Patent Publication Number: US-7909442-B2

Title: Image recording apparatus

Description:
The present application is a continuation-in-part application derived from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/739,813 filed on Apr. 25, 2007, and is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-160067 filed on Jun. 8, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus including a recording head that records an image on a recording medium, and a carriage that carries the recording head and reciprocates in opposite directions intersecting a feeding direction in which the recording medium is fed, and particularly to such an image recording apparatus in which an ink supply tube that supplies an ink to the recording head is connected to the carriage such that the ink supply tube can follow the reciprocation of the carriage. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     As an image recording device that ejects, based on an input signal, droplets of ink to record an image on a recording medium, there is known such a device that includes a recording head having an actuator (e.g., a piezoelectric element, an electrostriction element, or a heating element), and supplies ink to the actuator so that when the actuator is deformed or heated based on an input signal, the ink is locally pressed or vaporized to eject droplets of the ink. 
     For example, an image recording device that is so-called a serial printer includes a carriage that reciprocates in opposite directions perpendicular to a direction of feeding of a recording medium, and a recording head that is mounted on the carriage. Each time the recording medium is fed by an incremental amount corresponding to one line, the carriage reciprocates to record the line. Ink is supplied to the recording head from an ink cartridge separate from the carriage, via a flexible ink supply tube that is connected to the recording head mounted on the carriage. The ink supply tube is long enough to follow the reciprocation of the carriage, and is provided between the ink cartridge and the carriage such that the ink supply tube is flexed to form a generally U-shaped curved portion. This image recording device is disclosed by any of Japanese Patent Application Publications Nos. 10-217496, 2003-11340, 2005-35033, 63-154354, and 2005-88524. 
       FIG. 27  schematically shows a conventional image recording device including a carriage  90  and an ink tube  91 . The carriage  90  reciprocates in opposite directions (i.e., in leftward and rightward directions in the figure) perpendicular to a direction of feeding of a recording sheet. When the carriage  90  reciprocates, a recording head (not shown) mounted on the carriage  90  ejects droplets of ink to record an image on the recording sheet. The ink tube  91  that is led from an ink cartridge is connected to the recording head mounted on the carriage  90 , such that a midway portion  92  of the ink tube  91  that is located between the ink cartridge and the carriage  90  is fixed to a portion (e.g., a frame) of a housing of the image recording device and an intermediate portion between the midway portion  92  and the carriage  90  is not fixed to any portions. Therefore, the intermediate portion of the ink tube  91  can change its shape. Although not shown in  FIG. 23 , the carriage  90  is moved while being driven by, e.g., a belt driving device, and is supported by one or more guide members such as a guide shaft(s) or a guide rail(s) that extend(s) in a direction of movement of the carriage  90 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 27 , the ink tube  91  is led from the carriage  90  in a horizontal direction, and is flexed to have a generally U-shaped curved configuration in its plan view. When the carriage  90  reciprocates, the ink tube  91  follows the carriage  90  while a center of the U-shaped curved portion of the ink tube  91  moves. The ink tube  91  is straight in its initial shape, but when an external force is applied to the tube  91 , the tube  91  is flexed. The ink tube  91  has such a flexibility that if the external force is removed from the tube  91 , the tube  91  is returned to its initial, straight shape. Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 23 , the ink tube  91  can change its shape such that when the carriage  90  is moved in a rightward direction, a diameter of the U-shaped curved portion of the ink tube  91  increases and, when the carriage  90  is moved in a leftward direction, the diameter of the U-shaped curved portion decreases. 
     Meanwhile, a flexible, electrically conductive cable that is so-called a flat cable is connected, at one end thereof, to the carriage  90  so as to control the recording head. The other end of the flat cable is connected to, e.g., a main substrate. Like the above-described ink tube  91 , the flat cable is led from the carriage  90 , and follows the reciprocation of the carriage  90  while forming a generally U-shaped curved portion. This image recording device is disclosed by, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-320835. 
     As explained above, the flat cable and the ink tube have such flexibilities that assure that those elements can follow the reciprocation of the carriage while changing the diameters and/or positions of the U-shaped curved portions thereof Accordingly, the respective intermediate portions of the flat cable and the ink tube, located between the carriage and the respective midway portions of those elements fixed to the housing of the image recording device, may more or less sag downward. In particular, in the case where the flat cable and the ink tube are led horizontally from the carriage, there is a strong tendency that those elements sag downward due to their self weights and/or the weight of the ink. In addition, in a full-color-image recording device, a plurality of sorts of inks corresponding to a plurality of colors are supplied to a recording head mounted on a carriage via a plurality of ink supply tubes, respectively. Although the ink supply tubes follow the reciprocation of the carriage while individually changing their shapes, the changing of those shapes may be out of order, i.e., random. 
     In the case where a sufficiently broad space cannot be provided around a flat cable and/or an ink supply tube, in view of the need to reduce a height and/or an overall size of an image recording device, reciprocation of a carriage may result in enlarging respective curved portions of the flat cable and the ink tube so that the enlarged curved portions may be brought into contact with one or more peripheral members and even be damaged by the same. The damaging of the flat cable may cause breakage of one or more electrically conductive lines contained therein; and the damaging of the ink supply tube may cause leakage of ink. In addition, when the flat cable and the ink tube are contacted with the peripheral members, a load may be applied to the carriage so that the speed of movement of the carriage may be made unstable and accordingly a quality of images recorded by the recording head may be lowered. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been developed in the above-explained background. It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve at least one of the above-indicated problems. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus that includes a carriage reciprocateable in opposite directions intersecting a feeding direction in which a recording medium is fed and that can prevent sagging of an ink supply tube that follows the carriage and/or enlarging of a curved portion of the ink supply tube. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus that includes a plurality of ink supply tubes and that can prevent the ink supply tubes from individually changing their shapes randomly. 
     The above objects may be achieved by the present invention. According to the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus, comprising a housing; a recording head which ejects droplets of at least one sort of ink and thereby records an image on a recording medium; a carriage which is provided in the housing and which carries the recording head and reciprocates in opposite directions intersecting a feeding direction in which the recording medium is fed, wherein the carriage includes a tube connection portion; at least one ink supply tube which is connected, at one end thereof, to the tube connection portion of the carriage so as to supply the at least one sort of ink to the recording head, and is fixed, at a fixed portion thereof, to the housing such that an intermediate portion thereof located between the one end thereof and the fixed portion thereof forms a first curved portion that is convex in one of the opposite directions, wherein the at least one ink supply tube has a first flexibility assuring that when the carriage reciprocates, the at least one ink supply tube follows reciprocation of the carriage while the first curved portion thereof changes a shape thereof, a pivotable support member which is supported by the housing such that the pivotable support member is pivotable about a supporting point, wherein the pivotable support member includes an arm portion which extends from the supporting point and has a first support portion that supports a portion of the first curved portion of the at least one ink supply tube such that the portion of the first curved portion is movable relative to the first support portion; and a stopper member which is fixed to a predetermined portion of the at least one ink supply tube that is located between the first support portion of the pivotable support member and the tube connection portion of the carriage, and which, when the at least one ink supply tube moves relative to the first support portion, engages the first support portion so as to inhibit an excessive movement of the at least one ink supply tube relative to the first support portion. 
     In the present image recording apparatus, an appropriate portion of the first curved portion of the ink supply tube is supported by the first support portion of the pivotable support member that is pivotable about the supporting point. When the ink supply tube follows the reciprocation of the carriage, the action of the ink supply tube is transmitted to the arm portion via the first support portion, so that the arm portion is pivoted. Thus, the ink supply tube can follow the reciprocation of the carriage while the tube is prevented from sagging downward, by the pivotable support member. The recording head mounted on the carriage may eject, at appropriate timings, the droplets of the ink based on the recording-related signal transmitted from, e.g., a control substrate. The first curved portion of the ink supply tube may have a generally U-shaped configuration in its plan view, and the ink tube may follow the reciprocation of the carriage while changing the radius of curvature of the U-shaped curved portion thereof. The stopper member is fixed to the predetermined portion of the ink supply tube that is located between the first support portion of the pivotable support member and the tube connection portion of the carriage. If the pivotal movement of the arm portion of the pivotable support member cannot follow the reciprocation of the carriage, then the ink supply tube moves relative to the first support portion, so that the stopper member moves relative to the first support portion, engages the first support portion, and thereby stops further movement of the ink supply tube relative to the first support portion. Consequently the ink supply tube applies, to the arm portion via the stopper member and the first support portion, a pressing force in a direction to follow the reciprocation of the carriage. Thus, the arm portion or the pivotable support member is forcedly pivoted. Therefore, the ink supply tube can be prevented from being excessively curved or flexed, or buckling. In addition, in the case where the first support portion of the pivotable support member supports a certain portion of the first curved portion of the ink supply tube, if an operator inadvertently pulls the ink supply tube while he or she works for, e.g., maintenance of the image recording apparatus, then the ink supply tube is moved relative to the first support portion so that the first support portion supports a different portion of the ink supply tube. Even in this case, the stopper member engages the first support portion of the pivotable support member and thereby stops an excessive movement of the ink supply tube. Therefore, the portion of the ink supply tube that is supported by the first support portion of the pivotable support member is not largely changed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and optional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an external construction of a multi-function device (MFD)  1  including an image recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section view of an internal construction of the MFD  1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-section view of a printer portion  2  of the MFD  1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the printer portion  2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a lower surface of an ink-jet recording head  39  in which ink ejection nozzles  53  open; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustrative cross-section view of the ink-jet recording head  39 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic view of a control portion  64  of the MFD  1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of a pivotable support member  100 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the pivotable support member  100  as seen in a direction indicated by Arrow  9  in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section view taken along Arrows  10 - 10  in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged plan view of the pivotable support member  100  and a supporting device that supports the same  100 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of the pivotable support member  100  and the supporting device; 
         FIG. 13  is another enlarged perspective view of the pivotable support member  100  and the supporting device; 
         FIG. 14  is another enlarged perspective view of the pivotable support member  100  and the supporting device; 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged view of a portion of a restrictor wall  37  as seen in a direction indicated by Arrow  15  in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 16  is another plan view of the printer portion  2 ; 
         FIG. 17  is yet another plan view of the printer portion  2 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged view of a relevant portion indicated by Broken Circle  18  in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIGS. 19A ,  19 B,  19 C, and  19 D are a plan view, a front view, a side view, and a bottom view of a clamp  170 , respectively; 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  are views for explaining a state in which the ink tubes  41  are flexed excessively largely; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-section view taken along Arrows  21 - 21  in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 22  is an enlarged perspective view of a carriage  38  that is stopped at a capping position; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-section view taken along Arrows  23 - 23  in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a front elevation view corresponding to  FIG. 8 , showing another pivotable support member  100  employed by another printer portion  2  of another MFD  1  as a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a front elevation view corresponding to  FIG. 8 , showing another pivotable support member  150  employed by another printer portion  2  of another MFD  1  as a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a side elevation view corresponding to  FIG. 9 , showing the pivotable support member  150  as seen in a direction indicated by Arrow  26  in  FIG. 25 ; and 
         FIG. 27  is an illustrative view of a conventional image recording apparatus including a carriage  90  and a flat cable  91 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, there will be described preferred embodiments of the present invention by reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  shows an external construction of a multi-function device (MFD)  1  to which the present invention is applied; and  FIG. 2  shows an internal construction of the MFD  1 . The MFD  1  includes, in a lower portion thereof, a printer portion  2 , and additionally includes, in an upper portion thereof integral with the lower portion, a scanner portion  3 . The MFD  1  has a printer function, a scanner function, a copier function, and a facsimile-machine function. In the present embodiment, the printer portion  2  corresponds to an image recording apparatus of the present invention, and accordingly the functions other than the printer function may be omitted. For example, the principle of the present invention is applicable to a single-function printer that has the printer function only, i.e., does not include the scanner portion  3  or does not have the scanner, copier, or facsimile-machine function. 
     When the MFD  1  functions as the printer, the printer portion  2  may be connected to an external information processor (not shown) such as a computer, so that the printer portion  2  may record, based on printing data (e.g., image data or document data) supplied from the computer, an image or a document on a recording medium such as a recording sheet. In addition, the MFD  1  may be connected to a digital camera, so that the printer portion  2  may record, based on image data supplied from the digital camera, an image on a recording sheet. Moreover, the MFD  1  may include a data-storage-medium receiving portion (e.g., a slot portion  5  shown in  FIG. 1 ) that can receive each of various sorts of data-storage media, such as a memory card, so that the printer portion  2  may record, based on image data stored by the data-storage medium, an image on a recording sheet. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the MFD  1  has an outer shape like a flat and elongate rectangular parallelepiped, that is, a length and a width of the MFD  1  are greater than a height thereof. The MFD  1  has, in a front surface thereof, an opening  2   a . A sheet-supply tray  20  and a sheet-discharge tray  21  can be inserted into the opening  2   a , such that the two trays  20 ,  21  are aligned with each other in a vertical direction. The sheet-supply tray  20  is for accommodating recording sheets each as a recording medium, and can accommodate various sizes of recording sheets not larger than A-4 Size; such as A-4 Size, B-5 Size, or Postcard Size. The sheet-supply tray  20  includes a slide portion  20   a  that can be drawn out, as needed, to increase an area of a bottom surface of the tray  20 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , so as to be able to accommodate Legal-Size recording sheets. As will be described in detail later, each of the recording sheets accommodated by the sheet-supply tray  20  is supplied to an image recording unit  24  of the printer portion  2 , so that a desired image is recorded thereon. Each recording sheet on which an image has been recorded is discharged onto the sheet-discharge tray  21 . 
     The scanner portion  3 , provided in the upper portion of the MFD  1 , is constituted by a so-called flat-bed scanner. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the scanner portion  3  includes a document cover  30  that functions as a top plate of the MFD  1  and can be freely opened and closed. Under the document cover  30 , there are provided a platen glass  31  and an image scanner  32 . The platen glass  31  is for supporting an original document placed thereon. The image scanner  32  is provided below the platen glass  30 , such that the scanner  32  is reciprocateable in a lengthwise direction of the MFD  1  (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet of  FIG. 2 ) so as to read an original image on the original document. A main scanning direction of the image sensor  32  is parallel to a widthwise direction of the MFD  1  (.e., leftward and rightward directions in  FIG. 2 ). 
     The MFD  1  has, in a front and upper portion thereof, an operation panel  4  that is manually operable by a user for operating the printer portion  2  and the scanner portion  3 . The operation panel  4  includes various operation keys and a liquid-crystal display (LCD). The MFD  1  operates according to commands inputted through the operation panel  4 . In the case where the MFD  1  is connected to the external computer, the MFD  1  may operate according to commands sent from the computer via a printer driver or a scanner driver. The MFD  1  has, in an upper and left portion of the front surface thereof, the slot portion  5  into which each of various small-size memory cards each as a data-storage medium can be inserted. When the user operates the operation panel  4  in an appropriate manner, image data stored by the small-size memory card inserted in the slot portion  5  are read out, so that the LCD of the panel  4  displays images represented by the image data. In addition, the printer portion  2  can be controlled to record, on a recording sheet or sheets, an image or images that is or are selected, through the operation of the keys of the panel  4 , from the images displayed by the LCD. 
     Hereinafter, the internal construction of the MFD  1 , in particular, the printer portion  2  will be described by reference to  FIGS. 2  through  23 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sheet-supply tray  20  is provided in a bottom portion of the MFD  1 . On a rear side of the sheet-supply tray  20 , i.e., on a right-hand side of the same  20  in  FIG. 2 , there is provided a sheet-separate inclined plate  22  that separates each one (i.e., an uppermost) recording sheet from the remaining recording sheets accommodated by the sheet-supply tray  20 , and guides the each recording sheet in an upward direction. A sheet-feed path  23  first extends upward from the sheet-separate inclined plate  22 , and then curves leftward, i.e., frontward of the MFD  1 . Then, the sheet-feed path  23  reaches the sheet-discharge tray  21  via the image recording unit  24 . Thus, each of the recording sheets accommodated by the sheet-supply tray  20  is fed along the sheet-feed path  23  including a U-turn portion where a direction of feeding of the recording sheet is changed from the rearward direction to the frontward direction, and eventually reaches the image recording unit  24 . After the image recording unit  24  records an image or images on the recording sheet being fed along the sheet-feed path  23 , the recording sheet is discharged onto the sheet-discharge tray  21 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a sheet-supply roller  25  is provided above the sheet-supply tray  20 , and supplies, from the tray  20 , the recording sheets one by one into the sheet-feed path  23 . The sheet-supply roller  25  is rotatably supported by a lower end portion of a sheet-supply arm  26  that is pivotable downward to contact the tray  20 , and upward to move away from the same  20 . The sheet-supply roller  25  is connected to a line-feed (LF) motor  71  ( FIG. 7 ) via a driving-force transmission device  27  including a plurality of gears meshed with each other. When the LF motor  71  is driven or rotated, the driving force of the motor  71  is transmitted to the sheet-supply roller  25 , so that the roller  25  is driven or rotated and sends out each recording sheet to the sheet-feed path  23 . 
     The sheet-supply arm  26  is supported by an axis member  26   a , such that the arm  26  is pivotable about the axis member  26   a . Thus, the sheet-supply arm  26  is swingable upward and downward about the axis member  26   a . As shown in  FIG. 3 , in a state in which the sheet-supply tray  20  is attached to the MFD  1 , the sheet-supply arm  26  is biased downward, owing to its self weight and/or a spring (not shown), toward the tray  20 . On the other hand, when the tray  20  is attached to, or detached from, the MFD  1 , the arm  26  is retracted to its upper dead position. When the sheet-supply arm  26  is swung downward, the sheet-supply roller  25 , rotatably supported by the lower end of the arm  26 , is pressed on the uppermost one of the recording sheets stacked in the sheet-supply tray  20  and, if the roller  25  is rotated, a friction force produced between an outer circumferential surface of the roller  25  and an upper surface of the uppermost recording sheet sends out the recording sheet toward the sheet-separate inclined plate  22 . A leading end of the recording sheet engages the inclined plate  22 , and is deflected by the same  22  upward into the sheet-feed path  23 . When the sheet-supply roller  25  sends out the uppermost recording sheet, another or additional recording sheet underlying the uppermost one may be sent out together with the uppermost one because of friction and/or static electricity. However, any further movement of the additional sheet can be prevented because the additional sheet is engaged with the inclined plate  22 . 
     Except for a portion of the sheet-feed path  23  where the image recording unit  24  is provided, the path  23  is defined by an outer guide surface and an inner guide surface that are opposed to each other and are distant from each other by an appropriate distance. For example, a curved portion  17  of the sheet-feed path  23  that is located in a rear end portion of the MFD  1  is constituted by an outer guide member  18  and an inner guide member  19  that are each fixed to a main frame  2   b  (i.e., a portion of a housing) of the MFD  1 . In the curved portion  17  of the sheet-feed path  23 , sheet-feed rollers  16  are provided such that the sheet-feed rollers  16  are freely rotatable about respective axis lines parallel to a widthwise direction of the path  23 , i.e., the direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet of  FIG. 3 . More specifically described, the sheet-feed rollers  16  are provided such that the rollers  16  are exposed in the outer guide surface. Since the sheet-feed rollers  16  are provided in the curved portion  17  of the sheet-feed path  23 , the recording sheet can be smoothly fed while being guided by the guide surfaces of the curved portion  17 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the image recording unit  24  is provided in a midway portion of the sheet-feed path  23 . The image recording unit  24  includes an ink-jet recording head  39 , and a carriage  38  that carries the recording head  39  and reciprocates in opposite directions parallel to a main scanning direction. A platen  42  is opposed to the recording head  39 . Independent of the recording head  39 , four ink cartridges (not shown) are provided in the MFD  1 , for supplying, to the head  39 , four sorts of inks, i.e., a black ink (Bk), a yellow ink (Y), a magenta ink (M), and a cyan ink (C) via respective ink tubes  41  ( FIG. 4 ) each as an ink supply tube. While the carriage  38  is reciprocated, the recording head  39  ejects, from four arrays of nozzles  53  ( FIG. 5 ) thereof, fine droplets of those inks toward each recording sheet being temporarily stopped on the platen  42 . Thus, an image or images is or are recorded on the recording sheet. 
       FIG. 4  shows a major portion of the printer portion  2 , i.e., a central portion and a rear end portion of the same  2 . Each recording sheet is fed in a sheet-feed direction from top to bottom in  FIG. 4 . Above the sheet-feed path  23 , there are provided two guide rails  43 ,  44  that are spaced from each other by an appropriate distance in the sheet-feed direction and that each extend in a direction perpendicular to the sheet-feed direction, i.e., in leftward and rightward directions in  FIG. 4 . The two guide rails  43 ,  44  provide a portion of the main frame as a portion of the box-like housing  2   b  of the printer portion  2  that supports the various elements of the same  2 . The carriage  38  bridges the two guide rails  43 ,  44 , such that the carriage  38  is slideable in the opposite directions perpendicular to the sheet-feed direction. Since the two guide rails  43 ,  44  are arranged in the sheet-feed direction and along a horizontal plane, a height of the printer portion  2  can be reduced and accordingly the MFD  1  can be constructed to have the considerably flat shape. 
     The first guide rail  43  located on an upstream side of the second guide rail  44  as seen in the sheet-feed direction has a flat shape whose length as measured in a widthwise direction of the sheet-feed path  23  (.e., the leftward and rightward directions in  FIG. 4 ) is greater than a movement range in which the carriage  38  reciprocates. A low-friction tape  40  is adhered to an upper surface of the first guide rail  43 , i.e., more specifically described, along a downstream-side edge portion thereof in the sheet-feed direction. The low-friction tape  40  is for lowering the friction produced when the carriage  38  slides on the first guide rail  43 . An upstream-side end portion of the carriage  38  is placed on the low-friction tape  40 , and is slid in a lengthwise direction of the tape  40 . 
     The second guide rail  44  located on a downstream side of the first guide rail  43  in the sheet-feed direction also has a flat shape whose length as measured in the widthwise direction of the sheet-feed path  23  is substantially equal to that of the first guide rail  43 . Another low-friction tape  40  is adhered to an upper surface of the second guide rail  44 , i.e., more specifically described, along a downstream-side edge portion thereof in the sheet-feed direction. This second low-friction tape  40  is for lowering the friction produced when the carriage  38  slides on the second guide rail  44 . A downstream-side end portion of the carriage  38  is placed on the second low-friction tape  40 , and is slid in a lengthwise direction of the tape  40 . The second guide rail  44  has, as an upstream-side end portion thereof, an upright wall  45  that extends upward at a substantially right angle from a horizontal bottom portion thereof. The carriage  38  has a holding portion (e.g., a pair of rollers) that holds the upright wall  45  such that the carriage  38  is slideable along the wall  45 . Thus, the carriage  38  is accurately positioned relative to the guide rails  43 ,  44  with respect to the sheet-feed direction, such that the carriage  38  is slideable in directions that intersect the sheet-feed direction, e.g., the opposite directions that are perpendicular to the sheet-feed direction. In short, the carriage  38  is supported by the two guide rails  43 ,  44  such that the carriage  38  is slideable thereon, i.e., is reciprocateable in the opposite directions intersecting the sheet-feed direction while being guided by the upright wall  45  of the second guide rail  44 . Although not shown in  FIG. 3  or  FIG. 4 , the upright wall  45  is coated with a lubricant (e.g., grease) so as to cause the carriage  38  to slide smoothly along the wall  45 . 
     A carriage driving device  46  is provided on the downstream-side guide rail  44 . The carriage driving device  46  includes a drive pulley  47  and a driven pulley  48  that are respectively provided around widthwise opposite ends of the sheet-feed path  23 , and an endless, annular timing belt  49  that is wound on the two pulleys  47 ,  48  and has teeth on an inner surface thereof. An axis member of the drive pulley  47  is connected to a carriage (CR) motor  73  ( FIG. 7 ) so as to receive a driving force therefrom. When the drive pulley  47  is rotated by the CR motor  73 , the timing belt  49  is circulated. The endless annular timing belt  49  may be replaced with such a belt that has opposite ends permanently fixed to the carriage  38 . 
     A portion of the timing belt  49  is fixed to a bottom portion of the carriage  38 . Therefore, when the timing belt  49  is circulated, the carriage  38  is reciprocated on the two guide rails  43 ,  44  while being guided by the upright wall  45 . Since the ink-jet recording head  39  is mounted on the carriage  38 , the recording head  39  can be reciprocated in the widthwise direction of the sheet-feed path  23 , i.e., the main scanning direction. The downstream-side guide rail  44  is equipped with an encoder strip  50  as a portion of a linear encoder  77  ( FIG. 7 ). The encoder strip  50  is constituted by a belt-like transparent sheet formed of a resin. As shown in  FIG. 4 , opposite end portions of the guide rail  44  in the reciprocation direction of the carriage  38  are equipped with respective support portions  33 ,  34  that each extend upward from the upper surface of the guide rail  44 . Opposite end portions of the encoder strip  50  are held by the two support portions  33 ,  34 , respectively, such that the strip  50  horizontally extends along the upright wall  45 . Although not shown in  FIG. 4 , one of the two support portions  33 ,  34  includes a sheet-shaped spring that holds one of the opposite end portions of the encoder strip  50 . This sheet-shaped spring applies a tension to the encoder strip  50  in a lengthwise direction thereof and thereby prevents the strip  50  from being loosened. On the other hand, when an external force is applied to the encoder strip  50 , the sheet spring is elastically deformed to allow the strip  50  to flex. 
     The encoder strip  50  has an optical pattern including a plurality of light transmitting portions that each transmit light, and a plurality of light blocking portions that each blocks light and are alternate with the light transmitting portions at a predetermined pitch in the lengthwise direction of the strip  50 . A transmission-type optical sensor  35  is provided, on an upper surface of the carriage  38 , at a position corresponding to the encoder strip  50 . The optical sensor  35  is reciprocated with the carriage  38  along the encoder strip.  50 , while detecting the optical pattern of the strip  50 . The recording head  39  is equipped with a head control substrate, not shown, that controls an ink ejecting operation of the head  39 . The head control substrate outputs pulse signals based on detection signals supplied from the optical sensor  35 . Based on the pulse signals, a position and a velocity of the carriage  38  are detected or recognized and the reciprocation of the carriage  38  is controlled. Since the head control substrate is located under a top cover of the carriage  38 , the substrate is not shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the platen  42  is provided below the sheet-feed path  23 , such that the plate  42  is opposed to the recording head  39 . Each recording sheet passes through a central portion of the reciprocation range of the carriage  38 , and the platen  42  extends over a range corresponding to a central portion of the reciprocation range. A length of the platen  42  is sufficiently greater than the greatest one of respective widths of the various sorts of recording sheets that can be fed through the sheet-feed path  23 . Therefore, widthwise opposite ends of each sort of recording sheet can pass over the platen  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , maintenance devices including a purge device  51  and a waste-ink tray  84  are provided in ranges where each recording sheet does not pass, i.e., ranges outside an image-record range where the recording head  39  records images on recording sheets. The purge device  51  is for removing, by application of suction to the inks present in the ink ejection nozzles  53  ( FIG. 5 ) of the recording head  39 , air bubbles and/or foreign matters from the recording head  39 . The purge device  51  includes a cap member  52  for covering the nozzles  53  of the recording head  39 ; a pump device (not shown) that can be coupled with the nozzles  53  via the cap member  52 ; and a moving device (not shown) that moves the cap member  52  toward and away from the nozzles  53 . Since the pump device and the moving device are provided below the guide rail  44 , those devices are not shown in  FIG. 4 . When the air bubbles or the like are removed, i.e., sucked from the recording head  39 , first, the carriage  38  is moved to a capping position where the head  39  is aligned with the cap member  52 . In this state, the moving device moves the cap member  52  upward so as to air-tightly contact the lower surface of the recording head  39  and thereby close the nozzles  53 . Then, the pump device supplies a negative pressure to the cap member  52  so as to remove the air bubbles and/or the foreign matters together with some amount of ink from the nozzles  53 . 
     The waste-ink tray  84  is for collecting the ink ejected by the recording head  39  when the head  39  performs an idling operation, i.e., a so-called “flushing” operation. The waste-ink tray  84  is provided, on an upper surface of the platen  42 , at a position within the reciprocation range of the carriage  38  but outside the image-record range of the recording head  39 . The waste-ink tray  84  is equipped with a woven felt that absorbs and holds the ink flushed by the recording head  39 . Those maintenance devices cooperate with each other to perform maintenance operations on the recording head  39 ; such as removal of air bubbles and/or mixed inks, or prevention of drying of inks. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the housing  2   b  of the printer portion  2  has, in a front wall thereof, a door  7  that can be opened and closed. When the door  7  is opened, an ink-cartridge accommodating portion, not shown, is exposed through the front wall of the housing  2   b , so as to be able to accommodate the four ink cartridges that store the cyan ink, the magenta ink, the yellow ink, and the black ink, respectively. Although not shown, the ink-cartridge accommodating portion has four spaces to accommodate the four ink cartridges, respectively. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the four ink tubes  41  ( 41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d ) corresponding to the four inks, respectively, connect between the ink-cartridge accommodating portion and the carriage  38 , such that the carriage  38  can reciprocate in the main scanning direction. Respective end portions of the four ink tubes  41  that correspond to the carriage  38  are connected to a tube connection portion  140  (described later) of the carriage  38 . The recording head  39  mounted on the carriage  38  is supplied with the four inks from the four ink cartridges accommodated by the ink-cartridge accommodating portion, via the four ink tubes  4 , respectively. The combination of the ink cartridges and the ink-cartridge accommodating portion may be of any type known in the art, so long as it can cooperate with the ink tubes  41  to supply the inks, and accordingly the construction thereof is not described in detail here. 
     Each of the ink tubes  41  is formed of a synthetic resin to be straight in its original shape. Each ink tube  41  has an appropriate degree of rigidity (i.e., flexural rigidity) to keep its straight shape. On the other hand, each ink tube  41  has such a flexibility that when an external force is applied to the tube  41 , the tube  41  is flexed, and additionally has such an elasticity that when the external force is removed, the tube  41  is returned to its original straight shape. Therefore, as the carriage  38  moves, each ink tube  41  changes its shape to follow the movement of the carriage  38 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , first, each ink tube  41  is led, in the main scanning direction, from the cartridge-accommodating portion to around a central portion of the housing  2   b  of the printer portion  2  where a portion of the tube  41  is fixed by a first fixing clip  36  to a restrictor wall  37  as a portion of the housing  2   b  of the printer portion  2 . However, an intermediate portion of each ink tube  41  that is located between the fixing clip  36  and the carriage  38  is not fixed to anything, so that the intermediate portion of the tube  41  may change its shape to follow the movement of the carriage  38 . In  FIG. 4 , a base portion of each ink tube  41  that is located between the first fixing clip  36  and the cartridge accommodating portion (not shown) is partly cut away, and an end portion of the tube  41  that is connected to the cartridge accommodating portion is not shown. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , each ink tube  41  ( 41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d ) follows the movement of the carriage  38 , while the above-indicated intermediate portion of the each tube  41 , located between the first fixing clip  36  and the carriage  38 , forms a curved portion, more specifically described, a generally U-shaped curved portion in its plan view. The generally U-shaped curved portion is convex in one of the opposite directions parallel to the main scanning direction. The four ink tubes  41  are connected to the tube connection portion  140  of the carriage  38 , such that the four tubes  41  are arranged in the sheet-feed direction along a horizontal plane and such that the respective end portions of the four tubes  41 , connected to the carriage  38 , extend in the main scanning direction (i.e., the reciprocation direction) of the carriage  38 . A construction of the tube connection portion  140  will be described in detail later. 
     The four ink tubes  41  extended from the tube connection portion  140  in the reciprocation direction of the carriage  38  are bound, at respective predetermined portions thereof located between the connection portion  140  and the first fixing clip  36 , more specifically described, between the connection portion  140  and a pivotable support member  100 , described later, by a clamp  170  as a stopper member. The clamp  170  binds the four ink tubes  41  while arranging the same  41 , and additionally stops respective excessive sliding movements of the same  41  relative to a holding portion  105  (i.e., a first support portion) of the pivotable support member  100 . The clamp  170  will be described in detail, later. 
     Respective midway portions of the four ink tubes  41  that are fixed by the first fixing clip  36  to the housing  2   b  of the printer portion  2  are arranged such that those midway portions are superposed on each other in a vertical direction, i.e., a direction perpendicular the drawing sheet of  FIG. 4 . The first fixing clip  36  is constituted by a member having a U-shaped cross section that opens upward, and the four ink tubes  41  are inserted, one by one, into the clip  36  through the upper opening thereof so that the four tubes  41  are stacked on each other in the order of insertion in the vertical direction. Thus, the respective midway portions of the four ink tubes  41  are held with each other by the first fixing clip  36 . Therefore, as seen in a direction from the first fixing clip  38  toward the carriage  38 , the respective intermediate portions of the four ink tubes  41 , arranged in the vertical direction at the clip  36 , are gradually twisted into the horizontal arrangement at the tube connection portion  140  of the carriage  38 , while the respective intermediate portions of the four ink tubes  41  as a whole form a generally U-shaped curve in their plan view. 
     Respective lengths of the respective intermediate portions of the four ink tubes  41 , located between the fixing clip  36  and the carriage  38 , are substantially equal to each other. A most upstream one  41   a  of the four ink tubes  41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d  as seen in the sheet-feed direction at the carriage  38  is an uppermost one of the four tubes  41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d  as seen in the vertical direction at the fixing clip  36 . The ink tube  41   b  adjacent to the most upstream ink tube  41   a  at the carriage  38  is adjacent to the uppermost ink tube  41   a  at the fixing clip  36 . This is repeated, and eventually the four ink tubes  41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d  are arranged, at the tube connection portion  140 , in the order of description in the sheet-feed direction, i.e., in the direction from the upstream side toward the downstream side, and are arranged, at the fixing clip  36 , in the order of description in the vertical direction, i.e., in the direction from the upper side toward the lower side. As described above, the respective entire lengths of the four ink tubes  41  are designed to be substantially equal to each other. Therefore, the respective intermediate portions of the four ink tubes  41  are curved such that respective centers of the respective U-shaped curves of those intermediate portions are somewhat offset from each other in the sheet-feed direction, owing to the horizontal arrangement of the four tubes  41  at the carriage  38 . Thus, the respective U-shaped curved portions of the four ink tubes  41  are arranged in an oblique direction from the upper side toward the lower side, so that when the intermediate portions of the four tubes  41  follow the movement of the carriage  38  while changing their shapes, the interference of the intermediate portions with each other is effectively restrained. In the present embodiment, the four ink tubes  41  are employed. However, in the case where an increased number of ink tubes are employed, those ink tubes may be arranged in the same manner as described above. The total number of ink tubes employed may be changed, as needed, depending upon the total number of inks used. For example, in the case where the present invention is applied to a monochromatic-image recording apparatus wherein only a single ink cartridge storing a black ink is used, only one ink tube is employed. In this case, too, a clamp  170  including two grasping portions  170 ,  171 , described in detail later, may be used. 
     The MFD  1  operates under control of a control portion  64  ( FIG. 7 ) that is constituted by a main substrate. The control portion  64  or the main substrate transmits a recording command signal or the like to the head control substrate of the recording head  39  via a flat cable  85  as an electrically conductive cable. The main substrate is provided in a front end portion of the MFD  1 , and is not shown in  FIG. 4 . The flat cable  85  has a thin, belt-like shape, and includes a plurality of electrically conductive lines each of which transmits an electric signal; and a synthetic-resin-based film, such as a polyester-based film, that covers or contains the electrically conductive lines to electrically insulate the same. The flat cable  85  electrically connect between the main substrate and the head control substrate both of which are not shown. 
     The flat cable  85  has such a flexibility that when the carriage  38  reciprocates in the main scanning direction, the cable  85  flexes and follows the movement of the carriage  38  in a state in which opposite major surfaces of the thin belt-like flat cable  85  are vertical, that is, a perpendicular to those major surfaces is horizontal. As shown in  FIG. 4 , an end portion of the flat cable  85  is fixed by a second fixing clip  86  to the housing  2   b  of the printer portion  2 , and the other end portion of the same  85  is fixed to the carriage  38 . An intermediate portion of the flat cable  85  that is located between the second fixing clip  86  and the carriage  38  forms a curved portion, in particular, a generally U-shaped curved portion in its plan view. The generally U-shaped curved portion of the flat cable  85  is convex in the same direction as the direction in which the respective generally U-shaped curved portions of the four ink tubes  41  are convex. The flat cable  85  is lead from the carriage  38  in the same direction as the direction in which the four ink tubes  41  are extended from the carriage  38 , i.e., the main scanning direction in which the carriage  38  reciprocates. 
     As described above, the other end portion of the flat cable  85 , fixed to the carriage  38 , is electrically connected to the head control substrate (not shown) mounted on the carriage  38 . The one end portion of the flat cable  85 , fixed to the second fixing clip  86 , is further extended and is electrically connected to the main substrate. The generally U-shaped curved portion of the flat cable  85  is not fixed to anything, so that like the ink tubes  41 , the intermediate portion of the flat cable  85  may follow the reciprocation of the carriage  38  while changing its shape. The ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  8  that follow the reciprocation of the carriage  38  while changing their shapes, are supported by a pivotable support member  100 . The flat cable  85  is supported by a main arm portion  103  ( FIG. 8 ) of the pivotable support member  100 , and the ink tubes  41  are supported by the holding portion  105  ( FIG. 8 ) of the support member  100  as a free end portion thereof. A construction of the pivotable support member  100  and a construction of a supporting device that pivotally supports the pivotable support member  100  will be described in detail, later. 
     On a front side of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85 , there is provided a restrictor wall  37  that is elongate in the reciprocation direction of the carriage  38 , i.e., the leftward and rightward directions in  FIG. 4 . The restrictor wall  37  has a vertical rear-side surface that abuts on the ink tubes  41  and is straight and elongate in the reciprocation direction of the carriage  38 . The restrictor wall  37  is provided, between the first fixing clip  36  that fixes the ink tubes  41 , and a left-hand side wall of the housing  2   b  of the printer portion  2 , in the reciprocation direction in which the ink tubes  41  extend from the fixing clip  36 . The restrictor wall  37  has such a height that assures that the wall  37  abuts on all the four ink tubes  41  arranged in the vertical direction in the fixing clip  36 . 
     More specifically described, the four ink tubes  41  extend from the first fixing clip  36  along the restrictor wall  37 , while abutting on the vertical rear-side surface of the wall  37 . Thus, the four ink tubes  41  are effectively prevented from swelling in a frontward direction, i.e., a direction away from the carriage  38 . In the state in which the four ink tubes  41  are in abutment on the restrictor wall  37  as shown in  FIG. 16 , respective portions of the four ink tubes  41  that are located between respective left-hand end portions of the respective curved portions thereof and the first fixing clip  36  maintain the same vertical arrangement as that of the four tubes  41  at the fixing clip  36 . Therefore, the respective curved (i.e., generally U-shaped) portions of the four ink tubes  41  can surely maintain the desired oblique arrangement shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     The first fixing clip  36  is provided at a substantially middle position in the lengthwise direction of the MFD  1 , and fixes the four ink tubes  41  such that the four tubes  41  extend in a direction having a component toward the restrictor wall  37 . That is, the vertical rear-side surface of the restrictor wall  37  and the direction in which the four ink tubes  41  extend from the first fixing clip  36  cooperate with each other to contain, in a plan view, an angle smaller than 90 degrees, preferably, 45 degrees. As described above, each ink tube  41  has appropriate degrees of rigidity (flexural rigidity), flexibility, and elasticity. Therefore, if the four ink tubes  41  extend from the first fixing clip  36  with an appropriate angle relative to the restrictor wall  37 , the four tubes  41  are pressed against the vertical surface of the restrictor wall  37 . Thus, within the reciprocation range in which the carriage  38  reciprocates, a range in which the ink tubes  41  are restricted by the restrictor wall  37  increases and accordingly a range (i.e., an area) in which the respective curved portions of the ink tubes  41  swell in the rearward direction, i.e., a direction toward the carriage  38  decreases. 
     The second fixing clip  86  is provided at a position that is substantially middle in the lengthwise direction of the MFD  1  and is nearer to the respective centers of the curved portions of the ink tubes  41  than the first fixing clip  36 . The second fixing clip  86  fixes the flat cable  85  such that the cable  85  extends in a direction having a component toward the restrictor wall  37 . That is, the vertical rear-side surface of the restrictor wall  37  and the direction in which the flat cable  85  extends from the second fixing clip  85  cooperate with each other to contain, in a plan view, an angle smaller than 90 degrees, preferably, 45 degrees. As described above, the flat cable  85  has not only an appropriate degree of flexibility but also an appropriate degree of rigidity (flexural rigidity). Therefore, if the flat cable  85  extends from the second fixing clip  86  with an appropriate angle relative to the restrictor wall  37 , the cable  85  is pressed against the vertical surface of the restrictor wall  37 , indirectly via the ink tubes  41 . Thus, within the reciprocation range of the carriage  38 , a range in which the flat cable  85  is restricted by the restrictor wall  37  increases and accordingly a range (i.e., an area) in which the curved portion of the flat cable  85  swells in the rearward direction, i.e., a direction toward the carriage  38  decreases. Whether the flat cable  85  is pressed against the restrictor wall  37 , directly or indirectly, depends on a relative-positional relationship between the four ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85 . Therefore, in the case where the relative-positional relationship between the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85 , employed in the present embodiment, is reversed, the flat cable  85  is directly pressed against the restrictor wall  37 , and the ink tubes  41  are indirectly pressed against the restrictor wall  37  via the flat cable  85 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the lower surface (i.e., a so-called “nozzle” surface) of the recording head  39 . As shown in the figure, the recording head  39  has, as viewed from left to right, an array of ink ejection nozzles  53  corresponding to the cyan ink (C), an array of ink ejection nozzles  53  corresponding to the magenta ink (M), an array of ink ejection nozzles  53  corresponding to the yellow ink (Y), and an array of ink ejection nozzles  53  corresponding to the black ink (Bk), such that the four nozzle arrays  53  are parallel to the sheet-feed direction perpendicular to the reciprocation direction of the carriage  38 , and are arranged in the reciprocation direction. A pitch, and a total number, of the nozzles  53  belonging to each array are selected based on, e.g., a recording resolution at which images are recorded. In addition, a total number of the nozzle arrays may be changed depending upon a total number of the sorts of inks used. 
       FIG. 6  shows an internal construction of the ink-jet recording head  39 . As shown in the figure, on an upstream side of each of the ink ejection nozzles  53  formed in the lower surface of the recording head  39 , there is formed a cavity  55  that is equipped with a piezoelectric element  54 . Upon application of an appropriate electric voltage to the piezoelectric element  54 , the element  54  is deformed to decrease a volume of the cavity  55 . Based on the change (decrease) of the volume of the cavity  55 , a droplet of ink is ejected from the cavity  55  via the nozzle  53 . 
     Each of the cavities  55  communicates with a corresponding one of the nozzles  53 , and each array of cavities  55  communicates with a common manifold  56 . More specifically described, four arrays of cavities  55  communicate with four manifolds  56 , respectively, that temporarily hold the four sorts of inks C, M, Y, Bk, respectively. On an upstream side of each of the four manifolds  56 , there is formed a buffer tank  57 . That is, the four buffer tanks  57  temporarily accommodate the four inks C, M, Y, Bk, respectively. Each of the four buffer tanks  57  is supplied with a corresponding one of the four inks C, M, Y, Bk from a corresponding one of the four ink tubes  41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d  via a corresponding one of four ink-supply inlets  58 . Since the inks C, M, Y, Bk are temporarily accommodated by the buffer tanks  57 , air bubbles that have been produced in the ink tubes  41  or elsewhere are captured and are prevented from entering the manifolds  56  and the cavities  56 . The air bubbles captured in the buffer tanks  57  are discharged or sucked by a pump device (not shown) via respective air-discharge outlets  59 . On the other hand, the inks C, M, Y, Bk supplied from the buffer tanks  57  are distributed to the cavities  55  via the manifolds  56 . 
     Thus, the inks C, M, Y, Bk supplied from the ink cartridges via the ink tubes  41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d  flow to the cavities  55  through respective ink channels including the buffer tanks  57  and the manifolds  56 . The inks C, M, Y, Bk supplied through the ink channels are ejected in the form of fine droplets from the nozzles  53  upon deformation of the piezoelectric elements  54 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , on an upstream side of the image recording unit  24  along the sheet-feed path  23 , there are provided a feed roller  60  and a pinch roller (not shown). Though, in the figure, the pinch roller is hidden by other elements and cannot be seen, the pinch roller is provided beneath the feed roller  60  such that the pinch roller is held in pressed contact with the feed roller  60 . The feed roller  60  and the pinch roller cooperate with each other to pinch each recording sheet being fed along the sheet-feed path  23 , and send the recording sheet onto an upper flat surface of the platen  42 . On a downstream side of the image recording unit  24  along the sheet-feed path  23 , there are provided a discharge roller  62  and a spur roller  63 . The discharge roller  62  and the spur roller  63  cooperate with each other to pinch the recording sheet on which images have been recorded and send the recording sheet onto the sheet-discharge tray  21 . The feed roller  60  and the discharge roller  62  are supplied with a driving force of the LF motor  71  ( FIG. 7 ), and are intermittently driven or rotated by incremental amounts or angles each corresponding to a distance between two adjacent lines to be recorded on the recording sheet. The respective rotations of the feed roller  60  and the discharge roller  62  are synchronized with each other. The feed roller  60  is equipped with a rotary encoder  76  ( FIG. 7 ) including an encoder disc  61  that is rotated with the feed roller  60 , and an optical pattern of the encoder disc  61  is read or detected by an optical sensor (not shown). Based on detection signals supplied from the optical sensor, the respective rotations of the feed roller  60  and the discharge roller  62  are controlled. 
     Since the spur roller  63  is pressed on the recording sheet having the images thereon, an outer circumferential surface of the spur roller  63  has a plurality of projections so as not to deteriorate the images recorded on the sheet. The spur roller  63  is movable or slideable toward and away from the discharge roller  62 , and is biased by a coil spring (not shown) so as to be pressed on the same  62 . When the recording sheet reaches a pinching or nipping point of the combination of the discharge roller  62  and the spur roller  63 , the spur roller  63  is forcedly retracted from the discharge roller  62  against the biasing force of the coil spring, by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the recording sheet, so that the spur roller  63  cooperates with the discharge roller  62  to nip the recording sheet. Thus, the rotation force of the discharge roller  62  is reliably transmitted to the recording sheet. The above-indicated pinch roller paired with the feed roller  60  has a construction similar to that of the spur roller  63 , and cooperates with the feed roller  60  to nip the recording sheet and reliably transmit the rotation force to the same. 
       FIG. 7  diagrammatically shows a construction of the control portion  64  of the MFD  1 . The control portion  64  controls the operation of the MFD  1  as a whole, including the respective operations of the printer portion  3  and the scanner portion  2 , and is constituted by the main substrate (not shown) to which the flat cable  85  is connected. Since, however, a portion of the control portion  64  that is related to the scanner portion  2  is not relevant to the present invention, the detailed description thereof is omitted. As shown in the figure, the control portion  64  is essentially constituted by a microcomputer including a CPU (central processing unit)  65 , a ROM (read only memory)  66 , a RAM (random access memory)  67 , and an EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable ROM)  68 . The control portion  64  is connected via a bus  69  to an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit)  70 . 
     The ROM  66  stores, e.g., control programs used to control the various operations of the MFD  1 . The RAM  67  is used as a memory area or an operation area that temporarily stores various sorts of data needed for the CPU  65  to implement the above-indicated control programs. The EEPROM  68  stores various pre-set data and flags that should be kept after the MFD  1  is powered off. 
     The ASIC  70  produces, according to a command supplied from the CPU  65 , a phase drive signal to drive the LF motor  71 , and supplies the signal to a driver circuit  72  to drive the LF motor  71  and thereby control the rotation thereof. 
     The driver circuit  72  drives the LF motor  71  that is connected to the sheet-supply roller  25 , the feed roller  60 , the discharge roller  62 , and the purge device  51 . Based on the output signal supplied from the ASIC  70 , the driver circuit  72  produces an electric signal to drive the LF motor  71 . In response to the electric signal, the LF motor  71  is rotated and the rotation force of the motor  71  is transmitted to those elements  25 ,  60   62 ,  51  via respective well-known transmission devices each including gears and a drive shaft. 
     The ASIC  70  additionally produces, according to a command supplied from the CPU  65 , a phase drive signal to drive the CR motor  73 , and supplies the signal to a driver circuit  74  to drive the CR motor  73  and thereby control the rotation thereof. 
     The driver circuit  74  drives the CR motor  71 . Based on the output signal supplied from the ASIC  70 , the driver circuit  74  produces an electric signal to drive the CR motor  73 . In response to the electric signal, the CR motor  73  is rotated and the rotation force of the motor  73  is transmitted to the carriage  38  via the carriage driving device  46 , so that the carriage  38  is reciprocated in the main scanning direction. Thus, the control portion  64  controls the reciprocation of the carriage  38 . 
     A driver circuit  75  is for driving the ink-jet recording head  39  at appropriate timings to eject, from appropriate nozzles  53  thereof, droplets of the inks toward the recording sheet. Based on a driving control procedure indicated by the CPU  65 , the ASIC  70  produces an output signal to drive and control the recording head  39 . The driver circuit  75  is provided in the head control substrate, and the flat cable  85  transmits signals from the main substrate constituting the control portion  64 , to the head control substrate. 
     The ASIC  70  is coupled with the rotary encoder  76  that detects the amount of rotation of the feed roller  60 , and also with the linear encoder  77  that detects the position of the carriage  38 . When the MFD  1  is powered on, the carriage  38  is moved to an initial position provided at one of the lengthwise opposite ends of the pair of guide rails  43 ,  44 , so that the position detected by the linear encoder  77  is initialized. When the carriage  38  is moved from the initial position on the guide rails  43 ,  44 , the optical sensor  35  mounted on the carriage  38  detects the optical pattern of the encoder strip  50  and produces a pulse signal, so that based on a total number of the pulses of the pulse signal, the control portion  64  can recognize an amount of movement of the carriage  38 . The control portion  64  controls, based on the thus obtained movement amount of the carriage  38 , the rotation of the CR motor  73  and thereby controls the reciprocating movement of the carriage  38 . 
     The ASIC  70  is additionally coupled with the scanner portion  3 ; the operation panel  18  that is manually operable for inputting user&#39;s commands to the MFD 1 ; the slot portion  19  in which various small-size memory cards can each be inserted; and a parallel interface  78  and a USB interface  79  for communicating data with an external information device such as a personal computer via a parallel cable and a USB cable, respectively. Moreover, the ASIC  70  is coupled with an NCU (network control unit)  80  and a modem  81  that cooperate with each other to enable the MFD  1  to function as a facsimile machine. 
     Hereinafter, there will be described in detail the pivotable support member  100  that supports the four ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85 .  FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the pivotable support member  100 ;  FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the same  100 ; and  FIG. 10  is a cross-section view taken along  10 - 10  in  FIG. 15 . In  FIG. 10 , a holding portion  105  as a first support portion of the pivotable support member  100  is not shown. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the pivotable support member  100  includes a shaft portion  102  as a supporting point for pivotal motion of the support member  100 ; a main arm portion  103  that horizontally extends from the shaft portion  102 ; a support portion  104  as a second support portion of the support member  100  that is integrally formed with an upper end portion of the main arm portion  103 ; the holding portion  105  provided by a free end portion of the main arm portion  103 ; and an auxiliary arm portion  106  that horizontally extends from the shaft portion  102  in a direction opposite to the direction of extension of the main arm portion  103  and cooperates with the shaft portion  102  and the main arm portion  103  to constitute a crank-like portion. The pivotable support member  100  is formed by bending a single steel wire rod. Thus, all portions  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 ,  106  of the pivotable support member  100  are integral with each other. 
     The main arm portion  103  and the auxiliary arm portion  106  are bent substantially perpendicularly to the shaft portion  102 , such that the main arm portion  103  and the auxiliary arm portion  106  are substantially parallel to each other. The supporting device that pivotally supports the pivotable support member  100  will be described in detail, later. In short, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the supporting device includes a base plate  110  that has a holding hole  111  and is fixed to the housing  2   b  of the printer portion  2 , and the auxiliary arm portion  106  of the support member  100  is passed through the holding hole  111  and is located on an underside of the base plate  110 , so that the shaft portion  102  is pivotally held by the holding hole  111 , that is, the support member  100  is pivotally supported by the base plate  110 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the shaft portion  102  is supported such that the shaft portion  102  is pivotable about a substantially vertical axis line  113  ( FIG. 9 ) and the main shaft portion  103  extends substantially horizontally therefrom. The shaft portion  102  is held by the holding hole  111 , such that the shaft portion  102  is slideable in a circumferential direction thereof relative to an inner surface of the holding hole  111 . Therefore, when a load is applied to the main arm portion  103 , the main arm portion  103  is pivoted about the vertical axis line  113  defined by the shaft portion  102 , along a substantially horizontal plane. 
     The upper end portion of the main arm portion  103  that extends horizontally provides the support portion  104  that supports a lower end of the flat cable  85  taking the posture that the opposite major surfaces of the cable  85  extend vertically. When the flat cable  85  follows the reciprocation of the carriage  38  while changing its shape, the cable  85  is slideable on the support portion  104 . That is, a length of the main arm portion  103  the upper end of which provides the support portion  104  is so selected as to assure that when the carriage  38  is reciprocated within the prescribed range, the support portion  104  can support the flat cable  85  such that the cable  85  is slideable on the support portion  104 . 
     The holding portion  105  as the free end portion of the main arm portion  103  is for holding the four ink tubes  41  ( 41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d ). The holding portion  105  includes, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a loop  107  having a generally rectangular shape that is elongate in a vertical direction; a base portion  108  projecting outward from the loop  107 ; and a rounded portion  109  as a free end portion of the base portion  108 . The four ink tubes  41  are passed through the loop  107  of the holding portion  105 . Inner length (height) and width of the loop  107  have such a dimensional relationship with respective outer diameters of the four ink tubes  41  that the order of arrangement of the four tubes  41  does not change in the loop  107  and the four tubes  41  are slideable relative to the loop  107  in a direction of extension of the tubes  41 . For example, in the case where each of the respective outer diameters of the four ink tubes  41  is expressed as A and the inner height and width of the loop  107  are expressed as H and L, respectively, the above-indicated dimensional relationship is expressed as follows: A≦L&lt;2A, and 4A≦H. The loop  107  is formed by first bending an end portion of a steel wire rod such that the end portion extends upward from the main arm portion  103 , and additionally bending the end portion to have an elongate rectangular shape. The base portion  108  of the holding portion  105  extends in substantially the same direction as the direction of extension of the main arm portion  103 . A free end portion of the base portion  108  is first bent upward and then is rounded downward like an arc to form the rounded portion  109 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , an axis line  112  (.e., a centerline of the steel wire rod) of a rising portion  107   a  of the loop  107  that rises from the main arm portion  103  is inclined relative to the axis line  113  (.e., a centerline of the steel wire rod) of the shaft portion  102 . More specifically described, the axis line  113  of the shaft portion  102  is vertical, whereas the axis line  112  of the rising portion  107   a  of the loop  107  is inclined relative to a vertical direction. Thus, the inclined rising portion  107   a  is provided on an opposite side of the horizontal main arm portion  103  that is opposite to the base portion  108 . Since the loop  107  has the rectangular shape elongate in a direction parallel to the inclined axis line  112 , the fact that the inclined rising portion  107   a  is provided opposite to the base portion  108  with respect to the main arm portion  103  means that the base portion  108  has a position higher than the main arm portion  103 . That is, the base portion  108  has a position higher than a virtual support plane on which the main arm portion  103  is supported by the base plate  110 . 
     The four ink tubes  41  are passed through the loop  107  of the holding portion  105 , and are supported by the base portion  108 . Thus, the respective lengthwise intermediate portions of the four ink tubes  41  are slideably held by the holding portion  105 . The loop  107  surrounds the four ink tubes  41 , and holds the four tubes  41  in the same vertical arrangement as that in which the first fixing clip  36  fixes the four tubes  41 . Therefore, when the four ink tubes  41  follow the carriage  38  while changing their shapes, the four tubes  41  can be prevented from being scattered, i.e., being largely separated from each other, and the above-indicated intermediate portions of the four tubes  41  can change their shapes in an integral manner while maintaining their vertical arrangement at the first fixing clip  36 . The ink tubes  41 , surrounded by the loop  107 , are slideable in the direction of extension of the tubes  41  and, when the tubes  41  change their shapes, the tubes  41  can actually slide by respective appropriate amounts relative to the loop  7 . Thus, no excessively high load is applied to the ink tubes  41 . On the other hand, when the ink tubes  41  change their shapes, friction is produced between the tubes  41  and the loop  107 , so that a rotation force to rotate or pivot the pivotable support member  100  is transmitted to the same  100 . Thus, as the ink tubes  41  change their shapes, the pivotable support member  100  is pivoted. 
     Respective portions of the ink tubes  41  that are held by the holding portion  105  are lengthwise pre-selected based on the manner in which the tubes  41  change their shapes. When the carriage  38  is moved to a position (i.e., the above-described capping position), shown in  FIG. 15 , where a radius of curvature of the U-shaped curved portion of each of the four ink tubes  41  takes a maximum value, and if the tubes  41  extend from the carriage  38  in a direction having a component away from the first fixing clip  36 , then the holding portion  105  needs to hold respective portions of the ink tubes  41  that are located nearer to the first fixing clip  36  than respective nearest portions  121  of the ink tubes  41  that are the nearest to the rear wall of the MFD  1 , i.e., located on the left-hand side of the nearest portions  121  in  FIG. 16 . On the other hand, if the ink tubes  41  extend from the carriage  38  in a direction having no component away from the first fixing clip  36 , then the holding portion  105  needs to hold respective portions of the tubes  41  that are located nearer to the first fixing clip  36  than respective portions  123  of the ink tubes  41  where a virtual straight line  122  extending parallel to the sheet-feed direction from the first fixing clip  36  toward the rear wall of the MFD  1  intersects the tubes  41 . 
     In the case where the respective lengthwise pre-selected portions of the ink tubes  41 , held by the loop  107  of the holding portion  105 , belong to those portions of the tubes  41  that can change their shapes along the restrictor wall  37 , the pre-selected portions, surrounded by the loop  107 , can be brought into contact with the restrictor wall  37  when the tubes  41  follow the carriage  38 . As described previously, since the loop  107  maintains the vertical arrangement of the four ink tubes  41 , the ink tubes  41  are brought into contact with the restrictor wall  37  with the vertical arrangement of the tubes  41  being unchanged. Thus, the four ink tubes  41  are uniformly contacted with the restrictor wall  37 , in such an advantageous manner in which no stress is concentrated on any particular one of the four tubes  41 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the restrictor wall  37  has a receiving recess  120  at a position where the holding portion  105  is brought into contact with the wall  37 . The receiving recess  120  will be described later. 
     The four ink tubes  41  that are surrounded by the loop  107  are additionally supported by the base portion  108  that is more distal than the loop  107 . As described previously, the base portion  108  is provided at a position higher than the main arm portion  103 . Therefore, the lowest one of the four ink tubes  41  supported by the base portion  107  is higher than the lower end of the flat cable  85  supported by the support portion  104 . 
     When the ink tubes  41  follow the carriage  38  while changing their shapes, the tubes  41  that are supported by the base portion  108  are slideable on the base portion  108  that is more distal than the loop  107 . That is, the ink tubes  41  can slide on the base portion  108  located between the loop  107  and the rounded portion  109 . Since the rounded portion  109  is formed by bending the free end portion of the base portion  108  upward, the ink tubes  41  can be prevented from falling off the base portion  108 . In addition, since the rounded portion  109  is rounded downward like an arc, the ink tubes  41  are prevented from being contacted with an acuminate free end of the steel wire rod constituting the pivotable support member  100 . 
     Hereinafter, there will be described the construction of the supporting device that supports the pivotable support member  100  such that the support member  100  is pivotable, and includes the base plate  110 , by reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the base plate  110  is fixed to the housing  2   b  of the printer portion  2 , on the rear side of the restrictor wall  37  where the carriage  38  is provided. The base plate  110  is a flat member having substantially the same length as that of the restrictor wall  37 , and a width that assures that the flat member is accommodated in a space left between the restrictor wall  37  and the downstream-side guide rail  44 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  10 , and  11 , the base plate  110  has the holding hole  111  that extends vertically and pivotally holds the shaft portion  102  of the pivotable support member  100 . In the plan views shown in  FIGS. 4 and 11 , the holding hole  111  is provided within an area that is defined by the respective U-shaped curved portions of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  that change their shapes to follow the carriage  38 . The shaft portion  102  of the pivotable support member  100  is pivotally held or supported by the holding hole  111 , such that the main arm portion  103  extends substantially horizontally to support the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85 . A distance between the holding hole  111  and a rear-side edge portion  116  of the base plate  110  is shorter than a length of the main arm portion  103  ( FIG. 8 ) located between the shaft portion  102  and the holding portion  105 . Therefore, when the main arm portion  103  is pivoted about the axis line  113  of the shaft portion  102 , the pivotable support member  100  as a whole is pivoted between a first angular position, shown in  FIG. 17 , where the main arm portion  103  and the holding portion  105  are located above an upper surface of the base plate  110 , and a second angular position, shown in  FIG. 16 , where the holding portion  105  is located outside the upper surface of the base plate  110 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  10 , and  11 , the base plate  110  has, on the upper surface thereof, a first support rib  117  that surrounds the holding hole  111  and supports the main arm portion  103 . The first support rib  117  has an arcuate shape whose center is located on the holding hole  111 , and projects upward from the upper surface of the base plate  110  ( FIG. 10 ). The first support rib  117  extends over an angular range within which the main arm portion  103  is pivoted. A distance between the holding hole  11  and the first support rib  117  has no limitations. However, the nearer the first support rib  117  is to the holding portion  105 , the more accurately the height position of the holding portion  105  can be defined. Within the angular range in which the main arm portion  103  is pivoted, an upper end surface  107   a  of the first support rib  117  contacts and supports the main arm portion  103 . The first support rib  117  has a constant height over an entire length thereof along the upper surface of the base plate  110 , so as not to change the height position of the upper end surface  107   a  of the first support rib  117  within the range of pivotal motion of the arm portion  103 . The constant height of the first support rib  117  is pre-selected at a value assuring that the holding portion  105 , in particular, the base portion  108  ( FIG. 8 ) is spaced from the upper surface of the base plate  110 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the base plate  110  has, on a lower surface thereof, a second support rib  118  that surrounds the holding hole  111  and supports the auxiliary arm portion  106 . Although not shown in the figure, the second support rib  118  has, like the first support rib  117 , an arcuate shape whose center is located on the holding hole  111 , and projects downward from the lower surface of the base plate  110 . The second support rib  118  extends over an angular range within which the auxiliary arm portion  106  is pivoted as the main arm portion  103  is pivoted. A distance between the holding hole  11  and the second support rib  118  has no limitations. However, the remoter the second support rib  118  is from the holding hole  111 , the greater the supporting force of the second support rib  118  applied to the auxiliary arm portion  106  is. Within the angular range in which the auxiliary arm portion  106  is pivoted as the main arm portion  103  is pivoted, a lower end surface  108   a  of the second support rib  118  contacts and supports the auxiliary arm portion  106 . The second support rib  118  has a constant height over an entire length thereof along the lower surface of the base plate  110 , so as not to change the height position of the lower end surface  108   a  of the second support rib  118  within the range of pivotal motion of the auxiliary arm portion  106 . The constant height of the second support rib  118  is pre-selected at a value assuring that the holding portion  105 , in particular, the base portion  108  thereof is spaced from the upper surface of the base plate  110 . 
     Owing to the first support rib  117  formed on the base plate  110 , the main arm portion  103  is supported at an appropriate height, such that the holding portion  105  is spaced from the upper surface of the base plate  110 . Thus, the base portion  108  of the holding portion  105  is prevented from being interfered with by the upper surface of the base plate  110 . In addition, since the second support rib  118  also contributes to supporting the main arm portion  103  at the appropriate height, the holding portion  105  can be maintained spaced from the upper surface of the base plate  110 . Thus, the first and second support ribs  117 ,  118  cooperate with each other to maintain reliably the holding portion  105  spaced from the upper surface of the base plate  110  within the range of pivotal motion of the main arm portion  103 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 through 14 , a generally part-cylindrical guide member  130  as a stationary member or a tubular member projects from the upper surface of the base plate  110  at a position spaced from the restrictor wall  37  in a direction toward the carriage  38 , such that the guide member  130  partly surrounds the holding hole  111  and a centerline of the guide member  130  coincides with a centerline of the holding hole  111 . The guide member  130  has an upward opening recess  131  as an opening thereof that opens in an upper end surface thereof and horizontally extends over an angular range corresponding to the range of pivotal motion of the pivotable support member  100 . The main arm portion  103  horizontally extending from the shaft portion  102  pivotally held by the holding hole  111 , passes through the upward opening recess  131 . In other words, the recess  131  defines or restricts the range of pivotal motion of the pivotable support member  100 . 
     The guide member  130  supports a torsion coil spring  132  as a sort of spring member as a sort of biasing member or device. The torsion coil spring  132  is formed by winding a metal wire such as a steel wire, and includes a cylindrical coil portion  133 , a first arm portion  134  as a fixed end portion that extends radially inward from the coil portion  133  and is fixed to the guide member  130 , and a second arm portion  135  as an engaged end portion that extends radially outward from the coil portion  133  and is engaged with an intermediate portion of the main arm portion  103 . The torsion coil spring  132  can receive a torsion moment with respect to an axis line (i.e., a centerline) of the cylindrical coil portion  133 . When the first and second arm portions  134 ,  135  receive respective loads, a torque is produced in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical coil portion  133 . In the present embodiment, the torsion coil spring  132  is employed as a sort of biasing member. However, any sort of spring or any sort of biasing member that can produce a torque may be employed. For example, the torsion coil spring  132  may be replaced with a different sort of torsion spring, a different sort of coil spring, a spiral spring (i.e., a power spring), or a volute spring. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the guide member  130  has a supporting or engaging recess  129  that opens in the upward open recess  131 , and the torsion coil spring  132  is fixed to the guide member  130  such that the first arm portion  134  of the coil spring  132  is engaged with the engaging recess  129  of the guide member  130 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the second arm portion  135  includes a straight portion  136  extending radially outward from the coil portion  133 , and a curved portion  137  that is formed by bending a free end portion of the straight portion  136  and is engaged with the intermediate portion of the main arm portion  103  of the pivotable support member  100 . An inner diameter of the curved portion  137  is designed to be somewhat greater than an outer diameter of the main arm portion  103  so as to introduce easily the arm portion  103  thereinto and hold the same  103 . The curved portion  137  may be formed by bending back the free end portion of the straight portion  136  by an appropriate angle. This angle may be arbitrarily selected so long as it assures that the main arm portion  103  does not come off the curved portion  137 . In the present embodiment, the angle is about 180 degrees. In the case where the angle is greater than 180 degrees and accordingly a distance between a free end of the curved portion  137  and the straight portion  136  is smaller than the outer diameter of the arm portion  103 , the main arm portion  103  can be more effectively prevented from coming off the curved portion  137 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the torsion coil spring  132  is attached to the guide member  130  such that the coil spring  132  biases the pivotable support member  100  in a direction indicated by an arrow  139 . More specifically described, the coil spring  132  is attached to the guide member  130 , in such manner that first the coil spring  132  is moved toward the guide member  130 , so as to cause an upper end of the guide member  130  to enter a lower end of the coil portion  133  from which the second arm portion  135  extends outward, and second the curved portion  137  of the second arm portion  135  is engaged with the main arm portion  103  of the support member  100 . Then, with the second arm portion  135  being kept still, the coil portion  133  is twisted by an appropriate angle in a direction to produce a load or a biasing force in the direction indicated by the arrow  139 . In this state, i.e., with this biasing force being maintained, the first arm portion  134  is engaged with the engaging recess  129  of the guide member  130 . The torsion coil spring  132 , thus attached to the guide member  130 , exhibits its special effect, mainly when the carriage  38  is moved to the capping position, shown in  FIG. 16 , where the radius of curvature of the U-shaped curved portion of the flat cable  85  increases. The operation and advantages of the torsion coil spring  132  will be described later. 
     In the present embodiment, the guide member  130  not only supports the torsion coil spring  132  but also guides the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  in the direction along the restrictor wall  37 . As described previously, the guide member  130  is spaced from the restrictor wall  37  in the direction toward the carriage  38 , and the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  are passed through the space present between the restrictor wall  37  and the guide member  130 . Since the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  can abut on an outer circumferential surface of the guide member  130  that has a cylindrical shape, those elements  41 ,  85  can be prevented from being excessively largely bent at the first fixing clip  36  or the second fixing clip  86  in the direction toward the carriage  38 . That is, the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  can be led in the direction along the restrictor wall  37 , without being locally buckled at the first or second fixing clip  36 ,  38 . In addition, respective centers of the respective U-shaped curved portions of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  that are formed when those elements  41 ,  85  are moderately bent back toward the carriage  38  can be made nearer to the restrictor wall  37 . Thus, respective inner areas defined by the respective curved portions of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  can be prevented from being increased, and respective lengths of the respective intermediate portions of those elements  41 ,  85  located between the first or second fixing clip  36 ,  38  and the carriage  38  can be minimized. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the restrictor wall  37  has the receiving recess  120  that assures that the wall  37  is prevented from abutting on the holding portion  105  of the pivotable support member  100  that holds the lengthwise pre-selected portions of the ink tubes  41 . In the present embodiment, the receiving recess  120  is provided in the form of a through-hole that is formed through a thickness of the restrictor wall  37 . However, in the case where the restrictor wall  37  is considerably thick, the recess  120  may be provided in the form of a groove that is formed in the rear-side surface of the restrictor wall  37 . Otherwise, the restrictor wall  37  may be completely divided into two parts by the receiving recess  120 . The recess  120  has a shape corresponding to that of a portion of the support member  100  that is provided around the holding portion  105  including the loop  107 , the base portion  108 , and the rounded portion  109 . However, the receiving recess  120  may have any shape so long as the recess  120  can prevent the restrictor wall  37  from abutting on the holding portion  105  of the support member  100 . Thus, in the state in which the ink tubes  41  are in abutment on the rear-side surface of the restrictor wall  37 , the holding portion  105  of the support member  100  is accommodated by the receiving recess  120  without engaging the restrictor wall  37  per se. 
     Next, there will be described the clamp  170  that binds the ink tubes  41 , by reference to  FIGS. 14 ,  18 , and  19 A through  10 D. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  18 , and  19 A through  19 D, the clamp  170  binds the four ink tubes  41  ( 41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d ) by grasping or sandwiching each of the tubes  41 . The clamp  170  includes an upper grasping portion  171  and a lower grasping portion  172  each of which has a generally U-shaped configuration in its side view. The clamp  170  is formed of a synthetic resin and has an appropriate degree of elasticity. 
     In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  16 , and  17 , the clamp  170  is provided at a position nearer to the tube connection portion  140  than the position where the holding portion  105  holds the ink tubes  41 . Like the position where the holding portion  105  holds the ink tubes  41 , the position where the clamp  170  is provided is adjusted, as needed, based on the manner in which the ink tubes  41  change their shapes. More specifically described, when the carriage  38  is moved to the position (i.e., the capping position), shown in  FIG. 16 , where the radius of curvature of the U-shaped curved portion of each of the ink tubes  41  takes a maximum value, and if the ink tubes  41  extend from the carriage  38  in a direction having a component that is perpendicular to the reciprocation direction and is away from the first fixing clip  36 , then the clamp  170  needs to hold respective portions of the ink tubes  41  which are located nearer to the first fixing clip  36  than respective nearest portions  121  of the ink tubes  41  that are the nearest to the rear wall of the MFD  1 , i.e., located on the left-hand side of the nearest portions  121  in  FIG. 16 , and which are nearer to the tube connection portion  140  than the respective portions of the ink tubes  41  held by the holding portion  105 . On the other hand, if the ink tubes  41  extend from the carriage  38  in a direction having no component that is perpendicular to the reciprocation direction and is away from the first fixing clip  36 , then the clamp  170  needs to hold respective portions of the tubes  41  that are located nearer to the first fixing clip  36  than the respective portions  123  of the ink tubes  41  where the virtual straight line  122  extending parallel to the sheet-feed direction from the first fixing clip  36  toward the rear wall of the MFD  1  intersects the tubes  41 . 
     The upper grasping portion  171  of the clamp  170  grasps one ink tube  41  only, and provides a first grasping portion. In the present embodiment, the upper grasping portion  171  grasps only the uppermost one  41   a  of the four ink tubes  41  that are held by the holding portion  105  of the pivotable support member  100  such that the four ink tubes  41  are arranged in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the lower grasping portion  172  of the clamp  170  grasps the other, three ink tubes  41  altogether, and provides a second grasping portion. In the present embodiment, the lower grasping portion  172  grasps the other, three ink tubes  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d  than the uppermost ink tube  41   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 19A through 19D , the upper grasping portion  171  has a groove  173 , an insertion passage  176  communicating with an upper opening of the groove  173 , and two projections  174  that cooperate with each other to define the insertion passage  176 . The groove  173  has a size assuring that just one ink tube  41  can be inserted thereinto. In the case where the four ink tubes  41  have a same diameter, the groove  173  has a width smaller than the outer diameter of each ink tube  41 , e.g., a width equal to about 80% of the outer diameter. Therefore, if one ink tube  41  is inserted deeply into the groove  173 , the cylindrical wall of the one ink tube  41  and two side walls  175  of the upper grasping portion  171  are elastically deformed. Owing to respective restoring forces produced by those elastic deformations, i.e., a frictional force produced between the upper grasping portion  171  and the one ink tube  41 , the upper grasping portion  171  grasps the one ink tube  41 . In other words, the clamp  170  is fixed to the one ink tube  41 . From the standpoint of the frictional force produced between the upper grasping portion  171  and the one ink tube  41 , it is preferred that the width of the groove  173  be smaller than the outer diameter of each ink tube  41 , by not less than 5% of the outer diameter, more preferably not less than 15% of the outer diameter, or most preferably not less than 25% of the outer diameter. On other hand, from the standpoint of the amount of the ink flowing in the one ink tube  41 , it is preferred that the width of the groove  173  be smaller than the outer diameter of each ink tube  41 , by not more than 35% of the outer diameter, more preferably not more than 25% of the outer diameter, or most preferably not more than 15% of the outer diameter. 
     The two projections  174  project from the two side walls  175 , respectively, toward each other to define the insertion passage  176  communicating with the upper opening of the groove  173 . Therefore, the insertion passage  176  has a width that is smaller than that of the groove  173  because of the presence of the projections  174 . Since the projections  174  are present, the one ink tube  41 , once inserted in the groove  173 , can be prevented from coming off the clamp  170 . The two projections  174  have respective inclined outer surfaces  178  that are inclined in respective outward directions away from respective positions where the two projections  174  are the nearest to each other. The two inclined outer surfaces  178  provide two first guide surfaces that cooperate with each other to smoothly guide the insertion of the one ink tube  41 , being pressed against the two projections  174 , deeply into the groove  173  via the insertion passage  176 . Thus, the one ink tube  41  can be easily inserted into the groove  173 . In addition, the two projections  174  have respective inclined inner surfaces  177  that are inclined in respective inward directions away from the respective positions where the two projections  174  are the nearest to each other. The two inclined inner surfaces  177  provide two second guide surfaces that cooperate with each other to smoothly guide the removal of the one ink tube  41  from the groove  173  via the insertion passage  176 . Thus, the one ink tube  41  can be easily removed from the groove  173 . 
     The lower grasping portion  172  has a groove  183 , an insertion passage  186  communicating with a lower opening of the groove  183 , and two projections  184  that cooperate with each other to define the insertion passage  186 . The groove  183  has a size assuring that three ink tubes  41  can be inserted thereinto. The groove  183  has a width that is greater than that of the groove  173  of the upper grasping portion  171 , but is smaller than the outer diameter of each ink tube  41 . However, the width of the groove  183  may be equal to that of the groove  173  of the upper grasping portion  171 . Therefore, if three ink tubes  41  are inserted deeply into the groove  183 , the respective cylindrical walls of the there ink tubes  41  and two side walls  185  of the lower grasping portion  172  are elastically deformed. Owing to respective restoring forces produced by those elastic deformations, the lower grasping portion  172  grasps the three ink tubes  41 . In other words, the clamp  170  is fixed to the three ink tubes  41 . 
     The two projections  184  of the lower grasping portion  172  have respective shapes similar to those of the two projections  174  of the upper grasping portion  171 , i.e., project from the two side walls  185 , respectively, toward each other to define the insertion passage  186  communicating with the lower opening of the groove  183 . However, respective amounts of projection of the two projections  184  are larger than those of the two projections  174 . Thus, the insertion passage  186  is narrower than the insertion passage  176 . In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 18 , the lower grasping portion  172  grasps three ink tubes  41  in a state in which the insertion passage  186  opens downward. Therefore, the respective amounts of projection of the two projections  184  are increased to prevent the ink tubes  41  from coming off the groove  183 , i.e., hold the ink tubes  41  with high reliability. The two projections  184  have respective inclined outer surfaces  188  that are inclined in respective outward directions away from respective positions where the two projections  184  are the nearest to each other; and respective inclined inner surfaces  187  that are inclined in respective inward directions away from the respective positions where the two projections  174  are the nearest to each other. The two inclined inner surfaces  187  and the two inclined outer surfaces  188  of the lower grasping portion  172  correspond to the two inclined inner surfaces  177  and the two inclined outer surfaces  178  of the upper grasping portion  171 , respectively, although respective degrees of inclination of the surfaces  187 ,  188  somewhat differ from those of the surfaces  177 ,  178 . Thus, the inclined surfaces  187 ,  188  can enjoy the same advantages as the above-described advantages of the inclined surfaces  177 ,  178 . In short, the inclined surfaces  187 ,  188  assure that each of the ink tubes  41  can be easily inserted into, and removed from, the groove  183 . 
     The clamp  170  has a size assuring that the clamp  170  cannot pass through the loop  107  of the holding portion  105  of the pivotable support member  100 . For example, either one of a lengthwise dimension (i.e., a height), H 2 , of the clamp  170  or a widthwise dimension (i.e., a width), L 2 , of the clamp  170  is larger than a corresponding one of an inner height, H 1 , of the loop  107  or an inner width, L 1 , of the loop  107  ( FIG. 8 ). However, the clamp  170  is not limited to any particular shapes or sizes, so long as the clamp  170  cannot pass through the loop  107 . 
     As described above, the respective pre-selected portions of the four ink tubes  41  are held by the holding portion  105  of the pivotable support member  100 , such that those pre-selected portions can slide relative to the holding portion  105 , i.e., the ink tubes  41  can slide relative to the loop  107  of the holding portion  105  in the direction of extension of the tubes  41 . Since the ink tubes  41  can slide relative to the holding portion  105 , the following problems may occur: When the carriage  38  that has been moved to the right-hand end of the printer portion  2  is moved in the leftward direction, as shown in  FIG. 20A , the pivotal movement of the main arm portion  103  of the pivotable support member  100  may not be able to follow the reciprocating movement of the carriage  38 , so that the ink tubes  41  may slide relative to the holding portion  105 . Consequently, the ink tubes  41  may be curved excessively largely, as shown in  FIG. 20B , so that when the carriage  38  is moved in the leftward direction again, the tubes  41  may come off the tube connection portion  140  or may buckle. In addition, if the ink tubes  41  are largely curved, or are even bent at an acute angle, respective stiffness of the tubes  41  may be largely increased and may apply strong forces to the flat cable  85  so that the cable  85  may be damaged or may fail to transmit the electric signals. In the present embodiment, however, even if the main arm portion  103  may not follow the reciprocation of the carriage  38  and consequently the ink tubes  41  may slide relative to the holding portion  105 , the clamp  170  is moved relative to the holding portion  105  so as to reach the same  105 , engage the loop  107  thereof, and thereby stop an excessive movement of the ink tubes  41  relative to the holding portion  105 . Consequently the ink tubes  41  apply, to the main arm portion  103  via the clamp  170  and the holding portion  105 , a pressing force in a direction to follow the reciprocating movement of the carriage  38 . Thus, the main arm portion  103  is forcedly pivoted. Therefore, the ink tubes  41  can be effectively prevented from curving excessively largely, or buckling. In addition, the flat cable  85  can be effectively prevented from being damaged. Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 19B , the width L 2  of the first grasping portion  171  is greater than a width of the second grasping portion  172 . Therefore, the first grasping portion  171  can more strongly grasp the ink tube  41   a  than the second grasping portion  172  can grasp each of the ink tubes  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d , and can more effectively prevent the ink tube  41   a  from being inclined relative thereto on a vertical plane than the second grasping portion  172  can prevent each of the ink tubes  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d  from being inclined relative thereto on the vertical plane. 
     In the present embodiment, the clamp  170  as the stopper member includes the upper grasping portion  171  that grasps the one ink tube  41   a , and the lower grasping portion  172  that grasps the other ink tubes  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d . However, the stopper member is not limited to the clamp  170 . For example, the stopper member may be one that includes two grasping portions each of which grasps two ink tubes; or one that includes only one grasping portion that grasps all ink tubes (e.g., four ink tubes). 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, the clamp  170  is used with the pivotable support member  100  that is biased by the torsion coil spring  132 . However, the torsion coil spring  132  may be omitted so that the clamp  170  may be used with only the pivotable support member  100  that is pivoted by the friction produced when the ink tubes  41  slide relative to the holding portion  105 . 
     Next, there will be described the tube connection portion  140  of the carriage  38 , by reference to  FIGS. 21 and 22 . In  FIG. 21 , the ink tubes  41  are not shown. 
     As described heretofore, the four ink tubes  41  are first lead from the cartridge accommodating portion along the rear-side surface of the restrictor wall  37 , second are moderately bent back toward the carriage  38  while forming the respective curved portions, and finally are connected to the tube connection portion  140  of the carriage  38 . As shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 , the tube connection portion  140  includes four tube joints  142  corresponding to the four sorts of inks, respectively, and a tube guide  141  as a restrictor member that guides or restricts a most upstream one  41   a  of the four ink tubes  41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d , i.e., deflects a direction of extension of the ink tube  41   a  to an appropriate direction having a component toward the restrictor wall  37 . 
     The four tube joints  142  are horizontally arranged in a predetermined order in the sheet-feed direction such that the four joints  142  are spaced from each other at regular intervals. The tube joints  142  are formed of a synthetic resin, and project from the carriage  38  in a direction parallel to the direction of reciprocation thereof. The four ink tubes  41  are connected to the carriage  38  such that the ink tubes  41  fit on the tube joints  142 , respectively. 
     The most upstream one  41   a  of the four ink tubes  41  is connected, as shown in  FIG. 22 , to the most upstream one  142   a  of the four tube joints  142  as seen in the sheet-feed direction. The tube guide  141  is provided on an upstream side of the most upstream tube joint  142   a  in the sheet-feed direction. The tube guide  141  is integrally formed with a box-like frame of the carriage  38 . The tube guide  141  is for restricting or deflecting a direction in which the ink tube  41   a , connected to the tube joint  142   a , extends from the carriage  38 , such that the ink tube  41   a  is directed downstream in the sheet-feed direction. To this end, the tube guide  141  extends in the substantially same direction as that in which the tube joint  142   a  projects from the carriage  38 . However, the tube guide  141  may be somewhat inclined, relative to the direction of projection of the tube joint  142   a , such that a distal end of the tube guide  141  from the tube joint  142   a  is directed downstream in the sheet-feed direction. 
     As the carriage  38  approaches the capping position, the ink tubes  41  gradually swell, due to their elasticity, over the downstream-side guide rail  44  into the space in which the carriage  38  reciprocates, i.e., the respective curved portions of the tubes  41  increase. As the curved portions of the ink tubes  41  increase, the ink tube  41   a  connected to the tube joint  142   a  may be drawn upstream as seen in the sheet-feed direction, i.e., drawn in a direction opposite to the sheet-feed direction. However, the tube guide  141  pushes back the ink tube  41   a  downstream in the sheet-feed direction, i.e., in a direction to decrease the curved portion of the ink tube  41   a . Thus, the increasing of the curved portion of the ink tube  41   a  can be prevented. In addition, since the most upstream ink tube  41   a  contributes to preventing the respective increasing of the respective curved portions of the other ink tubes  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d  adjacent to the ink tube  41   a , the respective increasing of the curved portions of all the four ink tubes  41  can be prevented. 
     Hereinafter, there will be described an image recording operation of the printer portion  2 , in particular, respective behaviors of the ink tubes  41 , the flat cable  85 , and the pivotable support member  100 . When the driving force of the CR motor  73  is transmitted via the carriage driving device  46  to the carriage  38  carrying the ink-jet recording head  39 , the carriage  38  is reciprocated in the opposite directions perpendicular to the sheet-feed direction while being guided by the two guide rails  43 ,  44 . Based on the recording commanding signals supplied from the control portion  64  via the flat cable  85 , the recording head  39  ejects, at appropriate timings, droplets of the inks supplied via the four ink tubes  41 , onto the recording sheet being temporarily stopped on the platen  42 . The intermittent feeding of the recording sheet by the feed roller  60  and the discharge roller  63  and the reciprocation of the carriage  38  are alternately repeated to record a desired image or images on the recording sheet. 
     Since the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  are connected, at respective one ends thereof, to the carriage  38 , those elements  41 ,  85  follow the reciprocation of the carriage  38  while changing their shapes, i.e., the respective radii of curvature of the respective U-shaped curved portions thereof.  FIG. 16  shows the state in which the carriage  38  is stopped at the capping position right above the cap member  52  provided in the right-hand end portion of the printer portion  2 ; and  FIG. 17  shows the state in which the carriage  38  is stopped at the flushing position right above the waste-ink tray  84  provided in the left-hand end portion of the printer portion  2 . In the present embodiment, the capping position is the initial position of the carriage  38 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , when the carriage  38  is positioned at the capping position, each of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  has the generally U-shaped curved configuration in which the each element  41 ,  85  is first led from a corresponding one of the first and second fixing clips  36 ,  86  toward the flushing position along the restrictor wall  37  and then is curved toward the capping position. Each of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  has a certain flexibility but also has a certain flexural rigidity. That is, each of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  has an elasticity assuring that when the each element  41 ,  85  is curved, the each element  41 ,  85  can be restored to its initial shape. Owing to the elasticity of each of the ink tubes  41 , the U-shaped curved portion thereof can considerably largely swell above the downstream-side guide rail  44 , such that the curved portion would otherwise go over the edge portion  116  of the base plate  110  into the range of reciprocation of the carriage  38 . In fact, however, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the torsion coil spring  132  biases the pivotable support member  100  in the direction indicated by the arrow  139 , so that the ink tubes  41  are biased toward the restrictor wall  37 . Thus, the swelling of the curved portions of the ink tubes  41  can be effectively restrained. Since the flat cable  85  is supported, inside the curved portions of the ink tubes  41 , by the support portion  104  of the support member  100 , the flat cable  85  can be prevented from going over the ink tubes  41 . That is, the swelling of the curved portions of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  can be prevented. Therefore, the printer portion  2  or the MFD  1  needs only a small space to accommodate the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85 , and accordingly can be constructed in a reduced size. In addition, the respective lengths of the respective intermediate portions of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  that are located between the fixing clips  36 ,  86  and the carriage  38  can be decreased. 
     The ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  are guided by a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the guide member  130  that is opposed to the restrictor wall  37 . Therefore, the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  are prevented from being bent, at the fixing clips  36 ,  86 , at an acute angle toward the carriage  38 , and the respective centers of the U-shaped curved portions of those elements  41 ,  85  are made nearer to the restrictor wall  37 . These features also contribute to preventing the swelling of the curved portions of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85 , decreasing the space to accommodate those elements  41 ,  85 , and reducing the overall size of the printer portion  2  or the MFD  1 . In addition, the respective lengths of intermediate portions of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  that are located between the fixing clips  36 ,  86  and the carriage  38  can be decreased. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , when the carriage  38  is moved or slid from the capping position shown in  FIG. 16  toward the flushing position shown in  FIG. 17 , the ink tubes  41  led from the carriage  38  are directed toward the flushing position. Therefore, the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  can follow the carriage  38  while changing their shapes such that the respective U-shaped curved portions thereof are decreased. Since the holding portion  105  of the pivotable support member  100  holds the ink tubes  41  such that the tubes  41  are slideable relative to the holding portion  105 , the tubes  41  can slide relative to the holding portion  105  when the tubes  41  change their shapes to follow the carriage  38 . A friction produced by this sliding causes the pivotable support member  100  to be pivoted in the direction indicated by the arrow  139 . If the speed of movement of the carriage  38  is too fast relative to the speed of pivotal movement of the support member  100  caused by the friction, then respective portions of the ink tubes  41 , located between the carriage  38  and the respective portions of the tubes  41  slideably held by the holding portion  105 , may more largely swell. However, since the pivotable support member  100  is biased by the torsion coil spring  132  in the direction indicated by the arrow  139 , the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  are forcedly drawn toward the rear-side surface of the restrictor wall  37 . Therefore, even if the carriage  38  may be moved at high speeds, the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  can be prevented from being too largely curved. 
     Even though the pivotable support member  100  is biased by the torsion coil spring  132  in the direction indicated by the arrow  139 , there may occur the problem that the pivotal movement of the main arm portion  103  of the pivotable support member  100  cannot follow the reciprocating movement of the carriage  38  and accordingly the ink tubes  41  may slide relative to the holding portion  105  excessively largely. If the ink tubes  41  slide relative to the holding portion  105 , the clamp  170  moves relative to the holding portion  105  so as to reach the same  105 , engage the loop  107  thereof, and thereby stop further movement of the ink tubes  41  relative to the holding portion  105 . Consequently the ink tubes  41  apply, to the main arm portion  103  via the clamp  170  and the holding portion  105 , the pressing force in the direction to follow the reciprocating movement of the carriage  38 . Thus, the main arm portion  103  is forcedly pivoted. Therefore, the ink tubes  41  can be effectively prevented from curving excessively largely, or buckling. In addition, the flat cable  85  can be effectively prevented from being damaged. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , when the carriage  38  is moved to the flushing position, the respective U-shaped curved portions of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  are minimized. The fixing clips  36 ,  86  fix those elements  41 ,  85  to the rear-side surface of the testrictor wall  37 , such that the curved portions thereof are elastically pressed against the restrictor wall  37 , and additionally the torsion coil spring  132  elastically presses those elements  41 ,  85  against the restrictor wall  37 . Therefore, within the range of reciprocation of the carriage  38 , the changing of the respective shapes of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  are restricted by the restrictor wall  37 , and the respective portions of those elements  41 ,  85  that are led along the restrictor wall  37  are prevented from being moved away from the wall  37 . Thus, the swelling of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  in the direction toward the carriage  38  can be reduced. In addition, the swelling of the same  41 ,  85  in the direction away from the carriage  38  can be reduced by the restrictor wall  37 . Therefore, the space needed to accommodate the changing of respective shapes of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  can be reduced. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , when the flat cable  85 , located inside the curved portions of the ink tubes  41 , follows the reciprocation of the carriage  36 , the flat cable  85  may be brought into contact with the ink tubes  41 . More specifically described, the curved portion of the flat cable  85  may contact the curved portion of the uppermost one  41   a  of the four ink tubes  41 . As described previously, the respective intermediate portions of the four ink tubes  41 , located between the first fixing clip  36  and the carriage  38 , have substantially the same length, and the uppermost ink tube  41   a  at the first fixing clip  36  is led to the most upstream ink tube  41   a  (in the sheet-feed direction) at the carriage  38 . That is, the vertical arrangement of the four ink tubes  41  at the first fixing clip  36  is changed into the horizontal arrangement of the same  41  at the carriage  38 , such that the ink tube  41   b  adjacent to the uppermost ink tube  41   a  at the first clip  36  is led to the ink tube  41   b  adjacent to the most upstream ink tube  41   a  at the carriage  38  and this manner is repeated three times. 
       FIG. 23  is a cross-section view taken along  23 - 23  in  FIG. 17 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , the respective curved portions of the four ink tubes  41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d  are arranged in an oblique direction inclined relative to a vertical direction. Therefore, when the ink tubes  41  change their shapes to follow the carriage  38 , the interference of the tubes  41  with each other is reduced. In addition, the pivotable support member  100  supports the flat cable  85  such that a lower end of the cable  85  is substantially level with the ink tube  41   d  that takes the lowest position at the first fixing clip  36  and such that one of the opposite major surfaces of the cable  85  contacts the ink tube  41   a  that takes the highest position at the first clip  36 . Therefore, the flat cable  85  is prevented from moving over the ink tubes  41  or moving to below the same  41 . Thus, the group of ink tubes  41 , and the flat cable  85  can change their shapes and follow the carriage  38 , without changing their arrangement, i.e., which one of (a) the group of ink tubes  41  and (b) the flat cable  85  is located inside the other. 
     The ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  that can change their shapes are supported at appropriate height positions by the pivotable support member  100 . As described previously, the ink tubes  41  are held by the holding portion  105 , and the flat cable  85  is supported by the support portion  104 . When the ink tubes  41  change their shapes to follow the reciprocation of the carriage  38 , the changing of the respective shapes of the tubes  41  is transmitted to the main arm portion  103  via the holding portion  105 , so that the main arm portion  103  is pivoted about the shaft portion  102  as the supporting point. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  16 , and  17 , when the flat cable  85  changes its shape to follow the reciprocation of the carriage  38 , the cable  85  may slide on the support portion  104 . If a specified portion of the flat cable  85  is fixed to the support portion  104  so as to be supported at an appropriate height position, a locus of movement of that specified portion of the cable  85  is limited to a certain arcuate line and accordingly the specified portion of the cable  85  may be subjected to an excessively high load. However, in the present embodiment, the support portion  104  supports the flat cable  85  such that the cable  85  is slideable on that portion  104 . Therefore, when the main arm portion  103  is pivoted, the flat cable  85  can change its shape while sliding on the support portion  104 . Thus, the flat cable  85  is not subjected to an excessively high load and is prevented from being damaged or broken. 
     As described previously, since the main arm portion  103  is pivoted about the shaft portion  102 , the main arm portion  103  as a whole including the holding portion  105  is located, as shown in  FIG. 17 , within the space right above the upper surface of the base plate  110 , when the carriage  38  is moved to the flushing position; on the other hand, the holding portion  105  is located, as shown in  FIG. 16 , outside the space right above the base plate  110  when the carriage  38  is moved to the capping position. Stated differently with respect to the holding portion  105 , when the main arm portion  103  is pivoted from the position shown in  FIG. 4  in a direction toward the capping position, the holding portion  105  is located outside the space right above the base plate  110 ; and when the main arm portion  103  is pivoted in the opposite direction from the capping position toward the position shown in  FIG. 4 , the holding portion  105  is retracted into the space right above the base plate  110 . 
     As described previously, the loop  107  of the holding portion  105  is constructed such that the axis line  112  ( FIG. 9 ) of the rising portion  107   a  that rises from the main arm portion  103  is inclined relative to the axis line  113  of the shaft portion  102 , so that the base portion  108  of the loop  107  is located at a height position higher than the main arm portion  103 . Therefore, when the holding portion  105  is retracted into the space right above the base plate  110 , the base portion  108  is prevented from being interfered with by the edge portion  116  of the base plate  110 . Thus, the holding portion  105  and the base plate  110  do not interfere with each other and accordingly no noise is generated. 
     Since the rising portion  107   a  of the loop  107  of the holding portion  105  is inclined relative to the shaft portion  102 , the base portion  108  of the loop  107  is located higher than the main arm portion  103 . Therefore, it is not needed to make the entirety of the loop  107  higher than the main arm portion  103 . If the entirety of the loop  107  is made higher than the main arm portion  103 , then the ink tubes  41  surrounded by the loop  107  are made higher than the main arm portion  103 . In the latter case, it is needed to provide one or more other members, such as a cover member disposed above the space in which the ink tubes  41  change their shapes, at higher positions so that the ink tubes  41  may not be interfered with by those members. This leads to increasing the overall size of the printer portion  2  or the MFD  1 . In the present embodiment, the loop  107  of the holding portion  105  is not needed to extend so largely in an upward direction from the main arm portion  103 , for the purpose of preventing the base portion  108  of the loop  107  from being interfered with by the edge portion  116  of the base plate  110 . Therefore, the height position of the top end of the vertical arrangement of the four ink tubes  41  can be lowered. 
     As described previously, the base plate  110  that supports the pivotable support member  100  has, around the holding hole  111 , the first support rib  117  that supports the main arm portion  103 , and the second support rib  118  that supports the auxiliary arm portion  106 . The first and second support ribs  117 ,  118  cooperate with each other to keep the holding portion  105  of the main arm portion  103  at a height position spaced from the upper surface of the base plate  110 . Thus, the base portion  108  of the loop  107  of the holding portion  105  can be more effectively prevented from being interfered with by the edge portion  116  of the base plate  110 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , when the carriage  38  is positioned at the flushing position, respective large portions of the ink tubes  41  are contacted with the restrictor wall  37  and are thereby restricted by the same  37 . In addition, the holding portion  105  of the pivotable support member  100  is moved toward the restrictor wall  37 . As described above, the restrictor wall  37  has the receiving recess  120  to avoid the abutting of the holding portion  105  thereon. Therefore, when the ink tubes  41  are contacted with the restrictor wall  37 , the holding portion  105  does not abut on the restrictor wall  37  and accordingly no impact noise is produced. That is, when the pivotable support member  100  is pivoted, the support member  100  does not abut on the base plate  110  or the restrictor wall  37  and no impact noise is produced. Thus, the noise produced when the carriage  38  is reciprocated is minimized. In addition, since the holding portion  105  and the restrictor wall  37  are prevented from abutting on each other, the ink tubes  41  are uniformly contacted with the rear-side surface of the wall  37  and accordingly the steel wire rod constituting the loop  107  of the holding portion  105  does not produce any local stresses in the tubes  41 . 
     As is apparent from the foregoing description of the MFD  1 , the pivotable support member  100  is pivotable about the supporting point (i.e., the shaft portion  102 ) located inside the respective U-shaped curved portions of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85 , the support portion  104  of the support member  100  supports the flat cable  85  such that the cable  85  is slideable on the support portion  104 , and the holding portion  105  of the support member  100  holds the lengthwise pre-selected portions of the ink tubes  41  such that the tubes  41  are slideable relative to the holding portion  105 . Therefore, when the ink tubes  41  change their shapes, the main arm portion  103  is pivoted, and the support portion  104  and the holding portion  105  that are integral with the main arm portion  103  support the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  such that those elements  41 ,  85  can follow the reciprocation of the carriage  38 . Thus, the sagging of the flat cable  85  and the scattering and/or sagging of the ink tubes  41  can be prevented and, because those elements  41 ,  85  are prevented from contacting the peripheral members, the damaging of those elements  41 ,  85  can be prevented. In addition, since the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  are prevented from contacting the peripheral members, the reciprocating movement of the carriage.  38  can be stabilized. Moreover, since the support portion  104  supports the flat cable  85  such that the cable  85  is slideable thereon, the cable  85  is not subjected to an excessively large load and accordingly is prevented from being damaged. 
     The torsion coil spring  132  biases the pivotable support member  100  in the direction to decrease the diameters of the curved portions of the ink tubes  41 , i.e., flex those curved portions to decrease the radii of curvature thereof. Therefore, the swelling of the curved portions of the ink tubes  41  can be restrained and those curved portions can be prevented from expanding into the range of reciprocation of the carriage  38 . In addition, the tube guide  141  is provided on the upstream side of the most upstream tube joint  142   a  (in the sheet-feed direction) of the tube connection portion  140  provided on the carriage  38 . Therefore, the direction in which the most upstream ink tube  41  as seen in the sheet-feed direction is led from the most upstream tube joint  142   a  can be deflected to the direction toward the centers of the curved portions of the ink tubes  41 . That is, the curved portions of the ink tubes  41  are so restricted as to decrease the diameters of those curved portions, and accordingly the swelling of the curved portions can be more effectively restrained. 
     In addition, even if the pivotal movement of the main arm portion  103  of the pivotable support member  100  may not follow the reciprocating movement of the carriage  38  and accordingly the ink tubes  41  would otherwise slide relative to the holding portion  105  by a large amount, the clamp  170  moves relative to the holding portion  105 , engages the loop  107  thereof, and thereby stops an excessive movement of the ink tubes  41  relative to the holding portion  105 . Consequently the ink tubes  41  apply, to the main arm portion  103 , the pressing force in the direction to follow the reciprocating movement of the carriage  38 . Thus, the pivotable support member  100  is forcedly pivoted, the ink tubes  41  can be prevented from curving excessively largely, or buckling, and the flat cable  85  can be prevented from being damaged. 
     While the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above-described first embodiment but may be otherwise embodied. 
     For example, in the first embodiment, the second arm portion  135  of the torsion coil spring  132  is engaged with the main arm portion  103  of the pivotable support member  100  so as to apply the biasing force to the support member  100  in the pre-selected direction. However, the second arm portion  135  of the torsion coil spring  132  is engaged with the auxiliary arm portion  106  of the support member  100  so as to apply the biasing force to the support member  100  in the same direction. To this end, the coil spring  132  may be provided either on the upper side of the base plate  110  or on the lower side of the same  110 . Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the torsion coil spring  132  is employed as a sort of spring member that applies a torque to the pivotable support member  100 . However, any other sort of biasing member or device may be employed so long as it can elastically bias the pivotable support member  100  in the direction to move the ink tubes  41  toward the restrictor wall  37 . 
     Hereinafter, there will be described a second embodiment of the present invention. In the above-described first embodiment, the flat cable  85  is located inside the U-shaped curved portions of the ink tubes  41 . However, it is preferred that one of (A) the ink tubes  41  and (B) the flat cable  85  that is more flexible than the other be located inside the other. Generally, it is conceived that the single flat cable  85  is more flexible than the four ink tubes  41 . However, in the case where the total number of the ink tubes  1  is smaller or in the case where a plurality of flat cables  85  are bundled or a plurality of covering sheets are used to electrically insulate the single flat cable  85 , the ink tube(s)  41  may be more flexible than the flat cable(s)  85 . The ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  form the respective curved portions whose diameters assure that when those elements  41 ,  85  change their shapes to follow the carriage  38 , those curved portions are not buckled. One of (A) the ink tubes  41  and (B) the flat cable  85  that is more flexible than the other can form the curved portion(s) whose diameter(s) can be more easily reduced than the other. In the case where one of (A) the ink tubes  41  and (3) the flat cable  85  that is more flexible than the other is located inside the other, the space needed to accommodate the changing of respective shapes of those elements  41 ,  85  can be reduced, which leads to reducing the overall size of the printer portion  2  or the MFD  1 . Thus, the arrangement of the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  may be reversed. In the second embodiment, the flat cable  85  is located outside the U-shaped curved portions of the four ink tubes  41 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , in the second embodiment, a pivotable support member  100  has a support portion  104  as a second support portion that is continuous with a base portion  108  of a loop  107 . That is, the support portion  104  is constituted by a straight extension of a steel wire rod from the base portion  108  in an outward direction in which a main arm portion  103  extends from a shaft portion  102 . A rounded portion  109  is constituted by an additional straight extension of the steel wire rod from the support portion  104  in an upward direction. A length of the support portion  104  in the outward direction is selected based on a length of a portion of the flat cable  85  that is made slideable on the support portion  104 . Thus, a lower end of the flat cable  85  is supported by the support portion  104  such that the flat cable  85  is slideable thereon. Owing to the rounded portion  109 , the flat cable  85  is prevented from contacting a free end of the steel wire rod that would otherwise remain sharp. Thus, the flat cable  85  can be effectively prevented from being damaged or broken. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 24 , the rounded portion  109  extends upward such that a top end thereof is higher than that of the flat cable  85 . Owing to this feature, too, the flat cable  85  is prevented from contacting the free end of the steel wire rod that would otherwise remain low. Moreover, the rounded portion  109  contacts not a particular portion of the flat cable  85  in the vicinity of a lower end thereof, but the entirety of one of the opposite major surfaces thereof. Therefore, the flat cable  85  can be effectively prevented from being damaged or broken. 
     In each of the first and second embodiments, the pivotable support member  100  is pivoted while the same  100  is supported on the upper surface of the base plate  110  and the holding portion  105  of the main arm portion  103  supports, from the underside, the four ink tubes  41 . However, a holding portion of a pivotable support member may be pendent from a main arm portion thereof. 
     Hereinafter, there will be described a third embodiment of the present invention, by reference to  FIGS. 25 and 26 . In the third embodiment, a pivotable support member  150  is employed in place of the pivotable support member  100  shown in  FIG. 8  or  FIG. 24 . 
     The pivotable support member  150  includes a shaft portion  152  as a pivotal-motion supporting point; a main arm portion  153  extending horizontally from the shaft portion  152 ; a holding portion  155  as a first support portion that is constituted by a free end portion of the main arm portion  153 ; and an auxiliary arm portion  156  extending, like a crank, from the shaft portion  152  and the main arm portion  153 . The shaft portion  152 , the main arm portion  153 , the holding portion  155 , and the auxiliary arm portion  156  are integrally formed with each other by bending a single steel wire rod. Since the shaft portion  152 , the main arm portion  153 , and the auxiliary arm portion  156  of the pivotable support member  150  correspond to the shaft portion  102 , the main arm portion  103 , and the auxiliary arm portion  106  of the pivotable support member  100 , the detailed description thereof is omitted. 
     The holding portion  155  as the free end portion of the main arm portion  153  is for holding the four ink tubes  41  by surrounding the same  41 . The holding portion  155  includes a loop  157 ; a base portion  158  projecting outward from the loop  157 ; and a rounded portion  109  as a free end portion of the base portion  158 . The third embodiment resembles the second embodiment in that the flat cable  85  is located outside the U-shaped curved portions of the ink tubes  41 , and the pivotable support member  150  resembles the pivotable support member  100  employed in the second embodiment in that the pivotable support member  150  includes a support portion  154  as a second support portion that is continuous with the base portion  158  of the loop  157  and supports the flat cable  85 . The four ink tubes  41  are passed through the loop  157  of the holding portion  155 . A dimensional relationship between inner length (height) and width of the loop  157  of the pivotable support member  150  and respective outer diameters of the four ink tubes  41  is the same as described above with respect to the loop  107  of the pivotable support member  100  employed in the first or second embodiment. Therefore, the order of arrangement of the four tubes  41  does not change in the loop  157 , and the four tubes  41  can slide relative to the loop  157  in a direction of extension of the tubes  41 . The base portion  158  of the loop  157  is spaced from the main arm portion  153  in a direction intersecting the direction of extension of the same  153 , and extends in substantially the same direction as the extension direction of the same  153 . A free end portion of the base portion  158  is first bent upward and then is rounded downward like an arc to form the rounded portion  159 . A top portion  160  of the loop  157  is formed by first bending upward the other end portion of the base portion  158  and then bending the same horizontally toward the main arm portion  153 . Thus, the top portion  160  extends in a direction intersecting the direction of extension of the main arm portion  153 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 26 , the pivotable arm member  150  further includes a pendent portion  157   a  that is pendent from the main arm portion  153  and connects the same  153  to the loop  157 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , an axis line  161  (i.e., a centerline of the steel wire rod) of the pendent portion  157   a  is inclined relative to an axis line  162  (i.e., a centerline of the steel wire rod) of the shaft portion  152 . More specifically described, the axis line  162  of the shaft portion  152  is vertical, whereas the axis line  161  of the pendent portion  157   a  is inclined relative to a vertical direction. Thus, the inclined pendent portion  157   a  is provided on an opposite side of the horizontal main arm portion  153  that is opposite to the top portion  160 . Since the loop  157  has a rectangular shape elongate in a direction parallel to the inclined axis line  161 , the fact that the inclined pendent portion  157   a  is provided opposite to the top portion  160  with respect to the horizontal main arm portion  153  means that the top portion  160  has a position lower than the horizontal main arm portion  153 . That is, the top portion  160  of the loop  157  is provided opposite to a base plate  164  that pivotally supports the shaft portion  152 , with respect to a plane  163  on which the main arm portion  103  is pivoted. 
     The base plate  164  is constituted by a flat member having a holding hole  165  that pivotally supports the shaft portion  152 , and is fixed to a housing  2   b  of a printer portion  2  or an MFD  1 . The main arm portion  153  is pivoted along a lower surface of the base plate  164  and, within a portion of a range of pivotal motion of the same  153 , the holding portion  155  is entirely located right below the lower surface of the base plate  164 . That is, the pivotable support member  150  is pendent from the base plate  164  such that the same  150  is pivotable about the axis line  162  of the shaft portion  152 . 
     Thus, the third embodiment can enjoy the same advantages as those of the first or second embodiment. That is, the sagging of the flat cable  85  and the scattering and/or sagging of the ink tubes  41  can be prevented and, because those elements  41 ,  85  are prevented from contacting peripheral members, the damaging of those elements  41 ,  85  can be prevented. In addition, since the ink tubes  41  and the flat cable  85  are prevented from contacting the peripheral members, the reciprocating movement of the carriage  38  can be stabilized. Moreover, since the support portion  154  supports the flat cable  85  such that the cable  85  is slideable thereon, the cable  85  is not subjected to an excessively great load and accordingly is prevented from being damaged. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied with other changes and improvements that may occur to a person skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the claims.