Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a conveying path along which a sheet is conveyed. First and second conveying roller pairs are arranged on the conveying path at a predetermined distance from each other. Overlapping conveyance sensing devices are located between the first and second conveying roller pairs and include opposing transmission device and reception device. A distance between the first and second conveying roller pairs is shorter than a length of a minimum size sheet in a conveying direction. In the conveying path between the conveying roller pairs, guide members are disposed to sandwich the transmission device and reception device. The guide members are configured to project upward or downward from a sheet conveying line by a predetermined amount with respect to the conveying path, the sheet conveying line extending through nip points of the first and second conveying roller pairs.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus equipped with an image reading apparatus unit (B) provided a platen (33) and reading means (31) that reads an original, a document feeder (A) provided conveyance paths (P1), (P2), and (P3) leading from a sheet supply tray (1) to a discharge tray (34) via the platen (33) on a top surface of the image reading apparatus unit (B), a hinge device (12) that openably connects the document feeder (A) to a top surface of the image reading apparatus unit (B), wherein an image reading unit (50) is equipped in the document feeder (A), and the image reading unit (50) is integrally connected to a support member fastened to the hinge device (12). This configuration prevents mispositioning or misalignment of a reading line of the image reading unit (50) caused by repeated opening and closing of the document feeder (A).

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet feed stacker and a transport belt disposed along a platen substantially horizontally; a discharge stacker disposed above the sheet feed stacker; and a light-shielding cover member provided between the platen and the sheet feed stacker for blocking light from the platen. The entire device is arranged above the platen, and it is easy to mount and dismount the device relative to the platen. An original is transported from the sheet feed stacker and to the discharge stacker along the platen with little damage.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a frame to be disposed on a platen of a scanner; a sheet feeding stacker, a discharge stacker, and a transporting belt mounted on the frame; a lateral positioning member mounted on the frame for restricting the transporting belt laterally; and a vertical positioning member mounted on the frame for restricting the transportation belt vertically. The lateral positioning member is composed of a projection for abutting against a flange portion provided at a peripheral side of the platen to laterally restrict a position of the transporting belt. The vertical positioning member is composed of a projection for abutting against a surface of the platen to vertically restrict the position of the transporting belt.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus equipped with an image reading apparatus unit (B) provided a platen (33) and reading means (31) that reads an original, a document feeder (A) provided conveyance paths (P1), (P2), and (P3) leading from a sheet supply tray (1) to a discharge tray (34) via the platen (33) on a top surface of the image reading apparatus unit (B), a hinge device (12) that openably connects the document feeder (A) to a top surface of the image reading apparatus unit (B), wherein an image reading unit (50) is equipped in the document feeder (A), and the image reading unit (50) is integrally connected to a support member fastened to the hinge device (12). This configuration prevents mispositioning or misalignment of a reading line of the image reading unit (50) caused by repeated opening and closing of the document feeder (A).

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a conveying path along which a sheet is conveyed. First and second conveying roller pairs are arranged on the conveying path at a predetermined distance from each other. Overlapping conveyance sensing devices are located between the first and second conveying roller pairs and include opposing transmission device and reception device. A distance between the first and second conveying roller pairs is shorter than a length of a minimum size sheet in a conveying direction. In the conveying path between the conveying roller pairs, guide members are disposed to sandwich the transmission device and reception device. The guide members are configured to project upward or downward from a sheet conveying line by a predetermined amount with respect to the conveying path, the sheet conveying line extending through nip points of the first and second conveying roller pairs.

Abstract: An automatic document feed device having reading means for stopping a conveyed document to a reading position on a platen and sequentially reading images of two sides of the document one side by one, includes an adjusting unit, provided upstream of the reading position on the platen, for adjusting an edge of the document, wherein the adjusting unit have a function for adjusting the edge of the document which is fed to read one side, and for reversing the document through the platen and adjusting the edge of the document which is fed again to read the other side of the document. A feed unit includes one of feed guide members and a feed roller in the feed path. The feed path unit is rotatably supported, thereby enabling the feed path to open.

Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a transport path for transporting a sheet, and drive and follower roller units disposed in the transport path. The drive roller unit has a drive shaft and at least two drive rollers arranged on the drive shaft in a direction perpendicular to a sheet transport direction. The follower roller unit has a follower shaft and at least two follower rollers contacting the at least two drive rollers. An urging device is attached to the follower shaft for pressing the at least two follower rollers to the at least two drive rollers in a direction with a predetermined angle with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus includes a sheet feeding stacker for storing the sheet; a sheet discharging stacker arranged in parallel to the sheet feeding stacker in a vertical direction for storing the sheet; a U-shape conveying path disposed between the sheet feeding stacker to the sheet discharging stacker for guiding the sheet from the sheet feeding stacker to the sheet discharging stacker; a processing platen disposed in the conveying path for processing the sheet; a separating device for separating the sheet on the sheet feeding stacker; a register device for temporarily stopping the sheet and conveying the sheet; a sheet feeding device for conveying the sheet; and a sheet conveying device for conveying the sheet. A sheet discharging device discharges the sheet to the sheet discharging stacker, and an idle roller is disposed in the U-shape conveying path for contacting the sheet to rotate.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet feed stacker and a transport belt disposed along a platen substantially horizontally; a discharge stacker disposed above the sheet feed stacker; and a light-shielding cover member provided between the platen and the sheet feed stacker for blocking light from the platen. The entire device is arranged above the platen, and it is easy to mount and dismount the device relative to the platen. An original is transported from the sheet feed stacker and to the discharge stacker along the platen with little damage.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a frame to be disposed on a platen of a scanner; a sheet feeding stacker, a discharge stacker, and a transporting belt mounted on the frame; a lateral positioning member mounted on the frame for restricting the transporting belt laterally; and a vertical positioning member mounted on the frame for restricting the transportation belt vertically. The lateral positioning member is composed of a projection for abutting against a flange portion provided at a peripheral side of the platen to laterally restrict a position of the transporting belt. The vertical positioning member is composed of a projection for abutting against a surface of the platen to vertically restrict the position of the transporting belt.

Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a transport path for transporting a sheet, and drive and follower roller units disposed in the transport path. The drive roller unit has a drive shaft and at least two drive rollers arranged on the drive shaft in a direction perpendicular to a sheet transport direction. The follower roller unit has a follower shaft and at least two follower rollers contacting the at least two drive rollers. An urging device is attached to the follower shaft for pressing the at least two follower rollers to the at least two drive rollers in a direction with a predetermined angle with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus includes a sheet feeding stacker for storing the sheet; a sheet discharging stacker arranged in parallel to the sheet feeding stacker in a vertical direction for storing the sheet; a U-shape conveying path disposed between the sheet feeding stacker to the sheet discharging stacker for guiding the sheet from the sheet feeding stacker to the sheet discharging stacker; a processing platen disposed in the conveying path for processing the sheet; a separating device for separating the sheet on the sheet feeding stacker; a register device for temporarily stopping the sheet and conveying the sheet; a sheet feeding device for conveying the sheet; and a sheet conveying device for conveying the sheet. A sheet discharging device discharges the sheet to the sheet discharging stacker, and an idle roller is disposed in the U-shape conveying path for contacting the sheet to rotate.

Abstract: An original transport apparatus includes an original tray for stacking an original; a feed device for feeding the original to a feeding position; a transport device for transporting the original from the feeding position to a discharge outlet via a reading position; a switchback path disposed adjacent to the discharge outlet for switching back to turn over the original; a re-feed path for guiding the original to the feeding position; and a discharge device disposed at a downstream side of the switchback path for discharging the original to a discharge tray. After both sides of the original are read, the original is fed to the feeding position via the switchback path. The feed device transports the original via the reading position while the original is overlapped with the next original, and the discharge device discharges the first original via the discharge outlet.

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 feeding apparatus includes a transport unit to transport a sheet to an image reading position, and a support frame having a sheet stacker unit to store sheets, which are made of a plastic, and a hinge member is attached to the support frame for opening and closing the support frame. A motor mounting member for supporting a motor to provide a driving force to a transport member of the transport unit is attached to the support frame between the hinge member and the transport unit as a frame reinforcement. Also, the hinge member, motor mounting member and transport unit are fixed by a connecting member, and motors are arrange on both sides of the hinge member. The structure prevents deformation of a sheet feeding apparatus with a plastic frame and improves reading accuracy while being compact and lightweight.

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: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a transport unit to transport a sheet to an image reading position, and a support frame having a sheet stacker unit to store sheets, which are made of a plastic, and a hinge member is attached to the support frame for opening and closing the support frame. A motor mounting member for supporting a motor to provide a driving force to a transport member of the transport unit is attached to the support frame between the hinge member and the transport unit as a frame reinforcement. Also, the hinge member, motor mounting member and transport unit are fixed by a connecting member, and motors are arrange on both sides of the hinge member. The structure prevents deformation of a sheet feeding apparatus with a plastic frame and improves reading accuracy while being compact and lightweight.

Abstract: An automatic document feed device having reading means for stopping a conveyed document to a reading position on a platen and sequentially reading images of two sides of the document one side by one, includes an adjusting unit, provided upstream of the reading position on the platen, for adjusting an edge of the document, wherein the adjusting unit have a function for adjusting the edge of the document which is fed to read one side, and for reversing the document through the platen and adjusting the edge of the document which is fed again to read the other side of the document. A feed unit includes one of feed guide members and a feed roller in the feed path. The feed path unit is rotatably supported, thereby enabling the feed path to open.