Supply Tray And Image Forming Apparatus For Use Therewith

Abstract

A supply tray includes a first tray configured to receive a stack of recording medium thereon, and a second tray configured to receive at least one recording medium thereon, which is different in size or type, or both, from the stack of recording medium received on the first tray. The second tray is disposed in an upper portion of the first tray and is slidable within a predetermined direction. The supply tray further includes a locking mechanism configured to place and to fix the second tray in position with respect to the first tray.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention now are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a main casing.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main tray and a supply unit.

FIG. 4 is a-perspective view of the supply unit of FIG. 4 and a supply tray in which a second tray is mounted on the main tray of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the supply tray of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the supply tray of FIG. 4, in which a pivotable portion of the second tray is pivoted upwards.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a sliding portion of the second tray which is in a locked position on the main tray with the pivotable portion removed.

FIG. 8 is a partial, enlarged view of the sliding portion of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main tray according to another embodiment of the invention, on which a sliding portion is mounted.

FIG. 10 is a partial, enlarged view of a structure of a locking member.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a rear surface of a pivotable portion of a second tray in which a lever member and an engaging portion extend toward a sidewall of the main tray.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the rear surface of the pivotable portion in which the lever member and the engaging portion are hidden in a cavity portion.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a second tray according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a sliding portion and an operating lever.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of a link mechanism comprising lever members and the operating.

FIG. 16A is a partial, enlarged view of a left-side locking member and associated elements in which an engaging portion is withdrawn from an opening.

FIG. 16B is a partial, enlarged view of the left-side locking member and the associated elements in which the engaging portion is inserted in the opening.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a supply tray according to still another embodiment of the invention, in which a pivotable portion of a second tray is pivoted upwards.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a locking member and associated elements.

FIG. 19A is a partial plan view of a lever member, in which an engaging portion extends outwardly toward a left sidewall.

FIG. 19B is a partial, plan view of the lever member, in which the engaging portion is hidden within the left sidewall.

FIGS. 20A to 20D are cross-sectional views each showing a process, in which the pivotable portion is pivoted downward.

Claims

1. A supply tray for use in an image forming apparatus comprises: a first tray configured to receive a stack of first recording mediums thereon,a second tray disposed in an upper portion of the first tray, such that the second tray is slidable in a predetermined direction, the second tray configured to receive at least one, second recording medium thereon, wherein the first recording medium is a different size, or type, or both, from the second recording medium; anda locking mechanism configured to secure the second tray at a predetermined position with respect to the first tray.

2. The supply tray according to claim 1, wherein the second tray comprises: a sliding portion which slidably engages the first tray; anda pivotable portion configured to pivot on the sliding portion and to receive the at least one, second recording medium thereon, andwherein at least a portion of the locking mechanism is disposed on the sliding portion.

3. The supply tray according to claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: a first engaging portion;an urging member configured to urge the first engaging portion in a direction orthogonal to a sliding direction of the sliding portion; anda second engaging portion engageable with the first engaging portion to secure the sliding portion in position with respect to the first tray, andwherein the first engaging portion and the urging member are disposed on the sliding portion, and the second engaging portion is disposed on the first tray.

4. The supply tray according to claim 3, wherein the first engaging portion comprises a lever member provided on an end portion of the sliding portion in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction, and the second engaging portion comprises a plurality of openings formed in the first tray.

5. The supply tray according to claim 3, wherein the first engaging portion comprises a pair of lever members provided on either end of the sliding portion in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction, and the second engaging portion comprises a plurality of openings formed in the first tray.

6. The supply tray according to claim 1, wherein the sliding portion is secured at the predetermined position with respect to the first tray at which at least one, second recording medium is supplied from the second tray.

7. The supply tray according to claim 1, wherein the second tray comprises: a sliding portion which slidably engages the first tray; anda pivotable portion configured to pivot on the sliding portion and to receive the at least one, second recording medium thereon, andwherein the locking mechanism comprises:a third engaging portion disposed on the pivotable portion;an urging member provided on the pivotable portion, wherein the urging member is configured to urge the third engaging portion in a direction orthogonal to a sliding direction of the sliding portion; anda fourth engaging portion formed in a sidewall of the first tray, such that the fourth engaging portion is engageable with the third engaging portion, wherein the fourth engaging portion proximate to an upper end of the sidewall of the first tray is wider than the fourth engaging portion distal from the upper end of the sidewall of the first tray.

8. The supply tray according to claim 7, wherein the fourth engaging portion describes an arc between a bottom portion of the upper end of the sidewall of the first tray and the upper end of the sidewall of the first tray.

9. The supply tray according to claim 1, further comprising a lock release mechanism configured to unlock the second tray by the locking mechanism.

10. The supply tray according to claim 9, wherein the lock release mechanism includes an operating member configured to be displaced between a first position and a second position, such that the lock release mechanism unlocks the locking mechanism when the operating member is displaced into the first position, and locks the locking mechanism when the operating member is displaced into the second position.

11. The supply tray according to claim 10, wherein the lock release mechanism includes a link mechanism configured to link the locking mechanism with the lock release mechanism and to move in a direction to unlock the locking mechanism when the operating member is displaced from the first position into the second position.

12. The supply tray according to claim 11, wherein the operating member is disposed adjacent an end of the supply tray opposite a direction to which the first or second recording medium is fed from the supply tray.

13. A supply tray comprises: a first tray means for receiving a stack of first recording mediums thereon,a second tray means for receiving at least one, second recording medium thereon, wherein the first recording medium is a different size or type, or both, from the second recording medium, the second tray means disposed in an upper portion of the first tray means in a predetermined direction; andmeans for locking the second tray means in position with respect to the first tray means.

14. An image forming apparatus comprising: the supply tray of claim 1;a supply unit configured to selectively supply the first recording medium received on the first tray or the at least one, second recording medium received on the second tray in response to a position of the second tray; andan image formation portion configured to form an image on the first or second recording medium supplied by the supply unit.