JP2771752B2 - Paper guide device for printer - 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 guide device for a printer which selectively supplies a cut sheet and continuous paper to a printing unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 shows a conventional example. Reference numeral 1 denotes a frame, on which a print head 2 and a platen 3
A paper transport path 5 passing through the print section 4, a reversible paper feed roller 6 disposed downstream of the print section 4 of the paper transport path 5, A paper feed roller 7 arranged upstream of the printing unit 4, a cut sheet feeding path 8 for feeding cut sheets toward the printing unit 4, and a continuous sheet provided below the cut sheet feeding path A continuous paper feed path 9 to be supplied, a tractor 10 rotatable forward and reverse attached to the continuous paper feed path 9, a paper feed opening 11 located below the paper transport path 5 and opened, and a tractor 10 side A guide plate 13 made of sheet metal and having a curved portion 12 that curves downward from the trailing edge and that separates between the cut sheet feeding path 8 and the continuous sheet feeding path 9 is provided. The guide plate 13 is freely rotatable and freely fixed at an arbitrary position. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4D, the tractor 10 has a structure in which the tractor 10 is selectively mounted on the downstream side of the sheet transport path 5 as well.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 4 (a)
As shown in (1), when printing is performed using the cut sheet 15, the guide plate 13 is rotated clockwise to bring the pair of paper feed rollers 6 and 7 into contact with each other. The vote 15 is supplied to the printing unit 4.

As shown in FIG. 4 (b), when using continuous paper (fanfold paper) having a large number of feed holes formed on both sides, the guide plate 13 is rotated counterclockwise to continuously rotate. The paper feed path 9 is opened, the pair of paper feed rollers 7 are separated, the pair of paper feed rollers 6 are brought into contact, and the paper feed rollers 6 and the tractor 10 are driven in the forward direction to feed the continuous paper 16 upward. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4C, the tractor 10 and the paper feed roller 6 may be driven in opposite directions to return the continuous paper 16.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (d), when the tractor 10 is positioned on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 6 and mounted on the frame 1, and the continuous paper 17 other than the fanfold paper is used, the guide is also provided. The plate 13 is rotated counterclockwise to separate the pair of paper feed rollers 6 and 7, and the tractor 10 is driven in the forward direction to convey the continuous paper 17. In this case, the tension can be applied to the continuous paper 17 by a means such as contacting the lower paper feed roller 7 or providing a leaf spring which resiliently contacts the continuous paper 17 in the paper feed port 11.

The guide plate 13 guides the cut sheet 15 on the upper surface as shown in FIG. 4 (a) and prevents the continuous paper 16 from floating on the lower surface as shown in FIG. 4 (b). Cannot be fixed in the width direction. Therefore, when the guide plate 13 made of a synthetic resin is used, it is easy to bend in the width direction due to the stress at the time of molding. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, in a use mode in which the tractor 10 is arranged on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 6, the peripheral speed of the paper feed roller 6 is reduced from the peripheral speed of the tractor 10 in order to prevent the continuous paper 16 from being loosened. Since the speed is increased, the continuous paper 16 is tensioned between the tractor 10 and the paper feed roller 6. Therefore, if the guide plate 13 is deformed in the width direction, the continuous paper 16 cannot be brought into flat contact with the platen 3, and the continuous paper 16 vibrates at the time of printing at a portion floating from the platen 3, and abnormal noise is generated. Quality is also affected. The difference in the peripheral speed between the tractor 10 and the paper feed roller 6 is absorbed by the slip of the paper feed roller 6 with respect to the continuous paper 16 being conveyed.

As described above, since the guide plate 13 is affected by the bending in the width direction, the guide plate 13 made of a sheet metal which is difficult to bend.
Is used. Therefore, the curved portion 1 that curves downward on the rear edge of the guide plate 13 so that the leading end of the cut sheet 15 or the continuous paper 16 to be fed is not caught on the rear edge of the guide plate 13.
That is why 2 is formed.

[0008]

FIG. 4 (b)
In the mode of use shown in FIG. 4C, there is a user who uses, as continuous paper, a label paper 18 having a large number of labels attached to the upper surface of a long backing paper having a large number of feed holes formed on both sides. In this usage mode, since the label paper 18 is curved in a direction in which the upper surface side on which the label is stuck is depressed, this curvature is unlikely to cause the label to peel off from the backing paper. This will be understood in comparison with the case where the upper surface on the label side is curved in the protruding direction.

In such a usage form, FIG.
When the label paper 18 is fed in the forward direction as shown in FIG. 7, since the curved portion 12 is formed at the rear edge of the guide plate 13, the leading end of the label does not catch on the rear edge of the guide plate 13. In addition, since the angle between the lower surface of the guide plate 13 and the label paper is acute, the label does not catch on the front edge of the guide plate 13 even when the leading end of the label passes under the front edge of the guide plate 13. That is, the label does not come off the mount.

However, as shown in FIG. 4C, when returning the label paper 18 to the left, the label paper 18 and the guide plate 1
Since the angle between the front edge of the guide plate 3 and the front edge of the guide plate 13 becomes large, the label is caught by the front edge of the guide plate 13. In addition, as described above, the tractor 10 feeds the paper feed roller 6.
Is faster, the label paper 18 is loosened between the tractor 10 and the paper feed roller 6. Due to this slack, the label paper 18 may be curved in a direction in which the upper surface protrudes, and therefore, the label may be very easily peeled off from the backing paper when it receives resistance from the front edge of the guide plate 13.

Such a problem can be solved by forming a curved portion also at the front edge of the guide plate 13,
In order to prevent the label from receiving resistance from the front edge of the guide plate 13 both in the case where the label paper 18 is sent in the forward direction and the case where the label paper 18 is sent in the reverse direction, the label should be formed on the front edge of the guide plate 13. The bend is useless unless it is semicircular.
As a result, bending becomes extremely difficult, and the cost of the guide plate 13 increases. In addition, if the guide plate 13 having the curved portion formed at the front edge is provided as a standard equipment ignoring the cost, there is a problem that an economic burden is imposed on a user who does not use the label paper 18.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a paper feed roller disposed at a downstream side of a printing section in a paper transport path, and a single sheet feeding roller for guiding a single sheet toward the printing section. A paper path, a continuous paper supply path provided below the cut sheet supply path to guide the continuous paper toward the printing unit, and at least a forward / reverse rotatable rotatably disposed in the continuous paper supply path. A tractor, and a sheet metal guide plate having a curved portion curved downward from a trailing edge on the tractor side at a front edge to partition between the cut sheet feeding path and the continuous paper feeding path. In the printer,
An auxiliary guide plate that has a curved portion that curves upward toward the front edge of the guide portion on the printing portion side and that is provided with an auxiliary guide plate that faces the lower surface of the guide plate is provided on both sides of the guide plate and the auxiliary guide plate. An engaging portion is formed on the facing portion so as to be detachably engaged with each other.

[0013]

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the leading end of the cut sheet and the continuous paper fed to the printing unit from being caught by the curved portion formed at the trailing edge of the guide plate. In addition, for users who use label paper with a label attached to the backing paper as continuous paper, it is very easy to connect the guide plate and the optional auxiliary guide plate by engaging the engaging portion. If you return the label paper in the opposite direction,
The label paper can be smoothly guided under the guide plate by the curved portion formed at the front edge of the auxiliary guide plate. In addition, the curved portion of the front edge of the auxiliary guide plate has a simple shape that simply warps upward because the guide plate is opposed to the upper surface thereof.
The auxiliary guide plate can be easily manufactured. In addition, since it is not necessary for the user who does not use the label paper to use the auxiliary guide plate as a standard equipment, the economic burden on the user can be reduced.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the conventional example described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, an auxiliary guide plate 19 made of sheet metal is provided on the lower surface of the guide plate 13. A curved portion 20 is formed at a front edge of the auxiliary guide plate 19 on the printing portion 4 side. The guide plate 13 has side plates 21 that are bent downward on both sides. On these side plates 21, a support shaft 14 that is rotatably supported by the frame 1 is erected. In this embodiment, for example, a toggle spring (not shown) and a stopper (not shown) are provided on the frame 1, and a hook of the toggle spring is engaged with a small hole 22 formed in the side plate 21. As a result, the guide plate 13 is urged upward and downward with the dead point as a boundary, and the stationary position of the guide plate 13 is determined by means such as contacting the pin 23 erected on the side plate 21 with the stopper of the frame 1. Things. The guide plate 13 shown in FIG. 4 is similar in principle to the guide plate 13 shown in FIG. 2, and the support shaft 14 is the center of rotation.

The engaging portions 2 are provided on both sides of the guide plate 13.
4, 25, 26 are formed. In addition, auxiliary guide plate 1
9 has side plates 27 that are bent upward on both sides, and engaging portions 28, 29, and 30 that are engaged with any of the engaging portions 24, 25, and 26 are formed on these side plates 27. . Information board 1
The third engaging portion 24 is formed in the shape of a hole penetrating in the up-down direction, the engaging portion 25 is formed in the shape of a notch, and the engaging portion 26 is formed on the edge of the curved portion 12. The engaging portions 28 and 29 of the auxiliary guide plate 19 are formed in an L-shape that projects upward and bend forward, and the engaging portion 30 has a tongue-like shape that is bent inward from the lower edge of the side plate 27. It is formed in a shape.

In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 3A, the auxiliary guide plate 19 is positioned in front of the guide plate 13, and as shown in FIG. Part 2
The engaging portions 28 and 29 of the auxiliary guide plate 19 are engaged with the auxiliary guide plates 19 and 20, respectively, and then, as shown in FIG.
Slide forward (to the right). Thus, the bent portions at the tips of the engaging portions 28 and 29 are supported on the upper surface of the guide plate 13. Next, as shown in FIG. 3D, the tongue-shaped engaging portion 30 is bent upward to abut on the engaging portion 26 (the lower edge of the curved portion 20) of the guide plate 13, and the auxiliary guide plate is formed. 19 is prevented from moving forward.

As described above, the auxiliary guide plate 19 is provided on the guide plate 13.
FIG. 1 shows a state in which is attached. As shown in FIG. 1 (a), when printing is performed using the cut sheet 15, the guide plate 13 is rotated clockwise to bring the pair of paper feed rollers 6 and 7 into contact with each other. The cut sheet 15 is supplied to the printing unit 4 by means of 6,7.

As shown in FIG. 1B, when using continuous paper (fanfold paper) having a large number of feed holes formed on both sides, the guide plate 13 is rotated counterclockwise to continuously rotate. The paper feed path 9 is opened, the pair of paper feed rollers 7 are separated, the pair of paper feed rollers 6 are brought into contact, and the paper feed rollers 6 and the tractor 10 are driven in the forward direction to feed the continuous paper 16 upward. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1C, the tractor 10 and the paper feed roller 6 may be driven in opposite directions to return the continuous paper 16.

As described above, in the use form shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the label paper 1 having the label attached to the backing paper is used.
8 is used as continuous paper. FIG.
As shown in (b), when the label paper 18 is transported in the forward direction (to the right), the front end of the backing paper and the label affixed thereon are bent by the curved portion 12 formed on the rear edge of the guide plate 13. Can be prevented from being caught. As shown in FIG. 1C, when the label paper 18 is returned in the reverse direction, the mount and the label are smoothly moved below the guide plate 13 by the curved portion 20 formed at the front edge of the auxiliary guide plate 19. I can guide you.

As described above, for the user who uses the label paper 18 having the label attached to the backing paper as the continuous paper, the engaging portions 24, 25, 26 of the guide plate 13 and the optional auxiliary guide plate 19 are provided. Of the guide plate 13 and the auxiliary guide plate 19 by engaging the engaging portions 28, 29,
Can be combined very easily.

The curved portion 20 at the front edge of the auxiliary guide plate 19
Has a simple shape that simply warps upward because the guide plate 13 is opposed to the upper surface thereof.
Can be easily manufactured. Moreover, the label paper 18
It is not necessary for the user who does not use the auxiliary guide plate 19 to be provided as a standard equipment, so that the economic burden on the user can be reduced.

The paper feed port 11 is not always indispensable. In this case, the tractor 10 need only be attached to the continuous paper feed path 9, and need not be attached downstream of the paper transport path 5.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, a curved portion that curves downward is formed at the rear edge of a sheet metal guide plate that separates between the cut sheet feeding path and the continuous sheet feeding path. An auxiliary guide plate having a curved portion that curves upward toward the front edge of the plate on the printing portion side is provided to oppose the lower surface of the guide plate, and is disengaged from each other at opposing portions on both sides of the guide plate and the auxiliary guide plate. Since the engaging portion which is freely engaged is formed, it is possible to prevent the leading end of the cut sheet and the continuous paper fed to the printing portion from being caught by the curved portion formed at the trailing edge of the guide plate, and , For users who use labels that have labels attached to the backing paper in addition to continuous paper,
By engaging the engaging portion between the guide plate and the optional auxiliary guide plate, the two can be very easily coupled to each other, so that when the label paper is returned in the opposite direction, the front of the auxiliary guide plate is The curved portion formed at the edge can guide the label paper smoothly below the guide plate, and the curved portion at the front edge of the auxiliary guide plate is merely upward because the guide plate is opposed to the upper surface thereof. A simple warp shape is required, so that the auxiliary guide plate can be easily manufactured, and the user who does not use label paper does not need to be equipped with the auxiliary guide plate as a standard feature, which is economical for the user. It has the effect that the burden can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1A and 1B show one embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a vertical sectional side view showing a state in which a cut sheet is used, FIG. 1B is a vertical sectional side view showing a state in which continuous paper is transported in a forward direction, (C) is a longitudinal side view showing a state in which continuous paper is conveyed in the reverse direction, and (d) is a longitudinal side view showing a state in which another continuous paper is used.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting structure of a guide plate and an auxiliary guide plate.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view showing an assembling order of an auxiliary guide plate with respect to the guide plate.

4A and 4B show a conventional example, in which FIG. 4A is a longitudinal side view showing a state in which a cut sheet is used, FIG. 4B is a longitudinal side view showing a state in which continuous paper is transported in a forward direction, and FIG. FIG. 7D is a vertical side view showing a state in which continuous paper is conveyed in a reverse direction, and FIG. 7D is a vertical side view showing a state in which another continuous paper is used.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 printing section 5 paper transport path 6 paper feed roller 8 cut sheet feeding path 9 continuous sheet feeding path 10 tractor 12 curved section 13 guide plate 15 cut sheet 16, 18 continuous paper 19 auxiliary guide plate 20 curved section 24 to 26 engagement Part 28-30 Engagement part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Shinichi Koyanagi 570, Ohito, Oni-cho, Tata-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture Inside the Ohito Plant of Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd. (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65H 23 / 00-23/34 B41J 11 / 48,15 / 04

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A sheet feeding roller disposed at a downstream side of a printing section in a sheet conveying path; a sheet feeding roller for guiding a sheet toward the printing section; A continuous paper feed path that is provided below the paper path and guides the continuous paper toward the printing unit; a tractor that is rotatable forward and reverse disposed at least in the continuous paper feed path; In a printer provided with a sheet metal guide plate having a curved portion curved downward from an edge to partition between the cut sheet feeding path and the continuous paper feeding path, the printing plate side of the guide plate An auxiliary guide plate having a curved portion curved upward toward the front edge of the guide plate facing the lower surface of the guide plate, and engaging with the opposing portions on both sides of the guide plate and the auxiliary guide plate; A paper guide device for a printer, wherein an engagement portion to be detachably engaged is formed.