Patent Publication Number: US-9884493-B2

Title: Image recording apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-195066 filed on Sep. 25, 2014 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus which causes a sheet on which an image is recorded to be in a desired waved state. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, there is known an ink-jet recording apparatus which jets ink droplets onto a sheet such as a recording paper from nozzles provided in a recording unit so as to record an image, etc. on the sheet. In the ink-jet recording apparatus, a supporting member such as a platen is arranged to support the sheet at a position facing the recording unit. When the sheet is conveyed onto the supporting member, the sheet is supported by the supporting member in a state that the sheet faces the recording unit, and the ink droplets are selectively discharged from the recording unit onto the sheet, thereby recording an image, etc. on the sheet. 
     In the ink-jet recording apparatus as described above, a phenomenon (cockling) occurs in some cases; the cockling is such a phenomenon that a portion of the sheet onto which the ink is adhered swells and floats from the supporting member. In a case that the cockling occurs, the portion of the sheet floated from the supporting member makes contact with the recording unit, and/or makes contact with a guide member, which in turn may cause distortion of the recorded image and/or any clogging of the sheet. 
     In order to solve the above-described problem, there is known a structure to cause a sheet (recording sheet material), which is being conveyed on a supporting member (platen) in a conveyance direction, to be in a waved state in a width direction of the sheet orthogonal to the conveyance direction. Specifically, the conventional structure includes a plurality of ribs and a recording-sheet pressing plate. The ribs are arranged in a conveyance surface of the platen to be parallel to the conveyance direction. The recording-sheet pressing plate has a plurality of projections configured to press portions of the recording sheet into recesses which are defined between the adjacent ribs, respectively. Because the ribs of the platen and the projections of the recording-sheet pressing plate abut against the sheet alternately in the width direction, the sheet is caused to be in the waved state in the width direction. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the conventional structure, the plurality of projections in the recording-sheet pressing plate are formed integrally. Here, the widths of sheets which are conveyed in the ink-jet recording apparatus for the purpose of recording an image, etc. are various. For example, when an A5-sized sheet is conveyed in an ink-jet recording apparatus capable of conveying an A3-sized sheet with the center in the width direction as the reference of the conveyance, projections located at the center portion in the width direction of the recording-sheet pressing plate make abut against the A5-sized sheet. However, projections located at the both sides in the width direction of the recording-sheet pressing plate do not abut against the A5-sized sheet. In such a situation, when certain projections abutting against the A5-sized sheet are elastically deformed due to the reaction force from the sheet, other projections, which are adjacent to the certain projections and which do not abut against the A5-sized sheet, are also deformed to some extent via a connecting portion between the projections. When such a force deforming even the projections which do not abut against the sheet is also applied to the sheet, the force not required for causing the sheet to be in the desired waved state is also applied to the sheet, which in turn may not cause the sheet to be in an ideal waved state. On the other hand, when the respective projections are molded independently as separate components or parts, there is such an inconvenience that an operation for installing the respective projections might become complex and/or that the shape of the respective projections might be easily unstable. 
     The present teaching has been made in view of the above-described circumstances; an object of the present teaching is to provide an image recording apparatus which causes a sheet, on which an image, etc. is recorded, to be in a desired waved state by an abutment member having a plurality of abutment portions. 
     According to an aspect of the present teaching, there is provided an image recording apparatus including: a recording section configured to record an image on a sheet conveyed in a conveyance direction in a conveyance route; and an abutment member having a plurality of abutment portions which are arranged apart from each other in a width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction so that the plurality of abutment portions abut against the sheet convened in the conveyance route respectively, and a connecting portion connecting adjacent abutment portions among the plurality of abutment portions, wherein the connecting portion is configured to twist so as to rotate with the width direction as a rotation axis under a condition that the plurality of abutment portions abuts against the sheet. 
     With such a structure, in a case that only one of abutment portions on the both sides of the connecting portion abuts against the sheet, the twist of the connecting portion suppresses any deformation of the other abutment portion. 
     According to the present teaching, the plurality of abutment portions abuts against the sheet so that the sheet is caused to be in a desired waved state. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an embodiment of the present teaching. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view schematically depicting the structure of a printer unit. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view depicting a recording section, a first guide rail, a second guide rail and those in the vicinity of the recording section and the first and second guide rails in the printer unit. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view depicting the first guide rail, a corrugating section, a platen and those in the vicinity of the first guide rail, the corrugating section and the platen. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view depicting the first guide rail, the corrugating section and an urging member. 
         FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  are cross-sectional views each depicting the first guide rail and the corrugating section. 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the urging member as seen from above, and  FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the urging member as seen from below. 
         FIG. 8A ,  FIG. 8B ,  FIG. 8C , and  FIG. 8D  are perspective views of modifications of a second abutment member in the present teaching. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following, an embodiment of the present teaching will be explained with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that, however, the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present teaching; it goes without saying that it is possible to make any appropriate changes in the embodiment of the present teaching without departing from the gist and scope of the present teaching. In the following explanation, an up-down direction  7  is defined with a state that a multifunction peripheral  10  is usably placed (usable state; state depicted in  FIG. 1 ), as the reference; a front-rear direction  8  is defined with a front surface side of the multifunction peripheral  10  as the frontward side; and a left-right direction  9  is defined as viewing the multifunction peripheral  10  from the frontward side (near side). 
     Entire Structure of Multifunction Peripheral  10   
     The multifunction peripheral  10  depicted in  FIG. 1  (an example of an image recording apparatus of the present teaching) has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. The multifunction peripheral  10  has a casing  14  which is formed to have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape of a thin type, and a feeding tray  20  which is attached in the casing  14  at a lower portion thereof. The feeding tray  20  is configured such that the feeding tray  20  can be drawn frontward from the casing  14 . 
     A discharge space  13  is defined inside the casing  14  at a position above a front portion of the feeding tray  20  attached to the casing  14 . A recording sheet  12  on which an image has been recorded is discharged to the discharge space  13 . The discharge space  13  is open in the front side thereof. A discharge tray  21  for placing the recording sheet  12  (see  FIG. 2 ) on which the image has been recorded is provided at a position below the discharge space  13 . The discharge tray  21  is supported on the feeding tray  20 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a printer unit  11  is provided inside the casing  14  at an upper portion on the rear side thereof. The printer unit  11  records an image, etc. on a recording medium such as the recording sheet  12 , by an ink-jet system. The feeding tray  20  is provided with a supporting surface  22  on which a plurality of recording sheets  12  are stacked in the up-down direction  7 . The multifunction peripheral  10  has a function of recording an image, etc., on one surface of each of the recording sheets  12  stacked on the supporting surface  22  of the feeding ray  20 , and a function of recording an image, etc., on both surfaces of each of the recording sheets  12 . Further, the multifunction peripheral  10  also has a function of recording an image, etc., on a disc surface of a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc. 
     A feeding section  16  which feeds the recording sheets  12  inside the feeding tray  20  to the printer unit  11  is disposed below the printer unit  11 . The feeding section  16  has a feeding roller  25  which abuts against an uppermost recording sheet  12  inside the feeding tray  20  and feeds the uppermost recording sheet  12  in a rearward and upward direction. The feeding roller  25  is supported by a supporting arm  26  to be rotatable between an abutment position at which the feeding roller  25  abuts against the uppermost recording sheet  12  in the feeding tray  20  and a separate position at which the feeding roller  25  is separated away in an upward direction from the recording sheet  12 . A driving force from an unillustrated motor is transmitted to the feeding roller  25  by a driving force transmitting mechanism  27 . 
     A first conveyance route  33  via which a recording sheet  12  fed from the feeding tray  20  by the feeding section  16  is conveyed upward is provided at a rear portion of the casing  14 . The first conveyance route  33  has an arc shape protruding rearward by an outer circumferential guide member  33 A located on the rear side and an inner circumferential guide member  33 B located on the front side. The recording sheet  12  conveyed in the first conveyance route  33  is conveyed based on such a center reference that the center in the width direction, which is orthogonal to the conveyance direction, of the recording sheet  12  is substantially coincident with the center in the width direction of the first conveyance route  33 . 
     The recording sheet  12  fed from the feeding tray  20  enters into the first conveyance route  33  from an lower end of the first conveyance route  33 , and is discharged from an upper end of the first conveyance route  33  in the forward direction. A second conveyance route  34 , via which the recording sheet  12  conveyed through the first conveyance route  33  is conveyed in the forward direction, is disposed along the front-rear direction  8  at an upper location in the printer unit  11 . The second conveyance route  34  extends from the upper end of the first conveyance route  33  and arrives at a location above a rear end portion of the discharge tray  21 . 
     The second conveyance route  34  is provided with a first conveyance roller pair  59 , a platen  42 , a second conveyance roller pair  44 , a route switching mechanism  36 , and a reversing roller pair  45  in this order forwardly in the rear-right direction  8 , and each of the first conveyance roller pair  59 , the platen  42 , the second conveyance roller pair  44 , the route switching mechanism  36 , and the reversing roller pair  45  constructs a part of the second conveyance route  34 . The recording sheet  12  is conveyed based on the center reference also in the second conveyance route  34 . 
     The first conveyance roller pair  59  includes a first conveyance roller  60  which is arranged on the upper side in the pair and a pinch roller  61  which is arranged on the lower side in the pair. In a case that the recording sheet  12  is conveyed in the second conveyance route  34 , the first conveyance roller  60  is driven and rotated in a state that the first conveyance roller  60  is brought into pressurized contact with the pinch roller  61 . 
     The platen  42  arranged between the first conveyance roller pair  59  and the second conveyance roller pair  44  supports the recording sheet  12  which is being conveyed in the second conveyance route  34  in a state that the recording sheet  12  is along the front-rear direction  8 . A recording section  24  which records an image, etc. on the recording sheet  12  supported by the platen  42  is provided above the platen  42 . The recording section  24  forms the image, etc. with respect to the recording sheet  12  which has been conveyed based on the center reference and which is supported on the platen  42 , with the center position in the width direction of the recording sheet  12  as the reference. 
     The recording section  24  is supported by a first guide rail  56  and a second guide rail  57 . The first guide rail  56  and the second guide rail  57  are disposed above the platen  42  along the left-right direction  9  in a state of being apart from each other in the front-rear direction  8 . The recording section  24  has a carriage  40  slidably supported by the first and second guide rails  56  and  57 , and a recording head  38  arranged at a lower portion of the carriage  40 . The recording head  38  is provided with a plurality of nozzles  39  which discharge an ink downward from a plurality of discharge ports, respectively. The ink is supplied to the nozzles  39  from an ink cartridge (not depicted in the drawings). 
     The second conveyance roller pair  44  arranged in front of the platen  42  includes a second conveyance roller  62  arranged on the lower side in the pair and a facing roller (following roller)  63  arranged on the upper side in the pair. In a case that the recording sheet  12  is conveyed, the second conveyance roller  62  is driven and rotated in a state that the second conveyance roller  62  is brought into pressurized contact with the facing roller  63 . 
     In a case that the recording sheet  12  conveyed by the second conveyance roller pair  44  abuts against the route switching section  36 , the route switching section  36  is in such a state that the recording sheet  12  can pass above the route switching section  36 . Further, as will be described later on, in a case that the conveyance direction of the recording sheet  12 , guided toward the reversing roller pair  45  by the route switching section  36 , is reversed by the reversing roller pair  45  so that the recording sheet  12  is conveyed in a rearward direction, the recording sheet  12  abuts against the route switching section  36 , which in turn causes the recording sheet  12  to be guided to the lower side of the route switching section  36 . 
     The reversing roller pair  45  includes a reversing roller  67  which is arranged on the lower side in the pair and a facing roller (following roller)  68  which is arranged on the upper side in the pair. The reversing roller  67  is rotatable in each of the normal and reverse directions. The facing roller  68  rotates following rotation of the reversing roller  67  in a state that the facing roller  68  is brought into pressurized contact with the reversing roller  67 . 
     Regarding the rotational direction of the reversing roller  67 , the rotation of the reversing roller  67  in a case that the recording sheet  12  is conveyed in the forward direction is referred to as “normal rotation”, and the rotation of the reversing roller  67  in a case that the recording sheet  12  is conveyed in the rearward direction is referred to as “reverse rotation”. In a case that an image is to be recorded only on one surface of the recording sheet  12 , the reversing roller  67  is subjected to the normal rotation, and the recording sheet  12  conveyed by the reversing roller pair  45  is discharged onto the discharge tray  21 . 
     On the other hand, in a case that an image or images is/are to be recorded on the both surfaces of the recording sheet  12 , the reversing roller  67  is subjected to the normal rotation, and after the recording sheet  12  having the image recorded on one surface thereof is conveyed until immediately before the rear end portion of the recording sheet  12  passes through the reversing roller pair  45 , the reversing roller  67  is subjected to the reverse rotation. With this, the recording sheet  12  is conveyed in the rearward direction toward the route switching section  36 , and is guided to the lower side of the route switching section  36 . A branching conveyance guide  71  is disposed below the route switching section  36 , and a third conveyance route  73  is formed by the branching conveyance guide  71 . The branching conveyance guide  71  extends from the reversing roller pair  45  to the lower end portion of the first conveyance route  33 . The recording sheet  12  conveyed along the branching conveyance guide  71  is conveyed to the lower end portion of the first conveyance route  33  by an intermediate conveying roller pair  72 . 
     &lt;Printer Unit  11 &gt; 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the printer unit  11  is supported by a left side surface frame  47  and a right side surface frame  48  which are disposed both on the left and right sides, respectively, of a rear portion of the casing  14 . Each of the left side surface frame  47  and the right side surface frame  48  is extended in the front-rear direction  8  and the up-down direction  7 . 
     Each of the first guide rail  56  and the second guide rail  57  is supported by the left side surface frame  47  and the light-side surface frame  48  in a state of being placed across the left side surface and right side surface frames  47  and  48 . A rear side portion and a front side portion of the carriage  40  in the recording section  24  are slidably supported by the first guide rail  56  and the second guide rail  57 , respectively. The carriage  40  is slidably moved on a front side portion on the upper surface of the first guide rail  56 . 
     A roller supporting frame  65  having a strip-plate shape extending in the left-right direction  9  is supported, at a location in front of the second guide rail  57 , by the left side surface frame  47  and the right side surface frame  48 . The facing roller  68  arranged on the upper side in the reversing roller pair  45  (see  FIG. 2 ) is attached to a lower side of the roller supporting frame  65 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , a corrugating section  80 , which causes the recording sheet  12  being conveyed to be in a waved state along the left-right direction  9 , is disposed on the lower side of the first guide rail  56 . The corrugating section  80  has a first abutment member  80 A arranged at a central position in the left-right direction  9  and second abutment members  80 B arranged both on the left and right sides, respectively, of the first abutment member  80 A. An urging member  90  which presses each of the first abutment member  80 A and the second abutment members  80 B against the first guide rail  56  is disposed on the lower side of the firs guide rail  56 . The structures of the corrugating section  80  and the urging member  90  will be described later on. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , cutouts  47 A and  48 B which support a roller shaft  60 A of the first conveyance roller  60  (see  FIG. 2 ) are formed in the left side surface frame  47  and the right side surface frame  48 , respectively. The first conveyance roller  60  is allowed to be in a state depicted in  FIG. 3  under a condition that the roller shaft  60 A of the first conveyance roller  60  is rotatably supported by the cutouts  47 A and  48 A. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , both end portions of a roller shaft  62 A of the second conveyance roller  62  are supported by the left side surface frame  47  and the right side surface frame  48 , respectively. The roller shaft  62 A of the second conveyance roller  62  is rotatably supported by supporting hole portions (not depicted in the drawings) formed in the left side surface frame  47  and the right side surface frame  48 , respectively, in a state that the roller shaft  62 A is movable in the up-down direction  7 . The facing roller  63  (see  FIG. 2 ) arranged on the upper side in the second conveyance roller pair  44  is attached to a location below the second guide rail  57  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , supporting hole portions  47 D and  48 D which support both end portions of a roller shaft  67 A of the reversing roller  67  are formed in the left side surface frame  47  and the right side surface frame  48 , respectively. The roller shaft  67 A of the reversing roller  67  is rotatably supported by the supporting hole portions  47 D and  48 D in a state that the roller shaft  67 A is movable in the up-down direction  7 . The platen  42  disposed between the first conveyance roller pair  59  and the second conveyance roller pair  44  is supported by the roller shaft  62 A of the second conveyance roller  62 . 
     &lt;Platen  42 &gt; 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the platen  42  has a strip-plate shape extending in the left-right direction  9 , and a side edge portion on the front side of the platen  42  is rotatably supported by the roller shaft  62 A of the second conveyance roller  62 . A rear portion on the upper surface of the platen  42  is provided with abutment areas  42 F against which abutment portions  81 A in the corrugating section  80  abut, respectively. Each of the abutment areas  42 F is a flat surface against which the entirety of the lower surface in each of the flat-shaped abutment portions  81 A abut. Further, a plurality of ribs (projections)  42 E which project upward and extend in the front-rear direction  8  respectively are arranged on an upper surface of the platen  42  at an appropriate distance from one another in the left-right direction  9 . Each of the ribs  42 E is disposed at a location different from one of the abutment areas  42 F to extend from a side edge portion on the rear side of the platen  42  up to an intermediate area in the front-rear direction  8  of the platen  42 . 
     &lt;Corrugating Section  80 &gt; 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the first abutment member  80 A is attached to a central portion in the left-right direction  9  of the first guide rail (supporting member)  56 , and the respective second abutment members  80 B both on the left and right sides are attached to the first guide rail  56  in a state that the second abutment members  80 B are arranged both on the left and right sides, respectively, of the first abutment member  80 A, each at a predetermined distance from the first abutment member  80 A. The distances from the respective second abutment members  80 B to the first abutment member  80 A are identical. 
     The first abutment member  80 A is provided with three abutment bodies  81  arranged in the left-right direction  9  apart from one another, and first connecting portions  82  each connecting adjacent abutment bodies  81  among the three abutment bodies  81 . 
     Each of the abutment bodies  81  has a base section  81 B facing the lower surface of the first guide rail  56 , a connecting portion  81 K disposed on a front end portion (downstream end portion in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet  12 ) of the base section  81 B, a curved section  81 C projecting from the front end portion of the connecting portion  81 K while curving downward and frontward, and an abutment portion  81 A disposed at a lower end portion (forward end portion) of the curved section  81 C. 
     The base section  81 B has a flat rectangular-plate shape in a plane view, and a pair of engaging sections  81 D which engage with the first guide rail  56  are provided on a rear end portion of the base section  81 B. The engaging sections  81 D have support post portions  81 E projecting upward respectively from both the left and right sides of the base section  81 B, and locking portions  81 F extending rearward respectively at tip end portions of the support post portions  81 E. Each of the support post portions  81 E has a rectangular cross-sectional shape of which lengths in the front-rear direction  8  (the conveyance direction of the recording sheet  12 ) and in the left-right direction  9  are each constant. 
     The first guide rail  56  is provided with openings  56 A to which the engaging sections  81 D of each of the base sections  81 B are inserted, respectively. Each of the openings  56 A is arranged at a rear portion in the first guide rail  56 , namely, on the rear side of (behind) a sliding position at which the carriage  40  is slidably moved in the first guide rail  56 . Each of the openings  56 A has a penetration portion  56 B having a dimension allowing one of the locking portions  81 F of the base section  81 B to penetrate therethrough, and a slide portion  56 C extending rightward from a front portion of the penetration portion  56 B. The length of the slide portion  56 C in the front-rear direction  8  is adjusted to allow the support post portion  81 E to penetrate through the slide portion  56 C but to prevent the locking portion  81 F from penetrating through the slide portion  56 C. 
     The locking portions  81 F of the engaging sections  81 D are inserted into the penetration portions  56 B from therebelow in the openings  56 A, respectively, of the first guide rail  56 , to thereby allow the respective locking portions  81 F to be placed above the first guide rail  56 . In such a state, the support post portions  81 E are slid rightward along the slide portions  56 C of the openings  56 A, respectively, thereby positioning the locking portions  81 F of the engaging sections  81 D above right end portions of the slid portions  56 C, respectively. In this state, the locking portions  81 F are locked on the upper surface of the first guide rail  56 , and are prevented from disengaging (dropping) from the openings  56 A. 
     Among the abutment bodies  81 , an abutment body  81  (central abutment body  81 ) located in the center of the left-right direction  9  is provided with a strip-plate shaped leaf spring section  81 G elongated in the front-rear direction  8 . The leaf spring section  81 G is located at a central portion in the left-right direction  9  of the base section  81 B. The leaf spring section  81 G is constructed of a strip-plate shaped portion formed in a portion of the base section  81 B by forming a cutout in the base section  81 B. A boss portion  81 H projecting upward is provided on a forward end portion of the base section  81 B. As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the boss portion  81 H is fitted into an opening  56 E formed in the first guide rail  56  in a state that each of the engaging sections  81 D of the base section  81 B is engaged with the first guide rail  56 . Such a leaf spring section is not provided on the base section  81 B of each of the remaining two abutment bodies  81  different from the central abutment body  81 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the connecting portion  81 K provided between the base section  81 B and the curved section  81 C has three connecting bodies  81 M and flat-plate shaped attaching portions  81 N. The connecting bodies  81 M project forward at locations on the front surface of the base section  81 B and arranged at a predetermined distance in the left-right direction  9  from one another. The flat-plate shaped attaching portion  81 N are supported on front end portions of the connecting bodies  81 M respectively along the up-down direction  7  (see  FIGS. 8A to 8D  depicting modifications of the second abutment member  80 B). A projection  81 P (see  FIG. 6B  and  FIGS. 8A to 8D ) projecting upward so as to contact with the lower surface of the first guide rail  56  is provided on a rear portion in each of the connecting bodies  81 M. The attaching portion  81 N is supported by the forward end of each of the connecting bodies  81 M at an intermediate portion of the attaching portion  81 N in the up-down direction  7 , so that the attaching portion  81 N extends along the up-down direction  7  and the left-right direction  9 . A portion of the attaching portion  81 N located above each of the connecting bodies  81 M extends along the front side-edge portion of the first guide rail  56 . 
     An upper end portion of the curved section  81 C is attached to a lower portion on the front surface of the attaching portion  81 N. The curved section  81 C has a shape of which length in the left-right direction  9  is substantially constant, and has a shape conforming to the outer circumferential portion on the front side of the first conveyance roller pair  59 . The curved section  81 C has an elasticity to be movable in the up-down direction  7  and the front-rear direction  8 . 
     Each of the abutment portions  81 A projects frontward from a lower end portion of the curved section  81 C, and has a triangular shape in a plane view of which length in the left-right direction  9  is gradually decreased in the frontward direction. Each of the abutment portions  81 A is located upstream in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet  12  relative to the nozzles  39  of the recording section  24 . The abutment portions  81 A abut against the abutment areas  42 F respectively provided in the rear portion on the upper surface of the platen  42 , in a state that the recording sheet  12  is not conveyed. When the recording sheet  12  is conveyed, the abutment portions  81 A abut against the recording sheet  12 . 
     A front end portion, of the flat-plate shaped abutment portion  81 A, on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet  12  is substantially parallel to the recording sheet  12  which is being conveyed. Note that the structure of the abutment portion  81 A is not limited to this structure, and the abutment portion  81 A may be inclined upward along the conveyance direction of the recording sheet  12  (i.e. to be inclined such that the abutment portion  81 A is located at an upper position progressively toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction). 
     Each of the first connecting portions  82  has a pair of linking portions  82 A connecting the base sections  81 B of the adjacent abutment bodies  81  with each other. Each of the pair of linking portions  82 A is constructed of a linear member elongated in the left-right direction  9  and having a constant length in the front-rear direction  8  (width). A hole  82 B of which length in the front-rear direction  8  is constant is defined between the pair of linking members  82 A. The hole  82 B is an elongated hole defined by the pair of linking portions  82 A and the adjacent base sections  81 B sandwiching the pair of linking portions  82 B therebetween. In a state that the base section  81 B is attached to the first guide rail  56 , gaps in the up-down direction  7  are defined between the upper surfaces of the linking portions  82 A and the lower surface of the first guide rail  56 . The length in the front-rear direction  8  of each of the linking portions  82 A is shorter than the length in the front-rear direction  8  of each of the support post portions  81 E in the engaging sections  81 D provided on each of the base sections  81 B. 
     The first connecting portion  82  having such a structure is twisted in the circumferential direction about the axis line in the left-right direction  9 , more easily than the base section  81 B. For example, in such a case that a rotational force about an axis line  6  (see  FIGS. 8A to 8D ) in the left-right direction  9  which passes through the central position in the front-rear direction  8  of the first connecting portion  82  is applied to a certain base section  81 B among the base sections  81 B, the first connecting portion  82  is easily twisted about the axis line  6  by the rotational force, which in turn suppresses the transmission of the rotational force about the axis line  6  to another base section  81 B located adjacent to the certain base section  81 B. 
     The first abutment member  80 A is formed of a synthetic resin (for example, polyacetal (POM)) in such a manner that the three abutment bodies  81  and two pieces of the first connecting portion  82  are molded as an integrated body. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , each of the second abutment members  80 B has two abutment bodies  81  and a second connecting portion  83  connecting the two abutment bodies  81  with each other. An abutment body  81  among the two abutment bodies  81  located on the left side has substantially the same structure as that of the abutment body  81  located at the central portion in the first abutment member  80 A, except that the abutment body  81  on the left side of the second abutment member  80 B has a different shape of the leaf spring section  81 G provided on the base section  81 B from that in the central abutment body  81  of the first contact member  80 A. Namely, the leaf spring section  81 G in the second abutment member  80 B has such a structure that a front end portion thereof is extended rightward, and a forward end portion of the rightward extended portion is provided with the boss portion  81 H. Another abutment body  81  among the two abutment bodies  81  located on the right side in the second abutment member  80 B has the same structure as that of the abutment bodies  81  located at the both sides of the central abutment body  81  in the first contact member  80 A. 
     The distance in the left-right direction  9  between the two abutment bodies  81  in the second abutment member  80 B is shorter than the distance in the left-right direction  9  between two mutually adjacent contacting bodies  81  in the first abutment member  80 A. The second connecting portion  83  of the second abutment member  80 B has a pair of linking portions  83 A which has a structure substantially similar to that of the pair of linking portions  82 A of the first connecting portion  82  of the first abutment member  80 A, except that the length in the left-right direction  9  of each of the linking portions  83 A is smaller than that of each of the linking portions  82 A of the first connecting portion  82  of the first abutment member  80 A. The second connecting portion  83  of the second abutment member  80 B is also provided with a hole  83 B defined by the pair of linking portions  83 A and the pair of base sections  81 B, and the length in the left-right direction  9  of the hole  83 B is shorter than that of the hole  82 B in the first connecting portion  82  of the first abutment member  80 A. 
     The second connecting portion  83  having such a structure is twisted about the axis line  6  in the left-right direction  9 , more easily than the base sections  81 B arranged on the both sides of the second connecting portion  83 . For example, in such a case that the rotational force about the axis line  6  is applied to any one of the base sections  81 B, the second connecting portion  83  is easily twisted about the axis line  6  by the rotational force. This consequently suppresses the transmission of the rotational force about the axis line  6  to the other of the base sections  81 B. 
     The second abutment member  80 B is also formed of a synthetic resin (for example, polyacetal (POM)) in such a manner that the two contacting bodies  81  and the one second connecting portion  83  are molded as an integrated body. Note that each of the first and second abutment members  80 A and  80 B is not limited to the integrally molded structure, and each may be structured by, for example, fitting a plurality of members or components with respect to each other. 
     &lt;Urging Member  90 &gt; 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B , the first abutment member  80 A and the second abutment members  80 B are pressed from below by the urging member  90  in a state that the first and second abutment members  80 A and  80 B are supported by the first guide rail  56 . The urging member  90  is formed in a substantially box-like shape having a front wall  91  and a rear wall  92  which extend in the left-right direction  9 , and the upper portion of the urging member  90  is open. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 7A , a plurality of urging sections  91 A are arranged at an upper edge portion of the front side wall  91 , apart from one another in the left-right direction  9 . Each of the urging sections  91  is located at a position below the base section  81 B of one of the abutment bodies  81  in the first or second abutment members  80 A or  80 B, and each of the urging sections  91 A is formed to have a plate spring-like shape extending in the left-right direction  9 . One end in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction  9 ) of each of the urging sections  91 A is integrally formed with the front side wall  91 . On the other hand, a space  91 C is defined at a location outside the other end (forward end portion) in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction  9 ) of the urging section  91 A and below the urging section  91 A. Owing to such a structure, a tip end portion of each of the urging sections  91 A is displaceable in the up-down direction  7 , and has elasticity. 
     Pressing portions  91 B projecting upward are provided on the tip end portions of the urging sections  91 A, respectively. Each of the pressing portions  91 B abuts against a central portion in the left-right direction  9  at a front portion of the base section  81 B of one of the abutment bodies  81  to thereby press the front portion in the base section  81 B upward. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 7A , the urging member  90  is provided with four support members  93  via which the urging member  90  is supported by the first guide rail  56 . The support members  93  project upward from an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction  8  of a bottom plate  94  of the urging member  90 , respectively at locations with a predetermined distance in the left-right direction  9  from one another. An upper end portion of each of the support members  93  is provided with an engaging portion  93 A extending frontward. Note that the number of the support member  93  is not limited to four pieces. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the first guide rail  56  is formed with four engaging holes  56 D along the left-right direction  9  at an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction  8  of the first guide rail  56 , and on the rear side of (behind) the sliding position of the carriage  40 . The engaging holes  56 D are arranged at locations corresponding to the four support members  93 , respectively. A left side-portion of each of the engaging holes  56 D has a dimension allowing the engaging portion  93 A provided on the upper end of one of the support members  93  to penetrate through the left side-portion, and right side-portion of each of the engaging holes  56 D has a dimension allowing a lower portion of the engaging portion  93 A to penetrate through the right side-portion but preventing the engaging portion  93 A as a whole from penetrating through the right-side portion. Namely, the engaging portions  93 A can be engaged with the upper surface of the first guide rail  56  by inserting the engaging portions  93 A of the support members  93  into the left side-portions of the engaging holes  56 D, respectively, so as to position the engaging portions  93 A to a position above the first guide rail  56 , and then by sliding the support members  93  rightward. By allowing the engaging portions  93 A of all of the engaging members  93  to be engaged with respect to the upper surface of the first guide rail  56 , the urging member  90  is supported by the first guide rail  56 . 
     In a state that the urging member  90  is supported by the first guide rail  56 , the pressing portion  91 B of each of the urging sections  91 A provided on the front side wall  91  is pressed against the front portion of the base section  81  in one of the abutment bodies  81 . With this, the projection  81 P of the connecting portion  81 K of each of the abutment bodies  81  is pressed against the lower surface of the first guide rail  56 . The engaging sections  81 D provided on the rear portion of each of the base sections  81 B are engaged with the first guide rail  56 . Accordingly, when the projection  81 P of the connecting portion  81 K located in front of each of the base sections  81 B is pressed against the lower surface of the first guide rail  56 , the curved section  81 C of each of the contacting bodies  81  is thereby bent (deformed) such that the abutment portion  81 A located at the lower end of the curved section  81 C is lifted upward. As a result, the forward end portion of the abutment portion  81 A is displaced upward, and the abutment section  81 A is allowed to have a state that the abutment section  81 A is substantially parallel to the recording sheet  12  which is being conveyed, or is inclined upward relative to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet  12 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 7B , a plurality of first guide members  95  projecting rearward are provided, along the front-rear direction  8 , at a lower portion of a rear wall  96  of the urging member  90 . The plurality of first guide members  95  are arranged apart from one another in the left-right direction  9 . A rear edge portion of each of the first guide members  95  is inclined upwardly and rearwardly, so that the rear end portion of each of the first guide members  95  is located at a height corresponding to an intermediate position in the up-down direction  7  in the rear wall  92 . The first guide members  95  guide the recording sheet  12  conveyed from the first conveyance route  33  to a position below the bottom plate  94  of the urging member  90 . 
     The lower surface of the bottom plate  94  is provided with second guide members  96  which guide the recording sheet  12  guided by the first guide members  95  to the first conveyance roller pair  59 . The urging member  90  is molded of a resin as an integrated member, and thus the rear wall  92  and the first guide members  95 , and the bottom plate  94  and the second guide members  96  are formed integrally. 
     &lt;Operation of Corrugating Section  80  and Urging Member  90 &gt; 
     In a case that the recording sheet  12  in the feeding tray  20  is conveyed from the first conveyance route  33  to the first conveyance roller pair  59  based on the center reference, the recording sheet  12  is guided by the first guide members  95  and the second guide members  96  of the urging member  90 , and is conveyed onto the platen  42 . In this situation, when the recording sheet  12  being conveyed by the first conveyance roller pair  59  abuts against the abutment portions  81 A of the respective abutment bodies  81  in the first abutment member  80 A, the recording sheet  12  against which the abutment portions  81 A abut is pressed against the contact areas  42 F in the platen  42 . The ribs  42 E along the front-rear direction  8  are provided both on the left and right sides of the contacting areas  42 F, respectively. Thus, portions, of the recording sheet  12 , against which the abutment portions  81 A abut respectively are located below and away from the recording section  24  than other portions of the recording sheet  12  against which the ribs  42 E abut, respectively. With this, the portions of the recording sheet  12  pressed against the contact areas  42 F by the abutment portions  81 A, respectively, are curbed or waved to protrude downward. 
     In this situation, the reaction force from the recording sheet  12  is applied to the respective abutment portions  81 A of the abutment bodies  81  in the first abutment member  80 A. This reaction force moves or displaces the abutment portions  81 A upward, thereby providing a state in which the curved sections  81 C are displaced upward. With this, the front end portions of the base sections  81 B are also displaced upward. In this situation, the first connecting portions  82  each of which connects the adjacent contacting bodies  81  are constructed by the pair of linking portions  82 A having the hole  82 B formed therebetween. Thus, even when any one of or both of the adjacent abutment bodies  81  is/are deformed, the first connecting portion  82  is twisted so as to rotate about the axis line  6 . With this, in a case that any one of the adjacent abutment bodies  81  on the both sides of the first connecting portion  82  is displaced, any displacement of the other of the adjacent abutment bodies  81 , that would otherwise be caused by the displacement of the one of the adjacent abutment bodies  81 , is suppressed. This suppresses any change in the pressing force, with which the abutment portion  81 A of the other of the abutment bodies  81  presses the recording sheet  12 , that would otherwise be caused by the displacement of the one of the adjacent abutment bodies  81 . 
     The above operation is the same also regarding the second abutment members  80 B. When the abutment portions  81 A abut against the recording sheet  12 , portions in the recording sheet  12  against which the abutment portions  81 A abut are pressed against the contact areas  42 F, respectively, in the platen  42 , thereby providing a state that the recording sheet  12  is waved. In this case also, even when any one of the abutment bodies  81  on the both sides of the second connecting portion  83  is displaced, any displacement of the other of the abutment bodies  81 , that would otherwise be caused by the displacement of the one of the abutment bodies  81 , is suppressed by the second connecting portion  83 . 
     In such a manner, the abutment areas  42 F in the platen  42 , the respective ribs  42 E arranged both on the left and right sides of each of the abutment areas  42 F, and the abutment portions  81 A facing or opposite to the abutment areas  42 F cooperate to provide the waved state to the recording sheet  12 . As a result, the recording sheet  12  is allowed to be waved along the left-right direction  9 . Afterwards, the waved portion of the recording sheet  12  is stopped at a predetermined position in the platen  42 , and an image, etc. is recorded on the recording sheet  12  by the recording section  24 . In this case, the waved state imparted to the recording sheet  12  makes it possible to suppress any occurrence of the cockling in the recording sheet  12  on which the image, etc. is to be formed with the ink droplets. 
     EFFECTS OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     According to the embodiment, in a case that the abutment portions  81 A of the respective contacting bodies  81  in the first and second abutment members  80 A and  80 B abut against the recording sheet  12 , the displacement of the respective contacting bodies  81  is absorbed by the first and second connecting portions  82 ,  83 . Accordingly, the abutment body  81  adjacent to any displaced abutment portions  81 A is hardly displaced as well. With this, a desired pressure can be imparted to the recording sheet  12  by the abutment portion  81 A of each of the abutment bodies  81 , thereby making it possible to impart a desired waved state to the recording sheet  12  along the left-right direction  9 . 
     In the first and second abutment members  80 A and  80 B, the engaging sections  81 D provided on the base section  81 B of each of the abutment bodies  81  are engaged with the first guide rail  56 , and each of the first connecting portion  82  and the second connecting portion  83  connects the adjacent base sections  81 B with each other. With this, the first abutment member  80 A and the second abutment members  80 B can be easily attached to predetermined locations, respectively, in the first guide rail  56 . 
     Gaps in the up-down direction  7  are defined between the first guide rail  56  and each of the first and second connecting portions  82  and  83 . Accordingly, the twisting of each of the first and second connecting portions  82  and  83  is hardly hindered by any contact with the first guide rail  56 . 
     Each of the first and second connecting portions  82  and  83  has a portion of which length in the front-rear direction  8  is shorter than the length of each of the engaging sections  81 D in the front-rear direction  8 . With this, in a case that any one of the abutment portions  81 A on the both sides of each of the first and second connecting portions  82  and  83  abut against the recording sheet  12 , each of the first and second connecting portions  82  and  83  can be easily twisted. 
     Further, since each of the first connecting portions  82  has the hole  82 B and each of the second connecting portions  83  has the hole  83 B, each of the first and second connecting portions  82  and  83  can be easily twisted. In a case that the hole  82 B of each of the first connecting portions  82  and the hole  83 B of each of the second connecting portions  83  are elongated holes defined by the linking portions  82 A and  83 A, respectively, each of the first and second connecting portions  82  and  83  can have the twisted state more easily. 
     Since the length in the left-right direction  9  of the hole  82 B in the first connecting portion  82  is longer than the length in the left-right direction  9  of the hole  83 B in the second connecting portion  83 , each of the first and second connecting portions  82  and  83  has a twisted state suitable for positions at which the abutment portions  81 A abut against the recording sheet  12 . 
     Since the first guide frame  56  supports the recording section  24  to be movable in the left-right direction  9 , a space for arranging the first and second abutment members  80 A and  80 B can be made small. 
     Each of the first and second abutment members  80 A and  80 B is integrally molded with a synthetic resin. With this, the first and second abutment members  80 A and  80 B can be easily produced. 
     The recording section  24  records an image, etc., on the recording sheet  12  by discharging ink droplets from the nozzles  39  onto the recording sheet  12 . This makes it possible to improve the quality of the image, etc., formed by the ink droplets. 
     The abutment portions  81 A are located upstream of the nozzles  39  in the conveyance direction. With this, it is possible to prevent any cockling of a recording sheet on which an image, etc. is formed with the ink droplets. 
     First Modification 
       FIG. 8A  depicts a first modification in the second connecting portion  83  of the second abutment member  80 B. The second connecting portion  83  is constructed of flat-plate shaped connecting bodies  83 D projecting respectively from base sections  81 B in the abutment bodies  81  both on the left and right sides, toward a central portion in the left-right direction  9  of the second connecting portion  83 , and a connecting portion  83 E connecting the connecting bodies  83 D on the left and right sides to each other. Each of the connecting bodies  83 D has a same shape, and central portions of the connecting bodies  83 D in the front-rear direction  8  are connected to each other by the connecting portion  83 E. The length in the front-rear direction  8  of the connecting portion  83 E is shorter than the length in the front-rear direction  8  of each of the connecting bodies  83 D. When the rotational force about the axis line  6  is applied to an end portion, of the second connecting portion  83 , on either one of the left and right sides, the second connecting portion  83  can easily have a twisted state about the axis line  6  as the center, due to the applied rotational force. Accordingly, even when either one of the abutment bodies  81  is displaced, it is possible to suppress any change in the pressing force, with which the abutment portion  81 A of the other of the abutment bodies  81  presses the recording sheet  12 , that would otherwise be caused by the displacement of the one of the abutment bodies  81 . The first connecting portion  82  of the first abutment member  80 A may also have a similar structure as described above regarding the second connecting portion  83  of the second abutment member  80 B. 
     Second Modification 
     As depicted in  FIG. 8B , the second connecting portion  83  of the second abutment member  80 B in a second modification is constructed of a single linking portion  83 F. The linking portion  83 F is formed of a linear member having a constant width, and connects central portions in the front-rear direction  8  of the base sections  81 B in the abutment bodies  81  both on the left and right sides. The center line along the left-right direction  9  of the linking portion  83 F is substantially coincident with the axis line  6 . Also with such a structure, even when either one of the abutment bodies  81  is displaced, it is possible to suppress any change in the pressing force, with which the abutment portion  81 A of the other of the abutment bodies  81  presses the recording sheet  12 , that would otherwise be caused by the displacement of the one of the abutment bodies  81 . The first connecting portion  82  of the first abutment member  80 A may also have a similar structure as described above regarding the second connecting portion  83  of the second abutment member  80 B. 
     Third Modification 
     As depicted in  FIG. 8C , the second connecting portion  83  of the second abutment member  80 B in a third modification is constructed of a linking portion  83 G having a shape obtained by bending a single linear member having a constant width. The linking portion  83 G projects from front portions of the base sections  81 B of the abutment bodies  81 , toward a central portion in the left-right direction  9  of the second connecting portion  83 , and a bent portion  83 H which is located at the central portion in the left-right direction  9  of the second connecting portion  83  is bent to protrude rearward. A rear portion in the bent portion  83 H is a linear portion  83 J along the left-right direction  9 , and the central axis along the left-right direction  9  in the linear portion  83 J is substantially coincident with the axis line  6 . Also with such a structure, even when either one of the abutment bodies  81  is displaced, it is possible to suppress any change in the pressing force, with which the abutment portion  81 A of the other of the abutment bodies  81  presses the recording sheet  12 , that would otherwise be caused by the displacement of the one of the abutment bodies  81 . Note that the bent portion  83 H may project frontward. The first connecting portion  82  of the first abutment member  80 A may also be configured in a similar manner as described above regarding the second connecting portion  83  of the second abutment member  80 B. 
     Fourth Modification 
     As depicted in  FIG. 8D , the second connecting portion  83  of the second abutment member  80 B in a fourth modification is constructed of a strip plate-shaped linking plate  83 K having a constant width. The length in the front-rear direction  8  of the linking plate  83 K is made to be constant, and the central line passing through a central portion in the front-rear direction  8  in the linking plate  83 K is substantially coincident with the axis line  6 . A recessed portion  83 M along the front-rear direction  8  is formed in a central portion in the left-right direction  9  of the linking plate  83 K. The recessed portion  83 M is open upward. Accordingly, the thickness of the central portion in the left-right direction  9  of the linking plate  83 K is thinner than the remaining portion of the linking plate  83 K different from the central portion. Also with such a structure, even when either one of the abutment bodies  81  is displaced, it is possible to suppress any change in the pressing force, with which the abutment portion  81 A of the other of the abutment bodies  81  presses the recording sheet  12 , that would otherwise be caused by the displacement of the one of the abutment bodies  81 . The first connecting portion  82  of the first abutment member  80 A may also have a similar structure as described above regarding the second connecting portion  83  of the second abutment member  80 B. 
     Other Modifications 
     The structure of the abutment bodies  81  of each of the first and second abutment members  80 A and  80 B is not limited to the structure for curving (corrugating) the recording sheet  12 , and may be such a structure capable of abutting against the recording sheet  12  from above, to thereby suppress any floating of the recording sheet  12  from the platen  42 . In this case, there is provided a structure in which the ribs  42 E are not provided on the platen  42 , or a structure in which each of the abutment portions  81 A is always arranged above the abutment areas  42 F between the ribs  42 E of the platen  42 . 
     The first and second abutment members  80 A and  80 B are arranged upstream of the recording section  24  in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet  12 . It is allowable, however, to arrange the first and second abutment members  80 A and  80 B downstream of the recording section  24  in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet  12 . 
     Further, the corrugating section  80  is constructed of three abutment members, namely, the first abutment member  80 A and the two second abutment members  80 B. It is allowable, however, that the corrugating section  80  is constructed of a single abutment member in which these three abutment members are connected to one another. In this case, all of the first and second connecting portions  82  and  83  can be molded integrally. 
     Further, the first conveyance route  33  and the second conveyance route  34  each have a structure wherein the recording sheet  12  is conveyed based on the center reference and an image, etc., is recorded on the recording sheet  12  based on the center reference. It is allowable, however, that each of the first conveyance route  33  and the second conveyance route  34  is provided with such a structure wherein the recording sheet  12  is conveyed based on one side (single side) reference, with either one of side edge positions in the recording sheet  12  in the width direction, which is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet  12 , as the reference. In this case, an image is recorded on the recording sheet  12  based on the single side reference, with one of the side edges in the width direction of the recording sheet  12  as the reference.