Abstract: A sheet material detection apparatus detects passage of a sheet material over a sheet material transportation path. The apparatus includes: a lever member that is exposed over the transportation path and turns from a reference position when the sheet material is brought into contact therewith; a detecting section that detects the turn of the lever member; a holder that supports the lever member in such a manner that the lever member can turn freely toward both sides in a direction of the transportation of the sheet material at a guide-facing-surface side, the guide facing surface being a surface facing a guide surface along which the sheet material is guided over the transportation path; and a counter weight with which the turning lever member is brought into contact, the counter weight turning due to contact with the lever member, the counter weight being thereafter brought into contact with the holder.

Abstract: A sheet material transport apparatus includes a second planetary gear engaging with a transmission gear and providing planetary motion around the transmission gear. The second planetary gear is in a second separated position not capable of engaging with a first planetary gear during forward-direction rotation. The transmission gear engages with the first planetary gear and rotates in a direction that causes a second transport roller to rotate in the forward rotation direction, and positioned to engage with the first planetary gear that is positioned in a first engaging position during reverse rotation. A load is placed on the transmission gear by the second transport roller. The transmission gear rotates in the opposite direction to the forward-direction rotation. The second planetary gear applies a force on the first planetary gear in the direction that separates the first planetary gear from the transmission gear due to rotation.

Abstract: A paper feeding device having a paper cassette configured to support a plurality of the papers in a stacked manner, a separating bevel having an inclined plane inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a supporting surface of the paper cassette and configured to separate the paper coming into abutment with the inclined plane, a pickup roller configured to feed the paper toward the separating bevel by coming into contact with the topmost paper from among the papers supported by the paper cassette and being rotated thereon, and a space forming unit configured to form a space S for letting part of the paper to escape in the feeding direction on part of the inclined plane in the area opposing the pickup roller in the feeding direction is employed.

Abstract: A medium accommodation cassette includes: a medium accommodation portion that accommodates a medium; a wall portion of the medium accommodation portion; an edge guide that is provided in the medium accommodation portion to restrict a position of an end portion of the medium; and an engagement portion that is provided in the wall portion and can be engaged with the edge guide, wherein the edge guide is engaged with the wall portion, whereby the wall portion and the edge guide restrict the position of the end portion of the medium.

Abstract: A sheet material detection apparatus detects passage of a sheet material over a sheet material transportation path. The apparatus includes: a lever member that is exposed over the transportation path and turns from a reference position when the sheet material is brought into contact therewith; a detecting section that detects the turn of the lever member; a holder that supports the lever member in such a manner that the lever member can turn freely toward both sides in a direction of the transportation of the sheet material at a guide-facing-surface side, the guide facing surface being a surface facing a guide surface along which the sheet material is guided over the transportation path; and a counter weight with which the turning lever member is brought into contact, the counter weight turning due to contact with the lever member, the counter weight being thereafter brought into contact with the holder.

Abstract: A sheet material transport apparatus includes a second planetary gear engaging with a transmission gear and providing planetary motion around the transmission gear. The second planetary gear is in a second separated position not capable of engaging with a first planetary gear during forward-direction rotation. The transmission gear engages with the first planetary gear and rotates in a direction that causes a second transport roller to rotate in the forward rotation direction, and positioned to engage with the first planetary gear that is positioned in a first engaging position during reverse rotation. A load is placed on the transmission gear by the second transport roller. The transmission gear rotates in the opposite direction to the forward-direction rotation. The second planetary gear applies a force on the first planetary gear in the direction that separates the first planetary gear from the transmission gear due to rotation.

Abstract: A paper feeding device having a paper cassette configured to support a plurality of the papers in a stacked manner, a separating bevel having an inclined plane inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a supporting surface of the paper cassette and configured to separate the paper coming into abutment with the inclined plane, a pickup roller configured to feed the paper toward the separating bevel by coming into contact with the topmost paper from among the papers supported by the paper cassette and being rotated thereon, and a space forming unit configured to form a space S for letting part of the paper to escape in the feeding direction on part of the inclined plane in the area opposing the pickup roller in the feeding direction is employed.