Patent ID: 7770886
Filing Date: 2010-08-10
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A sheet feed tray, comprising: a bottom plate including a first surface on which a sheet is to be placed and a second surface opposite the first surface, the bottom plate further including first and second parallel sides extending along a width direction of the sheet to be placed thereon; first and second side fences disposed on the first surface of the bottom plate for positioning opposite first and second widthwise sides of the sheet placed on the first surface of the bottom plate; a first supporting member disposed on the second surface of the bottom plate and connected to the first side fence at positions outward from the first and second sides of the bottom plate; a second supporting member disposed on the second surface of the bottom plate and connected to the second side fence at positions outward from the first and second sides of the bottom plate; an interlocking mechanism for interlocking movements of the first and second side fences in directions toward and away from each other, the interlocking mechanism including a first rack integrally attached to the first supporting member and not formed integrally to the second supporting member, a second rack integrally attached to the second supporting member and not formed integrally to the first supporting member, the first and second racks being formed with toothed surfaces opposed to each other and being movable along the second surface of the bottom plate, and a pinion provided on the second surface of the bottom plate and being rotatable about a central axis of the pinion thereof, the pinion being engageable with both of the first and second racks; locking projections disposed at the first and second supporting members and projecting toward the second surface of the bottom plate; and contact portions disposed at the second surface of the bottom plate and engageable with the locking projections with the first and second side fences maximally or minimally spaced apart from each other, wherein the second surface of the bottom plate is recessed to form a recessed groove which extends in moving directions of the first and second side fences and into which the locking projections are fittable, and the contact portions are end walls formed at ends of the recessed groove.