JP2009096583A - Manual feed tray and image forming device with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manual feed tray capable of being used as a worktable on which a document is placed when copying many kinds of documents, and improved in usability. <P>SOLUTION: The manual feed tray 40 includes a first spindle 42 disposed in the vicinity of a paper sheet feeding direction downstream end and extended to a horizontal direction perpendicular to a paper sheet feeding direction, and a second spindle 43 disposed in the vicinity of a paper sheet feeding direction upstream end and extended to the horizontal direction perpendicular to the paper sheet feeding direction, and can have a first development posture supported by a main body 2 by the first spindle 42 and having the paper sheet feeding direction upstream side as the free end and a second development posture supported by the main body 2 by the second spindle 43 and having the paper sheet feeding direction downstream side as the free end. Thus, a normal form of the manual feed tray 40 for feeding the paper sheet P into the main body 2 can be achieved by the first development posture, and a trapezoid form wherein the paper sheet placed on an upper surface is not fed into the main body 2 can be achieved by the second development posture. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a manual feed tray that can be applied to an image forming apparatus typified by a copying machine or a printer and manually feeds paper such as cut paper or an OHP sheet into an apparatus main body. The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus provided with the manual feed tray.

  In an image forming apparatus typified by a copying machine or a printer, a paper supply device is used for feeding paper such as cut paper. The paper supply device supplies the paper (cut paper) stacked on the tray one by one from the uppermost layer or the lowermost layer. Such a paper supply device is used as a cassette type paper feeding device, a manual paper feeding device, or a document feeding device of an image forming apparatus.

  The cassette type paper feeder includes a paper feed cassette, and feeds a large number of sheets of a predetermined size in the paper feed cassette in advance. On the other hand, the manual paper feeder is equipped with a manual tray, and the paper that is not in the paper cassette, the paper that you want to feed one by one, such as thick paper and OHP sheet, is placed on the manual tray and fed. Make paper. The manual feed tray is usually configured so as to be able to be stored and unfolded with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and is unfolded as necessary.

Examples of the image forming apparatus provided with such a manual feed tray can be seen in Patent Documents 1 and 2. The image forming apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 include a manual feed tray that can be stored and developed on the side of the apparatus.
JP 2006-298625 A (page 4, FIG. 1-2) JP 2007-254137 A (page 4-5, FIG. 1-2)

  Here, when copying many kinds of originals, it is necessary to handle originals to be copied and originals that have already been copied. If you try to hold them by hand, it may be difficult to manage the document, so you need to find a space to place the document, but there is no such extra space in general image forming devices. do not do. When copying in such a situation, it is usually handled by a method of separately preparing a work table or securing a space for placing a document temporarily around the apparatus.

  However, preparing a separate workbench for placing a document is problematic because it requires a significant expense. In addition, even when looking for something that can be temporarily used as a workbench, things that can be used successfully may not be found immediately. Even if a space for temporarily placing a document is found around the apparatus, it may not be large enough to easily manage the document, or it may be an unstable place to place the document. As a result, the document may drop or a plurality of types of documents may be mixed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a manual feed tray that can be used as a work table on which an original is placed when copying many types of originals and is improved in usability. With the goal. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus provided with such a manual feed tray and considering cost reduction.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a manual feed tray for manually feeding paper into the device main body, which can be stored and unfolded with respect to the device main body, and is provided near the downstream end in the paper transport direction. A first support shaft extending in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction and a second support shaft provided in the vicinity of the upstream end in the paper transport direction and extending in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction. A first deployed posture supported by the device main body by a first support shaft and having a free end at the upstream side in the paper transport direction, and supported by the device main body by a second support shaft and downstream in the paper transport direction. The second deployment posture with the side as a free end could be taken.

  In the manual feed tray configured as described above, the first support shaft is provided in the vicinity of the lower end portion when in the storage posture, and the second support shaft is provided in the vicinity of the upper end portion in the storage posture. When the first deployed position is set, the device body is supported at a position corresponding to the first support shaft when the stored position is set, and when the second deployed position is set, the second support when the stored position is set. It was decided to be supported by the device body at a location corresponding to the shaft.

  Further, in the manual feed tray having the above configuration, when in the first deployed posture, the upper surface thereof is supported in an inclined shape that gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction, and the second deployed posture In this case, the upper surface is supported so as to be substantially horizontal.

  Further, the manual feed tray having the above configuration includes a support member that extends obliquely downward from the downstream portion in the paper transport direction to the device main body and supports the downstream portion in the paper transport direction when in the second deployed posture. .

  In the present invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with the manual feed tray having the above configuration.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, in the manual feed tray for manually feeding paper into the device main body, which can be stored and deployed with respect to the device main body, provided near the downstream end in the paper transport direction. A first support shaft extending in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction, and a second support shaft provided in the vicinity of the upstream end in the paper transport direction and extending in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction. A first unfolded posture supported by the apparatus main body with one spindle and having the upstream side in the paper transport direction as a free end, and supported by the apparatus main body with a second spindle and having the downstream side in the paper transport direction as a free end. Since the second deployment posture can be taken, it can be in the form of a normal manual feed tray in which paper is manually fed into the apparatus main body in the first deployment posture, and placed on the upper surface in the second deployment posture. Is sent into the device. It can be collected by absence trapezoid form. Accordingly, the manual feed tray can be used as a work table in the second deployed posture. Therefore, when copying many types of documents, it can be used as a work table on which documents are placed, and a manual feed tray with improved usability can be obtained.

  The manual feed tray is provided near the lower end when the first support shaft is in the stowed position, and near the upper end when the second support shaft is in the stowed position. When it is in the posture, it is supported by the device main body at a position corresponding to the first spindle when in the storage posture, and when it is in the second deployed posture, it corresponds to the second spindle when in the storage posture. Since it is supported by the device main body at the place to be operated, when deploying to the first and second deployment postures, it is not necessary to re-install in another place and it is possible to deploy on the spot. . And it can be made into a trapezoidal shape with almost the same space as the space required to make a normal manual feed tray. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for supporting the manual feed tray at another location. In this way, in addition to improving the usability of the manual feed tray, space saving and cost reduction can be achieved.

  When the manual feed tray is in the first deployed position, the upper surface of the manual feed tray is supported in an inclined shape that gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction, and when the manual feed tray is in the second deployed position. Since the upper surface is supported so as to be substantially horizontal, it is easy to supply the paper on the upper surface in the first development posture, and to easily place a document or the like on the upper surface in the second development posture. It is possible. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a manual feed tray that improves the stability of paper supply and can improve the workability when copying many types of documents.

  Further, when the manual feed tray is in the second unfolded posture, the manual feed tray includes a support member that extends obliquely downward from the downstream portion in the paper transport direction to the apparatus main body and supports the downstream portion in the paper transport direction. It is possible to hold the state firmly. Thereby, a relatively heavy object can be placed on the manual feed tray. Therefore, it is possible to place a larger number of types of documents, and it is possible to further improve the usability of copying.

  In the present invention, the manual feed tray having the above-described configuration is provided in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, when copying many types of documents, the manual feed tray can be used as a work table on which the document is placed. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which cost reduction is taken into consideration, without requiring a work table.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the image output operation of the image forming apparatus including the manual feed tray according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described while explaining the outline of the structure with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional front view of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 1, a solid line arrow indicates a sheet conveyance path and a conveyance direction, and a one-dot chain line arrow indicates a laser beam L.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a cassette type paper feeder 20 is provided below the inside of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1. The cassette type paper feeder 20 includes a paper cassette 21 arranged in two upper and lower stages. The paper feed cassette 21 stores and accommodates paper P such as cut paper before printing. Then, the sheets P are separated and sent one by one toward the upper left of the sheet feeding cassette 21 in FIG. The paper feed cassette 21 can be pulled out horizontally from the front side of the main body 2.

  A first paper transport unit 3 is provided inside the main body 2 and on the left side of the cassette type paper feeder 20. The first paper transport unit 3 is formed substantially vertically along the left side surface of the main body 2. The first paper transport unit 3 receives the paper P sent out from the paper feed cassette 21 and transports it to the transfer unit 10 vertically upward along the left side surface of the main body 2.

  A manual paper feeding device 30 is provided above the cassette type paper feeding device 20 and on the right side, which is the side opposite to the left side of the main body 2 where the first paper transport unit 3 is formed. It has been. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the manual sheet feeder 30 includes a manual tray 40 that can be stored and unfolded with respect to the main body 2. On the manual feed tray 40, paper P of a size that is not in the paper feed cassette 21, thick paper, and OHP sheets are loaded one by one to be manually fed into the main body 2 one by one. When the manual feed tray 40 is not used, the manual feed tray 40 takes a storage posture as shown in FIGS. The detailed configuration of the manual feed tray 40 and its periphery will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a second paper transport unit 4 is provided on the left side of the manual paper feeder 30. The second paper transport unit 4 is located immediately above the cassette type paper feeder 20, extends substantially horizontally from the manual paper feeder 30 to the first paper transport unit 3, and joins the first paper transport unit 3. . Then, the second paper transport unit 4 receives the paper P or the like sent from the manual paper feeder 30 and transports it to the first paper transport unit 3 substantially horizontally.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an image reading unit 5 is provided above the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1, and a document presser 6 is provided above the image reading unit 5. When the user makes a copy of an original, an image such as a character, a figure, or a pattern is drawn on a platen glass (not shown) provided on the upper surface of the image reading unit 5 that appears by lifting the original retainer 6 upward. Place the originals one by one. Then, the document is pressed against the platen glass surface by the document pressing unit 6, and the image drawn on the document is read by the image reading unit 5.

  The reading of the document image, that is, the start of printing is executed using the operation panel 7 (see FIG. 2) provided on the front side of the image reading unit 5 at the top of the main body 2. The user can input and set printing conditions such as the paper size to be used, enlargement / reduction, and presence / absence of double-sided printing from the operation panel 7.

  Information on the image data of the document is sent to the exposure device 8 (see FIG. 1) disposed above the second paper transport unit 4 and in the center of the main body 2. The exposure device 8 irradiates the image forming unit 9 with laser light L controlled based on the image data.

  An image forming unit 9 and a transfer unit 10 are provided above the first paper transport unit 3 and to the left of the exposure device 8. In the image forming unit 9, an electrostatic latent image of the original image is formed by the laser light L irradiated by the exposure device 8, and a toner image is developed from the electrostatic latent image. The toner is supplied to the image forming unit 9 from a toner container 11 provided above the exposure device 8. The toner image formed by the image forming unit 9 is transferred by the transfer unit 10 to the pre-printing paper P sent in synchronization by the first paper transport unit 3.

  A fixing device 12 is provided above the transfer unit 10. The paper P carrying the unfixed toner image in the transfer unit 10 is sent to the fixing device 12, and the toner image is heated and pressed by a heat roller and a pressure roller to be fixed.

  A branch portion 13 is provided above the fixing device 12. When the double-sided printing is not performed, the paper P discharged from the fixing device 12 is transferred from the branching unit 13 to the in-body paper discharge unit 14 (see FIG. 2) which is a paper discharge space provided in the cylinder of the image forming apparatus 1. Discharged.

  The discharge port portion from which the paper P is discharged from the branch portion 13 toward the in-body paper discharge portion 14 functions as the switchback portion 15. When performing duplex printing, the switchback unit 15 switches the transport direction of the paper P discharged from the fixing device 12. Then, the sheet P is sent downward through the branching unit 13, the left side of the fixing device 12, and the left side of the transfer unit 10, and is again sent to the transfer unit 10 through the first sheet transport unit 3.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the manual feed tray 40 and its periphery will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 in addition to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the vertical cross section around the manual feed tray, FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the vertical cross section around the manual feed tray similar to FIG. 3, and shows a state in the middle of removal of the manual feed tray, FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged front view of the vertical cross section around the manual feed tray as in FIG. 4 and shows a state in which the manual feed tray is removed. 3 to 5 are vertical cross-sectional front views of the support shaft portion on the back side of the manual feed tray 40, and the main part of the manual feed tray 40 is drawn with a two-dot chain line.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the manual feed tray 40 is provided in the manual paper feeder 30 and is arranged along the right side surface of the main body 2. As described above, the manual feed tray 40 can take both the stowed and unfolded postures with respect to the main body 2, and FIGS. 1 to 3 show the stowed posture. When in the storage position, the manual feed tray 40 is stored in the main body 2 so that the outer surface of the manual feed tray 40 is substantially vertically upright and substantially flush with the exterior surface of the right side surface of the main body 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the manual feed tray 40 has a tray portion 41, which is a main portion thereof, configured in a relatively thin rectangular parallelepiped shape, that is, a plate shape. The manual feed tray 40 includes a first support shaft 42 and a second support shaft 43.

  The first support shaft 42 is provided in the vicinity of the downstream end of the tray 41 in the sheet conveyance direction, that is, in the vicinity of the lower end in FIG. The first support shafts 42 are provided on both outer sides in the paper width direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction so as to protrude from the tray portion 41 and extend in a substantially horizontal direction.

  The second support shaft 43 is provided in the vicinity of the upstream end of the tray 41 in the sheet conveyance direction, that is, in the vicinity of the upper end in FIG. Similarly to the first support shaft 42, the second support shaft 43 is provided on both outer sides in the paper width direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction so as to protrude from the tray portion 41, and extends in a substantially horizontal direction. Yes.

  With respect to the manual feed tray 40 having such a configuration, a first support portion 31 and a second support portion 32 are provided on the main body 2 side of the manual sheet feeder 30.

  The first support portion 31 is provided at a position near the exterior surface of the main body 2 in the lower part of the sheet conveyance space of the manual sheet feeder 30. The 1st support part 31 is provided with the 1st bearing 31a and the latching | locking part 31b.

  The first bearing 31a corresponds to the position of the first support shaft 42 of the manual feed tray 40 in the storage posture, on both outer sides in the sheet width direction of the sheet conveyance space, that is, on the respective side walls on the front side and the rear side. Is provided. The first bearing 31a is configured by a groove extending in a substantially vertical direction and having a size and shape capable of receiving the first support shaft 42. The upper end portion of the first bearing 31a is bent at a substantially right angle and extends to the exterior surface on the right side of the main body 2 so that the first support shaft 42 can be taken in and out of the groove of the first bearing 31a from the outside. ing. The lower end portion of the first bearing 31a extends obliquely downward and inward so as to follow the shape of the locking portion 31b.

  The locking portion 31b is configured by a concave portion that engages with the downstream end portion of the developed manual feed tray 40 in the sheet conveyance direction. The locking portion 31b is recessed with an inclination so that the downstream side is lower than the upstream side in the paper transport direction.

  The second support portion 32 is provided at a location near the exterior surface of the main body 2 in the upper part of the sheet conveyance space of the manual sheet feeder 30. The second support portion 32 includes a second bearing 32a and a locking portion 32b.

  Similarly to the first bearing 31a, the second bearing 32a corresponds to the position of the second support shaft 43 of the manual feed tray 40 in the storage position, ie, both outer sides in the sheet width direction of the sheet conveyance space, that is, the front surface. It is provided on each side wall on the side and back side. The second bearing 32a has a size and shape that can receive the second support shaft 43, and has a T-shaped groove as viewed from the front. The location of the upper end of the second bearing 32a is substantially horizontal and extends outward to the exterior surface of the right side of the main body 2, and the second support shaft 43 is put in and out of the groove of the second bearing 32a from the outside. It can be done. The inner side of the upper end of the second bearing 32a extends inward so as to follow the shape of the locking portion 32b.

  The locking portion 32b is configured by a concave portion that engages with the upstream end portion of the developed manual feed tray 40 in the paper conveyance direction. The locking portion 32b is recessed inward substantially horizontally.

  With the above configuration, in the manual feed tray 40, the first support shaft 42 is supported by the first support portion 31 of the main body 2, the second support shaft 43 is supported by the second support portion 32 of the main body 2, The storage posture shown in FIG. 3 is adopted. At this time, the second support shaft 43 enters the lower end side of the second bearing 32a at the upper part of the manual feed tray 40, and the lower end abuts against the internal frame of the main body 2 at the lower part, so that the storage posture is maintained.

  Then, the manual feed tray 40 is lifted substantially vertically upward as shown in FIG. 4 and pulled out to the outside, thereby engaging the first support shaft 42 with the first support portion 31 and the second support shaft 43. Can be removed from the main body 2 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the details of the method for expanding the manual feed tray 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10 in addition to FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged front view of a vertical section around a manual feed tray that takes a first unfolded position, FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged front view of a vertical section that shows a manual feed tray and a manual sheet feeder that take the first unfolded position, and FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view of the vertical cross section around the manual feed tray taking the second deployment posture, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view of the vertical cross section around the manual feed tray taking the second deployment posture similar to FIG. FIG. 10 shows a state in the middle, and FIG. 10 shows a partially expanded front view of the vertical section around the manual feed tray taking the second deployed posture similar to FIG. In FIG. 7, the drawing of the first support portion 31 and the second support portion 32 is omitted.

  The manual feed tray 40 is a first support portion that is a portion corresponding to the first support shaft 42 when the first support shaft 42 is in the storage position from the state where it is removed from the main body 2 shown in FIG. The first developed posture shown in FIG. 6 is obtained by engaging with the first bearing 31a of 31 and setting the upstream side in the paper transport direction as a free end.

  In the first deployed posture, the manual feed tray 40 is gradually inserted from the upstream side toward the downstream side by inserting the downstream end portion into the engaging portion 31b of the first support portion 31 formed of a concave portion. It is supported in an inclined shape that becomes lower. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, in the manual sheet feeding device 30, the paper placement surface of the manual feed tray 40 and the inner tray 33 inside thereof is substantially flush, and the paper is smoothly transferred to the second paper transport unit 4. Can be sent.

  On the other hand, the manual feed tray 40 is a portion corresponding to the second support shaft 43 when the second support shaft 43 is in the stowed position from the state where it is removed from the main body 2 shown in FIG. By engaging with the second bearing 32a of the support portion 32 and setting the downstream side in the paper transport direction as a free end, the second deployed posture shown in FIG. 8 is taken.

  When the manual feed tray 40 is used as a normal manual feed tray, the upstream end portion is inserted into the locking portion 32b of the second support portion 32 formed of a concave portion in the second deployed posture. It is supported in a substantially horizontal shape with the sheet placement surface downward. Thereby, the upper surface of the manual feed tray 40 taking the second unfolding posture can be used as a work table on which a document or the like can be placed.

  The manual feed tray 40 includes a support member 44 as shown in FIG. The support member 44 can be developed downward when the manual feed tray 40 is in the second deployed posture, and includes two link members 44a and 44b and a stopper 44c.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the support member 44 is attached to one end of the link member 44 a on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the manual feed tray 40, that is, the free end side portion in the second unfolded posture. In this place, the link member 44a is attached so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane around a substantially horizontal support shaft. The link member 44a can be unfolded by rotating counterclockwise from the housed state shown in FIG. 8 (see FIG. 9).

  One end of the link member 44b is connected to the other end of the link member 44a. In this place, the link member 44b is attached so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane around a substantially horizontal support shaft. Similarly to the link member 44a, the link member 44b can be unfolded by rotating counterclockwise from the stored state shown in FIG. 8 (see FIG. 9).

  A stopper 44c is provided at a connecting portion between the link members 44a and 44b. As shown in FIG. 10, the stopper 44c acts on the link members 44a and 44b developed so as to form a straight line so that the link member 44b does not further rotate counterclockwise beyond that state. Yes.

  In the support member 44 in which the link members 44a and 44b are expanded so as to form a straight line, the free end of the link member 44b engages with the locking portion 31b of the first support portion 31 formed of a recess. In this manner, the support member 44 extends to the main body 2 obliquely downward from the downstream side of the manual feed tray 40 in the paper transport direction, thereby supporting the downstream side of the manual feed tray 40 in the second deployed position in the paper transport direction. (See FIG. 10).

  As described above, in the manual feed tray 40 for manually feeding the paper P into the main body 2, which can be stored and unfolded with respect to the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 as a device, the downstream end in the paper transport direction A first support shaft 42 provided in the vicinity and extending in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction, and a second support shaft provided in the vicinity of the upstream end in the paper transport direction and extending in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction. A support shaft 43, supported by the main body 2 by the first support shaft 42, and supported by the main body 2 by the first unfolded posture with the upstream side in the paper transport direction as a free end and the second support shaft 43. Since the second unfolding posture with the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction as the free end can be taken, it is possible to adopt a normal manual feed tray 40 in which the sheet P is manually fed into the main body 2 in the first unfolding posture. , Placed on top surface in second deployed position It can be a trapezoidal-like form is not fed into the main body 2. Thereby, the manual feed tray 40 can be used as a work table in the second deployed posture. Therefore, when copying many types of documents, it can be used as a work table on which documents are placed, and the manual feed tray 40 with improved usability can be obtained.

  Further, regarding the manual feed tray 40, the first support shaft 42 is provided in the vicinity of the lower end portion when in the storage posture, and the second support shaft 43 is provided in the vicinity of the upper end portion when in the storage posture. When in the deployed position, it is supported by the main body 2 at a location corresponding to the first support shaft 42 when in the retracted position, and when in the second deployed position, the second support shaft 43 when in the retracted position. Since it is supported by the main body 2 at a location corresponding to, it is not necessary to re-install the manual feed tray 40 in another place when deploying to the first and second deployment postures, and can be deployed on the spot. It is. And it can be made into a trapezoidal shape with almost the same space as the space required to make a normal manual feed tray. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for supporting the manual feed tray 40 at another location. In this way, in addition to improving the usability of the manual feed tray 40, space saving and cost reduction can be achieved.

  When the manual feed tray 40 is in the first deployed position, the upper surface of the manual feed tray 40 is supported in an inclined shape that gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and when the manual feed tray 40 is in the second deployed position, Since the upper surface is supported in a substantially horizontal shape, it is possible to easily supply the paper P on the upper surface in the first unfolding posture and to easily place a document or the like on the upper surface in the second unfolding posture. It is. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the manual feed tray 40 that can improve the stability of the paper supply and improve the workability when copying many types of documents.

  Further, when the manual feed tray 40 is in the second unfolded posture, the manual feed tray 40 includes a support member 44 that extends obliquely downward from the downstream portion in the paper transport direction to the main body 2 and supports the downstream portion in the paper transport direction. It is possible to hold a stable state. Thereby, a relatively heavy item can be placed on the manual feed tray 40. Therefore, it is possible to place a larger number of types of documents, and it is possible to further improve the usability of copying.

  Further, in the present invention, since the manual feed tray 40 having the above-described configuration is provided in the image forming apparatus 1, the manual feed tray 40 can be used as a work table on which the original is placed when copying many types of originals. It is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 in which cost reduction is considered without the need for preparing a work table again.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in a manual feed tray that can take both a stored and unfolded posture with respect to the apparatus main body.

1 is a schematic vertical sectional front view of an image forming apparatus including a manual feed tray according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged front view of a vertical cross section around the manual feed tray shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged front view of the vertical cross section around the manual feed tray similar to FIG. 3 and shows a state in the middle of removal of the manual feed tray. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged front view of a vertical cross section around the manual feed tray similar to FIG. 4, showing a state in which the manual feed tray is removed. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged front view of a vertical cross section around a manual feed tray taking a first deployed posture. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged front view of a vertical section showing a manual feed tray and a manual paper feed device that take a first unfolded posture. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged front view of a vertical section around a manual feed tray taking a second deployed posture. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged front view of a vertical cross section around a manual feed tray that takes the second deployment posture similar to FIG. 8 and shows a state in the middle of deployment of the support member. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged front view of the vertical cross section around the manual feed tray that takes the second deployed posture similar to that in FIG. 9 and shows a state in which the support member is deployed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Main body 30 Manual feed apparatus 31 1st support part 32 2nd support part 40 Manual feed tray 41 Tray part 42 1st spindle 43 2nd spindle 44 Support member

Claims (5)

In the manual feed tray for manually feeding the paper into the equipment body, which can take both positions of deployment and deployment with respect to the equipment body,
A first support shaft provided in the vicinity of the downstream end in the paper transport direction and extending in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction, and provided in the vicinity of the upstream end in the paper transport direction in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction. A first support posture that is supported by the device main body by the first support shaft and has a free end at the upstream side in the paper transport direction, and the device main body by the second support shaft. And a second unfolding posture in which the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction is a free end.   The first support shaft is provided in the vicinity of the lower end when in the storage position, and the second support shaft is provided in the vicinity of the upper end of the storage posture. The device main body is supported by the device main body at a position corresponding to the first support shaft when in the posture, and the device main body at a position corresponding to the second support shaft when in the storage position when the second unfolding posture is assumed. The manual feed tray according to claim 1, wherein the manual feed tray is supported by the tray.   When in the first deployed position, the upper surface is supported in an inclined shape that gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the paper transport direction, and when in the second deployed position, the upper surface is substantially horizontal. The manual feed tray according to claim 1, wherein the manual feed tray is supported in a form to become.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a support member that extends obliquely downward from the downstream portion in the paper conveyance direction to the apparatus main body and supports the downstream portion in the paper conveyance direction when in the second deployed posture. The manual feed tray according to any one of the above.   An image forming apparatus comprising the manual feed tray according to claim 1.

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