JP2018122992A - Sheet tray and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet tray and an image formation device capable of suppressing deterioration of strength of a first tray even having a constitution where one of a first rotational tray and a second rotational tray rotates interlocking with the rotation of the other.SOLUTION: A first link member 101 and a second link member 105 are provided integrally with a first rotational tray 14 and a second rotational tray 15, respectively. A long hole 106 extending in an extending direction of the second link member 105 is formed in the second link member 105, and a columnar part 102 formed at the first link member 101 is engaged with the long hole 106. Thereby, when the first rotational tray 14 rotates, the columnar part 102 of the first link member 101 pressurizes the periphery of the long hole 106 of the second link member 105, and the second rotational tray 15 rotates in a direction opposite to the first rotational tray 14. Meanwhile, when the second rotational tray 15 rotates, the first rotational tray 14 rotates in a direction opposite to the second rotational tray 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet tray that supports sheets and an image forming apparatus including the sheet tray.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, a sheet such as a sheet is conveyed on a conveyance path from a sheet tray that supports the sheet, and an image is formed on the sheet being conveyed by an image forming unit provided in the middle of the conveyance path. It is formed.

  As an example of the sheet tray, there is a configuration including a first tray and a second tray, and the tray area (the area of the surface supporting the sheet) can be expanded by pulling out the second tray from a state where it overlaps the first tray. is there. In such a configuration, in order to further expand the tray area, it has been proposed to provide two receiving levers at the tip of the second tray (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the proposed configuration, the two receiving levers are provided symmetrically and rotatable in the width direction of the sheet (left and right direction of the sheet tray). The pivot shaft of each receiving lever is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the second tray. Each receiving lever has a large number of teeth around the rotation axis, and the teeth of each receiving lever mesh with each other. Thereby, when one receiving lever is rotated, the other receiving lever is rotated in the direction opposite to the rotating direction of the one receiving lever in conjunction with it.

JP-A-5-278868

  If the rotation axis of each receiving lever cannot be placed in the center in the left-right direction of the second tray due to layout restrictions, the distance between the rotating shafts of each receiving lever increases, and the teeth on each receiving lever are formed The diameter of the (gear part) increases. For this reason, when the second tray is stored in a state where it is overlapped with the first tray, the central portion of the first tray must be largely cut away so that the gear portions do not interfere with the first tray. The strength of the will decrease.

  An object of the present invention is a sheet that can suppress a decrease in strength of the first tray while the other is rotating in conjunction with the rotation of one of the first rotating tray and the second rotating tray. A tray and an image forming apparatus are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, a sheet tray according to one aspect of the present invention has a first surface that extends in both a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, along the first surface. A first tray having a first guide portion extending in the first direction, a second surface extending in parallel with the first surface, and having a second guide portion engaged with the first guide portion, the second guide portion Slides with respect to the first guide portion, so that the second surface overlaps the first surface with the first surface and the second surface from the slide storage position where the second surface overlaps in the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first surface. A second tray that is displaced to a drawing position that is drawn to one side in the first direction so as to reduce the overlap, and provided on the second surface side with respect to the two trays, and the center and one end in the second direction of the second tray Is supported by a first rotation shaft extending in the orthogonal direction at a position between and a first rotation shaft The first tray has a first parallel surface that is longer than the distance to one edge of the second tray in the first direction and extends in parallel with the second surface, and the first tray is rotated about the first rotation axis. A first rotation storage position where one parallel surface overlaps in a direction orthogonal to the second surface, and a first development position extending in a direction intersecting the second direction so that the overlap between the first parallel surface and the second surface is reduced A second rotating tray extending in the orthogonal direction at a position between the center and the other end of the second tray in the second direction. A second parallel surface that is pivotally supported by the moving shaft and that is longer than a distance from the second rotation shaft to an edge on one side in the first direction of the second tray and extends parallel to the second surface; Due to the rotation about the rotation axis, the second rotation storage position where the second parallel surface overlaps the second surface in the orthogonal direction, and the second parallel surface and the second surface overlap each other. A second rotating tray that is displaced to a second deployment position that extends in a direction that intersects the second direction so as to decrease, and a first rotating tray that is integrally provided with the first rotating tray. A first link member extending from the first rotation tray toward the second rotation tray in the state of being in the storage position and the second rotation tray are provided integrally, and the second rotation tray is the second A second link member extending from the second rotation tray toward the first rotation tray in a state of being located at the rotation storage position, and a columnar portion protruding in the orthogonal direction is formed on the first link member In the second link member, an elongated hole extending in the extending direction of the second link member is formed, and the columnar portion is engaged with the elongated hole.

  According to this configuration, when the second guide portion of the second tray slides with respect to the first guide portion of the first tray, the second tray is displaced between the slide storage position and the drawer position. In a state in which the second tray is located at the slide storage position, the first surface of the first tray and the second surface of the second tray greatly overlap in the orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first surface. In the state in which the second tray is located at the drawer position, the overlap between the first surface and the second surface is smaller than the slide storage position, and the area when the first surface and the second surface are viewed in the orthogonal direction is increased. To do.

  Moreover, the 1st rotation tray and the 2nd rotation tray are provided in the 2nd surface side of the 2nd tray. The first rotating tray is pivotally supported by a first rotating shaft extending in the orthogonal direction at a position between the center and one end of the second tray in the second direction, and the second rotating tray is the second tray of the second tray. It is supported by a second rotating shaft extending in the orthogonal direction at a position between the center and the other end in the two directions. The first rotating tray has a first parallel surface that is longer than a distance from the first rotating shaft to an edge on one side in the first direction of the second tray and extends in parallel with the second surface, The second rotating tray has a second parallel surface that is longer than the distance from the second rotating shaft to one edge of the second tray in the first direction and extends in parallel with the second surface.

  The first rotation tray is displaced to the first rotation storage position and the first deployment position by rotation about the first rotation axis. In a state where the first rotation tray is located at the first rotation storage position, the first parallel surface greatly overlaps with the second surface in the orthogonal direction. In the state where the first rotation tray is located at the first unfolded position, the overlap between the first parallel surface and the second surface is smaller than the first rotation storage position, and the first parallel surface and the second surface are reduced. The area when viewed in the orthogonal direction is enlarged. Further, the second rotation tray is displaced between the second rotation storage position and the second deployment position by rotation about the second rotation axis. In a state where the second rotation tray is located at the second rotation storage position, the second parallel surface greatly overlaps in the orthogonal direction with respect to the second surface. In the state where the second rotating tray is located at the second unfolded position, the overlap between the second parallel surface and the second surface is smaller than the second rotating storage position, and the second parallel surface and the second surface are reduced. The area when viewed in the orthogonal direction is enlarged.

  Therefore, the second tray is pulled out from the non-use state where the second tray, the first rotating tray, and the second rotating tray are located at the slide storage position, the first rotation storage position, and the second rotation storage position, respectively. The first surface, the second surface, the first parallel surface, and the second parallel surface are displaced by moving the first and second rotation trays to the first and second deployment positions, respectively. The area seen in the orthogonal direction can be enlarged. As a result, the first tray, the second tray, and the first turn are used in the use state in which the second tray, the first rotation tray, and the second rotation tray are located at the drawing position, the first deployment position, and the second deployment position, respectively. The moving tray and the second rotating tray can stably support a sheet that is long in the first direction.

  The first link member and the second link member are provided integrally with the first rotation tray and the second rotation tray, respectively. In a state where the first rotating tray and the second rotating tray are located at the first rotating storage position and the second rotating storage position, respectively, the first link member and the second link member are respectively connected to the second rotating tray and the second rotation tray. It extends toward one rotation tray. An elongated hole extending in the extending direction of the second link member is formed in the second link member, and a columnar portion formed in the first link member is engaged with the elongated hole. Therefore, when the first rotating tray rotates, the columnar portion of the first link member presses the peripheral edge of the elongated hole of the second link member, and the second rotating tray rotates in the direction opposite to the first rotating tray. To do. On the other hand, when the second rotating tray rotates, the peripheral edge of the elongated hole of the second link member presses the columnar portion of the first link member, and the first rotating tray rotates in the opposite direction to the second rotating tray. To do. Therefore, the other can be rotated by rotating one of the first rotating tray and the second rotating tray.

  Moreover, in a state where the first rotating tray and the second rotating tray are positioned at the first rotating storage position and the second rotating storage position, respectively, the first link member and the second link member are respectively the second rotating tray. And since it extends toward the 1st rotation tray, the size of the 1st direction of the 1st link member and the 2nd link member can be formed small. Therefore, when the first tray is notched so that the first link member and the second link member do not interfere with the first tray when the second tray is located at the slide storage position, the size of the notched portion may be small. The strength of the first tray can be suppressed from decreasing.

  The present invention can be realized not only in the form of a sheet tray but also in the form of an image forming apparatus including a sheet tray, for example.

  That is, an image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a sheet tray that supports a sheet, and an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet conveyed from the sheet tray. A first surface extending in both directions of a second direction orthogonal to the first direction is formed, a first tray having a first guide portion extending in the first direction along the first surface, and a first tray extending in parallel with the first surface. Two surfaces are formed and have a second guide portion that engages with the first guide portion, and the second guide portion slides relative to the first guide portion, so that the second surface is the first surface relative to the first surface. A second tray that is displaced from a slide storage position that overlaps in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to one surface and a pull-out position that is pulled out from the slide storage position to one side in the first direction so that the overlap between the first surface and the second surface is reduced. And on the second side of the two trays And is pivotally supported by a first rotation shaft extending in the orthogonal direction at a position between the center and one end of the second tray in the second direction, and on one side of the second tray in the first direction from the first rotation shaft. The first parallel surface has a first parallel surface that is longer than the distance to the edge and extends in parallel with the second surface, and the first parallel surface is orthogonal to the second surface by rotation about the first rotation axis. A first rotation tray that is displaced to a first rotation storage position that overlaps with the first rotation position that extends in a direction that intersects the second direction so that the overlap between the first parallel surface and the second surface is small, The second rotation shaft is provided on the second surface side with respect to the two trays, and is supported by a second rotation shaft extending in the orthogonal direction at a position between the center and the other end of the second tray in the second direction. Has a second parallel surface that is longer than the distance from one end edge in the first direction of the second tray and extends parallel to the second surface, and is centered on the second rotation axis. By the movement, the second rotation storage position where the second parallel surface overlaps in the direction orthogonal to the second surface and the direction intersecting the second direction so as to reduce the overlap between the second parallel surface and the second surface are extended. A second rotating tray that is displaced to the second unfolded position and a first rotating tray are provided integrally with the first rotating tray, and the first rotating tray is located at the first rotating storage position from the first rotating tray. The first link member extending toward the second rotation tray and the second rotation tray are provided integrally with the second rotation tray, and the second rotation tray is located at the second rotation storage position. A second link member extending from the tray toward the first rotation tray, the first link member is formed with a columnar portion projecting in an orthogonal direction, and the second link member has a second link member. A long hole extending in the extending direction is formed, and the columnar portion is engaged with the long hole.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the strength of the first tray from being lowered while the other is rotating in conjunction with the rotation of one of the first rotating tray and the second rotating tray.

It is the perspective view seen from the left front side of the printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view seen from the upper right side of a multipurpose tray, a cover tray is opened, a 1st slide tray is located in an exposure position, a 2nd slide tray is located in a drawer position, a 1st rotation tray and 2nd time The state which a moving tray is located in a 1st deployment position and a 2nd deployment position is shown, respectively. FIG. 3 is a side view of a multipurpose tray, in which a cover tray is opened, a first slide tray is located at an exposure position, a second slide tray is located at a withdrawal position, and the first rotation tray and the second rotation tray are respectively The state located in the 1st deployment position and the 2nd deployment position is shown. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-purpose tray taken along a cutting plane line AA shown in FIG. 2. It is the perspective view seen from the lower right side of a multipurpose tray, a cover tray is opened, a 1st slide tray is located in an exposure position, a 2nd slide tray is located in a drawer position, a 1st rotation tray and 2nd The state where a rotation tray is located in the 1st deployment position and the 2nd deployment position, respectively is shown. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the multipurpose tray viewed from the bottom side with the cover removed, with the second slide tray positioned in the drawer position, and the first rotating tray and the second rotating tray being in the first deployed position, respectively. And the state located in a 2nd deployment position is shown. It is the perspective view seen from the lower right side of the 1st slide tray, the 2nd slide tray, the 1st rotation tray, and the 2nd rotation tray, the 2nd slide tray is located in the drawer position, The state where the 2nd rotation tray is located in the 1st rotation storage position and the 2nd rotation storage position, respectively is shown. It is the perspective view seen from the upper left side of the 1st slide tray, the 2nd slide tray, the 1st rotation tray, and the 2nd rotation tray, the 2nd slide tray is located in a slide storage position, The state where the 2nd rotation tray is located in the 1st rotation storage position and the 2nd rotation storage position, respectively is shown. It is the perspective view seen from the lower right side of the 1st slide tray, the 2nd slide tray, the 1st rotation tray, and the 2nd rotation tray, the 2nd slide tray is located in a slide storage position, and the 1st rotation tray And a state in which the second rotation tray is located at the first rotation storage position and the second rotation storage position, respectively. It is the perspective view seen from the lower right side of the 1st slide tray in the state where the cover was removed, the 2nd slide tray, the 1st rotation tray, and the 2nd rotation tray, and the 2nd slide tray is located in a drawer position And the state where the 1st rotation tray and the 2nd rotation tray are located in the 1st rotation storage position and the 2nd rotation storage position, respectively is shown. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the first slide tray, the second slide tray, the first rotating tray, and the second rotating tray when the cover is removed, as viewed from the lower side, and the second slide tray is located at the drawer position. The state where the 1st rotation tray and the 2nd rotation tray are located in the 1st rotation storage position and the 2nd rotation storage position, respectively is shown. It is the perspective view seen from the lower right side of the 1st slide tray in the state where the cover was removed, the 2nd slide tray, the 1st rotation tray, and the 2nd rotation tray, and the 2nd slide tray is located in a drawer position And the state where the 1st rotation tray and the 2nd rotation tray are located in the 1st deployment position and the 2nd deployment position, respectively is shown. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the multipurpose tray with the cover removed as viewed from the lower right side, in which the second slide tray is located halfway between the drawer position and the slide storage position, and the first rotating tray and the second turn The state which a moving tray is located in a 1st deployment position and a 2nd deployment position is shown, respectively. It is the perspective view seen from the lower right side of the 1st slide tray which concerns on a modification, a 2nd slide tray, a 1st rotation tray, and a 2nd rotation tray.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Image forming apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 1, which is an example of an image forming apparatus, includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 2.

  A paper feed tray 3 is provided at the bottom of the housing 2. The paper feed tray 3 can support a plurality of sheets in a stacked state. A multipurpose tray 4 (an example of a sheet tray) is provided on the front surface of the housing 2. The multi-purpose tray 4 is closed along the front of the housing 2 (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1) and a position where the multipurpose tray 4 is opened from the position to the near side (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1). Position). The multi-purpose tray 4 is open and can support a plurality of sheets in a stacked state. A paper discharge tray 5 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 2. The sheets supported by the paper feed tray 3 or the multipurpose tray 4 are sent one by one from the paper feed tray 3 or the multipurpose tray 4 into the housing 2, and the inside of the housing 2 is directed toward the paper discharge tray 5. Be transported. While the sheet is conveyed in the housing 2, an image (color image or monochrome image) is formed on the sheet by the image forming unit 6 accommodated in the housing 2. The image forming method by the image forming unit 6 may be an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method. The sheet on which the image is formed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 5.

  The front side on which the multipurpose tray 4 is provided is defined as the “front side” of the printer 1 and the opposite side is defined as the “rear side”. Then, the “upper side”, “lower side”, “left side”, and “right side” of the printer 1 are defined based on the state where the printer 1 placed on the horizontal plane is viewed from the “front side”. The direction used in the following description is the direction at which the cover tray 11 (see FIG. 2) of the multipurpose tray 4 is opened. In each figure, the direction is indicated by an arrow.

<Multipurpose tray>
As shown in FIG. 2, the multipurpose tray 4 includes a cover tray 11, a first slide tray 12 (an example of a first tray), a second slide tray 13 (an example of a second tray), and a first rotating tray 14. And a second rotating tray 15.

<Cover tray>
The cover tray 11 is a base end portion of the multipurpose tray 4. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover tray 11 includes an outer tray 21A whose outer surface forms a part of the front surface (front surface) of the housing 2 at a position where the multipurpose tray 4 is closed, and an outer tray 21A. On the other hand, an inner tray 21B is stacked on the inner surface side with a gap therebetween.

  The outer tray 21A has a substantially rectangular plate shape. As shown in FIG. 4, a left swing shaft portion 22 and a right swing shaft portion 23 are formed at the base end side of the outer tray 21A (the rear side when the multipurpose tray 4 is opened). Has been. The left swing shaft portion 22 and the right swing shaft portion 23 protrude from the left side surface of the outer tray 21A to the left side and from the right side surface to the right side, respectively. Since the left swing shaft portion 22 and the right swing shaft portion 23 are rotatably held by the housing 2, the cover tray 11 is supported by the housing 2 so as to be swingable in a cantilever state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a left guide rail 24 and a right guide rail 25 are formed on the inner surface of the outer tray 21A at the center in the left-right direction. The left guide rail 24 and the right guide rail 25 are provided on the left side and the right side of the outer tray 21A with the center in the left-right direction sandwiched between them, and extend in the direction perpendicular to the left-right direction (front-rear direction). There is no.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of restricting portions 26 and 27 are formed at the upper end portions of the left guide rail 24 and the right guide rail 25 at intervals in the front-rear direction. The restricting portions 26 and 27 protrude from the left guide rail 24 to the left and the right guide rail 25 to the right, respectively, and extend in the front-rear direction.

  Plate-shaped end restricting portions 28 and 29 extending in the front-rear direction are formed at the left end portion and the right end portion of the outer tray 21A. A space is provided between the inner surface of the outer tray 21 </ b> A and the end regulating portions 28 and 29.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the inner tray 21B has a substantially rectangular plate shape that is smaller than the outer tray 21A.

  In the inner tray 21B, guide grooves 31 and 32 extending in the left-right direction are formed penetrating in the thickness direction on both the left and right sides of the central portion in the left-right direction. A pair of sheet width guides 33 is provided on the inner tray 21B. The pair of sheet width guides 33 are configured to be able to approach / separate with the same amount of movement along the guide grooves 31 and 32, respectively, with the center between them as a reference. The distance between the pair of sheet width guides 33 is adjusted in accordance with the width in the left-right direction of the sheet supported on the multi-purpose tray 4. Then, the sheet is inserted from the front side between the pair of sheet width guides 33 and placed on the multi-purpose tray 4 with a central reference.

  Only the right sheet width guide 33 of the pair of sheet width guides 33 is shown in FIG. 2, and the left sheet width guide 33 is not shown. In FIG. 2, the state in which the right sheet width guide 33 is disposed at the right end and the state in which the right sheet width guide 33 is disposed at the center end are both indicated by solid lines.

<First slide tray>
As shown in FIG. 2, the first slide tray 12 has a substantially rectangular plate shape that is smaller than the cover tray 11. Central guide portions 41 and 42 (an example of the first guide portion) are provided in the center portion of the first slide tray 12 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the central guide portions 41 and 42 are formed in a cross-sectional shape (substantially U-shaped cross section) that covers the left guide rail 24 and the right guide rail 25 of the cover tray 11 from both the left and right sides and the upper side, respectively. Yes. Accordingly, the first slide tray 12 is accommodated between the outer tray 21A and the inner tray 21B (see FIG. 2) while the central guide portions 41 and 42 are guided by the left guide rail 24 and the right guide rail 25, respectively. It is slidable between the storage position and an exposure position that is a front side of the storage position and exposed from the cover tray 11.

  Further, regulated portions 43 and 44 are formed in the central guide portions 41 and 42, respectively. Regardless of the position of the first slide tray 12 in the front-rear direction (sliding direction) with respect to the cover tray 11, the regulated portion 43 faces one of the regulating portions 26 of the left guide rail 24 from below, and the regulated portion 44. Is opposed to one of the restricting portions 27 of the right guide rail 25 from below. Further, the left end portion and the right end portion of the first slide tray 12 enter between the inner surface of the outer tray 21A and the end regulating portions 28 and 29, respectively. Therefore, the restriction portions 26 and 27 of the outer tray 21A are opposed to the restricted portions 43 and 44, respectively, from the upper side, and the end restriction portions 28 and 29 of the outer tray 21A are the upper side of the left end portion and the right end portion of the first slide tray 12, respectively. Opposite from. Thereby, it is suppressed that the 1st slide tray 12 spaces apart with respect to the outer side tray 21A.

  In addition, a plurality of restricting portions 61 and 62 (an example of a first restricting portion) are formed at the upper end portions of the central guide portions 41 and 42, respectively, at intervals in the front-rear direction. The restricting portions 61 and 62 protrude from the central guide portion 41 to the left and from the central guide portion 42 to the right, respectively, and extend in the front-rear direction.

  A left guide portion 63 and a right guide portion 64 (an example of a first guide portion) are provided at the left end portion and the right end portion of the first slide tray 12, respectively. The left guide portion 63 has a substantially L-shaped cross section that rises upward from the first slide tray 12 and bends and extends to the right. The right guide portion 64 has a substantially L-shaped cross section that rises upward from the first slide tray 12 and bends and extends to the left.

<Second slide tray>
As shown in FIG. 2, the second slide tray 13 has a substantially rectangular plate shape that is smaller than the first slide tray 12. As shown in FIG. 4, central guide portions 71 and 72 (an example of the second guide portion) are provided at the central portion in the left-right direction of the second slide tray 13. The center guide parts 71 and 72 are each formed in a cross-sectional shape (substantially U-shaped cross section) that covers the center guide parts 41 and 42 of the first slide tray 12 from both the left and right sides and the upper side. Further, a left guide portion 73 and a right guide portion 74 (an example of a second guide portion) are provided at the left end portion and the right end portion of the second slide tray 13, respectively. The left guide portion 73 and the right guide portion 74 have a plate shape extending in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. The upper surface 75 (an example of the first surface) of the first slide tray 12, the left guide portion 63, and the right guide portion 64, respectively. Between. As a result, the central guide portions 71 and 72 are guided to the central guide portions 41 and 42, respectively, and the left guide portion 73 and the right guide portion 74 are guided to the left guide portion 63 and the right guide portion 64, respectively, while the second slide tray. 13, the lower surface 76 (an example of the second surface) overlaps the upper side of the upper surface 75 of the first slide tray 12, and the overlap between the lower surface 76 and the upper surface 75 of the first slide tray 12 decreases from the slide storage position. It is possible to slide between the drawer position pulled out to the front side.

  Regardless of the position of the second slide tray 13 in the front-rear direction (slide direction) with respect to the first slide tray 12 in which the regulated portions 77 and 78 are formed, respectively, the central guide portions 71 and 72 are regulated portions. 77 faces one of the restricting portions 61 of the first slide tray 12 from below, and the restricted portion 78 faces one of the restricting portions 62 of the first slide tray 12 from below. Therefore, the restricting portions 61 and 62 of the first slide tray 12 face the restricted portions 77 and 78 from the upper side, respectively, and the left guide portion 63 of the first slide tray 12 respectively faces the left end portion and the right end portion of the second slide tray 13. And the right guide part 64 opposes from the upper side. Thereby, it is suppressed that the 2nd slide tray 13 spaces apart with respect to the 1st slide tray 12. FIG.

<Rotating tray>
As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the first rotation tray 14 and the second rotation tray 15 are arranged in the left-right direction with the center guide portions 71 and 72 sandwiched between the front end portions of the second slide tray 13. It is provided symmetrically and is pivotally supported on the lower surface 76 of the second slide tray 13 so as to be rotatable.

  Specifically, the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 have a plate shape extending in one direction. As shown in FIG. 6, at the front end portion of the lower surface 76 of the second slide tray 13, the first rotation shaft is located at a position spaced from the center guide portion 41 to the left side and from the center guide portion 42 to the right side. 81 and a second rotation shaft 82 are formed.

  The first rotating tray 14 on the left side is pivotally supported on the lower surface 76 of the second slide tray 13 by inserting the first rotating shaft 81 with play at one end. An upper surface 83 of the first rotating tray 14 (an example of a first parallel surface, see FIG. 2) extends in parallel with the lower surface 76 of the second slide tray 13, and the center of the first rotating shaft 81 extends in the longitudinal direction. 2 The dimension D2 is longer than the distance D1 between the front end edge of the slide tray 13 in the front-rear direction. The first rotation tray 14 extends to the left side from the first rotation shaft 81 by rotation about the first rotation shaft 81, and the upper surface 83 extends from the lower side to the lower surface 76 of the second slide tray 13. The first rotation storage position that overlaps and the first deployment position that extends from the first rotation shaft 81 to the left front side can be displaced so that the overlap between the upper surface 83 and the lower surface 76 is reduced.

  The second turning tray 15 on the right side is pivotally supported on the lower surface 76 of the second slide tray 13 by inserting the second turning shaft 82 with play at one end. An upper surface 84 (an example of a second parallel surface, see FIG. 2) of the second rotating tray 15 extends in parallel with the lower surface 76 of the second slide tray 13, and the center of the second rotating shaft 82 extends in the longitudinal direction. 2 The dimension D2 is longer than the distance D1 between the front end edge of the slide tray 13 in the front-rear direction. The second rotation tray 15 extends to the right from the second rotation shaft 82 by rotation about the second rotation shaft 82, and the upper surface 84 extends from the lower side to the lower surface 76 of the second slide tray 13. The second rotary storage position that overlaps and the second deployment position that extends from the second rotary shaft 82 to the right front side can be displaced so that the overlap between the upper surface 84 and the lower surface 76 is reduced.

  Along the front end edges of the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15, wall-like portions 85 and 86 are formed so as to protrude downward.

  As shown in FIG. 5, covers 91 and 92 are attached to the lower surface 76 of the second slide tray 13, and the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 are respectively connected to the second slide tray 13. Is sandwiched between the lower surface 76 and the covers 91 and 92. The covers 91 and 92 have a symmetrical configuration. In the state where the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 are positioned at the first rotating storage position and the second rotating storage position, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2 Abuts against the front edge of the slide tray 13 and covers 91, 92 so that almost the entire portion of the first rotating tray 14 except the wall-like portion 85 and the portion of the second rotating tray 15 excluding the wall-like portion 86. Almost the entire area is covered.

  A first link member 101 having a substantially rectangular plate shape narrower than the first rotation tray 14 is provided integrally with the left first rotation tray 14. The first link member 101 extends from the right end of the first rotation tray 14 to the right toward the second rotation tray 15 in a state where the first rotation tray 14 is located at the first rotation storage position. . Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the first link member 101 is connected to the first rotation shaft 81 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first link member 101 and parallel to the upper surface 83 of the first rotation tray 14. On the other hand, it is shifted to the opposite side to the front edge of the first rotating tray 14. Therefore, in a state where the first rotation tray 14 is located at the first rotation storage position, the first link member 101 is shifted rearward with respect to the first rotation shaft 81.

  A columnar portion 102 is formed at the end of the first link member 101 on the second rotating tray 15 side. The columnar portion 102 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the first link member 101. A notch 103 that is recessed from the front end edge to the rear side is formed at the center in the left-right direction of the front end of the first slide tray 12. The columnar portion 102 extends to a position facing the front end edge 104 in the notch 103 in the front-rear direction.

  In addition, a second link member 105 having a substantially rectangular plate shape narrower than the second rotation tray 15 is provided integrally with the second rotation tray 15 on the right side. In a state where the second rotation tray 15 is located at the second rotation storage position, the second link member 105 extends from the left end of the second rotation tray 15 to the left side toward the first rotation tray 14. . Further, the second link member 105 is in the second rotation tray 15 with respect to the second rotation shaft 82 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second link member 105 and parallel to the upper surface 84 of the second rotation tray 15. Is shifted to the opposite side of the front edge. Therefore, in a state where the second rotating tray 15 is located at the second rotating storage position, the second link member 105 is shifted rearward with respect to the second rotating shaft 82, and the first rotating tray 14 and the first rotating tray 14 are moved. The first link member 101 and the second link member 105 are positioned on a straight line extending in the left-right direction in a state where the two-rotation tray 15 is positioned at the first rotation storage position and the second rotation storage position, respectively.

  The second link member 105 is formed with a long hole 106 extending in the longitudinal direction of the second link member 105 (extending direction with respect to the second rotating tray 15). The long hole 106 has a width larger than the diameter of the columnar portion 102 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and the columnar portion 102 is inserted into the long hole 106 and provided so as to be movable in the long hole 106. ing.

<Tray operation>
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second slide tray 13 is located at the slide storage position, and the first rotation tray 14 and the second rotation tray 15 are the first rotation storage position and the second rotation, respectively. In the non-use state located at the storage position, as shown in FIG. 9, the columnar portion 102 abuts on the front edge 104 of the first slide tray 12, and as shown in FIG. The second rotation shaft 82 overlaps the first slide tray 12 in the up-down direction.

  When the multipurpose tray 4 is used, that is, when a sheet is supported on the multipurpose tray 4, the cover tray 11 (see FIG. 2) is opened with respect to the housing 2 (see FIG. 1), and the first The slide tray 12 is slid and displaced from the storage position to the exposure position. Then, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the second slide tray 13 is slid and displaced from the slide storage position to the extraction position.

  Thereafter, the first rotating tray 14 is rotationally displaced from the first rotational storage position to the first deployed position, or the second rotational tray 15 is rotated from the second rotational storage position to the second deployed position. It is displaced dynamically. When the first turning tray 14 is turned and displaced, the columnar portion 102 of the first link member 101 presses the peripheral edge of the elongated hole 106 of the second link member 105, and the second turning tray 15 is turned first. It rotates at the same angle in the opposite direction to the tray 14. On the other hand, when the second rotating tray 15 is rotationally displaced, the peripheral edge of the elongated hole 106 of the second link member 105 presses the columnar portion 102 of the first link member 101, and the first rotating tray 14 is second. It rotates at the same angle in the opposite direction to the rotating tray 15. Therefore, when the first rotating tray 14 is rotationally displaced to the first deployed position, the second rotational tray 15 is rotationally displaced to the second deployed position, and the second rotational tray 15 is rotated to the second deployed position. When it is dynamically displaced, the first rotation tray 14 is rotationally displaced to the first deployed position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the second slide tray 13 is positioned at the pull-out position, and the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 are positioned at the first deployed position and the second deployed position, respectively. It will be in use. In this use state, the lengths of the first link member 101 and the second link member 105 in the longitudinal direction, the positions of the long holes 106, and so that the columnar portion 102 is positioned at the center in the left-right direction of the second slide tray 13. The length in the longitudinal direction and the position of the columnar portion 102 are designed.

  When the second slide tray 13 is slid toward the slide storage position from the use state while the first rotation tray 14 and the second rotation tray 15 are located at the first and second development positions, respectively, FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the columnar portion 102 of the first link member 101 contacts the front end edge 104 of the first slide tray 12 during the slide.

  When the second slide tray 13 is further slid toward the slide storage position, the columnar portion 102 is pushed forward by the front edge 104 of the first slide tray 12, and the first rotation tray 14 is moved from the first deployed position. It rotates toward the first rotation storage position. As the first rotating tray 14 rotates, the columnar portion 102 presses the peripheral edge of the elongated hole 106 of the second link member 105, and the second rotating tray 15 moves from the second deployed position to the second rotating storage position. Rotate towards When the second slide tray 13 reaches the slide storage position, the first link member 101 and the second link member 105 overlap each other and extend in a straight line in the left-right direction. The moving tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 are returned to the non-use state.

<Effect>
As described above, the central guide portions 71 and 72, the left guide portion 73, and the right guide portion 74 of the second slide tray 13 are the central guide portions 41 and 42, the left guide portion 63, and the right guide portion of the first slide tray 12, respectively. By sliding with respect to 64, the second slide tray 13 is displaced between the slide storage position and the drawer position. In a state where the second slide tray 13 is located at the slide storage position, the upper surface 75 of the first slide tray 12 and the lower surface 76 of the second slide tray 13 are greatly overlapped in the vertical direction. In the state where the second slide tray 13 is located at the pull-out position, the overlap between the upper surface 75 and the lower surface 76 is smaller than that at the slide storage position, and the first slide tray 12 and the second slide tray 13 are viewed in the vertical direction. Increased area.

  Further, the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 are provided on the lower surface 76 side of the second slide tray 13. The first rotating tray 14 is pivotally supported by a first rotating shaft 81 extending in the vertical direction at a position between the left and right center of the second slide tray 13, and the second rotating tray 15 is Two slide trays 13 are pivotally supported by a second rotating shaft 82 extending in the vertical direction at a position between the right and left center of the slide tray 13. The first rotating tray 14 has an upper surface 83 that is longer than the distance D1 in the front-rear direction between the center of the first rotating shaft 81 and the front edge of the second slide tray 13 and extends parallel to the lower surface 76. The second rotation tray 15 has an upper surface 84 that is longer than the distance D1 in the front-rear direction between the center of the second rotation shaft 82 and the front end edge of the second slide tray 13 and extends in parallel with the lower surface 76. doing.

  The first rotation tray 14 is displaced between the first rotation storage position and the first deployment position by rotation about the first rotation shaft 81. In a state where the first rotating tray 14 is positioned at the first rotating storage position, the upper surface 83 of the first rotating tray 14 greatly overlaps the lower surface 76 of the second slide tray 13 in the vertical direction. In the state where the first rotation tray 14 is located at the first deployed position, the overlap between the upper surface 83 and the lower surface 76 is smaller than in the first rotation storage position, and the upper surface 83 and the lower surface 76 are viewed in the vertical direction. Increased area. Further, the second rotation tray 15 is displaced between the second rotation storage position and the second deployment position by rotation about the second rotation shaft 82. In a state where the second rotating tray 15 is located at the second rotating storage position, the upper surface 84 of the second rotating tray 15 greatly overlaps the lower surface 76 of the second slide tray 13 in the vertical direction. In the state in which the second rotation tray 15 is located at the second unfolded position, the overlap between the upper surface 84 and the lower surface 76 is smaller than in the second rotation storage position, and the upper surface 84 and the lower surface 76 are viewed in the vertical direction. Increased area.

  Therefore, the second slide tray 13, the first rotation tray 14, and the second rotation tray 15 are moved from the non-use state where the second slide tray 13, the first rotation tray 14, and the second rotation tray 15 are located at the slide storage position, the first rotation storage position, and the second rotation storage position, respectively. The first slide tray 12 and the second slide tray are displaced by displacing the slide tray 13 to the extraction position and displacing the first rotation tray 14 and the second rotation tray 15 to the first and second deployment positions, respectively. 13, The area which looked at the 1st rotation tray 14 and the 2nd rotation tray 15 in the up-and-down direction can be expanded. As a result, the first slide tray 12, the first rotation tray 14, and the second rotation tray 15 are in the use state in which the second slide tray 13, the first rotation tray 14, and the second rotation tray 15 are located at the drawing position, the first expansion position, and the second expansion position, respectively. The two-slide tray 13, the first rotation tray 14, and the second rotation tray 15 can stably support a sheet that is long in the front-rear direction.

  The first link member 101 and the second link member 105 are provided integrally with the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15, respectively. In a state where the first rotation tray 14 and the second rotation tray 15 are positioned at the first rotation storage position and the second rotation storage position, respectively, the first link member 101 and the second link member 105 are respectively rotated second. It extends toward the moving tray 15 and the first rotating tray 14. A slot 106 extending in the extending direction of the second link member 105 is formed in the second link member 105, and the columnar portion 102 formed in the first link member 101 is engaged with the slot 106. doing. Therefore, when the first rotation tray 14 rotates, the columnar portion 102 of the first link member 101 presses the periphery of the long hole 106 of the second link member 105, and the second rotation tray 15 becomes the first rotation tray. 14 in the opposite direction. On the other hand, when the second rotation tray 15 is rotated, the peripheral edge of the long hole 106 of the second link member 105 presses the columnar portion 102 of the first link member 101, and the first rotation tray 14 is the second rotation tray. It rotates in the direction opposite to 15. Therefore, the other can be rotated by rotating one of the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15.

  In addition, in a state where the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 are positioned at the first rotating storage position and the second rotating storage position, respectively, the first link member 101 and the second link member 105 are respectively Since it extends toward the two-rotating tray 15 and the first rotating tray 14, the size of the first link member 101 and the second link member 105 in the front-rear direction can be reduced. Therefore, when the first slide tray 12 is provided with the notch 103 so that the first link member 101 and the second link member 105 do not interfere with the first slide tray 12 when the second slide tray 13 is located at the slide storage position. In addition, the size of the notch 103 may be small, and the strength of the first slide tray 12 can be prevented from decreasing.

  The first link member 101 and the second link member 105 are positioned on a straight line with the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 positioned at the first rotating storage position and the second rotating storage position, respectively. It is formed to do. The first link member 101 is formed to be narrower than the first rotation tray 14 and the first rotation member 14 is positioned at the first rotation storage position in the front-rear direction of the first link member 101. The length is smaller than the length of the first rotating tray 14 in the front-rear direction. Further, the second link member 105 is formed to be narrower than the second rotating tray 15 and the second rotating member 15 is positioned at the second rotating storage position in the front-rear direction of the second link member 105. Is smaller than the length of the second rotating tray 15 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, in the state where the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 are located at the first rotating storage position and the second rotating storage position, respectively, the front-rear direction of the first link member 101 and the second link member 105 Can be further reduced in size. As a result, the size of the notch 103 can be further reduced, and the reduction in the strength of the first slide tray 12 can be further suppressed.

  The columnar portion 102 is positioned at the center in the left-right direction of the second slide tray 13 in a state where the first rotation tray 14 and the second rotation tray 15 are positioned at the first expansion position and the second expansion position, respectively. Further, the columnar portion 102 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the first link member 101 and extends to a position facing the front end edge 104 of the first slide tray 12 in the front-rear direction.

  As a result, when the second slide tray 13 is slid from the pull-out position toward the slide storage position while the first rotation tray 14 and the second rotation tray 15 are positioned at the first expansion position and the second expansion position, respectively. In addition, the columnar portion 102 of the first link member 101 can be brought into contact with the front end edge 104 of the first slide tray 12 during the slide. Thereafter, when the second slide tray 13 is further slid toward the slide storage position, the columnar portion 102 is pushed forward by the front edge 104 of the first slide tray 12, and the first rotating tray 14 is first expanded. The second rotation tray 15 is rotated from the second deployment position to the second rotation storage position. Therefore, the second slide tray 13, the first rotating tray 14, and the second rotating tray 15 are changed from the use state to the non-use state by one operation for displacing the second slide tray 13 from the pull-out position to the slide storage position. be able to.

  Further, the multipurpose tray 4 is provided with covers 91 and 92, and the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 are positioned at the first and second unfolded positions, respectively. A part of each of the first rotation tray 14 and the second rotation tray 15 is sandwiched between the second slide tray 13 and the covers 91 and 92. Therefore, the strength of the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 is increased, and it is possible to suppress the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 from being bent and deformed downward.

  The first link member 101 and the second link member 105 are respectively in a state where the first rotating tray 14 and the second rotating tray 15 are located at the first rotating storage position and the second rotating storage position, respectively. The first rotational shaft 81 and the second rotational shaft 82 are displaced in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the other can be smoothly rotated by one operation (rotation) of the first rotation tray 14 or the second rotation tray 15.

<Modification>
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a configuration in which a slit 201 extending in the left-right direction is formed in the front end portion of the first slide tray 12 and the columnar portion 102 is fitted to the slit 201 may be employed. .

  In this configuration, when the second slide tray 13 is slid toward the pull-out position from the non-use state, the columnar portion 102 comes into contact with the peripheral edge of the slit 201 and the displacement of the columnar portion 102 is restricted. Therefore, as the second slide tray 13 slides, a force that pushes the columnar portion 102 rearward from the periphery of the slit 201 acts, and the first rotation integrally with the first link member 101 is performed by the force. The tray 14 rotates from the first rotation storage position toward the first deployment position. When the first rotating tray 14 rotates, the columnar portion 102 of the first link member 101 presses the peripheral edge of the elongated hole 106 of the second link member 105, and the second rotating tray 15 moves toward the second deployed position. It rotates at the same angle as the one-turn tray 14. Therefore, the second slide tray 13, the first rotation tray 14, and the second rotation tray 15 are changed from the non-use state to the use state by one operation for displacing the second slide tray 13 from the slide storage position to the pull-out position. be able to.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer 1 is taken as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the single-function printer 1 and has an image forming function and an image reading function. It may be a facsimile machine or a multifunction machine.

  The apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to an image forming apparatus, and the present invention can be applied to various apparatuses including a sheet tray that supports sheets.

  In addition, various design changes can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

1: Printer 4: Multipurpose tray 6: Image forming unit 12: First slide tray 13: Second slide tray 14: First rotating tray 15: Second rotating tray 41, 42: Center guide unit 63: Left guide Portion 64: Right guide portion 71, 72: Center guide portion 73: Left guide portion 74: Right guide portion 75: Lower surface 76: Upper surface 81: First rotation shaft 82: Second rotation shaft 83, 84: Upper surface 91, 92: Cover 101: First link member 102: Columnar part 104: Front edge 105: Second link member 106: Slot 201: Slit D1: Distance D2: Dimensions

Claims (12)

A first tray formed with a first surface extending in both the first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and having a first guide portion extending in the first direction along the first surface;
A second surface extending in parallel with the first surface is formed, has a second guide portion that engages with the first guide portion, and the second guide portion slides relative to the first guide portion. The slide storage position where the second surface overlaps the first surface in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the first surface and the overlap between the first surface and the second surface from the slide storage position is reduced. A second tray that is displaced to a drawing position drawn to one side in the first direction;
Provided on the second surface side with respect to the second tray, and supported by a first rotating shaft extending in the orthogonal direction at a position between the center and one end of the second tray in the second direction; A first parallel surface that is longer than a distance from the first rotation shaft to an edge on the one side in the first direction of the second tray and extends parallel to the second surface; Due to the rotation about the moving axis, the first parallel storage position where the first parallel surface overlaps the second surface in the orthogonal direction, and the first parallel surface and the second surface overlap. A first rotating tray that is displaced to a first deployed position that extends in a direction that intersects the second direction to be smaller;
The second tray is provided on the second surface side and is pivotally supported by a second rotating shaft extending in the orthogonal direction at a position between the center and the other end of the second tray in the second direction. A second parallel surface that is longer than a distance from the second rotation shaft to the edge on the one side in the first direction of the second tray and extends in parallel with the second surface, A second rotation storage position where the second parallel surface overlaps the second surface in the orthogonal direction by rotation about the rotation axis, and the second parallel surface and the second surface overlap. A second rotating tray that is displaced to a second deployed position that extends in a direction that intersects the second direction so as to reduce
The first rotating tray is provided integrally with the first rotating tray, and extends from the first rotating tray toward the second rotating tray in a state where the first rotating tray is located at the first rotating storage position. A first link member that
The second rotating tray is provided integrally with the second rotating tray, and extends from the second rotating tray toward the first rotating tray in a state where the second rotating tray is located at the second rotating storage position. A second link member
The first link member is formed with a columnar portion protruding in the orthogonal direction,
In the second link member, an elongated hole extending in the extending direction of the second link member is formed,
The columnar portion is a sheet tray engaged with the elongated hole. The sheet tray according to claim 1,
In the state where the first rotation tray is located at the first rotation storage position, the length of the first link member in the first direction is longer than the length of the first rotation tray in the first direction. small,
In the state where the second rotating tray is located at the second rotating storage position, the length of the second link member in the first direction is longer than the length of the second rotating tray in the first direction. A small sheet tray. The sheet tray according to claim 1 or 2,
The second guide portions are provided at both ends and a center portion of the second tray in the second direction,
The first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft are respectively disposed on the one end side and the other end side in the second direction with respect to the second guide portion at the center in the second direction. , Sheet tray. The sheet tray according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A sheet tray in which the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft overlap with the first surface in the orthogonal direction in a state where the second tray is located at the slide storage position. The sheet tray according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The columnar portion is positioned at the center of the second tray in the second direction in a state where the first rotation tray and the second rotation tray are positioned at the first expansion position and the second expansion position, respectively. The sheet tray in which the length of the first link member and the second link member, the position of the elongated hole and the length in the extending direction, and the position of the columnar part are designed. The sheet tray according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The columnar portion is a sheet tray that protrudes from the second surface toward the first surface in the orthogonal direction. The sheet tray according to claim 6,
The columnar portion is a sheet tray that extends to a position facing the one edge of the first tray in the first direction in the first direction. The sheet tray according to claim 7, wherein
The first link member and the second link member are aligned in a state where the first rotation tray and the second rotation tray are located at the first rotation storage position and the second rotation storage position, respectively. A sheet tray formed to be located at The sheet tray according to claim 8, wherein
A slit extending in the second direction is formed at the one end of the first tray in the first direction,
The columnar part is a sheet tray fitted into the slit. The sheet tray according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A sheet tray, further comprising a cover attached to the second tray and sandwiching the first rotating tray and the second rotating tray between the second surface. It is a sheet tray as described in any one of Claims 1-10,
The first link member and the second link member are respectively in a state where the first rotating tray and the second rotating tray are located at the first rotating storage position and the second rotating storage position, respectively. A sheet tray that is displaced in the first direction with respect to the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. A sheet tray for supporting the sheet;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet conveyed from the sheet tray;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet tray is a sheet tray according to claim 1.

Images