Sheet storage apparatus

A sheet storage apparatus comprising:

• a storage part for stacking and storing sheets;
• a pair of first and second side regulation members for regulating both end portions of the sheets stored in the storage part;
• a sheet feed part for conveying the sheets stored in the storage part in a predetermined conveyance direction;
• a blower unit provided to the first side regulation member and configured to blow air to one end portion of the sheets stored in the storage part to loosen the sheets;
• a floating regulation member provided to the first side regulation member and configured to regulate a height of the sheet floated by the air fed by the blower unit, wherein
• the floating regulation member is provided so as to be turnable in a sheet stacking direction about a rotation axis provided to the first side regulation member, and
• a load applied to the floating regulation member differs between when the floating regulation member is turned upward and when it is turned downward;
• an elastic member for defining a position of the floating regulation member in its turning direction;
• and
• a turning regulation guide for regulating the position of the floating regulation member, wherein
• when the floating regulation member is turned downward, it is held by a holding force of the elastic member, and
• when the floating regulation member is turned upward, an upward turning of the floating regulation member is regulated by the turning regulation guide together with the elastic member until a predetermined load is applied.