JPH09235023A - Sheet supply device and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a sheet from being influenced by its leaving state (temperature or humidity) and foreign matter such as dust from adhering to somewhere by restricting the width direction of the sheet in a supply cassette when a width direction restriction means attaches the supply cassette to the loading face of a manual insertion supply device. SOLUTION: A supply cassette 10 is roughly box-shaped with its opening and is designed to include plural sheets by inserting the sheets from the opening. The supply cassette 10 including a sheet S is inserted into side restriction members 11a and 11b which are set in a tray 16 and U-shaped. The attachment position of the supply cassette 10 is positioned so that the side restriction members 11a and 11b can directly restrict the sheet S from among cutouts 10a and 11b of the supply cassette 10. When the supply cassette 10 is inserted, the sheet S inside the supply cassette 10 is restricted at the cutouts 10a and 10b in the width direction by means of the side restriction members 11a and 11b. Therefore, high-quality images and high reliability such as carrying can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device used in a sheet feeding portion of an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, and more particularly to stacking, separating and feeding a large number of sheets. And a feeding cassette that is mounted on the stacking surface of the manual feeding device and that contains a plurality of sheets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an example of a manual sheet feeder used in a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as LBP) as an image forming apparatus or a sheet feeder of a copying machine is shown in FIG.
FIG.

In FIG. 17, a manual feeding device KA is shown, which is attached to a side surface of the image forming apparatus main body PA which is a sheet feeding portion.

In the figure, 2 is a resist roller pair, 3 is a photosensitive drum and transfer roller, 4 is a fixing device, 5 is a conveying roller pair, 6 is a discharge roller, 7 is a scanner unit, 8 is a folding mirror, and 9 is a discharge. A discharge tray for stacking other sheets, and a tray 116 forming a stacking surface for stacking a large number of sheets of the manual sheet feeder KA.

Further, 1 is a feeding roller, 13 is a separation pad swinging around a shaft 13a, and 18 is an intermediate plate for pressing the sheet toward the feeding roller 1 side. It forms a separate feeding means for separating and feeding.

Then, the tray 11 of the manual feeding device KA
The sheets S can be fed by stacking the sheets S on the sheet 6, and when the print signal is output from the image forming apparatus main body PA, the intermediate plate 18
Lifts and lifts a plurality of sheets S.

The plurality of sheets S lifted up are pressed against the feeding roller 1 to prevent double feeding by the separating pad 13 and are fed one by one. The fed sheet S is conveyed to the registration roller pair 2. Then, the registration roller pair 2 conveys the image on the photosensitive drum 3 at the same timing, and the image on the photosensitive drum 3 is transferred by a known process.

Thereafter, the sheet S is sent to the fixing device 4,
The image is fixed here, and is then guided to the discharge roller pair 6 by the transport roller pair 5. Then, it is discharged onto the discharge tray 9 by the discharge roller pair 6.

The above-described manual feeding device KA is very convenient because it can feed various sheets such as colored paper, OHT (overhead projector sheet), envelopes, etc. in addition to plain paper.

[0010]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned prior art, the sheet S is placed on the tray 16.
Almost all of them are exposed, and the following problems may occur.

That is, in the case where it is easily affected by a standing condition (temperature and humidity), dust, dust, and foreign matter are attached, which affects image formation by LBP and the like, and high-quality image quality and reliability such as conveyance cannot be obtained. There is.

In addition, various people often use it, and people who want to use different sheets have a problem in aesthetic appearance because the stacked sheets are piled up around a device such as an LBP.

[0013] It is not possible to visually see what kind of sheets are piled up and what kind of sheets can be used.
Often thrown away, it was a waste of resources.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the purpose thereof is to:
To provide a low-priced sheet feeding device that is not easily affected by the state of being left unattended, is less susceptible to dust, can solve aesthetic problems, can determine what kind of sheet it is, and has excellent operability. is there.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can obtain high quality image and reliability such as conveyance.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention according to the present application is to separate and feed a stacking surface on which a large number of sheets are stacked, and the large number of sheets. A sheet feeding device including: a manual feeding device having a separate feeding means; and a feeding cassette mounted on a stacking surface of the manual feeding device and containing a plurality of sheets. The manual feeding device includes a width direction restricting unit that is provided on the stacking surface and restricts a width direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking surface, and the width direction restricting unit sets the feeding cassette to the manual sheet feeder. When the sheet is mounted on the stacking surface, the width direction of the sheets in the feeding cassette is regulated.

In order to achieve the above object, a second invention according to the present application is the sheet feeding device of the first invention, wherein the width direction regulating means serves as a guide for mounting the feeding cassette. It is characterized by

In order to achieve the above object, a third invention according to the present application is the sheet feeding device according to the first or second invention, wherein a fulcrum and a feeding cassette are provided at the leading end of the feeding cassette. An exterior member that covers at least the lower end side of the sheet front end portion that swings around the fulcrum when it is mounted on the stacking surface of the manual feeding device is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a fourth invention according to the present application is the sheet feeding device according to the first or second invention, wherein the leading edge portion of the sheet is provided at the leading edge portion of the feeding cassette. A shutter for covering is provided, and the shutter can be opened when the shutter is mounted on the loading surface of the manual feeding device.

In order to achieve the above object, a fifth aspect of the present invention is the sheet feeding device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in which a display section is provided on the sheet feeding cassette, and the display section is made visible and hidden. A slide member that slides in this manner and a connecting member that connects the slide member and the shutter are provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a sixth invention according to the present application is the sheet feeding device according to the first, second, third, fourth or fifth invention, wherein a large number of sheets contained in a feeding cassette are included. A pressing means for pressing the sheet in the thickness direction is provided in the feeding cassette, and the width direction restricting means for restricting the width direction of the sheet provided on the stacking surface of the manual feeding device releases the pressing of the sheet by the pressing means. A pressing releasing portion is provided, and the pressing by the pressing means is released in association with the operation of the width direction restricting means for restricting the side surface of the sheet in the width direction of the sheet.

In order to achieve the above object, the seventh invention of the present application is such that, in the sheet feeding device of the sixth invention, the pressing of the sheet by the pressing means is manually released. Is characterized by.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the eighth invention of the present application is the above-mentioned 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7
The sheet feeding device of the invention of claim 1 is provided in a sheet feeding portion that feeds a sheet to an image forming portion of an image forming apparatus.

According to the structure of the first aspect of the invention, when the feeding cassette containing a plurality of sheets is mounted on the stacking surface of the manual feeding device to feed the sheets, the sheets are placed in the feeding cassette. Since it is covered, it is unlikely to be affected by the state of being left (temperature and humidity), and dust, dust, and foreign matter are not easily attached.

Further, since the sheet can be stored in each feeding cassette, the aesthetic problem can be solved, and the size of the sheet can be known by looking at the feeding cassette.

Then, for example, by providing notches for exposing the sheets on both sides in the width direction of the feeding cassette, the width direction regulating means for regulating the width direction of the sheets provided on the stacking surface of the manual feeding device is used. The width direction of the sheet in the feeding cassette mounted on the stacking surface can be regulated by the cutout portion.

According to the structure of the second aspect of the invention, the width direction regulating means of the manual feeding device is used as a guide when the feeding cassette is mounted, so that the user can easily mount it and no new guide is required. Therefore, the cost is low.

According to the structure of the third aspect, since the exterior member for covering at least the lower end side of the sheet front end portion is provided at the front end portion of the feed cassette, the user carries the supply cassette and hits it. However, the tip of the sheet does not break.

Further, since the exterior member swings around the fulcrum when mounted on the manual feeding device, the leading end of the sheet is lifted to the separating and feeding means side, and stable feeding can be performed.

Therefore, the user can use the feeding cassette without worrying about the handling. That is, the operability is excellent.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the shutter for covering the peripheral portion of the sheet front end is provided at the front end of the feed cassette, the shutter protects the front end of the feed cassette. Therefore, even if the user carries the feeding cassette and hits it somewhere, the leading edge of the sheet does not break. Also, the sheet does not jump out of the feeding cassette.

Since the shutter is opened when it is attached to the manual feeding device, it does not hinder the sheet feeding.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the display portion on the feeding cassette, the slide member that slides on the display portion so as to be visible and hidden, and the connecting member that connects the slide member and the shutter. Since, when the carrying cassette is carried around, the above-mentioned shutter is closed by making the display unit visible, and at the time of the feeding operation, the display unit is slid by hiding the slide plate to concatenate the connecting members. The shutter can be opened via.

From this fact, the shutter state need only be seen by seeing whether the display section is visible or invisible, which is easy for the user to understand and excellent in operability.

According to the structure of the sixth aspect of the invention, since the pressing means for pressing a large number of sheets in the thickness direction is provided, the sheets fall even if the opening of the feeding cassette is downward. There is no such thing.

Further, the pressing means is designed so that the pressing is released in association with the operation of the width direction restricting means for restricting the side surface of the sheet, so that there is no obstacle to the sheet feeding.

According to the structure of the seventh invention, the pressing of the sheet by the pressing means can be manually released, so that the sheet can be easily inserted into the feeding cassette by manually releasing the pressing.

According to the structure of the eighth invention, the first
Through the use of the sheet feeding device according to the seventh aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain high quality image quality and reliability such as conveyance.

[0039]

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

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a manual feeding device and a feeding device mounted on the stacking surface of the manual feeding device and containing a plurality of sheets are included. 1 illustrates an entire image forming apparatus including a sheet feeding device including a cassette.

In the present embodiment, the same members as those shown in the above-mentioned conventional example will be described with the same reference numerals.

In the figure, 2 is a pair of registration rollers, 3 is a photosensitive drum and transfer roller, 4 is a fixing device, 5 is a pair of conveying rollers, 6 is a discharge roller, 7 is a scanner unit, 8 is a folding mirror, and 9 is a discharge. A discharge tray for stacking the above-mentioned sheets, 10 is a feeding cassette containing a plurality of sheets, and P is the entire image forming apparatus.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a tray forming a stacking surface for stacking a large number of sheets of the manual feeding device K.
A side regulating member 11 which constitutes a width direction regulating means for regulating the width direction of the stacked sheets is provided on the sheet 6.

Further, in the figure, 1 is a feeding roller, and 13
Is a separation pad which swings around the shaft 13a, and 18 is an intermediate plate for pressing the sheet toward the feeding roller 1 side, by which a separating and feeding means for separating and feeding a large number of sheets Is done.

FIG. 2 is a detailed sectional view of the manual feeding device K with the feeding cassette 10 according to the present embodiment attached.

The feeding cassette 10 has a substantially box shape having an opening, and a sheet is inserted through the opening so as to enclose a plurality of sheets.

In the figure, 11a is a side regulating member for regulating the width direction of the sheet, and 11c is a side regulating member 11a.
A roof portion made of the same member and extending inward in the width direction from the upper end surface of the sheet, and 15 is a seat that is swingable around a shaft 15a that is provided on the opening (tip) side of the feeding cassette 10 and forms a fulcrum It is a sheet protecting member as an exterior member that covers at least the lower end side of the tip portion.

Although not described in the conventional example, the tray 16 can be housed in the image forming apparatus main body P by rotating in the A direction around the shaft 16a when the feeding cassette 10 or the sheet S is not mounted. Is.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the feeding cassette 10 shown in FIG. 2 is attached and detached.

Reference numerals 11a and 11b denote side regulating members provided in a pair in the width direction and movable in the width direction. Reference numerals 11c and 11d denote roof portions extending inward in the width direction from the upper end surfaces of the side regulating members 11a and 11b. . This roof part 11c, 1
The side regulating members 11a and 11b are formed in a U-shape by 1d, and the heights of the roof portions 11c and 11d are such that the feeding cassette 10 can be inserted and serve as guides.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the feeding cassette 10 according to the present invention.

The side portions of the feeding cassette 10 in the width direction are notched as shown by 10a and 10b in the figure.

The sheets accommodated in the feeding cassette 10 can be seen from the notches 10a and 10b.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the feeding cassette 10 shown in FIG.

In the figure, C is the width dimension of the sheet S, and D is the width dimension of the inner wall of the sheet feeding cassette 10 which contains the sheet S.

As shown in the figure, the inner wall width dimension D of the feeding cassette 10 is made slightly wider than the width dimension C of the sheet S, and the backlash between the inner wall and the sheet is small. Therefore, the sheet S does not run wild in the feeding cassette 10.

The sheet protection member 15 projects from the front end portion of the sheet S in a state where the sheet S is stored, and covers the lower end side of the front end portion of the sheet S.

Next, the operation and operation of the manual feeding device K and the feeding cassette 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

Returning to FIG. 3 and continuing the description, the feeding cassette 10 in which the sheet S is contained is inserted into the side regulating members 11a and 11b which are U-shaped.

Here, the mounting position of the feeding cassette 10 is positioned so that the side regulating members 11a, 11b can directly regulate the sheet S therein from the notches 10a, 10b of the feeding cassette 10.

Notch 1 when the feeding cassette 10 is inserted
The sheets S inside the feeding cassette 10 are regulated in the width direction by the side regulation members 11a and 11b at 0a and 10b.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing a state in which the feeding cassette 10 is mounted and the inner sheet S is regulated in the width direction by the side regulating members 11a and 11b. E is a notch portion 10b, and indicates a dimension from a side end surface of the feeding cassette 10 to an end surface of the notch portion 10b.

As shown in the drawing, the notch dimension E is slightly inside the side regulating member 11b so as not to interfere with the side regulating member 11b and the roof portion 11d. Therefore, the cutout amount is small and the sheet S is barely exposed. The same applies to the notch 10a in the opposite direction.

Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. When the feeding cassette 10 is attached to the manual feeding device K via the tray 16 and the width direction of the sheet S is regulated by the side regulating members 11a and 11b, the manual feeding is performed. The apparatus K becomes ready for feeding.

Feeding from the manual feeding device K becomes possible, and when a print signal is output from the image forming apparatus main body P, the intermediate plate 18 is lifted and the sheet protection member 15 is lifted.

The sheet protection member 15 swings around the shaft 15a and lifts the leading end of the sheet S being lifted.

The lifted sheet S is pressed against the feeding roller 1 and is fed by the rotation of the feeding roller 1.

Here, the separation pad 13 is constructed so as to be swingable around the shaft 13a, and when passing through the separation pad 13, the separation pad 13 is swung around the shaft 13a and is pressed against the feeding roller 1. When multiple sheets are fed at the same time, they are separated to prevent double feeding and are fed one by one.

Returning to FIG. 1 and continuing the description, the sheet S fed from the feeding cassette 10 mounted on the manual feeding device K is conveyed to the registration roller pair 2. Then, the registration roller pair 2 conveys the image on the photosensitive drum 3 at the same timing, and the image on the photosensitive drum 3 is transferred by a known process.

Thereafter, the sheet S is sent to the fixing device 4,
The image is fixed here, and is then guided to the discharge roller pair 6 by the transport roller pair 5. Then, it is discharged onto the discharge tray 9 by the discharge roller pair 6.

Next, the operation of feeding the sheet S when the feeding cassette 10 is not attached will be described.

Referring to FIG. 3, the U-shaped side regulating members 11a and 11b into which the feeding cassette 10 is inserted are described.
Insert the sheet you want to print between.

The sheet S inserted between the U-shaped side regulating members 11a and 11b is regulated by the side regulating members 11a and 11b from the width direction.

The sheet placed on the tray 16 of the manual feeding device K and regulated in the width direction by the side regulating members 11a and 11b is lifted by the intermediate plate 18 like the sheet S fed from the feeding cassette 10. Then, the sheets are fed in pressure contact with the feeding roller 1 and are prevented from being fed by the separation pad 13, and are conveyed one by one to the registration roller pair 2.

The sheet S conveyed to the registration roller pair 2
Is printed and discharged onto the discharge tray 9 by a process similar to that of the feeding cassette 10 described above.

7 (a) and 7 (b) show a feeding cassette containing sheets of different sizes.

In the figure, S1 and S2 are sheets of different sizes, 20 is a feed cassette containing the sheet S1, D1 is the width of the inner wall of the feed cassette 20 that contains the sheet S1, and 30 is the sheet S2. The feeding cassette D2 is a width dimension of the inner wall of the feeding cassette 30 that contains the sheet S2.

In each of the feeding cassettes 20 and 30, the inner wall width dimensions D1 and D of the cassette are set with respect to the sheets S1 and S2.
2 is made slightly wider than the width dimension of the sheets S1 and S2, and there is little backlash between the inner wall and the sheets S1 and S2. Therefore, in each of the feeding cassettes 20 and 30, the sheets S1 and S2 are also
Does not run wild in the cassette.

The method of use is the same as that of the feeding cassette 10 described above.
11b, the feeding cassette 20 or the feeding cassette 30
The sheets S1 and S2 in the inside are fed after being regulated in the width direction.

The dimensions E1 and E2 of the cutout portions 10b of the respective feeding cassettes 20 and 30 are the side regulating member 11 as well.
It escapes a little so as not to interfere with a and 11b, and E = E
1 = E2.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the following effects can be obtained.

1) A manual feeding device K for feeding cassettes 10, 20, 30 containing a plurality of sheets S, S1, S2
When the sheets S, S1, S2 are mounted on the tray 16 of the sheet and the sheets S, S1, S2 are fed, the sheets S, S1, S2 are fed to the feeding cassette 1.
Since it is covered with 0, 20, and 30, it is less likely to be affected by the state of being left (temperature and humidity), and dust, dust, and foreign matter are less likely to adhere, so that high-quality image quality can be obtained without affecting image formation. It is possible to obtain reliability in transportation and the like.

2) The sheets S, S1, S2 can be stored in each of the feeding cassettes 10, 20, 30. Therefore, the aesthetic problem can be solved and the size of the sheet can be determined by looking at the feeding cassette. Since it can be seen, the visibility is improved.

3) Using the side regulating members 11a and 11b on the tray 16 of the manual feeding device K, the feeding cassette 1
Since the sheets S, S1, S2 in the sheets 0, 20, 30 are also restricted in the width direction, the sheet width direction control position and the feeding cassettes 10, 20, 30 for efficient manual feeding are provided.
The width direction control accuracy of the inner sheets S, S1, S2 is stable.

4) Side regulating member 1 of manual feeding device K
Since the guides 1a and 11b are used when the feeding cassettes 10, 20, and 30 are attached, the user can easily attach them and a new guide is not required. Therefore, the cost is low.

5) Since the sheet protecting member 15 for protecting the leading end of the sheet S is provided at the leading end of each of the feeding cassettes 10, 20, 30 as a package, the feeding cassette 10,
Even if the user carries 20 and 30 and hits them, the tip portions of the sheets S, S1 and S2 do not break, and the sheets S, S1 and S can be attached to the manual feeding device K as they are.
2 is stably fed.

Therefore, the user can select the feeding cassettes 10, 2
You can use it without worrying about handling 0 and 30. That is, it is excellent in operability.

<Second Embodiment> FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing a sheet feeding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
The same components as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 8, S3 is an A5 size sheet, S4 is an A4 size sheet, 40 is a feeding cassette containing a plurality of sheets corresponding to A5 to A4 sizes, and 41 is an elastic bow shape. The members shown are shown.

The feeding cassette 40 is provided with an arcuate spring member 41 as an elastic member having a weak force so as to project inward in the width direction on the inner wall portion on the back side, so as to urge the sheet inward in the width direction. Has become.

A5 size sheet S3 is fed to the feeding cassette 4
When inserted into 0, the bow-shaped spring member 41 is configured to hold down the size of B5, and the side surface of the sheet S3 is lightly pressed to prevent the sheet S3 from moving around (see FIG. 8A).

Although not shown in the drawing, the side surface on the opposite side is also lightly pressed by a similar elastic member, which is not shown.

Next, when the A4 size sheet S4 is put into the feeding cassette 40, the spring member 41 also lightly presses both side surfaces of the A4 size sheet S4 so as to prevent the sheets from swelling (FIG. 8 (b)). reference).

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a manual feeding device K1 of the sheet feeding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 11e is a side regulating member 11
The side regulating member 1 provided on the b side is the same as the roof portion 11d.
1b, which is made of an integral member, and has an outwardly protruding pointer, 17
Is a label indicating the sheet size provided on the tray 16.

When the side regulating member 11a or the side regulating member 11b is opened to the maximum, the pointer 11e moves to the label 17
The upper M position is shown, and the widths of the side regulating members 11a and 11b are slightly wider than the feeding cassette 40.

When the feeding cassette 40 is used, the side regulating members 11a and 11b are opened to the maximum and the pointer 11e is aligned with the position M of the label 17.

Next, the operation and operation of the manual feeding device K1 and the feeding cassette 40 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

Continuing the explanation with reference to FIG. 9, the side regulating members 11a and 11b are expanded to the maximum and the pointer 11e is attached to the label 1.
Align with position M of 7.

Side regulating member 11 having a U-shape
The feeding cassette 40 containing the sheets S3 and S4 is inserted into a and 11b.

Here, as in the first embodiment, the side regulating members 11a and 11b are provided in the cutout portion 10 of the feeding cassette 40.
The feeding cassette 40 is positioned at a position where the sheets S3 and S4 inside the sheets a and 10b can be directly regulated.

When the feeding cassette 40 is inserted, the side regulating members 11a and 11b regulate the sheet S3 or S4 inside the feeding cassette 40 in the width direction.

Here, since the sheet is pressed on both sides of the sheets S3 and S4 by the spring member 41 as a weak elastic member in both the size of S3 and the size of S4, the sheet cassette S40 is roughly centered in the width direction. , And the final fine adjustment is made by the side regulating members 11a and 1b.

Returning to FIG. 8 and continuing the description, the cutout amount E4 (also 10a) of the cutout portion 10b of the feeding cassette 40 is set to A5 and the side regulating members 11a and 11b are set.
Even if it is regulated by, it escapes slightly so as not to interfere.

As a result, the sheet can be fed.

In the second embodiment, one feeding cassette 4 is used.
Although the sheets of A4 size and A5 size are stored at 0, it is also possible to store an intermediate size sheet.

Further, the cutout amount E4 and the elastic member (4
It goes without saying that the sheet size can be arbitrarily selected by the configuration of 1).

According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the following effects can be obtained.

1) Sheet S in the feeding cassette 40 by using the side regulating members 11a and 11b of the manual feeding device K1.
The sheets S3 and S4 are also restricted in the width direction, and the sheets S3 and
Since it has the elastic member (41) for urging S4 inward in the width direction, it is possible to enclose sheets of many sizes in one feeding cassette 40 and regulate the sheet in the width direction for feeding.

2) Since the feeding cassette 40 may be mounted when the side regulating members 11a and 11b of the manual feeding device K1 are most widened, the user will not be confused when inserting the cassette.

Since the other structures and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will be omitted.

<Third Embodiment> FIGS. 10 to 13 are views showing a sheet feeding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

In FIGS. 10A and 11, reference numeral 21 is provided at the leading end of the feeding cassette 10A containing the sheet S to protect the leading end of the sheet and the sheet S.
Is a stopper member that forms a shutter that prevents the sheet from jumping out of the feeding cassette 10A, and 22 is engaged by an engaging portion 21a provided on the front end side of the stopper member 21, and is provided on the side wall portion on the front end side of the feeding cassette 10A. Tubular part 1
0c as a connecting member for connecting the slide plate 23 as a slide member capable of sliding on the rear end side top surface and the stopper member 21 and the slide plate 23 engaged by the engagement 23a provided on the tip side thereof. Wire.

The stopper member 21 can swing about the shaft 21b.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the sheet feeding cassette 10A of the sheet feeding apparatus according to the third embodiment in the state shown in FIG.

The stopper member 21 has a U-shape for covering the peripheral portions of the leading end portions of the plurality of sheets S, and prevents the sheets S from jumping out.

The wire 22 passes through the cylindrical portion 10c,
The slide plate 23 is engaged with the engaging portion 23a.

The slide plate 23 is provided with a knurled portion 23b which can be slid in the direction B in the figure and prevents the user's finger from sliding when sliding.

An X mark 24 as a display unit is printed on the rear end side corner on the top surface of the feeding cassette 10A, and by sliding the slide plate 24 in the direction B in the figure, The mark 24 can be hidden.

Next, the operation will be described.

Continuing the explanation with reference to FIG. 13, the mark 24 of X appears, and the leading end of the sheet S is the stopper member 21.
The feeding cassette 10A that does not pop out is attached to the manual feeding device K shown in the first embodiment in the same manner as the feeding cassette 10 of the first embodiment.

Next, the knurled portion 23b of the slide plate 23
Slide in the direction B in the figure to hide the X mark 24.

Here, the slide plate 23 is the wire 22.
The wire 22 is pulled because it is engaged with.

The pulled wire 22 has the tubular portion 10
The stopper member 21 is pulled from the engaging portion 21a via c.

The pulled stopper member 21 is attached to the shaft 2
It lifts up around 1b, and the tip of the sheet S is exposed.

FIGS. 10B and 12 show the slide plate 23.
By sliding and hiding the x mark 24,
The state in which the sheet S at the leading end is exposed is shown.

In this state, it stands by in the manual feeding device K. The leading end of the sheet S does not obstruct the feeding because the stopper member 21 is located above.

The sheet S is lifted by the intermediate plate 18 and pressed against the feeding roller 1 to be fed, printed by the same process as in the first embodiment and discharged onto the discharge tray 9 (see FIG. 1).

When the feeding cassette 10A is taken out, the slide plate 23 is slid to move the stopper 21 to the position shown in FIG.
(A), The mark S shown in FIG. 11 is returned to a position where it can be seen, and the sheet S is taken out so as not to jump out from the feeding cassette 10A.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are top views showing the mark 24 and the cover plate 23 hidden by the slide plate 23, respectively.

The mark 24 is a character X, but is not limited to X.

The following effects can be obtained with the configuration described above.

1) Since the front end of the feeding cassette 10A is protected by the stopper member 21, even if the user carries the feeding cassette 10A and hits it somewhere, the sheet S therein is not folded.

2) When the stopper member 21 is U-shaped and covers the leading end of the sheet S when the mark 24 is projected, the sheet S is fed when the carrying cassette 10A is carried around. Don't jump out of

3) When carrying around the feeding cassette 10A,
The x mark 24 is displayed, and during the printing operation, the x mark 24 may be hidden by sliding the slide plate 23, which is easy for the user to understand.

Since the other structures and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will be omitted.

<Fourth Embodiment> FIGS. 14 to 16 are views showing a sheet feeding apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a main portion of a feeding cassette, and FIG. 15 is a sheet. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the feeding device, and FIG. 16 is a top view of the feeding cassette and the side regulating member.

In FIG. 14, a plurality of sheet bundles ST are contained in the feeding cassette 10B.
The rear part of T is provided with a pressing and holding member 31 as pressing means,
It is pressed and held downward in the thickness direction.

The pressing and holding member 31 is rotatable about the shaft 31a and is biased in the direction of arrow F by a biasing spring (not shown). Reference numeral 31b is a pressing and holding portion for pressing and holding the sheet bundle ST, and 31c is a manual releasing portion as a pressing releasing portion described later.

Reference numeral 32 is a grip release lever, which is used for the shaft 3
It is rotatable about 2a, 32b is an operating part, 32c
Is an abutting portion that abuts in the vicinity of the manual releasing portion 31c of the pressing and holding member 31.

Pressing and holding member 31 and holding and releasing lever 32
Is provided on the outer side in the width direction of the sheet bundle ST contained in the feeding cassette 10B as shown in FIG.

Manual feeding device K2 according to the present embodiment
15 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 15, and is different from Embodiment 1 except that the shape of the side regulating member as the width direction regulating means is different.
Is the same as

The upper surfaces 33c and 33d of the bottom portions of the side regulating members 33a and 33b are inclined obliquely from the inner side to the outer side in the width direction as shown in the drawing, and the inclined outer sides are provided with flat surfaces 33e and 33f. Has been. In addition, on the outermost upper portions of the side regulating members 33a and 33b, cassette regulating portions 33g and 3 which come into contact with the top surface of the feeding cassette 10B are provided.
3h are provided.

When the feeding cassette 10B is set in the manual feeding device K2 with such a configuration, the side regulating members 33a and 33b are expanded to the outermost side, and the feeding cassette 1
OB is first placed on the tray 16. Then, similarly to the first embodiment, the side regulating members 33a and 33b are moved to the sheet side end of the sheet S contained in the feeding cassette 10B.

During this movement, the operating portion 32b of the gripping release lever 32 abuts and slides on the top surfaces 33c and 33d of the bottom portions of the side regulating members 33a and 33b. Since the upper surfaces 33c and 33d of the bottom portions of the side regulating members 33a and 33b are inclined, the holding release lever 32 is arranged along this inclination as shown in FIG.
4 rotates in the direction of arrow G.

By this rotation, the contact portion 32c of the gripping release lever 32 comes into contact with the manual release portion 31C of the pressing and holding member 31, and the pressing and holding member 31 is rotated in the same direction.

When the side restricting members 33a, 33b reach the position for completely restricting the sheet side edge, the operating portion 32b of the gripping release lever 32, as shown in FIG. 16, has the flat surface portions 33e, 33e of the side restricting members 33a, 33b. It contacts 33f.

In this state, the pressing and holding member 31 is rotated to a position where the pressing of the sheet bundle ST shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 14 is completely released, and the sheets are fed by the normal feeding operation to the image forming apparatus main body P. Delivered in. Since the operation after feeding is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

The feeding cassette 10B is manually inserted into the feeding device K2.
Since the side regulating members 33a and 33b are retracted to the outside when the gripping release lever 3 is removed from the
2 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow G direction in FIG. 14, and accordingly the pressing and holding member 31 also rotates in the arrow F direction, and when a large number of sheets are included in the feeding cassette 10B. The sheet bundle ST is pressed and held again, contrary to the above-mentioned holding release operation.

Even when the number of sheets contained in the feeding cassette 10B is small, when the feeding cassette 10B is lifted and the bottom surface of the feeding cassette 10B floats, the sheet bundle ST is again pressed and held.

Therefore, even if the opening of the feeding cassette 10B is set downward, the sheet bundle ST does not drop.

When a sheet is put into the feeding cassette 10B, it is manually pushed by pushing the manual release portion 31c of the pushing and holding member 31 projecting from the opening 10d provided at the rear end side corner portion of the feeding cassette 10B shown in FIG. Hold the holding member 31 by the arrow F.
Rotate in the opposite direction and insert the sheet.

After the sheet is put in the feeding cassette 10B, when the manual release portion 31c of the pressing and holding member 31 is opened, the sheet is again pressed and held by the above-mentioned urging spring (not shown).

Further, the cassette restricting portions 33g, 33h provided on the side restricting members 33a, 33b are on the top surface of the feeding cassette 10B at the position where the side restricting members 33a, 33b completely restrict the sheet side edge. .

Therefore, by the spring force of a biasing spring (not shown) that biases the pressing and holding member 31 in the feeding cassette 10B, the feeding cassette 10B is operated by the operating portion 32b of the holding and releasing lever 32.
The side regulating members 33a, 33b
Feed cassette 1 by the cassette control portions 33g and 33h of
0B is restrained, so it cannot be lifted.

[0156]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects can be obtained.

1) When a feeding cassette containing a plurality of sheets is mounted on the stacking surface of the manual feeding device to feed the sheet, the sheet is covered by the feeding cassette, and therefore is left in a standing state. Since it is less affected by (temperature and humidity) and dust, dirt, and foreign substances are less likely to adhere, it can be used in the sheet feeding section of an image forming apparatus, and it does not affect image formation, and provides high-quality image and conveyance. Etc. can be obtained.

2) Since the sheets can be stored in the respective feeding cassettes, the aesthetic problem can be solved, and the sheet size can be seen by looking at the feeding cassette, so that the visibility is improved. .

3) Since the width direction restricting means provided on the stacking surface of the manual feeding device is used to restrict the width direction of the sheet in the feeding cassette, the width of the sheet when the manual feeding is efficiently performed. The direction control position and the width direction control accuracy of the sheet of the feeding cassette are always constant and stable.

Furthermore, the cost is low because no new regulating member is required for the feeding cassette.

4) Since the width direction regulating means of the manual feeding device is used as a guide when the feeding cassette is attached, the user can easily attach it and no new guide is required. For this reason,
The cost is low.

5) Since the leading end of the feeding cassette is provided with the exterior member that covers the lower end side of the sheet leading end, even if the user carries the feeding cassette and hits it, the leading end of the sheet does not break. The sheet can be stably fed even if it is mounted on the manual feeding device as it is.

Therefore, the user can use the feeding cassette without worrying about the handling. That is, it is excellent in operability.

6) Since the leading end of the feeding cassette is protected by the shutter, even if the user carries the feeding cassette and hits it somewhere, the leading end of the inside sheet does not break.

7) Since the shutter covers the peripheral portion of the leading edge of the sheet when the display portion is displayed, the sheet does not jump out of the feeding cassette when carrying the feeding cassette.

8) It is easy for the user to understand because the display portion is taken out when carrying it in the feeding cassette and the display portion is slid to hide the display portion during the feeding operation.

9) Since the pressing means for pressing a large number of sheets in the thickness direction is provided, the sheets will not drop even if the opening of the feeding cassette is downward.

Further, since the pressing means is designed so that the pressing is released in association with the operation of the width direction restricting means for restricting the side surface of the sheet, it does not hinder the feeding of the sheet, and is separate. The operability is good because there is no need for the pressing and releasing operation.

10) Since the pressing of the sheet by the pressing means can be manually released, the sheet can be easily inserted into the feeding cassette by manually releasing the pressing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an entire image forming apparatus including a sheet feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view when the feeding cassette according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the manual feeding device when the feeding cassette is removed according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a feeding cassette according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the feeding cassette according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view when the feeding cassette according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are top views of the feeding cassettes having different sheet sizes according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

8A and 8B are top views of a feeding cassette according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the manual feeding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

10A and 10B are side views of the feeding cassette according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view when a feeding cassette according to the third embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 12 is a top view when a feeding cassette according to the third embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a feeding cassette according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a main part of a feeding cassette according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a manual feeding device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the feeding cassette and the side regulating member according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the entire image forming apparatus including a conventional manual feeding device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Feeding Rollers (Separating Feeding Means) 10, 10A, 10B, 20, 30, 40 Feeding Cassettes 10a, 10b Cutouts 11 Side Restricting Members 11a, 11b Side Restricting Members (Width Direction Restricting Means) 11c, 11d Roof Part (guide) 11e Pointer 13 Separation pad (separation feeding means) 15 Sheet protection member (exterior member) 15a Axis (fulcrum) 16 Tray (loading surface) 17 Label 18 Middle plate (separation feeding means) 21 Stopper member (shutter) ) 22 wire (coupling member) 23 slide plate (slide member) 24 mark (display part) 31 pressing and holding member (pressing means) 31a shaft of pressing and holding member 31b pressing and holding part of pressing and holding member 31c manual releasing part of pressing and holding member (Press release part) 32 Hold release lever 32a Hold release lever shaft 32b Hold release lever operating part 2c Abutment part of the holding release lever 33a, 33b Side regulating member (width direction regulating means) 33c, 33d Side regulating member inclined part 33e, 33f Side regulating member flat surface portion S, S1, S2, S3, S4 sheet P image Forming device body K Manual feeding device

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A manual feeding device having a stacking surface on which a large number of sheets are stacked and a separating / feeding unit for separating and feeding the large number of sheets, and a stacking surface of the manual sheet feeding device. A sheet feeding device that is attached to a sheet feeding cassette that contains a plurality of sheets, wherein the manual sheet feeding device is provided on the stacking surface, and the width of the sheets stacked on the stacking surface is provided. A configuration in which a width direction regulating means for regulating a direction is provided, and the width direction regulating means regulates a width direction of a sheet in the feeding cassette when the feeding cassette is mounted on a stacking surface of the manual feeding device. A sheet feeding device characterized in that 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the width direction restricting means serves as a guide when the feeding cassette is mounted. 3. An exterior covering a fulcrum at the leading end of the feeding cassette and at least a lower end side of a sheet leading end that swings around the fulcrum when the feeding cassette is mounted on a stacking surface of a manual feeding device. A member is provided.
Alternatively, the sheet feeding device according to item 2. 4. The front end of the feeding cassette is provided with a shutter that covers the peripheral edge of the front end of the sheet, and the shutter can be opened when the shutter is mounted on the stacking surface of the manual feeding device. The sheet feeding device according to item 1 or 2. 5. The sheet feeding device according to claim 4, further comprising: a display unit on the feeding cassette; a slide member that slides on the display unit so as to be visible and hidden; and the slide member and the shutter. A sheet feeding device, comprising: a connecting member for connecting. 6. The feeding cassette is provided with a pressing means for pressing a large number of sheets contained in the feeding cassette in a thickness direction,
The width direction regulating means for regulating the width direction of the sheet, which is provided on the stacking surface of the manual feeding device, is provided with a pressing releasing portion for releasing the pressing of the sheet by the pressing means, and the width direction regulating means controls the width of the sheet. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the pressing by the pressing unit is released in association with the operation of restricting the side surface of the sheet from the direction. . 7. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pressing of the sheet by the pressing unit is manually released. 8. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the sheet feeding device according to the item 1 is provided in a sheet feeding portion that feeds a sheet to an image forming portion.