Hinge apparatus for cover of image forming apparatus

• US 7,665,183 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2008
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HP Printing Korea Co., Ltd. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Choi, Dong-ha
• Primary Examiner(s): Mah; Chuck Y.
• Application Number:
  US12/213,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20080263825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 162/77, 163/25, 163/35, 162/84, 163/42, 162/42, 162/39, 162/86, 163/22, 163/52, 16280-282, 163/61, 163/66, 163/71, 162/57, 162/58, 16D/IG.34, 358497-498, 399/377, 399/379, 399/380, 399/38, 355/25, 355/75, 355/77, 361/679.06, 361/679.12, 361/679.27, 361/679.28
• US Class Current: 16/286
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/13 Cases or covers
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/00 Additional features or accessories of hinges edge protecting devices E06B3/88
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/02 Lubricating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/08 Friction devices between relatively-movable hinge parts E05D7/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/02 with one pin
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/00 Hinges or pivots of special construction used for special suspension arrangements E05D15/00; so as to be self-closing E05F1/06, E05F1/12; with means for raising wings before being turned E05F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1261 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/00 Braking devices, e.g. checks; Stops; Buffers construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices E05F3/00; braking devices, buffers or end stops on drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture A47B88/473; combined with devices for holding wings open E05C17/00; devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing E05C17/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/638 Cams; Ramps
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/34 with only one kind of movement E06B3/48 takes precedence
• 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 1/00557 Connection or assembly of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00559 Mounting or support of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Claims

1. A hinge apparatus rotatably connecting a cover and a main body, the hinge apparatus comprising:

a hinge body with a void therein and a supporting bracket;

a pressure device, movable in the void, and biased toward a first end of the hinge body; and

a hinge cam rotatably connected to the supporting bracket, and slidably engaging the pressure device,

wherein the hinge body comprises a first protrusion to limit an amount the hinge body moves into an opening in the main body.

2. The hinge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hinge cam includes a body portion connected to the cover,

thereby the cover being pivotably connected to the main body.

3. The hinge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the void is extended in the longitudinal direction of the opening in the main body.

4. The hinge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion is disposed on at least one side of the hinge body.

5. The hinge apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first protrusion is disposed on the lower side of the supporting bracket.

6. The hinge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hinge body moves in an upward direction and a downward direction.

7. The hinge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hinge body further comprises a second protrusion to limit an amount the hinge body moves out of the opening in the main body.

8. The hinge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure device comprises a guide member, and the hinge body is provided with a receiving member corresponding to the guide member to guide a movement of the pressure device.

9. The hinge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure device comprises an elastic member, thereby being biased toward the first end of the hinge body.

10. The hinge apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

11. The hinge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion is disposed on the lower side of the supporting bracket.

12. The hinge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure device comprises a guide member to guide a movement of the pressure device, and the guide member is slidably in contact with an inner side of the hinge body.

13. A hinge apparatus for opening and closing a cover of an image forming apparatus, the hinge apparatus comprising:

a hinge body comprising a housing chamber and supporting brackets;

a hinge cam pivotably connected to the supporting brackets; and

a pressure device disposed at the hinge body, said pressure device comprising;

a pusher disposed in the housing chamber; and

an elastic member disposed in the housing chamber to press the pusher against the hinge cam,

wherein the hinge cam includes a body portion connected to the cover of the image forming apparatus thereby the cover being pivotably connected to the main body,

wherein the hinge body is inserted into an opening in the main body, and

wherein the hinge body comprises first protrusions to limit an amount the hinge body moves into the opening in the main body.

14. The hinge apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the housing chamber is extended in the longitudinal direction of the opening in the main body.

15. The hinge apparatus according to claim 13, wherein one of the first protrusions is disposed on both sides of the hinge body.

16. The hinge apparatus according to claim 13, wherein one of the first protrusions is disposed on the lower side of each supporting bracket.

17. The hinge apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the hinge body further comprises a second protrusion to limit an amount the hinge body moves out of the opening in the main body.

18. The hinge apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the pusher comprises a guide member and the hinge body is provided with a receiving member corresponding to the guide member to guide a movement of the pusher.

19. The hinge apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

20. The hinge apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the pusher comprises a guide member to guide a movement of the pressure device, and the guide member is slidably in contact with an inner side of the hinge body.

21. A hinge apparatus for opening and closing a cover of an image forming apparatus, the hinge apparatus comprising:

a hinge body comprising a housing chamber and supporting brackets;

a hinge cam pivotably connected to the supporting brackets; and

a pressure device disposed at the hinge body, said pressure device comprising;

a pusher disposed in the housing chamber; and

an elastic member disposed in the housing chamber to press the pusher against the hinge cam,

wherein the hinge body moves in an upward direction and a downward direction,

wherein the hinge body is inserted into an opening in the main body, and

wherein the hinge body comprises first protrusions to limit an amount the hinge body moves into the opening in the main body.

22. The hinge apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the housing chamber is extended in the longitudinal direction of the opening in the main body.

23. The hinge apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the pusher comprises a guide member, and the hinge body is provided with a receiving member corresponding to the guide member to guide a movement of the pusher.

24. The hinge apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

25. The hinge apparatus according to claim 21, wherein one of the first protrusions is disposed on both sides of the hinge body.

26. The hinge apparatus according to claim 21, wherein one of the first protrusions is disposed on the lower side of each supporting bracket.

27. The hinge apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the hinge body further comprises a second protrusion to limit an amount the hinge body moves out of the opening in the main body.

28. The hinge apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the pusher comprises a guide member to guide a movement of the pressure device, and the guide member is slidably in contact with an inner side of the hinge body.