# US 12,572,104 B2 · Sheet storage device and image forming apparatus

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- Number: US 12,572,104 B2
- Document ID: US12572104B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/631,573
- Filed: 2024-04-10
- Published: 2024-10-17
- Granted: 2026-03-10
- Earliest claimed: 2023-04-14
- Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
- Applicants: Kazuya Yamamoto
- Inventors: Kazuya Yamamoto
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12572104B2

## CPC

- G03G 15/6555: {Handling of sheet copy material taking place in a specific part of the copy material feeding path}
- G03G 15/6502: {Supplying of sheet copy material; Cassettes therefor}
- G03G 21/1633: {using doors or covers (G03G21/1638 takes precedence)}
- G03G 2215/00354: Specific document handling machines
- G03G 2221/1678: Frame structures
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

A sheet storage device includes a sheet storage, a handle, a cover, and a handle holder. The sheet storage is insertable into and removable from an apparatus body. The handle is for insertion and removal of the sheet storage into and from the apparatus body. The cover is attached in front of the sheet storage in a removal direction of the sheet storage. The handle holder holds the handle on the sheet storage, is disposed between the cover and the sheet storage, and has a restrictor that restricts deformation of the cover toward the sheet storage.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sheet storage device comprising:
a sheet storage configured to be insertable into and removable from an apparatus body;
a handle configured to insert and remove the sheet storage into and from the apparatus body;
a cover attached in front of the sheet storage in a removal direction of the sheet storage; and
a handle holder configured to hold the handle on the sheet storage, the handle holder being between the cover and the sheet storage, the handle holder having a restrictor that is configured to restrict deformation of the cover toward the sheet storage, and the handle holder being configured to movably hold the handle between a storage position and a removal position in the removal direction of the sheet storage.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sheet storage device according to claim 1,
wherein the restrictor is a contact surface member having a contact surface configured to contact the cover in response to the cover being bent toward the sheet storage.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The sheet storage device according to claim 2,
wherein the contact surface member includes:
a plate having the contact surface and a first surface opposite the contact surface; and
a reinforcement rib on the first surface of the plate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The sheet storage device according to claim 3,
wherein a length of the reinforcement rib on the first surface is equal to or more than half of a length of the contact surface in a longitudinal direction of the reinforcement rib.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The sheet storage device according to claim 2,
wherein the contact surface member includes:
a plate having the contact surface and a first surface opposite the contact surface; and
two or more reinforcement ribs on the first surface of the plate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The sheet storage device according to claim 5, further comprising a compression spring configured to bias the handle in a direction opposite to the removal direction of the sheet storage, the compression spring being between the handle and the handle holder,
wherein the handle holder defines a viewing window through which the compression spring is visible from outside of the sheet storage, and
wherein the viewing window is defined between the two or more reinforcement ribs.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The sheet storage device according to claim 2,
wherein the cover includes a projection configured to contact the contact surface.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The sheet storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a spring configured to bias the handle in a direction opposite to the removal direction of the sheet storage.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The sheet storage device according to claim 8, wherein the spring is between a first contact surface near the handle and a second contact surface near the handle holder in a compression state.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet storage device according to claim 1.

### Claim 11

A sheet storage device comprising:
a sheet storage configured to be insertable into and removable from an apparatus body;
a handle configured to insert and remove the sheet storage into and from the apparatus body;
a cover attached in front of the sheet storage in a removal direction of the sheet storage;
a handle holder configured to hold the handle on the sheet storage, the handle holder being between the cover and the sheet storage, the handle holder having a restrictor configured to restrict deformation of the cover toward the sheet storage; and
a compression spring configured to bias the handle in a direction opposite to the removal direction of the sheet storage, the compression spring being between the handle and the handle holder, wherein
the restrictor is a contact surface member having a contact surface configured to contact the cover in response to the cover being bent toward the sheet storage,
the contact surface member includes,
a plate including the contact surface and a first surface opposite the contact surface, and
two or more reinforcement ribs on the first surface of the plate,
the handle holder defines a viewing window through which the compression spring is visible from outside of the sheet storage, and
the viewing window is defined between the two or more reinforcement ribs.