Patent Publication Number: US-2018037038-A1

Title: Medium holding device and recording apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/129,400 filed on Sep. 26, 2016, entitled “MEDIUM HOLDING DEVICE AND RECORDING APPARATUS,” which issued as U.S. Pat. No. ______ on ______, which is a U.S. Nationalization of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2015/001696 filed on Mar. 25, 2015 entitled “MEDIUM HOLDING DEVICE AND RECORDING APPARATUS,” which claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2014/065419, filed Mar. 27, 2014, the entireties of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a medium holding device that holds a recording medium on which an image is recorded and a recording apparatus. 
     2. Background Art 
     In the related art, as a platen device mounted on an ink jet printer for recording an image on a medium to be printed such as T-shirts, a platen device is known which includes a platen on which the medium to be printed is mounted, a support plate that is disposed below the platen, a frame that pinches and holds the medium to be printed mounted on the platen together with the support plate, and a platen tray that is positioned below these members and houses a portion not mounted on the platen of the medium to be printed pinched by the frame so as to receive the portion. The platen device has a configuration in which the platen, the support plate, the frame, and the platen tray described above are integrally assembled with a bottom portion (see PTL 1). 
     3. Citation List 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: JP-A-2003-312069. 
     SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
     In such a platen device, a plurality of sizes of platens are prepared so as to correspond to media to be printed of various sizes and a user exchanges the platen according to the size of the medium to be printed. In the platen device of the related art, since the platen forms an integral structure with the frame, the platen is exchanged together with the frame and the like and if the size of the platen is large, the integral structure combined with the frame and the like is very heavy. Thus, exchange work of the platen is not easy. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a medium holding device in which a user can easily perform an exchange work of a tray and a recording apparatus. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A medium holding device of the invention includes a first tray that has a medium mounting surface; a second tray that has a medium mounting surface smaller than that of the first tray; a tray mounting section on which the first tray and the second tray are selectively mounted; a holding frame that is separately configured from the first tray and the second tray, and holds a recording medium on which an image is recorded and which is mounted on the medium mounting surface of the first tray with the first tray if the first tray is mounted on the tray mounting section; and an attachment that is mounted on an inside of the holding frame and holds the recording medium mounted on the medium mounting surface of the second tray with the second tray if the second tray is mounted on the tray mounting section, and is separated from the holding frame if the first tray is mounted on the tray mounting section. 
     According to this configuration, a user can mount a first set tray on the tray mounting section and hold the recording medium between the first set tray and the holding frame. Furthermore, the user can mount a second set tray on the tray mounting section and hold the recording medium between the second set tray and the attachment by mounting the attachment on the holding frame. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the medium holding device further includes a base section that supports the tray mounting section, in which the holding frame is provided in the base section to be rotatable between a holding position in which the recording medium is held and a non-holding position in which the holding of the recording medium is released. 
     According to this configuration, the user can hold an release the recording medium by the holding frame by performing a simple operation in which the holding frame is rotated between the holding position and the non-holding position. Thus, it is possible to hold the recording medium by the holding frame and to improve workability when releasing the recording medium. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the medium holding device further includes a frame-side lock section that is provided in the holding frame, and a base-side lock section that is provided in the base section and engages with the frame-side lock section of the holding frame positioned in the holding position. 
     According to this configuration, the holding frame is locked in the holding position by engaging the frame-side lock section with the base-side lock section. Then, since the same holding frame is shared for the first tray and the second tray, it is possible to reduce the number of frame-side lock sections without it being necessary to prepare a frame-side lock section for each holding frame as in a case where the holding frames are separately used for the first tray and the second tray. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the medium holding device further includes a brake assist section that is mounted on the holding frame and brakes rotation of the holding frame to the holding position and assists rotation of the holding frame to the non-holding position. 
     According to this configuration, it is possible to improve workability when rotating the holding frame between the holding position and the non-holding position. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the brake assist section is configured of an assist hinge rotatably connecting the holding frame to the base section. 
     According to this configuration, it is possible to mount the assist hinge closer to a rotation shaft of the holding frame than in a case of using a gas spring as the brake assist section. Thus, it is possible to reduce a size of the holding frame. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the first tray has a tray body in which one surface of front and rear surfaces is the medium mounting surface, and a guide section that is provided in an edge portion of a surface opposite to the medium mounting surface of the tray body and guides an end portion of the recording medium hanging from between the tray body and the holding frame to the outside with respect to the tray body. 
     According to this configuration, since the end portion of the recording medium hanging from between the tray body of the first tray and the holding frame is guided to the outside with respect to the tray body by the guide section, it is possible to increase a contact area between the tray body, the holding frame, and the recording medium. Thus, if the recording medium is held between the first tray and the holding frame, it is easy to extend wrinkles of the held recording medium and it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being moved after the recording medium is held. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the attachment has a plate section provided with an opening, and an attachment frame section that is provided along an edge portion of the opening in one surface of the front and rear surfaces of the plate section. It is preferable that the second tray has a tray body in which one surface of the front and rear surfaces is the medium mounting surface, and a guide section that is provided in the edge portion of the surface opposite to the medium mounting surface of the tray body and guides the end portion of the recording medium hanging from between the tray body and the attachment frame section to the outside with respect to the tray body. 
     According to this configuration, since the end portion of the recording medium hanging from between the tray body of the second tray and the attachment frame section of the attachment is guided to the outside with respect to the tray body by the guide section, it is possible to increase the contact area between the tray body, the attachment frame section, and the recording medium. Thus, if the recording medium is held between the second tray and the attachment, it is easy to extend wrinkles of the held recording medium and it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being moved after the recording medium is held. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the holding frame has a frame body in which an engaging section engaging with an outer peripheral edge of the attachment is provided in an inner peripheral edge thereof, and locking member that is movably provided in the frame body between a locked position in which the attachment engaged with the engaging section is locked to the frame body and an unlocked position in which the locking of the attachment is released. 
     According to this configuration, the user can mount the attachment on the holding frame and separate the attachment from the holding frame by performing a simple operation in which the locking member is moved between the locked position and the unlocked position. 
     A recording apparatus of the invention includes the medium holding device described above and a recording section that records an image to the recording medium held by the medium holding device. 
     The recording section is not particularly limited and, for example, a recording section ejecting ink using an ink jet type recording section can be used. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a medium holding section and is a view of a state where a holding frame is positioned in a holding position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the medium holding section and is a view of a state where the holding frame is positioned in a non-holding position. 
         FIG. 4  is a right side view of the medium holding section and is a view of a state where the holding section is positioned in the non-holding position. 
         FIG. 5A  is a plan view of the holding frame and a large tray. 
         FIG. 5B  is a plan view of the holding frame on which a first attachment is mounted and an intermediate tray. 
         FIG. 5C  is a plan view of the holding frame on which a second attachment is mounted and a small tray. 
         FIG. 5D  is a perspective view of the holding frame, the intermediate tray, and the first attachment. 
         FIG. 5E  is a perspective view of the holding frame, the small tray and the second attachment. 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view that is taken along a cutting line VIA-VIA of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view that is taken along a cutting line VIB-VIB of  FIG. 5B . 
         FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional view that is taken along a cutting line VIC-VIC of  FIG. 5C . 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the holding frame from which the attachment is separated and the intermediate tray. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a medium holding section according to a modified example and is a view of a state where the holding frame is positioned in a holding position. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the medium holding section according to the modified example and is a view of a state where the holding frame is positioned in a non-holding position. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The recording apparatus records an image on a recording medium such as T-shirts held in a medium holding section by ejecting ink using an ink jet type recording section. 
     Moreover, hereinafter, description is given using directions toward “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, “front”, and “rear” which are illustrated, but these directions are used for the sake of convenience in the description, and embodiments of the invention are not limited to usage of those directions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a recording apparatus  1  includes a medium holding section  2  that holds a recording medium M, a substantially rectangular-shaped recording section  3  that is laterally long, and a transport section  5  that transports the medium holding section  2  forward and backward. 
     The recording section  3  records the image on the recording medium M held in the medium holding section  2 . The recording section  3  includes a carriage  7  on which an ink jet head  6  is mounted, and a head moving mechanism (not illustrated) that moves the ink jet head  6  right and left via the carriage  7 . The head moving mechanism is configured of a belt mechanism driven by a motor. 
     The transport section  5  moves the medium holding section  2  between a set position on a front side and a recording start position on a rear side through an entrance  4  provided on the front side of the recording section  3 . The transport section  5  is configured of a belt mechanism driven by a motor. 
     When recording the image on the recording medium M by the recording apparatus  1 , first, the user sets the recording medium M in the medium holding section  2  that is moved in the set position. Then, when the recording apparatus  1  receives an instruction of start of recording, the transport section  5  moves the medium holding section  2  from the set position to the recording start position through the entrance  4 . Thereafter, the transport section  5  intermittently moves the medium holding section  2  from the recording start position to the front side and the ink jet head  6  faces the recording medium M set in the medium holding section  2 , which passes and ejects the ink while reciprocating to the right and left. Thus, the recording apparatus  1  performs a recording operation by which the image is recorded on the recording medium M. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the medium holding section  2  has a tray  11  on which the recording medium M is set, a holding frame  12  that holds the recording medium M together with the tray  11 , a tray mounting section  13  on which the tray  11  is mounted on an upper surface thereof, and a base section  14  that supports the tray mounting section  13 . The tray  11  is detachably mounted on the tray mounting section  13  and is configured separately from the holding frame  12  and the like. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5A to 5E , in order to correspond to recording media M of various sizes, three types that are different from each other in size, that is, a large tray  11   a,  an intermediate tray  11   b,  and a small tray  11   c  are provided in the tray  11 . The tray  11  is not particularly limited, but typically, the large tray  11   a  is used for holding a recording medium M of a relatively large size, the intermediate tray  11   b  is used for holding a recording medium M of an intermediate size, and the small tray  11   c  is used for holding the recording medium M of a relatively small size. For example, vertical and horizontal sizes of each tray body  16  of the large tray  11   a,  the intermediate tray  11   b,  and the small tray  11   c  are respectively 20×28 inches, 16×20 inches, and 14×16 inches. 
     Moreover, the large tray  11   a  is an example of a “first tray”, the intermediate tray  11   b  or the small tray  11   c  being an example of a “second tray”. 
     Furthermore, the medium holding section  2  includes an attachment  15  mounted on the holding frame  12 . 
     A first attachment  15   b  that is mounted on the holding frame  12  if the intermediate tray  11   b  is mounted on the tray mounting section  13 , and a second attachment  15   c  that is mounted on the holding frame  12  if the small tray  11   c  is mounted on the tray mounting section  13  are provided in the attachment  15 . 
     The tray  11  includes the tray body  16 , two guide sections  17  that are provided in right and left edge portions of a surface opposite to a medium mounting surface  16   a  (described below) of the tray body  16 , that is, a lower surface, four tray concave sections  18  (see  FIGS. 6A to 6C ) that are provided by being dispersed in a rectangular shape at four positions on the lower surface of the tray body  16 , and two front and rear positioning pins  19  (see  FIGS. 6A to 6C ) that are provided at substantially right and left center portions of the lower surface of the tray body  16 . 
     The tray body  16  is configured in a substantially rectangular plate with rounded edges. The upper surface of the tray body  16  is the medium mounting surface  16   a  on which the recording medium M is mounted. In addition, for example, as the recording medium M, if tops such as T-shirts are used, both a front body and a rear body of the tops may be overlappingly mounted on the medium mounting surface  16   a  or one of the front body and the rear body may be mounted on the medium mounting surface  16   a  by wrapping upper and lower portions of the tray  11  by the front body and the rear body. 
     The tray body  16  may be made of resin such as an acrylic plate and, for example, it is preferable that the tray body  16  is configured of an aluminum plate to ensure rigidity. Thus, when setting the recording medium M on the tray  11 , the tray body  16  is prevented from being bent and it is possible to appropriately maintain a gap between the recording medium M mounted on the medium mounting surface  16   a  and the ink jet head  6 . 
     Two right and left guide sections  17  are described below and guide right and left end portions of the recording medium M hanging from the medium mounting surface  16   a.  The guide section  17  is configured of a metal fitting of a substantially crank shape (see  FIGS. 6A to 6C ) in a cross-sectional view and includes a connection section  21  that comes into contact with the lower surface of the tray body  16 , an outer hanging section  22  that is continuous downward from the outside of the connection section  21 , a medium receiving section  23  that is continuous from the lower end of the outer hanging section  22  to the outside, and an inner hanging section  20  that is continuous downward from the inside of the connection section  21 . Moreover, in the embodiment, the guide sections  17  are provided in the right and left edge portions of the lower surface of the tray body  16 , but may be further provided in front and rear edge portions thereof. 
     The two positioning pins  19  are configured to be longer than the four tray concave sections  18  and are inserted into two positioning holes (not illustrated) provided in the tray mounting section  13  from above until the four tray concave sections  18  abut the upper surface of the tray mounting section  13 . Lengths of the four tray concave sections  18  are substantially equal to each other. The tray  11  faces the tray mounting section  13  and is supported at four points of the four tray concave sections  18 . 
     The holding frame  12  is connected to the base section  14  through an assist hinge  43  or a hinge metal fitting  44  (described below) provided in a rear end portion. The holding frame  12  is configured to rotate around an axis of the assist hinge  43  or the hinge metal fitting  44  between a holding position (see  FIG. 2 ) that is a substantially horizontal posture and holds the recording medium M with the tray  11  and a non-holding position (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) that is an inclined posture and releases the holding of the recording medium M. 
     The holding frame  12  includes a rectangular frame-shaped frame body  24 , four locking members  25  that are provided in the vicinity of four corners of the frame body  24 , and a hinge mounting section  26  which is provided in a rear portion of the frame body  24  and on which the assist hinge  43  or the hinge metal fitting  44  is mounted. 
     A gap of a size such that the recording medium M is held exists inside a frame of the frame body  24  and the tray body  16  of the large tray  11   a  enters the gap. The frame body  24  is configured by combining an aluminum extruded profile material having a cross section of a substantially inverted trapezoid rectangular shape in a rectangular shape. The frame body  24  includes a front frame member  31 , a rear frame member  32 , a left frame member  33 , and a right frame member  34 . An engaging step section  35  engaging with an outer peripheral edge of a plate section  54  (described below) of the attachment  15  is provided in an inside of each upper surface of the front frame member  31 , the rear frame member  32 , the left frame member  33 , and the right frame member  34 , that is, in an inner peripheral edge of the upper surface of the frame body  24 . Furthermore, a frame-side lock section  36  is mounted on a substantially intermediate portion of the front of the front frame member  31 . The hinge mounting section  26  is connected to a rear surface of the rear frame member  32 . The locking members  25  are respectively mounted on both front and rear end portions of the left frame member  33  and the right frame member  34  by a rotation pin  37 . 
     Moreover, in the embodiment, the “engaging section” is configured of the engaging step section  35 , but is not limited to this configuration, and, for example, the “engaging section” may be a groove formed on an inner surface of the left frame member  33  and the right frame member  34 . 
     A frame-side lock section  36  includes a hook support section  38  that is fixed to the front frame member  31  and a hook member  39  that is rotatably supported by the hook support section  38 . The hook member  39  includes a hook section  41  that engages with a base-side lock section  53  described below and a knob section  42  for rotatably operating the hook member  39 . The hook member  39  is configured to rotate between a hooked position in which the hook member  39  engages with the base-side lock section  53  and an unhooked position in which engagement of the hook member  39  with the base-side lock section  53  is released, and is biased to rotate to the hooked position by a spring (not illustrated). The user operates the hook member  39  of the frame-side lock section  36  such that it rotates to the unhooked position and releases the engagement of the frame-side lock section  36  with the base-side lock section  53  when operating the holding frame  12  to rotate to the non-holding position. 
     The four locking members  25  are provided for locking the plate section  54  of the attachment  15  to the frame body  24 . Each of the locking members  25  is configured to rotate around the rotation pin  37  between the locked position (see  FIGS. 5A to 5E ) in which the plate section  54  that is closed on the inside is locked to the frame body  24  and the unlocked position in which the engagement with the plate section  54  that is opened on the outside is released. The user rotates the locking member  25  to the locked position and locks the attachment  15  to the frame body  24  after dropping the attachment  15  to the engaging step section  35  of the frame body  24  in a state where the locking member  25  is positioned in the unlocked position. It is possible to mount the attachment  15  on the holding frame  12  and to separate the attachment  15  from the holding frame  12  by performing a simple operation of rotating the locking member  25  between the locked position and the unlocked position. 
     The hinge mounting section  26  has a rectangular shape that is laterally long in a top view and has a length in the right-left direction substantially the same as those of the rear frame member  32 . The assist hinge  43  is mounted on a substantially intermediate portion of the lower surface of the hinge mounting section  26 . The hinge metal fittings  44  are respectively mounted closer to the left side and closer to the right side of the upper surface of the hinge mounting section  26 . 
     The assist hinge  43  includes a substantially flat rectangular parallelepiped fixing section  45  and a movable section  46  rotatably connected to the fixing section  45 . The fixing section  45  is fixed to a hinge support section  51  (described below) of the base section  14 , and the movable section  46  is fixed to the hinge mounting section  26 . 
     The fixing section  45  and the movable section  46  respectively have covers made of resin. Although not illustrated, a spring for assisting rotation of the holding frame  12  to the non-holding position and a damper for braking the rotation of the holding frame  12  to the holding position are built into the assist hinge  43 . Since the rotation of the holding frame  12  to the non-holding position is assisted by the assist hinge  43 , the user can easily perform a rotating operation of the holding frame  12  to the non-holding position. Furthermore, since the rotation of the holding frame  12  to the holding position is braked by the assist hinge  43 , the user can completely perform the rotating operation of the holding frame  12  to the holding position without fingers being pinched between the holding frame  12  and the large tray  11   a.    
     The tray mounting section  13  has a substantially flat rectangular parallelepiped box shape and on which trays  11  of three sizes described above are selectively mounted on the upper surface. Two front and rear positioning holes are formed to pass through a substantially right and left intermediate portion of the tray mounting section  13 . The two positioning pins  19  described above pass through the two positioning holes and thereby the tray  11  is mounted in a state of being positioned with respect to the tray mounting section  13 . Furthermore, a tilt adjustment mechanism (not illustrated) for adjusting a tilt of the upper surface of the tray mounting section  13  is built into the tray mounting section  13 . It is possible to adjust the tilt of the medium mounting surface  16   a  of the tray  11  mounted on the upper surface of the tray mounting section  13  by adjusting the tilt of the upper surface of the tray mounting section  13  by the tilt adjustment mechanism. Thus, it is possible to adjust the gap between a nozzle surface of the ink jet head  6  and the medium mounting surface  16   a  to be substantially uniform in an entire region of the medium mounting surface  16   a.    
     The base section  14  includes a substantially prism-shaped base body  47  extending longitudinally, a base concave section  48  protruding upward from a front end portion of the base body  47 , a frame section  49  provided on a rearward upper surface of the base body  47  and configured by combining aluminum extrusion members, the plate-shaped hinge support section  51  connected to the rear from a substantially rear intermediate portion of the frame section  49 , and a base leg  52  connected to downward from a rearward portion of the base body  47 . 
     The tray mounting section  13  described above is fixed to the upper portion of the base body  47 . The base-side lock section  53  having a substantially inverted “L” shape in a side view is fixed to the upper portion of the front surface of the base concave section  48 . The base-side lock section  53  engages with the frame-side lock section  36  provided in the holding frame  12  positioned in the holding position. The fixing section  45  of the assist hinge  43  described above is fixed to the upper surface of the hinge support section  51 . The base leg  52  is mounted on the transport section  5  described above through a height adjustment mechanism (not illustrated). 
     The attachment  15  includes the substantially rectangular plate-shaped plate section  54  that is thinner than the tray body  16  and an attachment frame section  55  that is provided on the lower surface of the plate section  54 . The outer peripheral edge of the plate section  54  engages with the engaging step section  35  of the frame body  24  described above. Furthermore, a substantially rectangular-shaped attachment opening  56  is formed in the center portion of the plate section  54 . A gap sufficient to pinch the recording medium M exists in the attachment opening  56  of the first attachment  15   b  and thereby the tray body  16  of the intermediate tray  11   b  enters the gap. Similarly, a gap sufficient to pinch the recording medium M exists in the attachment opening  56  of the second attachment  15   c  and thereby the tray body  16  of the small tray  11   c  enters the gap. 
     Furthermore, the attachment  15  is provided with the attachment frame section  55  along an edge portion of the attachment opening  56 . The attachment frame section  55  is configured by combining the aluminum extrusion members having cross sections of substantially rectangular shapes in rectangular shapes. When the user mounts the attachment  15  on the holding frame  12 , the attachment frame section  55  faces a side opposite to the medium mounting surface  16   a  of the tray body  16 , that is, faces downward in a state where the holding frame  12  is positioned in the holding position. 
     Here, an operation procedure of a case where the recording media M are sequentially set to the intermediate tray  11   b,  the large tray  11   a,  and the small tray  11   c  and an image is recorded by the recording apparatus  1  will be described. Moreover, in a state before the operation, the tray  11  is not mounted on the tray mounting section  13 , the attachment  15  is not mounted on the holding frame  12 , and the holding frame  12  is positioned in the holding position. 
     First, the user operates the holding frame  12  such that it rotates to non-holding position. Then, the user mounts the intermediate tray  11   b  on the tray mounting section  13 . Then, the user mounts the recording medium M on the medium mounting surface  16   a  of the intermediate tray  11   b.  Furthermore, the user mounts the first attachment  15   b  on the holding frame  12 . 
     Then, the user operates the holding frame  12  on which the first attachment  15   b  is mounted such that it rotates from the non-holding position to the holding position. Thus, the recording medium M is held between the edge portion of the attachment opening  56  of the first attachment  15   b  and the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate tray  11   b.  At this time, the frame-side lock section  36  engages with the base-side lock section  53  and the holding frame  12  is locked in the holding position. Thus, after the recording medium M is set to the medium holding section  2  on which the intermediate tray  11   b  is mounted, the user instructs starting of the recording with the recording apparatus  1 . 
     After the recording is performed on the recording medium M, the user operates the holding frame  12  such that it rotates from the holding position to the non-holding position. Then, the user removes the recording medium M on which the image is recorded from the medium holding section  2 . 
     Then, the intermediate tray  11   b  and the large tray  11   a  are exchanged. That is, the intermediate tray  11   b  is removed from the tray mounting section  13  and, instead, the large tray  11   a  is mounted on the tray mounting section  13 . Then, the user mounts the recording medium M on the medium mounting surface  16   a  of the large tray  11   a.    
     Furthermore, the user separates the first attachment  15   b  from the holding frame  12 . 
     Then, the user operates the holding frame  12  that is separated from the first attachment  15   b  such that it rotates from the non-holding position to the holding position. Thus, the recording medium M is held between the inner peripheral edge of the holding frame  12  and the outer peripheral edge of the large tray  11   a.  Thus, after the recording medium M is set on the medium holding section  2  on which the large tray  11   a  is mounted, the user instructs starting of the recording with the recording apparatus  1 . 
     After the recording is performed on the recording medium M, the user operates the holding frame  12  such that it rotates from the holding position to the non-holding position. Then, the user removes the recording medium M on which the image is recorded from the medium holding section  2 . 
     Then, the user exchanges the large tray  11   a  and the small tray  11   c.  That is, the large tray  11   a  is removed from the tray mounting section  13  and, instead, the small tray  11   c  is mounted on the tray mounting section  13 . Then, the user mounts the recording medium M on the medium mounting surface  16   a  of the small tray  11   c.  Furthermore, the user mounts the second attachment  15   c  on the holding frame  12 . 
     Then, the user operates the holding frame  12  that is mounted on the second attachment  15   c  such that it rotates from the non-holding position to the holding position. Thus, the recording medium M is held between the edge portion of the attachment opening  56  of the second attachment  15   c  and the outer peripheral edge of the small tray  11   c.  Thus, after the recording medium M is set on the medium holding section  2  on which the small tray  11   c  is mounted, the user instructs starting of the recording with the recording apparatus  1 . 
     After the recording is performed on the recording medium M, the user operates the holding frame  12  such that it rotates from the holding position to the non-holding position. Then, the user removes the recording medium M on which the image is recorded from the medium holding section  2 . 
     Moreover, the order of the procedure is not limited to the embodiment and phases may be mixed in a range in which there is no interference with the work. 
     As described above, according to the medium holding section  2  of the embodiment, since the large tray  11   a,  the intermediate tray  11   b,  and the small tray  11   c  are configured to be separate bodies from the holding frame  12 , the user can perform mutual exchange of the large tray  11   a,  the intermediate tray  11   b,  and the small tray  11   c  as a single body of the tray  11 . Thus, the user can easily perform the exchange work of the tray  11 . Then, the user can hold the recording medium M between the large tray  11   a  and the holding frame  12  by mounting the large tray  11   a  on the tray mounting section  13  and separating the attachment  15  from the holding frame  12 . Furthermore, the user can hold the recording medium M between the intermediate tray  11   b  and the first attachment  15   b  by mounting the intermediate tray  11   b  on the tray mounting section  13  and mounting the first attachment  15   b  on the holding frame  12 . Similarly, the user can hold the recording medium M between the small tray  11   c  and the second attachment  15   c  by mounting the small tray  11   c  on the tray mounting section  13  and mounting the second attachment  15   c  on the holding frame  12 . 
     Moreover, the user may appropriately apply a processing solution to increase fixability of the ink to the recording medium M held in the medium holding section  2  using a spray and the like before the instruction is made to start the recording after the recording medium M is set on the medium holding section  2 . At this time, as described above, since the assist hinge  43  has the cover, the processing solution is prevented from being applied to the inside of the assist hinge  43  and it is possible to suppress damage to the assist hinge  43  by the processing solution. 
     Furthermore, according to the embodiment, since the same holding frame  12  is shared for the large tray  11   a,  the intermediate tray  11   b,  and the small tray  11   c,  it is possible to reduce the number of frame-side lock sections  36  or the assist hinges  43  without it being necessary to provide a frame-side lock section  36  or an assist hinge  43  for each holding frame  12  as in a case where separate holding frames  12  are used for the large tray  11   a,  the intermediate tray  11   b,  and the small tray  11   c.    
     Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the guide sections  17  of the large tray  11   a  guide the end portions of the recording medium M on the outside of the tray body  16  when the recording medium M is held between the large tray  11   a  and the holding frame  12  and thereby the end portions of the recording medium M hanging from between the tray body  16  of the large tray  11   a  and the frame body  24  of the holding frame  12  become substantially “L” shaped due to the medium receiving section  23  (see  FIG. 6A ). Thus, it is possible to increase a contact area between the tray body  16 , the holding frame  12 , and the recording medium M. Thus, if the recording medium M is held between the large tray  11   a  and the holding frame  12 , wrinkles of the held recording medium M are extended and it is possible to prevent the recording medium M from moving after the recording medium M is held. Furthermore, since the gap is provided between the outer hanging section  22  of the guide section  17  and the frame body  24 , it is possible to release the held recording medium M being tensioned by the pin. 
     Furthermore, the guide sections  17  of the intermediate tray  11   b  guide the end portions of the recording medium M on the outside of the tray body  16  when the recording medium M is held between the intermediate tray  11   b  and the first attachment  15   b  and thereby the end portions of the recording medium M hanging from between the tray body  16  of the intermediate tray  11   b  and the attachment frame section  55  of the first attachment  15   b  become substantially “L” shaped due to the medium receiving section  23  (see  FIG. 6B ). Thus, it is possible to increase the contact area between the tray body  16 , the attachment frame section  55 , and the recording medium M. The same configuration is applied to the guide section  17  of the small tray  11   c  (see  FIG. 6C ). Thus, even if the recording medium M is held between the intermediate tray  11   b  and the first attachment  15   b  or the recording medium M is held between the small tray  11   c  and the second attachment  15   c,  it is possible to create a similar situation to the case where the recording medium M is held between the large tray  11   a  and the holding frame  12 . Thus, even if the recording medium M is held between the intermediate tray  11   b  and the first attachment  15   b,  or the recording medium M is held between the small tray  11   c  and the second attachment  15   c,  the held recording medium M or the wrinkles of the held recording medium M are extended and it is possible to prevent the recording medium M from moving after the recording medium M is held. Furthermore, also for the guide section  17  of the intermediate tray  11   b  or the small tray  11   c,  since the gap is provided between the outer hanging section  22  and the attachment frame section  55 , it is possible to release the held recording medium M to be tensioned with the pin. 
     Moreover, for a thick recording medium M such as sweatshirts, the recording medium M may not be pinched between the large tray  11   a  and the holding frame  12 , between the intermediate tray  11   b  and the first attachment  15   b,  or between the small tray  11   c  and the second attachment  15   c.  In such a case, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the intermediate tray  11   b  is mounted on the tray mounting section  13 , the attachment  15  is separated from the holding frame  12 , and end portions of the thick recording medium M hanging from the medium mounting surface  16   a  of the intermediate tray  11   b  enter between the intermediate tray  11   b  and the holding frame  12 . Furthermore, although not specifically illustrated, the small tray  11   c  is mounted on the tray mounting section  13 , the first attachment  15   b  is mounted on the holding frame  12 , and the end portions of the thick recording medium M hanging from the medium mounting surface  16   a  of the small tray  11   c  may enter between the small tray  11   c  and the first attachment  15   b.  Thus, it is possible to set the thick recording medium M on the medium holding section  2 . In this case, even if the recording medium M is not sufficiently held, since the recording medium M can be fitted to the inside of the holding frame  12 , it is possible to prevent the end portions of the recording medium M from being caught in the transport path by the transport section  5  in the recording operation. 
     Next, a modified example of a medium holding section  2  will be described. The medium holding section  2  of the modified example is substantially the same configuration as the medium holding section  2  described above, but is different from the medium holding section  2  described above in that gas springs  61  are provided instead of the assist hinge  43 . Moreover, the description regarding the medium holding section  2  described above applies equally to the medium holding section  2  of the modified example unless otherwise specified. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the medium holding section  2  of the modified example includes two gas springs  61  on both right and left sides of a holding frame  12 . Frame-side connection sections  62  to which one end of each gas spring  61  is connected are formed in rearward portions of a left frame member  33  and a right frame member  34  of the holding frame  12 . 
     Furthermore, a frame support section  63  is provided in a rear end portion of a base section  14  instead of the frame section  49  and the hinge support section  51  described above. Hinge sections  64  that rotatably support the holding frame  12  are provided in right and left rear end portions of the frame support section  63 . Base-side connection sections  65  to which the other end of the gas springs  61  are connected protrude from right and left front end portions of the frame support section  63 . 
     Similar to the assist hinge  43  described above, two gas springs  61  provided as described above assist rotation of the holding frame  12  to a non-holding position and brake rotation of the holding frame  12  to a holding position. 
     As described above, the medium holding section  2  of the embodiment includes the assist hinge  43  or the gas spring  61 , and thereby it is possible to improve operability when rotating the holding frame  12  between the holding position and the non-holding position. Furthermore, in a case where the assist hinge  43  is used, it is possible to mount the assist hinge  43  closer to a rotation shaft of the holding frame  12  than in a case where the gas spring  61  is used. Thus, even if the assist hinge  43  is not provided in both end portions of the holding frame  12  in a direction of the rotation shaft, that is, in the right and left both end portions, but is provided in a substantially intermediate portion of the holding frame  12  in the direction of the rotation shaft, that is, a substantially right and left intermediate portion as the embodiment, for a rotation base end portion of the holding frame  12  on which the assist hinge  43  is mounted, that is, the hinge mounting section  26 , it is possible to reduce dimensions in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation shaft, that is, in the forward and rearward direction and it is possible to reduce the size of the holding frame  12 . 
     Moreover, the assist hinge  43  and the gas spring  61  are an example of the “brake assist section”. 
     The recording medium M is not particularly limited, but, for example, a fabric can be appropriately used and clothes such as T-shirts can particularly preferably used. 
     Furthermore, a configuration using the medium holding section  2  used in the recording apparatus  1  is disclosed, but the configuration is not limited to the embodiment. The medium holding section  2  may be used in a transport apparatus that transports the medium in addition to the recording apparatus and the medium holding section  2  may be used as a medium holding device for use in a cutting plotter. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       2  Medium holding section 
       11   a  Large tray 
       11   b  Intermediate tray 
       11   c  Small tray 
       12  Holding frame 
       13  Tray mounting section 
       15   b  First attachment 
       15   c  Second attachment 
       16   a  Medium mounting surface 
     M Recording medium