JPS62116431A - Electrostatic copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remove easily sheet jamming generated on the path by making a lower support framing, an upper support framing and an aux. support framing according to specified configuration. CONSTITUTION:Components of a lower support framing 146, an upper support framing 148 and an aux. support framing 150 are arranged as shown in attached illustration. Here the positions of copying sheet supply paths 56a, 56b, 56c, a moving path 96 and an exhaust path 104 are limited by said lower support framing 146 and upper support framing 148, while the position of a transport path 58 is bordered by said aux. support framing 150 and upper support framing 148 and a refeeding path 128 by the lower support framing 146 and aux. support framing 150. If a lock mechanism is released and the upper support framing 148 is revolved clockwise on the attached illustration, the mentioned paths are released to allow easy removal of sheet jamming generated on the paths.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to an electrostatic copying apparatus, and more particularly to an electrostatic copying apparatus that can form images on both sides of copy paper according to the requirements.

Background Art> From the standpoint of saving copy paper and reducing the number of documents to be stored, it is often desirable to form images on both sides of copy paper. Electrostatic copying devices capable of forming images on both sides of paper have been proposed and put into practical use.

A typical example of such an electrostatic copying device includes a copy paper conveyance means that defines a copy paper conveyance path, a copy paper supply means that supplies a sheet of copy paper to the copy paper conveyance path, and a copy paper return path. The apparatus includes a copy paper return means for receiving the copy paper returned through the copy paper return path and a copy paper retransmission means for re-supplying the accepted copy paper to the copy paper transport path. In such an electrostatic copying apparatus, an image is formed on one side of the copy paper while the copy paper is fed from the copy paper supply means to the copy paper conveyance path and is conveyed through the copy paper conveyance path. If it is desired to form an image on only one side of the copy paper, the copy paper with the image formed on one side is directly ejected from the copying apparatus. On the other hand, when it is desired to form an image on both sides of the copy paper, the copy paper with the image formed on one side is introduced into the copy paper return path, and is sent to the copy paper refeeding means as required through the copy paper return path. Accepted. Thereafter, the copy paper received by the copy paper re-feeding means is re-supplied from the copy paper re-feeding means to the copy paper conveyance path, and an image is formed on the other side of the copy paper while the copy paper is re-conveyed through the conveyance path. Then, the copy paper with images formed on both sides as described above is ejected from the copying apparatus as it is.

As a support structure for an electrostatic copying apparatus, one is known that includes a lower support frame and a lower structure that is rotatable between an active position and a non-active position. In such a case, at least a majority of the copy paper transport path is defined between the upper support frame and the lower support frame when the upper support frame is positioned in the operative position, and the upper support frame is It is designed to be released when placed in the non-operating position.

However, in an electrostatic copying apparatus capable of double-sided copying equipped with the support structure as described above, there are the following problems to be solved. That is, in the conventional support structure, when a paper jam occurs in the copy paper conveyance path, at least a large portion of the copy paper conveyance path is opened by positioning the upper support frame in the non-operating position, and thereby the copy paper Paper jammed in the conveyance path can be easily removed, but if a paper jam occurs in the copy paper refeeding means, the vicinity of the copy paper refeeding means cannot be opened, and It was difficult to remove the blockage.

<Object of the Invention> The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned facts, and its main purpose is to remove paper jams in the copy paper conveying path or in the vicinity of the copy paper refeeding means, by removing these areas. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved electrostatographic copying apparatus which can easily remove jammed paper.

<Summary of the Invention> According to the present invention, a lower support frame, an upper support frame attached to the lower support frame so as to be pivotable between an active position and a non-active position, and a copy paper conveyance path. A copy paper transport means that defines a copy paper transport means, a copy paper supply means that supplies a sheet of copy paper to the copy paper transport path, a copy paper return means that defines a copy paper return route, and a copy paper returned through the copy paper return route. copy paper refeeding means for receiving copy paper and re-supplying the accepted copy paper to the copy paper conveyance path, the copy paper supplied from the copy paper supply means to the copy paper conveyance path; An image is formed on one side of the copy paper while being conveyed through the copy paper transport path, and the copy paper with the image formed on one side is selectively introduced into the copy paper return route to return the copy paper. The copy sheet is received by the copy paper refeeding means through the path, and then the copy paper received by the copy paper refeeding means is resupplied from the copy paper refeeding means to the copy paper conveyance path, and In an electrostatic copying machine of the type in which an image is formed on the other side of the copy sheet while it is being transported; the plurality of upper elements of the copy paper transport means are mounted on the upper support frame, and the majority of the plurality of lower elements of the copy paper transport means are mounted on the upper support frame; The copy paper transport path is attached to the auxiliary support frame, and thus the copy paper conveying path is located between the upper support frame and the auxiliary support frame when the upper support frame and the auxiliary frame physical force q are in the acting position. and is opened when the upper support frame is in the non-active position, and the copy sheet refeeding means is mounted on the lower support frame, so that when the auxiliary support frame is in the active position, The copy paper selectively introduced into the copy paper return path is received by the copy paper refeeding means as required, and the vicinity of the copy paper refeeding means is opened when the auxiliary support frame is placed in the non-operating position. An electrostatic copying apparatus is provided.

<Preferred Specific Examples of the Invention> A specific example of an electrostatic copying apparatus constructed according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the main components of a one-piece electrostatographic copying apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.・
The electrostatic copying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a housing 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. On the upper surface of the housing 2, there is a stationary transparent plate 4 on which a document to be copied (not shown) is placed, and a document that can be opened and closed to cover the transparent plate 4 and the document placed thereon. A pressing member 6 is provided.

A rotary drum 8 having an electrostatic photoreceptor on its circumferential surface is rotatably mounted approximately in the center of the housing 2 . A charging area 12, an exposure area 14, a developing area 16, a transfer area 18, and a cleaning area 20 are defined around the rotating drum 8, which is rotationally driven in the direction shown by the arrow 10, in order when viewed in the direction shown by the arrow 10. has been done. A charging corona discharger 22 is provided in the charging area 12, a developing device 24 is provided in the developing area 16, and a transfer corona discharger 26 and a stripping corona discharger 28 are provided in the transfer area 18. A static eliminating lamp 30 and a residual toner removing blade 32 are disposed in the cleaning area 20.

An optical system, generally designated by the number 34, is disposed above the rotating drum 8. This optical system 34 includes a movable original illumination lamp 36, a first movable reflecting mirror 38, and a second movable reflecting mirror 4.
0, a third movable reflector 42, a stationary lens assembly 44, and a stationary reflector 46. During scanning exposure, the movable original illumination lamp 36 and the first movable reflecting mirror 38 move substantially horizontally from the scanning exposure start position indicated by the solid line to the required position (for example, the maximum scanning exposure end position indicated by the two-dot chain line). The second movable reflector 40 and the third
The movable reflecting mirror 42 is moved substantially horizontally from a scanning exposure start position shown by a solid line to a required position (for example, a maximum scanning exposure end position shown by a two-dot chain line) at a speed V/2, which is half of the above-mentioned required speed. At this time, the document placed on the transparent plate 4 is illuminated by the movable document illumination lamp 36,
The reflected light from the original is the first. The lens assembly 4 is reflected sequentially by the second and third movable reflecting mirrors 38, 40 and 42.
4, and is then reflected by a stationary reflecting mirror 46 and projected onto the photoreceptor in the exposure area 14. When the scanning exposure is completed, the movable original illumination lamp 36 and the first . The second and third reflecting mirrors 38, 40 and 42 are returned to the scanning exposure starting position shown by the solid line.

At one end of the housing 2, that is, at the right end in FIG. 1, there is provided copy paper supply means, generally indicated by the numeral 48. The illustrated copy paper supply means 48 includes the lower cartridge receiving portion 5
0a, an intermediate cassette receiving part 50b, and an upper cassette receiving part 50c. The lower cassette receiver 50a, the intermediate cassette receiver 50b, and the upper cassette receiver 50c include
One of several types of copy paper cassettes 52 each containing sheet-like copy paper of different sizes is selectively and detachably mounted. Each of the lower cassette/) receiving part 50a, the intermediate cassette receiving part 50b, and the upper cassette receiving part 50C includes a delivery roller 54a for delivering copy paper sheet by sheet from the copy paper cassette 52 installed therein; 54b and 54c are provided. Lower Casser 7) Copy paper sent out from the copy paper cassette 52 mounted on the receiving portion 50a is introduced into a copy paper transport path generally indicated by numeral 58 through a copy paper transport path 56a. Intermediate cassette receiver 50
The copy paper sent out from the copy paper cassette 52 installed in the copy paper M
1 conveyance path 58. "Second part cassette receiving part 50
The copy paper sent out from the copy paper slot 52 attached to the copy paper feed path 56C is introduced into the copy paper conveyance path 58 through the copy paper feed path 56C956b and 56a. Copy paper feeding path 5
6a is defined by the upstream part of the guide plate 60 and a part of the guide plate 62, and the copy paper feeding path 56b is defined by the guide plate pair 6.
4, and the copy paper feeding path 56c is defined by a pair of guide plates 66. Copy paper feeding path 5
A pair of feeding rollers 68 are disposed between the upstream end of the copy paper feeding path 56a and the downstream end of the copy paper feeding path 56b, and the feeding roller pair 68 is disposed between the upstream end of the copy paper feeding path 56b and the downstream end of the copy paper feeding path 56c. A pair of feeding rollers 69 is disposed between them.

In the above, the copy paper conveyance path 58 is from the upstream end 70 to the downstream end 7.
2 extends substantially horizontally from right to left in FIG.

The copy paper conveyance path 58 is a copy paper conveyance means, that is, in the specific example, the downstream portion of the guide plate 60 and the guide plate 7.
4, the conveyance row pair 76, the guide plate pair 78, the conveyance roller pair 80, the guide plate 82, the transfer area 18 (that is, between the rotating drum 8 and the transfer corona discharge 26 and the peeling corona discharge 28) ), conveyor belt mechanism 841, guide plate 86,
It is defined by a pair of heating and fixing rollers 88 , a pair of guide plates 90 and a pair of transport rollers 92 .

A conveyance control means 94 is disposed adjacent to the downstream end 72 of the copy paper conveyance path 58 . This conveyance control means 94
includes a lower movable guide member 98 and an upper movable guide member 100 defining a copy paper movement path 96 therebetween. The lower movable guide member 98 and the fifth l-side movable guide member 100 are selectively positioned in a lowered position shown by a solid line and a raised position shown by a two-dot chain line. A copy paper ejection path 104 is provided downstream of the transport control means 58, and the copy paper ejection path 104 is defined by a copy paper ejection means, that is, a pair of ejection rollers 102 in the specific example. A saucer 106 is detachably attached to the other end of the housing 2, that is, the left end in FIG.

Further, in connection with the conveyance control means 94, there are provided a copy paper reversing path, generally designated by numeral 108, and a copy paper return path, generally designated by numeral 110. Information board pair 11
The copy paper reversing path 108 defined by 2 extends from the upstream end adjacent to the downstream end of the conveyance control means 94 in an appropriate curved shape. At the upstream end of the 10th day of the copy paper reversal path, i! ! #R-positioned reversing roller 11
4 are arranged. The copy paper return path 110 extends from the upstream end adjacent to the upstream end of the conveyance control means 94 from the left to the right in FIG. 1 with a slight downward inclination. This copy paper return path 110 is connected to a copy paper return means, that is, in the specific example, a pair of guide plates 116 disposed at the upstream end thereof.
and a return control mechanism, generally designated by numeral 118, disposed on the downstream side of the pair of guide plates 116. As can be easily understood by referring to FIG. 1, when the lower movable guide member 98 and the upper movable guide member 100 of the conveyance control means 94 are positioned in the lowered position shown by the solid line, the copy paper conveyance path 58 and the copy paper discharge path 104 are communicated with each other via a copy paper movement path 96 in the conveyance control means 94. On the other hand, when the lower movable guide member 98 and the upper movable guide member 100 are positioned at the raised position shown by the two-dot chain line, the copy paper transport path 58 and the copy paper reverse path 108 are the copy paper movement path in the transport control means 94. 96, and the copy paper reversing path 108 and the copy paper return path 110.
They are communicated with each other via a copy paper movement path 96 in a conveyance control means 94.

In the illustrated electrostatic copying machine, a copy paper refeeding means, generally designated by numeral 120, is further provided below the copy paper return path 110. The copy paper refeeding means 120 includes a cradle 122 that extends substantially horizontally. A stopping means 124 is provided at the front end of the pedestal 122, that is, at the right end in FIG. The stop means 124 is selectively positioned in either an active position shown by a solid line or a non-active position shown by a two-dot chain line. A feeding roller 126 (constituting feeding means) is provided on the front end of the pedestal 122. This feed roller 126 is mounted so that it can freely move upwards from the illustrated position where it contacts the top surface of the pedestal 122, and is normally biased by its own weight (by suitable spring means if necessary). Forced downward by action.

Further, the entire section extending from the front end of the copy paper refeeding means 120 to the upstream end 70 of the copy paper transport path 58 is designated by the number 12.
A copy paper resupply path indicated at 8 is provided. This copy paper refeeding path 128 is defined by copy paper refeeding means, that is, in the specific example, a guide plate 130, a refeed roller 132, a refeed roller 134, a pair of guide plates 136, and an upstream portion of the guide plate 74. There is.

The operation of the illustrated electrostatic copying apparatus as described above will be summarized as follows.

Rotating drum 8 is rotated in the direction shown by arrow 10,
In the charging region 12, the surface of the photoreceptor on the rotating drum 8 is charged to a specific polarity by the charging corona discharger 26, and in the exposure region 14, the surface of the photoreceptor on the transparent plate 4! ! The images of the two placed originals are scanned and exposed onto the photoreceptor by the optical system 34, thus forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor. Development area 1
6, the developing device 24 applies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. In the transfer area 18, the copy paper (the conveyance of the copy will be discussed later) conveyed through the transfer area 18 is brought into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor, and is exposed to light by the action of the transfer corona discharger 26. The toner image on the body is transferred onto copy paper. Then, the copy paper is separated from the photoreceptor by the action of the stripping corona discharger 28. The peeled copy paper is conveyed to a pair of heat fixing rollers 88, and as it passes through the pair of rollers 88, the toner image is fixed onto the copy paper. On the other hand, in the cleaning area 20, the photoreceptor is irradiated with light from the static elimination lamp 30 to eliminate residual charges on the photoreceptor, and then the residual toner is removed from the surface of the photoreceptor by the action of the residual toner blade 32. Ru.

The conveyance of copy paper will be explained as follows. First, a case will be described in which an image is formed on only one side of copy paper. In this case, the lower movable guide member 98 and the upper movable guide member 100 of the conveyance control means 94 are positioned at the lowered position shown by the solid line. . Lower cassette receiver 50
a. Middle cassette receiver 50b or upper cassette receiver 5
The copy paper introduced into the copy paper conveyance path 58 from the copy paper cassette 52 installed in 0C is conveyed through the copy paper 1 general conveyance path 58. During this time, a toner image is transferred to one side (i.e., the top side) of the copy paper in the transfer area 18, and the toner image is fixed onto one side of the copy paper by the action of the pair of heated fixing rollers 88. Thus, one side of the copy paper An image is formed. Next, the copy paper is transferred to the copy paper conveyance path 5.
8, the copy paper is introduced into the copy paper ejection path 104 through the copy paper movement path 96 in the conveyance control means 94, and is ejected into the tray 106 through the copy paper ejection path 104. Thus,
A copy having an image formed on one side is obtained.

When forming images on both sides of copy paper, the lower movable guide member 98 and the upper movable guide member 100 of the conveyance control means 94 are first positioned at the raised position shown by the two-dot chain line.

Next, when the copying process is started, the lower cassette receiver 5
0a, the copy paper introduced into the copy paper conveyance path 58 from the copy paper cassette 52 attached to the middle part basket receiving part 50b or the upper part depositor receiving part 50c is conveyed through the copy paper conveyance path 58. During this time, a toner image is transferred to one side (i.e., the top side) of the copy paper in the transfer area 18, and the toner image is fixed onto one side of the copy paper by the action of the pair of heated fixing rollers 88. Thus, one side of the copy paper An image is formed. The copy paper from the copy paper conveyance path 58 is
The copy paper is introduced into the copy paper reversing route 108 through the copy paper moving route 96 in the conveyance control means 94, and the copy paper reversing route 10
8 in the direction indicated by arrow 138. At this time, the lower surface of the copy paper comes into contact with one side 102a of the pair of ejection rollers 102, which is rotationally driven in the direction shown by arrow 140, but slippage is generated between the ejection roller 102a and the copy paper. Therefore, the copy paper has roller 102a at arrow 140.
Despite being rotationally driven in the direction shown by 138, it is possible to proceed in the direction shown by arrow 138. The rear end of the copy paper is at the downstream end of the copy paper transport path 58, that is, the transport roller pair 9
2, the reversing roller 114 provided at the upstream end of the copy paper reversing path 108 is positioned at the operating position shown by the two-dot chain line, thereby pressing the copy paper against one 102a of the pair of ejection rollers 102. It will be done. mosquito(
Then, due to the action of the discharge roller 102a, which is rotationally driven in the direction shown by arrow 140, the copy paper is reversed front to back and advanced in the direction shown by arrow 142.

One side 92a of the pair of conveying rollers 92 and the pair of guide plates 116 are rotated in the direction shown by the arrow 140.
The copy paper return path 110 passes between one side 116a of the
, and proceeds through the copy paper return path 110 .

The reversing roller 114 in the copy paper reversing path 108 is returned to the non-operating position shown by the solid line at an appropriate time after the copy paper is introduced into the copy paper return path 110.

The copy paper advanced through the copy paper return path 110 is guided onto the pedestal 122 of the copy paper refeeding means 120, and advances on the pedestal 122 to the right in FIG. The feed roller 1 is rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow 144.
26 acts on the copy paper to feed it further to the right, so that the leading edge of the copy paper abuts the stop means 124, which is positioned in the active position shown in solid lines. In this way, the advance of the copy paper is stopped and the copy paper is stopped at a predetermined position on the copy paper refeeding means 120.

Even if feed roller 126 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 144 at this point, slippage is generated between feed roller 126 and the copy paper, and the copy paper is not advanced further.

When the required number of copies are returned to the copy paper refeeding means 120 as described above, the lower movable guide member 98 and the upper movable guide member 100 of the conveyance control means 94 are returned to the lowered position shown by the solid line. Then, the stopping means 124 in the copy paper refeeding means 120 is positioned at the non-operating position shown by the two-dot chain line, and the copy paper is transferred from the copy paper refeeding means 120 by the action of the feeding roller 126 which is rotationally driven in the direction shown by the arrow 144. is delivered to the copy paper resupply path 128.

The copy paper sent to the copy paper resupply path 128 is advanced sheet by sheet through the copy paper resupply path 128, and is again supplied to the copy paper conveyance path 58.

As can be easily understood by referring to FIG.
By passing through the paper, the paper is turned upside down and supplied to the copy paper transport path 58 with one side on which an image has been formed facing downward. The copy paper is then transported through a copy paper transport path 58. At this time, the toner image is transferred to the other surface, that is, the upper surface, of the copy paper in the transfer area 18, and the toner image is fixed onto the copy paper by the action of the pair of heat fixing rollers 88, thus forming an image on the other surface of the copy paper. It is formed.

Next, the copy paper is introduced from the copy paper conveyance path 58 through the copy paper movement path 96 in the conveyance control means 94 to the copy paper discharge path 104, and is discharged through the copy paper discharge path 104 into the receiving tray 106. In this way, a copy having images formed on both sides is obtained.

Therefore, the above-described configuration and operation of the illustrated electrostatic copying apparatus do not constitute novel features improved according to the present invention, but merely represent an example of the electrostatic copying apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in this specification. The return control mechanism 118 in the illustrated electrostatic copying apparatus is disclosed in Patent Application No. 149176 filed in 1985 (title of invention: Electrostatic Copying Machine, filed on July 9, 1985) by the present applicant.
A plurality of lower configurations in the return control mechanism 118 may be used as disclosed in the specification and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 149176 of 1985. the element is mounted on a movable frame, the movable frame being movable between an active position and a non-active position;
Although it is desirable to open the copy paper return path 110 in the return control mechanism 118 by positioning the movable frame in the non-operating position, the occurrence of paper jams in the return control mechanism 118 is generally extremely rare. Therefore, in the illustrated example, the return control mechanism 11
The copy paper return path 110 at 8 is configured so that it cannot be opened.

Next, the support frame structure of the electrostatic copying apparatus described above will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 as well as FIG. 1. The specific example electrostatic copying apparatus includes a lower support frame 146, an upper support frame 148, a lower support frame 146, and an upper support frame 1.
48. The lower support frame 146 is approximately box-shaped with an open top surface, and includes lower vertical front substrates 1 disposed at intervals in the front-rear direction (direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIGS. 1 to 3).
52 (FIG. 3) and a lower vertical rear substrate 154 (FIGS. 1 and 2), the lower vertical front substrate 152 and the lower vertical rear substrate 154 are mounted to the bottom wall 156. Further, the upper support frame 148 has a substantially box shape with an open bottom surface, and the upper vertical front substrates 1 are arranged at intervals in the front and back direction.
58 (FIG. 3) and an upper vertical rear substrate 160 (FIG. 1).

2), with an upper vertical front substrate 158 and an upper vertical back substrate 160 mounted on the upper wall 162.

Further, the auxiliary support frame 150 includes an auxiliary vertical front substrate 162 (FIG. 3) and an auxiliary vertical rear substrate 164 (FIGS. 1 and 2) arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. The upper support frame 148 and the auxiliary support frame 150 described above are each rotatably mounted on the lower support frame 146. In a specific example, as understood from FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower vertical front substrate 152 and the lower portion of the lower support frame 146, which is one end side of the housing 2 (the right end side in FIGS. 1 to 3) At the top of one end of the vertical rear substrate 154,
Projections 164 and 166 are provided, respectively, which protrude upward (in FIG. 2, the lower vertical 1! shows the projection 166 provided on the substrate 154, and in FIG. 3, the lower vertical 1! is provided on the substrate 154). The lower part of one end side of the upper vertical front board 158 of the upper support frame 148 is rotatably attached to the inner side of the projection part 164 of the lower vertical front board 152 via a pin member 168 (the third (see figure),
Further, the lower end of one end side of the upper vertical rear substrate 160 of the upper support frame 148 is rotatably attached to the inside of the protrusion 166 of the lower vertical rear substrate 154 via a pin member 170 (
(See Figure 2). Therefore, the upper support frame 148 moves the pin member 168 between the active position shown in FIG. 1 and indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. and 170 (bin members 168 and 170
is attached to the lower support frame 146 so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis extending in the front-rear direction. In addition, the left and right direction of the housing 2 (from FIGS. 1 to 3)
Lower support frame 14 which is approximately the middle part (left and right direction in the figure)
Projections 172 and 174 protruding to the left in FIGS. 1 to 3 are provided at the upper portions of the lower vertical front substrates 152 and 154 in the left-right direction, respectively. (The figure shows a protrusion 174 provided on the lower vertical rear substrate 154, and FIG. 3 shows the protrusion 172 provided on the lower vertical front substrate 152),
One end of the auxiliary vertical front board 162 of the auxiliary support frame 150 (the end on the same side as the one end of the upper support frame 148) is rotatably attached to the inside of the protrusion 172 of No. 2 via a pin member 176. (see Figure 3), and the lower vertical rear substrate 15
One end of the auxiliary vertical rear substrate 164 of the auxiliary support frame 150 is rotatably mounted inside the protrusion 174 of No. 4 via a bin member 178 (see FIG. 2).

Therefore, this auxiliary support frame 148 is designed to move the bin member between the active position shown in FIG. 1 and indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 17
6 and 178 (the bin members 176 and 178 constitute a second pivot axis extending in the front-rear direction), and are pivotably mounted on the lower support frame 146.

In such a specific example, among the various constituent elements described with reference to FIG.
The components disposed above 80 are the upper support frame 148, that is, the upper vertical front substrate 1 of the upper support frame 148.
58 and the upper vertical rear substrate 160, and the components surrounded by the dashed-dotted line 180 shown in FIG. 1 and the dashed-dotted line 181 shown in FIG. 1 are auxiliary supports. Frame 150, that is, auxiliary support frame 150
The structure is mounted between the auxiliary vertical front board 162 and the auxiliary vertical back board 164, and is further located below the line connecting the dashed-dotted line 180 shown in FIG. 1 and the dashed-dotted line 181 shown in FIG. 1. The elements are mounted between the lower support frame 146, the lower vertical front substrate 152 and the lower vertical back substrate 154 of the lower support frame 146. To explain in more detail with reference to FIG. 2 together with FIG. 1, in the specific example, a guide plate 66a defining the upper side of copy paper supply paths 56a, 56b, and 56C, a feeding roller 69a, an inner X plate 64a, The conveyance roller 76a, the X inner plate 78a1, the conveyance roller 80a, the guide plate 90a, and the conveyance roller 92a, which together with the feed roller 68a and the guide plate 60 constitute the upper element of the copy paper conveyance means that defines the upper side of the copy paper conveyance path 58, The upper movable guide member 100 of the conveyance control means 94, the discharge roller 102a,
The pair of guide plates 112 and the reversing roller 114, as well as the rotating drum 8, the charging corona discharger 22, the developing device 24, the static eliminating lamp 30, the residual toner removing blade 32, the optical system 34, and the document pressing member 6 are connected to the upper support frame. It is attached to 148. Further, a guide plate 74, a conveyance roller 76b, a guide plate 78b, a conveyance roller 80b, a guide plate 82, a conveyance belt mechanism 84, and a guide constitute the lower elements of the copy paper conveyance means that define the lower side of the copy paper conveyance path 58. Board 86, guide board 90
b and the transport roller 92b, the copy paper return path 110
a pair of guide plates 116 and a return control mechanism 118 that define a pair of guide plates 116 and a return control mechanism 118, and a resupply roller that constitutes one side element of a copy paper resupply means that defines one side (the left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of a copy paper resupply path 128. 134a, an X inner plate 136a, a pair of heat fixing rollers 88, a transfer corona discharger 26, and a peeling corona discharger 28 are attached to the auxiliary support frame 150. Furthermore, a copy paper supply path 56a.

Along with the guide plate 66b, feed roller 69b, guide plate 64b, feed roller 68b, and guide plate 62 that define the lower side of 56b and 56c, the lower movable guide member 98 of the conveyance control means 94 and the discharge roller 102b, and the copying Guide plate 13 constituting the other side element of the copy paper resupply means that defines the other side (right side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the paper resupply path 128
0, re-supply roller 134b and guide plate 136b, further copy paper re-supply means 120 (cradle 122, feed roller 1
26 and stop means 124) A refeed roller 132, which is the other element of the copy paper supply means 48 and the copy paper resupply means, is attached to the lower support frame 146. In the specific example, the heat fixing roller 88 is further attached to the auxiliary support frame 150.
The heated fixing roller 88
The upper roller 88a is attached to the auxiliary support frame 150 by the pin member 18.
It is rotatably supported by a frame which is rotatably mounted via 3.

Mainly referring to FIG. 3, biasing means is further interposed between the lower support frame 146 and the upper support frame 148, and the upper support frame 148 and the auxiliary support frame 1
A connecting mechanism including a connecting member 182 is interposed between the connecting members 50 . The illustrated biasing means is constituted by a cylinder mechanism 184, which is known per se, and which includes a cylinder body 184a containing compressed fluid and a cylinder body 184a which contains compressed fluid.
It is provided with an output lot 184b that is expandable and retractable with respect to a. In an embodiment, the biasing means is the lower support frame 14.
6 and the upper vertical front substrate 158 of the upper support frame 148, the cylinder body 184a of the cylinder mechanism 184 is attached to the outer surface (front surface) of the lower vertical front substrate 152 with a pin member. The output rond 184 of the cylinder mechanism 184 is pivotally connected via the cylinder 186.
b is the pin member 1 on the outer surface (front surface) of the upper vertical front board 158.
They are rotatably connected via 88. This cylinder mechanism 184 acts to bias the upper support frame 148 clockwise in FIG. 3 toward a non-operating position shown in solid lines in FIG. In the specific example, the biasing means is interposed between the lower vertical front substrate 152 and the upper vertical front substrate 158, but instead of this, the biasing means is interposed between the lower vertical rear substrate 154 and the upper vertical rear substrate 160, or Vertical front board 152
and the upper vertical front substrate 158 and the lower vertical rear substrate 154
and the upper vertical rear substrate 160. In addition, the illustrated connecting member 182 has a long hole 190
It is formed from an elongated plate-shaped member. The connecting member 182 is arranged in relation to the upper vertical front substrate 158 of the upper support frame 148 and the auxiliary vertical front substrate 162 of the auxiliary support frame 150, and one end (upper end) thereof is connected to the upper vertical front substrate 158 of the upper vertical front substrate 148 and the auxiliary vertical front substrate 162 of the auxiliary support frame 150. The outer surface (front surface) of the auxiliary vertical front substrate 162 is rotatably connected to the outer surface (front surface) of the auxiliary vertical front substrate 158 via the pin member 188, and the elongated hole 190 formed therein is connected to the outer surface (front surface) of the auxiliary vertical front substrate 162.
A pin member 192 attached to the front surface is movably received along the elongated hole 190.

A retaining portion 192a is provided at the tip of the pin member 192 to prevent the connecting member 190 from coming off the bottle member 192. In the specific example, the connecting member 182 is interposed between the upper vertical front substrate 158 and the auxiliary vertical front substrate 162, but instead of this, the connecting member 182 is interposed between the upper vertical rear substrate 160 and the auxiliary vertical rear substrate 164,
Alternatively, the upper vertical front substrate 158 and the auxiliary vertical front substrate 1-62
Between and upper vertical rear substrate 160 and auxiliary vertical rear substrate 164
It is also possible to intervene on both sides. In the specific example, one end of the connecting member 182 is rotatably connected to the upper support frame 148, and a bottle member 192 attached to the auxiliary support frame 150 is received in the long hole 190 of the connecting member 182. However, on the contrary, one end of the connecting member 182 is rotatably connected to the auxiliary support frame 150, and a bottle member attached to the upper support frame 148 is received in the elongated hole 190 of the connecting member 182. You can also do this.

In the specific example, the locking mechanism 1 for holding the upper support frame 148 and the auxiliary support frame 150 in the operating position is further provided.
94 is attached. The illustrated locking mechanism 194 is interposed between the lower support frame 146 and the upper support frame 148, and a locked portion 196a fixed to the lower support frame 146 (specifically, the inner surface of the lower vertical front substrate 152) The holding member 198 is rotatably attached to the upper support frame 148 (specifically, the inner surface of the upper vertical front substrate 158). The engaging member 198 has an abbreviated shape, and one end thereof is provided with a retaining portion 198a that can engage with the secured portion polishing t9sa, and the other end (acting as the operating portion 198b) is provided with the housing 2. Somewhat protrudes outward.

In an electrostatic copying apparatus having such a support frame structure, normally (during a copying process, etc.), the upper support frame 148 and the auxiliary support frame 150 are shown in FIG.
The lower support frame 146, upper support frame 148, and auxiliary support frame 150 are
The various components installed in the system have the positional relationships shown in Figure 1).

That is, the upper support frame 148 is held in the operating position by releasably engaging the engaging portion 198a of the engaging member 198 of the locking mechanism 194 with the engaged portion 196a of the engaged member 196. Ru. Further, the auxiliary support frame 150 is
A part of the upper support frame 148 brought to the working position acts on a part of the auxiliary support frame 150, or is held in the working position by the weight of the auxiliary support frame 150 and the components attached thereto. be done. When the northern support frame 148 and the auxiliary support frame 150 are held in the operating position, as can be easily understood from FIG. and the upper support frame 148, and the copy paper conveyance path 58 is defined between the auxiliary support frame 150 and the upper support frame 14.
8, and the copy paper moving path 96 and the copy paper ejection path 104 are defined between the lower support frame 146 and the upper support frame 14.
8, and a copy paper resupply path 128 is defined between the lower support frame 146 and the auxiliary support frame 150.

The route (56a) described above from the state shown in FIG.

56 b, 56 c, 58. 96. 104
and 128), the lock mechanism 194 is unlocked and the upper support frame 148 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 200.
What is necessary is to turn it in the direction shown in (clockwise in FIGS. 1 to 3). Note that in order to release the locked state of the locking mechanism 194, it is sufficient to operate the operating portion 198b of the retaining member 198 and turn it clockwise in FIG.
In this way, the engaging portion 198a of the engaging member 198 is disengaged from the engaged portion 196a of the engaged member 196, and the locked state is released as required. In this way, the upper support frame 1
48 is an arrow 20 centered on pin members 168 and 170.
When turning in the direction indicated by 0 (FIG. 3), as can be understood from FIG.
The pin member 192 received in the long hole 190 of the connecting member 182 is inserted into the long hole 1 by the rotation of the upper support frame 14B.
90, and the upper support frame 1 is in a state where the auxiliary support frame 150 is substantially held at the operating position.
48 is pivoted in the direction indicated by arrow 200. When the upper support frame 148 is rotated to a predetermined position, the pin member 192 is inserted into the elongated hole 192 formed in the connecting member 182.
When the upper support frame 148 comes into contact with one end (lower end in FIG. 3) and is further turned in the direction shown by the arrow 200 beyond the predetermined position, the upper support frame 148 turns toward the non-operating position. Accordingly, the auxiliary support frame 1 is connected via the connecting member 182.
50 also shows an arrow 20 centered on pin members 176 and 178.
0 (clockwise in FIGS. 1 to 3). During the above-mentioned turning, the cylinder mechanism 184 biases the upper support frame 148 toward the non-operating position, so the upper support frame 14B is positioned at the non-operating position by the action of the cylinder mechanism 184 (the non-operating position). In the working position, the cylinder mechanism 184
output lot 184b is in the most expanded state). When the upper support frame 148 is placed in the non-working position, the auxiliary support frame 150 is also placed in the non-working position via the connecting member 182, thus completing the electrostatographic copying apparatus shown in FIG. It is maintained in the state shown by the solid line in Figure 3. In such a state, as shown in FIG.
8), copy paper movement path 96, copy paper ejection path 104, and copy paper resupply path 1
28 (more specifically, the portion excluding the portion defined by the resupply roller 132) is opened, and the vicinity of the copy paper refeeding means 120 (more specifically, substantially the entire upper part of the pedestal 122) is also opened. and thus these routes (56a, 56b, 56C158,96,
104 and 128) or near the copy paper refeeding means 120, the jammed paper can be easily removed.

In the specific example, since the upper roller 88a of the heat fixing roller pair 88 is attached to a rotatable frame, the frame must be rotated separately from the above-described opening operation of the upper support frame 148. This allows the upper roller 88a to be placed in the non-operating position shown in FIG. 2, thereby releasing the nip state between the upper roller 88a and the lower roller 88b.

In order to bring the upper support frame 148 and the auxiliary support frame 150 held in the non-working position to the working position,
The upper support frame 148 may be pivoted against the biasing action of the cylinder mechanism 184 in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow 200, that is, counterclockwise in FIGS. 1 to 3. When the upper support frame 148 is rotated from the non-operating position, the auxiliary support frame 15 is rotated as the upper support frame 148 is rotated.
0 is also rotated by its own weight from the non-operating position, and when it is rotated by a predetermined amount, the auxiliary support frame body 150 is first substantially positioned at the above-mentioned operating position.

When the upper support frame 148 is further rotated from this state toward the above-mentioned operating position, the pin member 192 is attached to the connecting member 1.
82 in the elongated hole 190, and during such turning, only the upper support frame 148 is turned. When the upper support frame 148 is rotated to the operating position, the engaging member 198 of the locking mechanism 194 engages with the engaged member 196 as required, and thus the upper support frame 148 and the auxiliary support frame 150 is held in the operating position, and the electrostatic copying apparatus is in the state shown in FIG. 1 and partially shown in dashed lines in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a modification of an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. In such a modified example, as can be easily understood by comparing FIG. 3 and FIG. Connecting member 182
Instead of a combination of , the biasing means is composed of a plurality of biasing means. The other configurations of the modified example shown in FIG. 4 are substantially the same as those of the specific example shown in FIGS.
Components that are the same as those shown in FIGS. 3 to 3 will be described with the same reference numerals.

To further explain with reference to FIG. 4, in this modification, a cylinder mechanism 202 constituting the first biasing means is interposed between the lower support frame 146 and the upper support frame 148, and the lower Support frame 146 and auxiliary support frame 150
In between, there is a cylinder machine lI2 constituting the second biasing means.
04 is interposed. Cylinder mechanisms 202 and 204
has substantially the same configuration as the cylinder mechanism 184 in the specific example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the cylinder body 20
2a and 204a, and cylinder bodies 202a and 204
output rods 202b and 20 that are telescopic with respect to a;
4b. In a variant, the first biasing means is arranged in association with the lower vertical front substrate 152 of the lower support frame 146 and the upper vertical front substrate 158 of the upper support frame 148, and the first biasing means is rotatably connected to the outer surface (front surface) of the lower vertical front board 152 via a pin member 206, and its output rod 202b is connected to the outer surface (front surface) of the upper vertical front board 158 via a pin member 208.
are rotatably connected via the

This cylinder mechanism 202 acts to bias the upper support frame 148 in the clockwise direction indicated by arrow 210 toward a non-active position indicated by solid lines in FIG.

The second biasing means is also disposed in association with the lower vertical front substrate 152 of the lower support frame 146 and the auxiliary vertical front substrate 162 of the auxiliary support frame 150, and
The cylinder body 204a is rotatably connected to the outer surface (front surface) of the lower vertical front board 152 via the bin member 206, and the output cylinder 204b is connected to the auxiliary vertical front board 162.
The cylinder mechanism 204, which is rotatably connected to the outer surface (front surface) of the auxiliary support frame 150 via a pin member 212, moves the auxiliary support frame 150 clockwise as indicated by an arrow 210 to a non-operating position as indicated by a solid line in FIG. It has the effect of biasing it towards the target.

In this modification, when the locking state by the locking mechanism 194 is released and the upper support frame body 148 is turned toward the non-operating position in the direction shown by the arrow 210, as can be understood from FIG. (That is, while the upper support frame 14 is rotated from the operating position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 to a predetermined position described later), the auxiliary support frame 1 is rotated by the cylinder mechanism 202.
50 is also rotated toward the non-operating position by the action of the cylinder mechanism 204. When the upper support frame 148 is rotated to a predetermined position, the output rod 204b of the cylinder machine Ir4204 becomes the most extended state, and the auxiliary support frame 150 is moved to the non-operating position by the action of the cylinder mechanism 204. Retained. When the upper support frame 148 is further pivoted beyond the upper predetermined position toward the non-operating position, only the upper support frame 148 is pivoted while the auxiliary support frame 150 is held in the non-operating position, and the cylinder The upper support frame 148 and the auxiliary support frame 150 are positioned in the non-operating position by the action of the mechanism 202 (in the non-operating position, the cylinder mechanism 202 is in the state where the output rond 202b is the most extended). is held in the inactive position by the action of cylinder mechanisms 202 and 204, the electrostatographic reproduction device
In this state, the entire copy paper supply path, most of the copy paper transport path, copy paper movement path, copy Most of the paper ejection path and copy paper refeed path are opened as required.

To bring the upper support frame 148 and the auxiliary support frame 150, which are held in the non-operating position, to the operative position shown by the double-dotted line in FIG.
What is necessary is just to make it turn in the direction opposite to the direction shown by 10. While the upper support frame 148 is being rotated from the non-operating position to the predetermined position i, the upper support frame 1 is rotated while the auxiliary support frame 150 is held at the non-operating position.
48 is pivoted, and when it is pivoted to a predetermined position, a portion of the upper support frame 148 comes into contact with a portion of the auxiliary support frame 150. From this state, the upper support frame 148
When the upper support frame 148 is further rotated toward the operating position, since a portion of the upper support frame 14 and a portion of the auxiliary support frame 150 are kept in contact with each other, the upper support frame 148 is rotated. Accordingly, the auxiliary support frame 150 is also pivoted toward the operating position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. And the upper support frame 1
48 to the above operating position, the lock mechanism 1
The engaging member 198 of 94 engages the engaged member 196 as required, thus retaining the upper support frame 14 and the auxiliary support frame 150 in the operative position and the electrostatographic apparatus as shown in FIG. The state is shown by the two-dot chain line (the lower support frame 146 is shown by a solid line, and the upper support frame 148 and the auxiliary support frame 150 are shown by a two-dot chain line).

As described above, even in such a modification, the first
Effects similar to those of the specific examples shown in FIGS. 3 to 3 are achieved.

Although specific examples of an electrostatic copying apparatus constructed according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is possible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified sectional view showing the main components of a specific example of an electrostatic copying apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the electrostatic copying apparatus of FIG. 1 in a state where the upper support frame and the auxiliary support frame are in non-operating positions. FIG. 3 is a side view for explaining the support frame structure of the electrostatic copying apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining a support frame structure in a modified example of the electrostatic copying apparatus constructed according to the present invention. 2... Housing 8... Rotating drum 24... Developing device 34... Optical system 48... Copy paper supply means 56a, 56b and 56c... Copy paper supply path 58.
. . . Copy paper conveyance path 96 . . . Copy paper movement path 104 . . . Copy paper ejection path 108 . Receiver 126...Feed roller 128...Copy paper re-supply path 146...Lower support frame 148...Upper support frame 150...Auxiliary support frames 168 and 170...Pin member (First pivot axis) 176 and 178... Pin member (second pivot axis)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A lower support frame; an upper support frame attached to the lower support frame so as to be pivotable between an active position and a non-active position;
a copy paper transport means for defining a copy paper transport path; a copy paper supply means for supplying a sheet of copy paper to the copy paper transport route; a copy paper return means for defining a copy paper return route;
a copy paper refeeding means for receiving copy paper returned through a copy paper return route and resupplying the accepted copy paper to the copy paper conveyance route; While the supplied copy paper is conveyed through the copy paper transport path, an image is formed on one side of the copy paper, and the copy paper with the image formed on one side is selectively transferred to the copy paper return path. The copy paper is introduced into the copy paper refeeding means through the copy paper return path and accepted by the copy paper refeeding means, and then the copy paper received by the copy paper refeeding means is resupplied from the copy paper refeeding means to the copy paper transport path. and in an electrostatic copying machine of the type in which an image is formed on the other side of the copy paper while being conveyed through the copy paper conveyance path; and an inactive position, with most of the plurality of upper elements of the copy paper transport means being mounted on the upper support frame and the plurality of upper elements of the copy paper transport means The majority of the lower element is mounted on the auxiliary support frame, such that the copy paper transport path is connected to the upper support frame when the upper support frame and the auxiliary support frame are in the active position. The copy paper refeeding means is defined between the auxiliary support frames and is released when the upper support frame is placed in the inactive position, and the copy paper refeeding means is mounted on the lower support frame, thus disengaging the auxiliary support frame. When the body is in the active position, the copy paper selectively introduced into the copy paper return path is received by the copy paper refeeding means as required, and when the auxiliary support frame is in the non-operation position, the copy paper is retransmitted. An electrostatic copying apparatus characterized in that the vicinity of the means is open. 2. The upper support frame is pivotable between the operating position and the non-operating position around a first pivot axis extending in the front-rear direction that is present at one end of the upper support frame, and the auxiliary support frame is , is freely pivotable between the operating position and the non-operating position about the second pivot axis extending in the front-rear direction, which is located on the same side as the one end side of the upper support frame; An electrostatic copying apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The copy paper retransmission means includes a pedestal for receiving the copy paper returned through the copy paper return path, and a sending means for sending out the copy paper received on the pedestal from the pedestal; The pedestal and the delivery means are attached to the lower support frame, and when the auxiliary support frame is placed in the inactive position, the upper part of the pedestal is opened. 2. The electrostatic copying apparatus according to item 2. 4. Between the copy paper refeeding means and the copy paper conveyance means, a copy paper refeeding means defining a copy paper resupply path that guides the copy paper sent out from the copy paper refeeding means to the copy paper conveyance path. is arranged, most of the plurality of one-sided elements defining one side of the copy paper refeeding path of the copy paper refeeding means are mounted on the auxiliary support frame, and the copy paper refeeding means of the copy paper refeeding means is provided with a A majority of the plurality of other side elements defining the other side of the refeed path are mounted on the lower support frame, and thus the copy paper refeed path is configured such that the auxiliary support frame is in the operative position. Claims 1 to 3, which are sometimes defined between the lower support frame and the auxiliary support frame, and are released when the auxiliary support frame is placed in the inactive position. electrostatographic equipment. 5. A biasing means for biasing the upper support frame toward the inactive position is interposed between the lower support frame and the upper support frame, and the upper support frame and the auxiliary support frame A connecting mechanism is interposed between the auxiliary support frame and the auxiliary support frame toward the non-operation position in conjunction with the rotation of the upper support frame to the non-operation position. The electrostatic copying apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4. 6. The connecting mechanism includes a connecting member in which a long hole is formed, one end side of the connecting member is rotatably connected to either the auxiliary support frame or the upper support frame, and A pin member provided on the other of the auxiliary support frame and the upper support frame is received in the elongated hole so as to be movable along the elongate hole, thus moving the upper support frame to the non-operating position. When the upper support frame is rotated from the operating position to the predetermined position, the pin member moves relatively within the elongated hole of the connecting member due to the rotational movement of the upper support frame. While the upper support frame alone is pivoted and the upper support frame is pivoted beyond the predetermined position to the non-operating position, the pin member is attached to the end of the elongated hole of the connecting member. The auxiliary support frame is rotated toward the non-operating position as the upper support frame rotates, and the upper support frame is held in the non-operating position by the action of the biasing means. 6. The electrostatic copying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary support frame is moved to the non-operating position via the connecting member. 7. A first biasing means for biasing the upper support frame toward the inactive position is interposed between the lower support frame and the upper support frame, and the lower support frame and the auxiliary Interposed between the support frames are second biasing means for biasing the auxiliary support frame towards the non-working position, so that when the upper support frame is pivoted towards the non-working position, While the upper support frame is pivoted from the operating position to the predetermined position, the auxiliary support frame is pivoted toward the non-operating position by the second biasing means as the upper support frame pivots. and while the upper support frame is pivoted beyond the predetermined position to the non-operating position, the upper support frame is held in the non-operating position by the action of the second biasing means. Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that only the support frame is pivoted towards the inactive position, and the upper support frame is held in the inactive position by the action of the first biasing means. The electrostatic copying device according to any one of the above. 8. A locking mechanism is provided between the lower support frame and the upper support frame for holding the auxiliary support frame in the operating position and releasably holding the upper support frame in the operating position. An electrostatic copying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electrostatic copying apparatus is interposed.