In an automatic document feeder (ADF) paper feed tray, in a state where a sheet is placed, a center portion of the sheet in the width direction is supported by a first support portion, an outside portion of the sheet in the width direction is supported by a second support portion, and both side portions of the sheet in the width direction hang down substantially uniformly. By this arrangement, the ADF paper feed tray can be made small. As a result, in the case where the sheet is discharged below the ADF paper feed tray, the confirmation of the discharged sheet can be facilitated.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an ADF paper feed tray of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along Z-Z of the ADF paper feed tray of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
Claims
1. An ADF paper feed tray comprising:
a tray body portion; anda first support portion arranged to support a center portion of a sheet in a width direction of the sheet from below, such that side portions of the sheet in the width direction of the sheet hang down substantially uniformly.
2. The ADF paper feed tray according to claim 1, further comprising a second support portion mounted on the first support portion and arranged to support, from below, an outside portion of the sheet positioned outside the center portion of the sheet in the width direction.
3. The ADF paper feed tray according to claim 2, further comprising a guide portion arranged to guide the side portions of the sheet, the guide portion arranged to be movable in the width direction on an upper surface of the tray body portion.
4. The ADF paper feed tray according to claim 3, wherein the second support portion is substantially U-shaped when viewed in a plan view.
5. The ADF paper feed tray according to claim 4, wherein the second support portion is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material.
6. The ADF paper feed tray according to claim 5, further comprising a cutout arranged at a portion of the second support portion.
7. The ADF paper feed tray according to claim 6, further comprising plural sensor portions on the first support portion and arranged to detect a length of the sheet in a sheet transport direction.
8. The ADF paper feed tray according to claim 7, wherein the plural sensor portions are provided at portions of the first support portion corresponding to the center portion of the sheet and portions of the first support portion corresponding to different sized sheets in the transport direction.
9. The ADF paper feed tray according to claim 8, wherein the plural sensor portions are optical sensors.
10. The ADF paper feed tray according to claim 8, wherein the plural sensor portions are contact sensors.
11. An image reading apparatus comprising:
an ADF paper feed tray including:
a tray body portion;, anda first support portion arranged to support a center portion of a sheet in a width direction of the sheet from below, such that side portions of the sheet in the width direction of the sheet hang down substantially uniformly.
12. The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a second support portion mounted on the first support portion and arranged to support, from below, an outside portion of the sheet positioned outside the center portion of the sheet in the width direction.
13. The image reading apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a guide portion arranged to guide the side portions of the sheet, the guide portion arranged to be movable in the width direction on an upper surface of the tray body portion.
14. The image reading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second support portion is substantially U-shaped when viewed in a plan view.
15. The image reading apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the second support portion is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material.
16. The image reading apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a cutout arranged at a portion of the second support portion.
17. The image reading apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising plural sensor portions provided on the first support portion and arranged to detect a length of the sheet in a sheet transport direction.
18. The image reading apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the sensor portions are provided at portions of the first support portion corresponding to the center portion of the sheet and portions of the first support portion corresponding to different sized sheets in the transport direction.
19. The image reading apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the plural sensor portions are optical sensors.
20. The image reading apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the plural sensor portions are contact sensors.
Patent Application
20070176352
