Roller structure for sheet feeding apparatus

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a sheet such as a stimulable phosphor sheet or the like.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a radiation image information reading apparatus which incorporates a sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a schematic fragmentary side elevational view of an internal structure of the radiation image information reading apparatus;

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an apparatus frame and an imaging bed of the radiation image information reading apparatus;

#A radiation image information reading apparatus which incorporates a sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

#As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a radiation image information reading apparatus 10 comprises a housing 14 placed on a floor or installation surface 12, an imaging bed 16 for supporting a patient, with the back or one side down, directly thereon, and a lifting/lowering mechanism 18 for lifting and lowering the imaging bed 16 with respect to the housing 14. The housing 14 comprises a first casing 20 housing the lifting/lowering mechanism 18 therein and a second casing 22 separate from and adjacent to the first casing 20. A controller 24 and a switch unit 26 are connected to the second casing 22.

#As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lifting/lowering mechanism 18 comprises a pair of horizontally spaced first swing arms 30a, 30b swingably supported on one end of the first casing 20 remote from the second casing 22 by respective pivot shafts 28a, 28b, and a pair of horizontally spaced second swing arms 34a, 34b swingably supported on the opposite end of the first casing 20 close to the second casing 22 by respective pivot shafts 32a, 32b. The first and second swing arms 30a, 34a and the first and second swing arms 30b, 34b are coupled to each other by respective joint shafts 36a, 36b at substantially central regions thereof. The first swing arms 30a, 30b and the second swing arms 34a, 34b have respective distal ends held in operative engagement with the bottom of a vertically movable base 38 of the imaging bed 16.