Sheet conveying device

Abstract

To provide a paper carrying device for protecting respective tips of a pair of frames in an internal structure of a side surface cover.SOLUTION: A paper conveying device includes a side cover 14 that can be disposed at a closed position and an open position with respect to a device body. The side cover 14 includes an exterior cover 15 and an internal structure 16. The internal structure 16 includes a pair of frames 50 spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction in which the support axis AS of the side cover 14 extends. Each of the pair of frames 50 extends in the longitudinal direction intersecting the lateral direction, is fastened to the exterior cover 15, and includes a proximal end 52 close to the support shaft AS of the side cover 14 and a distal end 53 far from the support shaft AS. The internal structure 16 includes a laterally extending connecting member 30 that connects the distal ends 53 of the pair of frames 50 to each other. The coupling member 30 includes a projecting portion 31 that projects outward in the longitudinal direction from the distal end 53 of each of the pair of frames 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] The paper transport device includes a side cover that is rotatable about a support shaft relative to a side of the device body and can be positioned between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the side cover forms at least a portion of the paper transport path between the side cover and the device body, and in the open position, the side cover exposes at least a portion of the paper transport path.

[0003] For example, when a paper jam occurs in the paper transport path, the user opens the side cover and performs jam processing to remove the paper.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses an office machine that is made easier to disassemble by reducing the number of fixing screws for exterior members.

[0005] Patent document 2 discloses a configuration for recycling printer paper feed cassettes, in which the paper feed cassette displays information indicating that the connected parts are made of the same material, allowing workers to determine that the connected parts do not need to be disassembled.

[0006] Patent Document 3 discloses a structure for holding recycled parts in an image forming apparatus that are removed from the image forming apparatus when the recycled parts are reused. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-246742 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-311739 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-341176 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The side cover of the paper transport device includes an exterior cover and an internal structure disposed on the device body side of the exterior cover. The exterior cover may become yellowed or scratched, and in such a case, it may be necessary to separate the exterior cover from the internal structure and replace the exterior cover.

[0009] Here, the internal structure includes a pair of frames spaced apart in a horizontal direction along which a support shaft of the side cover relative to the device body extends, and each of the pair of frames extends in a vertical direction intersecting the horizontal direction, is fastened to the exterior cover, and includes a base end close to the support shaft of the side cover and a tip end distant from the support shaft.

[0010] When the internal structure is separated from the exterior cover during replacement work, if the tips of the pair of frames of the internal structure are separated from the exterior cover and protrude, the tips may be damaged or the safety of the worker may be compromised. Therefore, a structure that protects the tips of the pair of frames in the internal structure of the side cover is desired.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a paper transport device in which the leading ends of a pair of frames in the internal structure of the side cover are protected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The invention of claim 1 is a paper transport device comprising: a paper transport path for transporting paper; and a side cover that is rotatable about a support axis relative to the side of the device main body and that can be positioned in a closed position and an open position; the side cover is configured to form at least a part of the paper transport path between the device main body and the side cover in the closed position, and to expose at least a part of the paper transport path in the open position; the side cover includes an outer cover and an internal structure positioned on the device main body side of the outer cover; the internal structure of the side cover includes a pair of frames that are positioned at a distance in a horizontal direction in which the support axis of the side cover extends, and each of the pair of frames extends in a vertical direction that intersects the horizontal direction and is fastened to the outer cover, and includes a base end close to the support axis of the side cover and a tip end distant from the support axis; the internal structure of the side cover includes a connecting member that extends in the horizontal direction and connects the tips of the pair of frames to each other, and the connecting member includes a protrusion that protrudes outward in the vertical direction beyond the respective tips of the pair of frames.

[0013] The invention of claim 2 is a paper transport device as described in claim 1, wherein the protruding portion of the connecting member protrudes outward in the horizontal direction relative to the tip of at least one of the pair of frames.

[0014] The invention of claim 3 is a paper transport device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting member includes an overlapping portion that overlaps with the tip of each of the pair of frames, the overlapping portion of the connecting member is fastened to the tip of the frame, and the protruding portion of the connecting member is fastened to the outer cover.

[0015] The invention of claim 4 is a paper transport device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer cover and the internal structure are fastened by a plurality of fastening portions, and each of the fastening portions has a tool receiving portion facing the device main body so that the fastening can be released by operating a tool from the device main body side.

[0016] The invention of claim 5 is a paper transport device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the protruding portion of the connecting member includes a protruding portion that has a hat-like cross section along the vertical direction with an opening on the outer cover side and extends in the horizontal direction.

[0017] The invention of claim 6 is a paper transport device as described in claim 5, wherein the protruding portion of the connecting member includes a cover fastening portion fastened to the outer cover, and the protruding portion of the protruding portion protrudes toward the device main body further than the cover fastening portion of the protruding portion.

[0018] The invention of claim 7 is a paper transport device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer cover includes a cover body and a handle body arranged to be slidable in the vertical direction relative to the cover body, and the handle body includes a hook portion that protrudes inside the outer cover and engages with an engaging portion of the device body, and a handle portion located outside the outer cover that slides the handle body in a direction to release the engagement between the hook portion and the engaging portion.

[0019] The invention of claim 8 is a paper transport device as described in claim 7, wherein the handle body of the outer cover has a boss that fits into a recess in the cover body of the outer cover to guide the sliding movement of the handle body, and the cover body of the outer cover has another boss that fits into the recess in the handle body of the outer cover to guide the sliding movement of the handle body.

[0020] The invention of claim 9 is a paper transport device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein a portion of the connecting member forms at least a portion of the paper transport path between the connecting member and the device main body when the side cover is in the closed position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the invention of claim 1, the protruding portion of the connecting member protects the respective tips of the pair of frames in the internal structure of the side cover.

[0022] According to the invention of claim 2, contact of an object with the tip of the frame from the side is restricted.

[0023] According to the invention of claim 3, the fastening between the overlapping portion of the connecting member and the tip of the frame and the fastening between the protruding portion of the connecting member and the exterior cover can be released individually.

[0024] According to the invention of claim 4, the fastening between the exterior cover and the internal structure can be released simply by accessing with a tool from the device main body side.

[0025] According to the invention as defined in claim 5 or 6, the torsional rigidity of the connecting member is increased.

[0026] According to the invention of claim 7, it is not necessary to provide a region for the handle body in the internal structure.

[0027] According to the invention of claim 8, rattle during sliding movement of the handle body is suppressed.

[0028] According to the invention of claim 9, it is possible to transport the paper using the connecting member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the frame connection structure on the left side of the connecting member. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the frame connection structure on the right side of the connecting member. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A1-A1 in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A2-A2 in FIG. 5. [Figure 8]FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a compression coil spring on the left side of the handle body. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a compression coil spring on the right side of the handle body. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cover body; [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the internal structure placed on the jig. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations described below are examples for the purpose of explanation and can be modified as appropriate. The same or similar elements in all drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0031] A paper transport device is a device that has a paper transport path for transporting paper from one location to another. There are no limitations on the equipment to which a paper transport device can be applied. Below, we will explain a paper transport device included in an image forming apparatus.

[0032] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 is an electrophotographic printing apparatus. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a paper feed unit 20, an image forming unit 22, a paper discharge unit 28, and a paper transport path 90. The paper transport path 90 extends between the paper feed unit 20 and the paper discharge unit 28.

[0033] The paper feed unit 20 is disposed upstream of the image forming unit 22 and sends out paper P in a paper feed cassette 21 toward the image forming unit 22. The image forming unit 22 forms an image on the paper P. The paper discharge unit 28 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 22 and discharges the paper P on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 22.

[0034] Image forming section 22 includes one or more photosensitive units 26a to 26d, an intermediate transfer belt 27, a secondary transfer section 23, and a fixing section 24. Photosensitive units 26a to 26d each form a toner image on the rotating intermediate transfer belt 27. The toner image on intermediate transfer belt 27 is transferred to paper P by secondary transfer section 23. The toner image on paper P is fixed to paper P by fixing section 24. Conventional electrophotographic printing technology may be adopted for image forming apparatus 10.

[0035] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a paper transport device 11. The paper transport device 11 includes a device main body 12, a side cover 14, and a paper transport path 90. The side cover 14 is rotatable about a support axis AS relative to the side of the device main body 12, and can be positioned in a closed position (see the solid line in FIG. 1 ) and an open position (see the dashed-dotted line in the same figure). The side cover 14 includes a chute that guides paper P. In the closed position, the side cover 14 forms part of the paper transport path 90 between itself and the device main body 12, and in the open position, the side cover 14 exposes part of the paper transport path 90. For example, when paper P becomes jammed in the paper transport path 90, the user sets the side cover 14 to the open position and performs jam clearance to remove the paper P.

[0036] The paper transport path 90 includes a reverse transport path for double-sided printing. The reverse transport path passes through the positions indicated by symbols P1, P2, and P3 in FIG. 1, and the reverse transport path between symbols P2 and P3 is provided inside the side cover 14. During double-sided printing, the paper P with an image formed on its front side passes through the positions indicated by symbols P1, P2, and P3 in order and returns to the downstream side of the paper transport path 90. The paper P then proceeds again to the secondary transfer unit 23 and the fixing unit 24, where an image is formed on the back side of the paper P, and the paper is then ejected. Note that the paper transport path 90 may employ the same technology as a conventional reverse transport path provided in the side cover 14.

[0037] The side cover 14 includes an exterior cover 15 and an internal structure 16 disposed on the device body 12 side of the exterior cover 15. The exterior cover 15 may become yellowed or scratched, and in such cases, the exterior cover 15 and the internal structure 16 must be separated and the exterior cover 15 must be replaced. This replacement work is performed by removing the side cover 14 from the device body 12 shown in FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the side cover 14. In each of the figures described below, the front refers to the surface of the side cover 14 that faces the device main body 12, and the back refers to the surface of the side cover 14 that faces outward. The x direction is the horizontal direction, in which the support axis AS of the side cover 14 extends. The y direction is the vertical direction that intersects with the x direction, and in this embodiment, is particularly the direction perpendicular to the x direction. In each of the figures, the arrow in the x direction points to the right of the side cover 14, and the arrow in the y direction points upward of the side cover 14.

[0039] 2 and 3, the first unit 17 and the second unit 18 of the internal structure 16 are shown schematically by dashed lines, and their detailed shapes are omitted. In reality, the first unit 17 and the second unit 18 each include a chute for guiding the paper P, and are portions that protrude relatively significantly toward the device body 12. Also, in FIGS. 2 and 8, the shape of the handle body 70, which will be described later, is simplified, and the shape of the handle body 70 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 9 to 11.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 2, the side cover 14 includes an exterior cover 15 and an internal structure 16. The internal structure 16 is attached to the exterior cover 15. Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the internal structure 16 removed from the exterior cover 15. Fig. 8 is a front perspective view of the exterior cover 15.

[0041] 2, the internal structure 16 is attached to the exterior cover 15 by a plurality of fastening portions 82. Each of the fastening portions 82 has a tool receiving portion facing the front side so that the fastening can be released by operating a tool from the front side.

[0042] Specifically, the fastening portion 82 is composed of a male screw and a female screw (provided in the exterior cover 15) that is threaded with the male screw. All male screws have a recess in the head (tool receiving portion) facing the front. Therefore, for each male screw, an operator can access the recess in the head of the male screw from the front side with a tool such as a screwdriver and unscrew the male screw. In other words, the internal structure 16 can be removed from the exterior cover 15 simply by accessing with a tool from the front side. By removing the internal structure 16 from the exterior cover 15, an operator can remove the exterior cover 15 as a single unit that can be replaced.

[0043] 3, the internal structure 16 includes a pair of frames 50 spaced apart in the horizontal direction. Each of the pair of frames 50 extends in the vertical direction, is fastened to the exterior cover 15 (see FIG. 8), and includes a base end 52 close to the support axis AS of the side cover 14, and a tip end 53 remote from the support axis AS.

[0044] The internal structure 16 includes a first unit 17, a second unit 18, and a connecting plate 19. These are located between the left frame 50 and the right frame 50, respectively, and are fastened to each of the two frames 50. The first unit 17 includes a connecting member 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the first unit 17 is located above the two frames 50. The second unit 18 is located below the first unit 17.

[0045] The connecting plate 19 is located below the two frames 50. When the internal structure 16 is viewed from the front, the connecting plate 19 is located on the rear side of the second unit 18.

[0046] The first unit 17 includes a connecting member 30 extending laterally and connecting the tips 53 of a pair of frames 50 to each other. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by arrow LU in Fig. 3, showing the frame connection structure on the left side of the connecting member 30. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by arrow RU in Fig. 3, showing the frame connection structure on the right side of the connecting member 30.

[0047] 4 and 5 , the connecting member 30 includes a protruding portion 31 that protrudes outward in the vertical direction beyond the respective tips 53 of the pair of frames 50. When the internal structure 16 is separated from the exterior cover 15, the respective tips 53 of the pair of frames 50 are protected by the protruding portion 31 of the connecting member 30.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 4, the left protruding portion 31 of the connecting member 30 protrudes outward in the horizontal direction from the tip 53 of the frame 50. This limits the contact of objects from the horizontal outside with the tip 53 of the left frame 50 when the internal structure 16 is separated from the exterior cover 15.

[0049] 4 and 5, the connecting member 30 includes, for each of the pair of frames 50, an overlapping portion 34 that overlaps with the tip 53 of the frame 50. The overlapping portion 34 of the connecting member 30 is attached to the tip 53 of the frame 50 by two fastening portions 84 using two screws. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, the protruding portion 31 of the connecting member 30 (the upper end portion of the connecting member 30 in this embodiment) is attached to the exterior cover 15 by three fastening portions 82 using three screws. With this configuration, the fastening portion 84 between the connecting member 30 and the frame 50 and the fastening portion 82 between the connecting member 30 and the exterior cover 15 can be released separately.

[0050] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the overhanging portion 31 of the connecting member 30 includes a protruding portion 36. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A1 in Figure 4, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A2-A2 in Figure 5. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the protruding portion 36 has a hat-like shape in its vertical cross section with an opening 37 on the exterior cover 15 side, and extends in the horizontal direction as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The protruding portion 36 protrudes further toward the front than the fastening portion 82 (see Figure 2). This increases the torsional rigidity of the connecting member 30.

[0051] Note that a portion of the connecting member 30 may form at least a part of a paper transport path between the device body 12 and the side cover 14 when the side cover 14 is in the closed position relative to the device body 12. This makes it possible to transport paper using the connecting member 30.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 8, the exterior cover 15 includes a cover body 60 and a handle body 70. The handle body 70 is arranged so as to be slidable in the vertical direction relative to the cover body 60. The handle body 70 has two hook portions 72. Each of the two hook portions 72 protrudes to the inside of the exterior cover 15 (toward the device body) and engages with an engaging portion (not shown) of the device body 12.

[0053] Fig. 11 is a rear perspective view of the handle body 70. Fig. 12 is a front perspective view showing the cover main body 60 (the exterior cover 15 with the handle body 70 removed).

[0054] As shown in Fig. 12, the cover main body 60 has an opening 62. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 11, the handle body 70 has a handle portion 74 that is operated by a user. The handle portion 74 is exposed to the outside of the side cover 14 from the opening 62 of the cover main body 60.

[0055] From the outside of the side cover 14, the user slides the handle portion 74 upward (in the direction that disengages the hook portion 72 of the handle body 70 from the engagement portion of the device main body 12). In other words, the entire handle body 70 is slid. This disengages the hook portion 72 from the engagement portion. The user can operate the handle portion 74 to disengage the hook portion 72 from the engagement portion, and move the side cover 14 from the closed position (see the solid line in FIG. 1) to the open position (see the dashed line in the same figure).

[0056] 9 and 10, the exterior cover 15 includes two compression coil springs 41, 42. As shown in FIG. 9, the left compression coil spring 41 is disposed between the upper left end of the handle body 70 and the inner edge surface of the cover body 60. As shown in FIG. 10, the right compression coil spring 42 is disposed between the upper right end of the handle body 70 and the inner edge surface of the cover body 60.

[0057] In each drawing, the position of the compression coil spring 41 is indicated by the symbol SP1, and the position of the compression coil spring 42 is indicated by the symbol SP2.

[0058] When the user pulls up the handle portion 74 (see FIG. 11), the handle body 70 slides vertically against the biasing force of the two compression coil springs 41, 42, and when the user releases the handle portion 74, the handle body 70 returns to its original position due to the biasing force of the two compression coil springs 41, 42. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the handle body 70 is located between the cover main body 60 and the two frames 50, and slides between them.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 11 , the handle body 70 has a boss 76 and a recess 78. As shown in FIG. 12 , the cover main body 60 has a boss 66 and a recess 68. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 12 , showing the side cover 14 with the handle body 70 assembled to the cover main body 60. As shown in FIG. 13 , the boss 76 of the handle body 70 fits into the recess 68 of the cover main body 60 to guide the sliding movement of the handle body 70. The boss 66 of the cover main body 60 fits into the recess 78 of the handle body 70 to guide the sliding movement of the handle body 70. This configuration reduces rattling during the sliding movement of the handle body 70.

[0060] 2, the side cover 14 has multiple fastening portions 82 that fasten the exterior cover 15 and the internal structure 16 together, and all of the fastening portions 82 can be released by operating a tool from the front side. This allows the worker to easily separate the exterior cover 15 and the internal structure 16, reducing the labor required to replace the exterior cover 15.

[0061] Furthermore, after the internal structure 16 is removed from the exterior cover 15, the internal structure 16 can maintain its own rigidity, as shown in FIG. 3. The lower parts of the two frames 50 are connected by a joining plate 19, and the upper parts of the two frames 50 are connected by a connecting member 30. The upper part of the connecting member 30 is box-shaped and extends laterally, and the protruding portion 31 of the connecting member 30 has a protrusion 36. Furthermore, the overlapping portion 34 of the connecting member 30 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) has a rib 88, thereby increasing surface rigidity. In this way, the connecting member 30 has a shape that ensures rigidity against bending / torsion and rigidity at screw fastening points. As a result, the internal structure 16 has high rigidity even when separated from the exterior cover 15, and can be handled as a single unit.

[0062] Furthermore, the handle body 70 is configured to be able to be placed on the exterior cover 15 independently of the internal structure 16. For example, since there is no need to cut out the connecting member 30 to secure an area for the handle body 70, the rigidity of the internal structure 16 can be increased.

[0063] FIG. 14 is a side view showing the internal structure 16 placed on the jig 200. The internal structure 16 may have unevenness on its backside and a bulge 55 at the base end 52 of the frame 50. Therefore, there is a concern that the internal structure 16 may be unstable and sway when placed on the jig 200. Therefore, to keep the internal structure 16 stable on the jig 200, as shown in FIG. 14, each of the two frames 50 (only one is shown in the figure) may have one or more legs 57. The legs 57 support the internal structure 16 to prevent it from swaying on the jig 200. Before the exterior cover 15 and the internal structure 16 are separated, the legs 57 are accommodated in the space between the exterior cover 15 and the frame 50. The legs 57 may be provided by attaching a member to the frame 50 or by bending the frame 50.

[0064] (Addendum) (((1))) a paper transport path for transporting paper; a side cover that is rotatable about a support shaft relative to a side surface of the device body and that can be positioned at a closed position and an open position; the side cover is configured to form at least a part of the paper transport path between itself and the device body in a closed position, and to expose at least a part of the paper transport path in an open position; the side cover includes an exterior cover and an internal structure disposed on the device body side of the exterior cover, The internal structure of the side cover includes a pair of frames spaced apart in a lateral direction in which the support shaft of the side cover extends, Each of the pair of frames extends in a vertical direction intersecting the horizontal direction, is fastened to the exterior cover, and includes a base end close to a support shaft of the side cover and a tip end far from the support shaft, the internal structure of the side cover includes a connecting member extending in the transverse direction that connects the tips of the pair of frames to each other, The connecting member includes a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the vertical direction beyond the tip ends of the pair of frames. Paper transport device. (((2))) A paper transport device according to (((1))), The protruding portion of the connecting member protrudes outward in the lateral direction relative to a tip end of at least one of the pair of frames. Paper transport device. (((3))) A paper transport device according to (((1))) or (((2))), the connecting member includes an overlapping portion that overlaps with a tip end of the frame in each of the pair of frames, The overlapping portion of the connecting member is fastened to the tip of the frame, The protruding portion of the connecting member is fastened to the exterior cover. Paper transport device. (((4))) A paper transport device according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), the exterior cover and the internal structure are fastened together by a plurality of fastening portions, Each of the fastening portions has a tool receiving portion facing the device body side so that the fastening can be released by operating a tool from the device body side. Paper transport device. (((5))) A paper transport device according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))), The protruding portion of the connecting member includes a protruding portion that has a hat-shaped cross section along the vertical direction with an opening on the exterior cover side and extends in the horizontal direction. Paper transport device. (((6))) A paper transport device according to (((5))), the protruding portion of the connecting member includes a cover fastening portion fastened to the exterior cover, the protruding portion of the overhanging portion protrudes toward the device body further than the cover fastening portion of the overhanging portion; Paper transport device. (((7))) A paper transport device according to any one of (((1))) to (((6))), The exterior cover includes a cover body and a handle body that is slidably disposed relative to the cover body in the vertical direction, The handle body is a hook portion that protrudes inside the exterior cover and engages with an engaging portion of the device body; a handle portion located outside the exterior cover and configured to slide the handle body in a direction to release the engagement between the hook portion and the engagement portion, Paper transport device. (((8))) A paper transport device according to (((7))), The handle body of the exterior cover has a boss that fits into a recess in a cover body of the exterior cover to guide the sliding movement of the handle body, The cover body of the exterior cover has another boss that fits into a recess of the handle body of the exterior cover to guide the sliding movement of the handle body. Paper transport device. (((9))) A paper transport device according to any one of (((1))) to (((8))), a part of the connecting member forming at least a part of the paper transport path between the connecting member and the device main body when the side cover is in the closed position; Paper transport device.

[0065] According to the invention (((1))), the protruding portion of the connecting member protects the respective tips of the pair of frames in the internal structure of the side cover. According to the invention (((2))), contact of an object with the tip of the frame from the side is restricted. According to the invention related to (((3))), the fastening between the overlapping portion of the connecting member and the tip of the frame, and the fastening between the protruding portion of the connecting member and the exterior cover can be released individually. According to the invention (((4))), the fastening between the exterior cover and the internal structure can be released simply by accessing with a tool from the device main body side. According to the inventions (((5))) or (((6))), the torsional rigidity of the connecting member is increased. According to the invention (((7))), it is not necessary to provide a region for the handle body in the internal structure. According to the invention (((8))), rattle during sliding movement of the handle body is suppressed. According to the invention (((9))), it is possible to transport paper using a connecting member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10 image forming apparatus, 11 paper transport device, 12 apparatus body, 14 side cover, 15 exterior cover, 16 internal structure, 17 first unit, 18 second unit, 19 connecting plate, 20 paper feed section, 21 paper feed cassette, 22 image forming section, 23 secondary transfer section, 24 fixing section, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d photosensitive unit, 27 transfer belt, 28 paper discharge section, 30 connecting member, 31 extension section, 34 overlapping section, 36 protrusion section, 37 opening, 41, 42 compression coil spring, 50 frame, 52 base end, 53 tip, 55 bulge section, 57 leg, 60 cover body, 62 opening, 66 boss, 68 recess, 70 handle body, 72 hook section, 74 handle section, 76 boss, 78 Recess, 82, 84 fastening portion, 88 rib, 90 paper transport path, 200 jig, AS support shaft, P paper.

Claims

1. a paper transport path for transporting paper; a side cover that is rotatable about a support shaft relative to a side surface of the device body and that can be positioned at a closed position and an open position; the side cover is configured to form at least a part of the paper transport path between itself and the device body in a closed position, and to expose at least a part of the paper transport path in an open position; the side cover includes an exterior cover and an internal structure disposed on the device body side of the exterior cover, The internal structure of the side cover includes a pair of frames spaced apart in a lateral direction in which the support shaft of the side cover extends, Each of the pair of frames extends in a vertical direction intersecting the horizontal direction, is fastened to the exterior cover, and includes a base end close to a support shaft of the side cover and a tip end far from the support shaft, the internal structure of the side cover includes a connecting member extending in the transverse direction that connects the tips of the pair of frames to each other, The connecting member includes a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the vertical direction beyond the tip ends of the pair of frames. Paper transport device.

2. The paper transport device according to claim 1, The protruding portion of the connecting member protrudes outward in the lateral direction relative to a tip end of at least one of the pair of frames. Paper transport device.

3. 3. The paper transport device according to claim 1, the connecting member includes an overlapping portion that overlaps with a tip end of the frame in each of the pair of frames, The overlapping portion of the connecting member is fastened to the tip of the frame, The protruding portion of the connecting member is fastened to the exterior cover. Paper transport device.

4. 3. The paper transport device according to claim 1, the exterior cover and the internal structure are fastened together by a plurality of fastening portions, Each of the fastening portions has a tool receiving portion facing the device body side so that the fastening can be released by operating a tool from the device body side. Paper transport device.

5. 3. The paper transport device according to claim 1, The protruding portion of the connecting member includes a protruding portion that has a hat-shaped cross section along the vertical direction with an opening on the exterior cover side and extends in the horizontal direction. Paper transport device.

6. 6. The paper transport device according to claim 5, the protruding portion of the connecting member includes a cover fastening portion fastened to the exterior cover, the protruding portion of the overhanging portion protrudes toward the device body further than the cover fastening portion of the overhanging portion; Paper transport device.

7. 3. The paper transport device according to claim 1, The exterior cover includes a cover body and a handle body that is slidably disposed relative to the cover body in the vertical direction, The handle body is a hook portion that protrudes inside the exterior cover and engages with an engaging portion of the device body; a handle portion located outside the exterior cover and configured to slide the handle body in a direction to release the engagement between the hook portion and the engagement portion, Paper transport device.

8. 8. The paper transport device according to claim 7, The handle body of the exterior cover has a boss that fits into a recess in a cover body of the exterior cover to guide the sliding movement of the handle body, The cover body of the exterior cover has another boss that fits into a recess of the handle body of the exterior cover to guide the sliding movement of the handle body. Paper transport device.

9. 3. The paper transport device according to claim 1, a part of the connecting member forming at least a part of the paper transport path between the connecting member and the device main body when the side cover is in the closed position; Paper transport device.

Images