JPH02132019A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry or store trays while being fitted by setting the lengths of both sheet discharge and sheet feed trays so that their tip sections are overlapped and fixed together in the folded state and providing a fixing means in a copying machine or the like. CONSTITUTION:An L-shaped sheet discharge tray 3 is rotated clockwise centering a coupling section not shown in the figure and mounted on an original bed pressing plate 5 and folded. A sheet feed tray 10 is rotated counterclockwise centering the hinge section not shown in the figure of a root side member 10a, and the tip of the sheet feed tray 10 is overlapped on the tip of the sheet discharge tray 3. The tip of the sheet feed tray 10 is moved in the direction A, the sheet discharge tray 3 is moved in the direction B respectively, they are coupled at the coupling reception section 22 of a coupling section 21, and both trays 3 and 10 are fixed together. The trays can be transported or stored without being removed according to this constitution.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a portable image forming apparatus, and particularly to a folding and fixing structure for a sheet material supply tray and a discharge tray provided in an image forming apparatus main body. (Prior Art) Conventional image forming apparatuses include copying machines, laser beam printers, printing machines, and the like. Generally, these image forming devices are supplied with a transfer material from a transfer material supply port provided at one end, transfer and fix an image onto the supplied transfer material, and have a transfer material outlet provided at the other end. This is to discharge the transfer material from the exit. The transfer material referred to here is copy paper. Refers to printing paper, printing paper, etc., and the material includes not only paper but also those made of synthetic resin, etc. In recent years, image forming apparatuses including copying machines have been made smaller and lighter in size than the conventional large ones, and devices for home or personal use have begun to be used. As image forming devices become smaller and lighter, they are becoming more portable. As a method of carrying the device, it has been well known that the main body of the device is provided with a handle member having a grip portion for gripping with the hand, and the device is carried by grasping the handle member. An image forming apparatus using this method will be explained using FIGS. 2 to 5. Fig. 2 is a front view of the electrophotographic copying device during copying operation, Fig. 3 is a side view of the same, Fig. 4 is a plan view, and Fig. 5 is a front view of the electrophotographic copying device placed vertically on the floor due to the delay. be. In the figure, l is the main body of an electrophotographic copying apparatus which is an image forming apparatus. 2 is a sheet-like transfer material, which in this example is copy paper. When these sheets are manually inserted one by one from the transfer material supply port of the main body 1 into the internal paper feeding means (not shown), a detection sensor (not shown) detects that the paper has been inserted, and the paper feeding roller of the paper feeding means starts rotating. First, the transfer paper 2 is sent to the image transfer section inside the main body of the apparatus. Thereafter, the transfer paper 2 undergoes a transfer and fixing process within the main body l, is discharged, and is placed on a paper discharge tray 3, which is a discharge tray. Next, we will discuss the delay of the tree l. After the copying operation is completed, a document pressure plate 5 (not shown) is pressed to tightly contact the copy document onto the document table glass 4.
Open it and take out the copy. After that, close the original pressure bonding plate 5 again. A magnet 6 is attached to a part of the inner side of the original cover plate 5, that is, the side that contacts the original platen glass. A magnet (closely attached to a tray (not shown) prevents the original platen pressure bonding plate from opening and being damaged due to vibration and impact when carrying the main body l of the apparatus.Next, install the paper ejection tray 3. Axis Fm 3
Remove a from the main body side bearing 7 and remove the carrying grip 1-8.
Hold it in your hand and carry it. When carrying the main unit and temporarily placing it on the floor, push the side of the legs 9 on the paper ejection side of the wooden body so that they are in contact with the floor (Figure 5). The copying apparatus of this embodiment is of a type in which the original table glass 4 slides during the copying operation.
When the main body of the apparatus is placed vertically as shown in FIG.
A mechanism that prevents the document table glass 4 from falling or being damaged by engaging a ratchet that is integrated with two south wheels (
(not shown) inside the main body l. When the main body of the device L is placed correctly as shown in FIG. 2 to perform a copying operation, the pawl is separated from the ratchet 2 and the document table glass 4 becomes movable. The conventional electrophotographic copying apparatus 2 described above is of a type in which copy paper, which is a transfer material, is manually fed into the apparatus body one sheet at a time. In the case of a type that automatically feeds sheets one by one to a certain paper feed tray, there is an additional step of carrying the paper, in addition to the work of removing the paper feed tray at the same time when removing the paper output tray. are exactly the same. Next, FIG. 6 shows an automatic paper feeding type electrophotographic copying device with a structure in which the supply tray and output tray can be folded. A paper feed tray 10, which is a supply tray, is connected to a base side member 1.
0a, tip side member 10b, both 10a, lOb
is connected to the rotating ti7 function at the hinge part 11. Further, the base side member 10a is rotatably attached around a retaining portion l2 on the main body side. Similarly, the paper ejection tray 3, which is an ejection tray, is L-shaped and can be rotated around an engaging portion 7 on the wooden body side. At times other than copying operations, the paper ejection tray 3 and the paper feed tray 1O are rotated about the engaging portions 12 and 7, and the document table pressure plate 5. is rotated as shown in FIG. I
: If you place it in a , the space occupied by the entire device will be reduced, allowing it to be stored in a relatively narrow space. (Problem A to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the prior art example, in the conventional folding structure, if you hold the handle of the device body and place the device body vertically when carrying it, the ejection tray etc. will come off. This is extremely inconvenient as the supply tray and output tray must be removed from the device and carried separately. Furthermore, when copy paper is not used, a portable image forming apparatus like this can be stored vertically, but even in such cases, conventionally the supply tray and output tray must always be removed. It was often necessary to remove and reinstall by hand. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that does not require the removal of a supply tray or an output tray when being carried or stored. (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention includes a device body that transfers and fixes an image onto a supplied transfer material, and discharges the image, and a rotatable device for placing the transfer material in a transfer material supply port of the device body. A supply tray provided, a discharge tray rotatably provided for placing the transfer material discharged to the transfer material discharge port of the apparatus main body, and a state 1B in which both trays are rotated and folded toward the apparatus main body. and a handle for carrying the main body of the apparatus, wherein both the trays have a length such that their tips overlap with each other in a folded state, and fixing means for fixing the trays to each other are provided at the tips of the trays. This is an image forming device installed. (Function) Both trays can be fixed to each other by the fixing stage F provided at the tips of both trays, and the fixing can be performed without removing both trays. Therefore, there is no need to remove both trays when transporting or storing, and it is possible to prevent the supply tray or the output tray from coming off from the folded state. (Embodiment) The first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
This will be explained based on FIG. It should be noted that the structure is the same as that shown in FIG. 6, which shows the conventional example, except for the fixing means 2l provided at the tip of the paper feed tray 10, which is a supply tray, and the paper discharge tray 3, which is a discharge tray. That is, the main body 1 of the apparatus has the function of transferring and fixing an image onto copy paper, which is a supplied transfer material, and then discharging the image. The paper feed tray 10, which is a supply tray, is
The base side member 10a and the tip side member 10b form a hinge portion 11.
The base side member 10
A is rotatably provided with respect to the main body l of the device by means of a hinge l2. This paper feed tray 1O holds a plurality of copy sheets, which are transfer materials, and supplies them to the transfer material supply port of the main body of the apparatus. The paper ejection tray 3, which is an ejection tray, has a substantially L-shape and is rotatably provided with respect to the apparatus main body l by an engaging portion 3a. Copy paper ejected from the ejection port of the main body of the apparatus is placed on the ejection tray 3, which is the ejection tray. Both trays 10 and 3 are folded toward the main body 1 of the apparatus by the rotation. Furthermore, a handle 8 for carrying is provided near the paper feed tray 3, and is configured so that the paper feed tray 3 can be held in the folded state. The fixing means 2l is attached to the paper feed tray 10.
It consists of an engaging part 2l provided at the leading end of the tray 3, and a retaining receiving part 22 provided at the leading end of the paper discharge tray 3. The engaging portion 2l is
The paper feed tray IO has an upward L-shape when folded. The engagement receiving portion 22 has a substantially U-shape that receives the engagement portion 2l, and is oriented 1000'' with the paper ejection tray 3 folded. A finger rest part 23 is formed on the upper side of the U-shape facing .The engaging part 2l and the engaging receiving part 22 are provided integrally with the paper feed tray 1O and the paper discharge tray 3, respectively. , and has a certain degree of elasticity.Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.First, the L-shaped paper discharge tray 3 is moved around the retaining part 3a as in the conventional case (
(See Fig. 6) Rotate clockwise and press the ffX draft plate 5.
Place it on top and fold it. Next, the paper feed tray 10 is folded. First, the base side member 10a of the paper feed tray 10 is rotated counterclockwise around the hinge part 12, and then the tip side member tab is folded into the hinge part 11 of the base side member 10a. Rotate counterclockwise around the center. As a result, both trays 3 and 1
The tip of 0 becomes a ball. Place the leading edge of the paper feed tray 10 on top of the leading edge of the paper output tray 3, and manually push the paper feed tray 10 in the direction A in the figure and the paper discharge tray 3 in the direction B in the figure. As a result, the engaging portion 21 slips into the engaging receiving portion 22, and the two engage with each other, and both trays are fixed to each other. This engagement is performed by the elasticity of the engagement portion 2l and the engagement receiving portion 22. When disengaging this engagement, use your fingers to press the finger hook 23 at C in the figure.
direction (Figure 8) and push the paper feed tray 10 in the direction D in the figure. This releases the engagement. Note that the engaging portion 2l and the engaging receiving portion 22 are connected to the paper feed tray lO and the paper ejection tray 3, respectively.
When unfolded for copying operation (see conventional figure 2), it is on the bottom side of each tray 10, 3, and does not interfere with the movement of copy paper (transfer material) being fed or ejected. ．． (Other Embodiments) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to figures 9 to 12. In the first embodiment, the anchoring means was composed of an L-shaped engagement part 2l and a U-shaped engagement receiving part 22, but in this second embodiment, it was composed of a spherical engagement part 2l. It consists of a pin 32 having a tip 3l, and a hole 33 into which the pin 32 is fitted and the spherical tip passes through. This will be explained in detail below. The paper feed tray 10 is made of a soft and highly tough resin such as polypropylene. Near the tip, two grooves 34 are formed on the front and back surfaces.6 These grooves 34 are formed parallel to each other at intervals, so that the tip portion 35 of the paper feed tray 10 can be bent freely. It becomes.
This state is shown in FIG. 9, in which the same parts as in the first embodiment are given the same numbers and the explanation will be omitted. The foldable paper feed tray 10 shown in FIG. 9
The first enlarged cross-sectional view of the hole 33 provided in the tip portion 35 of the
It is shown in Figure 1. This hole 33 is for fitting a pin 32, which will be described later. On the other hand, near the tip of the paper discharge tray 3, a pin 32 having a spherical tip 3l is set up as shown in FIG. The thickness of the paper feed tray 10 at the position where the hole 33 is provided is about 100 ml. Also, the inner diameter E of the hole 33 is
It is smaller than the outer diameter F of the spherical tip 31 of 2.Four elongated holes 36 are formed radially around the hole 33. The inner diameter E widens, and the spherical tip 3l of the pin 32
After passing through the hole 33, the inner diameter E due to the elasticity of the hole 33 itself
The structure is such that the bottle 32 returns to its original state and does not easily come out. Next, the procedure for fixing the paper feed tray IO and the paper output tray 3 to each other will be explained. That is, the paper ejection tray 3 and the paper feed tray 10 are folded onto the document table pressure bonding plate 5 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. At this time, the tip portion 35 of the paper feed tray 10 can be bent by the action 5 of the two grooves 34, and the hole 33 can be aligned with the position of the bin 32 of the paper discharge tray 3. By pressing the leading edge of the paper feed tray 10 against the paper output tray 3 side at position y8,
The bottle 32 is fitted into the hole 33, and the spherical tip 3 of the bottle 32 is inserted into the hole 33.
1 through hole 33, both trays 10.3 are fixed to each other. (Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, both trays can be fixed to each other by the fixing means at the tips of both trays in a rotated and folded state. Therefore, when carrying the device, there is no need to remove both trays from the device, and both trays can be folded.
This will prevent it from deviating from E. Also, when storing the main body of the device A, both trays can be prevented from coming off the folded state, and the entire device A can be kept compact. Furthermore, by fixing both trays to each other, the document table can be held down, and even in an image forming apparatus employing a sliding ffX document table, the document table can be prevented from falling during transportation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the document table to show the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the conventional image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is the same as that shown in FIG. A side view, Figure 4 is a plan view of Figure 2, Figure 5 is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus l of Figure 2 placed vertically for carrying, and Figure 6 is a view with the supply tray and output tray folded. Fig. 7 is a plan view of Fig. 1, and Fig. 8 is a plan view of Fig. 1.
9 is an enlarged side view showing another embodiment, FIG. 10 is a top view of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of another embodiment.
An enlarged view showing the hole 33 in the figure, Figure 12 is the bottle 32 in Figure 9.
This is an enlarged view showing the Explanation of symbols l...Electrophotographic copying device 2...Transfer material 4...Document table glass 6...Magnet 8...Handle 10...Paper feed tray 2l...Engaging portion 32... ... Pin 3 ... Paper ejection tray 5 ... Document pressure bonding plate 7 ... Main body side bearing 9 ... Leg 21 ... Fixing means 22 ... Engagement receiving part 33 ... Hole

Claims (1)

[Claims] A device body that transfers and fixes the image onto the supplied transfer material and discharges it; a rotatable supply tray that places the transfer material on the transfer material supply port of the device body; and a transfer material discharge port of the device body. An image forming apparatus comprising: a rotatably disposed ejection tray for placing transfer material ejected into the apparatus; and a handle for rotating both trays and carrying the apparatus main body in a folded state toward the apparatus main body. In the image forming apparatus, the two trays have a length such that their tip ends overlap each other in a folded state, and fixing means for fixing the trays to each other is provided at both tip ends.