Patent Description:
Various types of image forming apparatuses are known in the art to include a drawer unit that is drawable from the housing of an image forming apparatus.

<CIT> discloses an image forming apparatus including a sheet tray as a drawer. A handle is attached to the sheet tray, so that a user grips and pulls the handle to draw the sheet tray from the housing of an image forming apparatus. The "Stay Safe Carabiner" (www. kickstarter. com/projects/stay-safe-lab/stay-safe-carabiner-anti-microbial-copper-coronavirus-covid) describes a tool with a hook gap which works with standard handles.

The handle of the sheet tray as a drawer is a part touched by the hand of an unspecified number of users. For this reason, if the handle is touched by the hand with virus being adhered, infection of virus may spread through the handle.

In view of the above-described disadvantages, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an operation assisting tool that prevents spreading of virus infection via the handle of a component of an image forming apparatus including such an operation assisting tool.

Embodiments of the present disclosure described herein provide a novel operation assisting tool as defined by claim <NUM> including among other features a gripper and an engagement portion to engage with a handle of a drawer drawable from a housing of an image forming apparatus.

Further, embodiments of the present disclosure described herein provide an image forming apparatus including a housing, a drawer drawable from the housing, and the above-described operation assisting tool.

According to the present disclosure, an operation assisting tool prevents spreading of virus infection via the handle of a component of an image forming apparatus including such an operation assisting tool.

Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:.

It will be understood that if an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "against," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, then it can be directly on, against, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, if an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, then there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers referred to like elements throughout.

Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper" and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements describes as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, term such as "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated <NUM> degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments and examples and is not intended to be limiting of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. It will be further understood that the terms "includes" and/or "including," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Next, a description is given of a configuration and functions of an operation assisting tool and an image forming apparatus incorporating the operation assisting tool, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with reference to drawings. Note that identical parts or equivalents are given identical reference numerals and redundant descriptions are summarized or omitted accordingly.

Referring now to <FIG>, a description is given of an overall configuration and operations of an image forming apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> includes a document reading device <NUM>, an exposure device <NUM>, an image forming device <NUM>, a photoconductor drum <NUM>, a transfer device <NUM>, a document conveyance device <NUM>, sheet feeding devices <NUM> and <NUM>, a bypass sheet feeding device <NUM>, a registration roller pair <NUM>, a fixing device <NUM>, a fixing roller <NUM>, a pressure roller <NUM>, and a sheet ejection tray <NUM>. The document reading device <NUM> optically reads image data of an original document D. The exposure device <NUM> emits an exposure light L based on the image data read by the document reading device <NUM> to irradiate the exposure light L onto a surface of the photoconductor drum <NUM> that functions as an image bearer. The image forming device <NUM> forms a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor drum <NUM>. The transfer device <NUM> transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum <NUM> onto a sheet P serving as a recording medium.

The document conveyance device <NUM> corresponding to an automatic document feeder (ADF) conveys the original document D set in the document conveyance device <NUM> to the document reading device <NUM>. The sheet feeding device <NUM> feeds sheets P accommodated in a sheet tray 12a, and the sheet feeding device <NUM> feeds sheets P stored in a sheet tray 13a. The bypass sheet feeding device <NUM> feeds sheets P that is manually set by a user.

The registration roller pair <NUM> serving as a conveyance roller pair conveys the sheet P toward the transfer device <NUM>. The fixing device <NUM> fixes a toner image (unfixed image) borne on the on the sheet P to the sheet P. The fixing device <NUM> includes the fixing roller <NUM> and the pressure roller <NUM>. The sheet ejection tray <NUM> stacks the sheets P ejected from the housing of the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

The sheet feeding device <NUM> includes a stacking portion (elevation plate) <NUM> that is movable in the vertical direction, and a sheet feeding mechanism <NUM> serving as a sheet feeder. The sheet feeding device <NUM> includes a stacking portion (elevation plate) <NUM> that is movable in the vertical direction, and a sheet feeding mechanism <NUM> serving as a sheet feeder.

With reference to <FIG>, a description is given of a basic image forming operation of the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

The original document D is conveyed (fed) by conveyance rollers of the document conveyance device <NUM> from the document loading table in a direction indicated by arrow in <FIG>, and then passes over the document reading device <NUM>. While the original document D is passing over the document reading device <NUM>, the document reading device <NUM> optically reads image data of the original document D passing over the document reading device <NUM>.

The image data optically scanned by the document reading device <NUM> is converted into electrical signals. The electrical signals are then transmitted to the exposure device <NUM> serving as an optical writer. The exposure device <NUM> emits exposure light (laser light) L based on the image data of the electrical signals, toward the surface of the photoconductor drum <NUM> of the image forming device <NUM>.

Meanwhile, while the photoconductor drum <NUM> rotates in a clockwise direction in <FIG>, the image forming device <NUM> performs a predetermined series of image forming processes, such as a charging process, an exposing process, and a developing process, to form a toner image corresponding to the image data on the photoconductor drum <NUM>. Thereafter, the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum <NUM> is transferred by the transfer device <NUM> serving as an image forming portion, onto the sheet P conveyed by the registration roller pair <NUM>.

Now, a description is given of how the sheet P is conveyed to the transfer device <NUM> (image forming portion).

First, one of the sheet feeding devices <NUM> and <NUM> disposed inside the housing 1a of the image forming apparatus <NUM> is selected automatically or manually. For example, the lower sheet feeding device <NUM> is selected. Then, the sheet feeding mechanism <NUM> feeds the uppermost sheet P of the sheets P accommodated in the sheet feeding device <NUM>, toward a sheet conveyance passage K. The uppermost sheet P (hereinafter, simply the sheet P) passes through the sheet conveyance passage K, in which multiple sheet conveyance rollers including a sheet conveyance roller <NUM> are disposed, and then reaches the registration roller pair <NUM>. When the sheet P reaches the registration roller pair <NUM>, the registration roller pair <NUM> is stopped rotating. As the leading end of the sheet P contacts the nip region formed by the rollers of the registration roller pair <NUM>, skew of the sheet P is corrected.

When the bypass sheet feeding device <NUM> that is disposed on one side of the image forming apparatus <NUM> is selected, the sheet P placed by a user on the bypass tray of the bypass sheet feeding device <NUM> is conveyed by the sheet feeding mechanism <NUM> (sheet feeder) toward the sheet conveyance passage K. When a plurality of sheets P are placed on the bypass tray of the bypass sheet feeding device <NUM>, the uppermost sheet P is conveyed toward the sheet conveyance passage K. Then, when the sheet P reaches the registration roller pair <NUM>, skew of the sheet P is corrected. Thereafter, the registration roller pair <NUM> starts rotating again, and the sheet P is then conveyed toward the transfer device <NUM> (image forming portion) in synchrony with movement of the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum <NUM> for forming the toner image on the sheet P at the correct position.

As described above, the registration roller pair <NUM> functions as a conveyance roller pair that corrects the skew of the sheet P as the leading end of the sheet P contacts the nip region between the rollers of the registration roller pair <NUM> while stopped, and then holds and conveys the deskewed sheet P in the nip region while the registration roller pair <NUM> is rotating. After the transfer device <NUM> transfers the toner image from the photoconductor drum <NUM> onto the sheet P in the transfer process, the sheet P is conveyed to the fixing device <NUM> along the sheet conveyance passage K. In the fixing device <NUM>, the sheet P is conveyed between the fixing roller <NUM> and the pressure roller <NUM>, so that the toner image is fixed to the sheet P by heat applied by the fixing roller <NUM> and pressure applied by the fixing roller <NUM> and the pressure roller <NUM>, in the fixing process.

After the toner image is fixed to the sheet P in the fixing process, the sheet P passes a fixing nip region formed between the fixing roller <NUM> and the pressure roller <NUM>. Then, the sheet P is ejected from the image forming apparatus <NUM> to be stacked as an output image on the sheet ejection tray <NUM>. Thus, a series of the image forming processes is completed.

Next, a detailed description is given of the sheet feeding device according to the present embodiment.

Note that a description is given of the lower sheet feeding device <NUM> among the plurality of sheet feeding devices, i.e., the sheet feeding devices <NUM> and <NUM>, included in the image forming apparatus <NUM>. However, since the upper sheet feeding device <NUM> has the substantially same structure as the lower sheet feeding device <NUM> except the respective positions. For this reason, the description of the upper sheet feeding device <NUM> is omitted.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the sheet feeding device <NUM>.

The sheet feeding device <NUM> includes a stacking portion <NUM> (elevation plate), and a sheet feeding mechanism <NUM>. The stacking portion <NUM> stacks a plurality of sheets P. The sheet feeding mechanism <NUM> that functions as a sheet feeder feeds the sheets P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>. The stacking portion <NUM> rotates about a rotational center shaft 43a (see <FIG>) in the normal and reverse directions to move in the vertical direction.

The sheet feeding mechanism <NUM> includes a sheet feed roller <NUM>, a pickup roller <NUM>, a sheet separation roller <NUM> that functions as a separator, a torque limiter <NUM>, and a direct current (DC) motor <NUM> that functions as a drive source. The sheet feeding mechanism <NUM> further includes a contact-separation mechanism and a moving mechanism <NUM>. The contact-separation mechanism brings the pickup roller <NUM> to contact or separate from the sheet P (uppermost sheet P1) stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>. The moving mechanism <NUM> moves the sheet separation roller <NUM> in the width direction of the sheet P. The width direction of the sheet P is orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction and the drawing sheet of <FIG>.

The sheet feed roller <NUM> is disposed near the leading end of the sheets P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM> in the sheet conveyance direction (direction indicted by white arrow in <FIG>). The sheet feed roller <NUM> rotates (in the counterclockwise direction in <FIG>) along the sheet conveyance direction while contacting the upper face of the uppermost sheet P of the sheets P on the stacking portion <NUM>, so that the sheet P is conveyed in the sheet conveyance direction indicated by the broken arrow in <FIG>.

The pickup roller <NUM> rotates in the counterclockwise direction in <FIG> along the sheet conveyance direction while contacting the upper face of the uppermost sheet P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>, so that the sheet P is conveyed toward the sheet feed roller <NUM>. The pickup roller <NUM> is capable of contacting and separating from the sheet P (uppermost sheet P1) stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>. In other words, the pickup roller <NUM> is movable between a retracted position at which the pickup roller <NUM> does not contact the sheet P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM> (see <FIG>) and a contact position at which the pickup roller <NUM> contacts the sheet P as illustrated in <FIG>.

The sheet separation roller <NUM> is disposed to form a nip region with the sheet feed roller <NUM>. The sheet separation roller <NUM> functions as a separator that separates the sheets P (for example, the sheet P2) below the uppermost sheet P1 from the uppermost sheet P1, so that the uppermost sheet P1 alone is fed when a plurality of sheets P is nipped in the nip region formed between the sheet separation roller <NUM> and the sheet feed roller <NUM>.

Specifically, when one sheet P is nipped in the nip region formed by the sheet separation roller <NUM> serving as a separator and the sheet feed roller <NUM>, the sheet separation roller <NUM> rotates in the sheet conveyance direction, in other words, rotates in the clockwise direction indicated by a broken arrow in <FIG>. When a plurality of sheets P are nipped in the nip region formed by the sheet separation roller <NUM> serving as a separator and the sheet feed roller <NUM>, the sheet separation roller <NUM> rotates in the direction opposite to the sheet conveyance direction, in other words, rotates in the counterclockwise direction indicated by a solid arrow in <FIG>. As a result, the uppermost sheet P1 of the plurality of sheets P is conveyed in the sheet conveyance direction along with the rotation of the sheet feed roller <NUM> while the second sheet P2 below the uppermost sheet P1 is conveyed in the direction opposite the sheet conveyance direction.

Each of the sheet feed roller <NUM>, the pickup roller <NUM>, and the sheet separation roller <NUM> has a roller portion including rubber material (or resin material) on the shaft, and the roller portion is a single unit or divided portions aligned along the axial direction of the shaft. Further, each roller portion of the sheet feed roller <NUM>, the pickup roller <NUM>, and the sheet separation roller <NUM> is detachably attachable (replaceable) to the shaft of each of the sheet feed roller <NUM>, the pickup roller <NUM>, and the sheet separation roller <NUM>, so that maintenance of the roller portion is easily performed.

The DC motor <NUM> functioning as a drive source is feedback-controlled so that the rotational speed of the motor shaft is to be a predetermined value. Specifically, the controller <NUM> performs the pulse width modulation (PWM) control to adjust the current (or voltage) applied to the DC motor <NUM>, so that the number of rotations of the DC motor <NUM> remains constant regardless of the load variation influence. To be more specific, when a relatively large amount of load is applied on the DC motor <NUM>, the controller <NUM> adjusts to apply a relatively large amount of current (or voltage) to the DC motor <NUM>. When a relatively small amount of load is applied on the DC motor <NUM>, the controller <NUM> adjusts to apply a relatively small amount of current (or voltage) to the DC motor <NUM>. Thus, the DC motor <NUM> achieves the constant number of rotations.

In the sheet feeding device <NUM>, the stacking portion <NUM> moves in the vertical direction depending on the number of sheets P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM> so that the pickup roller <NUM> contacts the uppermost sheet P1 placed on top of the sheets P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>. Then, the sheet feeding operation of the sheets P starts after the pickup roller <NUM> is lowered to a position where the pickup roller <NUM> contacts the upper face of the uppermost sheet P1 on the sheets P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM> that is located at the vertically adjusted position.

An inlet guide plate is disposed between the stacking portion <NUM> and the nip region formed between the sheet feed roller <NUM> and the sheet separation roller <NUM>. The sheet feeding device <NUM> includes side fences that restrict the position in the width direction of the sheet P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>. The width direction is a direction orthogonal to the drawing sheet of <FIG>. The side fences of the sheet feeding device <NUM> are disposed at both lateral ends, in other words, at both ends in the width direction of the sheet P, so that the side fences sandwich the sheet P. Due to such a configuration, a manual movement mechanism such as the side fences moves the sheet P in the width direction in accordance with the lateral length of the sheet P.

The sheet feeding device <NUM> includes an end fence that restricts the position of the sheet P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>, in the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet conveyance direction is left and right directions in <FIG>. The end fence of the sheet feeding device <NUM> is disposed to contact the trailing end of the sheet P in the sheet conveyance direction. Due to such a configuration, the manual movement mechanism such as the end fence moves the sheet P in the sheet conveyance direction in accordance with the longitudinal length of the sheet P.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a driving mechanism of the sheet feeding device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sheet feed roller <NUM> includes a two-step gear <NUM> having an upper gear 65a and a lower gear 65b. The two-step gear <NUM> is mounted on the shaft of the sheet feed roller <NUM>. The upper gear 65a of the two-step gear <NUM> meshes with a second gear 62c of a two-step pulley gear <NUM>. The lower gear 65b of the two-step gear <NUM> meshes with an idler gear <NUM>. The idler gear <NUM> meshes with a gear <NUM> mounted on the shaft of the pickup roller <NUM>.

A first gear 62b of the two-step pulley gear <NUM> meshes with a separation gear <NUM> mounted on the shaft of the sheet separation roller <NUM>. A torque limiter <NUM> is mounted on the shaft of the sheet separation roller <NUM>. A motor pulley <NUM> is attached to the DC motor <NUM> (drive motor). A timing belt <NUM> is wound with tension around the motor pulley <NUM> and a pulley 62a of the two-step pulley gear <NUM>.

The driving force is transmitted from the DC motor <NUM> to the separation gear <NUM> via the motor pulley <NUM>, the timing belt <NUM>, the pulley 62a and the first gear 62b. The driving force from the separation gear <NUM> is transmitted to or interrupted by the sheet separation roller <NUM> via the torque limiter <NUM>.

When the running torque (rotational load) exceeding the predetermined value is applied to the sheet separation roller <NUM>, the sheet separation roller <NUM> idles relative to the torque limiter <NUM>. When one sheet P or no sheet is nipped in the nip region (contact portion) formed between the sheet feed roller <NUM> and the sheet separation roller <NUM>, the rotational load applied to the sheet separation roller <NUM> is relatively large. In order to adjust the rotational load, the torque limiter <NUM> interrupts drive transmission from the DC motor <NUM> to the sheet separation roller <NUM>. For this reason, the sheet separation roller <NUM> idles relative to the torque limiter <NUM> and is rotated along with rotation of the sheet feed roller <NUM> in the clockwise direction in <FIG>.

When a plurality of sheets P is nipped in the nip region, the rotational load applied to the sheet separation roller <NUM> is relatively small due to slippage of the sheets P. For this reason, the torque limiter <NUM> transmits the driving force from the DC motor <NUM> to the sheet separation roller <NUM>. As a result, the sheet separation roller <NUM> rotates in the counterclockwise direction in <FIG>. By so doing, the sheets P of the plurality of sheets nipped in the nip region below the uppermost sheet P1 are conveyed in the direction opposite the sheet conveyance direction to return to the stacking portion <NUM>. Due to such a configuration, one sheet P is fed in the sheet feeding direction (sheet conveyance direction) without causing multifeeding error in which multiple sheets P are fed from the nip region formed between the sheet feed roller <NUM> and the sheet separation roller <NUM>.

The driving force transmitted from the DC motor <NUM> to the two-step pulley gear <NUM> is further transmitted to the upper gear 65a of the two-step gear <NUM> via the second gear 62c, so that the sheet feed roller <NUM> is driven and rotated in the counterclockwise direction in <FIG>. Further, the driving force is transmitted to the gear <NUM> via the lower gear 65b of the two-step gear <NUM> and the idler gear <NUM>, so that the pickup roller <NUM> is driven and rotated in the counterclockwise direction in <FIG>.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams each illustrating an operation of a contact-separation mechanism of the pickup roller <NUM> in the sheet feeding device <NUM>.

The pickup roller <NUM> is rotatably held by an arm <NUM>. The arm <NUM> is rotatably held by the rotary shaft of the sheet feed roller <NUM>. A spring <NUM> and a solenoid <NUM> are coupled to a protrusion 58a of the arm <NUM>. The spring <NUM> biases so that the pickup roller <NUM> moves to the retracted position. The solenoid <NUM> moves the pickup roller <NUM> to the contact position against the biasing force of the spring <NUM>.

As the controller <NUM> (see <FIG>) turns on the solenoid <NUM>, the pickup roller <NUM> moves to the contact position as illustrated in <FIG>. When the controller <NUM> turns off the solenoid <NUM>, the pickup roller <NUM> moves to the retracted position as illustrated in <FIG>. Note that the idler gear <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> is disposed on the arm <NUM>, and then rotates together with the arm <NUM> while maintaining the meshing with the gear <NUM> of the pickup roller <NUM> and the meshing state with the lower gear 65b of the sheet feed roller <NUM>.

When the sheet P is not set on the stacking portion <NUM>, an end detection sensor <NUM> detects the state. In response to the detection, the controller <NUM> (see <FIG>) controls the solenoid <NUM> to move the pickup roller <NUM> to the retracted position (see <FIG>). When the sheet P is set on the stacking portion <NUM>, the end detection sensor <NUM> detects the state. In response to the detection, the controller <NUM> controls the solenoid <NUM> to move the pickup roller <NUM> from the retracted position toward the contact position (see <FIG>).

Then, the pickup roller <NUM> starts to rotate in the counterclockwise direction while the pickup roller <NUM> is in contact with the upper face of the uppermost sheet P1 of the sheets P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>. In synchrony with this movement, the sheet feed roller <NUM> and the sheet separation roller <NUM> start to rotate. As a result, the uppermost sheet P1 of the sheets P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM> is fed by the pickup roller <NUM> to be conveyed toward the nip region between the sheet feed roller <NUM> and the sheet separation roller <NUM>. Further, one sheet P is separated and conveyed from the nip region toward the image forming device <NUM>.

When the sheets P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM> are totally conveyed and no sheet is left on the stacking portion <NUM>, the state of the stacking portion <NUM> is detected by the end detection sensor <NUM>. When the end detection sensor <NUM> detects that no sheet is set on the stacking portion <NUM>, the controller <NUM> controls the solenoid <NUM> to move the pickup roller <NUM> to the retracted position again (see <FIG>).

<FIG> are schematic diagrams each illustrating an operation of the sheet feeding device <NUM>. Each of <FIG> illustrates the operation performed when the plurality of sheets P are nipped in the nip region.

First, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the sheets P are set on the stacking portion <NUM>, the stacking portion <NUM> ascends to an appropriate position. Then, the controller <NUM> (see <FIG>) controls the solenoid <NUM> to move the pickup roller <NUM> from the retracted position to the contact position. Then, the pickup roller <NUM> contacts the upper face of the uppermost sheet P1 of the plurality of sheets P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>. While the pickup roller <NUM> contacts the upper face of the uppermost sheet P1, the pickup roller <NUM> starts rotating in the counterclockwise direction. Then, the uppermost sheet P1 and the second sheet P2 placed on the stacking portion <NUM> are conveyed by the pickup roller <NUM> toward the nip region formed between the sheet feed roller <NUM> and the sheet separation roller <NUM>. Now, a description is given of a case when the uppermost sheet P1 and the second sheet P2 are fed together (multiple feeding). When the uppermost sheet P1 and the second sheet P2 are not nipped in the nip region, the torque limiter <NUM> idles and the sheet separation roller <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the uppermost sheet P1 and the second sheet P2 fed together are conveyed to the nip region (multiple feeding), the pickup roller <NUM> moves to the retracted position again. As the uppermost sheet P1 and the second sheet P2 are nipped in the nip region, the torque limiter <NUM> is interlocked and the sheet separation roller <NUM> starts rotating in the counterclockwise direction. As the sheet separation roller <NUM> rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the second sheet P2 is conveyed in the direction indicated by black arrow, along with rotation of the sheet separation roller <NUM>, in other words, the lower sheet (second sheet P2) is returned to the stacking portion <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The upper sheet (uppermost sheet P1) is conveyed in the direction indicted by white arrow, along with rotation of the sheet feed roller <NUM>, in other words, the upper sheet P1 is conveyed toward the sheet conveyance passage K in the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, after the sheet separation roller <NUM> returns the lower sheet (second sheet) P2 toward the stacking portion <NUM>, the lower sheet P2 passes through the nip region. Then, the torque limiter <NUM> idles again, and the sheet separation roller <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction again.

When one sheet P is nipped in the nip region after the operation of <FIG>, the sheet separation roller <NUM> does not rotate in the counterclockwise direction as illustrated in <FIG>, but the uppermost sheet P1 is conveyed in the direction indicted by white arrow while the sheet separation roller <NUM> is rotated in the clockwise direction, as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus having another configuration different from the image forming apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>.

An image forming apparatus 1A illustrated in <FIG> does not include the document reading device <NUM> and the document conveyance device <NUM>. The upper face of the housing of the image forming apparatus 1A functions as the sheet ejection tray <NUM> that stacks ejected sheets each having an image on the surface. Moreover, the image forming apparatus 1A includes one sheet feeding device <NUM> while the image forming apparatus <NUM> of <FIG> includes the sheet feeding devices <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the sheet feeding device <NUM> included in the image forming apparatus 1A of <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sheet feeding device <NUM> that functions as a drawer device includes a sheet tray 12a and a handle 12b. The sheet tray 12a functions as a sheet container and a drawer drawable from to the housing of the image forming apparatus 1A. The handle 12b is attached on one side of the sheet tray 12a. When the sheet tray 12a runs out of sheets, the sheet tray 12a is drawn (detached) from the sheet feeding device <NUM> to replenish new sheets in the sheet tray 12a. As a user grips and pulls the handle 12b, the sheet tray 12a is drawn from the sheet feeding device <NUM>. When the sheets are replenished in the sheet tray 12a, the user grips and pushes the handle 12b, so that the sheet tray 12a is pushed into the sheet feeding device <NUM>.

The sheet tray 12a is drawn (detached) from the sheet feeding device <NUM> when the sheet tray 12a runs out of sheets while the printing is being performed or when paper jam occurs. This operation of drawing the sheet tray 12a is usually performed by a user having instructed the print job of the image. When performing this operation, the handle 12b of the sheet tray 12a may be gripped by an unspecified number of users. For this reason, if the handle 12b is gripped by a user by the hand on which virus is attached, the virus may be attached to the handle 12b, and contact infection in which virus is infected to another user via the handle 12b may occur.

In order to address this inconvenience, in the present embodiment, an operation assisting tool is used to draw the sheet tray 12a without directly touching the handle 12b of the sheet tray 12a. Now, a detailed description is given of the drive device <NUM> of the pressure adjustment mechanism <NUM> according to the present embodiment of this disclosure, with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams each illustrating an operation assisting tool <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present embodiment. Specifically, <FIG> is a front view of the operation assisting tool <NUM>, <FIG> is a side view of the operation assisting tool <NUM>, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the operation assisting tool <NUM>.

The operation assisting tool <NUM> is owned by each user using this image forming apparatus.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the operation assisting tool <NUM> has an arc portion with the lower portion being opened. The inner circumferential surface of the arc portion of the operation assisting tool <NUM> is an engagement portion <NUM> that engages with the handle 12b, and the outer circumferential surface of the arc portion of the operation assisting tool <NUM> is a gripper <NUM> that is gripped by a user. The engagement portion <NUM> has a first face 101a and a second face 101b each being orthogonal to a drawing direction (moving direction) of the sheet tray 12a. Stoppers <NUM> in pair are disposed projecting toward each other, at lower portions of the first face 101a and the second face 101b of the engagement portion <NUM>.

The distance between the stoppers <NUM> is sufficiently greater than the thickness of the handle 12b.

As described below, a panel operation portion <NUM> that is used to operate a control panel <NUM> (see <FIG>) is attached on an upper face 102b of the gripper <NUM>. The panel operation portion <NUM> has a tip portion 103a that functions as a pressing portion. The tip portion 103a is made of an elastic material with which a touch screen is operable. The panel operation portion <NUM> is formed by a material different from the body of the operation assisting tool <NUM>. The tip portion 103a of the panel operation portion <NUM> is attached by a known method such as press-fitting, bonding, or screwing. Further, the tip portion 103a of the panel operation portion <NUM> is attached to the body of the operation assisting tool <NUM>. By so doing, the tip portion 103a of the panel operation portion <NUM> is easily detached from the body of the operation assisting tool <NUM>. Due to such a structure, the tip portion 103a is preferably replaceable. As the tip portion 103a of the panel operation portion <NUM> is replaceable, if the tip portion 103a is damaged or broken, the operation assisting tool <NUM> is continuously used by simply replacing the tip portion 103a.

Note that the whole panel operation portion <NUM> may be made of a material different from the body of the operation assisting tool <NUM>.

Moreover, the gripper <NUM> includes a fingertip contact face 102c that contacts the fingertip of a user when the user grips the operation assisting tool <NUM>. The operation assisting tool <NUM> further includes rotation stoppers <NUM> extending in the vertical direction. The rotation stoppers <NUM> are disposed at both lateral ends (both ends in the width direction) of the upper and lower ends of the fingertip contact face 102c of the gripper <NUM>, to face the side face of the sheet tray 12a of the sheet feeding device <NUM>. The rotation stoppers <NUM> contact a side panel 12c (see <FIG>) of the sheet feeding device <NUM> to stop the operation assisting tool <NUM> from rotating about the handle 12b.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the gripper <NUM> further includes a palm contact face 102a outside the handle 12b. The palm contact face 102a of the gripper <NUM> contacts the palm of a user when the user grips the gripper <NUM>. The palm contact face 102a is longer by X mm in the downward direction than the fingertip contact face 102c.

Preferably, the operation assisting tool <NUM> is made of a material that is subjected to antibacterial treatment or a metallic material. Such antibacterial treatment may use a special material in which silver ions are kneaded into a resin or may use any material or treatment having sterilization, disinfection, and antibacterial effects. Such metallic material may include, for example, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, and aluminum alloy safely. Copper and copper alloy are more preferable since these metallic materials have a bactericidal effect. The operation assisting tool <NUM> made of a material that is subjected to antibacterial treatment or a metallic material prevents contact infection of virus via the operation assisting tool <NUM>. Further, since a user grips the gripper <NUM>, the gripper <NUM> alone may be made of a material that is subjected to antibacterial treatment or a metallic material.

Further, the engagement portion <NUM> in the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8D is made with the gripper <NUM> as a single unit. However, the engagement portion <NUM> and the gripper <NUM> may be made of different materials. By making the engagement portion <NUM> and the gripper <NUM> of different materials, the engagement portion <NUM> may be made of a material appropriate for engagement with the handle 12b and the gripper <NUM> may be made of a material appropriate for gripping by a user. As a result, the operability and functionality of the operation assisting tool <NUM> are enhanced.

For example, the engagement portion <NUM> is made of a material having a high friction coefficient such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) or silicon rubber, and the friction coefficient of the engagement portion <NUM> with respect to the handle 12b is set to be higher than the friction coefficient of the gripper <NUM> with respect to the handle 12b. Moreover, the gripper <NUM> is made of a material that is subjected to antibacterial treatment or a metallic material, as described above. The engagement portion <NUM> made of a material having a high friction coefficient prevents the operation assisting tool <NUM> from moving about the handle 12b when operating with the handle 12b. This configuration contributes to preferable pulling and pushing of the sheet tray 12a with respect to the sheet feeding device <NUM>. The gripper <NUM> made of a material that is subjected to antibacterial treatment or a metallic material preferably prevents contact infection of virus via the gripper <NUM>.

The engagement portion <NUM> is attached to (the arc portion of) the gripper <NUM> by a known method such as press-fitting, bonding, or screwing. Preferably, the engagement portion <NUM> is detachably attached to the gripper <NUM> (arc portion) by screwing or by press-fitting, so that the engagement portion <NUM> are replaceable. Since the engagement portion <NUM> is replaceable, if the engagement portion <NUM> is damaged or broken, the operation assisting tool <NUM> is continuously used by simply replacing the engagement portion <NUM>.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams each illustrating the operation assisting tool <NUM> attached to the handle 12b. Specifically, <FIG> is a perspective view of the operation assisting tool <NUM>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the operation assisting tool <NUM>.

The operation assisting tool <NUM> is attached to the handle 12b by inserting the handle 12b into the engagement portion <NUM> from above. Since the distance between the stoppers <NUM> is sufficiently greater than the thickness of the handle 12b, the handle 12b is not caught by the stoppers <NUM> and is safely inserted into the engagement portion <NUM> when the operation assisting tool <NUM> is attached to the handle 12b.

As the operation assisting tool <NUM> is attached to the handle 12b, the first face 101a of the engagement portion <NUM> comes to face the outer circumferential face 12b1 of the handle 12b and a second face 101b of the engagement portion <NUM> comes to face the inner circumferential face 12b2 of the handle 12b. Further, the upper face 101c of the engagement portion <NUM> contacts the upper face of the handle 12b, so that the operation assisting tool <NUM> is supported by the handle 12b. When the operation assisting tool <NUM> is attached to the handle 12b, the stoppers <NUM> formed in pair are located at a position lower than the position of the handle 12b.

Further, as the operation assisting tool <NUM> is attached to the handle 12b, the tip portion of each of the rotation stoppers <NUM> comes to face the side panel 12c of the sheet feeding device <NUM>. When the operation assisting tool <NUM> is to rotate in the clockwise direction in <FIG>, the tip portion of the lower rotation stopper <NUM> contacts the side panel 12c of the sheet feeding device <NUM>, which restricts rotation of the operation assisting tool <NUM> about the handle 12b. When the operation assisting tool <NUM> is to rotate in the counterclockwise direction in <FIG>, the tip portion of the upper rotation stopper <NUM> contacts the side panel 12c of the sheet feeding device <NUM>, which restricts rotation of the operation assisting tool <NUM> about the handle 12b.

As described above, the rotation stoppers <NUM> restrict rotation of the operation assisting tool <NUM>. By so doing, the operation assisting tool <NUM> is maintained at the position at which the handle 12b is pulled as illustrated in <FIG>. As a result, the operation assisting tool <NUM> attached to the handle 12b is easily gripped. Moreover, the sheet tray 12a is pulled out without changing the position of the operation assisting tool <NUM>, and the sheet tray 12a is easily drawn (detached) from the sheet feeding device <NUM>.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams each illustrating an operation of pulling the sheet tray 12a from the sheet feeding device <NUM>, using the operation assisting tool <NUM>. Specifically, <FIG> is a perspective view of pulling the sheet tray 12a using the operation assisting tool <NUM>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of pulling the sheet tray 12a using the operation assisting tool <NUM>.

When the sheet tray 12a is pulled (drawn), the user attaches the operation assisting tool <NUM> that is owned by the user, to the handle 12b. As illustrated in <FIG>, as the user grips the gripper <NUM> of the operation assisting tool <NUM> by the hand H, the fingertip h1 of the user contacts the fingertip contact face 102c of the gripper <NUM> and the palm h2 of the user contacts the palm contact face 102a of the gripper <NUM>.

Further, the operation assisting tool <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a panel operation portion <NUM> on the upper face 102b of the gripper <NUM>. Due to this configuration, as illustrated in <FIG>, the user grips the gripper <NUM> by nipping the panel operation portion <NUM> with the fingers of the user. As a result, the operation assisting tool <NUM> is prevented from moving in the width direction with respect to the hand H of the user, so that the user firmly grips the operation assisting tool <NUM>. As a result, the operability of pulling and pushing the sheet tray 12a with the operation assisting tool <NUM> are enhanced.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the user grips the gripper <NUM> by the hand H, the palm h2 is at a position lower than the position of the fingertip h1. In the present embodiment, the palm contact face 102a of the gripper <NUM> where the palm h2 of the user contacts is extended longer by X mm in the downward direction than the fingertip contact face 102c of the gripper <NUM>. By so doing, the contact area where the palm h2 of a user contacts the palm contact face 102a is greater (wider) as compared with a case where the lower end of the palm contact face 102a is at the same position as the lower end of the fingertip contact face 102c. As a result, the user stably grips the gripper <NUM> and stably pulls and pushes the sheet tray 12a with the operation assisting tool <NUM>.

As the user grips and pulls the gripper <NUM> of the operation assisting tool <NUM>, the second face 101b of the engagement portion <NUM> contacts the inner circumferential face 12b2 of the handle 12b, so that the pulling force of the user is transmitted to the handle 12b via the second face 101b of the engagement portion <NUM>. As a result, the sheet tray 12a is pulled out from the sheet feeding device <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as the operation assisting tool <NUM> is attached to the handle 12b, the second face 101b of the engagement portion <NUM> comes to face the inner circumferential face 12b2 of the handle 12b. Due to such a configuration, the user does not change the position of the operation assisting tool <NUM> but grips and pulls the gripper <NUM>, so that the second face 101b of the engagement portion <NUM> contacts the inner circumferential face 12b2 of the handle 12b.

Further, as the sheet tray 12a is pulled from the sheet feeding device <NUM> while the second face 101b of the engagement portion <NUM> contacts the inner circumferential face 12b2 of the handle 12b, each of the stoppers <NUM> on the second face 101b faces the handle 12b from below. Depending on how the user pulls the sheet tray 12a, force may be generated to rotate the operation assisting tool <NUM> in the clockwise direction in <FIG> when the sheet tray 12a is pulled (detached) from the sheet feeding device <NUM>. When the force to rotate the operation assisting tool <NUM> in the clockwise direction in <FIG> is generated when the sheet tray 12a is pulled out, the stoppers <NUM> on the second face 101b of the engagement portion <NUM> contact the lower face of the handle 12b. According to this configuration, rotation of the operation assisting tool <NUM> is restricted, so that the operation assisting tool <NUM> is preferably prevented from coming off from the handle 12b while the sheet tray 12a is being pulled, and the sheet tray 12a is stably drawn (detached) from the sheet feeding device <NUM>.

As the sheet tray 12a is pushed into the sheet feeding device <NUM>, the first face 101a of the engagement portion <NUM> contacts the outer circumferential face 12b1 of the handle 12b, so that the pushing force of the user is transmitted to the handle 12b via the first face 101a of the engagement portion <NUM>. As a result, the sheet tray 12a is pushed (attached) into the sheet feeding device <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as the operation assisting tool <NUM> is attached to the handle 12b, the outer circumferential face 12b1 of the handle 12b comes to face the first face 101a of the engagement portion <NUM>. Due to such a configuration, the user does not change the position of the operation assisting tool <NUM> but grips and pushes the gripper <NUM>, so that the first face 101a of the engagement portion <NUM> contacts the outer circumferential face 12b1 of the handle 12b.

Further, as the sheet tray 12a is pushed into the sheet feeding device <NUM> while the first face 101a of the engagement portion <NUM> contacts the outer circumferential face 12b1 of the handle 12b, each of the stoppers <NUM> on the first face 101a faces the handle 12b from below. Depending on how the user pushes the sheet tray 12a, force may be generated to rotate the operation assisting tool <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction in <FIG> when the sheet tray 12a is pushed (attached) into the sheet feeding device <NUM>. In a case where force is generated to rotate the operation assisting tool <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction in <FIG> when the sheet tray 12a is pushed into the sheet feeding device <NUM>, the stoppers <NUM> on the first face 101a of the engagement portion <NUM> contact the lower face of the handle 12b. As a result, rotation of the operation assisting tool <NUM> is restricted, so that the operation assisting tool <NUM> is preferably prevented from coming off from the handle 12b while the sheet tray 12a is being pushed, and the sheet tray 12a is stably pushed into the sheet feeding device <NUM>.

As the sheet tray 12a is pushed until the rotation stoppers <NUM> of the operation assisting tool <NUM> contact the side panel 12c of the sheet feeding device <NUM>, the sheet tray 12a is automatically inserted into the sheet feeding device <NUM> due to the configuration of the sheet feeding device <NUM>. As a result, the sheet tray 12a is attached to the sheet feeding device <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In a case where the operation assisting tool is applied to a sheet feeding device <NUM> in which the sheet tray 12a is to be attached to the sheet feeding device <NUM> only when the sheet tray 12a is inserted to the far end of the sheet feeding device <NUM>, the operation assisting tool may not include the rotation stoppers <NUM>. By removing the rotation stoppers <NUM> from the operation assisting tool, the sheet tray 12a is pushed to the far end of the sheet feeding device <NUM> with the operation assisting tool <NUM>, so that the sheet tray 12a is attached to the sheet feeding device <NUM>.

Further, the rotation stoppers <NUM> may be elastically deformable to push the sheet tray 12a to the far end of the sheet feeding device <NUM> using the operation assisting tool <NUM>. As the operation assisting tool <NUM> is further pushed while the rotation stoppers <NUM> contact the side panel 12c of the sheet feeding device <NUM>, the rotation stoppers <NUM> are elastically deformed, so that the sheet tray 12a is pushed to the far end of the sheet feeding device <NUM>.

According to this configuration, in the present embodiment, the user pulls or pushes the sheet tray 12a without directly touching the handle 12b, and then contact infection of virus via the handle (for example, the handle 12b) of the sheet tray is prevented.

Further, the operation assisting tool <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes the gripper <NUM> that corresponds to the outer circumferential surface of the arc portion to which the handle 12b is inserted. By so doing, the gripper <NUM> is made greater than the handle 12b and is easy to grip as compared with the case where the handle 12b is gripped. As a result, the force is applied more easily and the operation with the operation assisting tool <NUM> is performed stably.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the operation of the control panel <NUM> using the operation assisting tool <NUM> according to the present embodiment.

As in the case where the sheet tray 12a is pulled out, the operation assisting tool <NUM> is gripped when operating the control panel <NUM> with the operation assisting tool <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> is operated by pressing any of buttons 200a of the control panel <NUM> with the tip portion 103a of the panel operation portion <NUM>.

Since the control panel <NUM> of the image forming apparatus is touched by an unspecified number of users for setting image quality or setting the number of print sheets, it is highly likely that virus is attached to the control panel <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the control panel <NUM> is operated by using the operation assisting tool <NUM> without directly touching the control panel <NUM>. As a result, contact infection via the control panel <NUM> is prevented.

Next, a description is given of a modification of the operation assisting tool.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an operation assisting tool 100A of the modification.

The operation assisting tool 100A of the modification is made of a soft resinous material such as polypropylene (PP) or a rubber material such as urethane or silicon. The operation assisting tool 100A is elastically deformed by the gripping force of the user.

The operation assisting tool 100A of the modification includes the stoppers <NUM> at the lower portion of the first face and the second face of the engagement portion. The stoppers <NUM> are disposed at given intervals in the width direction. Each of the stoppers <NUM> have a cylindrical convex shape.

<FIG> are diagrams each illustrating the operation assisting tool 100A of the modification, with the operation assisting tool 100A attached to the handle 12b. <FIG> is a perspective view of the operation assisting tool 100A, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the operation assisting tool 100A.

In this modification, as the operation assisting tool 100A is attached to the handle 12b, the first face 101a of the engagement portion <NUM> comes to face the outer circumferential face 12b1 of the handle 12b and the fingertip contact face 102c comes to face the inner circumferential face 12b2 of the handle 12b. By so doing, as in the above-described embodiments, as the user grips the gripper <NUM> to pull the handle 12b, the second face 101b of the engagement portion <NUM> contacts the inner circumferential face 12b2 of the handle 12b, so that the sheet tray 12a is pulled (detached) from the sheet feeding device <NUM>. As the user grips the gripper <NUM> to push the handle 12b, the first face 101a of the engagement portion <NUM> contacts the outer circumferential face 12b1 of the handle 12b, so that the sheet tray 12a is pushed (attached) to the sheet feeding device <NUM>.

Moreover, as in the above-described embodiments, each of the stoppers <NUM> of the modification faces the lower face of the handle 12b when the sheet tray 12a is pulled out and pushed in the sheet feeding device <NUM>, so that the operation assisting tool <NUM> is prevented from detached from the handle 12b. Further, as in the above-described embodiments, the gripper <NUM> is greater in size than the handle 12b, so that the gripper <NUM> is gripped more easily.

As a result, the force is applied more easily and the operation with the operation assisting tool <NUM> is performed stably.

In the modification, the user pulls or pushes the sheet tray 12a without directly touching the handle 12b and contact infection of virus via the handle 12b is prevented.

<FIG> are diagrams each illustrating the operation assisting tool 100A of the modification, the operation assisting tool 100A gripping a sheet bundle ejected to the sheet ejection tray <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the operation assisting tool 100A, and <FIG> is a side view of the operation assisting tool 100A.

The operation assisting tool 100A of the modification elastically deforms by the gripping force of the user. Due to such a configuration, as illustrated in <FIG>, the operation assisting tool 100A is elastically deformed by the gripping force of the user, so that the sheet bundle ejected to the sheet ejection tray <NUM> is gripped by the operation assisting tool 100A. According to this configuration, the operation assisting tool 100A allows the user to remove the sheet bundle ejected from the sheet ejection tray <NUM> without directly touching the sheet bundle.

Further, when the sheet bundle is gripped with the operation assisting tool 100A as illustrated in <FIG>, the stoppers <NUM> contact the sheet bundle. In the modification, the stoppers <NUM> have a plurality of convex shapes. Due to such a configuration, the gripping force of the user is concentrated on the stoppers <NUM>. As a result, the sheet bundle is preferably gripped by the operation assisting tool 100A.

Each of the stoppers <NUM> may be made of a material having a friction coefficient higher to the sheet than to the body of the operation assisting tool 100A or a material having a high durability and may be made a material different from the material of the body of the operation assisting tool 100A. Each of the stoppers <NUM> made of a material having a friction coefficient higher to the sheet than to the body of the operation assisting tool 100A prevents the stoppers <NUM> from sliding and falling from the operation assisting tool 100A due to the weight of the sheet bundle when the operation assisting tool 100A grips the sheet bundle.

The stoppers <NUM> are attached to the body of the operation assisting tool 100A by a known method such as press-fitting, bonding, or screwing. Preferably, the stoppers <NUM> are detachably attached to the body of the operation assisting tool 100A by screwing or by press-fitting, so that the stoppers <NUM> are replaceable. As the stoppers <NUM> are replaceable, if the stoppers <NUM> are damaged or broken, the operation assisting tool 100A is continuously used by simply replacing the stoppers <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the operation assisting tools <NUM> detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 1A.

As illustrated in <FIG>, it is desired that the operation assisting tools <NUM> are detachably attached to the side face of the image forming apparatus 1A on which the operation assisting tools <NUM> are used. The operation assisting tool <NUM> is held on the side face of the image forming apparatus 1A by a known method such as press-fitting, adhesion by magnetic force, holding by MAGICTAPE (registered trademark).

Moreover, it is preferable that the colors of the plurality of operation assisting tools held on the side face of the image forming apparatus are made different from each other so that the user of each operation assisting tool is easily identified, in other words, distinguished from another user of another operation assisting tool. Preferably, the operation assisting tool is held not inside the housing of the image forming apparatus but on the outside of the image forming apparatus to expose the operation assisting tool. As a result, for example, sanitization is easily performed by spraying, for example, alcohol when or after the operation assisting tool is used. According to this configuration, the operation assisting tool is easily attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus. Moreover, the operation assisting tool held on the image forming apparatus is easily recognized visually and avoids an inconvenience to search the place on which the operation assisting tool is held.

As described above, by holding the operation assisting tool on the image forming apparatus to which the operation assisting tool is used, the operation assisting tool is prevented from being lost as compared with the case where the user separately stores the operation assisting tool owned by the user. Further, since the user detaches the operation assisting tool held on the image forming apparatus when using the operation assisting tool, it is prevented that the user returns to the storage in which the operation assisting tool owned by the user is separately stored.

In the above description, the operation assisting tool according to the present disclosure is used for the sheet tray 12a of the image forming apparatus <NUM> but not limited to this configuration. For example, the operation assisting tool according to the present disclosure may be used for a device including a drawer.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a banknote counter <NUM> as a device including a drawer.

The banknote counter <NUM> includes a stacker <NUM> and an identification unit <NUM>. The stacker <NUM> functions as a sheet container and a drawer in which banknotes are filled and is drawable from the housing of the banknote counter <NUM>. The identification unit <NUM> identifies the banknotes. The banknote counter <NUM> further includes a collection unit <NUM> that functions as a sheet container and a drawer and a sheet container to collect and accumulate the distinguished banknotes. The collection unit <NUM> is drawable from the housing of the banknote counter <NUM>.

A feed roller <NUM> feeds the banknotes stacked in the stacker <NUM> to a separation nip region formed between a separation belt <NUM> and a conveyance roller <NUM> in contact with each other. The separation belt <NUM> rotates in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the banknotes. In a case where multiple banknotes are fed together (multi-feeding), the lowermost banknote alone is conveyed toward the identification unit <NUM> and the rest of the multiple banknotes are returned by the separation belt <NUM>. By so doing, the plurality of fed banknotes are separated into one banknote. The lowermost banknote separated by the separation nip region is conveyed to the identification unit <NUM>. The identification unit <NUM> detects the kind of the banknote, so that the amount of money is added in accordance to the kind of the banknote detected by the identification unit <NUM>. A collection wheel <NUM> is disposed at the distal end of a conveyance passage <NUM>. The banknotes conveyed one by one by the collection wheel <NUM> are accumulated to the collection unit <NUM>. When a detector that detects banknotes detects that no banknotes are stacked in the stacker <NUM>, conveyance of the banknotes is finished, and the cumulative total of money is displayed on a display of a control panel.

The handle of the stacker <NUM> and the handle of the collection unit <NUM> to be gripped when pulling the stacker <NUM> or the collection unit <NUM> from the device is likely to be touched by an unspecified number of users. As a result, it is likely that contact infection occurs via the handle of the stacker <NUM> and the handle of the collection unit <NUM>. For this reason, by using the above-described operation assisting tool when pulling and pushing the stacker <NUM> and the collection unit <NUM>, the stacker <NUM> and the collection unit <NUM> are pulled out without directly touching the handle of the stacker <NUM> and the handle of the collection unit <NUM>, and contact infection is prevented.

The above-described embodiments are limited examples, and the present disclosure includes, for example, the following aspects (modes) having advantageous effects.

In Mode <NUM>, an operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) includes a gripper (for example, the gripper <NUM>), and an engagement portion (for example, the engagement portion <NUM>) to engage with a handle (for example, the handle 12b) of a drawer (for example, the sheet feeding device <NUM>, the sheet tray 12a) drawable from a housing (for example, the housing 1a) of an image forming apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus <NUM>).

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, by using the operation assisting tool, a user draws out (detaches) the drawer from the housing of the image forming apparatus and pushes (attaches) the drawer into the housing of the image forming apparatus, without touching the handle. As a result, spread of infection via the handle is prevented.

In Mode <NUM>, according to Mode <NUM>, the engagement portion (for example, the engagement portion <NUM>) has a first counter face (for example, the first face 101a) and a second counter face (for example, the second face 101b) to face a pair of faces (for example, the outer circumferential face 12b1, the inner circumferential face 12b2) of the handle (for example, the handle 12b) that are orthogonal to a drawing direction of the drawer (for example, the sheet tray 12a). The first counter face of the engagement portion is to face downstream one (for example, the outer circumferential face 12b1) of the pair of faces of the handle in the moving direction, and the second counter face of the engagement portion is to face upstream one (for example, the inner circumferential face 12b2) of the pair of faces of the handle in the moving direction.

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, when the drawer such as the sheet tray 12a is drawn out from the housing (for example, the housing 1a), the first counter face such as the first face 101a contacts the handle such as the handle 12b. By so doing, the pulling force of a user is transmitted to the handle to draw out the drawer from the housing of the image forming apparatus.

To push (attach) the drawer to the housing, the second counter face such as the second face 101b contacts the handle. By so doing, the pushing force of the user is transmitted to the handle to push the drawer into the housing of the image forming apparatus. As a result, pulling and pushing the drawer with respect to the housing of the image forming apparatus is performed with the operation assisting tool.

In Mode <NUM>, according to Mode <NUM>, the first counter face (for example, the first face 101a) and the second counter face (for example, the second face 101b) of the engagement portion (for example, the engagement portion <NUM>) are to face the pair of faces orthogonal to the moving direction, with the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) being attached to the handle (for example, the handle 12b).

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, the user omits (skips) the operation to set the first counter face such as the first face 101a to face the orthogonal face when drawing (pulling) the drawer (for example, the sheet tray 12a) and the operation to set the second counter face such as the second face 101b to face the orthogonal face when pushing the drawer. As a result, the drawer is pulled out or pushed to the housing (for example, the housing 1a) by gripping and pulling or pushing the operation assisting tool attached to the handle such as the handle 12b.

In Mode <NUM>, according to Modes <NUM> or <NUM>, the engagement portion (for example, the engagement portion <NUM>) has an opening to which the handle (for example, the handle 12b) is to be inserted. The first counter face (for example, the first face 101a) has a first protrusion (for example, the stoppers <NUM>) protruding toward the second counter face (for example, the second face 101b). The second counter face has a second protrusion (for example, the stoppers <NUM>) protruding toward the first counter face. Each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is disposed at a position lower than a position at which the handle is to be inserted to the opening.

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, the operation assisting tool such as the operation assisting tool <NUM> is prevented from coming off from the handle such as the handle 12b while the drawer (for example, the sheet tray 12a) is pulled or pushed with the operation assisting tool.

In Mode <NUM>, according to any one of Modes <NUM> to <NUM>, the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) further includes a rotation stopper (for example, the rotation stopper <NUM>) to prevent rotation of the operation assisting tool while the operation assisting tool is attached to the handle (for example, the handle 12b) of the drawer (for example, the sheet tray 12a).

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, the operation assisting tool attached to the handle such as the handle 12b is prevented from rotating about the handle, and the operation assisting tool is maintained at the position for the pulling operation to pull out the drawer. As a result, the operation assisting tool attached to the handle is easily grasped. Moreover, the drawer is drawn (detached) without changing the position of the operation assisting tool, and the drawer is pulled out easily.

In Mode <NUM>, according to any one of Modes <NUM> to <NUM>, the gripper (for example, the gripper <NUM>) has a palm contact face (for example, the palm contact face 102a) on which the palm (for example, the palm h2) of a user contacts when the user grips the gripper and a fingertip contact face (for example, the fingertip contact face 102c) on which a fingertip (for example, the fingertip h1) of the user contacts when the user grips the gripper. The length of the palm contact face is longer in a vertical direction than a length of the finger contact face.

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, the gripper such as the gripper <NUM> is stably gripped, and the drawer (for example, the sheet tray 12a) is pulled out from and pushed into the housing (for example, the housing 1a) of the image forming apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus <NUM>) stably with the operation assisting tool.

In Mode <NUM>, according to any one of Modes <NUM> to <NUM>, the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) further includes a panel operation portion (panel operation portion <NUM>) to operate a control panel (control panel <NUM>) provided for the image forming apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus <NUM>).

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, the operation assisting tool allows the user to operate without directly contacting the control panel (for example, the control panel <NUM>), which prevents contact infection via the control panel.

In Mode <NUM>, according to Mode <NUM>, the panel operation portion (for example, the panel operation portion <NUM>) is attached to the gripper (for example, the gripper <NUM>).

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, the user nips the panel operation portion such as the panel operation portion <NUM> with the fingers to grip the gripper such as the gripper <NUM>, which allows the user to grip the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) reliably. As a result, the operability using the operation assisting tool is enhanced for pulling and pushing the drawer (for example, the sheet tray 12a).

In Mode <NUM>, according to Modes <NUM> or <NUM>, the panel operation portion (for example, the panel operation portion <NUM>) has a replaceable pressing portion (for example, the tip portion 103a) to press the control panel (for example, the control panel <NUM>).

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, if the pressing portion such as the tip portion 103a is damaged or broken, the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) is continuously used by simply replacing the pressing portion.

In Mode <NUM>, according to any one of Modes <NUM> to <NUM>, the pressing portion (for example, the tip portion 103a) that presses at least the control panel (for example, the control panel <NUM>) of the panel operation portion (for example, the panel operation portion <NUM>) is formed by a material different from a body (for example, the gripper <NUM>) of the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>).

According to this configuration, at least the pressing portion such as the tip portion 103a of the panel operation portion such as the panel operation portion <NUM> is made of a material that achieves easy operation of the control panel. Thus, the pressing portion is made of a material that allows the user to smoothly grip the body of the operation assisting tool. As a result, this configuration of Mode <NUM> easily achieves both the good operability of the control panel such as the control panel <NUM> and the good operability of the drawer such as the sheet tray 12a.

In Mode <NUM>, according to any one of Modes <NUM> to <NUM>, the engagement portion (for example, the engagement portion <NUM>) is replaceable.

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, if the engagement portion such as the engagement portion <NUM> is damaged or broken, the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) is continuously used by simply replacing the engagement portion.

In Mode <NUM>, according to any one of Modes <NUM> to <NUM>, the engagement portion (for example, the engagement portion <NUM>) is formed by a material different from a body (for example, the gripper <NUM>) of the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>).

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, the engagement portion such as the engagement portion <NUM> is made of a material that is suitable for engagement with the handle (for example, the handle 12b), and the gripper such as the gripper <NUM> is made of a material that is suitable for gripping by the user.

As a result, the operation of the drawer such as the sheet tray 12a is performed favorably.

In Mode <NUM>, according to Mode <NUM>, a coefficient of friction of the engagement portion (for example, the engagement portion <NUM>) on the handle (for example, the handle 12b) is greater than a coefficient of friction of the body on the handle.

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) is prevented from moving with respect to the handle such as the handle 12b when the engagement portion such as the engagement portion <NUM> contacts the handle to pull and push the drawer (for example, the sheet tray 12a). As a result, the pulling operation and the pushing operation of the drawer are performed favorably.

In Mode <NUM>, according to any one of Modes <NUM> to <NUM>, at least the gripper (for example, the gripper <NUM>) is subjected to antibacterial treatment.

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, contact infection via the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) is preferably prevented.

In Mode <NUM>, according to any one of Modes <NUM> to <NUM>, at least the gripper (for example, the gripper <NUM>) includes metal.

In Mode <NUM>, according to Modes <NUM> to <NUM>, the engagement portion (for example, the engagement portion <NUM>) corresponds to an inner circumferential face of an arc portion to which the handle (for example, the handle 12b) is to be inserted, the gripper (for example, the gripper <NUM>) corresponds to an outer circumferential face of the arc portion, and the arc portion is deformable.

According to this configuration, as described in the modification, the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) is flexibly deformed for the user to grip, for example, a sheet bundle ejected from the image forming apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus <NUM>), and the sheet bundle is removed from the sheet ejection tray (for example, the sheet ejection tray <NUM>) without directly contacting the sheet bundle by the operation assisting tool.

In Mode <NUM>, according to Mode <NUM>, the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) further includes a protrusion (for example, the stoppers <NUM>) disposed at a lower end of the inner circumferential face of the arc portion.

According to this configuration, as described in the modification, the protrusion faces the handle (for example, the handle 12b), so that the operation assisting tool is prevented from detached from the handle when the drawer (for example, the sheet tray 12a) is pulled out or pushed into the image forming apparatus (such as the image forming apparatus <NUM>). Further, when a sheet bundle is gripped, the protrusion contacts the sheet bundle to grip with a relatively high contact pressure.

In Mode <NUM>, according to Mode <NUM>, the protrusion (for example, the stoppers <NUM>) is replaceable.

According to this configuration, as described in the modification, if the protrusion such as the stoppers <NUM> is damaged or broken, the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) is continuously used by simply replacing the protrusion.

In Mode <NUM>, according to Modes <NUM> or <NUM>, the protrusion (for example, the stoppers <NUM>) is formed by a material different from the arc portion.

According to this configuration, as described in the modification, the protrusion such as the stoppers <NUM> is made of a material that favorably nip the sheet bundle by the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>), and the arc portion is formed of a material that is easily gripped by the user. As a result, this configuration of Mode <NUM> easily achieves both the good performance of gripping a sheet bundle with the operation assisting tool and the good operability of the drawer.

In Mode <NUM>, according to any one of Modes <NUM> to <NUM>, the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) is detachably attached to the housing (for example, the housing 1a) of the image forming apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus <NUM>).

According to this configuration, as described with reference to <FIG>, the operation assisting tool is prevented from being lost as compared with the case where the user separately stores the operation assisting tool. Further, since the user detaches the operation assisting tool held by the housing of the image forming apparatus when using the operation assisting tool, it is prevented that the user returns to the storage in which each operation assisting tool is separately stored.

In Mode <NUM>, according to any one of Modes <NUM> to <NUM>, the handle (for example, the handle 12b) is a handle of the sheet container (for example, the sheet tray 12a) to contain sheets.

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, infection of virus via the handle of the sheet container is prevented.

In Mode <NUM>, an image forming apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus <NUM>) including a housing (for example, the housing 1a), a drawer (for example, the sheet feeding device <NUM>, the sheet tray 12a) drawable from the housing, and the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) of any one of Modes <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, infection of virus via the handle of the drawer is prevented.

In Mode <NUM>, according to Mode <NUM>, the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) is held on a portion visible from an outside of the image forming apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus <NUM>).

According to this, as described with reference to <FIG>, the operation assisting tool held by the image forming apparatus is found easily.

In Mode <NUM>, according to Modes <NUM> or <NUM>, a plurality of operation assisting tools (for example, the plurality of operation assisting tools <NUM>) including the operation assisting tool (for example, the operation assisting tool <NUM>) is held on the image forming apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus <NUM>).

According to this configuration, the plurality of operation assisting tools for a plurality of users is held by the image forming apparatus.

In Mode <NUM>, according to Mode <NUM>, the plurality of operation assisting tools (for example, the plurality of operation assisting tools <NUM>) has different colors from each other.

According to this configuration, as described with reference to <FIG>, the operation assisting tool of a user is distinguished from the operation assisting tool of another user, from the plurality of operation assisting tools held by the image forming apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus <NUM>).

In Mode <NUM>, according to any one of Modes <NUM> to <NUM>, the drawer (for example, the sheet tray 12a) includes a sheet tray.

According to this configuration, as described in the embodiments above, infection of virus via the handle (for example, the handle 12b) of the sheet tray is prevented.

The present disclosure is not limited to specific embodiments described above, and numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings within the technical scope of the appended claims. It is therefore to be understood that, the disclosure of this patent specification may be practiced otherwise by those skilled in the art than as specifically described herein, and such, modifications, alternatives are within the technical scope of the appended claims.

The effects described in the embodiments of this disclosure are listed as the examples of preferable effects derived from this disclosure, and therefore are not intended to limit to the embodiments of this disclosure.

The embodiments described above are presented as an example to implement this disclosure. The embodiments described above are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Claim 1:
An operation assisting tool (<NUM>) comprising:
a gripper (<NUM>); and
an engagement portion (<NUM>) to engage with a handle (12b) of a drawer (<NUM>, 12a) drawable from a housing (1a) of an image forming apparatus (<NUM>),
wherein the engagement portion (<NUM>) has a first counter face (101a) and a second counter face (101b) to face a pair of faces (12b1, 12b2) of the handle (12b) that are orthogonal to a moving direction of the drawer (<NUM>, 12a),
wherein the first counter face (101a) of the engagement portion (<NUM>) is to face downstream one (12b1) of the pair of faces (12b1, 12b2) of the handle (12b) in the moving direction,
wherein the second counter face (101b) of the engagement portion (<NUM>) is to face upstream one (12b2) of the pair of faces (12b1, 12b2) of the handle (12b) in the moving direction, and
wherein the engagement portion (<NUM>) has an opening to which the handle (12b) is to be inserted, characterized in that
the first counter face (101a) has a first protrusion (<NUM>) protruding toward the second counter face (101b),
the second counter face (101b) has a second protrusion (<NUM>) protruding toward the first counter face (101a), and
each of the first protrusion (<NUM>) and the second protrusion (<NUM>) is disposed at a position lower than the position of the handle (12b) when the operation assisting tool (<NUM>) is attached to the handle (12b).