JPH05301649A - Paper supply cassette and paper feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a paper supply cassette capable of preventing the bending of recording paper at the time of inserting a case by forming corner claws in such a way as to be removable from the case and separable from the recording paper fastening positions in the case. CONSTITUTION:Grooves 2d, 2e opened at the upper end thereof are formed at side plates 2b, 2c. A support member 18 is passed through the collars 16c, 17c of corner claws 16, 17, and the corner claws 16, 17 are supported movably in the paper width direction by the support member 18. The parts near both end parts of the support member 18 are fitted with play to the grooves 2d, 2e so as to place the corner claws 16, 17 into the positions of fastening recording paper in a case 2, and the support member 18 is also pulled out to separate the corner claws 16, 17 from the fastening positions.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is detachably mounted in a copying machine or the like equipped with a recording paper separating / feeding device, and the leading end of the recording paper stored in the conveying direction is hooked for feeding. The present invention relates to a paper feed cassette having a corner claw for separating recording paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to copy a document in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a recording paper of a size suitable for copying is set in a paper feeding cassette, and the paper feeding cassette in which the recording paper is set is mounted in the copying machine. Perform copy work. Performing a copying operation using the paper feeding cassette in this manner is convenient in that it saves paper feeding and prevents an accident such as a paper jam in the copying machine.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional paper feed cassette.

The sheet feeding cassette 1 forms a rectangular case 2, and an openable / closable lid 3 is pivotally supported at one end of the case 2. The bottom plate 2a of the case 2 is provided with a pair of opposed restriction plates 4 and 5 that restrict the width of the recording paper.
Support plates 8 and 9 having corner claws 6 and 7 are pivotally supported on the restriction plates 4 and 5, respectively. Further, the riding plate 10 on which the recording paper is placed is located between the regulation plates 4 and 5, and the recording paper loaded on the riding plate 10 is constantly placed between the riding plate 10 and the bottom plate 2a. Coil springs 11 and 12 for repelling toward the corner claws 6 and 7 are interposed. The bottom plate 2a on the side opposite to the corner claws 6 and 7 has the riding plate 10
A contact plate 13 for aligning the rear ends of the recording papers stacked on is fixed.

[0005]

By the way, when the recording paper P is inserted from the front of the paper feed cassette 1 into the paper feed cassette 1 having such a structure as shown in FIG. Corner claws 6 provided on the paper cassette
There is a problem that the recording paper P is bent when it comes into contact with the recording paper 7 and damages the recording paper P, which hinders the subsequent paper feeding operation.

An object of the present invention is to fold the recording paper when it is inserted into the case by making the corner claws detachable from the case or capable of coming into contact with and separating from the hooking position of the recording paper in the case. It is to provide a paper feed cassette capable of preventing the above.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a paper feed cassette which is provided with a corner claw for catching a recording paper stored in a case and which is detachable from the main body of the apparatus. And a substantially rod-shaped support member that is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the case and that extends in the width direction of the recording paper and that positions the corner claws at a hooking position with respect to the recording paper when attached to the case. It is characterized by Furthermore, the support member supports the corner claw so as to be movable in the width direction of the recording paper, and further displays a support position of the corner claw in the width direction corresponding to the size of the recording paper accommodated in the case. It is characterized by having a display unit. Further, a paper feeding device in which the paper feeding cassette is mounted holds the recording paper, which is biased in the thickness direction in the case, at a fixed position in the main body of the device against the biasing force by the corner claws. Therefore, a guide member for holding the support member at a predetermined position against the biasing force in the mounted state is provided.

Further, in the paper feed cassette having the corner claws for holding the recording paper stored in the case, since the corner claws are detachably attached to the case, the corner claws are attached to the case. It is characterized in that it is configured to be engaged with an engaging shape portion formed in the case, in order to position the corner claw at the hooking position in the straddling state, Alternatively, in a paper feed cassette provided with a corner claw for holding the recording paper stored in the case, a fitting hole is formed in the case, and the corner claw can be fitted into and removed from the fitting hole. A fitting portion is provided, and the fitting portion is fitted in the fitting hole so that the corner claw is fixed in the case. Further, it is characterized in that the corner claw having a claw width corresponding to the strength of the recording paper stored in the case is attached to the case.

Further, in a paper feed cassette having a corner claw for locking the recording paper housed in the case, the corner claw is rotatable on the case to a hooking position or a separating position with respect to the recording paper. It is characterized in that a pivot shaft that is axially supported and a spring member that engages with the corner claw and holds the corner claw at the hooked position or the separated position are provided.

Further, a regulating plate for regulating the movement of the recording paper in the paper width direction with respect to the recording paper housed in the case, a corner claw for hooking the recording paper in the case, and the corner claw are integrally formed. And a support plate pivotally attached to the regulation plate, wherein a corner of the corner claw is formed by forming an engagement shape portion on the support plate and engaging the regulation plate with the engagement shape portion. It is characterized in that holding means is provided for holding the hook at the hanging position or the separated position.

Further, a regulation plate for regulating the movement of the recording paper in the paper width direction with respect to the recording paper housed in the case, a corner claw for locking the recording paper in the case, and the corner claw are integrally formed. And a support plate axially attached to the regulation plate, a support shaft is provided on the regulation plate, and the support plate is loosely fitted in the support plate, and a shaft hole communicates with the shaft hole And a support plate is configured to be movable in the fitting / removing groove direction when the corner claw is at a position separated from the recording paper.

Further, in the paper feed cassette having the corner claws for holding the recording paper stored in the case, the corner claws can be rocked by the fixing part fixed to the case and the fixing part. And a supporting member for supporting the recording paper at a hooking angle for locking the recording paper against the biasing force. And

[0013]

According to the above means, the corner claw can be attached to and detached from the case by the support member which is attachable to and detachable from the case in the sheet feeding cassette. Further, since the support member supports the corner claws so as to be movable in the paper width direction and further includes the support position display portion, the corner claws can be moved to the support position corresponding to the recording paper size. Further, in the paper feeding device, the guide member holds the support member at a predetermined position against the biasing force.

Further, the corner claw can be attached to and detached from the case by the straddle fitting part of the corner claw and the engaging shape part of the case, or by the fitting part of the corner claw and the fitting hole of the case. Further, by mounting a corner claw having a claw width corresponding to the strength of the recording paper on the case, it is possible to optimize the hooking force of the corner claw when separating the recording paper.

Further, the corner claw is held at the hooked position or the separated position by the rotating shaft of the case and the spring member.

Further, the corner claw is held at the hooking position or the separated position by the engaging shape portion of the support plate and the holding means of the regulation plate.

Further, the fitting / removing groove of the support plate allows the support plate having the corner claws to be fitted / removed with respect to the regulation plate.

Further, the corner claw composed of the fixing portion, the claw portion and the support member is applied with an external force in the anti-biasing direction to swing the corner claw, or the external force is removed to lock the corner claw. Held at an angle.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The members described with reference to FIG. 16 in the respective drawings are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a paper feed cassette according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Grooves 2d and 2e which are open at the upper ends are formed in a pair of side plates 2b and 2c which are vertically provided on the bottom plate 2a of the case 2 and which face each other.

The corner claws 16 and 17 are claws 16 for holding the recording paper P by bending a single elastic plate.
Supporting part 16 with which a, 17a and the leading end of the recording paper P in the transport direction abut
b and 17b are formed. The collar 16 is provided on the supporting portions 16b and 17b.
C and 17c are fixed, and the colors 16c and 17c are the recording paper P.
A through hole is formed in the width direction of.

A substantially rod-shaped support member 18 having a single non-circular cross section penetrates through the collars 16c and 17c.
The corner claws 16 and 17 are supported by 18 so as to be movable in the paper width direction.

The positions of the corner claws 16 and 17 in the paper width direction are adjusted in accordance with the size of the recording paper P accommodated in the case 2, and the corner claws 16 and 17 are positioned so as to hook around the corners of the recording paper P, respectively. It is set.

A support member 18 supporting the corner claws 16 and 17
Is set in the case 2 by loosely fitting both ends near the grooves 2d and 2e, and since the cross section is non-circular, the groove 2
Rotation in d and 2e is prevented.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a corner claw and a supporting member in the sheet feeding cassette of the first embodiment.

A recording paper size display surface 18a is formed on the support member 18, and the recording paper size display surface 18a is arranged symmetrically with respect to the center in the paper width direction at a line in the vertical direction and at a position close to the line. A symbol indicating the size of P is printed. As a symbol indicating the size of the recording paper P, for example, "B4",
“LT”, “A4”, etc. are printed, and these symbols are the recording paper P that can be set in the paper feeding cassette 1.
Shows the size of.

The operation of setting the recording paper in the paper feed cassette will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the sheet feeding cassette 1 removed from the image forming apparatus equipped with the sheet feeding device, the supporting member 18 and the corner claws 16 and 17 supported by the supporting member 18 are provided in the groove 2 of the case 2.
It is removed from d and 2e.

In the case 2 from which the supporting member 18 is removed, the positions of the regulation plates 4 and 5 and the contact plate 13 are adjusted according to the size of the recording paper P to be stored, and the corner claw 16 is removed. , 17 are set at the positions of the lines on the recording paper size display surface 18a corresponding to the size of the recording paper P on the support member 18.

Next, with the support member 18 and the corner claws 16 and 17 removed, the recording paper P is inserted inside the regulation plates 4 and 5 and the contact plate 13 of the cassette 2.

While the recording paper P is stored in the cassette 2, the support member 18 having the corner claws 16 and 17 set at predetermined positions is loosely fitted in the grooves 2d and 2e so as to be interposed between the side plates 2b and 2c. Bridge. Corner claws 16 and 17 of the support member 18 bridged
Holds the recording paper P urged by the coil springs 11 and 12 via the mounting plate 10.

According to the present embodiment, the support member 18 for supporting the corner claws 16 and 17 is constructed so that it can be inserted into and removed from the case 2. The corner claws 16 and 17 can be removed from the case 2, and when the recording paper P is stored in the case 2, it is possible to prevent the recording paper P from coming into contact with the corner claws 16 and 17 and bending. Further, since it is not necessary to bend the recording paper P, the storage work can be simplified.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a main part of a sheet feeding device of an embodiment of the present invention in which the sheet feeding cassette of the first embodiment is mounted.

An insertion opening 51a is formed in the housing 51 of the paper feeding device, and a rail 52, a support member guide 53, a half-moon roller 54, etc. are arranged inside the device.

As described above, since the recording paper P is biased upward by the coil springs 11 and 12 via the mounting plate 10, it is interlocked with the number of recording papers P in the case 2 when not mounted. Position changes.

Paper feed cassette 1 inserted from the insertion opening 51a
At the time of insertion, the lower surface of the case 2 slides on the rail 52, and both ends of the support member 18 that supports the corner claws 16 and are urged upward are inclined surfaces 53a of the support member guide 53.
The support member 18 moves downward by sliding on.

When the case 2 comes into contact with a stopper (not shown) when the insertion is completed, the paper feeding cassette 1 is positioned at the mounting position, and further, both ends of the supporting member 18 are elastically contacted with the horizontal plane 53b of the supporting member guide 53. As a result, the coil springs 11 and 12 are held in a constant position against the biasing force of the coil springs 11. Since the supporting member 18 of the corner claws 16 and 17 is held at a fixed position, the recording paper P held by the corner claws 16 and 17 has a fixed recording paper P. Held in position.

By holding the support member 18 at a fixed position by the support member guide 53 in a state where the recording paper P is mounted on the apparatus main body, the position of the recording paper P placed on the uppermost portion is changed. However, since the recording paper P can be held at a constant position at all times, the position of the recording paper P relative to the half-moon roller 54 becomes constant, so that the recording paper P can be stably separated and fed by the half-moon roller 54.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a main part of the second embodiment of the present invention. The members corresponding to the members described with reference to FIGS. Omit it.

A front plate 2f, which is vertically provided at the leading end of the bottom plate 2a in the conveying direction, has a plurality of engaging-shaped pins 21 planted on its outer surface. The pins 21 are located at the center of the front plate 2f in the paper width direction. A pair of pins 21 symmetrically arranged with respect to each other correspond to the size of the recording paper P. Further, below the pin 21, in order to show the corresponding size of the recording paper P, symbols such as "B4", "LT", "A4" are printed.

The corner claw 22 is formed of a plate having elasticity, and has a claw portion 22a for holding the recording paper P and a support portion 2
2b and the straddle portion 22c, and the hole 22 is further formed in the straddle portion 22c.
d is formed.

The corner claws 22 are fixed in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P by being fitted over the front plate 2f so as to hold the front plate 2f by the support portion 22b and the straddle fitting portion 22c, and further, in the cassette 2. When the pin 21 corresponding to the size of the recording paper P is fitted into the hole 22d of the straddle fitting portion 22c, the recording paper P is fixed in the paper width direction and the thickness direction. Further, since the corner claw 22 has elasticity, it can be easily fitted into and removed from the case 2 by deforming the straddle fitting portion 22c. The corner claw 22 and the corner claw having a symmetrical shape are similarly fixed to the other symmetrically arranged pin 21.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of the essential parts of the second embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the members corresponding to the members described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 16. The description is omitted.

A fixing member 23 is fixed to the outer surface of the front plate 2f to form a fitting hole 23a penetrating in the paper thickness direction. The fixing member 23 is symmetrically arranged with respect to the center in the paper width direction. A pair of symmetrically arranged fixing members 23 correspond to the size of the recording paper P. Although only one fixing member 23 is shown in FIG. 5 for simplification, it is of course possible to provide a plurality of fixing members 23 corresponding to a plurality of recording paper sizes.

The corner claw 24 is a claw portion for catching the recording paper P.
24a, a support portion 24b that supports the claw portion 24a, and two pin-shaped fitting portions 24c that project from the lower end of the support portion 24b.

The corner claw 24 has a fitting portion 24c having elasticity.
Is inserted into the fitting hole 23a and fixed in the case 2.
The fitting portion 24c inserted into the fitting hole 23a is provided with a hook portion 24c at the tip.
d projects from the fitting hole 23a and hooks the lower end surface of the fixing member 23. Since the hooking portion 24d hooks the fixing member 23, the corner claw 24 is fixed at the hooking position in the paper thickness direction, and the recording paper P can be hooked against the biasing force.

When the corner claw 24 is removed from the case 2, the fitting portion 24c is elastically deformed inward by a finger or the like to make the hooking portion 24d in the non-hooking state, so that the fitting portion 24c is fitted into the fitting hole. It can be removed from 23a.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the recording paper P is set in the paper feed cassette 1 by the corner claws 22 and 24 which are detachably attached to the case 2, the corner claws 22 and 24 are provided. By removing the case from case 2,
It is possible to prevent the recording paper P from being bent at the time of insertion, and it is not necessary to bend the recording paper P to avoid contact with the corner claws 22 and 24, and the corner claws 22 and 24 can be easily attached to the case 2 after the insertion is completed. Can be attached to. As a result, the work of setting the recording paper P can be facilitated, and transport troubles such as jam and paper jam in the paper feeding device can be prevented.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the separating operation of the paper feeding device for recording paper in the second embodiment of the present invention.

A plurality of recording papers P placed on the upper part of the recording papers P set in the paper feed cassette 1 are extruded in the conveying direction by the half-moon roller 54 rotating in the A direction, and the extruded recording papers P is hooked by the corner claws 22 and 24, and the vicinity of both ends on the tip side is curved. The half-moon roller 54 is made of a material having a high friction coefficient so as to maximize the movement amount of the uppermost recording paper P in contact. For this reason, the uppermost recording paper P is bent most, and when the amount of bending exceeds a predetermined amount, it crosses over the claw portions 22a and 24a and is separated from other recording paper P. The separated recording paper P is further pushed in the transport direction by the half-moon roller 54, reaches a transport roller (not shown), and is transported by the transport roller along a predetermined path.

However, the recording paper P set in the paper feed cassette 1 is not always of the same type, and different types of recording paper P have different strengths. Appropriate conditions for changes.

For example, when the catching force of the corner claws 22 and 24 is too strong for the thin recording paper P having low strength, the vicinity of the end portion of the recording paper P may buckle at the time of separation and cause a jam. .. Further, when the hooking force of the corner claws 22 and 24 is too weak for the thick recording paper P having high strength, the corner claws are separated at the time of separation.
The claw portions 22a and 24a of the rollers 22 and 24 may be deformed more than a required amount, and a plurality of recording sheets P may get over the claw portions 22 and 24 and cause a paper jam.

7 and 8 are explanatory views of the shape of the claw portion in the corner claw of the second embodiment of the present invention.

The corner claws 22 and 24 can be easily attached to and detached from the case 2 as described above. As described with reference to FIG. 6, the corner claws 22 and 24 are different from the strength of the recording paper P.
An improper hooking force may cause jams or paper jams. In this embodiment, in order to optimize the hooking force,
The corner claws 22 and 24 having different shapes of the claw portions 22a and 24a are used according to the strength of the recording paper P.

When the recording paper P has a relatively high strength, the width of the claw portions 22a, 24a in the paper width direction is W as shown in FIG.
When the corner claws 22 and 24 of No. 1 are attached to the case 2 and the recording paper P has a relatively low strength, as shown in FIG.
The corner claws 22 and 24 having a width W2 of 22a and 24a are attached to the case 2. Here, when W1> W2 and the widths of the claw portions 22a and 24a are relatively wide, the latching force can be enhanced, and the claw portion 22a
When the widths of a and 24a are relatively narrow, the latching force decreases. In this way, by using the corner claws 22 and 24 in which the widths of the claw portions 22a and 24a are different according to the strength of the recording paper P, the engaging force of the corner claws 22 and 24 on the recording paper P at the time of separation is appropriate. Therefore, the recording sheets P in the sheet feeding cassette 1 can be reliably separated one by one.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a main part in the third embodiment of the present invention, and the members corresponding to the members described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 16 are designated by the same reference numerals. And the description is omitted.

The front plate 2f vertically provided at the leading end of the bottom plate 2a in the conveying direction has a rotating pin 25 planted on the outer surface thereof. Rotating pin 2
The reference numeral 5 loosely fits into a hole 26c formed in the support portion 26b of the corner claw 26 to pivotally support the corner claw 26 in the A1 or A2 direction. Further, a spring member 27 that is elastically contacted with the outer periphery of the lower end side of the support portion 26b formed in a substantially semicircular shape is fixed to the front plate 2f. Further, on the outer periphery of the lower end side of the support portion 26b,
Notch portion 26d and notch portion 26e with which the contact portion of the spring member 27 is engaged.
Are formed.

On the front plate 2f, a pin, a corner claw and a spring member symmetrically arranged with respect to the rotation pin 25, the corner claw 26 and the spring member 27 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center in the paper width direction.
In FIG. 9, for simplification, the above-mentioned members are shown only on one side.

The spring member 27 is engaged with the cut portion 26d or the cut portion 26e of the support portion 26b, so that the corner claw 26 is formed.
Are fixed at different positions in the A1 and A2 directions.

The claw portions 26a of the corner claws 26 are held at a latching position for latching the recording paper P in the cassette 2 when the spring member 27 is engaged with the notch portion 26d, or the spring member 27. When the sheet is engaged with the cut portion 26e, it is held at a separated position facing the side plate 2c and not contacting the recording paper P in the cassette 2.

Since the spring member 27 has elasticity, it can be deformed so as to be separated from the support portion 26b. By separating the spring member 27 from the support portion 26b, the corner claw 26 becomes rotatable between the hooked position and the separated position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a main part in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Members corresponding to the members described with reference to FIG. 16 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

A support plate 28 having a corner claw 6 at its tip and a holding member for the support plate 28 are arranged on the regulation plate 4.
A member symmetrical to the member arranged on the regulation plate 4 is also arranged on the regulation plate 5 at a symmetrical position. This embodiment will be described based on the support plate 28 and the holding member arranged on the regulation plate 4.

A holding pin 4a and a locking pin 4b are planted on the outer surface of the regulation plate 4. On the other hand, in the support plate 28, a groove that is an engaging shape portion that forms a long hole in the recording paper P transport direction
28a and a groove 2 that is an engaging shape portion that forms an elongated hole in the thickness direction
8b is formed, and a hooking pin 28c is further planted.

The retaining pin 4b of the regulation plate 4 and the retaining pin 28c of the support plate 28 retain both ends of the spring 29, and the spring 29 urges the support plate 28 onto the regulation plate 4 by an urging force. It is biased toward the stop pin 4b.

The holding pin 4a of the regulation plate 4 is provided with the groove 28a or the groove 28a.
Since the support plate 28 is loosely fitted in b and is urged by the spring 29, the support plate 28 elastically contacts the bottom of the groove 28a or the groove 28b. When the holding pin 4a is loosely fitted in the groove 28a or the groove 28b, the support plate 28 is held at different positions by the biasing force of the spring 29.

When the holding pin 4a is fitted in the groove 28a,
The support plate 28 is held at a position where the corner claw 6 is at the hooking position, and when the holding pin 4a is fitted in the groove 28b, the support plate 28 is held at the position where the corner claw 6 is at the separated position. Here, the hooking position is a position where the corner claw 6 hooks the recording paper P in the cassette 2, and the separation position is the corner pawl 6 when the recording paper P is stored in the cassette 2. It is a position separated from the cassette 2 that does not interfere with P.

By extending the spring 29, the support plate 28 can be moved to the position where the corner claw 6 is in the hooked position or the separated position.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of the essential parts of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The members corresponding to the members described with reference to FIG. 16 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. To do.

On the regulation plate 4, a support plate 30 having a corner claw 6 at its tip and a holding member for the support plate 30 are arranged.
The regulating plate 5 is also provided with members symmetrical with the members arranged in the regulating plate 4 at symmetrical positions. The present embodiment will be described based on the support plate 30 and the holding member arranged on the regulation plate 4.

The regulating plate 4 axially supports the support plate 30 centering on the pin 4c and the holding lever 31 centering on the pin 4d on the outer surface. The holding lever 31 compresses and holds a U-shaped spring 32 together with a pin 4e planted in the regulation plate 4, and the urging force of the U-shaped spring 32 causes an arrow B1.
Biased in the direction.

A pin 31a is planted in the holding lever 31, and the pin 31a elastically contacts the lever portion 30a of the support plate 30 or the groove 30b.

FIG. 11 shows a state in which the pin 31a is in elastic contact with the lever portion 30a, and the support plate 30 has the arrow portion C1 when the lever portion 30a is biased by the pin 31a in the arrow line B1 direction. It is biased in the direction and is held in pressure contact with a stopper portion 4f formed at the upper end portion of the regulation plate 4, and the corner claw 6 is set to the hooking position.

Further, the support plate 30 resists the urging force of the U-shaped spring 32 and moves the holding lever 31 through the pin 31a to the arrow B.
By pushing down in two directions, it becomes possible to rotate in the arrow C2 direction. Rotate the support plate 30 in the direction of arrow C2 to move the pin 31a.
By elastically contacting the bottom of the groove 30b, the support plate 30
The corner claws 6 are held at the separated positions. Further, by pushing down the holding lever 31 in the direction of arrow B2, it is possible to rotate the support plate 30 having the corner claw 6 in the separated position in the direction of arrow C1 and return it to the position where the corner claw is in the hooking position. Is.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another example of the essential parts of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Members corresponding to the members described with reference to FIG. 16 are designated by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted. To do.

A support plate 33 having corner claws 6 is detachably attached to the regulation plate 4, and a symmetrical support member is also detachably attached to the regulation plate 5. This embodiment will be described based on the support plate 33 attached to the regulation plate 4.

A support pin 4g and an engagement member 4h are provided on the outer side surface of the regulation plate 4, and the support pin 4g lacks a guide surface 4i parallel to the paper thickness direction. Further, the engaging member 4h can be elastically deformed in the paper width center direction.

The support plate 33 is provided with a circular shaft hole 33a, a fitting / removing groove 33b communicating from the shaft hole 33a to the outer surface of the regulation plate 4 and opening on the outer surface, and a rectangular engaging hole 33c. ..

In the separated position shown in FIG. 12, the support plate 33
The support pin 4g is loosely fitted in the shaft hole 33a and rotatably supported in the C1 direction, and the guide surface 4i and the fitting / removing hole 33b are aligned with each other and can be removed in the E1 direction.

When the support plate 33 is rotated in the direction C1 from the position shown in FIG. 12, the support plate 33 abuts the engaging member 4h to deform the engaging member 4h inward, and the engaging position becomes substantially horizontal. Rotate to. At this time, the engaging member 4h is inserted into the engaging hole 33c.
Engage to hold the corner claw 6 in the hooked position. By engaging the engaging member 4h with the engaging hole 33c, the corner claw 6
Allows the recording paper P to be hooked against the biasing force. Further, by deforming the engagement member 4h in the paper width center direction with a finger or the like to bring it into a non-engagement state with respect to the engagement hole 33c, the corner claw 6 can be rotated from the hooked position to the separated position.

By moving the support plate 33 in the position shown in FIG. 12 in the E1 direction, the fitting / removing groove 33b is removed along the guide surface 4i, the support plate 33 is removed from the regulating plate 4, and the removed support is formed. The plate 33 is attached to the regulation plate 4 by moving it in the E2 direction, which is the reverse of the case when the plate 33 is removed.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the support plates 28,
By arranging 30 so as to be rotatable and having a mechanism for holding the corner claw at the hooking position or the separated position, or by making the support plate 33 attachable to and detachable from the regulation plate 4, By providing the engaging hole 33c and the holding member 4h for holding at the hooking position, the corner claw 6 can be separated from the case 2 when the recording paper P is inserted into the case 2, and therefore the edge of the recording paper P can be separated. The part can be prevented from bending.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a corner claw in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the corner claw when the recording paper is inserted into the case.
The members corresponding to the members described on the basis of FIG.

The corner claw 40 is a fixing portion for the case 2.
41, a claw portion 42 that is swingably supported by the fixed portion 41 and is biased in the F2 direction, and a support member 43 that supports the claw portion 42 from the back side against the biasing force. ..

The fixing portion 41 and the claw portion 42 are formed by bending, for example, a polypropylene plate having elasticity, and notch grooves are formed along the bending line to facilitate bending. In the bent state, the claw portion 42 is always urged in the F2 direction, and the L-shaped angle-shaped support member 43 fixed to the fixed portion 41.
It is held at a hook angle of approximately 90 ° against the biasing force. Further, the claw portion 42 is rotated in the F1 direction when a downward external force is applied, and the external force is removed.
The urging force rotates in the F2 direction to return to the hanging angle.

When the recording paper P is inserted into the case 2 as shown in the explanatory view of FIG. 14, the recording paper P is brought into contact with the pawl portion 42 and moved downward so that the pawl portion 42 rotates in the F1 direction. Move. Therefore, the recording paper P slides on the back surface of the claw portion 42 and moves into the case 2, and the recording paper P pushes down the mounting plate 10 to move the claw portion.
By being separated downward from 42, the claw portion 42 swings back to the hooking position, and the recording paper P biased upward through the mounting plate 10 can be hooked.

According to the corner claw 40 of the present embodiment, the claw portion 42 swings in the F1 direction in conjunction with the insertion operation of the recording paper P and returns to the hooking angle when the insertion is completed, so that the recording paper is inserted at the time of insertion. P
There is no need to bend the claws or remove the corner claws. Therefore, the work of inserting the recording paper P into the case 2 becomes easy.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an essential part of the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Members corresponding to the members described with reference to FIG. 16 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The case 62 of the paper feed cassette 1 is formed by molding resin, for example, and accommodates the recording paper P therein. In the case 62, a mounting plate, a restriction plate, a contact plate, etc., which are not shown, are arranged, and the recording paper P is positioned at a predetermined position in the case 62 and is biased upward by these members. .. Case 62 is for recording paper P
A corner claw portion 62a integrally formed for separating the recording paper P and the corner claw portion 62a.
Hook near both ends of.

According to the case 62 of this embodiment, since the corner claw portions 62a are integrally formed, the manufacturing process is simplified, so that the manufacturing cost of the sheet feeding cassette 1 can be reduced.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the corner claws can be attached to and detached from the case by the support member that can be attached to and removed from the case of the paper feed cassette, it is possible to prevent the recording sheets from being bent by removing the corner claws when inserting the recording sheet. Further, since the support member supports the corner claws so as to be movable in the paper width direction and further includes the support position display section, the corner claws can be moved to the support section position corresponding to the recording paper size. The size of the recording paper can be hooked at an appropriate position, and the guide member in the paper feeding device holds the supporting member at a predetermined position against the urging force, thereby reliably separating the recording paper. You can

Further, by inserting the recording paper into the case, the corner claw can be attached to and detached from the case by the straddle fitting part of the corner claw and the engaging shape part of the case, or by the fitting part of the corner claw and the fitting hole of the case. Sometimes the corner pawls can be removed to prevent the recording paper from bending, and by mounting the corner pawls of the width corresponding to the strength of the recording paper to the case, the locking force of the corner pawls when separating the recording paper Therefore, the recording paper can be reliably separated by the paper feeding device.

Further, since the corner claw is held at the hooked position or the separated position by the rotating shaft of the case and the spring member, the recording paper is bent with the corner claw being the separated position when the recording paper is inserted into the case. Can be prevented.

Further, since the corner claws are held at the hooked position or the separated position by the engaging shape portion of the support plate and the holding means of the regulation plate, the corner claws are set to the separated position when the recording paper is inserted into the case. Can be prevented from bending.

Further, since the support plate having the corner claws can be fitted into and removed from the regulation plate by the fitting / removing groove of the support plate, the regulation plate is removed and the recording paper is bent when the recording paper is inserted into the case. Can be prevented.

Further, by the corner claw composed of the fixing portion, the claw portion and the supporting member, an external force in the direction of the anti-urging force is applied to swing the corner claw, or the external force is removed and the corner claw is hooked at an angle. By being held by, the corner claw can be rotated in the non-contact direction with respect to the recording paper in conjunction with the insertion operation of the recording paper into the case.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a paper feed cassette according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a corner claw and a supporting member in the paper feeding cassette of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a paper feeding device of one embodiment of the present invention in which the paper feeding cassette of the first embodiment is mounted.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a main part in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of the main part of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a separating operation of a paper feeding device for recording paper in a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a shape of a claw portion in the corner claw of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a shape of a claw portion in the corner claw of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a main part in a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a main part in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of the main part of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another example of the main part of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a corner claw according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the corner claws when the recording paper is inserted into the case in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a main part of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional paper feed cassette.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a recording paper setting operation in a conventional paper feed cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Paper feed cassette, 2 ... Case, 6, 16, 17, 22,
24, 26, 40 ... Corner claw, 18, 43 ... Supporting member, 21 ...
Pins, 22a, 24a, 42 ... Claws, 22c ... Straddle, 22d ...
Hole, 23 ... fixing member, 23a ... fitting hole, 24c ... fitting part,
25 ... Rotating pin, 26d, 26e ... Notch, 27 ... Spring member,
28, 30, 33 ... Support plate, 31 ... Holding lever, 33a ... Shaft hole, 33b ... Fitting groove, 41 ... Fixed part, 53 ... Support member guide.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A sheet feeding cassette, which is provided with a corner claw for holding a recording sheet stored in the case and is attachable to and detachable from the main body of the apparatus, is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the case. A paper feed cassette comprising a substantially rod-shaped support member that extends in the width direction of the recording paper when mounted and positions the corner claws at a hooking position for the recording paper. 2. The supporting member movably supports the corner claws in the width direction of the recording paper, and displays the supporting position of the corner claws in the width direction corresponding to the size of the recording paper stored in the case. 2. The sheet feeding cassette according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting position display section that operates. 3. The support member is held in a mounted state in order to hold the recording paper, which is biased in the thickness direction in the case, at a fixed position in the apparatus main body against the biasing force by the corner claws. 3. A paper feeding device to which a paper feeding cassette according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a guide member that holds the paper feeding device at a predetermined position against the biasing force. 4. A sheet feeding cassette having a corner claw for holding recording paper stored in the case, wherein the corner claw is detachably attached to the case, so that the corner claw is attached to the case. It is characterized in that it is configured to be engaged with an engagement shape portion formed in the case in order to position the corner claw at the hooking position in the straddle-fitting state. Paper feed cassette. 5. A sheet feeding cassette provided with a corner claw for holding a recording sheet stored in a case, wherein a fitting hole is formed in the case, and the corner claw is provided with respect to the fitting hole. A sheet feeding cassette characterized in that a fitting portion that can be fitted and removed is provided and the fitting portion is fitted into a fitting hole so that a corner claw is fixed in a case. 6. The sheet feeding cassette according to claim 4, wherein the corner claw having a claw width corresponding to the strength of the recording paper stored in the case is mounted on the case. 7. A sheet feeding cassette provided with a corner claw for latching a recording sheet housed in a case, wherein the corner claw is rotatable on the case to a latching position or a separating position with respect to the recording sheet. A sheet feeding cassette, comprising: a pivot shaft that pivotally supports and a spring member that engages a corner claw to hold the corner claw at the hooking position or the separated position. 8. A restricting plate for restricting movement of the recording paper stored in the case in a paper width direction, a corner claw for locking the recording paper in the case, and a corner claw integrally formed with the corner claw. And a support plate pivotally attached to the regulation plate, wherein a corner of the corner claw is formed by forming an engagement shape portion on the support plate and engaging the regulation plate with the engagement shape portion. A sheet feeding cassette, which is provided with holding means for holding the sheet at a hooking position or a separated position. 9. A restriction plate for restricting movement of the recording paper in the case in the paper width direction, a corner claw for locking the recording paper in the case, and a corner claw integrally formed with the corner claw. And a support plate axially attached to the regulation plate, a support shaft is provided on the regulation plate, and the support plate is loosely fitted in the support plate, and a shaft hole communicates with the shaft hole A sheet feeding cassette, characterized in that a fitting / removing groove that opens to the side is formed, and the support plate is configured to be movable in the fitting / removing groove direction when the corner claw is at a position separated from the recording paper. 10. In a paper feeding cassette having a corner claw for holding a recording sheet stored in a case, the corner claw can be rocked by a fixing part fixed to the case and the fixing part. And a supporting member for supporting the recording paper at a hooking angle for locking the recording paper against the biasing force. And a paper cassette.