Joint mechanism

A joint mechanism that joins a first apparatus to a second apparatus, the joint mechanism having a transport route along which a sheet-shaped medium is to be transported from the first apparatus to the second apparatus, the joint mechanism comprising:

• a first route member including
• a first pivot point that forms a portion the transport route positioned opposite a first surface of the sheet-shaped medium, the first pivot point being positioned in the first apparatus,
• a first pivot section that is pivotable about the first pivot point, the first pivot section extending from the first pivot point toward the second apparatus, and
• a first abutment member disposed in the first pivot section;
• and
• a second route member including
• a second pivot point that forms a portion of the transport route which is positioned opposite a second surface of the sheet-shaped medium, the second surface being opposite to the first surface, the second pivot point being positioned in the second apparatus,
• a second pivot section that is pivotable about the second pivot point, the second pivot section extending from the second pivot point toward the first apparatus, and
• a second abutment member disposed in the second pivot section,
• wherein the first abutment member abuts against the second route member and the second abutment member abuts against the first route member to maintain a space to transport the sheet-shaped medium.