Reproducing apparatus having manual paper feed function

In an image reproducing apparatus having an automatic paper feed function and a manual paper feed function, the improvement comprising the combination of:

• a paper tray for holding a plurality of papers which are to be automatically fed from said paper tray on a one-by-one basis;
• paper feed means mounted on a rotatable shaft above said paper tray for selectively feeding papers from said paper tray, said paper feed means having a cut-away portion to form a gap between said paper tray and said cut-away portion through which paper can be manually inserted when a paper feed operation is not being conducted;
• a leading end regulating member at least partially disposed above said paper tray and downstream of said gap for regulating the leading end of said manually inserted paper;
• means coupled to said rotatable shaft for rotating said rotatable shaft to cause said paper feed means to feed paper out from said paper tray;
• and
• energizing means mounted on said rotatable shaft and being operatively coupled to said leading end regulating member, said energizing means being operable responsive to rotation of said rotatable shaft for moving said leading end regulating member to clear a feed path for said manually inserted paper after insertion of said manually inserted paper and before said manually inserted paper is fed by said paper feed means, to thereby permit said manually inserted paper to be manually fed past said paper feed means before being fed into said reproducing apparatus by said paper feed means.

In an image reproducing apparatus having a manual paper feed function, the improvement comprising the combination of:

• paper feed rollers for selectively feeding papers into said image reproducing apparatus, said paper feed rollers having a substantially semicircular shape;
• a passage for receivig a manually inserted paper formed below said paper feed rollers;
• a leading end regulating shutter at least partially disposed downstream of said paper feed rollers and downstream of said passage for regulating the leading end of said manually inserted paper;
• operating means coupled to said paper feed rollers for operating said paper feed rollers to feed paper;
• energizing means operable responsive to operation of said operating means and being operable in association with the operation of said paper feed rollers for causing said shutter to escape to clear said passage for said manually inserted paper before said manually inserted paper is fed by said paper feed rollers, to thereby permit said manually inserted paper to be manually fed past said paper feed rollers before being fed into said reproducing apparatus by said paper feed rollers;
• and
• said energizing means including at least one substantially semicircular cam, said substantially semicircular cam being inverted in position relative to said paper feed rollers.