Apparatus and image forming apparatus having cover attached by first and second engagement portions

An apparatus includes an apparatus body, an exterior cover configured to pivot around a pivot shaft extending in a first direction, and extend in the first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a first engagement portion including a first engagement surface, and a second engagement portion, the second engagement portion including a facing surface facing the first engagement surface. When viewed in a third direction orthogonal to an exterior surface of the exterior cover, the first engagement surface and the facing surface at least partially overlap each other. The facing surface includes a second engagement surface and an inclined surface. When viewed in the third direction, a ridgeline formed by the second engagement surface and the inclined surface extends further away from the pivot shaft in the second direction as the ridgeline extends more downstream in the first direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This disclose relates to an apparatus which has a pivotable exterior cover, and an image forming apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

An image forming apparatus including an exterior cover which is attached to an apparatus body frame by a screw and the like is suggested by Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-158082. The exterior cover is detachably attached to the apparatus body frame.

Recently, there is a demand for the improvement in the workability at the time of detaching the exterior cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus includes an apparatus body, an exterior cover configured to be pivotably attached to the apparatus body, the exterior cover being configured to pivot around a pivot shaft extending in a first direction, and configured to extend in the first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a first engagement portion disposed in the apparatus body, the first engagement portion including a first engagement surface configured to extend in the first direction and the second direction, and a second engagement portion disposed in the exterior cover and configured to engage with the first engagement portion and release engagement with the first engagement portion by being moved in the first direction, the second engagement portion including a facing surface facing the first engagement surface in a state engaging with the first engagement portion. When viewed in a third direction vertical to an exterior surface of the exterior cover, the first engagement surface and the facing surface at least partially overlap each other in a state where the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion engage with each other. The facing surface includes a second engagement surface and an inclined surface, the second engagement surface being configured to engage with the first engagement surface, the inclined surface being disposed farther than the second engagement surface with respect to the pivot shaft in the second direction, the inclined surface extending so as to be inclined with respect to the second engagement surface. When viewed in the third direction, a ridgeline formed by the second engagement surface and the inclined surface extends further away from the pivot shaft in the second direction as the ridgeline extends more downstream in the first direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an exterior cover configured to be pivotably attached to the apparatus body, the exterior cover being configured to pivot around a pivot shaft extending in a first direction, and configured to extend in the first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a first engagement portion disposed in the apparatus body, the first engagement portion including a first engagement surface configured to extend in the first direction and the second direction, and a second engagement portion disposed in the exterior cover and configured to engage with the first engagement portion and release engagement with the first engagement portion by being moved in the first direction, the second engagement portion including a facing surface facing the first engagement surface in a state engaging with the first engagement portion. When viewed in a third direction vertical to an exterior surface of the exterior cover, the first engagement surface and the facing surface at least partially overlap each other in a state where the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion engage with each other. The facing surface includes a second engagement surface and an inclined surface, the second engagement surface being configured to engage with the first engagement surface, the inclined surface being disposed farther than the second engagement surface with respect to the pivot shaft, the inclined surface extending so as to be inclined with respect to the second engagement surface. When viewed in the third direction, a ridgeline formed by the second engagement surface and the inclined surface extends closer to the pivot shaft in the second direction as the ridgeline extends more downstream in the first direction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an apparatus includes an apparatus body, an exterior cover configured to be pivotably attached to the apparatus body, the exterior cover being configured to pivot around a pivot shaft extending in a first direction, and configured to extend in the first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a first engagement portion disposed in the apparatus body, the first engagement portion including a first engagement surface configured to extend in the first direction and the second direction, and a second engagement portion disposed in the exterior cover, the second engagement portion including a facing surface facing the first engagement surface in a state where the second engagement portion engages with the first engagement portion. When viewed in a third direction vertical to an exterior surface of the exterior cover, the first engagement surface and the facing surface at least partially overlap each other in the state where the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion engage with each other. The facing surface includes a second engagement surface and an inclined surface, the second engagement surface being configured to engage with the first engagement surface, the inclined surface being disposed farther than the second engagement surface with respect to the pivot shaft, the inclined surface extending so as to be inclined with respect to the second engagement surface. When the exterior cover is pivoted in a direction away from the apparatus body around the pivot shaft, a ridgeline formed by the second engagement surface and the inclined surface is sliding contact with the first engagement surface, and the second engagement portion moves in the first direction so as to release engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an exterior cover configured to be pivotably attached to the apparatus body, the exterior cover being configured to pivot around a pivot shaft extending in a first direction, and configured to extend in the first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a first engagement portion disposed in the apparatus body, the first engagement portion including a first engagement surface configured to extend in the first direction and the second direction, and a second engagement portion disposed in the exterior cover, the second engagement portion including a facing surface facing the first engagement surface in a state where the second engagement portion engages with the first engagement portion. When viewed in a third direction vertical to an exterior surface of the exterior cover, the first engagement surface and the facing surface at least partially overlap each other in the state where the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion engage with each other. The facing surface includes a second engagement surface and an inclined surface, the second engagement surface being configured to engage with the first engagement surface, the inclined surface being disposed farther than the second engagement surface with respect to the pivot shaft, the inclined surface extending so as to be inclined with respect to the second engagement surface. When the exterior cover is pivoted in a direction away from the apparatus body around the pivot shaft, a ridgeline formed by the second engagement surface and the inclined surface is sliding contact with the first engagement surface, and the second engagement portion moves in the first direction so as to release engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

General Arrangement

Firstly, a first embodiment of this disclosure will be described. To be noted, in the following, a sheet includes, other than standard paper, special paper such as coated paper, a recording material including a specially shaped sheet such as an envelope and an index sheet, a plastic film for an overhead projector, and a cloth, and a manuscript is also an example of the sheet. To be noted, the manuscript that is the example of the sheet can be a blank sheet of paper or a sheet on which the image is formed on one side or both sides of surfaces.

In the following descriptions, a first direction D1indicates the vertical direction perpendicularly intersecting with the horizontal surface. A direction intersecting with the first direction D1and parallel to a rotational axis direction (main scanning direction) of a photosensitive drum41, described later, is referred to as a third direction D3. A direction intersecting with the first and the third directions D1and D3is referred to as a second direction D2. Preferably, the first, second, and third directions D1, D2, and D3perpendicularly intersect with each other. Further, for convenience, a plus side and a minus side in the first direction D1are respectively referred to as a lower side and an upper side, plus side and a minus side in the third direction D3are respectively referred to as a right side and a left side, and a plus side and a minus side in the second direction D2are respectively referred to as a back side and a front side.

A printer100, serving as an image forming apparatus relating to the first embodiment, is a laser beam printer of an electrophotographic system. The printer100, as shown inFIGS.1A and1B, includes an image forming engine60inside. The image forming engine60includes an image forming unit PU of the electrophotographic system, and a fixing unit50. The image forming unit PU, serving as an image forming unit, is housed in a frame body1, serving as an apparatus body of the printer100. When the start of an image forming operation is instructed, the photosensitive drum41, serving as an image bearing member, rotates, and a surface of the drum is uniformly charged by a charge unit42. The photosensitive drum41is rotatable and capable of bearing a toner image. Then, an exposing unit43modulates and outputs a laser beam based on image data transmitted from an external computer and the like, and scans the surface of the photosensitive drum41so as to form an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image becomes the toner image by being visualized (developed) with a toner supplied from a developing unit44.

In parallel with the image forming operation as described above, a sheet feed operation of feeding the sheet loaded on a cassette5or a manual feed tray toward the image forming engine60is executed. To be noted, the cassette5is detachable from the front side of the printer100, and is inserted toward the back side of the printer100. The sheet that has been fed is conveyed in the timing synchronizing with the progress of the image forming operation by the image forming unit PU. Then, the toner image borne on the photosensitive drum41is transferred onto the sheet by a transfer roller45. The toner remained on the photosensitive drum41after the transfer of the toner image is collected by a cleaning unit46. The sheet onto which an unfixed toner image has been transferred is delivered to the fixing unit50, and heated and pressed by being nipped by a roller pair. The sheet on which the image is fixed by melting and bonding the toner is discharged by a sheet discharge roller pair and the like.

A side surface cover21, serving as an exterior cover, is attached to the frame body1of the printer100, and constitutes a part of an exterior of the printer100. A plurality (three in this embodiment) of hole portions23are formed in the frame body1, and, corresponding to the plurality of hole portions23a, a plurality (three in this embodiment) of projection portions22are disposed in the side surface cover21. The side surface cover21is fixed to the frame body1by a screw, not shown, in a state where the three projection portions22are engaged with the hole portions23in the frame body1. Thereby, the side surface cover21is attached to the frame body1. To be noted, in a state where the side surface cover21is attached to the frame body1, the side surface cover21is pivotably supported with respect to the frame body1around a pivot shaft25.

Comparative Example

Now, with reference toFIGS.9A to11, a printer1000relating to a comparative example will be described. As shown inFIGS.9A to9C, the printer1000includes the frame body1and a side surface cover11attached to the frame body1. Similar toFIG.1A, three hole portions23are formed in the frame body1, and, corresponding to the hole portions23, three projection portions12are disposed in the side surface cover11. The side surface cover11is fixed such that the three projection portions12are engaged with the three hole portions23. Thereby, the side surface cover11is attached to the frame body1.

A handle13in a recessed shape capable of being grasped is disposed in the lower side of the frame body1, and a user is able to carry the printer1000by grasping the handle13.FIG.10Ais a diagram in which a cross-section taken along10AB-10AB inFIG.9Cis viewed from the front side, andFIG.10Bis a diagram in which the cross-section taken along10AB-10AB inFIG.9Cis viewed from the front side in a state where a bottom portion of the side surface cover11is bent downward. As shown inFIG.10A, when the handle13is grasped by the user, a force in the third direction D3is applied to the side surface cover11.

As described above, since it is considered that the force is applied to the side surface cover11in the third direction D3, the projection portions12are inserted into the hole portions23from below. That is, the third direction D3is a direction parallel to the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum41, and the projection portions12engage with the hole portions23in the first direction D1which is the vertical direction perpendicularly intersecting with the horizontal direction. In other words, the projection portions12are inserted into the hole portions23so as to project from below to above. Thereby, since, for example, even if the side surface cover11is pulled in the third direction D3, the projection portions12are caught by the hole portions23, the side surface cover11is not detached.

So as to remove the side surface cover11from the frame body1, as shown inFIG.10B, first, the projection portion12of the side surface cover11is moved in an arrow D direction, that is, the first direction D1. Then, in a state where the engagement between the projection portion12and the hole portion23is released, the side surface cover11is detached from the frame body1by pulling the side surface cover11in the third direction D3.

The side surface cover11includes a wall portion11aextending in the first and second directions D1and D2and a bottom portion11bin which the projection portions12are disposed, and the side surface cover11is formed, for example, by a resin material having elasticity. Then, when, for example, a serviceman pulls an edge portion14of the bottom portion11bin the arrow D direction, the bottom portion11bbends downward with respect to the wall portion11a, and the projection portion12is detached from the hole portion23.

An installation portion15installed on an installation surface3is disposed in the frame body1of the printer1000, and the edge portion14is disposed in adjacent to the installation portion15. Since a gap between the installation surface3and the bottom portion11bof the side surface cover11is small, it is difficult for the serviceman to access the edge portion14.

Therefore, the serviceman installed the printer1000at an edge of the installation surface3of a tall installation stand35such that the edge portion14protrudes from the edge of the installation surface3, and carried out a detachment work of the side surface cover11. However, since, in the detachment work as described above, it was necessary to carry out the work while holding the printer1000so as not to drop the printer1000from the installation stand35, there was a problem in workability. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown inFIG.1A, an inclined surface90is disposed in the projection portion22disposed in the side surface cover21.

Detail Configuration of Projection Portion

Next, a detail configuration of the projection portion22relating to this embodiment will be described.FIG.2is a diagram in which a cross-section taken along2A-2A inFIG.1Ais viewed from the back side, andFIG.3is a diagram in which a cross-section taken along3A-3A inFIG.1Ais viewed from the right side. To be noted, while the projection portions22and the hole portions23each are disposed three, these are the same in configurations, so that only the one projection portion22and hole portion23will be described, and descriptions of the other projection portions22and hole portions23will be omitted herein.

As shown inFIGS.1A to3, the side surface cover21includes a wall portion21aextending in the first direction D1, which is the vertical direction, and a bottom portion21bin which the projection portion22is disposed, and is formed by, for example, a resin material. The bottom portion21bis elastically deformable in the first direction D1with respect to the wall portion21a.

The hole portion23, serving as a first engagement portion, includes a rectangular through hole penetrating in the first direction D1, and the projection portion22serving as a second engagement portion, is capable of engaging with the hole portion23by being inserted into the hole portion23from below. In other words, the projection portion22extends in the first direction D1, and is capable of being inserted into the hole portion23so as to project upward from below with respect to the hole portion23.

As shown inFIG.2, in this embodiment, in a state where the installation portion15is installed on the installation surface3, a distance between a bottom surface24of the bottom portion21bof the side surface cover21and the installation surface3is set at a distance L1. Further, in a state where the projection portion22engages with the hole portion23, the height of a part of the projection portion22protruding upward from the hole portion23is referred to as a height L2. Then, a relationship between the distance L1and the height L2are set such that L1becomes larger than L2. Thereby, even in a state where the printer100is installed on the installation surface3, it is possible to detach the projection portion22from the hole portion23by elastically deforming the bottom portion21bdownward.

The hole portion23and the projection portion22respectively include a first engagement surface28and a facing surface27facing each other in the horizontal direction. In particular, the facing surface27of the projection portion22faces the first engagement surface28of the hole portion23in the third direction D3shown inFIG.2. The third direction D3is a direction in which a force is applied to the side surface cover21when, for example, a user grasps the handle13, serving as a grasping portion, and, in this embodiment, is a direction from the left of the printer100toward the right. Further, the first engagement surface28and the facing surface27overlap each other in the first direction D1in a state where the projection portion22and the hole portion23engage with each other. In other words, when viewed in the third direction D3perpendicular to the wall portion11awhich is an exterior surface of the side surface cover21, the first engagement surface28and the facing surface27at least partially overlap each other in the state where the projection portion22and the hole portion23engage with each other.

The projection portion22includes an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape in which one of corner portions is chamfered by the inclined surface90. The facing surface27includes a second engagement surface27aand the inclined surface90. The second engagement surface27aextends parallel to the second and first directions D2and D1. To be noted, the first engagement surface28of the hole portion23also extends parallel to the second and first directions D2and D1. That is, the first and second engagement surfaces28and27aeach are surfaces extending parallel to the second and first directions D2and D1and orthogonal to the third direction D3.

The inclined surface90extends so as to be inclined in the first, second, and third directions D1, D2, and D3, and extends downstream in the first direction D1, that is, downward toward the downstream in the second and third directions D2and D3. In other words, the inclined surface90extends so as to be inclined with respect to the second engagement surface27a. To be noted, a downstream direction in the second direction D2means a direction toward the plus side in the second direction D2, and, in this embodiment, means a direction toward the back side. Further, a downstream direction in the third direction D3means a direction toward the plus side in the third direction D3, and, in this embodiment, means a direction toward the right side. Further, a ridgeline26is formed on a boundary between the second engagement surface27aand the inclined surface90. The ridgeline26is inclined downstream in the first direction D1toward downstream in the second direction D2. In other words, when viewed in the third direction D3, the ridgeline26extends further away from the pivot shaft25in the second direction D2as the ridgeline26extends more downstream in the first direction D1.

The inclined surface90is disposed in a position farther than the second engagement surface27awith respect to the pivot shaft25. That is, in the second direction D2, the second engagement surface27ais disposed downstream of the pivot shaft25, and the inclined surface90is disposed downstream of the second engagement surface27a.

Since the facing surface27of the projection portion22is formed as described above, if, for example, the user tries to move the side surface cover21in the third direction D3by grasping the handle13, the second engagement surface27aof the projection portion22abuts onto the first engagement surface28of the hole portion23. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the accidental detachment of the side surface cover21from the frame body1. To be noted, at least one of the projection portions22and at least one of the hole portions23are disposed in adjacent to the handle13in the third direction D3in the state where the projection portions22and the hole portions23engage with each other.

Detachment of Side Surface Cover

Next, a method of detaching the side surface cover21from the frame body1will be described in detail.FIG.4Ais a cross-sectional view showing cross-sections taken along2A-2A and3A-3A inFIG.1Ain a state where a force is not applied to the side surface cover21.FIG.4Bis a cross-sectional view showing cross-sections taken along2A-2A and3A-3A inFIG.1Awhen the side surface cover21is pivoted in an arrow E direction around the pivot shaft25as the center.FIG.4Cis a cross-sectional view showing cross-sections taken along2A-2A and3A-3A inFIG.1Awhen the side surface cover21is pivoted further in the arrow E direction.

First, the serviceman (including the user) detaches a screw, not shown, fastening the frame body1and the side surface cover21. Then, as shown inFIGS.1A,4A, and4B, the serviceman pivots the side surface cover21in the arrow E direction around the pivot shaft25as the center. Thereby, the ridgeline26of the projection portion22disposed in the side surface cover21abuts onto the first engagement surface28of the hole portion23of the frame body1.

This is because a surface on a downstream side of the projection portion22in the arrow E direction is the facing surface27and the ridgeline26is an outer edge in a radial direction with the pivot shaft25as the center. Therefore, when the side surface cover21is pivoted in the arrow E direction, the ridgeline26of the projection portion22at first abuts onto the first engagement surface28of the hole portion23of the frame body1.

As shown inFIGS.3and4A, when viewed in the third direction D3, the ridgeline26is a straight line extending in the first direction D1so as to cross the first engagement surface28. That is, in the first direction D1, the ridgeline26extends so as to overlap the first engagement surface28and project upward and downward from the first engagement surface28. Further, the ridgeline26extends upward toward the upstream in the second direction D2. In other words, the ridgeline26extends upward toward an inner side in the radial direction with the pivot shaft25as the center. Further, as shown inFIG.3, when viewed in the third direction D3, in a region in which the first engagement surface28and the facing surface27overlap each other, an area51occupied by the second engagement surface27ais larger than an area S2occupied by the inclined surface90. Thereby, it is possible to increase a fixing force of the projection portion22with respect to the hole portion23.

Since the ridgeline26is formed as described above, when the side surface cover21is pivoted in the arrow E direction, the ridgeline26receives a force from the first engagement surface28downward, that is, in an arrow J direction. Thereby, the bottom portion21bof the side surface cover21is bent downward, and also the projection portion22moves downward (in the arrow J direction).

When the side surface cover21is pivoted further in the arrow E direction, as shown inFIG.4C, a contact point of the ridgeline26with the first engagement surface28moves toward an upper end26bof the ridgeline26. Then, when the engagement between the ridgeline26and the first engagement surface28is released, the projection portion22comes out from the hole portion23, and it becomes possible to detach the side surface cover21from the frame body1.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to release the engagement between the projection portion22and the hole portion23by pivoting the side surface cover21in the arrow E direction around the pivot shaft25as the center. At this time, since, for example, as shown inFIG.4C, it is not necessary for the serviceman to access an edge portion21cof the bottom portion21bof the side surface cover21so as to bend the bottom portion21bdownward, it is possible to easily detach the side surface cover21. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability at the time of detaching the side surface cover21.

Further, even if the user applies the force to the side surface cover21in the third direction D3by grasping the handle13, the first engagement surface28of the hole portion23and the second engagement surface27aof the projection portion22abut onto each other. Since the first and second engagement surfaces28and27aare surfaces parallel to each other, even if these abut onto each other, the projection portion22does not move downward (in the arrow J direction). Therefore, it is possible to reduce the accidental detachment of the side surface cover21.

To be noted, while, in the embodiment described above, the pivot shaft25of the side surface cover21is disposed in a corner portion of a front surface of the printer100and one side surface, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown inFIG.5A, it is acceptable to dispose a pivot shaft29of the side surface cover21in a corner portion of a back surface of the printer100and the one side surface. At this time, since the side surface cover21is opened from the front side, that is, the side surface cover21is opened in an arrow I direction around the pivot shaft29, the inclined surface90disposed in the projection portion22of the side surface cover21is disposed in the corner portion on the upper and front sides of the projection portion22. In other words, the inclined surface90faces the first engagement surface28of the hole portion23, and is disposed in a position farther than the second engagement surface27awith respect to the pivot shaft29.

By disposing the second engagement surface27aand the inclined surface90as described above, the ridgeline26formed by these second engagement surface27aand inclined surface90extends so as to be separated from the pivot shaft29in the second direction D2toward the downstream side in the first direction D1. In other words, the ridgeline26extends so as to be separated from the pivot shaft29in the second direction D2as the ridgeline26extends downstream in the first direction D1. Thereby, when the side surface cover21is pivoted in a direction separating from the frame body1around the pivot shaft29, the ridgeline26is sliding contact with the first engagement surface28. Then, the projection portion22comes out from the hole portion23, and it becomes possible to detach the side surface cover21from the frame body1.

Further, if the side surface cover21is pivotable around both of the pivot shaft25shown inFIG.1Aand the pivot shaft29shown inFIG.5A, it is acceptable, as shown inFIG.5B, to dispose two inclined surfaces90in the facing surface27of the projection portion22. In this case, two ridgelines26are formed in the facing surface27.

Further, while, in the embodiment described above, the hole portion23and the projection portion22are respectively disposed in the frame body1and the side surface cover21, it is not limited to this.FIG.6is a perspective view showing a bottom surface side of a printer relating to a variant, a partially enlarged view in a state where the side surface cover is detached, and a partially enlarged view in a state where the side surface cover is attached. For example, as shown inFIG.6, it is acceptable to dispose the projection portion22in the frame body1and dispose the hole portion23engaging with the projection portion22in the side surface cover21. The hole portion23includes a first engagement surface28. The projection portion22includes a first engagement surface28and a facing surface27. The facing surface27includes a second engagement surface27aand an inclined surface90extending so as to be inclined with respect to the second engagement surface27a. A ridgeline26is formed on a boundary between the second engagement surface27aand the inclined surface90. Even in a case of the configuration described above, when the side surface cover21is pivoted in a direction receding from the frame body1, the ridgeline26formed in the projection portion22rubs the first engagement surface28of the hole portion23. Then, the projection portion22comes out from the hole portion23, and it becomes possible to detach the side surface cover21from the frame body1.

Now, as shown inFIG.6, the side surface cover21is configured to pivot around the pivot shaft25in an arrow direction E. According to a configuration inFIG.6, the ridgeline26and the inclined surface90formed on the project portion22are positioned differently from the configuration inFIG.1. Specifically, the inclined surface90provided on the project portion22of the frame body1is disposed in a corner portion of a lower and back side of the project portion22. In other words, the inclined surface90is provided further than the second engagement surface27awith respect to the pivot shaft25in the second direction D2. Furthermore, when viewed in the third direction D3, the ridgeline26extends closer to the pivot shaft25in the second direction D2as the ridgeline26extends more downstream in the first direction D1.

Each ofFIGS.12A to12Cillustrate a diagram of the frame body1and the side surface cover21viewed from a plus side toward a minus side in the second direction D2and a diagram of the frame body1and the side surface cover21viewed from a minus side toward a plus side in the third direction D3. As shown inFIG.12A, the project portion22provided on the frame body1is configured to engage with hole portion23provided on the side surface cover21. The ridgeline26is formed so as to cross the hole portion23. By such a formation of the ridgeline26, when the side surface cover21is pivoted in the arrow E direction, the first engagement surface28of the hole portion23of the side surface cover21abuts onto the ridgeline26of the projection portion22disposed in the frame body1, then, the side surface cover21receives a force from the ridgeline26downward, that is, in an arrow J direction. Thereby, as shown inFIG.12B, the side surface cover21is bent downward. In other words, the side surface cover21moves downward (in the arrow J direction).

When the side surface cover21is pivoted further in the arrow E direction, as shown inFIG.12C, a contact point between the ridgeline26and the side surface cover21moves toward a lower end of the ridgeline26. Then, when the engagement between the ridgeline26and the side surface cover21is released, the hole portion23comes out from the project portion22, and it becomes possible to detach the side surface cover21from the frame body1.

Further, while, in the embodiment described above, the one projection portion22includes both of the second engagement surface27aand the ridgeline26, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown inFIG.7, it is acceptable that, by disposing a projection portion30in the side surface cover21, the projection portion30includes a first portion31and a second portion32separated from the first portion31. The first and second portions31and32respectively include engagement surfaces31aand32a, and these first and second portions31and32construct the second engagement surface27aparallel to the first engagement surface28of the hole portion23. The second portion32includes the inclined surface90, and the ridgeline26is formed by an engagement surface32aand the inclined surface90. Since a function of the ridgeline26has been already described above, descriptions will be omitted herein.

Second Embodiment

While a second embodiment of this disclosure will be described next, in the second embodiment, this disclosure is applied to an option feeder200instead of the printer100in the first embodiment. Therefore, configurations similar to the first embodiment will be described by omitting illustrations or by putting the same reference characters on drawings herein.

As shown inFIG.8, the option feeder200, serving as a sheet conveyance apparatus, includes, similar to the first embodiment, the frame body1and the side surface cover21. Since a method of attaching and detaching the side surface cover21of the option feeder200to and from the frame body1is similar to the first embodiment, descriptions will be omitted herein.

The option feeder200is a unit which is, for example, optionally coupled to a lower part of a printer. The option feeder200is detachably supported by the frame body1, and includes a cassette5stacking the sheet and a conveyance unit260conveying the sheet stacked in the cassette5. The conveyance unit260is housed in the frame body1, and constructed by a plurality of rollers. The sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit260is delivered from a sheet discharge port200aformed on an upper surface of the option feeder200to the printer coupled to an upper part of the option feeder200.

To be noted, to this embodiment, the variants described inFIGS.5A to7are, of course, applicable. For example, by disposing the projection portion22in the frame body1of the option feeder200, it is acceptable to dispose the hole portion23in the side surface cover21.

Other Embodiments

To be noted, while, in any of the embodiments described above, descriptions are provided by using the side surface cover21constituting the exterior of the printer100or the option feeder200on a side in the third direction D3as an example, it is not limited to this. For example, instead of the side surface cover21, it is acceptable to apply this disclosure to a back surface cover constituting the exterior on the back side of the printer100or the option feeder200.

Further, while, in any of the embodiments described above, the ridgeline26is a straight line, it is not limited to this. For example, the ridgeline26can be a curved line.

Further, while, in any of the embodiments described above, the projection portions22and the hole portions23each are disposed three, it is not limited to this. For example, it is acceptable to dispose one to two or equal to or more than four for each of the projection portion22and the hole portion23.

Further, while the first embodiment is described using the printer100of the electrophotographic system, this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to apply this disclosure to an image forming apparatus of an ink jet system which forms the image on the sheet by ejecting a liquid ink through a nozzle.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-126301, filed Jul. 30, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.