JPH04361923A - Paper feeding mechanism of image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:A paper feeding mechanism which removes an overhang and occupies a small installation area in a paper feeding mechanism of cut sheets used for an image formation device of a portable printer, a copying machine and others. CONSTITUTION:An overhang of a cassette 21 is removed from an image formation device 11 by providing a curved part 22 on the cassette 21 and preventing tripping of a cut sheet 31 in the arrow A direction by way of pressing a support member 60 provided on a cassette cover 50 with an elastic member 70.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cut paper feeding mechanism used in image forming apparatuses such as small printers and copying machines.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional cut paper feeding mechanism, as shown in FIG. It has been known.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-described conventional paper feeding mechanism, when using long cut paper such as A3 size, as shown in FIG.
0 protrudes by a length L, resulting in a disadvantage that the installation area of the image forming apparatus becomes large. The same applies when a cassette is installed in front of the image forming apparatus. In recent years, image forming apparatuses have become more compact, and at the same time, it is important to reduce the installation area including an operation section such as a cassette in order to make effective use of office space.

[0004] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cut paper feeding mechanism that requires a small installation area for an image forming apparatus.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The above object is achieved by providing a cassette for storing cut sheets with a curved portion, and providing a cassette cover attached to the cassette with a support member that elastically presses the cut sheets. Ru.

[0006]

[Operation] The paper feeding mechanism constructed as described above can eliminate the protrusion from the image forming apparatus by curving the cassette. Further, the support member provided on the cassette cover operates to prevent sheets from jumping up due to the curving of the cassette cover.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, which show embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a cut paper feeding mechanism according to the present invention, in which 11 is an image forming device, 21 is a cassette, 31 is a cut paper, 41 is a pick roller, 50 is a support member 60 and an elastic member. This is a cassette cover having a member 70. Since the cassette 21 has the curved portion 22, the cassette does not protrude from the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing details of the cassette cover 50. A cassette cover 50 is rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft 23 of the cassette 21, and a plate-shaped support member 60 is rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft 52 of the cassette cover 50. An elastic member 70 made of a compression coil spring is provided between the support member 60 and the cassette cover 50. The opening angle of the support member 60 with respect to the cassette cover 50 is regulated by an elastic member 70 so as not to become larger than necessary.

Further, the cassette cover 50 described above is provided with a hook portion 53 so as to fit into the groove portion 24 of the cassette 21, so that the cassette cover 50 is attached when the image forming apparatus is operated.
I am trying not to open it.

Next, the paper feeding operation will be explained. First, in the state shown in FIG. 2, the cut paper 31 is stored in the cassette 21, the cassette cover 50 is closed, and the image forming apparatus 1 is opened as shown in FIG.
Attach it to 1. Since the cassette 21 is curved, the upper part of the cut paper 31 tends to fall in the direction of arrow A, but the paper can be held down by the support member 60 pressed by the elastic member 70. Therefore, regardless of the amount of cut paper 31, the support member 60 can press the cut paper 31 with the elastic member 70, so that the cut paper 31 is stably fed in the direction of arrow B by driving the pick roller 41.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show side views of other embodiments of the invention.

Each of the cassettes 25 and 26 has a curved portion 27.
, 28, elastic members 71, 72 and a support member 62,
The configurations of the cassette covers 63 and cassette covers 54 and 55 are the same as in the first embodiment.

In the present invention, the cassette cover is provided with a support member and an elastic member that applies a spring force to press the cut paper, but it is also possible to form the support member with a plate spring member and press the cut paper. You may also do so.

Further, in the present invention, the support member 60 is held by the rotating shaft 52, but an elastic member may also serve to hold the support member.

[0016]

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, the cassette for storing cut sheets is provided with a curved portion, and the cassette cover is provided with an elastically supported support member, thereby eliminating the possibility of the cut sheets bouncing up or falling down at the curved portion. This eliminates the protrusion of the cassette from the image forming apparatus, making it possible to provide a cut paper feeding mechanism with a small installation area.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a cut paper feeding mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing details of the cassette shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing another embodiment of the cut paper feeding mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing another embodiment of the cut paper feeding mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a conventional cut paper feeding mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 is an image forming device, 21 is a cassette, 31 is a cut sheet, 41 is a pick roller, 50 is a cassette cover, 60 is a support member, 70 is an elastic member, and 22 is a curved portion.

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A cassette body for storing cut paper;
In a paper feeding mechanism of an image forming apparatus having a cassette cover rotatably attached to a cassette body, the cassette body and the cassette cover are curved in the longitudinal direction so as not to protrude outside the frame of the image forming apparatus when attached. form,
A paper feeding mechanism for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that a support member is provided in the cassette cover to elastically press the cut paper along the curve of the cassette.