Patent ID: 7016088

Claim:
An image reading apparatus comprising: an image reading unit having image reading means for reading an image; a first original carriage for carrying an original and for reading an original image in contact with said image reading unit which is moving; a second original carriage for carrying an original and for reading an original image in contact with said image reading unit which is in a stationary state; a stay provided between said first original carriage and said second original carriage; urging means for urging said image reading unit toward said first original carriage or toward said second original carriage; a guide portion, provided outside an image reading region, for guiding said image reading unit away from said stay when said image reading unit moves between said first original carriage and said second original carriage; and a member to be guided slidable relative to said guide portion when said image reading unit moves between said first original carriage and said second original carriage, said member to be guided being disposed at a balanced position in a moving direction of said image reading unit and being substantially in line contact with said guide portion, wherein said guide portion has a first inclined surface or first curved surface for moving said image reading unit away from said stay upon movement from said first original carriage to said second original carriage, and a second inclined surface or second curved surface for moving said image reading unit away from said stay upon movement from said second original carriage to said first original carriage.