JPH10194477A - Paper sheet feeding tray - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent loss of a tool to fix and unfix a screw to fix a side fence. SOLUTION: A paper sheet is loaded on a box type tray 2 opened to an upper surface. A groove 10 and a screw hole 11 are formed in accordance with size of each of the sheets on a bottom surface 7 of the tray 2. A side fence 4 to hold an end part of the loaded sheet in the cross direction is fixed by a screw. This screw is fixed and unfixed by a furnished tool 20 for fixing and unfixing. This tool 20 for fixing and unfixing is stored in a tool storage part 21 provided on a side wall 8 on the front surface side of the tray 2.

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 an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a conventional paper feed tray will be described. The paper feed tray is provided with a side fence for holding the end of the stacked paper. Conventionally, there are two types of side fences in which the paper size is changed differently. One is a universal system in which left and right side fences move in conjunction with each other using a rack and pinion or the like, and the other is a fixing system in which side fences are positioned and fixed at predetermined positions for each size by screws.

[0003] In the former universal method, the size can be easily changed, but since the fixing force is weak, the loaded sheets are easily displaced, and thus the printing position is easily displaced. On the other hand, the latter fixing method has poor operability because screws have to be attached and detached when changing the size, but the fixing force is strong, so the loaded paper is hardly displaced, and therefore,
The printing position is not easily shifted.

[0004] Both types have advantages and disadvantages, but the frequency of the user changing the size after installation at the customer is less, and the fixed type is less expensive than the universal type, and the fixed type is less expensive than the universal type. Also, the size of the paper feed tray can be reduced, and the size of the image forming apparatus main body can also be reduced, so that the case where the fixing method is selected tends to increase.

[0005]

In the case of a fixed type side fence, tools such as a driver for attaching and detaching screws for positioning and fixing are usually packed together at the time of shipment. However, since this tool is separate from the paper feed tray, it is easy to lose it, and it is often difficult to know where it is when trying to change the size.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feed tray capable of preventing a tool for removing a screw from being lost.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, sheets are stacked on a box-shaped tray having an open upper surface, and the stacked sheets are lifted by a sheet table to allow the uppermost surface to be fed. The side fence is held in contact with the end in the width direction. The side fence is fixed to the bottom surface of the tray by screws, and a detachable tool for attaching and detaching the screws is stored in a tool storage section formed in the tray. Therefore, the removal tool can be stored in the tool storage unit except when screws are removed to change the paper size.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the tool storage section elastically holds the detachable tool. Accordingly, the vibration during the operation of the main body of the image forming apparatus does not cause the removal tool to hit the tool storage unit and generate noise.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the sheets are stacked on a box-shaped tray opened on the upper surface, and the stacked sheets are lifted by the sheet table so that the uppermost surface can be fed at a height capable of being fed. A side fence is held in contact with the end of the body. The side fence is fixed to the bottom surface of the tray by screws, and a detachable tool for attaching and detaching the screws is stored in a tool storage section formed in the tray. Therefore, unless you need to remove the screws to change the paper size,
Since the removal tool is stored in the tool storage unit, the removal tool is not lost while not in use.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the screw for fixing the side fence has a polygonal head, and the removal tool has a recess formed of an elastic material and fitted to the head. Is set smaller than the outer diameter of the head. Therefore, the recess and the head are tightly fitted to each other, so that the detaching tool can hold the screw even if it is not magnetic.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the size or shape of the head of the side fence screw for fixing the side fence is different from the size or shape of the screw head used for other than positioning and fixing of the side fence. The tool has dimensions and shapes that fit only with the side fence screws. Therefore,
Screws other than the side fence screw cannot be turned depending on the removal tool.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment relates to claims 1 and 3. First, the paper feed tray 1 has a tray 2, a paper table 3, a side fence 4, and an end fence 5.

The tray 2 has a box shape opened on the upper surface.
The paper table 3 is substantially H-shaped, and two parallel sides thereof extend along the direction in which the paper tray 1 is pulled out. One side 6 of the two sides is located substantially at the center of the bottom surface 7 of the tray 2. Both ends of the side 6 are the front side wall 8 and the rear side wall 9 of the tray 2.
The paper table 3 is rotatable about the side 6. A spring (not shown) is provided below the sheet table 3, and the downstream side in the feeding direction of the sheets (not shown) stacked on the sheet table 3 is pushed upward, and the uppermost surface of the sheet is fed. It is made as high as possible.

Both widthwise edges of the sheets stacked on the tray 2 are supported by side fences 4. On the bottom surface 7, a groove 10 and a screw hole 11 for screwing are formed according to each paper size. The side fence 4 is provided with a claw 12 to be inserted into the groove 10 on the same surface as the paper contact surface 13, and an L-shaped foot 14 with the paper contact surface 13. A screw hole 15 is formed in the foot 14. Further, a rib 16 is formed on the sheet contact surface 13 so as to reduce an area in contact with an edge of the sheet.

The edge of the stacked sheets on the upstream side in the feeding direction is supported by an end fence 5. A rib 17 is also formed on the end fence 5. The end fence 5 is formed by inserting a claw (not shown) formed on the end fence 5 into a groove 18 formed on the bottom surface 7, similarly to the engagement between the claw 12 and the groove 10 on the side fence 4. It is to be erected. End fence 5
Are in the direction in which the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out, and the load applied when the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out / inserted is relatively small.

Although not shown in the drawing, twelve grooves 10 for the side fence 4 and twelve screw holes 11 are formed at the front and back, respectively, and grooves 18 for the end fence 5 are also formed at the front and back. Twelve pieces are formed side by side so as to correspond to 12 types of paper sizes.

A detaching tool 20 such as a driver for detaching a screw 19 for fixing the side fence 4 to the bottom surface 7 is stored in a tool storing section 21. The tool storage portion 21 is formed on the side wall 8 on the front side of the tray 2. Front side wall 8
Is slightly thicker than the other three side walls, and the detachable tool 20 is inserted from above into a hole formed as the tool storage portion 21.

In such a configuration, the side fence 4 is positioned by inserting the claw 12 into the groove 10, and the screw hole 11 on the bottom surface 7 of the tray 2 and the hole 15 of the foot 14 of the side fence 4 are It is fixed by being screwed in. The screw 19 is a detachable tool 20
It is detached with.

When the removal tool 20 is not used, it is stored in a tool storage section 21 formed in the tray 2. Therefore, the attachment / detachment tool 20 is not lost while not in use.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment relates to claim 2. The same parts as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted (the same applies to the following embodiments). In the present embodiment, a step portion 22 and a slope portion 23 are provided in the tool storage portion 21,
It is formed of an elastic material such as a mold. Then, a cut 24 is made in the slope portion 23.

The depth of the slope portion 23 is shorter than the length of the shaft portion 25 of the removal tool 20. Further, since the inner diameter p of the entrance of the inclined portion 23 is larger than the outer diameter q of the shaft portion 25, the shaft portion 25 can be easily inserted into the tool storage portion 21. And the inside diameter r of the tip of the slope part 23 is smaller than the outside diameter q of the shaft part 25 of the detachable tool 20.

The depth of the step portion 22 is set to be about the thickness of the knob 26 of the detachable tool 20 so as not to hinder the setting of the sheet feeding tray 1. In addition, the inner diameter of the step portion 22 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the knob 26 to the extent that the detachable tool 20 can be picked up with a finger.

In such a configuration, the detachable tool 20
Is inserted into the tool storage portion 21, the tip portion of the slope portion 23 is bent, and the shaft portion 25 is held elastically. Therefore, the detachable tool 20 stored by the vibration during the operation of the image forming apparatus (not shown) does not hit the tool storage unit 21 and generate noise.

In practice, the shaft portion 25 may be held by providing a separate elastic member such as a spring instead of forming the tool storage portion 21 with an elastic material.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment relates to claims 4 and 5. In the present embodiment, the head 27 of the screw 19 used for fixing the side fence 4 is hexagonal, and the outer diameter of the head 27 is different from the screw used for fixing the side fence 4 (see FIG. (Not shown) is set larger than the outer diameter of the head.

The detachable tool 20 is formed of a material having elasticity such as a mold, and has a concave portion 28 formed at the tip thereof so as to fit with the head 27. The concave portion 28 includes six slope surfaces 29. The inside diameter s of the entrance of the recess 28 is larger than the outside diameter t of the head 27 and the inside diameter u at the back of the recess 28.
Is set smaller than the outer diameter t of the head 27.

In such a configuration, when attaching and detaching the screw 19, the head 27 is fitted into the concave portion 28 and turned. At this time, it is easy to fit the recess 28 because the entrance is larger than the head 27. Also, since the attachment / detachment tool 20 has elasticity and the inner diameter of the concave portion 28 becomes narrower toward the back, the head 27
When you press, it becomes a state of fit. Therefore, even if the attaching / detaching tool 20 is not magnetized, the screw 19 can be held so as not to drop by its own weight. Therefore, the screw 19 can be held at the tip of the detachable tool 20 and can be taken to the screw hole 11, and the operability is improved.

The outer diameter of the head 27 is the side fence 4
Is larger than the outer diameter of the head of a screw (not shown) used other than the fixing, and the concave portion 28 corresponds to the head 27. Cannot spin and spin off. Therefore,
The user is prevented from unnecessarily removing members other than the side fence 4 by the detaching tool 20 which is always at hand.

In this embodiment, the recess 28
The inner shape is formed by the inclined surface 29, and the inner diameter at the back is narrowed. However, in practice, the inner surface is provided with a protruding portion, and the inner diameter at the portion is narrowed. However, the same effect can be obtained.

In practice, if a normal screw groove 30 is provided in the head 27 of the screw 19, the screw 19 can be attached and detached by a normal screwdriver.

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, sheets are stacked on a box-shaped tray opened on the upper surface, and the stacked sheets are lifted by the sheet table so that the uppermost surface can be fed. A side fence is held in contact with the end in the width direction, and the side fence is fixed to the bottom of the tray with screws, and the removal tool for attaching and removing the screws is stored in the tool storage section formed on the tray. Since the removal tool can be stored in the tool storage unit unless the screw is removed to change the size of the paper,
It is possible to prevent the removal tool from being lost while not in use.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the tool storage section elastically holds the removal tool, the removal tool and the tool storage section emit noise even when the image forming apparatus main body vibrates during operation. Can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the sheets are stacked on a box-shaped tray opened on the upper surface, and the stacked sheets are lifted by the sheet table so that the uppermost surface can be fed, and the width direction is changed. A side fence is held in contact with the end of the tray, and the side fence is fixed to the bottom surface of the tray by a screw, and a detaching tool for detaching the screw is stored in a tool storage portion formed on the tray. So, unless you need to remove the screws to change the size of the paper,
Since the removal tool is stored in the tool storage unit, it is possible to prevent the removal tool from being lost while not in use.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the screw for fixing the side fence has a polygonal head, and the attaching / detaching tool has a recess formed of an elastic material and fitted to the head. Since the inner diameter of at least a part of the head is set smaller than the outer diameter of the head, the recess and the head are tightly fitted to each other. Can be held, and the operability at the time of screwing can be improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the size or shape of the head of the side fence screw for fixing the side fence is different from the size or shape of the screw head used for purposes other than the positioning and fixing of the side fence. Since the tool has a size and shape that fits only with the side fence screw, depending on the removal tool, it is possible to prevent the screw other than the side fence screw from being turned.
It is possible to prevent a member other than the side fence from being inadvertently removed by a detaching tool that is always at hand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing how to attach the side fence.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a screw according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 (a) is a bottom view showing a detachable tool according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 (b) is a longitudinal sectional front view of a concave portion thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feed tray 2 Tray 3 Paper stand 4 Side fence 7 Bottom surface 19 Screw 20 Removal tool 21 Tool storage part 27 Head 28 Recess

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A box-shaped tray having an open upper surface, a sheet table for lifting stacked sheets of paper to a predetermined height, and a side fence contacting and holding an end of the stacked sheets of paper in the width direction; A paper feed tray comprising: a screw for fixing the side fence to a bottom surface of the tray; and a tool storage unit for storing a detachment tool for attaching and detaching the screw. 2. The paper feed tray according to claim 1, wherein the tool storage section elastically holds the removal tool. 3. A box-shaped tray opened on the upper surface, a sheet table for lifting the stacked sheets to a predetermined height, a side fence for abutting and holding an end of the stacked sheets in the width direction, A screw fixing the side fence to the bottom surface of the tray, a detaching tool for detaching the screw,
And a tool storage portion formed on the tray for storing the detachment tool. 4. A screw for fixing a side fence has a polygonal head, and a removal tool has a recess formed of an elastic material and fitted to the head, and at least one of the recesses is provided. 4. The paper feed tray according to claim 3, wherein an inner diameter of the portion is set smaller than an outer diameter of the head. 5. The size or shape of the head of the screw for the side fence for fixing the side fence is different from the size or shape of the head of the screw used for other than fixing the side fence,
4. The paper feed tray according to claim 3, wherein the detachable tool has a size and a shape that fits only with the side fence screw.