Patent ID: 7392009
Filing Date: 2008-06-24
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A feeding device to be incorporated in an image reading apparatus including an image reader operable to read an image carried by an original which is being fed by the feeding device in a feed direction, the feeding device comprising: a feed-path definer defining a feed path along which the original is fed from an original supply portion to an original exit portion via a reading position, such that the original supplied through the original supply portion is, upon arrival thereof in the reading position, brought into contact with an original supporting surface of the image reader whereby the image is read by the image reader, and such that the original exits the feeding device through the original exit portion after the image has been read by the image reader; a presser opposed to the original supporting surface and biased toward the original supporting surface, the presser having a contact surface which is held in contact with the original during presence of the original between the presser and the original supporting surface and which is held in contact with the original supporting surface during absence of the original between the presser and the original supporting surface; a downstream-side feeder disposed on a downstream side of the presser as viewed in the feed direction, and operable to feed the original in the feed direction, the downstream-side feeder being distant from a plane containing the original supporting surface, so that the original takes a posture inclined with respect to the plane when the original bridges between the presser and the downstream-side feeder; and a presser-displacement preventer which is disposed between the presser and the downstream-side feeder as viewed in the feed direction, for preventing displacement of the presser in a direction away from the original supporting surface, wherein the presser-displacement preventer includes a rotatable member which is disposed between the presser and the downstream-side feeder as viewed in the feed direction, and which is driven by the original that is brought into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable member.