Cassette and recording device

Abstract

To suppress deterioration in assemblability of a tiltable end guide, in a paper feeding cassette.SOLUTION: A cassette includes: a storage part having a loading surface for loading sheets; a sheet guide rotating around a rotation center axis in parallel with the loading surface, and capable of switching between a storage state in parallel with the loading surface and a standing state standing from the loading surface for guiding the sheet; a rotation support shaft extending on both sides of the sheet guide along the rotation center axis in the sheet guide; and a bearing part for supporting the rotation support shaft so as to be able to rotate in the storage part. The cassette also includes: an insertion part which is formed at part of the rotation support shaft, and whose width is narrower than the diameter of the rotation support shaft; an insertion groove which is formed toward the bearing part from the loading surface, and whose width is narrower than the diameter of the rotation support shaft; and a flexible pressing part arranged outside of the insertion groove, and for pressing a tip part of the rotation support shaft.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper feed cassette for use in a printer or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, as home printers have become more widely used, there has been a demand for printers to be able to hold a large amount of paper, and many printers now have paper feed mechanisms that can feed paper from a paper feed cassette (hereafter referred to as the cassette) as well as an auto sheet feeder (hereafter referred to as the ASF). Cassettes that can be detached from the printer body and hold a stack of paper are equipped with paper guides to align the paper to the set position so that paper of various sizes can be set accurately. Paper guides generally guide both sides and the rear end of the paper, with the feed direction of the paper loaded in the cassette being the front. This is to ensure that the paper does not shift position when feeding.

[0003] The end guide that holds the rear end of the paper in position is removable or slidable to accommodate various sizes of paper. In particular, the sliding type is highly convenient because it can accommodate small paper sizes, but it requires a sliding rail structure and a fixing function such as a latch or friction rubber to prevent it from shifting when feeding paper.

[0004] On the other hand, depending on the cassette, there may be cases where a guide function that can accommodate fine paper sizes is not necessary, such as when the paper size that is mainly used is limited, or when multiple cassettes are installed and each is set to a dedicated paper size. In such cases, a retractable end guide may be used instead of a sliding type that has a complex structure and requires space. Making the end guide retractable in this way is very advantageous in making the cassette smaller, since it eliminates the space required for the guide when it is retracted.

[0005] As a conventional form of a collapsible end guide, a cassette 200 having a collapsible end guide 220 is known as shown in Figures 16 and 17. In this structure, a rotational support shaft that serves as the center of rotation when the end guide is collapsed is provided in the end guide 220, and a bearing portion 210 that supports the rotational support shaft is provided below the loading surface of the cassette on which paper is loaded. During assembly, the bearing portion 210 is bent and expanded, and the rotational shaft is fitted into the bearing hole for assembly. Therefore, the bearing portion 210 has a structure that is easily bent, and the bearing portion 210 may bend when a load is applied to the end guide 220.

[0006] As a general support structure for such a rotating structure, a structure in which a part or all of the support part is made flexible to facilitate assembly is known, as in Patent Document 1. Also known is a structure in which a notch is provided in part of a hole to facilitate assembly, as in Patent Document 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-236809 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-82471 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, as described above, if the end guide is made collapsible, this is advantageous for making the cassette smaller and thinner, but the surrounding installation space is reduced due to the smaller size, and the strength of the mechanism that pivotally supports the end guide is weakened. Furthermore, if the pivot support portion is made flexible to facilitate assembly, the pivot support portion may bend and the end guide may come off if the user operates the cassette with excessive force or if the cassette is dropped. On the other hand, if the pivot support portion is made stronger to make it less likely to bend, the ease of assembly is reduced.

[0009] Furthermore, in the structure of the rotating shaft having the notched hole, there is also the problem that the end guide is easily dislodged depending on the position.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to suppress deterioration in the ease of assembly of a retractable end guide in a paper feed cassette. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The cassette of the present invention is a cassette comprising a storage section having a loading surface for loading sheets, a sheet guide that rotates around a rotational axis parallel to the loading surface and is switchable between a stored state parallel to the loading surface and an upright state erected from the loading surface for guiding sheets, a rotating support shaft extending on both sides of the sheet guide along the rotational axis in the sheet guide, and a bearing section in the storage section that rotatably supports the rotating support shaft, and is characterized in that it comprises an insertion section formed in part of the rotating support shaft and having a width narrower than the diameter of the rotating support shaft, an insertion groove formed from the loading surface toward the bearing section and having a width narrower than the diameter of the rotating support shaft, and a flexible pressing section arranged outside the insertion groove and pressing the tip of the rotating support shaft. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress deterioration in ease of assembly of a retractable end guide in a paper feed cassette. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cassette when A5 size paper is loaded. [Figure 4] A cross-sectional view of the cassette side guide and a detailed view of part of it. [Diagram 5]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cassette when B5 size paper is loaded. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cassette when A4 size paper is loaded. [Figure 7] Detailed view of the cassette end guide. [Figure 8] Detailed view of the end guide parts. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a detailed view showing the structure of the cassette side where the end guide is assembled. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] 4A and 4B are plan and cross-sectional views of the end guide during assembly. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] 11A and 11B are plan and cross-sectional views of the end guide in a stored state. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] 4A and 4B are plan and cross-sectional views of the end guide in an upright state. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the structure of a conventional end guide. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a detailed view showing the structure of a conventional end guide. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0015] [Overall configuration of inkjet recording device] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with a paper feed cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a paper path of the inkjet recording apparatus of Fig. 1.

[0016] 1 and 2, cassette paper feed section 10 is disposed so as to be attachable to the lower portion of device main body 1. Cassette paper feed section 10 has a paper feed cassette (hereinafter, cassette) 100 that holds paper stack P1, which is a bundle of multiple sheets of paper (sheets) to be recorded, and a paper feed roller 11 that feeds paper one by one from paper stack P1. Cassette (paper storage section) 100 is configured so as to be detachable from the front side (left side in the figure) of device main body 1, and paper feed roller 11 is disposed behind cassette paper feed section 10.

[0017] The transport unit 20 has a function of transporting paper to a position where recording (printing) is performed on the paper, and includes a pair of transport rollers 21 that transports the paper, and a platen 22 that supports the paper.

[0018] The paper discharge section 30 has a function of discharging paper after recording, and includes a pair of paper discharge rollers 31 for discharging the paper, and a paper discharge tray 32 for stacking the discharged paper.

[0019] The ASF (Auto Sheet Feeder) paper supply unit 40 is provided at the rear of the device body 1 and supplies paper for recording on paper separate from the paper in the cassette paper supply unit 10. The ASF paper supply unit 40 has a paper supply tray 42 that can hold a stack of paper P2 and that can be opened, closed, and extended. An ASF paper supply roller 41 is provided below the paper supply tray 42 to supply paper one by one from the stack of paper P2.

[0020] The reference symbol Px indicates a paper path along which the paper passes from each paper feed section to the paper discharge section, and a paper transport path is formed by disposing pairs of rollers (not shown), paper path guides (not shown), and the like between each unit.

[0021] The carriage unit 50 includes a recording head 52 that ejects ink onto the transported paper, and a carriage 51 to which the recording head 52 is fixed, and moves back and forth in the main scanning direction to perform recording. The carriage 51 is equipped with a plurality of ink tanks 53 each containing a plurality of colors of ink, and color printing is possible by ejecting ink from nozzles of a plurality of colors provided in the recording head 52. For example, full color printing is possible by ejecting each of the colors of ink, C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), from the recording head 52. When the recording head 52 is not recording, the carriage 51 returns to a home position provided at a predetermined position within the reciprocating movement range and waits.

[0022] The recovery unit 60 has a function of recovering the ejection of the recording head 52. The recovery unit 60 has a cap that covers the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 at a position facing the recording head 52 that has returned to the home position, and performs suction recovery to recover clogged nozzles of the recording head 52 and protects the nozzles.

[0023] The electrical control unit 70 includes a power source, a control board, etc., and controls the operation of the paper feed rollers 11, 41, the conveying roller pair 21, and the paper discharge roller pair 31 of each paper feed unit to convey paper. The electrical control unit 70 is also connected to the recording head 52 by electrical connection means such as an FFC or cable that transmits power and ejection control signals. The electrical connection means is configured to be able to move back and forth together with the recording head 52 as the carriage 51 moves back and forth.

[0024] The reading unit 80 has a document reading function, and the inkjet recording device can perform not only recording but also reading. The operation panel 90 is used to operate the device main body 1 and to display the status of the device main body 1.

[0025] [Basic operation of inkjet recording device] Next, the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

[0026] When a recording command is input to the device main body 1, the cap protecting the recording head 52 moves away from the recording head 52, and the recording head 52 becomes ready for recording.

[0027] When the paper to be recorded is present in the cassette paper feed unit 10, the paper feed roller 11 of the cassette paper feed unit 10 is driven to feed the paper one sheet at a time from the paper stack P1 loaded in the cassette 100. The fed paper is transported along the paper path Px toward the transport unit 20. The paper is then sandwiched between a pair of transport rollers 21 and transported to above the platen 22 (the recording position) that is disposed in a position opposite the recording head 52.

[0028] When the paper is transported to the recording position, a recording head 52 mounted on a carriage 51 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction, and ink is ejected toward the paper passing through a platen 22, recording an image on the paper. The paper is further transported along a paper path Px by a pair of paper discharge rollers 31 of a paper discharge section 30 to a paper discharge tray 32. When multiple sheets are to be recorded on continuously, the recorded sheets are stacked on the paper discharge tray 32 like a paper stack P3.

[0029] When the recording is completed, the carriage 51 returns to the home position where it can cap the recording head 52 and stops, and a recovery operation for the recording head 52 is performed.

[0030] On the other hand, when the paper to be recorded is in the ASF paper feed section 40, the paper feed roller 41 of the ASF paper feed section 40 is driven to feed the paper one by one from the paper stack P2 loaded in the paper feed tray 42. The fed paper is transported toward the transport section 20 along the paper path Px composed of a roller pair and a path guide, and an image is recorded on the paper in the same manner as in the case of paper feeding from the cassette 100 described above.

[0031] When feeding paper from the ASF paper feed unit 40, the paper path route is relatively straight and short, and an openable or extendable paper feed tray 42 is provided, so paper can be easily replaced or loaded, and a wide variety of papers can be loaded and fed. For example, some commercially available recording devices can handle a wide range of paper sizes, from A2 size to business card size. Also, some can handle not only plain paper, but also various paper types that can be generally recorded on by inkjet recording devices, such as glossy paper and film paper.

[0032] When stack of paper P1 is loaded in cassette 100, cassette 100 can be installed at the bottom of device main body 1, which allows for a large capacity of stacked paper and multiple layers, making it suitable for mass printing. Generally commonly used paper is often loaded in cassette 100, and stack of paper P1 of a specific size, such as A4, can also be loaded therein at all times.

[0033] [Cassette configuration] Next, the configuration of the cassette 100 in this embodiment will be described.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cassette 100 (cassette body) removed from the apparatus body 1 and loaded with a stack of A5 size sheets P1.

[0035] The direction of the arrow K pointing toward the back of the cassette 100 in FIG. 3 is the paper feed direction, and the stack of paper P1 is loaded approximately in the center of the loading surface 101 of the cassette 100. The cassette 100 is provided with side guides 102, 103 that guide the side end surface PS of the stack of paper P1 when the stack of paper P1 is loaded. In this embodiment, the transport reference is set to the center of the paper width, and the two side guides 102, 103 on both sides are configured to slide on the slide surface 106 by an equal width from the center in gear interlocking. The side guides 102, 103 are slid evenly left and right in accordance with the width of the paper and positioned, so that the center of the paper can be aligned with the center of the paper path surface Px of the device main body 1.

[0036] FIG. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the cassette 100 in FIG. 3 taken along the line DD, and FIG. 4(b) is a partially enlarged detailed view thereof.

[0037] In Fig. 4, friction rubber 105 is provided inside the wall of one side guide 102, and is biased by spring 104 so as to press it against slide surface 106 of cassette 100. This makes it difficult for side guide 102 to move from the position where it guides the paper. Note that instead of friction rubber 105, it may be fixed with a click or the like.

[0038] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of end guides (sheet guides) 120 are provided at the rear end of the paper stack P1 to guide the rear end surface PE (paper end) of the paper stack P1. In this embodiment, two end guides 120A, 120B are provided to match the paper sizes of A5 and B5. The end guide 120 that matches the paper size to be loaded can be raised to guide the paper. End guides 120 that are not in use can be stored under the loading surface 101 of the cassette 100. In order to prevent paper feed failure, the end guide 120 needs to be engaged so that the paper stack P1 to be fed does not move backward in the paper feed direction K. For this reason, the end guide 120 is configured to be raised from the paper feed direction toward the opposite direction to the paper feed direction so that the guide surface 121 that abuts against the rear end surface PE of the paper stack P1 in this state can maintain its posture without falling.

[0039] In the operation of loading the stack of paper P1 in the cassette 100, the side guides 102, 103 are moved wider than the width of the paper to be loaded, and the end guide 120 is raised at the position of the paper size. After the rear end surface PE of the stack of paper P1 is abutted against the guide surface 121 of the end guide 120, the side guides 102, 103 are slid to the side end surface PS of the stack of paper P1, and the stack of paper P1 is positioned.

[0040] As described above, when loading A5 size paper stack P1, the end guide 120A for A5 size is raised, and the rear end surface PE of the paper stack P1 is aligned with the end guide 120A and loaded in the cassette. Furthermore, by moving the side guides 102 and 103 to guide both sides of the paper stack, the A5 size paper can be loaded in the appropriate position in the cassette.

[0041] On the other hand, when stacking B5 size paper stack P1 (indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5), the end guide 120A for A5 is stored and the end guide 120B for B5 is raised as shown in FIG. 5. This makes it possible to guide the rear end surface PE of the B5 size paper stack P1.

[0042] Also, as shown in Fig. 6, by storing the two end guides 120A, 120B together, it is possible to load a larger A4 size paper stack P1 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 6). In this case, a rib 107 is provided on the inside of the cassette at the rear end side of the cassette 100 as a rear end guide for the maximum load size, and the rib 107 serves as a guide surface against which the paper is abutted. This makes it possible to guide the rear end of the A4 size paper stack.

[0043] As described above, by stacking each size of paper stack P1 so that it touches the guide surface of each end guide, the paper stack P1 can be stacked in the correct position. In addition, even when a large amount of paper is stacked and used continuously, the guide does not move, so the paper can always be fed from the correct position.

[0044] [End guide configuration] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the end guide 120 of the cassette 100 in this embodiment.

[0045] As described above, the end guide 120 is arranged so as to be rotatable at a predetermined position in the cassette 100 so that it can be raised and stored according to the size of the paper stack P1 to be loaded. An end guide mounting portion 110 is provided so that the raised end guide 120 is positioned at the rear end position of the paper stack P1. A plurality of mounting portions 110 can be installed depending on the paper size to be used, and in this embodiment, two mounting portions 110A, 110B are provided. Indicators 109A, 109B indicating the paper size to be used are provided near the mounting portions 110A, 110B, respectively.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the detailed structure of a single rotating end guide 120. As shown in FIG.

[0047] The end guide 120 is configured to include a guide portion that comes into contact with the rear end of the paper, and a rotation support portion for rotation.

[0048] The guide portion has a guide surface 121 that comes into contact with the rear end surface PE of the paper stack P1, and the guide surface 121 becomes a surface that is approximately perpendicular to the stacking surface 101 when standing up from the cassette 100. Also, when standing up, an abutment portion 122 is configured to abut against the cassette 100 so as to maintain the posture.

[0049] The rotation support portion has two rotation support shafts 124 formed on both sides along the rotation center axis 130. Part of the two rotation support shafts 124 is provided with an insertion surface 125 which is a flat surface in the same phase. The insertion surface (insertion portion) 125 is a surface perpendicular to the guide surface 121 of the end guide 120. Here, an insertion surface 125 is further provided on the opposite side which is a symmetrical position of the rotation support shaft 124, forming a two-sided surface. A slide surface 126 is provided near the base of the rotation support shaft 124 to slide against the cassette 100 side so that the end guide 120 rotates smoothly and to suppress thrust rattle of the end guide 120.

[0050] Further, a chamfered first inclined surface 128 is provided at the tip of each of the two rotating support shafts 124. In this embodiment, a connecting portion 131 (see FIG. 9) is provided to reinforce the cassette 100 in order to increase the rigidity of the cassette while reducing the thickness of the cassette 100. Therefore, in order to secure space, an extension shaft 127 having a smaller diameter than the rotating support shaft 124 is formed at the tip of each of the rotating support shafts 124, and a chamfered first inclined surface 128 is provided at the tip of each of the extension shafts 127.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detailed structure of the attachment portion 110 on the cassette 100 side for attaching the end guide 120. As shown in FIG.

[0052] A bearing portion 111 is provided symmetrically about the center of the end guide 120 along the rotation center axis 130 of the end guide 120, and an insertion groove 112 is provided between the bearing portion 111 and the loading surface 101 so that the insertion surface 125 of the end guide 120 can be inserted.

[0053] The bearing portion 111 has an inner surface provided with a slide surface 119 that slides against a slide surface 126 of the end guide 120 to support the end guide 120 so as not to move in the thrust direction.

[0054] On both outer sides of the bearing portion 111, connecting portions 131 are provided in the space where the extension shaft 127 of the end guide 120 narrows, reinforcing the mounting portion 110 on the cassette 100 side. Further on both outer sides of the connecting portions 131, stoppers 113 are provided to engage with the tip end of the extension shaft 127 of the end guide 120. The stoppers 113 are formed integrally with the cassette 100 in an arm shape with a base portion 113a as a fulcrum, have flexibility, and have a second inclined surface 114 at a position where it abuts against a first inclined surface 128 at the tip end of the extension shaft 127 of the end guide. When the end guide 120 is assembled, the stoppers 113 are pushed outward toward both outer sides of the end guide 120 as indicated by the arrow T by the abutment of both the first inclined surface 128 and the second inclined surface 114, and the end guide 120 can be assembled.

[0055] A storage space 115 is provided in the cassette 100 around the end guide 120 so that the end guide 120 does not protrude from the loading surface 101 when the end guide 120 is laid down. A finger hole (recess) 116 is provided in the storage space 115 so that a user's finger can be placed on a finger hook portion 123 of the end guide 120 to facilitate a standing operation.

[0056] Further, a click convex portion (projection portion) 129 is formed near the slide surface 126 of the end guide 120, and a flexible portion (locking portion) 118 is provided near the slide surface 119 of the cassette 100. The flexible portion 118 is configured to bend with a base portion 118a as a fulcrum. In the middle of the rotation trajectory of the end guide 120, the click convex portion 129 of the end guide 120 comes into contact with and overcomes the click flexible portion 118 of the cassette 100, providing a clicking sensation and preventing inadvertent rotation.

[0057] [Assembling the end guide] Next, a procedure for assembling the end guide in this embodiment will be described.

[0058] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the end guide 120 before being assembled to the mounting portion 110 of the cassette 100. Fig. 11(a) is a plan view of Fig. 10, and Fig. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line x1-x1 of Fig. 11(a).

[0059] 11, the gap width b of the insertion groove 112 of the cassette 100 is smaller than the diameter c of the rotating support shaft 124 of the end guide and the diameter a of the bearing portion 111 of the cassette, and is slightly larger than the thickness width d of the insertion surface 125 of the end guide 120. Furthermore, the diameter c of the rotating support shaft 124 of the end guide 120 and the diameter a of the bearing portion of the cassette 100 are fitted together, with the diameter a of the bearing portion 111 of the cassette 100 being slightly larger. The relationship in size can be expressed as an inequality: Diameter (bearing part) a > Diameter (rotating shaft) c ≫ Gap width b > Thickness width d It becomes.

[0060] When the end guide 120 is oriented in such a manner that it is stored relative to the loading surface 101 of the cassette 100 (the guide surface 121 is parallel to the loading surface 101), the angle between the insertion surface 125 of the end guide and the insertion groove 112 of the cassette matches. Since the thickness width d of the insertion surface 125 is smaller than the gap width b of the insertion groove 112, by lowering the end guide 120 in this orientation at a substantially right angle (in the direction of the arrow S) to the loading surface 101, the rotation support shaft 124 of the end guide passes through the insertion groove 112 and enters the bearing portion 111.

[0061] At this time, first inclined surface 128 at the tip of extension shaft 127 of end guide 120 comes into contact with second inclined surface 114 of retainer 113 of cassette 100, and retainer 113 is expanded outward (in the direction of arrow T) during assembly. When assembly is complete, retainer 113 returns to its original position and holds both ends of extension shaft 127 of end guide 120 so that they do not return in the insertion direction, preventing end guide 120 from coming out.

[0062] In addition, the slide surface 126 of the end guide 120 and the slide surface 119 of the cassette 100 are assembled in a fitted state with little thrust play, and the end guide 120 is assembled into the cassette 100 so as to be freely rotatable while its position in the direction along the rotation center axis 130 is restricted.

[0063] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the end guide 120 assembled into the cassette 100. Fig. 13(a) is a plan view of Fig. 12, and Figs. 13(b) to 13(d) are cross-sectional views taken along the lines x1-x1, x2-x2, and x3-x3 of Fig. 11(a), respectively.

[0064] In the state shown in Fig. 12, the end guide 120 is incorporated in the storage space 115 of the cassette 100. In this state, the end guide 120 is supported by the bearing portion 111 and the slide surface 126 of the cassette 100 against a load in the assembly insertion direction (the direction of the arrow S in Fig. 10) or in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, so that the end guide 120 is difficult to come off. Note that the end guide 120 can be easily removed by spreading the flexible stopper 113 in the direction of the arrow T from this state and pushing the end guide 120 back from the back side of the cassette 100. Since the operation of loading paper sheets is rarely performed from the back side of the cassette 100, it is possible to prevent the end guide 120 from coming off inadvertently.

[0065] In this state, the rotating support shaft 124 of the end guide 120 and the bearing portion 111 of the cassette 100 are not yet engaged, but the extension shaft 127, the connecting portion 131 of the cassette 100, and the retaining member 113 slide to allow the end guide 120 to rotate.

[0066] [End guide operation] Next, the operation procedure of the end guide 120 in this embodiment will be described.

[0067] As described above, when the end guide 120 is incorporated in the cassette 100, the end guide 120 is stored in the cassette 100 and is hidden under the stacking surface 101. Therefore, the stack of paper P1 can be stacked on the end guide 120 in the stored state.

[0068] When using end guide 120, a finger is hooked on finger hook portion 123 of end guide 120 near finger hole 116 of cassette 100, and end guide 120 is pulled up. At this time, since extension shaft 127 of end guide 120 is supported by stopper 113, finger hook portion 123 rotates in a direction in which it is raised (arrow Y direction) around rotation central shaft 130. When end guide 120 rotates, insertion surface 125 is twisted with the angle of insertion groove 112, and rotation support shaft 124 gradually engages with bearing portion 111 and is fitted and supported.

[0069] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the end guide 120 standing upright inside the cassette 100. Fig. 15(a) is a plan view of Fig. 14, and Fig. 15(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line x1-x1 of Fig. 15(a).

[0070] When end guide 120 rotates 90° to stand up, diameter c of end guide rotation shaft 124 is larger than gap width b of insertion groove 112, so end guide 120 cannot come out of bearing portion 111. When abutment portion 122 of end guide 120 abuts against load receiving portion 117 of the cassette, guide surface 121 is held approximately perpendicular to stacking surface 101, and the position of rear end surface PE of paper stack P1 can be supported. End guide 120 is supported by load receiving portion 117 against a force that tends to shift paper stack P1 toward the rear end side (in the direction of arrow F), so paper stack P1 loaded in cassette 100 does not shift even when paper feeding operations are repeated, and stable paper feeding can be performed.

[0071] Rotation support shaft 124 is disposed near the center of the body of end guide 120 to support end guide 120, ensuring rigidity. Therefore, even if an inadvertent load is received in an upright state, it can withstand it because the fitting portion between rotation support shaft 124 and bearing portion 111 does not come off. This effect prevents excessive load from being applied to extension shaft 127 and retainer 113, and end guide 120 will not easily come off.

[0072] In addition, while the end guide 120 is being rotated, the click convex portion 129 of the end guide 120 climbs over the flexible portion 118 of the cassette 100, thereby generating a feeling of operation that the lifting is complete, and the end guide 120 can be locked so that it does not return to its original stored state under its own weight.

[0073] As described above, according to the above embodiment, the bearing portion and the anti-slip portion of the end guide are separated, so that the end guide can rotate smoothly between the stored state, which is immediately after assembly into the cassette, and the upright state of the end guide, and the strength of the bearing portion is also ensured.

[0074] In addition, the position of the end guide is restricted so that it can be assembled from the loading surface side of the cassette along the direction of the insertion groove, making assembly easier and making it less likely to come off the cassette when the end guide is in an upright position.

[0075] In addition, the chamfered shape of the rotation support shaft and the retaining member makes it possible to assemble the unit with a single action from one direction.

[0076] <Other Modifications> In the above embodiment, the end guides are arranged to suit the A5 and B5 paper sizes, but the arrangement positions of the end guides may be changed to suit other paper sizes, and the number of end guides may also be changed.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the side guides are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of the cassette 100 with the center of the paper in between, but they may be arranged alternately on the left and right sides with the center of the paper in between.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the end guide is arranged to stand up from the paper feed direction, but it may be arranged to stand up from a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction and positioned so that the end guide does not shift the paper stack P1. Because the rotation direction of the end guide is perpendicular to the direction in which the paper stack P1 shifts, the end guide is unlikely to fall over even if a reaction force is applied from the paper stack P1.

[0079] In addition, in the above embodiment, the paper guide having the structure described above is arranged as an end guide in the cassette on the rear end surface PE side of the paper stack, but the paper guide having the above structure may also be arranged as a side guide in the cassette on the side end surface PS side of the paper stack.

[0080] In addition, in the above embodiment, an extension shaft is provided on both ends of the rotating support shaft of the end guide to provide a connection portion 131 for the cassette, but the rotating support shaft may be extended as it is without reducing the diameter of the shaft.

[0081] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] P1, P2, P3: stack of paper, 1: device body, 100: cassette, 101: loading surface, 102, 103: side guide, 110: mounting portion, 111: bearing portion, 112: insertion groove, 113: retainer, 114: second inclined surface, 120: end guide, 121: guide surface, 124: rotation support shaft, 125: insertion surface, 127: extension shaft, 128: first inclined surface, 130: rotation center shaft

Claims

1. a storage section having a loading surface for loading sheets; a sheet guide that rotates about a rotation axis parallel to the loading surface and is switchable between a stored state parallel to the loading surface and an upright state standing up from the loading surface for guiding a sheet; a rotation support shaft extending along the rotation central axis of the sheet guide on both sides of the sheet guide; a bearing portion in the accommodation portion that rotatably supports the rotation support shaft, An insertion portion formed on a part of the rotating shaft and having a width narrower than a diameter of the rotating shaft; an insertion groove formed from the loading surface toward the bearing portion and having a width narrower than a diameter of the rotation support shaft; a flexible pressing portion disposed outside the insertion groove and pressing the tip end of the rotation support shaft.

2. 2. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein, when said sheet guide is in said stored state, an insertion surface of said insertion portion is substantially perpendicular to said loading surface.

3. 3. The cassette according to claim 2, wherein the insertion surface of the insertion portion is a two-sided chamfered surface having a width narrower than a diameter of the rotation support shaft.

4. 4. The cassette according to claim 3, wherein a width of the two-sided chamfered surface is smaller than a width of the insertion groove.

5. 5. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the tip of the rotation support shaft and the portion where the pressing portion abuts is formed with a slope.

6. 6. The cassette according to claim 5, wherein a slope is formed on both the tip of the rotation support shaft and the portion where the pressing portion abuts.

7. 7. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein the storage section further includes a storage space for storing the sheet guide so that the sheet guide does not protrude from the stacking surface when the sheet guide is in the stored state.

8. 8. The cassette according to claim 7, wherein the housing portion further includes a recess in the storage space for receiving a tip of a user's finger when the user stands up the sheet guide with the finger.

9. A cassette as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sheet guide has a first guide surface at the base of the rotating support shaft, and the storage section has a second guide surface that slides against the first guide surface and regulates movement of the sheet guide in the thrust direction of the rotating support shaft.

10. 10. The cassette according to claim 9, wherein the sheet guide has a protrusion near the first guide surface, and the storage portion has a flexible engaging portion that engages with the protrusion when the sheet guide rises from the loading surface.

11. 11. The cassette according to claim 10, wherein the locking portion is formed integrally with the storage portion.

12. 12. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portion is formed integrally with the storage portion.

13. 13. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein the sheet guide has an abutting portion that abuts against the accommodation portion in the upright state, and the accommodation portion has a receiving portion that receives the abutting portion.

14. A recording apparatus capable of mounting the cassette according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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