Hinge apparatus for cover of image forming apparatus

• US 7,949,292 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2009
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HP Printing Korea Co., Ltd. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Choi, Dong-ha
• Primary Examiner(s): Colilla; Daniel J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham; Andy L
• Application Number:
  US12/382,561
• Publication Number:
  US 20090188078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 162/77, 163/25, 399/377, 399/379, 399/380, 358/497, 358/498, 355/25
• US Class Current: 399/380
• 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 2900/608 for machines
• 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 to open and close a scanner cover of an image forming apparatus in which the scanner cover is pivotably connected to a main body of the image forming apparatus so as to open and close a document glass, the hinge apparatus comprising:

a hinge body inserted into a coupling hole provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the hinge body movable in an up and down direction in the coupling hole, the hinge body including a housing chamber having an upper side opening, and a pair of supporting brackets provided adjacent to the upper side opening;

a hinge cam of which a portion is coupled to the scanner cover, and of which another portion is rotatably coupled to the supporting brackets of the hinge body; and

a pressure device comprising a pusher disposed to slide in the housing chamber of the hinge body, a pressure spring applying pressure to the pusher such that an upper surface of the pusher is in contact with a facing surface of the hinge cam,

wherein a locking protrusion protrudes from the pusher so as to prevent the release of the pusher from the housing chamber, the locking protrusion slidably engaging with a guide slot formed on the hinge body, the guide slot restricting an up and down sliding movement of the locking protrusion.

2. The hinge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge cam comprises:

a body portion connected to the scanner cover; and

a cam part connected to the body portion so as to pivot in contact with the pressure device.

3. The hinge apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cam part and each of the supporting brackets are provided with a shaft hole, respectively.

4. The hinge apparatus of claim 3, wherein a center of a hinge shaft is located toward the document glass compared to a pressure central line of the pressure device.

5. The hinge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge body comprises at least one first protrusion positioned at an area of the hinge body lower than the supporting brackets, to prevent the supporting brackets from entering the coupling hole.

6. The hinge apparatus of claim 5, wherein the main body comprises a hooking portion positioned at an entrance of the main body of the image forming apparatus;

and

the hinge body comprises a second protrusion positioned at a bottom surface of the hinge body so as to be caught by the hooking portion, thereby preventing the release of the hinge body from the coupling hole when the hinge body is elevated.

7. The hinge apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pusher and the hinge cam are made of a lubricating resin.

8. The hinge apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are at least two pressure springs in the housing chamber.

9. The hinge apparatus of claim 8, wherein the housing chamber comprises a spring support individually supporting the pressure springs.

19. The hinge apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the hinge body comprises a first protrusion, to limit an amount that the hinge body moves into the coupling hole in the main body;

the pressure device is formed as a single molded piece; and

a top molded surface portion of the pressure device establishes direct contact with the hinge cam.

21. The hinge apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the hinge body comprises a first protrusion, to limit an amount that the hinge body moves into the coupling hole in the main body, and

the supporting brackets are integrally formed with the hinge body and the supporting brackets are configured to rotatably support the hinge cam via a hinge shaft without employing an additional support structure reinforcing the supporting brackets.

23. The hinge apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the cam part has a hinge shaft; and

a center of rotation of the hinge shaft is offset by a predetermined distance from a line along which a center of the pressure device moves so that rotation of the hinge cam is inhibited when the pressure device moves.

24. The hinge apparatus of claim 23, wherein the center of rotation of the hinge shaft is located at the predetermined distance in a direction toward the document glass from the center line of the pressure device.

27. The hinge apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first end of the pressure spring is supported by a first spring support of the hinge body, and a second end of the pressure spring is supported by a second spring support positioned at a lower part of the pusher.

10. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a main body having a document glass on which a document is placed;

a scanner cover to open and close an upper side of the document glass; and

a hinge apparatus pivotably supporting the scanner cover to the main body,

wherein the hinge apparatus comprises;

a hinge body inserted into a coupling hole provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the hinge body movable in an up and down direction in the coupling hole, the hinge body including a housing chamber having an upper side opening, and a pair of supporting brackets provided adjacent to the upper side opening;

a hinge cam of which a portion is coupled to the scanner cover, and of which another portion is rotatably coupled to the supporting brackets of the hinge body; and

a pressure device comprising a pusher disposed to slide in the housing chamber of the hinge body, a pressure spring applying pressure to the pusher such that an upper surface of the pusher is in contact with a facing surface of the hinge cam,

wherein a locking protrusion protrudes from the pusher so as to prevent the release of the pusher from the housing chamber, the locking protrusion slidably engaging with a guide slot formed on the hinge body, the guide slot restricting an up and down sliding movement of the locking protrusion.

11. The image forming apparatus of claim 10, wherein the hinge cam comprises:

a body portion connected to the scanner cover; and

a cam part connected to the body portion so as to pivot in contact with the pressure device.

12. The image forming apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cam part and each of the supporting brackets are provided with a shaft hole, respectively.

13. The image forming apparatus of claim 12, wherein a center of a hinge shaft is located toward the document glass compared to a pressure central line of the pressure device.

14. The image forming apparatus of claim 10, wherein the hinge body comprises at least one first protrusion positioned at an area of the hinge body lower than the supporting brackets, to prevent the supporting brackets from entering the coupling hole.

15. The image forming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the main body comprises a hooking portion positioned at an entrance of the main body of the image forming apparatus;

and

the hinge body comprises a second protrusion positioned at a bottom surface of the hinge body so as to be caught by the hooking portion, thereby preventing the release of the hinge body from the coupling hole when the hinge body is elevated.

16. The image forming apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pusher and the hinge cam are made of a lubricating resin.

17. The image forming apparatus of claim 10, wherein there are at least two pressure springs in the housing chamber.

18. The image forming apparatus of claim 17, wherein the housing chamber comprises a spring support individually supporting the pressure springs.

20. The image forming apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the hinge body comprises a first protrusion, to limit an amount that the hinge body moves into the coupling hole in the main body;

the pressure device is formed as a single molded piece; and

the upper surface of the pusher is a top molded surface portion which establishes direct contact with the hinge cam.

22. The image forming apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the hinge body comprises a first protrusion, to limit an amount that the hinge body moves into the coupling hole in the main body, and

the supporting brackets are integrally formed with the hinge body and the supporting brackets are configured to rotatably support the hinge cam via a hinge shaft without employing an additional support structure reinforcing the supporting brackets.

25. The image forming apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the hinge cam has a hinge shaft; and

a center of rotation of the hinge shaft is offset by a predetermined distance from a line along which a center of the pressure device moves so that rotation of the hinge cam is inhibited when the pressure device moves.

26. The image forming apparatus of claim 25, wherein the center of rotation of the hinge shaft is located at a predetermined distance in a direction of toward the document glass from the center line of the pressure device.

28. The image forming apparatus of claim 10, wherein an upper end of the pressure spring is supported by a spring support provided on the pusher.

29. The image forming apparatus of claim 10, wherein a lower end of the pressure spring is supported by a spring support provided on the hinge body.

30. A hinge apparatus to open and close a cover of an image forming apparatus, which pivotally connects the cover to a main body of the image forming apparatus, the hinge apparatus comprising:

a hinge body comprising a housing chamber and supporting brackets;

a hinge cam, coupled to the cover, pivotably connected to the supporting brackets; and

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

a pusher comprising a guide member, disposed in the housing chamber; and

a spring disposed in the housing chamber to press the pusher, wherein the hinge body is provided with a receiving member corresponding to the guide member to guide a movement of the pusher.

31. The hinge apparatus of claim 30, wherein:

the main body has a coupling hole;

the hinge body comprises a first protrusion, to limit an amount that the hinge body moves into the coupling hole in the main body;

the pressure device is formed as a single molded piece; and

a top molded surface portion of the pressure device establishes direct contact with the hinge cam.

32. The hinge apparatus of claim 30, wherein:

the main body has a coupling hole;

the hinge body comprises a first protrusion, to limit an amount that the hinge body moves into the coupling hole in the main body, and

the supporting brackets are integrally formed with the hinge body and the supporting brackets are configured to rotatably support the hinge cam via a hinge shaft without employing an additional support structure reinforcing the supporting brackets.

33. The hinge apparatus of claim 30, wherein:

the hinge cam has a hinge shaft; and

a center of rotation of the hinge shaft is offset by a predetermined distance from a line along which a center of the pressure device moves so that rotation of the hinge cam is inhibited when the pressure device moves.

34. The hinge apparatus of claim 33, wherein:

the cover opens and closes an upper side of the document glass; and

the center of rotation of the hinge shaft is located at the predetermined distance in a direction toward the document glass from the center line of the pressure device.

35. The image forming apparatus of claim 30, wherein an upper end of the pressure spring is supported by a spring support provided on the pusher.

36. The image forming apparatus of claim 30, wherein a lower end of the pressure spring is supported by a spring support provided on the hinge body.

37. A hinge apparatus to open and close a cover of an image forming apparatus, which pivotally connects the cover to a main body of the image forming apparatus, the hinge apparatus comprising:

a hinge body comprising a housing chamber and supporting brackets;

a hinge cam, coupled to the cover, pivotably connected to the supporting brackets; and

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

a pusher comprising a guide member, disposed in the housing chamber; and

a spring disposed in the housing chamber to press the pusher, wherein the hinge body is provided with a receiving member corresponding to the guide member to guide a movement of the pusher,

wherein the hinge cam has a hinge shaft, and a center of rotation of the hinge shaft is offset by a predetermined distance from a line along a center of the pressure device.

38. The hinge apparatus of claim 37, wherein:

the main body has a coupling hole;

the hinge body comprises a first protrusion, to limit an amount that the hinge body moves into the coupling hole in the main body;

the pressure device is formed as a single molded piece; and

a top molded surface portion of the pressure device establishes direct contact with the hinge cam.

39. The hinge apparatus of claim 37, wherein:

the main body has a coupling hole;

the hinge body comprises a first protrusion, to limit an amount that the hinge body moves into the coupling hole in the main body; and

the supporting brackets are integrally formed with the hinge body and the supporting brackets are configured to rotatably support the hinge cam via the hinge shaft without employing an additional support structure reinforcing the supporting brackets.

40. The hinge apparatus of claim 37, wherein:

the cover opens and closes an upper side of a document glass of the image forming apparatus; and

the center of rotation of the hinge shaft is located at the predetermined distance in a direction toward the document glass from the center line of the pressure device.