Stacking device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A stacking device includes a stacking unit, a regulation member, an interlocking member, a pivoting member provided on the interlocking member, a sensor having an output, and a determination unit. The stacking unit stacks a sheet on the stacking unit. The regulation member moves in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction and regulates a position of the sheet by abutting on an edge of the sheet stacked in the stacking unit. The interlocking member interlocks with the regulation member. The pivoting member rotates. The sensor output changes based on positions of the interlocking member and the pivoting member. The determination unit determines a size of the sheet based on the output of the sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stacking device comprising:
 a stacking unit configured to stack a sheet on the stacking unit;   a regulation member configured to be movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction and configured to regulate a position of the sheet by abutting on an edge of the sheet stacked in the stacking unit;   an interlocking member configured to interlock with the regulation member;   a pivoting member provided on the interlocking member and configured to rotate;   a sensor having an output configured to change based on positions of the interlocking member and the pivoting member; and   a determination unit configured to determine a size of the sheet based on the output of the sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The stacking device according to  claim 1 , wherein a cutout portion is formed in the interlocking member, and the pivoting member is configured to cover the cutout portion. 
     
     
         3 . The stacking device according to  claim 2 , wherein a pivot point of the pivoting member is arranged above the cutout portion in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         4 . The stacking device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the interlocking member has a thin portion where a thickness of the thin portion in a direction orthogonal to the first direction is smaller than a thickness of a portion other than the thin portion, and   wherein the pivoting member is attached to the thin portion.   
     
     
         5 . The stacking device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pivoting member has a weight and the pivoting member is configured to rotate against the pivoting member's own weight by contacting a contact portion provided in the stacking unit. 
     
     
         6 . The stacking device according to  claim 1 , wherein a pivoting range of the pivoting member is set within a maximum external form of the interlocking member. 
     
     
         7 . The stacking device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the interlocking member has a plurality of openings, and   wherein the sensor includes a plurality of switches for outputting an ON signal.   
     
     
         8 . The stacking device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the stacking unit is a feeding cassette configured to be drawn from an apparatus body, and   wherein the sensor and the determination unit are provided in the apparatus body.   
     
     
         9 . The stacking device according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulation member is a trailing edge regulation member configured to regulate a position of a trailing edge of the sheet in view of a feeding direction of the sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The stacking device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second pivoting member provided in the pivoting member and configured to rotate. 
     
     
         11 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 the stacking device according to  claim 1 ;   a feeding member configured to feed the sheet stacked in the stacking device, and   an image forming unit configured to form an image on the sheet fed by the feeding member.   
     
     
         12 . A method for a stacking device, the method comprising:
 stacking a sheet on a stacking unit;   moving a regulation member in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction and regulating a position of the sheet by abutting the regulation member on an edge of the sheet stacked in the stacking unit;   interlocking an interlocking member with the regulation member;   rotating a pivoting member provided on the interlocking member;   changing an output of a sensor based on positions of the interlocking member and the pivoting member; and   determining a size of the sheet based on the output of the sensor.