Sheet feeding or delivering – Delivering – Multiple discharge
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-30
2001-12-18
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Sheet feeding or delivering
Delivering
Multiple discharge
C271S298000, C271S305000, C271S287000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06331003
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording medium discharging apparatus and an image forming apparatus provided with the discharging apparatus. In particular, the invention relates to a recording medium discharging apparatus which can be mounted on top of an image forming apparatus such as a printer in order to receive, sort and store recording media on which images have been formed.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally known is a recording medium processor apparatus for receiving, sorting and storing or holding recording media such as sheets of paper on which images have been formed by an image forming machine such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile machine. A recording medium processor of this type is provided generally as an option for an image forming apparatus, and is sometimes called as “discharging apparatus”, “sorter”, “mail box” etc. The recording medium processor can be mounted detachably on top of the image forming apparatus so that a space over the image forming apparatus can be utilized for space saving.
The recording medium processor has an inlet formed at its bottom, through which recording media can enter it. The processor also has two legs protruding downward from its bottom each on one side. The image forming apparatus has an outlet formed at its top for discharging through it the recording media on which images have been formed. The image forming apparatus also has two slots formed at its top for receiving the respective legs. The processor can be mounted on top of the image forming apparatus with the legs inserted from above into the respective slots, and with the inlet and the outlet connected together.
The image forming apparatus originally includes a tray for storing or holding sheets of paper on which images have been formed by the image forming apparatus. When the recording medium processor is not mounted on the image forming apparatus, all the sheets are discharged to the tray. When the processor is mounted on the image forming apparatus, all or some of the sheets may be conveyed from the image forming apparatus to the processor. The image forming apparatus also includes a pivotable flapper for switching the conveyance of sheets to either the image forming apparatus tray or the processor inlet.
Because the flapper is required only when the recording medium processor is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the provision of the flapper may lead to a wasteful cost increase for the image forming apparatus itself (the first problem).
After dismounting the recording medium processor from the image forming apparatus, it is not possible to place the processor on only the two legs stably on a floor or the like. If the dismounted processor is placed on the legs, it may fall down and consequently be damaged. Therefore, the dismounted processor needs to be laid down on a floor, leaned against a wall or supported by a member. It is thus troublesome to dismount the processor from the image forming apparatus, keep the dismounted processor from damage, and mount the dismounted processor again on the image forming apparatus (the second problem).
The recording medium processor is mounted on the image forming apparatus simply with its legs inserted into the respective slots of the image forming apparatus. If external force is applied to the thus mounted processor, the processor may tilt and consequently result in defective operation. Even greater external force may cause the mounted processor to fall from the image forming apparatus and consequently be damaged (the third problem).
The recording medium processor might be screwed or bolted to the image forming apparatus. This would, however, be troublesome and/or time-consuming, and therefore prevent the processor from being mounted on and dismounted from the image forming apparatus simply or easily.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium discharging apparatus and the image forming apparatus which can prevent wasteful cost increase for the image forming apparatus.
It is another object of the invention to provide a recording medium discharging apparatus which can be placed stably on a floor or the like even after dismounted from an image forming apparatus, and which is easy to mount on and dismount from the image forming apparatus.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a recording medium discharging apparatus which can be held securely or reliably on an image forming apparatus, and which is simple or easy to mount on and dismount from the image forming apparatus.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, an image forming machine is provided, which includes an image forming apparatus for forming images on recording media. The apparatus also includes a recording medium discharging apparatus which can be mounted on top of the image forming apparatus, the discharging apparatus including a plurality of recording medium storers. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism for locking the discharging apparatus to the image forming apparatus when the discharging apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus. The locking mechanism includes a release lever for unlocking the discharging apparatus by being manipulated to shift in the same direction as the discharging apparatus moves away from the image forming apparatus to be dismounted from it.
As stated above, the image forming apparatus includes a locking mechanism for locking the recording medium discharging apparatus to the image forming apparatus when the discharging apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus. The locking mechanism prevents the discharging apparatus from falling off the image forming apparatus even if external force is applied to the discharging apparatus mounted on the image forming apparatus. The release lever for unlocking the discharging apparatus makes it easy to dismount the discharging apparatus from the image forming apparatus. This lever can be manipulated to shift in the same direction as the discharging apparatus moves away from the image forming apparatus to be dismounted from it. This makes it possible to drive the lever by utilizing the force applied by a user to dismount the discharging apparatus from the image forming apparatus. It is therefore possible to unlock the discharging apparatus by the operation of dismounting the discharging apparatus from the image forming apparatus.
The recording medium discharging apparatus may include a holding portion which can be held by a user's hand. In particular, by supporting the release lever on the holding portion, it is possible for a user to manipulate the lever while holding the holding portion to dismount the discharging apparatus from the image forming apparatus. The lever may be urged to protrude from the holding portion. In this case, when the user lifts the discharging apparatus from the image forming apparatus, his or her hand draws the lever until the lever retracts into the holding portion against the urging force.
The locking mechanism may include a locking member provided at one of the image forming apparatus and the recording medium discharging apparatus, and shiftable between a locking position and an unlocking position. This mechanism may also include an engaging portion provided at the other of the image forming apparatus and the discharging apparatus. When in the locking position, the locking member is in engagement with the engaging portion. In this case, the release lever moves to shift the locking member from the locking position to the unlocking position.
The recording medium discharging apparatus may include a pair of connectors provided on both sides thereof and extending toward the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus may include a pair of engaging portions for receiving the respective connectors. The holding portion may be formed substantially at the midpoint between the connectors. In this case, when a user lifts the discharging apparatus, its weight is balanced w
Hirose Atsuo
Kashima Hiroyuki
Makino Kazumasa
Takagi Kazuhiko
Yokota Eiji
Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Deuble Mark A.
Ellis Christopher P.
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
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