Paper feeding apparatus

Abstract

A paper feeding apparatus includes a housing accommodating a plurality of papers, a pickup unit feeding the papers one by one, a movable plate provided in the housing, a friction member provided on the movable plate and on which lower ends of the papers accommodated in the housing abut, and an urging member urging the movable plate in a direction opposite from a paper feeding direction.

1 . A paper feeding apparatus, comprising: 
 a housing accommodating a plurality of papers;    a pickup unit feeding the papers one by one;    a movable plate provided in the housing;    a friction member provided on the movable plate and on which lower ends of the papers accommodated in the housing abut; and    an urging member urging the movable plate in a direction opposite from a paper feeding direction.    
   
   
       2 . The paper feeding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the movable plate is pressed and tilted by the paper which is fed out by the pickup unit.  
   
   
       3 . The paper feeding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing has an opening which is disposed on an extension of a paper feeding path toward a paper supply destination, and which allows feeding of the paper through an underside of the movable plate.  
   
   
       4 . The paper feeding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the friction member is provided below the pickup roller.  
   
   
       5 . A paper feeding apparatus comprising: 
 a housing including a back cover and a bottom plate supporting a plurality of papers, the housing having a paper outlet; and    a pickup unit selectively engageable with the of papers, the pickup unit feeding the papers one by one from the housing to the paper outlet,    wherein the bottom plate is pivotable between a full supporting position and a partial supporting position by a force of a paper being fed by the pickup unit, a pivot amount of the bottom plate from the full supporting position to the partial supporting position being dependent on a strength of the paper being fed.    
   
   
       6 . The paper feeding apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the bottom plate comprises a friction member on which lower ends of the papers in the housing abut.  
   
   
       7 . The paper feeding apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising an urging member urging the bottom plate toward the full supporting position.  
   
   
       8 . A printer comprising a paper inlet for receiving papers for printing, and the paper feeding apparatus of  claim 5 .  
   
   
       9 . A method of feeding papers one by one to a paper outlet of a housing, the housing including a back cover and a bottom plate, the method comprising: 
 supporting a plurality of papers in the housing;    selectively engaging a pickup unit with the papers;    feeding the papers one by one from the housing to the paper outlet; and    pivoting the bottom plate between a full supporting position and a partial supporting position by a force of a paper being fed by the pickup unit, wherein a pivot amount of the bottom plate from the full supporting position to the partial supporting position is dependent on a strength of the paper being fed.    
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising urging the bottom plate toward the full supporting position.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the supporting step comprises abutting the papers on a friction member disposed on the bottom plate.