Image forming apparatus having removable angle stopper

• US 6,775,513 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2002
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konica Corporation (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Konica Corporation (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Aoki, Masashi, Kato, Osamu, Hata, Kiyoshi, Mizubata, Tsuyoshi, Kato, Nobutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Grimley, Arthur T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GLEITZ, RYAN M
• Application Number:
  US10/233,948
• Publication Number:
  US 20030049061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 399/367, 399/365, 399/379, 399/380, 355/25, 355/75, 16/82, 292/343, 292/DIG.17
• US Class Current: 399/367
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/605 Holders for originals or exposure platens for photographic purposes in general G03B
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00519 Constructional details not otherwise provided for, e.g. housings, covers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00554 Latches or hinges therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0464 capable of performing non-simultaneous scanning at more than one scanning station

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit, document convey unit, display/operating portion, and hinge. The image reading unit has a slit glass plate for conveying and scanning a document, and a platen glass plate for fixing and scanning the document. The document convey unit is set above glass surfaces of the slit glass plate and platen glass plate. The display/operating portion is provided to one side of the glass surfaces. The hinge is provided to the other side of the glass plates and serves to attach the document convey unit to be openable and closeable with respect to the glass surfaces. The hinge has an angle stopper with which the document convey unit can be opened at one desired open angle selected from at least two different open angles with respect to the glass surfaces.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

an image reading unit having a slit glass plate for conveying and scanning a document and a platen glass plate for fixing and scanning the document;

a document convey unit set above glass surfaces of the slit glass plate and platen glass plate;

a display/operating portion provided to one side of the glass surface;

a hinge provided to the other side of the glass plates serving to attach said document convey unit to be openable and closeable with respect to the glass surface; and

a reversible angle stopper removably attached to said hinge, said angle stopper stopping said document convey unit at one desired open angle selected from at least two different open angles with respect to the glass surfaces.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said angle stopper can change the open angle of said document convey unit with respect to the glass surfaces by reversing an attaching position at which the angle stopper is attached to said hinge.