IMAGE READING UNIT

• US 20170142271A1
• Filed: 11/10/2016
• Published: 05/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: KAWAI, Takuji, YOUDA, Yasunobu, OSANAI, Yohei, NAGANO, Tatsuaki, NARAI, Satoshi, INUI, Tetsuo, FUJII, Yuki, ONO, Koichi, SHIKAMA, Takeshi, SHIRAMURA, Shingo, TANAKA, Hideo, HORIKAWA, Toshiyuki, IMAKI, Daisuke, ANDOH, Takayuki, MIYAZAKI, Susumu
• Granted Patent: US 10,027,831 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00588 to the scanning position H04N1/00572, H04N1/00594 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00615 Guiding elements, e.g. plates
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00623 Selectively inputting media from one of a plurality of input sources, e.g. input trays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00827 Arrangements for reading an image from an unusual original, e.g. 3-dimensional objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

An image-reading unit includes an original document conveyor that includes a first original document tray to hold an original document to be read, a first original document feeding port to feed the original document placed on the first original document tray, and an original document conveying path to convey the original document from the first original document feeding port to an original document discharging port. The original document conveyor further includes an openable second original document tray attached near an intermediate portion of the original document conveying path to hold an original document when opened, and a second original document feeding port to feed the original document on the second original document tray. The image-reading unit further includes an image reader to read an image of the original document being conveyed along the original document conveying path.

Claims

1. An image reading unit to read an image of an original document, the image-reading unit comprising:

an original document conveyor including;

a first original document tray to hold an original document to be read;

a first original document feeding port to feed the original document placed on the first original document tray;

an original document conveying path to convey the original document from the first original document feeding port to an original document discharging port;

an openable second original document tray attached near an intermediate portion of the original document conveying path to hold an original document when opened; and

a second original document feeding port to feed the original document placed on the second original document tray; and

an image reader to read an image of the original document being conveyed along the original document conveying path,

wherein the original document fed from the second original document feeding port is conveyed to the original document discharging port via a latter half portion of the original document conveying path,

wherein the second original document tray has a slot to receive an original document,

wherein the slot is located facing the second original document feeding port when the second original document tray is closed to feed the original document through the slot and the second original document feeding port.

2. The image reading unit according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of movable guides disposed in the second original document tray to align the original document set onto the second original document tray when the second original document tray is opened,

wherein the latter half portion of the original document conveying path is substantially flat and extends from an original document placing plane of the second original document tray substantially on the same plane as the original document placing plane.

3. The image reading unit according to claim 1, wherein the second original document tray is connected to the original document conveyor at a linking portion via a first pair of hinges respectively disposed perpendicular to a direction in which the original document is inserted at both ends of the linking portion, and via a second pair of hinges respectively disposed at both ends of the slot disposed in the same direction as the first pair of hinges.

4. The image reading unit according to claim 2, wherein the pair of movable guides regulates a width of the slot and guides the original document set onto the second original document tray when the second original document tray is both opened and closed.