Abstract: A lens assembly comprising seven lenses. Each lens includes u greater than or equal to about 12.8°, LEP equal to or from about 100 mm to about 400 mm, &sgr;Rba greater than or equal to about 1°, and &sgr;Rbi less than or equal to about −14°. The outward ray angle slopes and the inward ray angle slopes are positive if the outward ray and the inward ray intersect the optical axis at a location which, when seen from the object, is in an opposite direction to projection. The outward ray angle slopes and the inward ray angle slopes are negative if the outward ray and the inward ray intersect the optical axis at a location which, when seen from the object, is in an opposite direction to projection.

Abstract: A carriage fixing screw housing structure in which a carriage fixing screw for externally screwing and fixing carriages of an image reader is held, when not used, by a screw holder formed on a part of an image reader to prevent loss of the carriage fixing screw after removed from the carriage. A screw holder is formed on a part, such as the back face of the main body of an image reader, and includes a holder to hold the threaded part of a carriage fixing screw and a housing 23 to house the head of the fixing screw.