JP6459753B2 - Image forming apparatus and cassette - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a cassette.

  In some cases, a sheet with high economic value is printed using an image forming apparatus. For example, it is a case where a numerical value such as a monetary amount is printed on a securities sheet using an image forming apparatus.

  In such a case, there is a risk that the security paper set in the cassette of the image forming apparatus may be economically lost by being stolen by a third party. In view of this, there is an image forming apparatus in which the cassette can be locked in order to prevent theft of highly economical paper set in the cassette.

  For example, an image forming apparatus is known in which after a cassette is stored in the image forming apparatus, the cassette is not pulled out from the apparatus main body by locking with a locking means provided on the front surface of the cassette (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

  However, in the prior art, since the keyhole relating to the locking means is provided on the front surface of the cassette, the aesthetic appearance applied to the apparatus main body is changed.

  Therefore, an object of the embodiment is to provide a locking unit in the cassette while maintaining an aesthetic appearance without changing the appearance of the image forming apparatus.

  In the embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a cassette including a paper storage unit that stores paper to be fed, and a storage unit that stores the cassette. Locking means for limiting the pull-out amount is provided, and the cassette can be operated from an exposed portion inside the cassette, and the sheet storage portion cannot be seen from the outside at the position of the limited pull-out amount. An image forming apparatus is provided.

  According to the embodiment, the locking means can be provided on the cassette while maintaining the aesthetic appearance without changing the appearance of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment viewed from the front side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view when a part of a paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is taken out. 1 is a side view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a structure of a paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a structure of a paper feed cassette when a locking unit is installed in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a latch and a cylinder lock when the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is unlocked or locked. FIG. 3 is a side view of the image forming apparatus when the paper feeding cassette is pulled out in a state where the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is locked. It is the perspective view which looked at the image forming apparatus concerning a 2nd embodiment from the front side. FIG. 10 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a paper feed cassette in a state where an inner cover is set in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a sheet feeding cassette in a state where an inner cover is set in an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has substantially the same function structure, the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

[First Embodiment]
(Appearance of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the front side. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed cassette 2 and a paper discharge tray 3. The paper feed cassette 2 is a cassette that stores printing paper. The paper feed cassette 2 includes a handle 7 that is gripped when the paper feed cassette 2 is pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the paper feed cassette 2 is stored in storage means 28 described later.

  The paper discharge tray 3 stocks paper that has undergone image forming processing. The paper discharge tray 3 is disposed on the top of the paper feed cassette 2 and covers the top of the paper feed cassette 2. That is, when the paper feed cassette 2 is stored in the image forming apparatus 1, the upper portion is covered by the paper discharge tray 3 and the hand cannot be directly put in.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view when a part of the paper feed cassette 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is taken out. The image forming apparatus 1 supports the paper feed cassette 2 so that it can slide inward and outward. The paper feed cassette 2 can be pulled out of the image forming apparatus 1 by pulling the handle 7 with a predetermined force and sliding it outward.

(Configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed cassette 2 that takes out a paper P on which an image is to be formed, a carriage 4 that forms an image on the paper P, a transport unit 5 that transports the paper P to an ink ejection port of the carriage 4, and an image. And a paper discharge unit 6 for discharging the formed paper P ′.

  The paper feed cassette 2 includes a fulcrum 22, a bottom plate 23, a left side fence 24 and an end fence 26. Further, the sheet feeding cassette 2 includes a right side fence 25 that is not shown in FIG. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed roller 10, a separation unit 11, and a relay roller 12. Note that the left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 are examples of sheet position regulating means (fixing means).

  In addition, the paper feed cassette 2 is accommodated in an accommodation unit 28 that is an accommodation space provided in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The bottom plate 23 is rotatably supported with a fulcrum 22 disposed in the paper feed cassette 2 as a fulcrum. When the image forming apparatus 1 takes out the paper P from the paper storage unit 27 and transports the paper P toward the transporting unit 5, the image forming apparatus 1 rotates the bottom plate 23 with the fulcrum 22 as a fulcrum to bring the paper P into contact with the paper feed roller 10. The image forming apparatus 1 rotates the paper feed roller 10 in a state where the paper P is in contact with the paper feed roller 10, so that the paper P is separated into one sheet by the separation unit 11 and then the paper P is relayed by the relay roller 12. Transport to. The relay roller 12 sandwiches the paper P transported from the paper feed roller 10 by two rollers and transports it to the transporting unit 5.

  In the paper storage unit 27, various sizes of paper such as securities paper and plain paper can be set.

  The transport unit 5 includes a transport belt 13, a transport roller 14, a tension roller 15, a pressure roller 16, and a roller 17. The conveyor belt 13 includes a conveyor roller 14 and a tension roller 15. The pressure roller 16 is provided at a position facing the conveyance roller 14 with the conveyance belt 13 interposed therebetween. The roller 17 is provided at a position facing the tension roller 15 with the conveyance belt 13 interposed therebetween.

  The conveyor belt 13 moves around in a state of being stretched by the conveyor roller 14 and the tension roller 15.

  By rotating and driving the transport roller 14 by a sub-scanning motor (not shown), the transport belt 13 tensions the paper P sent from the relay roller 12 by being sandwiched between the transport roller 14 and the pressure roller 16 and sent out. It is conveyed in the direction of the roller 15. When transporting the paper P, the transport belt 13 may electrostatically attract the paper P onto the transport belt 13 by charging the surface thereof. Further, the transport roller 14 may be rotated at a timing in accordance with the movement of the carriage 4 by a sub scanning motor (not shown).

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a carriage 4 and a slide rail 18. The carriage 4 is supported by a slide rail 18 supported by an apparatus structure (not shown), and is configured to be moved and scanned in the back and front directions in FIG. 3 by a driving means (not shown). The recording heads may be arranged in a line in the width direction of the carriage 4 so that the carriage 4 is not moved and scanned.

  The carriage 4 includes a recording head. For example, the recording head includes a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element, a thermal actuator that uses a phase change caused by liquid film boiling using an electrothermal transducer such as a heating resistor, and a shape memory alloy actuator that uses a metal phase change caused by a temperature change. And an electrostatic actuator using an electrostatic force. The recording head generates pressure for discharging droplets.

  The carriage 4 includes recording heads for each color that eject ink droplets such as yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk). The recording heads of the respective colors are arranged with the ink discharge ports directed in the paper feeding direction. Further, the carriage 4 includes a head tank for each color that stores each color ink to be supplied to each recording head. Each recording head is supplied with respective ink from a head tank of each color via a supply tube having plasticity.

  The paper discharge unit 6 includes a paper discharge tray 3, a paper discharge roller 19, and a paper discharge roller 20. The image forming apparatus 1 sandwiches the paper P ′, which has been subjected to image formation, sent from the conveying unit 5 between the paper discharge roller 19 and the paper discharge roller 20, and rotates the paper discharge roller 19 to feed the paper P ′. It is conveyed to the paper discharge tray 3.

(Structure of paper cassette)
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the structure of the paper feed cassette 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The paper feed cassette 2 includes a paper feed cassette frame 21, a fulcrum 22, a bottom plate 23, a left side fence 24, a right side fence 25, and an end fence 26. The left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 are paper regulation members that are used when the paper P is stored at appropriate positions in the paper feed cassette frame 21 in order to achieve appropriate printing position accuracy. The left side fence 24 and the right side fence 25 are installed at positions that go straight in the paper transport direction. The end fence 26 is installed at a position on the handle 7 side of the paper feed cassette 2 in the paper transport direction.

  The left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 can be moved according to the size of the paper P along the groove provided in the paper feed cassette frame 21. The left side fence 24 and the right side fence 25 can move in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction. Further, the end fence 26 can move in the paper transport direction. For example, the left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 can be moved in accordance with various paper sizes such as A3 size, A4 size, and B5 size. In FIG. 4, a dotted line portion surrounded by the left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 is a sheet storage unit 27.

(Regulation of paper drawer drawer amount)
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the structure of the paper feed cassette 2 when the locking means 30 is installed in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the locking means 30 is installed in the paper feed cassette 2 of FIG. The locking means 30 includes a latch 31 and a cylinder lock 32. The bracket 33 supports the latch 31 and the cylinder lock 32. The latch 31 is movable in the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette 2. The latch 31 fits inside the paper feed cassette 2 when the cylinder lock 32 is unlocked. On the other hand, when the cylinder lock 32 is rotated in the locking direction, the latch 31 is fixed in a state of protruding to the outside of the paper feed cassette 2.

  Further, the bracket 33 is configured to be detachable from the paper feed cassette 2 so that the locking means 30 can be removed when the locking means 30 is unnecessary, such as storing large plain paper in the paper storage portion 27. Also good. Note that the latch 31 is an example of a protruding portion.

  Thus, the locking means 30 can be provided in the paper feed cassette 2 without greatly changing the overall structure of the paper feed cassette 2 by configuring the locking means 30 to be detachable.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the latch 31 and the cylinder lock 32 when unlocked. The cylinder lock 32 includes a tag 32A. When the cylinder lock 32 is unlocked, the tag 32A does not contact the latch 31 as shown in FIG. In such a case, the latch 31 is in a state of being housed inside the paper feed cassette 2, and the paper feed cassette 2 can be pulled out from the storage means 28.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the latch 31 and the cylinder lock 32 when locked. In the image forming apparatus 1, when the cylinder lock 32 is rotated in the locking direction, the tag 32 </ b> A is rotated in the direction of the latch 31 and comes into contact with the inclined surface portion of the latch 31. Subsequently, the tag 32 </ b> A slides up the slope portion of the latch 31 to push up the latch 31 in the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette 2. The tag 32A fixes the latch 31 so as to support the bottom of the latch 31 so that the latch 31 is not pushed down. In such a case, the amount of the paper cassette 2 drawn out from the storage means 28 is limited while the latch 31 protrudes outside the paper cassette 2.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of the image forming apparatus 1 when the paper feeding cassette 2 is pulled out in a state where the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is locked. The case where the paper feed cassette 2 is pulled out in a locked state will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 according to FIG. 7 has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 3 except for the bracket 33 attached to the paper feed cassette 2.

  When the paper feed cassette 2 is locked, the latch 31 is fixed in a state of being pushed up by the tag 32A. Therefore, the latch 31 is in a state in which the latch 31 protrudes outside the sheet feeding cassette 2. In this case, when the paper cassette 2 is to be pulled out, the latch 31 comes into contact with a member fixed to the outer frame of the accommodating means 28 as shown in FIG. For this reason, when the paper feed cassette 2 is locked, the pull-out amount of the paper feed cassette 2 is limited. Further, the drawing amount of the paper feed cassette 2 may be limited by bringing the latch 31 into contact with the lower portion of the paper discharge tray 3 fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.

  Further, when the paper cassette 2 is pulled out while the paper cassette 2 is locked, the cylinder lock 32 is exposed to the outside and can be unlocked, so that the restriction on the amount of withdrawal can be released. Become. On the other hand, even if the paper cassette 2 is pulled out while the paper cassette 2 is locked, the paper storage unit 27 remains in the storage means 28 and is not exposed to the outside. The paper P cannot be taken out. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 2 from being touched or taken out from the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 while the paper feed cassette 2 is locked. Can be prevented.

  Further, when unlocking the paper feed cassette 2, by inserting a key into the cylinder lock 32 exposed to the outside and rotating it in the unlocking direction, the latch 31 is released and the latch 31 is pushed down. The latch 31 is accommodated inside the sheet cassette 2. That is, the operation means 30 can be operated from the exposed portion of the paper feed cassette 2 at the position of the limited drawer amount of the paper feed cassette 2. As a result, when the paper feed cassette 2 is pulled out, the latch 31 does not come into contact with the member fixed to the outer frame of the storage means 28, and the restriction on the amount of drawer of the paper feed cassette 2 is released.

  According to the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, since the cylinder lock 32 and the like are provided inside the paper feed cassette 2, the aesthetic appearance can be maintained without changing the appearance of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.

  Further, the locking means 30 can be attached if there is a space to accommodate in the paper feed cassette 2, so that the locking means 30 becomes unnecessary when storing a large sheet in the paper feed cassette. It can also be removed.

[Second Embodiment]
(Appearance of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the front side. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same symbols. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed cassette 2 and a paper discharge tray 3. The paper feed cassette 2 includes an inner cover 34. In the second embodiment, a case where the locking means 30 is attached to the inner cover 34 will be described.

  The inner cover 34 is a cover that covers all or part of the paper feed cassette 2 so that the inside of the paper feed cassette 2 cannot be seen when the paper feed cassette 2 is pulled out while the paper feed cassette 2 is locked. is there. For example, the inner cover 34 covers from the edge on the front surface side of the sheet feeding cassette 2 to the end fence 26. The inner cover 34 is an example of cover means that covers at least a portion exposed to the outside when the amount of drawer of the cassette is limited.

  Moreover, the inner cover 34 supports the latch 31 and the cylinder lock 32 similarly to the bracket 33 according to the first embodiment.

  The inner cover 34 prevents the paper cassette 2 from being removed from the paper cassette 2 when the paper cassette 2 is locked and the drawer amount of the paper cassette 2 is limited, and the paper cassette 2 is unlocked. When the paper cassette 2 is pulled out, it may be removed from the paper cassette 2. In such a case, the locking means 30 can be removed from the image forming apparatus 1 together with the inner cover 34 by removing the inner cover 34.

  In addition, although the case where the locking means 30 was attached to the inner cover 34 was demonstrated, it is not limited to this. For example, after the locking unit 30 is provided in the sheet feeding cassette 2, an inner cover 34 having a hole in the locking unit 30 may be attached to the sheet feeding cassette 2 so as to cover the portion other than the locking unit 30.

  According to the image forming apparatus 1 of the second embodiment, it is possible to more reliably prevent a third party from seeing the paper set in the paper feed cassette 2. In addition, when the paper cassette 2 is pulled out while the paper cassette 2 is locked, the paper cassette 2 is covered with the inner cover 34 from above, so that a third party puts a hand into the paper cassette 2. And theft by a third party can be prevented more reliably.

[Third Embodiment]
(Structure of paper cassette)
FIG. 9A is a plan view of the paper feed cassette 2 in a state where the inner cover 34 is set in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same symbols. The paper feed cassette 2 includes a paper feed cassette frame 21, a bottom plate 23, a left side fence 24, a right side fence 25, an end fence 26, a latch 31 and a cylinder lock 32.

  The left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 can be moved according to the size of the paper P along the groove provided in the paper feed cassette frame 21.

  The inner cover 34 is disposed so as to cover the left side fence 24, the right side fence 25 and the end fence 26. Further, the inner cover 34 may be disposed so as to cover the entire moving region of the end fence 26.

  The movement restricting means 35a, the movement restricting means 35b, and the movement restricting means 35c are attached to the back surface of the inner cover 34. The movement restricting means 35a, the movement restricting means 35b, and the movement restricting means 35c are arranged to be movable corresponding to the respective moving ranges of the left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26.

  The movement restricting means 35a, the movement restricting means 35b, and the movement restricting means 35c each have a fixing member (not shown). The movement restricting means 35a, the movement restricting means 35b, and the movement restricting means 35c are fixed at positions corresponding to the left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 by the respective fixing members.

  Subsequently, when the inner cover 34 is attached to the paper feed cassette 2, the movement restricting means 35a, the movement restricting means 35b, and the movement restricting means 35c are fitted to the left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26, respectively. Each sheet regulating member is fixed from above.

  FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the paper feed cassette 2 corresponding to the position of the line α-α in FIG. A left side fence 24 and a right side fence 25 are installed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette frame 21. On the back surface of the inner cover 34, movement restriction means 35 a and movement restriction means 35 b are disposed at positions corresponding to the left side fence 24 and the right side fence 25.

  The left side fence 24 and the right side fence 25 are fixed to the sheet cassette frame 21 from above by being fitted to the movement restricting means 35a and the movement restricting means 35b. Note that the end fence 26 not shown in FIG. 9B is also fixed by the movement restricting means 35 c in the same manner as the left side fence 24 and the right side fence 25.

  Although the movement restricting means 35a, the movement restricting means 35b, and the movement restricting means 35c have been described as being movably disposed on the back surface of the inner cover 34, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the movement restricting means 35a, the movement restricting means 35b, and the movement restricting means 35c may be fixed in advance at the position of each paper restricting member corresponding to a predetermined paper size.

  According to the image forming apparatus 1 of the third embodiment, in addition to preventing theft by a third party, each of the left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 is fixed from above by the inner cover 34. Further, it is possible to prevent the left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 from falling down or from being displaced due to an impact when the sheet feeding cassette 2 is accommodated in the main body. Thereby, the precision of a printing position can be improved.

[Fourth Embodiment]
(Structure of paper cassette)
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the paper feed cassette 2 in a state where the inner cover 34 is set in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same symbols. The paper feed cassette 2 includes a paper feed cassette frame 21, a bottom plate 23, a left side fence 24, a right side fence 25, an end fence 26, a latch 31 and a cylinder lock 32.

  The left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 can be moved according to the size of the paper P along the groove provided in the paper feed cassette frame 21.

  The inner cover 34 includes an opening 36 a corresponding to the movement range of the left side fence 24, an opening 36 b corresponding to the movement range of the right side fence 25, and an opening 36 c corresponding to the movement range of the end fence 26. The openings 36a and 36b are openings having a slit shape formed in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. On the other hand, the opening 36c is an opening having a slit shape formed in the paper feeding direction.

  The left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 have screw holes (not shown), and screws 37a, 37b, and 37c are screwed into the respective screw holes. In the fourth embodiment, the set of the left side fence 24 and the screw 37a, the right side fence 25 and the screw 37b, the end fence 26 and the screw 37c is an example of a sheet position regulating unit.

  The heads of the screws 37a, 37b, and 37c are exposed to the outside of the inner cover 34, respectively. The shaft portions of the screw 37a, the screw 37b, and the screw 37c pass through the opening 36a, the opening 36b, and the opening 36c. The screw 37a, the screw 37b, and the screw tip of the screw 37c are attached by screwing into the screw holes of the left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26, respectively.

  The left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 can be moved within the respective movement ranges with the heads of the screws 37a, 37b, and 37c, respectively.

  The diameters of the heads of the screws 37a, 37b, and 37c are larger than the widths of the slit-shaped openings 36a, 36b, and 36c. The screws 37a, 37b and 37c are placed on the left side fence so that the inner cover 34 is sandwiched between the heads of the screws 37a, 37b and 37c and the left side fence 24, right side fence 25 and end fence 26, respectively. 24, the left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26 can be fixed to the sheet cassette frame 21 by being screwed into the screw holes of the right side fence 25 and the end fence 26.

  According to the image forming apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment, the inner cover 34 is attached to the paper feed cassette 2, and each of them is moved using screws attached to the left side fence 24, the right side fence 25, and the end fence 26. Or can be fixed to each other, which contributes to user convenience.

  Further, since it is not necessary to change the support shape of the inner cover 34, a wide space for storing paper can be secured.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the case where the image forming apparatus 1 is an ink jet printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a laser printer or the like.

  In the drawings shown in the first to fourth embodiments, the locking means 30 is provided on the left side of the paper feed cassette 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the paper feed cassette 2 is pulled out, the locking means 30 may be provided in the space where the paper feed cassette 2 is exposed.

  In the second to fourth embodiments, the case where the inner cover 34 covers from the edge on the front surface side of the sheet feeding cassette 2 to the end fence 26 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the inner cover 34 may be disposed so as to cover at least a gap generated when the paper cassette 2 is pulled out while the paper cassette 2 is locked.

  The image forming apparatus 1 has been described above by way of the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be made within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Paper feed cassette 3 Paper discharge tray 4 Carriage 5 Carrying means 6 Paper discharge means 7 Handle 24 Left side fence 25 Right side fence 26 End fence 27 Paper storage part 28 Storage means 30 Locking means 31 Latch 32 Cylinder lock 33 Bracket 34 Inner cover 35a, 35b, 35c Movement restricting means 36a, 36b, 36c Opening 37a, 37b, 37c Screw

JP-A-11-309104

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus having a cassette including a paper storage unit for storing paper to be fed, and a storage unit for storing the cassette,
Inside the cassette is provided with locking means for limiting the amount of drawer from the cassette housing means,
The cassette is an image forming apparatus in which the sheet storage portion cannot be seen from the outside and the locking means can be operated from the outside at the position of the limited withdrawal amount.   The locking means includes a protrusion that protrudes to the outside of the cassette when the drawer amount of the cassette is restricted, and the protrusion abuts on the storage means at the position of the restricted drawer amount. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The cassette is to limit the withdrawn amount of the cassette, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2 including a cover means for covering a portion exposed at least on the outside of the sheet retract and unit. The cover means is covered in whole or in part, and further provided with a fixing means for fixing the paper at a predetermined position of the paper storage unit by moving according to the size of the paper,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cover unit includes a movement regulating unit that regulates movement of the fixing unit. The cover means is covered in whole or in part, and further provided with a fixing means for fixing the paper at a predetermined position of the paper storage unit by moving according to the size of the paper,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cover unit includes an opening opened corresponding to a movable range of the fixed fixing unit covered.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locking unit is removable from the cassette. A cassette including a paper storage unit that stores paper to be fed and stored in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus,
Inside the cassette is provided with locking means for limiting the amount of drawer from the cassette housing means,
The cassette is a cassette in which the sheet storage portion is not visible from the outside and the locking means can be operated from the outside at the position of the limited withdrawal amount.

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