To provide a firm fixing method free from separation or deviation forward even when a friction member provided on the tip of a pressure plate is brought into direct contact with a paper feed roller in motion.

In a paper feed device on which papers are loaded, and provided with a paper feed roller, a pressure plate on which a forward end part is pressed against the paper feed roller to be energized, and a friction pad which is brought into contact with the paper feed roller to separate the papers, a recessed part 61 which is of the prescribed length on the upstream direction in the condition where the tip side is opened and is lower than the upper surface is formed on a part which is brought into contact with the paper feed roller in an opposite manner of the pressure plate 6. A friction member 8 of approximately same shape as that of the recessed part is fitted to the recessed pat in the condition in which the movement to the tip side is prevented. The width W2 which is larger than the width W1 of the open part on the tip side is formed on the upstream side of the open part on the tip side of the recessed part 61.