Seat support device

Abstract

To provide a seat support device using resin materials to facilitate assembly work and prevent malfunctions where the user accidentally dislodges it after assembly.SOLUTION: In a seat support device 1, contact portions 320 and 420 of exterior covers 300 and 400 are located between support arms 230A, 230B and backup portions 250A, 250B when the exterior covers 300 and 400 are assembled to a second tray member 200. The contact portions 320 and 420 include first parts 321, 421 that face inward in the width direction and can come into contact with the support arms 230A, 230B, and second parts 322, 422 that face outward in the width direction and can come into contact with the backup portions 250A, 250B. When the support arms 230A and 230B elastically deform outward in the width direction, the support arms 230A, 230B come into contact with the first parts 321 and 421.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat support device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional sheet support device. This sheet support device has a sheet support surface formed by a document support unit, a cover unit, and a document support tray. The sheet support surface supports a sheet before it is transported in the transport direction in the image reading device. The sheet support surface extends in the transport direction and a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0003] 5 and 12, the cover portion has a rotation shaft (24c) that protrudes outward in the width direction. The rotation shaft is rotatably supported by the base frame.

[0004] The cover is generally attached to the base frame by temporarily deforming the resin cover to insert the pivot shaft into a recess or hole in the base frame. For this reason, ABS resin (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer resin), which has a relatively high bending strength, is often used. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6940808 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the above-mentioned conventional seat support device, there is a demand for tray members having an assembly configuration such as a cover portion to be easier to assemble and for the problem of them coming off when the user puts their hand on them after assembly to be prevented.

[0007] In this regard, when attempting to reduce material costs by using low-cost HIPS (high impact polystyrene) resin materials for the tray members of the sheet support device, the bending strength of the resin material tends to be weaker. Also, when attempting to contribute to environmental protection by using recycled plastics for the tray members of the sheet support device, the bending strength of the recycled plastics tends to be even weaker.

[0008] When HIPS resin or recycled plastic materials are used as raw materials for tray components, their elastic deformation capacity is smaller than that of ABS resin, so if the tray component is temporarily elastically deformed during assembly in the same way as ABS resin, the tray component is more likely to break. Furthermore, reducing the bending rigidity of the tray component makes it more likely to deform, which can simplify assembly while minimizing damage to the tray component, but it can also make the tray more likely to bend and come loose when the user places their hand on it after assembly.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to provide a seat support device that uses a resin material, which can simplify assembly work and prevent the device from coming off when the user puts their hand on it after assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The sheet support device of the present invention is a sheet support surface that supports a sheet before it is conveyed in a conveyance direction, the sheet support surface extending in the conveyance direction and a width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, a first tray member that is a part of the sheet support surface and that constitutes a first support surface that includes an upstream end of the sheet support surface in the conveying direction; a second tray member that constitutes a second support surface that is at least a part of the remaining portion of the sheet support surface and is adjacent to the first support surface from downstream in the conveying direction, the second tray member having a support portion that is positioned outside the second support surface in the width direction and supports the first tray member; an exterior cover attached to the second tray member to cover the support portion; Equipped with the first tray member and the second tray member are made of a resin material, the first tray member has a side surface that is connected to an outer edge of the first support surface in the width direction and faces outward in the width direction, extending in the conveying direction and in the up-down direction; a recess recessed from the side surface toward the inside in the width direction, the second tray member is a support arm that faces the side surface from the outside in the width direction when the support portion supports the first tray member, and the support arm is elastically deformable in the width direction; a protrusion that protrudes inward in the width direction from the support arm and fits into the recess in a state where the support portion supports the first tray member; a backup portion spaced a predetermined distance outward from the support arm in the width direction, the exterior cover has a contact portion located between the support arm and the backup portion when the exterior cover is attached to the second tray member, the contact portion having a first portion facing inward in the width direction and capable of contacting the support arm, and a second portion facing outward in the width direction and capable of contacting the backup portion, The support arm is configured so that it comes into contact with the first portion when the support arm elastically deforms outward in the width direction.

[0011] In the seat support device of the present invention, when the first tray member, the second tray member, and the outer cover are assembled, when the first tray member is supported on the support portion of the second tray member, the support arm of the second tray member can be temporarily elastically deformed to fit the protrusion of the second tray member into the recess of the first tray member.

[0012] At this time, by reducing the bending rigidity of the support arms of the second tray member to facilitate elastic deformation, it is possible to simplify the assembly work while suppressing damage to the second tray member.

[0013] Then, by assembling the exterior cover to the second tray member, the contact portion of the exterior cover is positioned between the support arm and the backup portion, and the first portion of the contact portion can come into contact with the support arm, and the second portion can come into contact with the backup portion.

[0014] After the first tray member, second tray member, and exterior cover are assembled, when a user places their hand on the first tray member and the support arm elastically deforms outward in the width direction, the support arm comes into contact with the first portion, and the contact portion and backup portion reduce the amount of elastic deformation of the support arm compared to before the exterior cover is assembled. As a result, the protrusion of the second tray member is less likely to come out of the recess of the first tray member.

[0015] Therefore, in a configuration using a resin material, the seat support device of the present invention can simplify assembly work and reduce the problem of the seat coming off when the user touches it after assembly. As a result, this seat support device can reduce material costs by using a low-cost resin material with low bending strength, and can also contribute to environmental protection by using recycled plastic with even lower bending strength. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the image reading device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial top view showing the discharge roller, the first and second elastic pieces, the discharge tray, and the like. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first tray member. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first tray member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second tray member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second tray member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the second tray member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial top view of the second tray member. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial top view of the main part of FIG. 10, showing the relative relationship between the contact portion of the first exterior cover and the support arm and backup portion in front of the second tray member. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial top view of the main part of FIG. 10, showing the relative relationship between the contact part of the second exterior cover and the support arm and backup part at the rear of the second tray member. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line AA in FIGS. 2, 11 and 16. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the cross section BB of FIGS. 2, 12 and 18. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the first exterior cover. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the first exterior cover. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the second exterior cover. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the second exterior cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] (Example) As shown in FIG. 1, an image reading device 1 of the embodiment is an example of a specific aspect of the sheet supporting device of the present invention.

[0019] In Fig. 1, the side of the operation panel 8P of the image reading device 1 is the front. The side to the left when facing the operation panel 8P is the left side. The front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions shown in Fig. 2 and subsequent figures are all shown corresponding to the directions shown in Fig. 1.

[0020] <Overall structure> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image reading device 1 includes a main body 8 and a cover 9. The main body 8 is a flat, roughly box-shaped body. An operation panel 8P, such as a touch panel, is located on the front of the main body 8. The main body 8 houses an image forming unit 5 in its lower portion. The image forming unit 5 forms an image on a sheet by an inkjet method, a laser method, or the like.

[0021] 3, the main body 8 houses in its upper portion the image reading unit 3. The image reading unit 3 has a document support surface 3A, a reading surface 3B, a reading sensor 3S, and a scanning mechanism (not shown).

[0022] The document support surface 3A is the upper surface of a large-area platen glass located on the upper surface of the main body 8. The reading surface 3B is the upper surface of a platen glass that is located to the left of the document support surface 3A on the upper surface of the main body 8 and extends in an elongated shape in the front-to-rear direction.

[0023] The document support surface 3A supports a document to be read. The document to be read may be paper, a sheet such as an OHP sheet, a book, etc. The reading surface 3B is used when the transport unit 4, which will be described later, is in operation.

[0024] The reading sensor 3S is a well-known image reading sensor such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and is elongated in the front-to-rear direction. The reading sensor 3S is located below the document support surface 3A and the reading surface 3B.

[0025] When the image reading unit 3 reads an image of a document supported on the document support surface 3A, the reading sensor 3S moves from below the left edge of the document support surface 3A to the right, i.e., in the sub-scanning direction, by operation of a scanning mechanism (not shown), and reads the image of the document in a line in the front-to-back direction, i.e., in the main scanning direction. When the reading sensor 3S moves to below the right edge of the document support surface 3A, it finishes reading the image and returns to its standby position by operation of a scanning mechanism (not shown).

[0026] When the transport unit 4, which will be described later, is operated, the reading sensor 3S moves to a stationary reading position below the reading surface 3B and remains stationary by the operation of a scanning mechanism (not shown).

[0027] 1, the cover 9 is located above the main body 8. The rear end of the cover 9 is connected to the rear end of the main body 8 via a hinge (not shown). The cover 9 is swingable around a swing axis X9 extending in the left-right direction.

[0028] 3, the cover 9 has a base member 39. The lower surface of the base member 39 forms the bottom surface of the cover 9. The bottom surface of the cover 9 has a size that allows it to cover the document support surface 3A and the reading surface 3B, and is capable of covering the document placed on the document support surface 3A.

[0029] The base member 39 is an integrally molded product made of a resin material. In this embodiment, the base member 39 is manufactured by injection molding or the like of a thermoplastic resin (for example, HIPS or recycled plastic).

[0030] Although not shown in the drawings, when the user swings the cover 9 upward and backward around the swing axis X9, the cover 9 opens the document support surface 3A. In this state, the user can place a document on the document support surface 3A and remove the document.

[0031] 1 to 3, the cover 9 has a supply tray 90 and a discharge tray 96. The supply tray 90 and the discharge tray 96 are located on the right side of the cover 9.

[0032] 3 and 4, the upper surface of the right portion of the base member 39 forms a discharge tray 96. The discharge tray 96 supports sheets SH that are conveyed and discharged by the conveying section 4, which will be described later.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the supply tray 90 is located above the discharge tray 96. The supply tray 90 forms a sheet support surface 91. The sheet support surface 91 supports the sheets SH in a stacked state before they are conveyed in the conveying direction DT1.

[0034] The conveying direction DT1 is a direction moving substantially horizontally to the left. The sheet support surface 91 extends in the conveying direction DT1 and a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction DT1, i.e., a front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, one of the width directions is the front, and the other is the rear.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an upstream end 91U of the sheet support surface 91 in the conveying direction DT1 is located between the right side surface of the cover 9 and the center in the left-right direction.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, a downstream end 91D of the sheet support surface 91 in the conveying direction DT1 is located between the left side surface of the cover 9 and the center in the left-right direction.

[0037] The cover 9 includes a first tray member 100 and a second tray member 200 .

[0038] 1 and 3, the first tray member 100 has an upper surface that forms a first support surface 101. The first support surface 101 is a part of the sheet support surface 91, and includes the upstream end 91U of the sheet support surface 91.

[0039] 5 and 6, the first support surface 101 extends substantially horizontally to the left from the upstream end 91U of the sheet support surface 91, and then slopes gently downward to the left. The specific configuration of the first tray member 100 will be described in detail later.

[0040] 3, the upper surface of the second tray member 200 forms a second support surface 201. The second support surface 201 is a part of the remaining portion of the sheet support surface 91 excluding the first support surface 101, and is adjacent to the first support surface 101 from the downstream side in the conveying direction DT1.

[0041] 7, the second support surface 201 is gently inclined downward to the left, similar to the first support surface 101. As shown in Fig. 3, the downstream end of the second support surface 201 in the conveying direction DT1 is spaced upstream in the conveying direction DT1 from the downstream end 91D of the sheet support surface 91. The specific configuration of the second tray member 200 will be described in detail later.

[0042] The first tray member 100 and the second tray member 200 are each an integrally molded product made of a resin material. In this embodiment, the first tray member 100 and the second tray member 200 are each manufactured by injection molding or the like of a thermoplastic resin (e.g., HIPS or recycled plastic).

[0043] 3 and 4, the remaining portion of the sheet support surface 91 excluding the first support surface 101 and the second support surface 201, including the downstream end 91D of the sheet support surface 91, is the third support surface 34A. The third support surface 34A is formed by the upper surface of the right portion of the upper chute 34.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the upper chute 34 has the third support surface 34A adjacent to the second support surface 201 downstream in the conveying direction DT1, and as shown in FIG. 4, its front and rear ends are fixed to the base member 39.

[0045] In this embodiment, the object whose image is read using the document support surface 3A is referred to as a document, and the object whose image is read while being supported on the sheet support surface 91 of the supply tray 90 and transported by the transport unit 4 is referred to as a sheet SH. The document and the sheet SH may be substantially the same thing.

[0046] 1 and 2, the supply tray 90 has side guides 92A and 92B. The side guides 92A and 92B are arranged on the sheet support surface 91 and are slidable in the front-to-rear direction. The side guides 92A and 92B slide toward and away from each other to position sheets SH of various sizes supported on the sheet support surface 91 in the front-to-rear direction (width direction). In this embodiment, the sheets SH to be scanned include postcards and A5 to A4 size paper.

[0047] 3, the cover 9 has a conveying section 4, a first conveying guide 35, a second conveying guide 36, a lower sheet guide 31, and an upper sheet guide 32. The conveying section 4, the first conveying guide 35, the second conveying guide 36, the lower sheet guide 31, and the upper sheet guide 32 are located inside the left portion of the cover 9.

[0048] The conveying unit 4 includes a feed roller 41, a separation roller 42, a separation pad 42A, a first conveying roller pair 43, and a pressing member 44. The conveying unit 4 also includes a second conveying roller pair 45 and a discharge roller 47 shown in FIGS.

[0049] 3, the feed roller 41 is positioned to face the third support surface 34A from above. That is, the feed roller 41 is positioned so as to be able to come into contact with the sheet SH supported on the sheet support surface 91 from above.

[0050] The separation roller 42 and separation pad 42A are located downstream in the conveying direction DT1, i.e., to the left, of the feed roller 41. The first conveying roller pair 43 is located on the left side wall side of the cover 9, close to the top surface of the main body 8. The pressing member 44 is located directly above the reading surface 3B.

[0051] The first conveying guide 35 consists of the upper surface of the left part of the upper chute 34 located downstream of the third support surface 34A in the conveying direction DT1, and a rib protruding downward from the back surface of the left end upper cover 98.

[0052] The first conveying guide 35 guides the sheet SH supported on the sheet supporting surface 91 to the first conveying roller pair 43.

[0053] The second conveying guide 36 is made up of a part of a chute member located below the upper chute 34 inside the cover 9, a guide surface formed inside the left side surface of the cover 9, and the like.

[0054] The second conveying guide 36 guides the sheet SH from the first conveying roller pair 43 to the reading surface 3B at an incline downward, and then guides the sheet SH to pass between the pressing member 44 and the reading surface 3B, i.e., above the reading sensor 3S in the stationary reading position.

[0055] <Lower sheet guide and upper sheet guide> The lower sheet guide 31 is formed on the left portion of the base member 39. The lower sheet guide 31 has a first guide surface 31G. The first guide surface 31G is an upwardly inclined surface that extends from a position to the right of the reading surface 3B, sloping upward to the right, and also extending in the front-to-rear direction. The first guide surface 31G guides the downward surface of the sheet SH that has passed above the reading sensor 3S in the stationary reading position.

[0056] The upper sheet guide 32 is positioned higher than the lower sheet guide 31. The upper sheet guide 32 has a second guide surface 32G. The second guide surface 32G faces the first guide surface 31G of the lower sheet guide 31 from above. The second guide surface 32G is a downward-facing inclined surface that extends from a position to the right of the reading surface 3B, sloping upward to the right, and also extending in the front-to-rear direction. The second guide surface 32G guides the upward-facing surface of the sheet SH that has passed above the reading sensor 3S.

[0057] A discharge path P1 is provided between the first guide surface 31G of the lower sheet guide 31 and the second guide surface 32G of the upper sheet guide 32 to discharge the sheet SH toward the discharge tray 96. The first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G guide the sheet SH that has passed above the reading sensor 3S along the discharge path P1.

[0058] The lower sheet guide 31 has a shaft accommodating portion 31D. The shaft accommodating portion 31D is a groove that is recessed downward near the right end of the first guide surface 31G and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The first guide surface 31G extends a short distance to the right of the shaft accommodating portion 31D in a substantially horizontal and rightward direction, then curves downward to reach the right end.

[0059] The sheet SH guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G is guided in a discharge direction DE1 at the right end portion of the first guide surface 31G. The discharge direction DE1 is a direction in which the sheet advances substantially horizontally to the right.

[0060] <Drive motor and drive frame> 4, the conveying unit 4 has a drive motor M1 and a drive frame 99. The drive motor M1 and the drive frame 99 are housed in the left portion of the rear end of the cover 9. The drive motor M1 and the drive frame 99 are located on the other side in the width direction of the first guide surface 31G of the lower sheet guide 31 and the second guide surface 32G of the upper sheet guide 32, i.e., on the other side in the width direction of the discharge path P1.

[0061] The drive motor M1 generates a drive force that is transmitted to the feed roller 41, the separation roller 42, the first conveying roller pair 43, the second conveying roller pair 45, and the discharge roller 47.

[0062] The drive frame 99 is made by stamping and bending a steel plate, etc. The drive frame 99 supports the drive motor M1 and also supports a transmission mechanism made up of a plurality of gears and the like.

[0063] <Second conveying roller pair> 3, the second conveying roller pair 45 is located along the discharge path P1 and upstream in the discharge direction DE1 from the discharge roller 47. The second conveying roller pair 45 includes a drive shaft 45S, two drive rollers 45A, and a driven roller 45B.

[0064] The drive shaft 45S extends in the width direction and is located above the second guide surface 32G of the upper sheet guide 32. As shown in Fig. 4, the drive rollers 45A are fixed to the drive shaft 45S at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction.

[0065] A first gear 21 is fixed to one end of the drive shaft 45S in the width direction. The first gear 21 is located on one side of the width direction from the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G, i.e., on one side of the width direction from the discharge path P1.

[0066] The drive frame 99 rotatably supports the other widthwise end of the drive shaft 45S. The drive force transmitted from the drive motor M1 to the second conveying roller pair 45 and the discharge roller 47 is first transmitted to the drive shaft 45S. The drive rollers 45A and the first gear 21 rotate integrally with the drive shaft 45S.

[0067] 3, the driven roller 45B faces the drive roller 45A and is located on the first guide surface 31G side of the lower sheet guide 31. The biasing spring 45C presses the driven roller 45B toward the drive roller 45A.

[0068] The second conveying roller pair 45 conveys the sheet SH guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G toward the discharge rollers 47.

[0069] <Discharge roller> The discharge roller 47 has a shaft 49 and two rollers 48. The shaft 49 is housed in the shaft housing portion 31D of the lower sheet guide 31, and is positioned below the first guide surface 31G and extends in the width direction.

[0070] 4, the rollers 48 are fixed to a shaft 49 at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The rollers 48 are made of rubber, and in this embodiment, are made of ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM).

[0071] The outer peripheral surface 48A of each roller 48 is a cylindrical surface that extends without steps or irregularities in the width direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the upper end side of the outer peripheral surface 48A of each roller 48 protrudes above the first guide surface 31G.

[0072] 4, a second gear 22 is fixed to one end in the width direction of the shaft 49. The second gear 22 is located on one side in the width direction from the discharge path P1, and is in mesh with the first gear 21.

[0073] The driving force of the drive motor M1 is transmitted to the shaft 49 via the drive shaft 45S, the first gear 21, and the second gear 22. Each roller 48 rotates integrally with the second gear 22 and the shaft 49.

[0074] Each roller 48 conveys the sheet SH guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G in the discharge direction DE1 and discharges the sheet SH onto the discharge tray 96. The vertical position of each roller 48 is higher than the position of the driven roller 45B, and therefore the amount of sheets SH that can be loaded onto the discharge tray 96 increases accordingly.

[0075] <First elastic piece holding portion> The upper sheet guide 32 has a first elastic piece holding portion 32R1. The first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 is located between the drive roller 45A and roller 48 located on one side in the width direction and the drive roller 45A and roller 48 located on the other side in the width direction.

[0076] 3, the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 is located downstream and above the drive shaft 45S in the discharge direction DE1. The first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 is an upward-facing flat surface that gently slopes downward to the right along the discharge direction DE1.

[0077] <Second elastic piece holding portion> 4, the upper sheet guide 32 has two second elastic piece holding portions 32R2. The second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 located on one side in the width direction is located on one side of the width direction relative to the drive roller 45A and roller 48 located on one side in the width direction. The second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 located on the other side in the width direction is located on the other side in the width direction relative to the drive roller 45A and roller 48 located on the other side in the width direction.

[0078] When viewed along the width direction, each second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 overlaps with the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 shown in Fig. 3. In other words, each second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 is also located downstream and above the drive shaft 45S in the discharge direction DE1. The first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 is also an upward-facing flat surface that gently slopes downward to the right in the discharge direction DE1.

[0079] <Third elastic piece holding portion> 3 and 8, the second tray member 200 has two third elastic piece holding portions 200R3. Each third elastic piece holding portion 200R3 is integrally formed on the rear surface side of the second tray member 200.

[0080] 8, the third elastic piece holding portion 200R3 located on one side in the width direction is one surface of a convex portion that protrudes downward and is located near one end in the width direction on the back surface side of the second tray member 200. The third elastic piece holding portion 200R3 located on the other side in the width direction is one surface of a convex portion that protrudes downward and is located near the other end in the width direction on the back surface side of the second tray member 200.

[0081] 3, each third elastic piece holding portion 200R3 is located above and away from the shaft 49. Each third elastic piece holding portion 200R3 has a downward-facing flat surface that is inclined downward to the right so as to intersect with the discharge direction DE1 at a large angle.

[0082] <First elastic piece, second elastic piece, and third elastic piece> The conveying section 4 has one first elastic piece 61 shown in Figures 3 and 4, two second elastic pieces 62 shown in Figure 4, and two third elastic pieces 63 shown in Figure 4.

[0083] Figure 3 shows only the third elastic piece 63, which is located on the other side of the width direction from the first elastic piece 61, but the other third elastic piece 63 is located on one side of the width direction from the first elastic piece 61, i.e., closer to the front of the paper than the first elastic piece 61.

[0084] The first elastic piece 61, each of the second elastic pieces 62, and each of the third elastic pieces 63 are plate-shaped pieces made of a resin film.

[0085] The first elastic piece 61, each of the second elastic pieces 62, and each of the third elastic pieces 63 are manufactured by cutting them into a substantially rectangular shape from, for example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film, etc. The first elastic piece 61, each of the second elastic pieces 62, and each of the third elastic pieces 63 have a thickness that allows them to exert a degree of rigidity that prevents them from bending when they come into contact with the sheet SH, and in this embodiment, they are made of a PET film having a thickness of approximately 25 μm.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 4, the upstream end of the first elastic piece 61 in the discharge direction DE1 is attached to the first elastic piece holding portion 32R1 with double-sided tape. The upstream end of each second elastic piece 62 in the first direction DF1 is attached to the corresponding second elastic piece holding portion 32R2 with double-sided tape. As shown in Fig. 3, the upper root portion of each third elastic piece 63 is attached to the corresponding third elastic piece holding portion 200R3 with double-sided tape.

[0087] <Image reading operation of a sheet supported on a sheet support surface> In the image reading device 1, when the image reading unit 3 reads an image of a sheet SH supported on the sheet support surface 91, the feed roller 41, separation roller 42 and separation pad 42A of the conveying unit 4 convey the sheets SH supported on the sheet support surface 91 one by one.

[0088] Next, the first conveying roller pair 43 conveys the sheet SH guided by the first conveying guide 35 and the second conveying guide 36, and passes it over the reading sensor 3S located at the stationary reading position. As a result, the reading sensor 3S reads the image on the sheet SH.

[0089] Thereafter, the second conveying roller pair 45 conveys the sheet SH guided by the first guide surface 31G and the second guide surface 32G toward the discharge roller 47. The roller 48, the first elastic piece 61, and the second elastic pieces 62 of the discharge roller 47 convey the sheet SH in the discharge direction DE1 and discharge it onto the discharge tray 96.

[0090] Here, the first elastic piece 61 and each second elastic piece 62 deform the sheet SH discharged by the discharge roller 47 into a wavy shape when viewed along the discharge direction DE1, thereby increasing the rigidity of the sheet SH, and press the sheet SH against the outer peripheral surface 48A of the roller 48.

[0091] As a result, the discharge roller 47, the first elastic piece 61 and each second elastic piece 62 can increase the amount of sheets SH that can be loaded compared to if only the second conveying roller pair 45 were provided, and the sheets SH can be discharged with high reliability, while the posture of the sheets SH when discharged can be stabilized.

[0092] Then, each third elastic piece 63 presses the discharged sheet SH toward the discharge tray 96, and drops the sheet SH onto the discharge tray 96 while suppressing the sheet SH from curling into a cylindrical shape that is convex downward.

[0093] Furthermore, as the number of sheets SH supported on the discharge tray 96 increases, the tip of the third elastic piece 63 comes into contact with the topmost sheet SH supported on the discharge tray 96, causing the third elastic piece 63 to rise, but the first elastic piece 61 and each second elastic piece 62 press the sheet SH against the outer peripheral surface 48A of the roller 48 without coming into contact with the topmost sheet SH supported on the discharge tray 96.

[0094] As a result, the image reading apparatus 1 can prevent the stacking order of the sheets SH discharged onto the discharge tray 96 from being changed and the sheets SH from being jammed.

[0095] <Details of the first tray component> As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the first tray member 100, the first support surface 101 has outer edges 101A and 101B in the width direction.

[0096] The front edge 101A of the first support surface 101 is the front edge of the portion of the first support surface 101 that slopes gently downward to the left.

[0097] The rear edge 101B of the first support surface 101 is made up of a rear edge 101B2 that extends approximately horizontally to the left from the upstream end 91U of the sheet support surface 91 on the first support surface 101, and a rear edge 101B1 that slopes gently downward to the left.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 5, the first tray member 100 has a side surface 102A, a recess 120A, and a pivot shaft 110A. As shown in Fig. 6, the first tray member 100 has a side surface 102B, a recess 120B, and a pivot shaft 110B.

[0099] 5, the upper edge of the front side surface 102A is connected to the front edge 101A of the first support surface 101. The side surface 102A faces outward in the width direction, that is, faces forward, and extends in the conveying direction DT1 and the up-down direction.

[0100] A lower edge 102A1 of the side surface 102A extends in the left-right direction at a position spaced downward from the front edge 101A of the first support surface 101.

[0101] 6, the upper edge of the rear side surface 102B is connected to the rear edge 101B of the first support surface 101. The side surface 102B faces outward in the width direction, i.e., rearward, and extends in the conveying direction DT1 and the up-down direction. The side surface 102B extends to the upstream end 91U of the sheet support surface 91.

[0102] The lower edges 102B1 and 102B2 of the side surface 102B extend in the left-right direction at positions spaced downward from the rear edge 101B of the first support surface 101. The lower edge 102B1 of the side surface 102B is located downward from the rear edge 101B1 of the rear edge 101B. The lower edge 102B2 of the side surface 102B is located downward from the rear edge 101B2 of the rear edge 101B and is located higher than the lower edge 102B1.

[0103] 5, the front recess 120A is shallowly recessed from the front side surface 102A of the first tray member 100 toward the inside in the width direction, i.e., toward the rear. The upper edge of the recess 120A extends in the left-right direction along the front edge 101A of the first support surface 101 at a position slightly downward from the edge 101A.

[0104] The recess 120A has an abutment portion 122A. The abutment portion 122A is an inner wall surface located on the lower edge of the recess 120A. The abutment portion 122A is an upward-facing flat surface that extends in the left-right direction along the lower edge 102A1 of the side surface 102A at a position slightly above the lower edge 102A1.

[0105] 6, the rear recess 120B is shallowly recessed from the rear side surface 102B of the first tray member 100 toward the inside in the width direction, i.e., toward the front. The upper edge of the recess 120B extends in the left-right direction along the rear edge 101B (rear edge 101B1) of the first support surface 101 at a position slightly downward from the edge 101B (rear edge 101B1).

[0106] The recess 120B has an abutment portion 122B. The abutment portion 122B is an inner wall surface located on the lower edge of the recess 120B. The abutment portion 122B is an upward-facing flat surface that extends in the left-right direction along the lower edge 102B1 of the side surface 102B at a position slightly above the lower edge 102B1.

[0107] 5, the front rotation shaft 110A is located on the left end of the front side surface 102A, and protrudes outward in the width direction, i.e., forward, in a cylindrical shape from a position spaced to the left of the front recess 120A. In other words, the rotation shaft 110A is located downstream of the recess 120A in the conveying direction DT1.

[0108] The rotation shaft 110A is centered on a rotation axis X100 that extends in the left-right direction. The rotation shaft 110A has a small piece 110A1 that protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the tip of the rotation shaft 110A.

[0109] 6, the rear pivot shaft 110B protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the left end of the rear side surface 102B, away from the rear recess 120B to the left, outward in the width direction, i.e., toward the rear. In other words, the pivot shaft 110B is located downstream of the recess 120B in the conveying direction DT1.

[0110] The rotation shaft 110B also has a rotation axis X100 extending in the left-right direction as its center. The rotation shaft 110B has an inclined surface 110B1 formed by cutting out a part of the outer periphery of its tip.

[0111] 5, the first tray member 100 has a second tray member support portion 105 at a position midway between the rotation shaft 110A and the rotation shaft 110B. The second tray member support portion 105 is a plate-like piece that protrudes leftward at a position spaced downward from the left edge of the first support surface 101 and extends in the front-to-rear direction.

[0112] As shown in Fig. 6, the first tray member 100 has a supported recess 109. The supported recess 109 is located on the rear side surface 102B near the upstream end 91U of the sheet support surface 91. The supported recess 109 is recessed upward and forward from the lower edge 102B2 of the side surface 102B. The inner wall surface located on the upper edge of the supported recess 109 is a downward-facing flat surface extending in the left-right direction.

[0113] <Details of the second tray component> As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the second tray member 200 has support portions 210A and 210B.

[0114] The front support portion 210A has a flat portion that is located widthwise outside, i.e., forward of, the second support surface 201 and extends in the left-right and up-down directions, and a plurality of ribs and plate-like pieces connected to the flat portion.

[0115] The rear support portion 210B has a flat portion located outside the second support surface 201 in the width direction, i.e., rearward, and extending in the left-right and up-down directions, and a plurality of ribs and plate-like pieces connected to the flat portion.

[0116] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the front support portion 210A has screw insertion holes 210A1 and 210A2 and a positioning hole 210A3.

[0117] The screw insertion hole 210A1 and the positioning hole 210A3 are located on the right end side of the support portion 210A and penetrate in the vertical direction through a plate-like piece located below and to the right of the second support surface 201. The screw insertion hole 210A1 is a round hole. The positioning hole 210A3 is an oblong hole that is long in the front-rear direction.

[0118] The screw insertion hole 210A2 is a round hole that is located on the left end side of the support portion 210A and passes through a plate-like piece that is located away from the second support surface 201 to the left in the vertical direction.

[0119] The rear support portion 210B has a screw insertion hole 210B1 and a positioning hole 210B3.

[0120] The screw insertion hole 210B1 and the positioning hole 210B3 are located on the right end side of the support portion 210B and penetrate in the vertical direction through a plate-like piece located below and to the right of the second support surface 201. The screw insertion hole 210B1 is a round hole. The positioning hole 210B3 is an oblong hole that is long in the front-rear direction.

[0121] 8, the second tray member 200 has a boss 200B. The boss 200B is located on the left edge and front edge of the back surface of the second tray member 200, facing away from the second support surface 201, and protrudes downward. The boss 200B is substantially T-shaped when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0122] 4, screw holes 39A1 and 39A2 and a positioning protrusion 39A3 are formed in the front end of the base member 39. A screw hole 39B1 and a positioning protrusion 39B3 are formed in the rear end of the base member 39. A boss receiving portion 32B is recessed in the upper sheet guide 32.

[0123] The second tray member 200 is fixed to the base member 39 by inserting three screws (not shown) into the screw insertion holes 210A1, 210A2, and 210B1 of the second tray member 200 and screwing them into the screw holes 39A1, 39A2, and screw hole 39B1 of the base member 39.

[0124] At this time, the positioning protrusions 39A3, 39B3 of the base member 39 fit into the positioning holes 210A3, 210B3 of the second tray member 200, so that the position of the second tray member 200 relative to the base member 39 in the left-right direction is determined with high precision.

[0125] Furthermore, the boss 200B of the second tray member 200 fits into the boss receiving portion 32B of the upper sheet guide 32, thereby accurately determining the front-rear position of the second tray member 200 relative to the upper sheet guide 32 and the base member 39. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet SH, which is positioned in the front-rear direction by the side guides 92A and 92B, from being displaced in the front-rear direction relative to the reading sensor 3S at the stationary reading position.

[0126] <Axis hole of second tray component> As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the second tray member 200 has a shaft hole 211A. The shaft hole 211A is recessed in a portion of the front support portion 210A that is located to the right of the second support surface 201. The shaft hole 211A is a circular hole centered on the rotation axis X100. The front rotation axis 110A of the first tray member 100 can be inserted into the shaft hole 211A.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 7, the shaft hole 211A is formed with a notch 211A1 recessed toward the right, allowing the small piece 110A1 of the rotating shaft 110A to pass through.

[0128] 9, the second tray member 200 has a shaft hole 211B. The shaft hole 211B is recessed in a portion of the rear support portion 210B that is located to the right of the second support surface 201. The shaft hole 211B is also a circular hole centered on the rotation axis X100. The rear rotation axis 110B of the first tray member 100 can be inserted into the shaft hole 211B.

[0129] 7, 9, and 10, the second tray member 200 has, on the front support portion 210A side, a support arm 230A, a protrusion 220A, a backup portion 250A, and a restricting portion 240A. The second tray member 200 has, on the rear support portion 210B side, a support arm 230B, a protrusion 220B, a backup portion 250B, and a restricting portion 240B.

[0130] <Support arm for second tray member> Front support arm 230A extends rightward from a portion of front support part 210A that is located to the right of shaft hole 211A and also extends vertically. Support arm 230A has a free end at its upper right corner, and is elastically deformable in the width direction, i.e., the front-to-rear direction.

[0131] 9 and 10, the support arm 230A has a first contact surface 231A. The first contact surface 231A is a surface located on the upper right corner side of the front surface of the support arm 230A.

[0132] Rear support arm 230B extends upward from a portion of rear support part 210B that is located to the right and below shaft hole 211B and also extends in the left-right direction. Support arm 230B has a free upper end and is elastically deformable in the width direction, i.e., the front-rear direction.

[0133] 7 and 10, the support arm 230B has a first contact surface 231B. The first contact surface 231B is a surface located on the upper end side of the rear surface of the support arm 230B.

[0134] <Protrusion of second tray component> 7, the front protrusion 220A is located at the upper right corner of the front support arm 230A. The protrusion 220A protrudes inward in the width direction, that is, toward the rear, from the support arm 230A.

[0135] The protrusion 220A is substantially U-shaped when viewed in the width direction. The upper portion of the protrusion 220A is inclined so that the length of the protrusion that protrudes rearward becomes shorter as it approaches the upper end of the protrusion 220A.

[0136] 9, the rear projection 220B is located on the upper end side of the rear support arm 230B. The projection 220B projects inward in the width direction, that is, forward, from the support arm 230B.

[0137] The protrusion 220B also has a substantially U-shape when viewed in the width direction. The upper portion of the protrusion 220B is inclined so that the length that protrudes forward becomes shorter as it approaches the upper end of the protrusion 220B.

[0138] <Backup part for second tray component> 9 and 10, the front backup section 250A is a rib-shaped member that protrudes rearward from a flat plate portion that extends parallel to the front support arm 230A at a position spaced forward from the front support arm 230A. The backup section 250A is inclined to the right as it extends downward.

[0139] The backup part 250A has a second contact surface 252A. The second contact surface 252A is the leading edge of the rib shape of the backup part 250A. As shown in Fig. 10, the second contact surface 252A is spaced a predetermined distance PD1 outward in the width direction, i.e., forward, from the first contact surface 231A of the front support arm 230A.

[0140] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the rear backup portion 250B is a flat plate portion that extends parallel to the rear support arm 230B at a position spaced rearward from the rear support arm 230B.

[0141] The backup part 250B has a second contact surface 252B. The second contact surface 252B is the front surface of the backup part 250. As shown in Fig. 10, the second contact surface 252B is spaced a predetermined distance PD2 outward in the width direction, i.e., rearward, from the first contact surface 231B of the rear support arm 230B.

[0142] <Regulating portion of second tray member> 8 and 10, the front restricting portion 240A is a small piece that is located outward in the width direction from the front support arm 230A, i.e., forward, and extends parallel to the support arm 230A. The right end of the restricting portion 240A and the right end of the support arm 230A are connected by a small piece that extends in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0143] The rear restricting portion 240B is a small piece that is located outside the rear support arm 230B in the width direction, i.e., rearward, and extends parallel to the support arm 230B. The right end of the restricting portion 240B and the right end of the support arm 230B are connected by a small piece that extends in the front-to-rear and up-down directions.

[0144] <Assembly of the first tray member to the second tray member> The first tray member 100 is assembled to the second tray member 200 as follows.

[0145] First, the posture of the first tray member 100 shown in Figure 5 is changed so that the upstream end 91U of the sheet support surface 91 is positioned directly above the rotation axis X100, and the rear rotation axis 100B is lower than the front rotation axis 100A.

[0146] Next, the rotating shaft 110B is inserted deeply into the shaft hole 211B at the rear of the second tray member 200 using the inclined surface 110B1.

[0147] Next, the rotating shaft 100A is lowered to the same height as the rotating shaft 100B, and the first tray member 100 is shifted forward, thereby inserting the rotating shaft 110A into the shaft hole 211A at the front of the second tray member 200. At this time, the small piece 110A passes through the notch 211A1.

[0148] 3, the small piece 110A is displaced from the notch 211A1, and the rotation shaft 110A is prevented from coming off from the shaft hole 211A. As a result, the rotation shaft 110A is inserted into the shaft hole 211A, and the rotation shaft 110B is inserted into the shaft hole 211B, and the support portions 210A and 210B support the first tray member 100.

[0149] At this time, although not shown in the figures, lower edges 102A1 and 102B1 of side surfaces 102A and 102B of first tray member 100 come into sliding contact with the inclined upper portions of protrusions 220A and 220B. This causes support arms 230A and 230B to elastically deform outward in the width direction, and after protrusions 220A and 220B allow first tray member 100 to swing, the elastic deformation of support arms 230A and 230B is released, and protrusion 220A fits into recess 120A as shown in FIG. 11, and protrusion 220B fits into recess 120B as shown in FIG. 12.

[0150] The first tray member 100 is rotatable about a rotation axis X100 and is movable between an upper limit position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 and a lower limit position indicated by a solid line in FIG.

[0151] Although not shown, the contact portion 122A of the recess 120A contacts the protrusion 220A from below when the first tray member 100 moves to the upper limit position indicated by the two-dot chain line in Figure 3. The contact portion 122B of the recess 120B contacts the protrusion 220B from below when the first tray member 100 moves to the upper limit position. As a result, the first tray member 100 is restricted from rotating beyond the upper limit position.

[0152] When the first tray member 100 is swung to the lower limit position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, the first support surface 101 of the first tray member 100 forms the sheet support surface 91 together with the second support surface 201 and the third support surface 34A.

[0153] In this state, the second tray member support portion 105 of the first tray member 100 supports the upstream end of the second support surface 201 of the second tray member 200 in the conveying direction DT1 from below, thereby reinforcing the second tray member 200.

[0154] If a sheet SH becomes jammed on its way from the discharge path P1 to the discharge tray 96, the user can remove the jammed sheet SH by swinging the first tray member 100 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 3.

[0155] At this time, since the second tray member 200 is fixed, it is difficult for the user to reach the first elastic piece 61, each second elastic piece 62, and each third elastic piece 63, thereby preventing the first elastic piece 61, each second elastic piece 62, and each third elastic piece 63 from being deformed.

[0156] As shown in Figures 11 and 13, the front support arm 230A faces the front side surface 102A of the first tray member 100 from the outside in the width direction, i.e., from the front, when the front support portion 210A supports the first tray member 100.

[0157] As shown in Figures 12 and 14, the rear support arm 230B faces the rear side surface 102B of the first tray member 100 from the outside in the width direction, i.e., from the rear, in a state in which the rear support portion 210B supports the first tray member 100.

[0158] <First exterior cover and second exterior cover> 1 and 2, the cover 9 includes a first exterior cover 300 and a second exterior cover 400. The first exterior cover 300 and the second exterior cover 400 are examples of the "exterior cover" in the present invention.

[0159] The first exterior cover 300 covers the front end of the base member 39, the front support portion 210A of the second tray member 200, etc. The left portion of the first exterior cover 300 is covered by the front end of the left end top cover 98.

[0160] A stepped portion 300A, with the upper portion protruding further forward than the lower portion, is formed on the front surface of the first exterior cover 300. A user can open or close the cover 9 by placing their hand on the stepped portion 300A.

[0161] The second exterior cover 400 covers the rear end of the base member 39, the rear support portion 210B of the second tray member 200, etc. The left portion of the second exterior cover 400 is covered by the rear end of the left end top cover 98.

[0162] The first exterior cover 300 and the second exterior cover 400 are each an integrally molded product made of a resin material. In this embodiment, the first exterior cover 300 and the second exterior cover 400 are each manufactured by injection molding or the like of a thermoplastic resin (for example, HIPS or recycled plastic).

[0163] <Details of the first exterior cover> As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the first exterior cover 300 has an upper wall 301. As shown in Figure 16, the first exterior cover 300 has a contact portion 320 formed on the back surface of the upper wall 301.

[0164] Contact portion 320 is a rib that protrudes from the rear surface of upper wall 301. Contact portion 320 is located near the right rear corner of the rear surface of upper wall 301 and protrudes downward. As shown in FIG. 13 , contact portion 320 is substantially L-shaped when viewed in the left-right direction.

[0165] 13 and 16, the contact portion 320 has a first portion 321 and a second portion 322. The first portion 321 is the surface facing inward in the width direction of the contact portion 320, i.e., facing rearward. The second portion 322 is the surface facing outward in the width direction of the contact portion 320, i.e., facing forward.

[0166] As shown in FIG. 16, the thickness T1 in the width direction from the first portion 321 to the second portion 322 of the contact portion 320 is equal to the predetermined distance PD1.

[0167] The first exterior cover 300 has engaging protrusions 311 and 312 formed on the rear surface of the upper wall 301 .

[0168] The engaging protrusion 311 is rectangular when viewed in the up-down direction, and is located at the middle in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the upper wall 301, protruding slightly downward.

[0169] The engaging protrusion 312 is a rib that protrudes from the back surface of the first exterior cover 300. The engaging protrusion 312 protrudes downward from a position between the left end of the back surface of the upper wall 301 and the engaging protrusion 311, and from a position close to the rear edge of the back surface of the upper wall 301.

[0170] The first exterior cover 300 has a bottom wall 302, and screw holes 302H1 and 302H2 are formed in the left and right portions of the bottom wall 302. A circular positioning hole 302H3 is formed to the left of the screw hole 302H1 in the bottom wall 302. Furthermore, a positioning hole 302H4, which is an oblong hole that is long in the left-right direction, is formed to the right of the screw hole 302H2 in the bottom wall 302.

[0171] 4, screws 39F1 and 39F2 are inserted from below into the front end of base member 39. A positioning protrusion 39F3 that is generally "+" shaped when viewed in the up-down direction is formed to the left of left screw 39F1 at the front end of base member 39. A positioning protrusion 39F4 that is generally cylindrical is formed to the right of right screw 39F1 at the front end of base member 39.

[0172] The first exterior cover 300 moves downward in the vertical direction when it is attached to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39. The first exterior cover 300 is attached to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, and the screws 39F1 and 39F2 are screwed into the screw holes 302H1 and 302H2 of the first exterior cover 300, thereby fixing the first exterior cover 300 to the base member 39. At this time, the positioning holes 302H3 and 302H4 are fitted into the positioning protrusions 39F3 and 39F4, thereby positioning the first exterior cover 300 relative to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39 in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions.

[0173] 11, when the first exterior cover 300 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the engaging protrusion 311 of the first exterior cover 300 engages with a rectangular hole 210A5 recessed in the front support portion 210A of the second tray member 200. This makes it difficult for the upper wall 301 of the first exterior cover 300 to shift position relative to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0174] 4, an engagement gap 34S is formed at the front end of the upper chute 34. Although not shown, when the first exterior cover 300 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the engagement protrusion 312 of the first exterior cover 300 engages with the engagement gap 34S. This makes it difficult for the upper wall 301 of the first exterior cover 300 to shift position relative to the upper chute 34 and the base member 39 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0175] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, when the first exterior cover 300 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the contact portion 320 is located between the support arm 230A and the backup portion 250A.

[0176] In this state, the first contact surface 231A of the support arm 230A can come into contact with the first portion 321 of the contact portion 320. The second contact surface 252A of the backup portion 250A can come into contact with the second portion 322 of the contact portion 320.

[0177] In other words, when the support arm 230A elastically deforms outward in the width direction, i.e., toward the front, the first contact surface 231A of the support arm 230A and the first part 321 of the contact portion 320 are configured to come into contact, and the second part 322 of the contact portion 320 and the second contact surface 252A of the backup portion 250A are configured to come into contact.

[0178] In this embodiment, since the thickness T1 is equal to the predetermined distance PD1, the first contact surface 231A is in contact with the first portion 321 and the second contact surface 252A is in contact with the second portion 322 even when the support arm 230A is not elastically deformed, making it difficult for the support arm 230A to elastically deform.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 13, the first contact surface 231A and the second contact surface 252A each extend in the direction in which the first outer cover 300 moves when assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, i.e., in a downward direction along the vertical direction.

[0180] As shown in FIG. 11, in a state in which the first exterior cover 300 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the restricting portion 240A clamps the contact portion 320 together with the support arm 230A in the width direction.

[0181] When the first exterior cover 300 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the contact portion 320 is at a position where at least a portion thereof overlaps with the protrusion 220A and the backup portion 250A in the conveyance direction DT1.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 13, when the first exterior cover 300 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the contact portion 320 is at a position where at least a portion thereof overlaps with the protrusion 220A and the backup portion 250A in the vertical direction.

[0183] <Details of the second exterior cover> As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the second exterior cover 400 has an upper wall 401, a front wall 403, a rear wall 404, a left wall 405, and a right wall 406. The rear wall 404 is located only on the right part of the second exterior cover 400 and has a cutout portion 404C.

[0184] The second exterior cover 400 has contact portions 420 formed on the rear surface of the upper wall 401. The contact portions 420 are ribs 420R1, 420R2, and 420R3 that protrude from the rear surface of the upper wall 401.

[0185] The rib 420R1 protrudes downward from the rear surface of the upper wall 401 at a position slightly rearward from the notch 404C of the rear wall 404, and extends in the left-right direction like a flat plate.

[0186] The rib 420R2 protrudes forward from the front surface of the rib 420R1 and extends in the vertical direction like a flat plate.

[0187] The rib 420R3 protrudes forward from the front surface of the rib 420R1 at a position separated to the right of the rib 420R2 and extends in the vertical direction. The rib 420R3 is substantially "J" shaped when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0188] The upper ends of the ribs 420R2 and 420R3 are connected to the rear surface of the upper wall 401. The ribs 420R2 and 420R3 are exposed forward by the cutout portion 404C.

[0189] The contact portion 420 has a first portion 421 and a second portion 422. The first portion 421 is the inner surface of the ribs 420R2 and 420R3 of the contact portion 420 in the width direction, i.e., the surface facing forward. The second portion 422 is the outer surface of the rib 420R1 of the contact portion 420 in the width direction, i.e., the surface facing rearward.

[0190] As shown in FIG. 18, the thickness T2 in the width direction from the first portion 421 to the second portion 422 of the contact portion 420 is equal to the predetermined distance PD2.

[0191] 17 and 18, the second exterior cover 400 has a first tray component support portion 409 formed on the rear wall 404. The first tray component support portion 409 is located near the upper right corner of the rear wall 404. The first tray component support portion 409 protrudes forward from the rear wall 404 and extends in the left-right direction. The upper surface of the first tray component support portion 409 is a flat surface extending in the left-right direction.

[0192] The second exterior cover 400 has an engaging protrusion 411 formed on the back surface of the upper wall 401. The engaging protrusion 411 is a short boss that protrudes downward from a position close to the front edge of the back surface of the upper wall 401 and away to the left of the middle part in the left-right direction of the second exterior cover 400. The engaging protrusion 411 is roughly "+" shaped when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0193] The second exterior cover 400 has engagement pieces 400G1, 400G2, and 400G3. The engagement piece 400G1 is a plate-like piece that protrudes downward along the right portion of the rear surface of the front wall 403. The engagement piece 400G2 is a plate-like piece that protrudes downward along the right portion of the rear surface of the rear wall 404. The engagement piece 400G3 is a plate-like piece that protrudes downward along the right surface of the left wall 405.

[0194] The second exterior cover 400 has positioning protrusions 400G4 and 400G5. The positioning protrusion 400G4 is a boss that protrudes downward at a position away from the right and rear of the engagement piece 400G3. The positioning protrusion 400G5 is a boss that protrudes downward at a position away from the engagement piece 400G2 to the right. The positioning protrusions 400G4 and 400G5 are approximately "+" shaped when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0195] 4, engagement pieces 39G1, 39G2, and 39G3 are formed to protrude upward at the rear end of base member 39. A circular positioning hole 39G4 is formed to the right and rear of left engagement piece 39G3 at the rear end of base member 39. A positioning hole 39G5, which is an elongated hole extending in the left-right direction, is formed to the right of right engagement piece 39G2 at the rear end of base member 39.

[0196] The second exterior cover 400 moves downward along the vertical direction when it is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39. The second exterior cover 400 is fixed to the base member 39 by assembling the second exterior cover 400 to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39 and engaging the engagement pieces 400G1, 400G2, 400G3 with the engagement pieces 39G1, 39G2, 39G3 using a snap fit method.

[0197] At this time, the positioning protrusions 400G4, 400G5 are fitted into the positioning holes 39G4, 39G5, whereby the second exterior cover 400 is positioned relative to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39 in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0198] 11, when the second exterior cover 400 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the engaging protrusion 411 of the second exterior cover 400 engages with a rectangular hole 210B5 recessed in the rear support portion 210B of the second tray member 200. This makes it difficult for the upper wall 401 of the second exterior cover 400 to shift position relative to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0199] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, when the second exterior cover 400 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the contact portion 420 is located between the support arm 230B and the backup portion 250B.

[0200] In this state, the first contact surface 231B of the support arm 230B can come into contact with the first portion 421 of the contact portion 420. The second contact surface 252B of the backup portion 250B can come into contact with the second portion 422 of the contact portion 420.

[0201] In other words, when the support arm 230B elastically deforms outward in the width direction, i.e., toward the rear, the first contact surface 231B of the support arm 230B and the first part 421 of the contact portion 420 are configured to come into contact, and the second part 422 of the contact portion 420 and the second contact surface 252B of the backup portion 250B are configured to come into contact.

[0202] In this embodiment, since the thickness T2 is equal to the predetermined distance PD2, the first contact surface 231B is in contact with the first portion 421 and the second contact surface 252B is in contact with the second portion 422 even when the support arm 230B is not elastically deformed, making it difficult for the support arm 230B to elastically deform.

[0203] As shown in FIG. 14, the first contact surface 231B and the second contact surface 252B each extend in the direction in which the second outer cover 400 moves when assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, i.e., in a downward direction along the vertical direction.

[0204] As shown in FIG. 12, in a state in which the second exterior cover 400 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the cover member 39, the restricting portion 240B clamps the rib 420R3 of the contact portion 420 together with the support arm 230B in the width direction.

[0205] When the second exterior cover 400 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the contact portion 420 is at a position where at least a portion thereof overlaps with the protrusion 220B and the backup portion 250B in the conveyance direction DT1.

[0206] As shown in FIG. 14, when the second exterior cover 400 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the contact portion 420 is at a position where at least a portion thereof overlaps with the protrusion 220B and the backup portion 250B in the vertical direction.

[0207] 2, the first tray member supporting portion 409 of the second exterior cover 400 abuts from below against the supported recessed portion 109 of the first tray member 100 which is in the lowest position. As a result, the first tray member supporting portion 409 supports and reinforces the first tray member 100.

[0208] <Action and effect> In the image reading device 1 of the embodiment, as shown in Figures 11 to 14, when the first tray member 100, the second tray member 200, the first outer cover 300, and the second outer cover 400 are assembled, when the first tray member 100 is supported by the support portions 210A and 210B of the second tray member 200, the support arm 230A of the second tray member 200 can be temporarily elastically deformed to fit the protrusion 220A of the second tray member 200 into the recess 120A of the first tray member 100, and the support arm 230B of the second tray member 200 can be temporarily elastically deformed to fit the protrusion 220B of the second tray member 200 into the recess 120B of the first tray member 100.

[0209] At this time, by reducing the bending rigidity of the support arms 230A, 230B of the second tray member 200 to facilitate elastic deformation, damage to the second tray member 200 can be suppressed and the assembly work can be facilitated.

[0210] Then, by assembling the first outer cover 300 and the second outer cover 400 to the second tray member 200, the contact portion 320 of the first outer cover 300 is positioned between the support arm 230A and the backup portion 250A, and the contact portion 420 of the second outer cover 400 is positioned between the support arm 230B and the backup portion 250B.

[0211] In contact portion 320, first portion 321 can come into contact with support arm 230A, and second portion 322 can come into contact with backup portion 250A. In addition, in contact portion 420, first portion 421 can come into contact with support arm 230B, and second portion 422 can come into contact with backup portion 250B.

[0212] After assembling the first tray member 100, the second tray member 200, the first exterior cover 300, and the second exterior cover 400, the user may place their hands on the first tray member 100, causing the support arms 230A and 230B to elastically deform outward in the width direction. In this case, the support arm 230A and the first portion 321 come into contact with each other, and the contact portion 320 and the backup portion 250A can reduce the amount of elastic deformation of the support arm 230A compared to before assembling the first exterior cover 300. Furthermore, in this case, the support arm 230B and the first portion 421 come into contact with each other, and the contact portion 420 and the backup portion 250B can reduce the amount of elastic deformation of the support arm 230B compared to before assembling the second exterior cover 400. As a result, the protrusions 220A and 220B of the second tray member 200 are less likely to come off the recesses 120A and 120B of the first tray member 100.

[0213] Therefore, in the image reading device 1 of the embodiment, in a configuration using a resin material, it is possible to simplify the assembly work and reduce the problem of the device coming loose when the user touches it after assembly. As a result, this image reading device 1 can reduce material costs by using a low-cost resin material with low bending strength, and can also contribute to environmental protection by using recycled plastic with even lower bending strength.

[0214] 11, in the image reading device 1, when the first exterior cover 300 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the contact portion 320 is positioned so as to at least partially overlap with the protrusion 220A and the backup portion 250A in the conveying direction DT1. As shown in Fig. 13, when the first exterior cover 300 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the contact portion 320 is positioned so as to at least partially overlap with the protrusion 220A and the backup portion 250A in the up-down direction. As shown in Fig. 12, when the second exterior cover 400 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the contact portion 420 is positioned so as to at least partially overlap with the protrusion 220B and the backup portion 250B in the conveying direction DT1. 14, when the second exterior cover 400 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the contact portion 420 is positioned so that at least a portion of the contact portion 420 overlaps with the protrusion 220B and the backup portion 250B in the vertical direction. With this configuration, when a user places their hands on the assembled first tray member 100 and a force is applied to the protrusions 220A, 220B from the recesses 120A, 120B, the force can be suitably transmitted to the backup portion 250A via the support arm 230A and the contact portion 320, and can also be suitably transmitted to the backup portion 250B via the support arm 230B and the contact portion 420. As a result, the image reading device 1 can reliably prevent the protrusions 220A, 220B of the second tray member 200 from coming off the recesses 120A, 120B of the first tray member 100.

[0215] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, as shown in FIG. 16, the contact portion 320 is a rib protruding from the rear surface of the first exterior cover 300. As shown in FIG. 18, the contact portion 420 is ribs 420R1-420R3 protruding from the rear surface of the second exterior cover 400. The thickness T1 shown in FIG. 16 is equal to the predetermined distance PD1 shown in FIG. 11. The thickness T2 shown in FIG. 18 is equal to the predetermined distance PD2 shown in FIG. 12. With this configuration, even if the support arms 230A, 230B attempt to elastically deform when a user places their hands on the first tray member 100 after assembly, the contact portions 320, 420 and the backup portions 250A, 250B can reduce the amount of elastic deformation to zero, making it even more difficult for the protrusions 220A, 220B of the second tray member 200 to come off the recesses 120A, 120B of the first tray member 100.

[0216] 13, in this image reading device 1, the first contact surface 231A and the second contact surface 252A each extend in the direction in which the first exterior cover 300 moves when assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, i.e., in the downward direction along the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 14, the first contact surface 231B and the second contact surface 252B each extend in the direction in which the second exterior cover 400 moves when assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, i.e., in the downward direction along the vertical direction. With this configuration, when the first exterior cover 300 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the first contact surface 231A can guide the first portion 321, and the second contact surface 252A can guide the second portion 322. When the second exterior cover 400 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the first contact surface 231B can guide the first portion 421, and the second contact surface 252B can guide the second portion 422. As a result, in this image reading device 1, the first exterior cover 300 and the second exterior cover 400 can be easily assembled to the second tray member 200.

[0217] 11, in the image reading device 1, when the first exterior cover 300 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the restricting portion 240A clamps the contact portion 320 together with the support arm 230A in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 12, when the second exterior cover 400 is assembled to the second tray member 200 and the base member 39, the restricting portion 240B clamps the rib 420R3 of the contact portion 420 together with the support arm 230B in the width direction. With this configuration, the restricting portions 240A, 240B and the support arms 230A, 230B can prevent the contact portions 320, 420 of the first exterior cover 300 and the second exterior cover 400 from deforming inward in the width direction.

[0218] In addition, in this image reading device 1, as shown in Fig. 3, the first tray member 100 can rotate about a rotation axis X100 and move between an upper limit position and a lower limit position. As shown in Fig. 13, the recess 120A has a contact portion 122A that contacts the protrusion 220A when the first tray member 100 moves to the upper limit position. As shown in Fig. 14, the recess 120B has a contact portion 122B that contacts the protrusion 220B when the first tray member 100 moves to the upper limit position. These contact portions 122A and 122B can prevent the first tray member 100 from rotating beyond the upper limit position.

[0219] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0220] In the embodiment, the sheet support device of the present invention is embodied as an image reading device 1 having an image forming function and an image reading function, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the configuration of the present invention may be applied to an image reading device having only an image reading function, or to an image forming device having only an image forming function.

[0221] In the embodiment, thickness T1 is equal to predetermined distance PD1, and thickness T2 is equal to predetermined distance PD2, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the widthwise thickness of the contact portion from the first portion to the second portion may be smaller than the predetermined distance and larger than the predetermined distance minus the engagement length between the protrusion and the recess. In this case, a slight gap allows for misalignment during assembly, and even if the support arm deforms, it will not come off because it will not exceed the engagement length between the protrusion and the recess.

[0222] In the embodiment, the sheet support surface 91 is configured by the first support surface 101, the second support surface 201, and the third support surface 34A, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the sheet support surface may be configured by the first support surface and the second support surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0223] 1...Sheet support device (image reading device) DT1: conveying direction, 91: sheet support surface 91U...Upstream end of sheet support surface in the conveying direction 101...first support surface, 100...first tray member 201... second support surface, 200... second tray member 210A, 210B...Support part 300, 400...exterior cover (300...first exterior cover, 400...second exterior cover) 101A, 101B...Outer edges in the width direction of the first support surface 102A, 102B...side surface, 120A, 120B...recess 230A, 230B...Support arms 220A, 220B...Protrusion, PD1, PD2...Specified distance 250A, 250B... Backup section, 320, 420... Contact section 321, 421...first part, 322, 422...second part T1, T2: Thickness in the width direction from the first part to the second part at the contact area 231A, 231B...1st contact surface, 252A, 252B...2nd contact surface 240A, 240B...regulatory unit, 110A, 110B...reverse shaft 211A, 211B...shaft holes, 122A, 122B...connecting parts

Claims

1. A sheet supporting device that configures a sheet supporting surface that supports a sheet before it is conveyed in a conveying direction, the sheet supporting surface extending in the conveying direction and a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, a first tray member that is a part of the sheet support surface and that constitutes a first support surface that includes an upstream end of the sheet support surface in the conveying direction; a second tray member that constitutes a second support surface that is at least a part of the remaining portion of the sheet support surface and is adjacent to the first support surface from downstream in the conveying direction, the second tray member having a support portion that is positioned outside the second support surface in the width direction and supports the first tray member; an exterior cover attached to the second tray member to cover the support portion; Equipped with the first tray member and the second tray member are made of a resin material, the first tray member has a side surface that is connected to an outer edge of the first support surface in the width direction and faces outward in the width direction, and extends in the conveying direction and in the up-down direction; a recess recessed from the side surface toward the inside in the width direction, the second tray member includes a support arm that faces the side surface from an outer side in the width direction when the support portion supports the first tray member, the support arm being elastically deformable in the width direction; a protrusion that protrudes inward in the width direction from the support arm and is fitted into the recess in a state where the support portion supports the first tray member; a backup portion spaced a predetermined distance outward from the support arm in the width direction, the exterior cover has a contact portion located between the support arm and the backup portion when the exterior cover is attached to the second tray member, the contact portion having a first portion facing inward in the width direction and capable of contacting the support arm, and a second portion facing outward in the width direction and capable of contacting the backup portion, A seat support device, characterized in that the support arm and the first portion are configured to come into contact with each other when the support arm elastically deforms outward in the width direction.

2. 2. The sheet support device according to claim 1, wherein, when the outer cover is attached to the second tray member, the contact portion is positioned so that at least a portion of the contact portion overlaps with the protrusion and the backup portion in the conveying direction, and at least a portion of the contact portion overlaps with the protrusion and the backup portion in the vertical direction.

3. the contact portion is a rib protruding from the rear surface of the exterior cover, The seat support device according to claim 2 , wherein a thickness of the contact portion in the width direction from the first portion to the second portion is equal to the predetermined distance.

4. the support arm has a first contact surface that can come into contact with the first portion; the backup portion has a second contact surface that can come into contact with the second portion, 4. The seat support device according to claim 1, wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface each extend in a direction in which the exterior cover moves when assembled to the second tray member.

5. 4. A seat support device according to claim 1, wherein the second tray member has a regulating portion that is located outside the support arm in the width direction and is connected to the support arm, and when the outer cover is assembled to the second tray member, the regulating portion clamps the contact portion together with the support arm in the width direction.

6. the first tray member has a rotation shaft that protrudes from the side surface toward an outer side in the width direction, the rotation shaft being located downstream of the recess in the conveying direction, the second tray member has a shaft hole recessed in the support portion, into which the rotation shaft is inserted when the support portion supports the first tray member; the first tray member is rotatable about the rotation axis to move between an upper limit position and a lower limit position, 4. The sheet support device according to claim 1, wherein the recess has a contact portion that contacts the protrusion when the first tray member is moved to the upper limit position.

Images