JPH09175660A - Paper supply tray - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the occurrence of skew and jam due to drooping down of a rear end and a side fringe of paper securely and increase the strength of an auxiliary tray. SOLUTION: A paper supply tray has a plurality of links 10, 11 which form a pair in the right and left directions which become at least the direction of paper width of paper S and tips of which are held on both sides of a tray main body 2 in such a manner that they can turn freely, and an auxiliary tray 3 which can be expanded and shrunk freely is provided in the direction of paper supply. Consequently, it is possible to support the paper S which is long and wide in a stable condition without drooping a rear end and a side fringe down and prevent the drop of the paper S from the auxiliary tray 3 and the occurrence of skew of the paper S and jam based on the skew securely. Furthermore, the weight of the paper S and unexpected external force are dispersed and supported by the plurality of links 10, 11 which form the pair in the right and left directions, and the strength of the auxiliary tray 3 is increased.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feed tray used for OA equipment such as an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to feed a sheet or an original document to an OA equipment such as an image forming apparatus or an image reading apparatus, a paper feed tray is provided on one side of the equipment body of the OA equipment, and is placed on the paper feed tray. The placed paper sheets are fed one by one by a paper feed roller. Recently, OA equipment is required to be downsized, and the paper feed tray tends to be as short as possible in order to suppress the protruding length from the apparatus body. However, there is also one having an auxiliary table or an auxiliary tray in consideration of the case of feeding a long sheet. Hereinafter, the conventional example will be described.

First, the contents disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-97437 are shown in a simulated form in FIG. 7 (a). this is,
A link-shaped auxiliary table 101 is rotatably connected to the rear edge of the paper feed table 100. When feeding a short sheet S, the auxiliary table 101 is stored in the paper feed table 100.
The auxiliary table 10 is used to support the paper sheet S by itself and to feed the paper sheet S having a length exceeding the length of the paper feed tray 100 in the paper feed direction.
1 is rotated rearward to support the rear end of the paper sheet S.

Next, FIG. 8 schematically shows the contents disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-61216. This is because the auxiliary tray 103 is rotatably connected to the central portion of the sheet material mounting table 102, and when a short sheet S is used, the auxiliary tray 103 is provided on the upper surface of the sheet material mounting table 102 as indicated by a phantom line. 10
When the sheet 3 is tilted and the sheet S is fed from above and the long sheet S is fed, the auxiliary tray 103 is rotated backward as shown by the solid line to support the rear end of the sheet S.

[0005]

In the structure shown in FIG. 7A, since the auxiliary table 101 is connected to the center of the rear end portion of the paper feed tray 100, the length of the auxiliary table 101 is equal to that of the paper feed tray. It is about half or less of the width of 100. This allows
When a long paper sheet S is used, the rear end of the paper sheet S easily sticks out from the rear end of the auxiliary table 101 and hangs down easily.

As shown in FIG. 7B, when one end of the auxiliary table 101 is rotatably connected to one side of the paper feed table 100, the auxiliary table 101 has a width smaller than that of the paper feed table 100. Can be lengthened to length. However, the paper sheet S
In order to support the rear end of the rear end, as shown in the figure, since it can be opened only up to about 45 °, the length cannot be effectively utilized.

Further, in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), since the trailing edge of the paper sheet S is supported by the link-shaped auxiliary table 101, the paper sheet S can be evenly supported right and left in a stable state. It is difficult and the paper sheet S easily drops. Further, even if the paper sheet S is not dropped, the side edge at the rear end hangs downward, so that the paper sheet S is easily curled, and skew and jam due to the skew are likely to occur. Further, since the auxiliary table 101 is in the form of a single link, it may be deformed or damaged by the weight of the paper sheet S or an unexpected external force.

In FIG. 8, since the length of the auxiliary tray 103 in the sheet feeding direction is equal to or less than the length of the sheet material placing table 102 in the sheet feeding direction, when a long sheet S is used, The trailing edge of the paper sheet S easily sticks out from the trailing edge of the auxiliary tray 103 and hangs down easily.

When feeding small-sized paper sheets S, the auxiliary tray 103 is used by tilting it on the upper surface of the sheet material placing table 102. The sheet material placing table 102 has both sides on both sides of the sheet material S. Since a side fence (not shown) that guides the sheet is provided, the width of the auxiliary tray 103 must be set to be equal to or less than the distance between the side fences corresponding to the paper width of the small-sized sheet S. Therefore, the auxiliary tray 103 becomes weak in strength, and when it is opened rearward to support the paper sheet S, there is a possibility that the auxiliary tray 103 may be deformed or damaged due to the weight of the paper sheet S or an unexpected external force.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A tray main body having a paper sheet placing surface for placing paper sheets on one surface is provided, and at least a pair of tips are rotatably held on both sides of the tray main body in a left-right direction which is a paper width direction of the paper sheet. An auxiliary tray that has a plurality of links and is expandable and contractible in the paper feeding direction is provided. Therefore, when the auxiliary tray is extended to feed a long sheet, the sheet is supported by the sheet mounting surface of the tray body and the auxiliary tray. Further, on the auxiliary tray, since the paper sheet is supported by a plurality of links that form a pair in the left-right direction that is the paper width direction, the left and right side edges are supported in a stable state without hanging down.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the front end of the link of the auxiliary tray is rotatably connected to both sides of the rear end edge of the tray body. Therefore, the extension length from the tray main body when the auxiliary tray is extended becomes long.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the auxiliary trays are paired in the left-right direction, which is the paper width direction of the sheet, and the tips are rotatably held on both sides of the tray body. And a bar rotatably held on both sides at the rear end of the link so as to be parallel to the rear end edge of the tray body. Therefore,
Even when feeding a sheet having a length reaching the rear end of the stretched auxiliary tray, the rear end of the sheet can be supported in a more stable state than the bar.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tray main body having a paper sheet placing surface for placing a paper sheet on one surface thereof, and at least the pair of tips are formed in the left-right direction which is the paper width direction of the paper sheet, and the trays have the tips. It has multiple links that are rotatably held on both sides of the main body and multiple extension links that are rotatably connected to the rear ends of each of these links. A free auxiliary tray is provided. Therefore, the extension length from the tray body when the auxiliary tray is extended to feed a long sheet is increased, and even a long sheet is supported by the sheet placement surface of the tray body and the auxiliary tray. Further, on the auxiliary tray, the paper sheet is supported by a plurality of links and a plurality of extension links that form a pair in the left-right direction that is the paper width direction, so that the left and right side edges are supported in a stable state without hanging down. .

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the auxiliary trays are paired in the left-right direction which is the paper width direction of the paper sheet, and the tips are rotatably held on both sides of the tray body. A plurality of links, a plurality of extension links rotatably connected to the rear end of each of these links,
The tray main body has a bar rotatably held at the rear end of the extension link so as to be parallel to the rear end edge of the tray body. Therefore, even when a sheet having a length reaching the rear end of the extended auxiliary tray is fed, the rear end of the sheet can be supported in a more stable state than the bar.

[0015]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
It will be described with reference to FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the paper feed tray, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional front view showing the support structure of the paper feed tray, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the paper feed tray with the auxiliary tray folded, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a tray and a state where the auxiliary tray is extended halfway, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a sheet feeding tray and a state where the auxiliary tray is fully extended.

The paper feed tray 1 in this embodiment comprises a tray body 2 and an auxiliary tray 3. Tray body 2
Is rotatably supported inside the storage recess 6 of the device body 5 of the OA device by the support shafts 4 provided upright on both sides of the tip (see FIG. 2). Formed on one surface of the tray main body 2 is a paper sheet placement surface 7 that supports the paper sheet S in a placed state, and on both sides of the paper sheet placement surface 7, a pair that guides the lateral edges of the paper sheet S in the width direction. The side fence 8 is provided so as to be slidable along the guide groove 9 and fixed at an arbitrary position.

The auxiliary trays 3 are paired in the left-right direction, which is the paper width direction of the paper sheets S, and the front ends thereof are two links 10, 1 rotatably held on both sides of the trailing edge of the tray body 2.
1 and a bar 12 rotatably held at the rear ends of the links 10 and 11 so as to be parallel to the rear end edge of the tray body 2, and are expandable / contractible in the paper feeding direction. More specifically, both sides of the tray body 2 on the rear end side and the bar 12 are
Grooves 13 and 14 along the width direction of the paper sheet S are formed on both sides of the sheet. The center of the two links 10 and 11 is the fulcrum shaft 1
It is rotatably connected by 5 so as to open in an X shape. The tips of the links 10 and 11 are slidably and rotatably connected to the groove 13 of the tray body 2 by a fulcrum shaft 16 with a collar, and the rear ends of the links 10 and 11 are
It is slidably and rotatably connected to the groove 14 of the bar 12 by a fulcrum shaft 16 with a collar.

Since the two links 10 and 11 intersect in an X shape, the tips of the links 10 and 11 on the tray body 2 side have a height difference, and the groove 13 correspondingly has a height difference. It is formed by attaching. Similarly, the rear ends of the links 10 and 11 on the side of the bar 12 have a height difference, and correspondingly, the groove 1
4 is also formed with a height difference.

With such a structure, when the paper sheet S is set on the paper feed tray 1, the side fence 8 is slid outside the width of the paper sheet S and is placed on the paper sheet placement surface 7. The paper sheet S is placed, the side fence 8 is moved inward, and brought into contact with the side edge of the paper sheet S.

In the normal state where the paper is not fed or when the paper S of a size that does not require the auxiliary tray 3 is fed, the links 10 and 11 are rotated around the fulcrum shafts 15 and 16, and FIG. As shown in, the auxiliary tray 3 is folded into the rear end of the tray body 2. In the case of feeding a paper sheet S having a length protruding from the paper sheet placement surface 7 of the tray body 2, the fulcrum shafts 15, 1
The links 10 and 11 are rotated about 6 and the auxiliary tray 3 is extended according to the size of the paper sheet S as shown in FIG. 4 or 5. As a result, the rear end of the paper sheet S is supported by the auxiliary tray 3.

In this case, since the paper sheet S is supported on the auxiliary tray 3 by a plurality of links 10 and 11 which form a pair in the left-right direction, which is the paper width direction, the rear end of the long paper sheet S hangs down. Therefore, even a wide sheet S can be supported in a stable state without the left and right side edges hanging down. Therefore, the paper sheet S does not drop from the paper feed tray 1 and the side edges do not curl. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of skew and the occurrence of jam due to the skew.

Further, since the weight of the paper sheet S and the unexpected external force can be dispersed and supported by the plurality of links 10 and 11 forming a pair in the left-right direction, the strength of the auxiliary tray 3 can be increased more than before. You can The thickness of the links 10 and 11 when viewed from the side direction, the link 10 and 1 when viewed from the plane direction
By setting the width equal to or larger than the width of 1, the auxiliary tray 3
The rigidity of can be further increased. The above is the effect corresponding to the invention of claim 1.

Further, since the bar 12 is rotatably held at the rear ends of the links 10 and 11 so as to be parallel to the rear end of the tray body 2, it reaches the rear end of the extended auxiliary tray 3. Even when a sheet S having a length is fed, the rear end of the sheet S can be supported in a more stable state than the bar 12. Further, since the weight of the paper sheet S and an unexpected external force can be supported by the bar 12 in addition to the plurality of links 10 and 11, the strength of the auxiliary tray 3 can be further increased. This is an effect corresponding to the third aspect of the present invention.

In the embodiment, the link 1 of the auxiliary tray 3 is used.
Since the leading ends of 0 and 11 are rotatably connected to both sides of the rear end edge of the tray main body 2, the extension length from the tray main body 2 when the auxiliary tray 3 is extended becomes long. This is advantageous for supporting the long paper sheet S. This is an effect corresponding to the second aspect of the invention.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a paper feed tray, with the auxiliary tray fully extended. The auxiliary tray 17 in the present embodiment has a plurality of links 10, 11 whose pair of ends are paired in the left-right direction which is the width direction of the paper sheet S and whose front ends are rotatably held on both sides of the trailing edge side of the tray body 2.
And extension links 18 and 19 rotatably connected to the rear ends of the links 10 and 11, and both sides of the extension links 18 and 19 so as to be parallel to the rear end edges of the tray body 2. It has a bar 12 rotatably held, and is expandable and contractable in the paper feeding direction. More specifically, the connection structure between the links 10 and 11 and the tray body 2 is the same as in the previous embodiment. Links 10, 11 by fulcrum shaft 15
The extension links 18 and 19 rotatably connected to each other are rotatably connected to each other so that the center thereof opens in an X shape by a fulcrum shaft 15, and the rear end thereof is connected to the groove 1 of the bar 12 by a fulcrum shaft 16 with a collar.
4 is slidably and rotatably connected.

In such a structure, when a paper sheet S of a normal state in which no paper is fed or a size in which the auxiliary tray 3 is not needed is fed, the links 10, 11, 18 are centered around the fulcrum shafts 15, 16. , 19 to rotate the auxiliary tray 17
Is folded into the rear end of the tray body 2. When feeding a sheet S having a length that extends beyond the sheet placement surface 7 of the tray body 2, the links 10, 11, 1 are centered on the fulcrum shafts 15, 16.
8 and 19 are rotated to extend the auxiliary tray 17 according to the size of the paper sheet S. As a result, the rear end of the paper sheet S is supported by the auxiliary tray 17.

The difference from the previous embodiment is that a pair of extension links 18 and 19 are provided in addition to the pair of links 10 and 11. Therefore, the range of expansion and contraction is wide, and the selection range of the paper sheets S having different lengths in the paper feed direction can be widened. The above is the effect corresponding to the invention of claim 4.

At the rear ends of the extension links 18 and 19,
Since the bar 12 is rotatably held so as to be parallel to the rear end of the tray body 2, the extended auxiliary tray 3
Even when the paper S having a length reaching the rear end is fed, the rear end of the paper S can be supported in a more stable state than the bar 12. Moreover, since the weight of the paper sheet S and the unexpected external force can be supported by the bar 12 in addition to the plurality of links 10, 11, 18, 19, the strength of the auxiliary tray 17 can be further increased. This is an effect corresponding to the fifth aspect of the invention.

Although not shown, a continuous body of a plurality of links, which is formed by rotatably connecting a plurality of links like a folding scale, is arranged in the width direction of the paper sheet S, and The leading end of the continuous body is rotatably connected to the tray body 2, and the rear end of the continuous body of those links is rotatably connected to the bar 12 to form an auxiliary tray. Even if you extend and retract the auxiliary tray by the movement of
Similar effects can be obtained.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the maximum extension range of the auxiliary trays 3 and 17 is the grooves 13 and 14.
Is determined by the contact between the inner end of the fulcrum and the fulcrum shaft 16.

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the tray main body having the paper sheet stacking surface on which the paper sheet is placed is provided on one side, and at least the left and right sides, which are the paper width direction of the paper sheet, are paired and the tips are Since there are a plurality of links rotatably held on both sides of the tray body and an auxiliary tray that is expandable and contractible in the paper feeding direction is provided, the auxiliary tray can be stretched according to the size of the sheet. You can As a result, the trailing edge of the paper sheet can be supported by the auxiliary tray. In this case, on the auxiliary tray, the paper sheet can be supported by a plurality of links that form a pair in the left-right direction that is the paper width direction,
Even a long sheet of paper can be prevented from sagging at the rear end, and even a wide sheet of paper can be supported in a stable state by preventing sagging of the left and right side edges. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the paper sheet from falling from the paper feed tray, curl the side edges of the paper sheet, and reliably prevent the skew and the jam due to the skew. Furthermore, since the weight of the paper sheet and the unexpected external force can be dispersed and supported by the plurality of links that form a pair in the left-right direction, the strength of the auxiliary tray can be increased.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the tip of the link of the auxiliary tray is rotatably connected to both sides of the rear edge of the tray body. Therefore, the extension length from the tray main body when the auxiliary tray is extended becomes long. This is advantageous for supporting long paper sheets.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the auxiliary trays are paired in the left-right direction, which is the paper width direction of the paper sheet, and the tips are rotatably held on both sides of the tray body. And a bar rotatably held on both sides at the rear end of the link so as to be parallel to the rear end edge of the tray body. Therefore,
Even when feeding a sheet having a length reaching the rear end of the stretched auxiliary tray, the rear end of the sheet can be supported in a more stable state than the bar. Moreover, since the weight of the paper sheet and the unexpected external force can be supported by the bar in addition to the plurality of links, the strength of the auxiliary tray can be further increased.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tray main body having a paper sheet placement surface on which a paper sheet is placed, and at least the left and right sides, which are the paper width direction of the paper sheets, form a pair and the leading ends are the trays. It has a plurality of links rotatably held on both sides of the main body and a plurality of extension links rotatably connected to the respective rear ends of these links. A retractable auxiliary tray is provided. Therefore, when the auxiliary tray is extended to feed a long sheet, the extension length from the tray body is increased, and even a long sheet can be supported by the sheet placement surface of the tray body and the auxiliary tray. You can Further, on the auxiliary tray, since the paper sheet can be supported by a plurality of links and a plurality of extension links that form a pair in the left-right direction that is the width direction of the paper sheet, the left and right side edges of the paper sheet do not hang down. Can be supported in a stable state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the paper sheet from falling from the paper feed tray, curl the side edges of the paper sheet, and reliably prevent the skew and the jam due to the skew. Furthermore, since the weight of the paper sheet and the unexpected external force can be dispersed and supported by the plurality of links and the plurality of extension links that form a pair in the left-right direction, the strength of the auxiliary tray can be increased.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the auxiliary trays are paired in the left-right direction which is the paper width direction of the paper sheet, and the tips are rotatably held on both sides of the tray body. A plurality of links, a plurality of extension links rotatably connected to the rear end of each of these links,
The tray main body has a bar rotatably held at the rear end of the extension link so as to be parallel to the rear end edge of the tray body. Therefore, even when a sheet having a length reaching the rear end of the extended auxiliary tray is fed, the rear end of the sheet can be supported in a more stable state than the bar. Further, since the weight of the paper sheet and the unexpected external force can be supported by the bar in addition to the plurality of links and the extension links, the strength of the auxiliary tray can be further increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional front view showing a support structure of the paper feed tray of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the paper feed tray of FIG. 1 with an auxiliary tray folded.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the paper feed tray of FIG. 1 with an auxiliary tray extended partway.

5 is a plan view showing the paper feed tray of FIG. 1 with the auxiliary tray fully extended. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a paper feed tray according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Tray body 3 Auxiliary tray 7 Paper stacking surface 10,11 Link 12 bar 17 Auxiliary tray 18,19 Extension link S Paper sheet

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A tray main body having a paper sheet placing surface for placing a paper sheet on one surface thereof, and at least a pair of tips in a left-right direction which is a paper width direction of the paper sheet, and tips of which are rotatable on both sides of the tray body. A sheet feeding tray comprising a plurality of held links and an auxiliary tray that can expand and contract in the sheet feeding direction. 2. The paper feed tray according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the link of the auxiliary tray is rotatably connected to both sides of the rear edge of the tray body. 3. The auxiliary tray comprises a plurality of links which are paired in the left-right direction which is the width direction of the paper sheet and whose front ends are rotatably held on both sides of the tray body, and a rear end edge of the tray body. 3. The paper feed tray according to claim 1, further comprising a bar rotatably held at the rear end of the link so as to be parallel to each other. 4. A tray main body having a paper sheet placing surface for placing a paper sheet on one surface thereof, and at least a pair of tips in a left-right direction which is a paper width direction of the paper sheet, and tips of which are rotatable on both sides of the tray body. A plurality of held links and a plurality of extension links rotatably connected to the rear ends of these links, and an auxiliary tray that is expandable / contractible in the paper feeding direction are provided. A paper feed tray characterized in that 5. The auxiliary tray comprises a plurality of links which are paired in the left-right direction which is the width direction of the paper sheet and whose front ends are rotatably held on both sides of the tray body, and the rear ends of the respective links. A plurality of extension links rotatably connected to each other, and a bar rotatably held on both sides at the rear end of the extension link so as to be parallel to the rear end edge of the tray body. The paper feed tray according to claim 4, wherein the paper feed tray is provided.