Sheet feeding apparatus and image processing apparatus

A sheet feeding apparatus comprising:

• a feeding unit for feeding sheets stacked up in a sheet stock unit;
• and
• a leading end regulating member for regulating the leading ends in feeding direction of sheets stacked up in the sheet stock unit,
• wherein the feeding unit is free to contact with or depart from the sheets,
• the leading end regulating member is movable in a sheet feeding route between a regulating position for regulating the leading ends of the sheets, and a retreat position for releasing leading ends of the sheets from regulation by moving away from the sheet feeding route, and
• the leading end regulating member holds the feeding unit at a position apart from the sheets when the leading end regulating member is at the regulating position, and brings the feeding unit into contact with the sheets when the leading end regulating member is at the retreat position.