JP2020117384A - Option sheet feeding device and image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent sheets in a sheet feeding cassette from being stolen and prevent a sheet feeding device from being detached in a portable unit and the sheet feeding device from being stolen in the sheet feeding devices that can be added and used by superposing them in the vertical direction.SOLUTION: A sheet feeding device includes: a lock mechanism for locking a sheet feeding cassette in the storage state with respect to a body case part; and connection mechanisms 60L, 60R for connecting the sheet feeding device to the adjacent sheet feeding device on the upper side. The connection mechanisms 60L, 60R have release operation parts for releasing connection with a manual operation. The release operation parts are arranged in an accessible manner from only a cassette insertion port 31c of one of the sheet feeding device and the adjacent sheet feeding device on the upper side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

The present invention relates to an optional sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a printer, and a copying machine includes a paper feeding device below the main body of the apparatus. The paper feeding device has a flat rectangular box-shaped main body case portion and a paper feed cassette accommodated in the main body case portion so as to be drawn out. A paper feed mechanism for feeding the paper stored in the paper feed cassette is provided in the main body case.

As this type of image forming apparatus, there is known an image forming apparatus in which an optional sheet feeding device is stacked below the standard sheet feeding device so as to be added (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2007-308210, A

The image forming apparatus may be installed in a public place such as a convenience store and used by an unspecified number of users. In this case, a malicious third party may pull out the paper feed cassette and steal the paper in the paper feed cassette.

On the other hand, it is conceivable to provide the paper feed cassette with a lock mechanism. However, as shown in Patent Document 1, in an image forming apparatus in which an optional sheet feeding device can be stacked and added, even if the sheet feeding cassette is locked, the sheet feeding device can be carried in a unit that can be carried (for example, only one). There is a risk that the entire paper feeder will be stolen by removing it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is not only to prevent the sheets in a sheet feeding cassette from being stolen but also to remove an optional sheet feeding device in a portable unit. It is to prevent the entire paper feeding device from being stolen.

An optional sheet feeding device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a main body case portion having a cassette insertion opening, and a paper feeding cassette that is removably housed in the main body case portion through the cassette insertion opening. It can be expanded by stacking on.

Further, a lock mechanism for locking the paper feed cassette in the stored state with respect to the main body case portion is further provided, and the option paper feed device is connected to an adjacent upper option paper feed device via a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism is configured to be connectable, and the connection mechanism has a release operation unit for releasing the connection by a manual operation, and the release operation unit includes the option sheet feeding device and the adjacent upper option sheet feeding. It is arranged to be accessible only from one cassette insertion port of the device.

An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus main body, a main body case portion having a cassette insertion opening, and a paper feed cassette housed in the main body case portion through the cassette insertion opening. In addition to the above, the image forming apparatus main body includes a standard sheet feeding device that is provided as standard equipment at a lower end portion of the image forming apparatus body.

An optional paper feeding device can be connected to the lower surface of the standard paper feeding device via a connecting mechanism, and the connecting mechanism has a release operation unit for releasing the connection by a manual operation. The release operation unit is arranged so as to be accessible only from the cassette insertion port of either one of the optional sheet feeder and the standard sheet feeder.

According to the present invention, it is possible not only to prevent the sheets in the paper cassette from being stolen, but also to prevent the sheet feeding device from being removed in a portable unit and being stolen together with the sheet feeding device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus including an optional sheet feeding device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a state in which the image forming apparatus main body including the standard paper feeding device and the option paper feeding device are separated. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a sheet feeding cassette of the optional sheet feeding device. FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a state in which the paper feed cassettes are removed from both the standard paper feed device and the optional paper feed device. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the connection structure of the optional sheet feeder with respect to the lower lateral beam of the standard sheet feeder. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a connection structure of option sheet feeding devices. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a pair of connecting members as seen from diagonally below on the rear side. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a pair of connecting members as seen from diagonally above the rear side. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the method of engaging and fixing the pair of connecting members to the lower lateral beam of the standard paper feeder, as viewed from the upper surface side of the lower lateral beam. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view for explaining the method of engaging and fixing the pair of connecting members to the lower lateral beam of the standard sheet feeding device, and is a view seen from the lower surface side of the lower lateral beam. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a procedure for connecting the option sheet feeding device to the lower lateral beam of the standard sheet feeding device. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view for explaining a method of engaging and fixing the pair of connecting members to the lower lateral beam of the optional sheet feeding device, and is a view seen from the upper surface side of the lower lateral beam. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of connecting and fixing the option sheet feeding devices. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a connection mechanism of an option sheet feeding device according to a second embodiment. It is the XVI-XVI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the engagement unit as seen from diagonally above and to the right. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the engagement unit as viewed from diagonally lower right. 19 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow XIX in FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. FIG. 21 is a view on arrow XXI in FIG. 22 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the through hole in FIG. 21 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the engaged unit. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the engagement operation between the engagement unit and the engaged unit, and is a diagram showing a state immediately before transition to the engagement state. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the engagement operation between the engagement unit and the engaged unit, and is a diagram showing a state in which the engagement state is transitioned to.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment. In the following description, the front side and the rear side mean the front side and the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the left side and the right side mean the left side and the right side when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front side. To do.

The image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming apparatus main body 2, and a paper feeding device (hereinafter referred to as a standard paper feeding device) 10 is provided as a standard at the lower end of the image forming apparatus main body 2. The paper feeding device 10 is fixed to the image forming apparatus 1 in a non-detachable manner.

The paper feeding device 10 includes a main body case 11 having a substantially rectangular box shape, and a paper feed cassette 12 housed in the front of the main body case 11 so as to be drawn out.

The sheet feeding cassette 12 accommodates sheet-shaped sheets (for example, sheets and OHP sheets) stacked in a bundle. At the rear end portion of the main body case portion 11, a paper feed mechanism that separates the paper sheets stored in the paper feed cassette 12 sheet by sheet and feeds them toward the image forming apparatus body 2 is housed. A grip portion 12a is provided at the center of the front end surface of the paper feed cassette 12 in the left-right direction. A cylinder lock 13 having a key hole is provided on the right end portion of the front end surface of the paper feed cassette 12. By inserting a key into the key hole of the cylinder lock 13 and rotating the lock, a lock member (not shown) provided in the paper feed cassette 12 can be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the lock member engages with the engaged portion of the main body case portion 11, so that the paper feed cassette 12 cannot be pulled out. On the other hand, in the unlocked state, the engagement between the lock member and the engaged portion is unlocked, and the paper feeding cassette 12 can be pulled out from the main body case portion 11 to the front side.
The lock member and the cylinder lock 13 constitute a lock mechanism. The configuration of the lock mechanism is not limited to this. For example, instead of the cylinder lock 13, the lock is unlocked by the motor only when the password is input from the operation unit 2 and the user authentication is successful. It may be a mechanism.

Below the standard paper feeding device 10, an optional paper feeding device 20 is further provided detachably. By stacking the optional sheet feeding devices 20 in a plurality of stages, they can be sequentially added as needed. Details of the optional sheet feeding device 20 will be described later.

In the space above the sheet feeding cassette 3 in the image forming apparatus main body 2, an image forming unit for printing an image on a sheet supplied from the standard sheet feeding apparatus 10 or the optional sheet feeding apparatus 20, and a sheet after image formation. A transport mechanism and the like for discharging the paper to the discharge tray 2a are housed. As a printing method by the image forming unit, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method can be adopted.

The discharge tray 2a is formed by recessing the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 2. At the front and right corners of the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 2, an operation unit 2b is provided for the user to set printing conditions and give an instruction to start printing. The operation unit 2b is configured with push-type operation keys, a liquid crystal touch panel, and the like.

[Configuration of Optional Paper Feeding Device 20]
As shown in FIG. 2, the optional sheet feeding device 20 is attached below the standard sheet feeding device 10 as a retrofit. In this example, the option sheet feeding device 20 has an example of one stage, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may have two or more stages.

The optional sheet feeding device 20 has a rectangular box-shaped main body case portion 30 and a paper feed cassette 40 housed in the front side of the main body case portion 30 so as to be drawn out.

Sheet-shaped sheets (for example, sheets and OHP sheets) are stacked and set in the sheet feeding cassette 40. At the rear end of the main body case portion 30, a paper feed mechanism that separates the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 40 one by one and feeds the paper toward the image forming apparatus main body 2 is housed.

A handle portion 40a is provided at the center of the front end surface of the paper feed cassette 40 in the left-right direction. A cylinder lock 50 having a key hole is provided at the right end of the front end surface of the paper feed cassette 40. By inserting a key into the key hole of the cylinder lock 50 and rotating the lock, a lock member (not shown) provided in the paper feed cassette 40 can be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the lock member engages with the engaged portion of the main body case portion 30 so that the paper feed cassette 40 cannot be pulled out. On the other hand, in the unlocked state, the engagement between the lock member and the engaged portion is unlocked, and the paper feed cassette 40 can be pulled out from the main body case portion 30 to the front side.
The lock member and the cylinder lock 50 constitute a lock mechanism. Note that, like the standard paper feeder 10 described above, the lock mechanism may be a mechanism that electrically unlocks the lock only when the user authentication is successful.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the paper feed cassette 40 of the optional paper feed device 20. Rail plates 40b that horizontally extend in the front-rear direction are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the paper feed cassette 40 so as to project therefrom. The rail plate 40b is slidably supported on the upper surface of a rail 37a (only shown in FIG. 21) provided in the main body case portion 30. The sheet feeding cassette 12 of the standard sheet feeding device 10 has the same configuration as the sheet feeding cassette 40 of the optional sheet feeding device 20. Here, for simplification of the description, only the sheet feeding cassette 40 is shown as a representative.

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a state in which the paper feed cassette 12 and the paper feed cassette 40 are removed from the standard paper feed device 10 and the optional paper feed device 20, respectively.

With reference to this figure, a schematic configuration of the main body case 11 of the standard paper feeder 10 and the main body case 30 of the optional paper feeder 20 will be described.

Referring to the upper diagram of FIG. 4, the main body case portion 11 of the standard paper feeding device 10 has a lower lateral beam 11a and a lower surface plate 11b. The lower surface plate 11b has a rectangular plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. The lower surface plate 11b is arranged to face the lower surface of the image forming apparatus main body 2. An accommodation space 11d for accommodating the paper feed cassette 12 is formed between the lower surface plate 11b and the lower surface of the image forming apparatus main body 2.

The lower lateral beam 11a is formed in a rectangular plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The lower lateral beam 11a functions as a frame member that supports the front end portion of the lower surface plate 11b. The lower lateral beam 11a is formed with a pair of engagement holes 11c arranged in the left-right direction at intervals. The engagement hole 11c is used when the option sheet feeding device 20 is fixed to the standard sheet feeding device 10 (image forming apparatus main body 2) by connecting members 60L and 60R described later.

As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 4, the main body case portion 30 includes a central case portion 31, a left side hollow case portion 32L and a right side hollow case portion 32R, which are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the central case portion 31, and an upper wall. And 33.

The central case portion 31 is a flat frame member that is long in the front-rear direction. The left side hollow case portion 32L and the right side hollow case portion 32R extend in the front-rear direction along the left side wall and the right side wall of the central case portion 31. The insides of the left side hollow case portion 32L and the right side hollow case portion 32R are hollow spaces extending in the front-rear direction.

An upper lateral beam 31a and a lower lateral beam 31b, which extend in the left-right direction, are arranged at the front end of the central case portion 31 at intervals in the vertical direction. The upper lateral beam 31a and the lower lateral beam 31b connect the front end portions of the left hollow case portion 32L and the right hollow case portion 32R. A space between the upper lateral beam 31a and the lower lateral beam 31b constitutes a cassette insertion opening 31c for inserting the paper feed cassette 40. The lower lateral beam 31b also functions as a support member that supports the front end portion of the lower surface plate 31k.

A portion of the upper wall 33 located on the rear side of the upper lateral beam 31a is largely cut out to form a substantially hexagonal opening 33b. The opening 33b also functions as a penetrating portion of the connecting members 60L and 60R described later. The opening 33b may be provided only at the location where the connecting members 60L and 60R are arranged. At the rear end of the upper wall 33, a pair of bosses 33a are provided so as to protrude from each other in the left-right direction. By fitting the pair of bosses 33a into positioning holes (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the image forming apparatus body 2, the option sheet feeding device 20 is positioned with respect to the image forming apparatus body 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the main body case portion 30 of FIG. 4 taken along line VV. The configuration of the upper lateral beam 31a and the lower lateral beam 31b of the central case portion 31 will be described in more detail with reference to this drawing.

The upper lateral beam 31a has a pair of opposed plates 31d arranged vertically at intervals. A left side attachment portion 31L and a right side attachment portion 31R to which a left side connection member 60L and a right side connection member 60R described later are attached are provided between the pair of opposed plates 31d. Each of the mounting portions 31L and 31R is provided between the pair of vertical ribs 31f. Each of the mounting portions 31L, 31R has a tubular portion having a screw hole 31e, and a reinforcing rib 31g extending radially outward from the circumferential surface of the tubular portion in a cross shape. The upper and lower ends of the reinforcing rib 31g are connected to the pair of opposed plates 31d, and the left and right ends thereof are connected to the pair of vertical ribs 31f.

The lower lateral beam 31b is composed of a single rectangular plate extending in the left-right direction. Reinforcing ribs are formed in a grid pattern on the lower surface of the lower lateral beam 31b. The lower lateral beam 31b is formed with a pair of engaging holes 31i that engage with a left connecting member 60L and a right connecting member 60R, which will be described later. The pair of engagement holes 31i are formed at positions corresponding to the mounting portions 31L and 31R in the left-right direction.

[Connecting Configuration of Optional Paper Feeding Device 20 to Standard Paper Feeding Device 10]
As shown in FIG. 6, when the option sheet feeding device 20 is connected and fixed to the standard sheet feeding device 10, a pair of connecting members 60L and 60R is used. Specifically, the horizontal plate portion 61 of each connecting member 60L, 60R is engaged and fixed to the lower lateral beam 11a of the standard sheet feeding device 10, and the vertical plate portion 62 of each connecting member 60L, 60R is optionally fed. The screws are fixed to the respective mounting portions 31L and 31R provided on the upper lateral beam 31a of the device 20 with screws 70.

[Connecting Configuration of Optional Paper Feeding Devices 20]
As shown in FIG. 7, the pair of connecting members 60L and 60R is similarly used when connecting and fixing the optional sheet feeding devices 20 to each other. Specifically, the horizontal plate portion 61 of each connecting member 60L, 60R is engaged and fixed to the lower lateral beam 31b of the upper option sheet feeding device 20, and the vertical plate portion 62 of each connecting member 60L, 60R is The screws 70 are fixed to the respective mounting portions 31L and 31R provided on the upper lateral beam 31a of the lower optional sheet feeding device 20.

[Structure of connecting members 60L, 60R]
Details of the pair of connecting members 60L and 60R will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The left side connecting member 60L and the right side connecting member 60R are bilaterally symmetrical and have the same shape.

Specifically, each of the connecting members 60L and 60R has a horizontal plate portion 61, a vertical plate portion 62, an engagement piece 63, a first regulation piece 64, and a second regulation piece 65.

The horizontal plate portion 61 has a rectangular plate shape having a width in the left-right direction, and the vertical plate portion 62 hangs downward from the front end portion of the horizontal plate portion 61. The engagement piece 63 is an L-shaped cross-section piece formed on the outer edge of the horizontal plate portion 61 in the left-right direction. The first restriction piece 64 is formed in a convex shape on the outer edge of the vertical plate portion 62 in the left-right direction. The second restriction piece 65 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that horizontally protrudes forward from the lower edge of the vertical plate portion 62. The 1st regulation piece 64 and the 2nd regulation piece 65 play a role which regulates the position so that each connecting member 60L and 60R may not incline, as mentioned below.

[Assembling procedure of connecting members 60L, 60R]
First, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, a procedure for assembling the connecting members 60L and 60R when connecting and fixing the optional sheet feeding device 20 to the standard sheet feeding device 10 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the worker engages the left connecting member 60L and the right connecting member 60R with the left and right engaging holes 11c formed in the lower lateral beam 11a of the standard paper feeding device 10, respectively. The piece 63 (in this example, the rear side engagement piece 63 of the pair of front and rear engagement pieces 63) is inserted. After that, the worker slides the left side connecting member 60L to the left side and the right side connecting member 60R to the right side (see the white arrow in the figure). As a result, the engaging pieces 63 of the left connecting member 60L and the right connecting member 60R are engaged with and hooked on the edge of the engaging hole 11c. Then, the connecting members 60L and 60R are engaged and fixed to the lower lateral beam 11a. A groove portion 11e is formed on the upper surface of the lower lateral beam 11a so that the engaging piece 63 does not project to the surface in this engaged and fixed state.

In this state, the optional paper feeding device 20 for connection is prepared. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the worker abuts the vertical plate portions 62 of the connecting members 60L and 60R on the respective attachment portions 31L and 31R of the upper lateral beam 31a of the optional sheet feeding device 20 to make the vertical plates The position of the mounting hole 62a of the portion 62 is adjusted to the position of each screw hole 31e (see the thick two-dot chain line in FIG. 12). Then, after this alignment is completed, the screws 70 (not shown in FIG. 12) are inserted into the respective mounting holes 62a and tightened (screwed) into the screw holes 31e. Here, the tightening operation of the screw 70 may be performed by inserting a hand into the cassette insertion opening 31c from the front side of the sheet feeding device 20 and bending the wrist so that the palm faces the front side.

When the screwing operation of the screw 70 is completed, the lower lateral beam 11a of the standard sheet feeding device 10 and the upper lateral beam 31a of the optional sheet feeding device 20 are coupled and fixed via a pair of coupling members 60L and 60R. ..

When the connecting members 60L and 60R are assembled, the first restricting piece 64 contacts the rear end surface of the one vertical rib 31f, and the second restricting piece 65 is attached to the rear end part of the pair of vertical ribs 31f from below. By making contact, the postures of the connecting members 60L and 60R are prevented from tilting.

Next, with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, an assembling procedure of the connecting members 60L and 60R when connecting and fixing the option sheet feeding devices 20 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 13, the worker first engages the left and right coupling members 60L and the right coupling member 60R in the left and right engagement holes 31i formed in the lower lateral beam 31b of the optional sheet feeding device 20, respectively. 63 (in this example, the front engagement piece 63 of the front and rear engagement pieces 63) is inserted. Then, the left connecting member 60L is slid to the left and the right connecting member 60R is slid to the right (see the white arrow in the figure). As a result, the engaging pieces 63 of the left connecting member 60L and the right connecting member 60R engage with the edges of the engaging holes 31i and are hooked. As a result, the connecting members 60L and 60R are fixedly engaged with the lower lateral beam 31b of the optional sheet feeding device 20. A groove portion 31h is formed on the upper surface of the lower lateral beam 31b so that the engaging piece 63 does not protrude from the surface in this engaged and fixed state.

In this state, the optional paper feeding device 20 for connection is prepared. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the worker brings the vertical plate portions 62 of the respective connecting members 60L and 60R into contact with the respective attaching portions 31L and 31R of the upper lateral beam 31a of the optional sheet feeding device 20 to be added. The position of the mounting hole 62a of each vertical plate portion 62 is aligned with the position of the screw hole 31e (see the thick double-dotted line in FIG. 14). Then, after this alignment is completed, the screws 70 (not shown in FIG. 14) are inserted into the respective mounting holes 62a and tightened (screwed) into the screw holes 31e.

Here, the tightening work of the screw 70 may be performed by putting a hand into the cassette insertion opening 31c from the front side of the sheet feeding device 20 and bending the wrist so that the palm faces the front side.

When the tightening work of the screw 70 is completed, the lower lateral beam 31b of the existing optional sheet feeding device 20 and the upper lateral beam 31a of the additional optional sheet feeding device 20 are connected via a pair of connecting members 60L and 60R. Are connected and fixed.

[Effect]
As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the optional sheet feeding device 20 includes the cylinder lock 50 (a part of the lock mechanism) for locking the sheet feeding cassette 40 in the stored state with respect to the main body case section 30. Have The optional sheet feeding device 20 is configured to be connectable to the adjacent upper standard sheet feeding device 10 via a pair of connecting members 60L and 60R (an example of a connecting mechanism).

Then, the connecting members 60L and 60R are fixed to the mounting portions 31L and 31R of the upper lateral beam 31a (a part of the main body case portion) of the optional sheet feeding device 20 by screws 70 (see FIG. 6) and manually. By loosening the screw 70, the connecting members 60L and 60R can be removed. The screw 70, which is the target of this connection release operation, is accessible only from the cassette insertion port 31c, as described in the description of FIG.

According to this configuration, in order for the worker to access the screw 70 which is the decoupling operation unit, it is necessary to first pull out the paper feed cassette 40 from the main body case unit 30. The paper feed cassette 40 cannot be removed unless the lock is released by inserting a predetermined key into the cylinder lock 50. Therefore, a third person who does not have the key of the cylinder lock 50 cannot not only pull out the paper feed cassette 40, but also cannot access the screw 70 to be decoupled from the cassette insertion opening 31c. Therefore, a third party who does not have the key cannot steal the paper in the paper feed cassette 40, and also cannot steal the optional paper feed device 20 by removing the connecting members 60L and 60R. Therefore, both the theft of the sheet and the theft of the optional sheet feeding device 20 can be reliably prevented.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the opening 33b is formed on the upper surface of the optional sheet feeding device 20, and the connecting members 60L and 60R have the horizontal plate portion 61 (first fixing portion) and the vertical plate portion 62 (first portion). The second fixing portion) and the engaging piece 63 (engaging portion). The horizontal flat plate portion 61 has an engaging piece 63 that engages with an engaging hole 31i formed in the lower surface of the standard paper feeding device 10, and the vertical plate portion 62 hangs down from the horizontal plate portion 61 and has the opening portion. It penetrates through 33b and is fixed to the upper lateral beam 31a of the optional sheet feeding device 20 via the screw 70 (see FIG. 6).

According to this configuration, the horizontal plate portion 61 is engaged and fixed to the lower surface of the standard sheet feeding device 10 via the engaging piece 63, so that both the horizontal plate portion 61 and the vertical plate portion 62 are screwed and fixed. Compared to the case, the work of attaching and detaching the connecting members 60L and 60R becomes easier.

In addition, a pair of the engagement pieces 63 are provided at an interval in the front-rear direction. According to this, by selecting which of the front side engagement piece 63 and the rear side engagement piece 63 is engaged with the engagement hole 31i, the front and rear positions of the connecting members 60L and 60R are selected. It can be adjusted in two steps.

<<Embodiment 2>>
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the structure of the connecting mechanism. In the following description, the same components as in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted.

That is, in the present embodiment, the coupling mechanism includes the engaging unit 100 and the engaged unit 200, and engages the two units 100 and 200 in conjunction with the mounting operation of the optional sheet feeding device 20.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the engagement unit 100 is housed in the right side hollow case portion 32R of the option sheet feeding device 20. The engagement unit 100 is fixed on the bottom wall 34 of the right hollow case portion 32R. On the rear side of the engagement unit 100, a rectangular opening (passage opening) 35 that allows passage of the engaged unit 200 is formed. Although not shown, the engagement unit 100 is also accommodated in the right side hollow case portion 32R of the standard paper feeding device 10.
On the other hand, the engaged unit 200 is fixed to the right end portion of the upper surface (upper wall 33) of the optional sheet feeding device 20.

FIG. 16 shows a vertical sectional view of the engagement unit 100. The engagement unit 100 includes an engagement slider 101, a slider holding member 102 that holds the engagement slider 101 slidably in the front-rear direction, and a biasing spring 103 that constantly biases the engagement slider 101 rearward. Have When the option sheet feeding device 20 is added, the engagement slider 101 engages with the engagement bar 201 of the engaged unit 200 (enters the lower side), whereby the engaging unit 100 and the engaged unit 200 are engaged. 200 is connected.

[Details of engagement unit 100]
The detailed configuration of the engagement unit 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The engagement slider 101 has a plate-shaped slider body 101a extending in the front-rear direction, and a pair of left and right vertical plates 101c connected to the front end of the slider body 101a via an L-shaped connection portion 101b. ..

As shown in FIGS. 20 to 22, the left vertical plate 101c is exposed to the cassette accommodation space side through the through hole 36 formed in the partition wall 37. It is preferable that the through hole 36 has a size such that one operator's finger (for example, the index finger) can be inserted therein. The operator can release the engagement between the engagement unit 100 and the engaged unit 200 by inserting a finger into the through hole 36 and pushing the left vertical plate 101c to the front side with the finger. The partition wall 37 is a wall that partitions the right hollow case portion 32R and the central case portion 31 (that is, the cassette housing space). The through hole 36 is formed at the same height as the upper surface of the rail 37a that guides the paper feed cassette 40.

An inclined contact surface 101g is formed at the rear end of the slider body 101a to contact the engaging bar 201 when engaging operation is performed. When an upward force is applied to the inclined contact surface 101g, a horizontal component force is generated on the inclined contact surface 101g and the slider body 101a slides forward.

A pair of slide protrusions 101e, which are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction, are provided on both end surfaces in the width direction of the slider body 101a so as to project. The slide protrusion 101e is supported by the slide hole 102e of the slider holding member 102 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

A hanging plate 101d is connected to the front end of the slider body 101a. A boss portion 101f is projected on the front side surface of the hanging plate 101d. The boss portion 101f is inserted into the end portion of the urging spring 103 and holds the urging spring 103 in a non-removable manner.
But

The slider holding member 102 includes a base plate 102a that supports the engagement slider 101 from below, a pair of opposed support plates 102b located on both left and right sides of the engagement slider 101, and an upright position that stands up from the front end of the base plate 102a. It has a plate 102c and a top plate portion 102d.

A fixing engagement portion 102h having an L-shaped cross section is formed at the rear end of the lower surface of the base plate 102a. The fixing engagement portion 102h is engaged with the fixing bar 38 (see FIG. 16) which is a fixing member in the right hollow case portion 32R.

A rectangular opening 102g extending in the front-rear direction is formed in a portion excluding the rear end of the base plate 102a. The rectangular opening 102g is formed so as to guide both end faces in the width direction of the hanging plate 101d.

The slide holes 102e extending in the front-rear direction are formed in the pair of opposing support plates 102b, respectively.

A rectangular notch 102f is provided between the pair of opposing support plates 102b and the standing plate 102c. The vertical plate 101c of the engagement slider 101 projects outward in the left-right direction from the cutout 102f.

A boss 102i (see FIG. 19) is provided in a projecting manner on the surface of the standing plate 102c that faces the hanging plate 101d of the engaging slider 101. The boss 102i is inserted into the end portion of the biasing spring 103 and holds the biasing spring 103 so that it cannot be removed.

The top plate portion 102d has a pair of mounting holes 102k arranged in the left-right direction. The slider holding member 102 is immovably fixed by a screw 104 inserted through the pair of mounting holes 102k.

The biasing spring 103 is composed of, for example, a compression coil spring. The biasing spring 103 is arranged between the upright plate 102c of the slider holding member 102 and the hanging plate 101d of the engaging slider 101 in a compressed state.

[Details of the engaged unit 200]
Next, the detailed configuration of the engaged unit 200 will be described with reference to FIG.
The engaged unit 200 includes an engagement bar 201 that extends in the left-right direction, a pair of support plates 202 that support the left and right ends of the engagement bar 201, and a base plate to which the base ends of the pair of support plates 202 are connected. And 203. The base plate 203 has a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction. Mounting holes 203a are formed at both ends of the base plate 203 in the front-rear direction. The base plate 203 is fixed to the upper wall 33 of the option sheet feeding device 20 with a screw (not shown) inserted in the mounting hole 203a.

[Explanation of connection operation]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 15, 24 and 25, a process in which the option sheet feeders 20 are connected to each other by the engaging operation of the engaging unit 100 and the engaged unit 200 will be described.

In the example of FIG. 15, the optional paper feeder 20 for expansion is set on the lower side, and the existing optional paper feeder 20 including the image forming apparatus main body 2 (not shown in FIG. 15) is set on the upper side. .. Then, when the upper optional sheet feeding device 20 is stacked on the upper surface of the lower optional sheet feeding device 20, the engaged unit 200 of the lower optional sheet feeding device 20 moves to the upper optional sheet feeding device 20. It passes through the opening 35 in the bottom wall 34 and enters the right hollow case portion 32R. At this time, as shown in FIG. 24, the engagement bar 201 of the engaged unit 200 contacts the inclined contact surface 101g of the engagement slider 101. As a result, a component force is applied to the engagement bar 201 from the inclined contact surface 101g toward the front side. As a result, the engagement slider 101 slides to the front side. Then, when the engagement slider 101 gets over the engagement bar 201, no force acts on the inclined contact surface 101g, so that the engagement slider 101 moves rearward by the urging force of the urging spring 103. As a result, as shown in FIG. 25, the engagement slider 101 enters the lower side of the engagement bar 201, and the engagement unit 100 and the engaged unit 200 are locked in the vertical direction inseparably from each other. As a result, the option sheet feeding devices 20 are connected to each other.

[How to disconnect]
When disconnecting the option paper feed devices 20 that are once connected, the operator first pulls out the paper feed cassette 40 of the upper option paper feed device 20. Then, the operator puts his/her hand in the cassette housing space and inserts a finger into the through hole 36 shown in FIG. Then, the vertical plate 101c is pulled forward by the inserted finger against the urging force of the urging member 103. Then, the slider body 101a connected to the vertical plate 101c also moves to the front side. When the slider body 101a moves to the front side from the state shown in FIG. 25, the engagement between the engagement bar 201 and the slider body 101a is released. Therefore, the worker can release the connection between the option sheet feeding devices 20 by pulling the vertical plate 101c toward the front side and lifting the upper option sheet feeding device 20.

[Effect]
As described above, the connection mechanism of the present embodiment is interlocked with the mounting operation for mounting the additional optional sheet feeding device 20 on the lower surface of the existing optional sheet feeding device 20 (adjacent upper sheet feeding device). (See FIG. 15) The engaging unit 100 of the existing optional sheet feeding device 20 and the engaged unit 200 of the additional optional sheet feeding device 20 are engaged with each other. Then, the engaging unit 100 and the engaged unit 200 engage with each other, so that the two sheet feeding devices 20 are connected to each other (see FIGS. 15, 24, 25, and the like).

According to this configuration, the engaging unit 100 and the engaged unit 100 can be engaged with each other only by performing the mounting operation of the optional sheet feeding device 20 (the operation of placing the existing optional sheet feeding device 20 on the upper side of the additional optional sheet feeding device 20). The option unit 200 is automatically engaged with each other, and the two optional sheet feeders 20 are connected. Therefore, the connecting work of the optional sheet feeding device 20 can be easily performed.

Further, in order to release the connection between the optional sheet feeding device 20 and the upper optional sheet feeding device 20 adjacent thereto, as described above, (1) the sheet feeding cassette 40 of the adjacent upper sheet feeding device 20 is set. After the removal, (2) it is necessary to insert a finger into the through hole 36 formed in the partition wall 37 and pull the vertical plate 101c (release operation portion) of the engagement slider 101 forward. Therefore, a third party who does not have the key of the cylinder lock 50 of the paper feed cassette 40 cannot execute the work of (1) above, and therefore cannot proceed to the work of (2) and below.
Therefore, a third person who does not have the key of the cylinder lock 50 cannot steal the paper in the paper feed cassette 40, and the engagement between the engagement unit 100 and the engaged unit 200 is released. The option paper feeding device 20 cannot be stolen. Therefore, both the theft of the sheet and the theft of the optional sheet feeding device 20 can be reliably prevented.

<<Other Embodiments>>
The present invention may have the following configurations in the above embodiment.

In the second embodiment described above, the connection configuration by the engagement of the engaging unit 100 and the engaged unit 200 is applied between the two optional sheet feeding devices 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the standard feeding It may be applied between the paper device 10 and the optional paper feeding device 20.
In this case, for example, the engagement unit 100 may be housed in the hollow portion on the right side of the standard sheet feeding device 10, and the engaged unit 200 may be arranged on the upper surface of the option sheet feeding device 20.

In the second embodiment, the option unit 20 is connected to the engagement unit 100 by engaging the engaged unit 200 from the lower side. The engagement unit 100 may be engaged with the engaged unit 200 from below. In this case, for example, the engagement unit 100 may be arranged on the upper surface of the option sheet feeding device 20, and the engaged unit 200 may be projected from the lower surface of the option sheet feeding device 20.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described first and second embodiments, and the present invention includes a configuration in which these first and second embodiments are appropriately combined.

As described above, the present invention is useful for the optional sheet feeding device and the image forming apparatus.

1: Image forming apparatus 2: Image forming apparatus main body 10: Standard paper feeding device 11: Main body case 11a: Lower lateral beam 11c: Engagement hole 12: Paper feeding cassette 13: Cylinder lock (lock mechanism)
20: Optional paper feeding device 30: Main body case portion 31a: Upper lateral beam (part of main body frame portion)
31c: Cassette insertion port 31e: Screw hole 31i: Engagement hole 33: Upper wall 33b: Opening 35: Opening (passing opening)
40: Paper feed cassette 50: Cylinder lock (lock mechanism)
60L: Connection member (connection mechanism)
60R: Connection member (connection mechanism)
61: Horizontal plate part 62: Vertical plate part 62a: Mounting hole 63: Engaging piece 70: Screw (release operation part)
101c: Vertical plate (release operation part)
100: Engagement unit (connecting mechanism)
200: Engaged unit (connecting mechanism)

Claims (8)

It is an optional sheet feeding device that is equipped with a main body case section having a cassette insertion port and a paper feed cassette that is stored in the main body case section through the cassette insertion port so that it can be taken in and out. hand,
A lock mechanism for locking the paper feed cassette with respect to the main body case in a stored state,
The optional sheet feeding device is configured to be connectable to an adjacent upper optional sheet feeding device through a connecting mechanism,
The connection mechanism has a release operation unit for releasing the connection by a manual operation,
The release operation unit is arranged so as to be accessible only from one cassette insertion opening of the option sheet feeding apparatus and the adjacent upper option sheet feeding apparatus. The optional sheet feeding device according to claim 1,
An opening is formed on the upper wall of the main body case,
An engagement hole is formed on the lower surface of the main body case portion,
The connecting mechanism includes a first fixing portion having an engaging portion that engages with an engaging hole formed in a lower surface of the adjacent upper option sheet feeding device, and the opening portion depending from the first fixing portion. And a second fixing portion which is fixed to a part of the main body case portion of the optional sheet feeding device through a screw,
The above-mentioned screw functions as the above-mentioned release operation part, and is an option sheet feeder which is arranged so that it can be accessed only from the cassette insertion slot of the option sheet feeder. The optional sheet feeding device according to claim 1,
The main body case is provided with an engagement unit and an engaged unit,
The connecting mechanism, when mounting the optional sheet feeding device on the lower surface of the adjacent upper optional sheet feeding device, interlocks with the mounting operation and engages with the engaging unit of the adjacent upper sheet optional feeding device. And the engaged unit of the option sheet feeding device, thereby connecting the both option sheet feeding devices,
The release operation unit is an option sheet feeding device, which releases the connection by manually releasing the engagement between the engagement unit and the engaged unit. The optional sheet feeding device according to claim 3,
The engagement unit is provided inside the main body case portion,
The engaged unit is provided so as to project on the upper surface of the main body case portion,
A passage opening that allows passage of the engaged unit is formed on the lower surface of the main body case portion,
When the optional sheet feeding device is mounted on the lower surface of the adjacent upper optional sheet feeding device, the coupling mechanism is interlocked with the mounting operation to cover the upper surface of the main body case of the optional sheet feeding device. The engaging unit passes through the passage opening provided on the lower surface of the main body case portion of the adjacent upper option sheet feeding device and engages with the engaging unit provided in the main body case portion. An optional paper feeder that is configured. An image forming apparatus main body,
A standard paper feeder having a main body case portion having a cassette insertion opening and a paper feed cassette housed in the main body case portion so as to be able to be taken in and out from the cassette insertion opening, and provided as a standard at the lower end portion of the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus comprising:
It is possible to connect an optional paper feeding device to the lower surface of the standard paper feeding device via a connecting mechanism,
The connection mechanism has a release operation unit for releasing the connection by a manual operation,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the release operation unit is arranged so as to be accessible only from a cassette insertion port of either one of the optional sheet feeder and the standard sheet feeder. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,
The optional paper feeding device has a main body case portion having a cassette insertion opening, and a paper feeding cassette that is stored in the main body case portion through the cassette insertion opening so as to be removable.
An opening is formed in the upper wall of the main body case of the optional paper feeding device,
An engagement hole is formed on the lower surface of the main body case portion of the standard sheet feeding device,
The connecting mechanism includes a first fixing portion having an engaging portion that engages with an engaging hole formed in the lower surface of the standard paper feeding device, and a pendent from the first fixing portion and penetrating the opening portion. , A second fixing portion fixed to a part of the main body case portion of the optional sheet feeding device via a screw,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the screw functions as the release operation unit and is arranged so as to be accessible only from the cassette insertion port of the optional sheet feeding device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,
An engagement unit is provided in the main body case portion of the standard paper feeding device,
An engaged unit is provided in the main body case portion of the optional sheet feeding device,
When the optional sheet feeding device is mounted on the lower surface of the standard sheet feeding device, the coupling mechanism is interlocked with the mounting operation to engage the engaging unit of the standard sheet feeding device and the cover of the optional sheet feeding device. An engaging unit, and thereby configured to connect the standard paper feeding device and the optional paper feeding device,
The release operation unit is configured to release the connection between the standard sheet feeding device and the optional sheet feeding device by manually releasing the engagement between the engagement unit and the engaged unit. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,
The engagement unit is provided inside the main body case portion of the standard paper feeding device,
The engaged unit is provided on the upper surface of the main body case portion of the option sheet feeding device in a protruding manner.
A passage opening that allows passage of the engaged unit is formed on the lower surface of the main body case portion of the standard sheet feeding device,
The coupling mechanism, in mounting the optional sheet feeding device on the lower surface of the standard sheet feeding device, interlocks with the mounting operation and projects from the upper surface of the main body case portion of the optional sheet feeding device. The unit is passed through the passage opening provided on the lower surface of the standard sheet feeding device and engaged with the engagement unit provided in the main body case portion of the standard sheet feeding device, whereby the standard sheet feeding device is engaged. An image forming apparatus configured to connect a paper device and the optional paper feeding device.

Images