Sheet feed devices and image recording apparatus comprising such sheet feed devices

摘要

A sheet feed device has a tray with holding surface for holding sheets, a feed unit for feeding sheets from the tray, and a separation plate. The separation plate has an inclined surface and two or more separation portions that separate a sheet from the sheets held in the tray. At least one of the separation portions projects a first distance from the inclined surface. The separation plate also has a projection positioned on the inclined surface that projects a second distance from the inclined surface. The second distance is greater than the first distance. A first of the separation portions is positioned upstream of the particular projection in the sheet feed direction, and a second of the separation portions positioned downstream of the particular projection in the sheet feed direction.

主权项

1. A sheet feed device comprising:
a holding surface configured to hold a plurality of sheets; a feed unit configured to contact a particular sheet of the plurality of sheets and to feed at least the particular sheet in a sheet feed direction; and a separation unit disposed downstream of the holding surface in the sheet feed direction and configured to separate the particular sheet from other sheets of the plurality of sheets, the separation unit comprising:
a plurality of inclined surfaces each inclined relative to the holding surface and configured to guide the particular sheet fed by the feed unit, the plurality of inclined surfaces comprising a first inclined surface, a second inclined surface, a third inclined surface, and a fourth inclined surface;a plurality of first projections arranged in the sheet feed direction and projecting toward the feed unit relative to the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface which are closer to the plurality of first projections than the third inclined surface and the fourth inclined surface;a metal elastic member configured to urge the plurality of first projections toward the feed unit from an opening formed between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface;a plurality of second projections arranged parallel to the plurality of first projections and projecting toward the feed unit relative to the first inclined surface; anda plurality of third projections arranged parallel to the plurality of first projections and projecting toward the feed unit relative to the second inclined surface, wherein the plurality of first projections urged by the metal elastic member are disposed between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface, and the plurality of second projections are disposed between the first inclined surface and the third inclined surface, and the plurality of third projections are disposed between the second inclined surface and the fourth inclined surface.