Patent Publication Number: US-9896296-B2

Title: Conveying apparatus and tray unit

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-069875, which was filed on Mar. 31, 2016, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The following disclosure relates to a conveying apparatus including a plurality of receiving trays arranged in a vertical direction, and to a tray unit used for the conveying apparatus. 
     There is known conveying apparatuses each including a plurality of receiving trays arranged in a vertical direction. One example of the conveying apparatuses is a printer including five sheet-output trays (receiving trays) arranged in a vertical direction. Each of the five sheet-output trays includes: a fixed portion fixed to the printer; and a movable portion located downstream of the fixed portion in a conveying direction in which a sheet is conveyed. When a user takes out a medium from a receiving tray (a lower tray) different from the uppermost tray, upward bending of the movable portion of a receiving tray (an upper tray) disposed just above the lower tray increases a distance between a downstream end of the lower tray in the conveying direction and the upper tray in a direction orthogonal to a receiving surface of the lower tray. The increase in the distance makes it easy for the user to take out the medium from the lower tray. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the above-described construction, however, only the movable portion of the upper tray is bent upward without change of a position of the lower tray, which may make it difficult for the user to take out the medium (especially, the medium of a small size in the conveying direction) from the lower tray. 
     Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure relates to a conveying apparatus and a tray unit allowing a user to easily take out a medium from a lower tray. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, a conveying apparatus includes: a plurality of receiving trays each having a receiving surface configured to receive a medium, the plurality of receiving trays being arranged in a vertical direction, the plurality of receiving trays including (i) a lowest tray located at a lowest position among the plurality of receiving trays and (ii) a first receiving tray that is each of at least one of the plurality of receiving trays other than the lowest tray; a conveying mechanism configured to convey the medium to the receiving surface of one of the plurality of receiving trays, selectively; and a supporter supporting the plurality of receiving trays. The first receiving tray is supported by the supporter so as to be situated selectively to one of a receiving position at which the first receiving tray receives the medium conveyed by the conveying mechanism and an upper position at which a position of a downstream end of the first receiving tray in a conveying direction in which the medium is conveyed by the conveying mechanism is higher than a position of the downstream end of the first receiving tray located at the receiving position. The plurality of receiving trays include: an uppermost tray located at a highest position among the plurality of receiving trays; and at least one second receiving tray that is at least one of the plurality of receiving trays other than the uppermost tray. Each second receiving tray of the at least one second receiving tray is supported by the supporter so as to be situated selectively to one of the receiving position and a lower position at which a position of a downstream end of said each second receiving tray in the conveying direction is lower than a position of the downstream end of said each second receiving tray located at the receiving position. The at least one second receiving tray includes one second receiving tray disposed just below the first receiving tray, with no receiving tray between the one second receiving tray and the first receiving tray. The conveying apparatus further includes a transmission mechanism configured to perform at least one of: transmission of upward movement that is movement of the first receiving tray from the receiving position to the upper position, to downward movement that is movement of the one second receiving tray disposed just below the first receiving tray from the receiving position to the lower position; and transmission of the downward movement of the one second receiving tray to the upward movement of the first receiving tray. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure, a tray unit is used for a conveying apparatus. The conveying apparatus includes (a) a plurality of receiving trays each having a receiving surface configured to receive a medium, the plurality of receiving trays being arranged in a vertical direction, the plurality of receiving trays including (i) a lowest tray located at a lowest position among the plurality of receiving trays and (ii) a first receiving tray that is each of at least one of the plurality of receiving trays other than the lowest tray, (b) a conveying mechanism configured to convey the medium to the receiving surface of one of the plurality of receiving trays, selectively, and (c) a supporter supporting the plurality of receiving trays. The tray unit includes the plurality of receiving trays. The first receiving tray is supported by the supporter so as to be situated selectively to one of a receiving position at which the first receiving tray receives the medium conveyed by the conveying mechanism and an upper position at which a position of a downstream end of the first receiving tray in a conveying direction in which the medium is conveyed by the conveying mechanism is higher than a position of the downstream end of the first receiving tray located at the receiving position. The plurality of receiving trays include: an uppermost tray located at a highest position among the plurality of receiving trays; and at least one second receiving tray that is at least one of the plurality of receiving trays other than the uppermost tray. Each second receiving tray of the at least one second receiving tray is supported by the supporter so as to be situated selectively to one of the receiving position and a lower position at which a position of a downstream end of said each second receiving tray in the conveying direction is lower than a position of the downstream end of said each second receiving tray located at the receiving position. The at least one second receiving tray includes one second receiving tray disposed just below the first receiving tray, with no receiving tray between the one second receiving tray and the first receiving tray. The tray unit further includes a transmission mechanism configured to perform at least one of: transmission of upward movement that is movement of the first receiving tray from the receiving position to the upper position, to downward movement that is movement of the one second receiving tray disposed just below the first receiving tray from the receiving position to the lower position; and transmission of the downward movement of the one second receiving tray to the upward movement of the first receiving tray. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects, features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of the present disclosure will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an ink-jet printer according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the ink-jet printer according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an electric configuration of the ink-jet printer according to the first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of a transmission mechanism and four receiving trays of a tray unit of an ink-jet printer according to a first embodiment, wherein  FIG. 4A  illustrates a state in which each of the receiving trays is located at a receiving position, and  FIG. 4B  illustrates a state in which the second receiving tray from the top is contacted by the third receiving tray from the top which is moved from the receiving position toward an upper position; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective views of the transmission mechanism and the four receiving trays of the tray unit of the ink-jet printer according to the first embodiment, wherein  FIG. 5A  illustrates a state in which the uppermost tray is contacted by the second receiving tray from the top which is pushed upward by the third receiving tray from the top, and  FIG. 5B  illustrates a state in which the uppermost tray is moved from the receiving position to the upper position by being pushed upward by the second receiving tray from the top; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views of the transmission mechanism and the four receiving trays of the tray unit of the ink-jet printer according to the first embodiment, wherein  FIG. 6A  illustrates a state in which the lowest tray is located at a lower position, and  FIG. 6B  is a view for explaining changes in distance between an upstream end of a lower tray in a conveying direction and an upper tray; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a transmission mechanism and four receiving trays of a tray unit of an ink-jet printer according to a second embodiment, illustrating a state in which each of the receiving trays is located at the receiving position; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the transmission mechanism and the four receiving trays of the tray unit of the ink-jet printer according to the second embodiment, illustrating a state in which the uppermost tray is contacted by the second receiving tray from the top which is moved from the receiving position toward the upper position; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the transmission mechanism and the four receiving trays of the tray unit of the ink-jet printer according to the second embodiment, illustrating a state in which the third and fourth receiving trays from the top are moved to their respective lower positions by downward movement of a link due to the uppermost tray being pushed upward by the second receiving tray from the top; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a transmission mechanism and four receiving trays of a tray unit of an ink-jet printer according to a third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, there will be described embodiments by reference to the drawings.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an ink-jet printer  1  according to a first embodiment. This ink-jet printer  1  is one example of a conveying apparatus and will be hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the printer  1  includes a housing  1   x  having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape; and a tray unit  50  removably installed on the housing  1   x . The tray unit  50  is disposed on an upper portion of the housing  1   x  such that an opening  1   x   1  formed in an upper surface of the housing  1   x  is opposed to an opening  51   x   1  formed in a lower surface of a supporter  51 . Another tray unit may be additionally installed on an upper portion of the tray unit  50 . 
     A receiving tray  12  is provided on the upper portion of the housing  1   x.    
     The receiving tray  12  includes: a tray body  13  constituted by an upper board of the housing  1   x ; a base  14  removably mounted on the tray body  13 ; and a stopper  15  pivotable with respect to the base  14  about an axis extending in a main scanning direction. An upper surface of the tray body  13  serves as a receiving surface  13   a  for receiving a sheet P. 
     The tray unit  50  includes: four receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  arranged in the vertical direction; and the supporter  51  shaped like a housing and supporting the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  so as to enable an swing operation of each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  about an axis  53   x   1 , as one example of a first axis, extending in the main scanning direction. The receiving tray  52   a  is an uppermost tray located at the highest position among the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d . The receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  are lower trays. The receiving tray  52   d  is the lowest tray located at the lowest position among the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d.    
     Each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  includes: a tray body  53  shaped like a plate having a groove  53   y  in its upper surface; a base  54  removably mounted on the tray body  53  in the groove  53   y  so as to be movable in a conveying direction D in which the sheet P is discharged onto the receiving tray; and a stopper  55  pivotable with respect to the base  54  about an axis extending in the main scanning direction. An upper surface of the tray body  53  serves as a receiving surface  53   a  for receiving the sheet P. 
     Projective regions X are formed by projecting the receiving surfaces  13   a ,  53   a  of the respective receiving trays  12 ,  52   a - 52   d  in the vertical direction onto a virtual plane orthogonal to the vertical direction, and these projective regions X overlap each other. 
     The tray body  53  has opposite side surfaces which extend in the conveying direction D so as to define the groove  53   y . A multiplicity of recesses  53   z  are formed in each of these opposite side surfaces and arranged in the conveying direction D. A pair of protrusions, not illustrated, are provided respectively on outer side surfaces of the base  54  in the main scanning direction. These protrusions are respectively fittable in any pair of the recesses  53   z  which are opposed to each other in the main scanning direction. When the pair of protrusions are respectively fitted in the pair of recesses  53   z , the base  54  is positioned with respect to the tray body  53 . 
     The supporter  51  covers an upstream end portion of each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  in the conveying direction D to prevent a user from taking out the sheet P from the receiving surface  53   a  in the main scanning direction. The supporter  51  is one example of a restrictor. 
     The housing  1   x  contains an ink-jet head  10  as one example of a recorder, a platen  11 , a sheet-supply mechanism  20 , a conveying mechanism  30   a , and a controller  1   c . A conveying mechanism  30   b  is provided in the supporter  51 . 
     The head  10  has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the main scanning direction. That is, the printer  1  is a line ink-jet printer. The head  10  includes: a passage unit including ink passages respectively having pressure chambers; and actuators each configured to apply a pressure to a corresponding one of the pressure chambers of the passage unit. A lower surface of the head  10 , i.e., a lower surface of the passage unit, serves as an ejection surface  10   x  having a multiplicity of ejection openings for ink ejection. The ink is supplied to the ink passages of the passage unit from a cartridge, not illustrated. 
     The platen  11  is disposed under the head  10 . The platen  11  has a planar plate shape and has a support surface  11   x  for supporting the sheet P. The support surface  11   x  is spaced apart from the ejection surface  10   x  in the vertical direction so as to face the ejection surface  10   x.    
     The sheet-supply mechanism  20  includes: a storage tray  21  removably inserted in the housing  1   x  and capable of storing a plurality of the sheets P; and a sheet-supply roller  22  mounted on the storage tray  21 . The controller  1   c  drives a sheet-supply motor  20 M (see  FIG. 3 ) to rotate the sheet-supply roller  22 . The sheet-supply roller  22  contacts an uppermost one of the sheets P stacked on the storage tray  21 . In this state, the sheet-supply roller  22  is rotated to supply the sheet P. 
     The conveying mechanism  30   a  and the conveying mechanism  30   b  constitute a conveying mechanism  30 . The conveying mechanism  30  conveys the sheet P such that the sheet P supplied from the sheet-supply mechanism  20  is conveyed through an area between the ejection surface  10   x  and the support surface  11   x  and selectively received by one of the receiving trays  12 ,  52   a - 52   d  and receiving trays of another tray unit disposed on the upper portion of the tray unit  50 . The conveying mechanism  30  defines paths R 1 -R 6 . 
     The path R 1  is a path through which the sheet P is conveyed toward the receiving tray  12 . The path R 2  is a path through which the sheet P is conveyed toward the receiving tray  52   d . The path R 3  is a path through which the sheet P is conveyed toward the receiving tray  52   c . The path R 4  is a path through which the sheet P is conveyed toward the receiving tray  52   b . The path R 5  is a path through which the sheet P is conveyed toward the receiving tray  52   a . The path R 6  is a path through the sheet P is conveyed toward one of the receiving trays of said another tray unit through an opening  51   x   2  formed in an upper surface of the supporter  51 . 
     The paths R 1 , R 2  share a common path R 12  and branch off from this common path R 12  at its one end, namely, a branch position A 1 . The paths R 2 , R 3  share a common path R 23  and branch off from this common path R 23  at its one end, namely, a branch position A 2 . The paths R 3 , R 4  share a common path R 34  and branch off from this common path R 34  at its one end, namely, a branch position A 3 . The paths R 4 , R 5  share a common path R 45  and branch off from this common path R 45  at its one end, namely, a branch position A 4 . The paths R 5 , R 6  share a common path R 56  and branch off from this common path R 56  at its one end, namely, a branch position A 5 . 
     The conveying mechanism  30   a  includes a guide  31  and roller pairs  32 - 36 . The conveying mechanism  30   b  includes the guide  31  and roller pairs  37 - 44 . 
     The guide  31  is disposed so as to be opposed to front and back surfaces of the sheet P conveyed along the paths R 1 -R 6 . 
     The roller pairs  32 - 36  are arranged along the path R 1 . The roller pairs  37 ,  38  are arranged along the path R 2  branching off from the common path R 12 . The roller pairs  39 ,  40  are arranged along the path R 3  branching off from the common path R 23 . The roller pairs  41 ,  42  are arranged along the path R 4  branching off from the common path R 34 . The roller pairs  43 ,  44  are arranged along the path R 5  branching off from the common path R 45 . 
     The controller  1   c  drives a conveying motor  30   a M (see  FIG. 3 ) to rotate the roller pairs  32 - 36 . The controller  1   c  drives a conveying motor  30   b M (see  FIG. 3 ) to rotate the roller pairs  37 - 44 . The rollers of each of the roller pairs  32 - 44  are rotated while nipping the sheet P to convey the sheet P. 
     Switchers F 1 -F 5  are provided at the respective branch positions A 1 -A 5  to switch a destination of the sheet P at the respective branch positions A 1 -A 5 . The switchers F 1 -F 5  respectively include movable members F 1   a -F 5   a  pivotable respectively about pivot shafts F 1   x -F 5   x  each extending in the main scanning direction. 
     The controller  1   c  drives a switching motor F 1 M (see  FIG. 3 ) to pivot the movable member F 1   a  between a position (see  FIG. 1 ) at which the movable member F 1   a  guides the sheet P from the common path R 12  to the path R 1  and a position at which the movable member F 1   a  guides the sheet P from the common path R 12  to the path R 2 . The controller  1   c  drives a switching motor F 2 M (see  FIG. 3 ) to pivot the movable member F 2   a  between a position (see  FIG. 1 ) at which the movable member F 2   a  guides the sheet P from the common path R 23  to the path R 2  and a position at which the movable member F 2   a  guides the sheet P from the common path R 23  to the path R 3 . The controller  1   c  drives a switching motor F 3 M (see  FIG. 3 ) to pivot the movable member F 3   a  between a position (see  FIG. 1 ) at which the movable member F 3   a  guides the sheet P from the common path R 34  to the path R 3  and a position at which the movable member F 3   a  guides the sheet P from the common path R 34  to the path R 4 . The controller  1   c  drives a switching motor F 4 M (see  FIG. 3 ) to pivot the movable member F 4   a  between a position (see  FIG. 1 ) at which the movable member F 4   a  guides the sheet P from the common path R 45  to the path R 4  and a position at which the movable member F 4   a  guides the sheet P from the common path R 45  to the path R 5 . The controller  1   c  drives a switching motor F 5 M (see  FIG. 3 ) to pivot the movable member F 5   a  between a position (see  FIG. 1 ) at which the movable member F 5   a  guides the sheet P from the common path R 56  to the path R 5  and a position at which the movable member F 5   a  guides the sheet P from the common path R 56  to the path R 6 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the controller  1   c  includes: a central processing unit (CPU)  1   c   1  as a computing device; a read only memory (ROM)  1   c   2 , a random access memory (RAM)  1   c   3 , an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)  1   c   4 , an interface (I/F)  1   c   5 , and an input/output port (I/O)  1   c   6 . The ROM  1   c   2  stores fixed data used for programs to be executed by the CPU  1   c   1 , for example. The RAM  1   c   3  temporarily stores data required for the CPU  1   c   1  to execute the programs. The ASIC  1   c   4  executes rewriting and sorting of image data and other processings such as a signal processing and an image processing. The interface  1   c   5  transmits and receives data to and from an external device such as a PC connected to the printer  1 . The input/output port  1   c   6  transmits and receives signals to and from various kinds of sensors. The CPU  1   c   1  is electrically connected to the devices of the controller  1   c  other than the CPU  1   c   1  and executes control based on data received from the devices. 
     The controller  1   c  is electrically connected to a contact C 1  provided on the upper surface of the housing  1   x . When the tray unit  50  is installed on the housing  1   x , the contact C 1  and a contact C 2  provided on the lower surface of the supporter  51  are brought into contact with each other and thereby electrically connected to each other. The contact C 2  is electrically connected to the conveying motor  30   b M and the switching motors F 2 M-F 5 M of the tray unit  50 . This connection enables transfer of signals between the controller  1   c  and the conveying motor  30   b M and the switching motors F 2 M-F 5 M of the tray unit  50 . 
     When another tray unit is installed on the upper portion of the tray unit  50 , a contact C 3  provided on the upper surface of the supporter  51  of the tray unit  50  and another contact provided on a lower surface of a supporter of said another tray unit are brought into contact with each other and thereby electrically connected to each other. Said another contact is electrically connected to a conveying motor and switching motors of said another tray unit. This connection enables transfer of signals between the controller  1   c  and the conveying motor and the switching motors of said another tray unit. 
     When the sheet P conveyed by the conveying mechanism  30  passes through the area between the ejection surface  10   x  and the support surface  11   x , the controller  1   c  controls the actuators of the head  10  to selectively eject the ink from the ejection openings to the sheet P. As a result, an image is formed on the sheet P. That is, image recording is performed on the sheet P. After the image recording, the sheet P is further conveyed by the conveying mechanism  30  and selectively received by one of the receiving trays  12 ,  52   a - 52   d.    
     When the sheet P is received by one of the receiving trays  12 ,  52   a - 52   d , the sheet P is conveyed in the conveying direction D, and then its leading end is brought into contact with a corresponding one of the stoppers  15 ,  55 , so that the sheet P falls to a corresponding one of the receiving surfaces  13   a ,  53   a  of the respective receiving trays  12 ,  52   a - 52   d.    
     There will be next explained, with reference to  FIGS. 4A-6B , the construction of each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  and positions of each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d . It is noted that  FIGS. 4A-6B  omit illustration of the groove  53   y , the recesses  53   z , the base  54 , and the stopper  55  of each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d.    
     The tray body  53  of each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  (the lower trays) includes a basal end portion  53 X and a distal end portion  53 Y located downstream of the basal end portion  53 X in the conveying direction D. The basal end portion  53 X has a portion  53   a X of the receiving surface  53   a , and the distal end portion  53 Y has the other portion  52   a Y of the receiving surface  53   a . The basal end portion  53 X is supported, at its upstream end in the conveying direction D, by the supporter  51  so as to be pivotable about the axis  53   x   1 . A shaft  53 Y 2  is provided on an upstream end of the distal end portion  53 Y in the conveying direction D. The distal end portion  53 Y is mounted on the basal end portion  53 X by the shaft  53 Y 2  so as to be pivotable about an axis  53 Y 1 , as one example of a second axis, extending in the main scanning direction. 
     The tray body  53  of the receiving tray  52   a  (the uppermost tray) is constituted by a single plate member unlike the above-described tray body  53  constituted by the basal end portion  53 X and the distal end portion  53 Y. The tray body  53  of the receiving tray  52   a  (the uppermost tray) is supported, at its upstream end in the conveying direction D, by the supporter  51  so as to be pivotable about the axis  53   x   1 . 
     Each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  (the lower trays) is movable by pivotal movement of the distal end portion  53 Y with respect to the basal end portion  53 X and pivotal movement of the basal end portion  53 X with respect to the supporter  51 . Each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is selectively situated to one of a receiving position (see each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  in  FIG. 4A ), an upper position (see the receiving tray  52   c  in  FIG. 4B ), and a lower position (see the receiving tray  52   d  in  FIG. 6A ). At the receiving position, each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  receives the sheet P conveyed by the conveying mechanism  30 . When each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is located at the upper position, a downstream end  53   b  of the tray body  53  in the conveying direction D is located at a higher position than when said each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is located at the receiving position. When each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is located at the lower position, the downstream end  53   b  is located at a lower position than when said each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is located at the receiving position. When each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is located at the receiving position, the receiving surface  53   a  is inclined so as to be higher at its downstream portion than at its upstream portion in the conveying direction D. When each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is located at the lower position, the receiving surface  53   a  extends in the horizontal direction. 
     The receiving tray  52   a  (the uppermost tray) is pivotable with respect to the supporter  51  so as to be selectively situated at one of the receiving position (see  FIG. 4A ) and the upper position (see  FIG. 5B ). 
     Here, the receiving trays  52   a - 52   c  different from the lowest tray are defined as upper trays each as one example of a first receiving tray. Also, movement of each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   c  (upper trays) from the receiving position to the upper position may be hereinafter referred to as “upward movement”. Movement of each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  from the receiving position to the lower position may be hereinafter referred to as “downward movement”. The printer  1  includes a transmission mechanism  60  configured to transmit the upward movement of each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   c  (upper trays) to the downward movement of a corresponding one of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  which is disposed just below the upper tray, with no tray interposed between. In other words, the transmission mechanism  60  transmits a force of the upward movement of each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   c  (upper trays) to the corresponding receiving tray disposed just below the upper tray to cause the downward movement of the corresponding receiving tray. In this specification, an expression “a receiving tray just above or just below a certain receiving tray” means that the receiving tray is disposed just above or just below the certain receiving tray, with no tray interposed therebetween. Here, movement of each of the upper trays from the upper position to the receiving position may be hereinafter referred to as “first return movement”. Movement of each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  from the lower position to the receiving position may be hereinafter referred to as “second return movement”. The transmission mechanism  60  transmits the first return movement of each of the upper trays to the second return movement of a corresponding one of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  which is disposed just below the upper tray. In other words, the transmission mechanism  60  transmits a force of the first return movement of each of the upper trays to the corresponding receiving tray disposed just below the upper tray to cause the second return movement of the corresponding receiving tray. 
     The transmission mechanism  60  includes: a gear  61  provided on an upstream end of the receiving tray  52   a  in the conveying direction D; gears  62  respectively provided on upstream ends of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  in the conveying direction D; gears  63  engaged with the respective gears  62 ; a gear  64  engaged with the gear  61  and the gear  63  provided on the receiving tray  52   b ; and a timing belt  65  looped over shafts of the three gears  63  provided on the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d . These gears  61 - 64  and the timing belt  65  are connected to the basal end portions  53 X of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d . The axis  53   x   1  is located at the center of each of the gears  61 ,  62 . 
     There will be next explained transmission of the upward movement of the receiving tray  52   c  from the receiving position to the upper position, to the downward movement of the receiving tray  52   d  from the receiving position to the lower position, by the transmission mechanism  60 . 
     When the receiving tray  52   c  is moved from the receiving position to the upper position by, for example, a manual operation of the user, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the distal end portion  53 Y of the receiving tray  52   c  is pivoted with respect to the basal end portion  53 X so as to move the downstream end  53   b  upward. During this movement, the distance (DY 0 , DY 1 , DY 2 , DY 3 ) between the downstream end  53   b  of the receiving tray  52   d  and the receiving tray  52   c  in a direction orthogonal to the receiving surface  53   a  of the receiving tray  52   d  gradually increases (DY 0 &lt;DY 1 &lt;DY 2 &lt;DY 3 ). 
     The downstream end  53   b  of the receiving tray  52   c  is brought into contact with the receiving tray  52   b  (see  FIG. 4B ) in the process in which the receiving tray  52   c  is moved from the receiving position to the upper position. When the receiving tray  52   c  is thereafter further moved toward the upper position, the receiving tray  52   b  is pushed upward by the receiving tray  52   c  so as to be moved from the receiving position toward the upper position, so that the downstream end  53   b  of the receiving tray  52   b  is brought into contact with the receiving tray  52   a  (see  FIG. 5A ). When the receiving tray  52   c  is thereafter further moved toward the upper position, the receiving tray  52   a  is pushed upward by the receiving tray  52   b  so as to be moved from the receiving position toward the upper position (see  FIG. 5B ). During this operation, the receiving tray  52   a  is pivoted about the axis  53   x   1  with respect to the supporter  51 , thereby causing rotation of the gear  61  in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 5B . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6A , this rotation of the gear  61  is transmitted via the gear  64  to the gear  63  provided on the receiving tray  52   b , thereby causing rotation of the gear  63  provided on the receiving tray  52   b . This rotation of the gear  63  is transmitted via the timing belt  65  to the gears  63  of the respective receiving trays  52   c ,  52   d , thereby causing rotation of the gears  63 , so that the gears  62  engaged with the gears  63  of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  are rotated in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 6A . As a result, each of the basal end portions  53 X of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is pivoted about the corresponding axis  53   x   1  with respect to the supporter  51 , thereby establishing a state in which each of the basal end portions  53 X extends in the horizontal direction. Also, the basal end portion  53 X and the distal end portion  53 Y of the receiving tray  52   d  extend in the horizontal direction. That is, the receiving tray  52   d  is situated to the lower position. 
     Until the receiving tray  52   a  is pivoted with respect to the supporter  51  after the receiving tray  52   c  starts to be moved from the receiving position toward the upper position, each of the basal end portions  53 X of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is kept parallel with the receiving tray  52   a , so that a distance (DX 0 ) between an upstream end  53   c  of the receiving tray  52   d  and an upstream end of the receiving tray  52   c  in the direction orthogonal to the receiving surface  53   a  of the receiving tray  52   d  does not change. When the receiving tray  52   a  is pivoted with respect to the supporter  51 , and the receiving tray  52   d  is moved from the receiving position to the lower position by a force transmitted by the transmission mechanism  60 , the above-described distance (DX 1 ) increases (DX 1 &gt;DX 0 ). This is apparent from  FIG. 6B . It is noted that θ in  FIG. 6B  indicates an angle of the basal end portion  53 X of each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  with respect to the supporter  51  when the receiving tray  52   d  is pivoted from the receiving position to the lower position. 
     In the case where the receiving tray  52   b  is moved from the receiving position to the upper position, the receiving tray  52   a  is contacted by the receiving tray  52   b  and pushed upward from the receiving position to the upper position. During this movement, the receiving tray  52   a  is pivoted about the axis  53   x   1 , and the gears  61 - 64  are rotated as in the above-described case, thereby establishing a state in which each of the basal end portions  53 X of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  extends in the horizontal direction. Also, the basal end portion  53 X and the distal end portion  53 Y of each of the receiving trays  52   c ,  52   d  extend in the horizontal direction. That is, each of the receiving trays  52   c ,  52   d  is situated to the lower position. 
     In the case where the receiving tray  52   a  is moved from the receiving position to the upper position, the receiving tray  52   a  is pivoted about the axis  53   x   1 , and the gears  61 - 64  are rotated as in the above-described case, thereby establishing the state in which each of the basal end portions  53 X of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  extends in the horizontal direction. Also, the basal end portion  53 X and the distal end portion  53 Y of each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  extend in the horizontal direction. That is, each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is situated to the lower position. 
     There will be next explained transmission of the first return movement of the receiving tray  52   c  from the upper position to the receiving position, to the second return movement of the receiving tray  52   d  from the lower position to the receiving position, by the transmission mechanism  60 . 
     When an external force applied to the receiving tray  52   c  in the direction directed from the receiving position toward the upper position is canceled by, for example, the user moving his or her hand off the receiving tray  52   c  in the state illustrated in  FIG. 6A , i.e., the state in which the receiving tray  52   d  is located at the lower position, and each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   c  is located at the upper position, the distal end portion  53 Y of the receiving tray  52   c  is pivoted by its own weight with respect to the basal end portion  53 X thereof, so that the downstream end  53   b  is moved downward. When the receiving tray  52   c  is separated from the receiving tray  52   b  by this movement, a force applied from the receiving tray  52   c  to the receiving tray  52   b  is canceled, so that the distal end portion  53 Y of the receiving tray  52   b  is pivoted by its own weight with respect to the basal end portion  53 X thereof, and thereby the downstream end  53   b  is moved downward. When the receiving tray  52   b  is separated from the receiving tray  52   a  by this movement, a force applied from the receiving tray  52   b  to the receiving tray  52   a  is canceled, so that the receiving tray  52   a  is pivoted by its own weight about the axis  53   x   1  with respect to the supporter  51 , and thereby moved from the upper position back to the receiving position. 
     In this process, the gear  61  is rotated in a direction (the counterclockwise direction) reverse to the direction indicated in  FIG. 6A . This rotation of the gear  61  is transmitted via the gear  64  to the gear  63  provided on the receiving tray  52   b , causing rotation of the gear  63 . This rotation of the gear  63  provided on the receiving tray  52   b  is transmitted via the timing belt  65  to the gears  63  provided on the respective receiving trays  52   c ,  52   d , so that the gears  62  engaged with the respective gears  63  of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  are rotated in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 6A . This rotation causes pivotal movement of each of the basal end portions  53 X of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  about the corresponding axis  53   x   1 , establishing a state in which each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is inclined as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . That is, each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  is moved back to the receiving position. 
     Detailed explanations are not provided for the case where the receiving tray  52   b  is moved from the upper position to the receiving position and the case where the receiving tray  52   a  is moved from the upper position to the receiving position. In these cases, the transmission mechanism  60  is driven in a principle similar to that in the above-described case, so that the receiving tray disposed just below the receiving tray to be moved from the upper position to the receiving position is moved from the lower position to the receiving position. 
     In the present embodiment as described above, in the case where the user takes out the sheet P from any one of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  (the lower tray as one example of a second receiving tray), when the upper tray disposed just above the lower tray is moved from the receiving position to the upper position, the lower tray is moved from the receiving position to the lower position. That is, not only the position of the upper tray but also the position of the lower tray is changed. Moreover, the presence of the transmission mechanism  60  eliminates the need for the user to individually perform an operation of moving the upper tray from the receiving position to the upper position and an operation of moving the lower tray from the receiving position to the lower position. This construction enables the user to easily take out the sheet P (especially, the sheet P of a small size in the conveying direction) from the lower tray. 
     The transmission mechanism  60  transmits the first return movement to the second return movement. This construction eliminates the need for the user to individually perform an operation of moving the upper tray from the upper position to the receiving position and an operation of moving the lower tray from the lower position to the receiving position after the user takes out the sheet P from the lower tray. This makes it easy for the user to return each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  after taking out the sheet P from the lower tray. 
     The distance between the upstream end  53   c  of the receiving tray and the upstream end of the upper tray in the direction orthogonal to the receiving surface  53   a  of the receiving tray is greater when the receiving tray is located at the lower position than when the receiving tray is located at the receiving position (see  FIG. 6 , DX 1 &gt;DX 0 ). When the upper tray is moved from the receiving position to the upper position, and the lower tray is moved from the receiving position to the lower position, not only the distance between the upper tray and the downstream end  53   b  of the lower tray in the conveying direction D but also the distance between the upstream end of the upper tray and the upstream end  53   c  of the lower tray in the conveying direction D increases in the direction orthogonal to the receiving surface  53   a  of the lower tray. This construction makes it easy for the user to take out the sheet P from the lower tray (especially, the sheet P of a small size in the conveying direction). 
     Each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  is supported by the supporter  51  so as to be pivotable about the corresponding axis  53   x   1 . This construction is simpler than a construction in which each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  is slid in the vertical direction, to move each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  between the receiving position and a corresponding one of the upper position and the lower position. 
     Each of at least the receiving trays (the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  in the present embodiment) different from the lowest tray among the plurality of receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  includes the basal end portion  53 X and the distal end portion  53 Y. The distal end portion  53 Y is mounted on the basal end portion  53 X so as to be pivotable about the axis  53 Y 1 , and the transmission mechanism  60  is coupled to the basal end portion  53 X, leading to the simple construction of the transmission mechanism  60 . 
     When each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  (the lower trays) is located at the lower position, the receiving surface  53   a  extends in the horizontal direction (see the receiving tray  52   d  in  FIG. 6A ). This construction makes it much easier for the user to take out the sheet P from the lower tray. 
     The transmission mechanism  60  transmits the upward movement to the downward movement via an upper member (the receiving tray  52   a ) which is disposed over the receiving tray and which moves in accordance with movement of the receiving tray from the receiving position to the upper position, leading to the simple construction of the transmission mechanism  60 . 
     The uppermost tray (the receiving tray  52   a ) is the upper member in the present embodiment. This construction eliminates the need for providing an additional component as the upper member, leading to reduction in the number of components. 
     The restrictor (the supporter  51 ) is provided for each of the lower trays to prevent the user from taking out the sheet P from the receiving surface  53   a  in the main scanning direction. The sheets P received on the lower trays are difficult to take out in the main scanning direction due to the restrictor and accordingly the user takes out these sheets P in the conveying direction D. In the case where only the position of the upper tray is changed in this operation, it is difficult to take out the sheet P in the conveying direction D. In the present embodiment, however, not only the position of the upper tray but also the position of the lower tray is changed, facilitating taking out the sheet P in the conveying direction D. 
     There will be next explained a second embodiment with reference to  FIGS. 7-9 . A printer according to the second embodiment and the printer according to the first embodiment are different in constructions of the transmission mechanism and the receiving trays of the tray unit and are the same in the other configuration. Like  FIGS. 4A-6B ,  FIGS. 7-9  omit illustration of the groove  53   y , the recesses  53   z , the base  54 , and the stopper  55  of each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d.    
     In a tray unit  250  according to the present embodiment, each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  (the lower trays) different from the uppermost tray includes a tray body  253  having a basal end portion  253 X and a distal end portion  253 Y located downstream of the basal end portion  253 X in the conveying direction D. The basal end portion  253 X does not constitute the receiving surface  53   a , and the distal end portion  253 Y constitutes the receiving surface  53   a.    
     Each of the tray body  53  of the receiving tray  52   a  (the uppermost tray) and the distal end portions  253 Y of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  (the respective lower trays) is supported by a pair of plates  51   a  secured to the supporter  51  so as to be pivotable about a corresponding one of pivot shafts  53   x  having the respective the axes  53   x   1 . The pair of plates  51   a  extend in the vertical direction, with the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  interposed between the plates  51  in the main scanning direction. 
     In the present embodiment, a transmission mechanism  260  includes a pair of links  261  supported by the supporter  51  respectively via a pair of springs  261   s . It is noted that that the links  261  are the same in construction, and the following description will be provided for one of the links  261 . The spring  261   s  has: one end connected to an upper end of the link  261 ; and the other end connected to an upper wall of the supporter  51 . The spring  261   s  urges the link  261  upward. The link  261  extends in the vertical direction at a position located upstream of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  in the conveying direction D. Protrusions  261   p  corresponding to the respective receiving trays  52   a - 52   d  are formed on a surface of the link  261 . Each of the protrusions  261   p  protrudes from the surface of the link  261  in the main scanning direction so as to be inserted in a corresponding one of an elongated hole  53   p  formed in an upstream end portion of the tray body  53  of the receiving tray  52   a  in the conveying direction D and elongated holes  253   p  respectively formed in upstream end portions of the basal end portions  253 X of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  in the conveying direction D. 
     The receiving tray  52   a  is supported by the pair of plates  51   a  via the pivot shafts  53   x  and by the link  261  via the protrusion  261   p , whereby a position of the receiving tray  52   a  is determined. 
     The basal end portions  253 X of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  are supported by the supporter  51  so as to be pivotable respectively about pivot shafts  253   x  each extending in the main scanning direction. Each of the basal end portions  253 X is supported by the supporter  51  via a corresponding one of the pivot shafts  253   x  and by the link  261  via a corresponding one of the protrusions  261   p , whereby a position of each of the basal end portions  253 X is determined. 
     Step portions  253   z  are respectively provided on upstream ends of the distal end portions  253 Y of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  in the conveying direction D. Protrusions  253   t  contactable with the respective step portions  253   z  are provided on downstream ends of the respective basal end portions  253 X in the conveying direction D. Each of the step portions  253   z  has a lower surface  253   z   1  and an inclined surface  253   z   2  extending obliquely upward from a downstream end of the lower surface  253   z   1  in the conveying direction D. 
     For the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d , torsion springs  53   s  are provided on the respective distal end portion  253 Y. Each of the torsion springs  53   s  has: one end wound around a corresponding one of the pivot shafts  53   x ; and the other end fixed to a corresponding one of the distal end portions  253 Y. Each of the distal end portions  253 Y is urged by the corresponding spring  53   s  so as to be pivoted in a direction in which the downstream end  53   b  is moved downward (in the counterclockwise direction in  FIGS. 7-9 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , however, when the protrusion  253   t  is in contact with the inclined surface  253   z   2 , the distal end portion  253 Y is not pivoted and kept at the receiving position. 
     There will be next explained operations of the transmission mechanism  260 . 
     Like the transmission mechanism  60  in the first embodiment, the transmission mechanism  260  transmits the upward movement to the downward movement and transmits the first return movement to the second return movement. 
     First, there will be explained transmission of the upward movement of the receiving tray  52   b  from the receiving position to the upper position, to the downward movement of the receiving tray  52   c  from the receiving position to the lower position, by the transmission mechanism  260 . 
     When the receiving tray  52   b  is moved from the receiving position to the upper position by, for example, a manual operation of the user, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the distal end portion  253 Y of the receiving tray  52   b  is pivoted about the pivot shaft  53   x  so as to move the downstream end  53   b  thereof upward. This movement separates the distal end portion  253 Y of the receiving tray  52   b  from the basal end portion  253 X. The downstream end  53   b  of the receiving tray  52   b  is then brought into contact with the receiving tray  52   a , and as illustrated in  FIG. 9  the receiving tray  52   a  is pushed by the receiving tray  52   b  and thereby moved upward from the receiving position toward the upper position. During this movement, the receiving tray  52   a  is pivoted about the pivot shaft  53   x  such that an upstream end of the tray body  53  of the receiving tray  52   a  in the conveying direction D is moved downward. 
     When the upstream end is moved downward, the protrusion  261   p  is pushed downward by a portion of the receiving tray  52   a  which defines the elongated hole  53   p , whereby the link  261  is moved downward against the urging force of the spring  261   s . In accordance with this downward movement, upstream ends of the basal end portions  253 X of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  in the conveying direction D are moved downward with the protrusions  261   p , so that the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  are pivoted about the respective pivot shafts  253   x  in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 9 . 
     During this pivotal movement, the protrusion  253   t  of each of the receiving trays  52   c ,  52   d  is moved from the inclined surface  253   z   2  to the lower surface  253   z   1  of the step portion  253   z , whereby the distal end portion  253 Y is pivoted about the pivot shaft  53   x  in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 9 , establishing the state in which each of the receiving trays  52   c ,  52   d  extends in the horizontal direction, that is, each of the receiving trays  52   c ,  52   d  is situated at the lower position. 
     In the case where the receiving tray  52   c  is moved from the receiving position to the upper position, the receiving tray  52   c  is brought into contact with the receiving tray  52   b  so as to push the receiving tray  52   b  upward, so that the receiving tray  52   b  is moved from the receiving position to the upper position, causing the receiving tray  52   a  to be pushed upward and moved from the receiving position to the upper position. During this movement, the receiving tray  52   a  is pivoted about the pivot shaft  53   x  such that the upstream end of the tray body  53  of the receiving tray  52   a  in the conveying direction D is moved downward, whereby the link  261  is moved downward, causing pivotal movement of the basal end portion  253 X of each of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  about the corresponding pivot shaft  253   x  in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 9 . With this pivotal movement, the protrusion  253   t  of the receiving tray  52   d  is moved from the inclined surface  253   z   2  to the lower surface  253   z   1  of the step portion  253   z , whereby the distal end portion  253 Y is pivoted, establishing the state in which the receiving tray  52   d  extends in the horizontal direction, that is, the receiving tray  52   d  is situated at the lower position. 
     In the case where the receiving tray  52   a  is moved from the receiving position to the upper position, the receiving tray  52   a  is pivoted about the pivot shaft  53   x  such that the upstream end of the tray body  53  of the receiving tray  52   a  in the conveying direction D is moved downward, whereby the link  261  is moved downward, causing pivotal movement of the basal end portion  253 X of each of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  about the corresponding pivot shaft  253   x  in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 9 . With this pivotal movement, the protrusion  253   t  of each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is moved from the inclined surface  253   z   2  to the lower surface  253   z   1  of the step portion  253   z , whereby the distal end portion  253 Y is pivoted, establishing the state in which each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  extends in the horizontal direction, that is, each of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  is situated at the lower position. 
     There will be next explained transmission of the first return movement of the receiving tray  52   b  from the upper position to the receiving position, to the second return movement of the receiving tray  52   c  from the lower position to the receiving position, by the transmission mechanism  260 . 
     When an external force applied to the receiving tray  52   b  in the direction directed from the receiving position toward the upper position is canceled by, for example, the user moving his or her hand off the receiving tray  52   b  in the state illustrated in  FIG. 9 , i.e., the state in which each of the receiving trays  52   c ,  52   d  is located at the lower position, and each of the receiving trays  52   a ,  52   b  is located at the upper position, the distal end portion  253 Y of the receiving tray  52   b  is pivoted about the pivot shaft  53   x  by the urging force of the torsion spring  53   s  in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 9  such that the downstream end  53   b  is moved downward. When the receiving tray  52   b  is thereby separated from the receiving tray  52   a , a force applied from the receiving tray  52   b  to the receiving tray  52   a  is canceled, so that the receiving tray  52   a  is pivoted by the urging force of the torsion spring  53   s  about the pivot shaft  53   x  in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 9  and thereby moved from the upper position back to the receiving position. 
     During this movement, the upstream end of the tray body  53  of the receiving tray  52   a  in the conveying direction D is moved upward, and the link  261  is moved upward by the movement of the upstream end and the urging force of the spring  261   s . In accordance with this movement, the upstream ends of the basal end portions  253 X of the respective receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  in the conveying direction D are moved upward with the respective protrusions  261   p , and the basal end portions  253 X are pivoted about the respective pivot shafts  253   x  in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 9 . 
     In accordance with this pivotal movement, the protrusion  253   t  of each of the receiving trays  52   c ,  52   d  is moved from the lower surface  253   z   1  to the inclined surface  253   z   2  of the step portion  253   z , whereby the distal end portion  253 Y of each of the receiving trays  52   c ,  52   d  is pivoted about the pivot shaft  53   x  in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 9 , and thereby each of the receiving trays  52   c ,  52   d  is thereby moved back to the receiving position. The protrusion  253   t  of the receiving tray  52   b  is brought into contact with the inclined surface  253   z   2 , and the receiving tray  52   b  is moved back to the receiving position. 
     Detailed explanations are not provided for the case where the receiving tray  52   c  is moved from the upper position to the receiving position and the case where the receiving tray  52   a  is moved from the upper position to the receiving position. In these cases, the transmission mechanism  260  is driven in a principle similar to that in the above-described case, so that the receiving tray disposed just below the receiving tray to be moved from the upper position to the receiving position is moved from the lower position to the receiving position. 
     In the present embodiment as described above, as in the first embodiment, in the case where the user takes out the sheet P from any one of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  (the lower tray), when the upper tray is moved from the receiving position to the upper position, the lower tray is moved from the receiving position to the lower position. That is, not only the position of the upper tray but also the position of the lower tray is changed. Moreover, the presence of the transmission mechanism  260  eliminates the need for the user to individually perform the operation of moving the upper tray from the receiving position to the upper position and the operation of moving the lower tray from the receiving position to the lower position. This construction enables the user to easily take out the sheet P (especially, the sheet P of a small size in the conveying direction) from the lower tray. 
     Also in the present embodiment, the same configuration as employed in the first embodiment can achieve the same effects as obtained in the first embodiment. 
     There will be next explained a third embodiment with reference to  FIG. 10 . A printer according to the third embodiment and the printer according to the first embodiment are different in construction of the transmission mechanism and are the same in the other configuration. Like  FIGS. 4A-6B ,  FIG. 10  omits illustration of the groove  53   y , the recesses  53   z , the base  54 , and the stopper  55  of each of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   d.    
     In a tray unit  350  according to the present embodiment, a transmission mechanism  360  includes pulleys  361 - 363  and wires  364 - 366 . 
     The wire  364  has: one end fixed to the tray body  53  of the receiving tray  52   a ; and the other end fixed to the basal end portion  53 X of the receiving tray  52   b . The wire  364  is wound around the pulley  361 . The wire  365  has: one end fixed to the distal end portion  53 Y of the receiving tray  52   b ; and the other end fixed to the basal end portion  53 X of the receiving tray  52   c . The wire  365  is wound around the pulley  362 . The wire  366  has: one end fixed to the distal end portion  53 Y of the receiving tray  52   c ; and the other end fixed to the basal end portion  53 X of the receiving tray  52   d . The wire  366  is wound around the pulley  363 . 
     There will be explained operations of the transmission mechanism  360 . 
     Like the transmission mechanism  60  in the first embodiment, the transmission mechanism  360  transmits the upward movement to the downward movement and transmits the first return movement to the second return movement. The transmission mechanism  360  further transmits the downward movement to the upward movement and transmits the second return movement to the first return movement. 
     It is noted that operations of two receiving trays next to each other in the vertical direction are explained in the following explanation. The other receiving trays are also moved with movement of the two receiving trays, but explanation of operations of the other receiving trays is omitted. 
     First, there will be explained transmission of the upward movement to the downward movement by the transmission mechanism  360 . 
     When any one of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   c  (the upper tray) is moved from the receiving position to the upper position by, for example, a manual operation of the user, one end of a corresponding one of the wires  364 - 366  which is fixed to the upper tray is moved toward a corresponding one of the pulleys  361 - 363  in the conveying direction D. This movement rotates the corresponding pulley in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 10 , thereby moving the other end of the corresponding wire away from the corresponding pulley in the conveying direction D. As a result, the tray body  53  of the receiving tray disposed just below the upper tray is pivoted about the axis  53   x   1  with respect to the supporter  51 , establishing a state in which the basal end portion  53 X and the distal end portion  53 Y of the receiving tray extend in the horizontal direction, that is, the receiving tray is situated at the lower position. 
     There will be next explained transmission of the downward movement to the upward movement by the transmission mechanism  360 . 
     When any one of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  (the lower tray) is moved from the receiving position to the lower position by, for example, a manual operation of the user, the other end of a corresponding one of the wires  364 - 366  which is fixed to the lower tray is moved away from a corresponding one of the pulleys  361 - 363  in the conveying direction D. This movement rotates the corresponding pulley in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 10 , so that one end of the corresponding wire is moved toward the corresponding pulley in the conveying direction D. As a result, the tray body  53  of the upper tray is pivoted about the axis  53   x   1  with respect to the supporter  51  to move the downstream end  53   b  upward from the receiving position to the upper position. 
     There will be next explained transmission of the first return movement to the second return movement by the transmission mechanism  360 . 
     When an external force applied to any one of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   c  (the upper tray) in the direction directed from the receiving position toward the upper position is canceled by, for example, the user moving his or her hand off the upper tray in a state in which the upper tray is located at the upper position, and the receiving tray located just below the upper tray is located at the lower position, the upper tray is moved by its own weight from the upper position to the receiving position. During this movement, one end of a corresponding one of the wires  364 - 366  which is fixed to the upper tray is moved away from a corresponding one of the pulleys  361 - 363  in the conveying direction D. This movement rotates the corresponding pulley in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 10 , so that the other end of the corresponding wire is moved toward the corresponding pulley in the conveying direction D. As a result, the tray body  53  of the receiving tray disposed just below the upper tray is pivoted about the axis  53   x   1  with respect to the supporter  51  so as to move back to the receiving position. 
     There will be next explained transmission of the second return movement to the first return movement by the transmission mechanism  360 . 
     When the receiving tray disposed just below any one of the receiving trays  52   a - 52   c  (the upper tray) is moved from the lower position to the receiving position by, for example, a manual operation of the user in a state in which the upper tray is located at the upper position, and the receiving tray disposed just below the upper tray is located at the lower position, the other end of a corresponding one of the wires  364 - 366  which is fixed to the receiving tray disposed just below the upper tray is moved toward a corresponding one of the pulleys  361 - 363  in the conveying direction D. This movement rotates the corresponding pulley in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 10 , so that one end of the corresponding wire is moved away from the corresponding pulley in the conveying direction D. As a result, the tray body  53  of the upper tray is pivoted about the axis  53   x   1  with respect to the supporter  51  so as to move back to the receiving position. 
     In the present embodiment as described above, as in the first embodiment, in the case where the user takes out the sheet P from any one of the receiving trays  52   b - 52   d  (the lower tray), when the upper tray is moved from the receiving position to the upper position, the lower tray is moved from the receiving position to the lower position. Also, in the present embodiment, when the lower tray is moved from the receiving position to the lower position, the upper tray is moved from the receiving position to the upper position. That is, not only the position of the upper tray but also the position of the lower tray is changed. Moreover, the presence of the transmission mechanism  360  eliminates the need for the user to individually perform the operation of moving the upper tray from the receiving position to the upper position and the operation of moving the lower tray from the receiving position to the lower position. This construction enables the user to easily take out the sheet P (especially, the sheet P of a small size in the conveying direction) from the lower tray. 
     Also in the present embodiment, the same construction as employed in the first embodiment can achieve the same effects as obtained in the first embodiment. 
     While the embodiments have been described above, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the details of the illustrated embodiments, but may be embodied with various changes and modifications, which may occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     The stopper and the base may not be provided on the receiving tray. Each of the receiving trays different from the lowest tray may not be situated at the lower position. Each of the lower trays may not be situated at the upper position. The way to move the receiving tray selectively to one of the receiving position, the upper position, and the lower position is not limited to pivotal movement of the receiving tray with respect to the supporter and may be sliding of the receiving tray with respect to the supporter. 
     The receiving position is not limited to the position at which the receiving surface is inclined so as to be higher at its downstream portion than at its upstream portion in the conveying direction and may be a position at which the receiving surface extends in the horizontal direction. The lower position is not limited to the position at which the receiving surface extends in the horizontal direction and may be a position at which the receiving surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The lower position is not limited to the position at which the distance between the upstream end of the receiving tray (the lower receiving tray) in the conveying direction and the upstream end of the receiving tray disposed just above the lower receiving tray, in the direction orthogonal to the receiving surface of the lower receiving tray is greater when the lower receiving tray is located at the lower position than when the lower receiving tray is located at the receiving position. The lower position may be a position at which the distance is the same between when the lower receiving tray is located at the lower position and when the lower receiving tray is located at the receiving position. 
     In the first through third embodiments, the uppermost tray (the receiving tray  52   a ) may have a basal end portion and a distal end portion like the lower trays ( 52   b - 52   d ). The lowest tray (the receiving tray  52   d ) may be constituted by a single plate member like the uppermost tray (the receiving tray  52   a ). The basal end portion may or may not constitute the receiving surface. In the case where three or more receiving trays are provided, when the upper tray and the lower tray are moved, the other receiving tray or trays may or may not be moved. 
     The transmission mechanism may be provided with an operating member which is manually operated by the user to operate the transmission mechanism. For example, a dial operating member may be provided on any one of the gears  61 - 64 . The transmission mechanism at least has to perform both or one of the transmission of the upward movement to the downward movement and the transmission of the downward movement to the upward movement. The transmission mechanism at least has to perform both or one of the transmission of the first return movement to the second return movement and the transmission of the first return movement to the second return movement. Alternatively, the transmission mechanism may not perform the transmission of the first return movement to the second return movement and the transmission of the second return movement to the first return movement. The upper member is not limited to the uppermost tray and may be a component different from the receiving tray. 
     The conveying apparatus is not limited to the printer. Other examples of the conveying apparatus include a facsimile machine, a copying machine, and a multi-function peripheral (MFP). The recorder is not limited to the line recorder and may be a serial recorder. The recorder is not limited to the ink-jet recorder and may be a laser recorder and a thermal recorder, for example. The conveying apparatus may not include the recorder. The medium is not limited to the sheet and may be a cloth, for example. The medium is not limited to one on which image recording is performed and may be one on which image recording is not performed.