JP3735540B2 - Paper feed tray - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a paper feed tray that is mounted on a recording apparatus in a state in which a plurality of sheets are stacked and accommodated, and is supplied to a recording unit of the recording apparatus by a paper feed roller in the recording apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The paper feed tray used for feeding the paper to the recording unit of the recording device by the paper feed roller in the recording device is generally in a state in which the upper surface is opened and the paper is stacked and placed inside. Has a box-shaped tray main body. Inside the tray body, a rear end positioning plate (not shown) for restricting the rear end position of the paper and a movable side plate (not shown) for restricting the position of the side end surface of the paper are disposed.
[0003]
Further, on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction of the sheets stacked and accommodated in the tray main body on the bottom wall of the tray main body, when the paper supply tray is installed in the recording apparatus, the paper attached to the recording apparatus side is attached. An opening through which the biasing member can enter and exit is formed.
[0004]
A tray plate having a substantially rectangular thin plate shape on which at least the leading end side positioned at the downstream side in the paper feeding direction of the sheets stacked and stored in the tray body can be placed on the inner bottom portion of the tray body. Has been. The rear end side of the tray plate is supported on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction with respect to the bottom wall of the tray body so that the front end side located on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction can be rotated upward. Yes. The tray plate 5 is configured such that when the paper feed tray is mounted on the recording apparatus and the paper biasing member is inserted into the paper feed tray from the opening, the paper biasing member causes the rear end side to be moved. By being urged while rotating upward as a swing shaft, the paper P placed on the uppermost portion is elastically pressed against a paper feed roller provided in the recording apparatus.
[0005]
Further, the lid body is provided with a cover that can be opened and closed freely by covering the release portion on the upper surface to prevent adhesion of dust and the like.
[0006]
In such a conventional paper feed tray, the paper P is stacked and placed on the inner surface of the tray body and stored. When this paper feed tray is mounted on the recording apparatus, the tray plate is pressed against the paper feed roller 8 via the paper by the biasing force when the paper biasing member enters the opening by driving the paper feed motor. As a result, the uppermost sheet is pressed against the lower side of the sheet feed roller. When the paper feed roller is driven to rotate in this state, only the uppermost paper among the paper is separated from the lower paper by the frictional force between the paper feed roller and the paper, and the paper is fed from the tray body. The paper is conveyed to the outside along the direction, and the paper is sent out (feeded) toward a printing position of a recording apparatus (not shown).
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional paper feed tray having such a configuration, the tray plate that is free to swing when there is no paper to be stored, particularly in a state where it is not mounted in the recording apparatus, There have been problems such as rattling noise caused by collision with the surrounding tray body due to vibration or the like, and damage to each of the parts made of, for example, plastic due to the collision.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of these points, and by preventing the swing of the tray plate from being free in the paper feed tray, a collision sound is generated or a collision with other members occurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper feed tray that does not damage the members.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, a paper feed tray according to the present invention is provided on a tray body that can stack and store a plurality of sheets and a bottom portion in the tray body, and records the stored sheets. A tray plate that is swingable so as to press the downstream side in the paper feeding direction of the sheets stacked and fed for feeding to the recording unit of the apparatus against the paper feeding roller, and at least a part of the upper opening of the tray body A paper feed tray that is detachably attached to the recording apparatus, and is in contact with the tray plate inside the lid, with the lid closed, The rocking restraining protrusion for restraining rocking is integrally formed.
[0010]
According to this paper feed tray, by closing the lid, the swing suppression protrusion can be brought into contact with the tray plate, and thus the free swing of the tray plate can be suppressed.
[0011]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding tray including: a first lid that covers a part of an upper opening of the tray body when the lid is attached to the sheet feeding tray; and the sheet feeding tray recording apparatus. And a second lid that covers the entire area of the upper opening in combination with the first lid, and the swing suppression protrusion is formed on the second lid. It is what.
[0012]
According to this paper feed tray, when attached to the recording apparatus, the upper opening of the paper feed tray can be covered and covered to the minimum necessary with the first cover body securing the paper feed path. Sometimes, the second lid can cover the entire upper opening of the paper feed tray in combination with the first lid, and the rocking restraining protrusion that abuts the tray plate is abutted against the tray plate. Thus, free swinging of the tray plate can be suppressed.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First, the paper feed tray of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the paper feed tray 1 of the present embodiment is capable of feeding paper P in the paper feed direction indicated by the arrow, and a plurality of paper P are stacked on one side. The tray main body 2 has a substantially flat plate shape.
[0015]
The tray main body 2 has a substantially flat substrate 4 whose one surface is a paper placement surface 3 on which the paper P is placed.
[0016]
On the inner surface of the substrate 4, a substantially rectangular thin plate-like tray plate 5 is located downstream in the paper feeding direction with the rear end side that will be located upstream in the paper feeding direction as a swing axis. The front end side is swingable so as to be separated from the inner surface of the substrate 4 and is arranged in a free state. As the mechanism functioning as the swing shaft, a known mechanism may be used, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0017]
The tray plate 5 is arranged such that the leading end in the paper feeding direction overlaps with the leading end in the paper feeding direction on the inner surface of the tray body 2. Rectangular cutouts 6 and 6 are respectively formed at left and right symmetrical positions from the center of the direction to expose the substrate 4. The exposed portion of the substrate 4 acts as a mounting portion for mounting the paper feed tray body 2 to a recording apparatus (not shown).
[0018]
On the other hand, the front end side portion of the tray plate 5 which is divided by the two notches 6 and 6 and is formed in a comb shape is laminated with the front end portion of the back side of the paper stored in the substrate 4, and the paper friction during paper feeding It is comprised so that it may act as a part. The tray plate 5 may be entirely composed of a material having a high friction coefficient in relation to the paper and having rigidity.
[0019]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a pair of left and right side plates formed in a substantially flat shape on both sides of the substrate 4 in the left and right direction (hereinafter referred to as the width direction) orthogonal to the paper feed direction indicated by the arrows. 7 and 7 are arranged so as to stand upright from the substrate 4.
[0020]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a pair of left and right paper side guide members 8 formed in a substantially flat plate shape in the vicinity of the side plates 7 and 7 in FIG. 8 is disposed. This paper side surface guide member 8 is for guiding the positions of both side edges of the paper used for recording, and its longitudinal direction extends in parallel with the paper feed direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Arranged. The paper side guide member 8 is provided with a positioning adjustment member 9 for more accurately positioning the side edge of the paper.
[0021]
A gap portion between the side plate 7 and the paper side guide member 8 disposed on both the left and right sides of the substrate 4 is located in a side plate 21 of the first lid 17 to be described later, and in the paper feeding direction. A slidable lid housing portion 10 is provided. An end wall 10a constituting the lid housing portion 10 is formed in the gap between the side plate 7 and the paper side surface guide member 8 on the downstream side of the lid housing portion 10 in the paper feeding direction. Is formed with a locking hole (not shown) for locking a locking projection 23 formed on a side plate 21 of the first lid 17 described later. The tray main body 2 of the paper feed tray 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 removes the side plate 7 on the downstream side in the paper feed direction from the end wall 10a, and functions as the side plate 7 with the paper side surface guide member 8. The locking groove 11 is formed on both outer sides of the paper side guide member 8 that also functions as the side plate 7 and engages with a locking member 30 formed on the second lid 18 described later. The tray body 2 is formed so as to be substantially parallel to the substrate 4.
[0022]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the side plate 7 has the side plate 26 of the second lid 18 stacked in the height direction of the tray body 2 in a state where the second lid 18 is closed, and is substantially flush. Further, the second lid 18 is shaped so as not to obstruct the rotation or the position of the side plate 7 while the second lid 18 is being rotated or in a fully opened state. Specifically, the height of the second lid 18, which will be described later, on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction from the portion where the rotational shaft is disposed is low, and the intermediate portion on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction from the portion on which the rotational shaft is disposed. Is formed at a height parallel to the position of the side plate when the second lid is fully opened, and further at a height dimension of the predetermined tray body 2 on the further downstream side. .
[0023]
Further, the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction of the lid housing portion 10 is an open end, and the side plate 7 in the vicinity of the open end projects into the lid housing portion 10, and the first lid body 17 is connected to the first lid 17. A pin (not shown) is formed which functions as a rotation shaft when rotating in a direction away from the tray body 2.
[0024]
An end plate 12 is disposed on the downstream side edge of the substrate 4 in the paper feeding direction so as to stand upright from the substrate 4. In the vicinity of the left and right ends of the end plate 12, the mounting portion and In addition, notches 13 are formed in the vicinity of both end portions on the front end side of the tray plate 5 to expose sheet friction portions that face both left and right end portions orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction of the sheet.
[0025]
Further, in the present embodiment, a paper biasing opening (not shown) that opens in the substrate 4 is provided at the center of the end plate 12 between the notches 13 and 13 of the end plate 12. A continuously formed opening 14 is formed. More specifically, a central portion in the width direction of the bottom wall of the substrate 4 on which the tray plate 5 is disposed has a notch shape extending from a substantially central portion in the sheet feeding direction of the substrate 4 to the downstream side edge in the paper feeding direction. The opening is formed so as to be continuous with the opening 14 formed in the end plate 12 at the downstream side edge portion in the paper feeding direction. In the continuously formed openings 14, the paper sheets formed in the paper feeding device are attached to press the paper stacked in the paper feeding tray 1 together with the tray plate 5 toward the paper feeding roller when feeding paper. A biasing member (not shown) is formed to be positioned and operated. Therefore, the height dimension of the end plate 12 at the portion where the opening 14 is formed is set to a height dimension at which the sheet biasing member can push up the tray plate 5. Paper is fed to the recording unit in the recording apparatus using the upper part of the plate 12 as a paper feed path.
[0026]
In addition, a plurality of streaks having a top portion substantially the same as the surface of the tray plate 5 on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction on the paper placement surface 3 of the substrate 4 from the position where the tray plate 5 is disposed. The projection 15 is formed so as to extend in the paper feeding direction, and the paper can be placed in parallel with the upper surface of the tray plate 5 by supporting the rear end portion of the paper on the projection. It is made like that.
[0027]
The paper feed tray 1 of the present embodiment has a lid 16 that covers a part of the upper opening of the tray body 2 when the paper feed tray 1 is attached to the recording apparatus. The first lid 17 and a second lid 18 that covers the entire upper opening together with the first lid 17 when the paper feed tray 1 is detached from the recording apparatus. Yes. 2 shows a state in which the first lid 17 covers the upstream side of the upper opening of the tray body 2 in the sheet feeding direction, and FIG. A state is shown in which the second lid 18 is overlapped to cover the entire upper opening of the tray body 2.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, the first lid body 17 has a top plate 19 that covers the upper portion of the tray body 2 on the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction. The top plate 19 has a substantially flat plate shape in which a protruding portion 20 having a gently inclined arc shape in a cross section in the paper feeding direction is formed near the center of the paper feeding direction. A pair of left and right side plates 21, 21 formed in a substantially flat plate shape are disposed on both sides of the back surface of the top plate 19 so as to stand upright from the top plate 19. An end plate 22 is disposed upright from the top plate 19 on the upstream side of the back surface of the top plate 19 in the sheet feeding direction and is continuous with the side plates 21 and 21. On the other hand, an end plate is not provided on the downstream side of the back surface of the top plate 19 in the sheet feeding direction, and is an open end to ensure a sheet conveyance path.
[0029]
A long hole (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction of the side plates 21, 21 is formed in the vicinity of the upstream end of the both side plates 21, 21 in the sheet feeding direction. The pin formed in the accommodating portion 10 is slidably locked, and the lid 16 is configured to be rotatable in a direction away from the tray body 2 with the pin as a rotation shaft.
[0030]
On the other hand, a locking projection 23 protruding in the paper feeding direction is formed on the downstream side of the both side plates 21 and 21, and the pin is positioned upstream in the paper feeding direction in the long hole. In this state, the side plate 21 of the first lid body 17 is accommodated in the lid body accommodating portion 10, and the first lid body 17 is slid in the paper feeding direction from that state, and the pin is fed into the elongated hole. When the locking projection 23 is engaged with the locking hole formed in the end wall 10a at the stage positioned downstream in the paper direction, the first lid 17 opens the predetermined upper opening of the tray body 2. It is configured to be locked when covered.
[0031]
In addition, a locking hole (not shown) is formed in the vicinity of the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the side plates 21 and 21 corresponding to the protruding portion 20 of the first lid body 17, and is formed in the second lid body 18. The second pin 18 is configured to be pivotally supported with the pin as a pivot shaft.
[0032]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second lid 18 has a substantially flat top plate 25, and the left and right 1 formed in a substantially flat shape on both sides in the width direction of the top plate 25. A pair of side plates 26 a and 26 b are arranged so as to stand upright from the top plate 25. In the present embodiment, when the second lid 18 is closed, the side plates 26a and 26b are positioned substantially parallel to the outside from the side plates 21 and 21 of the first lid 17 that have already been closed. Thus, the width of the top plate 25 is taken into consideration. An end plate 27 stands upright from the top plate 25 at the end of the back surface of the top plate 25 on the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction when the second lid 18 is closed, and the both side plates 26, 26. Are arranged continuously.
[0033]
On the other hand, when the second lid 18 is closed, the edge on the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction of the top plate is an open end, and the side plates 26 and 26 further extend from the open end. The rotating leg portions 28 and 28 of the second lid 18 are formed. A pin (not shown) that engages with a locking hole formed in the first lid body 17 is formed inside the vicinity of the distal ends of the rotating legs 28 and 28. Further, the length dimension of the pivot legs 28, 28 is such that the open end of the top plate 25 of the second lid 18 is the protruding portion of the first lid 17 when the second lid 18 is pivoted. The length is rotatable along 20 arcuate shapes.
[0034]
Further, in the present embodiment, the back surface of the top plate 25 that is inside the second lid 18 abuts on the tray plate 5 in a state where the second lid 18 is closed, and the tray plate 5 swings. Oscillation suppression protrusions 29 and 29 for suppressing the movement are integrally formed. In the present embodiment, the protrusions 29 and 29 for swinging suppression are divided by the two notches 13 and 13, and the end plate 27 is in contact with the front end portion of the tray plate 5 formed in a comb shape. It is formed in the vicinity.
[0035]
Further, the both side plates 26, 26 of the second lid 18 are formed of small pieces having a surface extending in parallel with the top plate 25 on the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction when the second lid 18 is closed. Lock members 30, 30 are formed. When the second lid 18 is closed and the upper opening of the tray body 2 is covered with the first lid 17 and the second lid 18, the lock members 30, 30 are The second lid 18 is formed to be lockable by engaging with locking grooves 11, 11 formed on both outer side surfaces of the paper side guide member 8 that also functions as the side plate 7 of the tray body 2. ing.
[0036]
In the paper feed tray 1 having such a configuration, when the paper tray 1 is installed in the recording apparatus, only the first lid 17 is put on the upper opening of the tray main body 2 and locked in the state shown in FIG. A mounting portion exposed from the notch 13 portion of the end plate 12 on the downstream side of the main body 2 in the sheet feeding direction is mounted on the recording apparatus. By mounting in this way, when recording is started and sheet feeding is performed, the sheet biasing member of the sheet feeding device is formed in the opening formed in the substrate 4 and the opening formed in the end plate 12 as described above. 14, the sheet stacked in the sheet feeding tray 2 can be pressed together with the tray plate 5 to the sheet feeding roller side by moving and moving through both continuously formed openings 14. At this time, the second lid body 18 is formed on the pivot leg portion 28, and the pin latched in the latch hole of the side plate 21 of the first lid body 17 is used as a pivot shaft on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction. It rotates and is located so that the surface of the top plate 25 faces the surface of the top plate 19 of the first lid body 17.
[0037]
In the paper feed tray 1 of the present embodiment, when the paper tray 1 is detached from the recording apparatus, as shown in FIG. 3, the second lid 18 is further formed on the locked first lid 17. The second lid 18 is rotated and positioned downstream in the paper feeding direction so as to cover, and the lock member 30 is locked to the locking groove 11 in a state where all the upper openings of the tray body 2 are covered. By locking the second lid 18 in this way, the rocking suppression protrusion 29 disposed on the second lid 18 abuts on the tip side of the tray plate 5 in the tray body 2. It becomes. Therefore, the swing of the tray plate 5 can be prevented from being free in the paper feed tray 2, and the paper feed tray 1 can be controlled by the swing restraining projection 29 regardless of the presence or absence of paper. When the tray plate 5 is separated from the tray, the tray plate 5 collides with the substrate 4 and the lid 16 of the tray body 2 due to vibrations of conveyance or the like. The problem of scratching can be solved.
[0038]
In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various change is possible as needed.
[0039]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the lid 16 of the paper feed tray 1 is configured by the first lid 17 and the second lid 18, but the rocking suppression protrusion 19 that contacts the tray plate 5 is formed. The lid body 16 may be one lid body.
[0040]
Further, the formation position of the swing suppression protrusion 19 is not limited to the position facing the front end side portion of the tray plate 5 as in this embodiment.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the swing of the tray plate, and it is possible to prevent the generation of collision noise and collision with other members.
[0042]
Further, in the present invention, since the swing restraining protrusion can be formed integrally with the lid, the effect of not increasing the number of members and increasing the number of manufacturing steps is achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state where a lid is opened in a paper feed tray of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where only a first lid is closed in the paper feed tray of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the first lid and the second lid are closed in the paper feed tray of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feed tray 2 Tray main body 3 Paper mounting surface 4 Substrate 5 Tray plate 16 Lid 17 First lid 18 Second lid 29 Oscillation suppression projection

Claims (2)

A tray main body capable of stacking and storing a plurality of sheets, and feeding sheets stacked and stored to feed the stored sheets to the recording unit of the recording apparatus, which is disposed at the bottom of the tray main body. A tray plate that can be swung to press the downstream side in the direction against the paper feed roller, and a lid that covers at least a part of the upper opening of the tray body, and is detachable from the recording apparatus. The paper feed tray is characterized in that a rocking restraining protrusion is formed on the inner side of the lid body so as to abut against the tray plate in a state in which the lid body is closed and to restrain the rocking of the tray plate. Paper tray. The lid includes a first lid that covers a part of an upper opening of the tray body when the paper feed tray is attached to the recording apparatus, and a lid that is compatible with the first lid when the paper tray is detached from the recording apparatus. The sheet feeding tray according to claim 1, further comprising a second lid that covers the entire area of the upper opening, wherein the protrusion for suppressing rocking is formed on the second lid.

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