JP7403361B2

JP7403361B2 - Lock mechanism for paper feeding device, image forming device, and moving members

Info

Publication number: JP7403361B2
Application number: JP2020053251A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 大貴堀田; 真嗣大石
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2020-03-24
Filing date: 2020-03-24
Publication date: 2023-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-24
Also published as: JP2021151913A

Description

本発明は、給紙カセットを備えた給紙装置および画像形成装置、並びに移動部材のロック機構に関する。 The present invention relates to a paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus including a paper feeding cassette, and a locking mechanism for a moving member.

画像形成装置に設けられる給紙装置として、給紙カセットを備えた給紙装置が知られている。給紙カセットには、収容された用紙の端部を規制する用紙規制板が設けられている。 2. Description of the Related Art As a paper feeding device provided in an image forming apparatus, a paper feeding device including a paper feeding cassette is known. The paper feed cassette is provided with a paper regulation plate that regulates the edges of the paper stored therein.

用紙規制板は、給紙カセットに収容された用紙サイズに合わせてその位置が調整できるようになっている。特許文献１には、用紙の後端を規制する用紙規制板の位置に基づいて、用紙サイズを自動検知する給紙装置が開示されている。 The position of the paper regulating plate can be adjusted according to the size of paper stored in the paper feed cassette. Patent Document 1 discloses a paper feeding device that automatically detects the paper size based on the position of a paper regulating plate that regulates the trailing edge of the paper.

特許第４５９２７８４号公報Patent No. 4592784

特許文献１における用紙規制板は、使用者がその位置を容易に変更できるようになっている。このため、給紙カセットへの用紙補給時に、使用者が用紙規制板を不用意に移動させた後、その位置を戻し忘れることが起こり得る。この場合、給紙カセットに収容された用紙の用紙サイズと用紙規制板による検知サイズとが一致せず、この検知誤差によって画像形成装置における用紙の搬送ジャムが発生する恐れがある。 The paper regulating plate in Patent Document 1 is designed so that the user can easily change its position. Therefore, when replenishing paper to the paper feed cassette, the user may carelessly move the paper regulating plate and then forget to return it to its position. In this case, the paper size of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette and the size detected by the paper regulating plate do not match, and this detection error may cause a paper transport jam in the image forming apparatus.

尚、使用者による用紙規制板の不用意な移動を抑制するため、用紙規制板を給紙カセットに対してネジ留めできる構成とする場合もある。しかしながら、この構成では、給紙カセットにおけるレール付近にネジ留め部分を設ける必要があり、用紙規制板もしくは用紙規制板と連結し用紙規制板の移動と連動して動く、用紙サイズを検出するための部材の移動が阻害される（用紙規制板の動作性が低下する）といった問題がある。また、この場合のネジ留めは、給紙カセットに用紙がある状態では上面側からネジ留めができないため、下面側からネジ留めをする必要があり、作業性が悪いといった問題もある。 Note that in order to prevent the paper regulating plate from being moved inadvertently by the user, the paper regulating plate may be configured to be screwed to the paper feed cassette. However, with this configuration, it is necessary to provide a screw fastening part near the rail in the paper feed cassette, and a screw fixing part is required to detect the paper size, which is connected to the paper regulation plate or the paper regulation plate and moves in conjunction with the movement of the paper regulation plate. There is a problem that the movement of the member is obstructed (the operability of the paper regulating plate is reduced). Further, in this case, screwing cannot be done from the top side when there is paper in the paper feed cassette, so it is necessary to screw from the bottom side, which poses a problem of poor workability.

本発明は、上記課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、使用者による用紙規制板の不用意な移動の抑制と、抑制の解除とを簡単に行うことのできる給紙装置および画像形成装置を提供することを目的とする。さらに、このような給紙装置および画像形成装置に適用可能な移動部材のロック機構を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a paper feeding device and an image forming device that can easily suppress the careless movement of a paper regulating plate by a user and release the suppression. The purpose is to A further object of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism for a moving member that is applicable to such paper feeding devices and image forming apparatuses.

上記の課題を解決するために、本発明の第１の態様である給紙装置は、複数の用紙を積載可能な給紙カセットを備え、当該給紙カセットに備えられる用紙規制板の位置に基づいて、当該給紙カセットに収容される用紙のサイズを検知可能な給紙装置であって、前記給紙カセットは、前記給紙カセットの底板に形成され、用紙搬送方向を長手方向とするスリット部と、前記スリット部の長手方向に沿った少なくとも一方の側方に、前記スリット部と平行に形成されるラックギア部と、前記スリット部に沿って移動可能な前記用紙規制板と、を有し、前記用紙規制板は、前記ラックギア部と係合可能な第１係合ギア部と、前記第１係合ギア部を前記ラックギア部と係合する第１位置へ移動させる付勢力を与えると共に、前記付勢力と逆向きの力を与える操作が加えられたときに前記第１係合ギア部を前記ラックギア部との係合が解除される第２位置へと移動可能な操作部とを有しており、前記給紙装置は、さらに、前記用紙規制板側に突出した突出部と、前記ラックギア部と係合可能な第２係合ギア部と、を有するロック部材を備え、前記用紙規制板は、前記ロック部材が、前記スリット部の長手方向の隣りに配置された状態において、前記突出部が前記操作部に当接することで、前記第１係合ギア部の移動が規制されることを特徴としている。 In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a paper feeding device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a paper feeding cassette that can load a plurality of sheets of paper, and based on the position of a paper regulating plate provided in the paper feeding cassette, The paper feeding device is capable of detecting the size of paper stored in the paper feeding cassette, the paper feeding cassette having a slit portion formed in a bottom plate of the paper feeding cassette, the longitudinal direction of which is the paper conveyance direction. and a rack gear part formed parallel to the slit part on at least one side along the longitudinal direction of the slit part, and the paper regulating plate movable along the slit part, The paper regulating plate provides a first engagement gear part that can engage with the rack gear part, and a biasing force that moves the first engagement gear part to a first position where it engages with the rack gear part. an operation section that can move the first engagement gear section to a second position where engagement with the rack gear section is released when an operation that applies a force in a direction opposite to the biasing force is applied; The paper feeding device further includes a locking member having a protrusion protruding toward the paper regulation plate and a second engagement gear part that can be engaged with the rack gear part, and the paper regulation plate is , in a state where the locking member is disposed adjacent to the slit portion in the longitudinal direction, the protrusion comes into contact with the operating portion, thereby restricting movement of the first engagement gear portion. It is said that

上記の構成によれば、スリット部に沿って移動可能な用紙規制板に対してロック部材を接触配置し、このロック部材によって用紙規制板の移動をロックすることができる。すなわち、ロック部材が取付けられた状態では、ロック部材の突出部が操作部に当接することで、前記第１係合ギア部と前記ラックギア部との係合を解除する方向への操作が阻害され、用紙規制板の移動が不可能となる。また、ロック部材自体は、ラックギア部と第２係合ギア部との係合によってスリット部に沿っての移動が不可能となる。 According to the above configuration, the locking member is disposed in contact with the paper regulating plate that is movable along the slit portion, and the movement of the paper regulating plate can be locked by this locking member. That is, when the locking member is attached, the protruding portion of the locking member comes into contact with the operating portion, thereby inhibiting the operation in the direction of releasing the engagement between the first engagement gear portion and the rack gear portion. , the paper regulating plate cannot be moved. Further, the locking member itself cannot move along the slit portion due to the engagement between the rack gear portion and the second engagement gear portion.

このように、ロック部材によって用紙規制板の移動をロックすることで、給紙カセットへの用紙補給時に、使用者が用紙規制板を不用意に移動させることを抑制できる。その結果、給紙装置および画像形成装置では、給紙カセットに収容された用紙の用紙サイズと用紙規制板による検知サイズとの不一致を防止でき、用紙サイズの検知誤差に起因する用紙の搬送ジャムを防止できる。 In this way, by locking the movement of the paper regulating plate with the locking member, it is possible to prevent the user from moving the paper regulating plate carelessly when replenishing paper to the paper feed cassette. As a result, in the paper feeding device and image forming device, it is possible to prevent discrepancies between the paper size of the paper stored in the paper cassette and the size detected by the paper regulation plate, and prevent paper transport jams caused by paper size detection errors. It can be prevented.

また、上記給紙装置では、前記用紙規制板は、前記給紙カセットに収容される用紙の端部を規制する基部を有し、前記操作部は、片端が基部に接続され、他端が第１係合ギア部に接続されるアーム形状を有し、前記ロック部材の前記突出部が、前記操作部もしくは前記第１係合ギア部と前記基部との間に配置されることで、前記第１係合ギア部の移動が規制される構成とすることができる。 Further, in the paper feeding device, the paper regulating plate has a base portion that regulates an edge of the paper stored in the paper feeding cassette, and the operating portion has one end connected to the base portion and the other end connected to the base portion. The projection part of the lock member is arranged between the operation part or the first engagement gear part and the base part, and the protrusion part of the lock member is arranged between the operation part or the first engagement gear part and the base part. A configuration may be adopted in which movement of the first engaging gear portion is restricted.

また、上記給紙装置では、前記ロック部材は、前記スリット部と係合するスリット挿入部を有する構成とすることができる。 Further, in the paper feeding device, the locking member may include a slit insertion portion that engages with the slit portion.

上記の構成によれば、スリット挿入部によって、第２係合ギア部がラックギア部から外れにくくすることができる。 According to the above configuration, the second engagement gear part can be made difficult to come off from the rack gear part by the slit insertion part.

また、上記給紙装置は、前記スリット部内に配置される胴部と、前記胴部の上方に設けられ、前記ロック部材を支持する取付部と、前記胴部の下方に設けられ、前記スリット部に対する抜止部とを有する固定部材を備えており、前記ロック部材は、前記固定部材の前記取付部に支持される構成とすることができる。 Further, the paper feeding device may include a body disposed within the slit portion, a mounting portion provided above the body and supporting the locking member, and a mounting portion provided below the body and attached to the slit portion. The locking member may include a fixing member having a retaining portion for the fixing member, and the locking member may be supported by the attaching portion of the fixing member.

上記の構成によれば、固定部材によってロック部材を固定することで、振動などによってロック部材の位置ずれが生じることを防止できる。 According to the above configuration, by fixing the lock member using the fixing member, it is possible to prevent the lock member from being displaced due to vibration or the like.

また、上記給紙装置では、前記取付部は、ねじ穴部を有し、前記ロック部材は、前記ねじ穴部と対応する位置に穴部を有し、当該ロック部材は、ねじによって前記取付部に締結される構成とすることができる。 Further, in the paper feeding device, the mounting portion has a screw hole portion, the locking member has a hole portion at a position corresponding to the screw hole portion, and the locking member is screwed into the mounting portion. It is possible to have a configuration in which the

また、上記給紙装置では、前記抜止部は、前記胴部から水平方向に延伸された板状に形成され、水平方向において互いに直交する長手方向と短手方向とを有しており、前記抜止部の長手方向長さは前記スリット部の幅よりも大きく設定されており、短手方向長さは前記スリット部の幅以下に設定されている構成とすることができる。 Further, in the paper feeding device, the retaining portion is formed in a plate shape extending horizontally from the body portion, and has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction that are orthogonal to each other in the horizontal direction, and the retaining portion The length in the longitudinal direction of the portion may be set larger than the width of the slit portion, and the length in the lateral direction may be set equal to or less than the width of the slit portion.

上記の構成によれば、固定部材をスリット部に対して容易に取付けることができる。すなわち、抜止部の長手方向がスリット部の長手方向と平行となる向きで挿入した後、固定部材を水平方向に９０°回転させることにより、固定部材がスリット部から抜けないようにすることができる。 According to the above configuration, the fixing member can be easily attached to the slit portion. That is, by inserting the fixing member in a direction in which the longitudinal direction of the retaining part is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slit part, and then rotating the fixing member by 90 degrees in the horizontal direction, it is possible to prevent the fixing member from coming off from the slit part. .

また、上記給紙装置では、前記胴部は、円筒部と、前記円筒部から突出する回転規制部とを有する構成とすることができる。 Further, in the paper feeding device, the body portion may include a cylindrical portion and a rotation regulating portion protruding from the cylindrical portion.

上記の構成によれば、固定部材の回転可能範囲を、必要な範囲に制限することができる。 According to the above configuration, the rotatable range of the fixed member can be limited to a necessary range.

また、上記の課題を解決するために、本発明の第２の態様である画像形成装置は、上記記載の給紙装置を備えることを特徴としている。 Further, in order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized by including the paper feeding device described above.

また、上記の課題を解決するために、本発明の第３の態様である移動部材のロック機構は、枠体に形成されたスリット部と、前記スリット部の長手方向に沿った少なくとも一方の側方に、前記スリット部と平行に形成されるラックギア部と、前記スリット部に沿って移動可能な移動部材と、前記移動部材と接触するように配置され、前記移動部材の移動を禁止するロック部材とを含み、前記移動部材は、前記ラックギア部と係合可能な第１係合ギア部と、前記第１係合ギア部を前記ラックギア部と係合する第１位置へ移動させる付勢力を与えると共に、前記付勢力と逆向きの力を与える操作が加えられたときに前記第１係合ギア部を前記ラックギア部との係合が解除される第２位置へと移動可能な操作部とを有しており、前記ロック部材は、前記操作部に当接することで、前記第１係合ギア部と前記ラックギア部との係合を解除する方向への操作を阻害する操作規制部と、前記ラックギア部と係合可能な第２係合ギア部とを有していることを特徴としている。 Further, in order to solve the above problems, a locking mechanism for a moving member according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a slit portion formed in a frame and at least one side along the longitudinal direction of the slit portion. On the other hand, a rack gear portion formed parallel to the slit portion, a movable member movable along the slit portion, and a lock member disposed in contact with the movable member and prohibiting movement of the movable member. The moving member includes a first engagement gear part that can engage with the rack gear part, and a biasing force that moves the first engagement gear part to a first position where it engages with the rack gear part. and an operating section capable of moving the first engagement gear section to a second position where the first engagement gear section is disengaged from the rack gear section when an operation that applies a force opposite to the biasing force is applied. The locking member includes an operation restriction portion that inhibits an operation in a direction to release the engagement between the first engagement gear portion and the rack gear portion by coming into contact with the operation portion; It is characterized by having a second engagement gear part that can engage with the rack gear part.

本発明の給紙装置、画像形成装置および移動部材のロック機構は、ロック部材によって用紙規制板（移動部材）の移動をロックすることで、使用者が用紙規制板を不用意に移動させることを抑制できる。その結果、給紙カセットに収容された用紙の用紙サイズと用紙規制板による検知サイズとの不一致を防止でき、用紙サイズの検知誤差に起因する用紙の搬送ジャムを防止できるといった効果を奏する。 The lock mechanism for the paper feeding device, image forming apparatus, and moving member of the present invention locks the movement of the paper regulating plate (moving member) with the locking member, thereby preventing the user from accidentally moving the paper regulating plate. It can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent a discrepancy between the paper size of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette and the size detected by the paper regulating plate, and it is possible to prevent a paper transport jam caused by a paper size detection error.

本発明の適用例である給紙装置と、給紙装置を備えた画像形成装置との全体構成を示す斜視図である。1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus including the paper feeding device, which are an application example of the present invention. 給紙カセットの斜視図である。FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a paper feed cassette. 給紙カセットにおける用紙規制板の取付け構造を示す拡大斜視図である。FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the mounting structure of a paper regulating plate in a paper feed cassette. 用紙規制板の分解斜視図である。FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a paper regulating plate. 実施の形態１に係るロック機構において使用されるロック部材の斜視図である。FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a locking member used in the locking mechanism according to the first embodiment. 給紙カセットに対するロック部材の取付け手順を示す拡大斜視図である。FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a procedure for attaching a locking member to a paper feed cassette. 給紙カセットに対するロック部材の取付け手順を示す拡大斜視図である。FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a procedure for attaching a locking member to a paper feed cassette. 給紙カセットに対するロック部材の取付け手順を示す拡大斜視図である。FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a procedure for attaching a locking member to a paper feed cassette. 実施の形態２に係るロック機構において使用される固定部材の斜視図である。FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fixing member used in the locking mechanism according to the second embodiment. 給紙カセットに対するロック部材および固定部材の取付け手順を示す拡大斜視図である。FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing a procedure for attaching a locking member and a fixing member to the paper feed cassette. 給紙カセットに対するロック部材および固定部材の取付け手順を示す拡大斜視図である。FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing a procedure for attaching a locking member and a fixing member to the paper feed cassette. 給紙カセットに対するロック部材および固定部材の取付け手順を示す拡大斜視図である。FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing a procedure for attaching a locking member and a fixing member to the paper feed cassette. 給紙カセットに対するロック部材および固定部材の取付け手順を示す拡大斜視図である。FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing a procedure for attaching a locking member and a fixing member to the paper feed cassette. 給紙カセットに対するロック部材および固定部材の取付け手順を示す拡大斜視図である。FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing a procedure for attaching a locking member and a fixing member to the paper feed cassette. 給紙カセットに対するロック部材および固定部材の取付け手順を示す拡大斜視図である。FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing a procedure for attaching a locking member and a fixing member to the paper feed cassette. 固定部材における胴部の断面形状を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional shape of the trunk|drum of a fixing member.

〔実施の形態１〕
以下、本発明の実施の形態について、図面を参照して詳細に説明する。図１は、本発明の適用例である給紙装置２０と、給紙装置２０を備えた画像形成装置１０の全体構成を示す斜視図である。画像形成装置１０は、画像形成装置本体１１、原稿台１２、スキャナ部１３、排紙トレイ１４、および給紙装置２０を備えている。 [Embodiment 1]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a paper feeding device 20 and an image forming apparatus 10 including the paper feeding device 20, which is an application example of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 11 , a document table 12 , a scanner section 13 , a paper discharge tray 14 , and a paper feeder 20 .

画像形成装置本体１１は、画像形成装置１０の本体部分である。原稿台１２は、画像形成装置本体１１の上面に設置されたガラス体である。スキャナ部１３は、原稿台１２の下方に設けられており、原稿台１２上に置かれた原稿の画像を読み取る。画像形成装置本体１１の内部には、画像形成部が設けられている。スキャナ部１３で読み取られた画像データは画像形成部に入力され、画像データに基づく画像が電子写真画像形成法によって用紙の表面に形成される。排紙トレイ１４には、画像形成装置本体１１の上部中央（スキャナ部１３の下方位置）に設置されており、画像が形成された用紙が排出される。 Image forming apparatus main body 11 is a main body portion of image forming apparatus 10 . The document table 12 is a glass body installed on the top surface of the image forming apparatus main body 11. The scanner unit 13 is provided below the document table 12 and reads an image of a document placed on the document table 12. An image forming section is provided inside the image forming apparatus main body 11. The image data read by the scanner section 13 is input to the image forming section, and an image based on the image data is formed on the surface of the paper by an electrophotographic image forming method. The paper ejection tray 14 is installed at the upper center of the image forming apparatus main body 11 (below the scanner section 13), and the paper on which an image has been formed is ejected.

給紙装置２０は排紙トレイ１４の下方に設けられており、給紙装置２０の上に画像形成装置本体１１を載せて画像形成装置１０が構成されている。給紙装置２０は、給紙装置本体２１に対して挿抜可能な給紙カセット３０を備えている。通常、給紙装置２０には複数段（図１では４段）の給紙カセット３０が装着されている。 The paper feed device 20 is provided below the paper discharge tray 14, and the image forming apparatus 10 is configured by placing the image forming apparatus main body 11 on the paper feed device 20. The paper feeding device 20 includes a paper feeding cassette 30 that can be inserted into and removed from the paper feeding device main body 21. Usually, the paper feeding device 20 is equipped with a plurality of stages (four stages in FIG. 1) of paper feeding cassettes 30.

続いて、本実施の形態１に係る給紙カセット３０の具体的な構成について説明する。図２は、給紙カセット３０の斜視図である。図２に示すように、給紙カセット３０は、収容される用紙の端部を規制するための用紙規制板（移動部材）３１および側端規制板３２を有している。給紙装置２０は、特に用紙規制板３１の位置をセンサで検知し、その検知位置に基づいて用紙サイズを検知するようになっている。尚、通常は、用紙規制板３１の位置変化に連動して変位する連動部材を設け、この連動部材の変位をセンサで検知することで、用紙規制板３１の位置を間接的に検知するようになっている。このような用紙規制板３１および連動部材を用いた用紙サイズ検知機構は、公知の構成であるため、ここでは詳細な説明を省略する。 Next, a specific configuration of the paper feed cassette 30 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the paper feed cassette 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed cassette 30 includes a paper regulation plate (moving member) 31 and a side edge regulation plate 32 for regulating the edges of the paper sheets stored therein. In particular, the paper feed device 20 detects the position of the paper regulating plate 31 using a sensor, and detects the paper size based on the detected position. Note that normally, an interlocking member is provided that moves in conjunction with changes in the position of the paper regulating plate 31, and the displacement of this interlocking member is detected by a sensor, so that the position of the paper regulating plate 31 is indirectly detected. It has become. The paper size detection mechanism using such a paper regulating plate 31 and interlocking member has a well-known configuration, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

本発明は、給紙カセット３０への用紙補給時に、使用者が用紙規制板３１を不用意に移動させることを防止するためのロック機構に特徴を有するものである。以下、このロック機構について詳細に説明する。 The present invention is characterized by a locking mechanism for preventing the user from moving the paper regulating plate 31 carelessly when replenishing the paper feed cassette 30 with paper. This locking mechanism will be explained in detail below.

図３は、給紙カセット３０における用紙規制板３１の取付け構造を示す拡大斜視図である。図４は、用紙規制板３１の分解斜視図である。尚、図３に示す用紙規制板３１の取付け構造自体は公知であるが、先ずはこの構造について以下に簡単に説明する。 FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the mounting structure of the paper regulating plate 31 in the paper feed cassette 30. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the paper regulating plate 31. Although the mounting structure of the paper regulating plate 31 shown in FIG. 3 is well known, this structure will first be briefly described below.

図３に示すように、用紙規制板３１が取付けられる給紙カセット３０の底板（枠体）には、給紙方向（用紙搬送方向：図中の矢印Ａ方向）を長手方向とするスリット部３３が形成されている。また、スリット部３３の長手方向に沿った少なくとも一方の側方には、ラックギア部３４がスリット部３３と平行に形成されている。ラックギア部３４は、長手方向において、スリット部３３とほぼ同程度の長さを有している。また、ラックギア部３４は、スリット部３３側に向かって形成されている。つまり、ラックギア部３４は、スリット部３３の長手方向に沿った少なくとも一方の側方に、スリット部３３側に向かって形成されている。 As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom plate (frame body) of the paper feed cassette 30 to which the paper regulating plate 31 is attached has a slit portion 33 whose longitudinal direction is the paper feeding direction (paper conveyance direction: direction of arrow A in the figure). is formed. Further, a rack gear portion 34 is formed parallel to the slit portion 33 on at least one side along the longitudinal direction of the slit portion 33 . The rack gear portion 34 has approximately the same length as the slit portion 33 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the rack gear portion 34 is formed toward the slit portion 33 side. That is, the rack gear portion 34 is formed on at least one side along the longitudinal direction of the slit portion 33 toward the slit portion 33 side.

用紙規制板３１は、図４に示すように、保持部材３５を下方から取付け可能とされている。用紙規制板３１を給紙カセット３０に取付ける際には、用紙規制板３１をスリット部３３に上方から取付け、保持部材３５をスリット部３３の下方から用紙規制板３１に取付ける。これにより、スリット部３３の側方のフランジ部３３１が、用紙規制板３１および保持部材３５によって上下から挟まれ、用紙規制板３１がスリット部３３から抜き取れなくなる。尚、用紙規制板３１に保持部材３５を取付けるため、保持部材３５の上面には２本の嵌合突起３５１が設けられ、用紙規制板３１の下面には２本の嵌合ボス部３１４が設けられる。すなわち、保持部材３５の嵌合突起３５１が用紙規制板３１の嵌合ボス部３１４に嵌入されることで、用紙規制板３１に保持部材３５が取付けられる。また、嵌合ボス部３１４は、スリット部３３内に配置され、用紙規制板３１におけるスリット部３３に沿った移動を案内する役目を有する。 As shown in FIG. 4, a holding member 35 can be attached to the paper regulating plate 31 from below. When attaching the paper regulating plate 31 to the paper feed cassette 30, the paper regulating plate 31 is attached to the slit portion 33 from above, and the holding member 35 is attached to the paper regulating plate 31 from below the slit portion 33. As a result, the flange portion 331 on the side of the slit portion 33 is sandwiched between the paper regulating plate 31 and the holding member 35 from above and below, and the paper regulating plate 31 cannot be removed from the slit portion 33. In order to attach the holding member 35 to the paper regulating plate 31, two fitting protrusions 351 are provided on the upper surface of the holding member 35, and two fitting bosses 314 are provided on the lower surface of the paper regulating plate 31. It will be done. That is, the holding member 35 is attached to the paper regulating plate 31 by fitting the fitting protrusion 351 of the holding member 35 into the fitting boss portion 314 of the paper regulating plate 31 . Furthermore, the fitting boss portion 314 is disposed within the slit portion 33 and has the role of guiding movement of the paper regulating plate 31 along the slit portion 33.

用紙規制板３１は、合成樹脂材料など(例えばＡＢＳやポリカーボネートなどのエンジニアリング用樹脂)で一体的に形成されており、基部３１１、保持部材３５との嵌合ボス部３１４が形成される基部３１１の底部３１１ａ、弾性アーム部（操作部）３１２、および第１係合ギア部３１３を有している。基部３１１は、用紙幅方向（用紙搬送方向と直交する方向）における用紙規制板３１の中央部分に配置されており、給紙カセット３０に収容された用紙の後端と当接することで用紙の後端を規制する。弾性アーム部３１２は、用紙幅方向における基部３１１の両側に配置されており、逆Ｕ字形状の板バネとして形成されている。第１係合ギア部３１３は、少なくとも一方の弾性アーム部３１２の先端に設けられたラックギアであり、ラックギア部３４と対向するように形成されている。言い換えると、弾性アーム部（操作部）３１２は、片端が基部３１１に接続され、他端が第１係合ギア部３１４に接続されるアーム形状を有すると言える。尚、第１係合ギア部３１３を一方の弾性アーム部３１２のみに設ける場合、他方の弾性アーム部３１２には、用紙規制板３１を規定の用紙サイズに対応する位置で停止させるための位置決め機構を設けてもよい。このような位置決め機構は、給紙カセット３０に設けられる切欠き部３８と、弾性アーム部３１２に形成される係合突起３１５などにより容易に構成できる。また、付勢力を安定させるために、基部３１１と弾性アーム部３１２との間に金属製のスプリングなどの付勢部材を増設してもよい。 The paper regulating plate 31 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin material (for example, engineering resin such as ABS or polycarbonate), and has a base 311 and a boss 314 that fits with the holding member 35. It has a bottom portion 311a, an elastic arm portion (operation portion) 312, and a first engagement gear portion 313. The base portion 311 is disposed at the center of the paper regulating plate 31 in the paper width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction), and prevents the rear end of the paper by coming into contact with the rear end of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 30. Regulate the edges. The elastic arm portions 312 are arranged on both sides of the base portion 311 in the paper width direction, and are formed as inverted U-shaped leaf springs. The first engagement gear section 313 is a rack gear provided at the tip of at least one of the elastic arm sections 312, and is formed to face the rack gear section 34. In other words, it can be said that the elastic arm portion (operation portion) 312 has an arm shape in which one end is connected to the base portion 311 and the other end is connected to the first engagement gear portion 314. Note that when the first engagement gear section 313 is provided on only one elastic arm section 312, the other elastic arm section 312 is provided with a positioning mechanism for stopping the paper regulating plate 31 at a position corresponding to a specified paper size. may be provided. Such a positioning mechanism can be easily configured by the notch portion 38 provided in the paper feed cassette 30, the engagement protrusion 315 formed in the elastic arm portion 312, and the like. Further, in order to stabilize the biasing force, a biasing member such as a metal spring may be added between the base portion 311 and the elastic arm portion 312.

用紙規制板３１は、使用者（またはサービスマン）による操作を受けない場合は、第１係合ギア部３１３をラックギア部３４に係合させることで、その位置が保持されるようになっている。すなわち、弾性アーム部３１２の付勢力によって、第１係合ギア部３１３がラックギア部３４に押しつけられる第１位置に保持され、第１係合ギア部３１３とラックギア部３４と係合状態が保持される。 When the paper regulating plate 31 is not operated by a user (or a service person), its position is maintained by engaging the first engagement gear part 313 with the rack gear part 34. . That is, the first engagement gear section 313 is held in the first position pressed against the rack gear section 34 by the biasing force of the elastic arm section 312, and the first engagement gear section 313 and the rack gear section 34 are maintained in an engaged state. Ru.

使用者が用紙規制板３１の位置を変更するときには、２つの弾性アーム部３１２を両側から挟み込むようにして持つことで、弾性アーム部３１２には第１係合ギア部３１３に対する付勢力とは逆向きの力が加えられ、弾性アーム部３１２に付勢方向とは逆方向の変位が生じる。これにより、第１係合ギア部３１３は、ラックギア部３４との係合が解除される第２位置に移動し、この状態で用紙規制板３１をスリット部３３の長手方向に沿って移動させることができる。このように、給紙カセット３０に用紙規制板３１が取付けられているだけでは、使用者が用紙規制板３１の位置を容易に変更することができる。 When the user changes the position of the paper regulating plate 31, by holding the two elastic arm sections 312 so as to sandwich them from both sides, the elastic arm section 312 has a biasing force opposite to the first engagement gear section 313. A force in the direction is applied, and the elastic arm portion 312 is displaced in the direction opposite to the biasing direction. As a result, the first engagement gear section 313 moves to the second position where the engagement with the rack gear section 34 is released, and in this state, the paper regulating plate 31 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the slit section 33. Can be done. In this way, simply by attaching the paper regulating plate 31 to the paper feed cassette 30, the user can easily change the position of the paper regulating plate 31.

図５は、本実施の形態１に係るロック機構において使用されるロック部材３６の斜視図である。すなわち、本実施の形態１に係るロック機構は、図３に示される用紙規制板３１の取付け構造に、図５に示すロック部材３６を組み合わせることで構成される。 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the locking member 36 used in the locking mechanism according to the first embodiment. That is, the locking mechanism according to the first embodiment is configured by combining the mounting structure of the paper regulating plate 31 shown in FIG. 3 with the locking member 36 shown in FIG. 5.

ロック部材３６は、図５に示すように、本体部３６１、スリット挿入部３６２（図６Ａ参照）、操作規制部（突出部）３６３および第２係合ギア部３６４を有している。本体部３６１は、例えば、平面視で略矩形形状に形成されている。スリット挿入部３６２は、本体部３６１から下方に突出して形成された突起部であり、ロック部材３６を給紙カセット３０に取付けたとき、スリット部３３に挿入されることで、ロック部材３６のスリット部３３の長手方向と直交する方向への移動を規制する部分である。操作規制部３６３は、本体部３６１から前方（用紙規制板３１側）に突出して形成された爪状部であり、ロック部材３６を給紙カセット３０に取付けたとき、用紙規制板３１の弾性アーム部３１２における逆Ｕ字形状の内部に挿入される部分である。第２係合ギア部３６４は、本体部３６１少なくとも一方の側面に設けられたラックギアであり、ラックギア部３４と対向するように形成されている。 As shown in FIG. 5, the locking member 36 includes a main body portion 361, a slit insertion portion 362 (see FIG. 6A), an operation regulating portion (projection portion) 363, and a second engagement gear portion 364. The main body portion 361 is, for example, formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. The slit insertion part 362 is a protrusion formed to protrude downward from the main body part 361, and when the lock member 36 is attached to the paper feed cassette 30, the slit insertion part 362 is inserted into the slit part 33, and the slit insertion part 362 is inserted into the slit part 33 of the lock member 36. This is a portion that restricts movement of the portion 33 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The operation regulating section 363 is a claw-shaped section formed to protrude forward (toward the paper regulating plate 31 side) from the main body section 361, and when the locking member 36 is attached to the paper feed cassette 30, the elastic arm of the paper regulating plate 31 This is a portion inserted into the inverted U-shape of the portion 312. The second engagement gear section 364 is a rack gear provided on at least one side surface of the main body section 361, and is formed to face the rack gear section 34.

続いて、給紙カセット３０に対するロック部材３６の取付け手順を、図６Ａ～図６Ｃを参照して説明する。 Next, a procedure for attaching the locking member 36 to the paper feed cassette 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C.

最初に、図６Ａから図６Ｂに示す手順として、ロック部材３６の操作規制部３６３を、用紙規制板３１の弾性アーム部３１２における逆Ｕ字形状の内部に斜め上から挿入する。このときの挿入は、用紙規制板３１に対して背面側（用紙搬送方向の上流側）から行われる。 First, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6B, the operation regulating section 363 of the locking member 36 is inserted diagonally from above into the inverted U-shape of the elastic arm section 312 of the paper regulating plate 31. The insertion at this time is performed from the back side (upstream side in the paper conveyance direction) with respect to the paper regulating plate 31.

次に、図６Ｂから図６Ｃに示す手順として、ロック部材３６の操作規制部３６３が用紙規制板３１の弾性アーム部３１２と基部３１１との間に挿入された状態で、ロック部材３６のスリット挿入部３６２をスリット部３３に上から挿入し、ロック部材３６の取付けが完了する。このとき、ロック部材３６の第２係合ギア部３６４がラックギア部３４と係合し、ロック部材３６におけるスリット部３３に沿った方向の移動を防止する。また、ロック部材３６が給紙カセット３０に取付けられた状態では、スリット挿入部３６２がスリット部３３に挿入されているため、第２係合ギア部３６４の、スリット部３３の長手方向と直交する方向への移動が規制される。つまり、第２係合ギア部３６４とラックギア部３４との係合が外れることが規制される。そのため、ロック部材３６の取り外しは、上記と逆の手順にて、ロック部材３６を上方に抜き取ればよい。 Next, as shown in FIGS. 6B to 6C, the locking member 36 is inserted into the slit with the operation regulating portion 363 of the locking member 36 being inserted between the elastic arm portion 312 and the base 311 of the paper regulating plate 31. The part 362 is inserted into the slit part 33 from above, and the attachment of the locking member 36 is completed. At this time, the second engagement gear portion 364 of the lock member 36 engages with the rack gear portion 34 to prevent the lock member 36 from moving in the direction along the slit portion 33. In addition, when the locking member 36 is attached to the paper feed cassette 30, the slit insertion portion 362 is inserted into the slit portion 33, so that the second engagement gear portion 364 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the slit portion 33. Movement in this direction is restricted. In other words, disengagement between the second engagement gear section 364 and the rack gear section 34 is restricted. Therefore, the lock member 36 can be removed by pulling the lock member 36 upward in the reverse procedure to the above.

本実施の形態１に係るロック機構は、用紙規制板３１の背面側（用紙が収容される側と反対側）において、用紙規制板３１と隣り合う位置で互いに接触するようにロック部材３６を取付け、ロック部材３６の操作規制部３６３を用紙規制板３１の弾性アーム部３１２と基部３１１（もしく基部の底部３１１ａ）との間に配置させることで、用紙規制板３１の第１係合ギア部３１３とラックギア部３４との係合解除を不可能とするものである。すなわち、使用者が用紙規制板３１を移動させようとして、２つの弾性アーム部３１２を両側から挟み込むようにして持っても、弾性アーム部３１２の変位は操作規制部３６３によって阻害される。これにより、第１係合ギア部３１３とラックギア部３４との係合を解除することができなくなり、用紙規制板３１の移動が禁止される。 In the locking mechanism according to the first embodiment, the locking member 36 is mounted on the back side of the paper regulating plate 31 (the side opposite to the side where paper is stored) so that the locking member 36 contacts the paper regulating plate 31 at a position adjacent to the paper regulating plate 31. By arranging the operation regulating portion 363 of the locking member 36 between the elastic arm portion 312 and the base 311 (or the bottom portion 311a of the base) of the paper regulating plate 31, the first engagement gear portion of the paper regulating plate 31 This makes it impossible to disengage the rack gear portion 313 from the rack gear portion 34. That is, even if the user tries to move the paper regulating plate 31 by holding the two elastic arm sections 312 so as to sandwich them from both sides, the displacement of the elastic arm section 312 is inhibited by the operation regulating section 363. As a result, the engagement between the first engagement gear section 313 and the rack gear section 34 cannot be released, and movement of the paper regulating plate 31 is prohibited.

これにより、本実施の形態１に係るロック機構は、給紙カセット３０への用紙補給時に、使用者が用紙規制板３１を不用意に移動させることを抑制できる。用紙規制板３１の移動が行われなければ、当然ながら、用紙規制板３１の戻し忘れも起こらない。その結果、本実施の形態１に係る給紙装置２０および画像形成装置１０では、給紙カセット３０に収容された用紙の用紙サイズと用紙規制板３１による検知サイズとの不一致を防止でき、用紙サイズの検知誤差に起因する画像形成装置１０における用紙の搬送ジャムを防止できる。 Thereby, the lock mechanism according to the first embodiment can prevent the user from moving the paper regulating plate 31 carelessly when replenishing the paper feed cassette 30 with paper. Naturally, if the paper regulating plate 31 is not moved, forgetting to return the paper regulating plate 31 will not occur. As a result, in the paper feeder 20 and the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent mismatch between the paper size of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 30 and the size detected by the paper regulation plate 31, and Paper transport jams in the image forming apparatus 10 due to detection errors can be prevented.

また、上記ロック機構では、ロック部材３６は用紙規制板３１の背面側に取付けられるが、この箇所には用紙が載置されない。すなわち、ロック部材３６は、給紙カセット３０に用紙が収容されている状態であっても、給紙カセット３０の上面側から取付けおよび取り外しが可能である。そのため、サービスマンなどの熟練者なら、ロック部材３６を１アクションで簡単に取り外すことができるので、用紙のサイズ変更を簡単に行うことができる。 Further, in the above locking mechanism, the locking member 36 is attached to the back side of the paper regulating plate 31, but no paper is placed at this location. That is, the locking member 36 can be attached and removed from the top side of the paper cassette 30 even when paper is stored in the paper cassette 30. Therefore, a skilled person such as a service person can easily remove the locking member 36 with one action, and can easily change the paper size.

また、上記ロック機構は、公知の用紙規制板３１の取付け構造にロック部材３６を組み合わせて構成されるものであり、ロック部材３６を取り外せば、用紙規制板３１は容易に移動可能となる。そして、用紙規制板３１自体には、ロックのための機構（例えばネジ留め部など）が存在しないため、ロック部材３６を取り外した状態において、用紙規制板３１の移動性が低下することもない。また、上記ロック機構は、市場に出ている既存の画像形成装置に対しても、ロック部材３６の取付けにより追加対応させることも可能である。 Further, the locking mechanism is constructed by combining a locking member 36 with a known mounting structure for the paper regulating plate 31, and if the locking member 36 is removed, the paper regulating plate 31 can be easily moved. Since the paper regulating plate 31 itself does not have a locking mechanism (for example, a screw fastening portion), the mobility of the paper regulating plate 31 does not deteriorate even when the locking member 36 is removed. Further, the locking mechanism described above can be added to existing image forming apparatuses on the market by attaching the locking member 36.

〔実施の形態２〕
実施の形態１におけるロック機構では、ロック部材３６は、給紙カセット３０に対して取り外し不可に固定されているものではなく、上方に抜き取ることで容易に取り外すことができる。このため、画像形成装置１０の振動などによってロック部材３６が浮き上がって位置ずれを生じ、不所望なロック解除が生じることも考えられる。これを防止するため、本実施の形態２におけるロック機構は、ロック部材３６を、給紙カセット３０に対して取り外し不可に固定できるものとする。 [Embodiment 2]
In the locking mechanism in the first embodiment, the locking member 36 is not fixed to the paper feed cassette 30 in a non-removable manner, but can be easily removed by pulling it upward. For this reason, it is conceivable that the locking member 36 may be lifted up due to vibrations of the image forming apparatus 10, causing positional deviation, and undesired unlocking may occur. In order to prevent this, the locking mechanism in the second embodiment is such that the locking member 36 can be fixed to the paper feed cassette 30 in a non-removable manner.

図７は、本実施の形態２に係るロック機構において使用される固定部材３７の斜視図である。すなわち、本実施の形態２に係るロック機構は、図３に示される用紙規制板３１の取付け構造に、図５に示すロック部材３６、および図７に示す固定部材３７を組み合わせることで構成される。 FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fixing member 37 used in the locking mechanism according to the second embodiment. That is, the locking mechanism according to the second embodiment is configured by combining the mounting structure of the paper regulating plate 31 shown in FIG. 3 with the locking member 36 shown in FIG. 5 and the fixing member 37 shown in FIG. .

固定部材３７は、図７に示すように、胴部３７１、取付部３７２、および抜止部３７３を有している。胴部３７１は、固定部材３７を給紙カセット３０に取付けたときに、スリット部３３内に配置される部分であり、上下方向を軸とする筒状に形成されている。取付部３７２は、ロック部材３６を取付ける部分であり、胴部３７１の上方に設けられ、平面視が略矩形形状の板状に形成されている。抜止部３７３は、胴部３７１の下方に設けられ、平面視が略矩形形状の板状に形成されている。また、取付部３７２および抜止部３７３は、それぞれの長手方向が互いに平行となっている。また、抜止部３７３の長手方向長さはスリット部３３の幅よりも大きく設定されており、短手方向長さはスリット部３３の幅以下に設定されている。 As shown in FIG. 7, the fixing member 37 has a body portion 371, a mounting portion 372, and a retaining portion 373. The body portion 371 is a portion disposed within the slit portion 33 when the fixing member 37 is attached to the paper feed cassette 30, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with the vertical direction as an axis. The attachment portion 372 is a portion to which the lock member 36 is attached, is provided above the body portion 371, and is formed into a plate shape that is approximately rectangular in plan view. The retaining portion 373 is provided below the body portion 371 and is formed into a plate shape that is approximately rectangular in plan view. Furthermore, the longitudinal directions of the mounting portion 372 and the retaining portion 373 are parallel to each other. Further, the length in the longitudinal direction of the retaining portion 373 is set to be larger than the width of the slit portion 33, and the length in the lateral direction is set to be less than or equal to the width of the slit portion 33.

続いて、給紙カセット３０に対するロック部材３６および固定部材３７の取付け手順を、図８Ａ～図８Ｆを参照して説明する。 Next, the procedure for attaching the lock member 36 and fixing member 37 to the paper feed cassette 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8F.

最初に、図８Ａから図８Ｂに示す手順として、固定部材３７をスリット部３３に対して上方から挿入する。このとき、抜止部３７３の長手方向がスリット部３３の長手方向と平行となる向きで挿入することにより、抜止部３７３がスリット部３３を通過する。また、取付部３７２がスリット部３３を通過しないように、取付部３７２には複数の係止リブ３７２ａ（図７参照）が設けられていてもよい。係止リブ３７２ａは、取付部３７２の長手方向に沿った側面から外方に突出するように設けられている。図８Ｂに示すように、固定部材３７をスリット部３３に対して上方から挿入するときは、係止リブ３７２ａがフランジ部３３１に引っ掛かることで、取付部３７２がスリット部３３を通過することを防止し、固定部材３７をスリット部３３に対して適切な高さで停止させることができる。 First, as a procedure shown in FIGS. 8A to 8B, the fixing member 37 is inserted into the slit portion 33 from above. At this time, the retaining part 373 passes through the slit part 33 by inserting the retaining part 373 in a direction in which the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slit part 33 . Further, the attachment portion 372 may be provided with a plurality of locking ribs 372a (see FIG. 7) so that the attachment portion 372 does not pass through the slit portion 33. The locking rib 372a is provided so as to protrude outward from the side surface of the attachment portion 372 along the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the fixing member 37 is inserted into the slit portion 33 from above, the locking rib 372a catches on the flange portion 331, thereby preventing the attachment portion 372 from passing through the slit portion 33. However, the fixing member 37 can be stopped at an appropriate height relative to the slit portion 33.

次に、図８Ｂから図８Ｃに示す手順として、固定部材３７を上から見て９０°回転させる。これにより、抜止部３７３の長手方向がスリット部３３の長手方向と直交し、固定部材３７をスリット部３３から抜き取ることができなくなる。そして、固定部材３７を、用紙規制板３１側へと移動させる。この時、係止リブ３７２ａがある場合は、係止リブ３７２ａを用紙規制板３１へ当接させることで、ロック部材３６が用紙規制板３１に対して適切な配置位置となる位置に固定部材３７を配置させることができる。尚、固定部材３７をスリット部３３内で回転可能とするために、胴部３７１は円筒形状であってもよいが、胴部３７１は図９に示すような断面形状を有していることが好ましい。すなわち、胴部３７１は、円筒部３７１ａと、円筒部３７１ａから突出する回転規制部３７１ｂとを有する形状とすることが好ましい。図９では、回転規制部３７１ｂは、円筒部３７１ａに対して対称に２箇所に設けられているが、回転規制部３７１ｂが設けられるのは１箇所であってもよい。これにより、固定部材３７の回転可能範囲を、図８Ｂから図８Ｃに示す範囲に制限することができる。 Next, as shown in FIGS. 8B to 8C, the fixing member 37 is rotated by 90 degrees when viewed from above. As a result, the longitudinal direction of the retaining portion 373 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the slit portion 33, and the fixing member 37 cannot be removed from the slit portion 33. Then, the fixing member 37 is moved toward the paper regulating plate 31 side. At this time, if there is a locking rib 372a, by bringing the locking rib 372a into contact with the paper regulating plate 31, the fixing member 37 is moved to a position where the locking member 36 is appropriately disposed relative to the paper regulating plate 31. can be placed. Note that in order to make the fixing member 37 rotatable within the slit portion 33, the body portion 371 may have a cylindrical shape, but the body portion 371 may have a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. preferable. That is, it is preferable that the body portion 371 has a shape including a cylindrical portion 371a and a rotation restriction portion 371b protruding from the cylindrical portion 371a. In FIG. 9, the rotation restricting portions 371b are provided at two locations symmetrically with respect to the cylindrical portion 371a, but the rotation restricting portions 371b may be provided at one location. Thereby, the rotatable range of the fixed member 37 can be limited to the range shown in FIGS. 8B to 8C.

固定部材３７をスリット部３３に取付けた後は、図８Ｄから図８Ｅに示す手順として、固定部材３７の上にロック部材３６が取付けられる。このとき、ロック部材３６を固定部材３７に対して位置決めできるように、固定部材３７の取付部３７２の上面に位置決め突起（係合突部）３７２ｂ（図７参照）を設け、ロック部材３６の本体部３６１に位置決め穴（係合受部）３６１ａ（図５参照）を設けてもよい。また、固定部材３７に係止リブ（係合突部）３７２ａが設けられている場合は、ロック部材３６の本体部３６１に切欠き（係合受部）３６１ｂ（図５参照）を設け、切欠き３６１ｂに係止リブ３７２ａを係合させて位置決めしてもよい。 After the fixing member 37 is attached to the slit portion 33, the locking member 36 is attached onto the fixing member 37 in the steps shown in FIGS. 8D to 8E. At this time, in order to position the locking member 36 with respect to the fixing member 37, a positioning protrusion (engaging protrusion) 372b (see FIG. 7) is provided on the upper surface of the mounting portion 372 of the fixing member 37, and the main body of the locking member 36 is A positioning hole (engaging receiving portion) 361a (see FIG. 5) may be provided in the portion 361. In addition, when the fixing member 37 is provided with a locking rib (engaging protrusion) 372a, a notch (engaging receiving portion) 361b (see FIG. 5) is provided in the main body portion 361 of the locking member 36. Positioning may be performed by engaging the locking rib 372a with the notch 361b.

最後に、図８Ｆに示す手順として、ロック部材３６を固定部材３７に対してネジ留めして固定する。このネジ留めのため、固定部材３７にはネジ穴３７２ｃ（図７参照）が設けられ、ロック部材３６には貫通穴（穴部）３６１ｃ（図５参照）が設けられている。また、このネジ留めは、給紙カセット３０の上面側から行うことができる。 Finally, as shown in FIG. 8F, the locking member 36 is screwed and fixed to the fixing member 37. For this screw fastening, the fixing member 37 is provided with a screw hole 372c (see FIG. 7), and the locking member 36 is provided with a through hole (hole portion) 361c (see FIG. 5). Further, this screw fastening can be performed from the upper surface side of the paper feed cassette 30.

本実施の形態２に係るロック機構は、ロック部材３６を固定部材３７にネジ留め固定することにより、画像形成装置１０の振動などによってロック部材３６が浮き上がって用紙規制板３１から外れることを防止できる。すなわち、不所望なロック解除が生じることを防止できる。さらに、使用者が用紙規制板３１を不用意に移動させることも確実に防止できる。 By fixing the locking member 36 to the fixing member 37 with screws, the locking mechanism according to the second embodiment can prevent the locking member 36 from lifting up and coming off the paper regulating plate 31 due to vibrations of the image forming apparatus 10 or the like. . That is, it is possible to prevent undesired unlocking from occurring. Furthermore, it is possible to reliably prevent the user from moving the paper regulating plate 31 carelessly.

今回開示した実施形態は全ての点で例示であって、限定的な解釈の根拠となるものではない。したがって、本発明の技術的範囲は、上記した実施形態のみによって解釈されるものではなく、特許請求の範囲の記載に基づいて画定される。また、特許請求の範囲と均等の意味および範囲内での全ての変更が含まれる。 The embodiment disclosed this time is an illustrative example in all respects, and is not a basis for restrictive interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted only by the above-described embodiments, but should be defined based on the claims. Furthermore, all changes within the meaning and scope of the claims are included.

１０画像形成装置
２０給紙装置
３０給紙カセット
３１用紙規制板（移動部材）
３１１基部
３１２弾性アーム部（操作部）
３１３第１係合ギア部
３１４嵌合ボス部
３２側端規制板
３３スリット部
３３１フランジ部
３４ラックギア部
３５保持部材
３５１嵌合突起
３６ロック部材
３６１本体部
３６１ａ位置決め穴（係合受部）
３６１ｂ切欠き（係合受部）
３６１ｃ貫通穴（穴部）
３６２スリット挿入部
３６３操作規制部（突出部）
３６４第２係合ギア部
３７固定部材
３７１胴部
３７２取付部
３７２ａ係止リブ（係合突部）
３７２ｂ位置決め突起（係合突部）
３７２ｃネジ穴
３７３抜止部 10 Image forming device 20 Paper feeding device 30 Paper feeding cassette 31 Paper regulating plate (moving member)
311 Base 312 Elastic arm section (operation section)
313 First engaging gear part 314 Fitting boss part 32 Side end regulating plate 33 Slit part 331 Flange part 34 Rack gear part 35 Holding member 351 Fitting protrusion 36 Locking member 361 Main body part 361a Positioning hole (engaging receiving part)
361b Notch (engaging receiving part)
361c Through hole (hole)
362 Slit insertion part 363 Operation regulation part (projection part)
364 Second engagement gear part 37 Fixing member 371 Body part 372 Attachment part 372a Locking rib (engagement protrusion)
372b Positioning protrusion (engaging protrusion)
372c Screw hole 373 Retaining part

Claims

A paper feeding device comprising a paper feeding cassette capable of loading a plurality of papers, and capable of detecting the size of paper stored in the paper feeding cassette based on the position of a paper regulating plate provided in the paper feeding cassette. ,
The paper feed cassette is
a slit portion formed on the bottom plate of the paper feed cassette, the longitudinal direction of which is the paper conveyance direction;
a rack gear portion formed parallel to the slit portion on at least one side along the longitudinal direction of the slit portion;
the paper regulating plate movable along the slit portion;
The paper regulation board is
a first engagement gear part that can engage with the rack gear part;
When an operation is applied to apply a biasing force to move the first engagement gear portion to a first position where it engages with the rack gear portion, and to apply a force in the opposite direction to the biasing force, the first engagement gear an operating section that can move the section to a second position where the rack gear section is disengaged from the rack gear section;
The paper feeding device further includes a protruding portion protruding toward the paper regulating plate, a second engagement gear portion that can engage with the rack gear portion, and a slit insertion portion that engages with the slit portion. Equipped with a locking member,
The paper regulating plate regulates movement of the first engagement gear section when the protrusion comes into contact with the operating section when the locking member is disposed adjacent to the slit section in the longitudinal direction. A paper feeding device characterized in that:

A paper feeding device comprising a paper feeding cassette capable of loading a plurality of papers, and capable of detecting the size of paper stored in the paper feeding cassette based on the position of a paper regulating plate provided in the paper feeding cassette. ,
The paper feed cassette is
a slit portion formed on the bottom plate of the paper feed cassette, the longitudinal direction of which is the paper conveyance direction;
a rack gear portion formed parallel to the slit portion on at least one side along the longitudinal direction of the slit portion;
the paper regulating plate movable along the slit portion;
The paper regulation board is
a first engagement gear part that can engage with the rack gear part;
When an operation is applied to apply a biasing force to move the first engagement gear portion to a first position where it engages with the rack gear portion, and to apply a force in the opposite direction to the biasing force, the first engagement gear an operating section that can move the section to a second position where the rack gear section is disengaged from the rack gear section;
The paper feeding device further includes a locking member having a protruding portion protruding toward the paper regulating plate and a second engagement gear portion that is engageable with the rack gear portion.
A fixing member having a body portion disposed within the slit portion, a mounting portion provided above the body portion to support the locking member, and a retaining portion provided below the body portion for the slit portion. It is equipped with
The paper regulating plate regulates movement of the first engagement gear section when the protrusion comes into contact with the operating section when the locking member is disposed adjacent to the slit section in the longitudinal direction. is,
The paper feeding device, wherein the locking member is supported by the mounting portion of the fixing member.

The paper feeding device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The paper regulating plate has a base that regulates an end of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette, and the operating section has one end connected to the base and the other end connected to a first engagement gear section. It has an arm shape that
The protruding portion of the locking member is arranged between the operating portion or the first engaging gear portion and the base, thereby restricting movement of the first engaging gear portion. paper feed device.

The paper feeding device according to claim 2 ,
The mounting part has a screw hole part,
The locking member has a hole at a position corresponding to the screw hole,
A paper feeding device, wherein the locking member is fastened to the attachment portion with a screw.

The paper feeding device according to claim 2 or 4 ,
The retaining part is formed in a plate shape extending horizontally from the body, and has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction that are perpendicular to each other in the horizontal direction,
A paper feeding device characterized in that the length in the longitudinal direction of the retaining part is set to be larger than the width of the slit part, and the length in the lateral direction is set to be less than or equal to the width of the slit part.

The paper feeding device according to claim 2, 4 or 5 ,
The paper feeding device, wherein the body portion includes a cylindrical portion and a rotation restriction portion protruding from the cylindrical portion.

An image forming apparatus comprising the paper feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .

A slit portion formed in the frame,
a rack gear portion formed parallel to the slit portion on at least one side along the longitudinal direction of the slit portion;
a moving member movable along the slit portion;
a locking member disposed in contact with the movable member and prohibiting movement of the movable member;
The moving member is
a first engagement gear part that can engage with the rack gear part;
When an operation is applied to apply a biasing force to move the first engagement gear portion to a first position where it engages with the rack gear portion, and to apply a force in the opposite direction to the biasing force, the first engagement gear an operating section that can move the section to a second position where the rack gear section is disengaged from the rack gear section;
The locking member is
an operation restriction part that comes into contact with the operation part and inhibits an operation in a direction to release the engagement between the first engagement gear part and the rack gear part;
a second engagement gear part that can engage with the rack gear part ;
A locking mechanism for a moving member, comprising a slit insertion portion that engages with the slit portion .

A slit portion formed in the frame,
a rack gear portion formed parallel to the slit portion on at least one side along the longitudinal direction of the slit portion;
a moving member movable along the slit portion;
a locking member disposed in contact with the movable member and prohibiting movement of the movable member;
A fixing member having a body portion disposed within the slit portion, a mounting portion provided above the body portion to support the locking member, and a retaining portion provided below the body portion for the slit portion. including
The moving member is
a first engagement gear part that can engage with the rack gear part;
When an operation is applied to apply a biasing force to move the first engagement gear portion to a first position where it engages with the rack gear portion, and to apply a force in the opposite direction to the biasing force, the first engagement gear an operating section that can move the section to a second position where the rack gear section is disengaged from the rack gear section;
The locking member is
an operation restriction part that comes into contact with the operation part and inhibits an operation in a direction to release the engagement between the first engagement gear part and the rack gear part;
It has a second engagement gear part that can engage with the rack gear part,
A locking mechanism for a movable member, wherein the locking member is supported by the mounting portion of the fixed member.