on the posture of the manual feed tray 5 in the use state.

  First, let us say that the direction in which the recording paper is sent out in the use state is the paper feeding direction A. The manual feed tray 5 in use is inclined so as to become higher as the distance from the printer device 2 increases, and is slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. Accordingly, the sheet feeding direction A is a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In addition, a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction A in the horizontal plane when viewed from the paper feeding direction A is a paper width direction B. That is, the left-right direction on the paper surface of FIGS. 2 and 4 and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.

  Further, regarding the paper feeding direction A, the side along the direction in which the recording paper is fed is the upstream side, and the opposite is the downstream side. The upper side in FIG. 2 is the upstream side in the paper feeding direction A. Regarding the paper width direction B, the right side is the right side when viewed from the upstream side in the paper feeding direction A, and the left side is the left side when viewed from the upstream side in the paper feeding direction A. 2 is the right side in the paper width direction B, and the left side in FIG. 2 is the left side in the paper width direction B.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the manual feed tray 5 includes a first tray 10, a second tray 20, and a support frame 30.

  The first tray 10 and the second tray 20 are members on which recording paper is placed. The first tray 10 and the second tray 20 are plate-like members. The plate-like member has a pair of surfaces with the largest area. In the first tray 10 and the second tray 20, one surface of the pair of surfaces having the maximum area is a recording paper placement surface. The placement surface formed on the first tray 10 is referred to as a first placement surface 10a, and the placement surface formed on the second tray 20 is referred to as a second placement surface 20a.

  When the first tray 10 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first placement surface 10a, the shape of the first tray 10 is rectangular. On the other hand, when the second tray 20 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the second placement surface 20a, the shape of the second tray 20 is a convex shape. The second tray 20 is configured by combining a wide portion 21 and a narrow portion 22 that are a pair of rectangular portions. The wide portion 21 is relatively wider in the paper width direction B than the narrow portion 22. In the paper width direction B, the width of the first tray 10 and the width of the wide portion 21 are substantially the same.

  The support frame 30 is a member that supports the first tray 10 and the second tray 20. The first tray 10 is supported in a state where the position is substantially fixed to the support frame 30. The second tray 20 is rotatably supported by the support frame 30.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the support frame 30 includes a bottom portion 31 that is long in the paper width direction B, and a pair of side portions 32 and 32 that extend upward from both ends of the bottom portion 31.

  Further, the support frame 30 is provided with ribs 34, 34... On the bottom portion 31 on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction A from the first tray 10 (left side in FIG. 3). There are a plurality of ribs 34 disposed on the bottom 31, and the ribs 34 are disposed at regular intervals in the paper width direction B. The upper end surfaces of these ribs 34, 34,... Serve as recording paper placement surfaces in the manual feed tray 5, similarly to the first placement surface 10a and the second placement surface 20a.

  The first tray 10 is rotatably supported by the support frame 30 in a fitting manner by fitting the concave and convex portions. The first tray 10 is formed with first convex portions 10 b and 10 b that protrude outward from both outer wall surfaces in the paper width direction B of the first tray 10. In the first tray 10, the first convex portions 10 b and 10 b are formed at the central portion in the paper feeding direction A. The pair of first convex portions 10b and 10b are arranged coaxially in the paper width direction B. Corresponding to the first convex portions 10b and 10b, the side portions 32 and 32 are respectively formed with concave portions on both inner wall surfaces facing in the paper width direction B so as to sandwich the inner wall surfaces. Then, on both sides of the first tray 10 in the paper width direction B, the first convex portions 10b and 10b of the first tray 10 enter and engage with the concave portions of the side portions 32 and 32, respectively. 30 is rotatably supported.

  The rotation axis for rotating the first tray 10 with respect to the support frame 30 is the axis of the first protrusions 10b and 10b. The axial direction of the rotation shaft (first convex portions 10 b and 10 b) is the paper width direction B and is an axis parallel to the first placement surface 10 a of the first tray 10.

  Further, a range in which the first tray 10 can be rotated with respect to the support frame 30 is defined by a bottom portion 31 located below the first tray 10. The first tray 10 only needs to be tilted with respect to the support frame 30 to such an extent that the thickness of the recording sheet bundle placed on the first placement surface 10a can be absorbed. For this reason, the rotation range of the first tray 10 relative to the support frame 30 is limited to a narrow range, and the first tray 10 is in a state of being substantially fixed to the support frame 30.

  A coil spring (elastic member) 33 is provided between the first tray 10 and the support frame 30 to keep the uppermost position of the recording sheet bundle on the first tray 10 constant. On the downstream side of the first convex portions 10 b and 10 b in the paper feeding direction A, a pickup roller (not shown) provided in the paper transport device is located above the first tray 10. Using this pickup roller, the uppermost recording sheet in the recording sheet bundle on the first placement surface 10 a is sent out from the manual feed tray 5. For this reason, it is necessary to keep the uppermost position of the recording sheet bundle constant so that the uppermost recording sheet always comes into contact with the pickup roller.

  The coil spring 33, which is an elastic member, is disposed on the downstream side (the right side in FIG. 3) of the first convex portions 10b and 10b in the paper feeding direction A. For this reason, the recording paper bundle on the first placement surface 10a receives an urging force of the coil spring 33 and is pressed upward, and comes into contact with a pickup roller provided in the paper conveying device. In this way, the uppermost recording sheet on the first placement surface 10a always hits the pickup roller. Further, even if the recording paper bundle becomes thick, the coil spring is shortened by the thickness, so that the uppermost position of the recording paper bundle is kept constant.

  The second tray 20 is supported by the support frame 30 in a fitting manner so as to be rotatable by fitting the concave and convex portions. The second tray 20 has second convex portions 20b and 20b that protrude outward from both outer wall surfaces in the paper width direction B of the second tray 20, respectively. In the second tray 20, the formation positions of the second convex portions 20 b and 20 b are downstream end portions in the paper feeding direction A. The pair of second recesses 32b and 32b are arranged coaxially in the paper width direction B. Corresponding to the pair of second concave portions 32b and 32b, the side portions 32 and 32 are respectively formed with concave portions on both inner wall surfaces opposed in the paper width direction B so as to sandwich these inner wall surfaces. Then, on both sides of the second tray 20 in the sheet width direction, the second convex portions 20b and 20b of the second tray 20 enter and engage with the concave portions of the side portions 32 and 32, respectively, and the second tray 20 is supported by the support frame 30. Is supported rotatably.

  The rotation axis for rotating the second tray 20 with respect to the first tray 10 is the axis of the second convex portions 20b and 20b. The axial direction of the rotation shaft (second convex portions 20 b and 20 b) is the paper width direction B, and is an axis parallel to the first placement surface 10 a of the first tray 10.

  The rotatable range of the second tray 20 is limited to a certain range by the ribs 34 and the first tray 10. From the state in which the second tray 20 closes the first placement surface 10a of the first tray 10 (preparation state shown in FIG. 1B), the first tray 10 and the second tray 20 are positioned on substantially the same plane. The state in which the second tray 20 can be rotated is the state in which the second tray 20 is rotated (the use state shown in FIG. 1C).

  On the side where the second tray 20 closes the first placement surface 10a, the second tray 20 abuts against the ribs 34, 34. Is done. In the preparation state shown in FIG. 1B, the second tray 20 is in contact with the ribs 34, 34. That is, the rib 34 and the first tray 10 itself are means for regulating the rotation range of the second tray 20. On the other hand, on the side where the second tray 20 opens the first mounting surface 10a, the second tray 20 is opened in a state where the second tray 20 and the first tray 10 are positioned on substantially the same plane.・ Abuts on 34. Then, the further rotation of the second tray 20 is stopped. In the use state shown in FIG. 1C, the second tray 20 is in contact with the ribs 34, 34. That is, on the side where the second tray 20 opens the first placement surface 10 a, the ribs 34, 34... Are means for regulating the rotation range of the second tray 20.

  When the second tray 20 and the first tray 10 are opened so as to be located on substantially the same plane, the first placement surface 10a and the second placement surface 20a are located on substantially the same plane. . In this state, the recording paper is placed on the first placement surface 10a. When the recording paper does not fit on the first placement surface 10a, the recording paper is placed across the second placement surface 20a. Further, when the second tray 20 closes the first placement surface 10a of the first tray 10, the first placement surface 10a and the second placement surface 20a face each other.

  The support frame 30 is supported by the printer main body 2 so as to be rotatable around an axis in the paper width direction B by a fitting type by fitting uneven portions. The support frame 30 is rotatably supported by the printer main body 2, so that the entire manual feed tray 5 is rotatably supported by the printer main body 2.

  On the side portions 32 and 32 of the support frame 30, base convex portions 32 c projecting outward from both outer wall surfaces in the paper width direction B of the side portions 32 and 32 are formed. In the support frame 30, the base convex portions 32 c and 32 c are formed at the downstream end in the paper feeding direction A. Also, the printer main body 2 has recesses corresponding to the base protrusions 32c and 32c so that the inner wall faces the inner wall surfaces facing each other in the paper width direction B in the opening for storing the manual feed tray 5. A pair is formed. The pair of base convex portions 32c and 32c are arranged coaxially in the paper width direction B, and the pair of concave portions formed in the printer main body 2 corresponding to the base convex portions 32c and 32c are also arranged coaxially in the paper width direction B. Has been. Then, on both sides of the manual feed tray 5 in the paper width direction B, the base convex portions 32 c enter and engage with the corresponding concave portions, and the manual tray 5 is rotatably supported by the printer main body 2. The rotation range of the manual feed tray 5 is also restricted to a certain range (range from the stored state in FIG. 1A to the ready state in FIG. 1B) by the wall surface in the printer body 2 and the like.

  The members related to the side guides provided in the first tray 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In particular, FIG. 2 shows a view of the first tray 10 as viewed from the first placement surface 10a side, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show the first tray 10 opposite to the first placement surface 10a. A view from the side is shown. FIG. 2 shows the front surface (upper surface) of the first tray 10, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show the back surface (lower surface) of the first tray 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the first tray 10 includes a right side guide 41 and a left side guide 42 (a pair of side guides), a right guide groove 11 and a left guide groove 12 (guide portion). Are provided. Further, the first tray 10 is also provided with a guide interlocking mechanism 50 (rack portions 41d, 42a, and pinion gears 14) that interlocks the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42. In addition, the first tray 10 includes a guide spring 13 (guide urging means) for urging the right side guide 41 and a first restraining means (engaging convex portion 15. A lever 43 having an engagement receiving portion 43a, a lever guide portion 44, and a leaf spring 45).

  The manual feed tray 5 is provided with a retracting means for the right side guide 41 which is a movable side guide. When the second tray 20 is rotated so as to close the placement surface 10 a of the first tray 10, the retracting means moves the right side guide 41 to a position where it does not interfere with the second tray 20. The retracting means includes a guide spring 13 (guide urging means) and a first stopping means for stopping the movement of the right side guide 41 (the lever 43 having the engaging convex portion 15 and the engaging receiving portion 43a, and the lever guide portion. 44 and a leaf spring 45).

  The right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 5, and 6. The right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are means for positioning the recording paper bundle placed on the first placement surface 10a in the paper width direction B.

  The right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are arranged on the first tray 10 at positions separated in the paper width direction B, respectively. The first tray 10 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 shows a state in which the first tray 10 shown in FIG. 2 is turned 180 degrees around the rotation axis (first convex portions 10b and 10b) and turned over. Yes. Therefore, in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are located on the same side (the same side in the left-right direction of the paper surface), and the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42. The vertical position of is reversed.

  The right side guide 41 includes a right side guide main body 41a, a sheet placement portion 41b, a movement guide portion 41c, and a rack portion 41d.

  The right side guide main body 41a is a part that abuts against the recording paper in order to position the recording paper placed on the first placement surface 10a in the paper width direction B. The shape of the right side guide body 41a is a plate shape. The plate-shaped right side guide main body 41a is arranged in a posture perpendicular to the first placement surface 10a. That is, the right side guide main body 41a is a plate-like body that extends in the paper feeding direction A and the vertical direction. The left end surface of the right side guide main body 41a is a surface that abuts against the recording paper. This left end surface is referred to as a contact surface 41e.

  The paper placement portion 41b is a portion on which the recording paper is placed in order to prevent the recording paper from falling into a right guide groove 11 and a left guide groove 12 which will be described later. The shape of the paper placing portion 41b is a plate shape. The plate-like paper placement portion 41b is arranged in a posture parallel to the first placement surface 10a. That is, the paper placement portion 41b is a plate-like body that extends in a plane parallel to the first placement surface 10a. The paper placing portion 41b supports the right side guide main body 41a. The right side guide main body 41a is disposed at the right end portion of the sheet placing portion 41b.

  The movement guide portion 41 c is a portion that is disposed in a right guide groove 11 described later and allows the right side guide 41 to move along the right guide groove 11. The movement guide portion 41c is supported by the paper placement portion 41b.

  The rack portion 41 d is a part related to the interlocking of the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42. The rack portion 41d is a component part of a guide interlocking mechanism 50 described later. The rack portion 41d is a long body extending in the paper width direction B. The rack part 41d is supported by the movement guide part 41c.

  Similarly to the right side guide 41, the left side guide 42 also includes a left side guide main body 42a, a sheet placing portion 42b, a movement guide portion 42c, and a rack portion 42d. The left side guide main body 42a has the same configuration as the right side guide main body 41a. The right end surface of the left side guide main body 42a is a contact surface 42e that abuts against the recording paper. The paper placement unit 42b has the same configuration as the paper placement unit 41b. The movement guide part 42c has the same configuration as the movement guide part 41c. The rack part 42d has the same configuration as the rack part 41d. As will be described later, the right side guide 41 is also provided with a configuration (lever 43, lever guide portion 44) that is not included in the left side guide 42.

  The right guide groove 11 and the left guide groove 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. The right guide groove 11 is a means (guide portion) for guiding the right side guide 41 so as to be movable within a predetermined range in the paper width direction B (right guide movable range G1). Similarly, the left guide groove 12 is a means (guide portion) for guiding the left side guide 42 to be movable within a predetermined range (left guide movable range G2) in the paper width direction B.

  Both the right guide groove 11 and the left guide groove 12 are grooves formed in the first tray 10 which is a plate-like member. In particular, the right guide groove 11 and the left guide groove 12 are formed so as to penetrate a pair of surfaces having the maximum area of the first tray 10. Both the right guide groove 11 and the left guide groove 12 are formed in the first tray 10 along the paper width direction B.

  For this reason, the right guide groove 11 and the left guide groove 12 are parallel to each other. Further, the right guide groove 11 and the left guide groove 12 are respectively arranged at positions separated in the paper feeding direction A. In particular, in the paper feeding direction A, the right guide groove 11 is on the downstream side (upper side of FIG. 2, lower side of FIGS. 5 and 6), and the left guide groove 12 is on the upstream side (lower side of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6).

  The right guide groove 11 and the left guide groove 12 are grooves closed inside the first tray 10. That is, both end portions of the right guide groove 11 and the left guide groove 12 in the paper width direction B are formed not by a space but by a part of the first tray 10. For this reason, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 do not fall off the first tray 10 from any direction in the paper width direction B. Then, the right side guide 41 is supported by the first tray 10 while being movable in the paper width direction B along the guide groove 11. Similarly, the left side guide 42 is supported by the first tray 10 while being movable in the paper width direction B along the guide groove 12.

  The guide movable range G1 means a range in which the right side guide 41 is guided movably by the right guide groove 11. In particular, the position of the right side guide 41 in the paper width direction B is represented by a contact surface 41e that is a surface that abuts against the recording paper. A set of positions where the inner surface of the right side guide main body 41 is movable is defined as a guide movable range G1. Similarly, the guide movable range G2 means a range in which the left side guide 42 is movably guided by the left guide groove 12. A set of positions where the contact surface 42e of the left side guide main body 42 is movable is defined as a guide movable range G2.

  A guide interlocking mechanism 50 that interlocks the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The guide interlocking mechanism 50 includes a rack portion 41d provided in the right side guide 41, a rack portion 42d provided in the left side guide 42, and a pinion gear 14 that meshes with both the rack portions 41d and 42a.

  The pinion gear 14 is disposed on the first tray 10 at the center position in the sheet width direction B and between the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 in the sheet feeding direction A. The axial direction of the pinion gear 14 is perpendicular to the first tray 10 (first placement surface 10a).

  As described above, the rack portion 41d is a long body that extends in the paper width direction B. In the rack portion 41d, teeth that mesh with the teeth of the pinion gear 14 are formed along the sheet width direction B on the surface of the pinion gear 14 side. Similarly, teeth that mesh with the teeth of the pinion gear 14 are formed along the paper width direction B on the surface of the rack portion 42d on the pinion gear 14 side.

  When the right side guide 41 moves in the paper width direction B along the guide groove 11, the pinion gear 14 that meshes with the rack portion 41d rotates. When the pinion gear 14 rotates, the rack portion 42d that meshes with the pinion gear 14 moves in the paper width direction B. That is, the left side guide 42 moves in the paper width direction B along the guide groove 12. In this way, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are interlocked. Here, the moving direction of the right side guide 41 and the moving direction of the left side guide 42 are opposite to each other. For this reason, the pair of side guides 41 and 42 are both moved to the end side in the paper width direction B of the first tray 10, or both are moved to the center side in the paper width direction B of the first tray 10.

  As described above, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are both movable side guides that are movable with respect to the first tray 10.

  That is, the manual feed tray 5 is a center-aligned manual feed tray in which the pair of side guides are both movable. The center alignment method refers to a method in which the recording paper is positioned with respect to the manual feed tray with reference to the center position in the paper width direction B. The right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 that move in opposite directions move toward or away from the center position in the paper width direction B on the first placement surface 10a.

  The guide movable ranges G1 and R2 are also set corresponding to the manual feed tray 5 having a center alignment method. That is, when the right side guide 41 moves from one end (right end) to the other end (left end) of the right guide movable range G1, the left side guide 42 extends from one end (left end) to the other end (right end) of the left guide movable range G2. Moving.

  On the other hand, of the pair of side guides provided in the manual feed tray, one side guide may be a fixed side guide fixed in position relative to the first tray 10, and the other one may be a movable side guide. Good. In this case, a manual feed tray of a one-sided type is obtained. In the case of a one-sided manual feed tray, the recording paper is positioned on the manual feed tray with reference to a fixed side guide.

  In the center-aligned manual feed tray 5, the recording paper is positioned as follows. The right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are moved in the paper width direction B, and the separation width of the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 (the distance between the contact surfaces 41e and 42e) is recorded as a target to be placed. The width matches the paper width of the paper. In this way, the recording paper is positioned between the pair of side guides 41 and 42. When the separation width of the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 reaches a predetermined width, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are moved from the first tray 10 by the first stopping means described in detail later. It is possible to fix. By fixing the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 to the first tray 10, the positioning of the recording paper placed on the first placement surface 10a is ensured. The predetermined width is, for example, a different standard size (standard A4 horizontal width, standard A3 horizontal width, etc.) of recording paper.

  The guide spring (guide urging means) 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. The guide spring 13 is a biasing unit that biases the right side guide 41 toward the right end side of the first tray 10 in the paper width direction B. In this embodiment, the guide spring 13 is a coil spring. One end of the guide spring 13 is fixed to the right side guide 41, and the other end is fixed to the first tray 10. For this reason, the right side guide 41 receives the urging force of the guide spring 13 and is pressed toward the right end side of the guide groove 11.

  As described above, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are interlocked by the guide interlocking mechanism 50. For this reason, not only the right side guide 41 is pressed against the right end side of the guide groove 11 but also the left side guide 42 is pressed toward the left end side of the guide groove 12 by the urging force of the guide spring 13. That is, the guide spring 13 urges the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 in the direction of separating from each other in the paper width direction B, and presses them against the end portion side of the first tray 10. It has become.

  A position when the right side guide 41 is pressed against the right end of the guide groove 11 is a standby position PW1 of the right side guide 41. Similarly, in conjunction with the right side guide 41, the position when the left side guide 42 is pressed against the left end of the guide groove 12 is set as a standby position PW2 of the left side guide 42.

  Next, the first stopping means will be described with reference to FIGS. The first stopping means is means for stopping the movement of the right side guide 41 at a specific position PS1 within the right guide movable range G1. The first stopping means releases the movement restriction of the right side guide 41 when the second tray 20 is rotated so as to close the placement surface 10 a of the first tray 10. 7 to 9 show the first tray 10 around the right side guide 41 when the right side guide 41 is at the specific position PS1. FIG. 10 shows the first tray 10 around the right side guide 41 when the right side guide 41 is at the standby position PW1.

  The first stopping means positions the recording paper by stopping the movement of the right side guide 41 at the specific position PS1. This will be described in more detail. Since the pair of side guides 41 and 42 are configured to be interlocked, when the first stopping means stops the movement of the right side guide 41, the movement of the pair of side guides 41 and 42 is stopped. Here, when the right side guide 41 is at the specific position PS1 within the right guide movable range G1, the left side guide 42 is at the specific position PS2 within the left guide movable range G2. If the pair of side guides 41 and 42 are positioned at the specific positions PS1 and PS2, respectively, naturally, the separation width of the contact surface 41e and the contact surface 42e becomes a predetermined width. If this predetermined width is the same as the width of the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray 5, the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray 5 is moved by the pair of side guides 41 and 42 at the specific positions PS1 and PS2. Positioned in the paper width direction B.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first restraining means includes an engaging convex portion 15, a lever 43 having an engaging receiving portion 43 a, a lever guide portion 44, and a leaf spring 45 (not shown in FIG. 8). ). Here, the first stopping means is configured by combining a member and the like provided on the first tray 10 side and a member and the like provided on the right side guide 41 side. The member on the first tray 10 side is an engaging convex portion 15. The members on the right side guide 41 side are a lever 43 having an engagement receiving portion 43a, a lever guide portion 44, and a leaf spring 45. And the engagement convex part 15 by the side of the 1st tray 10 and the engagement receiving part 43a by the side of the right side guide 41 engage, and the movement with respect to the 1st tray 10 of the right side guide 41 is stopped. Hereinafter, the configuration of the first stopping means will be described in more detail.

  The lever 43 according to the first stopping means will be described with reference to FIGS. The right side guide main body 41a is provided with a lever 43 that is movable in one direction. This one direction is a direction orthogonal to the first transport surface 10a. Depending on the position of the lever 43, the engagement convex portion 15 and the engagement receiving portion 43a are engaged and the engagement is released. Therefore, one direction in which the lever 43 is movable is hereinafter referred to as an engagement / disengagement direction C.

  In the present embodiment, the direction in which the lever 43 is movable with respect to the right side guide main body 41a is a direction (engagement / disengagement direction C) orthogonal to the first transport surface 10a. However, the movable direction is not limited to the direction orthogonal to the first transport surface 10a, and may be a direction having a direction component orthogonal to the first transport surface 10a. That is, the direction in which movement is possible only needs to be a direction having an inclination with respect to the first transport surface 10a.

  The lever 43 includes an engaging convex portion 43a, a shaft portion 43b, and a head portion 43c. An engaging convex portion 43a is disposed at one end of the shaft portion 43b, and a head portion 43c is disposed at the other end of the shaft portion 43b. The engaging convex portion 43a, the shaft portion 43b, and the head portion 43c are arranged along the engagement / disengagement direction C.

  The lever 43 protrudes from the front side to the back side of the first tray 10 via the right guide groove 11. The head 43c is located on the front side of the first tray 10 (the side on which the first placement surface 10a is present). The engaging convex portion 43 a is located on the back side of the first tray 10. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, in the lever 43, the side where the head 43c is located is the upper side in the engagement / disengagement direction C, and the side where the engagement convex portion 43a is located is the lower side in the engagement / disengagement direction C.

  The lever guide part 44 is demonstrated using FIG. The lever guide portion 44 is a means for guiding the lever 43 movably within a lever movable range L that is a predetermined range in the engagement / disengagement direction C. The lever guide part 44 is provided in the right side guide main body 41a which is a plate-shaped body. The lever guide portion 44 is disposed on the right end surface of the right side guide main body 41a. The lever 43 is surrounded by the lever guide portion 44 and the right side guide main body 41a, and is movable with respect to the right side guide main body 41a in the engagement / disengagement direction C.

  The lever guide portion 44 includes a first lever guide wall 44a, a second lever guide wall 44b, and a third lever guide wall 44c. The lever guide walls 44a, 44b, 44c are all means for guiding the lever 43 in the engagement / disengagement direction C. The lever guide wall 44c is in a position parallel to the right side guide main body 41a, and the lever guide walls 44a and 44b are in a position orthogonal to the right side guide main body 41a. The first lever guide wall 44a is connected to one end of the third lever guide wall 44c in the paper feeding direction A, and the second lever guide wall 44b is connected to the other end. The lever guide walls 44a and 44b prevent the lever 43 from moving in the paper feeding direction A. The third lever guide wall 44c and the right side guide main body 41a prevent the lever 43 from moving in the paper width direction B.

  The lever 43 and the lever guide portion 44 are provided with means (lever drop prevention means) for preventing the lever 43 from falling off the right side guide main body 41a. The lever drop prevention means is formed on a pair of guide concave portions 43d and 43e formed on the shaft portion 43b of the lever 43, a guide convex portion 44d formed on the first lever guide wall 44a, and a second lever guide wall 44b. And a guide projection 44e.

  In the shaft 43b of the lever 43, a guide recess 43d is formed at a portion facing the first lever guide wall 44a, and a guide recess 43e is formed at a portion facing the second lever guide wall 44b. On the other hand, the first lever guide wall 44a is formed with a guide convex portion 44d to be inserted into the guide concave portion 43d. The second lever guide wall 44b is formed with a guide convex portion 44e to be inserted into the guide concave portion 43e.

  The guide recesses 43d and 43e are portions formed so as to be recessed in the shaft portion 43b in the sheet feeding direction A. Similarly, the guide convex portions 44d and 44e are portions formed so as to protrude from the lever guide portions 44a and 44b in the paper feeding direction A. In the engagement / disengagement direction C, the formation length of the guide protrusions 44d and 44e is sufficiently larger than the formation length of the guide protrusions 44d and 44e. With the above configuration, the lever 43 is movable in the engagement / disengagement direction C with respect to the lever guide portion 44 and the right side guide main body 41a, but cannot be dropped off.

  The lever movable range L will be described. A range in which the lever 43 is allowed to move in the engagement / disengagement direction C by the lever drop-off prevention means is a lever movable range L. The lever movable range L illustrated in FIG. 9 is a range in which the lower end position of the lever 43 (engagement receiving portion 43a) varies in the engagement / disengagement direction C as the lever 43 moves up and down.

  Both end positions of the lever movable range L are a release position Q2 and an engagement position Q1. In particular, the release position Q2 is the lower end position of the lever movable range L. The engagement position Q1 is the upper end position of the lever movable range L. When the lever 43 is in the engagement position Q1, the engagement receiving portion 43a of the lever 43 engages with the engagement convex portion 15 on the first tray 10 side. In this embodiment, the engagement position Q1 is the end position of the lever movable range L, but may be a position other than the end position (excluding the release position Q2).

  The leaf spring (lever urging means) 45 will be described with reference to FIG. The leaf spring 45 is a biasing means that biases the lever 43 toward the engagement position Q1. One end of the leaf spring 45 is fixed to the right side guide body 41a. The other end of the leaf spring 45 is inserted into a leaf spring insertion guide recess 43 f formed in the shaft portion 43 b of the lever 43. Here, the plate spring 45 is arranged so that the plate surface of the plate spring 45 is orthogonal to the engagement / disengagement direction C. In particular, the leaf spring 45 hardly bends when the lever 43 is in the engagement position Q1, and the leaf spring 45 is most bent when the lever 43 is in the release position Q2. The weight of the lever 43 is small enough to be ignored with respect to the elastic coefficient of the leaf spring 45. That is, when the lever 43 is in the engagement position Q1, the weight of the lever 43 acts on the leaf spring 45, but the leaf spring 45 hardly bends.

  The engagement convex part 15 which concerns on a 1st stop means is demonstrated using FIGS. 5-9. As described above, the engagement convex portion 15 engages with the engagement receiving portion 43 a of the lever 43 to stop the movement of the right side guide 41.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the engagement convex portion 15 is formed on the first tray 10. More specifically, the engaging convex portion 15 is such that a part of the portion surrounding the right guide groove 11 in the first tray 10 protrudes to the back side of the first tray 10 (below the engaging / disengaging direction C). It is formed.

  The engaging convex portion 15 is located on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction A with respect to the right guide groove 11. The engaging convex portion 15 is disposed at a predetermined position in the paper width direction B. The engaging convex portion 15 engages with the engaging receiving portion 43a of the lever 43 when the right side guide 41 is at the specific position PS1 in the paper width direction B. In addition, the formation length of the engagement protrusion 15 in the paper width direction B is very small compared to the formation length of the right guide groove 11 in the paper width direction B.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the engagement receiving portion 43 a of the lever 43 protrudes from the right guide groove 11 to the back side of the first tray 10. The engagement receiving portion 43 a is a portion that engages with the engagement convex portion 15. Further, the engagement receiving portion 43a protrudes from the shaft portion 43b of the lever 43 toward the downstream side in the paper feeding direction A (the upper side in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the left side in FIG. 7).

  The engagement receiving portion 43a of the lever 43 and the engagement convex portion 15 of the first tray 10 are engaged because the lever 43 is in the engagement position Q1 in the engagement / disengagement direction C and the right side guide 41 is the sheet width. When it is in the specific position PS1 in the direction B.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the lever 43 is in the engagement position Q1 in the engagement / disengagement direction C, the engagement receiving portion 43a of the lever 43 and the engagement convex portion 15 of the first tray 10 are It is in an engageable state. When the lever 43 is disengaged from the engagement position Q1 and shifted to the release position Q2 side by a certain amount or more, the engagement receiving portion 43a and the engagement convex portion 15 are not engaged. Here, the lever 43 is always biased toward the engagement position Q1 by the leaf spring 45. For this reason, the position of the lever 43 is kept at the engagement position Q1 unless an external force such as pushing the lever 43 directly down to the release position Q2 is applied.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, when the right side guide 41 (contact surface 41 e) is at the specific position PS <b> 1 in the paper width direction C, the engagement receiving portion 43 a, the engagement convex portion 15, and the like. Is in an engageable state. Here, the right side guide 41 is always urged to the right end side of the first tray 10 by the guide spring 13. For this reason, in order to stop the right side guide 41 at the specific position PS1, it is necessary to move the right side guide 41 to the left side of the specific position PS1.

  When the right side guide 41 (contact surface 41e) is on the right side of the specific position PS1, even if the right side guide 41 biased to the right side by the guide spring 13 moves to the right side, the engagement receiving portion 43a is It does not hit the engaging projection 15. For this reason, the right side guide 41 (contact surface 41e) moves to the right end of the guide movable range G1, and stops at the standby position PW1.

  On the other hand, when the right side guide 41 (contact surface 41e) is on the left side of the specific position PS1, when the right side guide 41 biased to the right side by the guide spring 13 moves to the right side, the engagement receiving portion 43a. Can hit the engaging projection 15. When the lever 43 is in the release position Q2, the engagement receiving portion 43a and the engagement convex portion 15 are not engaged. However, when the lever 43 is in the engagement position Q1, the engagement receiving portion 43a and the engagement convex portion 15 are engaged. For this reason, if the right side guide 41 is on the left side of the specific position PS1 and the lever 43 is in the engagement position Q1, the movement of the right side guide 41 is stopped at the specific position PS1. When the lever 43 is not in the engagement position Q1, the right side guide 41 passes through the specific position PS1, moves to the right end of the guide movable range G1, and stops at the standby position PW1.

  When the lever 43 is in the release position Q2, the engagement receiving portion 43a and the engagement convex portion 15 are not engaged. Therefore, in a state where the lever 43 is in the release position Q2, the right side guide 41 is movable to both the right side and the left side of the specific position PS1. Here, the lever 43 is supported by the right side guide 41 so as to be movable in the engagement / disengagement direction C. For this reason, the lever 43 can be moved and the engagement receiving part 43a can be moved to the releasing position Q2.

  There are a plurality of methods for moving the lever 43 to the release position Q2 in the engagement / disengagement direction C. The first method is a method in which the user moves the lever 43 to the release position Q2 by pushing the lever 43 directly into the right side guide 41 using a finger or the like. The second method is a method of moving the lever 43 to the release position Q2 in conjunction with the movement of the right side guide 41 when the right side guide 41 is moved. However, the lever 43 is interlocked only when the right side guide 41 is moved from the right side to the left side of the specific position PS1. The third method is a method of moving the lever 43 to the release position Q2 by utilizing the fact that the second tray 20 hits the lever 43 when the second tray 20 is closed with respect to the first tray 10. Details of the second and third methods will be described later.

  The engaging convex portion 15 stops the right side guide 41 from moving beyond the specific position PS1 only when the moving direction of the right side guide 41 is the right direction of the paper width direction B. Conversely, when the movement direction of the right side guide 41 is the left direction in the paper width direction B, the engagement convex portion 15 does not prevent the right side guide 41 from moving beyond the specific position PS1. Such an action occurs depending on the shape of the engaging projection 15.

  The shape of both side surfaces (left and right side surfaces) in the paper width direction B of the engaging convex portion 15 will be described. The left side surface of the engagement convex portion 15 is a vertical surface 15a (a plane including the engagement / disengagement direction C). On the other hand, the right side surface of the engaging convex portion 15 is an inclined surface 15b. The inclined surface 15b is a surface in which, as it goes to the left side in the paper width direction B, it goes to the lower side of the engagement / disengagement direction C, and the thickness of the engagement convex portion 15 increases. Here, the left and right surfaces of the engagement receiving portion 43a are vertical surfaces (a plane including the engagement / disengagement direction C).

  When the engagement receiving portion 43a on the right side guide 41 side moves to the left side and hits the engagement convex portion 15 from the right side, the engagement receiving portion 43a hits the inclined surface 15b (right side surface) of the engagement convex portion 15. The engagement receiving portion 43a receives a force on the lower side (release position Q2 side) in the engagement / disengagement direction C by hitting the inclined surface 15b. That is, the lever 43 moves toward the release position Q2. For this reason, the engagement receiving part 43a can ride on the engagement convex part 15, and can move to the left side further. As a result, the engagement receiving portion 43 a is not restrained by the engagement convex portion 15. In this manner, the right side guide 41 can move to the left side beyond the specific position PS1 regardless of the position of the lever 43. This is the second method of moving the lever 43 to the release position Q2 in the engagement / disengagement direction C described above.

  The user may push the lever 43 directly into the right side guide 41 with a finger or the like when moving the right side guide 41 to the left side. If it does in this way, the engagement receiving part 43a will not contact | abut to the engagement convex part 15. FIG. In this case, the right side guide 41 can be moved to the left side beyond the specific position PS1 without forming the inclined surface 15b on the engagement convex portion 15.

  When the engagement receiving portion 43a on the right side guide 41 side moves to the right side and hits the engagement convex portion 15 from the left side, the engagement receiving portion 43a hits the vertical surface 15a (left side surface) of the engagement convex portion 15. In this case, the lever 43 does not receive a force in the direction along the engagement / disengagement direction C. Therefore, the movement of the engagement receiving portion 43a to the right side is restrained by the engagement convex portion 15.

  Further, in relation to the shape of the engaging protrusion 15, the support structure for the engaging protrusion 15 is also characterized. Due to the support structure of the engaging convex portion 15, the amount of displacement of the lever 43 in the engagement / disengagement direction C required when the engaging receiving portion 43a moves over the engaging convex portion 15 is small.

  A support structure for the engaging projection 15 will be described. As described above, the engaging convex portion 15 is formed at a part of a portion surrounding the periphery of the right guide groove 11. A part of the portion surrounding the periphery of the right guide groove 11 is a support portion 16. The support portion 16 is a plate-like body that is long in the paper width direction C. One end portion of the support portion 16 is connected to the first tray 10. And the other end part (non-connecting side) of the support part 16 can be moved up and down in the engagement / disengagement direction C by the elastic deformation of the support part 16. Here, an engaging projection 15 is formed at the other end of the support 16. The engagement convex part 15 protrudes toward the lower side (release position Q2 side) of the engagement / disengagement direction C with respect to the support part 16.

  As described above, when the right side guide 41 tries to move to the left side beyond the specific position PS1, the engagement receiving portion 43a hits the inclined surface 15b (right side surface) of the engagement convex portion 15. At this time, the engagement receiving portion 43a receives a force to the lower side (release position Q2 side) of the engagement / disengagement direction C by hitting the inclined surface 15b. As the reaction, the engagement convex portion 15 receives an upward force in the engagement / disengagement direction C. Here, the support portion 16 is a long plate-like body and is in a state where it can be elastically deformed. For this reason, the support 16 is elastically deformed by the upward force in the engagement / disengagement direction C received by the engagement protrusion 15, and the engagement protrusion 15 moves upward in the engagement / disengagement direction C. That is, the engagement convex portion 15 and the engagement receiving portion 43a move so as to be separated from each other in the engagement / disengagement direction C.

  Thus, the displacement amount in the engagement / disengagement direction C of the lever 43 required when the engagement receiving portion 43a moves over the engagement convex portion 15 is equivalent to the displacement amount of the support portion 16 that is elastically deformed. It is getting smaller.

  In the manual feed tray 5, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 can be fixed in two stages. When the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are fixed in position, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 can position the recording paper disposed in the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42. Become.

  The first stage position fixing is performed when both the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are positioned on the end side of the first tray 10. At this time, the right side guide 41 receives the urging force of the guide spring 13 and is in contact with the right end of the right guide groove 11 and is stationary at the standby position PW1. The left side guide 42 interlocked with the right side guide 41 is also in contact with the left end of the left guide groove 12 and is stationary at the standby position PW2. In this way, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are fixed in position. In the first stage position fixing, the separation width of the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 (contact surfaces 41e and 42) is, for example, a length equal to the standard A3 lateral width.

  The second stage position fixing is performed when the right side guide 41 is at the specific position PS1 and the left side guide 42 is at the specific position PS2. At this time, the right side guide 41 receives the urging force of the guide spring 13 and is in contact with the left end surface of the engaging projection 15 and is stationary. The left side guide 42 is also in a stationary state because it is linked to the right side guide 41. In this way, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are fixed in position. In the second stage position fixing, the separation width of the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 (contact surfaces 41e and 42e) is, for example, a length equal to the standard A4 lateral width.

  In the present embodiment, the right side guide 41 can be positioned only at one place (specific position PS1) other than the standby position PW1. And a two-stage position fixing is possible about a pair of side guide 41 * 42. The right side guide 41 may be provided at a plurality of positions that can be positioned other than the standby position PW1. That is, the formation location of the engagement convex part 15 arrange | positioned along the right guide groove | channel 11 is made into multiple places instead of one place. In this way, the position of the pair of side guides 41 and 42 may be fixed in three or more stages.

  In the second stage position fixing, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are in the specific positions PS1 and PS2 and are located on the center side of the first tray 10. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, when the second tray 20 closes to the first placement surface 10a, the second tray 20 hits the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42. It will interfere. On the other hand, in the first stage position fixing, the second tray 20 does not hit the right side guide 41 or the left side guide 42 when the second tray 20 is closed to the first placement surface 10a. Here, the fact that the second tray 20 hits the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 means that the second tray 20 comes into contact with the right side guide main body 41a and the left side guide main body 42a. The second tray 20 and the paper placement portions 41b and 42b are not in contact with each other.

  In the manual feed tray 5, the guide movable range G1 of the right side guide 41 and the guide movable range G2 of the left side guide 42 are set as follows. When the second tray 20 is closed to the first loading surface 10a, the right side guide 41 and the left side when the movement restraint by the first restraining means is released outside the second tray 20 in the paper width direction B. A guide 42 is located. When the movement restraint is released, it means when the second position fixing described above is performed. That is, the right side guide 41 is positioned at the standby position PW1 and the left side guide 42 is positioned at the standby position PW2 of the left guide groove 12. When one of the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 is fixed and not movable, the position of the fixed side guide is determined when the second tray 20 is closed to the first placement surface 10a. The outer position of the second tray 20 in the paper width direction B.

  As described above, in the second stage position fixing, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 do not contact the second tray 20. However, in the first stage position fixing, if the second tray 20 is closed to the first placement surface 10 a, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 come into contact with the second tray 20. Then, the second tray 20 cannot be completely closed with respect to the first tray 10, and the second tray 20 is lifted with respect to the first tray 10. Therefore, when the second tray 20 closes the first placement surface 10a, means for releasing the movement restraint of the right side guide 41 by the first restraining means in conjunction with the closing operation of the second tray 20 is the manual feed tray 5. Is provided. If the movement restraint of the right side guide 41 by the first restraining means is released, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are released from the second stage position fixing. Then, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 move to positions that do not interfere with the second tray 20.

  Next, release of the movement restraint of the right side guide 41 by the first restraining means will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6.

  In FIG. 2, the positions of the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 and the position of the second tray 20 are illustrated by a solid line and a two-dot chain line. The right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 when the movement of the right side guide 41 is stopped by the first stopping means are shown by solid lines. Further, the position of the second tray 20 when the first placement surface 10a is opened is illustrated by a solid line. On the other hand, the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 when the restraining of the movement of the right side guide 41 by the first restraining means is released are shown by two-dot chain lines. Further, the position of the second tray 20 when the first placement surface 10a is closed is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the second tray 20 (shown by a two-dot chain line) when the first placement surface 10a is closed overlaps with the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 (shown by a solid line) in a stopped state. ing. That is, the second tray 20 is in a position where it can come into contact with the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 when stopped by the first stopping means. Further, only the narrow portion 22 of the wide portion 21 and the narrow portion 22 constituting the second tray 20 is in contact with the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the second tray 20 (the narrow portion 22) hits the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42, the second tray 20 (the narrow portion 22) It contacts the lever 43 of the guide 41. Then, as the second tray 20 is closed to the first placement surface 10a, the lever 43 is pushed into the right side guide 41 to the lower side (releasing position Q2 side) in the engagement / disengagement direction C. When the lever 43 is pushed toward the release position Q2, the engagement between the engagement receiving portion 43a and the engagement convex portion 15 is released. That is, the movement restraint of the right side guide 41 by the engaging convex portion 15 is released.

  The right side guide 41 at the specific position PS1 shown in FIG. 5 is pushed out to the standby position PW1 shown in FIG. 6 by the urging force of the guide spring 13 when the movement restraint is released. When the right side guide 41 moves to the standby position PW1, the right side guide main body 41a of the right side guide 41 is not in contact with the second tray 20 (the narrow portion 22). At the same time, the left side guide 42 interlocked with the right side guide 41 is also in a state where the left side guide main body 42a of the left side guide 42 does not contact the second tray 20 (the narrow portion 22). As a result, both the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are disengaged from the position where they interfere with the second tray 20 (the narrow portion 22).

  As described above, even when the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are at positions where they can interfere with the second tray 20, when the second tray 20 is closed with respect to the first placement surface 10a, With the closing operation of the second tray 20, the second tray 20 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the second tray 20. For this reason, even when the user forgets to move the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 when closing the second tray 20 on the first placement surface 10a (when storing the manual feed tray 5), it is automatically performed. The right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 are retracted to a position where they do not interfere with the second tray 20. Therefore, the user can completely close the second tray 20 to the first tray 10 without operating the right side guide 41 and the left side guide 42 one by one.

  The positioning of the recording paper in the manual feed tray 5 will be described in an organized manner. As described above, in the manual feed tray 5, the recording paper is positioned by the pair of side guides 41 and 42. The center-aligned manual feed tray 5 of this embodiment can position the recording paper in two stages. The first stage is when the pair of side guides 41 and 42 are at the end side position of the first tray 10 (when large-size paper is used). The second stage is when the pair of side guides 41 and 42 are at the specific positions PS1 and PS2, respectively (when using small size paper). In other words, the manual feed tray 5 can position the recording paper with two different paper widths. Of these two different paper widths, the relatively large width is the width of the large size paper, and the relatively small width is the width of the small size paper.

  In the storage state of the manual feed tray 5 (FIG. 1A), the pair of side guides 41 and 42 are at the end side position of the first tray 10. Further, when storing the manual feed tray 5, it is necessary to move the pair of side guides 41 and 42 to the end side position of the first tray 10. As described above, if the movement restraint of the right side guide 41 by the first restraining means is released by the second tray 20, the pair of side guides 41 and 42 are automatically positioned at the end side position of the first tray 10. Move on.

  When using large-size paper, the recording paper may be placed on the manual feed tray 5 in a state where the pair of side guides 41 and 42 are located at the end side position of the first tray 10. On the other hand, when using small-size paper, it is necessary to operate the pair of side guides 41 and 42 to move the pair of side guides 41 and 42 to the specific positions PS1 and PS2, respectively. Since the pair of side guides 41 and 42 are interlocked by the guide interlocking mechanism 50, only the right side guide 41 or the left side guide 42 needs to be operated.

  The user grasps the right side guide 41 on the right end side of the first tray 10 with his / her hand and moves it to the left side (specific position PS1 side: center side of the first tray 10). Although the case of operating the left side guide 42 is not described, it is the same as the case of operating the right side guide 41 except that the direction is reversed. When the right side guide 41 passes the specific position PS1, the engagement receiving portion 43a of the lever 43 and the engagement convex portion 15 of the first tray 10 come into contact with each other. However, when the right side guide 41 moves in the direction opposite to the urging direction of the guide spring 13 (left side), the engagement convex portion 15 does not restrain the movement of the engagement receiving portion 43a. This is because the right side surface of the engaging convex portion 15 is formed on the inclined surface 15b. For this reason, the user can move the right side guide 41 further to the left after passing through the specific position PS1.

  When the user locks the right side guide 41 at the specific position PS1, the user releases his / her hand from the right side guide 41 (added to the right side guide 41) while the right side guide 41 is positioned on the left side of the specific position PS1. Release external force). When the external force applied to the right side guide 41 disappears, the right side guide 41 moves to the right side by the urging force of the guide spring 13. And the engagement receiving part 43a of the lever 43 and the engagement convex part 15 of the 1st tray 10 contact. In this case, that is, when the right side guide 41 moves in the urging direction (right side) of the guide spring 13, the engagement convex portion 15 stops the movement of the engagement receiving portion 43a. This is because the left side surface of the engaging projection 15 is formed on the vertical surface 15a. For this reason, when the user releases the hand holding the right side guide 41 on the left side of the specific position PS1, the right side guide 41 is locked at the specific position PS1. Because of the guide interlocking mechanism 50, the pair of side guides 41 and 42 are locked at the specific positions PS1 and PS2.

  Next, when unlocking the right side guide 41 at the specific position PS1, the user performs the following operation. By unlocking the right side guide 41, the position of the pair of side guides 41 and 42 corresponds to the large size paper from the position corresponding to the small size paper (specific positions PS1 and PS2). It is changed to (standby positions PW1, PW2). In addition, the manual feed tray 5 can be accommodated in the printer main body 2.

  The user pushes the lever 43 of the right side guide 41 into the right side guide 41 using a finger or the like. By this operation, the lever 43 moves from the engagement position Q1 to the release position Q2. Then, the state in which the engagement receiving portion 43a is engaged with the engagement convex portion 15 is released. That is, the restraining of the movement of the right side guide 41 by the first restraining means is released. Then, the right side guide 41 is automatically moved from the specific position PS1 to the standby position PW1 under the bias of the guide spring 13. The right side guide 41 is positioned at the right end of the first tray 10, and the pair of side guides 41 and 42 are positioned at both end positions of the first tray 10.

  Further, even if the second tray 20 is moved so as to close the first placement surface 10a, the lever 43 can be moved from the engagement position Q1 to the release position Q2. In this way, the pair of side guides 41 and 42 return to the positions in the accommodated state of the manual feed tray 5.

  Next, a second embodiment having a different structure of the stopping means will be described.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the stopping means. Accordingly, hereinafter, the second stopping means according to the second embodiment which is a difference will be described. Regarding the configuration of the manual feed tray, the configurations other than the restraining means are common to the first and second embodiments. Therefore, in the following description, the same names and the same reference numerals are used for members and the like that are common to the first and second embodiments, and descriptions of those members and the like are omitted.

  The members related to the structure of the stopping means are not exactly the same in the first and second embodiments, and at least a part of the structure is different. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the reference numerals of members and the like related to the structure of the stopping means are changed as follows. Reference numeral 10 is set to 110 for the first tray, and reference numeral 43 is set to 143 for the lever.

  The second stopping means will be described with reference to FIGS. The second stopping means is means for stopping the movement of the right side guide 41 at a specific position PS1 within the right guide movable range G1. Further, the second stopping means releases the movement restriction of the right side guide 41 when the second tray 20 is rotated so as to close the placement surface 10 a of the first tray 10. 13 to 15 show the first tray 110 around the right side guide 41 when the right side guide 41 is at the specific position PS1. FIG. 16 illustrates the first tray 10 around the right side guide 41 when the right side guide 41 is at the standby position PW1.

  Similarly to the first stopping means according to the first embodiment, the second stopping means also stops the movement of the right side guide 41 at a specific position PS1 within the right guide movable range G1. The second stopping means stops the movement of the right side guide 41 at the specific position PS1, thereby positioning the sheet width of the recording sheet to a predetermined width.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the second stopping means includes an engaging convex portion 15, a convex portion side urging means (supporting portion 16), a lever 143 having an engaging receiving portion 43 a, and a lever guide portion. 44, a resistance force applying unit 170, and a lever pressing guide portion 17. Here, the second stopping means is configured by combining a member and the like provided on the first tray 10 side and a member and the like provided on the right side guide 41 side. The members on the first tray 110 side are the engagement convex portion 15, the convex portion side urging means (support portion 16), and the lever pressing guide portion 17. The members on the right side guide 41 side are a lever 143 having an engagement receiving portion 43a, a lever guide portion 44, and a resistance applying unit 170. And the engagement convex part 15 by the side of the 1st tray 10 and the engagement receiving part 43a by the side of the right side guide 41 engage, and the movement with respect to the 1st tray 110 of the right side guide 41 is stopped. Hereinafter, the configuration of the second stopping means will be described in more detail.

  The lever 143 which concerns on a 2nd stop means is demonstrated using FIG. 13, FIG. The right side guide main body 41a is provided with a lever 143 that is movable in one direction (engagement / disengagement direction C).

  The lever 143 includes an engagement convex portion 43a, a shaft portion 143b, and a head portion 43c. The lever 143 and the lever 43 of the first embodiment are slightly different in the configuration of the shaft portion, but the other configuration is the same except for the shaft portion. The shaft 143 b of the lever 143 is formed with lock recesses 143 g and 143 h that are not in the lever 43. Although details will be described later, the lock recesses 143g and 143h relate to the resistance applying unit 170 of the second stopping unit.

  The lever guide portion 44 is the same in the first and second embodiments. The lever guide portion 44 is a means for guiding the lever 143 so as to be movable within a lever movable range L that is a predetermined range in the engagement / disengagement direction C.

  The lever movable range L, the release position Q2, and the engagement position Q1 are the same in the first and second embodiments. The lever movable range L is a range in which the lever 43 is allowed to move in the engagement / disengagement direction C by the lever drop prevention means. The release position Q2 and the engagement position Q1 are both end positions of the lever movable range L. In particular, the release position Q2 is the lower end position of the lever movable range L. The engagement position Q1 is the upper end position of the lever movable range L. When the lever 43 is in the engagement position Q1, the engagement receiving portion 43a of the lever 43 engages with the engagement convex portion 15 on the first tray 10 side. In this embodiment, the release position Q2 and the engagement position Q1 are the end positions of the lever movable range L, but may be positions other than the end positions.

  The resistance applying unit 170 will be described with reference to FIG. When the lever 143 is in the release position Q2 and the engagement position Q1, the resistance applying unit 170 gives a relatively high movement resistance to the lever 143 than when the lever 143 is in another position of the lever movable range L. It is a means to give.

  The resistance applying unit 170 includes a pressing case 171, a pressing body 172, and a spring (biasing unit) 173. The pressing case 171 supports the pressing body 172 so as to be movable in the paper width direction B. The pressing body 172 is a member that is pressed against the shaft portion 143 b of the lever 143. The tip of the pressing body 172 (the end on the lever 143 side) has a shape that can be fitted into either one of the lock recesses 143g and 143h of the shaft portion 143b. In the present embodiment, the outer surface shape at the tip of the pressing body 172 and the inner surface shape of the lock recesses 143g and 143h are hemispherical. The spring 173 is a biasing means that biases the pressing body 172 toward the shaft portion 143b. The spring 173 connects the pressing body 172 and the inner wall of the pressing case 171 (the inner wall facing the pressing body 172 in the paper width direction B).

  The pressing body 172 of the resistance applying unit 170 is pressed against the shaft portion 143 b of the lever 143 in the paper width direction B. In the paper width direction B, the first lever guide wall 44a of the lever guide portion 44 is located on the opposite side of the pressing body 172 across the shaft portion 143b. For this reason, the lever 143 is in a state of being pressed against the first lever guide wall 44a. However, the frictional resistance between the shaft portion 143b and the first lever guide wall 44a is small enough to be ignored with respect to the movement of the lever 143 in the engagement / disengagement direction C.

  When the lever 143 moves in the engagement / disengagement direction C, the tip of the pressing body 172 may be fitted into the lock recesses 143g and 143h of the shaft portion 143. When the lock recess 143g (or the lock recess 143h) and the pressing body 172 are positioned on the same axis in the paper width direction B, the pressing body 172 fits into the lock recess 143g (or the lock recess 143h). . When the lever 143 is moved in a state where the pressing body 172 is fitted in the lock recesses 143g and 143h, a relatively larger force is required than in a state where the pressing body 172 is not fitted in the lock recesses 143g and 143h. It is. This is because the pressing body 172 needs to be pushed out from the lever 143 in the paper width direction B. As a result, when the pressing body 172 is fitted in the locking recesses 143g and 143h, the pressing body 172 is relatively relative to the lever 143 than when the pressing body 172 is in contact with the shaft portion 143b other than the locking recesses 143g and 143h. High movement resistance is provided. Here, the movement resistance force refers to a resistance force acting in a direction to stop the movement when the lever 143 moves in the engagement / disengagement direction C.

  When the lever 143 is in the engagement position Q1, the pressing body 172 is fitted into the lock recess 143g. Further, when the lever 143 is in the release position Q2, the pressing body 172 is fitted into the lock recess 143h. In the shaft portion 143b, the lock recess 143g is formed on the engagement position Q1 side, and the lock recess 143h is formed on the release position Q2 side.

  With the above configuration, the position of the lever 143 is maintained at the engagement position Q1 or the release position Q2 unless an external force that directly moves the lever 143 is applied.

  The engaging convex portion 15 in the second stopping means is the same as the engaging convex portion 15 of the first stopping means according to the first embodiment. As described above, the engagement convex portion 15 engages with the engagement receiving portion 43 a of the lever 43 to stop the movement of the right side guide 41.

  The convex part side biasing means (supporting part 16) in the second stopping means will be described with reference to FIG. The convex portion side urging means is arranged so that the position of the engaging convex portion 15 is a position at which the engaging convex portion 15 can come into contact with the engaging receiving portion 43a on the right side guide 41 side (convex portion engaging position S1: illustrated by a solid line). , Means for biasing the engaging projection 15. In the present embodiment, the convex portion side urging means is the support portion 16 that supports the engaging convex portion 15 on the first tray 10. The support part 16 elastically supports the engagement convex part 15 on the first tray 10. The convex portion side engaging position S1 is a position where the engaging convex portion 15 is located when an external force other than gravity is not applied to the engaging convex portion 15 and the support portion 16. The engagement convex part 15 may move to the convex part side release position S2 (illustrated by a two-dot chain line) by contact with the engagement receiving part 43a.

  The engagement receiving portion 43a engages with the engagement convex portion 15 when the following three conditions are satisfied. First, the engagement convex part 15 is in the convex part side engagement position S1. Next, the lever 143 is in the engagement position Q1. Furthermore, the right side guide 41 is positioned at the specific position PS1. Speaking of the engaging convex portion 15, when the engaging convex portion 15 is not in the convex portion side engaging position S1, the engaging convex portion 15 is not engaged with the engaging receiving portion 43a.

  Further, the movement of the right side guide 41 in the paper width direction B is restrained by the engagement convex portion 15 because the right side guide 41 moves in the right direction, and the engagement receiving portion 43a is moved to the engagement convex portion. This is a case where it hits the part 15. That is, the right side guide 41 moves in the direction in which the right side guide 41 is urged by the guide spring 13, and the engagement receiving portion 43 a hits the engagement convex portion 15. On the contrary, when the right side guide 41 moves leftward and the engagement receiving portion 43a hits the engagement convex portion 15, the movement of the right side guide 41 is not restrained by the engagement convex portion 15. . At this time, the engagement convex portion 15 is retracted to the convex portion-side release position S2 by contact with the engagement receiving portion 43a.

  The movement of the right side guide 41 is divided into the case where the movement of the right side guide 41 is restrained by the engagement convex portion 15 and the case where it is not restrained by the shape of the engagement convex portion 15. As described above, the pair of surfaces (the left side surface and the right side surface) which are the outer surfaces of the engaging convex portion 15 and are opposed in the paper width direction B are the vertical surface 15a and the inclined surface 15b. The vertical surface 15a is a surface that comes into contact with the engagement receiving portion 43a that moves in the urging direction (rightward) of the guide spring 13 and stops the movement of the engagement receiving portion 43a. The inclined surface 15b is a surface that abuts the engagement receiving portion 43a that moves in the direction (left direction) against the urging direction of the guide spring 13, and interlocks the engagement convex portion 15 with the movement of the engagement receiving portion 43a. is there.

  When the right side guide 41 moves in the right direction and the engagement receiving portion 43a hits the engagement convex portion 15, the engagement receiving portion 43a comes into contact with the vertical surface 15a. In this case, the further movement of the right side guide 41 is stopped. On the other hand, when the right side guide 41 moves leftward and the engagement receiving portion 43a hits the engagement convex portion 15, the engagement receiving portion 43a contacts the inclined surface 15b. In this case, when an external force is applied to the right side guide 41 and moved further to the left side, the engaging convex portion 15 is retracted from the convex portion side engaging position S1 to the convex portion side releasing position Q2. For this reason, the engagement convex part 15 does not stop the movement of the engagement receiving part 43a.

  When the engagement receiving portion 43a hits the inclined surface 15b, not only the engagement convex portion 15 receives a force in the engagement / disengagement direction C, but also a force is applied to the engagement reception portion 43a in the engagement / disengagement direction C. Here, the lever 143 is configured to be prevented from moving by the resistance applying unit 170. For this reason, once the lever 143 is released from the engagement position Q1 due to the force applied to the engagement receiving portion 43a, the lever 143 does not return to the engagement position Q1 thereafter. Then, after the right side guide 41 is moved to the left side so as to get over the engaging convex portion 15, the right side guide 41 urged to the right side by the guide spring 13 can be stopped by the engaging convex portion 15. It becomes impossible.

  Therefore, the force that prevents the resistance force applying means 170 from moving the lever 143 at the engagement position Q1 to the release position Q2 side causes the convex portion side urging means (support portion 16) to move to the convex portion side engagement position S1. It is set larger than the force which prevents the movement of the engaging convex portion 15 at the convex portion-side release position S2. For this reason, when the engagement receiving portion 43a hits the inclined surface 15b, the lever 143 does not move in the engagement / disengagement direction C, and only the engagement protrusion 15 is disengaged from the protrusion-side engagement position S1 in the engagement / disengagement direction C. Move to.

  The lever pressing guide portion 17 will be described with reference to FIG. The lever pressing guide portion 17 is means for moving the lever 143 to the release position Q2 in the engagement / disengagement direction C when the right side guide 41 is on the right side of the specific position PS1. The lever pressing guide portion 17 is provided on the first tray 110.

  The lever pressing guide portion 17 abuts against the engagement receiving portion 43a of the lever 143 when in the release position Q2. The lever 143 in the release position Q2 is moved to the engagement position Q1 by hitting the lever pressing guide portion 17.

  The lever pressing guide portion 17 is disposed on a path parallel to the right guide groove 11, that is, a path along which the engagement receiving portion 43a moves. In particular, the lever pressing guide portion 17 is provided at the right end of the right guide groove 11 so that the lever pressing guide portion 17 abuts against the engagement receiving portion 43a when the right side guide 41 is at the standby position PW1. Further, the lever pressing guide portion 17 is formed as a part of the first tray 110.

  For this reason, when the right side guide 41 moves to the right end position of the right guide groove 11 in a state where the lever 143 is at the release position Q2, the lever pressing guide portion 17 hits the lever 143. Here, the right side guide 41 is always urged toward the right end side of the right guide groove 11 by the guide spring 13. The right side guide 41 moves to the right end position of the right guide groove 11 in a state where no external force is applied such as the user gripping and moving the right side guide 41 by hand. For example, when the manual feed tray 5 is stored, the right side guide 41 is positioned not at the specific position PS1 but at the right end of the right guide groove 11. Thus, when the right side guide 41 is positioned at the right end of the right guide groove 11, the lever pressing guide portion 17 automatically moves the lever 143 from the release position Q2 to the engagement position Q1.

  The lever pressing guide portion 17 is formed with a stop surface 17 a that is a surface parallel to the paper width direction B and a guide surface 17 b that is a surface inclined with respect to the paper width direction B. In the lever pressing guide portion 17, the guide surface 17b and the stop surface 17a are formed continuously. The restraining surface 17a restrains the lever 143 at the engagement position Q1 from moving to the release position Q1. That is, in a state where the engagement receiving portion 43a of the lever 143 comes into contact with the stop surface 17a, the lever 143 is in a state where the movement in the engagement / disengagement direction C is stopped. On the other hand, the guide surface 17b guides the lever 143 at the release position Q1 to the engagement position Q1.

  Also in the second embodiment, the second tray 20 releases the movement restraint of the movable side guide (right side guide 41) by the second restraining means.

  Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment in which the structure of the stopping means is different.

  The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments only in the configuration of the restraining means. Therefore, in the following, only the third stopping means according to the third embodiment will be basically described as in the second embodiment. Moreover, about the member etc. which are common in Example 1-2, while using the same name and the same code | symbol, the description regarding those members etc. shall be abbreviate | omitted.

  The third stopping means of the third embodiment includes an engaging convex part 15, a lever 143 having an engaging receiving part 43a, a lever guide part 44, a resistance applying means 170, a second lever pressing guide part 18, Consists of.

  Of the configuration of the third stopping means according to the third embodiment, the lever guide portion 44 and the resistance applying means 170 are the same as the second stopping means of the second embodiment. Further, in the configuration of the third stopping means according to the third embodiment, the second lever pressing guide portion 18 has the same basic function as the lever pressing guide portion 17 of the second stopping means according to the second embodiment. However, the arrangement position is different. Further, the configuration of the third stopping means according to the third embodiment does not include the convex side biasing means (supporting portion 16) included in the second stopping means according to the second embodiment. Precisely, the third stopping means does not need the convex side biasing means (supporting part 16) (it is not necessary to elastically support the engaging convex part 15 by the supporting part 16), and the third restraining means is attached to the convex side. The structure provided with a biasing means (support part 16) may be sufficient.

  The 2nd lever press guide part 18 is demonstrated using FIG. The second lever pressing guide portion 18 is means for moving the lever 143 to the release position Q2 in the engagement / disengagement direction C as soon as the right side guide 41 moves the specific position PS1 to the left side. The second lever pressing guide portion 18 is provided on the first tray 210 (a member corresponding to the first trays 10 and 110 in the first and second embodiments).

  The second lever pressing guide portion 18 abuts against the engagement receiving portion 43a of the lever 143 when in the release position Q2. The lever 143 in the release position Q2 is moved to the engagement position Q1 by hitting the lever pressing guide portion 17.

  The second lever pressing guide portion 18 is disposed on a path parallel to the right guide groove 11, that is, a path on which the engagement receiving portion 43a moves. The second lever pressing guide portion 18 is arranged at a position close to the left side of the specific position PS1 in the paper width direction B. Here, when the user locks the right side guide 41 at the specific position PS1, the user moves the right side guide 41 to the left beyond the specific position PS1. If the right side guide 41 is not moved to the left side beyond the specific position PS1, that is, the engagement receiving portion 43a hits the left side surface (vertical surface 15b) beyond the right side surface (inclined surface 15a) of the engaging convex portion 15. Otherwise, the engagement receiving portion 43a cannot be stopped by the engagement convex portion 15.

  When the right side guide 41 moves to the left side beyond the specific position PS1, the lever 143 is released from the engagement position Q1 because the engagement receiving portion 43a contacts the inclined surface 15b of the engagement convex portion 15. Extruded to Q2. Here, unlike the second embodiment, the support portion 16 is not elastically deformed, and the engagement convex portion 15 is not moved in the engagement / disengagement direction C. Therefore, the second lever pressing guide portion 18 is provided so that the lever 143 reliably returns to the engagement position Q1 in a state where the right side guide 41 has moved to the left side beyond the specific position PS1. In order to achieve such an object, the arrangement position of the second lever pressing guide portion 18 is close to the left side of the specific position PS1 in the paper width direction B.

  The second lever pressing guide portion 18 is formed with a stop surface 18a that is a surface parallel to the paper width direction B and a pair of guide surfaces 18b and 18c that are inclined with respect to the paper width direction B. Yes. In the sheet width direction B, a guide surface 18b is disposed on the right side of the restraining surface 18a, and a guide surface 18c is disposed on the left side of the restraining surface 18a. The guide surface 18c, the stop surface 18a, and the guide surface 18b are formed continuously. The restraining surface 18a restrains the lever 143 at the engagement position Q1 from moving to the release position Q1. That is, in a state where the engagement receiving portion 43a of the lever 143 comes into contact with the stop surface 18a, the lever 143 is in a state where the movement in the engagement / disengagement direction C is stopped. On the other hand, the guide surface 18b moves the right side guide 41 at the standby position PW1 to the left side and moves the lever 143 at the release position Q1 to the engagement position when the engagement receiving portion 43a hits the engagement convex portion 15. Guide to Q1. Further, the guide surface 18c moves the right side guide 41 to the left side once beyond the specific position PS1, and then moves the right side guide 41 to the right side so that the engagement receiving portion 43a hits the engagement convex portion 15. Sometimes, the lever 143 in the release position Q1 is guided to the engagement position Q1. The guide surfaces 18b and 18c are arranged on both sides of the restraining surface 18a in the paper width direction B because the engagement receiving portion 43a extends from the left or right side of the second lever pressing guide portion 18 to the second lever pressing guide portion 18. This is so that there is no problem even if it comes into contact. Instead of providing the guide surface 18c, a stop surface 18a may be provided.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a printer, in particular, FIG. 1A shows a storage state of the manual feed tray 5, FIG. 2B shows a preparation state of the manual feed tray 5, and FIG. It is a top view which shows a manual feed tray. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating a manual feed tray. It is a front view showing a manual feed tray. (Example 1) which is a back view of a 1st tray when a right side guide exists in a specific position. (Example 1) which is a back view of a 1st tray when a right side guide exists in the right end position of a right guide groove. (Example 1) which is side sectional drawing (XX sectional drawing of FIG. 5) of the 1st tray in the right side guide periphery in a specific position. (Example 1) which is front sectional drawing (Y1-Y1 sectional drawing of FIG. 5) of the 1st tray in the right side guide periphery in a specific position. (Example 1) which is front sectional drawing (Y2-Y2 sectional drawing of FIG. 5) of the 1st tray in the right side guide periphery in a specific position. (Example 1) which is the side sectional drawing (Y2-Y2 sectional drawing of FIG. 5) of the 1st tray in the right side guide periphery in a right end position. (Example 2) which is a back view of a 1st tray when a right side guide exists in a specific position. (Example 2) which is a back view of a 1st tray when a right side guide exists in the right end position of a right guide groove. (Example 2) which is a side sectional view (32c-32c sectional view of Drawing 11) of the 1st tray in the right side guide periphery in a specific position. (Example 2) which is front sectional drawing (Y1-Y1 sectional drawing of FIG. 11) of the 1st tray in the right side guide periphery in a specific position. (Example 2) which is front sectional drawing (Y2-Y2 sectional drawing of FIG. 11) of the 1st tray in the right side guide periphery in a specific position. (Example 2) which is the side sectional drawing (Y2-Y2 sectional drawing of FIG. 11) of the 1st tray in the right side guide periphery in a right end position. (Example 3) which is front sectional drawing (the figure corresponded in FIG. 8, FIG. 14) of the 1st tray in the right side guide periphery in a specific position.

Explanation of symbols

5 Manual Tray 10 First Tray 10a First Placement Surface 11 Right Guide Groove 12 Left Guide Groove 13 Guide Spring (Guide Energizing Means)
15 Engaging convex part (part of restraining means)
20 Second tray 20a Second placement surface 20b Second convex portion (rotating shaft)
41 Right side guide 42 Left side guide 43 Lever (part of restraining means)
43a Engagement receiving part (part of restraining means)
44 Lever guide part (part of restraining means)
45 Leaf spring (part of restraining means)

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus including a foldable manual feed tray on which paper to be supplied to a paper transport device is placed,
A first tray on which a paper placement surface is formed;
A second tray provided to be rotatable with respect to the first tray around a rotation axis parallel to the placement surface so as to open and close the placement surface of the first tray;
A pair of side guides are provided along the paper width direction parallel to the rotation axis on the placement surface of the first tray to position the paper, one of which is movable with respect to the first tray A pair of side guides that are fixed or movable with respect to the first tray.
A guide unit provided in the first tray, the guide unit movably guiding the movable side guide within a guide movable range that is a predetermined range in the paper width direction;
Retracting means for moving the movable side guide to a position that does not interfere with the second tray when the second tray is rotated so as to close the mounting surface of the first tray;
Having
An image forming apparatus provided with a manual feed tray. The retracting means is
Guide urging means for urging the movable side guide toward the end side of the first tray in the paper width direction so that the interval between the pair of side guides is widened
The movement of the movable side guide is stopped when the movement of the movable side guide is stopped at a specific position within the movable range of the guide and the second tray is rotated so as to close the mounting surface of the first tray. Stopping means to release
Having
An image forming apparatus comprising the manual feed tray according to claim 1. In the manual feed tray,
A lever provided movably on the movable side guide in an engaging / disengaging direction having a direction component perpendicular to the conveying surface of the first tray;
A lever guide portion provided in the movable side guide, for guiding the lever movably within a lever movable range that is a predetermined range in the engagement / disengagement direction;
Lever urging means for urging the lever toward the engagement position provided in the lever movable range;
An engagement receiver fixed to the lever;
An engaging projection supported by the first tray;
With
When the movable side guide is in the specific position and the lever is in the engagement position, the engagement receiving portion is engaged with the engagement convex portion, and the guide urging means is urged Is restricted from moving in the direction,
When the lever is in the engagement position, the lever protrudes on the opposite side of the transport surface of the first tray from the movable side guide,
The restraining means comprises the engagement convex part, the lever having the engagement receiving part, the lever guide part, and the lever urging means,
When the second tray presses the lever, movement restraint of the movable side guide by the restraining means is released.
An image forming apparatus comprising the manual feed tray according to claim 2. In the manual feed tray,
A lever provided movably on the movable side guide in an engaging / disengaging direction having a direction component perpendicular to the conveying surface of the first tray;
A lever guide portion provided in the movable side guide, for guiding the lever movably within a lever movable range that is a predetermined range in the engagement / disengagement direction;
When the lever is in the release position and the engagement position included in the lever movable range, a relatively high movement resistance force is applied to the lever than when the lever is in another position of the lever movable range. Resistance applying means to perform,
An engagement receiver fixed to the lever;
An engagement convex portion supported on the first tray so as to be movable in the engagement / disengagement direction
Convex-side biasing means for biasing the engagement convex toward the convex-side engagement position included in a range in which the engagement convex is movable;
The movable tray is provided on the first tray, and the movable side guide is moved in the urging direction by the guide urging means from the specific position so that the engagement receiving portion passes the engagement convex portion. A lever pressing guide portion that contacts the lever and pushes the lever to the engagement position;
With
When the movable side guide is in the specific position, the lever is in the engagement position, and the engagement projection is in the projection-side engagement position, the engagement receiver is in the engagement position. Engaging with the convex portion, the movement of the guide urging means in the urging direction is restrained,
When the lever is in the engagement position, the lever protrudes on the opposite side of the transport surface of the first tray from the movable side guide,
Of the pair of surfaces facing in the paper width direction that are the outer surfaces of the engagement convex portion, the surface that contacts the engagement receiving portion that moves in the urging direction by the guide urging means is the engagement receiving portion. The surface that is a vertical surface that restrains the movement of the portion and that abuts on the engagement receiving portion that moves in a direction opposite to the urging direction by the guide urging means is configured to cause the engagement convex portion to move in the movement of the engagement receiving portion. As an inclined surface to be interlocked,
The force that prevents the pressing force urging means from moving the lever in the engaging position prevents the convex side urging means from moving the engaging convex part in the convex side engaging position. Set larger than force,
The restraining means comprises the engagement convex part, the lever having the engagement receiving part, the lever guide part, the resistance applying means, and the lever pressing guide part,
When the second tray presses the lever, movement restraint of the movable side guide by the restraining means is released.
An image forming apparatus comprising the manual feed tray according to claim 2. In the manual feed tray,
A lever provided movably on the movable side guide in an engaging / disengaging direction having a direction component perpendicular to the conveying surface of the first tray;
A lever guide portion provided in the movable side guide, for guiding the lever movably within a lever movable range that is a predetermined range in the engagement / disengagement direction;
When the lever is in the release position and the engagement position included in the lever movable range, a relatively high movement resistance force is applied to the lever than when the lever is in another position of the lever movable range. Resistance imparting means;
The movable side guide provided on the first tray is moved in a direction opposite to the biasing direction by the guide biasing means from the specific position, and the engagement receiving portion passes the engagement convex portion. A lever pressing guide portion that contacts the lever and pushes the lever to the engagement position at a position
An engagement receiver fixed to the lever;
An engaging projection supported by the first tray;
With
When the movable side guide is in the specific position and the lever is in the engagement position, the engagement receiving portion is engaged with the engagement convex portion, and the guide urging means is urged Is restricted from moving in the direction,
When the lever is in the engagement position, the lever protrudes on the opposite side of the transport surface of the first tray from the movable side guide,
The restraining means comprises the engagement convex part, the lever having the engagement receiving part, the lever guide part, the resistance applying means, and the lever pressing guide part,
When the second tray presses the lever, movement restraint of the movable side guide by the restraining means is released.
An image forming apparatus comprising the manual feed tray according to claim 2.

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