Extension tray and image-forming device

Abstract

To provide an extension tray that can easily be attached or detached.SOLUTION: An extension tray 20 that is attached to a sheet tray 12 so as to extend in the length direction of a sheet, has a mounting portion 22 that is attached to the sheet tray 12 so that the sheet tray 12 is accommodated inside, and the mounting portion 22 is configured to be pulled into and out of the sheet tray 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an extension tray and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers are provided with a sheet tray on which sheets such as paper are placed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 9-86766) proposes a paper output tray for loading paper discharged from an image forming device, which is attached in a stack to the paper output tray of the image forming device, and can then be removed from the paper output tray without touching the loaded paper.

[0004] Incidentally, there are image forming apparatuses that are configured to be able to accommodate an extension tray as an option for placing long sheets in addition to a normal sheet tray. In such image forming apparatuses, it is desirable that the extension tray be easily attached and detached, but Patent Document 1 does not consider the ease of attaching and detaching the extension tray. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily attach and detach the extension tray. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is an extension tray that is attached to a sheet tray so as to extend in the length direction of the sheet, and has an attachment portion that is attached to the sheet tray so that the sheet tray is accommodated inside, and the attachment portion is configured to be insertable and removable from the sheet tray. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the extension tray can be easily attached and detached. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sheet discharge section according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an extension tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged view of a fastener for fastening a sheet placing portion and a mounting portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is an enlarged view of a fastener for fixing an abutment portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining a method for attaching and detaching the extension tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining a method for attaching and detaching the extension tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a sheet is placed on an extension tray according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of a hanging holder according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the extension tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention is suspended and held on the image forming apparatus main body using a suspension holding portion; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an extension tray according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an extension tray according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus including an extension tray that is detachably attached to a supply tray; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing for explaining the present invention, components such as members and components having the same function or shape are designated by the same reference numerals as far as they can be distinguished, and once they have been described, their description will be omitted.

[0010] <Overall configuration of image forming apparatus> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a sheet supply section 100, an image forming section 200, and a sheet discharge section 300.

[0012] Sheet supply unit 100 is a section that supplies sheets to image forming unit 200. Sheets supplied by sheet supply unit 100 include paper such as plain paper, cardboard, postcards, envelopes, thin paper, coated paper, and art paper, as well as overhead projector sheets, fabrics, metal sheets, plastic films, and prepreg sheets made of carbon fiber pre-impregnated with resin. The sheets may be of various standard sizes such as A4 and A3, or may be long sheets longer than the standard sizes.

[0013] The image forming unit 200 is a part that forms an image on a sheet supplied from the sheet supply unit 100. Examples of image forming methods include electrophotography, which forms an image using toner. The electrophotography method forms a toner image based on image information from an original document read by an original document reader or print image information instructed from an external terminal, transfers the toner image to a sheet, and then fixes the toner image to the sheet by heating and pressurizing the sheet. In addition to electrophotography, other image forming methods may also be used, such as an inkjet method, which forms an image by ejecting ink onto a sheet. The image formed on the sheet may be an image with meaning, such as characters or figures, or an image with no meaning, such as a pattern.

[0014] The sheet discharge section 300 is a section that discharges sheets on which an image has been formed to the outside of the apparatus. After an image has been formed on a sheet in the image forming section 200, the sheet is conveyed to the sheet discharge section 300 and discharged to the outside of the apparatus. In addition to the sheet discharge function, the sheet discharge section 300 may also have a post-processing function that performs post-processing on the sheet, such as punching and cover forming.

[0015] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the sheet supply unit 100, the image forming unit 200, and the sheet discharge unit 300 are configured as separate units installed independently of each other, but they may also be configured as an integrated unit. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be a printer, a copier, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine having the functions of two or more of these.

[0016] <Configuration of the sheet discharge section> Next, the configuration of the sheet discharge section according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a sheet discharge section according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet discharge section 300 includes a pair of discharge rollers 11 that discharge the sheet 1 out of the device, a sheet tray 12 on which the discharged sheet 1 is placed, and a tray lifting mechanism 13 that raises and lowers the sheet tray 12.

[0019] The tray lifting mechanism 13 includes a belt 14 stretched around a plurality of pulleys 16, 17, a drive motor 15, and a gear train 18 that transmits the driving force of the drive motor 15 to one of the pulleys 16, 17, the pulley 16. The sheet tray 12 is attached to the belt 14. When the drive motor 15 rotates forward or backward, the driving force of the drive motor 15 is transmitted to the pulley 16 via the gear train 18, and the belt 14 rotates, thereby lifting and lowering the sheet tray 12 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2.

[0020] When the image forming operation starts, the sheet tray 12 waits at an upper standby position within the range in which it can be raised and lowered. After that, when the sheets 1 are discharged onto the sheet tray 12 with the start of the image forming operation, the sheet tray 12 is lowered according to the number of sheets 1 placed on the sheet tray 12. This prevents interference between the discharged sheets 1 and the sheets 1 on the sheet tray 12, allowing the sheets 1 to be discharged properly and to be placed properly on the sheet tray 12.

[0021] <Issues when using long sheets> Here, the problems that arise when using long sheets will be described.

[0022] Long sheets are used for printing, for example, book covers, double-page spreads in catalogs, point-of-purchase advertising (POP), etc., and are generally distributed in lengths of about 700 mm to 1200 mm. Such long sheets are difficult to handle when set in an image forming device and when transporting after image formation. In addition, they cannot be placed on standard trays that are used to place standard-sized sheets such as A4, so an extension tray that is longer than the standard tray must be installed.

[0023] However, installing an extension tray has traditionally been a tedious process requiring the removal of the standard tray before installing it, and has generally been performed by a service technician. Therefore, once an extension tray is installed, it continues to be used even after it is no longer needed, resulting in an increase in installation space due to the installation of an unnecessary extension tray. Furthermore, even if an extension tray is prepared in advance, the tray replacement process is tedious, and the extension tray may not be used.

[0024] Furthermore, when preparing an extension tray in advance, a storage location for the extension tray must be secured, but if it is difficult to secure a storage location for the extension tray near the image forming apparatus, the extension tray must be stored in another location. In that case, when the extension tray is needed, the extension tray must be brought from the storage location, which increases the effort and time required to set up the extension tray, and poses a problem of inefficient installation work.

[0025] As such, when using long sheets, there are issues regarding the ease of handling the sheets when setting them into the image forming device and when transporting them after image formation, as well as issues regarding the ease of attaching and detaching the extension tray when it is installed, and issues regarding where to store the extension tray when it is not in use.

[0026] Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, the first embodiment of the present invention proposes the following configuration of the extension tray: The configuration of the extension tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0027] <Configuration of extension tray> FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the extension tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In Fig. 3, arrow X indicates the length direction of the sheet 1 placed on the extension tray 20. Arrow Y indicates the width direction, which is a direction perpendicular to or intersecting the length direction X of the sheet 1 placed on the extension tray 20. Note that the length direction X of the sheet 1 here refers to the dimensional direction of the sheet 1 along the supply direction, conveyance direction, or discharge direction of the sheet 1. In Fig. 3, the sheet 1 indicated by the two-dot chain line is an example of a sheet placed on the extension tray 20, and in addition to the sheet 1 shown in Fig. 3, sheets of various other sizes can also be placed on the extension tray 20.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the extension tray 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a sheet placement portion 21, an attachment portion 22, a handle portion 23, and the like.

[0030] The sheet placement section 21 is a section on which the discharged sheet 1 is placed. The sheet placement section 21 is made of a substantially rectangular flat plate member extending longitudinally in the length direction X of the sheet 1 so that even long sheets (e.g., sheets with a length of approximately 700 mm to 1200 mm) longer than standard-sized sheets such as A4 can be placed on the sheet placement section 21. The upper surface of the sheet placement section 21 in FIG. 3 functions as a placement surface 21b on which the sheet 1 is placed.

[0031] The attachment portion 22 is a portion that is attached to the sheet tray 12 when the extension tray 20 is installed in the sheet discharge portion 300. The attachment portion 22 is formed in a flattened rectangular cylindrical or box-like shape with a hollow interior. The attachment portion 22 is fixed at multiple points by fasteners 24 to the surface of the sheet placement portion 21 opposite the placement surface 21b (the lower surface of the sheet placement portion 21 in FIG. 3).

[0032] An opening 22a is formed at the end of the mounting section 22 in the mounting direction X1, into which the sheet tray 12 is inserted when the extension tray 20 is mounted. The mounting direction X1 here refers to the mounting direction of the extension tray 20 relative to the sheet tray 12, and is parallel to the length direction of the sheets 1 and opposite to the sheet discharge direction. In Fig. 3, an arrow X2 in the opposite direction to the mounting direction X1 indicates the removal direction when the extension tray 20 is removed from the sheet tray 12.

[0033] A plurality of handle portions 23 are provided on both ends of the extension tray 20 in the width direction Y of the sheet 1. More specifically, a plurality of handle portions 23 are provided on both outer sides of the area on the extension tray 20 (sheet placement portion 21) where the sheet 1 is placed in the width direction Y of the sheet 1. In this case, three handle portions 23 are provided on each outer side of the sheet 1 in the width direction Y, but the number of handle portions 23 is not limited to three and can be changed as appropriate.

[0034] A pair of abutment portions 25 are provided at the end of the sheet placement portion 21 in the installation direction X1. The abutment portions 25 function as positioning portions that abut against members on the sheet tray 12 side when the extension tray 20 is installed in the sheet tray 12, thereby positioning the extension tray 20. Furthermore, a hole 21a is provided at the end of the sheet placement portion 21 in the removal direction X2, which is the end opposite to the end on the abutment portion 25 side, for suspending and holding the extension tray 20 during storage.

[0035] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the fastener 24 for fastening the sheet placing portion 21 and the mounting portion 22 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] 4, the fastener 24 is composed of two connecting members 240 that penetrate the sheet placing portion 21 and the mounting portion 22 while they are stacked together. Each of the two connecting members 240 has a head 241 and a shaft 242 with a smaller diameter than the head 241. When the shafts 242 of the two connecting members 240 are connected to each other while passing through the sheet placing portion 21 and the mounting portion 22, the sheet placing portion 21 and the mounting portion 22 are sandwiched between the heads 241, thereby fixing the sheet placing portion 21 and the mounting portion 22. In addition to the method of fixing the sheet placing portion 21 and the mounting portion 22 using the fastener 24, other fixing methods such as screw fastening or adhesive bonding may also be used.

[0037] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the fastener 24 for fixing the abutment portion 25 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] 5, the abutment portion 25 is fixed to the sheet loading portion 21 using the same fastener 24 as the fastener 24 shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, since the abutment portion 25 is bent in an L-shape, when the abutment portion 25 is fixed to the sheet loading portion 21, a part of the abutment portion 25 is disposed so as to protrude further in the sheet loading direction (upward in Fig. 5) than the loading surface 21b of the sheet loading portion 21.

[0039] <How to attach and detach the extension tray> Next, a method for attaching and detaching the extension tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0040] 6, the extension tray 20 is first positioned so that the opening 22a of the mounting portion 22 faces the sheet tray 12. Then, the extension tray 20 is moved in the mounting direction X1 so that the opening 22a of the mounting portion 22 approaches the front end of the sheet tray 12.

[0041] 7, when the extension tray 20 is moved in the installation direction X1, the sheet tray 12 is inserted into the installation portion 22 through the opening 22a, and the extension tray 20 is supported by the sheet tray 12. The extension tray 20 is positioned when the abutment portion 25 of the extension tray 20 abuts against a member of the guide plate 26 that guides the sheet tray 12 in the up-down direction. This completes the installation of the extension tray 20, and the long tray 20 is installed so as to extend relative to the sheet tray 12 in the length direction of the sheets.

[0042] 7, when the extension tray 20 is attached to the sheet tray 12, the abutting portion 25 is positioned below the nip portion of the pair of discharge rollers 11, and therefore the discharge of the sheet is not hindered by the abutting portion 25. The member that the abutting portion 25 abuts against may be the guide plate 26, an exterior portion of the sheet discharge portion 300, or a part of the sheet tray 12. In other words, the member that the abutting portion 25 abuts against may be any member on the sheet tray 12 side.

[0043] When removing the extension tray 20, the extension tray 20 is pulled out from the sheet tray 12 in the removal direction X2 (see FIG. 7), which is the opposite of when the extension tray 20 is attached.

[0044] As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the extension tray 20 is configured to be insertable into and removable from the sheet tray 12, so that the extension tray 20 can be easily attached and detached. This allows the user to attach and detach the extension tray 20 by themselves, without having to ask a service technician for the work. Furthermore, the user can attach and detach the extension tray 20 at their own convenience.

[0045] Furthermore, use of the extension tray 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention makes it easier to transport long sheets after printing. That is, as shown in Fig. 8, by pulling out the extension tray 20 in the removal direction X2 with the sheets 1 (sheet stack) placed on it, the sheets 1 can be transported while still placed on the extension tray 20. In this case, the sheets 1 are not bent or folded, and a decrease in image quality due to transportation can be avoided.

[0046] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the handle portion 23 is provided on the extension tray 20, so that a user (operator) can easily attach, detach, and transport the extension tray 20 by grasping the handle portion 23. Furthermore, since a plurality of handle portions 23 are provided, the position of the handle portion 23 to be grasped can be changed according to the position of the center of gravity of the sheets 1 (sheet stack) on the extension tray 20, so that the extension tray 20 can be detached and transported in a stable position.

[0047] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the handle portion 23 and the abutment portion 25 function as stoppers that prevent the sheet 1 from falling during transportation. That is, as shown in FIG. 8 , the handle portion 23 and the abutment portion 25 protrude upward from the placement surface 21b of the sheet placement portion 21. Therefore, even if the sheet 1 moves during transportation, the edge of the sheet 1 abuts against the handle portion 23 or the abutment portion 25, preventing the sheet 1 from falling. In this case, the handle portion 23 functions as a width-direction stopper that contacts both ends of the sheet 1 in the width direction Y to prevent the sheet 1 from falling, and the abutment portion 25 functions as a rear-end stopper that contacts the rear end of the sheet 1 in the length direction X (the rear end in the sheet discharge direction) to prevent the sheet 1 from falling. In this way, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the handle portion 23 and the abutment portion 25 can prevent the sheet 1 from falling during transportation, making it easier to transport the sheet 1. Furthermore, since the handle portion 23 and the abutment portion 25 also function as stoppers, there is no need to provide a separate stopper, which simplifies the configuration.

[0048] <How to store the extension tray> Next, a method for storing the extension tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0049] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a hanging holder according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 10 is a view showing a state in which the extension tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention is hung and held on the image forming apparatus main body using the hanging holder.

[0050] 9 and 10 , the extension tray 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a hanging holder 27 for hanging and holding the extension tray 20 on the exterior of the image forming apparatus main body 1001. The hanging holder 27 has an insertion portion 27a that is inserted into the hole 21a of the sheet loading portion 21, a hook-shaped engaging portion 27b that engages with the convex mounting portion 30 of the image forming apparatus main body 1001, and a support portion 27c that comes into contact with the side surface 29 of the image forming apparatus main body 1001.

[0051] 10, with insertion portion 27a of hanging holding portion 27 inserted into hole 21a of sheet placing portion 21, engagement portion 27b of hanging holding portion 27 engages with mounting portion 30 of image forming apparatus main body 1001, whereby extension tray 20 is suspended and held on image forming apparatus main body 1001 via hanging holding portion 27. At this time, support portion 27c of hanging holding portion 27 comes into contact with side surface 29 of image forming apparatus main body 1001, thereby restricting rotation of hanging holding portion 27 about engagement portion 27b (counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 10), and the posture of extension tray 20 becomes stable.

[0052] As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the extension tray 20 can be suspended and supported on the image forming apparatus main body 1001 using the hanging support portion 27, allowing the extension tray 20 to be stored near the image forming apparatus main body 1001. Furthermore, when installation of the extension tray 20 is required, the extension tray 20 can be removed from the image forming apparatus main body 1001 and quickly installed, thereby improving the efficiency of the installation work. Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the extension tray 20 can be suspended and supported in a vertical orientation with its longitudinal direction facing the extension direction, thereby saving storage space. Therefore, even when it is difficult to secure storage space near the image forming apparatus, the extension tray 20 can be stored. The extension tray 20 may be suspended and supported in other locations in addition to being suspended and supported on the image forming apparatus main body 1001. The location where the extension tray 20 is suspended and supported can be appropriately selected depending on the installation space of the image forming apparatus or the layout of the installation location.

[0053] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily attach and detach the extension tray and transport sheets, and also to store the extension tray in a space-saving manner. Therefore, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to solve the problems related to the ease of attaching and detaching the extension tray, the problems related to the handling of sheets during transport, and the problems related to the storage method of the extension tray, and it is possible to provide an extension tray that is highly convenient.

[0054] The materials used for the sheet placement portion 21 and the attachment portion 22 of the extension tray 20 can be selected from a variety of materials as long as they can function as the extension tray 20. In particular, plastic cardboard is preferable as an inexpensive and lightweight material. For example, if the sheet placement portion 21 and the attachment portion 22 of the extension tray 20 are made of plastic cardboard, the cost and weight of the extension tray 20 can be reduced. Furthermore, the reduced weight makes the extension tray 20 easier to handle, facilitating tasks such as attaching / detaching, storing, and transporting the extension tray 20. Note that the portions made of plastic cardboard may be other parts of the extension tray 20 in addition to the sheet placement portion 21 and the attachment portion 22.

[0055] The abutment portion 25 is preferably made of a material with good sliding properties because it slides against the guide plate 26 (see FIG. 7) as the sheet tray 12 moves up and down. By making the abutment portion 25 out of a material with good sliding properties, smooth movement of the extension tray 20 up and down can be ensured, and wear of the abutment portion 25 and the guide plate 26 due to sliding can be reduced.

[0056] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment of the present invention will be mainly described, and descriptions of the same parts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0057] <Second embodiment of the present invention> FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an extension tray according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the handle portion 23 of the extension tray 20. Specifically, in the second embodiment of the present invention, a long handle portion 23 is provided that is continuous across the length direction X of the sheet 1. Other than that, the configuration is basically the same.

[0059] In this way, the handle portion 23 may have a long shape that continues along the length direction X of the sheets 1. In this case, too, the user (operator) can remove or carry the extension tray 20 in a stable position by changing the grip position of the handle portion 23 depending on the position of the center of gravity of the sheets 1 to be placed. The length of the handle portion 23 is not particularly limited, but considering the length corresponding to the variation in the position of the center of gravity of the sheets 1, it is preferable that the length be, for example, half or more of the length of the sheet placing portion 21.

[0060] Third Embodiment of the Present Invention FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an extension tray according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] 12, in the third embodiment of the present invention, short handle portions 23 are provided in the length direction X of the sheet 1, one on each side of the extension tray 20 in the width direction Y of the sheet 1. In this case, it is not possible to change the gripping position corresponding to the center of gravity of the placed sheet 1, but this configuration may be acceptable if there is little variation in the center of gravity of the sheet 1. Also, in this case, the handle portion 23 on one side of the sheet 1 in the width direction Y and the handle portion 23 on the other side are positioned offset from each other in the length direction X of the sheet 1, making it easy for the user (worker) to grip each handle portion 23, and the extension tray 20 can be attached, detached, and carried in a stable manner.

[0062] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate design modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, an extension tray that is detachably attached to the discharge tray on which discharged sheets are placed is used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to such extension trays and may also be applied to an extension tray 20 that is detachably attached to a supply tray 31 as shown in Figure 13.

[0064] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus equipped with an extension tray that is detachably attached to a supply tray.

[0065] 13 includes a first sheet supply unit 100A disposed within the apparatus body, and a second sheet supply unit 100B having a supply tray 31 disposed outside the apparatus body. When a sheet is supplied from the first sheet supply unit 100A or the second sheet supply unit 100B, an image is formed on the sheet in the image forming unit 200, and the image is fixed on the sheet by the fixing unit 400. The sheet is then discharged to the sheet discharge unit 300.

[0066] Even in the image forming apparatus 2000 configured as described above, when long sheets are used, the extension tray 20 may be attached to the supply tray 31. In this case, similar to the above-described embodiment, the extension tray 20 may be configured to be detachable by being inserted into and removed from the supply tray 31, thereby making it easier to attach and detach the extension tray 20. Furthermore, a handle may be provided on the extension tray 20 to make it easier to transport sheets, or a hanging holder may be used to store the extension tray 20 in a space-saving manner. Furthermore, the extension tray according to the present invention is not limited to being attached and detached to a sheet tray that can be raised and lowered, but may also be attached to a sheet tray that cannot be raised and lowered.

[0067] To summarize the above-described aspects of the present invention, the present invention includes at least the following aspects.

[0068] [First aspect] The first aspect is an extension tray that is attached to a sheet tray so as to extend in the length direction of the sheet, and has an attachment portion that is attached to the sheet tray so that the sheet tray is accommodated inside, and the attachment portion is configured to be insertable and removable from the sheet tray.

[0069] [Second aspect] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, the extension tray further includes stopper portions that come into contact with one end in the length direction and both ends in the width direction of the sheet placed on the extension tray to prevent the sheet from falling.

[0070] [Third aspect] In the third aspect, in the second aspect, the stopper portion that contacts one longitudinal end of the sheet is an abutment portion that abuts against a member on the sheet tray side when the extension tray is attached to the sheet tray.

[0071] [Fourth aspect] A fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a handle portion that is gripped when attaching or detaching the sheet tray.

[0072] [Fifth aspect] In a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, a plurality of the handle portions are provided on both outer sides in the width direction of the sheets than an area on the extension tray where the sheets are placed.

[0073] [Sixth aspect] A sixth aspect is the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the handle portion is a stopper portion that contacts both ends in the width direction of the sheet placed on the extension tray to prevent the sheet from falling.

[0074] [Seventh aspect] A seventh aspect is any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a hanging holder that hangs and holds the extension tray.

[0075] [Eighth aspect] An eighth aspect is any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein at least a part of the extension tray is made of plastic cardboard.

[0076] [Ninth aspect] A ninth aspect is an image forming apparatus including a sheet tray and the extension tray according to claim 1 attached to the sheet tray so as to extend in the length direction of the sheets. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 sheet 12 sheet tray 20 Extension Tray 21 Sheet placement section 22 Mounting part 23 Handle part (stopper part) 25 Stopper part 27 Hanging support part 1000 Image forming device X length direction Y width direction [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0078] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-86766

Claims

1. An extension tray that is attached to the sheet tray so as to extend in the length direction of the sheet, a mounting portion that is mounted to the sheet tray so that the sheet tray is accommodated therein; The extension tray is characterized in that the attachment portion is configured to be insertable into and removable from the sheet tray.

2. 2. The extension tray according to claim 1, further comprising stoppers that come into contact with one longitudinal end and both widthwise ends of a sheet placed on the extension tray to prevent the sheet from falling.

3. 3. The extension tray according to claim 2, wherein the stopper portion that comes into contact with one end of the sheet in the length direction is an abutting portion that abuts against a member on the sheet tray side when the extension tray is attached to the sheet tray.

4. 2. The extension tray according to claim 1, further comprising a handle that is gripped when attaching or detaching the extension tray to or from the sheet tray.

5. The extension tray according to claim 4 , wherein a plurality of the handles are provided on both outer sides of an area on the extension tray where the sheets are placed in a width direction of the sheets.

6. 5. The extension tray according to claim 4, wherein the handles are stoppers that come into contact with both widthwise ends of a sheet placed on the extension tray to prevent the sheet from falling.

7. The extension tray according to claim 1 , further comprising a hanging holder for hanging and holding the extension tray.

8. 2. The extension tray according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the extension tray is made of plastic cardboard.

9. Sheet tray and the extension tray according to claim 1, which is attached to the sheet tray so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the sheets; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images