Transport device and image formation device

Abstract

To enable a movement to a closing position from an opening position of a switch part and a rotation to a second direction of an engagement part with a common operation.SOLUTION: A transport device comprises: a switch part that is attached to a device body so as to enable a switch of a closing position that covers an upper surface of the device body and an open position that exposes the upper surface, and includes a transport path where a transported material is transported in an internal part; a trans port path member that includes a transport path surface constructing the transport path, of which one end side is rotatably supported by the switch part, and that opens the transport path by moving the other side to a lower side of the switch part; and an engagement part that is rotatably attached to the other end side of the transport path member, to which a force directed to a first direction where it is engaged to the engaged part of the switch part is acted, and where the transport path member is held to a closing state of the transport path in an engagement state against the engaged part, and is rotated to a second direction that is reverse from a first direction by contacting the upper surface itself to the engaged part while the transport path member is depressed to an upper direction on the upper surface contacted when the switch part is moved from the open position and the closing position in the engaged state to the engaged part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic document feeder comprising: a conveyance road surface that constitutes a conveyance path for conveying a document within an apparatus main body; a conveyance path member having one end rotatably supported by the apparatus main body and the other end moving away from the apparatus main body to open the conveyance path; a latching member attached to a rotary shaft provided on the other end side of the conveyance path member and biased in a first rotation direction to be latched by a latching portion of the apparatus main body, and when latched by the latching portion, holding the conveyance path member in a closed state of the conveyance path; an operation member attached to the rotary shaft with play in the circumferential direction of the rotary shaft such that when the apparatus main body is moved to an exposure position where the conveyance path member is exposed, the operation member is rotated by its own weight or a biasing force to an operation position in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and as the operation member rotates in the second rotation direction from the operation position, the latching member rotates in the second rotation direction and disengages from the latching portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As a conveying device, there can be considered a conveying device including a device main body, an opening / closing part that is attached to the device main body so as to be openable and closable between a closed position covering the upper surface of the device main body and an open position exposing the upper surface, and having a conveying path inside which a material to be conveyed is conveyed, and a conveying path member having a conveying road surface constituting the conveying path, with one end side rotatably supported by the opening / closing part and the other end side moving downward from the opening / closing part to open the conveying path.

[0005] As such a conveying device, there can be considered a conveying device including a latching part that is rotatably attached to the other end side of the conveying path member, to which a force acting in a first rotation direction for latching to a latching part of the opening / closing part is applied, and that holds the conveying path member in a closed state of the conveying path in a latched state with respect to the latching part.

[0006] In such a conveying device, in a non-latched state where the latching part is not latched to the latching part, when an operator directly presses the conveying path member from below to bring the latching part into contact with the latching part, the latching part rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. In such a conveying device, unless the operator directly presses the conveying path member, the latching part cannot be rotated in the second rotation direction. Therefore, the operation of closing the opening / closing part and the operation of rotating the latching part in the second rotation direction had to be performed separately.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to enable the movement of the opening / closing part from the open position to the closed position and the rotation of the latching part in the second rotation direction to be performed by a common operation.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The first aspect includes a device main body, an opening / closing part that is attached to the device main body in an openable and closable manner between a closed position covering the upper surface of the device main body and an open position exposing the upper surface, and has a conveyance path inside which a material to be conveyed is conveyed, a conveyance path member having a conveyance road surface constituting the conveyance path, with one end side rotatably supported by the opening / closing part and the other end side moving downward from the opening / closing part to open the conveyance path, and a latching part that is rotatably attached to the other end side of the conveyance path member and has a force acting in a first rotation direction that latches onto a latching part of the opening / closing part, and holds the conveyance path member in a closed state of the conveyance path in a latched state with respect to the latching part. In a non-latched state with respect to the latching part, when the opening / closing part is moved from the open position to the closed position, the conveyance path member rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction by contacting the latching part while being pushed upward by the upper surface.

[0009] In the second aspect, when the opening / closing part is moved from the open position to the closed position, the latching part rotates in the second rotation direction by contacting the latching part while the conveyance path member is pushed upward by the upper surface, and then the tip of the latching part catches on the latching part.

[0010] In the third aspect, when the opening / closing part is moved from the open position to the closed position, the latching part rotates in the second rotation direction by contacting the latching part while the conveyance path member is pushed upward by the upper surface, and then at the closed position of the opening / closing part, the tip of the latching part catches on the latching part, and due to the force, along with the upward movement of the conveyance path member, a latched state with respect to the latching part is achieved.

[0011] In the fourth aspect, in a latched state with respect to the latching part, the bottom surface that contacts the latching part is inclined so as to have an upward gradient in the first rotation direction with respect to the upper surface.

[0012] In the fifth aspect, the latching portions are provided at each of one end portion and the other end portion in the direction intersecting the conveying direction in the conveying path member, and each of the latching portions is fixed to a shaft portion along the intersecting direction. One of the latching portions has a length along the radially outer side from the shaft portion that is longer than the length of the other latching portion in this regard.

[0013] In the sixth aspect, one end portion in the direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveying path of the opening / closing portion is attached to the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable between the closed position and the open position, and one of the latching portions is disposed at the other end portion in the intersecting direction in the conveying path member.

[0014] In the seventh aspect, one end portion in the direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveying path of the opening / closing portion is attached to the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable between the closed position and the open position, and an elastic member that applies the force to the latching portion by an elastic force is disposed on one end portion side in the intersecting direction in the conveying path member.

[0015] In the eighth aspect, one end portion in the direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveying path of the opening / closing portion is attached to the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable between the closed position and the open position. An edge portion protruding from the upper surface is formed on one end portion side in the intersecting direction with respect to the upper surface of the apparatus main body, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the conveying path member in the intersecting direction and contacts the edge portion is provided at one end portion in the intersecting direction in the conveying path member.

[0016] The ninth aspect includes a reading unit that is provided in the apparatus main body and reads an image of a document as the material to be conveyed conveyed in the conveying path of the opening / closing portion positioned at the closed position.

[0017] The tenth aspect includes a conveying device according to the ninth aspect and an image forming unit that forms an image read by the reading unit on a recording medium.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the configuration of the first aspect, the movement of the opening / closing part from the open position to the closed position and the rotation of the latching part in the second rotation direction can be performed by a common operation.

[0019] According to the configuration of the second aspect, the movement of the opening / closing part from the open position to the closed position and the operation of hooking the tip of the latching part on the part to be latched can be performed by a common operation.

[0020] According to the configuration of the third aspect, the movement of the opening / closing part from the open position to the closed position and the operation of latching the latching part to the part to be latched can be performed by a common operation.

[0021] According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, compared with the configuration in which the bottom surface of the latching part that contacts the part to be latched is parallel to the upper surface, after the tip of the latching part is hooked on the part to be latched, the latching part is more likely to be latched to the part to be latched.

[0022] According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, compared with the configuration in which one latching part has the same length as the other latching part, when the latching part contacts the part to be latched, the frictional resistance during rotation in the second rotation direction is small.

[0023] According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, when the operator pushes the conveying path member upward and rotates one latching part in the second rotation direction in a state where the opening / closing part is in the open position, compared with the configuration in which one latching part is arranged on one end side in the intersecting direction, the operation of rotating one latching part in the second rotation direction is easier.

[0024] According to the configuration of the seventh aspect, compared with the configuration in which the elastic member is arranged on the other end side in the intersecting direction, in a state where the opening / closing part is in the open position, the operator is suppressed from contacting the elastic member.

[0025] According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, compared with the configuration having a conveying path member provided without the protruding part, the conveying path member is suppressed from being caught on the edge part.

[0026] According to the configuration of the ninth aspect, when reading the image of the document by the reading unit, the latching portion can be rotated in the second rotation direction by an operation of moving the opening / closing portion from the open position to the closed position.

[0027] According to the configuration of the tenth aspect, when copying the image of the document, the latching portion can be rotated in the second rotation direction by an operation of moving the opening / closing portion from the open position to the closed position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] (Image forming apparatus 10) The image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the image forming apparatus 10.

[0031] Note that the arrow UP shown in each figure including FIG. 1 indicates the upper side (vertically upward) of the apparatus. Therefore, the direction opposite to the arrow UP is the lower side (vertically downward) of the apparatus. Also, the arrow FR shown in each figure including FIG. 1 indicates the front of the apparatus. Therefore, the direction opposite to the arrow FR is the rear of the apparatus. Further, the arrow RH shown in each figure including FIG. 1 indicates the right side of the apparatus. Therefore, the direction opposite to the arrow RH is the left side of the apparatus. Since these directions are defined for convenience of explanation, the apparatus configuration is not limited to these directions.

[0032] Note that the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are directions that can also be referred to as the lateral direction, the side, and the horizontal direction. Also, in each direction of the apparatus, the term "apparatus" may be omitted. That is, for example, "the upper side of the apparatus" may be simply shown as "the upper side". Further, the symbol with "×" described in the "○" in the figure means an arrow from the front to the back of the paper surface. Also, the symbol with "·" described in the "○" in the figure means an arrow from the back to the front of the paper surface.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus for forming an image. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 11, a medium storage unit 12, a medium discharge unit 13, an image forming unit 14, a conveyance mechanism 16, and an image reading device 20. Hereinafter, each part of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

[0034] (Image forming apparatus main body 11) The main body 11 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a portion where each component of the image forming apparatus 10 is provided. Specifically, the main body 11 of the image forming apparatus is composed of a housing formed in a box shape (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0035] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a medium storage unit 12, an image forming unit 14, and a conveyance mechanism 16 are provided inside the main body 11 of the image forming apparatus. The image reading device 20 is provided at the upper end of the main body 11 of the image forming apparatus. The medium discharge unit 13 is outside the main body 11 of the image forming apparatus and is provided between the image reading device 20 and the image forming unit 14.

[0036] (Medium storage unit 12) As shown in FIG. 1, the medium storage unit 12 is a portion that stores the recording medium P in the image forming apparatus 10. The recording medium P stored in the medium storage unit 12 is supplied to the image forming unit 14. As the recording medium P, for example, paper P is used.

[0037] (Medium discharge unit 13) The medium discharge unit 13 shown in FIG. 1 is a portion where the recording medium P is discharged in the image forming apparatus 10. The recording medium P on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 14 is discharged to the medium discharge unit 13.

[0038] (Image forming unit 14) The image forming unit 14 shown in FIG. 1 has a function of forming an image on the recording medium P sent out from the medium storage unit 12. Examples of the image forming unit 14 include an inkjet type image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium P using ink, and an electrophotographic type image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium P using toner.

[0039] In an inkjet type image forming unit, for example, ink droplets are ejected from a ejection unit onto a recording medium P to form an image on the recording medium P. As the inkjet type image forming unit, ink droplets may be ejected from the ejection unit onto a transfer member, and the ink droplets may be transferred from the transfer member onto the recording medium P to form an image on the recording medium P.

[0040] In an electrophotographic type image forming unit, for example, processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing are performed to form an image on the recording medium P. As the electrophotographic type image forming unit, an image may be formed on a transfer member by performing processes of charging, exposure, development, and transfer, and after transferring the image from the transfer member onto the recording medium P, the image may be fixed on the recording medium P to form an image on the recording medium P.

[0041] In the image forming apparatus 10, when copying the image of the document G (see FIG. 4), the image forming unit 14 forms the image read by the later-described reading units 40 and 54 (see FIG. 4) of the image reading apparatus 20 on the recording medium P.

[0042] Note that an example of the image forming unit is not limited to the aforementioned inkjet type image forming unit and the aforementioned electrophotographic type image forming unit, and various image forming units can be used.

[0043] (Transport mechanism 16) The transport mechanism 16 shown in FIG. 1 is a mechanism for transporting the recording medium P. As an example, the transport mechanism 16 transports the recording medium P by a transport member 17 such as a transport roll. Note that the transport member 17 may be a transport belt or the like, and any member that can apply a transport force to the recording medium P and transport the recording medium P may be used.

[0044] The transport mechanism 16 transports the recording medium P from the medium storage unit 12 to the image forming unit 14. Further, the transport mechanism 16 transports the recording medium P on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 14 from the image forming unit 14 to the medium discharge unit 13.

[0045] (Image reading apparatus 20) FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an opening / closing body 50 described later is located at an open position in the image reading apparatus 20. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a conveyance path 56A is opened in the configuration shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the image reading apparatus 20.

[0046] The image reading apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 is an apparatus that reads an image of a document G. The image reading apparatus 20 is an example of a "conveyance apparatus". Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the image reading apparatus 20 includes an image reading apparatus main body 23, a reading unit 40, an opening / closing body 50, a conveyance path member 60 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), a shaft body 80 (see FIG. 4), a latching member 70 (see FIG. 4), and an operation unit 86 (see FIG. 4). Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the image reading apparatus 20 includes a tension coil spring 82 and a restricting unit 84.

[0047] (Image Reading Apparatus Main Body 23) The image reading apparatus main body 23 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a portion where each component of the image reading apparatus 20 is provided. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image reading apparatus main body 23 has a housing 34, a first platen glass 31, a second platen glass 32, and a support unit 58.

[0048] The housing 34 is formed in a box shape with an upper opening. The first platen glass 31 is disposed at the opening of the housing 34. The first platen glass 31 is a member on which a document whose image is to be read in a stationary state is placed, and transmits light irradiated onto the document. The second platen glass 32 is a member that transmits light irradiated onto the conveyed document.

[0049] The support unit 58 (specifically, a hinge) has a function of supporting the opening / closing body 50 so as to be openable and closable. This support unit 58 is provided on the rear side of the upper part of the housing 34 of the image reading apparatus main body 23.

[0050] Furthermore, an edge portion 33 that surrounds the periphery of the first platen glass 31 is formed on the image reading apparatus main body 23. The edge portion 33 protrudes upward at the rear end side, the front end side, the left end portion, and the right end portion with respect to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31. Therefore, a step is formed between the edge portion 33 and the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31.

[0051] (Reading unit 40) The reading unit 40 shown in FIG. 4 has a function of reading an image of the document G. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the reading unit 40 includes a light source 42, a photoelectric conversion element 44, and an optical system 46 including a mirror 46A and a lens 46B. In the reading unit 40, the light source 42 irradiates light onto one surface of the document G. The optical system 46 forms an image of the reflected light reflected by the document G on the photoelectric conversion element 44. The photoelectric conversion element 44 converts the imaged light into an electrical signal.

[0052] As the photoelectric conversion element 44, for example, image sensors such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) are used. As described above, the reading unit 40 reads an image of one surface of the document G. Note that the electrical signal having image information generated by the reading unit 40 is sent to the image forming unit 14, and the image forming unit 14 forms an image based on the electrical signal.

[0053] (Opening / closing body 50) The opening / closing body 50 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is a structure that opens and closes with respect to the image reading apparatus main body 23. This opening / closing body 50 is an example of an "opening / closing portion". Specifically, the opening / closing body 50 is attached to the image reading apparatus main body 23 so as to be openable and closable between a closed position (the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4) that covers the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading apparatus main body 23 and an open position (the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) that exposes the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading apparatus main body 23.

[0054] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening / closing body 50 has its rear end supported by a support portion 58 provided on the rear side of the image reading apparatus main body 23, and is opened and closed by moving the front end up and down with the rear end as a fulcrum. In this way, the opening / closing body 50 has its rear end attached to the image reading apparatus main body 23, and with the front end as a free end, it can be opened and closed between a closed position (the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4) and an open position (the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the opening / closing body 50 has a document storage portion 52, a document discharge portion 53, a reading portion 54, and a conveyance mechanism 56. The document storage portion 52 is a portion in the image reading apparatus 20 that stores the document G. The document G stored in the document storage portion 52 is supplied to the reading positions by the reading portions 40 and 54. Note that the document G stored in the document storage portion 52 is, for example, a sheet of paper on which an image is formed.

[0056] The document discharge portion 53 is a portion in the image reading apparatus 20 where the document G is discharged. The document G whose image has been read by the reading portions 40 and 54 is discharged to the document discharge portion 53.

[0057] The reading portion 54 has a function of reading an image on the other side of the document G (the side opposite to the side read by the reading portion 40). As an example of the reading portion 54, a close-contact type image sensor called a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) is used.

[0058] The conveyance mechanism 56 is a mechanism for conveying the document G. The conveyance mechanism 56 has a conveyance path 56A provided inside the opening / closing body 50 and a conveyance member 56B composed of conveyance rolls and the like. The conveyance path 56A is formed in a C shape when viewed in the front-rear direction from the document storage portion 52 toward the document discharge portion 53. The front-rear direction view means the case of viewing from one side of the front and the rear toward the other side. The conveyance member 56B conveys the document G stored in the document storage portion 52 to the document discharge portion 53 along the conveyance path 56A.

[0059] In this embodiment, in a state where the opening / closing body 50 is located at the closed position, an image on one surface of the document G being conveyed through the conveyance path 56A is read by the reading unit 40, and an image on the other surface of the document G is read by the reading unit 54.

[0060] Note that the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 is an example of "the upper surface of the apparatus main body". Also, the front-rear direction corresponds to the crossing direction (specifically, the orthogonal direction) with respect to the conveyance direction of the conveyance path 56A. Therefore, in each member including the opening / closing body 50, the rear end portion is an example of one end portion in the crossing direction, and the front end portion is an example of the other end portion in the crossing direction.

[0061] (Conveyance path member 60) FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged part of the opening / closing body 50 including the conveyance path member 60. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the conveyance path 56A is opened in the configuration shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the conveyance path member 60. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the conveyance path member 60 viewed from the rear side. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of the conveyance path member 60. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a part of the conveyance path member 60.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the conveyance path member 60 is a member having a conveyance road surface 62 that constitutes the conveyance path 56A. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in a front-rear direction view, the conveyance path member 60 is formed in a substantially right-angled triangular shape having a bottom surface 61, side surfaces 63 extending upward from the bottom surface 61, and a conveyance road surface 62 that is an inclined surface. In the closed state, the conveyance road surface 62 is an inclined surface that slopes obliquely upward toward the downstream side (i.e., the right side) in the conveyance direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of ribs 62A formed along the conveyance direction are arranged along the front-rear direction on the conveyance road surface 62.

[0063] In each figure, the conveyance direction in the conveyance path member 60 is indicated by an arrow X. Also, the downstream side in the conveyance direction may be simply expressed as "downstream", and the upstream side in the conveyance direction may be simply expressed as "upstream". Further, the upstream side corresponds to the left side, and the downstream side corresponds to the right side.

[0064] The conveying path member 60 has its downstream end side (i.e., the right end side) rotatably supported by the opening / closing body 50 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Specifically, a support shaft 64 is provided on the downstream end side of the front surface 65 (see FIGS. 5, 6, and 7) and the rear surface 66 (see FIG. 8) of the conveying path member 60. The support shaft 64 is supported by the opening / closing body 50 so as to be rotatable around the support shaft 64. And as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the conveying path member 60 opens the conveying path 56A when its upstream end side (i.e., the left end side) moves downward from the opening / closing body 50.

[0065] Also, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, an overhanging portion 68 that protrudes rearward from the conveying path member 60 is provided at the lower end portion of the rear end portion of the conveying path member 60. The overhanging portion 68 is disposed at the upstream end (i.e., the left end) of the conveying path member 60. The bottom surface of the overhanging portion 68 is curved so as to be convex downward.

[0066] When the opening / closing body 50 is moved from the open position to the closed position in the state where the conveying path member 60 has opened the conveying path 56A (i.e., the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 6), as shown in FIG. 10, the overhanging portion 68 contacts an edge portion 33 disposed on the rear end side with respect to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 in the image reading device main body 23.

[0067] Note that, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a part of the conveying member 56B is provided on the conveying path member 60. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a cushioning material 69 is provided on the bottom surface 50B of the opening / closing body 50 including the bottom surface 61 of the conveying path member 60. The cushioning material 69 is capable of being compressed and deformed in the vertical direction. The downstream end of the conveying path member 60 is an example of the "one end portion". The upstream end of the conveying path member 60 is an example of the "other end portion".

[0068] (Shaft body 80) The shaft body 80 shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 is the portion where the latching member 70 is latched. This shaft body 80 is an example of a "latched portion". In the present embodiment, two shaft bodies 80 are provided in the image reading apparatus 20 as indicated by reference numerals 80(A) and 80(B) in the drawings. These two shaft bodies 80 are provided on the opening / closing body 50.

[0069] Specifically, one shaft body 80(A) protrudes from a side wall (not shown) facing the front surface 65 of the conveyance path member 60 toward the front surface 65 side (i.e., the rear side). The latching member 70(A) is latched to this shaft body 80(A).

[0070] The other shaft body 80(B) protrudes from a side wall (not shown) facing the rear surface 66 of the conveyance path member 60 toward the rear surface 66 side (i.e., the front side). The latching member 70(B) is latched to this shaft body 80(B).

[0071] The two shaft bodies 80 are arranged so as to face each other in the front-rear direction. That is, the two shaft bodies 80 are arranged so as to overlap when viewed in the front-rear direction. Further, the two shaft bodies 80 are arranged at the same positions in the vertical direction and the left-right direction in the opening / closing body 50 located at the closed position.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the lower ends of the two shaft bodies 80 are arranged below the conveyance road surface 62 of the conveyance path member 60 when viewed in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the two shaft bodies 80 are arranged so as to overlap the conveyance road surface 62 of the conveyance path member 60 when viewed in the front-rear direction.

[0073] The two shaft bodies 80 are formed in a circular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction. Note that the shape of the shaft body 80 may be a polygonal shape or the like when viewed in the front-rear direction, and various shapes can be used as the shape of the shaft body 80.

[0074] (Latching member 70, tension coil spring 82, restricting portion 84, and operating portion 86) FIG. 11 is a front view showing the latching member 70. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a state where the upper surface 72A of the latching member 70 is in contact with the shaft body 80. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a state where the tip end portion 72 of the latching member 70 is caught by the shaft body 80. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a latched state where the latching member 70 is latched to the shaft body 80.

[0075] The latching member 70 shown in FIG. 11 is a member that is latched to the shaft body 80. This latching member 70 is an example of a "latching portion". In the present embodiment, two latching members 70 are provided in the image reading device 20 as indicated by reference numerals 70(A) and 70(B) in the figure.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 11, the two latching members 70 are each composed of a hook formed in a hook shape. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the latching member 70(A) and the latching member 70(B) differ in configuration in terms of shape, length, and the like.

[0077] Also, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the two latching members 70 are rotatably attached to the upstream end side (i.e., the left end side) of the conveyance path member 60. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the lower portion of one latching member 70(A) is rotatably attached to the upstream end side of the front surface 65 of the conveyance path member 60. That is, the latching member 70(A) is disposed on the front end side of the conveyance path member 60.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 8, the lower portion of the other latching member 70(B) is rotatably attached to the upstream end side of the rear surface 66 of the conveyance path member 60. That is, the latching member 70(B) is disposed on the rear end side of the conveyance path member 60.

[0079] Furthermore, the two latching members 70 are fixed to a shaft portion 78 along the front-rear direction. Specifically, the shaft portion 78 penetrates the conveyance path member 60 in the front-rear direction and is rotatably supported by the conveyance path member 60. Each of the two latching members 70 is fixed to each of one axial end portion and the other axial end portion of the shaft portion 78. Thus, the two latching members 70 are connected by the shaft portion 78. Thereby, the two latching members 70 are integrally rotatable in the latching direction (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 5, 8, and 11) for latching to the shaft body 80 and in the release direction (the direction of arrow B in FIGS. 5, 8, and 11), which is opposite to the latching direction. Note that the latching direction is an example of the "first rotation direction". The release direction is an example of the "second rotation direction".

[0080] As shown in FIG. 11, the two latching members 70 are formed in a hook shape having a tip portion 72 that protrudes toward the downstream side (i.e., the right side). Specifically, the two latching members 70 have an upper surface 72A, a bottom surface 72B, and an inclined surface 72C.

[0081] The upper surface 72A is composed of an inclined surface having a downward slope from the upper end portion 70U (i.e., the radially outer end portion with respect to the shaft portion 78) toward the latching direction (i.e., the right side and the downstream side). The bottom surface 72B is a surface that contacts the shaft body 80 in a state where the latching member 70 is latched to the shaft body 80 (hereinafter referred to as "the latched state of the latching member 70"), and is a surface facing the shaft portion 78 side (i.e., the radially inner side). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the bottom surface 72B is inclined with respect to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading apparatus main body 23 so as to have an upward slope in the latching direction (i.e., the right side and the downstream side) in the latched state of the latching member 70 (see the dashed-dotted line NL in FIG. 5). The upward slope means that the bottom surface 72 is inclined with respect to the upper surface 31A such that, in the latched state of the latching member 70, as it goes toward the latching direction side (i.e., the right side and the downstream side), it gradually moves away from the upper surface 31A toward the direction side (the upper side in FIG. 5). Therefore, the end portion on the latching direction side (i.e., the right side and the downstream side) of the bottom surface 72 is located at a position farther from the upper surface 31A (the upper side in FIG. 5) than the end portion on the release direction side (i.e., the left side and the upstream side) of the bottom surface 72. Note that the downward slope means that the bottom surface 72 is inclined with respect to the upper surface 31A such that, in the latched state of the latching member 70, as it goes toward the latching direction side (i.e., the right side and the downstream side), it gradually approaches the upper surface 31A toward the direction side (the lower side in FIG. 5). In this case, the end portion on the latching direction side (i.e., the right side and the downstream side) of the bottom surface 72 is located at a position closer to the upper surface 31A (the lower side in FIG. 5) than the end portion on the release direction side (i.e., the left side and the upstream side) of the bottom surface 72.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 11, the inclined surface 72C is a surface formed from the downstream end of the upper surface 72A to the downstream end of the bottom surface 72B, and is an inclined surface having an upward slope in the latching direction. The tip portion 72 is formed by the upper surface 72A, the bottom surface 72B, and the inclined surface 72C.

[0083] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the latching member 70(A) has a length along the radially outer side from the shaft portion 78 (specifically, the shaft center (i.e., the rotation center)) (hereinafter referred to as the radial length) that is longer than the radial length of the latching member 70(B). In FIG. 11, the dashed-dotted line S is a line passing through the shaft center of the shaft portion 78. Also, in FIG. 11, the dashed-dotted line H is a line passing through the upper end portion 70U of the latching member 70(B).

[0084] Furthermore, the length of the bottom surface 72B of the latching member 70(A) in the left-right direction is made longer than the length of the bottom surface 72B of the latching member 70(B) in the left-right direction. The length of the inclined surface 72C of the latching member 70(A) in the left-right direction is made shorter than the length of the inclined surface 72C of the latching member 70(B) in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the gradient of the upper surface 72A of the latching member 70(A) is steeper than the gradient of the upper surface 72A of the latching member 70(B).

[0085] Note that the latching member 70(A) is an example of "one latching portion". The latching member 70(B) is an example of "the other latching portion".

[0086] As shown in FIG. 5, in the latched state of the latching member 70, the conveyance path member 60 is held in a closed state in which the conveyance path member 60 closes the conveyance path 56A. The closed state means a state in which the conveyance road surface 62 is not exposed. Note that the latched state of the latching member 70 is an example of "the latched state with respect to the latched portion".

[0087] As shown in FIG. 8, one end portion of the tension coil spring 82 is attached to the latching member 70(B), and the other end portion is attached to the attachment portion 76 provided on the rear surface 66 of the conveyance path member 60. Thereby, the tension coil spring 82 pulls the two latching members 70 in the latching direction by the elastic force acting on the latching member 70(B). That is, a force acting in the latching direction is applied to the two latching members 70. Thus, in this embodiment, the tension coil spring 82 is disposed on the rear end portion side of the conveyance path member 60. On the other hand, the tension coil spring 82 is not disposed on the front end portion side of the conveyance path member 60. Note that the tension coil spring 82 is an example of "the elastic member".

[0088] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the operation unit 86 is attached to the shaft portion 78 on the front side of the latching member 70(A). The operation unit 86 has a lever 86A that extends upstream (i.e., to the left side) from the shaft portion 78. When the operator rotates the lever 86A downward, the two latching members 70 are rotated in the release direction, and the latching state of the two latching members 70 is released.

[0089] The restricting portion 84 shown in FIG. 8 has a function of restricting the movement of the two latching members 70 in the latching direction. Specifically, the restricting portion 84 is constituted by a protruding portion that protrudes rearward from the rear surface 66 of the conveyance path member 60. The restricting portion 84 contacts the latching member 70(B) in a state where the two latching members 70 are not latched to the shaft body 80 (hereinafter referred to as the "non-latching state of the latching member 70") and restricts the movement of the two latching members 70 in the latching direction. At the position where the latching member 70(B) contacts the restricting portion 84, the upper surfaces 72A of the two latching members 70 are arranged on the orbits of the two shaft bodies 80 that move relative to the conveyance path member 60 that rotates upward around the support shaft 64. In other words, the restricting portion 84 functions as a positioning portion that positions the upper surfaces 72A of the two latching members 70 on the orbits of the two shaft bodies 80 respectively.

[0090] Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the conveyance path member 60 rotates upward around the support shaft 64 in the non-latching state of the latching member 70, as shown in FIG. 12, the upper surfaces 72A of the two latching members 70 contact the two shaft bodies 80 respectively. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, first, the upper surface 72A of the latching member 70(A) contacts the shaft body 80(A).

[0091] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in the non-latching state of the latching member 70, the conveyance path member 60, due to its own weight, opens the conveyance path 56A as shown in FIG. 6 and projects downward from the bottom surface 50B (i.e., the lower end portion) of the opening / closing body 50. Therefore, in the non-latching state of the latching member 70, when the opening / closing body 50 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the conveyance path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading apparatus main body 23 (see FIG. 12). Note that the non-latching state of the latching member 70 is an example of the "non-latching state with respect to the latched portion".

[0092] And in the present embodiment, in the non-latching state of the latching member 70, when the opening / closing body 50 is moved from the open position to the closed position, as shown in FIG. 12, the conveyance path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading apparatus main body 23, and the latching member 70 (A) contacts the shaft body 80 (A), causing the two latching members 70 to rotate in the release direction (arrow B direction).

[0093] Here, the conveyance path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading apparatus main body 23 due to the own weight of the opening / closing body 50 (including the own weight of the components provided on the opening / closing body 50). Due to the load that pushes the conveyance path member 60 upward, the two latching members 70 rotate in the release direction against the tensile load of the tension coil spring 82. In the present embodiment, the tensile load of the tension coil spring 82 is set so that the latching member 70 rotates in the release direction due to the upward load on the conveyance path member 60.

[0094] In this embodiment, since the radial length of the latching member 70(A) is longer than the radial length of the latching member 70(B), when the conveyance path member 60 is pushed upward, first, the latching member 70(A) contacts the shaft body 80(A), and the two latching members 70 connected by the shaft portion 78 rotate integrally in the release direction with a gap between the latching member 70(B) and the shaft body 80(B). Thereafter, with each of the two latching members 70 being in contact with each of the two shaft bodies 80, the two latching members 70 rotate integrally in the release direction. Thus, in this embodiment, the timing at which each of the two latching members 70 contacts each of the two shaft bodies 80 is different.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the conveyance path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading apparatus main body 23 and the latching member 70 contacts the shaft body 80, after the two latching members 70 rotate in the release direction, as shown in FIG. 13, the tip portion 72 of the latching member 70(A) catches on the shaft body 80(A) (semi-latched state). Thereafter, the tip portion 72 of the latching member 70(B) catches on the shaft body 80(B).

[0096] Specifically, before the bottom surface 61 of the conveyance path member 60 that rotates upward becomes in a state along the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading apparatus main body 23, the tip portions 72 of the two latching members 70 catch on the shaft body 80. That is, with the bottom surface 61 of the conveyance path member 60 that rotates upward being inclined with respect to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading apparatus main body 23, the tip portions 72 of the two latching members 70 catch on the shaft body 80.

[0097] After the tip portions 72 of the two latching members 70 catch on the shaft body 80, due to the elastic force of the tension coil spring 82, as shown in FIG. 14, the conveyance path member 60 rises and the two latching members 70 rotate in the latching direction (arrow A direction) to enter the latched state.

[0098] (Operation according to this embodiment) In this embodiment, when the opening / closing member 50 is moved from the open position to the closed position in the non-latching state of the latching member 70, as shown in FIG. 12, the conveyance path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading apparatus main body 23, and the latching member 70 (A) contacts the shaft body 80 (A), so that the two latching members 70 rotate in the release direction (arrow B direction).

[0099] Therefore, it becomes possible to perform the movement of the opening / closing member 50 from the open position to the closed position and the rotation of the latching member 70 in the release direction (arrow B direction) by a common operation. That is, according to the configuration of this embodiment, for example, when reading the image of the document G or when copying the image of the document G, the operator moves the opening / closing member 50 from the open position to the closed position, and the latching member 70 also rotates in the release direction (arrow B direction).

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the conveyance path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading apparatus main body 23, and the latching member 70 contacts the shaft body 80, so that after the two latching members 70 rotate in the release direction, as shown in FIG. 13, the tip portion 72 of the latching member 70 is caught by the shaft body 80 (semi-latching state).

[0101] Therefore, it becomes possible to perform the movement of the opening / closing member 50 from the open position to the closed position and the operation of catching the tip portion 72 of the latching member 70 by the shaft body 80 by a common operation. That is, according to the configuration of this embodiment, for example, when reading the image of the document G or when copying the image of the document G, the operator moves the opening / closing member 50 from the open position to the closed position, and the operation of catching the tip portion 72 of the latching member 70 by the shaft body 80 is also performed.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after the tip portions 72 of the two latching members 70 are caught by the shaft body 80, due to the elastic force of the tension coil spring 82, as shown in FIG. 14, the conveyance path member 60 rises, and the two latching members 70 rotate in the latching direction (arrow A direction) to enter the latching state.

[0103] Therefore, it becomes possible to perform the movement of the opening / closing body 50 from the open position to the closed position and the operation of latching the latching member 70 to the shaft body 80 by a common operation. That is, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, for example, when reading the image of the document G or when copying the image of the document G, the operator moves the opening / closing body 50 from the open position to the closed position, and the latching member 70 comes into the latched state. Therefore, even when at least one of the two latching members 70 is in the unlatched state or when the latching of at least one of the two latching members 70 to the shaft body 80 is incomplete, when reading the image of the document G or when copying the image of the document G, the operator moves the opening / closing body 50 from the open position to the closed position, and the latching member 70 comes into the latched state. As a result, the blockage failure of the conveyance path 56A is suppressed, and the clogging (so-called jam) of the document G in the conveyance path 56A and the reading failure of the image of the reading unit 54 are suppressed.

[0104] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the bottom surface 72B of the latching member 70(A) is inclined so as to have an upward gradient in the latching direction with respect to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading apparatus main body 23 in the latched state of the latching member 70.

[0105] For this reason, compared with the configuration in which the bottom surface 72B of the latching member 70(A) is parallel to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 in the latched state of the latching member 70, the rotation angle of the latching member 70 in the latching direction is a shallow angle and is latched to the shaft body 80. Therefore, after the tip portion 72 of the latching member 70 is caught by the shaft body 80, the latching member 70 is easily latched to the shaft body 80.

[0106] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the radial length of the latching member 70(A) is longer than the radial length of the latching member 70(B). Here, in the configuration in which the latching member 70(A) has the same length as the latching member 70(B) (hereinafter referred to as configuration A), when the conveyance path member 60 is pushed upward, each of the two latching members 70 comes into contact with each of the two shaft bodies 80 at the same time.

[0107] In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the radial length of the latching member 70(A) is longer than the radial length of the latching member 70(B), when the conveying path member 60 is pushed upward, first, the latching member 70(A) contacts the shaft body 80(A), and the latching member 70(B) has a gap with the shaft body 80(B), and the two latching members 70 rotate. Therefore, compared with Configuration A, when the latching member 70 contacts the shaft body 80, the frictional resistance when rotating in the release direction is small.

[0108] Also, in the present embodiment, the latching member 70(A) having a long radial length is disposed on the front end side of the conveying path member 60.

[0109] Here, since the opening / closing body 50 is opened / closed by moving the front end portion up and down with the rear end portion as a fulcrum and the front end portion being a free end, in a state where the opening / closing body 50 is in the open position, an operation is easier to perform on the front end portion of the conveying path member 60 on the free end side than on the rear end portion of the conveying path member 60 on the fulcrum side. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the operator pushes the conveying path member 60 upward to rotate the latching member 70(A) in the release direction in a state where the opening / closing body 50 is in the open position, compared with a configuration in which the latching member 70(A) is disposed on the rear end side, the operation of rotating the latching member 70(A) in the release direction is easier.

[0110] Also, in the present embodiment, the tension coil spring 82 is disposed on the rear end side of the conveying path member 60. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the tension coil spring 82 is disposed on the front end side of the conveying path member 60, when the opening / closing body 50 is in the open position, contact between the operator and the tension coil spring 82 is suppressed.

[0111] Also, in the present embodiment, when the opening / closing body 50 is moved from the open position to the closed position in a state where the conveying path member 60 has opened the conveying path 56A (that is, the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 6), as shown in FIG. 10, the protruding portion 68 contacts an edge portion 33 disposed on the rear end side with respect to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 in the image reading apparatus main body 23.

[0112] Therefore, compared with the configuration having the conveyance path member 60 without the protruding portion 68, the conveyance path member 60 is suppressed from being caught by the edge portion 33.

[0113] (Modification example) In the present embodiment, as an example of the conveyance device, the image reading device 20 is used, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As an example of the conveyance device, a device that performs processing other than image reading (for example, image forming processing for forming an image) on the conveyed material to be conveyed may be used. Further, as an example of the conveyance device, a device that conveys the material to be conveyed for the sole purpose of conveyance itself may be used.

[0114] Also, in the present embodiment, the document G as an example of the material to be conveyed is used, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As an example of the material to be conveyed, for example, a recording medium P on which an image is formed may be used, as long as it can be conveyed.

[0115] Also, in the present embodiment, when the latching member 70 contacts the shaft body 80 while the conveyance path member 60 is pushed upward by the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23, after the two latching members 70 rotate in the release direction, as shown in FIG. 13, the tip portion 72 of the latching member 70 is caught by the shaft body 80, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As long as the latching member 70 contacts the shaft body 80 and at least the two latching members 70 rotate in the release direction.

[0116] Also, in the present embodiment, the bottom surface 72B of the latching member 70(A) is inclined so as to have an upward slope in the latching direction with respect to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 of the image reading device main body 23 in the latching state of the latching member 70, as shown in FIG. 5, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the bottom surface 72B of the latching member 70(A) may be parallel to the upper surface 31A of the first platen glass 31 in the latching state of the latching member 70.

[0117] In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the radial length of the latching member 70(A) was longer than the radial length of the latching member 70(B), but it is not limited thereto. For example, the latching member 70(A) may have the same length as the latching member 70(B).

[0118] In addition, in the present embodiment, the latching member 70(A) having a long radial length was disposed on the front end side of the conveyance path member 60, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the latching member 70(A) may be disposed on the rear end side of the conveyance path member 60, and the latching member 70(B) may be disposed on the front end side of the conveyance path member 60.

[0119] In addition, in the present embodiment, the latching member 70(A) and the latching member 70(B) had different shapes, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the latching member 70(A) and the latching member 70(B) may have the same shape.

[0120] In addition, in the present embodiment, two latching members 70 were provided in the image reading device 20, but it is not limited thereto. For example, one or three or more latching members 70 may be provided in the image reading device 20.

[0121] In addition, in the present embodiment, a tension coil spring 82 was used as an example of the elastic member, but it is not limited thereto. As an example of the elastic member, for example, a compression coil spring or other spring that pushes the two latching members 70 in the latching direction by an elastic force may be used, and various members can be used.

[0122] In addition, in the present embodiment, the tension coil spring 82 was disposed on the rear end side of the conveyance path member 60, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the tension coil spring 82 may be disposed on the front end side of the conveyance path member 60. Also, the tension coil spring 82 may be disposed on both the rear end side and the front end side of the conveyance path member 60.

[0123] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the protruding portion 68 protruding rearward from the conveyance path member 60 was provided at the lower end portion at the rear end portion of the conveyance path member 60, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image reading device 20 may have a configuration in which the conveyance path member 60 is not provided with the protruding portion 68.

[0124] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the above-described modification examples may be configured by appropriately combining a plurality of them.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0125] 10 Image forming apparatus 14 Image forming unit 20 Image reading device (an example of a conveyance device) 23 Image reading device main body (an example of a device main body) 31A Upper surface 33 Edge portion 40, 54 Reading unit 50 Opening / closing body (an example of an opening / closing portion) 56A Conveyance path 60 Conveyance path member 62 Conveyance path surface 68 Protruding portion 70 Hooking member (an example of a hooking portion) 72 Tip portion 72B Bottom surface 78 Shaft portion 80 Shaft body (an example of a hooked portion) 82 Tensile coil spring (an example of an elastic member) G Original document (an example of a material to be conveyed)

Claims

1. A device body, an opening / closing unit attached to the device body so as to be openable and closable between a closed position that covers the upper surface of the device body and an open position that exposes the upper surface, the opening / closing unit having a conveying path therein through which the material to be conveyed is conveyed; a conveying path member having a conveying path surface that constitutes the conveying path, one end side of which is rotatably supported by the opening and closing portion, and the other end side of which moves downward from the opening and closing portion to open the conveying path; a hooking portion rotatably attached to the other end side of the transport path member, which is applied with a force toward a first rotation direction to be hooked onto the hooked portion of the opening / closing portion, and which holds the transport path member in a blocked state of the transport path when hooked onto the hooked portion, and when the opening / closing portion is moved from the open position to the closed position in a non-hooked state, the hooking portion rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction by causing the transport path member to be pushed upward by the upper surface and its upper surface to come into contact with the hooked portion; A conveying device comprising:

2. The hook portion is When the opening / closing part is moved from the open position to the closed position, the transport path member is pushed upward by the upper surface and comes into contact with the latched part, so that after rotating in the second rotation direction, the tip part of the transport path member is caught on the latched part. The conveying device according to claim 1 .

3. The hook portion is When the opening / closing unit is moved from the open position to the closed position, the transport path member is pushed upward by the upper surface and comes into contact with the latched portion, so that after rotating in the second rotation direction, the leading end of the transport path member is caught by the latched portion at the closed position of the opening / closing unit, and the force causes the transport path member to rise and become latched to the latched portion. The conveying device according to claim 2 .

4. The hook portion is In a state where the hook is hooked to the hooked portion, a bottom surface that contacts the hooked portion is inclined upward in the first rotation direction with respect to the top surface.

4. A conveying device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The hook portion is The conveying path member is provided at one end and the other end in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, Each of the hook portions is fixed to a shaft portion along the intersecting direction, One of the hook portions has a length from the shaft portion along a radially outward direction that is longer than the length of the other of the hook portions. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the opening / closing unit has one end portion in a direction intersecting a conveying direction of the conveying path attached to the device body and is capable of being opened and closed between the closed position and the open position; The one of the hook portions is disposed at the other end portion of the transport path member in the intersecting direction. The conveying device according to claim 5.

7. the opening / closing unit has one end portion in a direction intersecting a conveying direction of the conveying path attached to the device body and is capable of being opened and closed between the closed position and the open position; An elastic member is disposed on one end side of the transport path member in the intersecting direction, the elastic member applying the force to the hook portion by elastic force. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the opening / closing unit has one end portion in a direction intersecting a conveying direction of the conveying path attached to the device body and is capable of being opened and closed between the closed position and the open position; The device body has an edge portion protruding from the upper surface at one end side in the intersecting direction relative to the upper surface, A protruding portion is provided at one end of the transport path member in the intersecting direction, protruding from the transport path member in the intersecting direction and coming into contact with the edge portion. A conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. a reading unit provided in the device body and configured to read an image of a document as the transported material transported through the transport path of the opening / closing unit when the opening / closing unit is in the closed position; The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

10. A conveying device according to claim 9 ; an image forming unit that forms the image read by the reading unit on a recording medium; The image forming apparatus includes:

Images