Sheet feeder

Abstract

To provide a sheet feeder such that a holder can be moved with one hand.SOLUTION: A sheet feeder 7 comprises a roller frame 70, a roller holder 71 which supports a feed roller 73 feeding a sheet S, and can move to a mounting position where the roller holder is mounted on the roller frame 70 and an attachment / detachment position where the roller holder moves from the mounting position to the roller frame 70 along the axis of the feed roller 73 to be attachable to and detachable from the roller frame 70, and a holder stopper 75 which can move to a restricting position where the roller holder 71 is restricted from moving from the mounting position to the attachment / detachment position and a movement allowing position where the roller holder 71 is allowed to move from the mounting position to the attachment / detachment position. The holder stopper 75 has an inclined surface 753c which comes into contact with an attachment / detachment-directional downstream side from the mounting position to the attachment / detachment position of the roller holder 71, and is inclined to the moving direction of the roller holder 71 from upstream to downward in the attachment / detachment direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a sheet feeding device including a feeding roller is provided to feed a sheet from a sheet tray. The feeding roller provided in the sheet feeding device is detachably attached to the frame of the apparatus main body via a holder so that it can be replaced when worn out.

[0003] For example, the sheet feeding device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a feeding roller, a holder supported by a frame so as to be movable in the axial direction of the feeding roller, a regulating position for regulating the movement of the holder, and a stopper rotatably supported by the frame between an allowable position for allowing the movement of the holder.

[0004] In the sheet feeding device of Patent Document 1, the holder is configured to be attached to and detached from the frame by moving the holder in the axial direction of the feeding roller with the stopper rotated to the allowable position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, when the hand that has rotated the stopper to the allowable position is released from the stopper, the stopper rotates toward the restricting position, and the step portion provided on the stopper and the holder become engaged, thereby inhibiting the axial movement of the feed roller of the holder. Therefore, in order to attach and detach the holder to and from the frame, it is necessary to hold the stopper at the allowable position with one hand and move the holder with the other hand, making the attachment / detachment operation of the holder to / from the frame complicated.

[0007] Therefore, in the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding device that can move the holder with one hand without inhibiting the axial movement of the feed roller of the holder even when the stopper is not held by hand.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The sheet feeding device for solving the above problems has the following features.

[0009] That is, the sheet feeding device includes a frame, a holder that supports a feed roller for feeding a sheet, a mounting position mounted on the frame, a position movable relative to the frame in the axial direction of the feed roller from the mounting position, and a detachable position relative to the frame, a stopper movable between a restricting position that restricts the movement of the holder from the mounting position to the detachable position and an allowable position that allows the movement of the holder from the mounting position to the detachable position. The stopper contacts the downstream side in the attachment / detachment direction from the mounting position to the detachable position of the holder and includes an inclined surface that inclines downward from the upstream to the downstream in the attachment / detachment direction with respect to the movement direction of the holder.

[0010] Thus, when moving the holder from the mounting position to the detachment position, since the inclined surface of the stopper contacts the downstream side in the detachment direction of the holder, the holder is not caught by the stopper and can be smoothly moved to the detachment position. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform with one hand the operation of moving the stopper from the restricting position to the allowable position side and the operation of moving the holder from the mounting position to the detachment position. That is, even if the stopper is not held by hand, the movement of the holder in the axial direction of the feed roller is not inhibited, and the holder can be moved with one hand.

[0011] Further, the stopper is engageable with the frame and includes a hook that fixes the stopper to the frame at the restricting position by engaging with the frame, and the hook includes the inclined surface.

[0012] Thereby, it is not necessary to separately form the inclined surface from the hook, and it is possible to suppress the shape of the stopper from becoming complicated.

[0013] Further, the stopper projects in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the stopper and includes a rib for moving the stopper in the moving direction of the stopper.

[0014] Thereby, the stopper can be easily moved between the restricting position and the allowable position.

[0015] Further, the holder includes a cover that holds the feed roller, and the cover of the holder has a recess disposed at a position adjacent to the rib in the moving direction of the holder.

[0016] Thereby, by hanging a finger on the rib while inserting the finger into the recess of the holder, it is possible to facilitate the operation of hanging the finger on the rib.

[0017] Further, the stopper is arranged adjacent to the holder in the axial direction of the feed roller, the rib is located at the end of the stopper on the holder side in the axial direction of the feed roller, and the recess is located at the end of the holder on the stopper side in the axial direction of the feed roller.

[0018] Thus, when hanging a finger on the rib and moving the stopper at the restricted position toward the allowable position side, the finger hanging on the rib can enter the recess of the holder, making it easier to perform the operation of moving the stopper. Also, the direction of hanging a finger on the rib of the stopper and the moving direction of the holder can be aligned in the axial direction of the feed roller. Thereby, the operation of moving the stopper from the restricted position to the allowable position and the operation of moving the holder from the mounting position to the attaching / detaching position can be performed smoothly.

[0019] Further, the stopper is arranged adjacent to the holder in the axial direction of the feed roller, includes a rib that protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the stopper and is used to move the stopper in the moving direction of the stopper, and a hook that can engage with the frame and fixes the stopper to the frame at the restricted position by engaging with the frame. The rib is located at the end of the stopper in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the feed roller, and the inclined surface is located at a location different from the hook on the stopper.

[0020] Thereby, the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of the inclined surface on the stopper can be increased.

[0021] Further, the stopper is rotatable between the restricted position and the allowable position with the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the feed roller as the rotation axis, and the angle formed by the stopper located at the allowable position and a horizontal plane extending along the horizontal direction is an acute angle.

[0022] Thus, since the angle formed by the stopper located at the allowable position and the horizontal plane is an acute angle, when the hand is released from the stopper located at the allowable position, the stopper moves toward the restricted position due to its own weight. As a result, the amount of protrusion of the stopper from the frame can be reduced, and interference between the frame and other components can be suppressed.

[0023] Further, the frame includes a restricting piece that abuts against the stopper when the stopper moves to the allowable position and restricts the movement of the stopper in the direction from the restricted position to the allowable position.

[0024] Thereby, the holder stopper that moves in the direction from the restricted position to the allowable position can be stably stopped at the allowable position.

[0025] Further, the hook is located between the allowable position, the restricted position, and between the allowable position and the restricted position, and in the process of the stopper moving by its own weight from the allowable position to the restricted position, it is movable between an intermediate position where it abuts against the frame and its movement is restricted.

[0026] Thereby, even if the hand is released from the stopper after moving the stopper to the allowable position, since the stopper and the hook are located at an intermediate position between the restricted position and the allowable position, the holder can be moved from the mounting position to the detachment position while contacting the inclined surface of the stopper with one hand.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, even if the stopper is not held by hand, the axial movement of the feed roller of the holder is not inhibited, and the holder can be moved with one hand.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Next, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] [Image forming apparatus] The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and is a color laser printer that forms a multi-color image on a sheet S by an electrophotographic method.

[0031] In the following description, the right side in FIG. 1 is defined as the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, the left side in FIG. 1 is defined as the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 1 is defined as the left side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the back side of the paper surface in FIG. 1 is defined as the right side of the image forming apparatus 1. Also, the upper side and the lower side in FIG. 1 are defined as the upper side and the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a device main body 2, a paper feeding unit 3 having a paper feeding tray 10 that supports a sheet S and a sheet conveying unit 30 that conveys the sheet S, and an image forming unit 5 that forms an image on the sheet S conveyed by the paper feeding unit 3.

[0033] The device main body 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and houses the paper feeding unit 3 and the image forming unit 5. A front opening 2A is opened on the front surface of the device main body 2, and the device main body 2 has a front cover 21 that can open and close the front opening 2A. The front cover 21 is movable between an open position (the position shown in FIG. 3) that opens the front opening 2A and a closed position (the position shown in FIG. 2) that closes the front opening 2A.

[0034] The paper feeding unit 3 is disposed at the lower part of the device main body 2 and conveys the sheet S supported by the paper feeding tray 10 to the image forming unit 5 by the sheet conveying unit 30. The paper feeding tray 10 is configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction and is configured to be movable between a storage position housed in the device main body 2 and a separation position pulled forward from the storage position.

[0035] The sheet conveyance unit 30 includes a paper feed roller 32, a separation roller 33, a separation pad 33a, a pair of conveyance rollers 34, and a pair of registration rollers 35. Inside the apparatus main body 2, a conveyance path P for the sheet S extending from the paper feed tray 10 through the image forming unit 5 to the paper discharge tray 22 is configured.

[0036] The sheet S supported on the paper feed tray 10 is separated one by one by the paper feed roller 32, the separation roller 33, and the separation pad 33a and sent out onto the conveyance path P. The paper feed roller 32 is a roller that conveys the sheet S from the paper feed tray 10 toward the image forming unit 5. The separation roller 33 and the separation pad 33a constitute a separating means for separating the sheets S supported on the paper feed tray 10 one by one.

[0037] The sheet S sent out onto the conveyance path P is conveyed toward the image forming unit 5 by the pair of conveyance rollers 34 and the pair of registration rollers 35. The pair of registration rollers 35 regulates the movement of the leading edge of the conveyed sheet S and temporarily stops it, and then conveys the sheet S toward the image forming unit 5 at a predetermined timing.

[0038] The front cover 21 has a paper feed opening 21a through which the sheet S can be supplied toward the image forming unit 5. The front cover 21 supports the MP tray cover 23 that is rotatable about the rotation axis 23a.

[0039] The MP tray cover 23 is movable between an open position where the paper feed opening 21a is opened and a closed position where the paper feed opening 21a is closed by rotating about the rotation axis 23a. The rotation axis 23a extends in the left - right direction.

[0040] The MP tray cover 23 supports the MP tray 24. The MP tray 24 can support the sheet S when the MP tray cover 23 is in the open position. The sheet S supported on the MP tray 24 is supplied to the image forming unit 5 through the paper feed opening 21a.

[0041] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a sheet feeding device 7 that feeds a sheet S supported on the MP tray 24 to the image forming unit 5. The sheet feeding device 7 includes a feed roller 73, a separation roller 74, and a separation pad 741. The feed roller 73 is a roller that feeds the sheet S.

[0042] The sheet S supported on the MP tray 24 is separated one by one by the feed roller 73, the separation roller 74, and the separation pad 741 and sent out to the transport path P. The sheet S sent out to the transport path P is transported toward the image forming unit 5 by the registration roller pair 35.

[0043] The feed roller 73 and the separation roller 74 are supported by a roller holder 71. The roller holder 71 includes a roller cover 72, and the roller cover 72 holds the feed roller 73 and the separation roller 74.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet feeding device 7 includes a roller frame 70 supported by the apparatus main body 2. The roller frame 70 is exposed outside the apparatus main body 2 when the front cover 21 is in the open position. The roller holder 71 is attached to the roller frame 70.

[0045] The image forming unit 5 is disposed above the paper feeding unit 3 and includes four toner cartridges 50 arranged side by side in the front-rear direction and a photosensitive drum 51 corresponding to each toner cartridge 50. Each toner cartridge 50 is provided corresponding to each color of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan. The toner cartridge 50 includes a developing roller 52.

[0046] The toner cartridge 50 is detachably supported by the drawer 59. The drawer 59 is detachable from the apparatus main body 2 through the front opening 2A in the apparatus main body 2 by opening the front cover 21. The drawer 59 is movable between a first position disposed inside the apparatus main body 2 and a second position at least a part of which is disposed outside the apparatus main body 2. The drawer 59 has a handle 591 that is grasped by the user when moving the drawer 59 between the first position and the second position. The handle 591 is located at the front end of the drawer 59.

[0047] The photosensitive drum 51 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with the left - right direction as the axial direction and is rotatably supported by the drawer 59. The developing roller 52 extends in the left - right direction and is rotatably supported by the toner cartridge 50. That is, the drawer 59 supports the photosensitive drum 51 and the developing roller 52. Toner is an example of a developer. The developing roller 52 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 51.

[0048] The apparatus main body 2 has an exposure device 56 that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 51. The exposure device 56 includes a laser diode, a polarizer, a lens, and a mirror (not shown). The exposure device 56 is configured to emit a light beam to each photosensitive drum 51 to expose the surface of each photosensitive drum 51.

[0049] Below the conveyance path P of the photosensitive drum 51, a transfer belt 41 is disposed opposite. The transfer belt 41 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 51. The transfer belt 41 is stretched between a driving roller 42 and a driven roller 43 disposed in front of the driving roller 42. Transfer rollers 44 are respectively disposed at positions facing each photosensitive drum 51 with the transfer belt 41 interposed therebetween. In the image forming unit 5, a belt device 40 is constituted by the transfer belt 41, the driving roller 42, the driven roller 43, the transfer rollers 44, and the like.

[0050] The image forming unit 5 includes a charger 54 for charging each photosensitive drum 51. The charger 54 is supported by a drawer 59. The photosensitive drum 51 uniformly charged by the charger 54 is selectively exposed by an exposure device 56 respectively. By this exposure, charges are selectively removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 51, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.

[0051] The toner accommodated in the toner cartridge 50 is charged to a positive polarity and carried on the surface of the developing roller 52. A developing bias is applied to the developing roller 52. When the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 51 faces the developing roller 52, toner is supplied from the developing roller 52 to the electrostatic latent image due to the potential difference between the electrostatic latent image and the developing roller 52. Thereby, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.

[0052] When the sheet S conveyed toward the image forming unit 5 reaches the transfer belt 41, it is conveyed by the transfer belt 41 and sequentially passes between the transfer belt 41 and each photosensitive drum 51. Then, when the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 faces the sheet S, it is transferred to the sheet S by the transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 44.

[0053] Note that the transfer belt 41 in the present embodiment is configured as a conveyance belt for conveying the sheet S onto which the toner image is transferred. However, it is also possible to configure it as an intermediate transfer belt on which the toner image is transferred to the belt itself and the toner image transferred to the belt is further transferred to the sheet S.

[0054] The sheet S onto which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 60. The fixing device 60 includes a heating roller 61 and a pressure roller 62 that is in pressure contact with the heating roller 61. The sheet S conveyed to the fixing device 60 has the toner image thermally fixed while passing between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 62. That is, the fixing device 60 fixes the toner image to the sheet S.

[0055] The sheet S on which the toner image has been thermally fixed is conveyed from the fixing device 60 to the downstream side in the conveying direction, and is further conveyed by the intermediate paper discharge roller pair 63 and the paper discharge roller pair 64 disposed on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the intermediate paper discharge roller pair 63, and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 22.

[0056] In the image forming apparatus 1, a process unit PU for forming a toner image on the sheet S is configured by a drawer 59, a toner cartridge 50 supported by the drawer 59, a photosensitive drum 51, a charger 54, and the like. In the process unit PU, the drawer 59 may support the photosensitive drum 51 as in the present embodiment, or the toner cartridge 50 may support the photosensitive drum 51. Further, the process unit PU may include a fixing device 60. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which there is no drawer 59 and a process unit having a toner cartridge 50 and a photosensitive drum 51 is detachable.

[0057] [Sheet Feeding Device] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the sheet feeding device 7 includes a roller frame 70, a roller holder 71, a feeding roller 73 and a separating roller 74, and a holder stopper 75. The roller frame 70 is an example of a frame, the roller holder 71 is an example of a holder, and the holder stopper 75 is an example of a stopper.

[0058] (Roller Frame) The roller frame 70 is formed of a plate-like member whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. The roller frame 70 includes a first surface 70A that is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body 2 when the front cover 21 is in the open position, and a second surface 70B opposite to the first surface 70A. The first surface 70A faces upward, and the second surface 70B faces downward.

[0059] The roller frame 70 has a support opening 70a that penetrates vertically and can support the roller holder 71, and a support groove 70b that is recessed downward from the first surface 70A and can support the holder stopper 75. The support opening 70a and the support groove 70b are formed continuously in the left - right direction, and the support opening 70a is located to the left of the support groove 70b.

[0060] A shaft 76 for rotating the separation roller 74 is rotatably attached to the second surface 70B of the roller frame 70. The shaft 76 extends along the left - right direction. The left end of the shaft 76 is located at the left end of the roller frame 70, and the right end 76a of the shaft 76 faces the left end of the support opening 70a. The shaft 76 is rotationally driven by a driving force from a drive source.

[0061] The support opening 70a of the roller frame 70 has rails 701, 702 that extend along the left - right direction. The rail 701 protrudes rearward from the front surface on the inner peripheral surface of the support opening 70a. The rail 702 protrudes forward from the rear surface on the inner peripheral surface of the support opening 70a. The rails 701, 702 support the roller cover 72 of the roller holder 71 from below so as to be movable in the left - right direction.

[0062] The support groove 70b has a bottom wall 703, a front wall 704, and a rear wall 705. The front wall 704 and the rear wall 705 have support protrusions 706 that protrude in the front - rear direction. The support protrusion 706 formed on the front wall 704 protrudes rearward from the front wall 704, and the support protrusion 706 formed on the rear wall 705 protrudes forward from the rear wall 705.

[0063] (Roller holder) The roller holder 71 has a roller cover 72 that holds the feed roller 73 and the separation roller 74. The feed roller 73 and the separation roller 74 are arranged in a posture where the axial direction is along the left - right direction. The roller cover 72 is an example of a cover.

[0064] The separation roller 74 is provided with a connection portion 74a connected to the shaft 76. The connection portion 74a is located at the left end portion of the separation roller 74 and is formed in a hole shape that is recessed from left to right.

[0065] In a state where the roller holder 71 is attached to the roller frame 70, the right end portion 76a of the shaft 76 is inserted into the connection portion 74a of the separation roller 74, whereby the shaft 76 and the separation roller 74 are integrally and rotatably connected.

[0066] The roller holder 71 is provided with a connecting gear train 77. The connecting gear train 77 is provided across the separation roller 74 and the feed roller 73, and the separation roller 74 and the feed roller 73 are connected by the connecting gear train 77. When the separation roller 74 rotates, a driving force is transmitted from the separation roller 74 to the feed roller 73 via the connecting gear train 77, and the feed roller 73 rotates.

[0067] The roller holder 71 is detachably attached to the support opening 70a of the roller frame 70. The roller holder 71 can move to a mounting position where it is attached to the roller frame 70 with the roller cover 72 supported by the rails 701, 702 of the support opening 70a, and to a detachment position where it can be detached from the roller frame 70 by moving in the left - right direction, which is the axial direction of the feed roller 73, from the mounting position with respect to the roller frame 70. In the present embodiment, the roller holder 71 moves to the detachment position by moving rightward from the mounting position. The direction from the mounting position to the detachment position is the detachment direction.

[0068] The roller cover 72 is located above the feed roller 73 and the separation roller 74. In a state where the roller holder 71 is attached to the roller frame 70, the upper surface of the roller cover 72 and the upper surface of the roller frame 70 are located at the same height position. That is, the upper surface of the roller cover 72 of the roller holder 71 attached to the roller frame 70 and the upper surface of the roller frame 70 are flush.

[0069] The roller cover 72 is provided with a protrusion 721 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the roller cover 72 and extends in the front-rear direction. The protrusion 721 is located at the left end of the roller cover 72. A plurality of protrusions 721 are formed along the left-right direction. When moving the roller holder 71 left and right, by placing a finger on the protrusion 721 and applying a force in the left-right direction, the roller holder 71 can be easily moved.

[0070] The roller cover 72 is provided with a recess 722 formed in a concave shape that recesses downward from the upper surface of the roller cover 72. The recess 722 is located at the right end, which is the stopper side end of the roller cover 72.

[0071] (Holder stopper) The holder stopper 75 is arranged adjacent to the roller holder 71 in the left-right direction, which is the moving direction of the roller holder 71. The holder stopper 75 is located to the right of the roller holder 71.

[0072] The holder stopper 75 is supported by the support groove 70b of the roller frame 70. The holder stopper 75 is rotatable about the front-rear direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the feed roller 73, as a rotation axis R. The rotation axis R is located at the right end of the holder stopper 75.

[0073] The holder stopper 75 can move between a regulation position (the position shown in FIG. 5) that regulates the movement of the roller holder 71 from the mounting position to the detachment position by rotating about the rotation axis R, and a permission position (the position shown in FIG. 6) that permits the movement of the roller holder 71 from the mounting position to the detachment position.

[0074] The holder stopper 75 includes an upper plate 751, a pair of front and rear side plates 752, and a pair of front and rear hooks 753.

[0075] The upper plate 751 is formed of a flat plate-like member. The upper plate 751 is provided with a rib 751a that protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction between the restricted position and the allowable position centered on the rotation axis R of the holder stopper 75. When the holder stopper 75 is in the restricted position, the rib 751a protrudes leftward from the left end of the upper plate 751. The rib 751a is located at the left end, which is the holder-side end of the holder stopper 75.

[0076] The rib 751a can be formed, for example, at the central portion of the upper plate 751 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 4, when the rib 751a is formed at the central portion of the upper plate 751 in the front-rear direction, the center of the rib 751a in the front-rear direction can be made to coincide with the center line CL of the holder stopper 75 in the front-rear direction.

[0077] The rib 751a is a part for moving the holder stopper 75 in the moving direction between the restricted position and the allowable position. Specifically, by applying a force in the moving direction by hanging a finger on the rib 751a, the holder stopper 75 can be moved in the moving direction. By hanging a finger on the rib 751a and moving the holder stopper 75, it is possible to easily move the holder stopper 75 between the restricted position and the allowable position.

[0078] In the left-right direction, the rib 751a of the holder stopper 75 is located at the end on the roller holder 71 side of the holder stopper 75 in the restricted position, and the recess 722 of the roller holder 71 is located at the end on the holder stopper 75 side of the roller holder 71. The recess 722 is arranged at a position adjacent to the rib 751a in the left-right direction, which is the moving direction of the roller holder 71. Therefore, the rib 751a of the holder stopper 75 and the recess 722 of the roller holder 71 face each other at adjacent positions. The recess 722 of the roller holder 71 is formed in a concave shape into which a finger placed on the rib 751a can enter.

[0079] Thus, when placing a finger on the rib 751a to move the holder stopper 75 at the restricted position toward the allowable position side, the finger placed on the rib 751a can enter the recess 722 of the roller holder 71, facilitating the operation of moving the holder stopper 75.

[0080] Further, since the roller holder 71 is provided with a recess 722 disposed at a position adjacent to the rib 751a in the moving direction of the roller holder 71, the operation of placing a finger on the rib 751a can be facilitated by placing a finger on the rib 751a while inserting the finger into the recess 722 of the roller holder 71.

[0081] The side plates 752 extend downward from the front end and the rear end of the upper plate 751. The side plates 752 are provided with support holes 752a penetrating in the front-rear direction. The support protrusion 706 of the front wall 704 is inserted into the support hole 752a of the front side plate 752, and the support protrusion 706 of the rear wall 705 is inserted into the support hole 752a of the rear side plate 752. By inserting the support protrusion 706 into the support hole 752a, the holder stopper 75 is rotatably supported about the rotation axis R in the support groove 70b.

[0082] The hook 753 includes an elastic piece 753a, an engaging protrusion 753b, and an inclined surface 753c. The elastic piece 753a extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R from the side plate 752. The elastic piece 753a extends leftward from the side plate 752 when the holder stopper 75 is at the restricted position.

[0083] The engaging protrusion 753b protrudes in the front-rear direction from the elastic piece 753a. The engaging protrusion 753b is located at the left end of the elastic piece 753a when the holder stopper 75 is at the restricted position.

[0084] The engaging protrusion 753b formed on the front elastic piece 753a protrudes forward from the front elastic piece 753a, and the engaging protrusion 753b formed on the rear elastic piece 753a protrudes rearward from the rear elastic piece 753a.

[0085] On the front wall 704 and the rear wall 705 of the support groove 70b, engaging grooves 707 are formed, into which the engaging protrusions 753b of the hooks 753 can engage. The engaging protrusion 753b of the front hook 753 can engage with the engaging groove 707 of the front wall 704, and the engaging protrusion 753b of the rear hook 753 can engage with the engaging groove 707 of the rear wall 705.

[0086] The engaging protrusion 753b and the engaging groove 707 engage with each other when the holder stopper 75 is in the restricted position, holding the holder stopper 75 in the restricted position. That is, the hook 753 can engage with the roller frame 70, and by engaging with the roller frame 70, the holder stopper 75 is fixed to the roller frame 70 in the restricted position.

[0087] The support groove 70b of the roller frame 70 has a stepped portion 708 above the engaging groove 707. The stepped portion 708 can abut against the engaging protrusion 753b of the holder stopper 75 located between the restricted position and the allowable position. That is, the engaging protrusion 753b of the holder stopper 75 that has moved from the restricted position toward the allowable position and whose engagement state with the engaging groove 707 has been released can abut against the stepped portion 708 from above. Also, the engaging protrusion 753b of the holder stopper 75 during the process of moving from the allowable position toward the restricted position can abut against the stepped portion 708 from above.

[0088] In a state where the engaging protrusion 753b abuts against the stepped portion 708 due to the self-weight of the holder stopper 75, the movement of the holder stopper 75 from the allowable position side toward the restricted position stops. The position of the holder stopper 75 in a state where the engaging protrusion 753b abuts against the stepped portion 708 and the movement stops is an intermediate position between the restricted position and the allowable position.

[0089] In this way, the holder stopper 75 can move between the allowable position, the restricted position, and an intermediate position between the allowable position and the restricted position. During the process in which the holder stopper 75 moves by its own weight from the allowable position to the restricted position, the movement is restricted when the hook 753 abuts against the stepped portion 708 of the roller frame 70.

[0090] Further, as the holder stopper 75 moves, the hook 753 similarly moves between an allowable position, a regulated position, and an intermediate position between the allowable position and the regulated position, and is movable to an intermediate position where it abuts against the stepped portion 708 of the roller frame 70 and its movement is regulated during the process in which the holder stopper 75 moves by its own weight from the allowable position to the regulated position.

[0091] The inclined surface 753c is formed at the left end of the elastic piece 753a. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the inclined surface 753c is an inclined surface that inclines with respect to the left-right direction, which is the moving direction of the roller holder 71, when the holder stopper 75 is in the regulated position (the position shown in FIG. 8) and when it is in the intermediate position (the position shown in FIG. 9). The inclined surface 753c inclines upward from right to left. That is, the inclined surface 753c inclines downward from the upstream to the downstream in the attachment / detachment direction from the attachment position to the detachment position of the roller holder 71.

[0092] The inclined surface 753c can contact the roller holder 71 located between the attachment position and the detachment position, for example, when the holder stopper 75 is in the intermediate position. The inclined surface 753c contacts the right end 723 on the downstream side in the attachment / detachment direction from the attachment position to the detachment position of the roller cover 72 in the roller holder 71.

[0093] When the roller holder 71 moves toward the attachment / detachment position while the inclined surface 753c and the right end 723 of the roller cover 72 are in contact, the holder stopper 75 is pressed by the roller holder 71 and moves toward the allowable position (refer to the holder stopper 75 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9).

[0094] In this case, since the inclined surface 753c is an inclined surface that inclines upward from left to right, the right end 723 of the roller cover 72 does not get caught on the holder stopper 75. As a result, the holder stopper 75 can smoothly move toward the attachment / detachment position as the roller holder 71 moves.

[0095] Further, at the upper end of the right end 723 of the roller cover 72 that abuts on the inclined surface 753c, a chamfered portion 723a is formed. As a result, the right end 723 of the roller cover 72 is more likely to slide with respect to the inclined surface 753c, and the holder stopper 75 can move more smoothly toward the attachment / detachment position as the roller holder 71 moves.

[0096] When the holder stopper 75 is in the regulation position, the holder stopper 75 is accommodated in the support groove 70b. The upper surface of the upper plate 751 of the holder stopper 75 in the regulation position is located at the same height as the upper surface of the roller frame 70. That is, the upper surface of the holder stopper 75 in the regulation position and the upper surface of the roller frame 70 are flush.

[0097] When the holder stopper 75 is in the allowable position and the intermediate position, the holder stopper 75 protrudes upward from the support groove 70b. The amount of upward protrusion from the support groove 70b when the holder stopper 75 is in the intermediate position is smaller than the amount of upward protrusion from the support groove 70b when the holder stopper 75 is in the allowable position.

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the roller frame 70 includes a regulating piece 709 that abuts on the holder stopper 75 when the holder stopper 75 moves to the allowable position and regulates the movement of the holder stopper 75 in the direction from the regulation position to the allowable position. The regulating piece 709 is a protrusion that protrudes upward from the bottom wall 703 of the support groove 70b.

[0099] The holder stopper 75 is provided with a regulating surface 754 that abuts against the regulating piece 709 when the holder stopper 75 moves to the allowable position. The regulating surface 754 is located at the right end portion of the upper plate 751 of the holder stopper 75. The regulating surface 754 abuts against the regulating piece 709 when the holder stopper 75 moves to the allowable position, and regulates the movement of the holder stopper 75 in the direction from the regulated position to the allowable position. In this way, by providing the roller frame 70 with the regulating piece 709, it is possible to stably stop the holder stopper 75 that moves in the direction from the regulated position to the allowable position at the allowable position.

[0100] The angle θ formed between the upper plate 751 of the holder stopper 75 in a state where it has moved to the allowable position and abuts against the regulating piece 709 and the upper surface of the bottom wall 703 is an acute angle. The upper surface of the bottom wall 703 is a surface extending in the left - right direction and the front - rear direction, and is an example of a horizontal plane extending along the horizontal direction.

[0101] In this way, since the angle θ formed between the holder stopper 75 located at the allowable position and the upper surface of the bottom wall 703 which is a horizontal plane is an acute angle, when the hand is released from the holder stopper 75 after the holder stopper 75 has moved to the allowable position, the holder stopper 75 moves toward the regulated position due to its own weight. Thereby, the protruding amount of the holder stopper 75 from the roller frame 70 can be made smaller than that of the holder stopper 75 that has moved to the allowable position.

[0102] [Operations of the roller holder and the holder stopper] (Operations when mounting the roller holder on the roller frame) When mounting the roller holder 71 on the roller frame 70, as shown in FIG. 6, in a state where the holder stopper 75 is at the allowable position, as shown in FIG. 11, the roller holder 71 is placed on the attachment / detachment position of the support opening 70a in the roller frame 70. The roller holder 71 placed on the attachment / detachment position of the support opening 70a is supported by the rails 701, 702 of the support opening 70a.

[0103] Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the roller holder 71 is slid to the left until it reaches the mounting position. In this case, since the moving direction of the roller holder 71 is parallel to the axial direction of the separating roller 74, the connecting portion 74a of the separating roller 74 is connected to the right end portion 76a of the shaft 76. By connecting the separating roller 74 and the shaft 76, the roller holder 71 can be fixed to the roller frame 70.

[0104] After the roller holder 71 has moved to the mounting position, the holder stopper 75 is rotated toward the restricting position until it reaches the restricting position shown in FIG. 5. In this case, for example, the hand is released from the holder stopper 75 in the allowable position, the holder stopper 75 is moved to the intermediate position by its own weight, and a force is applied to the holder stopper 75 located at the intermediate position toward the restricting position side, whereby the holder stopper 75 can be moved to the restricting position.

[0105] When the holder stopper 75 has moved to the intermediate position by its own weight, the engaging protrusion 753b of the hook 753 is in contact with the stepped portion 708 of the roller frame 70. When a force is applied to the holder stopper 75 toward the restricting position side from this state, the elastic piece 753a of the hook 753 is elastically deformed and the contact state between the engaging protrusion 753b and the stepped portion 708 is released.

[0106] Thereafter, the engaging protrusion 753b of the hook 753 engages with the engaging groove 707 of the roller frame 70. In the state where the engaging protrusion 753b and the engaging groove 707 are engaged, the holder stopper 75 is fixed to the restricting position by the hook 753.

[0107] When moving the holder stopper 75 from the intermediate position to the restricting position, if the roller holder 71 has not reached the mounting position, the inclined surface 753c of the holder stopper 75 located at the intermediate position can contact the right end of the roller holder 71. Therefore, along with the operation of moving the holder stopper 75 to the restricting position, the roller holder 71 can be pressed toward the mounting position by the inclined surface 753c and moved to the mounting position.

[0108] When the roller holder 71 moves to the mounting position and the roller holder 71 is in the regulated position, the right end 723 of the roller cover 72 in the roller holder 71 and the left end of the upper plate 71 in the holder stopper 75 are adjacent to and face each other. Therefore, when the roller holder 71 in the mounting position attempts to move toward the attachment / detachment position, the right end 723 of the roller holder 71 contacts the holder stopper 75, and the movement of the roller holder 71 is restricted.

[0109] Also, since the holder stopper 75 is fixed to the regulated position by the hook 753, even if it is pushed to the right by the roller holder 71, it cannot move toward the allowable position side, and it is possible to hold the roller holder 71 in the mounting position.

[0110] (Operation when removing the roller holder from the roller frame) When removing the roller holder 71 from the roller frame 70, as shown in FIG. 5, with the holder stopper 75 in the regulated position, place a finger on the rib 751a of the holder stopper 75 and move the holder stopper 75 toward the allowable position side. When the holder stopper 75 is moved toward the allowable position side, the engagement state between the engagement protrusion 753b of the hook 753 and the engagement groove 707 of the roller frame 70 is released.

[0111] In this case, when a force is applied toward the allowable position by placing a finger on the rib 751a of the holder stopper 75 in the regulated position, the elastic piece 753a of the hook 753 is elastically deformed, and the engagement state between the engagement protrusion 753b and the engagement groove 707 of the roller frame 70 is released.

[0112] Also, as shown in FIG. 13, the hooks 753 provided at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the holder stopper 75 are arranged at positions where the distance L1 from the center line CL of the holder stopper 75 to the front hook 753 and the distance L2 from the center line CL to the rear hook 753 are equal.

[0113] Therefore, by forming the rib 751a of the holder stopper 75 at the central portion in the front-rear direction of the upper plate 751, when a finger is placed on the rib 751a, a force toward the allowable position side can be evenly applied to the front hook 753 and the rear hook 753. As a result, the engagement state between the engaging protrusion 753b and the engaging groove 707 of the front hook 753 and the engagement state between the engaging protrusion 753b and the engaging groove 707 of the rear hook 753 can both be smoothly released.

[0114] Release the engagement state between the engaging protrusion 753b of the hook 753 and the engaging groove 707 of the roller frame 70, move the holder stopper 75 to the allowable position or between the intermediate position and the allowable position, and then release the hand from the holder stopper 75. As shown in FIG. 9, when the hand is released from the holder stopper 75, the holder stopper 75 moves to the intermediate position due to its own weight. In this case, the hook 753 of the holder stopper 75 also moves to the intermediate position.

[0115] In this state, when the roller holder 71 is moved from the mounting position toward the detachment position, the right end 723 of the roller cover 72 in the roller holder 71 abuts against the inclined surface 753c of the holder stopper 75.

[0116] The roller holder 71 presses the inclined surface 753c toward the detachment position side, and the holder stopper 75 pressed by the roller holder 71 moves from the intermediate position toward the allowable position side. As a result, the roller holder 71 can move to the detachment position. By lifting the roller holder 71 that has moved to the detachment position, the roller holder 71 can be removed from the roller frame 70.

[0117] In this way, when removing the roller holder 71 from the roller frame 70, the holder stopper 75 in the restricted position is moved toward the allowable position side to release the engagement state between the hook 753 and the roller frame 70. Then, with the state of once releasing the hand from the holder stopper 75, the roller holder 71 is moved from the mounting position to the detachment position. The movement of the roller holder 71 can be performed by the hand released from the holder stopper 75.

[0118] When moving the roller holder 71 from the mounting position to the detaching position, since the inclined surface 753c of the holder stopper 75 contacts the right end 723 of the roller holder 71, the roller holder 71 will not be caught by the holder stopper 75 and can be smoothly moved to the detaching position.

[0119] Therefore, it becomes possible to perform with one hand the operation of moving the holder stopper 75 from the restricting position to the allowing position side and the operation of moving the roller holder 71 from the mounting position to the detaching position. That is, even if the holder stopper 75 moved from the restricting position to the allowing position side is not held by hand, the lateral movement of the roller holder 71 will not be inhibited and the roller holder 71 can be moved with one hand.

[0120] Since the inclined surface 753c that the right end 723 of the roller holder 71 contacts is formed on the hook 753 originally provided on the holder stopper 75, it is not necessary to separately form the inclined surface 753c from the hook 753. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the complication of the shape of the holder stopper 75.

[0121] Also, since the rib 751a of the holder stopper 75 is located at the left end which is the end on the roller holder 71 side, when removing the roller holder 71 from the roller frame 70, the direction of putting a finger on the rib 751a of the holder stopper 75 and the moving direction of the roller holder 71 can be aligned in the lateral direction. Thereby, it is possible to smoothly perform the operation of moving the holder stopper 75 from the restricting position to the allowing position and the operation of moving the roller holder 71 from the mounting position to the detaching position.

[0122] In the sheet feeding device 7, since the angle θ formed between the holder stopper 75 positioned at the allowable position and the upper surface of the bottom wall 703 which is a horizontal plane is an acute angle, when the hand is released from the holder stopper 75 that has moved to the allowable position, the holder stopper 75 moves toward the restricted position by its own weight. Thereby, the protruding amount of the holder stopper 75 from the roller frame 70 can be reduced, and interference between the roller frame 70 and other components such as the drawer 59 that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 2 through the front opening 2A can be suppressed.

[0123] Also, in the sheet feeding device 7, in the process where the holder stopper 75 moves by its own weight from the allowable position toward the restricted position, the engaging protrusion 753b of the hook 753 abuts against the stepped portion 708 of the roller frame 70 from above, restricting the movement of the holder stopper 75 due to its own weight. The holder stopper 75 whose movement due to its own weight is restricted by the hook 753 is positioned at an intermediate position between the restricted position and the allowable position.

[0124] Thereby, even if the hand is released from the holder stopper 75 after moving the holder stopper 75 to the allowable position, since the holder stopper 75 is positioned at an intermediate position between the restricted position and the allowable position, it is possible to move the roller holder 71 from the mounting position to the detachment position while bringing it into contact with the inclined surface 753c of the holder stopper 75 with one hand.

[0125] [Modification example of holder stopper] The holder stopper 75 can also be formed like the holder stopper 175 shown in FIGS. 14 to 16. In the holder stopper 175, the positions of the rib 1751a and the inclined surface 1755 formed on the holder stopper 175 are different from the positions of the rib 751a and the inclined surface 753c formed on the holder stopper 75. Other configurations of the holder stopper 175 are the same as those of the holder stopper 75. Note that, in the roller cover 72 shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the recess 722 is not formed.

[0126] The holder stopper 175 is supported by the support groove 70b of the roller frame 70. The holder stopper 175 is rotatable about the rotation axis R, and by rotating about the rotation axis R, it can move between a regulation position and an allowable position. The holder stopper 175 is arranged adjacent to the roller holder 71 in the left - right direction which is the moving direction of the roller holder 71.

[0127] The holder stopper 175 includes an upper plate 1751, a pair of front - and - rear side plates 1752, a pair of front - and - rear hooks 1753, a regulation surface 1754, and an inclined surface 1755. The upper plate 1751 is formed of a flat plate - like member. The upper plate 1751 is provided with a rib 1751a that protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction between the regulation position and the allowable position about the rotation axis R of the holder stopper 175. The rib 1751a protrudes forward from the front end at the left end of the upper plate 751.

[0128] A gap G (see FIG. 15) is formed between the rib 1751a of the holder stopper 175 and the front wall 704 in the support groove 70b of the roller frame 70. By inserting a finger into this gap G, it becomes easy to hook the finger on the rib 1751a.

[0129] By hooking a finger on the rib 1751a and moving the holder stopper 175, it is possible to easily move the holder stopper 175 between the regulation position and the allowable position.

[0130] The side plates 1752 extend downward from the front end and the rear end of the upper plate 1751. The side plates 1752 are provided with support holes 1752a that penetrate in the front - and - rear direction. The support protrusion 706 of the front wall 704 is inserted into the support hole 1752a of the front side plate 1752, and the support protrusion 706 of the rear wall 705 is inserted into the support hole 752a of the rear side plate 1752. By inserting the support protrusion 706 into the support hole 1752a, the holder stopper 175 is rotatably supported in the support groove 70b about the rotation axis R.

[0131] The hook 1753 includes an elastic piece 1753a extending leftward from the side plate 1752, and an engaging protrusion 1753b protruding in the front-rear direction from the left end of the elastic piece 1753a. The engaging protrusion 1753b formed on the front elastic piece 1753a protrudes forward from the front elastic piece 1753a, and the engaging protrusion 1753b formed on the rear elastic piece 1753a protrudes rearward from the rear elastic piece 1753a.

[0132] The engaging protrusion 1753b of the hook 1753 can engage with the engaging groove 707 of the roller frame 70. The engaging protrusion 1753b of the front hook 1753 can engage with the engaging groove 707 of the front wall 704, and the engaging protrusion 1753b of the rear hook 1753 can engage with the engaging groove 707 of the rear wall 705. When the hook 1753 and the roller frame 70 are engaged, the holder stopper 175 is fixed at a regulated position with respect to the roller frame 70.

[0133] The engaging protrusion 1753b of the hook 1753 can abut on the step portion 708 in the support groove 70b of the roller frame 70 from above. The position of the holder stopper 175 when the engaging protrusion 753b abuts on the step portion 708 is an intermediate position between the regulated position and the allowable position.

[0134] The regulating surface 1754 abuts on the regulating piece 709 of the roller frame 70 when the holder stopper 175 moves to the allowable position. The regulating surface 1754 is located at the right end of the upper plate 1751 of the holder stopper 175. The regulating surface 1754 abuts on the regulating piece 709 when the holder stopper 175 moves to the allowable position, and restricts the movement of the holder stopper 175 to the allowable position side.

[0135] The inclined surface 1755 protrudes downward from the central portion of the upper plate 1751 in the front-rear direction. The inclined surface 1755 is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the left-right direction, which is the moving direction of the roller holder 71, when the holder stopper 175 is in the regulated position and the intermediate position. The inclined surface 1755 is inclined upward from right to left.

[0136] The inclined surface 1755 is located between the front hook 1753 and the rear hook 1753 in the front-rear direction. That is, the inclined surface 1755 is located at a position different from the hook 1753.

[0137] The inclined surface 1755 can be in contact with the roller holder 71 located between the mounting position and the detaching position, for example, when the holder stopper 175 is in the intermediate position. The inclined surface 1755 comes into contact with the right end 723 on the downstream side in the direction from the mounting position to the detaching position of the roller cover 72 in the roller holder 71.

[0138] In this way, in the holder stopper 175, the rib 1751a is located at the front end of the upper plate 1751, and the inclined surface 1755 is located at a position different from the hook 1753. By forming the inclined surface 1755 at a position different from the hook 1753, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of the inclined surface 1755 in the holder stopper 175.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0139] 2 Apparatus main body 7 Sheet feeding device 70 Roller frame 71 Roller holder 72 Roller cover 73 Feeding roller 75 Holder stopper 703 Bottom wall 708 Step portion 709 Regulation piece 722 Depression 723 Right end (of the roller cover) 751a, 1751a Rib 753, 1753 Hook 753c Inclined surface 1755 Inclined surface R Rotation axis line θ Angle (formed between the upper plate of the holder stopper and the upper surface of the bottom wall)

Claims

1. A frame, a holder that supports a feeding roller for feeding a sheet, has a mounting position attached to the frame, and is movable with respect to the frame to a detachable position that moves in the axial direction of the feeding roller from the mounting position and is detachable from the frame, a stopper that is movable between a restricting position that restricts the movement of the holder from the mounting position to the detachable position and a permitting position that permits the movement of the holder from the mounting position to the detachable position, comprising, wherein the stopper contacts the downstream side in the detachment direction from the mounting position to the detachable position of the holder, and the sheet feeding device includes an inclined surface that inclines downward from upstream to downstream in the detachment direction with respect to the moving direction of the holder.

2. The stopper includes a hook that can engage with the frame and, by engaging with the frame, fixes the stopper to the frame at the restricting position, The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the hook has the inclined surface.

3. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the stopper projects in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the stopper and includes a rib for moving the stopper in the moving direction of the stopper.

4. The holder includes a cover that holds the feeding roller, The sheet feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the cover of the holder has a recess disposed at a position adjacent to the rib in the moving direction of the holder.

5. The stopper is disposed adjacent to the holder in the axial direction of the feeding roller, The rib is located at the end of the stopper on the holder side in the axial direction of the feeding roller, The sheet feeding device according to claim 4, wherein the recess is located at the end of the holder on the stopper side in the axial direction of the feeding roller.

6. The stopper is disposed adjacent to the holder in the axial direction of the feeding roller, includes a rib that projects in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the stopper and moves the stopper in the moving direction of the stopper, and a hook that can engage with the frame and, by engaging with the frame, fixes the stopper to the frame at the restricting position, The rib is located at the end of the stopper in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the feeding roller, The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is located at a portion different from the hook in the stopper.

7. The stopper is rotatable between the restricted position and the allowable position with a rotation axis in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the feed roller. The angle formed by the stopper located at the allowable position and a horizontal plane extending along the horizontal direction is an acute angle. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 or claim 2. **Claim 8** The frame includes a restricting piece that abuts against the stopper when the stopper moves to the allowable position and restricts the movement of the stopper in the direction from the restricted position to the allowable position. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 or claim 2. **Claim 9** The hook is movable between the allowable position, the restricted position, and an intermediate position where, during the process in which the stopper moves by its own weight from the allowable position toward the restricted position, the hook abuts against the frame and its movement is restricted. The sheet feeding device according to claim 2.

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