JP3525608B2 - Paper storage 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 accommodating device for accommodating paper discharged from an image forming apparatus by a paper tray.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus (for example, a printer) that forms an image on a sheet has been known. In this type of image forming apparatus, a sheet such as an image-formed sheet or an original sheet is as follows. It is housed in. That is, since the paper is ejected from the paper ejection unit provided on one side surface (hereinafter referred to as the front surface) of the image forming apparatus, and the paper is sequentially stacked on the paper tray that is arranged substantially horizontally adjacent to the front of the image forming apparatus. is there.

[0003]

However, when the paper tray is arranged adjacent to the image forming apparatus in this way, a large installation space is required for the image forming apparatus. Therefore, when this type of image forming apparatus is installed in an office or the like, the floor area cannot be fully utilized.

Therefore, the present invention has been made for the purpose of providing a sheet accommodating apparatus capable of reducing the installation space of the image forming apparatus.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a paper tray for accommodating paper discharged from an image forming apparatus,
It formed in the image forming apparatus, the image of the paper tray
A storage unit that can be stored along the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus, and the paper tray is pulled out from the storage unit in a substantially horizontal direction by a predetermined amount.
And the paper tray is pulled out by the specified amount.
Support means for swingably supporting the paper tray in a hanging direction when the paper tray is pulled, and a tip of the paper tray in the paper storage direction.
At the position where it falls on the surface of the paper tray, and
It swings between the position where it rises almost vertically to the tray surface.
The leading edge of the paper that is installed in the tray and stored in the paper tray
And a locking member for locking .

Therefore, according to the present invention, the paper tray can be disposed at a desired position between the storage position in the storage means and the position where the paper tray hangs down from the image forming apparatus. In the case of arranging the paper tray at the hanging position, the image forming apparatus is arranged at the end of a desk or the like so that the paper tray can be arranged at the hanging position. In this case, the paper discharged by the image forming apparatus is stored in the hanging paper tray. Therefore, the installation space can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the paper tray is arranged horizontally. Further, when the paper tray is not used, the paper tray can be stored in the storage means, and the installation space can be reduced even in the storage state. Therefore, even when the image forming apparatus is arranged at the edge of a desk or the like, it is possible to prevent an object from being accidentally caught on the paper tray.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the installation space of the image forming apparatus can be favorably reduced, and it is possible to prevent articles from being caught on the paper tray, which in turn contributes to the effective use of the floor area of an office or the like. Ru can be used to promote the use.

Further , according to the present invention, the paper tray can be pulled out substantially horizontally. When the sheet is pulled out horizontally, the sheets stored in the sheet tray are stacked substantially vertically, and the sheet can be stored very stably. Further, if the paper tray is pulled out by the predetermined amount, the paper tray can be swung in the hanging direction. Therefore, the operation of swinging the paper tray to the hanging position becomes extremely simple.

Therefore, in the present invention, in addition to the above effects,
The following effects occur. That is, when the installation space is large, the paper tray can be pulled out horizontally to stably store the paper. Further, the operation of swinging the paper tray in the hanging direction becomes simple, and the operability is greatly improved. Further, in the present invention, the paper tray is set to be substantially horizontal.
When pulled out to the
The image forming device can be
Edge of the paper that is ejected from the stack and stored in the paper tray
Can be satisfactorily locked by the locking member. Well
Also, when the paper tray is hung,
By placing it on the surface of the tray,
When locking the leading edge of the paper stored on the
To prevent the paper from spilling out of the paper tray.
Can be prevented. Therefore, in the present invention, the above effect
In addition, the paper discharged from the image forming device is more stable.
Then, the effect that it can be accommodated is produced. Claim
According to the invention of Item 2, in addition to the configuration of Item 1,
The stop member keeps the paper tray substantially horizontal from the storage means.
When it is pulled out, it can stand upright almost vertically.
When it is drooped, it fell on the surface of the above paper tray.
It is characterized in that it can be arranged at a position.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In addition to the configuration described above, the supporting means supports the paper tray so as to be swingable around a lower side of a paper discharge portion of the image forming apparatus as a fulcrum. Therefore, in the present invention, the paper tray swings around the lower side of the paper discharge unit of the image forming apparatus as a fulcrum. Therefore, even when the paper tray is pulled out in a substantially horizontal direction or when the paper tray is hung down, the surface of the paper tray is positioned substantially continuously from the paper discharge section of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the paper discharged from the paper discharge unit can be guided to the paper tray in almost the same manner in either case.

Accordingly, in the present invention, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2 wherein, effects arising such a sheet discharged from the sheet discharge unit can be guided to the paper tray smoothly.

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an inkjet printer to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a paper feed cassette 14 capable of accommodating a plurality of printing papers 12 is provided at a rear portion (left side in the drawing) of a printer body 10 as an image forming apparatus. A rotation axis along the width direction of the printing paper 12 (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface: hereinafter also referred to as a left-right direction) is provided in the lower front part of the paper feeding cassette 14 and in contact with the uppermost printing paper 12. A sheet feeding roller 16 is provided. A tray 18 on which the printing paper 12 can be placed is provided in the paper feeding cassette 14, and the tray 18 is biased toward the paper feeding roller 16 by a coil spring 20. Therefore, tray 1
The printing paper 12 on 8 comes into contact with the surface of the paper feed roller 16 by the urging force of the coil spring 20, and is conveyed downward on the guide 21 by the paper feed roller 16 which is rotationally driven (counterclockwise in the drawing) by a motor not shown. To be done.

The printer body 1 in front of the paper feed roller 16
0 is covered from above by a cover frame 24 that can be opened and closed. Inside the cover frame 24, the following members are arranged. First, a transport roller 31 that is rotationally driven by a motor, a paper pressing roller 32 that cooperates with the transport roller 31 to transfer the printing paper 12, and a roller holder 33 that rotatably supports the paper pressing roller 32. And are provided. The roller holder 33 is pivotally supported by a mounting shaft 34 and is urged by a biasing member (not shown) toward the conveying roller 31 (clockwise direction in the drawing).
Is urged by. Due to this biasing force, the paper pressing roller 32 is pressed against the transport roller 31.

The printing paper 12 conveyed on the guide 21 by the paper feed roller 16 is nipped by the conveyance roller 31 and the paper pressing roller 32, and conveyed on the printing guide 35 obliquely below and in front of it. In the cover frame 24, a printing unit 50 is further provided at a position facing the printing guide 35. The printing unit 50 includes a recording head 51 that forms an image on the printing paper 12 on the printing guide 35. The recording head 51 is mounted on a carriage 52 that can reciprocate along a guide shaft 53. . The recording head 51 is a well-known ink jet head that forms an image by ejecting ink from the printing surface (nozzle surface) 54.

Below the recording head 51, there are provided a discharge roller 60 driven to rotate by a motor, and a spur roller 61 for sandwiching and discharging the print sheet 12 after image formation between the discharge roller 60. ing. This spur roller 61
Is made of a thin plate material with many sharp protrusions on the outer circumference. That is, the ink is not dried on the upper surface of the printing paper 12 immediately after image formation, and a rubber roller or the like having a large contact area cannot be used unlike other printers other than the inkjet type. Therefore, the spur roller 61 having a small contact area is used.

The spur roller 61 is axially supported by a plate-shaped spur roller holder 62, and the spur roller holder 62 is attached to a frame 63 that supports the carriage 52. A bent portion 64 bent forward is formed at the lower end of the frame 63, and the bent portion 64 and the spur roller holder 62 form a substantially continuous surface. A partition plate 65 is disposed below the frame 63 substantially parallel to the frame 63, and the partition plate 65 is connected to the cover frame 24. Further, the opening between the partition plate 65 and the spur roller 61 is closed by the above-mentioned surface composed of the spur roller holder 62 and the bent portion 64, which prevents dust from falling on the lower stacker 70. ing.

The stacker 70 includes spur roller holders 62,
It is composed of a folded portion 64, a stacker base 71 located below the partition plate 65, and an auxiliary stacker 72 as a paper tray extending forward of the stacker base 71. The stacker base 71 is a base frame 73 of the printer body 10.
And is formed in a slightly downward slope in the discharge direction of the printing paper 12. The auxiliary stacker 72 is provided below the stacker base 71, and is configured to be stored in a storage space 74 as a storage unit provided below the base frame 73. Further, a locking plate 75 as a locking member for aligning the front ends of the printing papers 12 is provided at the front end of the auxiliary stacker 72. The locking plate 7
5 is fixed to the front end of the auxiliary stacker 72 via a hinge 77, and is swingable between a position inclining to the surface of the auxiliary stacker 72 and a position standing upright on the surface of the auxiliary stacker 72 (state in FIG. 1). It is configured.

In this ink jet printer, the total length of the surfaces of the upper surface 78 of the auxiliary stacker 72 and the upper surface 79 of the stacker base portion 71 in the partially pulled out state is the total length of the maximum usable printing paper 12. Is almost equal to. Further, the total length of the auxiliary stacker 72 itself is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the total length of the maximum size usable printing paper 12.

The printing paper 12 is discharged downward between the discharge roller 60 and the spur roller 61 at an angle of about 45 °. The front end of the stacker base portion 71 is arranged slightly behind the extension surface in the discharge direction. Next, the support structure of the auxiliary stacker 72 will be described with reference to FIG. A pair of side frames 81 are erected on both left and right sides of the base frame 73 (only the right side is shown in FIG. 2). The side frame 81 holds the base frame 73 hollow, and the space below the base frame 73 is the storage space 74.
The side frames 81 on both left and right sides of the storage space 74 are
A groove 83 having a rectangular cross section is provided in parallel with the base frame 73. The groove portion 83 is provided on the stacker base portion 71.
It extends a little further to the front, and its front end 83a is bent downward and opens at the lower end surface of the side frame 81. Further, on both left and right side surfaces of the auxiliary stacker 72, the groove portion 8
Columnar projections 72a, 72b slidably engaged with
Are provided at the rear end (72a) of the auxiliary stacker 72 and the position (72b) ahead of the rear end by a predetermined distance.

Therefore, when both the projections 72a and 72b are engaged with the groove portion 83, the auxiliary stacker 72 can be stored in the storage space 74 or can be pulled out substantially horizontally to the front. At this time, the auxiliary stacker 72 is supported by the left and right groove portions 83 at four points, and is held substantially horizontally. The protrusion 72b is the front end 83a of the groove 83.
When the auxiliary stacker 72 is pulled out until it comes into contact with the above, it cannot be pulled out any more, but the engagement between the projection 72b and the groove portion 83 can be released by swinging the auxiliary stacker 72 downward. Then, the auxiliary stacker 72 can swing in the hanging direction with the protrusion 72a as a fulcrum. That is, the protrusions 72a and 72b and the groove portion 83 correspond to the supporting means.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the auxiliary stacker 72 is suspended in the present ink jet printer.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the auxiliary stacker 72 is hung, the locking plate 75 is used by being disposed at a position where it falls on the surface of the auxiliary stacker 72. Next, the operation and effect of the inkjet printer thus configured will be described. As described above, the auxiliary stacker 72 can be pulled out substantially horizontally from the storage position in the storage space 74, and at this time, the auxiliary stacker 72 is held substantially horizontally by the groove portion 83.
In this case, the printing paper 12 after image formation from the printer body 10 is discharged downward at about 45 ° with the image formation surface facing upward, turns horizontally on the stacker 70 and is substantially vertical on the auxiliary stacker 72. It is possible to store the printing paper 12 very stably because the printing paper 12 is stacked on top of the other.

Further, if the auxiliary stacker 72 is fully pulled out and the projection 72b is provided at the front end 83a, the auxiliary stacker 72 can be swung in the hanging direction. Then, the printing paper 12 after the image formation is discharged downward at about 45 ° as described above, and the image forming surface is directed forward to the auxiliary stacker 72 that hangs while curving downward beyond the front end of the stacker base 71. Be accommodated. In addition, in order to swing in this manner, the front end of the printer body 10 is placed on the desk 91.
It may be arranged at the end of (Fig. 3) or the like. In this case, the installation space for the inkjet printer should be set to the auxiliary stacker 72.
Can be favorably reduced as compared with the case where is pulled out horizontally.

Further, when the auxiliary stacker 72 is not used, the auxiliary stacker 72 can be stored in the storage space 74. Therefore, even when the ink jet printer is arranged at the end of the desk 91 or the like, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary stacker 72 from accidentally catching an object. Therefore, it is possible to promote the effective use of the floor area of the office or the like. Further, when swinging the auxiliary stacker 72 in the hanging direction, it is sufficient to pull it out fully and swing it, so that the operation is extremely simple.

Further, the printer body 10 discharges the printing paper 12 after image formation obliquely downward, and the auxiliary stacker 72 swings around the lower side of the discharging portion as a fulcrum.
Therefore, whether the auxiliary stacker 72 is pulled out substantially horizontally or the auxiliary stacker 72 is hung down, the printing paper 1
The auxiliary stacker 72 will be positioned at an angle of about 45 ° above or below and continuously with respect to the two discharge directions. Therefore, in either case, the printing paper 12 can be smoothly guided to the auxiliary stacker 72.

Further, the locking plate 75 is erected substantially vertically when the auxiliary stacker 72 is pulled out substantially horizontally so that the leading ends of the printing papers 12 accommodated in the auxiliary stacker 72 are properly locked and aligned. You can Further, the printing paper 12 can be easily taken out from the auxiliary stacker 72. When the auxiliary stacker 72 is hung, the locking plate 75 can be arranged in a position in which it is tilted in parallel with the surface of the auxiliary stacker 72 with a gap. In this case, the leading edge of the printing paper 12 accommodated in the auxiliary stacker 72 can be locked and the printing paper 12 can be prevented from spilling from the auxiliary stacker 72.

When the printing paper 12 is housed vertically in this way, the following effects are produced. That is, since the ink is not dried on the printing paper 12 immediately after the image is formed by the ink jet recording head 51, there is a possibility that the printing paper 12 may be soiled when rubbed with another printing paper 12. However, when the printing paper 12 is housed vertically as described above, the printing paper 12 that curls and falls while curving as described above does not rub the image forming surface of the printing paper 12 that has already been housed, and does not become dirty. It is possible to satisfactorily prevent the occurrence.

Since the tip of the auxiliary stacker 72 is slightly curved toward the storage surface side, the printing paper 12 can be held in the vertical state.
Is leaning against the side of the auxiliary stacker 72 so that it does not fall forward. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, FIG. 4 shows an auxiliary stacker 1 as a modified example.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a support structure of 72, and FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the auxiliary stacker 1
At the rear end of 72, a cylindrical protrusion 172a protruding laterally.
And a flat plate-shaped protruding piece 172b protruding rearward from the upper surface 178 of the auxiliary stacker 172. Also,
The side frame 181 that holds the base frame 173 (FIG. 4) in the hollow to form the storage space 174 has a groove 183 provided in parallel with the base frame 173, and along the gap between the base frame 173 and the groove 183. A locking plate 185 protruding in a flat plate shape is formed.

The groove 183 has a rectangular cross section that can be slidably engaged with the protrusion 172a. The groove 183 extends to almost the same position as the front end of the stacker base 171 (FIG. 4) connected to the base frame 173.
83a (FIG. 5) has a semicircular shape and is closed. Lock plate 1
85 is engaged with the protruding piece 172b from above, and the protrusion 1
The length is formed so that the engagement is disengaged when 72a abuts on the front end 183a of the groove 183.

Auxiliary stacker 172 thus configured
Can be pulled out in a substantially horizontal direction until the protrusion 172a contacts the front end 183a, and is held substantially horizontally by the engagement of the locking plate 185 and the protruding piece 172b.
In addition, when the auxiliary stacker 172 is fully pulled out,
The engagement between the locking plate 185 and the protruding piece 172b is released, and the auxiliary stacker 172 can swing in the hanging direction. Therefore,
Even with the support structure of the auxiliary stacker 172, the same operation and effect as those of the auxiliary stacker 72 described above are produced. Further, in this support structure, the groove 183 is not open. For this reason,
It is possible to favorably prevent the auxiliary stacker 172 from accidentally coming off.

Furthermore, the invention and other than an inkjet printer printer, facsimile machine Ru can be applied to other image forming apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a configuration of an inkjet printer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a support structure of the auxiliary stacker.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the inkjet printer in which an auxiliary stacker is hung.

FIG. 4 is a main-portion cross-sectional view showing a supporting structure of an auxiliary stacker of a modified example.

FIG. 5 is a main part perspective view showing the support structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Printer body 12 ... Printing paper 5
1 ... Recording head 70 ... Stacker 72 ... Auxiliary stacker 7
2a, 72b ... Protrusion 74 ... Storage space 75 ... Locking plate 8
3 ... Groove

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-264459 (JP, A) JP-A-4-298367 (JP, A) JP-A-6-64821 (JP, A) Actual development 61- 200857 (JP, U) Actual opening Sho 54-152473 (JP, U) Actual opening Sho 58-137665 (JP, U) Actual opening Sho 62-186854 (JP, U) Actual opening Sho 63-100455 (JP, U) 64-25189 (JP, U) Fira 3-89051 (JP, U) Fira 3-118966 (JP, U) Fira 4-84248 (JP, U) Fira 4-94360 (JP, U) Actual Kaihei 5-32358 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 31/00 B41J 13/00 B41J 29/13 B65H 31/06

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A sheet tray for storing sheets discharged from claim 1 An image forming apparatus, is formed in the image forming apparatus, the image of the paper tray
A storage unit that can be stored along the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus, and the paper tray that is substantially horizontal from the storage unit by a predetermined amount.
The paper tray is supported so that it can be pulled out, and the paper tray is pulled by the specified amount.
When the sheet tray is ejected, the sheet tray is supported at the tip of the sheet tray in the sheet accommodating direction of the sheet tray so that the sheet tray can swing in the hanging direction .
The position where it falls on the surface of the tray and the
It is provided so that it can swing freely between the vertically raised position,
Lock that locks the leading edge of the paper stored in the paper tray
Paper accommodation apparatus comprising: the member. 2. The locking member attaches the paper tray to the
Stands almost vertically when pulled out from the storage means almost horizontally
When the above paper tray is hung, the paper tray
2. The sheet accommodating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet accommodating apparatus can be arranged at a position where the sheet falls down on the lay surface . Wherein said supporting means, sheet storage device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting the paper tray pivotable fulcrum lower vicinity of the paper discharge unit of the image forming apparatus .