# US 11,310,382 B2 · Image reading device, medium conveyance device, and image forming apparatus

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- Number: US 11,310,382 B2
- Document ID: US11310382B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/178,411
- Filed: 2021-02-18
- Published: 2021-09-23
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2020-03-17
- Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
- Applicants: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
- Inventors: Satoshi Nakayama; Susumu Mikajiri; Kimiharu Yamazaki; Tohru Matsumoto; Kohta Aoyagi; Hideyo Makino; Ryosuke Ebinuma
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11310382B2

## CPC

- H04N 1/00724: {Type of sheet, e.g. colour of paper or transparency}
- H04N 1/00726: {Other properties of the sheet, e.g. curvature or reflectivity}
- H04N 1/00737: {using the scanning elements as detectors}
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

An image reading device includes a transparent member unit including a transparent member, an opposing member opposed to the transparent member, and a reading mechanism. The reading mechanism irradiates the opposing member and a medium being conveyed between the transparent member and the opposing member with light through the transparent member and receive reflected light from the opposing member and the medium. The reading mechanism includes a position adjuster to which the transparent member unit is secured and a guide to guide the transparent member unit in a direction intersecting a direction of conveyance of the medium to detachably attach the transparent member unit to the reading mechanism. The position adjuster changes a position at which the transparent member unit is secured with respect to the reading mechanism. The transparent member unit is secured to the position adjuster.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image reading device comprising:
a transparent member unit including a transparent member;
an opposing member opposed to the transparent member; and
a reading mechanism configured to irradiate the opposing member and a medium being conveyed between the transparent member and the opposing member with light through the transparent member and to receive reflected light from the opposing member and the medium, the reading mechanism includes:
a position adjuster to which the transparent member unit is secured, the position adjuster configured to change a position at which the transparent member unit is secured with respect to the reading mechanism; and
a guide configured to guide the transparent member unit in a direction intersecting a direction of conveyance of the medium to detachably attach the transparent member unit to the reading mechanism.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image reading device according to claim 1,
wherein the reading mechanism further includes an engagement portion configured to engage with a leading end of the transparent member unit in an attachment direction of the transparent member unit.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image reading device according to claim 1,
wherein the position adjuster includes:
an engagement portion configured to engage with a leading end of the transparent member unit in a detachment direction of the transparent member unit; and
a securing portion configured to secure the transparent member unit to the position adjuster.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The image reading device according to claim 1,
wherein the position adjuster includes:
a rotation shaft around which the position adjuster is rotatable; and
a securing portion configured to secure the position adjuster to the reading mechanism.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The image reading device according to claim 1,
wherein the transparent member unit further includes:
a transparent member holder including a holding portion configured to hold the transparent member; and
a sheet guide configured to guide the medium being conveyed.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The image reading device according to claim 5,
wherein the transparent member unit further includes a cover across the holding portion and the sheet guide, and
wherein the holding portion and the sheet guide is opposed to the medium being conveyed.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A medium conveyance device comprising:
a conveyance roller pair configured to convey a medium; and
the image reading device according to claim 1.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An image forming apparatus comprising:
an image forming device configured to form an image on a medium; and
the image reading device according to claim 1.