Patent ID: 8690316

Claim:
An image recording apparatus which is configured to record an image on a sheet, the apparatus comprising: a recording section which is provided over a transport passage for transporting the sheet in a transport direction and which has nozzles configured to discharge ink onto the sheet to record the image; a platen which is provided under the recording section with the transport passage intervening therebetween and which has a plurality of ribs provided to support the sheet while being separated from each other in a widthwise direction of the transport passage perpendicular to the transport direction, the respective ribs protruding upwardly and extending in the transport direction; and a plurality of holding members which are positioned between the plurality of ribs in the widthwise direction of the transport passage over the platen on an upstream side of the nozzles in the transport direction and which are configured to abut against an upper surface of the sheet and to press the sheet toward the platen, wherein the holding members have abutment portions which are capable of abutting against the sheet respectively, at least parts of the respective abutment portions being positioned lower than upper ends of the plurality of ribs; the plurality of ribs include a first rib and a second rib which is provided at a position separated farther from a center of the transport passage as compared with the first rib in the widthwise direction of the transport passage; the plurality of holding members include a first holding member and a second holding member which is provided at a position separated farther from the center of the transport passage as compared with the first holding member in the widthwise direction of the transport passage; and at least one set of the plurality of ribs and the plurality of holding members are constructed in the transport direction so that: an upstream end of the first rib is positioned on the upstream side as compared with an upstream end of the second rib, or an abutment portion of the first holding member is positioned on the upstream side as compared with an abutment portion of the second holding member.