supporting device

Abstract

The support device of this embodiment includes a base component, a pair of front end components, and a pair of lower end components. The base component is plate-shaped and can be bent at its middle portion in the width direction. The pair of front end components are located at both ends of the base component in the width direction, and the pair of plates are configured to taper at the front ends. The pair of lower end components are plate-shaped and located at the lower ends of the base component, on both sides of the base component in the thickness direction, forming approximately right angles with the base component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments described herein relate to support devices. Background Technology

[0002] A high-capacity paper feeding device for supplying multiple sheets is used in an image forming apparatus. Inside the cassette of the high-capacity paper feeding device is a tray for holding the sheets. The tray is movable vertically. When the high-capacity paper feeding device is packaged and transported, a support device for supporting the tray is arranged inside the cassette. The support device is required to restrict the movement of the tray. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The support device of the embodiment includes: a base member, which is plate-shaped and can be bent at the middle in the width direction; a pair of front end members located at both ends of the base member in the width direction, the pair of plates being configured to taper at the front ends; and a pair of lower end members, which are plate-shaped and located at the lower ends of the base member and on both sides of the base member in the thickness direction, forming approximately right angles with the base member. Attached Figure Description

[0004] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional view of the image forming apparatus and the high-capacity paper feeding device.

[0005] Figure 2 It is a 3D view of the large-capacity paper feeder with the tray pulled out.

[0006] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the support device of the embodiment installed on a high-capacity paper feeding device.

[0007] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view of the support device.

[0008] Figure 5 This is an unfolded diagram of the support device.

[0009] Figure 6 This is the first explanatory diagram of a method for mounting a support device on a box.

[0010] Figure 7 This is a second explanatory diagram of a method for mounting a support device on a box.

[0011] Figure 8 This is the third explanatory diagram for the method of mounting the support device on the box.

[0012] Figure 9 This is the fourth explanatory diagram for the method of mounting the support device on the box.

[0013] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0014] 1…High-capacity paper feeding device, 10…Box, 12…Front frame (first frame), 13…Left front hole (hole), 15…Rear frame (first frame), 17…Right rear hole (hole), 18…Left frame (second frame), 19…Right frame (second frame), 30…Tray, 33…Front pin, 37…Rear pin, 40…Support device, 41…Base component, 42…First front end component (front end component), 43…Base end plate (plate), 44…Front end plate (plate), 45…Second front end component (front end component), 46…Base end plate (plate), 47…Front end plate (plate), 48…First lower end component (lower end component), 49…Second lower end component (lower end component), 68…Front end edge, 69…Front end edge. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The support device of this embodiment includes a base component, a pair of front end components, and a pair of lower end components. The base component is plate-shaped and can be bent at its middle portion in the width direction. The pair of front end components are located at both ends of the base component in the width direction, and the pair of plates are configured to taper at the front ends. The pair of lower end components are plate-shaped, located at the lower ends of the base component, and on both sides of the base component in the thickness direction, forming approximately right angles with the base component.

[0016] The support device of the embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] The support device of the embodiment supports a tray located at the bottom of the cassette of the high-capacity paper feeding device. The high-capacity paper feeding device supplies sheet material to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus, the high-capacity paper feeding device, and the support device of the embodiment will be described in sequence.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional view of the image forming apparatus and the high-capacity paper feeding device.

[0019] In this application, the Z-direction, X-direction (third direction), and Y-direction (fourth direction) of the orthogonal coordinate system are defined as follows: The Z-direction is the vertical direction (up and down), and the +Z-direction is the upward direction. The X-direction and Y-direction are horizontal directions. The X-direction is the front-back direction of the image forming apparatus 100, and the +X-direction is the forward direction. The Y-direction is the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 100, and the +Y-direction is the right direction. The right direction of the image forming apparatus 100 refers to the right direction when viewing the rear from in front of the image forming apparatus 100. In this application, the directions of up, down, front, back, right, and left of the image forming apparatus 100 are sometimes simply referred to as up, down, front, back, right, and left.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

[0021] The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet using a developer such as a toner. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 101, a scanning unit 104, a printing unit 105, and a paper feeding unit 106.

[0022] The operation unit 101 includes a display 102 and a control panel 103. The display 102 displays various information about the image forming apparatus 100. The control panel 103 has multiple buttons. The control panel 103 accepts user operations. The control panel 103 outputs signals corresponding to the operations performed by the user to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0023] The scanning unit 104 reads the image information of the object as the brightness of light. The scanning unit 104 then outputs the read image information to the printing unit 105.

[0024] The printing unit 105 forms an image on the sheet based on image information generated by the scanning unit 104 or image information received via a communication path.

[0025] The paper feeding unit 106 stores the sheet material used for image formation in the printing unit 105 in a cassette. The paper feeding unit 106 then supplies the sheet material stored in the cassette to the printing unit 105.

[0026] The high-capacity paper feeding device 1 is described in detail.

[0027] The high-capacity paper feeding device 1 is capable of holding a greater quantity of sheets than the paper feeding section 106. For example, the high-capacity paper feeding device 1 is arranged adjacent to the right side of the image forming apparatus. The right surface of the image forming apparatus 100 has an opening for receiving sheets supplied from the high-capacity paper feeding device 1.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the high-capacity paper feeder with the tray pulled out. The high-capacity paper feeder 1 has a housing 2, a front cover 4, and a tray 10.

[0029] The housing 2 covers the portion of the high-capacity paper feeding device 1 excluding its front surface. An opening for discharging sheet material is located above the left surface of the housing 2.

[0030] The front cover 4 covers the front surface of the high-capacity paper feeding device 1. The front cover 4 has a handle 5 for moving the tray 10.

[0031] The box 10 is fixed to the back of the front cover 4 and can be stored inside the housing 2. The box 10 can move in the front-rear direction relative to the housing 2 together with the front cover 4. The box 10 has a bottom frame 11, a pair of first frames 12 and 15 and a pair of second frames 18 and 19.

[0032] The bottom frame 11 is located at the bottom of the box 10. The bottom frame 11 is parallel to the XY plane.

[0033] A pair of first frames 12 and 15 are parallel to the YZ plane. The pair of first frames 12 and 15 are opposite each other in the front-to-back direction. The pair of first frames 12 and 15 are a front frame 12 and a rear frame 15. The front frame 12 is located on the front side of the box 10. The rear frame 15 is located on the rear side of the box 10.

[0034] A pair of second frames 18 and 19 are parallel to the XZ plane. The pair of second frames 18 and 19 are opposite each other in the left-right direction. The pair of second frames 18 and 19 consists of a left frame 18 and a right frame 19. The left frame 18 is located on the front side of box 10. The right frame 19 is located on the rear side of box 10.

[0035] The front frame 12, rear frame 15, and left frame 18 are all of equal height and are taller than the right frame 19. The top and right sides of the box 10 are open. Sheets are inserted into the inside of the box 10 from the top and right sides. The sheets inserted into the inside of the box 10 are arranged parallel to the XY plane on the upper surface of the tray 30.

[0036] The box 10 has a sheet position adjustment mechanism 20. The sheet position adjustment mechanism 20 adjusts the position of the sheet inside the box 10 according to the size of the sheet. The sheet position adjustment mechanism 20 has a front guide 22, a rear guide 25, and a right guide 29. The left end of the sheet abuts against the left frame 18.

[0037] The front guide 22 and the rear guide 25 abut against the front and rear ends of the sheet, adjusting their positions. The front guide 22 and the rear guide 25 are elongated vertically. They are located in the middle of the left-right direction of the box 10. The front guide 22 is located in front of the box 10 and behind the front frame 12. The rear surface of the front guide 22 is parallel to the YZ plane and abuts against the front end of the sheet. The rear guide 25 is located behind the box 10 and in front of the rear frame 15. The front surface of the rear guide 25 is parallel to the YZ plane and abuts against the rear end of the sheet. The front guide 22 and the rear guide 25 are configured to move relative to the bottom frame 11 in the front-back direction. They can also move in tandem. When the front guide 22 moves rearward a predetermined distance, the rear guide 25 can also move forward a predetermined distance.

[0038] The right guide 29 abuts against the right end of the sheet, adjusting the position of the right end of the sheet. The right guide 29 is elongated in the vertical direction. The right guide 29 is located at the rear end of the box 10. The right guide 29 is located to the right of the box 10 and to the left of the right frame 19. The left surface of the right guide 29 is parallel to the XZ plane and abuts against the right end of the sheet. The right guide 29 is configured to move in the horizontal direction relative to the bottom frame 11.

[0039] Box 10 has a tray 30. The tray 30 is located above the base frame 11. Sheets inserted into the inside of box 10 are disposed on the upper surface of the tray 30.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the support device of the embodiment installed on a high-capacity paper feeding device. Figure 9 This is a top view. The tray 30 is flat and parallel to the XY plane. The tray 30 has a front guide hole 32 and a rear guide hole 35. A front guide 22 is disposed inside the front guide hole 32. A rear guide 25 is disposed inside the rear guide hole 35.

[0041] like Figure 9 As shown, pallet 30 has a pair of front pins 33 and 34 and a pair of rear pins 36 and 37. The pair of front pins 33 and 34 and the pair of rear pins 36 and 37 are connected to pallet 30. The pair of front pins 33 and 34 project forward from the front end of pallet 30. The pair of front pins 33 and 34 are located near the left and right ends of pallet 30. The pair of rear pins 36 and 37 project rearward from the rear end of pallet 30. The pair of rear pins 36 and 37 are located near the left and right ends of pallet 30.

[0042] The front frame 12 has a pair of front holes 13 and 14. The pair of front holes 13 and 14 are elongated in the vertical direction. The pair of front holes 13 and 14 pass through the front frame 12 in the longitudinal direction. A pair of front pins 33 and 34 are inserted into the pair of front holes 13 and 14. The rear frame 15 has a pair of rear holes 16 and 17. The pair of rear holes 16 and 17 are elongated in the vertical direction. The pair of rear holes 16 and 17 pass through the rear frame 15 in the longitudinal direction. A pair of rear pins 36 and 37 are inserted into the pair of rear holes 16 and 17.

[0043] The front ends of a pair of front pins 33 and 34 are located on the front side of the front frame 12. The front ends of a pair of rear pins 36 and 37 are located on the rear side of the rear frame 15. Lead wires are connected to the front ends of the pair of front pins 33 and 34 and the pair of rear pins 36 and 37. The tray 30 rises by winding the lead wires with a motor. The tray 30 descends by releasing the lead wires with a motor. Figure 2 As shown, when the box 10 is pulled out from the housing 2, the tray 30 descends due to its own weight. There are two modes for the tray 30 to descend: gravity descent and motor control. During gravity descent, a centrifugal brake is activated, thus preventing damage from falling. Figure 9 The pair of front holes 13 and 14 and the pair of rear holes 16 and 17 shown guide the up-and-down movement of the tray 30.

[0044] Figure 2The housing 2 shown has a paper feeding mechanism. The paper feeding mechanism is located on the upper left side of the inner side of the housing 2. The paper feeding mechanism is located at the center of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction. The paper feeding mechanism includes a pickup roller, a feed roller, and a separation roller. Sheets are placed on the upper surface of the tray 30, and the cartridge 10 is housed inside the housing 2. A motor causes the sheets and tray 30 to rise together. The paper feeding mechanism picks up sheets one by one from the tray 30 and supplies them to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0045] The support device is described in detail.

[0046] like Figure 3 and Figure 9 As shown, when the large-capacity paper feeding device 1 is bundled and conveyed, the support device 40 is arranged inside the box 10 to support the tray 30.

[0047] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the support device. The support device 40 is formed of corrugated paper or thick paper, etc. The support device 40 has a base component 41, a pair of front end components 42 and 45, and a pair of lower end components 48 and 49.

[0048] In this application, the r-direction, s-direction, and t-direction of the orthogonal coordinate system for the support device 40 are defined as follows: The r-direction is the width direction of the base member 41. The +r-direction (first direction) is the direction forming an acute angle with the forward direction, and the -r-direction (second direction) is the opposite direction of the +r-direction. The s-direction is the thickness direction of the base member 41, and the +s-direction is the direction forming an acute angle with the rightward direction. The t-direction is the height direction of the base member 41, and the +t-direction is the direction forming an acute angle with the upward direction. For example, the t-direction is parallel to the vertical direction (Z-direction).

[0049] The base component 41 is a quadrilateral plate. The base component 41 can be bent at the fold line 51 in the middle of its width direction. The fold line 51 is located in the center of the base component 41 in the width direction. The fold line 51 is located between a pair of lower end components 48 and 49.

[0050] A pair of front end members 42 and 45 are located at both ends of the base member 41 in the width direction. The pair of front end members 42 and 45 are long in the t-direction. The cross-sectional shape of the pair of front end members 42 and 45 perpendicular to the t-direction is fixed. The height of the base member 41 from its lower end to its upper end is greater than the height from its lower end to the upper end of the pair of front end members 42 and 45. A pair of stepped portions 52 and 55 are located between the upper end of the base member 41 and the upper end of the pair of front end members 42 and 45. The pair of front end members 42 and 45 are a first front end member 42 and a second front end member 45.

[0051] The first front end component 42 is located at the end of the base component 41 in the +r direction. The first front end component 42 tapers towards the front end in the +r direction. A pair of plates 43 and 44 of the first front end component 42 are configured to taper at the front end. The pair of plates 43 and 44 are a base end plate 43 and a front end plate 44. The end of the base end plate 43 in the -r direction is continuous with the end of the base component 41 in the +r direction. The base end plate 43 and the base component 41 are located in the same rt plane. The end of the front end plate 44 in the +r direction is continuous with the end of the base end plate 43 in the +r direction. The front end plate 44 is located in the -s direction of the base end plate 43. The front end plate 44 may also be located in the +s direction of the base end plate 43.

[0052] The second front end member 45 is located at the end of the base member 41 in the -r direction. The second front end member 45 tapers towards the front end in the -r direction. A pair of plates 46 and 47 of the second front end member 45 are configured to taper at the front end. The pair of plates 46 and 47 are a base end plate 46 and a front end plate 47. The end of the base end plate 46 in the +r direction is continuous with the end of the base member 41 in the -r direction. The base end plate 46 and the base member 41 are located in the same rt plane. The end of the front end plate 47 in the -r direction is continuous with the end of the base end plate 46 in the -r direction. The front end plate 47 is located in the +s direction of the base end plate 46. The front end plate 47 may also be located in the -s direction of the base end plate 46.

[0053] The front plate 44 of the first front end component 42 and the front plate 47 of the second front end component 45 are located on opposite sides in the s direction, separated by the base component 41.

[0054] A pair of lower end components 48 and 49 are quadrilateral plates. The pair of lower end components 48 and 49 are located at the lower end of the base component 41. The pair of lower end components 48 and 49 are located on opposite sides in the s-direction, separated from the base component 41. The pair of lower end components 48 and 49 form approximately right angles with the base component 41. The pair of lower end components 48 and 49 are approximately parallel to the rs-plane. The pair of lower end components 48 and 49 are the first lower end component 48 and the second lower end component 49.

[0055] The first lower end component 48 is located in the +r and -s directions of the base component 41. The end of the first lower end component 48 in the -r direction is located at the center of the base component 41 in the r direction. The end of the first lower end component 48 in the +r direction is located closer to the -r direction than the end of the base component 41 in the +r direction.

[0056] The second lower end component 49 is located in the -r and +s directions of the base component 41. The end of the second lower end component 49 in the +r direction is located at the center of the base component 41 in the r direction. The end of the second lower end component 49 in the -r direction is located closer to the +r direction than the end of the base component 41 in the -r direction.

[0057] The front edge 68 of the first lower end component 48 and the front edge 69 of the second lower end component 49 are parallel to each other. The front edge 68 of the first lower end component 48 and the front edge 69 of the second lower end component 49 are not parallel to the base component 41 and intersect the r direction. The length in the s direction from the lower end edge of the base component 41 to the end of the front edge 69 of the second lower end component 49 in the -r direction is longer than the length in the s direction from the lower end edge of the base component 41 to the end of the front edge 68 of the first lower end component 48 in the +r direction.

[0058] Figure 5 This is an unfolded view of the support device. The base component 41, a pair of front end components 42 and 45, and a pair of lower end components 48 and 49 of the support device 40 are formed by an integral flat plate P.

[0059] The base plate 43 and the front plate 44 of the first front end component 42 are arranged in the r direction and formed at the +r direction end of the base component 41. At the fold line 54 between the base plate 43 and the front plate 44, the front plate 44 is bent in the -s direction to form the first front end component 42. The base plate 46 and the front plate 47 of the second front end component 45 are arranged in the r direction and formed at the -r direction end of the base component 41. At the fold line 57 between the base plate 46 and the front plate 47, the front plate 47 is bent in the +s direction to form the second front end component 45.

[0060] A pair of lower end components 48 and 49 are arranged in the r direction and formed at the -t direction end of the base component 41. A cut 50 is formed between the pair of lower end components 48 and 49. At the fold line 58 between the base component 41 and the first lower end component 48, the first lower end component 48 is bent in the -s direction to form the first lower end component 48. At the fold line 59 between the base component 41 and the second lower end component 49, the second lower end component 49 is bent in the +s direction to form the second lower end component 49.

[0061] The support device 40 in this embodiment is formed by bending a single flat plate P. There are no overlapping portions between multiple plates in the support device 40. There are no parts connected by tape or the like in the support device 40. This reduces manufacturing costs, including material costs, for the support device 40. The support device 40 can also be formed by connecting multiple independent flat plates.

[0062] like Figure 3 and Figure 9 As shown, when the large-capacity paper feeding device 1 is bundled and conveyed, the support device 40 is disposed inside the box 10.

[0063] The lower end of the base component 41 abuts against the upper surface of the tray 30. The base component 41 is configured substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the tray 30.

[0064] A pair of front end parts 42, 45 are inserted into the holes of a pair of first frames 12, 15 facing each other in the front-rear direction. A pair of stepped portions 52, 55 of the support device 40 are configured close to the inner sides of the pair of first frames 12, 15. The position of the support device 40 in the front-rear direction relative to the box 10 can be limited by the pair of stepped portions 52, 55.

[0065] The first front end component 42 is inserted into the left front hole 13 of the pair of front holes 13, 14 of the front frame 12. The second front end component 45 is inserted into the right rear hole 17 of the pair of rear holes 16, 17 of the rear frame 15. The left front hole 13 and the right rear hole 17 are located near the diagonal on the upper surface of the tray 30. The base component 41 is intersected in the front-rear direction and disposed near the diagonal on the upper surface of the tray 30. When the front guide 22 and the rear guide 25 are disposed at the center of the box 10, the base component 41 will not interfere with the front guide 22 and the rear guide 25.

[0066] The height from the lower end of the base member 41 to the upper end of the pair of front end members 42, 45 is equal to the height from the upper surface of the tray 30 to the upper end of the holes 13, 17 of the pair of first frames 12, 15. The vertical position relative to the support device 40 of the box 10 can be limited by the pair of front end members 42, 45.

[0067] like Figure 9 As shown, a pair of lower end members 48 and 49 are arranged along the upper surface of the tray 30. The front edges 68 and 69 of the pair of lower end members 48 and 49 are arranged near a pair of second frames 18 and 19 facing each other in the left-right direction. The front edge 68 of the first lower end member 48 is arranged parallel to or close to the left frame 18. The front edge 69 of the second lower end member 49 is arranged parallel to or close to the right frame 19. The position in the left-right direction relative to the support device 40 of the box 10 can be limited by the pair of lower end members 48 and 49.

[0068] The right guide 29 of the sheet position adjustment mechanism 20 is disposed in the space between the -r end of the second lower end component 49 and the -r end of the base component 41. When the right guide 29 is disposed at the center of the box 10, the second lower end component 49 will not interfere with the right guide 29.

[0069] Regardless of the state of the sheet position adjustment mechanism 20, its position in all directions relative to the support device 40 of the box 10 can be restricted. The vertical movement of the tray 30 can be restricted by the support device 40. The tilt of the tray 30 can be restricted by the base member 41.

[0070] The first front end member 42 of the support device 40 in the +r direction is inserted into the left front hole 13 of the front frame 12 of the box 10. The front end edge 68 of the first lower end member 48 of the support device 40 in the +r direction is disposed near the left frame 18 of the box 10. The shorter length from the lower end of the base member 41 to the front end edge 68 can suppress the material cost of the support device 40. The second front end member 45 of the support device 40 in the -r direction is inserted into the right rear hole 17 of the rear frame 15 of the box 10. The front end edge 69 of the second lower end member 49 of the support device 40 in the -r direction is disposed near the right frame 19 of the box 10. The shorter length from the lower end of the base member 41 to the front end edge 69 can suppress the material cost of the support device 40.

[0071] The method for installing the support device 40 on the box 10 is explained.

[0072] Figures 6 to 9 These are the first to fourth explanatory diagrams regarding the method of mounting the support device on the box. (See diagram for example.) Figure 6 As shown, a pair of lower end parts 48 and 49 are folded near the surface of the base part 41. The base part 41 is bent at fold line 51. The first front end part 42 is inserted into the left front hole 13 of the front frame 12. Figure 7 As shown, the second front end component 45 is inserted into the right rear hole 17 of the rear frame 15. The pair of lower end components 48, 49 and the base component 41 are bent so as not to interfere with the frames of the box 10. The pair of front end components 42, 45 are easily inserted into the holes 13, 17 of the pair of first frames 12, 15.

[0073] like Figure 8 As shown, the bent base component 41 returns to its flat shape. A pair of front end components 42, 45 are inserted deep into the holes 13, 17 of a pair of first frames 12, 15. A pair of stepped portions 52, 55 of the base component 41 are positioned near the first frames 12, 15. Figure 9 As shown, the folded pair of lower end components 48, 49 unfold at approximately right angles relative to the base component 41. The front edges 68, 69 of the pair of lower end components 48, 49 are positioned near the pair of second frames 18, 19.

[0074] Based on the above, the installation of the support device 40 for box 10 is complete.

[0075] As detailed above, the support device 40 of the embodiment includes a base member 41, a pair of front end members 42 and 45, and a pair of lower end members 48 and 49. The base member 41 is plate-shaped and can be bent at its middle portion in the r direction. The pair of front end members 42 and 45 are located at both ends of the base member 41 in the r direction, and the pair of plates are configured to taper at the front ends. The pair of lower end members 48 and 49 are plate-shaped and are located at the lower end of the base member 41, and are located on both sides of the base member 41 in the s direction, forming approximately right angles with the base member 41.

[0076] The support device 40 supports the tray 30 located inside the box 10 of the high-capacity paper feeding device 1. The lower end of the base member 41 abuts against the upper surface of the tray 30. A pair of front end members 42, 45 are inserted inside the box 10 into the holes 13, 17 of a pair of first frames 12, 15 facing each other in the front-rear direction. The front ends of a pair of lower end members 48, 49 are positioned inside the box 10 near a pair of second frames 18, 19 facing each other in the left-right direction.

[0077] A base member 41 is disposed between a pair of first frames 12 and 15, which can limit the position of the support device 40 in the front-rear direction relative to the box 10. The front ends 68 and 69 of a pair of lower end members 48 and 49 are disposed near a pair of second frames 18 and 19, which can limit the position of the support device 40 in the left-right direction relative to the box 10. A pair of front end members 42 and 45 are inserted into holes 13 and 17, which can limit the position of the support device 40 in the up-down direction relative to the box 10. The lower end of the support device 40 abuts against the upper surface of the tray 30 located at the bottom of the box 10, which can suppress the up-down movement and tilting of the tray 30. The support device 40 can limit the movement of the tray 30. Limiting the movement of the tray 30 can suppress damage to the tray 30 and its peripheral components. In particular, it can suppress damage to the front pins 33 and 34 and the rear pins 36 and 37 connected to the tray 30.

[0078] The base component 41, a pair of front end components 42 and 45, and a pair of lower end components 48 and 49 are formed from an integral flat plate P.

[0079] It can suppress the manufacturing cost of the support device 40.

[0080] The height of the base component 41 from its lower end to its upper end is greater than the height from the lower end of the base component 41 to the upper end of the pair of front end components 42, 45.

[0081] A pair of steps 52, 55 are located between the upper end of the base component 41 and the upper ends of the pair of front end components 42, 45. The pair of steps 52, 55 are disposed between a pair of first frames 12, 15 and can limit the position of the support device 40 relative to the box 10 in the front-rear direction.

[0082] The pair of lower end components 48 and 49 are a first lower end component 48 located in the +r direction of the base component 41 and a second lower end component 49 located in the -r direction of the base component 41. The front end edge 68 of the first lower end component 48 and the front end edge 69 of the second lower end component 49 are parallel to each other.

[0083] The front edges 68 and 69 of a pair of lower end parts 48 and 49 are arranged parallel to a pair of second frames 18 and 19, which can limit the position in the left and right directions relative to the support device 40 of the box 10.

[0084] The front edge 68 of the first lower end component 48 and the front edge 69 of the second lower end component 49 are not parallel to the base component 41.

[0085] The base component 41 is not parallel to the front-to-back direction. The base component 41 is positioned near a diagonal line on the upper surface of the tray 30. The base component 41 helps to suppress tilting of the tray 30 and restricts its movement. It also prevents interference between the base component 41 and the front guide 22 and rear guide 25 of the sheet position adjustment mechanism 20.

[0086] The end of the first lower component 48 in the +r direction is located closer to the -r direction than the end of the base component 41 in the +r direction. The end of the second lower component 49 in the -r direction is located closer to the +r direction than the end of the base component 41 in the -r direction.

[0087] The right guide 29 of the sheet position adjustment mechanism 20 is disposed in the space between the -r end of the second lower end component 49 and the -r end of the base component 41. This avoids interference between the second lower end component 49 and the right guide 29.

[0088] The height from the lower end of the base component 41 to the upper end of the pair of front end components 42, 45 is equal to the height from the upper surface of the tray 30 to the upper end of the holes 13, 17.

[0089] The lower end of the base component 41 abuts against the upper surface of the tray 30. A pair of front end components 42 and 45 are inserted into the holes 13 and 17. This restricts the vertical position of the support device 40 relative to the box 10 and restricts the vertical movement of the tray 30.

[0090] Holes 13 and 17 are elongated in the vertical direction and are inserted into pins 33 and 37 connected to the tray 30, thereby guiding the vertical movement of the tray 30.

[0091] A pair of front end parts 42 and 45 are inserted into holes 13 and 17 that are elongated in the vertical direction, stabilizing the posture of the support device 40. The vertical movement of the pins 33 and 37 inserted into the holes 13 and 17 is restricted by the pair of front end parts 42 and 45, which can prevent damage to the pins 33 and 37.

[0092] Holes 13 and 17 are located near the two ends of the diagonal on the upper surface of tray 30.

[0093] A pair of front end components 42 and 45 are inserted into holes 13 and 17, and a base component 41 is positioned near the diagonal of the tray 30. The base component 41 suppresses tilting of the tray 30 and restricts its movement. Interference between the base component 41 and the front guide 22 and rear guide 25 of the sheet position adjustment mechanism 20 is avoided.

[0094] The high-capacity paper feeding device 1, mounted on the support device of the embodiment, supplies sheet material to the image forming apparatus 100, which is an example of an image processing apparatus. The high-capacity paper feeding device 1 can also supply sheet material to a desaturating apparatus, which is another example of an image processing apparatus. The desaturating apparatus performs a process of desaturating (eliminating) the image formed on the sheet material using a desaturating toner.

[0095] In this embodiment, the high-capacity paper feeder 1 mounted on the support device 40 is positioned on the right side of the image forming apparatus 100. The high-capacity paper feeder can also be positioned on the left side of the image forming apparatus. In this case, the high-capacity paper feeder 1 and the support device 40 are rotated (reversed) in the left-right direction. The high-capacity paper feeder 1 can also be positioned on a side other than the right or left side of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0096] Alternatively, in this embodiment, the first front end member 42 of the support device 40 is inserted into the left front hole 13 of the box 10, and the second front end member 45 is inserted into the right rear hole 17 of the box 10. The first front end member of the support device is inserted into the right front hole 14 of the box 10, and the second front end member is inserted into the left rear hole 16 of the box 10. In this case, the support device 40 of this embodiment is rotated in the S direction.

[0097] According to at least one embodiment described above, the support device 40 includes a base member 41, a pair of front end members 42 and 45, and a pair of lower end members 48 and 49. This allows for restriction of movement of the tray 30.

[0098] While several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and likewise within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A support device, comprising: The base component is plate-shaped and can be bent at the middle in the width direction; A pair of front end members, located at both ends of the base member in the width direction, wherein a pair of plates in the front end members are configured in a front-end tapered shape; and A pair of lower end components, plate-shaped, are located at the lower end of the base component and on both sides of the base component in the thickness direction, forming approximately right angles with the base component. The support device supports the tray located at the bottom of the box of the high-capacity paper feeding device. The lower end of the base component abuts against the upper surface of the tray. The pair of front end components are inserted inside the housing into holes in a pair of first frames facing each other in a third direction, the third direction being the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus. The front edges of the pair of lower components are disposed inside the box near a pair of second frames facing each other in a fourth direction orthogonal to the third direction, which is the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus.

2. The support device according to claim 1, wherein, The base component, the pair of front end components, and the pair of lower end components are formed from a single flat plate.

3. The support device according to claim 1, wherein, The height of the base component from its lower end to its upper end is greater than the height from the lower end of the base component to the upper end of the pair of front end components.

4. The support device according to claim 1, wherein, The pair of lower end components are a first lower end component located in a first direction in the width direction of the base component and a second lower end component located in a second direction in the width direction of the base component. The front edge of the first lower component is parallel to the front edge of the second lower component.

5. The support device according to claim 4, wherein, The front edge of the first lower component and the front edge of the second lower component are not parallel to the base component.

6. The support device according to claim 4, wherein, The end of the first lower component in the first direction is located in the second direction closer to the end of the base component in the first direction. The end of the second lower component in the second direction is located closer to the first direction than the end of the base component in the second direction.

7. The support device according to claim 1, wherein, The height from the lower end of the base component to the upper end of the pair of front end components is equal to the height from the upper surface of the tray to the upper end of the hole.

8. The support device according to claim 1, wherein, The hole extends vertically and is inserted into a pin connected to the tray, thereby guiding the vertical movement of the tray.

9. The support device according to claim 1, wherein, The holes are located near the two ends of the diagonal line on the upper surface of the tray.

Images