JP7341711B2 - Sheet storage device and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet storage device and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same.

2. Description of the Related Art In image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and multifunction peripherals, a feeding cassette that can be inserted into and pulled out from a main body of the apparatus is used as a sheet storage device for storing sheets used as recording materials. Misalignment of the sheets stored in the feeding cassette is regulated by regulating members such as side edge regulating plates and trailing edge regulating plates whose regulating width can be changed according to the sheet size. Patent Document 1 discloses that a guide plate fixed to a side end regulating plate is moved and the guide plate is tightened with thumb screws to match the regulation width to the sheet size.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-327805

When changing the regulation width in Patent Document 1, the guide plate must be moved with the loosened thumbscrew inserted into the hole formed in the guide plate, and the thumbscrew rubs against the hole, causing the thread may wear out. Wear of the threads causes, for example, a weakening of the tightening force of the guide plate.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the occurrence of inconveniences caused by wear of screws.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a seat storage device that includes a mounting portion provided with a hole in which a female thread is formed, and that can be attached to and pulled out from the device main body. a accommodating part that accommodates a sheet; a regulating member that is movable relative to the accommodating part and has a regulating surface that regulates an end of the sheet accommodated in the accommodating part; and a regulating member that is rotatably connected to the regulating member. an arm member in which an elongated hole is formed; a shaft portion that passes through the elongated hole and is inserted into the hole portion; and a shaft portion that protrudes in a direction opposite to the direction in which the shaft portion is inserted into the hole portion; a head that can be seated on the shaft; a male threaded part provided on the shaft and screwed into the female threaded part; a male threaded part provided on the shaft between the head and the male threaded part in the insertion direction; a smooth surface that is smooth in the axial direction of the part and has a continuous outer periphery, and the position of the regulating member is adjusted by clamping the arm member between the mounting part and the head part. and a fixing screw for fixing the arm member, the female threaded portion is provided below the height of the upper surface of the hole in the insertion direction, and the lower end of the smooth surface in the insertion direction is in a state where the arm member is in the fastened state. when the regulating member is located between the upper surface of the hole portion and the upper surface of the female threaded portion, and when the regulating member moves in a state where the arm member is disengaged from the mounting portion and the head. , characterized in that it slides on the inner peripheral surface of the elongated hole on the smooth surface.
Further, in order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a seat storage device that includes a mounting portion provided with a hole in which a female thread is formed, and that can be attached to and pulled out from the device main body. a accommodating section for accommodating a sheet; a regulating surface for regulating an end of the sheet accommodated in the accommodating section; a regulating member movable relative to the accommodating section; and a regulating member rotatable to the regulating member. an arm member connected to the arm member and having an elongated hole formed therein; a shaft portion that passes through the elongated hole and is inserted into the hole portion; a head that can be seated on the arm member; a male threaded portion provided on the shaft and screwed into the female threaded portion; provided on the shaft between the head and the male threaded portion in the insertion direction; a smooth surface that is smooth in the axial direction of the shaft part and has a continuous outer periphery, and the regulating member is fastened by sandwiching the arm member between the mounting part and the head part. a fixing screw for fixing the position of the elongated hole, and the inner circumferential surface of the elongated hole has a first surface such that the length of the elongated hole in the short direction of the arm member is a first length. , a second surface such that the length of the elongated hole in the short direction is a second length longer than the first length, and a lower end of the smooth surface in the insertion direction is connected to the arm member. is located below the lower end of the first surface when in the fastened state, and when the regulating member moves in a state in which the arm member is unfastened between the mounting portion and the head, the regulating member moves. It is characterized in that it slides on the inner peripheral surface of the elongated hole on a smooth surface.
Moreover, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, one aspect of the present invention provides a seat storage device including a first mounting portion provided with a first hole portion in which a first female threaded portion is formed; a second mounting part provided with a second hole, which can be attached to and pulled out from the main body of the apparatus, a storage part for storing the sheet, and an end part of the sheet stored in the storage part. a first arm member rotatably connected to the regulating member and having a first elongated hole formed therein; A first shaft portion inserted into the first hole portion through the elongated hole, and protruding in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the first shaft portion into the first hole portion, and can be seated on the first arm member. a first head part, a first male threaded part provided on the first shaft part and screwed into the first female threaded part, and between the first head part and the first male threaded part in the insertion direction. a first smooth surface provided on the first shaft portion, the first smooth surface being smooth in the axial direction of the first shaft portion and having a continuous outer periphery; A first fixing screw that fixes the position of the regulating member by sandwiching and fastening the first arm member with the head, and a second elongated hole are formed, and the first arm member is connected to the regulating member. A second arm member rotatably connected to a location different from the first attachment portion, and a second elongated hole formed in the second arm member is inserted through the second arm member to a location different from the first attachment portion in the accommodation portion. A second shaft portion inserted into a second hole provided in the second mounting portion provided at a location, and a second insertion direction in which the second shaft portion is inserted into the second hole. a second head part that protrudes in the opposite direction and can be seated on the second arm member; and a second male threaded part provided on the second shaft part and screwed into a second female threaded part formed in the second hole part. and a surface that is provided on the second shaft portion between the second head and the second female screw portion in the second insertion direction, is smooth in the axial direction of the second shaft, and has a continuous outer periphery. a second fixing screw having a second smooth surface formed thereon, and fixing the position of the regulating member by tightening the second arm member between the second mounting portion and the second head; When the regulating member moves in a state where the first arm member is disengaged from the first attachment portion and the first head, the first arm member is disengaged from the first arm member on the first smooth surface. When the regulating member slides on the inner peripheral surface of the first elongated hole and moves with the second arm member disengaged from the second mounting portion and the second head, the regulating member slides on the inner peripheral surface of the first elongated hole. It is characterized in that the second smooth surface slides on the inner circumferential surface of the second elongated hole formed in the second arm member.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of inconveniences caused by wear of screws.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus in a state in which a sheet storage device according to a first embodiment is pulled out; FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fixing screw according to Example 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an arm plate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating fixing or unfixing of a side regulating plate using fixing screws according to the first embodiment. (a) A cross-sectional view when the side regulation plate is fixed. (b) A cross-sectional view when the side regulating plate is released from fixation. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how the fixing screw, arm plate, and base member are attached according to the first embodiment. (a) A perspective view of a fixing screw, an arm plate, and a base member. (b) Bottom perspective view of the fixing screw and attachment part. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating fixing or unfixing of a side regulating plate using fixing screws according to the second embodiment. (a) A cross-sectional view when the side regulation plate is fixed. (b) A cross-sectional view when the side regulating plate is released from fixation. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating fixing or unfixing of a side regulating plate using fixing screws according to the third embodiment. (a) A cross-sectional view when the side regulation plate is fixed. (b) A cross-sectional view when the side regulating plate is released from fixation. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view when a side regulating plate is fixed by a fixing member of a reference example.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Example 1>
First, the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described. The printer 100, which is an image forming apparatus of this embodiment, is an electrophotographic full-color laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet S as a recording material based on image information read from a document or image information received from an external device. It is. Sheets used as recording materials or manuscripts include papers such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic films such as sheets for overhead projectors, cloth, sheet materials with surface treatments such as coated paper, envelopes and index paper, etc. Includes specially shaped sheet materials.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 100 includes a reader section 43 that reads an image of a document, and an apparatus main body 90 provided below the reader section 43. The apparatus main body 90 includes a cassette feeding section 60, an image forming section 1, a fixing device 5, and a manual feeding section 65.

The image forming unit 1 includes scanner units 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K, and four process cartridges 1Y that form images in four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). It has 1M, 1C, and 1K. The four process cartridges 1Y to 1K have a common configuration except that the colors of the images they form are different. Hereinafter, only the image forming process of the process cartridge 1Y will be explained, and the explanation of the process cartridges 1M, 1C, and 1K will be omitted.

The scanner unit 13Y irradiates a laser beam toward the photosensitive drum 11 of the process cartridge 1Y based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 11 is charged in advance by the charger 12, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 by being irradiated with laser light. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 14, and a yellow (Y) toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11.

Similarly, magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images are formed on the photosensitive drums of the process cartridges 1M, 1C, and 1K. The toner images of each color formed on each photosensitive drum are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 by the primary transfer rollers 35, 35, 35, 35, and are conveyed to the secondary transfer inner roller 32 by the rotating intermediate transfer belt 31. . The cleaning blade 15 removes deposits such as residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 . Note that the image forming process for each color is performed at the timing of overlapping the upstream toner image that has been primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 31.

In parallel with the above-described image forming process, the sheet S is fed from the cassette feeding section 60 or the manual feeding section 65. The cassette feeding section 60 includes four stages of feeding cassettes 61, 62, 63, and 64, and feeding units 71, 72, 73, and 74 corresponding to each feeding cassette, and includes, for example, sheet size The sheet S is fed from a feeding cassette that is appropriately selected depending on the situation.

Each of the feeding units 71 to 74 includes a pickup roller 71a that sends out the uppermost sheet S from the feeding cassette, and a feed roller 71b that receives and conveys the sheet S from the pickup roller 71a. Furthermore, each of the feeding units 71 to 74 further includes a retard roller 71c that comes into contact with the feed roller 71b. A driving force in a direction opposite to the rotation of the feed roller 71b is input to the retard roller 71c via a torque limiter. The retard roller 71c applies a frictional force in the direction opposite to the feeding direction to the sheet entering the separation nip between the feed roller 71b and the retard roller 71c, thereby transferring sheets other than the topmost sheet S to the feeding cassette. Push back. Such feeding units 71 to 74 are an example of a feeding means for feeding sheets, and for example, an air feeding method is used in which the topmost sheet is attracted to a belt by suctioning air and fed. Good too. Furthermore, a pad-like friction member may be used instead of the retard roller 71c as a separating member that separates the fed sheets one by one.

The manual feed section 65 includes a manual feed tray 66 that protrudes to the side of the apparatus main body 90, and a feed unit 70 that feeds the sheet S set on the manual feed tray 66. The basic configuration of the feeding unit 70 is the same as that of the feeding units 71 to 74 of the cassette feeding section 60. That is, the feeding unit 70 includes a pickup roller 70a that sends out the uppermost sheet S from the manual feed tray 66, a feed roller 70b that receives and conveys the sheet S from the pickup roller, and a retard roller 70c that contacts the feed roller 70b. Be prepared.

The sheet S fed from the cassette feeding section 60 or the manual feeding section 65 is corrected for skew by a pair of registration rollers 75, and is transported at a predetermined transport timing. Then, the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 31 is transferred onto the sheet S by the inner secondary transfer roller 32 and the outer secondary transfer roller 41. The cleaning blade 101 removes deposits such as transfer residual toner that remains on the intermediate transfer belt 31 without being transferred to the sheet S. The sheet S on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed by a belt conveyor 42, and predetermined heat and pressure are applied in the fixing device 5 to melt and fix the toner. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 5 is discharged to the outside of the machine from the discharge port 50.

When forming images on both sides of the sheet, the sheet S with the image formed on the first side and passed through the fixing device 5 is conveyed to the reversing conveyance path 52, and is reversed front and back and front and back by being conveyed switchback. . Then, the sheet S is conveyed again to the registration roller pair 75 via the double-sided conveyance path 85, and the toner image is transferred to the second surface by the secondary transfer inner roller 32 and the secondary transfer outer roller 41.

The image forming unit 1 provided in the printer 100 of this embodiment is an example of an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and is a direct transfer method that transfers a toner image from a photoreceptor to a sheet without passing through an intermediate transfer member. An electrophotographic unit may also be used. Further, image forming means other than electrophotography may be used, such as an inkjet type image forming unit or an offset printing type printing mechanism.

(Feeding cassette)
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the feeding cassettes 61 to 64, which are sheet storage devices according to this embodiment, will be described. Since the feeding cassettes 61 to 64 have substantially the same configuration, the explanation will be given here using the lowest feeding cassette 64 as a representative.

The feeding cassette 64 includes a feeding tray 3, a middle plate, side regulating plates 4f and 4r, and a rear end regulating plate 6. The feeding tray 3 (cassette tub) that constitutes the frame (cassette main body) of the feeding cassette 64 is a storage section that forms a space for storing sheets inside, and can be attached to and pulled out from the apparatus main body 90. It is composed of In other words, the device body 90 of the printer 100 is also the device body of the sheet storage device according to this embodiment. The feeding cassette 64 is a front-loading sheet storage device that can be installed and pulled out from the front side of the printer 100. However, the front side (front side) of the printer 100 refers to the front side of the page in FIG.

The middle plate is a support member that supports the sheets accommodated in the feed tray 3. A lift plate (not shown) is in contact with the lower surface of the middle plate, and when the feeding cassette 64 is inserted into the main body of the apparatus, the lift plate is driven by a lift motor of the main body of the apparatus, and the middle plate moves up and down.

The feeding direction D2 of the sheets stored in the feeding tray 3 is a direction that intersects with the cassette pull-out direction D1 of the feeding cassette 64 (particularly, in this embodiment, a direction that intersects perpendicularly to the direction of gravity). The side regulating plates 4f and 4r are a pair of regulating members that regulate the position of the end of the sheet in the cassette pull-out direction D1 (sheet width direction). The side regulating plates 4f and 4r face each other in the cassette pull-out direction D1. The side regulating plate 4f abuts the sheet edge on the front side of the printer (downstream side in the pull-out direction), and the side regulating plate 4r abuts on the sheet edge on the back side of the printer 100 (upstream side in the pull-out direction).

Each side regulating plate 4f, 4r has a regulation that extends in the feeding direction D2 and the height direction of the sheets stored in the feeding tray 3 (same as the direction of gravity in this embodiment) in order to regulate the edge of the sheet. A surface is provided. Also, on one of the regulating surfaces (preferably the regulating surface of the rear side regulating plate 4r that can be seen from the front side of the printer), the maximum height of sheets that can be loaded on the feed tray 3 (maximum loading height) is indicated. A line or character display indicating the following is displayed. If the stackable height differs depending on the type of sheet, the maximum stacking height shall refer to the highest stacking height for each type of sheet. Furthermore, if there is no display indicating the maximum loading height, the maximum loading height shall refer to the upper end position of the regulation surface.

The side regulating plates 4f and 4r are configured to interlock with each other via a rack and pinion mechanism (not shown), and move symmetrically with respect to the center position in the width direction of the seat. The front side regulating plate 4f is provided with a release lever that can release the locking of the side regulating plate 4f from the locking portion provided at the bottom of the feeding tray 3. When the user operates the release lever, the claws engaged with the notch-shaped locking portions are retracted, and the side regulating plates 4f and 4r become movable in the seat width direction. When the user releases the release lever, the claw engages with the locking portion again, and the movement of the side regulating plates 4f, 4r is regulated.

The trailing edge regulating plate 6 is a trailing edge regulating member that regulates the position of the trailing edge (upstream end in the feeding direction) of the sheet in the feeding direction D2, and is movable in the feeding direction D2 with respect to the feeding tray 3. It is. Like the side regulating plate 4f, the rear end regulating plate 6 becomes movable relative to the feeding tray 3 by operating the release lever, and when the user releases the release lever, the rear end regulating plate 6 stops moving. Regulated.

When the user replenishes the feeding cassette 64 with sheets (or when replacing sheets), the feeding cassette 64 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 90 to the front side. Then, the side regulating plates 4f, 4r and the rear end regulating plate 6 are moved to predetermined positions according to the size of the sheet to be set, and then the sheet is set on the feeding tray 3. Thereafter, the feeding cassette 64 is inserted toward the back of the apparatus main body 90 in the opposite direction to the cassette withdrawal direction D1.

The feeding cassette 64 is supported so as to be movable in the cassette drawing direction D1 via a rail provided on the apparatus main body 90. A stopper is provided on the rail to prevent the feeding cassette 64 from being pulled out beyond a predetermined pulling position and falling off from the apparatus main body 90. Further, when inserting the feeding cassette 64 into the apparatus main body, a part of the feeding tray 3 comes into contact with the frame of the apparatus main body 90, so that the feeding cassette 64 is placed at a predetermined mounting position (feeding unit 71 is positioned at a position where sheet feeding can be executed).

(Backup mechanism for side regulation plate)
Next, a description will be given of the backup mechanism 24 that prevents the side regulating plate 4f from tilting. Hereinafter, within the movable range of the side regulating plates 4f, 4r in the width direction of the seat, the innermost position will be referred to as the "inner position", and the outermost position will be referred to as the "outer position". The inner position (the position in FIG. 2) of the front side regulating plate 4f supported by the backup mechanism 24 is located on the upstream side in the cassette drawing direction with respect to the outer position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the backup mechanism 24 of this embodiment includes arm plates 9, 9, which are two arm members, fixing screws 8, 8, which are two screw members, and a base member 77. It is composed of two mounting parts 7, 7. Furthermore, the fixing screws 8, 8 can be fastened by sandwiching the arm plates 9, 9 between the fixing screws 8, 8 and the mounting parts 7, 7, and the arm plate by the fixing screws 8, 8 and the mounting parts 7, 7. It is possible to switch between the states 9 and 9 in which the fastening is released. When one arm plate 9 is used as the first arm member of this embodiment, the corresponding fixing screw 8 and attachment part 7 are the first fixation screw and the first attachment part, respectively. The other arm plate 9 is the second arm member of this embodiment, and the corresponding fixing screw 8 and attachment part 7 are a second fixing screw and a second attachment part, respectively. Although the attachment parts 7, 7 in this embodiment are provided on the base member 77 attached to the feed tray 3, the attachment parts 7, 7 may be provided as a part of the feed tray 3.

Each arm plate 9 is supported by the side regulating plate 4f in a rotatable state about the support portion 10. The axis of rotation of each arm plate 9 extends approximately in the height direction of the sheets accommodated in the feed tray 3 . As shown in FIG. 4, each arm plate 9 has a hole 23 into which a stepped screw 25, which will be described later, forming the support part 10 is inserted, and a slit-shaped hole (long hole) into which the fixing screw 8 is inserted. A certain slit hole 19 is formed. In addition, since each arm plate 9 is formed in a curved shape as shown in FIG. The connection location is a location that is shifted (offset) with respect to the sheet feeding direction. The sheet feeding direction is also a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the side regulating plates 4f and 4r move. Furthermore, since the slit hole 19 is formed to pass through the center line of the arm plate 9 in the lateral direction, the slit hole 19 also has a curved shape.

Each fixing screw 8 has a shaft portion 8a that is inserted into the slit hole 19, as shown in FIG. Each fixing screw 8 also has a head 16a, a male threaded portion 17 provided below the head 16a in the shaft portion 8a, and a smooth surface 20 provided between the male threaded portion 17 and the head 16a. Be prepared. The head 16a protrudes in a direction opposite to the direction in which the shaft 8a is inserted into the hole 7a, and includes an operating section 16 that allows the user to turn the fixing screw 8 by pinching it with his or her fingers (rotation operation), and an arm. A seat surface 18 on which the plate 9 can be seated is provided. The smooth surface 20 is smooth in the axial direction of the shaft portion 8a, has a continuous outer periphery, and is provided, for example, in a cylindrical shape with respect to the shaft portion 8a. Note that the shape of the smooth surface 20 may be such that the height of the smooth surface 20 is higher than the height of the thread of the male threaded portion 17 in the insertion direction of the shaft portion 8a into the hole portion 7a. The fixing screw 8 is attached to the attachment part 7 while passing through the slit hole 19 of the corresponding arm plate 9. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the attachment portion 7 provided on the base member 77 is a member that is fixed to the feeding tray 3, and is provided with a hole portion 7a in which a female screw portion 22 is formed. (See Figure 5 (a, b)).

That is, the attachment portions 7, 7 in this embodiment are provided at different locations on the feeding tray 3, respectively. The attachment parts 7, 7 are configured by a hole part 7a and a female screw part 22 formed in each of the hole parts 7a. The male threaded portions 17 of the fixing screws 8 and 8 are screwed into female threaded portions 22 formed in the mounting portions 7 and 7, respectively. Further, when one arm plate 9 is used as the first arm member of this embodiment, the hole 7a of the corresponding mounting portion 7 is the first hole, and the female threaded portion 22 is the first female thread. When the other arm plate 9 is used as the second arm member of this embodiment, the hole 7a of the corresponding mounting portion 7 is the second hole, and the female threaded portion 22 is the second female thread. Further, when one arm plate 9 is used as the first arm member of this embodiment, the head 16a, shaft portion 8a, male threaded portion 17, and smooth surface 20 of the corresponding fixing screw 8 are the first head, respectively. They are a first shaft portion, a first male screw portion, and a first smooth surface. Further, when the other arm plate 9 is used as the second arm member of this embodiment, the head 16a, shaft portion 8a, male threaded portion 17, and smooth surface 20 of the corresponding fixing screw 8 are the second head, respectively. They are a second shaft portion, a second male screw portion, and a second smooth surface. Furthermore, when one arm plate 9 is used as the first arm member of this embodiment, the direction in which the shaft portion 8a of the fixing screw 8 is inserted into the hole portion 7a of the corresponding mounting portion 7 is the first insertion direction. It is the direction. When the other arm plate 9 is used as the second arm member of this embodiment, the direction in which the shaft portion 8a of the fixing screw 8 is inserted into the hole 7a of the corresponding mounting portion 7 is the second insertion direction. be.

When the fixing screws 8, 8 are loosened, the state where the arm plates 9, 9 are sandwiched between the seat surface 18 of the fixing screws 8, 8 and the mounting part 7 is released, and the arm plates 9, 9 are fed. It becomes movable relative to the tray 3. At this time, with each fixing screw 8 passing through the slit hole 19 of each arm plate 9, the support portion 10 moves in the width direction of the seat following the movement of the side regulating plate 4f. Furthermore, since each arm plate 9 has a curved shape, as the side regulating plate 4f moves, the inner circumferential surface of the slit hole 19 slides against the smooth surface 20 (FIG. 3) of each fixing screw 8. It rotates around the support part 10 while being guided by the surface 20.

In the state shown in FIG. 2 in which the side regulating plates 4f and 4r have been moved to the inner position, the two arm plates 9 of the backup mechanism 24 are in a nearly fully extended state (the fixing screw 8 is inserted into one end of the slit hole 19). position). In addition, when the side regulating plates 4f and 4r are moved to the outer position, the distance from the support part 10 to the fixing screws 8 and 8 is the shortest (the fixing screw is located at the other end of the elongated hole). state).

When the user tightens the fixing screws 8, 8 with the side regulating plates 4f, 4r moved to desired positions, the arm plates 9, 9 are fixed to the feeding tray 3, respectively. That is, the positions of the side regulating plates 4f, 4r are fixed in a state where the arm plates 9, 9 are sandwiched between the seat surface 18 and the mounting portion 7. In this state, even if a force in the cassette pull-out direction D1 acts on the side regulating plate 4f, the arm plates 9, 9 fixed to the feeding tray 3 prevent the side regulating plate 4f from moving in the cassette withdrawing direction D1 ( displacement) is regulated. In other words, the side regulating plate 4f is connected to the feeding tray 3 via the arm plates 9, which are not rotatable, so that the side regulating plate 4f is supported by the backup mechanism 24.

A large force in the cassette pull-out direction D1 is applied to the side regulating plate 4f, for example, when the feeding cassette 64 is forcefully pulled out with sheets close to the maximum loading capacity loaded, and the stopper causes the feeding cassette 64 to be pulled out. This is a case where the cassette 64 suddenly stops at the drawn-out position. Furthermore, if the user tries to forcefully insert the feeding cassette 64 with a large amount of sheets loaded in the feeding cassette 64 pulled out from the main body of the apparatus, the inertia of the sheets will cause the side regulating plate 4f to A force in the cassette pull-out direction D1 is applied.

In such a case, by regulating the movement (displacement) of the side regulating plate 4f by the backup mechanism 24, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the engagement at the locking portion is disengaged and the position of the side regulating plate 4f shifts. . At the same time, it is possible to prevent the side regulating plate 4f from deforming so that the upper part of the regulating plate is displaced downstream in the cassette pull-out direction D1 and falls down, centering on the lower end portion fixed by the locking portion. Therefore, by providing the backup mechanism, the movement (displacement) of the side regulating plate 4f is reduced, and the positional shift of the sheets accommodated in the feeding tray 3 is reduced.

Here, the backup mechanism 24 of this embodiment includes arm plates 9, 9, which are two arm members, and the position in the feeding direction D2 of the portion where each arm member is connected to the side regulating plate 4f. are different. In other words, the two connecting parts (supporting parts 10, 10) where the arm plates 9, 9 are connected to the side regulating plate 4f are arranged in the first direction (cassette pulling direction D1) in which the cassette is inserted and pulled out. They are separated from each other in a second direction (feeding direction D2) intersecting with . In this way, the side regulating plate 4f, which is the regulating member of this embodiment, is configured to be supported by the backup mechanism at at least two locations in the feeding direction D2.

If the backup mechanism is constituted by only one of the two arm plates 9, 9, the force acting on the side regulating plate 4f from the seat may cause the side regulating plate 4f to be deformed such as to rotate. That is, if the point of application of the force acting on the side regulating plate 4f in the cassette pull-out direction D1 is shifted from the connecting position between the side regulating plate 4f and the arm plate with respect to the feeding direction D2, the force acting on the side regulating plate 4f in the cassette pull-out direction D1 is shifted from the connecting position between the side restricting plate 4f and the arm plate when viewed from above. A moment is generated that rotates the side regulating plate 4f. If the side regulating plate 4f is deformed or misaligned due to this moment, the sheet may become misaligned, which may cause a decrease in the stability of the sheet feeding operation or tilt the image formed on the sheet. be.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, two locations on the upstream side and the downstream side of the side regulating plate 4f in the feeding direction D2 are fixed by a backup mechanism. Therefore, even if a force is applied to the side regulating plate 4f when opening and closing the cassette, the deformation of the side regulating plate 4f can be more reliably regulated and the positional shift of the sheet can be reduced.

In order to further enhance the above effect, it is preferable that the two supporting parts 10, 10 are arranged separately at a downstream part and an upstream part of the side regulating plate 4f in the feeding direction D2. The downstream and upstream parts of the side regulating plate 4f are defined in the feeding direction with respect to the center position of both ends in the feeding direction D2 within the range where the regulating surface of the side regulating plate 4f can come into contact with the edge of the sheet. In D2, it refers to the downstream part and the upstream part.

In addition, the connecting position of the arm plates 9, 9 and the side regulating plate 4f is such that the side regulating plate 4f can more effectively regulate the inclination of the side regulating plate 4f with respect to the direction of gravity when viewed from the feeding direction D2. It is preferable to provide the upper part of the The supporting parts 10, 10 of this embodiment are located above the lower end of the regulating surface of the side regulating plate 4f, and from half of the maximum loading height of the feeding tray 3 with respect to the lower end position of the regulating surface. It is located in a high position. However, the lower end position of the regulating surface of the side regulating plate 4f refers to the lower end of the range of the regulating surface that can come into contact with the end of the sheets stacked on the middle plate 3b.

Here, as a reference example of a configuration in which the side regulating plate 4f is fixed by a backup mechanism, the configuration of the fixing member 68 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the fixing member 68 as a reference example. In addition, in FIG. 9, the locations where the female threaded portions 22 are formed are shown with halftone dots. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the arm plate 9 of this embodiment is attached to the attachment part 7, and the arm plate 9 is loosened from being fastened by the fixing member 68 and the attachment part 7. The fixing member 68 has a male threaded portion 67 formed from a position directly below the head 68a. At this time, when the side regulating plate 4f moves with the fastening of the arm plate 9 by the fixing member 68 loosened, the solid male threaded portion 67 and the sliding surface, which is the inner peripheral surface of the slit hole 19 formed in the arm plate 9, move. The arm plate 9 moves with the surfaces 19a and 19b rubbing against each other.

As the arm plate 9 moves, the male threaded portion 67 is worn by the sliding surfaces 19a and 19b, and as the wear progresses further, the male threaded portion 67 cannot be fastened to the female threaded portion 22. As a result, when the feeding cassette 64 is attached to and pulled out from the main body 90 of the apparatus, the side regulating plate 4f is displaced due to the impact, and as a result, the sheets stored in the feeding cassette 64 are misaligned. . Further, the threads of the male threaded portion 67 are scraped by the sliding surfaces 19a and 19b, and these fragments are generated. As shown in FIG. 9, since the fixing member 68 is provided above the sheet stored in the feeding cassette 64, image formation may be performed with thread fragments of the male threaded portion 67 attached to the sheet. This may lead to image defects.

In contrast, in this embodiment, a portion of the fixing screw 8 where the male threaded portion 17 is not provided is provided with a portion that slides on the inner circumferential surface (sliding surfaces 19a, 19b) of the slit hole 19. Next, with reference to FIG. 5, details of the configuration of the fixing screw 8 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing how the arm plate 9 is attached to the attachment part 7 using the fixing screw 8 of this embodiment. 5(a) shows how the arm plate 9 is fixed to the mounting part 7, and FIG. 5(b) shows how the arm plate 9 is released from being fixed to the mounting part 7. . In addition, in FIGS. 5(a, b), the locations where the female threaded portion 22 is formed are shown with halftone dots, but the shape of the female threaded portion 22 is not limited to the shape shown in the figures. Any shape that can be combined is acceptable.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), a male threaded portion 17 is provided below the head 16a in the insertion direction of the shaft portion 8a into the hole 7a (direction of arrow D in FIG. 5(a)). Further, the female threaded portion 22 that is screwed into the male threaded portion 17 is formed in a hole 7a provided so as to pass through the attachment portion 7. In FIG. 5(a), when the head 16a is rotated in the direction of arrow A, the male threaded portion 17 provided on the shaft portion 8a tightens with the female threaded portion 22, and the fixing screw 8 moves in the insertion direction. By moving the fixing screw 8, the distance between the seat surface 18 and the mounting section 7 is shortened, with the arm plate 9 being sandwiched between the seat surface 18 and the mounting section 7.

When the seat 18 is seated on the arm plate 9 with the arm plate 9 being sandwiched between the seat 18 and the attachment part 7, the arm plate 9 is fastened by the seat 18 and the attachment part 7. , the position of the arm plate 9 with respect to the mounting portion 7 is fixed. Hereinafter, the state in which the arm plate 9 is fastened by the seat surface 18 provided on the head 16a and the attachment portion 7 will be referred to as a "fastened state." That is, when the arm plate 9 is in the fastened state, the position of the side regulating plate 4f is fixed by the arm plate 9. By doing so, displacement of the side regulating plate 4f due to attachment and detachment of the feeding cassette 64 to and from the apparatus main body 90 is suppressed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5(b) from the state of FIG. 5(a), when the operating portion 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, the male threaded portion 17 and the female threaded portion 22 become loose, and the hole in the shaft portion 8a The fixing screw 8 moves in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion into 7a (in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow D in FIG. 5(b)). As a result, the seat surface 18 of the head 16a is separated from the arm plate 9 with the arm plate 9 being sandwiched between the head 16a and the attachment portion 7, and the fastened state of the arm plate 9 is released. When the fastened state of the arm plate 9 is released, the arm plate 9 becomes rotatable, so that the side regulating plate 4f becomes movable in the drawing direction of the feeding cassette 64, that is, in the sheet width direction.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mounting portion 7 has a concave shape in the insertion direction of the shaft portion 8a of the fixing screw 8 into the hole portion 7a (direction of arrow D in FIGS. 5(a, b)). Further, the female threaded portion 22 is provided below the height of the upper surface of the hole portion 7a in the insertion direction of the shaft portion 8a of the fixing screw 8 into the hole portion 7a. The length L20 of the smooth surface 20 when the arm plate 9 is fastened in the insertion direction of the shaft portion 8a is the length from the upper surface of the arm plate 9 to the upper surface of the female threaded portion 22 (L9+L7a). It is designed to be shorter than the As a result, when the arm plate 9 is in the fastened state, the lower end of the smooth surface 20 in the insertion direction of the shaft portion 8a of the fixing screw 8 into the hole portion 7a is the concave portion of the mounting portion 7, that is, the lower end of the smooth surface 20 in the insertion direction of the shaft portion 8a of the fixing screw 8 into the hole portion 7a. It will be arranged at a location between the top surface and the top surface of the female threaded portion 22. Since the lower end of the smooth surface 20 is located in the concave portion of the mounting portion 7, even when the arm plate 9 is unfastened, the side regulating plate 4f remains in a state where the smooth surface 20 faces the sliding surfaces 19a and 19b. will be moved. That is, when the side regulating plate 4f moves with the arm plate 9 unfastened, the fixing screw 8 slides on the sliding surfaces 19a, 19b on the smooth surface 20, and The thread of the male threaded portion 17 will not be scraped.

Although metal is used as the material for the arm plate 9 in this embodiment, other materials such as resin or carbon material may be used as long as the material can ensure durability against impact when the feeding cassette 64 is attached and detached. may also be used. Further, when setting sheets of different sizes in the feeding cassette 64, the side regulating plate 4f is moved in accordance with the sheet size, and then the operating section 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5(a). Thereby, the fixing screw 8 is fastened with the arm plate 9 being sandwiched between the operating part 16 and the mounting part 7, and the position of the side regulating plate 4f is fixed. Further, even when a backup mechanism is configured by one arm plate 9, one fixing screw 8, and one mounting part 7 of this embodiment, the fixing screw 8 is connected to the sliding surfaces 19a and 19b on the smooth surface 20. Sliding. Therefore, even when a backup mechanism is configured with one arm plate 9, one fixing screw 8, and one attachment part 7, the threads of the male threaded part 17 are not scraped by the sliding surfaces 19a and 19b.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shaft portion 8a of the fixing screw 8 is FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the portion (viewed from the position of arrow Z in FIG. 6(a)). As shown in FIG. 6(a), the attachment parts 7, 7, arm plates 9, 9, and fixing screws 8, 8 constituting the backup mechanism 24 are arranged so that the arm plates 9, 9 and fixing screws 8, 8 It is supported by attachment parts 7, 7 fixed to 3 and configured as an integrated unit.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the hole 7a is provided so as to pass through the mounting portion 7, and the female screw portion 22 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the hole 7a. ing. Therefore, the shaft portion 8a of the fixing screw 8 is engaged with the mounting portion 7 in a state where the male threaded portion 17 is engaged with the female threaded portion 22. That is, the fixing screw 8 is attached to the attachment part 7 with the shaft part 8a passing through the hole 23 of the arm plate 9 and the female threaded part 22 of the attachment part 7. Therefore, even when the fixing screw 8 is loosened, the arm plate 9 is held by the mounting portion 7 via the shaft portion 8a of the fixing screw 8, so that the arm plate 9 does not fall off from the backup mechanism 24.

Specifically, when the male threaded portion 17 is engaged with the female threaded portion 22, a shaft groove 36 (see FIG. 6(b)) is provided. As shown in FIG. 6(b), an E-shaped retaining ring 26, which is a retaining member of this embodiment, is attached to this shaft groove 36. Although FIG. 6(b) shows the fixing screw 8 attached to one attachment part 7, the fixing screw 8 attached to the other attachment part 7 also has a similar shaft groove 36 and an E-shaped retaining ring. 26 are provided. Further, the outer diameter of the E-shaped retaining ring 26 is larger than the inner diameter of the female threaded portion 22.

Therefore, even if the fixing screw 8 is turned in the direction in which the male threaded portion 17 comes out of the female threaded portion 22, the E-shaped retaining ring 26 prevents the fixing screw 8 from falling off from the mounting portion 7. On the other hand, since the fixing screw 8 passes through the slit hole 19 of each arm plate 9, the arm plate 9 also remains held in the attaching part 7 unless the fixing screw 8 is removed from the attaching part 7. That is, the backup mechanism 24 of this embodiment is configured as an integrated unit by supporting each fixing screw 8 and each arm plate 9 on the mounting portion 7.

Note that the E-shaped retaining ring 26 is only an example of a retaining member that prevents a fixture such as the fixing screw 8 from coming off when inserted into the hole 7a provided in the mounting portion 7. In addition to the E-shaped retaining ring 26, the retaining member may include a retaining washer that engages with the shaft groove 36, and a pin member (snap pin or A lock pin) etc. can be used. In addition, the method is not limited to the method of attaching the E-shaped retaining ring 26 to the fixing screw 8, and it is also possible to provide a part of the shaft of the fixing screw 8 with a step-like reduced outer diameter, and a U-shaped part that fits into this part. A plate member having a groove may be fixed to the mounting portion 7.

As described above, the fixing screw 8 in this embodiment is provided with a portion that slides on the inner surface (sliding surfaces 19a, 19b) of the slit hole 19 at a portion where the male thread portion 17 is not provided. This prevents the male threaded portion 17 from sliding against the inner peripheral surface. By doing this, when the side regulating plate 4f moves, wear of the threads of the male threaded portion 17 by the inner circumferential surface of the arm plate 9 is suppressed, thereby reducing wear of the threads of the male threaded portion 17. be able to. Further, since the generation of thread fragments is also suppressed, it is also possible to suppress the occurrence of image defects due to thread thread fragments adhering to the sheet fed from the feeding cassette 64.

<Example 2>
In the first embodiment, the mounting portion 7 of the base member 77 is formed into a concave shape so that the length of the smooth surface 20 is shorter than the length from the upper surface of the arm plate 9 to the upper surface of the female threaded portion 22, and the side regulating plate 4f When moving, the sliding surfaces 19a, 19b and the smooth surface 20 are made to slide. In this embodiment, the length of the slit hole 19 in the lateral direction of the arm plate 9 is made into a shape that increases stepwise, so that the inner circumferential surface of the arm plate 9 above the insertion direction of the shaft portion 8a is smooth. The surface 20 is made to slide. Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus of this example is the same as that of Example 1, so the same components as Example 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the different configurations from Example 1 will be explained.

Referring to FIG. 7, details of the configuration of the mounting portion 7' and arm plate 9' provided on the base member 77 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing how the arm plate 9' of this embodiment is attached to the attachment part 7'. Fig. 7(a) shows how the arm plate 9' is fixed to the mounting part 7', and Fig. 7(b) shows how the arm plate 9' is released from the mounting part 7'. It is something that In FIGS. 7(a, b), the locations where the female threaded portion 22 is formed are shown with halftone dots, but the shape of the female threaded portion 22 is not limited to the shape shown in the figures. Any possible shape is acceptable.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), the arm plate 9' has upper surfaces 19'a and 19'b whose length in the insertion direction of the shaft portion 8a is L19'a on the inner peripheral surface of the slit hole 19'. (first surface) and lower surfaces 9'a and 9'b (second surface) having a length L9'a. In this embodiment, the first length is the length (W19'a) of the elongated hole in the upper surface 19'a in the lateral direction of the arm plate 9, and the second length is the length (W19'a) of the elongated hole in the upper surface 19'a in the lateral direction of the arm plate 9'. This is the length (W9'a) of the elongated hole in the lower surface 9'a. Further, the arm plate 9' has a shape in which the length W9'a of the elongated hole in the lower surface 9'a, 9'b is longer than the length W19'a of the elongated hole in the upper surface 19'a, 19'b. It is. Although FIGS. 7A and 7B show an arm plate 9' having two levels of surfaces consisting of a first surface and a second surface, two or more levels of surfaces may be formed. In addition, although FIGS. 7A and 7B show a configuration in which the upper surface of the hole 7a and the upper surface of the female threaded portion 22 in the insertion direction of the shaft portion 8a are formed on the same plane, the upper surface of the hole 7a may be formed to be higher than the upper surface of the female threaded portion 22.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7(a), when the arm plate 9' is fixed to the mounting part 7' by the fixing screw 8, the lower end of the smooth surface 20 is located lower than the upper surfaces 19'a and 19'b. Located in That is, the smooth surface 20 has a portion that faces the lower surfaces 9'a and 9'b when the fixing screw 8 is tightened. As a result, even when the fixing screw 8 is moved upward relative to the arm plate 9' by loosening the fixing screw 8, the smooth surface 20 faces the upper surfaces 19'a and 19'b, which are sliding surfaces. In this state, the side regulating plate 4f moves.

In FIG. 7(a), as the operating portion 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow A, the male threaded portion 17 and female threaded portion 22 are tightened, and the fixing screw 8 is moved in the insertion direction (direction of arrow D in FIG. 7(a)). Moving. By moving the fixing screw 8, the distance between the head 16a and the attachment part 7' becomes shorter, with the arm plate 9' being sandwiched between the head 16a and the attachment part 7'. Then, when the seat surface 18 of the head 16a is seated on the arm plate 9' with the arm plate 9' being sandwiched between the head 16a and the attachment part 7', the arm plate 9' is fastened. The position of the arm plate 9' is fixed with respect to the mounting portion 7'. As a result, the position of the side regulating plate 4f is fixed by the arm plate 9', and displacement of the side regulating plate 4f due to attachment and detachment of the feeding cassette 64 to and from the apparatus main body 90 is less likely to occur.

Conversely, as shown in FIG. 7(b), when the operating portion 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow B from the state of FIG. 7(a), the male threaded portion 17 and the female threaded portion 22 become loose. When the operation section 16 continues to rotate in the direction of arrow B, the fixing screw 8 moves in the direction opposite to the insertion direction (the direction opposite to the direction of arrow D in FIG. 7(b)). As the fixing screw 8 moves, the distance between the head 16a and the attachment part 7' increases with the arm plate 9' being sandwiched between the head 16a and the attachment part 7'. Then, when the seat surface 18 of the head 16a separates from the arm plate 9', the fastening of the arm plate 9' to the mounting portion 7' is released, and the arm plate 9' becomes rotatable. By making the arm plate 9' rotatable, the side regulating plate 4f becomes movable in the drawing direction of the feeding cassette 64, that is, in the sheet width direction.

As described above, the arm plate 9' has a length W9'a of the elongated hole in the lower surface 9'a, 9'b than a length W19'a in the elongated hole in the upper surface 19'a, 19'b. It has a longer shape. With this configuration, when the position of the side regulating plate 4f is fixed, the smooth surface 20 and the upper surfaces 19'a and 19'b face each other at a distance closer than that of the lower surfaces 9'a and 9'b. I will do it. As a result, when the side regulating plate 4f moves, the smooth surface 20 slides on the upper surfaces 19'a, 19'b, so that the upper surfaces 19'a, 19'b and the lower surfaces 9'a, 9'b This prevents the threads of the male threaded portion 17 from being shaved off.

Although resin is used as the material for the arm plate 9' in this embodiment, other materials such as metal or carbon may be used as long as the material can ensure durability against impact when the feeding cassette 64 is attached and detached. The material may be used. When resin is used as the material of the arm plate 9', sliding resistance can be reduced compared to when the material of the smooth surface 20 is metal, which improves operability when moving the side regulating plate 4f. can be improved. Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a shaft groove 36 is provided at the tip of the shaft portion 8a that protrudes from the mounting portion 7 on the side opposite to the operating portion 16, and an E-type retaining ring 26 or the like is provided. A configuration may also be adopted in which a retaining member is attached. When the retaining member is attached, it is possible to prevent the fixing screw 8 from falling off from the mounting portion 7 when the fixing screw 8 is turned in the direction in which the male threaded portion 17 comes out from the female threaded portion 22, as in the first embodiment. can.

<Example 3>
Next, Example 3 of the present disclosure will be described. In this embodiment, when the fixing screw 8 of Embodiment 1 is loosened to the maximum extent and cannot be removed, that is, when the male threaded portion 17 and the female threaded portion 22 are screwed together, the male threaded portion 17 is removed from the thread. The effect of the E-type retaining ring 26 as a retaining member will be explained. Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus of this example is the same as that of Example 1, so the same components as Example 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the different configurations from Example 1 will be explained.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state of the fixing screw 8 and the mounting portion 7 of the base member 77 when the side regulating plate 4f moves. FIG. 8(a) shows a state in which the male threaded portion 17 and the female threaded portion 22 are not screwed together, that is, the thread of the male threaded portion 17 is lower than the upper surface of the female threaded portion 22 in the insertion direction of the shaft portion 8a into the hole portion 7a. This shows what it looks like when it is in the upper position. In FIGS. 8(a, b), the locations where the female threaded portion 22 is formed are shown with halftone dots, but the shape of the female threaded portion 22 is not limited to the shape shown in the figures. Any possible shape is acceptable.

In FIG. 8(a), the E-shaped retaining ring 26 comes into contact with the lower surface 7b of the mounting portion 7, thereby preventing the fixing screw 8 from falling out from the hole portion 7a, as described in FIG. 6. However, since the male threaded portion 17 and the female threaded portion 22 are not screwed together, the fixing screw 8 swings relative to the hole 7a while the shaft portion 8a is inserted into the hole 7a. At this time, even if the arm plate 9 is moved in conjunction with the movement of the side regulating plate 4f, the effect of preventing the fixing screw 8 from falling off from the mounting portion 7 can be obtained, as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8(b) shows how the side regulating plate 4f moves in a state where the male threaded portion 17 and the female threaded portion 22 are screwed together. In FIG. 8(b), the E-shaped retaining ring 26 comes into contact with the lower surface 7b of the mounting portion 7, thereby preventing the fixing screw 8 from falling out from the hole portion 7a as described in FIG. 6. Further, since the male threaded portion 17 and the female threaded portion 22 are screwed together, the fixing screw 8 is maintained in a state in which the shaft portion 8a is inserted into the hole portion 7a without swinging, and the smooth surface 20 is prevented from sliding. It faces surfaces 19a and 19b. Furthermore, at this time, even when the arm plate 9 is moved in conjunction with the movement of the side regulating plate 4f, the effect of preventing the fixing screw 8 from falling off from the mounting portion 7 can be obtained as in the first embodiment. I can do it. In addition, since the smooth surface 20 slides on the sliding surfaces 19a and 19b when the male threaded portion 17 and the female threaded portion 22 are screwed together, the threads of the male threaded portion 17 are tightened by the sliding surfaces 19a and 19b. It will never be removed.

In this manner, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8(b), it is possible to prevent the fixing screw 8 from falling off from the mounting portion 7 by using a retaining member such as the E-shaped retaining ring 26. Further, the position of the shaft groove 36 in which the E-type retaining ring 26 is provided is adjusted so that the smooth surface 20 slides on the sliding surfaces 19a and 19b when the male threaded portion 17 and the female threaded portion 22 are screwed together. This also prevents the threads of the male threaded portion 17 from being worn out by the sliding surfaces 19a and 19b. In other words, even if the fixing screw 8 receives a force from the arm plate 9 in a direction crossing the axial direction, the inclination (wobble) of the fixing screw 8 is restricted by the screw engagement between the male threaded portion 17 and the female threaded portion 22. Therefore, for example, when the male threaded part 17 and the female threaded part 22 are engaged only at the threads at their ends, the fixing screw 8 is tilted so that one of the male threaded part 17 and the female threaded part 22 will pry the other. This prevents the screw thread from being scraped.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the head 16a of the fixing screw 8 is provided with the operating section 16 for the user to perform a rotation operation, but the operating section for rotating the fixing screw 8 is not the same as the fixing screw 8. may be provided separately. For example, when a fixing screw whose head 16a is not provided with the operating section 16 and a rotating member having an operating section and rotatably supported by the feeding tray 3 are connected with a belt, and when the rotating member is rotated, the belt to allow the fixing screw to rotate. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as in Examples 1 to 3 can be obtained by providing a smooth portion at an appropriate position of the fixing screw 8.

100 Printer (image forming device) / 90 Apparatus main body / 61 to 64 Feeding cassette (sheet storage device) / 3 Feeding tray (accommodating section) / 22 Female threaded part (first female threaded part, second female threaded part) / 7a Hole Part (first hole part, second hole part) /7 Attachment part (first attachment part, second attachment part) /4 Side regulation plate (regulation member) /9 Arm plate (arm member, first arm member, first 2 arm member) / 8 Fixing screw (first fixing screw, second fixing screw) / 8a Shaft part (first shaft part, second shaft part) / 16a Head (first head, second head) / D Insertion direction/17 Male thread part (first male thread part, second male thread part)/20 Smooth surface (first smooth surface, second smooth surface)/19 Long hole/19'a, 19'b First surface/9 'a, 9'b Second surface/1 Image forming section (image forming means)

Claims (11)

an accommodating section for accommodating a sheet, having a mounting section provided with a hole in which a female screw section is formed, the accommodating section being capable of being attached to and pulled out from the apparatus main body;
a regulating member that has a regulating surface that regulates an end of the sheet accommodated in the accommodation section and is movable with respect to the accommodation section;
an arm member rotatably connected to the regulating member and having an elongated hole formed therein;
a shaft portion that penetrates the elongated hole and is inserted into the hole portion; a head portion that protrudes in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the shaft portion into the hole portion and can be seated on the arm member; a male threaded portion that is provided on the shaft portion between the head and the male threaded portion in the insertion direction, and is smooth in the axial direction of the shaft portion and has a continuous outer periphery. and a fixing screw that fixes the position of the regulating member by sandwiching and fastening the arm member between the mounting portion and the head,
The female threaded portion is provided below the height of the upper surface of the hole in the insertion direction, and the lower end of the smooth surface in the insertion direction is formed on the upper surface of the hole when the arm member is in the fastened state. and the upper surface of the female threaded portion,
When the regulating member moves in a state in which the arm member is disengaged from the mounting portion and the head, it slides on the inner peripheral surface of the elongated hole on the smooth surface;
A seat storage device characterized by: an accommodating section for accommodating a sheet, having a mounting section provided with a hole in which a female screw section is formed, the accommodating section being capable of being attached to and pulled out from the apparatus main body;
a regulating member that has a regulating surface that regulates an end of the sheet accommodated in the accommodation section and is movable with respect to the accommodation section;
an arm member rotatably connected to the regulating member and having an elongated hole formed therein;
a shaft portion that penetrates the elongated hole and is inserted into the hole portion; a head portion that protrudes in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the shaft portion into the hole portion and can be seated on the arm member; a male threaded portion that is provided on the shaft portion between the head and the male threaded portion in the insertion direction, and is smooth in the axial direction of the shaft portion and has a continuous outer periphery. and a fixing screw that fixes the position of the regulating member by sandwiching and fastening the arm member between the mounting portion and the head,
The inner circumferential surface of the elongated hole has a first surface such that the length of the elongated hole in the transverse direction of the arm member is a first length, and a first surface that is a surface such that the length of the elongated hole in the transverse direction of the arm member is a first surface; has a second length that is longer than the first length,
The lower end of the smooth surface in the insertion direction is below the lower end of the first surface when the arm member is in the fastened state,
When the regulating member moves in a state in which the arm member is disengaged from the mounting portion and the head, it slides on the inner peripheral surface of the elongated hole on the smooth surface;
A seat storage device characterized by: The smooth surface has a cylindrical shape centered on the axis of the fixing screw,
The seat storage device according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that: The direction in which the accommodating portion is attached to and pulled out from the device main body is the same as the direction in which the regulating member moves.
The seat storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The arm member has a curved shape,
The attachment portion is provided at a location offset from a location connected to the regulation member in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the regulation member moves.
The seat storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The head has an operation part that can be operated to rotate the shaft part,
The seat storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The outer diameter of the male threaded portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the smooth surface.
The seat storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The hole portion is provided to penetrate the attachment portion,
The shaft portion is attached below the male threaded portion in the insertion direction, and has a retaining member that prevents the fixing screw from falling off from the attachment portion;
facing the inner circumferential surface of the elongated hole on the smooth surface when the arm member is in a position where it is prevented from falling off by the retaining member in an unfastened state;
The seat storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . The arm member, the fixing screw, the attachment part, the hole part, the female thread part, the shaft part, the head part, the male thread part, and the smooth surface are the first arm member, the first fixing screw, and the first part, respectively. 1 mounting part, a first hole part, a first female thread part, a first shaft part, a first head part, a first male thread part, a first smooth surface,
a second arm member having an elongated hole formed therein and rotatably connected to a location different from a location to which the first arm member is coupled in the regulating member;
A second arm member that passes through a long hole formed in the second arm member and is inserted into a second hole provided in a second attachment portion provided at a location different from the first attachment portion in the accommodation portion. a second head part that protrudes in a direction opposite to a second insertion direction in which the second shaft part is inserted into the second hole part and is seatable on the second arm member; between a second male screw portion provided on the shaft portion and screwed into a second female screw portion formed in the second hole portion, and the second head portion and the second female screw portion in the second insertion direction; a second smooth surface provided on the second shaft portion, the second smooth surface being smooth in the axial direction of the second shaft and having a continuous outer periphery, the second mounting portion and the second head; a second fixing screw that fixes the position of the regulating member by tightening the second arm member between the parts;
formed on the second arm member on the second smooth surface when the regulating member moves with the second arm member disengaged from the second attachment portion and the second head. Slides on the inner circumferential surface of the elongated hole.
The seat storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . The apparatus has a first mounting part provided with a first hole in which a first female thread is formed, and a second mounting part in which a second hole in which a second female thread is formed is provided. a storage section that can be attached to and pulled out from the seat and that stores the sheet;
a regulating member that has a regulating surface that regulates an end of the sheet accommodated in the accommodation section and is movable with respect to the accommodation section;
a first arm member rotatably connected to the regulating member and having a first elongated hole formed therein;
a first shaft portion that passes through the first elongated hole and is inserted into the first hole portion; and a first arm member that protrudes in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first shaft portion is inserted into the first hole portion; a first head that can be seated on the first head; a first male thread that is provided on the first shaft part and screws into the first female thread; and the first head and the first male thread in the insertion direction; a first smooth surface that is provided on the first shaft section between the first shaft section and is smooth in the axial direction of the first shaft section and has a continuous outer periphery; a first fixing screw that fixes the position of the regulating member by tightening the first arm member with the first head;
a second arm member in which a second elongated hole is formed and rotatably connected to a location in the regulating member that is different from a location to which the first arm member is coupled;
The second arm member is inserted through a second elongated hole formed in the second arm member and into a second hole provided in the second attachment portion provided at a location different from the first attachment portion in the accommodation portion. a second head portion that protrudes in a direction opposite to a second insertion direction in which the second shaft portion is inserted into the second hole portion and is seatable on the second arm member; a second male threaded part provided on the second shaft part and screwed into a second female threaded part formed in the second hole; and the second head and the second female threaded part in the second insertion direction. a second smooth surface provided on the second shaft part between the parts, the second smooth surface being smooth in the axial direction of the second shaft and having a continuous outer periphery; a second fixing screw that fixes the position of the regulating member by tightening the second arm member with a second head;
When the regulating member moves in a state where the first arm member is disengaged from the first attachment portion and the first head, the first part of the first arm member is moved on the first smooth surface. Slides on the inner peripheral surface of the elongated hole,
formed on the second arm member on the second smooth surface when the regulating member moves with the second arm member disengaged from the second attachment portion and the second head. sliding on the inner peripheral surface of the second elongated hole;
A seat storage device characterized by: A seat storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
image forming means for forming an image on a sheet fed from the sheet storage device;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images