Patent ID: 7455289

Claim:
A paper feeder comprising: a first paper feed cassette in which to store a recording medium with a lock state that is selected from an unlocked state where the recording medium can be taken out therefrom and a locked state where the recording medium cannot be taken out therefrom; a locking portion that brings the lock state of the first paper feed cassette into the unlocked state or the locked state; a second paper feed cassette in which to store a recording medium, capable of selectively entering an unlocked state where the recording medium can be taken out therefrom and a locked state where the recording medium cannot be taken out therefrom; a lock state transmitting portion that transmits the lock state of the first paper feed cassette to the second paper feed cassette to bring the second paper feed cassette into the unlocked state or the locked state in accordance with the lock state of the first paper feed cassette, wherein the lock state transmitting portion mechanically transmits the lock state of the first paper feed cassette to the second paper feed cassette, and wherein the lock state transmitting portion includes: rotatable lock gears provided for the first paper feed cassette and the second paper feed cassette respectively, lock portions movable in accordance with rotations of the lock gears respectively, and lock reception portions that receive the lock portions at the time of the locked state respectively; the lock gears are connected with each other so that rotation is transmitted therebetween; and a plurality of transmission gears that connect the lock gears with each other and transmit rotation therebetween.