Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A burden on a user when changing sheets such as with an ink jet printer and the like is reduced, and the necessary stack space is secured without considering the step difference up to the mounting surface of an ejected paper tray worth of the amount of curls for sheets that easily curls such as post cards and the like. Thus, enlargement of the apparatus and increase in the manufacturing cost are suppressed, and is easily adopted for low cost type for mass consumption.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . A sheet feeding device comprising a sheet accommodating section detachably attachable with a sheet feeding device body, comprising:
 a first accommodating part for accommodating sheets;   a cover member for opening and closing said first accommodating part; and   a second accommodating part arranged inside of said cover member, for accommodating sheets smaller in size than the sheets accommodated in said first accommodating part.   
   
   
       20 . The sheet feeding device according to  claim 19 , wherein said second accommodating part is disposed in a side of said cover member where sheets are accommodated. 
   
   
       21 . The sheet feeding device according to  claim 19 , wherein said second accommodating part is movable relative to said first accommodating part. 
   
   
       22 . The sheet feeding device according to  claim 21 , wherein a lock member is arranged in the sheet accommodating section for inhibiting movement of said second accommodating part. 
   
   
       23 . The sheet feeding device according to  claim 19 , further comprising a switching mechanism for supplying a sheet from either of said first accommodating part or said second accommodating part of the sheet accommodating section. 
   
   
       24 . The sheet feeding device according to  claim 23 , wherein power from a driving source is transmitted through switching by said switching mechanism to move said second accommodating part forward or backward in a sheet feeding direction. 
   
   
       25 . The sheet feeding device according to  claim 19 , wherein said cover member is axially supported by said first accommodating part at one end side to be freely opened and closed. 
   
   
       26 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 the sheet feeding device according to  claim 19 ; and   an image forming means for forming an image on the sheets fed by said sheet feeding device.   
   
   
       27 . A sheet feeding device comprising a sheet accommodating section detachably attachable with a sheet feeding device body, comprising:
 a first accommodating part for accommodating sheets;   a cover member for opening and closing said first accommodating part;   a second accommodating part arranged in said cover member, for accommodating sheets smaller in size than the sheets accommodated in said first accommodating part, wherein said second accommodating part is movable relative to said first accommodating part; and   a lock member arranged in the sheet accommodating section for inhibiting movement of said second accommodating part.   
   
   
       28 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 the sheet feeding device according to  claim 27 ; and   an image forming means for forming an image on the sheets fed by said sheet feeding device.