Medium loading device, medium conveying device, paper feeder, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming device comprising a manual paper-feed tray rotatably attached thereto, which exhibits a reduced protrusion amount in a horizontal direction thereof and excellent operability when being used in a narrow place.SOLUTION: A medium loading device for loading a medium comprises: a manual paper-feed tray 52 capable of placing a recording paper sheet 26, and a second extension tray 54; and angle-maintaining means (54d, 53c, 54c, 51e, 51f) capable of placing the medium by maintaining the second extension tray 54 at a first angle on a side in a direction of extending to the manual paper-feed tray 52 rather than a vertical direction, and at second angle closer to the vertical direction than the first angle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, and more particularly to a manual paper feed tray provided in an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been image forming devices equipped with a device for placing media, such as a rotatably mounted manual paper feed tray. This manual paper feed tray contains an extension tray so that standard media can be placed on it, and this extension tray is usually pulled out for use (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-115588 A (Page 10, Figure 2) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the installation location, the horizontal projection amount of the means for placing media, such as a tray that is handled by hand, may be limited, and it is desirable to balance installation space with operability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A medium loading device according to the present invention is a medium loading device for loading a medium, The device is characterized by having a first loading section and a second loading section that are configured to allow the medium to be placed thereon, and an angle maintaining means that, when the medium is not placed thereon, maintains the second loading section at a first angle that is more extended toward the first loading section than the vertical direction, and a second angle that is closer to the vertical direction than the first angle, thereby allowing the medium to be placed thereon.

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises the above-mentioned media loading device, and the media loading device is arranged in a state in which the loading surface of the first loading section is inclined so that the side facing away from the media transport path is vertically upward. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the second loading section can be disposed in a state inclined relative to the first loading section, and therefore it is possible to provide a medium loading device that is excellent in both space saving and operability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is provided with a manual paper feed unit; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the manual paper feed unit when opened relative to the image forming apparatus main body, seen obliquely from above. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a first extension tray is pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a second extension tray is further opened from the state shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is an external perspective view of the manual feeding unit, showing a state in which the first extension tray is pushed in by a predetermined amount from the state in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the manual feed unit in the state of FIG. 5, taken at the center of its width, as viewed from the left side. [Figure 7] 6 is an external perspective view of the manual feeding unit, showing a state in which the first extension tray is pushed to the storage position from the state in FIG. 5; FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the manual feed unit in the state of FIG. 7, taken at the center of its width, as viewed from the left side. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a manual paper feed unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the manual feed unit in the state of FIG. 9, taken at the center of its width, as viewed from the left side. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the main part when the third extension tray and the fourth extension tray shown in FIG. 10 are opened in the direction in which the manual paper feed tray extends. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a manual paper feed unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the manual feed unit in the state of FIG. 12, taken at the center of its width, as viewed from the left side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is equipped with a manual paper feed unit 50. As shown in FIG.

[0010] As shown in the figure, image forming apparatus 1 has the configuration of an electrophotographic printer, and paper feed tray 12 has recording paper 25 stacked therein as a medium, and is detachably attached to the bottom of the main body of image forming apparatus 1. Pickup roller 15, together with paper feed roller 16 and separation roller 17, which are arranged in pair in contact with each other, constitutes paper feed section 35. Pickup roller 15 and paper feed roller 16 are driven to rotate by a drive motor (not shown), and separation roller 17 generates torque in the counter-rotational direction by torque generating means (not shown).

[0011] Therefore, the pickup roller 15 picks up the uppermost recording paper 25 that it contacts from the paper feed tray 12, and the paper feed roller 16 and separation roller 17 separate the recording paper 25 one by one and feed them sequentially onto the transport path, even when, for example, multiple recording papers 25 are pulled out at the same time.

[0012] A pair of conveying rollers 18 and a pair of registration rollers 19 are arranged in this order on the conveyance path downstream of the paper feed unit 35 in the conveyance direction of the recording paper 25. The pair of conveying rollers 18 conveys the recording paper 25 to the pair of registration rollers 19, and the pair of registration rollers 19 starts conveying the recording paper after the recording paper 25 comes into contact with them, based on the paper detection timing of a paper sensor 36 that detects the passage of the recording paper 25, thereby correcting any skew of the recording paper 25 and sending it to the image forming unit 11.

[0013] The image forming unit 11 includes an image drum 30 that rotates in the direction of the arrow and on whose peripheral surface a toner development is formed, and a transfer roller 31 that is positioned opposite the image drum 30 so as to be in pressure contact therewith and transfers the toner development onto recording paper 25.

[0014] As the recording paper 25 fed into the image forming unit 11 passes through the pressure contact area between the image drum 30 and the transfer roller 31, the toner development formed on the circumferential surface of the image drum 30 is transferred onto the paper surface by the transfer roller 31, to which a predetermined transfer voltage is applied. The image forming unit 11 starts the process of forming the toner development on the circumferential surface of the image drum 30 based on the paper detection timing of the paper sensor 37, which detects the recording paper 25 after it has passed through the pair of registration rollers 19.

[0015] The fixing unit 32 has a heating roller 33 that rotates in the direction of the arrow and a pressure roller 34 that is arranged to be in pressure contact with the heating roller 33, and applies heat and pressure to the recording paper 25 to which the toner development has been transferred as it passes through the nip portion where these rollers are in pressure contact, thereby fixing the toner development to the recording paper 25. The printed recording paper 25 sent out from the fixing unit 32 along the conveyance path is sent to the discharge roller pair 21 via the conveyance roller pair 20, and is then discharged to the stacker unit 22 by the discharge roller pair 21.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 1 further includes a manual paper feed unit 50 as a paper feed device that enables manual feeding of recording paper 26 as a medium. This manual paper feed unit 50 is stored in a closed state within the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 when not in use, but is opened when in use as shown in Fig. 1. The manual paper feed unit 50 will be described in detail later.

[0017] With manual paper feed unit 50 in this open state, recording paper 26 is placed on manual paper feed tray 52, which serves as a first loading section. Recording paper 26 placed on manual paper feed tray 52 is pulled into the main body of image forming apparatus 1 by manual feed pickup roller 41, which serves as a paper feed section, and fed to manual feed transport roller 42 via a predetermined paper guide. Manual feed transport roller 42 feeds this recording paper 26 into the paper transport path upstream of paper sensor 36. Manual feed pickup roller 41 and manual feed transport roller 42 rotate synchronously.

[0018] The recording paper 26 that has passed the paper sensor 36 undergoes the same process as the recording paper 25 fed from the paper feed tray 12, with the toner image transferred by the image forming unit 11 and the toner image fixed by the fixing unit 32, before being discharged to the stacker unit 22. Note that the paper transport path downstream of the manual feed transport rollers 42 corresponds to the medium transport path.

[0019] 1, the X-direction is the conveyance direction of the recording paper 25 as it passes through the pressure-contact portion between the image drum 30 and the transfer roller 31, the Y-direction is the direction of the rotational axis of the image drum 30, and the Z-direction is the direction perpendicular to both axes. Furthermore, when the X-, Y-, and Z-directions are shown in other figures described later, these directions refer to the same directions. That is, the X-, Y-, and Z-directions in each figure indicate the arrangement direction when the depicted parts of each figure are configured as the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. Here, the Z-direction is assumed to be approximately vertical.

[0020] Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the manual paper feed unit 50 when it is open relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, as seen obliquely from above, Fig. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the first extension tray 53 has been pulled out (extended) from the state shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the second extension tray 54 has been further opened from the state shown in Fig. 3. Note that up and down, left and right, front and back may be specified when viewed from the direction of arrow A (direction of arrow X) as the front direction.

[0021] As shown in these figures, the manual paper feed unit 50 includes a manual paper feed cover 51 rotatably held by a frame 2 that forms the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, a manual paper feed tray 52 formed integrally with the manual paper feed cover 51, a first extension tray 53 slidably held by the manual paper feed tray 52, a sub-guide 55 swingably held by the manual paper feed tray 52, and a second extension tray 54 rotatably held by the first extension tray 53.

[0022] Manual feed cover 51 has pivot shafts 51a, 51b at the left and right rear ends, and is pivotally supported by a pair of shafts (not shown) formed on frame 2 facing each other so that they fit into shaft holes (not shown). These shafts are arranged on an axis parallel to the direction of arrow Y. When manual feed cover 51 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2, its pivoting is restricted by a pivot restricting means (not shown) so that it cannot be opened any further.

[0023] The manual paper feed tray 52 is adjacent to the manual paper feed cover 51 (located above it in the state shown in FIG. 2), is formed integrally with the manual paper feed cover 51, and is provided with a pair of left and right positioning sliders 52a, 52b that position the placed recording paper 26 in the width direction (left and right). For this reason, the sliders 52a, 52b are configured to be able to slide symmetrically left and right with respect to the center of the conveying position in the width direction (Y direction) of the recording paper 26.

[0024] Therefore, the manual paper feed unit 50 can be rotated between an open position shown in Figure 2, in which recording paper 26 can be placed and printing can be performed by manual feeding, and a closed position (not shown), in which, when closed, the manual paper feed tray 52 and the like are accommodated within the main body of the image forming device 1 and the manual paper feed cover 51 closes the front of the image forming device 1.

[0025] The first extension tray 53, which is disposed between the manual feed cover 51 and the manual feed tray 52, is slidably held by the manual feed tray 52 so that it can be pulled out together with the second extension tray 54 that it holds when the manual feed unit 50 is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0026] Although a slidably holding means is not shown here, a general configuration may be used. For example, first extension tray 53 may have a pair of guide protrusions extending in the direction of arrow A at the left and right ends of its underside, and manual feed tray 52 may have a pair of guide grooves at opposing positions into which these pair of guide protrusions fit to hold it slidably. The slidably holding means and first extension tray 53 correspond to the stacking means.

[0027] Figure 2 shows the first extension tray 53 in a storage position where it is stored overlapping the manual paper feed tray 52 by the means that allows it to slide, and Figure 3 shows the first extension tray 53 in a state where it has been pulled out by the means that allows it to slide.Hereinafter, the position where the first extension tray 53 has been pulled out may be referred to as the extended position.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, above the first extension tray 53 as the third loading section pulled out to the extended position is the second extension tray 54 which is rotatably held at the tip of the first extension tray 53, and this second extension tray 54 as the second loading section can only be rotated by the operator when the manual paper feed unit 50 is opened and the first extension tray 53 is in the extended position.

[0029] 4 shows the state after the second extension tray 54 has been rotated, in which the second extension tray 54 is positioned on an extension of the first extension tray 53, and is in a rotated position (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the open position) where the placement surface 53d of the first extension tray 53 and the placement surface 54f of the rotated second extension tray 54 are substantially flush with each other, and further rotation is restricted by the first extension tray 53. The method of holding the second extension tray 54 by the first extension tray 53 and the method of restricting rotation will be described in detail later.

[0030] Sub-guide 55 has a pair of posts 55a, 55b formed to protrude from the left and right ends, which are loosely fitted at corresponding positions into retaining holes of retaining portions 51c, 51d formed in manual paper feed cover 51. These retaining holes are formed so that sub-guide 55 can rotate with a certain amount of play.

[0031] As a result, when the first extension tray 53 is pulled out, the sub-guide 55 swings in accordance with the unevenness of the upper surface of the first extension tray 53 during the pulling-out process, smoothing the movement, and when it reaches the extended position, it covers the steps and gaps that occur between the manual feed tray 52 and the first extension tray 53, smoothing their upper surfaces.

[0032] 4, recording paper 26 is normally placed on manual paper feed tray 52, first extension tray 53, or second extension tray 54 according to its size. Here, for example, if A3 recording paper 26 is placed vertically in this state, its rear edge will be slightly beyond the front edge of second extension tray 54.

[0033] Fig. 5 is an external perspective view of manual paper feed unit 50 showing a state in which first extension tray 53 has been pushed in by a predetermined amount from the state in Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts, such as a cross section taken at the center of the width of manual paper feed unit 50 in the state in Fig. 5, viewed from the left side. Fig. 7 is an external perspective view of manual paper feed unit 50 showing a state in which first extension tray 53 has been pushed in to the storage position from the state in Fig. 5, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts, such as a cross section taken at the center of the width of manual paper feed unit 50 in the state in Fig. 7, viewed from the left side.

[0034] When the operator pushes the first extension tray 53 in the direction of storage from the state shown in Figure 4, at the moving position shown in Figure 5 just before it reaches the storage position, the tip of the abutment portion 54c, which is located at the rear end of the second extension tray 54 in the open position and extends in the storage direction (direction of arrow B) below the first extension tray 53, abuts against the first rib 51e arranged on the manual paper feed cover 51, as shown in Figure 6.

[0035] Here, the engagement relationship between the first extension tray 53 and the second extension tray 54 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, the second extension tray 54 is formed with a pair of cylindrical rotation shafts 54a (54b) protruding in the Y direction from both left and right sides of the rear side, and U-shaped grooves 53a (53b) into which the pair of rotation shafts 54a (54b) fit are formed on both left and right sides of the front side of the first extension tray 53. As a result, the second extension tray 54 is rotatably and detachably held at its tip end relative to the first extension tray 53.

[0036] 6, when the second extension tray 54 is in the open position, an upper surface 54d serving as a contact surface of an abutment portion 54c located below the first extension tray 53 and extending in the storage direction (the direction of arrow B) abuts against a lower restriction surface 53c of the first extension tray 53, thereby maintaining the open position state as a first rotation angle. The upper surface 54d and the lower restriction surface 53c correspond to a first angle engagement means.

[0037] Therefore, the second extension tray 54 is rotatable between a closed position in which the loading surface 53d (Figure 4) of the first extension tray 53 and the loading surface 54f (Figure 4) of the second extension tray 54 face each other and overlap with the first extension tray 53, as shown in Figure 3, and an open position shown in Figure 4.

[0038] When the operator pushes the first extension tray 53 further into the storage position shown in FIG. 7 (FIG. 2) from the state shown in FIG. 6 in which the tip of the abutment portion 54c abuts against the first rib 51e of the manual paper feed cover 51, the tip of the abutment portion 54c of the second extension tray 54 is pushed relatively by the first rib 51e as it moves, and the second extension tray 54 rotates around the pair of pivot shafts 54a (54b).

[0039] 8, when the first extension tray 53 is pushed into the storage position, the second extension tray 54 stops at a desired rotation angle θ1 as a second angle relative to the first extension tray 53, and the contact portion 54c is clamped by the first rib 51e and the second rib 51f of the manual feed cover 51, restricting rotation in both directions. Note that the desired rotation angle θ1 at this time is the angle most suitable for conveying manual-feed recording paper 26 when it is placed on the respective placement surfaces of the manual feed tray 52 and the second extension tray 54 in this state.

[0040] The first rib 51e and the second rib 51f correspond to the restricting portion, and the abutment portion 54c, the first rib 51e, and the second rib 51f correspond to the second angle engaging means. The first angle engaging means and the second engaging means are configured to act near the left and right ends of the manual paper feed unit 50, thereby stably maintaining each angle. The pair of rotation shafts 54a, 54b on the left and right sides of the manual paper feed unit 50 are provided closer to the ends than the center, but the second engaging means may be configured to act closer to the center than the rotation shafts on the ends.

[0041] Furthermore, as the second extension tray 54 rotates at this time, the tip of the sub-guide 55 slides into a groove 54e formed in the second extension tray 54 so as to extend in the width direction (direction of arrow Y) near the rotation axis 54a (54b). This covers the step that occurs between the second extension tray 54 at the desired rotation angle θ1 and the first extension tray 53, thereby providing smooth work or operation when the recording paper 26 is placed or when the recording paper 26 is transported.

[0042] Also, although the process from the state of FIG. 2 to the state of FIG. 7 via the state of FIG. 4 has been described here, this series of operations can also be performed when the manual paper feed unit 50 is rotated to a position closer to the vertical than the inclined state of FIG. 4, and therefore can be performed as long as there is enough space for the state of FIG. 7 to be achieved, and simply securing a small space makes it possible to feed recording paper 26 from the manual paper feed unit 50.

[0043] Embodiment 2 Figure 9 is an external oblique view of manual paper feed unit 250 according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of manual paper feed unit 250 in the state shown in Figure 9, taken at the center of its width, as viewed from the left side, and Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts when third extension tray 253 and fourth extension tray 254 shown in Figure 10 are opened in the direction in which manual paper feed tray 252 extends.

[0044] The main difference between manual feed unit 250 as a first loading unit of this embodiment shown in Fig. 9 and manual feed unit 50 of embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 7 is the configuration of third extension tray 253 and fourth extension tray 254 and their displacement form. Therefore, parts of an image forming apparatus employing this manual feed unit 250 that are common to image forming apparatus 1 employing manual feed unit 50 of embodiment 1 described above will be given the same reference numerals or will not be shown in the drawings, and the description will focus on the differences. Furthermore, because the main configuration of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment is common to the main configuration of image forming apparatus 1 of embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 1 except for manual feed unit 250, Fig. 1 will be referenced as necessary.

[0045] 11, the fourth extension tray 254 is formed with a pair of cylindrical rotation shaft protrusions 254a (254b) protruding in the Y direction from both rear end portions, and the third extension tray 253 serving as the second placement portion is formed with rotation shaft holes 253a (253b) at both front end portions into which the pair of rotation shaft protrusions 254a (254b) fit, so that the fourth extension tray 254 is rotatably held at its tip end relative to the third extension tray 253.

[0046] As a result, the fourth extension tray 254 is positioned on an extension of the third extension tray 253 and is rotatable between an open position in which the loading surface 253c of the third extension tray 253 and the first surface 254c of the fourth extension tray 254 after rotation are approximately flush with each other, and a closed position (not shown) in which the loading surface 253c and the first surface 254c face each other and overlap with the third extension tray 253.

[0047] Similar to first extension tray 53 in the first embodiment, third extension tray 253, together with fourth extension tray 254 in the closed position and overlapping therewith, is held slidably between a storage position (see FIG. 2) in which it is stored between manual paper feed cover 251 and manual paper feed tray 252, and an extended position (see FIG. 3). The state in FIG. 11 in which third extension tray 253 is in the extended position and fourth extension tray 254 is in the open position corresponds to the state in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment in which second extension tray 54 is open.

[0048] 11, recording paper 26 is normally placed on manual paper feed tray 252, third extension tray 253, and fourth extension tray 254 according to its size. Here, for example, if A3 recording paper 26 is placed vertically in this state, its rear end will be slightly beyond the front end of fourth extension tray 254.

[0049] For this reason, in this embodiment, third extension tray 253 is formed with regulating protrusions 253d and 253e that protrude in the Y direction from both rear side portions as shown in Figure 11, and guide long holes 252a and 252b that serve as slide support portions extending in the storage direction (direction of arrow B) are formed on both side portions of manual paper feed cover 251 and manual paper feed tray 252 that are integrally formed, into which regulating protrusions 253d and 253e that serve as engagement shaft portions respectively fit.

[0050] As a result, third extension tray 253 is held slidably between the storage position and the extended position by manual paper feed tray 252. Third extension tray 253 is restricted in position at the extended position by a locking means (not shown), and is rotatable about restricting protrusions 253d and 253e restricted in this extended position.

[0051] Here, levers 253f and 253g serving as engagement portions fixedly formed on restricting protrusions 253d and 253e, respectively, are rotatable within the range restricted by rotation restricting portions 252c and 252d formed at opposing positions on manual feed cover 251 and manual feed tray 252. Therefore, third extension tray 253 is rotatable between the fully open position shown in Fig. 11, which is an extension of manual feed tray 252, and the half open position shown in Fig. 10, which is rotated 90° from this position.

[0052] Therefore, when the third extension tray 253 is in the fully open position, its levers 253f, 253g abut against first restriction surfaces 252f (252g) (FIG. 10) serving as first restriction portions of the rotation restriction portions 252c, 252d, and is restricted to this fully open position, and when it is in the half-open position, its lever 253f (253g) abuts against second restriction surfaces 252h (252i) (FIG. 11) serving as second restriction portions of the rotation restriction portions 252c, 252d, and is restricted to this half-open position. For simplicity, the levers 253f, 253g and the rotation restriction portions 252c, 252d are not shown in FIG. 9.

[0053] 10, the third extension tray 253 is restricted at a position beyond the vertically upper position in the counterclockwise direction, and therefore maintains this fully open position by its own weight even without a locking mechanism for locking it at this position. On the other hand, as shown in the figure, the fourth extension tray 254 is stopped by its own weight at a rotation position where its leading edge abuts against the loading surface 252e of the manual paper feed tray 252 when the third extension tray 253 is in the half-open position.

[0054] In this state, the operator places the recording paper 26 for manual feeding on the placement surface 252e of the manual paper feed tray 252 and on the second surface 254d of the fourth extension tray 254, which is on the reverse side of the first surface 254c.

[0055] Also, here we have explained the process of going from the state of Figure 11 to the state of Figure 10, but the state of Figure 10 can be reached by rotating the manual paper feed unit 50 to a position closer to vertical than the inclined state of Figure 4 and further pulling out the third extension tray 253 to the extended position, so it can operate as long as there is enough space to achieve the state of Figure 10, and simply securing a small space makes it possible to feed recording paper 26 from the manual paper feed unit 50.

[0056] Embodiment 3 FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of manual paper feed unit 350 according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of the main part of manual paper feed unit 350 in the state shown in FIG. 12, viewed from the left side.

[0057] The main difference between manual feed unit 350 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 12 and manual feed unit 250 of embodiment 2 shown in Fig. 9 is the configuration of fifth extension trays 354a, 354b and their displacement form. Therefore, parts common to the image forming apparatus employing this manual feed unit 350 and the image forming apparatus employing manual feed unit 250 of embodiment 2 described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals or will not be shown in the drawings, and the description will focus on the differences. Note that the essential configuration of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment is common to the essential configuration of image forming apparatus 1 of embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 1 except for manual feed unit 350, so Fig. 1 will be referenced as necessary.

[0058] In this embodiment, a pair of fifth extension trays 354a, which correspond to the fourth extension tray 254 (Figure 11) in embodiment 2 and are integrally arranged on both the left and right sides, and a fifth extension tray 354b (Figure 13) arranged in between them are each independently held rotatably on the third extension tray 253.

[0059] That is, instead of the pivot shaft holes 253a, 253b of the third extension tray 253 described in Figure 11 of embodiment 2, the pair of fifth extension trays 354a and 354b have pivot shaft protrusions 354c formed at opposing positions that fit into pivot shaft holes 253h formed in multiple coaxial positions, and are held by the third extension tray 253 so that they can rotate independently on the same axis as shown in Figure 12.

[0060] In addition, Figure 12 shows a state in which a pair of fifth extension trays 354a, which rotate integrally, are maintained in an open position where they are approximately flush with the loading surface 253c of the third extension tray 253, and a fifth extension tray 354b, which can rotate independently of the pair of fifth extension trays 354a, has rotated to a predetermined rotation position (see Figure 13) described below, which is not visible in the same figure.

[0061] When third extension tray 253 rotates upward from, for example, the fully open position (see FIG. 11) which is an extension of manual paper feed tray 252, its rotation is locked by a regulating member 252k arranged on manual paper feed tray 252 at the paper feed preparation position shown in FIG. 13 before it reaches the vertically upward position. This regulating member 252k is urged downward at this position by, for example, a urging means (not shown), and when third extension tray 253 reaches the paper feed preparation position, it receives the leading end of the third extension tray 253 and locks it at the same time.

[0062] As shown in Figure 13, when the third extension tray 253 is locked in this paper feed preparation position, the pair of fifth extension trays 354a are maintained in an open position where they are approximately flush with the loading surface 253c of the third extension tray 253, and the fifth extension tray 354b located in the middle is rotated counterclockwise until its tip faces the loading surface 252e of the third extension tray 253 and maintains that rotated position.

[0063] In this state, the operator places recording paper 26 to be manually fed on the loading surface 252e of manual paper feed tray 252, the upper surface of fifth extension tray 354b, and the upper surfaces of the pair of fifth extension trays 354a. Therefore, manual paper feed unit 350 of this embodiment can also operate as long as there is enough space to achieve the state shown in Figure 12, and smooth feeding of recording paper 26 from manual paper feed unit 50 is possible by simply securing a small space.

[0064] As described above, according to the paper feed device of this embodiment, when the manual paper feed unit 50 is set and recording paper is placed on it, less space is required, which contributes to efficient use of space, and also provides excellent operability as no additional accessories are required.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above claims and explanation of the embodiments, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" are used for convenience and do not limit the absolute positional relationship when the media loading device or image forming device is positioned. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus as a monochrome printer, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to image processing apparatuses such as copiers, facsimiles, MFPs, etc. Also, although the description has been given of a monochrome printer, it may also be applied to a color printer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming device, 2 frame, 11 image forming section, 12 paper feed tray, 15 pickup roller, 16 paper feed roller, 17 separation roller, 18 conveying roller pair, 19 registration roller pair, 20 conveying roller pair, 21 discharge roller pair, 22 stacker section, 25 recording paper, 26 recording paper, 30 image drum, 31 transfer roller, 32 fuser unit, 33 heating roller, 34 pressure roller, 35 paper feed section, 36 paper sensor, 37 paper sensor, 41 manual feed pickup roller, 42 manual feed conveying roller, 50 manual feed unit, 51 manual feed cover, 51a pivot shaft section, 51b pivot shaft section, 51c holding section, 51d holding section, 51e first rib, 51f Second rib, 52 manual feed tray, 52a slider, 52b slider, 53 first extension tray, 53a U-shaped groove, 53b U-shaped groove, 53c lower regulating surface, 53d placement surface, 54 second extension tray, 54a pivot shaft, 54b pivot shaft, 54c contact portion, 54d upper surface, 54e groove portion, 54f placement surface, 55 sub-guide, 55a post, 55b post, 250 manual feed unit, 252 manual feed tray, 252a elongated guide hole, 252b elongated guide hole, 252c pivot regulating portion, 252d pivot regulating portion, 252e placement surface, 252f first regulating surface, 252g first regulating surface, 252h Second regulating surface, 252i Second regulating surface, 252k Regulating member, 253 Third extension tray, 253a Pivoting shaft hole, 253b Pivoting shaft hole, 253c Placement surface, 253d Regulating protrusion, 253e Regulating protrusion, 253f Lever, 253g Lever, 253h Pivoting shaft hole, 254 Fourth extension tray, 254a Pivoting shaft protrusion, 254b Pivoting shaft protrusion, 254c First surface, 254d Second surface, 350 Manual paper feed unit, 354a Fifth extension tray, 354b Fifth extension tray, 354c Pivoting shaft protrusion.

Claims

1. In a medium loading device for loading a medium, a first placement section and a second placement section on which the medium can be placed; an angle maintaining means for selectively maintaining the second loading section at a first angle in a direction extending from the vertical direction relative to the first loading section when the medium is not loaded, and a second angle that is closer to the vertical direction than the first angle, thereby enabling the medium to be loaded; A medium loading device comprising:

2. The angle maintaining means is a first angle engagement means for maintaining the first angle; second angle engagement means for maintaining the second angle; 2. The medium loading device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. a superimposing means for moving the first and second placement sections in a direction in which the first and second placement sections are superimposed on each other while the medium is not placed thereon; 3. The medium loading device according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. the medium loading device of claim 3; a medium transport path used for transporting the medium, the medium transport path being disposed on the opposite side of the first loading section from the second loading section; A medium transport device comprising:

5. The medium transport device of claim 4; a paper feed unit that feeds the medium from the first loading unit side to the medium transport path; A paper feeding device comprising:

6. 4. The media loading device according to claim 3, wherein the first angle engaging means and the second angle engaging means are arranged on both sides of the second loading section when viewed from the media transport direction of the media transport path.

7. the superimposing means includes a third mounting portion that can be disposed between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, the second mounting portion includes a rotation shaft disposed on the third mounting portion side, and is held rotatably about the rotation shaft on the second mounting portion side of the third mounting portion, the first angle engagement means has a contact surface that comes into contact with the third mounting portion when the second mounting portion is at the first angle; the second angle engagement means has an abutment portion that engages with the restriction portion of the first mounting portion when the second mounting portion is rotated to the second angle, The stacking means is capable of stacking on the first loading section when the loading surface of the second loading section is folded facing the loading surface of the third loading section, and when the third loading section is extended and stacked on the first loading section while the second loading section is maintained at the first angle, the abutment portion engages with the regulating portion to maintain the second loading section at the second angle.

8. the superimposing means has a slide support part that can move the second placement part to a position extended relative to the first placement part, the second mounting portion has an engagement shaft portion that engages with the slide support portion and is rotatably held by the slide support portion at the extended position, the first angle engaging means has a first restricting portion that abuts against an engaging portion of the second mounting portion at the extended position to maintain the first angle; The second angle engaging means has a second restricting portion that abuts against the engaging portion of the second mounting portion that is at the second angle in the extended position, thereby maintaining the second angle.

7. The medium loading device according to claim 3 or 6.

9. 3. An image forming apparatus comprising the medium loading device of claim 1, a medium transport path used for transporting the medium, the medium transport path being disposed on the opposite side of the first loading section from the second loading section; a paper feed unit that feeds the medium to the medium transport path; and The medium loading device is disposed in a state in which the loading surface of the first loading section is inclined so that the side away from the medium transport path is vertically upward. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

Images