Patent ID: 7233420

Claim:
A mirror attachment structure for an image-reading apparatus that includes a light source for illuminating a document and a photoelectric conversion device for receiving light from the light source reflected from the document that are mounted in the image-reading apparatus for movement together relative to the document in order to scan the document, the mirror attachment structure comprising: a carriage that is elongated in a first direction for supporting the light source and the photoelectric conversion device; a reinforcement sheet metal member that is secured to a portion of the carriage, that is elongated in said first direction, and that extends over most of the length of the carriage in said first direction; and a mirror that is secured to a portion of the reinforcement sheet metal members, with the reinforcement sheet metal member being between the mirror and the portion of the carriage that supports the reinforcement sheet metal member; wherein the reinforcement sheet metal member is secured to a portion of the carriage to increase the rigidity of the carriage; the mirror is elongated in said first direction and extends over most of the length of the reinforcement sheet metal member and most of the length of the carriage in said first direction; and the carriage is designed to support the light source, the photoelectric conversion device, and the mirror so that light from the light source that is reflected from the document and then from said mirror is reflected generally toward the photoelectric conversion device.