Sheet-feeding device, and image forming apparatus provided with the same

Abstract

A sheet-feeding device is used in an apparatus main body having a box-shaped apparatus external surface and includes a sheet feeding cassette having an outer side surface and detachably mounted to the apparatus main body; and an elastic member provided on the outer side surface of the sheet feeding cassette. The outer side surface of the sheet feeding cassette constitutes a part of the apparatus external surface in a state where the sheet feeding cassette is mounted to the apparatus main body. At least a part of the elastic member projects outward from the apparatus external surface farther than the outer side surface.

1 . A sheet-feeding device for use in an apparatus main body having a box-shaped apparatus external surface, comprising:
 a sheet feeding cassette having an outer side surface and detachably mounted to the apparatus main body; and   an elastic member provided on the outer side surface of the sheet feeding cassette, wherein   the outer side surface of the sheet feeding cassette constitutes a part of the apparatus external surface in a state where the sheet feeding cassette is mounted to the apparatus main body, and   at least a part of the elastic member projects outward from the apparatus external surface farther than the outer side surface.   
   
   
       2 . The sheet-feeding device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the sheet feeding cassette has a handle member having a grip portion in the outer side surface, and   the elastic member is formed on a front surface of the grip portion.   
   
   
       3 . The sheet-feeding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic member is made of an electrically conductive material. 
   
   
       4 . The sheet-feeding device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes are provided, and   elastic members of the sheet feeding cassettes have respective colors which are different from one another.   
   
   
       5 . The sheet-feeding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic member is detachably mounted to the outer side surface. 
   
   
       6 . The sheet-feeding device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the outer side surface of the sheet feeding cassette has a first surface which is substantially flush with the apparatus external surface, and a second surface recessed from the first surface, and   the grip portion is so formed as to cross a front side of the second surface, and a front surface of the grip portion is flush with the first surface.   
   
   
       7 . The sheet-feeding device according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the grip portion has a horizontally elongated shape and the front surface also has an elongated shape, and   the elastic member includes a horizontally elongated plate member.   
   
   
       8 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 an image forming unit for performing an image forming operation to a sheet;   an apparatus main body for accommodating the image forming unit; and   a sheet-feeding device for storing a sheet to be fed to the image forming unit;   
     wherein
 the apparatus main body has a box-shaped apparatus external surface, and 
 the sheet-feeding device includes: 
 a sheet feeding cassette having an outer side surface and detachably mounted to the apparatus main body; and 
 an elastic member provided on the outer side surface of the sheet feeding cassette, and 
 the outer side surface of the sheet feeding cassette constitutes a part of the apparatus external surface in a state where the sheet feeding cassette is mounted to the apparatus main body, and 
 at least a part of the elastic member projects outward from the apparatus external surface farther than the outer side surface. 
 
   
   
       9 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the sheet feeding cassette has a handle member having a grip portion in the outer side surface, and   the elastic member is formed on a front surface of the grip portion.   
   
   
       10 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the elastic member is made of an electrically conductive material. 
   
   
       11 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein
 a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes are provided, and   elastic members of the sheet feeding cassettes have respective colors which are different from one another.   
   
   
       12 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the elastic member is detachably mounted to the outer side surface. 
   
   
       13 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the outer side surface of the sheet feeding cassette has a first surface which is substantially flush with the apparatus external surface, and a second surface recessed from the first surface, and   the grip portion is so formed as to cross a front side of the second surface, and a front surface of the grip portion is flush with the first surface.   
   
   
       14 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the grip portion has a horizontally elongated shape and the front surface also has an elongated shape, and   the elastic member includes a horizontally elongated plate member.