Paper transfer device

Abstract

A paper transfer device includes a first paper transfer path that transfers a paper from a first paper feeder, a second paper transfer path that transfers a paper from a second paper feeder, a first paper guide plate fixed on the first paper transfer path, a rotatable second paper guide plate provided so as to faces the first paper guide plate with the first paper transfer path interposed therebetween when closed, a third paper guide plate fixed on the second paper transfer path, a rotatable fourth paper guide plate provided so as to face the third paper guide plate with the second paper transfer path interposed therebetween when closed, a cooperative mechanism that opens the fourth paper guide plate synchronously with opening of the second paper guide plate, and closes the fourth paper guide plate synchronously with closing of the second paper guide plate.

Claims

1. A paper transfer device comprising: a first paper transfer feeder and a second paper transfer feeder that selectively feed a paper; a first paper transfer path on which the paper fed from the first paper feeder is transferred; a second paper transfer path on which the paper fed from the second paper feeder is transferred; a communal paper transfer path that is disposed downstream from the first paper transfer path and the second paper transfer path and on which the paper transferred from the first paper transfer path or the second paper transfer path is transferred; a first paper guide plate that is provided fixedly on the first paper transfer path; a second paper guide plate that is provided rotatably so as to be opened and closed, and that, when being closed, faces the first paper guide plate with the first paper transfer path interposed therebetween; a third paper guide plate that is provided fixedly on the second paper transfer path on an inner side from the first paper guide plate; a fourth paper guide plate that is provided rotatably so as to be opened and closed, and that, when being closed, faces the third paper guide plate with the second paper transfer path interposed therebetween and faces the second paper guide plate; and a cooperative mechanism that opens the fourth paper guide plate synchronously with opening of the second paper guide plate, and closes the fourth paper guide plate synchronously with closing of the second paper guide plate.

2. The paper transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the cooperative mechanism includes, a cam that is disposed on the second paper guide plate, a coupling member that is attached to the fourth paper guide plate, and a rotatable linkage that is pivotally supported by a shaft provided between the second paper guide plate and the fourth paper guide plate, the coupling member is slidably disposed in an elongated hole formed at one end of the linkage, a cam follower that is contacted-with and separated-from the cam is provided at another end of the linkage, along with opening of the second paper guide plate, the cam follower is separated from the cam, and thereby the forth paper guide plate is opened via the linkage; and along with closing of the second paper guide plate, the cam follower is contacted with the cam, and thereby the forth paper guide plate is closed via the linkage.

3. The paper transfer device according to claim 2, wherein the second paper guide plate includes a pressing portion that is protruded toward the fourth paper guide plate, a curved cam and a horizontal cam that is formed continuously from the curved cam are formed as the cam, the fourth paper guide plate includes a pressed portion that is pressed by the pressing portion of the second paper guide plate, contact by the cam follower with the horizontal cam results in the closing of the fourth paper guide plate being temporarily stopped, but the fourth paper guide plate is fully closed when the pressing portions of the second paper guide plate presses the pressed portion of the fourth paper guide plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image forming apparatus provided with a paper transfer device according to an embodiment;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the paper transfer device;

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a paper transfer guide of the paper transfer device;

(4) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the paper transfer guide in its initial state or its paper transfer state;

(5) FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the paper transfer guide in its jammed paper removal state;

(6) FIG. 5A is a side view of the paper transfer guide;

(7) FIG. 5B is an enlarged side view showing a portion VB indicated in FIG. 5A;

(8) FIG. 5C is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion VC indicated in FIG. 5A;

(9) FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a front side of a first paper guide plate of the paper transfer guide;

(10) FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing a rear side of the first paper guide plate;

(11) FIG. 6C is a side view of the first paper guide plate;

(12) FIG. 6D is a rear view of the first paper guide plate;

(13) FIG. 6E is another side view of the first paper guide plate;

(14) FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a front side of a second paper guide plate of the paper transfer guide;

(15) FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing a rear side of the second paper guide plate;

(16) FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the second paper guide plate taken along a line VIIC-VIIC indicated in FIG. 7F;

(17) FIG. 7D is another cross-sectional view of the second paper guide plate taken along a line VIID-VIID indicated in FIG. 7F;

(18) FIG. 7E is a side view of the second paper guide plate;

(19) FIG. 7F is a rear view of the second paper guide plate;

(20) FIG. 7G is another side view of the second paper guide plate;

(21) FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing a front side of a third paper guide plate of the paper transfer guide;

(22) FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing a rear side of the third paper guide plate;

(23) FIG. 8C is a side view of the third paper guide plate;

(24) FIG. 8D is a rear view of the third paper guide plate;

(25) FIG. 8E is another side view of the third paper guide plate;

(26) FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a rear side of a fourth paper guide plate of the paper transfer guide when the fourth paper guide plate is viewed from one side;

(27) FIG. 9B is another perspective view showing the rear side of the fourth paper guide plate when the fourth paper guide plate is viewed from another side;

(28) FIG. 9C is an enlarged side view showing a portion IXC indicated in FIG. 9A;

(29) FIG. 9D is a side view of the fourth paper guide plate;

(30) FIG. 9E is a cross-sectional view of the fourth paper guide plate taken along a line IXE-IXE indicated in FIG. 9F;

(31) FIG. 9F is a rear view of the fourth paper guide plate;

(32) FIG. 9G is another side view of the fourth paper guide plate;

(33) FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing a front side of a communal paper guide plate of the paper transfer guide;

(34) FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing a rear side of the communal paper guide plate;

(35) FIG. 10C is a side view of the communal paper guide plate;

(36) FIG. 10D is a cross-sectional view of the communal paper guide plate taken along a line XD-XD indicated in FIG. 10E;

(37) FIG. 10E is a rear view of the communal paper guide plate;

(38) FIG. 10F is another side view of the communal paper guide plate;

(39) FIG. 11 is a side view showing a first operated state of the paper transfer guide;

(40) FIG. 12 is a side view showing a second operated state of the paper transfer guide;

(41) FIG. 13 is a side view showing a third operated state of the paper transfer guide;

(42) FIG. 14 is a side view showing a fourth operated state of the paper transfer guide;

(43) FIG. 15 is a side view showing a fifth operated state of the paper transfer guide;

(44) FIG. 16 is a side view showing a sixth operated state of the paper transfer guide;

(45) FIG. 17 is a modified example of the paper transfer guide according to the embodiment; and

(46) FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a prior-art sheet transfer device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

(47) Hereinafter, a paper transfer device 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 17.

(48) First, an image forming apparatus 1 provided with the paper transfer device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

(49) As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming apparatus 1, an operational panel 3 is provided on an upper panel 2a of a housing 2 formed to have a box shape. Doors 4 and 5 that can be opened and closed are attached to left and right sides of a front panel 2b of the housing 2.

(50) A first paper feeder 11 and a second paper feeder 15 that constitutes a portion of the paper transfer device 10 are provided below the doors 4 and 5 in a double-decker manner so as to be divided as an upper shelf and a lower shelf.

(51) In the first paper feeder 11 as a lower shelf, a first paper feed tray 12 installed at a lower shelf is provided so as to be capable of being draw to a side of the front panel 2b of the housing 2 in a direction Y. For example, A3-size papers P are stacked on the first paper feed tray 12.

(52) On the other hand, in the second paper feeder 15 as an upper shelf, a second paper feed tray 16 installed at an upper shelf is provided so as to be stacked over the first paper feed tray 12 and to be capable of being draw to a side of the front panel 2b of the housing 2. For example, A4-size papers P are stacked on the second paper feed tray 16.

(53) In addition, a first paper feed mechanism (not shown) to which paper feed rollers Rk1 (FIG. 5A) for feeding papers P are rotatably attached is provided on a front side along a paper feed direction X from the first paper feed tray 12. Similarly, a second paper feed mechanism 17 to which paper feed rollers Rk2 (FIG. 5A) for feeding papers P are rotatably attached is provided on a front side along a paper feed direction X from the second paper feed tray 16.

(54) One of the first paper feed tray 12 and the second paper feed tray 16 is selected to feed an upper-most paper P among the papers stacked on the first paper feed tray 12 or the second paper feed tray 16 in the paper feed direction X.

(55) In addition, on an inner side of the doors 4 and 5 that are attached to left and right sides of the front panel 2b of the housing 2 so as to be capable of being opened and closed, an image forming unit 6 that forms imaged on the papers P is provided above the first paper feeder 11 and the second paper feeder 15.

(56) Further, a paper ejection tray 8 that constitutes a paper ejector 7 for ejecting papers P on which images have been formed is provided at an internal upper portion on a side of a left-side panel 2c of the housing 2 so as to be protruded outward from the housing 2. A controller 9 that integrally controls the image forming apparatus 1 is provided at an appropriate position in the housing 2.

(57) Furthermore, a paper transfer guide 20 that constitutes the paper transfer device 10 is provided on an inner side of the left-side panel 2c of the housing 2. The paper transfer guide 20 transfers a paper P that is selectively fed from the first paper feeder 11 or the second paper feeder 15 to the image forming unit 6 while changing a transfer direction of the paper P upward from the paper feed direction X to a paper transfer direction Z.

(58) Papers P on which images has been formed by printing or copying at the image forming unit 6 are sequentially stacked on the paper ejection tray 8 of the paper ejector 7.

(59) As shown in FIG. 2, the paper transfer device 10 includes the first paper feeder 11, the second paper feeder 15 and the paper transfer guide 20.

(60) In case of a paper jam on a first paper transfer path PP1 (FIG. 5A) or a second paper transfer path PP2 (FIG. 5A) in the paper transfer guide 20 while transferring a paper P that is selectively fed from the first paper feeder 11 or the second paper feeder 15 toward the image forming unit 6 (FIG. 1) along the first paper transfer path PP1 or the second paper transfer path PP2, the paper transfer device 10 is improved so as to be able to remove a jammed paper JP (FIG. 4B) easily to an outside of the housing 2 (FIG. 2) by a simple operation.

(61) According to this improvement, the jammed paper JP (FIG. 4B) can be easily removed to an outside of the housing 2, because a second paper guide plate 32 (FIG. 5A) and a fourth paper guide plate 42 (FIG. 5A) that are provided so as to be cooperated with each other by an cooperative mechanism 60 (FIG. 5A) can be opened concurrently by a user's or service person's (hereinafter, only the user is referred) single operation of opening the second paper guide plate 32 that is disposed at a lower portion of the left-side panel 2c of the housing 2 (FIG. 1).

(62) Namely, in the paper transfer device 10, the first paper feed tray 12 of the first paper feeder 11 is provided as a lower shelf at a lower portion of the housing 2 (FIG. 1), and the second paper feed tray 16 of the second paper feeder 15 is provided as an upper shelf so as to be stacked over the first paper feed tray 12. In addition, a leading end of the first paper feed tray 12 along the paper feed direction X is protruded leftward from a leading end of the second paper feed tray 16.

(63) Further, the paper transfer guide 20 is disposed between a front-side plate 21 and a rear-side plate 22 that are provided so as to be associated with a front inner side and a rear inner side of the housing 2 (FIG. 1), respectively.

(64) The front-side plate 21 and the rear-side plate 22 are formed from metal sheet materials, and face to each other so as to be distanced from each other in a paper width direction W perpendicular to the paper transfer direction Z. The distance between the front-side plate 21 and the rear-side plate 22 is made wider than a width of papers P.

(65) Here, as shown in FIG. 3, a first paper guide plate 31 and a third paper guide plate 41 are fixedly disposed between the front-side plate 21 and the rear-side plate 22, and the first paper guide plate 31 and the third paper guide plate 41 are separated at a lower position and an upper position, respectively.

(66) The first paper guide plate 31 and the third paper guide plate 41 is formed from metal sheet materials so as to extend along the paper width direction W, and sets of drive rollers Ra are rotatably provided in them. In each of the sets, plural (e.g. two) drive rollers Ra are fixed to a rotary shaft Sa so as to be distanced from each other along the paper width direction W, and thereby rotatably supported by the rotary shaft Sa.

(67) In addition, a cutout 31d is formed at a lower end of the first paper guide plate 31 between the two drive rollers Ra, and is opened downward. Similarly, a cutout 41d is formed at a lower end of the third paper guide plate 41 between the two drive rollers Ra, and is opened downward. The cutouts 31d and 41d are formed in order to remove a jammed paper JP (FIG. 4B) easily as described later.

(68) Further, three rotary shafts Sa to which the drive roller Ra are attached along the paper width direction W are extended between the front-side plate 21 and the rear-side plate 22. One of the rotary shafts Sa is provided laterally in the first paper guide plate 31, other two of the rotary shafts Sa are provided laterally in the third paper guide plate 41. A lower one of the two rotary shafts Sa laterally provided in the third paper guide plate 41 is protruded out from the front-side plate 21, and an operation knob N is fixed with its end.

(69) The rotary shaft Sa to which the operational knob N is fixed is coupled with a reduction gear set (not shown) and a motor (not shown) to drive the drive rollers Ra rotationally, and transmits rotational drive forces to the other two rotary shafts Sa at an outside from the rear-side plate 22 via timing pulleys and timing belts.

(70) When a user rotates only the one rotary shaft Sa manually using the operational knob N, all the rotary shafts Sa are rotated and thereby a jammed paper JP (FIG. 4B) can be easily removed (fed forward or backward manually) by the drive rollers Ra fixed with the rotary shafts Sa.

(71) The first paper guide plate 31 also functions to guide one face of a paper P fed from the first paper feed tray 12 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). Similarly, the third paper guide plate 41 also functions to guide one face of a paper P fed from the second paper feed tray 16 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).

(72) A frame FR of the paper transfer guide 20 is configured in a state where the first paper guide plate 31 and the third paper guide plate 41 are attached to the frame FR between the front-side plate 21 and the rear-side plate 22.

(73) As shown in FIG. 2, in the paper transfer guide 20, a second paper guide plate 32 provided with a side cover 32a is provided rotatably below the left-side panel 2c of the housing 2 (FIG. 1). The second paper guide plate 32 faces to the above-described first paper guide plate 31 (FIG. 3), and functions to guide another face of a paper P fed from the first paper feed tray 12.

(74) In addition, an operational lever 34 for opening and closing the second paper guide plate 32 is provided in a rectangular hole 32a1 formed on the side cover 32a of the second paper guide plate 32.

(75) The operational lever 34 is fixed with a rotational shaft 35 (FIGS. 5A and 5B) to which after-described engagement arms 36 (FIGS. 5A and 5B) are fixed, and thereby the operational lever 34 is rotatable integrally with the engagement arms 36. One of the engagement arms 36 is fixed with one end of the rotational shaft 35, and another of the engagement arms 36 is fixed with another end of the rotational shaft 35. When a user pulls the operational lever 34 to rotate the operational lever 34, the engagement arms 36 are disengaged from the frame FR (FIG. 3).

(76) As shown in FIG. 4A, when the second paper guide plate 32 is closed, the paper transfer guide 20 is in its initial state or its paper transfer state.

(77) When the second paper guide plate 32 is in the initial state, no paper P is fed from the first paper feeder 11 or the second paper feeder 15. On the other hand, when the second paper guide plate 32 is in the paper transfer state, a paper P selectively fed from the first paper feeder 11 or the second paper feeder 15 is transferred toward the image forming unit 6 (FIG. 1).

(78) In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, since an inside of the paper transfer guide 20 is widely exposed when the second paper guide plate 32 is opened by a user, the user can easily remove a jammed paper JP jammed on the paper transfer path PP1 or PP2.

(79) <Paper Transfer guide 20>

(80) The paper transfer guide 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C.

(81) FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B shows the initial state or the paper transfer state. Note that the front-side plate 21 of the frame FR shown in FIG. 3 is not shown in FIG. 5A.

(82) As shown in FIG. 5A, the first paper guide plate 31 and the second paper guide plate 32 are provided on a downstream side along the paper feed direction X from the first paper feed tray 12 of the first paper feeder 11 provided as a lower shelf. The first paper guide plate 31 is fixedly provided on the frame FR (FIG. 3) along the first paper transfer path PP1. The second paper guide plate 32 is provided rotatably about a first rotational axis 33, and can be opened and closed by a user's hand H (FIG. 11). The second paper guide plate 32 faces to the first paper guide plate 31 with the first paper transfer path PP1 interposed therebetween.

(83) On the other hand, the third paper guide plate 41 and the fourth paper guide plate 42 are provided on a downstream side along the paper feed direction X from the second paper feed tray 16 of the second paper feeder 15 provided as an upper shelf. The third paper guide plate 41 is fixedly provided on the frame FR (FIG. 3) along the second paper transfer path PP2 that is provided on an inner side from the first paper feed path PP1. The fourth paper guide plate 42 is provided rotatably about a second rotational axis 43. The fourth paper guide plate 42 faces to an upstream portion of the third paper guide plate 41 with the second paper transfer path PP2 interposed therebetween, and also faces to the second paper guide plate 32.

(84) The cooperative mechanism 60 that opens/closes the fourth paper guide plate 42 in conjunction with an opening/closing operation of the second paper guide plate 32. The cooperative mechanism 60 is a member that constitutes a main portion of the present embodiment, and will be described later in detail.

(85) Further, a communal paper guide plate 51 is provided on a down streamside from the third paper guide plate 41 and the fourth paper guide plate 42, and faces a downstream portion of the third paper guide plate 41 with a communal paper transfer path Pk interposed therebetween.

(86) In the initial state and the paper transfer state of the paper transfer guide 20, a gap of the first paper transfer path PP1 formed between the first paper guide plate 31 and the second paper guide plate 32 that face to each other is set to a predetermined value. Similarly, in the initial state and the paper transfer state of the paper transfer guide 20, a gap of the second paper transfer path PP2 formed between the third paper guide plate 41 and the fourth paper guide plate 42 that face to each other is set to a predetermined value.

(87) In addition, while the second paper guide plate 32 is closed by being rotated about the first rotational axis 33 in a clockwise direction, driven rollers Rb rotatably attached to the second paper guide plate 32 are pressed onto the drive rollers Ra rotatably attached to the first paper guide plate 31 by an urging force of a spring (not shown).

(88) On the other hand, while the second paper guide plate 32 is closed, driven rollers Rb rotatably attached to the fourth paper guide plate 42 are also pressed onto the drive rollers Ra rotatably attached to the third paper guide plate 41 by an urging force of a spring (not shown).

(89) Further, driven rollers Rb rotatably attached to the communal paper guide plate 51 are also pressed onto the drive rollers Ra rotatably attached to the third paper guide plate 41 by an urging force of a spring (not shown).

(90) A paper P1 (P) fed by the paper feed rollers Rid from the first paper feed tray 12 provided as a lower shelf is fed along the first paper transfer path PP1 formed between the first paper guide plate 31 and the second paper guide plate 32 toward the communal paper transfer path Pk, and then sent to the image forming unit 6 (FIG. 1).

(91) On the other hand, a paper P2 (P) fed by the paper feed rollers Rk2 from the second paper feed tray 16 provided as an upper shelf is fed along the first paper transfer path PP1 formed between the first paper guide plate 31 and the second paper guide plate 32 toward the communal paper transfer path Pk, and then sent to the image forming unit 6 (FIG. 1).

(92) Therefore, a paper P1 from the first paper feed tray 12 or a paper P2 from the second paper feed tray 16 passes through the communal paper transfer path Pk, selectively.

(93) As shown in FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C, the cooperative mechanism 60 includes a cam (32g+32h) formed on the second paper guide plate 32, a coupling member (movable block) 44 attached to the fourth paper guide plate 42, and a linkage member 61. The linkage member 61 is pivotally supported by a shaft 24 that is provided between the second paper guide plate 32 and the fourth paper guide plate 42, and thereby can be rotate. The coupling member 44 is slidably disposed in an elongated hole (rectangular hole) 61a formed at one end of the linkage member 61, and can slide in a longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 61a. A cam follower 62 that is contacted-with and separated-from the cam (32g+32h) is provided at another end of the linkage member 61.

(94) Specifically, the cooperative mechanism 60 is configured to operate the rotatable second paper guide plate 32 and the rotatable fourth paper guide plate 42 together with other via the linkage member 61.

(95) As shown in FIG. 5C, the linkage member 61 is formed to have an angled arm shape, and pivotally supported by the shaft 24 that is attached to an inner surface of the front-side plate 21 (FIG. 5).

(96) The coupling member 44 is the movable block 44 having a cubic shape in the present embodiment, but may be a coupling pin instead of the movable block 44. Hereinafter, the coupling member 44 is referred as the movable block 44.

(97) A length of one side of the above-described cubic movable block 44 is associated with a length of a short side of the rectangular hole 61a. The cubic movable block 44 includes a shaft that is integrally fixed therewith so as to passes through its center. The shaft is attached to a side plate 42d (FIG. 9C) of the fourth paper guide plate 42.

(98) As shown in FIG. 5B, the cam follower 62 attached to the other end of the linkage member 61 rotates so as to be contacted-with and separated-from a curved cam portion 32g and a horizontal cam portion 32h. The curved cam portion 32g is formed at an upper portion of an inner side plate 32d of the second paper guide plate 32. The horizontal cam portion 32h extends continuously from a lower end of the curved cam portion 32g.

(99) Note that, since the abovementioned inner side plate 32d and an inner side plate 32e (FIG. 7B) on an opposite side to the inner side plate 32d of the second paper guide plate 32 located on an inner side from outermost ends of the side cover 32a of the second paper guide plate 32 along the paper width direction W, they are referred as the inner side plates 32d and 32e, hereinafter.

(100) Therefore, as explained later in detail (FIG. 12), the cam follower 62 moves along the curved cam portion 32g of the second paper guide plate 32 along with a user's closing operation of the second paper guide plate 32, and thereby the linkage member 61 is rotated. According to the rotation of the linkage member 61, the fourth paper guide plate 42 is rotated due to coupling of the movable block 44 with the rectangular hole 61a. Discordancy between a rotating path of the linkage member 61 and a rotating path of the fourth paper guide plate 42 can be absorbed by a movement of the movable block 44 in the rectangular hole 61a.

(101) Therefore, the second paper guide plate 32 and the fourth paper guide plate 42 can be smoothly operated together with each other only by the linkage member 61 without using plural linkage members.

(102) In addition, pressing portions 32f that are protruded toward the fourth paper guide plate 42 are formed on the second paper guide plate 32. Associated with the pressing portions 32f, pressed portions 42f that are protruded toward the second paper guide plate 32 are formed on the fourth paper guide plate 42. Behaviors of the pressing portions 32f for pressing the pressed portions 42f will be described later in detail.

(103) In addition, the rotational shaft 35 extended in the paper width direction W is attached to a rear surface of the side cover 32a of the second paper guide plate 32.

(104) As shown in FIG. 5B, one of the engagement arms 36 is fixed at one end of the rotational shaft 35 on a side of the front-side plate 21. Similarly, another of the engagement arms 36 is fixed at another end of the rotational shaft 35 on a side of the rear-side plate 22. The two engagement arms 36 are rotatable integrally with the rotational shaft 35. A hook 36a of the engagement arm 36 is engaged with an engagement pin 23 protruded from an inner surface of the front-side plate 21 (the rear-side plate 22), and the hook 36a can be disengaged when the rotational shaft 35 is rotated by the operational lever 34.

(105) In addition, as already described, the operational lever 34 exposed from the rectangular hole 32a1 formed on the side cover 32a of the second paper guide plate 32 is fixed to the rotational shaft 35.

(106) The plural paper guide plates of the paper transfer guide 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6A to FIG. 10F.

(107) <First Paper Guide Plate 31>

(108) The first paper guide plate 31 is shown in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6F. The first paper guide plate 31 is fixed with lower portions of the front-side plate 21 and the rear-side plate 22 shown in FIG. 3. The first paper guide plate 31 functions to guide one surface of a paper P1 from the first paper feed tray 12 (FIG. 5A) provided as a lower shelf.

(109) The first paper guide plate 31 is formed from metal sheet materials to have a long shape along the paper width direction W. Its front face 31a that guides a paper P1 is formed to have a convex shape that curved along the paper transfer direction Z.

(110) In the first paper guide plate 31, two rectangular holes 31c are formed from its rear face 31b to its front face 31a. The two rectangular holes 31c are aligned in a single axial line along the paper width direction W. The drive rollers Ra (FIG. 3) are exposed from the rectangular holes 31c.

(111) The first paper guide plate 31 includes the cutout 31d opened downward between the two rectangular holes 31c. The cutout 31d is formed in order to pickup a jammed paper JP (FIG. 4B) easily by hand. In addition, a jammed paper JP jammed on the second paper transfer path PP2 (FIG. 5A) can be viewed easily through the cutout 31d.

(112) <Second Paper Guide Plate 32>

(113) The second paper guide plate 32 is shown in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7G. The second paper guide plate 32 is supported rotatably about the first rotational axis 33 provided at its lower portion so as to face the first paper guide plate 31. The second paper guide plate 32 functions to guide another surface of the paper P1 from the first paper feed tray 12 (FIG. 5A) provided as a lower shelf.

(114) The second paper guide plate 32 is formed from high-stiffness resign material to have a long shape along the paper width direction W, and the side cover 32a of the second paper guide plate 32 is made flat as an exterior facing.

(115) In addition, a rear surface 32b of the second paper guide plate 32 that guides the paper P1 is formed to have a concave shape that is curved along the paper transfer direction Z so that the concave shape of the rear surface 32b corresponds with the convex shape of the front face 31a (FIG. 6A) of the first paper guide plate 31.

(116) In the second paper guide plate 32, two rectangular holes 32c are formed as bottomed holes. The two rectangular holes 32c are aligned in a single axial line along the paper width direction W. The driven rollers Rb are exposed from the rectangular holes 32c.

(117) Note that a lower side cover 37 is provided below the side cover 32a of the second paper guide plate 32 so as to be suspended from the side cover 32a.

(118) As shown in FIG. 7A, FIG. 7C and FIG. 7F, the above-described operational lever 34 is provided in the rectangular hole 32a1 formed on the side cover 32a of the second paper guide plate 32. The operational lever 34 is rotatable integrally with the two engagement arms 36 shown in FIG. 7E and FIG. 7G.

(119) In addition, as shown in FIG. 7B, FIG. 7E and FIG. 7G, the pressing portions 32f are formed at upper end portions of the inner side plates 32d and 32e of the second paper guide plate 32. The pressing portions 32f can be contacted-with and separated-from the pressed portions 42f (FIG. 9C, FIG. 9D and FIG. 9G) formed on the fourth paper guide plate 42.

(120) Further, as shown in FIG. 7B and FIG. 7E, the curved cam portion 32g and the horizontal cam portion 32h are formed continuously from each other below the pressing portion 32f formed at the upper end portion of the inner side plate 32d in the second paper guide plate 32. No cam portion is formed on the other inner side plate 32e facing to the inner side plate 32d so as to be distanced from the inner side plate 32d in the paper width direction W.

(121) <Third Paper Guide Plate 41>

(122) The third paper guide plate 41 is shown in FIG. 8A to FIG. 8E. The third paper guide plate 41 is fixed with upper portions of the front-side plate 21 and the rear-side plate 22 shown in FIG. 3. The third paper guide plate 41 functions to guide one surface of a paper P2 from the second paper feed tray 16 (FIG. 5A) provided as an upper shelf.

(123) The third paper guide plate 41 is formed from metal sheet materials to have a long shape along the paper width direction W. Its front face 41a that guides a paper P2 is formed to have a convex shape that curved along the paper transfer direction Z.

(124) In the third paper guide plate 41, four rectangular holes 41c are formed from its rear face 41b to its front face 41a. Two of the rectangular holes 41c are aligned in a single upper axial line along the paper width direction W. Remaining two of the rectangular holes 41c are aligned in a single lower axial line along the paper width direction W. The drive rollers Ra (FIG. 3) are exposed from the rectangular holes 41c.

(125) The third paper guide plate 41 includes the cutout 41d opened downward between the lower two rectangular holes 41c. The cutout 41d is formed in order to pickup a jammed paper JP (FIG. 4B) easily by hand.

(126) <Fourth Paper Guide Plate 42>

(127) The fourth paper guide plate 42 is shown in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9G. The fourth paper guide plate 42 is supported rotatably about the second rotational axis 43 provided at its lower portion so as to face an upstream portion of the third paper guide plate 41. The fourth paper guide plate 42 functions to guide another surface of the paper P2 from the second paper feed tray 16 (FIG. 5A) provided as an upper shelf.

(128) The fourth paper guide plate 42 is formed from high-stiffness resign material to have a long shape along the paper width direction W. As shown in FIG. 9C, its front surface 42a is made smooth so as to accept a contact of the paper P1 from the first paper feed tray 12 (FIG. 5A) provided as a lower shelf. In addition, its rear surface 42b that guides the paper P2 is formed to have a concave shape that is curved along the paper transfer direction Z so that the concave shape of the rear surface 42b corresponds with the convex shape of the front face 41a (FIG. 8A) of the third paper guide plate 41.

(129) In the fourth paper guide plate 42, two rectangular holes 42c are formed as bottomed holes. The two rectangular holes 42c are aligned in a single axial line along the paper width direction W. The driven rollers Rb are exposed from the rectangular holes 42c.

(130) In addition, as shown in FIG. 9C, the shaft of the movable block 44 that is coupled with the linkage member 61 (FIG. 5A) is attached to a side plate 42d of the fourth paper guide plate 42. The shaft of the movable block 44 is protruded laterally outward.

(131) Therefore, the side plate 42d is provided with two axes, e.g. the second rotational axis 43 that is located at its lower portion, and the shaft of the movable block 44 located that is located at its upper portion.

(132) Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, FIG. 9D and FIG. 9G, the pressed portions 42f are formed at upper end portions of the side plates 42d and 42e of the fourth paper guide plate 42. As described above, the pressed portions 42f can be contacted-with and separated-from the pressing portions 32f (FIG. 7B and FIG. 7E) formed at upper end portions of the inner side plates 32d and 32e of the second paper guide plate 32.

(133) <Communal Paper Guide Plate 51>

(134) The communal paper guide plate 51 is shown in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10F. The communal paper guide plate 51 is provided fixedly so as to face a downstream portion of the third paper guide plate 41. The communal paper guide plate 51 functions to guide the other surface of the paper P1 from the first paper feed tray 12 (FIG. 5A) or the paper P2 from the second paper feed tray 16 (FIG. 5A).

(135) The communal paper guide plate 51 is formed from high-stiffness resign material to have a long shape along the paper width direction W. Plural reinforcing ribs 51a1 are formed vertically and horizontally on its front surface 51a. Its rear surface 51b that guides the paper P1 or P2 is made flat along so as to be almost straight along the paper transfer direction Z.

(136) In the communal paper guide plate 51, two rectangular holes 51c are formed as bottomed holes. The two rectangular holes 51c are aligned in a single axial line along the paper width direction W. The driven rollers Rb are exposed from the rectangular holes 32c.

(137) Next, operated states of the paper transfer guide 20 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 11 to FIG. 16.

(138) <Operated States of Paper Transfer Guide 20>

(139) FIG. 11 to FIG. 16 show a first operated state to a sixth operated state of the paper transfer guide 20. Note that the second paper feed tray 16 is not shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, and the front-side plate 21 of the frame FR shown in FIG. 3 is not shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 16.

(140) Here, as already described with reference to FIG. 5A, while transferring a paper P1 fed from the first paper feed tray 12 provided as a lower shelf along the first paper transfer path PP1 and the communal paper transfer path Pk to the image forming unit 6 (FIG. 1) or while transferring a paper P2 fed from the second paper feed tray 16 provided as an upper shelf along the second paper transfer path PP2 and the communal paper transfer path Pk to the image forming unit 6 (FIG. 1), a transferring state of the paper P1 or P2 is monitored by an optical sensor (not shown) provided in the paper transfer device 10 by the controller 9 (FIG. 1).

(141) If time taken until the paper P1 or P2 is transferred to a monitoring position of the optical sensor exceeds predetermined paper transfer time, the controller 9 determines that a paper jamming occurs and then outputs a warning to a user.

(142) When the user receives the waring, the user removes a jammed paper JP (FIG. 4B) out from the paper transfer device 10 by jammed paper removal operations in which the first operated state to the sixth operated state shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 16 are sequentially done.

(143) First, in the first operated state shown in FIG. 11, the second paper guide plate 32 is opened, and thereby the jammed paper JP is about to be removed by a user's hand H.

(144) Namely, as shown in FIG. 11, when the user pulls the operational lever 34 attached to the side cover 32a of the second paper guide plate 32 to rotate the engagement arms 36 together with the rotational shaft 35, the hooks 36a of the engagement arms 36 are disengaged from the engagement pins 23 provided on the inner surfaces of the front-side plate 21 and the rear-side plate 22 (FIG. 3).

(145) Due to the disengagements of the engagement arms 36 from the engagement pins 23, the second paper guide plate 32 is rotated about the first rotational axis 33 in a counter-clockwise direction by its own weight, and thereby is opened downward. An open position of the second paper guide plate 32 is restricted by stoppers 25 provided on the front-side plate 21 and the rear-side plate 22 (FIG. 3).

(146) In addition, along with opening of the second paper guide plate 32, the cam follower 62 attached to the linkage member 61 of the cooperative mechanism 60 is separated from the cam (the curved cam portion 32g) formed on the inner side plate 32d of the second paper guide plate 32.

(147) Therefore, an open angle of the second paper guide plate 32 can be made large, and thereby the second paper guide plate 32 can be opened widely. As a result, the hand H can be inserted easily when trying to remove the jammed paper JP.

(148) In addition, along with separating of the linkage member 61 from the second paper guide plate 32, the fourth paper guide plate 42 that is linked with the linkage member 61 via the movable block 44 slidably held in the rectangular hole 61a is rotated about the second rotational axis 43 in a counter-clockwise direction by its own weight, and thereby is opened. An open position of the fourth paper guide plate 42 is restricted by the movable block 44 and the rectangular hole 61a. When the fourth paper guide plate 42 is fully opened, the movable block 44 is located at one end (a lower right end in FIG. 11) of the rectangular hole 61a.

(149) As the result, both of the first paper transfer path PP1 formed between the first paper guide plate 31 and the second paper guide plate 32 and the second paper transfer path PP2 formed between the third paper guide plate 41 and the fourth paper guide plate 42 are exposed, and thereby the jammed paper JP jammed on the first paper transfer path PP1 or the second paper transfer path PP2 can be removed easily by the hand H. Namely, it becomes possible to provide the paper transfer device 10 that can bring good operability of removing the jammed paper JP and can make the number of its parts reduced by simplifying its structure.

(150) In addition, since the fourth paper guide plate 42 is opened synchronously with the opening operation of the second paper guide plate 32, the jammed paper JP jammed not only on the first paper transfer path PP1 but also on the second paper transfer path PP2 can be easily found through the cutout 31d (FIG. 3 and FIG. 6D). Namely, the user can easily remove the jammed paper JP on any of the first paper transfer path PP1 and the second paper transfer path PP2.

(151) Next, in the second operated state shown in FIG. 12, closing of the second paper guide plate 32 is started after the jammed paper JP is removed.

(152) Namely, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user pushes the second paper guide plate 32 in its closing direction, the second paper guide plate 32 is rotated about the first rotational axis 33 in a clockwise direction. The cam follower 62 attached to the linkage member 61 of the cooperative mechanism 60 is contacted with the cam (the curved cam portion 32g) formed on the inner side plate 32d of the second paper guide plate 32, and then the linkage member 61 is rotated about the shaft 24 in a counter-clockwise direction due to the cam mechanism.

(153) Along with the rotation of the linkage member 61, the fourth paper guide plate 42 that is linked with the linkage member 61 via the movable block 44 slidably held in the rectangular hole 61a is rotated about the second rotational axis 43 in a clockwise direction. As the linkage member 61 rotates, the movable block 44 slides in the rectangular hole 61a. Since FIG. 12 shows a state just after the cam follower 62 contacts with the cam (the curved cam portion 32g), the movable block 44 is still located at the lower right end of the rectangular hole 61a.

(154) In the third operated state shown in FIG. 13, the rotation of the fourth paper guide plate 42 is temporarily stopped while closing the second paper guide plate 32.

(155) Namely, when the user further rotates the second paper guide plate 32 about the first rotational axis 33 in a clockwise direction from the second operated state shown in FIG. 12, the cam follower 62 attached to the linkage member 61 of the cooperative mechanism 60 moves downward along the curved cam portion 32g formed on the inner side plate 32d of the second paper guide plate 32, and then reaches the horizontal cam portion 32h continuously formed from the curved cam portion 32g as shown in FIG. 13.

(156) While the cam follower 62 contacts with the horizontal cam portion 32h, the rotation of the fourth paper guide plate 42 that is linked with the linkage member 61 via the movable block 44 slidably held in the rectangular hole 61a is temporarily stopped. In this state, the movable block 44 is already moved leftward from the one end (a right end in FIG. 13) of the rectangular hole 61a.

(157) In the fourth operated state shown in FIG. 14, the second paper guide plate 32 is closed, and the fourth paper guide plate 42 is about to be pushed in a close direction (rightward) by the second paper guide plate 32.

(158) Namely, when the user further rotates the second paper guide plate 32 about the first rotational axis 33 in a clockwise direction from the third operated state shown in FIG. 13, the side cover 32a of the second paper guide plate 32 is oriented almost vertically as shown in FIG. 14.

(159) During this operation, the cam follower 62 attached to the linkage member 61 of the cooperative mechanism 60 moves leftward along the horizontal cam portion 32h formed on the inner side plate 32d of the second paper guide plate 32, but the rotation of the fourth paper guide plate 42 is still stopped. Therefore, the movable block 44 is still located at almost the same position in the rectangular hole 61a as that in the third operated state shown in FIG. 13.

(160) Therefore, the rotation of the linkage member 61 is also temporarily stopped while the cam follower 62 of the linkage member 61 contacts with the horizontal cam portion 32h of the second paper guide plate 32. Since the rotation of the linkage member 61 is temporarily stopped, the one end of the linkage member 61 at which the rectangular hole 61a is formed is never contacted with the communal paper guide plate 51 and the communal paper guide plate 51 that are fixedly provided.

(161) When the pressing portions 32f formed at upper end portions of the inner side plates 32d and 32e of the second paper guide plate 32 contact with (start to press) the pressed portions 42f formed at upper end portions of the side plates 42d and 42e of the fourth paper guide plate 42, the hooks 36a of the engagement arms 36 are engaged with the engagement pins 23 provided on the inner surfaces of the front-side plate 21 and the rear-side plate 22 (FIG. 3). Since the rotation of the linkage member 61 is temporarily stopped, the engagement arms 36 and the engagement pins 23 can be engaged with each other easily and surely when engaging the second paper guide plate 32 with the frame FR (FIG. 3).

(162) In the fifth operated state shown in FIG. 15, the fourth paper guide plate 42 is further pushed in a close direction (rightward) by the second paper guide plate 32 while the second paper guide plate 32 is closed.

(163) Namely, the user further rotates the second paper guide plate 32 about the first rotational axis 33 in a clockwise direction from the fourth operated state shown in FIG. 14, so that the pressing portions 32f formed on the second paper guide plate 32 further press (push) the pressed portions 42f formed on the fourth paper guide plate 42.

(164) The fourth paper guide plate 42 is further rotated about the about the second rotational axis 43 in a clockwise direction. However, the discordancy between the rotating path of the linkage member 61 and the rotating path of the fourth paper guide plate 42 can be absorbed by the movement of the movable block 44 in the rectangular hole 61a. Therefore, the second paper guide plate 32 and the fourth paper guide plate 42 can be operated together with each other without any strain.

(165) In addition, by further pushing of the second paper guide plate 32 toward the fourth paper guide plate 42, a gap is generated between the hook 36a of the engagement arm(s) 36 and the engagement pin 23 of the front-side plate 21 (the rear-side plate 22).

(166) Further, the cam follower 62 of the linkage member 61 is still contacted with the horizontal cam portion 32h of the second paper guide plate 32.

(167) In the sixth operated state shown in FIG. 16, the second paper guide plate 32 is completely closed.

(168) Namely, the second paper guide plate 32 is pushed back leftward as shown in FIG. 16 due to reactive forces (elastic restoring forces) interacting between the drive rollers Ra and the driven rollers Rb after the fourth paper guide plate 42 is further pushed by the second paper guide plate 32 in the fifth operated state. Therefore, the pressed portions 42f formed on the fourth paper guide plate 42 follow the pressing portions 32f formed on the second paper guide plate 32.

(169) Along with pushing back of the second paper guide plate 32, the gap S (FIG. 15) generated between the hook 36a of the engagement arm(s) 36 and the engagement pin 23 of the front-side plate 21 (the rear-side plate 22) is eliminated, and thereby the hook(s) 36a and the engagement pin(s) 23 are engaged firmly.

(170) Further, the cam follower 62 of the linkage member 61 is still contacted with the horizontal cam portion 32h of the second paper guide plate 32, and the movable block 44 of the fourth paper guide plate 42 is held in the rectangular hole 61a of the linkage member 61 in a state where a movable margin of the movable block 44 is still left on its right side in the rectangular hole 61a.

(171) Therefore, each gap of the first paper transfer path PP1 and the second paper transfer path PP2 is restored to its initial (default) value, so that the paper transfer guide 20 is restored to its initial state as shown in FIG. 5A.

(172) (Modified Example of Paper Transfer Device)

(173) FIG. 17 shows a paper transfer device 70 that is made by partially modifying the paper transfer device 10 in the above-described embodiment.

(174) The paper transfer device 70 is different from the paper transfer device 10 in the above-described embodiment only in that three paper feed trays are provided. Therefore, its descriptions will be made simply.

(175) In the paper transfer device 70, the first paper feed tray 12 of the first paper feeder 11 is provided as a lower shelf at a lower portion of the housing 2 (FIG. 1), the second paper feed tray 16 of the second paper feeder 15 is provided as a middle shelf so as to be stacked over the first paper feed tray 12, and a third paper feed tray 72 of a third paper feeder 71 is provided as an upper shelf so as to be stacked over the second paper feed tray 16.

(176) In addition, the leading end of the first paper feed tray 12 along the paper feed direction X is protruded leftward from the leading end of the second paper feed tray 16, and the leading end of the second paper feed tray 16 is protruded leftward from a leading end of the third paper feed tray 72. Therefore, the leading end of the first paper feed tray 12 is located at a most-leftward position.

(177) Also in this modified example, the paper transfer guide 20 is disposed between the front-side plate 21 and the rear-side plate 22 that are provided so as to be associated with a front inner side and a rear inner side of the housing 2 (FIG. 1), respectively. Since the paper transfer guide 20 in this modified example is also associated with the first paper feed tray 12 of the first paper feeder 11 and the second paper feed tray 16 of the second paper feeder 15, the paper transfer guide 20 in this modified example is the same as the paper transfer guide 20 in the above embodiment that is described with reference to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C.

(178) However, a third paper transfer path (not shown) is additionally provided in association with the third paper feed tray 72 of the third paper feeder 71. Therefore, a jammed paper on the third paper transfer path is removed by using another paper transfer guide (not shown) that is provided independently from the paper transfer guide 20.

(179) Therefore, the paper transfer device 10 in the above embodiment and the paper transfer device 70 in this modified example can be applied to a configuration provided with the first paper feed tray 12 and the second paper feed tray 16.

(180) The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples, and it is possible to embody the present invention by modifying its components in a range that does not depart from the scope thereof. Further, it is possible to form various kinds of inventions by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples. For example, it may be possible to omit several components from all of the components shown in the above-mentioned embodiment.

(181) The present application claims the benefit of a priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-240890, filed on Nov. 28, 2014, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.