Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus restricts a position of an upstream end of a sheet by a restricting member supported rotatably to a restricting mechanism body. The restricting member moves between a hold position and a project position by interlocking with a rotating operation of an sheet supporting plate by engaging with an interlock member. An unlock mechanism unlocks the restricting mechanism body from a cassette body and also disengages the restricting member from the interlock member. When the restricting member is disengaged from the interlock member by the unlock mechanism, the restricting member is biased to the hold position by a bias portion.

Abstract: A roller is rotatably provided in an arm that is swingable relative to a main body of an apparatus, and is connected to a tension spring using a wire of a roller shaft. A roller guide portion that guides the roller is provided in a sheet feeding cassette. The roller is guided along a guiding member of the roller guide portion in accordance with insertion of the sheet feeding cassette into the main body of the apparatus. When the roller is guided along the guiding member, an elastic force of the tension spring is accumulated. The sheet feeding cassette is pulled to a mounting position when the roller is guided along the guiding member. The sheet feeding cassette is pushed out also when the roller is guided along the guiding member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeder and an image forming apparatus that can prevent a sheet from being broken, bent, or remaining in an apparatus when a sheet containing portion is pulled out. In association with a cassette pulling operation, a separation mechanism separates a separation roller that is brought into press-contact with a feed roller in a manner in or out of contact with the feed roller, and lowers a lifter plate. A restricting portion constituted of a feed roller separation arm and a feed roller separation spring restricts the feed roller being applied a force by a feed roller pressurizing spring from following the separation roller separated from the feed roller and the lowering lifter plate when the cassette is pulled out.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeder and an image forming apparatus that can prevent a sheet from being broken, bent, or remaining in an apparatus when a sheet containing portion is pulled out. In association with a cassette pulling operation, a separation mechanism separates a separation roller that is brought into press-contact with a feed roller in a manner in or out of contact with the feed roller, and lowers a lifter plate. A restricting portion constituted of a feed roller separation arm and a feed roller separation spring restricts the feed roller being applied a force by a feed roller pressurizing spring from following the separation roller separated from the feed roller and the lowering lifter plate when the cassette is pulled out.