A holding apparatus includes a holding portion that includes a first member which contacts a portion of an object, a second member which at least a portion thereof is fixed to a base, and a connection member which is configured to connect the first and second members, and a driving unit which drives the holding portion to change at least a posture of the first member, wherein a relative positional relationship between the first member and the second member is changed via the connection member.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mask device, an exposure apparatus and an exposure method, which enable a reduction in the possibility that the mask is scratched during exposure so as to protect the mask, and in turn a reduction in production cost of the semiconductor devices. The mask device comprises a mask carrier, a mask disposed on a lower surface of the mask carrier, and at least one protection unit provided on the mask carrier, wherein a lower end of the at least one protection unit is arranged to be lower than the lower surface of the mask during exposure. The mask device is applicable in exposure of a substrate to be exposed.

An original reading apparatus includes: a reading unit configured to read an original placed on a platen while moving in a predetermined direction in a housing; a sensor provided in the housing and configured to detect presence of the original in a predetermined position on the platen to identify a size of the original; a holding member movable in the housing and configured to hold the sensor and a cable extending from the sensor; and a cover configured to cover a predetermined space on a rear side of the platen mounted to the housing. A grip portion used by an operator to move the holding member is provided at one end of the holding member extending to the predetermined space through an opening portion in a wall on a rear side of the housing. When the cover is removed, the operator is allowed to grip the grip portion.

An original reading apparatus includes: a reading unit configured to read an original placed on a platen while moving in a predetermined direction in a housing; a sensor provided in the housing and configured to detect presence of the original in a predetermined position on the platen to identify a size of the original; a holding member movable in the housing and configured to hold the sensor and a cable extending from the sensor; and a cover configured to cover a predetermined space on a rear side of the platen mounted to the housing. A grip portion used by an operator to move the holding member is provided at one end of the holding member extending to the predetermined space through an opening portion in a wall on a rear side of the housing. When the cover is removed, the operator is allowed to grip the grip portion.

Provided is a hinge that can prevent a defect, a failure, or the like with greater certainty, and enables inspection and repair work to be efficiently carried out. A hinge comprises a first wing member that is connected to a first connection object and a second wing member that is connected to a second connection object. The hinge rotatably connects the second connection object to the first connection object. The hinge comprises a sensor that detects a change inside the hinge or in a prescribed external environment change in the external environment detected by the sensor to the outside via a sensor that detects a prescribed component constituting an odor, a gas sensor that detects a prescribed gas, a dust sensor that detects the amount of dust, and a illumination sensor that detects brightness.

An original reading apparatus includes: a reading unit configured to read an original placed on a platen while moving in a predetermined direction in a housing; a sensor provided in the housing and configured to detect presence of the original in a predetermined position on the platen to identify a size of the original; a holding member movable in the housing and configured to hold the sensor and a cable extending from the sensor; and a cover configured to cover a predetermined space on a rear side of the platen mounted to the housing. A grip portion used by an operator to move the holding member is provided at one end of the holding member extending to the predetermined space through an opening portion in a wall on a rear side of the housing. When the cover is removed, the operator is allowed to grip the grip portion.

An original reading apparatus includes: a reading unit configured to read an original placed on a platen while moving in a predetermined direction in a housing; a sensor provided in the housing and configured to detect presence of the original in a predetermined position on the platen to identify a size of the original; a holding member movable in the housing and configured to hold the sensor and a cable extending from the sensor; and a cover configured to cover a predetermined space on a rear side of the platen mounted to the housing. A grip portion used by an operator to move the holding member is provided at one end of the holding member extending to the predetermined space through an opening portion in a wall on a rear side of the housing. When the cover is removed, the operator is allowed to grip the grip portion.

One motor is shared for carriage movement and document sheet conveyance. An abutting member stops the carriage, that has moved from a second position located below a first end portion of a platen glass, at a first position located below a contact glass. The carriage supports the motor and first and second main body gears. The main body gears interlock with the motor. A cover input gear meshes with the first main body gear when the carriage is located between the first position and a relay region. A main rack gear meshes with the second main body gear when the carriage is located in a region extending from the relay region to a third position located below a second end portion of the platen glass. A load torque applied to the motor is larger when the carriage is fixed than when the cover input gear is fixed.

An image forming system (100) includes an image forming apparatus (1) and an image reading apparatus (50). The image forming apparatus (1) include a first casing (10) including a top plate (13) having a first opening (11) and a second opening (12); and a fixing member (20) disposed below the top plate (13), having a first projecting part (21) and a second projecting part (22) and operated such that the first projecting part (21) is protruded and retracted through the first opening (11) and the second projecting part (22) is protruded and retracted through the second opening (12). The image reading apparatus (50) includes: a second casing (60) placed on the first casing (10); a second carriage (52) being movable inside the second casing (60); a lock member (70) which is engaged with the second carriage (52) to restrict movement of the second carriage (52), and when pushed up by the first projecting part (21), is disengaged from the second carriage (52) to release restriction of the movement of the second carriage (52); and a third opening (64) into which the second projecting part (22).

A sheet feed roller portion (12) feeds a plurality of bound sheets (51) to a conveying path (18). The ultrasonic sensor (19) detects a voltage value that changes according to a thickness of the sheet (51) at a measurement position (P2) on the conveying path (18). A determination processing portion (53) determines whether or not a voltage difference between voltage values of the sheet (51) detected by the ultrasonic sensor (19) is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value. A light amount adjustment processing portion (54) adjusts a light amount of light emitted from a CIS sensor (23) and irradiated onto the sheet (51) when the determination processing portion (53) determines that the voltage difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value.