Cutting machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a cutting machine having a configuration capable of appropriately locking the rail at a position lower than the upper position. The cutting machine includes: a base (A) having a placement surface (m) for placing a sheet (P); a rail (B) supported so as to be movable substantially parallel to the placement surface (m) between a lower limit position close to the base (A) and an upper position (L) farther from the base (A) than the lower limit position; a slider (E) supported so as to be slidable relative to the rail (B) and provided with a rotary knife capable of cutting the sheet (P); and a rail locking mechanism (F) provided between the base (A) and the rail (B) and capable of automatically locking the rail (B) at a locking position set lower than the upper position (L).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting machine for cutting sheets such as paper. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a cutting machine having a rail that can take an upper position and a lower position closer to the base than the upper position, and configured such that a slider holding a rotary knife moves forward and backward (forward movement and backward movement) relative to the rail locked in the lower position, so that the paper placed on the base can be cut by the cooperation of the rotary knife and the base (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0003] In order to lock the rail in the lower position, the cutting machine described in Patent Document 1 requires an operation of pressing both the one end portion and the other end portion of the rail in the upper position downward toward the lower position simultaneously or in sequence. Therefore, this cutting machine is felt to have a complicated operation for locking the rail in the lower position by the user.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-098446 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a cutting machine having a configuration capable of appropriately locking at least the rail in a position lower than the upper position.

[0009] Technical Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] That is, the present invention has the following configuration.

[0011] The invention according to Technical Means 1 is a cutting machine, comprising: a base having a placement surface for placing a sheet to be cut; a rail supported so as to move up and down in a substantially parallel posture with respect to the placement surface between a lower limit position closest to the base and an upper position farther from the base than the lower limit position and urged upward by a urging unit; a slider supported so as to be able to slide relative to the rail and provided with a rotary knife capable of cutting the sheet; and a rail locking mechanism provided between the base and the rail and capable of locking the rail in a locking position set lower than the upper position so as not to move at least in the direction of the upper position, the rail locking mechanism being capable of automatically locking the rail lowered from the upper position in the locking position.

[0012] In the cutting machine described in Technical Solution 1, in the invention described in Technical Solution 2, the locking position is set at a position higher than the lower limit position.

[0013] In the cutting machine described in Technical Solution 1 or 2, in the invention described in Technical Solution 3, the rail locking mechanism includes: a locking member that is provided on the base and is provided so as to be able to move relative to the base; and an engaging member that is provided integrally with the rail and can be engaged by the locking member at the locking position. The locking member can take a locking posture in which the upward movement of the rail can be prohibited by engaging with the engaging member and a non-locking posture in which it retreats from the engaging member compared to the locking posture, and is biased by a biasing unit in the direction of the locking posture.

[0014] In the cutting machine described in Technical Solution 1, 2 or 3, in the invention described in Technical Solution 4, it includes a paper pressing member that can press the sheet from above, and the rail can press the sheet from above via the paper pressing member at the locking position.

[0015] In the cutting machine described in Technical Solution 3, in the invention described in Technical Solution 5, it includes a locking release unit that can release the state in which the rail is locked at the locking position by operating the locking member in the locking posture in the direction of the non-locking posture.

[0016] In the cutting machine described in Technical Solution 5, in the invention described in Technical Solution 6, the locking member is supported so as to be able to rotate relative to the base, and the locking release unit is constituted by a rotating member that is supported so as to be able to rotate relative to the base.

[0017] In the cutting machine described in Technical Solution 3, in the invention described in Technical Solution 7, it includes a display unit, and the display form when the rail is in the upper position is different from the display form when it is in the locking position in association with the locking member.

[0018] In the cutting machine described in Technical Solution 7, in the invention described in Technical Solution 8, the locking member is supported so as to be able to rotate relative to the base, and the display unit is constituted by a rotating member that is supported so as to be able to rotate relative to the base.

[0019] The cutting machine according to Technical Solution 6 or 8, in the invention according to Technical Solution 9, the rotating member includes: a first wall portion having a first display portion; and a second wall portion disposed adjacent to the first wall portion and having a second display portion. When the track is in the upper position, the first display portion is in a posture hidden by the base portion, and when the track is in the locked position, the first display portion is in a posture not hidden by the base portion.

[0020] The cutting machine according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 10, in the invention according to Technical Solution 10, the base portion includes: a base body having the placement surface; a front base portion disposed at the front end portion of the base body; and a rear base portion disposed at the rear end portion of the base body, and the track locking mechanism is disposed between the front base portion and the track.

[0021] The cutting machine according to Technical Solution 3, in the invention according to Technical Solution 11, the engaging member has a window hole into which one end portion of the locking member can be inserted, and the locked posture is a posture in which the one end portion is inserted into the window hole.

[0022] The cutting machine according to Technical Solution 11, in the invention according to Technical Solution 12, the inner dimension in the vertical direction of the window hole is set to be larger than the vertical dimension of the one end portion.

[0023] Effects of the Invention

[0024] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cutting machine having a configuration capable of appropriately locking the track at a position lower than the upper position. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a right side view in this embodiment.

[0027] Figure 3 It is a right side view in this embodiment.

[0028] Figure 4 It is a right side view in this embodiment.

[0029] Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view in this embodiment.

[0030] Figure 6 It is a perspective view in this embodiment.

[0031] Figure 7It is a perspective view in this embodiment.

[0032] Figure 8 It is a top view in this embodiment.

[0033] Figure 9 It is a front view in this embodiment.

[0034] Figure 10 It is a partially enlarged bottom view in this embodiment.

[0035] Figure 11 It is a partially enlarged bottom view in this embodiment.

[0036] Figure 12 It is a partially enlarged perspective view observed from the lower oblique direction in this embodiment.

[0037] Figure 13 It is a partially enlarged perspective view observed from the lower oblique direction in this embodiment.

[0038] Figure 14 It is a partially enlarged perspective view observed from the lower oblique direction in this embodiment.

[0039] Figure 15 It is a perspective view of the main part of the track locking mechanism in this embodiment.

[0040] Figure 16 It is a perspective view of the main part of the track locking mechanism in this embodiment.

[0041] Figure 17 It is Figure 9 of Cross-sectional view along line X-X therein.

[0042] Figure 18 It is Figure 9 of Cross-sectional view along the Y-Y line in

[0043] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to that showing the state where the rail is in the lower limit position and Figure 17 、 Figure 18 。

[0044] Figure 20 is an explanatory view of the main part of the rail locking mechanism in this embodiment.

[0045] Explanation of reference numerals

[0046] A…Base

[0047] B…Rail

[0048] D…Paper pressing member

[0049] E…Slider

[0050] F…Rail locking mechanism

[0051] G…Lock release unit

[0052] H…Display unit Detailed implementation mode

[0053] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 20 。

[0054] In addition, Figure 1 、 2 、5, 6 of , of 7 , of 8 , of 9 , 10, 12, 15, and 17 show the state where the track B is in the upper position (L). Figure 3 、 6 of , of 7 , of 8 , of 9 , 11, 13, 16 and 18 show the state where the track B is located in the locked position (K). Figure 4 , 14 , 19 and 20 show the state where the track B is at the lower limit position (J). Figure 1 In the drawings, imaginary lines are used to indicate the above, but they are omitted in other drawings. In addition, the paper pressing member D is marked with a color to facilitate easy viewing of the drawings.

[0055] The cutting machine comprises: a base A having a loading surface m on which a sheet, i.e., paper P, to be cut is placed, and a knife receiving portion h arranged to be at substantially the same height as the loading surface m; a rail B supported so as to be movable in an up-down direction substantially parallel to the loading surface m between a lower limit position (J) closest to the base A and an upper position (L) farthest from the base A upwardly than the lower limit position (J) and urged upward by a spring s1 as a force applying unit; a paper pressing member D supported so as to be movable relative to the rail B and capable of pressing the paper P from above in the direction of the base A during the process of the rail B descending from the upper position (L); and a sliding member E supported so as to be slidable relative to the rail B and provided with a rotating knife KH capable of cutting the paper P.

[0056] The cutting machine is provided with a track locking mechanism F between the base A and the track B. The track locking mechanism can automatically lock the track B at a locking position (K) set at a position lower than the upper position (L) so as not to move in the direction of the upper position (L). That is, the track locking mechanism F has the following structure: by the operation of pressing down the track B by the user, the track B lowered from the upper position (L) can be automatically locked at the locking position (K). In this embodiment, the locking position (K) of the track B is set at a position lower than the upper position (L) of the track B and higher than the lower limit position (J).

[0057] Furthermore, the cutting machine includes a lock release unit G which is associated with the rail locking mechanism F and can release the state where the rail B is locked at the lock position (K) by a single operation at a position different from the rail B.

[0058] In addition, the cutting machine has a display unit H, which is associated with the rail locking mechanism F. At a position different from the rail B, the display form of the component supported by the base A when the rail B is in the upper position (L) is different from the display form of the component supported by the base A when the rail B is in the locked position (K), so that it is easy for the user to distinguish whether the rail B is in the upper position (L) or in the locked position (K).

[0059] The cutting machine can cut single or multiple sheets of paper P arranged on the placement surface m of the base A through the cooperation of the rotary knife KH provided on the slider E and the base A by pressing the slider E supported by the rail B which is automatically locked at the locking position (K) by the rail locking mechanism F so as not to move in the upward position (L) downward while making it perform a forward and backward movement (i.e., a forward movement and a backward movement).

[0060] More specifically, when the user operates to press any part of the rail B, the rail B moves from the upper position (L) to the locking position (K), and at the locking position (K), the upward movement is automatically restricted. Through this operation, the paper P to be cut is pressed toward the base A by the paper pressing member D supported so as to be able to advance and retreat relative to the rail B. After that, the paper P is cut through the cooperation of the rotary knife KH of the slider E supported by the rail B which can move up and down substantially parallel between the locking position (K) and the lower limit position (J) and the knife receiving portion h provided on the base A. The pressing force of the rotary knife KH on the paper P during cutting can be adjusted by the user who can operate the up and down position of the rail B via the slider E.

[0061] Hereinafter, the configuration of the cutting machine will be described in detail.

[0062] <<Base A>>

[0063] The base A includes: a base main body 1 having an upward placement surface m for placing the paper P and a knife receiving portion h disposed directly below the rotary knife KH; a front base 2 provided at the front end portion of the base main body 1 and capable of supporting the rail B so as to be able to move up and down; and a rear base 3 provided at the rear end portion of the base main body 1 and capable of supporting the rail B so as to be able to move up and down.

[0064] <Base main body 1>

[0065] The base main body 1 is provided with a groove (not shown) directly below the rotary knife KH of the slider E. In the groove of the base main body 1, a synthetic resin knife receiving portion h is arranged such that its upper surface is substantially coplanar with the placement surface m.

[0066] <Front base 2>

[0067] The front base 2 includes a front base main body 2a and a bottom cover 2b detachably mounted below the front base main body 2a.

[0068] The front base main body 2a includes an upper wall 21, a front wall 22 extending downward from the front edge of the upper wall 21, a rear wall 23 extending downward from the rear edge of the upper wall 21, and side walls 24 extending downward from the left and right side edges of the upper wall 21.

[0069] A recessed portion a is provided in the front base body 2a at a position corresponding to the lower portion of the rail B. The recessed portion a can position the rail receiving member 5 in the front-to-rear direction and the left-to-right direction, and allows the front rail receiving member 5 to move in the up-down direction. The recessed portion a is in a form that can accommodate the lower portion of the front rail receiving member 5.

[0070] The recessed portion a includes a bottom wall 25 disposed below the upper wall 21 and in a horizontal position, and a peripheral wall 26 extending upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 25 and surrounding the lower portion of the front rail receiving member 5 .

[0071] The bottom wall 25 includes a spring support a1 that can support the lower end of a spring s1 that urges the rail B upward, and a link support a2 that pivotally supports the lower ends of a pair of left and right posture retaining links C provided on the rail B.

[0072] <Posterior base 3>

[0073] The rear base 3 is substantially the same as the front base 2, and therefore, the same reference numerals as those used in the front base 2 are marked in the figure and detailed description is omitted. In addition, the rear base 3 is provided with a rotating knife storage chamber I which can store a spare rotating knife (not shown) used by the slider E as a structure not provided in the front base 2.

[0074] <<Track B>>

[0075] The rail B can support the slider E to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The rail B is supported relative to the base A so as to be movable up and down substantially parallel to the mounting surface m of the base A between an upper position (L) and a lower limit position (J).

[0076] That is, the track B is constructed to move parallel in the vertical direction between an upper position (L) at which multiple sheets of paper P can be placed on the loading surface m, and a lower limit position (J) at which the multiple sheets of paper P placed on the loading surface m can be indirectly pressed via the paper pressing member D and the rotating knife KH of the sliding member E can be used to cut the sheets of paper P.

[0077] When the rail B is in the upper position (L), a paper insertion gap sk into which cut paper P can be inserted can be formed between the lower surface of the paper pressing tool D supported so as to be movable up and down relative to the rail B and the mounting surface m of the base A.

[0078] The rail B is locked at a locking position (K) set at a position higher than the lower limit position (J) by a rail locking mechanism F provided between the rail B and the base A in such a manner that downward movement in the direction of the lower limit position (J) is allowed based on a pressing operation by the user, and upward movement in the direction of the upper position (L) is not allowed.

[0079] The rail B includes a substantially square tube-shaped rail main body 4 having a hollow structure and extending linearly in the front-rear direction, and front and rear rail receiving members 5 and 6 mounted on the front end portion and the rear end portion of the rail main body 4. The rail main body 4 and the front and rear rail receiving members 5 and 6 can move integrally in the up-down direction.

[0080] A spring s1 between the rail B and the base A always biases the rail B in the direction of the upper position (L). That is, the rail B is biased upward by the spring s1 between the front rail receiving member 5 constituting the rail B and the front base 2 constituting the base A, and is biased upward by the spring s1 between the rear rail receiving member 6 constituting the rail B and the rear base 3 constituting the base A.

[0081] <Rail main body 4>

[0082] The rail main body 4 includes: a metal lower rail member 4a that integrally has a bottom wall portion 41 and side wall portions 42 erected from both side edges of the bottom wall portion 41 and has a channel shape; and a synthetic resin upper rail member 4b that integrally has a top wall portion 43 and hanging wall portions 44 extending downward from both side edges of the top wall portion 43 and has a channel shape.

[0083] The hanging wall portion 44 of the upper rail member 4b is located at a position outside the side wall portion 42 of the lower rail member 4a. That is, the lower rail member 4a is covered from the outside by the upper rail member 4b. The upper rail member 4b, the lower rail member 4a, and the front and rear rail receiving members 5 and 6 are fastened together by screws v1.

[0084] In the bottom wall portion 41 of the lower rail member 4a, an insertion through hole b1 is formed through which a boss portion d1 erected on the paper pressing member D can be inserted so as to be movable up and down.

[0085] On the top wall portion 43 of the upper rail member 4b, a guide groove b2 for positioning the slider E is provided on the upper surface side. A positioning convex portion (not shown) protruding from the slider E can engage with the guide groove b2.

[0086] On the top wall portion 43 of the upper rail member 4b, a downward protruding portion b3 is formed such that the lower end portion is located within the insertion through-hole b1 of the lower rail member 4a. The downward protruding portion b3 is inserted into the through-hole d2 of the upward protruding portion d1 protruding from the paper pressing member D. And, a screw v2, which is an anti-disengagement member of the paper pressing member D, is mounted at the top end of the downward protruding portion b3.

[0087] Between the rail B and the paper pressing member D, that is, between the inner surface of the top wall portion 43 of the upper rail member 4b and the protruding portion d1 of the paper pressing member D, a paper pressing spring s2, which is a biasing member for paper pressing, is disposed.

[0088] <Front rail receiving member 5>

[0089] The front rail receiving member 5 is attached to the bottom wall portion 41 of the lower rail member 4a that constitutes the rail main body 4 by a screw v3. The front rail receiving member 5 is a member made of synthetic resin.

[0090] The front rail receiving member 5 includes: a front rail receiving member main body 5a, which is in the shape of a box that opens downward and has a rail connection wall 51 on the upper surface side for screw fixation of the bottom wall portion 41 of the lower rail member 4a; and a cover wall 5b, which is erected at the front end portion of the front rail receiving member main body 5a and covers the front end portion of the rail main body 4.

[0091] The front rail receiving member main body 5a includes: a substantially rectangular rail connection wall 51, which is in a horizontal posture and whose upper surface is connected to the rail main body 4; and an inner peripheral wall 52, which extends downward from the peripheral edge portion of the rail connection wall 51 and is located inside the peripheral wall 26 of the base portion A.

[0092] On the lower surface of the rail connection wall 51, a spring support portion b4 is provided that can support the upper end portion of a spring s1 that biases the rail B upward. On the outer surface of the inner peripheral wall 52, a vertically extending positioning groove b6 is provided that engages with an unillustrated positioning protrusion formed on the peripheral wall 26 of the recessed portion a of the front base portion 2.

[0093] The cover wall 5b is erected from the front edge of the rail connection wall 51.

[0094] In addition, in this embodiment, an engaging member U that constitutes the rail locking mechanism F is integrally provided on the front rail receiving member 5. The engaging member U is restricted from moving from the engaged state by the rail main body 4 that is screwed to the front rail receiving member 5 in a state of being engaged with the front rail receiving member 5, and is configured to be able to move up and down integrally with the front rail receiving member 5.

[0095] <Rear rail receiving member 6>

[0096] The rear rail receiving member 6 is attached to the bottom wall portion 41 of the lower rail member 4a constituting the rail main body 4 by screws v3. The rear rail receiving member 6 is a member made of synthetic resin.

[0097] The rear rail receiving member 6 includes: a rear rail receiving member main body 6a which is box-shaped with an opening downward and has a rail connection wall 61 on the upper surface side for screw fixation of the bottom wall portion 41 of the lower rail member 4a; and a cover wall 6b which is erected at the rear end portion of the rear rail receiving member main body 6a and covers the rear end portion of the rail main body 4.

[0098] The rear rail receiving member main body 6a includes: a substantially rectangular rail connection wall 61 which is in a horizontal posture and whose upper surface is connected to the rail main body 4; and an inner peripheral wall 62 which extends downward from the peripheral edge portion of the rail connection wall 61 and is located inside the peripheral wall 26 of the base portion A.

[0099] On the lower surface of the rail connection wall 61, there is a spring support portion b7 capable of supporting the upper end portion of a spring s1 that applies an upward force to the rail B. On the outer surface of the inner peripheral wall 62, there is provided a positioning groove b8 extending in the vertical direction and engaging with an unillustrated positioning projection formed on the peripheral wall 26 of the recessed portion a of the rear base portion 3.

[0100] The cover wall 6b is erected from the rear end edge of the rail connection wall 61.

[0101]

[0102] A pair of posture maintaining links C maintains the posture of the rail B capable of moving up and down relative to the base portion A in a substantially horizontal posture. In other words, the rail B can move up and down substantially parallel between the upper position (L) and the lower limit position (J) relative to the base portion A by being held in a horizontal posture by a pair of horizontally arranged posture maintaining links C.

[0103] A pair of posture maintaining links C has a known configuration including: a horizontal link element c1 which is disposed inside the rail main body 4 and engages with the rail main body 4; and front and rear end link elements c2 whose upper end portions are pivotally joined to the front end portion and the rear end portion of the horizontal link element c1 and whose lower end portions are pivotally supported by link support portions a2 of the bottom walls 25 of the front base portion 2 and the rear base portion 3.

[0104] In addition, the upper position (L) of the rail B in this embodiment becomes a position where the upward movement of the rail main body 4 can be restricted by the horizontal link element c1 against the acting force of the spring s1.

[0105] <<Paper pressing member D>>

[0106] The paper pressing member D can press the paper P placed on the placement surface m from above. The paper pressing member D is supported so as to be able to move forward and backward relative to the rail B. The paper pressing member D extends in the front-rear direction along the rail B and is mainly composed of a flat member whose lower surface can be joined to the upper surface of the paper P. The paper pressing member D is supported so as to be able to move up and down relative to the rail B.

[0107] The paper pressing member D can press the paper P placed on the base A from above at the locking position (K). In this embodiment, the rail B is configured to be able to move up and down between the locking position (K) and the lower limit position (J), and the paper pressing member D supported so as to be able to move up and down relative to the rail B can press the paper P to be cut relative to the placement surface m between the locking position (K) and the lower limit position (J).

[0108] The paper pressing member D is supported by the rail B. The paper pressing member D is disposed within the rail main body 4 and is urged downward, i.e., toward the base A, by a paper pressing spring s2.

[0109] <<Slider E>>

[0110] The slider E is a member that supports a replaceable rotary knife KH for cutting the paper P. The slider E can hold the rotary knife KH for cutting the paper P at a position outside the right side edge, which is one side edge of the rail B. The slider E is supported so as to be able to slide relative to the rail B.

[0111] The slider E includes: a slider main body e1 that has an operation handle e11 on the upper side and is mounted so as to be able to slide relative to the rail B; and a knife holder e2 that holds the rotary knife KH and is supported so as to be able to move up and down relative to the slider main body e1 and is urged downward by an unillustrated spring having the slider main body e1 as a fulcrum.

[0112] Thus, a rail locking mechanism F is provided between the base A and the rail B in the cutting machine of this embodiment. In addition, a locking release unit G and a display unit H are provided in the cutting machine in association with the rail locking mechanism F.

[0113] <<Rail locking mechanism F>>

[0114] The rail locking mechanism F is mainly composed of a locking member T and an engaging member U. The locking member T is provided so as to be able to move relative to the base A, and the engaging member U is provided integrally with the rail B and can be engaged by the locking member T at the locking position K.

[0115] Regarding the track locking mechanism F, the locking member T can take a locked posture (M) in which upward movement of the track B can be prohibited by engaging with an engaging member U that can move up and down integrally with the track B, and an unlocked posture (N) in which it retracts from the engaging member U compared to the locked posture (M) and allows movement of the track B to the upward position (L). The locking member T is biased by a locking member biasing spring s3, which is a biasing unit with the base A as a fulcrum, in the direction of the locked posture (M).

[0116] The locking member T is long in the left - right direction, and the middle portion in the length direction is supported by a shaft j1 extending in the up - down direction and fixed to the front base 2 so as to be horizontally rotatable relative to the front base 2.

[0117] The locking member T includes an L - shaped top engaging portion t1 as one end portion provided at the rotating end on the track B side and inserted into the window hole u2 of the engaging member U in the locked posture (M), and a rod - shaped rotating member engaging portion t2 as the other end portion provided at the opposite end and engaging with a rotating member V described later.

[0118] Furthermore, the locking member T includes: a shaft support portion t3 having an unillustrated shaft hole penetrating in the up - down direction in a manner that allows the shaft j1 provided at the middle portion in the length direction between the top engaging portion t1 and the rotating member engaging portion t2 to pass through; and a pressed portion t4 protruding between the shaft support portion t3 and the rotating member engaging portion t2 and being pressed by the locking member biasing spring s3 wound around the shaft j1 with the protruding wall a4 protruding from the bottom wall 25 of the recessed portion a as a fulcrum.

[0119] The engaging member U is attached to the front track receiving member 5. The engaging member U is a synthetic resin member extending in the up - down direction. The engaging member U includes: a mounting portion u1 provided at the upper portion and mounted on the front track receiving member 5 so as to be able to move integrally with the front track receiving member 5; and a window hole u2 provided at the lower portion and allowing the top engaging portion t1, which is one end portion of the locking member T, to be inserted and penetrating in the front - rear direction.

[0120] The locked posture (M) of the locking member T is a posture in which the top engaging portion t1 is inserted into the window hole u2, and the unlocked posture (N) of the locking member T is a posture in which the top engaging portion t1 is not inserted into the window hole u2.

[0121] The mounting portion u1 is in a form that can be engaged with the groove b5 as an engagement groove provided in the front rail receiving member 5. The mounting portion u1 has an embedded portion u11 embedded in the groove b5 formed downwardly recessed in the rail connecting wall 51. Regarding the engaging member U, the embedded portion u11 is inserted and embedded in the groove b5 from the upper side, and then, when the lower rail member 4a is installed on the front rail receiving member 5 by the screw v3, the engaging member U will not fall off from the front rail receiving member 5.

[0122] The window hole u2 is provided so as to protrude downward from the front rail receiving member 5 when the rail B is located at the locking position (K) and the lower limit position (J). That is, the window hole u2 can protrude downward more than the bottom wall 25 when the rail B is located at the locking position (K) and the lower limit position (J) through the through hole a3 formed in the bottom wall 25 of the recessed portion a constituting the front base 2.

[0123] The inner dimension w2 of the window hole u2 in the vertical direction is set to be larger than the vertical dimension w1 of the top engaging portion t1. That is, the top engaging portion t1 inserted into the window hole u2 in the locking posture (M) engages with the lower opening edge of the window hole u2, i.e., the lower frame portion u21, at the locking position (K), and the locking member T maintains the locking position (K) of the track B while overcoming the force of the spring s1 and prohibiting movement to the upward position (L).

[0124] On the other hand, when the track B located in the locked position (K) is pressed downward toward the lower limit position (J) by the user's operation of the sliding member E, the window hole u2 descends, thereby changing the relative position of the window hole u2 and the top engaging portion t1 (the relative position changes in such a way that the top engaging portion t1 approaches the upper opening edge side of the window hole u2), and the track B can move to the lower limit position (J).

[0125] <<Lock release unit G>>

[0126] The unlocking unit G can release the rail B from the locked position (K) in one operation by operating the locking member T in the locked position (M) toward the unlocked position (N), thereby returning the rail B to the upward position (L).

[0127] The lock release unit G is composed of a rotating member V supported in a rotatable manner relative to a pair of shaft support parts 212, which are protrudingly provided on the upper wall 21 of the front base 2 constituting the base A. The rotating member V can take a first posture (Q) when the track B is in the upper position (L), and can take a second posture (R) when the track B is in the locked position (K) and the lower limit position (J). The rotating member V is configured to be able to work in conjunction with the locking member T.

[0128] The rotating member V includes: a front wall portion v1 as a first wall portion, the front wall portion v1 having a first display portion W1 facing forward; an upper wall portion v2 as a second wall portion, the upper wall portion v2 having a second display portion W2 extending rearward from a position adjacent to the front wall portion v1, i.e., the upper end edge of the front wall portion v1, and facing upward; left and right side walls v3 disposed between the side end edges of the front wall portion v1 and the upper wall portion v2 and having a shaft portion j2 supported by a hanging wall-shaped shaft support portion 212 provided on the front base portion 2; an extension wall v4 integrally extending downward from the right side wall v3 and having a downward U-shaped engaging portion v41 at the tip that can engage with the rotating member engaging portion t2 of the locking member T; and a flange portion v5 integrally extending rearward from the rear end portion of the upper wall portion v2 and capable of being located below the upper wall 21 of the front base portion 2.

[0129] When the rail B is in the upper position (L), the rotating member V is in the first posture (Q), and the second display portion W2 is substantially coplanar with the upper wall 21 of the front base portion 2. That is, the front wall portion v1 of the rotating member V in the first posture (Q) having the first display portion W1 is hidden below the upper wall 21 of the front base portion 2.

[0130] When the rail B is in the locking position (K) and the lower limit position (J), the rotating member V is in the second posture (R), located above the upper wall 21 of the front base portion 2. In other words, when the rail B is in the locking position (K) and the lower limit position (J), the rotating member V biased by the locking member T assumes the second posture (R), the first display portion W1 moves upward relative to the upper wall 21 of the front base portion 2 and becomes visually recognizable for the user, and is in a posture not hidden by the front base portion 2.

[0131] <<Display unit H>>

[0132] The display unit H is used for the user to easily visually distinguish between the case where the rail B is in the upper position (L) and the case where it is in the locking position (K). The display unit H is linked with the locking member T to make the display form (first display form) when the rail B is in the upper position (L) different from the display form (second display form) when it is in the locking position (K).

[0133] The display unit H is composed of a rotating member V that can assume a first posture (Q) and a second posture (R). The first posture (Q) assumes a first display form, and the second posture (R) assumes the display form (second display form) when the rail B is in the locking position (K).

[0134] The display unit H is constituted by the rotating member V that constitutes the unlocking unit G. In other words, the display unit H and the unlocking unit G are constituted by the rotating member V as a common member.

[0135] The specific structure of the rotating member V that constitutes the display unit H has been described in the unlocking unit G, so it is omitted.

[0136] Next, an example of the operation of a cutting machine having an orbital locking mechanism F and an unlocking unit G and a display unit H provided in association with the orbital locking mechanism F will be outlined.

[0137] First, the paper P to be cut by the user is placed on the placement surface m of the base A. At this time, the rail B is set at the upper position (L). A gap sk for inserting the paper P is formed between the paper pressing member D supported by the rail B and the placement surface m of the base A.

[0138] When the rail B is at the upper position (L), the locking member T of the orbital locking mechanism F is in a non-locked posture (N). The tip engaging portion t1 of the locking member T is in a state of pressing the lower end portion (lower frame portion u21) of the window hole u2 in the engaging member U by the acting force of the locking member biasing spring s3. The rotating member engaging portion t2 of the locking member T engages with the rotating member V, and only the second display portion W2 of the rotating member V is exposed upward through the opening 211 provided in the upper wall 21 of the front base 2.

[0139] Next, the user operates to press the rail B downward toward the base A, thereby moving the rail B from the upper position (L) toward the locking position (K). Since the rail B is held in a posture substantially parallel to the placement surface m by a pair of posture holding linkages C, if any part of the rail B is pressed downward, the rail B can descend while maintaining a substantially parallel posture.

[0140] During the process of the rail B moving toward the locking position (K), the paper pressing member D supported by the rail B abuts against the paper P to be cut, and the paper P is pressed against the base A by the acting force of the paper pressing spring s2.

[0141] When the rail B descends, the engaging member U of the front rail receiving member 5 installed is also integrally lowered. When the rail B descends to a certain extent, the tip engaging portion t1 of the locking member T biased by the locking member biasing spring s3 is inserted into the window hole u2 provided in the engaging member U. At this stage, the rail B is at the locking position (K), and the locking member T takes a locked posture (M).

[0142] When the top engaging portion t1 of the locking member T is inserted into the window hole u2 of the engaging member U, the lower frame portion u21 of the window hole u2 of the engaging member U biased upward by the spring s1 engages with the top engaging portion t1, and the rail B is held at the locking position (K) where the upward movement to the position (L) is restricted.

[0143] During the transition of the locking member T from the non-locked posture (N) to the locking position (M), the rotating member V engaged with the rotating member engaging portion t2 of the locking member T is rotated from the first posture (Q) to the second posture (R) by the acting force of the locking member T. That is, by the locking member T, the engaging portion v41 located at a position lower than the shaft portion j2 supported by the base 2 is moved forward. As a result, the first display portion W1 of the rotating member V hidden by the upper wall 21 of the front base 2 moves upward to the upper side of the upper wall 21 through the opening portion 211 and appears in a visually recognizable manner for the user.

[0144] For example, by displaying text such as "Locked" on the first display portion W1 of the front wall portion v1, it is possible to show the user in an easily visible manner that the rail B is in the locking position (K).

[0145] After the rail B is in the locking position (K) and the paper P to be cut is fixed relative to the base A, the user presses down the slider E while making it move forward and backward, thereby cutting the paper P.

[0146] In the present embodiment, by the operation of the user, the rail B is positioned below the locking position (K), so that it is set to an appropriate position where the rotary knife KH of the slider E can cut the paper P.

[0147] The vertical inner dimension w2 of the window hole u2 in the engaging member U constituting the rail locking mechanism F is set to be larger than the vertical dimension w1 of the top engaging portion t1 of the locking member T. Therefore, the rail B can move up and down between the locking position (K) and the lower limit position (J). Thus, the user can cut the paper P while pressing down the rail B at the locking position (K) downward in the direction of the lower limit position (J) via the slider E.

[0148] In addition, when the rail B is at the lower limit position (J) and its vicinity, the top engaging portion t1 of the locking member T is located at the upper part inside the window hole u2 and a gap sm is formed at the lower part inside the window hole u2.

[0149] After finishing the cutting of the paper P, the user performs the following operation: rotating the rotating member V as the unlocking unit G so as to change from the second posture (R) to the first posture (Q), and returning the rail B at the locking position (K) to the upward position (L).

[0150] When the user rotates the rotating member V in the direction of the first posture (Q), the lock member T engaged with the rotating member V overcomes the urging force of the lock member urging spring s3 and is forcibly rotated in the direction of the unlocking posture (N).

[0151] When the top engaging portion t1 of the locking member T is pulled out from the window hole u2, the rail B moves upward due to the force of the spring s1 and returns to the upward position (L). As a result, the pressing force of the paper pressing member D on the paper P is released, and the user can smoothly remove a part of the paper P without being hindered by the paper pressing member D.

[0152] When the rail B returns from the locked position (K) to the upper position (L), the rotating member V changes its posture from the second posture (R) to the first posture (Q), and only the second display portion W2 is visually recognized from above through the opening 211 of the front base 2.

[0153] For example, if the text "released" is displayed on the second display portion W2, it can be indicated to the user that the rail B is in the upper position (L) (the state in which the rail B is locked by the rail locking mechanism F is released).

[0154] As described above, the cutting machine of the present embodiment includes: a base A having a loading surface m on which a sheet P, which is a sheet to be cut, is placed; a rail B supported so as to move substantially parallel to the loading surface m between a lower limit position (J) close to the base A and an upper position (L) farther from the base A than the lower limit position (J) and biased upward by a spring s1 as a biasing unit; a slider E supported so as to be slidable relative to the rail B and provided with a rotary blade KH capable of cutting the paper P; and a rail locking mechanism F provided between the base A and the rail B and capable of locking the rail B at a locking position (K) set at a position lower than the upper position (L) so as not to move at least in the direction of the upper position (L). Furthermore, the rail locking mechanism F is configured to automatically lock the rail B, which has been lowered from the upper position (L), at the locking position (K).

[0155] Therefore, it is possible to provide a cutting machine having a configuration capable of appropriately locking the rail B at the lock position (K) which is a position below the upper position (L).

[0156] That is, the rail B that can move substantially parallel to the base A can be automatically locked at a predetermined position so as not to move upward, so that the operation of cutting the paper P can be appropriately performed by the user.

[0157] The locking position (K) is set at a position higher than the lower limit position (J). Therefore, regardless of the number of stacked sheets of the paper P to be cut, the operation for cutting the paper P can be appropriately performed.

[0158] The rail locking mechanism F includes: a locking member T provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the base A; and an engaging member U provided integrally with the rail B and capable of being engaged by the locking member T at the locking position (K). Further, the locking member T can take a locking posture (M) in which the upward movement of the rail B can be prohibited by engaging with the engaging member U and a non-locking posture (N) retracted from the engaging member U compared to the locking posture (M), and is biased by a locking member biasing spring s3 as a biasing unit in the direction of the locking posture (M).

[0159] Therefore, a suitable rail locking mechanism F can be constituted mainly by the locking member T provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the base A and the engaging member U provided integrally with the rail B.

[0160] A paper pressing member D capable of pressing the paper P from above is provided, and the rail B can press the sheet from above via the paper pressing member D at the locking position (K).

[0161] Therefore, the paper P to be cut can be appropriately pressed when the rail B is at the locking position (K).

[0162] A locking release unit G is provided, and the locking release unit G can release the state in which the rail B is locked at the locking position (K) by operating the locking member T in the locked posture (M) in the direction of the non-locking posture (N).

[0163] Therefore, by realizing a configuration capable of operating the locking member T, the state in which the rail B is locked at the locking position (K) can be appropriately released.

[0164] The locking member T is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the base A. Further, the locking release unit G is constituted by a rotating member V supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the base A.

[0165] Therefore, a configuration can be realized in which the state in which the rail B is locked at the locking position (K) can be released by the operations of the locking member T and the rotating member V capable of rotating with respect to the base A.

[0166] A display unit H is provided, and the display unit H makes the display form different when the rail B is in the upper position (L) and the display form different when the rail B is in the locking position (K) in association with the locking member T.

[0167] Therefore, by implementing a configuration that can be linked to the locking member T, it is possible to show the user whether the rail B is in the upper position (L) or the locked position (K) through different displays.

[0168] The locking member T is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the base A, and the display unit H is constituted by a rotating member V supported so as to be rotatable relative to the base A.

[0169] Therefore, it is possible to implement a configuration in which, by the actions of the locking member T and the rotating member V that can perform rotational movements relative to the base A, it is possible to show whether the rail B is in the upper position (L) or the locked position (K) through different displays.

[0170] The rotating member V includes a first wall portion having a first display portion W1 and a second wall portion provided at a position adjacent to the first wall portion and having a second display portion W2. And, when the rail B is in the upper position (L), the first display portion W1 is in a posture hidden by the front base 2, and when the rail B is in the locked position (K), the first display portion W1 is in a posture not hidden by the front base 2.

[0171] Therefore, it is possible to create a situation where the user can see the first display portion W1 and a situation where the user cannot see the first display portion W1, so it is easy to make the display different depending on whether the rail B is in the upper position (L) or the locked position (K).

[0172] The base A includes a base body 1 having a mounting surface m, a front base 2 provided at the front end portion of the base body 1, and a rear base provided at the rear end portion of the base body 1. And, the rail locking mechanism F is provided between the front base 2 and the rail B.

[0173] Therefore, it is possible to set the rail locking mechanism F at a suitable position, and it is possible to set the unlocking unit G and the display unit H associated with the rail locking mechanism F at suitable positions close to the user.

[0174] The engaging member U has a window hole u2 into which the top engaging portion t1, which is one end portion of the locking member T, can be inserted, and the locked posture (M) is the posture in which the top engaging portion t1 is inserted into the window hole u2.

[0175] Therefore, by inserting the top engaging portion t1 into the window hole u2, the locking member T takes the locked posture (M), and the rail B is locked at the locked position (K), so the state of being locked at the locked position (K) can be stabilized.

[0176] The inner dimension w2 of the window hole u2 in the vertical direction is set to be larger than the vertical dimension w1 of the top engaging portion t1, which is one end portion of the locking member T.

[0177] Therefore, the rail B can move in the downward direction within the range of the inner dimension in the vertical direction of the window hole u2, and thus, a configuration in which the rail B can move in the downward direction from the locked position (K) to the lower limit position (J) can be appropriately achieved.

[0178] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detail above.

[0179] The object to be cut by the cutting machine is not limited to paper, and of course, it can also be various sheets.

[0180] The rotary knife of the slider may not move up and down relative to the slider body.

[0181] The locked position of the rail is not limited to being set at a position higher than the lower limit position, and it may also be the same position as the lower limit position.

[0182] The rail locking mechanism may also be configured such that the locking member is provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the rail, and the engaging member is provided integrally with the base portion.

[0183] The locking member constituting the rail locking mechanism only needs to be a member provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the base portion, and is not limited to a member provided so as to be rotatable.

[0184] The engaging member constituting the rail locking mechanism is not limited to a member separate from the rail receiving member, and may also be a member integrally formed with the rail receiving member using synthetic resin.

[0185] In the above-described embodiment, the unlocking unit and the display unit are realized by the same rotary member, but the configuration is not limited to this, and they may also be constituted by separately independent rotary members.

[0186] In addition, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cutting machine, the cutting machine comprising: a base having a placement surface for placing a sheet to be cut ； a rail supported in a substantially parallel posture with respect to the placement surface so as to move up and down between a lower limit position closest to the base and an upper position farther from the base than the lower limit position, and biased upward by a biasing unit; a slider supported so as to be able to slide relative to the rail and provided with a rotary knife capable of cutting the sheet; and a rail locking mechanism provided between the base and the rail and capable of locking the rail at a locking position set at a position lower than the upper position so as not to move at least in the direction of the upper position, the rail locking mechanism being capable of automatically locking the rail that has descended from the upper position at the locking position, the rail locking mechanism comprising: a locking member provided on the base and configured to be relatively movable with respect to the base; and an engaging member provided integrally with the rail and capable of being engaged by the locking member at the locking position, the locking member being capable of taking a locking posture in which upward movement of the rail can be prohibited by engaging with the engaging member and a non-locking posture in which it retreats from the engaging member compared to the locking posture, and being biased by a biasing unit in the direction of the locking posture, a locking release unit is provided, and by operating the locking member in the locking posture in the direction of the non-locking posture, the state in which the rail is locked at the locking position can be released, the locking member is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the base, the locking release unit is constituted by a rotary member supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the base.

2. A cutting machine, the cutting machine comprising: a base having a placement surface for placing a sheet to be cut; a rail supported in a substantially parallel posture with respect to the placement surface so as to move up and down between a lower limit position closest to the base and an upper position farther from the base than the lower limit position, and biased upward by a biasing unit ； a slider supported so as to be able to slide relative to the rail and provided with a rotary knife capable of cutting the sheet; and a rail locking mechanism provided between the base and the rail and capable of locking the rail at a locking position set at a position lower than the upper position so as not to move at least in the direction of the upper position, the rail locking mechanism being capable of automatically locking the rail that has descended from the upper position at the locking position, the rail locking mechanism comprising: a locking member provided on the base and configured to be relatively movable with respect to the base; and an engaging member provided integrally with the rail and capable of being engaged by the locking member at the locking position, The locking member can take a locked posture in which upward movement of the rail is prohibited by engaging with the engaging member, and an unlocked posture in which it retracts from the engaging member as compared with the locked posture, and is biased by a biasing unit in the direction of the locked posture. A display unit is provided, and the display form when the rail is in the upper position is different from the display form when the rail is in the locked position in association with the locking member.

3. The cutting machine according to claim 1 or 2, The locked position is set at a position higher than the lower limit position.

4. The cutting machine according to claim 1 or 2, A sheet pressing member capable of pressing the sheet from above is provided. The rail can press the sheet from above via the sheet pressing member at the locked position.

5. The cutting machine according to claim 2, The locking member is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the base. The display unit is constituted by a rotating member supported so as to be rotatable relative to the base.

6. The cutting machine according to claim 1 or 5, The rotating member includes: a first wall portion having a first display portion; and a second wall portion provided adjacent to the first wall portion and having a second display portion. When the rail is in the upper position, the first display portion is in a posture hidden by the base, and when the rail is in the locked position, the first display portion is in a posture not hidden by the base.

7. The cutting machine according to claim 1, The base includes: a base main body having the placement surface; a front base provided at the front end portion of the base main body; and a rear base provided at the rear end portion of the base main body, and the rail locking mechanism is provided between the front base and the rail.

8. The cutting machine according to claim 1 or 2, The engaging member has a window hole into which one end portion of the locking member can be inserted, and the locked posture is a posture in which the one end portion is inserted into the window hole.

9. The cutting machine according to claim 8, The inner dimension in the vertical direction of the window hole is set to be larger than the vertical dimension of the one end portion.

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