Facsimile apparatus with functional expansion unit

A compact facsimile apparatus having at least a minimum function required for a facsimile apparatus, wherein said apparatus is used in either a connected state or a non-connected state with respect to a functional expansion unit including a functional expansion section for expanding the function or adding another function, a power supply section for supplying power to said compact facsimile apparatus, and a set portion serving as a mounting base for said compact facsimile apparatus, wherein said compact facsimile apparatus comprises:

• an original reading section in which an original to be read is inserted through a first opening portion formed in an upper surface of a housing of said compact facsimile apparatus and is discharged from a discharge port formed in a front surface of said housing;
• a recording section in which a recording sheet is inserted through a second opening portion formed in the upper surface of said housing at a position closer to a rear side of the upper surface of the housing than the first opening portion and is discharged from the first opening portion;
• a control section arranged on a rear side of said recording section;
• a battery storage portion, including the power supply section, for a battery detachably set through a side surface on a rear side of said housing;
• a lock portion which is formed on said housing and is locked into a lock member of said functional expansion unit;
• and
• connector means which is connected to said functional expansion section and also to said power supply section in said battery storage portion,
• wherein after the battery is removed, a locked state with respect to the functional expansion unit is set, and the connected state between the functional expansion unit and the facsimile apparatus is also set, thereby allowing a reduction in size and height of said housing.

A functional expansion unit which is used to be connected to a facsimile apparatus having an original reading section for reading an original while conveying said original between an original insert port and original discharge port and a recording section for recording onto a recording sheet while conveying said recording sheet between a recording sheet insert port and a recording sheet discharge port, wherein, said functional expansion unit comprises:

• a functional expansion section for expanding the function or adding another function;
• a roll-like sheet holder for continuously supplying a roll-like recording sheet to said recording section of said facsimile apparatus via said recording sheet insert port;
• a power supply section for supplying power to said compact facsimile apparatus;
• a set portion serving as a mounting base on which said compact facsimile apparatus is mounted;
• and
• connector means for connection with said compact facsimile apparatus,
• wherein said connector means supply electricity and signals to said compact facsimile apparatus.

A portable facsimile apparatus which is used in either a connected state or a non-connected state with respect to a functional expansion unit comprising:

• a housing constituting an outer surface of said portable facsimile apparatus;
• an original insert port formed at the upper surface of said housing;
• an original discharge port formed at the front surface of said housing;
• an original reading section for reading an original while conveying said original between said original insert port and said original discharge port being provided on said housing;
• a recording sheet insert port formed in the upper surface of said housing at a position closer to a rear side than said original insert port;
• a recording sheet discharge port formed in the upper surface of said housing at a position close to said original insert port;
• a recording section for recording onto a recording sheet while conveying said recording sheet between said recording sheet insert port and said recording sheet discharge port;
• a battery storage portion for battery that drives said original reading section and said recording section, and said battery storage portion having connector means for electrically connecting against said functional expansion unit;
• and
• a mounting means being provided on said housing for detachably mounting said functional expansion unit, wherein said mounting means expands and/or add another function to said facsimile apparatus after connected.