JP2562802Y2 - Output tray of electrostatic recording device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper discharge tray used for an electrostatic recording device such as a copying machine and a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When an electrostatic recording apparatus of this kind is installed in a small-scale office or the like, it is necessary to secure an effective indoor space.
A device structure that requires as little installation space as possible is desired.
In order to meet such a demand, there has been developed an apparatus in which the apparatus main body has a structure having a recording paper discharge port near the upper portion of a paper feed cassette insertion port of a paper feed section.

[0003] In an apparatus having such a structure, when the apparatus is not used, the sheet cassette attached to the sheet cassette insertion slot and the sheet ejection tray attached to the recording sheet ejection port are often removed. To remove and store both,
There was a problem that the work was troublesome and that a large storage space was required.

With respect to this point, recently, various types of structures having a function of a discharge tray in a cover of a paper feed cassette have been developed, and an example thereof is shown in FIG. See JP-A-58-172130).

The paper cassette a has a cover b composed of a semi-fixed lid c and a rotatable lid e rotatably provided via the semi-fixed lid and a hinge d. At the time of insertion into the paper cassette insertion slot g of the apparatus main body f, the rotating lid e is rotated as shown in the figure and folded over on the semi-fixed lid c, thereby receiving the discharged recording paper h. It is intended to be used as a tray.

By the way, in the paper feed cassette a provided with the cover b also serving as the paper discharge tray, the paper feed cassette a is attached to the apparatus main body f at a predetermined inclination angle as shown in FIG. There is a possibility that the discharged recording paper h slides down to the paper feeding unit. For this reason, a slip-off prevention member i is attached to the apparatus main body f to prevent the recording paper h from slipping. Further, although not shown, a structure has been proposed in which a flap for preventing the recording paper h from slipping is provided on the cover b itself in place of the slip-off preventing member i.

[0007]

However, such a structure has the following problems, and further improvement has been demanded.

That is, in the structure in which the slip-off preventing member i is attached to the apparatus main body f as in the former case, when the sheet feeding cassette a is removed when the apparatus is not used, the slip-off preventing member i is moved sideways from the apparatus main body f. As a result, there is a possibility that the human body or the like comes into contact with this and is damaged. On the other hand, in a case where the slip-off preventing member i is detachably attached to the apparatus main body f and is configured to be removed and stored together with the paper feed cassette a, the above-described paper feed cassette and discharge tray have the same problems as those having a separate structure. Will occur.

Also, in the structure in which the flap for preventing the recording paper h from slipping is provided on the lid b itself as in the latter case, there is a problem that the lid b has a complicated shape and structure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a recording apparatus which is installed separately from a paper feed cassette and which is ejected during use of the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a discharge tray of an electrostatic recording apparatus having a structure in which paper is prevented from slipping and which can be stored in the apparatus main body when the apparatus is not used.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a paper discharge tray according to the present invention has a paper cassette in which a stack of recording paper is stored and removed at a fixed inclination angle from a paper cassette insertion slot of the apparatus body. It is attached to an electrostatic recording apparatus having a recording paper discharge port provided in the vicinity of the upper end thereof, wherein the base end of the tray main body is rotatable vertically with respect to the apparatus main body. When the apparatus is used, the tray main body is rotated to a position protruding from the apparatus main body and is brought into contact with and engaged with the paper feed cassette, and the tray main body is in contact with the upper surface of the tray main body. The communication state with the paper feed port of the main body is shut off, and when the apparatus is not used, the main body is turned upward and stored in the main body of the apparatus.

[0012]

When the apparatus is in use, the paper discharge tray, which is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body, is rotated to a position protruding from the apparatus main body and is brought into contact with and engaged with the sheet cassette. At the same time, the communication between the upper surface of the tray main body and the paper feed port of the apparatus main body is cut off. Thereby, the recording paper discharged from the apparatus main body is received on the upper surface of the tray main body, and the recording paper is prevented from sliding down to the paper feed port.

On the other hand, when the apparatus is not used, the paper discharge tray is turned upward and folded to be stored in the apparatus main body, and the paper feed cassette is removed from the apparatus main body and stored therein.
Reduce installation space for equipment.

Further, when the paper discharge tray is left overhanging from the main body of the apparatus when the apparatus is not used, the paper discharge tray rotates upward even if a human body or the like comes into contact with the paper discharge tray and an impact is applied. As a result, the impact is absorbed and alleviated, and damage to the sheet discharge tray is effectively prevented.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show an electrostatic recording apparatus provided with a paper discharge tray according to the present invention. This apparatus comprises a photosensitive drum 2, a toner image forming apparatus 3, a transfer apparatus, and the like inside a main body 1 of the apparatus. A roller 4, a fixing device 5, and the like are provided as main parts. A paper cassette insertion slot 7 for mounting a paper cassette 6, a recording paper discharge port 8 for discharging recording paper P, And a stationary paper ejection tray 9. Reference numeral 10 denotes a paper feed roller, 11 denotes a guide roller, and 12 denotes a paper discharge roller.

The paper feed cassette insertion slot 7 constitutes a paper feed slot of the apparatus main body 1, and its lower surface 7a is
It has an inclined guide surface that guides the insertion of the sheet. As a result, the paper feed cassette 6 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 1 at a fixed inclination angle. The recording paper discharge port 8 is provided near the upper part of the paper feed cassette insertion port 7, and the installation space of the apparatus main body 1 is made compact.

The paper discharge tray 9 is provided with a cover 6 of the paper feed cassette 6.
It receives the recording paper P discharged from the recording paper discharge port 8 in cooperation with a, and is made of a plastic plate-like molded product as shown in FIG.

The paper discharge tray 9 has a substantially rectangular shape, and a plurality of ribs 16, 16,.
, And support shafts 17, 17 are provided on both sides of the base end of the tray body 15. Then, the support shafts 17 are pivotally attached to support holes (not shown) of the apparatus main body 1 so that the tray main body 15 is rotatable up and down with respect to the apparatus main body 1. Time position (Fig. 1
2) and the device non-use position (the position shown in FIG. 3).
The structure is such that the position can be selected selectively.

In this connection, when the tray main body 15 is in the above-mentioned position at the time of use of the apparatus, the shape of the tray body 15 is such that its tip 15c
Is engaged with the cover 6a of the sheet feeding cassette 6 and the tip 15c thereof is set so as to coincide with the upper surface 1a of the apparatus main body 1 when the apparatus is in the above-mentioned apparatus non-use position. Also,
Locking projections 18, 18 are provided on both sides of the tip end of the tray body 15, and when the apparatus is not in use, the locking projections 18, 18 engage with the locking recesses 19, 19 of the apparatus main body 1, respectively. The rotation of the tray body 15 downward is elastically prevented.

The rib 16 provided on the tray body 15
As shown in FIG. 4, the tray body 15 has a shape that gradually and linearly protrudes from the distal end side to the base end side. The base ends 16a, 16a,... Of these ribs 16, 16,.
It also functions as a slip-off preventing member for preventing the recording paper P from slipping into the paper feed cassette insertion slot 7. In connection with this, a plurality of ribs 20, 20,. ing.

That is, these ribs 20, 20,...
Are arranged alternately with the ribs 16, 16,... In the arrangement direction thereof, as shown in FIG. And
When the tray body 15 is in the apparatus use position, the rib base ends 16a, 16a,.
a, 20a,... intersect each other as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 so as to cut off the communication between the upper surface of the tray main body 1 and the paper feed port of the apparatus main body 1, that is, the paper feed cassette insertion port 7. Has been.

Next, a description will be given of how to use the electrostatic recording apparatus configured as described above.

A. When using the apparatus: (See FIG. 1) When using the apparatus, the paper feed cassette 6 is inserted into the paper feed cassette insertion slot 7, and the paper discharge tray 9 is rotated downward by hand, and the It is placed in a state where it protrudes laterally from the main body 1, and its front end 15 c is brought into abutment engagement with the lid 6 a of the paper feed cassette 6. In this case, the discharge tray 9
Is located at the upper part of the apparatus main body 1, so that the discharge tray 9 can be operated from any direction.

When the apparatus is switched on in this use state, the recording papers P, P,... Stored in the paper supply cassette 6 are supplied one by one by the paper supply roller 10. The fed recording paper P is guided by guide rollers 1
After being guided to 1, 1, the toner image is formed between the photosensitive drum 2 on which a toner image is formed by the toner image forming device 3 and the transfer roller 4 pressed against the photosensitive drum 2 with a constant pressure. As a result, the toner image is transferred to the surface.
Then, the recording paper P is sent to the fixing device 5, where the toner image is fixed on the recording paper P,
2, the recording paper is discharged in the direction of the arrow through the recording paper discharge port 8.

The discharged recording paper P is collected by the upper part thereof being supported by the upper surface of the lid 6a of the paper feed cassette 6 and the lower part thereof being supported by the rib 16 of the paper discharge tray 9. The recording papers P, P,.
Is moved to the lower left of the drawing by its own weight due to the inclination of the paper feed cassette 6 and the paper discharge tray 9, and the lower end thereof is supported by the anti-slip members 16 a, 20 a and deposited in an aligned manner. It does not slide down.

B. When the apparatus is not used: (see FIG. 3) When the apparatus is not used, the sheet discharge tray 9 is turned upward and folded to be stored in the apparatus main body 1 and the sheet cassette 6 is inserted into the sheet cassette insertion port 7. The main body 1 is removed and stored, and the installation space (installation space and installation floor area) of the apparatus main body 1 is reduced.

In this case, the discharge tray 9 may be left in a state of being protruded from the apparatus main body 1 as shown in FIG. 1, but the discharge tray 9 can be rotated upward. Therefore, even if a human body or the like comes into contact with the paper ejection tray 9 and receives an impact, the paper ejection tray 9 can rotate upward and escape, so that the impact is absorbed and reduced. The discharge tray 9 is not damaged.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the structure of the first embodiment is slightly modified, and the storage state of the discharge tray 29, that is, the position when the apparatus is not used (the position shown in FIG. 7) to the apparatus use position (the position shown in FIG. 5). Is automatically performed in conjunction with the insertion operation of the sheet cassette 6.

That is, the paper ejection tray 29 is provided with an engagement projection 30 at the center of the base end 29a. As shown in FIG. 6, the engagement projection 30 is
Projecting vertically downward with respect to the upper surface of. The shape and dimensions of the engagement protrusion 30 are determined when the sheet cassette 6 is inserted into the sheet cassette insertion slot 7 when the sheet ejection tray 29 is in the housed state, that is, in a state where the apparatus is not used (the position shown in FIG. 7). The engagement protrusion 3 is provided on the insertion side end of the paper feed cassette 6.
0 is set so as to be engaged.

In FIG. 7, the discharge tray 29 configured as described above is used when the apparatus is used.
Insert the paper cassette 6 into the paper cassette insertion slot 7
When the paper feed cassette 6 is inserted in the direction of the arrow while sliding along the line a, the leading end (insertion side end) of the paper feed cassette 6 abuts and engages with the engaging projection 30 of the paper discharge tray 29 to press it.

As a result, the paper discharge tray 29 is rotated downward (in the direction of the arrow) and is placed so as to protrude laterally from the apparatus main body 1, and the leading end thereof rests on the cover 6 a of the paper feed cassette 6. The device is brought into contact with and set in a state where the device can be used (see FIG. 5). With such a structure, the paper discharge tray 29 can be brought into a state where the apparatus can be used only by attaching the paper feed cassette 6 to the apparatus main body 1, so that the apparatus can be used as in the first embodiment. The trouble of operating the paper discharge tray 9 stored in the main body 1 with fingers is eliminated. Other structures and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0033]

[Effect of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
The paper output tray is attached to the main body so that it can rotate freely in the vertical direction, and the paper output tray can be stored in the main body without removing it from the main body. The installation space (installation space and installation floor area) of the device can be reduced without the trouble of separately storing and storing.

Further, when the paper discharge tray is left overhanging from the apparatus main body when the apparatus is not used, a human body or the like comes into contact with the paper discharge tray, or the paper discharge tray is moved while the apparatus main body is being carried. Even if it comes into contact with other objects, the paper ejection tray rotates upward and escapes, so that the impact is absorbed and there is no possibility of damage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an electrostatic recording apparatus provided with a paper discharge tray according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the apparatus is used.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a sheet discharge tray of the apparatus is placed at a use position of the apparatus, and shows a state where a sheet cassette is removed.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the device non-use state of the device, partially cut away.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a paper discharge tray of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an electrostatic recording apparatus provided with a paper ejection tray according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the apparatus is used;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a paper discharge tray of the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a partially cut-out operation procedure of the device from the device non-use state to the device use state.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing a structure around a discharge tray in a conventional electrostatic recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 The main body of an electrostatic recording device 6 Paper cassette 6a Paper cassette lid 7 Paper cassette insertion slot 7a Guide surface of paper cassette insertion slot 8 Recording paper discharge port 9 Paper discharge tray 15 Tray body 16 Paper discharge tray 16a Rib base end (slip prevention member) 17 Tray main shaft 20 Rib of device main body 20a Rib lower end (slip prevention member) 29 Discharge tray 30 Engagement projection P Recording paper

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] A paper cassette for stacking and storing recording paper is removably mounted at a predetermined inclination angle in a paper cassette insertion slot of the apparatus main body, and a recording paper discharge port is provided near the upper part of the cassette. The tray body is a stationary type in which the base end of the tray main body is pivotally supported by the apparatus main body so as to be vertically rotatable. It is pivoted to a position protruding from the apparatus main body and is brought into contact with and engaged with the paper feed cassette, and the communication state between the upper surface of the tray main body and the paper feed port of the apparatus main body is cut off. A discharge tray of the electrostatic recording apparatus, which is turned upward and is stored in the apparatus main body.