Patent ID: 8342516

Claim:
An image reading apparatus comprising: an image reader that reads an image of a document; a document feeder, that includes a stacker, that feeds the document to the image reader, the document feeder discharging the document onto the stacker after the image of the document has been read, the document feeder being pivotal relative to the image reader; a document retaining mechanism that extends over the image reader and retains the discharged document on the stacker, the document retaining mechanism including a supporting member and a retainer member, the retainer member having a flat surface, the supporting member having an end portion pivotally connected to the image reader and another end portion to which the retainer member is pivotally mounted, wherein when the document feeder opens relative to the image reader, the flat surface of the retainer member presses the discharged document against the stacker; an urging member that urges the supporting member so that the retainer member presses the discharged document against the stacker; a body; and a stopper mounted to the image reader, the stopper being movable relative to the image reader, wherein the image reader is pivotally mounted to the body, wherein when the image reader and the document retaining mechanism are pivoted to close relative to the body, the stopper is sandwiched between the body and the supporting member so that the stopper prevents the supporting member from pivoting towards the stacker, further when the image reader and the document retaining mechanism are pivoted to open relative to the body, the stopper slides relative to the image reader out of engagement with the supporting member, allowing the supporting member to pivot toward the stacker so that the retainer member presses the discharged document against the stacker.