Patent Publication Number: US-9409736-B2

Title: Sheet conveying device and image recording apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-194541 filed on Sep. 25, 2014, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure relates to a sheet conveying device configured to convey a sheet and an image recording apparatus including the sheet conveying device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A known image recording apparatus includes a sheet conveying device and is capable of double-sided image recording. The sheet conveying device includes a flap configured to pivot between a first state to close a main conveying path and to guide a sheet toward a return path, and a second state to allow a sheet to pass along the main conveying path. 
     SUMMARY 
     It may be beneficial to provide a sheet conveying device which is used for an image recording apparatus and in which a sheet having an image recorded thereon is reliably guided toward a return path without intruding back into a main conveying path. 
     According to one or more aspects of the disclosure, a sheet conveying device comprises a housing in which a sheet is conveyed along a first conveying path in a conveying direction and is returned along a second conveying path to the first conveying path, a first path-defining member, a second path-defining member facing the first path-defining member in a facing direction to define a portion of the first conveying path, and a flap configured to pivot between a first state in which the flap is in contact with the first path-defining member and guides toward the second conveying path the sheet conveyed in a direction opposite to the conveying direction, and a second state in which the flap is separated from the first path-defining member. The second conveying path is branched off from the first conveying path in a direction away from the first path-defining member. The first path-defining member includes a guide surface configured to guide the sheet conveyed along the first conveying path, a contact surface positioned farther from the second path-defining member in the facing direction than the guide surface, and configured to contact the flap in the first state, and an inclined surface positioned downstream of the contact surface in the conveying direction. The inclined surface is inclined such that an upstream end of the inclined surface in the conveying direction is closer to the second path-defining member in the facing direction than a downstream end of the inclined surface in the conveying direction. The upstream end of the inclined surface is closer to the second path-defining member in the facing direction than the contact surface. 
     With the above-described configuration, a sheet to be conveyed toward the second conveying path may be reduced or prevented from proceeding between the first path-defining member and the flap. 
     According to one or more aspects of the disclosure, a sheet conveying device comprises an upper guide member, a flap disposed facing the upper guide member to define a portion of a first conveying path, and a roller disposed along the first conveying path at a position downstream of the flap in a conveying direction. The flap is configured to pivot between a first state in which an upper end of the flap is in contact with the upper guide member, and a second state in which the upper end of the flap is spaced from the upper guide member. The roller is configured to rotate forwardly to convey a sheet along the first conveying path in the conveying direction and configured to rotate reversely to convey the sheet in a direction opposite to the conveying direction toward a second conveying path. The upper guide member includes a guide surface configured to guide the sheet conveyed along the first conveying path, a contact surface positioned above the guide surface and configured to contact the upper end of the flap in the first state, and an inclined surface positioned downstream of the contact surface in the conveying direction. The inclined surface is inclined such that an upstream end of the inclined surface in the conveying direction is lower than a downstream end of the inclined surface in the conveying direction. The upstream end of the inclined surface is lower than the contact surface. 
     With the above-described configuration, a sheet to be conveyed toward the second conveying path may be reduced or prevented from proceeding between the upper guide member and the flap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multi-function device in an illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a vertical sectional view of a printer section, depicting an internal structure thereof. 
         FIG. 3A  is a vertical sectional view of a flap and its surrounding components in the printer section, when the flap is in a first state. 
         FIG. 3B  is a vertical sectional view of the flap and its surrounding components in the printer section, when the flap is in a second state. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of a platen and a guide rail. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a recording unit and guide rails and their surrounding components in the printer section. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of contact members, the platen, and a recording sheet. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the flap, a first upper guide member, the platen, and the guide rail as viewed from the bottom. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the platen and the guide rail taken along a line VIII-VIII of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic front view of a first upper guide member according to a modification of an embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic sectional view of a printer section according to a modification of an embodiment, depicting an internal structure thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Illustrative embodiments and modifications according to one or more aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals denote like corresponding parts. While the disclosure is described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, this is merely an example, and various changes, arrangements and modifications may be applied therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In the following description, a top-bottom direction  7  may be defined in conjunction with an orientation in which a multi-function device  10  is intended to be used, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . A side of the multi-function device  10  having an opening  13  may be defined as a front side. A front-rear direction  8  may be defined in conjunction with the front side. A left-right direction  9  may be defined in conjunction with the multi-function device  10  as viewed from its front side. 
     [Overall Structure of Multi-Function Device  10 ] 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , an image recording apparatus, e.g., the multi-function device  10 , has generally a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape. The multi-function device  10  includes a printer section  11  disposed at a lower portion thereof. The multi-function device  10  has various functions, such as a facsimile function, a printing function, and a copying function. As a printing function, the multi-function device  10  has a duplex printing function in which an image is recorded by an inkjet method on each side of a sheet, e.g., a recording sheet  12  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). In another embodiment, the multi-function device  10  may be configured to record an image on a recording sheet  12  by a method other than the inkjet method, e.g., an electrophotographic method. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the printer section  11  includes a casing  14  including a front surface  75  on which an opening  13  is formed. The casing  14  defines therein a first conveying path  65  and a second conveying path  71  (refer to  FIG. 2 ), which are described below. The casing  14  is an outer cover that encloses, for example, components of the printer section  11  therein. 
     The multi-function device  10  includes a sheet conveying device. The sheet conveying device includes the casing  14 , and members defining the first conveying path  65 , a flap  49 , and coil springs  86 , which are described below. 
     [Feed Tray  20 ] 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the feed tray  20  is configured to be inserted into or removed from the casing  14  through a portion below the opening  13 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the feed tray  20  is configured to support one or more recording sheets  12 . A discharge tray  21  is supported above the feed tray  20 . The discharge tray  21  is configured to support, at an upper surface thereof, a recording sheet  12  having an image recorded by a recording unit  24  (described below). 
     The feed tray  20  supports a pair of side guides (not depicted) configured to move in the left-right direction  9 . Each side guide is configured to contact, at a side surface thereof, a corresponding one of left and right ends of a recording sheet  12  supported by the feed tray  20 . In response to one of the side guides moving in one direction in the left-right direction  9 , the other of the side guides moves in an opposite direction in the left-right direction  9 . In the illustrative embodiment, a recording sheet  12  is supported by the feed tray  20  while center-aligned in the left-right direction  9  and is conveyed to the recording unit  24  through a first conveying path  65  and a second conveying path  71  (described below) for image recording. For example, the center of a recording sheet  12  in the left-right direction  9  of any size that can be supported by the feed tray  20  passes the same position in the first conveying path  65  and the second conveying path  71  in the left-right direction  9 . In another embodiment, a recording sheet  12  may be side-aligned in the left-right direction  9  in the feed tray  20 . 
     [Sheet Feed Unit  16 ] 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a sheet feed unit  16  is disposed above the feed tray  20  when the feed tray  20  is inserted in the casing  14 . The sheet feed unit  16  includes a feed roller  25 , a feed arm  26 , a drive force transmitting mechanism  27 , and a shaft  28 . The feed roller  25  is rotatably supported at an end of the feed arm  26 . The feed arm  26  is configured to pivot in directions of arrows  29  about the shaft  28  provided at a base end portion of the feed arm  26 . With such configuration, the feed roller  25  may contact and separate from a recording sheet  12  supported by the feed tray  20 . 
     The feed roller  25  is configured to be rotated by drive force transmitted thereto from a conveying motor (not depicted) by the drive force transmitting mechanism  27  including a plurality of engaging gears. With such configuration, a topmost recording sheet  12  contacting the feed roller  25  among recording sheets  12  supported by the feed tray  20  is fed to the first conveying path  65 . In another embodiment, the feed roller  25  may be configured to be rotated by drive force from a motor that is provided separately from the conveying motor. 
     [First Conveying Path  65 ] 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the first conveying path  65  extends from a rear end portion of the feed tray  20  inside the casing  14 . The first conveying path  65  includes a curved path  33  and a linear path  34 . The curved path  33  extends upward from the rear end portion of the feed tray  20  while curving, and is connected to the linear path  34  at a connecting position located behind a conveying roller pair  59  (described below). The linear path  34  extends in the front-rear direction  8  from the connecting position to a switchback roller pair  45  (described below). 
     The curved path  33  is defined by an outer guide member  18  and an inner guide member  19  that face each other with a predetermined distance therebetween. A portion of the linear path  34  is defined by the recording unit  24  and a second path-defining member, e.g., a platen  42 , that face each other with a predetermined distance therebetween. Another portion of the linear path  34  is defined behind the recording unit  24  by a conveying roller  60  and pinch rollers  61  (as depicted in  FIG. 5 ) that face the conveying roller  60 . Still another portion of the linear path  34  is defined in front of the recording unit  24  by a first path-defining member, e.g., a first upper guide member  35 , and the platen  42  that face each other with a predetermined distance therebetween, a discharge roller  62  and spurs  63  (only one spur  63  depicted in  FIG. 2 ) that face the discharge roller  62 , the first upper guide member  35  and the flap  49  that face each other, and a switchback roller  67  and spurs  68  (only one spur  68  depicted in  FIG. 2 ) that face the switchback roller  67 . The first upper guide member  35  will be described in detail later. 
     A recording sheet  12  supported by the feed tray  20  is fed by the feed roller  25  to the curved path  33 . The recording sheet  12  is then conveyed from the curved path  33  to the linear path  34  along a conveying direction  15 , as depicted by a dot-and-dash line with an arrow in  FIG. 2 . 
     [Recording Unit  24 ] 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the recording unit  24  is disposed above the linear path  34 . The platen  42  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) is disposed below the linear path  34  to face the recording unit  24  and the first upper guide member  35 . The platen  42  is configured to support a recording sheet  12  conveyed along the first conveying path  65 . 
     The recording unit  24  includes a carriage  40  and a recording head  38 . The carriage  40  is movably supported by a guide rail  56  and a guide rail  57  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) that are spaced from each other in the front-rear direction  8 . The carriage  40  is configured to reciprocate in the left-right direction  9 . Left and right ends of the respective guide rails  56  and  57  are supported by side frames  53  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). The side frames  53  are disposed to the right and left of the linear path  34 . 
     The recording head  38  is mounted on the carriage  40 . Ink is supplied to the recording head  38  from an ink cartridge (not depicted). The recording head  38  includes nozzles  39  formed at a lower surface thereof. The recording head  38  is configured to eject ink droplets from the nozzles  39  toward the platen  42  while the carriage  40  is moving in the left-right direction  9 . Thus, an image is recorded on a recording sheet  12  supported by the platen  42 . 
     [Corrugation Mechanism] 
     The printer section  11  includes a corrugation mechanism. The corrugation mechanism includes contact members  69  (refer to  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) and platen ribs  70  (refer to  FIGS. 3-5 ). 
     The contact members  69  as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3  are configured to contact, from above, a recording sheet  12  conveyed along the first conveying path  65 . As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the contact members  69  are spaced from each other in the left-right direction  9 . The platen ribs  70  as depicted in  FIGS. 3-5  protrude upward from an upper surface of the platen  42  and extend in the front-rear direction  8 . As depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the platen ribs  70  are spaced from each other in the left-right direction  9 . Each platen rib  70  is disposed between corresponding two contact members  69  adjacent to each other in the left-right direction  9 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each contact member  69  includes a base end portion  72  and an extending portion  74  extending frontward and downward from the base end portion  72  while curving. 
     The base end portion  72  is located behind the conveying roller pair  59 . The base end portion  72  is attached to a lower surface  73  of the guide rail  56 . A known method may be used to attach the base end portion  72  to the guide rail  56 . The known method may include engaging the base end portion  72  with the guide rail  56  and screwing the base end portion  72  to the guide rail  56 . 
     The extending portion  74  is located between the nozzles  39  and a nip position of the conveying roller pair  59  in the conveying direction  15 . The extending portion  74  extends toward a downstream side in the conveying direction  15  beyond upstream ends of the platen ribs  70  in the conveying direction  15 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 6 , contact ribs  76  extending in the front-rear direction  8  are formed on lower surfaces of the respective extending portions  74 . The contact ribs  76  are configured to contact an upper surface of a recording sheet  12  conveyed along the linear path  34 . A recording sheet  12  is corrugated in the left-right direction  9  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) as the contact ribs  76  contact the recording sheet  12  from above and the platen ribs  70  contact the recording sheet  12  from below. The contact members  69  and the platen ribs  70  thus cooperate with each other to corrugate a recording sheet  12  conveyed along the first conveying path  65 . 
     [Conveying Roller Pair  59 , Discharge Roller Pair  44 , and Switchback Roller Pair  45 ] 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the conveying roller pair  59  is disposed in the linear path  34  upstream of the recording unit  24  in the conveying direction  15 . A discharge roller pair  44  is disposed in the linear path  34  downstream of the recording unit  24  in the conveying direction  15 . The switchback roller pair  45  is disposed in the linear path  34  downstream of the discharge roller pair  44  in the conveying direction  15 . 
     The conveying roller pair  59  includes the conveying roller  60  disposed above the linear path  34  and the pinch rollers  61  disposed below the linear path  34  to face the conveying roller  60 . The discharge roller pair  44  includes the discharge roller  62  disposed below the linear path  34 , and the spurs  63  disposed above the linear path  34  to face the discharge roller  62 . The switchback roller pair  45  includes the switchback roller  67  disposed below the linear path  34 , and the spurs  68  disposed above the linear path  34  to face the switchback roller  67 . 
     The pinch rollers  61  are urged by third coil springs  66  toward the conveying roller  60 . The discharge roller  62  is urged by second coil springs  94  toward the spurs  63 . The switchback roller  67  is urged by first coil springs  92  toward the spurs  68 . With such structure, the respective roller pairs  59 ,  44 , and  45  are configured to nip a recording sheet  12  in the first conveying path  65 . 
     The discharge roller  62  and the switchback roller  67  that are disposed on a lower side in the roller pairs  44  and  45 , respectively, are rotatably supported by the side frames  53  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). 
     Each of the conveying roller  60 , the discharge roller  62 , and the switchback roller  67  is configured to forwardly rotate as forward rotation driving force is transmitted thereto from a conveying motor (not depicted), and to reversely rotate as reverse rotation driving force is transmitted thereto. Each pinch roller  61  is configured to be rotated by the rotation of the conveying roller  60 . Each spur  63  is configured to be rotated by the rotation of the discharge roller  62 . Each spur  68  is configured to be rotated by the rotation of the switchback roller  67 . 
     As the respective rollers  60 ,  62 , and  67  forwardly rotate while the roller pairs  59 ,  44 , and  45  nip a recording sheet  12 , the recording sheet  12  is conveyed in the conveying direction  15 . As the respective rollers  60 ,  62 , and  67  are reversely rotate, the recording sheet  12  is conveyed in a direction opposite to the conveying direction  15 . 
     [Second Conveying Path  71 ] 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the second conveying path  71  is defined below the linear path  34  and above the feed roller  25 . The second conveying path  71  is branched off from the linear path  34  at a junction, e.g., a branch position  101 , that is located downstream of the discharge roller pair  44  in the conveying direction  15  and upstream of the switchback roller pair  45  in the conveying direction  15 . In one example, the second conveying path  71  is branched off from a side of the linear path  34  closer to the platen  42  in the top-bottom direction  7  in which the first upper guide member  35  and the platen  42  face each other, e.g., a lower side of the linear path  34 . In other words, the second conveying path  71  is branched off from the linear path  34  downward away from the first upper guide member  35 . The second conveying path  71  merges with the curved path  33  at a merge position  102  located upstream of the conveying roller pair  59  in the conveying direction  15 . The second conveying path  71  is defined by a second upper guide member  103  and a second lower guide member  104  that face each other with a predetermined distance therebetween. 
     [Return Roller Pair  30 ] 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a return roller pair  30  is disposed in the second conveying path  71 . The return roller pair  30  includes a return roller  22  disposed below the second conveying path  71  and a follower roller  23  disposed above the second conveying path  71  to face the return roller  22 . The return roller  22  is rotatably supported at an end of a return arm  100 . The return roller  22  is driven by the conveying motor. The follower roller  23  is configured to be rotated by the rotation of the return roller  22 . The return roller  22  is configured to forwardly rotate when forward rotation drive force or reverse rotation drive force is transmitted thereto from the conveying motor. As the return roller  22  forwardly rotates while the return roller pair  30  nips a recording sheet  12 , the recording sheet  12  is conveyed along the second conveying path  71  in a sheet return direction  106 , which is directed from the branch position  101  to the merge position  102 , (e.g., in a direction depicted by a two-dot chain line in  FIG. 2 ). 
     [Flap  49 ] 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the flap  49  is disposed in the linear path  34  between the discharge roller pair  44  and the switchback roller pair  45 . In one example, the flap  49  is disposed at the branch position  101 . The flap  49  is disposed facing the first upper guide member  35  in the top-bottom direction  7 . 
     The flap  49  is configured to pivot between a first state and a second state. In the first state (as depicted by a solid line in  FIG. 2  and in  FIG. 3A ), the flap  49  closes the first conveying path  65  by contacting the first upper guide member  35 . In the second state (as depicted by a broken line in  FIG. 2  and in  FIG. 3B ), a portion of the flap  49  is located lower than when the flap  49  is in the first state. The flap  49  in the second state is separated from the first upper guide member  35  to allow a recording sheet  12  to pass in the conveying direction  15 . A distal end or an upper end (e.g., a front end portion  37 ) of the flap  49  in the second state is positioned lower than the distal end of the flap  49  in the first state. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the flap  49  includes a plurality of plate members  46 , a connecting member  47 , and protruding portions  48 . The plate members  46  are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction  9 . Each plate member  46  has a dimension in the left-right direction  9  shorter than dimensions thereof in the top-bottom direction  7  and the front-rear direction  8 . The connecting member  47  connects the plurality of plate members  46 . One of the protruding portions  48  protrudes rightward from the rightmost plate member  46  and the other protruding portion  48  protrudes leftward from the leftmost plate member  46 . In the illustrative embodiment, the plate members  46 , the connecting member  47 , and the protruding portions  48  are integrally formed with each other. In another embodiment, the plate members  46 , the connecting member  47 , and the protruding portions  48  may be assembled by being engaged with each other. 
     The flap  49  is supported by the platen  42  to pivot between the first state and the second state. In one example, the platen  42  includes a pair of protruding portions  32 , each protruding frontward from a corresponding one of left and right front end portions of the platen  42 , as depicted in  FIG. 7 . The flap  49  is disposed between the protruding portions  32 . A recessed portion  41  is located at an inner surface of each protruding portion  32 . Each protruding portion  48  of the flap  49  is inserted into a corresponding recessed portion  41 . Thus, the flap  49  is pivotally supported by the platen  42  about the protruding portions  48 . In another embodiment, the flap  49  may be supported by a member other than the platen  42 , e.g., the second upper guide member  103 , as long as the flap  49  defines the first conveying path  65  by facing the first upper guide member  35 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the flap  49  is urged upward by urging members, e.g., coil springs  86  (only one of which is depicted in  FIG. 2 ). One end of each coil spring  86  is connected to the flap  49 . The other end of each coil spring  86  is connected to the platen  42 . When the flap  49  is in the first state, applicable ones of the front end portions  37  of the plate members  46  contact respective contact surfaces  84  formed at the first upper guide member  35  as the flap  49  is urged by the coil springs  86 . For example, the coil springs  86  urge the flap  49  such that the flap  49  is placed in the first state. The contact surfaces  84  will be described in detail later. 
     When external force (except force from the coil springs  86 ) is not applied to the flap  49 , the flap  49  is placed in the first state while being urged by the coil springs  86  (refer to  FIG. 3A ). A recording sheet  12  having an image recorded thereon by the recording unit  24  contacts upper surfaces  51  of the plate members  46  of the flap  49  while being conveyed by the discharge roller pair  44  along the linear path  34  in the conveying direction  15 . The recording sheet  12  presses down the front end portions  37  of the flap  49  against the urging force of the coil springs  86 . Thus, the flap  49  pivots to the second state (refer to  FIG. 3B ). An imaginary plane containing the upper surfaces  51  of the plurality of plate members  46  guides the recording sheet  12  contacting the upper surfaces  51 . When the recording sheet  12  is conveyed in the conveying direction  15 , the rollers  60 ,  62 ,  67 , and  22  forwardly rotate. 
     As the recording sheet  12  contacts the flap  49 , the flap  49  pivots in a direction away from the first upper guide member  35  and is placed in the second state. For example, the flap  49  in the second state is separated from the first upper guide member  35 . Thereafter, when the trailing end of the recording sheet  12 , which is conveyed in the conveying direction  15  by the switchback roller  67  forwardly rotating, has passed the flap  49 , the flap  49 , which is urged by the coil springs  86 , pivots from the second state to the first state. 
     In this state, as the switchback roller  67  is kept forwardly rotating, the switchback roller pair  45  conveys the recording sheet  12  in the conveying direction  15  to discharge the recording sheet  12  to the discharge tray  21 . As the switchback roller  67  rotates forwardly to reversely, the switchback roller pair  45  conveys the recording sheet  12  in a direction opposite to the conveying direction  15 . 
     The trailing end of the recording sheet  12  in the conveying direction  15  that is conveyed in a direction opposite to the conveying direction  15 , contacts inclined surfaces  85  formed in the first upper guide member  35 . The inclined surfaces  85  will be described in detail later. The recording sheet  12  is guided to the second conveying path  71  along the inclined surfaces  85 , and then along lower surfaces  52  of the plate members  46  of the flap  49 . For example, the flap  49  in the first state is configured to guide to the second conveying path  71  the recording sheet  12  that is conveyed in a direction opposite to the conveying direction  15  by the switchback roller pair  45  reversely rotating. The recording sheet  12  enters the second conveying path  71  with the trailing end thereof in the conveying direction  15  as the leading end. Consequently, the recording sheet  12  enters from the second conveying path  71  to the first conveying path  65  again, as will be described below. Thus, the recording sheet  12  may be turned over. As the switchback roller  67  rotates forwardly to reversely, the conveying roller  60  and the discharge roller  62  also rotate forwardly to reversely, but the return roller  22  keeps forwardly rotating. 
     The recording sheet  12  guided to the second conveying path  71  is further conveyed in the return direction  106  by the return roller pair  30 . The recording sheet  12  conveyed along the second conveying path  71  in the return direction  106  is conveyed again along the curved path  33  in the conveying direction  15  via the merge position  102 . Thereafter, the recording sheet  12  reaches the conveying roller pair  59 . As the rollers  60 ,  62 , and  67  rotate reversely to forwardly (though the return roller  22  keeps forwardly rotating), the recording sheet  12  is conveyed by the conveying roller pair  59  in the conveying direction  15 , and reaches a position below the recording unit  24 . At this time, the back side of the recording sheet  12  faces the recording unit  24 . The recording unit  24  records an image on the back side of the recording sheet  12 . Thereafter, the recording sheet  12  having an image recorded on both sides thereof is conveyed in the conveying direction  15  by the discharge roller pair  44  and the switchback roller pair  45  and is discharged onto the discharge tray  21 . As described above, a recording sheet  12  conveyed along the second conveying path  71  in the return direction  106  is returned to the first conveying path  65 , so that the recording sheet  12  is turned over. 
     [First Upper Guide Member  35 ] 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first upper guide member  35  is disposed between the recording head  38  and the switchback roller pair  45  in the conveying direction  15 . The first upper guide member  35  is disposed facing the platen  42 , the discharge roller  62 , and the flap  49  in a facing direction, e.g., in the top-bottom direction  7 . The first upper guide member  35  defines from above the first conveying path  65 . The first upper guide member  35  rotatably supports the spurs  63  and  68 . The platen  42 , the discharge roller  62 , and the flap  49  define from below the first conveying path  65 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the first upper guide member  35  includes a base portion  81  having a generally plate shape whose dimensions in the front-rear direction  8  and the left-right direction  9  are longer than a dimension thereof in the top-bottom direction  7 , a plurality of ribs  82  disposed at a lower surface of the base portion  81 , and contact portions  83  disposed at a lower surface of the base portion  81 . In the illustrative embodiment, the base portion  81 , the ribs  82 , and the contact portions  83  are integrally formed with each other. In another embodiment, the base portion  81 , the ribs  82 , and the contact portions  83  may be assembled by being engaged with each other. 
     An upper surface of the base portion  81  is attached to a lower surface  58  of the guide rail  57 . For example, the first upper guide member  35  is supported by the guide rail  57 . A known method may be used to attach the base portion  81  to the guide rail  57 . The known method may include engaging the base portion  81  to the guide rail  57  and screwing the base portion  81  to the guide rail  57 . 
     The ribs  82  are spaced apart from each other in a width direction, e.g., the left-right direction  9 , crossing or orthogonal to the conveying direction  15 . Each rib  82  protrudes downward, for example, toward the platen  42  in the top-bottom direction  7 . Each rib  82  extends along the front-rear direction  8 , e.g., along the conveying direction  15 . An upper surface of a recording sheet  12  conveyed along the first conveying path  65  contacts protruding ends  82 A of the ribs  82  extending along the front-rear direction  8 . Thus, the upper surface of the recording sheet  12  may be guided by the protruding ends  82 A. For example, an imaginary plane containing the protruding ends  82 A of the ribs  82  guides a recording sheet  12  conveyed along the first conveying path  65 . The imaginary plane containing the protruding ends  82 A of the ribs  82  is an example of a guide surface. 
     Each rib  82  is located, in the left-right direction  9 , between corresponding adjacent two of the plate members  46  of the flap  49 . 
     The contact portions  83 , as depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , are disposed between the discharge roller pair  44  and the switchback roller pair  45  in the conveying direction  15 . Each contact portion  83  protrudes downward from a lower surface of the base portion  81 . Each contact portion  83  is disposed between a corresponding pair of adjacent ribs  82  in the left-right direction  9 . Each contact portion  83  includes a contact surface  84  and an inclined surface  85 . 
     The contact surface  84  extends in the front-rear direction  8  and the left-right direction  9 . In another embodiment, the contact surface  84  may be inclined relative to a plane extending in the front-rear direction  8  and the left-right direction  9 . The contact surface  84  is located above the protruding ends  82 A of the ribs  82 , e.g., at a position away from the platen  42  in the top-bottom direction  7 . 
     Two contact surfaces  84  are symmetrical in the left-right direction  9 , with respect to a center (e.g., a center C in  FIG. 4 ) of a zone in the left-right direction  9  where a recording sheet  12  passes along the first conveying path  65 . The center C of the zone corresponds to a position in the left-right direction  9  of a third spur  87 A from the right, among five spurs  87  spaced from each other in the left-right direction  9 , as depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 7 , a distance R 1  in the left-right direction  9  between a pair of adjacent ribs  82  facing each other while sandwiching a contact surface  84  is longer than a distance R 2  in the left-right direction  9  between another pair of adjacent ribs  82  facing each other without sandwiching a contact surface  84 . 
     The right end of each contact surface  84  is connected to a corresponding rib  82  disposed on the right side of the contact surface  84 . The left end of each contact surface  84  is connected to a corresponding rib  82  disposed on the left side of the contact surface  84 . In another embodiment, the contact surface  84  may be spaced apart from its corresponding rib  82  in the left-right direction  9 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 8 , each contact surface  84  face, from above, the front end portions  37  of a corresponding plate member  46  of the flap  49 . With such structure, when the flap  49  is in the first state, the front end portion  37  of the corresponding plate member  46  contacts the contact surface  84  from below. For example, the flap  49  in the first state contacts the contact surfaces  84  between the discharge roller pair  44  and the switchback roller pair  45 . 
     As described above, the first upper guide member  35  has two contact surfaces  84  in the illustrative embodiment. Accordingly, among the plurality of plate members  46 , the front end portions  37  of two plate members  46  facing the respective contact surfaces  84  contact the respective contact surfaces  84  when the flap  49  is in the first state. The front end portions  37  of other plate members  46  that do not face the contact surfaces  84  do not contact any portions of the first upper guide member  35  when the flap  49  is in the first state. 
     Each inclined surface  85  is located downstream of a corresponding contact surface  84  in the conveying direction  15 . The inclined surface  85  is inclined such that the surface  85  extends downward from the front to the rear, e.g., from a downstream side to an upstream side in the conveying direction  15 . For example, the inclined surface  85  extends further toward the lower guide member  104  from an upstream side to a downstream side in a direction opposite to the conveying direction  15 . 
     A lower end portion  88  of the inclined surface  85  is positioned lower than the contact surface  84 . For example, an upstream end of the inclined surface  85  in the conveying direction  15  (e.g., the lower end portion  88 ) is closer to the platen  42  than the contact surface  84  in the top-bottom direction  7 . 
     The right end of the inclined surface  85  is spaced apart from a rib  82  disposed on the right side of the inclined surface  85 . The left end of the inclined surface  85  is spaced from a rib  82  disposed on the left side of the inclined surface  85 . In another embodiment, the inclined surface  85  may be connected to the ribs  82  in the left-right direction  9 . 
     Effects of Illustrative Embodiment 
     According to the above-described illustrative embodiment, a recording sheet  12  to be conveyed toward the second conveying path  71  contacts the inclined surfaces  85  and is directed toward the second conveying path  71 . Thereafter, the recording sheet  12  is guided to the second conveying path  71  by the flap  49  in the first state. Upstream ends of the inclined surfaces  85  in the conveying direction  15  (e.g., the lower end portions  88 ) are positioned lower than the respective contact surfaces  84 . Accordingly, when the recording sheet  12  is conveyed toward the second conveying path  71 , entry of the recording sheet  12  between the flap  49  and the first upper guide member  35  may be reduced or prevented. Thus, the recording sheet  12  may be guided to the second conveying path  71  reliably. 
     According to the above-described illustrative embodiment, two contact surfaces  84  are symmetrical with respect to the center C (refer to  FIG. 4 ) in the left-right direction  9  of the zone where a recording sheet  12  passes along the first conveying path  65 . Accordingly, recording sheets  12  of various sizes with their center aligned with the center C may be guided to the second conveying path  71  more reliably. 
     According to the above-described illustrative embodiment, a contact surface  84  and its corresponding inclined surface  85  are located between a pair of adjacent ribs  82  which are spaced from each other in the left-right direction  9  by a longer distance (e.g., the distance R 1 ). This may allow a recording sheet  12  to readily proceed along the flap  49  in the first state. Accordingly, the recording sheet  12  may be guided to the second conveying path  71  more reliably. 
     According to the above-described illustrative embodiment, the multi-function device  10  includes the coil springs  86  configured to urge the flap  49  into the first state. With the coil springs  86 , when a recording sheet  12  is conveyed toward the second conveying path  71 , entry of a recording sheet  12  between the flap  49  and the first upper guide member  35  may be reduced or prevented more effectively. 
     According to the above-described illustrative embodiment, the multi-function device  10  includes a corrugation mechanism configured to corrugate a recording sheet  12 . A corrugated recording sheet  12  that is likely to readily proceed along the flap  49  in the first state may be guided to the second conveying path  71  more reliably. 
     Modifications 
     As depicted in  FIG. 9 , a contact portion  83  may include a first contact surface  89  and a second contact surface  90 , each serving as a contact surface configured to contact the flap  49 . The first contact surface  89  corresponds to the contact surface  84  in the above-described illustrative embodiment. The contact surface  89  is configured to contact the flap  49  placed in the first state. 
     The second contact surface  90  extends in the front-rear direction  8  and the left-right direction  9 , similar to the first contact surface  89 . The first contact surface  89  and the second contact surface  90  are located at positions different from each other in the left-right direction  9 . With such structure, a plate member  46  configured to contact the first contact surface  89  and a plate member  46  configured to contact the second contact surface  90  are different from each other. The second contact surface  90  is located above the first contact surface  89 . For example, the second contact surface  90  is farther from the platen  42  in the top-bottom direction  7  than the first contact surface  89 . 
     The second contact surface  90  may contact the flap  49  in a following condition. For example, when upward force is further applied to the flap  49  while the flap  49  is in contact with the first contact surface  89 , the flap  49  elastically deforms. Due to the elastic deformation of the flap  49 , a plate member  46  that is located at a position different from a plate member  46  that is contactable with the first contact surface  89  moves upward. Consequently, the front end portion  37  of the plate member  46  that moves upward contacts the second contact surface  90 . 
     In the above-described modification (in which the contact portion  83  includes the first contact surface  89  and the second contact surface  90 ), the first contact surface  89  and the second contact surface  90  may support the flap  49  to which external force is applied. Therefore, breakage of the flap  49  due to its significant deformation may be reduced or prevented. 
     In the above-described illustrative embodiment, two contact portions  83  are provided. Alternatively, one contact portion  83  or three or more contact portions  83  may be provided. For example, contact portions  83  may be located at positions corresponding to all plate members  46 . In this case, when the flap  49  is placed in the first state, all plate members  46  contact the respective contact portions  83 . 
     In the above-described illustrative embodiment, the contact surfaces  84  are symmetrical with respect to the center C of a zone in the left-right direction  9  where a recording sheet  12  passes along the first conveying path  65 . In another embodiment, the contact surfaces  84  may be provided asymmetrically in the left-right direction  9 . 
     In the above-described illustrative embodiment, the distance R 1  in the left-right direction  9  between a pair of adjacent ribs  82  facing each other while sandwiching a contact surface  84  is longer than the distance R 2  in the left-right direction  9  between another pair of adjacent ribs  82  facing each other without sandwiching a contact surface  84 . In another embodiment, the distance R 1  may be shorter than or equal to the distance R 2 . 
     In the above-described illustrative embodiment, the contact surface  84  and the inclined surface  85  are aligned with each other in the front-rear direction  8 . In another embodiment, the contact surface  84  and the inclined surface  85  may be shifted at different positions in the left-right direction  9 . 
     The first upper guide member  35  may not necessarily include the ribs  82 . For example, the lower surface of the base portion  81  may be a guide surface configured to guide a recording sheet  12  conveyed along the first conveying path  65 . In this case, a plurality of recesses may be formed on the lower surface of the base portion  81  with a space therebetween in the left-right direction  9 . One or more contact portions  83  may be located at the respective recesses. The front end portions  37  of the plate members  46  of the flap  49  may be inserted into the respective recesses and one or more front end portions  37  contact the one or more contact portions  83 , respectively. 
     A member configured to urge the flap  49  upward is not limited to the coil spring  86 . For example, a rear portion of the flap  49  relative to the protruding portion  48  may be heavier than a front portion of the flap  49 , to urge the front portion of the flap  49  upward. 
     The flap  49  may not necessarily be urged upward. For example, the multi-function device  10  may not necessarily include the coil springs  86 . In this case, the flap  49  may be pivotally moved by, for example, a motor (not depicted). 
     The second conveying path  71  is intended to change sides of a recording sheet  12  facing the recording unit  24 . Therefore, the second conveying path  71  is not limited to the structure as depicted in  FIG. 2  of the above-described illustrative embodiment, as long as the intended purpose is satisfied. 
     For example, the second conveying path  71  may extend above the linear path  34  instead of below the linear path  34 . In this case, the flap  49  of the above-described illustrative embodiment may be vertically inverted. For example, the flap  49  may be disposed above the first conveying path  65 . The flap  49  may be configured to, when placed in the first state, contact a member which define, from below, the first conveying path  65 , and configured to pivot upward such that the flap  49  is placed from the first state to the second state. 
     In the above-described illustrative embodiment, the branch position  101  is located downstream of the recording unit  24  in the conveying direction  15 , and the merge position  102  is located upstream of the recording unit  24  in the conveying direction  15 . However, the branch position  101  and the merge position  102  are not limited to the above-described positions. 
     For example, the branch position  101  and the merge position  102  may be located as depicted in  FIG. 10 . In a structure as depicted in  FIG. 10 , the branch position  101  and the merge position  102  are located in the first conveying path  65  at a position upstream of the recording unit  24  in the conveying direction  15 . The merge position  102  is located in the first conveying path  65  at a position upstream of the branch position  101  in the conveying direction  15 . The flap  49  is pivotally supported at the branch position  101  by a guide member  43 . A first roller pair  107  is disposed in the first conveying path  65  at a position between the flap  49  and the recording unit  24 . A second roller pair  108  is disposed in the first conveying path  65  at a position upstream of the flap  49  in the conveying direction  15 . A third roller pair  109  may be disposed in the second conveying path  71 . The second roller pair  108  includes an intermediate roller  111  and a first follower roller  112 . The third roller pair  109  includes the intermediate roller  111  that the second roller pair  108  includes, and a second follower roller  113 . 
     The multi-function device  10  may have a function to record an image on a surface of a recording medium which is thicker than a recording sheet  12 . In this case, at least one of two members that define the linear path  34  and face each other (e.g., the conveying roller  60  and the pinch rollers  61 ; the recording unit  24  and the platen  42 ; the first upper guide member  35  and the platen  42 ; the spurs  63  and the discharge roller  62 ; the first upper guide member  35  and the flap  49 ; and the spurs  68  and the switchback roller  67 ) moves up and down. Thus, the distance between the two members that define the linear path  34  may be properly changed for image recording on a recording sheet  12  and on a thicker recording medium. 
     In the above-described illustrative embodiment, the sheet conveying device is configured to convey a recording sheet  12  having an image that is recorded by the recording unit  24 . However, a sheet conveying device according to the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the disclosure may be applied to a sheet conveying device configured to convey a sheet having an image that is read by a scanner.