JP6285351B2 - Medium discharging apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium discharge device and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine, for example, an electrophotographic printer, paper as a medium on which an image is formed is discharged outside the main body of the printer, that is, the apparatus main body. In addition, a discharge tray as a medium discharge device is arranged (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-144005 A

  In the conventional discharge tray, a device for appropriately holding the paper in accordance with the size of the discharged paper may be required.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional printer and to provide a medium discharge device and an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately holding a medium according to the size of the medium to be discharged.

  Therefore, in the medium discharge device of the present invention, the storage portion formed in the main tray, the extension tray unit disposed so as to be accommodated in the storage portion, and disposed at a predetermined location in the storage portion, And a holding portion that holds the extension tray unit movably.

  The extension tray unit includes a first member and a second member extended from the one end side of the first member at a predetermined inclination angle.

The first member is held on the other end side so as to be movable between the first position and the second position by the holding portion.
And the said accommodating part is a recessed part formed in the discharge surface of the said main tray.
Further, when the first member is moved from the first position to the second position, the end of the first member on the holding portion side is moved in a direction away from the bottom surface of the recess.

  According to the present invention, in the medium discharge device, the storage portion formed in the main tray, the extension tray unit disposed so as to be accommodated in the storage portion, and disposed at a predetermined location in the storage portion, And a holding portion that holds the extension tray unit movably.

  The extension tray unit includes a first member and a second member extended from the one end side of the first member at a predetermined inclination angle.

The first member is held on the other end side so as to be movable between the first position and the second position by the holding portion.
And the said accommodating part is a recessed part formed in the discharge surface of the said main tray.
Further, when the first member is moved from the first position to the second position, the end of the first member on the holding portion side is moved in a direction away from the bottom surface of the recess.

  In this case, the extension tray unit includes a first member and a second member that is extended from the one end side of the first member at a predetermined inclination angle. Since the holding unit is movably held between the first position and the second position, the medium stacking area of the medium discharge device can be widened, and the size is larger than the medium stored in the medium storage unit. Even if the medium is discharged, it can be properly held on the medium discharge device without dropping the medium.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the printer showing a first state in which a sub-tray is extended in the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the printer showing a state in which a sub-tray is accommodated in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the printer in a state where a sub-tray is accommodated in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the printer showing a first state in which a sub-tray is extended in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part of the printer showing a second state in which a sub-tray is extended in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a 1st perspective view which shows the 1st state of the subtray in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd perspective view which shows the 1st state of the subtray in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st perspective view which shows the 2nd state of the subtray in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd perspective view which shows the 2nd state of the subtray in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st perspective view of the 1st tray in the 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a 2nd perspective view of the 1st tray in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st perspective view of the 2nd tray in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd perspective view of the 2nd tray in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the subtray in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the discharge tray of the conventional printer. It is sectional drawing of the discharge tray in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the printer in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the printer in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part perspective view of the printer which shows the state in which the subtray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention was accommodated. It is principal part sectional drawing of the printer in the state in which the subtray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention was accommodated. It is a principal part perspective view of the printer which shows the 1st state by which the subtray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention was extended. It is a principal part perspective view of the printer which shows the 2nd state to which the subtray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention was extended. It is principal part sectional drawing of the printer which shows the 1st state to which the subtray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention was extended. It is a 1st perspective view which shows the 1st state of the subtray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd perspective view which shows the 1st state of the subtray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st perspective view which shows the 2nd state of the subtray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd perspective view which shows the 2nd state of the subtray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st perspective view of the 1st tray and holding part in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a 2nd perspective view of the 1st tray and holding part in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a 1st perspective view of the 1st tray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd perspective view of the 1st tray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st perspective view of the holding | maintenance part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd perspective view of the holding | maintenance part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st perspective view of the 2nd tray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd perspective view of the 2nd tray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the subtray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is CC sectional drawing of FIG. It is DD sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the discharge tray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, an electrophotographic printer as an image forming apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 10 is a printer, Cs is a casing of the printer 10, and the casing Cs includes a front wall Wf, a back wall Wb, side walls Ws1, Ws2, and a top wall Wt. An operation unit 90 for operating the printer 10 is disposed on the top wall Wt.

  A paper cassette 14 serving as a medium storage unit is disposed in a main body of the printer 10, that is, a lower portion of the apparatus main body, and paper P serving as a medium is stored in the paper cassette 14. A handle 101 for pulling out the paper cassette 14 from the apparatus main body or pushing it into the apparatus main body is formed below the front wall Wf.

  An upper portion of the paper cassette 14 is brought into contact with the front end of the paper P accommodated in the paper cassette 14, a feeding roller (feeding sub-roller) 31 for feeding the paper P, and the fed paper P is fed to the medium transport path. A paper feed roller 32 for sending to Rt1 and a separation roller 33 for separating the paper P one by one are provided in contact with the paper feed roller 32.

  A medium transport path Rt1 is formed adjacent to the paper feed roller 32 and the separation roller 33, and an intermediate transport roller 34 and a pinch roller 35 are formed on the medium transport path Rt1 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P. A first medium conveying member comprising: a sheet feeding sensor 22 as a first medium detecting unit for detecting the front end of the paper P; a second medium conveying member comprising a registration roller 36 and a pressure roller 37; A writing sensor 23 or the like as a second medium detecting unit for detecting the front end is disposed, and the image forming unit 20 is disposed on the downstream side of the writing sensor 23.

  The image forming unit 20 is arranged to face a photosensitive drum (image drum) 11 as an image carrier and the photosensitive drum 11, and forms an electrostatic latent image as a latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. An LED head 12 serving as an exposure device and a transfer roller 13 serving as a transfer member that is disposed to face the photoconductive drum 11 and transfers a toner image as a developer image formed on the photoconductive drum 11 onto the paper P. An image forming unit 39 including a toner cartridge 18 as a developer supply member that stores toner as a developer and supplies the toner to the photoconductor drum 11, and the photoconductor drum 11 and the transfer in the medium transport path Rt1. A fixing unit 40 is provided as a fixing device that is disposed on the downstream side of the roller 13 and fixes the toner image transferred to the paper P to form an image.

  The fixing unit 40 includes a heating roller 41 as a first fixing member provided with a heating body (not shown), and a pressure roller 42 as a second fixing member disposed in contact with the heating roller 41. The toner image transferred to the paper P is fixed on the paper P in the fixing unit 40.

  Further, on the downstream side of the fixing unit 40 in the medium transport path Rt1, the discharge sensor 24, the transport roller 25, and the pinch as a third medium detection unit for detecting the discharge of the paper P from the upstream side to the downstream side. When the front end of the sheet P on which an image is formed is detected by the discharge sensor 24, the third medium conveying member including the roller 27 and the discharge member including the discharge roller 26 and the pinch roller 28 are disposed. The medium is transported by the medium transporting member and the discharge member, and is discharged and stacked on a discharge tray 50 as a medium discharge device formed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body.

  The discharge tray 50 constitutes a part of the top wall Wt, and is formed as a main tray 50Bd as a discharge tray main body, which is formed so as to be gradually increased from the back wall Wb side to the front wall Wf side, At the end of the main tray 50Bd on the front wall Wf side, the sub-tray 51 as an extension tray unit disposed so as to be accommodated and extendable (accommodable) with respect to the main tray 50Bd, and the sub-tray 51 with respect to the main tray 50Bd The sub-tray 51 includes a first tray 52 as a first member, and a first tray 52 connected to the first tray 52 at one end side of the first tray 52. A second tray 53 as a second member is provided. The first tray 52 is connected to the holding portion 56 on the other end side. The holding portion 56 is disposed at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 (the conveyance direction of the paper P), in this embodiment, at an end portion on one end side (front wall Wf side). An inclined portion that guides the paper P from the bottom surface 54 b toward the first tray 52 is configured.

  Next, the operation of the printer 10 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, when a printing command is issued, a driving motor (not shown) as a driving unit disposed in the apparatus main body is driven, and the paper P accommodated in the paper cassette 14 is fed to the medium transport path Rt1 by the feeding roller 31. The paper is separated one by one by the paper feed roller 32 and the separation roller 33 and sent to the intermediate conveyance roller 34 and the pinch roller 35. Then, the paper P is further transported by the intermediate transport roller 34 and the pinch roller 35 and is abutted against the registration roller 36 and the pressure roller 37 for a predetermined time, whereby the skew of the paper P is corrected. Thereafter, when the front end of the paper P is detected by the paper feed sensor 22, the registration roller 36 is rotated by an electromagnetic clutch (not shown), and the paper P is sent to the image forming unit 20. Further, when the writing sensor 23 detects the front end of the paper P, it sends an image forming instruction to the image forming unit 20.

  When an image formation instruction is sent to the image forming unit 20, exposure is performed by the LED head 12 of the image forming unit 20, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. Then, the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 18 is attached to the electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image is developed to form a toner image. The toner image is transferred onto the paper P by the transfer roller 13.

  Subsequently, the paper P is sent to the fixing unit 40, where the toner image is heated by the heating roller 41 and the pressure roller 42 and is pressed and fixed on the paper P to form an image. The

  When the front end of the sheet P on which the image is formed is detected by the discharge sensor 24, the sheet P is conveyed by the conveyance roller 25 and the pinch roller 27, and is discharged out of the apparatus main body by the discharge roller 26 and the pinch roller 28. Are stacked on the discharge tray 50 formed on the top wall Wt.

  Next, the operation of the subtray 51 will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the printer showing a first state in which the sub-tray is extended in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the printer in a state in which the sub-tray in the first embodiment of the present invention is accommodated, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the main part of the printer showing the second state where the sub-tray is extended in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a first perspective view showing a first state of the sub-tray in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a first perspective view showing the first state of the sub-tray in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a first perspective view of the present invention. 11 is a first perspective view showing a second state of the sub-tray in the embodiment, FIG. 11 is a second perspective view showing a second state of the sub-tray in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a second perspective view of the first tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a first perspective view of the first tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 15 is a first perspective view of the second tray in the first embodiment, FIG. 15 is a second perspective view of the second tray in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is the first perspective view of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 16, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

  In the figure, Wt is a top wall, 50 is a discharge tray, 50Bd is a main tray, 51 is a sub-tray, 52 and 53 are first and second trays, and 54 is a recess formed on the discharge surface of the main tray 50Bd. This is a sub-tray storage unit as a storage unit for storing the sub-tray 51.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 is inclined upward on the bottom surface 54b, the inclined surface 54f formed to be inclined upward on the front wall Wf side, and upward on the back wall Wb side. An inclined surface 54r is formed, a side surface 54s1 is formed to rise vertically on the side wall Ws1, and a side surface 54s2 is formed to rise vertically on the side wall Ws2.

  The first tray 52 rises from the bottom surface 102 and a plurality of locations in the width direction of the paper P, in this embodiment, three locations, and extends in the transport direction of the paper P. Ribs 103 to 105 are formed. The second tray 53 includes a bottom surface 112 and ribs 113 formed so as to rise from the bottom surface 112 at both edges in the width direction of the paper P and extend in the transport direction of the paper P.

  The first tray 52 is swingable with respect to the main tray 50Bd, and is in contact with the top wall Wt at a first position where the first tray 52 is brought into contact with the bottom surface 54b of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 by the holding portion 56. When the sub-tray 51 is not used and the sub-tray 51 is not used, it is placed in the first position and the sub-tray 51 is used as shown in FIGS. As shown in 1 and 6, it is placed in the second position. When the first tray 52 is moved from the first position to the second position, the end of the first tray 52 on the holding portion 56 side is moved away from the bottom surface 54b of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54. It is done.

  Further, the second tray 53 is supported so as to be swingable with respect to the first tray 52, and when the sub-tray 51 is not used, the second tray 53 is folded and folded with the first tray 52 as shown in FIGS. When the sub-tray 51 is used in contact with each other, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the sub-tray 51 is spread and separated from the first tray 52, and is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the first tray 52. And extended.

  The sub-tray 51 is placed in the first state when the first tray 52 is placed in the first position, and is in the second state when the first tray 52 is placed in the second position. Placed in.

  For this purpose, a support portion Q1 for swingably supporting the second tray 53 with respect to the first tray 52 is formed at the connecting portion of the first and second trays 52 and 53, and the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 A support portion Q2 that supports the sub-tray 51 (first tray 52) so as to be swingable with respect to the main tray 50Bd is formed at a connecting portion between the sub-tray 51 and the main tray 50Bd at the end on the front wall Wf side.

  The support portion Q1 is formed so as to protrude from both ends of the second tray 53 in the width direction of the paper P and the rotation holes h1 and h2 formed at both ends of the first tray 52 in the width direction of the paper P. The rotation shafts sh1 and sh2 are provided, and the rotation shafts sh1 and sh2 are fitted into the rotation holes h1 and h2, respectively.

  Further, the support portion Q2 protrudes from the bottom surface 54b of the sub-tray storage portion 54 at both ends of the sub-tray storage portion 54 in the width direction of the paper P, and is formed so as to be inclined. Rotating long holes h3 and h4 formed in the width direction of the sheet P and rotating shafts sh3 and sh4 formed to protrude from both ends of the first tray 52 in the width direction of the paper P. The rotating long holes h3 and h4 rotate. The shafts sh3 and sh4 are respectively inserted.

  The rotation hole h2 and the rotation long holes h3 and h4 are formed so that the inner peripheral surface is continuous so that the rotation shafts sh2 to sh4 do not come out of the hole, and the rotation hole h1 has an external force applied to the second tray 53. As shown in FIG. 13, it is composed of a groove-like body having a “U” shape so that the rotation shaft sh <b> 1 comes out of the hole when added.

  Further, locking holes h5 and h6 are formed in the side surfaces 54s1 and 54s2 of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 in the width direction of the paper P, and the locking holes h5 and h6 on both side surfaces of the first tray 52 in the width direction of the paper P. The locking projections 57 and 58 are formed so as to protrude from the portions facing each other, and when the sub-tray 51 is received in the sub-tray receiving portion 54, the locking holes h5 and h6 and the locking projections 57 and 58 are engaged. When the sub-tray 51 is extended from the sub-tray accommodating portion 54, the engagement between the engagement holes h5 and h6 and the engagement protrusions 57 and 58 is released.

  In this case, the locking holes h5 and h6 have a shape in which a portion on the top wall Wt side is closed, in this embodiment, an inverted “U” shape, and the locking projections 57 and 58 Overcoming the part on the wall Wt side, it is engaged with and disengaged from the locking holes h5 and h6. Therefore, when the subtray 51 is accommodated in the subtray accommodating part 54, the subtray 51 is prevented from being rotated around the rotation shafts sh3 and sh4 and coming out of the subtray accommodating part 54. Further, the second tray 53 and the main tray 50 </ b> Bd are connected via the first tray 52 in a state where the sub-tray 51 is accommodated in the sub-tray accommodating portion 54.

  The rotation holes h1, h2, the rotation long holes h3, h4 and the engagement holes h5, h6 constitute a first engagement element, and the rotation shafts sh1 to sh4 and the engagement projections 57, 58 constitute a second engagement element. Is done.

  When the subtray 51 is extended from the subtray accommodating part 54, the operator puts a fingertip into the gap 55 formed between the inclined surface 54 r of the subtray accommodating part 54 and the subtray 51 to rotate the subtray 51. Then, the locking holes h5, h6 and the locking projections 57, 58 are unlocked, and the rotation shafts sh3, sh4 are moved in the direction of the arrow A in the rotation long holes h3, h4, as shown in FIG. As shown, the sub-tray 51 is extended with the first and second trays 52 and 53 folded. Further, when the second tray 53 is rotated, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the sub-tray 51 is extended with the first and second trays 52 and 53 being expanded.

  The second tray 53 is supported with respect to the first tray 52 so that the rotation of the second tray 53 can be restricted at a predetermined position when the second tray 53 is rotated with respect to the first tray 52. A rotation stopper 59 is raised from the bottom surface 102 at the end on the part Q1 side, and is extended in the width direction of the paper P. The rotation stopper 59 and the bottom surface 112 of the second tray 53 are formed. Be locked. In this case, the rotation stopper 59 forms a first locking portion, and the bottom surface 112 forms a second locking portion.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper P discharged out of the apparatus main body by the discharge roller 26 (FIG. 2) and the pinch roller 28 with the sub-tray 51 extended is moved on the main tray 50Bd. Then, when the front end of the paper P reaches the end of the main tray 50Bd on the front wall Wf side, it is directed obliquely upward by the holding portion 56, and then on the first tray 52 along the ribs 103 and 104. Moved. Then, when the front end of the paper P reaches the second tray 53, it is directed further obliquely upward by the second tray 53, and then moved along the rib 113 on the second tray 53.

  At this time, the inclination angle of the holding portion 56 and the second tray 53 in a state where the sub-tray 51 is extended is set to a predetermined value so that the paper P can be smoothly moved.

That is, the inclination angle of the holding portion 56 with respect to the surface of the top wall Wt, that is, the horizontal direction is α, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 54f of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 is β, and the inclination of the second tray 53 (rib 113). When the angle is γ, the inclination angles α, β, γ are
α = γ ≦ β
Is set to be In the present embodiment, the inclination angles α, β, γ are
α = 45 ± 5 [°]
γ = 45 ± 5 [°]
β = 60 ± 5 [°]
To be.

  Since the inclination angles α and γ of the holding unit 56 and the second tray 53 are not excessively large, when the front end of the paper P comes into contact with the holding unit 56 and the second tray 53, the holding unit 56 and the second tray 53 are used. The paper P can be moved smoothly without being caught by the tray 53. The first tray 52 extends in the horizontal direction in contact with the top wall Wt.

  Further, as described above, the rotation hole h1 into which the rotation shaft sh1 of the second tray 53 is fitted is formed of a groove-like body having a “U” shape, and in part, in this embodiment. The back side of the first tray 52 is open. Accordingly, when an excessive load is applied to the second tray 53, the rotation shaft sh1 is disengaged from the hole of the rotation hole h1, and the second tray 53 is compared with the first tray 52 as shown in FIG. Can be tilted. In this state, when the rotation shaft sh2 is removed from the rotation hole h2, the second tray 53 is moved in the direction of the arrow B and is completely detached from the first tray 52.

  Therefore, even if an excessive load is applied to the second tray 53, the first and second trays 52 and 53 can be prevented from being damaged. As a result, since it is not necessary to increase the thickness of the first and second trays 52 and 53 in order to increase the strength of the first and second trays 52 and 53, the sub-tray 51 can be reduced in size. .

  Note that, when an excessive load is applied to the second tray 53, the load applied to the rotating shaft sh1 that is removed first is larger than the load applied to the rotating shaft sh2, so the diameter of the rotating shaft sh1 is larger than the diameter of the rotating shaft sh2. Accordingly, the diameter of the rotation hole h1 is made larger than the diameter of the rotation hole h2.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the sub-tray 51 can be accommodated in the sub-tray accommodating part 54 or can be extended from the sub-tray accommodating part 54, so that sheets P of various sizes can be loaded on the discharge tray 50. can do.

  FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional discharge tray, and FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the discharge tray in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the drawing, Wt is a top wall, Wf is a front wall, 26 is a discharge roller, 28 is a pinch roller, 50 is a discharge tray, 50Bd is a main tray, 54 is a sub-tray accommodating portion, and 51 is a main tray in this embodiment. The sub-tray 151 provided at the end of the front wall Wf side of 50Bd is a sub-tray 151 provided in the end of the main tray 50Bd on the side of the front wall Wf in the conventional printer. In the embodiment, these are the first and second trays constituting the sub-tray 51.

  In the conventional printer, the area in which the paper P can be stacked in the discharge tray 50, that is, the medium stacking area, is the main tray 50Bd and the sub-tray from the rear end wall surface 61 of the discharge tray 50 formed below the pinch roller 28. It is formed over a distance L1 up to the point P1 where 151 intersects.

  In general, the distance L1 is set to a value at which the paper P accommodated in the paper cassette 14 (FIG. 2) can be stacked. That is, for example, in the printer in which the A4 size paper P is accommodated in the paper tray 14, the distance L1 is 297 [mm] because the length of the A4 size paper P is 10 [mm]. In the printer in which the A3 size paper P is accommodated in the paper tray 14 and the length of the A3 size paper P is 420 [mm], the margin is set to 10 mm. [Mm] is set to 430 [mm].

  However, in the printer in which the A4 size paper P is accommodated in the paper tray 14, it is out of the standard, for example, a legal size paper with a length of 355.6 [mm] and a length of 431.8 [mm]. When an overseas standard paper such as a tabloid size paper is discharged, the paper cannot be properly held on the discharge tray and the paper falls, so that the A3 size paper P is stored in the paper tray 14. Even in the printer, the tabloid size paper cannot be properly held on the discharge tray when the tabloid size paper is discharged, and the paper falls.

  On the other hand, in the printer 10 of the present invention, the medium stacking area includes the distance L2 from the rear end wall surface 61 of the discharge tray 50 to the point P2 where the main tray 50Bd and the holding portion 56 intersect, and the point P2. To the point P3 where the first tray 52 and the second tray 53 intersect with each other and a distance L3 (L2 + L3).

That is, when the conventional printer and the printer 10 of the present invention have the same dimensions, the distances L1 and L2 are:
L1 = L2
Therefore, in the printer 10 of the present invention, the medium stacking area becomes larger than that of the conventional printer.

  Accordingly, in order to use the legal size paper P in the printer in which the A4 size paper P is accommodated in the paper tray 14, the distance L3 may be set to 58.6 [mm]. Further, in the printer in which the A3 size paper P is accommodated in the paper tray 14, in order to use the tabloid size paper P, the distance L3 may be set to 11.8 [mm].

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the sub-tray 51 includes the first and second trays 52 and 53, the medium stacking area can be widened, and the overseas standard paper P such as legal size and tabloid size can be used. Can be held properly without dropping.

  Further, since the second tray 53 is extended from the one end side of the first tray 52 at a predetermined inclination angle, it is possible to prevent the paper P from falling from the discharge tray 50.

  And since the 1st tray 52 is hold | maintained by the holding | maintenance part 56 at the other end side so that movement between the 1st position and the 2nd position is possible, when the subtray 51 is extended, it is 1st. The inclination angle of the tray 52 can be reduced (in this embodiment, 0 [°]). Therefore, the paper P can be easily discharged along the first tray 52.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper P is guided by the holding portion 56 formed at the end of the main tray 50Bd on the front wall Wf side. As shown in FIG. 6, since the holding portions 56 are formed at both ends of the first tray 52 in the width direction of the paper P, when discharging a paper having a width smaller than the width of the first tray 52, the paper There is a possibility that the front end of P may be caught on the inclined surface 54f of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54. In this case, the paper P cannot be moved smoothly.

  Therefore, a second embodiment of the present invention in which the front end of the paper P can be smoothly moved without being caught by the inclined surface 54f of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram of a printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, the discharge tray 50 as a medium discharge device constitutes a part of the top wall Wt, and is a discharge tray main body formed by being inclined so as to gradually increase from the back wall Wb side to the front wall Wf side. Main tray 50Bd, a front tray Wf side end of the main tray 50Bd, a sub-tray 71 serving as an extension tray unit disposed and retractable (accommodable) with respect to the main tray 50Bd, and an accommodating portion Are disposed at predetermined locations in the longitudinal direction (the transport direction of the paper P) of a sub-tray accommodating portion 54 (FIG. 23), which will be described later, in the present embodiment, at one end side (front wall Wf side), A holding portion 74 that holds the sub-tray 71 movably with respect to the main tray 50 </ b> Bd is provided. The sub-tray 71 includes a first tray 72 as a first member, and the first tray 72. A second tray 73 as a second member connected at one end side. The first tray 72 is connected to the holding portion 74 on the other end side.

  That is, the holding portion 74 is supported to be swingable with respect to the main tray 50Bd at one end side, and the first tray 72 is supported to be swingable with respect to the other end side of the holding portion 74 at one end side. The second tray 73 is swingably supported at one end side with respect to the other end side of the first tray 72.

  Next, the operation of the printer 10 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, when a printing command is issued, a drive motor as a drive unit disposed in the apparatus main body is driven, and a sheet P as a medium stored in a sheet cassette 14 as a medium storage unit is transferred by a feeding roller 31 to a medium. The paper is fed to the transport path Rt1, separated one by one by the paper feed roller 32 and the separation roller 33, and sent to the intermediate transport roller 34 and the pinch roller 35. Then, the paper P is further transported by the intermediate transport roller 34 and the pinch roller 35 and is abutted against the registration roller 36 and the pressure roller 37 for a predetermined time, whereby the skew of the paper P is corrected. Thereafter, when the front end of the paper P is detected by the paper feed sensor 22 as the first medium detection unit, the registration roller 36 is rotated by the electromagnetic clutch, and the paper P is sent to the image forming unit 20. Further, when the writing sensor 23 as the second medium detecting unit detects the front end of the paper P, the writing sensor 23 sends an image forming instruction to the image forming unit 20.

  When an image formation instruction is sent to the image forming unit 20, exposure is performed by the LED head 12 as an exposure device of the image forming unit 20, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier. Is done. Then, the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 18 as a developer supply member is attached to the electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image is developed to form a toner image as a developer image. The toner image is transferred onto the paper P by a transfer roller 13 as a transfer member.

  Subsequently, the sheet P is sent to a fixing unit 40 as a fixing device, and the toner image is heated by a heating roller 41 as a first fixing member and a pressure roller 42 as a second fixing member. Then, it is pressurized and fixed on the paper P, and an image is formed.

  When the front end of the sheet P on which the image is formed is detected by the discharge sensor 24 as the third medium detection unit, the sheet P is conveyed by the conveyance roller 25 and the pinch roller 27, and is discharged by the discharge roller 26 and the pinch roller 28. It is discharged out of the apparatus main body and loaded on a discharge tray 50 formed on the top wall Wt.

  Next, the operation of the subtray 71 will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the main part of the printer showing a state in which the sub-tray is accommodated in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 24 is a diagram of the printer in the state in which the sub-tray is accommodated in the second embodiment of the present invention. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the main part, FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the main part of the printer showing the first state in which the sub-tray is extended in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 26 is a view in the second embodiment of the present invention. The principal part perspective view of the printer which shows the 2nd state to which the subtray was extended, FIG. 27 is principal part sectional drawing of the printer which shows the 1st state to which the subtray in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention was extended. 28 is a first perspective view showing a first state of the sub-tray in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 29 is a first perspective view showing the first state of the sub-tray in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 30 is a perspective view of FIG. FIG. 31 is a first perspective view showing a second state of the sub-tray in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 31 is a second perspective view showing a second state of the sub-tray in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 32 is a first perspective view of the first tray and the holding portion in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 33 is a first perspective view of the first tray and the holding portion in the second embodiment of the present invention. 34 is a first perspective view of the first tray in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 35 is a second perspective view of the first tray in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 36 is a first perspective view of the holding portion in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 37 is a second perspective view of the holding portion in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 39 is a first perspective view of a second tray according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 40 is a second perspective view of the second tray in the embodiment, FIG. 40 is a plan view of the sub-tray in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 41 is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 40, and FIG. It is DD sectional drawing.

  In the figure, Wt is a top wall, 50 is a discharge tray, 50Bd is a main tray, 71 is a sub-tray, 74 is a holding portion, 72 and 73 are first and second trays, and 54 is a recess formed in the main tray 50Bd. And a sub-tray accommodating portion as an accommodating portion for accommodating the sub-tray 71.

  As shown in FIGS. 25 and 27, the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 is inclined upward on the bottom surface 54b, the inclined surface 54f formed to be inclined upward on the front wall Wf side, and upward on the back wall Wb side. An inclined surface 54r is formed, a side surface 54s1 is formed to rise vertically on the side wall Ws1, and a side surface 54s2 is formed to rise vertically on the side wall Ws2.

  In addition, the first tray 72 rises from the bottom surface 202 at a plurality of locations in the width direction of the bottom surface 202 and the paper P, in this embodiment, at two locations, and in the transport direction of the paper P. Ribs 203 and 204 formed to extend are provided. The second tray 73 includes a bottom surface 212 and ribs 213 that are formed to rise from the bottom surface 212 at both edges in the width direction of the paper P and extend in the transport direction of the paper P. Further, the holding portion 74 includes a bottom surface 222, a pair of arm portions 223 and 224 formed to extend in the conveyance direction of the paper P at both edges in the width direction of the paper P, and a plurality of locations in the width direction of the paper P. In the present embodiment, ribs 225 and 226 are formed at two locations so as to rise from the bottom surface 222 and extend in the conveyance direction of the paper P, and the first of the ribs 225 and 226 is the first. At the end portion of the tray 72 side, a convex portion 256 as a guide portion for guiding the paper P is formed on the extension of the surface of each rib 225, 226 so as to protrude toward the first tray 72 side. As shown in FIG. 29, when the sub-tray 71 is accommodated in the sub-tray accommodating portion 54, the convex portion 256 is opposed to the first tray 72 and the end surface so that the sub-tray 71 is separated from the sub-tray accommodating portion 54. As shown in FIG. 30, when the sheet is extended, it is protruded obliquely upward from the bottom surface 202 of the first tray, and constitutes an inclined support portion that supports the paper P.

  The first tray 72 is swingable with respect to the main tray 50Bd, and a first position where the first tray 72 is brought into contact with the bottom surface 54b of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 by the holding portion 74, and the top wall Wt. When the sub-tray 71 is not used when it is held movably between the second positions to be brought into contact with each other, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the sub-tray 71 is used at the first position. 25 and 27, is placed in the second position. When the first tray 72 moves from the first position to the second position, the end portion on the holding portion 74 side of the first tray 72 is moved in a direction away from the bottom surface 54b of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54. .

  The second tray 73 is supported so as to be swingable with respect to the first tray 72. When the sub-tray 71 is not used, the second tray 73 is folded as shown in FIGS. When the sub-tray 71 is used in contact with each other, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 27, the sub-tray 71 is spread and separated from the first tray 52, and is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the first tray 72. And extended. Further, the holding portion 74 is supported so as to be swingable with respect to the main tray 50Bd and the first tray 72. When the sub-tray 71 is not used, the holding portion 74 is folded as shown in FIGS. When the sub-tray 71 is used in contact with the bottom surface 54b of the sub-tray 72 and adjacent to the first tray 72, it is separated from the bottom surface 54b of the sub-tray container 54 as shown in FIGS. It is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the wall Wt. At this time, the holding portion 74 forms an inclined portion for guiding the paper P from the bottom surface 54 b of the storage portion 54 toward the first tray 72.

  The sub-tray 71 is placed in the first state when the first tray 72 is placed in the first position, and the sub-tray 71 is placed in the second state when the first tray 72 is placed in the second position. Placed in.

  For this purpose, a support portion Q11 for swingably supporting the second tray 73 with respect to the first tray 72 is formed at the connecting portion of the first and second trays 72 and 73, and the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 A support portion Q12 that supports the holding portion 74 in a swingable manner with respect to the main tray 50Bd is formed at the connecting portion between the holding portion 74 and the main tray 50Bd at the end on the front wall Wf side. A support portion Q13 that supports the second tray 73 in a swingable manner with respect to the first tray 72 is formed at a connection portion with the holding portion 74.

  The support portion Q11 is formed so as to protrude from the rotation holes h11 and h12 formed at both ends of the first tray 72 in the width direction of the paper P and the both ends of the second tray 73 in the width direction of the paper P. The rotation shafts sh11 and sh12 are provided, and the rotation shafts sh11 and sh12 are fitted into the rotation holes h11 and h12, respectively.

  Further, the support portion Q12 is a rotation hole h13 and h14 formed at both ends of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 in the width direction of the paper P and a rotation formed by projecting at both ends of the holding portion 74 in the width direction of the paper P. The shafts sh13 and sh14 are provided, and the rotation shafts sh13 and sh14 are fitted into the rotation holes h13 and h14, respectively.

  The support portion Q13 is formed so as to protrude from both ends of the first tray 72 in the width direction of the paper P and the rotation holes h15 and h16 formed in the both ends of the holding portion 74 in the width direction of the paper P. The rotary shafts sh15 and sh16 are provided, and the rotary shafts sh15 and sh16 are fitted into the rotary holes h15 and h16, respectively.

  The rotation shafts sh13 and sh14 and the rotation holes h15 and h16 are formed in the arm portions 223 and 224.

  Further, locking holes h17 and h18 are formed in the side surfaces 54s1 and 54s2 of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 in the width direction of the sheet P, and the locking holes h17 and h17 on both side surfaces of the first tray 72 in the width direction of the sheet P are formed. Locking projections 77 and 78 are formed to project at a position facing h18, and when the subtray 71 is stored in the subtray storage portion 54, the locking holes h17 and h18 and the locking protrusions 77 and 78 are engaged. When the sub-tray 71 is extended from the sub-tray accommodating portion 54, the locking holes h17, h18 and the locking projections 77, 78 are unlocked.

  In this case, the locking holes h17 and h18 have a shape in which a portion on the top wall Wt side is closed, in this embodiment, an inverted “U” shape, and the locking projections 77 and 78 are formed on the top. Over the wall Wt side portion, it is engaged with and disengaged from the locking holes h17 and h18. Therefore, when the subtray 71 is accommodated in the subtray accommodating part 54, the subtray 71 is prevented from being rotated around the rotation shafts sh13 and sh14 and coming out of the subtray accommodating part 54. In addition, in a state where the subtray 71 is accommodated in the subtray accommodating part 54, the second tray 73 and the holding part 74 are connected to the main tray 50Bd via the first tray 72.

  The rotation holes h12, h15, and h16 are formed so that the inner peripheral surfaces are continuous so that the rotation shafts sh12, sh15, and sh16 do not come out of the holes, and the rotation holes h11 are formed as shown in FIG. When a load is applied to the second tray 73, the rotation shaft sh11 is formed in a groove shape having a “U” shape so that the rotation shaft sh11 is removed from the hole. The rotation holes h13 and h14 are formed in a groove shape so that the rotation shafts sh13 and sh14 can move in the vertical direction within the rotation holes h13 and h14 when the subtray 71 is extended from the subtray accommodating portion 54. It is formed. Accordingly, the sub-tray 71 can be smoothly moved with respect to the sub-tray accommodating portion 54. Further, the locking holes h17 and h18 are locked with the locking projections 77 and 78 when the subtray 71 is accommodated in the subtray accommodating part 54, and are engaged when the subtray 71 is extended from the subtray accommodating part 54. It is formed in a groove shape so that the locking with the stop protrusions 77 and 78 is released.

  The rotation holes h11 to h16 and the locking holes h17 and h18 constitute a first locking element, and the rotation shafts sh11 to sh16 and the locking projections 77 and 78 constitute a second locking element.

  When the subtray 71 is extended from the subtray accommodating part 54, the operator puts a fingertip into the gap 55 formed between the inclined surface 54 r of the subtray accommodating part 54 and the subtray 71 to rotate the subtray 71. Then, the locking holes h17, h18 and the locking projections 77, 78 are unlocked, and the holding portion 74 is rotated about the rotation shafts sh13, sh14. As shown in FIG. The sub-tray 71 is extended in a state where the first and second trays 72 and 73 are folded. Further, when the second tray 73 is rotated, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 27, the sub-tray 71 is extended with the first and second trays 72 and 73 being expanded.

  In addition, when the second tray 73 is rotated with respect to the first tray 72, the rotation of the second tray 73 can be regulated at a predetermined position. The rotation stopper 59 is raised from the bottom surface 202 and extends in the width direction of the paper P at the end on the part Q11 side, and the rotation stopper 59 and the bottom surface 212 of the second tray 73 are formed. Be locked. In this case, the rotation stopper 59 forms a first locking portion, and the bottom surface 212 forms a second locking portion.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 27, the paper P discharged out of the apparatus main body by the discharge roller 26 (FIG. 21) and the pinch roller 28 with the sub-tray 71 extended is moved on the main tray 50Bd. Then, when the front end of the paper P reaches the end on the front wall Wf side of the main tray 50Bd, it is directed obliquely upward by the holding portion 74, and then on the first tray 72 along the ribs 203 and 204. Moved. When the front end of the paper P reaches the second tray 73, it is directed further obliquely upward by the second tray 73, and then moved along the rib 213 on the second tray 73.

  At this time, the inclination angle of the second tray 73 and the holding portion 74 in a state where the sub-tray 71 is extended is set to a predetermined value so that the paper P can be smoothly moved.

That is, the inclination angle of the holding portion 74 (ribs 225, 226 and convex portion 256) with respect to the surface of the top wall Wt, that is, the horizontal direction is δ, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 54f of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 is β, When the inclination angle of the second tray 73 (rib 213) is ε, the inclination angles δ, β, ε are
δ = ε ≦ β
Is set to be In the present embodiment, the inclination angles δ, β, ε are
δ = 45 ± 5 [°]
ε = 45 ± 5 [°]
β = 60 ± 5 [°]
To be.

  Since the inclination angles δ and ε of the holding unit 74 and the second tray 73 are not excessively large, when the front end of the paper P comes into contact with the holding unit 74 and the second tray 73, the holding unit 74 and the second tray 73 The paper P can be moved smoothly without being caught by the tray 73. The first tray 72 is in contact with the top wall Wt and extends in the horizontal direction.

  Further, the convex portion 256 protrudes obliquely upward from the bottom surface 202 of the first tray 72 when the sub-tray 71 is extended from the sub-tray accommodating portion 54 and supports the paper P. Configure. Therefore, when the paper P having a width smaller than the width of the first tray 72 is discharged, the front end of the paper P is not caught on the inclined surface 54f of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54, and the paper P can be moved smoothly. .

  As described above, the holding portion 74 includes a pair of arm portions 223 and 224 on both edges in the width direction of the paper P, and the rotation holes h15 and h16 are formed in the arm portions 223 and 224, respectively. Thereby, when an excessive load is applied to the first tray 72, the arm portions 223 and 224 are deformed in the directions of arrows C and D, and the rotation shafts sh15 and sh16 are removed from the rotation holes h15 and h162. The first tray 72 is detached from the holding unit 74.

  Therefore, even if an excessive load is applied to the first tray 72, the first tray 72 and the holding unit 74 can be prevented from being damaged.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, at the front ends of the rotation shafts sh15 and sh16 of the first tray 72, inclined portions (slope shapes) Sa inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rotation shafts sh15 and sh16. , Sb are formed. Therefore, when an excessive load is applied to the first tray 72, the rotation shafts sh15 and sh16 are disengaged from the rotation holes h15 and h16, so that the first tray 72 and the holding portion 74 can be further prevented from being damaged. it can.

  Further, as described above, the rotation hole h11 into which the rotation shaft sh11 of the second tray 73 is fitted is formed of a groove-like body having a “U” shape, and in part, in this embodiment. The back side of the first tray 72 is open. As a result, when an excessive load is applied to the second tray 73, the rotation shaft sh11 is removed from the hole of the rotation hole h11, and the second tray 73 is moved to the first tray 72 as shown in FIG. It is inclined with respect to. In this state, when the rotation shaft sh12 is removed from the rotation hole h12, the second tray 73 is moved in the direction of the arrow B and is completely detached from the first tray 72.

  Therefore, even if an excessive load is applied to the second tray 73, the first and second trays 72 and 73 can be prevented from being damaged. As a result, in order to increase the strength of the first and second trays 72 and 73 and the holding unit 74, it is not necessary to increase the thickness of the first and second trays 72 and 73 and the holding unit 74. The subtray 71 can be reduced in size.

  Note that, when an excessive load is applied to the second tray 73, the load applied to the rotary shaft sh11 that is released first is larger than the load applied to the rotary shaft sh12, and therefore the diameter of the rotary shaft sh11 is larger than the diameter of the rotary shaft sh12. Accordingly, the diameter of the rotation hole h11 is made larger than the diameter of the rotation hole h12.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the sub-tray 71 can be accommodated in the sub-tray accommodating part 54 or can be extended from the sub-tray accommodating part 54, so that sheets P of various sizes can be loaded on the discharge tray 50. can do.

  FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of the discharge tray in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  19 and 43, Wt is a top wall, Wf is a front wall, 26 is a discharge roller, 28 is a pinch roller, 50 is a discharge tray, 50Bd is a main tray, 54 is a sub-tray accommodating portion, and 71 is in this embodiment. The sub-tray 151 arranged at the end of the main tray 50Bd on the front wall Wf side is a sub-tray 151, 72, 73 arranged at the end of the main tray 50Bd on the front wall Wf side. In the present embodiment, these are the first and second trays constituting the sub-tray 71.

  In the conventional printer, as described above, the medium stacking area in the discharge tray 50 on which the sheets P can be stacked is the main tray 50Bd from the rear end wall surface 61 of the discharge tray 50 formed below the pinch roller 28. And the sub-tray 151 are formed over a distance L1 up to a point P1 where they intersect.

  In general, the distance L1 is set to a value at which the sheets P stored in the sheet cassette 14 (FIG. 21) can be stacked. For example, the A4 size sheets P are stored in the sheet tray 14. In such a printer, it is set to 307 [mm], and in the printer in which the A3 size paper P is accommodated in the paper tray 14, it is set to 430 [mm].

  However, in the printer in which the A4 size paper P is accommodated in the paper tray 14, it is out of the standard, for example, a legal size paper with a length of 355.6 [mm] and a length of 431.8 [mm]. When an overseas standard paper such as a tabloid size paper is discharged, the paper cannot be properly held on the discharge tray and the paper falls, so that the A3 size paper P is stored in the paper tray 14. Even in the printer, the tabloid size paper cannot be properly held on the discharge tray when the tabloid size paper is discharged, and the paper falls.

  On the other hand, in the printer 10 of the present invention, the medium stacking area includes the distance L12 from the rear end wall surface 61 of the discharge tray 50 to the point P12 where the main tray 50Bd and the holding portion 74 intersect, and the point P12. To a point P13 where the first tray 72 and the second tray 73 intersect with each other and a distance L13 (L12 + L13).

That is, when the conventional printer and the printer 10 of the present invention have the same dimensions, the distances L1 and L12 are:
L1 = L12
Therefore, in the printer 10 of the present invention, the medium stacking area becomes larger than that of the conventional printer.

  Therefore, in order to use the legal size paper P in the printer in which the A4 size paper P is accommodated in the paper tray 14, the distance L13 may be set to 58.6 [mm]. Further, in the printer in which the A3 size paper P is accommodated in the paper tray 14, in order to use the tabloid size paper P, the distance L13 may be set to 11.8 [mm].

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the sub-tray 71 includes the first and second trays 72 and 73, the medium stacking area can be widened, and the paper P of overseas standards such as legal size and tabloid size can be used. Can be held properly without dropping.

  Further, since the second tray 73 is extended from the one end side of the first tray 72 at a predetermined inclination angle, it is possible to prevent the paper P from falling from the discharge tray 50.

  Since the first tray 72 is held on the other end side so as to be movable between the first position and the second position by the holding portion 74, when the sub-tray 71 is extended, the first tray 72 is The inclination angle of the tray 72 can be reduced (in this embodiment, 0 [°]). Accordingly, the paper P can be smoothly moved along the first tray 72.

  Further, since the holding portion 74 is disposed so as to cover the first tray 72 in a state where the sub-tray 71 is extended from the sub-tray accommodating portion 54, the paper P having a width narrower than the width of the first tray 72 is loaded. When discharging, the front end of the paper P is not caught on the inclined surface 54 f of the sub-tray accommodating portion 54. Therefore, the paper P can be moved more smoothly.

  In the first and second embodiments, the printer 10 has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

50 Discharge tray 50Bd Main trays 51, 71 Sub-tray 52, 72 First tray 53, 73 Second tray 54 Sub-tray container 56, 74 Holding unit

Claims (8)

(A) a storage portion formed on the main tray;
(B) an extension tray unit disposed so as to be accommodated in the accommodating portion;
(C) having a holding portion disposed at a predetermined location in the housing portion and holding the extension tray unit movably,
(D) The extension tray unit includes a first member, and a second member extended from the one end side of the first member at a predetermined inclination angle.
(E) On the other end side, the first member is held movably between a first position and a second position by the holding portion ,
(F) The storage portion is a recess formed on the discharge surface of the main tray,
When (g) said first member is moved from the first position to the second position, the end portion of the holding portion of the first member, Ru is moved in a direction away from the bottom surface of the recess A medium discharge device characterized by that. (A) The first position is a position when the extension tray unit is accommodated in the accommodating portion,
(B) The second position is a position when the extension tray unit is extended from the accommodating portion,
(C) The extension tray unit is placed in the first and second states by moving the first member between the first position and the second position by the holding portion. The medium ejection device as described . When the front Symbol first member is placed at the second position, the holding unit, the medium discharge device according to claim 1 or 2 to form an inclined portion towards the first member from the bottom surface. (A) The holding portion is supported on one end side so as to be swingable with respect to the main tray,
(B) The first member is swingably supported on one end side with respect to the other end side of the holding portion,
(C) The medium discharging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the second member is supported on one end side so as to be swingable with respect to the other end side of the first member. (A) The first and second members are coupled by locking the first locking element and the second locking element;
(B) The medium discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the first locking element is formed of a groove-like body and a part thereof is opened. (A) The first member and the holding portion are coupled by locking the first locking element and the second locking element;
(B) The medium discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the first locking element is formed on an arm portion of the holding portion. The medium discharging apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to an axial direction of the second locking element is formed at a tip of the second locking element. The image forming apparatus in which the medium discharge device is disposed of according to any one of the claims 1-7.

Images