Image reading device

Abstract

To solve a problem in a sheet feed type scanner that, when it is miniaturized, a size of a sub supply tray becomes smaller so that it is hard to appropriately support a manuscript to be transported.SOLUTION: An image reading device includes: a device body having a reading unit for reading an image of a manuscript to be transported; a manuscript supporting unit which is positioned upstream of the reading unit, and supports the manuscript to be transported; and a deployment supporting unit which can be housed and deployed to / from the manuscript supporting unit, and supports the manuscript to be fed together with the manuscript supporting unit by being deployed from the manuscript supporting unit. The deployment supporting unit includes: a first deployment unit which can perform storage and deployment, by rotating to the manuscript supporting unit, and extends in a width direction being a direction crossing the manuscript feed direction in a state stored in the manuscript supporting unit; and a second deployment unit which can perform storage and deployment to the first deployment unit, and extends in the width direction in a stored state of the deployment supporting unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for reading an image of a document.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of an image reading apparatus, there is a sheet feed type scanner. Hereinafter, when simply referred to as a scanner, it refers to a sheet feed type scanner. Some scanners include a supply tray for supporting a sheet fed as shown in Patent Document 1. From the supply tray, a sub-supply tray is configured to be pullable upward.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, in a sheet feed type scanner, for example, in order to be installable even on a narrow desk, significant miniaturization may be required. In this case, the size in the feeding direction of the above-described sub-supply tray becomes small with the significant miniaturization of the entire apparatus, and the document to be fed cannot be properly supported.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the image reading apparatus of the present invention includes an apparatus main body having a reading unit that reads an image of a document being conveyed, a document support unit that is located upstream of the reading unit and supports the document to be fed, and a deployment support unit that can be stored and deployed with respect to the document support unit and supports the document that is fed together with the document support unit when deployed from the document support unit. The deployment support unit is a deployment unit that can be deployed and stored by rotating with respect to the document support unit, and includes a first deployment unit that extends along the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the document feeding direction, in a state of being stored in the document support unit, and a second deployment unit that can be stored and deployed with respect to the first deployment unit and extends along the width direction in a stored state of the deployment support unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the present invention will be schematically described. The image reading apparatus according to the first aspect includes an apparatus main body having a reading unit that reads an image of a document being conveyed, a document support unit that is located upstream of the reading unit and supports the document being fed, and a deployment support unit that can be housed and deployed with respect to the document support unit and supports the document being fed together with the document support unit when deployed from the document support unit. The deployment support unit is a deployment part that can be deployed and housed by rotating with respect to the document support unit, and includes a first deployment part that extends along the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the document feeding direction, in a state of being housed in the document support unit, and a second deployment part that can be housed and deployed with respect to the first deployment part and extends along the width direction in a housed state of the deployment support unit.

[0008] According to this aspect, the deployment support part is a deployment part that can be deployed and stored by rotating with respect to the original document support part, and includes a first deployment part and a second deployment part that extend along the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the original document feeding direction, in a state of being stored in the original document support part. Therefore, even when the dimension in the original document feeding direction cannot be ensured, by utilizing the dimension in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the original document feeding direction, the size of the first deployment part and the second deployment part in the original document feeding direction when deployed can be ensured. As a result, while miniaturizing the device, the original document can be appropriately supported.

[0009] A second aspect is, in the first aspect, that the deployment support part is a deployment part that can be stored and deployed with respect to the second deployment part, and is characterized by including a third deployment part that extends along the width direction in a stored state of the deployment support part. According to this aspect, since the deployment support part includes a third deployment part that can be stored and deployed with respect to the second deployment part, the size of the deployment support part in the original document feeding direction can be further ensured.

[0010] A third aspect is, in the second aspect, that the second deployment part can be deployed and stored with respect to the first deployment part by rotating with respect to the first deployment part, and the third deployment part can be deployed and stored with respect to the second deployment part by rotating with respect to the second deployment part.

[0011] For example, in a configuration where the second deployment part is deployed and stored with respect to the first deployment part by sliding with respect to the first deployment part, since the first deployment part needs to hold the second deployment part slidably, the width of the first deployment part becomes wider than that of the second deployment part. In other words, the width of the second deployment part becomes narrower than the width of the first deployment part. Since the relationship between the third deployment part and the second deployment part is the same, when both the second deployment part and the third deployment part are of the sliding type, the width of the deployment support part becomes narrower from the base end toward the free end, and the area for supporting the original document decreases, which is not preferable. However, according to the present aspect, in addition to the first deployment part, the second deployment part and the third deployment part also rotate for storage and deployment. Therefore, the widths of the second deployment part and the third deployment part can be ensured, and the document can be properly supported.

[0012] A fourth aspect is that, in the third aspect, two deployment support parts are provided so as to sandwich the central position of the document support part in the width direction. When viewing the document support part from the front, the deployment support part on the right side of the central position is defined as the right deployment support part, and the deployment support part on the left side of the central position is defined as the left deployment support part. The right deployment support part extends obliquely upward to the right in the upstream direction of the document feeding direction in the deployed state, and the left deployment support part extends obliquely upward to the left in the upstream direction of the document feeding direction in the deployed state.

[0013] According to the present aspect, since the right deployment support part extends obliquely upward to the right in the upstream direction of the document feeding direction, and the left deployment support part extends obliquely upward to the left in the upstream direction of the document feeding direction, the document can be supported over a wide range along the width direction in the upstream of the document feeding direction.

[0014] A fifth aspect is that, in the fourth aspect, in a semi-deployed state where the first deployment part is deployed and the second deployment part and the third deployment part are stored in the right deployment support part and the left deployment support part, the free end of the third deployment part is exposed. In the left deployment support part, when the free end of the third deployment part is displaced in a first direction which is a direction away from the right deployment support part in the semi-deployed state, the second deployment part and the third deployment part are deployed in a region in the first direction with respect to the rotation center of the second deployment part. In the right deployment support part, when the free end of the third deployment part is displaced in a second direction which is a direction away from the left deployment support part in the semi-deployed state, the second deployment part and the third deployment part are deployed in a region in the second direction with respect to the rotation center of the second deployment part.

[0015] According to this aspect, in the left unfolding support portion, when the free end of the third unfolding portion is displaced in a first direction, which is a direction away from the right unfolding support portion, in the semi-unfolded state, the second unfolding portion and the third unfolding portion unfold in a region in the first direction with respect to the rotation center of the second unfolding portion. Therefore, when unfolding the left unfolding support portion, the right unfolding support portion is less likely to get in the way, and the operability is improved. The same applies to the right unfolding support portion. As a result, in one of the left unfolding support portion and the right unfolding support portion, the other is less likely to interfere with the operation, and the operability is improved.

[0016] A sixth aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the right unfolding support portion and the left unfolding support portion are capable of switching between a first state in which they linearly extend in a direction intersecting the document feeding direction and a second state in which they linearly extend along the document feeding direction by the rotation of the first unfolding portion with respect to the document support portion.

[0017] According to this aspect, the right unfolding support portion and the left unfolding support portion are capable of switching between a first state in which they linearly extend in a direction intersecting the document feeding direction and a second state in which they linearly extend along the document feeding direction by the rotation of the first unfolding portion with respect to the document support portion. Therefore, by setting it to the second state, a document with a small dimension in the width direction can be appropriately supported.

[0018] A seventh aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the document support portion is rotatably provided with respect to the apparatus main body and can be switched between a state of being housed in the apparatus main body and a state of being able to support a document by rotation.

[0019] According to this aspect, the document support portion is rotatably provided with respect to the apparatus main body and can be switched between a state of being housed in the apparatus main body and a state of being able to support a document by rotation. Therefore, the installation space of the apparatus when not in use can be saved.

[0020] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described. Hereinafter, as an example of an image reading apparatus, a scanner 1 capable of reading at least one of the first side and the opposite second side of a document will be taken as an example. The scanner 1 is a so-called sheet feed type scanner that reads a document while moving the document relative to a reading unit described later. In this specification, the document shall include not only sheet-like documents but also card-like documents and booklet-like documents.

[0021] In addition, in each figure, the X-Y-Z coordinate system shown has the X-axis direction being the width direction of the apparatus and also the width direction of the document. The Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the apparatus, and the Z-axis direction is the direction along the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the +Y direction is the direction from the back surface to the front surface of the apparatus, and the -Y direction is the direction from the front surface to the back surface of the apparatus. Also, when viewed from the front surface of the apparatus, the left direction is the +X direction, and the right direction is the -X direction. Also, hereinafter, the direction in which the document is conveyed may be referred to as "downstream", and the opposite direction may be referred to as "upstream".

[0022] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the scanner 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 and a main body support portion 6 that rotatably supports the apparatus main body 2. The apparatus main body 2 is configured to include a first unit 3, a second unit 4, and a third unit 5.

[0023] The second unit 4 and the third unit 5 are rotatably provided about a frame rotation axis 64a (see FIG. 3). The frame rotation axis 64a is a rotation axis having a rotation axis center parallel to the X-axis direction. The second unit 4 and the third unit 5 can rotate integrally with respect to the first unit 3 about the frame rotation axis 64a (see FIG. 4). By rotating the second unit 4 and the third unit 5 with respect to the first unit 3, a part of the document conveyance path can be exposed as shown in FIG. 4. In particular, a document feed path R1 and a reading conveyance path R2 described later can be exposed. The user can unlock the second unit 4 with respect to the first unit 3 and open the second unit 4 by sliding the lock release portion 8a in the -X direction.

[0024] Further, the third unit 5 can rotate about the frame rotation axis 64a with respect to the first unit 3 and the second unit 4 (see FIG. 3). By rotating the third unit 5 with respect to the first unit 3 and the second unit 4, a part of the document conveyance path can be exposed as shown in FIG. 3. In particular, the reverse conveyance path R3 described later can be exposed.

[0025] The apparatus main body 2 is rotatable about the main body rotation axis 6c (see FIGS. 5 and 6) with respect to the main body support portion 6, and in this embodiment, the apparatus main body 2 can hold two postures by rotating. The two postures of the apparatus main body 2 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and hereinafter, the posture in FIG. 5 is referred to as the normal reading posture, and the posture in FIG. 6 is referred to as the booklet reading posture. The normal reading posture is an example of the first posture of the apparatus main body 2, and the booklet reading posture is an example of the second posture of the apparatus main body 2.

[0026] The angle α1 shown in FIG. 5 and the angle α2 shown in FIG. 6 are respectively the angles formed by the reading conveyance path R2 described later and the mounting surface G of the apparatus. The angle α2 in the case of the booklet reading posture is smaller than the angle α1 in the case of the normal reading posture. In the normal reading posture, the projected area of the apparatus main body 2 on the mounting surface G on which the scanner 1 is mounted becomes the smallest, that is, the footprint of the apparatus main body 2 becomes the smallest. Note that the footprint in this specification is the occupied area of the apparatus main body 2 in the X-Y plane when the apparatus main body 2 is viewed from above. The normal reading posture is suitable for reading a sheet-like document, that is, a document with low rigidity and easy to bend. The booklet reading posture is suitable for reading a document with high rigidity and difficult to bend, such as a plastic card or a booklet.

[0027] Note that in this embodiment, the posture switching and posture holding of the apparatus main body 2 are performed by the power of a motor (not shown). However, the posture switching of the apparatus main body 2 may be configured to be performed by a user operation.

[0028] In FIG. 1, an operation unit 7 composed of a plurality of operation buttons including a power button is provided on the front surface of the device. Also, on the side surface in the +X direction among the side surfaces constituting the periphery of the device, as shown in FIG. 2, a first connection part 71, a second connection part 72, and a third connection part 73 are provided. The first connection part 71 is a connection part to which a USB Type-A plug (not shown) is connected. The second connection part 72 is a connection part to which a USB Type-C plug (not shown) is connected. The third connection part 73 is a connection part to which a power plug (not shown) for supplying power to the device main body 2 is connected. Note that USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus, and Type-A and Type-C are each one of a plurality of types defined in the USB standard.

[0029] An external device can be connected to the first connection part 71 via a USB cable (not shown), and a storage medium, for example, a USB memory (not shown) can also be connected. And the control part (not shown) of the scanner 1 can save read data to the storage medium connected to the first connection part 71. Also, an external device can be connected to the second connection part 72 via a USB cable (not shown). The first connection part 71, the second connection part 72, and the third connection part 73 are provided on a circuit board (not shown) located on the back side of the device. Note that in this embodiment, the device main body 2 is also configured to be able to receive power supply from an external device connected to the second connection part 72.

[0030] Next, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the configuration of the document conveyance path in the scanner 1 will be described. The document to be fed is supported in an inclined posture by the document support surface 11. The symbol P indicates the supported document. The document support surface 11 is a surface formed on the upper opening / closing portion 10 as a document support portion. When a plurality of documents are supported on the document support surface 11, the topmost document is sent downstream by the feed roller 14. The upper opening / closing portion 10 is rotatable about a rotation axis 10g (also refer to FIG. 7) with respect to the first unit 3, and opens and closes the feed port 13 by rotating. The rotation axis 10g is pivotally supported by a bearing portion (not shown) formed on the first frame 63. FIG. 1 shows the state where the upper opening / closing portion 10 is closed, and FIG. 2 shows the state where the upper opening / closing portion 10 is open. The upper opening / closing portion 10 constitutes the first unit 3.

[0031] In this way, the upper opening / closing portion 10 is provided rotatably with respect to the apparatus main body 2, and by rotating, it can switch between the state of being housed in the apparatus main body 2 and the state of being able to support a document. Therefore, the installation space of the apparatus when not in use can be saved.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of edge guides for guiding the side edges of the document are provided on the document support surface 11. The pair of edge guides is composed of a right edge guide 80 and a left edge guide 83. The right edge guide 80 and the left edge guide 83 are provided slidably in the document width direction (X-axis direction). The right edge guide 80 and the left edge guide 83 are provided so as to be interlocked by a rack and pinion mechanism (not shown) so as to be separated from each other or approach each other with the center position CL (refer to FIG. 7) in the document width direction in between. That is, the scanner 1 adopts a so-called center feed method.

[0033] Returning to FIGS. 5 and 6, the feed roller 14 is provided in the second unit 4. The feed roller 14 rotates by obtaining power from a conveyance motor (not shown). A separation roller 15 is provided at a position facing the feed roller 14 in the first unit 3. The separation roller 15 is given rotational torque by a torque limiter (not shown) to suppress double feeding of the document. The feeding roller 14 and the separating roller 15 are provided at the central position in the document width direction (see Fig. 4). Alternatively, a separating pad may be provided instead of the separating roller 15. In this embodiment, the feeding roller 14 is provided above the document placed on the document support surface 11 and is configured to feed from the topmost document. However, the feeding roller 14 may be provided below the document placed on the document support surface 11 and may be configured to feed from the lowermost document.

[0034] Downstream of the feeding roller 14 and the separating roller 15, a first pair of conveying rollers 16 is provided. The first pair of conveying rollers 16 is composed of a first lower roller 17 provided in the first unit 3 and a first upper roller 18 provided in the second unit 4. The first upper roller 18 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the first lower roller 17 and is pressed toward the first lower roller 17 by a pressing member (not shown), for example, a coil spring. Both the first lower roller 17 and the first upper roller 18 are rotated by obtaining power from a conveying motor (not shown) described later. Two first lower rollers 17 and two first upper rollers 18 are provided so as to sandwich the central position in the document width direction (see Fig. 4). When the second unit 4 is closed with respect to the first unit 3, the first lower roller 17 and the first upper roller 18 come into contact. When the second unit 4 is opened with respect to the first unit 3, the first upper roller 18 separates from the first lower roller 17.

[0035] Downstream of the first pair of conveying rollers 16, a first reading unit 32 and a second reading unit 33 are arranged opposite to each other. The first reading unit 32 is provided in the first unit 3, and the second reading unit 33 is provided in the second unit 4. The first reading unit 32 reads the lower surface (first surface) of the document supported on the document support surface 11, and the second reading unit 33 reads the upper surface (second surface) of the document supported on the document support surface 11. The second reading unit 33 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the first reading unit 32 and is pressed toward the first reading unit 32 by a pressing member (not shown), for example, a coil spring. In this embodiment, the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33 are each composed of a contact image sensor module (CISM). Reference numeral 32a denotes the contact glass constituting the first reading unit 32, and reference numeral 33a denotes the contact glass constituting the second reading unit 33.

[0036] Downstream of the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33, a second pair of conveying rollers 20 is provided. The second pair of conveying rollers 20 includes a second lower roller 21 provided in the first unit 3 and a second upper roller 22 provided in the second unit 4. The second upper roller 22 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the second lower roller 21, and is pressed toward the second lower roller 21 by a pressing member (not shown), for example, a coil spring. Both the second lower roller 21 and the second upper roller 22 are rotated by obtaining power from a conveying motor (not shown) described later. Two second lower rollers 21 and second upper rollers 22 are provided so as to sandwich the center position in the original width direction (see FIG. 4). When the second unit 4 is closed with respect to the first unit 3, the second lower roller 21 and the second upper roller 22 come into contact with each other. When the second unit 4 is opened with respect to the first unit 3, the second upper roller 22 separates from the second lower roller 21.

[0037] In FIGS. 5 and 6, the dashed-dotted line indicated by reference numeral R1 is the original feeding path, and the original feeding path R1 extends from the nip position between the feeding roller 14 and the separating roller 15 to the nip position of the first pair of conveying rollers 16. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the broken line indicated by reference numeral R2 is the reading and conveying path, and the reading and conveying path R2 extends from the nip position of the first pair of conveying rollers 16 to the nip position of the second pair of conveying rollers 20. The reading and conveying path R2 is an original conveying path that faces the first reading unit 32 and the second reading unit 33.

[0038] When the apparatus main body 2 is in the normal reading posture shown in FIG. 5, a reverse conveyance path R3 for discharging the read document by inverting it upward is formed downstream of the reading conveyance path R2. The reverse conveyance path R3 is a document conveyance path downstream of the nip position of the second conveyance roller pair 20, and is a document conveyance path for curving and inverting a document conveyed obliquely downward as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 and discharging it obliquely upward from the first discharge port 37. When the apparatus main body 2 is in the booklet reading posture shown in FIG. 6, a non-reverse conveyance path R4 for discharging the read document without inverting it is formed downstream of the reading conveyance path R2. The non-reverse conveyance path R4 is a document conveyance path downstream of the nip position of the second conveyance roller pair 20, and is a document conveyance path for discharging a document conveyed obliquely downward in the reading conveyance path R2 as it is without curving and inverting it obliquely downward from the second discharge port 38 as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6. In addition, the second conveyance roller pair 20 functions as a discharge roller pair for discharging the document from the non-reverse conveyance path R4.

[0039] The switching between the reverse conveyance path R3 and the non-reverse conveyance path R4 is performed by a flap 35 as a flap member constituting the conveyance path switching means. The flap 35 is rotatable about a flap rotation axis 35a, and by rotating, it connects the reverse conveyance path R3 to the reading conveyance path R2, or connects the non-reverse conveyance path R4 to the reading conveyance path R2. Connecting the reverse conveyance path R3 to the reading conveyance path R2 means making the reverse conveyance path R3 available and making the non-reverse conveyance path R4 unavailable. Similarly, connecting the non-reverse conveyance path R4 to the reading conveyance path R2 means making the non-reverse conveyance path R4 available and making the reverse conveyance path R3 unavailable.

[0040] In this embodiment, the flap 35 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the posture switching of the apparatus main body 2. As a configuration for rotating the flap 35 in conjunction with the posture switching of the apparatus main body 2, a solenoid (not shown) is adopted in this embodiment. A control unit (not shown) that performs various controls detects the posture of the apparatus main body 2 based on the detection signal of a posture detection sensor (not shown), and drives the solenoid based on this to rotate the flap 35. Note that the means for rotating the flap 35 is not limited to a solenoid, and may be other actuators such as a motor. Alternatively, the flap 35 may be configured to rotate mechanically in conjunction with the posture of the apparatus main body 2.

[0041] In the reverse conveyance path R3, a third conveyance roller pair 24 and a fourth conveyance roller pair 28 are provided. The third conveyance roller pair 24 is composed of a third drive roller 25 provided in the third unit 5 and a third driven roller 26 provided in the second unit 4. The third driven roller 26 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the third drive roller 25, and is pressed toward the third drive roller 25 by a pressing member (not shown), for example, a coil spring. The third drive roller 25 is driven by a conveyance motor (not shown). The third driven roller 26 is a roller that rotates passively.

[0042] The fourth conveyance roller pair 28 is composed of a fourth drive roller 29 provided in the third unit 5 and a fourth driven roller 30 provided in the second unit 4. The fourth driven roller 30 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the fourth drive roller 29, and is pressed toward the fourth drive roller 29 by a pressing member (not shown), for example, a coil spring. The fourth drive roller 29 is driven by a conveyance motor (not shown). The fourth driven roller 30 is a roller that rotates passively.

[0043] Two third drive rollers 25, third driven rollers 26, fourth drive rollers 29, and fourth driven rollers 30 are provided so as to sandwich the center position in the original width direction (Fig. 3). When the third unit 5 is closed with respect to the second unit 4, the third drive roller 25 and the third driven roller 26 come into contact, and the fourth drive roller 29 and the fourth driven roller 30 also come into contact. When the third unit 5 is opened with respect to the second unit 4, the third drive roller 25 and the third driven roller 26 are separated, and the fourth drive roller 29 and the fourth driven roller 30 are also separated. The document conveyed through the reverse conveyance path R3 is discharged obliquely upward including a -Y direction component by the fourth pair of conveyance rollers 28, and is supported in an inclined posture by the upper surface 4a of the second unit 4.

[0044] In addition, in this embodiment, the apparatus main body 2 rotates under the control of a control unit (not shown) by the power of a posture switching motor (not shown) to switch the posture. The control unit (not shown) switches the posture of the apparatus main body 2 based on a document reading instruction received from an external device (not shown) such as a computer as an example. In the external device, the type of the document to be read can be set. When the type of the document to be read is a card-shaped document or a booklet-shaped document, the posture of the apparatus main body 2 is set to the booklet reading posture, and when the type of the document to be read is a sheet-shaped document, the posture of the apparatus main body 2 is set to the normal reading posture.

[0045] Next, the deployment support portion provided in the upper opening / closing portion 10 will be described. In FIGS. 7 to 10, the upper opening / closing portion 10 includes a right deployment support portion 40 and a left deployment support portion 50. The right deployment support portion 40 and the left deployment support portion 50 are in a line-symmetrical relationship with respect to the center position (center line) CL in the width direction, and have the same basic structure. Hereinafter, when the right deployment support portion 40 and the left deployment support portion 50 are not distinguished, they may be simply referred to as the "deployment support portion" without being assigned a reference numeral. Also, the deployment support portion is in a stored state in the state shown in FIG. 7, and in a deployed state in the states shown in FIGS. 11 and 13. The states shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 are semi-deployed states of the deployment support portion.

[0046] Each deployment support portion can be stored and deployed with respect to the upper opening / closing portion 10 as a document support portion, and supports the document fed together with the document support surface 11 of the upper opening / closing portion 10 when deployed from the upper opening / closing portion 10. The right-side deployment support portion 40 is a deployment portion that can be deployed and stored by rotating with respect to the upper opening / closing portion 10, and includes a first deployment portion 41 that extends along the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the X-axis direction, i.e., the document feeding direction, in a state of being stored in the upper opening / closing portion 10. Further, the right-side deployment support portion 40 is a deployment portion that can be stored and deployed with respect to the first deployment portion 41, and includes a second deployment portion 42 that extends along the X-axis direction in a stored state of the right-side deployment support portion 40. In addition, in the present embodiment, the right-side deployment support portion 40 is a deployment portion that can be stored and deployed with respect to the second deployment portion 42, and includes a third deployment portion 43 that extends along the X-axis direction in a stored state of the right-side deployment support portion 40.

[0047] The left-side deployment support portion 50 also has the same configuration as the right-side deployment support portion 40. That is, the left-side deployment support portion 50 is a deployment portion that can be deployed and stored by rotating with respect to the upper opening / closing portion 10, and includes a first deployment portion 51 that extends along the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the X-axis direction, i.e., the document feeding direction, in a state of being stored in the upper opening / closing portion 10. Further, the left-side deployment support portion 50 is a deployment portion that can be stored and deployed with respect to the first deployment portion 51, and includes a second deployment portion 52 that extends along the X-axis direction in a stored state of the left-side deployment support portion 50. In addition, in the present embodiment, the left-side deployment support portion 50 is a deployment portion that can be stored and deployed with respect to the second deployment portion 52, and includes a third deployment portion 53 that extends along the X-axis direction in a stored state of the left-side deployment support portion 50.

[0048] Hereinafter, when not distinguishing between the first deployment portion 41 provided in the right-side deployment support portion 40 and the first deployment portion 51 provided in the left-side deployment support portion 50, it may be simply referred to as the "first deployment portion" without any reference numerals. Similarly, when not distinguishing between the second deployment portion 42 provided in the right-side deployment support portion 40 and the second deployment portion 52 provided in the left-side deployment support portion 50, it may be simply referred to as the "second deployment portion" without any reference numerals. Similarly, when not distinguishing between the third deployment portion 43 provided in the right-side deployment support portion 40 and the third deployment portion 53 provided in the left-side deployment support portion 50, it may be simply referred to as the "third deployment portion" without any reference numerals. The first deployment section has a storage state in the states shown in FIGS. 7 and 15, and a deployed state in the states shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, 16, and 17. The second deployment section has a storage state in the states shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a semi-deployed state in the states shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and a deployed state in the state shown in FIG. 11. The third deployment section has a storage state in the states shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a semi-deployed state in the states shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and a deployed state in the state shown in FIG. 11.

[0049] In this embodiment, the longitudinal length of the first deployment section is longer than the longitudinal length of the second deployment section. Also, the longitudinal length of the third deployment section is longer than the longitudinal length of the second deployment section.

[0050] As described above, the deployment support section is a deployment section that can be deployed and stored by rotating with respect to the upper opening / closing section 10, and includes a first deployment section and a second deployment section that extend along the X-axis direction in a state of being stored in the upper opening / closing section 10. Therefore, even when it is not possible to secure the dimensions in the original document feeding direction due to the miniaturization of the device, by utilizing the dimensions in the width direction, which is the direction intersecting the X-axis direction, i.e., the original document feeding direction, it is possible to secure the sizes of the first deployment section and the second deployment section in the original document feeding direction when deployed. As a result, while miniaturizing the device, the original document can be appropriately supported.

[0051] The following will be described in more detail. The first deployment section 41 is rotatably provided with respect to a rotation shaft 10b-1 (also refer to FIGS. 15 to 17) formed on a frame 10a that constitutes the base of the upper opening / closing section 10. The rotation axis center line of the first deployment section 41 is orthogonal to the original document support surface 11. The first deployment section 51 is rotatably provided with respect to a rotation shaft 10b-2 (also refer to FIGS. 15 to 17) formed on the frame 10a. The rotation axis center line of the first deployment section 51 is orthogonal to the original document support surface 11. The rotation shafts 10b-1 and 10b-2 are provided in the vicinity of the center position CL in the X-axis direction.

[0052] In the first deployment part 41 that constitutes the right-side deployment support part 40, as shown in FIG. 7, a grip part 41d that protrudes forward from the document support surface 11 of the apparatus is formed in the stored state of the right-side deployment support part 40. By gripping the grip part 41d, the user can pull out the stored right-side deployment support part 40 upward as shown by the change from FIG. 7 to FIG. 8. Similarly, in the first deployment part 51 that constitutes the left-side deployment support part 50, as shown in FIG. 7, a grip part 51d that protrudes forward from the document support surface 11 of the apparatus is formed in the stored state of the left-side deployment support part 50. By gripping the grip part 51d, the user can pull out the stored left-side deployment support part 50 upward as shown by the change from FIG. 7 to FIG. 8.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, a tooth part 41b is formed around the axis center of the rotary shaft 10b-1 on the proximal end side of the first deployment part 41, and a tooth part 51b is formed around the axis center of the rotary shaft 10b-2 on the proximal end side of the first deployment part 51. Gears 60 and 61 are rotatably supported on the frame 10a in a state of meshing with each other. The tooth part 41b meshes with the gear 60, and the tooth part 51b meshes with the gear 61. As a result, the right-side deployment support part 40 and the left-side deployment support part 50 rotate in conjunction with each other. For example, when the right-side deployment support part 40 is gripped and pulled out upward, the left-side deployment support part 50 is also pulled out upward in conjunction with it.

[0054] In addition, a holding part 10c-1 is formed around the axis center of the rotary shaft 10b-1 on the frame 10a, and a holding part 10c-2 is formed around the axis center of the rotary shaft 10b-2 on the frame 10a. In the first deployment part 41, an elastically deformable part 41e is formed around the axis center of the rotary shaft 10b-1, and a protrusion 41c is formed on the elastically deformable part 41e. The elastically deformable part 41e can be elastically deformed in the radial direction, and thereby the protrusion 41c can be displaced in the radial direction. Similarly, in the first deployment part 51, an elastic deformation part 51e is formed around the axis center of the rotary shaft 10b-2, and a protrusion 51c is formed on the elastic deformation part 51e. The elastic deformation part 51e can be elastically deformed in the radial direction, and thereby the protrusion 51c can be displaced in the radial direction.

[0055] FIG. 15 shows the stored state of the deployment support part. In this state, the protrusion 41c is positioned so as to slightly catch on the lower end part of the holding part 10c-1, and the protrusion 51c is positioned so as to slightly catch on the lower end part of the holding part 10c-2. Thereby, the stored state of the first deployment part is maintained. Incidentally, elastic protrusions (not shown) are formed on the first deployment part, and the stored state of the first deployment part is also maintained by these elastic protrusions entering into recesses (not shown) formed in the frame 10a.

[0056] FIG. 16 shows the semi-deployed state of the deployment support part, corresponding to the state of the first deployment part shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, and is a state where the first deployment part has rotated approximately 65° to 70° from the stored state. In this state, the protrusion 41c elastically enters into the first recess 10d-1 formed in the holding part 10c-1, and the protrusion 51c elastically enters into the first recess 10d-2 formed in the holding part 10c-2. Thereby, the deployed state of the first deployment part is maintained. Also, in this embodiment, the first deployment part can take two deployed states. FIGS. 17 and 12 show the second deployed state of the first deployment part, which is a state rotated approximately 90° from the stored state. In this state, as shown in FIG. 17, the protrusion 41c elastically enters into the second recess 10e-1 formed in the holding part 10c-1, and the protrusion 51c elastically enters into the second recess 10e-2 formed in the holding part 10c-2. Thereby, the second deployed state of the first deployment part is maintained.

[0057] Next, as shown in FIG. 9, a rotating shaft 41a is provided on the free end side of the first deployment part 41, and the second deployment part 42 is rotatable about the rotating shaft 41a. Further, a rotating shaft 42a is provided on the second deployment part 42 on the side opposite to the side where the rotating shaft 41a is provided, and the third deployment part 43 is rotatable about the rotating shaft 42a. Note that the center lines of the rotating shafts of the first deployment part 41, the second deployment part 42, and the third deployment part 43 are all parallel. Similarly, a rotating shaft 51a is provided on the free end side of the first deployment part 51, and the second deployment part 52 is rotatable about the rotating shaft 51a. Further, a rotating shaft 52a is provided on the second deployment part 52 on the side opposite to the side where the rotating shaft 51a is provided, and the third deployment part 53 is rotatable about the rotating shaft 52a. Note that the center lines of the rotating shafts of the first deployment part 51, the second deployment part 52, and the third deployment part 53 are all parallel.

[0058] In the stored state of the deployment support part, the rotating shaft 41a is located in the -X direction from the rotating shaft 10b-1. Also, in the stored state of the deployment support part, the rotating shaft 51a is located in the +X direction from the rotating shaft 10b-2.

[0059] A procedure for switching the deployment support part configured as described above from the stored state to the deployed state will be described. From the stored state shown in FIG. 7, as described above, the knob part 41d of the right deployment support part 40 or the knob part 51d of the left deployment support part 50 is pulled upward to obtain the deployed state of the first deployment part as shown in FIG. 8. Then, the knob part 43b provided at the free end of the third deployment part 43 is exposed, and the knob part 53b provided at the free end of the third deployment part 53 is also exposed.

[0060] From this state, for example, when the knob part 43b of the right deployment support part 40 is pulled in the -X direction, that is, in the direction away from the left deployment support part 50, as shown by the change from FIG. 8 to FIG. 9, the second deployment part 42 is exposed from the first deployment part 41 in the -X direction, and the third deployment part 43 is exposed from the second deployment part 42 in the -X direction. Similarly, when the grip portion 53b of the left unfolding support portion 50 is pulled out in the +X direction, that is, in the direction away from the right unfolding support portion 40, as shown by the change from FIG. 8 to FIG. 9, the second unfolding portion 52 is exposed from the first unfolding portion 51 in the +X direction, and the third unfolding portion 53 is exposed from the second unfolding portion 52 in the +X direction.

[0061] Then, when the grip portion 43b of the right unfolding support portion 40 is pulled upward in the +Z direction, that is, upward, from the state of FIG. 9, the second unfolding portion 42 and the third unfolding portion 43 can be unfolded so as to change to the state of FIG. 11 through the state of FIG. 10. And the first unfolding portion 41, the second unfolding portion 42, and the third unfolding portion 43 are in a state of extending linearly upward to the right, that is, the unfolding state of the right unfolding support portion 40. Similarly, when the grip portion 53b of the left unfolding support portion 50 is pulled upward in the +Z direction, that is, upward, from the state of FIG. 9, the second unfolding portion 52 and the third unfolding portion 53 can be unfolded so as to change to the state of FIG. 11 through the state of FIG. 10. And the first unfolding portion 51, the second unfolding portion 52, and the third unfolding portion 53 are in a state of extending linearly upward to the left, that is, the unfolding state of the left unfolding support portion 50. As shown in FIG. 13 in the unfolded state, the unfolding support portion extends linearly and obliquely upward so as to be parallel to the original document support surface 11 when viewed from the width direction.

[0062] In addition, holding means for holding the state in which the second unfolding portion is unfolded with respect to the first unfolding portion and holding means for holding the state in which the third unfolding portion is unfolded with respect to the second unfolding portion are provided. The basic configurations of these holding means are the same, and an example thereof is shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 14 shows the holding means for holding the unfolded state of the third unfolding portion 43 with respect to the second unfolding portion 42. As shown in FIG. 14(a), a hole 43c is formed in the third unfolding portion 43. A rotation shaft 42a is formed in the second unfolding portion 42, and by fitting the rotation shaft 42a into the hole 43c, the third unfolding portion 43 can be rotated with respect to the second unfolding portion 42.

[0063] An elastic piece 42c is formed on the second deployment part 42, and a convex part 42d is formed on the elastic piece 42c. A concave part 43d is formed on the third deployment part 43. In a state where the third deployment part 43 is deployed with respect to the second deployment part 42, the convex part 42d enters the concave part 43d, so that the state where the third deployment part 43 is deployed with respect to the second deployment part 42 is maintained. The above configuration is the same for the left deployment support part 50. Further, elastic pieces and convex parts similar to the above-mentioned elastic piece 42c and convex part 42d are formed on the first deployment part, and a concave part similar to the above-mentioned concave part 43d is formed on the second deployment part.

[0064] As described above, the deployment support part is not only a second deployment part that can be stored and deployed with respect to the first deployment part, but also a deployment part that can be stored and deployed with respect to the second deployment part, and includes a third deployment part that extends along the width direction in the stored state of the deployment support part. Therefore, the size of the deployment support part in the document feeding direction can be further ensured.

[0065] Also, the second deployment part can be deployed and stored with respect to the first deployment part by rotating with respect to the first deployment part, and the third deployment part can be deployed and stored with respect to the second deployment part by rotating with respect to the second deployment part. Therefore, the following operational effects can be obtained. For example, in a configuration where the second deployment part is deployed and stored with respect to the first deployment part by sliding with respect to the first deployment part, the first deployment part needs to hold the second deployment part slidably, so the width of the first deployment part is wider than that of the second deployment part. In other words, the width of the second deployment part is narrower than the width of the first deployment part. Since the relationship between the third deployment part and the second deployment part is the same, when both the second deployment part and the third deployment part are of the sliding type, the deployment support part becomes narrower in width from the base end to the free end, and the area for supporting the document decreases, which is not preferable. However, according to this aspect, in addition to the first deployment part, the second deployment part and the third deployment part are also configured to be stored and deployed by rotating. Therefore, the widths of the second deployment part and the third deployment part can be ensured, and the document can be appropriately supported.

[0066] The scanner 1 also includes a right-side deployment support portion 40 and a left-side deployment support portion 50 that sandwich the center position CL of the upper opening / closing portion 10 in the X-axis direction, that is, the feeding reference position. The right-side deployment support portion 40 extends obliquely upward to the upper right in the upstream direction of the document feeding direction in the deployed state, and the left-side deployment support portion 50 extends obliquely upward to the upper left in the upstream direction of the document feeding direction in the deployed state. Thereby, in the upstream of the document feeding direction, the document can be supported over a wide range along the width direction.

[0067] Also, in the right-side deployment support portion 40 and the left-side deployment support portion 50, when the first deployment portion is deployed and the second and third deployment portions are stored in the semi-deployed state (the state shown in FIG. 8), the gripping portions (43b, 53b) provided at the free ends of the third deployment portions are exposed. And in the left-side deployment support portion 50, when the gripping portion 53b of the third deployment portion 53 is displaced in the first direction, which is the direction away from the right-side deployment support portion 40, that is, the +X direction, in the semi-deployed state (the state shown in FIG. 8), the second deployment portion 52 and the third deployment portion 53 are deployed in the region in the first direction (the region in the +X direction from the position X2) with respect to the rotation axis 51a, which is the rotation center of the second deployment portion 52. Also, in the right-side deployment support portion 40, when the gripping portion 43b of the third deployment portion 43 is displaced in the second direction, which is the direction away from the left-side deployment support portion 50, that is, the -X direction, in the semi-deployed state (the state shown in FIG. 8), the second deployment portion 42 and the third deployment portion 43 are deployed in the region in the second direction (the region in the -X direction from the position X1) with respect to the rotation axis 41a, which is the rotation center of the second deployment portion 42.

[0068] Thereby, when deploying the left-side deployment support portion 50, the right-side deployment support portion 40 is less likely to get in the way, improving the operability. The same applies to the right-side deployment support portion 40, thereby making it less likely for one of the left-side deployment support portion 50 and the right-side deployment support portion 40 to get in the way of the operation of the other, improving the operability.

[0069] Also, in addition to the first state shown in FIG. 11 as the deployed state, the deployment support portion can take the second state shown in FIG. 12. In FIG. 11, the reference symbol P1 indicates an A4-size document defined by the international standard ISO 216 as an example. In this state, since the right-side deployment support portion 40 extends obliquely upward to the upper right and the left-side deployment support portion 50 extends obliquely upward to the upper left, the document P1 can be appropriately supported over a wide range in the width direction. However, in this state, a document P2 with a small width dimension (see FIG. 12) cannot be properly supported. Therefore, the right-side unfolding support portion 40 and the left-side unfolding support portion 50 can each take a second unfolded state as shown in FIG. 12 when the first unfolding portion rotates with respect to the upper opening / closing portion 10. That is, the unfolding support portion can be switched between a first state in which it extends linearly in a direction intersecting the document feeding direction and a second state in which it extends linearly along the document feeding direction. Therefore, by setting the unfolding support portion to the second state, a document P2 with a small width dimension can be properly supported.

[0070] In addition, in the present embodiment, the unfolding support portion is configured to be able to take two states, i.e., the first state and the second state, as the unfolded state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured to be able to take one unfolded state, or may be configured to be able to take three or more unfolded states. Further, by configuring the unfolded state of the first unfolding portion to be held by the frictional force generated between the frame 10a, the rotation angle of the first unfolding portion with respect to the upper opening / closing portion 10 can also be adjusted steplessly. In addition, in the present embodiment, the unfolding support portion includes these three unfolding portions, i.e., the first unfolding portion, the second unfolding portion, and the third unfolding portion. However, it may be composed of the first unfolding portion and the second unfolding portion, or may further include one or more unfolding portions in addition to the three unfolding portions. In addition, in the present embodiment, the unfolding support portion is configured such that each unfolding portion extends linearly in the unfolded state, but it is not necessarily limited to this.

[0071] In addition, in the present embodiment, the second unfolding portion can be stored and unfolded by rotating with respect to the first unfolding portion, and the third unfolding portion can be stored and unfolded by rotating with respect to the second unfolding portion. However, it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, any one of the unfolding portions may be configured to be slidable, and it may be made possible to store and unfold by sliding. Also, a rotational structure and a sliding structure may be mixed.

[0072] In addition, in the present embodiment, there are a plurality of deployment support portions, that is, a right deployment support portion 40 and a left deployment support portion 50, but only one of the right deployment support portion 40 and the left deployment support portion 50 may be provided.

[0073] Next, the left sub-edge guide 84 provided on the left edge guide 83 will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. Note that a right sub-edge guide is also provided on the right edge guide 80 in the same manner as the left edge guide 83. Since the basic configuration is the same on the left and right, the left edge guide 83 and the left sub-edge guide 84 will be described below. The left sub-edge guide 84 is rotatably provided on the left edge guide 83 via a rotation shaft 84b. The rotation axis center line of the left sub-edge guide 84 is parallel to the X-axis direction.

[0074] FIG. 19(a) shows a state in which the upper opening / closing portion 10 is closed. In a state where the upper opening / closing portion 10 is closed, the left sub-edge guide 84 is in contact with a path forming surface 63k formed on the first frame 63 by its own weight. The path forming surface 63k is a surface that forms the document feeding path R1 (see FIG. 5). Note that the left sub-edge guide 84 may be pressed toward the path forming surface 63k by a pressing member such as a spring.

[0075] When opening the upper opening / closing part 10 from this state, as shown in FIG. 19(b), the upper opening / closing part 10 opens while the left sub-edge guide 84 remains in contact with the path-forming surface. As a result, the length for guiding the side edge of the document (the length in the direction of arrow B) is extended, and the side edge of the document can be properly guided. Also, when the upper opening / closing part 10 is in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 19(a), the left sub-edge guide 84 is in a state of being housed with respect to the left edge guide 83. That is, in the state where the upper opening / closing part 10 is closed (FIG. 19(a)), the length of the left edge guide 83 in the Y-axis direction cannot be secured, and when the upper opening / closing part 10 is opened, the length for guiding the side edge of the document (the length in the direction of arrow B) is insufficient only with the left edge guide 83. However, since the left sub-edge guide 84 is rotatably provided with respect to the left edge guide 83 as described above, it is possible to secure the length for guiding the side edge of the document while reducing the size of the apparatus.

[0076] In addition, as shown in FIG. 18, a flange part 84a is formed on the left sub-edge guide 84. The flange part 84a is formed so as to cover the side end region of the document from above. By the flange part 84a, the stacking height of the documents supported on the document support surface 11 can be regulated.

[0077] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that those are also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, although the above-described embodiments have been described as examples applied to an image reading apparatus typified by a scanner, they can also be applied to a recording apparatus typified by a printer. That is, by using the document in the above-described embodiments as a recording medium and the reading unit as a recording unit that performs recording on the recording medium, the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained in the recording apparatus. As an example of the recording apparatus, an inkjet printer can be mentioned, and as an example of the recording unit, an inkjet recording head can be mentioned.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] 1… Scanner, 2… Apparatus main body, 3… First unit, 4… Second unit, 4a… Upper surface, 5… Third unit, 6… Main body support portion, 6c… Main body rotation axis, 7… Operation unit, 8a… Lock release portion, 10… Upper opening / closing portion, 10a… Frame, 10b-1, 10b-2… Rotation axes, 10c-1, 10c-2… Holding portions, 10d-1, 10d-2… First recesses, 10e-1, 10e-2… Second recesses, 10g… Rotation axis, 11… Original document support surface, 13… Feeding port, 14… Feeding roller, 15… Separation roller, 16… First pair of conveying rollers, 17… First lower roller, 18… First upper roller, 20… Second pair of conveying rollers, 21… Second lower roller, 22… Second upper roller, 24… Third pair of conveying rollers, 25… Third driving roller, 26… Third driven roller, 28… Fourth pair of conveying rollers, 29… Fourth driving roller, 30… Fourth driven roller, 32… First reading unit, 32a… Contact glass, 33… Second reading unit, 33a… Contact glass, 35… Flap, 35a… Flap rotation axis, 37… First discharge port, 38… Second discharge port, 40… Right side unfolding support portion, 41… First unfolding portion, 41a… Rotation axis, 41b… Tooth portion, 41c… Projection, 41d… Knob portion, 41e… Elastically deformable portion, 42… Second unfolding portion, 42a… Rotation axis, 42c… Elastic piece, 42d… Convex portion, 43… Third unfolding portion, 43b… Knob portion, 43c… Hole, 43d… Recess, 50… Left side unfolding support portion, 51… First unfolding portion, 51a… Rotation axis, 51b… Tooth portion, 51c… Projection, 51d… Knob portion, 51e… Elastically deformable portion, 52… Second unfolding portion, 52a… Rotation axis, 53… Third unfolding portion, 53b… Knob portion, 60, 61… Gears, 63… First frame, 63k… Path forming surface, 64… Second frame, 64a… Frame rotation axis, 65… Third frame, 66… Rear cover, 71… First connection portion (USB Type-A), 72… Second connection portion (USB Type-C), 73… Third connection portion (DC jack), 80… Right edge guide, 83… Left edge guide, 84… Left sub-edge guide, 84a… Flap portion, 84b… Rotation axis R1… Original document feeding path, R2… Reading and conveying path, R3… Reverse conveying path, R4… Non-reverse conveying path

Claims

1. An apparatus main body including a reading unit that reads an image of a document to be conveyed, a document support unit located upstream of the reading unit and supporting the document to be fed, a deployment support unit that can be stored and deployed with respect to the document support unit, and by being deployed from the document support unit supports the document to be fed together with the document support unit, and the deployment support unit is a deployment unit that can be deployed and stored by rotating with respect to the document support unit and includes a first deployment unit extending along the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the document feeding direction, in a state of being stored in the document support unit, a second deployment unit that can be stored and deployed with respect to the first deployment unit and extends along the width direction in a stored state of the deployment support unit, and the deployment support unit is a deployment unit that can be stored and deployed with respect to the second deployment unit and includes a third deployment unit extending along the width direction in a stored state of the deployment support unit. An image reading apparatus, characterized in that.

2. In the image reading apparatus according to claim 1, the second deployment unit can be deployed and stored with respect to the first deployment unit by rotating with respect to the first deployment unit, and the third deployment unit can be deployed and stored with respect to the second deployment unit by rotating with respect to the second deployment unit. An image reading apparatus, characterized in that.

3. In the image reading apparatus according to claim 2, two deployment support units are provided so as to sandwich the central position of the document support unit in the width direction, when viewing the document support unit from the front, the deployment support unit on the right side with respect to the central position is defined as the right deployment support unit, and the deployment support unit on the left side with respect to the central position is defined as the left deployment support unit. The right deployment support unit extends obliquely upward to the right in the upstream direction of the document feeding direction in the deployed state, and the left deployment support unit extends obliquely upward to the left in the upstream direction of the document feeding direction in the deployed state. An image reading apparatus, characterized in that.

4. In the image reading apparatus according to claim 3, in a semi-deployed state where the first deployment unit is deployed and the second and third deployment units are stored in the right and left deployment support units, the free end of the third deployment unit is exposed, in the left deployment support unit, when the free end of the third deployment unit is displaced in a first direction away from the right deployment support unit in the semi-deployed state, the second and third deployment units are deployed in a region in the first direction with respect to the rotation center of the second deployment unit. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ In the right unfolding support portion, when the free end of the third unfolding portion is displaced in a second direction, which is a direction away from the left unfolding support portion, in the semi-unfolded state, the second unfolding portion and the third unfolding portion unfold in a region in the second direction with respect to the rotation center of the second unfolding portion. In the right unfolding support portion, when the free end of the third unfolding portion is displaced in a second direction, which is a direction away from the left unfolding support portion, in the semi-unfolded state, the second unfolding portion and the third unfolding portion unfold in a region in the second direction with respect to the rotation center of the second unfolding portion. In the right unfolding support portion, when the free end of the third unfolding portion is displaced in a second direction, which is a direction away from the left unfolding support portion, in the semi-unfolded state, the second unfolding portion and the third unfolding portion unfold in a region in the second direction with respect to the rotation center of the second unfolding portion. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above.

5. In the image reading apparatus according to claim 4, the right unfolding support portion and the left unfolding support portion are such that when the first unfolding portion rotates with respect to the document support portion, a first state in which the first unfolding portion extends linearly in a direction intersecting the document feeding direction and a second state in which the first unfolding portion extends linearly along the document feeding direction can be switched. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above. In the image reading apparatus according to claim 4, the right unfolding support portion and the left unfolding support portion are such that when the first unfolding portion rotates with respect to the document support portion, a first state in which the first unfolding portion extends linearly in a direction intersecting the document feeding direction and a second state in which the first unfolding portion extends linearly along the document feeding direction can be switched.

6. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the document support portion is rotatably provided with respect to the apparatus main body, and by rotating, a state in which the document support portion is housed in the apparatus main body and a state in which the document can be supported can be switched. An image reading apparatus characterized by the above. In the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the document support portion

Images