Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus is an in-body sheet discharge type image forming apparatus including an image forming portion and an image reading portion that is arranged above the image forming portion. The image forming apparatus comprises a sheet discharge tray and an operating panel. The sheet discharge tray is provided in an in-body sheet discharge portion between the image forming portion and the image reading station. On the sheet discharge tray, a sheet having been formed with an image by the image forming unit is discharged. The operating panel is provided on a front side of the sheet discharge tray. A part of a rear side of the operating panel overlaps with a sheet placement area having a front edge that is set on a front side compared to a rear end portion of the sheet discharge tray.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

The disclosure of Japanese patent application No. 2017-69718 filed on Mar. 31, 2017 is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, an in-body sheet discharge type image forming apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

An example of a related art is disclosed in Japanese patent application laying-open No. 2007-264067 ┌G03G 15/00┐ (Literature 1) laid-open on Oct. 11, 2007. An image forming apparatus disclosed in this Literature 1 is an in-body sheet discharge type image forming apparatus, comprising a reading portion that reads an image of an original, a discharge portion that is provided below the image reading portion and discharges a sheet having been printed, a stepped portion formed on a front side of the discharge portion, and an operating portion that is arranged on a front side of the stepped portion.

However, in the above-described image forming apparatus, since the stepped portion and the operating portion are arranged on the front side of the discharge portion, there is a problem that the image forming apparatus becomes large in a front and rear direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel image forming apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, capable of reducing a size in the front and rear direction.

A first embodiment is an in-body sheet discharge type image forming apparatus having an image forming portion and an image reading portion that is arranged above the image forming portion, comprising: a sheet discharge tray; and an operating portion. The sheet discharge tray is provided between the image forming portion and the image reading portion. A recording medium having been formed with an image by the image forming portion is discharged on this sheet discharge tray. The operating portion is provided on a front side of the sheet discharge tray. A part of a rear side of the operating portion overlaps with a sheet placement area that the recording medium discharged on the sheet discharge tray is placed. That is, a rear end portion of the operating portion is located on a rear side compared to a front edge of the sheet placement area. However, the sheet placement area means an area that when the largest recording medium used in the image forming apparatus is discharged to the sheet discharge tray, that recording medium exists therein.

According to the first embodiment, since a part of the rear side of the operating portion overlaps with the sheet placement area, it is possible to intend to reduce a size of a front and rear direction of the image forming apparatus. Moreover, according to the first embodiment, since the operating portion is provided on the front side of the sheet discharge tray, a distance from the front face of the image forming apparatus to the operating portion becomes short. Therefore, when a user with a low eyes level, such as a person who uses a wheelchair, a child, etc. uses the image forming apparatus, the user can easily operate the operating portion.

A second embodiment is the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein a front edge of the sheet placement area is located on a front side compared to a front end portion of the sheet discharge tray.

According to the second embodiment, since the front edge of the sheet placement area becomes on the front side compared to the front end portion of the sheet discharge tray, it is possible to intend to miniaturize the image forming apparatus.

A third embodiment is the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein the operating portion is provided on a front descending inclined portion formed between a sheet placement surface of the sheet discharge tray and the image forming portion.

According to the third embodiment, since the operating portion is provided on the front descending inclined portion formed between the sheet placement surface of the sheet discharge tray and the image forming portion, a user tends to visibly recognize the operating portion. Moreover, according to the third embodiment, since a size in a left and right direction of the operating portion can be made small compared to a case where the operating portion is arranged horizontally, it is intend to miniaturize a size in the front and rear direction of image forming apparatus.

A fourth embodiment is the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein the sheet discharge tray has a protruding portion that protrudes toward a front side compared to a rear end portion of the operating portion in above the operating portion.

According to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to support a front end portion of the recording medium by the protruding portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the front end portion of the recording medium from drooping and to ensure visibility of the operating portion.

A fifth embodiment is the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, wherein the operating portion includes a display surface, and a front end portion of the protruding portion is located on a rear side compared to an imaginary surface that a contour of the display surface of the operating portion is extended in a vertical direction with respect to the display surface.

According to the fifth embodiment, since the front end portion of the operating portion is located on the rear side compared to a front face of the operating portion, when the user looks at the operating portion from the front, a line of sight of the user is not interrupted by the protruding portion. Therefore, even if the protruding portion is provided, the visibility of the operating portion can be secured.

A sixth embodiment is the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein the operating portion is arranged on a downstream side in a sheet discharge direction on the front side of the sheet discharge tray.

According to the sixth embodiment, since the operating portion is arranged on the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction in the in-body sheet discharge portion, there is nothing that interrupts a line of sight of the user looking at the operating portion, the visibility of the operating portion is securable.

A seventh embodiment is the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein a rear end portion of the operating portion is located on a rear side compared to the front end portion of the image reading portion.

According to the seventh embodiment, since the rear end portion of the operating portion is located on the rear side compared to the front end portion of the image reading portion, it is possible to miniaturize of the image forming apparatus in the front and rear direction.

An eighth embodiment is the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, further comprising a flat portion that is provided on a front side of the operating portion.

According to the eighth embodiment, since the flat portion that is provided on the front side of the operating portion, the user can operate the operating portion in a state where the user places his/her hand on the flat portion. That is, when operating an operating portion, the flat portion can be used instead of a handrail. Therefore, even when the user using the image forming apparatus is an elder person, a person with a disability in the body, a person using a wheelchair, a person who is injured or a person who is pregnant, etc., it is possible for such a person to operate the operating portion with a comfortable posture.

A ninth embodiment is the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, further comprising a tilt mechanism that supports the operating portion tiltably.

According to the ninth embodiment, since the operating portion is made tiltable by the tilt mechanism, it is possible to adjust an angle of the operating portion at an angle that the user tends to visibly recognize.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a front view showing an external configuration of an image forming apparatus10that is an embodiment according to the present invention.

With reference toFIG. 1, the image forming apparatus10that is one embodiment of the present invention is an in-body sheet discharge type image forming apparatus, which has an in-body sheet discharge portion16provided between an image forming portion12and an image reading portion14. As described later, the image forming apparatus10forms a multicolor or monochromatic image on a predetermined sheet (recording medium) based on image data that is read by the image reading portion14or the like, and discharges the sheet having been formed with an image to the in-body discharge unit16, and stores the sheet. In this first embodiment, the image forming apparatus10is a multifunction machine (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral) having a copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, etc. Moreover, a recording medium is not limited to a sheet made of paper, and sheets other than paper, such as an OHP film, etc. are also used.

In addition, in this specification, on the assumption that a face opposite to a standing position of the user, that is, a face on a side provided with an operating panel (operating portion) described later is a front face (the front), a front and rear direction (depth direction) of the image forming apparatus10and its surroundings is defined, and a left and right direction (lateral direction) of the image forming apparatus10and its surroundings is defined on the basis of a state that the image forming apparatus10is viewed from the user.

At first, basic structure of the image forming apparatus10will be described. As shown inFIG. 1, the image forming apparatus10comprises an image forming portion12and an image reading portion14arranged above the image forming portion12. The image forming portion12includes a first coupling housing20that is formed in a right upper portion and a second coupling housing22that is formed in a rear upper portion, and the image reading portion14is supported by these first coupling housing20and the second coupling housing22. Thus, there is formed below the image reading portion14with an in-body space that is used as the in-body sheet discharge portion16storing the sheet having been formed with the image.

The image forming portion12comprises an exposure unit, a developer, a photoreceptor drum, a charger, an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer roller, a fixing unit, etc. The image forming portion12forms, with an electrophotography system, an image on a sheet that is fed from a sheet feed cassette26etc. arranged below the image forming portion12. That is, the image forming portion12forms an electrostatic latent image according to image data onto the photoreceptor drum by the charger, the exposure unit, etc., and the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum is visualized with a toner by the developer. Moreover, a toner image that is formed on the photoreceptor drum is transferred onto a sheet by the intermediate transfer belt, the transfer roller, etc., and the toner image that is transferred to the sheet is subjected to heat fixing. Then, the sheet having been formed with the image is discharged from a discharge port28that is formed in an upper portion of the first coupling housing20to the in-body sheet discharge portion16. In addition, the image data for forming an image on a sheet may be image data that is read by the image reading portion14, image data that is transmitted from an external computer, etc.

The image reading portion14comprises a housing that has an original platen formed of transparent material on its upper surface. In this housing, there are provided with a light source, a plurality of mirrors, a focusing lens, a line sensor, etc. The image reading portion14exposes a surface of an original by the light source, and leads a reflected light that is reflected from the surface of the original to the focusing lens by the plurality of mirrors. Then, the reflected light is focused onto photoreceptor elements of the line sensor by the focusing lens. The line sensor detects brightness and chromaticity of the reflected light that is focused onto the photoreceptor elements, thereby to produce image data based on an image of the original surface. As the line sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CIS (Contact Image Sensor), etc. may be used. Moreover, an original platen cover30is attached to the upper surface of the image reading portion14to be opened and closed freely via a hinge etc.

The in-body sheet discharge portion16includes a bottom surface and a top surface that are partitioned by the image forming portion12and the image reading portion14, and a right side face is partitioned with the first coupling housing20, and a rear face is partitioned with the second coupling housing22. That is, the in-body sheet discharge portion16is opened at a front surface side and a left surface side, respectively. Moreover, although it is unclear fromFIG. 1, the discharge port28through which the sheet having been formed with the image is discharged is formed in a left side surface of the first coupling housing20. However, a size (length) of the discharge port28in the front and rear direction is set to be larger than a size in a width direction of a sheet when the largest sheet usable in the image forming apparatus10is fed through the image forming portion12.

The sheet discharged from the discharge port28is discharged from a right side (side of the first coupling housing20in the left and right direction) toward a left side (opposite side to the first coupling housing20in the left and right direction).

The bottom surface of the in-body sheet discharge portion16is used as a sheet discharge tray40that receives the sheet discharged from the discharge port28. An upper surface of the sheet discharge tray40functions as a sheet placement plane. The sheet discharge tray40includes a flat surface42and an inclined surface44continuous with the flat surface42. The flat surface42of the sheet discharge tray40is formed on the left of the in-body sheet discharge portion16. An end portion on a right side of the flat surface42in the sheet discharge tray40is located in the right of the center in the left and right direction of the in-body sheet discharge portion16(image forming apparatus10). That is, a length in the left and right direction of the flat surface42of the sheet discharge tray40is longer than a length of a half of the left and right direction of the in-body sheet discharge portion16(image forming apparatus10). The inclined surface44of the sheet discharge tray40is provided on the right side of the in-body sheet discharge portion16, and descends toward the right side (side of the first coupling housing20or opposite side to the flat surface42in the left and right direction).

The sheet discharged from the discharge port28to the sheet discharge tray40slides down on the inclined surface44of the sheet discharge tray40toward the first coupling housing20due to its own weight.

Moreover, although illustration is omitted, a control portion that controls operations of respective components of the image forming apparatus10is provided in a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus10. The control portion comprises a CPU, a memory, etc., and transmits signals to the respective components of the image forming apparatus10according to an input operation to the operating panel18by the user, and the like, thereby to cause the image forming apparatus10to perform various operations.

Subsequently, structure of the operating panel18will be described. The operating panel18includes a display (display portion)52with a touch panel50. The operating panel18is formed in a shape of a laterally elongated substantially rectangular plate. A lateral width (length in the left and right direction) of the operating panel18is set to, for example, approximately a half of a lateral width of the image forming apparatus10. However, a size of the operating panel18can be appropriately changed depending on a size of the display52with the touch panel50, or the like, and is not particularly limited.

On the display52with the touch panel50, software keys (buttons) for receiving various settings or printing instructions from the user, messages, etc. are displayed. As an example, a home screen is displayed on the display52, which is a screen for selecting a desired job out of various kinds of jobs that the image forming apparatus10can perform. However, in this first embodiment, the job means copying (including scanning of the original), printing, facsimile transmission, etc.

In addition, the software key means, for example, a key that is reproduced by software on a display surface of the display52with touch panel50.

The touch panel50is a general-purpose touch panel, and it is possible to use a touch panel of an arbitrary system such as an electrostatic capacitance system, an electromagnetic induction system, a resistance film system, an infrared system, etc. In this first embodiment, a touch panel of an electrostatic capacitance system is used as the touch panel50, and the touch panel50is provided on the display surface of the display52. However, a touch display that the touch panel50and the display52are integrally formed may be used. As the display52, an LCD or EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, etc. can be used, for example.

The operating panel18is provided in the in-body sheet discharge portion16. Specifically, the operating panel18is provided on the front side of the sheet discharge tray40. If the operating panel18is thus provided on the front side of the discharge tray40, there is an advantage that when a user with low eyes level such as a wheelchair user or a child uses the image forming apparatus10, such a user can operate the operating panel18easily. However, if the operating panel18is provided on the front side of the sheet discharge tray40, there is a problem that the image forming apparatus10becomes large in the front and rear direction.

Moreover, if the operating panel18is provided on the front side of the sheet discharge tray40, the sheet placement area that the sheet discharged to the sheet discharge tray40is placed becomes far from the front of the image forming apparatus10. Therefore, there is also a problem of being hard for the user to grasp the sheet discharged to the sheet discharge tray40.

Then, in this first embodiment, it is configured that a part of the operating panels18overlaps with the sheet placement area that the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge tray40is placed.

FIG. 2is a schematic sectional view showing the operating panel18and its surroundings.FIG. 3is a schematic plan view showing the operating panel18and its surroundings. However, inFIG. 3, illustration of the image reading portion14and the original platen cover30is omitted.

As shown inFIG. 2, in the first embodiment, the operating panel18is arranged below the sheet discharge tray40. Moreover, the operating panel18is arranged above the image forming portion12. Therefore, the operating panel18is arranged between the sheet discharge tray40and the image forming portion12.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the operating panel18is arranged on the left side (opposite to the first coupling housing20in the left and right direction) in the in-body sheet discharge portion16(image forming apparatus10). This can also be said that the operating panel18is arranged on a downstream side in a sheet discharge direction in the in-body sheet discharge section16.

Furthermore, a left end portion of the operating panel18is located in a left end portion of the in-body sheet discharge portion16. Specifically, the left end portion of the operating panel18is located on slightly the right side compared to an end portion on a left side of the flat surface42of the sheet discharge tray40(seeFIG. 1). Moreover, a right end portion of the operating panel18is located on the center in the left and right direction of the in-body sheet discharge portion16. Specifically, the right end portion of the operating panel18is located on the left side compared to the end portion on a right side of the flat surface42of the sheet discharge tray40(seeFIG. 1). Therefore, the operating panel18is located on the front (within a range in the left and right direction) of the flat surface42of the sheet discharge tray40.

Moreover, the operating panel18is arranged in a position overlapping with a part of the sheet placement area, when viewed from the above. Specifically, a rear end portion of the operating panel18is located on a rear side compared to an end portion on the front side of the sheet placement area. However, the end portion on the front side of the sheet placement area is located on a front side compared to a front end portion of the sheet discharge tray40. Here, the sheet placement area means an area that even when the largest sheet used in the image forming apparatus10is discharged to the sheet discharge tray40, the sheet concerned can exist. For example, when the largest sheet used in the image forming apparatus10is an A3 size sheet, the sheet placement area is an area corresponding to the size of the A3 size sheet.

However, a sheet that is to be discharged to the sheet discharge tray40is discharged so that the center of the width direction (front and rear direction) of the sheet corresponds to a center reference line CL irrespective of a size of the sheet. Therefore, a position of the front and rear direction of the sheet placement area is set according to the center reference line CL. Specifically, a center position in the front and rear direction of the sheet placement area is set so as to overlap with the center reference line CL.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 2, it is also can be said that the rear end portion of the operating panel18is located in the rear side compared to a front end portion of the discharge port28. However, a size in the front and rear direction (width) of the discharge port28is set larger than the width of the largest sheet that is discharged from the discharge port28. Therefore, the front end portion of the discharge port28is located on the front side compared to the end portion on the front side of the sheet placement area.

Furthermore, a rear end portion of the operating panel28is located on the rear side compared to a front end portion of the image reading portion14. This can also be said that the front end portion of the image reading portion14is protruded toward the front side compared to the rear end portion of the operating panel18.

Since a part of the operating panel18thus overlaps with the sheet placement area that the sheet discharged to the sheet discharge tray40is placed, when the width of the sheet discharged to the sheet discharge tray40is large, a part of the operating panels18may be covered with the sheet. When a size of a half of the width of the sheet discharged to the sheet discharge tray40is larger than a size from the center reference line CL of the sheet placement area to the front end portion of the sheet discharge tray40, a part of the sheet protrudes from the front end portion of the sheet discharge tray40. In such a case, a part of the rear side of the operating panel18is covered with the sheet. In the example shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, when the size of the sheet discharged to the sheet discharge tray40is larger than the A4 size, a part of the rear side of the operating panel18may be covered with the sheet. On the other hand, when the size of the sheet discharged to the sheet discharge tray40is equal to or less than the A4 size, no part of the operating panels18is covered with the sheet.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 2, the operating panel18is provided in parallel with an inclined portion32that is formed between the sheet placement surface of the sheet discharge tray40and the image forming portion12. The inclined portion32ascends toward the rear side (descends toward the front side). For example, the inclined portion32inclines 20 (twenty) degrees with respect to the horizontal. Since the operating panel18is provided in parallel with this inclined portion32, it is inclined to be ascended toward the rear side.

More specifically, the operating panel18is provided (fit) in a concave portion320formed in the inclined portion32. The concave portion320is formed in a shape of a laterally elongated substantially rectangular so as to correspond to an external shape (contour) of the operating panel18. Moreover, an upper surface around the concave portion320in the inclined portion32and a bottom surface of the concave portion320are parallel to each other. Therefore, the operating panel18is arranged so that an upper surface (display surface of the display52) may be rendered parallel to the upper surface of the inclined portion32. Furthermore, a size in a depth direction of the concave portion320is set to be slightly larger than a size in a thickness direction of the operating panel18. Therefore, the upper surface (display surface of the display52) of the operating panel18is located in a depth side (a down side or rear side) of the concave portion320compared to the upper surface of the inclined portion32.

Furthermore, a flat portion34is provided on the front side of the operating panel18. The flat portion34is a plane having an upper surface that is parallel to the original platen or an install surface of the image forming apparatus10, that is, substantially horizontal plane. A size in the front and rear direction of the flat portion34is set to a size large enough to allow the user to put his/her hand (to touch the hand). For example, the size of the front and rear direction of the flat portion34is about 20 mm-40 mm. Moreover, the flat portion34is provided in the front of at least the operating panel18(range corresponding to the operating panel18) in the left and right direction. However, the flat portion34may be provided throughout the left and right direction of the in-body sheet discharge portion16rather than only of the operating panel18.

According to this first embodiment, since a part of the operating panel18overlaps with the sheet placement area that the sheet discharged to the sheet discharge tray40is placed, it is possible to intend to miniaturize the image forming apparatus10in the front and rear direction.

Moreover, according to the first embodiment, since the operating panel18is provided on the front side of the sheet discharge tray40, when a user with a low eyes level uses the image forming apparatus10, such a user tends to operate the operating panel18.

Furthermore, According to the first embodiment, since the operating panel18is provided on the inclined portion32descending toward the front formed between the sheet discharge tray40and the image forming portion12, it is possible for the user to visibly recognize the operating panel18easily. Moreover, since a size in the left and right (horizontal) direction of the operating panel18can be made to be small compared to a case where the operating panel18has been arranged horizontally, it is possible to intend to miniaturize the image forming apparatus10in the front and rear direction.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, since the operating panel18is arranged on the downstream side of the sheet discharge direction in the in-body sheet discharge portion16, it is possible to secure the visibility of the operating panel18.

Moreover, according to the first embodiment, since the rear end portion of the operating panel18is located on the rear side comparted to the front end portion of the image reading portion14, it is possible to intend to miniaturize the image forming apparatus10in the front and rear direction.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the flat portion34is provided on the front side of the operating panel18, the user can operate the operating panel18in a state where the user places his/her hand on the flat portion34. That is, when operating the operating panel18, the flat portion34can be used instead of a handrail. Therefore, even when the user using the image forming apparatus10is an elder person, a person with a disability in the body, a person using a wheelchair, a person who is injured or a person who is pregnant, etc., it is possible for such a person to operate the operating portion with a comfortable posture.

Second Embodiment

In an image forming apparatus10of the second embodiment is the same as the image forming apparatus10of the first embodiment except that a part of the operating panel18is covered by a part of the sheet discharge tray40, when viewed from the above, different contents will be described in detail, and description of duplicate contents will be omitted, or will be described briefly.

FIG. 4is a schematic sectional view showing an operating panel18and its surroundings of the second embodiment. As shown inFIG. 4, in the second embodiment, the sheet discharge tray40has a protruding portion46. The protruding portion46is located above the operating panel18, and protruded toward the front side from an upper end portion on the front side of the sheet discharge tray40.

Moreover, an upper surface of the protruding portion46is a surface continuous from the upper surface of the sheet discharge tray40, that is, the same surface as the upper surface of the sheet discharge tray40. A lower surface of the protruding portion46is inclined descending toward the rear side (ascending toward the front side). The upper surface of the protruding portion46and the lower surface of the protruding portion46intersect to each other to form a corner portion on the front side of the protruding portion46. This corner portion of the front side of the protruding portion46is subjected to rounding processing (corner rounding) so as to become in a shape of a curved surface.

Furthermore, the protruding portion46is provided in a part of the sheet discharge tray40in the left and right direction. Specifically, the protruding portion46is provided in the front (within a range in the left and right direction) of the flat surface42of the discharge tray40in the left and right direction. On the other hand, the protruding portion46is not provided in the front of the inclined surface44of the sheet discharge tray40in the left and right direction.

A position of a front end portion of the protruding portion46is located on the front side compared to the rear end portion of the operating panel18, i.e., protruded toward the front side. That is, the protruding portion46is protruded toward the front side compared to the rear end portion of the operating panel18. Therefore, when viewing from the above (right above), a part of the rear side of the operating panel18is covered with the protruding portion46. That is, a part of the front side of the sheet discharge tray40and a part of the rear side of the operating panel18overlap with each other.

However, a position of the front end portion of the protruding portion46is set to a position that does not interrupt a line of sight of the user who looks at the operating panel18. For example, the position of the front end portion of the protruding portion46is set on the rear side compared to the display surface of the display52, when viewing from a perpendicular direction to the upper surface (display surface of the display52) of the operating panel18. That is, the front end portion of the protruding portion46is located in the rear side compared to an imaginary surface (imaginary line L1shown inFIG. 4) that a contour (external shape line) of the display surface of the display is extended in a vertical direction to the display surface. Moreover, the position of the front end portion of the protruding portion46is located on the rear side compared to an imaginary surface (imaginary line L2shown inFIG. 4) that connects the front end portion of the image reading portion14and the rear end portion of the operating panel18to each other. In this way, when the user looks at the operating panel18, the line of sight of the user is not interrupted by the protruding portion46.

Moreover, the position of the front end portion of the protruding portion46may be set in the rear side compared to the line of sight of the user who looks at the rear end portion of the operating panel18while assuming a case of using the image forming apparatus10in a state where an adult user (a user with high eyes level) stands up. In this case, a direction of the line of sight of the user is set in advance. Then, the position of the front end portion of the protruding portion46is set to the rear side compared to the line of sight of the user in a case assuming that the user looks at a rear end portion of the display52of the operating panel18. Therefore, when the operating panel18is viewed from the front in a state where an adult person is standing, the line of sight of the user is not interrupted by the protruding portion46.

In addition, if the eyes level of the user becomes low, the protruding portion46is less likely to interrupt the line of sight of the user compared to when the eyes level of the user is high. Therefore, if the position of the front end portion of the protruding portion46is set according to the line of sight of the user whose the eyes level is high, the protruding portion46does not interrupt the line of sight of the user when a user whose the eyes level is low, such as a user who uses a wheelchair, a child uses the image forming apparatus10.

According to this second embodiment, the end portion on the front side of the sheet that is discharged to the sheet discharge tray40is supported by the protruding portion46. Therefore, since the end portion on the front side of the sheet becomes hard to droop, it is possible to make an area that the operating panel18is covered by the end portion on the front side of the sheet be small. Therefore, it is possible to ensure visibility of the operating panel18.

Moreover, according to the second embodiment, since the position of the front end portion of the protruding portion46is set to the position that does not interrupt the line of sight of the user who looks at the operating panel18, the line of sight of the user is not interrupted by the protruding portion46. Therefore, it is possible to ensure visibility of the operating panel18.

Third Embodiment

In an image forming apparatus10of the third embodiment is the same as the image forming apparatus10of the first embodiment except that it makes a tilt angle of the operating panel18be changeable, different contents will be described in detail, and description of duplicate contents will be omitted, or will be described briefly.

FIG. 5Ais a schematic sectional view showing a case where an operating panel according to a third embodiment is in a basic state.FIG. 5Bis a schematic sectional view showing a case where a tilt angle of the operating panel according to the third embodiment is changed. The operating panel18of the third embodiment can be changed (tiltable) in a tilt angle in the front and rear (up and down) direction. As shown inFIG. 5A, basically, the operating panel18is provided on the inclined portion32that descends toward the front side, and thus, in a state of slightly descending toward the front side (basic state).

As shown inFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B, the image forming apparatus10of the third embodiment is provided with a tilt mechanism60that supports the operating panel18tiltably. The tilt mechanism60includes a support member62and an axial member64.

The support member62is a member that supports the operating panel18. The support member62is formed in a shape of a laterally elongated substantially rectangular plate. A front end portion of the support member62is formed in a shape of a curved surface. Specifically, the front end portion of the support member62is formed in a shape of a semicircle, when viewed from the left and right direction. Moreover, the front end portion of the support member62is formed with a through hole that is extended in the left and right direction.

Moreover, a size in the left and right direction and a size in the front and rear (up and down) direction of the support member62are set to be larger than a size in the left and right direction and a size in the front and rear (up and down) direction of the operating panel18, respectively. A concave portion620is formed on an upper surface of the support member62. This concave portion620is formed in a shape of a laterally elongated substantially rectangular plate so as to correspond to an external shape of the operating panel18. The operating panel18is fit in the concave portion620of the support member62.

Moreover, in the third embodiment, a concave portion320that is formed in the inclined portion32is formed so as to correspond to an external shape of the support member62. A front end portion of the concave portion320is formed in a shape corresponding to the front end portion of the support member62. Specifically, the front end portion of the concave portion320is formed with a groove in a shape of semicircle when viewed from the left and right direction. However, a radius of the groove formed in the front end portion of the concave portion320is set to be slightly larger than a radius of the front end portion of the support member62.

The axial member64is a columnar member extending in the left and right direction. Although illustration is omitted, both ends of a longitudinal direction of the axial member64are attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus10.

The support member62is tiltably supported by inserting the axial member64into the through hole of the support member62. Moreover, the support member62is rotated around an axis line of the axial member64. However, the support member62is rotated by a manual operation by the user. As the support member62is rotated, the tilt angle of the operating panel18is changed.

As shown inFIG. 5A, the support member62is arranged so that the support member62is fit into the inclined portion32, when the operating panel18is in the basic state.

However, the support member62is not rotated in a direction that the upper surface of the operating panel18faces toward an upper side (the end portion on the rear side moves toward the down side) compared to a case where the operating panel18is in the basic state. It is because the rotation of the support member62is regulated by the inclined portion32. On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 5B, the support member62is tiltable in a direction that the upper surface of the operating panel18faces frontward (the end portion on the rear side moves toward the front side) compared to a case where the operating panel18is in the basic state.

Moreover, the image forming apparatus10of the third embodiment is provided with a retaining mechanism that retains the tilt angle of the support member62at an angle out of a plurality of stages. Although illustration is omitted, for example, as the retaining mechanism, it is possible to use a mechanism utilizing the elasticity of the support member62and the housing of the image forming apparatus10while forming concave-convex forms on the support member62and the housing of the image forming apparatus10(the end portion on the front side of the concave portion320, etc.).

According to this third embodiment, since the tilt angle of the support member62supporting the operating panel18can be changed, it is possible to adjust the tilt angle of the operating panel18to an angle that the user can visually recognize. For example, when a user with low eyes level such as a wheelchair user or a child uses the image forming apparatus10, it is possible to make a direction of the operating panel18correspond to the eyes level of the user.

In addition, it is possible to adopt the configuration shown in the third embodiment in combination with the second embodiment.

Moreover, although the rear end portion of the operating panel18is made to be located on the rear side compared to the front end portion of the image reading portion14in the above-described embodiment, it does not need to be limited to this. The front end portion of the operating panel18may be made to be located on the front side compared to the front end portion of the image reading portion14. In this way, it becomes easy to visually recognize the operating panel18.

Furthermore, although the flat portion34is provided on the front side of the operating panel18in the above-described embodiment, it does not need to be limited to this. The flat portion34may not be provided. In this way, it is possible to miniaturize of the image forming apparatus10in the front and rear direction.

Furthermore, although it is made for the operating panel18to include the display52with touch panel50in the above-described embodiment, it does not need to be limited to this. The operating panel18may include a hardware key(s) (key provided as a physical device) instead of or in addition to the display52with touch panel50.

As described above, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. It should be noted that the above-described specific embodiments are all mere examples, and to be changed appropriately in accordance with specifications of the actual products.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims. Furthermore, it is intended that the scope of the present invention covers all modifications within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims.