Printing apparatus and stacking apparatus

Abstract

There is provided a technique that can suppress upsizing of an apparatus while sorting print media every predetermined number of print media on a stacking portion. To do so, a reciprocating member that reciprocates while being regulated in an X direction orthogonal to a Y direction by a first supporting member is provided, and a second stacking portion extendable in the Y direction relative to the first supporting member is moved in the X direction by action of the reciprocating member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A printing apparatus, comprising:
 conveyance unit for conveying a print medium in a conveyance direction;   stacking unit on which the print medium conveyed from the conveyance unit is stacked;   first supporting unit for movably supporting the stacking unit; and   moving unit supported by the first supporting unit and movable in a shift direction intersecting the conveyance direction relative to the first supporting unit, wherein   the stacking unit is extendable in the conveyance direction relative to the first supporting unit, and is movable in the shift direction relative to the first supporting unit by engagement with the moving unit.   
     
     
         2 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the stacking unit includes first stacking unit moved with the moving unit in the shift direction relative to the first supporting unit, and second stacking unit movable in the shift direction and the conveyance direction relative to the first supporting unit. 
     
     
         3 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising second supporting unit movable with the second stacking unit in the conveyance direction relative to the first supporting unit while supporting the second stacking unit. 
     
     
         4 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the first stacking unit, the second stacking unit, the second supporting unit, and the first supporting unit are disposed one above another in order from vertically above. 
     
     
         5 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the moving unit is disposed between the second supporting unit and the second stacking unit. 
     
     
         6 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the second supporting unit includes a rack provided along the conveyance direction and engaging with a pinion gear provided on the apparats. 
     
     
         7 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the pinion gear is driven by a driving source for moving the moving unit in the shift direction, and the second stacking unit is moved in the conveyance direction by driving force of the driving source through the pinion gear and the rack. 
     
     
         8 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the second stacking unit includes a guide portion having a rail shape, slidable on a sliding surface provided on the moving unit. 
     
     
         9 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the stacking unit is moved to a first sorting position and a second sorting position in the shift direction, with movement of the moving unit by action of a cam. 
     
     
         10 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a rotary member between the first supporting unit and the first stacking unit. 
     
     
         11 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a rotary member configured to rotate in the conveyance direction between the second stacking unit and the first stacking unit or between the second stacking unit and the first supporting unit, to prompt sliding of the second stacking unit and the first supporting unit. 
     
     
         12 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein when the printing apparatus is in a use state, the stacking unit is extended in the conveyance direction, whereas when the printing apparatus is in a non-use state, the stacking unit is housed in a housing of the printing apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein, in a state where the stacking unit is housed in the housing of the printing apparatus, the stacking unit does not protrude from the housing of the printing apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising printing unit for performing printing on the print medium, wherein
 after printing on the print medium is performed by the printing unit, the print medium discharged by the conveyance unit is stacked on the stacking unit.   
     
     
         15 . The printing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first supporting unit is fixed to a main body of the apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . A stacking apparatus, comprising:
 conveyance unit for conveying a medium in a conveyance direction;   stacking unit on which the medium conveyed from the conveyance unit is stacked;   first supporting unit for movably supporting the stacking unit; and   moving unit supported by the first supporting unit and movable in a shift direction intersecting the conveyance direction relative to the first supporting unit, wherein   the stacking unit is extendable in the conveyance direction relative to the first supporting unit, and is movable in the shift direction relative to the first supporting unit by engagement with the moving unit.