Patent ID: 7883082
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A sheet feed device comprising: a first tray comprising a first plate configured to receive a first plurality of sheets thereon, wherein the first tray comprises a support; a second tray positioned on the first tray, wherein the second tray comprises a first side portion, a second side portion which opposes the first side portion, and a second plate configured to receive a second plurality of sheets thereon; and a feed roller configured to selectively feed the first plurality of sheets and the second plurality of sheets in a sheet feed direction toward a sheet feed path, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion extend along the sheet feed direction, and the support is configured to support the first side portion and the second side portion, wherein the support is further configured to selectively support the second tray in a retracted position in which the feed roller is configured to selectively feed the first plurality of sheets and in a sheet feed position in which the feed roller is configured to selectively feed the second plurality of sheets, wherein a shortest distance between an upper surface of the first plate and a lower surface of the second plate when the second tray is in the sheet feed position is less than a shortest distance between the upper surface of the first plate and the lower surface of the second plate when the second tray is in the retracted position, wherein the first tray comprises a third side portion and a fourth side portion which opposes the third side portion, and the third side portion and the fourth side portion extend along the sheet feed direction, wherein the first side portion comprises a first contact portion and a second contact portion at a lower surface thereof, and the second side portion comprises a third contact portion and a fourth contact portion at a lower surface thereof, wherein the support comprises a first support portion configured to support the first contact portion, a second support portion configured to support the second contact portion, a third support portion configured to support the third contact portion, a fourth support portion configured to support the fourth contact portion, and wherein the first support portion comprises a first upstream portion for supporting the first contact portion when the second tray is in the retracted position, and a first downstream portion for supporting the first contact portion when the second tray is in the sheet feed position, wherein the second support portion comprises a second upstream portion for supporting the second contact portion when the second tray is in the retracted position, and a second downstream portion for supporting the second contact portion when the second tray is in the sheet feed position, wherein the third support portion comprises a third upstream portion for supporting the third contact portion when the second tray is in the retracted position, and a third downstream portion for supporting the third contact portion when the second tray is in the sheet feed position, wherein the fourth support portion comprises a fourth upstream portion for supporting the fourth contact portion when the second tray is in the retracted position, and a fourth downstream portion for supporting the fourth contact portion when the second tray is in the sheet feed position.