JP3776208B2

JP3776208B2 - Conveying guide device and image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP3776208B2
Application number: JP16265497A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 良一須崎
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp; Toshiba TEC Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp; Toshiba TEC Corp
Priority date: 1997-06-19
Filing date: 1997-06-19
Publication date: 2006-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-19
Also published as: JPH1111741A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、たとえば、電子写真複写機の自動両面装置に適用される搬送ガイド装置及び画像形成装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
電子写真複写機の自動両面装置は定着器から送り出されてくる片面に画像が定着された用紙を切換ゲートを介して両面用搬送路に送り込むようになっている。
両面用搬送路は用紙を載置してガイドする載置ガイド及びこの載置ガイドの上部側に離間対向して設けられ用紙の浮き上がりを規制する対向ガイドからなる第１のガイド手段と、この第１のガイド手段から搬出される用紙を受取り、スタック部にガイドするＵターンガイド（第２のガイド手段）を有している。
【０００３】
また、第１のガイド手段の搬出側とＵターンガイドの搬入側とは段差のない滑らかな紙搬送経路を形成するため、また、万が一紙づまりが発生した場合、容易に除去できるように回動可能とするために入れ子状態で接続されている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、従来においては、第１のガイド手段の載置ガイドと対向ガイドを同時に回動させることができる構成となっていたため、第１のガイド手段と第２のガイド手段との間で用紙が詰まったとき、載置ガイドと対向ガイドを同時に開放させてしまうことがある。この場合には、載置ガイドとＵターンガイドとの入り子状態をなす噛み合い部に用紙が入り込んでコルゲーションが発生し、載置ガイドを破損させてしまうという虞があった。
【０００５】
本発明は上記実情に鑑みなされたもので、対向ガイドを閉じた状態での載置ガイドの開放を規制することにより、載置ガイド上に被搬送物（被画像形成媒体）を載置したまま開放してしまうことを防止し、被搬送物（被画像形成媒体）に対しコルゲーションを発生させることのないようにした搬送ガイド装置及び画像形成装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記課題を解決するため、請求項１記載のものは、被搬送物を載置しその搬送をガイドする載置ガイドと、この載置ガイドに離間対向して設けられ前記被搬送物の浮き上がりを規制する対向ガイドからなり、搬出側に第１の凹凸部を有する第１のガイド手段と、この第１のガイド手段の第１の凹凸部に噛み合う第２の凹凸部を搬入側に有し、前記第１のガイド手段から搬出される被搬送物を搬入させてガイドする第２のガイド手段と、前記第１のガイド手段の載置ガイド及び対向ガイドをそれぞれ開閉自在に支持し、前記載置ガイド及び対向ガイドの開放時には、その第１の凹凸部を前記第２の凹凸部に対し交差する方向に移動させる支持手段と、前記載置ガイドの開放を規制し、前記対向ガイドが開放されたときのみ、前記載置ガイドの開放規制を解除する開放規制手段とを備える。
【０００７】
請求項２記載のものは、被搬送物を載置しその搬送をガイドする載置ガイドと、この載置ガイドに離間対向して設けられ前記被搬送物の浮き上がりを規制する対向ガイドからなり、搬出側に第１の凹凸部を有する第１のガイド手段と、
この第１のガイド手段の第１の凹凸部に噛み合う第２の凹凸部を搬入側に有し、前記第１のガイド手段から搬出される被搬送物を搬入させてガイドする第２のガイド手段と、前記第１のガイド手段の載置ガイド及び対向ガイドをそれぞれ開閉自在に支持し、前記載置ガイド及び対向ガイドの開放時には、その第１の凹凸部を前記第２の凹凸部に対し交差する方向に移動させる支持手段と、前記載置ガイドに設けられた係止部材と、この係止部材を係脱自在に係止させて固定保持する被係止部と、前記対向ガイドが開放されたとき、前記係止部材を前記被係止部から離脱させて前記載置ガイドの固定を解除する解除手段とを具備する。
【０００８】
請求項３記載のものは、被搬送物を載置しその搬送をガイドする載置ガイドと、この載置ガイドに離間対向して設けられ前記被搬送物の浮き上がりを規制する対向ガイドからなり、搬出側に第１の凹凸部を有する第１のガイド手段と、この第１のガイド手段の第１の凹凸部に噛み合う第２の凹凸部を搬入側に有し、前記第１のガイド手段から搬出される被搬送物を搬入させてガイドする第２のガイド手段と、前記第１のガイド手段の載置ガイド及び対向ガイドをそれぞれ開閉自在に支持し、前記載置ガイド及び対向ガイドの開放時には、その第１の凹凸部を前記第２の凹凸部に対し交差する方向に移動させる支持手段と、前記載置ガイドに回動自在に設けられた係止部材と、この係止部材を前記対向ガイドが閉塞されたとき係脱自在に係止させて固定保持する被係止部と、前記対向ガイドが開放されたとき、前記係止部材を付勢力により回動させて前記被係止部から離脱させて前記載置ガイドの固定を解除する付勢部材とを具備する。
【０００９】
請求項４記載のものは、被搬送物を載置しその搬送をガイドする載置ガイドと、この載置ガイドに離間対向して設けられ前記被搬送物の浮き上がりを規制する対向ガイドからなり、搬出側に第１の凹凸部を有する第１のガイド手段と、この第１のガイド手段の第１の凹凸部に噛み合う第２の凹凸部を搬入側に有し、前記第１のガイド手段から搬出される被搬送物を搬入させてガイドする第２のガイド手段と、前記第１のガイド手段の載置ガイド及び対向ガイドをそれぞれ開閉自在に支持し、前記載置ガイド及び対向ガイドの開放時には、その第１の凹凸部を前記第２の凹凸部に対し交差する方向に移動させる支持手段と、前記支持手段に設けられ、前記載置ガイドの開放を規制する開放規制手段と、前記対向ガイドに設けられ、その開放時に前記開放規制手段による前記載置ガイドの開放規制を解除させる解除手段とを具備する。
【００１０】
請求項５記載のものは、像担持体上に像を形成する像形成手段と、この像形成手段により形成された像を被画像形成媒体の一面側に転写する転写手段と、この転写手段により転写された画像を定着させる定着手段と、この定着手段から搬出される被画像形成媒体の搬送をガイドする搬送ガイド手段と、この搬送ガイド手段によりガイドされてきた被画像形成媒体の他面側に像を転写させるべく前記転写手段に向かって被画像形成媒体を反転した状態で搬送する搬送手段とを具備する画像形成装置において、前記搬送ガイド手段は、前記被画像形成媒体を載置しその搬送をガイドする載置ガイドと、この載置ガイドに離間対向して設けられ前記被画像形成媒体の浮き上がりを規制する対向ガイドからなり、搬出側に第１の凹凸部を有する第１のガイド手段と、この第１のガイド手段の第１の凹凸部に噛み合う第２の凹凸部を搬入側に有し、前記第１のガイド手段から搬出される被搬送物を搬入させてガイドする第２のガイド手段と、前記第１のガイド手段の載置ガイド及び対向ガイドをそれぞれ開閉自在に支持し、前記載置ガイド及び対向ガイドの開放時には、その第１の凹凸部を前記第２の凹凸部に対し交差する方向に移動させる支持手段と、前記載置ガイドの開放を規制し、前記対向ガイドが開放されたときのみ、前記載置ガイドの開放規制を解除する開放規制手段とを備える。
【００１１】
本発明は載置ガイドの開放を規制し、対向ガイドが開放されたときのみ、載置ガイドの開放規制を解除することにより、対向ガイドを閉じた状態での載置ガイドの開放を規制する。
【００１２】
これにより、載置ガイド上に被搬送物（被画像形成媒体）を載置したまま開放することを防止し、被搬送物（被画像形成媒体）に対しコルゲーションを発生させることなく、除去できるようにする。
【００１３】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明を図面に示す一実施の形態を参照して説明する。
図１は電子写真複写機の内部構成を示すものである。
図中１は装置本体で、この装置本体１の上面部には原稿を載置する原稿台２が設けられている。この原稿台２の下方部には、原稿台２に載置された原稿を照明する照明ランプ３、この照明ランプ３から発生される照明光を原稿に集光する反射板４、及び、原稿からの反射光を後述する第２キャリッジ７に向かって反射させる光走査手段としての第１キャリッジ５が配置されている。
【００１４】
第１キャリッジ５には、原稿からの反射光を折曲げる第１ミラー６が組み込まれている。第１キャリッジ５は、原稿台２と平行に移動可能に配置され、図示しない歯付きベルトなどを介して図示しないパルスモータによって、原稿台２に沿って平行に移動される。
【００１５】
第２キャリッジ６には、第１キャリッジ５の第１ミラー６を介して折曲げられた原稿からの反射光を順に折曲げる第２ミラー９及び第３ミラー１０が互いに直角に配置されている。第２キャリッジ７は、第１キャリッジ５を駆動する図示しない歯付きベルトなどよって、第１キャリッジ５に対して従動されるとともに、第１キャリッジ５に対し、１／２の速度で原稿台２に沿って平行に移動される。
【００１６】
第１キャリッジ５の下方であって、第２キャリッジ７を介して折返された光の光軸を含む面内には、図示しない駆動機構を介して移動可能に形成され、第２キャリッジ７からの反射光に集束性を与えるとともに、自身が移動することで反射光を所望の倍率で結像させる結像レンズ１１、及び、結像レンズ１１を透過した反射光を後述する感光体ドラム１６に導く第４乃至第６のミラー１２〜１４を有している。
【００１７】
第６のミラー１４の斜め下方部には、感光体１６が回転自在に設けられている。感光ドラム１６の周囲には、その回転方向に沿って感光体１６に所定の電荷を帯電させる帯電装置１７、トリミング、マスキング、枠消し等に利用される消去用のＬＥＤ（発光素子）１８、感光体１６に形成された静電潜像にトナーを供給することで現像する現像装置１８、後述する用紙カセットなどから給送される紙葉類としての被転写材、即ち用紙に感光体１６上のトナー像を転写させる転写装置１９、感光体１６から用紙を剥離させる剥離装置２０、感光体１６における電荷の分布を除去する一方で感光体１６の帯電特性を初期状態に戻すとともに残存トナーをかき落とすクリーニング装置２２が順に配置されている。
【００１８】
装置本体１の内底部には、感光体１６に向かって用紙、例えば、複写用紙、ＯＨＰシート等を供給するための内蔵式用紙カセット２４が挿入され、また、感光体１６の回転方向上流に対応する位置であって感光体１６の右方には、さまざまな大きさを有する用紙Ｐを一枚づつ給送するための給送トレイ２５が配置されている。
【００１９】
感光体１６と用紙カセット２４との間には、カセット２４から用紙を１枚ずつ引出す給紙ローラ２６、給送トレイ２５から供給される用紙を給送する給紙ローラ２７、給紙ローラ２６を介して引出された用紙を感光体１６へ向かって給送するための上下部の搬送ローラ対２８，２９、上記搬送ローラ対２９あるいは給紙ローラ２７から感光体１６へ向かって用紙を給送するための給送路３０、及び、用紙の傾きを補正するとともに、感光体１６上のトナー像の先端と用紙の先端とを整合させ、感光体１６における外周面の移動速度と同じ速度で用紙を給送する一対のレジストローラ３１が配置されている。
【００２０】
また、感光体１６における回転方向下流に対応する位置には、感光体１６上に形成されたトナー像が転写され、トナーが静電的に付着している状態の用紙を搬送する搬送装置３３、用紙に転写されたトナーを加熱することで溶融させ、用紙に定着させる定着装置３４、及び、トナー像が定着された用紙を装置の外部へ排出させる第１および第２の排出ローラ対３６，３７を有している。第２の排出ローラ対３７のさらに左方には、第２の排出ローラ対３７から排出されるトナー像が定着された用紙をストックする排出トレイ３８が配置されている。
【００２１】
また、給紙カセット２４の上部側には自動両面装置４１が設けられている。
自動両面機構４１は用紙の搬送方向を切替える切換えゲート４２、切換えゲート４２を介して送られてくる用紙を垂直方向にガイドする垂直ガイド４３、用紙を水平方向にガイドする第１のガイド手段としての水平ガイド４４、第２のガイド手段としてのＵターンガイド４５、さらに、垂直ガイド４３および水平ガイド４４に配設される搬送ローラ４３ａ，４４ａ…を有している。
【００２２】
また、水平ガイド４４の下方部には用紙を集積するスタック部４６が設けられている。スタック部４６には用紙をスタック部４６にスタックするとともに、スタック部４６から用紙を送り出す給紙／スタックローラ４７、およびスタック部４６から用紙を取り出すピックアップローラ４８、さらに、用紙を載置するトレイ５０が配設されている。給紙／スタックローラ４７の下部には送り出される用紙を一枚ずつ分離する分離ローラ４９が転接されている。
【００２３】
両面画像形成時には、切換ゲート４２が上方へ回動され、一面側に画像が定着されて定着器３４から排出される用紙が切換ゲート４２により、自動両面装置４１内に導かれる。この用紙は垂直ガイド４３、水平ガイド４４、Ｕターンガイド４５を介して、給紙／スタックローラ４７に送られ、この給紙／スタックローラ４７からトレイ５０上に送り込まれ、スタックされる。このスタック時には、トレイ５０は矢印ｂ側に降りている。スタック部４６にスタックされた用紙は再給紙される。このとき、トレイ５０は矢印ｃ方向に上昇しピックアップローラ４８に当接する。ピックアップローラ４８の回転により用紙は取り出され、この用紙は、給紙／スタックローラ４７により送り出される。この用紙は反転された状態で搬送ローラ対２９、給送路３０、及びレジストローラ３１を介して感光体１６と転写チャージャー１９との間の画像転写部に送られて他面側に画像が転写される。他面側に画像が転写された用紙は搬送ベルト３３を介して定着器３４へ送られ、ここで画像が定着されたのち、搬送ローラ対３６、切換ゲート４２を介して搬送ローラ３７へ送られ、排紙トレイ３８に排出される。
【００２４】
図２は第１のガイド手段としての水平ガイド４４を示す斜視図である。
水平ガイド４４は用紙を載置して搬送をガイドする載置ガイドとしての下部ガイド板５２と、この下部ガイド板５２に離間対向して配設され、用紙の浮き上がりを規制する対向ガイドとしての上部ガイド板５１とを有している。
【００２５】
上部および下部のガイド板５１，５２の用紙搬出側には図３にも示すように、第１の凹凸部５１ａ，５２ａが形成され、第２のガイド手段としてのＵターンガイド４５の用紙搬入部側には第２の凹凸部４５ａが形成されている。上部および下部のガイド板５１，５２の凹凸部５１ａ，５２ａとＵターンガイド４５の凹凸部５１ａ，５２ａは互いに入れ子状に嵌め込まれるようになっている。
【００２６】
上部および下部のガイド板５１，５２の用紙搬出側は支持手段としての回動レバー５５ａ，５５ｂを介して装置本体１に回動自在に取り付けられている。
また、下部ガイド板５２の開放端側の一側部には規制手段を構成する係止部材としてロックレバー５６が支軸５６Ａを介して回動自在に取り付けられている。装置本体フレーム１Ａにはロックレバー５６の下部に形成されたフック部５６ａを係脱自在に係止させる被係止部としての引掛部５７が切起成型されている。ロックレバー５６は付勢部材としてのスプリング５８により、そのフック部５６ａが引掛部５７から離脱する方向に付勢されている。
【００２７】
一方、上部ガイド板５１の開放端側の一側部には押圧用突起５９が突出成型され、上部ガイド板５１が閉じられたときは、ロックレバー５６の上面部を押圧するようになっている。この押圧により、ロックレバー５６はスプリング５８の付勢力に抗して支軸５６Ａを中心に回動し、そのフック部５６ａを引掛部５７に係止して下部ガイド板５２をロックするようになっている。
【００２８】
図４は上下部のガイド板５１，５２とＵターンガイド４５との間で用紙Ｐが詰まった状態を示す。
次に、この詰まった用紙Ｐを除去する場合について説明する。
【００２９】
この場合には、まず、図２に示すように、上部ガイド体５１を上方へ開放し、詰まっている用紙Ｐを取り除く。
このとき、上部ガイド板５１を開放しないで、下部ガイド板５２を開放しようとしても、下部ガイド板５２のロックレバー５６のフック部５６ａが本体フレーム１Ａの引掛部５７に係止して下部ガイド板５２がロックされているため、下部ガイド板５２を開放させることはできない。
【００３０】
したがって、用紙の除去時に、図５に示すように、上下部のガイド板５１，５２を同時に回動させて開放してしまうことがなく、従来のように、上下部のガイド板５１，５２とＵターンガイド４５が交差する第１及び第２の凹凸部５１ａ，５２ａ，４５ａに用紙Ｐが入り込んでしまうことがない。
【００３１】
よって、用紙Ｐにコルゲーションが発生することがなく、用紙Ｐの腰により、下部ガイド板５２を変形させてしまう虞がない。
なお、上部ガイド板５１を開放したのちは、下部ガイド板５２のロックレバー５６がスプリング５８の付勢力により回動し、そのフック部５６ａが引掛部５７から離脱する。これにより、下部ガイド板５２のロックが解除され、下部ガイド５２の開放が可能になる。
【００３２】
詰まった用紙Ｐを除去したのちは、上部ガイド板５１を再び閉じる。上部ガイド板５１を閉じると、その押圧片５９により、下部ガイド板５２のロックレバー５６の上面部が押圧される。この押圧により、スプリング５８の付勢力に抗してロックレバー５６が回動されそのフック部５６ａが引掛部５７に係止して下部ガイド５２がロックされる。
【００３３】
図６及び図７は本発明の第２の実施の形態である搬送ガイド装置を示す。
この実施の形態における上下部のガイド板５１，５２は自動両面装置のフロントフレーム６１とリアフレーム（図示しない）にカシメられたスタッド６２により支持されている。フロント、リアのスタッド６２の少なくとも一方はスプリングクラッチ６３のアーバーとなっている。下部ガイド板５２側の支点にもスプリングクラッチ６３のアーバー６４がカシメられている。
【００３４】
フレーム６１に固定されたアーバー６２と下部ガイド板５２にカシメられたアーバー６４には開放規制手段としてのスプリングクラッチ６３が介在されている。スプリングクラッチ６３の腕の一方は図７に示すようにフレーム６１にカシメられたアーバー６２の溝６２ａに嵌められ、もう一方の腕はクラッチカバー６６の溝６６ａに嵌められている。
【００３５】
スプリングクラッチ６３は図６の場合、右巻のため、下部ガイド板５２を矢印Ｆ方向に回動させようとすると、スプリングクラッチ６３が締まる方向に働き、下部ガイド板５２の動きは止められ、回動できない。
【００３６】
下部ガイド板５２のアーバ６４の近傍には突起部６５が突設され、下部ガイド板５２の突起部６５の近傍には解除レバー６８が設けられている。解除レバー６８は回転軸６８ａを中心に回動するようになっている。クラッチカバー６６の周面部には解除レバー６８によって押圧操作される突起部６６ａが突設されている。
【００３７】
下部ガイド板５２を回動させるには、上部ガイド板５１を開き、上部ガイド板５１に付いている突起部６５を回転軸６６を持った解除レバー６８の上端部に当接させて解除レバー６８の下端部でクラッチカバー６６の突起部６６ａを押す。
【００３８】
これにより、スプリングクラッチ６３の締まりが解除され、下部ガイド板５２の回動が可能となる。
この実施の形態によっても、ユーザは上部ガイド上５１を開けた時点で紙づまりの用紙を取り除くことができ、下部ガイド板５２を変形させることは無くなる。
【００３９】
【発明の効果】
本発明は以上説明したように、第１のガイド手段の載置ガイドの開放を規制し、載置ガイドに対向する対向ガイドを開放したときのみ、載置ガイドの開放を可能とするから、載置ガイドと対向ガイドを同時に開放してしまうことがない。
【００４０】
したがって、載置ガイド上に搬送物（被画像形成媒体）を載置したたまま載置ガイドを開放することがない。
よって、入れ子状に嵌合する第１及び第２のガイド手段の第１および第２の凹凸部間に被搬送物（被画像形成媒体）を入り込ませてコルゲーションを発生させる虞がなく、載置ガイドの変形を確実に防止できるという効果を奏する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施の形態である電子写真複写機の内部構成を示す図。
【図２】第１及び第２のガイド手段を示す斜視図。
【図３】第１のガイド手段を示す斜視図。
【図４】第１及び第２のガイド手段間で用紙が詰まった状態を示す図。
【図５】用紙を載置した状態で下部ガイド板を回動させた状態を示す図。
【図６】本発明の他の実施の形態である搬送ガイド装置を示す分解斜視図。
【図７】アーバとスプリングクラッチとの接続状態を示す斜視図。
【符号の説明】
１…装置本体
１６…感光体（像担持体）
１９…転写装置（転写手段）
３０…給送路（搬送手段）
３４…定着装置（定着手段）
４４…水平ガイド（第１のガイド手段）
４５…Ｕターンガイド（第２のガイド手段）
５１…上部ガイド板（対向ガイド）
５２…下部ガイド板（載置ガイド）
５６…ロックレバー（係止部材／開放規制手段）
５７…引掛部（被係止部材／開放規制手段）
５８…コイルスプリング（付勢部材／解除手段）
６３…スプリングクラッチ（開放規制手段）
６５…突起部（解除手段）
６６…クラッチカバー
６８…解除レバー（解除手段）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a conveyance guide device and an image forming apparatus applied to, for example, an automatic duplex device of an electrophotographic copying machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The automatic duplex device of an electrophotographic copying machine feeds a sheet, on which an image is fixed on one side, sent out from a fixing device, to a duplex conveyance path through a switching gate.
The double-sided conveyance path includes a first guide means including a placement guide for placing and guiding a sheet, a facing guide provided on the upper side of the placement guide so as to be spaced apart from each other, and restricting the lifting of the sheet, and the first guide means. It has a U-turn guide (second guide means) that receives the paper carried out from one guide means and guides it to the stack portion.
[0003]
In addition, the unloading side of the first guide means and the unloading side of the U-turn guide form a smooth paper transport path with no step, and can be rotated so that it can be easily removed if a paper jam occurs. To be connected in a nested state.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the related art, since the placement guide and the opposing guide of the first guide means can be rotated at the same time, the paper is jammed between the first guide means and the second guide means. In this case, the placement guide and the opposing guide may be opened at the same time. In this case, there is a possibility that the paper enters the meshing portion that forms the nested state of the placement guide and the U-turn guide, and corrugation occurs to damage the placement guide.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by restricting the opening of the mounting guide in a state where the opposing guide is closed, the object to be conveyed (image forming medium) remains mounted on the mounting guide. It is an object of the present invention to provide a conveyance guide device and an image forming apparatus that prevent the opening and prevent corrugation from occurring on an object to be conveyed (image forming medium).
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a mounting guide for mounting a transported object and guiding the transport of the transported object, and the transported object provided to be opposed to the mounting guide. A first guide means having a first uneven portion on the carry-out side and a second uneven portion meshing with the first uneven portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side. A second guide means for carrying and guiding the object to be conveyed unloaded from the first guide means, and a placement guide and an opposing guide for the first guide means, respectively, so as to be openable and closable. When the placement guide and the opposing guide are opened, a support means for moving the first concavo-convex portion in a direction intersecting the second concavo-convex portion, the opening of the placement guide is restricted, and the opposing guide Only when it is opened, Equipped with an open regulating means for releasing the opening regulation of de.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 2 is composed of a placement guide for placing the object to be conveyed and guiding its conveyance, and an opposing guide provided to be opposed to the placement guide so as to regulate the lifting of the object to be conveyed, First guide means having a first uneven portion on the carry-out side;
Second guide means having a second concavo-convex portion meshing with the first concavo-convex portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side, for carrying and guiding the object to be conveyed unloaded from the first guide means. And the mounting guide and the opposing guide of the first guide means are supported so as to be openable and closable, and when the mounting guide and the opposing guide are opened, the first uneven portion intersects the second uneven portion. A support means for moving in the direction of movement, a locking member provided in the placement guide, a locked portion for locking and holding the locking member detachably, and the opposed guide being opened. And a release means for releasing the locking member from the locked portion and releasing the fixing of the placement guide.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 3 comprises a placement guide for placing the object to be conveyed and guiding the conveyance thereof, and a counter guide provided to be spaced apart from the placement guide and restricting the lifting of the object to be conveyed, A first guide means having a first uneven portion on the carry-out side, and a second uneven portion engaging with the first uneven portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side, from the first guide means The second guide means for carrying in and guiding the object to be carried out and the placement guide and the opposing guide of the first guide means are supported to be openable and closable, respectively, and when the placement guide and the opposing guide are opened. , A supporting means for moving the first concavo-convex portion in a direction intersecting the second concavo-convex portion, a locking member provided rotatably on the placement guide, and the locking member opposed to the Removably locked when the guide is closed When the locked portion to be fixed and held and the opposing guide are released, the locking member is rotated by an urging force so as to be detached from the locked portion to release the fixing of the placement guide. And a biasing member.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 4 comprises a placement guide for placing the object to be conveyed and guiding its conveyance, and a counter guide provided to be opposed to the placement guide so as to regulate the lifting of the object to be conveyed, A first guide means having a first uneven portion on the carry-out side, and a second uneven portion engaging with the first uneven portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side, from the first guide means The second guide means for carrying in and guiding the object to be carried out and the placement guide and the opposing guide of the first guide means are supported to be openable and closable, respectively, and when the placement guide and the opposing guide are opened. Supporting means for moving the first uneven portion in a direction intersecting the second uneven portion, an opening restricting means provided on the support means for restricting opening of the placement guide, and the opposing guide At the time of its opening ; And a releasing means for releasing the opening restriction of the placement guide according to the serial opening restricting means.
[0010]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming means for forming an image on an image carrier, a transfer means for transferring an image formed by the image forming means to one surface side of the image forming medium, and the transfer means. Fixing means for fixing the transferred image, conveyance guide means for guiding conveyance of the image forming medium carried out from the fixing means, and the other surface side of the image forming medium guided by the conveyance guide means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying unit configured to convey the image forming medium in an inverted state toward the transfer unit so as to transfer an image; and the conveyance guide unit mounts the image forming medium and conveys the image forming medium. A first guide having a first concavo-convex portion on the carry-out side, and a first guide having a first concave and convex portion on the carry-out side. And a second concavo-convex portion that meshes with the first concavo-convex portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side, and carries and guides the object to be conveyed unloaded from the first guide means. 2 and the mounting guide and the opposing guide of the first guiding means are supported so as to be openable and closable, and when the mounting guide and the opposing guide are opened, the first concavo-convex portion is set to the second concavo-convex portion. Supporting means for moving in a direction intersecting the part, and opening restriction means for restricting the opening of the placement guide and releasing the opening restriction of the placement guide only when the opposing guide is opened.
[0011]
The present invention regulates the opening of the placement guide with the opposed guide closed, by restricting the opening of the placement guide and releasing the restriction of opening of the placement guide only when the opposed guide is opened.
[0012]
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the object to be transported (image forming medium) from being opened while being placed on the mounting guide, and to remove the object to be transported (image forming medium) without causing corrugation. To.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the internal structure of an electrophotographic copying machine.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body, and an original table 2 on which an original is placed is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1. Below the document table 2, an illumination lamp 3 that illuminates the document placed on the document table 2, a reflector 4 that collects illumination light generated from the illumination lamp 3 on the document, and a document A first carriage 5 is disposed as light scanning means for reflecting the reflected light toward a second carriage 7 described later.
[0014]
The first carriage 5 incorporates a first mirror 6 that bends reflected light from the document. The first carriage 5 is arranged to be movable in parallel with the document table 2 and is moved in parallel along the document table 2 by a pulse motor (not shown) via a toothed belt (not shown).
[0015]
In the second carriage 6, a second mirror 9 and a third mirror 10 are arranged at right angles to each other, which sequentially folds the reflected light from the original folded through the first mirror 6 of the first carriage 5. The second carriage 7 is driven with respect to the first carriage 5 by a not-shown toothed belt or the like that drives the first carriage 5, and is moved to the document table 2 at a speed ½ that of the first carriage 5. Is moved along in parallel.
[0016]
A surface below the first carriage 5 and including the optical axis of the light reflected through the second carriage 7 is formed so as to be movable through a driving mechanism (not shown). The converging property is given to the reflected light, and the moving lens itself forms an image of the reflected light at a desired magnification, and the reflected light that has passed through the imaging lens 11 is guided to a photosensitive drum 16 described later. It has the 4th thru | or 6th mirror 12-14.
[0017]
A photosensitive member 16 is rotatably provided at an obliquely lower portion of the sixth mirror 14. Around the photosensitive drum 16, there are a charging device 17 for charging the photosensitive member 16 with a predetermined charge along its rotation direction, an erasing LED (light emitting element) 18 used for trimming, masking, frame erasing, and the like. A developing device 18 that develops toner by supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the body 16, a material to be transferred as a paper sheet fed from a paper cassette or the like to be described later, that is, a sheet on the photosensitive body 16. The transfer device 19 for transferring the toner image, the peeling device 20 for peeling the paper from the photoconductor 16, and the charge distribution of the photoconductor 16 are removed while the charge characteristics of the photoconductor 16 are returned to the initial state and the remaining toner is scraped off. Cleaning devices 22 are arranged in order.
[0018]
A built-in paper cassette 24 for supplying paper, for example, copy paper, OHP sheet, and the like toward the photoconductor 16 is inserted into the inner bottom of the apparatus main body 1, and corresponds to the upstream of the photoconductor 16 in the rotation direction. A feeding tray 25 for feeding sheets P having various sizes one by one is disposed at the right side of the photosensitive member 16 at the position where the sheet is to be fed.
[0019]
Between the photosensitive member 16 and the paper cassette 24, there are a paper feed roller 26 that pulls out the paper one by one from the cassette 24, a paper feed roller 27 that feeds the paper supplied from the feed tray 25, and a paper feed roller 26. The paper is fed from the upper and lower transport roller pairs 28 and 29 for feeding the paper drawn out to the photosensitive member 16, the pair of transport rollers 29 or the paper feed roller 27 toward the photosensitive member 16. And the inclination of the sheet is corrected, the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive member 16 is aligned with the leading edge of the sheet, and the sheet is moved at the same speed as the movement speed of the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member 16. A pair of registration rollers 31 for feeding is disposed.
[0020]
In addition, a conveyance device 33 that conveys a sheet on which the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 16 is transferred and toner is electrostatically attached to a position corresponding to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 16. The toner transferred onto the paper is melted by heating and is fixed on the paper, and the first and second discharge roller pairs 36 and 37 that discharge the paper on which the toner image is fixed to the outside of the apparatus. have. Disposed further to the left of the second discharge roller pair 37 is a discharge tray 38 for stocking sheets on which toner images discharged from the second discharge roller pair 37 are fixed.
[0021]
In addition, an automatic duplexer 41 is provided on the upper side of the sheet cassette 24.
The automatic double-side mechanism 41 functions as a switching gate 42 that switches the paper transport direction, a vertical guide 43 that guides the paper fed through the switching gate 42 in the vertical direction, and a first guide means that guides the paper in the horizontal direction. A horizontal guide 44, a U-turn guide 45 as second guide means, and a vertical guide 43 and transport rollers 43a, 44a,.
[0022]
Further, a stack unit 46 for collecting sheets is provided below the horizontal guide 44. In the stack unit 46, sheets are stacked on the stack unit 46, and a paper feed / stack roller 47 that feeds sheets from the stack unit 46, a pickup roller 48 that picks up sheets from the stack unit 46, and a tray 50 on which sheets are placed. Is arranged. A separation roller 49 that separates the sheets to be fed out one by one is in contact with the lower part of the sheet feeding / stacking roller 47.
[0023]
At the time of double-sided image formation, the switching gate 42 is rotated upward, the image is fixed on one side, and the sheet discharged from the fixing device 34 is guided into the automatic double-side device 41 by the switching gate 42. This sheet is fed to the sheet feed / stack roller 47 through the vertical guide 43, the horizontal guide 44, and the U-turn guide 45, and is fed from the sheet feed / stack roller 47 onto the tray 50 and stacked. At the time of stacking, the tray 50 descends to the arrow b side. The sheets stacked on the stack unit 46 are fed again. At this time, the tray 50 rises in the direction of the arrow c and comes into contact with the pickup roller 48. The paper is taken out by the rotation of the pickup roller 48, and this paper is sent out by the paper feed / stack roller 47. This sheet is fed in the inverted state to the image transfer section between the photosensitive member 16 and the transfer charger 19 via the conveying roller pair 29, the feeding path 30, and the registration roller 31, and the image is transferred to the other side. Is done. The sheet on which the image is transferred to the other side is sent to the fixing device 34 via the conveyance belt 33, and after the image is fixed here, it is sent to the conveyance roller 37 via the conveyance roller pair 36 and the switching gate 42. The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray 38.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a horizontal guide 44 as first guide means.
The horizontal guide 44 is provided with a lower guide plate 52 as a placement guide that guides the conveyance by placing the paper, and an upper portion as an opposing guide that is disposed to be opposed to the lower guide plate 52 so as to regulate the lifting of the paper. And a guide plate 51.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 3, first uneven portions 51a and 52a are formed on the paper carry-out side of the upper and lower guide plates 51 and 52, and a paper carry-in portion of the U-turn guide 45 as the second guide means. On the side, a second uneven portion 45a is formed. The concavo-convex portions 51a and 52a of the upper and lower guide plates 51 and 52 and the concavo-convex portions 51a and 52a of the U-turn guide 45 are fitted in a nested manner.
[0026]
The paper carry-out sides of the upper and lower guide plates 51 and 52 are rotatably attached to the apparatus main body 1 via rotation levers 55a and 55b as support means.
A lock lever 56 is rotatably attached to one side portion of the lower guide plate 52 as an engaging member constituting a restricting means via a support shaft 56A. The apparatus main body frame 1A is formed with a hooking portion 57 as a locked portion for releasably locking a hook portion 56a formed at the lower portion of the lock lever 56. The lock lever 56 is urged by a spring 58 as an urging member in a direction in which the hook portion 56 a is detached from the hook portion 57.
[0027]
On the other hand, a pressing projection 59 is formed on one side of the open end side of the upper guide plate 51 so as to press the upper surface of the lock lever 56 when the upper guide plate 51 is closed. . By this pressing, the lock lever 56 rotates about the support shaft 56A against the urging force of the spring 58, and the hook portion 56a is locked to the hook portion 57 to lock the lower guide plate 52. ing.
[0028]
FIG. 4 shows a state in which the paper P is jammed between the upper and lower guide plates 51 and 52 and the U-turn guide 45.
Next, a case where the jammed paper P is removed will be described.
[0029]
In this case, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper guide body 51 is opened upward, and the jammed paper P is removed.
At this time, even if an attempt is made to open the lower guide plate 52 without opening the upper guide plate 51, the hook portion 56a of the lock lever 56 of the lower guide plate 52 is locked to the hook portion 57 of the main body frame 1A. Since 52 is locked, the lower guide plate 52 cannot be opened.
[0030]
Therefore, when the paper is removed, the upper and lower guide plates 51 and 52 are not simultaneously rotated and opened as shown in FIG. The paper P does not enter the first and second uneven portions 51a, 52a, 45a where the U-turn guide 45 intersects.
[0031]
Therefore, no corrugation occurs in the paper P, and there is no possibility that the lower guide plate 52 is deformed by the waist of the paper P.
After the upper guide plate 51 is opened, the lock lever 56 of the lower guide plate 52 is rotated by the urging force of the spring 58, and the hook portion 56 a is detached from the hook portion 57. Thereby, the lower guide plate 52 is unlocked, and the lower guide 52 can be opened.
[0032]
After removing the jammed paper P, the upper guide plate 51 is closed again. When the upper guide plate 51 is closed, the upper surface portion of the lock lever 56 of the lower guide plate 52 is pressed by the pressing piece 59. By this pressing, the lock lever 56 is rotated against the urging force of the spring 58, and the hook portion 56a is engaged with the hook portion 57, so that the lower guide 52 is locked.
[0033]
6 and 7 show a transport guide device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the upper and lower guide plates 51 and 52 are supported by a front frame 61 and a stud 62 caulked on a rear frame (not shown) of the automatic duplexer. At least one of the front and rear studs 62 is an arbor of the spring clutch 63. The arbor 64 of the spring clutch 63 is also crimped to the fulcrum on the lower guide plate 52 side.
[0034]
A spring clutch 63 as an opening restricting means is interposed between an arbor 62 fixed to the frame 61 and an arbor 64 crimped to the lower guide plate 52. One arm of the spring clutch 63 is fitted in a groove 62 a of an arbor 62 that is crimped to the frame 61 as shown in FIG. 7, and the other arm is fitted in a groove 66 a of the clutch cover 66.
[0035]
In the case of FIG. 6, the spring clutch 63 is right-handed. Therefore, if the lower guide plate 52 is rotated in the direction of arrow F, the spring clutch 63 works in the tightening direction, and the movement of the lower guide plate 52 is stopped. I can't move.
[0036]
A protrusion 65 is provided in the vicinity of the arbor 64 of the lower guide plate 52, and a release lever 68 is provided in the vicinity of the protrusion 65 of the lower guide plate 52. The release lever 68 is configured to rotate about the rotation shaft 68a. A protrusion 66 a that is pressed by a release lever 68 is provided on the peripheral surface of the clutch cover 66.
[0037]
In order to rotate the lower guide plate 52, the upper guide plate 51 is opened, and the protrusion 65 attached to the upper guide plate 51 is brought into contact with the upper end portion of the release lever 68 having the rotation shaft 66 to release the release lever 68. The projection 66a of the clutch cover 66 is pushed at the lower end of the.
[0038]
Thereby, the tightening of the spring clutch 63 is released, and the lower guide plate 52 can be rotated.
Also in this embodiment, the user can remove the paper jam when the upper guide upper 51 is opened, and the lower guide plate 52 is not deformed.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention regulates the opening of the mounting guide of the first guide means and enables the mounting guide to be opened only when the opposing guide facing the mounting guide is opened. The placement guide and the opposing guide are not opened at the same time.
[0040]
Therefore, the placement guide is not opened while the conveyed product (image forming medium) is placed on the placement guide.
Therefore, there is no possibility that corrugation occurs due to the object to be transported (image forming medium) entering between the first and second concavo-convex portions of the first and second guide means fitted in a nested manner. There is an effect that the deformation of the guide can be surely prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of an electrophotographic copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing first and second guide means.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing first guide means.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state where a sheet is jammed between first and second guide units.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state where a lower guide plate is rotated in a state where a sheet is placed.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a conveyance guide device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a connection state between an arbor and a spring clutch.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body 16 ... Photoconductor (image carrier)
19 ... Transfer device (transfer means)
30 ... Feeding path (conveying means)
34. Fixing device (fixing means)
44 ... Horizontal guide (first guide means)
45 ... U-turn guide (second guide means)
51 ... Upper guide plate (opposite guide)
52 ... Lower guide plate (mounting guide)
56 ... Lock lever (locking member / opening restricting means)
57 ... Hook (locked member / opening restricting means)
58 ... Coil spring (biasing member / release means)
63 ... Spring clutch (opening restriction means)
65. Projection (release means)
66 ... clutch cover 68 ... release lever (release means)

Claims

A placing guide for placing the object to be conveyed and guiding the conveyance, and an opposing guide provided to be spaced apart and opposed to the placing guide and restricting the lifting of the object to be conveyed. First guide means comprising:
Second guide means having a second concavo-convex portion meshing with the first concavo-convex portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side, for carrying and guiding the object to be conveyed unloaded from the first guide means. When,
The placement guide and the opposing guide of the first guide means are supported to be openable and closable, respectively, and when the placement guide and the opposing guide are opened, the first concavo-convex portion intersects the second concavo-convex portion. A supporting means for moving to,
Opening restriction means for restricting the opening of the placement guide and releasing the opening restriction of the placement guide only when the opposing guide is opened;
A conveyance guide device comprising:

A placing guide for placing the object to be conveyed and guiding the conveyance, and an opposing guide provided to be spaced apart and opposed to the placing guide and restricting the lifting of the object to be conveyed. First guide means comprising:
Second guide means having a second uneven portion meshing with the first uneven portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side for carrying and guiding the object to be conveyed unloaded from the first guide means. When,
The placement guide and the opposing guide of the first guide means are supported to be openable and closable, respectively, and when the placement guide and the opposing guide are opened, the first concavo-convex portion intersects the second concavo-convex portion. A supporting means for moving to,
A locking member provided in the placement guide;
A locked portion that locks and holds the locking member detachably; and
Release means for releasing the locking of the placement guide by releasing the locking member from the locked portion when the opposing guide is opened;
A conveyance guide device comprising:

A placing guide for placing the object to be conveyed and guiding the conveyance, and an opposing guide provided to be spaced apart and opposed to the placing guide and restricting the lifting of the object to be conveyed. First guide means comprising:
Second guide means having a second concavo-convex portion meshing with the first concavo-convex portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side, for carrying and guiding the object to be conveyed unloaded from the first guide means. When,
The placement guide and the opposing guide of the first guide means are supported to be openable and closable, respectively, and when the placement guide and the opposing guide are opened, the first concavo-convex portion intersects the second concavo-convex portion. A supporting means for moving to,
A locking member provided rotatably on the placement guide;
A locked portion for locking and holding the locking member detachably when the opposed guide is closed;
An urging member for releasing the fixation of the placement guide by rotating the locking member by an urging force and releasing it from the locked portion when the opposing guide is opened;
A conveyance guide device comprising:

A placing guide for placing the object to be conveyed and guiding the conveyance, and an opposing guide provided to be spaced apart and opposed to the placing guide and restricting the lifting of the object to be conveyed. First guide means comprising:
Second guide means having a second concavo-convex portion meshing with the first concavo-convex portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side, for carrying and guiding the object to be conveyed unloaded from the first guide means. When,
The placement guide and the opposing guide of the first guide means are supported to be openable and closable, respectively, and when the placement guide and the opposing guide are opened, the first concavo-convex portion intersects the second concavo-convex portion. A supporting means for moving to,
An opening restricting means provided on the support means for restricting the opening of the placement guide;
Release means provided on the opposing guide and releasing the opening restriction of the placement guide by the opening restriction means at the time of opening;
A conveyance guide device comprising:

An image forming means for forming an image on the image carrier;
Transfer means for transferring an image formed by the image forming means to one side of the image forming medium;
Fixing means for fixing the image transferred by the transfer means;
A conveyance guide unit for guiding conveyance of the image forming medium carried out from the fixing unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying unit that conveys the image forming medium in an inverted state toward the transfer unit so as to transfer an image to the other side of the image forming medium guided by the conveying guide unit. ,
The transport guide means includes
The image forming medium includes a mounting guide that guides the conveyance of the image forming medium and an opposing guide that is provided to be spaced apart from the mounting guide and regulates the lifting of the image forming medium. First guide means having an uneven portion;
Second guide means having a second uneven portion meshing with the first uneven portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side for carrying and guiding the object to be conveyed unloaded from the first guide means. When,
The placement guide and the opposing guide of the first guide means are supported to be openable and closable, respectively, and when the placement guide and the opposing guide are opened, the first concavo-convex portion intersects the second concavo-convex portion. A supporting means for moving to,
Opening restriction means for restricting the opening of the placement guide and releasing the opening restriction of the placement guide only when the opposing guide is opened;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

An image forming means for forming an image on the image carrier;
Transfer means for transferring an image formed by the image forming means to one side of the image forming medium;
Fixing means for fixing the image transferred by the transfer means;
A conveyance guide unit for guiding conveyance of the image forming medium carried out from the fixing unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying unit that conveys the image forming medium in an inverted state toward the transfer unit so as to transfer an image to the other side of the image forming medium guided by the conveying guide unit. ,
The transport guide means includes
The image forming medium includes a mounting guide that guides the conveyance of the image forming medium and an opposing guide that is provided to be spaced apart from the mounting guide and regulates the lifting of the image forming medium. First guide means having an uneven portion;
Second guide means having a second concavo-convex portion meshing with the first concavo-convex portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side, for carrying and guiding the object to be conveyed unloaded from the first guide means. When,
The placement guide and the opposing guide of the first guide means are supported to be openable and closable, respectively, and when the placement guide and the opposing guide are opened, the first concavo-convex portion intersects the second concavo-convex portion. A supporting means for moving to,
A locking member provided in the placement guide;
A locked portion that locks and holds the locking member detachably; and
Release means for releasing the locking of the placement guide by releasing the locking member from the locked portion when the opposing guide is opened;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

An image forming means for forming an image on the image carrier;
Transfer means for transferring an image formed by the image forming means to one side of the image forming medium;
Fixing means for fixing the image transferred by the transfer means;
A conveyance guide unit for guiding conveyance of the image forming medium carried out from the fixing unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying unit that conveys the image forming medium in an inverted state toward the transfer unit so as to transfer an image to the other side of the image forming medium guided by the conveying guide unit. ,
The transport guide means includes
The image forming medium includes a mounting guide that guides the conveyance of the image forming medium and an opposing guide that is provided to be spaced apart from the mounting guide and regulates the lifting of the image forming medium. First guide means having an uneven portion;
Second guide means having a second concavo-convex portion meshing with the first concavo-convex portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side, for carrying and guiding the object to be conveyed unloaded from the first guide means. When,
The placement guide and the opposing guide of the first guide means are supported to be openable and closable, respectively, and when the placement guide and the opposing guide are opened, the first concavo-convex portion intersects the second concavo-convex portion. A supporting means for moving to,
A locking member provided rotatably on the placement guide;
A locked portion that locks and holds the locking member detachably when the opposing guide is closed; and
An urging member for releasing the fixation of the placement guide by rotating the locking member by an urging force and releasing it from the locked portion when the opposing guide is opened;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

An image forming means for forming an image on the image carrier;
Transfer means for transferring an image formed by the image forming means to one side of the image forming medium;
Fixing means for fixing the image transferred by the transfer means;
A conveyance guide unit for guiding conveyance of the image forming medium carried out from the fixing unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying unit that conveys the image forming medium in an inverted state toward the transfer unit so as to transfer an image to the other side of the image forming medium guided by the conveying guide unit. ,
The transport guide means includes
The image forming medium includes a mounting guide that guides the conveyance of the image forming medium and an opposing guide that is provided to be spaced apart from the mounting guide and regulates the lifting of the image forming medium. First guide means having an uneven portion;
Second guide means having a second concavo-convex portion meshing with the first concavo-convex portion of the first guide means on the carry-in side, for carrying and guiding the object to be conveyed unloaded from the first guide means. When,
The placement guide and the opposing guide of the first guide means are supported to be openable and closable, respectively, and when the placement guide and the opposing guide are opened, the first concavo-convex portion intersects the second concavo-convex portion. A supporting means for moving to,
An opening restricting means provided on the support means for restricting the opening of the placement guide;
Release means provided on the opposing guide and releasing the opening restriction of the placement guide by the opening restriction means at the time of opening;
An image forming apparatus comprising: