PURPOSE: To prevent the generation of sheet powder from a recording sheet fed to the downstream side in a state to be nipped between a feed roller and a friction member by providing a means to relieve the magnitude of frictional resistance of a friction member against an energizing force exerted on the friction member in linkage with operation of a resist roller during operation of the roller.

CONSTITUTION: A frictional resistance relieving means formed with a coupling plate 10, a third coil spring 12, and a solenoid 13 is operated to relieve the magnitude of frictional resistance of a friction pad 4 in linkage with operation of resist rollers 5 and 5 only during the passage of a recording sheet through a resist front switch 6. This constitution prevents the generation of sheet powder from a recording sheet fed to the downstream side in a state to be nipped between a feed roller 2 and a friction pad 4.