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Image reader for image-forming device

  • US 7,672,636 B2
  • Filed: 11/23/2005
  • Issued: 03/02/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An image reader comprising:

  • a main body having a document support surface for supporting an original document; and

    a document cover having an edge portion rotatably supported on the main body and capable of rotating between a closed position for covering the document support surface and an open position for exposing the document support surface, whereinthe document cover comprises;

    a main cover body;

    a document pressing plate that is provided on an opposing surface of the main cover body that opposes the document support surface when the document cover is in the closed position, and document pressing plate having a pressing surface that opposes the document support surface when the document cover is in the closed position;

    a supporting unit that supports the document pressing plate on the main cover body, the supporting unit comprising a first plurality of engaging protrusions provided on and being integrally formed on either one of the main cover body and the document pressing plate, and a first plurality of engagement receiving parts provided on the other of the main cover body and the document pressing plate for engaging with the first plurality of engaging protrusions with clearance in at least a direction orthogonal to the pressing surface, the supporting unit being free of a spring and a sponge; and

    a plurality of pressing parts disposed and integrally formed on at least one of the main cover body, in a region opposing the document pressing plate, and the document pressing plate, the plurality of pressing parts free of a spring and a sponge and pressing against the other of the main cover body and the document pressing plate in the direction that the main cover body and document pressing plate oppose one another when the document cover is in the closed position, the plurality of pressing parts separating from the other of the main cover body and the document pressing plate when the document cover is in the open position;

    whereinthe first plurality of engaging protrusions protrude from at least one of the main cover body and the document pressing plate in a direction parallel to the pressing surface;

    the first plurality of engagement receiving parts provided on the other of the main cover body and the document pressing plate are formed with through-holes; and

    the first plurality of engaging protrusions are engaged with the first plurality of engagement receiving parts through insertion into the through-holes of the first engagement receiving parts;

    the document pressing plate being formed in the shape of a tetragon in which all corner angles are right angles and in which a pair of first sides extend parallel to each other in a first direction and a pair of second sides extend parallel to each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;

    the first plurality of engaging protrusions include two protrusions protruding from one of the second sides in the first direction and one protrusion protruding from one of the first sides in the second direction, respectively;

    the first plurality of engagement receiving parts are formed of two receiving parts for engaging with the two first engaging protrusions;

    the document pressing plate is restricted from moving in the second direction relative to the main cover body by the engagement of the first engaging protrusion protruding from one of the second sides in the first direction with the first engagement receiving part for engaging with the first engaging protrusion protruding from one of the second sides in the first direction; and

    the document pressing plate is restricted from moving in the first direction relative to the main cover body by the engagement of the first engaging protrusion protruding from one of the first sides in the second direction with the first engagement receiving part for engaging with the first engaging protrusion protruding from one of the first sides in the second direction.

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