JP2010052910A - Paper feeding cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feeding cassette capable of contributing to a reduction in the size of paper feeding cassette and of improving displacement operability while suppressing the displacement of a rear end fence. <P>SOLUTION: This paper feeding cassette includes: a slider 5 having a guide groove formed in the bottom surface of a cassette body 2 capable of storing transfer paper of a large number of sizes along the transfer paper conveying direction, multi-line engaged parts 2b formed continuously on the bottom surface of the cassette body 2 in such a manner as to extend in the direction orthogonal to the guide groove extending direction along the guide groove, an engagement part 5c which is guided by the guide groove and which is guided by the guide groove and resiliently engaged with the multi-line engaged parts 2b through a thin-wall hinge part 5b, and an operation piece 5d which releases the resiliently engaged state of the multi-line engaged parts 2b with the engagement part 5c against the resiliency of the thin-wall hinge part 5b by operating in the transfer paper conveying direction; and a rear end fence body 6 displaceable in a cassette body 2 so as to be come into contact with the upstream side of the transfer paper held by the slider 5 and stored in the cassette body 2 in the conveying direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feeding cassette mounted on a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine having these functions.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a copying machine, a printer, or a multi-function machine functionally equipped with these is well known in which a paper feed cassette for storing a large number of transfer sheets is mounted.

  At this time, since the size of the transfer paper to be stored differs depending on the number of installed paper cassettes, the usage frequency of the user, and the like, the paper cassette is stored in the cassette main body and the cassette main body capable of storing multi-size transfer paper. In addition to the side fence that guides both sides along the transfer paper conveyance direction, a rear end fence that can come into contact with the upstream side in the transfer paper conveyance direction is well known.

  As such a rear end fence, a rear end fence main body that can come into contact with the upstream side in the transport direction of the transfer paper, and a pivotable support on the upstream side surface of the rear end fence main body in the transport direction, And a non-slip member made of an elastic member having a high frictional resistance such as rubber that can come into contact with the bottom surface, and positioning the rear end fence by the friction force of this anti-slip member is known (for example, Patent Documents) 1).

Further, the rear end fence main body that can contact the upstream side in the transport direction of the transfer paper, and the upstream end surface in the transport direction of the rear end fence main body are rotatably supported in the operation direction orthogonal to the displacement direction of the rear end fence. And an engaging portion that engages with an engaged groove formed on the bottom surface of the sheet cassette, and the rear end fence is positioned by the engagement position between the engaged groove and the engaging groove. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-206172 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-220021

  However, in the paper feed cassette configured as described above, for example, in a paper feed cassette provided with a non-slip member that comes into contact with the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette, for example, a transfer sheet of the maximum size is placed on the paper feed cassette. When stowed, it is necessary to secure a space for placing a non-slip member between the wall surface located upstream in the transfer paper conveyance direction of the paper feed cassette and the upstream side surface in the conveyance direction of the rear end fence body. However, there has been a problem that the paper feed cassette becomes larger.

  In addition, in the case of an apparatus provided with an anti-slip member that comes into contact with the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette, the frictional resistance of the anti-slip member due to paper waste or dust generated from a bundle of transfer paper stored in the paper feed cassette is aged. There is a problem that the trailing edge fence is shifted to the upstream side in the transfer paper conveyance direction due to an impact generated when the transfer paper is fed, and this causes a printing deviation.

  Further, even in a paper feed cassette having an engaging portion that engages with an engaged groove formed on the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette, for example, when a maximum size transfer paper is stored in the paper feed cassette, It is necessary to secure a space for disposing the engaging portion between the wall surface located upstream of the paper cassette in the transfer paper conveyance direction and the upstream surface of the rear end fence body in the conveyance direction. There was a problem that it would end up.

  In addition, since the engaging portion has an operation direction orthogonal to the displacement direction of the rear end fence as the rotation direction, the releasing operation of the engagement portion and the displacement operation of the rear end fence are different, and the operability is poor. Has occurred.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a paper feed cassette that can contribute to downsizing of the paper feed cassette and can improve displacement operability while suppressing the displacement of the rear end fence. The purpose is to do.

  The paper feed cassette of the present invention includes a guide groove formed along the transfer paper conveyance direction on the bottom surface of the cassette body capable of storing multi-size transfer paper, and an extending direction of the guide groove on the bottom surface of the cassette body. A multi-strip engagement portion that extends in the intersecting direction and is continuously formed along the guide groove, a slider that is guided by the guide groove, and is held by the slider and stored in the cassette body. A rear-end fence body displaceable within the cassette body so as to be able to come into contact with the upstream side in the transfer paper conveyance direction, and the slider includes a guide protrusion that engages with the guide groove, and a thin-walled hinge An engagement portion that elastically engages with the multi-strand engaged portion via a portion, and a resilient engagement between the multi-strand engaged portion and the engaging portion against the elasticity of the thin hinge portion An operation piece that releases the transfer paper transfer direction as the operation direction Characterized in that it comprises a.

  At this time, the multi-thread engaged portion is formed in a substantially saw-tooth shape in cross section, and when the rear end fence is displaced downstream in the transfer paper conveyance direction, only the operation load in the displacement direction is used. The thin hinge portion is tilted so that the engaged state between the engaged portion and the engaging portion is released, and the operation piece is operated to displace the rear end fence to the upstream side in the transfer paper conveyance direction. It is preferable to stand up so that it cannot be displaced unless the elastic engagement state between the multi-thread engaged portion and the engaging portion is released with the transfer paper conveyance direction as the operation direction against the elasticity of .

  The paper feed cassette according to the present invention can contribute to miniaturization of the paper feed cassette, and can improve the displacement operability while suppressing the displacement of the rear end fence.

  Next, a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of essential parts of the paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a slider applied to a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a slider applied to a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is applied to a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the paper feed cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is another main part of the paper feed cassette according to one embodiment of the present invention. Sectional view (before rear end fence displacement), FIG. 10 is a sheet feeding cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a cross-sectional view of another main part (after the rear end fence displacement).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sheet feeding cassette 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on an image forming apparatus (not shown) such as a copying machine, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine functionally equipped with these. The image forming apparatus can be pulled out from the front.

  Further, the paper feed cassette 1 can be brought into contact with two sides along the transfer direction of the transfer paper according to the size of the transfer paper stored in the cassette main body 2 and the cassette main body 2 capable of storing multi-size transfer paper. A pair of side fences 3 that can be displaced within the cassette body 2 and a rear end fence 4 that can come into contact with the upstream side in the transfer direction of the transfer paper are provided.

  On the bottom surface of the cassette body 2, a guide groove 2a is formed along the transfer paper conveyance direction. The cassette body 2 has a bottom surface formed with a multi-thread engaged portion 2b extending in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the guide groove 2a and continuously formed along the guide groove 2a.

  The rear end fence 4 can come into contact with the resin-made slider 5 guided in the guide groove 2a and the upstream side in the transport direction of the transfer paper held by the slider 5 and stored in the cassette body 2. A rear-end fence body 6 that is displaceable in the cassette body 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the slider 5 includes a guide protrusion 5a that engages with the guide groove 2a, and an engaging portion 5c that elastically engages with the multi-thread engaged portion 2b via the thin hinge portion 5b. And an operation piece 5d having a wedge-shaped cross section that releases the elastic engagement state of the multi-thread engaged portion 2b and the engaging portion 5c against the elasticity of the thin-walled hinge portion 5b with the transfer paper transport direction as the operation direction; It has. The slider 5 is integrally formed with a pair of locking pieces 5e and an abutment surface 5f in order to prevent the rear end fence body 6 from floating (dropping off). Further, the slider 5 is integrally formed with an auxiliary guide rail 5 g that engages with the guide groove 2 a and a pin support cylinder portion 5 h through which the retaining pin 8 passes through the C ring 7. Note that an operating lever (not shown) for operating a transfer paper size detecting means (not shown) is engaged and held on the retaining pin 8 so as to be rotatable.

  As the guide protrusion 5a, a columnar body that protrudes downward is halved with the lower end of the cylindrical body having a downward frustoconical shape, and the lower end portion of the frustoconical shape is formed on the back side of the guide groove 2a. Positioning the slider 5 prevents the slider 5 from coming off.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the rear end fence body 6 is formed by bending a thin metal plate into a substantially L shape, and the bottom wall 6 a is supported by the slider 5, so that the transfer paper The vertical wall 6b in contact with the upstream side in the transport direction is in an upright state. The low wall 6a is formed with a recess 6c that engages with the operation piece 5d. Further, a pin through hole 6d is formed at the boundary between the low wall 6a and the vertical wall 6b. The low wall 6a and the vertical wall 6b can be provided with a press working portion 6e for reinforcement depending on the material used, the thickness, the maximum set transfer paper size, and the like. Further, the pair of locking pieces 5e and the contact surface 5f described above contact the pair of locking pieces 5e on the surface side near both edges near the tip of the low wall 6a, and the back surface near both edges near the center of the low wall 6a. A pair of contact surfaces 5f abut on the side. This prevents the rear end fence body 6 from floating (dropping off) with respect to the slider 5 in combination with the operation piece 5d coming into contact with the center surface side of the low wall 6a.

  The retaining pin 8 is jointed with the guide protrusion 5a by penetrating the guide groove 2a from the bottom surface side of the cassette body 2 with the operation lever of the transfer paper size detecting means (not shown) interposed therebetween, and then penetrating the pin support cylinder portion 5h. Then, the slider 5 is prevented from coming off from the cassette body 2. Accordingly, since the retaining pin 8 also functions as a guide rail for the guide groove 2a, the auxiliary guide rail 5g may be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-thread engaged portion 2b is formed continuously in a generally sawtooth shape in cross section along the transfer paper conveyance direction (see the thick arrow in FIG. 3). It becomes the recessed part opened toward. At this time, one surface side of the individual wall surface (downstream side in the transfer paper conveyance direction) is engaged with multiple lines only by the operation load in the displacement direction when the rear end fence 4 is displaced downstream in the transfer paper conveyance direction. It is inclined so that the engaged state between the part 2b and the engaging part 5c is released. Further, the other surface side of the opposing individual wall surface (upstream side in the transfer paper transport direction) operates the operation piece 5d when the rear end fence 4 is displaced upstream in the transfer paper transport direction, and the elasticity of the thin hinge 5b. In contrast, the elastic engagement state between the multi-thread engaged portion 2b and the engaging portion 5c cannot be displaced unless it is released with the transfer paper transport direction as the operation direction (see the fine arc arrow in FIG. 3). Is standing up.

  Accordingly, the engagement portion 5c also has a tip (lower end) so that the downstream side in the transfer paper conveyance direction is inclined and the upstream side in the transfer paper conveyance direction stands up so as to follow the individual concave shape of the multi-row engagement portion 2b. It is preferable that the cross-sectional shape is tapered toward the front.

  In the above configuration, the rear end fence 4 is, for example, near the rear wall of the cassette body 2 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 when the transfer paper size that can be stored in the cassette body 2 is the set maximum size. positioned.

  At this time, since the positioning mechanism of the rear end fence 4 is not located on the upstream side wall surface of the rear end fence body 6 in the transfer paper conveyance direction, the rear end fence body 6 is brought closer to the rear wall of the cassette body 2. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a space for arranging the positioning mechanism between the rear end fence main body 6 and the cassette main body 2, thereby contributing to downsizing of the cassette main body 2.

  Further, when the size of the transfer paper stored in the cassette body 2 is small, for example, by simply pushing the upstream side (back side) of the rear end fence body 6 in the transfer paper conveyance direction, as shown in FIG. 5 can be slid and displaced integrally with the rear end fence body 6 toward the downstream side in the transfer paper conveyance direction.

  At this time, since the upstream side in the individual sheet transport direction of the multi-thread engaged portion 2b is an upright wall surface, the rear end fence 4 is caused by the impact generated when the transfer sheet is taken out for image forming processing. There is no misalignment upstream of the transfer paper conveyance direction.

  When replenishing the transfer paper or enlarging the size of the transfer paper to be stored, the operation piece 5d is operated with the transfer paper transport direction as the operation direction to resist the elasticity of the thin hinge 5b. If the elastic engagement state between the engaging portion 2b and the engaging portion 5c is released, the rear end fence 4 can be slid to the upstream side in the transfer paper conveyance direction.

It is a perspective view of the paper feed cassette concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the principal part of the paper feed cassette concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of the locked state of the paper feed cassette which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the slider applied to the paper feed cassette which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top perspective view of the slider applied to the paper feed cassette concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a bottom perspective view of a slider applied to a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the rear end fence applied to the paper feed cassette concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of the paper feed cassette which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing (before a rear end fence displacement) of the other principal part of the paper feed cassette which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing (after a rear end fence displacement) of the other principal part of the paper feed cassette which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Paper feed cassette 2 ... Cassette main body 2a ... Guide groove 2b ... Multiple line | wire engaged part 3 ... Side fence 4 ... Rear end fence 5 ... Slider 5a ... Guide protrusion 5b ... Thin hinge part 5c ... Engagement part 5d ... Operation Piece 6 ... Rear end fence body

Claims (2)

A guide groove formed along the transfer paper conveyance direction on the bottom surface of the cassette body capable of storing multi-size transfer paper, and extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the guide groove on the bottom surface of the cassette body; A multi-row engaged portion continuously formed along the guide groove, a slider guided by the guide groove, and an upstream side in the transport direction of the transfer paper held by the slider and stored in the cassette body And a rear end fence body displaceable in the cassette body so as to be able to come into contact with,
The slider has a guide projection that engages with the guide groove, an engagement portion that elastically engages with the multi-thread engagement portion via a thin hinge portion, and the elasticity of the thin hinge portion against the elasticity. An operation piece for releasing an elastic engagement state between the multi-striped engagement portion and the engagement portion with the transfer paper transport direction as an operation direction.   The multi-strip engagement portion is formed in a substantially sawtooth shape in cross section, and when the rear end fence is displaced downstream in the transfer paper conveyance direction, the multi-strip engagement is only performed by an operation load in the displacement direction. When the rear end fence is displaced upstream in the transfer paper conveyance direction, the operation piece is operated to make the thin hinge portion elastic. On the contrary, the elastic engagement state between the multi-thread engaged portion and the engagement portion is erected so that it cannot be displaced unless the transfer paper conveyance direction is released as the operation direction. Item 2. The paper feed cassette according to Item 1.

Images