JPH0840587A - Paper feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a paper feeding device that can supply sheets rapidly and smoothly. CONSTITUTION:A paper feeding device is provided with a paper feeding cassette 1 for stacking sheets, a device body storing this paper feeding cassette 1 in the freely pulled-out state, a feed roller 2 coming in pressure contact with the sheet to deliver it, a sheet push-up plate 3 equipped in the paper feeding cassette 1 so as to push up the sheets toward the feed roller 2, and sheet lock mechanism 4 disposed along both side inner walls of the paper feeding cassette 2 and provided at one end part with a locking claw 4A for temporarily locking the delivered side tip angle part of the sheet. Locking claw lock mechanism 5 actuated at the time of pulling the paper feeding cassette 1 out of the device body so as to set the locking claw 4A of the sheet lock mechanism 4 to a specified height position is equipped in the paper feeding cassette 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeder, and more particularly to a paper feeder provided in an information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic printer, sheets are stored and stacked in a sheet feed cassette installed at a lower portion of the apparatus main body. From this paper feed cassette, paper is automatically fed into the main body of the apparatus by a paper feed mechanism.

The sheets stacked in the sheet cassette are separated one by one from the uppermost side of the sheet by a sheet feeding roller and a pair of sheet pressing claws attached to both ends of the front portion of the sheet cassette. It is sent to the forming means side. At the time of this paper feeding, the paper is pushed up from below by a paper push-up plate which is urged by a push-up spring to operate.
In this case, the pushed-up sheet is temporarily pressed by the pair of sheet pressing claws described above.

Further, in such a conventional example, when replenishing paper, conventionally, a paper feed cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body to replenish paper.

[0005]

As described above, when replenishing paper, the paper is replenished in the paper feed cassette after the paper feed cassette is pulled out from the main body of the apparatus. In this case, since the sheet push-up plate is pushed up by the pressing spring, it has always been troublesome for the operator to manually push down the sheet push-up plate to a predetermined position and then replenish the sheet.

On the other hand, when the paper is replenished, the paper pressing claw is lowered to the lower limit position by its own weight.
When the paper is replenished, the paper is caught by the paper holding claw. For this reason, it is not possible to replenish a large number of sheets at one time, and this has always involved the trouble of replenishing the sheet while holding the sheet pressing claw by hand.

For this reason, in the above-mentioned conventional example, there has always been a problem that it takes a lot of trouble and time to replenish the paper.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper feeding device which can improve the disadvantages of the prior art and can supply paper in a quick and smooth manner.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a paper feed cassette for stacking paper sheets, an apparatus main body for storing the paper feed cassette in a retractable manner, a paper feed roller for pressing the paper sheet and sending out the paper sheet, A paper push-up plate that is installed in the paper feed cassette and pushes up the paper toward the paper feed roller, and is arranged along the inner walls on both sides of the paper feed cassette, and temporarily locks the tip corners on the paper delivery side. A paper locking mechanism having a locking claw at one end.

Then, a locking claw locking mechanism that operates when the paper feeding cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body and sets the locking claw of the paper locking mechanism at a predetermined height position is provided in the paper feeding cassette. Is taking. This aims to achieve the above-mentioned object.

[0011]

[Operation] When the paper feed cassette 1 is mounted in the apparatus main body 50, the paper P is pressed by the push-up spring 3A toward the locking pawl 4A for holding the paper, and the paper feed roller 2 moves the paper. P is set to be able to be fed.

When the paper feed cassette 1 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 50 for paper replenishment or the like, the locking claw lock mechanism 5 is actuated by the pulling output, and the locking cutting portion 5 is operated.
B presses the other end of the above-described paper locking mechanism 4 downward, and the lock claw body 5A itself is raised in an upright state by the reaction force of the pressing force. As a result, each time the sheet cassette 1 is pulled out of the apparatus main body, the locking claw 4A of the sheet locking mechanism 4 is pulled upward. For this reason, the worker can perform the paper feeding operation smoothly.

When the sheet cassette 1 is to be mounted in the apparatus 50 after replenishing the sheets, an unlocking mechanism 11 is provided at the lower part of the apparatus main body, so that the locking claw locking mechanism 5 is provided.
The lower end of the sheet is flipped to release the lock, whereby the locking claw locking mechanism 5 becomes free, and the paper push-up plate 3 is effectively pressed together with the loaded paper P in the direction of the locking claw 4A by the lifting spring 3A. Is done.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG.
A paper feed cassette 1 for loading paper, a main body 50 for storing the paper feed cassette 1 in a retractable manner, a paper feed roller 2 for pressing the paper P to feed the paper P, and a paper feed cassette 1 equipped in the paper feed cassette 1. The sheet push-up plate 3 that pushes up the sheet P toward the sheet feed roller 2 and the inner walls on both sides of the sheet feed cassette 1 are provided, and the tip corners of the sheet P on the delivery side are temporarily locked. It is provided with a pair of sheet locking mechanisms 4 and 4 having locking claws 4A at one end. Reference numeral 3A indicates a push-up spring mounted on the lower side of the sheet push-up plate 3.

A locking claw lock mechanism which operates when the paper feeding cassette 1 is pulled out of the apparatus main body 50 and sets the locking claw 4A of the paper locking mechanism 4 at a predetermined height position in the paper feeding cassette 1. 5 is equipped. Corresponding to the locking claw lock mechanism 5, the device main body 50 operates when the paper feed cassette 1 is housed in the device main body 50 and is operated by the locking claw lock mechanism 5.
Unlocking mechanism 11 (see FIG. 4) for releasing the operating state of
Is equipped.

Further, the paper feed cassette 1 is provided with a push-up plate pushing mechanism 12 which is activated when the paper feed cassette 1 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 50 and pushes down the paper push-up plate in the paper feed cassette 1 to the bottom side of the paper feed cassette 1. It is equipped on the apparatus main body 50 side.

More specifically, this is the paper feed cassette 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, is formed in a flat box shape having an open top and a U-shaped cross section. In FIG. 1, the left side shows the sheet feeding side and the cassette pulling side for pulling out the sheet feeding cassette 1.

In the paper feed cassette 1, paper lock mechanisms 4, 4 which are appropriately divided by appropriate partitions are provided at both ends as viewed from the cassette drawer side. The sheet locking mechanisms 4 and 4 have the same structure and are formed symmetrically. In FIG. 1, the right paper locking mechanism 4 is disclosed.

The paper locking mechanism 4 has an arm member 4B whose main body is formed in a strip shape and has an elongated arm shape, a fulcrum 4a provided at the center of the arm member 4B, and one end of the arm member 4B. And the above-mentioned locking claws 4A for pressing and locking the corners of the paper P in the paper feed cassette 1. A locking claw lock mechanism 5 is connected to the other end of the arm member 4B.

For this reason, both ends of the paper locking mechanism 4 are supported by fulcrums 4a so as to be able to move up and down.

Corresponding to the sheet locking mechanism 4, as shown in FIG. 1, inside the sheet feeding cassette 1 described above, each end of the sheet locking mechanism 4 is rotated so that the sheet feeding mechanism inside the sheet feeding cassette 1 is rotated. One end supporting member 1E for preventing a collision with the bottom surface and the other end supporting member 1F having the same function and for preventing the locking claw 4A part from jumping out of the sheet feeding cassette 1 in FIG. 1 are provided. ing.

The locking claw locking mechanism 5 includes a locking claw main body 5A having a center portion 5a rotatably supported in the same plane as the rotation surface of the paper locking mechanism 4, and a locking claw main body 5A.
1 is in the state shown in FIG. 1 (upright state), the other end of the sheet locking mechanism 4 is locked from above in FIG. And a locking cutout portion 5B that functions to hold the sheet in the same state at all times and a central portion 5a of the lock claw body 5A.
When the lock claw body 5A, which is installed in the above-mentioned apparatus, is in the state (upright state) of FIG. 1, the spring portion 5 maintains the upright state.
D and the lock claw body 5A when pulling out the paper feed cassette 1
5 protruding on the body side to raise the
It is composed of E and.

When the paper feed cassette 1 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 50, the paper feed cassette 1 is urged by the pulling output to operate, and the push-up plate pressing mechanism 12 described later engages with the projection 5E and is guided downward so that the lock claw main body is guided. 5A starts to rise, and the locking cutting portion 5B presses the other end of the above-described paper locking mechanism 4 in the downward direction of FIG. 1 and the lock claw main body 5A itself is in the state of FIG. 4 by the reaction force of the pressing force. 1 to the state of FIG. 1 (the upright state), the sheet locking mechanism 4 causes the sheet locking mechanism 4 to move to the state of FIG. The nail 4A portion is pulled up. For this reason, the worker can perform the paper feeding operation smoothly.

In FIGS. 1 and 3, the unlocking mechanism 11 and the push-up plate pushing mechanism 12 disclosed in FIGS. 4 to 5 are omitted.

The lock releasing mechanism 11 for releasing the locking operation of the locking claw locking mechanism 5 corresponds to the projection 5E provided at the lower end of the locking claw locking mechanism 5 shown in FIG. It is equipped on the 50 side.

For this reason, the paper feed cassette 1 is
In the step of being housed inside, the projection 5E of the locking claw lock mechanism 5 in the state of FIG. 1 is shaken off as shown in FIG. As a result, the paper locking mechanism 4 is set to the state shown in FIG. 4 when there is no paper P in the paper feeding cassette 1.
On the other hand, when the paper P is present in the paper cassette 1, the paper locking mechanism 4 is set to the state shown in FIG. As a result, the same locked state of the paper P can be maintained at all times.

The push-up plate push-down mechanism 12 includes push-up plate guide portions 12A provided on the apparatus main body 50 corresponding to both end surfaces of the paper push-up plate 3 and push-up plates that are moved by being guided by the push-up plate guide portions 12A. It is constituted by the plate side protrusion 12B. Reference numeral 3K indicates a pop-out prevention guide for preventing the paper push-up plate 3 from being pushed out by the push-up spring 3A.

The push-up plate side projection 12B is provided on the side end surface of the paper push-up plate 3 described above. In addition, the push-up plate guide portion 12A is a push-down guide portion 12A that descends in a mountain shape toward the cassette side as shown in FIGS.
a and a horizontal fixed guide portion 12Ab fixed in a horizontal position so that the push-up plate 3 can be maintained in the state of being placed on the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette 1.

Therefore, when the paper feed cassette 1 is pulled out, the push-up plate side projection 12B is first pushed down along the push-down guide portion 12Aa to the bottom surface side in the paper feed cassette 1, and then this state is set. Horizontal fixed guide 12Ab
Is to be maintained by

On the other hand, when the sheet cassette 1 is stored, the push-up plate guide portion 12A acts in the opposite direction to guide the push-up plate side projection 12B. For this reason, the sheet lifting plate 3 can be very easily changed from the state of FIG. 5 to the state of FIG.

The portion of the locking claw 4A is pressed against the pair of locking claws 4A and 4A by the push-up spring 3A and the sheet push-up plate 3, and the sheet P is moved by the paper feed roller 2.
Sheets are fed one by one and conveyed into the apparatus 1.

Next, the overall operation of the above embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the paper feed cassette 1 is mounted in the apparatus main body 50, the paper push-up plate 3 has the locking claw lock mechanism 5 free. In some cases, the sheet P is pressed by the push-up spring 3A toward the locking claw 4A for holding the sheet, and
Are set to be able to feed the paper P.

When the paper feed cassette 2 is pulled out from the apparatus 50 for paper supply or the like, the push-up plate side protrusion 12B descends along the push-up plate guide 12A of the apparatus 50. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the paper push-up plate 3 is also pushed down together with the push-up plate side projection 12B.

Further, in the locking claw lock mechanism 5, when the push-up plate side projection 12B is lowered to the position of the horizontal fixed guide 12Ab, the projection 5E is similarly pushed by the push-down guide 12A.
It is guided by a and starts to rise, and as described above, by the action of the spring portion 5D, it acts in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5 to stand vertically, thereby pushing down and locking the sheet push-up plate 3.

At the same time, the rear end of the locking claw 4A of the sheet locking mechanism 4 is pushed down and locked by the locking cutout portion 5B of the locking claw locking mechanism 5. At this time, the locking claw 4A is locked at the upper limit position. As a result, the paper push-up plate 3 and the locking claw 4A are fixed, and the supply of paper is facilitated.

When the paper feed cassette 1 is mounted in the apparatus 50 after replenishing the sheets, the lower end of the locking claw lock mechanism 5 is flipped by the lock release mechanism 11 attached to the lower part of the apparatus to lock. As a result, the locking claw locking mechanism 5 is released, and the paper push-up plate 3 is pressed by the locking claw 4A by the push-up spring 3A.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the paper feed cassette is pulled out, the paper pressing claw is pushed up and fixed, so that the paper can be easily replenished when the paper is replenished. It is possible to provide an excellent paper feeding device which is not available.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted and partially cross-sectional front view showing a sheet feeding cassette part which is a part of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left side view showing a locking claw locking mechanism portion disclosed in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially omitted explanatory view showing a state in which the sheet cassette shown in FIG. 1 is housed in an apparatus main body.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the sheet cassette is slightly pulled out from the apparatus main body.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the sheet cassette is further pulled out from the apparatus main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Paper Feed Cassette 2 Paper Feed Roller 3 Paper Push Up Plate 4 Paper Locking Mechanism 4A Locking Claw 5 Locking Claw Locking Mechanism 11 Lock Release Mechanism 12 Pushing Up Board Pushing Mechanism P Paper

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A paper feed cassette for loading paper, an apparatus main body for storing the paper feed cassette in a retractable manner, a paper feed roller for pressing the paper to feed the paper out, and a device provided in the paper feed cassette. A paper push-up plate that pushes up the paper toward the paper feed roller, and locking claws that are arranged along the inner walls on both sides of the paper feed cassette and that temporarily lock the tip corners of the paper feed side. And a sheet locking mechanism having a sheet locking mechanism at one end thereof, which operates when the sheet feeding cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body and sets a locking claw of the sheet locking mechanism at a predetermined height position. A paper feeding device comprising a pawl lock mechanism provided in the paper feeding cassette. 2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1,
The sheet feeding apparatus, wherein the apparatus body is equipped with a lock releasing mechanism that is activated when the sheet feeding cassette is stored in the apparatus body and releases the operating state of the locking claw locking mechanism. 3. The paper feeding device according to claim 2,
The apparatus main body is equipped with a push-up plate pressing mechanism that operates when the paper feed cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body and presses the paper push-up plate in the paper feed cassette to the bottom side of the paper feed cassette. Paper feeding device.