Document feeder and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a document feeder capable of maintaining the conveyability of a document regardless of the size of the document.SOLUTION: The document feeding device 3 includes a paper feed tray 31, a paper discharge tray 32, and a restriction unit 33. The paper feed tray 31 supplies the document M to be fed to the front X1. The sheet discharge tray 32 is configured such that the supplied document M is discharged to a rear X2 thereof, and is disposed on a lower Z2 of the sheet feed tray 31. The limiting section 33 limits rearward X2 movement of the document M discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 32. The limiting portion 33 includes a first extension portion 330 and a second extension portion 340. The first extension portion 330 extends from an end portion of a rear side X2 of the sheet discharge tray 32 toward the rear side X2. The second extension portion 340 extends from the first extension portion 330 toward the upper Z1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a document feeder and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] The document feeder described in Patent Document 1 has a paper feed tray, a paper discharge tray, a document reading unit, a paper discharge unit, and a stopper. The paper feed tray feeds documents to the document reading unit. The paper discharge tray receives the documents that are discharged by the paper discharge unit after they have been read. The stopper abuts against the leading edge of the documents in the direction of discharge. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-178985 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the document feeder described in Patent Document 1, when a document that is longer in the transport direction than the paper feed tray is transported, the end of the document that protrudes from the paper feed tray hangs down. When the end of the document hangs down from the paper feed tray, the document is pulled in the opposite direction to the transport direction, making it difficult for the document to move in the transport direction, and there is a risk that the document transportability will be reduced.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a document feeder and an image forming apparatus that can maintain document transportability regardless of the size of the document. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a document feeding device includes a paper feed tray, a paper output tray, and a limiting section. The paper feed tray supplies documents to be fed in a first direction. The output tray outputs the supplied documents in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and is disposed below the paper feed tray. The limiting section limits movement of the documents output to the output tray in the second direction. The limiting section has a first extension section and a second extension section. The first extension section extends in the second direction from an end of the output tray in the second direction. The second extension section extends upward from the first extension section.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document feeder and an image forming unit. The document feeder is as described in the first aspect. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a document feeder and an image forming apparatus that can maintain document transportability regardless of the size of the document. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a document feeder in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a limiting portion attached to the paper output tray. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state before the restricting portion is attached. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state after the limiting portion has been attached. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a retracted state of a restricting portion according to a modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a limiting portion according to a modified example is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] First, an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. In this example, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multi-function peripheral (MFP). The image forming apparatus 1 has the functions of a scanner, a copier, a printer, and a facsimile. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 2, a document feeder 3, an operation panel 4, and a control unit 5. The document feeder 3 includes an image reading unit 36. The operation panel 4 includes a touch panel 4a.

[0012] The image forming unit 2 forms an image on a recording paper P, which is an example of a recording medium. The image reading unit 36 ​​reads an image formed on an original M. The document feeder 3 transports the original M to be read. The operation panel 4 has a touch panel 4a and accepts operations from a user on the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 5 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0013] The image forming unit 2 includes a paper feed cassette 21, a paper feed roller 22, a transport roller 23, a registration roller 24, an image forming unit 25, a fixing unit 26, a discharge roller 27, and a discharge tray 28. The paper feed roller 22 feeds out recording paper P one sheet at a time from the paper feed cassette 21. The recording paper P fed out by the paper feed roller 22 is transported to the image forming unit 25 by the transport roller 23 and the registration roller 24.

[0014] The image forming unit 25 forms an image on the recording paper P transported from the paper feed cassette 21. The image forming unit 25 includes a photosensitive drum 251, a charging unit 252, an exposure unit 253, a developing unit 254, a transfer roller 255, and a cleaning unit 256. The photosensitive drum 251 is a cylindrical rotating body, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on its circumferential surface. The charging unit 252 charges the photosensitive drum 251 to a predetermined potential. The exposure unit 253 irradiates the photosensitive drum 251 with laser light based on image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 251 according to the image data. The image data may be, for example, image data generated by the image reading unit 36 ​​reading an original M, or image data received from an external computer via a communication network (not shown). The recording paper P on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit 25 is transported to the fixing unit 26.

[0015] Developing unit 254 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on photosensitive drum 251 to develop it, forming a toner image on photosensitive drum 251. Transfer roller 255 transfers the toner image on photosensitive drum 251 to recording paper P. Cleaning unit 256 removes residual toner remaining on photosensitive drum 251 after transfer.

[0016] The fixing device 26 thermally fixes the image formed on the recording paper P to the recording paper P. The fixing device 26 includes a heating roller with a built-in heating element and a pressure roller. The heating roller and the pressure roller are pressed together to form a fixing nip. As the recording paper P passes through the fixing nip, the toner adhering to the surface of the recording paper P is melted and heated, and the toner image is fixed to the recording paper P. The recording paper P with the fixed toner image is discharged to a discharge tray 28 by a discharge roller 27.

[0017] The control unit 5 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). A control program is stored in the ROM. The CPU functions as various functional units by reading and executing the control program stored in the ROM. The RAM is used as a working area when the CPU executes the control program.

[0018] Next, the document feeder 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the document feeder 3 in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0019] The image reading unit 36 ​​reads an image of the original M. The image reading unit 36 ​​includes a contact glass, a reading guide 363, a light source (not shown), multiple mirrors (not shown), multiple carriages (not shown), an imaging lens (not shown), and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) (not shown). The mirrors are supported by the carriage. The contact glass has a wide original placement glass 361 located on the ejection direction side of the original M, and a narrow automatic original reading glass 362 located on the opposite side of the original placement glass 361.

[0020] In the following, to facilitate understanding of the embodiments, the X, Y, and Z directions, which are perpendicular to each other, may be referred to. The X direction, for example, indicates the direction in which the original M is transported. Specifically, the front-rear direction X is defined as the direction in which the original M is fed, with the front X1 being the direction in which the original M is fed, and the opposite direction being the rear X2. The Y direction, for example, indicates the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1 when viewed from the rear X2. Specifically, the left-right direction Y is defined as the left direction Y1 facing the front of the image forming apparatus 1, and the opposite direction being the right Y2. The Z direction indicates a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y. Specifically, the up-down direction Z is defined as the upward direction of the image forming apparatus 1, with the downward direction being the downward Z2. The front X1 corresponds to, for example, the "first direction," and the rear X2 corresponds to, for example, the "second direction." The left-right direction Y corresponds to, for example, the "third direction."

[0021] There are two methods for reading an image of the original M by the image reading unit 36: a flatbed reading mode and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) reading mode. In the flatbed reading mode, an image of the original M placed on the original placement glass 361 is read. In the ADF reading mode, the original M is transported by the original feeder 3, and the image of the original M is read as the original M passes over the automatic original reading glass 362.

[0022] Specifically, in the flatbed reading mode, a light source illuminates the original M placed on the original placement glass 361, and the light reflected from the original M is reflected by each mirror and enters the imaging lens. The light that enters the imaging lens is imaged by photoelectric conversion on the light receiving surface of the CCD and output as an image signal. After reading one line, each carriage is moved in the forward / backward direction X, which is perpendicular to the left / right direction Y, which is the main scanning direction of the original M, and the next line is read.

[0023] On the other hand, in the ADF reading mode, when the original M fed by the original feeder 3 passes through the reading position, which is the gap between the automatic original reading glass 362 and the reading guide 363, the light source irradiates the original M with light through the automatic original reading glass 362. The light reflected from the original M is reflected by each mirror and enters the imaging lens, and the light that enters the imaging lens is imaged by photoelectric conversion on the light receiving surface of the CCD and output as an image signal.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the document feeder 3 includes a paper feed tray 31, a paper discharge tray 32, and a limiting section 33.

[0025] The paper feed tray 31 is a location where multiple sheets of original document M are placed. The paper feed tray 31 supplies the original document M that is sent out in the forward direction X1. A lift mechanism (not shown) that lifts the original document M upward, for example, by moving a lift plate with an upward biasing force, is provided on the bottom surface of the paper feed tray 31. When the original document M is placed on the paper feed tray 31, the lift mechanism lifts the lift plate upward, and the topmost original document M comes into contact with the pickup roller 41.

[0026] The discharge tray 32 stacks the discharged documents M. The supplied documents M are discharged to the rear X2 of the discharge tray 32. The discharge tray 32 is disposed below the feed tray 31 at Z2. The discharge tray 32 has a rear wall 322. The rear wall 322 corresponds to, for example, the "rear X2 end of the discharge tray 32."

[0027] The limiting portion 33 limits the movement of the document M discharged onto the discharge tray 32 toward the rear X2. The limiting portion 33 is disposed at the end of the rear X2 of the discharge tray 32. As a result, the limiting portion 33 comes into contact with the rear X2 side end of the document M discharged to the rear X2, and stops the progress of the document M. The limiting portion 33 has a first extension portion 330 and a second extension portion 340.

[0028] The first extension portion 330 fixes the second extension portion 340 to the paper output tray 32. The first extension portion 330 extends from the rear wall portion 322 of the paper output tray 32 in the rear direction X2.

[0029] The second extension portion 340 contacts the underside of the document M discharged to the rear X2. The second extension portion 340 supports the document M placed on the paper feed tray 31. The second extension portion 340 extends upward from the first extension portion 330. As a result, the second extension portion 340 extends upward Z1 from the first extension portion 330, which extends further rearward X2 than the rear wall portion 322, so that the end of the document M that protrudes rearward X2 from the end of the rear X2 of the paper feed tray 31 can be supported by the second extension portion 340. In other words, even if the document M is longer in the front-rear direction X than the paper feed tray 31, the end of the document M that protrudes from the paper feed tray 31 can be prevented from drooping downward Z2. Therefore, even documents M of various sizes, such as legal size, are not pulled in the opposite direction to the transport direction. Therefore, the transportability of the document M can be maintained regardless of the size of the document M. Furthermore, since the second extension portion 340 extends upward Z1 from the first extension portion 330, which extends rearward X2 beyond the rear wall portion 322, it is possible to place documents M that are longer in the front-to-rear direction X than the discharge tray 32 on the discharge tray 32 without bending them. Because the documents M can be placed without bending them upward Z1 or downward Z2, the documents M can be stacked stably, and the stock of documents M can be improved.

[0030] Next, the document feeder 3 will be further described with reference to Figs. 2 to 6. Fig. 3 is a view of the document feeder 3 viewed from the rear X2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the limiting unit 33 attached to the paper output tray 32. Specifically, Fig. 4 shows the appearance of the limiting unit 33 attached to the paper output tray 32 viewed from diagonally above and to the left Z1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the state before the limiting unit 33 is attached. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the state after the limiting unit 33 is attached. Specifically, Figs. 5 and 6 show the appearance of the limiting unit 33 viewed from diagonally below and to the right Z2.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the document feeder 3 includes a pickup roller 41, a separation roller 42, a first transport roller 43, a registration roller 44, a second transport roller 45, and a discharge roller 46.

[0032] The pickup roller 41 sends out the document M placed on the paper feed tray 31 in the forward direction X1. Specifically, the pickup roller 41 comes into contact with the topmost document M on the paper feed tray 31. The pickup roller 41 is driven to rotate, and feeds out the topmost document M one sheet at a time toward the separation roller 42. The pickup roller 41 starts feeding out the next document M after a predetermined time has elapsed since the pickup roller 41 fed out the rear end of the document M.

[0033] Separation roller 42 sends the original documents M picked up by pickup roller 41 one by one toward first transport roller 43. First transport roller 43 sends the original documents M transported from separation roller 42 one by one toward registration roller 44. Because the transport path is curved in the area from first transport roller 43 to registration roller 44, the transport direction of the original documents M is changed from forward X1 to backward X2.

[0034] The resist rollers 44 send the transported document M at a predetermined timing to a reading position defined by the gap between the automatic document reading glass 362 and the reading guide 363. In the ADF reading mode, when the document M passes between the reading guide 363 and the automatic document reading glass 362, the image formed on the document surface is read.

[0035] The second transport roller 45 is disposed downstream of the reading position in the transport direction of the original M, and transports the original M read at the reading position to the discharge roller 46.

[0036] The discharge roller 46 discharges the document M transported from the second transport roller 45 toward the paper output tray 32. The discharge roller 46 is located forward X1 of the pickup roller 41 in the front-to-rear direction X. This prevents the document M from hitting the second extension portion 340 and being stacked in a bent upward Z1 or downward Z2 state. In other words, since the length from the second extension portion 340 to the discharge roller 46 in the front-to-rear direction X is longer than the length from the second extension portion 340 to the pickup roller 41, the document M transported from the paper feed tray 31 is stacked in the area from the second extension portion 340 to the discharge roller 46 without being bent. This prevents the document M from being bent after being discharged.

[0037] 2 and 3, the paper feed tray 31 is configured from a plate member that is substantially rectangular in plan view. The rear X2 end of the paper feed tray 31 is located forward X1 of the rear X2 end of the paper discharge tray 32. The paper feed tray 31 has a main body 311, a placement surface 311a on which the document M is placed, and a rear X2 end 311b of the paper feed tray 31.

[0038] The front end X1 of the main body 311 is connected to the front upper part of the paper discharge tray 32. The main body 311 is configured in a substantially plate shape. The front end X1 of the main body 311 has an axis extending in the left-right direction Y, and is formed to be able to swing freely around the axis. A placement surface 311a is provided on the top surface of the main body 311. The height position of the main body 311 increases toward the rear X2.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the paper output tray 32 has a main body 321, two openings 322a, and two connecting portions 323. The main body 321 is located between the contact glass and the paper feed tray 31. The main body 321 has a placing surface 321a. The placing surface 321a is provided on the upper surface of the main body 321. The placing surface 321a receives the document M discharged from the discharge roller 46. The placing surface 321a is positioned higher towards the rear X2. The main body 321 has a front wall, a rear wall 322, a left wall, a right wall, and connecting portions 323 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0040] The rear wall 322 extends vertically downward in the Z2 direction from the rear end of the placement surface 321a. The rear wall 322 is perpendicular to the front-rear direction X. The rear wall 322, which is the rear X2 end of the main body 321, is provided with a pair of left and right openings 322a.

[0041] The pair of left and right openings 322a are formed in the center of the rear wall portion 322 in the left-right direction Y. The openings 322a have a generally rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction Y. The separation width between the pair of openings 322a in the left-right direction Y is set to be, for example, 1 / 4 to 1 / 3 of the width of the placement surface 321a in the left-right direction Y.

[0042] The connecting portion 323 supports the limiting portion 33 relative to the paper output tray 32. The connecting portion 323 also determines the position of the limiting portion 33 in the front-rear direction X. A pair of connecting portions 323 are provided, one on the left and one on the right, and are disposed inside the paper output tray 32 (main body portion 321). The left connecting portion 323 extends from the back surface of the rear wall portion 322 to the left Y1 of the left opening 322a in the forward direction X1. The right connecting portion 323 extends from the back surface of the rear wall portion 322 to the right Y2 of the right opening 322a in the forward direction X1. Each of the pair of connecting portions 323 has an opening 323a penetrating in the left-right direction Y.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the restricting portion 33 is made of a single rod member. This reduces the number of parts, and the structure is simple and easy to process, making it possible to easily obtain the restricting portion 33. In this embodiment, the restricting portion 33 is made of, for example, a metal material. However, the restricting portion 33 is not limited to a metal material. The restricting portion 33 may be made of any material that at least has elastic properties, and may also be made of a synthetic resin material.

[0044] The limiting portion 33 is configured to be detachable from the connecting portion 323 of the paper output tray 32. When in use, the limiting portion 33 is attached to the connecting portion 323, and after use, the limiting portion 33 is detached from the connecting portion 323. The limiting portion 33 has a first extension portion 330 and a second extension portion 340. The first extension portion 330 has a first leg portion 331 and a second leg portion 332.

[0045] The first leg 331 extends from the rear wall 322 toward the rear X2 in the front-rear direction X. The first leg 331 has an end 331a on the front X1 side, an end 331b on the rear X2 side, and a connected portion 333. The connected portion 333 is bent to the left Y1 at the front X1 end 331a of the first leg 331. The connected portion 333 is inserted through the left opening 322a from the rear X2 toward the front X1.

[0046] The second leg 332 extends from the rear wall 322 rearward X2 along the front-rear direction X. The second leg 332 is located to the right Y2 of the first leg 331 and at a position separated from the first leg 331. The second leg 332 has an end 332a on the front X1 side, an end 332b on the rear X2 side, and a coupled portion 334. The coupled portion 334 is bent to the right Y2 at the end 332a on the front X1 side of the second leg 332. The coupled portion 334 is inserted through the right opening 322a from the rear X2 toward the front X1.

[0047] When attaching the limiting portion 33 to the paper output tray 32, the first leg portion 331 and the second leg portion 332 are first clamped so that the distance between them in the left-right direction Y becomes small. With the first leg portion 331 and the second leg portion 332 clamped, the connected portion 333 and the connected portion 334 are inserted into the left and right openings 322a, respectively. The connected portion 333 and the connected portion 334 are further moved forward X1. Finally, the connected portion 333 and the connected portion 334 are inserted into the openings 323a of the left and right connecting portions 323, respectively.

[0048] As described above, the first leg portion 331 and the second leg portion 332 have the connected portion 333 and the connected portion 334, respectively, at their ends in the forward direction X1. Two openings 322a are provided in the rear wall portion 322 of the main body portion 321, corresponding to the first leg portion 331 and the second leg portion 332, respectively. The connected portion 333 and the connected portion 334 are configured to be insertable into the corresponding two openings 322a. The connected portion 333 and the connected portion 334 are also configured to be connectable to the corresponding two connecting portions 323, respectively. This allows the connected portion 333 and the connected portion 334 to be inserted into the openings 322a by clamping the first leg portion 331 and the second leg portion 332. By releasing the clamping between first leg portion 331 and second leg portion 332, coupled portion 333 and coupled portion 334 can be inserted into opening 323a, respectively, and can be coupled to coupling portion 323. Therefore, limiting portion 33 can be easily attached to sheet output tray 32.

[0049] The second extension portion 340 has a first pillar portion 341 , a second pillar portion 342 , and a support portion 343 .

[0050] The first pillar portion 341 extends upward from the end 331b of the first leg portion 331 on the rear X2 side. The second pillar portion 342 is located to the right Y2 of the first pillar portion 341 at a position separated from the first pillar portion 341. The second pillar portion 342 extends upward from the end 332b of the second leg portion 332 on the rear X2 side.

[0051] The support portion 343 connects the upper Z1 end of the first pillar portion 341 and the upper Z1 end of the second pillar portion 342 to support the original M. This gives the first leg portion 331 and the second leg portion 332 elastic properties in the left-right direction Y, and the limiting portion 33 can be easily formed from a single rod member. Furthermore, gaps are formed between the first leg portion 331 and the second leg portion 332, and between the first pillar portion 341 and the second pillar portion 342, making it easier to grip the original M.

[0052] The support portion 343 is located rearward X2 from the rear wall portion 322, which is the rear X2 end portion of the paper output tray 32. In other words, the second extension portion 340 is located rearward X2 from the rear X2 end portion 311b of the paper feed tray 31. This allows documents M longer than the length of the paper feed tray 31 in the front-to-rear direction X to be placed on the placement surface 311a of the paper feed tray 31, and documents M longer than the length of the paper output tray 32 in the front-to-rear direction X to be placed on the placement surface 321a of the paper output tray 32.

[0053] The support portion 343 is positioned above the placement surface 311a of the paper feed tray 31 in the vertical direction Z. In other words, the upper end of the second extension portion 340 is above the placement surface 311a of the paper feed tray 31. This makes it possible to stably support the document M that is long in the front-rear direction X, and to smoothly supply the document M to the pickup roller 41.

[0054] In this embodiment, the document feeder 3 includes an image reading unit 36 ​​that reads images of the document M supplied from the paper feed tray 31. This allows images of various documents M, such as legal size, to be read regardless of the size of the paper discharge tray 32.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a document feeder 3 and an image forming unit 25. This allows documents M larger than the paper feed tray 31 to be placed on the paper feed tray 31. Furthermore, documents M larger than the paper discharge tray 32 can be loaded on the paper discharge tray 32. Therefore, an image read from the document M can be formed on the recording paper P regardless of the size of the paper discharge tray 32.

[0056] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate. For example, some of the components shown in one embodiment may be added to the components of another embodiment, or some of the components shown in one embodiment may be deleted from the embodiment.

[0057] Furthermore, the drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual configuration due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the configuration of each component shown in the above embodiment is an example and is not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present disclosure.

[0058] (1) As described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the limiting section 33 was configured to be detachable from the paper discharge tray 32, but this is not limiting. It is sufficient if it can at least support the document M. Modified examples of the document feeder 3 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the main body 321 has connecting portions 323. A pair of connecting portions 323 are provided, one on the left and one on the right, and are disposed inside the main body 321. The left connecting portion 323 extends forward X1 from the back surface of the rear wall 322 to the left Y1 of the left opening 322a. The right connecting portion 323 extends forward X1 from the back surface of the rear wall 322 to the right Y2 of the right opening 322a. The connecting portion 323 has an opening 323a penetrating in the left-right direction Y and a second opening 323b located forward X1 of the opening 323a. The opening 323a and the second opening 323b are each configured to allow the connected portion 333 to be inserted therethrough.

[0060] The paper output tray 32 is configured so that the first extension portion 330 of the limiting portion 33 can be stored inside. When the limiting portion 33 is not in use, the limiting portion 33 (first extension portion 330) is stored inside the paper output tray 32, and the connected portion 333 is inserted into the second opening 323b. When the limiting portion 33 is in use, the limiting portion 33 (first extension portion 330) is pulled out rearward X2 from the paper output tray 32, and the connected portion 333 is inserted into the opening 323a. The connected portion 334 is similar to the connected portion 333.

[0061] (2) As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, in the above embodiment, the support portion 343 is positioned at a height position equal to or higher than the placement surface 311a of the paper feed tray 31, but this is not limiting. It is sufficient that the limiting portion 33 is positioned at least rearward X2 of the rear X2 end of the paper output tray 32, and the limiting portion 33 may be positioned at a height position lower than the placement surface 311a of the paper feed tray 31. Furthermore, by aligning the upper end of the support portion 343 with an extension of the rear X2 of the placement surface 311a of the paper feed tray 31, the document M can be made flat, further improving the transportability of the document M.

[0062] (3) As described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic type, but this is not limiting. The image forming apparatus 1 may be an inkjet type or a laser printer. [Industrial Applicability]

[0063] The present invention can be used in document feeders and image forming apparatuses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1: Image forming device 3: Document feeder 25: Image forming unit 27: Discharge roller 31: Paper tray 32: Paper output tray 33: Restriction section 36: Image reading unit 41: Pickup roller 46:Exhaust ローラー 311: Main body part 311a: Placement surface 311b: End 321: Main body part 321a: Placement surface 322: Rear wall portion 322a: Opening 323: Connecting Part 323a: Opening 330: First extension 331: First foot 331a: End 331b: End 332: Second foot 332a: End 332b: End 333: The part that is linked 334: The part that is linked 340: Second extension 341: First column 342: Second column 343: Support Department M: Original manuscript

Claims

1. a paper feed tray for feeding documents to be fed in a first direction; a paper output tray disposed below the paper feed tray, onto which the supplied document is output in a second direction opposite to the first direction; a limiting section that limits movement of the document discharged onto the discharge tray in the second direction; Equipped with The limiting portion is a first extension portion extending in the second direction from an end portion of the paper output tray in the second direction; a second extension portion extending upward from the first extension portion; A document feeder having:

2. The document feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the second extension portion is located in the second direction further than an end of the paper feed tray in the second direction.

3. 3. The document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the limiting portion is formed of a single rod member.

4. The first extension portion is a first leg portion extending in the second direction; a second leg portion extending in the second direction and spaced apart from the first leg portion in a third direction; and the third direction indicates a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the upward direction, The second extension portion is a first pillar portion extending upward from an end portion of the first leg portion in the second direction; a second pillar portion extending upward from an end portion of the second leg portion in the second direction; a support portion that connects the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion to support the document; The document feeder according to claim 3 , further comprising:

5. The paper output tray is a main body having a mounting surface; two openings provided at the end of the main body in the second direction corresponding to the first leg portion and the second leg portion, respectively; two connecting portions provided inside the main body portion corresponding to the first leg portion and the second leg portion, respectively; and the first leg portion and the second leg portion each have a connected portion at an end portion in the first direction, The document feeding device according to claim 4 , wherein the two connected portions are configured so as to be insertable into the two corresponding openings, respectively, and so as to be connectable to the two corresponding connecting portions, respectively.

6. the paper feed tray has a placement surface on which the document is placed, 3. The document feeding device according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the second extension portion is higher than the placement surface of the paper feed tray in the vertical direction.

7. a pickup roller that feeds the document placed on the paper feed tray in the first direction; an ejection roller that ejects the document toward the paper ejection tray; Furthermore, The document feeder according to claim 1 , wherein the discharge roller is positioned further in the first direction than the pickup roller.

8. 3. The document feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising an image reading unit that reads an image of the document fed from the paper feed tray.

9. a document feeder according to claim 8; an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images