Abstract: A separation unit is formed of a feed roller that touches the uppermost surface of sheets stacked on a sheet supply tray to feed the sheet, a supply roller to supply the drawn out sheet, and a separating member pressing against the supply roller to allow only the uppermost sheet to pass. A guide member is disposed between the sheet supply tray and the separating member with an angle with respect to the sheet supply tray to guide the sheet to the supply roller and abut against leading edges of the sheets drawn out from the feed roller to separate them. The separating member of the separating mechanism and the guide member are attached and detached as a single body to the guide member for guiding the sheets. Therefore, while high separation performance for the sheets can be maintained, workability in replacing the separating member becomes easy.

Abstract: A sheet transfer apparatus transfers a sheet to a predetermined position. The apparatus includes a discharge tray; a support device for rotationally supporting the discharge tray; an interconnecting device that activates according to a rotation of the discharge tray; and a sheet regulating device engaging the interconnecting means to be movable between a regulating position for regulating a movement of the sheet and a retracted position for allowing the sheets on the discharge tray to move. A control device prevents the sheet regulating device from moving to the regulating position from the retracted position even though the discharge tray is rotated when a load greater than a predetermined value is applied to the sheet regulating device.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder of the invention has a conveying roller for conveying a document sheet to a document reading position on a platen facing a document image reading portion. The automatic document feeder contains a pickup guide for picking up the fore end of a document sheet scanned at the document reading position and a pressing piece for pressing a document sheet being conveyed against the pickup guide at a curved portion provided by the platen and the pickup guide. The pressing piece is fixed at an upstream side of the document reading position, extending from the fixed position across the document reading position and is made free at a downstream portion. Further, this document feeder is provided with a document sheet deflecting device for deflecting a document sheet toward a paper discharge stacker. The document deflecting device is a plate spring being capable of swaying within a specified range.

Abstract: A sheet transfer apparatus for an image reading apparatus includes a sheet supply tray for storing a sheet; a sheet supply device for drawing out the sheet on the sheet supply tray; a transfer device for receiving the sheet from the sheet supply means and placing the sheet at a predetermined position on a platen of an image reading apparatus for reading the image thereon; a discharge device for discharging the sheet on the platen after reading the image thereon; and a discharge tray for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge device. A switchback device is disposed above the platen for reversing the sheet when necessary, and includes a switchback path for receiving the sheet to reverse the same. The switchback path includes a first opening portion for opening a first area near an inlet side, and a second opening portion for opening a second area away from the inlet side of the switchback path. The switchback path is easily accessible when the sheet is jammed.

Abstract: The document feeder apparatus is equipped with a sheet supply unit including a sheet supply member for supplying an original to a reading position; a transport unit including a transport member for receiving the original from the sheet supply member and transporting the original to the reading position; a discharge unit including a discharge member for discharging the original read at the reading position; and a flat plate shape support frame for supporting the respective units. The sheet supply unit and discharge unit are mounted on one of front and rear sides of the support frame, and the transport unit is mounted on the other of the front and rear sides of the support frame, so that each unit is unitized. Further, a sheet supply opening for guiding the original from the sheet supply unit to the transport unit is established on one side of the support frame, and an opening for guiding the original from the transport unit to the discharge unit is established on the other side of the support frame.

Abstract: A sheet transfer apparatus for an image reading apparatus includes a sheet supply tray for storing a sheet; a sheet supply device for drawing out the sheet on the sheet supply tray; a transfer device for receiving the sheet from the sheet supply means and placing the sheet at a predetermined position on a platen of an image reading apparatus for reading the image thereon; a discharge device for discharging the sheet on the platen after reading the image thereon; and a discharge tray for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharge device. A switchback device is disposed above the platen for reversing the sheet when necessary, and includes a switchback path for receiving the sheet to reverse the same. The switchback path includes a first opening portion for opening a first area near an inlet side, and a second opening portion for opening a second area away from the inlet side of the switchback path. The switchback path is easily accessible when the sheet is jammed.

Abstract: There are provided a separation unit, which is formed of a feed roller that touches the uppermost surface of sheets stacked on a sheet supply tray to feed the sheet, a supply roller to supply the drawn out sheet, and a separating member pressing against the supply roller to allow only the uppermost sheet to pass; and a guide member, which is disposed between the sheet supply tray and the separating member with an angle with respect to the sheet supply tray drawn from the feed roller to guide the sheet to the supply roller and also abuts against leading edges of the sheets drawn out from the feed roller to separate them. Since the separating member of a separating mechanism and the guide member are mounted on the same holder so that the separating member of the separating mechanism and the guide member are attached and detached as a single body to the guide member for guiding the sheets.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing an automatic document feeder capable of making the whole apparatus small-sized, simplifying its driving system, improving the speed of reading consecutive document sheets when conveying document sheets to the document reading position of an image reader, surely preventing an image read in the image reader from being distorted, and preventing a document sheet from being jammed.