JPH0741999B2 - Rotating plate support guide mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a rotary cassette for freely feeding a sheet vertically and horizontally, and more specifically, to a rotary plate provided in the rotary cassette. The present invention relates to a support guide mechanism for a rotary plate that rotatably supports the rotary plate in at least two directions so as to lift up a sheet.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a copying machine is provided with a sheet feeding device that feeds a sheet into the copying machine body, and this sheet feeding device includes a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes for each size of the sheet. The conveyance of the paper from the paper feeding device is preferable because the time required for the conveyance is shorter than that of the vertical conveyance in which the conveyance direction is the long side direction of the sheet because the conveyance time is shorter in the conveyance direction in the shorter side direction of the paper. There are some copiers that can feed B4 and even A3 paper horizontally.

On the other hand, if even a large-sized sheet is laterally fed, the photosensitive drum, the conveying roller, the sheet conveying path, and the like in the copying machine become large, which leads to an increase in the size of the apparatus itself and an accompanying increase in cost. Thus, in general, for example B4 and
A3 size large paper is fed vertically, and A4 size and smaller paper is fed horizontally.

However, with such a configuration, in a copying machine having a reduction and enlargement function such as a variable magnification function, for example, for reduction copying, it is necessary to cut paper such as B5R and A4R for vertical feeding, while conveying speed is increased. If you consider, B5 for horizontal feed
A4 size paper cassette is required. Therefore, when various paper cassettes are provided as described above, it is necessary to increase the size of the paper feeding device or replace a plurality of paper cassettes according to the purpose, and increase the size and cost of the device. Or, the operation becomes complicated.

Therefore, as a means for avoiding such a problem, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-56-59245 and JP-A-56-59251, for example, B5 and B5R, and A4 and A
It has been previously proposed that the 4R paper cassette is used in common, and the horizontal and vertical paper feeds are supported by rotating the paper cassette.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

By the way, in order to send out the sheets stacked in the sheet cassette by the pickup roller (call-in roller), it is necessary to lift the uppermost sheet to a position where it can contact the pickup roller. As a means for realizing this, in addition to the means disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-1928.
Some are disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 36. Such a support structure is
A rotary plate on which sheets are stacked is simply placed in a paper cassette, and each of the rotary plates having a vertical feed paper feed unit and a horizontal feed paper feed unit is lifted when the respective paper feed units are lifted. By utilizing the fact that the non-sheet feeding portion side inevitably serves as a pivotal fulcrum, the pivotal movement at this time is guided by the side wall of the paper cassette.

However, in such a structure, the displacement of the rotary plate (movement in the horizontal direction) tends to occur, and for example, when the displacement of the paper occurs in the feed direction, the displacement of the leading edge of the paper causes the displacement of the paper. When the sheets are misaligned or when the sheet is displaced in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction, the sheet center is displaced. Furthermore, when the rotation of the rotating plate about the horizontal direction occurs,
There is a risk that the paper may be obliquely fed, and the paper feeding operation may be hindered.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the support guide mechanism for a rotating plate according to the present invention has a structure in which each of the sheet feeding units of the rotating plate having a vertical feeding unit and a horizontal feeding unit feeds a non-feeding sheet. A support structure provided with a universal joint that supports a rotary plate rotatably in at least two directions at one point of a corner portion between the non-paper feed sides so that the rotary plate is lifted with the side as a fulcrum. One of the rotating plates is guided so that the rotating plate is guided when one of the sheet feeding units is lifted, and the other of the rotating plates serves as a rotation fulcrum when the other sheet feeding unit of the rotating plate is raised. It is characterized in that it is provided with a guide means formed by engaging a guide rod which is horizontally extended on the paper feed side with an elongated hole formed in the holding member in the vertical direction.

[Action]

According to the above configuration, the support structure for supporting the rotary plate at one point prevents the rotary plate from being displaced (horizontal movement),
In the paper feeding operation performed after the rotary plate is lifted and rotated, it is possible to prevent the paper from being fed out due to the positional deviation. Further, the guide means prevents the rotary plate from rotating around the horizontal direction, prevents oblique feeding of the paper, and the like, thereby reducing paper feed defects. In addition, the rotation of the rotary plate is smoothly and surely performed by the guide means.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

As shown in FIG. 3, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as an ADF) 3 is installed on a platen glass 2 of the copying machine 1. The ADF 3 conveys an original document (not shown) placed on the original placing table 3a to a predetermined position on the original platen glass 2 which is predetermined according to the size and the feeding direction (horizontal feeding or vertical feeding). , AD after copying is finished
In addition to the function of ejecting to the outside of F3, for example, when performing double-sided copying, the original is inverted and the original glass 2 is again placed.
The document is transported to the specified position above, and the original is ADF2
It also has a function that can be discharged to the outside. It should be noted that switches 4 and 5 for determining the size of the original placed on the original placing table 3a are provided on the original placing table 3a.

Below the platen glass 2, reflection mirrors 6a and lenses 6b are provided.
An optical system 6 composed of ... Is provided. This optical system 6
In addition to the basic function of guiding the reflected light reflected by the original to the photosensitive drum 7, the variable magnification function is also provided, and it is possible to perform not only equal-magnification copying but also enlargement and reduction copying. .

Around the photosensitive drum 7, a cleaner 8, a charge eliminating charger 9, a charging charger 10, a developing means 11 having toner for color copying, and a phenomenon means 12 having black toner.
Is provided, and a series of operations of removal of residual toner, charge removal, charging, exposure (performed by the optical system 6), and development on the photoconductor drum 7 are performed by these means. Has become.

Below the photoconductor drum 7, a transfer charger 13 and a peeling charger 14 are provided, and when a copy sheet (not shown) passes between the photoconductor drum 7 and the transfer charger 13, the transfer charger 13 causes The toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 7 is transferred to the copy paper. Further, the peeling charger 14 separates the copy sheet from the photoconductor drum 7, and the separated copy sheet is transported to the fixing device 18 by the transport belt 17. The fixing device 18 is for fixing the toner transferred to the copy sheet by heating or pressing.

The copy paper that has passed through the fixing device 18 is basically the copy machine 1.
Outside, ie, discharged through the sorter 19 to the cradle 19a ... However, for example, when double-sided copying or composite copying is performed, it is guided to the double-sided composite unit 21 through the paper return path 20. Has become. When performing double-sided copying, the sheet is reversely placed on the intermediate tray 21c via the first transport path 21a in the double-sided synthesis unit 21, and then the delivery roller 21d.
Is sent to the paper feed path 22 at the same time, while the second conveyance path 21b in the double-sided composite unit 21 is used for composite copying.
To the intermediate tray 21c via the first transport path 21a. After being reversely placed on the sheet, the sheet is fed to the sheet feeding path 22 by the feeding roller 21d.

The paper supply path 22 is a path for guiding the copy paper to the photosensitive drum 7, and at the end portion thereof,
A paper top roller 15 is provided for timing the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7 and the feeding of copy paper.
Further, a plurality of paper supply means are connected to the paper supply path 22 so that copy paper is appropriately supplied from each of these means. Specifically, the first fixed cassette 25 and the first rotary cassette unit 2 are sequentially arranged from the lower side of the copying machine 1.
6, the second rotary cassette unit 27, the double-sided synthesizing unit 21, the second fixed cassette 28, the third fixed cassette 29, and the manual feed section 30 are provided. The first fixed cassette 25, the second fixed cassette 28, and the third fixed cassette 29 are detachably attached to the copying machine 1, and the first rotary cassette unit 26 and the second rotary cassette unit 27 are provided. Is provided so that it can be pulled out together with the base plate 31 with respect to the copying machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the above-mentioned first and second rotary cassette units 26 and 27, a pedestal 31a is fixed on a pedestal plate 31 which is a housing portion thereof, and the pedestal 31a is erected on the pedestal 31a. One end side of an arm 32 is pivotally supported by the provided support shaft 31b, so that the arm 32 is supported rotatably in a horizontal direction. A support shaft 32a is provided upright on the other end of the arm 32, and the rotary cassette 35 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 32a. The rotary cassette 35 has a two-plate structure including a paper feed base 33 and a rotary plate 34 arranged on the paper feed base 33. When the rotary cassette 35 is rotated by 90 °, copy sheets stacked on the rotary plate 34 are stored. The feed can be freely switched between vertical feed and horizontal feed. It should be noted that the pivotal position of the rotary cassette 35 by the support shaft 32a is set so that the feed center of the copy sheet passes on the support shaft 32a at each of the above-described vertical feed position and horizontal feed position.

The vertical feed unit and the horizontal feed unit of the paper feed base 33 have wall portions 33a and 3a for preventing misalignment of copy sheets.
3b is formed in a bent state. Notches 33c are formed in substantially central portions of the walls 33a and 33b, and each notch 33c is formed by extending a predetermined length toward the center of the bottom plate of the paper feed base 33. , Paper feed base
The lift plate 40 arranged below the 33 can contact the back surface of the bottom plate of the rotary plate 34. Lift board 40
The specific configuration of will be described later.

Further, on the paper feed base 33, wall portions 33e and 33f are arranged so as to face the above wall portions 33a and 33b, respectively. These wall portions 33e and 33f are cutout portions 34a and 3f formed in the rotary plate 34.
It is provided through 4b, and the lifting operation of the vertical feed paper feed unit and the horizontal feed paper feed unit on the rotary plate 34 is performed by the wall portions 33e and 33f.
It is configured so as not to be interfered by.
In addition, inclined portions 34f and 34g that are inclined downward with respect to the main body of the rotary plate 34 are formed in the vertical feed paper feed unit and the horizontal feed paper feed unit of the rotary plate 34, respectively.

At the corner of the rotary plate 34 between the non-paper feed side for the vertical feed paper feed unit and the non-paper feed side for the horizontal feed paper feed unit, the rotary plate
The support piece 34c extends outward from the upper end of the wall 34d of 34.
Is formed in a bent state, and a support structure 36 that supports the rotary plate 34 at one point is configured in the support piece portion 34c. In this support structure 36, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cylindrical support member 36a is erected on the paper feed base 33, and a female joint is provided at the upper end of the cylindrical support member 36a. 36b is fixed. A hemispherical recess is formed in the upper part of the female joint 36b, and a male joint 36c having a hemispherical protrusion is engaged with this recess. The female joint 36b and the male joint 36c constitute a universal joint that rotatably supports the rotary plate 34 in at least two directions. An engaging portion is formed on the upper portion of the male joint 36c, and the supporting piece portion 34c is formed on the engaging portion.
The rotary plate 34 and the support structure 36 are connected by being engaged with each other. A washer 36d and a coil spring 36 on the male joint 36c.
e and a washer 36f are arranged. Then, a bolt 36g is provided penetrating through the washer 36f, the coil spring 36e, the washer 36d, the male joint 36c, and the female joint 36b, and the bolt 36g is a screw formed on the cylindrical support member 36a. It is screwed into the hole. Above coil spring 36e
The male joint 36c and the female joint 36c are kept in contact with each other, and the hole through which the bolt 36g penetrates in the male joint 36c is formed in a substantially conical shape so that the male joint 36c is a joint joint. The mechanical movement is performed without being interfered by the bolt 36g.

The non-feeding side of the rotating cassette 35 and the support structure 36 described above.
A guide means 37 is provided at a position a little distance from the vertical feed delivery side. This guide means 37 is a rotating plate.
Rotating plate when raising the vertical feed unit at 34
While it guides 34, it serves as a rotation fulcrum of the rotary plate 34 when the rotary plate 34 is lifted during lateral feeding. In this guide means 37, the rotating plate 34
At a predetermined position of the wall portion 34d, a pair of holding pieces 34e and 34e that face each other by being divided are formed in a bent state, and the guide rod 37a is fixed between the holding pieces 34e and 34e. It is provided in. On the other hand, on the paper feed base 33, a holding member 37b having a U-shaped cross section is erected with its pair of standing faces facing each other of the pair of holding pieces 34e and 34e. Long guide holes 37 formed in the vertical direction on each of the upright surfaces of the member 37b.
The guide rod 37a is provided in the c and 37c in a penetrating state. The rotation center of the guide rod 37a when it is located at the lower end of the elongated guide holes 37c and 37c is adapted to coincide with the rotation center of the universal joint. That is, the guide rod 37
The universal joint is located on the axis of a.

In the paper feeding section of the rotary cassette unit 26 (27), 90 ° rotary drive of the rotary cassette 35 and rotary drive of the lift plate 40 for lifting the paper in the rotary plate 34 are driven by one drive motor 41. A drive mechanism 42 for performing the above is provided. In this drive mechanism 42, a gear 41a is fixed to the output shaft of the drive motor 41, and the driving force of the drive motor 41 is increased by the gear group 43 meshed with the gear 41a. It is transmitted to the two clutch 45.

The first clutch 44 is for interrupting the transmission of the driving force for rotating the rotary cassette 35 by 90 °.
Is disposed on the side of the paper feeding section. First clutch
A pulley 46 is fixed to the output shaft 44a of the 44, while a pulley 47 is arranged on the other side of the paper feeding portion of the rotary cassette 35. An endless belt is provided between these pulleys 46 and 47.
48 have been laid. A moving block 50 as a moving member is fixed to a predetermined portion of a portion of the belt 48 that passes under the pulleys 46 and 47, and the moving block 50 reciprocates as the belt 48 moves. ing. A guide shaft 51, which extends horizontally between the pulleys 46 and 47 in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, is inserted through a through hole formed in the substantially central portion of the moving block 50. The moving block 50 is linearly guided by 51. A support shaft 50a is formed on the upper part of the moving block 50, and a holding member 52 is rotatably supported on the support shaft 50a. Holding member 52
Is formed with a substantially L-shaped angle portion 52a, and the angle portion 52a is attached to a corner portion of the paper feed base 33 between the vertical feed paper feed portion and the horizontal feed paper feed portion. Position detecting switches 100 and 101 (shown in FIG. 7) are provided near the one end side and the other end side of the guide shaft 51, respectively, and the position detecting switch 100 is fixed to the angle portion 52a. The position detection switch 101 is operated by the operating pieces 50b of the moving block 50 by being pushed by the provided switch operating pieces 52b.

On the other hand, the second clutch 45 is for interrupting the transmission of the driving force for the sheet lifting operation on the rotary plate 34.
The output of the second clutch 45 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 54 via the gear group 53. That is, the output of the second clutch 45 is transmitted from each gear in the gear group 53 to the worm gear 53a, and further passes through the wheel gear 53b meshed with the worm gear 53a, so that the output shaft of the second clutch 45 is crossed. -Shaped rotary shaft 54
To be transmitted to.

On the other end side of the rotary shaft 54, a joint portion 55a forming one side of the first coupling 55 is fixed, while on the tip end portion of the rotary shaft 56 rotatably supported on the main body side of the copying machine 1, The joint portion 55b forming the other side of the one coupling 55 is fixed. And, in the gear 56b fixed to the rotating shaft 56,
A gear 57a fixed to the rotating shaft 57 is meshed.
The rotary shaft 57 is parallel to the above rotary shaft 56 and
Similarly to, it is rotatably supported on the main body of the copying machine 1.
A joint portion 58b forming one side of the second coupling 58 is fixed to the tip of the rotary shaft 57. The joint portion 58a forming the other side of the second coupling 58 is fixed to one end side of the lift-up shaft 60 provided in parallel with the rotary shaft 54. The joints 55a and 55b in the first coupling 55
The engagement / disengagement with the rotary cassette unit 26 and the engagement / disengagement with the joint portions 58a and 58b in the second coupling 58 are performed.
It is designed to be carried out by pushing in / pulling out to the main body of the copying machine 1 of (27).

A lift plate 40 is fixed to a substantially central portion of the lift-up shaft 60, and the lift plate 40 is rotated by the rotation of the lift-up shaft 60.
Is rotated to lift the sheet feeding portion of the rotary plate 34. Further, the other end side of the lift-up shaft 60 is merely rotatably supported, and no member is connected to this end portion. Therefore, the joint portion 58a is connected to the joint portion 58b. When the lift plate 40 is lifted, it is completely free, and the lift plate 40 in the lifted state is naturally rotated downward by its own weight.

At the position above the paper feeding unit in the rotary cassette 35,
As shown in FIG. 5, a support base 63 is fixedly installed on the main body of the copying machine 1, and a paper feed mechanism 62 for sending the copy paper to the paper supply path 22 is arranged on the support base 63. Has been done.
In addition, in the above-mentioned support base 63, a cutout portion 63a for allowing a part of the feeding roller and the paper feed roller 66 of the paper feed mechanism 62 to protrude from the lower side of the support base 63, and a part of the paper return plate 81 are provided as the support base. 6
A notch 63b for protruding from below 3 and a notch 63c for allowing a part of the pressure contact release lever 76 to protrude from below the support 63 are formed.

In the paper feeding mechanism 62, the call-in roller 65 is provided above the paper-feeding portion of the rotary cassette 35, while the paper-feeding roller 66 is in parallel with the call-in roller 65 and in the copy paper feeding direction. The rollers 65 and 66 are arranged side by side at a predetermined distance, and are rotated in the same direction by an endless belt 67 spanned at one end side thereof. A support shaft 65a for rotatably supporting the intake roller 65,
A pair of roller arms 68 are interposed between the rotary shaft 66a that transmits the rotational force to the paper feed roller 66 and sandwich both rollers 65 and 66.
68 are laterally installed, and the roller arms 68, 68 rotate about the rotary shaft 66a as a fulcrum, and thus the take-in roller 6
By raising and lowering 5, the contact roller 65 is brought into contact with and released from the copy sheet.

Protrusions 68a and 68a are formed at the ends of the roller arms 68 and 68 on the side of the paper feed roller 66.
The roller arms 68, 68 are rotated upward by pressing the 68a, 68a downward by the sheet feeding operation angle 70. The sheet feeding operation angle 70 is fixed to one end side of the sheet feeding operation shaft 71, and is rotated with the rotation of the sheet feeding operation shaft 71.

A solenoid connecting plate 72 is fixed to the other end of the sheet feeding operation shaft 71. An operating shaft 73a of the sheet feeding solenoid 73 is connected to an elongated hole formed at the tip of the solenoid connecting plate 72, and the forward / backward movement of the operating shaft 73a is performed by the solenoid connecting plate 7
The rotation of the sheet feeding operation shaft 71 is converted by passing through 2.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the paper feed roller 66
A mounting plate 75 is disposed below the mounting plate 75, and the mounting plate 75 is mounted with a reversing roller 74 for returning and conveying the copy sheet by rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the sheet feeding roller 66. . The mounting plate 75 is provided so as to be rotatable in the up-and-down direction, and by this rotation, the reverse rotation roller 74 is moved toward and away from the paper feed roller 66. Rotation shaft 74a for transmitting rotational force to the reverse rotation roller 74
Is arranged below and parallel to the rotary shaft 66a of the paper feed roller 66, and the action piece 76a of the pressure release lever 76 having a substantially L-shape is formed between the rotary shaft 66a and the rotary shaft 74a.
Is installed. The pressure contact release lever 76 is provided so as to be rotatable around a shaft 76c in the vertical direction, and is rotated downward to press the reverse rotation roller 74 and separate it from the paper feed roller 66. Has become.

The connecting piece 76b of the press-contact releasing lever 76 is connected to one end side 77a of the press-contact releasing connecting member 77, and the press-contact releasing connecting member 77 rotates horizontally about a shaft 77c (shown in FIG. 5). By doing so, the press contact release lever 76 is rotated. The other end of the pressure contact release connecting member 77
77b is connected to the pin of the operating shaft 80a of the paper return solenoid 80, and the press contact release connecting member 77 is rotated by driving the operating shaft 80a forward and backward.

Further, a paper return plate 81 for returning the copy paper to the rotary cassette 35 side is connected to the operation shaft 80a of the paper return solenoid 80. The paper return plate 81 is provided between the intake roller 65 and the paper feed roller 66 so as to be vertically rotatable around a shaft 81a provided above the pin position of the operating shaft 80a as a fulcrum. When the operating shaft 80a is retracted, the copy sheet (not shown) is rotated in the direction of returning it to the rotary cassette 35 side.

A paper detection switch 82 and a paper non-existence detection switch 83 are provided on the support base 63 and on both sides of the call-in roller 65. The operation pieces 82a.
3a faces below the support base 63 through the notch 63a of the support base 63. The operating pieces 82a and 83a of the switches 82 and 83 are pushed and operated by the sheet feeding portion of the rotary plate 34 in the lifted state. It should be noted that each of the vertical feed paper feed unit and the horizontal feed paper feed unit of the rotary plate 34 has an operating piece 83a of the paper non-use detection switch 83.
The notch part (not shown) is formed corresponding to
When there is no copy paper on the sheet 34, the operating piece 83a passes through the above-mentioned cutout portion so that it does not turn on and only the paper detection switch 82 turns on, while when copy paper is loaded, the detection switch 82a is detected by this copy paper. Both 83 are turned on.

The operation when the rotary cassette 35 shifts from the horizontal feed state to the vertical feed state will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) to (d).

As shown in (a) of the figure, in the horizontal feed position, the horizontal feed paper feed unit of the rotary cassette 35 is located on the paper feed unit side of the rotary cassette unit 26 (27). The moving block 50 and the holding member 52 that constitute the means are located at one end of the guide shaft 51.

The driving force of the drive motor 41 via the first clutch 44 is the pulley.
When it is transmitted to the belt 46, the pulley 46 rotates to rotate the belt 48, and the moving block 50 fixed to the belt 48 is guided by the guide shaft 51 as shown in FIG. Move to the other end.

The rotary cassette 35 is moved by the linear movement of the moving block 50.
Rotates in the A direction. Here, since the rotary cassette 35 and the moving block 50 are connected and the moving block 50 moves linearly, the center of rotation of the rotary cassette 35 moves, but such movement pivotally supports the rotary cassette 35. The arm 32 is secured by rotating in the D direction with the shaft 31b as a fulcrum. In addition, D of the arm 32
The direction rotation is performed until the angle formed by the line X connecting the support shaft 50a of the moving block 50 and the support shaft 32a and the guide shaft 51 becomes 90 °.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, when the angle formed by the line X and the guide shaft 51 exceeds 90 °, the rotation direction of the rotary cassette 35 remains A, but the arm 32 is rotated. Will rotate in the C direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 3D, when the moving block 50 reaches the end of the guide shaft 51, the position detecting switch 101 is operated by the operating piece 50b of the moving block 50. The control unit of the copying machine 1 detects the operation of the position detection switch 101, and the control unit cuts off the transmission of the driving force by the first clutch 44, whereby the movement of the moving block 50 is stopped. In such a state, the vertical feed sheet feeding section of the rotary cassette 35 is directed toward the sheet feeding side of the rotary cassette unit 26 (27).

On the other hand, the transition from the vertical feed state to the horizontal feed state in the rotary cassette 35 can be performed by rotating the drive motor 41 in the reverse direction and performing the operation reverse to the above operation. here,
At the same time as the rotary cassette 35 takes the lateral feed state, the holding member 52
The switch actuating piece 52b of FIG. 8 operates the position detection switch 100. Then, the operation of the position detection switch 100 is detected by the control unit of the copying machine 1, and the control unit cuts off the transmission of the driving force by the first clutch 44, whereby the movement of the moving block 50 is stopped. .

Next, the operation of lifting the paper feed unit of the rotary plate 34 will be described.
By the operation of the second clutch 45, the driving force of the drive motor 41 is changed to the gear group 53 → the rotating shaft 54 → the first coupling 55 →
It is transmitted to the rotary shaft 56, the rotary shaft 57, the second coupling 58, and the lift-up shaft 60. The rotation of the lift-up shaft 60 causes the lift plate 40 to rotate. When the lift plate 40 is rotated upward, the lift plate 40 passes through the notch 33c of the paper feed base 33 and comes into contact with the bottom surface of the rotary plate 34 to lift the paper feed unit of the rotary plate 34.

When the vertical feed unit of the rotary plate 34 is lifted, the guide rod 37a is restricted by the long holes 37c and 37c and moves only in the vertical direction, so that the rotary plate 34 is guided in the vertical direction while rotating. Since the guide rod 37a rotates at the lower end portions of the elongated holes 37c and 37c when the horizontal feed unit of the plate 34 is lifted, it is necessary to form the rotary fulcrum portion of the rotary plate 34 together with the universal joint. Become.

Here, the support structure 36 that supports the rotary plate 34 at one point prevents the rotary plate 34 from being displaced (horizontal movement),
In the paper feeding operation performed after the lifting and rotation of 34, it is possible to avoid the paper from being sent out with the positional deviation. Further, the guide means 37 prevents the rotary plate 34 from rotating around the horizontal direction, prevents oblique feeding of the paper, and the like, thereby reducing paper feed defects. Further, the guide means 37 allows the rotary motion of the rotary plate 34 to be performed smoothly and reliably.

In the present embodiment, the hemispherical concave portion of the female joint 36b is engaged with the hemispherical convex portion of the male joint 36c, so that the universal joint is rotated by an articulating motion. . A ball joint, for example, can be used as the universal joint.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, in the support guide mechanism for the rotary plate according to the present invention, each of the above-mentioned paper feed units of the rotary plate having the vertical feed paper feed unit and the horizontal feed paper feed unit is rotated on each non-paper feed side. A support structure that is provided with a universal joint that supports a rotary plate rotatably in at least two directions at a point between the non-paper feed sides so that the rotary plate is lifted as a fulcrum, and one of the rotary plates is provided. When the paper part is lifted, the rotary plate is guided, while when the other paper feed part of the rotary plate is lifted, it serves as a rotation fulcrum part of the rotary plate. And a guide means formed by engaging a horizontally extending guide rod with a vertically long slot formed in the holding member.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the positional displacement (horizontal movement) of the rotary plate, and to avoid the feeding of the paper accompanied by the positional displacement in the paper feeding operation performed after the rotary plate is lifted and rotated. Further, the guide means prevents the rotary plate from rotating around the horizontal direction, prevents oblique feeding of the paper, and the like, thereby reducing paper feed defects. Moreover, the effect that the rotating operation of the rotating plate is smoothly and surely performed by the guide means is also achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 7 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view showing a support structure for a rotating plate. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the support structure for the rotary plate. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a schematic internal mechanism of the copying machine. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a drive mechanism of the rotary cassette unit. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the paper feed mechanism. FIG. 6A is a side view of the paper feed mechanism, and FIG. 6B is a side view showing a state in which the paper return plate and the like are operated in FIG. 6A. 7A to 7D are plan views showing the rotating operation of the rotating cassette. 26 and 27 are rotary cassette units, 33 is a paper feed base, 34 is a rotary plate, 35 is a rotary cassette, 36 is a support structure (support guide mechanism), 36b is a female joint (universal joint), 36c is a male joint (universal joint). ), 37 is a guide means (support guide mechanism), 37a is a guide rod, 37b is a holding member, and 37c is an elongated hole.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A non-paper feed side of a rotary plate having a vertical feed paper feed section and a horizontal feed paper feed section so that each of the paper feed sections is lifted with each non-paper feed side as a pivot. A support structure that is provided with a universal joint that supports the rotary plate so that it can rotate in at least two directions at one corner between the rotary plate and the guide of the rotary plate when one of the feeding parts of the rotary plate is lifted. On the other hand, a guide bar that is laid horizontally on one of the non-feeding sides of the rotating plate is formed on the holding member so that it serves as a fulcrum of rotation of the rotating plate when the other feeding unit of the rotating plate is lifted. And a guide means formed by engaging with a long hole that is long in the up-down direction.