Sheet conveyance apparatus, sheet support apparatus, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A sheet support apparatus includes a sheet support portion to support a sheet, and a regulation portion supported by the sheet support portion such that the regulation portion moves in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, with the regulation portion regulating a position of a downstream edge, in the first direction, of the sheet supported by the sheet support portion. In addition, a brake unit produces a first frictional force between the sheet support portion and the regulation portion in a case where the regulation portion moves toward the second direction, and produces a second frictional force larger than the first frictional force between the sheet support portion and the regulation portion in a case where the regulation portion moves toward the first direction.

1 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A sheet support apparatus comprising:
 a sheet support portion configured to support a sheet;   a regulation portion supported by the sheet support portion such that the regulation portion is configured to move in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, the regulation portion being configured to regulate a position of a downstream edge, in the first direction, of the sheet supported by the sheet support portion; and   a brake unit configured to produce a first frictional force between the sheet support portion and the regulation portion in a case where the regulation portion moves toward the second direction, and produce a second frictional force larger than the first frictional force between the sheet support portion and the regulation portion in a case where the regulation portion moves toward the first direction.   
     
     
         15 . The sheet support apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the sheet support portion includes a brake wall that extends in the first direction,
 wherein the brake unit includes:
 a brake member that includes a brake surface configured to abut against the brake wall, and that is pivotally supported by the regulation portion; and 
 a brake urging portion configured to urge the brake member so as to cause the brake surface to press the brake wall, 
   wherein the brake unit produces the first frictional force or the second frictional force in a case where the brake surface presses the brake wall, and   wherein the second frictional force increases as the regulation portion is moved more downstream in the first direction in a state where the brake surface is in contact with the brake wall.   
     
     
         16 . The sheet support apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the first frictional force is constant even if the regulation portion is moved downstream in the second direction in a state where the brake surface is in contact with the brake wall. 
     
     
         17 . The sheet support apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the brake unit includes a brake release member configured to move the brake member such that the brake surface is separated from the brake wall. 
     
     
         18 . The sheet support apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the brake unit produces the first frictional force or the second frictional force in a case where the brake surface presses the brake wall, regardless of a position of the regulation portion in the first direction and the second direction. 
     
     
         19 . The sheet support apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising a feeding portion configured to feed a sheet, supported by the sheet support portion, in a feeding direction,
 wherein the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to the feeding direction.   
     
     
         20 . The sheet support apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 an apparatus body; and   a manual feed cover supported by the apparatus body such that the manual feed cover is configured to be opened and closed,   wherein the sheet support portion is configured to be supported by the manual feed cover.   
     
     
         21 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 the sheet support apparatus according to  claim 14 ; and   an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet fed from the sheet support apparatus.