Sheet storing device and image forming system equipped with the same

Abstract

To provide a sheet storing device that enables a regulation cursor to be held stationary at an arbitrary position while suppressing reduction in operability when the regulation cursor is moved.SOLUTION: A sheet storing device is equipped with a regulation cursor and a retention mechanism. The retention mechanism has a guide shaft and a stopper having a guide hole into which the guide shaft is inserted and which can move back and forth together with the regulation cursor. By tilting the stopper toward one side, the movement of the regulation cursor is restricted by frictional resistance caused by the contact between the inner edge of the guide hole and the guide shaft, and by raising the stopper toward the other side, the movement of the regulation cursor is enabled. The stopper has a contact part, and the contact part restricts the stopper from tilting toward the other side by contacting the regulation cursor when the regulation cursor is in the movable state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet storage device and an image forming system including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional sheet storage device includes a restriction cursor that restricts the positional deviation of a sheet. The restriction cursor is movable by a user's operation and restricts the positional deviation of the sheet by coming to a standstill in contact with the edge of the sheet. Such a sheet storage device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] The restriction cursor (guide plate) of Patent Document 1 can be engaged with the concaves and convexes formed at a predetermined pitch in the moving direction of the restriction cursor. By engaging the restriction cursor with the concaves and convexes, the restriction cursor can be held in a stationary state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-115716 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the resting position of the regulating guide depends on the pitch of the projections and recesses. Therefore, the resting position of the regulating guide cannot be finely adjusted. On the other hand, if the projections and recesses are eliminated to allow the regulating guide to be stationary at any position, the regulating guide itself becomes easily displaced. If a mechanism for suppressing the displacement of the regulating guide is separately installed to suppress this inconvenience, it may cause inconveniences such as poor operability when moving the regulating guide.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a sheet storage device that enables the restriction cursor to be held stationary at any position while suppressing a decrease in operability when moving the restriction cursor, and an image forming system equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a sheet storage device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a set plate on which a sheet is set, a regulating cursor that is supported so as to be reciprocable in a horizontal direction and that regulates the positional deviation of the sheet in a predetermined direction by contacting an edge of the sheet on the set plate from a predetermined direction, and a holding mechanism that holds the regulating cursor stationary. The holding mechanism includes a guide shaft that extends in a predetermined direction, and a stopper that is connected to the regulating cursor, has a guide hole into which the guide shaft is inserted, and can move back and forth along the guide shaft together with the regulating cursor. The stopper can be tilted to one side in a predetermined direction with a hole-side end portion having the guide hole as a fulcrum. By tilting the stopper to one side, the movement of the regulating cursor together with the stopper is restricted by frictional resistance generated by contact between the inner edge of the guide hole and the guide shaft, and by raising the stopper toward the other side opposite to the one side from a state in which the movement of the regulating cursor is restricted, the regulating cursor can be moved together with the stopper. The stopper has an abutment portion. The contact portion contacts the restriction cursor and thereby restricts the stopper from tilting to the other side when the restriction cursor is in a movable state.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system including the sheet storage device described above and an image forming device connected to the sheet storage device. The sheet storage device feeds sheets to the image forming device. The image forming device prints on the sheets fed from the sheet storage device. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The configuration of the present invention makes it possible to hold the restriction cursor still at any position, while suppressing deterioration in operability when moving the restriction cursor. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sheet storage device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system including a sheet storage device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet storage device according to the embodiment in a state where an outer cover is not provided. [Figure 4] 11 is a perspective view of a lifting mechanism for a set plate of a sheet storage device according to an embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 6 is a perspective view of a winding motor of the lifting mechanism shown in FIG. 5 and its periphery. [Figure 6] 4 is a plan view of a sheet storage area of ​​the sheet storage device according to the embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram (a plan view seen from above) of a mechanism for moving a pair of width direction regulating cursors of a sheet storage device according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a front perspective view of a width direction regulating cursor and its periphery in a sheet storage device according to an embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stopper of the sheet storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view of the stopper shown in FIG. 9 connected to the width-direction regulating cursor. FIG. [Figure 11] 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a stopper of the sheet storage device according to the embodiment is tilted. FIG. [Figure 12] 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a stopper of the sheet storage device according to the embodiment is raised. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a sheet storage device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image forming system 100S including the same will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] <Image forming system configuration> The sheet storage device 100 has an external appearance as shown in Fig. 1. The sheet storage device 100 is connected to an image forming apparatus 1000 as shown in Fig. 2. When the sheet storage device 100 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1000, it constitutes an image forming system 100S together with the image forming apparatus 1000. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the image forming system 100S (i.e., the sheet storage device 100 connected to the image forming apparatus 1000). Fig. 2 corresponds to a front view of the image forming system 100S.

[0013] The sheet storage device 100 is installed on a floor surface together with the image forming apparatus 1000. The direction perpendicular to the floor surface (flat surface) on which the sheet storage device 100 is installed corresponds to the "up-down direction".

[0014] Here, one of the horizontal directions perpendicular to the up-down direction corresponds to the “first direction”, and the other direction perpendicular to the one direction corresponds to the “second direction”. In the following description, one horizontal direction is given the symbol D1 and is simply referred to as the first direction D1, and the other horizontal direction is given the symbol D2 and is simply referred to as the second direction D2.

[0015] The first direction D1 corresponds to the front-rear direction when the sheet storage device 100 is viewed from the front. One side of the first direction D1 is the front side (i.e., the near side when viewed from the front of the device), and the other side opposite to the one side of the first direction D1 is the rear side (i.e., the far side when viewed from the front of the device).

[0016] The second direction D2 corresponds to the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the sheet storage device 100. One side of the second direction D2 is the right side, and the other side opposite to the one side of the second direction D2 is the left side.

[0017] The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 correspond to a "predetermined direction." The front side of the first direction D1 corresponds to "one side of the predetermined direction," and the rear side of the first direction D1 corresponds to "the other side of the predetermined direction." The right side of the second direction D2 corresponds to "one side of the predetermined direction," and the left side of the second direction D2 corresponds to "the other side of the predetermined direction."

[0018] The sheet storage device 100 is detachable from the image forming apparatus 1000. The sheet storage device 100 may be an optional device. The sheet storage device 100 is disposed on the right side of the image forming apparatus 1000.

[0019] The sheet storage device 100 stores sheets S. For example, the sheets S are paper. The sheet storage device 100 feeds the sheets S to the image forming apparatus 1000. That is, the sheet storage device 100 functions as a feeding device.

[0020] The sheet storage device 100 is located on the right side of the image forming apparatus 1000 and feeds the sheet S from the right side to the left side of the image forming apparatus 1000. That is, the direction from the right side to the left side of the second direction D2 is the feeding direction of the sheet S from the sheet storage device 100 to the image forming apparatus 1000. In this configuration, the first direction D1 is a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sheet S.

[0021] The image forming apparatus 1000 prints an image on the sheet S fed from the sheet storage apparatus 100. The printing method of the image forming apparatus 1000 is an electrophotographic method. The printing method of the image forming apparatus 1000 may be an inkjet method.

[0022] <Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus> The image forming apparatus 1000 transports the sheet S fed from the sheet storage apparatus 100 along a transport path. The image forming apparatus 1000 prints an image on the sheet S being transported. In FIG. 2, the transport path for the sheet S is indicated by a dashed arrow.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a photoconductor drum 1001 and a transfer roller 1002. The photoconductor drum 1001 carries a toner image on its peripheral surface. The transfer roller 1002 is in pressure contact with the photoconductor drum 1001, forming a transfer nip between the photoconductor drum 1001 and the transfer roller 1002. The transfer roller 1002 rotates together with the photoconductor drum 1001. When a sheet S being conveyed enters the transfer nip, a transfer process is performed on the sheet S, and the toner image is transferred to the sheet S.

[0024] Although not shown, the image forming apparatus 1000 further includes a charging device, an exposure device, and a developing device. The charging device charges the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 1001. The exposure device forms an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 1001. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 1001 into a toner image.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a pair of fixing rollers 1003. The pair of fixing rollers 1003 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. The heating roller has a built-in heater. The pressure roller is pressed against the heating roller to form a fixing nip between the heating roller and the pressure roller. The pressure roller rotates together with the heating roller. When the sheet S being transported enters the fixing nip, a fixing process is performed on the sheet S, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet S. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing nip is discharged to an output tray ET.

[0026] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a feed roller 1004. The feed roller 1004 feeds a sheet S to a conveying path from a sheet cassette CA in the main body of the image forming apparatus 1000. That is, the image forming apparatus 1000 is also capable of printing on a sheet S set in the sheet cassette CA.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 1000 also includes an image reading apparatus 1005. The image reading apparatus 1005 reads an original document and generates image data of the original document. The image forming apparatus 1000 is capable of printing an image based on the image data of the original document onto a sheet S (i.e., copying the original document).

[0028] <Configuration of the Sheet Storage Device> As shown in Fig. 3, the sheet storage device 100 includes a front frame Ff and a rear frame Fr. The front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr are made of sheet metal. The front frame Ff is disposed on the front side, and the rear frame Fr is disposed on the rear side. The front frame Ff has a front surface portion whose thickness direction is the first direction D1, and the rear frame Fr has a rear surface portion whose thickness direction is the first direction D1. The front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr are disposed such that the front surface portion and the rear surface portion face each other in the first direction D1.

[0029] The sheet storage device 100 has a sheet storage area between the front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr in the first direction D1. The sheet storage area is covered from above by a top cover CV (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0030] The top cover CV is rotatably supported by the front frame Ff and the rear frame Fr. The top cover CV is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction D1. The top cover CV rotates with the left end as a fulcrum, swinging the right end up and down. In other words, the top cover CV opens and closes with respect to the upper opening of the sheet storage area.

[0031] By rotating the right end of the top cover CV upward (in other words, opening the top cover CV), the upper opening of the sheet storage area is exposed. Then, with the top cover CV open, sheets S are stored in the sheet storage area through the upper opening of the sheet storage area. From this state, by rotating the right end of the top cover CV downward (in other words, closing the top cover CV), the upper opening of the sheet storage area is blocked.

[0032] The sheet storage device 100 includes a setting plate 1. The setting plate 1 is made of sheet metal. The setting plate 1 is arranged in a sheet storage area. Sheets S are set on the setting plate 1. The sheets S are stacked in the vertical direction. The setting plate 1 is supported so as to be capable of reciprocating in the vertical direction.

[0033] The sheet storage device 100 includes a lifting mechanism 2. The configuration of the lifting mechanism 2 is shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The lifting mechanism 2 moves the setting plate 1 in the vertical direction. The lifting mechanism 2 raises the setting plate 1 to maintain the vertical position of the uppermost sheet S set on the setting plate 1 at a predetermined position.

[0034] The lifting mechanism 2 includes a wire 20 connected to the set plate 1. The wire 20 includes a first wire 201 having one end connected to the right front end of the set plate 1, a second wire 202 having one end connected to the left front end of the set plate 1, a third wire 203 having one end connected to the right rear end of the set plate 1, and a fourth wire 204 having one end connected to the left rear end of the set plate 1. The lifting mechanism 2 lifts and lowers the set plate 1 by winding and unwinding the wire 20.

[0035] The lifting mechanism 2 includes a winding drum 21, a relay pulley 22, and a winding motor M. The winding drum 21 includes a first winding drum 211 to which the other end of the first wire 201 is connected, a second winding drum 212 to which the other end of the second wire 202 is connected, a third winding drum 213 to which the other end of the third wire 203 is connected, and a fourth winding drum 214 to which the other end of the fourth wire 204 is connected. Each of the first to fourth winding drums 211 to 214 rotates forward to wind up the wire 20 connected thereto, and rotates backward to unwind the wire 20 connected thereto.

[0036] The first winding drum 211 and the second winding drum 212 are disposed outside the first direction D1 of the front frame Ff. The third winding drum 213 and the fourth winding drum 214 are disposed outside the first direction D1 of the rear frame Fr. The outside in the first direction D1 is the direction from the center of the first direction D1 of the sheet storage area toward the front side or rear side in the first direction D1. In other words, the outside in the first direction D1 of the front frame Ff is the opposite side to the sheet storage area side in the first direction D1 of the front frame Ff (i.e., the front side of the front frame Ff), and the outside in the first direction D1 of the rear frame Fr is the opposite side to the sheet storage area side in the first direction D1 of the rear frame Fr (i.e., the rear side of the rear frame Fr).

[0037] The first winding drum 211 and the second winding drum 212 are arranged in this order from the front frame Ff side toward the outside in the first direction D1. The fourth winding drum 214 and the third winding drum 213 are arranged in this order from the rear frame Fr side toward the outside in the first direction D1.

[0038] The first to fourth winding drums 211 to 214 are supported rotatably around the same axis extending in the first direction D1. Specifically, the first to fourth winding drums 211 to 214 are attached to the same rotating shaft 210 and rotate together with the rotating shaft 210. The rotating shaft 210 extends parallel to the first direction D1 with one end in the axial direction rotatably supported by the front frame Ff and the other end opposite to the one end in the axial direction rotatably supported by the rear frame Fr. The first winding drum 211 and the second winding drum 212 are disposed at the right end of the front frame Ff in the second direction D2, and the third winding drum 213 and the fourth winding drum 214 are disposed at the right end of the rear frame Fr in the second direction D2. That is, one end of the rotating shaft 210 is rotatably supported on the right end of the front frame Ff in the second direction D2, and the other end of the rotating shaft 210 is rotatably supported on the right end of the rear frame Fr in the second direction D2.

[0039] The winding motor M is driven to rotate the rotating shaft 210. The rotation of the rotating shaft 210 rotates the first to fourth winding drums 211-214. The winding motor M is disposed outside the rear frame Fr in the first direction D1. The winding motor M is connected to the rear end of the rotating shaft 210 via a transmission mechanism 23 including a plurality of gears such as a screw gear.

[0040] Three relay pulleys 22 are disposed on the outside of the front frame Ff in the first direction D1 and three relay pulleys 22 are disposed on the outside of the rear frame Fr in the first direction. The three front relay pulleys 22 are rotatably supported by the front frame Ff, and the three rear relay pulleys 22 are rotatably supported by the rear frame Fr. Each relay pulley 22 is located above the rotation shaft 210 in the up-down direction.

[0041] The first wire 201 is extended from the set plate 1, wound around one relay pulley 22, and reaches the first winding drum 211. The second wire 202 is wound around two relay pulleys 22. One relay pulley 22 for the second wire 202 is located to the left of the other relay pulley 22 for the second wire 202 in the second direction D2. The other relay pulley 22 for the second wire 202 rotates around the same axis as the relay pulley 22 for the first wire 201. The second wire 202 is extended from the set plate 1, wound around two relay pulleys 22, and reaches the second winding drum 212.

[0042] The third wire 203 is extended from the set plate 1, wound around one relay pulley 22, and reaches the third winding drum 213. The fourth wire 204 is wound around two relay pulleys 22. One relay pulley 22 for the fourth wire 204 is located to the left of the other relay pulley 22 for the fourth wire 204 in the second direction D2. The other relay pulley 22 for the fourth wire 204 rotates around the same axis as the relay pulley 22 for the third wire 203. The fourth wire 204 is extended from the set plate 1, wound around two relay pulleys 22, and reaches the fourth winding drum 214.

[0043] When the winding motor M rotates in the forward direction, the wire 20 is wound by the winding drum 21. This causes the set plate 1 to rise. On the other hand, when the winding motor M rotates in the reverse direction, the wire 20 is unwound from the winding drum 21. This causes the set plate 1 to fall.

[0044] 2 and 3, the sheet storage device 100 includes a feeding unit 3. The feeding unit 3 feeds a sheet S from the sheet storage device 100 (i.e., a sheet storage area) to the image forming apparatus 1000. The feeding unit 3 includes a pickup roller 31 and a transport roller pair 32.

[0045] The pickup roller 31 is supported rotatably. The pickup roller 31 is disposed at a position where it can come into contact with the downstream end of the sheet S in the feeding direction from above when the sheet S is set on the set plate 1. The pickup roller 31 is supported rotatably. The pickup roller 31 comes into contact with the sheet S set on the set plate 1 from above, and rotates in that state to pull out the sheet S from the set plate 1.

[0046] The transport roller pair 32 is supported rotatably. The transport roller pair 32 is a pair of rollers that are in pressure contact with each other. The transport roller pair 32 is disposed downstream of the pickup roller 31 in the feeding direction. The transport roller pair 32 nips the sheet S pulled out from the set plate 1 by the pickup roller 31 and rotates. In this way, the transport roller pair 32 transports the sheet S toward the image forming apparatus 1000. The number of transport roller pairs 32 to be installed is not particularly limited, and can be changed according to the length of the transport path of the sheet S from the pickup roller 31 to the image forming apparatus 1000, etc.

[0047] The sheet S on the set plate 1 is sent from the right side to the left side in the second direction D2. That is, on the set plate 1, the left end of the sheet S in the second direction D2 is the front end, and the right end of the sheet S in the second direction D2 is the rear end. Also, on the set plate 1, the first direction D1 (i.e., the front-to-rear direction) is the width direction of the sheet S.

[0048] The lifting mechanism 2 raises the setting plate 1 to bring the topmost sheet S on the setting plate 1 into contact with the pickup roller 31. When the sheets S are continuously fed from the sheet storage device 100 to the image forming apparatus 1000, the lifting mechanism 2 repeatedly raises and stops the setting plate 1. This maintains the contact between the topmost sheet S on the setting plate 1 and the pickup roller 31.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the sheet storage device 100 includes width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B and a rear end restriction cursor 4C. The width direction restriction cursor 4A, the width direction restriction cursor 4B, and the rear end restriction cursor 4C are supported so as to be reciprocally movable in a predetermined direction (i.e., horizontal direction) perpendicular to the up-down direction. The width direction restriction cursor 4A, the width direction restriction cursor 4B, and the rear end restriction cursor 4C move in the predetermined direction by a user's operation. The width direction restriction cursor 4A, the width direction restriction cursor 4B, and the rear end restriction cursor 4C come into contact with the edge of the sheet S set on the set plate 1 from the predetermined direction. As a result, the width direction restriction cursor 4A, the width direction restriction cursor 4B, and the rear end restriction cursor 4C restrict the positional deviation of the sheet S on the set plate 1 in the predetermined direction.

[0050] The width direction regulating cursors 4A and 4B move in a first direction D1 to come into contact with the edge of the sheet S on the set plate 1 from the first direction D1, regulating misalignment of the sheet S on the set plate 1 in the first direction D1. The width direction regulating cursors 4A and 4B sandwich the sheet S on the set plate 1 in the first direction D1. The rear end regulating cursor 4C moves in a second direction D2 to come into contact with the edge of the sheet S on the set plate 1 from the second direction D2, regulating misalignment of the sheet S on the set plate 1 in the second direction D2.

[0051] In addition, when viewed from above, the set plate 1 has openings (reference numbers omitted) on the movement paths of the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B, and has an opening (reference number omitted) on the movement path of the rear end restriction cursor 4C. Therefore, even if the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B move in the first direction D1, they do not come into contact with the set plate 1. Even if the rear end restriction cursor 4C moves in the second direction D2, it does not come into contact with the set plate 1. In other words, even if the sheet S is small compared to the set plate 1 when viewed from above, the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B can be brought into contact with the edge of the sheet S without coming into contact with the set plate 1, and the rear end restriction cursor 4C can be brought into contact with the edge of the sheet S without coming into contact with the set plate 1. In FIG. 6, the set plate 1 is hatched.

[0052] The width direction restriction cursor 4A contacts the edge of the sheet S from the front side in the first direction D1, and the width direction restriction cursor 4B contacts the edge of the sheet S from the rear side in the first direction D1. Specifically, the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B each have a plate-shaped side portion 40 that contacts the edge of the sheet S. The side portions 40 of the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B stand upright in the vertical direction, and the first direction D1 is the plate thickness direction. The side portions 40 of the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B face each other in the first direction D1.

[0053] The width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B move in the first direction D1 in conjunction with each other. When the width direction restriction cursor 4A moves rearward, the width direction restriction cursor 4B moves forward, narrowing the distance between the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B in the first direction D1. When the width direction restriction cursor 4A moves frontward, the width direction restriction cursor 4B moves rearward, widening the distance between the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B in the first direction D1.

[0054] In order to link the movements of the width-direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B in the first direction D1, the width-direction restriction cursor 4A is provided with a rack 401 extending rearward in the first direction D1, and the width-direction restriction cursor 4B is provided with a rack 402 extending forward in the first direction D1, as shown in Fig. 7. A gear 400 that rotates about an axis extending in the vertical direction is provided between the racks 401 and 402 in the second direction D2. The gear 400 meshes with the racks 401 and 402.

[0055] When moving the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B in the first direction D1, the user operates the width direction restriction cursor 4A to move the width direction restriction cursor 4A in the first direction D1. In this configuration, the width direction restriction cursor 4A corresponds to the "restriction cursor."

[0056] <Configuration of retention mechanism> As shown in Figs. 8 to 12, the sheet storage device 100 includes a holding mechanism 5 that holds the width direction restriction cursor 4A stationary at any position in the first direction D1. The holding mechanism 5 has a function of restricting the positional deviation of the width direction restriction cursor 4A in the first direction D1. By restricting the positional deviation of the width direction restriction cursor 4A, the positional deviation of the width direction restriction cursor 4B is also restricted. In other words, the holding mechanism 5 holds the width direction restriction cursor 4B stationary at any position in addition to the width direction restriction cursor 4A.

[0057] The width direction restricting cursor 4A has a plate-shaped bottom surface portion 41 extending from the lower end of its side surface portion 40 to the front side in the first direction D1. The width direction restricting cursor 4A having the side surface portion 40 and the bottom surface portion 41 is formed by bending a single metal plate. The bottom surface portion 41 has a connecting opening 410. The connecting opening 410 is a through hole that penetrates in the thickness direction of the bottom surface portion 41 (i.e., in the plate thickness direction of the plate-shaped portion that constitutes the bottom surface portion 41).

[0058] The connecting opening 410 has a connecting protrusion 411 on its inner side. The connecting protrusion 411 protrudes from the inner edge of the connecting opening 410 to the front side in the first direction D1. The connecting protrusion 411 is plate-shaped.

[0059] The holding mechanism 5 includes a guide shaft 51. The guide shaft 51 is a round bar. The guide shaft 51 extends in a first direction D1. The guide shaft 51 is disposed below the bottom surface portion 41. The front end of the guide shaft 51 in the first direction D1 is fixed to an edge of the bottom frame Fb, and the rear end of the guide shaft 51 in the first direction D1 is fixed to an attachment portion 50 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) provided on the bottom surface of the bottom frame Fb. The bottom frame Fb is made of sheet metal and is a frame that constitutes the bottom of the sheet storage device 100.

[0060] A carriage member 403 is attached to the width direction regulating cursor 4A. The carriage member 403 has rollers 403a and can run in the first direction D1 together with the width direction regulating cursor 4A on the bottom surface of the bottom frame Fb. For example, a guide rail GL is provided on the bottom surface (i.e., the upper surface) of the bottom frame Fb. The guide rail GL guides the running of the carriage member 403 in the first direction D1.

[0061] The holding mechanism 5 includes a stopper 52. The stopper 52 is made of sheet metal. The stopper 52 is connected to the width direction regulating cursor 4A.

[0062] The stopper 52 has a guide hole 521. The guide hole 521 is a through hole that penetrates the stopper 52 in the thickness direction (i.e., the plate thickness direction of the plate-shaped portion that constitutes the stopper 52). The opening shape of the guide hole 521 is circular. The guide shaft 51 is fixed to the bottom frame Fb in a state where it is inserted into the guide hole 521. The stopper 52 is capable of reciprocating along the guide shaft 521 in the first direction D1 in a state where it is inserted into the guide hole 521.

[0063] Further, the stopper 52 has an end 5202 opposite to the hole side end 5201 having the guide hole 521 protruding upward from the connecting opening 410 beyond the bottom surface portion 41. The end 5202 corresponds to the "operation side end." In the following description, the end 5202 will be referred to as the operation side end 5202.

[0064] The stopper 52 has a connecting hole 522 between the hole side end 5201 and the operation side end 5202. The connecting hole 522 is a through hole penetrating the stopper 52 in the thickness direction. The connecting protrusion 411 is inserted into the connecting hole 522 from the rear side in the first direction D1. The operation side end 5202 is caused to protrude upward from the connecting opening 410 beyond the bottom surface portion 41, and the connecting protrusion 411 is inserted into the connecting hole 522 from the rear side in the first direction D1, whereby the stopper 52 is connected to the width direction restriction cursor 4a. The stopper 52 is reciprocable in the first direction D1 together with the width direction restriction cursor 4a.

[0065] The holding mechanism 5 also includes a coil spring 53. The coil spring 53 corresponds to the "biasing member." The coil spring 53 is a compression spring. The coil spring 53 is fitted into the guide shaft 51. For example, a bracket 54 is attached to the lower surface of the bottom portion 41. The bracket 54 is located forward of the stopper 52 in the first direction D1. The bracket 54 also has a through hole (reference number omitted) into which the guide shaft 51 is inserted.

[0066] The coil spring 53 is sandwiched between the stopper 52 and the bracket 54 in the first direction D1. This generates a biasing force in the coil spring 52 that biases the stopper 52 rearward in the first direction D1. The coil spring 53 biases the hole-side end 5201 rearward in the first direction D1.

[0067] <Keep width direction restriction cursor still> The opening diameter of the guide hole 521 is larger than the diameter of the guide shaft 51. This allows the stopper 52 to tilt in the first direction D1 with the hole side end 5201 as a fulcrum. Here, the hole side end 5201 of the stopper 52 is biased rearward in the first direction D1 by the coil spring 53.

[0068] 11, when a lever 61, which will be described later, is not operated, the stopper 52 leans toward the front side in the first direction D1 (corresponding to "one side of the predetermined direction") with the hole-side end 5201 as a fulcrum. Note that, as will be described in detail later, by operating the lever 61, the stopper 52 can be raised toward the rear side in the first direction D1 from a state in which the stopper 52 is leaned toward the front side in the first direction D1.

[0069] By tilting the stopper 52 forward in the first direction D1, the inner edge of the guide hole 521 comes into contact with the guide shaft 51, generating frictional resistance. The frictional resistance restricts the movement of the stopper 52 in the first direction D1. In addition, since the stopper 52 is connected to the width-direction restriction cursor 4A, if the movement of the stopper 52 in the first direction D1 is restricted, the movement of the width-direction restriction cursor 4A in the first direction D1 is restricted.

[0070] In this embodiment, the width direction restriction cursor 4A is moved in the first direction D1, the side surface portion 40 of the width direction restriction cursor 4A is brought into contact with the edge of the sheet S, and then the stopper 52 is tilted forward in the first direction D1 to hold the width direction restriction cursor 4A stationary. That is, the width direction restriction cursor 4A can be held stationary at any position in the first direction D1. At this time, the frictional resistance caused by the contact between the inner edge of the guide hole 521 and the guide shaft 51 can prevent the width direction restriction cursor 4A from shifting in position in the first direction D1.

[0071] In this embodiment, the coil spring 53 biases the hole-side end 5201 rearward in the first direction D1, thereby preventing the stopper 52 from rising rearward in the first direction D1. This prevents the width-direction restriction cursor 4A from being misaligned in the first direction D1 due to the stopper 52 unintentionally rising rearward in the first direction D1 when the width-direction restriction cursor 4A is in contact with the sheet S (i.e., when the width-direction restriction cursor 4A is in a state where the positional deviation in the first direction D1 of the width-direction restriction cursor 4A is restricted).

[0072] In this embodiment, the biasing force of the hole side end 5201 of the coil spring 53 toward the rear in the first direction D1 is smaller than the frictional resistance generated by contact between the inner edge of the guide hole 521 and the guide shaft 51. As a result, even though the stopper 52 is tilted forward in the first direction D1, the stopper 52 can be prevented from moving backward in the first direction D1 due to the biasing force of the coil spring 53 while the stopper 52 remains tilted forward in the first direction D1. That is, the width-direction restricting cursor 4A can be reliably held stationary.

[0073] In this embodiment, by projecting the operation side end portion 5202 from the connecting opening 410 above the bottom surface portion 41 and inserting the connecting protrusion 411 into the connecting hole 522 from the rear side in the first direction D1, it is possible to prevent the connection between the width-direction restricting cursor 4A and the stopper 52 from being released even if the stopper 52 is tilted forward in the first direction D1. In other words, even if the stopper 52 is tilted forward in the first direction D1, the connecting protrusion 411 does not come off the connecting hole 522, so that the connection between the width-direction restricting cursor 4A and the stopper 52 is not released.

[0074] <Stopper tilt regulation> The stopper 52 has an integral abutment portion 523. The stopper 52 has a part thereof as the abutment portion 523. The abutment portion 523 is disposed in a portion of the stopper 52 that protrudes from the connecting opening 410 and is located above the bottom surface portion 41. The abutment portion 523 is a portion that protrudes rearward in the first direction D1 beyond the inner edge of the connecting opening 410. The stopper 52 having the abutment portion 523 is obtained by bending a single metal plate.

[0075] Here, when the stopper 52 is raised from a state inclined forward in the first direction D1 toward the rear side in the first direction D1 and stands up (including when it is approximately standing up), the contact portion 523 comes into contact with the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 41. That is, there is a transition from the state shown in Fig. 11 to the state shown in Fig. 12. When the stopper 52 is in the standing state, the frictional resistance caused by the contact between the inner edge of the guide hole 521 and the guide shaft 51 is smaller than in the state in which the stopper 52 is inclined forward in the first direction D1, and the width-direction regulating cursor 4A can move in the first direction D1 together with the stopper 52.

[0076] That is, when the width-direction restriction cursor 4A is movable in the first direction D1, the contact portion 523 comes into contact with the upper surface of the bottom portion 41 (i.e., the width-direction restriction cursor 4A). By coming into contact with the upper surface of the bottom portion 41, the contact portion 523 restricts the stopper 52 from tilting backward in the first direction D1 when the width-direction restriction cursor 4A is movable in the first direction D1.

[0077] In this embodiment, by providing the stopper 52 with the contact portion 523, the width direction restriction cursor 4A can be easily held in a state in which it is movable in the first direction D1, and unintentional restriction of the movement of the width direction restriction cursor 4A in the first direction D1 can be suppressed. That is, while making it possible to hold the width direction restriction cursor 4A stationary at any position in the first direction D1, it is possible to suppress a decrease in operability when moving the width direction restriction cursor 4A. From the user's perspective, it is convenient because there is no need to worry about the amount of force applied to the lever 61, which will be described later.

[0078] Furthermore, by providing the contact portion 523 on the stopper 52, it is not necessary to add a separate member for restricting the tilt of the stopper 52 rearward in the first direction D1. This makes it possible to prevent the structure from becoming complicated, which in turn makes it possible to prevent an increase in costs.

[0079] <Operation on the stopper> As shown in Figs. 8, 11 and 12, the sheet storage device 100 includes an operation mechanism 6. The operation mechanism 6 is a mechanism for operating the stopper 52. The operation mechanism 6 is attached to the width-direction regulating cursor 4A. The operation mechanism 6 is disposed outside the width-direction regulating cursor 4A in the first direction D1. The operation mechanism 6 includes a lever 61 and a relay member 62.

[0080] The lever 61 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 610. The rotating shaft 610 is attached to the width-direction restriction cursor 4A so as to extend in the second direction D2. That is, the lever 61 is rotatable about an axis extending in the second direction D2. The lever 61 receives an operation from a user. By operating the lever 61, the width-direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B can be moved in the first direction D1.

[0081] The upper end 611 of the lever 61, which is on the upper side relative to the rotating shaft 610, has a vertical position that is substantially the same as the vertical position of the upper surface of the width direction restriction cursor 4A. The upper surface of the width direction restriction cursor 4A has a recess (reference numeral omitted) that is recessed from the outside to the inside in the first direction D1. The upper end 611 of the lever 61 is disposed inside the recess. When the lever 61 is operated, the upper end 611 is moved. For example, a resin grip is attached to the upper end 611 of the lever 61. The lower end 612 of the lever 61, which is on the lower side relative to the rotating shaft 610, is disposed in a position where it can come into contact with the relay member 62.

[0082] The relay member 62 transmits the user's operation on the lever 61 to the stopper 52. The relay member 62 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 620. The rotating shaft 620 is attached to the width-direction regulating cursor 4A below the rotating shaft 610 so as to extend in the second direction D2. That is, the relay member 62 is rotatable about an axis extending in the second direction D2. The position of the rotating shaft 620 in the first direction D1 is the same as the position of the rotating shaft 610 in the first direction D1.

[0083] The relay member 62 has an upper end relative to the rotation shaft 620 as an input end 621, and has a lower end relative to the rotation shaft 620 as an output end 622. That is, the relay member 62 has a portion between the input end 621 and the output end 622 as a support portion 62a. The support portion 62a of the relay member 62 is supported rotatably about an axis extending in the second direction D2.

[0084] The lower end 612 of the lever 61 contacts the input end 621 from the rear side in the first direction D1. The operation side end 5202 of the stopper 52 contacts the output end 622 from the rear side in the first direction D1.

[0085] When moving the width-direction restricting cursor 4A in the first direction D1, the user operates the lever 61. At this time, the upper end 611 of the lever 61 is moved rearward in the first direction D1. When the upper end 611 of the lever 61 moves rearward in the first direction D1, the lower end 612 of the lever 61 moves forward in the first direction D1.

[0086] Here, the lever 61 brings its lower end 612 into contact with the input end 621 of the relay member 62 from the rear side. Therefore, when the lower end 612 of the lever 61 moves to the front side in the first direction D1, the input end 621 is pressed to the front side in the first direction D1 by the lower end 612 of the lever 61. That is, when the lever 61 is operated, it presses the input end 621 to the front side in the first direction D1. When the input end 621 of the relay member 62 is pressed to the front side in the first direction D1, the output end 622 of the relay member 62 moves to the rear side in the first direction D1.

[0087] The relay member 62 brings its output end 622 into contact with the operation-side end 5202 of the stopper 52 from the front side in the first direction D1. Therefore, when the output end 622 moves rearward in the first direction D1, the operation-side end 5202 is pressed rearward in the first direction D1 by the output end 622. That is, the input end 621 of the relay member 62 is pressed forward in the first direction D1 by the lever 61, so that the output end 622 presses the operation-side end 5202 rearward in the first direction D1.

[0088] The stopper 52 is raised from a state inclined forward in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 11) toward the rear in the first direction D1 by pressing the operation side end portion 5202 rearward in the first direction D1. Eventually, the stopper 52 reaches an upright state (see FIG. 12), and the abutment portion 523 of the stopper 52 abuts against the upper surface of the bottom portion 41. This prevents the stopper 52 from being tilted further rearward in the first direction D1. That is, the width direction restricting cursor 4A is maintained in a state in which it can move in the first direction D1.

[0089] In this embodiment, since the inclination of the stopper 52 can be adjusted by the operation mechanism 6, the width-direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B can be easily moved in the first direction D1, and the width-direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B can be held stationary at any position in the first direction D1. The user only needs to move the upper end 611 of the lever 61, improving operability.

[0090] <Maintaining the rear end control cursor still> Although not shown, the rear end restriction cursor 4C is connected to a holding mechanism 5 having the same configuration as the holding mechanism 5 connected to the width direction restriction cursor 4A. That is, the rear end restriction cursor 4C also corresponds to a "restriction cursor." The width direction restriction cursor 4A corresponds to a "first restriction cursor," and the rear end restriction cursor 4C corresponds to a "second restriction cursor." In addition, when focusing on the rear end restriction cursor 4C as a "restriction cursor," the right side of the second direction D2 corresponds to "one side of a predetermined direction," and the left side of the second direction D2 corresponds to "the other side of a predetermined direction."

[0091] In this configuration, in addition to the positional deviation of the width direction restriction cursors 4A and 4B in the first direction D1, the positional deviation of the rear end restriction cursor 4C in the second direction D2 can be restricted. That is, the rear end restriction cursor 4C can be reliably held stationary at any position in the second direction D2. Furthermore, when the rear end restriction cursor 4C is moved in the second direction D2, the movement of the rear end restriction cursor 4C in the second direction D2 is not unintentionally restricted. This suppresses a decrease in operability when moving the rear end restriction cursor 4C in the second direction D2.

[0092] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 set board 4A Width direction restriction cursor (restriction cursor) 4C End Limit Cursor (Limit Cursor) 5 Retention mechanism 6 Operating mechanism 40 Side part 41 Bottom part 51 Guide shaft 52 Stopper 53 Coil spring (biasing member) 61 Lever 62 Intermediate parts 62a Support part 100 Sheet storage device 100S Image Forming System 410 Connecting opening 411 Connecting protrusion 521 Guide hole 522 Connection hole 523 Contact part 621 Input end 622 Output end 1000 Image forming device 5201 Hole side end 5202 Operation side end D1 1st direction (predetermined direction) D2 2nd direction (predetermined direction)

Claims

1. a set plate on which the sheet is set; a regulating cursor that is supported so as to be reciprocally movable in a horizontal direction and that regulates a positional deviation of the sheet in a predetermined direction by contacting an edge of the sheet on the set plate from the predetermined direction; a holding mechanism for holding the restriction cursor stationary; The holding mechanism includes: A guide shaft extending in the predetermined direction; a stopper connected to the regulating cursor, having a guide hole into which the guide shaft is inserted, and capable of reciprocating along the guide shaft together with the regulating cursor; the stopper is tiltable to one side in the predetermined direction with a hole-side end portion having the guide hole as a fulcrum, By tilting the stopper to the one side, the movement of the restriction cursor is restricted together with the stopper due to frictional resistance generated by contact between the inner edge of the guide hole and the guide shaft, and by raising the stopper toward the other side opposite to the one side from the state in which the movement of the restriction cursor is restricted, the movement of the restriction cursor together with the stopper becomes possible. The stopper has an abutment portion, The contact portion contacts the restriction cursor to restrict the stopper from tilting toward the other side when the restriction cursor is in a movable state.

2. An operation mechanism for operating the stopper is provided, The operation mechanism includes: A lever that accepts operations; a relay member that transmits an operation of the lever to the stopper, The relay member is an input end portion that the lever contacts from the other side; an output end portion that comes into contact with an operation side end portion of the stopper opposite to the hole side end portion from the other side; a support portion between the input end portion and the output end portion, the support portion being supported rotatably about an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction; When the lever is operated, the input end is pressed to the one side, The sheet storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the relay member has an input end portion pressed against the one side, and the output end portion presses the operation side end portion against the other side.

3. The retention mechanism includes a biasing member. The sheet storage device according to claim 2 , wherein the biasing member biases the hole side end portion toward the other side.

4. The sheet storage device according to claim 3 , wherein the biasing force of the biasing member toward the other side with respect to the hole side end portion is smaller than the frictional resistance.

5. The restriction cursor is a plate-shaped side portion that is erected in the vertical direction and contacts the edge of the sheet on the set plate from the predetermined direction; a plate-shaped bottom surface portion extending from a lower end of the side surface portion to the one side, The guide shaft is disposed below the bottom surface portion, The bottom surface portion has a connecting opening penetrating the bottom surface portion in a thickness direction, The connecting opening has a connecting protrusion protruding from an inner edge of the connecting opening to the one side, The stopper has a connecting hole between the hole side end and the operation side end, The sheet storage device according to claim 2 , wherein the stopper is connected to the regulating cursor by protruding the operation side end portion from the connecting opening above the bottom surface portion and inserting the connecting protrusion into the connecting hole from the other side.

6. the stopper has the abutment portion at a portion protruding from the connecting opening and positioned above the bottom surface portion, The sheet storage device according to claim 5 , wherein the contact portion protrudes beyond an inner edge of the connecting opening to the other side and contacts an upper surface of the bottom portion to restrict the stopper from tilting to the other side.

7. The holding mechanism is connected to each of the first and second restricting cursors, the first regulating cursor is supported movably in a first direction as the predetermined direction and regulates a positional deviation of the sheet in the first direction; The sheet storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the second regulating cursor is supported movably in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction as the predetermined direction, and regulates a positional deviation of the sheet in the second direction.

8. A sheet storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, an image forming apparatus connected to the sheet storage device, the sheet storage device feeds the sheet to the image forming device; The image forming system, wherein the image forming apparatus prints on the sheets fed from the sheet storage apparatus.

Images