Assistive devices, recording devices

Abstract

The present invention provides an auxiliary device and recording device that can reduce the burden on the user when pulling out a media cassette from its storage position to its withdrawal position. [Solution] An auxiliary tool 18 for assisting the pulling out operation of a cassette 17 that is movable back and forth relative to the housing 12 between a housing position where it is housed in the housing 12 and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out from the housing 12. The cassette 17 has a handle portion 25 formed on its front surface 24 which intersects the pulling-out direction Y1 and recesses in the pushing direction Y2 opposite to the pulling-out direction Y1, and has a rod portion 49 and a hook portion 50 provided on the rod portion 49 that can engage with the handle portion 25.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an assistive device and a recording apparatus including the assistive device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, as in Patent Document 1, there is an image forming apparatus which is an example of a recording apparatus including a housing, a paper feeding cassette which is an example of a cassette, and a paper cassette. The paper feeding cassette is configured to be movable between a storage position accommodated in the housing and a pulled-out position pulled out of the housing. The paper cassette is detachably arranged in the paper feeding cassette.

[0003] The paper cassette has a paper tray for storing paper, a handle connected to the paper tray, and a biasing member for biasing the handle. The handle is configured to be rotatable between a lying-down posture which is the posture when the paper feeding cassette is in the storage position and a standing-up posture which is the posture when the paper feeding cassette is in the pulled-out position. The biasing member biases the handle so that the handle takes the standing-up posture.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, when the paper feeding cassette is pulled out from the storage position to the pulled-out position, the handle changes from the lying-down posture to the standing-up posture by the biasing force of the biasing member. As a result, it becomes easier to grip the handle, so the burden when taking out the paper cassette from the paper feeding cassette is reduced.

[0006] However, in the image forming apparatus described above, in order to position the handle upright, the paper feed cassette must be pulled out from the housing to the extended position. There is room for improvement in the effort required to pull out this paper feed cassette.

[0007] Furthermore, the above-mentioned problems can occur not only in configurations that include both a paper feed cassette and a paper cassette, but also in configurations that include a paper feed cassette but do not include a separate paper cassette. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An auxiliary device for solving the above problem is an auxiliary device for assisting the pulling out operation of a cassette that is movable back and forth relative to the housing between a housing position where it is housed in the housing and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out from the housing, wherein the cassette has a handle portion formed thereon that is recessed in the opposite direction from the pulling direction from a surface intersecting the pulling direction, and has a rod portion and a hook portion provided on the rod portion that can engage with the handle portion.

[0009] A recording device that solves the above problems comprises a housing, a cassette configured to move back and forth relative to the housing between a housing position where it is housed in the housing and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out from the housing, and capable of accommodating multiple media, a recording unit that records on the media transported from the cassette, and an auxiliary tool that assists in the operation of pulling out the cassette, wherein the cassette has a handle portion formed thereon that is recessed in the opposite direction from the pulling-out direction from a surface intersecting the pulling-out direction, and the auxiliary tool has a rod portion and a hook portion provided on the rod portion and capable of engaging with the handle portion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the recording device. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the recording device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cassette and the assistive device. [Figure 4]Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an auxiliary device in which the pressing portion is positioned at the reference position. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an auxiliary tool with the pressing portion in the release position. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cassette ejection aid. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the cassette and auxiliary device. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an auxiliary device that engages with the handle. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an auxiliary tool for releasing the locked state. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the first modified example of the recording device. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a second modified example of the recording device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] [First Embodiment] The first embodiment of the auxiliary device and recording device will be described below with reference to the drawings. The recording device is an inkjet printer that records by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper, roll paper, thermal paper, envelopes, postcards, or plastic sheets.

[0012] In the drawings, the direction of gravity is indicated by the Z-axis, assuming the recording device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, and the directions along the horizontal plane are indicated by the X-axis and Y-axis. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. In the following explanation, the X-axis direction is also referred to as the width direction X, the Y-axis direction as the depth direction Y, and the Z-axis direction as the vertical direction Z.

[0013] <Recording device> As shown in Figure 1, the recording device 11 may include a housing 12, a stacker 13, an operation panel 14, an image reading unit 15, an automatic feeding unit 16, a cassette 17, and an auxiliary tool 18.

[0014] The housing 12 houses various components of the recording apparatus 11. The housing 12 may have a storage section 20. The storage section 20 stores the accessory 18. The storage section 20 is, for example, a recess provided on the side surface of the housing 12.

[0015] The stacker 13 receives the discharged medium 22. A plurality of recorded media 22 can be stacked on the stacker 13. The operation panel 14 is, for example, a touch panel for operating the recording apparatus 11. The operation panel 14 may be provided facing the front of the recording apparatus 11. The image reading unit 15 reads an image of a document. The automatic document feeder 16 feeds the document to the image reading unit 15.

[0016] The recording apparatus 11 may include a plurality of cassettes 17. The plurality of cassettes 17 may be provided side by side in the vertical direction Z. The recording apparatus 11 of the present embodiment includes four cassettes 17. The plurality of cassettes 17 have the same configuration. Therefore, one cassette 17 will be described, and the same reference numerals will be assigned to the other cassettes 17 to omit redundant descriptions.

[0017] The cassette (17) can store the medium (22). When the medium 22 is paper, the cassette 17 may store a bundle of the medium 22 before recording. The cassette 17 is, for example, a paper feed cassette. The cassette 17 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the housing 12 between the storage position shown in FIG. 1 and a pull-out position (not shown). The storage position is the position where it is stored in the housing 12. The pull-out position is the position where it is pulled out from the housing 12.

[0018] The user moves the cassette 17 to the pull-out position by performing a pull-out operation on the cassette 17 located at the storage position. In the pull-out operation, the user pulls out the cassette 17 in the pull-out direction Y1 from the front of the recording apparatus 11. The user moves the cassette 17 to the storage position by performing a push-in operation on the cassette 17 located at the pull-out position. In the push-in operation, the user pushes the cassette 17 in the push-in direction Y2 opposite to the pull-out direction Yl. The pull-out direction Y1 and the push-in direction Y2 of the present embodiment are directions parallel to the Y axis.

[0019] The cassette 17 has a front surface 24. The front surface 24 is the surface that intersects with the pulling direction Y1 and faces forward. The cassette 17 has a handle portion 25 formed thereon. The handle portion 25 is provided on the front surface 24. The handle portion 25 opens onto the front surface 24. The handle portion 25 is recessed from the front surface 24 in the pushing direction Y2.

[0020] The cassette 17 may have a locking part 27 and a release lever 28. The locking part 27 restricts the movement of the cassette 17 when it is in the storage position. The locking part 27 may engage with, for example, the housing 12. In this embodiment, the state in which movement from the storage position is restricted is also referred to as the locked state. The release lever 28 may be provided on the handle part 25. Specifically, the release lever 28 may be located behind the front surface 24 and above the opening of the handle part 25. The user can release the engagement between the locking part 27 and, for example, the housing 12 by pulling the release lever 28 in the pulling direction Y1. The release lever 28 is a lever for releasing the locked state of the cassette 17.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the cassette 17 may have a hopper 30. The cassette 17 may be capable of accommodating multiple media 22 in a stacked state. The hopper 30 pushes up the stacked media 22.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the recording device 11 may include a recording unit 34, a feeding unit 35, and a transport unit 36. The recording unit 34 records onto the transported medium 22 by discharging liquid from a nozzle (not shown). The recording unit 34 may also be a line head that records onto the transported medium 22 while stationary. The recording unit 34 records onto the medium 22 transported from the cassette 17.

[0023] The recording device 11 may be equipped with the same number of feeding units 35 as the number of cassettes 17. The feeding units 35 feed the media 22 contained in the corresponding cassettes 17 from the cassettes 17. Feeding means sending out the media 22 stacked on the cassettes 17 one by one. The feeding units 35 may be equipped with feeding rollers 38 and a separation unit 39.

[0024] The feeding roller 38 contacts the medium 22 from above, sandwiching the medium 22 between itself and the hopper 30. The feeding roller 38 rotates while in contact with the medium 22, sending the medium 22 to the separation unit 39. The separation unit 39 separates the multiple media 22 when multiple media 22 are fed in stacks.

[0025] The conveying unit 36 ​​conveys the medium 22 along the conveying path 41. The conveying unit 36 ​​may include one or more pairs of rollers 42 and a conveying belt 43. The pairs of rollers 42 convey the medium 22 by rotating with the medium 22 between them. The conveying belt 43 is an annular belt. The conveying belt 43 conveys the medium 22 by circling the conveying belt 43 while supporting the medium 22, for example, by electrostatic attraction.

[0026] <Assistive devices> As shown in Figure 3, the auxiliary device 18 may have a frame 45, an operating part 46, and a spring 47. The frame 45 houses the operating part 46 and the spring 47.

[0027] The auxiliary device 18 may have a rod portion 49, a hook portion 50, and an operating lever 51. The rod portion 49 may be made up of a frame 45. The rod portion 49 is rod-shaped and, for example, extends straight. The rod portion 49 may be curved. In the vertical direction Z, the length of the rod portion 49 in the engagement position shown in Figure 3 may be longer than the cassette 17.

[0028] The operating lever 51 and the hook portion 50 are provided on the rod portion 49. The operating lever 51 and the hook portion 50 are provided at a distance from each other. The hook portion 50 may be located at one end of the rod portion 49. The operating lever 51 may be located at the other end of the rod portion 49. The operating lever 51 may be composed of a frame 45 and an operating portion 46. In the engagement position shown in Figure 3, the hook portion 50 may be located at the lower end of the rod portion 49, and the operating lever 51 may be located at the upper end of the rod portion 49.

[0029] The hook portion 50 may consist of a frame 45 and an operating portion 46. The dimensions of the hook portion 50 in the width direction X and the vertical direction Z are smaller than the opening of the handle portion 25. Therefore, the hook portion 50 can engage with the handle portion 25. The hook portion 50 is inserted into the opening of the handle portion 25 in the pushing direction Y2.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the hook portion 50 may have a pressing portion 53. The pressing portion 53 may be composed of an operating portion 46. The pressing portion 53 is movable between a reference position shown in Figure 4 and a release position shown in Figure 5, while the hook portion 50 is engaged with the handle portion 25. The reference position is the position where the release lever 28 is not pressed. The release position is the position where the release lever 28 is pressed.

[0031] The spring 47 biases the pressing portion 53, which is in the release position, toward the reference position. The spring 47 is, for example, a compression coil spring. The spring 47 may also press the operating portion 46 against the frame 45.

[0032] <Operation of the First Embodiment> The operation of this embodiment will now be described. The user can pull out the cassette 17 by placing their hand on the handle 25 and pulling the release lever 28 in the pulling direction Y1. For example, when pulling out the cassette 17 located at the bottom, the user must perform the pulling operation in a bent-over position, which is particularly burdensome for users in wheelchairs. The user may also use the assistive device 18 to pull out the cassette 17.

[0033] The auxiliary tool 18 assists in the operation of pulling out the cassette 17. The auxiliary tool 18 may also assist in the operation of pulling out each of the multiple cassettes 17. The hook portion 50 can engage with the handle portion 25 of each of the multiple cassettes 17. Specifically, when one of the multiple cassettes 17 is designated as the first cassette, the hook portion 50 can engage with the first handle portion, which is the handle portion 25 of the first cassette. When one of the multiple cassettes 17, other than the first cassette, is designated as the second cassette, the hook portion 50 can engage with the second handle portion, which is the handle portion 25 of the second cassette.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the auxiliary tool 18 engages with the handle portion 25 in the engaged position. The auxiliary tool 18 is inserted into the handle portion 25 with the pressing portion 53 positioned in the reference position. As shown in Figure 4, the pressing part 53, which is in the reference position, is located below the release lever 28. Therefore, when the auxiliary tool 18 is pulled in the pulling direction Y1 while the pressing part 53 is in the reference position, the pressing part 53 does not come into contact with the release lever 28, and the auxiliary tool 18 detaches from the handle 25.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the operating lever 51 moves the pressing part 53. When the user grips the operating lever 51 and raises the operating part 46, the pressing part 53 moves to the release position against the biasing force of the spring 47. When the pressing part 53 is in the release position, it overlaps with the release lever 28 in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, when the auxiliary tool 18 is pulled in the pulling direction Y1 while the pressing part 53 is in the release position, the pressing part 53 comes into contact with the release lever 28.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, the pressing part 53 can press the release lever 28 while the hook part 50 is engaged with the handle part 25. By pressing the release lever 28, the pressing part 53 releases the locked state. As a result, the cassette 17 moves as if being pulled by the auxiliary tool 18.

[0037] <Effects of the First Embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will now be explained. (1-1) The auxiliary device 18 has a rod portion 49 on which a hook portion 50 is provided. The hook portion 50 can be engaged with the handle portion 25. Therefore, the user can pull out the cassette 17 by engaging the hook portion 50 with the handle portion 25 and pulling the rod portion 49. In other words, the user can move the cassette 17 to the pull-out position without directly touching the cassette 17. Thus, the burden on the user when pulling out the cassette 17 from the storage position to the pull-out position can be reduced.

[0038] (1-2) The hook portion 50 has a pressing portion 53. The pressing portion 53 presses the release lever 28 when the hook portion 50 is engaged with the handle portion 25. Therefore, even if the cassette 17 is locked, the lock can be released and pulled out by the auxiliary tool 18.

[0039] (1-3) The pressing part 53 is movable between a reference position and a release position. The operating lever 51 moves the pressing part 53. By moving the pressing part 53 with the operating lever 51, the locked state of the cassette 17 can be easily released.

[0040] (1-4) The spring 47 biases the pressing portion 53 toward the reference position. Therefore, the pressing portion 53, which has moved from the reference position, can be easily returned to the reference position. (1-5) The assistive device 18 can be engaged with one handle portion 25 and the other handle portion 25. Therefore, the user can pull out one cassette 17 by engaging the assistive device 18 with one handle portion 25 without directly touching one cassette 17. The user can also pull out other cassettes 17 by engaging the assistive device 18 with the other handle portion 25 without directly touching other cassettes 17. Thus, the assistive device 18 can be shared among multiple cassettes 17.

[0041] (1-6) The housing 12 has a storage section 20. By storing the auxiliary tool 18 in the storage section 20, the risk of losing the auxiliary tool 18 can be reduced. [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the auxiliary device and recording device will be described with reference to the figures. Note that the auxiliary device in this second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment. However, since it is almost identical to the first embodiment in other respects, the same reference numerals are used for identical components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0042] <Assistive devices> As shown in Figure 7, the auxiliary device 18 may have a rod portion 49, a hook portion 50, and an operating lever 51.

[0043] The rod portion 49 is rod-shaped and, for example, extends straight. The rod portion 49 may also be curved. In the vertical direction Z, the length of the rod portion 49 in the engagement position shown in Figure 7 may be longer than the cassette 17.

[0044] The operating lever 51 and the hook portion 50 are provided on the rod portion 49. The operating lever 51 and the hook portion 50 are provided at a distance from each other. The hook portion 50 may be located at one end of the rod portion 49. The operating lever 51 may be located at the other end of the rod portion 49.

[0045] The hook portion 50 is engageable with the handle portion 25. The hook portion 50 may have a pressing portion 53. The pressing portion 53 has a pressing surface 55 and a guide surface 56. The pressing surface 55 may be a surface parallel to the rod portion 49. The guide surface 56 is a surface inclined with respect to the pressing surface 55.

[0046] In the engagement position, the auxiliary device 18 has a first distance L1 in the depth direction Y from the rod portion 49 to the tip of the guide surface 56 which is longer than the second distance L2 from the front surface 24 to the tip of the release lever 28. In the engagement position, the auxiliary device 18 has a third distance L3 in the depth direction Y from the rod portion 49 to the pressing surface 55 which is shorter than the second distance L2.

[0047] <Operation of the second embodiment> The operation of this embodiment will now be described. The auxiliary device 18 assists in the operation of pulling out the cassette 17. The auxiliary device 18 assists in the operation of pulling out each of the multiple cassettes 17. The hook portion 50 can engage with the handle portion 25 of each of the multiple cassettes 17.

[0048] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the auxiliary device 18 has its hook portion 50 inserted into the handle portion 25 when in the engaged position. As shown in Figure 9, when the user moves the auxiliary tool 18 upward in the vertical direction Z, the pressing part 53 pushes the release lever 28. That is, the pressing part 53 releases the locked state by having the guide surface 56 move the release lever 28 forward and the pressing surface 55 hold the release lever 28 in a pressed position. Therefore, when the user pulls the auxiliary tool 18 in the pulling direction Y1, the cassette 17 is pulled out.

[0049] <Effects of the second embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will now be explained. (2-1) The hook portion 50 has a pressing portion 53. When the auxiliary tool 18 is moved upward, the pressing portion 53 pushes the release lever 28 to release the locked state. Therefore, the lock can be released by the auxiliary tool 18 and the hook can be pulled out.

[0050] [Example of changes] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0051] <Example of first change> As shown in Figure 10, the auxiliary tool 18 housed in the storage section 20 may have a portion of it protruding from the storage section 20. By positioning a portion of the auxiliary tool 18 outside the storage section 20, it is possible to easily remove the auxiliary tool 18 from the storage section 20.

[0052] <Example of second change> As shown in Figure 11, the direction in which the operating lever 51 extends and the direction in which the hook portion 50 protrudes from the rod portion 49 may be the same.

[0053] <Other examples of changes> The auxiliary device 18 may assist in the pushing operation. The housing portion 20 may be a recess that conforms to the outer shape of the auxiliary tool 18. The shape of the housing portion 20 may match the shape of the auxiliary tool 18.

[0054] The storage section 20 may also be a hook for attaching the auxiliary device 18. The housing section 20 and the auxiliary device 18 may have a magnet on one side and a magnet or magnetic material on the other side. The housing section 20 may hold the auxiliary device 18 by magnetic force.

[0055] The storage section 20 may be a platform on which the auxiliary tool 18 is placed. The storage compartment 20 may be a pocket into which the auxiliary tool 18 is inserted. The housing section 20 may be provided inside the housing 12.

[0056] The storage compartment 20 may have a cover. The auxiliary device 18 may be removable by opening the cover. The storage compartment 20 may be located on the back of the cover. The storage section 20 may be provided in the cassette 17. For example, the cassette 17 located at the bottom is more difficult to pull out than the cassette 17 located at the top. Therefore, the storage section 20 may be provided in the cassette 17 located at the top, for example. When pulling out the cassette 17 located at the bottom, the user may take out the auxiliary tool 18 from the cassette 17 located at the top and use it.

[0057] The housing 12 does not necessarily have to have a storage section 20. The auxiliary device 18 may be provided separately from the recording device 11. The recording device 11 may have only one cassette 17.

[0058] The recording device 11 may be equipped with multiple auxiliary devices 18. For example, one auxiliary device 18 may correspond to one cassette 17. The spring 47 may be a tension spring that pulls the pressing portion 53, which is located in the release position, toward the reference position.

[0059] In the second embodiment, the auxiliary device 18 does not need to have an operating lever 51. The cassette 17 may be configured without a locking part 27 and a release lever 28. In this case, the auxiliary device 18 may be configured without a pressing part 53.

[0060] The recording device 11 is not limited to an inkjet printer; it may also be a laser printer, thermal printer, dot matrix printer, digital printing press, etc. The recording device 11 may be a liquid ejection device that performs recording by spraying or ejecting liquids other than ink. The state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection device as minute droplets may include granular, teardrop-shaped, or thread-like forms. The liquid referred to here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device. For example, the liquid may be any state in which a substance is in the liquid phase, and may include highly or low viscosity liquids, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals, and other fluids. The liquid may include not only liquids as a state of matter, but also functional materials consisting of particles of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Typical examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals as described in the above embodiments. Here, ink refers to general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot-melt inks. Specific examples of liquid spraying devices include devices that spray liquids containing materials such as electrode materials and colorants in the form of dispersion or solution, used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescent displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters. Liquid spraying devices may also be devices that spray bio-organic materials used in biochip manufacturing, devices that spray liquid samples used as precision pipettes, printing devices, microdispensers, etc. Liquid spraying devices may also be devices that spray lubricating oil with pinpoint accuracy onto precision machinery such as watches and cameras, or devices that spray transparent resin liquids such as ultraviolet-curing resins onto substrates to form minute hemispherical lenses, optical lenses, etc., used in optical communication elements. Liquid spraying devices may also be devices that spray etching solutions such as acids or alkalis to etch substrates.

[0061] [Definition] As used herein, the expression "at least one" means "one or more" of the desired options. For example, as used herein, if there are two options, the expression "at least one" means "only one option" or "both of the two options." As another example, as used herein, the expression "at least one" means "only one option," "a combination of two arbitrary options," or "a combination of three or more arbitrary options" if there are three or more options.

[0062] [Note] The technical concepts and their effects that can be understood from the embodiments and modifications described above are described below.

[0063] [1] The auxiliary device is an auxiliary device for assisting the pulling out operation of a cassette that is movable back and forth relative to the housing between a housing position in which it is housed in the housing and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out from the housing, wherein the cassette has a handle portion formed thereon that is recessed in the opposite direction from the pulling direction from a surface intersecting the pulling direction, and has a rod portion and a hook portion provided on the rod portion that can engage with the handle portion.

[0064] In this configuration, the auxiliary tool has a rod portion with a hook portion. The hook portion can engage with the handle portion. Therefore, the user can pull out the cassette by engaging the hook portion with the handle portion and pulling the rod portion. In other words, the user can move the cassette to the pull-out position without directly touching the cassette. Thus, the burden on the user when pulling the cassette from the storage position to the pull-out position can be reduced.

[0065] [2] In the auxiliary device described in [1] above, the cassette has a release lever for releasing a locked state that restricts movement from the storage position, and the hook portion may have a pressing portion that can press the release lever while engaged with the handle portion.

[0066] In this configuration, the hook portion has a pressing portion. The pressing portion presses the release lever when the hook portion is engaged with the handle portion. Therefore, even a cassette that is locked can be released and pulled out using the auxiliary tool.

[0067] [3] In the auxiliary device described in [2] above, the pressing portion is movable between a reference position in which the release lever is not pressed and a release position in which the release lever is pressed, with the hook portion engaged with the handle portion, and may further have an operating lever for moving the pressing portion.

[0068] In this configuration, the pressing part is movable between a reference position and a release position. The operating lever moves the pressing part. By moving the pressing part with the operating lever, the locked state of the cassette can be easily released.

[0069] [4] The auxiliary device described in [3] above may further include a spring that biases the pressing portion located in the release position toward the reference position. In this configuration, the spring biases the pressing part toward the reference position. Therefore, the pressing part, which has moved from the reference position, can be easily returned to the reference position.

[0070] [5] The recording device comprises a housing, a cassette configured to move back and forth relative to the housing between a housing position where it is housed in the housing and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out from the housing, and capable of accommodating multiple media, a recording unit that records on the media transported from the cassette, and an auxiliary tool that assists in the operation of pulling out the cassette, wherein the cassette has a handle portion formed thereon that is recessed in the opposite direction from the pulling-out direction from a surface intersecting the pulling-out direction, and the auxiliary tool has a rod portion and a hook portion provided on the rod portion and capable of engaging with the handle portion. With this configuration, the same effect as the above-mentioned auxiliary tool can be achieved.

[0071] [6] In the recording device described in [5] above, the cassette has a release lever for releasing a locked state that restricts its movement from the storage position, and the hook portion may have a pressing portion that can press the release lever while engaged with the handle portion. This configuration can achieve the same effect as the auxiliary device described above.

[0072] [7] In the recording device described in [6] above, the pressing portion is movable between a reference position in which the release lever is not pressed and a release position in which the release lever is pressed, with the hook portion engaged with the handle portion, and the auxiliary device may further have an operating lever for moving the pressing portion. This configuration can achieve the same effect as the auxiliary device described above.

[0073] [8] In the recording device described in [7] above, the auxiliary device may further include a spring that biases the pressing portion located in the release position toward the reference position. This configuration can achieve the same effect as the auxiliary device described above.

[0074] [9] In any one of the recording devices described in [5] to [8] above, when the cassette is designated as a first cassette and the handle portion as a first handle portion, the device further comprises a second cassette that is movable forward and backward relative to the housing between a housing position where it is housed in the housing and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out from the housing, wherein the second cassette has a second handle portion formed thereon that is recessed in the opposite direction from the pulling-out direction from a surface intersecting the pulling-out direction, and the hook portion may be able to engage with the second handle portion.

[0075] In this configuration, the assistive device can engage with both the first and second gripping sections. Therefore, the user can pull out the first cassette by engaging the assistive device with the first gripping section without directly touching the first cassette. Similarly, the user can pull out the second cassette by engaging the assistive device with the second gripping section without directly touching the second cassette. Thus, the assistive device can be shared among multiple cassettes.

[0076]

[10] In any one of the recording devices described in [5] to [9] above, the housing may have a storage section for storing the auxiliary device. In this configuration, the housing has a storage compartment. By storing the auxiliary tools in the storage compartment, the risk of losing the tools can be reduced. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 11...Recording device, 12...Housing, 13...Stacker, 14...Operation panel, 15...Image reading unit, 16...Automatic feeding unit, 17...Cassette, 18...Auxiliary device, 20...Storage unit, 22...Media, 24...Front, 25...Handle, 27...Locking unit, 28...Release lever, 30...Hopper, 34...Recording unit, 35...Feeding unit, 36...Conveying unit, 38...Feeding roller, 39...Separation unit 41...Conveying path, 42...Roller pair, 43...Conveying belt, 45...Frame, 46...Operating part, 47...Spring, 49...Rod part, 50...Hook part, 51...Operating lever, 53...Pressing part, 55...Pressing surface, 56...Guide surface, L1...First distance, L2...Second distance, L3...Third distance, X...Width direction, Y...Depth direction, Y1...Pull-out direction, Y2...Push-in direction, Z...Vertical direction.

Claims

1. An auxiliary device for assisting the withdrawal operation of a cassette that is movable back and forth relative to the housing between a housing position where it is housed in the housing and a withdrawal position where it is pulled out from the housing, The cassette has a handle portion formed on the surface intersecting the pulling direction, which is recessed in the direction opposite to the pulling direction. The rod section and A hook portion is provided on the rod portion and is capable of engaging with the handle portion, An auxiliary device characterized by having the following features.

2. The cassette has a release lever for releasing a locked state that restricts its movement from the storage position. The auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hook portion has a pressing portion that can press the release lever while engaged with the handle portion.

3. The pressing portion is movable between a reference position in which the release lever is not pressed and a release position in which the release lever is pressed, while the hook portion is engaged with the handle portion. The auxiliary device according to claim 2, further comprising an operating lever for moving the pressing portion.

4. The auxiliary device according to claim 3, further comprising a spring that biases the pressing portion located in the release position toward the reference position.

5. The casing and A cassette is configured to move back and forth relative to the housing between a housing position where it is housed in the housing and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out from the housing, and is capable of housing multiple media. A recording unit that records onto the medium transported from the cassette, An auxiliary device for assisting the operation of pulling out the aforementioned cassette, Equipped with, The cassette has a handle portion formed on the surface intersecting the pulling direction, which is recessed in the direction opposite to the pulling direction. The aforementioned auxiliary device is The rod section and A hook portion is provided on the rod portion and is capable of engaging with the handle portion, A recording device characterized by having the following features.

6. The cassette has a release lever for releasing a locked state that restricts its movement from the storage position. The recording device according to claim 5, characterized in that the hook portion has a pressing portion that can press the release lever while engaged with the handle portion.

7. The pressing portion is movable between a reference position in which the release lever is not pressed and a release position in which the release lever is pressed, while the hook portion is engaged with the handle portion. The recording device according to claim 6, wherein the auxiliary device further comprises an operating lever for moving the pressing portion.

8. The recording device according to claim 7, wherein the auxiliary device further comprises a spring that biases the pressing portion located in the release position toward the reference position.

9. When the aforementioned cassette is referred to as the first cassette, and the aforementioned handle portion is referred to as the first handle portion, The system further comprises a second cassette that is movable back and forth relative to the housing between a housing position where it is housed in the housing and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out from the housing, The second cassette has a second handle portion formed therein, which is recessed in the direction opposite to the pulling direction from a surface intersecting the pulling direction. The recording device according to claim 8, characterized in that the hook portion is engageable with the second handle portion.

10. The recording device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the housing has a storage section for storing the auxiliary tool.

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