Abstract: A paper feed unit, which is provided with a paper feed roller disposed such that an outer circumferential surface thereof contacts stacked sheets of paper so as to feed each sheet of paper by rotating, a separating pad having elasticity configured to press a sheet of paper being forwarded by the paper feed roller against the outer circumferential surface of the paper feed roller from a side of the sheet of paper opposite to the other side contacting the outer circumferential surface of the paper feed roller, a holder that supports the separating pad, and a biasing device that biases the holder so as to press the separating pad against the outer circumferential surface of the paper feed roller, for separating each sheet of paper from the stacked sheets by the rotation of the paper feed roller in cooperation with the separating pad and thus feeding the sheet of paper.

Abstract: A sheet feed device has a sheet supply tray in which sheets to be fed are stored, a roller mechanism which ejects each printed sheet on to a sheet holding part, and a cover member which is placed between a sheet supply side on which each sheet is fed before printing and a sheet ejection side on which each sheet is fed after printing. In the sheet feed device, each sheet supplied from the sheet supply tray changes its sheet feed direction approximately 180 degrees before being ejected to the sheet holding part. Part of the cover member on the sheet holding part's side is provided with a first projecting part which lets the ejected sheets be held in the sheet holding part while being bent substantially in an S-shape.

Abstract: An image formation device (facsimile machine, printer, copier, etc.) is provided, which is capable of reducing the amount of ink ribbon rolled up for the removal of slack of the ribbon. When a ribbon roll-up process is started, the operation mode of the image formation device is first set to a ribbon roll-up mode in which a ribbon roll-up spool is driven without driving a platen. The slack of the ribbon is removed by driving the ribbon roll-up spool to roll up the ribbon without driving the platen, which can reduce the amount of ribbon rolled up for the removal of the slack (the amount of ribbon wasted).

Abstract: A sheet supplying device for an imaging apparatus is provided with a sheet tray configured to mount a plurality of sheets in a stacked state. The sheet tray is inclined such that leading ends of the plurality of sheets are lower than trailing ends thereof. Further provided is a feed roller that faces an uppermost sheet of the plurality of sheets mounted on the sheet tray to be press-contacted thereto. The feed roller is driven to rotate to feed the uppermost sheet. Further provided is a sheet guide mechanism having at least one guiding section provided in front of the feed roller. The guiding section is inclined such that the leading ends of the plurality of sheets are moved toward the feed roller by their own weight. The guiding section is configured such that the degree of inclination of the guiding section varies depending on the amount of the plurality of sheets.

Abstract: An image reading device capable of correctly reading an image on a document is provided without the need to increase the size of an upper cover, etc. of the device. A CIS (Contact Image Sensor) is supported by holders and support shafts to be movable toward the upper cover (rib) and is biased toward the rib by compression springs. In this configuration, the rib for holding the document is not required to be installed as a movable component and there is no need to provide a space for allowing the rib to move or providing the upper cover with a mechanism for allowing the rib to move, which can avoid the need to increase the size of the upper cover.

Abstract: A sheet supplying device is provided with a separation roller having an outer circumferential surface contacting at least a part of the sheets in a stacked state, and a pad located to face the outer circumferential surface of the separation roller. The sheet supplying device is further provided with a holder that holds the pad and is movable relative to the separation roller, and a pressing mechanism that presses the holder in a direction in which the pad held by the holder approaches the separation roller. The pad contacts a first surface of a sheet being fed by rotation of the separation roller, and the first surface of the sheet is opposite to a second surface of the sheet contacting the outer circumferential surface of the separation roller. The holder has a recessed portion formed on an upstream side of a pressurization point at which the sheet being fed is nipped between the separation roller and the pad. Space is formed by the recessed portion and a surface of the pad facing the holder.

Abstract: An image forming device providing a document image reading mode, image recording mode, copying mode, recording sheet feeding mode, and recording sheet discharge mode. When interruption of feeding of a document or a recording sheet is detected by a sensor, the current driving force transmission path is switched and set to another driving force transmission path corresponding to an operation mode different from the current operation mode at which the interruption occurs.

Abstract: A connecting structure for a portable electronic device cord comprises a substantially arc-shaped binding member having an outwardly convex surface projecting toward the interior of the device case from an opening in the case through which the cord passes, the binding member forming an integrated single unit with an interior wall of the case. The cord, one end of which is secured to a board within the device, is wrapped around the surface of the arc-shaped binding member and thereby bent at substantially a right angle as it extends through the binding member by which it is securely held and out the case opening. By firmly securing the cord to the case in this fashion the need for an external bush is eliminated and the cord can be wrapped snugly around the device without bending at sharp angles, thus increasing ease of transport and reducing the possibility of the cord breaking loose from the device.

Abstract: In a gear changing device, when a sun gear rotates in a forward direction, a rotating member is rotated in the same direction as the sun gear and planetary gears are pivotally rotated around the sun gear. When the sun gear rotates in a reverse direction, the rotating member stops rotating and allows the planetary gears to rotate on axes thereof to a plurality of predetermined positions on a path of the planetary gear that pivotally rotates. A plurality of transmission gears are provided at a plurality of predetermined positions along the path of the planetary gear pivotally rotating, so as to engage with each of the planetary gears. A plurality of recesses and projections that are recessed and protruded, respectively, in the diametrical direction of the rotating member are alternately formed in an outer periphery of the rotating member. Each of the recesses and projections has a specific width. A sensor switch that detects the recesses and the projections at a predetermined position is provided.

Abstract: A connecting structure for a portable electronic device cord comprises a substantially arc-shaped binding member having an outwardly convex surface projecting toward the interior of the device case from an opening in the case through which the cord passes, the binding member forming an integrated single unit with an interior wall of the case. The cord, one end of which is secured to a board within the device, is wrapped around the surface of the arc-shaped binding member and thereby bent at substantially a right angle as it extends through the binding member by which it is securely held and out the case opening. By firmly securing the cord to the case in this fashion the need for an external bush is eliminated and the cord can be wrapped snugly around the device without bending at sharp angles, thus increasing ease of transport and reducing the possibility of the cord breaking loose from the device.

Abstract: An AC adapter (electronic device) comprises a coil spring (elastic member), an engagement member, and an AC plug in which a guide groove is formed in a holding portion thereof. One end portion of the coil spring is fixed in the holding portion, and the other end portion of the coil spring is fixed in a case. One end portion of the engagement member is engaged with the guide groove of the holding portion. The engagement place of the one end portion of the engagement member and the fixation place of the one end portion of the coil spring sandwich a central axis of a rotary shaft and are symmetric with respect to the central axis. The other end portion of the engagement member is engaged with a hole portion formed in the case. The guide groove engaged with the one end portion of the engagement member is shaped like a heart so as to rotate the AC plug.

Abstract: A structure is provided for arranging power cables in an electronic apparatus. The cable arrangement structure includes a first control board, a transformer mounted on the first control board, a second control board spaced from the first control board, a connector mounted on the second control board in facing relation to the transformer, and a plurality of power cables extending from the connector, the plurality of power cables including at least one power supply cable and at least one power return cable. The plurality of power cables are bundled together at an intermediate portion.

Abstract: A detecting device is provided for detecting a transfer object. The detecting device includes a reflection type sensor mounted on a support member, an actuator which is pivoted between a first position adjacent to the sensor and a second position away from the sensor, a reflector provided at the free end of the pivotal portion of the actuator for detection by the sensor, and a stopper projection provided on the reflector for contact with the support member when the actuator is pivoted to the first position. The reflector includes a first surface and a second surface inclined relative to the first surface.