Abstract:
An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet includes a recording section which records the image on the sheet in a transport passage for transporting the sheet in a transport direction and multiple plates which are spaced apart from each other in a widthwise direction. These multiple plates include a first type of plate and a second type of plate. Plates of a first type of plate are configured to overlap a sheet when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the widthwise direction, while plates of the second type of plate do not.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 14/984,467 filed Dec. 30, 2015, which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 14/798,962, filed Jul. 14, 2015, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,227,431 on Nov. 5, 2015, which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 14/613,476, filed Feb. 4, 2015, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,085,180 on Jul. 21, 2015, which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 14/187,837, filed Feb. 24, 2014, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,955,964 on Feb. 17, 2015, which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 13/617,100, filed Sep. 14, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,702,227 on Apr. 22, 2014, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-259569 filed on Nov. 28, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus which is capable of recording an image on a sheet transported along a transport passage. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     An image recording apparatus, which is capable of recording an image on a sheet, is provided with a transport passage for the sheet therein in most cases. In the image recording apparatus, the sheet is interposed by roller pairs, and thus the sheet is transported along the transport passage. For example, an ink-jet printer is known as an image recording apparatus which is provided with a recording section for recording an image by discharging inks from an upward position to the sheet, and a platen provided under or below the recording section with a transport passage intervening therebetween for supporting the sheet. 
     A member for pressing the sheet (hereinafter referred to as “holding member”) is provided for the transport passage in order to move the sheet along the transport passage. The holding member prevents the sheet from being separated from the transport passage. The holding member is exemplified, for example, by a roller or a spur. 
     It is especially important to prevent the sheet from being separated from the transport passage when an image is recorded. Therefore, the holding member is used in order to press the sheet toward the platen. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the sheet from the floating during the image recording. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-71532 discloses an ink-jet recording apparatus which is constructed such that a sheet is pressed toward a platen by means of a plurality of projections  16  (holding members) provided in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the sheet. 
     Usually, the roller pairs for transporting the sheet are provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the recording section respectively. When the sheet is transported, and the upstream end of the sheet passes through the upstream side roller pair, then the sheet is in a state of being interposed by only the downstream side roller pair. In the ink-jet recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-71532, the holding members are provided on the just downstream side of the upstream side roller pair (feeding side driving roller  8  and registration roller  9 ). Therefore, when the upstream end of the sheet passes through the holding members, the sheet is interposed by only the downstream side roller pair (discharge side driving roller  20  and discharging spur  21 ). 
     In the case of the arrangement in which the plurality of holding members are provided in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheet as in the ink-jet recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-71532, the timings, at which the sheet is released from the pressing state effected by the holding members when the upstream end of the sheet passes completely through the holding members, are not completely simultaneous with each other in relation to all of the holding members in some cases. For example, when the sheet obliquely travels during the transport, and the pressing state, which is effected by the holding member disposed on the most outer side, is maintained to the last, then the force, with which the sheet is transported by the roller pair, acts as the angular moment (rotation moment) to rotate the sheet about the support point of the pressing position at which the sheet is pressed by the concerning holding member. For example, if the pressing state, which is effected by the holding member disposed at the left end as viewed from the downstream side, is maintained to the last, the sheet is rotated clockwise about the support point of the pressing position. Therefore, it is feared that the sheet may be more inclined with respect to the angle at which the sheet is to be transported. If the sheet is inclined, the image is recorded in a state of being inclined with respect to the sheet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made taking the foregoing problem into consideration, an object of which is to provide such a structure or arrangement that a sheet is prevented from being inclined during the transport in a system or mechanism provided with a plurality of holding members. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus which is configured to record an image on a sheet; the apparatus including a recording section which is configured to record the image on the sheet in a transport passage for transporting the sheet in a transport direction; and a plurality of holding members which are provided while being separated from each other in a widthwise direction of the transport passage perpendicular to the transport direction and which press the sheet transported along the transport passage, from at least one of front and back surfaces of the sheet; wherein at least one holding member, which is provided at a central portion in the widthwise direction of the transport passage, is arranged on a downstream side in the transport direction as compared with the other holding members. 
     The holding member, which is herein referred to in the present invention, is appropriately any member which presses the sheet, wherein the shape thereof and the pressing method are not limited. For example, the holding member may be a flat plate-shaped plate. Alternatively, the holding member may be either a roller or a spur. The phrase “central portion in the widthwise direction of the transport passage” means not only the center in the widthwise direction of the transport passage but also the area including vicinity areas disposed on the both sides of the center in the widthwise direction as well. 
     The sheet, which is transported along the transport passage, is maintained at the position at which the sheet should be primarily disposed, by being pressed by the holding members. When the sheet passes through the holding members, the upstream end of the sheet completely passes through the holding member provided at the central portion in the widthwise direction of the transport passage after completely passing through the other holding members, because at least one holding member, which is provided at the central portion in the widthwise direction of the transport passage, is positioned on the downstream side as compared with the other holding members. That is, the pressing state, which is effected by the holding member provided at the central portion in the widthwise direction of the transport passage, is maintained to the last. Therefore, the force in the transport direction does not act on the sheet while being directed to any one of the sides in the widthwise direction of the transport passage. In other words, the action of the angular moment (rotation moment) to incline the sheet is avoided. 
     According to the image recording apparatus concerning the present invention, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being inclined when the upstream end of the sheet passes through the holding members. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  schematically shows an arrangement of a printer unit. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view illustrating those disposed around a recording section. 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional perspective view taken along a cutting plane line IV-IV shown in  FIG. 3 . It is noted that a recording section is omitted. 
         FIGS. 5A to 5F  show a holding member, wherein  FIG. 5A  shows a plan view,  FIG. 5B  shows a left side view,  FIG. 5C  shows a front view,  FIG. 5D  shows a right side view,  FIG. 5E  shows a perspective view, and  FIG. 5F  shows a bottom view. 
         FIG. 6  shows a positional relationship of holding members. 
         FIG. 7  shows a situation in which the recording paper is allowed to have a wavy form by means of the holding members and ribs. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a situation in which the recording paper is inclined during the transport in a conventional arrangement.  FIG. 8A  shows a state provided immediately before the inclination, and  FIG. 8B  shows a state provided after the inclination. 
         FIG. 9  shows a positional relationship of holding members in a modified embodiment of the multifunction machine. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of the present invention will be explained below appropriately with reference to the drawings. The embodiment explained below is merely an example of the present invention. It goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately changed or modified within a range without changing the gist or essential characteristics of the present invention. In the following description, the upward-downward direction  7  is defined on the basis of the state (state shown in  FIG. 1 ) in which a multifunction machine  10  is installed usably. The front-back direction  8  is defined assuming that the side, on which an opening  13  is provided, is the front side (front), and the left-right direction  9  (example of the widthwise direction of the present invention) is defined while the multifunction machine  10  is viewed from the front side (front). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the multifunction machine  10  is generally formed to have a thin type rectangular parallelepiped form. A printer unit  11 , which is based on the ink-jet recording system, is provided at a lower portion of the multifunction machine  10 . The multifunction machine  10  has various functions including, for example, the facsimile function and the print function for recording an image on the recording paper  35  (example of the sheet of the present invention). The presence or absence of the function other than the print function is arbitrary. The printer unit  11  has a casing (housing)  14  which has the opening  13  formed on the front. A tray  20 , on which the recording paper  35  having various sizes can be placed, can be inserted/withdrawn in the front-back direction  8  through the opening  13 . In other words, the tray  20  can be installed and removed with respect to the multifunction machine  10 . 
     &lt;Arrangement of Printer Unit&gt; 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the printer unit  11  is provided with, for example, a paper feed unit  15  which picks up the recording paper  35  from the tray  20  and which feeds the recording paper  35 , and a recording section  24  (example of the recording section of the present invention) based on the ink-jet recording system which is provided over or above the tray  20  and which records the image on the recording paper  35  by discharging ink droplets onto the recording paper  35  fed by the paper feed unit  15 . 
     &lt;Paper Feed Unit  15 &gt; 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the paper feed unit  15  is provided under or below the recording section  24  over or above the tray  20 . The paper feed unit  15  is provided with a paper feed roller  25 , a paper feed arm  26 , and a driving transmission mechanism  27 . The paper feed roller  25  is rotated by transmitting the driving force of a paper feed motor (not shown) by means of the driving transmission mechanism  27  in which a plurality of gears are meshed with each other. The paper feed roller  25  supplies the recording paper  35  to a curved passage  65 A as described later on. 
     &lt;Transport Passage  65 &gt; 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a transport passage  65  (example of the transport passage of the present invention), which ranges from the forward end (end portion disposed on the back side) of the tray  20  via the recording section  24  to arrive at a discharged paper retaining unit  79 , is formed in the printer unit  11 . The transport passage  65  is divided into the curved passage  65 A which is formed between the forward end of the tray  20  and the recording section  24 , and a paper discharge passage  65 B which is formed between the recording section  24  and the discharged paper retaining unit  79 . 
     The curved passage  65 A is the passage having a curved shape provided to extend from a portion disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of a separating inclined plate  22  provided for the tray  20  to the recording section  24 . The curved passage  65 A is generally formed to have a circular arc-shaped form having the center disposed on the inner side of the printer unit  11 . The recording paper  35 , which is fed from the tray  20 , is guided to the position disposed just under the recording section  24  while being curved in the transport direction in the transport direction along the curved passage  65 A (orientation of the arrow affixed to the alternate long and short dash line shown in  FIG. 2 , example of the transport direction of the present invention). The curved passage  65 A is comparted by an outer guide member  18  and an inner guide member  19  which are opposed to one another while being separated from each other by a predetermined spacing distance. Any one of the outer guide member  18 , the inner guide member  19 , and respective guide members  82 ,  83  described later on is allowed to extend in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of  FIG. 2  (left-right direction  9  shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The paper discharge passage  65 B is the linear or straight line-shaped passage provided to extend from the position disposed just under the recording section  24  to the discharged paper retaining unit  79 . The recording paper  35  is guided in the transport direction along the transport passage  65 B. The paper discharge passage  65 B is formed by the recording section  24  and a platen  42  (example of the platen of the present invention) which are opposed to one another while being separated from each other by a predetermined spacing distance at the portion at which the recording section  24  is provided. The paper discharge passage  65 B is comparted by the upper guide member  82  and the lower guide member  83  which are opposed to one another while being separated from each other by a predetermined spacing distance at the portion at which the recording section  24  is not provided. 
     &lt;Recording Section  24 &gt; 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the recording section  24  is arranged over or above the tray  20  ( FIG. 2 ). The recording section  24  has a carriage  33 , and a recording head  34  ( FIG. 2 ) which is carried on the carriage  33 . The carriage  33  is supported while spanning a first guide rail  71  and a second guide rail  72 . The first guide rail  71  and the second guide rail  72  have substantially flat plate-shaped forms in which the left-right direction  9  is the longitudinal direction. The first guide rail  71  and the second guide rail  72  are provided while being separated from each other in the front-back direction  8  at approximately the same height position in the upward-downward direction  7 . The carriage  33  is reciprocatively movable in the left-right direction  9  together with the recording head  34  along the first guide rail  71  and the second guide rail  72 . 
     The platen  42 , which is provided to horizontally retain, i.e., support the recording paper  35 , is provided at the position opposed to the recording section  24  while interposing the transport passage  65  under or below the recording section  24 . The recording head  34  discharges inks supplied from ink cartridges (not shown) from a plurality of nozzles  39  (example of the nozzle of the present invention) provided between the first guide rail  71  and the second guide rail  72  to the recording paper  35  transported on the platen  42  during the process of the reciprocative movement in the left-right direction  9 . Accordingly, the image is recorded on the recording paper  35  in the transport passage  65 . Detailed arrangements of the platen  42  and the first guide rail  71  will be described in detail later on. 
     &lt;Transport Rollers  45 ,  60 ,  62 &gt; 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a first roller pair  58 , which is composed of a first transport roller  60  and a pinch roller  61 , is provided between the recording section  24  and the downstream ends in the transport direction of the outer guide member  18  and the inner guide member  19 . The pinch roller  61  is arranged under the first transport roller  60 . The pinch roller  61  is brought in contact with the roller surface of the first transport roller  60  under pressure by an elastic member such as an unillustrated spring or the like. The recording paper  35 , which is transported along the curved passage  65 A, is interposed by the first roller pair  58 , and the recording paper  35  is fed onto the platen  42 . 
     A second roller pair  59  (example of the roller pair of the present invention), which is composed of a second transport roller  62  and a spur  63 , is provided between the platen  42  and the upper guide member  82  and the lower guide member  83 , i.e., on the downstream side in the transport direction from the platen  42 . The spur  63  is arranged over the second transport roller  62 . The spur  63  is brought in contact with the roller surface of the second transport roller  62  under pressure by an elastic member such as an unillustrated spring or the like. The second roller pair  59  is arranged while allowing the nip position to be disposed closely to the platen  50 . The recording paper  35 , on which the image has been recorded by the recording section  24 , is transported to the downstream side in the transport direction while being interposed by the second transport roller  62  and the spur  63 . 
     The rotational driving force is transmitted from a transport motor (not shown) via a driving transmission mechanism (not shown) to the respective transport rollers  60 ,  62 , and thus the respective transport rollers  60 ,  62  are rotated. The driving transmission mechanism is composed of, for example, a planet gear. Even when the transport motor is rotated in any one of the positive rotating direction and the negative rotating direction, each of the transport rollers  60 ,  62  is rotated in one rotating direction. Accordingly, the recording paper  35  is transported in the transport direction. 
     A third roller pair  44 , which is composed of a third transport roller  45  and a spur  46 , is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the second roller pair  59 . The spur  46  is arranged over the third transport roller  45 , and the spur  46  is brought in contact with the roller surface of the third transport roller  45  under pressure by an elastic member such as an unillustrated spring or the like. 
     The driving force is transmitted from the transport motor, and the third transport roller  45  is rotated. Accordingly, the recording paper  35  is transported to the downstream side in the transport direction by being interposed by the third transport roller  45  and the spur  46 , and the recording paper  35  is discharged to the discharged paper retaining unit  79 . 
     &lt;Platen  42 &gt; 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the platen  42  is provided on the just downstream side of the first roller pair  58  described above (on the front side in the front-back direction  8 ). The platen  42  has a support surface  84  ( FIG. 3 ) which is directed upwardly so that the support surface  84  is opposed to the recording section  24 . The support surface  84  is exposed to the transport passage  65  ( FIG. 2 ), and the support surface  84  comparts a part of the lower surface of the transport passage  65 . Ribs  85  ( FIGS. 3, 4, and 7 , example of the rib of the present invention) are allowed to protrude upwardly from the support surface  84 . The ribs  85  extend frontwardly from the back end of the support surface  84  in the front-back direction  8  along the support surface  84 . The front ends of the ribs  85  (downstream ends in the transport direction) are positioned backwardly from the nozzles  39  disposed most backwardly. The plurality of ribs  85  are provided while being separated from each other in the left-right direction  9 . 
     &lt;First Guide Rail  71 &gt; 
     The first guide rail  71  is provided while providing a predetermined spacing distance over the transport roller  60  in the vicinity of the back end of the platen  42  in the front-back direction  8 . The first guide rail  71  has a generally rectangular flat plate-shaped form having the long side disposed in the left-right direction  9 . The first guide rail  71  is provided so that the front and back surfaces are substantially parallel to the support surface  84  of the platen  42  respectively. The first guide rail  71  traverses the transport passage  65  in the left-right direction  9 , and the first guide rail  71  is supported at the both end portions. The first guide rail  71  has a plurality of attachment sections  73 A to  73 I ( FIGS. 3 and 6 ) for attaching holding members  90 A to  90 I ( FIGS. 3 to 5 , example of the holding member of the present invention) described later on respectively in the left-right direction  9 . Each of the attachment sections  73 A to  73 I is composed of four insertion holes  74  ( FIGS. 3 and 6 ) which penetrate through the front and back surfaces of the first guide rail  71  in the upward-downward direction  7 . Insertion projections  95  ( FIGS. 3 to 6 ) of the holding members  90 A to  90 I are inserted into the respective insertion holes  74 , and thus the holding members  90 A to  90 I are attached to the first guide rail  71 . All of the attachment sections  73 A to  73 I are not disposed at the same position in the front-back direction  8 . The positions of the attachment sections  73 A to  73 I are deviated from each other in the front-back direction  8 . Accordingly, the holding members  90 A to  90 I are also attached at the positions deviated from each other in the front-back direction  8 . Details will be described later on. 
     &lt;Holding Members  90 A to  90 I&gt; 
     The holding members  90 A to  90 I are the members which cooperate with the ribs  85  of the platen  42  so that the recording paper  35 , which is to be transported, is allowed to have the wavy form (wavy shape). As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , one holding member  90 A is arranged at the center (example of the central portion in the widthwise direction of the transport passage) of the platen  42  in the left-right direction  9  (one holding member is hidden by the carriage  33  in  FIG. 3 ). The holding members  90 B to  90 I are arranged while being separated by predetermined distances on the both outer sides in the left-right direction  9  of the holding member  90 A. The holding member  90 B and the holding member  90 C, the holding member  90 D and the holding member  90 E, the holding member  90 F and the holding member  90 G, and the holding member  90 H and the holding member  90 I are arranged respectively at symmetrical positions with respect to the holding member  90 A, for the following reason. That is, it is intended to allow the recording paper  35  to have a bilaterally symmetrical wavy form. 
     The holding members  90 A to  90 I will be explained below with reference to the respective drawings. In the following description, the holding member  90 D is exemplified by way of example. However, the holding members  90 A to  90 C,  90 E to  90 G are constructed in the same manner as the holding member  90 D. The holding members  90 H,  90 I have the shapes which are partially different from those of the holding members  90 A to  90 G. This difference will be described later on. The upward-downward direction  7 , the front-back direction  8 , and the left-right direction  9  shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5D, 5E and 5F  are provided as the directions as brought about in the state in which the holding members  90 A to  90 I are attached to the guide rails  71 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the holding member  90 D is a resin molded product comprising a plate-shaped base portion  91 , a curved tab  92  which extends downwardly while being curved from a front surface of the base portion  91  in the front-back direction  8 , and a holding tab  93  (example of the abutment portion of the present invention) which extends obliquely downwardly in the frontward direction while being slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal surface from a lower end of the curved tab  92 . A plurality of reinforcing ribs  94  for effecting the reinforcement ( FIG. 5 ) and four insertion projections  95  ( FIGS. 3 to 6 ) to be inserted into the insertion holes  74  ( FIGS. 3, 6 ) of the first guide rail  71  are allowed to protrude upwardly from the upper surface of the base portion  91 . The four insertion projections  95  are arranged at positions at which the insertion projections  95  are aligned two by two in the front-back direction  8  and the left-right direction  9 . 
     A pair of front and back pawls  96 ,  97  ( FIG. 5 ), which are engageable with the upper surface of the first guide rail  71 , are provided at the forward end portion (upper end portion) of the protrusion of the insertion projection  95 . The pawl  96  protrudes frontwardly in the front-back direction  8  from the forward end portion (upper end portion) of the protrusion of the insertion projection  95 . The pawl  97  protrudes backwardly in the front-back direction  8  from the forward end portion (upper end portion) of the protrusion of the insertion projection  95 . When the holding member  90 D is attached, then the insertion projection  95  is inserted into the insertion hole  74  from the lower side of the first guide rail  71 , and then the insertion projection  95  is allowed to slide leftwardly in the left-right direction  9 . The inner diameter of the left portion of the insertion hole  74  is smaller than that of the right portion. Therefore, a state is given, in which the pawls  96 ,  97  are fitted into the insertion hole  74 . Thus, the holding member  90 D is fixed to the first guide rail  71 . 
     The curved tab  92  is curved in a circular arc-shaped form, for the following reason. That is, it is intended to avoid the contact of the curved tab  92  with the first transport roller  60 . The curved tab  92  is reinforced by reinforcing ribs  98  so that the curved tab  92  is not flexibly bent. 
     An inclined surface  99 , which is inclined obliquely downwardly in the frontward direction from the front side in the front-back direction  8  of the nip position of the first roller pair  58 , is provided at the lower end portion of the curved tab  92 . A plurality of guide ribs  99 A ( FIG. 5 ) are provided on the inclined surface  99  to extend in the direction (obliquely downwardly in the frontward direction) in which the inclined surface  99  is inclined. The plurality of guide ribs  99 A are arranged while being separated from each other in the left-right direction  9 . The downstream end of the recording paper  35  in the transport direction is guided to the holding tab  93  by the forward ends of the protrusion of the guide ribs  99 A. 
     The holding tab  93  is formed to have the plate-shaped form which is slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal surface so that the front end in the front-back direction  8  is positioned downwardly as compared with the back end. The front end (downstream end in the transport direction) of the holding tab  93  in the front-back direction  8  is positioned at the back of the nozzles  39  of the recording head  34  in the front-back direction  8 , and the front end of the holding tab  93  is disposed closely to the nozzles  39 . 
     The reason, why the holding tab  93  is inclined, is that it is intended not to jam the transported recording paper  35  between the holding tab  93  and the support surface  84  of the platen  42  ( FIGS. 3, 7 ). The reason, why the holding tab  93  is plate-shaped, is that it is intended to arrange the holding tab  93  in the small gap between the recording head  34  and the support surface  84  of the platen  42 . The reason, why the front end of the holding tab  93  in the front-back direction  8  is disposed closely to the nozzles  39 , is that it is intended to improve the accuracy of the image recording by holding the recording paper  35  at the position disposed closely to the nozzles  39 . In this embodiment, the lower surface of the holding tab  94  for holding the recording paper  35  is an example of the abutment surface of the present invention. 
     The holding tab  93  is allowed to have a tapered shape in which the both ends in the left-right direction  9  are inclined to approach to one another at positions disposed more frontwardly in the front-back direction so that the holding tab  93  is elastically deformed with ease in the upward-downward direction  7 . The front end portion of the holding tab  93  is flexibly bent when the transported recording paper  35  is allowed to have the wavy shape. The holding tab  93  is also flexibly bent when the recording paper  35  having a slightly thick thickness is transported or when a plurality of sheets of the recording paper  35  are fed in a superimposed manner. Thus, the recording paper  35  is suppressed from being jammed between the holding tab  93  and the platen  42 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , as for the holding members  90 H,  90 I, the portion for holding the recording paper  35  has the shape which is different from the shape of each of the holding members  90 A to  90 G. In particular, in the case of the holding members  90 H,  90 I, the portion, which corresponds to the holding tab  93  of each of the holding members  90 A to  90 G, does not have the tapered shape, and the portion has a generally rectangular shape. The holding members  90 H,  90 I are provided to hold the both left and right ends of the recording paper  35  on the both outer sides in the left-right direction  9 . Therefore, the wide width shape is adopted for the holding tab  93  in order to prevent the end portion of the recording paper  35  from being deviated inwardly in the left-right direction  9  during the transport. 
     &lt;Positional Relationship of Holding Members  90 A to  90 I&gt; 
     As described above, the positions of the attachment sections  73 A to  73 I of the first guide rail  71  are deviated from each other in the front-back direction  8 . Therefore, the holding members  90 A to  90 I, i.e., the front ends of the holding tabs  93  have the positions which are also deviated from each other in the front-back direction  8  in the same manner. An explanation will be made in detail below with reference to  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 6 , the positions of the front ends of the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 H,  90 I positioned at the most backward positions are indicated by a line L 1  which is a virtual straight line. 
     The attachment section  73 A of the first guide rail  71 , which corresponds to the holding member  90 A positioned at the most central position in the left-right direction  9 , is positioned frontwardly in the front-back direction  8  as compared with any one of the other attachment sections  73 B to  73 I. Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the holding member  90 A, which is positioned at the most central position in the left-right direction  9  (example of the central portion in the widthwise direction of the transport passage), has the front end of the holding tab  93  which is positioned frontwardly in the front-back direction  8  as compared with the front end of the holding tab  93  of any one of the other holding members  90 B to  90 I. In other words, the holding member  90 A protrudes most frontwardly with respect to the line L 1 . 
     The attachment sections  73 B,  73 C, which correspond to the holding members  90 B,  90 C provided adjacently on the both outer sides of the holding member  90 A respectively, are positioned slightly backwardly in the front-back direction  8  as compared with the attachment section  73 A. Therefore, as for the holding members  90 B,  90 C, the front ends of the holding tabs  93  are positioned slightly backwardly in the front-back direction  8  as compared with the front end of the holding tab  93  of the holding member  90 A. In other words, the length of frontward protrusion from the line L 1  is shorter than that of the holding member  90 A. 
     The attachment sections  73 D,  73 E, which correspond to the holding members  90 D,  90 E provided adjacently on the both outer sides of the holding members  90 B,  90 C respectively, are positioned slightly backwardly in the front-back direction  8  as compared with the attachment sections  73 B,  73 C. Therefore, as for the holding members  90 D,  90 E, the front ends of the holding tabs  93  are positioned slightly backwardly in the front-back direction  8  as compared with the front ends of the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 B,  90 C. In other words, the lengths of frontward protrusion from the line L 1  are shorter than those of the holding members  90 B,  90 C. 
     The attachment sections  73 F,  73 G, which correspond to the holding members  90 F,  90 G provided adjacently on the both outer sides of the holding members  90 D,  90 E respectively, are positioned slightly backwardly in the front-back direction  8  as compared with the attachment sections  73 D,  73 E. Therefore, as for the holding members  90 F,  90 G, the front ends of the holding tabs  93  are positioned slightly backwardly in the front-back direction  8  as compared with the front ends of the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 D,  90 E. In other words, the lengths of frontward protrusion from the line L 1  are shorter than those of the holding members  90 E,  90 E. 
     The attachment sections  73 H,  73 I, which correspond to the holding members  90 H,  90 I provided adjacently on the both outer sides of the holding members  90 F,  90 G respectively, are positioned slightly backwardly in the front-back direction  8  as compared with the attachment sections  73 F,  73 G. Therefore, as for the holding members  90 H,  90 I, the front ends of the holding tabs  93  are positioned slightly backwardly in the front-back direction  8  as compared with the front ends of the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 F,  90 G. As described above, the line L 1  is defined on the basis of this position. 
     According to the foregoing description, the holding members, which are provided on the more outer sides in the left-right direction  9 , have the front ends of the holding tabs  93  which are positioned more backwardly in the front-back direction  8 . The two holding members, which are provided at the symmetrical positions with respect to the holding member  90 A, have the front ends of the holding members  93  which are positioned at the same position in the front-back direction  8 . In other words, the front ends of the holding tabs  93  are positioned at the same position in the front-back direction  8  in relation to the set of the holding member  90 B and the holding member  90 C, the set of the holding member  90 D and the holding member  90 E, the set of the holding member  90 F and the holding member  90 G, and the set of the holding member  90 H and the holding member  90 I respectively. 
     However, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the holding tabs  93  of the respective holding members  90 A to  90 I are in such a state that they are overlapped at least partially in the front-back direction  8  as viewed in the left-right direction  9 . In other words, the holding members  90 A to  90 I are not greatly deviated to such an extent that the holding tabs  93  are separated from each other in the front-back direction  8 . 
     The distance, by which the holding members  90 A to  90 I are deviated in the front-back direction  8 , can be arbitrarily determined by those skilled in the art. For example, in this embodiment, the mutually adjoining holding members are deviated from each other in the front-back direction  8  by about 2 mm. Therefore, the holding member  90 A and the holding members  90 H,  90 I are deviated from each other by about 8 mm. 
     &lt;Transport of Recording Paper  35 &gt; 
     The printer unit  11  according to the present invention can record the image on at least two types of the recording paper  35  having different sizes. The size of the recording paper  35  on which the image can be recorded can be appropriately determined by those skilled in the art. However, for example, the size is exemplified by A size, B size, L size (89×127 mm), and postcard size (100.0×148.0 mm). In this embodiment, the larger sheet of the two types of the sheets of the recording paper  35  is designated as the recording paper  35  of the first size (example of the first sheet), and the smaller sheet is designated as the recording paper  35  of the second size (example of the second sheet). 
     The width in the left-right direction  9  in the transport state of the recording paper  35  of the first size is slightly shorter than the width of the transport passage  65  in the left-right direction  9 . The first range W 1 , which is occupied in the left-right direction  9  by the recording paper  35  of the first size during the transport, is shown in  FIG. 6 . The first range W 1  extends approximately from the center of the holding member  90 H approximately to the center of the holding member  90 I. When the recording paper  35  is transported on the platen  42 , then the recording paper  35  of the first size passes under all of the holding members  90 A to  90 I respectively, and the recording paper  35  of the first size is pressed by the holding members  90 A to  90 I respectively. 
     On the other hand, the width in the left-right direction  9  in the transport state of the recording paper  35  of the second size is further shorter than that of the recording paper  35  of the first size. The second range W 2 , which is occupied in the left-right direction  9  by the recording paper  35  of the second size during the transport, is shown in  FIG. 6 . The second range W 2  extends from the left side of the holding member  90 B to the right side of the holding member  90 C. In other words, the recording paper  35  of the second size passes under the holding members  90 A to  90 C (examples of the at least three holding members) respectively, and the recording paper  35  of the second size is pressed by the holding members  90 A to  90 C respectively. 
     At first, an explanation will be made about the situation in which the recording paper  35  of the first size is transported through the surroundings of the platen  42 . The recording paper  35  is transported along the transport passage  65 , and the recording paper  35  is supplied to the recording section  24 . During the process in which the recording paper  35  is transported along the transport passage  65 , the recording paper  35  is in a state of being interposed between the first roller pair  58 . After the recording paper  35  is interposed between the first roller pair  58 , the downstream end of the recording paper  35  (front end in the front-back direction  8 ) is fed onto the platen  42 . When the downstream end of the recording paper  35  arrives at the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 A to  90 I, then the recording paper  35  is in a state of being interposed by the ribs  85  of the platen  42  and the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 A to  90 I, and the recording paper  35  is curved in the wavy form in the left-right direction  9  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     After the downstream end of the recording paper  35  passes through the respective holding tabs  93 , the upstream side is still in a state of being interposed by the ribs  85  and the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 A to  90 I. Therefore, the wavy form of the recording paper  35  is maintained around the platen  42 . The recording paper  35  is transported on the plate  42  in this state. 
     When a part of the recording paper  35  passes under the recording head  34 , the image is recorded thereon. After the downstream end of the recording paper  35  passes under the recording head  34 , the downstream end of the recording paper  35  is in a state of being interposed by the second roller pair  59 . In other words, the recording paper  35  is interposed by the first roller pair  58  on the upstream side from the recording head  34 , and the recording paper  35  is interposed by the second roller pair  59  on the downstream side from the recording head  34 . The recording paper  35  is transported by the transporting forces of the rollers. 
     Subsequently, when the upstream end of the recording paper  35  passes through the first roller pair  58 , the recording paper  35  is in a state of being interposed by only the second roller pair  59 . The upstream end of the recording paper  35  passes under the holding members  90 A to  90 I respectively by the transporting force of the second transport roller  62 , and the recording paper  35  is released from the wavy form. All portions of the recording paper  35  pass under the recording head  34 , and thus the recording of the image is completed. The recording paper  35 , which has passed through the platen  42 , is transported toward the third roller pair  44 . 
     In this embodiment, the holding members  90 A to  90 I are in the positional relationship as described above respectively. Therefore, when the upstream end of the recording paper  35  passes through the holding members  90 A to  90 I, the upstream end of the recording paper  35  is released earlier from the pressing action exerted by the holding members  90 A to  90 I which are disposed on the more outer sides in the left-right direction  9 . In other words, the upstream end of the recording paper  35  firstly passes through the downstream ends of the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 H,  90 I, and the upstream end of the recording paper  35  is released from the pressing action exerted by the holding members  90 H,  90 I. Subsequently, the upstream end of the recording paper  35  passes through the downstream ends of the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 F,  90 G, and the upstream end of the recording paper  35  is released from the pressing action exerted by the holding members  90 F,  90 G. Subsequently, the upstream end of the recording paper  35  passes through the downstream ends of the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 D,  90 E, and the upstream end of the recording paper  35  is released from the pressing action exerted by the holding members  90 D,  90 E. Subsequently, the upstream end of the recording paper  35  passes through the downstream ends of the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 B,  90 C, and the upstream end of the recording paper  35  is released from the pressing action exerted by the holding members  90 B,  90 C. Subsequently, the upstream end of the recording paper  35  passes through the downstream end of the holding tab  93  of the holding member  90 A, and the upstream end of the recording paper  35  is released from the pressing action exerted by the holding member  90 A. In accordance with the flow as described above, the recording paper  35  completely passes through the holding members  90 A to  90 I. 
     Subsequently, an explanation will be made about the situation in which the recording paper  35  of the second size is transported through the surroundings of the platen  42 . The flow of the transport of the recording paper  35  of the second size is the same as or equivalent to that of the recording paper  35  of the first size, and hence duplicate portions are omitted from the explanation. The transport of the recording paper  35  of the second size is different from the transport of the recording paper  35  of the first size in that the holding members, which press and curve the recording paper  35 , are only the three holding members  90 A to  90 C. 
     During the process of the transport, the recording paper  35  is in a state of being pressed by the holding members  90 A to  90 C respectively. When the recording paper  35  passes through the holding members  90 A to  90 C, then the upstream end of the recording paper  35  firstly passes through the downstream ends of the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 B,  90 C, and the upstream end of the recording paper  35  is released from the pressing action exerted by the holding members  90 B,  90 C. Subsequently, the upstream end of the recording paper  35  passes through the downstream end of the holding tab  93  of the holding member  90 A, and the upstream end of the recording paper  35  is released from the pressing action exerted by the holding member  90 A. In accordance with the flow as described above, the recording paper  35  completely passes through the holding members  90 A to  90 I. 
     As described above, according to this embodiment, the recording paper  35  is released earlier from the pressing action exerted by the holding members which are disposed on the more outer sides in the left-right direction  9 , and the recording paper  35  is released at last from the pressing action exerted by the holding member  90 A, even when the recording paper  35  has any size of the first size and the second size. 
     Function and Effect of Embodiment 
     In the case of any conventional arrangement in which the holding members  90 A to  90 I are aligned in one array in the left-right direction  9 , the pressing action, which is exerted on the recording paper  35  by the holding member  90 H or the holding member  90 I, is maintained to the last during the process in which the recording paper  35  passes through the holding members  90 A to  90 I. The situation as described above tends to arise especially when the recording paper  35  is slightly inclined. For example, in an example shown in  FIG. 8A , the recording paper  35  is inclined so that the left side is positioned slightly on the upstream side. In this case, the pressing action, which is exerted by the pressing member  90 H, is maintained to the last. In this situation, a part of the force F 1  for transporting the recording paper  35  by the second roller pair  59  is converted into the force for rotating the recording paper  35  in the clockwise direction D 1  about the support point of the pressing position P 1  at which the pressing action is exerted by the holding member  90 H. In other words, the angular moment (rotation moment) acts to rotate the recording paper  35 . On account of the angular moment (rotation moment), the recording paper  35  is inclined more greatly as shown in  FIG. 8B . 
     According to this embodiment, the recording paper  35  is released earlier from the pressing action exerted by the holding members which are disposed on the more outer sides in the left-right direction  9 , and the recording paper  35  is released at last from the pressing action exerted by the holding member  90 A, even when the recording paper  35  has any size of the first size and the second size. The holding member  90 A is provided at the most central position in the left-right direction  9 . Therefore, even if the force in the transport direction is exerted by the second roller pair  59  in the state in which the recording paper  35  is pressed by only the holding member  90 A, the force does not act as the angular moment (rotation moment) to rotate the recording paper  35 . 
     The holding tabs  93  of the respective holding members  90 A to  90 I are in the state of being overlapped with each other at least partially in the front-back direction  8  as viewed in the left-right direction  9 . Therefore, the upstream end of the recording paper  35  is in the state of being pressed by any one of the holding members  90 A to  90 I until the recording paper  35  completely passes through the holding members  90 A to  90 I. Accordingly, the possibility of the action of the angular moment (rotation moment) to rotate the recording paper  35  is further reduced. 
     Parts of the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 A to  90 I are positioned downwardly as compared with the upper ends of the ribs  85  of the platen  42 . Therefore, the recording paper  35 , which is interposed by the holding tabs  93  and the ribs  85 , is curved into the wavy form in the left-right direction  9 . Accordingly, the strength of the recording paper  35  is strengthened with respect to the bending in the transport direction, and the recording paper  35  is prevented from the floating from the platen  42 . 
     Modified Embodiments 
     In the embodiment described above, the holding members  90 A to  90 I, which are disposed on the more outer side in the left-right direction  9 , are provided on the more upstream side in the transport direction. However, on condition that the central holding member  90 A is provided on the most downstream side in the transport direction, it is also allowable that the positions of the other holding members  90 B to  90 I are somewhat different from those of the embodiment described above. For example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the holding members  90 A,  90 D to  90 I, which are disposed on the more outer side in the left-right direction  9 , may be provided on the more upstream side in the transport direction, and the holding members  90 B,  90 C may be provided at the same positions as those of the holding members  90 H,  90 I in the transport direction. In  FIG. 9 , the positions of the front ends of the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 H,  90 I are indicated by a line L 2  which is a virtual straight line. 
     Alternatively, the holding members  90 B to  90 I may be provided at the same position in the transport direction, and they may be aligned in one array in the left-right direction  9 . In this case, only the holding member  90 A is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction as compared with the other holding members  90 B to  90 I. 
     Further alternatively, it is also allowable that the holding member  90 A is not provided, and the holding members  90 B,  90 C are provided while being deviated toward the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction  9  (example of the central portion in the widthwise direction of the transport passage). In this case, the holding members  90 B,  90 C are provided at the same position in the transport direction, and they are provided on the downstream side in the transport direction as compared with the other holding members  90 D to  90 I. In other words, it is also allowable that a plurality of holding members are arranged on the most downstream side in the transport direction. 
     In the embodiment described above, the sheet of the second size is transported under the three central holding members  90 A to  90 C. However, the range W 2  in the left-right direction  9 , which is occupied by the sheet of the second size, may be deviated from the center of the transport passage  65 . For example, the sheet of the second size may be transported under the three holding members  90 C,  90 E,  90 G on the right side from the center of the transport passage  65  in the left-right direction  9 . In this case, the central holding member  90 E of the holding members  90 C,  90 E,  90 G is provided on the most downstream side in the transport direction. As for all of the holding members  90 A to  90 E, the holding member  90 A is provided on the most downstream side. 
     In the embodiment described above, the holding tabs  93  of the holding members  90 A to  90 I may be elastically urged toward the support surface  84  of the platen  42  by means of the curved tabs  92 . In this case, the holding member  90 A may have the largest urging force. Accordingly, the recording paper  35  is pressed by the largest force at the central position in the left-right direction  9 . Therefore, the recording paper  35  is hardly inclined in the form as described above, and the transport is stabilized. 
     In the embodiment described above, the nine holding members  90 A to  90 I are provided. However, the number of holding members is appropriately changed depending on the width of the transport passage  65  in the left-right direction  9  and the size or dimension of the recording paper  35  to be transported. 
     In the embodiment described above, the holding members  90 A to  90 I are attached to the first guide rail  71  respectively. However, the holding members  90 A to  90 I may be constructed as an integrated member integrated with the first guide rail  71 . Further, the holding members  90 A to  90 I may be supported by any member different from the first guide rail  71 , and the holding members  90 A to  90 I may be arranged for the transport passage  65 . 
     In the embodiment described above, the plurality of ribs  85  are provided depending on the places between the respective holding members  90 A to  90 I adjoining in the left-right direction  9 . However, a larger number of ribs  85  may be provided, or only one rib  85  may be provided between the respective adjoining holding members  90 A to  90 I. 
     In the embodiment described above, each of the holding members  90 A to  90 I is constructed by the base portion  91 , the curved tab  92 , and the holding tab  93 . However, the shape of each of the holding members  90 A to  90 I is not limited to the shape described in the foregoing embodiment provided that the recording paper  35  can be pressed. For example, the respective holding members  90 A to  90 I may be a plurality of rollers or spurs which abut against the recording paper  35  from the upward positions to press the recording paper  35  downwardly. In this case, the positional relationship of the rollers or the spurs are the same as or equivalent to that of the holding members  90 A to  90 I in the embodiment described above. In other words, the rollers or the spurs, which are disposed at the more central positions in the left-right direction  9 , are provided on the more downstream side in the transport direction. The outer circumferential portions of the plurality of rollers or the plurality of spurs, which abut against the recording paper  35 , correspond to the abutment portion of the present invention.