Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus

A sheet feeder comprising:

• a pressure plate movable between an upper position and a lower position;
• a separation roller configured to rotate in a forward direction and transport a sheet in a sheet transport direction;
• a retard roller disposed to form, together with the separation roller, a nip point and configured to rotate in a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction;
• a return latch movable between a retracted position and a protruding position;
• and
• a first shaft configured to supply a driving force to the retard roller,
• wherein a rotation axis of the first shaft is different in position from a rotation axis of the retard roller, and the rotation axis of the retard roller overlaps a moving range of the return latch when viewed in a direction of the rotation axis of the retard roller,
• wherein the return latch at the retracted position is retracted from a sheet transport path,
• wherein the return latch at the protruding position protrudes to the sheet transport path, and
• wherein the return latch is configured to reach the protruding position after the pressure plate starts moving from the upper position.