Patent Publication Number: US-9415955-B2

Title: Recording apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-063555 filed on Mar. 26, 2013. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-063555 is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention generally relates to a recording apparatus. 
     2. Related Art 
     In some large-scale inkjet printers and other recording apparatuses, a paper feed unit (medium support part) for mounting a roll of paper (recording medium) is provided such that the paper feed unit can be pulled out from a housing. In such recording apparatuses, medium paths through which the recording medium passes are provided to the paper feed unit and to the housing. In the pulling out of the paper feed unit, it is desirable to prevent cutting, breaking, or the like of the recording medium being passed through the medium paths. 
     In an inkjet-type image formation apparatus, a roll of paper is fed out at an apparatus back surface from a paper feed unit, and the roll of paper is introduced to an apparatus body at a guide plate that comes down from the back surface side of the apparatus body (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-12205, for example). The orientation of the guide plate takes an incline less than 45° from the horizontal direction, i.e., an incline closer to the horizontal direction than the vertical direction. The position at which the roll of paper is fed out from the paper feed unit is lower than a sliding plane between the apparatus body and the paper feed unit. 
     SUMMARY 
     With the above-described image formation apparatus, the paper path protrudes out on the apparatus back surface side, therefore resulting in a commensurate increase in apparatus size. 
     This problem is not limited to inkjet-type image formation apparatuses, and is similarly experienced by a variety of recording apparatuses. 
     In view of this, one aspect is to provide a recording apparatus with which cutting and the like of a recording medium during sliding of a medium support part can be prevented, and with which the medium support part can be reduced in size in a sliding direction. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a recording apparatus is provided that includes a housing with a recording unit, and a medium support part. The recording unit is configured to record onto a recording medium. The housing has a first medium path through which the recording medium is configured to pass. The medium support part is slidable with respect to the housing. The medium support part has a second medium path through which the recording medium is configured to pass. The second medium path is configured to connect with the first medium path. The first and second medium paths have openings that are at least partially disposed on a sliding plane defined between the housing and the medium support part. A side, out of the sliding direction of the medium support part, where the linking of the second medium path is released from the first medium path serves as one side in the sliding direction. A wall (hereinafter a “first wall on one side”) of the first medium path on the one side in the sliding direction and a wall (hereinafter a “second wall on the other side”) of the second medium path on the other side in the sliding direction do not interfere with respect to each other during sliding of the medium support part. 
     That is to say, the medium paths do not protrude out to the apparatus back surface side. This is because the openings of the two medium paths are at least partially disposed on the sliding plane defined between the housing and the medium support part. Also, cutting or the like of the recording medium by the first wall on one side and the second wall on the other side is prevented during sliding of the medium support part. This is because the first wall on one side and the second wall on the other side do not interfere with respect to each other during sliding of the medium support part. As such, the above-described aspect makes it possible to provide a recording apparatus with which cutting and the like of a recording medium during sliding of a medium support part can be prevented, and with which the medium support part can be reduced in size in a sliding direction. 
     Herein, the above-described recording apparatus encompasses inkjet printers, wire dot printers, laser printers, line printers, copy machines, facsimiles, and the like. 
     The first wall on one side and the second wall on the other side can take an arrangement that does have interference during non-sliding of the medium support part, provided that there is no interference during sliding of the medium support part. 
     The first wall on one side and the second wall on the other side can be arranged not to overlap as viewed in the sliding direction during sliding of the medium support part. As such, this aspect makes it possible to provide a recording apparatus with which cutting and the like of a recording medium during sliding of a medium support part can be prevented. 
     Here, for the first wall on one side and the second wall on the other slide not to overlap as viewed in the sliding direction also means that the first wall on one side and the second wall on the other side do not overlap as viewed in a side view from a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium and the sliding direction of the medium support part. 
     The wall (e.g., the first wall on one side) of the first medium path on one side in the sliding direction and a wall (hereinafter a “second wall on one side”) of the second medium path on one side in the sliding direction can overlap in a side view so as not to interfere with respect to each other during sliding of the medium support part. This aspect makes it possible to prevent catching of a leading end of the recording medium on a boundary on one side of the sliding direction between the first medium path and the second medium path when the leading end of the recording medium is being conveyed. 
     The first wall on one side and the second wall on one side can have comb tooth shapes, respectively, that are arranged relative to each other without interference during sliding of the medium support part. This aspect makes it possible to provide a suitable example for preventing catching of the leading end of the recording medium on the boundary on the one side in the sliding direction between the first medium path and the second medium path. 
     A portion of the second wall on one side can be disposed on the other side in the sliding direction with respect to a portion of the first wall on one side while the medium support part is located at a stowed position. The recording medium is configured to pass through the first and second medium paths while the medium support part is located at the stowed position. The portions of the walls of the first and second medium paths are configured to overlap with respect to each other in a side view. This aspect makes it possible to provide a suitable example for preventing catching of the leading end of the recording medium on the boundary on one side in the sliding direction between the first medium path and the second medium path when the recording medium is being conveyed from the second medium path to the first medium path. 
     A wall (hereinafter a “first wall on the other side”) of the first medium path on the other side in the sliding direction and the wall (e.g., the second wall on the other side) of the second medium path on the other side in the sliding direction can be arranged to overlap with respect to each other as viewed in the sliding direction such that the first wall on the other side and the second wall on the other side do not contact with respect to each other. This aspect makes it possible to prevent breakage of the walls of the medium paths, because the second wall on the other side does not collide with the first wall on the other side during sliding of the medium support part. 
     On the first medium path, a distance between the first wall on one side and the first wall on the other side in the sliding direction can increase as moving towards the opening of the first medium path. This aspect makes it possible for the leading end of a variety of recording media to be conveyed in an unencumbered manner when the recording media are being conveyed from the second medium path to the first medium path. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial side view of a recording apparatus  1 , illustrating main parts of the recording apparatus  1 ; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the recording apparatus  1 , illustrating an outer appearance of the recording apparatus  1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the recording apparatus  1 , illustrating a state where a paper feed unit  50  has been stowed; 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the recording apparatus  1 , illustrating a state where the paper feed unit  50  has been pulled out; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial rear elevational view of the recording apparatus  1 , illustrating walls on one side  31  and  61  of medium paths of the recording apparatus  1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial side view of the recording apparatus  1 , illustrating an operation of the recording apparatus  1 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a partial side view of the recording apparatus  1 , illustrating an operation of the recording apparatus  1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A selected embodiment will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following description of the embodiment is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Also, not all of the features illustrated in the embodiment are necessarily essential for the means of solving of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  is a partial side view of a recording apparatus  1 , illustrating main parts of the recording apparatus  1 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the recording apparatus  1 , illustrating an outer appearance of a large-scale inkjet printer serving as the recording apparatus  1 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  are longitudinal cross sectional views of the recording apparatus  1 , illustrating the recording apparatus  1  except for a stacker  19 . In particular,  FIG. 3  illustrates a state where a paper feed unit (e.g., a medium support part)  50  is at a predetermined stowed position L1.  FIG. 4  illustrates a state where the paper feed unit  50  is at a predetermined pulled-out position L2. The stowed position L1 is a position at which a sheet (e.g., a recording medium) R 3  passes through medium paths (e.g., first and second medium paths  30  and  60 ).  FIG. 5  is a partial rear elevational view of the recording apparatus  1 , illustrating walls on one side  31  and  61  of the medium paths (e.g., the first and second medium paths  30  and  60 ). 
     In the drawings described above, the reference numeral D 1  illustrates a sliding direction of the paper feed unit  50  in relation to a housing  10 . The reference numeral D 2  illustrates a pulling-out direction going towards the pulled-out position L2 from the stowed position L1. In other words, the reference numeral D 2  illustrates one side in the sliding direction D 1 , to which side the connection of the second medium path  60  of the paper feed unit  50  is separated from the first medium path  30  of the housing  10 . The reference numeral D 3  illustrates a stowing direction going towards the stowed position L1 from the pulled-out position L2. In other words, the reference numeral D 3  illustrates the other side in the sliding direction D 1 , to which side the separated second medium path  60  is connected to the first medium path  30 . The reference numeral D 4  illustrates a conveyance direction of the sheet (e.g., the recording medium) R 3  crossing over the sliding direction D 1 . The reference numeral D 7  illustrates a recording apparatus width direction, which is orthogonal to the sliding direction D 1  and the conveyance direction D 4 .  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4  are drawings in which the recording apparatus  1  is illustrated in the side view from the outside of the width direction D 7 . The reference numeral P 1  illustrates a sliding plane defined between the housing  10  and the paper feed unit  50 . The sliding plane P 1  that is illustrated is a plane parallel to the sliding direction D 1 , and is a plane that intersects with parts of the housing  10  and paper feed unit  50 . For example, the sliding plane P 1  intersects with a distal end of the first wall on one side  31  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The reference numeral P 2  illustrates a projection plane orthogonal to the sliding direction D 1 . A shape of the walls on one side  31  and  61  projected onto the projection plane P 2  is the shape illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     The drawings are in some instances not consistent with one another, for the sake of ease of understanding. 
     Moreover, the positional relationships described in the present disclosure are merely illustrative examples for describing the invention, and are not for limiting the invention. As such, the invention also encompasses arrangements of the paper supply unit at positions other than below the housing, e.g., above, to the left, or to the right. 
     The recording apparatus  1  includes the housing  10  and the paper feed unit  50 . The paper feed unit  50  is slidable with respect to the housing  10 . The paper feed unit  50  is able to print or record by switching between a first roll of paper R 1  at the back of the upper part of the apparatus and a second roll of paper R 2  at a lower part of the apparatus. The rolls of paper are continuous paper obtained when a sheet is wound into a roll. The outsides of both rolls of paper R 1  and R 2  serve as print surfaces. It will be readily understood that when the positions of feed-out mechanisms  21  and  51  are changed, it would also be possible to use rolls of paper with which the insides serve as print surfaces. For the rolls of paper, it would be possible to use wound sheets of a variety of materials, such as paper, cloth, plastic sheet, or leather. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3  and elsewhere, the housing  10  includes, among other things, a control unit  11 , a recording unit  12 , a conveyor roller pair ( 15  and  16 ), a discharge unit  17 , a cutter  18 , a stacker  19 , a medium path  20  and paper feed mechanism ( 21  to  25 ) for the first roll of paper, and a first medium path  30  and rolling rollers (e.g., driven rollers) ( 33  and  34 ) for the second roll of paper. 
     The control unit  11  has a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and so forth. The control unit  11  controls the operation of each of the parts of the recording apparatus  1 , such as by accepting a command for recording output from an external host apparatus and printing onto the sheet-shaped recording medium. The recording medium intended for printing is a portion that has been pulled out from either of the first and second rolls of paper R 1  and R 2  and, in the case of the second roll of paper R 2 , would be a continuous sheet R 3 . 
     The recording unit  12  has a recording head  13  and a platen  14 . The recording head  13  is arranged on an upper side facing the platen  14 , and is able to record by discharging an ink onto the recording medium. The platen  14  supports the recording medium, and gives a predetermined distance between the recording medium and the recording head  13 . 
     The conveyor roller pair ( 15  and  16 ) includes a drive roller  15  arranged on a lower side and a driven roller  16  arranged on an upper side. The driven roller  16  is separable from the drive roller  15 , and when nearby nips the recording medium along with the drive roller  15 . 
     The recording medium sent out from the discharge unit  17  is cut by the cutter  18  and, when released from the nipping of the conveyor roller pair ( 15  and  16 ), is stacked on the stacker  19 . 
     The paper supply mechanism for the first roll of paper includes, among other things, a feed-out mechanism  21  for supporting the first roll of paper R 1 , a paper feed roller pair ( 22  and  23 ), and rolling rollers (e.g., driven rollers) ( 24  and  25 ). 
     The paper feed roller pair ( 22  and  23 ) includes a drive roller  22  arranged on the stowing direction D 3  side and a driven roller  23  arranged on the pulling-out direction D 2  side. The driven roller  23  is separable from the drive roller  22 , and when nearby nips the recording medium along with the drive roller  22 . The rolling roller  24  is at a wall on the pulling-out direction D 2  side of the medium path  20 , and comes slightly out into the medium path  20  from an inner surface of this wall. The rolling roller  25  is at a wall on the stowing direction D 3  side of the medium path  20 , and comes slightly out into the medium path  20  from an inner surface of this wall. 
     During the supply of a fresh first roll of paper R 1  that has been mounted onto the feed-out mechanism  21 , a user would first place the leading end of the first roll of paper R 1  between the paper feed roller pair ( 22  and  23 ). Thereafter, the feed-out mechanism  21  feeds out the first roll of paper R 1 , the sheet that is fed out is nipped by the paper feed roller pair ( 22  and  23 ) and conveyed toward the conveyor roller pair ( 15  and  16 ), and the conveyor roller pair ( 15  and  16 ) nip the sheet. During printing, the conveyor roller pair ( 15  and  16 ) conveys the sheet over the platen  14 , and the recording head  13  discharges ink to record onto the sheet. 
     The first medium path  30 , through which the sheet R 3  that is conveyed to the recording unit  12  is passed, has a first wall on one side  31  on the pulling-out direction D 2  side and a first wall on the other side  32  on the stowing direction D 3  side. The first wall on one side  31  serves as an inside portion of the first medium path  30  that is bent toward the recording unit  12 . The rolling rollers (e.g., the driven rollers)  33  are provided to the first wall on one side  31 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , there are pluralities of the rolling rollers  33 . The rolling rollers  33  are arranged in the conveyance direction D 4  and the width direction D 7  each, and come slightly out into the first medium path  30  from the inner surface of the first wall on one side  31 . The first wall on the other side  32  serves as an outside portion of the first medium path  30 . The rolling rollers (e.g., the driven rollers)  34  coming slightly out into the first medium path  30  from the inner surface are provided to the first wall on the other side  32 . 
     The paper feed unit (e.g., the medium support part)  50  includes, among other things, the feed-out mechanism  51  for supporting the second roll of paper R 2 , a paper feed roller pair ( 52  and  53 ), a medium detection sensor  54 , and rolling rollers (e.g., driven rollers)  63  that are at a wall on the pulling-out direction D 2  side of the second medium path  60 . The paper feed unit  50  is slidable between the stowed position L1 and the pulled-out position L2, and is electrically connected to the control unit  11 . 
     The paper feed roller pair ( 52  and  53 ) includes a drive roller  52  arranged on the pulling-out direction D 2  side and a driven roller  53  arranged on the stowing direction D 3  side. The driven roller  53  is separable from the drive roller  52 , and when nearby nips the sheet R 3  together with the drive roller  52 . 
     The medium detection sensor  54  detects whether or not the sheet R 3  is being supplied in front of the paper feed roller pair ( 52  and  53 ) on the second medium path  60 . 
     The second medium path  60  through which the sheet R 3  that is conveyed on the first medium path  30  passes has a second wall on one side  61  on the pulling-out direction D 2  side and a second wall on the other side  62  on the stowing direction D 3  side. The second wall on one side  61  serves as an inside portion of the second medium path  60  that is bent from the feed-out mechanism  51 . The rolling rollers  63  are provided to the second wall on one side  61 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , there are pluralities of the rolling rollers  63  that are arranged in the conveyance direction D 4  and the width direction D 7  each. The rolling rollers  63  come slightly out into the second medium path  60  from the inner surface of the second wall on one side  61 . 
     During the supply of a fresh second roll of paper R 2  that has been mounted onto the feed-out mechanism  51 , a user would first place the leading end R 4  of the second roll of paper R 2  between the paper feed roller pair ( 52  and  53 ). Thereafter, the feed-out mechanism  51  feeds out the second roll of paper R 2 , and the sheet R 3  that is fed out is nipped by the paper feed roller pair ( 52  and  53 ) inside the second medium path and conveyed towards the first medium path  30 . At this time, depending on the peculiar curl of the second roll of paper R 2 , there are instances where the leading end R 4  is bent and contacts the walls on one side  31  and  61 , as with the sheet R 31  in  FIG. 7 , and there are instances where the leading end R 4  is bent and contacts the walls on the other side  32  and  62 , as with the sheet R 32  in  FIG. 7 . The sheet R 3  that has passed through the first medium path  30  and been conveyed between the conveyor roller pair ( 15  and  16 ) is nipped by the conveyor roller pair ( 15  and  16 ). Thereafter, the paper feed roller pair ( 52  and  53 ) can release the sheet R 3  from the nip. During printing or recording, the sheet R 3  that is on the upstream side of the medium path is held at the feed-out mechanism  51 , while the sheet R 3  that is on the downstream side of the medium path is held at the conveyor roller pair ( 15  and  16 ). During this printing, the conveyor roller pair ( 15  and  16 ) conveys the sheet R 3  over the platen  14 , and the recording head  13  discharges ink and records onto the sheet R 3 . The series of operations is controlled by the control unit  11 . 
     The recording apparatus  1  also includes a position detection sensor  71  for determining whether or not the paper feed unit  50  is at the stowed position L1. When the paper feed unit  50  is not detected as being at the stowed position L1, or when the sheet R 3  is not detected by the medium detection sensor  54 , then the control unit  11  does not perform the above-described series of operations. 
     The drive rollers and driven rollers forming the roller pairs can have the reverse arrangements of the positional relationships described above. Also, using a drive roller instead of a driven roller, the roller pairs can include a pair of drive rollers. 
     Now, as with the image formation apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-12205, when the orientation of a guide plate is inclined closer to the horizontal direction than to the vertical direction, then gravity causes the leading end of the sheet being guided to contact a lower-side (or outside) guide plate. That is to say, the sheet leading end does not contact an upper-side (or inside) guide plate. Therefore, there is no need to provide for overlapping of the upper-side (or inside) guide plate in order to prevent the sheet leading end for catching onto the portion of contact of the medium path. The position of the edge of the outside guide plate, which is at a lower-side paper feed unit, will be up when the orientation of the guide plate is brought closer to the vertical direction. For this reason, pulling out the paper feed unit results in interference between the outside guide plate that is at the lower-side paper feed unit and the inside guide plate that is in an upper-side apparatus body. 
     With the recording apparatus  1 , the connecting portion of the medium paths takes an orientation close to vertical (i.e., an orientation closer to the vertical direction than to the horizontal direction), while at the same time the position of an edge  62   a  of the second wall on the other side  62 , which would be the stowing direction D 3  side, is brought down. Therefore, there is no interference between the first wall on one side  31  and the second wall on the other side  62  during sliding of the paper feed unit. On the other hand, it is necessary to have enough overlapping of the walls on one side  31  and  61 , which would be the pulling-out direction D 2  side, in order to prevent catching of the sheet leading end. 
     In view of the state of the background, the two medium paths  30  and  60  are formed as described below. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and elsewhere, the second medium path  60  of the paper feed unit  50  at the stowed position L1 is connected to the first medium path  30 . The two medium paths  30  and  60  will be described in detail below. 
     The first wall on one side  31 , which would be the pulling-out direction D 2  side of the first medium path  30 , is inclined towards the pulling-out direction D 2  side as moving closer to an opening  30   a  end in the vicinity of the opening  30   a . The opening  30   a  is connected to the second medium path  60 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5  and elsewhere, an edge  31   a  of the first wall on one side  31  that defines the opening  30   a  of the first medium path  30  is formed so as to have a comb tooth shape where rectangular convexities  31   b  and concavities  31   c  are alternately repeated. 
     An edge  32   a  of the first wall on the other side  32  also defines the opening  30   a  of the first medium path  30 . The edge  32   a  of the first wall on the other side  32 , which is the stowing direction D 3  side of the first medium path  30 , is lower than the sliding plane P 1 , and also lower than the edge  31   a  of the first wall on one side  31 . In the vicinity of the opening  30   a  of the first medium path  30 , the first wall on one side  31  and the first wall on the other side  32  spread in the sliding direction D 1  as moving towards the opening  30   a  of the first medium path  30 . 
     The second wall on one side  61 , which is the pulling-out direction D 2  side of the second medium path  60 , is inclined towards the stowing direction D 3  side as moving closer to an opening  60   a  end in the vicinity of the opening  60   a . The opening  60   a  is connected to the first medium path  30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5  and elsewhere, an edge  61   a  of the second wall on one side  61  that defines the opening  60   a  of the second medium path  60  is formed so as to have a comb tooth shape where rectangular convexities  61   b  and concavities  61   c  are alternately repeated. More specifically, as seen from the pulling-out direction D 2  or the stowing direction D 3 , the convexities  61   b  of the second wall on one side  61  are set at intervals in the concavities  31   c  of the first wall on one side  31 , while the convexities  31   b  of the first wall on one side  31  are set at intervals in the concavities  61   c  of the second wall on one side  61 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the convexities  61   b  of the second wall on one side are above the sliding plane P 1  and also above the convexities  31   b  of the first wall on one side. The walls on one side  31  and  61  have a portion  41  of overlap in the sliding direction D 1 . As such, the walls on one side  31  and  61  overlap in the sliding direction D 1  in the side view, but are formed in the comb tooth shapes so as not to interfere with one another during sliding of the paper feed unit  50 . 
     Here, for the walls on one side  31  and  61  not to interfere with one another during sliding of the paper feed unit  50  also means that when the walls on one side  31  and  61  are projected onto the projection plane P 2  orthogonal to the sliding direction D 1 , then the portions of projection of the walls on one side  31  and  61  do not overlap. Further, the side view means viewing from a direction substantially orthogonal to the sliding direction D 1  and the conveyance direction D 4 , in the width direction D 7 . Furthermore, for the walls on one side  31  and  61  to overlap in the sliding direction D 1  in the side view also means that the walls on one side  31  and  61  overlap with one another as seen from a direction substantially orthogonal to the directions D 1  and D 4 . 
     Also, the second wall on one side  61  is disposed on the stowing direction D 3  side in a stepwise manner with respect to the first wall on one side at the portion  41  of overlap in the sliding direction D 1  in the side view when the paper feed unit  50  is at the stowed position L1. 
     The second wall on the other side  62 , which is on the stowing direction D 3  side of the second medium path  60 , is inclined towards the stowing direction D 3  side as moving closer to the opening  60   a  end in the vicinity of the opening  60   a . The opening  60   a  is connected to the first medium path  30 . The edge  62   a  of the second wall on the other side  62  defines the opening  60   a  of the second medium path  60 . The edge  62   a  of the second wall on the other side  62  is above the edge  32   a  of the first wall on the other side  32  and below the sliding plane P 1 , and also below the convexities  31   b  of the first wall on one side. As such, the first wall on one side  31  and the second wall on the other side  62  do not interfere with one another, being without overlap in the sliding direction D 1  in the side view during sliding of the paper feed unit  50 . It will be readily understood that for the first wall on one side  31  and the second wall on the other side  62  not to overlap with one another in the sliding direction D 1  in the side view also means that the first wall on one side  31  and the second wall on the other side  62  do not overlap with one another as seen from a direction substantially orthogonal to the directions D 1  and D 4 . Also, this means that the first wall on one side  31  and the second wall on the other side  62  do not overlap with one another as viewed in the sliding direction D 1 . 
     The openings  30   a  and  60   a  of the medium paths are both formed in the sliding plane P 1 . The openings of the medium paths could be said to be on the sliding plane in a case where, for example, the sliding plane P 1  is crossed by line segments connecting the edges that define the openings of the walls on one side and the edges that define the openings of the walls on the other side in the side view. In a case where there are concavities and convexities at the edges, then a line segment connecting to any of the concavities or convexities should cross the sliding plane P 1 . Also, in this case, the openings  30   a  and  60   a  are at least partially disposed on the sliding plane P 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the opening  30   a  is on the sliding plane P 1  on the first medium path  30 , because the concavities  31   c  of the wall on one side  31  are above the sliding plane P 1  and the edge  32   a  of the wall on the other side  32  is below the sliding plane P 1 . On the second medium path  60 , the opening  60   a  is on the sliding plane P 1 , because the convexities  61   b  of the second wall on one side  61  are above the sliding plane P 1  and the edge  62   a  of the second wall on the other side  62  is below the sliding plane P 1 . 
     When the paper feed unit  50  is at the stowed position L1, the edge  62   a  of the second wall on the other side  62  takes a position separated in the pulling-out direction D 2  side with respect to the edge  32   a  of the first wall on the other side  32 . As such, the first wall on the other side  32  and the second wall on the other side  62  overlap as viewed in the sliding direction D 1  but do not contact each other. 
     The operation and effects of the recording apparatus  1  will be described next. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the openings  30   a  and  60   a  of the two medium paths  30  and  60  are formed on the sliding plane P 1 . Therefore, the first and second medium paths  30  and  60  do not protrude out to the apparatus back surface side, nor do the first and second medium paths  30  and  60  increase the size of the apparatus. Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the first wall on one side  31  and the second wall on the other side  62  do not interfere with one another, and do not overlap in the sliding direction D 1  in the side view (or as viewed in the sliding direction D 1 ) during sliding of the paper feed unit. Therefore, cutting, breaking, or the like of the sheet R 3  by the walls  31  and  62  is prevented when the paper feed unit  50  is pulled out to the pulling-out direction D 2  from the stowed position L1. As such, with the recording apparatus  1 , cutting or the like of the sheet R 3  during sliding of the paper feed unit  50  can be prevented, and the size of the paper feed unit  50  in the sliding direction D 1  can be reduced. 
     Moreover, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the walls on one side  31  and  61  are overlapped in the sliding direction D 1  in the side view so as not to interfere with one another during sliding of the paper feed unit. Therefore, catching of the leading end R 4  on a boundary (or the portion  41 ) of the walls on one side  31  and  61  is prevented when the leading end R 4  of the sheet R 3  is being conveyed to the recording unit  12 . When the leading end R 4  bends to the pulling-out direction D 2  side, as with, for example, the sheet R 31  illustrated in  FIG. 7 , then in some instances the boundary (or the portion  41 ) of the walls on one side  31  and  61  can be contacted. However, catching of the leading end R 4  is prevented because the boundary has no gap in the conveyance direction D 4 . In particular, the leading end R 4  is less likely to catch because the walls on one side  31  and  61  are formed in comb tooth shapes that do not interfere with one another during sliding of the paper feed unit. 
     Moreover, when the paper feed unit  50  is at the stowed position L1, then the second wall on one side  61  is disposed on the stowing direction D 3  side with respect to the first wall on one side  31  at the portion  41  of overlap in the sliding direction D 1  in the side view. Therefore, the leading end R 4  is less likely to catch at this point as well. 
     Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first wall on the other side  32  and the second wall on the other side  62  overlap as viewed in the sliding direction D 1 , and do not contact each other. Therefore, the second wall on the other side  62  does not collide with the first wall on the other side  32  during sliding of the paper feed unit  50 . As such, with the recording apparatus  1 , breakage of the walls on the other side  32  and  62  of the two medium paths  30  and  60  can be prevented. When the leading end R 4  bends to the stowing direction D 3  side, as with the sheet R 32  illustrated in  FIG. 7 , then in some instances the leading end R 4  could contact the boundary of the walls on the other side  32  and  62  when the leading end R 4  of the sheet R 32  is being conveyed to the recording unit  12 . Even in such a case, the leading end R 4  is less likely to catch, because the second wall on the other side  62  is disposed on the pulling-out direction D 2  side with respect to the first wall on the other side  32 . 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the walls  31  and  32  of the first medium path  30  broaden in the sliding direction D 1  as moving toward the opening  30   a  in the vicinity of the opening  30   a . Therefore, the leading end R 4  is conveyed in an unencumbered manner even though the leading end R 4  can bent as with the sheets R 31  and R 32  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     With the present disclosure, a variety of modification examples are conceivable. 
     For example, other than the rolls of paper, the recording media can be a folded-over continuous paper, cut paper, or the like. 
     Other than an apparatus for switching between a plurality of recording media to carry out recording, the recording apparatus can also be an apparatus for recording onto a single recording medium. 
     The medium support part can also be a paper feed unit that supports the first roll of paper R 1  at the back of the upper part of the apparatus. Other than the paper feed unit, the medium support part can also be at a relay site where the recording medium that, though not yet recorded on, has been conveyed from the paper feed unit is supported and transferred to the housing, a discharge site where the now-recorded-on recording medium conveyed from the recording unit is supported, or the like. 
     The comb tooth shapes of the walls on one side  31  and  61  can be a shape where semi-elliptical convexities and concavities are alternately repeated, or the like. 
     The first wall on one side and the second wall on the other side can take an arrangement that does have interference during non-sliding of the medium support part if there is no interference during sliding of the medium support part. In a case where, for example, the second wall on the other side  62  has a mechanism for retracting downward, then the second wall on the other side  62  can be upwardly advanced out so as to overlap with the first wall on one side  31  when the leading end of the recording medium is being passed through the medium paths  60  and  30 . When the medium support part is being pulled out, the second wall on the other side  62  can be retracted downward so as not to overlap with the first wall on one side  31 . On the other hand, in a case where, for example, the first wall on one side  31  has a mechanism for retracting upward, then the first wall on one side  31  can be downwardly advanced out so as to overlap with the second wall on the other side  62  when the leading end of the recording medium is being passed through the medium paths  60  and  30 . When the medium support part is being pulled out, the first wall on one side  31  can be upwardly retracted so as not to overlap with the second wall on the other side  62 . 
     Also, the first wall on one side and the second wall on the other side can overlap in the sliding direction in the side view (or as viewed in the sliding direction) as long as there is no interference during sliding of the medium support part. For example, the effect of preventing cutting and the like of the recording medium is still obtained even when the first wall on one side and the second wall on the other side are formed in shape of concavities and convexities that do not have interference during sliding of the medium support part. 
     As has been described above, the variety of aspects make it possible to prevent cutting and the like of the recording medium during sliding of the medium support part, and make it possible to provide a technology and the like with which the medium support part can be reduced in size in the sliding direction. It will be readily understood that the fundamental actions and effects described above are also obtained with the configuration as described in independent claim that does not include the configurations as described in dependent claims. 
     It would also be possible to implement, among other things, a configuration obtained by combining or substituting with one another each of the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiment and modification examples, or a configuration obtained by substituting known features and each of the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiment and modification examples with one another or by modifying combinations thereof. The present invention also encompasses these configurations and the like. 
     In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies. 
     While only a selected embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiment according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.