Sheet processor

Abstract

To achieve a mechanism for adjusting a height of a body while suppressing costs.SOLUTION: A base member 61 has a first open hole 61a. A first nut 63 is fixed to an upper part of the base member 61 and has a first screw hole 63a communicated with the first open hole 61a. A coupling member 64 is coupled to the base member 61 in a state of holding the first nut 63 between the base member 61 and itself, and has a second open hole 64a communicated with the first screw hole 63a. A bolt part 621 of a support leg member 62 is fitted to the first screw hole 63a in a state of being inserted into the first open hole 61a, the first screw hole 63a and the second open hole 64a. A second nut 65 is fastened to a part on the bolt part 621 which protrudes upward from the second open hole 64a, for holding the coupling member 64 between itself and the first nut 63, and fixing the bolt part 621 to the coupling member 64.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that is arranged next to an image forming apparatus and is height-adjustable. [Background technology]

[0002] The sheet processing device is disposed adjacent to the image forming device and performs sheet processing on the sheets conveyed from the image forming device, such as punching, stapling, or folding.

[0003] The sheet processing apparatus includes a plurality of body support sections that support the body at a plurality of locations on the lower end of the body of the sheet processing apparatus, and each of the body support sections includes a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of a sheet inlet of the sheet processing apparatus relative to a sheet outlet of the image forming apparatus.

[0004] For example, it is known that the sheet processing device has a bolt portion that forms the support shaft of the caster inserted into a hole in a plate portion fixed to the lower end of the main body, and two nuts fastened to the bolt portion so as to sandwich the plate portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] The height of the sheet processing apparatus is adjusted by adjusting the fastening positions of the two nuts on the bolt portion of the caster. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-184393 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in each of the main body support parts, when the bolt part of the support body is inserted into the hole in the plate part and two nuts are fastened to the bolt part so as to sandwich the plate part, the load of the main body is concentrated on the edge of the hole in the plate part.

[0008] If the load of the main body is concentrated at one point on the plate portion, the plate portion is likely to deform. On the other hand, using a special member with high strength is not preferable because it leads to an increase in costs.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus that realizes a mechanism for adjusting the height of the main body while suppressing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A sheet processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a main body and a plurality of main body support units. The main body is disposed adjacent to an image forming apparatus and includes equipment for processing sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus. The plurality of main body support units support the main body at a plurality of locations on the lower end of the main body. Each of the main body support units includes a base member, a first nut, a connecting member, a support leg member, and a second nut. The base member is fixed to the lower end of the main body and has a first through hole extending vertically. The first nut is fixed to an upper portion of the base member and has a first screw hole communicating with the first through hole along the vertical direction. The connecting member is connected to the base member with the first nut sandwiched between the connecting member and the base member, and has a second through hole communicating with the first screw hole along the vertical direction. The support leg member has a bolt portion that is inserted through the first through hole, the first screw hole, and the second through hole and fits into the first screw hole, and a leg portion that protrudes downward from the bolt portion and comes into contact with an installation surface, and supports the main body via the first nut and the base member. The second nut has a second screw hole that fits into the bolt portion, and is fastened to the portion of the bolt portion that protrudes upward from the second through hole, thereby sandwiching the connecting member between the first nut and the base member and fixing the bolt portion to the connecting member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheet processing apparatus that realizes a mechanism for adjusting the height of the main body while suppressing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system including a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main body frame and a plurality of main body support parts in the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of a plurality of main body support units in the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another one of the plurality of main body support units in the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a first cross-sectional side view of one of a plurality of main body support units in the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a second cross-sectional side view of one of the plurality of main body support units in the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0014] The sheet processing apparatus 2 according to the embodiment constitutes a part of an image forming system 10.

[0015] [Configuration of image forming system 10] The image forming system 10 includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a sheet processing apparatus 2 disposed adjacent to the image forming apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1).

[0016] In each drawing, a depth direction D1 is the front-rear direction of the sheet processing apparatus 2, a width direction D2 is the left-right direction of the sheet processing apparatus 2, and a length direction D3 is the up-down direction.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet processing apparatus 2 are arranged side by side in the width direction D2. The front direction F and rear direction R of the sheet processing apparatus 2 are directions along the depth direction D1.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a first sheet conveying device 3a and a printing device 4. The first sheet conveying device 3a feeds a sheet 9 from a sheet storage unit 30 and further conveys the sheet 9 within the image forming apparatus 1. The printing device 4 forms an image on the sheet 9 conveyed by the first sheet conveying device 3a.

[0019] 1, the printing device 4 forms an image on the sheet 9 by an inkjet method. However, the printing device 4 may also be a device that forms an image on the sheet 9 by another method, such as an electrophotographic method.

[0020] The first sheet conveying device 3a conveys the sheet 9 on which the image has been formed to the sheet inlet 2x of the sheet processing device 2 through the sheet outlet 1x of the image forming device 1.

[0021] The sheet processing apparatus 2 performs various sheet processing operations on a sheet 9 carried in through a sheet entrance 2x from the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet processing apparatus 2 includes a main body 20, a second sheet transport device 3b, and one or more sheet processing mechanisms 5.

[0022] The main body 20 is a housing that houses the second sheet transport device 3b and one or more sheet processing mechanisms 5.

[0023] The second sheet conveying device 3b conveys the sheet 9 carried in from the image forming apparatus 1 within the main body 20. In the example shown in FIG.

[0024] The plurality of sheet processing mechanisms 5 include a hole punching mechanism 5a, a staple mechanism 5b, and a sheet folding mechanism 5c. The hole punching mechanism 5a punches holes in the sheets 9. The staple mechanism 5b performs a staple process to bind the plurality of sheets 9. The sheet folding mechanism 5c performs a sheet folding process to fold the sheets 9.

[0025] The sheet processing device 2 includes a plurality of body support parts 6 that support the body 20 at a plurality of locations on the lower end of the body 20. Each of the body support parts 6 includes a height adjustment mechanism. The height adjustment mechanism is a mechanism for adjusting the height of a sheet inlet 2x of the sheet processing device 2 relative to a sheet outlet 1x of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0026] The main body 20 of the sheet processing apparatus 2 includes a main body frame 20x made up of a plurality of joined metal pipes (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In this embodiment, the main body frame 20x is made up of a plurality of metal square pipes joined by welding.

[0027] In the following description, the lower end portion of the main body frame 20x will be referred to as the lower frame 20a (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In this embodiment, four main body support parts 6 are attached to the four corners of the lower frame 20a (see FIG. 2).

[0028] In each of the main body support parts 6, when the bolt part of the support is inserted into the hole in the plate part and two nuts are fastened to the bolt part so as to sandwich the plate part, the load of the main body 20 is concentrated on the edge of the hole in the plate part.

[0029] If the load of the main body 20 is concentrated at one point on the plate portion, the plate portion is likely to deform. On the other hand, using a special member with high strength is not preferable because it leads to an increase in costs.

[0030] In this embodiment, each of the main body support parts 6 realizes a mechanism for adjusting the height of the main body 20 while suppressing costs. The configuration of each of the main body support parts 6 will be described below.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the four main body support parts 6 that is disposed at the right end of the front end of the lower frame 20a. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the four main body support parts 6 that is disposed at the left end of the front end of the lower frame 20a.

[0032] Moreover, Fig. 5 shows a cross section II of the main body support part 6 shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 shows a cross section II-II of the main body support part 6 shown in Fig. 3.

[0033] Each of the main body support parts 6 includes a base member 61, a support leg member 62, a first nut 63, a connecting member 64, and a second nut 65 (see FIGS. 3 to 5).

[0034] The base member 61 is fixed to the lower end of the main body 20. In this embodiment, the base member 61 is a sheet metal member welded to the lower frame 20a. The base member 61 has a first through-hole 61a that penetrates in the vertical direction D3 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0035] The base member 61 in Fig. 3 and the base member 61 in Fig. 4 have different shapes but perform the same function. The base member 61 may be fixed to the lower frame 20a with bolts and nuts or the like.

[0036] The first nut 63 is fixed to the upper part of the base member 61. The first nut 63 has a first screw hole 63a that communicates with the first through hole 61a along the vertical direction D3. That is, the first nut 63 is fixed to the upper part of the base member 61 so that the first screw hole 63a of the first nut 63 communicates with the first through hole 61a.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first through hole 61a is formed in a plate-shaped portion of the base member 61, and the first nut 63 is welded to the upper surface of the portion of the base member 61 where the first through hole 61a is formed.

[0038] The connecting member 64 is connected to the base member 61 with the first nut 63 sandwiched between the connecting member 64 and the base member 61 (see FIGS. 3 to 6). The connecting member 64 has a second through-hole 64a that communicates with the first screw hole 63a along the vertical direction D3 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0039] In this embodiment, connecting member 64 is a sheet metal member connected to base member 61 by a plurality of screws 66. Connecting member 64 has an upper plate portion 641, a plurality of hanging portions 642, and a plurality of fixed portions 643 (see FIGS. 3 to 6).

[0040] The upper plate portion 641 is in contact with the upper surface of the first nut 63. The second through-hole 64a is formed in the upper plate portion 641.

[0041] The plurality of hanging portions 642 are connected to the upper plate portion 641 and hang down from the upper plate portion 641 toward the upper surface of the base member 61. The plurality of fixed portions 643 are connected to the plurality of hanging portions 642, respectively, and are formed by extending from the plurality of hanging portions 642 along the upper surface of the base member 61. The plurality of fixed portions 643 are fixed to the base member 61 by a plurality of screws 66 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0042] The support leg member 62 has a bolt portion 621 and a caster 622 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The bolt portion 621 is inserted through the first through-hole 61a of the base member 61, the first screw hole 63a of the first nut 63, and the second through-hole 64a of the connecting member 64.

[0043] The bolt portion 621 is inserted through the first through-hole 61a, the first screw hole 63a, and the second through-hole 64a and is fitted into the first screw hole 63a. That is, the bolt portion 621 is screwed into the first screw hole 63a of the first nut 63.

[0044] Caster 622 protrudes downward from bolt portion 621 and comes into contact with installation surface 100. Caster 622 includes wheel 622a and support shaft 622b that rotatably supports wheel 622a (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0045] The caster 622 is an example of a leg. The support leg member 62 supports the main body 20 via the first nut 63 and the base member 61.

[0046] The support leg member 62 may include a support seat instead of the caster 622. The support seat is a member that protrudes downward from the bolt portion 621 and is rotatably connected to the bolt portion 621.

[0047] The second nut 65 has a second screw hole 65a into which the bolt portion 621 of the support leg member 62 is fitted (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0048] The second nut 65 is fastened to the portion of the bolt portion 621 that protrudes upward from the second through hole 64a, thereby sandwiching the connecting member 64 between the second nut 65 and the first nut 63 and fixing the bolt portion 621 to the connecting member 64 (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0049] By turning the bolt portion 621 while the second nut 65 is loosened, the position of the support leg member 62 in the vertical direction D3 relative to the base member 61 is adjusted. The position of the support leg member 62 in the vertical direction D3 is adjusted upward or downward depending on the direction in which the bolt portion 621 is turned.

[0050] After the position of the support leg member 62 is adjusted, the second nut 65 is fastened to the portion of the bolt portion 621 that protrudes upward from the second through-hole 64a. The second nut 65 is tightened so that the connecting member 64 is sandwiched between the second nut 65 and the first nut 63.

[0051] By fastening the second nut 65 to the bolt portion 621, rotation of the bolt portion 621 relative to the first nut 63 is restricted, and the position of the support leg member 62 relative to the base member 61 in the vertical direction D3 is fixed.

[0052] In this embodiment, the bolt portion 621, the first nut 63, the connecting member 64, the second nut 65, and the plurality of screws 66 constitute the height adjustment mechanism.

[0053] In this embodiment, the support leg member 62 has a polygonal flange portion 623 fixed to the bolt portion 621. The polygonal flange portion 623 has a polygonal contour surface. For example, the polygonal flange portion 623 is a hexagonal flange.

[0054] A tool such as a hexagonal wrench is fitted into polygonal flange portion 623, and bolt portion 621 is turned using the tool.

[0055] In each of the body support parts 6, the load of the body 20 is applied to the bolt part 621 via the first nut 63, the second nut 65 and the connecting member 64.

[0056] More specifically, part of the load of the main body 20 is applied to the bolt part 621 from the part of the base member 61 that contacts the plurality of fixed parts 643 via the connecting member 64 and the second nut 65.

[0057] Another part of the load of the main body 20 is applied to the bolt portion 621 from the edge of the first through-hole 61a in the base member 61 via the first nut 63.

[0058] By employing the main body support portion 6, the load of the main body 20 is distributed to multiple locations as described above. Therefore, there is no need to employ special high-strength components. As a result, the height adjustment mechanism can be realized at low cost.

[0059] In this embodiment, the caster 622 is coupled to the bolt portion 621 so as to be rotatable around the bolt portion 621 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Therefore, the support shaft 622b of the caster 622 is disposed at a position deviated from the extension line of the bolt portion 621.

[0060] In each of the main body support parts 6, the force that the wheel 622a receives from the installation surface 100 acts on the bolt part 621 as a moment centered at the part of the bolt part 621 that contacts the first nut 63 and the second nut 65.

[0061] The moment acts as a force that tilts the bolt portion 621 and the connecting member 64 to the side opposite to the side where the wheel 622a is located relative to the bolt portion 621.

[0062] The connecting member 64 is connected to the base member 61 in a state where a side end surface 64b of the connecting member 64 is aligned along the lower frame 20a (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0063] In the following description, of the multiple body support parts 6, those provided at the ends of the body 20 in the forward direction F will be referred to as front body support parts. On the other hand, of the multiple body support parts 6, those provided at the ends of the body 20 in the rear direction R will be referred to as rear body support parts.

[0064] 3 and 4 are perspective views of the front body support portion.

[0065] Generally, when the sheet processing apparatus 2 is in use, the caster 622 of the front main body support portion is disposed on the rearward direction R side with respect to the bolt portion 621. Therefore, the moment acts as a force that tilts the bolt portion 621 and the connecting member 64 in the forward direction F.

[0066] At the front body support portion, the connecting member 64 is connected to the base member 61 with a side end surface 64b of the connecting member 64 in the forward direction F aligned along the lower frame 20a (see FIGS. 3 and 4). On the other hand, at the rear body support portion, the connecting member 64 is connected to the base member 61 with a side end surface 64b of the connecting member 64 in the rear direction R aligned along the lower frame 20a.

[0067] In each of the main body support parts 6, the lower frame 20a acts as a reinforcing part that prevents the bolt part 621 and the connecting member 64 from tilting due to the moment.

[0068] [Notes on the Invention] The following is a summary of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0069] <Appendix 1> a main body disposed adjacent to the image forming apparatus and containing a device for processing sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus; a plurality of body support portions that support the body at a plurality of locations on a lower end portion of the body, Each of the body support portions is a base member fixed to a lower end of the main body and having a first through hole extending therethrough in the vertical direction; a first nut fixed to an upper portion of the base member and having a first screw hole communicating with the first through hole along the vertical direction; a connecting member that is connected to the base member in a state in which the first nut is sandwiched between the connecting member and the base member, and that has a second through hole that communicates with the first screw hole along the up-down direction; a support leg member that has a bolt portion that is inserted through the first through hole, the first screw hole, and the second through hole and is fitted with the first screw hole, and a leg portion that protrudes downward from the bolt portion and comes into contact with an installation surface, and that supports the main body via the first nut and the base member; A sheet processing device comprising: a second nut having a second screw hole that fits into the bolt portion and that is fastened to the portion of the bolt portion that protrudes upward from the second through hole, thereby sandwiching the connecting member between the first nut and the second nut and fixing the bolt portion to the connecting member.

[0070] <Appendix 2> The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the legs are casters having wheels that come into contact with the installation surface.

[0071] <Appendix 3> 3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the caster is connected to the bolt portion so as to be rotatable around the bolt portion.

[0072] <Appendix 4> The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the connecting member is connected to the base member with a side end surface of the connecting member aligned along a portion of a frame of the main body.

[0073] <Appendix 5> The connecting member is an upper plate portion in contact with an upper surface of the first nut; a plurality of hanging portions hanging down from the upper plate portion toward the upper surface of the base member; The sheet processing device described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4 has a plurality of fixed portions formed extending from the plurality of hanging portions along the upper surface of the base member and fixed to the base member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1: Image forming device 1x: Sheet exit 2: Sheet processing device 2x: Sheet entrance 6: Main body support part 61: Base member 61a: 1st through hole 62: Support leg member 63: First nut 63a: First screw hole 64: Connecting member 64a: Second through hole 64b: Side end surface 65: Second nut 65a: Second screw hole 66: Screw 100: Installation surface 621: Bolt section 622: Caster 622a :Wheel 622b: Support shaft 623: Polygonal flange 641: Upper plate 642: Hanging part 643: Fixed part

Claims

1. a main body disposed adjacent to the image forming apparatus and containing a device for processing sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus; a plurality of body support portions that support the body at a plurality of locations on a lower end portion of the body, Each of the body support portions is a base member fixed to a lower end of the main body and having a first through hole extending therethrough in the vertical direction; a first nut fixed to an upper portion of the base member and having a first screw hole communicating with the first through hole along the vertical direction; a connecting member that is connected to the base member in a state in which the first nut is sandwiched between the connecting member and the base member, and that has a second through hole that communicates with the first screw hole along the up-down direction; a support leg member having a bolt portion that is inserted through the first through hole, the first screw hole, and the second through hole and is fitted into the first screw hole, and a leg portion that protrudes downward from the bolt portion and comes into contact with an installation surface, and that supports the main body via the first nut and the base member; A sheet processing device comprising: a second nut having a second screw hole that fits into the bolt portion and that is fastened to the portion of the bolt portion that protrudes upward from the second through hole, thereby sandwiching the connecting member between the first nut and the second nut and fixing the bolt portion to the connecting member.

2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the legs are casters having wheels that come into contact with the installation surface.

3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the caster is connected to the bolt portion so as to be rotatable around the bolt portion.

4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the connecting member is connected to the base member in a state where a side end surface of the connecting member is aligned along a part of a frame of the main body.

5. The connecting member is an upper plate portion in contact with an upper surface of the first nut; a plurality of hanging portions hanging down from the upper plate portion toward the upper surface of the base member; The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of fixed portions formed to extend from the hanging portions along the upper surface of the base member and fixed to the base member.

Images