JP3176232B2 - Paper storage device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper storage device used for a paper supply device of a copying machine or the like, and more particularly to a paper storage device capable of storing a plurality of types of paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a paper storage device used for a paper feeding device such as a copying machine has been known.
In the paper storage device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 0-2, there are provided two restriction plates for restricting paper ends in two directions orthogonal to each other in a paper cassette. These restriction plates can be driven independently. , Are connected to dedicated driving devices. Each of these restriction plates is provided with a paper detection sensor, and is controlled so that the restriction plate is brought into contact with a sheet to stop the restriction plate. With these structures,
Paper can be regulated and stored regardless of the size of the paper.

In the paper storage device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 54-107329, one end is connected to a part of the cassette lid and the other end is connected to the paper side by opening the cassette lid of the paper cassette. By a connecting member connected to a part of the end regulating plate, the paper side end regulating plate is configured to rotate from the sheet regulating position to the outside of the sheet cassette area around the fulcrum, or to be horizontal along the guide portion. When the sheet is set in the setting area, the sheet and the operator's hand do not hit the sheet-side end regulating plate. The paper cassette is detached outside the copier main body to perform paper supply in order to simplify paper supply, and paper supply is performed from above the paper storage means .

Further, the paper storage device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 55-68141 is housed in a copying machine main body, and is pulled out from the copying machine main body when paper is supplied. The paper cassette is provided with a handle so as to protrude outside the main body when the cassette is stored in the copying machine main body, and a part of the handle indicates the size of the paper stored in the cassette. Display windows are provided. The paper size is displayed on a display plate that can be switched by an operator.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional sheet storage device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-202560, a sheet regulating plate in a direction perpendicular to a sheet cassette is automatically driven. Therefore, a driving device including an expensive dedicated driving motor, a power transmission mechanism, and the like, a sensor for positioning the regulating plate for regulating the position of the sheet, and a control circuit for controlling these devices are required. Becomes expensive. In particular, in the field of copiers that are becoming smaller and more personalized, it is difficult to adopt them in terms of cost. In addition, a design that takes into account the positioning method and the like when a sensor or the like breaks down is required, so that the mechanism becomes complicated and the cost increases.

In the paper storage device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 54-107329, one side of a pair of right-angle position regulating means disposed in a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction is rotated or moved. With this configuration, it is easy to replenish the paper from a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, but the rear end regulating plate of the paper is fixed, and it is not possible to cope with paper of a plurality of sizes.

[0007] In the paper accommodating apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 55-68141, since that has the size of paper that has been mounted in the cassette is displayed on the cassette unit, hard to see from the side where the operator scans, Further, since the display is changed manually at the discretion of the operator, forgetting to switch the display may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to supply paper safely and easily, simplify the structure, reduce the size, and display an inexpensive paper size. It is an object to provide a paper storage device.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a sheet storing means for storing sheets, and a leading end position regulating means for regulating a position of the leading end in the sheet feeding direction in the sheet containing means. And a rear end position regulating means for contacting the paper in the paper feeding direction to regulate the position of the paper storing means at the rear end in the paper feeding direction; and a paper housing supported by the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable. comprising means, and a cover means for covering the distal end side position regulating means and the rear-side position regulating means, the destination
Supply paper to the paper storage means beyond the end position control means
A paper storage device, wherein the rear end position regulating means is moved to a retracted position with the opening operation of the cover means, and the rear end position regulating means is moved to the paper regulating position with the closing operation of the cover means. Interlocking means for returning, rear end stop means for restricting the paper regulating position of the rear end position regulating means, rear end position regulating means in the paper feeding direction having a contracted spring, and rear end side Buffer means for buffering contact with the stop means;
Comprising a further fixed widthwise position regulating means for regulating a position of one of the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction of the paper in the paper storage means, the other position in the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction of the paper Movable width direction position regulating means capable of regulating and moving to fit the width of the paper; and said movable width direction position regulation.
Width direction stopping means for regulating the width direction paper regulating position of the means
When open to move the rear end position regulating means to the retracted position in association with the operation, and the movable widthwise position of the sheet regulating position back of the rear end position regulating means in accordance with the closing operation of the cover means of the cover means A regulating position switching means for switching to a corresponding paper regulating position with movement of the regulating means, wherein the paper accommodating means has a hole at a bottom thereof, a positioning groove is formed in the hole, and the width is This is achieved by a paper storage device, wherein the direction stopping means has a positioning protrusion fitted into the positioning groove.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

According to the present invention, the above object further comprises a paper size display means for mechanically displaying a paper size based on the position of the movable width direction position regulating means.
This is achieved by the paper storage device described in Item 1 .

According to the present invention, the above objective, further claim 2 comprising a second paper size display means for mechanically display the paper size based on the position of the rear end position regulating means Is achieved by the paper storage device of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned object further comprises, when the movable width direction position restricting means is located at a position incompatible with the sheet size, a notifying means for mechanically notifying that. This is achieved by the paper storage device described in Item 1 .

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved by the movable width direction position regulating means having two regulating positions, a large size regulating position and a small size regulating position. This is achieved by the paper storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the restriction position switching unit is released.

[0018]

In the paper storage apparatus according to the first aspect, the paper is stored by the paper storage means, and the position of the front end in the paper feeding direction of the paper in the paper storage means is controlled by the front end position control means. position regulating means sheet to regulate the feeding direction rear end side position of the sheet in the sheet accommodating means
When the cover means, which is openably and closably supported by the apparatus main body, is opened in the paper feeding direction , the interlocking means moves the rear end side position regulating means to the retracted position with the opening operation of the cover means. When the cover is closed, the rear end side position restricting means is returned to the paper restricting position with the closing operation. In addition, the rear end side stop
The paper regulation position of the step is regulated, and the contracted spring is
The rear end side position in the paper feeding direction by the buffer means
The contact between the placement regulating means and the rear end side stopping means is buffered. This eliminates the necessity of moving the rear end side position regulating means, and makes it possible to supply the paper safely and easily.

[0019]

[0020]

Furthermore, one of the positions in the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction of the paper in the paper storage means is regulated by the fixed-width direction position regulating means in the sheet feeding direction of the paper in the paper storage means by the movable widthwise position regulating means The other position in the orthogonal direction is regulated, the rear end position regulating means is moved to the retracted position with the opening operation of the cover means by the regulating position switching means, and the rear end position is moved with the closing operation of the cover means. The restricting means is returned to the sheet regulating position switched to a position suitable for the paper size corresponding to the movable width direction position regulating means by the regulating position switching means with the movement of the movable width direction position regulating means. Further, the sheet accommodating means has a hole at the bottom thereof, a positioning groove is formed in the hole, and the width direction stopping means has a positioning protrusion which fits into the positioning groove. As a result, sheets of a plurality of sizes can be stored.

In the paper storage device according to the second aspect , the paper size is mechanically displayed by the paper size display means based on the position of the movable width direction position restricting means. Thereby, the display of the paper size can be performed at low cost.

In the paper storage device according to the third aspect , the paper size is mechanically displayed by the second paper size display means based on the position of the rear end position control means. Thereby, the display of the paper size can be performed at low cost.

In the paper storage apparatus according to the fourth aspect, when the movable width direction position regulating means is at a position incompatible with the paper size by the reporting means, the fact is mechanically reported.

In the paper storage device according to the fifth aspect , when the movable width direction position regulating means is at the large size regulating position, the regulating position switching means is released. This makes it possible to store two sizes of paper, large and small.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The basic structure of a paper storage device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the sheet storage device is disposed in the main body of the copying machine.

The paper storage device of the present basic configuration has a paper 100
A lower body 1 as a paper storage means for storing paper, a movable front end position regulating means 2 for regulating the position of the front end of the paper 100 in the paper feeding direction, and a paper A rear end side position restricting unit 3 for restricting the position of the sheet 100 on the rear end side in the sheet feeding direction and left and right end restricting units 4 and 5 for restricting the left and right ends of the sheet 100 are provided. An upper main body 6 serving as a cover means for covering the lower main body 1, the front end position regulating means 2 and the rear end side position restricting means 3 is supported by the lower main body 1 by a support shaft 7 so as to be openable and closable. . A gear 8 is fixed to the support shaft 7, and the gear 8 includes a gear 12 and a tooth fixed to a shaft 11 rotatably supported by a pair of bearings 9 and 10 fixed to the lower main body 1. I agree.

Further, a gear 13 is fixed to the shaft 11, and the gear 13 meshes with a gear 15 in which a shaft 15a is rotatably supported by a bracket 14 erected on the inner surface of the lower main body 1. ing. A bracket 16 is erected near the bracket 14.
A shaft 19 is rotatably supported on the shaft 16 via bearings 17 and 18, and a pinion gear 20 meshing with the gear 15 is fixed to the shaft 19. Also, the pinion gear 20
A pair of guide plates 2 is provided on the inner surface of
1 and 22 are provided, and the guide plates 21 and 22 guide the rack 23 meshing with the pinion gear 20. The front end position regulating means 3 is fixed to the front end of the rack 23.
The tip-side position restricting means 3 is configured to move to a retracted position indicated by a broken line and a sheet restricting position indicated by a solid line in FIG. Note that the above-described gears 8, 12, 13, 1
5, 20 and a rack 23 constitute an interlocking means, which moves the rear end side position regulating means 3 to the retreat position with the opening operation of the upper main body 6, and moves the rear end side position with the closing operation. The regulating means 3 is configured to return to the paper regulating position.

Next, the operation of the basic configuration will be described.

When replenishing paper in the upper main body 6 in the closed state as shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the upper main body 6 is opened in the direction of arrow A. Then, the gear 8 is rotated in the direction of arrow B as shown in FIG. 1A with the rotation of the upper body 6, and meshes with the gear 8 by the rotation of the gear 8 in the direction of arrow B. Gear 12
Is rotated in the direction of arrow C. And the arrow C of the gear 12
With the rotation in the direction, the shaft 11 and the gear 13 are also rotated in the direction of arrow C, and the gear 15 meshing with the gear 13 is rotated in the direction of arrow B. Further, the pinion gear 20 meshed with the gear 15 is rotated in the direction of arrow C, and the rack 23 meshed with the pinion gear 20 is moved in the direction of arrow D, and is integrally moved with the movement of the rack 23 on the rear end side. The position restricting means 3 is moved in the direction of arrow D to a retracted position indicated by a broken line shown in FIG. Then, the operator replenishes the lower main body 1 with both ends of the paper along the left and right end regulating means 4 and 5.

After the sheet is supplied, the operator closes the upper main body 6 as shown in FIG.
The gear 8 is rotated in the direction of arrow C with the rotation of the gear 1, and the gear 1 meshed with the gear 8 by the rotation of the gear 8 in the direction of arrow C
2 is rotated in the direction of arrow B. Then, as the gear 12 rotates in the direction of arrow B, the shaft 11 and the gear 13 also rotate in the direction of arrow B, and the gear 15 meshing with the gear 13 rotates in the direction of arrow C. Further, the pinion gear 20 meshing with the gear 15 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, and the pinion gear 20 is rotated.
The rack 23 meshing with the rack 23 is moved in the direction of the arrow E, and the rear end side position regulating means 3 is integrally moved with the movement of the rack 23 by the arrow E.
The sheet is moved in the direction to a sheet regulation position indicated by a solid line shown in FIG. By the movement of the rear end position regulating means 3 in the direction of the arrow E, the leading end of the sheet comes into contact with the front end position regulating means 2 and is aligned.

Next, the buffer in the paper storage device of the present invention.
An embodiment of the means will be described with reference to FIGS. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the above-described basic configuration, when the rear end position restricting means 3 is provided with the stopping means 25 so that the rear end position restricting means 3 accurately stops at the paper restricting position when returning to the paper restricting position. The stop position of the trailing end position regulating means 3 varies due to backlash of the gears of the means, and the paper may not be properly regulated even with the provision of the stopping means 25. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the interlocking means is designed so that the rear end position regulating means 3 slightly overruns so as to stop against the stopping means 25. However, when the rear end position regulating means 3 is brought into contact with the stopping means 25, a stress is applied to a part of the drive system due to the variation of the interlocking means, and in some cases, a weak part of the drive system may be damaged. So, to prevent damage,
A buffer means as shown in FIG. A bottom plate 26 is provided at a sheet stacking position of the lower main body 1 of the sheet storage device, and a guide groove 27 is formed at a rear end central portion of the bottom plate 26.
Has a plurality of positioning holes 28 for mounting the stopping means 25,
29 and 30 are perforated.

As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the stopping means 25 includes a knob 25a, a guide 25b, a lock 25c,
It is composed of a toe portion 25d and a meat thin portion 25e.

The buffer means is, as shown in FIG.
3, a buffer plate 31 is provided. The buffer plate 31 is provided with two holes, and bearings 32 and 33 are provided in these holes, respectively. The shafts 34 and 35 are slidably supported by the respective bearings 32 and 33, and stoppers 36 and 37 are fixed to one ends of the shafts 34 and 35. The stopping means 3 is fixed to the other ends of the shafts 34, 35, and the shafts 34, 35
The springs 38 and 39 are contracted between the stopping means 3 and the buffer plate 31. Therefore, the shock when the rear end position regulating means 3 comes into contact with the stopping means 25 is absorbed by the buffer means.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

Based on the size of the paper to be stored in the lower main body 1, the operator holds the stopping means 25 with the knob 25a at a position facing a desired positioning hole, for example, the hole 28, as shown in FIG. The toe 25d in the hole 2
8 and push it in further. Since the stopping means 25 is provided with the meat slimming portion 25e, the toe portion 25d is pushed by the wall surface of the positioning hole 28 with its own elasticity, as shown in FIG.
Shrink like. Then, the upper portion of the guide portion 25b contacts the upper surface of the positioning hole 28 and stops, and at the same time, the toe portion 25d opens. At this time, the guide portion 25b is opened so as to contact the wall surface of the positioning hole 28, and positioning is performed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (d), the locking portion 25c abuts against the wall surface below the positioning hole 28, and is locked so that it does not come off after the stopping means 25 is positioned. The stopping means 2
When the operator removes 5, the operator grips the knob 25 a with his fingertip and pulls up the stopping means 25, and the slope of the locking portion 25 c abuts against the wall surface below the positioning hole 28, and the elasticity of the toe 25 d increases. As shown in FIG. 3 (c), the inside of the positioning hole 28 can be moved upward by being deformed and extracted.

When replenishing the lower main body 1 with paper, the operator opens the upper main body 6. Then, the gear 8 is rotated in the direction of arrow B with the rotation of the upper main body 6, and the gear 12 meshed with the gear 8 is rotated in the direction of arrow C by the rotation of the gear 8 in the direction of arrow B. You. As the gear 12 rotates in the direction of arrow C, the shaft 11 and the gear 13 also rotate in the direction of arrow C, and the gear 1 meshing with the gear 13
5 is rotated in the direction of arrow B. Further, the pinion gear 20 meshing with the gear 15 is rotated in the direction of arrow C, and the rack 23 meshing with the pinion gear 20 is moved in the direction of arrow D, as shown in FIG. The buffer plate 31 is also moved in the direction of arrow D integrally with the movement of the rack 23.
Further, with the movement of the buffer plate 31 in the direction of arrow D, the rear end side position regulating means 3 is also moved in the direction of arrow D to the retracted position shown by the broken line in FIG. Then, the operator replenishes the lower main body 1 with both ends of the paper along the left and right end regulating means 4 and 5.

After the sheet is replenished, the operator closes the upper main body 6 as shown in FIG.
The gear 8 is rotated in the direction of arrow C with the rotation of the gear 1, and the gear 1 meshed with the gear 8 by the rotation of the gear 8 in the direction of arrow C
2 is rotated in the direction of arrow B. Then, as the gear 12 rotates in the direction of arrow B, the shaft 11 and the gear 13 also rotate in the direction of arrow B, and the gear 15 meshing with the gear 13 rotates in the direction of arrow C. Further, the pinion gear 20 meshing with the gear 15 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, and the pinion gear 20 is rotated.
Is moved in the direction of arrow E, and the buffer plate 31 is also moved in the direction of arrow E as the rack 23 moves. Further, with the movement of the buffer plate 31 in the direction of arrow E, the rear end side position regulating means 3 also moves in the direction of arrow E in FIG.
Is moved to the sheet regulation position indicated by the solid line shown in FIG. And
As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the rear end position restricting means 3 comes into contact with the stopping means 25 and is stopped, and after the rear end position restricting means 3 stops, the rack 23 remains at a predetermined distance in the arrow E direction. The buffer plate 31 is also moved in the direction of arrow E by a predetermined distance integrally with the movement, but the springs 38 and 39 are contracted, and the rear end side position regulating means 3 is prevented from colliding with the stopping means 25. The leading end of the sheet is brought into contact with the leading end position regulating means 2 and aligned by the movement of the trailing end position regulating means 3 in the direction of arrow E.

Next, another embodiment of the buffer means of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

[0041] Oite the above embodiment, although the rear-side position regulating means 3 is connected to the rack 23 via the buffer means, Oite to this embodiment, the torque as a buffer means in the drive system A limiter is placed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the gear 12 is fixed to the shaft 11 via a torque limiter 40, and
1, the gear 13 is fixed via a torque limiter 41.

Therefore, after replenishing the paper, the operator
As shown in (b), when the upper body 6 is closed, the gear 8 is rotated in the direction of arrow C with the rotation of the upper body 6,
By the rotation of the gear 8 in the direction of the arrow C, the gear 12 meshing with the gear 8 is rotated in the direction of the arrow B. And gear 1
The shaft 11 and the gear 13 are also rotated in the direction of the arrow B with the rotation in the direction of the arrow B, and the gear 15 meshing with the gear 13 is rotated in the direction of the arrow C. Further, the pinion gear 20 meshing with the gear 15 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, and the rack 23 meshing with the pinion gear 20 is moved in the direction of arrow E, and the rear end side is integrated with the movement of the rack 23. Position regulating means 3
Is also moved in the direction of arrow E to the paper regulating position indicated by the solid line in FIG. Then, the rear end position restricting means 3 comes into contact with the stopping means 25 and is stopped, and even after the rear end position restricting means 3 stops, the rack 23 moves by a predetermined distance in the direction of the arrow E so that the rear end position restricting means 3 does not move. 3 is strongly pressed against the stop means 25, but when a predetermined force or more is applied in the direction of the arrow E, the torque limiters 40 and 41 operate, and the transmission drive runs idly. It is possible to safely and securely stop the means 3 at the regulating position. The leading end of the sheet is brought into contact with the leading end position regulating means 2 and aligned by the movement of the trailing end position regulating means 3 in the direction of arrow E. When the upper main body 6 is opened, that is, when the rear end side position restricting means 3 moves from the paper restricting position to the retracted position, the torque limiter 40 prevents the driving force from idling.
A torque of 41 is set.

Next, an embodiment of the sheet storing means of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the movable width direction position regulating means 5 for regulating the position in the direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction is provided.
The stop means 5a for regulating the paper regulating position of the rear end position regulating means 3 is integrally formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the movable width direction position regulating means 5 is configured to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction so as to fit the size of the paper, By forming them in a shape, it becomes possible to store sheets of a plurality of sizes corresponding to sheets of different sizes in the respective step portions X, Y, and Z.

Further, as shown in FIG.
An elongated hole 42 is formed in the direction of arrow FG, and positioning grooves 42a, 42b, 42c are formed at predetermined positions on one side thereof. Two engagement plates 43 are fixed to the bottom surface of the stopping means 5a. The engagement plates 43 are fitted into the elongated holes 42, and the ends 43a of the engagement plates 43 are engaged with the elongated holes 42. The engagement plate 43 is configured so as not to easily come out of the elongated hole 42. Further, between the two engagement plates 43, a flexible spring arm portion 44 having a positioning protrusion 44a that fits into the positioning grooves 42a, 42b, 42c is provided. Urged toward the positioning grooves 42a, 42b, 42c by a spring 45 provided in the spring arm portion 44, so that the positioning grooves 42
a, 42b, 42c so as to be able to stop accurately at the positioning position. The click feeling at the time of positioning can be adjusted by adjusting the elasticity of the spring arm 44 and the spring 45.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

When the width direction position regulating means 5 is at the position shown in FIGS. 6B and 7C, the positioning projection 44a is fitted in the positioning groove 42a. From this state, FIG.
(C), movable width direction position restricting means 5 at the position shown in FIG.
Is moved, the positioning protrusion 44a is positioned in the positioning groove 42.
A force is exerted in a direction in which the positioning protrusion 44a is disengaged from the positioning groove 42a by being pushed by the inclined surface a. When the flexible spring arm portion 44 is deformed, the positioning convex portion 44a becomes, as shown in FIG.
The locking action in the positioning groove 42a is released and the guide groove 4
It is moved to a position where it is pressed against the second wall. The positioning is completed by fitting the positioning protrusion 44a into the positioning groove 42b. The movement of the spring arm 44 to the positioning groove 42c is performed in the same manner.

When the upper body 6 is opened, the operator first manually operates the movable width direction position restricting means 5, and when the movable width direction position restricting means 5 is located in FIG. The rear end side position restricting means 3, which has been moved in the direction of arrow E in conjunction with the closing operation of 6, comes into contact with the locking portion X and is stopped. When the operator manually positions the width direction position restricting means 5 in FIG. 6C, the rear end side position restricting means 3 which has been moved in the direction of arrow E in conjunction with the closing operation of the upper body 6 is It is stopped by contacting the locking portion Y. Similarly, when the operator manually positions the movable width direction position restricting means 5 in FIG. 6D, the rear end side position restricting means moved in the direction of arrow E in conjunction with the closing operation of the upper body 6. Reference numeral 3 abuts on the locking portion Z and is stopped.
At this time, the moving distance of the rear end side position regulating means 3 is designed to move sufficiently to the locking portion Z with the closing operation of the upper main body 6, and the interlocking means which is interlockingly driven is provided with a torque limiter. Since the positions 40 and 41 are provided, the rear end position control means 3 can be moved without damaging the drive transmission type even if the positions of the locking portions are different.

Next, the actual施例paper accommodating apparatus of the present invention FIG. 8, will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to 7
The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the vertical portion 5b is formed at the rear end of the movable width direction
The boss 15a is cantilevered substantially horizontally by b. The small gear 4 formed integrally with the boss 15a
6 and a large gear 47 are rotatably supported so as to rotate integrally, and the small gear 46 is provided with a movable width direction position regulating means 5.
Is always meshed with the gear 13 regardless of the movement of the gear. The axial length of the gear 13 is determined by the movable width direction position regulating means 5.
Is longer than the moving distance. The shaft 1
9 is rotatably supported so that the integrally formed gear 20, large gear 48, and small gear 49 rotate integrally, and the large gear 48 is configured to mesh with the small gear 46. The small gear 49 is configured to mesh with the large gear 47. A restricted position switching means is constituted by these gear trains and the like. By switching the gear to be meshed, the rear end side position restricting means 3 is returned to the restricting position suitable for the paper size to which the movable width direction position restricting means 5 has been moved. That is, the moving distance can be changed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The first size paper, for example, A4 paper
The movable width direction position regulating means 5 which is set in the paper accommodation means.
Is set to the position shown in FIG.
And the large gear 48 mesh with each other, the gear 13 upstream of the drive system meshes with the gear 46, and the rear end side position regulating means 3 is moved by the interlocking drive based on the opening operation of the upper main body 6. At this time, the movement amount of the rear end side position regulating means 3
8, and can be moved to a first size, for example, a sheet regulating position of A4 sheet.

Further, the movable width direction position restricting means 5 is provided as shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), when the sheet is moved to the sheet regulating position of the sheet of the second size, for example, B5, the meshing of the gears 46 and 48 is released, and the gear 47 and the gear 49 mesh with each other. At this time, the gear 46 remains meshed with the gear 13. When the interlocking drive based on the opening operation of the upper main body 6 is transmitted to the gear 13, the driving force is transmitted from the gear 13 to the gear 46 and transmitted to the gear 47 that rotates integrally with the gear 46.
Further, the driving force is transmitted from the gear 47 to the gear 49 and transmitted to the pinion gear 20 which rotates integrally with the gear 49,
The transmission from the pinion gear 20 to the rack 23
3 is moved in the direction of arrow E, and the rear end side position regulating means 3 is also moved in the direction of arrow E integrally with the rack 23. At this time, the movement amount of the rear end side position regulating means 3 is the same as the gear 47, 4
9 and can be moved to a paper regulating position of a second size, for example, B5 paper.

As described above, by switching the gear ratio, the paper regulating position of the rear end position regulating means 3 can correspond to a plurality of paper sizes. FIG. 7 shows the stopping means 5a.
It is desirable that the rear end side position restricting means 3 be stopped as described above.

Next, a second embodiment of the sheet accommodating device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

On the operation panel of the upper main body 30 and on a part 60 of the exterior surface, a display panel 60a as a size display means allows a portion displaying the paper size to be seen, and a display board extending along the inside of the exterior surface 60. 61 is slidably provided by a guide portion (not shown). The display panel 61 is provided with contact portions 61a and 61b formed integrally therewith. Below it, display switching means 62, 63 formed to be vertically movable between the guide frames 64, 65, 66.
Is arranged. The display switching means 62, 63 exerts a force such that it falls below the guide frames 64, 65, 66 by its own weight or a spring (not shown). However, the display switching means 62, 63 is prevented from falling off by the locking portions 62a, 63a. .

As shown in FIG. 10B, the size of the paper set in the paper storage means is, for example, A4 size, and the movable width direction position restriction means 5 is set at the paper restriction position as shown in FIG. After the movement, when the upper body 30 is closed, the upper part of the movable width direction position regulating means 5 is moved to the display switching means 6.
2, and the display switching means is raised to the position shown in the figure and stopped. At this time, the display switching means 62
The upper inclined part of the contact part 6 is formed integrally with the display panel 61.
1b, the display plate 61 is moved to the position shown in the figure. At this time, the display of “A4” can be seen from the display window 60a as shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10 (d), the sheet contained in the upper main body 6 is opened and exchanged for B5, for example, and the movable width direction position regulating means 5 is moved to the sheet regulating position. After the movement, when the upper main body 6 is closed, the upper part of the movable width direction position regulating means 5 comes into contact with the lower part of the display switching means 63 'and is raised. Further, the display plate 61 'is slid to the position shown in the figure while the display switching means 63' is in contact with the upper inclined portion and the contact portion 61a '. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10E, the paper size “B5” displayed on the display board 61 ′ is displayed.
Are visible from the display window 60a.

Next, a third embodiment of the sheet storage device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

A display window 73 as second paper size display means is provided at a position where the operator can easily see the upper main body 6, for example, at the operation panel or a part 60 of the exterior surface. A display plate 72 is slidably provided by a guide portion (not shown) along the inside of the exterior surface 60 so that the displayed portion can be seen. The display plate 72 is provided with locking portions 72A and 72B holding a retaining portion 71A fixed to an end of the wire penetrating one end of the wire 71. Then, a stopper 71B is fixed to the other end of the wire 71,
It is held and connected through a locking portion 3A fixed to the rear end side position regulating means 3. The wire 71 is slidable in the guide 70. One end of the guide 70 is held by fixing means 67 fixed to the exterior surface 60,
The other end of the guide 70 is a fixing means 6 fixed to the bottom plate 26.
8.

In FIG. 11A, "A4" is displayed on the display window 73.
Paper size is displayed. Rear end position control means 3
Is moved to a position of another size of paper indicated by a broken line, the other end 71B of the wire 71 is moved to 71B ', and the wire 71 is pulled out. Then, the display plate 72 is moved while the one end portion 71A of the wire 71 is in contact with the locking portion 72A, and a paper size of “B5” appears in the display window 73, for example.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to configure the display switching mechanism by simplifying the structure. This method can also be applied by connecting one end of the wire 71 to the movable width direction position regulating means 5. The wire 71 is configured to be slidable in the guide 70 and can be freely arranged in the apparatus because it is freely bendable, so that the paper size display window can be freely set regardless of the positional relationship with the rear end position control means 3. It is possible to arrange.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the paper storage device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Springs 83a and 83b are contracted between the display plate 80 as the notification means and the engaging portions 82 and 82 protruding from the display exterior surface 60, respectively, so that the display plate is in the neutral position. keeping.

A4 size paper is stored in the paper storage means .
The contact between the upper inclined portion of the display switching means 62 and the contact portion 61b formed integrally with the display plate 80 causes the contact between the upper inclined portion of the display switching device 62 and the contact portion 61b shown in FIG.
It is moved to the position (a). At this time, the display of “A4” is visible from the display window 60a as shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12 (c), the paper stored in the upper main body 30 is opened and exchanged for B5, for example, and the movable width direction position regulating means 5 is moved to the paper regulating position. After being moved, when the upper body 30 is closed,
The upper part of the movable width direction position regulating means 5 comes into contact with the lower part of the display switching means 63 and is raised. Further, the display plate 61 is slid to the position shown in the figure while the upper inclined portion of the display switching means 63 and the contact portion 61a are in contact with each other. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12D, the paper size “B5” displayed on the display panel 61 can be seen from the display window 60a.

If the movable width direction position restricting means 5 is not positioned at the paper restricting position, an accurate paper size may not be displayed in the above-described sixth embodiment, but in this embodiment, FIG. As shown in ()), when the movable width direction position regulating means 5 is not at the paper regulating position, the display plate 80 is positioned at the center by the springs 83a and 83b, "?" Is displayed, and the operator is moved to the movable width direction position. It is displayed that the regulating means 5 is not correctly positioned at the paper regulating position, and a caution is prompted.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the paper storage device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The boss 15a is substantially horizontally cantilevered by the rear end of the movable width direction position regulating means 5. And
The gear 15 is rotatably supported by the boss 15a.
The gear 15 is configured so that the meshing with the gear 13 is released as the movable width direction position restricting means 5 moves in the G direction. A spring 90 having one end fixed to the lower body 1 is connected to the rack 23.
Is always pulled in the direction of arrow D by the spring 90. Stopping means 25 are arranged at the small-size paper regulating position and the large-size paper regulating position, respectively. In the large-size paper regulating position, the stopping means 25 is movable widthwise position regulating means 5 so as to receive the force of the spring 90. Is arranged on the back side.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

Small-sized paper, for example, B5 paper
When set in the storage means , the operator can
To release. Then, as the upper body 6 rotates, the gear 8
Is rotated in the direction of arrow B, and the gear 12 meshing with the gear 8 is rotated in the direction of arrow C by the rotation of the gear 8 in the direction of arrow B. Then, as the gear 12 rotates in the direction of arrow C, the shaft 11 and the gear 13 also rotate in the direction of arrow C.
Is rotated in the direction of arrow B. Further, the pinion gear 20 meshing with the gear 15 is indicated by an arrow C
The rack 23 meshed with the pinion gear 20 is moved in the direction of arrow D, and the rear end side position regulating means 3 is moved in the direction of arrow D to the retracted position indicated by the broken line together with the movement of the rack 23. Is done. Then, the operator replenishes the lower main body 1 with both ends of the paper along the left and right end regulating means 4 and 5.

After replenishing the paper, the operator operates the upper main body 6
Is closed, the gear 8 is rotated in the direction of arrow C with the rotation of the upper body 6, and the rotation of the gear 8 in the direction of arrow C is
The gear 12 meshing with the gear 8 is rotated in the direction of arrow B. As the gear 12 rotates in the direction of arrow B, the shaft 11
The gear 13 is also rotated in the direction of arrow B, and the gear 15 meshing with the gear 13 is rotated in the direction of arrow C. Further, the pinion gear 20 meshed with the gear 15 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, and the rack 23 meshed with the pinion gear 20 is rotated.
Is moved in the direction of arrow E, and the rear end side position regulating means 3 is also moved in the direction of arrow E to the sheet regulating position indicated by the solid line together with the movement of the rack 23. Then, the rear end position regulating means 3 comes into contact with the stopping means 25 and is stopped, and the rear end position regulating means 3 is stopped.
After the stop, the rack 23 is moved by a predetermined distance integrally with the movement in the direction of the arrow E, but the torque limiters 40 and 41 are operated to prevent the drive system from being damaged. The leading end of the sheet is brought into contact with the leading end position regulating means 2 and aligned by the movement of the trailing end position regulating means 3 in the direction of arrow E.

When a large-size sheet, for example, A4 sheet is set in the sheet storage means , the operator opens the upper main body 6. Then, by the same operation as described above, the rear end side position regulating means 3 is moved to the retracted position shown by the broken line.
Then, when the operator moves the movable width direction position regulating means 5 to the position shown by the broken line, the gear 15 is disengaged from the gear 13 as the movable width direction position regulating means 5 moves in the G direction. . The driving force is not transmitted to the pinion gear 20 and the rack 23. Further, the rack 23 is provided with a spring 9
The movable width direction position restricting means 5 which is pulled by 0 and moves to the position of the broken line abuts on the stopping means 25 and is stopped. When the upper main body 6 is closed in this state, the driving force is not transmitted to the rack 23, so that the rear end side position restricting means 3 remains stopped at the position indicated by the broken line, and the large-size paper is stored while being restricted. Is possible.

[0075]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is no need for a driving means such as a dedicated motor for moving the rear end position regulating means. Further, a control system such as position detection can be omitted, the number of failure factors is reduced, and the reliability can be improved. If the paper storage is built into a copier,
In spite of the provision of the front end position regulating means on the front side, sufficient clearance in the sheet feeding direction of the sheet storing means is secured, and the sheet can be easily supplied. Furthermore,
There is no need to operate the rear end position regulating means on the rear side, and paper can be supplied safely and easily. In addition, it is possible to absorb variations in the regulation position due to rattling of the drive system, and to reliably stop the regulation position without damaging the rear end position regulation means.

[0076]

[0077]

[0078]

Further , since the rear end position restricting means is configured to be returned to the restricting position suitable for the paper size corresponding to the movable width direction position restricting means, sheets of a plurality of sizes can be stored.

In the paper storage device according to the second aspect , a control system such as a sensor is not required, and the display of the paper size can be performed at low cost.

In the paper storage device according to the third aspect , a control system such as a sensor is not required, and the display of the paper size can be performed at low cost. Thus, it is possible to display the sizes of sheets having different lengths even if they have the same width, such as legal and letter sizes.

In the paper storage device according to the fourth aspect , the operator can be notified that the position of the movable width direction position regulating means is not normal.

In the paper storage device of the fifth aspect, the frequency of use of the buffer means and the drive system can be reduced, and the life of the device can be extended. Further, since the paper size is limited to two types, the structure can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a paper storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a buffer means in the paper storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a stopping unit in the sheet storage device of the present invention.
It is a figure showing an example .

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a buffer unit in the sheet storage device according to the present invention.
It is a figure showing an example .

FIG. 5 is a view showing another embodiment of the buffer means in the paper storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an embodiment of a sheet storing means of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a movable width direction position restricting means of the embodiment of the sheet storing means of the present invention.

8 is a perspective view showing an actual施例paper accommodating apparatus of the present invention.

9 is a drawing showing the essential components of the actual施例paper accommodating apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the paper storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a third embodiment of the paper storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the paper storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the paper storage device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Lower body 2 Front end position regulating means 3 Rear end position regulating means 4, 5 Left and right end position regulating means 5a Stopping means 6 Upper main body 7 Axis 8 Gear 11 Axis 12, 13, 15 Gear 19 Axis 20 Pinion gear 23 Rack 25 Stopping means 31 Buffer plate 34, 35 Axis 38, 39 Spring 40, 41 Torque limiter 46, 47, 48, 49 Gear 60 Exterior 60a Display window 61 Display panel 61a, 61a 'Contact part 61b, 61b' Contact part 62 , 62 'display switching means 62a, 62a' locking part 63, 63 'display switching means 63a locking part 64, 65, 66 guide frame 67, 68 fixing means 70 wire guide 71 wire 71A, 71A' retaining part 71B, 71B 'Retainer 72 Display panel 72A, 72A' Lock 72B, 72B 'Lock 73 Display window

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-243732 (JP, A) JP-A-6-1563753 (JP, A) Fully open 63-144942 (JP, U) Fully open 61 105332 (JP, U) Hira 3-44125 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 1/00-3/68

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A sheet storage unit for storing a sheet; a leading end position regulating unit for regulating a position of the leading end of the sheet accommodating direction in the sheet feeding direction; A rear end position regulating unit that contacts the sheet in the sheet feeding direction to regulate the position; and a sheet storage unit, a front end position regulating unit, and a rear end position regulating unit that are supported by the apparatus main body to be openable and closable. Covering means for covering,
A sheet accommodating device for paper in the paper storage means beyond the distal-side position regulating means, to move the rear end position regulating means in accordance with the opening operation of said cover means to the retracted position,
Interlocking means for returning the rear end position regulating means to the paper regulating position in accordance with the closing operation of the cover means; rear end stopping means for regulating the paper regulating position of the rear end side regulating means; And a buffer means for buffering the contact between the rear end position control means and the rear end stop means in the paper feeding direction having a spring, and further comprising a buffering means perpendicular to the paper feeding direction in the paper storage means . Fixed width direction position restricting means for restricting one position in the moving direction, and a movable width direction position restricting means for restricting the other position in the direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction and moving to fit the width of the paper. Means, a width direction stopping means for regulating the width direction paper regulating position of the movable width direction position regulating means, and a rear end side position regulating means for moving the rear end side position regulating means to an evacuation position with the opening operation of the cover means, and a cover means. With the closing movement of the rear end Regulating position switching means for switching the paper regulating position returned by the position regulating means to the corresponding paper regulating position with the movement of the movable width direction position regulating means, wherein the paper accommodating means has a hole at the bottom thereof, A positioning groove is formed in the hole,
The sheet accommodating device, wherein the width direction stopping means has a positioning protrusion fitted into the positioning groove. 2. The paper storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a paper size display means for mechanically displaying a paper size based on the position of said movable width direction position regulating means. 3. The sheet storage device according to claim 2, further comprising second sheet size display means for mechanically displaying a sheet size based on the position of said rear end side position regulation means. 4. The sheet storage device according to claim 1, wherein said movable width direction position restricting means further comprises a notifying means for mechanically notifying when the position is incompatible with the sheet size. 5. The movable width direction position restricting means has two restricting positions, a large size restricting position and a small size restricting position, and when in the large size restricting position, the restricting position switching means is released. The sheet storage device according to claim 1.