JP2019069857A - Paper feeder and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image formation device having a recording medium loading device that enables easy positioning of a recording medium to be loaded.SOLUTION: A first loading member 33 is provided closer to the side of an image formation device 100 than a second loading member 34. A recording medium loading device 30 has a held part held by the image formation device 100, and takes a housing posture by the held part being held by the image formation device 100. The first loading member 33 has a pair of regulating members 38 that regulate a position of a side end of the recording medium P to be loaded. The recording medium loading device 30 is separately provided from the pair of regulating members 38, has an operation member 39 provided on the side farther from the image formation device 100 than the pair of regulating members 38. By the operation member 39 being operated, the pair of regulating members 38 interlock with each other in the image formation device 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording medium loading device and an image forming apparatus in a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a combination thereof including the recording medium loading device.

  2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus in a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine thereof, a recording medium loading device for loading a recording medium for forming an image is provided.

  Conventionally, such a recording medium loading apparatus has been provided with a regulating member for regulating the loading position of the recording medium loaded in the apparatus.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-254074), a sheet feeding tray 102 shown in FIG. 33 is provided for the image forming apparatus 101. The paper feed tray 102 includes a paper placement plate 103, a first auxiliary tray 104, and a second auxiliary tray 105. The first auxiliary tray 104 is provided to be able to be stored in the direction of arrow L1 with respect to the sheet placement plate 103, and the second auxiliary tray 105 is provided to be able to be stored in the direction of arrow L2. The sheet placement plate 103 has side guide members 106 on both sides thereof, and positions the recording medium loaded on the sheet placement plate 103 in the width direction.

  In Patent Document 1, a side guide member 106 that regulates the position in the width direction of the recording medium is provided only on the sheet placement plate 103 closest to the image forming apparatus 101. In such a configuration, the sheet placement plate 103 is disposed across the first auxiliary tray 104 and the second auxiliary tray 105 from the position of the operator, the sheet placement plate 103 is far from the operator, and the side guide Operation of member 106 may be difficult.

  In particular, in the case where the main body of the image forming apparatus 101 is provided above the sheet feeding tray 102, the side guide member 106 may be hidden by the main body of the image forming apparatus 101, making operation of the side guide member 106 difficult. is there.

  From such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having a recording medium loading device which can easily operate the regulating member and can easily position the recording media to be loaded.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is an image forming apparatus provided with a recording medium loading device having a first loading member which is a loading portion of recording media and a second loading member, wherein the first loading member And the second loading member are mutually connected, and the recording medium loading device is a loading posture in which the recording medium can be loaded on the storage posture, which is a posture stored in the image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, the first loading member is provided closer to the image forming apparatus than the second loading member in the loading posture, and the recording medium loading device is connected to the image forming apparatus. The recording medium loading device takes a storage posture by having the held portion to be held and the held portion being held by the image forming apparatus, and the first loading member is configured to load the recording medium. Position of side edge of An operation member having a pair of restricting members for restricting, the recording medium loading device being provided separately from the pair of restricting members and provided on the side farther from the image forming apparatus than the pair of restricting members The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the pair of control members interlock with each other by operating the operation member.

  In the present invention, by operating the operation member provided on the side farther from the image forming apparatus main body than the pair of restriction members, the pair of restriction members interlock with this, and the position adjustment of the pair of restriction members can be performed. . Therefore, even when the pair of control members are far from the worker and direct operation thereof is difficult, the positions of the control members can be easily changed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus in a state in which the manual feed tray is opened. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the image forming apparatus in a state in which the manual feed tray is opened. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus at the time of taking out the additional hopper. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the image forming apparatus at the time of taking out the additional hopper. It is a side view of the manual feed tray in the loading posture. It is a side view of the manual feed tray in the storage attitude. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the holding | maintenance part holding a 2nd tray. It is a perspective view of a manual feed tray. It is a side view of a manual feed tray. It is sectional drawing which shows the attachment part of a side fence. It is the schematic which shows the connection structure by a wire. It is a perspective view of the 1st cover and the 2nd cover. It is a top view which shows the structure of a rack and a pinion. It is a sectional view showing operation of a side fence. It is a perspective view of an interlocking mechanism of an embodiment. It is a top view which shows the contact surface of a side fence. It is a perspective view which shows the positioning mechanism of a side fence. It is a perspective view which shows the positioning mechanism of a side fence. It is sectional drawing which shows the positioning mechanism of a side fence. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the connection member of the side fence of embodiment. It is a side view which shows the modification of the connection member of the side fence of embodiment. It is a side view which shows the modification of the connection member of the side fence of embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the holding part holding the 2nd tray of embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the wire of embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the side fence of embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the side fence of embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the side fence of embodiment. It is a top view which shows the modification of the contact surface of the side fence of embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the contact surface of the side fence of embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the attached drawings. In each drawing for explaining the present invention, components such as members or components having the same function or shape are denoted by the same reference numerals as long as discrimination is possible, and then the explanation thereof will be described. I omit it.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a monochrome laser printer which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the printer.
First, the entire configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The present invention is applicable not only to a monochrome laser printer but also to other printers such as a color laser printer, a copier, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine combining at least two of these.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a process unit 1 as an imaging unit is mounted on an apparatus body (image forming apparatus body) 100 of the image forming apparatus. The process unit 1 visualizes a latent image on the photosensitive member 2 as a photosensitive member 2 as an image carrier that carries an image on the surface, a charging roller 3 as a charging unit that charges the surface of the photosensitive member 2, and A developing device 4 as a developing unit and a toner containing portion 7 containing toner as a developer used for image formation are provided.

  In FIG. 1, a front surface 100a faces the front A, a rear surface 100b faces the rear B, a left surface 100c faces the left side C, and a right surface 100d faces the right side D. Then, the front side 100a of the front A has a protrusion E projecting in the direction of the front A in a part thereof (broken line in FIG. 2). A manual feed tray 30 as a recording medium loading device is provided on the front surface of the protrusion E so as to be able to open and close with respect to the image forming apparatus 100, and a front cover 29 is provided above it. Further, an upper cover 32 is provided above the protrusion E so as to be openable and closable relative to the image forming apparatus 100. In the inside of the apparatus of the image forming apparatus 100, an additional hopper 31 as a developer container is mainly disposed at a portion of the projecting portion E.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a laser emission unit 6 as an exposure unit that exposes the surface of the photosensitive member 2, a transfer device 10 that transfers an image to a recording medium, and a recording medium supply device 11 that supplies a recording medium. A fixing device 12 for fixing an image transferred to a recording medium, a recording medium discharge device 13 for discharging the recording medium to the outside of the apparatus, and the like are provided.

  The transfer device 10 includes a transfer roller 14 as a transfer unit. The transfer roller 14 is disposed in contact with the photosensitive member 2 in a state where the process unit 1 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100. Further, the transfer roller 14 is connected to a power supply, and a predetermined DC voltage (DC) and / or an AC voltage (AC) is applied thereto.

  The recording medium feeding device 11 is disposed at the lower part of the apparatus main body 100, and feeds a sheet accommodated in the sheet feeding cassette (recording medium accommodation portion) 15 that accommodates the sheet P as a recording medium and the sheet feeding cassette 15. The sheet feeding roller (feeding unit) 16 is provided, and a conveyance roller 23 and a timing roller 17 which are disposed on the downstream side of the sheet feeding direction of the sheet feeding roller 16. Paper includes, in addition to plain paper, thick paper, postcards, envelopes, plain paper, thin paper, coated paper (coated paper and art paper, etc.), tracing paper and the like. In addition to paper, it is also possible to use an OHP sheet, an OHP film or the like as a recording medium.

  The fixing device 12 includes a fixing roller 18 as a fixing member heated by a heating source such as a heater, and a pressure roller 19 as a pressure member contacting the fixing roller 18 with a predetermined pressure to form a fixing nip. And

  The recording medium discharge device 13 is disposed at the upper portion of the apparatus main body 100, and discharges the sheet as a recording medium placement portion on which the sheet discharged by the discharge roller 20 and the sheet discharged by the discharge roller 20 are discharged. A paper tray 21 is provided.

Subsequently, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
When the image forming operation is started, the photosensitive member 2 is rotationally driven, and the surface of the photosensitive member 2 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging roller 3. Then, the laser light emitting unit 6 exposes the charged surface of the photosensitive member 2 based on the image information from the reading device or the computer. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 2. Toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 2 by the developing device 4, and the electrostatic latent image is developed (visualized) as a toner image.

  Further, when the image forming operation is started, the sheet feeding roller 16 starts rotational driving, and the sheet P is fed from the sheet feeding cassette 15. The fed sheet P is conveyed by the conveyance roller 23, and the conveyance is temporarily stopped by the timing roller 17. Thereafter, rotational driving of the timing roller 17 is started at a predetermined timing, and the sheet P is fed to the transfer nip in accordance with the timing when the toner image on the photosensitive member 2 reaches the contact position (transfer nip) with the transfer roller 14 Be done.

  At the transfer nip, a predetermined voltage is applied to the transfer roller 14 to form a transfer electric field. Then, when the sheet P is fed to the transfer nip, the toner image on the photosensitive member 2 is transferred to the sheet P by the transfer electric field.

  The sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 12, and is heated and pressed by the fixing roller 18 and the pressure roller 19, whereby the toner image on the sheet P is fixed. Then, the sheet P is discharged out of the apparatus by the sheet discharge roller 20 and placed on the sheet discharge tray 21.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 show the image forming apparatus 100 in which the sheets P can be stacked on the manual feed tray 30. As shown in FIG. 4, when the sheets P are stacked on the manual feed tray 30, the manual feed tray 30 is opened from the image forming apparatus 100, and the sheet P can be placed on the upper portion thereof.

  The sheets P stacked on the manual feed tray 30 are fed one by one into the image forming apparatus 100 by the manual feed roller 22 in the direction of the arrow F1.

  5 and 6 show a state in which the manual feed tray 30, the front cover 29, and the upper cover 32 are opened. As shown in FIG. 6, when the front cover 29 is opened, the front cover 29 is opened integrally with the manual feed tray 30 in the direction of the front A. By opening the upper cover 32 in addition to the manual feed tray 30 and the front cover 29, the additional hopper 31 can be taken out and put in a replaceable state.

  By providing the additional hopper 31, toner can be supplied from the additional hopper 31 to the developing device 4. As a result, the amount of toner accumulated in the image forming apparatus 100 can be increased. Further, by replacing the additional hopper 31, toner can be replenished into the apparatus, and the number of times of replacement of the process unit 1 can be reduced. When the process unit 1 is replaced, the process unit 1 can be taken out by taking out the additional hopper 31 from the state of FIG. 5 and FIG.

  The member disposed in the projecting portion E can also dispose a waste toner storage container for storing waste toner after image formation, in addition to the configuration of the embodiment. In addition, by changing the layout of the image forming apparatus 100, the process unit 1, the fixing device 12, and the like can be provided in the projecting portion E.

  Next, the configuration of the manual feed tray 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the manual feed tray 30 has a first tray 33 as a first loading member, which is a loading portion of sheets P, and a second tray 34 as a second loading member. The two trays 34 are joined by a joint 35 and connected to each other. The side on which the first tray 33 is provided is the side of the image forming apparatus 100 main body. A first cover 60 and a second cover 61 are provided on the back side of the first tray 33 and the second tray 34, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the second tray 34 is rotatably provided in the direction of the arrow F 2 with respect to the first tray 33 with the junction 35 as a center. In the case of stacking the sheets P, as shown in FIG. 7, the second tray 34 is held in a posture to be linear with the first tray 33 (hereinafter referred to as a stacking posture of the manual feed tray 30). The sheet stacking surfaces of the first tray 33 and the second tray 34 are on the same plane, and the sheet P can be stacked thereon. With the second tray 34 in the loading posture, the contact surface 33b of the first tray 33 and the contact surface 34b of the second tray 34 contact each other, and the manual feed tray 30 is held in the loading posture. Although it is assumed that the sheet stacking surfaces of the first tray 33 and the second tray 34 are on the same plane in the stacking state, it is only necessary that the sheets P can be stacked on the upper surface, and some deviation is of course permitted. (However, in order to load the sheets P without distortion, it is preferable that the placement surface be on the same plane).

  When the manual feed tray 30 is stored in the image forming apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 8, the second tray 34 is bent upward with respect to the first tray 33 (hereinafter referred to as a storage attitude of the manual feed tray 30). Yes). By setting the manual feed tray 30 in the storage orientation, as shown in FIG. 2, the manual feed tray 30 can be stored in the projection E and can be stored in the image forming apparatus 100. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the first cover 60 and the second cover 61 of the manual feed tray 30 form a part of the front side surface 100a and become flush with the adjacent side of the front side surface 100a. When the manual feed tray 30 in a non-use state is maintained in the loading posture and protrudes from the image forming apparatus 100, the manual feed tray 30 may be damaged by contact with the manual feed tray 30 or the like. By configuring the manual feed tray 30 to be able to be stored in the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned damage.

  The manual feed tray 30 has a handle portion 30 a for an operation of opening the manual feed tray 30. The handle portion 30a is provided at the center in the width direction above the front side surface 100a.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the second tray 34 has a first fitting convex portion 34c as a held portion. When the first fitting convex portion 34 c engages with the fitting recess 29 a as the holding portion of the front cover 29, the second tray 34 is held by the front cover 29, and the manual feed tray 30 is opposed to the image forming apparatus 100. Maintain the stored condition.

  A pressing member 36 is provided below the first fitting protrusion 34 c. The pressing member 36 is biased upward from the lower side by the first biasing spring 37 to press the first fitting convex portion 34 c upward. Then, the first fitting convex portion 34 c is pressed upward to maintain the fitted state with the fitting recess 29 a. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the manual feed tray 30 from being opened unintentionally by its own weight or the like.

  When opening the manual feed tray 30, the first fitting convex portion 34c is moved in the direction of arrow F3 against the pressing force of the pressing member 36 by gripping the handle portion 30a and pressing it in the direction of arrow F3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10B, the fitting of the first fitting projection 34c and the fitting recess 29a is released. Then, the manual feed tray 30 can be opened by pulling the manual feed tray 30 to the outside while gripping the handle portion 30a.

  Further, when the process unit 1 or the adding hopper 31 shown in FIG. 4 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 100, the front cover 29 does not release the fitting of the first fitting projection 34c and the fitting recess 29a. And the manual feed tray 30 are opened together.

  Next, the structure of the side fence provided in the manual feed tray 30 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the first tray 33 regulates the position of the side end of the sheet P stacked on the first tray 33 and functions as a first regulating member for positioning in the direction of the arrow F19. It has a pair of first side fences 38 (or as a restricting member). Further, the second tray 34 is an operation portion of the first side fence 38, and also serves as a second regulation member (or as an operation member) serving as a second regulation member that also has a function of regulating the side end position of the sheet P. It has a fence 39. The sheet P is conveyed on the manual feed tray 30 in the direction of the arrow F1.

  The first side fence 38 and the second side fence 39 are configured to be movable along the first guide rail 40 and the second guide rail 41 in the direction of the arrow F19 orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet P, and manually fed The arrangement can be changed according to the width of the sheet P stacked above the tray 30, as shown in FIG. 11 (b). The first guide rail 40 is provided to the first tray 33, and the second guide rail 41 is provided to the second tray 34.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G1-G1 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the first side fence 38 and the second side fence 39 have a second fitting projection 42 fitted to the first guide rail 40 or the second guide rail 41.

  The second tray 34 has an inclined portion 45 at an end on the first tray 33 side. By the inclined portion 45, the sheet stacking surfaces of the first tray 33 and the second tray 34 are continuous, and it is possible to eliminate the level difference when the sheets P are stacked.

  The 2nd fitting convex part 42 which the 1st side fence 38 and the 2nd side fence 39 have is the same composition, and the 1st guide rail 40 and the 2nd guide rail with which the 2nd fitting convex part 42 fits. Since the configuration around 41 is the same, only the first side fence 38 will be described below.

  FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the tip portion of the second fitting projection 42. As shown in FIG. The second fitting projection 42 penetrates the first guide rail 40 and fits in a second fitting recess 43 of a first cover 60 provided below the first guide rail 40. The first guide rail 40 and the second fitting recess 43 are provided in the back of the drawing. By inserting the second fitting convex portion 42 into the first guide rail 40 and the second fitting recess 43, the first side fence 38 is in the front side of the paper surface with respect to the first tray 33 (see FIG. The first tray 33 is provided so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow F19 and can not move in any other direction.

  The second fitting convex portion 42 has a three-stage configuration in which the width gradually decreases toward the tip portion, and the widest upper portion 42a, the relay portion 42b, and the narrowest tip portion 42c. Further, the second fitting recess 43 has a two-stage configuration with different widths, and has an upper portion 43a and a tip portion 43b having a large width.

  The upper part 42a of the second fitting projection 42 is fitted to the upper part 43a of the second fitting recess 43, and the tip 42c of the second fitting projection 42 is the tip of the second fitting recess 43. It is fitted to 43b. The relay part 42b is provided with a wire 44 as a linear member described later. Since the width H1 of the relay portion 42b is larger than the width H2 of the distal end portion 43b of the second fitting recess 43, it is possible to prevent the wire 44 provided in the relay portion 42b from falling off the second fitting convex portion 42.

  With the above configuration, the first side fence 38 is provided so as to be movable only in the width direction of the sheet P with respect to the first tray 33.

  Next, the wire 44 which is an interlocking mechanism of each side fence will be described.

  FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematic views showing the configuration of the wire 44 provided on the manual feed tray 30. FIG. As shown in FIG. 14A, the manual feed tray 30 is provided with two wires 44a and 44b.

  Here, assuming that the pair of first side fences 38 and the second side fences 39 are the first side fences 38a and 38b and the second side fences 39a and 39b, respectively, the two wires 44a and 44b have diagonally opposite sides. The fences are connected respectively. That is, the first side fence 38b and the second side fence 39a are connected by the wire 44a, and the first side fence 38a and the second side fence 39b are connected by the wire 44b. The respective wires 44 circulate inside the manual feed tray 30, and the wires 44a circulate inside the wires 44b.

  Each wire 44 is connected to the joint of the side fence. That is, the wire 44a is connected to the connecting portion 38d of the first side fence 38b and the connecting portion 39c of the second side fence 39a. The wire 44b is connected to the joint 38c of the first side fence 38a and the joint 39d of the second side fence 39b.

  As shown in FIG. 14 (b), when the second side fence 39a is moved in the direction of the arrow F4, the wire 44a is pulled in the direction of the arrow F5, and the first side fence 38b connected to the wire 44a is the arrow F6. Move in the direction of Similarly, when the first side fence 38b is moved in the direction of arrow F6, the second side fence 39a moves in the direction of arrow F4. When the second side fence 39b is moved in the direction of arrow F7, the wire 44b is pulled in the direction of arrow F8, and the first side fence 38a moves in the direction of arrow F9.

  As described above, when one side fence is moved by connecting the side fences by the wire 44, the side fence at the diagonal position moves in conjunction with it. The material of the wire 44 may be anything as long as it is a linear member having a certain rigidity and capable of transmitting a force to the side fence, and is not limited to the wire.

  In addition, it is desirable that the connecting portion to which each wire 44 is connected be a center of gravity including the position of center of gravity of the side fence. Thus, the force for moving any side fence is efficiently transmitted to the wire 44, and the force transmitted to the wire 44 is efficiently transmitted to the side fence provided at the diagonal position. This improves the operability of the side fence.

  FIG. 15 is a view of the first cover 60 and the second cover 61 as viewed from the side of the first tray 33 and the second tray 34. The first cover 60 and the second cover 61 are provided with the above-described second fitting recess 43 for arranging the wires 44a and 44b. The second fitting recess 43 is provided over the first cover 60 and the second cover 61, and two circumferential recesses are provided so that the wires 44a and 44b can be disposed. By providing the respective wires 44a and 44b in a circumferential manner, the wires 44a and 44b do not interfere in the path along the way. In addition, the wires 44a and 44b are provided circumferentially and embedded in the second fitting recess 43 so that they do not interfere with other members.

  Next, configurations of a rack and a pinion, which are another side fence interlocking mechanism of the embodiment, will be described.

  A rack 46 and a pinion 47 are provided on the first tray 33 and the second tray 34, respectively. The configurations of the rack 46 and the pinion 47 of the first tray 33 and the second tray 34 are the same, so only the second tray 34 will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, in the second tray 34, two racks 46a and 46b are provided in parallel with each other in the direction of the arrow F19, which is the moving direction of the side fence, with the pinion 47 interposed therebetween. It is done. The respective racks 46a, 46b extend toward the ends on different sides, and the second side fences 39a, 39b are respectively connected at the respective ends. The rack 46 is provided with a plurality of teeth 46c on its surface, and the pinion 47 and the teeth 46c of each rack 46 are engaged with each other. The pinion 47 is configured to be rotatable, and changes the position of the meshing tooth 46c by rotation.

  When the side fence 39a is moved in the direction of the arrow F10, the rack 46a connected thereto receives a force of moving in the direction of the arrow F10. Then, the rack 46a applies a force in the direction of arrow F10 to the pinion 47, and the pinion 47 rotates. The rotation of the pinion 47 causes the other rack 46b to receive a force in the direction of arrow F11, which is the opposite direction to the direction of arrow F10, via the tooth portion 46c. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 16B, the second side fence 39b connected to the rack 46b moves in the direction of the arrow F11.

  As described above, by moving the second side fence 39a, the second side fence 39b moves in the opposite direction. In addition, by moving the first side fence 38a, the first side fence 38b moves in the opposite direction.

  Due to the configuration of the rack 46 and the pinion 47, the paired first side fences 38a, 38b or the second side fences 39a, 39b interlock and move in the reverse direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18, each of the racks 46 is connected to the joint portion of each side fence in the same manner as the wire 44 (in the drawing, the wire 44 a is connected to the joint portion 38 d and the wire 44 b is connected to the joint portion 39 d Linked).

  It is desirable that each connection be a center of gravity including the position of the center of gravity of the side fence. Thus, by moving one side fence, the force applied by the movement is efficiently transmitted to the paired side fence through the rack 46 and the pinion 47, and the paired side fence moves smoothly. To be done. This improves the operability of the side fence.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the wire 44 and the rack 46 and the pinion 47 which are the interlocking mechanism of the embodiment, when one of the side fences is moved, the other three side fences move in conjunction with it. As for the movement direction, the first side fences 38a and 38b, or the second side fences 39a and 39b, which make a pair, move in the opposite direction, and the first side fence 38a and the second side fence 39b at diagonal positions, or The first side fence 38b and the second side fence 39a also move in the opposite direction. In other words, if one side fence is moved in the direction in which the sheet width of the sheets P stacked on the manual feed tray 30 spreads, the other three side fences are also moved in the spreading direction. And the movement in the narrowing direction is also made similarly.

  As one side fence is operated, the other side fence moves to a predetermined position, which facilitates its operation. In the embodiment, the first side fence 38 can be operated by operating the second side fence 39 as an operation member disposed at a position close to the worker, so the position adjustment of the side fence is easy. . In particular, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the first side fence 38 provided on the back side is close to the front cover 29 and the inclined surface J, and its operation is difficult. By the configuration, the position adjustment of the first side fence 38 is facilitated, and the effect is exhibited.

  On the other hand, if the first side fence 38a and the second side fence 39a (or the first side fence 38b and the second side fence 39b) are configured as one continuous member, as in the configuration of the embodiment, The side of the first side fence 38 can be moved only by the operation from the side of the second side fence 39 without using the configuration in which the respective side fences are interlocked. However, for example, in the case where the first side fence 38a and the second side fence 39a are configured as one continuous member, the side fences interfere with the second tray 34 as shown in FIG. In contrast, it becomes difficult to bend. For this reason, the manual feed tray 30 can not be stored in an apparatus having a shape having a protrusion E as in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

  By using the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention and interlocking the respective side fences, the operability of the side fences is facilitated, and the manual feed tray 30 is used as the image forming apparatus 100 having the configuration of the embodiment. Two effects can be compatible, as opposed to being storable.

  The configuration of the wire 44, the rack 46 and the pinion 47 is used as the interlocking mechanism of the embodiment. However, if at least the wire 44 is provided as an interlocking mechanism and the side fences at diagonal positions are interlocked, the first side fence 38 moves in conjunction with the operation of the second side fence 39 or vice versa. The second side fence 39 can be moved in conjunction with the operation of the first side fence 38.

  The manner in which the first side fence 38 and the second side fence 39 position the sheet P in the width direction will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the first side fence 38 has a first contact surface 38 e as a contact surface contacting the side edge of the sheet P on each of the pair of side fences. Further, the second side fence 39 has a second contact surface 39e as a contact surface contacting the side edge of the sheet P in each of the pair of side fences. The first contact surface 38 e and the second contact surface 39 e abut the sheet P and regulate the position in the width direction.

  In the configuration of the first embodiment, the first contact surface 38 e and the second contact surface 39 e are provided on the same plane in the width direction of the sheet P. The image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment has the protrusion E above the manual feed tray 30, and it is difficult to visually check the second contact surface 39e provided on the side of the protrusion E. However, by providing the first contact surface 38e and the second contact surface 39e in the same plane, if the second side fence 39 is aligned with the side edge of the sheet P by the second contact surface 39e which is easy to view, The alignment of one contact surface 38e is simultaneously made. Therefore, since the position alignment is possible even from the position which can not visually observe the first side fence 38, the work of the position alignment of the side fence is easy.

  Next, a positioning mechanism for positioning the first side fence 38 at a predetermined position will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 20, in the first tray 33, a first positioning recess 48 and a second positioning recess 49 as positioning means are provided on the surface which is recessed one step downward from the surface. The first positioning recess 48 and the second positioning recess 49 position the first side fence 38 which moves in the direction of the arrow F19.

  In the first positioning recess 48, a recess 48a for positioning the first side fence 38 is provided at a predetermined position. Further, in the second positioning recess 49, a recess 49a for positioning the first side fence 38 is continuously provided.

  The first positioning recess 48 is provided with the recess 48 a in accordance with the size of the standard size paper P, and is used to position the first side fence 38 when printing the standard size paper P. In addition, when the paper P of an irregular size is printed, the second positioning recess 49 provided with the recess 49 a continuously is used.

  FIG. 21 is a view of the first side fence 38 as viewed in the direction of the arrow K1 of FIG. 20, and is a view illustrating the positioning projections positioned in the first positioning recess 48 and the second positioning recess 49.

  The first side fence 38 has a first positioning protrusion 50 and a second positioning protrusion 51 as positioning portions, which are positioned in the first positioning recess 48 and the second positioning recess 49, respectively. The first positioning convex portion 50 and the second positioning convex portion 51 are provided on the first side fence 38 so as to be movable in the vertical direction in the drawing. The first positioning convex portion 50 is biased in the direction of arrow F12 by the second biasing spring 52 as biasing means, and the second positioning convex portion 51 is biased by the third biasing spring 53 as biasing means. It is done.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the first positioning protrusion 50 is biased in the direction of the arrow F12 to fit in the recess 48a.

  When a force to move the first side fence 38 in the direction of the arrow F15 works, a force in the direction of the arrow F13 acts on the first positioning convex portion 50 orthogonal to the slope of the recess 48a. The force in the direction of arrow F13 has a component in the direction of arrow F14, which is the vertically upward direction. By this component force, the first positioning convex portion 50 moves upward against the urging force of the second urging spring 52, and the fitting with the concave portion 48a is released. And the 1st side fence 38 is positioned in a new position by the 1st positioning convex part 50 fitting again with either recessed part 48a. In addition, since fitting of the 2nd positioning convex part 51 and the recessed part 49a is also the same structure, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As described above, the first side fence 38 is configured to be positioned at a predetermined position. As a result, even when the sheets P stacked on the manual feed tray 30 are carried by the manual feed roller 22, the first side fence 38 does not cause positional deviation. Therefore, no distortion occurs even when the sheet P is transported.

  These positioning mechanisms may be provided on only one side of the pair of first side fences 38 or may be provided on both sides. In addition, the second side fence 39 can be provided with a similar configuration.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described. Below, the modification of 1st embodiment about each part is demonstrated.

  In the modification of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 23, in addition to the joint portion 35 which connects the first tray 33 and the second tray 34, a connecting member 54 is provided. The connection members 54 are respectively provided at both ends of the manual feed tray 30, and one end 54c is held by the first side fence 38 and the other end 54d is fixed to the second side fence 39 as shown in FIG.

  The one end 54 c is provided in the guide groove 38 e of the first side fence 38 so as to be movable inside the guide groove 38 e. The second tray 34 moves in the direction of the arrow F2 with respect to the first tray 33 by the one end 54c moving to the left and right inside the guide groove 38e, and the manual feed tray 30 has the storage posture of FIG. Take a loading attitude. As the first tray 33 and the second tray 34 are connected by the connecting member 54, the first tray 33 and the second tray 34 can be connected more reliably, and more sheets P are stacked on the manual feed tray 30. Even when the manual feed tray 30 holds its weight, it can maintain its loading position.

  FIG. 26 shows a modification of the holding mechanism for holding the second tray 34 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B on the front cover 29 or the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the front cover 29 has a magnet 55a as a holding portion, and the second tray 34 has a magnet 55b as a held portion. When the manual feed tray 30 is in the storage orientation, the magnets 55a and 55b abut, and the magnetic force of the two causes the second tray 34 to be held by the front cover 29 (the manual feed tray 30 is held by the image forming apparatus 100). The tray 30 maintains the storage posture.

  When the manual feed tray 30 is placed in the loading posture, the operator can open the manual feed tray 30 against the magnetic force of the magnets 55a and 55b to separate the both from each other and set the manual feed tray 30 in the loading posture.

  As described above, the second tray 34 can be fronted by the configuration using the magnet 55a and the magnet 55b of FIG. 26 instead of the configuration in which the first fitting convex portion 34c and the fitting concave portion 29a shown in FIG. The mechanism to be held by the cover 29 can be simplified, and the wear and the like of the member due to the fitting of the first fitting projection 34c and the fitting recess 29a can be prevented. Note that one of the magnet 55a and the magnet 55b may be a magnet, and the other may be a magnetic body that can be attracted to the magnet.

  The fitting cover 29a shown in FIG. 10 or the magnet 55a shown in FIG. However, the holding portion may be provided on the exterior portion of the additional hopper 31 as a detachable member that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100, and this portion and the second tray 34 may be in contact. As a result, even in the image forming apparatus 100 without the front cover 29, the manual feeding tray 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be held by providing the holding portion of the manual feeding tray 30 in the additional hopper 31.

  The modification shown in FIG. 27 is a modification of the wire 44 shown in FIG. The wire 44a and the wire 44b shown in FIG. 26 are provided with the same length. As shown in FIG. 14A, in the configuration in which the wire 44a is disposed inside the wire 44b, two wires do not cross each other. On the other hand, in the configuration of FIG. 27, the wire 44a and the wire 44b can be formed of a common part instead of the wire 44a and the wire 44b having crossing portions, which allows cost reduction.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 28, the first side fence 38 has a movable portion 56. The movable portion 56 is provided movably in the width direction of the sheet P, and as shown in FIG. 29, biased in the direction of the arrow F18 which is the side of the sheet P by the fourth biasing spring 57 as a regulating member biasing means. It is done. As shown in FIG. 30, in the state where the sheet P is loaded, the movable portion 56 is pressed against the side edge of the sheet P by the biasing force of the fourth biasing spring 57, and the positioning of the sheet P in the width direction is assured. It can be done. The second side fence 39 may be provided with a similar configuration, or the restriction member biasing means may be configured to directly bias the entire side fence.

  FIG. 31 is a modification of the first contact surface 38 e and the second contact surface 39 e contacting the side edge of the sheet P shown in FIG. 19.

  As shown in FIG. 31, the second contact surface 39e of the modification is provided on the outer side of the manual feed tray 30 than the first contact surface 38e in the width direction of the sheet P, and the first contact surface 38e and the second contact surface 39e is not provided on the same plane.

  In the second side fence 39, a contact surface inclined portion 39f is provided continuously to the second contact surface 39e, and a third contact surface 39g as a contact surface is provided continuously to the contact surface inclined portion 39f. In addition, the first side fence 38 is provided with a first contact surface 38e continuously to the contact surface inclined portion 38f.

  When the sheet P is stacked on the manual feed tray 30, the sheet P advances from the side of the second tray 34 in the direction of the arrow F17. At this time, as shown in FIG. 32A, the side edge of the sheet P first abuts on the second contact surface 39e. Then, the sheet P is moved in the direction of the arrow F17 while being guided by the contact surface inclined portion 39f in the direction of the arrow F16 (FIG. 32b). Then, the position of the sheet P in the width direction is positioned on the third contact surface 39g, and the leading end thereof enters the first tray 33 (FIG. 32c). Then, when the sheet P travels through the first tray 33 for a while, the sheet P is guided by the contact surface inclination 38f and moved in the direction of the arrow F17 while being guided again in the direction of the arrow F16 (FIG. 32d). Finally, the sheet P abuts on the first contact surface 38e and is positioned in the width direction (FIG. 32e). Although only one side in the left-right direction is shown, both sides have the same configuration.

  As described above, on the left and right sides of the manual feed tray 30, the third contact surface 39g is provided more than the second contact surface 39e, and the first contact surface 38e is provided inside the manual feed tray 30 than the third contact surface 39g. Thereby, as the sheet P intrudes in the direction of the arrow F17, the freedom in the width direction disappears and the sheet P is positioned. For this reason, when loading the sheet P on the manual feed tray 30 by the operator, the sheet P can be inserted from the side of the second tray 34 having a margin in the width direction (the side having the second contact surface 39e). , That work will be easier. Further, in a state where the sheet P is stacked on the manual feed tray 30 and the leading end thereof has advanced to the first tray 33, the sheet P can be reliably positioned at a predetermined position by the first contact surface 38e.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, Of course in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, a various change can be added.

  In the configuration of the embodiment, the configuration is shown in which the operation member for operating the first side fence 38 is the second side fence 39 which doubles as a function of regulating the side edge of the sheet P. However, the operating member may be a member merely operating the first side fence 38. Further, it may be located on the worker side (the side farther than the image forming apparatus 100) than the first side fence 38, and the second tray 34 does not necessarily have to be provided.

  Although the manual feed tray 30 according to the embodiment can be stored in the image forming apparatus 100 by bending the second tray 34, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the second tray 34 can be slid relative to the first tray 33. It may be configured to be stored. In this case, in the manual feed tray 30, the first tray 33 may have a held portion, and the held portion may be held by the holding portion of the image forming apparatus 100.

  It is as follows when a structure, an effect | action, and an effect of embodiment of this invention demonstrated above are put together.

(Configuration 1)
Configuration 1 is an image forming apparatus 100 including a recording medium loading device 30 having a first loading member 33 which is a loading portion of recording media and a second loading member 34, and the first loading member 33 and the The two loading members 34 are connected to each other, and the recording medium loading device 30 is a loading posture in which the recording medium P can be loaded on the storage posture, which is a posture stored in the image forming apparatus 100. In the image forming apparatus 100 capable of taking a posture, in the stacking posture, the first stacking member 33 is provided closer to the image forming device 100 than the second stacking member 34, and the recording medium stacking device 30 is The recording medium loading device 30 takes a storage orientation by having a held portion held by the image forming apparatus 100 and the held portion held by the image forming apparatus 100. The first loading member 33 has a pair of regulating members 38 for regulating the position of the side end of the recording medium P to be loaded, and the recording medium loading device 30 separately from the pair of regulating members 38. Provided with an operation member 39 provided on the side farther from the image forming apparatus 100 than the pair of restriction members 38, and the pair of restriction members 38 interlock by operating the operation member 39 The image forming apparatus 100 is characterized in that

  According to configuration 1, by operating the operation member 39 provided on the side farther than the pair of restriction members 38, the pair of restriction members 38 interlock with this, and the arrangement of the pair of restriction members 38 can be adjusted. it can. Therefore, even when it is difficult to directly operate the pair of restricting members 38, the position of the restricting member 38 can be easily changed, and the operability thereof is improved.

(Configuration 2)
In Configuration 2, in the configuration 1, the operation member 39 is a pair of members provided on the second loading member 34, and by operating one operation member 39, the other operation member 39 and the pair of the other The pair of operation members 39 regulates the position of the side end of the recording medium P loaded on the second loading member 34 in conjunction with the limitation member 38 interlocking, and the pair of limitation members 38 is limited first. The image forming apparatus 100 also functions as a second regulating member when it is a member. According to Configuration 2, the operation member 39 is an operation portion of the first restriction member 38 and also functions as the second restriction member 39 for restricting the side end of the recording medium P loaded on the second loading member 34. I can do things.

(Configuration 3)
Configuration 3 is the image forming apparatus 100 according to Configuration 2 described above, including an interlocking mechanism that interlocks the four regulating members, and the interlocking mechanism is a linear member 44 that couples a plurality of the regulating members. According to the third configuration, the linear members 44 interlock the respective regulating members.

(Configuration 4)
The fourth configuration is the image forming apparatus 100 according to the third configuration, wherein the linear member 44 is connected to a center of gravity including the center of gravity of the restriction member. According to the fourth aspect, the respective control members are easily interlocked, and the operability of the control members is improved.

(Configuration 5)
Configuration 5 has an interlocking mechanism for interlocking the four restriction members in any of the configurations 2 to 4, and the interlocking mechanism is two racks 46 provided in parallel with each other with a pinion 47 interposed therebetween. Each of the racks 46 is the image forming apparatus 100 engaged with the pinion 47 and connected to any one of the regulating members. According to the fifth configuration, the movement of one of the restriction members coupled to the rack 46 causes the other restriction member to move in conjunction therewith.

(Configuration 6)
The configuration 6 is the image forming apparatus 100 according to any one of the configurations 2 to 5, including the connecting member 54 that connects the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34. According to the sixth aspect, the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34 can be more reliably connected.

(Configuration 7)
According to the seventh aspect, in any one of the second to sixth aspects, the first restricting member 38 and / or the second restricting member 39 is biased toward the recording medium P loaded on the recording medium loading device 30. The image forming apparatus 100 has a restricting member urging means. According to the seventh aspect, the first restricting member 38 or the second restricting member 39 is urged toward the recording medium P, so that the side end of the recording medium P can be reliably positioned.

(Configuration 8)
Configuration 8 is any of the configurations 2 to 7 described above, wherein the first restricting member 38 is mounted to the first loading member 33 in the width direction of the recording medium P loaded on the first loading member 33. The first loading member 33 is an image forming apparatus 100 having positioning means for positioning the first regulating member 38 by the positioned portion. According to the eighth aspect, the first regulating member 38 can be positioned at a predetermined position, and the positional displacement of the recording medium P does not occur even when the recording medium P stacked on the first stacking member 33 is transported. The distortion of the recording medium P can be prevented.

(Configuration 9)
Configuration 9 is the image forming apparatus 100 according to Configuration 8 described above, wherein the first restricting member 38 has biasing means for biasing the portion to be positioned. According to the ninth aspect, the positioning portion can be positioned by the biasing means, and the positioning of the first restricting member 38 with respect to the first loading member 33 can be performed.

(Configuration 10)
The configuration 10 is the image forming apparatus 100 according to any one of the above configurations 2 to 9, in which the first restricting member 38 and the second restricting member 39 have contact surfaces in contact with the side edge of the recording medium P. According to the tenth aspect, the recording medium P can be positioned in the width direction by bringing the respective restriction members into contact with the side end of the recording medium P at the contact surface.

(Configuration 11)
In the configuration 11, in the configuration 10, in the width direction of the recording medium P, the contact surface of the first regulating member 38 is closer to the recording medium stacker 30 than the contact surface of the second regulating member 39. The image forming apparatus 100 is provided inside the image forming apparatus. According to configuration 11, on the side of the second restricting member 39 where the operator inserts the recording medium P, there is a margin in the width of the second restricting member 39 that restricts the width direction of the recording medium P. It will be easier. Further, in the first regulating member 38 on the image forming apparatus 100 side, the width thereof becomes narrow, whereby the positioning in the width direction of the recording medium P can be surely performed.

(Configuration 12)
The configuration 12 is the image forming apparatus 100 according to any one of the configurations 2 to 11, in which the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34 have the same plane in the loading posture of the recording medium loading device 30. According to the twelfth aspect, the recording medium P can be loaded on the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34.

(Configuration 13)
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to twelfth aspects, in the loading posture of the recording medium loading device 30, the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34 each have an abutting surface in contact with the other. This is the forming device 100. According to the thirteenth aspect, when the contact surfaces of the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34 abut each other, the recording medium loading device 30 can maintain the loading posture.

(Configuration 14)
The configuration 14 is the image forming apparatus 100 in which the second loading member 34 is connected to the first loading member 33 so as to be rotatable with respect to the first loading member 33 in the above configurations 2 to 13. . According to the configuration 14, the recording medium loading device 30 can be accommodated in the image forming apparatus 100 by rotating the second loading member 34 and moving it to the image forming apparatus 100 side.

(Configuration 15)
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fourteenth aspects, one side surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 has a protruding portion E which protrudes as compared with the other portion of the one side surface. The recording medium loading device 30 is provided below

(Configuration 16)
In the configuration 16 according to any one of the configurations 2 to 15, one side surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 has a protruding portion E which is protruded compared with the other portion of the one side surface, and the protruding portion E is The image forming apparatus 100 covers the developer container 31.

(Configuration 17)
In the configuration 17 according to any one of the configurations 2 to 16, one side surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 has a protruding portion E which is protruded compared to the other portion of the one side surface, and the protruding portion E is In the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 100 has a detachable member 31 that is detachable from the image forming apparatus 100, and the detachable member 31 is provided with a holding unit that holds the held portion. According to the seventeenth aspect, the recording medium loading device 30 can be stored even in the image forming apparatus 100 having a structure in which the recording medium loading device 30 can not be stored by assembling the detachable member 31 having the holding portion into the image forming device 100. It is possible.

(Configuration 18)
The configuration 18 is a recording medium loading device 30 having a first loading member 33 and a second loading member 34 which are loading portions of the recording medium P, and the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34 are mutually different. The recording medium loading device 30 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 and can be in a loading posture in which the recording media P can be loaded on the upper portion thereof, and is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 and in the loading posture. One loading member 33 is provided closer to the image forming apparatus 100 than the second loading member 34, and the first loading member 33 is a pair of regulating members for regulating the position of the side end of the recording medium P to be loaded. 38, the operation member 39 provided separately from the pair of restriction members 38, and provided on the side farther from the image forming apparatus 100 than the pair of restriction members 38, the operation member 39 Operate By a recording medium loading device 30, characterized in that said pair of regulating members 38 are interlocked.

  According to the configuration 18, by operating the operation member 39 provided on the side farther than the pair of regulating members 38, the pair of regulating members 38 interlock with this, and the arrangement of the pair of regulating members 38 can be adjusted. it can. Therefore, even when it is difficult to directly operate the pair of restricting members 38, the position of the restricting member 38 can be easily changed, and the operability thereof is improved.

(Configuration 19)
In the configuration 19, in the configuration 18, the operation member 39 is a pair of members provided on the second loading member 34, and the other operation member 39 and the pair of the operation member 39 are operated by operating one operation member 39 thereof. The pair of operation members 39 regulates the position of the side end of the recording medium P loaded on the second loading member 34 in conjunction with the limitation member 38 interlocking, and the pair of limitation members 38 is limited first. The recording medium stacking device 30 also functions as a second regulating member when it is a member. According to the nineteenth aspect, the operation member 39 is an operation portion of the first restricting member 38 and also functions as the second restricting member 39 for restricting the side end of the recording medium P loaded on the second loading member 34. I can do things.

(Configuration 20)
The configuration 20 is the recording medium stacking device 30 having the interlocking mechanism that interlocks the four regulating members in the configuration 19, and the interlocking mechanism is a linear member 44 that interconnects the plurality of regulating members. According to configuration 20, the linear members 44 interlock the respective regulating members.

(Configuration 21)
The configuration 21 is the recording medium loading device 30 in which the linear member 44 is connected to the center of gravity including the position of center of gravity of the restriction member in the above-described configuration 20. According to the twenty-first aspect, the respective control members are easily interlocked, and the operability of the control members is improved.

(Composition 22)
The configuration 22 has an interlocking mechanism for interlocking the four restriction members in any one of the configurations 19 to 21, and the interlocking mechanism is two racks 46 provided in parallel with each other with the pinion 47 interposed therebetween. Each of the racks 46 is a recording medium loading device 30 engaged with the pinion 47 and connected to any one of the regulating members. According to the configuration 22, movement of one of the restriction members coupled to the rack 46 causes the other restriction member to move in conjunction therewith.

(Composition 23)
The configuration 23 is the recording medium loading device 30 having the connecting member 54 connecting the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34 in any of the above configurations 19 to 22. According to the twenty-third aspect, the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34 can be connected more reliably.

(Composition 24)
According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the nineteenth to twenty-third aspects, a regulating member urging means for biasing the first regulating member 38 or the second regulating member 39 or both to the side of the recording medium P to be loaded. The recording medium loading device 30 is provided. According to the structure 24, the first restricting member 38 or the second restricting member 39 is urged toward the recording medium P, and the side end of the recording medium P can be positioned reliably.

(Configuration 25)
According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the nineteenth to twenty-fourth aspects, the first restricting member 38 is provided to the first stacking member 33 in the width direction of the recording medium P stacked on the first stacking member 33. The first loading member 33 is a recording medium loading device 30 having positioning means for positioning the first regulating member 38 by the positioned portion. According to the twenty-fifth configuration, the first regulating member 38 can be positioned at a predetermined position, and the positional deviation of the recording medium P does not occur even when the recording medium P stacked on the first stacking member 33 is conveyed. The distortion of the recording medium P can be prevented.

(Composition 26)
According to a twenty-sixth aspect, in the twenty-fifth aspect, the first restricting member 38 is the recording medium stacking device 30 having biasing means for biasing the positioning portion. According to the configuration 26, the positioning portion can be positioned by the biasing means, and the positioning of the first regulating member 38 with respect to the first loading member 33 can be performed.

(Configuration 27)
The configuration 27 is the recording medium stacking device 30 having the contact surface in which the first regulating member 38 and the second regulating member 39 are in contact with the side end of the recording medium P in the above configurations 19 to 26. According to the twenty-seventh aspect, the recording medium P can be positioned in the width direction by the respective regulating members coming into contact with the side edge of the recording medium P at the contact surface.

(Configuration 28)
In the configuration 28, in the configuration 27, in the width direction of the recording medium P, the contact surface of the first regulating member 38 is provided on the inner side of the device than the contact surface of the second regulating member 39. A recording medium loading device 30 is provided. According to the configuration 28, on the side of the second restricting member 39 where the operator inserts the recording medium P, there is a margin in the width of the second restricting member 39 that restricts the width direction of the recording medium P, and the inserting operation is It will be easier. Further, in the first restricting member 38 on the recording medium loading device 30 side, the width thereof becomes narrow, whereby the positioning in the width direction of the recording medium P can be surely performed.

(Configuration 29)
The configuration 29 is the recording medium loading device 30 according to any one of the configurations 19 to 28, in which the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34 have the same plane in the loading posture. According to the configuration 29, the recording medium P can be loaded on the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34.

(Configuration 30)
In the configuration 30, in any one of the configurations 19 to 29, in the loading posture, each of the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34 is different from each other in the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34. The recording medium loading device 30 has an abutting surface that abuts. According to the configuration 30, when the contact surfaces of the first loading member 33 and the second loading member 34 abut each other, the recording medium loading device 30 can maintain the loading posture.

(Configuration 31)
According to the configuration 31, in the configurations 19 to 30, the second loading member 34 is a recording medium loading device 30 connected to the first loading member 33 so as to be rotatable with respect to the first loading member 33. is there. According to the configuration 31, the recording medium loading device 30 can be accommodated in the image forming apparatus 100 by rotating the second loading member 34 and moving it to the image forming apparatus 100 side.

(Configuration 32)
Configuration 32 includes the held portion held by the image forming apparatus 100 according to any one of the above configurations 19 to 31, and the recording medium is held by the held portion held by the image forming apparatus 100. The loading device 30 is a recording medium loading device 30 in the storage orientation. According to the configuration 32, the recording medium loading device 30 can be held by the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and the recording medium loading device 30 can be prevented from being opened unintentionally.

29 Front cover 29a Fitting recess (holding part)
30 manual feed tray (recording medium loading device)
31 Additional hopper (developer container or detachable member)
33 First tray (first loading member)
34 Second tray (second loading member)
34c 1st fitting convex part (held part)
38 First side fence (first regulation member or regulation member)
38e first contact surface (contact surface)
38g third contact surface (contact surface)
39 Second side fence (second restriction member or operation member)
39e Second contact surface (contact surface)
44 Wire (Linear member)
46 rack 47 pinion 48 first positioning recess (positioning means)
49 Second positioning recess (positioning means)
50 1st positioning convex part (target positioning part)
51 2nd positioning convex part (target positioning part)
52 Second biasing spring (biasing means)
53 Third biasing spring (biasing means)
54 Connecting member 55a Magnet (holding part)
55b Magnet (held part)
57 Fourth biasing spring (regulating member biasing means)
100 image forming apparatus 38c, 38d, 39c, 39d joint E protrusion

JP 2007-254074 A

The present invention is a copying machine provided with a sheet feeding device and a sheet feeding device, a printer, a facsimile or an image forming apparatus in which the MFP.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention stacks sheets supplied to the apparatus main body side, and is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the apparatus main body by rotation about an axis in a direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction. A sheet stacking tray and another sheet stacking tray which is provided so as not to move along with the opening and closing operation of the sheet stacking tray on the apparatus main body side and which stacks sheets with the sheet stacking tray, and provided on the other sheet stacking tray A first width regulating member which regulates the widthwise side end of the sheet and has a variable width, and a pair of regulating members provided on the sheet stacking tray. A second width regulating member which regulates the widthwise side end of the sheet and has a variable width, and each connecting member which couples the first width regulating member and the second width regulating member And the other The paper stacking tray has a pair of first guide portions for holding the pair of regulating members constituting the first width regulating member so as to be movable in the sheet width direction, and the sheet stacking tray has the second width regulation. The connecting member has a pair of second guide portions for holding the pair of restricting members movably in the sheet width direction, and one end of the connecting member is the first width restricting member and the second width restricting member. An axis parallel to the sheet width direction with respect to the other of the first width regulating member and the second width regulating member. One of the first guides rotatably mounted around and one of the pair of restricting members constituting the first width restricting member, one of the restricting members provided on one end side in the width direction of the sheet being inserted And other parts constituting the first width regulating member In the other first guide portion into which the restriction member is inserted, the one first guide portion is closer to the apparatus main body than the other first guide portion in the sheet conveyance direction, and the second width restriction is Among the pair of restricting members constituting the member, one second guide portion into which one restricting member provided on one end side of the sheet in the width direction is inserted, and the other restricting member constituting the second width restricting member In the other second guide portion into which the member is inserted, the one second guide portion is closer to the apparatus main body than the other second guide portion in the sheet conveyance direction, and the first width restricting member A sheet feeding device interlocked with the second width regulating member is characterized.

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus comprising a recording medium loading device having a first loading member as a loading portion of recording media and a second loading member, comprising:
The first loading member and the second loading member are connected to each other,
In the image forming apparatus, the recording medium loading device can take a storage posture which is a posture stored in the image forming apparatus and a loading posture in which the recording medium can be stacked thereon.
In the loading posture, the first loading member is provided closer to the image forming apparatus than the second loading member,
The recording medium loading device has a held portion held by the image forming apparatus, and the recording medium loading device takes a storage posture by holding the held portion by the image forming device. The first loading member has a pair of regulating members for regulating the position of the side end of the recording medium to be loaded,
The recording medium loading device has an operation member provided separately from the pair of restriction members and provided on the side farther to the image forming apparatus than the pair of restriction members, and operates the operation member. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the pair of regulating members interlock with each other. The operation member is a pair of members provided on the second loading member, and by operating one of the operation members, the other operation member and the pair of restriction members interlock.
The pair of operation members restricts the position of the side end of the recording medium loaded on the second loading member, and serves as a second regulating member when the pair of regulating members is used as a first regulating member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which doubles as a function.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an interlocking mechanism that interlocks the four regulating members, wherein the interlocking mechanism is a linear member that links a plurality of the regulating members.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the linear member is connected to a center of gravity including a position of center of gravity of the restriction member.   The control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising control member urging means for urging the first control member and / or the second control member toward the side of the recording medium loaded in the recording medium loading device. Image forming device.   One side surface of the image forming apparatus main body has a projecting portion which protrudes as compared with the other portion of the one side surface, and the projecting portion has a detachable member which is detachable from the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a holding portion for holding the held portion is provided on the detachable member. A recording medium loading device having a first loading member and a second loading member, which are loading portions of recording media, comprising:
The first loading member and the second loading member are connected to each other,
In a recording medium loading device capable of taking a loading posture in which the recording medium can be loaded on the upper side thereof,
The first loading member is provided closer to the image forming apparatus than the second loading member is mounted on the image forming apparatus and in the loading posture.
The first loading member has a pair of regulating members for regulating the position of the side end of the recording medium to be loaded,
It has an operation member provided separately from the pair of restriction members and provided on the side farther to the image forming apparatus than the pair of restriction members, and operating the operation members allows the pair of the members to be separated. A recording medium loading device characterized in that a regulating member is interlocked. The operation member is a pair of members provided on the second loading member, and by operating one of the operation members, the other operation member and the pair of restriction members interlock.
The pair of operation members restricts the position of the side end of the recording medium loaded on the second loading member, and serves as a second regulating member when the pair of regulating members is used as a first regulating member. The recording medium loading device according to claim 7, which doubles as a function.   9. The recording medium stacking apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an interlocking mechanism that interlocks the four regulating members, wherein the interlocking mechanism is a linear member that couples a plurality of the regulating members.   10. The recording medium stacking device according to claim 9, wherein the linear member is connected to a center of gravity including the center of gravity of the restriction member.