Lid opening and closing device for image input apparatus

• US 4,896,189 A
• Filed: 12/15/1988
• Issued: 01/23/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tokyo Electric Co.
• Original Assignee: Tokyo Electric Co.
• Inventors: Akuzawa, Yoshihide
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Donald A.
• Application Number:
  US07/284,660
• Time in Patent Office: 404 Days
• Field of Search: 355/75
• US Class Current: 355/75
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 27/6228 Platen covers

Abstract

A lid opening and closing device is disclosed which comprises a plate spring having thereon an engagement portion disposed on the side of a lid and an engagement portion to engage with the engagement portion on the plate spring formed on the side of a housing, whereby the lid can be held opened at a certain angle of opening, a lid pivot for bearing a fulcrum pin on the lid side provided on the housing side for vertical movement while being urged downward, whereby reading of an original is ensured even if the thickness of the original is varied, and flat portions formed on the fulcrum pin and a cut corresponding to the flat portions made in the lid pivot, whereby the fulcrum pin can be detached from the lid pivot, thus performing necessary functions with a simple structure occupying a samll space on the whole.

Claims

1. A lid opening and closing device for an image input apparatus comprising:

a housing incorporating an optical reading unit therein and having a transparent original table provided on the top face thereof;

a flat lid located over the top face of said original table;

fulcrum pins arranged on a common axis and fixedly provided at least at both sides of the base of said lid;

a lid pivot, with a shaft hole made therein for allowing said fulcrum pin to fit therein for rotation, adapted to fit in said housing at its one end for vertical movement while being urged downward;

flat portions provided at portions of the periphery of said fulcrum pin virtually in parallel with the plane of said lid;

therebeing a cut made in said lid pivot communicating with said shaft hole, with an opening at its upper end, and having a width smaller than the diameter of said shaft hole for guiding said flat portions of said fulcrum pin therethrough;

a plate spring provided with an engagement portion attached to said lid on its inner face close to said fulcrum pin; and

an engagement portion for engaging with the engagement portion on said plate spring when said lid is held opened at a desired angle with said original table.

2. A lid opening and closing device for an image input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a recessed engagement portion for engaging with said engagement portion of said plate spring is made in the top face at one end of said lid pivot.

3. A lid opening and closing device for an image input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flat portions of said fulcrum pin are formed in parallel with the plane of said lid.

4. A lid opening and closing device for an image input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plate spring, which is made of plastic and provided with a projected portion at the center thereof for engaging with and disengaging from the engagement portion on the side of said housing, is adapted to be retained by a crank-formed engagement member provided on the inner face of the lid.