Paper-out mechanism for printing apparatus

A paper-out mechanism includes a paper out wall and a paper out board. The paper out wall defines a paper out opening. The paper out opening includes a first edge and a second edge facing to the first edge. The paper out board is slidably mounted on the paper out wall below the paper out opening. The paper out board includes an adapter portion which includes a first side and a second side. A distance between the first side and second side is greater than a distance between the first edge and the second edge. The paper out board is slidable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first side is in alignment with the first edge. In the second position, the second side is in alignment with the second edge.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to paper transmitting mechanisms, and particularly to a paper-out mechanism for a printing apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

Generally, a printing apparatus, such as a printer or a photocopying machine, feeds a sheet of paper, prints a desired image on the paper, and discharges the printed paper to a paper out board which is used to carry the printed paper thereon.

In most office environments, a single printing apparatus is used by a plurality of users. Papers printed by different users are often stacked together on the paper out board of the printing apparatus. It is time-consuming and inconvenient to separate different users' printed papers.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, an embodiment of an paper-out mechanism for a printing apparatus10includes a paper out board20and a drive unit30. The printing apparatus10comprises a paper out wall11. The wall11defines a paper out opening13via which printed papers are discharged out of the printing apparatus10. The opening13has a first edge131and a second edge134facing to the first edge131. A pair of securing seats15is formed adjacent to opposite edges131,134of the opening13. Each securing seat15defines a securing hole151. The wall11defines a plurality of fixing holes113below the opening13.

The paper out board20includes a horizontal adapter portion21and a titled load portion23extending from the adapter portion21. A pair of attaching pieces211extends from a bottom side of the adapter portion21. Each attaching piece211defines a first through hole212. A pair of restricting pieces213is formed between the pair of attaching pieces211. Each restricting piece213defines a second through hole215and a receiving hole216. The two second through holes215and the two first through holes212of the pair of attaching pieces211are aligned on a same line.

The adapter portion21has a first side217and a second side218(referring toFIG. 4) facing to the first side217. A distance between the first side217and second side218of the adapter portion21is greater than a distance between the first edge131and the second edge134of the opening13. Thus, a width of the adapter portion21is greater than that of the opening13.

The drive unit30includes a motor31, a guiding pole32, and a sleeve35. The motor31includes a threaded rod34which is capable of being rotated by the motor31. The threaded rod34has external screw threads341thereon. A flange37is formed on the motor31. A plurality of mounting holes371is defined in the flange37.

The guiding pole32is capable of extending through the first through holes212and the second through holes215of the paper out board20and being mounted in the securing holes151of the wall11.

A length of the sleeve35is equal to a distance between the pair of restricting pieces213. The sleeve35is adapted to be sandwiched between the pair of restricting pieces213. A screw hole351is defined in the sleeve35in an axial direction of the sleeve35. The screw hole351forms a plurality of internal screw threads353corresponding to the external screw threads341.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, in assembly of the paper-out mechanism, the sleeve35is firstly sandwiched between the restricting pieces213of the paper out board20. The screw hole351of the sleeve35is aligned with the receiving holes216of the restricting pieces213. The threaded rod34of the motor31extends through a receiving hole216, screws into the screw hole351with the external screw threads341cooperating with the internal screw threads353, and extends through the other receiving hole216.

The guiding pole32is inserted in the first through holes212and the second through holes215. One end of the guiding pole32is secured in one securing hole151of one securing seat15, and the other end of the guiding pole32is secured in the other securing hole151of the other securing seat15. Therefore, the guiding pole32is mounted on the wall11, and the paper out board20is slidable on the guiding pole32. At last, the mounting holes371of the motor31are aligned with the fixing holes113of the wall11. The motor31is then mounted on the wall11via a plurality of screws.

Referring toFIGS. 2 to 4, during the operation, the motor31rotates to drive the threaded rod34in the screw hole351of the sleeve35. Because the motor31is secured on the wall30, the threaded rod34pushes and pulls the sleeve35and the paper out board20sliding on the guiding pole32.

When printing a first file, the motor31drives the paper out board20sliding on the guiding pole32to have the first side217of the paper out board20in alignment with the first edge131of the opening13. Therefore, corresponding printed papers of the first file are located on the load portion23in this position. When printing a second file, the motor drives the paper out board20sliding on the guiding pole32to have the second side218of the paper out board20in alignment with the second edge134of the opening13. Therefore, corresponding printed papers of the second file are located on the load portion23in another position. When printing a third file, the motor31drives the paper out board20sliding to have the first side217in alignment with the first edge131again. Corresponding printed papers of the third file are located on the load portion23in a position which is above the printed papers of the first files. The printed papers of the first and third files are separated by the printed papers of the second file. When printing a fourth file, the paper out board20slides to have the printed papers of the fourth file located above the printed papers of the second files. The printed papers of the second and fourth files are separated by the printed papers of the third files. Thus, printed papers of different files are positioned in staggered fashion on the load portion23. It is then convenient to separate the papers of different printing jobs.