JP4309211B2 - Carrying handle and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport handle for transporting equipment and an image forming apparatus including the transport handle, and in particular, a transport handle configured to be stored in the apparatus main body and protrude from the side surface of the apparatus main body when used, and an image including the transport handle. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus (printing apparatus, image communication apparatus, copying machine, etc.), the building is not equipped with an elevator, so the image forming apparatus must be transported by stairs, for convenience, etc. Some have a handle.

  In this type of transport handle, it can be conveniently stored in the apparatus main body and protrudes from the side surface of the apparatus main body when in use. (See FIG. 7 of Patent Document 1) which causes the grip body to be in a use state, and while the handle main body is spring-biased toward the storage position, the device is lifted while being held in the use position by a lock mechanism In addition, there is known a configuration in which the handle main body is prevented from being displaced (see Patent Document 1 FIGS. 3 and 5).

Moreover, as a shape of a handle, what shape | molded the steel plate in the substantially U-shaped cross section and the thing of a round bar shape are known (refer patent document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-258969 (FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 7)

  However, the conventional technology is configured such that when the hand is released from the handle, the locked state is easily released and the handle is automatically returned to the retracted state. When the device is released, there is a problem in that it takes time to pull out the handle again when the device is lifted, and the workability is lowered.

  In addition, when the handle main body is formed by simply forming a steel plate into a substantially U-shaped cross section as in the prior art, the upper edge portion abuts on the apparatus main body side member when the apparatus is lifted. As a result, the stress due to the load of the apparatus is concentrated, and there is a disadvantage that plastic deformation of the handle main body or members on the apparatus main body side is caused. Furthermore, in the handle body having a substantially U-shaped cross section, since the upper edge portion bites into the hand, there is a sense of incongruity when gripped, and it is difficult to apply force.

  The present invention has been devised to solve such problems of the prior art, and its main purpose is that the locked state in which the handle body is held in the use position can be easily released during operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transport handle configured so as to prevent the occurrence of the problem and an image forming apparatus including the handle. Furthermore, the present invention is excellent in operability when a handle main body that can be stored in and out of the apparatus main body is taken in and out, and does not cause large plastic deformation in the constituent members, and further improves workability with a shape that is easy to fit in the hand. It is to be configured to be able to.

In order to achieve such an object, according to the present invention, as shown in claim 1, the use position and the storage position, which are held by a guide member fixed on the apparatus main body side and project laterally from the side surface of the apparatus main body, are provided. A rod-shaped handle body that can be inserted and removed between the device body and a handle body that is engaged with a member on the apparatus body side and that can be moved back and forth between a lock position that restricts movement of the handle body in the retracted direction and a release position. Te and a stopper which is always biased in the locked position by spring means, an operation portion provided in the stopper and capable of storing the handle body by releasing operation against the biasing force of said spring means The operation portion of the stopper is disposed in a portion of the handle main body adjacent to the apparatus main body, and is provided so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the handle main body at the stopper locking position. And to move the stopper to the release position by the operation of depressing.

  According to this, since the release operation of the operation part for releasing the locked state of the stopper is intentionally performed against the biasing force of the spring means, the locked state of the stopper is easily released during work. You can avoid that.

  In addition, the stopper can be automatically moved to the locked position by the biasing force of the spring means when the handle body is pulled out to the use position, and the operator simply pulls out the handle when using the handle. Since the carrying work can be started immediately, workability can be improved.

Furthermore, unlocking can be performed by simply operating the operation portion of the stopper . In addition, since the operation part of the stopper is located in the vicinity of the device body, the fingers are not touched during normal gripping operations during transportation work, and the upwards applied to the handle to lift the device during transportation work Since the unlocking is performed by a downward operation opposite to the force of, it is possible to avoid an accidental unlocking operation during the transporting operation.

  In this case, if the operation portion is provided in the vicinity of the engaging portion that contacts the member on the apparatus main body side and locks the handle in the stopper, the operation portion can be conveniently disposed in a portion close to the apparatus main body. .

Further, as shown in claim 2 , in claim 1, the stopper can be configured to be provided in the handle body so as to be rotatable about a support shaft. According to this, it is possible to smoothly and reliably perform the advance / retreat operation between the lock position and the release position of the stopper with a simple configuration.

Further, as shown in claim 3 , in claim 1, the handle main body may have a protruding portion on the lower surface side of the tip portion. According to this, the operation of pulling out the handle body is facilitated by putting the finger on the protruding portion at the storage position of the handle main body, and further, the protruding portion functions as a non-slip at the time of carrying work, thereby improving workability. be able to.

Furthermore, as shown in claim 4 , a rod-shaped handle body that is held by a guide member fixed on the apparatus body side and protrudes laterally from the side surface of the apparatus body and that can be taken in and out between the storage position, and the apparatus body A stopper which is provided on the handle body and is always urged to the lock position by a spring means so as to be able to advance and retreat between a lock position and a release position for engaging the member on the side and restricting the movement of the handle body in the retracted direction. The handle main body can be stored by releasing the operation portion provided on the stopper against the biasing force of the spring means, and the handle main body has an open portion on the upper surface side. It has a metal outer member having a substantially U-shaped cross section and a synthetic resin inner member holding the stopper, and the stopper can be moved forward and backward in the open portion of the outer member. . According to this, since the release operation of the operation part for releasing the locked state of the stopper is intentionally performed against the biasing force of the spring means, the locked state of the stopper is easily released during work. You can avoid that. In addition, the stopper can be automatically moved to the locked position by the biasing force of the spring means when the handle body is pulled out to the use position, and the operator simply pulls out the handle when using the handle. Since the carrying work can be started immediately, workability can be improved. Moreover, high rigidity is securable by the double structure of an outer member and an inner member. In addition, processing such as opening an opening in the outer member for the advance / retreat operation of the stopper is not necessary, reducing manufacturing costs and flattening the lower surface of the outer member, making it easier to apply force during lifting. Therefore, workability can be improved.

Furthermore, as shown in claim 5 , in claim 4, the outer member includes an inward flange portion that covers the upper surface of the inner member, and the inner member is inserted and assembled from an open portion on the end surface side of the outer member. The possible configuration can be taken. According to this, assemblability can be improved and the rigidity of the handle can be increased. In addition, when the carrying handle is lifted, the upper flange portion comes into contact with the device-side member, and the load on the device is distributed over a wide range, so that plastic deformation of the handle body and the device-side member is suppressed. Can do. In addition, since there is no edge portion that bites deeply into the hand when gripped, there is no sense of incongruity when gripping, and it is easy to apply force, so workability can be improved.

Further, as shown in claim 6 , in claim 5, the inner member may have a configuration in which a protrusion extending along the edge of the flange portion of the outer member is provided on the upper surface. According to this, since the burr | flash produced in the edge part of a flange part by shaping | molding of an outer member is covered with the protrusion of an inner member, the burr removal process becomes unnecessary.

As further shown in claim 7, in claim 4, wherein the inner member has a box shape for accommodating the stopper, it is possible to adopt a configuration provided ribs for reinforcement on the inside. According to this, the assembling property of the stopper is improved, and the rigidity of the handle can be further increased by increasing the rigidity of the inner member.

Furthermore, as shown in claim 8 , in claim 4, the inner member is made of polystyrene (PS), and the support member for supporting the stopper can be made of polyoxymethylene (POM). According to this, it is possible to reduce the weight of the handle body by using low specific gravity polystyrene, and it is possible to reduce the wear of the support member by the stopper that moves forward and backward by using polyoxymethylene having excellent wear resistance.

Furthermore, as shown in claim 10 , in claim 9, the member provided on the apparatus main body side is provided with a hole for engaging the locking claw provided on the stopper and holding the stopper in the locked position. Can take. According to this, when retracting the handle, it is necessary to pull out the handle once and disengage the stopper claw from the hole on the device body side, and unlock the stopper due to vibration during transportation work. Can also be avoided, so that the effect of preventing the unlocking during the transportation operation can be further enhanced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the release operation of the operation portion for releasing the stopper locked state is intentionally performed against the urging force of the spring means, the stopper locked state is maintained during the operation. Since it is possible to avoid being easily released, there is no need to pull out the handle many times during transportation work, and a great effect can be obtained in improving workability.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire image forming apparatus according to the present invention. This image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording sheet by electrophotography based on image data received via a predetermined interface, and a paper feed cassette 2 that accommodates the recording sheet in the lower part of the apparatus main body 1. And a paper discharge tray 3 on which the recording paper on which image formation has been completed is discharged.

  In this image forming apparatus, the side on which the paper feeding cassette 2 is inserted and removed is the front surface of the apparatus main body 1, and a pair of grips 5 are provided at relatively lower portions of the side surfaces 4 on both sides. The two transporters facing each other hold the handle 5 with their left and right hands and lift the grip 5 to carry it.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a handle stored state in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. The handle 5 can be taken in and out between the use position and the storage position shown in FIG. 1, and the front end surface 6 of the handle 5 is substantially flush with the side surface 4 of the apparatus main body 1 at the storage position of the handle 5. Become.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the handle shown in FIG. 1 in detail. The handle 5 is a rod-like shape that is held between upper and lower brackets (guide members) 11 and 12 fixed on the apparatus main body 1 side and protrudes laterally from the side surface 4 of the apparatus main body 1 between a use position and a storage position. The handle main body 13 and the frame body 14 on the apparatus main body 1 side are provided on the handle main body 13 so as to be movable back and forth between a lock position and a release position that restrict the movement of the handle main body 13 in the storage direction. A stopper 16 that is constantly urged to a locked position by a coil spring (spring means) 15, and a release operation of the operation portion 17 provided on the stopper 16 against the urging force of the coil spring 15. The handle body 13 can be stored.

  The handle body 13 is held by the brackets 11 and 12 so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction thereof. The handle body 13 is provided with appropriate means for defining the position when the handle body 13 is pulled out so as not to be detached from the brackets 11 and 12 on the apparatus body 1 side. It is also possible to provide spring means for urging the handle body 13 toward the storage position. In this case, for example, one end is connected to the handle body 13 and the other end is connected to a frame material on the apparatus body 1 side. What is necessary is just to provide the made coil spring.

  The stopper 16 is provided on the handle main body 13 so as to be rotatable about the support shaft 18, and the engaging portion 22 located obliquely above the support shaft 18 abuts against the frame material 14, thereby The movement in the storage direction is restricted. In the vicinity of the engaging portion 22, there is provided a locking claw portion 19 that engages with the frame material 14 so as to protrude from the operation portion 17 toward the device main body 1, and the frame material 14 on the device main body 1 side is provided. Is provided with a hole 20 for engaging the locking claw 19 of the stopper 16 to hold the stopper 16 in the locked position. On the other hand, on the side opposite to the engaging portion 22 across the support shaft 18, the stopper 16 is defined at an angular position where the locking claw portion 19 is regulated by the handle main body 13 and aligned with the hole 20 on the apparatus main body 1 side. A positioning part 21 is provided.

  The operation portion 17 of the stopper 16 is disposed in a portion close to the apparatus main body 1 that is not touched by a finger during a normal gripping operation during transportation work, and is provided so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the handle main body 13. When the operation unit 17 is pushed downward, the stopper 16 rotates and the operation unit 17, the engagement unit 22, and the locking claw unit 19 are immersed in the handle body 13. The operation part 17 can be pushed down by slightly pulling the handle body 13 and pulling the locking claw part 19 of the stopper 16 from the hole 20 on the apparatus body 1 side.

  4 and 5 are side views showing the situation when the handle shown in FIG. 3 is taken in and out. 4A shows the use state of the handle 5, FIG. 5B shows the storage state of the handle 5, and FIGS. 4B and 5A show the intermediate state. When the handle 5 is retracted from the use state shown in FIG. 4A, the operating portion 17 of the stopper 16 is pushed down with the handle body 13 slightly pulled out as shown in FIG. The operation portion 17, the engagement portion 22, and the locking claw portion 19 are immersed in the handle body 13 so as to pass through the opening 31 provided in the frame material 14 on the main body 1 side, and then the handle 5 is Just push it in.

  The guide portions 33 and 34 of the upper and lower brackets 11 and 12 are arranged at an interval corresponding to the vertical dimension of the handle body 13 so that the handle body 13 can be smoothly slid and no large rattling occurs. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the handle body 13 is pushed into the storage position, the operation portion 17, the engagement portion 22, and the locking claw portion 19 are brought into a state of being depressed by the guide portion 33. As shown in FIG. 5 (A), the operating portion 17 that protrudes from the upper surface of the handle body 13, the engaging portion 22 and the locking claw portion 19 are smoothly moved. An inclined portion 35 for immersion is provided in the upper bracket 11.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, when pulling out the handle 5 from the retracted position toward the use position, the handle body 13 is placed by placing a finger on the protruding portion 37 provided on the lower surface side of the distal end portion of the handle body 13. Can be pulled out easily. The distal end surface 6 of the handle body 13 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the cover member 38 that covers the frame material 14 on the apparatus body 1 side in the retracted state, but a recess 39 is provided around the opening 31 of the frame material 14. Therefore, a finger can be put on the protrusion 37 of the handle body 13.

  When the handle 16 is pulled out from the retracted position, the stopper 16 once protrudes when it is separated from the guide portions 33 and 34 of the brackets 11 and 12 as shown in FIG. In order to form an inclined shape, it is re-immersed while passing through the opening 31 of the frame material 14 while being regulated by the peripheral edge of the opening 31 of the frame material 14 in accordance with the pulling of the handle 5. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, the projection 16 returns to the protruding state when it exits the opening 31, and the stopper 16 is defined at an angular position that aligns with the hole 20 of the frame material 14 by the positioning portion 21 of the stopper 16. Therefore, the locked claw portion 19 of the stopper 16 can be brought into a locked state in which it can be fitted into the hole portion 20 without performing a special operation. Thus, when using the handle 5, the operator only needs to pull out the handle 5, and can immediately start carrying work.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the handle shown in FIG. The handle main body 13 includes a metal outer member 42 having a substantially U-shaped cross section with an open portion 41 disposed on the upper surface side, and an inner member 43 made of a synthetic resin that holds the stopper 16. The part 17, the engaging part 22, and the locking claw part 19 are adapted to move in and out at the opening part 41 of the outer member 42. The outer member 42 is obtained by bending a steel plate after cutting it into a predetermined shape.

  The outer member 42 includes a bottom wall portion 51, side wall portions 52 and 53, and flange portions 55 and 56 that extend inward from the upper ends of the side wall portions 52 and 53 and partially cover the upper surface of the inner member 43. The inner member 43 can be inserted and assembled from the opening 46 located on the end surface side in the longitudinal direction of the outer member 42. The outer member 42 and the inner member 43 are fastened by screws 57 in the vicinity of the protruding portion 37 at the tip (see FIG. 3), thereby preventing the inner member 43 from coming out of the outer member 42.

  The inner member 43 is provided with a protrusion 48 extending on the upper surface of the outer member 42 at a position along the edge of the flange portions 55 and 56 on the upper surface, and the edge of the flange portions 55 and 56 when the outer member 42 is stamped. Since the burr generated in the portion is covered with the protrusions 48 of the inner member 43 in a state where the outer member 42 and the inner member 43 are assembled, the burr removing step is not necessary.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the inner member shown in FIG. 6 and the components housed therein. The inner member 43 has a box shape that accommodates the stopper 16, the support member 61 that supports the stopper 16, and the coil spring 15. Except for the accommodating portion 62 that accommodates these components, a rib 63 for reinforcement is provided inside. Is provided. The rib 63 is provided in such a manner that the side wall portions 64 and 65 on both sides are connected to each other over substantially the entire depth direction. The inner member 43 is made of a relatively inexpensive and lightweight polystyrene resin, and can be obtained by injection molding.

  The stopper 16 has a substantially U-shaped cross section formed by the operation portion 17 and the side wall portions 67 and 68 on both sides thereof, and is obtained by bending a steel plate after cutting it into a predetermined shape. The portions of the side wall portions 67 and 68 close to the locking claw portion 19 are engaging portions 22 that come into contact with the frame material 14 on the apparatus main body 1 side to lock the handle 5. A bearing hole 69 into which the support shaft 18 of the support member 61 is fitted is formed in the side wall portions 67 and 68 on both sides. The bearing hole 69 is subjected to a burring process to facilitate the rotation of the stopper 16. It has been subjected.

  The support member 61 includes a pair of support shaft forming portions 71 and 72 provided with support shafts 18 on opposite outer surfaces, a spring holding portion 74 provided with a positioning projection 73 of the coil spring 15, and these integrally. And a base 75 to be joined. The support member 61 is made of a polyoxymethylene resin having excellent wear resistance and can be obtained by injection molding. The pair of support shaft forming portions 71 and 72 can be expanded and contracted, and the stopper 16 can be easily assembled by bending the support shaft forming portions 71 and 72 inward.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the inner member shown in FIG. The bottom wall 81 of the inner member 43 is provided with an opening 82 for allowing the operating portion 17 of the stopper 16 and the engaging portion 22 and the locking claw portion 19 to move in and out. Further, on the inner surface of the bottom wall 81 of the inner member 43, a base portion 75 of the support member 61 and a protruding portion 86 that fits between the pair of support shaft forming portions 71 and 72 are formed. Further, the accommodating portion 62 of the inner member 43 is formed with a protrusion 84 in the depth direction on the inner surfaces of the side wall portions 64 and 65, whereby the support member 61 is positioned in the handle width direction, A groove portion into which the wide portion 76 (see FIG. 7) formed in the base portion 75 of the support member 61 is fitted is formed by the ridge portion 84 on the surface 6 side, thereby positioning the support member 61 in the handle longitudinal direction. Is called.

  Therefore, at the time of assembly, the support member 61 on which the stopper 16 and the coil spring 15 are mounted may be inserted into the inner member 43, and the removal of the support member 61 from the inner member 43 is engaged with the inner member 43. The outer member 42 is regulated by the outer member 42 and finally screwed with only the screw 57 that fastens the outer member 42 and the inner member 43, and can be easily assembled with less man-hours.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing in detail the situation at the use position of the handle shown in FIG. When the handle body 13 is gripped at the use position of the handle 5 and the apparatus is lifted, one end of the handle body 13 is supported by the upper and lower brackets 11 and 12 (see FIG. 3), and the opening of the frame member 14 on the apparatus body 1 side. The flange portions 55 and 56 formed on the upper surface of the outer member 42 come into contact with the edge portion of the outer member 42. At this time, the load of the apparatus is distributed over a wide range by the flange portions 55 and 56. And the deformation | transformation of the frame material 14 by the side of an apparatus main body can be suppressed. Moreover, the protrusion part 37 provided in the lower surface side of the front-end | tip part of the inner side member 43 functions as a slip stopper, and can improve workability | operativity.

  The carrying handle according to the present invention and the image forming apparatus equipped with the carrying handle have a great effect in improving workability during carrying work because the labor of pulling out the handle many times during carrying work is not required. The present invention is useful as a transport handle having a configuration that can be stored in the apparatus main body and protrudes from the side surface of the apparatus main body when used, and an image forming apparatus including the handle.

1 is a perspective view showing an entire image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a handle storage state in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. Sectional drawing which shows the handle shown in FIG. 1 in detail The side view which shows the condition at the time of taking in and out of the handle shown in FIG. The side view which shows the condition at the time of taking in and out of the handle shown in FIG. The perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the handle shown in FIG. The perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the inner member shown in FIG. 6, and the components accommodated in this. The perspective view which shows the inner member shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows in detail the condition in the use position of the handle shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Device body 5 Handles 11 and 12 Bracket (guide member)
13 Handle body 14 Frame material 16 Stopper 17 Operation portion 18 Support shaft 19 Locking claw portion 20 Hole portion 22 Engagement portion 31 Opening 37 Projection portion 41 Upper surface opening portion 42 Outer member 43 Inner member 46 End surface opening portion 48 56 Flange part 61 Support member 63 Rib

Claims (10)

A rod-shaped handle main body which is held by a guide member fixed on the apparatus main body side and protrudes sideways from the side surface of the apparatus main body and can be taken in and out between the storage position and a member on the apparatus main body side. A stopper that is provided on the handle body so as to be movable back and forth between a lock position that restricts movement of the handle body in the storage direction and a release position, and is constantly biased to the lock position by a spring means;
The handle main body can be stored by releasing the operation portion provided on the stopper against the urging force of the spring means.
The operation portion of the stopper is disposed in a portion of the handle main body adjacent to the apparatus main body and is provided so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the handle main body at the stopper locking position. A transport handle characterized in that is moved to a release position.   The transport handle according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is provided on the handle main body so as to be rotatable about a support shaft.   The said handle main body has a protrusion part in the lower surface side of a front-end | tip part, The handle for conveyance of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. A rod-shaped handle main body which is held by a guide member fixed on the apparatus main body side and protrudes sideways from the side surface of the apparatus main body and can be taken in and out between the storage position and a member on the apparatus main body side. A stopper that is provided on the handle body so as to be movable back and forth between a lock position that restricts movement of the handle body in the storage direction and a release position, and is constantly biased to the lock position by a spring means;
The handle main body can be stored by releasing the operation portion provided on the stopper against the urging force of the spring means.
The handle main body has a metal outer member having a substantially U-shaped cross-section with an open portion on the upper surface side, and a synthetic resin inner member holding the stopper, and the stopper is the outer member. A carrying handle characterized in that it moves forward and backward in the opening part of the bag. It said outer member, according to claim 4, characterized in that said comprises an inward flange portion covering the upper surface of the inner member, and allows the assembly by inserting the inner member from the open portion of the end surface of the outer member Handle for transportation. The transport handle according to claim 5 , wherein the inner member is provided with a protrusion on an upper surface thereof along an edge portion of the flange portion of the outer member. The transport handle according to claim 4 , wherein the inner member has a box shape that accommodates the stopper, and a rib for reinforcement is provided inside. The transport handle according to claim 4 , wherein the inner member is made of polystyrene, and the support member that supports the stopper is made of polyoxymethylene. An image forming apparatus comprising the carrying handle according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the member on the apparatus main body side is provided with a hole portion into which a latching claw portion provided in the stopper is fitted to hold the stopper in a locked position.

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