JP2022181455A - Feeder, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a feeder capable of preventing a sheet from being stolen.SOLUTION: A feeder 12 for feeding a sheet S, comprises a cassette 22, a housing 20, a security lock part 25, and a lock member 40. The cassette 22 stores the sheet S. The housing 20 stores the cassette 22 in a predetermined direction so as to be drawn, and has a rear cover 30 for opening/closing a rear side of a space in which the cassette 22 is stored. The security lock part 25 makes it possible to inhibit drawing in a state where the cassette 22 is stored in the housing 20. The lock member 40 performs locking in a state where the rear cover 30 is closed, by storing the cassette 22 in the housing 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

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

Patent Literature 1 discloses a feeding device provided with a locking mechanism.
Patent Literature 2 discloses a paper feeding device that extends and partially protrudes from the rear surface of the device main body.

JP 2020-117385 A JP 2019-113691 A

However, even if the paper feeding device is provided with a locking mechanism, if the rear cover of the paper feeding device is detachable or can be opened and closed, the sheets or cassettes may be stolen by removing or opening the rear cover. be. Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 do not disclose a locking mechanism for the rear cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a feeding device that can prevent sheets from being stolen.

A feeding device according to the present invention is a feeding device for feeding sheets, and includes a cassette, a housing, a rear cover, a security lock portion, and a lock member. The cassette stores the sheets. The housing accommodates the cassette so that it can be pulled out in a predetermined direction. The rear cover opens and closes the rear side of the space that accommodates the cassette. The security lock section can prohibit withdrawal of the cassette while the cassette is housed in the housing. The locking member locks the rear cover in a closed state when the cassette is housed in the housing.

According to the feeding device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent sheets from being stolen from the feeding device.

1 is a diagram showing a multi-function machine including a feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the configuration of a feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the aspect which pulled out the front cover of the feeding apparatus. (a) and (b) are diagrams showing a state in which a rear cover of the feeding device is opened and closed. (a) to (c) are diagrams showing a lock mechanism for locking the rear cover of the feeding device. (a) to (c) are diagrams showing modifications of the locking mechanism that locks the rear cover of the feeding device. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a lock mechanism that locks the rear cover when the front cover of the feeding device is pulled out; (a) to (c) are diagrams showing an embodiment for unlocking the rear cover. (a) to (c) are diagrams showing an embodiment for locking the rear cover. (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the configuration of another embodiment of the feeding device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, in the present embodiment, X-, Y-, and Z-axes that are orthogonal to each other are shown in the drawing. The Z axis is parallel to the vertical plane and the X and Y axes are parallel to the horizontal plane.

In this embodiment, the X-axis direction may be described as a "main scanning direction". Also, the Y-axis direction may be described as a "sub-scanning direction". The Z-axis direction is sometimes described as "a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction".

The configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a multifunction machine 1 having a feeding device 12 according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the multifunction machine 1 includes a document reading device 2 and an image forming device 3 . The multifunction machine 1 is, for example, an MFP (Multi Function Printer) that combines functions such as a scanner, a copier, a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine.

The document reading device 2 has, for example, a document tray, a document feeding section, a document conveying section, a document reading section, an optical member, a document discharge section, and a document discharge tray.

The image forming apparatus 3 includes a printer control section 10, a printer driving section 11, a feeding device 12, a sheet feeding section 13, a sheet conveying section 14, an image forming section 15, and a fixing section 16 (fixing device 16 ), a sheet ejection portion 17 and a sheet ejection tray 18 .

The printer control section 10 controls the operation of each section of the image forming apparatus 3 . The printer control section 10 may function as a control section that controls the operation of each section of the document reading device 2 . A specific example of the printer control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

The printer driving section 11 drives each section of the image forming apparatus 3 . The printer driving section 11 may drive each section of the document reading device 2 . Specific examples of the printer driver 11 are electric motors, electromagnetic solenoids, hydraulic cylinders, and pneumatic cylinders.

The feeding device 12 feeds the sheet S. As shown in FIG. The feeding device 12 may include a sheet tray and a lifting device. The sheet S is an example of a recording medium. The sheet feeding unit 13 picks up and feeds the sheets S stacked on the sheet tray. A specific example of the sheet feeding unit 13 is a pickup roller.

The sheet conveying unit 14 conveys the sheet S fed from the sheet tray. The sheet conveying section 14 has a conveying path. The conveying path starts from the sheet tray and extends to the sheet discharge section 17 via the image forming section 15 and the fixing device 16 . The sheet conveying section 14 may include a conveying roller and a registration roller in the conveying path.

A plurality of transport rollers may be arranged in the transport path, and transport the sheet S. The registration rollers adjust the timing of conveying the sheet S to the image forming section 15 . The sheet conveying portion 14 conveys the sheet S from the sheet tray to the sheet discharging portion 17 via the image forming portion 15 and the fixing device 16 .

The image forming unit 15 forms a toner image (not shown) on the sheet S by electrophotography based on the document image data. The document image data indicates an image of a document read by the document reading device 2, for example.

The fixing device 16 heats and presses the toner image developed on the sheet S to fix the toner image on the sheet S. As shown in FIG.

The sheet discharge unit 17 discharges the sheet S to the outside of the housing 20 of the multifunction machine 1 (image forming apparatus 3). A specific example of the sheet discharge unit 17 is a discharge roller.

The sheet ejection tray 18 stacks the sheets S ejected by the sheet ejection portion 17 .

Next, a specific configuration of the feeding device 12 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing the configuration of the feeding device 12 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2A is a side view of the feeding device 12 viewed from the front cover 24 side. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the feeding device 12 viewed from above on the rear cover 30 side. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the front cover 24 of the feeding device 12 is pulled out. FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a state in which the rear cover 30 of the feeding device 12 is opened and closed.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the feeding device 12 includes a housing 20 and a cassette 22. As shown in FIGS. The housing 20 includes a front cover 24 , a security lock portion 25 , a left side cover 26 , a right side cover 28 and a rear cover 30 .

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the rear cover 30 can be opened and closed. The rear cover 30 opens and closes the rear side of the space accommodating the cassette 22 of the housing 20 in a predetermined direction. FIG. 4(a) shows a state in which the rear cover 30 is closed. FIG. 4(b) shows a state in which the rear cover 30 is opened. As shown in FIG. 4B, the rear cover 30 is rotatably supported by the left side cover 26 and the right side cover 28 of the housing 20 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cassette 22 stores sheets S (not shown). The housing 20 accommodates the cassette 22 so that it can be pulled out in a predetermined direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the cassette 22 may be connected to or integrally formed with the front cover 24 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the user can hold a handle (not shown) of the front cover 24 to pull the front cover 24 in the pull-out direction and push the front cover 24 in. As shown in FIGS. A security lock portion 25 is attached to the left of the front cover 24 to restrict unspecified users from pulling out the cassette 22 . The security lock part 25 makes it possible to prohibit withdrawal while the cassette 22 is accommodated in the housing 20 . In an embodiment of the invention, the security lock 25 is a cylinder lock. With the front cover 24 pushed in, it is possible to switch between a state in which the front cover 24 is prevented from being pulled out from the housing 20 and a state in which it is permitted by inserting a key that fits into the keyhole of the security lock part 25 and turning it. is. The security lock section 25 may be configured to connect the housing 20 and the front cover 24 with an external padlock or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the user pulls out the front cover 24 in the pull-out direction, the cassette 22 can be exposed. The user can replenish the exposed cassette 22 with sheets S.

As shown in FIG. 2, the user can store the cassette 22 in the housing 20 by pushing the front cover 24 in the pushing direction.

Next, the locking mechanism of the feeding device 12 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9C in addition to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

5A to 5C are diagrams showing a locking mechanism for locking the rear cover 30 of the feeding device 12. FIG. FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams showing modifications of the locking mechanism for locking the rear cover 30 of the feeding device 12. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a locking mechanism that locks the rear cover 30 when the front cover 24 of the feeding device 12 is pulled out. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing an embodiment for unlocking the rear cover 30. FIG. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing an embodiment for locking the rear cover 30. FIG.

First, referring to FIGS. 5(a) to (c) and FIGS. 8(a) to (c), the configuration of the lock mechanism will be described. The feeding device 12 has a locking mechanism. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the lock mechanism includes a lock member 40, a hook member 42, a guide member 44, and a pressing member 46. As shown in FIG. The hook member 42 and the pressing member 46 are provided on the cassette 22 , and the guide member 44 is provided on the housing 20 . A lock member 40 provided on the rear cover 30 has a support surface 50 . The hook member 42 has a sliding surface 48 and an engaging portion 49 .

The lock mechanism locks the rear cover 30 so that it does not open when the front cover 24 is pushed in the pushing direction and the cassette 22 is housed in the housing 20, as indicated by a dotted line frame A in FIG. Further, the lock mechanism unlocks the rear cover 30 when the front cover 24 is pulled out in the pull-out direction and the cassette 22 is pulled out from the housing 20 .

As shown in FIG. 8A, the lock member 40 locks the rear cover 30 in the closed state when the cassette 22 is accommodated in the housing 20 . The hook member 42 engages with the lock member 40 when locking the rear cover 30 in the closed state.

As shown in FIGS. 8B and 9B, the guide member 44 releases the hook member 42 from the lock member 40 when the cassette 22 is pulled out from the feeding device 12 . As shown in FIGS. 8A and 9C, the guide member 44 engages the hook member 42 with the lock member 40 when the cassette 22 is pushed into the feeding device 12 .

As shown in FIG. 5( a ), the pressing member 46 presses the hook member 42 in the direction of engagement with the locking member 40 .

With this configuration, the hook member 42 preferably engages and disengages from the lock member 40 in accordance with the attachment and detachment of the cassette 22, so that the rear cover 30 can be locked when the cassette 22 is attached (pushed in). can be done.

Next, the opening/closing principle of the lock mechanism will be functionally described with reference to FIGS.

5A to 5C show the principle of opening and closing the lock of the rear cover 30 by the lock mechanism. As shown in FIG. 5( a ), when the cassette 22 is mounted and the lock mechanism locks the rear cover 30 , the pressing member 46 presses the hook member 42 in the direction of engagement with the locking member 40 . Therefore, the engaging portion 49 of the hook member 42 is engaged with the lock member 40, so that the rear cover 30 is locked and does not open.

At this time, the sliding surface 48 of the hook member 42 may be slightly separated from the support surface 50 of the lock member 40 in the pushing direction.

As shown in FIG. 4A , when the user pulls out the front cover 24 in the pull-out direction, the sliding surface 48 of the hook member 42 slides on the guide member 44 . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, the engaging portion 49 of the hook member 42 is released from the engagement of the support surface 50 of the lock member 40 in the release direction (X-axis direction).

Furthermore, the sliding surface 48 of the hook member 42 slides on the guide member 44 , and the tip of the sliding surface 48 rides on the guide member 44 .

When the user further pulls out the front cover 24 in the pull-out direction as shown in FIG. 5(c), the hook member 42 is guided by the guide member 44, and the cassette 22 is pulled out from the housing 20 as shown in FIG. be

The pressing member 46 may be a separate member from the hook member 42 . The pressing member 46 may be formed into a shape that can be elastically deformed integrally with the hook member 42 by using a resin member. The pressing member 46 may press the hook member 42 by a motor. The pressing member 46 may be an elastic member such as a compression coil spring, a leaf spring, or a cushion member.

The pressing member 46 may press the hook member 42 in the pressing direction only when at least the engaging portion 49 of the hook member 42 is engaged with the locking member 40, as shown in FIG. 5(a).

The pressing member 46 may press the hook member 42 after the engaging portion 49 of the hook member 42 is released from the locking member 40, as shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c). , does not need to be pressed.

Next, the principle by which the lock mechanism locks the rear cover 30 will be described. When the user pushes the front cover 24 in the pushing direction as shown in FIG. 4(a), the hook member 42 is guided by the guide member 44 and moves in the pushing direction as shown in FIG. 5(c).

As shown in FIG. 5B , when the user further pushes the front cover 24 in the pushing direction, the leading end of the sliding surface 48 of the hook member 42 passes through the guide member 44 . Then, the hook member 42 moves in the locking direction.

At this time, the sliding surface 48 of the hook member 42 slides on the guide member 44 .

As shown in FIG. (a), when the user further pushes the front cover 24 in the pushing direction, the pushing member 46 pushes the hook member 42 in the pushing direction. Therefore, the engaging portion 49 of the hook member 42 is locked by the lock member 40 . Therefore, the rear cover 30 is locked and cannot be opened.

At this time, the sliding surface 48 of the hook member 42 may be slightly separated from the support surface 50 of the lock member 40 in the pushing direction (Y-axis direction).

Next, referring to FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c), the configuration of a modification of the lock mechanism will be described.

FIG. 6A shows a modification in which the sliding surface 48 is formed on the guide member 44. FIG. In this modified example, the hook member 42 is formed with a protrusion 47 that serves as a sliding surface 48 of the guide member 44 . When the user pushes the front cover 24 in the pushing direction, the protrusion 47 slides on the sliding surface 48 , the pressing member 46 moves the hook member 42 in the pressing direction, and the engaging portion 49 is locked to the lock member 40 . be done. Therefore, the rear cover 30 is locked and cannot be opened. When the user pulls out the front cover 24 in the pull-out direction, the projection 47 slides on the sliding surface 48 to move the hook member 42 in the unlocking direction, thereby disengaging the engaging portion 49 from the locking member 40 in the unlocking direction. Therefore, the rear cover 30 is unlocked and can be opened.

FIG. 6B shows a modification in which the hook member 42 and the pressing member 46 are provided on the housing 20 and the guide member 44 is provided on the cassette 22 . The hook member 42 is pressed in the releasing direction by the pressing member 46, and is movably supported by the housing 20 to a position where the engaging portion 49 disengages from the locking member 40 in the releasing direction. The guide member 44 moves integrally with the cassette 22 in the pull-out direction and the push-in direction. The hook member 42 has a sliding surface 48 . When the user pushes the front cover 24 in the pushing direction, the guide member 44 slides against the sliding surface 48 to move the hook member 42 in the pushing direction against the pushing force of the pushing member 46 . are locked to the lock member 40 . Therefore, the rear cover 30 is locked and cannot be opened. When the user pulls out the front cover 24 in the pull-out direction, the guide member 44 slides against the sliding surface 48, and the pressing member 46 moves the hook member 42 in the releasing direction, releasing the engaging portion 49 from the locking member 40. move away in the direction Therefore, the rear cover 30 is unlocked and can be opened.

FIG. 6C shows a modification in which the hook member 42 and the pressing member 46 are provided on the housing 20, the guide member 44 is provided on the cassette 22, and the sliding surface 48 is formed on the guide member 44. FIG. In this modification, the hook member 42 has a protrusion 47 formed on the sliding surface 48 of the guide member 44 . The hook member 42 is pressed in the releasing direction by the pressing member 46, and is movably supported by the housing 20 to a position where the engaging portion 49 disengages from the locking member 40 in the releasing direction. The guide member 44 moves integrally with the cassette 22 in the pull-out direction and the push-in direction. When the user pushes the front cover 24 in the pushing direction, the projection 47 slides against the sliding surface 48 to move the hook member 42 in the pushing direction against the pushing force of the pushing member 46 . are locked to the lock member 40 . Therefore, the rear cover 30 is locked and cannot be opened. When the user pulls out the front cover 24 in the pull-out direction, the protrusion 47 slides against the sliding surface 48 , and the pressing member 46 moves the hook member 42 in the releasing direction, releasing the engaging portion 49 from the locking member 40 . move away in the direction Therefore, the rear cover 30 is unlocked and can be opened.

According to the feeding device 12 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the sheets S from being stolen from the cassette 22 .

Next, specific embodiments of the lock mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9(c).

In the feeding device 12 according to the present embodiment, the lock mechanism is divided into the cassette 22, the right side cover 28, and the rear cover 30, as indicated by the dotted line frame A in FIG. The locking mechanism may be arranged separately for the cassette 22, the left side cover 26 (FIG. 4(a)), and the rear cover 30. FIG.

8A and 8B are enlarged views of the dotted frame A in FIG. 7. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8( a ), the cassette 22 has hook members 42 . The hook member 42 has an engaging portion 49 , a pressing member 46 and a convex portion 52 . The housing 20 (right side cover 28) has a guide member 44. As shown in FIG. Rear cover 30 has lock member 40 .

In the hook member 42, the pressing member 46 and the engaging portion 49 may be integrally formed.

The hook member 42 of the feeding device 12 further includes a protrusion 52 integrally formed with the pressing member 46 and the hook member 42 .

As shown in FIGS. 8B and 9A, the convex portion 52 includes a front inclined portion 54 (sliding surface 48) and a rear inclined portion 56. As shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 8A to 8C show how the rear cover 30 is unlocked and the cassette 22 is pulled out from the housing 20. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8( a ), the engaging portion 49 of the hook member 42 has, for example, a hook shape and is engaged with the lock member 40 . Therefore, the rear cover 30 is in a locked state in which release is prohibited.

As shown in FIG. 8B, when the user pulls out the front cover 24 (FIG. 7) in the pull-out direction and pulls out the cassette 22 from the feeding device 12, the front-side inclined portion 54 of the convex portion 52 moves toward the guide member 44. As shown in FIG. , the engaging portion 49 of the hook member 42 is moved in the unlocking direction with respect to the lock member 40 .

That is, when the user operates the front cover 24 to pull out the cassette 22 in the pull-out direction, the front-side inclined portion 54 of the convex portion 52 of the hook member 42 slides on the guide member 44 .

By sliding with the guide member 44 , the hook member 42 bends in the release direction like a beam with the side remote from the engaging portion 49 fixed. The engaging portion 49 moves in the releasing direction and separates from the locking member 40 . Therefore, the rear cover 30 is released from the locked state. The rear cover 30 can be opened in the Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 8C, when the user further operates the front cover 24 to pull out the cassette 22 in the pull-out direction, the projection 52 of the hook member 42 is guided by the guide member 44 and moves in the pull-out direction. . The hook member 42 moves in the pull-out direction while maintaining the bent state. When the cassette 22 moves a predetermined amount in the pull-out direction, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the projection 52 may leave the guide of the guide member 44 and the bending of the hook member 42 may be eliminated.

Next, FIG. 9(a) shows a state in which the cassette 22 is pulled out from the housing 20 and the rear cover 30 is released from the locked state.

As shown in FIG. 9A, when the user operates the front cover 24 and pushes the cassette 22 into the feeding device 12, the rear inclined portion 56 of the convex portion 52 abuts against the guide member 44 and hooks. The member 42 is moved in the unlocking direction with respect to the locking member 40 .

That is, when the user operates the front cover 24 and pushes the cassette 22 into the feeding device 12, the rear inclined portion 56 of the convex portion 52 of the hook member 42 uses the reaction of the pressing force that presses the guide member 44 as a drag force. receive.

The sliding with the guide member 44 causes the hook member 42 to bend in the releasing direction. The engaging portion 49 moves in the unlocking direction with respect to the locking member 40 .

As shown in FIG. 9B, when the user further operates the front cover 24 to push the cassette 22 in the pushing direction, the projection 52 of the hook member 42 moves in the pushing direction while being guided by the guide member 44. do. The hook member 42 moves in the pushing direction while maintaining the bent state.

The guide member 44 moves the engaging portion 49 of the hook member 42 in the unlocking direction with respect to the locking member 40 at least until the engaging portion 49 of the hook member 42 passes through the locking member 40 . Guide 52.

When the cassette 22 moves a predetermined amount in the push-in direction, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the projection 52 may leave the guide of the guide member 44, and the bending of the hook member 42 may be eliminated.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the engaging portion 49 of the hook member 42 moves in the locking direction and engages with the locking member 40 . Therefore, the rear cover 30 is in a locked state in which release is prohibited.

According to the feeding device 12 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the sheets S from being stolen from the cassette 22 .

Further, according to the feeding device 12 of the present embodiment, the pressing member 46, the engaging portion 49, and the convex portion 52 are integrally formed in the hook member 42, so that the rear cover 30 can be attached to the rear cover 30 with a simple configuration. can be locked.

Next, another embodiment of the feeding device 12 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b).

As shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), the rear cover 30 includes a side wall 70 supported by the housing 20 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, and a bottom extending in an L shape from the lower end of the side wall 70. walls 72;

As shown in FIG. 10A, the feeding device 12 can be equipped with a normal size cassette 60 capable of storing normal size sheets S. As shown in FIG. The normal size is, for example, A5 size to B5 size.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the feeding device 12 may be equipped with a long-size cassette 62 capable of accommodating long-size sheets S. In addition, as shown in FIG. The long size is, for example, A4 size to B4 size.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the housing 20 of the feeding device 12 of the home-use or low-priced MFP 1 or the image forming apparatus 3 may be designed in accordance with the normal size cassette 60 . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the long-size cassette 62 is mounted, the long-size cassette 62 may be exposed from the rear side of the housing 20 .

Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the long size cassette 62 is mounted on the feeding device 12, the rear cover 30 is proposed to cover the long size cassette 62 to prevent the sheets S from being stolen from the long size cassette 62.例文帳に追加

As shown in FIG. 10A, the rear cover 30 of the feeding device 12 according to this embodiment has side walls 70 and a bottom wall 72 . The side wall 70 is rotatably supported around a rotation shaft (not shown) of the housing 20 . The bottom wall 72 extends in an L shape from the lower end of the side wall 70 so as to cover the long size cassette 62 .

All of the locking mechanisms described with reference to FIGS. 2(a) to 9(c) can be applied to the feeding device 12 according to this embodiment. The rear cover 30 shown in FIG. 10(a) may be in the locked state or in the unlocked state, but preferably in the locked state.

Since at least the side wall 70 of the rear cover 30 covers the rear side of the normal size cassette 60 , it is possible to prevent the sheets S from being stolen from the normal size cassette 60 .

When the long-size cassette 62 shown in FIG. 10(b) is pushed into the housing 20 in the pushing direction and attached to the housing 20, the rear side of the long-size cassette 62 is exposed.

The rear cover 30 is pushed by the long size cassette 62 and rotated as the long size cassette 62 is pushed into the housing 20 in the pushing direction. Therefore, the locking member 40 also moves before engaging with the engaging portion 49 of the hook member 42 . Since the side wall 70 of the rear cover 30 hides the upper surface of the long-size cassette 62 , the sheets S are prevented from being stolen from the upper surface of the long-size cassette 62 .

Since the bottom wall 72 of the rear cover 30 covers the rear side of the long-size cassette 62, the sheets S are prevented from being stolen from the rear side of the long-size cassette 62. - 特許庁

All of the locking mechanisms described with reference to FIGS. 2(a) to 9(c) can be applied to the feeding device 12 according to this embodiment. The rear cover 30 shown in FIG. 10(b) may be in the locked state or in the unlocked state, but preferably in the locked state.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the sheets S from being stolen from the feeding device 12 of the home-use or low-priced multifunction machine 1 or the image forming apparatus 3 .

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the present invention. In order to make the drawings easier to understand, the drawings schematically show each component mainly, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component illustrated are different from the actual ones due to the convenience of drawing. . In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiment are examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present invention. be.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in the fields of feeding devices and image forming devices.

1 MFP 3 Image forming apparatus 12 Feeding device 20 Housing 30 Rear cover 40 Locking member 42 Hook member 44 Guide member 46 Pressing member

Claims (7)

A feeding device for feeding sheets,
a cassette that stores the sheet;
a housing that accommodates the cassette so that it can be pulled out in a predetermined direction;
a rear cover that opens and closes the rear side of the space accommodating the cassette of the housing in the predetermined direction;
a security lock unit that prevents the cassette from being pulled out while the cassette is stored in the housing;
and a locking member that locks the rear cover in a closed state when the cassette is housed in the housing. The lock member is
a hook member that engages with the lock member when locking the rear cover in a closed state;
and a guide member that releases the hook member from the lock member when the cassette is pulled out from the feeding device, and locks the hook member with the lock member when the cassette is pushed into the feeding device. Feeding device as described. 3. The feeding device according to claim 2, further comprising a pressing member that presses the hook member in a direction to engage with the locking member. 4. The rear cover according to claim 2, wherein said rear cover has a side wall supported by said housing so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, and a bottom wall extending in an L shape from a lower end of said side wall. feeding device. 3. The feeding device according to claim 2, wherein said pressing member and said hook member are integrally formed. further comprising a convex portion formed integrally with the pressing member and the hook member,
The convex portion is
a front-side slant portion that abuts against the guide member and moves the hook member in the unlocking direction with respect to the lock member when the cassette is pulled out from the feeding device;
a rear-side inclined portion that abuts against the guide member and moves the hook member relative to the lock member in a releasing direction when the cassette is pushed into the feeding device,
6. The guide member according to claim 5, wherein the guide member guides the projection while moving the hook member in the unlocking direction with respect to the lock member at least until the hook member passes through the lock member. feeding device. An image forming apparatus comprising the feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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