JP2009227395A - Loading mechanism and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a space for storing a guide member even if the guide member is not folded. <P>SOLUTION: When an opening/closing cover 51 is closed, an extension tray 76 is contracted to a manual insertion tray 74. Thereby, a distance of a projection 52 and a guide 54 is contracted, and the projection 52 is guided from an inner side to an outer side by the guide 54. Since the guide member 75 is integrally moved together with the projection part 52, the guide member 75 is slidingly moved outside and the guide member 75 is made to retreat to the outside of a retreating position. Since the guide member 75 retreats to the out side of the retreating position, a space for storing the guide member 75 may be formed at that position, the space for storing the guide member 75 inside is not required, and the space for storing the guide member can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stacking mechanism and an image forming apparatus.

  As an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an apparatus main body and a paper feed tray on which a medium to be supplied into the apparatus main body is stacked. The paper feed tray has a retractable guide as a pressing portion that regulates the end of the stacked medium.

In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the retractable guide can be laid down when not in use. Even if the retractable guide has a sufficient size, The paper feed tray when in use can be made compact. Therefore, when the sheet feeding tray is accommodated in the apparatus main body when not in use, the escape space to be secured in the apparatus main body is small, and it is not necessary to enlarge the image forming apparatus.
JP 2006-117351 A

  Even if it is a case where a holding | suppressing part is not folded, this invention makes it a subject to make small the space for accommodating a holding | suppressing part.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a loading mechanism in which an opening / closing portion provided on an apparatus main body is openable / closable, and an opening / closing portion that is opened / closed integrally with the opening / closing section. A loading unit mounted on the loading unit, an extension unit extending from the loading unit to expand a loading area of the load, and a movable unit provided on the loading unit and loaded on the loading unit A pressing portion that holds an end portion of the load, and a moving mechanism that moves the pressing portion to a predetermined position by shrinking the enlarged portion extended from the loading portion to the loading portion. And

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the loading mechanism according to the first aspect, wherein the enlarged portion is extended from the loading portion when the opening / closing portion is opened, and the opening / closing portion is closed. It is characterized by being shortened to the loading section.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the loading mechanism according to the first or second aspect, the moving mechanism is provided in the pressing portion and moves integrally with the pressing portion, and the enlargement from the pressing portion. A projecting portion that projects to a portion, and a guide portion that is provided in the enlarged portion and guides the projecting portion to the predetermined position as the enlarged portion is contracted to the loading portion. To do.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the loading mechanism according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a recording medium is loaded as the load.

  According to the configuration of claim 1 of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the space for accommodating the pressing portion even when the pressing portion is not folded, compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided. be able to.

  According to the structure of Claim 2 of this invention, compared with the case where it does not have this structure, the operation number of operation performed when moving a holding | suppressing part to a predetermined position can be reduced.

  According to the structure of Claim 3 of this invention, compared with the case where it does not have this structure, a holding | suppressing part can be moved to a predetermined position with a simple structure.

  According to the configuration of claim 4 of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the space for accommodating the pressing portion even when the pressing portion is not folded, compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided. be able to.

Below, an example of an embodiment concerning the present invention is described based on a drawing.
[First Embodiment]
(Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus According to First Embodiment)
First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment includes an apparatus main body 12, and sheets P as an example of a recording medium are stacked and stored in a lower portion of the apparatus main body 12. A paper feed tray 14 is disposed.

  The recording medium is not limited to paper, and a sheet-like member such as a plastic film or other media on which an image is recorded may be used.

  A pickup roll 16 is disposed immediately above the front end side (right end side in FIG. 1) of the paper feed tray 14 to contact the front end side of the upper surface of the paper P and feed the paper P from the paper feed tray 14.

  Further, the apparatus main body 12 is formed with a first conveyance path 22 that extends from the front end of the paper feed tray 14 and is gently curved and extends substantially vertically upward on the front side of the apparatus (right side in FIG. 1). Has been.

  Along the first transport path 22, a plurality of (for example, two) transport roller pairs 24 that sandwich and transport the paper P in order from the upstream side in the paper transport direction, and electrostatically attract the paper P on which an image is to be formed. An endless transport belt 26 is disposed to be transported.

  The conveyor belt 26 is wound around a winding roller 27 disposed above and a winding roller 29 disposed below, and one of the winding roller 27 and the winding roller 29 is in a predetermined direction (see FIG. 1, the conveyance belt 26 is rotated (circulated) in a predetermined direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 1) by being driven to rotate in the clockwise direction.

  On the upstream side of the conveyance belt 26 in the sheet conveyance direction, a charging roll 31 that charges the surface of the conveyance belt 26 and presses the sheet P electrostatically attracted to the conveyance belt 26 against the conveyance belt 26 is attached to the conveyance belt 26. Adjacent to each other.

  A plurality of process cartridges 28Y, 28M, 28C, and 28K corresponding to the respective colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are arranged in the lateral direction facing the conveyance belt 26 with the first conveyance path 22 interposed therebetween. Along the one conveyance path 22, the apparatus main body 12 is arranged in a column in a substantially vertical direction.

  Each process cartridge 28Y, 28M, 28C, 28K is provided with a photosensitive drum 30 that rotates in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 1).

  Around the photosensitive drum 30, the charging roller 32 for charging the photosensitive drum 30 and the charged photosensitive drum 30 are exposed to the photosensitive drum 30 in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 30. An exposure device 34 for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon and a developing roller 36 for developing toner by attaching each color toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toner images formed on the photosensitive drum 30 are respectively transferred to the paper P at a predetermined transfer position in the lateral direction facing the photosensitive drum 30 on the inner peripheral side of the conveying belt 26 as shown in FIG. A transfer device 38 for transferring is provided.

  On the downstream side in the paper transport direction from the transport belt 26, a fixing device 40 that fixes the transferred toner image onto the paper P, a transport roll pair 42 that sandwiches and transports the paper P, and a discharge roll pair that discharges the paper P to the discharge tray 20. 44 are arranged in this order.

  Further, a second conveyance path 46 for inverting the paper P on which an image is formed on one side and returning it to the first conveyance path 22 is formed facing the first conveyance path 22 with the conveyance belt 26 interposed therebetween. Has been.

  A plurality (for example, three) of conveyance roller pairs 48 for nipping and conveying the paper P downward are arranged in the second conveyance path 46, and when an image is formed on both sides, the image is formed on one side. The discharged paper P is switched back by the discharge roll pair 44 and guided to the second conveyance path 46, conveyed downward by the plurality of conveyance roll pairs 48, and sent back to the first conveyance path 22.

  Further, a third conveyance path 47 connected to the second conveyance path 46 is formed. The third transport path 47 is provided with a pair of feed rolls 49, and the feed rolls 49 feed sheets P loaded on a manual feed tray 74 described later to the second transport path 46.

  Next, an image forming operation for forming an image in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, when an image is formed on the paper P, the paper P taken out from the paper feed tray 14 is first transported upward through the first transport path 22 by the plurality of transport roll pairs 24. Then, it is fed to the conveyor belt 26. The paper P sent to the transport belt 26 is pressed against the transport belt 26 by the charging roll 31 and is electrostatically attracted to the transport belt 26 to be charged and transported upward, and each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black Are sequentially fed to a predetermined transfer position corresponding to the above.

  On the paper P sent to the predetermined transfer position, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 30 are transferred by the transfer device 38 to form a full color image. Further, the toner image conveyed and transferred to the fixing device 40 is fixed by the fixing device 40.

  Paper P loaded on a manual feed tray 74 described later is sent to the transport belt 26 by the feed roll 49 via the second transport path 46 and the first transport path 22, and a full-color image is formed in the same manner as described above. It is formed.

  When an image is formed only on one side of the paper P, the paper P is discharged to the discharge tray 20 by the discharge roll pair 44 after the toner image is fixed.

  When images are formed on both sides of the sheet P, after the image is formed on one side, the sheet P is switched back by the discharge roll pair 44, reversed, and sent to the second conveyance path 46. Further, the sheet is fed again from the second conveyance path 46 to the first conveyance path 22, an image is formed on the opposite surface where no image is recorded in the same manner as described above, and an image is formed on both sides of the paper P. 44 to the discharge tray 20. As described above, a series of image forming operations are performed.

(Loading mechanism according to image forming apparatus of first embodiment)
Next, the stacking mechanism according to the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stacking mechanism 11 according to the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment includes an opening / closing cover 51 as an example of an opening / closing part that can be opened and closed on the apparatus main body 12.

  The opening / closing cover 51 is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body 12 by a support portion 61 disposed at the lower part of the apparatus, and rotates from the apparatus main body 12 side to the apparatus outer side (in the direction A in FIGS. 2 and 3). By tilting to the open position, the device main body 12 is opened. Further, the opening / closing cover 51 is closed with respect to the apparatus main body 12 by rotating from the opened state toward the apparatus main body 12 (in the direction B in FIGS. 2 and 3) and standing vertically to the closed position.

  Further, when the opening / closing cover 51 is opened, the feeding port 73 (see FIG. 3) provided in the apparatus main body 12 is opened, and the paper P can be fed into the apparatus main body 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a manual feed tray 74 as an example of a stacking unit capable of stacking sheets P as an example of a load is provided on the inner inner surface 51A of the opening / closing cover 51 facing the apparatus main body 12. .

  The load is not limited to paper, and a sheet-like member such as a plastic film or other media on which an image is recorded may be used.

  The manual feed tray 74 is opened and closed integrally with the open / close cover 51 and is disposed on the open / close cover 51 when the open / close cover 51 is open. In addition, when the open / close cover 51 is opened, the paper P to be fed into the apparatus main body 12 is placed on a predetermined position on the manual feed tray 74. Specifically, the paper P is stacked on the manual feed tray 74 at a position where the leading end of the paper P comes into contact with the feeding roll 49 (see FIG. 2). The position where the paper P is stacked can be arbitrarily set.

  The manual feed tray 74 is provided with an extension tray 76 as an example of an enlargement unit that is pulled out of the manual feed tray 74 and expands the stacking area of the paper P.

  The extension tray 76 is disposed on the inner surface 51A on the inner side of the opening / closing cover 51 and on the upper side of the manual feed tray 74 (the side far from the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51). The extension tray 76 has a hollow inside, and the manual feed tray 74 can be accommodated therein.

  The manual feed tray 74 is provided with a pair of guide members 75 as an example of a pressing portion that presses the end of the paper P stacked on the manual feed tray 74. The pair of guide members 75 are configured to slide in the direction of the arrow C corresponding to the paper width of the paper P to be stacked, and hit the side edges of the paper P from both sides of the paper P. Guide the paper P.

  As shown in FIG. 5, racks 87 are fixed to the guide member 75, and the racks 87 mesh with pinions 79 arranged between the racks 87. Thus, by moving one guide member 75, the other guide member 75 slides integrally.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner surface 51 </ b> A of the opening / closing cover 51 has a pair of side plates 60 at both ends in the width direction (direction along the axial direction of the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51). , 62 are provided. The pair of side plates 60 is provided on the upper side (side far from the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51), and the pair of side plates 62 is provided on the lower side (side closer to the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51).

  The pair of side plates 60 are respectively formed with a first guide hole 64 and a second guide hole 66 extending along an orthogonal direction R orthogonal to the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51. The first guide hole 64 is formed on the upper side (front end side far from the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51), and the second guide hole 66 is formed on the lower side (rear end side near the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51). The first guide hole 64 is shorter than the second guide hole 66.

  The pair of side plates 62 are formed with third guide holes 68 extending along an orthogonal direction R orthogonal to the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51. The third guide hole 68 has substantially the same length as the second guide hole 66.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, first shaft portions 70 are provided on both side surfaces of the extension tray 76 at longitudinal end portions (tip portions far from the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51) on both side surfaces thereof. ing. Further, on both side surfaces of the extension tray 76, long holes 72 are formed on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the both side surfaces (the rear end side close to the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51).

  On both side surfaces of the manual feed tray 74, a pair of second shaft portions 78 is formed at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the side surface (a tip portion far from the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51). Further, on both side surfaces of the manual feed tray 74, a pair of third shaft portions 80 are formed in the center portion in the longitudinal direction of the side surface. Further, on the inner walls on both side surfaces of the manual feed tray 74, a fourth shaft portion 77 is formed coaxially with the pair of second shaft portions 78.

  The fourth shaft portion 77 is fitted into a long hole 72 formed in the extension tray 76, and the pair of fourth shaft portions 77 slides from one end of the long hole 72 to the other end. In order to slide between a superposition position (a storage position where the manual feed tray 74 is accommodated in the extension tray 76) which is contracted to the manual feed tray 74 and overlaps the manual feed tray 74, and an extended position where the extension tray 76 extends. It is configured.

  A second shaft portion 78 coaxial with the pair of fourth shaft portions 77 fitted in the long holes 72 is fitted in the second guide hole 66 and a pair of third shaft portions 80 provided in the manual feed tray 74. Is fitted in the third guide hole 68.

  The pair of second shaft portions 78 slides from one end of the second guide hole 66 to the other end, and the pair of third shaft portions 80 slides from one end of the third guide hole 68 to the other end. The tray 74 is configured to slide along the opening / closing cover 51.

  One end of the link member 84 is rotatably connected to a support shaft 86 provided in the apparatus main body 12. The other end portion of the link member 84 is rotatably connected to the distal end portions of the pair of third shaft portions 80 fitted in the third guide hole 68. Thereby, the manual feed tray 74 is supported by the support shaft 86 at a position different from the rotation axis of the opening / closing cover 51 via the link member 84.

  Thus, when the manual feed tray 74 is opened and closed integrally with the opening / closing cover 51, the pair of second shaft portions 78 slides along the second guide hole 66 in conjunction with the opening and closing cover 51, and the pair of third shafts. The other end portion of the link member 84 connected to the portion 80 and the third shaft portion 80 slides along the third guide hole 68.

  The pair of first shaft portions 70 provided on the extension tray 76 are fitted in the first guide holes 64, whereby the extension tray 76 is attached to the opening / closing cover 51 via the side plate 60.

  The pair of first shaft portions 70 slides from one end of the first guide hole 64 to the other end, and the long holes 72 formed in the extension tray 76 extend by sliding the fourth shaft portion 77. The tray 76 is configured to slide along the opening / closing cover 51.

  As a result, when the manual feed tray 74 and the opening / closing cover 51 are integrally opened and closed, the extension tray 76 first slides integrally with the manual feed tray 74. Thereafter, the movement of the extension tray 76 is prevented by the pair of first shaft portions 70 coming into contact with the end portions of the first guide holes 64.

  The second guide hole 66 and the third guide hole 68 are formed longer than the first guide hole 64, and the slide amount of the manual tray 74 is longer than the slide amount of the extension tray 76. Even after the movement of the extension tray 76 is prevented, the extension tray 76 slides relative to the extension tray 76, and the extension tray 76 is pulled out from the manual feed tray 74 to extend the extension tray 76.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a tension spring 87 as an example of an urging member is provided between the manual feed tray 74 and the extension tray 76. The tension spring 87 has one end attached to the upper wall surface of the extension tray 76 and the other end attached to the center of the manual feed tray 74, and the manual feed tray 74 slides between the overlapping position and the extended position. Therefore, it is configured to be displaced.

  As the manual feed tray 74 slides from the overlapping position to the extended position, the tension spring 87 is pulled and extended, so that a reaction force to return to the original state acts and the extended extension tray 76 is overlapped. An urging force is generated to move the position.

  Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the stacking mechanism 11 according to the first embodiment retracts the guide member 75 to a predetermined position by contracting the extension tray 76 extended from the manual feed tray 74 to the manual feed tray 74. A moving mechanism 50 is provided for moving to the position.

  The moving mechanism 50 is provided on the guide member 75 and moves integrally with the guide member 75 and protrudes from the guide member 75 to the extension tray 76. The moving mechanism 50 is provided on the extension tray 76, and the extension tray 76 is provided in the manual feed tray 74. And a guide portion 54 that guides the protruding portion 52 to a predetermined position as it is contracted.

  The guide portions 54 are formed on the upper surface of the extension tray 76, and are disposed as a pair on the upper side of the pair of guide members 75 (the side far from the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51). The guide portion 54 has a substantially triangular shape in plan view and has a thickness in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the extension tray 76.

  54 A of opposing surfaces which oppose the protrusion part 52 are the upper side (side near the rotating shaft S of the opening-and-closing cover 51) from the inner side (center part of the width direction W) to the outer side (end part of the width direction W). The opening / closing cover 51 is inclined toward the far side of the rotation axis S).

  The protrusion 52 is formed in a rod shape extending from the guide member 75 to the extension tray 76. One end of the projecting portion 52 is attached to the rack 87 of the guide member 75, and the other end portion (tip portion) of the projecting portion 52 contacts the facing surface 54 </ b> A of the guide portion 54. Thereby, the protrusion part 52 is guided from the inner side (the center part in the width direction W) to the outer side (the end part in the width direction W) when the extension tray 76 moves to the overlapping position.

  The apparatus main body 12 is formed with a recess 82 for accommodating the guide member 75. Further, in the first embodiment, the guide member 75 is configured to rise from the manual feed tray 74, but may be configured to be folded.

(Operation of Image Forming Apparatus According to First Embodiment)
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, when using the manual feed tray 74, the operator first opens the opening / closing cover 51. As the opening / closing cover 51 is opened, the extension tray 76 and the manual feed tray 74 are integrally opened with the opening / closing cover 51 and the extension tray 76 is extended from the manual feed tray 74 as shown in FIG.

  Then, the operator loads the paper P on the manual feed tray 74 and aligns the guide member 75 with the side edge of the paper P.

  Next, when the use of the manual feed tray 74 is finished and the opening / closing cover 51 is closed, the extension tray 76 is contracted to the manual feed tray 74 as shown in FIG. As a result, the distance between the protrusion 52 and the guide 54 is reduced, and the protrusion 52 is guided by the guide 54 from the inside (the center in the width direction W) to the outside (the end in the width direction W). Since the guide member 75 moves integrally with the protruding portion 52, the guide member 75 slides outward (the end in the width direction W), and the guide member 75 is retracted to the outside (the end in the width direction W). Evacuate to.

  As described above, when the opening / closing cover 51 is closed, the guide member 75 is retracted to the outer retracted position. Therefore, a space for accommodating the guide member 75 may be provided at that position, and the inner side (the central portion in the width direction W) may be provided. No space is required to accommodate the guide member 75.

  When the extension tray 76 is contracted to the manual feed tray 74, the guide member 75 only needs to move to a predetermined position, and is not limited to a configuration that moves to the retracted position on the outer side (the end in the width direction W). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the facing surface 54 </ b> A that faces the protruding portion 52 increases from the inner side (the center portion in the width direction W) to the outer side (the end portion in the width direction W). It is configured to incline from the side far from the rotation axis S) to the lower side (side closer to the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51), and the opening / closing cover 51 is closed from the state where the opening / closing cover 51 is opened (see FIG. 8). In this state, the guide member 75 may be moved inward (center portion in the width direction W) (see FIG. 9).

  In the above-described embodiment, the extension tray 76 is configured to be accommodated in the manual feed tray 74. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the manual feed tray 74 side is configured to be accommodated in the extension tray 76. May be.

  Moreover, although the guide part 54 was formed with the convex part, you may comprise the guide part 54 by a recessed part, a groove | channel, a long hole, etc. FIG.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted. The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the extension tray 76 is extended from the manual feed tray 74 and the extension tray 76 is contracted to the manual feed tray 74 in conjunction with opening and closing of the opening / closing cover 51. However, the second embodiment Then, the operator directly operates the extension tray 76 so that the extension tray 76 is extended from the manual feed tray 74. Hereinafter, the configuration of the stacking mechanism 13 according to the second embodiment will be specifically described.

  As illustrated in FIG. 12, the stacking mechanism 13 according to the second embodiment includes a pair of side plates 60 provided on the inner surface 51 </ b> A of the opening / closing cover 51. The pair of side plates 60 are respectively disposed at both ends of the opening / closing cover 51 in the width direction (direction along the axial direction of the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51) W. The pair of side plates 60 are respectively formed with guide holes 63 extending along an orthogonal direction R orthogonal to the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51.

  Shaft portions 71 are respectively provided on both side surfaces of the extension tray 76. The shaft portions 71 are respectively fitted in the guide holes 63, and the extension tray 76 is attached to the opening / closing cover 51 via the side plate 60.

  When the shaft portion 71 slides from one end of the guide hole 63 to the other end, the extension tray 76 is extended from the manual feed tray 74 and extended to the manual feed tray 74 and overlaps with the manual feed tray 74. It is configured to slide along the opening / closing cover 51 between the overlapping positions (the storage position where the extension tray 76 is accommodated between the manual feed tray 74 and the opening / closing cover 51).

  In the stacking mechanism 13 according to the second embodiment, when the extension tray 76 is extended to the extended position, a part of the extension tray 76 protrudes from the opening / closing cover 51 so that the opening / closing cover 51 cannot be closed. When closing the opening / closing cover 51, the operator needs to return the extension tray 76 to the overlapping position.

  Here, in the stacking mechanism 13 according to the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the extension tray 76 extended from the manual feed tray 74 is contracted to the manual feed tray 74, whereby the guide member 75 is moved to a predetermined position. A moving mechanism 50 is provided for moving to the position. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the manual feed tray 74 omitted from FIG.

  The moving mechanism 50 is provided on the guide member 75 and moves integrally with the guide member 75 and protrudes from the guide member 75 to the extension tray 76. The moving mechanism 50 is provided on the extension tray 76, and the extension tray 76 is provided in the manual feed tray 74. And a guide portion 54 that guides the protruding portion 52 to a predetermined position as it is contracted.

  The guide portions 54 are formed on the upper surface of the extension tray 76, and are disposed as a pair on the upper side of the pair of guide members 75 (the side far from the rotation axis S of the opening / closing cover 51). The guide portion 54 has a substantially triangular shape in plan view and has a thickness in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the extension tray 76.

  54 A of opposing surfaces which oppose the protrusion part 52 are the upper side (side near the rotating shaft S of the opening-and-closing cover 51) from the inner side (center part of the width direction W) to the outer side (end part of the width direction W). The opening / closing cover 51 is inclined toward the far side of the rotation axis S).

  The protrusion 52 is formed in a rod shape extending from the guide member 75 to the extension tray 76. One end of the projecting portion 52 is attached to the rack 87 of the guide member 75, and the other end portion (tip portion) of the projecting portion 52 contacts the facing surface 54 </ b> A of the guide portion 54. Thereby, the protrusion part 52 is guided from the inner side (the center part in the width direction W) to the outer side (the end part in the width direction W) when the extension tray 76 moves to the overlapping position.

(Operation of Image Forming Apparatus According to Second Embodiment)
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when using the manual feed tray 74, the operator first opens the open / close cover 51. Next, the operator extends the extension tray 76 by pulling it out of the manual feed tray 74, as shown in FIGS.

  Then, the operator loads the paper P on the manual feed tray 74 and aligns the guide member 75 with the side edge of the paper P.

  Next, the use of the manual feed tray 74 is finished, and the operator pushes the extension tray 76 into the manual feed tray 74 and contracts it, as shown in FIGS. As a result, the distance between the projecting portion 52 and the guide portion 54 is reduced, and the projecting portion 52 is guided from the inner side (the center portion in the width direction W) to the outer side (the end portion in the width direction W) by the guide portion 54.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the operator further pushes the extension tray 76 into the manual feed tray 74 to contract it, and accommodates the extension tray 76 between the manual feed tray 74 and the opening / closing cover 51.

  As a result, the distance between the protrusion 52 and the guide 54 is reduced, and the protrusion 52 is guided by the guide 54 from the inside (the center in the width direction W) to the outside (the end in the width direction W). Since the guide member 75 moves integrally with the projecting portion 52, the guide member 75 slides outward (the end in the width direction W), and the guide member 75 moves to the retracted position on the outside (the end in the width direction W). evacuate.

  As described above, when the opening / closing cover 51 is closed, the guide member 75 is retracted to the outer retracted position. Therefore, a space for accommodating the guide member 75 may be provided at that position, and the inner side (the central portion in the width direction W) may be provided. No space is required to accommodate the guide member 75.

  The extension tray 76 may be extended from the manual feed tray 74 in conjunction with the opening of the opening / closing cover 51, and the extended extension tray 76 may be manually shortened to the manual feed tray 74.

  With this configuration, since the extension tray 76 is always extended by opening the opening / closing cover 51 and the extension tray 76 needs to be contracted, the guide member 75 can be moved to the retracted position more reliably. Below, the example of this structure is demonstrated as a 1st modification and a 2nd modification.

(First modification)
In the first modified example, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19A, a pressing spring 88 is provided as an example of a biasing member that biases the extension tray 76 to the extended position. The push spring 80 has one end portion attached to the side plate 60 and the other end portion attached to the shaft portion 71. By pushing the shaft portion 71, the extension tray 76 is biased to the extended position.

  On the outer surface of the side plate 60, a latch 90 that can be hooked on the shaft portion 71 is rotatably supported. The latch 90 is configured to rotate between a latching position latched on the shaft portion 71 and a release position where the latching on the shaft portion 71 is released. When the shaft portion 71 is in contact with the end of the guide hole 63 on the manual feed tray 74 side, as shown in FIG. 19B, the shaft portion 71 is latched by the latch 90 being positioned at the latching position. It is hung on. The latch 90 is urged from the release position side to the latching position side by a torsion spring 92 as an example of an urging member.

  In a state where the latch 90 is biased (the state shown in FIG. 18), when the extension tray 76 is contracted to the manual feed tray 74 and the shaft portion 71 is moved to the end of the guide hole 63 on the manual feed tray 74 side, the latch 90 The hook-shaped tip of the rod rides on the shaft portion 71 and is hooked on the shaft portion 71.

When the opening / closing cover 51 is closed, as shown in FIG. 19C, the rear end portion of the latch 90 is pushed by the projection 94 provided on the apparatus main body 12, and the latch 90 rotates to the release position. The latch is released. Accordingly, when the opening / closing cover 51 is opened again, the extension spring 76 is extended by the pressing spring 88 pressing the shaft portion 71.
(Second modification)
In the second modified example, as shown in FIG. 20, a pressing spring 110 is provided as an example of a biasing member that biases the extension tray 76 toward the extension position.

  Further, a holding member 105 capable of holding the extension tray 76 in a state where the extension tray 76 is contracted to the manual feed tray 74 is provided. The holding member 105 is supported so as to be swingable from the swing shaft 107, and a holding position where the claw 107 </ b> A at the distal end is hooked on the extension tray 76 to hold the extension tray 76, and the holding to the extension tray 76 is held. The release position to be released is swung.

  A pressing spring 108 is disposed at the rear end portion of the holding member 105 as an example of an urging member, and presses the rear end portion of the holding member 105 to urge the holding member 105 from the release position side to the holding position side. ing.

  Further, a link member 102 is disposed between the manual feed tray 74 and the apparatus main body 12. One end of the link member 102 is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body 12, and a projection 104 that protrudes along the rotation axis direction of the link member 102 is formed on the other end of the link member 102. .

  When the opening / closing cover 51 is opened, the projection 104 of the link member 102 moves relative to the holding member 105 in the X direction in FIG. 20 and pushes down the rear end of the holding member 105. As a result, the holding member 105 rotates to the release position, and the extension tray 76 is extended to the extension position.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the opening / closing cover is opened in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the opening / closing cover is opened in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for illustrating a state in which the manual feed tray is attached to the opening / closing cover according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the back side of the manual feed tray and the extension tray according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an open state of the opening / closing cover according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the position of the guide member in the closed state of the opening / closing cover according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an open state of the opening / closing cover in a modification in which the guide unit according to the first embodiment is modified. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a closed state of the opening / closing cover in a modification in which the guide unit according to the first embodiment is modified. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modification in which the manual feed tray is accommodated in the extension tray according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the back side of the manual feed tray and the extension tray in a modification in which the manual feed tray is accommodated in the extension tray according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the loading mechanism according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the manual feed tray is omitted from the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the stacking mechanism according to the second embodiment and a state in which the extension tray is being accommodated. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which the manual feed tray is omitted from the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the stacking mechanism according to the second embodiment and a state in which the extension tray is accommodated. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the manual feed tray is omitted from the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a first modification of the stacking mechanism according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is an operation diagram of a first modification of the stacking mechanism according to the second embodiment. FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a second modification of the stacking mechanism according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Loading mechanism 12 Apparatus main body 13 Loading mechanism 50 Moving mechanism 51 Opening / closing cover (opening / closing part)
52 Protruding part 54 Guide part 74 Manual feed tray (stacking part)
75 Guide member (pressing part)
76 Extension tray (enlarged part)

Claims (4)

An opening / closing part provided on the apparatus main body so as to be opened and closed;
A loading unit that is opened and closed integrally with the opening and closing unit and on which a load to be sent to the apparatus main body in the opened state of the opening and closing unit is placed;
An enlarged portion provided in the loading portion and extending from the loading portion to expand a loading area of the load;
A holding unit that is movably provided in the loading unit, and that holds an end of a load loaded on the loading unit;
A moving mechanism that moves the pressing portion to a predetermined position by shrinking the enlarged portion extended from the loading portion to the loading portion;
A loading mechanism characterized by comprising:   2. The loading mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the enlarged portion is extended from the loading portion when the opening / closing portion is opened, and is contracted to the loading portion when the opening / closing portion is closed. The moving mechanism is
A protrusion that is provided in the pressing portion and moves integrally with the pressing portion, and protrudes from the pressing portion to the enlarged portion;
A guide portion that is provided in the enlarged portion and guides the protruding portion to the predetermined position as the enlarged portion is contracted to the stacking portion;
A loading mechanism characterized by comprising:   An image forming apparatus comprising the stacking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a recording medium is stacked as the load.

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