Sheet conveying device

Abstract

To provide a sheet conveying device capable of suppressing enlargement in a vertical direction.SOLUTION: In a sheet conveying device 1, a shutter 60 has a contact surface 61A for stopping the tip of a sheet SH supported by a feed tray 95, and the contact surface 61A is pushed by the sheet SH conveyed by a feed roller 41 to swing to allow the sheet SH to pass. The sheet conveying device 1 includes the attachment member 70 having the shaft portion 71 extending in the width direction. The shutter 60 has a first through-hole 67H into which the shaft portion 71 is inserted in the widthwise direction. The cover 20 has second through holes 27H1 and 27H2 into which the shaft portion 71 is inserted in the widthwise direction. The shaft portion 71 is inserted into the first through-hole 67H and the second through-holes 27H1 and 27H2, so that the attachment member 70 is immovably attached to the cover 20, and the shutter 60 is supported by the shaft portion 71 so as to be swingable about the swing shaft X60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional sheet conveying device is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this sheet conveying device, an opening / closing cover covers a sheet feed roller that conveys sheets supported on a supply tray, as shown in Figure 5 of Patent Document 1. As shown in Figures 5 to 7 of Patent Document 1, the opening / closing cover has a cover main body and a cover plate that forms the exterior surface of the opening / closing cover.

[0003] Although not explicitly stated in Patent Document 1, the cover body has a groove recessed downward from its upper surface, and the cover plate covers the groove of the cover body from above. The shaft member of the stopper shown in Figure 15 of Patent Document 1 is inserted into the groove of the cover body, so that the stopper is supported by the open-close cover so as to be swingable around the shaft member.

[0004] The stopper has a sheet regulating portion that abuts against and stops the leading edge of a sheet supported on the supply tray. When the sheet regulating portion is pressed by a sheet conveyed by the paper feed roller, the stopper swings to allow the sheet to pass. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-77631 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the conventional sheet transport device described above has a laminated openable cover in which the cover plate covers the groove of the cover body from above, making it difficult to prevent the device from becoming large in the vertical direction.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and has an object to provide a sheet conveying device that can prevent an increase in size in the vertical direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The sheet conveying device of the present invention comprises: a supply tray for supporting sheets; a feeding roller for conveying the sheet supported on the feeding tray; a cover for covering the feeding roller; a shutter supported by the cover so as to be swingable about a swing axis extending in the width direction of the supply tray, the shutter having a contact surface that abuts against and stops a leading edge of a sheet supported on the supply tray, the shutter swinging when the contact surface is pressed by a sheet conveyed by the feed roller to allow the sheet to pass; A sheet conveying device comprising: a mounting member having a shaft portion extending in the width direction, the shutter has a first through-hole into which the shaft portion is inserted in the width direction; the cover has a second through-hole into which the shaft portion is inserted in the width direction, The shaft portion is inserted into the first through hole and the second through hole, the mounting member is immovably attached to the cover, and the shutter is supported by the shaft portion and can swing around the swing axis.

[0009] In the sheet transport device of the present invention, the shaft portion of the attachment member is inserted widthwise into the first through-hole and the second through-hole, the attachment member is immovably attached to the cover, and the shutter is swingably supported by the cover. As a result, this sheet transport device does not require the cover to have a stacked structure like the open-close cover of the conventional sheet transport device.

[0010] Therefore, the sheet conveying device of the present invention can be prevented from increasing in size in the vertical direction.

[0011] Furthermore, in this sheet transport device, when an excessive force acts on the shutter, the attachment member is likely to be damaged before the shutter and the cover are damaged, so maintenance work can be easily performed by replacing the attachment member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the image reading device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing the holder, shutter, etc. assembled to the top cover, with the top cover in the closed position not shown. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the holder, shutter, mounting members, etc., assembled to the top cover. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the main part of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing the holder, shutter, mounting members, etc., assembled to the top cover. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing the holder and the like attached to the top cover, and the shutter and attachment member before being attached to the top cover. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the regulating piece regulates the swing of the shutter when the holder has raised the feed roller. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the holder lowers the feed roller, causing the regulating piece to allow the shutter to swing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the first set of shutters and mounting members. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the top cover temporarily placed upside down, illustrating the functions of the temporary holding portion and the supported portion. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the top cover temporarily placed upside down, illustrating the operation of assembling the mounting member. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 12, illustrating the operation of assembling the mounting member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] (Example) As shown in Fig. 1, an image reading device 1 of the embodiment is one example of a specific aspect of a sheet conveying device of the present invention. In Fig. 1, the operation panel 8P side of the image reading device 1 is the front. The side that is to the left when facing the operation panel 8P is the left side. The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction shown in Fig. 2 and subsequent figures are all shown corresponding to the directions shown in Fig. 1.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading device 1 includes a main body 8 and a document cover 9.

[0016] <Main body> The main body 8 is a flat, roughly box-shaped body. An operation panel 8P, such as a touch panel, is located on the front side of the main body 8. The main body 8 houses the image forming unit 2 in its lower portion. The image forming unit 2 forms an image on a sheet using an inkjet system, a laser system, or the like.

[0017] <Image reading unit> 2, the main body 8 houses in its upper portion the image reading unit 3. The image reading unit 3 has a document support surface 3A, a reading surface 3B, a reading sensor 3S, and a scanning mechanism (not shown).

[0018] The document support surface 3A is the upper surface of a large-area platen glass located on the upper surface of the main body 8. The reading surface 3B is the upper surface of a platen glass that is located to the left of the document support surface 3A on the upper surface of the main body 8 and extends in an elongated shape in the front-to-rear direction.

[0019] The document support surface 3A supports a document to be read. The document to be read may be paper, a sheet such as an OHP sheet, a book, etc. The reading surface 3B is used when the transport unit 4, which will be described later, is in operation.

[0020] The reading sensor 3S is a well-known image reading sensor that uses a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and is elongated in the front-to-rear direction. The reading sensor 3S is located below the document support surface 3A and the reading surface 3B.

[0021] When the image reading unit 3 reads an image of a document supported on the document support surface 3A, the reading sensor 3S moves from below the left edge of the document support surface 3A to the right, i.e., in the sub-scanning direction, by operation of a scanning mechanism (not shown), and reads the image of the document in a line in the front-to-back direction, i.e., in the main scanning direction. When the reading sensor 3S moves to below the right edge of the document support surface 3A, it finishes reading the image and returns to its standby position by operation of a scanning mechanism (not shown).

[0022] When the transport unit 4, which will be described later, is operated, the reading sensor 3S moves to a stationary reading position below the reading surface 3B and remains stationary by the operation of a scanning mechanism (not shown).

[0023] <Manuscript cover> 1, the document cover 9 is located above the main body 8. The rear end of the document cover 9 is connected to the rear end of the main body 8 via a hinge (not shown). The document cover 9 is swingable around a swing axis X9 extending in the left-right direction.

[0024] 2, the document cover 9 has a base member 39 made of resin. The lower surface of the base member 39 forms the bottom surface of the document cover 9. The bottom surface of the document cover 9 has a size that can cover the document support surface 3A and the reading surface 3B, and can cover the document placed on the document support surface 3A.

[0025] Although not shown in the drawings, when the user swings the document cover 9 upward and backward around the swing axis X9, the document cover 9 opens the document support surface 3A. In this state, the user can place a document on the document support surface 3A and remove the document.

[0026] <Supply tray and discharge tray> 1 and 2, the document cover 9 has a supply tray 95 and a discharge tray 96. The supply tray 95 and the discharge tray 96 are located on the right side of the document cover 9.

[0027] The upper surface of the right portion of the base member 39 forms a discharge tray 96. The supply tray 95 is located above the discharge tray 96. The supply tray 95 supports sheets SH, which are to be read, in a stacked state. The discharge tray 96 supports sheets SH, whose images have been read, in a stacked state.

[0028] In this embodiment, an object whose image is read using the document support surface 3A will be referred to as a document, and an object whose image is read while being supported on the supply tray 95 and transported by the transport unit 4 will be referred to as a sheet SH. The document and the sheet SH may be substantially the same thing.

[0029] The width direction of the supply tray 95 is the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, one side of the width direction is the front, and the other side of the width direction is the rear.

[0030] 2, the document cover 9 has a lower chute member 37, an upper chute member 36, and a top cover 20, each of which is made of resin. The top cover 20 is an example of the "cover" of the present invention. In this embodiment, the top cover 20 is manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin.

[0031] The lower chute member 37 is located above the left portion of the base member 39. The upper chute member 36 is located above the lower chute member 37 and below the top cover 20.

[0032] <Sheet placement section> 2 and 3, the document cover 9 has a sheet placement section 36A. The sheet placement section 36A is the right portion of the upper chute member 36 and is gently inclined downward to the left. The right end of the sheet placement section 36A is adjacent to the left end of the supply tray 95, at a position covered from above by the top cover 20.

[0033] When a user wants to support a sheet SH on the supply tray 95, the user inserts the sheet SH between the upper surface cover 20 and the sheet placement section 36A. As a result, a portion of the sheet SH supported by the supply tray 95 that protrudes leftward beyond the left end of the supply tray 95 is placed on the sheet placement section 36A.

[0034] <First to third conveying guides and conveying section> 2, the document cover 9 has a first transport guide 31, a second transport guide 32, a third transport guide 33, and a transport section 4. The first transport guide 31, the second transport guide 32, the third transport guide 33, and the transport section 4 are located inside the left portion of the document cover 9.

[0035] The first conveying guide 31 is made up of a guide surface 36G formed on the left portion of the upper chute member 36 and a rib protruding downward from the rear surface of the top cover 20. The second conveying guide 32 and the third conveying guide 33 are made up of guide surfaces formed on the left portion of the base member 39 and the lower chute member 37.

[0036] Although not shown in the drawings, the top cover 20 is swingably supported by the base member 39. The top cover 20 can swing between a closed position shown by a solid line in Fig. 2 and an open position shown by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 2.

[0037] The top cover 20 covers the sheet placement portion 36A and the guide surface 36G when in the closed position shown by the solid line in Fig. 2. The top cover 20 opens the sheet placement portion 36A and the guide surface 36G when moved to the open position shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 2.

[0038] The left-right and up-down directions in the description of the configuration of the top cover 20 and the components attached to the top cover 20 are based on the state in which the top cover 20 is in the closed position.

[0039] The conveying section 4 includes a feeding roller 41, a separation roller 42, a drive shaft 57, a holder 50, and a separation pad 42A.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the feeding roller 41 is covered by the top cover 20 and faces the sheet placement portion 36A from above.

[0041] 2, the separation roller 42 is mounted on a drive shaft 57 having a rotation axis X42 as its center, and faces the guide surface 36G from above. The rotation axis X42 extends in the front-rear direction at a position spaced to the left from the feed roller 41 and the sheet loading portion 36A.

[0042] The separation pad 42A is exposed on the guide surface 36G and is held by the upper chute member 36 in a state facing the separation roller 42 from below, and is pressed toward the separation roller 42.

[0043] 4 to 6, the drive shaft 57 is rotatably supported about the rotation axis X42 by the top cover 20. The drive shaft 57 rotates about the rotation axis X42 to transmit a driving force to the separation roller 42, causing the separation roller 42 to rotate.

[0044] The holder 50 is supported by the top cover 20 so as to be swingable about the rotation axis X42, covering the separation roller 42 from above, front, and rear. The holder 50 extends rightward from the rotation axis X42, and rotatably supports the feed roller 41 at its right end. The holder 50 supports a gear train 41G that transmits driving force from a drive shaft 57 to the feed roller 41.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the transport unit 4 includes a drive source M1, a drive force transmission mechanism (not shown), a gear 4G, a transmission shaft 59, and a torque limiter 58.

[0046] The driving source M1 is a motor disposed on the rear side of the document cover 9. The driving source M1 generates a driving force by rotating forward and backward under the control of a control unit (not shown).

[0047] A driving force transmission mechanism (not shown) transmits the driving force of the driving source M1 to the gear 4G and to the transport roller 43, the discharge roller 45, and the auxiliary discharge roller 47, which will be described later.

[0048] The gear 4G is disposed on the rear side of the document cover 9, and is located below and to the right of the rotation axis X42.

[0049] 4, the transmission shaft 59 is supported by the top cover 20 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis X42. The transmission shaft 59 has a transmission gear 59G at its rear end.

[0050] 3, the top cover 20 in the closed position is not shown, but the transmission gear 59G is engaged with the gear 4G when the top cover 20 is in the closed position. Although not shown, when the top cover 20 moves to the open position, the holder 50, transmission shaft 59, etc. also move together with the top cover 20, and the transmission gear 59G moves away from the gear 4G.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the front end of the transmission shaft 59 is connected to the drive shaft 57 in a state in which the drive force of the drive source M1 can be transmitted to the drive shaft 57.

[0052] The torque limiter 58 is interposed between the front end side of the transmission shaft 59 and the holder 50. When a torque equal to or less than a set value acts on the torque limiter 58, the torque is transmitted to the holder 50. However, when a torque exceeding the set value acts on the torque limiter 58, slippage occurs inside the torque limiter 58, and the torque is no longer transmitted to the holder 50.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, when the top cover 20 is in the closed position, the driving force transmitted from the driving source M1 is input from the gear 4G to the transmission gear 59G, causing the transmission shaft 59 to rotate around the rotation axis X42.

[0054] 2, when the drive source M1 rotates forward, the torque limiter 58 rotates the holder 50 in conjunction with the rotation of the transmission shaft 59. This causes the holder 50 to swing so as to lower the feed roller 41. When the feed roller 41 comes into contact with the sheet stacking section 36A or the uppermost sheet SH stacked on the sheet stacking section 36A, slippage occurs inside the torque limiter 58, thereby holding the holder 50 in that position.

[0055] In this case, the drive shaft 57, to which the driving force is transmitted from the transmission shaft 59, transmits the driving force to the separation roller 42 to rotate the separation roller 42, and also transmits the driving force to the feed roller 41 via the gear train 41G to rotate the feed roller 41. As a result, the feed roller 41 conveys the sheet SH supported on the supply tray 95.

[0056] When the driving source M1 rotates in the reverse direction, the torque limiter 58 rotates the holder 50 in conjunction with the reverse rotation of the transmission shaft 59. As a result, the holder 50 swings so as to lift the feeding roller 41.

[0057] 2 is at its upper limit position. When the feed roller 41 reaches the upper limit position, slippage occurs inside the torque limiter 58, thereby holding the holder 50 at that position.

[0058] At this time, since the rotation of the separation roller 42 and the feed roller 41 is meaningless, a control unit (not shown) stops the drive source M1 immediately when the feed roller 41 reaches the upper limit position. The torque limiter 58 holds the holder 50 in that position even after the drive source M1 has stopped.

[0059] The transport section 4 includes a transport roller 43, a transport pinch roller 43P, a document holder 44, a discharge roller 45, a discharge pinch roller 45P, an auxiliary discharge roller 47, and an elastic piece .

[0060] The transport roller 43 is located on the left side wall of the document cover 9, close to the top surface of the main body 8. The transport pinch roller 43P is located to the left and below the transport roller 43, and is pressed against the transport roller 43. The document presser 44 is located directly above the reading surface 3B.

[0061] The discharge roller 45 is located above and to the left of the left end of the discharge tray 96. The discharge pinch roller 45P is located below the discharge roller 45 and is pressed against the discharge roller 45.

[0062] The auxiliary discharge roller 47 is located above the left edge of the discharge tray 96 and slightly shifted to the left from the left edge of the discharge tray 96. The upper end of the auxiliary discharge roller 47 is located above the nip position between the discharge roller 45 and the discharge pinch roller 45P.

[0063] The elastic piece 48 is made of a highly rigid film. The elastic piece 48 is cantilevered between the discharge roller 45 and the auxiliary discharge roller 47, protrudes to the right, and bends at a position to the right of the auxiliary discharge roller 47, slanting downward to the right.

[0064] Although not shown, the conveying section 4 has a plurality of auxiliary discharge rollers 47 and a plurality of elastic pieces 48, and the auxiliary discharge rollers 47 and the elastic pieces 48 are arranged alternately in the front-rear direction.

[0065] The first conveying guide 31 guides the sheet SH conveyed from the supply tray 95 and the sheet loading section 36A by the feeding roller 41 to the left via the separation roller 42, then makes a downward U-turn and guides it to the conveying roller 43 and the conveying pinch roller 43P.

[0066] The second conveying guide 32 guides the sheet SH from the conveying roller 43 and the conveying pinch roller 43P downwardly inclined to the reading surface 3B, and then guides it to pass between the document holder 44 and the reading surface 3B, i.e., above the reading sensor 3S which is in the stationary reading position.

[0067] The third conveying guide 33 guides the sheet SH to the right of the reading surface 3B so as to be inclined upward to the right, and guides the sheet SH to the auxiliary discharge roller 47 and the elastic piece 48.

[0068] <Regulation piece> 3, 5, and 7, the conveying unit 4 has two regulating pieces 56. The front regulating piece 56 is swingably supported by a support shaft 50A that protrudes forward from the front right corner of the holder 50. The rear regulating piece 56 is swingably supported by a support shaft 50B that protrudes rearward from the rear right corner of the holder 50.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 7, the rear surface side of the top cover 20 is formed with ribs 20A1, 20A2, 20B1, and 20B2.

[0070] The rib 20A1 protrudes downward from the rear surface of the top cover 20 at a position spaced forward from the holder 50 and extends in the left-right direction. The rib 20A2 protrudes downward from the rear surface of the top cover 20 at a position spaced forward from the rib 20A1 and extends in the left-right direction.

[0071] The rib 20B1 protrudes downward from the back surface of the top cover 20 at a position spaced rearward from the holder 50 and extends in the left-right direction. The rib 20B2 protrudes downward from the back surface of the top cover 20 at a position spaced rearward from the rib 20B1 and extends in the left-right direction.

[0072] The top cover 20 has two unlocking ribs 29. The front unlocking rib 29 extends in the front-rear direction at a position spaced left and downward from the support shaft 50A of the holder 50 and is connected to the right ends of the ribs 20A1 and 20A2. The rear unlocking rib 29 extends in the front-rear direction at a position spaced left and downward from the support shaft 50B of the holder 50 and is connected to the right ends of the ribs 20B1 and 20B2.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 8, when the holder 50 raises the feed roller 41 to the upper limit position, the restriction pieces 56 are in a lock position protruding to the left above the unlocking ribs 29.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 9, when the holder 50 lowers the feed roller 41 from the upper limit position, each restriction piece 56 comes into contact with each unlocking rib 29, swings upward, and is displaced to the unlock position.

[0075] <Shutter and mounting parts> 5 to 7, the conveying unit 4 has two sets of shutters 60 and mounting members 70. The first set of shutters 60 and mounting members 70 are provided in front of the feed roller 41 and holder 50. The second set of shutters 60 and mounting members 70 are provided behind the feed roller 41 and holder 50.

[0076] Each shutter 60 and each mounting member 70 is made of resin. In this embodiment, each shutter 60 and each mounting member 70 is manufactured by injection molding of thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, the shutter 60 is used in the first and second sets with the same parts in the same orientation.

[0078] The same mounting members 70 are used in the first and second sets, but the orientation of the mounting members 70 in the second set is opposite in the front-to-rear direction to the orientation of the mounting members 70 in the first set.

[0079] 6, the front shutter 60 is supported by the front mounting member 70 and the ribs 20A1 and 20A2 of the top cover 20, and can swing about the swing axis X60. The rear shutter 60 is supported by the rear mounting member 70 and the ribs 20B1 and 20B2 of the top cover 20, and can swing about the swing axis X60.

[0080] The specific structure in which each shutter 60 is supported by each mounting member 70 and the ribs 20A1, 20A2, 20B1, and 20B2 will be described in detail later.

[0081] 8 and 9, the pivot axis X60 is located almost directly above the left end of the sheet loading section 36A and extends in the front-to-rear direction. Although not shown, the pivot axis X60 is located above the uppermost sheet SH when the maximum number of sheets SH is loaded on the sheet loading section 36A.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, each shutter 60 integrally includes a shaft-supported portion 67, a shutter body 61, and a lock receiving portion 68.

[0083] The supported portion 67 has a generally block shape. The first through hole 67H is formed to penetrate the first through hole 67H in the front-rear direction. The first through hole 67H is a circular hole centered on the oscillation axis X60. The front and rear ends of the first through hole 67H are countersunk.

[0084] The shutter body 61 is connected to a portion of the underside of the supported portion 67 that is located to the left of the first through-hole 67H and protrudes downward. The shutter body 61 has an abutment surface 61A. The abutment surface 61A is a surface of the shutter body 61 that faces rightward and extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The abutment surface 61A extends to the lower end of the shutter body 61.

[0085] The lock receiving portion 68 is connected to a portion of the upper surface of the supported portion 67 that is positioned to the left of the first through-hole 67H, and protrudes upward by a short distance.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 3, two recesses 36D are formed downward in a portion of the upper chute member 36 adjacent to the left end of the sheet placement portion 36A from the right side.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 8, the shutter body 61 of each shutter 60 protrudes downward, with its lower end inserted into each recess 36D.

[0088] As indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9, the shutter body 61 of each shutter 60 swings so that its lower end moves leftward, thereby separating its lower end upward from each recess 36D and guide surface 36G.

[0089] As shown in Figure 8, when the holder 50 has raised the feed roller 41 to the upper limit position, each regulating piece 56 in the locked position has its tip abutting against the lock receiving portion 68, regulating the swinging of each shutter 60.

[0090] In this state, when the user inserts a sheet SH between the upper cover 20 and the sheet placement section 36A and causes the sheet SH to be supported by the supply tray 95, the leading edge of the sheet SH is stopped by the contact surfaces 61A of the shutters 60. At this time, the feed roller 41, which is at the upper limit position, is positioned above the inserted sheet SH.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 9, when the holder 50 lowers the feed roller 41 from the upper limit position, each regulating piece 56 swings to the unlock position, moving its tip away from the lock receiving portion 68 to allow each shutter 60 to swing.

[0092] In this state, when the feed roller 41 transports a sheet SH from the supply tray 95 and the sheet loading section 36A, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 9, each shutter 60 swings as the contact surface 61A is pressed by the sheet SH, allowing the sheet SH to pass through.

[0093] <Image reading operation of documents supported on the supply tray> When the image reading unit 3 reads an image on the sheet SH supported on the supply tray 95 and the sheet placement unit 36A, a control unit (not shown) rotates the drive source M1 in the forward direction to operate the conveying unit 4.

[0094] The conveying unit 4 rotates the feeding roller 41 and the separation roller 42 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2, rotates the conveying roller 43 and the discharge roller 45 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2, and rotates the auxiliary discharge roller 47 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2.

[0095] As a result, as shown in Figure 9, the holder 50 swings to lower the feed roller 41, pressing the feed roller 41 against the top sheet SH placed on the sheet placement section 36A, and allowing each shutter 60 to swing.

[0096] 2, the feeding roller 41 feeds the sheets SH from the supply tray 95 and the sheet placement section 36A to the first conveying guide 31. If there are multiple sheets SH being conveyed by the feeding roller 41, the separation roller 42 and the separation pad 42A separate the sheets SH one by one and convey them toward the conveying roller 43 and the conveying pinch roller 43P.

[0097] The conveying roller 43 and the conveying pinch roller 43P convey the sheet SH guided by the first conveying guide 31 and the second conveying guide 32, pass the reading surface 3B, and send it to the third conveying guide 33. As a result, the reading sensor 3S reads the image on the surface of the sheet SH passing by the reading surface 3B.

[0098] Thereafter, the discharge roller 45 and the discharge pinch roller 45P transport the sheet SH guided by the third transport guide 33 toward the auxiliary discharge roller 47 and the elastic piece 48. The auxiliary discharge roller 47 and the elastic piece 48 discharge the sheet SH onto the discharge tray 96 while deforming it into a wave shape.

[0099] At this time, the auxiliary discharge roller 47 and the elastic piece 48 discharge the sheet SH onto the discharge tray 96 from a position higher than the nip position between the discharge roller 45 and the discharge pinch roller 45P.

[0100] When the image reading operation on the sheet SH is completed, the control unit (not shown) reversely rotates the drive source M1 for a short time. As a result, the holder 50 swings to raise the feed roller 41 to the upper limit position, as shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore, each of the restricting pieces 56 swings to the lock position, and its tip abuts against the lock receiving portion 68, thereby restricting the swinging of each of the shutters 60.

[0101] <Second through-hole, first recess, and second protrusion of top cover> 7, the rib 20A1 has a second through-hole 27H1 in the top cover 20. The rib 20A2 has a second through-hole 27H2, a first recess 26, and a second protrusion .

[0102] The second through hole 27H1 is a circular hole that passes through the rib 20A1 and is centered on the oscillation axis X60. The second through hole 27H2 is a circular hole that passes through the rib 20A2 and is centered on the oscillation axis X60. The diameters of the second through holes 27H1 and 27H2 are set to be slightly smaller than the diameter BD1 of the first through hole 67H shown in FIG.

[0103] 7, the first recess 26 is recessed from the inner circumferential surface of the second through hole 27H2 in the radially outward direction of the oscillation axis X60. The first recess 26 is recessed upward from the inner circumferential surface of the second through hole 27H2 in a substantially rectangular shape.

[0104] The second protrusion 28 protrudes forward from the rib 20A2 at a position spaced apart from the second through-hole 27H2 in the radially outward direction of the oscillation axis X60. The second protrusion 28 is a small-diameter cylinder that protrudes forward a short distance from the second through-hole 27H2 upward.

[0105] The rib 20B1 has a second through-hole 27H1. The rib 20B2 has a second through-hole 27H2, a first recess 26, and a second protrusion 28 (not shown).

[0106] The second through holes 27H1, 27H2, first recesses 26 and second protrusions 28 of the ribs 20B1, 20B2 have the same configuration as the second through holes 27H1, 27H2, first recesses 26 and second protrusions 28 of the ribs 20A1, 20A2, but on the other hand, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] The first recesses 26 formed in the ribs 20A2 and 20B2 constitute a part of the first restricting means 11, which will be described later.

[0108] The second protrusions 28 formed on the ribs 20A2 and 20B2 constitute a part of the second restriction means 12, which will be described later.

[0109] <Supported part of the shutter> As shown in FIG. 10, side end ribs 62A and 62B and a central rib 62C are formed on the surface of the shutter 60 opposite to the contact surface 61A.

[0110] The side end rib 62A protrudes to the left from the front side end of the shutter 60 and extends vertically from the top end to the bottom end of the shutter 60. The side end rib 62B protrudes to the left from the rear side end of the shutter 60 and extends vertically from the top end to the bottom end of the shutter 60.

[0111] The central rib 62C protrudes leftward from a position between the side end ribs 62A and 62B and below the supported portion 67, and extends in the vertical direction.

[0112] The shutter 60 has a supported portion 62. The supported portion 62 has three supported protrusions 62T, three supported surfaces 62U, and three supported surfaces 62D.

[0113] Each supported projection 62T projects leftward from the left end of the side end ribs 62A, 62B and the central rib 62C at a position lower than the supported portion 67.

[0114] Each supported surface 62U is a surface that faces leftward and is adjacent to each supported protrusion 62T at the left end of the side end ribs 62A, 62B and the central rib 62C from above. Each supported surface 62D is a surface facing leftward and adjacent to each protrusion 62T at the left end of the side end ribs 62A, 62B and the central rib 62C from below.

[0115] That is, the supported portion 62 is formed on the surface of the shutter 60 opposite to the contact surface 61A.

[0116] <Temporary holding part of the top cover> As shown in FIG. 7, the top cover 20 has temporary holding portions 25A1, 25A2, 25B1, and 25B2.

[0117] The temporary holding portion 25A1 is a rib that protrudes downward from the rear surface of the top cover 20 at a position spaced to the left of the front unlocking rib 29, extends in the front-rear direction, and connects to the ribs 20A1 and 20A2. The lower end of the temporary holding portion 25A1 is located above the lower edges of the ribs 20A1 and 20A2.

[0118] The temporary holding portion 25A2 is a rib that protrudes downward from the rear surface of the top cover 20 at a position spaced to the left of the temporary holding portion 25A1, extends in the front-rear direction, and connects to the rib 20A2. The rear end of the temporary holding portion 25A2 is spaced forward from the rib 20A1. The lower end of the temporary holding portion 25A1 is located above the lower edges of the ribs 20A1 and 20A2.

[0119] The temporary holding portion 25B1 is a rib that protrudes downward from the rear surface of the top cover 20 at a position spaced to the left of the rear unlocking rib 29, extends in the front-to-rear direction, and connects to the ribs 20B1 and 20B2. The lower end of the temporary holding portion 25B1 is located above the lower edges of the ribs 20B1 and 20B2.

[0120] The temporary holding portion 25B2 is a rib that protrudes downward from the rear surface of the top cover 20 at a position separated to the left of the temporary holding portion 25B1, extends in the front-rear direction, and connects to the ribs 20A1 and 20A2. The lower end of the temporary holding portion 25B1 is located above the lower edges of the ribs 20B1 and 20B2.

[0121] As shown in Figure 11, the temporary holding portions 25A1 and 25A2 abut against the supported portions 62 of the first set of shutters 60 from below when the top cover 20 is temporarily placed upside down from when it is in the closed position shown by the solid lines in Figure 2.

[0122] At this time, with each supported protrusion 62T inserted between temporary holding portions 25A1 and 25A2, temporary holding portion 25A1 abuts against each supported surface 62U from below, and temporary holding portion 25A2 abuts against each supported surface 62D from below. However, because the rear end of temporary holding portion 25A2 is spaced forward from rib 20A1, it does not abut against supported surface 62D of side end rib 62B.

[0123] As a result, the temporary holding portions 25A1 and 25A2 hold the first set of shutters 60 so that the first through holes 67H are aligned with the pivot axis X60.

[0124] Although not shown in the figures, the temporary holding portions 25B1 and 25B2, like the temporary holding portions 25A1 and 25A2, abut against the supported portions 62 of the second set of shutters 60 from below when the top cover 20 is temporarily placed upside down relative to the state in which it is in the closed position shown by the solid line in Figure 2.

[0125] At this time, with each supported protrusion 62T inserted between temporary holding portion 25B1 and temporary holding portion 25B2, temporary holding portion 25B1 abuts against each supported surface 62U from below, and temporary holding portion 25B2 abuts against each supported surface 62D from below.

[0126] As a result, the temporary holding portions 25B1 and 25B2 hold the second set of shutters 60 so that the first through holes 67H are aligned with the pivot axis X60.

[0127] <Mounting material details> In the following description, the first set of mounting members 70 shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 will be described in detail, and the description of the second set of mounting members 70, which are oriented in the opposite direction to the first set of mounting members 70, will be omitted as appropriate.

[0128] The attachment member 70 integrally includes a shaft portion 71, a first protrusion 76, an arm 73, two inclined portions 74, a second recess 72, and two gripping portions 75.

[0129] The shaft portion 71 is a substantially cylindrical column extending in the front-rear direction around the oscillation axis X60. In this embodiment, the shaft portion 71 has an oval cross section in which the opposing portions of the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, with the oscillation axis X60 positioned therebetween, are changed to flat surfaces.

[0130] End 71E of shaft 71 is the base end of shaft 71 that connects to arm 73. As shown in Fig. 7, in the first set of mounting members 70, shaft 71 extends rearward from end 71E to the tip. In the second set of mounting members 70, shaft 71 extends forward from end 71E to the tip.

[0131] The first protrusion 76 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 71 in the direction of the oscillation axis X60 at a position close to the end 71E of the shaft 71. As shown in Fig. 12, the first protrusion 76 protrudes in a substantially rectangular shape and is large enough to pass through the first recess 26.

[0132] 7, first restricting means 11 are provided between the top cover 20 and the first set of mounting members 70. The first restricting means 11 has a set of a first protrusion 76 and a first recess 26. A similar first restricting means 11 is also provided between the top cover 20 and the second set of mounting members 70.

[0133] 10, the shaft portion 71 has a first insertion portion 71F and second insertion portions 71G1 and 71G2. The first insertion portion 71F is an example of the "insertion portion" of the present invention.

[0134] The first insertion portion 71F is a portion that is inserted into the first through-hole 67H of the shaft portion 71. The second insertion portion 71G1 is a portion that is inserted into the second through-hole 27H1 of the shaft portion 71, and includes the tip of the shaft portion 71. The second insertion portion 71G2 is a portion that is inserted into the second through-hole 27H2 of the shaft portion 71, and includes the end portion 71E of the shaft portion 71.

[0135] The first insertion portion 71F has a central portion 71C and first portions 71A, 71A. The central portion 71C is located in the center of the first insertion portion 71F in the front-to-rear direction. The first portions 71A, 71A sandwich the central portion 71C in the front-to-rear direction.

[0136] The shaft diameter of the first portions 71A and 71A and the shaft diameter of the second insertion portions 71G1 and 71G2 are the same, SD1, which is set to be slightly smaller than the diameters of the second through holes 27H1 and 27H2 and smaller than the diameter BD1 of the first through hole 67H.

[0137] The central portion 71C has a smaller diameter than the first portions 71A, 71A and the second insertion portions 71G1, 71G2.

[0138] The arm 73 is a generally plate-shaped piece that extends from the end 71E of the shaft portion 71 in the radially outward direction of the oscillation axis X60.

[0139] Each inclined portion 74 is formed on the tip side of the arm 73. Each inclined portion 74 is an inclined surface facing in the same direction as the direction in which the shaft portion 71 protrudes from the arm 73. One inclined portion 74 and the other inclined portion 74 are inclined so as to be offset in the direction opposite to the direction in which the shaft portion 71 protrudes from the arm 73 as they extend away from each other in the circumferential direction of the oscillation axis X60.

[0140] The second recess 72 is a notch formed on the tip side of the arm 73. The second recess 72 is located between one inclined portion 74 and the other inclined portion 74, and is recessed radially inward from the tip of the arm 73 about the oscillation axis X60. As shown in FIG. 13 , the second recess 72 has a size that allows it to fit into the second protrusion 28.

[0141] 7 and 10, each gripping portion 75 is formed on the tip side of the arm 73. One gripping portion 75 is connected to an end portion of one inclined portion 74 that is spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the oscillation axis X60 from the second recessed portion 72. The other gripping portion 75 is connected to an end portion of the other inclined portion 74 that is spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the oscillation axis X60 from the second recessed portion 72. Each gripping portion 75 protrudes in a direction opposite to the direction in which the shaft portion 71 protrudes from the arm 73.

[0142] 7, second restricting means 12 is provided between the top cover 20 and the first set of mounting members 70. The second restricting means 12 has a second protrusion 28, an arm 73, two inclined portions 74, a second recess 72, and two gripping portions 75. A similar second restricting means 12 is also provided between the top cover 20 and the second set of mounting members 70.

[0143] <Assembly of mounting components> 11, with the top cover 20 temporarily placed upside down relative to the state in which it is in the closed position, and with the first through-holes 67H of the first set of shutters 60 held by the temporary holders 25A1 and 25A2 aligned with the swing axis X60, the assembling operation of the first set of mounting members 70 is carried out as follows: The assembling operation of the second set of mounting members 70 is similar, and therefore will not be described here.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 12, the worker grips each gripping portion 75 of the mounting member 70 so that the arms 73 protrude from the side opposite the rear surface of the top cover 20.

[0145] Next, the worker brings the mounting member 70 closer to the rear surface of the top cover 20 at a position forward of the rib 20A2, and aligns the shaft portion 71 with the swing axis X60.

[0146] The worker then moves the mounting member 70 rearward. As a result, the second insertion portion 71G1 of the shaft portion 71 is inserted in the front-rear direction into the second through-hole 27H1 of the rib 20A1. The first insertion portion 71F of the shaft portion 71 is inserted in the front-rear direction into the first through-hole 67H of the shutter 60. The second insertion portion 71G2 of the shaft portion 71 is inserted in the front-rear direction into the second through-hole 27H2 of the rib 20A2.

[0147] At this time, the first protrusion 76 passes through the first recess 26 of the rib 20A2 and is positioned behind the rib 20A2. In Fig. 12, the position of the mounting member 70 when the first protrusion 76 has passed through the first recess 26 of the rib 20A2 is the first position.

[0148] When the mounting member 70 is in the first position, the first restricting means 11 allows the shaft portion 71 to come out of the first through hole 67H and the second through holes 27H1, 27H2 because the first convex portion 76 is in a position that allows it to pass through the first concave portion 26.

[0149] With the shaft 71 inserted into the first through-hole 67H and the second through-holes 27H1 and 27H2, the mounting member 70 is rotatable about the oscillation axis X60 between a first position and a second position shown in Fig. 13. The mounting member 70 rotates 180° between the first position and the second position.

[0150] The worker grips one of the gripping portions 75 and rotates the mounting member 70 clockwise on the paper from the first position shown in FIG. 12 to the second position shown in FIG.

[0151] At this time, the first protrusion 76 moves to a position where it cannot pass through the first recess 26. As a result, when the mounting member 70 is in the second position, the first restricting means 11 restricts the shaft 71 from coming out of the first through-hole 67H and the second through-holes 27H1 and 27H2.

[0152] At this time, one of the inclined portions 74 rides up onto the second protrusion 28 when the mounting member 70 rotates from the first position to the second position, elastically deforming the arm 73, and when the mounting member 70 reaches the second position, it moves away from the second protrusion 28, returning the elastic deformation of the arm 73 to its original state. The second recess 72 fits into the second protrusion 28 when the mounting member 70 reaches the second position.

[0153] In other words, the second regulating means 12 elastically deforms when the mounting member 70 rotates from the first position toward the second position, and returns to its original elastic deformation when the mounting member 70 reaches the second position, thereby regulating the rotation of the shaft portion 71 in the second position around the oscillation axis X60.

[0154] This completes the assembly operation of the mounting member 70. The shaft 71 is inserted into the first through-hole 67H and the second through-holes 27H1 and 27H2, the mounting member 70 is immovably attached to the top cover 20, and the shutter 60 is supported by the shaft 71 and can swing around the swing axis X60.

[0155] The removal operation of the mounting member 70 is performed by performing the reverse operation of the assembly operation.

[0156] <Action and effect> 12 and 13, in the image reading device 1 of the embodiment, the shaft portion 71 of the mounting member 70 is inserted in the front-rear direction into the first through-hole 67H and the second through-holes 27H1 and 27H2, the mounting member 70 is immovably attached to the top cover 20, and the shutter 60 is swingably supported by the top cover 20. As a result, in this image reading device 1, it is not necessary for the top cover 20 to have a stacked structure like the open / close cover of the conventional sheet conveying device.

[0157] Therefore, the image reading device 1 of the embodiment can be prevented from increasing in size in the vertical direction.

[0158] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, when an excessive force acts on the shutter 60, the mounting member 70 is likely to be damaged before the shutter 60 and the top cover 20 are damaged, so maintenance work can be easily performed by replacing the mounting member 70.

[0159] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, the mounting member 70 is rotatable about the pivot axis X60 between a first position shown in FIG. 12 and a second position shown in FIG. 13 with the shaft 71 inserted into the first through-hole 67H and the second through-holes 27H1 and 27H2. A first restricting means 11 is provided between the top cover 20 and the mounting member 70. When the mounting member 70 is in the first position, the first restricting means 11 allows the shaft 71 to come out of the first through-hole 67H and the second through-holes 27H1 and 27H2. On the other hand, when the mounting member 70 is in the second position, the first restricting means 11 restricts the shaft 71 from coming out of the first through-hole 67H and the second through-holes 27H1 and 27H2. This configuration allows the first restricting means 11 to easily prevent the mounting member 70 from coming out during the mounting operation.

[0160] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, the first restricting means 11 has a first convex portion 76 formed on the mounting member 70 and a first concave portion 26 formed on the top cover 20. With this configuration, when the mounting member 70 is attached, the first restricting means 11 with a simple configuration can more easily prevent the mounting member 70 from coming off.

[0161] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, the first restricting means 11 has one set of a first protrusion 76 and a first recess 26. The mounting member 70 rotates 180° between the first position and the second position. This configuration allows the user to easily distinguish between the first position and the second position of the mounting member 70, compared to a case in which the first restricting means 11 has multiple sets of a first protrusion 76 and a first recess 26, thereby simplifying the mounting operation of the mounting member 70.

[0162] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, a second restricting means 12 is provided between the top cover 20 and the mounting member 70. The second restricting means 12 elastically deforms when the mounting member 70 rotates from the first position toward the second position, and returns to its original elastic deformation when the mounting member 70 reaches the second position, thereby restricting the shaft portion 71, which is in the second position, from rotating about the swing axis X60. With this configuration, the second restricting means 12 can easily prevent the mounting member 70 from rotating when the mounting member 70 is being attached.

[0163] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, the second restricting means 12 has a second convex portion 28 formed on the top cover 20, and an arm 73, two inclined portions 74, a second recessed portion 72, and two gripping portions 75 formed on the mounting member 70. With this configuration, when mounting the mounting member 70, simply by gripping the gripping portion 75 and rotating the mounting member 70 from the first position to the second position, the inclined portion 74, arm 73, second convex portion 28, and second recessed portion 72 act, making it even easier to prevent the mounting member 70 from rotating.

[0164] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, as shown in FIG. 10 , the first insertion portion 71F of the shaft 71 has a central portion 71C and first portions 71A, 71A. The central portion 71C has a smaller diameter than the first portions 71A, 71A. This configuration facilitates improved sliding of the shutter 60 compared to a case in which the entire first insertion portion 71F is in sliding contact with the inner surface of the first through hole 67H. Furthermore, a mold for injection molding the shutter 60 may have a cylindrical slide core inserted rearward into the first through hole 67H from the front end of the first through hole 67H, and another cylindrical slide core inserted forward into the first through hole 67H from the rear end of the first through hole 67H. In this case, there is a risk of minute burrs occurring in the center of the inner surface of the first through hole 67H in the front-to-rear direction due to the abutment of the tip surfaces of the slide cores. In this regard, the central portion 71C of the shaft portion 71 has a smaller diameter than the first portions 71A, 71A, so that the central portion 71C is less likely to come into sliding contact with the burrs.

[0165] In this image reading device 1, as shown in Fig. 10, the shutter 60 has a supported portion 62. As shown in Fig. 7, the top cover 20 has temporary holders 25A1, 25A2, 25B1, and 25B2. With this configuration, as shown in Fig. 11, when attaching the attachment members 70, the shafts 71 of the first attachment members 70 can be easily inserted into the first through-holes 67H of the first set of shutters 60 held by the temporary holders 25A1 and 25A2 of the top cover 20 that is temporarily placed upside down. Although not shown, the shafts 71 of the second attachment members 70 can be easily inserted into the first through-holes 67H of the second set of shutters 60 held by the temporary holders 25B1 and 25B2 of the top cover 20 that is temporarily placed upside down.

[0166] Furthermore, in this image reading device 1, as shown in Fig. 7, the first and second sets of shutters 60 use the same parts in the same orientation. The first and second sets of mounting members 70 use the same parts, but the orientation of the mounting members 70 in the second set is opposite in the front-to-back direction to the orientation of the mounting members 70 in the first set. This configuration reduces the number of parts for the two sets of shutters 60 and mounting members 70, thereby realizing lower manufacturing costs. Furthermore, because the mounting members 70 of each set are oriented in the opposite front-to-back direction, it is easy to position each set of shutters 60 close to the feed roller 41 in the front-to-back direction.

[0167] Furthermore, by providing the holder 50 and the restricting piece 56, the image reading device 1 can easily switch between restricting and allowing the swing of the shutter 60.

[0168] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0169] In the embodiment, the sheet conveying device of the present invention is embodied as an image reading device 1 having an image reading function and an image forming function, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the configuration of the present invention may be applied to an image reading device having only an image reading function, or to an image forming device having only an image forming function.

[0170] In the embodiment, the first through-hole 67H is a round hole, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first through-hole may have a portion cut out. The same applies to the second through-hole.

[0171] In the embodiment, the first restricting means 11 has one set of the first protrusion 76 and the first recess 26, and the mounting member 70 rotates 180° between the first position and the second position, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first restricting means 11 according to the embodiment may be modified so that it rotates an angle smaller than 180° between the first position and the second position. Furthermore, the first restricting means may have multiple sets of the first protrusion and the first recess, and the mounting member may rotate an angle of 90° or less between the first position and the second position.

[0172] In the embodiment, the first restricting means 11 has a first protrusion 76 formed on the mounting member 70 and a first recess 26 formed on the top cover 20, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the first protrusion 76 and first recess 26 according to the embodiment are eliminated, and a retaining rib that abuts against the arm 73 to prevent it from coming off when the mounting member 70 is in the second position is formed on the top cover 20, and the arm 73 and the retaining rib serve as the first restricting means.

[0173] In the embodiment, the arm 73 of the second restriction means 12 elastically deforms, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the second restriction means has an engagement piece formed on the cover, and the engagement piece elastically deforms as the mounting member rotates from the first position to the second position, and the engagement piece returns to its original elastic deformation when the mounting member reaches the second position, thereby restricting the shaft portion at the second position from rotating about the oscillation axis.

[0174] In the embodiment, the restricting piece 56 is supported by the holder 50 so as to be able to swing, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the restricting piece may be supported by the holder so as to be able to move linearly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0175] 1...sheet conveying device (image reading device), SH...sheet 95...supply tray, 41...feed roller 20...Cover (top cover), X60...Oscillating axis 60... shutter, 61A... contact surface 71...shaft portion, 70...mounting member 67H...1st through hole, 27H1, 27H2...2nd through hole 11...first restricting means, 76...first convex portion, 26...first concave portion 12... second restricting means, 28... second protrusion, 73... arm 74...inclined portion, 72...second recess, 75...gripping portion 71E... end of shaft portion, 71F... insertion portion of shaft portion (first insertion portion) 71C: Central portion of the shaft, 71A: First portion of the shaft 25A1, 25A2, 25B1, 25B2...Temporary holding section 62...supported part, 50...holder, 56...regulating piece

Claims

1. a supply tray for supporting the sheets; a feeding roller for conveying the sheet supported on the feeding tray; a cover for covering the feeding roller; a shutter supported by the cover so as to be swingable about a swing axis extending in the width direction of the supply tray, the shutter having a contact surface that abuts against and stops a leading edge of a sheet supported on the supply tray, the shutter swinging when the contact surface is pressed by a sheet conveyed by the feed roller to allow the sheet to pass; A sheet conveying device comprising: a mounting member having a shaft portion extending in the width direction, the shutter has a first through-hole into which the shaft portion is inserted in the width direction, the cover has a second through-hole into which the shaft portion is inserted in the width direction, A sheet conveying device characterized in that the shaft portion is inserted into the first through hole and the second through hole, the mounting member is immovably attached to the cover, and the shutter is supported by the shaft portion and can swing around the swing axis.

2. the mounting member is rotatable about the pivot axis between a first position and a second position in a state in which the shaft portion is inserted into the first through hole and the second through hole, A sheet conveying device as described in claim 1, wherein a first regulating means is provided between the cover and the mounting member, which allows the shaft portion to come out of the second through hole when the mounting member is in the first position, while regulating the shaft portion from coming out of the second through hole when the mounting member is in the second position.

3. The first restricting means includes a first protrusion formed on the mounting member and protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion in a radially outward direction of the oscillation axis; 3. A sheet conveying device as described in claim 2, further comprising: a first recess formed in the cover and recessed radially outward from the inner surface of the second through hole, the first recess allowing the first protrusion to pass through when the shaft portion moves in the width direction.

4. the first restricting means has a pair of the first protrusion and the first recess, 4. The sheet transport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the mounting member rotates 180 degrees between the first position and the second position.

5. A sheet conveying device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a second regulating means is provided between the cover and the mounting member, which elastically deforms when the mounting member rotates from the first position toward the second position, and returns to its original elastic deformation when the mounting member reaches the second position, thereby regulating the rotation of the shaft portion at the second position around the pivot axis.

6. the second restricting means includes a second protrusion formed on the cover and protruding in the width direction at a position radially outwardly spaced from the second through hole relative to the pivot axis; an arm formed on the mounting member and extending radially outward from an end of the shaft portion; an inclined portion formed on the tip end side of the arm, which rides on the second convex portion and elastically deforms the arm when the attachment member rotates from the first position toward the second position, and which moves away from the second convex portion and returns the elastic deformation of the arm when the attachment member reaches the second position; a second recess formed on the tip end side of the arm and adapted to fit into the second protrusion when the attachment member reaches the second position; 6. The sheet conveying device according to claim 5, further comprising a gripping portion formed on the tip end of the arm and projecting in the width direction.

7. an insertion portion of the shaft portion that is inserted into the first through hole has a central portion that is located at the center of the insertion portion in the width direction, and first portions that sandwich the central portion in the width direction; 5. The sheet transport device according to claim 1, wherein the central portion has a smaller diameter than the first portion.

8. the shutter has a supported portion formed on a surface opposite to the contact surface, The sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover has a temporary holding portion that abuts against the supported portion from below when the cover is temporarily placed upside down, and holds the shutter so that the first through hole is aligned with the swing axis.

9. the first set of the shutter and the attachment member is provided on one side of the feed roller in the width direction, a second set of the shutter and the attachment member is provided on the other side of the feed roller in the width direction; The shutters are the same parts used in the first set and the second set in the same orientation, 5. A sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the same mounting members are used in the first and second groups, but the orientation of the mounting members in the second group is opposite to the orientation of the mounting members in the first group in the width direction.

10. a holder that rotatably supports the feed roller and moves the feed roller up and down; a regulating piece displaceably supported by the holder, the regulating piece being in a locked position that regulates the swing of the shutter when the holder raises the feed roller, and displacing to an unlocked position that allows the swing of the shutter when the holder lowers the feed roller; 5. The sheet transport device according to claim 1, further comprising:

Images