Sheet transporting device and image forming apparatus

A sheet transporting device comprising:

• a pair of transporting rolls in a sheet transport path;
• a separating component comprising a plate and handle configured to move one of transporting rolls that form the pair of transporting rolls to an open position where the one of the transporting rolls is spaced apart from another of the transporting rolls, wherein the plate is configured to pivot around a first side of the plate and the handle is on a second side of the plate opposite the first side of the plate;
• and
• a switching component comprising
• an eccentric cam on a different side of the separating component from the one of transporting rolls that moves to the open position, and
• an acting arm on a same side of the separating component as the one of transporting rolls that moves to the open position;
• wherein
• the eccentric cam and the acting arm are configured to
• switch a position of the pair of transporting rolls between a nipping position and an unnipping position, and
• resume switching when the pair of transporting rolls, after being moved to the open position by the separating component, is returned to a normal operating position;
• and
• the eccentric cam has an axial length that allows the acting arm to slide along the axial length and maintain contact with the eccentric cam in the open position.