Recording medium storage container and image forming apparatus

Abstract
The invention is directed to a recording medium storage container such as a paper supply cassette and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. The paper supply cassette includes an interconnection mechanism for interconnecting a tray and a handle. The interconnection mechanism includes a connection portion having cylindrical protrusions, a connection portion having cylindrical protrusions, and a plurality of locking portions. The connection portions are connected from a upward and downward direction that is different from a direction for drawing the tray from the copying machine, or a direction for inserting the tray into the copying machine.
Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.



FIG. 1A is an illustrative view of a tray for a paper supply cassette in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.



FIG. 1B is an illustrative view of a handle for the paper supply cassette of in accordance with the first embodiment.



FIG. 1C is a partial perspective view of a nail portion and a vertical wall of a locking portion formed on the handle.



FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a tray and a handle shown in FIGS. 1A-1C before connected.



FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the tray and the handle when almost fully interconnected.



FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a tray for a first variant of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1C.



FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a handle for a first variant of the first embodiment.



FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an interconnection mechanism including a tray and a handle for a second variant of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1C.



FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a tray for a third variant having a spacer of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1C.



FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a handle for a third variant of the first embodiment.



FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of an interconnection mechanism including the tray and the handle for a third variant.



FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a paper supply cassette in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.



FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an interconnection mechanism of a paper supply cassette in accordance with a second embodiment.



FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a copy machine as a first example of an image forming apparatus pertaining to one embodiment in accordance with the present invention.



FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a copy machine as a second example of an image forming apparatus pertaining to one embodiment in accordance with the present invention.



FIG. 10 is an illustrative view of a structure of the second example of an image forming apparatus pertaining to one embodiment in accordance with the present invention.


Claims
  • 1. A recording medium storage container for an apparatus, the container comprising: a recording medium storage unit for storing a recording medium, the recording medium storage unit being attachable to and detachable from the apparatus; anda handle unit for drawing the recording medium storage unit,wherein the recording medium storage unit and the handle unit are individually formed and constitute the recording medium storage container using an interconnection mechanism, the interconnection mechanism including the following, connection portions for connecting the recording medium storage unit and the handle unit from a direction that is different from a attachable and detachable direction of the recording medium storage unit into the apparatus, andlocking portions for simultaneously locking the recording medium storage unit and the handle unit at the time of the connecting.
  • 2. A recording medium storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the connection portions include cylindrical portions located inside and cylindrical portions located outside.
  • 3. A recording medium storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the connection portions are connected by a spiral screw from a direction that is different from the attachable and detachable direction toward the apparatus.
  • 4. A recording medium storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the connection portions are connected with the recording medium storage unit downward.
  • 5. A recording medium storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the connection portions are at least one pair formed in a horizontal direction on each of the recording medium storage unit and the handle unit.
  • 6. A recording medium storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the locking portions are at least one pair formed in a horizontal direction on each of the recording medium storage unit and the handle unit.
  • 7. A recording medium storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the connection portions includes a disconnection prevention mechanism that prevents the recording medium storage unit and the handle unit being disconnected once they are connected.
  • 8. An image forming apparatus comprising: a recording medium storage container as recited in claim 1;a transfer unit to transfer a toner image from a photosensitive member to a recording medium; anda conveyance arrangement to transfer a recording medium from the recording medium storage container to the transfer unit.
  • 9. The image forming apparatus as in claim 8, further comprising: an image forming unit to form a toner image on the photosensitive member.
Priority Claims (2)
Number Date Country Kind
2006-069611 Mar 2006 JP national
2006-272043 Oct 2006 JP national