IMAGE READER

Abstract

An image reader is provided which includes a document reader unit having a document stand configured for placing a document to be read thereon; a document conveying unit removably positioned on top of the document reader unit, wherein the document conveying unit is configured for conveying the document to be read onto the document stand; a discharge tray configured to receive a read document thereon conveyed by the document conveying unit; and a restriction member movably positionable between the document stand and the discharge tray, wherein the restriction member is configurable in an upright orientation for restricting the position of an end of the read document placed on the discharge tray.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an exemplary digital scanner according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed structural view of an exemplary portion of the digital scanner according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exemplary digital scanner according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed structural view of an exemplary portion of the digital scanner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a conventional digital scanner.

Claims

1. An image reader comprising: a document reader unit having a document stand configured for placing a document to be read thereon;a document conveying unit removably positioned on top of the document reader unit, wherein the document conveying unit is configured for conveying the document to be read onto the document stand;a discharge tray configured to receive a read document thereon conveyed by the document conveying unit; anda restriction member movably positionable between the document stand and the discharge tray, wherein the restriction member is configurable in an upright orientation for restricting the position of an end of the read document placed on the discharge tray.

2. The reader according to claim 1, further comprising: an urging member configured to urge the restriction member in the upright orientation; anda stopper configured to stop movement of the restriction member once the restriction member is positioned in the upright orientation.

3. The reader according to claim 2, wherein when the document conveying unit is closed for holding down the document placed on the document stand, the restriction member is moved due to the document being placed on the document stand against an urging force of the urging member.

4. The reader according to claim 1, wherein the discharge tray is provided in the document reader unit, and the restriction member is movably supported to the document reader unit.

5. The reader according to claim 4, further comprising: an actuation unit configured to move the restriction member between the upright orientation, and a stowed away orientation which does not restrict the position of the end of the document placed on the discharge tray; anda control unit configured to control the actuation unit so as to move the restriction member to the stowed away orientation during non-operation of the document conveying unit.

6. The reader according to claim 1, wherein the restriction member is movable from a restriction position blocking off a space between an upper surface of the document stand and the discharge tray for restricting the position of the end of the document placed on the discharge tray in a direction communicating the upper surface of the document stand with the discharge tray.

7. An image reader comprising: a document reader unit having a document stand configured for placing a document with images to be read thereon;a document conveying unit frame including a rotational body configured for conveying a document, wherein the rotational body is removably positioned on top of the document reader unit so as to cover the document stand, wherein an outlet is formed at an end of the document conveying unit frame for discharging the document conveyed by the rotational body;a discharge tray integrated into the document reader unit for receiving the document conveyed by the rotational body; anda restriction member movably arranged in the document reader unit and configured for (1) restricting the position of an end of the document placed on the discharge tray at a restricting position close to the end of the document conveying unit frame at which the outlet is formed, and (2) being arranged such that the restriction member moves from the restricting position in a direction away from the end of the document conveying unit frame.

8. The reader according to claim 7, wherein the restricting member at the restriction position blocks off a space between an upper surface of the document stand and the discharge tray, and the restriction member is arranged such that the restriction member leaves the space unobstructed.