JPS61197327A - Printer with paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the simple and easy electric connection of an emptiness detection means and a printer, by coupling the emptiness detection means and a cover openness detection means to each other through a connector to make an indication depending on the signals of both the detection means. CONSTITUTION:The emptiness detection switches 909, 909a of an emptiness detection means, which are attached to the first and second paper rests of an automatic paper feeder 1, are connected in series with each other, and can be connected in series with a cover openness detection switch 912 through a connector 911. The switch 912 is attached to a printer 2. When the plug 913 of the connector 911 is not inserted into a jack 914, terminals 914a, 914b are connected to each other to indicate that the cover openness detection switch 912 is off. When the plug 913 is inserted into the jack 914, the terminals 914a, 914b are disconnected from each other. When paper is all supplied from the paper rest, the empty detection switch 909 or 909a or the switch 912 is turned off so that an output is applied to an indication means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field) The present invention relates to a printer with a paper feeding device, and more particularly to a printer equipped with a paper feeding device that is detachable from the printer.

(Prior art) A paper feeding device that automatically supplies paper to a printer is generally separate from the printer and is removable from the printer. It is known that paper is automatically fed.

Conventionally, when this paper feeding device is equipped with an empty detection means to detect when paper is running out, the printer needs to connect the empty detection means to the printer's circuit and display the presence or absence of paper on the printer's display means. The circuit configuration of the printer was reconfigured or the printer board was replaced to connect it to the empty detection means of the paper feeder.

However, in such a conventional printer with a paper feeding device, the electrical connection between the empty detection means and the printer is complicated and expensive.

(Object of the Invention) Therefore, the present invention provides an empty detection means of a paper feeding device that
By connecting the cover open detection means that the printer is generally equipped with via a connector, the detection result of the empty detection means can be displayed on the display means that displays the cover open state, and the electrical connection between the empty detection means and the printer can be displayed. The purpose is to make the connection simple and easy, and to make a printer with a paper feeding device inexpensive.

(Structure of the Invention) A printer with a paper feeding device according to the present invention includes a paper feeding device that can be attached to the printer, an empty detection means that is attached to the paper feeding device and detects when paper is running out, and an opening of the cover of the printer. a cover open detection means for detecting the state; a connector for electrically connecting the empty detection means and the cover open detection means; The device is characterized by comprising a display means for displaying that the device is in an open state.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained based on examples.

The paper feeding device according to the present invention can be used in various printers such as a type printer, an impact printer such as a dot printer, or a non-impact printer such as a thermal printer. Indicate the case.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 is a paper feeder incorporated in an automatic paper feeder, and this automatic paper feeder is detachably installed on the upper part of a printer 2, which is schematically shown by a chain line in FIG. It is attached.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper feeding device 1 has first and second paper stacking devices 4.4a that stack paper 3.3a before printing in an upright position, and a first The paper mounting device 4 is located on the front side of the second device 4a, that is, on the left side in FIG.

As described above, since the paper 3.3a is placed not in a horizontal state but in an upright state, the paper feeding device 1 can be configured compactly.

The paper 3 sent out from the first paper loading device 4 is transferred to the second
It is conveyed to the printer 2 as shown by arrow A in the figure, wrapped around the platen 5 of the printer 2, and taken by the platen 5 rotating in the direction of arrow B. 6.6a is a feed roller that is placed opposite to the platen 5 and cooperates with the platen 5 to convey the paper 3; 7 is a guide plate provided around the platen 5 for guiding the paper; Similarly to the platen 5, the feed roller 6.6a is provided on the printer side. Further, as is known per se, the feed roller 6.
6a and the guide plate 7 are moved in a direction away from the printer 5 when, for example, a tractor is connected to the printer 2 to convey paper 3 instead of the automatic paper feeder 1.

When the paper 3 reaches the printing section 8 shown in FIG. 2, a hammer of a printing device (not shown) strikes the paper 3 through the type and ink ribbon, thereby printing predetermined information on the paper 3. After printing, the sheet 3 is fed again by the platen 5 and the feed roller 6.6a, and is sent out from the platen 5, and is sent to a pair of paper ejection rollers 13.1 of the paper ejection device 800.
4, the first paper output tray 15 or the second paper output tray 1
The paper is selectively ejected to either one of the paper ejection units configured as 6. This will be explained in detail later. Reference numeral 17 denotes an auxiliary back plate detachably supported at the upper end of the second paper discharge tray 16. By using this back plate 17, long sheets can be stacked without being greatly curved.

The paper 3a sent out from the second paper loading device 4a is
After being conveyed in the direction of the arrow and printed in the printing unit 8 in the same way as the paper 3 described above, the paper is delivered to one of the paper output trays]
5 or 16.

The two paper loading devices 4.4a are provided so that paper of different widths or different types of paper such as sheet paper and envelope paper can be selectively fed into the printing section 8. It's for a reason.

Although the general flow state of the paper is as described above, details of each part of the paper feeder 1 will be explained next.

First, regarding the paper loading device, conventionally, a cassette containing sheets of paper has been used as this type of loading device, and this cassette is attached to a paper feeding device to feed the sheets one by one. In this case, prepare multiple cassettes each containing paper of various paper widths (width in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 2), and feed the cassette containing paper of the desired width size. When used by attaching it to a paper device and using paper of a different width size, a cassette containing paper of that size is attached to the paper feeder instead of the previous cassette. However, if cassettes are used differently in this way, not only is the replacement work complicated, but cassettes of various sizes must be prepared in advance. Therefore, in the paper loading device shown in the figure, paper can be loaded without using a cassette, and when the width size of the paper to be used changes, it is possible to guide both sides of the paper according to the valve. Two guide members 18.118 are provided. Further, in this example, as will be described later, the feed rollers 20 and 20a feed the paper to the loading device 4.
4a, it is necessary to press the loaded paper against this roller, and for this purpose, each paper loading device 4.4a is provided with three pressure plates 21, 22, 121. .21a, 121a
is provided. Details of these are as follows.

The first paper loading device 4 includes two side plates 24 of the paper feeding device 1;
A support plate 26 is firmly screwed to the support plate 26, and a support bracket 27 is immovably fixed to the support plate 26.

As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 28 is formed in the support bracket r, and a tip end step 29 of the plate 22 described above (hereinafter referred to as the intermediate pressure plate) is loosely fitted in the opening 28 in a detachable manner. . A pair of locking pieces (9) are bored at the lower end of the intermediate brake 7 shear plate 22, and a pressurizing shaft 31 is rotatably fitted into the groove of these locking valves 30.
is supported by both side plates U and 25 in a manner to be described later. The locking valve 30 is formed integrally with the intermediate pressure plate 22 from synthetic resin, and by elastically deforming the locking piece 30 and widening its groove, the intermediate pressure plate n is separated from the pressurizing shaft 31. be able to. Also, the pressure shaft 3
Two retaining rings 32 are locked to the intermediate pressure plate 4, and these hold down both sides of the intermediate pressure plate 4 to prevent the plate 22 from moving laterally.

On both sides of the intermediate pressure plate 22, the already mentioned guide members 18, 118 for guiding the side edges of the sheet 3 are located. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the guide member (left guide member) 18 located on the left side when the automatic paper feeder is viewed from the front consists of a paper presser 33 that presses the side edges of the paper and a base 34. A pair of rising flanges 35 are protruded from the upper part of the back surface of the base 34. on the other hand,
The support plate 26 is formed with a protrusion 36 that protrudes rearward (to the right in FIGS. 2 and 5) and extends in the width direction W (direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 2). An upper flange 37 forming an upper flange 36 is located between the two raised flanges 35 of the guide member 18. Further, a mounting member 38 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is provided so as to cover the protrusion 36, and its upper portion is screwed to one of the rising flanges 35. A leaf spring 4 is attached to the lower part of the mounting member 38.
One end of the spring 40 is fixed, and the spring 40 is in pressure contact with the protruding lower surface 41 of the support plate 26. With this configuration, the guide member 18 is attached to the support plate 26 via the attachment member 38 and the leaf spring 40, and can slide in the width direction W while being guided by the protrusion 36 of the support plate 26.

On the base 34 of the left guide member 18, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the previously described pressure plate (left pressure plate) 21 is arranged, and a pin protruding from the top of the plate is arranged. 42 is loosely fitted into a long hole 43 formed in the paper holding portion 33 of the left guide member 18. Further, a locking piece 44 similar to that of the intermediate pressure plate 22 is provided protrudingly on the lower back surface of the left pressure plate 21.
This is fitted onto the pressurizing shaft 31 so as to be relatively rotatable. Further, a hook-shaped protrusion 45 provided on the lower side of the left pressure plate 21 engages with the lower edge of the paper holding portion 33 of the left guide member 18 and is guided along this lower edge.

The guide member (right guide member) 118 located on the right side and the above-mentioned pressure plate (right pressure plate) 121 located thereon are also configured in exactly the same way as the left guide member 18 and the left pressure plate 21, except for the following. The only point is that these are located symmetrically in the width direction W. Therefore, the details of each member of the right guide member 118 and the right pressure plate 121 are omitted, and each part of the right guide member and the right pressure plate is attached to each member of the left guide member 18 and the left pressure plate 21 as necessary. These will be indicated by adding 100 to the reference numeral.

As shown in FIG. 2, and particularly in FIG. 6, the bottom portion 46 of the support plate
A gate member 47 is fixedly supported on its upper surface, and a plurality of sliding members 48 are fixed at positions that do not interfere with the gate member 47 (see also FIG. 21). Further, the feed roller 20 described above is located opposite the gate member 47, and a rotating shaft 50 that fixedly supports this roller 20 is rotatably supported by both side plates 24 and is rotationally driven in a manner to be described later. A slight gate gap G, for example, about 0.5 to 11, is provided between the gate member 47 and the peripheral surface of the feed roller 20.

The sheets 3 stacked on the sheet stacking device 4 are placed over a portion of the sliding member 48 and the gate member 47 so that the lower edge thereof can be seen from the second side, and the back of this sheet stack is placed between three pressure plates. 21, 22, and 121, and long sheets of paper are held in addition to these plates on an auxiliary back plate 51 (see Fig. 3) that is latched to the support bracket r so that film can be deposited freely.
Supported in a leaning position.

Before feeding the stacked sheets 3, it is necessary to press the lower part of the sheet stack against the feed roller 20. For this purpose, a pressing mechanism 53 shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 is used.
is used.

7 and 8, a rack member 54 is screwed to the outer surface of one side plate 24, and this rack member 54
Elongated holes extending in the front-rear direction of the paper feeding device are formed in the paper feeder, and rack links are formed adjacent to the elongated holes.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the pressure shaft 31
passes through the elongated hole 5 and a corresponding elongated hole bored in the side plate 24, and a pinion 57 is fixed to the end thereof.
A boss 58 integrally connected to the pinion 57 is fitted so as to be rotatable and movable in the elongated hole 55 of the rack member, and the pinion 57 is engaged with the rack member. Also, as can be seen from FIG. 9, a second rack member 59, which is exactly the same as the rack member described above, is fixed to the other side plate and the inner surface of the rack, and the rack 60 is pressurized. Axis 3
A second pinion 61 fixedly attached to the other end of the rack member 59 is engaged with the second pinion 61, and a boss of the pinion 61 is rotatably fitted into an elongated hole 62 of the second rack member 59.

Furthermore, as can be seen from FIG. 7, the pinion 6 is mounted on the side plate 24.
4 is bored, and a tension spring 65 is anchored to this pin 64 and the pressurizing shaft 31. Further, a pivot arm 67 is rotatably supported on a pivot pin 66 fixed to the side plate 24.
A leaf spring lug is fixed to its tip. Rotating arm 6
The actuation pin 69 drilled in 7 passes through a hole (not shown) in a cover 70 (Fig. 1) fixed to the side plate U, and an operation knob (not shown) is screwed to the tip of the hole (not shown). There is.

Sliding member 48 or pressure plate 21.22.
121, the operator operates the operation knob to rotate the rotating arm 67 in the direction of the seventh hour hand and to the position shown in FIG. . At this time, the leaf spring 68 at the tip of the arm engages with a stopper pin 74 protruding from the side plate 24, and the arm is held in this position. At that time, the pressure shaft 31 is attached to the cam surface 7 of the arm field.
3, and the arm presses against the action of the spring 65 to the position shown in FIG. (left side in the figure). Therefore, each pressure plate 21, 22, 121 pivotally mounted on the pressurizing shaft 31 rotates around its upper part, and its lower part is held in the rearwardly retracted position as shown by the chain line in FIG. . Therefore, a relatively wide space is created between each pressure plate and the feed roller 20, and the paper 3 can be set there (second
(see figure). For example, the number of sheets that can be set is 200.
It is set to about 250 to 250 failures. Paper 3 as described above
After placing the paper with its lower edge placed on the sliding member 48 and its back supported by the pressure plate, the above-mentioned operating knob is operated to move the pressure shaft 31 counterclockwise in FIG. Rotate. As a result, the leaf spring 68 is removed from the stone babbin 74, and the pressurizing shaft 31 is pulled by the tension spring 65 and moves forward. At this time, both pinions 57.61 rotate while meshing with the rack 56.60, and the lower part of the pressure plate 21.22.121 also moves forward. In this case, the intermediate pressure plate 22 rotates around its tip step 29, and the other two pressure plates 21.121 rotate while their respective pins 42 slide through the elongated holes 43 of each guide member 18.118. , rotates around the pin 42. (Thus, the lower part of the paper leaning against the pressure plate is pressed against the circumferential surface of the feed roller 20 by a predetermined pressure by the spring 65. In this case, the pressure shaft 31 is fixed to both ends of the paper. Since the two pinions 57.61 remain engaged in each of the two respective racks 56.60, the amount of movement of each end of the pressure shaft 31 and thus each pressure plate 21.22.121
The amount of operation of the pressurizing shaft 31 becomes constant, and the pressure applied to the pressurizing shaft 31 by the spring 65 does not act biased to one end of this shaft, but acts uniformly over the entire length of the shaft 31, and The pressure plate presses the paper 3 with a uniform force, and the paper 3 is pressed against the feed roller 20 with a constant force. Also, when the pressure shaft 3 operates, the pinion 5
Since the boss 58.63 of 7.61 moves while rolling in the elongated hole 55.62 of the rank member 58.60, the resistance force acting on the pressure shaft 31 is small, and therefore the pressure shaft 31 operates smoothly. do.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a compression spring 89 is provided between one pressure plate 22 and a support, and the pressing force of this spring 89 pushes the paper 3 through the plate 22.
It is also possible to press the feed roller more, but in this case, the spring 89 will press the plate 22 locally, so this is especially difficult when the width of the paper 3 is large or in the width direction of the paper. When the center cannot be pressed by the spring 89 and the feed roller, the weight of the paper 3 may cause the pressure plate 22 to tilt in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in the figure) as shown in FIG. If such a situation occurs, it becomes difficult to press the paper 3 against the feed roller 20 with uniform pressure, making it difficult to feed the paper 3, or causing the pressure plate to be affected by the action of the spring 89 when setting the paper 3. When operating against resistance, the plate does not escape evenly and it is difficult to set the paper 3.

Since sheets 3 of various width sizes are normally fed, it is difficult to always press the center of the sheet 3 between the spring wings and the feed roller 20. However, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the pressure plate 21, n
, 121 by pressing the rear surface of the pressure mechanism with a pressure mechanism, the above-mentioned drawbacks can be eliminated.

The paper 3 is set as described above, when the paper holding bracket 33.1 of both guide members 18.118
33 is made wider than the width F of the paper 3 as shown in FIG. Lightly press each paper presser 33.133 (Figure 15)
. Usually followed by pressure plate 21.22.1
21 is operated as described above to press the lower part of the paper 3 against the feed roller 20. In this way, each guide member 1
8.118 is moved manually, but at this time, since the leaf spring 40 is interposed between the guide member 18.118 and the support plate 26 described earlier (FIGS. 4 and 5),
The guide member 18.118 can be slid smoothly along the projection 36 of the support plate 26. In addition, in this example, as shown in FIG. 5, a low-friction tape n made of a resin such as a polyester film is applied to the inner surface 76 of the flange edge and the lower surface 41 of the protrusion 36 of the support plate 26 over its entire length. , 78 are attached, the rising flange 39 of the guide member 18 is in contact with one tape 77, and the leaf spring 40 is in pressure contact with the other tape 78. Sliding member 79
．． 80 are attached, and the mounting member 38 is in contact with the support plate 26 via these members 79 and 80 (the same is true for the right guide member 118). For this reason, each guide member (18.118) is elastically supported by the support plate 26 in the up-down and front-back directions, and the sliding resistance of each guide member (18.118) is therefore reduced, making it possible to move them smoothly and without wobbling. It can be operated without any trouble. Further, since the upper flange 37 of the support plate 26 is held between the tape 77 and the sliding member 79, the problem of the guide member being tilted greatly during sliding is prevented. If the guide members 18,118 are tilted during operation, it is difficult to move them smoothly. Also spring 4
0. Because the tape 77, 78 and the sliding member 79, 80 are used, vibration may occur when the printer 2 is operated, or if the tilting force of the paper 3 acts on each guide member, they may wobble or move loosely. It can also prevent inconveniences such as

By the way, as described above, the guide members 18.118 are operated to pinch the side edges of the paper, but at this time, as shown in FIG. From the start of operation, each guide member 18.11
1. If at least a part of the pressure plate 21.121 supported by 8 enters the back of paper 3, then 1. Since each guide member operates while these plates scoop up the paper 3, these members can be operated smoothly, which is advantageous. In order to make each pressure plate 21.121 fit under the paper 3 in this way, it is desirable to set the width of these plates large so that the paper 3 can be placed on each pressure plate 21.121. On the other hand, the intermediate pressure plate 22 functions to press the paper 3 against the feed roller 20, but in order to improve this pressing function, the width of the intermediate pressure plate n must also be increased, and the width is set to the length Hl of the feed roller 20 (
It is preferable to set the width to be equal to or greater than the width (length in the W direction). In this way, the intermediate pressure plate 2
The width of 2 is also the same as that of the other two pressure plates 21.121
It is desirable to increase both the widths of the guide members 18 and 118, but if this is done, not only will the overall width of the guide members 18 and 118 be increased significantly, but also the width of the guide members 18 and 118 will be The interval between the paper holding parts 133 becomes large, and it becomes impossible to set paper 3 of a small width.

Therefore, in the illustrated configuration, as shown in FIG.
The width H2 of the portion facing the plate 22 is set large to obtain a high paper holding function.
Set the width at the top to be narrower.

Even in this case, since the upper part is not a part facing the feed roller 20, the paper holding function is not hindered. On the other hand, the upper part H3 of the pressure plate 21.121 supported by each guide member 18.118 is set large so that it can easily fit under the paper 3. Even in this case, since the width of the upper part of the intermediate pressure plate n is small, the overall width size can be kept small. Further, the width of the lower portions of both pressure plates 21 and 121 is set small. As a result, even if the width H2 of the lower part of the intermediate pressure plate is large, the overall width remains small. In this way, it is possible to reduce the overall width size of each pressure plate 21, 22, 121 while satisfying all the requirements. Furthermore, since the transition portions 182 between the upper and lower portions of both breffus plates 21.121 are formed in an inclined state, when they approach each other, the transition portions 82.182 also smoothly move under the paper. You can get into it. When the left and right pre-7 shear plates 21.121 are closest to the intermediate pressure plate n, the distance between the paper holding parts 33.133 is approximately equal to or less than the width of the paper of the minimum width size that can be fed. Of course, it is set so that

Also at this time, the left and right pressure plates 21.121
It is also possible to make the side edges of the intermediate pressure plate 22 contact each side edge of the intermediate pressure plate 22.

As shown in FIG. 16, the upper end of the pressure plate 22' is pivotally connected to the support plate 26', and the lower end thereof is configured to be able to approach and separate from the feed roller 20, and the plate n'
A guide member 1B whose width is approximately equal to the maximum paper width that can be fed, and which guides the side edges of the paper.
', 11B' can be supported on the pressure plate 22' so as to be able to slide in the width direction W', but in this case, the pressure plate 22' cannot be rotated toward the feed roller 20'. When moved, both guide members 1B', 118' must also operate together.

Therefore, if the height of both guide members 1B' and 11B' is set high, when they rotate toward the feed roller side,
The drawback is that the entire device becomes larger.

Therefore, if the height of these members 18' and 118' is lowered, the number of sheets that can be set will be reduced. On this point, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the guide members 18, 118 themselves do not rotate toward the pressure plate 20, so in order to increase the number of sheets that can be set, the paper holding portion 33 of the guide member Even if the height of .133 is increased, the overall structure of the device does not become larger, which is particularly advantageous.

When feeding the paper 3, the feed roller 20 rotates clockwise in FIG. From there, they are sequentially sent out in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 2). When the fed sheets 3 pass through the first sheet separating device 83 for the first sheet stacking device 4, only the uppermost sheet 3 is separated and fed to the printer 2. As will be described later, the paper separating device 83 in this example is composed of the previously described feed roller 20 and a friction pad 84 that is in pressure contact with the feed roller 20, between which the paper 3 passes.

At this time, the paper 3 is guided on its left and right sides by the paper pressing portions 133 of both guides 18 and 118 until the rear end of the paper 3 reaches near the feed roller 20. This is because if the guide length is short, there is a risk that the paper 3 will skew in its width direction. When the leading edge of the paper 3 transported in this manner reaches the paper separation device 83, the paper 3 is separated by the paper separation device 83, but if too many papers 3 are fed into the separation device 83 at the same time, Separation device 83
In this case, the desired separation function cannot be obtained. For this reason, the paper loading device 4 is provided with the gate member 47 described above, and between the gate member 47 and the feed roller 20,
As described above, a small gate gap G is created, and the paper 3 fed by the feed roller 20 passes through this small gap G. Therefore, here are many sheets of paper 3
The disadvantage of simultaneous passage of sheets 3 is prevented, and normally at most several sheets 3 pass through. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17, the length I (length in the width W direction) of the gate member 47 is equal to or greater than the width of the paper 3 having the maximum width that can be fed. It is set. The reason why the gate member is formed in such a long length is as follows.

That is, as shown in FIG. 18, if the gate member 47'
If the length ■' is set to be the same as or slightly larger than the width H1 of the feed roller side or the friction pad, the paper 3 will be fed in an upright position, so the friction pad 84 and the feed roller The leading end of the portion 3' other than the paper portion held by the paper 20 falls downward due to the weight of the paper 3 so as to move forward. For this reason, there is a possibility that the portion of the paper sandwiched between the pad 84 and the roller 20 may be wrinkled or folded. Also, the paper 3 that has come out of the paper separation device 83 is transferred to the 19th
When guided by a guide plate 85 as shown in the figure, the leading edge of the paper portion 3' hits the guide plate 85',
This causes the paper 3' to jam (in this example, the guide plate is actually positioned as shown in FIG. 6).

Therefore, in the configuration shown in FIG. 17, the length of the gate member 47 is set to be equal to or greater than the maximum paper width size as described above, and the tip of the paper other than the part that hits the feed roller 20 is also gated. guided by member 47;
The drawbacks shown in the figure and FIG. 19 are eliminated. In this case, as can be seen from FIG.
Although it is retracted to the rear side (upward in FIG. 17) as shown by , this is to make it easier for the paper 3 to pass through the portion other than the gate gear G. Further, since the feed roller 2o is a portion where the roller 20 and the gate member 47 cooperate to define the gate gap G, the gate member 47
is to the extent necessary to form a gap G of a predetermined width,
It is approaching the roller 20. In this way, in addition to providing the elongated gate member 47, the pressure plate 21.
Since the paper 3 is pressed by the paper 3, the paper 3 is fed while being guided correctly.

The gate member 47 is fixed to the bottom part 46 of the support plate 26 by a screw passing through a long hole 88 formed in the gate member 47, and the long hole 88 extends long in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 17). Therefore, by loosening the screw r, the position of the gate member 47 in the front-rear direction, and therefore the gate gap G
The size can be adjusted. Or, conversely, it is also possible to form the gate member integrally with the support plate 26 in advance.

As mentioned above, the paper 3 is attached to the pressure plates 21 and 22.
．． 121 against the feed roller 20,
The feed roller 20 is fed by the rotation of the roller 20, and the feed roller 20 is connected to the paper separating device 83 briefly described above.
Since the feed roller also has one configuration, the contact point of the feed roller with respect to the paper 3 cannot be set at the upper part of the paper 3. Moreover, the paper 3 is placed in an upright state. Therefore, it is possible that the paper 3 placed on the loading device 4 may buckle as shown in FIG. 20 during standby before feeding or during feeding. Inconveniences such as delivery defects cannot be avoided.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, an empty detection means 900 equipped with a buckling prevention plate 901 is fixed on the back side of the second paper ejection tray 16 briefly described above, and when the paper 3 is set, the empty detection means 900 is fixed. Buckling prevention [901] is applied to the surface to prevent the paper 3 from buckling.

For the same purpose, a friction member 591 with a large friction coefficient is attached to the surface of the paper holding portion of the guide member 18 facing the paper side edge, as shown in FIG. ), when both guide members 1B and 118 are brought into contact with the side edge of the paper 3, these friction members 591 come into contact with the side edge of the paper. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the paper 3 from buckling, bending, or sliding down, and also prevent the paper 3 from falling forward due to vibrations of the printer, thereby suppressing the occurrence of paper feeding failures.

By the way, if the paper 3 is placed vertically rather than horizontally, the weight of the paper 3 acts on the surface that receives the lower edge (leading edge) of the paper 3. Therefore, when setting paper 3 or during paper feeding operation, pressure plate 21, 22, 121
When the paper 3 is pressed against the feed roller by the pressing force, a large frictional force acts on the paper 3, which may make it difficult to move the paper 3 smoothly. As well,
If this frictional force becomes excessive, the pressure plate 21.
22. If the pressing force by 121 is not increased, it will not be possible to press the paper 3 against the feed roller 20 with a predetermined pressure, and sufficient frictional force will not be obtained between the feed roller and the paper 3 during paper feeding, and the paper 3 There is also a risk that the paper may slip against the roller 20 and cause a paper feeding failure. Therefore, if we increase the pressing force by the pressure plate, that is, the force of the spring 65, and press the paper 3 against the feed roller 20 with a large force, the paper 3 may be pressed against the feed roller 20 with a very large pressure. As a result, the number of sheets of paper 3 brought directly above the gate gap G described above increases. For this reason, when the feed roller 20 rotates to feed paper, a large number of sheets 3 are fed into the gate gear G at the same time, and there is a possibility that the paper separating action by the paper separating device 83 may be inhibited.

Therefore, in the illustrated configuration, the sliding member 4 briefly shown above is
8 is fixed to the bottom 46 of the support plate 26, and the lower edge of the paper 3 is placed on it to reduce the frictional resistance. In this way, the predetermined relationship between the paper 3 and the feed roller 20 can be maintained without pressing the paper 3 against the feed roller 20 with such high pressure that many sheets of paper 3 are fed into the gate gap G during paper feeding. Frictional force is obtained.

In this example, the sliding member 48 is made of a low-friction material such as polyacecool resin, and as can be seen from FIG. It is. Therefore, not only the lower edge of the paper 3 comes into contact with the sliding member having a small coefficient of friction and the frictional force is reduced, but also the lower edge and the sliding member 4
8 becomes smaller, and this also achieves a reduction in frictional force. Of course, it is also possible to adopt either one of a configuration in which a plurality of sliding members 48 are provided to reduce the contact area with the paper 3, or a configuration in which the members 48 are made of a low-friction material.

Each sliding element 48 has two tongues 91, 92, as shown in FIG.
93 are engaged, and the sliding member is coupled to the support plate 26 by screws. 693 is a reinforcing lip provided on the sliding member 48.

The configuration and operation of the first paper stacking device 4 have been explained above, but next, the first paper separating device 83 briefly explained above.
Reveal the details.

As described above, the first sheet loading device includes a frictional separation member configured as a friction pad 84 and a feed roller 20 facing thereto. A feed roller 20, which constitutes one component, is also used.

The friction pad 84 has approximately the same length as the feed roller 20 (in the width W direction), and is fixed to the holding portion of the holder 95, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 22. The base 97 of the holder 95 is connected to the rotating lever 9
This lever 99 is rotatably supported by a pivot pin 201 on a support plate 26 and a fixed plate 9 fixed thereto. Further, a compression spring 202 is disposed between the rotating lever 99 and the protrusion of the fixed plate 98, and this spring 202 presses the rotating lever 99, and therefore the holder 95 and the friction pad 84, against the feed roller 20. At this time, since the holder 95 that fixedly supports the friction lever 84 is also swingable with respect to the rotation lever 99,
When the friction pad 8 is pressed against the feed roller 20 by the spring 202, the pad 84 contacts the roller 2o with uniform pressure over its entire length. As described above, the feed roller 20 is fixed to the rotating shaft 50 that is rotatably supported by the side plates u and 25.

The feed roller 20, which also serves as a paper feed roller in the paper stacking device 4, rotates clockwise in FIG. and the flixilan pad, and is held between them. At this time, the friction coefficient of the peripheral surface of the feed roller with respect to the paper 3 and the friction coefficient with respect to the paper 3 are adjusted so that the frictional force exerted on the paper 3 from the feed roller 20 is larger than the frictional force exerted on the paper 3 from the friction pad 84. The friction coefficient of the pad surface is determined,
For example, the feed roller 20 is made of rubber, and the frixigine pad 84 is made of polyurethane foam. Therefore, when a sheet of paper 3 is held between the feed roller 20 and the friction pad 84, the paper 3 is conveyed in the direction of arrow A by the feeding action of the feed roller 20.

It slips against the friction pad 84.

Furthermore, when two sheets of paper 3 are fed between these rollers 20 and the band 84 at the same time, the feed roller 20
Not only is the frictional force between the friction pad 84 and the paper 3 that is in contact with it larger than the frictional force that acts between the friction pad 84 and the paper 3 that is in contact with it, but these frictional forces are greater than the frictional force that acts between the paper 3. Only the paper 3 that is larger than the paper 3 and therefore in contact with the feed roller 20, ie the top paper, is fed out of the paper separation device 83. Thus, the sheets 3 sent out from the sheet stacking device 4 are separated by the sheet separating device 83 and fed one by one to the printer 2. As described above, the paper separating device 83 using the feed roller 20 and the friction pad 84 can separate even thick paper 3, such as envelopes, even if the paper thickness changes. Conventionally, there has been no paper separation device that uses a feed roller and a friction pad to separate the paper sent out from a paper stacking device that places the paper 3 in an upright state, and it is usually separated using a separation claw. It was difficult to separate thick sheets of paper. In the configuration according to the present invention, by using the sliding member 48 as exemplified above, even if the large weight of the paper 3 placed in an upright state acts on the supporting surface, the lower edge of the paper 3 By reducing the frictional force acting on the paper separation device and regulating the number of sheets 3 fed into the paper separation device, it is possible to particularly easily separate the paper sheets using the feed roller and friction pad.

The first paper stacking device 4 and the first paper separating device 83 that separates the paper 3 sent out from this device have been described above, but the second paper stacking device 4a (FIG. 2) and the A second paper separation device 8 that separates the paper 3a to be sent out.
3a (also see FIG. 2) also includes the first paper loading device 4.
It has almost the same configuration as the first sheet separating device 83 and operates in the same manner. The difference is that an empty detection means 900 equipped with a buckling prevention plate 901 in the first paper loading device 4 is fixed to the paper discharge tray 16, but in the second
Empty detection means 900a in paper loading device 4a
is equipped with a buckling prevention plate 901a, and as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
There is no substantial difference between the two except that a notch 203 into which a is inserted is formed. Therefore, the second
The main parts of the paper loading device 4a and the second paper separating device 83a are given the reference numerals with a added to the reference numerals given to the respective parts of the first device 4.83, and a detailed explanation thereof is provided. is omitted.

As mentioned above, the cutout 203 is provided in the support plate 26, and the feed roller 20a is inserted into the cutout in order to make the configuration more compact.
This is to prevent the feed roller 20a from interfering with the support plate 26 even when the rollers a are brought close to each other.

Further, in the above-described configuration, the left and right pressure plates 21
．． 21a; 121 and 121a are both slidably supported, but only one of them may be movable and the other fixed immovably, and sheets of different width sizes can also be set in this manner. Also intermediate pressure play) 2
2, 22a are also left and right feed roller plates 21.2.
1 a, 121. In the same way as 121 a, in the width direction W
It is advantageous if the paper 3.3a is movably supported so that it becomes easier to set the paper 3.3a.

In this case, a feed roller 20.20a cooperates with an intermediate pressure plate 22.22a to hold down the paper 3.3a.
and friction pad 84.84a facing this
It is also desirable to support it movably in the width W direction, and in that case,
The champions may be operated integrally or may be operated separately.

Alternatively, the paper may be stacked in a cassette and fed one by one as in the past, and in this case as well, the inner surface of the end wall of the cassette corresponds to the lower edge of the paper placed in the cassette in an upright position. By providing a sliding member made of a low-friction material, by reducing the contact area between the lower edge of the paper and the cassette side, or by using a combination of both configurations, the number of sheets fed into the paper separation device is regulated. It becomes possible to easily use a paper separation device having a feed roller and a friction pad. Further, the roller for feeding out the paper of the paper stacking device and the feed roller of the paper separation device may not be used together, but separate rollers may be used. It goes without saying that these modified configurations can also be applied to the second sheet loading device 4a and the second sheet separating device 83a.

The empty detection means 900 is shown in FIG.
It is configured as shown enlarged in the figure.

That is, 902 is a plate fixed to the paper discharge tray 16, and the plate 902 has a flange portion 903. The flange portion 903 rotatably supports a rotating shaft 904, and the rotating shaft 904 supports the buckling prevention plate 901. The buckling prevention plate 901 is rotated (moved) by a spring 905 in three paper directions (towards the back of the paper in FIG. . Further, rotation of the buckling prevention plate 901 in the opposite direction to the paper 3 is restricted by the stopper 907 coming into contact with the flange portion 903 . The buckling prevention plate 901 has its tip portion bent in the opposite direction to the paper 3, so that the paper 3 is not scratched. Further, the buckling prevention plate 901 has an arm 908, and the arm 908 connects the empty switch 909 attached to the flange portion 903 to the buckling prevention plate 901.
Turns 0N-OFF by rotation of . On the other hand, the intermediate pressure plate n is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure and FIG. 15, an escape window (hole) 910 is formed at a position facing the buckling prevention plate 901, and when the paper 3 runs out on the first paper stacking device 4, the buckling prevents the paper 3 from buckling. The prevention plate 901 enters into the escape window 910. At this time, the buckling prevention plate 901 rotates from the A position to the B position in FIG. 24, and the arm 90B turns on the empty switch 909 (
(closed) state to 0FF (open) state. The buckling prevention plate 901, plate 902, flange 903, rotating shaft 904, spring 905, regulating plate 906, stopper 907, arm 908, and empty switch 909
As a whole constitutes an empty detection means 900 of the first paper mounting device 4, and the empty detection means 900 prevents the paper 3 from buckling and reliably detects that the paper 3 is no longer present.

The second paper mounting device 4a is also provided with an empty detection means 900a having a similar configuration, and although the empty detection means 900 of the first paper mounting device 4 is attached to the paper output tray 16, On the other hand, the second paper loading device 4a
The empty detection means 900a of the first paper loading device 4
There is no substantial difference between the two except that they are attached to the support plate. Therefore, each component of the empty detection means 900 of the second paper mounting device 4a includes the empty detection means 900 of the first paper mounting device 4.
Each component of 0 a is given a reference numeral with a appended to the reference numeral of each component of the empty detection means 900 of the first sheet loading device 4, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. In addition, the intermediate pressure play (22a) of the second paper loading device 4a also includes:
Similarly, an escape window 910a is formed.

Empty switches 909 and 909a of the empty detection means 900 and 900a are connected in series with a cover open switch 912 attached to the printer 2 via a connector 911, as shown in FIG. The cover oven switch 912, which can be connected in series, is normally attached to the printer 2 and switches from an ON (closed) state to an OFF (open) state when the cover of the printer 2 is opened. Connector 9
11 is composed of a plug 913 and a jack 914. When the plug 913 is not inserted, terminals 914a and 914b of the jack 914 are connected to form the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 4, and when the plug 913 is inserted, the terminal 914a and terminal 914b are separated, and terminal 914a is connected to terminal 9 via empty switch 909.909a.
14C, resulting in the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 27.

Therefore, when the cover to which the paper feeder 1 is attached is opened or the paper 3.3a runs out on the first or second paper stacking device 4.4a of the paper feeder 1, the switch 90
9. Either 909 a or 912 turns from ON to OFF, and a signal is output to a display means (not shown). This display means generally utilizes the means of the printer 2 to display that the cover is open, and displays a lamp, stops the printer, etc. As a result, the connector 911 connects the cover oven switch 912 and the empty switch 909.909.
A can be easily connected, and paper out and cover open status can be easily detected and displayed.

When removing the paper feeder 1, the cover open state can be detected by pulling out the plug 913 from the jack 914 and removing the automatic paper feeder from the printer 2.

28 to 29 are diagrams showing an example applicable to an automatic paper feeder in which not only two but n paper stacking devices are provided, and in this case, n empty switches 909.9
09a, . . . -909n are connected in series. Therefore, when one of the n paper stacking devices runs out of paper, or when the cover is opened, the display means can display the information.

FIG. 31 shows each empty switch 909, 909a,
--- Manual switch 915.9 in parallel with -909n
15a, 915n are arranged.

In this example, manual switches 915.915a, 915n of the device to be used among the plurality of paper loading devices are used.
All other settings are set to the ON (closed) state. Therefore, the empty switch 909.909 of the paper loading device to be used
a.

--- The presence or absence of paper can be detected by the ON-OFF operation of 909n, and there is no need to set paper in the paper St device that is not used.

Figures 32 and 33 use a switch that turns OFF (closed) when there is paper and turns ON (closed) when there is no paper as an empty switch, and turns OFF (closed) when the cover is closed as a cover open switch. (open) state, and uses a switch that is in the ON (closed) state when it is open. Note that each empty switch and cover open switch are the same except that the ON-OFF operation is opposite to that shown in each of the above embodiments, so the symbols used in each of the above embodiments are used in the figures. Used with N in front of. In FIG. 32, the empty switches N909, N909a, ----- of each paper loading device are
-N909n and cover open switch N912 are connected in parallel with each other, and when one of the paper loading devices runs out of paper, one of the empty switches N9
09, N909 a, ------ When N909 n is turned on, or when the cover is opened and the cover open switch N912 is turned on, the display means is activated. In the one shown in the figure, the empty switches N909, N909a, --- of each paper loading device are
---Manual switch 915.915 a for N909n
, -=-915n are connected in series, and these series-connected empty switches N909, N909
a, ---N909 n and manual switch 915.915
a, --915n and cover open switch N912 are connected in parallel. Therefore, the manual switch 915.915 a, - of the paper loading device to be used
・-・915n and cover open switch N912
are connected in parallel. Therefore, the manual switch 915.915 a of the paper loading device to be used ---
-- When 915n is turned on (closed), the empty switches N 909 and N 909 of the paper loading device to be used are turned on.
a ------N 909 n and the cover open switch N912 are turned ON (closed), so that the presence or absence of paper and the open state of the cover can be detected.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 32 and 33 above, the cover open switch N912 and the empty switches N909, N909a ·---N9
09 n in parallel, there is no need to use a complicated connector 916 like the connector 911 shown in FIGS. 25 to 31, and the components can be simplified. can do.

Paper 3.3a is selectively sent out from the first and second paper loading devices 4.4a and fed to the printer 2.

The paper 3 sent out from the first paper stacking device 4 and passing through the first paper separation device is guided by the guide plate 85 described above with its leading edge as clearly shown in FIG. , 25, a guide roller 20 rotatably supported by
4, the paper feeding guide plate 20, which will be described later,
5, and a manual feed guide plate 20B, which will also be explained in detail later.
The platen 5 of the printer 2 is guided by the back of the printer 2.
and reaches the feed roller 6. After the leading edge of the paper 3 is held between the platen 5 and the feed roller 6, the paper 3 is sent toward the printing section 8 by rotation of the platen 5. A set (not shown) is provided near the platen 5 and the feed roller 6, and when the leading edge of the paper 3 is not detected by this sensor when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the feed roller 20 started rotating, , a jam signal is generated.

As mentioned above, the reason why the paper 3 is fed to the platen 5 after being hooked on the guide roller 2.degree. 4 at one end is as follows.

That is, if the guide plate 85 and the guide roller 204 were not provided, the paper 3 exiting the paper separation device 83 was guided as shown by the broken line a in FIG. Then, the paper 3 hits the corner fa 206 of the friction pad 84. If the platen 5 and the feed roller 6 pull the paper 3 in this state, the corner 2Q6 of the friction pad 84 and the paper 3 will rub against each other with strong force, which may cause the paper 3 to be damaged. In addition, the load applied to the platen 5 increases, and the paper 3 slips against the platen 5, making it impossible to carry out the desired paper conveyance. Further, there is a possibility that excessive unnecessary pressure may be applied to the friction pad 84. If there is only one paper stacking device and no second paper stacking device is provided, there is sufficient space to install the paper stacking device, so this device 4
By shifting the paper 3 and the friction pad 84 toward the rear, that is, toward the right in FIG. 6, it is possible to prevent the paper 3 and the friction pad 84 from rubbing against each other as described above. However, when a plurality of paper stacking devices are used as in the illustrated embodiment, there is no room to shift the position of the front paper mounting device 4 to the rear side.

Therefore, the slightly forward side of the friction pad 84 (the sixth
A guide roller 204 is provided on the left side of the figure, and the paper 3
By applying , the extending direction of the paper 3 with respect to the friction pad 84 is changed from the state shown by the broken line a to the state shown by the solid line A, thereby preventing the inconvenience of the paper 3 and the pad 84 rubbing strongly against each other. In addition, guide plates 85 are provided fixed to both side plates 24 and 4 so as to guide the leading edge of the paper 3 to the guide roller 204. In this case, paper 3 is placed on platen 5.
When the paper 3 is under tension, that is, when the paper 3 is held between the feed roller 20 and the pad 84 and is under tension due to the guide roller 204, the paper 3 is prevented from coming into contact with the guide plate 85. , the guide plate 85 is arranged obliquely with respect to the extending direction of the paper 3. Therefore, the paper 3 pulled by the platen 5
There will be no inconvenience that these will rub against each other when the guide board is talking. Further, the left side of the guide plate 85 in FIG. 6 is close to the guide roller 204, and preferably this roller 204 is
04, the leading edge of the paper 3 can be guided to the guide roller 204 without any problem. roller 2
It is also possible to turn the paper 3 using a guide member having a form other than 04. Further, a notch is formed at the right end of the guide plate 85 in FIG. 6 to prevent interference with elements in the paper separation device 83.

By the way, the paper 3 is being guided as described above and its leading edge reaches between the feed roller 6 and the platen 5, but at this point the platen 5 is moving in the counterclockwise direction (arrow B) in FIG.
(in the opposite direction). Therefore, the leading edge of the paper 3 stops just before the gap between the feed roller 6 and the platen 5. At this time, the feed roller 20 continues to rotate, and in order to feed the paper 3, the feed roller 20 continues to rotate.
The portion of the paper that has exited the paper swells and curves as shown by the dotted chain line in Fig. 6 and is marked with a calyx 3''.For this reason, the leading edge of the paper 3 is affected by the force of the paper 3 itself to flatten itself. Because of this, it tries to get between the feed roller 6 and the platen 5.

Therefore, even if the paper 3 is skewed when it reaches between the platen 5 and the feed roller 6, the bulge 3'' is formed so that the leading edge of the paper 3 is aligned in the axial direction of the platen 5 and the skew is Thereafter, the platen 5 begins to rotate in the direction in which the paper 3 can be fed (in the direction of arrow B), and the paper 3 is transported correctly, that is, without skew.

On the other hand, the paper 3a sent out from the second paper stacking device 4a and passing through the second paper separation device 83a is
The paper reaches the platen 5 and the feed roller 6 while being guided by the previously described paper feed guide plate 20 fixed to the paper feed guide plate 5 . Paper feed guide plate 2
05 consists of a first part 205a that is flat or gently sloped, and a second part 205b that slopes sharply downward, A swinging guide plate 207 is provided near the transition portion between the paper 3a and the guide plate 205b, and the paper 3a moves to the second portion 205b while being guided by this guide plate 207, and is moved downward by the portion 205b and the manual feed guide plate 208. You will be guided. At this time, since the tip of the swing guide plate 207 is curved almost along the paper feed guide plate 205, the paper 3a
will definitely be informed. By providing the guide plate 207 in this manner, the paper 3a will not stagnate at the transition portion in the bent state.

When the leading edge of the paper 3a reaches between the feed roller 6 and the platen 5, since the platen 5 is rotating counterclockwise in FIG. 3a is corrected, but in order to allow for this slack, the swing guide plate 207 is attached to the pin 207.
It is swingably supported by both side plates 24 and 25 by a. Therefore, when the leading edge of the paper 3a is stopped between the feed roller 6 and the platen 5, a portion 3a'' of the paper 3a lifts the swing guide plate 207 with its waist, as shown by the chain line in FIG. The paper 3a11 can be slackened without any problem.

When the slack 3'' is formed as described above, the weight of the swing guide plate 207 acts on the slack 3a'' and presses this portion. Therefore, the leading edge of the paper 3a is pressed against the contact portion between the platen 5 and the feed roller 6 not only by the force due to the slack 3a but also by the force from the guide plate 207, and the effect of correcting the skew of the paper 3a is enhanced. As well,
When the platen 5 starts to rotate clockwise, the leading edge of the paper 3a is pushed between the platen 5 and the feed roller 6, so that the paper 3a is pushed immediately after the platen 5 starts rotating clockwise.
a begins to be transported and reliable transport is ensured. In order to further enhance this effect, it is advantageous to provide a biasing means such as a spring that exerts a rotational force in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6 on the swing guide plate 207.

Further, before the leading edge of the paper 3a is stopped by the platen and the feed roller 6, the swing guide plate 207 maintains the lowered state shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, that is, the guide position. At this time, the swinging guide plate 207 hits the space 209 that is locked or fixed to the paper feed guide plate 205 under its own weight, and for example, 1 ml 11
A minute gap K of about 1.51 to 1.51 is formed. Therefore, the paper 3a can easily enter between the swing guide plate 207 and the paper feed guide plate 205, and even if the paper is weak and thin, it will not jam between the two guide plates 205 and 207. will not occur.

As shown in FIG. 34, the spacer 209 is disposed outside the transport path of the paper 3a and does not interfere with the progress of the paper 3a. Although two spacers 209 are used in FIG. 34, the number can be set to any number including one. Furthermore, if the spacer 209 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, the swinging acts on the swinging guide plate 207 when it returns from the rotated position to the original guiding position or when the swinging guide plate is in the guiding position. Both guide plates 207
．． Since there is a spacer 209 made of an elastic material between the two, it is possible to prevent noise that would occur if the two were in direct contact. This is particularly effective when both guide plates 205 and 207 are made of metal. A spacer may be provided on the side of the swing guide plate. Figure 35 shows spacer 2
09 is shown.

When the paper 3 is sent out from the first paper stacking device 4, the swing guide plate 207 is in a guide position that does not impede the progress of the paper 3, and does not cause any hindrance to the conveyance of the paper 3. On the other hand, since the swing guide plate 207 is lifted up into the conveyance space for the paper 3 when the paper 3 is not conveyed, the space required for arranging the guide plate 207 is kept small, and as a result, the device Achieve compactness.

If the swing guide plate 207 were to rotate in a space other than the transport path of the paper 3 sent from the first paper stack 4, another space would have to be provided for this purpose.
The drawback is that space is lost and the device becomes larger.

The shape of the swing guide plate 207 does not necessarily have to be curved as shown in FIG. 6, and may be formed flat as shown in FIG. 36 or as shown in FIG. good. Further, instead of supporting the guide plate 207 so as to be swingable, it is also possible to support the guide plate 207 so that the entire guide plate 207 can move in parallel.

In FIG. 6, when the paper 3 or paper 3a fed by the platen 5 rotating in the direction of arrow B reaches the printing section 8, the hammer of the printing device that moves in the width direction W is activated.
Printing is performed by the impact action, and the paper that has been printed 3.3
a is separated from the platen 5 and transported upward,
At this time, a paper holding member generally referred to as a card holder 210 is attached to the printing device, and the paper 3.3a leaving the platen 5 is guided by this card holder 210. The card holder 210 extends along the platen 5, as shown in FIG. 6, and its tip is located above the printing section 8. The length of the card holder 210 is paper 3.
3a, and the holder 210 holds paper 3.3.
While pressing a, the printing device moves in the width W direction.

The card holder 210 also has a function of preventing the paper portion located in the printing section 8 from lifting off from the platen 5. The card holder 210 is also used when the automatic paper feeder is not attached to the printer 2, but when the automatic paper feeder is attached, the card holder 210 is used to transport the paper 3.3a upward and upward from the platen 5. In this case, the following drawbacks may occur.

That is, the paper 3.3a that has left the platen 5 is guided upward as shown in FIG.
When pulled up at I4, the paper 3 or paper 3a hits the card holder 210, deforming it as shown by the broken line. Therefore, the portion of the paper located in the printing section 8 is lifted from the circumferential surface of the platen 5. If, in this state, a striking force is applied to the paper 3 or the paper 3a by a hammer as shown by arrow C to perform a printing operation, the completed print will have shading and the image quality will deteriorate. In addition, since the floating portion of the paper is struck, there is also the disadvantage that the noise at the time of striking increases.

In order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawback, instead of guiding the paper 3.3a upward, it is necessary to feed the paper 3.3a diagonally upward and to the right (toward the rear side of the paper feeder) along the card holder 210 as shown by the arrow d in FIG. The paper 3.3a may be brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the platen 5 at the printing section 8. However, as in the illustrated paper feeder 1, there is a
When the elements of the device 1, in the illustrated example the second output tray 16 (see FIG. 2), are located, the sheets 3.3a
cannot be transported, and must be transported in a direction other than this direction, for example, upward. It is also possible to move the position of the second paper ejection tray 16 further to the rear (to the right in FIG. 2) to create a space for ejecting paper there, but if you do this, the position of the feed roller 20 will also be moved to the rear. This results in an increase in the paper conveyance distance between the feed roller 20 and the platen 5. If the paper transport distance increases in this way, it becomes impossible to transport the short paper 3.3a. For example, when the paper feed device 1 is configured to be able to print on a short paper 3.3a with a minimum length of about 105 mm, and also to arrange the second paper output tray 16 diagonally to the rear of the platen 5. In this case, it is difficult to move the feed roller 20 far to the rear (to the right) from the illustrated position. Therefore, it is impossible to eject the paper 3.3a in the direction of the arrow d (the second wing diagram), and in the example shown in the figure, the paper 3.3a
is sent out almost upward, but if this is left unaddressed, it will suffer from the drawbacks mentioned above.

Therefore, in the paper feeder 1 shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 6, the paper 3 or paper 3a that has exited between the platen 5 and the card holder 210 is tilted toward the rear (to the right in the figure). A guide member 211 is provided, and this guide member 2
The paper that has passed through the guide portion 212 of No. 11 is again tilted to the left in the figure and guided to the paper discharge rollers 13 and 14. 21
3 is a mating guide member located opposite to the guide member 211, and these guide members 211 and 213 are fixedly supported by both side plates 24 and 25.

As mentioned above, the paper 3 or paper 3a is transported by the paper ejection roller 13.1.
4, the sheet is bent by the guide member 212 and then guided to the discharge rollers 13, 14, so that the portion of the sheet located in the printing section 8 does not lift up from the circumferential surface of the platen 5. Further, the paper is held down by the card holder 210, but as described above, the width of this holder 210 is narrow. For this reason, the card holder 210 allows the paper 3.3
It is not possible to hold down the entire width of a, and the portion of the paper that has come off the holder tends to float, but by providing the guide member 211 shown in FIG. , can be accurately guided upward.

A plurality of paper ejection rollers 13, 14 of the paper ejection device 800 according to the present invention are provided as shown in FIG. 39, and these are fixed to support shafts 215, 216, respectively, at intervals. Both support shafts 215 and 216 are connected to the support plate 24.
25, and as shown by the arrow in FIG. 40, one chassis shaft 216 is rotatably driven together with its paper ejection roller 14 by a drive system to be described later, and the other roller 13 and its support shaft are 215 is driven and rotated by the roller 14.

At the top of both paper ejection rollers 13.14, sheets 3.3a are selectively placed on the first paper ejection tray 15 or the second paper ejection tray 16 as shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 40. A switching guide member 217 is located for guiding the member 2.
17 extends approximately parallel to the support axis 213,216.

This switching guide member is rotatably supported by both side plates 24.25 via pivot pins 217a protruding from each end thereof, and the switching guide member is rotatably supported by the side plates 24.25 through pivot pins 217a protruding from each end thereof. It can be rotated between a first position (the position indicated by the chain line in FIG. 40) and a second position (a position tilted opposite to the first position) where the paper is guided to the second paper discharge tray 16. 219 (
1) is a knob for rotating the switching guide member 217.

A switch 218 is formed in the switching guide member 217 to prevent interference with the paper ejection roller 13.14, so that even if the guide member 217 is rotated to any position between the first and second positions, There is no contact between the member 217 and the rollers 13.14.

When discharging the paper 3 or paper 3a to the first paper ejection tray 15, operate the knob 219 and move the switching guide member 21.
7 into the first position shown in FIG. As a result, the paper 3 or 3a sent by the two rotating paper ejection rollers 13.14 is ejected onto the first paper ejection tray 15 while being guided by the switching guide plate 217, and the next paper is placed on top of this paper. 3 or sheets 3a are sequentially stacked. By operating the knob 219, the switching guide plate 217 is rotated to the second position tilted in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the chain line in FIG.
are discharged to the second paper discharge tray 16, and the sheets 3 or 3a are sequentially stacked with the first discharged paper 3 or 3a facing down.

The printed sheets 3 or 3a stacked on the first paper ejection tray 15 have their printed side facing down (normal stacking), and the paper 3 or 3a ejected onto the second paper ejection tray 16 is 3a has the printed surface facing upward (reverse stack). Therefore, depending on which paper ejection tray the paper sheets 3 or 3a are ejected to, the printed sheets 3 or 3a can be arranged in the order desired by the operator. In this case, the ejection direction of the paper 3 or 3a can be determined by an extremely simple operation of switching the switching guide member 217, and this guide member 217
3.14, the switching guide member 21
Since the operator can easily check visually whether paper 3 is occupying the first position or the second position,
Alternatively, it is possible to prevent erroneous operations that would cause 3a to be ejected.

As described above, the paper 3 or 3a is conveyed while being guided by the switching guide plate 217, and after the trailing edge of the paper 3 or 3a comes out from between the two paper ejection rollers 13.14, the paper 3 or 3a is transferred to the paper ejection tray. Although it is ejected in an almost upright position,
At this time, if the rear end of the paper 3 or 3a that has passed between the rollers 13 and 14 is floating on the roller 13 or 14, the paper 3 or 3a will be ejected and stacked in an upright position. In this case, the paper 3 or 3a cannot be reliably ejected onto the paper ejection tray. From this point of view,
As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, each paper ejection roller 13.
A part of the tooth 14 has a large number of protrusions 22 over its entire circumference.
0 is formed (however, no protrusion 220 is formed on the paper ejection rollers located on each end side of each support shaft 215, 216, the reason for which will be made clear later). Also, a switching guide member 217 facing the paper ejection rollers 13 and 14
As shown in FIG. 40, an elastic sheet 221 is fixed to the portion, and these sheets are inclined diagonally upward in the direction of the first paper discharge tray 15 and the second paper discharge tray 16.
It has first and second sheet portions 221a and 221b.

Now, if we consider the case where paper 3 or 3a is discharged to the first paper discharge tray 15 as shown in FIG.
When the rear end 222 of a exits between both rollers 13 and 14, this rear end 222 engages with the toothed protrusion 220 of the paper ejection roller 13, and from above the elastic sheet 221 that approaches the roller 13. is held down by the first sheet portion 221a. Therefore, the paper 3 or 3a that has passed between the rollers 13 and 14 does not immediately separate from the circumferential surface of the roller 13, and the trailing edge 222 is released from the roller 13 by separating from the tip of the sheet member 221a. Ru. Therefore, the defect that the trailing edge 222 of the paper that has come out between both rollers slides on the circumferential surface of the roller 13 and floats while remaining on the circumferential surface is eliminated, and the paper 3.3a is reliably ejected to the paper ejection tray 15. be done. The same holds true when discharging paper onto the second paper discharging tray 16. In other words, even without providing the projections 220 on the rollers 13 and 14, the same effect as described above can be obtained by the frictional force between the roller and the paper 3 or 3a.

As the elastic sheet, for example, as shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, an elastic resin sheet such as a polyester film is used, which has a throttle 223 in the center. Insert the presser 2 into the formed mounting hole 224.
25 is press-fitted into the mounting hole 224 through the throttle 223, and the seat 221 is fixed. An adhesive may be put into the attachment hole 224 to ensure the fixation of the sheet 221. When the elastic sheet 221 is attached in this way, the inclined surface 226 of the presser 225 lifts the sheet 221 upward, thereby causing the first and second elastic sheets 221a,
221b is formed.

In order to manufacture the elastic sheet 221 shown in FIG. 40, the material sheet is cut to obtain individual sheets 221. At this time, the edges of the front or back side of the completed elastic sheet 221 are marked with the marks at the time of cutting. Paris is possible.

When the paper hits the paper 3 or 3a after the sheet is attached, an undesired external force acts on the paper 3 or 3a.
This may cause transportation troubles for paper 3 or 3a. Therefore, it is necessary to attach the elastic sheet in a direction that prevents the edges from hitting the paper 3 or 3a, but it is difficult to determine on which side of the completed sheet the edges will be formed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 41, when cutting the elastic sheet 22, a punch 227 is formed or one corner of the sheet is cut off to determine which side the edges of the elastic sheet are on. Make it easy to identify
The elastic sheet 221 can be attached in a direction in which the edges do not hit the paper 3 or 3a.

The form of the elastic sheet 221 can be changed as appropriate, for example,
As shown in FIG. 3, the first and second sheet portions 221a,
The outer end of the sheet 221b may be directed downward, which is advantageous in that the rear end of the sheet 3 or 3a can be reliably engaged with the sheet ejection roller for a longer period of time.

In addition, the first and second portions 221a of the breakable sheet 221,
If 221b is curved along the circumferential surface of the paper ejection roller 13.14 as shown in FIG. 44, the trailing edge of the paper can be guided more smoothly and kept engaged with the paper ejection roller 13.14 for a long time. This is even more advantageous.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the switching guide member 217 does not have a constant thickness over its entire length, and in the illustrated example, the thickness is approximately at the top of each notch 218, that is, at the portion where the elastic sheet 221 is provided. The thickness t4 is thinner than the thickness tl of other parts. Therefore, the paper 3 or 3a being conveyed while being guided by the switching guide member 217 is correctively bent into a wavy form due to the unevenness caused by the difference in thickness t4, t, as shown in FIG. Increased rigidity,
Curling, bending, etc. of the paper 3 or 3a is prevented.

Therefore, the sheets 3 or 3a can be reliably stacked in an upright state.

Further, as can be seen from FIG. 39, the tooth-like protrusions 220 formed on the pair of discharging rollers 13, 14 facing each other do not contact each other, and the protrusions on one roller are in contact with the non-protrusive portion of the other roller. are in contact. For this reason, the paper 3 or 3a passing between these rollers 13, 14 is also deformed into a wave shape, and its rigidity is increased. As described above, the switching guide member 217 is supported by the side plate 24.25 via the pivot pin 217a, and is rotated around the pin 217a to be brought to the first position and the second position. In order to hold the guide member 217 stably in each position, a leaf spring 217 is attached to the pivot pin 217a as shown in FIG.
b is fixed. Side plate 2 facing leaf spring 217b
A first recess 217c and a second recess 217d are formed on the surface of the plate spring 217b, and when the switching guide member 217 is rotated to the first or second position, the tip of the leaf spring 217b protrudes toward the side plate. The protrusion 217e elastically engages the first recess 217C or the second recess 217d, and the member 217 is held. Moreover, the switching guide member 217 is
Stoppers 217f and 217g are provided protruding from the sides Fj and 25 to stop the rotation when the rotation is out of the position.

By the way, as briefly shown above, among the plurality of paper ejection rollers 13, 14, the outermost paper ejection roller does not have the tooth-like protrusions 220 formed thereon. The reason is as follows.

Support shafts 215 supporting the paper ejection rollers 13 and 14, respectively
．． 216 are pressed toward each other at each end of the shaft so that a predetermined frictional force is generated between both rollers.

In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. The shaft 215 is supported by both side plates 24.5 so as to be able to approach and separate with a slight stroke, and both ends of the shaft 215 are pressed toward the support shaft 216 by leaf springs 228. When both ends of the support shaft 215 are pressed against the other support shaft 216 in this way, both rollers 13 made of an elastic material such as rubber.
In No. 14, the pressure contact force in the central region in the longitudinal direction of the support shaft becomes weak, and the pressure contact force between the rollers located in the end regions increases, making it impossible to obtain a uniform pressure contact force over the entire area. The support shaft is long,
Furthermore, the stronger the pressing force applied to these, the greater the deflection of the support shaft, and the above-mentioned tendency becomes stronger. In this way, the pressure of both rollers (3.14) becomes uneven, increasing the possibility that paper skew, wrinkles, jams, etc. will occur.

Therefore, in the illustrated configuration, the outermost paper ejection roller of the paper ejection rollers 13, 14 is not provided with the protrusion 220, and the rollers on the inner side of these rollers are provided with the protrusion 220 to reduce the diameter of the inner roller. By substantially increasing the diameter of the outer rollers and conversely by substantially reducing the diameter of the outer rollers, the pressure of the delivery rollers 13.14 in the longitudinally central region of the support shafts 215.216 is increased, with the result that the pressure across all rollers is increased. This makes it possible to apply pressure evenly.

The above-described configuration is applicable not only to paper ejection rollers but also to rollers for conveying sheets in general.Following the same idea, the diameters of the rollers at both ends of one roller 13' can be made smaller as shown in FIG. 47. .

The difference in roller diameter is determined by calculating the deflection of the support shaft when all roller diameters are the same, depending on the pressure applied to both support shafts, shaft diameter, shaft length, etc. All you have to do is make the diameter of the roller smaller.

The first paper output tray 15 on which the printed sheets 3 or 3a are stacked in an upright position is shown in FIGS. 2, 48, and 4.
As shown in FIG. 9, it consists of a fixed tray 229 and a swinging tray 230 made of, for example, synthetic resin. Fixed tray 2
29 is a locking groove 232 (24.25) formed in both side plates of the automatic paper feeder by a pin 231 protruding from both side plates.
The stopper 233, which is engaged with the guide member 211 (FIG. 1) and protruded from the lower part of the fixed tray, comes into contact with the guide member 211 fixed to the side plates 24.25, thereby being removably supported by the side plates 24.25. Further, the swinging tray 230 has elongated holes 235 formed on both side walls of the fixed tray 229.
The elongated hole 23 engages with a pin 236 protruding from the upper side wall of the
5 is supported by the fixed tray 229 by the pin 236 hitting one end 235a of the plate. In this case, the swinging tray 23
0 is supported so as to be able to swing around a pin 236 in the direction of arrow e (FIG. 2), and sheets 3 or 3a are stacked in the swinging tray 230 supported in this way. When paper 3 or 3a is not stacked, swing tray 2
The lower end of the paper 30 comes into contact with the fixed tray side and remains stationary, but as the paper 3 or 3a is stacked and the number of sheets increases, the swinging tray 23 is moved by the weight of the paper 3 or 3a.
0 rotates clockwise in FIG. 2 around pin 236. Therefore, even if the number of stacked sheets 3 or 3a increases, the sheets 3 or 3a can be placed upright on the tray 230 without any problem.

(& end 23 of the elongated hole 235 formed in the swinging tray 230
5b is not closed but open. Therefore, when the swing tray is attached or detached, the pin 236 is passed through the other end 235b of the opening, thereby making it possible to easily attach or detach the swing tray. Further, by fitting the pin 236 into the elongated hole 235, the following advantages can be obtained.

That is, as shown in FIG.
Covers 70 and 234 made of synthetic resin, for example, are screwed to the sides of the covers.
Handles 237 are integrally attached to each, and the automatic paper feeder 1
When transporting the 49th
It can be lifted up as shown in the figure. In this case, both handles 237 are provided at positions that substantially pass through the center of gravity of the entire sheet feeding device, so that it can be easily lifted.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 38, a finger rest protrusion 237 (or recess) for preventing slipping is formed on the lower surface of the handle 237, so that the carrying operation can be carried out easily.

A recess may be provided in the cover 70.234 and this may be used as a handle. When the paper feeder 1 is lifted up, the swinging tray 230 hits the chest or waist of the worker who is performing this work. , the swinging tray 230 can be moved to the rear side, that is, the side opposite to the operator.
Unreasonable force is not applied to this, and the inconvenience of damaging it is prevented. Furthermore, even if the long holes 235 of the swinging tray 230 come off the pins 236 of the fixed tray 229, the swinging tray 230 will simply fall toward the second paper output tray 16, and this will cause the swinging tray 230 to fall involuntarily. There is nothing to do but tray 230
The damage prevention effect is enhanced.

The relationship between the fixed tray 229 and the side plate 24.5 is also exactly the same, so that no excessive external force is applied to the fixed tray 229 when transporting the paper feeder 1, and even if the fixed tray 22
Even if the sheet 9 comes off the side plates 24 and 4, it will not fall because it will fall to the side of the second paper discharge tray 16.

Also, when not transporting the fixed tray 229 or the swinging tray 2,
Even when an external force is applied to these parts, such as when a person bumps into them, damage to these parts can be prevented in the same way.

On the other hand, the second paper ejection tray 16 is tilted toward the opposite side from the first paper ejection tray 15, as shown in FIGS. located in the state,
It is fixed to both side plates 24 and 25. A swing plate 239 is arranged inside this tray 16, and the plate 23
One end of a spring 240 is locked to 9, and this spring 240 is attached to projecting pins 241 protruding from the inner surfaces of both side walls of the tray 16.
and the other end is latched to the tray 16 itself. Therefore, the swing plate 239
When the paper 3 or 3a is not stacked on the tray 16, the paper 3 or 3a is supported in a floating state from the tray 16 while being balanced by the force of the spring 240 and the weight of the plate.

When sheets 3 or 3a are fed into the second paper output tray 16, the sheets 3 or 3a are placed leaning against the swing play 4239 and the back plate 17, and the number of sheets increases sequentially. Accordingly, due to the weight of the sheets 3 or 3a, the swing plate 239 moves in the direction of arrow f (FIG. 2) against the action of the spring 240, so that the plurality of sheets 3 or 3a are stacked in an upright position without any hindrance. can do.

By the way, instead of placing the paper 3 or 3a on the paper stacking device and automatically feeding it into the printing section, it may be desired to feed the paper into the printing section manually by an operator. For this purpose, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, a manual feed slit 243 is formed at the bottom of the paper output tray 16, through which paper can be manually inserted in the direction shown by arrow g. It has become. Further, below the slit 243, the manual feed guide plate 208 briefly shown above is arranged, and this guide plate 208 consists of two mutually opposing plates fixed to the side plates u and 25. The paper inserted through the slit 243 is guided by these two plates and sent between the lower platen 5 and the feed roller 6.

When inserting paper into the slit 243, remove the stacked paper and, if necessary, move the swinging plate 239 to the left in Figure 6 to insert the paper without being obstructed by the plate 239. It can be carried out.

Conversely, when the paper is ejected to the paper ejection tray 16, the slit paper is moved to the slit 2 by the swing plate 239.
The inconvenience of falling to 43 is prevented. Even when the number of stacked sheets increases, the plate 239 blocks the slit and the sheets do not fall into the slit.

It is already known to form a slit in the paper output tray for manual feeding, but conventionally a back plate was used as a member to open and close this slit, so when manually feeding paper, even when there is no paper in the paper output tray, It was necessary to remove the back plate before performing the operation, and the work was complicated. In this regard, in the illustrated configuration, the swing plate 239 allows the slit 24 to
3 can be opened and closed, the operation during manual feeding is simplified, and the overall structure including the paper ejection tray and its accessories can be made more compact.

As explained earlier, the printed paper is delivered to the paper ejection roller 13.1.
4, the paper is ejected onto the first or second ejection tray 15, 16. At this time, the paper ejected onto the conventional tray is moved by the rotating ejection roller 13 or 14 to the roller and the tray opposite thereto. There was a risk that the paper would get caught in the gap between the edges of the paper, causing a jam or damaging the paper.

In the illustrated paper feeding device, the fixed tray 22 of the first paper ejection tray 15, as shown in FIGS.
A claw-like entrapment prevention member 244 is provided at the bottom of the tray 2.
It was destroyed together with 29. In the illustrated example, a plurality of entrainment prevention members 244 are provided, and these are arranged between the plurality of paper ejection rollers 13 so as not to interfere with the rollers. As can be seen from FIG. 6, when viewed from the side, the tips of the individual entanglement prevention members 244 are connected to the support shaft 24.
5, it protrudes inwardly from the outer circumferential surface of the paper ejection roller 13 (not the outer circumferential surface of the toothed protrusion 220), and as it moves away from the tip, it separates from the roller outer circumferential surface and extends outward. . With this configuration, the sheets stacked between the paper ejection roller l and the swinging tray 230 are
It hits the inclined upper surface of the entrainment prevention member 244, and therefore does not get caught up in the paper ejection roller 13.

A completely similar entrapment prevention member 2 is also provided on the second paper output tray 16.
45 (FIG. 50) is provided to prevent the paper from being rolled up by the paper discharge roller 14.

Next, a drive system that drives each part of the paper feeder 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 44, an auxiliary plate 251 is fixed to one side plate through a spacer 250, and a shaft 252 is rotatably supported by this auxiliary plate 251 and both side plates u, 25. The auxiliary plate 251 has a first intermediate gear 2 located on the outside thereof.
53 is rotatably supported, and this gear 253 meshes with a drive gear 255 fixed to a platen shaft 254 that fixedly supports the platen 5 of the printer 2, as shown in FIG. Further, a second intermediate gear 256 and a third intermediate gear 257 are fixed to the shaft 252, and the second intermediate gear 256 is engaged with the first intermediate gear 253. Third intermediate gear 25
7 is a fourth intermediate float 258 rotatably supported on the side plate part.
A fifth intermediate gear 260 that meshes with the gear 258 and is coaxially supported integrally with the gear 258 is connected to the support shaft 21 of the paper ejection roller 14.
6 is engaged with a roller drive gear 259 supported via a one-way clutch (not shown). Further, a fourth intermediate gear 258 is connected to a sixth intermediate gear similarly rotatably supported on the side plate portion.
It meshes with an intermediate gear 261, and this gear 261 is
First clutch device 262 for the previously described feed roller 20
is engaged with the first drive gear 263 of.

This drive gear 263 is also drive-coupled via a seventh intermediate gear 266 to a second drive gear 263a in a second clutch device 262a for the other feed roller 20a.

As shown in FIGS. 54 to 57, the first clutch device 262 is connected to a rotating shaft 50 that fixedly supports the feed roller 20.
A drive disk 267 is rotatably supported on the shaft 50, and a clutch disk 269 is supported on the shaft 50 via a one-way clutch 268. Furthermore, a latch ball 271 is supported via a pin 270. In this case, the latch ball 271 is freely attached to the pin 270 so that it can freely rotate around the pin 270 and swing its head in the left-right direction in FIG. 55. Further, a coil portion of a torsion coil spring 272 is wound around the pin 270, and one end of the spring engages the drive disk 267 and the other end engages the latch ball 271.
As a result, the tip 273 of the latch ball 271 is pressed against the sliding surface 274 of the clutch disc 269, and is urged to the left in FIG.
It is pressed against the annular flange 275 of No.9. .

The sliding surface portion of the clutch disc 269 that the latch ball 271 slides into contact with in the above-described state (the left side portion in FIG. 55)
is referred to as the first zone I, and the sliding surface portion on the right side in FIG. 55 is referred to as the second zone ■, then the first zone I
A protrusion 276 is formed in the protrusion 276, and a recess 277 is provided in the second band (2) adjacent to the protrusion 276. One end 278 of the recess 277 when viewed in the circumferential direction of the clutch disc 269
has a step-like shape, and the other end side smoothly transitions continuously to the sliding surface 274. Similarly, when viewed in the circumferential direction of the disk 269, one end of the protruding portion 276 becomes an obliquely inclined stepped portion 279, and the other end is an inclined portion that smoothly slopes and transitions to the sliding surface 274. The surface is 280.

A projecting pin 281 is protruded from a portion of the drive disk 267 facing the clutch disk 269, and a stopper 282 made of a leaf spring is fixed to the corresponding clutch disk portion.

Now, if the platen 5, and therefore its shaft 254, rotates in the direction shown by arrow B in FIG. A first drive gear 263 of a first clutch device 262, which is drivingly connected to drive gear 255 via a first drive gear 263, rotates in the direction indicated by arrow X.

At this time, the projecting pin 281 of the drive disk 267 hits the tip of the stopper 282 on the clutch disk 269 side (FIG. 56) and pushes it in the same direction X, so that both disks 267 and 269 rotate integrally.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 56, the distance between the tip 273 of the latch pole 271 and the stepped end 278 of the recess 277 is maintained at a predetermined value. The position of the latch ball 271 relative to the clutch disc 269 at this time will be referred to as a home position, and the angle θ1 around the disc axis center corresponding to the above distance will be referred to as a space angle.

The paper 3.3a placed on the first and second paper loading devices 4.4a is selectively fed by the rotation of either one of the feed rollers 20, 20a. Let us consider the case where the paper 3 is fed from the paper stacking device 4.

When the platen 5 is rotating in the normal direction, both disks 267 and 269 rotate integrally in the direction of the arrow X, as described above.
The pole 271 is located at its home position at a distance corresponding to the integral space angle θl from the end 278 of the recess 277. At this time, the rotation of the clutch disk 269 in the direction of arrow X is not transmitted to the rotating shaft 5o due to the action of one of the clutches 268 described above, and therefore the feed roller 2o is stopped. When a paper feed command is issued to feed the paper 3, the platen 5, which had been rotating forward in the direction of arrow B, rotates by a predetermined angle in the opposite direction (rotation of the platen in this direction). is written as reverse rotation). As a result, the drive disk 267 rotates in the Y direction opposite to the arrow X by the angle shown by θ2 in FIG.
The clutch disc 269 is braked by a braking device 283, which will be described later, to stop its rotation (note that the angle θ2 is larger than the space angle θ1, and this angle θ2 will be referred to as an operating rotation angle). For this reason, drive disk 2
67 in the Y direction, the latch ball 271
After the tip 273 slightly slides into contact with the first zone I of the clutch disc 269, it slides up on the inclined surface 280 of the protrusion 276 (as indicated by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 5). and tip 2
73 falls from the stepped portion 279 of the protruding portion 276, the drive disk 267 completes rotation at the operating rotation angle θ2 (double-dashed line in FIG. 5). Next, the rotational direction of the platen 5 is changed again and rotates forward by a slight angle in the direction of arrow B, thereby causing the drive disk 267 to rotate again in the direction of arrow X by an angle θ3. At this time as well, the clutch disc 269 is stopped without rotating due to the braking action of the braking device 283, so the tip 273 of the pawl 271 is guided by the stepped portion 279 of the protruding brake 276 and moves from the first zone (2) to the second zone (3). It moves to (2) and then falls into the recess 277. When this tip 273 engages with the stepped end 278 of the recess 277 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 56, the rotation of the drive disk 267 through the angle θ3 is completed.

This angle θ3 is also smaller than the operating rotation angle θ2, and θ2=01+
There is a relationship of 03. This angle θ3 will be referred to as the working space angle. Then, the platen 5 again begins to rotate in the opposite direction to the arrow B, thereby causing the drive disk 26 to
7 begins to rotate in the direction of arrow Y, and at this time latch ball 2
Since the tip 273 of 71 is engaged with the stepped end 278 of the recess 277, it is pushed in the same Y direction, and the clutch disc 269 also rotates in the Y direction. This rotation is transmitted to the rotating shaft 50 via the one-way clutch 268, and the feed roller 20 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 6, so that the paper 3 is fed out as described in detail above.

When the leading edge of the paper 3 hits between the platen 5 and the feed roller 6, which rotate in the opposite direction to the arrow B, as shown in FIG. 6, its advance is stopped and a bulge is formed in the paper. What is done is as explained above.

When the predetermined bulge is formed, the platen 5 rotates forward (
Starting from arrow B), paper 3 is sent towards the printing section, but
At this time, the drive disk 267 begins to rotate in the direction of arrow X. Therefore, the tip 273 of the ball 27 has a concave portion 277.
The clutch disc 269 temporarily stops and the feed roller 20 also stops, but the ball 271 returns to its home position due to the rotation of the drive disc 267 in the X direction. 282 is pressed, and the clutch disc 269 rotates in the direction of arrow X together with the drive disc 267. However, this rotation is not transmitted to the rotating shaft 50.

On the other hand, the second clutch device 262a is formed in the same form as the first clutch device 262, but as shown in FIG. 57, the space angle θ4 is different from that of the first clutch device 262. The only difference is that the space angle θ4 of the second clutch device 262a is set larger than the space angle θ1 of the first clutch device 262. Therefore, each part in FIG. 57 is given a reference numeral with the addition of "a" to the reference numeral given to each part in FIG. 56, and details regarding the structure thereof are omitted.

The operation of the second paper stacking device 4a when feeding the paper 3a is the same as when feeding the paper 3, except for the following points.

That is, when feeding the paper 3, the platen 5 first rotates in the forward direction and then reversely rotates in the opposite direction, but the angle of this reverse rotation is wider (set, Latch ball 271 of second clutch device 262a
Point a is the point at which the actuating rotation angle θ5 (×θ2) shown in FIG. 57 is reversely rotated in the direction opposite to arrow B by an angle sufficient to operate in the direction of arrow Y. When the platen 5 reversely rotates through a relatively large angle in this way, the drive disk 267 of the first clutch device 262 also rotates in the direction of the arrow Y, but at this time, the latch pole 271 is attached to the stopped clutch disk 267. After getting over the protrusion 276, the first band 2 of the sliding surface 274 is moved in the Y direction. Then, as in the case of the first clutch device, after the drive disk of the second clutch device 262a rotates in the X direction by the operating space θ3, it rotates again in the Y direction, and the rotation of the drive disk is transferred to the clutch disk 269a and the rotating shaft. 5
0a and feed roller 20a, and is used for lf
f13a is fed. At this time, the first clutch device 26
The drive disk 267 of No. 2 also rotates in the Y direction, and at this time the protrusion pin 281 hits the stopper 28 as shown by the chain line in FIG.
Since the drive disk 267 does not rotate the clutch disk 269 and the ball 271 touches the first zone I of the clutch disk 269, the drive disk 267 does not rotate the clutch disk 269. !
in contact with the disc 269 and therefore the feed roller 2
0 never rotates. Conversely, the first clutch device 26
The second ball 271 engages the stepped end 278 of the recess 277, and the drive disc 267 engages the clutch disc 269.
When the feed roller 20 is being rotated, the ball 271a of the second clutch 262a is in sliding contact with the first zone I of the clutch disc 269a, and the feed roller 20a is not rotated.

As described above, by controlling the rotation of the platen 5, the sheets 3.3a can be selectively fed out.

The braking device 283 includes clutch discs 269 and 269 of both clutch devices 262 and 262a as shown in FIG.
It has a pair of brake members 285 that respectively abut on the brake surfaces 284 and 284a formed on the side plates 284a, and these members 285 are pivotally connected to pins 286 provided protruding from the side plates. Each brake member 2
85 is in pressure contact with the braking surface 284, 284a and exerts a braking action on each clutch disc 269, 269a.

Further, the rotation of the platen 5 also rotates the roller drive gear 259 supported by the support shaft 216 of the paper ejection roller 14, but only the rotation of the roller drive gear 259 when the platen 5 rotates forward in the direction of arrow B is caused by the rotation of the support shaft. The rotation of the gear 259 in the opposite direction is not transmitted to the support shaft 216 due to the action of the clutch.

The above-mentioned paper feeding device 1 is constructed as a unit as a whole, and this is positioned at a predetermined position of the printer 2 and supported by the printer. As shown in FIG. 42, a collar 28 is provided at each end of the platen shaft 254 in the printer 2.
8.289 is fitted to be rotatable relative to the shaft 254, and the drive gear 25 described above is mounted on the outside of one collar 288.
5 is fixed.

Further, platen support plates 290 and 291 are installed on the left and right sides of the printer 2, and grooves 292 and 293 of each color 288 and 289 are formed in the notches formed in each platen support plate 290 and 291.
are mated. In this way, the platen 5 has its axis 25
4 rotates relative to collar 288.289.

Also, each collar 288, 289 has another groove 294.
．． 295 are formed respectively, and these grooves 294
．． Notches 297 and 298 (first
(see figure) will fit. In this way, the paper feeding device 1 is positioned left and right, front and back by the platen shaft 254.

Further, as shown in FIG. 59, leg members 300 made of an elastic material such as rubber are protruded from the side Fi 24, 25 of the paper feeder 1, and these are placed on the cover 301 of the printer 2. In this case, the pair of leg members 300 and the pair of auxiliary plates 2
Although the paper feeding device 1 can be supported by the cover 301 of the printer 2 and the platen shaft 254 using only 51.296,
In this way, the platen shaft 254 has the paper feeder i! 1
As a result of the large load acting on the platen shaft 254, the platen shaft 254 may, in extreme cases, become attached to the collar 288.
There is also a risk that it will be burned into 289.

Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 58, each auxiliary plate 251.
296 are respectively provided with protrusions consisting of bending brakes 302, and these are supported by respective platen support plates 290 and 291 on the printer side, and the automatic paper feeder 1
Part of the load is received by each support play) at 290.291. In this way, it is possible to prevent the load of the paper feeder 1 from acting on the platen shaft 254 at all, reducing the load on the platen shaft 254 and preventing seizure between the shaft 254 and the collars 288 and 289. can. It goes without saying that the bent portions 302 may be replaced by protruding portions such as pins and protrusions provided on each of the auxiliary plates 251 and 296. Further, as shown by the chain line in FIG. 59, a protrusion 302' provided at another location on the auxiliary plate may be supported by a receiver 304 protruding from a suitable location of the printer 2, such as the frame.

The paper feeder 1 is attached to and supported by the printer 2 as described above, but conventionally, the types of printers to which this type of automatic paper feeder can be installed are fixed.

In other words, although there are various types of printers, the automatic paper feeder that can be attached to each printer is determined by each printer model, and each printer cannot be equipped with any paper feeder other than the specified paper feeder. .

For this reason, automatic paper feeders were manufactured for each printer model, but it would be very convenient if one type of automatic paper feeder could be attached to many different types of printers, and if possible, to any type of printer. . However, the position of the printer part where the automatic paper feeder is attached and positioned (in the example shown, the position of the platen shaft collar) and the position of the drive gear 255 attached to the platen shaft differ depending on the printer model. For this reason, conventionally, it was not possible to install an automatic paper feeder that had a fixed form to fit all of these printers, and an automatic paper feeder had to be prepared for each printer model. Ta.

Therefore, in the paper feeding device 1 shown in the drawings, the auxiliary plates 251, 296 for positioning this device are separate members from the side plates 24, 25, as shown in Fig. 1 and FIG. The aforementioned spacer 250 and another spacer 305 are interposed, respectively, and each spacer 250 .
305 and each auxiliary plate 251.296 with screws 306.307
are removably fixed to the side plates 24.5. Then, as described above, each of the auxiliary plates 251 and 296 is connected to the platen shaft 254 on the printer side via the collar 288 and 289, and the paper feeder 1 is positioned. At this time, the gap J between the two side auxiliary plates is The gap 294 in the printer part supporting these, in the example shown, the grooves 294 in both collars 288, 289.
295, so that each spacer 250.
Set the width to 305, set M, and install each auxiliary plate without any trouble.11
294 and 295 respectively. In addition, when installing the automatic paper feeder 1 to a printer of another model in which the intervals between the grooves 294 and 295 of both colors are different, use the screws 306 and 307.
By loosening at least one auxiliary plate 251.
Remove 296 and install different auxiliary plates @L and M in its place, match the spacing between both auxiliary plates to the spacing between color grooves 294 and 295 of another model printer, and install new ones in these grooves. Engage the support plates on both sleeves. Further, if necessary, the auxiliary collar 234a may also be replaced with one of a different shape. However, the collar 234 does not need to be changed (the same applies to the covers on the other sides). In this way, by preparing spacers and auxiliary covers of different widths and using the spacers according to the printer model, you can easily replace only the spacers and auxiliary covers. An automatic paper feeder of the same type can be installed to suit the type of printer.

Further, in the illustrated printer, the drive gear 255 is attached to the right end of the platen shaft 254, but depending on the type of printer, the drive gear may be attached to the left side of the platen shaft 255.

For such a printer, the auxiliary plate 251 on which the first intermediate gear 253 is attached and the other auxiliary plate 296 without the gear are installed interchangeably, and the auxiliary plate 296 is attached to the right end of the shaft 252. Second intermediate gear 256 (
53) and secure it to the left end of the shaft 252. At this time, the shaft 252 is movable in its axial direction so that the gear 256 can be properly positioned. In this way, the drive gear 2 attached to the left end of the printer shaft 254
55, the first intermediate gear 253, and the second intermediate gear 256 can be sequentially meshed with each other, so that the shaft 252 can be rotationally driven without any trouble, and the second intermediate gear 257 can be driven to obtain the above-described operation. .

Although the basic configuration example of the automatic paper feeder has been described above, it can be further modified in various ways.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the switching guide member 217 for switching the paper ejection direction is configured to be operated manually, but it can also be operated electrically. 61st
63 show an example of this. A holder 310 is fitted to one end of a switching guide member 217 that is rotatably supported by both side plates 24 and 4, and a protrusion 311 of this holder 310 is shown in FIG.
is rotatably fitted into a hole in the side plate 24. A switching lever 312 is fitted to the tip of the protrusion 311 protruding from this hole, and the switching lever 312 is held in the axial direction of the protrusion 311 by screwing a screw 313 into the tip of the protrusion.

The lower part of the switching lever 312 constitutes a cover surface 314, and spars 315 and 316 are formed at both ends thereof. A projecting pin 320 is provided protruding from the side plate 24, and this projecting pin 320
slides on the cam surface 314, and as the switching lever 312 rotates, it comes into contact with stoppers 315 and 316, thereby regulating the range of rotation of the switching lever 312.

Further, a driving means, in the illustrated example, a plunger 318 of a solenoid device 317 is pivotally attached to the switching lever 312 via a pin, and this solenoid device 317 is fixedly supported by the side plate 24. When the solenoid 317 is deenergized, the switching lever 312 and the switching guide member 217 are moved to the 63rd position by the pressing action of the coil spring 319 attached to the solenoid 317.
It is tilted to the left in the figure, and a protruding pin 320 abuts one stopper 315 . Therefore, the ejected paper is ejected to the first paper ejection tray 15. When the solenoid device is energized, its plunger 318 is pulled to the right in FIG. 63 against the action of the spring 319, and the switching lever 31
2 and the switching guide member 217 fall to the right, and the paper is discharged to the second paper discharge tray 16. In this way, the switching guide member 217 can be operated without manual operation.

In this case, the operator may turn on and off a switch (not shown) to activate or leave the solenoid device 317 inactive to select the position of the guide member 217. Alternatively, the switching may be performed by a command from the word processor or printer to which the printer is connected, for example. Particularly in the latter case, it becomes possible to easily sort and discharge different types of paper, such as regular sheets and envelopes, to each paper discharge tray.

Further, the paper separation function of the paper separation device 83.83a described above changes slightly depending on the thickness of the paper even if the feed roller 20.20a and friction pad 84.84a are used. To compensate for this, it is necessary to move the paper 3.3a placed on the paper stacking device to the feed roller 20.20.
It is only necessary to change the pressure applied to a, that is, the paper feeding pressure necessary for paper feeding. Normally, it is desirable that the thicker the paper 3.3a is, the stronger this paper feed thickness is, and the thinner the paper is, the weaker it is.

The thicker paper 3.3a is handled by the feed roller 20.2.
0a and the friction pad 84. Since the resistance when entering the friction pad 84.84a is large, it is necessary to increase the paper feeding pressure to overcome this resistance, and conversely, it is necessary to increase the paper feeding pressure too high for thin paper 3.3a. and the separation function of the paper 3.3a deteriorates. However, in the embodiment described above, the pressure plates 21.22.121.21a, 22a, 1
Since one end of the tension spring 65.65a that biases the tension spring 21a is moored to a pin 64.64a immovably fixed to the side plate 24, the pressure plate 21.22.121.21a, 22a is activated by the spring 65.55a. , 121
The pressure applied to paper 3.a is approximately constant, so paper 3.
The force with which 3a presses against feed roller 20.20a, that is, the paper feeding pressure, is also approximately constant.

In consideration of this point, the embodiment shown in FIG. 64 does not fix one end of the tension spring connection, but locks one end of the tension spring connection to an operating lever 701 rotatably supported on the side plate 24 by a pivot pin 700. are doing. Further, an opening lower 02 is bored in the earthen wall of the cover fixed to the side plate, and the operating lever is passed through the opening lower 02. The other end of the tension spring 65 is locked to the pressure shaft 31,
The other configurations, such as the pinion attached to the shaft 31, are the same as in the previous embodiment.

The thickness of the paper 3 placed on the paper placement device is relatively thin;
Therefore, when the force pressing the paper 3 against the feed roller 20 should be relatively small, the operating lever 701 is moved to the position shown by the solid line in FIGS. 65 and 64.
The lever is brought into pressure contact with one stopper surface 703 of the lower opening 02. On the other hand, when the thickness of the paper 3 is relatively thick like an envelope, rotate the operation lever to the right in Fig. 64 and deform the lever as shown by the chain line in Fig. 64 and the second figure. is brought into pressure contact with the second stopper surface 704 of the opening lower 02. In this way, the tension spring 65 is extended more than when the operating lever is in the solid line position. Therefore, as explained above, the rotating arm nail is connected to the stopper pin 74.
The pressure plate is pressed by the action of the tension spring 65, and the plate pushes the paper 3 onto the feed roller 2.
0, the pressure on the paper 3 is higher when it is in the chain line position than when it is in the position shown by the solid line in FIG. Can be pressure-welded to. In order to facilitate deformation of the operating lever toward the second stopper surface, it is desirable that the lever be made of an elastic material such as synthetic resin. Alternatively, the operating lever may be supported on the pivot pin so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to FIG. 64, and the lever may be brought to the first or second stop surface while sliding on the pin.

It is also advantageous to protrude a small protrusion 705 adjacent to the second stop surface to prevent the lever from coming off this stop surface. In this way, paper feeding pressure suitable for the thickness of the paper 3 to be fed can be obtained. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the tension state of the spring may be changed over three or more stages instead of two.

The second figure shows an embodiment in which a lever 701 can be operated electrically. That is, an intermediate link 706 is provided, one end of which is pivotally connected to the switching lever 701, and the other end of the link is pivotally connected to the plunger of a solenoid device 707. When feeding normal paper, that is, relatively thin paper, the solenoid device is deenergized and the switching lever 701 is brought to the position shown by the solid line by the action of the tension spring 65, and then the switching lever 701 is moved to the position shown by the solid line. Stopper pin 707 provided
I'll put it on. When feeding thick paper such as an envelope, a command signal to that effect is input to the solenoid device 707 from the printer, word processor, etc., and the switching lever is brought to the position shown by the chain line.

This stretches the tension spring 65 and increases the paper feeding pressure. The other configurations are exactly the same as those in FIGS. 65 and 65. The solenoid device 707 may be turned on and off by an operator operating a switch (not shown). Furthermore, it goes without saying that other switching members may be used in place of the switching levers in the embodiments shown in FIGS. It is clear that the present invention can also be adopted for the second paper loading device 4a.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, we have described what is applicable to a printer equipped with a paper feeding device that automatically feeds single sheets, but it is also applicable to a printer equipped with a paper feeding device that automatically feeds continuous paper. It goes without saying that you can. In this case, the empty detection means 1000 is attached to the feed tractor 1001, as shown in FIGS. 67 and 68. That is, the feed tractor 10
01 is a tractor 1002 having a claw 1002a that locks into the feed hole of the paper 3b, and tractor supports 1003a and 10 arranged to sandwich the tractor 1002 from both sides.
03b and a paper pressing member 1004, and a rotating shaft 1005 and a shaft 1006 for rotating the tractor 1o02.
Supported by

A hole 1007 is formed in the tractor support 1003b of the feed tractor 1001 on the side covered with the paper 3b, and an empty switch 1oo is inserted into the hole 1007.
A is provided in the hole 1007, and an empty switch 1008 is provided in the hole 1007. One end of a leaf spring-like arm 10o9 is rotatably attached to the empty switch 1008, and the arm 1009 is attached so that its free end can protrude from inside the hole 1007 to the outside of the tractor support 1003b. In addition, the paper pressing member 10
04, there is a sulin) 10 in which the arm 1009 can enter into a position opposite to the hole 1007 of the tractor support 1003b.
10 are formed. Therefore, the tractor 1002 rotates due to the rotation of the rotary shaft 1005, and the paper 3b is fed in the direction of the arrow in the figure through the platen 1011. At this time, the arm 1009 is urged toward the empty switch 100B by the paper 3b, switch 10
08 is turned ON (closed). When the paper 3b is released, the arm 1009 protrudes out of the hole 1007 and enters the slit 1010 due to the elastic force of the leaf spring, and the empty switch 1008 is turned OFF (closed).The opening/closing operation of the empty switch 1008 is reversed. The empty switch 1008 and the arm 1009 constitute an empty detection means 1000, and the empty switch 1008 is connected to the cover open switch 91 via the connector 911 or 916, as in the previous embodiment.
2 can be easily and easily connected.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, the empty detection means of the paper feed device can be easily and easily electrically connected to the cover oven detection means of the printer via the connector, so that the empty detection means of the paper feed device can be easily and easily connected to the cover oven detection means of the printer. The empty detection mechanism can be made simple and easy.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the automatic paper feeder with some components removed; FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the automatic paper feeder;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the intermediate pressure plate seen from the back side, Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing how the left guide member is installed, and Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of Figure 4 in the assembled state. , Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 2, Fig. 7 is a view from the left side of Fig. 1 with the cover removed, and Fig. 8 is a view of Fig. 7 in operation.
FIG. 9 is a partial plan view partially shown in cross section;
Figure 10 is a sectional view of the pinion, Figure 11 is a sectional view showing the operating state of the pressure plate, Figures 12 and 13.
14 and 15 are front views showing the operation of the pressure plate, FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing another example of the pressure plate, and FIG. 17 is an automatic paper feeder. FIG. 18 is a partial plan view of the device, FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the conventional drawbacks, FIGS. 19 and 20 are sectional views explaining the conventional drawbacks, and FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view showing how the sliding member is installed. , Figure n is a partial view of the paper separating device as seen diagonally from the lower left side of Figure 2, Figure 2 is a rear view of the empty stacking means equipped with a buckling prevention plate, and Figure 24 is the XXrV of Figure 23. -XX
■A cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows, FIG. 25 is a circuit configuration diagram of the empty detection means and the cover switch, and FIG. 26 is a simplified circuit diagram when the empty detection means is not connected in FIG. 25.
FIG. 27 is a simplified circuit diagram when the empty detection means in FIG. The figure shows a simplified circuit diagram when the empty detection means is not connected in FIG. 28, FIG. 30 is a simplified circuit diagram when the empty detection means is connected in FIG. 28, and FIG. 31 shows the example in FIG. 28. Figure 32 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an example in which a manual switch is provided in parallel with the empty switch. The figure is a circuit configuration diagram showing an example in which a manual switch is connected in series to each empty switch in the wing diagram, Figure 34 is a perspective view of the paper feed guide plate, Figure 35 is a partial sectional view of Figure 34, 1 and 2 are views showing another example, the 3rd wing view is an explanatory view showing the conventional drawbacks, 39 is a plan view of the paper ejection roller, 40 is a sectional view of the switching guide member, and 41 42 is a plan view of the elastic sheet, FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing the assembled state of the elastic sheet, FIGS. 43 and 44 are explanatory diagrams showing other examples of elastic sheets, and FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of paper. , FIG. 46 is a perspective view showing the drive system, FIG. 47 is a plan view showing another example of a pair of paper discharge rollers, FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the first paper discharge tray, and FIG. 49 is a state in which the device is carried. FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the second paper output tray, and FIG. 51 is a perspective view of the fifth paper discharge tray.
FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the first paper ejection tray, FIG. 53 is an explanatory diagram showing how to support the automatic paper feeder,
Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the clutch device, Fig. 55 is a side view thereof, Figs. 56 and 57 are explanatory diagrams explaining the operation of the clutch device, and Fig. 58 shows the supporting state of the automatic paper feeding device. FIG. 59 is a schematic side view showing another supporting state; FIG. 61 is an exploded perspective view of the side of the automatic paper feeder;
62 is a perspective view showing another embodiment, FIG. 63 is a side view of FIG. 61, FIG. 64 is a partially sectional side view showing still another embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 64. Plan, No. 66
Figure 67 is a side view showing another embodiment, Figure 67 and Figure 67 are examples showing the state in which the empty detection means is attached to the feed tractor, Figure 67 is its top view, and Figure 68 is its side view. It is. 1--Paper pick-up device, 2--Printer, 3.3a, 3b--One paper, 900.900 a, 1000--Empty detection means, 911.916-- ---Connector, 912---Cover open detection means.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A paper feeding device that can be attached to a printer, an empty detection device that is attached to the paper feeding device and detects when there is no paper, a cover open detection device that detects the open state of the printer cover, and an empty detection device. a connector for electrically connecting the means and the cover open detection means; a display means for indicating that there is no paper or that the cover is open based on signals from the empty detection means and the cover open detection means; A printer with a paper feeding device characterized by comprising: (2) When either of the following conditions is satisfied: when the empty detection means detects that there is no paper, or when the cover open detection means detects a cover open state, the display means is activated. A printer with a paper feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: