Sheet feed device and image recording apparatus having such sheet feed device

A sheet feed device comprising:

• a first cassette including a first holding surface configured to hold sheets thereon;
• a second cassette including a second holding surface configured to hold sheets thereon, the second cassette being configured to move, relative to the first cassette, between a feed position and a non-feed position, the second holding surface being above the first holding surface, and the non-feed position being upstream of the feed position in a sheet feed direction;
• a sheet feeder including a feed arm and a feed roller rotatably supported by one end of the feed arm, the feed roller being configured to feed a sheet in the sheet feed direction from one of the first cassette and the second cassette at the feed position, and the feed arm being pivotable about the other end thereof so as to move the feed roller between a first roller position at which the feed roller is in contact with a sheet on the first cassette, a second roller position at which the feed roller is in contact with a sheet on the second cassette at the feed position, and a third roller position at which the feed roller is separated from the sheet on the first cassette and the sheet on the second cassette, wherein the feed roller is configured to move from the first roller position to the third roller position by pivoting the feed arm as the second cassette moves from the non-feed positon toward the feed position;
• a separation unit including:
• a guide surface inclined relative to the first holding surface and the second holding surface and configured to guide the sheet fed by the feed roller;
• and
• a separation member configured to separate the sheet fed by the feed roller from other sheets;
• and
• a lifting mechanism configured to move the feed roller,
• wherein at least a portion of the feed roller at the first roller position is below an upper end of the guide surface of the separation unit, and at least a portion of the feed roller at the second roller position is below the upper end of the guide surface, and
• wherein the lifting mechanism includes a cam located at the second tray, and a cam follower connected to the feed arm, the cam follower being configured to follow the cam as the second tray moves from the non-feed position toward the feed position.