Housing and image forming apparatus

A housing includes a body portion, including an opening, and a cover portion that covers the opening. The cover portion includes a first cover and a second cover that is perpendicular to the first cover. The first cover includes a cover body that is platy. A projection projects from the cover body. A first attachment is mounted on the projection and attaches the first cover to the body portion. A second attachment is disposed on the first attachment and attaches the second cover to the first cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-049598, filed on Mar. 16, 2018, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

Exemplary aspects of the present disclosure relate to a housing and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a housing having a plurality of covers and an image forming apparatus incorporating the housing.

Discussion of the Background Art

Related-art image forming apparatuses, such as copiers, facsimile machines, printers, and multifunction peripherals (MFP) having two or more of copying, printing, scanning, facsimile, plotter, and other functions, typically form an image on a recording medium according to image data by electrophotography.

A laser printer, as one example of such image forming apparatuses, includes a body having a rectangular box shape. The body accommodates various processing devices, such as a photoconductive drum, a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, and a fixing device, which are supported by a frame.

A front cover that is also used as a bypass sheet feeder (e.g., a bypass tray) and is openable and closable covers a front of the body. A left side cover and a right side cover cover a left side and a right side of the body, respectively. A rear cover covers a rear of the body. A top cover covers a top of the body. The front cover, the left side cover, the right side cover, and the rear cover serve as exterior covers. An attachment is molded with a lower rear end of the right side cover. The attachment is bent inward perpendicularly relative to a surface of the right side cover. The right side cover includes a rectangular opening through which an operator accesses an inside of the body. An auxiliary cover covers the opening.

The plurality of exterior covers that covers the body may include a first exterior cover, a second exterior cover, and a third exterior cover. An attachment position where the first exterior cover is attached to the second exterior cover may be different from an attachment position where the third exterior cover is attached to the first exterior cover. Accordingly, dimensional tolerances may accumulate, causing difficulty in placing the second exterior cover at a predetermined position. Consequently, the plurality of exterior covers may not be positioned precisely.

SUMMARY

This specification describes below an improved housing. In one embodiment, the housing includes a body portion, including an opening, and a cover portion that covers the opening. The cover portion includes a first cover and a second cover that is perpendicular to the first cover. The first cover includes a cover body that is platy. A projection projects from the cover body. A first attachment is mounted on the projection and attaches the first cover to the body portion. A second attachment is disposed on the first attachment and attaches the second cover to the first cover.

This specification further describes an improved image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a finisher that performs finishing on a recording medium and a housing that covers the finisher. The housing includes a body portion, including an opening, and a cover portion that covers the opening. The cover portion includes a first cover and a second cover that is perpendicular to the first cover. The first cover includes a cover body that is platy. A projection projects from the cover body. A first attachment is mounted on the projection and attaches the first cover to the body portion. A second attachment is disposed on the first attachment and attaches the second cover to the first cover.

This specification further describes an improved image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes an image reader that reads an image on an original, an image forming portion that forms the image on a recording medium, and a housing that is interposed between the image reader and the image forming portion in a vertical direction. The housing includes a body portion, including an opening, and a cover portion that covers the opening. The cover portion includes a first cover and a second cover that is perpendicular to the first cover. The first cover includes a cover body that is platy. A projection projects from the cover body. A first attachment is mounted on the projection and attaches the first cover to the body portion. A second attachment is disposed on the first attachment and attaches the second cover to the first cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, particularly toFIG. 1, an image forming apparatus1according to an embodiment is explained.

The image forming apparatus1may be a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer, a multifunction peripheral or a multifunction printer (MFP) having at least two of copying, printing, scanning, facsimile, and plotter functions, or the like.

In the drawings, identical reference numerals are assigned to identical elements and equivalents and redundant descriptions of the identical elements and the equivalents are summarized or omitted properly.

Referring toFIG. 1, a description is provided of a construction and an operation of an entirety of the image forming apparatus1.

The image forming apparatus1according to this embodiment forms an image by electrophotography. The image forming apparatus1is a tandem color image forming apparatus in which a plurality of process cartridges10Y,10M,10C, and10BK is aligned and disposed opposite an intermediate transfer belt17.

FIG. 1illustrates a color copier as the image forming apparatus1. An original conveyer3conveys an original to an image reader4. The image reader4(e.g., a scanner) reads an image on the original into image data. A writer6(e.g., an exposure device) emits a laser beam according to the image data sent from the image reader4. A sheet feeder7(e.g., a sheet feeding tray or a paper tray) stores sheets P (e.g., transfer sheets). The process cartridges10Y,10M,10C, and10BK serve as image forming devices that form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images, respectively. The intermediate transfer belt17serves as a transferor transferred with the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images such that the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt17to form a full color toner image. A secondary transfer roller18transfers the full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt17onto a sheet P serving as a recording medium. A fixing device20fixes the unfixed full color toner image on the sheet P. Toner bottles28supply yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners to developing devices of the process cartridges10Y,10M,10C, and10BK, respectively. An optional device30is a finisher that performs finishing on the sheet P.

In the image forming apparatus1according to this embodiment, a sheet ejection device5onto which the sheet P is ejected is disposed in a space between an image forming portion10and the image reader4. The image forming portion10is a main section that performs image formation and includes the image forming devices (e.g., the process cartridges10Y,10M,10C, and10BK). For example, the sheet P bearing the desired full color toner image on a surface of the sheet P is ejected into the space between the image forming portion10and the image reader4as an output image. The sheet ejection device5, the image reader4(e.g., the scanner), and the image forming portion10construct an internal sheet ejection device91serving as an internal sheet ejection portion. The optional device30is removably installed at a position upstream from the sheet ejection device5in a sheet conveyance direction, that is, on the right of the sheet ejection device5inFIG. 1. The optional device30performs finishing, such as punching, aligning, and binding, on the sheets P ejected from the image forming portion10. Photoconductive drums11(e.g., photoconductors) serving as image bearers, developing devices, and cleaners are combined into the process cartridges10Y,10M,10C, and10BK serving as the image forming devices, respectively. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are formed on the photoconductive drums11, serving as the image bearers, of the process cartridges10Y,10M,10C, and10BK, respectively.

A description is provided of image forming processes for forming a full color toner image, which are performed by the image forming apparatus1.

A conveyance roller of the original conveyer3conveys an original placed on an original tray onto an exposure glass of the image reader4. The image reader4optically reads an image on the original placed on the exposure glass. For example, the image reader4irradiates and scans the image on the original placed on the exposure glass with light emitted from a lamp. The light reflected by the original is reflected by a plurality of mirrors and is traveled through a lens to a color sensor that forms an image. The color sensor reads color image information of the image on the original per color separation light for red (R), green (G), and blue (B) and then converts the color image information into electric image signals. An image processor performs processing such as color conversion, color correction, and spatial frequency correction based on the electric image signals for RGB color separation, thus creating yellow, magenta, cyan, and black image data.

The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black image data is sent to the writer6. The writer6irradiates the photoconductive drums11of the process cartridges10Y,10M,10C, and10BK with laser beams (e.g., exposure light) according to the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black image data, respectively.

In each of the four process cartridges10Y,10M,10C, and10BK, the photoconductive drum11rotates clockwise inFIG. 1. A charger (e.g., a charging roller) uniformly charges a surface of the photoconductive drum11at a charging position where the charger is disposed opposite the photoconductive drum11. Thus, a charging potential is produced on the photoconductive drum11. Thereafter, the charged surface of the photoconductive drum11reaches an irradiation position where the laser beam irradiates the photoconductive drum11. A light source of the writer6emits the laser beam according to the electric image signal for corresponding color. After the laser beam enters a polygon mirror and is reflected by the polygon mirror, the laser beam is transmitted through a plurality of lenses. After transmission through the plurality of lenses, the laser beam passes through an optical path separately provided for each color component of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

The laser beam corresponding to the color component of yellow irradiates the surface of the leftmost photoconductive drum11of the process cartridge10Y inFIG. 1. The polygon mirror rotating at high speed causes the laser beam corresponding to the color component of yellow to scan the photoconductive drum11in an axial direction thereof, that is, a main scanning direction. Thus, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the color component of yellow is formed on the photoconductive drum11that is charged by the charging roller.

Similarly, the laser beam corresponding to the color component of magenta irradiates the surface of the photoconductive drum11of the process cartridge10M, that is, the second photoconductive drum11from the left inFIG. 1, thus forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the color component of magenta. The laser beam corresponding to the color component of cyan irradiates the surface of the photoconductive drum11of the process cartridge10C, that is, the third photoconductive drum11from the left inFIG. 1, thus forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the color component of cyan. The laser beam corresponding to the color component of black irradiates the surface of the photoconductive drum11of the process cartridge10BK (e.g., the image forming device that forms a black toner image), that is, the fourth photoconductive drum11from the left inFIG. 1or the most downstream photoconductive drum11in a rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt17, thus forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the color component of black.

Thereafter, the surface of the photoconductive drum11bearing the electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color component reaches a developing position where the developing device is disposed opposite the photoconductive drum11. The developing device supplies toner corresponding to each color component onto the photoconductive drum11, developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductive drum11into a toner image. Thereafter, the surface of the photoconductive drum11after developing reaches a primary transfer position where the intermediate transfer belt17is disposed opposite the photoconductive drum11. A primary transfer roller14is disposed at each primary transfer position such that the primary transfer roller14contacts an inner circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt17. The primary transfer rollers14, at the primary transfer positions, primarily transfer yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images formed on the photoconductive drums11onto the intermediate transfer belt17serving as an image bearer successively such that the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are superimposed on a same position on the intermediate transfer belt17to form a full color toner image.

After primary transfer, the surface of each of the photoconductive drums11reaches a cleaning position where the cleaner is disposed opposite the photoconductive drum11. The cleaner collects toner failed to be transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt17and therefore remained on the photoconductive drum11therefrom. Thereafter, the surface of the photoconductive drum11passes through a discharging position where a discharger is disposed opposite the photoconductive drum11, thus finishing a series of processes for image formation performed on the photoconductive drum11.

A surface of the intermediate transfer belt17, which is transferred and superimposed with the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images formed on the photoconductive drums11to form the full color toner image, moves in the rotation direction indicated by an arrow inFIG. 1and reaches a secondary transfer position where the secondary transfer roller18is disposed opposite the intermediate transfer belt17. The secondary transfer roller18, at the secondary transfer position, secondarily transfers the full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt17onto a sheet P. Thereafter, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt17reaches a cleaning position where an intermediate transfer belt cleaner is disposed opposite the intermediate transfer belt17. The intermediate transfer belt cleaner collects toner failed to be transferred onto the sheet P and therefore remained on the intermediate transfer belt17therefrom, thus finishing a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt17.

The sheet P is conveyed from the sheet feeder7through a conveyance path K1provided with a registration roller pair19and the like to the secondary transfer roller18. For example, a sheet feeding roller8feeds the sheet P from the sheet feeder7that stores the sheet P to the registration roller pair19(e.g., a timing roller pair) through the conveyance path K1. The registration roller pair19conveys the sheet P reaching thereto to the secondary transfer roller18at a time when the full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt17reaches the secondary transfer position.

Thereafter, the sheet P transferred with the full color toner image is conveyed to the fixing device20. The fixing device20fixes the full color toner image on the sheet P at a nip formed between a fixing roller and a pressure roller. The sheet P after fixing passes through a conveyance path K2provided with a sheet ejection roller pair29and the like. The sheet P is ejected into the sheet ejection device5outside the image forming portion10as an output image, thus finishing a series of image forming processes. Before the sheet P is ejected into the sheet ejection device5, the optional device30performs finishing on the sheet P. For example, an internal finisher performs punching, aligning, binding (e.g., stapling), and the like. A relay unit performs Z-folding, folding in two, inner folding in three, outer folding in three, and the like.

If a duplex print mode to print on both sides, that is, a front side and a back side, of the sheet P is selected, the sheet P bearing the fixed toner image on the front side of the sheet P is guided to a duplex conveyance path without being ejected onto the sheet ejection device5. After the sheet P is reversed in the duplex conveyance path, the sheet P is conveyed to the secondary transfer roller18again. The secondary transfer roller18secondarily transfers another toner image onto the back side of the sheet P similarly as described above. Thereafter, the fixing device20fixes the toner image on the back side of the sheet P. The sheet P passes through the conveyance path K2and is ejected into the sheet ejection device5outside the image forming portion10as an output image. In the duplex print mode also, the optional device30performs finishing such as punching, aligning, and binding (e.g., stapling) on the sheet P to be ejected into the sheet ejection device5.

FIG. 2is a partial front view of the image forming apparatus1. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the image forming apparatus1further includes a support12that supports the image forming portion10and the like, a front cover13that covers a front of the image forming portion10mainly, and a front upper right cover portion300. A control panel41is attached to a front face of the image reader4(e.g., the scanner). An operator such as a user and a service engineer opens and closes the front cover13to replace the process cartridges10Y,10M,10C, and10BK with new ones. Hereinafter, a front side of the image forming apparatus1in a direction perpendicular to a page illustrated withFIG. 1may define a front. A rear side of the image forming apparatus1in the direction perpendicular to the page illustrated withFIG. 1may define a rear. A direction in which the front upper right cover portion300is disposed with respect to the sheet ejection device5may define rightward or a rightward direction. A direction that is opposite the rightward direction may define leftward or a leftward direction. A direction in which the original conveyer3and the image reader4are disposed with respect to the sheet ejection device5may define upward or an upward direction. A direction that is opposite the upward direction may define downward or a downward direction.

The front upper right cover portion300includes an L-shaped cover301, serving as a cover portion, and a third cover304. The L-shaped cover301includes a first cover302and a second cover303. When the operator installs the optional device30, the L-shaped cover301or the second cover303serving as a part of the L-shaped cover301may be removed. To address this circumstance, a mechanism that facilitates attachment and detachment of the L-shaped cover301and the second cover303is requested.

FIG. 3is a front perspective view of the front upper right cover portion300. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the front upper right cover portion300covers three faces, that is, a front face, a left side face, and a top face, of the optional device30that is interposed between the image forming portion10and the image reader4and is disposed on the right of the sheet ejection device5.

FIG. 4Ais a perspective view of the second cover303and the third cover304.FIG. 4Bis a partially enlarged perspective view of the second cover303. As illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the front upper right cover portion300is detachably attached to a frame120, serving as a body portion, which is a part of the support12and includes an opening120B at a front of the frame120. The frame120supports the optional device30. The frame120and the front upper right cover portion300construct a housing90.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the front upper right cover portion300includes the L-shaped cover301, including the first cover302and the second cover303, and the third cover304. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the L-shaped cover301includes the first cover302, that covers the opening120B at the front of the frame120, and the second cover303. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the second cover303is perpendicular to the first cover302and is attached to a left end of the first cover302. The third cover304is perpendicular to the first cover302and is attached to a top end of the first cover302.

FIG. 5Ais a perspective view of a back side of the front upper right cover portion300.FIG. 5Bis a partially enlarged perspective view of the back side of the front upper right cover portion300.FIG. 6is a perspective view of a back side of the first cover302of the front upper right cover portion300. As illustrated inFIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6, the first cover302includes a first cover body320, a pair of a left arm321and a right arm322serving as a pair of resilient members or a pair of projections, a pair of first engagements325serving as a pair of first attachments, and a pair of engaging holes326serving as a pair of second attachments. The first cover body320is a plate that covers the opening120B of the frame120depicted inFIG. 4A, which is situated at the front of the frame120.

The left arm321and the right arm322serve as projections that project rearward from both ends, that is, a left end and a right end, of the first cover body320in a horizontal direction, respectively, such that the left arm321and the right arm322sandwich the frame120. Each of the left arm321and the right arm322is a plate. The left arm321is disposed opposite the right arm322in the horizontal direction. The left arm321is disposed on an edge of an upper side end of the first cover body320. The right arm322is disposed on an edge of a lower side end of the first cover body320. The left arm321is shifted from the right arm322vertically.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, a length of the left arm321is greater than a half of a length of the first cover body320and is greater than a length of the right arm322vertically. A middle portion321A of the left arm321in a vertical direction defines a recess321C (e.g., a cutout). For example, both ends of the left arm321in the vertical direction project rearward farther than the middle portion321A disposed at a center of the left arm321in the vertical direction.FIG. 7Ais a side view of the left arm321in a state in which the second cover303is removed from the first cover302.FIG. 7Bis a side view of the second cover303in a state in which the first cover302is attached to the second cover303. As illustrated inFIG. 7A, the recess321C defined by the middle portion321A of the left arm321exposes a connector socket30A of the optional device30supported by the frame120. Accordingly, the operator plugs a connector into the connector socket30A by removing the second cover303without removing the first cover302.

As illustrated inFIG. 5A, the first engagements325are disposed at both ends of the left arm321in the vertical direction and disposed on free ends321D (e.g., summits), that is, projections of the left arm321, respectively. As the first engagements325engage holes120A of the frame120depicted inFIG. 4A, respectively, the first cover body320is attached to the frame120.

FIG. 8is a partially enlarged perspective view of the first cover302depicted inFIG. 6. As illustrated inFIGS. 5B and 8, each of the first engagements325includes upper and lower plates327and a right side plate328and a left side plate329that bridge the upper and lower plates327. Each of the first engagements325is a rectangular tube. The upper and lower plates327are disposed opposite each other vertically and project from a left face and a right face of the left arm321. Hereinafter, each of the first engagements325may be defined as below. That is, each of the first engagements325includes a rightward projection325A that projects rightward from the left arm321and a leftward projection325B that projects leftward from the left arm321. For example, the rightward projection325A includes a rightward projecting portion of each of the upper and lower plates327, which projects rightward from the left arm321, and the right side plate328. The leftward projection325B includes a leftward projecting portion of each of the upper and lower plates327, which projects leftward from the left arm321, and the left side plate329. In each of the first engagements325, the rightward projection325A engages the hole120A of the frame120. The leftward projection325B contacts a second cover body330depicted inFIG. 4Bwhen a second engagement331of the second cover303engages the engaging hole326of the first cover302depicted inFIG. 6.

As illustrated inFIG. 5B, the engaging hole326is a through hole disposed at the free end321D of the left arm321. The engaging hole326is a rectangle defined by a longitudinal direction of the engaging hole326as a front-rear direction and a width direction of the engaging hole326as the vertical direction. For example, the engaging hole326is situated at a substantially identical position with respect to the first engagement325in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. As the second engagement331described below of the second cover303engages the engaging hole326, the second cover body330is attached to the first cover body320.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the right arm322mounts a boss322A that is tubular. The boss322A is mounted on an interior face of the right arm322, which faces the left arm321. As each of the first engagements325engages the hole120A of the frame120, the boss322A engages a recess disposed on an exterior face of the frame120.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the first cover302is moved closer to the frame120such that the first cover body320covers the opening120B of the frame120. As the pair of first engagements325contacts the frame120and the first cover body320is moved closer to the frame120, the left arm321and the right arm322are stretched out. As the first cover body320is moved even closer to the frame120, the left arm321and the right arm322resume a natural state thereof, sandwiching the frame120. In each of the first engagements325, the rightward projection325A depicted inFIG. 8engages the hole120A of the frame120. That is, each of the first engagements325engages the hole120A of the frame120. The boss322A mounted on the right arm322depicted inFIG. 6engages the recess of the frame120. Thus, the first cover302engages the frame120. Hence, the first cover302is attached to the frame120.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of the second cover303, illustrating a back face thereof. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the second cover303includes the second cover body330that is platy and the pair of second engagements331. The second cover body330is interposed between the first cover302and the frame120. Each of the second engagements331engages the engaging hole326depicted inFIG. 8of the first cover302. A back face of the second cover body330mounts a protrusion332(e.g., a rib), that is, a lattice, to enhance the strength of the second cover body330.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the pair of second engagements331is disposed slightly frontward from a rear end330aof the second cover body330. For example, when the second engagements331engage the engaging holes326, respectively, each of the first engagements325is situated frontward from an intermediate portion330bof the second cover body330in the front-rear direction.

FIG. 10is a partially enlarged perspective view of the second cover303depicted inFIG. 9. As illustrated inFIG. 9, each of the second engagements331is mounted on the back face of the second cover body330. As illustrated inFIG. 10, each of the second engagements331includes a base333, a pair of arms334, and a bridge335. The base333is contiguous to a rear face of the protrusion332. The arms334project from an upper end and a lower end of the base333, respectively. The bridge335is contiguously interposed between the arms334. Each of the arms334projects in the rightward direction in which each of the arms334separates from the second cover body330, and extends in the front-rear direction. A part of each of the arms334projects rearward from the base333. The bridge335is disposed on a rear end of each of the arms334.

Each of the arms334includes a plane334A and a slope334B. The plane334A is spaced apart from the second cover body330for a predetermined distance. The slope334B is disposed on a bridge side tip of the plane334A, which is disposed in proximity to the bridge335. The slope334B is tilted relative to the second cover body330such that the distance between the slope334B and the second cover body330increases gradually toward the bridge side tip of the plane334A.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the second cover body330of the second cover303is moved closer to the first cover302such that the second cover body330is disposed opposite a left side of the left arm321of the first cover302. The bridge335of each of the second engagements331depicted inFIG. 10is disposed opposite the free end321D of the left arm321. The base333of each of the second engagements331depicted inFIG. 10is disposed opposite a base end, that is, a base321E, of the left arm321. With the bridge335and the base333that are directed as described above, each of the second engagements331is inserted into the engaging hole326. As the slope334B of each of the arms334depicted inFIG. 10contacts a free end side end of the engaging hole326, the slope334B presses the leftward projection325B against the second cover body330as illustrated inFIG. 5B. Thus, the second cover303engages the first cover302. Hence, the second cover303is attached to the first cover302.

As illustrated inFIG. 7B, the L-shaped cover301includes a first fastener305that fastens the first cover302and the second cover303. As illustrated inFIGS. 7A, 11A, 11B, and12, the first fastener305includes a first fastening portion351, a second fastening portion352, an L-shaped flat nut353, and two metal screws354and355. The first fastening portion351is mounted on the first cover302. The second fastening portion352is mounted on the second cover303.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the first fastening portion351is disposed in a base portion321B of the base321E of the left arm321. The base portion321B is situated at a lower part of the base321E and is contiguous to other part of the base321E. As illustrated inFIG. 11A, the first fastening portion351includes a tube356, a pair of supports357, and an insertion through hole358. The pair of supports357supports the tube356. The insertion through hole358is disposed in the base portion321B of the left arm321. The metal screw354depicted inFIG. 11Bis inserted into the insertion through hole358. The tube356projects tubularly from the first cover body320depicted inFIG. 6. The pair of supports357is contiguously interposed between the base portion321B and the tube356.

As illustrated inFIG. 12, the second fastening portion352includes a screw hole360into which the metal screw355depicted inFIG. 7Bis screwed. The screw hole360is situated at a position where the screw hole360communicates with the insertion through hole358of the first fastening portion351depicted inFIG. 11Aand a screw hole359of a second plate353B of the L-shaped flat nut353depicted inFIG. 11Band described below horizontally in a left-to-right direction.

As illustrated inFIG. 11B, the L-shaped flat nut353includes a first plate353A made of sheet metal and the second plate353B made of sheet metal, which define an L-shape. The first plate353A is mounted on a tip of the tube356of the first fastening portion351depicted inFIG. 11A. As the metal screw354is screwed into the tube356, the first plate353A is secured to the tube356. The screw hole359of the second plate353B is situated at a position where the screw hole359communicates with the insertion through hole358of the first fastening portion351.

The first plate353A of the L-shaped flat nut353of the first fastener305is moved closer to the tip of the tube356of the first cover302. The metal screw354is screwed into the first plate353A and the tube356. The second fastening portion352of the second cover303depicted inFIG. 12is moved closer to the first fastening portion351. The metal screw355depicted inFIG. 7Bis screwed into the screw hole360of the second fastening portion352depicted inFIG. 12, the insertion through hole358of the first fastening portion351depicted inFIG. 11B, and the screw hole359of the second plate353B of the L-shaped flat nut353at a position where the screw hole360, the insertion through hole358, and the screw hole359communicate with the metal screw355. Thus, the first cover302is secured to the second cover303. The metal screw355of the first fastener305that secures the first cover302to the second cover303is removed by a client in a commercial market when the optional device30is installed. To address this circumstance, a screw made of metal (e.g., the metal screw355), instead of a screw made of resin that is not appropriate for repeated attachment and detachment, is employed together with the L-shaped flat nut353, improving usability.

As illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14, the third cover304includes a third cover body340that is platy and a fourth fastening portion372. The fourth fastening portion372includes a pair of projecting pieces372A that is disposed on a first cover body side end of the third cover body340, which faces the first cover body320depicted inFIG. 3. The projecting pieces372A are spaced apart from each other horizontally in the left-to-right direction. Each of the projecting pieces372A is platy and projects from the third cover body340.

The L-shaped cover301further includes a second fastener that secures the first cover302to the third cover304. As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 14, the second fastener includes a third fastening portion371incorporated in the first cover302, the fourth fastening portion372incorporated in the third cover304, and a metal screw.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the third fastening portion371is disposed at two positions in an upper end of the first cover body320such that the two third fastening portions371are interposed between the left arm321and the right arm322and spaced apart from each other horizontally. Each of the third fastening portions371is tubular and projects from the first cover body320.

The second fastener moves each of the projecting pieces372A of the third cover304closer to a tip of the third fastening portion371, that is tubular, of the first cover302. The second fastener screws the metal screw into each of the third fastening portion371and the projecting pieces372A of the fourth fastening portion372. Thus, the first cover302is secured to the third cover304.

A description is provided of processes for assembling the front upper right cover portion300.

The second cover303is moved closer to the first cover302. As illustrated inFIG. 5B, each of the second engagements331of the second cover303is inserted into the engaging hole326of the first cover302. The second cover303is moved rearward relative to the first cover302. As the slope334B depicted inFIG. 10of each of the arms334contacts the free end side end of the engaging hole326depicted inFIG. 8, the slope334B presses the leftward projection325B against the second cover body330depicted inFIG. 9. Thus, the second cover303engages the first cover302. Accordingly, the second cover303is secured to the first cover302.

The first plate353A of the L-shaped flat nut353depicted inFIG. 11Bis moved closer to the tip of the tube356of the first cover302depicted inFIG. 11A. The metal screw354is screwed into the first plate353A and the tube356. The second fastening portion352of the second cover303depicted inFIG. 12is moved closer to the first fastening portion351depicted inFIG. 5A. The metal screw355depicted inFIG. 7Bis screwed into the screw hole360of the second fastening portion352depicted inFIG. 4A, the insertion through hole358of the first fastening portion351depicted inFIG. 11B, and the screw hole359of the second plate353B of the L-shaped flat nut353at the position where the screw hole360, the insertion through hole358, and the screw hole359communicate with the metal screw355. Thus, the first cover302is secured to the second cover303.

Each of the projecting pieces372A of the third cover304depicted inFIG. 14is moved closer to the tip of the third fastening portion371, that is tubular, of the first cover302depicted inFIG. 6. The metal screw is screwed into the third fastening portion371and each of the projecting pieces372A of the fourth fastening portion372. Thus, the first cover302is secured to the third cover304. Accordingly, the front upper right cover portion300is assembled.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 15, the first cover body320of the front upper right cover portion300is moved closer to the frame120such that the first cover body320is disposed opposite the opening120B of the frame120. As the left arm321and the right arm322contact the frame120and the first cover body320is moved closer to the frame120, the left arm321and the right arm322are stretched out. As the first cover body320is moved even closer to the frame120, the left arm321and the right arm322resume the natural state thereof, sandwiching the frame120. As illustrated inFIG. 4B, in each of the first engagements325, the rightward projection325A engages the hole120A of the frame120. That is, each of the first engagements325engages the hole120A of the frame120. The boss322A mounted on the right arm322depicted inFIG. 6engages the recess of the frame120. Accordingly, the first cover302engages the frame120. Thus, the first cover302is attached to the frame120. That is, the front upper right cover portion300is attached to the frame120.

A description is provided of processes for removing the second cover303of the front upper right cover portion300to connect the optional device30to the image forming portion10.

As illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the first fastener305that secures the first cover302to the second cover303is released. The second cover303is moved frontward relative to the first cover302. Contact of the slope334B of each of the arms334depicted inFIG. 10with the free end side end of the engaging hole326depicted inFIG. 5Bis canceled. Thereafter, the second cover303is moved leftward in a direction in which the second cover303separates from the first cover302. Thus, the second cover303is removed. As illustrated inFIG. 7A, the recess321C defined by the middle portion321A of the left arm321exposes the connector socket30A of the optional device30supported by the frame120. Accordingly, the operator plugs the connector into the connector socket30A without removing the first cover302.

In order to remove the front upper right cover portion300from the frame120, the rear end330aof the second cover body330depicted inFIG. 9is drawn leftward. The left arm321depicted inFIG. 6deforms elastically. The first engagement325disposed on the free end321D of the left arm321is also moved leftward together with the second cover body330. The pair of first engagements325is pulled out of the holes120A depicted inFIG. 4A, respectively. Thus, engagement of the pair of first engagements325with the holes120A is released. With this state, the front upper right cover portion300is moved in a direction in which the front upper right cover portion300separates from the frame120. Accordingly, engagement of the boss322A depicted inFIG. 15with the recess is also released. Thus, the front upper right cover portion300is removed from the frame120.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4A, according to the embodiments described above, the housing90includes the frame120and the L-shaped cover301. The frame120serves as a body portion that includes the opening120B. The L-shaped cover301serves as a cover portion that covers the opening120B. The L-shaped cover301includes the first cover302and the second cover303that is perpendicular to the first cover302. As illustrated inFIG. 5A, the first cover302includes the first cover body320that is platy and the first engagement325. The first engagement325serves as a first attachment that is mounted on the left arm321serving as a projection that projects from the first cover body320. The first engagement325attaches the first cover302to the frame120. The engaging hole326serves as a second attachment that is mounted on the first engagement325and attaches the second cover303to the first cover302. For example, the first engagement325, which defines an attachment position where the first cover302is attached to the frame120, and the engaging hole326, which defines an attachment position where the second cover303is attached to the first cover302, are situated at a substantially identical position. Accordingly, even if tolerance occurs, an amount of displacement is minimized. Consequently, a plurality of covers, that is, the first cover302and the second cover303, is positioned with improved precision.

As illustrated inFIG. 5A, the first cover302further includes the pair of arms, that is, the left arm321and the right arm322, each of which serves as a resilient member. The left arm321serving as a first resilient member is disposed opposite the right arm322serving as a second resilient member. The left arm321and the right arm322sandwich the frame120serving as the body portion. The first engagement325serving as the first attachment is mounted on one of the pair of the left arm321and the right arm322, that is, the left arm321. Accordingly, while the pair of the left arm321and the right arm322sandwiches the frame120, the first engagement325attaches the first cover302to the frame120. Thus, the pair of the left arm321and the right arm322that sandwiches the frame120provides a safe condition for installation.

The first engagement325serving as the first attachment is mounted on the free end321D of one of the pair of the left arm321and the right arm322, that is, the left arm321serving as an arm or the first resilient member. The first engagement325engages the frame120serving as the body portion. Accordingly, in order to attach the first cover302to the frame120, the first engagement325of the first cover302is moved closer to the frame120and the left arm321is deformed elastically so that the first engagement325engages the frame120. Conversely, in order to remove the first cover302from the frame120, the first engagement325of the first cover302is pulled in a separation direction in which the first cover302separates from the frame120and the left arm321is deformed elastically so that engagement of the first engagement325with the frame120is released. As described above, the first engagement325is disposed on the free end321D of the left arm321serving as the arm or the first resilient member such that the first engagement325is engageable with the frame120, facilitating attachment and detachment of the first cover302to and from the frame120. Thus, the front upper right cover portion300is attached to and detached from the frame120readily.

As illustrated inFIG. 5B, the engaging hole326serving as the second attachment penetrates through the left arm321serving as the arm or the first resilient member. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the second cover303includes the second cover body330and the second engagement331. The second cover body330is platy. The second engagement331is mounted on the second cover body330and engages the engaging hole326depicted inFIG. 8. For example, the second engagement331of the second cover303is moved closer to the left arm321of the first cover302. As illustrated inFIG. 5B, as the second engagement331enters the engaging hole326and is moved, the second engagement331comes into contact with an edge of the engaging hole326, causing the second cover303to engage the first cover302. Thus, the second cover303is attached to the first cover302.

Conversely, the second engagement331of the second cover303is moved closer to the left arm321of the first cover302. As the second engagement331enters the engaging hole326and is moved inside the engaging hole326, the second engagement331separates from the edge of the engaging hole326, releasing contact of the second engagement331with the edge of the engaging hole326. Thus, engagement of the second cover303with the first cover302is released. Accordingly, the second cover303is removed from the first cover302.

As described above, the engaging hole326penetrates through the left arm321. The second cover303includes the second cover body330and the second engagement331. The second cover body330is platy. The second engagement331is mounted on the second cover body330and engages the engaging hole326. Thus, the second cover303is attached to and detached from the first cover302readily.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, while the second engagement331engages the engaging hole326depicted inFIG. 8, the first engagement325serving as the first attachment is situated between a free end side end (e.g., the rear end330a) of the second cover body330, which is disposed opposite the free end321D of the left arm321depicted inFIG. 6serving as the arm or the first resilient member, and the intermediate portion330bof the second cover body330in a projection direction in which the left arm321projects. Hence, as the rear end330aof the second cover body330, which is disposed opposite the free end321D of the left arm321, is pulled in a separation direction in which the rear end330aof the second cover body330separates from the left arm321, the rear end330aof the second cover body330is displaced. Accordingly, the left arm321is displaced in a release direction in which engagement of the first engagement325with the frame120serving as the body portion is released. The closer the first engagement325is situated to the rear end330aof the second cover body330, the farther the first engagement325is displaced. Accordingly, while the second engagement331engages the engaging hole326, the first engagement325is interposed between the free end side end (e.g., the rear end330a) of the second cover body330, which is disposed opposite the free end321D of the left arm321, and the intermediate portion330bof the second cover body330in the projection direction in which the left arm321projects. Consequently, the first cover302is removed from the frame120readily.

The plurality of first engagements325serving as the first attachment causes the frame120serving as the body portion to support the first cover body320at a plurality of proper positions on the frame120, stabilizing the posture of the first cover302that is attached to the frame120. If the first cover302is a large part, the plurality of first engagements325positions the first cover302on desired positions on the frame120. Accordingly, the first cover302and an adjacent cover, for example, properly define a gap, a step, or the like therebetween, improving the external appearance thereof.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the left arm321serving as the arm or the first resilient member is a plate extending in an extending direction perpendicular to the projection direction in which the left arm321projects. The plurality of first engagements325serving as the first attachment is spaced from each other vertically in the extending direction of the left arm321. A length in the projection direction of the middle portion321A of the left arm321, which is interposed between the plurality of first engagements325, is smaller than a length from the base321E to the first engagement325serving as the first attachment in the projection direction such that the middle portion321A defines the recess321C. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 7A, the recess321C (e.g., the cutout) defined by the middle portion321A of the left arm321exposes the connector socket30A of the optional device30supported by the frame120serving as the body portion. When engagement of the second cover303with the first cover302is released and the second cover303is removed from the first cover302, the connector socket30A of the optional device30supported by the frame120is exposed through the recess321C. Accordingly, while the first cover302is attached to the frame120serving as the body portion, the operator connects the optional device30electrically. As described above, the operator connects the optional device30electrically with a single operation of removing the second cover303without removing the first cover302and the second cover303from the frame120.

As illustrated inFIG. 7B, the housing90further includes the first fastener305serving as a fastener that secures the second cover303to the first cover302. Thus, the second cover303is secured to the first cover302precisely.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the image forming apparatus1includes the internal sheet ejection device91serving as an internal sheet ejection portion. The internal sheet ejection device91includes the image reader4, the sheet ejection device5, and the image forming portion10. The image reader4serves as a scanner that reads an image on an original into image data. The sheet ejection device5receives a sheet P serving as a recording medium bearing an output image (e.g., a toner image). The image forming portion10includes an image forming device (e.g., the process cartridges10Y,10M,10C, and10BK) that forms the output image. The housing90is interposed between the image reader4and the image forming portion10in the vertical direction. One end of the first cover302is disposed at one end of the image forming portion10in the left-to-right direction and the second cover303is disposed at another end of the first cover302in the left-to-right direction, that is, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Since the housing90is interposed between the image reader4and the image forming portion10vertically, the operator may not access the second cover303readily. To address this circumstance, the second engagement331of the second cover303depicted inFIG. 9engages the engaging hole326of the first cover302depicted inFIG. 8to attach the second cover303to the first cover302. Accordingly, as engagement of the second engagement331with the engaging hole326is released, the operator removes the second cover303from the first cover302readily.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the image forming apparatus1further includes the support12that supports the image forming portion10and the housing90. The support12mounts the front cover13that covers the front of the image forming portion10. The first cover302is separated from the front cover13. Since the first cover302is provided separately from the front cover13, when one of the first cover302and the front cover13is opened or closed, for example, another one of the first cover302and the front cover13is not opened or closed. Accordingly, the operator merely opens or closes the first cover302or the front cover13to perform a desired operation.

Technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and involves other configurations and the like, including modification examples described below, which achieve objectives of the present disclosure.

According to the embodiments described above, the first engagement325serving as the first attachment secures the first cover body320to the frame120serving as the body portion. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The first attachment is not limited to the first engagement325. Alternatively, the first cover body320may be secured to the frame120serving as the body portion by other methods, instead of engagement with the first engagement325.

Similarly, the second engagement331serving as the engagement engages the engaging hole326to attach the second cover303to the first cover302. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Alternatively, the engagement may be mounted on the second cover303by other methods. For example, the first attachment, which defines an attachment position where the first cover body320is attached to the frame120serving as the body portion, and the second attachment, which defines an attachment position where the second cover303is attached to the first cover body320, may be situated at a substantially identical position. This configuration achieves advantages that are equivalent to the advantages of the embodiments described above.

According to the embodiments described above, the left arm321serving as the arm mounts the pair of first engagements325. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the arm may mount three or more engagements.

The image forming apparatus1according to the embodiments described above forms an image by electrophotography. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the housing90may be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by an inkjet method.

A description is provided of advantages of the housing90.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4A, the housing90includes a body portion (e.g., the frame120) and a cover portion (e.g., the L-shaped cover301). As illustrated inFIG. 4A, the body portion includes an opening (e.g., the opening120B). The cover portion covers the opening. The cover portion includes a first cover (e.g., the first cover302) and a second cover (e.g., the second cover303) perpendicular to the first cover. As illustrated inFIG. 5A, the first cover includes a first cover body (e.g., the first cover body320), a projection (e.g., the left arm321), a first attachment (e.g., the first engagement325), and a second attachment (e.g., the engaging hole326). The first cover body is platy. The projection projects from the first cover body. The first attachment is mounted on the projection and attaches the first cover to the body portion. The second attachment is disposed on the first attachment and attaches the second cover to the first cover.

For example, the first attachment, which defines an attachment position where the first cover is attached to the body portion, and the second attachment, which defines an attachment position where the second cover is attached to the first cover, are situated at a substantially identical position. Accordingly, even if tolerance occurs, an amount of displacement is minimized. Consequently, a plurality of covers, that is, the first cover and the second cover, is positioned with improved precision.