JPH0485528A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine, and more particularly to a document holding device for holding down a document placed on a document table.

(Prior Art) FIG. 9 shows a document table provided in a conventional image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine. In FIG. It is being Near one side of the document table 2, one end of a document cover 3, which is a document holding member, is rotatably housed. After positioning a document (not shown) on the document table 2, the document cover 3 is rotated by hand to fall over the document, and the document is pressed onto the document table before copying is performed.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) In recent years, automatic document feeders (ADFs) that feed a document onto the document table 2 while the document cover 3 remains on the document table 2 have been developed.
Copying machines equipped with In this device, the flap of the document cover 3 is larger than that of the conventional device. Therefore, when a document is placed on the document table 2 by hand without using the ADF, it becomes a burden when opening and closing the document cover 3 or when copying, resulting in poor operability. Especially when the original is a book, support the original cover 3 with one hand and place the original on the original stand 2 with the other hand.
Since the original must be positioned at the top, there is a problem in that the original is placed diagonally, resulting in erroneous copying.

Similar problems also occur when copying a thin document for which an ADF cannot be used, or when copying is performed by a person with a slight hand or arm disability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which opening and closing of a document cover and positioning of a document on a document table can be easily performed.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a document table and an openable and closable document holding means for holding down a document placed on the document table. The present invention is characterized in that a drive means for opening and closing the document holding means is provided, and an operating means for operating the drive means by an operator's foot is provided at the lower part of the main body of the apparatus.

(Function) According to the above configuration, the operator can operate the drive means by stepping on the operation means to open and close the document holding means. Therefore, opening and closing of the document holding means does not require hands, and the document can be positioned on the document table using both hands.

(Example) Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams showing the opening/closing mechanism of the document cover 3, which is the document holding member of this embodiment, FIGS. 3 and 4 are also explanatory diagrams of the operation, and FIG. 5 is an illustration to which this embodiment is applied. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the external appearance, FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory views showing main parts of other embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a document cover of a conventional image forming apparatus is opened.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes an apparatus main body 1 having an original platen 2 made of transparent glass on the upper surface thereof, and a top surface of the original platen 2 with one end rotatably supported on the upper surface of the main body 1. a document cover 3 that covers the main body 1; and upper and lower paper feed cassettes 4 that are removably loaded on one side of the main body 1 and protrude from the negative side.
5, and a tray 6 protruding from the paper discharge end of the other side of the main body 1.

Inside the main body 1, an exposure lamp 7 and mirrors 8 9 10 that move back and forth in the direction of arrow a along the lower surface of the document table 2 are provided.
a photoreceptor drum 13 that forms an image of the light reflected by the exposure scanning of the optical system through a variable magnification lens block 11 and a mirror 12; and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 13. A developing device 14 that attaches toner to make a visible image, and a delivery roller mechanism 15 or 16 and a delivery roller mechanism 15 or 16 synchronize with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 13 as shown by the arrow C to move the copy paper P stored in the cassette 4 or 5. A transfer charger 20 and a peeling charger 2 are connected through the guide path 17 or 18.
1, the toner image is transferred via a pair of registration rollers 22 which are brought into close contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 13, and a transfer charger 20, and the copy paper P is separated from the drum 13 by a peeling charger 21. A conveyor belt 23 that conveys the copy sheet P, and is provided at the end of the conveyor belt 23 to transfer the l.color image to the copy paper P.
The copy paper P is ejected onto the tray 6 via the pair of rollers 25, and a pair of paper ejection rollers 25 provided adjacent to the pair of fixing rollers 24.

Further, on the peripheral edge of the photoreceptor drum 13, a charger 26 for removing electricity is provided along the rotational direction to remove electricity from the drum 13 after transfer.
A cleaner 27 removes toner adhering to the surface of the drum 13 after static electricity removal, a static elimination run 128 erases residual images on the drum 13, and charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 to form an electrostatic latent image during exposure. Charger 2 for imaging
9 are arranged.

Furthermore, there is a cooling fan 30 in the main body 1 to prevent temperature rise, and a cooling fan 30 located at the insertion tip of the cassette 4.5.
A cassette size detector 31, 32 consisting of a plurality of microswitch groups for detecting the cassette size is provided.

1 and 2 show the opening and closing of the document cover 3 according to the present embodiment. Near one side of the document table 2, there is a support shaft 51.
One end of the document cover 3 is rotatably attached via the. In addition, stepping motors 52 serving as driving means are fixed near both ends of the support shaft 51 on the document table 2, respectively.
Gears 54 and 55 are respectively identified on the two drive shafts 53, and the gears 54 and 55 mesh with each other.

On the other hand, a stepping motor 52 is installed at the lower front of the device main body 1.
A foot switch 56 is provided as an operating means for controlling the rotation of the foot 1 to the switch 56, and the stepping motor 52 is connected by a wiring 57. The rotation angle of the stepping motor 52 can be adjusted according to the amount of depression of the foot switch 56.

That is, when the foot switch 56 is not depressed, the document cover 3 is open as shown in FIG.
rotates by an angle corresponding to this electric signal, and the gear 55
．． 54, the document cover 3 is rotated in the direction shown by arrow A.

When the foot switch 56 is pressed down,
As shown in FIG. 4, the document cover 3 is closed in close contact with the document table 2.

According to this embodiment, the document cover 3 can be opened and closed by stepping on the foot switch 56 with one's foot, without using one's hands. Therefore, thick originals such as books can be positioned and fixed on the original table 2 using both hands. Furthermore, since the heavy document cover 3 equipped with the ADF device can be easily rotated, copying operations can be easily performed even when the ADF cannot be used, such as when the document is thin. Furthermore, even an operator with a slight hand or arm disability can easily perform the copying operation.

Other embodiments of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In this embodiment, hydraulic pressure is used as the driving means, and FIG. 7 shows the original cover 3 in an open state, and FIG. 8 shows the document cover in a closed state. In the figure, a cylinder 61 is provided near the support shaft 51 of the document table 2, and communicates with the inside of a foot switch 63 via a pipe 62. Further, a sealed bellows tube 64 communicating with the cylinder 1 is extendably attached between the cylinder 61 and the document cover 3.

A closed space constituted by the foot switch 63, piping 62, cylinder 61, and bellows tube 64 is filled with pressure oil.

In the above configuration, when the foot switch 63 is depressed, pressure oil enters the bellows tube 64 as shown by arrow B, and as shown in FIG. When the foot switch 63 is opened by rotating it in the direction shown in FIG. The original cover 3 gradually closes due to its own weight and the viscosity of the pressure oil. The opening angle of the document cover 3 can be adjusted by the amount by which the foot switch 63 is depressed.

This embodiment can also provide the same effects as the embodiments described above.

In the above embodiment, the case where the document cover 3 is rotated by the pulse motor 52 or hydraulic pressure has been explained, or the full switch 56 and the document cover 3 are connected with a wire, and the document cover 3 is rotated by pressing the foot switch 56. It may also be rotated.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, since the driving means is operated by the foot-operated operation means to open and close the document holding means, it is easy to open and close the document cover, and the positioning of the document on the document table is made easy. Fixation can be performed using both hands, allowing accurate positioning.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows opening and closing of a document cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an explanatory front view, FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory views of the operation, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus to which this embodiment is applied. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the external appearance, FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views of main parts showing the opening/closing mechanism of a document cover according to other embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a conventional opening/closing mechanism of a document cover. It is an explanatory side view showing. 2...Manuscript stand

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An image forming apparatus having a document table and an openable/closable document holding means for holding down the document placed on the document table, further comprising a drive means for opening and closing the document holding means. An image forming apparatus characterized in that an operating means for operating the driving means by an operator's foot is provided at a lower part of the apparatus main body.