Patent ID: 8678377

Claim:
A sheet conveying device comprising: a roller configured to convey sheets in a sheet conveying direction; a separation pad disposed opposite to the roller and configured to separate the sheets one by one, the separation pad comprising a first surface facing the roller; a pressing mechanism disposed on an opposite side of the separation pad from the roller and configured to press the separation pad against the roller; a roller pressing member comprising a roller contacting portion configured to contact and press the roller; a holding member which holds the separation pad and the roller pressing member and is configured to move relative to the roller between a distant position and a close position in which the holding member is closer to the roller than in the distant position, wherein the pressing mechanism is configured to press the separation pad against the roller when the holding member is in the close position, and wherein the roller pressing member is configured such that when the holding member is in the distant position, at least the roller contacting portion of the roller pressing member is retracted from the first surface of the separation pad in a direction away from the roller.