JPH0767982B2 - Rotating plate of rotating cassette unit - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary cassette unit for freely feeding a sheet vertically and horizontally, and more specifically, for lifting a sheet provided in the rotary cassette. Of the rotating plate.

[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, it is necessary to lift the uppermost sheet to a position where it can contact the pickup roller. As means for achieving this, the device disclosed in the above publication is known, and in a fixed cassette that is not a rotary cassette, for example, the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-58374 is known. There is.

When the rotary plate on which the paper is stacked is rotated in the vertical direction to lift the paper, the smaller the remaining amount of the paper, the larger the lift angle of the rotary plate. Then, as the lifting angle increases, the direction in which the rotating plate feeds the sheet with respect to the sheet feeding mechanism including the pickup roller shifts. As for the fixed cassette, the above-mentioned publication discloses the one in which the paper feeding portion of the paper stacking plate is provided with the inclined portion which is lowered frontward, but in the rotating cassette, the inclined portion is not provided on the rotating plate,
As described above, there has been a problem in that the direction in which the rotating plate feeds the sheet with respect to the sheet feeding mechanism is deviated.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to solve the above problems, the rotary plate of the rotary cassette unit according to the first aspect of the present invention is a rotary plate for lifting a paper, which is provided in the rotary cassette unit for freely feeding the paper vertically and horizontally. Each of the vertical feed paper feed unit and the horizontal feed paper feed unit is supported at one point by a universal joint that is rotatable in at least two directions so as to be lifted with each non-paper feed side as a fulcrum. A stacking area for stacking sheets, a first inclined area that can be inclined forward or downward in the vertical feed sheet feeding section, and a first inclined area that can be inclined in the horizontal feed sheet feeding section, or It is characterized in that it is formed from three regions, that is, a second inclined region that can be inclined.

Further, in the rotary plate of the rotary cassette unit according to the second aspect of the present invention, the second inclined region is formed by an inclined plate connected to the loading region by a hinge.

Further, in the rotary plate of the rotary cassette unit according to the third aspect of the present invention, the first inclined region and the second inclined region are
It is characterized in that it is composed of inclined plates that are connected to the loading areas by hinges.

[Work]

According to the above configuration of the first aspect of the invention, at the time of lifting of either the vertical feeding paper feeding unit or the horizontal feeding paper feeding unit of the rotary plate,
It is possible to favorably hold the feeding direction of the sheets stacked on the rotary plate with respect to the paper feeding mechanism, and it is possible to favorably perform the paper feeding operation after the rotary plate lifting operation.

Further, according to the configuration of the second invention, it is possible to set the optimum inclination angle for each sheet feeding in the first inclined area in the vertical feed sheet feeding section and the second inclined area in the horizontal feed sheet feeding section. it can. That is, when performing lateral feeding, the direction of the short side of the paper coincides with the paper feeding direction, and therefore it is necessary to increase the inclination angle of the rotary plate, and the inclination angle of the inclination region must be increased accordingly. . In the present invention, the first inclined region having a small inclination angle is bent, for example, while the second inclined region having a large inclination angle is formed by the inclined plates connected by the hinges, thereby processing the rotating plate. Each optimum tilt angle can be secured without the above difficulties. Also, if the lengths of both inclined regions are the same,
The second inclined region having a large inclination angle is projected downward, which causes one-sided contact with a member arranged below the rotating plate, which makes the rotating plate floating, which is not preferable. In the present invention, since the second inclined region is composed of the inclined plates connected by the hinge, in the non-rotating state of the rotating plate,
The lower ends of the inclined regions are flush with each other, and the floating state of the rotary plate can be avoided.

Further, according to the configuration of the third invention, as described above, in addition to ensuring the optimum tilt angle in each tilt region, since both tilt regions are tilt plates connected by a hinge, the rotation plate does not rotate. In this state, the loading area and the first and second inclined areas of the rotary plate are flush with each other, and the rotary plate can be prevented from being arranged like a raised bottom and made flat so that the amount of paper stored can be increased.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

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 conveyed to the specified position above, and the original is ADF3
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 photoconductor 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 developing 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.

In the above-mentioned first and second rotary cassette units 26 and 27, as shown in FIG. 1, a pedestal 31a is fixed on a pedestal plate 31 which is a housing part 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 of a paper feed base 33 and a rotary plate 34 arranged on the paper feed base 33. When the rotary cassette 35 is rotated 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.

The rotary plate 34 is also shown in FIG. 2 (in this figure, the cutouts 34a, 34b and the like are omitted).
A stacking area 34h for loading sheets, a first inclined area 34f that is inclined forward and downward in the vertical feed sheet feeding section, and a second inclined area 34g that is inclined forward and downward in the horizontal feed sheet feeding section It is formed of three regions.

Further, in the corner portion of the rotary plate 34 between the non-paper feed side for the vertical feed paper feed section and the non-paper feed side for the horizontal feed paper feed section,
The support piece portion 34c is formed in a bent state so as to extend outward from the upper end of the wall portion 34d of the rotary plate 34.
In, a support structure 36 for supporting the rotary plate 34 at one point is configured. In this support structure 36, as shown in FIG. 4, a cylindrical support member 36a is erected on the paper feed base 33, and a female joint 36b is fixed to the upper end of this cylindrical support member 36a. Has been done. 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 rotary plate 34 is formed by the female joint 36b and the male joint 36c.
A universal joint that rotatably supports at least two directions is configured. An engaging portion is formed on the upper portion of the male joint 36c, and the rotating plate 34 and the support structure 36 are connected by engaging the supporting piece portion 34c with the engaging portion.
A washer 36d, a coil spring 36e, and a washer 36f are arranged on the male joint 36c. And the above washer 36f,
A bolt 36g is provided penetrating the coil spring 36e, the washer 36d, the male joint 36c, and the female joint 36b,
The bolt 36g is screwed into a screw hole formed in the cylindrical support member 36a. The contact state between the male joint 36c and the female joint 36b is maintained by the coil spring 36e, and the hole through which the bolt 36g penetrates in the male joint 36c is formed in a substantially conical shape that spreads downward. The articulation of the male joint 36c 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 guiding 34, it serves as a rotation fulcrum part of the rotary plate 34 when the lateral feed paper feeding portion of the rotary plate 34 is lifted. 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.

In the paper feed 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. Drive means 42 for performing the above is provided. In the drive means 42, a gear 41a is fixedly attached to the output shaft of the drive motor 41, and the driving force of the drive motor 41 is changed 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 is provided at a predetermined portion of a portion of the belt 48 that passes under the pulleys 46 and 47.
50 is fixed, and the moving block 50 reciprocates as the belt 48 moves. Moving block
A guide shaft 51, which extends horizontally between the pulleys 46 and 47 in the direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction, is inserted through the through hole formed in the substantially central portion of the 50. The moving block 50 is guided linearly. A support shaft 50 is provided above the moving block 50.
a is formed, and a holding member 52 is rotatably supported on the support shaft 50a. A substantially L-shaped angle portion 52a is formed on the holding member 52, 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. There is. Also, the guide shaft 51
Position detection switch 10 near one end and the other end
0.101 (shown in FIG. 7) are provided respectively,
The position detecting switch 100 is operated by being pushed by the switch operating piece 52b fixed to the angle portion 52a, and the position detecting switch 101 being operated by being pushed by the operating piece 50b of the moving block 50.

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 engagement / disengagement of the joint portion 55a and the joint portion 55b in the first coupling 55 and the engagement / disengagement of the joint portion 58a and the joint portion 58b in the second coupling 58 are performed by the rotary cassette unit 26 (27). This is performed by pushing in and pulling out the main body of the copying machine 1.

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 side of the copying machine 1, and a paper feed mechanism 63 for feeding the copy paper to the paper supply path 22 is arranged on the support base 63. Has been done.
The support base 63 has a cutout portion 63a for allowing a part of the intake roller 65 and the paper feed roller 66 of the paper feed mechanism 62 to protrude from below the support base 63, and a part of the paper return plate 81. A notch 63b for projecting from the lower side of the base 63 and a notch 63c for allowing a part of the pressure contact release lever 76 to protrude from the lower side of the support base 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 sandwiched between the rotation shaft 66a that transmits the rotation force to the paper feed roller 66 so as to 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. The operation shaft 73a of the sheet feeding solenoid 73 is connected to the elongated hole formed at the tip of the solenoid connecting plate 72, and the forward / backward movement of the operation shaft 73a is performed by the solenoid connecting plate 72, whereby the sheet feeding operation is performed. It is adapted to be converted into a rotational movement on the shaft 71.

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 support shaft 31b as a fulcrum. The arm 32
The rotation of the support shaft 50a of the moving block 50 and the support shaft 3
The process is performed until the angle formed by the line X connecting 2a and the guide shaft 51 reaches 90 °.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, when the angle between 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. Note that the switch actuation piece 52b of the holding member 52 actuates the position detection switch 100 at the same time when the rotary cassette 35 takes the lateral feed position. And this position detection switch 100
Is detected by the control unit of the copying machine 1, and this control unit
By stopping the transmission of the driving force by the clutch 44, 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.

Here, the support structure 36 having a universal joint composed of the female joint 36b and the male joint 36c prevents the displacement of the rotary plate 34 (horizontal movement), and the sheet after the rotary plate is lifted and rotated. It is possible to avoid the delivery of the paper accompanied by the positional deviation in the paper feeding operation.

Then, when the rotary plate 34 is lifted as described above, the sheets stacked in the stacking area 34h are picked up by the take-in roller 65 via the vertical feed sheet feeding unit or the horizontal feed sheet feeding unit, and further fed. It is sent to the paper supply path 22 by the paper roller 66.

Here, the rotary plate 34 is formed with a first inclined region 34f that is inclined forward and downward in the vertical feed paper feeding unit and a second inclined region 34g that is inclined forward and downward in the horizontal feed paper feeding unit. Since it has been
At the time of lifting either the vertical feeding paper feeding unit or the horizontal feeding paper feeding unit of the rotary plate 34, the feeding direction of the papers stacked on the rotary plate 34 is appropriately held with respect to the paper feeding mechanism 62. Therefore, it is possible to favorably perform the paper feeding operation after the lifting operation of the rotary plate 34.

In the rotating plate 34, each of the inclined regions 34f
Although 4g is formed integrally with the loading area 34h by, for example, drawing, as shown in FIG.
An inclined plate 3 in which g is connected to the loading area 34h by a hinge 34i.
It may be formed by 4j. As shown in FIG. 9, a stopper portion 34n is formed on the rear end side of the inclined plate 34j so as to face the lower surface side of the loading area 34h.
The stopper 34n contacts the lower surface of the loading area 34h when the 4j is rotated by a predetermined angle, whereby the rotation angle of the inclined plate 34j is regulated.

According to this invention, it is possible to set the optimum inclination angle for feeding each sheet in the first inclined region 34f in the vertical feed sheet feeding unit and the second inclined region 34g in the horizontal feed sheet feeding unit. That is, when performing lateral feed, the direction of the short side of the sheet coincides with the sheet feeding direction, and therefore the inclination angle of the rotary plate 34 needs to be increased. In the present invention, the first inclined region 34f, which may have a small inclination angle, is bent, for example, while the second inclined region 34g having a large inclination angle is formed by the inclined plate 34j connected by the hinge 34i. Rotating plate 34
It is possible to secure each optimum tilt angle without difficulty in machining. In addition, when the lengths of both inclined regions 34f and 34g are the same, the second inclined region 34 having a large inclination angle is formed.
Since g is projected downward, uneven contact is generated with respect to the paper feed base 33 arranged below the rotary plate, and the rotary plate 34 is in a floating shape, which is not preferable. Since the second inclined region 34g is composed of the inclined plate 34j connected by the hinge 34i, the lower ends of the inclined regions 34f and 34g are flush with each other when the rotating plate 34 is in the non-rotating state, and the rotating plate 34 floats. It is possible to avoid such a situation.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the first inclined region 34f and the second inclined region 34g are provided with hinges 34i and 34i with respect to the loading region 34h.
It may be formed by the inclined plates 34j and 34m which are respectively connected to each other. The rotation angle regulation of the inclined plates 34j and 34m is performed in the same manner as described above.

According to this invention, as described above, each inclined region 34f
・ In addition to ensuring the optimum tilt angle at 34g, the tilt plate 34 has both tilt areas 34f and 34g connected by hinges 34i and 34i.
Since it consists of j · 34m, in the non-rotating state of the rotating plate 34,
The loading area 34h of the rotary plate 34 and the first and second inclined areas 34f
34g are flush with each other, and the rotary plate 34 can be prevented from disposing like a raised bottom and made flat so that the amount of paper stored can be increased.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the rotary plate of the rotary cassette unit according to the first aspect of the present invention is a rotary plate for lifting a sheet, which is provided in the rotary cassette unit for freely performing the vertical and horizontal feeds of the paper. Each of the paper feed unit and the lateral feed paper feed unit is supported by one point finger by a universal joint that is rotatable in at least two directions so as to be lifted with each non-paper feed side as a fulcrum of rotation, and stacking of paper sheets. The loading area, the first inclined area which can be inclined forward or downward in the vertical feed sheet feeding section, and the first inclined area which can be inclined forward or downward in the horizontal feed sheet feeding section This is a structure formed from three regions, that is, a second inclined region.

As a result, it is possible to appropriately hold the feeding direction of the sheets stacked on the rotary plate with respect to the sheet feeding mechanism when the vertical feed unit and the horizontal feed unit of the rotary plate are both lifted. This makes it possible to favorably perform the paper feed operation after the rotary plate lifting operation.

Further, in the rotary plate of the rotary cassette unit according to the second aspect of the present invention, the second inclined region is composed of an inclined plate connected to the loading region by a hinge.

As a result, it is possible to secure the optimum tilt angle in the vertical feed and the horizontal feed without difficulty in processing the rotary plate. Further, when the rotating plate is in the non-rotating state, the lower ends of the inclined regions are flush with each other, so that the floating plate can be prevented from floating.

Further, in the rotary plate of the rotary cassette unit according to the third aspect of the present invention, the first inclined region and the second inclined region are
Each of the loading areas is composed of an inclined plate connected by a hinge.

As a result, the optimum tilt angle can be ensured in each tilt region, and in the non-rotating state of the rotary plate, the loading region of the rotary plate and the first and second tilt regions are flush with each other, and the bottom of the rotary plate is raised. There is an effect that the arrangement can be prevented and the sheet can be made flat to increase the storage amount of the sheet.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 7 show an embodiment of the first invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a drive mechanism of the rotary cassette unit. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rotary plate. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a schematic internal mechanism of the copying machine. FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view showing the support structure of the rotary plate. 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. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a rotating plate showing an embodiment of the second invention. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the stopper portion. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a rotating plate showing an embodiment of the third invention. 26 and 27 are rotary cassette units, 34 is a rotary plate, 34f is a first tilt area, 34g is a second tilt area, 34h is a loading area, and 34i is a loading area.
Is a hinge, 34j and 34m are inclined plates, 34n is a stopper part, and 35
Is a rotary cassette, 36 is a support structure, 36b is a female joint (universal joint), 36c is a male joint (universal joint), and 37 is a guide means.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-61-162431 (JP, A) JP-A-61-2624 (JP, A) Actual development: S60-40342 (JP, U) Actual public 4- 12031 (JP, Y2)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A rotary plate for lifting a paper, which is provided in a rotary cassette unit for freely feeding a paper vertically and horizontally, wherein each of a vertical feed unit and a horizontal feed unit is provided. Is supported at one point by a universal joint that is rotatable in at least two directions so as to be lifted with the non-paper feeding side as a rotation fulcrum, and
A stacking area for stacking sheets, a first inclined area that can be inclined forward or downward in the vertical feed sheet feeding section, and a first inclined area that can be inclined in the horizontal feed sheet feeding section, or A rotary plate of a rotary cassette unit, wherein the rotary plate is formed of three regions, that is, a second inclined region that can be inclined. 2. The rotating plate for a rotary cassette according to claim 1, wherein the second inclined region is an inclined plate connected to the loading region by a hinge. 3. The rotating cassette according to claim 1, wherein each of the first inclined region and the second inclined region is an inclined plate connected to the loading region by a hinge. Rotating plate.