Medium support device and recording apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11413888-B2
Application number	US-202117203276-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 16, 2021
Priority date	Mar 19, 2020
Publication date	Aug 16, 2022
Grant date	Aug 16, 2022

Abstract

A medium support device includes: a first support section that transits between a first position and a second position relative to a main body; a second support section that transits between a retracted position and a protruding position relative to the first support section; and a locking mechanism configured to set a lock the second support section. When the first support section is in the first position and the second support section is retracted into the first support section, the retracted state is formed. When the first support section is in the second position and the second support section protrudes from the first support, the extended state is formed. The locking mechanism locks the second support section retracted into the first support section when the first support section is in the first position and releases the lock when the first support section is in the second position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A medium support device configured to switch between an extended state where a support surface of the medium support device which supports a medium is extended from a main body and a retracted state where the support surface of the medium support device is retracted into the main body, the main body having a processor that processes the medium, the medium support device comprising:
a first support section configured to transit between a first position and a second position relative to the main body;
a second support section configured to transit between a position in which the second support section is retracted into the first support section and a position in which the second support section protrudes from the first support section, the second support section being supported by the first support section; and
a locking mechanism configured to set a lock to the second support section, wherein
when the first support section is in the first position and the second support section is retracted into the first support section, the retracted state is formed,
when the first support section is in the second position and the second support section protrudes from the first support section, the extended state is formed,
the locking mechanism sets the lock to the second support section retracted into the first support section when the first support section is in the first position and, in turn, releases the lock when the first support section is in the second position.

2. The medium support device according to claim 1 , further comprising a base that pivotably supports the first support section, the base being displaced relative to the main body to cause the first support section to transit between the first position and the second position, wherein
the first support section is configured to pivot relative to the base to switch between a transition attitude in which the first support section transits between the first position and the second position and a support attitude in which the first support section supports the medium, and
when the first support section is in the second position and switches from the transition attitude to the support attitude, the locking mechanism releases the lock.

3. The medium support device according to claim 2 , wherein
when the first support section is the support attitude, the base supports the first support section together with a frame of the main body.

4. The medium support device according to claim 3 , wherein
the locking mechanism includes a locking section disposed in the base,
the locking section sets the lock to the second support section retracted into the first support section, and
when the first support section in the second position, the first support section switches from the transition attitude to the support attitude, with a result that the second support section moves away from the locking section to cause the locking section to release the lock.

5. The medium support device according to claim 4 , wherein
while transiting between the first position and the second position, the first support section is restricted to rotating from the transition attitude to the support attitude.

6. The medium support device according to claim 4 , wherein
the first support section switches from the support attitude to the transition attitude while the second support section keeps protruding from the first support section, and then
when the first support section transits from the second position to the first position, the base is configured to warp for the locking section to set the lock to the second support section.

7. The medium support device according to claim 2 , wherein
the locking mechanism includes a locking section disposed in the base,
the locking section sets the lock to the second support section retracted into the first support section, and
when the first support section in the second position, the first support section switches from the transition attitude to the support attitude, with a result that the second support section moves away from the locking section to cause the locking section to release the lock.

8. The medium support device according to claim 7 , wherein
while transiting between the first position and the second position, the first support section is restricted to rotating from the transition attitude to the support attitude.

9. The medium support device according to claim 7 , wherein
the first support section switches from the support attitude to the transition attitude while the second support section keeps protruding from the first support section, and then
when the first support section transits from the second position to the first position, the base is configured to be warped for the locking section to set the lock to the second support section.

10. The medium support device according to claim 9 , further comprising,
a third support section configured to transit between a position in which the third support section is retracted into the second support section and a position in which the third support section protrudes from the second support section, the third support section being supported by the second support section, wherein
the locking mechanism is configured to set a lock to the third support section, and
the locking mechanism sets the lock to the third support section retracted into the second support section when the first support section transits to the first position and, in turn, releases the lock when the first support section transits to the second position.

11. The medium support device according to claim 10 , further comprising:
a second support retainer that keeps a state where the second support section protrudes from the first support section; and
a third support retainer that keeps a state where the third support section protrudes from the second support section, wherein
the second support retainer includes a first coupler and a second coupler, the first coupler being disposed in one of the first support section and the second support section, the second coupler being disposed in the other of the first support section and the second support section, the second coupler being kept in contact with the first coupler by an elastic force,
the third support retainer includes a third coupler and a fourth coupler, the third coupler being disposed in one of the second support section and the third support section, the fourth coupler being disposed in the other of the second support section and the third support section, the fourth coupler being kept in contact with the third coupler by an elastic force,
the second support section is guided at both edges in a width direction by the first support section, the width direction intersecting a direction in which the medium is to be fed,
the third support section is guided at both edges in the width direction by the second support section, and
a distance in the width direction between the third support retainer and a location at which the third support section is guided by the second support section is set to be shorter than a distance between the second support retainer and a location at which the second support section is guided by the first support section.

12. The medium support device according to claim 7 , further comprising,
a third support section configured to transit between a position in which the third support section is retracted into the second support section and a position in which the third support section protrudes from the second support section, the third support section being supported by the second support section, wherein
the locking mechanism is configured to set a lock to the third

Assignees

• Seiko Epson Corp

Inventors

• Takabayashi Kazunori

Classifications

• B65H1/02 Primary

  adapted to support articles on edge · CPC title

• B65H2402/45

  Doors · CPC title

• B41J13/24

  Strips for supporting or holding papers · CPC title

• B65H2405/32

  Supports for sheets partially insertable - extractable, e.g. upon sliding movement, drawer · CPC title

• B65H2405/324

  between operative position and non operative position · CPC title