Patent ID: 7715060

Claim:
An image reading apparatus for reading an image of a document, comprising: an image reading unit configured to read the image of the document; an illuminating unit configured to illuminate the document; a plurality of mirrors configured to reflect light from the document; and a housing configured to support the plurality of mirrors, said housing including a mirror supporting part including a hole for at least one of the plurality of mirrors, wherein at least one of the plurality of mirrors comprises: a curved reflecting mirror surface having two longitudinal ends and two lateral edges; first and second longitudinal portions, each positioned adjacent one of the longitudinal ends of the reflecting mirror surface and being contiguous therewith so as to extend therefrom; and a projection, separate from the reflecting mirror surface, positioned adjacent one of the lateral edges of the reflecting mirror surface, and projecting into the hole of the mirror supporting part, and disposed at a position corresponding to a reference axis of the curved reflecting mirror surface, wherein the reflecting mirror surface, the first and second longitudinal portions, and the projection are integrally formed as part of the mirror.