Patent ID: 7398970

Claim:
An original transport apparatus automatically taking up one or more originals one sheet at a time from a loading tray and transporting said sheet toward a transport path, said apparatus comprising: a tray for loading said originals, the tray being inclined downward and having a lower tip region; an outer casing member arranged above said lower tip region; a first shaft positioned perpendicular to a direction of sheet transport; said outer casing member disposed so as to permit opening and closing about said first shaft; a stopper member positioned in the lower tip region of the tray against which the originals can abut and align prior to transport; an engagement piece disposed in the outer casing member on a second shaft positioned perpendicular to the direction of sheet transport so as to permit independent pivotal displacement thereof; the stopper member being positioned on a third shaft, which is positioned perpendicular to the direction of sheet transport, so as to permit pivotal displacement thereof, the stopper member causing a lead edge of said sheet to stop at a prescribed location; said engagement piece being capable of engaging with the stopper member; and a lifting member supported by the outer casing member and attached to the stopper member to permit the stopper member to move vertically in the outer casing member when abutting a sheet; the lifting member having an arm member located and pivotally supported at a first end within the outer casing member; said third shaft located at a second end of the arm member, to which the stopper member is pivotally secured; wherein, when the outer casing member is closed and the apparatus is in an original takeup standby state, engagement of the stopper member by the engagement piece causes the stopper member to be retained in a position in which the stopper member stops the lead edge of the sheet at the prescribed location, thereby constraining the lead edge at the prescribed location and preventing entry of the sheet into the transport path; wherein, when the outer casing member is closed and takeup of the sheet is proceeding, the engagement piece is displaced in pivoting fashion, thereby disengaging engagement between the engagement piece and the stopper member, permitting pivoting displacement of the stopper member and allowing transport of the sheet.