Patent Publication Number: US-11021337-B2

Title: Sheet conveying apparatus and image recording apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/417,045, filed Jan. 26, 2017, which further claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-016742, filed on Jan. 29, 2016, the disclosure of both of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus that conveys a sheet along a conveying path, and also relates to an image recording apparatus that includes the sheet conveying apparatus and that records an image on the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying apparatus. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     There is known a sheet conveying apparatus having a conveying path along which a sheet is conveyed inside a casing. The sheet conveying apparatus is adopted in an image recording apparatus such as a printer or a multi-function peripheral. In the image recording apparatus having the sheet conveying apparatus, an image is recorded on the sheet conveyed along the conveying path by the sheet conveying apparatus. 
     Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-87621 discloses an image recording apparatus in which sheet housing bodies are provided in a plurality of tiers. Each of the sheet housing bodies is detachably attachable to an apparatus main body. The apparatus main body is provided with inclined surface members that guide sheets fed from each of the sheet housing bodies. The sheets guided by each of the inclined surface members are conveyed upwardly within a conveying path provided along an up-down direction. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the image recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-87621, each of the sheet housing bodies is provided with a paper feeding roller for feeding a sheet in each of the sheet housing bodies. That is, an uppermost first sheet housing body is provided with a first paper feeding roller, and a second sheet housing body disposed below the first sheet housing body is provided with a second paper feeding roller. The first paper feeding roller is disposed above the first sheet housing body, and the second paper feeding roller is disposed above the second sheet housing body. As a result, for example, the second paper feeding roller is supported by a frame portion by which the first sheet housing body is supported. 
     In such a configuration, when a sheet in the first sheet housing body is fed by the first paper feeding roller, a pressing force due to the first paper feeding roller is applied to the frame portion, that supports the first sheet housing body from below. Therefore, the frame portion requires not only a strength to be able to support the second paper feeding roller below, but also, requires a strength not to be deformed, in order to prevent paper feeding performance from becoming unstable by deformation due to the pressing force applied from the first paper feeding roller disposed above. 
     If the above-described frame portion is thickened, strength of the frame portion increases. However, if the frame portion is thickened, the conveying path of the sheet along the up-down direction becomes longer and the apparatus increases in size. 
     If a conveying distance of the sheet in the conveying path lengthens, a time taken for conveyance of the sheet lengthens. As a result, work efficiency of image recording processing in the image recording apparatus lowers. In contrast, if conveying speed of the sheet is increased in order to reduce the time taken for conveyance of the sheet, there is a risk of a large noise occurring. 
     The present teaching was made in view of the above-described problems, and has an object of providing a sheet conveying apparatus that, in a configuration having a plurality of trays on which sheets are supported, can prevent the conveying path of the sheet from becoming longer and prevent the apparatus from increasing in size. 
     According to a first aspect of the present teaching, there is provided a sheet conveying apparatus, including: 
     a casing provided with a first conveying path and a second conveying path therein; 
     a first feeding tray provided in the casing, the first feeding tray having a first supporting surface that supports a sheet; 
     a supporting member that supports the first feeding tray from below in the casing; 
     a first feeding section provided above the first supporting surface of the first feeding tray in the casing, the first feeding section feeding the sheet supported by the first supporting surface in a first direction at a feeding position; 
     a first guide member having a first guide surface, the first guide surface contacting a leading edge of the sheet fed from the first feeding tray to guide the sheet to the first conveying path; 
     a second feeding tray provided below the supporting member in the casing, the second feeding tray having a second supporting surface that supports a different sheet; 
     a second feeding section provided above the second supporting surface of the second feeding tray in the casing, the second feeding section feeding the different sheet supported by the second supporting surface in the first direction; 
     a second guide member having a second guide surface, the second guide surface contacting a leading edge of the different sheet fed from the second feeding tray to guide the different sheet to the second conveying path; and 
     a frame made of metal, the frame being installed on a lower surface of the supporting member, 
     wherein the supporting member is provided with a guide section, at a position separated from the first guide surface in the first direction, supporting the first guide member and having a third guide surface that defines at least a part of the second conveying path, and 
     the frame has a first frame section provided at a position corresponding to the feeding position of the first feeding section in the first direction, and a second frame section provided at a position separated in the first direction from a lower end of the third guide surface. 
     According to the first aspect of the present teaching, the supporting member in the casing is applied with pressing force from the first feeding section, at the position corresponding to the feeding position of the sheet by the first feeding section. Because there is the first frame section of the frame made of metal at the position where the pressing force is applied, the supporting member is reinforced by the first frame section. As a result, the supporting member need not be thickened. Moreover, since the guide section provided in the supporting member has a configuration of supporting the first guide member, a load is applied to the guide section of the supporting member when the sheet fed from the first feeding tray abuts on the first guide member. In the sheet conveying apparatus according to the first aspect of the present teaching, since a lower section in the guide section is reinforced by the second frame section, the first guide member is stably supported by the second frame section. As a result of this, the supporting member can be thinned and increase in size of the apparatus is suppressed. Moreover, lengthening of a first conveying path and a second conveying path are also suppressed. Therefore, there is no risk that time taken for conveyance of sheets in each of the first conveying path and the second conveying path lengthens, moreover, there is no risk that a large noise occurs due to conveying speed of the sheet being increased, either. 
     According to a second aspect of the present teaching, there is provided an image recording apparatus, including: the conveying apparatus according to the first aspect of the present teaching; and a recording section provided in the casing to record images on the sheet conveyed along the first conveying path and the different sheet conveyed along the second conveying path, respectively. 
     The present teaching makes it possible that, in a configuration having a plurality of trays on which sheets are supported, increase in size of an apparatus is suppressed, and moreover, lengthening of time taken for conveyance of a sheet is also suppressed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multi-function peripheral. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view for explaining a configuration of an inside of the multi-function peripheral. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first guide member. 
         FIG. 4  is a vertical cross-sectional view in a rear section of the multi-function peripheral. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dot-chain line in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view depicting a first casing that supports the first guide member in a state where a third guide member has been removed. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a part of the first casing in a state where the first guide member has been removed. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a guide section of a supporting member, and a front portion thereof. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of the present teaching will be described below. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present teaching, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present teaching may be appropriately changed in a range not altering the spirit of the present teaching. 
     &lt;Overall Configuration of Multi-Function Peripheral&gt; 
     A multi-function peripheral  10  (an example of an image recording apparatus) depicted in  FIG. 1  includes a sheet conveying apparatus, and has various kinds of functions such as a print function, a facsimile function, and a copy function. The print function is a function for recording an image on a recording paper  12  (an example of a “sheet”; refer to  FIG. 2 ). 
     Note that an up-down direction  4 , a front-rear direction  6 , and a left-right direction  8  in the multi-function peripheral  10  are respectively defined as depicted in  FIG. 1 , with reference to a state of  FIG. 1  where the multi-function peripheral  10  is usably arranged. The up-down direction  4  corresponds to a direction that a gravitational force acts and to an opposite direction thereto. Moreover, hereafter, the left-right direction  8  will be referred to as a “width direction  8 ”. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the multi-function peripheral  10  is formed roughly into a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The multi-function peripheral  10  includes: a first casing  60  provided internally with a first feeding tray  61 ; and a second casing  70  provided internally with a second feeding tray  71 . Each of the first casing  60  and the second casing  70  has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the first casing  60  is installed on the second casing  70 . The first casing  60  configures an external appearance of an upper section in the multi-function peripheral  10 , and the second casing  70  configures an external appearance of a lower section in the multi-function peripheral  10 . 
     A first opening  60 B is formed in a front surface  60 A of the first casing  60 . The first feeding tray  61  provided within the first casing  60  is withdrawable through the first opening  60 B. 
     A second opening  70 B is formed in a front surface of the second casing  70 . The second feeding tray  71  provided within the second casing  70  is withdrawable through the second opening  70 B. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic view depicting a vertical cross section of a rear end in the multi-function peripheral  10 . In  FIG. 2 , configurations of main parts only are depicted schematically, and details of the first casing  60  and the second casing  70  will be mentioned later. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the recording paper  12  is housed in a state of being stacked in the up-down direction  4 , in each of insides of the first feeding tray  61  in the first casing  60  and the second feeding tray  71  in the second casing  70 . The recording paper  12  in the first feeding tray  61  is supported on a first supporting surface  61 A provided in a lower section of the first feeding tray  61 . The recording paper  12  in the second feeding tray  71  is supported on a second supporting surface  71 A of the second feeding tray  71 . 
     A first feeding section  63  is provided above a rear end in the first feeding tray  61 . The first feeding section  63  includes a first feeding roller  63 A disposed adjacently to a rear edge of the first casing  60 . The first feeding roller  63 A is rotatably supported by one end (a distal end) of a first supporting arm  63 B, in a state that a rotation axis of the first feeding roller  63 A lies along the width direction  8 . The other end (a basal end) of the first supporting arm  63 B is rotatably supported by a first supporting shaft  63 C provided parallel to the rotation axis of the first feeding roller  63 A. The first supporting arm  63 B is extended out toward the rear from the first supporting shaft  63 C. 
     When the distal end of the first supporting arm  63 B is rotated downwardly around the first supporting shaft  63 C in a state where the first feeding roller  63 A is positioned above the recording paper  12 , the first feeding roller  63 A contacts the recording paper  12  in an uppermost position housed in the first feeding tray  63 . When the first feeding roller  63 A is rotated in such a state, the recording paper  12  in the uppermost position contacted by the first feeding roller  63 A, of a plurality of the recording papers  12 , is fed to the rear. Note that hereafter, a direction in which the recording paper  12  is fed by the first feeding roller  63 A will be defined as a “first direction  48 ”. 
     Note that a position immediately below the first feeding roller  63 A in the first supporting surface  61 A corresponds to a position that the recording paper  12  in the first feeding tray  61  is fed by the first feeding roller  63 A. Because of this, hereafter, a feeding position of the recording paper  12  by the first feeding roller  63 A in the first feeding section  63  will be defined as a “feeding position  61 C”. 
     A first guide member  64  is provided at the rear of the first feeding tray  61 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the first guide member  64  has a roughly strip-like plate shape, and is disposed over substantially an entire region in the width direction  8  of the first feeding tray  61 , along the width direction  8 . A front surface of the first guide member  64  is a first guide surface  64 A that guides the recording paper  12  fed from the first feeding tray  61  upward and rearward. As will be described later, the first guide member  64  is supported by a supporting member  67  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) of the first casing  60 , in a state of the first guide member  64  being inclined such that an upper end  64 N of the first guide surface  64 A is positioned rearward than a lower end  64 K of the first guide surface  64 A. 
     Note that  FIG. 4  depicts a “first inclination line L 1 ” lying along an inclination direction of the first guide surface  64 A. Moreover, in  FIG. 4 , an acute angle that the first guide surface  64 A makes with the first direction  48  is depicted as an “inclination angle θ 1 ”. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the first guide surface  64 A includes: a central guide surface  64 B provided in a central portion in the width direction  8 ; and end guide surfaces  64 C disposed respectively to the left and right of the central guide surface  64 B. Groove sections  64 D receding to the rear along the inclination direction of the first guide surface  64 A are provided respectively between the central guide surface  64 B and each of the end guide surfaces  64 C on the left and right. A bottom surface  64 E in each of the groove sections  64 D is parallel to the first guide surface  64 A excluding an upper section. 
     Four upper rollers  64 F are provided at an upper end of the first guide member  64 . Two of the four upper rollers  64 F are disposed respectively to the left and right with respect to a central portion in the width direction  8  of the central guide surface  64 B. The other two of the upper rollers  64 F are provided at upper ends of the end guide surfaces  64 C respectively. Rotating shafts  64 G of each of the upper rollers  64 F are rotatably supported by the first guide surface  64 A in a state that the rotating shafts  64 G lie along the width direction  8 . 
     Four central rollers  64 H are provided at a middle in the up-down direction  4  in the first guide member  64 . The central rollers  64 H are respectively disposed below the four upper rollers  64 F. Rotating shafts  64 J of the central rollers  64 H are also rotatably supported by the first guide surface  64 A in a state that the rotating shafts  64 J lie along the width direction  8 . 
     The recording paper  12  fed by the first feeding section  63  is guided upwardly along the first guide surface  64 A of the first guide member  64 . The central rollers  64 H and the upper rollers  64 F rotate by being contacted by the recording paper  12  guided along the first guide surface  64 A. As a result, the recording paper  12  is guided upwardly in a stable manner along the first guide surface  64 A, without a large frictional force acting between the recording paper  12  and the first guide surface  64 A. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a first conveying path  51  along which the recording paper  12  guided by the first guide member  64  is conveyed, is provided above the first guide member  64 . The first conveying path  51  extends upwardly from the first guide member  64 , and, furthermore, curves so as to project rearwards. A curved portion in an upper section of the first conveying path  51  will be referred to as a first curved path  51 A. The recording paper  12  guided by the first guide member  64  is conveyed upwardly in a lower section of the first conveying path  51 , and is then conveyed forward in the first curved path  51 A. Note that a conveying direction of the recording paper  12  in the first conveying path  51  will be defined as a “conveying direction  41 ”. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a second feeding section  73  is provided on the second feeding tray  71 . The second feeding section  73  has a similar configuration to the first feeding section  63 . The second feeding section  73  is positioned below the first feeding section  63 . That is, the second feeding section  73  includes a second feeding roller  73 A and a second supporting arm  73 B, and the second supporting arm  73 B is rotatably supported by a second supporting shaft  73 C. The second supporting arm  73 B is extended rearward and downward from the second supporting shaft  73 C. 
     A second guide member  74  is provided at the rear of the second feeding tray  71 . The second guide member  74 , similarly to the first guide member  64 , includes a second guide surface  74 A directed frontwards and guides upwardly the recording paper  12  fed in the first direction  48  by the second feeding section  73 . The second guide member  74  has a similar configuration to the first guide member  64 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the second guide member  74  is supported by the second casing  70  in a state of the second guide member  74  being inclined such that an upper end  74 N of the second guide surface  74 A is positioned rearward than a lower end  74 K of the second guide surface  74 A. Note that  FIG. 4  depicts a “second inclination line L 2 ” lying along an inclination direction of the second guide surface  74 A. Moreover, in  FIG. 4 , an acute angle that the second guide surface  74 A makes with the first direction  48  is depicted as an “inclination angle θ 2 ”. The inclination angle θ 1  of the first guide surface  64 A and the inclination angle θ 2  of the second guide surface  74 A are equal. A lower end  64 K of the first guide surface  64 A and a lower end  74 K of the second guide surface  74 A are in substantially the same position in the front-rear direction  6 , and an upper end  64 N of the first guide surface  64 A and an upper end  74 N of the second guide surface  74 A are in substantially the same position in the front-rear direction  6 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a second conveying path  52  along which the recording paper  12  fed by the second feeding section  73  is conveyed, is provided above a rear end of the second feeding tray  71 . The second conveying path  52  is positioned to the rear of the first conveying path  51 , that is, on the outside of a curve of the first conveying path  51 . An upper end of the second conveying path  52  is a second curved path  52 A that is curved so as to project rearwards. A downstream end in a conveying direction  42  of the second curved path  52 A is connected to the first conveying path  51  at downstream in the conveying direction  41  in the first curved path  51 A of the first conveying path  51 . The recording paper  12  guided by the second guide member  74  is conveyed upwardly in a lower section of the second conveying path  52 , is then conveyed forward in the second curved path  52 A, and is then guided to the first conveying path  51 . 
     A cover member  80  is disposed on a back surface of the multi-function peripheral  10 . The cover member  80  opens and closes a back surface opening  60 E (refer to  FIG. 6 ) provided in a rear end of the multi-function peripheral. The cover member  80  in an upright position in line with the up-down direction  4  covers the back surface opening  60 E. A lower section of the cover member  80  is rotatably supported by a shaft body  66  disposed along the width direction  8 . As a result, the cover member  80  has its upper end which is a rotating tip rotated rearward and downward from the upright position in line with the up-down direction  4 , and the cover member  80  attains a pulled-down position opening the back surface opening  60 E. When the cover member  80  attains the pulled-down position, insides of the first casing  60  and the second casing  70  are exposed to outside via the back surface opening  60 E. 
     The cover member  80  includes a cover main body section  81  which is plate-like and capable of covering the back surface opening  60 E. A front surface of that cover main body section  81  defines a rear of the second conveying path  52 . A first member  82  and a second member  83  in line with the up-down direction  4  are installed in the cover main body section  81 . The first member  82  is disposed in front of the cover main body section  81  while leaving a spacing therebetween. The second member  83  is disposed in front of the first member  82  while leaving a spacing therebetween. A rear surface of the first member  82  defines the front of the second conveying path  52 , a front surface of the first member  82  defines the rear of the first conveying path  51 , and a rear surface of the second member  83  defines the front of the first conveying path  51 . Because the first member  82  and the second member  83  are rotated integrally with the cover main body section  81 , a part of the first conveying path  51  and a part of the second conveying path  52  are exposed to outside via the back surface opening  60 E when the cover member  80  attains the pulled-down position. 
     A downstream end in the conveying direction  41  in the first conveying path  51  is continuous with an upper conveying path  53  extending along the front-rear direction  6  in the first casing  60 . In the upper conveying path  53 , the recording papers  12  conveyed along the first conveying path  51  or the second conveying path  52  are conveyed forward. 
     A first conveying roller section  21 , a platen  22  and a recording section  30 , and a second conveying roller section  23  are disposed in the upper conveying path  53 , along the conveying direction  41 . 
     The first conveying roller section  21  that conveys forward the recording paper  12  includes: a first conveying roller  21 A whose rotation axis is disposed along the width direction  8 ; and a plurality of pinch rollers  21 B disposed below the first conveying roller  21 A. 
     The first conveying roller  21 A is disposed capable of contacting a first surface which is an upper surface, of the recording paper  12  that has passed along the first conveying path  51  or the second conveying path  52 . The first conveying roller  21 A has a length over substantially an entire region in the width direction  8  in the upper conveying path  53 . The plurality of pinch rollers  21 B are provided in a state of each contacting the first conveying roller  21 A, with a constant spacing of the plurality of pinch rollers  21 B in the width direction  8 . When the first conveying roller  21 A is rotated, the pinch rollers  21 B in contact with the first conveying roller  21 A rotate following rotation of the first conveying roller  21 A. 
     When the recording paper  12  is conveyed to the first conveying roller section  21 , rotation of the first conveying roller  21 A is stopped. In such a state, a leading edge of the recording paper  12  is abutted on a place where the first conveying roller  21 A and the pinch rollers  21 B are contacting each other. Furthermore, by an end on an upstream side in the conveying direction  41  in the recording paper  12  being conveyed in the conveying direction  41 , the recording paper  12  is pressed on the first conveying roller  21 A and the pinch rollers  21 B. As a result, the leading edge of the recording paper  12  attains a state of being in line with the contact place of the first conveying roller  21 A and the pinch rollers  21 B, and an oblique state of the recording paper  12  is cured. Then, when the first conveying roller  21 A is rotated, the recording paper  12  is nipped by the first conveying roller  21 A and the pinch rollers  21 B to be conveyed onto the platen  22 . 
     The platen  22  supports the recording paper  12  conveyed by the first conveying roller section  21 , from below, in a state of being in line with the front-rear direction  6  and the width direction  8 . The recording section  30  records an image on the recording paper  12  supported by the platen  22 , by an ink-jet system. When the image is recorded, rotation of the first conveying roller  21  is stopped, whereby the recording paper  12  stops on the platen  22 . Then, by the recording section  30  selectively discharging ink onto the stopped recording paper  12 , a one-pass portion of the image is recorded on the recording paper  12 . Subsequently, when the first conveying roller section  21  is rotated whereby the recording paper  12  is conveyed in the conveying direction  41  to an extent of the next one-pass portion, the first conveying roller section  21  is stopped whereby the recording paper  12  stops. At this time, the recording section  30  is positioned more upstream in the conveying direction  41  than the one-pass portion of the image in the recording paper  12 . This is repeated, whereby image recording is performed over the whole of the recording paper  12 . 
     The second conveying roller section  23  conveys forward the recording paper  12  supported by the platen  22 . The second conveying roller section  23  is positioned forward than the platen  22 . The second conveying roller section  23  includes: a second roller shaft  23 B whose rotation axis is disposed along the width direction  8 ; a plurality of second conveying rollers  23 A installed in the second roller shaft  23 B; and a plurality of first spur rollers  23 C disposed above the second conveying rollers  23 A. 
     When the second roller shaft  23 B is rotated, the second conveying rollers  23 A rotate integrally with the second roller shaft  23 B. The first spur rollers  23 C rotate following rotation of the second conveying rollers  23 A. When the recording paper  12  on the platen  22  is conveyed between the second conveying rollers  23 A and the first spur rollers  23 C in a rotating state, the recording paper  12  is nipped by the second conveying rollers  23 A and the first spur rollers  23 C to be conveyed frontwards. 
     The first casing  60  is provided with a discharge tray  27  extending forward from below a downstream end of the upper conveying path  53 . The discharge tray  27  is positioned above the first feeding tray  61 . The recording paper  12  having the image recorded on its first surface passes through the second conveying roller section  23  in the conveying direction  41  to be discharged onto the discharge tray  27 . The discharge tray  27  enables a plurality of recording papers  12  to be supported in a stacked state. 
     &lt;First Casing  60 &gt; 
     As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the first casing  60  includes a supporting member  67  that configures a bottom section of the first casing  60 . The supporting member  67  includes: a supporting main body section  67 A that supports the whole of the first feeding tray  61  from below; and a guide section  67 B provided at an end in the first direction  48  in the supporting main body section  67 A. The supporting main body section  67 A and the guide section  67 B are molded integrally by a synthetic resin. 
     The supporting main body section  67 A has roughly a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction  6  and the width direction  8 . As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the guide section  67 B is provided continuously with an end  67 C (hereafter, defined as “first end  67 C”) in the first direction  48  in the supporting main body section  67 A. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the guide section  67 B is disposed over an entire region in the width direction  8  of the back surface opening  60 E, in a lower section of the back surface opening  60 E in the first casing  60 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the first end  67 C is disposed below the lower end  64 K of the first guide member  64 . The first end  67 C has a strip-like plate shape in line with the up-down direction  4  and the width direction  8 , and its length in line with the up-down direction  4  is shorter compared to its length in line with the width direction  8 . 
     A projection  67 N projecting upwardly is provided in the supporting main body section  67 A along the width direction  8 , from below and rearward in the first direction  48  of the feeding position  61 C in the first feeding section  63  to the first end  67 C. The projection  67 N is disposed over an entire region in the width direction  8  of the back surface opening  60 E. An upper surface of the projection  67 N is roughly a plane in line with the front-rear direction  6  and the width direction  8 , and the lower end  64 K of the first guide member  64  is supported by this upper surface. 
     The first end  67 C is extended out downwardly from an end in the first direction  48  in the projection  67 N. A lower end of the first end  67 C is in substantially the same position in the up-down direction  4  as a plate-like portion excluding the projection  67 N in the supporting main body section  67 A. 
     The guide section  67 B includes: a first inclined section  67 G provided continuously with the lower end of the first end  67 C; a second inclined section  67 H provided continuously with the first inclined section  67 G; and a second end  67 K provided continuously with the second inclined section  67 H. The second end  67 K configures a rear section in the first direction  48  in the supporting member  67 . 
     The first inclined section  67 G inclines upward with respect to the first direction  48  from the first end  67 C. The second inclined section  67 H inclines further upward with respect to the first direction  48  from the first inclined section  67 G. Therefore, an inclination angle with respect to the up-down direction  4  of the second inclined section  67 H is smaller than an inclination angle with respect to the up-down direction  4  of the first inclined section  67 G. The second end  67 K is in line with the up-down direction  4 . 
     A back surface  67 M of the second end  67 K in the guide section  67 B defines part of in front of the second conveying path  52 . The second inclined section  67 H and the first inclined section  67 G are positioned upstream in the conveying direction  42  of the second conveying path  52 , with respect to the second end  67 K. Respective back surfaces  67 P and  67 Q of the second inclined section  67 H and the first inclined section  67 G configure a third guide surface  67 D that defines part of in front of the second conveying path  52 . The third guide surface  67 D inclines upward with respect to the first direction  48 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 7 , recesses  67 R are respectively provided in the guide section  67 B, at positions more central in the width direction  8  than both ends in the width direction  8 . Each of the recesses  67 R reaches from an upper surface of the guide section  67 B to an upper section of the first inclined section  67 G, via the second end  67 K and the second inclined section  67 H. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 8 , a first guide supporting member  67 E that supports the first guide member  64  is provided frontwards of each of the recesses  67 R. The first guide supporting member  67 E projects upwardly from the supporting main body section  67 A. An upper section of the first guide supporting member  67 E is an inclined section  67 X inclined upward and rearward, and the first guide member  64  is supported by the inclined section  67 X. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 8 , a second guide supporting member  67 Z is provided on respective outsides in the width direction  8  with respect to each of the first guide supporting members  67 E, in each of the supporting main body sections  67 A. The second guide supporting member  67 Z is in an inclined state similar to that of the upper section of the first guide supporting member  67 E, and a lower end of the second guide supporting member  67 Z is positioned on the supporting main body section  67 A. The first guide member  64  is supported by an upper section of the second guide supporting member  67 Z. 
     &lt;Frame  68 &gt; 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , a frame  68  made of a metal is installed in the supporting member  67 . The frame  68  is manufactured by one metal plate undergoing sheet metal working. The frame  68  includes a frame main body section  68 D disposed below a rear end of the supporting main body section  67 A in the supporting member  67 . 
     The frame main body section  68 D includes a first frame section  68 A positioned directly below the feeding position  61 C. In addition, the frame  68  includes a second frame section  68 B positioned below the guide section  67 B in the supporting member  67 . 
     The frame main body section  68 D roughly has a plate shape aligned with the supporting main body section  67 A in the supporting member  67 , and is installed in the supporting main body section  67 A by screws (not illustrated). The second frame section  68 B is provided continuously in the first direction  48  with the frame main body section  68 D, and is disposed over substantially an entire region in the width direction  8  of the back surface opening  60 E. The first frame section  68 A in line with the width direction  8  is provided in the frame main body section  68 D, below the projection  67 N provided in the supporting main body section  67 A. The first frame section  68 A is positioned directly below the feeding position  61 C in the first feeding section  63 . The first frame section  68 A has a position in the up-down direction  4  substantially the same as that of a portion supporting the first feeding tray  61  in the supporting main body section  67 A. 
     The second frame section  68 B is provided continuously with the end in the first direction  48  in the frame main body section  68 D, and is disposed over substantially an entire region in the width direction  8  in the back surface opening  60 E. The second frame section  68 B inclines upward with respect to the first direction  48 , so as to be in a similar inclined state to the guide section  67 B of the supporting member  67 . An upper section of the second frame section  68 B aligns with the back surface  67 Q in the first inclined section  67 G of the guide section  67 B. A projecting section  68 E projecting toward the back surface  67 Q of the first inclined section  67 G is provided at an upper end of the second frame section  68 B, over substantially an entire region in the width direction  8  in the back surface opening  60 E. This projecting section  68 E contacts a middle in the up-down direction  4  in the back surface  67 Q of the first inclined section  67 G. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , a third frame section  68 C in line with the width direction  8  is provided at an opposite end to an end where the second frame section  68 B in the frame  68  was provided. The third frame section  68 C has a length over an entire region in the width direction  8  in the frame main body section  68 D. The third frame section  68 C is bent upwardly from an opposite end to the first direction  48  in the frame main body section  68 D, and contacts a lower surface of the supporting main body section  67 A in the supporting member  67 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , a third guide member  69  is installed at an end in the first direction  48  in the frame main body section  68 D. Note that the third guide member  69  is not depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     The third guide member  69  includes a strip-like plate shaped main body section  69 A abutting on a lower surface between the first frame section  68 A and the second frame section  68 B in the frame main body section  68 D. The main body section  69 A is provided over substantially an entire region in the width direction  8  in the back surface opening  60 E. An inclined section  69 B is provided continuously at a side edge in the first direction  48  in the main body section  69 A. The inclined section  69 B inclines upwardly in the first direction  48 . The inclined section  69 B is disposed over an entire region in the width direction  8  in the back surface opening  60 E. The inclined section  69 B is disposed along the second frame section  68 B in a state where a spacing is left in the first direction  48 . 
     A wall section  69 C extended out downwardly is provided along the width direction  8 , at an opposite end to the first direction  48  in the main body section  69 A. The wall section  69 C and a projecting section  69 D also are disposed over an entire region in the width direction  8  in the back surface opening  60 E. 
     A plurality of guide ribs  69 E projecting downwardly along the front-rear direction  6  are provided in the third guide member  69 . Each of the guide ribs  69 E has a plate shape along the front-rear direction  6  and is disposed over substantially an entire region in the width direction  8  of the back surface opening  60 E, in a state where a spacing is left between adjacent fellow guide ribs  69 E in the width direction  8 . Tips  69 F of the guide ribs  69 E project in a circular arc shape, from an upper end of the inclined section  69 B to a lower end of the wall section  69 C. The recording paper  12  conveyed along the second conveying path  52  is guided by the tips  69 F of the guide ribs  69 E to be conveyed to the third guide surface  67 D in the supporting member  67 . 
     &lt;Second Casing  70 &gt; 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the second casing  70  has a roughly similar configuration to the first casing  60 , besides not being provided with a member corresponding to the third guide member  69 . In the second casing  70 , a supporting member  77  and a frame  78  made of a metal are provided below the second feeding tray  71 . The supporting member  77  and the frame  78  of the second casing  70  have roughly similar configurations to the supporting member  67  and the frame  68  of the first casing  60 . 
     [Operational Effects of Embodiment] 
     In the multi-function peripheral  10  of the present embodiment, when the recording paper  12  is fed from the first feeding tray  61 , the first feeding roller  63 A of the first feeding section  63  is pressed on the uppermost positioned recording paper  12  in the first feeding tray  61 . As a result, a pressing force acts on the first supporting surface  61 A immediately below the feeding position  61 C. As a result, a pressing force acts also on the projection  67 N immediately below the feeding position  61 C in the supporting member  67 . 
     In the embodiment, because the first frame section  68 A of the frame  68  is provided below the projection  67 N in the supporting member  67 , the supporting member  67  is reinforced by the first frame section  68 A. As a result, the projection  67 N of the supporting member  67  positioned directly below the feeding position  61 C is stably supported. As a result, there is no need to thicken the supporting member  67 . 
     The recording paper  12  fed in the first direction  48  by the first feeding roller  63 A contacts the first guide member  64  to be guided to the first guide surface  64 A. Therefore, a pressing force in the first direction  48  due to the recording paper  12  contacting the first guide member  64 , is applied to the first guide member  64 . Because the first guide member  64  is supported by the guide section  67 B of the supporting member  67 , a pressing force in the first direction  48  is applied also to the guide section  67 B. 
     In the embodiment, a lower section of the guide section  67 B is reinforced by the second frame section  68 B, and the first guide member  64  is stably supported by the second frame section  68 B. This also results in there being no need to thicken the supporting member  67 , because the guide section  67 B in the supporting member  67  is reinforced. 
     Due to the above, increase in size of the apparatus is suppressed. Moreover, because lengthening of the first conveying path  51  and the second conveying path  52  are also suppressed, there is no risk that a conveying time of the recording paper  12  in each of the first conveying path  51  and the second conveying path  52  lengthens. Therefore, there is no need to increase a conveying speed of the recording paper  12 , and a large noise that occurring due to the conveying speed increasing is not generated. 
     The first frame section  68 A is provided along the lower surface of the supporting member  67 , and the second frame section  68 B is provided bent from the end in the first direction  48  of the first frame section  68 A. As a result, a portion corresponding to the feeding position  61 C in the supporting member  67  and the guide section  67 B can be reliably reinforced. 
     The first guide surface  64 A of the first guide member  64 , the second guide surface  74 A of the second guide member  74 , and the third guide surface  67 D of the supporting member  67  have inclined surfaces that incline upward with respect to the first direction  48 . As a result, extension of the apparatus in the first direction  48  can be suppressed. 
     Inclination angles which are acute angles made with the first direction  48 , of, respectively, the first guide surface  64 A of the first guide member  64  and the second guide surface  74 A of the second guide member  74 , are equal. This also enables extension of the apparatus in the first direction  48  to be suppressed. 
     An upper end of the first guide member  64  and an upper end of the above-described second guide member  74  are at the same position in the first direction  48 . This also enables extension of the apparatus in the first direction  48  to be suppressed. 
     The second frame section  68 B is provided at an end in the first direction  48  in the frame  68 , and the frame  68  includes the third frame section  68 C positioned at an opposite end to the end where the second frame section  68 B in the first frame section  68 A is provided. Since the third frame section  68 C bends upwardly from the frame main body section  68 D, the supporting member  67  is further reinforced. As a result, the supporting member  67  can be further thinned, and increase in size of the apparatus can be further suppressed. 
     Since the third guide member  69  that guides the recording paper  12  conveyed along the second conveying path  52  is installed in the frame, the recording paper  12  is stably conveyed along the second conveying path  52 . 
     Note that in the above-described embodiment, the feeding position  61 C is a position that the recording paper  12  is fed by the first feeding roller  63 A of the first feeding section  63  in  FIG. 2 , that is, a position immediately below the first feeding roller  63 A. However, a position along the first direction  48  of the first feeding roller  63 A changes according to a rotational state of the first supporting arm  63 B. That is, the position along the first direction  48  of the first feeding roller  63 A changes according to the number of sheets of the recording paper  12  stacked in the first feeding tray  61 . Therefore, the feeding position  61 C also changes along the first direction  48 . Because of this, the feeding position  61 C has a certain length along the first direction  48 . Therefore, although it is optimal that the first frame section  68 A of the frame  68  is positioned directly below an entire range in which the feeding position  61 C changes, it may be provided directly below at least part of that range. Moreover, when the first frame section  68 A is provided directly below part of that range, it is preferably in a position where a feeding pressure due to the first feeding roller  63 A is most greatly applied as a load to the supporting member  67 . 
     MODIFIED EXAMPLES 
     The first frame section  68 A is not limited to a configuration of being positioned directly below the feeding position  61 C in the first feeding section  63 , and may be provided at a position shifted in the width direction  8  from the position directly below the feeding position  61 C. In this case, even if a pressing force is applied to the position directly below the feeding position  61 C in the supporting member  67 , the supporting member  67  is reinforced by the first frame section  68 A provided at the position shifted in the width direction  8  from the position directly below the feeding position  61 C. 
     In addition, an upper end of the second frame section  68 B may be positioned more upwardly than a lower end of the first guide member  64 . As a result, extension of the apparatus in the up-down direction  4  is suppressed.