Patent Publication Number: US-8109504-B2

Title: Paper feeding cassette

Description:
This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-193366 filed on Jul. 25, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a paper feeding cassette used to stock many sheets of paper which are fed to a machine. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A paper feeding cassette is used in an image forming apparatus, typically, a copying machine or a printer to feed paper such as a cut sheet and the like. There are many paper feeding apparatuses for image forming apparatuses that stock many sheets of paper before printing in advance and separately feed one sheet of paper after another from the topmost of the sheets piled up in a paper feeding cassette. 
     Some paper feeding cassettes are provided with a cursor. A cursor is movable along a rail disposed in a paper feeding cassette and contacts the sides of paper piled up in the paper feeding cassette to position the paper. Thus, the paper does not move from a given position and it becomes possible to carry out a stable paper feeding. 
     There are two types of cursor: one is a length-wise cursor that positions paper in the paper feeding direction and the other is a width-wise cursor that positions paper in the paper-width direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction. These cursors are provided with lock means to lock the cursors in position that correspond to a paper size. Widely used is lock means that is comprised of a sawtooth rack and a engagement claw that engages with the rack. 
     However, if paper is loaded in a paper feeding cassette and a user tries to roughly move the paper feeding cassette in the paper-width direction, the bundle of paper is deviated relatively with respect to the paper feeding cassette under inertia and exceeds the limitation force of the cursor, and thus the lock piece is dislocated and the lock can be released. Accordingly, the paper moves in the paper-width direction together with the cursor. Consequently, it causes problems that the suitable paper feeding becomes impossible, and deviation of printed images or paper jam occurs. 
     To solve such problems, approaches have been proposed to prevent the unexpected movement of a lock piece that locks a width-wise cursor in position, and an example of such a paper feeding cassette is disclosed in JP-A-2005-231862. 
     In JP-A-2005-231862, a width-wise cursor that carries out the positioning of paper in the paper-width direction is disposed inside a cassette frame, under the width-wise cursor, a lock piece is rotatably supported in a plane intersecting at right angles with the paper-width direction, and the lock piece is energized in the lock direction by energizing means that is disposed near the pivotal shaft. An engagement hole is provided in the bottom surface of the width-wise cursor, a lock pin is provided on the upper surface of the lock piece, and the lock pin is inserted into the engagement hole to lock the width-wise cursor to prevent it from deviating in the paper-width direction. When a release rod disposed in the width-wise cursor is pushed down, the lock piece is moved to a lock release position, which is the technology disclosed in JP-A-2005-231862. With this technology, it is possible to prevent paper form deviating in the paper-width direction even if a user moves roughly the paper feeding cassette in the paper-width direction. 
     However, in the conventional technology described above, there are many constituting members such as a lock piece to hold a lock pin, energizing means, a release rod to release lock, etc. Besides, there has been a disadvantage that it takes a long time to assemble these constituting members with a paper feeding cassette. 
     In JP-U-1995-40646, provided is lock means that fixes the position of a width-wise cursor when a lid covers the upper surface of a cassette frame, and releases the width-wise cursor from the fixed position when the lid opens the upper surface of the cassette frame. However, because the lock means comprises a chevron-shaped protrusion in section and a recessed portion formed in the lid to engage with the protrusion, and because the lock means has a low reliability in its engagement, there has been a problem that the lock means comes out of the engagement if paper is loaded roughly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made to cope with the problems described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a paper feeding cassette that prevents the positional deviation of a cursor even when the paper feeding cassette is moved roughly, and surely fixes the cursor for various paper sizes with a simple structure. 
     To achieve the above objects, a paper feeding cassette according to one aspect of the present invention has a cassette frame for storing loaded paper, and a cursor which is disposed in the cassette frame to movably carry out the positioning of paper, and which can be pulled out form a machine main body, the apparatus comprises: a plurality of engagement holes which are formed in the cassette frame and correspond to paper sizes; through-holes formed through the cursor; lock pins that engage with the engagement holes via the through-holes to prevent the cursor from deviating. 
     According to this structure, because the cursor is locked not to deviate in the moving direction when the lock pin is inserted thorough the through-hole to engage with the engagement hole, it is possible to prevent the positional deviation of the cursor even when the paper feeding cassette is roughly moved in the moving direction, and to surely fix the cursor for various paper sizes with the simple structure composed of the lock pins, the through-holes through the cursor, and the engagement holes formed in the cassette frame. 
     Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in the paper feeding cassette having the structure described above, the through-hole is provided with a conic hole, and the lock pin is provided with an engagement portion and a conic portion formed on the upper portion of the engagement portion, wherein the engagement portion engages with the engagement hole, and the conic portion fits into the conic hole. 
     According to this structure, when the engagement portion engages with the engagement hole and the conic portion fits into the conic hole, the cursor is surely positioned and fixed to the cassette frame. 
     Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the paper feeding cassette having the structure described above, the conic portion of the lock pin is provided with a cutout portion, and a gap is formed between the conic hole and the cutout portion when the engagement portion engages with the engagement hole and the conic portion fits into the conic hole. 
     According to this structure, because the gap is formed between the conic hole and the cutout portion, when a user inserts a finger into the gap and pulls the lock pin from the conic hole, the lock pin is pulled out and the paper size can be easily changed. 
     The present invention is characterized in that in the paper feeding cassette having the structure described above, the lock pin is provided with a substantially U-shaped hook along the cutout portion, and the hook is movable in the direction along the cutout portion and in the axis direction of the lock pin. 
     According to this structure, because the hook is movably disposed on the conic portion of the lock pin, a user can grip the hook with a finger and easily pull out the lock pin from the through-hole. 
     The present invention is characterized in that in the paper feeding cassette having the structure described above, the cursor has a horizontal portion on which paper is loaded, and a paper collision portion perpendicular to the horizontal portion, and the horizontal portion is disposed on the cassette frame, wherein the conic hole is formed in the horizontal portion, and the conic portion does not protrude outside the horizontal portion once it fits into the conic hole. 
     According to this structure, because the conic portion does not protrude outside the horizontal portion, the paper loaded on the horizontal portion is not damaged. 
     The present invention is characterized in that in the paper feeding cassette having the structure described above, the lock pin is fixed to a plate member. 
     According to this structure, because the cursor is locked so that it cannot deviate in the moving direction when the lock pin is inserted through the through-hole and engages with the engagement hole, it is possible to prevent the positional deviation of the cursor even when the paper feeding cassette is roughly moved in the moving direction, and to surely fix the cursor for various paper sizes with the simple structure. Besides, because the lock pin is fixed to and supported by the plate member, the lock pin can be easily inserted and pulled out. 
     The present invention is characterized in that in the paper feeding cassette having the structure described above, the cursor has a horizontal portion on which paper is loaded, and a paper collision portion perpendicular to the horizontal portion, and the horizontal portion is disposed on the cassette frame, wherein when the conic portion fits into the conic hole, the plate member is accommodated in a recessed portion formed in the horizontal portion and does not protrude outside the horizontal portion. 
     According to this structure, because the plate member does not protrude outside the horizontal portion, the paper loaded on the horizontal portion is not damaged. 
     The present invention is characterized in that in the paper feeding cassette having the structure described above, near the place where the lock pin of the plate member is fixed, a gap is formed between an edge portion of the plate member and the recessed portion when the engagement portion engages with the engagement hole. 
     According to this structure, because the gap is formed between an edge portion of the plate member and the recessed portion, when a user inserts a finger into the gap and pulls the plate member from the recessed portion, the lock pin is pulled out from the engagement hole and the paper size can be easily changed. 
     The present invention is characterized in that in the paper feeding cassette having the structure described above, the cassette frame is provided with lines of a plurality of engagement holes corresponding to a plurality of paper-size systems, and the cursor is provided with through-holes corresponding to the respective lines of engagement holes. 
     According to this structure, paper of a plurality of paper-size systems, for example, the metric system, the inch system and the like can be stored in the paper feeding cassette, and the paper position of a desired paper size can be easily recognized. Besides, it is possible for one paper feeding cassette to be compatible with many kinds of paper size systems without increasing the kinds of paper feeding cassettes. 
     The present invention is characterized in that in the paper feeding cassette having the structure described above, the engagement holes in the respective lines are provided in pairs in the direction perpendicular to the cursor moving direction, the respective lines being parallel with each other and being at positions apart from each other. 
     According to this structure, even if the kinds of paper sizes in the respective paper-size systems increase, it is easy to recognize the paper position of a desired paper size and it is also possible to prevent the overlap between the plurality of engagement holes. Thus, it is possible for one paper feeding cassette to be compatible with many kinds of paper sizes without increasing the kinds of paper feeding cassettes. 
     The present invention is characterized in that in the paper feeding cassette having the structure described above, the distances between the paired engagement holes in the respective lines are different from each other depending on the respective lines of engagement holes, and a pair of the lock pins are disposed in the plate member for each line of engagement holes, and the distances between the respective pairs of the lock pins are different from each other. 
     According to this structure, because a pair of lock pins are disposed in the plate member, it is easy to recognize the paper position of a desired paper size even if the kinds of paper size increase, and the lock pins can be easily inserted and pulled out from the engagement holes. Besides, it is possible for one paper feeding cassette to be compatible with many kinds of paper sizes without increasing the kinds of paper feeding cassettes. 
     The present invention is characterized in that in the paper feeding cassette having the structure described above, the paired engagement holes in the respective lines of engagement holes are disposed with the same distance therebetween for the respective lines of engagement holes, the lock pins are disposed in pairs in the plate member for the respective pairs of engagement holes, and the distances between the paired lock pins are the same. 
     According to this structure, because a pair of lock pins are disposed in the plate member, it is easy to recognize the paper position of a desired paper size even if the kinds of paper size increase, and the lock pins can be easily inserted and pulled out from the engagement holes. Besides, it is possible for one plate member to be compatible with many kinds of paper size systems, and the structure of the apparatus becomes simple. Further, it is also possible for one paper feeding cassette to be compatible with many kinds of paper size without increasing the kinds of paper feeding cassette. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view seen from diagonally above the rear side of a paper feeding cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a width-wise cursor of a paper feeding cassette according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view showing a state where a lock pin is engaged with a cassette frame and a width-wise cursor of the paper feeding cassette according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a lock pin of the paper feeding cassette according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a width-wise cursor of a paper feeding cassette according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a lock pin of a paper feeding cassette according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a width-wise cursor of a paper feeding cassette according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a plate member of a paper feeding cassette according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view showing the plate member of the paper feeding cassette of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a plate member of a paper feeding cassette according to sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a plate member of a paper feeding cassette according to seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a plate member of a paper feeding cassette according to eighth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Infra, the embodiments of the present invention are described referring to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. The embodiments of the present invention are described as the most preferred embodiments, and the uses of the present invention and the terms are not limited to those used herein. 
     First, a schematic structure of a paper feeding cassette according to the present invention is described using  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view seen from diagonally above the rear side of a paper feeding cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. On the front side of the paper feeding cassette, disposed is a panel which a user grips with a finger to pull out the paper feeding cassette, and the rear side is the surface opposite to the panel. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a paper feeding cassette  1  is housed in the lower portion of an image forming apparatus, not shown, such as a copying machine or the like. The paper feeding cassette  1  is slid in the arrow A direction shown if  FIG. 1  and inserted into an image forming apparatus with horizontal protruding portions  2  disposed on the sides of the paper feeding cassette  1  engaged with rails inside the image forming apparatus. The main body portion of the paper feeding cassette  1  comprises a cassette frame  10 . The cassette frame  10  comprises a flat box whose upper surface is opened, and paper is loaded and stored from the upper surface direction. In an image forming apparatus, paper feeding means, not shown, is disposed over the paper feeding cassette  1 , and the paper is fed in the B direction shown in  FIG. 1 . A panel  3  is disposed on the front side of the cassette frame  10 , and this panel  3  constitutes a part of the housing at the front lower portion of an image forming apparatus. When pulling out the paper feeding cassette  1 , a user grips the lower portion of the panel  3  with a finger. 
     A lift plate  4  is disposed on the inner bottom surface of the cassette frame  10 . Paper is loaded on this lift plate  4 . The upstream end of the lift plate  4  in the paper feeding direction is supported on the inner bottom surface of the cassette frame  10 , and the lift plate  4  is rotatable about the fulcrum with the downstream end as the free end. The lift plate  4  is a plate-shaped member, and cutouts are formed in the movable regions of a width-wise cursor  20  and a length-wise  30  which are described later. 
     A width-wise cursor  20  is disposed in the downstream portion in the paper feeding direction inside the cassette frame  10 . Two width-wise cursors  20  are arranged, and contact the sides of a bundle of paper from both sides in the paper-width direction intersecting at right angles with the paper feeding direction (the arrow B). The width-wise cursor  20  has an L shape in the vertical section seen from the paper feeding direction, and comprises a horizontal portion  21  and an upright paper collision portion  22 . The two width-wise cursors  20  are disposed with the paper collision portions  22  facing each other, and paper is loaded on each of the horizontal portions  21  and between the paper collision portions  22 . The width-wise cursors  20  conduct the positioning of paper in the paper-width direction in order for the paper to be positioned at a paper feeding position of the paper feeding means of an image forming apparatus. 
     The width-wise cursors  20  can be moved along moving grooves  11  formed on the cassette frame  10  in the paper-width direction, while the horizontal portions  21  contacting the cassette frame  10 . Because engagement portions, not shown, formed on the bottom surface of the width-wise cursors  20  are engaged with the moving grooves  11 , the width-wise cursors  20  do not come off upward. The two width-wise cursors  20  which contact the sides of a bundle of paper from both sides in the paper-width direction are provided with an interlock mechanism thereunder. The interlock mechanism is composed of racks each being disposed on each of the two width-wise cursors  20 , and a pinion mounted on the cassette frame  10 . When one of the width-wise cursors  20  is moved by this interlock mechanism, the other also moves interlocking with the one. At this time, the two width-wise cursors  20  move symmetrically with respect to the center line of paper in the paper-width direction. 
     The length-wise cursor  30  is disposed at the upstream portion in the paper feeding direction inside the cassette frame  10 . One length-wise cursor  30  is disposed and contacts the side of a bundle of paper from the upstream side in the paper feeding direction (the arrow B). The length-wise cursor  30  has an L shape in the vertical section seen from the cassette frame slide direction (the arrow A), and comprises a horizontal portion  31  and an upright paper collision portion  32 . Paper is loaded on the horizontal portion  31  and in the downstream portion with respect to the paper collision portion  32 . The length-wise cursor  30  conducts the positioning of paper in the paper feeding direction in order for the paper to be positioned at a paper feeding position of the paper feeding means of an image forming apparatus. 
     The length-wise cursor  30  can be moved along a moving rail  12  formed on the cassette frame  10  in the paper feeding direction. Because an engagement portion, not shown, formed on the bottom surface of the length-wise cursor  30  is engaged with the moving rail  12 , the length-wise cursor  30  does not come off upward. 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment of the present invention is explained using  FIGS. 2 to 4 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a width-wise cursor of a paper feeding cassette.  FIG. 3  is a sectional view showing a state where a lock pin is engaged with a cassette frame and a width-wise cursor of a paper feeding cassette.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a lock pin. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cassette frame  10  is provided with a plurality of engagement holes  14 . A pair of the engagement holes  14  are provided corresponding to each of a plurality of paper width sizes in the direction (the arrow A shown in  FIG. 2 ) in which the width-wise cursor  20  slides horizontally. 
     The width-wise cursor  20  is provided with two through-holes  23  through the horizontal portion  21 . The through-holes  23  are arranged corresponding to the distance between the paired engagement holes  14 . Each lock pin  40  can be inserted into each through-hole  23 . 
     When the lock pin  40  is inserted into the through-hole  23 , the width-wise cursor  20  is positioned and fixed to the cassette frame  10  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The lock pin  40  is provided with a cylindrical engagement portion  40   a  and a conic portion  40   b  on the cylindrical engagement portion  40   a . The engagement portion  40   a  engages with the engagement hole  14  of the cassette frame  10 , and the width-wise cursor  20  is fixed to the cassette frame  10 . The conic portion  40   b  fits into the conic hole  23   b  of the through-holes  23 . Because the centers of the conic portion  40   b  and the conic hole  23   b  are formed coaxially with the centers of the engagement portion  40   a  and the engagement hole  14 , the width-wise cursor  20  is positioned in the cassette frame  10  when the conic portion  40   b  fits into the conic hole  23   b . At this time, the conic portion  40   b  does not protrude outside the horizontal portion  21 , and does not damage paper. To allow the assembly of the components such as the cassette frame  10 , the width-wise cursor  20  and the like even if their machining precisions are low, the hole  23   a  of the through-hole  23  is made larger than the engagement portion  40   a  of the lock pin  40  so that the hole  23   a  does not engage with the engagement portion  40   a.    
     Two pairs of engagement holes  14  are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center line in the width direction of the cassette frame  10 , that is, one pair on one side of the cassette frame  10  and the other pair on the other side, and each pair corresponding to each pair of through-holes  23  disposed on the two width-wise cursors  20 . In such structure comprising each through-hole  23 , and the four lock pins  40  each of which engages with each engagement hole  14 , when the lock pin  40  is inserted into the through-hole  23  and engaged with the engagement hole  14 , the width-wise cursors  20  are locked not to deviate in the paper-width direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the conic portion  40   b  of the lock pin  40  is provided with two cutout portions  40   c . When the engagement portion  40   a  of the lock pin  40  engages with the engagement hole  14  and the conic portion  40   b  fits into the conic hole  23   b  (see  FIG. 3 ), a gap is formed between the cutout portion  40   c  and the conic hole  23   b . When pulling out the lock pin  40  from the conic hole  23   b  to move the width-wise cursor  20 , a user can insert a finger into the gap and pull out the lock pin  40 . 
     According to the first embodiment, the paper feeding cassette  1  comprises a cassette frame  10  in which paper is loaded and stored, and the width-wise cursors  20  which movably conduct the positioning of paper in the paper-width direction intersecting at right angles with the paper feeding direction, and can be pulled out from a machine main body. Also, the paper feeding cassette  1  comprises the plurality of engagement holes  14  formed in the cassette frame  10  corresponding to paper sizes, the through-holes  23  formed through the width-wise cursors  20 , and the lock pins  40  which engage with the engagement holes  40  via the though-holes  23  not to allow the width-wise cursors  20  to deviate in the paper-width direction. 
     According to this structure, because the width-wise cursors  20  are locked not to deviate in the paper-width direction when the lock pins  40  are inserted into the through-holes  23  and are engaged with the engagement holes  14 , it is possible to prevent the positional deviation of the width-wise cursors  20  even when the paper feeding cassette  1  is roughly moved in the paper-width direction. And with the simple structure comprising the lock pins  40 , the through-holes  23  of the width-wise cursors  20 , and the engagement holes  14  of the cassette frame  10 , it is possible to surely fix the width-wise cursors  20  for various paper widths. 
     According to the first embodiment, the through-hole  23  is provided with the conic hole  23   b , the lock pin  40  is provided with the engagement portion  40   a , the conic portion  40   b  formed on the engagement portion  40   a , and the cutout portions  40   c  formed on the conic portion  40   b , the engagement portion  40   a  engages with the engagement hole  14 , the conic portion  40   b  fits into the conic hole  23   b , and thereby the width-wise cursors  20  are surely positioned and fixed to the cassette frame  10 . Besides, because the gaps are formed between the conic hole  23   b  and the cutout portions  40   c , to move the width-wise cursors  20 , a user inserts a finger into the gap and pulls the lock pins  40  from the conic holes  23   b , and the lock pins  40  are pulled out, accordingly the paper size can be easily changed. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a width-wise cursor of a paper feeding cassette according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A paper feeding cassette according to the second embodiment can selectively store paper of the metric- and inch-system paper sizes. Structures different from those in the first embodiment are explained and the explanation of the same parts is skipped. 
     The horizontal portion  21  of the width-wise cursor  20  is provided with a pair of through-holes  231  in the paper-length direction and another pair of through-holes  232  in the paper-length direction. The pair of through-holes  231  and the other pair of through-holes  232  are arranged in lines different from each other in the paper-width direction. The distance between the paired through-holes  231  is longer than that between the other paired through-holes  232 . The pair of through-holes  231  are used to position and limit paper of the metric-system paper size, and the other pair of through-holes  232  are used to position and limit paper of the inch-system paper size. Notations to distinguish between the metric system and the inch system may be presented near each of the through-holes  231  and  232  of the width-wise cursor  20 , or may be described in the instruction manual of the paper feeding cassette. Each of the through-holes  231 ,  232  has a conic hole into which the conic portion of the lock pin  40  fits. 
     The cassette frame  10  is provided with a line of a plurality of engagement holes  141  used for paper of the metric-system paper size corresponding to the pair of through-holes  231 , and another line of a plurality of engagement holes  142  used for paper of the inch-system paper size corresponding to the pair of through-holes  232 . 
     To position and limit paper of the metric-system paper size, the lock pins  40  are inserted into the through-holes  231  and engaged with the engagement holes for a desired paper size of the engagement holes  141 , and thereby the width-wise cursors  20  are locked not to deviate in the paper-width direction. To position and limit paper of the inch-system paper size, the lock pins  40  are inserted into the through-holes  232  and engaged with the engagement holes for a desired paper size of the engagement holes  142 , and thereby the width-wise cursors  20  are locked not to deviate in the paper-width direction. 
     According to this structure, paper of the metric- and inch-system paper sizes can selectively stored in the paper feeding cassette, and it is easy to recognize the position of a desired paper size system. Even if the kinds of paper size increase in a paper size system, it is possible to prevent the overlap between the plurality of engagement holes. Besides, it is possible for one paper feeding cassette to be compatible with many other kinds of paper size system besides the metric- and inch-system paper sizes without increasing the kinds of paper feeding cassette. 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a lock pin of a paper feeding cassette according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment shows a modification of the lock pin in the first and second embodiments. 
     The lock pin  40  is provided with the cylindrical engagement portion  40   a  and the conic portion  40   b  which has the cutout portion  40   c  on its upper portion. The two cutout portions  40   c  are provided with hooks  40   d  which are movable in the arrow direction as shown in  FIG. 6 . The hook  40   d  is composed of a plastic formed into a substantially U shape along both cutout portions  40   c , and is used to insert and pull out the lock pin  40  into and from the through-hole  23 . If the hook  40   d  is laid down in the direction along the lock pin  40  (the A position shown in  FIG. 6 ) when the width-wise cursors  20  are positioned and fixed to the cassette frame  10 , the hook  40  is stored in the through-hole  23 , and when the hook  40   d  is raised upright in the axis direction of the lock pin  40  from the state (the B position shown in  FIG. 6 ), a user can grip the hook  40   d  with a finger and pull out the lock pin  40  from the through-hole  23 . 
     According to this structure, because the hook  40   d  is movably disposed on the conic portion  40   b  of the lock pin  40 , it is easy to pull out the lock pin  40  from the through-hole  23 . 
     Fourth Embodiment 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a width-wise cursor of a paper feeding cassette according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the horizontal portion  21  of the width-wise cursor  20  is provided with a rectangular recessed portion  25  which is recessed from the upper portion of the horizontal portion  21  and extends in the paper-length direction. The recessed portion  25  is provided with a pair of through-holes  23  each having a conic hole. The pair of through-holes  23  are arranged corresponding to the distance of the paired engagement holes  14 . 
     The lock pins  40  have a conic portion and an engagement portion, and fixed to the rectangular plate member  42  with a given distance so that it can fit into the pair of through-holes  23  and engage with the pair of engagement holes  14 . When the pair of lock pins  40  fit into the pair of through-holes  23  and engage with the pair of engagement holes  14 , the plate member  42  is stored in the recessed portion  25  and does not protrude outside the horizontal portion  21 , while the width-wise cursors  20  are locked not to deviate in the paper-width direction. 
     When pulling out the lock pins  40  from the through-holes  23  and the engagement holes  14  to move the width-wise cursors  20 , a user lifts the plate member  42 , and thereby the pair of lock pins  40  are pulled out from the pair of through-holes  23  and the engagement holes  14 . 
     According to the fourth embodiment, a plurality of pairs of engagement holes  14  in the paper-width-direction, a pair of through-holes  23 , and the plate member  42  fixing and supporting a pair of lock pins  40  are provided, and the pair of lock pins  40  engage with the pair of engagement holes  41  via the pair of through-holes  23 . Accordingly, because the width-wise cursors  20  are locked not to deviate in the paper-width direction when the lock pins  40  are inserted into the through-holes  23  and engaged with the engagement holes  14 , it is possible to prevent the width-wise cursors  20  from deviating even if the paper feeding cassette  1  is moved roughly in the paper-width direction, besides with the simple structure comprising the lock pins  40 , the through-holes  23  of the width-wise cursors  20 , and the engagement holes  14  of the cassette frame  10 , the width-wise cursors  20  can be surely fixed for various paper sizes. In addition, because the pair of lock pins  40  are fixed to and supported by the plate member  42 , the lock pins  40  can be easily inserted and pulled out. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a plate member of a paper feeding cassette according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 9  is a plan view showing the plate member seen from the arrow A direction in  FIG. 8 . The fifth embodiment shows a modification of the plate member in the fourth embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , four cutouts  42   a  are formed at edge portions near the places where the lock pins  40  are fixed to the plate member  42 . When a pair of lock pins  40  fit into a pair of through-holes  23  of the width-wise cursor  20  and engage with a pair of engagement holes  14 , and thus the plate member  42  is stored in the recessed portion  25 , a gap is formed by the cutout  42   a  between the edge of the plate member  42  and the recessed portion  25 . A user can grip the plate member  42  with a finger and pull out it from the recessed portion  25 . Instead of providing the plate member  42  with the cutouts  42   a , a gap may be made between the edge of the plate member  42  and the recessed portion  25  by enlarging the width of the recessed portion  25  near the through-hole  23 . In this case, the cutout portion  40   c  may not be formed on the conic portion of the lock pin  40 . 
     According to this structure, a gap is formed between the edge of the plate member  42  and the recessed portion  25  of the width-wise cursor  20 , and when a user inserts a finger into the gaps and pulls the plate member  42  from the recessed portion  25 , the lock pins  40  are pulled out from the engagement holes  14 , and thereby the paper size can be easily changed. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a width-wise cursor of a paper feeding cassette according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment shows a modification of the paper feeding cassette according to the second embodiment that can selectively store paper of the metric- and inch-system paper sizes. 
     The horizontal portion  21  of the width-wise cursor  20  is provided with the recessed portion  25  recessed from the upper portion of the horizontal portion  21  to accommodate the plate member  42 . Through the recessed portion  25 , a pair of through holes  231  are formed in the paper-length direction, and another pair of through-holes  232  are formed in the paper-length direction. The pairs of through-holes  231  and  232  are aligned in the paper-width direction. The distance between the paired through-holes  231  is longer than that between the paired through-holes  232 . The pair of through-holes  231  are used to position and limit paper of the metric-system paper size, and the other pair of through-holes  232  are used to position and limit paper of the inch-system paper size. Each of the through-holes  231  and  232  has a conic hole into which the conic portion of the lock pin  40  fits. 
     The cassette frame  10  is provided with a line of a plurality of engagement holes  141  used for the metric-system paper sizes corresponding to the pair of through-holes  231 , and another line of a plurality of engagement holes  142  used for the inch-system paper sizes corresponding to the other pair of through-holes  232 . 
     Two plate members  42  are prepared to be compatible with paper of the metric- and inch-system paper sizes. The plate member  42  for the metric-system paper size is so formed that the paired lock pins  40  have the distance equal to that between the paired through-holes  231 . On the other hand, the plate member  42  for the inch-system paper size is so formed that the paired lock pins  40  have the distance equal to that between the paired through-holes  232 . Near the lock pins  40 , four cutouts may be formed at the edges of the plate member  42 . In this case, the cutout portions  40   c  may not be formed on the conic portion of the lock pins  40 . 
     To store paper of the metric-system paper size in the paper feeding cassette, the lock pins  40  of the plate member  42  for the metric-system paper size are engaged with the engagement holes for a desired paper size of the engagement holes  141  via the pair of through-holes  231 . On the other hand, to store paper of the inch-system paper size in the paper feeding cassette, the lock pins  40  of the plate member  42  for the inch-system paper size are engaged with the engagement holes for a desired paper size of the engagement holes  142  via the other pair of through-holes  232 . 
     According to this structure, paper of the metric- and inch-system paper sizes can be selectively stored, and it is easy to recognize the position of a desired paper size system. Even if the kinds of paper size increase in a paper size system, it is possible to prevent the overlap between the plurality of engagement holes. Further, it is possible for one paper feeding cassette to be compatible with many kinds of paper size systems besides the metric- and inch-systems without increasing the kinds of paper feeding cassettes. Besides, because the lock pins  40  are fixed to and supported by the plate member  42 , the lock pins  40  can be easily inserted and pulled out. 
     Seventh Embodiment 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a width-wise cursor of a paper feeding cassette according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The seventh embodiment shows another modification of the width-wise cursor in the second embodiment which can selectively store paper of the metric- and inch-system paper sizes. 
     The horizontal portion  21  of the width-wise cursor  20  is provided with the recessed portion  25  recessed from the upper portion of the horizontal portion  21  to accommodate the plate member  42 . Through the recessed portion  25 , a pair of through holes  231  are formed in the paper-length direction, and another pair of through-holes  232  are formed in the paper-length direction. The pairs of through-holes  231  and  232  are aligned in the paper-width direction. The distance between the paired through-holes  231  is equal to that between the paired through-holes  232 . The pair of through-holes  231  are used to position and limit paper of the metric-system paper size, and the other pair of through-holes  232  are used to position and limit paper of the inch-system paper size. Each of the through-holes  231  and  232  has a conic hole into which the conic portion of the lock pin  40  fits. 
     The cassette frame  10  is provided with a line of a plurality of engagement holes  141  used for the metric-system paper sizes corresponding to the pair of through-holes  231 , and another line of a plurality of engagement holes  142  used for the inch-system paper sizes corresponding to the other pair of through-holes  232 . 
     The plate member  42  is provided with the pair of lock pins  40 . The paired lock pins  40  are formed to have the distance equal to that between the paired through-holes  231  (the other paired through-hole  232 ). Near the lock pins  40 , four cutouts may be formed at edges of the plate member  42 . In this case, the cutout portions  40   c  may not be formed on the conic portion of the lock pins  40 . 
     To store paper of the metric-system paper size in the paper feeding cassette, the lock pins  40  of the plate member  42  are engaged with the engagement holes for a desired paper size of the line of engagement holes  141  via the pair of through-holes  231 . On the other hand, to store paper of the inch-system paper size in the paper feeding cassette, the lock pins  40  of the plate member  42  are engaged with the engagement holes for a desired paper size of the line of engagement holes  142  via the other pair of through-holes  232 . 
     According to this structure, paper of the metric- and inch-system paper sizes can be selectively stored, and it is easy to recognize the position of a desired paper size system. Even if the kinds of paper size increase in a paper size system, it is possible to prevent the overlap between the plurality of engagement holes. Further, it is possible for one paper feeding cassette to be compatible with many kinds of paper size systems besides the metric- and inch-systems without increasing the kinds of paper feeding cassettes. Besides, because the lock pins  40  are fixed to and supported by the plate member  42 , the lock pins  40  can be easily inserted and pulled out. Further, it is possible for one plate member  42  to be compatible with many kinds of paper size systems, which simplifies the structure of the apparatus. 
     Eighth Embodiment 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of a width-wise cursor of a paper feeding cassette according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The eighth embodiment shows a still another modification of the width-wise cursor in the second embodiment. 
     The horizontal portion  21  of the width-wise cursor  20  is provided with two recessed portions  25  recessed from the upper portion of the horizontal portion  21  to accommodate two plate members  42 . Through each recessed portion  25 , two through holes  231  and  232  are arranged and formed in the paper-length direction. The one pair of through-holes  231  and the other pair of through-holes  232  are aligned in the paper-width direction. The distance between the paired through-holes  231  is equal to that between the paired through-holes  232 . The pair of through-holes  231  are used to position and limit paper of the metric-system paper size, and the other pair of through-holes  232  are used to position and limit paper of the inch-system paper size. Each of the through-holes  231  and  232  has a conic hole into which the conic portion of the lock pin  40  fits. 
     The cassette frame  10  is provided with a line of a plurality of engagement holes  141  used for the metric-system paper sizes corresponding to the pair of through-holes  231 , and another line of a plurality of engagement holes  142  used for the inch-system paper sizes corresponding to the other pair of through-holes  232 . 
     The plate member  42  has substantially the same shape as the recessed portion  25  of the horizontal portion  21  and is formed into a somewhat small shape to be accommodated in the recessed portion  25 . One lock pin  40  is fixed to the plate member  42  at a position deviated from the center in the paper-length direction. Two plate members  42  having the same shape are prepared for one width-wise cursor  20 . Near the lock pins  40 , two cutouts may be formed at edges of the plate member  42 . In this case, the cutout portions  40   c  may not be formed on the conic portion of the lock pins  40 . 
     To store paper of the metric-system paper size in the paper feeding cassette, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the lock pins  40  of the two plate members  42  are engaged with the engagement holes for a desired paper size of the line of engagement holes  141  via the pair of through-holes  231 . On the other hand, to store paper of the inch-system paper size in the paper feeding cassette, the two plate members  42  are turned 180° in order for the lock pins  40  of the two plate members  42  to face the other pair of through-holes  232 , and are engaged with the engagement holes for a desired paper size of the line of engagement holes  142  via the other pair of through-holes  232 . 
     According to this structure, paper of the metric- and inch-system paper sizes can be selectively stored, and it is easy to recognize the position of a desired paper size system. Even if the kinds of paper size increase in a paper size system, it is possible to prevent the overlap between the plurality of engagement holes. Further, it is possible for one paper feeding cassette to be compatible with many kinds of paper size systems besides the metric- and inch-systems without increasing the kinds of paper feeding cassettes. Besides, because the lock pins  40  are fixed to and supported by the plate member  42 , the lock pins  40  can be easily inserted and pulled out. Further, if the plate members  42  having the same shape are used in a set, it is possible to be compatible with many kinds of paper size systems, which simplifies the structure of the apparatus. 
     In the embodiment described above, explained is the structure where the lock pin  40  engages with the engagement hole  14  via the hole  23   a  and the conic hole  23   b  of the through-hole  23 . However, the present invention is not limited to this structure, and if the hole  23   a  and conic hole  23   b  are designed to have the dimensions described in ISO 1478 and ISO 7721, a user can fix the width-wise cursor  20  more firmly using general fixing members instead of the lock pin  40  according to service conditions. 
     In the embodiments described above, the present invention is applied to the paper feeding cassettes which movably conduct the positioning of paper in the paper-width direction. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, that is, in a paper feeding cassette which slides the cassette frame  10  in the paper-length direction, the same effects as those in the embodiments described above are obtained if the positioning of paper is movably carried out in the paper-length direction. 
     The present invention has a cursor which carries out the positioning of paper at an appropriate paper feeding position, and can be applied to general paper feeding cassettes which can be pulled out from a machine main body.