Reading device and image forming device

Abstract

To provide a reading device, or the like, that may suppress shaking of a reader that reads a read target object when an operation unit disposed above a base on which the read target object is placed is operated by being touched, as compared with a case where a first attachment frame to which the reader is attached and a second attachment frame to which the operation unit is attached are both fixed to the same surface of a support frame.SOLUTION: A reading device includes a base on which a read target object is placed, a reader that reads the read target object placed on the base, a first attachment frame to which the reader is attached such that the reader is disposed above the base, an operation unit that is used for operating the reading device by touching, a second attachment frame to which the operation unit is attached such that the operation unit is disposed above the base, and a support frame that has a first surface and a second surface more bendable than the first surface in response to an external force. The first attachment frame is fixed to the first surface of the support frame. The second attachment frame is fixed to the second surface of the support frame.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reading device and an image forming device. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 describes an imaging device having a document table unit on which a document to be imaged is placed, an imaging unit such as a document camera that images the document placed on the document table unit, a movable holding member attached to the rear end of the top surface of the document table unit so as to hold the imaging unit and position it above the document table unit, and an operation panel located at the front end of the top surface of the document table unit.

[0003] The following Patent Document 2 describes a reading device that has a stage on which an object to be read is placed, a reading head such as a document camera that optically reads the object to be read placed on the stage, and an articulated boom that supports the reading head above the object to be read so that its position can be adjusted in directions approaching and moving away from the object to be read. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-157432 A (paragraph 0038, Figure 1) [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-214917 A (Fig. 1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] This invention provides a reading device and an image forming device that can suppress shaking of the reading device that reads the object to be read when the operating device, which is positioned above the platform on which the object to be read is placed, is touched and operated, compared to when both the first mounting frame for mounting the reading device and the second mounting frame for mounting the operating device are fixed to the same surface of the support frame. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This invention (1) is a table on which an object to be read is placed; a reading device that reads an object to be read placed on the table; a first mounting frame for mounting the reading device so as to be positioned above the base; an operating device for operating the device by contact; a second mounting frame for mounting the operating device so as to be positioned above the base; a support frame having a first surface portion and a second surface portion that is more flexible than the first surface portion when subjected to an external force; Equipped with the first mounting frame is fixed to a first surface of the support frame; The second mounting frame is a reading device fixed to the second surface of the support frame.

[0008] This invention ( 2 ) is the above invention (1 )of In the reading device, the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame are disposed in a state where they do not contact each other.

[0009] This invention ( 3 ) is the above invention (1 )of In the reading device, the support frame is a frame in which the first surface portion consists of a vertical surface portion extending in the up and down direction, and the second surface portion consists of a horizontal surface portion that intersects with the end of the vertical surface portion and extends in the horizontal direction.

[0010] This invention ( 4 ) is the above invention ( 2 ) the reading device, the operating device is positioned forward of the first mounting frame and facing the front side of the device, and the second mounting frame is a reading device positioned at a distance from the first mounting frame on one or both of the left and right sides of the first mounting frame when viewed from the front side of the device.

[0011] This invention ( 5 ) is the above invention ( 3 ) In the reading device, the horizontal surface portion, which is the second surface portion of the support frame, is the first bent surface portion following the rear bent portion that is bent backward toward the back side of the device at the end of the vertical surface portion, which is the first surface portion, and the first mounting frame has a lower portion fixed to the front side of the device on the vertical surface portion of the support frame and an upper portion that stands above the first bent surface portion, which is the horizontal surface portion, without contacting it, and the second mounting frame is a reading device that is fixed to the first bent surface portion.

[0012] This invention ( 6 ) is the above invention ( 3 ) In the reading device, the horizontal surface portion, which is the second surface portion of the support frame, is a surface portion of a member constituting the horizontal surface portion that is connected and fixed at the end of the member constituting the vertical surface portion, which is the first surface portion, and the first mounting frame has a lower portion fixed to the surface of the front side of the device on the vertical surface portion of the support frame and an upper portion that stands up above the horizontal surface portion without contacting the surface portion of the member constituting the horizontal surface portion, and the second mounting frame is a reading device that is fixed to the surface portion of the member constituting the horizontal surface portion.

[0013] This invention ( 7 ) is the above invention ( 5 ) In the reading device, the first mounting frame is a reading device including a connecting frame that connects the upwardly rising portion and the first bending surface portion.

[0014] This invention ( 8 ) is the above invention ( 6 ) In the reading device, the first mounting frame is a reading device including a connecting frame that connects the upwardly rising portion and the surface portion of the member that constitutes the horizontal surface portion.

[0015] This invention ( 9) is provided with a reading unit that reads an object placed on a table from above the table, and an image forming unit that forms an image corresponding to image information that may include information read by the reading unit on a recording medium, and the reading unit is one of the above inventions (1) to ( 8 ) is an image forming apparatus configured with a reading device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The above invention (1 ) As a result, when an operating device that reads an object to be read is contacted and operated, the reading device that reads the object to be read can be prevented from shaking compared to when both the first mounting frame that mounts the reading device and the second mounting frame that mounts the operating device are fixed to the same surface portion of the support frame.

[0017] The above invention ( 2 ) Compared to when the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame are arranged in contact with each other, vibrations that occur when the operating device is operated by contact can be prevented from being transmitted from the second mounting frame to the first mounting frame.

[0018] The above invention ( 3 ) According to this, compared to when the first surface portion of the frame to be attached is not a vertical surface portion and the second surface portion is not a horizontal surface portion that intersects with the end of the vertical surface portion and extends horizontally, vibrations that occur when the operating device is touched and operated can be absorbed by the downward or upward bending of the horizontal surface portion, which is the second surface portion.

[0019] The above invention ( 4 ) Even if the operating device is positioned forward of the first mounting frame, which is closer to the front of the device, vibrations that occur when the operating device is touched and operated can be prevented from being transmitted from the first mounting frame to the second mounting frame.

[0020] The above invention ( 5According to the above, compared to when the upper part of the first mounting frame does not come into contact with the first bent surface portion bent toward the rear of the device and is not shaped to rise above the first bent surface portion, the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame are arranged so that they are gathered at the first bent surface portion, thereby reducing the arrangement space in the front-to-rear direction of the device, and the vibrations generated when the operating device is touched and operated can be absorbed by the first bent surface portion.

[0021] The above invention ( 6 ), compared to when the upper part of the first mounting frame does not come into contact with the surface of the member that constitutes the side surface portion and is not shaped to rise above the side surface portion, the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame are arranged so that they are gathered on the surface of the member that constitutes the side surface portion, thereby reducing the arrangement space in the front-to-rear direction of the device, and vibrations generated when the operating device is contacted and operated can be absorbed by the surface of the member that constitutes the side surface portion.

[0022] The above invention ( 7 ) compared to when the first mounting frame does not include a connecting frame, the first bending surface portion is less likely to bend, and vibration is less likely to occur when the operating device is touched and operated.

[0023] The above invention ( 8 ) Compared to when the first mounting frame does not include a connecting frame, the surface portion of the member that constitutes the side surface portion is less likely to bend, and vibration is less likely to occur when the operating device is touched and operated.

[0024] The above invention ( 9 ), when an operating device that reads an object to be read is contacted and operated in the reading device of the reading unit and is located above the platform on which the object to be read is placed, shaking of the reading device can be suppressed compared to when both the first mounting frame on which the reading device is located and the second mounting frame on which the operating device is located are fixed to the same surface portion of the support frame, and deterioration of image quality caused by shaking of the reading device when an image corresponding to image information read by the reading device is formed on a recording medium can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reading unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front side of the reading unit with a second cover removed. [Figure 5] 10 is a perspective view of the rear side of the reading unit with a first cover removed. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a framework portion of a part of a reading unit, etc., of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] 7 is a schematic diagram of a part of the reading unit and the like in FIG. 6 as viewed from above. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the arrangement of the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the reading unit of FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a reading unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rear side of a reading unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] 12 is a schematic diagram showing a partial cross section of the reading unit of FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a reading device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front side of the reading device with the second cover removed. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear side of the reading device with the first cover removed. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the framework, mounting frame, etc. of the reading device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] First embodiment. Fig. 1 is a diagram that schematically illustrates the appearance of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the image forming apparatus 1. In each of the drawings, such as Fig. 1, the up / down, left / right, and front / rear directions indicated by arrows are expressed based on a front surface 10F of the image forming apparatus 1, which is assumed to be faced by a user standing when using the image forming apparatus 1.

[0028] <Image forming device> As shown in either Figure 1 or Figure 2, the image forming device 1 of the first embodiment comprises a housing 10 consisting of an internal framework and an external exterior part, an image forming unit 20 arranged so as to be located in the lower inner part of the housing 10 excluding the upper end part, and a reading unit 50 arranged so as to be located in the upper end part of the housing 10.

[0029] The housing 10 is a structure having a required structure and shape made of materials such as a plurality of frames and an exterior cover. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 in the first embodiment is formed as a structure having an appearance of a rectangular parallelepiped that is long in the vertical direction.

[0030] 5, 6, etc., the internal framework of this housing 10 is formed by frames such as a rear frame 12, a front frame 13, an upper frame 14, a left side frame 15, a right side frame 16, and a plurality of partition frames 17, 18. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, etc., the exterior portion of this housing 10 is formed by exterior covers such as a front cover 11a, a side cover 11d, and a rear cover (not shown). The exterior covers are configured as openable covers with a structure in which at least a portion of them can be opened and closed.

[0031] The image forming unit 20 is a component for forming an image corresponding to image information on the recording medium 9. The image forming unit 20 in the first embodiment has an image creating unit 2 that creates an image and forms it on a recording medium 9, a medium supply unit 3 that stores the recording medium 9 used in the image creating unit 2 and supplies it to the image creating unit 2, and a medium discharge unit 4 that discharges the recording medium 9 on which the image has been formed by the image creating unit 2. As the recording medium 9, sheet-shaped plain paper, coated paper, cardboard, etc. of a predetermined size is used.

[0032] The image forming section 2 in the image forming unit 20 is configured using an electrophotographic image forming device that finally forms an image made of developer on the recording medium 9. The imaging unit 2, which is an electrophotographic imaging device, includes an image carrier such as a photoconductor, devices such as a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device that are arranged around the image carrier, and a fixing device that is arranged at a position distant from the image carrier, all of which are not shown. The imaging unit 2 also includes devices such as a developer supply device, an image processing device, and a control device. Of these, the transfer device may be a direct transfer type device that directly transfers an image made of developer formed on the image carrier to the recording medium 9, or an intermediate transfer type device that transfers the image from the image carrier to the recording medium 9 via an intermediate transfer body.

[0033] In addition, this image forming unit 2 has the function of forming an image corresponding to image information input from an external device such as an information terminal connected to the image forming device 1, and the function of using the information read by the reading unit 50 as image information to form an image corresponding to that image information. For this reason, in the image forming unit 2, the above-mentioned image forming device performs a charging operation centered on the image carrier, an exposure operation corresponding to the image information, a development operation, and a transfer operation in this order. As a result, in the image forming unit 2, an image made of developer is formed on the image carrier, and then the image is transferred from the image carrier to the recording medium 9. In addition, in the image forming unit 2, a fixing operation is performed on the recording medium 9 to which the image has been transferred, thereby fixing the image to the recording medium 9.

[0034] The medium supply unit 3 in the image forming unit 20 is disposed below the imaging unit 2. The medium supply unit 3 includes a container such as a tray for storing recording media 9, and a delivery device for delivering the recording media 9 from the container, both of which are not shown. The container is attached so that it can be pulled out from inside to outside the housing 10 to accommodate the recording medium 9. The container is not limited to a single container, and may be multiple. The same number of delivery devices as the containers are arranged.

[0035] In this medium supply unit 3, the required recording medium 9 is sent out toward the imaging unit 2 in accordance with the transfer operation in the imaging unit 2. Reference numeral 37 in Fig. 2 denotes a main medium transport path along which the recording medium 9 is transported from the medium supply unit 3, passing through a part of the imaging unit 2 (the part where an image is transferred onto the recording medium 9), and to an outlet 41.

[0036] The medium discharge unit 4 in the image forming unit 20 is disposed above the imaging unit 2. This medium discharge unit 4 has a discharge space 40 in a portion of the upper part of the front surface 10F of the housing 10. The discharge space 40 is a space that is open to the outside, with a front opening 40a that opens to the right side and a side opening 40d that opens continuously from the front surface 10F on the right side.

[0037] Furthermore, the medium discharge unit 4 has a discharge outlet 41 for the recording medium 9 provided on the inner wall surface on the left side of the discharge space 40, and a stacking surface 42 for stacking and accommodating the recording media 9 discharged from the discharge outlet 41 provided on the bottom surface of the discharge space 40. The stacking surface 42 is formed, for example, as a surface that slopes upward as it moves away from the discharge outlet 41 to the right, that is, a so-called right-shoulder-rising slope.

[0038] In the medium discharge unit 4, the recording medium 9 on which the image has been created and fixed in the image creating unit 2 is discharged from the discharge port 41 through the medium transport path 37 and stored therein.

[0039] <Reading unit, reading device> Next, the reading unit 50 is a component that reads the object to be read 90 placed on the table 6 from above the table 6, as shown in FIGS.

[0040] The reading unit 50 is composed of a reading device 5 equipped with a table 6 on which an object to be read 90 is placed, a reading device 7 that reads the object to be read 90 placed on the table 6, and an operating device 8 that is contacted to operate the device. Operation of the device by the operating device 8 is operation of the image forming apparatus 1 including the reading device 5.

[0041] The platform 6 is made up of a plate-like member having a flat upper surface 61 on which the object to be read 90 can be placed in a stationary state. The platform 6 is attached so as to be disposed at the upper end of the housing 10 with the upper surface 61 thereof being the uppermost surface. The object to be read 90 may be any object that can be placed on the stand 6 and read from above the stand 6 by the reading device 7. The object to be read 90 includes, for example, a sheet-like document on which image information is recorded, as well as three-dimensional objects such as books, magazines, food, and plants.

[0042] The reading device 7 is a device capable of optically reading the reading object 90 placed on the stand 6. For example, a camera configured by combining an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and optical elements such as a lens is used as the reading device 7. The camera as the reading device 7 is sometimes called a document camera. The reading device 7 may also be equipped with an illumination device that illuminates the reading object 90 when reading.

[0043] 4, 5, etc., the reading device 7 is attached to a first attachment frame 75 so as to be located at a position above the base 6. The first attachment frame 75 is disposed behind the operating device 8 as a frame extending in the height direction of the image forming apparatus 1. The first mounting frame 75 will be described in detail later.

[0044] Furthermore, the reading device 7 is configured so that the information it reads is sent to the image forming unit 20 and used as image information on which an image is formed, and is also used as image information to be displayed on the display unit of the operating device 8.

[0045] The reading device 5 is configured to transmit the information read by the reading equipment 7 to an image processing device in the image forming unit 20 for processing. Note that the reading device 5 may also be provided with an image processing device that performs image processing on the information read by the reading equipment 7.

[0046] The operation device 8 is a plate-like structure having at least an operation unit 81 that is touched to operate the image forming apparatus 1. In addition to the operation unit 81, the operation device 8 may have a display unit 82 that displays various information (images, videos, etc.).

[0047] When the operation device 8 has a display unit 82, the operation unit 81 is a part made up of non-mechanical parts such as a touch panel that can be operated by a resistive film method, a capacitive method, or the like, in which electricity is supplied, a position is detected, etc., by touching the part displayed on the display unit 82 with a finger or a pen. The operation unit 81 is a part made up of mechanical parts such as physical buttons and physical switches that can be operated by a user of the image forming apparatus 1 touching and physically moving them with a finger. Note that the operation unit 81 may have a configuration in which parts made up of the above-mentioned non-mechanical parts and parts made up of the above-mentioned mechanical parts are mixed. The display unit 82 is a part configured with a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel. When the operation unit 81 is configured with the above-mentioned non-mechanical parts, the display unit 82 is configured to also display an operation screen used by the operation unit 81.

[0048] The operation device 8 in the first embodiment is configured such that an operation unit 81 made up of non-mechanical components is included in a display unit 82. For this reason, as shown in Fig. 3 etc., the operation device 8 is configured such that the display unit 82, which also serves as the operation unit 81, is disposed on a front surface 83a of a plate-shaped support body 83. Such an operation device 8 is also referred to as, for example, a touch panel or a touch display.

[0049] 5 and other figures, the operating device 8 has a mounting shaft 83d fixed to the back surface 83b of the support body 83 by a fixing plate 83e for rotatably mounting the operating device 8. The mounting shaft 83d is, for example, a cylindrical shaft extending in the left-right direction. The operating device 8 also has left and right mounting jigs 84L, 84R that rotatably support the left and right ends of the mounting shaft 83d and finally mount the operating device 8 to a second mounting frame (85) described below. The operating device 8 is supported by the mounting jigs 84L, 84R so that it can rotate around the mounting shaft 83d to adjust the tilt angle of the operating surface. In addition, the operating device 8 may be provided on a support body 83 outside the display unit 82 so that one or both of an operating unit 81 made up of non-mechanical components and an operating unit 81 made up of mechanical components coexist.

[0050] 4, 5, etc., the operation device 8 is attached to the second attachment frame 85 so as to be positioned above the base 6. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, etc., the operation device 8 is positioned forward, facing the front surface 10F of the device, of the first attachment frame 75 that supports the reading device 7, at a position corresponding to the same height as the operation device 8. The second attachment frame 85 supports the operation device 8 on its rear side. The second mounting frame 85 will be described in detail later.

[0051] In the reading device 5 constituting the reading unit 50, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, the first mounting frame 75 supporting the reading equipment 7 is covered by a first cover 76, and the second mounting frame 85 supporting the operating equipment 8 is covered by a second cover 86.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first cover 76 is a cover that is used by combining three separate parts: an upper end cover part 76a, an upper front cover part 76b, and a rear cover part 76c. 5, upper front cover portion 76b is provided with an opening 76d at the front end of its upper part, through which reading device 7 passes and is exposed downward. Furthermore, upper front cover portion 76b is provided with portion 76e hanging down at the rear end of its upper part, which covers the upper part of the front surface of first mounting frame 75.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second cover 86 is a cover that is used in combination with a front cover portion 87 and left and right rear cover portions 88L and 88R that are divided into three portions. The front cover part 87 is configured to cover the front area between the base 6 and the operating device 8, and the left and right side areas and the top area between the operating device 8 and the first mounting frame 75. The front cover part 87 also has an opening 87e that opens to allow a part of the second mounting frame 85 and the like located on the back side of the operating device 8 to pass through.

[0054] In addition, in this image forming device 1, as shown in Figures 5, 6, 8, etc., the back frame 12 is a support frame having a first surface portion 12a and a second surface portion 12b that is more likely to bend when subjected to external force than the first surface portion 12a.

[0055] Here, compared to the first surface portion 12a, when the second surface portion 12b is subjected to the same level of external force locally, it is more likely to bend so that it elastically deforms, for example, by about 1 mm to several mm in a local area centered on the part that has received the external force. In other words, the second surface portion 12b is smaller than the first surface portion 12a. Being smaller than the first surface portion 12a means, for example, that if the thickness is the same, the area is smaller (narrower), or that the rigidity is smaller (weaker) due to factors such as a reinforcing structure or material being different. The reinforcing structure includes, for example, the provision of ribs or beams.

[0056] The back frame 12, which is an example of the support frame in the first embodiment, is configured as a frame in which the first surface portion 12a consists of a vertical surface portion extending in the up and down direction, and the second surface portion 12b consists of a horizontal surface portion extending in the horizontal direction and intersecting at the end of the vertical surface portion which is the first surface portion 12a. The end of the vertical surface portion is, for example, the uppermost end, but it does not have to be the uppermost end as long as it is a portion that is further out than the portion where the lower portion 75a of the first mounting frame 75, described later, is attached.

[0057] The rear frame 12 may be a frame arranged over almost the entire rear area of the housing 10 from the reading unit 50 to the image forming unit 20, or may be a frame such as the following: That is, the rear frame 12 may be a frame arranged in the rear area from the reading unit 50 to partway along the image forming unit 20 (for example, between the medium discharge unit 4 and the imaging unit 2), or a frame arranged in the rear area of the reading unit 50 (excluding the rear area of the image forming unit 20).

[0058] The rear frame 12 is 5 From the figure 7 As shown in the figure, the rear frame 12 is joined to frames such as a front frame 13, an upper frame 14, a left side frame 15, a right side frame 16, and multiple partition frames 17 and 18, thereby forming a box-shaped framework or rigid frame structure. This also increases the mechanical strength of the rear frame 12.

[0059] As shown in Figure 9, etc., the second surface portion 12b consisting of this horizontal surface portion is the first bent portion following the rear bent portion 12h that is bent backward toward the back side of the device at the end (top end in this example) of the vertical surface portion that is the first surface portion 12a. The second surface portion 12b acts as a cantilever with respect to the first surface portion 12a, and therefore the second surface portion 12b has a lower mechanical strength than the first surface portion 12a.

[0060] The second surface portion 12b has approximately the same thickness as the first surface portion 12a, and its area is smaller than the area of the first surface portion 12a. Specifically, the first surface 12a is a wide surface having a rectangular surface shape that is long in the vertical direction, whereas the second surface 12b is a relatively narrow surface having a rectangular surface shape that is long in the horizontal direction and that is bent backward at a required angle (for example, approximately a right angle) and length at the end of the first surface 12a with a width equal to the lateral width of the first surface 12a.

[0061] In addition, as shown in Figures 5, 8, etc., the rear frame 12 in the first embodiment is a frame having left and right side portions 12c, 12d that are bent backward at the left and right ends of the first surface portion 12a consisting of a vertical surface portion.

[0062] The length of the rearward bend of the left and right side surface portions 12c, 12d is approximately the same as the length of the rearward bend of the second surface portion 12b. The left and right ends of the second surface portion 12b of this back frame 12 are formed so as to be in contact with the upper ends of the left and right side surface portions 12c, 12d, respectively. However, the left and right ends of the second surface portion 12b may be formed so as to be separated from the upper ends of the left and right side surface portions 12c, 12d.

[0063] In this image forming device 1, as shown in Figures 5, 6, 8, etc., a first mounting frame 75 for mounting the reading device 7 is fixed to the first surface portion 12a of the rear frame 12, and a second mounting frame 85 for mounting the operating device 8 is fixed to the second surface portion 12b of the rear frame 12.

[0064] In this case, as shown in FIGS. 5, 8, etc., the first mounting frame 75 in the first embodiment is made up of a lower portion 75a, an upper portion 75b, and a mounting portion 75d. The lower portion 75a is a plate-like portion extending linearly in the vertical direction. The upper portion 75b is a plate-like portion extending linearly in the vertical direction via a rearward bent connecting portion 75c that bends upward and connects at the upper end of the lower portion 75a. The mounting portion 75d is a plate-like portion of the reading device 7 that is provided at the upper end of the upper portion 75b so as to protrude diagonally forward.

[0065] As shown in Figures 6, 8, 9, etc., the first mounting frame 75 has a lower portion 75a fixed to the surface of the front face 10F side of the first face portion 12a consisting of the vertical face portion of the back frame 12, and an upper portion 75b of the first mounting frame 75 does not come into contact with the second face portion 12b consisting of the first bent face portion. backward The bent connecting portion 75c rises above the second surface portion 12b.

[0066] As shown in Figure 8, the first mounting frame 75 has its lower portion 75a inserted into a frame holding frame 77 located at the top of the first surface portion 12a of the back frame 12, approximately in the center in the left-right direction, and is fixed thereto, and is also removable from the frame holding frame 77.

[0067] The frame holding frame 77 is a frame body having a holding space into which the lower part 75a of the first mounting frame 75 is fitted and held between the frame holding frame 77 and the first surface part 12a of the back frame 12. The frame holding frame 77 also has upper and lower fixing holes 77b and 77c at its top and bottom, which open in a groove shape that gradually narrows as it moves downward. The frame holding frame 77 is shaped so that the lower part 75a of the first mounting frame 75 is fitted into and held in place. Furthermore, the frame holding frame 77 is fixed to the first surface portion 12a of the rear frame 12 by fixing means such as welding or screwing.

[0068] The first mounting frame 75 has cylindrical upper fixing protrusions 75g and lower fixing protrusions 75f on the upper and lower parts of its lower part 75a, which are fitted into upper fixing holes 77b and lower fixing holes 77c of the frame holding frame 77 from above, respectively, and fixed thereto. The upper fixing protrusion 75g and the lower fixing protrusion 75f are provided with grooves that function to prevent the edges of the upper fixing hole 77b and the lower fixing hole 77c from biting into them when they are fitted into the upper fixing hole 77b and the lower fixing hole 77c, thereby preventing the upper fixing protrusion 75g and the lower fixing protrusion 75f from moving in the forward / backward direction (from rattling).

[0069] Incidentally, the first mounting frame 75 may be configured to be directly fixed to the first surface portion 12a of the back frame 12 by fixing means such as welding or screwing, without using the frame holding frame 77.

[0070] On the other hand, the second mounting frame 85 in the first embodiment is composed of left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R arranged at a distance from the first mounting frame 75 on both the left and right sides of the first mounting frame 75 when viewed from the front 10F side of the device, as shown in Figures 5, 8, etc.

[0071] The left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are shaped to have mounting surfaces 85a for mounting the left and right mounting jigs 84L, 84R of the operating device 8. In the first embodiment, the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R have an external appearance that is a rectangular parallelepiped that is long in the vertical direction, and the upper surface portion is formed as a flat mounting surface 85a.

[0072] The left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are fixed to the second surface portion 12b of the back frame 12 by fixing means such as screws or partial insertion at one lower end and the other lower end, which has a bent portion 85c bent to the left or right.

[0073] 5, 7, etc., in this image forming apparatus 1, the first mounting frame 75 and the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are arranged in a non-contact state so as not to come into contact with each other. Specifically, the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are arranged so as not to come into contact with the upper portion 75b of the first mounting frame 75 and backward They are arranged at the left and right sides of the bent connection portion 75c with a required distance therebetween.

[0074] 5, 8, 9, etc., in this image forming apparatus 1, the first mounting frame 75 is arranged so as not to contact the second surface 12b of the rear frame 12 as described above. On the other hand, the second mounting frame 85 is arranged so as to be spaced apart on the left and right sides of the first mounting frame 75 in a portion closer to the center of the second surface 12b of the rear frame 12.

[0075] <Usage and operation of image forming devices and reading devices> The image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above is capable of forming, in its image forming unit 20, an image corresponding to image information input from a connected external device on the recording medium 9. In this case, the recording medium 9 on which the image has been formed is discharged to the medium discharge unit 4 and output.

[0076] In addition, the image forming device 1 is capable of reading an object to be read 90 placed on a stand 6 using a reading device 7 in its reading unit 50, and displaying the read information as a read image on a display unit 82 of an operating device 8.

[0077] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1, it is also possible to input the read information of the read object 90 read by the reading unit 50 into the image forming unit 20 as image information, and form an image corresponding to the image information on the recording medium 9. As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1, it is also possible to record the image read from the read object 90 on the recording medium 9 and output it.

[0078] In the image forming apparatus 1, for example, when the reading unit 50 performs a reading operation on the read object 90, the user operates the device with the operation device 8 to start the reading operation. In this case, when the user operates the operation device 8 to start the reading operation, the reading device 7 operates to read the object 90 to be read that is placed on the table 6 .

[0079] However, when starting this reading operation, the user touches and operates the operating device 8 with his or her hand, which causes vibrations. These vibrations are transmitted from the second mounting frame 85 on which the operating device 8 is attached to the first mounting frame 75 on which the reading device 7 is attached, and there is a risk that the reading device 7 will ultimately shake. When such shaking of the reading device 7 occurs, the read information read by the shaking reading device 7 becomes distorted. As a result, when the read information is displayed on the display unit 82, the displayed image becomes distorted. Furthermore, when the read information is used as image information in the image forming unit 20 to form an image, the formed image becomes distorted.

[0080] In contrast to this, in this image forming device 1, the first mounting frame 75 to which the reading device 7 in the reading unit 50 and thus the reading device 5 is attached is fixed to the first surface portion 12a of the rear frame 12, and the second mounting frame 85 to which the operating device 8 is attached is fixed to the second surface portion 12b of the rear frame 12. Therefore, in the image forming device 1, the reading device 7 is prevented from shaking when the operating device 8 is touched and operated, compared to when both the first mounting frame 75 and the second mounting frame 85 are configured to be fixed to the same surface portion of the back frame 12, for example, the first surface portion 12a.

[0081] The reason why the shaking of the reading device 7 is suppressed is presumably as follows.

[0082] 9, when the operating device 8 is operated, a force Fs caused by a pressing force or the like generated by the operation is applied to the operating device 8 as an external force directed diagonally downward and rearward, and the force Fs is transmitted via the left and right mounting jigs 84L, 84R as a force that tilts the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R rearward. At this time, a bending moment (stress) M that starts from the rear bending portion 12h and faces downward is generated in the second surface portion 12b of the back frame 12 to which the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are fixed.

[0083] At this time, the second surface portion 12b bends downward by a required amount in a local area centered on the portion where the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are fixed, as illustrated by the two-dot chain line in Figure 9. In contrast, the first surface portion 12a to which the first mounting frame 75 of the back frame 12 is fixed hardly bends or moves.

[0084] As a result, the force transmitted to the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R by operating the operating device 8 is absorbed by the bending of the second surface 12b of the rear frame 12. Meanwhile, the first surface 12a of the rear frame 12 does not bend or move. This prevents the first mounting frame 75 fixed to the first surface 12a from shaking, and is therefore thought to prevent the reading device 7 attached to the first mounting frame 75 from shaking.

[0085] Furthermore, in this image forming device 1, the first mounting frame 75 and the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are arranged in a non-contact state. Therefore, compared to when the first mounting frame 75 and the second mounting frame 85 are arranged in contact with each other, vibrations generated when operating the operation device 8 through contact are prevented from being transmitted directly from the second mounting frame 85 to the first mounting frame 75, and as a result, shaking of the reading device 7 is suppressed.

[0086] Second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a partial cross section of a part (the reading unit 50 or the reading device 5 and the rear frame 12B, etc.) of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. When compared with the reading unit 50 or reading device 5 of the first embodiment, the reading unit 50 or reading device 5 of the second embodiment differs in that the rear frame 12 has been changed to a rear frame 12B which has a different configuration, but otherwise has the same configuration. Therefore, in the following, the common components will be denoted by the same reference numerals used in the first embodiment in the drawings etc., and their explanation will be omitted unless necessary.

[0087] In the second embodiment, the back frame 12B does not have a continuous first surface portion 12a of the vertical surface portion and a second surface portion 12b of the horizontal surface portion, but as shown in Figure 10, the second surface portion 12b is formed as a surface portion of a member 122 that constitutes the horizontal surface portion, which is connected and fixed at an end portion 121a of a member 121 that constitutes the vertical surface portion, which becomes the first surface portion 12a.

[0088] Specifically, second surface 12b is provided as a surface formed by joining a front end of plate-like member 122, which is elongated in the left-right direction and forms the horizontal surface, to a bent portion formed rearward at end 121a of plate-like member 121, which is elongated in the up-down direction and forms the vertical surface, and fixing the bent portion by fixing means such as bolt and nut fastening 123 or welding. In this case, the portion where end 121a of member 121, which forms first surface 12a, and member 122, which forms second surface 12b, come into contact and are fixed is fixed connection portion 12g. End 121a of member 121 in this example is the uppermost end, but is not limited to this.

[0089] Like the back frame 12 in the first embodiment, this back frame 12B is a support frame having a first surface portion 12a and a second surface portion 12b that is smaller than the first surface portion 12a and is more likely to bend when subjected to an external force. It is preferable that the members 121 constituting the vertical surface portion and the members 122 constituting the horizontal surface portion are made of the same material and have the same thickness, but they may be different. However, if they are different, they are configured so that the second surface portion 12b is more flexible than the first surface portion 12a.

[0090] Also, in the reading unit 50 or reading device 5 of the image forming device 1 that employs this rear frame 12B, as shown in FIG. 10, a first mounting frame 75 that supports the reading device 7 is fixed to the first surface portion 12a of the rear frame 12B, and a second mounting frame 85 that supports the operating device 8 is fixed to the second surface portion 12b of the rear frame 12B. The first mounting frame 75 and the second mounting frame 85 have the same configuration as the first mounting frame 75 and the second mounting frame 85 in the first embodiment.

[0091] Therefore, even in an image forming apparatus 1 equipped with this reading unit 50 or reading device 5, the reading device 7 is prevented from shaking when the operating device 8 is touched and operated, compared to a configuration in which both the first mounting frame 75 and the second mounting frame 85 are fixed to the same surface portion of the rear frame 12B, for example, the first surface portion 12a.

[0092] The reason why the shaking of the reading device 7 is suppressed at this time is presumably similar to that in the case of the image forming apparatus 1 in the first embodiment.

[0093] 10, when the operating device 8 is operated, the force Fs generated by the operation is applied to the operating device 8 as an external force directed diagonally downward and rearward, and the force Fs is transmitted as a force that tilts the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R backward. As a result, a bending moment (stress) M that acts downward from the fixed connection part 12g is generated on the second surface part 12b of the back frame 12B to which the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are fixed.

[0094] At this time, the second surface portion 12b of the rear frame 12B bends downward by a required amount in a local area centered on the portion where the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are fixed, as illustrated by the two-dot chain line in Figure 10. On the other hand, the first surface portion 12a of the rear frame 12B hardly bends or moves.

[0095] As a result, the force transmitted to the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R by operating the operating device 8 is absorbed by the bending of the second surface 12b of the rear frame 12B. Meanwhile, the first surface 12a of the rear frame 12B does not bend or move. This prevents the first mounting frame 75 fixed to the first surface 12a from shaking, and therefore prevents the reading device 7 attached to the first mounting frame 75 from shaking.

[0096] Third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the rear side of a part (such as the reading unit 50 or the reading device 5) of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. When compared with the reading unit 50 or reading device 5 of the first embodiment, the reading unit 50 or reading device 5 of the third embodiment differs in that a configuration has been added to the first mounting frame 75, but otherwise the configuration is the same. Therefore, in the following, the common components will be denoted by the same reference numerals used in the first embodiment in the drawings etc., and their explanation will be omitted unless necessary.

[0097] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the first mounting frame 75 has left and right connecting frames 78L, 78R that connect an upper portion 75b, which is the portion that rises above the second surface portion 12b of the back frame 12, to the second surface portion 12b, which is the first bent surface portion of the back frame 12.

[0098] The left and right connecting frames 78L, 78R are plate-shaped frames, and their upper end portions 78a are attached to the lower end portions of the upper portion 75b of the first mounting frame 75 (including the upper end portion of the rearward bending connection portion 75c), and their lower end portions 78b are attached to the second surface portion 12b of the back frame 12.

[0099] Furthermore, the left and right connecting frames 78L, 78R are arranged at the left and right ends of the rearward bent connection portion 75c of the first mounting frame 75, and mainly function as an auxiliary mechanism to suppress lateral shaking of the first mounting frame 75 along the left-right direction. For this reason, the connecting frames 78L, 78R can be configured as thinner frames or narrower frames compared to the first mounting frame 75. Furthermore, the upper and lower ends of the left and right connecting frames 78L, 78R are attached by fixing means such as screws, welding, or fitting.

[0100] When the left and right connecting frames 78L, 78R are provided, the first mounting frame 75 is attached more firmly to the rear frame 12. Furthermore, the rigidity of the second surface portion 12b of the rear frame 12 is improved compared to when the left and right connecting frames 78L, 78R are not provided.

[0101] An image forming apparatus 1 equipped with a rear frame 12 including the left and right connecting frames 78L, 78R has the following advantages compared to a case in which a rear frame 12 that does not include the left and right connecting frames 78L, 78R is used. That is, when the operating device 8 is touched and operated, the first mounting frame 75 is fixed to the first surface 12a, which is the vertical surface of the back frame 12, thereby suppressing shaking and also suppressing shaking in the lateral direction. Also, the first bending surface, which is the second surface 12b of the back frame 12, is less likely to bend, which makes it less likely for vibration to occur when the operating device 8 is touched and operated.

[0102] Therefore, in this image forming apparatus 1 as well, when the operation device 8 is touched and operated, the suppression of the shaking of the first attachment frame 75 is assisted, and the shaking of the reading device 7 is further suppressed.

[0103] The reason why the shaking of the reading device 7 at this time is suppressed is presumably as follows.

[0104] That is, when the operating device 8 is operated, as shown in Fig. 12, the force Fs generated by the operation is applied to the operating device 8 as an external force directed diagonally downward and rearward, and the force Fs is transmitted as a force that tilts the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R rearward. As a result, a bending moment (stress) M that starts from the rear bending portion 12h and faces downward is generated in the second surface portion 12b of the back frame 12 to which the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are fixed.

[0105] However, at this time, the first mounting frame 75 is prevented from shaking in the lateral direction by the left and right connecting frames 78L, 78R. Additionally, the second surface portion 12b of the rear frame 12 tends to bend downward by a required amount, in a localized area centered on the portion where the left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R are fixed. On the other hand, the second surface portion 12b is less likely to bend due to the increased rigidity provided by the left and right connecting frames 78L, 78R of the first mounting frame 75. Furthermore, at this time, the first surface portion 12a of the rear frame 12 hardly bends or moves, regardless of whether the second surface portion 12b is bent or not.

[0106] This makes it difficult for vibrations to occur when operating the operating device 8, and there is almost no bending of not only the first surface 12a but also the second surface 12b of the back frame 12. As a result, it is thought that the first mounting frame 75 fixed to the first surface 12a is prevented from shaking in the front-to-back direction and also from shaking in the left-to-right direction, and therefore the reading device 7 attached to the first mounting frame 75 is also prevented from shaking.

[0107] Fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a reading device 5 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The reading device 5 according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the reading unit 50 or the reading device 5, except for the housing 10 and the image forming unit 20 in the image forming device 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, the common components will be denoted by the same reference numerals used in the first embodiment in the drawings etc., and their explanation will be omitted unless necessary.

[0108] As shown in Figures 13 to 15, the reading device 5 includes a base 6, a reading device 7, an operating device 8, a first mounting frame 75, a second mounting frame 85, a back frame 12, etc.

[0109] Here, the base 6 is a portion on which the object to be read 90 is placed. The reading device 7 is a device that reads the object to be read 90 placed on the base 6. The operating device 8 is a device that is touched to operate the device. The first mounting frame 75 is a frame for mounting the reading device 7 so that it is positioned higher than the base 6. The second mounting frame 85 is a frame for mounting the operating device 8 so that it is positioned higher than the base 6. The back frame 12 is an example of a support frame having a first surface portion 12a and a second surface portion 12b. 13 and the like, reference numeral 51 indicates the housing of the reading device 5, reference numeral 51F indicates the front surface of the device, reference numeral 76 indicates a first cover that covers the first mounting frame 75, and reference numeral 86 indicates a second cover that covers the second mounting frame 85.

[0110] The housing 51 is a structure having a required structure and shape made of materials such as a plurality of frames, an exterior cover, etc. As shown in Fig. 13 etc., the housing 51 in the fourth embodiment is formed as a structure having an external appearance in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that is relatively short in the vertical direction, that is, relatively low in height. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the internal framework of this housing 51 is formed by frames such as a back frame 12, a front frame 13, an upper frame 14, upper and lower left side frames 15, and a right side frame 16.

[0111] In the reading device 5, as in the case of the reading unit 50 or the reading device 5 in the first embodiment, a support frame having a first surface 12a and a second surface 12b that is more flexible than the first surface 12a when subjected to an external force or that is smaller than the first surface 12a is used as the back frame 12. The back frame 12 in the fourth embodiment is a frame that is shorter in the vertical dimension than the back frame 12 of the housing 10 in the first embodiment (by the amount corresponding to the absence of the image forming unit 20).

[0112] 15, 16, etc., in this reading device 5, similarly to the reading unit 50 or reading device 5 in the first embodiment, a first mounting frame 75 for mounting the reading device 7 is fixed to the first surface 12a of the rear frame 12, and a second mounting frame 85 for mounting the operating device 8 is fixed to the second surface 12b of the rear frame 12. The detailed configurations of the first mounting frame 75, second mounting frame 85, etc. are the same as those of the reading unit 50 or reading device 5 in the first embodiment, etc.

[0113] Next, the reading device 5 can read the object 90 to be read that is placed on the table 6 with the reading device 7 and display the read information on the display unit 82 of the operating device 8 as a read image. Furthermore, the reading device 5 can also be used to input the read information of the read object 90 as image information into an output device such as an image forming device connected to the reading device 5 wirelessly or via a wire, and then form an image corresponding to the image information on the recording medium 9. In this way, the reading device 5 can be used as an image reading device for the image forming device.

[0114] When the reading device 5 performs a reading operation on the object to be read 90, the user operates the device with the operating device 8 to start the reading operation. In this case, when the user operates the operation device 8 to start the reading operation, the reading device 7 operates to read the object 90 to be read that is placed on the table 6 .

[0115] However, even in this reading device 5, when the reading operation is started, vibrations occur because the user touches and operates the operation device 8 with his or her hand. Therefore, in this reading device 5 as well, the vibrations are transmitted from the second mounting frame 85 on which the operation device 8 is attached to the first mounting frame 75 on which the reading device 7 is attached, and there is a risk that the reading device 7 will ultimately shake.

[0116] In contrast, in this reading device 5, a first mounting frame 75 on which the reading device 7 is attached is fixed to the first surface portion 12a of the rear frame 12, and a second mounting frame 85 on which the operating device 8 is attached is fixed to the second surface portion 12b of the rear frame 12. Therefore, in the reading device 5, shaking of the reading device 7 when the operating device 8 is touched and operated is suppressed compared to when both the first mounting frame 75 and the second mounting frame 85 are fixed to the same surface portion of the back frame 12, for example, the first surface portion 12a. The reason why shaking of the reading device 7 is suppressed is almost the same as the reason explained in the first embodiment etc.

[0117] It should be noted that the different configurations employed in the second and third embodiments can also be applied to this reading device 5 in the same manner.

[0118] Variant. The present invention is not limited to the contents exemplified in the first to fourth embodiments, but also includes, for example, the following modified examples.

[0119] The overall shape of the rear frame 12, which is an example of a support frame, is not limited to the shape exemplified in the first embodiment.

[0120] For example, in the back frame 12, the second surface 12b to which the second mounting frame 85 is fixed may not be the first bent surface, but may be the second or subsequent bent surface if there are bent surface portions that are bent two or more times. Also, the second surface 12b may have an attachment surface 85a (see FIG. 9, etc.) to which the second mounting frame 85 is fixed that is not a horizontal surface but an inclined surface. Furthermore, the rear frame 12 may be a support frame including a connecting frame 78 (left and right connecting frames 78L, 78R) like the rear frame 12B in the second embodiment, as illustrated by the two-dot chain line in Figure 10. In addition, the support frame having the first and second surface portions is not limited to the back frame 12 and may be another frame. The support frame may be, for example, one of the left and right side frames.

[0121] The second mounting frame 85 to which the operating device 8 is attached may be a single mounting frame that is arranged at a distance from the first mounting frame 75 on one of the left and right sides of the first mounting frame 75 . However, from the viewpoint of suppressing the impact and vibration that occurs when the operating device 8 is operated, it is preferable that the second mounting frame 85 be configured with left and right second mounting frames 85L, 85R that are arranged at a distance from the first mounting frame 75 on both the left and right sides of the first mounting frame 75 as exemplified in the first embodiment, etc.

[0122] The overall shape of the first mounting frame 75 on which the reading device 7 is mounted is not limited to the shape exemplified in the first embodiment. This first mounting frame 75 may have a movable structure, for example, such that the part excluding the lower part 75a fixed to the first surface part 12a of the back frame 12 can rotate to adjust the position and posture of the reading device 7.

[0123] Incidentally, the operation device 8 has a property that vibrations generated when it is touched and operated are transmitted to the first mounting frame 75 of the reading device 7, causing problems with the reading operation of the reading device 7. For this reason, the operation device 8 conceptually also includes third devices such as a fingerprint authentication device and an authentication card reader. However, compared to the above-mentioned operating devices including touch panels and physical buttons, the third device has fewer elements that are operated by touching them with the hand, so it generates less vibration, and also has the property that there is ample time between the operation and the start of the reading operation by the reading device 7. For this reason, even if the third device is placed near the reader device 7, it is not necessary to employ the configuration relating to the first attachment frame 75, the second attachment frame 85, etc., as in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1...Image forming device 5...Reading device 6...units 7. Reading device 8…Operating equipment 9. Recording media 10F, 51F...Front of the device 12...Back frame (an example of a support frame) 12a...First surface portion (an example of a vertical surface portion) 12b... Second surface portion (an example of a horizontal surface portion or first bent surface portion) 20...Image forming unit 50...Reading unit 75...First mounting frame 85...Second mounting frame 90...Reading object

Claims

1. a table on which an object to be read is placed; a reading device that reads an object to be read placed on the table; a first mounting frame for mounting the reading device so as to be positioned above the base; an operating device for operating the device by contact; a second mounting frame for mounting the operating device so as to be positioned above the base; a support frame having a first surface portion and a second surface portion that is more flexible than the first surface portion when subjected to an external force; Equipped with the first mounting frame is fixed to a first surface of the support frame; The second mounting frame is fixed to the second surface of the support frame.

2. A reading device as described in claim 1, wherein the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame are arranged without contacting each other.

3. The support frame is a reading device as described in Claim 1, wherein the first surface portion is a vertical surface portion extending in the up and down direction, and the second surface portion is a horizontal surface portion that intersects with the end of the vertical surface portion and extends in the horizontal direction.

4. The operating device is disposed forward of the first mounting frame and facing the front side of the device, 3. The reading device according to claim 2, wherein the second mounting frame is disposed at a distance from the first mounting frame on one or both of the left and right sides of the first mounting frame when viewed from the front side of the device.

5. The horizontal surface portion, which is the second surface portion of the support frame, is the first bent surface portion following the rear bent portion that is bent rearward toward the back side of the device at the end of the vertical surface portion, which is the first surface portion, a lower portion of the first mounting frame is fixed to the front surface of the vertical surface portion of the support frame, and an upper portion of the first mounting frame is shaped to stand above the first bending surface portion that becomes the horizontal surface portion without contacting the first bending surface portion, 4. The reading device according to claim 3, wherein the second mounting frame is fixed to the first bending surface.

6. the horizontal surface portion, which is the second surface portion of the support frame, is a surface portion of a member constituting a horizontal surface portion that is connected and fixed at an end portion of a member constituting the vertical surface portion, which is the first surface portion, a lower portion of the first mounting frame is fixed to the surface of the vertical surface portion of the support frame on the front side of the device, and an upper portion of the first mounting frame is shaped to stand above the horizontal surface portion without contacting the surface portion of the member constituting the horizontal surface portion; 4. The reading device according to claim 3, wherein the second mounting frame is fixed to a surface of a member that constitutes the lateral surface.

7. A reading device as described in Claim 5, wherein the first mounting frame includes a connecting frame connecting the upwardly rising portion and the first bending surface portion.

8. 7. The reading device according to claim 6, wherein the first mounting frame includes a connecting frame that connects the upwardly rising portion and a surface of a member that constitutes the lateral surface portion.

9. A reading unit that reads an object to be read placed on a table from above the table; an image forming unit that forms an image corresponding to image information, which may include information read by the reading unit, on a recording medium; Equipped with 9. An image forming apparatus, wherein the reading section is configured by the reading device according to claim 1.

Images