JP4456960B2 - Paper stacking apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus having a sheet stacking apparatus and its paper feed apparatus example Bei a member for positioning loading the paper.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing apparatuses such as stencil printing apparatuses, and image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles use sheets used for image formation or sheet stacking apparatuses that stack used sheets.
A paper stacking device that stacks paper used for image formation includes a paper feeding device, and a paper stacking device that stacks paper used for image formation includes a paper discharge device. It is important to align the loaded paper. If the stacked sheets are not aligned, for example, in the sheet feeding device, there is a problem that a jam occurs due to a sheet feeding failure such as skew, and in the sheet ejection device, the user must align the sheets. It is because there is a problem in usability.
Therefore, for the purpose of aligning sheets in the sheet stacking device, for example, as described in [Patent Document 1] to [Patent Document 5], a technique related to a side fence having a sheet aligning function has been proposed. .

JP-A 63-208438 Registered Utility Model No. 2574335 JP 2000-344356 A JP 2000-53254 A Registered Utility Model No. 2558526

However, any of these techniques has a problem that the sheets are not sufficiently aligned. In particular, there is a problem in paper alignment when, for example, 3000 sheets or more are stacked.
That is, in the case of a paper feeder, in order to load 3000 sheets at a time, it is necessary to carry out a stacking operation in several times. For example, when a sheet of paper sold is 500 sheets, 3000 sheets It is necessary to load 6 times to load the paper, and even if the sold paper is 1000 sheets per bag, it is necessary to load the paper 3 times. Due to its own weight, it is difficult to align the sheets by the side fence.

  Also, in the case of the paper discharge device, even if the paper is aligned using the side fence, depending on the size, type, and weight of the paper, there is still a deviation of about 2 mm or more in the paper width direction. Therefore, especially when a large number of sheets of 3000 sheets or more are stacked, the sheet shift cannot be ignored.

  Furthermore, in recent years, image formation on both sides has been increasingly performed, and in order to perform image formation on both sides, after forming an image on one side of the paper, the discharged paper is fed again. When performing image formation on the other side, it is necessary to stack the paper ejected by the paper ejection device on the paper feeding device, and in particular, a large amount of 3000 sheets or more are loaded on the paper feeding device. 21 needs to repeat the reloading operation from the paper discharge device to the paper supply device many times, and since the sheets stacked on the paper discharge device are misaligned as described above, FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the irregularity of the paper P becomes noticeable. Such a problem is an unavoidable important problem in the present day when not only workers dedicated to the printing press but also general users who are not familiar with the printing work often carry out the paper stacking work.

  These problems will be described with respect to the techniques of the above [Patent Document 1] to [Patent Document 5]. In [Patent Document 1] to [Patent Document 3], a large amount of sheets are placed in the state shown in FIG. In such a case, if the side fence 94 tries to align it, the paper in the portion pressed by the side fence 94 will be bent or bent. Also, in [Patent Document 4] and [Patent Document 5], it is not possible to align the sheets forcibly, and in addition, the mechanism is complicated, the number of parts is large, and there is a problem of being uneconomical. is there.

That is, the above-described problems cannot be solved by any of the techniques described in [Patent Document 1] to [Patent Document 5].
Therefore, the conventional paper stacking device cannot sufficiently align the paper. In particular, in the paper feeding device, when paper is not aligned and the paper feeding position is not stabilized, the paper feeding is performed as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 22 or as indicated by a two-dot chain line, a gap is formed between the side edge of the paper P and the side fence 94. Therefore, as shown by the solid line in FIG. The problem is that the problem is that jamming occurs due to a paper defect, which causes a situation in which the image forming operation must be stopped.

The present invention provides a sheet stacking apparatus such as the sheet feeding apparatus example Bei better performing members positioned loading the paper, in particular, sheet stacking having such mechanism parts is excellent in less economically simple An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus such as an apparatus and a printing apparatus having the apparatus.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is configured such that a stacking member for stacking sheets and a side edge of at least the uppermost sheet among the sheets stacked on the stacking member are engaged with each other. A paper positioning member for positioning a position at a predetermined position, and a paper positioning member that engages with a side edge of the paper to be fed out by only its own weight and positions the paper at a predetermined position, and the paper positioning member And a predetermined member that slidably supports the paper positioning member, the paper positioning member facing the paper of the predetermined member An engagement portion that is located on the paper side relative to the opposing portion and engageable with the paper, and engaging the predetermined member, so that the engaging portion is closer to the paper side than the opposing portion by a predetermined amount or more. No. to regulate And a second restricting portion for restricting the amount of perturbation caused when the engaging portion engages with the paper by engaging with the predetermined member. Of the side fences that can be engaged with the side edges of the paper and can align the side edges of the paper. A side fence occupying a position, and the side fence and the paper positioning member are disposed symmetrically with respect to each side edge of the paper, and the paper positioning member includes the engagement portion and the first restriction portion. A fulcrum having a second restricting portion integrally and the side fence supporting the paper positioning member so as to be slidable is a position above the uppermost paper and on the paper side from the facing portion, Paper entry / exit section in the paper movement direction; In sheet stacking device which is arranged in the side position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the paper stacking apparatus according to the first aspect , the weight for adjusting the weight of the paper positioning member is detachable .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the paper stacking apparatus according to the first or second aspect , the paper positioning member is detachable from an adjustment member for adjusting a position where the paper should be positioned .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the paper stacking apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the sheet stacking device further includes a driving unit that moves the stacking member up and down, and the engaging portion is located on the upper side. It has a gradually increasing part in which the amount approaching the paper side from the facing part gradually increases .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the paper stacking apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a plurality of the side fences that slidably support the paper positioning member are provided along a movement direction of the paper. Among the provided side fences, the smallest paper among the paper sizes to be placed on the stacking member is disposed so as to occupy the position farthest from the paper entrance / exit in the paper movement direction. It is characterized by that .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the paper stacking apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the paper positioning member is formed by punching a sheet metal and bending a part thereof, thereby forming a first restricting portion and a first one. The second restriction portion is formed .

A seventh aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having the paper stacking apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects .

The present invention relates to a stacking member for stacking sheets, and a sheet positioning member for engaging at least a side edge of the uppermost sheet among the sheets stacked on the stacking member to position the sheet at a predetermined position. The sheet positioning member that engages with the side edge of the sheet to be sent out only by its own weight and positions the position of the sheet at a predetermined position, and the side edge of the sheet positioned by the sheet positioning member. And a predetermined member that slidably supports the paper positioning member. The paper positioning member is positioned on the paper side with respect to the facing portion of the predetermined member facing the paper, and is associated with the paper. A first restricting portion for restricting the engaging portion from approaching a predetermined amount or more closer to the paper side than the opposing portion by engaging with the predetermined member; Engage with predetermined members And a second restricting portion for restricting the amount of perturbation caused when the engaging portion engages with the paper, and the predetermined member is engageable with a side edge of the paper, Among the side fences provided in a plurality of side fences that can align the side edges, the side fence occupies the position farthest from the paper entry / exit portion in the movement direction, and the side fence and the paper A positioning member is disposed symmetrically with respect to each side edge of the paper, and the paper positioning member integrally includes the engaging portion, the first restricting portion, and the second restricting portion, and the side fence. The fulcrum supporting the paper positioning member in a slidable manner is positioned above the uppermost paper and on the paper side relative to the facing portion, on the side opposite to the paper entry / exit portion in the paper movement direction. there the sheet stacking apparatus which is disposed at a position , It is possible to prevent the fulcrum from interfering with the sheet, the side fences occupying the farthest from and out of the paper in the moving direction of the sheet of side fences that are usually provided in the sheet stacking apparatus in a manner opposite to the paper By using a paper positioning member that can be slidably supported, the positioning member can be used as a side edge that is effective for positioning at least one side of the paper. In this case, the self-weight of the paper positioning member can be effectively used for paper positioning, and the protrusion amount of the engaging portion from the predetermined member is regulated to a predetermined amount. It is possible to prevent excessive interference with the paper at the joint, and the loaded paper can be positioned better and more effectively without causing the paper to be bent . It is possible to prevent the paper positioning member from rotating excessively due to the engagement with the paper, and with regard to paper feed, jamming due to paper feed failure such as skew can be prevented, and the image forming operation can be continuously performed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sheet stacking apparatus that can perform the sheet alignment well and can be easily used by the user.

If the weight for adjusting its own weight is detachable, the fulcrum can be prevented from interfering with the paper, and the side of the side fence that is usually provided in the paper stacking device in a manner facing the paper can be used. By using a side fence that occupies the position farthest from the paper entry / exit in the moving direction, and supporting the paper positioning member in a swingable manner, the positioning member has a simple configuration with few parts and is economically superior . At least one of the sheets is reliably engaged with the side edge that is effective for positioning. At this time, the weight of the sheet positioning member can be effectively used for positioning the sheet, by defining the amount of protrusion of the member to a predetermined amount, it is possible to prevent excessive interference to the sheet of the engagement portion, the positioning of the various sheets were stacked, resulting bending or the like of the paper Better and more effectively can be performed without, also it is possible to prevent the sheet positioning member is excessively rotated by engagement with the sheet to prevent jams due to paper feed failure of skew with respect to the paper feed, Since the image forming operation can be continuously performed, the reliability of the user is high, and it is possible to provide a paper stacking apparatus that can perform the paper alignment well for the paper discharge and the user can use easily.

If the adjustment member for adjusting the position where the paper should be positioned is detachable, the fulcrum can be prevented from interfering with the paper, and is normally provided in the paper stacking device in a manner facing the paper. By using the side fence that occupies the farthest position from the paper entry / exit part in the paper movement direction, the paper positioning member is slidably supported, and it is simple and has few parts and is economically superior. Thus, the positioning member can be reliably engaged with at least one side edge of the sheet that is effective for positioning, and the weight of the sheet positioning member can be effectively used for positioning the sheet. the engagement portion, the protruding amount from the predetermined member by defining a predetermined amount, it is possible to prevent excessive interference to the sheet of the engagement portion, aligning the paper states and paper type Depending on the positioning of the loading the paper, the paper bending, etc. can be performed better and more effectively without causing a and the paper positioning member can be prevented from being excessively rotated by the engagement of the sheet As for paper feeding, jamming due to paper feeding failure such as skew can be prevented and image forming work can be continued, so the user's reliability is high, and paper alignment can be done well for paper ejection. It is possible to provide a paper stacking apparatus that is convenient for the user.

If there is a drive means that moves the stacking member up and down, and the engaging part has a gradually increasing part whose upper part approaches the paper side from the opposite part, it prevents the fulcrum from interfering with the paper. In addition, the paper positioning member can be moved by using the side fence that occupies the position farthest from the paper entry / exit portion in the paper movement direction among the side fences that are usually provided in the paper stacking device in a mode facing the paper. By supporting it, the drive means raises the stacking member and the positioning member smoothly contacts the paper at the gradual increase portion when the paper rises with a simple and economical structure with few parts. can be, benefit the positioning member, at least one of the sheets, the positioning reliably engage the side edge of the effective side in, to effectively position the paper the weight of this time the sheet positioning member It is possible to, in the engagement portion, the protruding amount from the predetermined member by defining a predetermined amount, it is possible to prevent excessive interference to the sheet of the engagement portion, the positioning of the loading the paper, It can be performed better and more effectively without causing bending of the paper, etc., and the paper positioning member can be prevented from rotating excessively due to the engagement with the paper. Provides a paper stacking device that is highly reliable for the user because the jam can be prevented and the image forming operation can be continued, and that the paper can be well aligned for the paper discharge and that is easy for the user to use. be able to.

The present invention resides in an image forming apparatus having such a paper stacking apparatus. Therefore, the present invention has a paper stacking apparatus that achieves the above-described effects, can prevent the fulcrum from interfering with the paper, and can stack the paper in a manner facing the paper. By using the side fence that occupies the furthest position from the paper entry / exit part in the paper movement direction among the side fences that are normally provided in the device, the paper positioning member is supported in a slidable manner, thereby simplifying and reducing the number of parts. With an economically superior configuration, the positioning member is securely engaged with at least one side edge of the paper that is effective for positioning, and at this time, the weight of the paper positioning member is effectively used for positioning the paper. it is possible to use, by defining the engaging portion, the protrusion amount from the predetermined member to a predetermined amount, it is possible to prevent excessive interference to the sheet engaging portions, the loading And the positioning of the sheet, the sheet bending, etc. can be performed better and more effectively without causing a, also can prevent the sheet positioning member is excessively rotated by engagement with the sheet, with respect to the sheet feeding is Jam due to paper feed defects such as skew can be prevented, and image formation can be performed continuously, so the user's reliability is high, and the paper is well aligned for paper discharge, which is convenient for the user. An image forming apparatus can be provided.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of a stencil printing apparatus as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The stencil printing apparatus 2 includes a main body 3, a paper feeding device 5 that is a paper stacking device that is connected to the main body 3 and loads paper P to be fed to the main body 3, and paper that is connected to the main body 3 and discharged from the main body 3. And a paper discharge device 1 as a paper stacking device for stacking P.

  The main body 3 includes a printing unit 4 having a plate cylinder 7 disposed substantially at the center thereof, a paper discharge unit 6 disposed on the left side of the printing unit 4 in FIG. 7, a plate making unit (not shown) to be supplied to the plate 7, a plate discharging unit (not shown) for peeling the used master from the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 7, and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the entire stencil printing apparatus 2 are provided. .

The printing unit 4 rotates in synchronization with the plate cylinder 7 and the plate cylinder 7 that is rotated by winding the master made by the plate making unit, and the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding device 5 is transferred to the plate. It has a pressure drum 8 that is pressed against the drum 7.
The paper discharge unit 6 includes a paper discharge conveyance member 10 that discharges the paper P printed by the printing unit 4 to the paper discharge device 1 outside the main body 3.
With this configuration, the stencil printing apparatus 2 prints the paper P fed from the paper feeding device 5 by the printing unit 4, and discharges the printed paper P to the paper discharge device 1 by the paper discharge unit 6.

  The paper discharge device 1 is a mass-load paper discharge device capable of stacking 3000 sheets or more of paper P. The paper discharge device 1 has substantially the same configuration as the paper supply device 5 described below. Although the description is replaced with the description of this configuration, the paper discharge device 1 has an end fence 15 that is not provided in the paper supply device 5, and the paper supply device shown in FIG. 11 provided in the paper supply device 5. The main difference is that the paper mechanism 72 is not provided. The paper discharge device 1 includes a paper discharge tray 93 as a stacking member on which the paper P is stacked as a configuration corresponding to the paper feed tray 13 described below.

  The paper feeding device 5 is a mass-loading paper feeding device capable of stacking 3000 sheets or more of paper P. The device main body 12, a paper feed tray 13 as a paper feed table as a stacking member on which the paper P is stacked, The side fences 17 and 18 disposed so as to face each side edge of the paper P, and the side fences 17 and 17 and the side fences 18 and 18 are translated in the paper width direction, that is, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. The fence moving mechanism 14, the caster 11 disposed below the apparatus main body 12 and capable of moving the paper feeding device 5 easily and smoothly, and the paper feeding tray 13 are moved in parallel in the vertical direction while being kept substantially horizontal. 9 and FIG. 10, a tray lifting mechanism 46, a paper feed mechanism 72 shown in FIG. 11, and a guide 75 as a paper positioning member.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed tray 13 has escape holes 13a for allowing movement of the side fences 17 and 18 corresponding to the side fences 17 and 18 along the paper width direction. Yes. The paper feed tray 13 is disposed so that a part of the upstream side in the paper feed direction protrudes outward from the apparatus main body 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, two sets of side fences 17 and 18 are provided so as to face each side edge of the paper P, and in each set, the moving direction of the paper P, that is, the paper feeding direction is provided. Are juxtaposed in the upward direction (left direction in FIG. 1). The side fences 17 and 17 and the side fences 18 and 18 occupy the same position in the moving direction of the paper P, and are disposed symmetrically with respect to the side edges of the paper P.

  The side fences 17, 17 are the most upstream in the paper feeding direction of the smallest paper P among the sizes of the paper P to be placed on the paper feed tray 13, that is, the sizes that can be printed by the stencil printing apparatus 2. The side fences 18, 18 are arranged so as to occupy the same position as the most upstream side position of the sheet feeding mechanism 72 in the sheet feeding direction and slightly occupy the upstream side position. ing.

  The side fences 17 and 18 are formed by bending a plate material into a U-shaped cross section. The side fences 17 and 18 have upper ends above the upper limit position of the paper feed tray 13 and corresponding to a sheet receiving opening (not shown) of the main body 3, and lower ends below the lower limit position of the paper feed tray 13. The escape holes 13a are arranged so as to pass through the escape holes 13a, and are moved in the escape holes 13a by the side fence moving mechanism 14 so as to approach or separate from each other. The side fences 17 and 18 are rear surface portions 17a and 18a as opposed portions forming a uniform plane facing the side edges of the paper P, and side surface portions 17b, 17b and 18b substantially perpendicular to the rear surface portions 17a and 18a. , 18b.

  The side fence moving mechanism 14 includes a pair of side fence moving mechanism portions 28 arranged symmetrically with respect to the upper and lower portions of the side fences 17 and 18 shown in FIGS. Or a side fence interlocking mechanism 16 that moves the side fences 17 and 18 so as to be close to or away from each other by interlocking the pair of side fence moving mechanisms 28 shown in FIG. ing.

Since each side fence moving mechanism unit 28 has the same configuration, the configuration of the side fence moving mechanism unit 28 disposed corresponding to the upper portions of the side fences 17 and 18 will be described as a representative.
As shown in FIG. 4, the side fence moving mechanism 28 includes a pair of sliding members 19 to which the upper ends of the side fences 17 and 18 are attached, and two side ends fixed to each side plate of the apparatus main body 12. Side fence support shaft 20, a pair of rack members 21 having tooth portions facing each other on the upper surface of each sliding member 19, and a pinion gear 22 meshing with the tooth portions of the rack member 21.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the side fence moving mechanism 28 is also provided with a base member 23 having both ends fixed to each side plate of the apparatus main body 12 in the paper width direction, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. A support shaft 25 fixed upward on the upper surface of the flange portion 23a located at both ends in the sheet feeding direction of the member 23, a disk-shaped pressing member 26 rotatably supported on each support shaft 25, Each support shaft 25 has a cover 27 supported at both ends from below. Each configuration of the side fence moving mechanism 28 is disposed substantially symmetrically about the pinion gear 22.

  The sliding member 19 is a plate material having a U-shaped cross section disposed so that the opening side is positioned below. A side fence 18 is provided at the downstream end in the paper feeding direction, that is, the left direction in FIG. 4, and a side fence is provided at the upstream end in the paper feeding direction on the outer surface of the wall portion located outside of each sliding member 19. 17 is fixed by a method such as screwing or welding in such a manner that the respective back surface portions 17a and 17a and the back surface portions 18a and 18a face each other. The side fences 17 and 18 attached to the same sliding member 19 are disposed so that the respective back surface portions 17a and 18a are located on the same plane.

  Each sliding member 19 has a part of the outer wall portion protruding outward, and two portions of the outer wall portion including the protruding portion and the entire inner wall portion forming a planar shape. Hole portions located on the same straight line are formed at two locations, and a sliding bearing 19a is attached to each hole portion. Each side fence support shaft 20 is fitted with each sliding bearing 19a, and supports each sliding member 19 movably in the paper width direction.

The end of the rack member 21 attached to the sliding member 19 is bent in a substantially Z shape, has a standing wall portion 21a rising from the upper surface of the sliding member 19, and the tip portion is a sliding member. It is fixed to the upper surface of 19 and is supported in a cantilevered state by a sliding member 19.
The pinion gear 22 is rotatably supported by the base member 23, and as shown in FIG. 5, a timing pulley 24 provided in the side fence interlocking mechanism 16 is integrally provided on the upper portion thereof.

  The eaves portion 23a also moves to the vertical wall portions when the sliding members 19 move in a direction approaching each other and the side fences 17 and 18 occupy positions corresponding to the minimum sheet width that can be printed by the stencil printing apparatus 2. It is disposed only at a position where it does not interfere with 21a, that is, only at the center of the base member 23 in the paper width direction. Each pressing member 26 is disposed at a height at which the distance from the upper surface of the flange portion 23 a is slightly wider than the thickness of the tooth portion of the rack member 21. The cover 27 covers each rack member 21, the pinion gear 22, and the like.

  With such a configuration, when the pinion gear 22 rotates, the side fence moving mechanism portion 28 moves in the direction in which the rack portions 21 meshed with each other approach or move away from each other in the paper width direction. Since each pressing member 26 and the support shaft 25 press the upper surface and the rear surface of each rack member 21 during this movement, the movement of each rack member 21 in the direction away from the pinion gear 22 and the direction away from the pinion gear 22 is restricted. And can move well even in a cantilevered state. As each rack member 21 moves, each sliding member 19 configured integrally therewith moves, and each side fence 17, 17 fixed to each sliding member 19 moves in the paper width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the side fence interlocking mechanism unit 16 includes a timing pulley 24 that is integral with each of a side fence moving mechanism unit 28 located above and a side fence moving mechanism unit 28 located below, and each timing pulley. 24, a timing belt 29 wound around 24, an upper pulley 31 and a lower pulley 32 around which each timing belt 29 is wound, and a drive shaft 33 connecting the pulleys 31 and 32. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 30 denotes a side plate provided in the apparatus main body 12.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the side fence interlocking mechanism 16 is also attached to the side plate 30, and the upper bracket 34 and the lower bracket 35 that rotatably support the pulleys 31 and 32 and the drive shaft 33, and the pulley 31. Each timing belt 29 that is disposed at the lower portion and is attached to the pulleys 31 and 32 and the intermediate pulley 44 that rotates integrally with the drive shaft 33 and the brackets 34 and 35 so as to be rotatable and position-adjustable. And a tension roller 36 for applying tension.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the side fence interlocking mechanism portion 16 also adjusts the position of the side fences 17 and 18 that are rotatably supported by the handle bracket 37 and the handle bracket 37 disposed in the vicinity of the upper bracket 34. The adjusting handle 38 includes a driving pulley 41 provided on the adjusting handle 38 and a timing belt 45 wound around an intermediate pulley 44 shown in FIG.

The adjustment handle 38 includes a handle portion 39, a support shaft 40, a drive pulley 41, a collar 42, a fixing screw 43, and the like, and the support shaft 40 and the drive pulley 41 are rotated by manually rotating the handle portion 39. .
On the upper bracket 34, a tension roller (not shown) for applying a tension to the timing belt 45 is rotatably and adjustable.

  With such a configuration, the side fence interlocking mechanism 16 rotates the drive pulley 41 by manually rotating the adjustment handle 38, and this rotation causes the timing belt 45, the intermediate pulley 44, the pulleys 31 and 32, and the drive shaft 33. Then, it is transmitted to the pinion gear 22 through each timing belt 29 and each timing pulley 24 to rotate the pinion gear 22.

  Therefore, in the side fence moving mechanism 14, by having the side fence moving mechanism portion 28 and the side fence interlocking mechanism portion 16, when the adjustment handle 38 is manually rotated, the pinion gear 22 rotates, and each rack member 21 and The sliding member 19 moves, and the side fences 17 and 18 integral with the sliding member 19 move in parallel in the paper width direction. By turning the fixing screw 43 in a state where the side fences 17 and 18 are positioned at predetermined positions, the handle portion 39 is fixed and the side fences 17 and 18 are fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, the tray elevating mechanism 46 is provided with a forward / reverse motor 49 as drive means fixed to the bottom plate 70 of the apparatus main body 12 via a bracket (not shown), and an output shaft of the forward / reverse motor 49. The attached worm 50, the worm wheel 51 meshing with the worm 50, the pulley 52 integral with the worm wheel 51, the endless belt 54 wound around the pulley 52, and the pulley 53 around which the endless belt 54 is wound together with the pulley 52 And have.

  The tray elevating mechanism 46 also includes a moving body 57 disposed on the right side of the endless belt 54 in FIG. 9, an upper limit detection sensor 62 that detects the upper limit of movement of the paper feed tray 13, and movement of the paper feed tray 13. A lower limit detection sensor 63 that detects the lower limit, and a reflective sensor that is disposed on the upper surface side of the paper feed tray 13 so as to be flush with the upper surface of the paper feed tray 13 and detects the presence or absence of the paper P on the paper feed tray 13. A sheet presence / absence detection sensor (not shown), a CPU (not shown) that drives the forward / reverse rotation motor 49 based on the signals received from the upper limit detection sensor 62, the lower limit detection sensor 63, and the sheet presence / absence detection sensor. Control means that does not. This control means is common to the control means provided in the main body 3, but may be provided separately from the control means provided in the main body 3.

  The worm wheel 51 and the pulley 52 are integrated by a drive shaft 55. The drive shaft 55 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in a hole (not shown) of the front plate 27 and a rear plate (not shown) that is paired with the front plate 27, and the worm wheel 51 is attached approximately in the middle. It has been. Both end portions of the drive shaft 55 protrude from the hole portions, and pulleys 52 are attached to the protruding portions. The pulleys 53 are respectively attached to both ends of a driven shaft 56 rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) provided in holes (not shown) of the front plate 27 and the rear plate. Grooves are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the pulleys 52 and 53, and an endless belt 54 is stretched between the pulleys 52 and 53 so as to be fitted into the grooves.

  The moving body 57 includes two pairs of guide members 59 each composed of a pair of sliders 58 made of a plate material and a low friction resistance member having a flange portion 59a and having sliding properties such as an oil-containing resin. And a pair of tray support plates 60 made of a plate material and integrated with the paper feed tray 13, and a pair of fixing members 61 integrated with the endless belt 54 and the slider 58.

  Each slider 58 is integrally formed with an extending portion 58a extending to the position where the endless belt 54 is disposed. Taps (not shown) are respectively formed on the extending portions 58a, and the tips thereof are bent portions 58b bent toward the back of the apparatus as shown in FIG. Each bent portion 58b and each fixing member 61 sandwich an endless belt 54, and each fixing member 61 is fixed to the extending portion 58a with a screw (not shown). Therefore, the endless belt 54 and the moving body 57 are integrated.

  As shown in FIG. 10, two guide members 59 are fitted into the long grooves 37 of the front plate 27 and the rear plate, respectively, with the flange portions 59a positioned inside the apparatus. Each guide member 59 is fixed to the slider 58 corresponding to the end opposite to the flange 59a by a method such as screwing.

  A detected portion 60 a to be detected by the lower limit detection sensor 63 is formed at the upper end of the tray support plate 60 on the near side in FIG. 9 of the pair of tray support plates 60. The tray support plate 60 is fixed to the end surface of the corresponding guide member 59 on the flange 59a side by a method such as screwing.

The upper limit detection sensor 62 and the lower limit detection sensor 63 are attached to the intermediate stay 71 of the apparatus main body 12. The upper limit detection sensor 62 is a reflection type sensor and detects the paper P or the paper feed tray 13. The lower limit detection sensor 63 is a transmission type sensor and detects the detected part 60a.
9 and 10, the side fences 17 and 18 are not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the paper feed mechanism 72 rotates in contact with the uppermost paper P among the papers P stacked on the paper feed tray 13 and feeds the paper toward the main body 3. A roller 73 and a separation roller 74 that separates and feeds only one sheet when there are a plurality of sheets P fed by the sheet feeding roller 73 are provided.

  With such a configuration, the tray elevating mechanism 46 moves the endless belts 54 when the forward / reverse motors 49 are operated under the control of the control means, and the paper feed tray 13 is moved up and down via the moving body 57 by this movement. The The control means confirms the output signal from the sheet presence / absence detection sensor when the operation command for the forward / reverse rotation motor 49 is sent, and detects the absence of the sheet P on the sheet feeding tray 13 when the output signal is not confirmed. In this case, until the output signal from the lower limit detection sensor 63 is confirmed, that is, until the paper feed tray 13 moves to the lower limit, the forward / reverse rotation motor 49 is reversed, and when it is detected that the paper feed tray 13 has moved to the lower limit, forward / reverse rotation is detected. The motor 49 is stopped to shift to a standby state.

  On the other hand, when the control means confirms the output signal from the paper presence / absence detection means, that is, confirms that the paper P is on the paper feed tray 13, the control means confirms the output signal from the upper limit detection sensor 62 and outputs it. When the signal is not confirmed, the forward / reverse rotation motor 49 is rotated forward until the output signal from the upper limit detection sensor 62 is confirmed. When the output signal from the upper limit detection sensor 62 is confirmed, the rotation of the forward / reverse rotation motor 49 is stopped. In this state, the uppermost sheet P among the sheets P placed on the sheet feed tray 13 is in contact with the sheet feed roller 73 and is suitable for being fed to the main body 3 by the sheet feed mechanism 72. Accounted for.

  The paper P on the paper feed tray 13 decreases as it is fed to the main body 3, but by performing such control, the position of the uppermost paper P is suitable for being fed to the main body 3 by the paper feed mechanism. When the paper P is exhausted, the paper feed tray 13 is detected by the upper limit detection sensor 62, but the output signal from the paper presence / absence detection sensor is not issued, so the paper feed tray 13 occupies the lower limit position. Is driven down to.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the guide 75 is supported by the upstream surface of each side fence 17 in the paper feeding direction, specifically, the side surface portion 17b. Each guide 75 is slidably supported on each side fence 17 and engages with at least a side edge of the uppermost paper P among the papers P stacked on the paper feed tray 13, and feeds paper as shown in FIG. Even in the case where a gap is formed between the side fences 17 and 18 and the side edges of the paper due to the misalignment of the paper P on the tray 13 and the paper P becomes free, the paper P is used instead of the side fences 17 and 18. , The paper P is prevented from being fed in a state inclined with respect to the paper feeding direction as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 11, and the position of the paper P is maintained at a predetermined position suitable for paper feeding. This stabilizes the paper feed position and prevents paper feed defects such as skew.

  Further, as described above, each guide 75 is free from the sheet P, and even if the sheet P is inclined with respect to the sheet feeding direction as indicated by the solid line in FIG. This is in a state parallel to the paper feeding direction as indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure, and the paper feeding position is stabilized by positioning the paper P at a predetermined position suitable for paper feeding, and paper feeding is performed. Thus, it is possible to prevent paper feeding defects such as skew that may occur if paper feeding is performed in such an inclined state.

  Since each guide 75 is symmetrically disposed with respect to each side edge of the paper P and has a symmetrical shape, the arrangement mode and shape of the left guide 75 in FIG. . Further, the side fence 17 will be described on behalf of the shape of the left side fence 17 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the guide 75 has an ear 77 formed with a screw hole 76 for attachment to the side fence 17, and is positioned below the ear 77 in engagement with the side fence 17 and engages with the paper P. As an engagement portion 78 that is a possible side edge, and a side edge portion on the opposite side of the engagement portion 78, as a first restricting portion that contacts and separates from the side fence 17 in the attached state to the side fence 17. The regulating portion 79 and a regulating portion 80 as a second regulating portion that is positioned above the center of the regulating portion 79 and the screw hole 76 and can be brought into contact with the side fence 17 when attached to the side fence 17. ing.

  The engaging portion 78 includes a straight portion 81 as a vertical portion that faces in a vertical direction when the paper P is not in contact with the side fence 17 and a lower portion of the engaging portion 78 that is positioned below the vertical portion. And an inclined portion 82 as a gradually increasing portion in which the approaching amount gradually increases. The inclined portion 82 in each guide 75 is configured so that the upper side is inclined in a direction close to each other when the sheet P is not in contact with the guide 75 when attached to the side fence 17.

  The restricting portion 79 is formed with plate attachment holes 83 and 83 arranged side by side in the vertical direction when attached to the side fence 17. The guide 75 is formed by punching a sheet metal and bending the part to form the restricting portions 79 and 80. When the paper P is not in contact with the side fence 17, the restricting portion 79 is in contact with the side fence 17, and the restricting portion 80 is formed so that the bending position is shifted so as to be separated from the side fence 17. Yes. The weight of the guide 75 is about 10 gf, and the rotational moment with respect to the paper P is designed to be 100 gfmm.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the side fence 17 is formed by cutting and raising the back surface portion 17 a, and is connected to the rising portion 85 and the screw hole 76 in the attached state of the guide 75. The screw hole 84 formed in the rising portion 85. And have. The rising portion 85 is flush with the side surface portion 17b on the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction among the side surface portions 17b and 17b.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the rising portion 85 has a height that includes the position where the guide 75 is attached to the uppermost sheet P of the sheets P stacked on the sheet feed tray 13 in the vertical direction. The side fence 17 is formed at a position substantially the same as the height of the paper feed mechanism 72.

The reason why the guide 75 is attached to the side fence 17 instead of the side fence 18 is that the positioning function of the paper P by the guide 75, that is, the force for suppressing the paper P is farther from the paper feed mechanism 72 located at the exit portion of the paper P. Because it is big. However, if it is too far from the paper feed mechanism 72, it is not appropriate for the following reasons 1 and 2. Therefore, the smallest paper P among the sizes of the paper P to be placed on the paper feed tray 13 in the paper feed direction. The guide 75 is attached to the side fence 17 disposed so as to occupy the position on the most upstream side, that is, the position farthest from the entrance / exit portion of the paper P.
1． When the size of the paper P is small or the paper P is a thin paper, the paper P itself does not have a stiffness, and therefore the paper P positioning function cannot be expected even if it is disposed away from the paper feed mechanism 72. .
2． As soon as the paper is fed, the contact state between the paper P and the guide 75 is released, and the positioning function of the paper P is not fully exhibited.

In order to avoid the above problem 2, it is conceivable that the guide 75 has a long shape along the side edge of the paper P as shown in FIG. From the viewpoint of safety that there is a possibility that the sheet P will be pinched, and the viewpoint of ease of placing the paper P on the paper feed tray 13, the form of the guide 75 in this embodiment is appropriate. In addition, increasing the length of the guide 75 in the thickness direction of the paper P leads to an increase in size and weight of the guide 75, a complicated structure, and an increase in price. Therefore, the guide 75 in this embodiment is appropriate.
In FIG. 15, the alternate long and short dash line indicates the upstream end position in the sheet feeding direction of the smallest sheet P among the sizes of the sheets P to be placed on the sheet feeding tray 13.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the guide 75 is attached to the side fence 17 by being rotatably integrated with a step screw 86 in a state where the screw hole 76 is communicated with the screw hole 84. In this state, the restricting portions 79 and 80 face the side edges of the side surface portion 17b. The restricting portion 79 is in contact with the side edge of the side surface portion 17b, and the restricting portion 80 is separated from the side edge of the side surface portion 17b. Accordingly, in FIG. 16A, the guide 75 is prohibited from rotating counterclockwise around the step screw 86 by the restricting portion 79, and is rotated clockwise by the restricting portion 80. It is allowed in a range until it contacts the side edge of the side surface portion 17b, and in such a range, the side fence 17 is supported in a swingable manner. The screw hole 76, the screw hole 84, and the step screw 86 form a rotation fulcrum or a swing fulcrum of the guide 75.

  The straight line portion 81 is located on the paper P side with respect to the back surface portion 17a, and the inclined portion 82 is located on the paper P side with respect to the back surface portion 17a only at a part above the straight line portion 81. As described above, since the engaging portion 78 is a side edge portion of the guide 75 that can be engaged with the paper P in the attached state to the side fence 17, strictly speaking, the entire linear portion 81 and the inclined portion. Only the upper part that is continuous with the straight part 81 of 82 constitutes the engaging part 78.

  The rotation fulcrum and the swing fulcrum of the guide 75 occupy a position on the paper P side further than the back surface portion 17a and the engaging portion 78, and occupy a position above the position occupied by the uppermost paper P. Yes. Therefore, the guide 75 is given a counterclockwise rotational moment by its own weight. This rotational moment fulfills the above-described function of stabilizing the paper feed position.

  Further, the ear portion 77 and the rising portion 85 do not interfere with the paper P. Furthermore, since the guide 75 has a structure that stabilizes the paper feed position of the paper P by its own weight, there is no variation in stress compared to a structure in which the paper P is stressed by an urging means such as a spring. It is excellent in terms of simplification, miniaturization, and cost reduction.

  As described above, since the restricting portion 79 prohibits the rotation of the guide 75 in the counterclockwise direction, the protruding amount of the engaging portion 78 from the side surface portion 17b to the paper P side is defined by the predetermined amount δ. ing. In this way, the restricting portion 79 restricts the engaging portion 78 from approaching the predetermined amount δ by more than the back surface portion 17a. The predetermined amount δ is a distance between the linear portion 81 located closest to the paper P in the engaging portion 78 and the side surface portion 17b.

In this embodiment, the predetermined amount δ is set to 4 mm.
If the operator is conscious of stacking a new paper P on the paper feed tray 13 as if it has been sealed, if the predetermined amount δ is about 2 mm, the guide 75 sufficiently fulfills the function of stabilizing the paper feed position. However, in other cases, for example, when the sheets P printed on one side and stacked on the discharge tray 93 are stacked on the sheet feeding tray 13 for duplex printing, as described above, Today, when a user performs a paper stacking operation, it is not possible to expect paper to be stacked on the paper feed tray 13 after being sufficiently aligned.

  Therefore, when taking into account such double-sided printing, which is considered to cause the worst paper alignment, the paper feed position is stable for each of the paper alignment accuracy on the general paper discharge tray and the loading accuracy on the paper feed tray by the user. It is necessary to determine the amount of protrusion from the side surface portion 17b to the paper P side, which is necessary for fulfilling the function to be performed, and to add them up. The former differs depending on the manufacturer of the paper discharge device, but about 2 mm is required for standard paper. About the latter, about 2 mm is needed from the unevenness | corrugation produced by a loading operation | work. Therefore, these were added together to set the predetermined amount δ to 4 mm.

  The predetermined amount δ may be 4 mm or more. However, if the predetermined amount δ is too large, the stress applied to the paper P becomes excessive, and the paper P having a low stiffness is deformed, so that there is a limit. Therefore, the optimum value of the predetermined amount δ is 4 mm as in the present embodiment, but can be determined in the range of 2 mm to 6 mm depending on the paper to be used, paper discharge accuracy, and the like.

  The predetermined amount δ needs to be adjusted according to the type of the paper P, the degree of misalignment of the paper P on the paper feed tray 13, in other words, the gap between the side edge of the paper P and the side surface portion 17b. An adjustment member 87 for adjusting the position where the paper P is to be positioned as shown in FIG. The adjustment member 87 has a linear portion 88 that covers the linear portion 81, and by attaching the adjustment member 87 to the guide 75, the predetermined amount δ is increased by the thickness t in the paper width direction of the adjustment member 87. Can do.

  For example, when using paper P, which has a tendency to be poorly aligned as compared to standard paper, high-quality paper, and medium-quality paper, as paper P, the paper feed position is stabilized with respect to the paper alignment accuracy on the paper discharge tray. Since the amount of protrusion from the side surface portion 17b to the paper P side necessary to fulfill the function is about 4 mm, the predetermined amount δ is 6 mm in addition to 2 mm required for the accuracy of loading on the paper feed tray by the user. Therefore, by attaching the adjusting member 87 having a thickness t of 2 mm, the position where the paper P should be positioned is adjusted, and the paper feeding position is stabilized.

  The adjustment member 87 may be formed with an inclined portion that covers the inclined portion 82. Further, in order to adjust in a direction to decrease the predetermined amount δ, at least the straight portion 81 of the straight portion 81 and the inclined portion 82 is constituted by an adjustment member that is originally attached to the guide 75 main body and can be attached to and detached from the guide 75 main body. Then, the predetermined amount δ may be adjusted by removing the adjusting member or replacing the adjusting member with a thin thickness t.

  As described above, the weight of the guide 75 is about 10 gf and the rotational moment with respect to the paper P is designed to be 100 gfmm. However, the paper P is a stiff paper such as thick paper. In such a case, even if a larger stress is applied, problems such as deformation of the paper P do not occur, and it is easier to position the paper P better if a large stress is applied. The plate 89 as a weight for adjusting its own weight is detachable by screws 90.

  The plate 89 is formed with holes 91 and 91 that can communicate with the plate mounting holes 83 and 83. By fastening the screw 90 in a state where the plate mounting holes 83 and 83 and the holes 91 and 91 are communicated with each other. The weight of the guide 75 can be increased. The screw 90 also contributes to the weight of the guide 75. Also, in order to adjust the weight in the direction of decreasing its own weight, it is possible to adjust the own weight by attaching a detachable weight to the guide 75 body and removing the weight or replacing it with a lighter weight. good. The adjustment member 87 can also have a function as a weight.

  In the paper feeding device 5 having the above-described configuration, for example, a large number of double-sided printing such as 3000 sheets is performed. When transported and stacked separately, the side fences 17 and 18 are slightly widened so that the distance from the side edge of the paper P to the predetermined amount δ is about 4 mm wide according to the width of the paper P. Set to. If the distance between the side fences 17 and 18 is made equal to the width of the paper P, the paper P cannot be placed because of the misalignment of the paper P. If the paper P is forcibly placed, the paper P may be bent or bent. This is because.

  In this state, the paper P printed on one side and stacked on the paper discharge device 1 is conveyed to the paper feed tray 13 several times and stacked. At this time, the paper P is stacked aiming at the center of the side fences 17 and 18 set wider so that the side edges of the paper P hit the side fences 17 and 18 and deformation such as bending or scratching does not occur.

  After loading the paper P, the side fences 17 and 18 are brought into contact with the side edges of the paper P to such an extent that the paper P is not deformed. This contact may align the paper P, but if there are 3000 sheets of paper P, the height will be as high as about 240 mm for 55K paper, and the weight will also be about 24 kg for 55K paper. Since it is heavy, for example, it is difficult to align, and it is usually not possible to eliminate the gap between the side fences 17 and 18 and the side edges of the paper P.

  By starting printing, the paper feed tray 13 is raised until the uppermost paper P occupies a height suitable for paper feed. Since the paper P is not aligned with the rise, the adjustment member 87 contacts the paper P when at least one of the guides 75 and 75 or the guide 75 is attached. The contact starts smoothly from the inclined portion 82, and then the straight portion 81 or the straight portion 88 contacts the paper P. At this time, the guide 75 in contact with the paper P rotates and swings in a direction in which the engaging portion 78 approaches the side fence 17 as shown in FIG.

  When the uppermost sheet P is fed, the guide 75 fills the gap between the side fence 17 and the side edge of the sheet P, and the position of the sheet P is set to a position suitable for sheet feeding. Done well. Even if the paper P is about to skew, the skew is suppressed by receiving the stress from the guide 75, and the paper is fed well.

  Note that when the alignment of the sheets P is good, for example, when the sheets P are new and the number of stacked sheets is small, the sheets P are aligned to some extent and are light, so the side fences 17 and 18 are arranged as described above. By moving the sheet P, the sheet P is set with its side edges aligned by the back surface portion 17a, as shown in FIG. 19, and when the sheet P rises in this state, the sheet P near the top and near the topmost position. Contacts the guide 75, and the guide 75 swings as shown in FIG. For this reason, the paper P is fed in the same state as when the guide 75 is not provided. In this case, since the paper P is well regulated by the side surface portion 17b, the paper feeding position is originally stable. No problems such as skew occur.

  Further, when the guide 75 is forcibly pushed by the paper P, as shown in FIG. 20, the restricting portion 80 abuts against the side edge of the side surface portion 17b, so that the engaging portion 78 abuts on the paper P. Thus, the amount of peristaltic movement is restricted, and the guide 75 is prevented from rotating excessively. By providing the restricting portion 80 separately from the restricting portion 79, the degree of restricting excessive rotation of the guide 75 is freely set.

  In the paper discharge device 1, each time the paper P is stacked on the paper discharge tray 93, the paper P contacts a paper positioning member corresponding to the guide 75 in the paper supply device 5 provided in the paper discharge device 1. As described above, the paper P is moved up and down by a mechanism corresponding to the tray lifting mechanism 46 in the paper feeding device 5 provided in the paper discharging device 1 so that the position of the paper P is set to a predetermined position, and thereby the paper P is aligned. It can be done well.

As described above, the guide 75, the paper feeding device 5, the paper discharge device 1, and the stencil printing device 2 have been described as modes for carrying out the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the stencil printing device, but other types of printing. The present invention can be applied to other types of image forming apparatuses such as apparatuses and other copying machines.
There is a type in which a sheet feeding device, a sheet discharging device, or an image forming apparatus main body includes an intermediate conveying device that communicates between the sheet feeding device, the sheet discharging device, and the image forming apparatus main body in order to maintain a sheet conveying speed. The present invention can also be applied to such types of paper feeding devices, paper ejection devices, and image forming devices. in this case,

  If the structure of the paper discharge device 1 and the paper supply device 5 is made common, for example, if the paper feed mechanism 72 is disposed on the main body 3 side and the end fence 15 is detachable, the paper discharge device 1 and the paper feed device are provided. 5 can be used interchangeably. For example, during double-sided printing, the paper discharge device 1 loaded with printed sheets on one side can be moved to the paper supply side and used as it is as the paper supply device 5. Become. The same applies to the case where the paper discharge device 1, the paper supply device 5, or the image forming apparatus main body includes an intermediate conveyance device.

  In the above embodiment, the guide 75 supports the side fence 17 as a predetermined member so as to be slidable. However, the predetermined member is not limited to the side fence 17 and a member that supports the guide 75 is provided separately. May be arranged. The guide 75 and the side fences 17 and 18 are arranged symmetrically, but they may be arranged only on one side of the paper P as long as the paper P is fed satisfactorily.

The guide 75 may be configured not to stabilize the paper feeding position of the paper P only by its own weight but to apply stress to the paper P by cooperating with an urging means such as a spring.
The application of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment unless particularly limited in the above description.

1 is a front view schematically showing an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a paper stacking device mounted on the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the main body of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 and the paper stacking apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of a side fence moving mechanism provided in the paper stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a front view of another part of the side fence moving mechanism provided in the paper stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still another part of the side fence moving mechanism provided in the paper stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 10 is a front view of still another part of the side fence moving mechanism provided in the paper stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 10 is a front view of still another part of the side fence moving mechanism provided in the paper stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a front view of a tray lifting mechanism provided in the paper stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a part of a tray lifting mechanism provided in the paper stacking device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an arrangement position of a paper positioning member provided in the paper stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a shape of a sheet positioning member provided in the sheet stacking apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the shape of the side fence which attaches the paper positioning member shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing an arrangement position of a paper positioning member provided in the paper stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating an example of an arrangement mode of a sheet positioning member that can be provided in the sheet stacking apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the state which attached the paper positioning member shown in FIG. 12 to the side fence shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the adjustment member which can be attached or detached to the paper positioning member shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the weight which can be attached or detached to the paper positioning member shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state where the sheet positioning member illustrated in FIG. 12 swings. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the paper positioning member illustrated in FIG. 12 is restricted from swinging. It is the schematic which shows the conventional paper stacking apparatus. It is a figure which shows the mode of the paper supply in the conventional paper stacking apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper stacking apparatus 2 Image forming apparatus 5 Paper stacking apparatus 13 Stacking member 17 Predetermined member, side fence 17b Opposing part 49 Drive means 75 Paper positioning member 76, 84, 86 Support point 79 First regulating part 80 Second regulating part 82 Gradually increasing part 88 Adjusting member 89 Weight 93 Stacking member P Paper

Claims (7)

A loading member for loading paper;
A paper positioning member for engaging the side edge of at least the uppermost sheet among the sheets stacked on the stacking member and positioning the position of the same sheet at a predetermined position . A paper positioning member that engages with the side edge to position the paper at a predetermined position;
A predetermined member disposed opposite to the side edge of the paper positioned by the paper positioning member and supporting the paper positioning member so as to be slidable;
The paper positioning member is
An engaging portion that is located on the paper side of the predetermined member and is opposed to the paper and that can be engaged with the paper;
A first restricting portion for restricting the engaging portion from approaching a predetermined amount or more closer to the paper side than the facing portion by engaging with the predetermined member;
A second restricting portion for restricting the amount of peristalsis caused by engaging the engagement portion with the paper by engaging with the predetermined member;
The predetermined member can be engaged with the side edge of the paper and can align the side edge of the paper. Among the plurality of side fences provided along the paper movement direction, the paper can enter and exit in the movement direction. It is a side fence that occupies the position farthest from the part,
The side fence and the paper positioning member are arranged symmetrically with respect to each side edge of the paper,
The paper positioning member integrally includes the engagement portion, the first restriction portion, and the second restriction portion,
The fulcrum that the side fence supports the paper positioning member so as to be slidable is located above the uppermost paper and at a position closer to the paper than the facing portion, and a paper entry / exit portion in the paper movement direction. A paper stacking device arranged at the opposite position . In the sheet stacking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sheet registration member, the sheet stacking apparatus, wherein the weight for adjusting the weight is removable. In the sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said sheet registration member, the sheet stacking apparatus, wherein the adjustment member for adjusting the position for positioning a sheet is removable. 4. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a driving unit that moves the stacking member up and down, and an amount of the engagement unit that approaches the sheet side from the facing unit on the upper side. 5. A paper stacking apparatus having a gradually increasing portion . 5. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the side fence supporting the sheet positioning member so as to be slidable is a plurality of side fences provided along a moving direction of the sheet. A paper stacking apparatus , wherein the smallest paper size of papers to be placed on the stacking member is disposed so as to occupy a position farthest from a paper entrance / exit in the paper movement direction. . 6. The paper stacking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the paper positioning member is formed with a first restricting portion and a second restricting portion by punching a sheet metal and bending a part thereof. sheet stacking apparatus characterized by there. An image forming apparatus comprising the paper stacking apparatus according to claim 1 .

Images