Copy sheet-feeding apparatus

Abstract

A copy sheet-feeding apparatus comprises a switch and control mechanism. The switch detects an open state of a sheet cover capable of exposing a stack of copy sheet and a closed state of the cover sheet capable of enclosing the stack, and generates signals denoting the open and closed states of the sheet cover. The control mechanism controls a drive mechanism for moving a sheet rest supporting the stack of copy sheets between a first position capable of receiving the copy sheets and a second position capable of supplying the sheet to a copying press. Receiving the signal denoting the open state of the sheet cover from the switch, the control mechanism causes the sheet rest to be moved to the first position, and, receiving the signal denoting the closed state thereof, causes the sheet rest to be moved to the second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sheet feeding apparatus comprising: first sheet-holding means having a sheet rest for supporting a stack of sheets which sheet rest is movable up and down between a sheet replenishing position and a sheet supply position;   second sheet-holding means having a cassette for supporting a stack of sheets and which is movable between a sheet replenishing position and a sheet supply position;   a sheet cover movable between a closed position at which it covers .[.both.]. the first .[.and second.]. sheet-holding means and an open position at which .[.both of.]. said first .[.and second.]. sheet-holding means .[.are.]. .Iadd.is .Iaddend.exposed;   a first drive mechanism for driving the first sheet-holding means between the sheet replenishing position and the sheet supply position;   a detection mechanism for detecting the open position and the closed position of the cover and for supplying to the first drive mechanism an open signal when the cover is open and a closed signal when the cover is closed, the first drive mechanism causing the sheet rest to (a) move from the sheet supply position to the sheet replenishing position in response to the open signal and (b) move from the sheet-replenishing position to the sheet supply position in response to the closed signal; and   a second drive mechanism for causing the cassette to (a) move from the sheet supply position to the sheet replenishing position in response to the movement of the sheet rest from its sheet supply position to its sheet replenishing position and (b) move from the sheet replenishing position to the sheet supply position in response to the movement of the sheet rest from its sheet replenishing position to its supply position.   
     
     
       2. A sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second sheet-holding means includes a cassette rest fixedly mounted such that the cassette is removably placed thereon, the cassette including a case body and a paper support plate rotatably mounted within the case body to support the front portions of the sheets, the paper support plate being rotatable by the second drive mechanism between the sheet replenishing position and the sheet supply position. 
     
     
       3. A sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second drive mechanism includes a push-up lever mounted such that it is rotatable and engageable with the paper support plate, and a push-up lever operating mechanism for causing the push-up lever to rotate the paper support plate between the sheet replenishing position and the sheet supply position by a drive force for causing the first drive mechanism to move the sheet rest from the sheet replenishing position to the sheet supply position. 
     
     
       4. A sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first sheet-holding means is disposed below the second sheet-holding means and the cassette and which, when at the sheet replenishing position, is positioned such that it can be removed from the cassette rest. 
     
     
       5. A sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said first sheet-holding means includes a replenishing amount restricting member. 
     
     
       6. A sheet-feeding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the sheet rest has a slit in a portion thereof adapted to receive a stack of sheets, and which further comprises a mechanism for detecting the presence of sheets on the sheet rest or the absence of sheets therefrom, the sheet-detecting mechanism including a detection lever which is moved to a first position capable of abutting against the uppermost sheet of a stack when the stack is mounted on the sheet rest, and, at the absence of any sheet, is moved to a second position in which said detection lever is allowed to fall into the slit formed in the sheet rest and a sheet-detecting switch for generating (a) a signal indicating the presence of a sheet when the detection lever is in said first position, and (b) a signal indicating the absence of a sheet when the detection lever is in said second position, the replenishing amount restricting member being provided on the forward end of the detection lever.