JP3679282B2

JP3679282B2 - Printer

Info

Publication number: JP3679282B2
Application number: JP28040499A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 雅彦森; 明浦山下; 秀樹内藤
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 1999-09-30
Filing date: 1999-09-30
Publication date: 2005-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-30
Also published as: JP2001097567A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明はプリンタに係わり、特に記録用紙に印刷時のみ給紙ローラに記録用紙を圧接するようにしたプリンタに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来のプリンタを例えば熱転写プリンタで図９に基づいて説明する。従来のプリンタは給紙部４０と、印刷手段４４とが配設されて構成されている。
前記給紙部４０には、複数枚の記録用紙２を収納可能な用紙トレー４１が装着可能になっており、用紙トレー４１内部の前方側底部には、回動可能なホッパー部材４２が配設されている。
このホッパ部材４２は、下面側に矢印Ａ方向の上方に弾性付勢する弾性部材（図示せず）が配設され、支点４２ａを回動中心として前方部４２ｂが回動可能になっている。
【０００３】
前記ホッパ部材４２には、用紙トレー４１に収納している記録用紙２の前端部２ａ寄りが載置されるようになっている。前記用紙トレー４１に収納した記録用紙２の搬送方向Ｂの下流側上方には、図示反時計回り方向の矢印方向に回転可能な給紙ローラ４３が配設されている。
この給紙ローラ４３には、ホッパー部材４２に載置された最上部の記録用紙２の前端部２ａ寄りが弾性付勢されて圧接されている。
そして、給紙ローラ４２を反時計回り方向に回転させることで、用紙トレー４１内の記録用紙２を１枚づつ分離して、用紙搬送方向Ｂの下流側の印刷手段４４に搬送可能になっている。
【０００４】
前記印刷手段４４には、平板状のプラテン４５と、このプラテン４４と対向する図示上方にプラテン４５に対して接離可能なサーマルヘッド４６が、矢印Ｃ方向に移動可能に配設されている。
また、印刷手段４４には、用紙搬送方向Ｂのプラテン４５の上流側に、回転自在な紙送りローラ４７とこの紙送りローラ４７に圧接する圧接ローラ４８とが配設されている。
【０００５】
このような従来のプリンタによる記録用紙２への印刷動作を説明すると、まず、用紙トレー４１内に収納している最上端の記録用紙２の前端部２ａをホッパ部材４２により、下方から弾性付勢して給紙ローラ４３に圧接する。
この状態から、給紙ローラ４３を矢印方向の反時計回り方向に回転させて、記録用紙２を用紙搬送方向Ｂに搬送する。
そして、印刷手段４４に送られてきた記録用紙２を紙送りローラ４７と圧接ローラ４８とで圧接狭持して、紙送りローラも図示時計回り方向の回転で、記録用紙２を紙送りローラ４７の下流側に搬送する。
【０００６】
前記紙送りローラ４７の下流側に配設されている、離間状態にあるプラテン４５とサーマルヘッド４６の間を記録用紙２の前端部２ａを通過させ、記録用紙２の印刷開始位置をサーマルヘッド４６の発熱素子（図示せず）が形成された部分に位置あわせして紙送りローラ４７と給紙ローラ４３の回転を停止する。
前記サーマルヘッド４６と記録用紙２との間には、所望の色のインクが塗布されたインクリボン（図示せず）が配設されている。
そして、印刷手段４４において、サーマルヘッド４６をプラテン４５側に移動させて、インクリボンと記録用紙２とをプラテン４４に圧接し、サーマルヘッド４６の発熱素子（図示せず）を選択的に発熱させて、記録用紙２にインクリボン（図示せず）のインクを熱転写して所望の画像を印刷するようになっている。
【０００７】
このような従来のプリンタは、給紙部４０に装着した用紙トレー４１に収納している記録用紙２が、ホッパ部材４２の作用で、給紙ローラ４３に常に圧接状態になって、印刷指令があると、即、最上端の記録用紙２を下流側の印刷手段４４に搬送することができるようになっている。
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、前述したような従来のプリンタは、記録用紙２を収納した用紙トレー４１を給紙部４０に装着している間は、用紙トレー４１内の記録用紙２はホッパー部材４２の作用で給紙ローラ４３に常に圧接されているので、長時間印刷を行わない非印刷時に、給紙ローラ４３に常時圧接している部分の記録用紙２が変形し、前端部２ａがカールしたりして、下流側の印刷手段４４にこの記録用紙２を搬送したときに、紙送りローラ４７と圧接ローラ４８との間で紙ジャム等の搬送障害が発生するおそれがあった。
また、紙送りローラ４７と圧接ローラ４８との間に前端部２ａを狭持できたとしても、サーマルヘッド４６に記録用紙２が引っかかって、紙ジャム等が発生するおそれがあった。
本発明は、前述したような問題点に鑑みてなされたもので、印刷を行ってない非印刷時は、記録用紙の給紙ローラへの圧接を解除するようにして、記録用紙の変形を防いで、給紙時に紙ジャム等の搬送障害のない安定した給紙が可能なプリンタを提供することを目的とする。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記課題を解決するための第１の手段として本発明のプリンタは、記録用紙に印刷可能な印刷手段と、複数枚の前記記録用紙を収納可能であると共に内部に昇降自在なホッパー部材を有する用紙トレーと、この用紙トレーに収納した前記記録用紙を前記印刷手段に搬送可能な給紙ローラと、前記記録用紙を昇降させて前記給紙ローラに圧接状態、または非圧接状態に操作可能な昇降手段とを有し、前記印刷手段による前記記録用紙への印刷時は、前記昇降手段によって前記ホッパ部材を上昇させて前記記録用紙を前記給紙ローラに前記圧接状態とし、前記印刷手段が非印刷時には、前記昇降手段により前記ホッパー部材を降下させて前記記録用紙の前記給紙ローラに対する前記圧接状態を解除して前記非圧接状態とするようにしたプリンタであって、
上下動可能な可動部材を有し、この可動部材は、前記用紙トレーの両側壁から突出させた当接部を有し、前記ホッパー部材と前記昇降手段との間に介在され、前記昇降手段により前記可動部材を介して前記ホッパー部材が昇降可能となっており、前記昇降手段は、前記当接部に当接させた状態で前記ホッパー部材を昇降可能に支持するレバーと、このレバーが上方に弾性付与されて前記ホッパー部材を上昇させる弾性部材と、この弾性部材の付与力に抗して前記レバーを押し下げ可能なカム部材とで構成され、前記弾性部材の付与力で前記レバーが前記可動部材を介し前記ホッパー部材を上昇させて前記圧接状態とし、この圧接状態から前記カム部材により前記レバーを押し下げ、前記ホッパー部材を降下させて前記非圧接状態となるような構成とした。
【００１０】
また、前記課題を解決するための第２の解決手段として、前記レバーは、一方側を回動支点として他方側の自由端部が回動して昇降可能となし、前記カム部材による前記自由端部の昇降により、前記ホッパー軸を介して前記ホッパー部材を昇降させるような構成とした。
【００１１】
また、前記課題を解決するための第３の解決手段として、前記カム部材は前記給紙ローラと同軸上に配設され、前記給紙ローラとは独立して回転可能となし、前記カム部材は半径の異なる円弧状のカム部が形成され、前記カム部材を回転させることにより前記レバーの前記自由端部を降下させるような構成とした。
【００１２】
また、前記課題を解決するための第４の解決手段として、前記レバーは、前記弾性部材の付与によって前記自由端部が牽引されて上昇するような構成とした。
【００１３】
また、前記課題を解決するための第５の解決手段として、前記カム部材は、半径の大きい方の前記カム部に位置決め部が形成され、前記レバーは、前記自由端部に前記位置決め部が係合可能な係合部を有し、前記カム部で前記レバーを降下させた位置において、前記位置決め部が前記係合部に係合して、前記カム部材の回転を規制するような構成とした。
【００１４】
また、前記課題を解決するための第６の解決手段として、トレー挿入口を有するトレー装着部を備えた本体部を有し、前記用紙トレーは、前記トレー装着部に着脱可能となし、前記昇降手段は前記トレ−装着部内に配設され、前記レバーは前記自由端部が前記トレ−装着部内の奥側に位置すると共に、前記回動支点が前記トレ−挿入口寄りに取り付けられ、前記用紙トレ−は、前記カム部材によって前記レバーの前記自由端部が降下時のみにおいて、前記トレ−装着部に着脱可能とした構成とした。
【００１５】
また、前記課題を解決するための第７の解決手段として、前記トレ−装着部に前記用紙トレーを装着した時、前記用紙トレーに形成した位置決め部が前記トレー装着部に形成した係合部に係合して前記用紙トレーが前記トレー装着部に装着状態で位置決めされるような構成とした。
【００１６】
また、前記課題を解決するための第８の解決手段として、前記用紙トレ−は、前記レバーが係脱可能なレバー係脱溝を有し、前記用紙トレーを前記トレ−装着部に前記装着状態で、前記レバーの上昇時は、前記レバー係脱溝に前記レバーが位置して、前記用紙トレーの前記トレ−装着部からの取り出しができないような構成とした。
【００１７】
また、前記課題を解決するための第９の解決手段として、前記トレ−装着部に前記用紙トレーが非装着状態で、前記レバーの前記自由端部が上昇時は、前記用紙トレ−の前記トレ−装着部への装着を阻止するためのストッパ部を前記レバーに形成した構成とした。
【００１８】
また、前記課題を解決するための第１０の解決手段として、前記用紙トレ−は、前記レバーの前記自由端部の昇降によって、水平状態で昇降可能な第１ホッパー部材を有する第１用紙トレ−と、一方側を回動支点として他方側が昇降可能な第２ホッパー部材を有する第２用紙トレ−とを設け、前記本体部には、前記第１と第２用紙トレ−とを着脱可能な２つの前記装着部を有する構成とした。
【００１９】
また、前記課題を解決するための第１１の解決手段として、前記第１ホッパー部材は、２本の交差状に組み合わせた支持部材により水平状態で昇降可能に支持され、前記第１ホッパー部材に載置する記録用紙は、はがき等の厚紙から成り、前記第１ホッパー部材に載置した前記厚紙から成る記録用紙を前記給紙ローラに対して水平状態で昇降させるような構成とした。
【００２０】
また、前記課題を解決するための第１２の解決手段として、前記第２ホッパー部材に載置する記録用紙は、前記はがきより薄くてサイズの大きなコピー紙等の薄紙から成り、前記第２ホッパー部材に載置した前記薄紙から成る記録用紙を、前記第２ホッパー部材の前記他方側の昇降により、前記記録用紙の前記搬送方向の下流側を前記給紙ローラに前記圧接状態、前記非圧接状態とするようにした構成とした。
【００２４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明のプリンタを熱転写プリンタで説明する。まず、本発明のプリンタは、図２に示すように、鉄板等の金属で覆われて本体部１が形成され、この本体部１の図示下方側に給紙部３が形成されている。
この給紙部３は、２点鎖線で示すような第１、第２トレー装着部４、５の２つのトレー装着部４，５が形成されており、第１、第２トレー装着部４、５は、それぞれトレー挿入口４ａ、５ａを有している。
前記第１トレー装着部４には、図３に示すような第１用紙トレー６が装着可能になっており、第１用紙トレー６は、複数枚のはがき等の厚紙から成る記録用紙２を収納可能になっている。
また、第２トレー装着部５には、図４に示すような、第２用紙トレー７が装着可能になっており、第２用紙トレー７は、サイズがＡ４サイズ等の大きさで、コピー紙等のはがきより薄い薄紙から成る記録用紙２を収納可能になっている。
【００２５】
前記第１用紙トレー６は、図３に示すように、周囲を矩形状の側壁６ａで囲まれた、はがき等の厚紙から成る記録用紙２を収納可能な収納部６ｂが所定の深さで形成されている。
また、図３に示す第１用紙トレー６は、側壁６ａの右寄りに後述するレバー１５、１６が係脱可能な、所定の幅と深さのレバー係脱溝６ｃが形成されている。
前記レバー係脱溝６ｃが形成された部分の側壁６ａには、後述する可動部材１０を上下動可能に保持する縦長のガイド孔６ｄが貫通形成されている。
【００２６】
前記レバー係脱溝６ｃ、及びガイド孔６ｄは、側壁６ａと対向する側の側壁（図示せず）にもそれぞれ形成されている。また、図３に示す第１用紙トレー６の右側端部寄りの下部には、凹状の位置決め部６ｅが形成され、第１用紙トレー６を第１トレー装着部４に装着すると、位置決め部６ｅが第１トレー装着部４に形成した係合部（図示せず）に係合して、第１用紙トレー６を第１トレー装着部４に装着位置で位置決めするようになっている。
【００２７】
前記収納部６ｂの底部には、２本の支持棒８ａ、８ｂを支持部８ｃで交差状に組み合わせた支持部材８が配設され、この支持部材８の上に平板状の第１ホッパー部材９が取り付けられている。
前記支持部材８は、支持部８ｃを支点としてパンタグラフのように動作することで、第１ホッパー部材９が収納部６ｂ内を水平状態で昇降可能になっている。
【００２８】
前記縦長のガイド孔６ｄには、第１ホッパー部材９と、後述する昇降手段１４のレバー１５、１６との間に配設された、棒状の第１可動部材１０が保持されている。
この第１可動部材１０は、記録用紙２を後述する印刷手段２１側に搬送する搬送方向Ｄと直交する方向に配設され、ガイド孔６ｄに昇降自在に挿入されている。
このような棒状の第１可動部材１０は、図６に示すように、両端部に当接部１０ａが形成され、レバー係脱溝６ｃが形成された部分の、互いに対向する両側壁６ａ、６ａから当接部１０ａを突出させた状態でガイド孔６ｄに配設されている。
前記当接部１０ａには、回転自在のパイプ状のカランが取り付けられている。
【００２９】
また、図４に示すような第２用紙トレー７は、周囲を矩形状の側壁７ａで囲まれた収納部７ｂが形成され、この収納部７ｂに前記薄紙から成る記録用紙２を収納可能に所定の深さで形成されている。
また、第２用紙トレー７は、図４の側壁７ａの右寄りに後述する昇降手段１４のレバー１５、１６が係脱可能な、所定の幅と深さでのレバー係脱溝７ｃが形成されている。
前記レバー係脱溝７ｃが形成された部分の側壁７ａには、縦長のガイド孔７ｄが貫通形成されている。
また、図４に示す第２用紙トレー７の下部右端部側には、凹状の位置決め部７ｅが形成され、第１トレー装着部４に第１用紙トレー６を装着したとき、位置決め部７ｅが第２トレー装着部５に形成した係合部（図示せず）に係合して、第２用紙トレー７を第１トレー装着部４に装着状態で位置決めするようになっている。
【００３０】
前記収納部７ｂ底部の図示右寄りには、平板状の第２ホッパー部材１１が配設されている。この第２ホッパー部材１１は、図示左側の一方側に形成された回動支点１１ａが収納部７ｂを構成する側壁７ａの内面に取り付けられ、回動支点１１ａを支点として、図示右側の他方側１１ｂが昇降可能になっている。
前記縦長のガイド孔７ｄには、第２ホッパー部材１１と後述する昇降手段１４のレバー１５、１６との間に配設された棒状の第２可動部材１２が保持されている。
この第２可動部材１２は薄紙から成る記録用紙２を後述する印刷手段２１側に搬送する搬送方向Ｄと直交する方向に配設されている。
そして、第２可動部材１２は、第１用紙トレー６と同様に、レバー係脱溝７ｃが形成された、互いに対向する両側壁７ａから両端部が突出して配設され、この両端部に当接部１３ａが形成されている。
この当接部１３ａには、第１可動部材１０と同様に回転自在のパイプ状のカランが取り付けられている。
【００３１】
前記第１、第２トレー装着部４、５の奥側の上方には、図１、２に示すような回転軸１３ａに固着された、破線で示すような複数の円柱状の給紙ローラ１３が等間隔で配設されている。
この給紙ローラ１３は、材質がゴム等から成り、図５に示すように外周表面には軸方向に筋状の凹凸が複数形成されて、外周表面に圧接される記録用紙２がスリップしにくいようになっている。
また、第１、第２トレー装着部４、５には、第１、第２用紙トレー６、７に収納した記録用紙２を昇降させて、給紙ローラ１３に圧接状態、または非圧接状態に操作可能な昇降手段１４がそれぞれ配設されている。
そして、例えば第１トレー装着部４側の昇降手段１４により、第１用紙トレー６の第１ホッパー部材９を昇降させ、図５に示す、第１トレー装着部４に装着状態の第１用紙トレー６に収納している、はがき等の厚紙から成る記録用紙２を給紙ローラに対して圧接状態、または非圧接状態に操作可能になっている。
【００３２】
前記第１、第２トレー装着部４、５に配設されている昇降手段１４は、どちらも構成が同じなので、第１トレー装着部４側の昇降手段１４のみを説明する。
前記昇降手段１４は、第１可動部材１０の当接部１０ａに当接させた状態で第１ホッパ部材９を昇降可能に支持する一対のレバー１５、１６を有している。
この一対のレバー１５、１６は、鉄板等の金属板から成り、図６に示すように、
一方側に回動支点１５ａ、１６ａを有し、他方側に自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂを有し、この自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂには舌辺状の押し上げ部１５ｃ、１６ｃが形成されて、外形が略Ｌ字状に形成されている。
そして一対のレバー１５、１６は、第１トレー装着部４に装着している第１用紙トレー６の、図６に示す上下の側壁６ａ、６ａの外側に、互いに対向状態で配設されている。
【００３３】
前記レバー１５は、図示下方の本体部１の側板１ｂに取り付けられた支持軸１ｄに、回動支点１５ａを取り付け、この回動支点１５ａを支点として他方側の自由端部１５ｂが昇降可能になっている。
また、レバー１６は図示上方の側板１ａに取り付けられた支持軸１ｃに、回動支点１６ａを取り付け、この回動支点１５ａを支点として他方側の自由端部１６ｂが昇降可能になっている。
前記レバー１５、１６は、自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂが第１トレー装着部４の奥側に位置すると共に、回動支点１５ａ、１６ａが第１トレー装着部４のトレー挿入口４ａ寄りに取り付けられている。
【００３４】
また、レバー１５の押し上げ部１５ｃは、図示右側にの先端部１５ｄと、図示左側に形成された下方に所定角度で折り曲げられたストッパー部１５ｅとで構成されている。
前記レバー１６にもレバー５と同様に、押し上げ部１６ｃに先端部１５ｄ、ストッパー部１６ｅがそれそれ形成されて構成されている。
そして、レバー１５、１６の回動による自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂの昇降により、押し上げ部１５ｃ、１６ｃが第１可動部材１０の当接部１０ａに当接して、第１可動部材１０を介して第１ホッパー部材９が昇降可能になっている。
【００３５】
また、本体部１の側板１ａ、１ｂには、図１に示すような引っ張りコイルバネから成る弾性部材１７の一方側がそれぞれ取り付けられ、弾性部材１７の他方側にはレバー１５、１６が取り付けられて、レバー１５、１６が上方に弾性付与されている。
そして、レバー１５、１６は、弾性部材１７の上方への弾性付与で、自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂが上方に牽引されて上昇し、第１可動部材１０を介して第１ホッパー部材９を上昇させるようになっている。
【００３６】
また、昇降手段１４は、弾性部材１７の弾性付与に抗して、レバー１５、１６を押し下げ可能な一対のカム部材１８を有し、このカム部材１８は、レバー１５、１６の自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂの上方に回動中心が位置するように配設されている。
前記カム部材１８は、図２に示すように、回転中心から半径の大きな長尺辺１８ａと、回転中心から半径の小さな短尺辺１８ｂとに挟まれた、半径の異なる円弧状のカム部１８ｃが形成されている。
また、一対のカム部材１８は、回動中心が給紙ローラ１３の回転軸１３ａと同心上に配設され、前記回動中心から離れた位置を連結軸１８ｄでそれぞれ連結されて一体化されている。
また、カム部材１８は、給紙ローラ１３の外径より若干大きい駆動部１８ｅが形成され、駆動部１８ｅの外周部の一部にはカム部材１８を回転駆動させるための複数の歯山が形成されている。
そして、図示しない駆動源から駆動部１８ｅに動力伝達されて一方のカム部材１８が回動すると、他方のカム部材１８も同時に回動するようになっている。
また、前記カム部１８ｃは、駆動部１８ｅから突出して形成されている。
【００３７】
前記カム部材１８は、回動中心が給紙ローラ１３の回転軸１３ａとは独立して回動可能になっており、駆動源（図示せず）による駆動部１８ｅの回動で、図１に示すように、長尺辺１８ａを垂直状に位置させることにより、レバー１５、１６の自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂが降下して下方に位置するようになっている。
また、カム部材１８は、図１に示すように、半径の大きい方の長尺辺１８ａのカム部１８ｃに、凸状の位置決め部１８ｆが形成されている。
また、レバー１５、１６の自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂには、位置決め部１８ｆが係合可能な係合部（図示せず）が形成され、カム部１８ｃでレバー１５、１６の自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂを降下させた位置において、位置決め部１８ｆがレバー１５、１６の係合部（図示せず）に係合して、カム部材１８の回転を規制するようになっている。
【００３８】
また、図６に示すように、第１用紙トレー６を第１トレー装着部４に装着状態で、レバー１５の自由端部１５ｂが上昇時は、第１用紙トレー６のレバー係脱溝６ｃに押し上げ部１５ｃが位置する。
そして、この状態で第１用紙トレー６を第１トレー装着部４から取り出そうとして、図７に示す第１用紙トレー６に矢印Ｆ方向の加重を加えても、レバー１５の先端部１５ｄがレバー係脱溝６ｃの内周壁６ｆに当接して、第１用紙トレー６の第１トレー装着部４からの取り出しができないようになっている。
【００３９】
また、第１トレー装着部４に第１用紙トレー６が装着されてない未装着状態で、レバー１５の自由端部１５ｂが上昇時に、図８に示す第１用紙トレー６に、矢印Ｇ方向の加重を加えて、第１用紙トレー６を第１トレー装着部４に装着しようとしても、第１用紙トレー６の前端部の壁がレバー１５のストッパー部１５ｅに当接して、第１用紙トレー６の第１トレー装着部４への装着が阻止されるようになっている。
即ち、第１用紙トレー６は、カム部材１８の回転によって、レバー１５、１６の自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂが降下時のみにおいて、第１トレー装着部４に着脱可能になっている。そのために、第１用紙トレー６の第１トレー装着部４への誤挿入を防止することができ、誤挿入による故障等を防ぐようになっている。
【００４０】
また、図１に示す記録用紙２の搬送方向Ｄの給紙ローラ１３の下流側には、それぞれ異なる形状の第１、第２用紙ガイド１９、２０が配設されている。
また、記録用紙２の搬送方向Ｄの第１、第２用紙ガイド１９、２０の下流側には、記録用紙２に印刷可能な印刷手段２１が配設されている。
この印刷手段２１を、例えば熱転写方式で説明すると、給紙ローラ１３の回転により第１、または第２用紙トレー６、７から送られてくる記録用紙２を、紙送りローラ（図示せず）と圧接ローラ（図示せず）との間に圧接狭持して、下流側のプラテン２２とサーマルヘッド２３の間に搬送する。
【００４１】
このサーマルヘッド２３は、プラテン２２に沿って往復移動可能なキャリッジ２４に搭載され、印刷時はプラテン２２側にヘッドダウン可能になっている。
また、キャリッジ２４には、所望の色のインクが塗布されたインクリボンを収納するリボンカセット２５が載置可能になっており、印刷時はプラテン２２とサーマルヘッド２３との間に記録用紙２とインクリボンとを位置させた状態で、サーマルヘッド２３をプラテン２２側にヘッドダウンさせて、サーマルヘッド２３の発熱素子を選択的に発熱させて、記録用紙にインクリボンのインクを転写して、所望の画像が印刷されるようになっている。
【００４２】
前述したような本発明のプリンタの動作は、まず、図２に示す第１、第２トレー装着部４、５のそれぞれの昇降手段１４のカム部材１８を、反時計方向に回転させる。
そして、それぞれのレバー１５、１６の自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂを弾性部材１７の弾性付与に抗して降下させる。すると半径の大きい長尺辺１８ｂ側のカム部１８ｃに形成している位置決め部１８ｆが、レバー１５、１６の自由端部の係合部（図示せず）に係合して、カム部材１８の回転が規制される。
【００４３】
前記レバー１５、１６が降下状態の第１、第２トレー装着部４、５に、第１、第２用紙トレー６、７を挿入して装着する。
すると、第１第２用紙トレー６、７の、それぞれの位置決め部６ｅ、７ｅが第１、第２トレー装着部４、５に形成した係合部（図示せず）に係合して、第１、第２用紙トレー６、７が装着状態で位置決めされる。
【００４４】
次に、第１、第２トレー装着部４、５の、それぞれのカム部材１８を、図２の状態から図１に示すように、時計回り方向に略９０゜回転させると、半径の小さい短尺辺１８ｂ側のカム部１８ｃがレバー１５、１６の自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂ側に位置する。
すると、自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂが弾性部材で上方に牽引され、第１用紙トレー６の第１ホッパー９は水平状態で上昇して、収納部６ｂに収納している厚紙から成る記録用紙２の搬送方向Ｄの下流側が、給紙ローラ１３に圧接する。
また、第２用紙トレー７の第２ホッパー部材１１は回動支点１１ａを支点として他方側１１ｂが上方に回動して、Ａ４等の大サイズで薄紙から成る記録用紙２の搬送方向Ｄの下流側が、給紙ローラ１３に圧接する。
【００４５】
前記記録用紙２が給紙ローラ１３に圧接状態になると、外部からの用紙選択手段（図示せず）で、記録用紙２の種類が選択される。
そして、例えば、はがき等の厚紙から成る記録用紙２が選択されると、第１トレー装着部４側の給紙ローラ１３を反時計回り方向に回転させる。すると、収納部６ｂに収納している最上部の記録用紙２が下部の記録用紙２から分離されて、第１用紙ガイド１９を経由して印刷手段２１に搬送される。そして、印刷手段２１により記録用紙２に所望の画像が印刷されて、印刷装置２１側の紙送りローラ（図示せず）の回転で、印刷後の記録用紙２がプリンタ外部に排紙される。
【００４６】
このように、本発明のプリンタは、記録用紙２を昇降させて給紙ローラ１３に圧接状態、または非圧接状態に操作可能な昇降手段１４を有し、印刷手段２１による記録用紙２１への印刷時は、昇降手段１４によって記録用紙２を上昇させて前記圧接状態とし、印刷手段２１が非印刷時には、昇降手段１４により記録用紙２を降下させて圧接状態を解除して非圧接状態とするようになっている。
そのために、非印刷時の状態が長時間になっても、記録用紙２は給紙ローラ１３に対して非厚接状態となっているので、記録用紙２にカール等の変形が発生することが無く、印刷時に記録用紙２をスムーズに印刷手段２１側に搬送することができる。
【００４７】
本発明の説明では、本体部に第１、第２トレー装着部４、５を形成して、厚紙からなる記録用紙２を収納した第１用紙トレー６と、薄紙からなる記録用紙２を収納した第２用紙トレー７の両方を装着するようしたもので説明したが、本体部１には１つのトレー装着部を形成し、第１、第２用紙トレー６、７のいずれか一方を装着可能にしたものでも良い。
また、昇降手段１４のレバー１５、１６は、回動支点１５ａ、１６ａを支点として自由端部１５ｂ、１６ｂを回動させるように説明したが、レバー１５、１６は回動させないで、水平状態で昇降させてるようにしたものでも良い。
また、昇降手段１４の弾性部材１７は引っ張りバネで説明したが、圧縮バネでも良い。この圧縮バネの場合は、レバー１５、１６の下方に配置することで、レバー１５、１６を上方に弾性付与することができる。
【００４８】
【発明の効果】
以上述べたように、本発明のプリンタは、印刷手段による記録用紙への印刷時は、昇降手段によって記録用紙を上昇させて給紙ローラに対して圧接状態とし、印刷手段が非印刷時には、昇降手段により記録用紙を降下させて給紙ローラに対する圧接状態を解除して非圧接状態とするようにしたので、非印刷時の時間が長くなったとしても、記録用紙にカール等の変形が発生しない。
そのために、記録用紙を印刷手段側にスムーズに搬送することができ、紙ジャム等の障害を無くして操作性の良いプリンタを提供できる。
【００４９】
また、前記用紙トレーは、内部に昇降自在なホッパー部材を有し、前記記録用紙を前記ホッパー部材に載置した状態で、前記昇降手段により前記ホッパー部材を昇降させて、前記記録用紙を前記給紙ローラに対して前記圧接状態、または非圧接状態に操作するようにしたので、用紙トレーに収納した記録用紙をホッパー部材の昇降により、確実に給紙ローラに圧接状態、非圧接状態にすることができ、記録用紙を印刷時のみ給紙ローラに圧接することができる。
【００５０】
また、上下動可能な可動部材を有し、この可動部材は、前記ホッパー部材と前記昇降手段との間に介在され、前記昇降手段により前記可動部材を介して前記ホッパー部材を昇降させるようにしたので、ホッパー部材の形状を簡単にすることができると共に、用紙トレーの組立が容易になる。
【００５１】
また、前記昇降手段は、前記ホッパー部材を昇降可能に支持するレバーと、このレバーを上方に弾性付与する弾性部材と、この弾性部材の付与力に抗して前記レバーを押し下げ可能なカム部材とで構成され、前記弾性部材の付与力で前記ホッパー部材を上昇させて前記圧接状態とし、この圧接状態から前記カム部材により前記レバーを押し下げ、前記ホッパー部材を降下させて前記非圧接状態となるようにしたので、カム部材で記録用紙を給紙ローラに対して非圧接状態に確実に操作することができ、用紙トレーに収納している記録用紙にカール等の発生を防止することができる。
【００５２】
また、前記レバーは、一方側を回動支点として他方側の自由端部が回動して昇降可能となし、前記カム部材による前記自由端部の昇降により、前記ホッパー軸を介して前記ホッパー部材を昇降させるようにしたので、昇降手段の構造が簡単になり、組立が容易である。
【００５３】
また、前記カム部材は前記給紙ローラと同軸上に配設され、前記給紙ローラとは独立して回転可能となし、前記カム部材は半径の異なる円弧状のカム部が形成され、前記カム部材を回転させることにより前記レバーの前記自由端部を降下させるようにしたので、昇降手段を確実に操作して、記録用紙を給紙ローラに対して圧接状態、非圧接状態に確実にすることができ、給紙ローラによる記録用紙の搬送ミスを防止できる。
【００５４】
また、前記レバーは、前記弾性部材の付与によって前記自由端部が牽引されて上昇するようにしたので、昇降手段の構造を簡単にできる。
【００５５】
また、前記カム部材は、半径の大きい方の前記カム部に位置決め部が形成され、前記レバーは、前記自由端部に前記位置決め部が係合可能な係合部を有し、前記カム部で前記レバーを降下させた位置において、前記位置決め部が前記係合部に係合して、前記カム部材の回転を規制するようにしたので、プリンタの電源をＯＦＦしたときでも、レバーを降下させた位置においてレバーが弾性部材の付与力で上昇しようとする力を規制することができ、次にプリンタの電源をＯＮさせたときに、昇降手段を誤作動無く正常に立ち上げることができる。
【００５６】
また、トレー挿入口を有するトレー装着部を備えた本体部を有し、前記用紙トレーは、前記トレー装着部に着脱可能となし、前記昇降手段は前記トレ−装着部内に配設され、前記レバーは前記自由端部が前記トレ−装着部内の奥側に位置すると共に、前記回動支点が前記トレ−挿入口寄りに取り付けられ、前記用紙トレ−は、前記カム部材によって前記レバーの前記自由端部が降下時のみにおいて、前記トレ−装着部に着脱可能としたので、トレー装着部に用紙トレーを誤装着するのを防ぐことができ、誤装着等による故障等を無くすることができる。
【００５７】
また、前記トレ−装着部に前記用紙トレーを装着した時、前記用紙トレーに形成した位置決め部が前記トレー装着部に形成した係合部に係合して前記用紙トレーが前記トレー装着部に装着状態で位置決めされるようにしたので、装着時の用紙トレーをトレー装着部の所定位置に確実に位置させることができ、誤装着等による故障等を無くすることができる。
【００５８】
また、前記用紙トレ−は、前記レバーが係脱可能なレバー係脱溝を有し、前記用紙トレーを前記トレ−装着部に前記装着状態で、前記レバーの上昇時は、前記レバー係脱溝に前記レバーが位置して、前記用紙トレーの前記トレ−装着部からの取り出しができないようにしたので、レバー上昇時の誤操作による用紙トレーの取り出しを防いで、故障等の発生を予防することができるプリンタを提供する。
【００５９】
また、前記トレ−装着部に前記用紙トレーが非装着状態で、前記レバーの前記自由端部が上昇時は、前記用紙トレ−の前記トレ−装着部への装着を阻止するためのストッパ部を前記レバーに形成したので、板金加工等で形成されたレバーにストッパ部を形成することで、構造が簡単で、且つ確実に誤装着を防ぐことができる。
【００６０】
また、前記用紙トレ−は、前記レバーの前記自由端部の昇降によって、水平状態で昇降可能な第１ホッパー部材を有する第１用紙トレ−と、一方側を回動支点として他方側が昇降可能な第２ホッパー部材を有する第２用紙トレ−とを設け、前記本体部には、前記第１と第２用紙トレ−とを着脱可能な２つの前記装着部を有するので、厚さ、またはサイズ等が異なる記録用紙２を、必要に応じて選択して、印刷手段２０で印刷することができ、記録用紙の種類にあわせて用紙トレーを交換することがなく印刷効率の良いプリンタを提供できる。
【００６１】
また、前記第１ホッパー部材は、２本の交差状に組み合わせた支持部材により水平状態で昇降可能に支持され、前記第１ホッパー部材に載置する記録用紙は、はがき等の厚紙から成り、前記第１ホッパー部材に載置した前記厚紙から成る記録用紙を前記給紙ローラに対して水平状態で昇降させるようにしたので、はがき等の厚紙から成る記録用紙を、水平状態で確実に給紙ローラに圧接することができ、厚紙等から成る記録用紙を確実に印刷手段側に搬送することができる。
【００６２】
また、前記第２ホッパー部材に載置する記録用紙は、前記はがきより薄くてサイズの大きなコピー紙等の薄紙から成り、前記第２ホッパー部材に載置した前記薄紙から成る記録用紙を、前記第２ホッパー部材の前記他方側の昇降により、前記記録用紙の前記搬送方向の下流側を前記給紙ローラに前記圧接状態、前記非圧接状態とするようにしたので、大サイズで薄紙から成る記録用紙の昇降を、簡単な構造で行うことができる。また、用紙トレーの組立が容易である、
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明のプリンタの要部断面図である。
【図２】本発明に係わる昇降手段を説明する要部断面図である。
【図３】本発明に係わる第１用紙トレーの側面図である。
【図４】本発明に係わる第２用紙トレーの側面図である。
【図５】本発明に係わる第１用紙トレーの装着状態を説明する要部断面図である。
【図６】本発明に係わる第１用紙トレーの装着状態を説明する要部断面図である。
【図７】本発明に係わるレバーと用紙トレーとの関係を説明する側面図である。
【図８】本発明に係わるレバーと用紙トレーとの関係を説明する側面図である
【図９】従来のプリンタの概略構造を説明する図である。
【符号の説明】
１本体部
２記録用紙
３給紙部
４第１トレー装着部
４ａトレー挿入口
５第２トレー装着部
５ａトレー挿入口
６第１用紙トレー
６ａ側壁
６ｂ収納部
６ｃレバー係脱溝
６ｄガイド孔
６ｅ位置決め部
７第２用紙トレー
７ａ側壁
７ｂ収納部
７ｃレバー係脱溝
７ｄガイド孔
７ｅ位置決め部
８支持部材
９第１ホッパ部材
１０第１可動部材
１１第２ホッパー部材
１２第２可動部材
１３給紙ローラ
１４昇降手段
１５、１６レバー
１５ａ、１６ａ回動支点
１５ｂ１６ｂ自由端部
１５ｅ、１６ｅストッパー部
１７弾性部材
１８カム部材
１９第１用紙ガイド
２０第２用紙ガイド
２１印刷手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly to a printer in which a recording sheet is pressed against a sheet feeding roller only when printing on the recording sheet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional printer will be described with reference to FIG. 9, for example, a thermal transfer printer. A conventional printer includes a paper feed unit 40 and a printing unit 44.
A paper tray 41 capable of storing a plurality of recording papers 2 can be mounted on the paper feed unit 40, and a rotatable hopper member 42 is disposed at the front bottom portion inside the paper tray 41. Has been.
The hopper member 42 is provided with an elastic member (not shown) that elastically urges upward in the direction of arrow A on the lower surface side, and the front portion 42b is rotatable about the fulcrum 42a.
[0003]
The hopper member 42 is placed near the front end 2 a of the recording paper 2 stored in the paper tray 41. A paper feed roller 43 that is rotatable in the direction of the counterclockwise arrow shown in the figure is disposed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction B of the recording paper 2 stored in the paper tray 41.
The paper feed roller 43 is pressed against the front end portion 2a of the uppermost recording paper 2 placed on the hopper member 42 by being elastically biased.
Then, by rotating the paper feed roller 42 counterclockwise, the recording paper 2 in the paper tray 41 can be separated one by one and conveyed to the printing means 44 on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction B. Yes.
[0004]
The printing means 44 is provided with a flat platen 45 and a thermal head 46 that can be moved toward and away from the platen 45 in the upper direction of the figure facing the platen 44 so as to be movable in the direction of arrow C.
The printing unit 44 is provided with a rotatable paper feed roller 47 and a pressure roller 48 in pressure contact with the paper feed roller 47 on the upstream side of the platen 45 in the paper transport direction B.
[0005]
The printing operation on the recording paper 2 by such a conventional printer will be described. First, the front end portion 2a of the uppermost recording paper 2 stored in the paper tray 41 is elastically biased from below by the hopper member 42. Then, it comes into pressure contact with the paper feed roller 43.
From this state, the paper feed roller 43 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow to transport the recording paper 2 in the paper transport direction B.
Then, the recording paper 2 sent to the printing means 44 is pressed and sandwiched between the paper feed roller 47 and the pressure contact roller 48, and the paper feed roller is also rotated in the clockwise direction in the drawing to feed the recording paper 2 to the paper feed roller 47. To the downstream side.
[0006]
The front end 2a of the recording paper 2 is passed between the platen 45 and the thermal head 46, which are disposed on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 47, and the thermal head 46 determines the print start position of the recording paper 2. The rotation of the paper feed roller 47 and the paper feed roller 43 is stopped in alignment with the portion where the heat generating element (not shown) is formed.
Between the thermal head 46 and the recording paper 2, an ink ribbon (not shown) coated with ink of a desired color is disposed.
In the printing unit 44, the thermal head 46 is moved toward the platen 45, the ink ribbon and the recording paper 2 are pressed against the platen 44, and a heating element (not shown) of the thermal head 46 is selectively heated. Thus, a desired image is printed by thermally transferring ink on an ink ribbon (not shown) onto the recording paper 2.
[0007]
In such a conventional printer, the recording paper 2 stored in the paper tray 41 attached to the paper feed unit 40 is always in a pressure contact state with the paper feed roller 43 by the action of the hopper member 42, and a print command is issued. If there is, the uppermost recording paper 2 can be immediately conveyed to the printing means 44 on the downstream side.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional printer as described above, the recording paper 2 in the paper tray 41 is fed by the action of the hopper member 42 while the paper tray 41 containing the recording paper 2 is mounted in the paper feeding unit 40. Since the roller 43 is always pressed against the roller 43, when the printing is not performed for a long time, the portion of the recording paper 2 that is always pressed against the paper feed roller 43 is deformed and the front end 2a is curled, and the downstream side. When the recording paper 2 is conveyed to the printing unit 44 on the side, there is a possibility that a conveyance failure such as a paper jam may occur between the paper feed roller 47 and the pressure contact roller 48.
Further, even if the front end 2a can be sandwiched between the paper feed roller 47 and the pressure roller 48, the recording paper 2 may be caught on the thermal head 46 and a paper jam or the like may occur.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. When printing is not being performed, the recording paper is prevented from being deformed by releasing the pressure contact of the recording paper with the paper feed roller. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of stable paper feeding without paper jams or the like during paper feeding.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  As a first means for solving the above problems, the printer of the present invention can store printing means capable of printing on recording paper and a plurality of the recording papers.And has a hopper member that can be raised and lowered inside.Paper tray and paper feed roller capable of transporting the recording paper stored in the paper tray to the printing meansWhen,Lifting means capable of moving the recording paper up and down to operate in a pressure contact state or a non-pressure contact state with the paper feed rollerWhenAnd when the printing means prints on the recording paper, the lifting meansHopper memberRaiseThe recording paper is fed to the paper feed rollerWhen in the press contact state and the printing means is not printing, the lifting meansHopper memberDropThe recording paper with respect to the paper feed rollerRelease the pressure contact state to the non-pressure contact state.Printer,
  The movable member has a movable member that can move up and down, and has a contact portion that protrudes from both side walls of the paper tray, and is interposed between the hopper member and the lifting and lowering means. The hopper member can be moved up and down via the movable member, and the lifting means includes a lever that supports the hopper member so that the hopper member can be moved up and down while being in contact with the contact portion, and the lever is moved upward. An elastic member that is elastically applied to raise the hopper member and a cam member that can push down the lever against the applying force of the elastic member, and the lever is moved by the applying force of the elastic member. The hopper member is raised through the pressure contact state, and the lever is pushed down by the cam member from the pressure contact state, and the hopper member is lowered to the non-pressure contact state.The configuration is as follows.
[0010]
  In addition, as a second solving means for solving the above problem,The lever can move up and down with the free end of the other side pivoted by using one side as a pivot, and the hopper member can be lifted and lowered via the hopper shaft by raising and lowering the free end by the cam member.The configuration is as follows.
[0011]
  In addition, as a third solving means for solving the above problem,The cam member is disposed coaxially with the paper feed roller and is rotatable independently of the paper feed roller. The cam member is formed with an arcuate cam portion having a different radius. Lower the free end of the lever by rotatingThe configuration is such that
[0012]
  Further, as a fourth solving means for solving the above problem,The lever rises when the free end is pulled by the application of the elastic member.The configuration is as follows.
[0013]
  Further, as a fifth solving means for solving the above problem,The cam member has a positioning portion formed on the cam portion having a larger radius, and the lever has an engaging portion with which the positioning portion can be engaged at the free end portion, and the cam portion holds the lever. In the lowered position, the positioning portion engages with the engaging portion to restrict the rotation of the cam member.The configuration is as follows.
[0014]
  In addition, as a sixth solving means for solving the above problem,A main body provided with a tray mounting portion having a tray insertion opening; the paper tray is detachable from the tray mounting portion; the elevating means is disposed in the tray mounting portion; A free end portion is located on the back side in the tray mounting portion, and the rotation fulcrum is attached to the tray insertion opening. The paper tray is configured such that the free end portion of the lever is moved by the cam member. Only at the time of descent, it was made detachable to the tray mounting part.The configuration.
[0015]
  Further, as a seventh solving means for solving the above problem,When the paper tray is mounted on the tray mounting portion, the positioning portion formed on the paper tray is engaged with the engaging portion formed on the tray mounting portion, and the paper tray is positioned in the tray mounting portion in a mounted state. IsThe configuration is as follows.
[0016]
  In addition, as an eighth solving means for solving the above-mentioned problem,The paper tray has a lever engaging / removing groove on which the lever can be engaged and disengaged, and the paper tray is mounted in the tray mounting portion in the mounted state, and when the lever is raised, the lever engaging / removing groove is in the lever Cannot be removed from the tray mounting portion of the paper tray.The configuration is as follows.
[0017]
  In addition, as a ninth solving means for solving the above problem,When the paper tray is not attached to the tray mounting portion and the free end portion of the lever is raised, a stopper portion for preventing the paper tray from being attached to the tray mounting portion is used as the lever. Formed intoThe configuration was as follows.
[0018]
  Further, as a tenth solving means for solving the above-mentioned problem,The paper tray includes a first paper tray having a first hopper member that can be raised and lowered in a horizontal state by raising and lowering the free end portion of the lever, and a second hopper that can be raised and lowered on the other side with one side as a rotation fulcrum. A second paper tray having a member is provided, and the main body portion includes the two mounting portions to which the first and second paper trays can be attached and detached..
[0019]
  In addition, as an eleventh solving means for solving the above problem,The first hopper member is supported by two support members combined in a cross shape so that the first hopper member can be moved up and down in a horizontal state, and the recording paper placed on the first hopper member is made of a thick paper such as a postcard. The recording paper composed of the thick paper placed on the member is moved up and down in a horizontal state with respect to the paper feed roller.The configuration is as follows.
[0020]
  In addition, as a twelfth solving means for solving the above-mentioned problem,The recording paper placed on the second hopper member is made of thin paper such as copy paper that is thinner and larger than the postcard, and the recording paper made of the thin paper placed on the second hopper member is used as the second hopper member. By moving the other side up and down, the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording paper is brought into the pressure contact state and the non-pressure contact state with the paper feed roller.The configuration was as follows.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the printer of the present invention will be described using a thermal transfer printer. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer of the present invention is covered with a metal such as an iron plate to form a main body 1, and a paper feed portion 3 is formed on the lower side of the main body 1 in the figure.
The sheet feeding unit 3 is formed with two tray mounting portions 4, 5, first and second tray mounting portions 4, 5 as indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the first and second tray mounting portions 4, 5, 5 has tray insertion openings 4a and 5a, respectively.
A first paper tray 6 as shown in FIG. 3 can be attached to the first tray mounting portion 4, and the first paper tray 6 accommodates recording paper 2 made of a plurality of thick paper such as postcards. It is possible.
Further, the second tray mounting portion 5 can be mounted with a second sheet tray 7 as shown in FIG. 4, and the second sheet tray 7 has a size such as A4 size and is a copy sheet. A recording paper 2 made of a thin paper thinner than a postcard or the like can be stored.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 3, the first paper tray 6 has a storage portion 6b surrounded by a rectangular side wall 6a and capable of storing a recording paper 2 made of thick paper such as a postcard with a predetermined depth. Has been.
Further, the first paper tray 6 shown in FIG. 3 is formed with a lever engaging / disengaging groove 6c having a predetermined width and depth to which a later-described levers 15 and 16 can be engaged and disengaged on the right side of the side wall 6a.
A vertically long guide hole 6d is formed through the side wall 6a of the portion where the lever engaging / disengaging groove 6c is formed so as to hold a movable member 10 described later so as to be movable up and down.
[0026]
The lever engaging / disengaging groove 6c and the guide hole 6d are also formed on the side wall (not shown) on the side facing the side wall 6a. A concave positioning portion 6e is formed in the lower portion near the right end of the first paper tray 6 shown in FIG. 3, and when the first paper tray 6 is mounted on the first tray mounting portion 4, the positioning portion 6e is The first paper tray 6 is positioned on the first tray mounting portion 4 at the mounting position by engaging with an engaging portion (not shown) formed on the first tray mounting portion 4.
[0027]
A support member 8 in which two support rods 8a and 8b are combined in a cross shape at a support portion 8c is disposed at the bottom of the storage portion 6b. A flat plate-like first hopper member 9 is provided on the support member 8. Is attached.
The support member 8 operates like a pantograph with the support portion 8c as a fulcrum, so that the first hopper member 9 can move up and down in the storage portion 6b in a horizontal state.
[0028]
The vertically long guide hole 6d holds a rod-shaped first movable member 10 disposed between the first hopper member 9 and levers 15 and 16 of an elevating means 14 described later.
The first movable member 10 is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction D for conveying the recording paper 2 to the printing means 21 described later, and is inserted into the guide hole 6d so as to be movable up and down.
As shown in FIG. 6, the rod-shaped first movable member 10 has both side walls 6a, 6a facing each other in the portions where the contact portions 10a are formed at both ends and the lever engaging / disengaging grooves 6c are formed. The contact portion 10a is protruded from the guide hole 6d.
A rotatable pipe-shaped currant is attached to the contact portion 10a.
[0029]
Also, the second paper tray 7 as shown in FIG. 4 is formed with a storage portion 7b surrounded by a rectangular side wall 7a, and the storage portion 7b is configured to store the recording paper 2 made of thin paper. It is formed with a depth of.
Further, the second paper tray 7 is provided with a lever engaging / disengaging groove 7c having a predetermined width and depth, on the right side of the side wall 7a in FIG. Yes.
A vertically long guide hole 7d is formed through the side wall 7a where the lever engaging / disengaging groove 7c is formed.
Also, a concave positioning portion 7e is formed on the lower right end side of the second paper tray 7 shown in FIG. 4, and when the first paper tray 6 is mounted on the first tray mounting portion 4, the positioning portion 7e The second paper tray 7 is engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) formed in the two tray mounting portion 5 to position the second paper tray 7 on the first tray mounting portion 4 in a mounted state.
[0030]
A flat plate-like second hopper member 11 is disposed on the right side of the bottom of the storage portion 7b. The second hopper member 11 has a rotation fulcrum 11a formed on one side on the left side of the figure attached to the inner surface of the side wall 7a constituting the storage portion 7b. Can be moved up and down.
The vertically long guide hole 7d holds a rod-like second movable member 12 disposed between the second hopper member 11 and levers 15 and 16 of an elevating means 14 described later.
The second movable member 12 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction D for transporting the recording paper 2 made of thin paper to the printing means 21 described later.
Similarly to the first paper tray 6, the second movable member 12 is disposed so that both end portions protrude from the opposite side walls 7a formed with the lever engaging and disengaging grooves 7c and abut against the both end portions. A portion 13a is formed.
Similar to the first movable member 10, a rotatable pipe-like currant is attached to the contact portion 13 a.
[0031]
Above the first and second tray mounting portions 4 and 5, a plurality of cylindrical paper feed rollers 13 fixed to a rotating shaft 13 a as shown in FIGS. Are arranged at equal intervals.
The paper feed roller 13 is made of rubber or the like, and as shown in FIG. 5, the outer peripheral surface is formed with a plurality of striped irregularities in the axial direction so that the recording paper 2 pressed against the outer peripheral surface is less likely to slip. It is like that.
Further, the recording paper 2 stored in the first and second paper trays 6 and 7 is moved up and down on the first and second tray mounting portions 4 and 5 so as to be in a pressure contact state or a non-pressure contact state with the paper feed roller 13. Operable elevating means 14 are respectively provided.
Then, for example, the first hopper member 9 of the first paper tray 6 is lifted and lowered by the lifting / lowering means 14 on the first tray mounting portion 4 side, and the first paper tray mounted on the first tray mounting portion 4 shown in FIG. 6, the recording paper 2 made of thick paper such as a postcard can be operated in a pressure contact state or a non-pressure contact state with respect to the paper feed roller.
[0032]
Since both the lifting and lowering means 14 disposed in the first and second tray mounting portions 4 and 5 have the same configuration, only the lifting and lowering means 14 on the first tray mounting portion 4 side will be described.
The lifting / lowering means 14 has a pair of levers 15 and 16 that support the first hopper member 9 so that it can be lifted and lowered while being in contact with the contact portion 10a of the first movable member 10.
The pair of levers 15 and 16 are made of a metal plate such as an iron plate, and as shown in FIG.
There are rotation fulcrums 15a and 16a on one side, and free ends 15b and 16b on the other side, and tongue-like push-up portions 15c and 16c are formed on the free ends 15b and 16b. Is formed in a substantially L-shape.
The pair of levers 15 and 16 are disposed opposite to each other on the outside of the upper and lower side walls 6a and 6a shown in FIG. 6 of the first paper tray 6 mounted on the first tray mounting portion 4. .
[0033]
The lever 15 is attached to a support shaft 1d attached to the side plate 1b of the main body 1 at the lower side of the figure, and a rotation fulcrum 15a is attached. ing.
In addition, the lever 16 has a rotation fulcrum 16a attached to a support shaft 1c attached to the upper side plate 1a in the figure, and the free end 16b on the other side can be raised and lowered with the rotation fulcrum 15a as a fulcrum.
The levers 15 and 16 have free end portions 15 b and 16 b located on the back side of the first tray mounting portion 4, and rotation fulcrums 15 a and 16 a attached to the tray insertion port 4 a of the first tray mounting portion 4. ing.
[0034]
Further, the push-up portion 15c of the lever 15 is composed of a tip portion 15d on the right side in the drawing and a stopper portion 15e formed at the left side in the drawing and bent at a predetermined angle.
Similarly to the lever 5, the lever 16 has a push-up portion 16c formed with a tip portion 15d and a stopper portion 16e.
Then, as the free ends 15 b and 16 b are moved up and down by the rotation of the levers 15 and 16, the push-up portions 15 c and 16 c are brought into contact with the contact portion 10 a of the first movable member 10, and the first movable member 10 is used to One hopper member 9 can be moved up and down.
[0035]
Further, one side of an elastic member 17 made of a tension coil spring as shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the side plates 1a and 1b of the main body 1, and levers 15 and 16 are attached to the other side of the elastic member 17, The levers 15 and 16 are elastically given upward.
The levers 15 and 16 are elastically imparted upward to the elastic member 17, and the free end portions 15 b and 16 b are pulled upward to raise, and the first hopper member 9 is raised via the first movable member 10. It is like that.
[0036]
The elevating means 14 has a pair of cam members 18 that can depress the levers 15 and 16 against the elasticity of the elastic members 17, and the cam members 18 are free end portions 15 b of the levers 15 and 16. , 16b is disposed so that the center of rotation is located above.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cam member 18 includes an arcuate cam portion 18c having a different radius between a long side 18a having a large radius from the rotation center and a short side 18b having a small radius from the rotation center. Is formed.
The pair of cam members 18 are arranged so that their rotation centers are concentric with the rotation shaft 13 a of the paper feed roller 13, and the positions away from the rotation centers are connected and integrated by a connection shaft 18 d. Yes.
Further, the cam member 18 is formed with a drive portion 18e that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the paper feed roller 13, and a plurality of teeth are formed on a part of the outer peripheral portion of the drive portion 18e for rotationally driving the cam member 18. Has been.
When power is transmitted from a drive source (not shown) to the drive unit 18e and one cam member 18 rotates, the other cam member 18 also rotates simultaneously.
The cam portion 18c is formed to protrude from the drive portion 18e.
[0037]
The cam member 18 has a rotation center that can be rotated independently of the rotation shaft 13a of the paper feed roller 13, and the rotation of the drive unit 18e by a drive source (not shown) results in FIG. As shown, the long sides 18a are positioned vertically so that the free ends 15b and 16b of the levers 15 and 16 are lowered and positioned below.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the cam member 18 has a convex positioning portion 18f formed on a cam portion 18c of the longer side 18a having a larger radius.
The free ends 15b and 16b of the levers 15 and 16 are formed with engaging portions (not shown) to which the positioning portions 18f can be engaged. The free end 15b of the levers 15 and 16 are formed by the cam portion 18c. At the position where 16b is lowered, the positioning portion 18f is engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) of the levers 15 and 16 to restrict the rotation of the cam member 18.
[0038]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the first paper tray 6 is mounted on the first tray mounting portion 4 and the free end portion 15b of the lever 15 is raised, the lever engaging / disengaging groove 6c of the first paper tray 6 is inserted. The push-up part 15c is located.
In this state, even if a load in the direction of arrow F is applied to the first paper tray 6 shown in FIG. 7 in order to take out the first paper tray 6 from the first tray mounting portion 4, the tip 15 d of the lever 15 is The first paper tray 6 cannot be removed from the first tray mounting portion 4 by contacting the inner peripheral wall 6f of the engaging / disengaging groove 6c.
[0039]
Further, when the first paper tray 6 is not mounted on the first tray mounting portion 4 and the first paper tray 6 is not mounted, when the free end portion 15b of the lever 15 is raised, the first paper tray 6 shown in FIG. Even if an attempt is made to load the first paper tray 6 to the first tray mounting portion 4 by applying a weight, the front end wall of the first paper tray 6 abuts against the stopper portion 15e of the lever 15 and the first paper tray 6 The mounting to the first tray mounting portion 4 is prevented.
That is, the first paper tray 6 can be attached to and detached from the first tray mounting portion 4 only when the free ends 15b and 16b of the levers 15 and 16 are lowered by the rotation of the cam member 18. For this reason, it is possible to prevent erroneous insertion of the first paper tray 6 into the first tray mounting portion 4 and to prevent failure due to erroneous insertion.
[0040]
Further, first and second paper guides 19 and 20 having different shapes are disposed on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 13 in the conveyance direction D of the recording paper 2 shown in FIG.
A printing unit 21 capable of printing on the recording paper 2 is disposed downstream of the first and second paper guides 19 and 20 in the conveyance direction D of the recording paper 2.
The printing means 21 will be described by, for example, a thermal transfer system. The recording paper 2 fed from the first or second paper trays 6 and 7 by the rotation of the paper feed roller 13 is changed to a paper feed roller (not shown). The sheet is sandwiched between a pressure roller (not shown) and conveyed between the downstream platen 22 and the thermal head 23.
[0041]
The thermal head 23 is mounted on a carriage 24 that can reciprocate along the platen 22 so that the head can be lowered to the platen 22 side during printing.
In addition, a ribbon cassette 25 for storing an ink ribbon coated with a desired color ink can be placed on the carriage 24, and the recording paper 2 is placed between the platen 22 and the thermal head 23 during printing. With the ink ribbon positioned, the thermal head 23 is lowered to the platen 22 side, the heat generating elements of the thermal head 23 are selectively heated, and the ink ribbon ink is transferred onto the recording paper, so that the desired Images are printed.
[0042]
In the operation of the printer of the present invention as described above, first, the cam members 18 of the elevating means 14 of the first and second tray mounting portions 4 and 5 shown in FIG. 2 are rotated counterclockwise.
Then, the free ends 15 b and 16 b of the levers 15 and 16 are lowered against the elasticity of the elastic member 17. Then, the positioning portion 18f formed on the cam portion 18c on the long side 18b side having a large radius engages with the engaging portion (not shown) of the free end portion of the levers 15 and 16, and the cam member 18 Rotation is regulated.
[0043]
The first and second paper trays 6 and 7 are inserted and mounted in the first and second tray mounting portions 4 and 5 with the levers 15 and 16 being lowered.
Then, the positioning portions 6e and 7e of the first and second paper trays 6 and 7 are engaged with engaging portions (not shown) formed in the first and second tray mounting portions 4 and 5, respectively. 1. The second paper trays 6 and 7 are positioned in the mounted state.
[0044]
Next, when the respective cam members 18 of the first and second tray mounting portions 4 and 5 are rotated approximately 90 ° in the clockwise direction from the state of FIG. 2 as shown in FIG. The cam portion 18 c on the side 18 b side is located on the free end portions 15 b and 16 b side of the levers 15 and 16.
Then, the free end portions 15b and 16b are pulled upward by the elastic member, and the first hopper 9 of the first paper tray 6 rises in a horizontal state, and the recording paper 2 made of thick paper stored in the storage portion 6b. The downstream side in the transport direction D is in pressure contact with the paper feed roller 13.
Further, the second hopper member 11 of the second paper tray 7 has the other side 11b pivoted upward with the pivot fulcrum 11a as a fulcrum, and is downstream in the transport direction D of the recording paper 2 made of thin paper of large size such as A4. The side is in pressure contact with the paper feed roller 13.
[0045]
When the recording paper 2 comes into pressure contact with the paper feed roller 13, the type of the recording paper 2 is selected by an external paper selection means (not shown).
For example, when the recording paper 2 made of thick paper such as a postcard is selected, the paper feed roller 13 on the first tray mounting portion 4 side is rotated counterclockwise. Then, the uppermost recording paper 2 stored in the storage unit 6 b is separated from the lower recording paper 2 and conveyed to the printing means 21 via the first paper guide 19. Then, a desired image is printed on the recording paper 2 by the printing means 21, and the printed recording paper 2 is discharged out of the printer by rotation of a paper feed roller (not shown) on the printing apparatus 21 side.
[0046]
As described above, the printer according to the present invention has the lifting / lowering means 14 that can move the recording paper 2 up and down and operate the paper feeding roller 13 in a pressure-contact state or a non-pressure-contact state. When the printing means 21 is not printing, the recording paper 2 is lowered by the lifting / lowering means 14 to release the pressure-contacting state and to the non-pressure-contacting state. It has become.
For this reason, even if the non-printing state becomes a long time, the recording paper 2 is in a non-thick contact state with respect to the paper feed roller 13, so that deformation such as curling may occur in the recording paper 2. In addition, the recording paper 2 can be smoothly conveyed to the printing means 21 side during printing.
[0047]
In the description of the present invention, the first and second tray mounting portions 4 and 5 are formed in the main body, and the first paper tray 6 storing the recording paper 2 made of thick paper and the recording paper 2 made of thin paper are stored. Although it has been described that both of the second paper trays 7 are mounted, the main body portion 1 is formed with one tray mounting portion so that either the first or second paper trays 6 and 7 can be mounted. What you did is fine.
Further, the levers 15 and 16 of the elevating means 14 have been described as rotating the free end portions 15b and 16b with the rotation fulcrums 15a and 16a as fulcrums, but the levers 15 and 16 are not rotated and are in a horizontal state. It may be lifted and lowered.
Moreover, although the elastic member 17 of the raising / lowering means 14 was demonstrated with the tension | pulling spring, it may be a compression spring. In the case of this compression spring, the levers 15 and 16 can be elastically imparted upward by being disposed below the levers 15 and 16.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the printer of the present invention raises the recording paper by the lifting / lowering means when the printing means prints on the recording paper, and presses it against the paper feed roller, and lifts / lowers when the printing means is not printing. Since the recording paper is lowered by the means to release the pressure contact state with respect to the paper feed roller so as to be in the non-pressure contact state, even if the non-printing time becomes longer, the recording paper does not deform such as curl. .
Therefore, the recording paper can be smoothly conveyed to the printing means side, and a printer with good operability can be provided without obstructions such as paper jam.
[0049]
The paper tray has a hopper member that can be moved up and down inside, and the recording paper is placed on the hopper member, and the hopper member is moved up and down by the lifting means to feed the recording paper. Since the operation is performed in the pressure contact state or the non-pressure contact state with respect to the paper roller, the recording paper stored in the paper tray is surely brought into the pressure contact state or the non-pressure contact state with respect to the paper feed roller by raising and lowering the hopper member. The recording paper can be pressed against the paper feed roller only during printing.
[0050]
The movable member has a movable member that can move up and down. The movable member is interposed between the hopper member and the elevating means, and the hopper member is moved up and down by the elevating means through the movable member. Therefore, the shape of the hopper member can be simplified and the assembly of the paper tray is facilitated.
[0051]
The elevating means includes a lever that supports the hopper member so as to be movable up and down, an elastic member that elastically applies the lever upward, and a cam member that can push down the lever against the applying force of the elastic member; The hopper member is raised by the application force of the elastic member to be in the pressure contact state, and the lever is pushed down by the cam member from the pressure contact state, and the hopper member is lowered to be in the non-pressure contact state. Therefore, the cam member can reliably operate the recording paper in a non-pressing state with respect to the paper feed roller, and the curling of the recording paper stored in the paper tray can be prevented.
[0052]
In addition, the lever is configured such that the free end portion on the other side rotates with the one side as a rotation fulcrum and can be moved up and down, and the hopper member can be moved through the hopper shaft by moving the free end portion up and down by the cam member. The structure of the lifting / lowering means is simplified and assembly is easy.
[0053]
The cam member is disposed coaxially with the paper feed roller and is rotatable independently of the paper feed roller. The cam member is formed with an arc-shaped cam portion having a different radius, and the cam Since the free end portion of the lever is lowered by rotating the member, the lifting and lowering means is surely operated to ensure that the recording paper is in a pressure contact state or a non-pressure contact state with respect to the paper feed roller. Thus, it is possible to prevent an error in conveying the recording paper by the paper feed roller.
[0054]
In addition, since the lever is lifted by pulling the free end portion by applying the elastic member, the structure of the lifting means can be simplified.
[0055]
The cam member has a positioning portion formed on the cam portion having a larger radius, and the lever has an engaging portion with which the positioning portion can be engaged with the free end portion. At the position where the lever is lowered, the positioning portion engages with the engagement portion to restrict the rotation of the cam member, so that the lever is lowered even when the printer power is turned off. It is possible to regulate the force at which the lever tries to rise by the force applied by the elastic member, and when the printer is turned on next time, the lifting means can be started up normally without malfunction.
[0056]
A main body provided with a tray mounting portion having a tray insertion opening; the paper tray is detachable from the tray mounting portion; the lifting means is disposed in the tray mounting portion; The free end portion is located on the back side in the tray mounting portion, the rotation fulcrum is attached to the tray insertion port, and the paper tray is attached to the free end of the lever by the cam member. Since the tray mounting portion can be attached / detached only when the portion is lowered, it is possible to prevent the paper tray from being erroneously mounted on the tray mounting portion, and it is possible to eliminate a failure due to erroneous mounting or the like.
[0057]
Further, when the paper tray is mounted on the tray mounting portion, the positioning portion formed on the paper tray engages with the engaging portion formed on the tray mounting portion, and the paper tray is mounted on the tray mounting portion. Since the paper tray is positioned in the state, the paper tray at the time of mounting can be surely positioned at a predetermined position of the tray mounting portion, and failure due to erroneous mounting or the like can be eliminated.
[0058]
The paper tray has a lever engagement / removal groove on which the lever can be engaged / removed. When the paper tray is in the attached state on the tray attachment portion and the lever is raised, the lever engagement / removal groove is provided. Since the lever is positioned at the position where the paper tray cannot be taken out from the tray mounting portion, it is possible to prevent the paper tray from being taken out due to an erroneous operation when the lever is raised, thereby preventing the occurrence of a failure or the like. Provide a printer that can.
[0059]
In addition, when the paper tray is not attached to the tray mounting portion and the free end of the lever is raised, a stopper portion for preventing the paper tray from being attached to the tray mounting portion is provided. Since it is formed on the lever, by forming a stopper portion on the lever formed by sheet metal processing or the like, the structure is simple, and erroneous mounting can be prevented reliably.
[0060]
Further, the paper tray can be raised and lowered on the other side with a first paper tray having a first hopper member that can be raised and lowered in a horizontal state by raising and lowering the free end portion of the lever. A second paper tray having a second hopper member is provided, and the main body portion has the two mounting portions to which the first and second paper trays can be attached and detached. Can be selected by the printing means 20 and printed by the printing means 20, and a printer with high printing efficiency can be provided without changing the paper tray according to the type of recording paper.
[0061]
Further, the first hopper member is supported by two support members combined in an intersecting manner so that the first hopper member can be moved up and down in a horizontal state, and the recording paper placed on the first hopper member is made of a thick paper such as a postcard, Since the recording paper composed of the thick paper placed on the first hopper member is moved up and down in a horizontal state with respect to the paper feeding roller, the recording paper composed of thick paper such as a postcard can be reliably fed in the horizontal state. The recording sheet made of cardboard or the like can be reliably conveyed to the printing means side.
[0062]
The recording paper placed on the second hopper member is made of thin paper such as copy paper that is thinner and larger in size than the postcard, and the recording paper made of the thin paper placed on the second hopper member is the first paper. 2 The recording sheet made of thin paper with a large size is formed by raising and lowering the other side of the hopper member so that the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording paper is brought into the pressure contact state and the non-pressure contact state with the paper feed roller. Can be moved up and down with a simple structure. Also, the assembly of the paper tray is easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a printer of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part for explaining lifting means according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a first paper tray according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a second paper tray according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining a mounting state of a first paper tray according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining a mounted state of the first paper tray according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the relationship between the lever and the paper tray according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the relationship between a lever and a paper tray according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a schematic structure of a conventional printer.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Body
2 Recording paper
3 Paper feeder
4 First tray mounting part
4a Tray insertion slot
5 Second tray mounting part
5a Tray insertion slot
6 First paper tray
6a side wall
6b storage section
6c Lever engagement / removal groove
6d guide hole
6e Positioning part
7 Second paper tray
7a side wall
7b storage section
7c Lever engagement / removal groove
7d guide hole
7e Positioning part
8 Support members
9 First hopper member
10 First movable member
11 Second hopper member
12 Second movable member
13 Paper feed roller
14 Lifting means
15, 16 lever
15a, 16a fulcrum
15b 16b Free end
15e, 16e Stopper part
17 Elastic member
18 Cam member
19 First paper guide
20 Second paper guide
21 Printing means

Claims

Printing means capable of printing on recording paper , a paper tray having a hopper member capable of storing a plurality of recording papers and being movable up and down, and transporting the recording paper stored in the paper tray to the printing means a paper feed roller capable, the recording paper is moved up and down by pressure contact with the feed roller or and a non-pressure-operable lifting means to the state, when printing on the recording paper by the printing means, The lifting / lowering means raises the hopper member to bring the recording paper into the pressure contact state with the paper feed roller . When the printing means is not printing, the lifting / lowering means lowers the hopper member to feed the recording paper. A printer configured to release the pressure contact state with respect to the paper roller to the non-pressure contact state ,
The movable member has a movable member that can move up and down, and has a contact portion that protrudes from both side walls of the paper tray, and is interposed between the hopper member and the lifting and lowering means. The hopper member can be moved up and down via the movable member, and the lifting means includes a lever that supports the hopper member so that the hopper member can be moved up and down while being in contact with the contact portion, and the lever is moved upward. An elastic member that is elastically applied to raise the hopper member and a cam member that can push down the lever against the applying force of the elastic member, and the lever is moved by the applying force of the elastic member. and the pressure-contacting state by raising the hopper member via depress the lever by the cam member from the pressing state, the a such so that in the non-pressed state by lowering the hopper member Printer is characterized by the.

The lever can be raised and lowered by turning the free end of the other side with the one side as a rotation fulcrum, and raising and lowering the hopper member via the hopper shaft by raising and lowering the free end by the cam member. the printer according to claim 1, characterized in that the so that is.

The cam member is disposed coaxially with the paper feed roller and is rotatable independently of the paper feed roller. The cam member is formed with an arcuate cam portion having a different radius. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the free end portion of the lever is lowered by rotating the printer.

The lever, the printer according to claim 3, characterized in that the free end portion has a so that to increase, driven by the application of the elastic member.

The cam member has a positioning portion formed on the cam portion having a larger radius, and the lever has an engaging portion with which the positioning portion can be engaged with the free end portion. at a position lowered to, and the positioning portion is engaged with the engaging portion, claim 3, characterized in that the so that to restrict the rotation of the cam member or 4 printer according.

A main body provided with a tray mounting portion having a tray insertion opening; the paper tray is detachable from the tray mounting portion; the elevating means is disposed in the tray mounting portion; A free end portion is located on the back side in the tray mounting portion, and the rotation fulcrum is attached to the tray insertion opening. The paper tray is configured such that the free end portion of the lever is moved by the cam member. The printer according to any one of claims 2 to 5 , wherein the printer is detachable from the tray mounting portion only when the vehicle is lowered .

When the paper tray is mounted on the tray mounting portion, the positioning portion formed on the paper tray is engaged with the engaging portion formed on the tray mounting portion so that the paper tray is mounted on the tray mounting portion. the printer according to claim 6, characterized in that the so that the positioning.

The paper tray has a lever engaging / removing groove on which the lever can be engaged and disengaged, and the paper tray is mounted on the tray mounting portion in the mounted state. 8. The printer according to claim 6 , wherein a lever is positioned so that the paper tray cannot be removed from the tray mounting portion .

When the paper tray is not attached to the tray mounting portion and the free end portion of the lever is raised, a stopper portion for preventing the paper tray from being attached to the tray mounting portion is used as the lever. the printer according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that formed on.

The paper tray includes a first paper tray having a first hopper member that can be raised and lowered in a horizontal state by raising and lowering the free end portion of the lever, and a second that can be raised and lowered on one side as a pivot. the second paper tray having a hopper member - and the provided wherein the body portion, the first and second sheet tray - claims 6 to 9, characterized in that it has two of the mounting portion detachable and The printer according to any one of the above.

The first hopper member is supported by two support members combined in an intersecting manner so that the first hopper member can be moved up and down in a horizontal state, and the recording paper placed on the first hopper member is made of a thick paper such as a postcard. 11. The printer according to claim 10 , wherein the recording paper composed of the thick paper placed on a hopper member is moved up and down in a horizontal state with respect to the paper feed roller .

The recording paper placed on the second hopper member is made of thin paper such as copy paper which is thinner and larger in size than the postcard, and the recording paper made of the thin paper placed on the second hopper member is used as the second hopper. The printer according to claim 11 , wherein the downstream side of the recording sheet in the conveying direction is brought into the pressure contact state and the non-pressure contact state with the paper feed roller by raising and lowering the other side of the member. .