Paper sheet transport mechanism and paper handling device

A paper sheet transport mechanism, comprising:

• a first mechanism, including:
• a pair of first paper sheet guide members that form a first paper sheet transport path used for transporting paper sheets, the first paper sheet guide members each having a rotating shaft;
• a pushing unit that pushes each of the pair of first paper sheet guide members towards the other of the pair of first paper sheet guide members, in order to rotate the first paper sheet guide members around the rotating shafts;
• a projecting member arranged between the pair of first paper sheet guide members, the projecting member being movable in conjunction with movement of one of the pair of first paper sheet guide members, the projecting member maintaining the pair of first paper sheet guide members in a substantially parallel relationship with each other along at least a portion of their length, with a fixed distance between them when rotating around the rotating shafts;
• a second mechanism, including:
• a pair of second paper sheet guide members that form a second paper sheet transport path used for transporting paper sheets such that paper sheets are transferred between the first and second paper sheet transport paths, the second paper sheet transport path being movable toward a substantially vertical direction of a surface of the second paper sheet guide members;
• and
• an alignment unit that moves in conjunction with a return movement of the second mechanism;
• wherein the projecting member and the alignment unit contact each other at a position where the first paper sheet transport path is connected to the second paper sheet transport path;
• wherein the second mechanism is movable such that the alignment unit pushes the projecting member to cause the pair of first paper guide members to move in parallel with each other along at least a portion of their length, while maintaining a passable connection between the first and second sheet transport paths;
• and
• wherein at least one of the pair of first paper sheet guide members is rotatable alone when an external force is applied to one of the pair of first paper sheet guide members against a pushing force of the pushing unit.