Patent ID: 7883085

Claim:
A guide device comprising: a side guide positioned at a tray, wherein the tray is configured to receive a sheet, and the side guide is configured to guide the sheet in a first direction corresponding to a sheet feeding direction; a sliding mechanism configured to support the side guide and to slide the side guide between a first position and a second position in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a pinion rotatably positioned at the tray, wherein when the side guide is in the first position a distance between the side guide and the pinion is a maximum distance therebetween, and when the side guide is in the second position a distance between the side guide and the pinion is a minimum distance therebetween; a rack member, wherein the rack member is connected to the side guide, extends from the side guide toward a middle of the tray in the second direction, and comprises a rack which engages the pinion, wherein the rack member is configured to move in the second direction in response to a sliding of the side guide; a slide guide positioned at the tray, wherein the slide guide is configured to guide the rack member when the rack member moves in the second direction; and an urging member positioned between the rack member and the slide guide facing the rack member, wherein the urging member is configured to urge the rack member in the first direction when the side guide is at a predetermined position which is closer to the pinion than the first position, wherein the urging member protrudes toward the rack member from a guide surface of the slide guide facing the rack member, and wherein the urging member is configured to guide the rack member when the side guide moves in the second direction between the second position and the predetermined position.